144: THE NURSERY. 



the stoutness of the stem as it advances in height; an-i 

 during the summer, the side shoots are kept of uniform 

 length and vigor by pinching. The lower side branches 

 are removed gradually every season as the tree becomes 

 strong enough to dispense with them. As it has been be- 

 fore remarked, the cutting back depends always on the 

 natural character of the subject stout, short-jointed, mod- 

 erate growing sorts, that naturally increase in height and 

 diameter of stem in proper proportions, will require no 

 cutting back. Yery few, however, have this habit. In 

 nearly all cases more or less shortening in, every spring, 

 is necessary until the stem has arrived at the requisite 

 height, and is well proportioned, decreasing gradually in 

 diameter from the base to the top. 



The Treatment of the Soil. During the whole period 

 the trees remain in the nursery, the ground about them 

 must be kept clean and finely pulverized on the surface 

 by repeated and continual stirring. Every spring, as soon 

 as the heavy rains are over, and the ground settled and 

 dry, the space between the rows should be ploughed, if 

 they are far enough apart to admit of it. A small one- 

 horse plough, such as is used for ploughing cornfields (see 

 implements), is suitable, but it should not be allowed to go 

 nearer the tree than six inches, nor so deep as to come in 

 contact with the roots. After ploughing, the cultivator 

 may be run through once each way between the rows, 

 every week or two, and this will leave very little hoeing to 

 be done. If the rows are so close as not to admit the 

 plough and cultivator, the forked spade must be used in 

 the spring to give the ground a thorough stirring, and the 

 hoe afterwards. If the ground be naturally adhesive, a 

 second or even a third ploughing or spading may be 

 necessary in the course of the summer ; for it must at all 

 times be kept in a loose, porous condition, or the roots will 

 be deprived of the benefits of the air and moisture. Stir- 



