•'>•")<■. IIAMVI-STING I'ltriTS AND SKEDS OF FUUKST TIJEES. 



iiatnrallv lie piopctrtioiiiil to the oidiiiaiv daily wa^^e for (•ther 

 similar work. This is especially the case in the collection of 

 <-ones, when the work may also be in proj^^ress in uei<,'hbourin^' 

 forests and if sufficient payment is not made for the seed, much 

 of it may find its way into the hands of seed-merchants or 

 nei<,'hbouriu<if forest o\\ ncis. In the case of fruits which may he 

 used for other purposes besides the artificial reproduction of 

 woods, especially acorns, beech-nuts and chestnuts, even slij^htly 

 more than the full value of the fruit must be paid ; otherwise 

 the forest owner will secure only a very small portion of the crop, 

 in spite of the most careful supervision. 



Snrrenderin<i^ the whole crop of seed to the nei^dibourin^f 

 peasants on condition of receivin<^ a stipulated portion is the 

 commonest mode of harvestin<>; acorns and beech-nuts. This 

 method is evidently applicable only when the fruit is used i'oi- 

 other purposes besides artificial reproduction. It is cairied out 

 by givin<^- formal permits to applicants ullowinj^- them access to 

 the forest to collect acorns or beech-nuts, on condition, that they 

 deliver a snndl percentat^e to the forest owner. Finally, Avhen 

 the owner does not need the seed for his own requirements, he 

 may lease the whole crop to seed- dealers. 



4. Trcdtinciit of Seed aj'tcr Collcrtioii. 



The fruits and s('e<ls which liuv(! been collected in the forest 

 arc often extremely moist, they must then be dried or will 

 turn black, decompose and lose their <rerminative power. 

 They should, therefore, be brou^ifht into dry, airy places, 

 spread out in thin layers and turned three or four times a 

 (lay. In dry weather the lar<,'cr fruits are dried in a preliminary 

 manner in a suitable place in the forest ; they are then brought 

 under a roof and spread on a wooden fioor. The fruit or seeds 

 of broad-leaved trees should be dried sufficiently but without 

 being hardened, and the husks, twigs and other refuse removed 

 as far as this can be done by simple manipulation ; they are 

 then ready for storing. 



Twigs, with the attached samaras of sycainoi-e, other maples 

 and elms, birch-catkins, itc. are hung up to dry in airy lofts or 

 sheds. As soon as they are dry the fruits fall from the twigs 



