191 



willi j)io|)iioty be taken up, on a single yeiii's growtli, after 

 cutting round ; because, in that case, the fresh shoots of the 

 fibres being nearly as tender as the roots of an onion or 

 a cabbage, can neither be extricated nor handled, without 

 sensible injury. 



Supposing the first case, and that the tree be to stand for 

 four or more years, the operation is simple. Let the trench 

 be cut fully to tlie depth of the subsoil, rather excavating the 

 bank, in order to get somewhat underneath the roots ; or, in 

 the case of taprooted plants (as the oak or elm,) going down 

 nearly a foot deeper still, and opening a drain or outlet on the 

 lower side, to prevent a stagnation of water, if the subsoil be 

 tenacious. After this, the earth may be returned well broken 

 down into the trench ; taking care to put in the surface- 

 mould first, in order to afford the best pabulum or nourish- 

 ment to the young fibres, which may be expected at once to 

 strike into it. Previously to the last mentioned operation, it 

 would certainly be an improvement, if a little compost could 

 be spared, to mix through the mass ; but thqt is an im- 

 provement which I have seldom had time to practise. 



Supposing the second case, and that the tree be to stand 

 only two years, the same method may be followed, but with 

 this difference, that on the south and southwest sides, two, or 

 perhaps three of the strongest roots should be left uncut, and 

 allowed to pass entire through the trench ; so that, when 

 taken up at their full length, they can act as stays against 

 the winds, which may assail it from those quarters. Some- 

 thing like this, as Evelyn informs us, was done in his time 

 by Lord Fitzharding.* As to "forcing down trees upon 

 their sides," so as to cut the taproot, which seems to have 

 been practised by that nobleman, it may answer with sub- 

 jects such as his, which were of the " bigness only of his 

 thigh :" but, with heavy trees, besides endangering their 



* Silva, Vol. 1. p. 102. 



