BUDDINti, (iUAFTING, ETC. 147 



diameter, ])ointe(l and shod with iron. Fig. 88 represents 

 one made of the liandle of a spade. Figul'e 89 shows a 

 dibble, such as is sold by the dealers in iinjilements. It 

 is made from a stick, witli a natural curve at one end, to 

 conveniently fit the hand, and is furnislied 

 at the other end with an iron point. One 

 l^erson Avill plant as many in this way 

 as four could by opening trendies witli 

 spades. But where the plants are dib- 

 bled in, the ground must be in the best 

 condition — perfectly dry, and finely pul- 

 verized. 



Treatment of /Storks after Plantinj.- 

 The principal care which stocks require ^^^^^ 

 between the time they are planted and koot- Fig. 89.^ 

 the time they are budded is to keep the ''''•'''^'- "''''''^'=- 

 groimd about them clear of M'eeds, and in a friable, 

 porous condition on the surface, by fi-equent stirring. A 

 good rule is to run the cultivator or horse-hoe through 

 them once a week. The success of budding depends, in a 

 great measure, on the condition of the stocks. They 

 must be in a thrifty, growing state, and this can only be 

 obtained with good treatment. Having now considered, 

 in as much detail as seems necessary, the j)ropagation and 

 transplanting of stocks into the nursery rows, we proceed 

 with 



Section 4. — The Budding, Grafting, and Manage- 

 ment OF Trees in the Nursery, 



The simplest and cleai-est method of treating this part 

 of the subject, seems to bo that of considering, separate- 

 ly, each year's operations in succession. 



The First Year. — Strong yearling seedlings of the 

 apple, pear^ cherry^ and plion, say one-fourth f>f an inch 

 and upwards in diameter, and well-rooted layers of the 



