6 



(6) In transplanting, great care should be taken not to allow the 

 roots of the seedlings to become dry, since even a short exposure to 

 sun or air will be fatal. They can best be carried roots downward 

 in a pail containing 4 or 5 inches of water. a 



FIELD PLANTING. 



(1) After the seedlings have remained in the transplant beds one or 

 two years they should be taken up and planted on permanent sites. 

 This process is termed field planting. 



(2) To properly choose a planting site the soil and moisture require- 

 ments of the species to be planted must be fairly well understood. 

 The native species should be planted on situations similar to, or adja- 

 cent to, those on which they are found growing naturally. If species 

 not native to the region are used, some knowledge of their silvical 

 characteristics is necessary to choose a situation to which they are 

 adapted. 



(3) Field planting should usually be done in the spring, just before 

 the growth begins. In regions like California, where there is a rainy 

 and a dry season, planting should be done during the rainy season, as 

 soon as the soil is sufficiently wet to furnish the necessary moisture. 



(4) In field planting the same care as in nursery transplanting should 

 be taken to prevent exposure of the seedlings. To protect the roots 

 from exposure, the seedlings should always be carried, root downward, 

 in a pail partly filled with water. 



(5) The method of planting depends upon the character of the soil. 

 The most satisfactory method is to plant the seedlings in holes dug 

 with a mattock. Usually two men can work together to the best 

 advantage, one going ahead and digging the holes, the other following 

 and setting the trees. a 



(6) To exclude air from the roots of newly planted trees, and to 

 bring the soil in close contact with them, the surrounding earth should 

 be firmly packed. It is absolutely necessary for success that this rule 

 be followed strictly. 



(7) Trees may be planted 4 by 4, 5 by 5, or 6 by 6 feet apart. In 

 most cases the latter spacing will be found best. The roughness of 

 planting sites will often prevent regular spacing, but effort should 

 be made to conform to a system. 



See Circular 61. 



o 



