The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-11-09
Preserving Hardy Tree Seeds.

1t is often said that if a man follows
nature in the sowing of seeds he cannot
go very far astray. The remark sounds
plausible enough, but embodies fallacy.
Thus, an apple as it falls upon the ground
may be taken as an example of natures
method Of planting. The seeds are en-
closed in pulpy mass which, as it de-
Gays, ferments and generates an acid that
in nine cases out of ten destroys the germ
of the seeds within. But should some
large animal step upon the apple soon aft
er it is ripe, thereby releasing the seeds
from their natural covering and scattering
them about, the chances of their growing
and becoming trees are greatly increased.
Again, it the animal should happen to be
an OK or COW, and eat the apple, the seeds
may pass through their digestive organs,
and then be cast upon the earth, without
injury to the vitality of the seed. These
roundabout ways are just as natural as
any other which reaches the same end by
short cut. 1t is quite natural for vari-
GUS tree seeds, when mature, to drop upon
the ground, where they are devoured by
various kinds of animals, or in large part
destroyed by heat and cold, drought, or
too much moisture. A few escape de-
struction, take root and grow, the num-
Der being again lessened during the first
few years of the plants existence. This
is natures method of restricting over
production and crowding, and not as gen
orally expressed, "nature's way of
preservation and multiplication"
Now, the art of horticulture consists
mainly in improving upon natures method
both in the preservation and propagation
of plants, as well as the multiplication of
varieties. If we cannot do this, our labors
as intelligent beings avail us little These
remarks are intended to counteract, if
possible, the mischievous teachings of
men who are constantly telling us that
we must follow nature closely in all her
ways, as we'll in rearing plants as animals.
Ut course, the fundamental principles
must be obeyed, but her Elasticity enables
us to mould natures works into many
forms which suit our purpose far better
than the originals. With this. view we
pillow, SOW, reap and thresh, also grind
our grain, plant and prune fruit trees,
thereby supplying wants or desires better
than by leaving all things to nature.
The season is now at hand for procur-
ing many useful kinds of forest tree seeds,
and it is clear that to be at all successful
we must interfere somewhat with nature
both in preserving and planting. For
instance, one of our readers writes that he
has had slight success in planting nuts
and other forest seeds in the fall, although
it was doubtless the season in which
mature" performed the operation ; mice
and other .vermin destroyed the seed al
most as fast as he could plant or SOW.
This is but one of the many occasions in
which we are obliged to- deviate from
nature to avoid destruction from natural
enemies. As the seeds of our various for
est trees fall upon the ground, they come
in contact with moisture, and the leaves
and loose vegetable matter surrounding or
covering them offer a.slight protection
from cold during the winter; but the
principal condition which prevents de-
struction Of their vitality is moisture, for
dryness during any considerable period is
fatal to most kinds of seeds. To avoid
losses from vermin, as well as to protect
hardy tree seeds from being injured in
other ways. the. better way is to preserve
them in boxes filled with sand during
winter, and to sow in spring. 1t is not
necessary to put the boxes in cellars or
under cover; bury them in the open
ground, where it will make little or no
difference whether the seeds freeze or not,
as it is the constant moist condition dur
| ing the winter months which preserves
their vitality, and enables the sprouts to
burst asunder the shell or other envelope
on the return Of warm weather in spring.
All the varieties of nuts, also the seeds
Of the ash, maple, tulip-tre locust, csage
orange, and three thorned acacia, may be
treated in the same manner. Gather the
seeds as soon as ripe, and then procure
boxes Of the required size; in the bottom