CONIFERS. 



digging and then raking the surface level. On this the seeds must he sown, just patted 

 down with the hack of the spade, and lightly covered with, in most cases, about I'm. of 

 soil, the large seeds requiring more, and the minute ones less. A slight shelter of Spruce 

 boughs is of service until the seed germinates. 



Smaller quantities of seed, particularly of the choice kinds, are much better sown in 

 pans and placed in a frame than in the open ground. Early spring is a good time tor sowing 

 the seed, in preparation for w hich the pots or pans must be well drained, and filled to within 

 lin. of the rim with open sandy loam. When placed in a frame the seeds need not be 

 covered as deeply as if in the open ground, a good guide being to cover each seed with its 

 own depth of soil, which must be kept moderately moist, but above all avoid an excess of 

 moisture. A critical time in the raising of seedlings is just as they appear above ground, when 

 the s il may often with advantage be kept slightly drier. Plenty of air must be given to 

 prevent decay, the principal use of the light of the frame at this period being to ward off 

 very heavy rains. As the young plants grow they may be dibbled into pans of soil or in 

 outside beds. If grown in pets during their early stages Coniferous plants must not be 

 kept too long in this condition, otherwise t'. e roots acquire a corkscrew style of growth, and 

 the plant is liable to be blown over at any time by strong winds. When seeds are sown 

 either out of doors or in a frame, a sharp look-out must be kept for mice, which quickly 

 effect considerable damage. 



CUTTINGS. — Some classes of Conifers can be readily increased by cuttings, and they 

 will form as good plants as seedlings. Under this head come the Retinosporas, Thujas, 

 Cupressus, and Junipers. The cuttings do best in pots, those 5m. in diameter being 

 a very suitable size. They must be prepared by putting some broken crocks in the 

 bottom to about one-third of the height, and then filling the pot very firmly with 

 light sandy soil, silted through a Jin. sieve. A length of 4m. to 6in. is very suitable for the 

 cuttings, which must have the bottom leaves removed, and then be dibbled securely into the 

 pots got ready for them. If the pots are filled with cuttings they must be thoroughly 

 watered through a fine rose, and then placed in a frame, which must be kept close and shaded 

 from sunshine. August and September are good months for putting in the cuttings, and 



CEDARS AT CUISW1CK HOUSE, CUISiVICK. 



