MARCH.] THE NURSERY. 



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ripe, without injuring others ; for when planted in a mixed confus- 

 ed 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 intervening kinds are injured thereby. 



If your ground is intended to be cultivated, after plant- 

 ing, with the plough, you must leave sufficient head lands for the 

 horses to turn on. 



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

 is dry and in a good condition for tillage, plough and harrow be- 

 tween the rows of your former plantations of vines, previously giv- 

 ing 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 preci- 

 sion, 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. 



The best time for grafting, in the middle states, is generally 

 from the twentieth of March to the tenth of April, a few days ear- 

 lier or later, as vegetation may happen to be in an advanced or re- 

 tarded state, which sometimes makes a difference of ten or twelve 

 days. 



Grafting is always most successful, when done at the period that 

 the buds of your stocks are swelled, so as to be nearly ready to 

 burst into leaf : this is the time in which the greatest success may 

 be expected, and should be very particularly attended to ; however) 

 if done a few days before, or even when the stocks display several 

 expanded leaves, there may be a tolerable good hit, provided the 

 operation is judiciously performed. 



Your cions or grafts must be taken off, about a month or three 

 weeks before this crisis, or so soon" as you are able to perceive the 

 least disposition in their buds to swell ; for, if not cut off in proper 

 time, the grafts will not take kindly, nor will they shoot so vigo- 

 rously. 



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