CHAPTER XVI 



PLANTING-OUT 



WHEN the time comes for planting-out the seedlings 

 from the nurseries into the open fields, if they have not 

 been grown in baskets or poeterans, one of two methods is 

 generally followed. Many planters, especially in Sumatra, 

 use zinc cylinders about 5 inches in diameter, which they pass 

 over the top of the seedlings and press down into the soil, so as 

 to lift all the earth attached to the roots away with the young 

 plant. These are then conveyed to the open fields, and, the 

 cylinders being split at one side, it is a simple matter to slightly 

 open them and let the young plants, with the soil attached, 

 gently rest in the holes previously prepared. 



When it is intended to use what is called stumps for planting- 

 out, the seedlings are generally allowed to remain somewhat 

 longer in the nurseries. Six months is a convenient age, but, 

 on occasion, plants even two and a half years old are used for 

 stumps. This, of course, is too long a period for seedlings to 

 remain in a nursery and is not recommended. When a supply 

 of stumps is required the seedlings are simply pulled out by 

 hand from the soil of the nurseries. Poorly-developed plants, 

 and all with twisted roots, should always be rejected. To 

 make a stump, the upper part of the stem of the young plant 

 with all foliage is cut away, and the tap-root, if too long or 

 twisted at the end, is also cut short. 



It pays well to very carefully select plants from the nurseries 

 for planting-out. A rejection of 25 per cent, of young plants 

 which are poorly-grown or have twisted roots is quite a small 

 percentage in actual working. As a matter of fact it would 

 be profitable only to select 25 per cent, or 33 per cent, of the 

 very best seedlings and thus ensure fine, vigorous young plants, 

 which later would develop into splendid trees. This is better 

 than including the fair to middling seedlings in those selected 



88 



