COLLECTION AND TREATMENT OF SEEDS. 73 



best mode is to put them into bags, filled only to one-half 

 or one-third of their capacity, and thrashed slightly with 

 a stick till the wings are separated from the kernels. The 

 contents of the bags are cleaned by means of a winnow- 

 ing fan. 



The seeds of Evergreens can, without danger, be pre- 

 served for some years. In such a case they should not be 

 separated from the wings. This preservation will be 

 still more efficient when the seeds remain in the mature 

 cones, and are extracted shortly before seeding time. 



For our conditions the solar extraction of the seeds of 

 Conifers is, undoubtedly, the most advisable mode, not 

 only on account of the safety and cheapness of this pro- 

 cess, but because the solar heat here is more lasting and 

 powerful than in Sweden or Germany, and the quality of 

 seed thus collected in this country would be the best 

 imaginable. 



In regard to the duration of the germinating power of 

 the seeds of forest trees, many efforts have been made to 

 ascertain the period of time during which the various 

 seeds retain their vitality ; but the results have been very 

 unsatisfactory. It is only safe to say, that this period is 

 with all kinds of these seeds comparatively a short one, 

 but that most of the seeds of Conifers retain their germi- 

 nating power longer than those of the deciduous trees, 

 especially when left in the cones, or at best, when not 

 separated from the wings, and carefully housed. How- 

 ever, the seed of Spruce, Cypress, Hemlock and Larch 

 should not be used when older than one year. 



The seeds of most of the deciduous trees lose their 

 vitality after the lapse of one year, as, for instance, 

 Oaks, Chestnuts, Maples, Beeches, Birches, while the 

 seeds of the Locust, Arbor Vitae, Ash, Mulberry, Alder, 

 and Catalpa retain it for two years. Seed with a spongy 

 or fleshy cover, as the Juniper, should be sown at once, 



