STARTING A WHITE PINE PLANTATION. 37 



be carefully lifted, and the clinging earth gently shaken from the roots. 

 Great care should be used to prevent injury to the tender young rootlets. 



As the plants are removed from the nursery rows the roots should 

 be immersed in a "puddle" composed of rich earth and water, mixed 

 to the consistency of thin mud. If the trees are to be transported a 

 long distance, clear water should be used instead of the puddle, and 

 the trees carefully packed for shipment. 



When the trees are shipped some distance the} 7 should be tied in 

 bunches of 100 and the roots wrapped in moist sphagnum moss. 

 Rather small, well ventilated boxes should be used for shipping. Care 

 should be used to pack the trees firmly together in the box, so that 

 bruising will not take place. To prevent shaking it is frequently wise 

 to nail a 1- by 3-inch board, as long as the box is wide, in such a 

 manner that the plants are held firmly in place in the box. It is 

 important that transportation be rapid, and necessary that the roots 

 be kept moist, but not wet, for if kept too wet they will mold. If it 

 is desired to defer final planting after the trees are received, they 

 should, after puddling, be carefully heeled in, in a shady place. 



The method of planting will depend upon the condition of the 

 ground, the object of the forest, and the trees with which the white 

 pine is to be mixed. In general, plowing is impracticable in New 

 England and should not be attempted, though where the soil is free 

 from rocks, comparatively level, and in sod, single furrows m&y fre- 

 quently be plowed to advantage, each furrow being the line of a row 

 of trees. Planting the trees in these furrows at the desired distance 

 apart is then a simple matter. Each planter should carry a hoe and 

 a bucket containing seedlings, with a little water in it to keep the roots 

 constantly moist. In setting in furrows the roots should be spread 

 evenly over the furrow bottom, and the loose earth from the ridge 

 should be filled in with the hoe and pressed with the foot firmly against 

 the roots. 



When it is not practicable to plow furrows, an economical method 

 of procedure is to set up double rows of guide stakes down the sides 

 of the area to be planted, and also, if necessary to enable the planter 

 always to have two stakes in sight ahead of him, an additional row or 

 rows through the middle. By keeping in line with these and planting 

 at every two paces, if the usual 6-foot interval is that desired, the 

 trees will be set with sufficient accuracy. The diagram for working 

 is as follows: 



OXXOXXXXXXXXOXXXXXXXXO X X O 



oxxox o oo 



o o o o o 



00 O 00 



00 O 00 



In planting, either spade or mattock may be used; the latter, how- 

 ever, is usually preferred. Three or four strokes of the mattock (or 



