COLLECTION AND TREATMENT OF SEEDS. 71 



will not lose their vitality, even should they show signs 

 of sprouting in the spring. 



(b) CONIFEROUS TREES. 



Much more difficult, but also much more remunerative, 

 is the collection of the seeds of coniferous trees. The 

 cones, from which the seeds have to be extracted, should 

 be collected at the time of their maturity. This time 

 differs much with the various kinds. Hemlock, and 

 Abies alba produce ripe seeds late in the fall, Larch and 

 Spruce during the first winter, the Scotch Pine (Pinus 

 sylvestris) matures its seed in the second winter. The 

 exact time of the maturity of the cones should be rigidly 

 observed, this period being near the time of the natural 

 distribution of the seeds, the extraction of them is then 

 greatly facilitated. 



The extraction of the seeds in the cones is effected 

 either by artificial or solar heat. The former mode is 

 generally employed in Europe, as it is more expeditious 

 and permits the making of larger quantities. In Sweden 

 and Germany, the countries where this industry is most 

 cultivated, there are erected on the ground floor of a 

 stone building heating apparatuses, similar to those used 

 in hot-houses, by which, from a circuit of pipes, heated 

 air is conveyed throughout the room. In this room are 

 constructed scaffoldings, on which may be placed trays of 

 wooden lattice or wire-work, 5 feet long and 2 feet 

 wide, in stages of about 6-7 inches between. Under the 

 lowest range of trays drawers are placed to receive the 

 seeds. The trays are then filled up three quarters of 

 their capacity with cones, and the heat of the furnace 

 brought to a standard of from 80 to 90 degrees. This 

 heat is maintained till the cones open, whereupon the 

 trays are shaken, commencing with the highest row, so 

 that the seeds may fall from tray to tray till they reach 



