9 



must be carefully attended to. Frequent working of the soil and 

 weeding will make a fine, loose cover for the beds, preventing evapo- 

 ration ito a very great degree. If the soil becomes too dry, watering 

 must be done. Very good results are obtained if the water is allowed 

 to flow through the walks, and to reach the soil in the beds by capil- 

 larity. Another good method is to make small irrigation trenches 

 on the beds, fill them and allow the water to soak into the ground. 

 Sprinkling is likely to form a crust which will increase evaporation. 

 After a rain the beds may be too moist. If so, proper conditions can 

 be made by sprinkling some dry sand over the ground. Young seed- 

 lings are very likely, too, to have earth spattered over their stems. 

 Especially is this so with conifers and they should be freed of this as 

 soon as possible by running a stick gently over them. 



Weeding. — The nursery beds should be kept clean of weeds a1 all 

 times. If the seedlings have been planted in rows, or in the case of 

 transplants, weeds may be kept out by small billets of wood or by a 

 layer of moss, or of leaves i>laced between the rows. Weeding 

 should not be done after the first of September at the latest. 



Shade. — During the first season's growth, the young plants will be 

 very sensitive and they should be given some protection from the 

 sun. This can be done by making lath frames which will let through 

 about half the sunlight, and by placing them from two to six feet 

 above the beds. Or a frame may be made on which branches can be 

 laid. Some prefer simply sticking conifer branches into the beds in 

 such a way that they form a slight cover. Lath frames are, perhaps, 

 the most convenient, for the shade ought to be removed on cloudy 

 days and during gentle showers. These covers, as well as the bil- 

 lets to keep down weeds, will help to preserve the moisture in the 

 beds. 



Seeds. 



Choice of Species. — In determining the species to be raised, it is 

 well to observe what trees are growing in the locality, not only with- 

 in wooded districts but also along fences and in fields. They will 

 give an idea of the quality of the soil and of what may be expected in 

 the future, although this is not always the case, for other better spe- 

 cies may have been forced out by some cause. Find out when these 

 trees will have a good crop of seeds and then have everything ready 

 for work when it comes. Not all trees bear seeds every year, as in the 

 case of some oaks and conifers the period varies from two to five 

 years, or even longer. Nor do all seed years produce a full crop of 

 good seeds, as in the case of the tulip-tree. Then some seeds ripen in 

 early summer, however, those of most trees do not ripen till fall, or 



