THE SOUTHERN CYPRESS. 65 
height growth in Ohio, for example, has been 3 feet annually for a 
few years. In fresh or moist soil west of Columbus, some cypress 
trees are growing 30 inches a year in height. In dry situations, such 
as eroded clay hillsides and in loose gravelly soils, growth is less than 
afoot a year. In the District of Columbia cypresses 50 years old are 
from 20 to 30 inches in diameter by 65 to 84 feet in height, excelling 
all asscciated species in rate of height growth. Measurements on 
growth in forest plantations are not available, but observations show 
a good development of cypress in height and diameter when properly 
spaced in planted stands. 
NURSERY PRACTICE. 
Cypress may be grown from seed in nursery beds as successfully as 
many of the common conifers. 
The structure of the seed and germination tests described on pages 
29 to 30 indicate certain requirements of moisture and heat that 
should be carefully followed for the successful and economical germi- 
nation of cypress seeds. Among these are (1) the softening of the 
seed coats, making it advantageous to soak cypress seeds in water 
(apparently from four to six weeks!) prior to sowing in the seed bed; 
(2) the requirement of a rather high degree of heat for germination, 
making it advisable to sow seeds in late spring or early summer, when 
a good degree of heat is present. Undoubtedly the highest germina- 
tion can be secured by sowing in a protected hotbed or greenhouse, 
although this method is not necessary. The soil should be kept well 
supplied with moisture. Mulching will be an effective aid. 
Some nurserymen store the seed where they will be cool and moist 
over winter. Stratification will accomplish this, and moderate freez- 
Ing is said not to injure the seed. The requirements for germination 
are warmth and continuous moisture, both in greater abundance, 
however, than is required by some of the upland pines. Light mulch- 
ing of seed beds is often very helpful. Prof. J. W. Toumey, of the 
Yale Forest School, states that cypress seed sown outdoors at New 
Haven, Conn., in the spring germinates freely in about six weeks, with 
about 40 per cent germination. Cypress resembles the hardwoods in 
requiring a deep loamy soil. Sowing the seed in drills in seed beds 
permits of light cultivation of the soil, while broadcasting better 
utilizes seed bed space. 
Clean seed averages about 5,000 to the pound. Commercial secd 
is not cleaned but contains from 25 to 40 per cent by weight of cone 
scales? (fig. 6) and sells usually at 75 cents to $1 a pound. The 
1 Comparative tests have not been made on duration, character of water, whether stagnant or fresh, etc., 
in this preliminary treatment of cypress seed. 
2 See p. 29 for further description of seed. Since the cone scales are only slightly larger than the seed, 
separation is not attempted, which accounts for the trash contained in commercial seed. 
96612°—Bull. 272—15—_5 
