296 Arboricultural Tour in Scotland and E7igland, 



them out, I shall, for obvious reasons, refrain from doing so. 

 In one branch of arboriculture, namely, the removal of large 

 trees, the Scotch gardeners who have had occasion to exercise 

 it have been eminently successful. The limits which I have 

 proposed to myself in this sketch (which may, perhaps, be 

 filled up on some future occasion) do not permit me to enter 

 into much detail: but, amongst others who have practised 

 this art, I cannot avoid mentioning Mr. M'Nab of the Edin- 

 burgh botanic garden, whose trees, by far the largest which, 

 so far as I could learn, have ever been removed in Scotland, 

 are, with an exception or two, thriving prodigiously. It is 

 worthy of remark, that, in noticing this extraordinary feat in 

 arboriculture. Sir Henry Steuart prophesies that, as these 

 trees were not previously prepared for removal, they will 

 remain stationary for a number of years, until they have ac- 

 quired what he has designated protecting properties, before 

 they commence growing. They, however, did not remain 

 stationary for a single season ; and of the fact I made myself 

 certain by taking the admeasurement of them, and comparing 

 it with that given at p. 4 1 5. of the second edition of the Planter's 

 Guide. Mr. Stuart of Pinkey, near Edinburgh, has also been 

 most successful in this branch of arboriculture : his practice 

 has been very extensive ; and 1 look upon him as possessing a 

 knowledge of arboriculture inferior to that of none with whom 

 I have ever had the pleasure to converse, 



Mr. Ross, gardener to the Duke of Athol at Dunkeld, has 

 not only been successful in the removal of large trees at the 

 ordinary seasons ; but even, when it became necessary, owing 

 to some alterations which could not be deferred, in removing 

 large deciduous trees in June, July, and August, performing 

 the operation with perfect success. I shall only mention Mr. 

 Bishop of Methven Castle, for the purpose of referring to his 

 essay on this subject, which was honoured by the Highland 

 Society, and published in their Transactions ; and which will 

 convey a much more distinct notion of his acquirements in 

 this art than any thing I could say. 



In England, also, I had an opportunity of observing some 

 very interesting examples of the successful performance of this 

 art. It has been most extensively and successfully practised 

 for a great number of years, by Mr. Gregor, forester at 

 Eaton Hall in Cheshire ; to notice whose operations in this 

 way would extend this letter far beyond its due limits. Suf- 

 fice it to say, that his trees are remarkably beautiful ; and that 

 even in the removal of enormous Lucombe's oaks, the most 

 difficult trees (Mr. Gregor informed me) to be transplanted, 

 he has experienced no difficulty. I cannot conclude these 



