PLANTING. 



125 



When using any of these tools the planter holds a 

 bundle of plants in one hand and the tool in the other ; he 

 inserts the tool into the ground (Fig. 60, a), takes a plant 

 out of the bundle, holds it between two fingers, withdraws 

 the tool, inserts the plant into the hole, re-inserts the tool 

 in a slanting position (Fig. 60, i), and presses earth on 

 to the plant by pushing the peg towards it. The second 

 hole thus produced (Fig. 60, c), can 

 in its turn be filled up by insert- 

 ing the tool a third time, cfr by 

 pressing earth into it with the foot. 



In these plantings the root 

 should go down straight into the 

 hole, and not be doubled up. To 

 facilitate the operation of insertion, 

 and to protect the fine roots against 

 drying, they are frequently dipped 

 into soft mud as soon as they have 

 been lifted. 



The method is cheap and of 

 great despatch, especially if it is 

 not necessary to work the soil be- 

 forehand. It is specially adapted 

 for light sandy soil, less for stiff soil, 

 or for a locality which is likely to 



be overrun by weeds. The plants should not be more 

 than two years old, or else they will have developed too 

 long side roots. Seedling plants only should be thus 

 planted. 



Where deeper holes are required, or on stony soil, the 

 planting staff (Fig. 61) may be used. It is a much 

 heavier tool, weighing about 11 pounds, and two men, 



Fig. 61. 



