S92 



JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ Uarch 12, 1868. 



to reply to any inquiries that intending emigranta may wish 

 me to answer, but at the same time would say that my decided 

 opinion is recorded above. — W. T. G. 



TRANSPLANTING LARGE TKEES AND SHRUBS. 

 The practice of transplanting large trees and shrubs being 

 very general, I will offer a few remarks on the simple contri- 

 vances which I have found sufficient for the purpose of remoy- 

 ing trees and shrubs of from 15 to 30 feet in height. 



_ The appliances necessary, in addition to the usual spades, 

 picks, shovels, &c., are a couple of picks with one end for the 

 purpose of working under the ball ; two or three ropes ; half a 

 dozen or more slabs of various lengths, from 18 inches to 3 feet, 

 notched at the ends to hold the rope (these are used in binding 

 the ball of earth, but in some soils this need not be done, 

 whilst in others it is absolutely necessary to secure the ball in 

 the best possible manner) ; and a sledge of sufficient size and 

 strength : ii feet long and 3j feet wide is a good useful size. 



^ I 



I 



V 



U AJ 



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Fig. I. 

 a, a. Staples to fasten the horseg to. 6, i. Chains with rings lor bind- 

 ing on the sledge, c, c. Ropes for the same purpose, d, d, Rings for 

 lifting with jack, f , c, For struts— never used. 



The sides or runners of the sledge {fig. 1), should be of 

 good well-seasoned timber 6 inches by 4, and the ends weO 

 turned up. There should be four slats or bars across, dove- 

 tailed or morticed into the sides, and about a foot from each 

 end an inch iron rod. On the outside of the side pieces, at a 

 convenient distance from the ends, should be fixed good strong 

 staples, a, (i, of sufficient size to admit of almost any hook for 

 the purpose of attaching the horses. Inside the ends, at one 

 end of the sledge, two chains, h,b,2 feet long, with a ring at the 

 end, should be attached one at each side. At the opposite end 

 two ropes, c, c, one at each side, and 3 yards or more long, 

 should be properly fastened. These are for binding the plant 

 on the sledge, which is done thus : — 



The ropes are put through the rings at opposite corners, 

 across the ball, round the bole of the tree, drawn tight, and 

 made fast. Hay or some other soft substance must be used to 

 prevent the ropes barking the plant. 



In opening a trench round the plant to be removed regard 

 must be had to the size and age of the tree, the nature of the 

 soil, and other circumstances. It is, however, advisable to 

 commence a trench which is wide enough, for the work will be 

 done much more easily and expeditiously by having sufficient 

 room to work. Two or three feet on one side of the plant 



should be left untouched until the sledge is put under ; then 

 that portion of ground must be cut through, and the plant wiU 

 sink down on the sledge. Open the trench to a good width, 

 and be careful to go sufficiently deep to be beneath the fibrous 

 roots. A depth of 3 feet is usually sufficient to allow the bottom 

 of the ball to be cut, so as to admit of the sledge being put 

 under. 



In workiug out the plant, work at the bottom of the trench 

 and beneath the hall with the pick ; then reduce it with the 

 same tool, which should not be too pointed, otherwise it wiU 

 be apt to split the roots, on the preservation of which in a very 

 great measure depends success. 



Having reduced the ball to the desired size, work clear beneath. 

 It is, however, a very good plan, after having worked some dis- 

 tance under the ball, to shore it up with anything at hand ; a 

 good stout slab placed along the side, and propped in the centre, 

 is as good as anything. After placing the sledge under the 

 ball, cut through the part left, secure the ball with the ropes, 

 and it may then be drawn to the place where the tree or shrnb 

 is to be planted. If, however, the plant be likely to sway over, 

 two ropes held by men will prevent its doing so. 



Fio. 2. 



1, Grooved wheel. 2, Handle. 3, Hook for lowering. 4. Hook for lift- 

 ing. 5, Hook for fastening chain when shifting the handle. 6, Lifting 

 chain. 



Arrived at the plant's destination, the horses should walk 

 through the hole, stopping when the plant is in the centre. 

 Then drive a strong crowbar firmly into the ground, put a 

 chain round the ball, placing a good broad stout slab betwixt 

 it and the earth, make the chain secure to the crowbar, and 

 the horses will draw the sledge from under the plant. 



The same care must be taken in preserving the roots in 

 planting .is in taking-up; spread them all carefully out, work- 

 ing fine soil wcU in amongst them, and ramming it firmly 

 down. Proceed in this manner until the tree be planted ; then 

 give a good watering and mulch. Stones are as good as any- 

 thing for the purpose, either for summer or winter. 



Three stakes of this shape JL should be let into the ground 

 at the time of planting, the T-part downwards. Galvanised 

 iron wire should be fastened to the tops of the stakes, which 

 should be level with the surface of the ground, and the wire 

 should be fastened a good distance up the tree to prevent the 

 wind waving it. 



A far better plan than drawing the plants on the sledge is to 

 have what we name tall jacks {fig. 2). They consist of a foot, 

 an upright, a grooved wheel on the top, and a handle with two 

 hooks, one about 4 inches, the other about 6 inches from the 

 upright. A hook is also fastened in the upright about 4 feet 



