as practised at Arlington Court. 509 



all over the hole, covering them, and working the earth in 

 amongst them, and ramming it down well as we proceed, until 

 we have laid them all out, tier above tier, and filled our hole to 

 its proper level, which is about 6 in. above the undisturbed 

 ground. We never find it to settle much in this process of plant- 

 ing. Should any of the roots be too long for the hole, we dig 

 trenches, and lay them out their full length, often as long as 

 25 or 30 feet, never cutting intentionally either root or branch 

 at the time of planting, but what are bruised, dead, or rival 

 leaders. By the above method we move large trees, at almost 

 any season, from the end of August to the end of May, with 

 very good success : but I think the best time is when they are in 

 a dormant state. We give very little water, this being a very 

 moist climate compared with that of London : the plants do very 

 well without it. I also like to plant when the earth is rather 

 dry. Some talk of puddling; but I disapprove of it altogether, 

 and always find trees to do best when the earth is in a good 

 working state. Would a farmer like to puddle in his wheat ? 

 I always find that earth which has been worked in a wet state 

 becomes very hard and unkind when dry ; and also cracks 

 very much, to the great detriment of the roots. 



In securing the plants against the wind, we use various 

 methods ; such as pegging down the roots, laying four poles, 

 forming a square, round the stem, and nailing each extremity 

 to a strong stake previously driven into the ground, just below 

 the surface, and propping with forked props : but more depends 

 on selecting proper plants, and good planting, than on all the 

 contrivances put together. Forming cradles round the stems, 

 to protect the bark, is good. 



We have moved plants of oak, beech, elm, ash, and sweet 

 chestnut, from 2 ft. 6 in. to 3 ft. 6 in. in circumference of stem, 

 at 1 ft. from the ground, from 20 ft. to 35 ft. high, with heads iu 

 proportion, and of every intermediate size, down to a quarter of an 

 inch in diameter, and 2 in. high ; Portugal laurel, 2 ft. in cir- 

 cumference of stem, 20 ft. high, and 50 ft. in circumference cf 

 head ; common laurel, with 5 or 6 stems, each from 1 ft. to 

 18 in. in circumference, and from 20 ft. to 30 ft. high, and the 

 branches, taken collectively, forming heads from 30 ft. to 40 ft. 

 in circumference ; evergreen oaks, deciduous cypresses, com- 

 mon cedar and holly, quite as large in proportion as the above ; 

 rhododendrons, box, &c., 30 ft. to ^0 ft. in circumference of 

 head, and 10 or 12 feet high ; balm of Gilead, silver, and 

 spruce firs, larch, and Scotch pines, from 1ft. to 18 in. in 

 circumference of stem, 20 ft. to 30 ft. high, and branched to 

 the ground ; all of which have done remarkably well, and have 

 as good effect the day after planting, as small plants would 



