68 FOKEST C0MMISSI0NER''S REPORT. 



datious of squirrels, will carry them through the wiuter in a perfect 

 condition The shells, having been kept moist and acted upon by 

 frost, will be found so loose as to be easily removed with the fin- 

 gers ; but if any are still inclined to adhere, a slight tap with a 

 hammer will he required. 



The seeds of the chestnut, beech, and some others, are covered 

 by a thin and not very hard shell ; and if the nuts are planted 

 where they are to grow, or in nursery rows, before becoming dry, 

 will germinate with no further trouble. 



SOME CAUSES OE FAILURES. 



One cause of failure with all seeds arises from too deep planting. 

 As a rule, they should not be covered to a depth greater than twice 

 their diameter. If the soil is loose, the planting may be deeper 

 than where more compact. It is never safe to Dlant seeds in wet 

 or very heavy soil. All seed beds must be well drained. 



It will be seen that when the seeds are smnll the covering must 

 be very shallow ; if too deep, ihey germinate and decay. Make 

 the covering over the seeds firm, and mulch lightly to prevent 

 evaporation and drying. If a seed swells and again becomes dry, 

 it receives a shock from which it is not likely to recover. Remove 

 the mulch from directly over the plants as soon as they appear 

 above the surface. 



The seeds of conifers germinate readily, but the plants are 

 exceedingly liable to be lost by unfavorable conditions before the 

 formation of their true seed leaves. It is at this point that experi- 

 ments in growing evergreen seedlings are most likely to fail. When 

 the plant has so far advanced that the true leaves have become 

 well developed, and the radicle is able to furnish the required 

 nourishment, less care will be required. 



As elsewhere stated there are a few species of deciduous trees 

 that mature their seeds in spring or early summer. The seeds of 

 all such, may and should, be sown at once. They will germinate 

 in a shoi t time ; and if properly shaded, watered, and otherwise 

 attended to. will make a good growth by fall. When such seeds 

 are simply sown by the wind, probably not one in a thousand ever 

 germinate, and of these only occasionally one survives, owing to 

 our hot sun and drying winds. 



Many seeds will fail from lack of vitality They may germinate, 

 but never grow. The vitality of seeds will continue for only so 



