A short and sure guid[e] in the practice of raising and ordering of fruit-trees being the many years recreation and experience of Francis Drope ... Drope, Francis, 1629?-1671. 1672 Approx. 96 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 67 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A36561 Wing D2188 ESTC R9715 11988116 ocm 11988116 51977 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A36561) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 51977) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 64:8) A short and sure guid[e] in the practice of raising and ordering of fruit-trees being the many years recreation and experience of Francis Drope ... Drope, Francis, 1629?-1671. [13], 120 p. Printed for Ric. Davis, Oxford : 1672. Reproduction of original in Yale University Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Fruit-culture. 2006-10 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-10 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-07 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2007-07 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Imprimatur , P. MEWS . Vice-Cancel . OXON . Feb. 9. 1671. A SHORT and SURE GUID in the Practice Of Raising and Ordering OF Fruit-Trees . Being the many years Recreation and Experience of FRANCIS DROPE , Bachelour in Divinity , late fellow of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford . OXFORD , Printed for Ric. Davis , An. Dom. 1672. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND TRULY NOBLE PHILIP , LORD WENMAN , Baron of Kilmainham , Viscount Tuam . My Lord , AS a testimony of my Gratitude , for those many Favours I have received from your Lordship , I humbly present this small Book of my deceased Brothers , of Planting . I confesse it unworthy your Honours perusal , who are as great a Judge of Books as Men : yet I intreat your Lordships Patronage and Countenance , presuming it may be serviceable for the preserving , and perfecting your new Orchard at Brackly , and so somewhat prevail towards the procuring your Honours pardon , for prefixing so great a Name before so mean a Discourse . My Lord , I lay it at your Feet , and assure your Lordship , it comes from one who honours you in the most secret corners of his Heart , and who had no other way , nor method to express it but this . I know your Lordships Charity to be so diffusive , as to invite all those , who have the honour to know you , to make their application to it : and that you are readier to afford your protection to those that want it , then they are to crave it , and will not I humbly conceive , be offended at this Dedication , knowing the weakest , and meanest ever seek their support from the Great , and Good. And that is another Reason of the present Ambition of ( My Lord ) Your Honours , most obliged , most humble and most devoted servant , Edward Drope . THE PREFACE . Friendly Reader , THe Author of these following papers , having lately pay'd his debt to Nature , I thought it great pitty that they should die , and be buryed with him , since I am inform'd , by some of Learning and judgment , they may be useful to the publick , and this is the only aim ( and not any popular applause ) that produceth this publication ; for though many worthy and ingenious persons have written more largely already on this Subject , yet none ( I presume ) hath say'd so much , in so little a Treatise , and what he directs , is by his own Experience , which I take to be the best Instructer . Yet it was not his study ( who was by profession a Divine ) but his Recreation , an inoffensive delight hee took in Planting ; neither do I think this study so ill becoming that Function , when Solomon , that great King , and princely Divine , wrote of Trees , and Plants , from the Cedar in Lebanon , to the Hysop that springeth out of the wall ; that is , from the highest and tallest Tree , to the smallest shrub , and lowest herb . I may truly say , this our Author knew most Herbs and Flowers in this Nation , yet I do not find he wrote any thing of them ; but I would not have thee think that this Knowledge was his Master-peice , who had a Competency in all Arts and Sciences , sufficient to compleat a Scholler . He was my Brother , and I am affraid lest that my affection should lead me to partiality , and therefore shall say no more as to that particular ; only somthing more as to the Book , which is but small , yet may prove of great benefit to thee ; and therefore if thou art a good Husband , thou canst not but think it well worth thy money , when it teaches thee how to Plant and order Fruit-trees , the planting whereof , both for Sider and Table Fruit , I account one of the best parts of good Husbandry , for I have frequently seen ( in diverse Countries of England ) what improvements persons have made upon their Estates by so doing , beside that Liquor of Cider is say'd to agree best with our English Bodyes , men Living to great Ages in the Cider-Countryes , both Active and strong , as may appear by a storie , I shall here insert , which I borrowed out of an Honourable and Learned Author ; * that at a Wake in Herefordshire , a Daunce was performed by eight men , whose Ages , added together , amountted to eight hundred years , some being as much above one hundred years Old , as others were under that Age. We may well suppose them to be Cider-Drinkers most of their dayes ; and what an excellent Remedy it is for the cure of the Stone , will be verifyed in this following Example ; a Gentleman of Quality , of my acquaintance , who from his Childhood was tormented with the distemper of the Stone , being upon some occasion in that Countrie for one year and half , or thereabouts , fell to drinking of Cider , and thereby cured himself , as is supposed , for he has not been troubled with it since , and it is now four or five years agoe . I will detain you no longer at the Door , but let you into the Orchard , and so farewel . I am Thine in all Christian Offices of Love and Service , Edward Drope . Comner , March. 1672. A SHORT and SURE GUID IN The Practice of Raising and Ordering of Fruit-Trees . THe goodnesse of materials , and the sufficiency of the Ground-work , as in Building , so in Planting , is the first thing considerable ; The stock therefore being the cheif foundation of a good Fruit-tree , shall give the Beginning to this my ensuing discourse . And whereas the best of stocks are produced from the seed ; I will not pervert Natures method , but keeping in her Tract all the way treat of such in this first following Chapter . CHAP. I. Of Raising stocks from the seed . EVery sort of seed hath a delight peculiar to it self , to be produced in a place , that affords juice most agreeable to it's Nature . The best Ground ( or mould ) that I have seen for the sowing of Apple and Pear-kernells is a Clay . If you have not the conveniency of such for your purpose , then procure and bring into the Nursery ( or Garden ) good store of Clay , and make therewith a Bed of about one foot and an half in Thicknesse , of what breadth and length you please . Upon this Bed must be laid some spit-dung ( i. e. such horse-dung as is rotted in the heap , and may be digged with a spade ) or excellent mould , upon which likewise lay as much sand , as will cover half a foot , or more , thick , when you have thus done , digge the sand , dung ( or mould ) and half of the Clay , so that they mix well together . Let this be done in the Summer before you intend to sow your kernells , so will this Compost be sufficiently work't together against the time you sow , which may be any time after Christmas and afore Mid-March . Digge it over often , but especially digge it afresh , and very fine , when you intend to put the seeds in the ground ; rake it then even , and pick all the stones , and trash out of it . Afterwards , by the guidance of a line , digge ( or drill ) a little trench of about two inches deep , and as much broad ; into the which cast some of the seed . When you have done this , remove the line , and place it about half a foot distant from the trench , make by it another trench in like manner , and sow it with seeds , as you did the former . Do thus , until all your bed is sown , or your seeds spent . Then cover all these little trenches by raking the earth upon them . Let this bed for kernells be on the North-side of a wall , or fence , or in some shady place : So will the young plants be freed from the parching heat in the Summer ; and thereby be kept moist a longer time then they would in another place . This bed , being thus made of clay , yeildeth little harbor for the mole , mouse , or worm ; all which are very busy in destroying seeds sown in light ground ; what the clay is supposed to kill by its cold and astringent clamminesse , the sand preserveth by heat and friability ; filling up the chaps , which would otherwise be in the clay , if the bed should happen to be neglected to be watered in season . You may not wonder that I make choise of clay to sow kernells in ; for it is the natural soile for them : witnesse the moist and clay woods , which afford far better ( and greater store of ) wild stocks , then any other whatsoever . By this manner of sowing in clay , I have known kernells to shoot , some two foot , others a yard in a dry year ; when those , that were sowne in loose and richer mould , grew not above half a foot , or a foot at the most . Having mentioned something about Mice , I thinke it not amisse to adde thereunto in this place ( once for all ) how to keep them from destroying the seeds , which ( besides the trappes ) may be done by mixing a little soot with them in the sowing , and to scatter a little lime and soot on the superficies of the bed , after the seeds are sown : by the bitternesse of the soot and the heat of the lime , the Mice ( unlesse very much pinch't with hunger ) will be cautelous to venter thereon , as disagreeing to the relish of their discerning pallats . But to return where I left . Although this is the best kind of ground ( or mould ) to sow the seeds in ; yet will I not deny , what I have seen , viz. that they have thrived very much in others beside . Plum-stones will grow very well this way : but Cherry stones will not . Wherefore you must procure ( or make ) a place of light mould , or black sand , and sow them therein in the like manner , as you did the Apple and Pear kernels ; So will they thrive extraordinarily . Peach-stones thrive best , when set in a loomy ground ( such as serves to make bricks about London ) mixt with some spit-dung , &c. I have known them inoculated the first year , they grew herein so bigge ; the next unto this is that wherein you sow the black Cherries . These are the cheif seeds to make stocks : but now to tell you , what stocks serve , for what kinds of fruit ; for there must not be a mixture of grafts and stocks of diverse Natures , as many ( who treat of Miracles not truth ) do deliver . Know therefore , That the kernels of Wildings , for all sorts of Apples to be grafted on , are the best ; if you can obtain them ; if not , of any Crabbe ( such as are in the hulls , out of which verjuice was prest ) will serve the turn , if the Crabbs were not too small . Some are of opinion that Apple kernells make the fittest stocks for the