On Planting. 



By ALFRED J. EUKKOWS, Pi.uckley, Kent. 



{Continued from fcujc, 470.) 



Having iu a previous paper taken a general view of planting, it is 

 now proposed to enter more particularly into the various details of 

 the operation, premising that of all the forester's occupations this is 

 the one ^^'hicll requires the greatest care and the most assiduous 

 supervision. Izaak Walton's advice to followers of the piscatorial art 

 is equally applicable to the planter, who in dealing with his trees 

 should " handle them as though he loved them." Undue haste or 

 carelessness is certain to produce disappointment. 



To insure successful planting a good home nursery is indispensable ; 

 or at any rate there must be what has appropriately been called a 

 " second-hand nursery," into which has been transplanted a supply of 

 ;^ood nursery seedlings. In sending out orders the nurseryman him- 

 self selects what is really the planter's weather ; and when the journey 

 s a long one there is great risk of the goods arriving at a time when 

 ^hey cannot be immediately planted out. Add to this the risks of 

 ■^ong exposure, of overheating from close packing, the effects of frosts 

 and cold easterly winds, and the injury from being long bedded in, 

 and the chances of putting in really healthy plants are small indeed. 



Holing and trenching may be executed by contract, but raising, 

 pruning, and planting should be done by day work. Where the holes 

 are prepared and the plants have been undercut in situ the previous 

 autumn or spring, no spade will be required except for filling in the 

 soil, or for notching where the latter system is adopted. 



The planter's tools are simple, but they should all be of good 

 quality, and not too heavy. They consist oi — 



1. A small three-pronged fork for raising seedlings and other small 

 plants : this should be short in the handle, and light enough to be 

 used by one hand. 



2. A common three or four pronged fork of full size, and \\ ith a 

 crutched handle of average length, for opening out the plants for 

 removal. 



3. A good cutting and half worn-out spade for notching in the 

 smaller plants and filling in soil and compost. 



4. A diamond dibble, somewhat pointed at the end, and strong in 



