EXTRACTS.—NATURAL HISTORY. 
761 
Cross levers may be used for larger trees, which require more men, as (Fig. 
121, b) so that as many men can conveniently apply their strength to it, as are 
wanted, without being in each other’s way. The whole is fixed and unfixed 
without any loss of time, and requires no tying, nor is there any danger of its 
slipping ofi’. The roots which extend beyond the ball are cut oft’ at the further 
side of the trench, and are left projecting. In taking up the tree, it is advisable 
to go much wider with the spade from it than the ball is intended to be; the size 
of the ball may be afterwards reduced with a pick, so that scarcely a root will be 
materially injured. In planting, spread the projecting roots out carefully in 
different layers, as near as possible to their original position, as the hole is gra¬ 
dually filled with mould. The best way of forming the ball, is to prepare it the 
year before the tree is to be taken up. 6 This is to be done by digging round, and 
cutting most of the principal roots. This has long been practised with success; 
but where this precaution has not been taken, the above method will be found 
preferable to cutting the roots close to the side of the ball of earth. In remov¬ 
ing very large trees, the taps and other large roots, which cannot conveniently 
be got at, may be separated by means of a long chisel, applied under the ball of 
earth. In moderate sized trees, however, this is not required. The trees re¬ 
moved are not so large as those described by Sir H. Stewart, had it been neces- 
cessary for me to have planted larger trees, I have no doubt but I should have 
succeeded equally well, as by means of the cross-levers, the strength of a propor¬ 
tionate number of men may be readily applied. I do not find that any of the 
trees which I have thus planted require support, as the large ball of earth stea¬ 
dies them sufficiently.”—Abridged and transcribed from Jesse’s Gleanings in 
Natural History.—By 
A Constant Reader. 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
Mode of Fishing in China. —Among the many amusing scenes which strike 
the eye of a European, on his first visit to China, is the ingenious mode of fishing 
which he sees practised in the neighbourhood of Canton. At the stern of their 
little punt-like boats, a small mast like a flag-staff, about eight feet high, is 
fixed. To the top of this a block is made fast, having a sheave to carry a one 
and a half inch rope. One end of this rope is fixed to a bamboo pole, twelve or 
fifteen feet in length, and which is hoisted higher or lower, according as it is 
wanted. The butt end of the pole is kept inboard ; and at the other end alight 
net, about eight feet square, is slung; being kept distended by two slender rods, 
fixed diagonally to the opposite corners, and bound together in the middle, 
where they cross each other; and where also they are fixed to the end of the 
swinging-pole. A stone is thrown into the middle of the net to assist it in sink¬ 
ing, so that it may be, when down, spread out on the bottom of the river. When 
the fisherman thinks any fish are passing over the net, he suddenly hoists it 
above the water; and if he has made a capture, he swings the net inboard to 
take out the fish; if none are caught, the net is dropped again in the same or 
some other place.— Mag. Nat. Hist. 
