PLANTING.

Auckland Times, Volume 2, Issue 55, 30 January 1844, Page 1

PLANTING.

(Continued, from our lust.) MODES OF TRANSPLANTING. Much difference of opinion prevails on the comparative merits of the different methods of planting from time to time introduced, and more or less practised. Trenching is held by some to be essential to success, without considering that there are situations and soi;s where timber of the most valuab e quality may be produced that cannot be dug or trenched. Others again infer, that to insert seedling plantslnto the soil in its natural state is all that is required for the production of timber and underwood possessing every requisite value, These opinions are too exclusive; they have led to baneful effects, and still are the cause why manv extensive tracts of land lie waste, which otherwise might have been covered with pi ofitable plantations. But m more numetous instances, from the same cause, great and unnecessary expences have been incurred, only to result in a total failure of the plantation, with the consequent loss of time and property.

Instances illustrative of these points l ave been too frequent in the management of the forest lands of the Crown, (which ought to shew an example of practical planting worthy of irritation by the community,) as well as on private estates, to require to be cited here. Well regulated economy in the expense, or first out'ay, is one of the principles of the art important to be attended to in practice. Accordingly it is not surprising to find some modes of planting invented, and others misapplied, under the mistaken impression of furthering this principle, at the serious risk of retarding the healthy growth and prosperity of the trees, and of producing results completely subversive to the intention. The great object of transplanting trees from beds, layer stoo's, cutting grounds, to nursery rows, or beds previous to their final transplantation for good, is to increase the number of fibres and rootlets ; and, by ensuring the free uninterrupted formation of healthy stems and buds, to lay the foundation of a vigorous constitution in each individual plant before it be finally transplanted to its timber site. Tue different modes of planting trees on their timber sites are denominated, first, sht-pianting; second, holing or pitting; third, trench planting; fourth, furrow-planting. There are also varieties of these characterised by the in. struments or tools used for inserting tlie roots of the plants Into the soil. Slit planting is the most simple mode, and is practiced on soils in their natural state, without any preparation cf holing, ploughing, or trenching. It is performed by three different kinds of instruments : viz. by the moor planter, by the diamond dibble, and by the common garden spade. Ist. The moor planter is a heavy instrument, consisting of a wooden shaft and handle two feet nine inches in length, terminated by a single slightly curved prong of well tempered iron or steel, fifteen inches in length, two and a half inches broad at the insertion of the shaft, and gradually tapering to ti e point. The handle is made sufficiently large to be grasped by both hands, and the operator with one stroke drives the prong into the ground to the depth required for seedling trees, and by depressing the handle, the point of the instrument raises up the earth, leaving a vacuity or opening in loose earth, into which a person, holding a plant in readiness, places the root, and with the foot fixes it in the soil. A stout active workman with this instrument., and the aid of a boy, will transplant a greater number of seedling trees on light moor soils than by any other method at present known. 2nd. The diamond dibble is recommended by Sang: it is made of a triangular shaped plate of steel, furnished with an iron shaft and wooden handle- The sides are each four inches long, and the upper part or side four inches and a half broad. It is used for planting on sandy and gravelly soils where the surface prodii< e of herbage is short* In this case the planter makes the ground ready with the instrument in one hand, and inserts the plants with the other. He carries the plants in a bag or basket suspended from his waist; he strikes the dibble into the ground in a slanting direction so as to direct the point inwards, and, by drawing the handle towards himself, an opening is made, and kept open by the steel plate tor the reception of (be roots

of the p’ant bv the other hand. The instrument is then removed, and the earth made firm about the roots c»f the plant by a stroke with the heel of the instrument. 3rd. By the spade, a cut is made in the turf with the spade and crossed by another at a right angle : the two cuts thus made resemble the figure of the letter T. The handle of the spade being depressed backwards forces open tiie edges of the cuts, and in the opening thus made the roots of the plant are inserted ; the spade is then withdrawn, and the turf replaced by pressure with the foot.