THE ART OF THE SECOND GROWTH 



R. Black Gum. 



Xyssa sylvatica nas 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 surrounded by 

 an abundance of seedlings; the latter, very light colored, are four 

 inches high by July, showing two heavy oval entire cotyledons, 

 whilst the primordial leaves show the proper form. Seedlings 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. Direct seeding of the conif- 

 erous 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. ITie 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 brandies. Fir is usually planted in irregular 

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

 seeds losing vitality quickly when winter-stored (unless stored in 

 the disintegrating cones) are usually planted in the fall, in spite of 

 impending ravages of mice and birds. The covering is from one- 

 fifth to one-third of an inch. Since the cones begin to dissolve in 

 Xovember, they must be gathered in early winter. Abies concolor, 

 .$3.00 per pound; Abies fraseri, $3.50 per pound; Abies amabilis, 

 .$4..50 per pound; Abies balsamea, $1.00 per pound; Abies grandis, 

 $3.00 per pound; Abies magnifica, $5.00 per pound; Abies nobilis, 

 $2.00 per pound; Abies pectinata, 5 cents per pound. 



B. Spruce. 



Seeds ripen in the year of the flower and are emitted from the 

 cones, Avhicli have become pendulous, between Xovember and April. 

 The seeds are easily wintered either within or without the cones; 

 after some authors, preferably in the cones. Seed years occur at 

 intervals of about five years. The germinating percentage is high. 

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