GROWING DEMAND FOR FOREST TREE SEEDS. 



THE Forestry Branch of the Department of the Interior has 

 frequently been asked by nurserymen, both in America 

 and Europe, and also by private individuals, as to where various 

 forest tree seeds can be purchased in quantity in Canada. 



The Canadian white pine is becoming more and more widely 

 planted in European forests, greatly increasing the demand for 

 this kind of seed. The quality of the American seed seems bet- 

 ter than of that gathered in Europe and is claimed to produce 

 stronger and healthier stock. The jack pine {Pinus banksiana) 

 also seems to be in great demand during recent years, the seed 

 in Europe selling for a very high price compared to that of other 

 conifers. 



The seeds of both these varieties can be secured with litde 

 trouble, and the demand seems to be rapidly increasing, both at 

 home and abroad. One German firm writes that they require 

 annually from one to two thousand pounds of white pine seed, 

 the price paid per pound, cleaned, being generally 50c. An 

 American nurseryman also makes enquiry for 200 pounds of the 

 same seed. 



The usual method of obtaining seed from the thinner-scaled 

 cones such as white pine and white spruce, is to gather the cones 

 just as soon as the seed is ripe which can be determined by cutting 

 open the cones. If ripe, the seeds will be filled with firm, white 

 meat. The seed is generally ripe some weeks before the cones 

 appear to be so, and if left too long is liable to be lost, as on hot 

 days the scales open as soon as they become dry and allow the 

 seed to drop out. 



After the cones are picked they should be spread out in the 

 sun, when they will gradually open. This process is hastened if 

 the cones are put under glass frames similar to those used on hot 

 beds. The seed is easily extracted by vigorously agitating tlie 

 cones for a few minutes. The seed is finally cleaned by separat- 

 ing it from the wings by passing it through a kind of fanning 

 mill. 



