its i 1
A R T O F G A R D EN IN G . P a r t IIT . B o o k II. T K A N S P L A N T IN G .
was in liopes they would, as he remarked that the roots increased in the pots. At last,
in the seventh month, for the first time, he saw at the extremity of his two half-leaves
buds appearing, as well foi-mcd as those proceeding from the base of the petiole of an
entire leaf. In June, 1840, these two cuttings had become beautiful and healthy plants,
which it was impossible to distinguish from others produced from entire leaves.’ (Ib id .)
Both leaves and parts of leaves have been found to root freely in powdered cliai-coal.
S e c t . III. Operations o f R e a rin g and C ulture.
2503. Operations o f re a rin g and c u ltiva tio n arc various; and some of tliose which ai-e of
the simplest kind, as stirring the soil, cutting, sawing, weeding, &c., have been already
considered as garden labours on the soil and on plants; we here, _ therefore, conhnc
ourselves to the more complex processes of sowing, planting, watering, transplanting,
pruning, thinning, training, and blanching.
S u b s e c t . l . S ow ing , P la n tin g , and W ate rin g .
2504. S ow ing is the first operation of rcaiing. Wlicre seeds are deposited singly, as
in rows of beans or large nuts, they are said to be planted ; where dropped in numbers
to«-ether, to be sown. The operation of sowing is cither performed in drills, patches, or
broad-cast. Drills are small excavations formed with the draw-hoc, generally in straight
lines parallel to each other, and, in depth and distance apart, varying according to the
size of the seeds and future plants. In these drills, the seeds arc strewed from the hand
of the operator, who, taking a small quantity in the palm of his hand and iingei-s,
regulates its emission by the thumb. Some seeds arc very tliinly sown, as the pea and
spinach; others thick, as the cress and small salading. For sowing by bedding-in, see
B e d d ing -in p la n tin g (2 5 2 4 .), and C u ffin g (2 3 0 7 .). _ , ■
2505. Patches are small circulai- excavations made with the trowel; in thesc,_ seeds
are cither sown or planted, thicker or thinner, and covered more or less, accordmg to
their natures. This is the mode adopted in sowing in pots, and gcneraliy in fiower-
I n broad-cast sowing the operator scatters the seed over a considerable breadth
of surface, previously prepared by digging, or otherwise minutely pulverised. The seed
is taken up in portions in the hand, and dispersed by a horizontal movement of the arm,
to the extent of a semicircle; opening the hand at the same time, and scattering the seeds
in the air, so that they may fall as equally as possible over tlie breadth taken in by the
sower at once, which is generally 6 ft.; that being the diameter of the circle m which
his hand moves through half the circumference. In sowing broad-cast on the surface
of beds, and in nan-ow strips or borders, the seeds arc dispersed between the thumb
and fingers by horizontal movements of the hand in segments of smaller circles.
2507. D r y weather is essentially requisite f o r sowing, and more especially for the operation
of covering in the seed; which in broad-cast sowing is done by treading or gently
rolling the surface, and then raking it ; and in drill-sowing, by treading in the larger
seeds, as peas, and covering with the rake; smaller seeds, sown in drills, are covered
with the same implement without treading. , n o •
2508. P la n tin g , as applied to seeds, or seed-like roots, as potatoes, bulbs, &c., is most
frequently performed in driUs, or in separate holes made with the dibber; in these, the
seed 01- bulb is dropped from the hand, and covered with or without treading, according
to its nature. Sometimes planting is performed in patches, as in pots or borders, in which
case the trowel is the chief implement used.
2509. Q u in cu nx is a mode of planting in rows, by which the plants in the one row are
always opposed to the blanks in the other; so that when a plot of ground is planted iii
this way, the plants appear in rows in four directions.
2510. P la n tin g , as applied to p la n ts alre ad y originated, consists, generally in inserting
them in the soil of the same depth, and in the same position as they were before removal,
but with various exceptions. The principal object is to preserve the fibrous roots
entire, to distribute them equally around the stem among the mould or finer soil, and to
preserve the plant upright. The plant should not be planted deeper than it stood in the
soil before removal, and commonly the same side should be kept towards the sun.
Planting should, as much as possible, be accompanied by abundant watering, in order to
consolidate the soil about the roots; where the soil is dry, or not a stiff clay, it may be
performed in the beginning of wet weather in gardens; and in forest-planting, on di-y
soils, in all open weather during autumn, winter, and spring.
