1G2 'i'lIK I'AriKS AND CiAKDENS OF rAPJS. [Chap. X. 



operation is commenced by staking out, round tlie stem, tlic circumference of the 

 eartli-ball, wliicli will be on an average about four feet in diameter for most 

 species, and larger according to the size of the trees to be removed. A second 

 concentric circle is then made about two foot outside the first, the space between 

 which will be the place for the trench to be dug for preparing the tree. The soil 

 is then removed from this trench to the depth of three feet, and the small and 

 delicate roots are drawn out of the earth, left hanging, and carefully jireserved. 

 The earth-ball is then undermined to prevent the roots from adhering to the 

 subsoil ; two thick planks, a foot wide, and a little longer than the ball, are 

 placed underneath jiarallel with the width of the cart, so that they sustain the 

 weight of the earth when the tree is lifted. Privet-branches are now placed 

 upright, close together, all round the earth-ball, tied round securely with ropes, 

 so as to prevent the earth from crumbling away, and also to i)rotect the small 

 roots from the influences of the weather. 



"The removal of the tree is then commenced in the following manner: — 

 Two stout thick planks, strong enough to support the cart with the tree slung in 

 it, and a little longer than the entire excavation, and having iron guard-plates 

 about two inches higher than the surface bolted on each side so as to prevent the 

 wheels from slipping off, are placed parallel to each other across the excavation 

 of the exact width existing between the wheels. The movable bars at the back 

 of the cart are then removed, an! the cait is backed into the ways until the trunk 

 of the tree is exactly in the centre of the frame. The movable bars arc then jmt 

 in their place again so as to strengthen the back of the wheels, which do not run 

 on an axletree, but are fitted in wrought-iron frames hanging from the upper jiart 

 of the cart. The chains attached to the rollers on each side of the cart are now 

 lowered and passed under the planks before described, which are placed under 

 the earth-ball. When all is fast, four w-orkmen begin simultaneously to turn the 

 handles attached to the cast-iron cog-wheels, by which great ix)wer is obtained on 

 the rollers. The tree is raised slowly and steadily until it just swings clear of the 

 ground, and then nothing is left to be done but to stead}' the tree before it is 

 hoisted up to its proper height. For this purpose there is at each corner of the 

 cart a strong wrought-iron hook, to which is attached a block, through which runs 

 a strong rcj-K; fixed at the other end to a leather collar. These four ropes are 

 then raised up together and the collar firmly fastened on the stem of the tree 

 about seven or eight feet from the top of the carth-ball. The tree can now be 

 easily removed without fear of its falling over. 



" The horses are then attached to the cart, which is drawn slowly off the ways, 

 and the tree can be removed with safety to its future resting-place. If the tree 

 be vigorous and healthy, a hole a little wider than the one from which it has l-)een 

 removed should be dug beforehand, the earth being placed carefully on one side 

 if it should be of a kind to suit the tree about to be jilantcd, and if not, it shotild 

 be replacediliy suitable soil. The average dimensions for the hole, for an earth- 

 ball of four feet in diameter, should be about seven feet, so that eighteen inches 

 are preserved all round the tree to be filled up with good vegetable soil. The 

 depth should be equal to the height of the earth-ball, or a little more, if the tree 

 be of a species with tap-roots. The bottom of the excavation should be filled in 



