380 



HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 



much smaller dimensions ; and as these are by- 

 far more generally operated upon, we think this 

 latter machine deserving of especial notice. 

 The framework or platform to be placed under 

 the ball is somewhat similar to, and introduced 

 under the ball much in the same way as the 

 last, only the centre poles are in this case dis- 

 pensed with, "as a 3 or 4 inch oak plant is 

 found sufficient, if free of knots, to carry a tree 

 from 1 to 2 tons weight. By this machine, 

 when the tree is ready for being lifted, it can 

 be raised in a few minutes by a windlass at each 

 end ; and when taken to the place of destina- 

 tion, it can be lowered from it in the same 

 short space of time." This carriage is like the 

 first in two parts, a hind and fore part — a cir- 

 cumstance rendered necessary to facilitate the 

 process of loading and unloading. It differs 

 also in having three wheels instead of four, and 

 in the lifting power being given by a windlass 

 at each end, over which the cable passes, which 

 is secured to the platform under the ball. As 

 the windlass is turned round by means of levers, 

 as in weighing an anchor, the cable is wound 

 round it ; and as it becomes at each turn more 

 and more shortened, the platform and ball upon 

 it are elevated until sufficiently clear of the 

 ground. By these simple mechanical appliances 

 the great transplanting operations carried on at 

 Elveston during the last twenty-five years have 

 been executed. 



Mr Holmes machine for transplanting trees of 

 large size. — Trees of large size have been very 

 successfully transplanted by Mr Holmes, Amport 

 House, Hants, as described by him in the sixth 

 volume of the "Journal of the Horticultural 

 Society," p. 14, The ball is prepared in the 

 usual way by excavating a trench around it, 

 preserving the roots with as much care as pos- 

 sible. A common four-wheeled timber carriage 

 is made use of, and an inclined roadway formed 

 on one side of the hole for the fore wheels to 

 run in. " The fore wheels are separated from 

 the hind ones; the former run backwards down 

 the roadway towards the tree, and the hind 

 wheels on the opposite side (a more abrupt way 

 having been cut for them, as it is of no further 

 use as a roadway), so as to place the tree to be 

 removed in the middle, and so that the ball 

 and roots clear the wheels. Instead of the 

 pole belonging to the carriage when used for 

 timber being retained, a pole with a slight curve 

 in the centre, so as not to come in contact with 

 the stem of the tree, is used, which, together 

 with two strong oak or ash beams, about 1 foot 

 square by about 12 feet long, serve to connect 

 the wheels and sustain the weight of the tree to 

 be lifted ; and two short cross pieces, about 3 

 feet in length and from 2 to 3 inches thick, are 

 placed at right angles with the beams running 

 lengthways, the stem of the tree being in the 

 centre of the hole. These cross beams have 

 each a hole cut through, about 6 inches by 1\ 

 inches, in order to let the eye of the screw 

 through." These screws are each 2 feet long. 

 " The top of these cross beams sustains the 

 plate in connection with the screws, which plate 

 is 6 inches square. Connected with the plate 

 is the box or nut through which the screw 



passes. The screws are worked by levers in- 

 serted in their heads horizontally, and there is 

 an eye at the bottom of each screw, made very 

 strong, for the chain to pass through. The chains 

 are then braced completely round the ball of the 

 tree, so as to injure the roots as little as pos- 

 sible, and care is taken that each chain has its 

 due share of the ball or weight of the tree, and 

 also that an old mat is placed next the ball, 

 then a piece of plank, and next to this the 

 chain, so that neither ball nor roots may be 

 harmed. A man is then placed to work each 

 screw, which he does by a small pin or lever 2 

 feet long. When the men have screwed up as 

 high as the screws will allow, the tree is wedged 

 so as to retain what has been obtained by the 

 screw. For this purpose a few wedges 2 or 3 

 feet long are required, and a few flat boards for 

 the wedges to rest upon firmly. When the 

 wedges are found to sustain the weight, un- 

 screwing is commenced and the chain tightened. 

 In this way the process of raising goes on, alter- 

 nately screwing and wedging." If the screws 

 were of a sufficient length, we think that wedg- 

 ing would not be required, and that the ball 

 would be lifted in much less time. " If things 

 are well managed the tree will generally swing 

 at the second screwing up ; and, in raising, a little 

 tact and care is necessary. Care should be espe- 

 cially taken that the wedges are securely placed 

 before unscrewing; and when the bottom of the 

 ball is high enough to clear the surface of the 

 ground in travelling, the horses are put to ; be- 

 fore which it is well to lay a few planks down 

 for the wheels of the carriage to pass over until 

 upon firm ground. No tying of anything is re- 

 quired, as the pressure upon the screws pre- 

 vents everything from slipping, and the tree 

 continues perfectly upright during the whole 

 process of removal. A guide-rope is attached to 

 the tree by way of precaution, but its greatest 

 use is in placing the tree upright during the 

 operation of transplanting. 



" When the tree has arrived at its destination 

 the fore wheels are driven down the roadway 

 through the hole till they arrive at an abrupt 

 termination, which is left in order that the tree 

 shall be exactly in the centre of the hole. The 

 ball is then unscrewed until it touches the 

 ground; the chains are loosened; the screws 

 and cross-beams are taken down ; the hind 

 wheels separated from the fore ones by 

 pulling out the hind pins or bolts which 

 fasten the beams to the carriage; and lifting 

 the beams one on each side, and one end 

 only on the ground, the fore wheels are then 

 pulled out, then the hind wheels, leaving the 

 tree standing upright as at first, which con- 

 cludes the operation as far as removal is con- 

 cerned." 



There can be no doubt that keeping trees in 

 a vertical position during the process of re- 

 moval is the most rational, because there is no 

 strain placed on either the stem or the roots. 

 Whereas that of janker-moving is attended with 

 both these evils, as well as an almost certain dis- 

 placement of the bark at the part where it comes 

 in contact with the axle ; and even if the bark is 

 not displaced entirely, the whole of its vessels 



