A SESSION AT ‘THE EBERSWALDE FOREST. ACADEMY. 207 
the incision formed by the planting-spade—holding it against 
one side, and seeing that the roots are arranged naturally. He 
then inserts his right hand into the notch and loosens the soil, 
which falls naturally round the roots. The operator now inserts 
the planting-spade into the ground a few inches back from the 
plant, and by first pulling the handle towards him, and then 
pushing it towards the plant, the soil round the roots is 
consolidated, and the slit is closed at the top. Professor 
Schwappach estimates the cost of planting an acre of Scots pine 
at from £2, 10s. to £7, according to the difficulties presented in 
the cultivation, etc. 
Pit-planting is also largely practised, especially if the ground 
to be regenerated presents difficulties in the way of quick 
cultivation. This is, however, not always the case. The size 
of the pits are about 14 foot square, and the distance between the 
pits and the rows 4 feet. The cultivation of the pits was effected 
either by the spade alone, or by the broad hoe followed by a 
special soil-mixing implement. The turf is stripped off and inverted 
round the sides of the pit. The soil is then carefully turned over 
and mixed. The special mixing implement was rather interest- 
ing. It contained a number of blade-shaped prongs, each prong 
or tooth consisting of two parts, the flat of the top part being at 
right angles to the flat of the lower part. The implement is 
forced gradually into the soil by means of the foot, the handle 
being held by both hands. It is’ then pushed slowly backwards 
and forwards until the soil is thoroughly mixed. Two plants, 
generally 2 years old, are then planted, one in each corner of 
the pit. 
In newly regenerated areas, if the grass is rank and threatens 
to overcome the young plants, the ground between the cultivated 
strips is mown with hooks in July. 
The cost of labour in the Eberswalde district runs from 2s. 6d. 
to 3s. for men, and 1s. 6d. for women, per day. 
TEMPORARY ForREST NURSERIES. 
In all large areas which are being regenerated, a temporary 
forest nursery is formed in order to provide a supply of plants 
to fill up the vacancies caused by failures among the young 
plants. The mortality is caused principally by frost, Prssodes 
notatus (stem), Melalontha vulgaris (roots), and Hysterium (young 
needles). 
