THE GIANT ARBOR-VIT^. 347 



evergreen trees, luxuriating even where interfered with by the 

 branches of neighbouring trees, and where neither light nor air 

 can freely penetrate. 



The bark of the Giant Arbor- Vitse is of a warm and pleasant 

 brown colour, thin and smooth in texture, and where glimpses of 

 it are revealed here and there along the stem it forms a striking 

 contrast to the bright green of the foliage. 



Nursery Management. — The cones are collected in October and 

 November, and after being thoroughly dried by exposure to wind 

 and sunshine, are carefully stowed away in shallow boxes in a dry 

 and airy loft, until wanted for sowing in spring. We have found 

 it advisable not to sift the seeds from the husks, because, by 

 allowing the latter to remain, a greater quantity of air permeates 

 the mass, and thus to a great extent damping is prevented. It 

 is, however, well to turn and disturb the whole mass two or three 

 times dui'ing the winter, and if this can be accomplished on a dry 

 day in the open air, so much the better. 



When wanted for sowing, the seed should be passed through 

 a |--inch riddle, to clear it of cones and rubbish. In preparing 

 the seed-beds (which should be in a sheltered situation in the open 

 air), let the soil be deeply dug and left exposed to the influence 

 of the weather, especially frost, for a considei'able time, as this 

 has a most ameliorating action upon it. Should the soil be 

 ordinary loam, let leaf-soil and silver sand be freely incorporated 

 with it, mixing the whole well together with a digging-fork. The 

 beds may be formed 4 feet wide, of any convenient length, and 

 divided by alleys 1 foot broad. Rake the surface well, to remove 

 hard clods and stones, leaving it in a free open state for the recep- 

 tion of the seeds. Level and smooth the surface with a light 

 roller, taking care that it does not excessively harden the soil. 

 Sow the seed thinly and evenly, either broadcast over the surface 

 or in lines, as may be found most convenient. By sowing in lines 

 a great saving of seed is effected, and greater regularity at the 

 same time secured. The lines are formed 2 inches apart, and 

 hardly \ inch deep. In covering the seeds great care is neces- 

 sary, so that they may not be buried too deeply, and to avoid 

 this the soil should be distributed from a finely-meshed riddle. 

 This, in the hands of an experienced man, is used with great 

 freedom, and the soil distributed evenly and not too thickly. The 

 soil used for covering should be of a light sandy nature, free from 

 lumps or stones, and moderately rich. No beating of the surface 

 of the beds with the back of a spade should be permitted, as this 



