THE FORMATION OF PLANTATIONS. 2heMi} 
the dead of winter is by some objected to, but I have failed to 
observe any bad effects result from this, and very often the 
weather is much more favourable at this period than any other 
time during autumn or spring. When dealing with wet land, 
where sufficient time has not elapsed after draining to permit of 
the stagnant water being properly removed from the surface, 
planting should be deferred till spring. The same plan should be 
adopted where no natural herbage is present on the ground, as in 
the case of exhausted peat bogs. 
13. Metruops oF PLANTING. 
Three distinct methods of planting may be enumerated, 
namely—putting, double notching with the spade, and single 
notching with the hand-iron. 
The pitting system should always be used in the case of 
deciduous trees, and of large-sized conifers. The pits or holes 
made for the reception of the trees should always be large enough 
to contain the roots of the plants when extended at full length. 
The earth removed from the pit is laid aside, and the surface turf 
placed in the bottom. This has the double advantage of placing 
next the roots of the planta better quality of soil than is generally 
to be found at any considerable distance from the surface, and 
also of effecting a considerable check on the growth of weeds till 
the plant has time to fix itself in the ground, and be in a position 
to smother all undergrowth. In putting in the trees, two persons 
are employed. One holds the plant in a vertical position in the 
centre of the pit, while the other shovels in the earth till all the 
roots are sufficiently covered. The earth is then subjected to a 
firm treading with the feet to secure the plant in its proper 
position, and the operation is completed. 
Notching is a much cheaper and more expeditious method of 
planting, but.can only be practised in the case of conifers. For 
double notching no better implement can be used than the 
common garden spade. To produce satisfactory results, the spade 
should be provided with a straight handle. Striking the spade 
smartly into the ground, the planter forms two cuts as nearly as 
possible at right angles to each other, thus L. Care should be 
taken to make the first cut as nearly perpendicular as possible, 
otherwise it will be impossible to place the plant in proper posi- 
tion. After having made the two cuts, the planter depresses the 
