PLANTING. 81 



ing line. The latter is divided according to the planting 

 distance, each division point being marked in a suitable 

 way, either by a knot, or by drawing a coloured tape 

 through it. On the directing line the distance between 

 successive rows is marked in a similar manner. In the 

 case of square planting the marking is the same on both 

 lines, but different in triangle and line planting. In the 

 latter each division of the directing line is equal to the 

 distance between the rows ; in triangle planting, equal 

 to the planting distance multiplied by '866. 



The lines are of a suitable length, with a pin (or peg) 

 at each end ; they should be made of hemp and well 

 tarred, to protect them against moisture. On wet soil 

 a thin chain is preferable to a line, as the latter is liable 

 to alter its length. 



When a large area is to be planted, it is desirable to 

 subdivide it, in the first place, into squares or rectangles, 

 the sides of which correspond with the lengths of the 

 planting and directing lines (Fig. 40). After the 

 corners of the squares or rectangles have been fixed, 

 each plot is treated separately; the directing line 

 is stretched along two opposite sides of it (say a d and 

 b c\ and the directing spots marked either by the 

 insertion of a small peg, or by a small hole or two 

 directing lines may be used and left on opposite sides, 

 until the square, or rectangle, has been planted; then the 

 planting line is first stretched along a b, and successively 

 parallel to it until d c is reached, planting being done as 

 indicated by the marks on the planting line. 



It remains to note that, in the case of triangle planting 

 the planting line must be doubly divided, as the plants 

 in every two adjoining rows are shifted by half the 



VOL. II. G 



