Periodical Literature. 429 



In the humid climate of Denmark germination may begin even 

 while still on the tree. If the germ is not too long so as to be 

 easily broken off, a certain percentage, 10-20 per cent, of germin- 

 ated seed may be accepted. 



Good acorns have a glossy brown color, and the shell is entirely 

 filled by the kernel. Their germination per cent, is ascertained by 

 the knife test, cutting open 200 to 300 square through the embryo. 

 The cut must pass easily through the endosperm, which must be 

 white, without spots or faults. A fine red tint directly around the 

 germ means that the acorn is good but at the same time ready to 

 germinate, hence likely not to winter well. 



To winter acorns it is necessary to find a place where they are 

 not exposed to moisture, to drying out, to frost, or to sudden 

 variation of temperature. Before storing for winter, they must 

 be brought to a proper point of dryness by placing them in layers 

 of 4-10 inch on a floor exposed to draft and keeping them stirred 

 or turned over for two to three weeks, until the color has become 

 somewhat lighter than the freshly collected seed and shows no 

 sign of moisture, even if left untouched for a night or 12 to 14 

 hours. It requires judgment not to have the process of drying 

 go too far. 



In winter quarters, into which the acorns are to be brought 

 before frost sets in, the avoidance of sudden and severe tem- 

 perature changes is especially to be guarded against. 



If, in severe winters, the acorns become frosted, their germina- 

 tion per cent, sinks rapidly from 80 or 90 to 40 and even 30 per 

 cent; the germs or parts of the endosperm showing the effect 

 by a dark to black discoloration. 



It is not easy to find appropriate winter quarters- Airy, frost- 

 free cellars are usually too dry; an open shed with dirt floor is 

 good in mild winters, but apt to frost in severe winters. Wood 

 floors, cement, or stone are undesirable. The most satisfactory 

 method is Aleman's hut, erected on a dry sand hill, possibly under 

 pine or spruce. A place, 16 by 50 feet is cleared and a layer of 

 soil 20 inch deep dug out, over which a roof is erected of spruce 

 poles, kept together by lath nailed across every three inches ; the 

 clear height to the edge of the roof being the height of a man. 

 The roof is covered with sod, a foot in thickness or with straw, 

 the doors at the two ends being similarly covered. In this hut 

 the acorns are spread 10 to 12 inches deep and are stirred daily 



