SITE OF NUKSERY. 29 



CHAPTER I. 



SITE OF NURSERY. 



As much of the success of the nursery will depend 

 upon the ground, the greatest care should be exercised in 

 its selection. In most of the Southern States, and especial- 

 ly on the Delaware Peninsula, south of the Delaware and 

 Chesapeake Cannl, no difficulty will be met in obtaining a 

 suitable site, as nearly every farm has a field or more in 

 which a very eligible one may be found. But further 

 north and west good sites are not so common. Still, it is 

 believed there are but few sections, or even localities, in 

 which, by a little care, good ones may not be had. The 

 land should be dry. All that holds water should be re- 

 jected, because, first, it will retard planting and cultiva- 

 tion, and render the latter much more difficult and ex- 

 pensive. Secondly, the seed will be longer in coming up, 

 and, if the season should be late and cold, much of it 

 may rot. 



It should not only be dry, but it should be light, and 

 warm. A sandy soil is in every way to be preferred. 

 The peach seems to delight in it. It accelerates maturity 

 and fructification. Clay soil is not suitable. It is too 

 stiff; it is hard to till ; it is too retentive of moisture; it 

 bakes, and becomes lumpy, and it should be rejected 

 without hesitation, unless no other can be had. Gravelly 

 soil is better, and, if naturally good, or artificially en- 

 riched, will answer. The rich alluvials of our river bot- 

 toms do very well ; and when a rapid and vigorous growth, 

 and large, showy trees are desired, are excellent; but we 

 do not commend them, especially if the trees are not to 

 be set in an orchard where the land is equally good ; for 

 if the growth has been too much stimulated, and the trees 

 become too large, it will be more of an injury than bene- 



