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NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS. 



on the subject of the removal of large trees. To this art he undoubt- 

 edly was not partial, from the great want of science which he saw dis- 

 played by those who practised it in his day ; and he could form no con- 

 ception, either of the general progress of science which we see now 

 attained, or its application to this particular branch of rural economy. 



" The modern practice of transplanting forest-trees, from hedge-rows 

 and woods of large size, and at a great expense, has too generally pre- 

 vailed in this kingdom (England,) the generality of planters being in 

 too great haste, and by a mistaken notion of saving time, begin by 

 transplanting such large trees as they find on their own estates, or that 

 they can procure in their neighbourhood, and please themselves with the 

 hopes of having fine plantations soon ; but if, instead of removing these 

 trees, they would begin by making a nursery, and raising their trees 

 from seed, they would save a great expense, and much time, and they 

 would have the constant pleasure of seeing their trees annually advance 

 in their growth, instead of growing worse, as will always be the case 

 where old trees are removed ; though many persons flatter themselves 

 with the hopes of success, when they find their trees shoot out the fol- 

 lowing season. .... 



" I have seen great numbers of tall Oaks transplanted, which have 

 appeared to thrive for some years, when first planted ; but in five or six 

 years after, they have begun to decay at top, and have leisurely died to 

 the ground, than which nothing can be a more disagreeable sight to the 

 owner. And the method which is commonly practised in transplanting 

 these trees, would destroy them, were there a possibility of such large 

 trees surviving their removal, which is, that of cutting of all their 

 branches : for were the same practised on a tree of the same age unre- 

 moved, it would stint the growth so much as not to be recovered in several 

 years, nor would it ever arrive to the size of such as have all their 

 branches left on them. But the reason given for this practice is, that if 

 the branches were left upon the trees, they could not be supported — the 

 winds would throw them out of the ground ; and another (which is bad 

 philosophy) is, that, as the roots have been greatly reduced by transplant- 

 ing, so the heads of the trees should be reduced in the same proportion. 

 As to the first, it must be allowed that trees which are removed with 

 great heads, are with great difficulty preserved in their upright situa- 

 tion ; for the winds will have such power against the branches as to 

 overset the trees, if they are not very strongly supported with ropes; there- 

 fore, this may be brought as an objection to the transplanting of large trees, 

 rather than in support of a practice which is so prejudicial to them. And 

 as to the other reason, it has no foundation : for, if large amputations 

 are made at the root, there should not be the same practised on the head; 



