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Note II. Page 94. 



As I consider Miller as one of the greatest authorities we iiave, foi 

 whatever relates to trees, I shall beg leave to give his opinion at large, 

 on the sul)jcct of the removal of large trees. To this art he undoubtedly 

 was not partial, from the great want of science, which he saw displayed 

 by those who practised it in his day ; and he could form no conception, 

 either of the general progress of science which we see now attained, or 

 its application to this particular branch of rural economy. 



" The modern practice of transplanting forest-trees, from hedge-rows 

 and woods, of large size, and at a great expense, has too generally pre- 

 vailed in this kingdom (England), the generality of planters being in too 

 great haste, and by a mistaken notion of saving time, begin by trans- 

 planting such large trees as they find on their own estates, oi that they 

 can procure in their neighbourhood, and please themselves with the hopes 

 of having fine plantations soon : but if, instead of removing these trees, 

 they would begin by making a nursery, and raising their trees from seed, 

 they would save a great expense, and much time, and they would have 

 the constant pleasure of seeing their trees annually advance in their 

 growth, instead of growing worse, as will always be the case, where old 

 trees are removed ; though many persons flatter themselves with the 

 hopes of success, when they find their trees shoot out the following 

 season. * * 



" I have seen great numljers of tall oaks transplanted, which have 

 appeared to thrive for some years, when first planted ; but in five or six 

 years after, they have begun to decay at top, and have leisurely died to 

 the ground, than which nothing can be a more disagreeable sight to the 

 owner. And the method which is commonly practised in transplanting 

 these trees, would destroy them, were there a possibility of such large 

 trees surviving their removal, which is, that of cutting off all their 

 branches : for were the same practised on a tree of the same age unre- 

 moved, it would stint the growth so much, as not to be recovered in 

 several years, nor would it ever arrive to the size of such as have all 

 their branches left on them. But the reason given for this practice is, 

 that if the branches were left upon the trees, they could not be support- 

 ed ; the winds would throw them out of the ground ; and another (which 

 is bad philosophy) is, that, as the roots have been greatly reduced by 

 transplanting, so the heads of the trees should be reduced in the same 

 proportion. As to the first, it must be allowed that trees, which are re- 

 moved with proat hcadf, am with great difiiculty preserved in thei) 



