After the distribution box boat has secured the box in position, the lid is removed and the cable is tested as prescribed on page 44. A signal is then raised to indicate to the planter that the distribution box boat is ready for the planting of mines. =Planting the mines.=—If there be a strong tide, the mines should, if possible, be planted at such time that the planter, in going out toward the line of mines, moves against the tide. The planter moves out and passes close to the distribution box boat, with the latter to port. As it passes slowly by, a heaving line is thrown by a man forward of the beam to the distribution box boat, whose party immediately hauls in the mine cable, bends on another heaving line, and lashes the cable to the boat. It is desirable to have a second heaving line ready in case the first one fails. If the water be rough the cable end is passed to the boat by a launch. The planter moves forward to the position to be occupied by mine No. 10. If automatic anchors are used, the distance weight is lowered at the command “Lower weight,” given after the cable is secured in the distribution box boat. As the planter approaches this position the command “Get ready” is given. As the forward davit comes abreast of the position of No. 10 mine, the officer in charge of the planting commands “Let go”; the tripping hook of the mine is released first and that of the anchor immediately thereafter. The mine buoy, cable, and raising rope are then thrown overboard. (Caution.—The men operating the tripping hooks must be very careful that they stand back of all cable and rope, so that they may not be caught. All others must stand clear.) The planter turns so that the stern will be thrown away from the planted mine. When the stern is clear of the mine buoy “All clear” is signaled from the stern. The planter then executes a sweeping circle to starboard, passes to the rear, and comes up with the distribution box boat to starboard. As it moves by, the free end of mine cable No. 9 is passed to the boat and secured as before. The planter moves ahead to a point 100 feet to the left of mine No. 10, and as it crosses the line, plants mine No. 9, swings off to port, circles and comes up from the rear with the distribution box to port, and so on alternately until all the mines are planted. As soon as a mine is dropped the detail for that side of the planter prepares another for planting. There is ample time to do this while the vessel is turning and planting the other mine.