Oct.] THE NURSERY. 533 



form the stool; each of these will throw out several shoots, and if 

 kept free from weeds for the ensuing season, they will provide for 

 themselves afterwards. 



The year old shoots being what are generally used for the various 

 purposes noticed, the whole produce must be cut down annually, 

 either in autumn or spring, to promote such growths. However, a 

 sufficiency may be suffered to grow for two or three years when 

 sets are wanted for an additional plantation. 



If the ground can be ploughed, it will be attended with less 

 trouble, and the rows may be planted three feet asunder: the dis- 

 tance of the sets from one another in each row, should be about two 

 feet and a half. 



I would advise to plant the cuttings with a dibble, in preference 

 to forcing them in, as by the latter method the bark would be in- 

 jured. 



This work may be done with equal propriety, and sometimes 

 with more success in the early part of spring. Cuttings may also 

 be planted at either season in the face of moist ditches, where they 

 will succeed extremely well. 



THE NURSERY. 



Trenching and Dressing the Ground. 



In the beginning of this month continue to trench and prepare 

 the several quarters in which you intend to plant stocks, to graft 

 and bud the several sorts of fruit upon, and also for the various 

 other planting and sowing that may be necessary. 



Carry dung into such parts of the nursery as it is wanted, and 

 spread it upon the surface of the ground around the stems of young 

 trees; this will contribute to the preservation of their roots from 

 frost, the rains will wash in the salts to the roots of the trees, and 

 in spring you may dig in the dung between the respective rows. 



Propagating Trees and Shrubs by Layers. 



Any time this month you may lay the various kinds of trees and 

 shrubs that you wish to propagate in that way; for the methods of 

 doing which, together with several useful observations, see page 

 288, &c. 



Towards the latter end of the month take off such layers of the 

 preceding year as are well rooted, trim their stems, and plant 

 them in nursery-rows, or elsewhere as may be necessary. 



This is the best season to lay elms, limes, maples, and most kinds 

 of hardy forest trees, and flowering-shrubs; for the moisture of the 

 ground during winter will prepare them for pushing out roots early 

 in the spring. 