sweetest sort of Apples , but of this I never saw the tryall , my opinion being wedded to the Crabb and Wilding ; for as the same men affirme , the stock coming from the Apple is not so lasting . All Pear-kernells , but especially those , that came from some what soure Pears , ( such are these , that make the best Perry ) for all kinds of Pears , Wardens , and Medlars , though these last are usually grafted on white-thorne ; yet they afford larger fruit , when grafted on Pear-stocks , as I have seen happen by the experience of others . The Service-tree both wild and planted is an excellent stock for Medlars , the fruit thereof being better relish't and thicker set on , then those of the Pear stock . The separation of Crabb and Pear-kernells is performed on this wise . After that the liquor hath been pressed forth of the bruised fruit , take the hull-cakes and rubb them between your hands , that they may loosen themselves from the kernells ; then spread them on a blancket or winnow-sheet laid in the Sun , where let them dry for a while : Then take a wide sive and ridder them , so will the kernells drop forth , like as corn usually doth . If some of the smaller hulls do come forth with the kernells , they may be dryed a fresh , and shaken in a closer ( or Raying ) sive , whereby part will fall through , and part will gather into an heap , by the turning round of the sive , but a clean separation is tedious and unnecessary , if the kernells are to be carried a great way , it is good to dry them again , least they grow mouldy in the carriage . These and all other kinds of seeds here mentioned must be mixt with fine mould or sand in like sort , as plums are mingled in fine flower by the bakers , to make cakes withall , and kept in tubs or pots , neither too dry , least they wither , nor yet too moist , least they grow mouldy and rotten ; let them therefore , if they are kept within doors , be watered now and then , and after every watering be carried forth an hour or two for two or three days together to receive the benefit of the refreshing Air ; and afterwards cast into pots each kind by it self as before . Some men do keep them so mixt always without doors where they stand to the adventure of all Weathers . The stones of Plums , coming of a kind , whose bark is smooth and full of sap , are the best to make stocks for all sorts of Plums , and Aprecocks ; more especially , if they are of a white Pear-plum , which also will serve indifferently for the more common sorts of Peaches . But The generall and best approved stocks for Peaches , Nectrines , Melocotoons , and the rest of that tribe , are the stons of Peaches themselves , and among them , the Melocotoon , and such whose flesh easily separates from the stone : which stones ( notwithstanding what I have said of seeds in generall ) ought to be set early , or else ( which is better ) the shells broken in such sort that the kernells be not bruised but carefully taken forth and then set like others : for the shell is a great hinderance , to the speedy and regular shooting forth of the tender seedling , yea many a good kernel is rotted before it can break through such a thick inclosure . Some choise exoticke Plums and Aprecoks prove good when grafted or inoculated on Peach-stocks low on the face of the ground . Almonds make a great shew the first year , whereby many have been invited to inoculate them with the best kinds of Peaches , &c. but the next year ( or when they are once removed ) they do for the most part come to nought , however if any of Cherrys stand , they are never so good as these of Peaches . Aprecock stones are little worth , for they grow slowly , and are somewhat , to dry to inoculate on . Black Cherry stones prest from their juice and washt from their flesh , make the only gallant stocks for all sorts of Cherrys , if planted in a blackish sand ( as I have said ) in three or four year they shoot both in length and bignesse almost beyond beleif . The English Cherry called the Hony-cherry is the stock whereon the earlyest May's do grow , yet that fruit is not so good as that on the Black cherry , Enquirie and tryall may be made , how some Cherrys ( especially the Morisco ) will prove on the Rhamnus catharticus or the Harts Thorne . For the bark thereof shews that they will agree well together . The young plants must be constantly kept clean , and sometimes the Earth between the ranks loosned by howing , or ( rather ) gentle digging , least they be overcome and choaked by the weeds . If the young seedlings grow too thick , or too close to one another pluck up some of the weakest of them , and the rest will shoot the stronger , but of this hereafter . CHAP. II. Of the Nursery or place , where young trees are to be brought up before the Translating into an Orchard , &c. BEfore that these seedlings be transplanted from the bed , wherein they were sown , it is requisite , that a plot of ground ( to make a Nursery ) be chosen fit to cherish and entertain them ; the naturall ( or genuine ) soile , of which I advise to be between ( or a mixture of ) clay and sand , but therein the sand to abound ; if such with conveniency may be to this purpose acquired ; if not , any Indifferent [ i. e. ] neither too fat nor faint ) will serve the turn . However the Situation thereof should be guarded , and fenced from the blasts of the North and North-Western Winds : for those are the greatest destroyers of buds in Inoculation & tender graftings ; where you intend the Nursery shall be large , this choise will not be of such consequence , for one Tree will guard another . The place being thus chosen and designed , ought the year ( or two ) preceding to have been well soil'd and till'd for corn , or digg'd as for a garden ; and at the Michaelmas ( or at such time as the Crop is of ) before the planting , Trenched [ i. e. ] digged two spit deep , the upper spit of Earth being turned in the place of the lower and the lower cast in the room of the upper . The Superficies of the whole , lying in Plano , as an Area in a Garden , must immediately before ( or at ) the time of setting be spread over sufficiently with the best soil , ( or dung , ) such is that , that cometh from the Brew-houses ; which soil in the Planting is to be lightly turned into the Earth , more especially about the roots of the seedlings . By this manner of Trenching and ordering the Nursery , Trees are caus'd to improve exceedingly : for the Earth , which before ( like milk , ) threw up and contained all it's fatnesse ( or cream ) on the Superficies , now feedeth the lowest root , that a young Tree is able to send forth : and although to some it may seem to have a disprocortion ( or a part ) of bad mould in the midle [ i. e. ] where the roots will shoot out the second year , yet may they understand , that , by the soaking ( or sinking ) of the soil , that was laid afresh on the new Superficies , and the rising ( or ebullition ) of the fat mould of the quondam Superficies , now turned two spit into the Earth , there will be a perfect mixture through out the whole , before the first year be fully ended . Besides this good mould , being thus under the roots , doth at once supply the stead of many dungings ; which , though never so often repeated , will not be able to descend so deep . As to the objection of others , ( and those the greatest number of men that deal in Fruit-Trees , ) who say that by this enriching the Nursery , those Trees that are fetch 't from off thence will not grow or thrive else where , save in such like or better ground ; cause , if into worse transplanted , for the most part they dy : I must answer this , that no man ( unlesse very idle on ignorant , and so unfit for imployment in this purpose ) would ever set a Fruit-Tree , but would prepare the place by soil , and mellowing it before hand ; whereby it comet● to passe , that the Tree ( though brought off a rich Nursery yet ) is meliorated in the transplanting , which lasteth for at least two years ; that space of time being enough to keep alive and make grow the Tree ; after which i● seldome happeneth , that any dy . Yea , granting the supposition , that the Tree is removed from better to worse , I can say , that it is a great furtherance to the quicker bearing of Fruit ; hereby the sap , that in the Nursery spent it self altogether in effecting the growing of the Tree , is arrested in it's speed , and so digesteth , and prepareth it self in the Tree for the bringing forthe of blossoms ( and consequently Fruit ) the next year aster ; this may be seen daily in the re-planting of Cherry Trees . Moreover these people do not consider , that young Trees ( like young cattle ) do desire in their first years a tender education ; which if not granted , they are hindred ( or hide bound ) in their growth and improvement ; whereby it hapneth , that an inconsiderable dilatation of their branches , and in the end a mossinesse affects them , though transfer'd to richer quarters ; where if they do escape those Maladves and thrive , their growth will be so fast , that for it no Fruit can be produc'd , and ( which is the worst of all diseases ) a Canker in few years stops the career . Most Apple-Trees give this experiment and observation . But in these matters I do not take part with the too much inforced Nurseryes : such being as lyable to reproof , for their over-doing , as these other ( censures ) are for their opinion in under-doing ; the first occasion and cause whereof was Lazinesse . Having cleared the difficulties about the choise of ground for the Nursery and the due ordering thereof before planting , I must now return to discourse of the work it self ; and before it , the season ( or time of the year ) is to be considered : This I find to be best , and safest from Michaelmas to the midle of February ; ( when the weather is open ; for Frost will kill the roots in the Winter ; in like sort as the heat doth in the Summer . ) The earlyer removall , ( viz. in and about August , ) I dislike ; because of the danger proceeding from the checking of the Tree , before the sap be throughly hardned into wood ; by reason whereof the bark , being then too tender , withereth ( or wrinckleth ) and so becometh a dead cover ; when a live Tree is expected . Secondly , for that hereby it is hindred of a second spring ; Lastly , because those fibers at root , which usually sprout forth upon such early setting , do perish in the Winter ; if the Frost be penetrating . Yet when seedlings grow too thick , and your mind is to save them all , you may at any time throughout the whole Summer , by the help of a scoop like a paddle , after a watering , take up what number you please , with the Earth on their roots ; and reset them in a new appointed border , where with due watering and Shading they will scarce take notice of their removall , unlesse it be by a faster thriving , through their deliverance from the incumbrances of their fellowes , and by being set at liberty in a fresher quarter . The best way to preserve the close and low growers of Peach-stones is by the thus taking up of their overtoppers ; or ( as the fancy guides ) the lesser may be taken up , and the greater stand . A late removall I aff●ct not ; because the Tree benummed ( if I may so speak ) by it's taking up , is to seek