IRRIGATION IN THE NURSERY 71 



that locality. But whether one can plant his nursery then or not will 

 depend upon the character of the soil and the condition of the rainfall 

 for that season. This varies much from year to year. As a rule, 

 however, in most parts where fruit is grown at present in large quanti- 

 ties, the heavy cold rains will be over by the first of February, and then 

 nursery operations can commence if the soil is in good condition. If 

 not, the planter must wait until the soil is dry enough to work nicely. 

 There will, of course, be heavy rains after the first of February; but 

 they will only necessitate cultivation to loosen the soil, if the nursery 

 ground is well situated for drainage, and if it is not it should not be 

 used for this purpose. 



Supposing the ground has been deeply plowed and thoroughly 

 harrowed, as has been already described, the laying out of the ground 

 is the next operation. Everything should be done with a view to the 

 use of the horse in cultivation. The rows should be laid out as straight 

 as possible. Some use a plow furrow; some an arrangement like a 

 corn-marker, with two cultivator teeth set four feet apart ; some stretch 

 a line, to get the pits or root grafts as true to it as possible, and some 

 trust to the furrow for straightness. No rule can be laid down for 

 means to be employed; the result must depend upon the eye and skill 

 of the individual. Some people can hardly shoot a straight line with a 

 gun. Each must do the best he can in this respect. 



There is a difference in practice as to distance between the rows in 

 nursery. The usual distance is four feet, but others claim that it is 

 better to make the rows six feet apart, especially where no irrigation 

 is practised, as this gives the young trees more room, and if the ground 

 is kept thoroughly cultivated, as it should be, it gives the roots a 

 greater supply of moisture to draw upon. In growing a small lot of 

 trees, where there is plenty of land, it is, of course, desirable to give 

 them every advantage in the way of facilities for growth, but on the 

 other hand, an overgrown tree is not desirable. Thrift 'and strength 

 must be sought rather than size. 



At the ends of the rows spaces of about twelve feet should be left 

 as turning-ground for the horse when cultivating, and as a roadway. 

 The length of nursery rows depends upon the taste of Hhe grower. 

 It is convenient to have alleys wide enough for a horse and cart at 

 intervals of one hundred 1 to three hundred feet, but in small nurseries 

 the head-lands would probably give all the access required. 



The depth for planting seeds and pits must be regulated by the size 

 of the seed and the character of the soil, as is always laid down by 

 the authorities, and in this State another condition must be made, and 

 that is the climate or weather conditions prevailing in the locality. 

 Where the rainfall is generally light and the soil loose, seed must be 

 planted deeper than where good spring showers are to be expected. 

 In fine soils seeds must be planted shallower than ini coarse, even with 

 the same rainfall. Judgment and experience must dictate in this matter, 

 and if a man has no experience, he is pretty apt to get it. 



During the spring months the cultivator must be used as often as 

 may be required to keep the weeds from getting -too high, or the soil 

 from becoming too densely packed by heavy rains, but the ground should 



