188 ON A NEW TRANSPLANTING MACHINE. 



roots well undermined, the iron bars are driven under the " ball." 

 In driving the bars they must be held so as to come out parallel to 

 each other, and on the same level on the opposite side of the " ball," 

 and at the distance apart the large rings in the chain are from each 

 other, so that the chain may be easily placed over the ends of the 

 bars. Next, one end of the frame is disconnected from the connect- 

 ing bar and axle on which it rests, and the machine run into the 

 trench till the tree stands nearly in the centre of the frame. The 

 connecting bar is again bolted and placed on the axle as before. 

 The winding axle and lever, which have been removed to admit the 

 tree, are also placed in position, and the chains fixed to the hooks at 

 the end of the axles. All being now ready for lifting the tree, 

 the levers are raised and lowered alternately, which causes the 

 ratchets and axles on which the chains are wound to advance one 

 tooth at a time. This is continued till the root is clear of the 

 ground. When raising the tree, if it is found to be lower at one 

 end of the machine than the other, raise the lower side a tooth 

 or two while the opposite lever remains stationary. In order to 

 keep the tree from canting over, two pieces of plank are placed be- 

 tween the root and the bottom edge of the frame — one on each side 

 of the tree. These, and four ropes which are fastened about 15 feet 

 up, and attached to the four corners of the machine, are an effectual 

 means of keeping the tree in position during its removal. 



The machine may be drawn out of the trench in various ways, 

 according to circumstances ; by men, by block and tackle, or by 

 yoking horses, and taking it to the new site at once. When 

 coming to a part of the road with considerable incline, in order to 

 prevent the possibility of an accident, should the machine get 

 " under-way," the horses should be unyoked and the machine drawn 

 cautiously by men only ; and to counteract the jolting of the 

 machine when being drawn along a rough road, four pieces of 

 vulcanised india-rubber should be placed between the axles and frame. 

 The outer edge of the wheels should also be covered with several 

 plies of matting or old sacks, or should the rough part of the road be 

 of limited extent, the line of wheels may be covered with straw. 



After the tree is drawn to the new site, and the pit ready for its 

 reception, the machine is run into the centre of the pit, the trench 

 being kept sufficiently wide and deep to admit of a quantity of 

 fresh soil being placed under and around the roots. The machine 

 being brought to the proper position, the levers are pulled down, and 

 the keepers thrown out of gear, and a tooth allowed to escape each 

 time till the ball rests on the ground. 



