18 i 



THE PLAOTER's guide. 



able saving of time, and consequently of expense, in at 

 once ascertaining tliem, without those tedious consulta- 

 tions and vexatious delays in which the best workmen are 

 apt to indulge in this stage of the business. For such an 

 evil there is no remedy but in the useful principle of the 

 subdivision of labour — or, in other words, in making the 

 machiner's a distinct office, of which the duty is com- 

 mitted to the sagacity and despatch of a single individual. 

 Besides these arrangements, it is a material consideration 

 so to machine the tree as that its lee-side branches, which 

 are always the stoutest and longest, should, if possible, be 

 uppermost on the pole when the tree is laid horizon- 

 tally ; because no branch or root of considerable length 

 should be suffered to sweep the ground during the time 

 of transportation. But other circumstances may occur to 

 render this desirable position of the roots and branches 

 impracticable — such as a decided and untoward bend in 

 the stem, in an adverse direction ; in which case the 

 machiner must adopt the next best arrangement, and that 

 which will do the least injury. 



As soon as the machiner has adjusted these things, and 

 directed the proper introduction of the pole among the 

 boughs, an active workman is sent up to lash the stem 

 and the pole as firmly together as possible, taking care, 

 by redoubled folds of mat, to secure the bark against the 

 damage it might suffer from the iron ring at the point of 

 the pole. A double rope of the stoutest kind (which is 

 greatly preferable to the chain used by some planters) is 

 then passed under the root, so as to seize it firmly, and 

 balance it on the upper stage of the cross-bar between the 

 wheels ; which rope is then drawn tight by means of 

 bracing or rackpins, such as waggoners generally use, and 

 secured in the ordinary manner. Last of all, the tree is 

 drawn down by the united strength of the workmen, or 



