PLANTING : NOTCHING. 



217 



r. JVo/c/ri/if/. 



This method differs from planting with a peg in the shape 

 of the planting hole, which is that of a notch. The tools 

 ordinarily used are the planting hatchet (Fig. 67), the notching 

 spade (Fig. 68), and the ordinary spade. The hatchet is 

 inserted into the ground with one hand and pulled out again, 

 thus producing a notch, in which the plant is inserted ; the 



Fig. 70. Fig. 71. 



notch is closed by knocking the adjoining earth into it with 

 the thick end of the hatchet ; finally the soil is pressed down 

 with the feet. 



The notching spade is wedge-shaped, and after insertion 

 into the ground an enlarged notch (Fig. 69) may be produced 

 by swaying the spade to and fro. The tool requires two 

 persons, one making the notches, and the other inserting the 

 plants, filling in, and pressing down the earth with his feet. 

 The common spade can be used in the same way as the 

 notching spade, but a much better shape is that exhibited in 



