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THE planter's GUIDE. 



and introduced the transplanting machine as constructed 

 by his master. Since that period, although the unwieldy 

 platform with low wheels has not been unknown in this 

 kingdom, (as we have seen in the instance of Professor 

 Graham of Edinburgh,) yet the simpler machine of Brown 

 is still the implement most prevalent among Scottish 

 planters ; and consequently, wood removed here is trans- 

 ferred comparatively at less expense than it costs in 

 England. That it is still a matter of physical force, and 

 by consequence of fortuitous result, in both countries, is 

 certain, and for that reason it must always imply a vast 

 proportion of superfluous labour. It appears, however, 

 that the Scotch have hitherto shown much less predilec- 

 tion for anticipating the effects of time in this department 

 than the English ; and certainly they possess much less the 

 power of anticipating it than tliat great and opulent 

 people. 



As to the present English practice, it seems to differ in 

 nothing material from that which was known in the time 

 of Evelyn and Lord Fitzharding. If the facility and 

 despatch of the methods employed be regarded as the 

 criterion by which the expense is to be estimated, it will 

 not be difficult to decide between those methods hitherto 

 adopted and the one recommended in this essay. 



When the English planter has to remove a tree, the first 

 thing he does is to cut or trench round the roots, a year, 

 or perhaps two years, beforehand, and at the same time he 

 lops or lightens the top. This previous lopping I under- 

 stand to be according to the most approved practice. But 

 by what means he is then to ascertain the length or extent 

 to which mutilation is to be carried, so as that he may 

 proportion the top (as Marshall directs) " to the ability 

 of the root," I own I am unable to perceive, unless the 

 tree be previously taken up, and the size of the root 



