296 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



large quantity, and sow them in the manner following : Draw drills hy » 

 line, in the same manner as is practiced for peas, with a hoe, and sow the 

 seeds therein so thick that they nearly touch each other, and leave the 

 space of twelve inches between row and row, and between every fifth row 

 a space of two feet for the alleys. While the seeds are in the ground, 

 great care must be taken to keep them free from vermin and weeds. 

 When the rows meet they require thinning ; this is accomplished by taking 

 away one row on each side of the middle one, which leaves the three rows 

 the same distance apart as the breadth of the alleys. In removing these 

 rows care must be taken not to injure the roots of the plants removed nor 

 those left on each side. The rest of the young plants may now be left in 

 rows two feet apart until the tops meet, then take up every other row, and 

 leave the rest in the rows four feet apart, until they reach the height of 5^ 

 feet, which is as large a size as is desirable to be planted. In taking up 

 trees of this size, 4ig a trench at each end of each row, two feet deep, 

 then undermine the trees, and let them fall into the trench with entire 

 roots. The future success of all trees depends upon their being well taken 

 up. After plants have been in the seed beds for one year, they should be 

 removed to the nursery, and planted in rows fourteen inches apart-, and 

 four feet in the rows, where they may remain two years, and then be 

 planted out. 



The next thing that requires attention is to drain the ground and prepare 

 it for the reception of the plants. This requires great care, as much de- 

 pends upon its being in a proper condition for this purpose. It is per- 

 formed by the spade, or plough, according to circumstances — I would infi- 

 nitely prefer the spade. All course plants on the land should be burned, 

 and their ashes blended with the soil, as they greatly promote the growth 

 of plants. All steep situations, abounding in rocks and stones, will neces- 

 sarily have to be overcome with the spade, as the holes for the trees must 

 be made to the full depth of the soil, and for ro®ts occupying, when spread 

 out, nine inches, make holes eighteen inches in diameter ; and see that the 

 ground taken from the hole is well reduced and completely pulverized 

 before planting. To effect this object, it may be necessary to make them 

 several days before the trees are put in. After they are taken up, before 

 planting, cut off with a sharp knife the bruised extremities, if there are 

 any, and mix the trees as to variety in proper proportions, and distribute 

 them at the holes dug for their reception, in order that they may be ready 

 for the planters to set them before the gpongioles of the roots get dry. 

 The operation of planting may be most expeditiously performed by three 

 persons, — a man to do the work, a man to hold the tree, and a boy to 

 spread the roots for shape. In performing this important business, the 

 laborer stirs and levels the mould in the holes, and thus fits it for the 

 reception of the plant. The man then places the plant in the bole, and 

 the boy adjusts the fibers of its roots, about one inch deeper than they 

 were in the nursery, and the laborer fills in the loose mould while the tree 

 is kept in constant motion to mix the particles of soil intimately among 



