64 D. M. FERHY & CO'S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 



frost, pour boiling water over the seeds and let it stand 

 till cool, when a portion of the seeds will have swollen; 

 pick these out and scald the rest again, continuing until 

 all have swollen. 



The seeds of the other deciduous trees on our list 

 should be planted from the middle of April to the mid- 

 dle of May, in drills about two feet apart, and covered 

 to the proper depth; about twice the diameter of the 

 seed. 



White Ash {Fraxinus Ai7tericand). — Requires a 

 moist, deep soil, on which it will grow very rapidly. It 

 deserves special attention from those who wish to grow 

 trees for timber, because its wood is very light, strong, 

 elastic and durable, and is without an equal for making 

 fork and rake handles and many other agricultural im- 

 plements, besides being largely employed in carriage 

 building, cooperage, and ornamental carpenter work. 

 Succeeds best from seeds, which should be planted like 

 corn, where the trees are to stand, but not over an inch 

 in depth. When grown singly it is very ornamental, 

 forming a large, round head. 



European Ash {Fraxinus excelsior). — Succeeds 

 best in rather a warm climate; thrives upon the plains 

 in deep soils, but does poorly on stiff clay or light sandy 

 soils. Its timber is valuable in carriage making and 

 manufactures- 

 Beech {Fagus ferritginea). — Although not a very- 

 rapid growing tree, this makes one of the best for the 

 lawn or park. The seeds should be sown as early as 

 possible in the spring, in fine mellow soil pressed firmly 

 over them. They germinate quickly and the young 

 plants are quite hardy. They should* be early trans- 

 planted to nursery rows and given plenty of room. 



White Birch {Betula alba).— Valuable for orna- 

 mental planting, and a favorite wood for shoe pegs, 

 spools, bobbins, and similar small articles. The birch 

 prefers a cool, humid climate, and is readily propagated 

 from seed. Seeds thrive best on new ground. They 

 scarcely admit of any covering, but if simply pressed 

 into the ground with the feet they will grow. When 

 one year old transplant into nursery rows. When two 

 or three feet high, set out the young trees where they 

 are to remain. 



Box Elder, or Ash Leaved Maple {Acer negundo). 

 — This seems to succeed as well as any in the North- 

 West. The trees are said to reach a diameter of seven 

 inches in six years, and to be exceedingly hardy not only 

 to resist cold, but drought and dry winds, and suffering 

 less from insects than any other. One of the most 

 desirable sorts for planting on timber claims. 



Hardy Catalpa {Catalpa sp'eciosa). — Quite distinct 

 from and much hardier than the common Catalpa. 

 Scarcely a tree on our list can be so strongly recom- 

 mended as this for planting on the vast treeless prairies 

 of our Western States. It is of very quick growth, has 

 proven itself hardy as far north as Dakota, and is one of 

 the most durable timbers known, lasting in many well 

 authenticated instances nearly or quite a century. 



Catalpa seeds can be sown dry on a still day, but the 

 better way is to wet the seeds for a few hours before 

 planting, and mix them with a little sifted soil to pre- 

 vent their sticking together. They will germinate more 

 promptly for the soaking they have received, and will 

 not be so likely to be blown away while being sown. 

 Sow in April or May, in well prepared loamy soil, in 

 rows four feet apart, sowing seed thickly in the rows, 

 •covering half an inch deep and firming the soil well 

 over the seeds. Thick sowing is desirable, as a dozen 

 little plants together can force their way through the 

 surface easier than singly, and if they are too thick they 

 can be thinned and transplanted on a damp day as easily 



as cabbage plants. Cultivate well during the summer, 

 keeping them free from weeds. In the fall or following 

 spring, the seedlings can be transplanted where they 

 are to remain. Four feet apart each way is the proper 

 distance, and they should be cultivated about like corn 

 for two seasons. There are from 16,000 to 20,000 seeds 

 to the pound. 



As an ornamental tree the Catalpa appears to the best 

 advantage planted in small groves. 



European Larch (Larix Europcea). — Grows to a 

 large size, and makes excellent timber. Planted on 

 lands of very little value for ordinary farming, it 

 improves instead of impoverishing them, as the annual 

 crop of leaves deposits more nutriment than the tree 

 takes up; besides the yield of timber in a series of years 

 would prove a very profitable investment. Seeds should 

 be sown in a half shady situation. 



EuropeanLinden( Tilia E u ropcea). — A great favor- 

 ite for ornamental planting in Europe. Its wood is very 

 white, light, not liable to crack, and much prized for 

 cabinet work, and the panels of carriages. It should be 

 planted by all bee keepers, as no flower of its size yields 

 better honey or in greater abundance. 



Honey Locust {Gleditschia triacanthos). — On 

 account of its rapidity of growth and durability of the 

 timber, we regard this as one of the most valuable of our 

 native trees. It is not so liable to injury by the borer as 

 the common Locust, and does not sprout from the root to 

 a greater extent than do most of our forest trees. 

 Without the preparation recommended above, the seeds 

 may lie from one to three years in the ground without 

 sprouting. Take up and heel in or cover the plants in 

 the fall, and set out the next spring. After the first sea- 

 son, they are perfectly hardy. One pound contains 

 about 2,300 seeds. 



Yellow Locust (Robinia pseudo-acacia). — This tree 

 grows so rapidly that railroad ties may be cut from it ten 

 years from the planting of the seed, while the durability 

 of its timber is well known, fence posts of it having 

 stood for sixty years. Culture same as the above. 

 One ounce contains about 1,300 seeds. 



White Mulberry {Morus alba). — Desirable for feed- 

 ing silk worms. Grows readily and rapidly from seeds, 

 which should not be covered too deep, as they are quite 

 small. It delights in a warm, dry soil, and will succeed 

 in almost any place that will produce a good corn crop. 



Russian Mulberry. — Introduced into this country 

 by the Mennonites, and by them extensively planted for 

 silk worm culture. Of rapid growth, resembling the 

 apple tree in habit, with a grayish bark and drooping 

 branches. It is very easily cultivated, and kept in dwarf 

 form, makes a fine hedge and wind break. It bears very 

 young and, it is said, every year. The fruit is similar to 

 the blackberry, varying in flavor from sub-acid to sweet. 

 In cold regions especially, this should prove a very val- 

 uable variety for its timber, shade and fruit. It is said 

 to reproduce itself exactly from seed, and as our seed is 

 direct from the Mennonite colony, it can be depended 

 on as true and reliable. 



Osage Orange {Madura aurantiaca). — How to 

 Plant, Cultivate and Make a Hedge.— The Osage 

 Orange is a native of Texas, but can be grown and cul- 

 tivated advantageously in most parts of the United 

 States. The ground should be thoroughly pulverized 

 by either plowing or spading, before the seed is planted. 

 The surest way is to sprout the seed before planting, as 

 it is very slow to germinate when put into the ground 

 without being sprouted, sometimes taking a whole season 

 to come up. To sprout the seed, put into a vessel and 

 cover with warm {not hot) water. Keep the vessel in a 

 warm place, and change the water once a day. Let the 



