nurseries

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

1.The act of nursing. [Obs.] "Her kind nursery." --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2.The place where nursing is carried on; as: (a) The place, or apartment, in a house, appropriated to the care of children. (b) A place where young of any species, plant or animal, are nourished preparatory to transfer elsewhere; especially a place where young trees, shrubs, vines, etc., are propagated for the purpose of transplanting; a plantation of young trees. (c) The place where anything is fostered and growth promoted. "Fair Padua, nursery of arts." --Shak. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Christian families are the nurseries of the church on earth, as she is the nursery of the church in heaven. --J. M. Mason. [1913 Webster] (d) That which forms and educates; as, commerce is the nursery of seamen. [1913 Webster]

3.That which is nursed. [R.] --Milton. [1913 Webster]