374 HORTICULTURE, FORESTRY, FLORICULTURE 



The more protected spots in a planting area might be filled with 

 White Pine, Red Oak, Black Locust. 



Planting of Nuts. Species which have seeds and seedlings 

 subject to many dangers if sown in rough, wild places should be re- 

 produced by using the nursery plant. Many of the nut tree species, 

 however, can best be propagated by planting the nuts in final posi- 

 tion rather than by using nursery stock. Nut tree seedlings are 

 generally quite hardy after germination, making it quite safe to 

 plant them in rough places. The common nut trees are White Oak, 

 Bur Oak, Red Oak, Black Oak, Beech, Chestnut, Bitternut Hickory, 

 Shagbark Hickory, Butternut, and Black Walnut. Of the above 

 species, Red Oak and Chestnut give promise of being the most use- 

 ful and practical in waste lands, especially where the soil is light and 

 sandy. Red Oak, White Oak, Chestnut, Shagbark Hickory, and 

 Black Walnut are found naturally in loamy soils. Bur Oak and Bit- 

 ternut Hickory are found in the heavier classes of soils. 



The collecting of nut seeds need not be described, as everyone 

 has had some experience. Care should be had not to gather such 

 nuts as Black Walnuts too green. The safest time to collect is after 

 the nuts have naturally fallen to the ground. White Oak acorns fre- 

 quently germinate in the autumn shortly after falling. Acorns which 

 have started to germinate will need careful treatment in handling. 

 If the acorns are collected upon falling to the ground and placed in 

 a cool, dry place, there will be little danger of autumn germination. 



Nuts may be planted in the autumn or stored and planted in 

 the spring. Autumn planting has some drawbacks. The edible nuts 

 are frequently found by squirrels or other rodents before they have 

 germinated. In wet soils and cold, damp seasons the nuts may lose 

 their germinating power from decay. The care and storage of nuts 

 needs some attention. The nut may have the husk taken off, al- 

 though there is less danger of drying out if it is not removed. Dry- 

 ing out is the greatest danger to be feared after nuts have been col- 

 Jected. In no case should they be placed in artificially heated rooms. 

 After collection the nuts should be spread out in some dry, cool place 

 for a few days until they are well matured. Care should be taken 

 both in storing and maturing not to leave nuts piled so deep that 

 they might heat, While maturing they should be turned over 

 occasionally. 



Seed may be stored by putting them on a well drained spot and 

 covering them with leaves or hay over which may be placed a light 

 covering of brush. Storing in a pit is a safe method. Layers of nuts 

 six to ten inches deep covered with leaves or small twigs and topped 

 off with soil three to four inches in depth provides good storage. A 

 light covering of brush or hay over the pit will prevent washing of 

 the top dressing of soil. A ditch at the side will give drainage. The 

 bottom of the ditch should be well below the general level. Nuts 

 can also be safely stored by stratifying them in sand. Stratifying 

 seed is done by making a layer of sand and then a layer of seed 

 mixed with sand. This may be done in a well drained trench or in 

 a box. In the case of storing in a box the box should be covered 



