32 CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT 



they ought, two years previous to their being trans- 

 ferred to the orchard, to be retransplanted into 

 unmanured double dug ground, four feet every way 

 apart, in order that the feeding fibres may be 

 brought so near the stem, that they may be re- 

 moved with it into the orchard, instead of being, 

 as they generally are, left behind in the nursery, 

 Hence, in this second transplanting, as in the first, 

 the branches of the root should not be left too long, 

 but ought to be shortened in such a manner as to 

 induce them to form a regular globular root, suffi- 

 ciently small to be removed with their plants, yet 

 sufficiently large to give it firmness and vigour in 

 the plantation. It is reported, that the agricultural 

 society of Nova Scotia has found, by experience, 

 that apple trees, raised from seeds, if transplanted 

 from the seed bed, in time, (having the tap root 

 cut off,) may be rendered fit for grafting one or 

 two seasons earlier than if left in the place where 

 the seeds were sown. While in the nursery bed, 

 the young plants require to be frequently hoed; the 

 earth should be kept loose, and entirely free from 

 weeds ; and, in a very dry season, they should be 

 occasionally watered. When two years old, they 

 will be in a proper condition to receive the scions, 

 or buds, which are intended for them, as the ope- 

 ration is then more easy and certain than when the 

 stocks are older. 



ENGRAFTING. 



The art of engrafting has not, it is believed, been 

 traced to its origin. In a treatise, published by 

 Parkinson, in 1629, both grafting and inoculating 

 are mentioned, but the period when the practice 

 commenced has not been ascertained. The great 

 utility and advantage of the art is, however, uni- 

 versally understood. According to Mr. Yates, 

 (letter published in Forsyth's treatise,) the art was 



