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CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES. 73 
ash may possibly be more satisfactory than that from fine ash trees growing 
in high forest. The seed of the former has better means of ripening and 
other advantages, and in this case the rough tree is not due to unsatisfactory 
seed but to incorrect methods of production. ‘The same argument may apply 
to Scots Pine grown on open commons. 
The average yields of conifer seed pew bushel of cones is a point on which 
little information exists, and tests should be made and results compared and 
tabulated. 
The storing and extraction of the seed and other points which I cannot 
now touch upon afford also matter for discussion. 
N: ursery Work. 
Successful germination of the seed after sowing is of the first importance. 
The most important factor is moisture and, of course, warmth. It is usual 
to soak the seed to encourage early germination in the seed-beds. I think 
far greater attention should be given to this point, particularly with the seed 
of Douglas Fir and others that give uncertain results. ‘The germination is left 
often too much to chance and to the risks of the weather, and I am convinced 
that far more even and certain germination can be obtained as a result of 
experiment and mutual discussion. 
Broadcast v. Drill Sowing. 
Both broadcast and drill sowing have their advocates, and it depends to 
a certain extent on the conditions which should be adopted. 
The advantages of broadcast sowing comprise chiefly : 
(1) Less land is required for the seed-beds. 
(2) Less labour is required for sowing and a given quantity of seed 
is sown more quickly. 
(3) Once a vigorous crop of seedlings has sprung up, the weeds are 
suppressed naturally and in the later stages less attention is required. 
(4) Less expense is involved in shading and other operations. 
One of the disadvantages of broadcast sowing is suppressing the weeds in 
the early stages. 
The advantages claimed for drill sowing are that the seeds can be hoed 
between the lines and that the seedlings are properly mulched and less crowded. 
Broadcast sowing is far more general now than drill sowing, both here and in 
- America. 
Thickness of Sowing. 
The number of square feet covered per pound of seed is a point to which 
attention should be given. Many experienced men prescribe eighty to a 
hundred square feet to the pound of seed for the broadcast sowing of most 
conifers. All agree, however, that Sitka Spruce requires double or treble the 
area per pound of seed. 
The area should be based, of course, on the number of seeds to the pound 
and the percentage of germination. There are also special characteristics 
attaching to each variety of tree, and I think that a revised table on this 
point is required. 
Shading, &c. 
Protection from sun and frosts is an important question in the early stages 
of seedling production. Various devices are used for protective purposes, 
including wire netting, rods of bamboo, boughs, &c. Birch boughs are an 
inexpensive resource for this purpose, and all agree as to the wisdom of not 
using the boughs of conifers. : 
Shading the seed-beds with cheese-cloths or coarse canvas is common in 
America and might be adopted in this country with certain varieties such as 
Sitka Spruce. 
