226 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Sopteuiljer  3,  1903. 
as  possible,  reduciiip;  the  ball  so  that  it  can  be  got  comfortably 
into  a  pot  t>wo  sizes  leiss. 
For  potting  use  the  compost  previously  advised,  with  the  addi¬ 
tion  of  a  -small  quantity  of  -iin  bones.  Continue  to  syringe  the 
plants  often  until  the  growtli  is  well  advanced,  and  then  treat 
along  with  the  other  plants  in  the  house.  By  March  the  plants 
will  have  rooted  sufficiently  to  admit  of  being  shifted  into  their 
original  size  of  pot;  if,  however,  the  growth  made  is  deemed  in- 
sumcieiit  tor  the  size  of  the  pot,  defer  tlie  operation  until 
August.  .  .  1-  1 
Training. — Crotons  are,  with  one  or  two  exceptions,  inclined 
to  run  up  with  a  single  stem  ;  therefore,  to  form  plants  of  a 
bushv  nature,  stopping  of  the  shoots  is  necessary.  Plants  grown 
for  table  decoration  are  usually  grown  with  a  single  stem;  when 
they  are  too  large  for  that  purpose  they  can  be  stopped  and 
grown  on  for  specimens.  If  allowed  to  grow  at  random,  the 
shoots,  especially  on  large  plants,  grow  up  together  in  a  cluster. 
The  leaves  on  plants  growing  in  this  manner  do  not  attain  the 
size,  nor  develop  the  colour  they  should  do,  and  there  is  generally 
a  space  just  above  the  pot  entirely  devoid  of  foliage.  To  obviate 
this  the  shoots  require  to  be  tied  down;  a  neat  way  to  do  this 
is  to  fix  a  wire  round  the  pot,  and  tie  the  shoots  down  to  it. 
This  must  be  done  gradually,  and  it  will  be  necessai-j^  to  go  over 
the  plants  several  times  before  they  are  brought  down  to  the 
required  level. 
A  Few  Useful  Varieties, — In  the  narrow-leaved  .section  are 
Flegantissima,  Angustifolium,  Countess,  Her  Majesty,  Chelsoni 
(this  does  best  grown  as  a  standard),  and  Pieturatum  (requires 
very  firm  potting,  otherwise  it  grows  very  straggly). 
Among  the  newer  varieties  are  Gordoni  (slow  grower),  Lucy 
(a  very  graceful  dark-red  variety),  Mrs.  Harry  Green,  Euterpe 
(with  interrupted  leaves),  Diana,  Elysian,  and  Hermon ;  the  la.st 
three  varieties  are  very  pretty,  the  leaves  are  twisted,  and  the 
colour  of  them  yellow  with  light  green  margin. 
In  the  medium  section  are  Hawkeri  (seen  at  its  best  in  a  young 
state).  Lady  Zetland  (one  of  the  hardiest,  can  be  grown  in  a 
cool  liouse),  Undulatus,  Prince  of  Wales,  Warreni,  and  Golden 
Ring.  The  three  latter  varieties  have  twisted  leave.s;  large 
plants  of  them  look  magnificent. 
Among  the  broad-leaved  varieties  are  Nestor,  Evansianus 
(very  free  growing),  Disraeli,  Thompsoni,  Queen  Victoria,  Mrs. 
iceton,  and  Mortefontainensis.  Tlie  latter  succeeds  be.st  in 
higher  temoerature  than  what  is  usually  found  in  Croton  houses. 
. — G.  R.,  Waddesdon., 
Tree  Moving  Machine. 
Transplaniing  Large  Tres. 
A  few  large  treis  and  pfirubs  are  indispensable  in  makin  g  a  new  or 
a'tering  an  old  place.  An  astonishing  effect  C-in  be  produced  with 
them  that  could  not  otherwise  be  produced  in  a  lifetime,  They  not 
only  add  antiquity  to  the  scenery,  but  comfort  to  the  surroundings. 
Unsightly  objects  can  be  quickly  and  effectively  hidden  with  a  screen 
of  large  trees,  thus  transferring  the  objectionable  into  the  beautiful. 
Although  I  do  not  advocate  the  practice  of  taking  a  delicate  treo 
from  a  sheltered  comfortable  position  to  an  exposed  one  where  ^ 
stone  wall  would  hardly  be  weather-proof  yet  I  know  of  a  very  hand, 
some  pair  of  Araucaria  imbricata  that  have  been  transplanted  and 
doing  well  up  in  the  Derbyshire  hills,  and  I  would  rather  risk  this 
than  see  fine  specimens  cut  and  mutilated  into  disfigurement  because 
they  have  overgrown  the  positions  they  were  originally  intended  to 
fill  instead  of  being  removed  to  more  roomy  quarters.  But  the 
question  may  arise  as  to  how  these  ponderous  living  giants  are  to  be 
successfully  shifted.  There  are  many  contrivances  intended  for  the 
above  purpose,  but  I  know  none  so  good  as  the  simple  machine 
invented  by  Mr.  Barron  of  Elvaston,  page  226.  This  was  first  used 
at  Elvaston  about  the  year  1830,  and  has  been  in  constant  hse  ever 
since  with  the  greatest  success.  The  inventor  of  it  wwites:— “  In  the 
year  1831  I  transplanted  a  Cedar  of  Lebanon  43ft.  high  and  48ft.  in 
diameter  of  branches.  The  stem  of  this  Cedar,  which  at  that  time 
was  2ft.  in  diameter,  is  now  more  than  10ft.  in  circumference,  and  a 
picture  of  health  and  vigour.  A  tree  72ft.  high  was  moved  more 
than  two  miles  in  an  upright  position.  Yews  from  six  to  eight 
hundred  years  old  have  been  successfully  moved  long  distances. 
