234 



ox THE CORSICAN FIE. 



Fisj. 4. 



carried out in spring rather than in autumn. The distance 

 between the plants is usually 3, at most 3| feet, otherwise the 

 Corsican fir soon assumes a crooked growth. 



On limy loams and sands furrows may be ploughed, and one 

 or two-year old seedlings planted out in the usual method; over 

 lime it is best not to loosen the soil more than is reqviisite. 



When plantations are made with material that is three, four, 

 or more years old, pit planting, or planting with balls of eartli 

 around the roots, although more expensive, is then necessary. 



For the planting up of impoverished soils younger plants wnth 

 balls of earth around the roots may, wdth good results, very easily 

 and cheaply be transplanted from the nursery by means of 

 Heyer's cylindrical spade. This little instrument, if not already 

 in use in Scotland, is worthy of introduction.* The cylindrical 



spade (fig. 4), (Ger. "Hohlbohrcr"), is from 30 

 to 38 inches in height; the handle of wood is 

 fastened by iron bands to the wooden stalk, 

 the lower part is of iron. The lower diameter 

 of the cylindrical sheath varies from 1| to 5 

 inches, but 3 may be taken as the average; 

 the ujiper diameter is a few lines more, and 

 the height is usually equal to tlie diameter. 

 The stem of the young plant being allowed 

 to pass through the opening c a, so as to come 

 into the middle of the circle, the instrument 

 is forced into the soil up to d, where a small 

 iron plate prevents its further progress. One 

 side c c is sharpened, tlie other remaining 

 blunt, so that there is little danger of the 

 workman cutting his fingers in getting out 

 the ball of earth. The whole is turned by 

 means of the handle, and then drawn out, plant and earth re- 

 maining in the cylinder owing to friction. By placing the hand 

 across b d, inverting the instrument, and, if requisite, applying a 

 slight pressure from above with the thumb, the cylinder of earth 

 falls gently into the hand. The holes 'into which the plants are 

 to be brought are prepared with similar instruments of the same 

 dimensions, and are thus rather larger than the balls of earth; 

 but both having been slightly compressed during the operation, 

 the first shower of rain (after planting out) corrects this. On 

 inserting the balls the workman (or boy) presses them down 

 finnly with his thumbs, so as to facilitate their adhesion to the 

 surrounding soil. A lad or a woman can, with a circular spade 



* Extraneous matter, such as the above, may he found intruding its(df through- 

 out the report. The only apology that can he otiered by reporter is the desire to 

 introduce into Scotland instruments, practices, kc, which have in Germany 

 proved worthy of notice. 



