RESULTS OF A STUDY OF DOUGLAS-FIR SEED 993 



In both the tables it will be noted that the cones started to open about 

 the end of August. This date is earlier than the ordinary one, because 

 all trees grew at low altitudes, in comparatively warm situations. Three 

 to four weeks before the cones began to open they were entirely green 

 in color, though mature in size and form. 



With both sets of trees the perfectly green cones gave seed which 

 germinated satisfactorily, but the quantity of seed obtained was below 

 standard. It is really remarkable that any good seed was secured at 

 this stage of the cones' development. The Milwaukee Park results 

 show that the seed was soft and the kernel very milky at the time of 

 collection, but despite this much of the seed ripened perfectly by the 

 end of the cone-drying period. Though it is possible to collect when 

 the cones are entirely green, it does not seem advisable to do so, since 

 the maximum number of seed is not obtained by this procedure. 



The tables are not in perfect accord for the next stage of ripening — 

 the time when the cones begin to turn brown — about a week after the 

 stage above discussed and two to three weeks before the cones begin to 

 open. The Carson trees yielded a maximum quantity of good seed at 

 this time, while the Milwaukee Park trees furnished a satisfactory 

 amount, but not the maximum. It seems fair to conclude that it would 

 be satisfactory, though not usually best, to start collection as soon as 

 the cones begin to assume a brownish tinge. This might lengthen the 

 collecting period by as much as three weeks. 



Both tables indicate a falling off in seed quantity, and more note- 

 worthy still in seed quality, toward the end of the period of ripening. 

 The true explanation of this is not clear, but it is attributed to the loss 

 of some of the best seed at the time when the cone scales begin to open. 



The following conclusions seem justified : 



1. It is possible to secure a considerable amount of good seed from 

 cones entirely green in color. Though the seed is none too well formed 

 when the cones are green it appears that ripening progresses as the 

 cone dries. The largest quantity of good seed is not obtained by this 

 procedure. 



2. It seems satisfactory to collect cones when they first begin to as- 

 sume a brownish hue. The maximum number of good seed may not 

 always be obtained, but at least a fair proportion of the seed is secured. 



3. The decrease in the number of seed obtained in the last two cases 

 is seemingly brought about by the failure of some seed to ripen when 

 the cone is picked especially early. 



4. When cones are fully ripe, fewer than the maximum number of 

 seed is obtained from them, perhaps because some seed fall from the 

 opening cones at or about the time of collection. 



5. In general, it seems that cone gathering may begin two or three 



