127 



It is therefore of the first importance that investigations into the 

 life histories of these foes be made in order that methods may be dis- 

 covered of destroying them. Our own negligence in this respect is 

 in strong contrast with the constant vigilance which other nations 

 have learned must be observed. 



UNSEATED LANDS PURCHASED BY THE STATE. 

 The latest information we can furnish concerning the lands ob- 

 tained for the State by the authority of the above act is that we have 

 purchased, in all, in the counties of Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, 

 Lycoming, Monroe and Pike, 55,281 acres and 84 perches. Of these, 

 51,799 acres and 33 perches were purchased at Treasurers' sales, and 

 3,482 acres and 51 perches at Commissioners' sales. That obtained 

 from the Commissioners is now absolutely the property of the State. 

 The lands obtained at Treasurers' sales are subject to redemption by 

 the owners for a period of two years. In fact, 3,037 acres and 68 

 perches have already been redeemed. 



STARTING FOREST TREES FROM SEED. 



We are in receipt of so many inquiries as to the best methods of 

 starting young trees of the following species from seeds that we ap- 

 pend the following: 



PLANTING SEED OF FOREST TREES. 



In order to make a success of growing nuts some knowledge of de- 

 tail is required. First of all, there is a very nice little book, published 

 by Orange Judd Company, New York, entitled "Fuller's Nut Cultur- 

 ist." It is a cheap book, not costing over a dollar or a dollar and a 

 half, and full of good, practical information. 



Each of these nuts chestnuts, hickory nuts and walnuts requires 

 a special treatment. For example, to plant chestnuts successfully 

 one must not allow the nut to become dry. A dry chestnut seldom, if 

 ever germinates. Therefore, get your chestnuts fresh, put them away 

 in damp, not wet, sand, in a cool place, until you are certain they 

 would not sprout that season if planted. Then plant them in a shal- 

 low furrow, which is not over two inches deep, cover them very lightly 

 with leaves, and put on the leaves just enough of fine earth -to keep 

 them from being blown away. Your chestnuts will come up early in 

 the spring and make a growth of possibly eighteen inches during the 

 first year. When they are one year old, lift them carefully, prune off 

 any excess of tap root, and put them out again before their roots have 

 become dry. This will bunch the roots and enable you to transplant 

 them easily wherever you wish them to go. 



Another way is to take the chestnuts out of the sand box and take 

 small baskets, like the quart strawberry baskets, put in a fine layer of 



