34 



heated rooms. After collection the nuts should be spread out in some 

 dry, cool place for a few days until they are well matured. Care should 

 be taken both in storing- and maturing - not to leave nuts piled so deep 

 that they might heat. While maturing they should be turned over occa- 

 sionally. 



Seed may be stored by putting them on a well drained spot and 

 covering them with leaves or hay over which may be placed a light cov- 

 ering of brush. Storing in a pit, as shown in Fig. 23, is a safe method. 

 Layers of nuts (a) six to ten inches deep covered with leaves or small 

 twigs (b) and topped off with soil (c) three to four inches in depth, provides 

 good storage. A light covering of brush or hay over the pit will prevent 



Fig. 23— Cross section of pit for storing nuts. 



washing of the top dressing of soil. A ditch at the side, as in Fig. 23, 

 (d), will give drainage. The bottom of the ditch should be well below the 

 general level. 



Nuts can also be safely stored by stratifying them in sand. Strati- 

 fying seed is done by making a layer of sand and then a layer of seed 

 mixed with sand. This may be done in a well drained trench or in a 

 box. In the case of storing in a box the box should be covered lightly 

 with soil. If left standing unprotected it will dry out and injure the 

 seed. 



The preparation of the planting area will be similar to that described 

 in previous pages. Where planting is to be done in sod it will be neces- 

 sary to cut away a square of sod, as in Fig. 20. Planting the nut is 

 very simple and may be done with a sharp-pointed stick or dibble. With 

 this instrument a hole is made in the planting spot and the nut dropped 

 in. In loose soils the nut can be sufficiently covered by a stamp of the 

 heel. When the soil is heavy it may be necessary to cover the nut by 

 prodding with the dibble. The nut should be planted deeper in loose 

 than in heavy soils. The depth should be from two to three inches, de- 

 pending upon the looseness of the soil. 



