84 BOBEST PLANTING. 



seed, viz. : for Ashes, about 50 pounds ; Maples, 30 

 pounds ; and Elms, 25 pounds. If mixed together one- 

 third part of each of these quantities of seed should be 

 used to seed an acre broadcast, and only one-sixth part 

 if seeded in drill-rows. The covering should be light 

 and should not exceed half an inch ; to effect this the 

 brush harrow, or the reversed wooden harrow is em- 

 ployed to cover the seed. 



(e) Seed-beds for Maples. 



Although some varieties of the Maple tribe can be 

 propagated by shoots, layers and cuttings, they are prin- 

 cipally increased by seeding. The seed of most varieties 

 ripens in spring or early summer, and should then at 

 once be sown in well prepared beds. Only the acer 

 pseudo platanus arrives at maturity in October. Its 

 seed soon loses the power of germinating, and should be 

 used in the same fall ; but if it is necessary to keep it 

 over winter, the air-dried seed should be put in bags, 

 fastened to the beams of the bam in a place where no 

 frost penetrates. Mixing the seed thus with dry sand, 

 and then placing it where it will not freeze, preserves 

 the vitality of the seed. 



When sown in fall, precautions should be made against 

 ravages by moles and micfi — animals that are very fond 

 of these seeds. In selecting the seed attention should be 

 paid to its condition. When the wings begin to turn 

 brown and the cotyledons are green and succulent, the 

 seed is all right ; but when the green color has dis- 

 appeared, the kernels will not sprout. 



Maple seed is sown in the same manner as Ash, viz. : 

 very close, because the seed-wings take up much room. 

 But no cover of moss, leaves, or bushes is required, as 

 the plants, when sown in autumn, come up early in 

 spring, and are not susceptible to frosts. 



