74 ON PLANTING GROUND 
old plantation by birds, and taken root from their droppings ; 
and the plant being tenacious of life, exists through long con- 
finement, and appears on the removal of the old trees. All 
these, however, are generally unprofitable; although they often 
form a cover on the surface, they grow much less vigorously 
than if the soil had been disturbed and softened. 
The mode of procedure, therefore, in such ground, is to pre- 
pare the spots for the plants a considerable time, say six or 
twelve months, before planting; and four, five, or six feet 
asunder are the usual distances, according to the exposure or 
shelter for the plants. The surface accumulation of bark, 
leaves, and foggage should be cleared off, not to be used, and 
the solid soil disturbed with a pick-axe to at least the width 
of fourteen inches, choosing the spots as free from roots 
as possible; cut and clear out all such met within the 
bounds to be prepared, while a second person following with 
a tramp pick should disturb the bottom to the depth of at 
least twelve inches. If the old trees have stood close, it is 
usual for the spots, after having been cleared of the surface, 
and all old roots picked out, to be rather under the ordinary 
level of the ground, therefore a third person should follow 
and dig a stamp or two of pure soil, as free from the remains 
of the old wood as possible, and place such on each spot 
where the plants are to stand. This gives the plants a great 
advantage in “soil; it raises them rather above the level of the 
surface, and forms a position in which pines are found to be 
exempt from the attacks of the wood-beetles and of field- 
mice. The hole also left open, which furnishes the soil, in 
the vicinity of the plant, has an ameliorating influence, by 
admitting air to the ground, and thus preparing it for the 
spread of the young roots. This process has all the effect of 
pit planting, and is less expensive, and generally as successful 
for firs and larches. 
When oak, elm, or other hardwood plants are to be inserted 
after old wood, trenching or pit planting should be practised, 
and the made pits should be exposed to the weather for 
several months. Where there is rank jungle, or such vege- 
