324 SIR HENRY STEUART'S METHOD 



and then on the other, and while in the leaning po- 

 sition as much earth as necessary applied below it. 



A still more important point is rightly to steady 

 and set straight the tree, so that it may satisfy the 

 eye on the one hand, and be firmly secured against 

 the wind on the other. For this purpose, the work- 

 men should be divided into parties of three and 

 three together as in taking up the tree. Of these 

 one seizes as many as he can of the flexible lateral 

 roots with both hands, and holds them aside so as 

 to open a view below the tree. A second throws in 

 mould of the finest sort he can find, in such a way 

 as to form a bank sloping outwards against the roots 

 so held aside, and treads it firmly with his feet ; 

 while the third, with a blunt-pointed stake or ram- 

 mer, pushes in the mould, and makes it firm in the 

 cavities. All this must be done not hurriedly or at 

 random, but with the utmost care ; the man who 

 shovels in the earth waiting patiently for the co- 

 operation of his companions. 



When the different parties meet, this part of the 

 work is completed, and the next thing to be done, 

 provided it has been found impossible to bring a 

 large ball of earth adhering to the tree, is to let fall 

 pulverized mould as fine and as dry as can be had, 

 through the empty spaces of the roots from above, 



