THE planter's GUIDE. 



175 



Roots spread themselves in the ground in a way 

 nearly analogous to that in which branches spread them- 

 selves in the air, but with a far greater multiplicity of 

 ramification. From the principal root proceed the buds 

 that give rise to the primary rootlets ; and these again 

 give off finer ramifications, which are the true absorbents 

 of the root. To take up such minute and diminutive 

 shoots on the preservative principle, in any thing like an 

 entire state, is obviously impossible with the arboricultural 

 implements now generally in use. Hence it became 

 necessary to have something more effective, and the 

 tree-picker was some years since invented for this pur- 

 pose, and is now used in Scotland by many persons who 

 have witnessed its extraordinary utility in my practice. 

 This implement is of very simple structure, resembling 

 the pick used by miners, but with only one point or 

 prong, which forms an angle somewhat more acute with the 

 handle, than in the miner s pick. See Plate lY., Fig. 4. 

 The head, which is of iron, and fifteen inches long in the 

 prong, is made extremely light, as also the wooden handle. 

 The length of the latter is two feet and a half, the entire 

 implement weigliing no more than about four and a half 

 pounds. In fact, it can scarcely be made too light for 

 the purpose in question. 



From what has been said in the foregoing section, 

 respecting the preparation of trees, it is apparent that 

 those which have been cut round are more easily taken 

 up than those that have never been so prepared. The 

 trench made during this operation serves as a sm-e guide, 

 to show the point to which the fibrous elongation has 

 extended ; whereas, in subjects which have undergone no 

 such preparation, the roots must be judged of from other, 

 and sometimes more uncertain circumstances. Every 

 experienced workman is aware, in examining a tree that 



