CHAPTER II 

 THE "CUTTING" GROUND 



BEFORE dealing with the propagating house we will take a look at 

 the cutting ground, that most essential feature on any nursery where 

 shrubs, conifers and other such things are propagated. For the 

 moment we will not refer to that larger portion set aside for autumn 

 cuttings of ripe wood such as briers, manetti, green privet, laurels, 

 etc., but to that more important part, covered with glass, reserved 

 for the reception of cuttings made from half-ripened wood in August. 

 The plot of ground selected for this purpose, be it large or small, 

 should enjoy a sheltered position, especially secured against strong 

 and cold winds. This shelter is necessary, and if such does not 

 exist it must be made, preferably by the planting of hedges, not only 

 all round but in departments. The best shrub we know for this 

 purpose is Thuja lobbi, which quickly makes a good screen, is ex- 

 ceedingly handsome in itself, evergreen, and free from large-spread- 

 ing roots such as hornbeam, holly or even privet. Kept topped at 

 the height of 6 feet and clipped in fairly close it makes a green wall 

 which is almost impervious to the wind . The aspect should be facing 

 north or north-west, so that the lights which may be used shall not 

 be subject more than is preventable to the direct rays of the sun, 

 for the nature of the class of cuttings to be struck there is such that 

 sunshine is the great destroyer if too direct and strong. 



PREPARATION OF THE SOIL 



The preparation of the ground, where such has to be made, 

 should be put in hand in good time so that it may be thoroughly 

 cleaned, without a single perennial weed to give after trouble. If 

 a crop of early potatoes could be taken from it as a step toward its 

 preparation so much the better, for this work cannot be too con- 

 scientiously done. There is nothing a much greater nuisance or a 

 worse disturber of the peace among cuttings than a stringy root of 

 speargrass, a thistle, a piece of dock or a stinging nettle, for they 

 cannot be removed without disturbing and upheaving a dozen 



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