132 



THE NURSERY. 



ferring to the nursery rows at the end of the first season's 

 growth. 



The common Red Pie cherry, and the Small Morello, 

 make very good stocks for dwarf trees of the Duke and 

 Morello classes ; but the Hearts and Bigarreatis do not 

 take well on them. These are raised from seed in the 

 same way as the Mazzards and Mahalebs. I observe that 

 Western fruit growers are now recommending this stock 

 in preference to all others for that climate, on account of 

 its hardiness. I do not think, however, that it will be 

 used as a stock to any great extent. 



Preparing and Saving the Seeds. The fruit is allowed 

 to remain on the tree until thoroughly ripe. It is then 

 shaken or picked off, and put into tubs, where the pulp is 

 washed off until the stones are perfectly clean. They 

 are then spread out on boards, and turned over occasion- 

 ally until dry, when they are put away in boxes, mixed 

 with sand very slightly moist. A layer of sand is spread 

 in the bottom of the box, then a thin layer of the stones ; 

 next a layer of sand, and so on until the box is full. The 

 boxes are secured against vermin, and put away in a cool, 

 dry place, until needed for planting. If not planted in 

 the fall, they may be wintered in a cellar, or out of doors, 

 protected from rain by boards or other covering. 



When to Plant. If circumstances were favorable, all 

 seeds would be better planted in the fall, or immediately 

 after their maturity. Nature, in her course, indicates 

 this to be a general law ; but in cultivation, this must de- 

 pend on circumstances. The ground may not be in readi- 

 ness. It may be so wet and heavy, that seeds would be 

 so saturated with moisture during the winter as to lose 

 their vitality, or the ground might become so beaten 

 down and compact with fall, winter, and early spring 

 rains, as to make it almost impossible for the young plants 

 to make their way through it. All these things are to be 

 considered in deciding the proper time to sow seeds. If 



