SEEDS SHADE TREES 199 



also rather cool. It is always better to rely upon fresh 

 seeds. Test them in boxes in the house, if possible, before 

 planting them in the open. If beans, peas, corn or other 

 Seeds become buggy, pour a little bisulfide of carbon (very 

 inflammable) into them. The material will not injure the 

 Seeds even if poured on them. It soon evaporates. A tea- 

 spoonful will kill the insects in four quarts of Seeds, if the 

 receptacle is tight. 



Most tree Seeds should be kept moist until planted. 

 They are usually buried or kept in sand. 



Sensitive Plant (Mimosa). This curious plant 

 is often grown for the amusement it affords by its habit of 

 closing its leaves and dropping the leaf -stalk whenever the 

 plant is touched. Seed should be sown in heat early in the 

 season, and the plants grown in pots or a protected border. 

 The seed is sold by all seedsmen. The plant grows readily 

 in a temperature suited to beans. It will not stand frost. 

 The young plants are usually the most sensitive. 



Shade Trees. The best Shade Trees are 

 usually those which are native to the particular region, 

 since they are hardy and adapted to the soil and other con- 

 ditions. Elms, maples, basswoods, and the like, are nearly 

 always reliable. In regions in which there are serious 

 insect enemies or fungous disease/3, the trees which are 

 most likely to be attacked may be omitted. For instance, 

 in parts of the East the elm leaf beetle is a very serious 

 pest; and it is a good plan in such places to plant other 

 trees than elms. Amongst the best exotic trees for shade 

 in the northern parts of the country are the Norway maple, 

 European lindens, horse chestnut, and the European species 

 of elm. Trees for shade should ordinarily be given suffi- 

 cient room that they may develop into full size and 

 symmetrical heads. The trees may be planted as close as 

 10 or 15 feet apart for temporary effect ; but as soon as they 

 begin to crowd they should be thinned. 



