SEED AND SEEDLINGS 13 
individual plants, such as the Sea Buckthorn and 
Aucuba, it is customary to plant one male tree among 
a group of the opposite sex to ensure the production of 
berries. | 
Seeds with fleshy coverings, such as those of Haw- 
thorns, Hollies, Roses, and Plums, should, as soon as 
gathered, be stratified in soil—that is, placed in alternate 
layers of seed and soil to assist in the decomposition of 
the pulp. In nurseries where quantities of seeds are 
thus treated the mass is termed the ‘‘ rot-heap.” A 
twofold advantage is gained in this, as the vitality of 
the germ is retained unimpaired, and in the case of such 
as the Holly and Hawthorn, which are raised by the 
thousands for the formation of hedges and other pur- 
poses, the seeds do not germinate, if sown, until the 
second spring after ripening, so that if they are kept 
over in the rot-heap, where they may remain exposed to 
all weathers instead of sowing them soon after ripening, 
the ground thus saved is available for other crops for 
over a year. There is also a considerable saving in 
labour, which would otherwise be fruitlessly expended 
in weeding the seed-bed and keeping it clean: 
The rot-heap should be made in a position where 
surplus water will drain away freely, and should be 
cone-shaped in form, to run off any superfluous water 
that would otherwise cause an excess of saturation. 
Sufficient soil should be used in proportion to the quantity 
of seed, to prevent the mass from becoming unduly 
heated—usually about equal quantities of each. Seeds 
of such kinds as may be attractive to mice or other 
enemies should be watched, and means taken to prevent 
their destruction, if necessary. 
Similar seeds of exotic plants, such as Coffee, Cocoa, 
