118 PROPAGATION OF TREES FROM SEED. [June 



to 80° temperature for a week or two, and then washed out and 

 sown before they are thoroughly dry. This often helps germination, 

 especially in the magnolia. If this is sown as soon as gathered, 

 there is an oil in the pulp that seems to penetrate the seed and 

 make it rancid. 



When seeds are sown in the fall, it is well, as soon as the ground 

 is frozen, to cover the beds or rows lightly with hay, pine needles, 

 which will keep the ground from freezing and the heavy spring rains 

 from washing up the seed. All seed beds and rows should be kept 

 free from weeds, and, except when sown broadcast, as soon as they 

 are up the ground should be hoed or cultivated frequently. This 

 makes the young plants push with greater vigour, and enables them 

 to withstand drought better. If the weather becomes very warm or 

 dry, the young seedlings must be well watered once or twice a week 

 — not a slight sprinkling on the surface, but a thorough, good 

 soaking, wetting the ground from 4 to 8 inches deep. After the 

 first of September the water may be discontinued, to allow the 

 plants to ripen their growth. 



All young seedlings sown in drills will stand better if at the 

 approach of winter a plough is run between them, throwing a furrow 

 against the stems, covering them several inches deep. This keeps 

 the young plants from heaving with the frost, and also keeps the 

 water and ice from settling around the stems, which often causes 

 great injury. Those sown broadcast should have a slight covering 

 of hay or leaves as soon as the ground is frozen. 



In transplanting the young seedlings it is important they should 

 not be exposed to drying winds or hot sun, even for a few minutes. 

 Many failures in tree-planting are caused by the drying up of the 

 roots before planting. The soil should be well worked in among the 

 roots and firmed with the feet. 



The conifers, such as pines, spruces, larch, cedar, and hemlock 

 require much more care and attention to grow from seed than any 

 other class. Many of the finer kinds it is impossible to raise out of 

 doors in this climate. The ground for such as are planted out-doors 

 should be rich, light loam. They require to be carefully sheltered 

 and shaded, but especially when the seed is old they do not require 

 so much moisture during germination. When pine needles are 

 plenty, they may be strewn between the rows thinly as a mulch. 

 The critical time is the first three months of their existence. The 

 use of lath screens on seed beds saves a great amount of labour in 

 watering ; and if the plants are neglected for an hour or so, the 

 result is not so disastrous as when the young seedlings are exposed 

 to the sun. The situation for these should be a sheltered place, as 

 free as possible both from midday sun and drying winds. 



