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THE PLANTER'S GUIDE. 



the mass from its former situation are now called forth to 

 lift it from the platform, and let it down into the new pit. 

 The planting, we shall suppose, is an easy business, as there 

 are few roots to be distributed in the ground ; so that 

 little remains to be done but to fill in the earth, which 

 finishes the process. As to the propping or supporting of 

 the tree, which in exposed situations sometimes defies the 

 utmost diligence and ingenuity, it involves an additional 

 item for wood or ropes, and labour, and is essential to be 

 attended to for two years at least. However, should the 

 plant be severely mutilated, and reduced to nearly a pol- 

 lard, the lever furnished by the stem is sometimes unable 

 to overcome the more ponderous mass of soil and roots ; 

 and the necessity of propping is in such cases superseded 

 by the superior weight of this load, and of the earth 

 superinduced on it. 



This, I imagine, or something similar to this, making a 

 fair allowance for differences in persons, places, and cir- 

 cumstances, may convey a tolerable idea of the business 

 of transplanting, as practised in England for nearly two 

 centuries, and also in those districts of Scotland in which 

 the Eno-hsh method is still followed. In some districts 

 one species of machinery may be employed, and another 

 in others. Some planters may be more, and some less 

 skilful, and less accurate in theii' practice ; but physical 

 force throughout, without phytological principle to guide 

 the process, together with the labour of many hands, 

 and the strength of ponderous implements, form the gene- 

 ral characteristics of this species of work. I have it from 

 gentlemen of high respectability, that from £2 to £5 is 

 considered as no unusual or exorbitant sum to lay out for 

 the removal of a tree of any size ; and even £10 and £15 

 have been many times paid. 



If there be any error or exaggeration in this cursory 



