SAVING THE SEEDS OF TREES. 



separate them completely, after which, they heing 

 cleaned, the operation is finished. 



The kiln most proper for drying fir-cones is one 

 floored with brick ; and the best fuel, the husks or 

 remains of the old cones themselves. As they, 

 however, contain a considerable quantity of resinous 

 matter, much caution must be observed in using 

 them, otherwise serious accidents will ensue. 1 

 have heard of a seed-gatherer who rendered himself 

 famous in every district which he visited in the 

 way of his profession, by setting kilns on fire. 



On the saving of the seeds of other trees, little 

 need be said ; little, in fact, can be said, that is not 

 commonly known. The most important point is 

 not to gather them till they be thoroughly ripe. 

 This will be the case with the keys of the plane, in 

 September, and those of the ash in October, though , 

 as the latter, as well as the pods of the laburnum, hang 

 on the trees long after the leaves have fallen, they 

 may be gathered almost at any time during the 

 winter months. To know whether the seeds of the 

 alder be ripe, cut up the cone with a knife, and if 

 they are of a deep brown colour, they may be con- 

 sidered as having arrived at a state of maturity. 

 October is the month in which they are commonly 

 gathered. The seed of the elm is ripened early in 



