SYLVICULTURE. 



below ground at a depth of say one and one-half inches. Possibly, 

 the seed must pass through a bird before it can sprout, or the flesh 

 must be peeled off by hand or by malting. 



Q. Black Cherry. 



Primeval trees are found only on fairly rich soil. The Cherry, 

 however, can be easily raised on abandoned fields not better than 

 those at Biltmore. During early youth, until pole stage, mice and 

 rabbits peel the bark badly. The end of the annual shoot is almost 

 always killed in winter. The small purple fruits ripening in early 

 autumn are eagerly eaten by birds. The seeds, after passing 

 through the bird, are scattered all over the woods. The "seeds arc 

 easily kept in winter, but lie over if kept in a dry condition. 

 A hot-water bath before planting might cause the seeds to ger- 

 minate simultaneously. In woods, Cherry shoula qe planted under 

 one-half inch dirt cover, irregularly, with full enjoyment of light. 

 Seed 50c per pound. The seeds might be planted in rows on 

 abandoned fields more cheaply than the seedlings. 



R. Black Gum. 



Nyssa sylvatica has never been raised on a large scale, owing 

 to the low value of its timber. As an undergrowth or admixture 

 with Hickory, Ash, Oak, etc., it might prove, however, a valuable 

 tree, owing to its dense leaf canopy and owing to its 

 shade-bearing qualities. The seeds, cherry-like, dark blue in 

 fall, of acid taste, seem to appear annually, and old trees 

 are often surrounded by an abundance of seedlings; the 

 latter, very light colored, are four inches high by July, showing 

 two heavy oval entire cotyledons, whilst the primordial leaves 

 show the proper form. Seedlings do not seem to suffer from frost, 

 heat or animals. On abandoned fields, however, Black Gum seems 

 to come up from sprouts and not from seeds. The seed is not 

 on the market. 



Paragraph XVII. Planting seeds of the coniferous species. 



A. Firs. 



Very intensive shade-bearers, the Firs cannot be raised without 

 shelter overhead. The young, seedling suflfers much from frost and 

 heat. ■ Its six to ten cotyledons show two white stripes on the upper 

 side. The young plant is apt to die from leaves smothering it. 

 Its height growth, to the seventh year, is small whilst the seedling 

 tries to establish a root system and to cover its growing space by 

 long side branches. Fir is usually planted in irregular patches 



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