HOW TO PLANT. 93 



shelter-belts about their farms, or to comply 

 with the terms of the Government timber-act. 

 For such even, unless they have had consider- 

 able experience in raising trees from seeds, it 

 will be policy to procure trees rather than to 

 sow seeds. The practiced planter, if he has the 

 time and facilities for doing it, and if he also 

 enjoys this part of the work, may begin his 

 plantation at the seed-bed, or by gathering his 

 seeds where Nature has produced them, or from 

 the dealer who offers them for sale. But one 

 who has had little or no experience will ordi- 

 narily do best by purchasing trees rather than 

 by planting seeds. 



Time and trouble are involved in gathering 

 seeds ; and, if they are purchased, there is the 

 risk that they may not be in proper condition 

 to germinate, or may not prove true to name. 

 And then there is a great deal of care demanded 

 in the seed-bed. There are weeding and shad- 

 ing and protection. The young pine, though it 

 may be a giant by-and-by and bid defiance to 

 sun and storm, is at first a very tender and 

 delicate plant. There is hardly one in the 

 lady's flower-garden more so. It needs to be 



