SYLVICULTURAL NOTES ON SILVER FIR. 287 



h. Formation of Woods. 



It is, even more than Beech, specially adapted for 

 natural regeneration under a shelter-wood. Direct 

 sowing and planting should be done under a shelter- 

 wood ; if this is not available it must be artificially 

 supplied, otherwise the young trees will suffer from late 

 and early frost, and possibly also from drought. 



The seed ripens in September to October, in England 

 towards the end of the latter month. As the seed falls 

 at once, the axis of the cone alone remaining on the tree, 

 the cones should be gathered as soon as ripe. The seed 

 rarely keeps its germinating power for more than six or 

 seven months. If 50 per cent, germinate it is con- 

 sidered good seed. One pound of seed contains about 

 10,000 clean grains without wings. 



Direct sowings may be made in spring or autumn, the 

 latter season being on the whole preferable, as the seed 

 is difficult to keep. If spring sowings are decided on, 

 the seed must be kept in an airy loft and occasionally 

 turned. Spring sowings sprout in from three to five 

 weeks. About 40 pounds of seed per acre are required for 

 broadcast sowings; it receives a cover of about two- 

 thirds of an inch. Sowings in patches under the shelter of 

 existing woods are more frequent than broadcast sowings. 



In nurseries the seed may be sown in drills, or broad- 

 cast ; the seedlings should remain for two years in the 

 seed-bed, and two years and upwards in nursery lines. 

 In England they are rarely put out under five years 

 old. The young plants generally require protection 

 against frost and drought. 



The Silver Fir is best regenerated naturally under a 



