CHAPTER VI. 



THE NURSERY LIST. 

 Aaron's Beard. See Hypericum. 

 Abelia. Caprifoliacecz. 



In spring by layers under a frame, and in summer by 

 cuttings. 



Abies (Fir). Conifers. 



Propagated by seeds, which are usually kept dry over 

 winter and sown in spring in frames or in protected bor- 

 ders. Cones should be fully matured before being gath- 

 ered. If they hold the seeds tightly they should be placed 

 in a dry place, sometimes even in an oven, until the scales 

 spread. In some species, as the Balsam fir, the cones 

 drop and fall to pieces as soon as ripe, and these cones 

 must be gathered just before they begin to fall. The 

 seeds may be separated by rubbing them in the hands, 

 when they are thoroughly dry, then winnowing them out 

 through a sieve. In order to obtain stocky plants, the 

 seedlings should be transplanted the following spring. 

 The named varieties and the species which do not pro- 

 duce sufficient seed are winter-worked upon seedling 

 stocks which are potted in the fall. Cuttings of growing 

 tips set in sand in a close, well-shaded house or frame 

 are often successful. (See Figs. 47 and 67, and page 64. ) 

 Stocks the size of a lead pencil are commonly used. One- 

 year-old seedlings are usually preferred, but in some cases 

 the requisite size is not reached until the second or third 

 year. Any of the common operations of grafting may be 

 employed, but the veneer-graft is best. The conifers 

 are'not difficult to graft. The European Silver fir (Abies 

 pectinata} or the Balsam fir may be used as a stock, but 

 the common Norway spruce is now the most popular 

 stock for species of both Abies and Picea (see Picea). 



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