Formation of Plantations 41 



pared with notch-planting, this system is, no doubt, more 

 expensive, but that the future benefits to the plants are 

 greatly enhanced is admitted by all practical arboricul- 

 turists. 



It is not, however, to be inferred that, though pitting 

 is preferable, notching is to be abandoned, for there are 

 many precipitous, rocky places where it would be the only 

 practice feasible, and plants so inserted have often suc- 

 ceeded admirably. 



The pits should in all cases be opened for some time 

 before planting indeed, in unfavourable soils and situa- 

 tions, it is a good practice to have such work performed in 

 autumn and the plants inserted the following spring. By 

 so doing, the earth that has been removed from the pits 

 will lie fully exposed to the mellowing influences of frost and 

 sunshine, so that when the time for replacing it comes round, 

 it will be in the best possible condition for applying to the 

 roots of the young trees. 



The pits in uncultivated lands should be made circular, 

 about 18 in. in diameter and fully 12 in. deep, and the sides 

 and bottom well loosened up with a pick. In loose or 

 recently cultivated soil the pits may be much smaller. Take 

 off the surface turf in halves, placing these on one side of 

 the pit, and the soil on the other, for ease and convenience 

 in planting. When the ground slopes quickly the soil 

 removed from the pits should, so as to facilitate quick re- 

 placing, be deposited on the higher side. 



Planting. This may be successfully carried out during 

 all open weather from about the end of September to the 

 beginning of April, but, generally speaking, autumn plant- 

 ing is to be recommended. There are several exceptions 

 however : such as when we have to deal with peat bog, 

 water-logged soil, exposed hillsides, or land by the sea-coast. 

 Where the newly-inserted plants have to cope with pro- 

 longed storms, such as we get on hillsides or by the sea, or 

 contend with very uncongenial soils, it is always a wise 

 policy to defer planting until spring, or just when the trees 

 are about to make a start to growth, as they, with their 

 freshness and vigour undiminished by the change from the 



