CCT,] THE NURSERY. 523 



The cuttings or sets, should be about two feet long, made from 

 strong shoots of two or three years growth, and about two thirds of 

 each set, planted or drove into the earth, leaving the rest out to 

 form the stool ; each of these will throw out several shoots, and if 

 kept free from weeds, for the ensuing season, they will provide for 

 themselves afterwards. 



The year old shoots, being what are generally used for the va- 

 rious purposes noticed, the whole produce must be cut down 

 annually, either in autumn or spring, to promote such growths. 

 However, a sufficiency may be suffered to grow for two or three 

 years, when sets are wanted for an additional plantation. 



If the ground can be ploughed, it will be attended with less trou- 

 ble, and the rows may be planted three feet asunder: the distance 

 of the sets from one another, in each row, should be about two feet 

 and a half. 



I would advise to plant the cuttings with a dibble, in preference 

 to forcing them in, as by the latter method the bark would be 

 injured. 



This work may be done with equal propriety, and sometimes 

 with more success in the early part of spring. Cuttings may also be 

 planted, at either season, in the face of moist ditches, where they 

 succeed extremely well. 



THE NURSERY. 



Trenching and Dressing the Ground. 



IN the beginning of this month, continue to trench and prepare 

 the several quarters in which you intend to plant stocks, to graft 

 and bud the several sorts of fruit upon ; and also for the various 

 other planting and sowing that may be necessary. 



Carry dung into such parts of the Nursery as- it is wanted, and 

 spread it upon the surface of the ground round the stems of young 

 trees ; this will contribute to the preservation of their roots from 

 frost, the rains will wash in the salts to the roots of the trees, and in 

 spring, you may dig in the dung between the respective rows. 



Propagating Trees and Shrubs by Layers. 



Any time this month you may lay the various kinds of trees and 

 shrubs that you wish to propagate in that way ; for the methods 

 of doing which, together with several useful observations, see page, 

 2r9 &c. 



