method extremely simple, and not less expeditious (however it may appear in the narrative), it becomes quite an easy, instead of a formidable undertaking, to draw the Tree from the pit.

Before the Tree is pulled down, as just now described, there is one thing more, which must not be omitted. Almost all Trees, as stated in Section IV., are ill balanced in point of ramification, and towards the stormy quarter, usually the southwest, they exhibit a "weather side;" which side, accordingly, is on Removal to be reversed, as shall be directed in the sequel. Therefore, while the Tree retains its upright position, is the only certain time to ascertain the side where the longest branches have been thrown out. This is now accurately done by the Director of the work, and the side in question marked on the stem with chalk, or very slightly with a knife, care being taken not to penetrate beyond the Epidermis. After which, the Tree is ready to be put upon the Machine, and drawn out of the pit.

In giving the history of the progress of the art during the last century, it was stated above, that Brown, the celebrated Landscape Gardener, was the inventor of the best and simplest Transplanting Machine now known. It consists of a strong Pole, and two Wheels, with a smaller wheel, occasionally used, which is fixed at the extremity of the pole, and turns on a pivot. The pole operates

both as a powerful lever, to bring down the Trees to the horizontal position, and, in conjunction with the wheels, as a still more powerful conveyance, to remove them to their new situation. Various, however, are the Machines, which the caprice of fashion, the love of novelty, and, in some instances, the ambition of attempting a stupendous scale of work, have introduced into both France and England, within the last century and a half. Among these, the Great Machine of Versailles, constructed by order of Louis XIV., with its broad and powerful wheels and platforms; the high three-wheeled Machine of England, during the last century, of ponderous make, with its platform also, for transferring Trees of vast size and weight, in an upright position; the oblong Machine of the same period, with four, and sometimes six low wheels, for the same gigantic purpose: These, and such like costly implements, more fitted for show than daily use, it were needless to enumerate, and still more needless to describe. My sole object being a Park-practice, to which dispatch and success are the chief recommendations, I prefer the simple Machine of Brown, with some improvements, which I have made upon it, to all other contrivances. It is to that Machine, therefore, that the directions for the Transportation about to be given, are understood to refer.

The Tree being in readiness, as above described, for removal to its new site, the Machining of it (if I may be permitted the expression), is a work, deserving of the particular attention of the planter.* On the skill of the person, who conducts this department, and whom I have ventured to denominate the Machiner, much depends, in providing against the various accidents, to which branches, not less than roots, are exposed in an operation, always implying much violence, and sometimes unforeseen contingency. The first step to be taken is, to bring the wheels of the Machine close up to the body of the Tree; and, should the protuberance of the nucleus, or mass of roots under the collar, stand in the way, as sometimes happens, the wheels must be forcibly approximated, until they are quite close. While this is about to be performed, the Machiner darts an experienced eye over the stem, and whole style of the ramification, and at once ascertains the side, upon which the Tree can be best laid along the pole, and also the particular opening among the boughs, into which the pole can be most safely introduced. If there be the smallest bend in the stem, as almost always happens, the convex side must lie uppermost on the Machine; otherwise, were the concave side to be so placed, the great weight of both the

* NOTE I.

P

root and top, acting at once on so narrow and unstable a surface as the stem presents, would cause the fastenings to slip, on the first movement of the wheels, and, in consequence of the Tree turning suddenly round, the most shocking havoc might be committed, among both branches and roots.

However easy all this may appear to the lookeron who views the work, there is much judgment and nicety in ascertaining such adaptations, and there is a considerable saving of time, and consequently of expense, in at once ascertaining them, without those tedious consultations, and vexatious delays, in which the best workmen are apt to indulge, in this stage of the business. For such an evil there is no remedy, but in the useful principle of the subdivision of labour, or, in other words, in making the Machiner's a distinct office, of which the duty is committed to the sagacity and dispatch of a single individual. Besides these arrangements, it is a material consideration so to machine the Tree, as that its lee-side branches, which are always the longest, should, if possible, be uppermost on the pole, when the Tree is laid horizontally; because no branch or root of considerable length should be suffered to sweep the ground, during the time of Transportation. But other circumstances may occur to render this desirable position of the roots and branches impracticable, such as a decided and untoward bend in the stem,

in an adverse direction: In which case, the Machiner must adopt the next best arrangement, and that which will do the least injury.

As soon as the Machiner has adjusted these things, and directed the proper introduction of the pole among the boughs, an active workman is sent up, to lash the stem and the pole as firmly toge ther as possible, taking care, by redoubled folds of mat, to secure the bark against the damage it might suffer, from the iron ring at the point of the pole. A double rope, of the stoutest kind (which is greatly preferable to a chain), is then passed under the root, so as to seize it firmly, and balance it on the upper stage of the cross-bar, between the wheels; which rope is then drawn tight, by means of bracing or rack-pins, such as waggoners generally use, and secured in the ordinary manner. Last of all, the Tree is drawn down, by the united strength of the workmen, or by a steady horse, if at hand, bearing on the pole-rope; and the Tree, being in this way left suspended horizontally on the crossbar, is ready to be drawn away, root foremost, to its intended destination.

Before the horse or horses are put to, a simple but very material matter requires attention, and that is, to secure the boughs and roots from all friction with the wheels, or with the ground, which would greatly chafe and injure both: For all the boughs, which appear under the pole, un