38 THE CULTIVATION OF THE 



way may we make the start for perfect trees. The seed 

 may be obtained in North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, 

 Georgia, probably on our own peninsula, and some in 

 Michigan. The strictest care should be exercised in its 

 selection, and it would be a grand thing if every seed that 

 comes into the peninsula could undergo legal inspection 

 before it is planted. The cost of the seed varies from 

 $2.00 to $5.00 per bushel, and ten to fifteen bushels will 

 seed an acre of ground, depending, of course, on the 

 distance they are placed apart. 



For nursery-stock, any good, sandy, or mellow loam, 

 or the light, sandy soils of the peninsula will do. The 

 ground should be thoroughly prepared by ploughing 

 harrowing and rolling ; no fertilizer is required if the 

 ground will raise forty bushels of corn to the acre ; for 

 it is not well to force young trees too rapidly. Run out 

 the rows from three and a-half to four feet apart, and 

 one to two inches deep. This is best done by a sled-like 

 machine made for the purpose. The time to plant the 

 seed is from October lOth, to freezing weather. In 

 examining into this matter, I am persuaded that the 

 best take will come from those seed planted not later 

 than October 20th. The seed may be laid touching each 

 other, or some two or three inches apart. Three inches 

 apart is, probably best, and then cover the seed by a 

 rake, or with the feet. The seed remaining in the ground 

 all winter are cracked by the frost, and in the spring 



