profitable insructions [sic] for the manuring, sowing, and planting of kitchin gardens very profitable for the common wealth and greatly for the helpe and comfort of poore people. gathered by richard gardiner of shrewsberie. gardiner, richard, of shrewsbury. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s 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 . 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 , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) profitable insructions [sic] for the manuring, sowing, and planting of kitchin gardens very profitable for the common wealth and greatly for the helpe and comfort of poore people. gathered by richard gardiner of shrewsberie. gardiner, richard, of shrewsbury. [ ] p. by edward allde for edward white dwelling at the little north doore of paules at the signe of the gunne, imprinted at london : . signatures: a-d⁴. running title reads: profitable instructions of kitchin gardens. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.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. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. 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- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng gardening -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - tcp staff (michigan) sampled and proofread - olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion profitable insrvctions for the manvring , sowing and planting of kitchin gardens . very profitable for the common wealth and greatly for the helpe and comfort of poore people . gathered by richard gardiner of shrewsberie . imprinted at london by edward allde for edward white dwelling at the little north doore of paules at the signe of the gunne . . the author his preface , to his louing neighbours and friends , within the towne of shrewsburie in the countie of salop. r. g. wisheth all happines and felicitie in christ iesus . right welbeloued in christ iesus , neighbours and friends of this my natiue soile of shrewsburie , i wish you all felicitie and happinesse in the true knowledge of our redemption in the merrits of our onely sauiour iesus christ , to whom with the father , & the holy ghost , be all honor , praise and thankes for euermore . beloued it is generallie knowne vnto all men in this towne , that i haue euer in good minde , desired the prosperity of the same , and in all good actions to my power and knowledge haue preferred the same , without desire of lucre or gaine thereby , and did alwayes desire to doe the vttermost of my skill , as well to the common causes , as also to priuate mens workes , and now in my olde age , or last daies , i would willingly take my last farewell with some good instructions to pleasure the general number : as for spiritual instructions and good aduertisments therein , i leaue you to the good admonitions of the godlye clergie , and to your good proceedings in the same , which god graunt for his mercies sake , amen . amongst all the practises , knowledges and experiences which euer i receiued from gods mercies in temporal blessings , i doe vndoubtedly perswade my selfe , that my practise and experience in gardē stuffe , or the good benefits therein , dooth best benefit , helpe and pleasure the generall number of people , better then any other practise that euer i tooke in hand in temporall causes whatsoeuer . and therefore good neighbors and friends ( of this my natiue soile ) accept this my short and simple penning of this my practise and experience in gardening causes heerein mentioned . and if any other man , now or heereafter finde occasion to better in writing any thing which i haue omitted for want of full perfection by experience therein , i doe most hartily desire him , ( that so shal finde cause to better any thing omitted by me or amend any thing by me penned ) so to doe , that god may be glorified in his good gifts , the generall number the better comforted , and the poore the better releeued with garden stuffe : whereas yet in this countie of salop , gardening stuffe : is to small purpose , but i hope in god as time shall serue , my good beginning will be an occasion of good proceedings therein , and no doubt ( b●loued ) if any man will hartily desire to doe good in these actions , then vaine , fruitlesse and superfluous things may bee taken out of good gardens and sundry good commodities , to pleasure the poore planted therein : then no doubt the almightie god will the better blesse your encrease , and blesse your walking in your garden in that minde : and then no doubt but your good conscience will delight you as well as the great blessings that god will blesse the garden withall● then shall you no doubt visibly beholde in your garden , the blessed fauour and mercy of ou● most mercifull god to your euerlasting comfort , not onely in the great increase there to beholde , but also other wayes to your great comfort , which i omit at this p●esent . and when you make sale to the poore , consider you are the lords stewards to sell with consciences● and to lend and giue : also doe it willingly , for we haue the vnfallable promise of god for double recompence , if we so fauourablie will performe to all , and specially to the poore and needy : which god graunt for his mercies sake , wee may haue grace to doe , and also to haue ● speciall care to satisfie , content or pay the tithes thereof to the ministers of the holy worde , and not to suffer a bad custome to corrupt the conscience therein , which god forbid . and also i desire thee good reader to beare with my grosse and simple penning in so good a cause , and willingly to accept my good will therein . and in so dooing i shall thinke my trauail herein to be well bestowed , and my good purpose the better performed , which god graunt for his mercies sake . amen . edward thorne gent. in commendation of the worke , and the author thereof . he that desires with skilfull hand , to frame a garden plot , and to manure and make it apt for herbes that serue the pot , or choise to make of seeds and plants , and best of both to know : and them in seasonable time , to plant , to set , and sowe , let him peruse this little booke , which vndertakes the charge , of all the fore recite● points , to shew the course at large , of carrets first , and cabbage close , and how to keepe them sound : and pars●ips also to preserue , and turnips faire and round . of lettice next , and garden beanes , and onions of the best : of coucombers and artichockes , and radish with the rest , these and such other hearbes and seedes , hath gardner , in good will : vnto sallopi●n neighbours his , entreate● of with skill . his talent lent h● doth not hide , if all were vnderstood , but sets it foor●h with willing minde , to doe his neighbours good . the poore which late were like to pine , and could not buy them breade : in greatest time of penury , were by his labours fed . and that in reasonable rate , when corne and coine was scant , with parsnep and with carret rootes● he did supply their want . the rich likewise and better sorte , his labours could not misse which makes them many times to thinke , that salop london is . then rich and poore in friendly sorte , giue gardner all his due , who shewes himselfe in all his acts , so kinde a friend to you . and wish as he doth well deserue , his welfare and his health , that hath so greatly profited , salopians common wealth . hovv to make choyce of the best carrets , to plant for good seedes , and how and when to plant them . after the sun his entring into libra about the twelfth of september , then prepare your ground readie to set your carrets , for seede , make choice of the fairest carrets and best , yellow colours , to the number as you will set your beds , being made ready before you take vp y● carrets , euery bed being a yard and a quarter broad : then set your carrets in two rowes , one rowe on either side the bed , sixe or seauen inches from the edge of the bed , and full three quarters of a yard one from another . then haue you nothing to doe with them vntill about the last of aprill , at which time they will bee growne about a yard in height : then you haue neede to take care of them , for the winde will easily breake them by the ground : then must you prepare some kinde of packe-threed or lynen threed to ●et about them as a girdle , about two foote high from the earth as neede shall require by the growing of the braunches : gird some higher then other some . then shortly after you must haue stakes in a readines , and as the carrets must stand one against the other in the bed : so likewise the stakes must stand one against the other , to euerye foure carrets two stakes . the stakes must bee a yard and a halfe aboue the ground , and a sure holde within the earth for danger of winde : then must you prepare pack●-threed or other threed to goe from stake to stake all the length of the bed , one course of lynes must be about two foote high , and another course of lynes must bee n●ere the top of the stakes , so that there must bee two courses of lynes on the vtter side of the stakes on both sides the bed . then must you haue crosse lynes , to euery two carrets a crosse lyne made fast to the side lynes , the crosse lynes must be both aboue and beneath , as the side lynes doe goe , and a crosse rod to euery two stakes tyed fast with somelynnen thréed or thrumbes : then both the vpper course and nether course of the rods and the short lynes must haue a lyne going amidst of the bed , so that by that meanes euery carrets branches will stand in a square both in the vpper and nether coarse of rods and lynes , in sure manner for the winde . if this bee not done perfectly , the losse of carret séedes will bee more in value then the charges of stakes , roddes and lynes . the stakes must bee set in this manner : first two stakes at the end of the bed , then ouer passe foure carrets , and in the middest betweene two carrets set a stake on either side the bed , and the lines & rods as aforesaid , then as the carret branches doe grow , they must be somewhat tended to keepe them in good order within the lynes : this being done about the last of august , the carret séedes will begin to bee ripe , and as they doe change to some browne colour , so to bee cut from time to time , vntill the last bee sufficiently ripe about the first of october : then place the carret seedes as you doe cut them on a chamber floore to drie , & when they be drie , beate the seedes out with small staues , or beast with the edge of a lath , and clense them from the composte or refuse ( as you finde best by experiēce ) with ridle and siue . there are three kindes of carrets , two of them are profitable and the third is not : the great long yellow carret , and the great short carret are principall good , but the common or wilde carret , which is pale yellow coloured and small and long , is to be refused , for they yeeld small profit , neither are they so good meate as the other two kindes by much . the séedes of the two best kindes of carrets doe change into diuerse colours : and if you choose a roote of any colour that doth best like you , then set the same for séede , and so shall you haue store of rootes of that colour that so is set for séede when time serueth : if you doe make choyse of the best carrets and set them for seedes as aforesaid , then your séedes are very bad and not profitable to bee vsed by any , but deceiueth the sower and yeeldeth not so good rootes as the set roote séedes doe by much . how to haue principall good cabadge seedes to sow , whereby you may haue good store of good cabadges as time serueth . when you haue cabadges in your garden that bee ripe to cut , make your choice of the best and fairest cabadges for seede in this maner , that you may haue the benefit of the best cabadges and good séed of the same stocks or rootes . also when your cabadges bee ripe , take a hand sawe and cut the cabadge off , as neere to the cabadge as you can , and haue so much of the stocke as you may : but take heede least you rent the stocke in cutting it with the sawe , you must cut those cabadges which you would so preserue for séedes in the new of the moone , of the first ripe cabadges , and so let them grow to beare seedes the yeere following , and that seede will be as good as may be ( whatsoeuer is said to the contrary ) and if you desire to haue much cabadge seedes to sowe and to sell : then your best way is to prouide some place in the garden where the shadow of them may doe least harme to other séedes or fruits . then prepare the ground in narrow beds and take vp the cabadge rootes with as much earth at the roote as you can in the new of the moone in october : and place them one row in a bed almost a yard a sunder , and then another row in an other bed likewise : so that euery row or euery roote be almost a yard one from another , and then let them stand vntill they be growen almost a yard high , then beset the braunches with rises and gird the braunches & rises , with a string of packe thréed or such like , or els the weight of the braunches and the winde will breake them to the losse of the seedes : and when the seedes doe beginne to bee ripe , then take héede to them , for the birds called the bull finch will destroy them sodainely , vnlesse you do prouide to saue the séedes with nettes to be set theron sundry waies as seemeth you best to doo : and when your cabadge seedes bee ripe , cut them and dry them , cleanse them and keepe them vntill the best times to sowe them : of which times i will make mention at large , as he●●eafter followeth in order . if you take heede to choose the principall cabadges for séedes as aforesaid , you shall both the better pleasure your selfe , and do●e good to the common wealth : also let not gaine nor deceipt alter , nor corrupt a good conscience heerein to the hurt of any . how to make your best choyse for parsnep seedes . prepare such place in your garden as is most conuenient for the setting of parsneps for séeds : first digge and make your ground ready in beds , like as you would sowe any other seedes , then make choice of the fairest parsnep roots , and plant them in the beds a rowe of rootes on either side the bed , about sixe inches from the edge of the bed , and a rowe of rootes along the midst of the bed or beds , and set euery roote so néere as you can , to be xv . inches one from another : and when the first séedes doe begin to be ripe , then cut them daily as cause requireth : for the seedes of parsneps are very apt to fall when they be ripe , to the losse of the best séede ( if they be not heedefully looked vnto . ) thus doone , you shall haue good parsnep seedes to pleasure any person in that behalfe , otherwise it is not so good nor so profitable . the best way to haue principall seedes of turneps to sowe . there be sundrie kindes of turneps , and to write therof particularlie would be somewhat tedious : but the best kinde for the common wealth , is the large round turnep , which are but of late come to this countie of salop : the best way to haue excellent seedes of those turneps , is thus : make the beds a yard and quarter broade , then choose the onely round and faire rootes , and set them thrée quarters of a yarde one from another , two rowes in a bed . these seedes will not abide or brooke any binding or supporting of them : but your best way is to let them growe in their owne kinde , and let them fall to the earth ( as they will by nature ) and when the séedes doe begin to be ripe , take heede , for sundrie kindes of birdes will deuoure it , kéepe it with nettes or otherwise , which i omit to your be●t consideration therein : and when the seedes be fully ripe , cut them and drie them to your purpose : your best time to set them for séedes , is in the new of the moone , in october or nouember . the best meanes to haue principall lettice seedes , which will be both great , hard and white cabadge lettice . there be sundrie kindes of lettice , the one is principal , the other two are indifferent , and the fourth is the wild lettice . the best are very white seedes : the second are russet white séedes , and are callad lumbard lettice : the third are black seedes , some of al these three sorts wil close , but the perfect white is the best . this sort is to bee chosen and the seedes thereof to be sowed , and when the lettice are young and smal , then you must take the wéedes cleane from them , and also you must wéede so many of the lettice away vntill they be two or thrée inches a sunder , and whē those remaining , do touch almost one another , then draw away more of them vntil they be . or viii . inches a sunder , then they must growe vntill they be closed , and if there be any which seeme that they will not close , take them away , and let those which are best closed remaine for séedes , and so from yeare to yeare euer choose the best closed for seede : and you shal haue such cabadge or closed lettice , by these meanes in two or three yeares , the best that may bee had . this being mine own order for close lettice séede , i commonly haue such lettice , that many doe say there are not the like to be had in london , or so good . the manner of sowing or times when to sowe● i omitte vntill in order in this my treatise it shall more at large appeare . the best way to obtaine seede beanes for gardens . there be thrée kindes of beanes , whereof there is but one perfect good for gardens , that is the great and large white beane : and when your beanes are fully ripe , choose yearely the greatest of them for séede , and you shall finde great profit in so doing , if you haue cause to sowe many of them , and your beanes will prooue very profitable in the common wealth . for to haue good onion seedes . about the first of februarie when you perceiue the extremity of wint●r to be past , and the weather somewhat faire , then take your onions & set them ●or séedes in the new of the moone , where the sun is alwaies to shine in his course both winter and summer : and when they growe high , dresse them with rises or roddes ●or breaking with winde : and when the seede is ripe , dry it well in the heate of the sunne , then let it remaine with the pulse or refuse till after the first of februarie : i desire that all which would sow onion or others aforesaid in gardens , to prouide séedes of their own growing & not to be deceiued yearely as commonly they be , to no small losse in generall to all this land , by those which bee common sellers of garden seedes . i cannot omitte nor spare to deliuer my minde , concerning the great and abhominable falshoode of those sortes of people which sell garden seedes : consider thus much , admit that all those which be deceiued in thys land yéerely , in buying of olde and dead séedes for their gardens , had made their accompts of their losses : first their money paide for false and counterfeit seedes , their great losses in manuring and trimming their gardens , and the rents paide for gardens throughout this land : then consider how many thousands are yeerely deceiued in this manner by them , and also consider howe many thousand poundes are robbed yeerely from the common wealth by those catterpillers : i doe vndoubtedly perswade my selfe if a true accompt might bee had thereof , those that doe willingly deceiue others by false séedes , doe robbe the common wealth of a greater summe then all other the robbing théeues of this whole land doe by much , and more worthie in conscience to be executed as the most notorious théeues in this land , ( one other profession of people excepted . ) and although the lawes of this realme as yet take no holde whereby to punish them , the almighty god doth beholde their monstrous deceipt , and except those doe repent with speed , both god and man will abhorre them as outragious théeues : the almightie god turne their hearts or confound such false procéedinges against the common wealth : and also i would wishe all those that are seede sellers would haue a care to sell good s●edes for gardens , and would also haue a care to sell in reason● and conscience , for the dearth of seedes for gardens is a great hindrance to the profit of gardens , and a great losse to the common wealth . also my good wil shall not be wanting to do good therin , whiles it shal please god that i doe remaine heere in this life , his holy will be done at his good pleasure . there be many other séedes do belong to gardens of lesse accompt & so common in vse : that i purpose to omit leauing them to the practise of others which vse gardens , because i desire not to bee tedious , but to procéede to my speciall purpose in those causes which best do concerne and benefit the common wealth , which god graunt for his mercie sake . and before good seedes ( prouided as aforesaid ) be vsed or sowed in any garden , i wish you to prepare to mucke or make your garden sufficient rank to receiue such séedes as is conuenient , or els you make spoile of good seedes to your owne losse , and then shall you misse greatly the profit of your garden in your house keeping : you must haue a speciall care to mucke wel your garden once in two yeares , or else you shall lose more in the profit of the garden , then the mucke is worthe by much : if your garden be pared , and made cleane from weedes about the first of nouember , then it is good to lay your mucke thereon all nouember , and till the midst of december , and if you can so prepare your garden in this time as aforesaid , then it is best for to fallow or digge it so farre as you haue so mucked , and in so doing , your gardens will be most excellent to recei●e good seedes in the last end of february or in march , according to the nature of the séedes therein to be sowed : and if you omit the dunging and fallowing the garden till after the feast of christ iess , i● take it best ( as i finde by experience ) thus to doe . when you purpose to sowe your garden , some few daies before , let it bee cleane pared and the weedes carried to some conuenient place in the garden to rotte , then mucke well if there bee cause that yeare , then digge the garden very small , and as you digge it , picke out the rootes of the weedes as cleane as you can , and rake it well , then will it be in good order to sowe : but the first manner of fallowing and dunging is best , if you doe not omit the time : and when all the parings and wéedings all the whole yeere is wel rotten , then it wil be very fine and good earth to make leuell or plaine any part of the garden and is verie good to rancken the garden in want of other mucke . a declaration of diuers manners of seedes to be sowed in gardens , and a reason by experience which is the best manner and most profitable . there bee two manner of sowing of gardens heere in this countie of salop , and as i finde by experience those two maners vsual & common , are very vnprofitable . the one maner is to open the bed and set the earth on both sides , then to sowe the séedes on the bed , then to draw with a rake the earth from both sides to couer the seedes , but when the seedes doe growe in sight , there is nothing growing within a quarter of a yard to the edge of the bed , wherby much ground is lost on both sides of the bed , and very vnprofitable to the owner . the second manner of vsuall and common sowing of gardens , is when the bed is made , the seedes are sowed thereon , and then earth is sifted thervpon , to couer the séeds , and when the seedes be sprong and begin to growe , they be so ebbe vnder the earth , that euery small frost or colde raine which commeth dooth destroy the new spring of the séedes , and sometimes all is lost thereby . a third way there is , but not vsuall or common , which is when the bed is ready made● the seeds are sowed theron , then one taketh the rake & choppeth the teeth of the rake very thicke ouer all the bed , then the seedes doe fal into the hoales which the teeth of the rake did make , and thereby many seedes doe fall in one hole , and doe destroye one another , except you doe remedie that by pulling some of them away the first wéeding● the onely best way to sow beds in gardens , as i did euer finde by experience , is when the bed is made● to take a staffe of the greatnes of a mans thombe or somewhat greater , of a yarde and a halfe long , makeing the ende thereof somewhat sharpe , and then with the sharpe ende thereof strike a small rigall or gutter on either side of the bed , within two or thrée inches of the edge of the bed , and about an inch deepe , then sowe your seedes in those two gutters somewhat thin , thē strike other two rigals or gutters in like manner , and so by two and by two till you come to the midst of the bed , & those gutters must bee made foure or fiue inches a sunder according to the nature of the séedes which you doe sowe : so that the bed ready made being a yard and quarter broad will take for onion seedes seauen gutters or rowes , and for carrets and parsneps likewise seauen , and for turneps fiue gutters is sufficient on either side the bed , one in the midst , and then two other , as you may well sée the places where : but for expedition in sowing time , the best way is , as one person doth strike the gutters or rowes , with the staffe , so let another follow in sowing the rowes , and you shall finde great expedition therein , for two persons in this manner will sow● more in two or three howres , then two persons will or can sowe otherwise , in a whole day , and this kinde of sowing dooth saue the one halfe of the séedes , and defendeth the seedes best from weather , because it is reasonable deepe in the ground : you must haue a speciall care that the rowes be striken straight , and you must take heede to sowe the rowe or gutter , first striken , before you strike another rowe or gutter , for the striking of the second rowe will fill the first with earth , that it will be too ebbe to be sowed after , then it is both comely and profitable . i doe assuredly prooue by experience there is no manner of sowing so perfectly good as this manner is , for all kinde of seedes , but onely pumpions , cucumbers , beanes & radish seedes , they must be otherwise set further a sunder as reason and experience doe agree therein , and in manner héereafter more at large is expressed : and when your séedes be sowed in rigols or rowes in manner aforesaid , then they are to be couered thus : ●ake the rake and with the head thereof drawe it very light ouer the rigols along the bed , vntill the bed be plaine and the rigols filled , with the backe side of the head of the rake , and if you then doe beate them plaine with the head of the shouel , the beds wil be the more comely , and breed lesse weedes by much . the manner how and when to sowe carret seeds , and what grownd is best to their liking , and the manner to vse them in their growing . first see that your grownd be sufficient ranke as aforesaid : then sow your carret seeds very thin in the rigols or rowes as aforesaid , the best time is about the last of februarie , or beginning of marche , when the weather is seasonable and faire , then you néede not to care for the age of the moone , so that it bee not within three dayes of the change , for i doe perfectly know by experience , that any time else is not amisse , so that the weather be dry and faire . carrets do best like in a dry ground : and if the garden be in shadowe or somewhat wet at sowing time , then it is not perfect good for carrets . such ground is better to sowe parsneps and cabadges in , then carrets , for the carrets wil mislike in the spring time , and also be eaten with wormes that bréed in themselues , by their owne kinde and nature : and when your carrets be faire and young aboue the ground , then you must prepare people to weede : when the weeds are able to be taken vp , then must you haue speciall care to the carrets that growe in the rowes or other wayes , for you must weede or take out of them , til there be two inches betweene euerie one of them , and throw those drawne carrets away with the weedes , if you doe take pitty to pull them out , or detract the time too long before you do weede them as aforesaid , your carrets will be very small , and yéeld you small profit : you must wéede them wel from weedes as néed doth require , and so soone as they be of any bignes , about midsommer you must draw away so many of the carrets till those that remaine bee at the least thrée or foure inches a sunder , and also if any of the carrets do happen to shoote to beare séed , pull them vp likewise , for the best séeds of carrets , some of them will shoote , & must be takē out least they hinder the rest that grow , throw thē away : if you misse so to doe , your carrets will bee small to your purpose . the good carrets which are to be drawen from the rest , will easily bee drawen into a good ground with hand , and the easier to bee drawen in the fore noone and best after a shower of raine . and you may haue good profit by those carrets so drawen and sowed , for they are nouelties and desired of many soe timely in the yéere . then about the twentith of iuly , your carrets in a good ground will be somewhat faire to sell : and if you sell them then or shortly after , so that you take them vp before the fourtéenth of august : you may as you rid the ground of carrets , sowe turnips séede or radish séede in their place , so that you haue the best kinde of turnip séede to sow , and in so dooing you may haue two croppes euery yere and both with good profit . and if it happen that the carret seedes doe faile in the spring time by hardenes of weather , or by wormes of the earth : then about the midst of may or the end of may you may set cabadge plants in those places , where the carrets doe want , and in want of cabadge plants you may sowe good turnips séedes , or radish séedes thereon . and thereby haue good profit : also the short kinde of carrets will grow in worse and colder ground then the long carrets will , and doe well agree with the clay land also . how and when is best to sowe and plant to