74 
GERMAIN SEED AND PLANT CO. 
TREE AND SHRUB SEEDS 
The importance of Timber Culture is universally recognized. History shows that 
many countries occupied by some of the greatest nations in ancient times, and which 
were then fertile and productive, have been rendered sterile and barren, owing to the 
denudation of their forests; as nearly every one knows. 
Trees, especially on hillsides, are absorbent, retentive, and retard evaporation, thereby 
assisting to prevent floods in winter and drought in summer. The supply of fuel is also 
a vital question for Southern California, and to attain that end, the varieties of Eucalypti 
and other rapid-growing trees are being largely planted. 
The value of Trees for shade and shelter purposes need not be enlarged upon. In rais¬ 
ing all kinds of Tree seeds successfully, the process of growth and germination in their 
natural habitat should be imitated as closely as possible. Thus the cones of Conifers 
shed their seed, which falls under the tree, generally on light soil, enriched by genera¬ 
tions of fallen needles or “tags,” at the same time it is sheltered from too much wet by 
the pyramidal thick foliage of the tree, which also shades the young seedlings from the 
direct hot sun, and thus protected, under somewhat humid conditions, germination is 
sure and rapid. On the contrary, seeds of Deciduous Trees lie exposed on the surface of 
the ground to the action of rain and frost till spring, when the weather being sufficiently 
warm, they germinate rapidly. As a rule, all tree and shrub seeds germinate slowly, 
compared with vegetable or flower seeds. 
All hard seeds, as Acacias, Locust, Osage Orange, etc., should be soaked for 24 hours 
in warm water, say at 120 degrees, before sowing, or where practicable, strew dry 
leaves or bushes over the beds after sowing and watering, and set fire to them. 
Deciduous Tree Seeds should be planted in this section in winter or very early in the 
spring, as most of these seeds lose their vitality very rapidly. The soil should be well 
prepared, rich and deep; and the seed should always be sown in drills, and the ground 
kept thoroughly free from weeds. Evergreen Tree Seeds should be sown in boxes or 
pans, thoroughly well drained, and should be protected from the sun by being placed un¬ 
der the shelter of a hedge or fence. They are best sown in spring or fall, and should be 
carefully transplanted when necessary. 
As many tree seeds are collected in distant countries, and will sometimes fail to ger¬ 
minate, although they may appear well enough to the eye, we wish it to be distinctly 
understood that we will not in any way be responsible for their failure; but at the same 
time, we will use every endeavor to supply the best. 
All tree and shrub seeds quoted in this list at less than 50c per oz. we can supply at 10c 
per pkt.; those quoted at 50c and upward per oz., we can supply at 15c per pkt. 
AUSTRALIAN TREE AND SHRUB SEEDS. 
We make a separate catagory of these, as from their value they are worthy of it. The visitor to Aus¬ 
tralia, at any season, will at once notice that all the indigenous vegetation is evergreen. The writer 
does not know one deciduous tree or shrub native to that country. 
The most valuable are, of course, the Eucalypti. 
These possess great antiseptic properties, and are, 
no doubt, also of great value in absorbing moisture 
from the bottom soils, thus preventing malaria. 
Their value as rapid-growing timber is also great, 
some varieties making excellent fuel, while others 
are nearly uninflammable, but are useful in car¬ 
pentry, and for railway ties, platforms, piles, jet¬ 
ties, etc. Others are very ornamental, bearing 
showy flowers. 
Acacia armata.— w Prickly Acacia.” Much used for 
hedges. Good for the sea coast; ht. 15 ft. Per oz. 
40c; per lb. $4.00. 
A. Baileyana.— A small handsome tree with glaucous 
green foliage. Leaves pinnate, 3 to 4 pairs; leaflets 
about 20 pairs, 1*2 to 2 1 2 lines long, crowded, lin¬ 
ear. Flowers in racemes 3 to 4 inches long, yel¬ 
low. One of the most beautiful of the Acacias and 
highly recommended for street planting; ht. 25 ft. 
Per oz. 50c; per lb. $5.00. 
A. cultriformis.— w Knife-leaved Acacia.” A distinct 
and beautiful species of upright growth, forming a 
large shrub, with glaucous green leaves about %X 
*2 inch in size. When in bloom the plant presents 
a splend ; d appearance on the lawn; lit. 15 ft. Per 
oz. 50c; per lb. $5.00. 
A. dealbata. — w Silver Wattle.” Very ornamental; 
ht. 15 ft. Per oz. 40c; per lb. $4.00. 
