PROPAGATING CONIFERS 



207 



sequent heavy waterings will not be required. 

 Probably the most critical period in connection 

 with the raising of seedling conifers is the time 

 that they are pushing through the surface of the 

 ground, and any indiscretion in the way of shading 

 or watering at that point of culture usually proves 

 disastrous. Keeping the surface rather dry than 

 otherwise is, however, to be recommended. A free 

 current of air may be admitted after the seedlings 

 are well through the ground ; and in two years 

 after germination they may either be pricked out 

 in the open border, in pans or boxes, or potted 

 singly. With such hardy, free -growing conifers 

 as the Larch, Spruce, Silver Fir, Scotch and 

 Corsican Pines, the seeds should be sown in well- 

 prepared beds of light, free soil out of doors. The 

 seed-beds may be 4 feet wide, and the soil rendered 

 light and free if necessary, the covering to be pro- 

 portionate to the size of the seed. Branches of 

 spruce laid over the beds are useful as guards 

 against excessive sunshine and the depredations 

 of birds. 



The following table will show at a glance the 

 approximate and relative number of seeds contained 

 in I lb. weight of each of the following species : 



