140 NATURAL HISTORY OP SCOTCH FIR. 



of Haguenau (Bas-Rhin) an establishment of this kind, which annually 

 supplies seeds of the pine which are shed in the forests of the state. 



" When it is desired to divest the seeds of their wings, they 

 moisten them, and after having put them into a sack, filling it only to 

 the extent of one fourth, they rub it until the wings are detached. 

 Then, after having spread them out in a well-aired place, to expedite 

 their desiccation, they are cleaned completely by meaus of a winuow- 

 ing fan. 



" Moistening the seed may be avoided, which it is preferable to 

 do, by spreading out the sacks filled, as has been described, on a thrash- 

 ing floor, and thrashing with a flail to beat the seed. 



" The divesting the seeds of wings is advantageous, as it facilitates 

 transport by diminishing both bulk and weight ; and further, seed so 

 treated sows better, and runs less risk of being dispersed by the 

 wind. But, in general, the seeds which have not been subjected to 

 this operation, especially such as are obtained in commerce, keep 

 better than those which have been so treated. In the establishments, 

 more especially those of Germany, where they prepare immense 

 quantities of seed for sale, they sometimes put the seed into a heap 

 after having well moistened it, and leave it there until, on the 

 insertion of the hand, there is felt a slight heat, and then the wing 

 may be detached with the greatest ease. It may readily be seen 

 that such a process pre-disposes the seed for germination ; and if the 

 sowing be delayed it may be found that there are a great many which 

 have lost their power of germination. 



" The seed of this pine designed to be sown may be preserved for 

 three or four years ; but when this is to be done it should not be 

 divested of its wings. And it will be preserved still more certainly 

 if it be left enclosed in the cones, and if these be not gathered till 

 the end of winter. 



" Seed of the jiiniis sylvestris, when of good quality, is firm and well 

 filled ; its smell on opening it is fresh and resinous. When crushed 

 on the nail, the small kernel leaves there a greasy substance with 

 an oleaginous smell. The seeds of the pine are black or white. 



" A greater number of empty ones are to be found amongst the 

 latter than amongst the others. It may therefore be well, in purchasing 

 seed, if the white be in excess, to test them with the more care. 



"Seed of the Scotch fir should weigh from 120 to 140 grammes 

 per litre if winged ; and from 440 to 500 grammes if divested of the 

 wing." 



