PLANTING AND CARE OF TREES 51 



seed of the rapid-growing species, like the Soft Maples, Hickories, 

 Oaks, Black Walnut, Butternut, Ashes, Elms, Locusts and Catalpas, 

 should be given more room and should be planted in rows two to 

 three feet apart. The seeds should be so spaced in the row that 

 the seedlings will not require thinning. Medium sized seeds and 

 those that have tested high in germination may be planted from 

 one to two inches apart, while the smaller ones and those that have 

 proven to be low in vitality should be spaced somewhat closer. The 

 larger seeds like nuts and acorns may be spaced about three inches 

 apart. For very small seeds it is customary to use a board on 

 which to stand and thus avoid trampling the soil. The rows in 

 which the seed is to be planted may be marked off by running a hoe 

 handle along the edge of the board. 



The amount of covering that should be given seeds depends upon 

 their size and upon the character of soil. Large seeds should be 

 planted deeper than smaller kinds. A common rule is to cover all 

 seeds about three or four times their own depth. On light soil, and 

 especially during dry weather, they should be covered more deeply, 

 while on heavy soil twice their own depth would be sufficient. In 

 order to bring the soil moisture up to the level of the seeds and to 

 prevent the seed from being washed out by rain it is well to roll the 

 ground or firm it by walking on a board placed along the row. 

 The loss of moisture and the baking of the surface may be pre- 

 vented by scattering chaff on the seed bed after planting. 



Care of Seedlings — The young seedlings of most species 

 will require shade for the first season and of the conifers for 

 the first two seasons. The necessary shade may sometimes be 

 supplied by the use of evergreen boughs, but the common practice 

 is to use frames made of lath. (See hg. 28.) The latter are placed 

 about their own width apart and nailed on end strips about two 

 inches in thickness and five to six feet in length. The frames are 

 supported eighteen inches above ground for conifers, and from two 

 to three feet for other seedlings. The screens are removed only 

 on cloudy days and during gentle rains. When the soil is suffi- 

 ciently moist the frames serve a useful purpose by shedding part 

 of the water that falls. With broad leaved seedlings it is usually 

 unnecessary to keep the shades on after the first of August. 



When it is necessary to water seedlings the water should be 

 applied gently, allowing it to soak in. When good cultivation is 



