64 PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 
The seed of all ashes in America have a general similarity, yet each va- 
riety is distinguished by the peculiar form of the winged appendages. 
To be sure of having fresh seed and of the variety desired it is necessary 
to gather it or engage some collector to secure it, and to place an order some 
time in advance. 
The seed may be kept dry until spring, when they should be planted in 
nursery rows and given good culture during the season. 
By the following autumn they should have attained the height of 18 to 24 
inches, and may be transplanted. 
In regions of frost no seedling trees should be planted in autumn, as they 
are liable to be heaved out by frost and destroyed. Heel in the seedlings 
until spring, covering the roots carefully with fine earth. 
The soil should be thoroughly prepared as for a corn or other crop, plow- 
ing and harrowing well. It is preferable that trees should be set 7x7 feet. 
While this is too close for a permanent forest it is best the trees should be thus 
close for a few years, when three-fourths should be removed, leaving the trees 
14x14 feet. 
We prefer to mark off the ground one way by light furrows seven feet 
apart, and then cross-furrowing as deeply as possible. 
Two men operate together in planting, one carrying a bunch of trees, the 
other a shovel. A tree is placed upright at the intersection of the furrows, and 
held there while two or three shovelfuls of earth are thrown about the roots. 
Ii not too wet, the man firms the earth about the roots and passes on to the 
next intersection. Two men will then plant two acres in a day, often more 
than this. j 
For three or four vears the ground mav be utilized by planting corn or 
other crops between the rows of trees. No vines, however, should be so 
placed. 
The same cultivation should be given the trees in a newly planted forest as 
would be given a field crop. The greater the care and better the cultivation 
given, the stronger growth will the trees make, and quicker returns to the 
owner. 
We prefer the distance of 7x7 feet for a majority of forest trees at the 
beginning, thinning promptly whenever they indicate that greater space is 
required for the roots, 
