416 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



1861. 



OVEB THE LINE. 



In a "one-horse shay," and with an observing 

 friend, we had the pleasure of crossing the line of 

 our goodly Commonwealth into the State of New 

 Hampshire, a few days since. Our principal ob- 

 ject was to learn the proper season of gathering 

 the seeds of the white and pitch pine trees, and 

 the best mode of collecting and preparing them 

 for use. A year or two since, a destructive fire 

 swept over several hundred acres of woodland, in 

 Concord, and the adjoining towns, which now lies 

 nearly barren, as the partially burnt wood has 

 been cut and carried away. The intention of 

 some of the enterprising proprietors of this land, 

 is to plow and sow it this fall with rye and the 

 seeds of the white and pitch pine, and cover it 

 once more with the forest. 



The process to effect this desired result, from 

 what we could learn, is to collect the seeds of the 

 •white pine during the latter part of this month, 

 August. If a large tree can be found, filled with 

 cones, they should be examined, and if the seed is 

 perfect, an expert climber may ascend and cut ofi" 

 the limbs containing them, or clip off some of the 

 cones with pruning shears on long handles. Or, 

 the tree may be felled, the cones collected and 

 laid away in some airy loft to dry. In this case, 

 the tree should be peeled so as to preserve it in 

 good condition for timber. When the cones are 

 dry, the seeds may be threshed out in some care- 

 ful manner bo as not to crush the seed, that lies 

 directly at the bottom of the scales, which will 

 spread apart as the cone becomes dry. The seed 

 of the pitch, or yellow pine, may be gathered at 

 any time much later in the season, as they do not 

 ripen till November. We have heard two or three 

 observing persons remark that the white pine 

 does not produce its seed constantly, but about 

 once in seven years. It requires two years to 

 bring a cone to maturity. They start out in June 

 on the ends of the upper branches, and at the end 

 of the season are two or three inches long, and of 

 a fresh green color. In the next autumn they 

 mature, and are usually five or six inches long. 

 On a cultivated tree near our dwelling, we found 

 plenty of cones last fall, many of which were 

 eight inches in length. 



The seeds of the white pine are about one- 

 eighth of an inch in length, flattish round, and of 

 brownish color. 



The intention of the person who accompanied 

 us, and whose land was burnt over, is to plow it, 

 sow rye and harrow it in, and then sow the pine 

 seed upon the freshly-harrowed Boil, and leave it 

 to take care of itself. 



There is a large extent of now almost ■worth- 

 less lands in New England, which might be cov- 

 ered with a beautiful and highly valuable forest 

 of pines in thirty years, if we had ^lore persons 



of observation and energy, to start ahead in the 

 work. Mr. B. F. Cutter, of Pelham, N. H., 

 upon whose farm we spent a considerable portion 

 of the day, and for whose kindness we are under 

 obligations, has given this subject much atten- 

 tion, and we hope will favor our readers with a 

 full account of the process of collecting the seed, 

 and sowing it for the purpose of raising forest 

 trees for transplanting. 



If some one will show our people how, and ex- 

 cite them to make the attempt, the amount of 

 valuable timber in New England fifty years hence 

 may be double what it is at this moment, beside 

 supplying the usual demand made upon it. 



We wish to say to our brother farmers, that if 

 they will imitate us in this day of recreation — 

 and at the same time of research — they will find 

 it one of profit to body, mind and pocket ; but 

 especially so to the mind. It opens to it new 

 channels of thought, affords opportunity for a 

 comparison of views in the occupation, and in the 

 modes of management adopted. It creates new 

 associations and friendships, and widens the cir- 

 cle of observation and objects for reflection while 

 laboring in your own fields. A day thus spent in 

 each quarter of the year cannot, in our opinion, 

 possibly be spent so profitably in any other way. 

 With your best suit, a good companion and a 

 good team, no monarch at the head of his realm 

 ever had equal cause for thankfulness and con- 

 tentment. 



For the New England Farmer. 

 WINTEK MTHEAT. 



This being the last month of summer, and the 

 time soon at hand for sowing winter wheat, you 

 will allow me once more to say a word to our 

 farming friends. Your New England States have 

 nobly added to your grain record the past year. 

 Your farmers have come to the wholesome con- 

 clusion not to travel beyond their own stone walla 

 for the family flour. All doubt is now removed 

 as to the wheat-growing capacities of your soil. 

 Bear in mind the excellence of winter wheat over 

 spring wheat, for white, good flour. Also bear 

 in mind that winter grain ripens early, and that 

 rust catches your spring grain in dog days. Also, 

 that mischievous insects trouble spring grain 

 more than winter. 



In Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire, (on 

 strong soil,) wheat should be sown the last week 

 in this month. In Connecticut and Massachu- 

 setts, first week in September. Early sowing and 

 good depth of root makes it safe against winter 

 killing. Every farmer has more or less mowing 

 land that needs to be turned over. Sod furrow 

 is best for winter wheat. Immense are the acres 

 of your exhausted mowing lands, that yield half 

 to three-fourths of a ton to the acre, that can be 

 rendered very profitable, even without manure, 

 by sowing wheat. Soak the seed in salt pickle 

 12 hours, rake it in ashes, and in the spring sow 

 ashes or lime over the field. At a safe valuation, 

 your wheat is worth $35 to $50 per acre, and the 



