4G8 Jf)URNAL OF FORESTRY 



forest-tree seeds have been small and intermittent. The trade is almost 

 entirely in the hands of continental collectors and dealers. The great 

 increase in the demand for forest-tree seeds as soon as a definite con- 

 structive forest policy is adopted leads the author to the conviction that 

 the development of a home-grown tree-seed industry should be en- 

 couraged. 



As all trees are adapted to the conditions of their native habitat and 

 possess the power to transmit the degree of adaptability acquired to the 

 following generation, it may be taken that in all cases native seed of a 

 given species is likely to prove the best. 



As the indigenous sylva of the British Islands is poor in species, 

 many exotics have been introduced during the past three or four hun- 

 dred years, some of which have accommodated themselves thoroughly, 

 while others have not. The uncertainty of seed produced by the latter 

 has taught the forest nurseryman to be wary of home-grown seed. 

 Exceptions are noted in species introduced from the Pacific coast of 

 North America. It has been found that Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, 

 western red cedar, and yellow cypress produce sound, fully matured 

 seed in the British Islands, and there appears to be no reason why 

 British-grown seed should not be made use of. 



The writer states that British seed of pedunculate oak, sessile oak, 

 ash (F. excelsior), beech, alder (A. glutinosa), sycamore, wych elm, 

 hornbeam, birch, and Scots pine should be used and imported seed of 

 exotic oaks, exotic ashes, chestnut, black locust, larches, spruces, firs, 

 white pine, and Austrian pine. Pending further information, the ques- 

 tion of home versus imported seed of West American species should 

 be regarded with open mind. 



Consideration is given to the source of origin, seed year, maturity, 

 seed fall, collection, storage, extraction, testing and germination, pests, 

 qualities, and costs. In the author's opinion, the chances of fostering 

 a home trade in tree seeds is entirely dependent on the possible expan- 

 sion of British forestry under government auspices. The tree-seed 

 problem cannot be regarded too seriously, for errors in seed selection 

 affect the physical and financial aspects of the crop throughout the 

 whole of its rotation. 



J. W. T. 



Quarterly Journal of Forestry, London, January, 1918, pp. 28-43. 



