D. M. FERRY & COS DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 



49 



FRUIT TREE SEEDS. 



APPLE.— Apple seeds do not produce the same varieties, 

 but generally give a bardy, though inferior sort, and upon 

 these seedhngs are grafted or budded the finer varieties. The 

 seeds maj' be planted in the fall, in rows two feet apart, or 

 they may be planted in early spring, but in that case the seed 

 must first be mixed with damp sand and frozen, after which 

 care must be taken that they do not become drj' before plant- 

 ing. As soon as the plants are up, they should be well culti- 

 vated, and ever}' effort made to secui-e a vigorous growth 

 the first season. As soon as the plants are large enough they 

 may be budded in the summer or grafted in the spring. 



CHERRY, MAZZARD.— This is the stock used for 

 standard trees. Success is much more certain if the seed is 

 planted in the fall, as it is very difficult to keep it in good 

 condition through winter. The* general culture should be the 

 same as for the apple, except that budding should be 

 employed instead of grafting. 



CHERRY, MAHALEB.-Used as stocks when dwarf 

 trees are wanted. Culture same as the above. 



PEAR.— Success will depend very largelj- upon having a 

 deep. rich, moist soil, as this is essential to vigorous gro«-th. 

 Plant and cultivate like the apple, and bud when large 

 enough. Every effort should be made to secure a rapid and 

 vigorous growth from the first. 



PEACH.— Plant three inches deep in nursery rows three 

 feet apart, in the fall, or if delayed until spring, crack the 

 pits and plant the kernels only. They should be large 

 enough to bud the first season, and may be profitably set in 

 orchards two years from planting. 



PLUM.— The directions given for planting apples will also 

 apply to plums, except the pits should be planted further 

 apart in the row. The varieties raised from seed will be 

 hardy, vigorous stalks upon which to graft the choicer sorts. 



QUINCE.— Quinces generallj- produce the same variety 

 from seed, but occasionally vary. The general culture and 

 requirements of soil are the same as for the pear, except that 

 they are not budded. 



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FOREST TREE AND 

 HEDGE SEEDS. 



Few investments made by our farmers vrill return a larger 

 profit in the course of a few years than the planting of land 

 now uncultivated, or cultivated at a loss, to forest trees. 

 The time is coming, not onlj" surel\'. but rapidly, wlien a few 

 acres covered with our best forest "trees will be of great value. 



EVERGREEN TREE SEEDS. 



The seeds of evergreen trees should be kept .till time of 

 sowing in a dry. cool place. As earh' in spring as the ground 

 can be worked, the seeds should be sown thinly in beds of 

 fine, sandy loam, raised about four inches above the general 

 surface. The seeds can be raked in. or if very small, they 

 may lie upon the surface and then be rolled in or patted with 

 the back of the spade to firm the earth around the seeds. 

 Then water verj' sparingly, and with a fine spra}'. The 

 young plants are' very apt to damp off, and need to be shaded 

 from the hot sun and drj'ing winds. A good shade can be 

 made of laths nailed two inches apart to a light frame. 

 This should be supported about eight inches above the seed 

 bed in such a waj' as to be easily removed to allow cultiva- 

 tion and weeding. Do not allow the young plants to become 

 •choked with weeds, and let them remain one or two years 

 before transplanting to permanent ground. 



AMERICAN ARBOR VIT.5i: (Thuja occidentalisX— 

 Seldom over thirtj' feet high. Grows well under cultivation, 

 and is one of the best for a hedge as a screen and wind break. 

 It is best grown from seeds, which should be sovra and the 

 seedlmgs transplanted as directed above. 



SILVER FIR (Abies pectinata). An important timber 

 tree, and grows to a large size. When young the trees are 

 tender and easily injured by frost, but as they grow larger 

 are entirely hardy. 



HEMLOCK (Tsuga Canode?isJS^.— One of the most beau- 

 tiful of our native evergreen trees. Of graceful habit with 

 graceful and delicate foliage. The bark is used to an im- 

 mense extent for tanning leather. It requires a light, dry 

 soil. 



