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the better to break the force of any sudden tempest. All 

 these measures are to be taken at some convenient time 

 between November and April ; but in situations of particu- 

 lar exposure, it would be prudent, on account of the winds 

 at the vernal equinox, to postpone the trenching until that 

 trying season be past. 



In the month of April the whole surface must be well 

 dunged for a potatoe crop, if possible with fermented peat 

 compost, which is the best ; or, if that cannot be commanded, 

 with good farm-yard manure ; and this, with a crop of flax, 

 or barley, or early oats, and with one of hay immediately 

 following, will more than cover the entire expense of grubbing 

 up, trenching, and otherwise preparing the nursery. By the 

 end of the fourth year, the trees that were considered as the 

 handsomest, and were left with the largest sohd spaces round 

 them, and the longest roots, may now be removed, and 

 others in succession, as they are found to acquire the neces- 

 sary prerequisites. Should there be then regular transplant- 

 ing-work going forward, it will supersede the necessity of the 

 second thinning. 



But in any transplanting nursery judiciously formed, it is 

 not to the spade only that trees are to be indebted for complete 

 preparation. The axe and the hedge-bill must likewise do 

 their office ; and both are advantageously to be employed in 

 fashioning the tops to whatever shape or character may be 

 desirable. Most trees growing freely are disposed to assume 

 the conical form. To render them tall and spiral, so as that 

 distant objects may be shown between, or under their boughs, 

 it will be proper to cut away all the lowermost branches, or 

 such others as seem from their luxuriance to rival the lead- 

 ing stem, leaving one stout or main leader preeminent above 

 the rest. It will be advisable also, to displace the branches 

 of the sides in general, and suffer no more to remain than 

 are judged necessary to contain proper vessels in sufficient 

 number, in order to convey down the descending sap. In 



