292 '^H^ NURSERY. [March. 
Weeding Seedling-Trees and Shrubs. 
Look over the seed-beds of young trees and shrubs: if weeds 
appear on them, let them be carefully picked out by hand in lime, 
before they mix their roots with those of the plants. 
Watering Seedling-Trees, Sfc. 
In dry warm weather it will be proper to refresh the seed-beds of 
small young trees and shnibs with water now and then: a little at 
each time will do; let this be done early in the morning. 
Digging vacant Ground, Sfc. 
All requisite digging and trenching of vacant quarters of ground 
in the nursery, designed for plantations of young trees, shrubs, &c. 
this spring, should now be completed, as soon as possible, in due 
time for the reception of the respective plants intended; which, in 
the deciduous kinds particularly, should be mostly or generally 
finished by the middle or latter end of this month: and the ever- 
greens soon after that time. See .^firil. 
Finish all digging between the rows of young trees, 8cc. in this 
month if possible; and also in all parts where planting is intended 
this spring, provided that the ground will work freely. 
Propagating Gooseberries and Currants. 
The only proper method of propagating gooseberries, and cur- 
rants, is by cuttings; suckers should never be resorted to, except 
in cases of necessity, for such, will always produce others, nume- 
rously from their roots, which carry off the nourishment that 
ought to go to the support of the fruit; and besides, they form such 
thickets as to smother, and deprive them of the benefit of a free 
circulating air. 
The proper cuttings for planting, are the shoots of the last sum- 
mer's production, of straight clean growth; they should be taken 
from healthy trees, and such as are remarkable, according to their 
kinds, for bearing the finest fruit: let each be shortened from about 
ten to twelve, or fifteen to eighteen inches long, according to its 
strength. 
Previous to planting, cut off every bud as close as possible to the 
shoot, except three, four, or five, near the top; which are to be left, 
to form the head of the plant. Some people imagine, that the buds 
on those parts inserted in the earth, grow into roots, which is by 
no means the case, nature never having designed them for such; 
the roots or fibres, always strike out through the clean and smooth 
bark, but generally, a little below a bud, and sometimes at the lower 
extremity of the cutting, from between the bark and the wood. In 
