SAVING THE SEEDS OF TREES. 81 



tides will be kept, while the dust which passes 

 through will be carried off, as the chaff in winnow- 

 ing corn. It is customary to give the seeds a sprink- 

 ling of w^ater after they are dressed, for the purpose, 

 as is said, of restoring the substance they have lost 

 in being dried. They may then be spread pretty 

 thin in a loft for two or three days, and afterwards 

 put into bags. 



The cones of Scots firs are much easier to deal 

 with than those of the larch, though, like the lat- 

 ter, they require also the application of heat, be- 

 fore they will part with their seeds. If the kiln be 

 well heated before they are put on, they will seldom 

 require the fire to be kept up. A declining heat is 

 best for them, as many of the seeds fall out while on 

 the kiln, and are very liable to be scorched. One 

 beating will suffice, after which the seed must be 

 cleaned, and put into bags. 



The seeds of the spruce part with the cone still 

 more readily than those of the Scots fir ; and the 

 greatest care is requisite, in order to prevent them 

 from being injured while on the kiln. It is not un- 

 usual to spread mats or pieces of canvas under 

 them, to preserve them the more safely from the ef- 

 fects of too great heat. One moderate beating will 



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