332 SYLVA AMERICANA. 



which teaches that robust, healthy plants, whether in the seedling 

 stage of growth or of a larger size, succeed better than those of 

 stinted growth, even when transplanted to the least favorable soil 

 and exposure. 



Where the land to be planted with forest trees is an extensive 

 tract and remotely situated, and where the seeds of the several 

 kinds can be procured genuine, of good quality, and at a small 

 cost, the formation of a private seminary may be advisable ; but 

 where the plants can be procured from a reasonable distance, it 

 will be found the most economical and effective to purchase them, 

 and even in the former case one or two years' seedling should be 

 procured in place of seeds, as a saving of time and expense. 



The seminary being now ready, it follows that the planter 

 should be instructed in the manner of sowing and raising the 

 seeds of forest trees. The following directions upon this subject 

 are either drawn from experience, or are transcribed from the 

 best authorities. 



Of the Seeds of Forest Trees. 



The seeds of forest trees may be classed under the following 

 heads, or general characters, indicating peculiar points to be 

 observed in the practice of sowing them. 



1st. Seeds farinaceous, and covered ivith shells, nut seeds. To 

 this class belong the oak, chesnut, beech, horse chesnut, walnut, 

 hazel, hornbeam, plane, sycamore, maple and ash, to which may 

 be added, though not strictly belonging to the group, the birch, 

 alder and lime. The first seven kinds, from the farina they 

 contain, are least adapted for keeping out of the soil, and the 

 same cause renders them more difficult to preserve in the soil 

 when sown, by inducing the attacks of mice, birds, and other 

 vermin. The spring is considered the best season for sowing, 

 and the seeds must therefore be preserved carefully during the 

 winter ; the most approved mode is to spread them out in their 

 layers on a cool, dry floor, but previously to this they should be 

 thoroughly dried by the sun and air. The smaller kinds of seeds 

 after being sufficiently dried, may be kept in a smaller space. 