haue good cabadges , both timely about midsomer and late in the yeere . if you will haue timely cabadges , then sowe your cabadge séedes in rigols as afore said about the last of august three or foure daies before the ful of the moone , where they may haue the warmnes of the sunne in winter . so neere as you can , and keepe them cleane from weeds , then let them grow , till three or foure daies befo●e the ful moon in march or aprill next after , then set your cabadge plants a yard a sunder , and as you choose plantes to sette , choose the fairest and lykelyest of them for your purpose , for the small and refuse plantes will growe to bee small cabadges , and as many as doe séeme eyther wilde or very small throwe them away , for the losse is not great , and in this manner you may haue timely close and hard cabadges : also it is a principall time to sowe cabadges in february or march , three or foure daies before the full of the moone as aforesaid , then sowe the seedes very thinne in rowes , and keep thē cleane from weeds , and when they be faire and large to plant , in may or about the first of iune , is best to plant them three or foure daies before the full of the moone , and if necessity doe compel you , it wil serue the whole quarter after the ful of the moone : and also as they growe , from time to time take care to kill the wormes which eate the leaues : and take heede that no leaues bee broken of those which you would haue to bee cabadges , for it is hurtfull to the closing of the cabadges . and when the first planted cabadges be ripe , sell or spend them shortly , for within fourteene daies after they be hard they will grow so fast within that they wil rent and cleaue a sunder , and so perish and rot : and when your cabadges doe ripe and bee hard sell them or spend them , for there is small profit to kéepe them , because the snailes and other wormes doe pearce them dayly , but those which doe close farre in the yeare in september and october may bee better kept in winter for your purpose : but of al wormes or caterpillers knaues , which are the greatest deuourers of cabadges and doe consume many of them at one time : those catterpillers doe neuer repent , vntill they come to tyburne or the gallowes . therefore take good care to your enclosures for your better safetie . for sowing of parseneps , and best vsing of them . some wil sowe parsenep séeds at michaels tide , to haue timely parsneps , and doth serue their purpose , to haue them about twenty dayes sooner then those which do sowe in february or march , but it is not best to sowe many in that order , but a few for nouelties : but to sow to haue best profit , as when the weather is fayre in februarie or in march , sowe your parseneps , not respecting the age of the moone , but the goodnes of the weather , and when they be ready to weede , haue care to wéede them cleane in time : if they be too thicke sowed , pull them out also with the wéeds , till euery parsenep be two inches a sunder at the least , thē wéede them as cause is , and let them grow till they bee to serue your turne . parseneps will growe well in worse ground then carrets , and reasonably well in colde gardens : and if you doe sowe your parsneps in rigols as my accustomed manner is , it is best for your purpose and profit : and this kinde of sowing in rigols doth saue the better halfe of the séedes , of any kinde whatsoeuer , as by experience is prooued . for sowing of turneps , and the best time when . if you desire to haue timely turneps , you may do thus : a wéeke before the full moone , or a wéeke after the full moone , in the end of aprill or in may , sowe your turnep seeds , and when they are ready to weed , then pull out with the wéeds , so many of the turneps , till the rest of the turneps be a hand bredth a sunder : and as they doe grow ripe about midsomer , drawe the greatest first , to make them thinner all ouer , & whē they be of any greatnes , sel or spend them away , for those timely sowed turneps wil not tarry good but a few daies : for they will be hard roots , & be eaten with wormes , and grow to séedes , and so will many turneps , which bee sowed before midsommer . but those which are sowed in iuly , and to the . of august , wil remaine good all winter . and when they bee to serue your turne , take the greatest first , and let the rest remaine , and they will increase much , when they haue some libertie , and at all times it is to be chosen , to sowe and wéede as aforesaid : & looke from what ground you take your first fruites away before the . day of august , you may thereon sowe good turnep séede to good profit . but if you sowe after the . of august , it is to no good purpose , but to haue small turneps little worth , and empayre your ground for no profit : you may in this manner haue two croppes of turneps in one place of land in one yeare , and both perfect good . the best meanes to haue principall close lettice , and to haue them as timely as is possible . the first of september or within fouretéene daies then next after , is best to take your lettice séedes and sowe them in a drie banke , or dryest place in the garden reasonable thinne , wéede them cleane when there is cause , and let them grow as they doe prooue , till thrée or foure daies before the full of the moone in march , then take them vp and plant them in new digged ground , sixe or eight inches asunder , and kéepe them cleane from weedes , and you shall haue timely lettice . and by this meanes i haue yéerely such close or cabidge lettice , better cannot be had , and they will be ready some yéeres in aprill , and the beginning of may : i do also sow lettice séeds in february and march , in manner aforesaid , and plant them againe as aforesaid . and thereby i haue principall close lettice : till midsommer you may haue very good lettice , and not remooue them : so that they be well asunder , but the other manner is best . and keepe some of the best of them for seedes : my lettice bee yéerely solde for two a penney , for one of them is a reasonable dish for a table , and as white as is possible , and many doo say , the like lettice are not to be had in london . and i do suppose , that this kinde of lettice is not common to be had in london as yet , or else the gardiners there no doubt do not carefully prouide for principall lettice . but if any request me for principall lettice seedes : i haue ready to performe his desire , whiles they doe endure vnsolde , yearely if it please god , whiles i remaine liuing . the nature and quallity of garden beanes , and how you may haue best profit by them . if you desire to haue timely beans to serue your purpose , as a fewe for nouelties , set them about the middest of december , where the sunne hath some power in the garden . and if you desire to haue profit by beanes , this may be your best course , in any shadow garden , or vnder the shadow of fruite trees , where nothing will growe but nettels and other wéeds , pare cleane that ground about the middest of ianuarie , or all februarie , and then digge the said ground , and in digging thereof , let the rootes of wéedes or nettles be cleane picked out , then set your beans therein , and as there is cause wéed them cleane , and when the beanes be faire blowed fiue or six ioynts of them , then you were best to pinch off about a handfull , or a span of the toppes of them with your hand , or cut them away , but they will more easier and sooner be pinched then cut . then by this means the beanes so pinched or cut , will stand stiffe of themselues , that there needeth no rises nor boughs to bee sticked amongst them , to keepe them for breaking with the winde , and they will also beare the more beanes , and the sooner will be ripe , because there be no rises or boughs to shadow them . but if it happen that great tempestes of winde or raine do throw some of them downe . then take a fewe rises or sprigges to support them which so doo fall , and in this manner , of one pecke of beanes so set , i haue receiued sixtéene peckes of seasonable drie beanes in gaine , in shadowe ground where nothing else wil grow but nettels , and other weedes vnder trees , those beanes so set in shadow places or vnder trees , must bee somewhat thinne , about seauen or eight inches a sunder . and in this manner they will beare beanes sufficient good store either to be eaten greene , or kept drie for seedes to be set againe . of onion seedes to be sowen . the best time and season to sowe any one séedes in the marches of wales , is about the first of march , when the weather is somewhat faire & seasonable , then prepare to sowe your onion séeds . and if your garden be dunged or fallowed in december as aforesaid , then is it most principal for sowing of onion seeds . and the drier the garden is , the sooner you may sowe it . and if it be somewhat wet and cold , then the longer you can tarrie , the better it is . so that you doe sowe before the last of march , according as your garden doth prooue in drinesse , for colde and wet earth is altogether bad for onion seede . and when your onyon or iubballes do beginne to waxe somewhat readie to be vsed or spent , then make them reasonable thinne , for if they grow to thicke , they will bee verie small , but if you draw them reasonably , you shall haue faire onyons and best for your profit . the best time to sowe onyon seede , is a weeke before the full of the moone , and the wéek after . and best when the weather is very drie and faire . the meanes to haue faire large cucumbers , & the best order for them within the countie of salop , or in the marches of wales . about the last of aprill , or the beginning of may whē the weather prooueth to be somewhat faire & warme , then take the séedes of cucumbers and put them in newe milke ouer night . and if the next day after prooue a faire sunne shine day , take the seedes and put the milke and all in a pewter platter in the heate of the sunne three or foure houres , then put thē into the earth where you would haue them to growe , and they will spring and appeare aboue the ground within foure or fiue daies . and if you do not so place them in the heate of the sunne , then the next day after their wetting in milke , set them in the earth likewise , and when they bee sprung aboue the ground , the snailes and wormes will deuoure them , except you finde meanes to preuent them . the ground vpon which you sowe cucumbers seede must be very ranke and faire , where the sun giueth best heate in the garden , or most principal in a faire banke , that sheweth it selfe to the noone sunne . if your cucumber seedes do happen to grow too thicke , then take out the woorst till they be a yard a sunder , for the more roome they haue , the better they will beare the fairer fruites , you may remoue the plants of cucumbers when they be young , and plant them in another place , conuenient as aforesaid : there are sundrie other means vsed with horsedung to set and plant cucumbers : which is not to my liking , and which i omit , as not so good as aforesaid . and to haue milons , gourds , or pumpions , do the like as is expressed heerein by cucumbers , if the spring season doe serue your purpose thereunto . the meanes to haue principall faire artichokes , and how to haue them in all sommer time . if you desire to haue timely artichokes , then take vppe your olde rootes , in the latter halfe of september , or the first halfe of october , then choose the fairest plants and pull them from the olde rootes , then plant them in a very ranke earth , trenched about three quarters of a yard déepe , with dung mixt with some earth , and set your plants therein , and you shall haue timely artichokes in the spring next following . and al●o in the beginning of march take vppe the olde rootes which haue borne fruites three times , then take the greate● plantes and set them as aforesaid . take also the middle ●ort of plants , and set them by themselues , likewise as aforesai● well dunge● . so by this meanes i haue had faire and la●ge ●●tic●o●es all the sommer . and many of those ●hich be set in se●tember and october , as aforesaid , will be●re faire artichokes both betimes in the spring , and al●o in august and september the same yéere : best time o● the age of the moone to plant them , is thrée or foure daies before the full of the moone . the olde rootes of artichokes , and the small slippes growing on them , are not to bee set for artichokes , except you plant or set the small slippes for encrease , or to sell or giue for encrease to others , for commonly they will not beare fruites the first yeare that you doe set them : there be sundrie kindes of artichokes , the largest kinde is best to bee chosen for your purpose , there bee but two kindes principall good héere in this land to my knowledge , if you desire to haue great store of artichokes to sell , then your best way is to make ( as it were a nurcerie for plants ) in this manner , make certaine bankes the greatnesse of a bushell , round like a loafe of breade , so that you may goe betwixt them , and set one plant in the toppe of euerie hillocke , and from thence yearely chuse the fairest plants to set . the meanes to prouide radish rootes best for your profit . in march or aprill where you haue sowed either carrets , or parsneps , or both , when your carets or parsneps are aboue ground , then you may perceiue wher the ground is bare , then set the seede of radish a fewe , fiue or sixe in a bed , and so ouer all your beddes , if you so please , & when this radish rootes bee readie , then take them away , for those timely radish rootes will tarrie but a few daies good , for they will shoote for seede , and they will also hinder the growing of the other fruites , if you sowe radish onely without mixing of any other hearbes or fruites , you may set them from march , till the first of august , at which time it is too farre in the yeare for that purpose . and if you doe sowe radish by themselues , set them sixe inches a sunder , and let them be kept cleane from weedes , and when they be readie to be spent , away with them as you may , for they will perish both by growing to seede , and also by wormes : if you do desire to prouide radish seedes for another yeare , your best way is to sowe a bedde , and when the rootes be readie to spend , leaue the best and fairest for seedes , and let them so left for seedes , be halfe a yard a sunder , and when the seede doth begin to bee ripe , then the birdes will de●oure it , except you doe prouide in time for safeguard thereof : and your radish for seedes must be sowed in beddes in the month of march. the best vse for porret and leekes . because porrets and leekes is a necessarie and profitable hearb for house-keeping , i cannot omit to write therein : if you desire to haue porret for your purpose , then you must first haue good seedes thereof , and to obtaine good seedes : in august or about the first of september , prepare your ground well mucked and well digged , in place where the sun hath reasonable power in the garden . then take vp your porret and set them before the twelfth of september , or else the porret will not take sufficient roote to beare fruite the sommer following : if you faile this to do , you shall not haue profitable seedes , for they will bee light and deafe , without perfect substance to growe when you sowe them . and also you doe loose halfe the waight of seedes , which otherwise is to bee had by timely setting of porret , and the buyers are deceiued by those seedes of porret which is set so late in the yeare . porret seedes will growe in some shadowe place reasonable well and large , so that you doo not sowe them to thicke● and the porret for leekes to be spent , will also prooue well in a shadow place , and you may set or plant them to be eaten or spent in leekes when you please , in august , september , or october , do very well , for seedes as aforesaid . how to preser●e and keepe carret rootes , and to haue them readie to serue all the winter , and till the last of march next after with very small charge . in the two months of october and nouember , when you haue leisure in drie weather , then prouide a vessell or wine caske , or some other : then lay one course of sand on the bottome of the vessell two inches thicke , then a course of the carret rootes , so that the rootes do not touch one another : then another course of sand to couer those rootes , and then another course of rootes , and in this manner vntill the vessell be● full to the top , and if you haue a ground seller , you may packe them in some corner in this manner , you must cut away all the branches of the carrets close by the roote , and somewhat of the small endes of the carrets , and they must be so packed in sande vnwashed and about the last of december : sometime when the●e is no frost , you must then vnpacke them againe , and then the carret rootes will begin to spring in the top of the roote , then if you desire to keepe them vntill a longer time , then you must pare off the vpper end of the roote , that they ●annot spring any more in the top , and then packe them againe in sand as aforesaid , so may you keepe them well till lent or easter . and in this manner you may preserue and keepe the rootes of parsneps and the turneps , for i haue prooued it to bee true and profitable . i could yet heerein take occasion to write of diuers rootes and hearbs , for sallets , to bee planted and sowed in gardens , which do not serue my purpose , for i rather desire to prouide sufficient victuals ●or the poore and greatest number of people , to relieue their hungrie stomackes , then to picke dainty sallets , to prouoke appetite to those that doe liue in excesse , the which god amend . beloued in christ iesus , i desire you to accept of this my good enterprise , in respect i desire the benefit of the common wealth héerein , and is a speciall meane to helpe and relieue the poore , as by experience was manifest in the great dearth and scarsitie last past in the countie of salop and else where , for with lesse garden ground then foure ackers planted with carrets , and aboue seauen hundreth close cabbedges , there were many hundreds of people well refreshed thereby , for the space of twenty daies , when bread was wanting amongst the poore in the pinch or fewe daies before haruest . and many of the poore said to me , they had nothing to eate but onely carrets and cabedges , which they had of me for many daies , and but onelie water to drinke . they had commonly sixe waxe poundes of small close cabedges for a penny to the poore . aud in this manner i did serue them , and they were wonderfull glad to haue them , most humbly praising god for them . and because i did manifestly see and knew , that so littl● gardē ground , as lesse then foure ackers , did this great effect in the common wealth , and especially in helping th● poore thereby : therefore i desire all good and godly people to accept of my good will therein , and to put in practise this my experience and knowledge herein mentioned . and then i haue my wished desire . that the almighty god may be glorified in his owne workes , and the poore the better relieued thereby , and thus for gods loue and your owne profit also . and if any person desire to know of one further then i haue héerein expressed , if you come to me , i hope you shall not want your desire , for as i was willing to write , so am i willing to instruct as many as will request my good will therein , most willingly while it please god i remaine in this mortall life to the end . and thus the almighty god blesse your good proceedings therein . it is not vnknowne to the citty of london , and many other townes and cities on the sea coast , what great aboundance of carrets are brought by forraine nations to this lād , whereby they haue receiued yéerely great summes of mony and commodities out of this land , and all by carelesnes of the people of this realme of england , which do not endeuor themselues for their owne profits therein , but that this last dearth and scarsitie hath somewhat vrged the people to prooue many waies for their better reliefe● whereby i hope the benefit of carret rootes are profitable , i will reueale my knowledge héerein : and first the vse of them amongst the better sort by the cookes . the cookes will take carrets deuided in péeces , and boile them to season their stewed broth , and doth wonderfull well therein as dayly is knowne in seruice to the better sort . also carret rootes are boyled with powdred béefe , and eaten therewith : and as some doe report , a fewe carrets do saue one quarter of béefe in the eating of a whole beefe : and to be boyled and eaten with porke , and all other boyled meat of flesh amongst the common sort of people , & amongst the poorer sort also : carrets of red colours are desired of many to make dainty sallets , for roast mutton or lambe with uineger and pepper . also carrets shred or cut small one or two of them , and boyled in pottage of any kinde , doth effectually make those pottage good , for the vse of the common sort . carrets well boyled and buttred is a good dish for hungrie or good stomackes . carrets in necessitie and dearth , are eaten of the poore people , after they be well boyled , instéed of bread and meate . many people will eate carrets raw , and doe disgest well in hungry stomackes : they giue good n●urishment to all people , and not hurtfull to any , whatsoeuer infirmities they be diseased of , as by experience doth prooue by many to be true . carrets are good to be eaten with salt fish . therfore sowe carrets in your gardens , and humbly praise god for thē , as for a singuler and great blessing : so thus much for the vse and benefit had in the common-wealth by carrets . admit if it should please god , that any city or towne should be besieged with the enemy , what better prouision for the greatest number of people can bee , then euery garden to be sufficiently planted w●th carrets ? i doe desire al people , which haue cause to sell garden fruites or séedes to the vse of others , that they would sell in reason and conscience , and for thier better instr●ctions , i haue heerein mentioned a bréefe rate , how they may well be offorded and soulde , and how i doe make sale of fruites and seedes to others as heerein is expressed . and so long as it shall please god i doe remaine in this mortall life , i will be ready to performe the same to the vttermost of my power in good will , to the benefit of the common wealth , and especially to the poore inhabitants of t●is towne of shrewesburie . the price of carret seedes of both the be●t kindes : that is to say , the large yellow carret and the great shorte yellow carret , the best and fairest roots chosen to set to beare seedes as before is express●d : my price of those principall carret seedes , is after the rate of two shillings the waxe pound , without deceipt . large yellow carrets of those two best kindes after the rate of two pence the stone , ten waxe waights to euery stone , and also the like large carrets which i 〈◊〉 ●●epe and preserue in sande as aforesaid , til ianuarie , fe●ru●●y , and marche , my price is iii. pence the sto●e . the small roots of yellow carrets , of both the best kinds all the rate o● si●e waxe pounds for a penney . principall close cabadge séeds , after the rate of iiii . d . the ounce , the which seedes are hardly saued in this c●un●●e of salop , for being deuoured with birds . faire and large close cabadges , after the rate of two waxe pounds for a penney : and the smal close cabadges better cheape ●o the poore , as occasion shall serue . turnep séedes of the best and largest kinde , after the rate of xii . pence the pound . faire and large turneps , at y● rate of ii . pennce the stone . principall garden beanes of the best kinde , good and drye to s●t , after the rate of ii . pence the quart . like gardē beans greene to eat , at the rate of i. d. y● quart . faire harticho●ks● of the grea●est sort , at i. d. a péec●e , and the other , two or thrée for i , d. as they prooue in greatnes . these aforesaid , & all other garden fruits , rootes and séeds whatsoeuer , which i haue to sell , are at a reasonable price , and perfect good without deceipt , and so many as will bee content to buy with reason , come and welcome . and if any other person desire to buy any store of principall carret seedes , as before is expressed , to sell for reason to others , to benefit the cōmon wealth , i am willing to serue his turne better cheape thē before is declared , because i am willing to procure the vse of carrets , knowne aswell to all people in this parte of england as wales , which god graunt for the better helpe and comfort of the poore , and although i do not know in al this land where to buy the like ●arret seeds for v , s. a pound , yet my price is i●j s the waxe pound , or lesse , as cause is to my liking , till the peole may haue store of their owne growing for their gardens , which is my desire , if it may so please god. an exhortation to loue , wherby all good works do effectually proceed eyther to the glory of god , or benefit of the comm●n-wealth . beloued , the holy word saith : that if we haue faith to remoue mountaines , if we haue not loue , it dooth not preuaile vs any thing . this loue required of vs , doth consist in few words , that is . loue god aboue all things , & thy neighbour as thy selfe . to loue god aboue all thinges , is humbly to giue him most hearty thankes for our creation & our redemption , in the merits of our onely sauiour iesus christ , and also to loue him in a heartie desire , to obey him in the precepts conteined in his most holy worde , and also to loue him for all his benefits both spirituall & temporall , to loue him for his wonderfull prouidence of heauen & earth , and all that is therin , for the helpe & comfort of mankinde , and to loue thy neighbor as thy selfe , is to cherish him , and courteously to admonish and intreate him , to auoid sinne , and to comfort him with those blessings which the lorde hath made thee steward of for that purpose : and when the lord calleth th●e to make accompt of thy stewardship , if thou willingly doe endeuour thy selfe to performe the loue aforesaid , then true faith , and true repentance , will bring thee ( as it were ) hand in hād , to the presence of the lord , where thou shalt make a ioyfull accompte , onely accepted in the merrites of christ iesus . this is the totall summe of thy stewardship , whatsoeuer thou bee , and if thou careleslye omit to doe thy office heerein , thou makest a hard accompt for thy selfe , which god forbid , if it bee his good pleasure therein . and therefore loue god aboue all thinges , and thy neighbour as thy selfe . and then i shal surely and effectuallye haue my desire heerein , and greatly for the profit of the common wealt● . and thus i desire thee good reader , to take in good parte this my last farewell to my nati●e soyle of shrewsburie , except i be urged in conscience further to procéede , as cause and time dooth require therein , and for the better ●xpelling of sinne , which is the onely hindrance of all good workes : let vs humbly end with hartie prayer to our heauenly father as followeth . o heauenly father , haue mercie vpon this common-wealth and congregation , & graunt that we doe not resist nor quench thy holy spirit any longer , but that we may vtterly abo●ish and ●orsake cont●nt ō ambition , ●aine glory , and al manner of crueltie , periuerie & sm●oth dis●ēbling ipocrisie , & all other greeuo●s sinnes daylyē committed against ●ay deuine maie●tie : graunt al●o o heauenly father , that the p●ea●●er● & distributers of thy holy word & gospel , haue not cause any lōger to mourne , lament , and gree●e , in that they cannot preuaile against these notorious sinnes aforesaid , & many other● daily committed , not in the space of ●ortie yeares past , to any good purpose , whe●eby sinne is growne to be rotten ripe , dayly vrging the presence of thy iudgemēts against vs● and graunt likewise if it be thy good pleasure● that our owne great number of bookes , wherin thy hol● word is conteined , & by thy great mercie we doe poss●sse th●m in peace many yeares past , that they be notwitnes against vs in the day of thy feareful visit●●ion . graunt also for thy mercies sake that all th●se which do seeme to professe thy holy worde and gospel , may also truely & effectually practise t●e same in their liues and conuersatiō without shamele● ipo●●sie or blinde selfe lou● . o lord behoulde and reforme the gr●at m●ltitude of seditious persons , that haue presumed into the place of auncient pe●ce●makers , whereby thy holy word and gospell hath taken s●all effect in ●his comm●● wealth , for ma●y yeares past , by reason thereof o lorde re●orme their abuses , & shorten thei● contentious proceedi●gs , for th●ne elect sake , graunt also o heauenly fath●r , that v●fained loue & charitie , may possesse the hearts of all men : & that sedition and b●inde selfe loue may be v●terlye vanquished vnto sathan , from whence it dooth proceede into the hearts of t●e vngodly , against the true peace of thy holy worde and gospel . grace mercy and peace from god our heauenly father , bee with v● all , now and euermo●e . amen . finis . sylva, or, a discourse of forest-trees, and the propagation of timber in his majesties dominions as it was deliver'd in the royal society the xvth of october, mdclxii upon occasion of certain quæries propounded to that illustrious assembly, by the honourable the principal officers, and commissioners of the navy : to which is annexed pomona, or, an appendix concerning fruit-trees in relation to cider, the making, and severall wayes of ordering it published by expresse order of the royal society : also kalendarivm hortense, or, the gard'ners almanac, directing what he is to do monthly throughout the year / by john evelyn ... evelyn, john, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing e estc r ocm 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 . 