42 
BULLETIN 475, U. S. DEPAETMENT OF AGEICULTUEE. 
holes in order to take advantage of any shade offered hj rocks or 
brush or of small areas where the soil is particularly good. These 
points are of special importance on inhospitable sites. 
The planter should follow the digger closely, since this will pro- 
mote rapidity of work and lessen the possibility of the holes drying 
out or of missing some of them entirely. The planters should carry 
their trees in a manner which will preclude the possibility of the 
roots drying out. Carrying the trees in a bucket with the roots 
immersed in a puddle made of clay and water is not desirable. The 
puddle so mats the roots together that they are not well distributed 
in the planting hole. If the roots are immersed in clear water the 
effect is somewhat the same. At present the most common, and it is 
thought the most effective, plan is to carry the trees with the roots 
surrounded by wet burlap or covered with damp moss. Only lots 
sufficient to last from one to two hours should be packed around. 
Large lots are burdensome, the burlap becomes dry, and then the 
roots. Larger lots of trees, properly stored, should be available at 
different points on the planting site, from which the planter can 
replenish his stock when necessary. Water should be on hand also, 
so that the burlap or moss can be wet occasionally. 
Supervision of Crews, 
The necessity of constant supervision in field planting and seeding 
can not be emphasized too strongly. Unless it is given, the efforts 
spent in producing and planting the trees may be entirely lost, for 
in no other part of the work does the result of carelessness show so 
clearly. If any of the essential points for successful planting are 
slighted, the chances of success are greatly reduced at the outset. 
The technical men can well be employed in supervision only, and 
the better and more experienced workmen may be made foremen 
at a higher wage and be charged with supervision. Experience 
indicates that there should be one man charged with supervision for 
each crew of from 6 to 10 men. Forest officers, however, should 
inspect the quality of the work and direct the foreman as to the 
details. 
Equipment. 
Field planting and sowing necessitates the carrying in stock of 
considerable equipment for use in actual operations and of tools 
necessary to keep this equipment in shape. 
SOWING TOOLS. 
The tools most commonly used in preparing the ground for sowing 
are the mattock, grub hoe. garden or some slightly heavier and more 
strongly constructed rake, and hazel hoe. The mattock and grub hoe 
