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of the art. His cljief experiments were made with subjects 

 of no great magnitude, smaller, indeed, than according to 

 this system were calculated to withstand the elements, in 

 open exposures. In the sheltered vale, however, in which a 

 great part of the grounds near his house is situated, and for 

 the purpose of diversifying his walks along the river. Sir 

 Walter removed in 1824 and 1825, forty trees from ten to 

 fifteen feet high, and of proportional girth, oaks, beeches, 

 limes, and sycamores ; and nearly half as many more, in 

 the following season. From a want of plantations thinned 

 to wide distances, he possessed no extensive field for making 

 the selection properly, and therefore the plants were rather 

 deficient in the protecting properties. On this account he 

 knew, that, according to the law of nature, they must be 

 stationary at first, until time and exposure should supply what 

 they ought previously to have possessed. 



The trees had been cut round beforehand, which greatly 

 facilitated the taking up, and they were all planted on the 

 preservative principle. But, as they stood quite close to the 

 spot, to w^hich they were to be removed, they were trans- 

 ported with handspikes, and by expert workmen, in the most 

 rapid manner, under the eye of the indefatigable owmer. By 

 a communication, which I have from him, it appears, that 

 the plants are now in full health and foliage ; and as no pre- 

 paration of the ground and no manure were considered to 

 be necessary, the entire expense did not exceed 2s. per 

 tree- 

 But the department of transplanting, which has received 

 the greatest advancement at Abbotsford, is bush-planting in 

 the open field. On the sheepwalk at no great distance from 

 the Mansion-house, Sir Walter has transferred some hun- 

 dreds of bushes, or stools of underwood of various kinds, 

 with great success ; and these give a woody appearance to 

 the hanging grounds and banks of the place ; which style 



