DIEECT SOWINGS. 231 



the hand. The seedling is put into the hollow, and 

 its roots, after being properly arranged, are covered 

 over with mould. Lastly, sods of turf are laid over 

 the whole mound with the turf inwards, so that the 

 mound is completely covered with only a hole at the 

 top through which the stalk of the seedling passes. 

 While acknowledging the effectiveness of this 

 method, it is however fair to state that it requires a 

 rather heavy outlay, and that excellent results may 

 be obtained at less cost. 



CHAPTER III. 



DIRECT SOWINGS. 



WE have seen higher up that planting is generally 

 to be preferred to sowing, provided the species em- 

 ployed are appropriated to the soil and climate, and 

 the young plants are judiciously selected. Still it 

 must be confessed that sowing has at times raison 

 d'etre ; for instance, when labour is scarce or when 

 large quantities of seed are procurable at low prices, 

 or if the object in view is to introduce a new species 

 under the shelter of that which is already in posses- 

 sion of the soil, or lastly if the time at one's disposal 

 is very limited and the areas to be stocked are large. 

 Hence it is necessary to give a few directions with 

 regard to the plan to be pursued in these different 

 cases. 



PEEPAEATION OF THE SOIL. The first question 

 which presents itself is how to prepare the ground. 

 This may be done in three different ways ; (i.) com- 