Oaks  and  Larches  from  40  to  50ft.  high  have  heen  moved  in  the 
middle  of  summer  without  losing  a  leaf.  Large  Spruce  and  Silver 
Firs  on  the  limestone  formation  have  made  shoots  18in.  in  length  the 
second  year  after  removal.” 
I  will  DOW  endeavour  to  write  a  brief  description  of  the  working  of 
these  simple  machines  that  may  be  a  sufficient  guide  to  enable  the 
ordinary  intelligent  novice  to  use  them  efficiently.  I  will  take  for 
example  a  tree  of  8  or  10  tons.  First  mark  out  a  square  shaped 
space  about  8  by  10ft.,  dig  out  the  ends  first  to  a  depth  of  2ft.  Oin., 
then  burrow  right  under  the  centre  of  the  tree  for  the  purpose  of 
inserting  a  strong  centre  plank  capable  of  carrying  the  whole  tree, 
when  this  is  inserted  under  the  bole  of  the  tree  with  about  a  foot 
projecting  out  each  end  for  the  purpose  of  hooking  the  looped  end  of 
the  winding  rope  on.  The  sides  may  next  be  dug  out  and  the  end 
planks  inserted  under  the  bole  across  the  centre  for  the  purpose  of 
carrying  the  side  planks,  which  are  the  next  to  be  fixed.  These 
planks  should  be  Gin.  longer  than  the  mass  to  allow  corner  chains  to 
he  fastened.  These  prevent  the  tree  swaying  while  being  conveyed 
to  its  future  position.  If  the  tree  has  a  long  journey  or  the  soil  of 
a  loose  nature  the  sides  will  require  to  be  supported  with  straw  and 
boards  bound  together  with  ropes  similar  to  a  cooper  hooping  a 
barrel.  Should  the  tree  be  very  fall,  guy  ropes  are  needed  to  hold 
it  in  an  upright  position.  These  should  be  fastened  to  the  tree  as 
high  as  possible  at  right  angles  to  enable  four  men  to  steady  it  while 
being  moved,  or  they  may  be  fastened  to  each  corner  of  the  machine, 
or  both  may  be  required  in  windy  weather. 
The  tree  will  now  be  ready  for  the  machine,  which  is  taken  in  two 
part-".  The  hind  portion  may  be  first  put  into  position  realy  to 
receive  the  side  beams,  which  are  attached  to  the  front  limber  part 
of  the  machines.  When  the  machine  is  put  together  the  tree  will  be 
in  the  centre.  Ratchel  rollers  are  placed  across  the  beams,  one  each 
side  of  the  tree,  and  a  double  rope  for  winding.  When  these  are  in 
position  and  the  loop  end  of  the  rope  hooked  on  the  centre  plank, 
winding  may  be  commenced  steadily.  Strong  sling  chains  with  a 
ring  at  one  end  and  hook  at  the  other  are  fastened  to  the  side  beam 
passing  under  the  centre  plank  and  hooked  on  the  other  side,  and 
gradually  hitched  up  as  the  tree  is  lifted,  as  a  safeguard  in  case  the 
winding  gear  gives  way.  When  high  enough  to  clear  the  ground,  the 
chains  may  be  fastened  and  the  rollers  slackened  a  little  so  that  each 
chain  takes  an  equal  bearing.  The  principal  weight  is  carried  by 
the  sling  chains  and  centre  plank. 
The  hole  must  be  filled  up  level  and  planked  over,  or  the  machine 
will  be  difficult  to  get  over  the  loose  soil.  If  planks  can  be  laid  the 
whole  distance,  and  horses  cannot  be  used,  men  can  move  an  immense 
weight,  or  pulleys  can  be  brought  into  requisition.  A  square  hole 
with  the  ends  made  slanting  for  the  wheels  to  pass  down  may  be  dug 
with  a  furrow  at  the  bottom  for  the  centre  plank  to  rest  in,  to  pre¬ 
vent  it  getting  fastened  when  the  tree  is  lowered  into  its  position. 
The  machine  has  to  be  taken  to  pieces  as  before  when  all  the  planks 
are  removed.  The  furrow  at  the  bottom  must  be  firmly  packed  with 
earth  to  make  a  solid,  fiat  foundation  for  the  tree  to  rest  on.  When 
all  is  filled  in  the  whole  may  be  thoroughly  soaked  with  water  if 
necessary,  and  a  lofty  tree  will  require  supporting  with  guy  ropes  or 
wire —especially  in  exposed  positions — until  fresh  roots  are  made  and 
the  soil  gets  solid.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  mulch  fresh  planted  trees  ; 
