^^1 030 FOKEIQN NOTICES. i!^ 



which is done by two or more men rnising the plant by its handleji. Tlius raised, it can be 

 rcnMivoJ to any otlior phice without disturbance, and a hole having been previously prepared, 

 left th^re by unfaefening the collar, withdrawing the spade.", and uncoupling the iron frame. 



The time consumed in this operation need not exceed ten minutes fur an apparatus worked by 

 four men. 



In tl«e case just described, the lift is taken by two or four men acting upon a pair of hi>ri/.oiit.il 

 bearers. But when great weights have to be moved, then mechanical power is apfilied, as shown 

 in the accompanying representation of the machinery actually employed on Saturday. In this 

 case tiio fnune (u) is of very strong T iorn. The pjvades (//) have blades three feet long and iron 

 handles; and within tlio handles passes a bar of iron {d d), to receive the lateral pressure of the 

 extension rods. Two beams of timber {x x), lie across the frame, and hold fast the collar (c c), by 

 which tl)e trunk is grasped. Matters being thus adjusted the mass is ready for the lift, which is 

 man;iged in the following manner: A pair of strong timber trucks (//), are backed up to the 

 two eink of the frame, eaeh having above its axle a powerful wooden upright {;/). Upon this is 

 laid a frame or j>latform of timber (r/) through which pass vertical screws (/t h), attached to a 

 powerful iron coupling, and working in collars secured to the p]atf<;rm. The screws are finally 

 connected with tlK* lower apparatus which secures the roots of the tree by chains passed through 

 tho couplings. This done the machine is ready for work. The lift is taken by means of the 

 screws (It), which are worked by men standing ujion the platform. "When the mass is raised out 

 of the ground the trucks are chained together, and may be moved in any direction required. On 

 one of the trucks a crab (i) is shown; this is for the purpose of moviivg the machinery by means 

 of a block and tackle secured to some tree or post, when circumstances are favorable to its 

 employment. 



The tree, earth, and machinery moved on Saturday were computed to weigh something more 

 ♦Jian thirteen tons. Tlie tree, a black Italian Pojilar, was fifty-five feet high. In half an hour 

 the tree was lifted out of the ground, without swerving; and in the course of the afternoon was 

 safely drawn to a hole forty feet off, into which it was so lowered as to be placed perpendicularly, 

 although when taken out of the ground it was very considerably out of the upright. Had the 

 tackle been bettei", far less time would have been consumed ; but tho screws were bad and 

 difficult to turn, and tlte horizontal amis by which they were worked were inconveniently 

 placed, all which caused a needless waste of time. 



The spectators admired the principle of Mr. M'Glashan's plan, and were gratified at the suc- 

 cessful manner in which his work was done. For ourselves, we arc di.^^osed to believe that this 

 method of transplanting is susceptibl-e of modifications which will render it generally useful. 

 The inventor desired to test his power as severely as was possible, and for that purpose he 

 selected a tree very much larger than it is often necessary to remove. Tlie world, in general, 

 requires a smaller and less cumbrous apiwratus; Avhich can, o-f coui-se, be constructed with 

 strength proportioned to the weight that has to be lifted. For example, a p<iir of strong barrows 

 might be substituted for the timber drags, everything else being reduced in proportion ; or the 

 apparatus need not be stronger than can be woi-ked by hand labor ; and this it was evident that 

 the gardeners tbought would be most generally required. 



The advantages of the apparatus consist in lifting a tree and keeping it upright while being 

 transplanted, instead of being broken and bruised by being thrown on its side, as is invariably 

 the case in all other modes of transplanting; and in preserving the earth round the roots, either 

 wholly or for the most part. A good deal of earth, no doubt, fell out on Saturday from within 

 the spade-blades, owing to the excessively soft, wet state of the soil ; but Mr. M'Gl.vsh.v;?, in his 

 specification, expressly declares thai in some cases, in order to prevent the ciumVjling awa}' of 

 earth, it is necessary to enclose in a wooden box the lower part of the apparatus after it is lifted. 



Tlie objections to it may be stated to be the necessity of cutting through all roots which spread 

 beyond the area enclosed by the spade-blades; but we think that very little ingenuity will get 

 over this difficulty, even if increasing the size of the apparatus should be impracticable A 

 greater objection is the inabilitj'^ of spade^blades, driven perpendicularly, to pass through gravel ; 

 and, unless forks are substituted for broad blades, it is not clear how this is to be surmounted. 

 It is to be remembered, however, that Mr. M'Glashan's apparatus has never yet been applied to 



