THE planter's GUIDE. 



185 



bj a steady horse, if at hand, bearing on the pole-rope ; 

 and the tree, being in this way left suspended horizon- 

 tally on the cross-bar, is ready to be drawn away, root 

 foremost, to its intended destination. 



Before the horse or horses are put to, a simple but very 

 material matter requires attention, and that is, to secure 

 the boughs and roots from all friction with the wheels or 

 with the ground, which would greatly chafe and injure 

 both : for all the boughs which appear under the pole, 

 unless yery slender and pliant, must be bound up by 

 means of cords cautiously passed under them, so as to 

 compress this part of the top, but without fracturing the 

 parts, into the narrowest compass. And the same care 

 must be taken to bundle up all the flexible parts of the 

 roots, so as to prevent their coming in contact with the 

 ground, or with the wheels. If the forced-up surface also 

 of the pit be too soft and sinky, it will be expedient to 

 form a path for the wheels by a close line of hedge-stakes 

 laid transversely to the path, so that they may easily j^ass 

 upon it to the firmer ground. These things being done, 

 the horses are put to, in the same manner as to a plough, 

 but with much stronger draught-bars, at least the main 

 one. An iron chain of great strength attaches them to 

 the machine ; and stout ropes are employed instead of 

 plough-chains, which are ill calculated to withstand the 

 sudden pulls and jerks incident to this species of work. 

 As to the horses, it is of the utmost importance that none 

 but quiet and steady-pulling animals be admitted to this 

 service — such as are not hot and fiery, however true to the 

 draught — otherwise the most fatal accidents may ensue to 

 both branches and roots. 



As soon as the horses are put to, the machiner seizes 

 the end of the pole-rope, in order to act as steersman — the 

 most important function ary in this part of the business. 



