TREATMENT OF SOIL. 159 



pears and apples are almost the only trees that require to 

 be left longer in the nursery ; and their management 

 during the third and fourth years of their growth, if 

 allowed to remain so long, will be similar to that de- 

 scribed for the second. In the spring, February, or 

 March, the leading shoot is cut back, in order to increase 

 the stoutness of the stem as it advances in height ; and, 

 during the summer, the side shoots are kept of uniform 

 length and vigor by pinching. The lower side branches 

 are removed gradually, every season, as the tree becomes 

 strong enough to dispense with them. As it has been be- 

 fore remarked, the cutting back depends always on the 

 natural character of the subject. Stout, short-jointed, 

 moderate growing sorts, that naturally increase in height 

 and diameter of stem in proper proportions, will require 

 no cutting back. Very few, however, have this habit. 

 In nearly all cases, more or less shortening-in, every 

 spring, is necessary, until the stem has arrived at the 

 requisite height, and is well proportioned, decreasing 

 gradually in diameter from the base to the top. 



The Treatment of the Soil. During the whole period 

 the trees remain in the nursery, the ground about them 

 must be kept clean and finely pulverized on the surface 

 by repeated and continual stirring. Every spring, as soon 

 as the heavy rains are over, and the ground is settled and 

 dry, the space between the rows should be plowed, if 

 they are far enough apart to admit of it. A small one- 

 horse plow, such as is used for plowing cornfields (see 

 implements), is suitable, but it should not be allowed to go 

 nearer than six inches to the tree, nor so deep as to come 

 in contact with the roots. After plowing, the cultivator 

 may be run through once each way between the rows, 

 every week or two, and this will leave very little hoeing 

 to be done. If the rows are so close as not to admit the 

 plow and cultivator, the forked spade must be used in 

 the spring, to give the ground a thorough stirring, and 



