CHAPTEK V. 



PROPAGATING TREES AND SHRUBS. 



(1) From Seed. This natural process of reproduction is 

 that most commonly adopted where large numbers of trees 

 are required indeed, certain species, particularly of the 

 Coniferae, cannot successfully be raised in any other way 

 The preparation of the seed-beds is a point that deserves far 

 more attention than it usually receives, and that not only 

 on economic grounds, but in view of the general appearance 

 of the nursery borders as well. To tumble the seeds indis- 

 criminately into the ground as if they had fallen in showers 

 from the trees is highly objectionable ; and just as censurable 

 is the too oft-repeated practice of sowing these in rough, 

 cloddy, and ill-prepared ground. 



Systematic arrangement in the laying-out of the beds, as 

 to the number and requirements of the future seedlings 

 should also be attended to. 



The ground intended for seed-beds should be trenched or 

 deeply dug up ; but this operation would, for the mellowing 

 and cleaning of the soil, have been better performed the 

 autumn before than at the time of sowing down. 



In any case, just before sowing, the ground should be 

 carefully turned over, all hard clods being broken down, and 

 large stones raked off, the surface soil for the depth of 3 in^ 

 or 4 in. being made as fine as possible. Dry weather must 

 be chosen for the formation of seed-beds, as also, indeed, for 

 the sowing of the seeds. The beds are marked off and pre- 

 pared as follows : A light, strong line is stretched along the 

 ground at, say, 3 ft. from the boundary fence or path, and, 