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 , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) sylva, or, a discourse of forest-trees, and the propagation of timber in his majesties dominions as it was deliver'd in the royal society the xvth of october, mdclxii upon occasion of certain quæries propounded to that illustrious assembly, by the honourable the principal officers, and commissioners of the navy : to which is annexed pomona, or, an appendix concerning fruit-trees in relation to cider, the making, and severall wayes of ordering it published by expresse order of the royal society : also kalendarivm hortense, or, the gard'ners almanac, directing what he is to do monthly throughout the year / by john evelyn ... evelyn, john, - . all which several treatises are in this second edition much enlarged and improved. [ ], [i.e. ]; [ ], , p. : ill. printed by jo. martyn and ja. allestry ..., london : . advertisement: prelim. p. [ ]. indexes: prelim. p. [ ]-[ ]. pomona and kalendarium hortense each has special t.p. and separate paging. imperfect: kalendarium hortense ( p. at end) is lacking in filmed copy. reproduction of original in cambridge university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.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. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. 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- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng forests and forestry. trees. gardening -- early works to . cider. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion by the council of the royal society of london for improving of natural knowledge . ordered , that the book written by john evelyn esq fellow of this society , entituled sylva ; or a discourse of forest-trees , and the propagation of timber in his majesties dominions : to which is annexed pomona ; or an appendix concerning fruit-trees in relation to cider , the making and several ways of ordering it , be printed by john martyn and james allestry , printers to the said society . brovncker , p.r.s. sylva , or a discourse of forest-trees , and the propagation of timber in his majesties dominions . as it was deliver'd in the royal society the xv th of october , mdclxii . upon occasion of certain quaeries propounded to that illustrious assembly , by the honourable the principal officers , and commissioners of the navy . to which is annexed pomona ; or , an appendix concerning fruit-trees in relation to cider ; the making , and severall wayes of ordering it . published by expresse order of the royal society . also kalendarivm hortense ; or , the gard'ners almanae ; directing what he is to do monthly throughout the year . all which several treatises are in this second edition much inlarged and improved by john evelyn esq fellow of the royal society . — tibi res antiquae laudis & artis ingredior , tantos ausus recludere fonteis . virg. royal society coat of arms london , printed for jo. martyn , and ja. allestry , printers to the royal society . mdclxx . to the king . sir , this second edition of sylva , after more than a thousand copies had been bought up , and dispers'd of the first impression , in much lesse time than two years space ( which book-sellers assure us is a very extraordinary thing in volumes of this bulk ) comes now again to pay its homage to your serene majesty , to whose auspices alone it owes the favourable acceptance which it has received in the world. but it is not that alone , which it presumes to tell your majesty , but to acquaint you , that it has been the sole occasion of furnishing your almost exhausted dominions , with more ( i dare say ) than two millions of timber-trees ; besides infinite others , which have been propagated within the three nations , at the instigation , and by the direction of this work ; and that the author of it is able ( if need require ) to make it out , by a competent volume of letters , and acknowledgments , which are come to his hands from several persons of the most eminent quality ; many of them illustrious , and divers of them unknown to him , in justification of what he asserts , which he the rather preserves with the more care ; because they are testimonials from so many honourable persons , of the benefit they have receiv'd from the endeavours of the royal society , which , now adayes , passes through so many censures ; but , she has yet your majesty for her founder and patron , and is therefore the less concern'd ; since no man of worth can likely speak ill of an assembly , which your majesty has thought fit to dignifie , by so signal a relation to it . it is now about five years past , that your majesty was pleas'd to declare your favourable acceptance of a treatise of architecture which i then presented to you , with many gracious expressions , and that it was a most useful piece . sir , that encouragement ( together with the success both of the book it self , and of the first edition of this ) has animated me to make a second oblation to you of these improvements : nor was it certainly , without some provident conduct , that we have been thus solicitous to begin as it were , with materials for building , and directions to builders ; if due reflections be made on that deplorable calamity , the conflagration of your imperial city ; which neverthelesse by the blessing of god , and your majesties gracious influence , we despair not of seeing rise again , a new , and much more glorious phoenix . this tribute , i now once more lay at the feet of our royal fovnder : may your majesty be pleas'd , to be invok'd by that no inglorious title in the profoundest submissions of gracious sir , your majesties ever loyal , most obedient , and faithful subject , and servant , j. evelyn . says-court aug. . to the reader . after what the frontispiece and porch of this wooden edifice presents you , i shall need no farther to repeat the occasion of this following discourse ; i am onely to acquaint you , that as it was delivered to the royal society by an unworthy member thereof , in obedience to their commands ; by the same it is now re-publish'd without any farther prospect : and the reader is to know , that if these dry sticks afford him any sap , it is one of the least and meanest of those pieces which are every day produc'd by that illustrious assembly , and which enrich their collections , as so many monuments of their accurate experiments , and publick endeavours , in order to the production of real and useful theories , the propagation and improvement of nutural science , and the honour of their institution . if to this there be any thing subjoyned here , which may a while bespeak the patience of the reader , it is onely for the encouragement of an industry , and worthy labour , too much in our dayes neglected , as haply reputed a consideration of too sordid and vulgar a nature for noble persons , and gentlemen to busie themselves withal , and who oftner find wayes to fell down , and destroy their trees and plantations , than either to repair or improve them . but we are not without hopes of taking off these prejudices , and of reconciling them to a subject and an industry which has been consecrated ( as i may say ) by as good , and as great persons , as any the world has produced : and whose names we find mingl'd amongst kings , and philosophers , grave senators , and patriots of their countrey : for such were of old solomon , cyrus , and numa , licinius sirnamed stolo , cato , and cincinnatus ; the piso's , fabii , cicero , the plinies , and thousands more whom i might enumerate , that disdained not to cultivate these rusticities even with their own hands , and to esteem it a great accession , to dignifie their persons , and adorn their purple with these rural characters of their affections to planting , and love of this part of agriculture , which has transmitted to us their venerable names through so many ages and vicissitudes of the world. that famous answer alone which the persian monarch gave to lysander , will sufficiently justifie that which i have said ; besides what we might add , out of the writings and examples of the rest : but since these may suffice , after due reproofs of the late impolitique wast , and universal sloth amongst us ; we would now turn our indignation into prayers , and addresse our selves to our better natur'd countrymen ; that such woods as do yet remain intire , might be carefully preserved , and such as are destroy'd , sedulously repaired : it is what all persons who are owners of land may contribute to , and with infinite delight , as well as profit , who are touch'd with that laudable ambition of imitating their illustrious ancestors , and of worthily serving their generation . to these my earnest and humble advice should be , that at their very first coming to their estates , and as soon as they get children , they would seriously think of this work of propagation also : for , i observe there is no part of husbandry , which men commonly more fail in , neglect , and have cause to repent of , than that they did not begin planting betimes , without which , they can expect neither fruit , ornament , or delight from their labours : men seldom plant trees till they begin to be wise , that is , till they grow old , and find by experience the prudence and necessity of it . my next advice is , that they do not easily commit themselves to the dictates of their ignorant hinds and servants , who are ( generally speaking ) more fit to learn than to instruct . male agitur cum domino quem villicus docet , was an observation of old cato's ; and 't was ischomachus who told socrates ( discoursing one day upon a like subject ) that it was far easier to make than to find a good husband-man : i have often prov'd it so in gardeners ; and i believe it will hold in most of our countrey employments : we are to exact labour , not conduct and reason , from the greatest part of them ; and the business of planting is an art or science ( for so varro has solemnly defin'd it ) and that exceedingly wide of truth , which ( it seems ) many in his time accounted of it ; facillimam esse , nec ullius acuminis rusticationem , an easie and insipid study . it was the simple culture onely , with so much difficulty retriv'd from the late confusion of an intestine and bloody war , like ours , and now put in reputation again , which made the noble poet write — how hard it was low subjects with illustrious words to grace . — verbis ea vincere magnum quam sit , & angustis hanc addere rebus honorem . georg. . seeing , as the orator does himself expresse it , nihil est homine libero dignius ; there is nothing more becoming and worthy of a gentleman . it was indeed a plain man ( a potter by trade ) but let no body despise him because a potter ( agathocles , and a king was of that craft ) who in my opinion has given us the true reason why husbandry , and particularly planting , is no more improv'd in this age of ours : especially , where persons are lords and owners of much land. the truth is , sayes he , when men have acquired any considerable fortune by their good husbandry , and experience ( forgetting that the greatest patriarchs , princes , their sons and daughters , belong'd to the plough , and the flock ) they account it a shame to breed up their children in the same calling in which they themselves were educated , but presently design them for gentlemen : they must forsooth , have a coat of arms , and live upon their estates ; so as by that time his beard grows , he begins to be asham'd of his father , and would be ready to defie him , that should upon any occasion mind him of his honest extraction : and if it chance that the good-man have other children to provide for ; this must be the darling , be bred at school , and the vniversity , whilst the rest must to plow with the father , &c. this is the cause , says my authour , that our lands are so ill cultivated . every body will subsist upon their own revenue , and take their pleasure , whilst they resign their estates to be manag'd by the most ignorant , ( which are the children whom they leave at home , or the hinds to whom they commit them . ) when as in truth , and in reason , the more learning the better philosophers , and the greater abilities they possesse , the more , and the better are they qualified , to cultivate , and improve their estates : methinks this is well and rationally argued . and now you have in part what i had to produce in extenuation of this my adventure ; that animated with a command , and assisted by divers worthy persons ( whose names i am prone to celebrate with all just respects ) i have presumed to cast in my symbol ; and which , with the rest that are to follow , may ( i hope ) be in some degree serviceable to him ( who e're the happy person be ) which shall oblige the world with that compleat systeme of agriculture , which as yet seems a desiderate , and wanting to its perfection . it is ( i assure you ) what is one of the principal designs of the royal society , not in this particular only , but through all the liberal and more useful arts ; and for which ( in the estimation of all equal judges ) it will merit the greatest of encouragements ; that so , at last , what the learned columella has wittily reproach'd , and complain'd of , as a defect in that age of his , concerning agriculture in general , and is applicable here , may attain its desired remedy and consummation in this of ours . sola enim res rustica , quae sine dubitatione proxima , & quasi consanguinea sapientiae est , tam discentibus eget , quam magistris : adhuc in scholis rhetorum , & geometrarum , musicorumque , vel quod magis mirandum est , contemptissimorum vitiorum officinas , gulosius condiendi cibos , & luxuriosius sercula struendi , capitumque & capillorum concinnatores non solum esse audivi , sed & ipse vidi ; agricolationis neque doctores qui se profiterentur , neque discipulos cognovi . but this i leave for our gallants to interpret , and should now apply my self to the directive part , which i am all this while bespeaking , if after what i have said in the several paragraphs of the ensuing discourse upon the argument of wood , ( and which in this second edition coming abroad with innumerable improvements , to at the least , a full-half augmented , and that with such advantages , as i am not afraid , to pronounce it almost altogether a new-work , so furnish'd , as i hope shall neither reproach the author , or repent the reader ) it might not seem superfluous to have praemised any thing here for the encouragement of so becoming an industry . there are divers learned , and judicious men who have praeceded me in this argument ; as many , at least , as have undertaken to write and compile vast herbals , and theaters of plants ; of which we have some of our own country-men , who have ( i dare boldly affirm it ) surpass'd any , if not all the forriners that are extant : in those it is you meet with the description of the several plants , by discourses , figures , names , places of growth , time of flourishing , and their medicinal virtues ; which may supply any deficiency of mine as to those particulars ; if the forbearing that repetition , should by any be imputed for a defect , though it were indeed none of my designe : i say , these things are long since performed to our hands : but there is none of these ( that i at least know of , and are come to my perusal ) who have taken any considerable pains how to direct , and encourage us in the culture of forest-trees ( the grand defect of this nation ) : besides some small sprinklings to be met withal in gervas markham , old tusser , and the country-farm long since translated out of french ; and by no means suitable to our clime and country : neither have any of these proceeded after my method , and so particularly , in raising , planting , dressing and governing , &c. or so sedulously made it their business , to specifie the mechanical vses of the several kinds , as i have done , which was hitherto a great desiderate : and in which the reader will likewise find some things altogether new and instructive ; and both directions and encouragements for the propagation of some forain curiosities of ornament and vse , which were hitherto neglected . if i have upon occasion presum'd to say any thing concerning their medicinal properties , it has been modestly and frugally , and with chief , if not onely respect to the poor wood-man , whom none i presume will envy , that living far from the physitian , he should in case of necessity , consult the reverend druid , his * okes , and his elme , birch or elder , for a short breath , a green wound , or a sore leg ; casualties incident to this hard labour . these are the chief particulars of this ensuing work , and what it pretends hitherto of singular , in which let me be permitted to say , there is sufficient for instruction , and more than is extant in any collection whatsoever ( absit verbo invidia ) in this way , and upon this subject ; abstracting things practicable , of solid use , and material , from the ostentation and impertinences of divers writers ; who receiving all that came to hand on trust , to swell their monstrous volumes , have hitherto impos'd upon the credulous world , without conscience or honesty . i will not exasperate the adorers of our ancient and late naturalists , by repeating of what our verulam has justly pronounc'd concerning their rhapsodies ( because i likewise honour their painful endeavours , and am oblig'd to them for much of that i know , ) nor will i ( with some ) reproach pliny , porta , cardan , mizaldus , cursius , and many others of great names ( whose writings i have diligently consulted ) for the knowledge they have imparted to me on this occasion ; but i must deplore the time which is ( for the most part ) so miserably lost in pursuit of their speculations , where they treat upon this argument : but the world is now advis'd , and ( blessed be god ) infinitely redeem'd from that base and servile submission of our noblest faculties to their blind traditions . this , you will be apt to say , is a haughty period ; but whiles i affirm it of the past , it justifies , and does honour to the present industry of our age , and of which there cannot be a greater and more emulous instance , than the passion of his majesty to encourage his subjects , and of the royal society , his majesties foundation , who receive and promote his dictates , in all that is laudable and truly emolumental of this nature . it is not therefore that i here presume to instruct him in the management of that great and august enterprise of resolving to plant and repair his ample forests , and other magazines of timber , for the benefit of his royal navy , and the glory of his kingdoms ; but to present to his sacred person , and to the world , what advises i have received from others , observed my self , and most industriously collected from a studious propensity to serve as one of the least intelligences in the ampler orb of our illustrious society , and in a work so important and necessary . j.e. books publish'd by the author of this discourse . . the french gard'ner , ii. edition : / . . fumi-fugium , or a prophetic invective against the smoke of london : / . . sylva , or a discourse of forest-trees , &c. the ii. edition , very much improv'd , fol. . kalendarium hortense , both in fol. and octavo , the iii. edition , much augmented . . sculptura , or the history of chalcography and engraving in copper , the original and progresse of that art , &c. octavo . . the parallel of architecture , being an account of ten famous architects , with a discourse of the tearms , and a treatise of statues : fol. . the idea of the perfection of painting : octavo . amico charissimo johanni evelyno armigero , è societate regali londini . j. beale , s.p.d. in sylvam . fare age quid causae est quod tu sylvestria pangis , inter sylvanos , capripedesque deos ? inter hamadryadas laetus , dryadasque pudicas , cum tua cyrrhaeis sit chelys apta modis ! scilicet hoc cecinit numerosus horatius olim , scriptorum sylvam quod chorus omnis a mat . est locus ille sacer musis , & apolline dignus , prima dedit summo templa sacranda jovi . hinc quoque nunc pontem pontus non respuit ingens , stringitur oceanus , corripiturque salum . hinc novus hesperiis emersit mundus in oris , effuditque auri flumina larga probi . hinc exundavit distento copia cornu , qualem & amalthaeae non habuere sinus . sylva tibi curae est , grata & pomona refundit auriferum , roseum , purpureumque nemus . illa famemque sitimque abigens expirat odores , quales nec medus , nec tibi mittit arabs . ambrosiam praebent modo cocta cydonia , tantum comprime , nectareo poma liquore fluunt . progredere , o soecli cultor memorande futuri , felix horticolam sic imitere deum . nobilissimo viro johanni evelyno regalis soc. socio dignissimo . avsus laudato qui quondam reddere versu , aeternum & tentare melos , conamine magno lucreti nomenque suum donaverat aevo : ille leves atomos audaci pangere musa aggreditur , variis & semina caeca figuris , naturaeque vias , non quae schola garrula jactat , non quae rixanti fert barbara turba lyceo ; ingentes animi sensus , & pondera rerum , grandior expressit genius , nec scripta minora ev'linum decuisse solent . tuque per obscuros ( victor boylaee ) recessus , naturae meditaris opus , qua luce colores percipimus , quali magnus ferit organa motu cartesius , quali volitant primordia plexu ex atomis gassende , tuis ; simulachraque rerum diffugiunt subito vastum per inane meatu ; mutato varios mentitur lana colores lumine ; dum tales ardens habet ipsa figuras purpura , sidoniaeque aliae tinxere veneno : materiam assiduo vatiatam , ut protea , motu concipis , hinc formae patuit nascentis origo , hinc hominum species & vasti machina coeli : ipse creare deus , solusque ostendere mundum boylaeus potuit ; sed nunc favet aemula virtus ( magne eveline ) tibi & generosos excitat ignes ; pergite scipiadae duo , qui vel mille marones vincitis , & meriti longo lassatis honore . tu vero dilecte nimis ! qui stemmate ab alto patricios deducis avos , cerasque parentum wottonicae de stirpe domus ; virtutibus aequas nunc generis monumenta tui , post taedia ponti innumerasque errore vias , quid sequana fallax , quae rhenus malefidus agit , quae tibris , & ister , nota tibi : triplici quid perfida roma corona gessit , & adriaca venetus deliberat arce , qualiaque odrysias vexarunt praelia lunas : europae mundique artes eveline , reducis , dum phoebo comes ire paras , animamque , capacem vidit uterque polus , nec grajum cana vetustas te latuit , veterum nunc prisca numismata regum eruis , & latias per mystica templa ruinas ; aestimat ille forum & vasti fundamina circi , cumque ruinoso capitolia prisca theatro , et dominos colles altaeque palatia romae , regales notat inde domos , ut mole superba surgat apex , molles quae tecta imitantur ionas qualia romulea , gothica quae marmora dextra quicquid tuscus habet , mira panduntur ab arte ; o famae patriaeque sacer ! modo diruta chartis vivet roma tuis ; te vindice , laeta corinthus stabit adhuc magno nequicquam invisa metello . nunc quoque ruris opes dulcesque ante omnia curas pandis ovans , tristes maneat quae cura decembres , pleiades haec hyadesque jubent , ut laeta bootes semina mandet humi , ardenti quae sirius agro coepit ut aestiva segetes torrere favilla quid maij vernantis opus , cum florea serta invitant dominas ruris , cum vere tepenti ridet ager renovatque suos narcissus amores , haud aliter victrix divinam aeneida vates lusit opus ; simul & gracili modulatus avena , fata decent majora tuos eveline , triumphos , aeternum renovatur honos , te nulla vetustas obruet , atque tua servanda volumina cedro durent , & meritam cingat tibi laurea frontem qui vitam sylvis donasti & floribus aevum . r. bohun . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . jo. evelyn , jun. a table of the chapters . sylva . introduction chap. of the soil and seed . pag. chap. of the seminary . pag. chap. of the oak . pag. chap. of the elm. pag. chap. of the beech. pag. chap. of the ash . pag. chap. of the chess-nut . pag. chap. of the wall-nut . pag. chap. of the mulbery . pag. chap. of the service . pag. chap. of the maple . pag. chap. of the sycamore . pag. chap. of the horn-beam . pag. chap. of the lime-tree . pag. chap. of the quick beam . pag. chap. of the birch . pag. chap. of the hasel . pag. chap. of the poplar , aspen and abele . pag. chap. of the alder. pag. chap. of the withy , sallow , ozier , and willow . pag. chap. of fences , quick-sets , &c. pag. chap. of the fir , pine , pinaster , pitch-tree , &c. pag. chap. of the larch , platanus , lotus , cornus , &c. pag. chap. of the cypress-tree , and cedar . pag. chap. of the cork , ilex , alaternus , phillyrea , granad , lentise , olive , myrtil , jasmine , &c. pag. chap. of the acacia , arbutus , bays , box , eugh , holly , juniper , and laurel-trees . pag. chap. of the infirmities of trees . pag. chap. of copses . pag. chap. of pruning . pag. chap. of the age , stature , and felling of trees . pag. chap. of timber , the seasoning and vses , and of fuel . pag. chap. aphorisms , or certain general praecepts , of use to the foregoing chapters . pag. chap. of the laws and statutes for the preservation and improvement of woods , &c. pag. chap. the paraenesis and conclusion , containing some encouragements and proposals for the planting , and improvement of his majesties forests . pag. chap. an historical account of the sacredness , and use of standing groves . pag. pomona . the preface . pag. chap. of the seminary . pag. chap. of stocks . pag. chap. of graffs and insitions . pag. chap. of variety and improvements . pag. chap. of the place and order . pag. chap. of transplanting and distance . pag. chap. of fencing . pag. chap. of pruning and the use of fruit-trees . pag. cider . general advertisements concerning cider by dr. beale . sir paul niele's discourse of cider . observations concerning the making and preserving of cider , by john newburgh , esq . concerning cider , by dr. smith . of cider , by capt. taylor . an account of perry and cider imparted by daniel collwall esq another account of cider , &c. kalendarium hortense . introduction . p. january . , february . , march. , april . , may. , june . , july . , august . , september . , october . , november . , december , , the catalogue of plants , &c. to to be set into the conserve , or otherwise defended in winter . , . the table to sylva . note , that the first letter viz. ( c. ) denotes the chapter ; the second viz. ( s . ) the section . abeel cap. , sect. , c. , s . , c. , s . . ablaqueation c. , s . . abraham c. , s . , . vide patriarch . abuse c. , s . . acacia c. , s . . acorns c. , s . , c. . s . , , , , c. . s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . v. aesculus . aequinox c. , s . . aesculus c. , s . . agaric c. , s . . age c. , s . , . c. , s . , c. . s . , , , , , , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , . vide stature . alaternus c. , s . , . albumen c. , s . . alburnum vide sap. alder c. , s . , c. , , s . , c. , s . , . c , , s . , c. , s . . ale c. , s . . c. , s . . allegories c. , s . . aliment c. , s . . alkermes c. , s . . almonds c. , s . . almugim c. , s . . altar c. , s . . alum c. , s . . amber c. , s . . amerine c. , s . . anealing c. , s . . angler c. s . . anglesey c. , s . . animals cap. , sect . , . antidots c. , s . , antients c. , s . . ants v. pismires . aphorismes c. , s . . apothecary c. , s . . apparitions c. , s . . apples c. , s . . v. fruit. approach c. , s . . v. graffing . aquatical introduct . s . . v. water . aquaeducts c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . vide water-works . arborator v. pruner . arbours c. , s . . c. , s . . arbutus c. , s . . c. , s . . arke c. , s . , c. . s . , c. . s . , , . armes c. , s . , . army c. , s . . art c. , s . . c. , s . . ash c. , s . , c. , , s . , c. , s . , c. , , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . . ashes c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. . s . . c. , s . . ashtaroth c. , s . . aspect c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . . v. situation , climat . aspen c. , s . , c. , s . . assarts c. , s . , asylum c. , s . . atch c. . s . . athenians c. , s . . avarice c. , s . . avenues c. . s . , c. , , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , . augustin st. c. , s . . axe c , s . , c. , s . axel-tree c. , s . , c. , s . , . ayre , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. . s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . . b baking c. , s . . bands c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . banks c. , s . , c. , s . . v. mounds . bark c. , s . , , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . . barly c. , s . . barrells c , s . . barrs c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . . v. bolts , dores . basilidians c. , s . . basket-maker . c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . bavin c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . bayes c. , s . . bead-tree . c. s . . beams c. , s . , c. , s . , c. . s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. . s . , , , , , . beds c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s , , c. , s . , c. , s . . v. shade . beech c. , , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. . s . , c. . s . . bees c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . bellows c. , s . , c. . s . . belly c. , s . . benches c. , s . . benefits c. , s . . berberies c. , s . . beere c. , s . , c. , s . . bermudas c. , s . . bernacles c. , s . . berrys c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , . beetels c. , s . . bests c. . s . , v. copse . billet c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , . binding c. , s . , v. girding birch c. , , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . birds c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . bird-lime c. , s . . birth c. , s . . biscay