PIT-PLANTING. 47 



do not feel the change to the same extent that older 

 trees would do. They speedily recover, and, as a 

 rule, the losses are few. When planting deeper soils, 

 and when there is much herbage, as stated, pit- 

 planting must be adopted, and we will now describe 

 the process. Whether the plantation is to consist of 

 conifers only, or to be mixed with hard woods, is of 

 little consequence so far as digging the holes is 

 concerned. It will be necessary to determine whether 

 all the holes should be dug before planting com- 

 mences, or whether the two operations should proceed 

 together. If the land is light or fairly friable it may 

 be well to dig all the holes before planting ; but if 

 the soil is clay, or has been recently drained, we 

 recommend digging not more than half a day in 

 advance. If this is not done the soil taken out dries 

 hard, and it is impossible to find mould for covering 

 the roots without digging afresh, which adds to the 

 cost and delays the work. Again, if all the holes are 

 previously dug, all the hands must be engaged later 

 in planting, and this necessitates employing men who 

 are unfit for the work, which has been already referred 

 to. We therefore prefer carrying on the two opera- 

 tions together. 



The distance between the plants having been deter- 

 mined, say 3, 4, or 5 feet, a line is set out wherever it 

 is considered best to commence. There are several 

 ways of setting out the work, and they will depend 

 greatly upon the shape and area, uniformity of soil, 

 and so forth. Once, however, the base line has been 

 laid down, there will be no difficulty afterwards. A 

 line of light cord, say 100 yards long, should be 



