CHAPTER XII. 



MANAGEMENT OF NURSERIES. 



IT is impossible in a work like this to give full directions for the 

 raising and management of young trees in the nursery. Every one 

 who buys trees should know when they have been properly culti- 

 vated ; and as some planters prefer to raise their own trees, a few 

 leading directions will be laid down for the guidance and assistance 

 of such as wish to become more fully acquainted with nursery 

 management. 



Soils. The first great requisite is the selection of a suitable soil. 

 More depends upon such selection than at first glance would seem 

 possible. At least ten thousand good trees may be raised on an 

 acre worth, at twenty cents each, two thousand dollars. If the 

 soil is perfect in every respe6l, and the other requisites of good 

 stocks, transplanting, and cultivation, are attended to, there will be 

 DO difficulty in raising this amount. But if the soil be wet or sterile, 

 or otherwise unsuited to the purpose, none of the trees can be good ; 

 one-half or nine-tenths may be stunted, crooked, and unsaleable ; 

 the rest will perhaps not sell at half price. While, therefore, a poor 

 soil should not be accepted on any terms, it would be better to pay 

 a hundred dollars yearly rent, if necessary, to secure one in perfect 

 condition. A light or sandy soil will raise peach and cherry trees 

 and often apples, and it may be worked with great ease and in all 

 kinds of weather ; but for standard pears and plums a stronger or 

 more clayey soil is absolutely essential, and if properly underdrained, 

 is often as good for all other trees. Every complete nursery, there- 

 fore, should either consist wholly, or in part, of a strong loam or 

 loamy clay, which in general will require previous thorough tile 

 draining. The necessary fertility given to such a soil will be 

 retained several times longer than by light gravel or sand. 



Nothing is commonly better than old pasture for the commence- 

 ment of a nursery. It should be ploughed twice or more until made 



