278 



SCIENCE OF GARDENING. 



Part II. 



1359. The climbing-spur {Jig. 153.) is of two sorts, one with, 

 and the other without a stem. The first sort (a) is fastened to the 

 upper part of the leg with a leather belt (b) ; the other sort (c) 

 is tied to the feet. By means of these spurs, one on each foot, 

 naked-stemmed trees may be ascended to any height, and when 

 it is wished to stop a short time at any part, the screw of the ring 

 (d) is entered in the trunk, and forms a firm point for one foot. 

 (Lasteyrie, Coll. de Machines, &c.) 



1360. The essential operative instruments are the knife, saw, shears, scythe, and hammer. 



Subsect. 2. Instruments of Direction. 



1361. The common characteristic of directive or preparatory instruments is, that they are 

 used in actions preparatory to operations, rather than in operations themselves, and depend 

 on scientific knowledge more than on practical dexterity ; this remark will apply also to 

 their construction, which is founded on the doctrines of quantities, gravitation, &c. 



1362. The garden-line is composed of three parts, the frame, generally of iron, the cord 

 which is wound upon the frame, and the pin which terminates the cord. The common 

 use of the line is perfectly understood from the name ; though generally used for straight 

 lines, yet it is also applied, by means of pegs or small stakes, to form curved lines. 



1363. The ground-measure. Of this there are at least three sorts used in gardening. 

 A Gunter's chain of 100 links, or 66 feet, a rod of one twelfth, or any equal part of the 

 chain, marked with links on one side, and feet on the other, and a common pocket-rule. 

 To these may be added a pocket measuring-line, though it is not, from its contraction and 

 expansion, to be much depended on. The chain is used to ascertain the contents of, or to 

 lay out and subdivide considerable plots ; the rod for the detail of such plots, or for 

 marking out rows, &c. ; and the pocket-rule for taking smaller dimensions. 



1364. Of timber-measurers and dendrometers there are various kinds, and their use is 

 for taking the dimensions of standing timber without climbing the tree. Broad's mea- 

 surer (Jig. 154.) is composed of two pieces of deal about 13 feet long, with a brass limb or 



154 



index (a), on which are engraven figures denoting the quarter girth in feet and inches. 

 Raising the instrument, the index end (a) is taken hold of, and the other applied to that 

 part of the trunk where the girth is to be taken, opening it so wide as just to touch at the 

 same time both sides of it, keeping the graduated index uppermost, on which the quarter 

 girth will be shown, allowing 1 inch in 13 for the bark. (Trans. Soc Arts, vol. xxv. 

 p. 20.) There are various other dendrometers, among which is a curious one by 

 Monteath, which will be afterwards noticed. The above we consider as much the 

 best. 



1 365. For talcing the height of a tree. Rods of deal or bamboo, seven feet long, made so 

 as to fit into ferrules at the end of each other, tapering as in a fishing-rod, may be used. 

 Five of them with feet marked on them would enable a man quickly to measure 

 the height of a trunk of more than 40 feet, as he would reach above seven feet. 



1366. The ground-compasses (jig. 155.) are generally made of hard wood, such as oak, 



shod with iron, and with an iron gauge or segment (a) ; their length may be six feet ; 

 they are used chiefly for laying out parterres in the ancient manner ; since, by a previous 