for nourishment at the roots , when it should be springing out in branches . Yet in the earlyer , Cherry-stocks ( by care ) do frequently grow , and Crabb-stocks in the latter . Now proceed I to the planting . Fist let all the greatest sort of seedlings be taken ( or drawn ) up by themselves , slip ( or prune ) off all the side-branches ( if there be any ) from them , leaving only the middle ( or upright ) stemme standing , which may be a little top't too , if it be taper , then cut away all the fibrous roots , ( that the Earth may close to the main , ) and good part of that root , which commonly groweth directly downward : for thereby fresh roots will spring forth at the sides ; and because that direct descending root shooteth most commonly deeper , then the good mould extendeth , which is one of the causes of barrennesse in Trees , trimme also the ends ( when there are any ) of the side roots . Having done thus , and designed the plot in the Nursery , where they should be set , extend a Garden-line a crosse the breadth of the said plot at one end thereof , by the guidance of which line digge a small trench , not much deeper then the roots of the young plants , ( newly prepared as afore-mentioned ) which you must place therein , one plant half or three quarters of a foot distant from another ; so causing their heads to rest directly erect on the line : then throw the mould [ mixt with the dung , that was spread over the superficies of the plot , as I have said , ] on the roots : and shake the plants , one after the other , somewhat after this loose covering , that the Earth may be fitted on every of the roots , and that the plants be not buryed too deep in ground : after which you ought to tread the Earth , pretty hard for the firmer and better closure thereof to the roots in generall , but in this fixing of them , there must be a regard had , they stand upright by the line , as at the first placing ▪ when the rank is fill'd up in this manner , remove the line from thence 2 foot ( or a space sufficient for men to passe to and fro , to inoculate grafts and prune them , and for them to spread ) then set others in the like form , as the former : do thus , till all the greater sort of seedlings be spent . Then deal in like order with the second sort , or those of the middle growth , but as for the least , let them grow an year or two longer in the beds , where they were Sown , ( for even the worms will turn out of the ground such tender roots ) then set them in like manner , as the other two were before . Some planters make holes by the line , with a dible or settingstick made of the handle of a spade cut picked at the end , into which they put the seedlings , and ( by treading ) close the Earth about them . But this manner of setting serves not for those plants that have side-roots , because the holes without some trouble , cannot be dilated to admit them : neither is it altogether so good for those that can be so set ; because the Earth is clotted by the dibber , as it maketh the hole ; where upon it cannot so exactly encompasse the roots , unlesse with a spade , or trowell , it be thrust close to them , which is a trouble exceeding that of making a small trench as is before directed . Observe , that all seedlings one time or other must be removed , by reason of the direct descending roots : as is above specified . Those Plum-stocks , you intend to inoculate Aprecocks , and to graft wal-plums on , as also Peaches , must be set a somewhat greater distance in the rank ; because that their spreading ought to be low , unlesse you are certain to remove them the next year after their insition keep the spaces between the ranks clean from weeds , by once ( or twice ) howing them , in the Summer , if you have so much leasure : however at the Winter fail not to digge them over a fresh , for the better mixture of the Earth and soil ; and for the refreshing of the roots by the rain , which here by hath the freer admittance into the Earth . Some years , when you have perceived the former dung devoured , and the heart ( or fatnesse ) of the Nursery to faint , by the slow shooting of the spriggs and grafts , lay on fresh dung , and turn it in by the said winter-digging . At Al-hallontide ( or there about ) cut of all the side-branches ( or spriggs ) from the Plum-stocks & Cherry-stocks every year ; leaving the upright one , ( or that that is intended for to graft or inoculate on , ) standing against another year , for a leader : this labour may be spared , when the stocks are reserved for the wall , or to be dwarfe standards , in which a low grafting , and inoculation , is to be used . The contrary kind of pruning [ i. c. ] by cutting of the erect ascending branch ) may be used to Crabbe-stocks and Pear-stocks , for to make their bodyes grow bigge and not toppe-heavy : or it is not of much moment , whether you use any , when that you have about two , or three , foot of the stocks clear bark't above the ground ; for that will be high enough to graft them on . CHAP. III. Of Grafting and the severall fashions therein . WHen the Crabb-and Pear-stocks have thus stood , and grown in the Nursery , two , three , or four years , according to their improvement in bignesse ; then the grafting must be thought upon , and effected . But the Winter before [ i. e. ] ( between Michaelmas and St. Andrews-tide , ) let their branches and heads be cut off , an handfull or more , above the smooth place appointed to be grafted on . This cutting of the heads is for the better arresting the sap in the main body of the stock , which doth hereby become the more turgid in it's bark , by being thus hindred of it's vent ; for the sap ( more especially the more serous part thereof ) is not wholy spent , till the great Frosts in Winter , as may be seen by the long continuance of the leaves on the top-branches , and their softnesse . Now , I say , it is hereby restrained to the greater effusion of it into the graft ( instead of it's own toppe and branches ) the next spring . Cherry-stocks , that you have reserved for standards in Orchards , must not be thus dealt with , but the side-branches ( as I have said ) only pruned of the stocks ; because they must be grafted at such an height , as the Trees are to spread : for Cherry grafts ( for the most part ) immediately expand themselves into branches on the head of the stock , neither will they grow any higher in an entire body . Thus much to the preparation of grafting , whose cheifest time is February and March , the weather being warm , [ i. e. ] without Frosts or cold Winds , February for Cherryes , and most sorts of Plums , March for the latter kinds of Plums , and for all the species of Apples and Pears . Yet some have , in the variety of their practice , adventured to graft from , and in , November ; as also in Aprill , both which have happened to grow well : but these are but nicety's , the surest grafting being in those two months , I now have named . Now the manner and several ways of Grafting , ( which notwithstanding the difficulty to attain without ocular demonstration ) I will in this place endeavour to describe . First there is the most vulgar called stock-grafting , or Cleft-grafting . To do this , cut off the head of the stock smooth , at the place where you intend to fix the the graft , then cut the graft like a wedg for two inches , ( but ) with shoulders on both sides at a seam , or ( which is as well by mine own triall ) an eye ; the inner part ( that is to be placed within the wood of the stock ) being made somewhat thinner then the outward , which with it's bark is to join to the bark of the stock ; the graft thus prepared must be laid down in the basket or put in a dish of water till you have cleft the stock , ( a little beside the pith , ) with a mallet and sharp chisell , or knife , without bruising the bark . Into this cleft , which if rough , or continued with strings of bark one side to the other , must be shaved smooth with a penknife , from the bottom ( upward ) to the top ; and if too short must be made long enough to receive the wedg-part of the graft : put a wooden wedge , about the center ( or middle ) of the stock to keep it open for the graft , which must then be fitted thereunto exactly , bo that the shoulders on the top , and the sides ; the insides , not outsides , ( as by many mistaken , whose work thereby came to nought , ) of the barks , both of the graft and stock ; they touching one the other , almost as even , and close as two peices of wainscoat shot by a joiners plain . When you perceive , that they will do thus , let the graft alone in the cleft , and pull out the wedg , that held the cleft open , but if you find the graft will be pinched by the stock , leave a little peice of a wedg in the middle of the cleft , to keep it from pressing too close thereon : if the stock be big enough , another graft may be placed on the adverse side of the stock in like manner as the former . This way of grafting ( though universally known , and practised ) is not good ; because the heart of the stock is wounded , and the rain ( ormoisture ) oft falleth into the cleft , and where likewise Earwiggs , and such like Vermin find harbour ; both which are causes , that the head of the stock often dyeth , or rotteth away , before the bark hath encompassed it . It is better therefore , ( if by a cleft you would graft ) that you cut the head of the stock aslope [ i. e. ] ( oblique descending ) like a Coltsfoot ( from the similitude whereof , this manner of grafting hath it's denomination , ) but plane a little , on the top , where the shoulder of the graft is to rest . The remainder of the work is after the same order , and fashion , as in the former . By this way the stock admitteth only one graft ; you may therefore make two slits , or clefts , on each side of the pith one , for two severall grafts , if the stock be large enough to contain them . This cutting of the head of the stock a-slope , doth in part ( not wholly ) divert , and avoide the mischeifs of the former . This stock grafting ( or the former ) must be used when stocks are thick set with knots ; but in others it pleaseth me neither , for I find these ensuing ways to be the more excellent , as bringing in their operation lesse danger to the whole , and as being finished in a shorter time . Whip-grafting ( otherwise called Backing , Packing , or Splicing ) is thus performed ; After the stock is cut even , as in the first or second grafting , you must cut your graft on one side only with a shoulder , very even and smooth , descending ( like the side of a wedg ) till the point ( or end ) thereof sharpeneth it self in the bark , that is on the opposite side of the graft , this shoulder must be made a little beneath an eye ( or bud . ) The other side must be left whole and intire , with another eye ( or bud ) on it , about the middle , from the shoulder , toward the bottom , or end , which must be distant two inches ( more or lesse ) from the shoulder . The graft and head of the stock being thus prepared , lay the cut-side of the graft on that side of the stock , that hath the smoothest bark , ( the shoulder lying exactly on the top of the stock , ) and mark with your penknife-edg the place , to which the bottom or end of the graft extendeth , then ( having laid the graft by ) with the penknife cut a slice ( of such breadth as you guesse the flat side of the graft to be ) out of the bark to the wood ( and some part of the wood , when otherways it will not be broad enough ) from a little below the place , you did mark at the bottom ( or end ) of the graft , to the top of the stock . This done ; see whether the inward part of the bark of one side , and the end of the graft , fit to the inward part of the bark ( or the narrow space , or line , between the bark and wood ) of the stock , in the room of that , which was sliced off by the penknife . It is not so materiall , whether the other side join so exactly : nay I rather advise , that that side of the graft fall somewhat within the wood of the stock ; for thereby it will sit the closer and firmer to the former side . If the stock be big enough , and you have a mind thereunto , you may place another graft , after the same manner , on the adverse side of the stock ; but whether you graft one or two , you must with one hand hold them on a right , and with the other ( if that none other person be there present to help you ) bind them fast on the stock , ( staying the bond with the hand , that holds the grafts , ) with a soft flag , rush , peice of basses or inward rind of any Tree , or such like . Observe in this place , both for this and all other kinds of grafting , where the grafts are to be thus bound on the stock , that you loosen the bonds at such time as the grafts have grown a little , for thereby they escape the dammages that ensue by pinching . Another way may be termed shot-grafting ; for , if we can understand small things by great , it is like the shooting of two peices of timber ( as in a Ship-mast ) together . The graft is prepared , and the whole operation performed , after the same manner as before in Whip-grafting , from which it varyeth but little , and that is , by cutting away the wood of the stock like the graft , if you would graft with a shoulder ; if not , it is no more trouble then to cut a slice of two inches ( more or lesse ) long from of the graft , and the like from of the stock , and to place the one upon the other in the same fashion as in the other . But yet the graft groweth the surer , if the bud on the back be ( orly ) beneath another bud on the opposite side of the stock ; for by the bud , that is on the stock , lying higher then the bud on the graft , the sap taketh hold on the graft in it's passage thereunto . This way is most used , when the graft and stock are of equall bignesse ; but it may serve very well also , though the bignesse of the stock do somewhat exceed that of the graft ; so that they close on one side exactly , as I have mentioned in the former . There is a way much used by some of the best Nursery-men about London , and indeed very easy and certain , which is performed on this wise . First they cut of the head of the stock on the side , where the graft is to be put , descending or a little bending downward , and not altogether flat , when there is but one graft intended to be placed thereon ; but when there are two grafts to be inserted on the same stock , it must be cut flat , or ( which is better ) with a ridg ( like a cheveron in Heraldry , or the tops of two rafters coupled ) in the middle . Then they slice of a peice of the graft in the same fashion , as is described in the second shot-grafting way ; the stock , if somewhat big , is dealt with as in Whip-grafting ; but if little , as in shot-grafting , these things being thus accomplished , and the sliced side of the graft found to agree to the sliced place of the stock ; then they slit the graft ( gently , least the bark should be ●urt ) on that side that is to ly on the stock , from within half an inch ( or lesse ) of the end , ( or bottom , ) to within ( about ) half an inch of the top , or where the slice began ; the like they do unto the stock , so that on them both there is ( as it were ) a tongue : now they put the tip ( or point ) of the tongue of the graft into the slit of the stock , and the tongue of the stock into the slit of the graft , and guiding them even on one side they thrust them gently ( the one tongue within the other ) till the bottom of the graft come to the place of the stock , whereon it is to ly . Last of all , they bind it , as in the two last preceding ways . This grafting I account the best , for it's certainty and easy accomplishing , as I have said : very certain it is , because that by the making and placing the tongues , the one within the other , it commeth to passe , that the graft may be fed in three several places by the sap ; whereas in the other ways of grafting it receiveth it's nourishment , but in one or two at the most . It is easy likewise , as having lesse trouble in the placing and binding , the others of that kind ; for the grafts stick almost as close to the stock in this as in cleft-grafting . In Grafting between the wood and the bark , the head of the stock is cut off flat and smooth , as for cleft-grafting ; and the graft prepared in the same fashion , as in Whip-grafting : which being effected , and a style of iuory , box , or such like hard and smooth wood cut like ( though somewhat lesse then ) the end of the graft , provided in a readinesse ; you must make a place for the graft with this style , by thrusting it ( but not rashly , between the wood and the bark ( on the smoothest side ) of the stock , as deep almost as the cut part of the graft is long , then , having pulled out the style , put the point of the graft in the room thereof , with it's cut side close to the wood of the stock ; continue the thrusting it ( gently though it be stiffe in going ) down , till the shoulder of the graft rest even on the head of the stock , and then the work is finished , save that , least the wind , or the very putting on the clay , should shake it , you must bind it , as in others . This way of parting the bark and wood pleaseth me not very well ; because herein the bark will rise on both sides the graft , farther then is requisite ; or if it be not so flexible , it will either not part clear from the wood , or else it will pinch and bruise the graft in it's passage . All which do ( as I have known ) frustrate the labour and expectation . Some , to avoid this danger , cut the graft on both sides , without any shoulders , like a sharp wedg ; and so thrust it between the bark and wood : but hereby likewise too great a wound is given to it for to come to good ; though I deny not , that it may happen to grow , if the sap can take hold on any place thereof in such sort as that the back part may in a short space be covered afresh . Instead therefore of these I have substituted , and made triall of another way , taken notice of by few , though the most neat , and least dangerous , and hurtful for the grafting of great stocks . The operation about it is somewhat agreeing to that of inoculation , from which because there is some variation , I will here set down the whole in the same order I was accustomed to do it . First I cut off the head of the stock ( like the coltsfoot ) aslope , and at the very top flat , for about half an inch , on the side , where I place the graft . Then I fit the graft like unto that for Whip-grafting , save that in this I cut the pith , and middle part of the wood , from both sides somewhat hollow scoop-like , that the outsides thereof might stick the compleater to the stock ; from whose top I draw a slit , with the point of my penknife , through the bark , direct downward , of an inch or more in length . Then I raise the bark on both sides the slit by the back of my penknife , to receive the point of the graft , which being put therein , I thrust the cut part down between the wood and the bark , till the shoulder thereof rest on the top of the stock , as it doth in others . Now although the bark of the stock was not opened , nor slit the length of that part of the graft that was to be applyed to the wood ; yet will the point of the graft , by this gentle thrusting down , cleave and dilate the bark wide enough to receive it most exactly . When the stock is of a larger size , I set another graft in like sort one the same side , but distant from the other about an inch ; and if the stock be very big , ( such are the arms and bodys of Trees ) I place others , with oblique shoulders , to fit the sloped part of the head , and one without any shoulder , at the lower end of the Clots-foot . By this slitting of the bark I eschew the inconveniency's of the other graftings between the wood and the bark ; for herein the bark opens no wider then to receive the graft , whom likewise it cannot by pinching oppresse . Yet sometimes it falleth out , that the bark of an old stock is so thick , that it will rise , further then is needfull , as not being able to turn short enough , only for the admittance of the graft ; wherefore I pare , and cut away some part thereof on both sides the slit , whereby that mischeif is prevented . All sorts of grafting between the bark and the wood , for the most part are used in juicy-bark't stocks ; or late , [ i. e. ] when the sap beginneth to arise , otherwise to make them part clear will prove a difficult matter . Some Trees there are , whose cions will not be grafted , if taken clean from the Tree , whereon they grew at the first ; with these you must deal in another method of grafting , called inarching . To effect this , you must , an year or two before hand , plant some stocks so nigh the Tree from whence you would graft , that the cion , which is to make the graft , may by that time extend over the head , of the stock , when it is cut and cleft , about five or six eyes , without any difficult straining or pulling of it ; from one of these ( suppose the fourth ) eyes , it must be cut with cheeks , or shoulders , from which , about two inches in length , must the bark and some part of the wood be smooth and evenly taken of on both sides , like as in Cleft-grafting , save that herein the graft is not cut off like a wedg , but ought to continue on the Tree , without hurting the outside bark in any place . Then , in the cleft of the stock , prepared ( as hath been said ) to receive it , in like order and form , as in Cleft-grafting , must you place that part of the graft , where the bark was taken away next to the shoulders , as far as may ; so that the lower part thereof , which joynes to the old Tree , and is the thickest , do not cause the cleft to open at top from the shoulders set thereon . When this is done , bind it upright so fast , that the wind , when it shakes the Tree , from whence the graft is binded , may in no wise loosen it . Now , though this be the most usuall way of Inarching , I know and do find , that the working whip , or ( rather ) shet-graft fashion is better , for the grafts are not so subject to break , neither is there so great a wound given to the stock by this , as by cleaving . Another manner of Inarching , where the wood of the cion is not too brittle , is by cutting the head of the stock , like a wedg , for an inch and an half : and then to cleave , or slice , out of the cion , a tongue somewhat more then half way through ; of the same length , as the wedged part of the stock is ; for the end of the tongue must