THE DOUGLAS FIR. 171 
difference between these and such as have been raised from seeds 
sent from their native country. I have not the least doubt, how- 
ever—in fact, it has been proved beyond dispute—that seeds col- 
lected from immature trees, or such as are grown in a situation 
unfavourable to their healthy development, produce a sickly and 
degenerate offspring ; but this is hardly to be wondered at when 
the laws of nature are carefully studied. 
The nursery management of the Douglas fir is by no means difli- 
cult, for with but a small amount of trouble or attention, strong, 
well-rooted plants may be produced. When the seeds are collected 
in autumn, they should be thoroughly dried in a sunny and airy 
situation, after which they may be stored away in a cool, airy loft 
until wanted for sowing in spring. The system usually adopted of 
storing seeds in bags or close boxes is, in most cases at least, not to 
be commended. 
The best way is to spread the seeds out evenly, and rather 
thinly, in shallow, open boxes, when, unless the room in which 
they are stored is damp, the germinative properties are retained un- 
injured. Early in March, according to the season and district, the 
seeds should be sown on well pulverised soil, of a light open 
texture, previously well dug and broken up, and all the better if the 
soil has been fully exposed to the ameliorating influence of a winter’s 
frosts. The beds should be formed about 4 feet in width, leaving 
an alley between each about 15 inches wide for weeding and keeping 
them in proper order. The seeds should be sown thinly, but evenly 
over the surface ; and after receiving a slight rolling or beat with 
the back of a spade, are covered to the depth of about half-an-inch 
with finely riddled leaf mould and sand. One pound weight of 
sound Douglas fir seed will produce from 7000 to 10,000 plants. 
The seed-beds require to be protected from birds and vermin, as the 
former often eat the seed, and the latter destroy the young plants. 
The injury to seed-beds by rats, mice, and birds, is often very con- 
siderable, and has led us to adopt the following simple method of 
protection, which we have found of great benefit, and which we 
can with every confidence recommend to others troubled with these 
nursery pests :—The ground intended for seed-beds is surrounded 
with a close slate fence (wood will answer the same purpose) 3 feet 
in height. Upright stakes are also driven in 8 or 10 feet apart, and 
projecting 3 feet above the slate fence, and the whole covered over 
with fine wire netting. Slate has the advantage over wood for this 
purpose, as neither rats nor mice can climb up their smooth sur- 
