CHAPTER VI. 
PROPAGATION. 
Trees are Grown from Seeds or by Division. The latter 
term includes increase by cuttings, layers, buds and _ grafts. 
Plants grown from seeds are generally more vigorous and 
longer lived than those of the same species propagated in any 
other way. Trees should be grown from seeds when it is prac- 
ticable to do so, but willows and some other trees are apparent 
exceptions to this rule and seem to do as well when grown from 
cuttings as when grown from seeds. Varieties do not generally 
perpetuate their peculiar characteristics when grown from seeds, 
and must therefore be propagated by some method of division. 
The Most Desirable Trees from Which to Propagate 
are those of good form and healthy growth; the latter is the one 
most important requisite, especially if new plants are to be 
grown by any method of division. It is not so essential in 
selecting seeds, as even weak plants may produce good seed- 
lings, but unhealthy cuttings, layers or grafts are of very uncer- 
tain growth. In general, it is best that the stock trees be 
healthy throughout, but a tree may have a rotten trunk due to 
some injury and still have perfectly healthy branches and be a 
desirable tree from which to propagate. 
SEEDS. 
Sources of Seeds. In growing trees from seeds the 
source of the seeds is very important. It may be given as a 
safe general rule that seeds are most desirable which come from 
trees grown in as severe a climate as that in which the seeds are 
to be sown. It has been found that trees of Boxelder and Red 
Cedar grown from seeds gathered in Missouri are not nearly so 
hardy in this section as those from seeds grown in our own state. 
It has also been found that seeds from the western slopes of the 
Rocky Mountains, where the climate is very humid, produce 
trees which are not so well adapted to withstanding the condi- 
