502 STUltlNG FRUITS AND SEEDS OF FOREST TREES. 



with saw-dust. The windows niiist at first be kept open 

 ill order to dry the seed, and the latter turned from time to 

 time. This is absolutely necessary for silver-fir seed, which is 

 very liable to become mouldy. It is best kept in the cones, but 

 they can only with c^-eat difficulty be kept entire throu^'h the 

 winttr. 



At Hubertushohe, in the Franconian forest, silver-fir seed is 

 kept in a wooden tower with several floors, and well-ventilated. 

 The seed placed in thin layers on the floors is turned daily, 

 and keeps splendidly. Silver-fir seed frequently suffers durin«; 

 transport ; bags of it should always be loosely closed, and the 

 seed in them mixed with refuse wings of the seed of pine ov 

 spruce. 



Dried seed of the birch or alder may be placed in sacks and 

 these suspended in dry rooms. If tAvigs have been cut with the 

 fruit they may be tied in small bundles and suspended as before. 

 Ash, maple, and hornbeam seed may be similarly treated during 

 the first winter before being put into trenches to hasten 

 germination. 



Much birch and alder seed, however carefully treated, will 

 become mouldy ; it is generally better to sow these seeds as 

 soon as they ripen. 



i). StoriiKj i)i Vcrjitrated Bins. 



Scotch pine, spruce and larch seed separated from the cones is 

 best preserved in perforated bins ; the same plan is suitable 

 for any small seeds after they have been thoroughly aerated by 

 turning them over for several days. 



The bins used for coniferous seeds resemble ordinary Hour- 

 bins, with well-fitting lids. In order to exclude mite tluy are 

 completely lined with tin or zinc, wliicli is perforated as well as 

 its wooden casing. The seeds are placed in the bins with their 

 wings and other impurities, and are periodically stirred. 

 Spruce seed is sometimes kept in the cones. 



7. St(iriii;i Seed itiidcr ]V(itcr. 



Experiments have often been made of storing beech-nuts and 

 acorns in large baskets under water, but although they remain 



