A DISCOURSE

Book III. principal Feeders ; and those who cleanse them too much, are punish-ed for the Mistake.

15". In Spring, rub off some of the collateral Buds, to check the Exu-berancy of Sap in the Branches, till the Roots be well established.

1 6. Transplant no more than you well fence ; for that neglected,Tree-culture comes to nothing : Therefore all young-fet Trees shouldbe defended from the Winds and Sun ; especially the Eaji and Norths

* till their Roots are fixed ; that is, till you perceive them jhoot ; and

the not exactly observing of this Article , is Cause of the perishing ofthe most tender Rlantations ; for it is the Invasion of these two As-sailants which doe* more Mischief to our new-fet, and less hardy Trees,,than the most severe and durable Frosts of a whole Winter : Andhere let me add this Caution again ; that in planting of Trees of Sta-ture, for Avenues or Shades, &c. you set them at such Distance, asthat they be not in Reach of the Mansion-house, in Cafe of being blowndown by the Winds , for Reasons sufficiently obvious ; See History ofthe Storm, 2.6 Nov. 1703.

17. The properest Soil, and most natural, apply to distinct Species ,Nec vero terra ferre omnes omnia po (punt. Yet we find by Expert-*ence, that most of our Forest-trees grow well enough in the courseftLands, provided there be a competent Depth of Mould: For albeitmost of our wild Rlants covet to run just under the Surface ; yetwhere there is not sufficient Depth to cool them, and entertain the Moi-sture and Influences , they are neither lasting nor prosperous.

18. Wood well planted, will grow in moorijh, boggy, heathy, andthe stoniest Grounds: Only the white and blue Clay (which is com-monly the best Taj hire) is the worst for Wood, and such good Timbetas we find in any of these (Oaks excepted) is of an excessive Age , re-quiring thrice the Time to arrive at their Stature.

19. If the Season require it, all new Rlantations are to be plied withWaterings, which is better poured into a Circle at some Distance fromthe Roots, which should continually be bared of Grafs, and if theWater be rich or impregnated, the Shoots will soon discover it; forthe Liquor being percolated through a Quantity of Earth, will carrythe nitrous Virtue of the Soil with it • by no Means therefore water &the Stem ; because it washes the Mould from the Root, comes too crude,and endangers their rotting : But,

20. For the cooling and refreshing Tree-roots, the congesting of rot-ten Litter sprinkled over with fine Earth is good, or place Rotjheards ,Flints, or Tibbies near the Foot of the Stem, for so the Roet,

3 Lime-stones, or squalid Shells , that may the Rain ,

Vapours, and gliding Moisture entertain .

But remember you remove them after a competent Time, else the f er 'mine Snails and InseBs which they produce and shelter, will gnav^'«and greatly injure their Bark ; and therefore to lay a Coat of moist rot-ten Litter with a little Earth upon it, will preserve it moist in Su 0 'mer, and warm in Winter , enriching the Showers and Dews thatstrain through it.

* Aut lapidem bibulum, aut squnllenteis infode copcbas.

Inter enim labentur aqua:, tenuisque subibit

Halitus- 1 Gtorg. u.

Li. Young

i