SOWING. 19 



labour lost to attempt re-stocking it ; but if the con- 

 ditions remain unaltered, such land may possibly 

 be stocked by rigorously excluding all cattle, and 

 scattering the seed in plough-lines in exceptionally 

 moist seasons. I say " possibly," for much depends 

 on uniformity of soil. If the trees now standing 

 are found only on mounds of humus, with the 

 intervening spaces excessively impregnated with 

 saline matters, it would be vain to attempt 

 stocking it. 



In connection with sowing, it should always be 

 borne in mind, that although most tree-seeds, if 

 kept dry, will remain good for an indefinite length 

 of time, if they are once moistened sufficiently 

 to cause them to swell, they will immediately rot, 

 unless sufficient moisture is supplied to foster ger- 

 mination and growth. 



These are general remarks : special seeds require 

 special treatment. Tun-seed must be collected before 

 it is quite ripe, or the capsules will have opened and 

 shed the seed ; but it must not be sown until the 

 capsules have burst, and the seed separated from 

 them. Sal-seed germinates on the tree, and if it 

 is required to sow it in ground not yet prepared, 

 or to keep it until the soil be properly moistened, it 

 may be kept for a few weeks spread out on sand 

 in a shady place, and well sprinkled with water 

 twice a day ; but it will require careful handling 



