SYLVICULTURE. 



spends all its energy in developing a large tap root. The planta- 

 tions at Biltmore made in furrows on abandoned fields might have 

 been better, had they been cultivated continuously to check the 

 mice and voles. Hickoria ovata, 13c per pound; Bitternut, Pignut 

 or Mockernut, 15c per pound. Hickory needs fertile, fresh soil; 

 the " Hickory flats " in virgin forest are convertible into superior 

 farm land. 



M. Linden or Basswood. 



Seeds falling in early fall are always poor. The ripe seed (in 

 bunches, attached to wingbracts) falls in late fall or winter. Linden 

 is very exacting and pure woods are very rare. Planted in the 

 forest, it serves only as an admixture. Seeds are planted in spring 

 on soil roughly prepared with rake or hoe. The cotyledon is 

 typically five-pronged, hand shaped. The young plant is so sen- 

 sitive that cover overhead is strongly advisable. 



X. Cucumber tree. 



Seeds ripening in cones late in fall are removed with great 

 trouble by hand. Many seeds lie over. The seeding develops on 

 good soil a very long and strong shaft. For forest planting, 

 Cucumber is used only in patches, mixed with Chestnut and Yellow 

 Poplar. 



O. \ellow Poplar or Tulip Tree. 



Seeds appear annually; of very low germinating percentage. 

 Nature plants the seed between October and May, slowly dis- 

 membering the cone. Seeds may be planted in spring after loose 

 storage. The cones are apt to heat and mould, if tightly packed. 

 The cotyledons (size of a nickel) do not show the typical lack 

 of the tip of the leaf blade. They drop off (in strong seedlings) 

 before July 15th. Seedlings do not suffer from mice. Heavy rains, 

 however, are apt to wash them out of the ground. The young 

 seedling stands a good deal of shade. If deprived of light entirely, 

 it is certain to be killed by the first frost. Seeds cost loc per 

 pound. Large quantities are required for planting, say 50 pounds 

 per acre. Plantations at Biltmore were utter failure, probably 

 owing to poor seed. The seedling grows very fast when young; at 

 the age of two years the seedling is three feet high, on good soil. 

 Where planted in the woods it is necessary to check the weeds, 

 especially on north slopes. 



P. Sassafras. 



It might be planted on poor abandoned fields as usher growth. 

 At Biltmore, seeds gathered in late summer have failed to sprout, 

 whether planted in fall or spring. The fleshy cotyledon is kept fc 

 56 



