lopping and mutilating the Trees, and sometimes altogether decapitating them (as has been the general practice), the grand point has been gained of preserving their tops entire ; so that, with subjects of whatever magnitude, no loss of either spray or branches is suffered; and, what is still more important, no loss of health and vigour in the Trees, excepting for a short period, after having undergone the process of Removal.

But, besides the various combinations and details of the landscape, it has been found also quite practicable to apply the art to the most general purposes of utility and shelter, whether in large towns, or in the country,* by the transplanting of Copse or Underwood of any size or species. This is either formed alone into large masses, or it is intermixed with Grove or Standard Trees, as circumstances in either situation may require. By these means, some of the most interesting objects, both agricultural and ornamental, have been accomplished, at a very moderate expense, and brought within the reach, not only of the great and opulent, but of any person of limited fortune.-Such is the art, which is attempted to be taught in the following pages.

In this view, the Art of Transplanting is not merely a speculative art. It is founded on princi

NOTE V.

ples derived from Real Practice, and from observations made on Woods, for more than forty years. It was at first attempted on the most limited scale, and, as it seemed to succeed, gradually applied to larger purposes. At length, when it now promises to become generally useful, it appears desirable, to examine the laws of nature, on which it is proposed to establish it, and to rescue it from the reproach of ignorance and uncertainty.

It is with pride and pleasure, on this occasion, that I appeal to the Report of the Committee of the Highland Society, or General Society for the Encouragement of the Arts in this Kingdom (which will be found in the Appendix), for the correctness of the foregoing statement, which otherwise might appear unfounded in its facts, as well as extravagant in its pretensions. In this Committee will be seen names of the first class, in the rank, literature, and general intelligence of the country; and the Report itself is drawn up by the individual, the most highly gifted and distinguished of those persons, who is himself well acquainted with the subject of Wood.*

At the place, from which these pages are dated, may be seen a Park of limited extent, and possessing no particular claim to beauty, but visited from curiosity by many persons, within the last ten years. It consists of about a hundred and twenty English acres, abundantly clothed with Trees and

NOTE VI.

Underwood of every common species, by means of the Transplanting Machine; and exhibiting within itself a practical illustration of every principle laid down, and every theory held forth in this Essay. The single Trees and Bushes, in groups and open dispositions, amount to about seven hundred in number, exclusively of close plantations and copse-wood. Their size, when removed, is not great, the largest not exceeding from thirty to forty feet in height, and from three, or three-and-a-half, to five feet in girth, at a foot from the ground; but many of them are of much smaller dimensions. The height of the Bushes or Underwood removed has been from four to ten feet, and consisting of every sort, usually found on the banks of lakes and rivers. But size, in an art founded on fixed principles, is a mere matter of choice and expenditure; for Trees of the greatest size must be almost as certain and successful in Removal, as those of the least. It was desirable, however, as almost everything was to be done here, in the way of Park-wood, to limit the operations to the smallest possible expenditure, consistently with producing some effect on the foreground, and middle distance of the landscape, and with careful execution.

Whoever will take the trouble to visit the place, will perhaps find his labour repaid, in examining the progress of an art, calculated probably to become as popular, as any that has been cul

tivated within a century; as there is scarcely any one, in which so many persons in the higher and middle ranks are interested.

Considering the prejudices which exist against the art, and that the great power, of which it is susceptible, will with difficulty gain belief, it may be worth while to state a few facts as to its general application, which are as incontrovertible, as they may seem surprising to the reader. It is from no vain desire to exaggerate what has been done at this place, but merely to show the degree of progress, which the art has made, under the greatest disadvantages of soil and climate. It is also for the purpose of proving to those, who may engage in similar undertakings, that, whatever has been done well here, may, with equal industry, be done a great deal better, in most other situations.*

There was in this Park originally no Water, and scarcely a tree or a bush, on the banks and promontories of the present Lake and River; for the Water partakes of both those characters. During the summer of 1820 the Water was executed; and, in that and the following year, the grounds immediately adjoining were abundantly covered with Wood, by means of the Transplanting Machine. Groups and single Trees, grove and underwood were introduced, in every style of disposition, which the

* See the Report of the Committee of the Highland Society.

subject seemed to admit.

Where the turf recedes

from, or approaches the Water, the ground is somewhat bold and irregular, although without striking features of any sort: Yet the profusion of wood, scattered over a surface of moderate limits, in every form and variety, gave it an intricacy and an expression, which it never possessed before.

By the autumn of the third year only after the execution, namely 1823, when the Committee of the Society honoured the place with their inspection, the different parts seemed to harmonize with one another, and the intended effects were nearly produced. What it was wished to bring forward appeared already prominent. What was to be concealed, or thrown into the background, began to assume that station. The foreground Trees (the best that could be procured), placed on the eastern bank above the Water, broke it into parts with their spreading branches, and formed combinations, which were extremely pleasing. The copse or underwood, which covers an Island in the Lake, and two Promontories, as also an adjoining bank that terminates the distance, was seen coming down nearly to the water's edge. What was the most important of all, both Trees and underwood had obtained a full and deep-coloured leaf, and health and vigour were restored to them. In a word, the whole appeared like a spot at least forty years planted.