BUDDING, GRAFTING, ETC. 147 



diameter, pointed and shod with iron. Fig. 88 represents 

 one made of the handle of a spade. Figure 89 shows a 

 dibble, such as is sold by the dealers in implements. It 

 is made from a stick, with a natural curve at one end, to 

 conveniently fit the hand, and is furnished 

 at the other end with an iron point. One 

 person will plant as many in this way 

 as four could by opening trenches with 

 spades. But where the plants are dib- 

 bled in, the ground must be in the best 

 condition perfectly dry, and finely pul- 

 verized. 



Treatment of Stocks after Planting. Fig. 88. 

 The principal care which stocks require D p^ E 

 between the time they are planted and ROOT- Fig. 89. 



., . , , -, -. , . -. , GRAFTS. DIBBLE. 



the time they are budded is to keep the 

 ground about them clear of weeds, and in a friable, 

 porous condition on the surface, by frequent stirring. A 

 good rule is to run the cultivator or horse-hoe through 

 them once a week. The success of budding depends, in a 

 great measure, on the condition of the stocks. They 

 must be in a thrifty, growing state, and this can only be 

 obtained with good treatment. Having now considered, 

 in as much detail as seems necessary, the propagation and 

 transplanting of stocks into the nursery rows, we proceed 

 with 



SECTION 4. THE BUDDING, GRAFTING, AND MANAGE- 

 MENT OF TREES IN THE NURSERY, 



The simplest and clearest method of treating this part 

 of the subject, seems to be that of considering, separate- 

 ly, each year's operations in succession. 



THE FIRST YEAR. Strong yearling seedlings of the 

 apple, pear, cherry, and plum, say one-fourth of an inch 

 and upwards in diameter, and well-rooted layers of the 