c. , s . , c. , s . . black v. colour black-thorn v. thorn. blanching c. , s . . blast c. . s . . blocks c. , s . , v. pullies , shivers . blossom c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. ▪ s , c. , s . , c. , s . , v. flower . blood c. , s . . bleeding c. , s . . boards c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , v. planks . boaring c. , s . , , c. , s . . boates c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , . bobbins c. , s . . boggs c. , , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , v. aquatic . bolts c. , s . , v. barrs , dores . bones c. , s . , c. , s . . books c. . s . . bordurers c. , s . . bottles c. , s . . boughs c. , s . , , . boundaries c. , s . , c. , s . , , . bowls c. , s . , . bows c , s . c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . box c , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. . s . . boxes c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . bracmani c. , s . . brambles c. , s . , c. , s . , . branches c. , s . . brasile c. , s . . bread c. , s . , c. , s . . bridg c. , s . , c. , s . . broomes c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . . browse c. . s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . bruscum c. , s . . brush c. , s . , c. , s . , vide bavin . budds c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . . bucklers c. , s . , v. targets . building c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . burning c. , s . . burying c. , s . , v. sepulture . bushing c. , s . . button-moulds c. , s . . buyer c. , s . , c. , s . . c. . s . . c. cabinets c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . cablicia c. , s . , v. laws . caffè c. , s . . cages c. , s . . calves c. , s . . canaries c. , s . . candles c. , s . , c. , s . , . candy c , s . . canker c. , s . . canns c. , s . . canoos c. , s . ● . carbuncle c. , s . . carduns c. , s . . carkass c. s , vide frame . carpenter c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , c , s . . cart cart-wright c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . carving . c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide graver , sculptor . cask c. , s . , c. , s . . cast c. , s , vide billet . castle c. , s . . cattel c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , c. ▪ s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , , c. , s . , , , , vide fodder , cropping . caterpillar c. , s . . catholicon c. , s . . cato c. , s . . caesar c. , s . . cedar c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . ceiling c. , s . , vide lathes . celastrus . c. , s . . chalk c. , s . . c. . s . . chapell c. , s . . chapman vide buyer . chases vide parks . chastity c. , s . . chaucer c. , s . . chayres c. , s . , c. , s . . chequers c. , s . . cherry-trees c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . . chess-shire c. , s . . chesse-nutts c. , s . . c. . s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . chesse men c. , s . . chests c. , s . , c. , s . , chezill c. , s . , vide tools . chimny c. , s . , vide fire , fuell . chipps c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . choaking c. , s . . choppines c. , s . . church c. , s . , c. , s . , vide sepulchres . church-yards c. , s . . chymists c. , s . . cinnamon c. , s . . circles c. , s . , c. , s . , . c. , s . . citrin c. , s . , c. , s . , , vide tables . cities c. , s . . clay c. , s . , c. ● s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . clap-board c. , s . . cleargy c. , s . . cleaving c. , s . . cleft-wood c. , s . . climat c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . vide aspect , situation . clipping c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . . clothes c. , s . . cloves c. , s . . coaches c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . coales c. , s . , c. , s . , c. . s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , , , , , . coating c. , s . , vide preserving . cocco c. , s . . coffin c. , s . , , c. , s . . cold c. , s . y , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . college c. , s . . collique c. , s . , vide stone . colts c. , s . . column c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , ▪ vide posts . combs c. , s . , c. , s . . common c. , s . , c. , s . , vide inclosure . compost c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , . concretions c. , s . . cones c. , s . , , c. , s . , vide nuts . conflagration c. , s . , vide burning . connies c. , s . , c. , s . . consecration c. , s . . conserve c. , s . . consort c. , s . . consul c. , s . , vide officers . consumption c. , s . , c. , s . . contemplation c. , s . , . contemplores c. , s . . contexture c. , s . . conversion c. , s . . cooming c. , s . . cooper c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , , . coorbs c. , s . . copses c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . cormiere c. , s . , c. , s . . cord c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . vide stack . cordial c. , s . . corke c. , s . . corne c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . corn-lands c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . cornel c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . cornwall c. , s . , c. , s . . custom c. , s . , c. , s . , vide laws . cottages c. , s . . cotton c. , s . . cough c. , s . , c. , s . . couler c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . . counter-scarp c. , s . . court c. , s . , . cow-dung c. , s . , . crab-tree c. , s . , , . cracks c. , s . , c. , s . , vide clefts . cranes c. , s . . vide engines . creation c. , s . . cropping c. , s . , , vide cattel . crosse c. , s . . cudgels c. , s . , vide staves . cumberland c. , s . . cup-board c. , s . . cupps c. , s . , c. , s . . curiosity c. , s . . currier c. , s . . cushions c. , s . . cutting c. . s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . . vide felling . cyder c. , s . . cyon c. , s . . cypresse c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . . d damasco , vide plum. damasking , vide grain . darts c. , s . . deafnesse c. , s . , vide eares . dean-forrest . c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , vide forest . deaw c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide dottards . decay c. , s . , , , c. , s . , . december c. , s . , decortication c. , s . , vide cork . dedication c. , s . . deere c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , vide game . defence c. , s . , c. , s . . delphos c. , s . deluge c. , s . . depth c. , s . , c. , s . . diameter vide dimension . dictionary c. , s . . dimension c , s . , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . vide stature , age. disbranch c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . vide prune . dischargers c. , s . . dishes c. , s . . disease , vide infirmities . distance c. , s . , c. , s . , , . c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . distillation c. , s . . distraction c. , s . . distribution introd . sect. . ditching c. , s . , , vide hedg . divination c. , s . . division c. , s . , c. , s . . diüretic c. , s . . docks c. , s . . dodona c. , s . , , vide groves . doggs c. , s . . dores c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , vide gates . dorsars c. , s . . dotards c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide decay . downs c. , s . . dram c. , s . , vide firr . draining c. , s . , dreams c. , s . . dreessars c. , s . , c. , s . . dressing c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . . drink c. , s . , c. , s . , c , s . dripping c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide shade . dropsy c. , s . , c. , s . . druids c. , s . , c. , s . , . vide dryad . drumms c. , s . . dryad vide druids . dry-trees introduct . . duration c. , s . , . vide age. dust c. , s . . dwarfs c. , s . . dyes c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . dyssenterie c. , s . . e. ebony c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , vide polishing . eares c. , s . , c. , s . , vide deafnesse . eare-wigs c. , s . , vide insects . earth introduct . § . . east c. , s . , c. , s . , vide winds . eights c. , s . . elder c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . electuary c. , s . . elme c. , s . , c. , , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , . elogies c. , s . . elisium c. , s . . emulsions c. , s . . enclosures c. , s . , c. , s . , . encouragements c. , s . . encroachments c. , s . . engines c. , s , c. , s . , vide cranes . enthusiasme c. , s . , . enzina c. , s . , . eristchthon c. s . . errors c. , s . . espaliers c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . essex c. , s . . estovers c. , s . , vide laws . eternity c. , s . , c. , s . . eugh . evonymus c. , s . . excrements c. , s . . excrescences c. , s . , c. , s . . exotics c. , s . . experiment c. , s . , c. , s . . extirpation c. ▪ s . , vide roots . extravagance c. , s . . eyes c. , s . . f faggots c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , vide bavin . famine c. , s . . farcy c. , s . , vide horse . farmer c. , s . . father c. , s . . faunus c. , s . . feasts c. , s . . feavor c. , s . , c. , s . . february c. , s . , c. , s . . felling c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , , , , , , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , vide cutting . femal c. , s . , , vide sex. fences c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , , , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , , . fermentation c. , s . . fern c. , s . . feet c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . fibers c. , s . , c. , s . . figues c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . filberts c. , s . . fire c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , fire-boot c. , s . . firr c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , , , c. , s . . firsts c. , s . , vide copses . fishers c. , s . , c. , s . . flanders c. , s . . flayle c. , s . . flecher c. , s . , c. , s . . flexures c. s . , vide crooks , knee-timber . flints c. , s . , vide stones . floating c. , s . . floores c. , s . , c. , s . , . flowers c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . vide inlayer . fluviari arborem , c. , s . . flux c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . flys c. , s . . foggs c. , s . . food c. , s . . forests c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , . forges vide iron-mills . forks c. , s . , c. , s . . fortifications c. , s . . foundations c. , s . . fountains c. , s . . fowle c. , s . . fracture c. , s . frames c. , s . , . framing c. , s . , vide carkasses . france c. , s . , c. , s . . french-pox c. , s . . fretters c. , s . , vide galling . friction c. s . . fritters c. , s . . frondation c. , s . , vide leaves . frost c. , s . , c. . s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . fruit-trees c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , . fruit c. , s . , , c. , s . ▪ , c. , s . . fruiterer c. , s . , . fuel c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s , c. , s . , c. , s , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , c. . s . , c. , s . , . fungus c. , s . . furniture c. , s . , videvtensils . furrz c. , s . , . g galling c. . s . , vide fretters . galls c. , s . . game c. , s . . gangreen c. , s . gapps c. , s . , c. , s . , vide hedges . garden c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , ● , c. . s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . gargle c. , s . . garlick c. , s . , , gates c. , s . , vide dores . gathering c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . . gelster c. , s . . generation c. , s . . genius c. , s . . germany c. , s . , c , s . , , ghosts c. , s . , girding c. , s . , c. , s . , vide binding , measure . glass c. , s . , c. , s . . glass-work . glue c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . gnatts c. , s . , goates c. , s . , c. , s . . gold c. , s . . golden-age c. , s . . gold-smith c. , s . , c. , s . . gold-stone c. , s . . gopher c. , s . . gowt c. , s . . graffing intr. , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , . grain c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , vide damasking . granad c. , s . . grasse c. , s . , vide grazing , pasture . gravel c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , vide stone . grazing c. , s . , . grease c. , s . . green vide couler , c. , s . . green-sicknesse c. , s . . green-timber c. , s . , , , vide timber . green-wich c. , s . . grove c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , , vide lucus , nemus . ground sille c. , s . . growth c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , vide age , stature . grubbing c. , s . , c. , s . . guaicum c. , s . , . guilding c. , s . . gumm c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . gun-powder c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . gun-smith c s , c. , s . . gunters-line c. , s . , vide girding , measure . gymnosophists c. , s . . h. hafts c. , s . . haggs c. , s . . haires c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . halimus c. , s . . hamadryads c. ▪ s . . hand-bill c. , s . , , vide bill . hangings c. , s . . hardning c. , s . . hard-wood c. , s . . hares c. , s . . harps c. , s . , vide musical instruments . harrows c. , s . , c. , s . . hasel c. , , s . . hatchets c. , s . . haw c. , s . . head c. , s . , c. , s . . heading c. , s . , c. , s . . heart c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . heat c. , s . . heath c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . hedg c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , , , c. . s . , , c. , s . , , , , , , , , , c. , s . . hedg-row c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . hei-boot c. , s . . height vide stature . hei-thorn c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide quick setts . heraulds c. , s . . hercynian forest c , s . , vide forest . hewing c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , vide converting , squaring . high-waies c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . hills c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . . hinges c. , s . . hipps c. , s . , vide carkass . history c. , s . . hives c. , s . , vide bees . hollanders c. , s . . hollownesse c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . holly c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . . hoopes c. , s . , c. , s . , vide cooper . hops c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . . horn-beam c. , s . , c. , , s . . hornets c. , s . . horse c. , s . , c. , s . . horse-chess nuts , vide chess-nut . hovills c. ● , s . . house-boot c. , s . . hunters c. , s . . hurdles c. , s . , c. , s . . husks c. , s . , . husbandman c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide tooles . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vide material . j jamaica c. , s . . st. jame's park , vide park . january c. , s . , c. , s . . jasmine c. , s . . jaundies c. , s . . idoles c. , s . . ilex c. , s . , c. , s . , . images c. , s . . imbibition c. , s , , c. , s . . impostumes c. , s . . inclosure c. , s , vide commons . incorporation c. , s . . incrustation vide coating . indies c. , s . . industry c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . infirmity c. , , s . . c. , s . , vide diseases . inflamation c. . s . . ingraver c. , s . . c. , s . , , , vide carver , sculptor . inke c. , s . , c. . s . , c. . s . . inlaying c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . inoculation intro . , vide graffing . inscription c. , s . , c. , s . . interlucation c. , s . , c. , s . , vide pruning . inundation c. , s . . joyner c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . joyn-stools c. , s . , vide stools . joysts c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . ireland , s . . iron c. , s . . iron-works intro . . c. , s . . , . iron-mills c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . italy c. , s . , c. , s . . juice c. , s . , , , , , , , vide sap. july c. , s . , c. , s . . june c. , s . . juniper c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . ivy c. , s . ▪ k. keele c. , s . , vide shipping . kent c. , s . , c. , s . . kernel c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , . keyes c. , s . , , c. , s . . keyle-pinns c. , s . . kidding vide bavines . kidnies c. . s . . kind vide species . kirfe c. , s . , , vide cutting . knee-timber c. , s . , vide courbs , flexures . knife c. , s . , c. , s . . knotts c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , vide damasking , grain . l. lacq . c. , s . , vide gumm . ladder c. , s . . lamp-black c. , s . . lancaster c. , s . . larch c. , s . , , c. , , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . laserpitium c. , s . . lasts c. , s . , vide shoomaker . lathes c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . lattices c. , s . , . lantona c. , s . . laurell c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . laurus-tinus c. , s . . laws c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . lawson c. , s . . layers c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , c. , s . , . leaves c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . lentiscus c. , s . . levity c. , s . , . libanus c. , s . . lieutenants c. , s . , vide officers . lightning c. , s . , c. , s . . lights c. , s . . lignum fossile c. , s . . lignum vitae . c. , s . . lime-tree c. , s . , c. , , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , . lime c. , s . , c. , s . . linnen c. , s . . lincolne shire c. , s . . liquors c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , , , , , c. , s . , vide juice , sap , tapping , imbibition . load c. , s . , c. , s . , vide timber . loame c. , s . , , vide soile . loggs c. , s . . london c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , . lopping c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , vide pruning . lotus c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . love c. , s . , c. , s . . lucus c. , s . , vide groves . lungs c. , s . . luxury c. , s . . m. mace c. , s . . mad-dog c. , s . . magnetisme c. , s . . male c. , s . , , vide sex. mall-balls c. , s . , c. , s . . malefactors c. , s . . mallet c. , s . . mambre c. , s . , vide oak . man c. , s . . manufacture c. , s . , c , , s . . manure c. , s . . maple c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . march c. , s . , c. , s . . marking . c. , s . . marle c. , s . , vide soile . marriage c. , s . . marrons c. , s . , , marshes c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide boggs . marrubium c. , s . . mast c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , . masts of ships , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . mastricht c. , s . . material c. , s . . mathematical instruments c. , s . , , c. , s . . may c. , s . , c. , s . . may-poles c. , s . . meade c. , s . , c. , s . . meadow c. , s . , vide pasture . measuring c. , s . , , . meat c. , s . . medicine c. , s . , c. , s . . meditation c. , s . . medlar c. , s . . mechanies c. , s . , videvses . melancholy c. , s . . mensa-nucina c. , s . . metamorphosis c. , s . . mice c. , s . . mills c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , . mill wright , vide mills , saw-mill . mineral c. , s . . miracle c. , s . . missle to c. , s . . mists c. , s . . moisture c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . . mole in surrey c. , s . . molluscum c. , s . . moone c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , vide season . mopps c. , s . . mortality c. , s . . mortar c. , s . . mosse c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . . mothes c. , s . , , c. , s . . mouldiness c. , s . , c. , s . . moulding c. , s . , c. , s . . mould c. , s . , , , vide soile . moules c. , s . . mounds c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , vide banks , fences . mountain c. , s . , c. , s . , vide hills . mulbery c. , , s . , c. , s . . mushrums c. , s . . musical-instruments c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . myrtils c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . mysterie vide art , trade . n. nailes c. , s . . names c. , s . . nature c. , s . , c. , s . , . naumachia c. , s . . navy c. , s . , neasts c. , s . . negligence c. , s . , , c. , s . . nemus c. , s . , vide lucus . netts c. , s . . net-work c. , s . . new england c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . . nitellina c. , s . . noah c. , s . , vide arke . norfolk c. , s . , . north c. , s . , c. , s . , vide wind. northampton-shire c. , s . . northumberland c. , s . . norway c. , s . , c. , s . . nose-gaies c. , s . . notching c. , s . , . novelty c. , s . . november c. , s . . nursery intr. , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide seminary . nut-crackers c. , s . , . nutmegs c. , s . . nutts c. , s . , c. , s , , , c. , s . . nutriment c. , s . , c. , s . . nux vescicaria c. , s . . nymph c. , s . . o. oares c. , s . , c. , s . . oates c. , s . , c. , s . , c. . s . . october c. , s . , c. , s . . odoriferous wood c. , s . . offal c. , s . . officers c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , , . oak c. , s . , , , , , , , , , , , , c. , s . , , , , , , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , , c. , s . , . olive c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . oracles c. , s . , . orange-tree c. , s . , c. , s . , . orators c. , s . , . orchard c. , s . , c. , s . . organ c. , s . , vide musical instruments . ornament c. , s . , c. , s . . ovens c. , s . . oyle c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . oziers c. , s . , , c. , s . . p. pales c. , s . , c. , s . , c. ▪ s . . palmes , palmeto c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . pailes c. , s . . painter , painting c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . . palisade c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . . palsie c. , s . , c. , s . . paliurus c. , s . , panacea c. , s . . pantherine c. , s . . paper c. , s . , c. , s . . paradise c. , s . . parlysis vide palsie . paris c. , s . . parke c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , , vide st. james ' s. parts c. , s . . pastorals c. , s . , vide scenes . pasture c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , . patriarchs c. , s . . pattens c. , s . . peach c. , s . . pea-cocks tayle c. , s . . pear-tree c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , , , . vide peares . peate c. , s . , vide turfe . pecten c. , s . , vide veines . pedegre c. , s . . peelings c. , s . . pembrok-shire c. , s . . penitence c. , s . . pepper c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . perches c. , s , , , , c. , s . , vide poles . percolation c. , s . . perfume c. , s . , . pestles c. , s . , c. , s . . petrification c. , s . , vide stones . phanatics c. , s . . philistines c. , s . . philosopy c. , s . , c. , s . , . phillyrea c. , s . . phlegme c. , s . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. , s . , vide leaves . physical-uses c. , s . , vide medicine . pictures c. , s . . pikes , pike-staves c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , . piles c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . pillows c. , s . . piceaster c. , s . . pinaster c. , s . , . pine int. , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , , , , , , , c. , s . . pinns c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . pipes c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . . pismires c. , s . , vide ants. pitch c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , . pith c. , s . , , c. , s . . pitts c. , s . . pitty c. , s . . place c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . vide situation , place . plague c. , s . , c. , s . , plank c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , vide boards . planting , plantation inter. , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , , c. , s . . plants c. , s . . plash-poles c. , s . . plashing c. , s . , c. , s . , , vide pruning . plaster c. , s . , c. , s . , , vide ceiling , lathes . platanus c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , vide xerxes . plough c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . plough boote c. , s . . plum-tree c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . poets c. , s . , c. , s . , . pollard c. , s . , c. , s . , . poles c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. ▪ s . , c. , s . , vide hops , perches . policy c. , s . . politicians c. , s . . polling c. , s . , vide heading . polishing c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , . poore c. , s . . pores c. , s . , . poplar c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . portcullis c. , s . . portion c. , s . , c. , s . . posterity c. , s . . posts c. , s . , c. , s . , vide columns . pot-ashes c. , s . . pots c. , s . . poultry c. ▪ s . , c. , s . . powder c. , s . , c. , s . . prayer c. , s . . presages c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide prophets . preserving c. , s . ▪ prices c. , s . , vide sale. priming vide painting ▪ principal-timber c. , s . , vide timber . probleme c. , s . . prophets c. , s . . proportion c. , s . , vide scantling . protection c. , s . . providence c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , . prow c. , s . , vide shipping . pruner pruning c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide arborator , polling . psalteries c. , s . , vide musical instruments . ptisic c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . pullies c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , vide blocks , shivers . pumps c. , s . , c. , s . , vide aquaeducts . purlins c. , s . . puttie c. , s . , , vide painting . pyracanth c. , s . . pyes c. , s . ▪ q. qvakers c. , s . . quality c. , s . , . quarter-clift c. , s . . quartering c. , s . , vide hewing . quercus c. , s . , , vide oak . quick beam c. , s . , vide whitchen . quick-set c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide hey-thorn . quince c. , s . , c. , s . . quincunx c. , s . , , c , , s . . r. rafters c. , s . , c. , s . , . raine c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , , , c. , s . , , , , vide water , wet , dripping . rakes , raking c. , s . , , c. , s . . raising int. . rangers c. , s . . recess c. , s . , vide solitude . recreation c. , s . . regarders c. , s . , vide officers . reines c. , s . . religion c. , s . , vide superstition . removing int. , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , vide transplanting . rent c. , s . . revailing c. , s . , vide painting . rhetorick c. , s . . resurrection c. , s . . rind c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide bark . rings c. , s . , , , vide circles . ripening c. , s . rivelin , vide park c. , s . . rivers c. , s . . robur c. , s . , vide quercus . rocks c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide flints , stones . rodds c. , s . . rolling-pins c. , s . . romans c. , s . . ropes c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide cables . rosen c. , s . . roses c. , s . . rose mary c. , s . . roofes c. , s . . rookes c. , s . . rootes int. , , c. , s . , c. . s . , , , , , c. , s . , , , c. , s , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , , , c. , s . , , , , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , , , , , , c , s . , c. , s . . rotting c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . royal-society vide society . rubbing c. , s . , . rulers c. , s . . rupture c. , s . , c. , s . . rust c. , s . . rye c. , s . . s. sacks c. , s . , , vide coales . sacraments c. , s . . sacrifices c. s . , , . sadlers c. , s . , c. , s . . saffron c. , s . . salads c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . sallies c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . salt c. , s . , c. , s . . samera c. , s . . sand c. , s . , , c. , s . . sap c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , , , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . . savine c. , s . . saw-dust c. , s . , c. , s . , . sawing c. , s . , vide mill. saw-mill c. , s . , vide mill. scabbs c. , s . , c. , s . . scaffolds c. , s . , vide poles . scales c. , s . . scantlings c. , s , c , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , proportion . scarrifying c. , s . . sceanes c. , s . . scholes c. , s . . scotland c. , s . , , , c. , s . . scraping c. , s . . screw c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . scurvey c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . sea c. , s . , vide shipps . season c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , . seasoning c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , , . sebestins c. , s . . seconds c. , s . . seedes int. , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , , , c. , s . , , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , . seedling int. , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . seminary vide sowing c. , s . , c. , s . , vide nursery , sowing , seed . september c. ▪ s . . sepulcher c. , s . , , , vide burying . serpent c. , s . . service c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . seseli c. , s . . setts c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . . sex c. , s . , , vide male , female . shade c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. ● . s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , . shape c. ▪ s . . sheathing c. , s . . shefield-park c. , s . , , vide forest . sheep c. , s , c. , s . , , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . . shell c. , s . , , c. , s . . shelter c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s , , c. , s . , vide shade . shelves c. , s . . sherewood vide forest . shingles c. , s . , c. , s . . ships c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , vide masts . ship-boot c. , s . . shivers c. , s . , vide blocks , pullies . shootes c. , s . . shovells vide spades . shoo-maker c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide