MARCH.] THE NURSERY. 251 



ards, the stems must be trained up to a proper height, and then 

 topped, or some of the shoots shortened, so as to produce hand- 

 some well furnished heads. 



The stocks, which were budded the last summer, and in which 

 the buds still remain dormant, should now have their heads cut off, 

 a little above the budded parts ; by which means the whole nourish- 

 ment will go to the inoculations, which will soon begin to advance 

 their first shoots. 



In proceeding to this, cut the head of the stock off sloping, be- 

 hind the inoculated bud, either almost close thereto, or about a 

 hand's breadth above it ; which part of the stock remaining above, 

 will serve for tying thereto the first shoot from the bud in summer, 

 to secure it from the wind, but must be cut down close next spring. 



The stumps left last season for a similar purpose, should now be 

 cut off close to where the bud was inserted, cutting them effectu- 

 ally in to the clean fresh wood, in order that the wounds may cover 

 over and heal, which will be effected in one season, if no spotted or 

 unsound wood be left. 



Transplanting Stocks to bud and graft upon. 



Make new plantations of stocks, to bud and graft the different 

 kinds of choice fruit upon. 



Many of those raised from seeds, &c. last year, will now be 

 ready for this purpose. 



Let these be planted out as soon in the month as the weather 

 will permit; in rows three or four feet asunder, and at least twelve 

 inches distance from one another in the row. They should be plant- 

 ed by line, either dibbling in the small plants, or the larger ones 

 trenched or holed in with the spade ; or you may cut out small 

 trenches by line, placing the plants therein at the above distance, 

 and turn the earth in upon their roots, treading it gently along. 



Solving Stones to raise Stocks for Grafting. 



Where plum, peach, apricot and cherry stones, &c. were ne- 

 glected, or could not in consequence of the weather be sown last 

 month, let it be done as early in this as possible, agreeably to the 

 rules laid down in page 144, which see. 



Sowing Kernels of Apples, Pears and Quinces, for Stocks. 



If the sowing of these were neglected, or impracticable last 

 month, let it be done as early in this as possible, sowing them tole- 

 rably thick in beds, and covering them with light dry earth, a little 

 better than half an inch deep. These will be fit to plant out in nur- 

 sery rows next season : but they would succeed much better, if 

 sown in October or November, if not carefully preserved in sand 

 or earth, or unless they are at the time of sowing, taken fresh out 

 of the fruit. See page 149. 



