FEB.] THE NURSERY. 165 



SOWING VARIOUS KINDS OF HARDY TREE AND SHRUB SEEDS, WHICH 

 REQUIRE A PREVIOUS PREPARATION. 



Ash, hornbean, red cedar, mezereon, juniper, holly, yew, spindle- 

 tree, bladder-nut, and lauruses of various kinds, with many others, 

 will require the same preparation as directed for haws ; they must be 

 sown at the same time, and covered only in proportion to the size of 

 their seeds ; that is, the smaller seeds will require not more than a 

 quarter of inch of covering, and the larger, from half to three-quarters 

 of an inch, in proportion to the lightness of the soil. Always avoid, at 

 this season particularly, sowing seeds of any kind too deep, especially 

 if the ground is of a heavy binding nature, or too wet at the time of 

 working it. 



SOWING KERNELS OP APPLES, PEARS, AND QUINCES. 



So soon as you find the ground in a good dry state, sow the ker- 

 nels of apples, pears, and quinces, to raise stocks for budding and 

 grafting on. The sooner that this can be done the better. It will 

 be necessary to have these kernels preserved, either in sand or earth, 

 from the time they were taken out of the fruit till the time of sow- 

 ing, or to take them at that time immediately fresh out of the fruit; 

 for when long exposed to the dry air they lose their vegetative 

 quality. 



CARE OF TENDER AND YOUNG SEEDLING TREES AND SHRUBS. 



In order to avoid repetitions and make room for other important 

 matter, I refer you for instructions on the above subjects to page 71, 

 observing that the same care and management recommended there 

 will be necessary during the whole of the winter months. 



By one night's neglect at this season you might lose what cost you 

 the labor of months; therefore diligent care and attention is particu- 

 larly requisite during severe weather. 



HOT-BEDS FOR SOWING TREE AND SHRUB SEEDS IN. 



Make hot-beds for sowing therein some of the more curious kinds 

 of tree and shrub seeds. These are to be made as directed for cu- 

 cumbers in page 20, and fully as substantial; sow the seeds either 

 in pots or long narrow boxes, covering each kind with light dry earth 

 in proportion to its size; then plunge these pots and boxes to their 

 rims in the earth of the beds, but not till after the violent heat has 

 passed away ; sprinkle the earth in these pots frequently but very 

 lightly with water till the plants are up, after which you may give it 

 in proportion to their apparent necessity. 



Keep the beds carefully covered at nights and in desperately ^e- 

 vere weather, and when the heat declines renew it by adding a lining 

 of fresh horse-dung to the sides and ends occasionally. 