SCOTCH PINE (Pinus sylv€stris).—Yery hardy, and 

 growing surely and rapidly on nearlj' every variety of soil, 

 forming a beautiful tree, and invaluable as a wind break. 



WHITE OR TVEYMOUTH PINE (Finns strobus).— 

 The most majestic and valuable of all our native pines, and 

 has furnished immense quantities of the white pine lumber 

 so well known throughout the country. It thrives best in a 

 light sand "with clay subsoil, and prefers plains and broad 

 river valleys to higher lands. 

 4 



NORAVAY SPRUCE (Abies excelsa). —VTell known as 

 one of our most beautiful evergreen trees. It is hardy, of 

 rapid growth, a:^d forms a dense, close screen, or hedge. 

 About 20,000 seeds to the pound. 



DECIDUOUS TREE SEEDS. 



"With the seeds of deciduous trees a little care only is 

 required in sowing at the proper season to insure success. 

 Those with hard shells like the locusts should be planted in 

 the fall or placed in boxes with sand and exposed to frost 

 before planting, otherwi.se they may lie in the ground from 

 one to three years without sprouting. If too late in spring 

 to expose them to the action of frost, pour boiling water 

 over the seeds and let it stand till cool, when a portion of the 

 seeds will have swollen; jnck these out and scald the rest 

 again, continuing till all have swollen. 



The seeds of the other deciduous trees on our list should be 

 planted from the middle of April to the middle of May, in 

 drills about two feet apart, and covered to the proper depth: 

 about twice the diameter of the seed. 



WHITE ASH (Fraxiiius Americana).— Requires a moLst. 

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

 special attention from those who wish to grow trees for 

 timber. Succeeds best from seeds, which should be planted 

 like com. 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 ferruginea) .-Although, not a very rapid 

 growing tree, this makes one of the best for the la-mi 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. 

 The}- should be early transplanted to nursery rows and 

 given plenty of room. 



WHITE BIRCH (Betula a Z&a).- 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. W'hen two or three feet high set out the young 

 trees where they are to remain. 



BOX ELDER, OR ASH LEAVED MAPLE (Acer 

 negundo) —Thi?, seems to succeed as well as any in the 

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

 inches in six j^ears. and to be exceedingl}* 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 speciosd) .-Scarcely a 

 tree on our list can be so strongly recommended as this for 

 planting on the treeless prairies of our Western States. It is 

 of quick growth, has proven itself hardy as far north as 

 Dakota, and is one of the most durable tirnbers known. 



Catalpa seeds can be sown dry on a still daj-, but the better 

 way is to wet the seeds for a few hours before planting, and 

 mix them with -a little sifted soil to prevent their sticking 

 together. Thej* will germinate more promptly for the soak- 

 ing they have received, and will not be so likely to be blown 

 away while being sown. Sow in April or May. in well pre- 

 pared loamy soil, in rows four feet apart, sowiiig 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 easilj" as cab- 

 bage plants. Cultivate well during the" summer." keeping 

 them free from weeds. In the fall or following spring the 

 seedhngs can be transplanted where they are to remain. 

 The}- should be cultivated about like corn for two seasons. 

 There are from from 16.000 to 20.1XX) seeds to the pound. 



EUROPEAN LARCH (Larix Europcea^ .—Grows, to a 

 large size and makes excellent timber. Seeds should be 

 sown in a half shady situation. 



EUROPEAN LINDEN (Tilia EHropcea^.—A great 

 favorite for oraamental pkinting in Europe. Its wood is very 

 white, hght. 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 fiower of its size yields better honey or 

 in greater abundance. 



HONEY LOCU.ST (Gleditschin f7-iacanthos\—Ou 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" froni the root to a greater extent 

 than do most of our forest trees. Without the preparation 

 recommended above, the seetls 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 season, they are perfectly hardy. One pound 

 contains about 2.o00 seeds. 



