64 FRUIT GARDEN COMPANION. 



less. And if we call in nature for a decision, we 

 shall find that young seedlings of all denominations 

 of trees, always form into the most stately habit 

 when chance places the seed in a rich soil, where it 

 is partly secured from cold blast by a natural pro- 

 tection ; and where the soil is uniform in moisture, 

 that it is to say, not inundated by wet or parched 

 with drought, as the natural changes of the weather 

 may happen* For most kinds of young trees to be 

 planted in the nursery, as the apple, pear, cherry, 

 &c., the distance of two feet between the rows, 

 and eighteen inches in the row, will, I think answer 

 a good purpose. Other trees of a more dwarf habit, 

 as the plum or peach, may be planted thicker, ac- 

 cording to their size ; which can be judged of by 

 an intelligent person. 



CHAPTER V. 



SUMMER* MANAGEMENT IN THE NURSERY. 



ART. 1. Hoeing and Clearing the Ground. 



In the month of June or July, or as soon as any 

 weeds begin to make their appearance, every part of 

 the nursery should have a good hoeing, and if there 

 be any large weeds of the perennial kinds, as couch- 

 grass, thistle or such troublesome cumberers of the 

 soil, they should be immediately taken from the 

 ground and either burnt or taken to some place to 

 rot and depay, to be again returned to the soil as 



