22

A DISCOURSE

against the stone, rheum, phthisic, dropsy, jaundice,.inward imposthumes,.nay, palsy, gout, and the plague itself. Of the extracted oil, with thatof nuts, is made an excellent good varnish for pictures, wood-work, andto preserve polished iron from the rust. The gum is good to rub on parch-ment or paper to make it bear ink : And the coals,, which are madeof the wood, endure the longest of any; so as live embers, after being ayear covered, have been found in the ashes See St. Hierom ad Fabiolam,upon the exprefsion Kedar, Psal. cxx. 4. If it arrive to full growth,spits and spoons, imparting a grateful relish, and very wholesome wherethey are used, are made of this wood, being well dried and seasoned :And the very chips render a wholesome perfume within doors, as do thedusty blofsoms in spring without* for which purpose the wood shouldbe. cut about May, and the rasures well dried.

4. And since we now mention pepper, it is by the most prudent andprincely care of his late Majesty Charles II. that I am assured of a latesolemn act of council, enjoining the preserving of that incomparablespice* which comes to,us from Jamaica under that denomination,.thoughin truth it be a mixture of so many aromatics in one,, that it mightas well have been called Allspice, holding a near alliance to Cinnamon*Nutmeg, and Mace.. And that there is not only prohibited thedestruction of these trees, (for it seems some prodigals used to cut themdown for the more easy gathering,} but order taken likewise for their

the seeds are sown, the plants will come up sooner, and they will have more timeto strengthen before winter.

All the other sorts are hardy enough to live in the open air, so are very well worth pro-pagating, as they will add to the variety of evergreen plantations ; some of the sorts willrise to a very considerable height, so may prove to be useful timber, and may be adaptedto such soils as will not suit many other trees.

The common Savin may be increased by slip's, which, if planted almost at any time,or any how, will grow. The upright Savin also is to be increased by slips planted in moistvyeather, in August, and kept shaded and watered in dry weather afterwards. This is thebest way of treating cuttings of the Upright Savin, though they will often grow if plantedat any time, either in winter or summer. The Striped Savin also is to be increased thisway : though care must be always used to take off those branches that are most beautifullyvariegated, and such as are entirely of a cream-colour;, and this is the only method of cod-tinuing it in its variegated beauty. The Savin is also to be raised by berries; and by thes®the most upright and best plants are produced.