2o6 CONIFEROUS TREES 



Amongst the spruces, Picea excelsa, P. sitchensis, 

 P. nigra, and P, orientalis have reproduced their 

 kind in this country, the latter two only occasion- 

 ally. Thuya Occident alis is often seen growing in a 

 truly naturalised condition, and that it does fre- 

 quently sow itself I have had ocular demonstration. 

 The above are the only instances of self-sown coni- 

 ferous trees in this country that have come under 

 my notice. 



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 con- 

 venient. 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 come through the soil or germinate. 



A slight watering should then be given, and the 

 frame closed down, and when the seed-bed is not 

 exposed to direct currents of air and sunshine, sub- 



