THE HOME NURSERY 175 



applied to the latter crops should consist of well-rotted farm- 

 yard manure, artificials, and lime at suitable periods. Where 

 the ground is in good condition, the tree crops should not 

 require manuring at the time of planting; but during the 

 second year, if the ground be naturally poor, it often happens 

 that the colour of the leaves becomes sickly, and growth falls 

 off. When such is the case, it is often advisable to dress with 

 artificials, for such plants are very liable to become attacked 

 by aphides, leaf diseases, etc. We have found the following 

 mixture, which was prepared for us by Messrs. Dickson of 

 Chester, a valuable manure for crops in this condition : — 



8 cwt. kainit, 



8 cwt. bone superphosphate, 



4 cwt. sulphate of Ammonia. 

 The principal item of importance in this mixture is the 

 kainit, which supplies an adequate quantity of potash for the 

 proper development and ripening of the young shoots, which 

 we consider to be an essential condition for all trees intended 

 for transplanting. 



Applied to larch, ash, etc., during the summer months at 

 the rate of 5 cwt. per acre, the effect upon the colour of 

 the leaves and growth of the plants was remarkable, and the 

 plants thus dressed developed into stout, well-rooted, and 

 well-ripened plants, and the cost per ton was not more than 

 £7. The great advantage of using artificials in the nursery 

 is the prevention of all weed seeds (which are invariably 

 present in farmyard manure, unless thoroughly well rotted) 

 being introduced. 



Collecting, Storing, and Sowing Tree Seeds. 



It is rarely advisable for the forester to attempt to save 

 the seed of any but the commoner trees of the country, 

 unless they are conveniently in his way. Seed collecting on 

 a small scale is an expensive business, seed-beds of dehcate 

 species are troublesome to protect and keep clean, and late 

 frost may destroy the whole season's work in one night. 

 Such seeds, however, as oak, ash, beech, Spanish chestnut, 

 sycamore, Scots fir, etc., present no difficulties, and oak and 



