1 6 THE NURSERY-BOOK- 



the seeds, however, but it is difficult in such cases to distribute 

 the seeds evenly, and in sowing large quantities the handling of 

 the sand entails a considerable burden and becomes an item of 

 expense. It is advisable to pass the sand through a sieve of 

 finer mesh than the seeds, and the seeds can then be sifted 

 out at sowing time. If the seeds are very small or very few in 

 number they may be placed between folds of thin muslin, which 

 is then laid in the sand. Any shallow box, like a gardener's 

 "flat," is useful in making stratifications, or with small lots of 

 seeds pots may be used. A flat four inches deep might contain 

 two or three layers or strata of seeds the size of peas. 



The disposition of the boxes when filled varies with different 

 operators. Some prefer to bury them. In this case a well- 

 drained sandy slope is chosen. The flats are placed in a trench 

 from one to two feet deep, covered with a single thickness of 

 boards, and the trench is then filled with earth. The seeds 

 usually freeze somewhat, although freezing is not considered 

 necessary unless in the case of nut-like seeds. The object at- 

 tained in burying is to keep the seeds moist and fresh, inducing 

 the rotting or softening of the coverings, while they are buried 

 so deep that they will not sprout. Seeds of most forest trees 

 should be treated in this manner. They are commonly left in 

 the ground until the second spring, when they are taken up and 

 sown in drills in mellow ground. If good loam to which has 

 been added a little well rotted manure is used, the seeds or nuts 

 of hardy trees and shrubs may be allowed to germinate and 

 grow for one season in the flats. At the end of the season or 

 the next spring the plants can be transplanted without losing 

 one. This is, perhaps, the best way to handle rare and difficult 

 subjects. 



Many growers place the boxes on the surface in some pro- 

 tected place, as under trees or in a shed, and cover them a foot 

 deep with clean straw or leaves.. This is a good method for all 

 seeds which are to be sown the following spring, as those of 

 many fruits. If boxes are piled on top each other they should 

 be mulched with moss, else the under ones may become too dry. 

 Or the boxes may be placed without covering in a shed, but they 



