The Beeches. 227 



895. A very simple method is employed for preserving the nuts 

 for planting. They are gathered, spread in an airy place, turned 

 daily to allow of moderate drying, and then left on a floor under a 

 covering of straw to keep from frost. With the greatest care it is 

 sometimes difficult to keep them alive from fall to spring. 



896. In order to succeed in planting the beech, it is necessary to 

 provide shelter for the young plant, which may be found by raking 

 in the nuts upon bare places in the woods, or by planting in east and 

 west rows, some other kinds of trees a year or two before we plant 

 the beech. These nurses may be birch, elm, pine, or whatever else 

 best suits the soil, as they are to be removed when no longer needed. 



897. The nuts should be planted like corn, and when up, they 

 should be carefully hoed, taking care to cover the seminal leaves, leav- 

 ing only the leaves proper above the ground. If planted in fall, 

 as is preferable, the seed will sprout in the spring following. Ow- 

 ing to the difficulty in getting plants started from the seed, it is 

 common to seek the young plants where they have been self-sown 

 in the woods, set them in nursery rows, and transplant when of 

 sufficient size. These seed-plants are best taken up with a trowel, 

 and a cool cloudy time should be chosen for the operation. 



898. Our native species (Fagus feruginea) occurs widely scattered 

 throughout the New England, Middle, and Northwestern States, as 

 far west as Wisconsin, and in Canada, as far north as a line run- 

 ning from a little beyond Lake Huron eastward to the Bay of 

 Chaleurs. It extends southward into the Southern States, grow- 

 ing sparingly upon the low-lands, but to large size in the moun- 

 tains. It attains its greatest development in Michigan and Wis- 

 consin, and in the heavy forests south of Lake Superior its growth 

 is truly magnificent. 



899. In Northern Pennsylvania and in some portions of New 

 England and New York, the beech grows as almost the only tree 

 upon dry rocky ridges, and in fruit-seasons these beech ridges have 

 attracted enormous flocks of wild-pigeons for nesting. 



900. Various exceptional forms and tints of foliage have been 

 produced in the beech under cultivation, and are perpetuated by 

 grafting or layers, such as cut-leaved, purple or copper-leaved, 

 golden-stripe leaved, etc. Some of these produce a highly orna- 

 mental effect upon the lawn, and in parks and avenues. 



901. The beech is termed " red" or " white" by woodmen, from 



