68 PRACTICAL FORESTRY IN 



little attention from old-established seed firms, and it is not 

 always possible to purchase the species and quantity desired. 

 Moreover, the prices charged are often excessive. 



In the Pacific Northwest, however, the demand for seed of 

 Douglas fir and Sitka spruce has led to the establishment of 

 a considerable trade in these species, and at reasonable prices, 

 so that where these species are to be used, or only small 

 quantities of other species, the timber owner will probably 

 find it to his advantage to purchase the seed rather than to 

 attempt collecting it himself. Douglas fir seed is quoted at 

 $1.40 to $2.00 per pound and Sitka spruce seed at $2.25 to 

 $3.00. 



In purchasing seed it is common practice to specify that it 

 shall be of the new crop, because tree seed kept in ordinary 

 storage loses its vitality materially. When properly stored in 

 air-tight receptacles, however, as is now done by some seed 

 dealers, it will retain its germinative power for several years 

 with only slight depreciation. Moreover, fresh seed, if im- 

 properly treated, may be of very poor quality, so that the age 

 of the seed is of little value in the determination of its 

 worth and the only sure method of ascertaining this is by 

 means of germination or cutting tests. The latter method is 

 the quickest and most simple and consists of cutting open a 

 number of the seeds and ascertaining the per cent whose 

 kernel is sound, plump and moist. Seed of good average 

 quality should contain not more than 25-30 per cent of infer- 

 tile seed. 



When seed cannot be purchased, it is necessary to collect. 

 Since no species of coniferous trees bear abundant crops of 

 seed each year and often several seasons will elapse between 

 good crops, it is necessary to gather sufficient seed when the 

 supply is abundant to provide for succeeding years when the 

 crop is apt to be a failure. 



The seed ripens in the fall, usually during August or Sep- 

 tember, and the cones should be collected at that time. Pines 

 require two years in which to mature the seed; that is, the 

 cones are not fully formed and the seed ripe until the second 



