MARCH] THE NURSERY. 259 



cutting, and drawing the loose earth around so as to cover the second 

 bud, before noticed, half an inch deep, which bud, so protected, will 

 frequently make the most vigorous shoot, and often succeed when the 

 top bud, exposed to the weather, will not; then drive down the stake, 

 so as to make it. firm, within three inches of the plant. 



If your cuttings are not extremely good and fresh, and such as 

 may be depended on, it will be the more certain way to plant two in 

 each hole, the tops within a few inches of each other, and the lower 

 ends sloping in opposite directions for the greater convenience, if 

 both should succeed, of removing one without disturbing the other ; 

 these extra plants may be made use of next season to fill up vacan- 

 cies, or to form a new plantation. 



Cuttings are generally preferred for this purpose to rooted plants, 

 as they are thought to establish themselves more effectually when not 

 removed; however, when such are to be planted, keep their roots out 

 of ground but as short a time as possible; and if immersed when 

 taken up in a pap of earth and water, or dung and water, the better : 

 plant them in the same manner as directed for the cuttings, pruning 

 their heads, and observing to place their roots, after first shortening 

 any long stragglers, in a spreading manner in the earth, and then 

 cover them up as before. 



It is necessary that each particular kind of grape should be planted 

 in separate quarters, that they may all be gathered when ripe without 

 injuring others; for, when planted in a mixed, confused way, the 

 going through the different quarters to pull the fruit of a vine here 

 and there is very inconvenient, and often the later ripening inter- 

 vening kinds are injured thereby. 



If your ground is intended to be cultivated, after planting, with 

 the plough, you must leave sufficient head lands for the horses to 

 turn in. 



In the course of this month, as soon after pruning as the ground 

 is dry and in good condition for tillage, plough and harrow between 

 the rows of your former plantations of vines, previously giving such 

 quarters as need it a dressing of well rotted manure; and dig, or give 

 a deep hoeing to such places as cannot be come at with the plough. 



THE NURSERY. 



GRAFTING. 



It is too difficult a task to state the precise time of grafting the 

 various kinds of fruit and other trees, in the different climates and 

 States of the Union ; but as I cannot do this with precision, and 

 must confine myself, in this article, to the periods most suitable for 

 performing that operation in the Middle States, where I am best 

 acquainted with the seasons, I will give such hints as will lead to a 

 perfect knowledge of the true periods for grafting in every country 

 and every place. 



