I t2 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



was made with the draining of the land. This work was not 

 completed till the middle of May, but by the early days of April 

 it was in a sufficiently forward state to enable planting to be pro- 

 ceeded with. The German system of planting was followed, and 

 for that purpose a German spade called the Spiralborer was used. 



" The process was as follows : — Two small turfs were taken off 

 the surface, about 2 inches thick. Other two of equal thickness 

 were then taken out close by, and the four pieces all placed 

 together at one side of the hole. Another spading was then 

 taken out about 6 inches deep and placed at the other side of 

 the hole, which measured 8 inches deep by 6 inches in diameter. 

 The turf and soil were left lying on the surface for eight days to 

 dry, which removes the acid, and a quarter lb. of unburned ground 

 limestone was added to the soil at each hole, which was then 

 ready for the planters. Before planting, the roots of each tree 

 were dipped in a solution composed of i gallon of farm liquid 

 manure to 6 gallons of water, and in order to make the mixture 

 thick some clay was added. One of the turfs was then placed 

 at the bottom of the hole, and when the tree was put in special 

 precaution was taken against the burying of the roots too deeply. 

 On an average the roots were planted 3 inches from the surface. 

 After the hole was filled in with soil mixed with lime or slag, the 

 three remaining turfs were placed on the top and pressed lightly 

 round the plant. As the locality is high and exposed to north- 

 east winds, it was considered expedient to provide a little pro- 

 tection by placing a large turf at the side of each tree. The 

 advantage of this procedure was seen in August, when a careful 

 examination showed that very few deaths had taken place and 

 that very fine growths were formed. 



"The trees had also the benefit of heather protection. 

 The work of planting was carried out in the following 

 rotation: — i. Drainers; 2. hole-borers; 3. boys adding lime to 

 soil; 4. tree planters (women); 5. turf placers. When planting 

 was completed a minute inspection was made in order to 

 ascertain if any of the trees had got loosened by the strong 

 winds. 



" The work was finished towards the end of May. Altogether 

 472,000 trees were planted. These were equally divided between 

 Scots pine and Norway spruce. The distance between each 

 tree was about 3 ft. 9 ins. As will be seen from the following 



