186 



THE planter's GUIDE. 



and the person on whom the safety of the transmission 

 entirely depends. For this purpose he takes post two or 

 three yards in the rear, with a stout assistant or two, if 

 necessary, in order to manage the top of the tree ; it being 

 understood that the root, as already mentioned, is in front, 

 or is drawn foremost. One or two able-bodied workmen 

 are then stationed under the pole, to bear up the top, at 

 first starting, on their shoulders, at the same time that all 

 the others who are unoccupied apply their streng-th to the 

 wheels ; when, on a signal giyen by the steersman, or 

 other person directing the work — the men and horses act- 

 ing simultaneously — ^the tree is drawn at once beyond the 

 limits of the pit. 



When advanced a few yards upon firm and level ground, 

 it is prudent to halt the horses, in order to examine if 

 every thing be well ordered and secure ; especially if the 

 equilibrium between root and top have been accmately 

 obtained. If the root be found too light, it is proper to 

 make it heavier, by loosening the cords of the bracers or 

 rackpins, and allowing it to drop down. If it be found 

 too heavy, (which is the lesser evil of the two,) the easiest 

 method of counteracting it is by sending up a couple of 

 balancemen to the top ; who, by shifting their position as 

 circumstances may require, serve as movable make-weights, 

 and maintain the equipoise. If these things be truly 

 adjusted, the tree will proceed in the transportation with 

 perfect safety to all its parts — the pole beautifully playing 

 on the axle and cross-bar, like the beam of a well-con- 

 structed weighing-machine, which many times vibrates 

 before settling in the equilibrium. 



In order that the reader may form a competent idea of 

 the machine itself, as used here, and of the transportation 

 of the tree on the balancing principle, a " view of the 

 machine in motion'' will be found in plate III., as taken 



