THE NURSERY. 46 J 



of texture of the cones. When ripe, they will 

 part into pieces in the hand, in the a 61 of pulling. 



There are two varieties of the Birch, which we 

 have noticed in page So. The weeping fort is 

 cafily diftinguifned from the common, both by 

 the flature of the tree, and by its pendulous 

 branches. The Common Birch never grows to 

 the fize of the Weeping. Its branches are more 

 flraight and upright, and its leaves are fmailer. 



The Weeping Birch will arrive at the flature 

 of a timber tree in much lefs time than the other, 

 and is far more handfome in youth, and indeed 

 at any time, than the common. It is therefore 

 of great importance to gather all your feeds of 

 the Weeping kind. 



If it is intended to fow thefe feeds in autumn, 

 they fhould be fown as foon as gathered from the 

 trees, and before they become dry. 



If Birch feeds are to be fown when gathered, 

 it is a matter of little moment whether the cones 

 be in a dry ftate when gathered or not. But it 

 the feed be intended for fpring fowing, the cones 

 mud be gathered when in a dry ftate ; and every 

 day's gathering fhould be carried to a dry loft 

 floor, and fpread thin ; for, if a large quantity of 

 cones be put together when new gathered, they 

 will foon grow hot, and fo be deftroyed. 



G g 1 GA- 



