TRANSPLANTING STOCKS. 145 



thicket, trees running up forty or fifty feet, of an equal di- 

 ameter, and without a branch ; and if one such tree were 

 left exposed, by the removal of those around it, the first, 

 high wind would blow it down. On the outskirts of this 

 group or thicket, or perhaps completely isolated, in the 

 center of a field, we see another tree of the same species 

 branched almost from the ground, with a diameter at 

 the base twice as great as at half its height, and tapering 

 upward with beautiful regularity, capable of resisting 

 a hurricane. To raise stout, well-proportioned trees, we 

 must give them plenty of room, that they may have the 

 advantage of air all around, and not at the top only. 



There is scarcely a nursery to be found in which the 

 trees are not grown too close three or four on the space 

 that one should occupy. There is, to be sure, great econo- 

 my in close planting ; for five hundred trees can be grown 

 on the space that one hundred should occupy, and with 

 nearly as little labor ; but it would really be better for 

 people to pay twice or three times as much for their trees, 

 if grown so far apart that the air and light would have 

 free access to them in all parts, and give them stout, well- 

 proportioned forms. A reform in this respect is much 

 needed ; but it cannot be expected until purchasers be- 

 come discriminating and intelligent on the subject. 



The distance at which stocks should be planted in the 

 nursery rows is governed entirely by circumstances. If 

 it is intended to use a cultivator between the rows, they 

 should not be less than three and a half feet apart. If 

 spade and hoe culture be intended, two and a half to 

 three feet will be sufficient. Where the trees are to be 

 removed at the age of one year, one foot apart in the rows 

 is sufficient ; but if they are to remain until two, three, or 

 four years, they should be eighteen inches to two feet. If 

 removed at two years, eighteen inches is enough ; but 

 where standards remain three or four years, until they 

 have heads formed, and pyramids remain until they have 

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