The Ottawa free trader., 1875-05-08
Raising Evergreens from Seed.


We have frequently, in years past, describ'
ed the various methods OF propagating ever
green trees and shrubs But as the season
approaches for planting ou. such things
many of our new subscribers ask for inior-
nation which compels us to repeat what we
may have SAID upon the same subject IN pre-
vious volumes, thereby placing us IN the po-
Siti0n of the school-eacher who Is oDllged 10
commence at the same point with every ne"
class of scholars. OF late we nave hau sew
eral letters asking for some dehnite lnstruc-
tions in regard to raising evergreenS from
seed which we propose to briefly answer at
this time.
The cones of our native evergreen trees
should be gathered when fully mature, in au-
tumn and before they open, then spread them
upon shelves or the hoor OF dry, warm
room, and leave IN this position until sufii-
c;ently dry to permit the seeds to drop out
when handled. Some Of the pines, however,
have very persistent cones and may require
considerable drying before the scales will re-
lax sufficiently to allow the seeds to drop out;
but in such cases ii is best to soak the cones
for a few hours in warm water before drying.
When the seeds have been secured and all re-
fuse matter removed they may be put into
bags and hung up in cool room until the
season arrives for sowing in spring.
1t would be folly to attempt the growing OF
evcrgreens from seed in the open ground, rs
we do most kinds of deciduous trees, The
hot sun ana drying winds of our climate
make havoc with the young seedlings when
they first appear above ground, and even
with all the care bestowed and artificial ap-
pliarces employed by our nurserymen serious
losses frequently occur at this period IN the
life of Seeding evergrcens. Knowing the
sensitiveness of these plants to the influence
of hot, dry wind aud scorching rays OF the
sun, beds for the reception of the seed should
be prepared in such manner that full pro-
lection may be given during the period
named. Frames made Of boards foot wide
will answer every purpose, and placed upon
the surface of the ground after the beds have
been prepared. Four feet wide and twelve
long is u convenient size for the frames. To
cover these, screens may be made OF common
lath, say three feet by four, which is handy
size and not so liable to be broken as lar
ger In making these screens the strips
of lath may be placed about as far apart as
they are wide, say an inch and half this
will permit enough light to reach the plants
to insure :, healthy growth and at the same
lime furnish shade enough to prevent burning.
OF course other materials may be employed
for shading, such as screens OF cloth, boughS
of evergreens, or even making the beds on
the north side of a fence, building, or under
large trees but the lath screens are cheap
and most convenient, besides always more or
less useful to have about for putting over hot
beds to keep out the chickens if there are any
around. 1t is well to make up the frames
and screens during the winter months in or
der to have them ready when required for use
in early spring.
A light, porous soil is necessary whether
, inn and oh
be deep and moderately rich, although rank,
fresh manure will not answer for this pur
pose. Soil that becomes compact and hard
on the surface when dry would prevent the
young seedlings from coming up, consequent
" should not be used for this purpose. Where
a loose friable soil cannot be obtained in
sufficient abundance to be used exclusively
for the entire depth Of the beds, smaller
quantity Will answer by spreading 1t over the
surface to the depth Of two or three inches
AS so0n as the ground is sufficiently warm
and dry to work readily in the spring the
seed may be sown in drills six inches apart
and crosswise OF the frames. Ii the seed Is
covered by sitting the earth over them to the
depth of half inch it will be better than
it with the hoo or similar implc-
ments. After covering water the bed thor,
Oughly, applying with waterproof and
fine nose. The screen may then te
put on, and from this time forward consider
able care will be necessary to givejust enough
water to insure healthy growth, but not
enough to cause the plants to mildew or
damp Off" as it is usually termed by nur'
scrymen. 1t is easy enough to grow ever
= reens from seed when one has learned how
hy experience. The seedlings will require
. ,reill attendance during the entire first sea
IN aud may be transplantcd the second II
GOOD, vigorous growth is secuTed'--H"rol
,ew Yorker.