soles . shrinking c. , s . . shuttles c. , s . . sickness vide infirmity . signes c. , s . , vide moon silk worm c. , s . , , , , c. , s . . single c. , s . . sinking c. , s . , vide weight . sinnues c. , s . . sittim c. , s . . situation c. , s . , c. , s ▪ , c. , s . . c. , s . , vide aspect , climate . skreenes c. , s . . slabbs c. , s . , vide plank , board . sleepers c. , s . . sleeping c. , s . . slips c. , s . , c. , s . , vide cyons . sloes c. , s . . sluces c. , s . , vide water-works . small-coale vide coale . smilax c. , s . . smoke c. . s , c. , s . , c. , s . . snailes c. , s . . snow c. , s . , c. , s . , vide cold , frost . sobriety c. , s . . society vide royal s. c. , s . , c. , s . . socrates c. , s . , . soft-wood c. , s . . soile c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , , , c. , s . , , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , vide mould . soles c. , s . . solitude c. , s . . solomon c. , s . , c. , s . . soules vide spirits . sounds c. , s . , c. , s . , . soundness c. , s . . south c. , s . . sowing int. , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , . spades c. , s . . spaine , spaniard c. , s . . sparrs c. , s . . speares c. , s , , c. , s . , c. , s . . species c. , s . , vide kind . spice c. , s . . spindle-tree c. , s . . spirits c. , s . , c. , s . . spitts c. , s . . spleen c. , s . , c. , s . . splicing c. , s . . splitting c. , s . , c. , s . , , , . vide cleaving , chinks , &c. spoile c. , s . , vide wast . spontaneous productions , int. . c. , s . . spoones c. , s . , . spray c. , s . , c. , s . , vide bavine , brush . spreading c. , s . . spring c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . . spring-wood c. , s . , vide copps . springes c. , s . . spruce c. , s . , vide firr . square c. , s . . stacks c. , s . , vide cord. stafford-shire c. , s . . stacking c. , s , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , . standards c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. ● , s . , . standells c. , s . . state c. , s . , c. , s . , vide age , stature . states-men c. , s . . statutes c. , s . , c. , s . , vide lawes . staves c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , , c. , s . , vide cudgels . stayre-cases c. , s . . stem c. , s . , c. , s . . sterne c. , s . , vide ships . steward c. , s . . stitch c. , s . , c. , s . . stock c. , s . , , c. , s . , . stomack c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . . stones c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide flint , rock . stooles c. , s . , c. , s . . stopping vide putty , timber . stoves c. , s . , vide fuell . strangurie c. , s . . strength c. , s . . stripping c. , s . ▪ c. , s . , vide pruning . stroke c. , s . , vide cutting . study c. , s . . stumps c. , s . , c. , s . , c , , s . . styrax c. , s . . subterranean-trees c. , s . , , c. , s . , , . suckers c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c , , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . sudorifique c. , s . . suffolk c. , s . . sun c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , , , c. , s . . summer c. , s . , , c , , s . , vide season . superstition c. , s . , , vide religion . surrey c. , s . , c. , s . . surveying c. , s . , c. , , s . , vide officers . sussex c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . sweating c. , s . . swine c. , s , , c. , s . , c. , s . . swisser-land c. , s . . switches c. , s . , cudgels , staves , wands . sycomor c. , , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . sylva c. , s . , c. , s . , vide copps , wood , &c. t. tables c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c , , s . , , , . tabernacles c. , s . . talishides c. , s . , vide lawes . talisman c. , s . . tamarisk c. , s . . tankard c. , s . . tanner c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . tapping c. , s . , , , , , , c. , s . , vide sap. tar c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . . targets c. , s . , vide bucklers . teda c. , s . , vide pine. temples c. , s . , , . teeth c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . tettars c. , s . . texture c. , s . , . thames c. , s . . thatcher c. , s . c. , s . , c. ▪ s ▪ . theater c. , s . . theriacle c. , s . , c. , s . . thinning c. , s . . thistle c. , s . . thorn c. , s . , , , , c. , s . . throat c , s . . tigrin c. , s . . tilia vide lime-tree . timber c. , s . , , , c. , s . , ▪ c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , c. , s . , , , , , , , , , , , , , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , . time c. , s . . tinder c. , s . . tithe c. , s . , c. , s . , . toddy c. , s . . tooles c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide husbandry . topiary-work c. , s . . topps c. , s . . torches c. , s . . torulus c. , s . , c. , s . . trade vide art , mysterie . transplanting c. , s . , , , , . c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . . c. , s . , , , , c. , s . ; c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , , , , vide removing . transporting c. , s . , vide carriage . trayes c , s . . treason c. , s . . trees c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . trenchers c. , s . , c. , s . . trenching c. , s . , c. , s . , vide ditching . tripos c. , s . . trojan-horse . c. . s . . tryumphs c. , s . . tulip-tree c. , s . . tunn c. , s . , vide measure . turfe c. , s . . turner c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , . turpentine c. , s . . twiggs c. , s . . tyling c. , s . . v. vallies c. , s . . vanns c. , s . . veines c. , s . , , , , vide grain . venice , venetians c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . venturine c. , s . . verdure c. , s . , , , , , c. , s . , , . vermine c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . vernish c. , s . , c. , s . , c. . s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . vines , vine-yard c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . violes c. , s . . virginia c. , s . , c. , s . . viscus c. , s . . visions c. , s . , c. , s . , , vide apparitions . vlcers c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . vnder-wood c. , s . , c. , s . , vide coppse . vniversities c. , s . . vpholster c. , s . , c. , s . . vrine c. , s . . vtensils c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . w. wagon c. , s . , c. . s . , vide carts . wain-scot c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , vide clap-board . waires c. , s . , c. , s . . wales c. , s . . walkes c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . . wall-nut int. , c. , s . , c. , , s . , , c. . s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . . walls c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . wands c. , s . , vide staves . warders c. , s . , vide officers . warrens c. , s . . wasps c. , s . . wasts c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , vide commons . water c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. . s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , vide wet . water-boughs c. , s . , c. , s . , , vide boughs . water-works c. , s . , vide aquaeducts . wavers c. , s . , , vide copses . wax c. , s . . way-faring-tree . c. , s . . wedges c. , s . , c. , s . . weeding , vveeders c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . vveight c. , s . , , , vide sinking . vvest c. , s . , vide vvinds. vvestphalia c. , s . , c. , s . , . vvett c. , s . , vide rain , moisture , vvater . vvheat c. , s . , c. , s . , vide corn. vvheeler c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , . vvheeles c. , s . , , c. , s . . vvhitchen c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , vide vvich hasel . vvhite vide colour . white-work c. , s . , vide oziers , baskets . wildernesse c. , s . . vvild-fowle c. , s . . vvillow c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . . vvind c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , , c. , s . , , , , c. , s . , , , , c. , s . . vvind-stock c. , s . . vvindow c. , s . , . vvine c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . . vvinter c. , s . , , , vide season . vvithy c. , s , c. , s . . vvood c. , s . , , , , . woods c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . ▪ c. , s . , , c. , s . ▪ , c. , s . , c. , s . , . wood monger c. , s . . wood-stealers c. , s . , vide statutes . wood-wards c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , , vide forester . wood-pecker c. , s . working c , s , vide hewing . work-sop , vide park c. , s . , . wormes c. , s . , c. , s . , c. , s . , , c. , s . , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , , , c. , s . , c. , s . . wounds c. , s . , c. , s . . wrack c. , s . , vide fuell . wythes vide bands . x. xerxes c. , s . , c. , s . , vide platanus . y. yew c. , s . . yoakes c. , s , c. , s . . youth c. , s . , c. , s . . yucca c. , s . the table to pomona . a aboundance pag. . abricot . age , . agriculture . aire , . ale . alteration vide species , mixture , . antidote . antients , . apples , , , , , , , , . hard , , , . sweet . arier-apple . baking-apple . bitter-sweet . bromsberry-crab . , , , , , , . codling , coleing ap. . crab and wilding , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . deane . eliot . fillets . fox-whelp , , . genet-moyle , , , , , , . gilly-flower . greening . harley . harvy , , . heming . musts , , , , , , . olive . peare-main , , , , , , , , . pepin kentish golden , , , , , , , , , , . pleascentine . purling . red-strake , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , rousseting . stoking . under-leaf . wood-cock . aprill . approach vide graffing . arrable , . aspect . b. baking vide apple . bark . beere . berberies birch . birds . blasts , , blossomes p. , . boiling , , , bottling , , , , , , , . , , , . broching , , budds c. cabinets . canary vide wine . cask vide vessel . cellar , , , . challenge , . chance . chayree . cherries , . cherry-wine , vide wine . cider , , , , , . by dr. beale , . sir p. neile , . mr. newbery , . dr. smith , . mr. taylor , . mr. callwal , , &c. cion , . clay , , , . clarifying vide fining . clary . clove-gilly-flowers , vide wine . clownes . codlin vide apple . colour , . columella . coffee . commons , , . compost . cold . vide cellar . cordial . corn . curiosity . d. diet . diluting vide water . distance , , , . distillation , , . dorcet-shire . drawing vide broaching . drink . dwarfes . e. east vide wind. ebony pag. . elm pag. , . encouragement pag. . english pag. . experiments pag. . f. feavor . fencing , . fermentation , , , , , ad , , , , , , , . fining , , , . fountain . fragrancy . fret , . frosts . fruit , , , , , , , vide table . fruit-trees , , , , , , , vide table . fruiterer , . g. garden , gathering , , , . ginger . glocester-shire , , . graffs , , ad p. . graffing , , , , . grapes , , . gravell , . green-fruit vide fruit. ground . gun-stock . grinding vide pressing . h. ham-lacy . head-lands . health . heat . hedg rowes , . hereford shire , , , , , . hills . hoarding , , , , , , . hollowness . hopps , . hypochondria , . j. jarsey , . imposture . improvement , , , . inclosure vide common . india . infirmity . infusion . inoculation vide graffing ▪ instrument-maker . juniper berries , . k. kent pag. . keeping pag. . kernell pag. , , , , . kings-chapell pag. . l. leaking . leaven vide fermentation . lee , , , , , , . levelling . lopping . lungs . m. meliorating vide improvement . mellowing , vide ripeness . mixture , , . moisture . moon . mustard , , , . musts vide apples . mustiness , , n. name . nature . november . o. order . ortyard , , , . p. palladius . palat pasture peares , , , , , , , , , , , , , . barland and bosbury p. , , , . bery . drake pear . harpary . john pear . lullam . mary . oken-pin . pigstaile . squash , . tergovian . peare-trees , . perrie , , , , , , , . piercing vide broching , pith . place , . planting . plow , . plowing , . plums . poor . press , , , , , . , , , , . pressing , , , , , . , , , , . pruning . purising vide fining q quantity , , . quick-sets . quince quincunx . r rain . raisins . raspis vide wine refrigeratorie vide cellar rhamnus . rheumes . ripeness , . rock . royal society , , . root , , . rotteness , , , , . s sap . salt , . sand vide cellar . sculpture . season , , , , , , . sharpness , . shoot . soil , , , , , , . sophistication . sowreness . species , . spices . spirits , , , , , , , , . spleen vide hypochondria . stocks , , , , , , , , , , , , stomack , , , . stones , , . stools . stopping , , vide vent : straining , , . straw , suggar , sulphur . summer-fruit . surfeit . sweating vide hording . , . swine , , , . t table-fruit , . tables . taste . tenant . teeth . timber . toughness . trade . transplanting , , , . transporting , . tunning , , , . v variety , vide mixture . vent , , vide stopping vertues . vessel , , , . vines , . vinous liquors . vintners . virgil , usefulness , , . w water , , , . wages . wine , , , , , , , , , . canary , . cherry . gilly . flo . . raspis . rhenish . verdea . zerres , vide vinous liquors . windfalls . windiness , . winds , , . wonders , . worcester-shire . working vide fermenting . wringing vide press . the table to the kalender . it might seem impertinent to have added a table to a book of so small a volume , and which seems to be of it self but a table : but since it may prove advantageous for the saving of time , at once to learn the whole culture of any plant , as the particulars are sprinckled the several pages ; the authour has thought fit to collect , and annex it . ablaqueation page , . abricots , , . acacia . aethiopic apples . african flower . age . agriculture . alaternus , , , , , . alesanders . aloes , , . althaea . amaranthus , , . amomum plinii , , . angelica , anemonies , , , , , , , . , . aniseeds . antirrhinum . annuals , . apples , . april , . arbutus , . artichocks , , . aspargus , , , . august pag. , . aviaries , , . auricula , , , , , , . autumnals . b balsamina , . barba jovis , , . basil , , . bayes , . beans , , , , . bees , , , , , , , , , . vide hives beetes , . birds , . blanching . box , , . budding vide inoculating . buds , . bugloss . bulbs , , , . c cabbages , , , , , , . camomile , . candy-tufts , . canna●●nd . , . cankers . capillaries capsicum , . carnations , , , , , , , , , , . carpet vide walks . carrob . carrots , , , . cases , , . caterpillars . cats . cauly-flower , , , , . chamae iris . chamaelaea . cherries , , . chervile , , , . cistus . climate . clipping , . cloves vide carnations . colchicum , . columbines compost vide stercoration , dung , soil , . conservatory , , , , , , , . contemplation . convolvulus . corn-sallet , . cressus . crocus , , , . crown imperial , , . cucumbers , . cutting pag. ▪ cyanus . cyons . cypresse . . cyclamen , , , , , . cyder , , , . cytisus , , . d dactyls , . daffodils vide narcissus . dates vide dactyle . datura . december , . dens caninus , , . delphinium , , , . digging . vide trenching . digitalis , , . vide fox-glove . distilling vide laboratory . dressing . drones dung vide compost , soil , stercoration dwarfs e earthing-up . endive , . exotics , . experience , , , f february , . felicity . fennel . fibrous plants , , , firr , , . flos-cardinalis , . flowers , . foggs . forest-trees . fountain pipes . fox-gloves vide digitalis . fraxinella . fritillaria , ; . frost , , , , , fruit and fruit-trees , , , , , . , . vide gathering . g gaard'ner , , . gardine , , . garlick , . garnsey-lilly . gathering , , . gentianella . geranium , . gilly-flowers vide carnations . gladiolus . gourds . granads vide pome-granade . graffing pag. , , . , , . graffs pag. , , . , , . green house vide conservatory . greens , , , , . . groves . h. health . hedysarum . helleborus , , . hepatica , , , . herbs-dry . hives vide bees . . holy-hoc , , . hops . hot-bed , , , , . howsing . humble plant . hyacinth vide jacynth . , . hyssop . i. jacynth vide hyacinthus . , , . january , . jasmine , , , , , . inoculating vide budding . , , , , , , , . insects , , , . july , . june , , . iris , , , . k. keri kernels , , , , . kitchin-garden . knots . l. labour , laboratory vide distilling . , . larks-spur vide delphinium . . lavander , . laurel . layers , , . , , . laying , , . , , . leaves , . leeks . lemmons , , , . lentiscus . lettuce , , , , , , , . leucoium , , . lilie . lilac . lupines , . lychnis . m. majoran . , . march , . marcoc , . marum-syriacum pag. , . martagon , . mary-gold , , . matricaria , . may , . medica . medicinal plants , . melons , , , , . memory . method , . mirabile peru , . moon . month , , . mok , , . mowing . murals vide walls . muscaris . muscipula . myrrhe . myrtil , , , , , . n. nailing vide pruning . , , . narcissus vide tuberose . , , , . nasturtium , , . nectarine , . neglect . nigella . nights . november , . nursery , ▪ , . o. occasion . october , . oleander , , , . onions , , , . oranges , , , , , , . orchard . p palisades . paradise . parsley , . parterr vide knots . parsnips , , , , . passion-flower vide maracoc . peach , , . pear , , , , . pease , , , . peneroyal . peonies . perennial vide green. perry , . phaseoli . phillyrea , , , , . pinus , , . pinks , . pipes vide fountains . pag. planting , , . plashing , . plums , , . pomace vide cider . . pomum-amoris . pome-granad . , , . poppy . potatos , . pot-herbs . pots , , . prime-rose , , , . pruning , , , , , , , , , . purslain , , , . q quick-sets , . r rain , , , , . ranunculus , , , , , , , , , , . raddish , , , , , , . removing vide transplanting . . rosemary , . roses , , , , . roots . s. saffron vide crocus . . sage . . salleting . savoury . scabious , . scorpoides . scorzonera . scurvy-grass , . sellery . seacrests . season , . seeds , , , . , . seedlings , , , . , . senses . sedum , . sensitive-plant . september , . shade . shelter , . shrubs . signes . skirrets , . slips pag. , . smalege . snailes , . snow , , . soil . sorel . sowing , . spinach , , . stalks . standards , , . stercoration vide compost . , . stock gilly-flowers vide leucöium . stocks , , , , , . stones , , . stove , . strawberries , . suckers . sun , . swarmes vide bees . . sweeping . sweet-williams . syringa . t tobacco . thyme , , . time . tools . tuberose vide narcissus . , , , . tulips , , , , , , , , . turneps , , , . transplanting vide removing . , , , , , . trenching vide digging . , , , . v variegation . vermine , . vines , , , , , . , . vineyard , , , , , . , . violets , . volubilis . w walks , , . walls , , , , , . water , , , , , . weeding , , , . wither'd flowers . winds , , , , . worms , , . sylva : or , a discourse of forest-trees , and the propagation of timber in his majesties dominions , &c. tuque ades , inceptumque una decurre laborem , o decus , ô famae merito pars maxima nostrae , carolide , pelagoque volans da vela petenti : da facilem cursum , atque audacibus annue coeptis : ignarosque viae mecum miseratus agrestes ingredere , & votis jam nunc assuesce vocari . the introduction . . since there is nothing which seems more fatally to threaten a weakning , if not a dissolution of the strength of this famous and flourishing nation , then the sensible and notorious decay of her wooden walls , when either through time , negligence , or other accident , the present navy shall be worn out and impair'd ; it has been a very worthy and seasonable advertisement in the honourable the principal officers and commissioners , what they have lately suggested to this illustrious society , for the timely prevention and redress of this intollerable defect . for it has not been the late increase of shipping alone , the multiplication of glass-works , iron-furnaces , and the like , from whence this impolitick diminution of our timber has proceeded ; but from the disproportionate spreading of tillage , caused through that prodigious havock made by such as lately professing themselves against root and branch ( either to be re-imburs'd of their holy purchases , or for some other sordid respect ) were tempted , not only to fell and cut down , but utterly to grub up , demolish , and raze , as it were , all those many goodly woods , and forests , which our more prudent ancestors left standing , for the ornament , and service of their country . and this devastation is now become so epidemical , that unless some favourable expedient offer it self , and a way be seriously , and speedily resolv'd upon , for the future repair of this intollerable defect , one of the most glorious , and considerable bulwarks of this nation , will , within a short time , be totally wanting to it . . to attend now a spontaneous supply of these decay'd materials ( which is the vulgar , and natural way ) would cost ( besides the inclosure ) some entire ages repose of the plow : therefore , the most expeditious , and obvious method , would ( doubtless ) be by one of these two ways , sowing , or planting . but , first , it will be requisite to agree upon the species ; as what trees are likely to be of greatest vse , and the fittest to be cultivated ; and then , to consider of the manner how it may best be effected . truly , the waste , and destruction of our woods , has been so universal , that i conceive nothing less then an universal plantation of all the sorts of trees will supply , and well encounter the defect ; and therefore , i shall here adventure to speak something in general of them all ; though i chiefly insist upon the propagation of such only as seem to be the most wanting , and serviceable . . and first by trees here , i consider principally for the genus generalissimum , such lignous and woody plants , as are hard of substance , procere of stature ; that are thick and solid , and stifly adhere to the ground on which they stand : these we shall divide into the greater and more ceduous , fruticant and shrubby ; feras and wild ; or more civiliz'd and domestique ; and such as are sative and hortensial subalternate to the other ; but of which i give only a touch , distributing the rest into these two classes , the dry , and the aquatic ; both of them applicable to the same civil uses of building , vtensils , ornament , and fuel ; for to dip into their medicinal virtues is none of my province , though i sometimes glance at them with due submission , and in few instances . . among the dry , i esteem the more principal , and solid , to be the oak , elme , beech , ash , chess-nut , wall-nut , &c. the less principal , the service , maple , lime-tree , horn-beam , quick-beam , birch , hasel , &c. together with all their sub-alternate , and several kinds . — which of how many sorts they are , we can't at present here stand to declare . sed neque quàm multa species , nec nomina quae sint , est numerus , geor. . . of the aquatical , i reckon the poplars , asp , alder , willow , sallow , osier , &c. then i shall add a word or two , for the encouragement of the planting of fruit-trees , together with some less vulgar , but no less useful trees , which , as yet are not endenizon'd amongst us , or ( at least ) not much taken notice of : and in pursuance hereof , i shall observe this order : first , to shew how they are to be raised , and then to be cultivated ; by raising , i understand the seed and the soil ; by culture the planting , fencing , watering , dressing , pruning and cutting ; of all which briefly . . and first for their raising , some there are , spring of themselves unforc't by human eare , — nullis hominum cogentibus , ipsae sponte sua veniunt — specifying according to the various disposition of the air and soil ; some from their seeds arise . pars autem posito surgunt de semine ▪ as the oak , chess-nut , ash , &c. some to th●● groves from their own roots do spring , pullulat ab radico ali●s deusissima sylva ▪ as the elme , alder , &c. and there are others , grow without root mil radicit egeut — as willows , and all the vimineous kinds , which are raised of sets only . these wayes first nature gave , hos natura modos primùm dedit — for thus we see there are more ways to the wood than one ; and she has furnish'd us with variety of expedients . . and here we might fall into a deep philosophical research , whether the earth it self in some place thereof or other , even without seed , branch or root , &c. would produce every kind of vegetable , as it manifestly does , divers sorts of grasse and plants ? ( viz. ) the tre-fole or clover in succulent land ; in dry ground may and ra●-weeds ; in the very moyst , argentina , flaggs , &c. and the very barren ferne , broome , and heath , &c. so virgil notes sterile places for the pitch-tree ; we our wett and vligi●ous for birch , alder , &c. the more lofty , poor and perflatile for eugh , guiniper , box , and the like ; and we read in the natural histories of divers countries , that the cedar , palmetos queen-pines , ebony , nutmeg , cinnamon , &c. for trees ; the tulip , hyacinth , crocus , &c. for flowers , are sometimes , and in some regions aborigines , descended immediately from the genius of the soyls , climate , sun , shade , air , winds , water , niterous-salts , rocks , bankes , shores , and ( as the negros-heads in the bachados ) even without seed , or any perceptible rudiment . but with all this we are not satisfied without supposing some previous seminal disposition lurking , and dispers'd in every part of the earth , in what moleculae or subtile contextures we shall not enquire , but though happly not at first so perfect as the maturer seeds of their after peculiar plants ; yet such as are fit for the sun and influences to operate on , ' til they have prepar'd , discuss'd , and excited their seminal and prolifique vertue to exert it self and awake out of sleep , in which they lay as in their causes ; and free themselves from those impediments which hindred their specification and nativity : this conception the learned gassendus would illustrate by the latent fire in flints , which never betrays it self ' til it be forced out by collision ; but which yet methinks , does not so fully inlighten this hypothesis , which we only hint for method and introduction onely : for the design of this discourse is not to perswade men to sit still , and let nature work alone , but to ayd and assist her as much as they are able from seeds and plants already perfected , and qualified for more speedy propagation . most ingenious , in the mean time is what some upon an accurate and narrow guesse , have not feared to pronounce ; namely , that all planting by seed , was but a kind of inoculation ; and propagation by cyons and sprouts , but a subterranean graffing : and upon this account i am the more willing to assent , that in removing of wild trees , taken out of incumber'd places , ( so it be perform'd with all due circumstances ) there may happen considerable improvements ; since , as there is something in super graffing , or the repetition of graffing for the inlargement , and melioration of fruit ; so there may be also in a carefull removal ; especially the tree being of a kind apt to dilate its roots , and taken whilest those roots may be safely , and intirely transferr'd ; and likewise , because it is presum'd that most trees propagated by seeds , emitt a principal root , very deep into the earth , which frequently extracting but a courser nutriment ( though it may happly yield a close , and firmer timber ) yet is not so apt to shoot and spread , as what are by removal deprived of that root , and by being more impregnate with the sun , dews and heavenly influences neer the surface , inabled to produce larger , more delicate and better tasted fruit ; supposing nutts , mast , or berries , for we would not go out of our forest for instances . and yet even in these desents of the top-root , it sometimes penetrating to a veine of some rich marle or other mould , the extraordinary flourishing and expedition of growth , will soon give notice of it . but to make some trial of this , 't were no difficult matter , when one plants a nursery or grove , to experiment what the earth , as far as the roots are like to reach , will advance and discover to us . . in the mean time , it has been stifly controverted by some , whether were better to raise trees for timber , and the like uses , from their seeds and first rudiments ; or to transplant such as we find have either rais'd themselves from their seeds , or spring from the mother roots . now , that to produce them immediately of the seed is the better way , these reasons may seem to evince . first . because they take soonest . secondly , because they make the straightest , and most uniform shoot . thirdly , because they will neither require staking , nor watering ( which are two very considerable articles ) and lastly , for that all transplanting ( though it much improve fruit trees ) unless they are taken up the first year , or two , is a considerable impediment to the growth of forest-trees . and , though it be true , that divers of those which are found in woods , especially oaklings , young beeches , ash , and some others , spring from the self-sown mast and keys ; yet , being for the most part dropp'd , and disseminated amongst the half rotten sticks , musty leaves , and perplexities of the mother-roots , they grow scraggy ; and being over-dripp'd become squalid and mossie , which checks their growth , and makes their bodies pine . crescentique adimunt foetus , uruntque ferentem . geo. . nor can their roots expand , and spread themselves as they would do if they were sown , or had been planted in a more open , free , and ingenuous soil . and that this is so , i do affirm upon experience , that an acorn sown by hand in a nursery , or ground where it may be free from these encumbrances , shall in two or three years out-strip a plant of twice that age , which has either been self-sown in the woods , or removed ; unless it fortune , by some favourable accident , to have been scattered into a more natural , penetrable , and better qualified place : but this disproportion is yet infinitely more remarkable in the pine , and the wall-nut tree , where the nut set into the ground