﻿34 BULLETIN 11, U. S. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



Artificial reproduction of the species may also be profitably used 

 to stock extensive areas on which there are no loblolly-pine seed trees. 



The first consideration is to determine whether to sow seed direct 

 on the area to be reforested or whether to plant with nursery-grown 

 or with wild-stock seedlings. The first will usually be the cheapest 

 and therefore the best on sites to which it is adapted. Planting, 

 however, is the surer method, and the only one to be recommended 

 for Quality III sites and for all dry and droughty soil. Direct sowing 

 is to be recommended only on uniformly fresh to moist soils, where 

 it should be successful if properly carried out. 



Direct Sowing. 



In direct seeding of loblolly pine it is best to sow either in plowed 

 furrows or in well-cultivated seed spots. Another method is broad- 

 casting or scattering seed uniformly over an area, as in sowing wheat. 

 This method is seldom if ever advisable, as it takes about five times 

 as much seed per acre as the seed spot or furrow methods, and, to 

 be successful, usually requires that the ground be harrowed over 

 before and after the sowing. 



If the area can be plowed the furrow method is best. Shallow fur- 

 rows should be plowed from 6 to 8 feet apart, and from 10 to 15 

 seeds dropped in spots in the furrows at intervals of from 6 to 8 feet. 

 Where it is impracticable to plow furrows, the next best thing is to 

 sow from 10 to 15 seeds in well-cultivated spots 6 inches to a foot 

 square, dug with a spade or grub hoe, and spaced from 6 to 8 feet 

 apart each way. In each method the seed should be carefully cov- 

 ered with earth to a depth of not more than half an inch. Where the 

 soil is dry and sandy, especial care should be taken to step on the 

 spot after covering the seed, and the soil should be pressed down 

 with the ball of the foot or else tamped with the bottom of a hoe. 

 This will enable the seed to draw more moisture from the soil. The 

 furrow and seed-spot methods require per acre from 6,000 to 18,000 

 seeds, or from one-third to one pound of seed, while for successful 

 broadcasting from 3 to 5 pounds per acre would be necessary. When 

 planting in furrows, it is best that these be made straight and at a 

 uniform distance apart. When planting in seed spots, the rows can 

 be made straight by placing upright poles on which to sight. 



The best time for sowing the seed is shortly after growth ceases 

 in the fall, but before the ground is much frozen, or as soon as the 

 frost gets out of the ground in the spring to admit of cultivation. 

 Loblolly seed takes from 1 to 3 months to sprout after suitable tem- 

 perature conditions obtain, and often some of it holds over till the 

 next season before germinating. 



