Periodical Literature. 467 



Split-planting, the most generally practiced, 



New the cheapest at the start, is recognized as 



Planting responsible for many failures, especially on 



Tool. compact soils. The premature dying of 



pine on abandoned farm and heath soils, 



while sowings persist, is explained by the unnatural position of 



the roots in this mode of planting. 



An example is cited by Splettstosser of a pine sowing made 

 twenty-five years ago, which for six years was repaired by split 

 planting. The pines originating from seed have now a height of 

 about twenty-six feet, a diameter at base of six inches, and tap- 

 roots of about eight feet in length. The planted pines are in the 

 average nine to ten feet lower, have a diameter of hardly two 

 inches, a taproot of little over one and a half feet and the root 

 development more or less in one plane, the result of the split- 

 planting. The fan-like form of the root system reduces the feed- 

 ing area, the side roots lying above the taproot robs it and im- 

 pedes its development, the trees are underfed, sickly, liable to in- 

 sect attacks, and lose in wind firmness. 



To overcome this trouble the author has constructed a new 

 planting tool, which makes the hole not by pressing the soil, but 

 by moving it: a cylindrical hollow borer with a turned-in re- 

 movable cutting edge (forming a slot with the other half) in two 

 halves with handles, one of iron, one of wood, working like a 

 pair of scissors, processes in the iron handle fitting into recesses 

 in the wooden handle which keep the cylinder closed, when re- 

 moving the earth. The tool is applied by a boring motion, and 

 is kept closed until the soil is to be emptied out. It is, of course, 

 not useful on gravelly or very stony soil. The diameter of the 

 cylinder is made from four to eight inches ; four or five inches 

 being found best for one and two year seedlings. 



On slightly grassy sand soil one experienced planter can make 

 180 holes per hour, which will occupy two women to set with 

 plants ; a crew of three under favorable conditions planting 1,400 

 trees, which, with us, would bring the cost to less than $3 per M. 

 Very satisfactory results, also with oak and beech, are recorded. 

 The tool in three sizes (10, 15 and 20 cm) may be had for $5 to $6 

 from Bach and Mahlow, Sophienstrasse 32, Berlin. 



An additional finesse, useful in connection with this tool, is 



