main project of the Alexandria Research Center. Since 1947, about 

 3, 000 acres have been direct- seeded in experiments or tests with long- 

 leaf, loblolly, and slash pine. No sure-fire method has been found, but 

 major causes of failure have been identified and work has been con- 

 centrated on controlling or avoiding these causes. 



Seed-eating birds, chiefly meadowlarks and sparrows, are the 

 greatest obstacle. Coating the seeds with a repellent seems the like- 

 liest solution, and some chemicals now being tested show promise 

 (fig. 7). Rodents, another menace to seeds, can usually be controlled 

 by burning the grass rough. Reduction of the rough also insures that 

 the seeds will reach mineral soil. Burning should be done at least six 

 months before seeding, because fresh burns attract birds, 



Longleaf . - -Research so far indicates that the greatest chance 

 for success in direct- seeding longleaf pine will be obtained by this 

 procedure : 



1. For average sites: Burn the grass rough at least 6 

 months before seeding time. The light rough that 

 will develop after the burn will be a favorable seedbed. 

 On dry sites, or for insurance against a dry season: 

 Burn the grass as above, and also disk during the 

 summer before seeding to lessen grass competition. 

 To reduce costs, the disking should be in strips 6 to 



8 feet wide and 6 feet apart, and seeding should be 

 confined to the cultivated strips, 



2. Sow seed in November as soon as autumn rains begin 

 and temperatures are under 80° F. Sowing after 

 November is not recommended, because the chance of 

 heavy seed losses to migratory birds is much greater 

 in December. 



3. Sow 10, 000 viable seeds per acre. This means about 3 

 pounds per acre of longleaf seed of average quality. 

 Seed must be tested to determine viability and the 

 amount required per acre. The seed can be broadcast 

 by hand or with hand-operated cyclone seeders (fig. 8). 

 Airplane sowing has not been satisfactory so far be- 

 cause of higher costs, poor seed distribution, and 

 delays during bad flying weather. 



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