THE PLANTEE's GUIDE. 



195 



by consequence, tlie branches from the ground,) namely, 

 at a, 5 feet nearer the axle, and within 18 inches or 2 

 feet of the end of the upper stay ; from which it can 

 be removed at pleasure, as may suit the magnitude of 

 the tree. 



The entire weight of the machine, when mounted on 

 its two wheels, is nearly 11 cwt. avoirdupois. 



This, it will be perceived, is a powerful though rather a 

 ponderous implement, and cannot be worked with fewer 

 than two, and sometimes three horses. It is meant for 

 trees not less than from five-and-thirty to five-and-forty 

 feet high, or more, and from fourteen to eighteen inches 

 in diameter — that is, from three and a half to four feet 

 in girth. 



From the above statement it is apparent that con- 

 siderable improvements have been made on the machine 

 since the time of Brown, and from the rude delineation 

 of it as introduced into Ireland, about threescore years 

 since, by his ingenious pupil Robertson.* Some persons 

 approve of the uniform use of the third wheel, within 2^ 

 or 3 feet of the point of the pole : but that cannot be 

 necessary, as already mentioned, but with subjects of 

 extraordinary length or weight ; and it is quite inadmis- 

 sible in any case, in this position, unless where the tops 

 have been severely lightened or mutilated. Others, in 

 some of the northern districts of this kingdom, where both 

 the soil and climate are extremely propitious, have added 

 what they denominate a " heel-beam," 1 8 inches out from 

 the axle or cross-bar. But, as it appears, this should 

 much rather have been called a fore-beam, as it is placed 

 immediately in front of the axle, and next to the draught- 

 bar, to which the horses are put. In other words, the 



^' See Hayes' Treatise on Planting, and the Management of Woods, pj). 42- 

 47. Also Sect. II. mite. 



