

MAY] THE NURSERY. 405 



be dried from the leaves by the morning sun ; for if watered in the 

 forenoon, and there should be a powerful sun soon after, the leaves 

 are frequently scalded thereby, the spherical drops of water which 

 remain on their surface, causing the rays to converge to a focus, and 

 act upon them as a lens or burning-glass. 



But in watering, let it be observed not to give too much, as that, 

 in some cases, would be injurious. To avoid these bad effects, when 

 water is necessary, let a good soaking be given, and a mulching of 

 rotted dung or litter be applied on the surface around the roots, this 

 will prevent the demand for frequent repetition. 



Such plants as you have in pots, should be treated as directed here- 

 after for those of the green-house department. 



feb 



PROPAGATING EVERGREENS, ETC., BY LAYERS. 



About the latter end of this month begin to propagate such ever- 

 greens and other shrubs by layers of the young shoots of the present 

 year as do not succeed well by layers of the old wood. 



When the young shoots are from eight to ten or twelve inches 

 long, bring them down to the earth, and if strong, you may slit them 

 as directed on page 300, or if weak, give them a gentle twist and 

 lay them into the earth from two to six inches deep, according to 

 their size, leaving about two or three inches of the tops out of 

 ground ; fasten them securely with hooked pegs and draw the earth 

 over the parts laid. When done give them a moderate watering, and 

 repeat it occasionally, so as to keep the earth in a moist state, to en- 

 courage their rooting. 



Trees and shrubs in general root very freely by this method, 

 which may be practised on the various kinds as they advance in 

 growth, both evergreen and deciduous, from the middle of this 

 month to the end of July. Many kinds will be well rooted by Oc- 

 tober, and may then be taken off and removed. Such as are not 

 rooted by that time must be suffered to remain another year. 



NEWLY GRAFTED AND BUDDED TREES. 



Examine all kinds of trees and shrubs which were grafted in the 

 preceding months, and such as are well united, manifested by the 

 free shooting of the grafts, the clay and bandages may be taken off, 

 not, however, in most kinds, until the scions have grown five or six 

 inches long ; the latter part of the month will, generally, be the pro- 

 per time for this examination. 



Those that are not as well united as might be wished, should have 

 the bandage slackened and fresh clay applied to them as in the first 

 instance, or the clay may be applied without the bandage, which will 

 preserve the wounds from the weather, and greatly promote the 

 growth of the bark over the headed parts of the stocks ; this may 

 be left on till it falls off. 



Suffer no shoots to remain that arise from the stocks below the 

 grafts ; all should be looked over once a week, and when such appear, 



