PEAT LAND 127 



the surface covering and cut away any gorse after burning, 1 

 and then either notch in seedlings, or plant 3-year-old trees 

 with the planting spike. 



When thus planting a hillside, the best plan is to turn a 

 furrow horizontally across the slope, and then to plant in 

 the line of the furrow. This will help to catch any surfaced 

 water as it comes down the slope. And when planting 

 with the spike, it affords a supply of earth to fill in the 

 holes with. 



Wherever a "pan" exists near the surface, it must be 

 broken through. An ordinary crowbar will usually be the 

 best means of doing this. Though subsoiling with steam 

 tackle will do more efficient but more costly work. 



On -wet peat land, an excellent plan, after having cut 

 open drains as previously described, is to dig out large squares 

 of peat, and plant by means of the spike, or by notching, or 

 dibbling, etc., on the top of these squares. This is known as 

 " tumping ; " and it renders the surroundings of young 

 seedlings drier than would otherwise be the case. It is 

 always desirable to have mineral soil next to the roots of 

 the young trees, for, as already stated, very few trees will 

 grow in practically pure peat soils. 



If mineral soil exist near the surface, it can easily be 

 obtained, and the holes made with the planting spike may be 

 filled in with this soil. But otherwise, it will be advantageous 

 to cart some soil on to the area, and place 2 or 3 handfuls 

 into each small hole. It will also be very beneficial, on such 

 land, if a little basic slag or ground lime be previously mixed 

 up with such soil. 



On clay soils, if wet and very stiff, it is often advisable to 

 adopt " tumping." 2 Big, square, deep sods are cut out and 

 placed face downwards. This should be done in the autumn ; 



1 If slow-growing trees be planted, it will probably be necessary to 

 grub the gorse ; this, however, will be very expensive, and will add i an 

 acre or more to the cost, according to the quantity of gorse. 



2 This tumping on stiff land was largely practised a century ago, or 

 more, when planting apple trees on such land ; only, very large "tumps" 

 were made. 



