MANAGEMENT OF NURSERIES. 15 * 



ter as a stock than the Mazzard ; and the Morello stock, which 

 is still hardier, answers the purpose well where the others 

 fail, although the heart varieties, when budded into it, do not 

 take readily unless these stocks are in the most thrifty con- 

 dition. 



Dwarf apple-trees are obtained by budding the common 

 varieties on the Paradise or Doucin stock. The small Para- 

 dise apple, which grows but little larger than a currant-bush, 

 reduces the size of the apple-tree worked upon it so as not to 

 grow more than six or eight feet high, and to bear in two or 

 three years. The Doucin stock is larger, and forms an apple- 

 tree intermediate between the dwarf and the common stand- 

 ard. Both of these stocks are raised by layers or stools, and 

 are commonly imported from Europe by nurserymen. 



The French quince, which is employed as a stock for work- 

 ing such varieties of the pear as succeed well upon it to form 

 dwarfs, is obtained by stools, layers, and cuttings. When 

 cuttings are wanted they should be made in autumn, about 

 ten inches or a foot long, and either planted out the same 

 autumn or very early the following spring. They should, be 

 set in a compact soil, the earth closely pressed about them 

 the tips projecting an inch or two above the surface. They 

 often fail in some kinds of soils. If set out either in 

 autumn or spring they should be covered with an inch or two 

 of fine fresh manure. This protects them from the cold 

 through winter, and preserves the moisture of the ground in 

 hot weather. Many of them will take root and grow, and 

 should be taken up in the following autumn, and heeled in 

 and covered, ready for setting out in the nursery rows in 

 spring. 



Planting Seeds. Seeds are usually planted in thick seed- 

 beds for the first year especially those of the apple, pear, 

 plum, and cherry. The ground should be rich, mellow, and 

 in perfect condition. As a general rule, the depth should be 

 from three to five times the length of the seed heavy soils 

 requiring less depth than light ones. If there is much clay 

 the surface should receive a sprinkling about half an inch 

 thick of fine manure to prevent the formation of a crust. The 

 seedlings should not be so thick as to retard each other's 

 growth. The ground should be kept constantly mellowed 



