less very slender and pliant, must be bound up, by means of cords cautiously passed under them, so as to compress this part of the top, but without fracturing the parts, into the narrowest compass. And the same care must be taken, to bundle up all the flexible parts of the roots, to prevent their coming in contact with the ground, or with the wheels. If the forced-up surface also of the pit be too soft and sinky, it will be expedient to form a path for the wheels, by a close line of hedgestakes, laid transversely to the path, so that they, may easily pass upon it to the firmer ground. These things being done, the horses are put to, in the same manner as to a plough, but with much stronger draught-bars, at least the main one. An iron chain of great strength attaches them to the Machine; and stout ropes are employed instead of plough-chains, which are ill calculated to with. stand the sudden pulls and jerks, incident to this species of work. As to the horses, it is of the utmost importance, that none but quiet and steadypulling animals be admitted to this service, such as are not hot and fiery, however true to the draught, otherwise the most fatal accidents will ensue, to both branches and roots. As soon as the horses are put to, the Machiner seizes the end of the pole-rope, in order to act as Steersman, the most important functionary in this part of the business, and the person, on whom the safety of the transmission entirely depends. For this purpose, he takes post two or three yards in the rear, with a stout assistant, or two if necessary, in order to manage the top of the Tree; it being understood that the root, as already mentioned, is in front, or is drawn foremost. One or two able-bodied workmen are then stationed under the pole, to bear up the top, at first starting, on their shoulders, at the same time that all the others, who are unoccupied, apply their strength to the wheels; when, on a signal given by the Steersman, or other person directing the work, the men and horses, acting simultaneously, the Tree is drawn at once, beyond the limits of the pit. When advanced a few yards upon firm and level ground, it is prudent to halt the horses, in order to examine, if every thing be well ordered and secure; especially, if the equilibrium between root and top have been accurately obtained. If the root be found too light, it is proper to make it heavier, by loosening the cords of the bracers or rack-pins, and allowing it to drop down. If it be found too heavy (which is the lesser evil of the two), the easiest method of counteracting it is, by sending up a couple of Balancemen to the top; who, by shifting their position, as circumstances may require, serve as movable make-weights, and maintain the equipoise. If these things be truly adjusted, the Tree will proceed in the Transportation, with perfect safety to all its parts, the pole beautifully playing on the axle and cross-bar, like the beam of a well-constructed Weighing-Machine, which many times vibrates, before settling in the equilibrium. In order that the reader may form a competent idea of the Machine itself, as used here, and of the Transportation of the Tree, on the balancing principle, a " View of the Machine in motion" will be found in Plate IV., as taken on the spot, by an ingenious artist. The Tree delineated is a Beech of about eight-and-twenty feet high, with a stout stem, a beautiful top, and with roots nearly twelve feet long; so that the whole is calculated to form a load of considerable weight. The mode of maintaining the balance; of bundling up, compressing, and preserving the branches; as also the various functions of the Steersman, the Balancemen, and their assistants, may all probably be better apprehended in this View of their united efforts, than by any verbal description. The reader, however, may compare the two, as they will be found greatly to aid each other. It is easy to apprehend, that, with a Machine so constructed, the person, stationed at the end of the pole, possesses the same complete power over the direction of it, as the Steersman over that of a boat; but with this disadvantage on the side |