FOREST TREE SEED AND SEED COLLECTING 147 



appear to seriously injure the seed, it makes seed extraction much 

 more difficult. After reaching its destination the method of 

 treatment depends chiefly upon the character of the fruit. 



11. Treatment of Fleshy Fruit 



Fleshy fruits, as illustrated in various species of juniper, yew, 

 mulberry, cherry, dogwood, black gum, and haw, and the semi- 

 fleshy fruits of the honey-locust and Kentucky coffee-tree, are 

 treated in one or another of the following ways, depending upon 

 the mode of storage or, in some cases, upon the fancy of the collector. 

 Where the seed can be safely stored in dried condition, the fruit as 



1 soon as it is received is spread out in a thin layer on canvas in the 

 open sun or on a tight floor or on trays in an airy loft until the 

 pulpy exterior thoroughly dries over the seed. As soon as dried it 

 is ready for shipment or storage. The fruit of dogwood and cherry, 

 particularly the black cherry, is usually treated in this manner. 

 In most instances, it is preferable to remove the pulpy covering 

 from the ''seed before storing or shipping. This can be done by 



' macerating the fruit in water. The sacks of fruit on their receipt 

 are left unopened until the pulpy exterior becomes soft and more or 

 less decayed. The fruit is then placed in water and thoroughly 

 mashed and stirred until the seeds can be washed out. The pulp 

 rises to the surface, while the seeds sink to the bottom and hence 

 permit of easy separation. The semi-fleshy pods of the honey- 

 locust and the Kentucky coffee-tree should be broken up before 

 placing them in water. Thorough mashing and stirring cause the 

 seeds to become detached and sink to the bottom. After the seeds 

 have been removed from the pulp, they should be spread out in a 

 thin layer to dry. It is best to dry them slowly in the shade or 

 in an airy loft. When thoroughly dry they are ready for ship- 

 ment or storage. 



The exterior covering of the fruit of black walnut is semi- 

 pulpy in character and is usually removed before storage. This 

 is efficiently and economically done by passing the fruit through 

 a corn-sheller. 



12. Treatment of Dry Fruit 



From the standpoint of treatment before storage, dry fruits may 

 be placed in the following classes: 



a. Those in which the whole or a part of the fruit is sown with 

 the contained seed, as in such simple fruits as hickory, beech, oak, 



