Propagating Trees and Shrubs 19 



soaked for a week without fear or harm, and many legumin- 

 ous seeds for two or three days with great advantage. Some 

 seeds do not come up until the second year, such as the ash, 

 pyrus, thorn, etc., and in these cases it is but a waste of 

 ground to sow them as collected. They should be mixed 

 with sand, as before directed, and stored away for a year 

 before being sown. 



It should also be remembered that, as a rule, the sooner 

 seeds are sown after being collected, the stronger will be the 

 young plants. 



Soon after germination, hand weeding must be com- 

 menced, and this may most successfully be performed after 

 a shower of rain, as the young plants then suffer less from 

 loosening of the soil, consequent on pulling out the weeds, 

 than would be the case in dry and warm weather. 



The above method of raising plants from seeds will be found 

 suitable in most cases, but in respect of choice or half-hardy 

 trees the shelter afforded by a frame is usually provided. 

 In this case the seeds are sown in pots or shallow boxes, 

 according to quantity, and placed in an unheated frame. 



The best time for seed-sowing is from the first to the 

 fifteenth of April. 



Transplanting the young seedlings may be taken in hand 

 usually after the first year, but no hard-and-fast line can be 

 laid down, so much depending on the season and rate of 

 growth of the young plants. The experienced eye can 

 always tell when seedlings should be lined out. The best 

 time for this operation is after the spring frosts are at an 

 end, for, if planted out in the autumn, the frost is apt to 

 lift the tiny seedlings wholesale from the ground. 



After this they should be transplanted at least every 

 second year until planted out permanently. 



By Cuttings. Propagating trees and shrubs from cut- 

 tings is at once a simple and inexpensive way of getting up 

 a stock of such kinds as may be increased in that way. The 

 best months are August and September, at which time the 

 temperature of the earth and air are equal, and roots are 

 most readily emitted. 



Choose a sheltered and partially shady border for the 



