APPENDIX. 181 



The machine used in removing trees of moderate size is of simple 

 construction, consisting of a pair of strong wheels about five feet high, 

 a stout axle, and a pole about twelve feet long. In transplanting, the 

 wheels and axle are brought close to the trunk of the tree, the pole is 

 firmly lashed to the stem, and when the soil is sufficiently removed and 

 loosened about the roots, the pole, with the tree attached, is drawn 

 down to a horizontal position by the aid of men and a pair of horses. 

 When the tree is thus drawn out of the hole, it is well secured and 

 properly balanced upon the machine, the horses are fastened in front 

 of the mass of roots by gearings attached to the axle, and the whole 

 is transported to the destined location. 



In order more effectually to insure the growth of large specimens 

 when transplanted, a mode of -preparing beforehand a supply of young 

 roots, is practised by skilful operators. This consists in removing the 

 top soil, partially undermining the tree, and shortening back many of 

 the roots ; and afterwards replacing the former soil by rich mould, or 

 soil well manured. This is suffered to remain at least one year, and 

 often three or four years ; the tree, stimulated by the fresh supply of 

 food, throvvs out an abundance of small fibres, which render success, 

 when the time for removal arrives, comparatively certain. 



It may be well to remark here, that before large trees are transplant- 

 ed into their final situations, the latter should be well prepared by 

 trenching, or digging the soil two or three feet deep, intermingling 

 throughout the whole a liberal portion of well decomposed manure, or 

 rich compost. To those who are in the habit of planting trees of any 

 size in unprepared grounds, or that merely prepared by digging one 

 spit deep, and turning in a little surface manure, it is inconceivable how 

 much more rapid is the growth, and how astonishingly luxuriant the ap- 

 pearance of trees when removed into ground properly prepared. It is 

 not too much to affirm, that young trees under favorable circumstances 

 — in soil so prepared — will advance more rapidly, and attain a larger 

 stature in eight years, than those planted in the ordinary way, without 

 deepening the soil, will in twenty — and trees of larger size in propor- 

 tion ; a gain of growth surely worth the trifling expense incurred in 

 lie tust instance. And the same observation will apply to all plant- 



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