26 THE FOREST TREE CULTURIST. 
warn, dry atmosphere evaporates the moisture, causing 
them to shrivel, and thus destroys them. 
Some seeds, as the Chestnut, contain such a large amount 
of albuminous matter that it is quite difficult to keep the 
temperature and humidity of the atmosphere just in the 
right state for their preservation. All such seeds should 
be placed in the ground, or on it, soon after they are ripe, 
and covered with leaves or some similar material, follow- 
ing Nature’s method, as they receive there the proper de- 
gree of warmth and moisture requisite to their preserva- 
tion, better than in any other situation. 
GATHERING AND TRANSPORTING SEEDS, 
Seeds should always be gathered in dry weather, and 
those kinds which are inclosed in an outer covering, like 
the Butternut, should be spread out in an airy situation 
until they are quite dry before being packed for transporta- 
tion. It is also advisable to dry all tree seeds a little, but 
it must be varied according to the size and natural amount 
of moisture they contain. Those that possess a large 
amount either in their covering or in the seed proper are 
liable to heat if packed in close air-tight boxes. Baskets 
and bags, or boxes with small holes bored in them, should 
be used for the purpose, especially if the seeds are to re- 
main in them for several days. Sheets of paper, or layers 
of dry moss, may be placed between the layers of seeds to 
absorb the moisture, when necessary to pack the seeds be- 
fore they are sufficiently dry. These remarks only apply 
to the larger seeds and those that naturally contain con- 
siderable incisture at the time.of gathering. 
