732 



Reti-ospective Criticism. 



Cross levers may be used for larger trees which require more men 

 (b), so that as many men can conveniently apply their strength to it as 

 are wanted, without being in each other's way. The whole is fixed 

 and unfixed without any loss of time, and requires no tying, nor is there 

 anv danger of its slipping off." Our author recommends that, in digging 

 out the trench around the tree, a larger ball than is really meant to be 

 removed should be left, which can be reduced with a pick without injuring 

 the roots, and that the tap and other roots inconvenient to get at may be 

 severed under the ball of earth with a long chisel. The best way of forming 

 the ball is to prepare it the year before removal, by digging round the tree, 

 and cutting most of its principal roots. In planting, in either case, spread 

 the projecting roots out carefully in different layers, as near as possible to 

 their original position, as the hole is gradually filled up with mould. " I 

 do not find," says the author, " that trees thus planted require support, 

 as the large ball of earth steadies them sufficiently." He admits, however, 

 that the trees he has removed are not so large as those described by Sir 

 H. Steuart. " Had it, however, been necessary for me to have planted 

 larger trees, I have no doubt but that I should have succeeded equally 

 well ; as, by means of the cross levers, the strength of a proportionable 

 number of men may be readily applied." 



Mr. Jesse proceeds to give directions and remarks on preparing the ball 

 of trees to be transplanted, and of adjusting their roots, as the hole into 

 which they are transplanted " is gradually filled up with mould." These 

 are very well, but superfluous to gardening readers. 



We have two objects in presenting the preceding abstract : one, to 

 illustrate the following strictures on Mr. Jesse's mode, by a practical 

 man ; the other, to afford those whom this subject interests an additional 

 invention to those already presented to them in our Vol. V. p. 422., and 

 Vol. VII. p. 29, 30. and 655. ; and Encyclopaedia of Gardening, § 1468. 



In reference to the strictures, a correspondent, J. M., in a communica- 

 tion dated " London, May 16. 1832," writes as follows. " Having bought 

 Mr. Jesse's book, I sent the part of it which describes the author's mode 

 of transplanting large trees to a friend of mine, a gentleman who has been 

 extensively engaged in this branch of arboriculture, thinking he might 

 derive some advantageous hints, as I knew he had made some alterations 

 in the machinery, which had received the approbation of Sir Henry 

 Steuart himself; and as your work is designed for the benefit of science, 

 I have thought that the remarks of my friend may be worth a place in it. 

 They are these : — 'I am much obliged to you for the extract on planting 

 trees and shrubs. It is always gratifying to me to read men's opinions upon 



