SYLVICULTURE 51 



the " notching " or " wedge " spade comes into operation. 

 Fig. 10 shows one of those spades made of wood shod with 

 iron. For most soils, however, the iron one, with only the 

 handle of wood, is much better. It is narrower, and being 

 also heavier, it pierces the soil more easily. Especially is it 

 useful for the quick and efficient planting of small plants 

 with tap-roots, as, for example, two -years -old 

 seedling Oaks. As may be seen from Fig. 10, 

 the blade of the tool is wedge-shaped. When 

 plunged into the ground the tool makes a notch 

 or nick (Fig. 1 1) ; by pressing to and fro the 

 worker widens and deepens this notch, and gives 

 it, upon the side further from him, a vertical face. 

 Against this another worker places one of the 

 plants which he carries, holding it at the proper 

 depth. The notcher then drops a little soil down 

 into the hole in order to satisfy himself that the 

 roots are hanging perpendicularly, and drives the 

 notching spade down again about two inches back 

 from the plant. While thus sunk in the ground 

 the spade is forced to close up the bottom of the 

 hole by the operator drawing the handle back 

 towards him, then by pressing it forward again he 

 completely closes the notch. 

 Children may be employed 

 for inserting the plants. 



It will be seen that this 

 operation differs from the 

 "notching" or "slit-plant- 

 ing " so commonly adopted 

 for conifers in Britain. Using 

 the common spade, two incisions are made into the soil either 

 in the form of an L or a T. The corners of the sod are 

 raised somewhat with the spade, the plant is slipped into the 

 opening, the flap of sod is allowed to fall back, and by 

 treading with the foot the operation is finished. Roots, 

 which are twisted into the slit, lie horizontally and huddled 



FIG. II 



FIG. 10 



