THE EASTERN HEMLOCK. 19 
The cones are extremely sensitive to moisture, a small amount of 
water causing the scales to close rapidly. When thoroughly wet 
the scales of a cone become completely closed, in some cases within 
10 minutes and in most cases within 20 minutes. Even a damp 
atmosphere, without the actual contact of water, will cause the cones 
to close to some extent. 
The advantage to the species of this property of the cone is appar- 
ent. The cones when mature expand their scales so as to permit 
the seeds to escape, but as the latter are attached to a membra- 
nous wing which adheres to or rather forms a part of the inner face 
of the scale, they do not easily fall out. A passing shower or a rain 
causes the scales to close, again to open as the air becomes dry. 
This process continues for many months, with the effect of loosening 
the seeds successively from autumn until spring, and thus a bearing 
tree makes a succession of sowings extending over a considerable 
length of time. As a result the wind, blowing during this period 
from different points, carries the seed now in this direction and now 
in that, and thus a fruiting tree stands in the center of a considerable 
area which it has sowed with seed. 
The seed (see/ and g, fig. 3) is about one-sixteenth of an inch long 
and about two-thirds as broad. The attached wing, an exceedingly 
delicate and almost transparent membrane, extends about a fourth of 
an inch beyond the end of the seed, and is an eighth of an inch broad 
at its widest point. On the under side, next to the cone scale, are a 
number of minute glands or vesicles, usually from 4 to 8, each con- 
taining a minute drop of oil. The seed of the Carolina hemlock has 
15 or 20 vesicles, which are much smaller in size than those of the 
common species. 
According to Forest Service determinations, there are about 
400,000 clean seed (without wings) per pound. The seeds weigh 
1.13 grams (0.04 ounce) per 1,000, and the germination per cent is 
from 30 to 60. 
MANNER OF GROWTH. 
In the climate of central New York the growth of a vigorous tree 
usually begins during the first half of May. The terminal buds are 
the first to open, and in about two weeks develop into shoots a half 
inch long, thickly set with the half-grown, yellowish-green leaves. 
The dark-green twigs and branches appear as though fringed with 
gold ; and it is now that the hemlock tree takes on its most striking 
and peculiar beauty. The shoot continues its growth during the 
season, being constantly tipped with a rosette of small, forming 
leaves, while those previously formed are scattered on the constantly 
growing stem. 
