318 PLANTING. 



watering, weeding and hoeing ; training and repairs. 



The measures to take against animals and unfavourable weather 

 influences are of the same nature as those adopted in the case of 

 direct sowings, although less strict, since plants put out have, as a 

 rule, all passed that tender age at which they are most hable to 

 the attacks of enemies and least capable of resisting them. 



As regards watering, that operation will generally be less urgent 

 in plantations than in direct sowings owing to the deeper rooting 

 of the plants and their superior lignification. But; plantations 

 may often be made in soils that are too dry for direct sowing, and 

 in such places watering can seldom be dispensed with, especially 

 during the first dry season following the planting. Watering can- 

 not also be avoided when, owing to insufficient early rains, the 

 plants have had to be put out so late that they have not struck 

 sufficiently well to be able to resist the October-November heats 

 and the severe cold of the immediately ensuing winter in Upper 

 and Central India. In that case, the plants should be watered at 

 least once after the rains have ceased. 



With respect to weeding and hoeing, as the plants ai-e necessa- 

 rily put down only after a part of the season of vegetation has 

 already passed, any subsequent growth of weeds will seldom be 

 very strong, and the transplants will at any rate have the start of 

 them. Hence during the first season at least, weeding would usually 

 be superfluous, except in the case of species which, like teak, are 

 put out as mere germ seedhngs and cannot survive root-contact 

 with other plants. Until the transplants have begun to overtop 

 the surrounding vegetation, they will, even if they do not absolutely 

 require it, be greatly benefited by the complete removal, at the 

 beginning of each growing season, of all vegetation immediately 

 surrounding them. Hoeing is seldom necessary, but is always very 

 desirable at the beginning of the first, two or three growing seasons 

 in order to give the plants a good start, the effects of which are 

 apparent all through the rest of the season. The hoeing and weed- 

 ing should be combined into a single operation. 



Many of the plants may sicken and languish. If such belong to 

 broad-leaved species, they may be revived by cutting them back. 

 Many assume abnormal forms, which may afi'ect injuriously their 

 vigour as well as their capabiUty of' growing up into well-shaped 

 timber ; these should be pruned in the same manner as plants in 

 nurseries (p. 205). 



Casualties must be filled up on the same principles as in direct 

 sowings. 



