Tree Planting by Machinery 49 



planter, are two basket-like affairs which hold the seedlings. 

 These baskets hold 300 trees of 24 to 36 inch stock and could easily 

 be arranged to hold more. A pole is attached on the right hand 

 side of the machine, on which an adjustable shoe is placed for 

 marking the next row. 



As the furrow is thrown open by the furrow plow the 

 seedling is placed in it by the planter, who holds the tree up- 

 right until the two rear wheels press the soil around it and 

 pack it tightly. Meanwhile the planter has another seedling 

 ready and the operation is continued. Owing to the fact that 

 there were many old weeds in the soil it was necessary that 

 two extra men follow the machine and straighten trees not pro- 

 perly set. Under ordinary conditions, however, two men are a 

 sufficient force to run the machine successfully. 



On April 19th, 1910, a test made with this machine gave 

 an average of 18 trees per minute for 10 hours, or 1,080 trees 

 per hour, and 10,800 trees for the day. Although the machine 

 planted as high as 35 trees per minute this speed was cut down 

 by the time taken to turn around at the end of the row and 

 to fill the baskets with trees. This operation required 3 to 4 

 minutes, and another half minute was required at the middle of 

 each row to change the trees to the right-hand basket from which 

 they could be more readily taken. 



The total cost for the day, allowing for four horses and two 

 men. was $8.00. Adding the cost of the two extra men who 

 straightened the trees and received $1.50 each, the total cost was 

 $11.00 per day, amounting to about one-tenth of a cent for each 

 tree planted. The cost of the machine is said to be about $100.00 

 but its sale price will probably be greater. 



The advantages of such a machine for sites similar to the 

 one described can readily be seen. Not only is there a large 

 reduction in the cost of planting but better results can be ob- 

 tained. Its success must no doubt be attributed to the two rear 

 wheels or rollers which pack the sub-surface soil and still leave 

 a loose mulch on the surface. By this operation the roots are 

 not only brought in close contact with the soil but a dust mulch is 

 formed which conserves the moisture. It is to be hoped that 

 this machine can be adapted for eucalypt planting and for coni- 

 fers. If adapted for conifers it would be necessary to provide 

 receptacles which would keep the roots of the seedlings moist. 



