52 FORESTRY 



together. They are unable to assume a normal form until 

 after a lengthy period, during which time the development 

 of the plant is retarded. If the weather conditions be in the 

 least unfavourable after such planting, a great mortality ensues. 

 With this kind of notch planting there is a constant danger 

 of the roots being buried too deeply, as the depth is regulated 

 by the thickness of the sod. 



Occasionally, on very retentive soils, it is necessary to 

 resort to the following practice : In autumn a sod about 

 twelve to sixteen inches square is lifted and turned over on 

 to the ground close at hand ; in spring a small plant is in- 

 serted in the centre of the inverted sod. This plan enables 

 the plant to get twice the ordinary depth of organic matter 

 and a more friable soil to grow in. 



When it is found desirable to plant marshy land which 

 cannot well be drained, the soil may be raised into small 

 mounds, into which the young plants are placed. This method 

 is sometimes useful for the planting of Alder and Spruce. 



A further modification of this last system is to make 

 trenches, from which the earth is thrown up in flat-topped 

 beds where the plants may grow. This is, of course, an ex- 

 ceedingly expensive method, to be employed only in emergency. 



In all cases the mode of planting to be adopted must be 

 determined by circumstances, as, for instance, the size of 

 plants used, the condition of the soil, the amount of weed 

 growth, and the cost of the operation. But the broad aim 

 ought to be to secure to the young plant the most favourable 

 conditions for growth at the minimum of expenditure. In 

 other words, choice should fall upon the cheapest method 

 that will prove effective. But efficiency is of first import- 

 ance, and all the costs of formation must be reckoned upon 

 the ultimate, not merely the initial, outlay. 



Cultivation of the soil has many advantages, some of 

 which may be shortly stated. It enables the roots to assume 

 their natural position, the roots develop better, nourishing 

 matter in the soil is converted into a more available form, and 

 the physical condition of the soil is improved ; the young 



