THE "CUTTING" GROUND 9 



and sometimes in themselves. For example, if a light was on the 

 slope the water would run off the lower end and the cuttings at the 

 higher end perish, and so on. Learners should lay to heart the real 

 greatness of small things, for this lesson is of the utmost value and 

 will stand in good stead to those who realize and appreciate it. 



THE " OPEN " CUTTING GROUND 



Though it is usual in large nurseries to work this portion of the 

 cutting ground with a different staff, yet it is a great convenience 

 for both to be contiguous. A sheltered position and enclosing 

 hedges are as helpful in the one as in the other ; but with the " open " 

 portion the sections might be considerably larger and the hedges 

 higher. But the soil should be just as thoroughly cleaned and tilled, 

 and it should partake of a sandy character, even if a dressing of sand 

 has to be dug in. There are very few cuttings that do not get on all 

 the better with sand than without it. 



A south or south-west aspect should be chosen as being the more 

 favourable, for the objection to the direct rays of the sun does not 

 here apply, because in the first place we are not dealing with only 

 half-ripened and growing wood, but with that which is ripened, 

 dormant and in most instances free of foliage. Being inserted in 

 the autumn, the cuttings are not exposed, unrooted, to the fierce 

 summer sun, for before it has climbed very high up in the late 

 spring they are rooted and growing and well able to withstand the 

 ordinary summer. A southern aspect is more likely to encourage 

 the early emission of roots and a strong growth, so long as the shelter 

 hedges are able to efficiently ward off the coldness of the spring 

 east winds. 



SPADE WORK 



The whole of the work in this department is spade work, and 

 none but good spadesmen are entrusted with it. The tilth and cul- 

 tivation must be the best in the nursery, pulverized to the depth of 

 i foot and absolutely free from stones, for this soil has something 

 more to do than merely encourage the growth of root : it has to 

 produce them, to preside over their birth and to nourish them as 

 carefully as a mother nourishes her babe. To this end the soil must 

 be what we older people call " kind," and it must be " warm." A 



