138 SYLVICULTURE IN THE TROPICS 



PT. II 



will easily cut through the root. There are several 

 species, however, which cannot bear this mutilation, 

 and these should either be transplanted into nursery 

 lines as soon as it can be done safely, or they should be 

 raised in baskets, or the seed-bed should be made with a 

 hard bottom which will arrest the lengthening of the 

 taproot. In places where termites abound the cutting 

 of the taproot may also be a risky operation, as white 

 ants at once attack the wounded portion ; in damp, hot 

 climates, which favour the development of fungi, which 

 penetrate into plants through any wounds they may 

 have received, the same remark applies. 



Nursery -lines are beds, within the nursery, into 

 which seedlings are transplanted from the seed-beds, in 

 order to allow them more growing room and to develop 

 a good tuft of roots, and also to accustom the seedlings 

 to transplanting by placing them first in a place where 

 they will still have constant supervision and care. In 

 many cases nursery -lines are dispensed with altogether, 

 but if the species are delicate it may be necessary 

 to have them. The transplanting into these lines is 

 usually done only once, but it may have to be done 

 twice or, rarely, three times. Transplants which are 

 first put into nursery -lines are usually stronger 

 than those which are put out direct into the 

 field ; on the other hand, the cost of production 

 is considerablv enhanced. 



When taking the seedlings from the seed- 

 beds, they may be conveniently lifted, if small, 

 with an ordinary garden-trowel (Fig. 34). They 

 should be taken up, if possible, with earth 

 round their roots. If taken up without earth 

 care should be taken not to forcibly remove 

 all particles of earth adhering to their roots, 

 as this removal may lead to the breaking of 

 fig. 34. tender root-fibres. The seedlings should also 

 not be moved before they are lignified, as other- 

 wise they are apt to wilt and die. 



Larger seedlings are usually lifted with some sort of 



