HOME-GROWN VERSUS FOREIGN SEED 39 



(common Ash only), Beech, Birch, Alder, Scots Pine, Wych 

 Elm, Hazel, and Hornbeam, and perhaps of Douglas Fir, 

 Thuya gigantea, Sitka Spruce, and Sitka Cypress. But to 

 use only foreign seed of Larch, Norway Spruce, Silver Fir, 

 Cupressus macrocarpa, Spanish Chestnut, White Ash, Oregon 

 Ash, Austrian Pine, Corsican Pine, Weymouth Pine, Black 

 Walnut, and Red Oak. 



With regard to this latter class, experience may prove 

 the contrary to be the case. But conclusions should not be 

 too hastily arrived at. It often takes generations before 

 trees become acclimatised to new surroundings, and though 

 the seed may be plump and the seedlings appear strong and 

 vigorous, time alone can prove that this vigour will be main- 

 tained to maturity. In all cases, only the best seed of 

 healthy vigorous trees, should ever be used. 



It may not be out of place here to state that, when con- 

 sidering the advisability and the suitability of the introduc- 

 tion of any exotic tree, the very greatest regard should be 

 paid to the conditions as to climate, soil, altitude, and aspect 

 under which it thrives in its native habitat. 



The success of recently introduced conifers from the 

 coast region of British Columbia may be anticipated with far 

 greater confidence than can justly be placed upon the intro- 

 duction of species from countries with a marked continental 

 climate, and, though care is necessary, there is no need to 

 anticipate any such calamity from fungoid disease, as that 

 with which the growth of Larch in this country is now 

 attended. 



(4) The Storage of Seed. 



All seed that is not going to be sowed directly it is ripe 

 must be carefully stored. The seeds of Ash (the common 

 Ash), Yew, Hawthorn, Holly, and Hornbeam, which do not 

 germinate until the spring after they are collected, should be 

 mixed with sand and stored in pits or " pies " in the open, 

 where they should remain until about March a year hence, 

 when, as soon as they show signs of sprouting, they should 

 be sown in drills in carefully prepared beds. All other seed 



