SYLVICULTURAL NOTES ON ASH. 251 



h. Formation of Woods. 



Ash woods are generally formed by planting, rarely 

 by direct sowing. 



The seed ripens in October and falls during winter 

 until spring; it retains its germinating power up to 

 three years. Of good seed 65 per cent, should ger- 

 minate. About 6,500 clean seeds go to the pound. 



The seed germinates in the second spring, and should 

 be treated like that of Hornbeam (page 240). 



For direct sowings about 35 pounds of seed per 

 acre are required. The seed should receive a covering 

 of about three-quarters of an inch. 



In nurseries the seed is generally sown in drills about 

 March, or April, of the second year, after it has been 

 lying imbedded in sand for 16 or 17 months; the seed- 

 lings will be ready for pricking out in the following 

 spring, and they may remain one, two, or more years in 

 the nursery lines according to the required class of 

 plants. It may be mentioned that the development of a 

 suitable crown and stem can be regulated at this period, 

 by pinching off unnecessary buds and young shoots. 

 Ash is usually planted in pits. 



i. Tending. 



Young plants are very liable to suffer from late and 

 early frosts, hence some shelter is useful ; this, however, 

 cannot be heavy, as the Ash is light-demanding. They 

 suffer much from browsing by cattle and deer, unless 

 protected by a fence. Deer and mice also peel the stem. 



Insects and fungi are not very formidable. The 

 leaves of the Ash tree are rarely injured except by 



