TRANSPLANTING AND PLANTING. 



319 



horizontal poles placed over tliem, and tied to them, concealed under, or 

 level with, or immediately above the surface of the ground ; the ends of 

 those poles being made fast to stakes, so as to cross over the roots and hold 

 them tightly down. Fig. 254 shows a plan and elevation of a newly- 

 removed tree, the roots of which are fastened 

 down in this manner by means of the rods a, 

 and stakes h ; the latter being securely nailed 

 to the former, and the whole covered with soil, 

 as shown by the dotted line c. Trees of mode- 

 rate size may also be secured against high 

 winds, by inserting a stout stake in the soil in 

 the bottom of the pit in which the tree is to be 

 planted, of sufficient length to reach four or five 

 feet above the surface ; securing it firmly 

 there before planting the tree, and afterwards 

 placing the stem of the tree close to it, and 

 fastening it by some soft tie. Three larch 

 poles fixed in this manner, so as to form a 

 triangle, converging at top to the thickness 

 of the stem of the tree, the tree being f)lanted 

 in the centre, would serve at once as a firm 

 prop, and as a protection frorn cattle. Another 

 Fig. 254. Plan and elevation of a mode is to cover the surface of the ground for 

 newly-moved tree, secured fi-omhigh four or more feet round the tree with a mulch- 



wlnds by underground fastenings. .^^ j^^.^^ ^.^^^j^ ^^^^^^^ ^j^j^ ^^^^^ ^.j^j^j^ 



was first used by Sir Charles Monk, in Northumberland, and has been adopted 

 in various parts of Scotland, is one of the best that can be adopted in a country 

 where stone is abundant ; because it not only renders stakes and bandages 

 unnecessary, but retains the moisture in the soil, and acts as a fence in 

 keeping horses and cattle at a distance from the tree {Gard. Mag. vol, v. 

 p. 148). The stones are in large lumps, not built up high, but packed close 

 to each other, and set on edge, so as to make a tabular, but very rugged 

 surface, round the foot of the tree. This mulching is extended in ordinary 

 cases to the distance of four feet, which is sufficient for cattle and common 

 horses ; but against high-bred horses, which are disposed to attack every- 

 thing of wood, the stones are not a sufficient fence unless they are packed 

 with a surface very rugged, and extended six feet round the tree. Horses 

 and cattle are also kept at a distance from the trees by a series of horizontal 

 rails, forming a tabular polygon round the tree fifteen or eighteen inches in 

 height, and ten feet in diameter (see Gard. Mag. vol. vi. p. 47). Fig. 255 

 shows the general appearance of a tree fenced round in this manner. Fig. 

 256 is a vertical profile of the horizontal frame-work ; and fig. 257 is a cross 

 section. In this section the posts are shown, inclined a little outwards, the 

 better to resist pressure from cattle or sheep in that direction. These short 

 posts, or stumps, as they may be called, are formed of pieces of young larch- 

 trees or oak branches, from which the bark has been taken, and they are 

 driven in so as to be from fifteen to eighteen inches above the ground. The 

 rails which are fastened to the posts are of the thinnings of young plantations, 

 or of any other suitable material. The advantage of this fence is its economy, 

 requiring only short pieces of not very stout timber, and its inconspicuous- 

 ncss when seen at a distance. Other modes of staking and protecting 



Y 2 



