ESTABLISHING FORESTS BY PLANTING 411 



sandy soils not likely to be overrun by surface vegetation. Only 

 very small plants or those with a weak development of lateral 

 roots should be planted with the dibble. The ordinary dibbles 

 should never be used in setting transplants. 



Buttlar's planting iron is a German tool which has been ex- 

 tensively used in Europe (Fig. 118). It is made entirely of iron, 

 weighs about 7 pounds, and the pistol-grip handle is covered with 

 leather in order to make its operation easier on the hand. The 

 diameter is much greater than that of the ordi- 

 nary dibble, and its weight assists in forcing 

 it into the soil. It has been introduced into 

 the United States for demonstration purposes 

 but has not been used in field planting. It 

 is used abroad chiefly in close planting small 

 coniferous seedlings on well-prepared soil (Fig. 

 119). It permits of rapid work on such 

 soil, as 1 man can plant on the average 

 from 1200 to 1500 trees in a single day and 

 under exceptionally good conditions as many 

 as 1800. Under adverse conditions, as few as 

 500 plants are given by Heyer as a day's 

 work. 1 The method of conducting the planting 



operation is much the same as with the dibble. FlG> | 18 - Buttlar ' s 



JL . planting iron. 



The small plants are carried in the ordinary 



planting box, planting basket, or pail, with the roots protected. 

 The tool is forced into the soil at the desired point and with- 

 drawn. A plant is inserted to the desired depth, care being taken 

 that the roots extend vertically downward in the hole. The roots 

 are much easier to insert if they have been thoroughly puddled, 

 as this operation causes the small laterals to lie closer to the 

 tap root. 



On sites where the soil is compact, where roots or stones are 

 present, or where deeper and larger openings are required than 

 can be made satisfactorily with the dibble, the planting staff (Fig. 

 120) or the ordinary crowbar may be used to make the openings 

 and to close them after the plants are inserted. Two workmen 

 are employed, one to make and close the openings and the other 

 to insert the plants. Even when the soil is loose and open, the 



1 Heyer, Carl.: Der Waldbau oder die Forstproduktenzucht. 5. Aufi., 

 1 Bd., S. 346. Leipzig, 1906. 



