PLANTING. 



377 



carry with perfect ease, it will be better to em- 

 ploy a wheeled machine, which Mr M'Nab has 

 also provided, and which will be understood by 

 the annexed engraving, fig. 137. An inclined 

 plane is formed in the side of the pit, the 

 machine is pushed down close to the ball, and a 

 plank placed under each wheel, to prevent them 

 sinking in the soft earth, and so lessen the resist- 

 ance in pulling it up again. 



The ball is lifted on the machine, or often slid 

 upon it by sinking the machine lower than the 

 ball, and placing it as far under as possible. The 

 machine must be strongly built, mounted on low 

 broad wheels, and having its top or floor pro- 

 jecting a little over the wheels to prevent the 

 loose earth falling down and impeding the oper- 

 ation of the axles. Fig. 137 shows the tree 

 mounted on the carriage and ready for removal. 

 When so placed, the ball is firmly secured to the 

 machine, and if the tree be of considerable 

 height guide-ropes are used, so that it may be 

 kept in an upright position. 



One of the most difficult operations in the 

 process of transplanting large trees or shrubs is 

 lifting them from their original position to the 

 machine by which they are to be transported. 

 We have shown, by fig. 138, one process whereby 

 a plant of considerable weight maybe so elevated, 

 that the transporting machine may be set under 

 the ball with great ease, and that without injur- 

 ing the plant or straining its roots. The ball 

 being prepared as before recommended, two 

 chains are drawn under two flat pieces of iron, 

 previously placed under the ball, from 6 to 1 2 

 inches in breadth, and of a thickness 

 equal to the weight they are likely 

 to have to sustain, and also in length 

 corresponding to its diameter. The 

 chains having a strong ring each 

 at one end, through which the 

 other end is made to pass, this, 

 being furnished with a hook, en- 

 ables the planter to tighten them 

 up as close as possible. These 

 chains are kept in their places by 

 another smaller chain, which is 

 passed round the ball, and, taking 

 a turn round each of the upright 

 chains, is fastened by a hook in 

 manner as above. The ends of 

 two strong levers are then intro- 

 duced under the chain, on the top 

 of the ball, and a fulcrum of stone, 

 wood, or some other resisting ma- 



terial is placed quite level at each side of the bank, 

 as shown in our cut. The ordinary operation of 



RAISING-POWER IN TRANSPLANTING. 



the lever will elevate the ball, if the fulcrums be 

 high enough, sufficiently to allow a low truck or 

 transplanting machine being pushed under it. 

 Should, however, the machine be mounted too 

 high, two strong wooden trestles can be used. 

 If the tree be high, guide-ropes should be 

 attached to keep it in a perpendicular position. 

 Where the convenience of a tree-transplanting 

 machine is not at hand, the plant may thus be 

 easily set on a strong handbarrow, and that, 

 with the plant upon it, may be placed on a 

 common cart, and so removed to its destina- 

 tion. For plants of moderate size, a handbar- 

 row will be found useful both for placing it in 

 a cart, and also for taking it from thence to 

 the pit prepared for it. 



Fig. 139. 



iWNAB'S LARGE TRANSPLANTER. 



