Planting in Seed-Beds and Nurseries. 41 



In soils liable to heave with the frost, the young plants, when thrown 

 out, should be carefully replaced in the spring, and the soil pressed 

 down against the roots by hand. 



155. The proper time of sowing in seed-beds is generally in the 

 spring, but the seeds that ripen in the early part of summer, such 

 as the elms and soft maples, should be sown the same season, and 

 as soon as may be after ripening. We give elsewhere directions for 

 the collection and preservation of seeds. 



156. Experience has shown that this dense sowing in the seed- 

 rows yields the best results, for the plants are not so liable to be 

 crowded out by the weeds ; and although the roots may interlock a 

 little, they easily separate when taken out. The larger plants may 

 be first taken out, leaving the feebler ones until they get stronger. 



157. It is remarked by Carriere * that the seeds of some conifers 

 very easily loose their germinating power, 2 so that it is desirable that 

 they should be sown as soon as may be after they are ripe ; but gen- 

 erally, as they ripen in the fall, they may be kept till spring. With 

 such as have the seed imbedded in a fleshy or pulpy envelope, 3 it 

 requires the greatest care to keep them alive till the next year. In 

 all species the germinating power deteriorates more or less rapidly 

 the longer the seeds are kept. There are great advantages in spring 

 sowing, as is the common practice, and this may be done at any 

 time from March to May. In damp mild seasons, success is certain ; 

 but in case of drouth, the young plants are sure to suffer, and in the 

 large way it is impossible to water them. He therefore inquires in 

 a way that half implies advice, as to whether it would not sometimes 

 be best to sow late in autumn, there still being some chance of in- 

 jury from the cold. This might in many cases still be prevented 

 by a covering of leaves, or, perhaps still better, by sowing oats, 

 barley, or some other grain with the coniferous seeds. These, 

 springing up in the fall, would afford a covering to the young plants 

 sufficient to protect them through the first winter. This sowing of 



1 Traite general des Coniferes, p. 574. 



2 Such as those belonging to the genera Abies, Araucaria, Arthroiaxis, 

 Callitris, Cryptumeria, Cunninghamia, Frenela, Libocedrus, Sequoia, Taxo- 

 dium, Ihuja, Tsitga, etc. 



3 Such as the Cephalotaxis, Dacrydium, Gnetum, Podocarpus, Salisburia, 

 Taxus, Torrega, etc. 



