

CHAPTER XI. 



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 nur- 

 sery. Every one who buys trees should know when they have 

 been properly cultivated ; 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 suit- 

 able 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 respect, and 

 the other requisites of good stocks, transplanting, and cultiva- 

 tion, are attended to, there will be no difficulty in raising this 

 number. But if the soil be wet or sterile, or otherwise un- 

 suited to the purpose, none of the trees can be good; one-half 

 or nine-tenths may be stunted, crooked, and unsalable; 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, therefore, 

 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 com- 

 J47 



