NURSERY AND PLANTING, 



59 



Acacia. — (See Locust-tree.) 



Alder,— {Alnus,) 



The common Alder (Alnus gliitinosd) is a native of Britain, 

 and abounds naturally in wet boggy soils, and by the sides of 

 rivers and lakes. It is, however, found to grow upon soils 

 that are high and even dry, but not with that degree of luxu- 

 riance that it attains in soils of a moist nature. It seldom suc- 

 ceeds in chalky or calcareous soils ; indeed, in such it can 

 scarcely be said to live. It is well calculated to plant by the 

 sides of rapid running streams, or large rivers, as from the 

 multiplicity of its roots, which also extend a great way, it is 

 of much use in binding the banks together, and preventing them 

 from being carried away by the stream. 



Alder is a tree easily propagated, succeeding well by cuttings of 

 a large size planted in spring, where it is intended they are to 

 remain, or, in common with almost all trees, from seeds, which 

 vegetate freely if sown in a rather moist soil. The seeds ripen 

 in October, and should then be gathered, making choice of 

 a dry day for the purpose, which should be invariably attended 

 to in all cases of seed-gathering, as entailing less trouble in 

 drying them, and guarding against damaged seeds. The 

 seeds are extracted by laying the cones upon a floor in a dry 

 loft, and by frequently turning them, the seeds will fall out ; 

 or the cones may be thrashed, and the seeds separated by 

 sifting. When cleaned, they should be kept in sacks till the 

 spring, when they may be sown in March or the beginning of 

 April. In preparing the ground for alder-seed, care should 

 be taken to render it smooth and even, as the seeds are small 

 and liable to be buried too deep; the beds should be four 

 feet wide, and of the length of the quarter or piece of ground, 

 or less if required. In regard to the quantity of seed to a 

 given space of ground, it would be difficult to determine, as, 

 like some other forest-tree seeds similar to it, it is difficult to 

 ascertain the real quality of alder-seed ; however, it is always 

 better to sow thick in such doubtful cases, in order to ensure 

 a crop. Alder-seeds are by some sown in autumn, as soon aa 



