212 



ARTIFICIAL FOKMATION OF WOODS. 



.such as compost, turf ashes, etc., may be ^iven ; it is placed 

 arouiul the roots. After the operation lias heen completed, 

 the surface around the plant may be covered with turf, moss, 

 or stones to assist in the preservation of moisture ; care must 

 be taken that the stones do not press against the stem of the 

 plant. In dry localities the pit may be made somewhat 

 deeper and not altogether filled up, so as to collect water 

 round the plant. 



Of special use during the operation is a small one-hand hoe 

 (Fig. 58), which is used to break up the soil and to scrape it 

 together and on to the plant. 



With a view to facilitating the operation, the pit is some- 



J\ 



Fig. 58. 



Odl^- " ■--'-■^^ 



Fig. .')9. 



times given a vertical wall on one side against which the 

 plant is held (Fig. 59), while the soil is placed round the root 

 system ; it has this disadvantage, that the root system is 

 pushed somewhat to one side, or flattened out. 



The operation as above described requires two persons, best 

 a man and a boy ; the latter holds the plant, whilst the former 

 fills in the earth. To obviate the emi)loyment of a second 

 person, an arrangement, as indicated in Fig. 60, has been 

 recommended for use in planting out large plants. It consists 

 of an iron rod fixed in the ground near the planting pit and 

 bent at right angle over it. At its end it has a second springy 

 piece of iron, so that the stem of the plant can be puslicd 

 between tlic two, and llie plant held in a suitable position. 



