218 ELEMENTS OF STLVICULT DEE . 



place, it becomes indispensable to let the land lie 

 fallow, and to have it dug over several times during 

 this interval. In this way a third or fourth of the 

 whole area is allowed rest every year. 



When the nursery has been thus prepared and 

 the seeds have germinated (this takes place before 

 many days are over, if the seeds have been first 

 soaked in water or liquid manure) certain operations 

 become necessary for the well-being of the young 

 plants. These are watering, earthing up, weeding, 

 and hoeing. 



Watering must be sparingly resorted to, unless it 

 is effected with a forcing pump whose spout is 

 furnished with a rose. In that case the water 

 reaches the ground in fine drops, that soak in at 

 once. When ordinary garden pumps are used, the 

 water forms mud with the uppermost layer of the 

 ground, and thus a superficial crust, impermeable to 

 air, is created. Besides this, this watering must be 

 continued till the first shower of rain restores the 

 ground to its original condition, unless the crust is 

 in the mean while broken by light hoeing. Whether 

 ordinary garden pumps or forcing pumps are em- 

 ployed, the water ought to penetrate as far as the 

 roots to produce any useful effect. 



If it has been possible to establish the nursery in 

 the proximity, and a little below the level, of a 

 spring, the best plan is to irrigate. For that pur- 

 pose the footpaths which separate the beds ought to 

 be horizontal and slightly lower than the trenches. 

 Water is introduced into these footpaths and retained 

 there by means of little dams till the ground is well 



