It is proper that cuttings, as being always inferior both in 
shape and size to others of the same species, which have been 
raised from seeds or kernels, should be excluded from all plan¬ 
tations qf consequence. There ought hardly to beany excep¬ 
tion to this rule, except pithy plants, such as the vine, all 
t-orts of willows, and the quince tree. 
The finest and best grown seeds ought to be selected, as the- 
elements of plants are of the highest consideration with respect 
to their future progress. These may be sown in the end of 
autumn, or in the beginning of spring. Those of a crab stock 
are preferable ; but such as are procured from a foreign coun¬ 
try, or a severer climate, are better still. * 
The secqnd winter following, the plants may be taken up, 
and after selecting the strongest, they may he transplanted in a 
nursery about three feet from each other, which has been pre¬ 
viously well dug. The ground must be ploughed up at least 
twice a year, be kept entirely free from weeds, and no manure 
is to be used. It will not do them any injury to raise between 
the rows those vegetables which draw principally their nou¬ 
rishment from the atmosphere, as French beans, onions, let¬ 
tuces, &c. but all such as strike deep roots ought to be re¬ 
jected. 
So far from its being a disadvantage, it is a favourable cir¬ 
cumstance, when at this time the young plants throw out from 
the root or foot one or more shoots. Unless the stem be very 
fine, one must take good care not to destroy those shoots, as it 
is commonly dpne. After selecting that which promises best, 
it may be substituted to the stem abovit the end of the second 
winter, which is then cut off. As it is perfectly smooth it 
•raises itself vertically, and becpmesmpre vigorous in one year 
than the stem would have done in many. This shoot is a fa¬ 
vourite of nature, but almost all the gardeners and nursery¬ 
men of this island consider it in all cases as an intruder, and 
make it a point to destroy it; about one-fourth of apple and 
pear trees admit of tills operation. There are several other 
species of trees subject to the same laws. As the sap de¬ 
cidedly takes a perpendicular direction, it will be easy in ge¬ 
neral to excite a rough or stunted young stem to put forth la¬ 
teral shoots; the only requisite being to bend it down. 
* The thorn, tiie wild pear, and some other trees, are propagated by se¬ 
parating the small roots, and covering them witli mould to about the thick¬ 
ness of an inch. Although these plants are inferior to others, there are in¬ 
stances in whjch they will sometimes be serviceable. 
CHAPTER 
