106 The Farm Woodlot- 



Seed-spots. — Seeding in spots is usually more satis- 

 factory than broadcast seeding. The method is appli- 

 cable to a variety of conditions and has a number of dis- 

 tinct advantages. The operation of establishing a seed- 

 spot consists of clearing with a mattock or hoe a small 

 area, about a foot square, of all sod or leaf litter, digging 

 up the soil to a depth of a few inches, smoothing the 

 spot, and planting the seed in this prepared ground. 

 Small seeds like those of the pines, birches and elms are 

 very successfully handled in this way. It is customary 

 to put many more seeds in each spot than can grow to 

 tree size. For example, in seeding white pine by this 

 method, about twenty or thirty seeds to each spot result 

 in averaging about three seedlings to each when three 

 years old. Some of the spots will result in total failure, 

 while others will have too many seedlings. By transplant- 

 ing from the overcrowded spots to the vacant ones, an 

 even stand can be secured. Seed-spots are usually placed 

 close enough to one another to allow but one tree to the 

 spot when grown to pole size. Seed-spots spaced six by six 

 feet will eventually produce the same results as if seedlings 

 had been planted with the same spacing. This method 

 has distinct advantages over broadcast seeding. First, 

 there is a marked saving of seed, since only about one- 

 eighth or one-tenth as much seed is required. Second, 

 the seed is placed in carefully prepared soil. Third, 

 the spots can be selected so that no seed is wasted on 

 barren locations. Seed-spots are particularly applicable 

 in brushy areas ; also where there is a heavy sod, and for 

 planting underneath other trees. 



