WOODS AND PLANTATIONS. 413 



end bar and cross-lifting beams, which were taken off, are replaced and 

 screwed on. The process of raising the mass is accomplished by screw 

 power ; the screws are two or four in number, as the case may require, 

 and so arranged as to make the lift equal. They are made fast to the 

 beams of the frame, and are worked by men. When the screws are put 

 in motion, the frame and enclosed mass rise erectly upwards. In ordi- 

 nary circumstances, a tree with a ball of ten feet, in about twenty 

 minutes' working of the screws, should be completely raised from the pit. 

 The propelling power, when the ground is soft, and horses cannot be 

 used, or when it may be inconvenient to use them, is by a winch 

 attached to the front of the carriage, and block and tackle made fast to 

 some neighbouring tree, piles driven into the ground, or any other hold 

 most convenient ; but when the way is clear, and the road good, horses 

 will do the work more expeditiously. It will be found necessary, when 

 the ground is soft, to lay planks to prevent the wheels sinking, until 

 they get on hard ground. The pit being already dug, the mass is moved 

 directly over it, and the tree and ball are lowered into it on the same 

 principle as it was raised ; the earth is then filled in all round about, 

 and the apparatus removed, and the operation is completed. The reader 

 at first sight may be apt to think that the cutters which were put round 

 the ball would sever the large roots ; but if the operator has any desire 

 to preserve them, which, Mr M'Glashan remarks, is still a very unde- 

 cided question, it can be easily done by finding out their position with 

 piercers, and driving a cutter on either side of them, and thus preserving 

 them entire. Although ten feet is the size described here (as it has 

 already been done), it can either be reduced or enlarged as the tree or 

 operator may require." 



The transplanting of very large trees involves great expense and risk, 

 and should not be attempted, \mless in rare cases, to give immediate 

 effect where it is wanted. A tree of from ten to twelve feet high can 

 be transplanted with greater safety and at less expense than one from 

 fifteen to twenty feet high. The latter will remain stationary for some 

 years, without making any progress ; while the former will continue 

 growing, and progresses at least after being one year in the new site. 



The first great consideration in the transplanting of trees is the choice 

 of good plants. The lime is a very safe subject to remove, and also the 

 chestnut and sycamore. These three kinds are largely used in forming 

 avenues along the new streets or Boulevards of Paris. I have also 

 removed with success the oak, elm, walnut, birch, and holly. 



The trees chosen may be taken from a plantation ; but a slight 

 drawn-up tree should not be fixed upon, or one which has been too 

 much crowded upon by others. A very large head of branches is not 



