182 FOREST TREES. 
The cones of the Norway Spruce are ripe about 
the end of November. To obtain the seed they may 
be gathered at that time and spread in the sun, placed 
in a warm room, or slightly dried on a kiln, after 
which the seeds easily drop out. According to Lou- 
don, fifteen gallons of cones will produce two pounds 
of seeds with the wings on, or twenty ounces without 
‘them. The young plants seldom rise more than two 
inches the first year from the seed. ‘The second year 
they grow somewhat faster, and the third year put 
out side branches. The fourth and fifth years they 
begin to grow fast, putting out branches in whorls. 
When this tree is planted in a single row for a 
screen, six feet between the trees is a proper distance. 
If two or more rows are planted, ten feet is not too 
much, setting the trees in each row opposite the spaces 
between th: trees in the next. In planting screens, 
if they are made broader in some parts than in others, 
or if detached trees are set on their skirts, it will vary 
the outline, render their appearance less formal, and 
produce a better effect. 
When plantations, designed for timber, are formed 
of the Norway Spruce, the young trees may be set 
four feet apart each way. At this distance they will 
grow to such a size that the thinnings will be useful 
for many purposes. If the thinnings are not needed 
a less expensive way will be to set the trees eight feet 
apart, and plant the intervening rows and spaces with 
corn or potatoes. After two years of culture, the 
young trees will be well established; and the vacancies 
may then be filled with slips of Lombardy Poplar, 
