182 SYLVICULTURE IN THE TROPICS n . n 



kept vertical, and that the young plant suffers from 

 the outset from this defect. It is a method which 

 can only be used where the soil is sufficiently cohesive 

 to permit of the opening being made without crumb- 

 ling in. 



Transplants with a better developed root -system 

 are usually planted in holes prepared as indicated in 

 the last chapter. The width and depth of these holes 

 will depend on the size of the transplants and on the 

 soil of the area to be planted, and also on whether the 

 plants are to be put in at a deeper or higher level than 

 the surrounding soil. 



The actual method of putting in the plants has 

 already been described in the chapter on Nurseries ; 



Fig. 67. 



but it is desirable to repeat the injunction of keeping 

 the taproot vertical, of well shaking in the earth so 

 that complete contact may be obtained and no cavity 

 remains after putting in the earth, and of pressing the 

 earth well home after it has been put in. The root- 

 collum, at the end of the operation, should be level with 

 the surrounding earth in the hole. 



The holes are usually filled level with the surface 

 of the soil of the field ; but in dry localities it may 

 be desirable to dig the pits deeper and to let the soil 

 level in the hole be somewhat below the surface of the 

 soil of the field. In wet localities, on the other hand, 

 the level may be raised by making a mound over the 

 hole in order to give the young plants a start in not 

 too damp a medium. In places where there are torrential 

 rains or a very strong sun it is not a bad thing to 

 revet the sides of the mounds with protecting sods of 



