TRANSPLANTING OF GROWN TREES. 33 



The most novel and interesting experiments of 

 this kind are those of the ingenious and enterprising 

 Sir H. Stewart. His theory, founded on a careful 

 analysis of the physiological laws, is undoubtedly 

 good; his method of shifting the site of living timber, 

 so far as time has yet proved, appears to be eminently 

 successful; and no small praise is due to the splendid 

 scheme of clothing a lawn in a few days with trees 

 of a stem three feet in circumference the growth 

 of thirty years. Yet there is reason to fear that 

 neither the author's valuable treatise, nor the de- 

 monstration of his success, will go very far to help 

 the nakedness of our country. To the success of 

 such operations, not to speak of skill, a large expence 

 per tree is absolutely neccessary, and reasonable 

 fears there may be, that trees of such magnitude 

 will not do well upon indifferent soil. The exca- 

 vations for their new residence must have consid- 

 erable depth; and the whole apartment, loosened 

 as by trenching, and enriched with compost, is 

 highly favourable to the life of the old, and to the 

 growth of newly formed roots, for a certain number 

 of years. JJut look to the sides of the pit, consist- 

 ing, it may be, of hard till or sheer gravel; and 

 what iron wall have the surprised roots in their 

 new adventures to perforate, or, after good feeding, 

 in what poverty to live, when they seek to extend 

 their sphere. It will then be time to lift again, 

 and seek a larger flowerpot for the plant. It is a 

 just theory, that the roots must be taken up to a 

 great degreee, entire if the branches be kept entire; 



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