10 The Nursery 



Sowing in drills is practised more seldom than broadcast 

 sowing ; but it is desirable where the expense of the seed is a 

 consideration. It is important that the drills be of uniform depth. 

 They are best made by means of the so-called " Bavarian sowing- 

 board." This consists of a deal plank, five to six feet long, and 

 about one to two feet broad ; on the under side of this, lengthways, 

 three parallel strips of wood are nailed (see Fig. i). One such 



Fig. I. 

 Bavarian sowing-board (shown upside down). 



board is placed on the bed ; the workman then stands upon it, 

 and, by his weight, presses the strips of wood into the soil. Two 

 boards are necessary, so that while standing on one, the workman 

 may place the other in position. The size of the strips, and their 

 distance from one another, will depend upon the depth of sowing 

 required for each species. Other methods are used for making the 

 drills, but the above is as simple and effectual as any. 



Dressing the seeds before sowing is generally advisable, in order 

 to protect them from the attacks of birds, mice, etc. In the case of 

 conifers, it is most essential. This can be done very conveniently 

 by mixing the seeds with red lead to which sufficient water has been 

 added to make it adhere to the seeds. 



The collection of seeds is such a specialised process that it is 

 scarcely to be recommended ; it is cheaper to purchase them. 

 Conifer seeds need a special method of drying in order to open out 

 the scales. The majority of the broad-leaved trees present less 