extend to the place , where the bark of the stock began to be sliced for to make it wedg fashion . Being thus cleft it must be placed riding astride on the edged head of the stock , the tongue on the one side , and the part that holds on the old Tree , on the other side of the stock lying , as in Whip-grafting , or , in short , the whole is like cleft-grafting revers't ; for the graft , by being cleft , in this imitates the stock in that , and the graft of that shews the fashion of the stock in this ; the difference is , that herein the stock must not be cut with shoulders , nor the tongue flat , but descending , till it end sharp in the bark , as the cut part of the graft in Whip-grafting . This manner of Inarching I approve of , as the best , when it may be effected ; for that the graft can herein receive the sap from both sides the stock , if it be well guided in the binding thereon . In these inarchings the old Tree feeds the graft , till such time , as it is united to the stock , and groweth firmly there with ; which will be before the Summer is ended : so that the winter following , it may with safety be cut off , from the old tree , close unto the stock , on which it will have made a very great growth by double feeding . In an year or two store of Aprecocks , without inoculation , may be produced , if that before hand Plum-stocks be set round about an Aprecock-Tree at such a distance as that they may be grafted by these ways of Inarching . By the same also a cion , or a great bough ( if the uttermost point of a branch thereof be cut like the lower part of a graft ) may be made to grow , with the lower end upward , whereof I have known the experience , whereby that foolish traditional opinion of having fruit without stones or kernels was confuted ; for the fruit proved to be of the kind and manner with that of the Tree ; from whence the cion , or bough was inarched . These are the cheif ways of grafting , some whereof are necessary , for a compleat grafter to know , other some meer curiosityes ; but there are other variations , which I purposely omit ; supposing that from these , as from the cheif heads , an ingenious lover of this art , will of his own industry , discover and improve them , to his greater pleasure , and content . CHAP. IV. Certain Rules to be observed in and after grafting . FOr the better detaining the grafts in their right posture , and for preserving the sap , at the grafted place , in the tender growing , from the extremity of heat and cold , adventitious moisture and drinesse ; like as an Emplaster on a wound , in all Graftings there is to be used a loom or compost of clay and horse-dung or such like . The best , that I find , for this purpose is made on this manner : viz. Take of clay one half , new horse-dung , and cow-hair from the tanpits , of each one fourth , which makes the other half ; mix all these very well together , by kneading , beating , &c. with it cover over your stock in the grafted place , about an inch above the head , and a little beneath the point of the graft : the whole representing an egge or a ball of an ovall forme . When the grafts have grown somewhat , then pull off the loom , and the bindings of such as required binding , and put only a little of the like loom on the head of the stock , to keep it from the heat and wet , or , if your leasure gives leave , daube them over afresh , yet not with such curiosity as in the former . As for the smaller sort the renewing the loom is altogether unneceslary . Before the grafts do grow , the stock will usually send forth some shoots out of it's body ; which must not be rubb'd of ( as is commonly practised ) till the graft grow ; and then , if the graft be free in growing , all must not be pull'd of at one time , but one , or two , left to prevent the ascending of too much sap into the graft : for by it the Tree will grow lop-heavy , and the graft toward that winter , or the next year , corroded with a canker . In this I seem to many paradoxical ; because that they , by thus doing , think to force up the sap into the graft : but experience hath shewed me , that , when the buds are not suffered to stand till that time , the stock will either dy for want of venting it's sap , or , at the best , the root will endeavour to send forth suckers , whereby the grafted part is weakned , if not gone , and the pains most commonly comes not to the wished effect . Besides the buds , that are toward the top serve to draw up sap the nigher to the graft , which the graft it self through wounds and weaknesse is not so able to perform . But if you find , that the graft in it's growing shoots but slowly , you may then pick off all the springs from the stock , and not before . At Michaelmas prune off all the irregular , and side branches from the grafts , leaving only that , you intend for a leader , or to make the body of the Tree ; do thus to them every year , till those , you reserve for standards , are shot up to the height of a man , or a foot lower ; after which time the upright branches may be taken away , and three , four , or five of the side ones , remain to make the spreading arms of the Tree . The vulgar grafters do always pick off the side buds , till such time as the Tree is high enough : but herein they erre ; for by that means the Tree grows taper , and not able to stand by it self , without a stake to hold it upright ; whereas if the side buds be suffered to grow afresh from year to year , the body of the graft will be big , and strong enough , to maintain it self against the winds ; then may it by pruning ( as afore said ) be raised to such an height you please , to which speedy rise these men only aim at , not regarding those now mentioned inconveniencyes . The body of the graft , being thus kept low to grow big , doth likewise cover the head of the stock much sooner , then when it is strip't up to such a taper dimension . Trees , that are for the wall , must be made to spread very low ; therefore leave three , or four side branches , constantly cutting away the upright . Dwarf standards at the height of an yard at the furthest must be made to spread as t is elsewhere spoken of . As for the choise of grafts I advise , that they be taken from the fairest and best bearers , large , full-eyed , and smooth-bark't , of the last years shooting ; when you graft , cut off the heads , and let not above four buds remain , on a graft , above the loom for Appels and Pears . In Cherrys and Plums two will be enough , because , for the most part , they send forth new branches out of those that grew at the first hand of the year , which Appels and Pears ( unlesse the tops be broken ) do seldom adventure to do . An old Tree which is a good bearer seldom affordeth cions for grafts ; wherefore some cut off a bough from the Tree the year before , to cause the Tree to sprout forth at that place . But usually the sap of the Tree , striving only to cover that place neglecteth all irruption thereat . What grafts take on what stocks hath been shewed in the first Chapter . CHAP. V. Of Inoculation , &c. A Precocks , Peaches , Nectrines , and such kinds of choise fruit , are seldome procured by ordinary grafting , because they bring forth blossoms before the young shoots ; so that the graft , missing the usuall method of it's kind , withereth away , as not able to stay , so long for a conglutinating juice , when the season is to be in flower , and if the stock should endeavour to preserve the new union by throwing up such a sap , yet will the graft refuse it for the same reason , whereby it turns to a killing gelly ; but this seldome happens , for these earlyer kinds are calling for nourishment before the spring is strong enough to awake and rouse it in the stock . There is therefore another way invented to increase them , and this is called Inoculation , or Budding . The time for it is principally from a fortnight before Midsommer , to a fortnight after , when the buds and bark are newly hardned enough to part from the wood , and that without any difficulty . Yet if the Tree hath been forward in growing that year , the buds will be fit to inoculate with , even in May ; and if backward , then to the last of July . Aprecocks are the first to be inoculated , and Peaches the last , and between both all other kinds of fruit . Those sprigs , that shot that year biggest and fairest , afford buds for inoculation , only toward the bottom , or ( rather ) the middle half way and more ; so that the top must be cut of and thrown away : for the buds thereof are always too tender to part from the wood , as the lowest are oftentimes too old and tough . These sprigs , or cuttings , must immediately be wrapped up in some wet linnen cloth , or ( which is surest ) their lower ends stuck in clay and the whole body of them enclosed with watered mosse and so put in a box ; if that they are to be carryed any long way , or must continue any space of time , before the inoculation ; for otherwise in lesse then six hours they will wither or prove very difficult in the separation . Now you having obtained such cuttings and brought them on this wise to your stocks , cut of all the leaves , reserving only the stalk of them ( or , if you perceive that will be too short , a very little of the leaf also ) to hold them by in the work . Go to your stock , and in the smoothest . place thereof ( somewhat low ) cut a transverse cut , with an even and sharp edged penknife , three quarters of an inch ( or more ) in length : from the middle of this cut , or line , draw , with the very point of the penknife , another cut directly downward of an inch , or such like length , within a little , as the escutcheon shall be . But neither cut ought to be deeper then the bark . Both of them joined thus together are represented by a great T. And that you may not be deceived in your work , open with the back of the penknife ( toward the point ) the direct descending cut a very little at the top thereof , where it joynes to the transverse cut , only to se whither the bark will part easily from the wood ; if it will , then let it rest , till you have prepared the bud to put therein , which you must do on this wise : having designed which bud shall be made use of , cut with the penknife a transverse cut , half an inch , or lesse , above it , cut the like beneath , both quite round the shoot . Then draw the side-cuts ( on each side the bud one ) from the cut above the bud to the cut beneath : these cuts are not to be drawn parallel , to one another , as the transverse ; but oblique descending , meeting thereby in an ovall point at the lower transverse line : so that the form of the bud , with that part of the bark , that is to be with it , is like an escutcheon , in the same manner as is expressed in the margent ; the point in the middle sheweth the stalke of the leafe , and the bud before it . These cuts being thus made with the knife , peele away the bark of the shoot , between the transverse cuts , that is on the side opposite to the escutcheon . [ Thus far of the preparation may precede the cutting of the T in the stock , but I place them together , as being lesse trouble to the understanding of the description , but to proceed . ] When you have done this , cut a small notch above ( but ending in ) the upper