362 A HANDBOOK OF CONIFERS 



a higher altitude on the same mountain may produce trees that 

 are perfectly hardy in a more northerly country. At the same 

 time seeds taken from trees growing in a very cold region and 

 planted in a much warmer country may not give good results, 

 owing to the restricted resting period causing premature activity 

 in spring, when late frosts and cold winds cripple the young shoots. 

 Seeds of P. sylvestris ripened in Scotland produce plants more 

 suitable for the British Isles than those matured in N. Russia 

 or at a considerable elevation in the Alps. It is also wise to 

 take seeds from well-grown trees rather than from indifferent 

 specimens. Cones that do not shed their seed readily may be 

 assisted by the judicious application of fire-heat. When pur- 

 chasing seed, new seed only should be taken, for although that 

 of certain species may be kept in cold storage for several years 

 and maintain a fair germination percentage, new seed is always 

 the best. The more oily the seeds the sooner do they lose their 

 vitality. 



In raising large numbers of seedlings, the seeds should be 

 sown out of doors in March or early April, in beds 4 ft. wide 

 separated by narrow paths, after thorough preparation of the 

 soil, the seeds being covered by about | in. of Ught soil made 

 moderately firm. Protection from mice and birds must be pro- 

 vided, and when the seedlings appear they must be shaded (if 

 necessary) from hot sun. Small quantities of seed may be sown 

 in pots or boxes in cold frames, but plants so raised must be lined 

 out in nursery borders at an early date. Seedlings may be left 

 for one or two years in the seed-beds according to their size and 

 closeness. They must then be lined out in nursery borders for 

 one or two years before planting in permanent places. The roots 

 must not be allowed to become dry between lifting and planting. 

 AU pines are impatient of root disturbance, and when started in 

 nurseries they should be transplanted to permanent places when 

 not more than 12 in. high unless they can be given individual 

 attention afterwards ; even then it is not wise to defer permanent 

 planting until after the plants are 2 ft. high. The planting time 

 varies according to cHmatic conditions. Where mild and moder- 

 ately moist weather is experienced during winter, planting may 

 be carried out at any period between the middle of September 

 and the middle of April. Where dry spring weather prevails 

 planting is best done in autumn or early winter, but where severe 

 weather is experienced and growth begins late in spring, planting 

 may be delayed until May or early June. Deep planting must be 

 avoided, the top roots being just covered with soil. 



The preservation of the terminal shoot from injury is important, 

 for an interruption of the terminal axis may result in the sup- 

 pression of the tree. Well placed, vigorous trees may produce 

 several leading shoots from adventitious buds after an injury 



