THE planter's GUIDE. 



219 



workmen is sufficient to bring about gradually, but effec- 

 tually, the work of consolidation for the time, and that 

 gentle and equable pressure which excludes drought, and 

 yet admits of the roots striking freely. If it be spring, 

 that is, between February and May, Pontey's useful 

 method of pouring on water is adopted, namely, to do it 

 (as he says) with " a watering-pan with the rose taken off," 

 or with common pails, from the height of five or six feet, 

 as soon as the covering of mould is half finished ; dashing 

 it down with as much force as possible, in order to wash 

 in the mould among the roots of the plant/'* On this, 

 the remaining earth is filled in as above, taking care to 

 begin with the greensward, if there be any, and hand- 

 laying it in regular strata, so as in the greatest degree to 

 retain moisture, while it promotes solidity. Another 

 plentiful watering is next given in the same way; the 

 whole is left for a day to subside; and then, when it will 

 bear the workmen's feet, it is ultimately finished by a 

 complete decalcation of the surface. I have been the 

 more particular in dwelling on this part of the planting, 

 as it is a subject not understood by the generality of 

 either overseers or workmen. 



It is wonderful what dexterity the workmen will acquire 

 in these various processes, by attention and practice under 

 an able and active director, particularly in that of dis- 

 tributing and ordering the roots. Yet probably the 

 greatest difficulty that such a person will experience is to 

 get them to perform the handling, and to fill in the mould 

 leisurely enough, without haste or confusion, or the slur- 

 ring over of any part. He will also find it a difficult 

 matter so to arrange the different departments of work 

 round the pit as that the whole of the workmen are con- 



* Rural Improver, pp. 88, 89. 