does usually overtake a tree of ten years growth which was planted at the same instant ; and this is a secret so generally mis-represented by most of those who have treated of these sort of trees , that i could not suffer it to pass over without a particular remark ; so as the noble poet ( with pardon for receding from so venerable authority ) might be mistaken , when he delivers this observation as universal , to the prejudice of sowing , and raising woods from their rudiments : trees which from scattered seeds to spring are made come slowly on ; for our grand-childrens shade . nam quae seminibus jactis se sustulit arbos tarda venit ; seris factura nepotibus umbram . geor. l. . and indeed i know divers are of this opinion ; and possibly in some luckier soils , and where extraordinary care is had in transplanting , and removing cumbrances , &c. there may be reason for it ; but i affirm it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and for the most part , and find i have the suffrage of another no inelegant poet , if not in a full assent to my assertion , yet in the choyce of my procedure for their perfection . — though suckers which the stock repaire , will with th●ck branches crowd the empty aire , or the ground-oak transplanted , boughs may shoot ; yet no such grov's do's with my fancy suit as what from acorns set on even rows in open fields at their due distance grows . what though your ground long time must fallow ly , and se●dling-oakes yield but a slow supply ? no walks else can be for like beauty prais'd for , certain 't is , that plants from acorns rais'd , as to the center deeper fivers spread , so to the zenith more advance their head : be it that plants for natural moysture pine , and as expos'd at change of soile decline ; or that the acorn with its native mould do's thrive , and spread , and firme alliance hold . — quamvis ipsa de stirpe parentis pullulet , & tenues tollat se quercus in auras , aut mutata solo , ramis exultet opacis ; forma tamen nemoris non sit mihi gratior ulla , quam quod per campos , posito de semine , crevit et quamquam sit agro praelongum tempus inerti durcendum , ac tardae surgant de semine quercus : his tamen , his longe veniunt felicius umbrae . nam certum est de glande satas radicibus imis altius in terram per se descendere plantas : majoresque adeo in coelum profundere ramos . seu quod dediscant mutatam semina matrem , dgen remque ferant alieno ex ubere prolem : sive quod ipsa ●bi cognatae inolescere terrae glans primo melius paulatim assuevit ab ortu . rapinus hort. l. . chap. i. of the soile , and of seed . . here , for methods sake , something it were expedient to premise concerning the soile ; and indeed i do acknowledge to have observ'd so vast a difference in the improvement of woods , by that of the ground , that it is at no hand to be neglected : but this being more than transitorily touch'd in each chapter of the ensuing discourse , i shall not need to assign it any apart , when i have affirm'd in general , that most timber-trees grow and prosper well in any tollerable land which will produce corn or rye , and which is not in excesse stony ; in which neverthelesse there are some trees delight ; or altogether clay , which few , or none do naturally affect ; and yet the oak is seen to prosper in it , for its toughnesse preferr'd before any other by many workmen , though of all soyls the cow-pasture do certainly exceed , be it for what purpose soever of planting wood. rather therefore we should take notice how many great witts and ingenious persons , who have leasure and faculty are in pain for improvements of their heaths and barren hills , cold and starving places , which causes them to be neglected and despair'd of ; whilest they flatter their hopes and vain expectations with fructifying liquors , chymical menstrues and such vast conceptions ; in the mean time that one may shew them as heathy and hope-less grounds , and barren hills as any in england , that do now bear , or lately have born woods , groves and copses which yield the owners more wealth , than the richest and most opulent wheat-lands : and if it be objected that 't is so long a day before these plantations can afford that gain ; the brabant nurseries , and divers home-plantations of industrious persons are sufficient to convince the gain-sayer . and when by this husbandry a few acorns shall have peopl'd the neighboring regions with young stocks and trees ; the residue will become groves and copses of infinite delight and satisfaction to the planters . besides , we daily see what course lands will bear these stocks ( suppose them oaks , wall-nutts , chess-nutts , pines , firr , ash , wild-pears , crabbs , &c. ) and some of them , as for instance the peare and the firr or pine , strike their roots through the roughest and most impenetrable rocks and clefts of stone it self ; and others require not any rich or pingued , but very moderate soile ; especially , if committed to it in seeds , which allyes them to their mother and nurse without renitency or regrett : and then considering what assistances a little care in easing and stirring of the ground about them for a few years does afford them : what cannot a strong plow , a winter mellowing , and summer heats , incorporated with the pregnant turfe , or a slight assistance of lime performe even in the most unnatural and obstinate soile ? and in such places where anciently woods have grown , but are now unkind to them , the fault is to be reformed by this care ; and chiefly , by a sedulous extirpation of the old remainders of roots , and latent stumps , which by their mustiness , and other pernicious qualities , sowre the ground , and poyson the conception ; and herewith let me put in this note , that even the soile it self does frequently discover and point best to the particular species , though some are for all places alike : but i shall say no more of these particulars at this time , because , the rest is sprinkl'd over this whole work in their due places ; wherefore we hasten to the following title , namely , the choyce and ordering of the seeds . . chuse your seed of that which is perfectly mature , ponderous and sound ; commonly that which is easily shaken from the boughs , or gathered about november , immediately upon its spontaneous fall , or taken from the tops and summities of the fairest and soundest trees , is best , and does ( for the most part ) direct to the proper season of interring , &c. according to institution . for , nature her self who all created first , invented sowing , and the wild plants nurs't : when mast and berries from the trees did drop , succeeded under by a numerous crop. nam specimen sationis , & insitionis origo ipsa fuit rerum primum natura creatrix : arboribus quoniam baccae , glandesque caducae tempestiva dabant pullorum examina subter , &c. lucret. l. . yet this is to be consider'd , that if the place you sow in be too cold for an autumnal semination , your acorns , mast , and other seeds may be prepared for the vernal by being barrel'd , or potted up in moist sand or earth stratum s.s. during the winter ; at the expiration whereof you will find them sprouted ; and being committed to the earth , with a tender hand , as apt to take as if they had been sown with the most early , nay with great advantage : by this means , too , they have escaped the vermine ( which are prodigious devourers of winter fowing ) and will not be much concern'd with the increasing heat of the season , as such as being crude , and unfermented are newly sown in the beginning of the spring ; especially in hot and loose grounds ; being already in so fair a progress by this artificial preparation ; and which ( if the provision to be made be very great ) may be thus manag'd . chuse a fit piece of ground , and with boards ( if it have not that position of it self ) design it three foot high ; lay the first foot in fine earth , another of seeds , acorns , mast , keys , nuts , haws , holly-beries , &c. promiscuously , or separate , with ( now , and then ) a little mould sprinkled amongst them : the third foot wholly earth : of these preparatory magazines make as many , and as much larger-ones as will serve your turn , continuing it from time to time as your store is brought in . the same for ruder handlings , may you also do by burying your seeds in dry sand , or pulveriz'd earth , barrelling them ( as i said ) in tubs , or laid in heaps in some deep cellar where the rigour of the winter may least prejudice them ; and i have fill'd old hampers , bee-hives , and boxes with them , and found the like advantage , which is to have them ready for your seminary , as before hath been shew'd , and exceedingly prevent the season . there be also who affirm , that the carefull cracking and opening of stones which include the kernels , as soon as ripe , precipitate growth and gain a years advance . . but to pursue this to some farther advantage ; as to what concerns the election of your seed , it is to be consider'd , that there is vast difference , ( what if i should affirm more than an hundred years ) in trees even of the same growth and bed , which i judge to proceed from the variety and quality of the seed : this , for instance , is evidently seen in the heart , procerity and stature of timber ; and therefore chuse not your seeds alwaies from the most fruitful-trees , which are commonly the most aged , and decayed ; but from such as are found most solid and fair : nor , for this reason , covet the largest acorns , &c. ( but as husband men do their wheat ) the most weighty , clean and bright : this observation we deduce from fruit-trees , which we seldom find to bear so kindly , and plentifully , from a sound stock , smooth rind , and firm wood , as from a rough , lax , and untoward tree , which is rather prone to spend it self in fruit , ( the ultimate effort , and final endeavour of its most delicate sap , ) than in solid and close substance to encrease the timber . and this shall suffice , though some haply might here recommend to us a more accurate microscopical examen , to interpret their most secret schematismes , which were an over nicity for these great plantations . . as concerning the medicating , and insuccation of seeds , or enforcing the earth by rich and generous composts , &c. for trees of these kinds , i am no great favourer of it ; not only , because the charge would much discourage the work ; but for that we find it unnecessary , and for most of our forest-trees , noxious ; since even where the ground is too fertile , they thrive not so well ; and if a mould be not proper for one sort it may be fit for another : yet i would not ( by this ) hinder any from the trial , what advance such experiments will produce : in the mean time , for the simple imbibition of some seeds and kernels , when they prove extraordinary dry , and , as the season may fall out , it might not be amiss to macerate them in milk , or water only , a little impregnated with cow-dung , &c. during the space of twenty four hours , to give them a spirit to sprout , and chet the sooner ; especially , if you have been retarded in your sowing without our former preparation . . being thus provided with seeds of all kinds , i would advise to raise woods by sowing them apart , in several places destin'd for their growth , where the mould being prepar'd ( as i shall shew hereafter ) and so qualified ( if election be made ) as best to suit with the nature of the species , they may be sown promiscuously , which is the most natural and rural ; or in streight and even lines , for hedg-rows , avenues , and walks , which is the more ornamental : but , because some may chuse rather to draw them out of nurseries ; that the culture is not much different , nor the hinderance considerable ( provided they be early , and carefully removed ) i will finish what i have to say concerning these trees in the seminary , and shew how they are there to be raised , transplanted , and govern'd till they can shift for themselves . chap. ii. of the seminary . . qvi vineam , vel arbustum constituere volet , seminaria priùs facere debebit , was the precept of columella , l. . c. . speaking of vineyards and fruit-trees : and , doubtlesse , we cannot pursue a better course for the propagation of timber-trees : for though it seem but a trivial design that one should make a nursery of foresters ; yet it is not to be imagin'd , without the experience of it , what prodigious numbers a very small spot of ground well cultivated , and destin'd for this purpose , would be able to furnish towards the sending forth of yearly colonies into all the naked quarters of a lordship , or demeasnes ; being with a pleasant industry liberally distributed amongst the tenants , and dispos'd of about the hedge-rows , and other waste , and uncultivated places , for timber , shelter , fuel , and ornament , to an incredible advantage . this being a cheap , and laudable work , of so much pleasure in the execution , and so certain a profit in the event ; to be but once well done ( for , as i affirm'd , a very small nursery will in a few years people a vast extent of ground ) hath made me sometimes in admiration at the universal negligence . . having therefore made choice of some fit place of ground , well fenced , respecting the south-east , rather than the full south , and well protected from the north and west ; he that for wood his field would sow , must clear it of the shrubbs that grow ; cut brambles up , and the ferne mow . qui serere ingenuum volet agrum , liberat prius arva fruticibus ; falce rubos , filicemque resecat . boeth . l. . me● ▪ this done , let it be broken up the winter before you sow , to mellow it ; especially if it be a clay , and then the furrow would be made deeper ; or so , at least ; as you would prepare it for wheat : or you may trench it with the spade , by which means it will the easier be cleansed of whatsoever may obstruct the putting forth , and insinuating of the tender roots : then having given it a second stirring , immediately before you sow , cast , and dispose it into rills , or small narrow trenches of four , or five inches deep , and in even lines , at two foot interval , for the more commodious runcation , hawing , and dressing the trees : into these furrows ( for a conseminea sylva ) throw your oak , beech , ash , nuts , all the glandiferous seeds , mast , and key-bearing kinds , so as they lie not too thick , and then cover them very well with a rake , or fine-tooth'd harrow , as they do for pease : or , to be more accurate , you may set them as they do beans ( especially , the nuts and acorns ) and that every species by themselves , for the roboraria , glandaria , vlmaria , &c. which is the better way : this is to be done at the latter end of october , for the autumnal sowing ; and in the lighter ground about february for the vernal . then see your hopefull grove with acorns sown , but e're your seed into the field be thrown with crooked plough first let the lusty swain break-up , and stubborn clodds with harrow plain . then when the stemm appears , to make it bare and lighten the hard earth with hough , prepare . hough in the spring : nor frequent culture fail , lest noxious weeds 'ore the young wood prevail : to barren ground with toyle large meanour add , good-husbandry will force a ground that 's bad . proinde nemus sparsa cures de glande parandum : sed tamen ante tuo mandes quam semina campo ; ipse tibi duro robustus vomere fossor omne solum subigat late , explanetque subactum . cumque novus fisso primum de germine ramus findit humum , rursus ferro versanda bicorni consita vere novo tellus , cultuque frequenti exercenda , herbae circum ne forte nocentes proveniant , germenque ipsum radicibus urant . nec cultu campum cunctantem urgere frequenti , et saturare fimo pudeat , si forte resistat . culturae : nam tristis humus superanda colendo est . rapinus l. . note that bushells of acorns will sow or plant an aker , at one foots distance . . your plants beginning now to peep should be earthed up , and comforted a little ; especially , after breaking of the greater frosts , and when the swelling mould is apt to spue them forth ; but when they are about an inch above ground you may in a moist season , draw them up where they are too thick , and set them immediately in other lines , or beds prepar'd for them ; or you may plant them in double fosses , where they may abide for good and all , and to remain till they are of a competent stature to be transplanted ; where they should be set at such distances as their several kinds require ; but if you draw them only for the thinning of your seminary , prick them into some empty beds ( or a plantarium purposely design'd ) at one foot interval , leaving the rest at two or three . . when your seedlings have stood thus till june , bestow a slight digging upon them , and scatter a little mungy , half rotten litter , fearn , bean-hame , or old leaves among them , to preserve the roots from scorching , and to entertain the moisture ; and then in march following ( by which time it will be quite consum'd and very mellow ) you shall chop it all into the earth , and mingle it together : continue this process for two or three years successively ; for till then , the substance of the kernell will hardly be spent in the plant , which is of maine import ; but then ( and that the stature of your young impes invite ) you may plant them forth , carefully taking up their roots , and cutting the stem within an inch of the ground ( if the kind , of which hereafter , suffer the knife ) set them where they are to continue : if thus you reduce them to the distance of forty foot ; the intervals may be planted with ash , which may be fell'd either for poles , or timber without the least prejudice of the oak , some repeat the cutting we spake of the second year , and after march ( the moon decreasing ) re-cut them at half a foot from the surface ; and then meddle with them no more : but this ( if the process be not more severe than needs ) must be done with a very sharp instrument , and with care , least you violate , and unsettle the root ; which is likewise to be practis'd upon all those which you did not transplant , unless you find them very thriving trees ; and then it shall suffice to prune off the branches , and spare the tops ; for this does not only greatly establish your plants by diverting the sap to the roots ; but likewise frees them from the injury and concussions of the winds , and makes them to produce handsom , streight shoots , infinitely preferable to such as are abandon'd to nature , and accident , without this discipline : by this means the oak will become excellent timber , shooting into streight and single stems , : the chess-nut , ash , &c. multiply into poles , which you may reduce to standards at pleasure : to this i add , that as oft as you make your annual transplanting , out of the nursery , by drawing forth the choycest stocks , the remainder will be improved by a due stirring and turning of the mould about their roots . . theophrastus in his third book de causes c. . gives us great caution in planting to preserve the roots , and especially the earth , adhering to the smallest fibers , which should by no means be shaken off , as most of our gardners do to trim and quicken them as they pretend , which is to cut them shorter , &c. not at all considering , that those tender hairs are the very mouths and vehicles which suck in the nutriment , and transfuse into all the parts of the tree , and that these once perishing , the thicker and larger roots , hard and less spungie , signifie little but to establish the stem ; as i have frequently experimented in orange-trees , whose fibers are so very obnoxious to rot , if they take in the least excess of wet : and therefore cato advises us to take care that we bind the mould about them , or transfer the roots in baskets , to preserve it from forsaking them ; for this earth being already applied and fitted to the overtures and mouths of the fibers , it will require some time to bring them in appetite again to a new mould , by which to repair their loss , furnish their stock , and proceed in their wonted oeconomy without manifest danger and interruption : nor less ought our care to be in the making and dressing of the pits and fosses into which we design our transplantation , which should be prepar'd and left some time open to macerating rains , frosts and sun , that may resolve the compacted salt , render the earth friable , mix and qualifie it for aliment , and to be more easily drawn in and digested by the roots and analogus stomack of the trees : this to some degree may be artificially done , by burning of straw in the newly opened pits , and drenching the mould with water ; especially in over dry seasons , and by meliorating barren-ground with sweet , and comminuted letations . . the author of the natural history , pliny , tells us it was a vulgar tradition , in his time , that no tree , should be removed under two years old , or above three : cato would have none transplanted less than five fingers in diametre ; but i have shew'd why we are not to attend so long for such as we raise of seedlings : in the interim , if these directions appear too busie , or operose , or that the plantation you intend be very ample , a more compendious method will be the confused sowing of acorns , &c. in furrows , two foot asunder , covered at three fingers depth , and so for three years cleansed , and the first winter cover'd with fearn , without any farther culture , unless you transplant them ; but , as i shewed before , in nurseries they would be cut an inch from the ground , and then let stand till march the second year , when it shall be sufficient to disbranch them to one only shoot , whether you suffer them to stand , or remove them elsewhere . but to make an essay what seed is most agreeable to the soil , you may by the thriving of a promiscuous semination make a judgement of , what each soil bears , and what it does refuse . quid quaque ferat regio , & quid quaque recuset . transplanting those which you find least agreeing with the place ; or else , by copsing the starvlings in the places where they are new sown , cause them sometimes to overtake even their untouch'd contemporaries . . but here some may inquire what distances i would generally assign to transplanted trees ? to this somewhat is said in the ensuing periods , and as occasion offers ; though the promiscuous rising of them in forest-work , wild , and natural is to us i acknowledge more pleasing , than all the studied accuracy in ranging of them ; unless it be , where they conduct and lead us to avenues , and are planted for vistas ( as the italians term is ) in which case , the proportion of the breadth and length of the walks , &c. should govern , as well as the nature of the tree , with this only note ; that such trees as are rather apt to spread , than mount , as the oak , beech , wall-nutt , &c. be dispos'd at wider intervals , than the other , and such as grow best in consort , as the elm , ash , lime-tree , sycomore , firr , pine , &c. regard is likewise to be had to the quality of the soil , for this work : v.g. if trees that affect cold and moist grounds , be planted in hot and dry places , then set them at closer order ; but trees which love scorching and dry grounds at farther distance : the like rule may also guide in situations expos'd to impetuous winds and other accidents which may serve for general rules in this piece of tacties . . to leave nothing omitted which may contribute to the stability of our transplanted trees , something is to be premis'd concerning their staking , and securing from external injuries , especially from winds and cattel , against both which , such as are planted in copses , and for ample woods , are sufficiently defended by the mounds and their closer order ; especially , if they rise of seed : but where they are expos'd in single rows , as in walks and avenues , the most effectual course is to empale them with three good quarter stakes of competent length set in triangle and made fast to one another by short pieces above and beneath ; in which a few brambles being stuck , secure it abundantly without that choking or fretting , to which trees are obnoxious that are only single staked and bushed as the vulgar manner is ; nor is the charge of this so considerable , as the great advantage , accounting for the frequent reparations which the other will require . where cattel do not come , i find a good piece of rope , tyed fast about the neck of trees upon a wisp of straw to preserve it from galing ; and the other end tightly strein'd to a hook or peg in the ground ( as the shrouds in ships are fastned to the masts ) sufficiently stablishes my trees against the western blasts without more trouble ; for the winds of other quarters seldom infest us . but these cords had need be well pitch't to preserve them from wett , and so they will last many years : i cannot in the mean time conceal what a noble person has assur'd me , that in his goodly plantations of trees in scotland , where they are continually expos'd to much greater , and more impetuous winds than we are usually acquainted with ; he never stakes any of his trees ; but upon all disasters of this kind , causes only his servants to redress , and set them up again as oft as they happen to be overthrown ; which he has affirm'd to me , thrives better with them , than with those which he has staked ; and that at last they strike root so fast , as nothing but the axe is able to prostrate them ; and there is good reason for it in my opinion , whilst these concussions of the roots , loosning the mould , not only make room for their more easie insinuations , but likewise opens , and prepares it to receive , and impart the better nourishment : it is in another place i suggest that transplanted pines and firrs , for want of their penetrating tap roots , are hardly consistent against these gusts after they are grown high ; especially where they are set close , and in tufts , which betraies them to the greater disadvantage ; and therefore such trees do best in walks , and at competent distances , where they escape tolerably well : such therefore as we design for woods of them , should be sow'd , and never remov'd ; but of this hereafter . i now proceed to particulars . chap. iii. of the oak . . robur , the oak , i have sometimes consider'd it very seriously , what should move pliny to make a whole chapter of one only line , which is less then the argument alone of most of the rest in his huge volumn : but the weightiness of the matter does worthily excuse him , who is not wont to spare his words , or his reader . glandiferi maximè generis omnes , quibus honos apud romanos perpetuus . mast-bearing-trees were principally those which the romans held in chiefest repute , lib. . cap. . and in the following where he treats of chaplets , and the dignity of the civic coronet , it might be compos'd of the leaves or branches of any oak , provided it were a bearing tree , and had acorns upon it . it is for the esteem which these wise , and glorious people had of this tree above all others , that i will first begin with the oak . . the oak is of four kinds ; two of which are most common with us ; ( for we shall say little of the cerris , goodly to look on , but for little else ) the quercus urbana , which grows more up-right , and being clean , and lighter is fittest for timber : and the robur or quercus sylvestris , ( taking robur for the general name , at least , as contradistinct from the rest ) which is of an hard , black grain , bearing a smaller acorn , and affecting to spread in branches , and to put forth his roots more above ground ; and therefore in the planting , to be allow'd a greater distance ; viz. from twenty five , to forty foot ; ( nay sometimes as many yards ) whereas the other shooting up more erect will be contented with fifteen : this kind is farther to be distinguish'd by his fullness of leaves , which tarnish , and becoming yellow at the fall , do commonly clothe it all the winter , the roots growing very deep and stragling . the author of britannia baconica speaks of an oak , in lanhadron park in cornwall , which bears constantly leaves speckl'd with white ; and of another call'd the painted-oak , which i only mention here , that the variety may be compar'd by some ingenious person thereabouts , as well as the truth of the fatal prae-admonition of oaks bearing strange leaves . . it is in the mean time the propagation of this large spreading oak , which is especially recommended for the excellency of the timber , and that his majesties forests were well and plentifully stor'd with them ; because they require room , and space to amplifie and expand themselves , and would therefore be planted at more remote distances , and free from all encumbrances : and this upon consideration how slowly a full-grown oak mounts upwards , and how speedily they spread , and dilate themselves to all quarters , by dressing and due culture ; so as above forty years advance is to be gain'd by this only industry : and , if thus his majesties forests , and chases were stor'd ; viz. with this spreading tree at handsom intervals , by which grazing might be improv'd for the feeding of deer and cattel under them , ( for such was the old saltus ) benignly visited with the gleams of the sun , and adorn'd with the distant landskips appearing through the glades , and frequent vallies . — betwixt whose rows the azure skie is seen immix'd , with hillocks , vales , and fields , as now wee see distinguish'd in a sweet variety ; such places which wild apple-trees throughout adorn , and happy shrubs grow all about . caerula disting●ens inter plaga currere posset per tumulos , & convalles , camposque profusa : vt nunc esse vides vario distincta lepôre omnia , quae pomis intersita dulcibus ornant arbustisque tenent felicibus obsita circum . lucret. l. . as the poet describes his olive-groves . nothing could be more ravishing ; for so we might also sprinkle fruit-trees amongst them ( of which hereafter ) for sider , and many singular uses , and should find such goodly plantations the boast of our rangers , and forests infinitely preferrable to any thing we have yet beheld , rude , and neglected as they are : i say , when his majesty shall proceed ( as he hath design'd ) to animate this laudable pride into fashon , forests and woods ( as well as fields and inclosures ) will present us with another face than now they do . and here i cannot but applaud the worthy industry of old sir harbotle grimstone , who ( i am told ) from a very small nursery of acorns , which he sow'd in the neglected corners of his ground , did draw forth such numbers of oaks of competent growth ; as being planted about his fields in even , and uniform rows , about one hundred foot from the hedges ; bush'd , and well water'd till they had sufficiently fix'd themselves , did wonderfully improve both the beauty , and the value of his demeasnes . but i proceed . . both these kinds would be taken up very young , and transplanted about october ; some yet for these hardy , and late springing trees , defer it till the winter be well over ; but the earth had need be moyst ; and though they will grow tolerably in most grounds ; yet do they generally affect the sound , black , deep and fast mould , rather warm than over wet and cold , and a little rising ; for this produces the firmest timber ; though my l. bacon prefer that which grows in the moister grounds for ship timber , as the most tough , and less subject to rift : but let us hear pliny . this is a general rule , saith he ; what trees soever they be which grow tolerably either on hills , or vallies , arise to greater stature , and spread more amply in the lower ground : but the timber is far better , and of a finer grain , which grows upon the mountains ; excepting only apple , and pear trees . and in the cap. lib. . the timber of those trees which grow in moist and shady places is not so good as that which comes from a more expos'd situation , nor is it so close , substantial and durable ; upon which he much prefers the timber growing in tuscany , before that towards the venetian side , and upper part of the gulph : and that timber so growing was in greatest esteem long before pliny , we have the spear of agamemnon — 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : from a tree so expos'd ; and dydimus gives the reason . