16 



CUTTINGS. 



Willows and cottonwoods and other poplars are very easily propa- 

 gated from cuttings. Cuttings should be of strong, healthy wood of 

 the previous season's growth, which ripened well and did not shrivel 

 during the winter. A good length is 8 to 12 inches, with the upper 

 'cut just above a bud. They may be made when wanted for planting 

 and set with a spade or in a furrow, as described for seedlings. If 

 the ground is mellow, they can be merely shoved into the soil until 

 only one bud is above the surface, and then tramped. Better soil con- 

 tact is secured if they are put in slanting; the growth will be upright 

 in 4iny case. In favorable seasons cottonwood cuttings often make a 

 height growth of 5 or 6 feet. 



RAISING FROM SEED. 



Such common species as ash, mulberry, Osage orange, black and 

 honey locust, catalpa, and black walnut are easily raised from seed, 

 and the person who intends planting a large area will find it both 

 cheaper and more convenient to buy seed of some reliable house and 

 raise his own trees. 



To insure prompt germination the seeds of the two locusts are 

 treated with hot water before sowing. A leading Nebraska nursery- 

 man who is very successful with his seedlings pours water, at a tem- 

 perature of 175 F. for honey locust or 120 F. for black locust, on 

 the seed, and allows it to stand for several hours. Boiling water 

 should not be used, since it is likely to destroy the vitality of the 

 seed. There is no doubt that a safe and reliable method for the honey 

 locust is to use water at an initial temperature of 25 to 50 under 

 the boiling point, and then let the seeds soak in lukewarm water until 

 they swell. Seeds which have become very dry must soak longer 

 than those which are fresh. Black locust seeds grow very well with- 

 out any treatment, but the use of hot water causes more uniform 

 germination. 



Heavy-coated seeds, like nuts and acorns, are best sown in the fall, 

 so that they will be opened by the frost. Ordinary seeds may be sown 

 in corn-planting time. The soil should be moist and well prepared. 

 Only a shallow covering of earth is necessary. If the ground is dry, 

 the sowing should be delayed until moisture comes. 



With a good season the little trees will be of suitable size to trans- 

 plant the following spring, and will not require much pruning. The 

 great advantage in having home-grown seedlings is, that they are at 

 hand and ready to take up and set where wanted any favorable day 

 with little danger of drying out. Handled properly they will begin 



[Cir. 161.] 



