192 AMERICAN GARDENER. 



295. It was observed before, that the grounu 

 is always to be kept clear of weeds. From the 

 spring to the infrequent hoeing all the ground 

 over, not only to keep away weeds but to keep 

 the ground moist in hot and dry weather, taking 

 care never to hoe but when the ground is dry at 

 p.ot. This hoeing should not go deeper than four 

 or five inches ; for there is a great difference be- 

 tween trees and herbaceous plants as to the renewal 

 of their roots respectively. Cut off the lateral 

 roots of a cabbage, or a turnip, of a wheat or a rye 

 or an Indian-corn plant, and new roots, from the 

 parts that remain, come out in 12 hours, and the 

 operation, by multiplying the mouths of the feed- 

 ers of the plant, gives it additional force. But, the 

 roots of a tree consist of wood, more or less hard: 

 they do not quickly renew themselves: they are 

 of a permanent nature: and they must not be 

 much mutilated during the time that the sap is in 

 the flow. 



296. Therefore, the ploughing between trees 

 or the digging between trees ought to take 

 place only in the fall, which gives time for a 

 renewal, or new supply, of roots before the sap 

 be again in motion. For this reason, if crops 

 be grown under trees in orchards, they should be 

 of wheat, rye, winter-barley, or of something 

 that does not demand a ploughing of the ground 

 in the spring. In the garden, dig the ground well 

 and clean, with a fork, late in November. Go 

 close to the stems of the trees; but do not bruize 

 the large roots. Clean and clear all well close 

 round the stem. Make the ground smooth just 

 there. Ascertain whether there be insects there 

 of any sort. And, if there be, take care to de~ 



