436 



SEEDING AND PLANTING 



has been used chiefly in Europe in planting 2- and 3-year spruce 

 on poor soils. This method includes three more or less distinct 

 operations namely, the formation of the mound, setting the 

 plant, and covering the mound (Fig. 136). 



The soil for the formation of the mound is usually obtained 

 elsewhere. This culture soil should be rich loam or soil that has 

 been enriched by the addition of ashes, compost, or other fer- 



FIG. 136. ManteuffePs planting method. 

 a. Enriched or ordinary filling soil. b. Sod cover. 



tilizers. The amount required for the formation of the mound 

 depends upon the size of the plant. For very small plants 375 

 cubic inches of culture earth will suffice; for large plants four times 

 this amount may be necessary. The culture earth is distributed 

 some time before the trees are set. It is conveyed in buckets or 

 strong baskets, each of which holds the requisite amount for the 

 formation of one mound. It is deposited in regular, cone-shaped 

 heaps at the places where the trees are to be planted. In cases 

 where a growth of weeds, other vegetation, or excessive litter in- 

 terferes with the formation of the mounds, it should be cleared 

 away. In some instances ; the culture soil is obtained by scraping 

 the ordinary surface soil together into small heaps at regular 

 intervals. 



The workman in setting the plant opens the loose earth of the 

 mound with his hand and inserts the plant with the roots spread 

 out at the base of the mound, and fills in the soil so that the 

 mound retains its former symmetrical form. As soon as the tree 

 is planted, the mound is covered with sod, moss, or other litter. 

 When covered with sod, two crescent-shaped pieces of suitable size 

 are cut from the surface soil near the mound. When the mound 

 is large, more than two pieces may be necessary. One piece is in- 

 verted and placed on the north side of the mound; the remaining 



