SYLVICULTURE 



In semi-trojjical regions or places of periodical drought, the best 

 planting time is the fortnight preceding the rainy period. On dry- 

 soil seeds are planted as early in spring as possible so as to profit 

 from the moisture left by melting snow. 



Seeds which naturally germinate 18 months after maturity 

 (Red Cedar, Hornbeam, some Ashes, some Basswoods) require strati- 

 fication: Place seeds, in dry soil, in a ditch ten inches deep and ten 

 inches wide, to a depth of five inches. Cover seeds with straw and 

 dry weeds, and finally with dirt. After the lapse of a year the 

 seeds are ready for planting. 



Paragraph XV. Auxiliaries to seed planting. 



A. Means to protect species needing shade in earliest youth. 



I. Plant seeds with oats, barley or summer rye, planting the 

 grain seed in quantities not to exceed 75% of the normal. Cut 

 grain crops high. This method was used regularly 100 years ago, 

 for European Pine and White Oak, possibly with a view to early 

 returns, possibly to distract ravages of field mice and birds. 



II. Certain species, tender and shade demanding in early youth 

 like Beech and Fir, cannot well be raised in the open, unless an 

 usher growth 12 to 15 years older (of Yellow Pine, Sassafras, Black 

 Locust, Birch) is previously started on the ground. The usher 

 growth is gradually removed when the seedlings underneath want 

 '■ skylight." In semi-arid parts such usher growth is perhaps 

 doubly advisable; further in prairies, where Poplars and Willows, 

 Box Elders and Soft Maple miglit serve as ushers (also Locust). 



B. Means to protect the seed plantation from animals and 

 weeds. 



I. Against seed-eating animals. Planting in late spring offers 

 some protection. Planting in sprouting condition protects heavy 

 seeds from rodents; slight coating of red lead protects conifers 

 from birds. • A watchman might be kept on large plantations, to 

 scare the birds away. By coating large seeds with tar, crows 

 might be kept away. 



II. Light cover of weeds is no disadvantage. Where weeds are 

 heavy, seedlings should be planted, rather than seeds. Mowing (with 

 scythe) weeds and fefns, crushing briars— preferably before weeds 

 are seeding— -is recommended. Where seeds are planted in rows 

 or furrows on abandoned fields, cultivation checks weeds. 



III. Pasture is not allowed in seed plantations before the thicket 

 stage is past. 



C. Reinforcing. Bare spots where seed planting has failed are 



