March.] THE NURSERY. 291 



All kinds of seedlings should be transplanted in spring, the de- 

 ciduous earlier than the evergreens. 



October or November is the best time for the final transplant- 

 ing of all kinds of hardy deciduous trees, if the ground in which 

 they are to be planted is dry, and not subject to become too wet in 

 winter; but early spring planting does best in moist soils. 



Evergreens of every kind succeed best when planted in spring, 

 provided it be done to each respective kind immediately before its 

 vegetation commences. 



Watering is very useful when given in small quantities and fre- 

 quently: but the reverse when in large quantities, and but seldom. 



Every kind of tree, whether deciduous or evergreen, grows to a 

 larger size when finally planted out at the age of four years, having 

 remained one or two in the seed-bed, and two or three in the nur- 

 sery-rows, than at any other subsequent period. 



Walnuts, oaks, and every other tree that has a tendency to drive 

 down perpendicular or to tap roots, always grow to larger timber 

 when the seeds are sown where intended to remain, and never 

 transplanted. 



Propagation of Trees and Shrubs by Cuttings. 



Various trees and shrubs may be propagated by cuttings, and this 

 month, especially in the middle states, is a good time for planting 

 all the hardy deciduous and evergreen kinds that grow in that way, 

 observing to plant the former in the early part of the month, aud 

 the latter towards the end of it. 



When you intend to propagate trees for timber, or for a tall 

 stately growth, be very particular never to take the cuttings from 

 horizontal branches, for they will never have an inclination to grow 

 in a spreading manner; always make choice of perpendicular shoots, 

 and particularly those that terminate the branches; these will most 

 certainly produce the straightest and handsomest trees, and be little 

 inferior to those raised from seed; of this I have had ample expe- 

 rience, and found it uniformly to be the case. 



But when you intend the plants for hedges, wildernesses, or 

 thickets, the same precaution is not necessary; though in propa- 

 gating any kinds of erect growing shrubs for detached plants in 

 the pleasure-garden, I would recommend it, as they will be less 

 subject to spread and injure other herbaceous flowering plants 

 growing near them. 



Large shoots cut into lengths, are often used, and will do tole- 

 rably well, provided they are selected as above; but I would ever 

 prefer what gardeners term cock-shoots, or those retaining the ter- 

 minating buds. The soft and pithy sorts will succeed better with 

 having an inch or two of the former year's wood annexed to the 

 cuttings, but all the hard wooded kinds are much better without it. 



For this purpose dig one or more beds or shady borders, &c. 

 where the ground is somewhat mellow and not wet; let the earth 

 be well broken with the spade, and rake the surface smooth. 



Take ott' the cuttings with your knife from the trees or shrubs 



