Sowing and Transplanting 9 



method of maintaining the manurial condition of the soil is to grow 

 some crop, each year, upon one-fourth or one-fifth of the nursery. 

 To this crop, a liberal dressing of dung is applied, so that the whole 

 of the nursery is manured every four or five years. After the 

 seedlings are taken out — in about two years — the transplants take 

 their place ; after the transplants, another fallow crop with a further 

 quantity of dung secures efficient manuring for the whole period. 



Sowing and Transplanting. 



The sowing of the seeds of trees is done either broadcast or in 

 drills. Broadcast sowing is the most usual method ; but more seed 

 is required than when sowing in drills, and, therefore, the latter 

 method is advisable for rare or expensive seeds. 



Broadcast sowing is conducted as follows : — A tilth is prepared, 

 which must be fine for small seeds ; the surface soil is then drawn 

 aside to the required depth with a broad hoe. The surface is then 

 rolled with a light wooden roller measuring about nine inches in 

 diameter and two to three feet wide. The seed is scattered over the 

 whole surface ; the soil is then drawn back, and the roller is passed 

 over to press it down. This is done by two men walking on each 

 side of the bed on the boundary paths, so as to avoid treading on 

 the soil. The handle of the roller should be of sufficient length 

 to project on each side of the bed. 



The depth of sowing is important. If the depth is too great the 

 young plant is either weakened or killed. The general rule is to 

 regulate the depth of sowing to the amount of reserve material 

 known to be possessed by the seed. Hence, Scotch pine, larch, 

 spruce, etc., should have a covering of soil of not more than a 

 quarter of an inch ; whereas, on the other hand, the larger seeds of 

 the broad-leaved trees, such as oak, chestnut, etc., may have a 

 covering of soil of from one to two inches in depth. • 



It will be understood, of course, that it is essential that the bed 

 is not trodden upon, and that advantage is taken of a suitable 

 condition of humidity, as is done by the gardener or farmer when 

 sowing his crops. 



