235 



We have now arrived at that part of the process of plant- 

 ing, which, as it is the most difficult to execute, so it is also 

 the most difficult to render intelligible to the reader. It 

 comprises the whole of the setting up, balancing, and sup- 

 porting the plant ; the distributing of the roots in a proper 

 manner in the ground ; and, in a word, every other precau- 

 tion, on which its stabiUty and success mainly depend. 

 These operations, therefore, should never be performed, 

 except under the eye of the director of the work, who should 

 be every way competent to superintend them. — And here I 

 cannot refrain from earnestly recommending it to gentlemen 

 to make themselves fully masters of the practice, as well as 

 the principles of these various processes, so that they may 

 be enabled to take upon themselves the useful office in ques- 

 tion, as often as it may be convenient. I need scarcely add, 

 that, in all rural work, the superintending eye of the owner 

 furnishes the surest earnest of success, especially where any 

 thing like science is united with accuracy of execution. 



As soon as the tree is properly placed, in respect to the 

 position of the branches, and the machine wheeled off, the 

 two transverse ropes (which should be ten or twelve yards 

 long at least,) are instantly stretched out to their utmost 

 extent, by putting one or two stout hands to each, as the 

 balancing of the tree, and setting it straight may require. 

 The director has then to settle the interesting point of depth, 

 and to determine, whether it have been rightly judged, by 

 the first cursory estimate. From what has been said above, 

 it is evident, that if the tree be set too shallow in the ground, 

 it has this advantage, that it is tantamount to deepening the 

 soil, to the extent of the error committed : hence, it is pos- 

 sible to remedy the error, by bringing earth from some other 

 quarter, to make up the deficiency. If the tree be set too 

 deep, it is without a remedy, unless by planting it over again ; 

 which, were the business finished, besides the extra labour 

 required, would considerably injure the tree. The director, 



