THE planter's guide. 



211 



enabled to take upon themselves tlie useful office in 

 question, as often as it may be conyenient. I need 

 scarcely add, that in all rural work the superintending 

 eye of the owner furnishes the surest earnest of success, 

 especially where any thing like science is united with 

 accuracy of execution. 



As soon as the tree is properly placed in respect to 

 the position of the branches, and the machine wheeled 

 off, the two transverse ropes (which should be ten or 

 twelve yards long at least) are instantly stretched out to 

 their utmost extent, by putting one or two stout hands 

 to each, as the balancing of the tree and setting it 

 straight may require. The director has then to settle the 

 interesting point of depth, and to determine whether it 

 have been rightly judged by the first cursory estimate. 

 From what has been said above, it is evident that if the 

 tree be set too shallow in the ground, it has this advan- 

 tage — that it is tantamount to deepening the soil to the 

 extent of the error committed : hence, it is possible to 

 remedy the error by bringing earth from some other 

 quarter to make up the deficiency. If the tree be set too 

 deep, it is without a remedy, unless by planting it over 

 again ; which, were the business finished, besides the 

 extra labour required, would considerably injure the tree. 

 The director, if he have an accurate eye, now determines 

 the matter, ere it be too late, at a single glance. Should 

 the tree be too deep, he orders it to be pulled half way 

 down, first on the one side and then on the other, the 

 transverse rope supporting it in the opposite direction. 

 While in the heeling position, earth is then mounded on 

 either side, as directed above, for raising the tree in the 

 pit, and it is soon got up to the height wanted. Should 

 it be too shallow, it is in like manner pulled down, and 

 lowered by alternate excavation on either side, to the 



