BRITISH FOREST TREES 271 



coppice, it is less remunerative tl.an many other species. As 

 standards in copse, however, it finds its normal requirements, 

 and rapidly develops a large-girthed bole. 



Solving of elm is usually confined to the production of 

 seedlings and transplants in nursery-beds, and requires some 

 care as the young seedlings are sensitive to drought. The 

 seed, which should be sown on loose, fertile, fresh soil im- 

 mediately after it ripens about the end of May or the 

 beginning of June for it has no period of rest before 

 germination, and loses its germinative capacity before the 

 following spring is scattered broadcast over the beds, and 

 receives a very slight covering of earth passed through a 

 sieve. What falls first is only imperfectly formed fruit ; but 

 the matured seed, even if only collected in heaps or sacks 

 for a few hours, gets heated very easily and then its germi- 

 native power becomes materially diminished. In dry 

 weather, watering daily for seven to ten days is necessary till 

 germination takes place, and after the seedlings have appeared, 

 they should have some protection from the strong summer 

 sun, whilst care must be taken to weed out all grass that 

 makes its appearance. Before autumn the plants develop 

 quickly, harden so as to be able to resist the cold of winter, 

 and can even be put out in the forest if desired ; but it is 

 better to prick them out in the nursery at distances varying 

 from 8"x8" to 12" x 12". At the latter distance the seed- 

 lings develop into plants of one and a half to three feet in 

 one to two years, and, by the removal of each alternate 

 transplant, into strong transplants of five to seven feet high 

 in four to five years. Forked growth is somewhat common 

 in the nursery, but the elm stands trimming well. 



J'lanting has no difficulties to contend with, and the 

 choice of material extends from yearlings to four or five-year- 

 old transplants, a preference being generally given to two to 

 three-year-old transplants, in order to obviate danger from 



