34 BULLETIN 11, U. S. DEPARTMENT 0E 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 niches 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. 
