134. 



Instruments for ti'ansplanting large Trees, 



Art. VI. On some Instruments for transplanting large Trees, and 

 the Manner of using them. By Mr. Henry Pratt, Gardener to 

 William Harrison, Esq. F.L.S. H.S. &c. 



I AM induced, from having myself experienced the benefit to 

 be derived from the use of some implements for transplanting 

 large shrubs, to give you a description of them, and of the 

 method of using them. These instruments {fg. 1 8.) are made of 



a, Upper surface of the carrier, or handbarrovv, formed of sheet iron b. Under side of the same, 

 showing an oval iron band, firmly riveted to the sheet iron, to stiffen it : this band is about an 

 inch broad, and the fourth of an inch tliick, and the two handles shown at each end are welded 

 into c, longitudinal section, d, Small pick. 



sheet iron, of three dimensions ; 4 ft. by 2ft. 6 in., 3 ft. by 1ft. 9in., 

 and 2 ft. 2 in. by 1 ft. 3 in. : they are rounded at the corners, a 

 little turned up at the ends, and are strengthened by flat iron 

 bars underneath, carried round near the edges. These iron bars 

 are welded into handles at each end, and the handles are kept 

 above the ground by the ends of the irons being turned up. 

 The ground is opened at a distance from the stem, regulated by 

 the size and nature of the plant intended to be moved ; and the 

 fibres are carefully tied up, as they are met with, to the stem of 

 the plant. 



The small pickaxes {d) described by Sir H. Steuart were used 

 in this garden, with the above irons, long before his book was 

 published; and, by their use, the plant is completely undermined 

 on three sides, leaving the remaining side undisturbed till the iron 

 {a) is put under the plant, when that side is cut down, and the 

 plant falls upon the iron; and, if not sufficiently in the middle, is 

 easily slipped into the centre of the iron. 



If the plant is large and heavy, an inclined plane is dug on 

 the most convenient side of the hole, and, a rope being put into 

 the iron handles, the plant is hauled out. A short strong board 

 is, in some states of the ground, used for this. The plant may 

 then, if not too heavy, be carried on a handbarrow, which 

 admits of the application of the strength of six men ; two between 

 the handles, and the other four on the outside. Heavier plants, 



