The union Democrat., 1870-03-12
Ghe Nniun 9emutrat.
savs.s aua Planting Fercss-srce seeds.

Growing forest trees from seed is very
simple operation, but to insure success a
slight knowledge of the characteristics of d.f.
fsrent species il required. II is not only req.
uisite to know how to plant seeds, but when
they ripen, and how to preserve them. If nec-
essary, until the time arrives 70. sowing.
There are really no secrets connected with
these operations. yet the majority Of readers
having neve. inquired or attempted to learn
anything relating to this subject, are CON-
psratively speaking. entirely ignorant Of the
most simple methods OF growing trees from
seed. We would naturally suppose that q
man who had lived years. almost beneath the
shade Of maple trees, conld tell at what time
OF the year the seed ripened; but such
instences OF want of observation are abundant
which only shows that most Of us acquire
knowledge slowly when no other incentive
except the mere consciousness of possessing z
It, 10 offered. In the past few years there has
been considerable interest manifested in rela-
tisn 70 the growing Of forest trees from seed,
and we are in constant receipt of letters ask
ing for information upon the subject, and the
following notes are intended as brief reply
70 these inquiries.
The Silver and Red Maple seeds ripen in
early summer, usually in the month of June,
and ms they are very delicate. il is almost i'm
possible to keep them sound even for few
months; consequently they should be sown
as soon as ripe. The seeds will usually ger
inmate in FIVE or six days, and it sown in good
soil, the seedlings will grow two or three feet
the first season. The seeds Of English, Nor
way, Sugar, Negundo, and other species of
naples, either native or introduced, ripen in
A,.k ha haf op
mixed with sand and kept until the following
Spring before being planted. We prefer the
latter plan for northern localities, becacse the
severity of winter sometimes Injuries the vital
ity Of the seed: besides the young plants will
grow more rapidly in freshly prepared soil
than in that which has been rendered COM
pact by the rains of Autumn and early Spring.
Elm seeds usually ripen in early Summer,
but may be preserved until the following sea-
ecn il placed in moist sand; but it is better
to sow Immediately after they fall from the
trees, for if there is considerable rain soon af-
ter, q large proportion of the seed will germi-
nate, and make fine plants the first season.
Elm seed being very light and delicate in
their structure, they should not be covered
very deeply; a halfinch of soil is sufficient
and this ought not to be of very compact
nature.
Acorns from the oak, when they fall should
be Immediately gathered and sown in light
soil and slightly covered or mixed with sand
and kept in cool place until Spring. If the
acorns are scattered in shallow drill of
foot in width, and then barely covered with
leaf mould, or other light soil they are far
more likely to grow than when covered deep
ly. They may be slightly covered when first
sown in the Fall. and then apply an inch or
two Of mulch just before Winter sets in.
Chestnnts may be treated the same as
acorns, but great care is required to prevent
field mice from destroying them when sown in
the Fall Ifmixed with plenty of moist sand
aud buried in the ground, the nuts will usual
ly come out in Spring perfectly sound.
Our common hickory nuts will usually grow
readily IL planted in the Fall soon after they
ripen. They may he preserved in moist sand
but il is hetter to allow them to be frozen dur
ipg the Winter.
Butternuts and black walnuts when gath
cred, place in heap where the outer coat or
bark will rot sufficiently to be removed, then
plant or mix sand and soil among them and
allow them to remain in the open air until
Spring.
Ash seeds should be sown in Autumn as
coon as ripe. scatter thinly and in good, deep,
aud rather moist soil.