MARCH.*! THE NURSERY. 265 



boxes must be removed into the shade. You must keep them very 

 free from weeds, as many of the seeds, will not grow till the second 

 year. When 'they are two years old transplant them into nursery 

 rows in moist light swampy ground. 



The Thuya occidcntalis, or American Arbor- Vitze, is propagated 

 by layers and cuttings, or by sowing the seed as directed for the 

 white cedar, with this difference, that it will not be necessary to 

 procure swampy earth for it, as it thrives best in upland. 



The Thuya oriental, or Chinese Arbor-Vitx, may be propagated 

 in like manner, as the occidentalis. 



All the above kinds, if raised by seeds, will require some protec- 

 tion during the two first years, from very rigorous frosts. 



Pines, and Firs. 



The Prnes, and Firs, though ranked under the same genus, 

 (Pinus), may be easily distinguished, from one another ; as the 

 leaves of the former, come out by two, three, or more, from the 

 same sheath ; and those of the latter, singly. In the cedar of 

 Lebanon, and Larch, they arise in bunches from the same bud, 

 spreading out every way. 



It is also to be remarked, that all the Pines have a tendency to 

 drive down tap-roots, and therefore, are more impatient of trans- 

 planting than the Firs, whose roots, generally take a lateral direc- 

 tion. The Larch, is the only deciduous plant of the whole family. 

 As all these kinds are not only very useful, but extremely orna- 

 mental, and as none of them, can be transplanted from the woods 

 with good success, I shall be the more minute in giving the true 

 methods of raising them ; so as to insure thereby, the growth and 

 prosperity of the plants. 



The Pinus Cedrus, or Cedar of Lebanon, is rather too tender for 

 those parts of the Union, where the winter frosts are very rigorous ; 

 but will succeed tolerably well, in warm exposures in the middle 

 states, if protected from its violence for a few years, and be gradu- 

 ally innured thereto. The seeds when procured, are always in the 

 cones, and are extremely difficult to be got out,; the method is ; 

 bore the cone through with a small gimlet direct in the center^ 

 entering it at the but-end and working out at top ; then drive in a 

 round iron or hard wooden pin and split the cone, after which, raise 

 the scales one after another with a knife, and carefully pick out 

 the seeds which are very tender. 



Having your seeds ready, sow them in a box of good fresh earth, 

 covering them near half an inch deep ; in the middle states, the 

 first week in April, will be the best time to do this ; but early in 

 March will be preferable, if you have a green-house or hot-beds, to 

 place the box therein ; give them a little sprinkling of water fre- 

 quently, just what will be sufficient to keep the earth moist, for 

 much, would rot or burst the seeds. When up, do not expose them 

 too much to the sun, at any time during the season nor keep them 

 in too confined a place ; and on the approach of winter remove 

 them into the green-house, or place them under the protection of 



i\i m 



