' FORESTRY. IO/ 



The time for sowing seeds varies with different varieties. The soft 

 maples, (white and scarlet,) cottonwood, linden and elm ripen in early or 

 late summer, and should be sown soon after. The fruit of most nut-bear- 

 ing trees, and of the plum, apple, pear and peach, should in this climate, 

 either be sown in the fall or kept in moist earth, where they will be 

 subject to the action of the frost in order to secure germination the fol- 

 lowing spring. Catalpa, birch, ailanthus and some other seeds are 

 generally kept dry in winter and sown in spring. Hard-shelled seed, like 

 the locust and coffee bean, must be soaked in hot water (some say scalded) 

 before planting, and kept warm until they show signs of germinating, when 

 they should be at once planted and not allowed to dry out. Evergreen 

 seeds may be sown in spring, but require careful treatment in seed bed 

 for success. Most of them retain their vitality longer than deciduous 

 seeds. Some of them, like varieties of the pines, have, under favorable 

 conditions, been known to keep for twenty years or more. The silver firs 

 on the contrary should be planted not later than the first season. The 

 beds in which most evergreen seeds are sown should be protected by lath 

 or other suitable screens and well sheltered from the hot sun and drying 

 winds. "The first few months, until the formation of the terminal bud is 

 the most critical time." A close, confined atmosphere with too much 

 water, will be quickly fatal to them. In addition to the screens overhead, 

 mulching the yOung seedlings in winter with leaves or pine needles is 

 recommended. They may be transplanted after two years and some of 

 the pines at one year. With these, as with all seedlings, weeds should be 

 kept out of the beds. 



TRANSPLANTING EVERGREF^S. 



Colorado evergreens are famous for beauty and hardiness, and among 

 them the blue spruce, (Picea Pungens,) is the peer of any in the known 

 world. The Engleman spruce, (Abies JEnglemanii,} the Douglas, (A' 

 Douylasii,) the great silver fir, (A. Grandis,) and the white spruce, (Picea 

 Alba,) are all magnificent trees. In transplanting these evergreens care 

 should be taken never to expose the roots to the sun or air. If possible, 

 always let the dirt or soil adhere to the roots when taking up, and sack at 

 once, with burlap or gunny-sack tied firmly around. Give constant 

 moisture until well established. Where many young trees are to be 

 taken up, and it is not practicable to have earth around them, dipping, or 

 puddling the roots in a kind of a mud batter is sometimes practiced. 



