452 Oji the Supporting of 



girth 1 ft. 3 in., height 23 ft. ; height of props 2^ ft. Planted 

 twenty-seven months ago ; has also preserved its perpendicular. 

 I would not have considered this as worth mentioning, only 

 that it has afforded proof that even the plane may have a nail 

 of sufficient size to support it driven into its stem, in autumn 

 at least, without exhibiting any symptoms of impatience or of 

 injur3\ The wound did not bleed ; is now healed, and the 

 tree thriving. 



Notwithstanding all its faults, I have great confidence in, 

 and partiality for, the method of propping trees above de- 

 scribed. It has, indeed, several imperfections ; but these are 

 more apparent in relating the plan than in practising the 

 work. In parting from it, and recommending another method 

 as preferable, I experience something of that reluctance which 

 we feel in separating from an esteemed friend, on whose good 

 offices we have been accustomed to rely. But it frequently oc- 

 curs that new acquaintances occupy the place of former friend- 

 ships ; and so it happens here. I now prefer, and of course 

 more frequently practise, " the new method of supporting 

 recently transplanted trees by horizontal props, concealed 

 under*, or level with, or immediately above, the surface." 



This plan is applicable to subjects of every age, size, and 

 denomination, and scarcely liable to any objection that even 

 the ingenuity of the critic can conjure up. In short, I con- 

 sider it as nearly perfect as the nature of things will admit of. 

 Its prmciple of operation is simple, and readily comprehended, 

 and the workmanship of such easy accomplishment that it 

 may be done, in the absence of a carpenter, by almost any 

 labourer. Nor are the materials necessarily expensive; for 

 though square planks may be occasionally proper, where 

 g ^ I great strength and 



elegance are re- 

 quired, round poles 

 or boughs, fit for 

 little else than the 

 fire, will generally 

 suit the purpose, 

 there being scarce- 

 ly more required 

 than two spars laid 

 E in the form of a 

 cross, and secured 

 to four stakes, as 

 in Jig. 81. A is 



* An application of which was observed by Mr. E. Murphy at Chats- 

 worth, as made by Mr. Paxton. (See p. 297.) 



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