504 
AMERICAlS 7 AGRICULTURIST. 
[.NOVEMBER, 
Keeping Forest-Tree Seeds. 
It is pleasant to note that each autumn brings an 
increasing number of inquiries as to the preserva¬ 
tion of the seeds of forest trees, as it indicates a 
growing interest in tree planting. The seeds of 
our native trees are not likely to be injured by cold. 
Heat, on the other hand, and consequent dryness, 
soon destroys their vitality, and after a few days 
exposure to a dry atmosphere they could not be 
made to germinate. When a nut or other seed 
drops in the woods, it falls upon dead foliage by 
which it is soon covered, and it remains in a bed 
of damp leaves throughout the winter. In preserv 
ing seeds we have only to imitate as closely as may 
be the natural method. Where the quantity is not 
large, the seeds may be mixed with an equal bulk 
of sand, and kept cool. It is better for those with 
hard shells to be exposed to the alternations of 
freezing and thawing, hence the box or keg con 
taining them may 
be completely ex- 
posed to the 
weather. Where 
large quantities of 
walnuts, hickory - 
nuts, chestnuts, or 
other large seeds 
are to be kept, a 
iess troublesome 
and expensive 
method is follow¬ 
ed. The nuts are 
placed in heaps of 
live or six bush¬ 
els and then com¬ 
pletely covered 
with turf. The 
sods should be 
neatly matched 
and no opening- 
left. If these sods 
are not readily pro¬ 
cured, the heaps 
may be first cov¬ 
ered with wild 
hay, straw,or with 
leaves, and then a 
few inches of 
earth is to be put 
on and neatly fin¬ 
ished in order to 
shed rain. Some 
seeds, the various 
Thorns for exam¬ 
ple, can not be 
made to germinate 
the first year, but 
the plants will 
come up freely in 
the spring of the 
following year. Instead of sowing such seeds and 
allowing the ground to lie idle, or what is worse, 
grow a crop of weeds, the end may be readily ac¬ 
complished by what is called “ stratification.” This 
consists in making alternate strata of seeds and 
earth, thus forming a square heap with steep sides. 
The seeds are left in the heap until the time for 
sowing in the second spring, when they are sifted 
out and sown at once. In our climate, such a heap 
might become too dry and thus spoil the seeds ; a 
better method is to mix soil and seeds in a box or 
other receptacle, and bury the whole in a conven¬ 
ient place. Small quantities of seed may be treat¬ 
ed in the same manner, by using a flower-pot. 
put in w'ater to soak a few days ; these are then ar¬ 
ranged in the vase, with water, which is to be 
changed twice a week, and placed in a cool room. 
The whole becomes, by the germination of the 
w heat, a mass of fine green, and remains so all win¬ 
ter ; if the growth becomes lanky, trim with scis¬ 
sors. As one gets a few flowers, they may be 
arranged in the green, and without flowers it is a 
pleasing object in winter, and one of those inex¬ 
pensive household decorations that can be very 
readily adopted in the families of most farmers. 
Camp Life in Florida. 
Our artist here presents us some original illus¬ 
trations of out-door life in Florida during Novem¬ 
ber. If any of our readers are troubled with 
bronchial complaints or with weak lungs, we ad¬ 
vise them to go there for the winter months, in 
preference to staying in the cold climate 
WINTER CAMP LIFE IN FLORIDA, 
Drawn and Engraved for the American Agriculturist. 
of the North. The expenses to and fro are not 
large. You can fiud board at moderate rates 
all through the State. But better still, you 
can erect your own Cabin, or your own Tent, 
and live very cheaply, shooting your game, which is 
plentiful, and liberally supply your table. You will 
I want to take a few cooking utensils, and other 
| things pertaining to camp life. We know of fami¬ 
lies who have gone to Florida for the cold weather, 
and spent the entire winter months camping out at 
; a less cost than their house rent would be at home. 
