64 PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 



The seed of all ashes in America have a general similarity, yet each va- 

 riety is distinguished by the peculiar form of the winged appendages. 



To be sure of having fresh seed and of the variety desired it is necessary 

 to gather it or engage some collector to secure it, and to place an order some 

 time in advance. 



The seed may be kept dry until spring, when they should be planted in 

 nursery rows and given good culture during the season. 



By the following autumn they should have attained the height of 18 to 24 

 inches, and may be transplanted. 



In regions of frost no seedling trees should be planted in autumn, as they 

 are liable to be heaved out by frost and destroyed. Heel in the seedlings 

 until spring, covering the roots carefully with fine earth. 



The soil should be thoroughly prepared as for a corn or other crop, plow- 

 ing and harrowing well. It is preferable that trees should be set 7x7 feet. 

 While this is too close for a permanent forest it is best the trees should be thus 

 close for a few years, when three-fourths should be removed, leaving the trees 

 14x14 feet. 



We prefer to mark off the ground one way by light furrows seven feet 

 apart, and then cross-furrowing as deeply as possible. 



Two men operate together in planting, one carrying a bunch of trees, the 

 other a shovel. A tree is placed upright at the intersection of the furrows, and 

 held there while two or three shovelfuls of earth are thrown about the roots. 

 If not too wet, the man firms the earth about the roots and passes on to the 

 next intersection. Two men will then plant two acres in a day, often more 

 than this. 



For three or four years the ground mav be utilized by planting corn or 

 other crops between the rows of trees. No vines, however, should be so 

 placed. 



The same cultivation should be given the trees in a newly planted forest as 

 would be given a field crop. The greater the care and better the cultivation 

 given, the stronger growth will the trees make, and quicker returns to the 

 owner. 



We prefer the distance of 7x7 feet for a majority of forest trees at the 

 beginning, thinning promptly whenever they indicate that greater space is 

 required for the roots, 



