ld be tied round the ball with a couple of cords,
between which and the canvas seven or eight pieces of narrow flat board
should be fixed to prevent the cords from cutting the ball. The rear
part of the machine is made to be taken out so that it can be pushed
right over a plant, and it should be run on planks on soft ground.

With the large transplanting machine a ball of soil of almost any size
can be taken, but the method of preparing it is somewhat different. It
should be made nearly square, being rather longer than it is broad. When
the proper depth has been reached make a hole about 2 feet wide under
the centre of the ball, and running entirely through the longer way of
it. Through this hole one, or even two, broad planks 3 inches thick
should be passed. On each end of these, where they project beyond the
ball, a stout plank is laid on edge, and two others placed lengthwise to
fit above the first two. These planks should all be cut to fit tightly
into each other. If necessary, owing to the depth of the ball, another
tier of planks should be placed above the first to insure stability. The
machine is then placed over the plant, and the whole, by means of chains
and levers, is swung up off the ground, and then ready to be taken
anywhere. This machine, however, should only be used by those who have
had experience with it, as it is difficult and cumbersome to handle,
and in the hands of novices is liable to cause serious accidents.

Where no transplanting machine exists, other mechanical contrivances
must be used to move a large tree. Rollers and planks, a low trolley, or
a draw-board, as it is called, are the best. The preparation for removal
is the same for these means as it is for a machine, with the exception
of getting under it, which varies according to the means employed. For
rollers and planks the soil should be worked out directly under the
centre of the ball, and planks put through to form a bed to run the
shrub or tree on. On these a roller should be placed, working the soil
out at the sides so that it is well under the ball, but not going so far
under as to undermine it, and cause it to drop over. Above the roller
put one wide plank to form the bottom of the ball, and by means of a
rope round it the whole can be taken where required. When moving it,
however, it is well to raise the rear half by means of a broad lever or
a lifting-jack, which, in conjunction with a steady pull on the rope,
should start the pl