APPENDIX. 
417 
The machine used in removing trees of moderate size is of simple 
construction, consisting of a pair of strong wheels about five feet high, 
a stout axle, and a pole about twelve feet long. In transplanting, the 
wheels and axle are brought close to the trunk of the tree, the pole is 
firmly lashed to the stem, and when the soil is sufficiently removed and 
loosened about the roots, the pole, with the tree attached, is drawn 
down to a horizontal position by the aid of men and a pair of horses. 
When the tree is thus drawn out of the hole, it is well secured and 
properly balanced upon the machine, the horses are fastened in front 
of the mass of roots by gearings attached to the axle, and the whole 
is transported to the destined location. 
In order more effectually to insure the growth of large specimens 
when transplanted, a mode of preparing beforehand a supply of young 
roots, is practised by skilful operators. This consists in removing the 
top soil, partially undermining the tree, and shortening back many of 
the roots ; and afterwards replacing the former soil by rich mould, or 
soil well manured. This is suffered to remain at least one year, and 
often three or four years ; the tree, stimulated by the fresh supply of 
food, throws out an abundance of small fibres, which render success, 
when the time for removal arrives, comparatively certain. 
It may be well to remark here, that before large trees are transplant- 
ed into their final situations, the latter should be well prepared by 
trenching, or digging the soil two or three feet deep , intermingling 
throughout the whole a liberal portion of well decomposed manure, or 
rich compost. To those who are in the habit of planting trees of any 
size in unprepared grounds, or that merely prepared by digging one 
spit deep, and turning in a little surface manure, it is inconceivable how 
much more rapid is the growth, and how astonishingly luxuriant the ap- 
pearance of trees when removed into ground properly prepared. It is 
not too much to affirm, that young trees under favorable circumstances 
— in soil so prepared — will advance more rapidly, and attain a larger 
stature in eight years, than those planted in the ordinary way, without 
deepening the soil, will in twenty— and trees of larger size in propor- 
tion; again of growth surely worth the trifling expense incurred in 
the first instance. And the same observation will apply to all plant- 
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