58 BULLETIN 479, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



When a type of planting board like the "Mast board" is used, 

 the process of transplanting is more complex in that the operation 

 is performed by a larger crew, usually of five or more men, and each 

 distinct part of the operation is performed by a portion of the crew 

 assigned to it. In operations at the Bessey Nursery two men are 

 employed in threading seedlings into each of the transplant boards, 

 one man is employed in trenching with the hand trencher, and two 

 men can do the planting. The threading is usually conducted on 

 benches which are provided with canvas or burlap tops for shade 

 and are placed as close as possible to the transplant beds. A shelter 

 of some sort during threading operations is essential. The roots 

 are kept moist by covering them with damp moss until placed in the 

 boards and the threaders only strive to keep even with the planters. 

 To have several threaded boards ahead of the planters means ex- 

 posure and possible damage of the roots. It is quite generally main- 

 tained that the speed of transplanting depends upon the speed of 

 the threaders; accordingly, men who are nimble with their fingers 

 should be selected for this operation. 



To expedite trenching, from 3 to 5 beds are carried forward at the 

 same time. A trench is made in the first bed, then in the second, 

 then in the third, and so on, the man making the trenches in each 

 case being out of the way of the planters who follow closely behind 

 him. The planters in their turn are out of his way when he returns 

 to the first bed to make the next trench in it. A cord is stretched 

 across the ends of the beds to be planted, so that the first row of 

 each is in line with the first row in the others. The successive rows 

 are kept equidistant by guide boards lying between each two beds 

 on which lines are marked at intervals of 6 inches. Each trench is 

 started in line with a mark on the board at one side of the bed and 

 is finished at a corresponding mark on the board at the other side. 



Two men can work together to advantage with planting boards 

 G feet wide or wider. Upon receiving a board threaded with seed- 

 lings the planters face the trench and lower the roots into it with a 

 slight swinging lateral movement to insure their assuming a natural 

 hanging position. The soil in front of the board is then thoroughly 

 tamped against the seedlings, the slat holding the seedlings in place 

 is removed, the board rotated on its edge toward the planters, and 

 the soil behind the seedlings also thoroughly tamped toward them 

 (PI. XX). By lifting thel»oard now the seedlings are released and 

 the operation is completed. Immediately after each day's trans- 

 planting operations are completed the beds should be thoroughly 

 watered. Neglect of this operation has caused severe losses. 



The size and disposition of the crew may be varied considerably 

 to meet different conditions. Two men may lie needed for trench- 

 ing, particularly if the soil is not loose in character or if spades are 





