PROPAGATION OF TREES. 43 



ness of the spring will be forwarded ; when seed is 

 sown in the fall, it should be on a piece of ground 

 where it is not subject to be inundated or covered 

 with water, which rots the seed in the ground, and is 

 an almost sure cause of failure ; therefore the choice 

 of ground is of great importance. 



ART. 2. Increase by Cuttings. 



There are many kinds of fruits which are increas- 

 ed by cuttings, as the grape, the currant, the goose- 

 berry, &c. The manner of doing this is, to pre- 

 pare a piece of rich mellow ground by spread- 

 ing over it a quantity of well rotted manure 

 and digging it neatly with a plate spade ; this being 

 done, the cuttings are then to be prepared by cut- 

 ting them in length of about a foot, with a sharp 

 knife ; the ground being prepared, the cuttings may 

 be inserted, by placing a garden line and pressing 

 them down about halfway into the ground by the 

 side of it; when one row is completed, the ground is 

 to be neatly raked by the side of it, and the line re- 

 moved to the intended distance between the rows, 

 when the next row may be planted in the same man- 

 ner, and so continue until the whole is completed. 



The selection of cuttings for this purpose, 

 is of some importance, as healthy or meagre plants 

 will be made according to the choice. The cutting 

 should be chosen from the young wood of last sum- 

 mer's growth, and that which is strong, straight, and 

 healthy. It should be, if possible, taken from a 

 part of the tree, where it has been well exposed, so 

 that it is well ripened ; if taken from the centre of the 



