NURSING. 67 



rows. The richest and moistest ground in 

 the nursery, provided it be of soil, and in si- 

 tuation as is described in last Section, should 

 be allotted for them. They are to be planted 

 in lines twelve inches asunder, and about four 

 inches in line. The roots of the Alders may 

 be trimmed a little with the knife. The 

 Birches must not be touched. 



Whether plants should be put in with the 

 spade or setting stick, is a question frequently 

 agitated. I am of opinion it is a matter of 

 little importance to plants of this age, which 

 method is practised, provided either be well 

 performed. The size of the roots should de- 

 termine. 



It would certainly be improper to force a 

 large root into a small hole, to the evident de- 

 triment of the plant, by its roots and fibres 

 being bundled together in a mass, without 

 the intervention of mold. It is equally im- 

 proper to force a plant into a slit or gash, 

 whose sides, by the operation of making it, 

 are hardened and rendered impenetrable, in 

 a great measure, by the tender fibrils for a 

 time, until rain, and tke influence of the 

 weather, soften them. 



