COFFEE PLANTERS’ MANUAL. 17 
working the alavanga or stick about till the eartb is 
well loosened and one hole broken into the others in 
* 
x x 
form like this: * o * You have by this mode 
1 * 
where the soil is free, a loosened surface equal in size 
to the common hole. Few soils in Ceylon, however, 
are so free as to make this a safe or desirable pro- 
cess. Where the soil is very free, it is doubtless a 
very cheap mode of planting. But unless the soil be 
very free and soft, not only in itself, but clear also 
of roots and stones, this system is one not to be 
commended. In fact, in most Ceylon soils a good 
hole is necessary to the making of a good estate. 
Having made your hole, scrape in the surface soil in 
its immediate neighbourhood for two or three inches 
deep, and one to two feet around. This being gener- 
ally virgin mould is the best of the soil. I’ feeds 
well the young rootlets, and aids the plant in miking 
its start, much better than the soil which came out 
of the bottom of the hole would do: and is besides 
permanently retained, without the risk which it would 
run on the surface of being washed away. ‘the hole 
thus filled should be levelled at the top, and freed_ 
from sticks, stones, roots, &c. The cooly who is to 
PLANT may then, either with a mamoty or with the 
hand, make an opening into the loose earth in the 
centre of the hole, deep and broad enough to admit 
the roots of the plant. The tap or perpendicular rost 
should not be allowed to be bent, twisted, or broken, 
in this process. It should go down straight as the 
stem. The lateral roots too should be spreid ont as 
they grew. They will thus sooner take a start in 
their new bed than if pushed in carelessly, or in a 
heap, and left to right themselves afterwards. Then 
cover over the earth and press it down firmly, around 
the stem, so firmly that a gentle pull would not raise 
it. This is necessary to protect it from the frequent 
heavy wash and wind so common on our hills during 
both monsoons. 
How ARE THE PLANTS Got? is a question that will 
naturally suggest itself to the learner here. Every 
careful and considerate planter will lay out his NURSE- 
RY immediately he has secured his land, or as soon 
after as the weather will permit. This is done by 
clearing one or two acres of ground on a gentle in- 
cline in the heart of the forest. Dig it to the depth 
of a foot, or, if the soil be very free, the depth ofa 
mamoty will do, lay it out in beds, just as if you 
were sowing peas, leaving space to walk between, five 
feet broad is enough, and will admit of the centre of 