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( says he ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. for that being continually weather-beaten they become hardier and tougher . the result of all is , that upon occasion of special timber , there is a very great and considerable difference ; so as some oaken timber proves manifestly weaker , more spungie , and sooner decaying than other : the like may be affirm'd of ash , and other kinds ; and generally speaking , the close-grain'd is the stoutest , and most permanent : but of this let the industrious consult that whole tenth chapter in the second book of vitruvius , where he expresly treats of this argument , de abiete supernate & infernate , cum apennini descriptione : where we note concerning oak , that it neither prospers in very hot , nor excessive cold countries ; and therefore there is little good of it to be found in africa , or indeed , the lower , and most southern parts of italy ( for the venetians have excellent timber ) nor in denmark or norway comparable to ours ; it chiefly affecting a temperate climate , and where they grow naturally in abundance , 't is a promising marke of it ; if i were to make choice of the place , or the tree , it should be such as grows in the best cow-pasture , or , up-land meadow , where the mould is rich and sweet ( suffolk affords an admirable instance ) and in such places you may also transplant large trees with extraordinary success ; and therefore it were not amiss to bore , and search the ground where you intend to plant or sow before you fall to work ; since earth too shallow or rockie is not so proper for this timber ; the roots fix not kindly , and though for a time they may seem to flourish , yet they will dwindle . . but to discourage none , oaks prosper exceedingly even in gravel , and moist clays , which most other trees abhor ; yea , even the coldest clay grounds that will hardly graze : but these trees will frequently make stands , as they encounter variety of footing ; and sometimes proceed again vigorously , as they either penetrate beyond , or out-grow their obstructions , and meet better earth , ; which is of that consequence , that i dare boldly affirm , more than an hundred years advance is clearly gain'd by soil and husbandry . i have yet read , that there grow oaks ( some of which have contain'd ten loads apiece ) out of the very walls of silcester in hantshire , which seem to strike root in the very stones ; and even in our renouned forest of dean it self , some goodly oaks have been noted to grow upon ground , which has been as it were a rock of antient cinders , buried there many ages since . it is indeed observ'd , that oaks which grow in rough stony grounds , and obstinate clays , are long before they come to any considerable stature ; for such places , and all sort of clay , is held but a step-mother to trees ; but in time they afford the most excellent timber , having stood long , and got good rooting : the same may we affirm of the lightest sands , which produces a smoother-grain'd timber , of all other the most useful for the joyner ; but that which grows in gravell is subject to be frow ( as they term it ) and brittle . what improvement the stirring of the ground about the roots of oaks is to the trees i have already hinted ; and yet in copses where they stand warm , and so thickn'd with the under wood , as this culture cannot be practis'd , they prove in time to be goodly trees . i have of late tried the graffing of oaks , but as yet with slender successe ; ruellius indeed affirms it will take the pears and other fruit , and if we may credit the poet , the sturdy oak do's golden apples bear . — aurea durae mala feraut quercus . ecl. . and under elmes swine do the mast devour . glandemque sues fregere sub vlmo . geor. which i conceive to be the more probable , for that the sap of the oak is of an unkind tincture to most trees . but for this improvement , i would rather advise inoculation , as the ordinary elm upon the witch-hasel , for those large leaves we shall anon mention , and which are so familiar in france . . that the transplanting of young oaks gains them ten years advance some happy persons have affirmed : from this belief , if in a former impression i have desir'd to be excused , and produc't my reasons for it , i shall not persist against any sober mans experience ; and therefore leave this article to their choice ; since ( as the butchers phrase is ) change of pasture makes fat calves ; and so transplantations of these hard wood-trees , when young , may possibly , by an happy hand , in fit season , and other circumstances of soil , sun , and room for growth , be an improvement : but as for those who advise us to plant oaks of too great a stature , they hardly make any considerable progresse in an age , and therefore i cannot encourage it unlesse the ground be extraordinarily qualified : yet if any be desirous to make trial of it let their stems be of the smoothest , and tenderest bark ; for that is ever an indication of youth , as well as the paucity of their circles , which in disbranching , and cutting the head off , at five or six foot height ( a thing , by the way , which the french usually spare when they transplant this tree ) may ( before you stir their roots ) serve for the more certain guide ; and then plant them immediately , with as much earth as will adhere to them , in the place destin'd for their station ; abating only the tap roots , which is that down right , and stubby part of the roots ( which all trees rais'd of seeds do universally produce ) and quickning some of the rest with a sharp knife ( but sparing the fibrous , which are the main suckers and mouths of all trees ) spread them in the foss , or pit which hath been prepar'd to receive them . i say in the foss , unlesse you will rather trench the whole field , which is incomparably the best ; and infinitely to be preferr'd before narrow pits and holes ( as the manner is ) in case you plant any number considerable , the earth being hereby made loose , easier and penetrable for the roots , about which you are to cast that mould which ( in opening of the trench ) you took from the surface , and purposely laid apart ; because it is sweet , mellow , and better impregnated : but in this work , be circumspect never to inter your stem deeper than you found it standing ; for profound buryings very frequently destroys a tree ; though an errour seldom observed : if therefore the roots be sufficiently cover'd to keep the body steady and erect , it is enough ; and the not minding of this trifling circumstance does very much deceive our ordinary wood-men : for most roots covet the air ( though that of the quercus urbana least of any , for like the aesculus how much to heaven her towring head ascends , so much towards hell her piercing root extends . — quòd quantum vertice ad auras ( aethereas , tantum radicem tartara tendit ) geo. . and the perfection of that does almost as much concern the prosperity of a tree , as of man himself ; since homo is but arbor inversa ; which prompts me to this curious , but important advertisement ; that the position be likewise sedulously observed . . for , the southern parts being more dilated , and the pores expos'd ( as evidently appears in their horizontal sections ) by the constant excentricity of their hyperbolical circles , being now on the sudden , and at such a season converted to the north , does sterve , and destroy more trees ( how carefull soever men have been in ordering the roots , and preparing the ground ) than any other accident whatsoever ( neglect of staking , and defending from cattle excepted ) the importance whereof caused the best of poets , and most experienc'd in this argument , giving advice concerning this article , to add . the card'nal poynts upon the bark they signe , and as before it stood , in the same line place to warm south , or the obverted polo ; such force has custome , in each tender soule . quinetiam coeli regionem in cortice signant , vt quo quaeque modo steterit , quâ parte calores austrinos tulerit , quae terga obverterit axi ; restituant : adeo in teneris consuescero multum est . geor. li. . which monition , though pliny , and some others think good to neglect , or esteem indifferent , i can confirm from frequent losses of my own , and by particular trials ; having sometimes transplanted great trees at mid-somer with successe ( the earth adhearing to the roots ) and miscarried in others where this circumstance only was omitted . to observe therefore the coast , and side of the stock ( especially of fruit-trees ) is not such a trifle as by some pretended : for if the air be as much the mother or nurse , as water and earth , ( as more than probable it is ) such blossoming plants as court the motion of the meridian sun , do as 't were evidently point out the advantage they receive by their position by the clearnesse , politure , and comparative splendor of the south side : and the frequent mossinesse of most trees on the opposite side , does sufficiently note the unkindnesse of that aspect ; and which is most evident in the bark of oaks white and smooth ; the trees growing more kindly on the south side of an hill , than those which are expos'd to the north , with an hard , dark , rougher , and more mossie integument , as i can now demonstrate in a prodigious coat of it , investing some pyracanths which i have removed to a northern dripping shade . i have seen ( writes a worthy friend to me on this occasion ) whole hedge-rows of apples and pears that quite perished after that shelter was removed : the good husbands expected the contrary , and that the fruit should improve , as freed from the predations of the hedge ; but use and custom made that shelter necessary ; and therefore ( saith he ) a stock for a time is the weaker , taken out of a thicket , if it be not well protected from all sudden and fierce invasions either of crude air or winds : nor let any be deterr'd , if being to remove many trees , he shall esteem it too consumptive of time ; for with a brush dipped in any white colour , or oaker , a thousand may be marked as they stand , in a moment ; and that once done , the difficulty is over . i have been the larger upon these two remarks , because i find them so material , and yet so much neglected . . there are other rules concerning the situation of trees ; the former authour commending the north-east-wind both for the flourishing of the tree , and advantage of the timber ; but to my observation in our climates , where those sharp winds do rather flanker than blow fully opposite upon our plantations , they thrive best ; and there are as well other circumstances to be considered , as they respect rivers and marshes obnoxious to unwholsom and poysonous fogs ; hills , and seas , which expose them to the weather ; and those sylvifragi venti , our cruel , and tedious western-winds ; all which i leave to observation , because these accidents do so universally govern , that it is not easie to determine farther than that the timber is commonly better qualified which hath endur'd the colder aspects without these prejudices : and hence it is , that seneca observes wood most expos'd to the winds to be the most strong and solid , and that therefore chiron made achilles's spear of a mountain-tree ; and of those the best which grow thin , not much shelter'd from the north. again , theophrastus seems to have special regard to places ; exemplifying in many of greece , which exceeded others for good timber , as doubtlesse do our oaks in the forest of dean all others of england : and much certainly there may reasonably be attributed to these advantages for the growth of timber , and of almost all other trees , as we daily see by their general improsperity where the ground is a hot gravel , and a loose earth : an oak or elme in such a place shall not in an hundred years overtake one of fifty planted in its proper soil ; though next to this and ( haply ) before it , i prefer the good air : but thus have they such vast junipers in spain ; and the ashes in some parts of the levant ( as of old n●er troy ) so excellent , as it was after mistaken for cedar , so great was the difference ; as now the cantabrian or spanish exceeds any we have else where in europe . and we shall sometimes in our own country see woods within a little of each other , and to all appearance , growing on the same soil , that oaks of twenty years growth , or forty , will in the same bulke of timber , contain their double in heart and timber ; and that in one the heart will not be so big as a mans arm , when the trunke exceeds a mans body : this ought therefore to be weighed in the first plantation of copses , and a good eye may discern it in the first shoot ; the difference proceeding doubtlesse from the variety of the seed , and therefore great care should be had of its goodness , and that it be gather'd from the best sort of trees , as was formerly hinted , c. . . veterem arborem transplantare was say'd of a difficult enterprise ; yet before we take leave of this paragraph , concerning the transplanting of great trees , and to shew what is possible to be effected in this kind , with cost , and industry ; count maurice ( the late governour of brasil for the hollanders ) planted a grove neer his delicious paradise of friburge , containing six hundred coco-trees of eighty years growth , and fifty foot high to the neerest bough : these he wafted upon floats , and engines , four long miles , and planted them so luckily , that they bare abundantly the very first year ; as gasper barlaeus hath related in his elegant description of that princes expedition : nor hath this only succeeded in the indies alone ; monsieur de fiat ( one of the marshals of france ) hath with huge oaks done the like at de fiat : shall i yet bring you neerer home ? a great person in devon , planted oaks as big as twelve oxen could draw , to supply some defect in an avenue to one of his houses ; as the right honourable the lord fits-harding , late treasurer of his majesties houshold , assur'd me ; who had himself likewise practis'd the removing of great oaks by a particular address extreamly ingenious , and worthy the communication . . chuse a tree as big as your thigh , remove the earth from about him ; cut through all the collateral roots , till with a competent strength you can enforce him down upon one side , so as to come with your ax at the tap-root ; cut that off , redress your tree , and so let it stand cover'd about with the mould you loosen'd from it , till the next year , or longer if you think good ; then take it up at a fit season ; it will likely have drawn new tender roots apt to take , and sufficient for the tree , wheresoever you shall transplant him : pliny notes it as a common thing , to re-establish huge trees which have been blown down , part of their roots torn up , and the body prostrate ; and , in particular , of a firr , that when it was to be transplanted had a tap-root which went no less than eight cubits perpendicular ; and to these i could superadd , but i proceed . to facilitate the removal of such monstrous trees , for the adornment of some particular place , or the rarity of the plant , there is this expedient . a little before the hardest frosts surprize you , make a square trench about your tree , at such distance from the stem as you judge sufficient for the root ; dig this of competent depth , so as almost quite to undermine it ; by placing blocks , and quarters of wood , to sustain the earth ; this done , cast in as much water as may fill the trench , or at least sufficiently wet it , unless the ground were very moist before . thus let it stand , till some very hard frost do bind it firmly to the roots , and then convey it to the pit prepar'd for its new station ; but in case the mould about it be so ponderous as not to be remov'd by an ordinary force ; you may then raise it with a crane or pully hanging between a triangle , which is made of three strong and tall limbs united at the top , where a pully is fastned , as the cables are to be under the quarters which bear the earth about the roots : for by this means you may weigh up , and place the whole weighty clod upon a trundle to be convey'd , and replanted where you please , being let down prependicularly into the place by the help of the foresaid engine . and by this addresse you may transplant trees of a wonderfull stature , without the least disorder ; and many times without topping , or diminution of the head , which is of great importance where this is practis'd to supply a defect , or remove a curiosity . . some advise , that in planting of oaks , &c. four , or five , be suffer'd to stand very neer to one another , and then to leave the most prosperous , when they find the rest to disturb his growth ; but i conceive it were better to plant them at such distances , as they may least incommode one another : for timber-trees , i would have none neerer then forty foot where they stand closest ; especially of the spreading kind . . lastly , trees of ordinary stature transplanted ( being first well water'd ) must be sufficiently staked , and bush'd about with thorns , or with some thing better , to protect them from the concussions of the winds , and from the casual rubbing , and poysonous brutting of cattle and sheep , the oylinesse of whose wooll is also very noxious to them ; till being well grown , and fixed ( which by seven years will be to some competent degree ) they shall be able to withstand all accidental invasions , but the axe ; for i am now come to their pruning and cutting , in which work the seasons are of main importance . . therefore , if you would propagate trees for timber , cut not off their heads at all , nor be too busie with lopping : but if you desire shade , and fuel , or bearing of mast alone , lop off their tops , sear , and unthriving branches only ; if you intend an out-right felling , expect till november ; for this praemature cutting down of trees before the sap is perfectly at rest will be to your exceeding prejudice , by reason of the worm , which will certainly breed in the timber which is felled before that period : but in case you cut only for the chimney , you need not be so punctual as to the time ; yet for the benefit of what you let stand observe the moons increase . the reason of these differences , is ; because this is the best reason for the growth of the tree which you do not fell , the other for the durablenesse of the timber which you do : now that which is to be burnt is not so material for lasting , as the growth of the tree is considerable for the timber : but of these particulars more at large in cap. . . the very stumps of oak , especially that part which is dry , and above ground being well grubb'd , is many times worth the pains and charge , for sundry rare , and hard works ; and where timber is dear . i could name some who abandoning this to workmen for their pains only , when they perceiv'd the great advantage , repented of their bargain , and undertaking it themselves , were gainers above half : i wish only for the expedition of this knotty work , some effectual engine were devised ; such as i have been told a worthy person of this nation made use of , by which he was able with one man to perform more than with twelve oxen ; and surely , there might be much done by fastning of iron hooks and fangs about one root to extract another ; the hoock chayn'd to some portable screw or winch : i say such an invention might effect wonders not only for the extirpation of roots , but the prostrating of huge trees : that small engine , which by some is cal'd the german-devil , reform'd , after this manner , and duely applied , might be very expedient for this purpose , and therefore we have exhibited the following figure and submit it to improvement . a the hand that keeps the rope , b close upon the cylinder c which is moved by a pinnion of three or four teeth : d which moves a larger iron wheel f. e the handle put upon the spindle of the pinnion , to turne it withall . the whole frame is let into a bigger piece of wood , viz. h being about four foot in length , and one in breadth , and the other end of the roller or cylinder , is sustein'd by a lesser block of wood ( i ) g the plate which holds the wheel and pinnion in the larger block . note , that the cylinder may be made of good tough iron , about four inches in diameter , and fourteen or sixteen inches in length , and the tooth'd wheel f of the like stuff , and of a thicknesse proportionable . but this is to be practis'd only where you design a final extirpation ; for some have drawn suckers even from an old stub root ; but they certainly perish by the moss which invades them , and are very subject to grow rotten . pliny speaks of one root which took up an intire acre of ground , and theophrastus describes the lycean platanus to have spread an hundred foot ; if so , the argument may hold good for their growth after the tree is come to its period . they made cups of the roots of oak heretofore , and such a curiosity athenaeus tells us was carv'd by thericleus himself ; and there is a way so to tinge oak after long burying and soaking in water , which gives it a wonderfull politure , as that it has frequently been taken for a course ebony . . there is not in nature a thing more obnoxious to deceit , then the buying of trees standing , upon the reputation of their appearance to the eye , unlesse the chapman be extraordinarily judicious ; so various are their hidden , and conceal'd infirmities , till they be fell'd , and sawn out : so as if to any thing applicable , certainly there is nothing which does more perfectly confirm it then the most flourishing out-side of trees , fonti nulla fides . a timber-tree is a merchant adventurer , you shall never know what he is worth , till he be dead . . oaks are in some places ( where the soil is specially qualified ) ready to be cut for cops in fourteen years and sooner ; i compute from the first semination ; though it be told as an instance of high encouragement ( and as indeed it merits ) that a lady in northamptonshire sowed acorns , and liv'd to cut the trees produc'd from them , twice in two and twenty years ; and both as well grown as most are in sixteen or eighteen . this yet is certain , that acorns set in hedg-rows have in thirty years born a stem of a foot diametre . generally , copps-wood should be cut close , and at such intervals as the growth requires ; which being seldom constant , depends much on the places , and the kinds , the mould and the air , and for which there are extant particular statutes to direct us , of all which more at large hereafter . oak for tan-bark may be fell'd from april to the last of june , by a statute in the jacobi . . to enumerate now the incomparable vses of this wood , were needlesse : but so precious was the esteem of it , that of old there was an express law amongst the twelve tables concerning the very gathering of the acorns , though they should be found fall●n into another mans ground : the land and the sea do sufficiently speak for the improvement of this excellent material ; houses , and ships , cities , and navies are built with it ; and there is a kind of it so tough , and extreamly compact , that our sharpest tools will hardly enter it , and scarcely the very fire it self , in which it consumes but slowly , as seeming to partake of a ferruginous , and mettallin shining nature , proper for sundry robust uses ; it is doubtlesse of all timber hitherto known , the most universally usefull and strong ; for though some trees be harder , as box , cornus , ebony , and divers of the indian woods ; yet we find them more fragil , and not so well qualified to support great incumbencies and weights , nor is there any timber more lasting which way soever us'd : there has ( we know ) been no little stir amongst learned men of what material the cross was made , on which our blessed saviour suffer'd : the contentions about it are very great : but , besides lipsius , angelus rocca , alphonsus ciaconus , and divers others , writing on this subject , and upon accurate examination of the many fragments pretended to be parcells of it ; 't is generally concluded to have been the oak , and i do verily believe it ; since those who have described those countries , assure us there is no tree more frequent , which with relation to severall celebrations and mysteries under oaks in the old testament , has been the subject of many fine discourses . that which is twin'd , and a little wreathed ( easily to be discern'd by the texture of the bark ) is best to support burthens , for posts , columns , summers , &c. for all which our english oak is infinitely preferrable to the french , which is nothing so usefull , nor comparably so strong ; insomuch as i have frequently admir'd at the sudden failing of most goodly timber to the eye , which being imploy'd to these vses does many times most dangerously flie in sunder , as wanting that native spring , and toughness , which our english oak is indu'd withall . and here we forget not the stresse which sir h. wotton and other architects put even in the very position of their growth , their native streightnesse and loftinesse , for columns , supporters , cross-beams , &c. and 't is found that the rough grain'd body of a stubbed oak , is the fittest timber for the case of a sider-mill , and such like engines , as best enduring the unquietnesse of a ponderous rolling-stone . for shingles , pales , lathes , coopers ware , clap-board for wainscot , and some pannells , are curiously vein'd , of much esteem in former times , till the finer grain'd norway timber came amongst us , which is likewise of a whiter colour : it is observ'd that oak will not easily glue to other wood ; no not very well with its own kind ; and some sorts will never cohere tolerably , as the box and horn-beam , though both hard woods ; so nor service with cornell , &c. oak is excellent for wheel-spokes , pinns and peggs for tyling , &c. mr. blith makes sparrs and small building - timber of oaks of eleven years growth , which is a prodigious advance , &c. the smallest and streightest is best ; discover'd by the upright tenor of the bark , as being the most proper for cleaving : the knottiest for water-works , piles and the like ; because 't will drive best , and last longest , the crooked , yet firm , for knee-timber in shipping , mill-wheels , &c. were planting of these woods more in use , we should banish our hoops of hasel , &c. for those of good coppet oak , which being made of the younger shoots , are exceeding tough and strong : one of them being of ground-oak will out-last six of the best ash ; but this our coopers love not to hear of , who work by the great for sale , and for others . the smaller trunchions , and spray , make billet , bavine and coals ; and the bark is of price with the tanner and dyer , to whom the very saw-dust is of use , as are the ashes and lee to cure the roapishness of wine : and 't is probable the cups of our acorns would tan leather as well as the bark . the ground-oak while young is us'd for poles , cudgels and walking-staffs , much come into mode of late , but to the wast of many a hopefull plant which might have prov'd good timber ; and i the rather declaime against the custom , because i suspect they are such as are for the most part cut and stolen by idle persons , and brought up to london in great bundles , without the knowledg or leave of the