AMERICAN SYLVICULTURE 



C. Seeds stored beyond tlie duration of their natural 



period of rest show a reduced percentage of germination. The per- 

 centage might be increased by the use of slightly acid solutions,, 

 lime Avater or hot water. Coniferous seeds are often placed in cold 

 water for three to seven days previous to planting; seeds thus 

 treated, however, must be supplied after planting with moisture 

 artificially if drought sets in. 



The United States Forest Service, under the guidance of 'Mi. 

 Raphael Zon, has made extensive experiments concerning the best 

 conditions for the storage of seeds. Seeds were stored at thirteen 

 different locations, so as to get the influence of the locality on. 

 retention of vitality-. At each locality one part of the seeds was 

 kept in the office above freezing, another in an outside barn, and 

 a third in a cellar. Storing in basements has proven best so far. 

 Seeds stored in Colorado and New Mexico Avere best as to locality. 

 In Washington City, seeds stored at 6 degrees F. gave the best 

 results. 



Tests are now being made showing the influence of the con- 

 tainer on vitality; amongst these are tested "manila" containers,, 

 bags soaked in paraffin, oil-cloth bags, and sealed glass containers. 

 The best results were obtained so far in sealed glass containers, 

 and the poorest in oil-cloth bags. 



D. The "malting" of seeds (placing the seeds in heaps, 

 moistening them and stirring them in a warm room) is a rather 

 dangerous procedure. After Weise, Douglas Fir and ^^Hiite Pine 

 seeds should be mixed with moist and fertile soil and stable manure, 

 to be then exposed to a hot-house temperature until the germs begin 

 to show. S. B. Green recommends to pour boiling water on the seeds 

 of Locust, Honey-Locust and Coffee-tree, and to allow the seeds 

 to remain in the water until it is cold, planting immediately 

 thereafter. 



Paragraph XIII. Direct seeding. 



Seeds should not be planted on rainy days, especially not on- 

 clay soil. For broadcast planting, the area to be planted and the 

 seed are divided into equal lots. The quantity of seed allotted to 

 the unit of space is divided into halves. Each half is sown 

 separately by going over the ground crosswise. 



Broadcast planting is rare nowadays. 



Rough nursery beds, (either rimning full length of the area or 

 interrupted beds), furrows or banks are frequently provided. Nar- 

 54 



