=Slit or Notch Planting.=—This is done by simply cutting the sod or surface by two strokes of the spade, and to the depth of about 5 in.: thus =L= or =T=. With the first stroke the spade is inserted in the ground in an almost perpendicular manner; it is then withdrawn and inserted at right angles to the first notch and at the end of it, and by pressing down the handle of the spade the turf is opened up, the plant being inserted from the blade of the spade towards the further end; the spade is then carefully withdrawn and the turf trampled so as to cause the notches to close completely. This latter should be strictly attended to, as should the notch be left partially open, the plant will suffer from the admission of an undue quantity of air. The operation requires two persons—a man to open the notch, and a boy to insert the plant. It is chiefly employed in bare and hilly ground, and large tracts of ground in Scotland have been very successfully operated upon in this way. With the notch system there are advantages and disadvantages. In the first instance, we have reduced cost, expedition, and firm insertion; whilst in the second small plants only can be used, the soil remains unbroken, and the root system presents an unnatural position. The plants used with the notch system should not exceed 9 in. in height. =The Planting-iron= has been found of great value for inserting small forest trees in rocky ground, where it would be almost impossible to do so in any other way. It is 17 in. long, weighs 3 lbs., and can be conveniently used with one hand. Holding the “iron” slackly, the planter strikes it into the ground with a force sufficient to drive the sharp, heart-pointed blade in about 3 in. or 4 in. By pressing it down and towards the planter, with a slight twist to the right, the left corner of the turf is opened up, the plant being carefully inserted with all the roots beneath the ground. The iron is then withdrawn, and the loosened turf made firm by tramping. Only a small plant should be inserted with the planting-iron, and great care taken to insure the soil and turf being firmly pressed around the stem of the young tree.