THE SOUTHEEIST CYPEESS. 65 



height growth in Ohio, for example, has been 3 feet annually for a 

 few years. In fresh or moist soil west of Columbus, some cypress 

 trees are growing 30 inches a year in height. In dry situations, such 

 as eroded clay hillsides and in loose gravelly soils, growth is less than 

 a foot a year. In the District of Columbia cypresses 50 years old are 

 from 20 to 30 inches in diameter by 65 to 84 feet in height, excelling 

 all associated species in rate of height growth. Measurements on 

 growth in forest plantations are not available, but observations show 

 a good development of cypress in height and diameter when properly 

 spaced in planted stands. 



NURSERY PRACTICE. 



Cypress may be grown from seed in nursery beds as successfully as 

 many of the common conifers. 



The structure of the seed and germination tests described on pages 

 29 to 30 indicate certain requirements of moisture and heat that 

 should be carefully followed for the successful and economical germi- 

 nation of cypress seeds. Among these are (1) the softening of the 

 seed coats, making it advantageous to soak cypress seeds in water 

 (apparently from four to six weeks *) prior to sowing in the seed bed; 

 (2) the requirement of a rather high degree of heat for germination, 

 making it advisable to sow seeds in late spring or early summer, when 

 a good degree of heat is present. Undoubtedly the highest germina- 

 tion can be secured by sowing in a protected hotbed or greenhouse, 

 although this method is not necessary. The soil should be kept well 

 supplied with moisture. Mulching will be an effective aid. 



Some nurserymen store the seed where they will be cool and moist 

 over winter. Stratification will accomplish this, and moderate freez- 

 ing is said not to injure the seed. The requirements for germination 

 are warmth and continuous moisture, both in greater abundance, 

 however, than is required by some of the upland pines. Light mulch- 

 ing of seed beds is often very helpful. Prof. J. W. Tourney, of the 

 Yale Forest School, states that cypress seed sown outdoors at New 

 Haven, Conn., in 1 be spring germinates freely in about six weeks, with 

 about 40 per cenl germination. Cypress resembles the hardwoods in 

 requiring ;i deep loamy soil. Sowing the seed in drills in seed beds 

 permits of Ughl cultivation of the soil, while broadcasting better 

 utilizes seed bed space. 



Clean seed averages about 5,000 to the pound. Commercial seed 

 is not cleaned but contains from 25 to 40 per cent by weight of cone 

 Bcales 2 (fig. 6) and Bells usually at 75 cents to SI a pound. The 



iComparal i aduratlon, character of water, whether stagnant or fresh, etc., 



reatmentof cypre eed. 

 2 See p. z> for further 1c the cone scales are only slightly larger than the seed, 



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