PRACTICAL, FORESTRY. 



and boy to 'insert the plant. It is chiefly employed in bare 

 and hilly ground, and large tracts of ground in Scotland 

 have been very successfully operated upon in this way. 

 With the notch system there are advantages and disad- 

 vantages. In the first instance, we have reduced cost 

 expedition, and firm insertion ; whilst in the second small 

 plants only can be used, the soil remains unbroken, and the 

 root system presents an unnatural position. 



The plants used with the notch system should not exceed 

 9 in. in height. 



The Planting-iron. This tool has been found of great 

 value for inserting small forest trees in rocky ground, where 

 it would be almost impossible to do so in any other way. 

 It is 17 in. long, weighs 3 Ibs., and can be conveniently 

 used with one hand. 



Holding the " iron " slackly, the planter strikes it into the 

 ground with a force sutncient to drive the sharp, heart- 

 pointed blade in about 3 in. or 4 in. By pressing it down 

 and towards the planter, with a slight twist to the right, the 

 left corner of the turf is opened up, the plant being carefully 

 inserted with all the roots beneath the ground. The iron 

 is then withdrawn, and the loosened turf made firm by 

 tramping. 



Only a small plant should be inserted with the planting- 

 iron, and great care taken to insure the soil and turf being 

 firmly pressed around the stem of the young tree. 



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