Jan.] the NURSERY. 49 
In such of the southern states as have mild winters and early 
vegetation, vines may now be pruned, as directed under the head 
Viyieyard in February, but with them, November would be a much 
more eligible time for this work. In the middle states you must 
defer the pruning of vines to the last week or ten days in February, 
not later, except in extremely severe weather, but on no account 
later than the first week of March, for soon after that period the 
sap begins to ascend, after which, were you to prune them, they 
would bleed so copiously from where the wounds were inflicted, as 
to greatly exhaust and injure them, and even totally to destroy some. 
In the eastern states this work may be done between the first and 
tenth of March, according as the spring may be early or late, ob- 
serving that it is safer to prune too early than too late. 
Under the head Vineyardin March, you will find general instruc- 
tions for the different methods of propagating and cultivating the 
vi7%e, both as espaliers, and in the field way; likewise concise de- 
scriptions of the various kinds which have been generally cultivated, 
either for table use or making wine; and also, observations on the 
kinds most likely to succeed in the various parts of the Union. 
THE NURSERY. 
Though this is not a period in which much business can be 
done in the Nursery, especially in the middle and eastern states, 
it may be well to call attention to that eminently useful depart- 
ment; in order that those who have not yet attempted it, may have 
time to consider of its utility, and be determined, when the season 
arrives in which it can be commenced. 
The many advantages which every lover of improvement and 
planting may derive from having a nursery of his own, especially 
in such a country as this, where public nurseries are so scarce 
and frequently so remote, as to render it extremely inconvenient 
to procure such trees as may be wanted; the expenses of transporta- 
tion to a considerable distance: the length of time the trees have 
to be out of ground, and the consequent uncertainty of their growth; 
the hazard of procuring the intended or even good kinds — ex- 
cept the proprietors are men of experience, knowledge, and inte- 
grity — are strong inducements to the establishing small and con- 
venient nurseries, in which the owners may raise such kinds of 
fruit and forest trees, ornamental shrubs and other plants, as may 
be pleasing and profitable to themselves, useful to posterity, and or- 
namental to the country. 
The raising of thorn-quicks and other plants, suitable for making 
live hedges, ought also to command attention; especially in such 
parts of the Union as timber is getting scarce and dear in. The 
planting and establishing of such hedges must ultimately be resort- 
ed to, and the sooner it is commenced the better. 
G 