transverse cut , to admit the quill or steele that is to take off the escutcheon . Then thrust this quill or steele in that notch between the bark , or escutcheon , and the wood , very even and steedy , that so the escutcheon may be taken off without bruising . Observe after it is taken off , whither it hath any hole withinside at the root of the bud , if it hath , cast it away , as unmeet for that purpose , and prepare others in like sort , till that you have one without any hole at the bottom of the bud , which being procur'd must be laid on your lip , to be kept moist , or put in a dish of water till you have nimbly opened the descending cut in the stock with the back of your penknife , without touching the gelly or moisture on the wood , into which immediately put the escutcheon on this wise ; take it from your lip and pour out the water by the stalk of the leafe , and hold it and the bud close ( though not pinching ) between your forefinger & thumb ; in which posture , thrust the point thereof into the top of the descending cut between the bark ( you newly opened ) and the wood of the stock , so by degrees draw down the whole escutcheon , if it be somewhat stiffe ( as it should ) in drawing down , lay the back of the penknife on the stalk , close to the bud , but not on it least you bruise it , place likewise the top of your thumb underneath the stalk , and presse it down by the back of the penknife with your other hand , till the upper end of the escutcheon come within a little of the transverse cut where it must be cut off with the sharp edge of the penknife , which will by that means fit it exactly to the bark that is above . But if the going down be very difficult , then may you open the bark by the back of the penknife a little , on the sides and beneath the escutcheon , as he stands on the stock ; then presse it down as before . When you have thus finished , bind the whole with some soft flag , bull-rush , woolen yarn , or basse , pretty straight , beginning at ( and upon ) the transverse cut and so winding downward , till all the escutcheon be covered with the binding : but be sure , not to touch the very bud , but to skip it , lest it should be bruised ; however let the binding be placed close above , and beneath the stalk of the leaf , under which the root of the bud lyes . Some open the bark of the stock , before they take of the escutcheon , but in my mind they do not so well therein ; for if the root of the bud should ( as it often doth ) happen to be broken in the taking off , the air and heat doth often dry the place , that is prepared for it , before another bud can be made ready to be put therein : but men may do herewith , as it best pleaseth their fancyes . If that the stalk of the leaf will fall off , before the escutcheon can be brought to it's proper place , or where there is no stalk at all , but a bare bud , you may stick the point of the penknife somewhat beneath the side of the bud , and draw the escutcheon down , as well as if it had a leaf-stalk thereon . The style , that taketh off the escutcheon , is a quill cut two third parts away , sloping downward as for a pen , and at the end , instead of a nibb or point , with a flat round edg . After the same fashion many procure a steel one ( well burnish't ) to be made for them , which indeed is better then the other , but the best is an Ivory one , cut in the same form , which seldome hurteth the root or gelly . Many there are who take off the bud by thrusting the style from the point of the escutcheon upwards : but in this the edg of the style must be kept close to the wood , whereon the bud groweth ; otherwise it will glide between the root of the bud and the bud it self , rendring it thereby unprofitable for inoculation . Others never use a style , but make the upper transverse cut on the cion at a greater length , or distance from the bud , so that they may take hold thereof with their penknife and thumb , thereby pulling it leasurely , till it comes ( or is peeled ) off . What is bruised by the taking hold of it thus , is cut off at the transverse line in the stock , before it be quite thrust down in the same order , as in the other before . This is the quickest and safest way ; for the bud and inward bark are not touched hereby , as they are by the style in the other , which ( unlesse very smooth and round edged ) often maketh the same rugged , to the indangering the whole inoculation . The next best unto this is the taking off the escutcheon , by a suddain and equall twist of the fore-finger and the thumb , as you hold it between them . There is a way to inoculate , whose fashion is contrary to this ; for in it the transverse cut is made beneath the direct descending line , both which therefore are like a great T reverst ; so that the escutcheon must be cut reverst likewise , and the whole operation performed from the lower part upward . This , without doubt , is a very good way , and the bud likely to take ; but I dare affirm nothing of certainty therein , because my self have not as yet seen the tryal thereof in fruit-trees ; having received the hint hereof from an Orange bud , which ( though otherwise very difficult in propagating ) hath by this way taken very well . A freind of mine did once use to inoculate , without taking away the wood from within the escutcheon , which many times ( especially in moist years ) hath luckyly proceeded : but it is not so sure as the other ( whose trouble , I confesse , is the greater ) because that the sap of the stock cannot so compleatly annex it self to the new adopted bud . There are other ( but fantastical ) ways of cutting , and placing on the bud , such are the fashioning it Lozenge-wise , and like the leaves of a book opened , &c. but I omit their description , as uncertain in themselves , and therefore unnecessary to my discourse . It is ( and hath been ) a great tradition among divers Gardners that no bud will take , if any adventitious moisture touch the root thereof , before it be inoculated ; but this I know to be as frivolous a rule as hath been invented , for it is not only good , but very necessary in dry weather , to dip the escutcheon in water before you put it on the stock , for thereby it will slide down the better into the slit . All inoculations succeed best , when they are done in a gloomy and cloudy day ; now if there be none such in the season , but the weather prove wholy dry , and parching , it is best to work somewhat early in the morning before the Sun make the day too hot , and in the afternoon , when the heat is abated . To prevent that the heat do not so much mischeif , as otherwise it would , ty or hang some cabbageleaf , or such like , over the buds after the inoculation ; under this shadow will they be in some measure preserved . When the weather hath been and is extraordinary dry , it is of good consequence to water the stocks 2 or 3 nights before the inoculation , and the like , after ; for that by the former the bark will rise the better ; and by the latter the new adopted bud will receive the greater nourishment : yet in the watering after , there must be a caution for overdoing , least insted of affording liquor to a thirsty plant you make it drunk , which will appear in the spuing up of a gum at the place , to the buds destruction . Within ten or fourteen days , if the inoculation be done before , or about , Midsommer , the bark will happen to swell ; wherefore the bond must be taken off , or loosned , least the bud be destroyed by pinching . But the true time of loosning the bond will be best known by the goodnesse and smoothnesse of the bark of the stock ; for some stocks ( such as are full of sap ) will in a shorter time swell out , and extend the bindings , when as others , that are dryer , and inoculated late , require a longer time , before that the bond will be streightned . In dryer weather the bud requires the longer time , in moister the shorter for unbinding . It happeneth sometimes that in four , or five dayes you may know whither the bud have taken or no : for if then it look fresh and green , as when it came of the cion , it hath taken ; yea , although the stalk of the leaf will at the touching fall off ; that being caused by the bruise , it received either from the back of the penknife in the depression of the escutcheon , or else from the streightnesse of their binding . Because of the difficulty of one single bud in running through all the hazards , it is necessary that three , or four , buds be placed on the same stock ; where , if none have come to good , the inoculation , especially when you began the first early , may be renewed severall times , untill you are assured that one on every stock will answer your desire . Rebind the buds loose , &c. when the weather is very wet , for else the bark of the stock will open from the escutcheon . After the unbinding there remaines nothing to be done till the next Autumne or Winter ; at which time you must cut of the heads of these stocks two inches from the bud , and the next year close to the shoot , that grew out of the bud , then it were good like wise to cover it with loom as in grafting . If you should the first year cut off the stock close to the bud , 't is ten to one , but that the head thereof with the bud therein will ' dy ; Besides the leaving of the head thus long , more especially with a natural bud on it , serves at the spring to convey and attract the sap into the bud that is inoculated ; but all other buds below ought to be rubbed of ; and that above too , when the inoculated one hath shot two inches long . After an early inoculation , wherein the buds held very well , that I might see varietyes , I adventured to cut off the heads of some plump bark't stocks ; whereby it came to passe , that the bud immediately sprung forth a considerable le●gth , able enough to withstand the piercing winter , yet this is not of such certainty as the not permitting of it's growth till the next spring . The inoculation of Roses ( which most account a difficult matter ) comes best to effect this way ; for it is seldome seen that their Midsommer buds do stay so long as the spring , from shooting forth ; such shrubs if observ'd , continue always growing , unlesse impeded by the Frost , which is no sooner over , but they ( even in the mid'st of winter ) thrust out their heads again , to the often nipping of many of them , amongst whom the adopted are likelyest to suffer , if the head was cut off just at that winter season ; wherefore it is ( as I have found ) the best course to cut off their heads four or five days after the unbinding , whereupon they will immediately shoot lustily enough to withstand the encounter of the winter , like unto other Rose-Trees , that are clipped after bearing . But this is somewhat beside my purpose ; I now return . As to the stocks , whereon each kind should be inoculated , see in the first Chapter . Those Trees thus inoculated , may , even in the bud , the next Autumn , be removed , as well as when they have grown an year or two ; yea I find it best so to do : for there is lesse danger ln transplanting Trees ( such are these ) whose heads are cut of , and they thereby pruned , then those , whose branches must be left at full length . Yet it may prove a losse to the buyer , if the bud