

MASSACHUSETTS TREE PLANTER 13 



First. Dig up in the seed beds all the seedlings that are 

 to be planted, taking care not to bruise or break their root 

 systems. The seedlings should never be pulled up. 



Second. Have ready a tub or pail of water, thickened with 

 loam or clay. As fast as the seedlings are dug up, tie them 

 in bundles of 25 to 100 seedlings and dip the bundles into 

 the muddy water, in order that the roots of the seedlings 

 may become thoroughly coated with a film of mud. This is 

 known as " puddling" and will hinder the drying out of the 

 root system. 



Third. Prepare a narrow trench 6 to 12 inches deep, cut 

 down on a slant, and, just as soon as a bundle of seedlings 

 has been puddled, place it in this trench with the roots down 

 and cover it with earth, up nearly to the tops of the seed- 

 lings. When all the bundles have been " heeled in " in this 

 way, they can safely be left (for several weeks if desired) 

 until wanted for planting. 



Fourth. If the nursery is close to the land to be planted, 

 the bundles of seedlings can be taken from the trench as 

 wanted. But the planting site may be several miles distant 

 from the nursery. In this case the bundles of seedlings may 

 be wrapped in sphagnum moss, rolled up in wet burlap, or 

 packed in any way which will keep their roots moist, and 

 taken to the planting site, where they should again be " heeled 

 in" to be removed by the planter a few bundles at a time. 



Fifth. When taken out to be planted, each bundle should 

 be placed in a pail partly filled with mud and water, or in 

 a basket filled with wet sphagnum moss. From the pail 

 the seedlings may be taken one at a time and planted, thus 

 insuring that the roots shall be wet when finally placed in 

 the ground. 



The actual work of planting can be accomplished handily 

 by a crew of two men ; one making holes for the plants with 

 a few strokes of a mattock, and another who follows him 

 with the plants setting them out. Another good way is for 

 each man to plant seedlings in the holes he himself makes. 

 The planter should take care to place around the roots of 

 each seedling mineral soil comparatively free from leaves or 

 rubbish of any kind, and to firm the soil down well ; for no 



