A TREATISE ON NUT CULTURE. 33 



them in boxes, having first bored holes in bottom for drainage; cover top with 

 wire netting and plunge in ground or they may be set in cellar, and occa- 

 sionally moistened, otherwise the sand will become dry and absorb the mois- 

 ture from the nuts. It is also a good plan to mix a quantity of ashes with the 

 sand in the box to prevent damage from ants, which may infest the kernels as 

 soon as the shells begin to open. 



Upon the approach of warm weather the beds should be examined, and 

 after the kernels begin to swell the shells will open and the nuts should be 

 taken out and planted about eight inches apart in drills four feet apart and 

 covered about two to three inches deep and kept thoroughly cultivated the 

 early part of the season; by late cultivation the growth will continue too late, 

 the wood be immature and liable to winter-kill. 



Root Prtinins* After making one season's growth in the Nursery, the 

 root system may be much improved by pruning, as 



many species have only deep running tap roots, with but few, if any, fibers or 

 lateral branches. 



In order to root prune such plants, have the earth carefully removed from 

 one side of the row so as to expose the tap root without disturbing it; take a 

 .sharp spade, push it below the exposed part of the tap root, severing it, fill up 

 the excavation and tread it firmly. P A rom this point of severance will be 

 thrown out lateral roots, which will be of great benefit in transplanting. 



O r C ha rd Budding or grafting is the method generally employed 



Planting ^ P r P a g a t e any variety and can be done either in 



the nursery row, and after having made one or two 



years' growth, removed to the orchard; or, the seedling trees first transplanted 

 to orchard and there grafted. As the new varieties are high priced it is a good 

 plan to set the orchard with seedlings and buy one or two each of the desired 

 varieties to furnish grafting wood with which to top-work the seedlings. 



Transplanting ^ n transplanting the seedlings great care should be 

 exercised to prevent exposure to the sun or drying 



winds. A damp cloudy day should be selected for the purpose, or they 

 should be sprinkled with water and covered with a blanket while out of the 

 ground, as a very little drying of the small fibers is more or less injurious. 



Care Of Trees ^ no ^" rea( ^y t plant on day of arrival, or if you have 



and Plants on more than you can plant within a few hours, they 



arrival from should at once be heeled in. Select a well-drained 



ntirserv spot, dig a trench about eighteen inches deep, sloping 



on one side; place the roots in the bottom of the 



trench with the tops leaning up the sloping side. Spread out the trees so that 

 the earth will come in contact with each and every root; then sift in fine dirt 



