188 



circumstances ; so that statQ must be improved by the alter- 

 ation of such circumstances, and the possession of the oppo- 

 site or protecting' properties be substituted in its stead. The 

 planter therefore, in ordinary cases, if he act with judgment, 

 has little more to do, than to bring about a gradual, a salu- 

 tary, and in the end a. free exposure of trees to the elements, 

 and their own native energies and plastic powers will do 

 every thing else for themselves. 



Having explained as distinctly as I can the trae principle, 

 on which the preparation of trees should be made, I will 

 now proceed to point out the practice. Subjects for removal 

 may be prepared in two different ways, or, more properly 

 speaking, in two different classes, namely, as single trees, 

 each independently of the other ; or as masses, especially 

 trained and disciphned for the purpose. 



And first, as to single or individual trees. It has been 

 already noticed, that many trees stand in need of no prepa- 

 ration at all, but may immediately be taken up, and removed 

 to where they are wanted. If what has been said above, 

 on the selection of subjects, be fully apprehended by the 

 reader, he will have little difficulty in regulating his choice, 

 and determining what subjects really possess the four essen- 

 tial prerequisites, or protecting properties : because proper 

 preparation, and the possession of those properties, may be 

 considered as nearly convertible terms. About every place, 

 great or small, such subjects are always to be found in pretty 

 open dispositions, in old grass-plots or avenues, in woodlands 

 near the flower or kitchen garden, and the like, where the 

 ground is usually kept under the sythe. Here, if the soil 

 be loose and deep, that is, if it afford good rooting-ground, 

 you are sure to find tolerable subjects, which may be imme- 

 diately taken up, in the manner hereafter to be described. 

 Even subjects drawn from hedge-rows may be pressed into 

 the service, provided their roots have not too deeply pene- 

 trated the mound, on which the hedge is planted, or provided 



