94 HAND-BOOK OF TREE-PLANTING. 



shaded from the sun, and to be supplied with 

 moisture in proper measure. So of other trees. 

 They require much fostering care to bring them 

 forward from the seed to a condition for suc- 

 cessful growth in the field or forest. The pro- 

 fessional tree-grower or nursery-man can give 

 this care, for that is his business, and there is 

 nothing to interfere with it. Prosecuting the 

 business also on a large scale, he can not only 

 grow trees more successfully but more cheaply 

 than others. On all accounts, therefore, it will 

 usually be best for the one about to plant a 

 grove or a forest to purchase trees rather than 

 to plant seeds. 



But, if one is resolved to raise his trees from 

 the seed, there are some considerations to be 

 offered which may be of service to him. If he 

 does not go to the dealer and purchase his 

 seed, when shall he gather and when shall he 

 plant it? 



Nature, here as elsewhere, is our great 

 teacher. She never makes a mistake. She 

 plants her seeds when they are ripe. When they 

 have arrived at maturity, when they are so 

 perfected that they are in a condition to repro- 