should chance to miscarry . If the winter and spring prove very frosty , it is of a very great concernment to wind wisps of straw round the buds , during all the season of cold ; for thereby the tender buds are preserved , which otherwise by the peircing of the Frosts are oftentimes destroyed . If such kind of weather continue long , you must sometimes unwreath the straw , from off the buds , for an hour or two in the hottest time of the day , to give them fresh air , and afterwards wind them up as before . Many men , being ignorant of this guarding the buds , have lost multitudes , which held very well and continued fair a long while after the inoculation ; admiring in themselves , why the Tree sprung not out at the season , when as they were all killed the preceeding winter . It will not be much from our purpose , as a close to this and the other Chapters , to seek out and assign , for the satisfaction of some , the cause why the greatest part of Trees yeild better and fairer Fruit , through insition , then , when permitted to bear from seed . Now whereas I cannot so exactly fetch the resolution hereof from the insensitive Tree itself , whose method of separation avoids even the clearest eye ; I must by comparing Trees and animals find the full demination thereof , yet so , as that I abstract the same from the facultyes of sense and motion , and speak of them only as to augmentation . Whereas therefore it cannot be made appear , that there is any great difference between a beast and a plant in their nutrition , the one therefore will demonstrate and clear the other . Thus then ; As the Chyle which is separated from the digested meat , thrown into the guts , for a further purification or concoction , hath other vessels to secern it from it's several excrements , before that it is fit for the nourishing of the particular members , who in themselves likewise have an attractive force to elect the meetest thereof for their own increase , and being there which sufficed , by another quality they do reject the superfluity ( though in it self good , yet as ) unprofitable for them ; from whence it proceedeth , that there is such a conformable growth in the animal , answerable as well to the bearing of Fruit , as to the extension of the branches and trunk in Trees : So is there in Trees , themselves an allicient property , to draw by roots ( like lacteal veines ) a juice out of the whole Earth , or cheifly the moister parts thereof ; which juice so extracted is by a natural inclination carried into the body of the stock , as into a common receptacle , out of which likewise the graft inticeth and altereth , what it finds best for the true purpose of it's being , and the end appointed it by nature , refusing the other , which yet serveth for the nourishment of the stock , as too grosse , or excrementitious , so that the juice hath need of a second and finer concoction , before it can be turned into the proper substance of the more excellent Fruit. This is not wholy a comparison ; for it will further be manifested , if we consider the growth of Masse , Polypody and Misletoe on the Trees themselves , which , though all the art of man be used , cannot be perswaded to live on the meer ground : for that they have not those Ostridge-like substances to turn the grosser and ( as I may say ) iron juice , at the first extraction out of the Earth , into more subtile spirits for nutriment , before that the Trees ( like loving nurses who , though fed with course meates themselves , give the finest of their Chyle in their milk , to be suck't out of their paps by the Infants ) hath ( as it were ) chewed and digested it for them . Whence it cometh to passe that the Misletoe beareth such a Crystalline berry , and together with the Mosse and Polypody doth abound in such medicinal qualityes , which in the Tree it self were dogged by others more perdominant , till that by the excellent Chymistry in these plants , after a due fermentation in the Tree , they are delivered . And whereas it is urged , that Trees without grafting have and do bear Fruit ; it may be answered , that they grow a longer season , in respect of the others , before they bear , and then too , produce not so large , nor so well compacted fruit : for that their finer bodyes , which are but single , are to effect and undergo two offices at once , which they are not so able to do , as when they have a stock of a more rough ( though not altogether disagreeing ) nature , for to give the juice a preparation . This likewise is the reason why such Trees are more busied in bringing forth branches and are more subject to cankers then others ; for having taken from the Earth at the first for the most part a growing nourishment , they have no other place , nor stop in it's passage , through which it might be percolated , and where it might deposite it's corrosive humor , which doth not prove so in the sower stock , where there are enimies enough to encounter and subdue it into a better temper . CHAP. VI. Of stocks raised without seed , and Trees without insition . NOw least it should seem strange , or a neglect in me , not to speak of a thing generally used ; I will in few words deliver something concerning stocks procured out of the woods , and suckers from the roots of Trees . Where seedlings can be obteined , I advise that none do make much use of any others , such as wild ones and suckers are , for usually their roots grow in a disproportioned manner , whereby the inriching the mould round about them cannot so truly be effected , and the grafts in few years out strip the stock in bignesse ; which is a great hinderance to the bearing of good and large Fruit. The only remedy hereof is the grafting them low on the superficies of the earth . The best sort of these are such whose bark is smooth and green , the bodyes single [ i. e. ] not two stems upon one root , and the knots thin set on them . These marks shew , that they are either descended from seed , or at the least plants of themselves , and not dependent on an old maimed trunk ; a care likewise must be had , that the roots be drawn up without any great bruising . If there be many on one root , they make unhandsome Trees ; if grey coloured , they prove hungry and hide bound ; if full of knots , ( besides the other inconveniencyes , ) they are very difficult to be grafted : and if notwithstanding this they thrive , the young sprigs through an irregular nourishing of the whole , are more subject to the canker then those of others . The roots must be cut into such a conformity as that they answer one another like the radii of the same circumference . Then set the bigger sort of them in the place , where they are to remain constantly ; and after two years they may be grafted . By this means they become good Trees , and grow the faster and kinder , for that they are naturalised to the ground before their grafting , wherein likewise they avoid the many mischeifs that are incident to their rough Natures , upon a second removall . Yet those that are small ( that is , within three inches compasse ) may be set in the Nursery , and entertained like seedlings , howbeit few of them will improve so well . What I have spoken in this is concerning the Crab , Pear , and Black-Cherry : Suckers that come from the roots of full and juicybark'd Plumtrees ( such as the Pear-plums who ) make excellent stocks , in no wise giving place to the seedlings ; for the greatest part of them ascend from the roots of the old Tree by one single erect root at the first , out of which the side-roots immediately do spring , so that the second year after their irruption , they are like seedlings , not much regarding the assistant sap of the old Tree , as appeareth by the little improvement of the erect root beneath the side-roots , whereas above them it is of a larger compasse , receiving nourishment from them , and from it's first as from one of the same number . Crab and Pear suckers are of such a carelesse and unweaned Nature , that they will hardly adventure to send forth above two , or three new roots , as being assured that what food these will not forage for , the old stump , like a loving mother , will afford , out of her own store house , as not caring much in what low estate she keeps her self , so that her ofspring may flaunt it , whereby it comes to passe that they ( though otherwise of hardy nature ) are such punyes in their growth at the first upon a removal , when Plum-suckers ( as neglecting the dependance on the old one after the first year ) do , as I have said , improve themselves exceedingly ; it is good therefore to procure store of these for your Nursery , for so you gain two , or three years of the other . Under this head of thus raising stocks the multiplying them and other plants by layers will fall ; A businesse not yet vulgarly known , though naturally practised by briers and thornes themselves ; yea of so great antiquity that it was found by Alexander the great to have been a long time used by the Mardi a neighbouring nation of Hyrcania for the artificial fortifying of their Country against ( him and ) their Enimies . Of this see further in Quint. Curt. lib. 6. where this very thing is exactly described . Virgil seems to give an hint hereof in this expression . Virgil. Georg. 2. Sylvarumque , aliae pressos propaginis arcus Expectant : & viva sua plantaria terra . Some trees require their boughs be set archwise And make their own soile living Nurseryes . The causing Trees to increase by laying is effected after several wayes ; the cheif are these . First by bare bending down a branch from a Tree into the ground , ( where it is to be kept steady by a forked stick drove over it and ) then turning the end out of the ground upright as if it were a young one proceeding from a root of it 's own , in one year that part , that is in the ground , will take root , which when you have found it to do , cut it three quarters through ( hard by the roots ) on the side that joines it to the Tree , then let it remain another year untouch't in the same ground , as it did at the first , this year being expired , it may at the winter be clear cut off , and transplanted . This is for very choise plants . The second manner of laying is by cutting the branch half way or more through , and then ordering it as the former , yet a little more gently , least it break in the covering . In this the branch will root faster and stronger ; for that at the cut there is an occasion given to the sap to turn into fibres , whilest it strives to cover the wounded part . The next winter you may open the mould , wherein if you find the roots to have shot forth sufficiently you may then transplant it ; if not let it remain till another year as did the former . Some use to take only part of the bark , three quarters round , from of the branch , and so to lay it ; but it comes all to one end , if there be any difference , the cutting is the better . Others wreath or twist the bough in the part that is to be lay'd in the ground , which cleaveth it in Sundry places , out of which the fibres for roots will issue . The time of laying is usually in winter , or spring , but it may be done at any time of the year , and the plant take rooting very well . If the branch be high , so that it cannot be bended to