208 ELEMENTS OF SYLVICULTURE. 



moist and even wet soils, it is impossible to sow 

 them directly in the forest. They keep well enough 

 when placed in holes of little depth dug in the 

 ground, and covered over with earth. They may be 

 left thus until the second spring. Hornbeam seeds 

 are still good, if the kernel is white and moist ; seeds 

 of the ash ought to retain their bluish tint and the 

 consistency of pure wax. 



Maple seeds are also liable to dry up ; hence they 

 ought to be kept in a cool place, which is not wet, 

 and they must not be heaped too high. On ex- 

 amining the kernel, it is not enough to find the 

 characteristic green colour, because this remains 

 even after the seed is quite dry ; the kernel must 

 also show traces of moisture when crushed. 



We have already seen that it is impossible to keep 

 the seeds of the elm. This is no inconvenience, 

 because they ripen about the end of May or begin- 

 ning of June. Also, when sown immediately, they 

 germinate the same year ; only by reason of the heat 

 of the season, it is good to shelter the seedlings 

 during the first few months. 



Among conifer seeds, those of the silver fir require 

 great care. They must be handled as little as 

 possible, their wings should be preserved, and they 

 must be gathered near the spots to be sown. In 

 years of abundant seed, when they cost little, it is 

 even preferable to sow them immediately after being 

 gathered. They cannot, indeed, like other conifer 

 seeds, be kept in the cone, since the scaly bracts 

 break off at the moment of maturity and fall with 

 the seede. 



