142 



APPENDIX. 



September, taking adyantage of a heavy rain. I prefei 

 the early part of September ; in fact, I have planted 

 Hovey, Burr's New Pine Walker's Seedling, and 

 others, as late as the 21st oi October, and every plant 

 survived the winter without covering of any kind; 

 but I would not recommend planting later than Sep- 

 tember. 



iNText, a few words about ?72i^ZcM-.v and after-treatment. 

 Latterly I have seldom resorted t^. mulching. I have 

 a rake seven inches Avide with prongs eight inches long, 

 made of highly tempered steel. This is my mulcher. 

 AVith this instrument I work between the rows from 

 spring till fall ; and frequently when the plants are in 

 fruit. I know I shall be told that this is a dangerous 

 practice, and I admit that it is in inexperienced hands; 

 indeed, I Avould not trust another to use it among my 

 own plants, owing to the danger of injuring theii 

 fibres ; and yet I use it myself within an inch of the 

 crown. When, therefore, I cannot give the necessary 

 personal attention to my plants, I resort to the next 

 best mulcher, which is tan^ either spent or fresh. I 

 prefer the latter. The ground should first be well 

 stirred, and the tan applied not more than one inch 

 thick. If too much is applied it is apt to ferment and 

 kill the plants. Many fine beds have been destroyed 

 in this way. Where tan cannot be had, leaves from 

 the woods may be used. These make an ad^ iirable 



