70 THE AMES FORESTER 



a threading table are more than enough to form a well bal- 

 anced crew. There is always a little time intervening between 

 boards so that in using 2-0 stock of good quality, three men 

 at two tables, the odd man alternating between tables, will 

 be the most economical crew. The small 1-0 stock requires 

 two men at each threading table to keep the tampers busy. 

 The soil on the newly made beds is raked down at the close 

 of each day and flooded to firm it about the roots and thus 

 eliminate air pockets and the consequent drying of the roots 

 arid loss of plants. Previous to transplanting the soil should 

 be wetted down so that the trencher leaves the trench in good 

 condition for the plants. Trench slits must be left perpendicu- 

 lar since small "cave-ins" of dry soil will keep plants from 

 being properly transplanted. 



Transplants as a rule, depending upon the nature and the 

 texture of the soil, require an application of water at least 

 every ten days during the early part of the growing season. 

 Light sprinklings while beneficial do not fill the needs, a 

 thorough soaking and even at times a flooded condition seems 

 to bring the best results. Cultivating aside from hand weed- 

 ing should be avoided as much as possible. Mechanical culti- 

 vation, unless accomplished in a very conservative and care- 

 ful manner results in great destruction of young trees. Trans- 

 plants must be spaced as closely as is compatible with grow- 

 ing conditions. Mechanical cultivation is very apt to sever 

 lateral roots which results in dead, weak or spindling plants 

 that have to be culled before being planted in the field. Trans- 

 plants, while not so exacting as seedlings in regard to soil 

 and moisture conditions must have for the very best results 

 a soil that is rich and well drained. Every effort should be 

 put forth to bring the soil up to the condition necessary for 

 seedlings. 



FIELD PLANTING 



The stock is dug with a spade and placed in the packing 

 box with the roots to the center. A small amount of soil is 

 left on the roots which are securely packed in sphagnum 

 moss. When the packing boxes are filled, they are placed in 

 a cool, damp situation to await their immediate distribution 

 to the field. The cost of digging and packing transplants and 



