NURSERY AND PLANTING. 



89 



for one year in rich earth, will generally make fitter plants for 

 planting out than when they are allowed to stand for two or 

 three years in the nursery-lines. Two-year seedlings, care- 

 fully lifted from the seed-bed, so as to preserve their roots 

 entire, and when one year nursed in rich mellow earth, will 

 also make excellent plants for hedges. Indeed, plants of these 

 ages, so treated, will outgrow those of greater size in any soil 

 or situation whatever. The obvious cause is, that small 

 plants, even by the same treatment, are raised with better roots 

 in proportion to their stems than larger plants. In the choos- 

 ing of quicksets, respect should therefore be had to the roots 

 more than to the tops of the plants. 



" But there is a double advantage in using young plants as 

 above recommended. If they are to be bought, they will cost 

 less money than older ones. If they be reared in a private 

 nursery, less time is required, as well as less labour to pro- 

 duce them. Further, they are better fitted for very exposed 

 situations than such as are older ; not because their tops arc 

 less bushy, which, since these are to be cut off, is immaterial, 

 but because they have better roots and more fibres in pro- 

 portion to the stems, and of course are better fitted . to seek 

 pasturage for their sustenance, and to take a firm hold of the 

 soil." 



Previously to planting quicksets or thorns, it is necessary 

 to shorten them considerably, and this is done by taking them 

 up in small handfuls ; and having laid them straight, the tops, 

 to within about six inches of the part of the plants that were 

 under ground, are cut off with a sharp hatchet on a block of 

 wood. Some people shorten every plant individually with a 

 knife ; but if the other method be properly done, it will be 

 found far more expeditious aud equally complete. When the 

 plants are so shortened, only the tips of the long tap roots, 

 or such as are without young fibres, should be shortened, and 

 that only to a very limited extent. 



Holly. — {Ilex Aquifolium.) 



The holly is a native of Britain, and found growling in 

 woods and forests as underwood, and also on elevatcHl and 



» N 



