208 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



Conifer Seeds. Conifers, the cones of which are in some 

 instances very hard, need special attention before the seed 

 can be separated from them. The cones of some species are 

 ready to gather in about twelve months, but others should 

 not be taken off the trees for two years. Cones should be 

 kept in a warm, dry place to liberate the seeds. With sun 

 and artificial heat the scales open more readily, and opening 

 is also facilitated by soaking them in water for a day or so, 

 and by burying them in sand, &c., in February or March for 

 six weeks or two months, by which time the seeds may be 

 liberated and taken out with comparative ease. Hard cones 

 are often placed in kilns to get them to open quickly. If the 

 last-named method be adopted, sow the seed immediately it 

 is set free, or it will soon loose its germinating power. The 

 seed in the cones remains good for several years, provided 

 the scales are not opened, and when sown out of doors, 

 March and April are the best months for the purpose. 



Conifer seeds vary much in size, and it is curious that 

 some of the loftiest members of the family produce the 

 smallest seed. For instance, that of the Mammoth Tree of 

 California, Sequoia gigantea y is smaller than the seed produced 

 by many shrubs less than four feet high. Seed should only 

 be collected from trees that are thoroughly healthy and vigo- 

 rous, as seedlings raised from seed taken from weakly trees 

 are liable to disease. 



As a rule, Seedling Conifers are rather slow in growth for 

 the first two or three years, but with proper attention, reason- 

 able progress is made afterwards. When the seedlings are 

 of sufficient size, lift them out of the seed-beds, and plant in 

 suitable soil in nursery rows, protecting them from the sun 

 with small spruce branches, until they have established them- 

 selves in their fresh quarters. 



Some Conifers make better specimens raised from seeds 

 than raised from cuttings or by grafting. To illustrate 

 what we mean, it is only necessary to mention Cunninghamia 

 sinensis as a typical example that should not be raised by 

 either of the last-named methods, for the reason that the 

 plants generally become flat-headed, whereas seedlings always 

 possess a leader. It is, however, well-known to practical men, 

 but not to the ordinary amateur, that the leading shoots of 

 some plants, particularly those raised from lateral growths, 

 must be cut back before a really good leader can be secured. 

 The tops are sometimes bent over and tied down with the 

 same object in view, and after a time fresh growth will appear 

 at the desired place. When the original leader is a few inches 



