Tree Growing 87 



If the soil is at all dry, when the hole is about half rilled 

 with earth, a pail of water should be added and allowed to 

 soak away. This not only wets the roots but helps to settle 

 the earth. The hole may then be filled, carefully packed, 

 and a layer of loose soil spread on the surface. It is a good 

 plan frequently to loosen the surface around the newly 

 planted tree with a rake, as it prevents evaporation. 



But it is not always possible or convenient to secure trees 

 for transplanting. If the purpose is to plant in large 

 numbers, the expense and labor is too great. In such 

 cases the trees may be propagated in the same way in which 

 nature would do it. All trees produce seed and may be 

 grown from seed. There are some quick-growing species, 

 however, which start readily from cuttings and are generally 

 propagated in that way. 



In selecting seed, it is well to be sure it was raised in 

 a climate not much less severe than the one in which 

 it is to be grown. Seed collected in a more southern 

 climate is likely to produce trees not entirely hardy when 

 grown farther north. About five years ago there was 

 sown, under my direction, a quantity of elm seed pur- 

 chased through a dealer. A year later another sowing 

 was made alongside this, the seed having been collected 

 locally. Two years later a third sowing of seed collected 

 in the province was made. The seedlings of the first sowing 

 grow rapidly every year, but kill back to the snow every 

 winter. At the time of writing there are young trees 

 standing six feet high, more than four feet of which is last 

 year's growth, and which is all dead. The seedlings from 



