Tree Growing 89 



reveal a single silver maple seedling, although a consider- 

 able quantity of seed had fallen on the plot. 



It is evident, therefore, that in considering the suita- 

 bility of a tree to any climate, we must consider not only 

 the species, but where the individuals from which we 

 intend to propagate were grown. 



Seed which matures early, like the elm, should be sown 

 the same year. The elm seed falls in June or early in July, 

 and if kept over until the following spring before it is planted 

 it loses greatly in germinating power. If sown at once a 

 much greater percentage of the seed will germinate, and 

 the seedlings get a fair start the same season. Any seeds 

 of the broad-leaved, deciduous trees may be sown either 

 in the fall or spring, but except in the case of those that 

 mature early or those with a hard shell, there seems little 

 in favor of fall sowing, unless it is more convenient. Seeds 

 of maple and ash have been found to germinate well when 

 sown in the spring. 



Seed of all the broad-leaved trees is best sown in rows 

 in well-prepared soil and the seedlings left for one or two 

 years in the seed-bed. They should then be transplanted 

 in rows from one to three feet apart according to size, and 

 kept carefully cultivated until crowding makes it desirable 

 either to transplant them to a permanent location or set 

 them out in rows still farther apart. The best way to 

 plant a young seedling is to make a hole with a stick, and 

 after setting in the plant, fill the hole with water and press 

 the soil firmly about it. The seedlings should be- kept 

 in a pail of muddy water to prevent drying out. 



