S V L V I C U L T U R E. 



below ground at a depth of say one and one-half inches. Possibly, 

 the seed must pass through a bird before it can sprout, or the flesh 

 must be peeled off by hand or by malting. 



Q. Black Cherry. 



Primeval trees are found only on fairly rich soil. The Cherry, 

 however, can be easily raised on abandoned fields not better than 

 those at Biltmore. During early youth, until pole stage, mice and 

 rabbits peel the bark badly. The end of the annual shoot is almost 

 always killed in winter. The small purple fruits ripening in early 

 autumn are eagerly eaten by birds. The seeds, after passing 

 through the bird, are scattered all over the woods. The seeds are 

 easily kept in winter, but lie over if kept in a dry condition. A 

 hot-water bath before planting might cause the seeds to germinate 

 simultaneously. In woods, Cherry should be planted under one- 

 half inch dirt cover, irregularly, with full enjoyment of light. Seed 

 50c per pound. The. seeds might be planted in rows on abandoned 

 fields more cheaply than the seedlings. 



R. Black Gum. 



Xyssa sylvatica has never been raised on a large scale, owing 

 to the low value of its timber. As an undergrowth or admixture 

 with Hickory, Ash, Oak, etc., it might prove, however, a valuable 

 tree, owing to its dense leaf canopy and owing to its shade- 

 bearing qualities. The seeds, cherry-like, dark blue in fall, of 

 acid taste, seem to appear annually, and old trees are often sur- 

 rounded by an abundance of seedlings; the latter, very light colored, 

 are four inches high by July, showing two heavy oval entire cotyle- 

 dons, whilst the primordial leaves show the proper form. Seed- 

 lings do not seem to suffer from frost, -heat or animals. On 

 abandoned fields, however, Black Gum seems to come up from 

 sprouts and not from seeds. The seed is not on the market. 



Paragraph XVII. Planting seeds of the coniferous species. 



A. Firs. 



Very intensive shade-bearers, the Firs cannot, be raised without 

 shelter overhead. The young seedling suffers much from frost and 

 heat. Its six to ten cotyledons show two white stripes on the upper 

 side. The young plant is apt to die from leaves smothering it. 

 Its height growth, to the seventh year, is small whilst the seedling 

 tries to establish a root system and to cover its growing space by 

 long side branches. Fir is usually planted in irregular patches 

 as an admixture, moss and mould being raked away. The seeds 

 50 



