168

A DISCOURSE

hollow substance, the least diminution, or bruise, will greatly endangerthe killing: But see here what we have said of the Chesnut. I havebeen told, that the very tops and palish buds of this tree, when it firstsprouts, though as late as April, will take hold of the ground, and growto an incredible improvement; but first they steep them in milk andsaffron : however this attempt did not' succeed with us, yet it may bepropagated by a branch slipped off with some of the old wood, and setdn February. An industrious and very experienced husbandman toldme, that if they he transplanted as big as one’s middle, it may be donesafer than when younger: I do only report it. "What they hint of putting~a tile-shard under the nuts when first set, to divaricate and spread theroots, (which are otherwise apt to penetrate very deep,) I like well enough.It is certain they will receive their own cions being grafted, and that itdoes improve the fruit. The 1>est compost is the strewing of ashes at thefoot of the trees ; the salt whereof being washed into the earth, is the bestdrefsing, whilst the juice of the fallen leaves, though it kill the worm, isnoxious to the root. This tree does not refuse to thrive even among-others, and in great woods, provided you shrip up the collateral arms.

2. The Walnut delights in a dry, sound, and rich land, especially if itincline to a feeding chalk or marl; and where it may he protected fromthe cold, (though it affects cold rather than extreme heat,) as in great pits,valleys, and highway sides; also in stony ^grounds, if loamy, and on hills,•especially chalky-; likewise'in corn-fields. Thus, Burgundy abounds with•them, where they stand in the midst of goodly wheat-lands, at .sixty and anhundred feet distance, and so far are they frbm hurting the crop, that .theyare looked upon as great preservers by keeping the ground warm, nor dothe roots hinder :the plough. Whenever they fell a tree, which is onlyrthe old and decayed, they always plant a young one near it.; and inseveral places betwixt Tlanaw and Frankfort in Germany , no youngfarmer whatsoever is permitted to marry a. wife, till he bring proof thathe hath planted, and is a father of such a stated number of Walnut-trees ;and the law is inviolably observed to this day, for the extraordinarybenefit which this tree affords the inhabitants. In truth, were this timberin greater plenty amongst us, we should have far better utensils of allsorts for our houses, as chairs, stools, bedsteads, tables, wainscot, cabi-nets, &c. instead of the more vulgar Beech, subject to the worm, weakand unsightly; but which, to counterfeit, and deceive the unwary, they