353 
On Supporting Newly- Planted Trees. 
originated with Sir Henry Cavendish, of Doveridge, or not, I am not 
prepared to say ; but he certainly introduced it into Derbyshire, about 
that time, and to his lasting credit, gave an entire new feature to his 
domain, by beautifying his gi-ounds with large ti'ees, as erect and in- 
dependent of the storm, as if they had been raised on the spot. 
I have enclosed a sketch of the support, which consists of thi-ee 
straight pieced of wood, laid in a triangular form, [fig. 50] These 
pieces must be propor- 
tioned according to the 
size of the tree, and the 
three hooked stakes, 
[fig. 51.] When the 
tree is placed in the 
hole, the roots spread 
out, and the earth gftt^rr 
being broken and pul- C ' ' "' \«> 
verized, well shaken amongst them, the three straight pieces 
are placed in a triangular form, round the stem of the tree, 
[fig. 52] on the top of the ball ; and the triangle made large 
enough for a hooked stake to be driven 
in at each angle, (a) so as not to injure 
the ball of earth at the root. The sup- 
port thus completed, the earth is filled 
in, and the tree stands perfectly fast. 
In some situations, it will be. advisable 
to make holes for the hooked stakes 
with an iron bar. The stakes must be 
driven do\vn sufficiently deep for the 
turf to be laid evenly over the top. It 
appears to me, to be of little conse- 
quence, what kind of wood the supports 
are made of, I have always found that 
any sort would last as long as it was 
necessary. 
Nothing, however, that I can ad- 
vance in favor of so excellent a system, ^-^^ "^• 
will be half so convincing as the planting of a smgle tree; and by 
properly applying the materials, no person could have the shadow of 
a doubt of the tree standing as securely as when growing in its ori- 
ginal situation. 
I remain, Gentlemen, 
Yours, very respectfully, 
fVillersley, Dec. 10, 1831. George Stafford 
