FEB.] THE NURSERY. 159 



TRANSPLANTING LAYERS. 



Take off the layers of such hardy shrubs and trees as were layed 

 down last year, and which still remain on the stools. 



Let these layers, as soon as they are taken off, be trimmed and 

 planted in rows in an open situation, two feet or more asunder, ac- 

 cording to the size of the plants, and the plants about twelve or fif- 

 teen inches distant in rows. 



PRUNING, ETC. 



Should the weather permit, you ought towards the latter end of 

 the month to dig the ground between the rows of your nursery trees 

 and shrubs, first giving them such necessary pruning as may be 

 wanted ; but if the ground is then bound up with frost, you may per- 

 form the latter and defer the former work, till the frost is away, which 

 then must be done without delay, especially where the ground is tole- 

 rably dry. 



Trim up the stems of such young, hardy fruit and forest-trees as 

 require it, especially the deciduous kinds, and also prune off all dis- 

 orderly rambling shoots, so as to bring them into a neat and hand- 

 some form. 



Prune also the hardy flowering shrubs in nursery rows, whereby 

 to regulate any disorderly growths, and to give them a becoming ap- 

 pearance. 



In doing this work, it would generally be proper to prune or train 

 the young plants mostly to short, single stems below; and where the 

 heads of any shrubs are very irregular, or run out in rambling shoots, 

 let them be reduced to some order and form, by cutting out or short- 

 ening such as may require any regulation, whereby to form a some- 

 what orderly shape in the general head. Likewise suckers arising from 

 the roots should generally be cleared off, and, if carefully detached 

 with some roots to each, the best of them, if wanted, may be planted 

 in nursery rows at proper distances ; they will make good plants in 

 two or three years' time, and the mother plants being cleared there- 

 from, will be preserved in a more regular proper growth. 



After the above occasional pruning, let the ground be dug between 

 the rows of the continuing shrubs, if not done before; digging it one 

 spade deep in a neat, regular manner, to remain in good cultivated 

 order all the spring and ensuing summer. 



SOWING STONES TO RAISE STOCK FOR GRAFTING, ETC. 



As early as possible this month sow the stones of plums, peaches, 

 nectarines, apricots and cherries, &c., which were preserved in sand 

 or earth from the time of the fruit being ripe till this period ; for 

 unless they were preserved in this way, few of them will grow; these 

 may either be sown in drills, .or broadcast in a bed, and covered 

 from an inch to two inches deep, according to the lightness of the 

 soil and the proportionate size of the stones. I am by no means an 



