/>. M. FERRY A CO'S DESCRIFTIUE CATALOGUE 
63 
taste. The leaves are used as a tonic and vermifuge, 
and also for fresh bruises. Is raised from seed, and 
propagated by cuttings, or dividing the roots. A dry, 
poor soil is best adapted to bring out the peculiar virtues 
of this plant. 
Fruit Tree Seeds. 
Apple. —Apple seeds do not produce the same vari¬ 
eties, but generally give a hardy, though inferior sort, 
and upon these seedlings are grafted or budded the finer 
varieties. The seeds may be planted in the fall, in rows 
two feet apart, or they may be planted in early spring, 
but in that case the seed must first be mixed with damp 
sand and frozen, after which care must be taken that 
they do not become dry before planting. As soon as 
the plants are up, they should be well cultivated, and 
every effort made to secure a vigorous growth the first 
season. As soon as the plants are large enough they 
may be budded in the summer or grafted in t^ie spring. 
Cherry, mazzard.— This is the stock used for stand¬ 
ard trees. Success is much more certain if the seed is 
planted in the fall, as it is very difficult to keep it in 
good condition through winter. The general culture 
should be the same as for the apple, except that bud¬ 
ding should be employed instead of grafting. 
Cherry, mahaleb. — Used as stocks when dwarf trees 
are wanted. Culture same as the above. 
Pear.—Success will depend very largely upon having 
a deepy rich , moist soil , as this is essential to vigorous 
growth. Plant and cultivate like the apple, and bud 
when large enough. Every effort should be made to 
secure a rapid and vigorous growth from the first. 
Peach.—Plant three inches deep in nursery rows 
three feet apart, in the fall, or if delayed until spring, 
crack the pits and plant the kernels only. They should 
be large enough to bud the first season, and may be 
profitably set in orchards two years from planting. 
Plum.—The directions given for planting apples will 
also apply to plums, except the pits should be planted 
further apart in the row. The varieties raised from 
seed will be hardy, vigorous stocks upon which to graft 
the choicer sorts. 
Quince. — Quinces generally produce the same vari¬ 
ety from seed, but occasionally vary. The general cul¬ 
ture and requirements of soil arc the same as for the 
pear, except that they arc not budded. 
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Forest Tree and 
Hedge Seeds. 
Few investments made by our farmers will return a 
larger profit in the course of a few years than the plant¬ 
ing of land now uncultivated, or cultivated at a loss, 
to forest trees. The time is coming, not only surely, but 
rapidly, when a few acres covered with our best forest 
trees will be of great value. Forests are needed, not only 
for supplying us with timber, but for protection against 
winds and hurricanes. Grain fields and orchards arc 
destroyed or parched by dry winds which were never 
known before the protecting forests were destroyed. 
The terrible cyclones so frequent in our Western States, 
and the beds of little streams in the F.ast now long dried 
up, should admonish all who have a thought beyond the 
present, to the planting of forest trees. 
EVERGREEN TREE SEEDS. 
The seeds of evergreen trees should be kept till time 
of sowing in a dry, cool place. As early in spring as 
the ground can be worked, the seeds should be sown 
thinly in beds of fine, sandy loam, raised about four 
inches above the general surface. The seeds can be 
raked in, or if very small, they may lie upon the surface 
and then be rolled in or patted with the back of the 
spade to firm the earth around the seeds. Then water 
very sparingly, and with a fine spray. The young plants 
are very apt to damp off, and need to be shaded from 
the hot sun and drying winds. A good shade can be 
made of laths nailed two inches apart to a light frame. 
This should be supported about eight inches above the 
seed bed in such a way as to be easily removed to allow 
cultivation and weeding. Do not allow the young plants 
to become choked by weeds, and let them remain one or 
two years before transplanting to permanent ground. 
American Arbor Vitae ( Thuja occidenta/is).-Grows 
to a small size, seldom over thirty feet high. Grows 
well under cultivation, and is one of the best fora hedge 
as a screen and wind break. If planted in exposed 
places, along the country roads, would prove effectual 
in preventing snow drifts. Its wood, which has an 
agreeable odor and is easily split, is very durable. It is 
best grown from seeds, which should be sown and the 
seedlings transplanted, as directed above. They should 
be carefully watered when transplanted, and if a dry 
summer ensues, watering should be continued until the 
plants are well rooted. 
Silver Fir (Abiespecti nata). — An important timber 
tree, and grows to a large size. While the timber is 
softer and less durable than pine, it is not liable to warp 
or shrink, and is valuable for shingles, cabinet work, boat 
building, etc. When young, the trees are tender and 
easily injured by frost, but as it grows larger, it is 
. entirely hardy. 
Hemlock ( Tsuga Canadensis, ). — One of the most 
beautiful of our native evergreen trees. Of graceful 
habit, with light, elegant and delicate foliage. The 
timber is well known; coarse but strong. It is valuable 
for planks, bridge building, roof boards, etc., as it 
endures exposure to the weather for a long period. The 
bark is used to an immense extent for tanning leather. 
It requires a light, dry soil; and should never be planted 
on a stiff clay, which will make the tree tender, and lia¬ 
ble to winter kill, though it is entirely hardy hundreds 
of miles north of our latitude. Planted singly or among 
deciduous trees, it is one of the most desirable varieties 
for ornamental planting. 
Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris). — Very hardy, and 
growing surely and rapidly on nearly every variety of 
soil, forming a beautiful tree, and invaluable as a wind 
break. Prof. C. S. Sargent says: “It is the most valu¬ 
able tree farmers can plant for screens and wind breaks 
about their fields and buildings.” 
White or Weymouth Pine (Pinus Strobus). — The 
most majestic and valuable of all our native pines, and 
has furnished immense quantities of the white pine 
lumber so well known throughout the country. It thrives 
best in a light sand with clay subsoil, and prefers plains 
and broad river valleys to higher lands. Except on 
high limestone soils, it should be planted largely where 
pine lumber is wanted. 
Norway Spruce (Abies excelsa). —Well known as 
one of our most beautiful evergreen trees. It is hardy, of 
rapid growth, and forms a dense, close screen, or hedge. 
About 20,000 seeds to the pound. 
DECIDUOUS TREE SEEDS. 
With the seeds of deciduous trees, only a little care is 
required in sowing at the proper season to insure suc¬ 
cess. Those with hard shells like the locusts should be 
planted in the fall or placed in boxes with sand and ex¬ 
posed to frost before planting, otherwise they may lie in 
the ground from one to three years without sprouting. 
If too Jate in spring to expose them to the action of 