Flower Vases for Winter.-Thc most eco- 
.oinieal disposal of a few cut flowers in winter, is to 
listribute them thinly through some basis of green, 
nd thus make each flower, even the smallest, look 
,t its best in its green setting. Last month we 
-ave a method of doing this in a vase prepared 
vit.h fresh moss ( sphagnum) and ivy. A correspon 
lent of “Gardening Illustrated ” (England), gives 
mother, which he is so far from English as to call 
t < wrinkle.” A handful of wheat-ears (we should 
;ay heads of wheat), cut at the proper length, are 
Saving the Corn Husks. 
—<►- 
The epithet “not worth shucks” probably came 
into use before shucks or husks of corn had a 
market value. In some of the southern cities are 
establishments which purchase immense quanti¬ 
ties and convert them into material for upholster¬ 
ers, who use it for filling mattresses, and in whole 
or in part for stuffing chairs, lounges, etc. There 
are a number of domestic uses to which they may 
be put, and a stock of them should be secured be¬ 
fore they have been injured by exposure to the 
weather. We have seen beds made on the farm 
vastlv better than any liusk-bed that can be pur¬ 
chased. The husks were slit into strips about 
half an inch wide by drawing them over points or 
blades fixed in a block. Husks split in this manner 
make excellent cushions for farm wagons. Their use 
to braid into horse collars, and into door mats is well 
known in some localities. Door mats are made of 
two kinds ; in one the braid is made smooth in the 
ordinary manner and sewed with very strong thread, 
making both sides alike. In the other a doubled 
husk is woven into the braid, leaving the ends 
projecting upon one side. When a braid of this 
kind is sewed, the projecting husks form a mat 
like a coarse brush. The ends of the doubled 
husks are to be clipped off evenly. This forms a 
most serviceable mat. A mud-mat for the back¬ 
door is made of a board or plank of convenient 
size, nailing cleats at the ends to prevent splitting, 
and boring numerous inch holes in it. A tight 
roll of coarse husks is placed in each hole and 
made fast by driving a wooden peg into the center 
of each. The ends 
of the husks are 
then clipped and 
the mat is finish¬ 
ed. Those who 
are fond of mak¬ 
ing useful and 
fancy articles will 
find the inner 
husks a beautiful 
and easily worked 
material. These 
should be selected 
as soon as the com 
is husked and as¬ 
sorted according 
to their thickness; 
those found next 
to the ear are very 
soft and delicate 
and should be 
kept for the finest 
work. When w'ant- 
ed for braiding 
they can be made 
pliable by damp¬ 
ening, and used 
whole or split, ac¬ 
cording to the size 
of braid. Those 
who are skilled in 
braiding can make 
various kinds, but 
the novice must 
begin with the 
common three- 
strand braid, tak¬ 
ing care as one 
husk is nearly 
used up to slip 
under another so 
that the braiding may be continuous. Such braid 
may be made up into beautiful and serviceable 
table mats, baskets of various kinds, slippers, etc. 
No doubt the finer husks could be made into a 
braid suitable for excellent summer hats. 
Harvesting tlte flSoots.— Beets and mangels 
are protected from the light early frosts by their 
broad leaves ; but as soon as the leaves droop, and 
•the plants have finished their growth, the roots 
should be dug. It is often a great saving of labor 
to loosen the roots with a subsoil plow, running it 
close to one side of the row. It is objectionable 
to store large quantities of roots in the house cel¬ 
lar, as the foul gases rise, making the air unhealth- 
ful. They may be stored in pits, in a dry place. 
First throw up the roots in heaps, and cover with 
straw and a layer of boards. Earth is thrown up¬ 
on the boards with the exception of the extreme 
top, which is left for ventilation. Enough earth 
should be used to make the interior of the pit 
frost proof. But unless the heaps are on high, dry 
ground, it is important to cut pretty deep trenches 
around them, with outlets to carry off any ex¬ 
cess of water that may be in the soil. 
