Tools for Transplanting Conifers. 7 



hoe instead of in compact beds the trencher and planting board 

 may be used with equal advantage and efficiency. 



Threading Tobies. — The planting boards are filled with trees 

 at threading tables. These threading tables should have wind 

 shields and preferably sun shields. A small tent on a frame that 

 can be easily moved by two or three men makes a very desirable 

 shelter for the threading tables. 



In nurseries where the soil is likely to be too much packed by 

 the men walking over it when carrying the planting board to 

 and from the planting tables, 12-inch boards may be laid down 

 for them to walk upon. 



As soon as a small block is finished it should be raked over 

 with a long-toothed rake in order that the surface of the ground 

 be made as smooth as possible before water is applied. The rake 

 teeth should be 6 to 9 inches long and may be made of No. 10 

 steel wire. Teeth of this size are sufficiently strong and being 

 round and somewhat flexible do not injure the trees or pull them 

 out. 



At the end of each day's work the beds should be flooded or 

 sprinkled until they are thoroughly soaked. This insures the 

 closing of any openings that may have remained unclosed during 

 the process of planting, and brings the soil in close contact with 

 the roots. 



A six-man squad can work to best advantage with one man 

 trenching, two men planting, and three men threading. Until the 

 men become accustomed to the work the planters and sometimes 

 the trencher man exchange places with the threaders at the end 

 of every hour. Such a squad when transplanting seedlings of a 

 convenient size for handling, preferably 2 years old, can transplant 

 from 25 to 35 thousand trees per day of 8 hours. 



The use of the above tools reduced the cost of transplanting 

 at the Halsey Nursery approximately 50 per cent. A small trial 

 in 1910 by W. H. Schrader of the Monument Nursery, Monu- 

 ment, Colorado, resulted in a saving of 30 per cent over other 

 methods and he states that this year by the use of these tools he 

 expects to reduce the cost of transplanting to one half that of 

 former years. 



Other Implements and Methods. — Transplanting has been done 



