13 



place the plant in the crevice. Here, too, the ground must be thor- 

 oughly packed around the roots of the plant. When balls of dirt are 

 taken out with the plants, holes must be dug somewhat larger than 

 the size of the ball on the plant. When this is done the plants may 

 be moved at any time of year and to any place. If the~plants are 

 crooked or branchy after planting, cut them off about an inch and a 

 half above ground. 



A few trees, such as willows and poplars, may be propagated by 

 cuttings. It is recommended that the cuttings be gathered in fall 

 from last year's shoots and buried during winter. They should be 

 planted in spring while the ground is still moist. They will do well 

 if not gathered till spring, but before the new growth begins, and 

 planted at once. When planting leave one good bud above ground. 

 The others may be rubbed off. Layers or root suckers may be used 

 in a few instances but as a general rule, willows and poplars being 

 an exception, it is better to raise trees from seed. 



CUCUMBEK TREE, MOUNTAIN MAGNOLIA. 

 Magnolia acuminata, L. 



This tree is nowhere common in Pennsylvania. It is, however, a 

 tree that is worthy of being cultivated because of the peculiar fitness 

 of its wood for pump stocks, watering troughs, etc. 



The fruit is a cylindrical mass resembling the cucumber, whence the 

 tree's name. This becomes red in autumn and it is then time to watch 

 for seeds, in order that they may be gathered as soon as ripe. About 

 the last of September, or the first of October, when fully mature, 

 scarlet seeds may be seen suspended from the fruit by delicate white 

 threads. Owing to an oil in the pulp that encloses each seed they 

 become rancid and lose their power of germination as soon as the pulp 

 decays. They should be placed at once in water of 70 degrees to 80 

 degrees Fahrenheit and macerated for about a week, when the seeds 

 can be thoroughly washed. These should then be fixed in a box in 

 alternate layers of sand and seeds, and kept in a cellar where they 

 will not freeze. As soon as the ground is warm in spring, about the 

 middle of May, they may be sown in furrows from six to eight inches 

 apart, on well prepared seed beds and covered lightly. If any fer- 

 tilizing is done a small quantity of wood ashes or of bone dust is 

 best. It is said that manure should not be used. The seedlings, 

 after remaining in the seed beds for two years, should be ready for 

 being set out where they are to remain. If intended for lawn plant- 

 ing they may be transplanted every two or three years until wanted. 



