ARCUATION

ARCUATION, in Gardening, is the raising of trees bylayers. See TREE, NURSERY, etc. This, Switzer observes, is now the general method of raising such trees as can’t be raised from seed, or that bearno seed; as elm, abele, lime, alder, sallows, etc. SeeSeed, Pruning, etc.

The first thing here done, is to procure large strong mother-plants, which the author calls stools. These beingplanted in a trench, will throw out twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty plants apiece; which may be begun to lay about Michaelmas following; at which time, if the stools have been carefully managed, they will have shot five, six, or more main branches out of the root, and on every one of these,as many side or collateral branches.



These main branches are to be bent down to the ground, and when thus laid quite round the stool, and pegged fastdown, the small ones may be served in the same manner.

Thus the main branches are to be covered over, all except thetop; and the small, or side-branches, to be covered over two or three inches thick upon the joints. This done, theymay be trodden to make them take root the better. About the middle of September they may be opened;when it is probable they will have taken root: Otherwise, they may lie till next spring; then taking them up, plant them in the nursery. See NURSERY.

ARCUATION