and the Manner of using them, 135 



which are to be carried any distance, are lifted on a truck with 

 low wheels, made strong for the purpose; and, if too heavy 

 for this mode, as many boards as are wanted are laid down 

 in succession, and the plant is hauled by the iron upon these 

 boards to the place where it is to be planted. The plant is 

 invariably hauled into the new hole on the iron, which is not 

 removed till its proper position is ascertained : this prevents 

 disturbance of the ball of earth or roots. The plant is then 

 lifted a little on one side, and the iron drawn out; earth is then 

 filled in to the level of the fibres, which are vmtied and laid out 

 straight, and the plant is earthed up. The heaviest plants, 

 Portugal and other laurels, 8 ft. and 9 ft. high, and 6 ft. or 7 ft. 

 in diameter, which cannot be lifted by any strength that can be 

 applied without injury to the ball of earth and roots, are thus 

 moved with great ease and expedition, with large balls of earth, 

 and without any disturbance of the roots ; and, consequently, 

 the plants invariably proceed in their growth, often without 

 experiencing the slightest check. 



Not a single failure has occurred, since I have been here, in 

 transplanting numerous plants of the above size, which have been 

 twice removed within eighteen months. I am justified in stating 

 that six or eight plants can be removed by these aids, in the same 

 time as is occupied in removing one or two without them ; and 

 many plants, which could not safely be transplanted, for want of 

 means of carrying large unbroken balls, and all the small roots, 

 without bruising or injury, are, by the use of these irons, trans- 

 planted with certain success. 



I may also add, that considerable experience has proved that 

 the best period for removing most evergreens is the middle of 

 sumrtier, that is to say, in July and August, after the growth of 

 the spring shoots.* The plants may then require a little shading 

 with mats, if the sun is powerful ; and they should have plenty 

 of water : but they will make roots during the remaining part of 

 the year, and will grow in the next spring as if they had never 

 been transplanted. Those removed in the winter often remain 

 without making new shoots the whole of the following year. 



The frequent successful removal of numerous large plants, 

 since I have been here, has often excited the surprise of visiters ; 

 and this leads me to hope that this communication will be favour- 

 ably received, and that it may be deemed worthy of insertion in 

 your valuable Magazine. 



Cheshunti Hertfordshire, Dec. 15. 1834. 



* Mr. M'Nab prefers " late in autumn, winter, or very early in spring ; that 

 is, any time from the middle of October till the middle of December ; always 

 provided that the weather and the ground are favourable." Additional particu- 

 lars, well worthy perusal, are quoted in our VII. 78 — 80., from Mr. M'Nab's 

 pamphlet on planting evergreens. — Coyid. 



L 4 



