In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Sugar maples, bigleaf maples, boxelder maples, Japanese maples, Norway maples, and some red maples lie dormant over the winter, then germinate as soon as temperatures warm. The cold stratification approach produces very high germination rates in these species. All of these species drop their seeds in autumn or early winter. If your red maple trees drop their seeds in spring or early summer, try germinating them in the soil instead. If you're going to plant the seeds outdoors, start this method 90120 days before the last winter frost. Place a handful of peat moss, vermiculite, or germination paper in a small, plastic, zip-locked bag. For best results, use sterile material and handle it with disposable gloves to avoid introducing fungus. Tiny "snack sized" bags work best. Larger bags trap more air with the seeds, which can lead to fungal problems. Red maple seeds are sensitive to acidity. For this species, choose vermiculite (a neutral or basic substance) rather than peat moss (acidic). Add a couple drops of water to the growing material to dampen the material slightly. If you see standing water, or if you can squeeze out water from the material, it is too wet. Fungicide can prevent mold from destroying your seeds, but it is not always necessary, and may damage the plant if overused. Add only in tiny quantities, following manufacturer's instructions. Some growers rinse the seeds in very diluted bleach solutions instead. Place your seeds in the bag. Starting from the base, roll the bag to expel most of the air. Zip it closed. Now it's time to "stratify" the seeds, or expose them to temperatures that trigger germination. For most species, the ideal temperature is usually around 15C (33.841F). The crisper drawer of a refrigerator is usually about this temperature. Ideally, use a thermometer to confirm the correct temperature. Some seeds may fail to germinate if the temperature is just a couple degrees off. If possible, keep boxelder and Norway maple seeds at exactly 5C (41F), and red maple seeds at exactly 3C (37.4F). Other species are not as picky. Most of these species take 90120 days to germinate, but the bigleaf maple and a few others can sprout in as few as 40. Every week or 2, check on the bag and make adjustments as needed: If you notice condensation, pick up the bag and gently tap it to knock the water droplets off. Lay the bag back down on the opposite side, so the wet seeds have a chance to dry off. If the growing material has dried out, add a drop or 2 of water. If you notice any mold or black spots, remove the affected seed and throw it away. (If the whole batch is molding, try a little fungicide.) If the seeds have begun to sprout, remove them from the refrigerator. Once the seeds have germinated, plant them 0.61.2cm ( inch) under moist soil. Most maples do well in partial shade, but look up the exact species if possible for more info on planting. To increase the odds of survival, start the seedlings in an indoor seed tray instead. Fill the tray with 7.610 cm (34 inches) of well-draining potting soil, or an even mix of peat moss, rotted compost, vermiculite and coarse sand. Water whenever the soil becomes completely dry. Transfer to planter pots once the second set of leaves appear.
Summary: Try this for most maple seeds. Fill a plastic bag with growing material. Add a little water. Apply a little fungicide (optional). Add the seeds and close the bag. Store in the refrigerator. Leave them for 40120 days, checking every week or 2. Plant the seeds.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Picking a concrete quit date gives you time to prepare yourself emotionally and physically for the days ahead. Choose a date that is about a month away, that way you'll have enough time to get ready but not so much that you'll lose determination. Though you could try and quit cold turkey, people who have a set plan in place are far more likely to kick the habit and remain smoke-free. Base your schedule around how much tobacco you currently use, slowly narrowing down the quantity. Use a calendar to select intermediary dates based on your quit date for reducing your quantity over a period of time, allowing yourself to get used to using less and less. You may decide to reduce your consumption a little each week until you no longer use tobacco. For example, if you use 1 can per day, start by using 1 every 2 days. Then, the next week use 1 every 4 days. Continue reducing how much you use until you are barely using any by your quit date. What is your reason, or combination of reasons, for wanting to kick your chewing tobacco habit? Writing down the personal factors motivating you to make this change can help clarify your sense of purpose, which will come in handy down the road when you're struggling with the urge to start chewing again. Some good reasons for quitting include: You won't have to deal with tobacco stains on your teeth and clothes. Your breath will smell better. Any sores inside your mouth will heal. You'll never have to worry about finding a can or bottle to use for tobacco juice. You won't have to duck out of meetings or gatherings to chew. You will save money that you once spent on tobacco. Cut down the amount of tobacco you use from the moment you decide to stop chewing, decreasing the amount gradually until your quit day arrives. The less nicotine that's in your system on your quit day, the better, because you'll already be used to chewing less and dealing with cravings. When you feel a craving, wait as long as possible before chewing. To help you cut down on tobacco use, make a list of specific places where you will not chew, such as work or school. Then, when you travel to these places, leave your dip at home to avoid temptation. By doing this, you will slowly get used to the feeling that tobacco is not always an option. Everyone has triggers that cause them to fall back on bad habits. Naming these triggers and eliminating them from your life will go a long way toward helping you quit chewing tobacco. Triggers can include things like seeing people you normally enjoy chewing around, encountering pleasurable sounds or smells you associate with chewing, or even just getting stressed out, scared, or anxious. Plan ways to address triggers with competing habits. For example, if you usually chew right after work, try replacing that with something else. Fill your pantry with items like chewing gum, beef jerky, fruit chews, or fake dip. Many find that having something else to chew helps quell withdrawal cravings, making the quitting process far easier. Ask your doctor about prescription drugs like varenicline and bupropion, which help people quit harmful habits over time, and nicotine patches, which help reduce physical withdrawal symptoms. So you have enough time to get the medicine, make an appointment well in advance of your quit date. If you decide to use a prescription medication, start taking it 1 or 2 weeks before you quit.
Summary:
Set a date to quit. Set up a schedule to help you quit. Write down your reasons for quitting. Start ramping down your tobacco use immediately. Decide not to chew in certain settings. Figure out what your triggers are. Stock up on chew alternatives. Get medicine to help you quit (optional).