NURSERY AND PLANTING. 



85 



less. It ought, therefore, he says, to be instantly cut up into 

 plank, and laid to dry. 



The principal use to which this plant is applied, is in the 

 forming of fences, for which it is well adapted, and for this 

 purpose is yearly propagated in vast quantities by the nursery- 

 men. It is propagated from seeds which ripen in October, 

 and may, in most seasons, be collected from old hedges in any 

 quantity. As the seeds are collected, they should not be al- 

 lowed to remain in sacks, nor too many of them put together, 

 as they are extremely apt to ferment ; and if such a circum- 

 stance occurs, many of them will be spoiled. As they are 

 collected, they should be carried to the nursery, and spread 

 out in a convenient spot (which, from the process the seeds 

 undergo, is termed the rot-ground) not more than ten or twelve 

 inches thick, and mixed with any light dry sandy soil. While 

 in this situation, great care must be taken that they do noi 

 ferment too much, for fear of injuring their vegetative pro- 

 perties ; if at any time fermentation becomes too great, they 

 then should be turned over once or twice, which will suf- 

 ficiently counteract that tendency, as well as hasten the decay 

 of the pulpy matter with which the seeds are covered. In 

 this situation they should remain for one year at least, although 

 some nurserymen leave them for two. The intention of thus 

 placing them in such a situation is, that hawthorn, ash, moun- 

 tain-ash, and some other seeds, do not vegetate the first season 

 after being gathered ; and were they sown at that period, 

 would be one year at least in the ground without vegetating. 

 During that time they would be liable to be destroyed by 

 vermin, the ground would be occupied to no real advantage, 

 and an unnecessary expense would be incurred in weeding and 

 cleaning the ground. As some of these seeds commence vege- 

 tating about eighteen months after they are gathered, it is 

 iudged the best practice to sow them into beds at that time, 

 that is, the February or March following. In choosing ground 

 wherein to sow hawthorn-seeds, it should be light ; and if not 

 moderately rich, should be made so by the application of good 

 rotten manure. 



It is likely that the beds now formed will require to 

 remain so for three years, as it will not be before that period 



