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or sandy soils which cannot be cultivated for fear of blowing-, washing out, 

 etc., and rough rocky or steep land which it would be impossible to cul- 

 tivate, need certain differing treatment. 



The ease and speed with which planting may be done depends upon 

 the looseness of the soil. Where soil has been cultivated the operation 

 is a simple one and can be done with a common spade. The planting 

 hole can be made by driving in the spade and moving it backward and 

 forward, giving an opening as seen in Fig. 16a. If the soil is very 

 sandy and loose, the plant may need to be placed in position before the 

 spade is removed to prevent the filling up of the planting hole. In some 

 cases the soil may be worked about the roots with a planting peg, as 



Fig. 17 — Planting peg. 



Fig. 17, which can be made in a few minutes. Frequently the planter 

 discards the above tools and prefers to place the soil about the roots 

 with his hands, which method is probably as satisfactory as any. After 

 the roots have been covered it is very necessary to firm the soil, which 

 may best be done with the foot. The roots should always be firmly 

 covered. 



The plants should be transferred from the spot where they are 

 "heeled in" or packed to the planting hole by carrying in a pail. This 

 pail should contain muddy water the consistency of a batter and the 

 plants should have their roots submerged in this batter. Plants should 

 be immediately transferred from pail to planting hole and covered at 

 once. The roots of the plants should not be allowed to have the direct 

 rays of the sun for a moment. In no case should the plants be dropped 

 in advance of the planter. Openings or holes should not be made far 

 ahead of the planter, as it gives the soil an opportunity to dry out. 



A man and boy can do this work very well together, and two working 

 together will obtain the best results. One preparing the planting holes, 

 the other placing the plant and covering it. 



In light sandy soils which have a thin turf or covering of grass and 

 weeds, it is advisable to strike out very shaUo7v furrows with the plow 