the Earth , it then must be laid in a basket , box , or earthen pot fill'd with good mould in such wise , as shall be described when I come to speak of the vine slips , and of the Kentish codling , Nurse-garden , Sweeting , &c. who will grow without roots like ozier-sticks . A branch sometimes will grow if two or three inches of bark be cut off round about it , as it growes on the Tree , and then clayed sufficiently about the place , where the bark was taken away . This is done in July and August , and at the winter toward spring , the branch is cut off and set in the ground , where it often happeneth to thrive like another Tree . But a better way to make a bough grow on the Tree is by slicing off small peices of the bark and hacking it a little in the place where the roots should issue forth , and then placing an old boot over the bough , so that the middle of it be the conteiner of the place that is sliced , it being thus placed must be bound close at the bottom , and filled with good Earth , afterwards in dry weather the Earth should be watered , whereby the bough will send out roots into the boot . This is to be performed in spring . If you find at latter end of Summer that it hath taken root , you may cut off , and set it as the former . But it often happens that instead of roots there is only certain extuberancyes , or knots a risen in several places about the slicings , which are but so many preparatives for roots against the ensuing year ; wherefore it must stand till the next season , at present only cut away the bark , that was reserved at the first for the better conveiance of sap into the upper part of the bough . Now that the cion groweth , after the bark is wholy taken away , is not ( as some suppose ) by a passage of new sap through the clay or mould ; for if it were so , the upper part would not endeavour to take root downward , that being a contrariety of motion in the same organ , which cannot be granted : yea I scarce beleive that any juice passeth that way for the nourishing of the sprig ; because that all such cions do not grow but by the mediation of the roots of the Tree , who refine the course juice of the earth , before these receive the least atom thereof , and although the lower part sendeth none but good , yet the clay and mould reduceth it into it's former coursness , immediately at it's passage into the upper part of the cion . Neither is the rooting caused ( as others affirm ) by the arrest and stoppage of the sap in it's descent at Autumn , whereby it not finding a place where to retire , doth at the cut transforme it self into fibres ; if this were so , and that there is any such thing as the descent of the sap at the fall of the leaf , then would all Trees grow more at the root in the winter then in the Summer , the contrary whereof is sufficiently known . The true reason therefore and manner of this growing ( by the leave of so many who content themselves with the former ) I conceive to be by the ascent of sap through the heart and pores of the wood , which , to conserve the upper part of the cion , doth in an extending motion find out the wound , which it , ( with other juice then called in a large measure to assistance ) doth strive to cure by reuniting the upper to the nether part : but the wound proving too great , and that juice ( by reason of the affluence of new and it 's own weight ) not able to return the way it came , nor finding any other place to divert it self , doth at the same wound burst forth into fibres , which afterward being strong ( like the vessels of an Embryo when it becomes an animal subsisting of it self ) act a contrary part , and suck fit nourishment for the plant , when as at the first they received it from the same . And this likewise must be the manner how all rootlesse sticks thrust into the ground do grow . That there is a motion of sap through the internal parts and pores of the wood appears plainly to the eye , in late pruning of vines , wherein these pores manifestly shew themselves , to give the only nourishment , whose passage between the wood and bark is here really stop't through the thinnesse and binding drinesse of the bark , whereby it will sooner exhale then ascend . If any branch ( or limb ) be cut off from other Trees also in the spring , there will be an exsudation ( or weeping , which is the Lachrymae in Physick ) throughout the whole wood of the remaining part of the branch even if the bark it self should be taken away . Now that there is likewise upon occasion , a motion ( though preternatural ) of sap thus through the pores even downward too , I have demonstrated to my self in an experience upon a Walnut-Tree , one of the roots whereof I cut off a distance from the Tree , in the month of March , which within half an hours space began to destil fromward the body of the Tree , faster then any spirit of wine can do in an Alembick , the bark during that space was hardened by the air . This water therefore must needs come by descent from the several parts of the Tree , and not by any other way ; neither could so great a quantity ly in the part of the root that remained on the Tree , for in three dayes space the destillation was so great , that if the liquor had been weighed , it would have exceeded that of the root in a manifold proportion . In very young trees , who are of a nimbler growth , the substance encircling the pith is of a greenish colour , very tender & spongy , through which ( I suppose ) a larger quantity of sap doth passe , then doth in any other part beside . The cheifest use of the bark is to preserve the sap from the injury of the weather , ( in the like manner as the skin doth the internal parts from external injuryes , ) and in no wise administring moisture to the body being it self generated by a restagnation thereof , it 's office in these tricks the clay and mould do supply . As for the sap that was drawn in the spring & Summer , part thereof is converted into leaves , new branches , and Fruit ; part likewise after by an exsudation through the wood turneth first into a jelly between the bark and wood , & afterward , by ehe help of the heat in and about Summer solstice , into wood it self ; and the remainder is imployed in dilating the old tree ; so much of it only retaineth it's own old Nature , as serveth to keep the whole moist until the next spring . This manner of growth is manifested in that action of Woodmen , who , to know of what age any underwood is , do cut off a stick ( viz. of Hazel or Sallow ) somewhat aslope , and by telling the scaly orbes ( which some men call colts I suppose they mean coats ) do know the age of the wood ; which orbes cannot be so distinguished , were there not every year a new one made by the hardened sap . These orbes in young sticks may be separated , but in old wood they scarce appear . There is one thing yet remaining , which ( perhaps ) may cause a dissent from this my opinion , and that is an argument raised from grafting , the substance whereof is this ; If there ariseth little or no sap between the bark and the wood , how cometh it to passe , that to make the graft grow , there ought such a regard to be had to the placing of the inwardest part of the bark of the graft so exactly to the inwardest part of the bark of the stock , and not to the wood of the same , which ( according to the preceding position ) hath the largest quantity of sap : To this an answer may be found in the foregoing words likewise ; where 't is said , that part of the sap , after an exsudation through the wood , turneth first into a jelly between the bark and the wood : which being granted , I can say , that the sap , arriving at the outside of the wood there to generate a new orbe , doth in the restagnation seize upon and conjoine it self to that moist part of the graft , that is of affinity unto it ; according to the maxime , which saith , That moist things are easily contained in others bounds , but very difficultly in their own , so that by this the graft is nourished like other parts of the Tree . Now upon the cutting off the head of the stock , the woody part thereof groweth dry on the superficies of the wound ; for that the sap retireth another way , because that , having no inclosure , it would pump the tree into a languishing condition , if not to death it self ; which if it do escape , yet would that weeping choak the graft , wherefore it leaveth the naked face of the wood devoid of moisture : howbeit not resting unmindful of the preserving the continuity of the whole , it doth rally it's force on the borders or circumfepence of the wound , and assuming for it's armour a new filme , doth under the protection thereof by a rouling March at length cover the wounded place , rendring it the same defensive cloathing , of which it had before been divested ; whereby it happeneth , that the graft not being adopted , before the filme is generated , is thrust off the wood of the stock , and excluded as a stranger , to whom the stock hath no relation . But to proceed again according to the design of the Chapter . If a branch cannot be allured to grow by laying or otherwise , nor the tree afford suckers ; then may a root be cut off from the tree , and left lying in the ground ; as when it was on the tree : If it dy not , it will the next spring send forth several young shoots ; by reason that the sap which the root draweth , hath no way else to vent it self , then by setting up new trees instead of the old one , from whence it was of late secluded . Observe that such suckers must the next autumn be cut half or three quarters through , close to the old root ; and cover well above with good mould , wherein they will that next summer shoot out roots sufficient enough to maintain them in a removal the second winter . If you should the first year endeavour to transplant them , you would find but one single root , and that joining to the old one , as its proper and sole nurse , for want of which , or some others in the room thereof , it may chance to wither ; wherefore it is better to use them in such sort as I have declared . Some have adventured to cut down the whole tree somewhat within the ground , whereby every root contributeth to the making up of an Hydra-like company of young ones surrounding the stump of the old ; now if the smaller sort be plucked up , and the greater let stand , these will thrive extraordinarily . It sometimes happeneth , that before any root is cut off , or the tree felled , there doth a gallant number of upstart cions spring from the roots of the tree , whereby the tree it self pineth away through the disability of the sap , which cannot feed both young and old ; wherefore in such a case , where there is a desire of multiplying that kind , there need no doubt to be made of cutting down the tree ; For Quae tenera caeso virga de trunco stetit , Par ipsa matri tempore exiguo subit . sen . The suckers that from felled trunckes remain , In few yeares with the trees like bigness gain . These devises , though properly belonging to the Mulberry , and rare exotick plants , because of the great difficulty in propagating them , rather then to those of an Orchard , may yet for recreations sake be practised in Fruit-trees also . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A36561-e260 * Lord Verulam .