OF FRUIT TREES. 31 



be absurd to suppose that the tender roots of young 

 seedlings are capable of drawing sufficient nutriment 

 from a rank, barren, and uncultivated soil, and those 

 that are barely supported, or nearly starved at first, 

 will never afterwards become vigorous, stately and 

 handsome, though surrounded by the richest mould. 

 Repealed experiments have proved that a strong and 

 vigorous plant, that has grown up quickly, and arriv- 

 ed at a considerable magnitude in a short time, never 

 fails to grow better after transplanting, than another 

 of the same size that is older and stinted in its growth. 

 Where the soil is poor and lean, trees in every stage 

 of growth, are observed to be languid, weak, and stint- 

 ed ; while those reared in a good mellow soil always 

 assume a free growth, and advance with strength and 

 vigour. It is evident, therefore, that the ground to 

 be occupied for a fruit nursery, requires to be made 

 rich and fertile. The soil should also be deep, well 

 pulverized, and cleared of all roots and weeds. The 

 seeds may be sown either in autumn or April, and in 

 one year after, the young plants may be taken up and 

 replanted in the nursery. It is important that the 

 situation be such as to admit of a free circulation of 

 air, and open to the sun, that the plants may be pre- 

 served in a healthy condition. Plants reared in a con- 

 fined and shaded situation in a large town, and re- 

 moved to an open exposure in the country, will long 

 continue in a debilitated condition ; like a puny city 

 invalid, their growth will be greatly impeded, and 

 many years will elapse before they attain to a state of 

 vigour, health, and hardihood. 



From the observations in the preceding pages, it is 

 obviously important, that the seed, to be planted in 

 nurseries, should be selected from fruit of a superiour 

 quality. John Kenrick, esquire, of Newton, Massa- 

 chusetts, has, however, adopted the following method. 

 Take the pumice from late made cider, separate the 



