APPENDIX. 



503 



standing the operation of removal. In all, or most other specimens of 

 transplanting, whether in this country or in England, it has been the 

 uniform practice of planters to lop and lighten the tops, to prune off 

 the side boughs, and often to pollard or decapitate the trees altogether. 

 But, according to Sir Henry's improved and skilful method of manag- 

 ing the process, the necessity of this unsightly mutilation is completely 

 obviated ; as in his trees seldom a twig or a branch appears to decay, 

 in consequence of the operation. Thus, the peculiar conformation and 

 character of each tree are preserved ; but it is obvious that by pollard- 

 ing, or even severe lopping, both would be wholly destroyed. The 

 above remarkable fact was clearly proved to us, by viewing trees of 

 various sorts, in every stage of their progress, from the first year to the 

 tenth and upwards. It would be difficult to discover that the trees 

 had not grown from the seed in the situations which they occupy, 

 were it not for the ring of dug ground, which we observed round many 

 of them, making a space which is usually kept with the hoe for three 

 or four years, in order to promote their growth ; and that labour is 

 continued until they begin to shoot with freedom . 



The third circumstance which we shall state, and which seemed still 

 more surprising to most of us, who had ourselves attempted the art, 

 than either of the two above mentioned, is, that no prop or support of 

 any hind is ever used at this place, to trees newly planted. So firmly 

 are they placed, and so perfectly do they seem prepared to resist the 

 elements, that in very few cases was any inclination observable, from 

 the west and south-west, which are well known to be the most stormy 

 quarters. This due balance of the transplanted tree is much aided by 

 Sir Henry's practice, (contrary to the rule generally observed,) of 

 reversing the position of the tree in its transplanted state, and turning 

 to the south-west, or stormy point, that side where the branches had 

 been longest and most luxuriant in the original position, precisely 

 because they had shot more towards the north-east, or sheltered aspect. 

 It does not appear that the growth of the tree is in the least degree 

 retarded by this change, which otherwise produces the effect of balancing 

 the tree against the storm, and, by bringing its branches to a regular 

 shape, adds to its symmetry. 



The time of our survey not being the planting season, we have to 

 regret that no account of this phenomenon, (the absence of props,) so 

 clear as we could have wished, was obtained by us. From Sir Henry's 

 explanations, however, we gathered, that the firmness or steadiness pro- 

 duced, was chiefly owing to the selection of such subjects as had a 

 certain weight and strength of stem ; and more especially to a new and 

 peculiar method of disposing and securing the roots under ground, at 



