30 FORESTATION, SAND HILLS NEBRASKA AND KANSAS. 



and blowing out of the seed and insures the seed an equable supply 

 of moisture, so that germination is rapid and even over the entire 

 bed. Before germination shade frames allowing them only one-half 

 of full sunlight are placed over the beds. These frames consist sim- 

 ply of long strips of slat or lath fencing rolled out on a pair of hori- 

 zontal bars which are parallel with the sides of the bed and extend 

 its entire length. These frames, not permanently fixed, and easily 

 rolled up, are much more convenient than permanent high shade 

 frames, because they do not interfere with plowing and grading and 

 may easily be rolled back in the event of particularly cloudy weather. 

 Since they are from 22 to 24 inches high, they do not have to be 

 rolled back for weeding, as all of the 4-foot beds can be reached from 

 the sides. 



Broadcast seeding supplanted drill seeding in the Halsey nursery 

 in 1909, when an attempt was made to increase the productiveness of 

 the ground. Drill-sown seed germinates more slowly, but usually 

 in the end more completely. The method, therefore, is more economi- 

 cal of seed and has the further advantage of making weeding easier 

 and of making cultivation possible. Broadcast seeding has the 

 advantage where space is at a premium, because from 125 to 200 

 seedlings may be grown per square foot where all of the ground is 

 occupied as against 60 to 100 in drills. With plenty of water culti- 

 vation of seed beds is unnecessary. 



The time required for germination depends largely on the weather. 

 Germination is much slower in early spring than at midsummer, 

 and too much water retards germination by cooling the soil. The 

 most rapid germination ever recorded at Halsey was six days for 

 yellow pine, in midsummer. In the unusually cool spring of 1912 

 yellow pine took 22 days; Scotch pine, 24 days; jack pine, 29 days; 

 and Norway pine, 40 days. 



Practically all seed sowing has been done at Halsey in the spring, 

 or just as soon as possible after the early field planting, transplanting, 

 and preparation of the ground. Frequently seed sowing has not 

 been completed before June 15, though it is quite certain that the 

 earlier seeding produces the larger plants by the end of the season. 

 Very early seeding, however, subjects the plants to more danger 

 from damping off. 



Exhaustive experiments with fall seeding have not yet been made, 

 but it seems to have good possibilities for both the Halsey and 

 Garden City nurseries. Fall seeding of 1911, at Halsey, germinated 

 just one month ahead of the earliest spring seeding of 1912, which 

 could not be done until April 29. Should it prove as effective as it 

 promises fall seeding will doubtless be adopted to relieve the work of 

 the spring season and give the plants the longer growing season. 

 The advantages and disadvantages of various seasons for seeding are 

 now being determined. 



