TheImprovement ofTropical and Subtropical Rangelands

178 IMPROVEMENT OF TROPlOAL AND SUBTROPlOAL RANGELANDS
bunch of plants from which the planter draws a plant for each setting
is in one compartment, while in the other is the reserve supply. Each
compartment should have enough wet moss or shingle tow to cover
all roots.
Improper planting practices are the greatest hazard to planting
survival. Some critical items are noted below (Levin et al., 1953,
Penroee and Hansen, 1981):
• Do not plant in ground that has been "burned red" by a hot
fire.
• Do not plant in bark or rotten wood, unless it has decomposed
and is mixed with dirt.
• Place the plant at the correct depth (about 6 mm deepernever
higher-than in the nursery); it is easy to see the old ground
line on the plant.
• Spread the main roots to a near natural pattern, not doubled
or sharply bent.
• Tamp the soil firmly around the roots at the bottom of the
hole, as well as at the top, to eliminate air pockets, and anchor the
plants so that they cannot be easily pulled up.
• Leave the plant in an upright position with the root collar
even with the general ground level, not sunk in a hole or raised on a
mound.
Weather is a major factor in seedling survival.· The season of
planting should, of course, be appropriate to the area to be planted.
Ideal planting weather is warm enough so the planters are comfortable
without heavy clothing and humidity is high, due to mist, fog,
or rain, so that the roots will not dry out under ordinary care. During
severe seasons, many plants may succumb to heat and drought.
Careful planning, however, can cut losses even during the worst years.
Where local climate will allow it, planting should be done so
that at least two months of moist soil conditions remain before the
dry season. The choice of the planting season is naturally during the
period when the stock is dormant. In temperate zones, most planting
is usually done in the autumn or spring; in the tropics and subtropics
it is usually done early in the rainy season. The usual practice is to
initiate planting after a certain quantity of rain has fallen, or when
the soil is wet to a certain depth. In Zambia, for example, planting is
undertaken when the soil is moist to a depth of about 30 cm (Laurie,
1974).
Damage to plantations by mammals and birds may usually be