ABOUT FRUITS, FLOWERS AND FARMING. 339 



this course is pursued, a block should be put upon the tree, 

 to receive the stroke, with a bit of carpet or some soft pad 

 to it, that the bark may not be injured. A white sheet 

 should be spread under the trea to catch the falling 

 robber. 



A few trees will suffice for a private family, and the fruit 

 must be earned by careful watchfulness. Those who are 

 too indolent, or careless, or indifferent to the luxury to 

 bestow the requisite attention through the months of May 

 and June, may spare themselves the trouble of planting 

 plum-trees. Plum orchards are not to be thought of. 



Although the curculio chiefly delights in the plum, it 

 scruples at no fruit. It may be found upon peaches, cher 

 ries, nectarines, apricots, gooseberries and currants. 



ROOT GRAFTING. 



WHILE nothing can be done out of doors in the nursery, 

 the process of root grafting may be carried on, and the 

 stock be ready for setting as soon as the grounds are open 

 in spring. 



When this method of grafting is employed with discretion, 

 it greatly aids the nurseryman. It is a resource in case he 

 cannot procure stocks to bud or graft upon ; it makes finer 

 and handsomer trees ; and it can be carried on at a season 

 of leisure; and the scions, being early in the ground, have 

 a longer season of growth by two months than buds, or 

 ordinary grafts. 



Although any healthy root with some fibres will answer 

 to graft upon, yet experienced nurserymen prefer the tap 

 roots of young seedling stocks. Those who have apple and 

 pear stocks which are to be removed, should employ the 

 open weather of winter to raise them. The tap roots may 



