GROWING NURSERY STOCKS FROM SEEDS 63 



be called good rich valley land. There are, however, situations in 

 the thermal belts in which the temperature does not fall low enough 

 to check growth of deciduous trees and cause the leaves to drop. 

 In such cases it has been found desirable to select lower and colder 

 ground for the nursery of deciduous trees. 



Preparation for Nursery Ground. The best preparation for nur- 

 sery ground is the growth, the previous season, of a cultivated or 

 hoed crop. This will secure frequent working of the soil, thorough 

 pulverization of the clods, etc. The produce of the hoed crop should 

 thus pay the cost of putting the land in good condition, at least. 

 Where the retention of moisture is an object, as is in some parts of 

 the State where the annual rainfall is sometimes small and no 

 facilities for irrigation provided, it will perhaps pay better in the 

 end to keep the land in bare fallow during the previous summer; 

 but there must be frequent and thorough cultivation, keeping the 

 surface always mellow, or more moisture may be lost by evaporation 

 than a hoed crop would require for its growth. Properly cultivated 

 fallow soil will have a moisture within a few inches of the surface, 

 while unworked soil adjoining will be baked hard and dry to a 

 depth of several feet. During the winter immediately preceding the 

 planting, the green stuff should be allowed to grow for a time, but 

 should be plowed under before it gets high enough to interfere with 

 perfect turning of smooth furrows. The decay of this green crop is 

 of advantage to the soil. Another plowing in the spring and a 

 thorough harrowing will leave the ground in good condition to 

 receive the pits or root grafts, as the case may be. 



Growth of Seedlings for the Nursery. Fruit trees are produced 

 from buds and root grafts upon seedlings locally grown or imported. 

 The kinds of seedlings preferred for different fruits are discussed 

 in the special chapter given to each fruit. 



It is usual to take seeds from sources where they can be collected 

 with the least trouble. Apple seeds are washed out from the pomace 

 of the cider press ; apples and pears from the coring and peelings of 

 canneries and drying establishments ; pits of the stone fruits are 

 derived from the same source. Supplies can usually be purchased 

 from such establishments at a moderate cost. The trouble is that 

 from such supplies one is apt to get seeds and pits from all varieties, 

 possessing different degrees of health and vigor. There is just as 

 much to be gained from selecting the seed from which to grow good 

 strong stocks for fruit trees as there is in selecting good garden or 

 field seed. One can generally get good peach pits, for it is easy to 

 have the order filled when the cannery is running on strong-growing 

 yellow varieties, for these are believed to be most vigorous, and yet 

 some claim much preference for pits from vigorous seedling trees, 

 and make extra efforts to secure them. Wherever it is possible, and 

 if one is only to produce a small lot of trees, it is practicable to 

 select from the fruit the seeds for planting. Not only is there great 

 difference in the strength of different varieties, but individual trees 

 vary greatly. If one is taking seeds from an old orchard to start 

 his nursery with, he can take pains to get his seed from his strong- 



