94 TRANSACTIONS OF ROVAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



i6. Methods of Nursery Work. 



{With Plate.) 

 V,y Ai.EX. MuURAY, Murthly. 



The following notes have been contributed in consequence of 

 numerous inquiries, and the general interest taken by all who 

 have seen the results of the methods practised here. 



The methods adopted are not new, and merely consist of an 

 artificial method of producing as near as possible a natural 

 formation of roots. If we examine carefully the root of a 

 naturally grown young tree, we find that the main root is 

 vertically placed under the stem and often penetrates to a great 

 depth into the soil. If we now examine, in the same way, a 

 young plant from a nursery line, we do not find the same 

 formation of roots. The stem is generally twisted and bent, while 

 the roots are also doubled and so mutilated that they can ill 

 perform their functions. The plants are less healthy, and more 

 often fall a prey to insect attacks and fungoid diseases. 



The method of natural regeneration of forests is certainly 

 superior in every way to any artificial method, but as our 

 existing conditions do not often lend themselves to natural 

 regeneration, the next best thing we can do is to study nature 

 and follow her example as closely as possible. 



Line v. Broadcast Sowing. — There are many advantages to 

 be derived from the rearing of seedlings in lines or rows com- 

 pared with the broadcast system. Two general objections to 

 the method are (i) the supposed extra time taken to perform the 

 work, and (2) the extra ground that is taken up with the plants. 

 But the work can be properly carried out with the aid of a few 

 necessary but simple and inexpensive tools. The time spent is not 

 greater than in the broadcast method, while the plants produced 

 are superior in every way. Also, when one takes into considera- 

 tion that all the plants are of an even size, the number of good 

 plants produced in the same space may be greater than in the 

 case of broadcast sowing. 



One other advantage of line sowing is the saving of the 

 labour necessary for hand-weeding. The spaces between the 

 rows are cleaned with a narrow hoe, and the soil may, in the 

 same way, be stirred to a considerable depth, thus allowing a 



