3 



buried, with the result that the planting would probably fail entirely. 

 Where the growth of grass is rather scant, with many bare spots, as 

 in the sand hills proper, the ground need not be given any previous 

 preparation whatever. In this event, the seedlings may be set out in 

 the open spots in the manner described below. If the grass cover is 

 heavy, and the sod quite dense and tough, as in the valleys, single 

 furrows should be run with a stirring or breaking plow at the distance 

 apart (usually from 4 to 6 feet) which it is desired to have the rows of 

 trees. On rather steep slopes it will be best to run the furrows on 



contour lines. 



SPACING. 



If only a small belt is planted, say from 1 to 4 acres, a spacing of 4 

 by 4 feet is recommended. In this case the furrows, if any are made, 

 should be 4 feet apart and the trees set 4 feet apart in the furrows. This 

 spacing will require 2,720 trees per acre. If a large plantation is 

 established, a spacing of 5 by 5 or 6 by 6 feet is recommended. This 

 will require either 1,740 or 1,210 trees per acre. There will naturally 

 be some loss, and the trees which die during the first year should be 

 replaced. 



By the close spacing recommended for a small grove the trees will 

 furnish both better protection for one another and more effective 

 shelter than if the spacing were wider. Where the plantation com- 

 prises several acres in one body, these advantages are secured, in part at 

 least, by the larger area. Then, too, the cost of planting will be con- 

 siderably less. 



THE PLANTING CREW. 



The planters may be organized in crews of three men each. Two 

 men with spades or grub hoes do the planting, working side by side 

 in adjacent furrows or rows, while the third man, supplied with a pail 

 partially filled with water, in which the plants are carried, walks between 

 the two planters and hands them the trees as they are needed. It will 

 be found advantageous for one of the planters to change with the car- 

 rier every half hour. Thus each man would plant one hour and carry 

 the trees one-half hour in each one and one-half hour period. If enough 

 men are not available, a boy can carry the trees. A three-man crew 

 should plant 3,000 trees per day. 



HOW TO PLANT. 



When all is in readiness for planting, the trees should be put in 

 bundles of 75 or 100 plants each. Wrap each bundle with wet moss, 

 if such material is at hand, and about the moss wrap a wet cloth of 

 some kind. Pieces of gunny sack will answer splendidly. These bun- 

 dles may then be put in boxes or tubs, covered with wet gunny sacks, 

 and taken to the field. The greatest care should be taken never to 

 expose the roots of the trees to the sun and wind. Even a very short 



