Jan.] THE NURSERY. 49 



In such of the southern states as have mild winters and early 

 vegetation, vines may now be pruned, as directed under the head 

 Vineyard in February, but with them, November would be a much 

 more eligible time for this work. In the middle states vou must 

 defer the pruning of vines to the last week or ten days in February, 

 not later, except in extremely severe weather, but on no account 

 later than the first week of March, for soon after that period the 

 sap begins to ascend, after which, were you to prune them, they 

 would bleed so copiously from where the wounds were inflicted, as 

 to greatly exhaust and injure them, and even totally to destroy some. 

 In the eastern states this work may be done between the first and 

 tenth of March, according as the spring may be early or late, ob- 

 serving that it is safer to prune too early than too late. 



Under the head Vineyard in March, you will find general instruc- 

 tions for the different methods of propagating and cultivating the 

 vine, both as espaliers, and in the field way; likewise concise de- 

 scriptions of the various kinds which have been generally cultivated, 

 either for table use or making wine; and also, observations on the 

 kinds most likely to succeed in the various parts of the Union. 



THE NURSERY. 



Though this is not a period in which much business can be 

 done in the Nursery, especially in the middle and eastern states, 

 it may be well to call attention to that eminently useful depart- 

 ment; in order that those who have not yet attempted it, may have 

 time to consider of its utility, and be determined, when the season 

 arrives in which it can be commenced. 



The many advantages which every lover of improvement and 

 planting may derive from having a nursery of his own, especially 

 in such a country as this, where public nurseries are so scarce 

 and frequently so remote, as to render it extremely inconvenient 

 to procure such trees as may be wanted; the expenses of transporta- 

 tion to a considerable distance: the length of time the trees have 

 to be out of ground, and the consequent uncertainty of their growth; 

 the hazard of procuring the intended or even good kinds — ex- 

 cept the proprietors are men of experience, knowledge, and inte- 

 grity — are strong inducements to the establishing small and con- 

 venient nurseries, in which the owners may raise such kinds of 

 fruit and forest trees, ornamental shrubs and other plants, as may 

 be pleasing and profitable to themselves, useful to posterity, and or- 

 namental to the country. 



The raising of thorn-quicks and other plants, suitable for making 

 live hedges, ought also to command attention; especially in such 

 parts of the Union as timber is getting scarce and dear in. The 

 planting and establishing of such hedges must ultimately be resort- 

 ed to, and the sooner it is commenced the better. 



G 



