LIFTIiNG PLANTS. 



185 



not work satisfactorily. The height of the spade is al)out 

 equal to the diameter. The ball is cylindrical, the object of 

 the conical shape of the spade being to facilitate its removal. 

 The instrument works expeditiously and cheaply ; extensive 

 areas have been planted with it. The seedlings are obtained 

 by broad-cast sowing. The instrument is also very useful in 

 lifting plants and planting them into blanks on areas which 



^^ 



Ficr. 47. 



Fisr. 49. 



had been previously sown, and where the plants have come 

 up irregularly. 



The hoe is also used for lifting young plants with balls ; it 

 is inserted from one side so as to get underneath the plant, 

 which is then lifted up. The operation requires skill, and 

 even then the method is of doubtful utility, as the balls are 

 likely to fall to pieces. The ordinary plantinri spade (Fig. 38, 

 p. KU) and the Trhlt spade (Fig. 32, p. 161) are used for the 



