SYLVICULTURE* 



Another cheap method, which may possibly answer well on 

 a somewhat stiffer or a peaty soil, is the hole-and-plug planting 

 with a C-conical spade, a man making the holes and lifting the 

 conical plug entire, and a boy inserting the plant at its proper 

 level with his left hand and replacing the plug with his right, 

 then carefully treading the plug down. 

 But this will also pancake the root-system, 

 though to a somewhat less extent than in 

 dibbling. 



2. Pitting consists in opening out square 

 or round holes at 4 ft. apart, or other 

 planting distance, the pit being opened 

 either with a pick and spade, or hoe-pick, 

 or mattock in very stiff, stony, or gravelly 

 ground, or with a C- or S-conical or a 

 cylindrical spade on any kind of land 

 (loam, peat, &c.) permitting of its use. 

 The pits are generally dug about 9 to 12 

 in. broad and deep, their cost, of course, 

 increasing with the size. But on suitable 

 soil the use of conical or cylindrical spades 

 is much quicker and cheaper, though not 

 making the soil so friable. And especial 

 advantage is gained by using a strong, 

 heavy (10 to 11 Ib.) steel S-conical spade 

 . 11), which breaks up the soil instead 

 as the C-conical and 

 cylindrical spades do, though these can be 

 used both for opening pits and lifting ball plants (Fig. 12), as 

 might often be done from temporary nurseries near the planting- 

 ground. The best size for conical spades is 6 in. in diameter 

 and 10 in. long, and they should be heavy (10 to 11 Ib.) 

 for a stiffish soil. In a dry climate it is best to open the 

 pits in autumn and plant in spring, as the soil gets improved 



S-conical Spade. 



ab. Long wooden handle. 



c. Iron shaft. 



d. S-shaped conical blade. 



e. The hole prepared on 

 spade being forced into 



froma n to t 6 Urned """^ f liftin S a solid P lu 



