TRANSPLANTING EVERGREEN SHRUBS AND TREES 
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Fig. III. 
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Fig. IV. 
spars. Trifling as this observation may appear, it is of the utmost consequence while carrying on the 
work. Supposing the plant fairly out of the hole, and mat fixed under it. If the distance is short to 
the intended place of reception, it could easily be carried. (Fig. III. repre¬ 
sents a plant prepared for being carried, hut without the mat surrounding all. 
It was left out in Figs. III. and V. in order to show the position of the ropes 
and staves). If the plant has to he conveyed to a distance, it is necessary 
to he provided with a low broad-wheeled transplanting-truck, Fig. IY. 
The surface of the truck 
must be strong, and made to 
extend a little over the wheels 
on each side. Such a machine 
as that used by masons for 
carrying large stones from 
place to place is preferable, 
owing to the ease by which 
it can be made to turn. The 
wheels had better be of solid 
wood-work, not less than 
five inches broad, and sur¬ 
rounded with a broad iron 
hoop, thus rendering it less 
liable to injure garden walks. 
Several strong rings should 
also be placed about it, in 
order to secure the plant by 
ropes if required, particularly 
while going over an irregular 
surface. 
Supposing the plant brought to a situation where it can be easily got upon the machine, the handle 
must be raised up so as to make the back part of it touch the ground; the plant is then to be raised on, 
and the handle or shaft gradually lowered, keeping sufficient strength behind to prevent the plant being 
upset while bringing it to a level. Fig. V. represents a plant so placed 
on the truck. After being secured, the handspikes may be taken out, and 
the ends of the ropes firmly secured to the upright staves or spars. 
After being properly seemed, little difficulty will be found in trans¬ 
planting it to its intended place of reception. Previous to its being re¬ 
moved, the hole or pit into which it is to be placed ought to be in readiness, 
and at least four feet larger than the diameter of the ball of earth and roots 
to be placed into it. A sloping bank must be formed from the surface of 
the ground to the bottom of the pit, the machine with the plant must then 
be brought as near to the edge of the slope as possible, and placed with 
the back part of it to the pit. After the ties have been unloosed which 
fixed the plant to the mac hin e, replace the handspikes and equally adjust 
the strength as before, placing one or two men to steady the top of the 
plant. All being in readiness, raise up gently the shaft of the machine, and 
the mass will be easily slipped to the 
ground. This done, unloose the ties of 
the outer mat, and raise the plant with 
the handspikes sufficient to draw the 
mat from beneath; then slip the plant 
gently down the inclined plane into the 
pit. If possible, prevent it from being 
dragged down, as it is apt to take in 
a quantity of earth, besides displacing the bottom boards, and the risk of loosening the whole mass. 
If the ball of earth enclosing the roots happen to be too heavy to be lifted upon the transplanting 
truck at once, it may be put on in the following manner:—After the plant has been raised, and resting 
on the surface of the ground, a slope can be cut in the earth close to where the plant is standing, suffi¬ 
ciently wide to allow the transplanting truck to be let down on planks previously laid for the purpose, 
Fig. V. 
