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CHAPTER XI,

Of the Seminary, and. of Transplanting.

BOOK I, *• Vineam vel Arbnstnm constituere volet, Seminaria prius facers

debebit, was the precept of Columella, (de Arb. cap. 1.) speaking: ofVineyards and fruit-trees; and doubtlefs we cannot pursue a better coursefor the propagation of timber-trees: For though it seem but a trivialdesign, that one should make a nursery of foresters; yet it is not to beimagined, without the experience of it, what prodigious numbers a verysmall spot of ground, well cultivated, and destined for this purpose,would.be able to furnish towards the sending forth of yearly coloniesinto all the naked quarters of a lordship or demesne; being, with apleasant industry, liberally distributed amongst the tenants, and disposedof about the hedge-rows, and other waste and uncultivated places fortimber, shelter, fuel, and ornament, to an incredible advantage. Thisbeing a cheap and laudable work, of so much pleasure in the execution,and so certain a profit in the event, when once well done, (for, as Iaffirmed, a very small plantarium, or nursery, will, in a few years, stock avast extent of ground,) has made me sometimes in admiration at theuniversal negligence; as well as raised my admiration, that seeds andplants of such different kinds, should, like so many tender babes andinfants, suck and ; thrive at the same breasts; though there are someindeed will not so well prosper in company, requiring peculiar juices:But this nicenefs is more conspicuous in flowers and the herbaceousoffspring, than in foresters, which require only diligent weeding andfrequent cleansing, till they are able to shift for themselves; and as theirvefsels. enlarge and introsume more copious nourishment, they oftenstarve their neighbours.

2. Having therefore made choice of such seeds as you would sow, by•■ taking and gathering them in their just season, that is, when droppingripe, and as has been said, from fair thriving trees,. and found out somefit piece of ground, well fenced, respecting the south-east, rather than