the root, by a minute attention to the comminution of the parts Of the other processes, connected with the Removal of Trees, namely, the taking-up, the transporting, and the planting itself, no part of them can be made the subject of work by contract, and is to be estimated only by time. This is evident from the very nature of those processes; and hence, there is no other way, in which it is to be ascertained, excepting by the dimensions of the Trees transplanted, the distance from which they are brought, and the particular labour that has attended them. If a Tree, removed to the open park, be from fifteen to eighteen feet high, and from eighteen inches to two feet in girth, or, in other words, from six to eight inches in diameter, which, as has been already said, is the smallest Tree, that has strength to resist the elements; and that the distance it is brought be about half a mile, which may be called a medium distance, the expense, in general, is not found to exceed 6s. 6d. If it be from five-and-twenty to thirty feet high, and from three feet to three feet six in girth, the expense is not found to be more than 12s. 6d. This is as accurate an estimate as can be made of the present expense of transferring Park-wood at this place, with expert workmen; which must necessarily vary, as the size encreases, or as the rate itself is varied by circumstances, or controlled by unavoidable and unforeseen accidents. But I have scarcely ever known an instance, in which plants of the largest size in question cost from 15s. to 18s. Estimates of the particulars for both sizes may be given as follow: For a Tree from Fifteen to Eighteen Feet High, with Three workmen taking up, half a-day, at 1s. 6d. Transporting and Planting, say 0 2 1 £0 6 6 For a Tree from Five-and-Twenty to Thirty Feet High, with Dung-Compost. Preparation of the pit, Three cart-loads of Compost, at 9d., Three workmen taking up, a day, at 1s. 6d., Of these composts it is understood, that they are to be made up, in the manner already noticed in Sect. VI.; that with Lime, at from one-fourth to one-sixth part, to three or to five-sixths of peat, according to the weather, and the state of the materials. The Dung-compost is to be mixed, ac cording to the judicious directions of the late Lord Meadowbank, with some improvements which experience has suggested.* In respect to Close-woods, it is to be observed, that the expense of removing the Trees which compose them, if of the heights just now mentioned, is necessarily much less than the cost of such as would suit the open park. The former possess the Non-protecting Properties, especially small tops, and correlative roots; hence, they are far more easily transferred than the others. For Close-woods, for obvious reasons, subjects will always be chosen, that are endued with the Nonprotecting Properties; and, therefore, the expense of removing them half a mile, as already mentioned, does not exceed 3s. 6d. each, for the Standard or Grove Trees, and from 1s. to 2s. per stool, for the Underwood. The rates thus specified, for woods of all sorts, are given with great care, as the result of many years' experience. If planters could be persuaded to confine themselves, at least in their earlier essays, to subjects of moderate dimensions, such as are from five-and-twenty to thirty feet in height, but of some stoutness (and these are quite sufficient for Immediate Effect, and picturesque beauty), they might confidently rely on the power of the art amply to gratify their wishes, at a very * NOTE II. moderate cost. It is the ambition of undertakings, beyond the accomplishment of any man without extraordinary skill, and without machinery, far surpassing in magnitude and expense what is generally constructed, that misleads and discourages many, and prevents those habits of accurate observation, and patient industry, without which no art, useful or ornamental, ever yet was carried to any superior degree of excellence. I will now proceed to give a few examples of work executed solely by daylabour, which, on an estimate of time, are also susceptible of an intelligible result. Of effects, both rapidly and cheaply produced, and likewise on a scale of some extent, it would not be easy to give better instances, than what are to be found at this place. To state facts, not to excite wonder, is the sole object of the following short detail; and, in truth, both the time and the manner, in which the objects in question have been accomplished, are so well known to many persons, that all disguise or concealment on my part were impossible, had I any wish to practise arts so disingenuous. On turning to the Frontispiece, Plate I., the reader will perceive, that, in this View of the Park, considerable woody effects have been realized, and that they are very favourably seen, with Water as a foreground. Between the years 1816 and 1822, the former inclusive, the whole of this, whether Park Trees or Copsewood, was executed by means of the Transplanting Machine, excepting as to the distant and bounding lines of wood, which, on the spot, are easily distinguishable. Within the above space of time, it rarely happened, that more than eight or nine workmen were employed, unless for the trenching, which, as has been recommended in Sect. VI., was generally done by contract. The months of the year, in which Transplanting-work is performed here, are usually four, namely, from January till May. The wages paid to workmen have, for some years, been 9s. and 10s. per week: Hence, supposing one week in the month to go off for unfavourable weather, the entire amount would, at the latter rate, be L.58, 10s. yearly. This is a considerable sum, no doubt; although it allows but a small portion of expense for each Tree and Bush of the many hundreds that have been removed. But it would admit of but few plants indeed, at the rate of Ten and Fifteen Guineas, which folly or ignorance has supposed them to cost. Let it be observed moreover, that there is included in the same estimate, the planting of a considerable Island in the Lake, and four different Promontories of some extent; besides the woody accompaniments of the Bridge, seen in the second distance, and sundry other groups and open dispositions of Trees in the park, which were all |