202 



THE planter's guide. 



tion I have given, is to allow them to stand free and open 

 in plantations or woods, for a certain period, in order that 

 they may acquire that expansion of roots, and that share 

 of the other protecting properties, which, according to the 

 law of nature, may fit them for the situation which they 

 are intended to occupy. As to transplantation, the 

 branches of most bushes being tougher and more elastic 

 than those of large trees, three or four, or even a 

 greater number of plants, can be carried away at one 

 time by the smallest machine. It is only for the open 

 park that much nicety is required in any part of these 

 processes. 



On considering these different machines, the planter 

 will find that they possess advantages, not at first sight 

 apparent, but which will fully develop themselves in 

 practice. The breadth of the stages — which are movable 

 at pleasm"e, the shortness of the stays, the curvature of 

 the axle, the iron sunk into the pole, &c. ; the position 

 of the third wheel, the relative proportions and adapta- 

 tions of the different parts to one another — all these tend 

 in the most eminent degree to combine lightness with 

 strength, and accuracy and despatch with a due preser- 

 vation of the roots and branches, during the trans- 

 portation. 



It is particularly to be noticed that these implements, 

 as well as the trees recommended to be removed by them, 

 are of very moderate dimensions, and intended solely for 

 the meridian of Scotland. In England, I am aware that 

 far larger operations are carried on, and it is possible that 

 far greater success may be attained than any we can here 

 boast of. But the scale in question is perhaps highly 

 enough estimated for a country whose "power, according 

 to the philosophical notion of it above mentioned, is 

 of such inconsiderable extent. In England, where that 



