58 BULLETIN 479, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
When a type of planting board like the "Mast board" is used, 
the process of transplanting is more complex in that the operation 
is performed by a larger crew, usually of five or more men, and each 
distinct part of the operation is performed by a portion of the crew 
assigned to it. In operations at the Bessey Nursery two men are 
employed in threading seedlings into each of the transplant boards, 
one man is employed in trenching with the hand trencher, and two 
men can do the planting. The threading is usually conducted on 
benches which are provided with canvas or burlap tops for shade 
and are placed as close as possible to the transplant beds. A shelter 
of some sort during threading operations is essential. The roots 
are kept moist by covering them with damp moss until placed in the 
boards and the threaders only strive to keep even with the planters. 
To have several threaded boards ahead of the planters means ex- 
posure and possible damage of the roots. It is quite generally main- 
tained that the speed of transplanting depends upon the speed of 
the threaders; accordingly, men who are nimble with their fingers 
should be selected for this operation. 
To expedite trenching, from 3 to 5 beds are carried forward at the 
same time. A trench is made in the first bed, then in the second, 
then in the third, and so on, the man making the trenches in each 
case being out of the way of the planters who follow closely behind 
him. The planters in their turn are out of his way when he returns 
to the first bed to make the next trench in it. A cord is stretched 
across the ends of the beds to be planted, so that the first row of 
each is in line with the first row in the others. The successive rows 
are kept equidistant by guide boards lying between each two beds 
on which lines are marked at intervals of 6 inches. Each trench is 
started in line with a mark on the board at one side of the bed and 
is finished at a corresponding mark on the board at the other side. 
Two men can work together to advantage with planting boards 
6 feet wide or wider. Upon receiving a board threaded with seed- 
lings the planters face the trench and lower the roots into it with a 
slight swinging lateral movement to insure their assuming a natural 
hanging position. The soil in front of the board is then thoroughly 
tamped against the seedlings, the slat holding the seedlings in place 
is removed, the board rotated on its edge toward the planters, and 
the soil behind the seedlings also thoroughly tamped toward them 
(PI. XX). By lifting the board now the seedlings are released and 
the operation is completed. Immediately after each day's trans- 
planting operations are completed the beds should be thoroughly 
watered. Neglect of this operation has caused severe losses. 
The size and disposition of the crew may be varied considerably 
to meet different conditions. Two men may be needed for trench- 
ing, particularly if the soil is not loose in character or if spades are 
