PLANTING FOREST TREES. 91 



mer or fall 2:)recediiig the planting season, as soon as the 

 frost is out of the ground, and the latter warmed to 

 some extent, the seedlings are taken from the seed-bed 

 by a spade ; the earth and the plants carefully separated 

 with the fingers so as not to injure the roots and fibres. 

 Thereupon lots of from 10 to 12 plants are placed to- 

 gether, crowns ol: roots exactly upon crowns, and tap- 

 roots shortened to the length of from G to 8 inches. The 

 plants, piled up in a basket in which they have to be well 

 moistened and protected against the rays of the sun, are 

 then taken to the planting ground. Here everything 

 should have been in. time prepared for their reception. 

 Planting holes of about six square inches are cleared 

 with the hoe in distances never exceeding one yard. On 

 ground which is covered by moss, the latter is simply re- 

 moved. 



On clay soil the holes should be made in the preceding 

 fall, and should be about 10 inches square, and from 7 

 to 8 inches deep ; the earth dug out of the holes should 

 be placed alongside. In the spring, shortly before plant- 

 ing begins, the holes are filled up, the top soil going to 

 the bottom, and the surface completely leveled. 



A pail of brine is prepared principally of clay and 

 water, mixed with ashes or rich humus soil and a little 

 salt. This mixture should have such consistency that the 

 plant roots, dipped into it, retain a thin covering, but 

 never so much as to paste the roots and fibres together. 

 This can easily be ascertained by trial. From 10 to 20 

 plants are at a time dipped into the brine so as to coat 

 the roots preparatory to planting. 



The planter carries a basket with thoroughly Avorked 

 compost, peat ashes or good humus soil, upon which the 

 coated plants are deposited, and a short-handled axe. 

 The latter is driven up to the handle into the center of 

 the prej^ared and leveled spot, pressed to both sides and 

 then carefully taken out. With the left hand two plants 



