CHAPTER II. 



PROPAGATING CONIFERS. 



Conifers are usually propagated or increased by one of four 

 different methods — seed-sowing, grafting, layering, or the in- 

 sertion of cuttings. Seed-sowing is to be recommended, but 

 when seed is difficult to obtain, as is not unfrequently the 

 case with many conifers, propagating from cuttings, by layers 

 or grafting, is usually resorted to. 



From seed. — Seedling conifers may either be raised in 

 pots or boxes placed in a close frame, or in the open border. 

 The former method is, however, to be recommended, as they 

 can then more readily be protected from heavy rains, sudden 

 changes of atmosphere, or the depredations of rats, mice, and 

 birds. With the rarer conifers, and when seeds are very 

 limited in quantity, pot sowing is to be preferred ; but when 

 large numbers are to be raised, sowing either directly in the 

 frame or in shallow boxes placed therein will be found the 

 most convenient. Spring or early summer is the best time to 

 sow seeds of coniferous trees. The pots, pans, or boxes 

 should be clean, thoroughly drained, and filled three-fourths 

 their depth with a mixture of loam, leaf- mould, and silver 

 sand. Well press down the soil, thoroughly water, and sow 

 on the following day. In sowing spread the seeds evenly and 

 not too thickly over the prepared surface, and cover with 

 light sandy soil, avoiding too deep covering, otherwise the 

 seedling plants would fail to penetrate the soil, and in con- 

 sequence many would fail to germinate. 



A slight watering should then be given, and the frame closed 

 down, and when the seed-bed is not exposed to after-currents 

 of air and sunshine, subsequent heavy waterings will not be re- 

 quired. Probably the most critical period in connection with 

 the raising of seedling conifers is the time that they are pushing 



