MODES OF PLANTING. 



139 



then withdrawn, and the natural elasticity of the 

 sod causes the edges of the notch to approach each 

 other, — a tendency which is assisted by a smart 

 stroke from the heel of the planter, and this fixes 

 the plant. In this way, two persons well practised 

 in the work, will put into the ground between five 

 hundred and a thousand plants per day. 



This system was much simplified about fifty years 

 ago, and rendered so expeditious, that it seems in 

 vain to look for its receiving any further improve- 

 ment. Instead of the spade, an instrument of near- 

 ly the same shape, but so small that it can be 

 wrought with one hand as easily as a common gar- 

 den-dibber, was introduced, and is now known by 

 the name of the Planting-iron. With this a notch 

 is made in the ground to receive the root, and, ow- 

 ing to the portability of the tool, and its occupying 

 but one of the hands, the person that works it re- 

 quires no assistance, but, carrying a parcel of plants 

 in a wallet before him, he singles out one with his 

 left hand, inserts it in the notch, withdraws the 

 implement, fixes the plant with his heel, and pro- 

 ceeds with as much apparent ease as if he were 

 performing the operation in the soft ground of 

 the nursery. In this way of planting, the work- 

 man goes forward in such a line as he can judge 



