leaves, called seed-leaves or cotyledons and plumuhe ('whicli are often different in shape from the later leaves). The 

 quicker the sprouting proceeds, the less danger of spoiling the seed, to which it is quite lialde when lying m the ground 

 too long. 



Growtli of the Seedling'. — After the seed is sprouted and the germ nourished into life by the food stored up in 

 the seed, the seedling must now provide its nourishment from 0".i,tside. This it takes partly from the soil, partly from the 

 air. From the air, carbonic gas is taken up directly by the leaves, in which it is changed into vegetable substance under 

 the influence of light and heat. The food materials contained in the soil must iirst be dissolved so that the roots may be 

 able to take them up; for this again water, heat and oxygen (air) are necessary. The food in watery solution is then 

 conveyed by the roots through the stem to the leaves, which are the digesting apparatus (the stomach as it were) of the 

 plant. Here, under the influence of light and heat, the water in which the food was dissolved is partly evaporated 

 (transpired) and the food assimilated, used in forming vegetable substance, i. e. increasing the plant in size. 



For the growth of the seedling, then, it is necessary that it should have at the roots a loose soil, rich in plant food, 

 into which the rootlets can penetrate ; u-aier, warmth and air, in order to dissolve the plant food: and at the leaves hglit, 

 warmth and air, in order to digest and transform the plant food into vegetable substance. 



Transpiration from the leaves, which means giving up water to the air, is necessary to make plants grow, but 

 excessive transpiration may kill the plants, and insufficient transpiration may keep the seedlings weak and undeveloped 

 or even kill them. Hot air and strong light make the leaves transpire greater quantities of water than when the air is 

 cool or saturated with moisture and the plants are shaded. They also transpire more when the air is in motion than 

 when it is quiet; a certain degree of circulation of air, however, is as necessary to plants as to human beings. 



The main difficulty in growing seedlings is to regulate transpiration, to keep the water supply at the roots and the 

 degree of light and heat at the top properly balanced. 



Light and heat (or dry air) are the task-masters which make the leaves work, evaporating the water that is supplied 

 at the roots. If the supply from the roots runs short, the plantlet soon exhausts itself in the endeavor of satisfying its 

 task-masters and dries up ; and even with ample supply of water the task required may be too much, and the delicate 

 machinery of the ]3lantlet may not be able to work fast enough and may break down under too great a strain. On the 

 other hand, if too much water be supplied at the roots, they are liable (with most plants) to rot. The supply of moisture 

 at the roots must, therefore, be kept even and moderate, while the rate of transj)iration may be regulated above and kept 

 in proportion by the use of various contrivances. 



Seed. — In regard to the seed, the planter should have at least the following knowledge: 



Not all trees produce seed every year, and only few trees, if any. produce all jjerfect seed. The number of seeds in 

 onehundred which will germinate, (percentage of germination), even in a fresh sample, varies with the kind and the year. 



Some seeds lose their power of germination (sprouting) soon after ripening aud must be sown at once. Such are 

 ^■willows, poplars, birches, elms, soft maiiles, etc. Others may be kept, with proper x^recautions, for one season (oak, 

 chestnut, alder, ash, maple, linden, fir) ; a few can be kept alive for many years (sj)ruce, larch, and pine). The heavier 

 and larger seeds produce the best plants. 



The different kinds swell aud sprout more or less readily according to the structure of the seed-coat. Some will swell 

 in a few hours, others will take several days, and in some seeds swelling occurs— under ordinary circumstances — only 

 after months and years, like black and honey locust, acacias, red bud, juniper, Kentucky coffee tree. These are called 

 " refractory" and are said to "lie over," that is, they do not sprout readily but may lie in the ground for one or more 

 seasons without sprouting. Some seeds become "refractory" by being kept, and their coat being allowed to become 

 dry they lose the faculty of absorbing water readily aud the swelling may be delayed a year or more (they lie over.) 

 This is the case with ash, larch, fir, Douglas spruce, aud others. Such seeds can be made to sprout more readily by soak- 

 lug them in water (hot or cold) and by various other methods. 



To preserve seeds in good condition the main point is to keep them cool and prevent them from drying out by mixing 

 them with sand or in any other way. 



PRACTICE. 



Soil aud Site. — The best soil for a seed-bed is a well drained loamy sand. This is suitable for all kinds of trees 

 and should be sxseclally prepared if not found naturally ; it may be so varied that for small and light seed ther« is added 

 more sand, for heavy and large seed more loam. Manure is unnecessary, but whatever manure, compost, or sod-ashes, is 

 used to enrich the soil must be thoroughly rotted and mixed in. The soil must be worked into thoroughly mellow con- 

 dition to a depth of 10 or 15 inches, free from stones, lumps, weeds, like the most carefully prepared garden bed. 



For a small quantity of seedlings make boxes 4 to 6 inches deep, of a size convenient to handle when filled with soil, 

 bore three or four half-inch holes in bottom for drainage and fill with loamy sand. 



The choice of a proper site for seed-bed often makes all the difference in the amount of after-care necessary aud in the 

 success. A well sheltered level spot within reach of water, with an eastern or southeastern aspect, protected against the 

 scorching sun and drying winds by a wind-break or wall, is most suitable. 



The dangers to the seed if left in the seed-bed through the winter make sowing in the spring the rule, except with 

 those seeds which cannot be kept or are apt to spoil by keeping, and which should if possible be sown soon after ripening. 

 Elm, soft maple, birch, are therefore sown in June : alder, hard maple. linden, fir. etc., are best sown in fall : oak, chestnut. 



