Fl7 0CJ=:EniNGS OF THE FaRMEES' ClUB. 603 



keep in tliis way for several days without sustaining the slightest 

 injury. 



In removing the seedlings from the nursery too much care cannot 

 be taken, as the life and health of the plant entirely depend on the 

 manner in which this is done. The best mode is to dig a trench at 

 the end of tlie bed from which the seedlings are to be taken to twice 

 the depth of the tap root, and then remove each row in succession 

 with a circular spade or gouge, laying them in circular flat baskets 

 with their roots to the center, covering these latter with earth to 

 protect them from exposure. 



On arrival at tlie place where they are to be planted, a hole suffi- 

 ciently large to admit the tap root of the seedling should be made 

 with a dibble in the hole already prepared, as before described under 

 the head of j^^^jxtration of the soil, which directed that '' a hole one 

 foot deep and nine inches broad should be dug at each stake for the 

 reception of the tea plant." 



Tiie diljble used in this process, namely, in making a second and 

 smaller hole witliin the first, should be eighteen inches long with a 

 diameter of three inches tipped with steel or iron, and a chisel edge 

 instead of a sharp point, as the latter is liable to create a vacuum 

 under the end of the tap root, from the earth, unless well pulverized, 

 being unable to reach down to the extreme end of the hole and thus 

 causing the death of the plant ; but this danger is obviated by the 

 use of the dibble now suggested, as the hole can be made of the same 

 size at the bottom as at the top by turning the dibble round two or 

 three times which can easily be done by its cross handle as it gives a 

 great purcliase on the instrument. 



In transplanting, the plant should be held in the hole by one hand 

 and the earth fiyely crumbled in with the other, care being taken to 

 press it down lightly round the seedling until lirmly set. The object 

 of digging \\\Q first hole to a depth of one foot as above described, is 

 to prevent the lateral roots from being too near the surface when the 

 plant arrives at maturity, which would render them liable to be cut 

 and injured while hoeing; whereas, by adopting the plan herein 

 recommended, the hole will, in the course of the first rainy season, 

 gradually and naturally fill up,fby which the health of the plant will 

 be secured. 



IIoEiNG, Plowing and "Weeding. 



Hoeing should be constantly (say once in every two months), per- 

 formed to a depth of at least eighteen inches, and, on each subsequent 



