528 THE ORCHARD. [Oct. 
Propagating Fruit-trees by Layers and Suckers. 
The young shoots of mulberries, figs, filberts, codlins, vines, &c. 
may now be laid in the earth, as directed in page 287, and they will 
be all well rooted by this time twelve months. 
Suckers maybe taken off* and planted from codlins, berberries, 
filberts, &c. digging them up with good roots to each, and planting 
the largest, at once, where they are to remain, and the rest into 
nursery-rows. 
Dressing the Strawberry Beds, and making new Plantations. 
The old beds of strawberries should some time in this month, 
have their winter dressing; in doing of which, they should be 
cleaned from weeds, and the vines or runners taken off close to the 
plants; then if there be room between the plants, by having been 
kept to distinct heads, or single bunches, which is certainly the most 
preferable method, loosen the earth to a moderate depth with a 
small spade or hoe, observing not to disturb the roots. And if the 
plants are in beds with alleys between, line out the alleys and let 
them be dug a moderate depth, breaking the earth very fine and 
spreading a sufficiency of it over the beds, between and round the 
roots of the plants, being careful not to bury their tops. A slight 
top dressing of well rotted dung, may, sometimes, be necessary. 
This dressing will prove very beneficial, and promote strength and 
a plentiful crop the ensuing season. 
When it was omitted last month, new plantations of strawberries 
may now be made, but the earlier in the month the better, that 
the plants may have time to establish new roots before winter. 
For full instructions on that head, see page 484. 
Preserving Stones and Kernels of Fruits. 
Preserve in damp earth or sand, the stones of the various kinds 
of fruit you intend to sow for stocks, &c. and let apple, pear, and 
quince kernels, be preserved in dry sand, till you wish to sow them. 
Observe not to place them in the way of mice, rats, or squirrels, 
which would immediately destroy them; and when sown, every 
precaution must be taken to preserve them from these animals. 
THE ORCHARD. 
Winter pears and apples should, generally, be gathered this 
month; some will be fit for pulling in the early part, others not be- 
fore the middle or latter end thereof. 
To know when the fruits have had their full growth, you should 
try several of them in different parts of the trees, by turning thero 
