31 



to the nursery shouM not be delayed. But this removal may 

 be dispensed vviih, by cutting oil tiie tap roots with a long spado 

 ground to a sharp edge, and thrust^ in a sloping direction, under 

 the plants in the rows, as deep as possible, so as to preserve 

 eight or ten inches of the tap root. This is sometimes practis- 

 ed in England ; and, it is presumed, will not materially check 

 the growth of the trees. For this operation, it is obvious that 

 the seed-beds must be a fine loam, frpe from stones or gravel. 



In whatever way the plantation shall be made, the ground 

 in which the acorns are sown should be in a state of perfect 

 tillagH3, and well cleaned by some tillage crop or crops, admit- 

 ting the plough and hoe, and where no weeds have been suffer- 

 ed to ripen their seeds ; which will save much labour in the 

 Cultivation of the young plants, especially in the first and second.. 

 yearvS. The deeper the ground is ploughed or dug for receiv- 

 ing the seed, whether in the nursery beds or in the field, the 

 better the trees will thrive ; especially by being more secure, 

 from the effects of drought. The acorns should be collected 

 from the most thrifty trees, sown in drills, or channels, about 

 two inches deep, and covered, with some pressure of the earth 

 upon them. If dropped in a seed bed, the acorns should be dis«- 

 tant not more than an inch and a half, or two inches, in the 

 drill. But if planted in the field where it is intended the trees^ 

 should grow without any removal, it may be an eligible way 

 (after the ground has been brought into a fine tilth, and harrow- 

 ed smooth) to mark it out by cross furrows, distant four feet 

 from each other, and to plant four or five, or more, acorns at 

 the intersections of the furrows. The plantation may then be 

 cultivated with as much ease as a field of Indian corn. And 

 such cultivation is essential, for preserving tho oakiiugs fron^ 

 being smothered by weeds, and for encouraging their growth. 

 Every farmer knows the effect of tillage or>' young apple or- 

 chards. Nuts for a plantation of hickory (walnut) may be 

 planted in the same manner as acorns : and both must be col- 

 lected in autumn, and then planted, or preserved in dvy santi 

 until the succeeding spring. After two years growth, all but 

 one, and that the best, of the. yoT^ng tr^^es should be removed 

 from each spot,. 



