248 THE NURSERY. [March. 
pruning their heads and observing to place their roots, after first 
shortening any long stragglers, in a spreading manner in the earth, 
and then cover them up as before. 
It is necessary that each particular kind of grape should be 
planted in separate quarters, that they may all be gathered when 
ripe without injuring othersj for when planted in a mixed, confused 
way, the going through the different quarters to pull the fruit of a 
vine here and there is very inconvenient, and often the later ripen- 
ing intervening kinds are injured thereby. 
If your ground is intended to be cultivated, after planting, with 
the plough, you must leave sufficient head lands for the horses to 
turn in. 
In the course of this month, as soon after pruning as the ground 
is dry and in good condition for tillage, plough and harrow between 
the rows of your former plantations of vines, previously giving 
such quarters as need it a dressing of well rotted manure? and dig, 
or give a deep hoeing to such places as cannot be come at with the 
plough. 
THE NURSERY. 
Grafting. 
It is too difficult a task to state the precise time of grafting the 
various kinds of fruit and other trees, in the different climates and 
states of the Union; but as I cannot do this with precision, and 
must confine myself, in this article, to the periods most suitable for 
performing that operation in the middle states, where I am best 
acquainted with the seasons, I will give such hints as will lead to 
a perfect knowledge of the true periods for grafting in every country 
and every place. 
The best time for grafting, in the middle states, is generally 
from the twentieth of March to the tenth of April, a few dajs 
earlier or later, as vegetation may happen to be in an advanced or 
retarded state, which sometimes makes a difference of ten or twelve 
days. 
Grafting is always most successful when done at the period that 
the buds of your stocks are swelled, so as to be nearly ready to 
burst into leaf; this is the time in which the greatest success may 
be expected, and should be very particularly attended to; however, 
if done a few days before, or even when the stocks display several 
expanded leaves, there may be a tolerably good hit, provided the 
operation is judiciously performed. 
Your scions or grafts must be taken off about a month or three 
weeks before this crisis, or so soon as you are able to perceive 
the least disposition in their buds to swell; for, if not cut off in pro- 
