34 
Indian Forest Records . 
Experiment No. VI. 
[Vol. VIII 
Object to test effect oj broadcast sowing on dug and undug soil and 
on a layer of leaves. 
34. In the previous experiments the seed-beds had invariably been 
dug, and the seed had been just buried in the surface soil. The object 
of the present experiment was to determine the results likely to be 
obtained when the seed was merely scattered on the surface, broadcast, 
without being buried and when the soil was not dug before sowing ; 
also to test the effect of a layer of dead leaves on germination and early 
growth under forest conditions. 
35. The areas utilized were : 
(1) Plot XVII, the strip 300 feet x 60 feet clear-felled in 1915, which 
was mentioned in the last experiment. The soil, therefore, 
had been exposed to the sun for a year before this experi¬ 
ment commenced and was, therefore, somewhat hardened. 
The area dealt with was situated in the middle of the strip, 
immediately adjacent to the plots mentioned in the last 
experiment and inside the fenced area. Grass and existing 
weeds were cut on June 12th, 1916, but the area was not 
dug. 
(2) Plot XXI, a new plot selected in the shady forest immediately 
adjacent to Plot XVII. The surface covering of humus 
was swept off and seedlings and small weed-growth were 
removed on June 11th, 1916. 
Each of these plots was divided into 3 sub-plots which were treated 
as follows :— 
Sub-plot I .—A layer of dead sal leaves, 6 leaves thick, was laid 
on the surface, and the seed was sown broadcast on the dead 
leaves. 
Sub-plot 11 .—A layer of dead sal leaves, 6 leaves thick, was laid 
on the surface and then burnt off, the seed then being sown 
broadcast on the soil surface. 
Sub-plot III. —A layer of dead sal leaves, 6 leaves thick, was 
laid on the surface and then burnt off. The soil was then 
dug and the seed was sown broadcast on the dug 
soil. 
The area of each sub-plot was 18 feet X 6 feet. The burning and digging 
was done on June 13th, 1916. 
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