2511. Waierm^ becomes requisite in gardens for various purposes; as aliment to plants
in a growing state, as support to newly transplanted plants, for keeping under^ insects,
and cleaning the leaves of vegetables. One general rale must be ever had in mind
during the employment of water in a gai-den; that is, never to water the top or leaves of
a plant when the sun shines. A moment’s reflection will convince any one that this
rale is agreeable to the laws of nature; for during rain the sun’s rays are intercepted by
a panoply of fog or clouds. All watering, therefore, sliould be carried on in the evening
or early in the morning, unless it be conlincd to watering the roots; in which case,
transplanted plants, and others in a growing state, may be watered at any time ; and if
they are shaded from the sun, tlicy may also be watered over thcir tops. Watering over
the tops is performed with the rose, or dispenser, attached to tlic spout of the watering-pot,
or by the syringe or engine. Watering the roots is best done with the rose; but in the
case of watering pots iu haste, and where the eaith is hardened, it is done with the naked
spout. The compartments of gardens arc sometimes watered by a leathern tube and
muzzle attached at pleasure to different [lipcs of supply ; but this depends on local circumstances,
and, in general, it may be observed that the great increase of labour occasioned
by watering compartments renders the practice very limited. In ncw-Iaid turf, or lawns
of a loose porous soil and too mossy surface, the watcr-barrel (fig . 506.) may be advantageously
used.
S u b s e c t . 2 . T ran sp lan ting .
2512. T ra n sp la n tin g is the next operation of rearing, and consists in removing pi-oiia-
gatcd plants, whether fi-om seeds, cuttings, or grafts, according to tlieir kinds, and other
circnmstances, to a situation prepared to receive them. The uses of transplanting ligneous
plants are chiefly to increase the number of fibrous roots, so as to prepare or fit
young subjects for successful removal from the places where they are originated to their
final destination; but in herbaceous vegetables it is pai-tly used to increase the proportion
of fibrous roots in plants, relatively to their ramose roots, by which it is found the
size and succnlcncy of thcir leaves, flowers, and frait are increased. Transplanting
involves three things: first, the preparation of the soil to which the plant is to be
removed; secondly, the removal of the plant; and, thirdly, the insertion in the prepared
soil.
2513. Th e p re p a ra tio n o fth e so il implies, in all cases, stirring, loosening, mixing, and
comminution ; and, in many cases, the addition of manure or compost, according to the
nature of the soil and plant to be inserted, and according as the same may be in the open
ground, or in pots or hothouses.
2514. T he removal o f the p la n t is generally effected by loosening the earth around it,
and then drawing it out of the soil with the hand ; in all cases avoiding as much as possible
breaking, or bruising, or otherwise injuring the roots. In the case of small seedling
plants, merely inserting the spade and raising the portion of earth in which they
gi-ow, will suffice; but in removing larger plants, it is necessary to dig a trench round,
or on one side of the plant. In some cases, the plant may be lifted with a ball or mass
of earth, containing all or great pai-t of its roots, by means of the trowel or tra nsp la nte r
(fig . 318.) ; and in others, as in the case of large slirubs or trees, it may be necessary
to cnt the roots at a certain distance from the plant, one year before removal, in order
to furnish them with young fibres, to enable them to support the change. Iu pots,
less care is necessary, as the roots and ball of earth containing them are, or may be’
preserved entire.
2515. In se rtin g the removed p la n t in the jjreparcd soil is performed by making an excavation
suitable to tbe size of the plant, with the dibber, trowel, or spade ; placing tbe
plant in it to tbe same depth as before its removal; then covering its roots with caith
firmly, but not harshly or indiscriminately, pressed to it ; and, lastly, adding water. There
are various modes of insertion, accordmg to the age and kind of plant, tools employed,
object in view, &e., of which the following are the principal species and varieties.
2516. O f spade p la n tin g there are a vai'iety of ditferent sorts, known by the names of
hole planting, trench planting, trenching-in planting, slit or crevice planting, holing-in
planting, drill planting, bedding-in planting, funw planting, &c. All these modes ai'o
almost pecuhar to nm'seiy-gardening.
2517. H o le p la n tin g is tho principal method practised in the final planting of all sorts
of trees and shrubs in the open ground ; and is perfonned by opening round holes for
the reception of each plant somewhat larger than its roots, and theu inserting the plant
according to the general principles of planting (2510.).
2518. Trench p la n tin g is practised in nurseries, in planting out seedlings of trees, and
plants in rows, also for box-edgings, small hedge-plants, asparagus, &c. It is pcrfomed
by opening a long nan-ow trench with a spade, making one side upright, placing the
plants against the upright side, and turning in the earth upon their roots.
2519. T rc n ch in g -in p la n tin g is practised in light pliable-working ground, for planting
young trees in nurseries, thorn-hedgcs, &o. It is porfoi-mod by digging a trcncb one
spit wide, by a line ; and planting from one end of tho trench towai'ds the other, as the
trench is being dug. Thus, tho line being set and tho plants ready, with yom' spade
begin at ono end, and standing sideways to tho line, throw out a spit or t-wo of earth,
'ivhich fonning a smal! aperture, another person being ready with the plauts, let him