PLANTING. 3 1 



could not have been attained without a well-organ- 

 ised system. 



In light alluvial soils, or in soil that has been 

 loosened, a little iron-sheathed wooden implement, 

 as in the margin, does 

 very well for small plants, 

 and can be used by women 

 and boys. This is inser- 

 ted in the soil, and worked 

 backwards and forwards 

 until the hole is large 

 enough to receive the plant, which being placed, and 

 held upright with one hand, the implement is again 

 inserted at a few inches' distance, and the soil thrown 

 forward around the roots. It is not necessary to 

 fill up this second hole, which forms a little water 

 reservoir. 



In provinces in which there are winter frosts, 

 it will rarely be necessary, and always dangerous, 

 to water plants from November to February in- 

 clusive a point first impressed upon me by Dr 

 Brandis, and amply confirmed by subsequent obser- 

 vation. Of course, care will be taken to conduct 

 planting operations only when the soil is suffi- 

 ciently moist to foster development, or when the 

 means of irrigation are immediately at hand. 



In planting in coarse grass-lands, it is a good 

 plan to make the hole three or four inches less than 



