16 STATE BOARD OF FORESTRY. 



after) o when the soil remains wet overnight, or when they are 



over-shaded. To check it, it is necessary to admit more Light or to 

 sprinkle the surface of the seed boxes with dry sand. In any case 

 the admission of light and the freer circulation of air are desirable, 

 hence I he laths should be put on in panels so they can be removed if 

 desired. 



Another point to be observed in constructing a lath house, particularly 

 in windy locations, is to lay the lath on the sides of the house diagonally 

 instead of vertically or horizontally. This will give the house greater 

 st rength. 



The size of the house must be determined by the number of seedlings 

 required per year. As a general guide it is safe to count on forty 

 seedlings for every square foot of floor space enclosed. 



Seed Boxes. It is desirable to sow Eucalyptus seeds in boxes instead 

 of in the open soil, in order to facilitate the handling of seedlings and 

 to control the development of their roots. The boxes should be about 

 18 to 20 inches in surface dimension by 3 or 4 inches deep, and filled 

 almost to the top with fire, mineral soil, free from weed seed. This 

 should be smoothed uniformly, care being taken not to leave any 

 hollows or holes, and not more than 1.000 seeds should be sown in each 

 box. After sowing, the seed should be covered a little deeper than the 

 diameter of the seed with a layer of fine sand. 



After the seed is sown, a very light layer of leaf -mold, or sawdust, 

 should be sprinkled on the surface of the soil. This will help to retain 

 the mosisture and thus hasten germination. During warm weather 

 germination may be expected in from four to ten days. When the 

 seedlings appear above the surface the sawdust may be removed. Some 

 contend that redwood sawdust prevents damping off, but the reason 

 for this is not clear. 



Watering Seedlings. The regulation of the water supply for Eucalyp- 

 tus seedlings requires careful attention. Too much and too little water 

 injures them equally. Nearly every difficulty experienced in raising 

 Eucalyptus seedlings can be overcome by gauging the water supply so 

 that the soil is kept moderately moist at all times during the sunny 

 part of the clay and somewhat drier at night. If the seedlings begin to 

 wilt, they should be examined immediately and carefully to ascertain 

 whether the wilting is due to drought or "damping off," for in the 

 former case water is needed, while in the latter a drying process, already 

 described, should be instituted. The symptoms are very similar and 

 should not be confused. 



As a general rule it is safer to err on the side of too little water rather 

 than on that of too much. It should be given during the day when 

 there is a considerable period of sunlight ahead. During the last two 



