18 STATE BOARD OF FORESTRY. 



second follows, each man having a box of plants and an ordinary trowel, 

 which he uses to scoop out the loosened soil, making a hole to receive 

 the plant, about the roots of which he packs soil closely. The third, 

 consisting of less than half the number of either of the others, keeps 

 the second squad supplied with plants. On tilled land the first squad 

 may be dispensed with. 



SPACING. 



The proper spacing of seedlings in a plantation is a matter of first 

 importance. Upon it depends the number of seedlings required per 

 acre, the length of time cultivation is necessary, the rate of growth of 

 the trees, and the character of the product. California planters, observ- 

 ing the small spindling trees in the interior of dense plantations and 

 the larger trees along the edges, have inclined to very wide spacing. 

 For different plantations the spacing has varied from 4 by 4 feet to 16 

 by 16 feet, and the opinion is. prevalent that spacing 8 by 8 feet is too 

 close. The very rapid growth of eucalypts soon closes up an open plan- 

 tation and seems to warrant wider spacing than is advisable with most 

 slower-growing trees. For best results, however, Eucalyptus planta- 

 tions should not be spaced closer than 6 by 6 feet, nor wider than 10 by 

 10 feet for any purpose. 



The wider spacing is allowable if firewood is the only product sought. 

 For ties, piles, poles, dimension stuff, or any material in which good 

 form is an indispensable quality, the plantations should be spaced not 

 wider than 8 by 8 feet. Sugar and lemon gums, which naturally grow 

 tall and spindling with scanty foliage, should be spaced 6 by 6 feet 

 preferably, and never more than 8 by 8 feet. A similar spacing is 

 recommended to correct the crooked-growing tendency of red gum. 



Uniformity of spacing should always be attempted. Sometimes the 

 topography of the planting area will render its attainment impossible, 

 or at least impracticable, in which case it should be approached. 



Level, tilled land can be marked to insure uniformity of spacing. On 

 untilled land uniformity may be approximated by keeping the men in 

 the mattock squad in line. Where extensive planting operations are 

 carried on one man may be detailed to set flags at stepped distances 

 apart, to guide the mattock men on the ends of the line. Those between 

 them will soon learn to keep an equal distance apart. 



CULTIVATION. 



Wherever the condition of the planting area lends itself readily to 

 cultivation, this treatment should be accorded the plantation at least 

 two or three times during each of the first two dry seasons after plant- 

 ing. Once a month is better. Plantations on untilled land will respond 

 sufficiently to hoeing to warrant its practice once, at least. 



