FORMATION .OF PLANTATIONS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT. 179 
they reach the ground they should be laid in rows in a shallow 
trench, and the roots well covered with earth or turf. The planting 
of hardwoods should begin about the end of October or the begin- 
ning of November. They should be planted in pits about 15 inches 
square, or even larger, if a pit of that dimension does not allow the 
roots to be spread properly. These pits should be dug about two or 
three months previous to planting, as the action of the air improves 
the soil, and renders it better adapted for the formation and main- 
tenance of rootlets. In planting, care should be taken to spread the 
roots well out, to put the finest soil next them, and not to bury the 
plants too deep. When planted, the pruning-knife should be judi- 
ciously applied to contending leaders and disproportionate branches. 
Conifers of a large size should be pitted in the same way, and the 
smaller ones planted by the system of notching. Notching is 
accomplished by making two cuts with the spade in the form of the 
letter T. By retaining the spade in the last cut (which runs at 
right angles from the operator), and pressing the handle downwards, 
the notch is opened. When the plant is inserted, the notch is 
closed, and the plant firmed with the foot. When carefully done 
this proves a very successful mode of planting; while, on the other 
hand, many failures often can be attributed to no other cause than 
the careless execution of this simple operation. Some planters, by 
holding their spades in such a manner that the blade is not perpen- 
dicular when making the first cut (7.c., the one running in a direct 
line with themselves), make it in a slanting fashion, so that, when 
the plant is inserted, it hangs to the one side. In kicking the turf 
to set the plant back to the perpendicular, the heel of the boot 
sometimes comes in contact with the stem, causing an ugly wound. 
Others, again, close the notch without properly inserting all the 
roots, or close it in such an imperfect manner that drying winds 
find easy access. These are points that should be well attended to, 
as much of the success of the future plantation depends on whether 
it has been well or indifferently planted. Observing the rules laid 
down for our guidance as to the adaptation of plants to soil and 
situation, we may, on low-lying, stiff clay lands sufficiently drained, 
plant oak, Scots (or Wych) elm, plane-tree, Scots fir, and Pinus 
lavicio. A similar soil, moderately moist, will grow ash, poplar, 
spruce, alder, and birch. In such a situation the vegetation is apt 
to be rank and strong; therefore, the plants used should be, if 
moderately sheltered, of a large size, and may be planted at 5 feet 
apart ; hardwoods from 4 feet upwards, and conifers from 14 to 18 
VOL, XI., PART II. N 
