31 



shaded, at least during the first season's growth. They had better 

 remain in the seed beds for two years. The fruit of the three other 

 birches, black, yellow and white, matures in fall. Their seeds should 

 be kept in damp sand until spring. Sow as early as possible and 

 keep the beds moist during the summer, also shade the plants. In 

 one year these may be removed. Most of the birches will grow on 

 poor soil and may be used as nurse trees for more valuable broad- 

 leaved species. Conifers suffer from having their tender shoots 

 whipped off in a strong wind by the action of the slender stems of 

 these trees and consequently should not be planted with them. 



SMOOTH ALDER. 



Alnus serrulata, Willd. 



Alnus rugosa, (Du Roi) K. Koch. See Britton & Brown, Vol. I, 



p. 512. 



Seldom if ever more than a shrub, but of value, especially for hold- 

 ing soil on banks of streams. The seeds should be picked in Octo- 

 ber and sown broadcast at once on fresh, sandy soil and covered 

 lightly. Roll the beds and give a covering of leaves for the winter. 

 The seeds are frequently sown upon the snow. If seeds are pre- 

 served until spring, when they must be sown very early, keep them in 

 damp sand and in a cold i>lace. Shade the beds during the summer. 



IRON WOOD, HOP-HORNBEAM. 

 Ostrya Virginica, Willd. 

 A slow growing tree of the poorer soils. It is usually found in the 

 shade of oaks, maples and the larger trees. The fruit resembles 

 the hop. It matures in September. The nut-like seeds should be 

 sown at once and even then may not sprout until the year following. 

 It may be used to plant up blanks, or open places on rocky slopes. 



WATER BEECH, HORN BEAM. 

 Carpious Caroliniana, AValt. 

 Usually nothing more than a shrub, though sometimes becoming 

 a tree 25 feet high and a foot in diameter, growing along streams in 

 rich soil. The wood, similar to that of iron w^ood, is used for levers 

 and turnery work. The fruit matures in autumn and the nut-like 

 seeds should be sown at once in moist, sandy soil. Usually they will 

 not come up until the second year. 



