62 FRUIT GARDEN COMPANION. 



side at such a distance that when cut they may be 

 of sufficient length to support the tree. 



ART. 3. On Clearing and Digging the Ground. 



When the trees intended to be taken up are all 

 drawn, the trees headed down, tied up, and the like 

 operations are completed for the spring, the ground 

 should be cleared of all kinds of brush, rubbish, 

 weeds, &c., and neatly dug to complete the spring 

 business. Every part of the squares, borders and 

 walks, should be cleared up at the earliest opportu- 

 nity ; if deferred, it will be likely to interfere with 

 the whole nursery business for the summer season. 

 When the ground is cleared, every part of it should 

 be neatly dug. In digging the ground for planting 

 out young seedlings, if the ground to be planted is 

 naturally poor, some good rotten manure may be 

 added, and spread regularly over the ground. This 

 done, a trench of one spade deep and wide, may be 

 taken out at one end and wheeled to the other ; this 

 done, commence digging regularly across the piece 

 turning the earth from the shade upside down, and 

 leaving the surface rough as it leaves the spade. 

 The method pursued by many persons, of working 

 the surface of the earth fine and even, is bad, be- 

 cause the rains beat down the surface hard, and in 

 a great measure, prevent the sun and air from ex- 

 erting their influence on the roots of the trees when 

 planted. The ground also becomes baked hard and 

 is more troublesome to work with the hoe than when 

 left in a rough state. 



