132 THE NURSERY. 



the handle of a spade. One person will plant as many 

 in this way as four could "by opening trenches with 

 spades. But where the plants are dibbled in, the ground 

 must be in the best condition, perfectly dry and finely 

 pulverized. 



Treatment of StocJes after Planting. The principal 

 care which stocks require between the time they are 

 planted and the time they are budded, is to keep the 

 ground about them clean of weeds, and in a friable, 

 porous condition on the surface by frequent stirring. The 

 success of budding depends in a great measure on the 

 condition of the stocks. They must be in a thrifty, grow- 

 ing state, and this can only be obtained with good treat- 

 ment. Having now considered, in as much detail as 

 seems necessary, the propagation and transplanting of 

 stocks into the nursery rows, we proceed with 



SECTION 4. THE BUDDING, GRAFTING, AND MANAGEMENT OT 

 TREES IN THE NURSERY. 



The simplest and clearest method of treating this part 

 of the subject seems to be, that of considering separately 

 each year's operations in succession. 



THE FIRST YEAR. Strong yearling seedlings of the 

 apple, pear, cherry, and plum, say one fourth of an inch and 

 upwards in diameter, and well rooted layers of the quince, 

 paradise^ and Doucain, of the same size, planted in the 

 spring in a good soil, and kept under good clean culture 

 will, as a general thing, be in a fit state for budding in 

 July, August, or September following. The budding may 

 therefore be considered as the first season's work. The 

 details of this operation may be divided for consideration, 

 RS follows : 



1. Time for Budding. 2. Preparation of the Stocks. 



