234 REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



promote a better development of the fibrous growth. A sharp knife should 

 be used, and a downward cut made. In trimming transplants it is sufficient to 

 shorten the root-hairs merely and to remove the dead ones. Transplants cost 

 more than seedlings; but, in most cases, it is false economy to buy the latter 

 for transplants are stronger have a better root system, and are more able to 

 withstand all unfavorable influences." 



Commercial Seedsmen. 



In all nurseries, whether commercial or otherwise, a supply of good seed is an 

 important matter. To a great extent the commercial nurseries, and many of the 

 forest nurseries as well, obtain their seed from dealers who make a specialty 

 of collecting, preparing and storing forest-tree seed in large quantities. Mercantile 

 houses that deal in seeds only may be found in most any of the principal cities 

 of Europe. Having superior facilities, through specialized work for carrying on 

 this business they are able to offer better seed and at lower prices than the 

 nursery managers can collect it. 



Seeds of the principal coniferous species can be bought from any of the large 

 seed houses in Europe at the following rates, subject to variation at times caused 

 by a scarcity or plenty of some particular kind: 



Per pound. 



White pine .... $2 05 



Scotch pine . 57 



Norway spruce . . 23 



Silver fir 14 



European larch 35 



Seeds that show a very high percentage of germination may command a slightly 

 higher price. 



Their houses in which the cones of the needle-trees are dried and the seed 

 extracted are each furnished with a specially devised apparatus. In some of them 

 the heat is regulated by electricity in order to secure a more even temperature and 

 thereby avoid any overheating of the cones, which would destroy the germi- 

 nating quality of the seeds. They also have special facilities for cleaning, drying 

 and storing seed; and in every detail the methods employed are based on long 

 experience in this special work. 



In any of these seed houses may be seen some kind of device or apparatus for 

 testing the vitality of seeds and their percentage of germination, an important 



