PLAXTIXG 75 



position. With most plants it is customary to till in the soil so that 

 when quite settled it is slightly higher on the surface than the 

 surrounding level ; this avoids the risk of stagnant water accumu- 

 lating round the young plant. With coconuts, however, it is usual 

 to only partially rill in the hole when pi inting the seedling, so that 

 the crown of the latter is left about a foot below the level of the 

 ground. Not only is the young plant thus afforded beneficial 

 shelter, but its roots obtain a deep and firm hold of the soil, and 

 the hole becomes filled up in course of time by the process of 

 weeding and weathering. (See Use of Explosives, p. 46). 



Puddling roots. An excellent practice, either in planting or 

 transplanting, is to puddle the roots in mud immediately the plants 

 are taken out of the ground. A mixture for puddling may be made 

 simply by adding water to some earth, and stirring it until of the 

 consistency of thick paint. If the soil be too porous for the purpose, 

 it can be made adhesive by adding cowdung or clay. By dipping 

 the roots in the mixture a coating adheres to them which has the 

 effect of excluding the air, thus to an important extent keeping them 

 moist. This method is especially beneficial in the case of plants 

 which have to be carried over long journeys, or are unavoidably 

 out of the ground for a considerable time ; while during a period 

 of uncertain rainfall its adoption may be recommended for almost 

 any class of plants. 



Transplanting. It is often necessary in gardens, and even 

 on estates, to transplant shrubby plants or small trees, either to 

 more suitable places or for the purpose of filling vacancies or 

 replacing weakly plants. In the case of large bushes or spreading 

 trees, it is advisable to cut these well back first, so as to reduce 

 their foliage or transpiring surface, thus balancing the latter 

 with the check received at the roots. Having well-soaked the 

 ground with water, dig a trench round and under the tree or shrub 

 so as to leave a good ball of earth adhering to the roots. The ball 

 with the roots must be kept intact, and if the soil be of a loose 

 nature matting or sacking should be tied around it. By sliding in 

 planks underneath, the tree or shrub may then be safely removed. 

 This should be replanted exactly at the same depth as it was growing. 

 After cutting off any injured portions of the roots, fill in the hole 

 with good soil, pressing or ramming it firmly around the roots as 

 you proceed. Finish by giving a thorough soaking of water, 

 placing a layer of mulch on the surface ; fix supports round the 

 tree to prevent its being moved about by wind, and shade well 

 until new leaves have developed. 



