Ten years ago more than a hundred trees, of considerable size (from 20 to 50 inches in girth, or about I foot in diameter on an average), were transplanted on the Capitol grounds. They were not in a thrifty condition, and to adapt them to removal their roots were all cut off at a distance not greater in any case than 3½ feet from the trunk. Their branches were also closely short-ened-in, reducing their heads to from one to two-thirds their original size. It was considered a question whether the trees would retain enough of vital energy to survive, and the operation was often referred to for some years afterwards as an injudicious and disastrous one. It is therefore desirable that attention should be called to the results as now to be observed.

The condition of two of the trees was regarded at the time as especially hazardous, and these were placed where in case of failure their absence would not be important.

After three years they were still living, and promising to live, but not to flourish; they therefore were felled.

Of the remainder no tree has died as the result of the removal, and those that have escaped serious injury from causes not connected with the removal are all now living and in a thriving condition. In general, their heads are much larger as well as much denser than they had been before they were shortened-in, and they are growing more rapidly than before their removal. Their rate of growth is also more rapid than that of trees on the ground of corresponding species and age, that have not been removed; the reason being that the soil of the latter could not be thoroughly improved without lifting them.

To more distinctly present the degree in which the operation has been successful, twenty of these transplanted trees have been measured, selecting those which, because of their size or other circumstances, presented the greater difficulties. The measurements are given below, and supply indices of the present thrift of the trees. Similar measurements are also given of trees of numerous sorts obtained from commercial nurseries, or from the indigenous woods near Washington; these when removed having been generally small saplings.

Trees of the list A (below) were moved by machine in the fall and spring of 1875 - '76 and (except a few of the smaller, taken from the Botanic Garden) from a thin soil on a stiff clay subsoil to a prepared soil and subsoil (described page 15 of the Report of the Architect of the Capitol for 1882). Those from the Botanic Garden were from better soil and more sheltered positions.

The machine used is described and pictured in the Report on Forestry, prepared under the direction of the Commissioner of Agriculture, pursuant to an act of Congress, approved August 15, 1876, pages 84, 85. The roots of all were cut to " balls " (not frozen), generally of a diameter of 8 feet, none larger. Their heads were shortened-in fully one-third, in some cases two-thirds. Since transplanting they have been several times lightly top-dressed and, in periods of severe drought, have been watered. They have had fully the usual struggle with vermin, and most of the elms have this year been denuded of foliage.

Trees of the list B, except as stated, were planted 1876-77. They had been obtained from commercial nurseries, largely of Washington and Baltimore, and when planted were saplings from half an inch to an inch and a half in thickness of stem and 3 to 6 feet in height. Those noted as "wild" were obtained from woods near Washington, and several of these being injured or stunted were, the second year, cut to the stumps, and the present growth is from the ground since planting.

In the column " girth " the circumference of the tree is given at 2 feet from the ground; in that of "height," distance from the ground of the uppermost twigs of the tree; in that of " sweep," distance between opposite outer twigs; in that of "shoots " measurement of shoots of this year's growth at ends of lateral branches (usually the trees are well-balanced and, except elms, symmetrical). The entire upright growth and "lateral" growth on one side in ten years after planting from limbs then stumped is given where observed. In the last column " B. G." means from the Botanic Garden. The measurements given were made 14th 15th and 16th of September, 1884. Measurements are in feet, or in feet and inches.

[We give the above from a recent report of the Architect of the Capitol at Washington, as an extremely interesting commentary on the prevalent opinion, industriously fostered in some quarters, that there is any serious difficulty in getting large trees to grow. In this part of the world an experience of thirty years has shown that it is not necessary for even the expense of the " ball of earth " cared for in the Washington experiments. The transplanter commences four or five feet from the trunk, gets all the roots he can, and carries as little earth as possible. A cart is placed up against the tree, the shafts lashed to the trunk, a rope attached to the top of the tree, and the axle serving as a prop for the lever, a ton or two of tree is easily lifted. A horse is attached to the tail end of the cart, and, root foremost, the tree is hauled and dropped into the hole prepared for it. A tree, by this plan, 25 or 30 feet high, and with a trunk three or four feet in circumference, can be dug, taken a mile and replanted for about $25, and more safely, we think here, than by the ball method. - Ed. G. M].