316 SIR HENRY STEUART's METHOD 



order to facilitate the operation of the picker. Two 

 workmen are then to scratch up the roots, while 

 another clears the trench of the earth which they 

 produce. Thus as many workmen may he employ- 

 ed as is found convenient, three and three together 

 in different parts. Every effort must be made to 

 preserve the minutest fibres, and not to bruise or 

 bark any of the larger roots. The pickmen must 

 therefore observe not to strike across the latter, 

 but as much as possible in the line of their elonga- 

 tion, and contriving by a dexterous shake of the in- 

 strument, to be acquired only by practice, to make 

 it slip into the spaces between the ramifications, in- 

 stead of coming down directly upon them. 



As the operation proceeds, the roots disengaged 

 must be carefully bundled up, in order to make 

 room for the workmen, as well as to avoid injury 

 from the implement and the feet. When the men 

 have approached within four or five feet of the stem, 

 the process of extrication should cease, and the rest 

 of the earth be left entire, with two or three feet of 

 the original sward adhering to it if possible. 



Measures must now be taken to pull down the 

 tree, and get it out of the pit. With this view, let 

 a strong but soft rope, of about four inches in girth, 

 be fixed as near the top as a man can safely climb, 



