DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF SEEDS. 
93 
Tree and Shrub Seeds. 
The importance of Timber Culture is universally recognized. History shows that many countries oc¬ 
cupied 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 pre¬ 
vent 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 raising all kinds of 
Tree seeds successfully, the process of growth and germination in their natural habitat should be imi¬ 
tated as closely as possible. Thus the cones of Conifers shed their seed, which falls under the tree, 
generally on light soil, enriched by generations of fallen needles or "tags,” at the same time it is shel¬ 
tered from too much wet by the pyramidal thick foliage of the tree, which also shades the young seed¬ 
lings 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°, 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 under 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 germinate, 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 50c3and upward per oz., we can supply at 15c per pkt. 
