EAISING THE PLANTS 29 



a forester intends collecting his own supply of seed, he 

 should pick it from the best trees only, which, theoretically, 

 should have long, clean boles with heads so high up that 

 the work of collecting by the use of ladders would be 

 impossible, and by the use of tree- climbers very difficult 

 and dangerous. The only other way is to fell the trees. 

 Therefore, if there are any good trees of the species required 

 bearing seed on any area that is to be felled, they should 

 be left until their seed is ripe, then felled, and their seed 

 <3ollected. 



"Where climbing or the use of ladders is possible, the 

 . collector takes with him a canvas bag slung over his 

 shoulders, and a light pole at the end of which is a pro- 

 jecting hook, with which he can pull branches towards 

 him, or, in the case of conifers, can pull off cones, which 

 €an be picked up from the ground later. 



Some seeds are very difficult to collect, those of Ahres 

 nohilis, for instance, the cones of which, when ripe, shatter 

 to pieces at a slight touch. If unable to reach them easily, 

 so as to place a basket or other receptacle beneath, a canvas 

 bag with a stout wire ring round its mouth and fixed to 

 a light pole may be used. This is held under the cone 

 and the bough shaken, when the shattered cone will fall 

 into the bag. 



The times when the seeds of the more common trees 

 should be collected are: 



June — Elm. 



October — Ash, Alder, Birch, Beech, Maple, Sycamore, 



and Horse- Chestnut (also Spanish Chestnut in the 



South of England). 



