SYLVICULTURE. 



in early spring,— planting of seedUngs is preferable to planting of 

 seeds. 



G. Ash. 



Seeds are abundant, showing about 70% germination. The seed- 

 ling, in the first year, develops to a length of eight or ten inches, 

 from seeds covered with three-eighths inches of dirt. Little prepara- 

 tion of soil is needed. During the first two years, on good soil, a 

 heavy shelter overhead is easily borne. American White Ash may be 

 grown in slightly swampy soil, or soil subject to long inundations. 

 Prices of Ash seeds: European Ash, 4c per pound; White Ash, 25c 

 per pound. 



At Biltmore, White Ash seeds planted in rows six feet apart, 

 on abandoned fields, have done well when soil cover was not too 

 heavy. 



H. Maple. 



Hard Maple seeds ripen in September. Silver and Bed JIaple 

 seeds in June. It is wise to plant the seeds just when ripe, espe- 

 cially American species. Price of seeds: Acer rubrum, $3.00 per 

 pound; Silver Maple, $1.00 per pound; European species, 4c to 5c 

 per poimd; Sugar Maple, 80c per pound. The green germ of Amer- 

 ican Maples is sajd to die if the seeds are not at once planted. 

 Soft Maples develop the seedling in the year of the seed. For seeds 

 to be planted in woods, the soil is prepared with the rake, and the 

 seeds covered with one-half inch of soil. Maple planted on abandoned 

 fields on Northern slopes, well watered and well drained,, is likely 

 to be successful. The young seedlings are sensitive, and a cover 

 overhead is advisable, where late frost prevails. On rocky soil in 

 Northern coves, Maple seed is often strewn on the rocks, the rain 

 being expected to wash the seeds into the crevices. At Biltmore, 

 Hard Maple is found only at elevations exceeding 3,500 feet. Sugar 

 Maple is more exacting (in soil) than Soft Maple. It does not 

 grow as well in swampy soil as Soft or Red Maple. Acer negundo 

 (Ash Leaf Maple) does very well in the northern prairies. Seeds 

 ripen in fall. 



L Elms. 



Seeds flat, roundish, winged, the wing surrounding the seeds. 

 Seeds, ripening in June, must be planted at once, since they cannot 

 be kept in dry storage (except Slippery Elm — pubescens). Germinat- 

 ing percentage is always small. Elms require such good soil that 

 they can be raised only on strong, northern, moist soil of agri- 

 cultural value. Never planted broadcast; in suitable localities, seed 



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