PROPAGATION OF TREES. 45 



shoot about halfway through, and bringing the blade 

 upwards about an inch, with a clear cut, so as to 

 form a tongue to the part laid in the ground, to 

 send out roots. This done, press a spade six or 

 ei^ht inches in the ground, into which, insert the layer 

 with the cut part or tongue downwards, and close 

 over the part with earth, pressing it down with the 

 heel, and if the shoot is stiff, it may be secured in 

 its place, by placing over it a pegged stick and press- 

 ing it deeply in the ground. When the layers are 

 all laid, the ground may be regularly placed about 

 them, and neatly raked or dressed off. 



When many plants are desired to be thus raised, 

 I recommend that a piece of ground for the desired 

 kinds be purposely selected, and stools planted about 

 three or four feet apart. By this mode a regular 

 succession of layers is obtained every spring from 

 the last year's wood, which is thrown up from the 

 crown or centre of the stool. 



I would particularly recommend this mode to be 

 adopted for the Isabella grape vine,, by which mueh 

 finer plants are obtained than by cuttings or any 

 other method in one year. 



ART. 4. Increase by Inoculation. 



The cherry, plum, pear, and many other kinds of 

 fruit trees, are increased by budding or .inoculating. 

 In order to the success of this method the plants to 

 be operated upon should be grown and in a thrifty 

 state when worked, else little reward may be ex- 

 pected for the trouble. When it is recollected 

 that the bud inserted, is to be united to the sap in 