owners , who would never have glean'd their copses for such trifling uses : here i am again to give a general notice of the peculiar excellency of the roots of most trees , for fair , beautifull , chamleted , and lasting timber , applicable to many purposes ; such as formerly made hafts for daggers , hangers , knives , handles for staves , tobacco-boxes , and elegant joyners-work , and even for some mathematical instruments of the larger size , to be had either in , or neer the roots of many trees ; however 't is a kindnesse to premonish stewards and surveyors , that they do not negligently wast those materials : nor may we here omit to mention the galls , missletoe , polypod , agaric ( us'd in antidots ) vuae , fungus's to make tinder , and many other usefull excrescencies , to the number of above twenty , which doubtlesse discovers the variety of transudations , percolations and contextures of this admirable tree . pliny affirms that the galls break out altogether in one night about the beginning of june , and arrive to their full growth in one day ; this i recommend to the experience of some extraordinary vigilant wood-man . galls are of several kinds , but grow upon a different species of robur from any of ours , which never arive to any maturity ; the white and imperforated are the best . what benefit the mast does universally yield for the fatting of hogs and deer i shall shew upon another occasion , before the conclusion of this discourse . a peck of acorns a day , with a little bran , will make an hog ( 't is said ) increase a pound-weight per diem for two moneths together . they give them also to oxen mingled with bran , chop'd or broken ; otherwise they are apt to sprout and grow in their bellies . others say , they should first be macerated in water , to extract their malignity ; cattel many times perishing without this preparation . cato advises the husband-man to reserve ● bushels of acorns for his oxen , mingled with a like quantity of beans and lupines , and to drench them well . but in truth they are more proper for swine , and being so made small will fatten pigeons , peacocks , turkies , pheasants , and poultry : nay 't is reported , that some fishes feed on them , especially the tunny , in such places of the coast where trees hang over arms of the sea. acorns were heretofore the food of men , nay of jupiter himself , ( as well as other productions of the earth ) till their luxurious palats were debauched : and even in the romans time , the custom was in spain to make a second service of acorns and mast , ( as the french now do of marrons and chesnuts ) which they likewise used to rost under the embers . — fed with the oaken mast the aged trees themselves in years surpass'd . — et quernâ glande repasta aequâsse annosas vivendo corpora quercus . and men had indeed hearts of oak ; i mean , not so hard , but health , and strength , and liv'd naturally , and with things easily parable and plain . blest age o' th' world , just nymph , when man did dwell under thy shade , whence his provision fell ; sallads the meal : wildings were the dissert , no tree yet learn'd by ill-exampled art with in●ititious fruit to symbolize , as in an emblem , our adulteries . foelix illa aetas mundi justissima nymphe , cùm dabat umbra domum vivam tua , cùm domus ipsa deciduâ dominos pascebat fruge quietos , soláque praebebaut sylvestria poma secundas gramineis epulas mensis ; nondum arte magistrâ arbor adulteriis praeluserat iusita nostris , &c. couleii pl. l. . as the sweet poet bespeaks the dryad ; but 't is in another place where i shew you what this acorn was ; and even now i am told , that those small young acorns which we find in the stock-doves craws , are a delicious fare , as well as those incomparable salads of young herbs taken out of the maws of partridges at a certain season of the year , which gives them a preparation far exceeding all the art of cookery . oaks bear also a knur , full of a cottony matter , of which they anciently made wick for their lamps and candles ; and among the selectiora remedia of jo. praevotius there is mention of an oil è querna glande chymically extracted , which he affirms to be of the longest continuance , and least consumptive of any other whatsoever , for such lights , ita ut uncia singulis mensibus vix absumatur continuo igne . the leaves of oaks abundantly congested on snow , preserves it as well for wine , as a deep pit , or the most artificial refrigeratory . varro affirms , they made salt of oak ashes , with which they sometimes seasoned meat , but more frequently made use of it to sprinkle among and fertilize their seed-corn : which minds me of a certain oak found buried somewhere in transilvania , near the salt-pits , that was intirely converted into an hard salt , when they came to examine it by cutting . this experiment ( if true ) may possibly encourage some other attempts for the multiplying of salt. of the galls is made the ground and basis of inks and several dies , especially sadder colours , and are a great revenue to those who have quantities of them . the very mosse of the oak , viz. that which is white , composes the choicest cypresse-powder , which is esteemed good for the head : but impostors familiarly vend other mosses under that name , as they do the fungi for the true agaric , to the great scandal of physick . young red oaken leaves decocted in wine , make an excellent gargle for a sore mouth : and almost every part of this tree is soveraign against fluxes in general . the dew that impearls the leaves in may , insolated , meteorizes and sends up a liquor , which is of admirable effect in ruptures : and a water distill'd from the acorns are good against the phthisick , stitch in the side , and heals inward vlcers , breaks the stone , and refrigerates inflammations , being applied with linnen dip'd therein : nay , the acorns themselves eaten fasting kill the worms , provoke urine , and ( some affirm ) break even the stone it self . the coals of oak beaten and mingled with honey , cures the carbuncle ; to say nothing of the viscous's , polypods , and other exerescences , of which innumerable remedies are composed , noble antidotes , syrups , &c. nay , 't is reported , that the very shade of this tree is so wholesom , that the sleeping or lying under it becomes a present remedy to paralyticks , and recovers those whom the mistaken malign influence of the walnut-tree has smitten . to conclude , and upon serious meditation of the various uses of this and other trees , we cannot but take notice of the admirable mechanism of vegetables in general ; as in particular in this species ; that by the diversity of percolations and strainers , and by mixtures as it were of divine chymistry , various concoctions , &c. the sap should be so green on the indented leaves , so lustily esculent for our hardier and rustick constitutions in the fruit ; so flat and palid in the atramental galls ; and haply so prognostick in the apple ; so suberous in the bark ( for even the cork tree is but a courser oak ) so oozie in the tanners pit ; and in that subduction so wonderfully specifick in corroborating the entrails , and bladder , reins , loins , back , &c. which are all but the gifts and qualities , with many more , that these robust sons of the earth afford us ; and that in other specific's , even the most despicable and vulgar elder imparts to us in its rind , leaves , buds , blossoms , berries , ears , pith , bark , &c. which hint may also carry our remarks upon all the varieties of shape , leaf , seed , fruit , timber , grain , colour , and all those other forms that philosophers have enumerated ; but which were here too injurious for us to repeat . let us end with the poet : when ships for bloudy combat we prepare , oak affords plank , and arms our men of war ; maintains our fires , makes plows to till the ground , for use no timber like the oak is found . si quando armandae naves , & bella paranda , det quercus nautis tabulata , det arma furorè bellantum ; det ligna foco , det aratra colono , aut aliis alios porro sumatur in usus . rapinus . chap. iv. of the elm. . ulmus the elm , there are four , or five sorts , and from the difference of the soil and air divers spurious : two of these kinds are most worthy our culture , the vulgar , viz. the mountain elm , which is taken to be the oriptelea of theophrastus ; being of a lesse jagged and smaller leaf ; and the vernacula or french elm , whose leaves are thicker , and more florid , glabrous and smooth , delighting in the lower and moister grounds , where they will sometimes rise to above an hundred foot in height ; and a prodigious growth , in lesse than an age ; my self having seen one planted by the hand of a countesse yet living , which is neer twelve foot in compass , and of an height proportionable ; notwithstanding the numerous progeny which grows under the shade of it , some whereof are at least a foot in diameter , that for want of being seasonably transplanted , must needs have hindered the procerity of their ample and indulgent mother : i am persuaded some of these are viviradices & traduces produc't of the falling seeds . . for though both these sorts are rais'd of appendices or suckers ( as anon we shall describe ) yet this latter comes well from the samera or seeds , and therefore i suppose it to be the antient attinea , for such an elm they acknowledge to be rais'd of seeds , which being ripe about the beginning of march ( though frequently not till the following month ) will produce them ; as we see abundantly in the gardens of the thuylleries , and that of luxembourg , at paris , where they usually sow themselves and come up very thick ; and so do they in many places of our countrey , though so seldom taken notice of , as that it is esteemed a fable , by the lesse observant and ignorant vulgar ; let it be tryed in season , by turning and raking some fine earth , often refreshed under some amply spreading tree , or to raise them of their seeds ( being well dryed a day or two before ) sprinkled in beds prepar'd of good earth , and siefting some of the finest mould thinly over them , and watering them when need requires . being risen an inch above ground ( refreshed and preserved from the scraping of birds and poultry ) comfort the tender seedlings by a second siefting of more sine earth , to establish them ; thus keep them clean weeded for the first two years ; or till being of fitting stature to remove , you may thin , and transplant them in the same manner as you were directed for young oaks ; only they shall n●t need above one cutting , where they grow lesse regular and hopeful . but because this is an experiment of some curiosity , obnoxious to many casualties , and that the producing them from the mother-roots of greater trees is very facile and expeditious ( besides the numbers which are to be found in the hedge-rows , and woods , of all plantable sizes ) i rather advise our forester to furnish himself from those places . . the suckers which i speak of are produced in abundance from the roots , whence , being dextrously separated , after the earth has been well loosned , and planted about the end of october , they will grow very well : nay , the stubs onely , which are left in the ground after a felling ( being fenced in as far as the roots extend ) will furnish you with plenty , which may be transplanted from the first year or two , successively , by slipping them from the roots , which will continually supply you for many years after that the body of the mother-tree has been cut down : and from hence probably is sprung that ( i fear ) mistake of salmasius and others , where they write of the growing of their chips ( i suppose having some of the bark on ) scattered in hewing of their timber ; the errour proceeding from this , that after an elm-tree has been fell'd , the numerous suckers which shoot from the remainders of the latent roots , seem to be produced from this dispersion of the chips : let this yet be more accurately examined ; for i pronounce nothing magisterially , since it is so confidently reported . . i have known stakes sharpned at the ends for other purposes , take root familiarly in moist grounds , and become trees ; and divers have essay'd with extraordinary success the trunchions of the boughs and arms of elms cut to the scantling of a mans arm , about an ell in length . these must be chopp'd on each side opposite , and laid into trenches about half a foot deep , covered about two or three fingers deep with good mould . the season for this work is towards the exit of january , or early in february if the frosts impede not , and after the first year , you may cut or saw the trunchions off in as many places as you find cause , and as the shoots and rooted sprouts will direct you for transplantation . another expedient for the propagation of elms is this ; let trenches be sunk at a good distance ( viz. twenty or thirty yards ) from such trees as stand in hedge-rows , and in such order as you desire your elms should grow ; where these gutters are , many young elms will spring from the small roots of the adjoyning trees , divide ( after one year ) the shoots from their mother-roots , which you may dextrously do with a sharp spade : these transplanted , will prove good trees without any damage to their progenitors . or do thus , lop a young elm , the lop being about three years growth , do it in the latter end of march , when the sap begins to creep up into the boughs , and the buds ready to break out ; cut the boughs into lengths of four foot slanting , leaving the knot where the bud seems to put forth in the middle : interr these short pieces in trenches of three or four inches deep , and in good mou●d well trodden , and they will infallibly produce you a crop , for even the smallest suckers of elms will grow being set when the sap is newly stirring in them : there is yet a fourth way no lesse expeditious , and frequently confirmed with excellent successe : bare some of the master-roots of a vigorous tree within a foot of the trunk , or thereabouts , and with your ax make several chops , putting a small stone into every clest , to hinder their closure , and give accesse to the wet ; then cover them with three , or four inch thick of earth ; and thus they will send forth suckers in abundance ( i assure you one single elm thus well ordered , is a fair nursery ) which after two or three years , you may separate , and plant in the vlmarium , or place designed for them ; and which if it be in plumps ( as they call them ) within ten or twelve foot of each other , or in hedge-rows , it will be the better : for the elm is a tree of consort , sociable , and so affecting to grow in company , that the very best which i have ever seen do almost touch one another : this also protects them from the winds , and causes them to shoot of an extraordinary height ; so as in little more than forty years , they even arrive to a load of timber ; provided they be sedulously and carefully cultivated , and the soil propitious . for an elm does not thrive so well in the forest , as where it may enjoy scope for the roots to dilate and spread at the sides , as in hedge-rows and avenues , where they have the air likewise free . . there is besides these sorts we have named , one of a more scabrous harsh leaf , but very large , which becomes an huge tree , and is distinguished by the name of the witch-hazel in our statute books , as serving formerly to make long bowes of ; but the timber is not so good as the first more vulgar ; but the bark at time of year , will serve to make a course bast-rope with . . of all the trees which grow in our woods , there is none which does better suffer the transplantation then the elm ; for you may remove a tree of twenty years growth with undoubted successe : it is an experiment i have made in a tree almost as big more as my waste ; but then you must totally disbranch him , leaving onely the summit intire ; and being careful to take him up with as much earth as you can , refresh him with abundance of water . this is an excellent , and expeditious way for great persons to plant the accesses of their houses with ; for being disposed at sixteen , or eighteen foot interval , they will in a few years bear goodly heads , and thrive to admiration . some that are very cautious , emplaster the wounded head of such over-grown elms with a mixture of clay and horse-dung , bound about them with a wisp of hay or fine moss , and i do not reprove it , provided they take care to temper it well , so as the vermine nestle not in it . but for more ordinary plantations , younger trees , which have their bark smooth and tender , about the scantling of your leg , and their heads trimm'd at five or six foot height , are to be preferr'd before all other . cato would have none of these sorts of trees to be removed till they are five or six fingers in diameter ; others think they cannot take them too young ; but experience ( the best mistriss ) tells us , that you can hardly plant an elm too big . there are who pare away the root within two fingers of the stem , and quite cut off the head ; but i cannot commend this extream severity , no more than i do the strewing of oats in the pit ; which fermenting with the moisture , and frequent watering● , is believed much to accelerate the putting forth of the roots ; not considering , that for want of air they corrupt , and grow musty , which more frequently suffocates the roots , and endangers the whole tree . . i have affirmed how patient this tree is of transplantation ; not onely for that i observe so few of them to grow wild in england , and where it may not be suspected ; but they , or their predecessors have been planted by some industrious hand ; but for that those incomparable walkes and vistas of them both at aranivez , casa del campo , madrid , the escurial , and other places of delight belonging to the king and grandees of spain , are planted with such as they report philip the second caused to be brought out of england ; before which ( as that most honourable person the earl of sandwich now his majesties ambassador extraordinary , at that court writes to me ) it does not appear there were any of those trees in all spain . in that princely seat it is , that double rowes of them are planted in many places for a league together in length , and some of them fourty yards high , which are kept stript up to the very top branch , which must needs render a most glorious , and agreeable effect ; no tree whatsoever , becoming long walks and avenues , comparably to this majestick plant : but hear it as sweetly advised as described ; an elm for graceful verdure , bushy bough , a lofty top , and a firm rind allow . plant elm in borders , on the grasse-plots list , branches of elm into thick arbours twist ; a gallery of elm draw to the end that eyes can reach , or a breath'd race extend . vt viror est ulmo laetus , ramique comantes , arduus , alta petens & levi cortice truncus . vlmum adhibe ordinibus , quoties fundenda per hortum , sunt serie spatia ingenti , texendaque totis , aestivos contra soles umbracula campis : vna alias inter texendis aptior ulmus marginibus spatiorum , exornandoque vireto . seque adeo series , plano super aequore , tendat vlmorum tractu longo ; quantum ipsa tuentum lumina , vel gressus valeant lustrare sequentum . rapinus . . the elm delights in a sound , sweet , and fertile land , something more inclined to moisture , and where good pasture is produced ; though it will also prosper in the gravelly , provided there be a competent depth of mould , and be refreshed with springs ; in defect of which , being planted on the very surface of the ground ( the swarth par'd first away , and the earth stirred a foot deep or more ) they will undoubtedly succeed ; but in this trial , let the roots be handsomly spread , and covered a foot , or more in height , and above all , firmly staked . this is practicable also for other trees , where the soil is over moist , or unkind : for as the elm does not thrive in too dry , sandy , or hot grounds , no more will it abide the cold and spungy ; but in places that are competently fertile , or a little elevated from these annoyances ; as we see in the mounds , and castings up of ditches , upon whose banks the female sort does more naturally delight ; though it seems to be so much more addicted to some places than to others , that i have frequently doubted , whether it be a pure indigene or translatitious ; and not onely because i have hardly ever known any considerable woods of them ( besides some few nurseries neer cambridge , planted i suppose for store ) but almost continually in tufts , hedg-rowes , and mounds ; and that shropshire , and several other counties , have rarely , any growing in many miles together . . the elm is by reason of its aspiring , and tapering growth ( unlesse it be topped to enlarge the branches , and make them spread low ) the least offensive to corn and pasture grounds , to both which , and the cattel , they afford a benign shade , defence , and agreeable ornament . . it would be planted as shallow as might be ; for , as we noted , deep interring of roots is amongst the catholick mistakes ; and of this , the greatest to which trees are obnoxious . let new planted elms be kept moist by frequent refreshings upon some half-rotten fern , or litter laid about the foot of the stem ; the earth a little stirred and depressed for the better reception , and retention of the water . . lastly , your plantation must above all things be carefully preserved from cattel , and the concussions of impetuous winds , till they are out of reach of the one , and sturdy enough to encounter the other . . when you lop the side-boughs of an elm ( which may be about january for the fire , and more frequently , if you desire to have them tall ; or that you would form them into hedges ( for so they may be kept plashed , and thickned to the highest twig ; affording both a magnificent , and august defence against the winds and sun ) i say , when you trim them , be careful to indulge the tops ; for they protect the body of your trees from the wet , which alwayes invades those parts first , and will in time perish them to the very heart ; so as elms beginning thus to decay , are not long prosperous . sir hugh plat relates ( as from an expert carpenter ) that the boughs and branches of an elm should be left a foot long next the trunk when they are lop'd ; but this is to my certain observation a very great mistake either in the relator , or authour ; for i have noted many elms so disbranched , that the remaining stubs grew immediately hollow , and were as so many conduits or pipes , to hold , and convey the rain to the very body and heart of the tree . . there is a cloyster of the right french elm in the little garden neer to her majesties the queen mothers chappel at somerset-house , which were ( i suppose ) planted there , by the industry of the f.f. capuchines , that will perfectly direct you to the incomparable use of this noble tree for shade and delight , into whatever figure you will accustom them . i have my self procured some of them from paris , but they were so abused in the transportation , that they all perished save one , which now flourishes with me : i have also heard of graffing elms to a great improvement of their heads : virgil tells us they will joyn in marriage with the oak , and they would both be tryed ; and that with the more probable successe , for such lignous kinds , if you graff under the earth , upon , or neer the very root it self , which is likely to entertain the cyon better than when more exposed , till it be well fixt , and have made some considerable progresse . . when you would fell , let the sap be perfectly in repose ; as 't is commonly about november or december , after the frost hath well nipp'd them : i have already alleadged my reason for it ; and i am told , that both oak and elm so cut , the very saplings ( whereof rafters , spars , &c. are made ) will continue as long as the very heart of the tree , without decay . in this work , cut your kerse neer to the ground ; but have a care that it suffer not in the fall , and be ruined with its own weight : this depends upon your wood-mans judgment in disbranching , and is a necessary caution to the felling of all other timber-trees . if any begin to doat , pick out such for the ax , and rather trust to its successor . . elm is a timber of most singular use ; especially where it may lie continually dry , or wet in extreames ; therefore proper for water-works , mills , pipes , pumps , aquae-ducts , ship-planks beneath the waterline ; and some that has been found buried in bogs has turned like the most polish'd , and hardest ebony , onely discerned by the grain : also for wheel-wrights , handles for the single hand-saw , the knotty for naves , the straight and smooth for axel-trees , and the very roots for curiously dappled works , scarce has any superior for kerbs of coppers , featheridge , and weather-boards , chopping-blocks , blocks for the hatmaker , trunks , and boxes to be covered with leather ; for dressers , and shovel-board-tables of great length , and a lustrous colour if rightly seasoned ; also for the carver , by reason of the tenor of the grain , and toughnesse which fits it for all those curious works of frutages , foleage , shields , statues , and most of the ornaments appertaining to the orders of architecture ; and for not being much subject to warping ; i find that of old they used it even for hinges and hooks of doors ; but then , that part of the plank , which grew towards the top of the tree , was in work to be alwayes reversed : but besides these and sundry other employments , it makes also the second sort of charcoal ; and finally ( which i must not omit ) the use of the very leaves of this tree , especially of the female , is not to be despis'd ; for being suffered to dry in the sun upon the branches , and the spray strip'd off about the decrease in august ( as also where the suckers and stolones are super-numerary , and hinder the thriving of their nurses ) they will prove a great relief to cattel in winter , and scorching summers , when hay and fodder is dear ; they will eat them before oates , and thrive exceedingly well with them ; remember onely to lay your boughs up in some dry and sweet corner of your barn : it was for this the poet prais'd them , and the epithite was advis'd , fruitful in leaves the elm. — foecundae frondibus vlmi . georg. . in some parts of herefordshire they gather them in sacks for their swine , and other cattel according to this husbandry . but i hear an ill report of them for bees , that surfeiting of the blooming seeds , they are obnoxious to the lask , at their first going abroad in spring , which endangers whole stock● , if remedies be not timely adhibited ; therefore 't is said in great elm countries they do not thrive , but the truth of which i am yet to learn. the green leaf of the elms contused , heales a green wound or cut , and boyled with the bark consolidates fractur'd bones . chap. v. of the beech. . the beech , [ fagus ] ( of two or three kinds ) and numbred amongst the glandiferous trees , i rank here before the martial ash , because it commonly grows to a greater stature . but here i may not omit a note of the accurate critis palmerius , upon a passage in theophrastus , where he animadverts upon his interpreter , and shews that the antient 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was by no means the beech , but a kind of oak ; for that the figure of the fruit is so widely unlike it ; that being round , this triangular ; and both theophrastus and pausanias make it indeed a species of oak , wholly differing in trunk , as well as fruit and leaf , to which he adds ( what determines the controversie ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. that it is of a firm timber , not obnoxious to the worm , neither of which can so confidently be said of the beech. yet la cerda too seems guilty of the same mistake : but leaving this , there are of our fagi , too or three kinds with us ; the mountain ( where it most affects to grow ) which is the whitest , and most sought after by the turner ; and the campestral or wild , which is of a blacker colour , and more durable . they are both to be rais'd from the mast , and govern'd like the oak ( of which amply ) and that is absolutely the best way of furnishing a wood : but they are likewise to be planted of young seedlings to be drawn out of the places where the fruitful trees abound . in transplanting them cut off onely the boughs and bruised parts , two inches from the stem , to within a yard of the top ; but be very sparing of the root : this , for such as are of pretty stature . they make spreading trees , and noble shades with their well-furnished and glistering leaves , being set at forty foot distance ; but they grow taller , and more upright in the forests , where i have beheld them at eight and ten foot , shoot into very long poles ; but neither so apt for timber , nor fuel : in the vallies ( where they stand warm and in consort ) they will grow to a stupendious procerity , though the soyl be stony and very barren : also upon the declivities , sides , and tops of high hills , and chalkie mountains especially ; for they will strangely insinuate their roots into the bowels of those seemingly impenetrable places , not much unlike the firr it self , which , with this so common tree , the great caesar denies to be found in britanny , materia cujusque generis , ut in gallia , praeter fagum & abietem : but certainly from a grand mistake , or rather , for that he had not travelled much up into the countrey . virgil reports it will graff with the chesnut . . the beech serves for various vses of the housewife ; hence in the worlds best years the humble shed , was happily , and fully furnished : beech made their chests , their beds and the joyn'd-stools , beech made the board , the platters , and the bowles . hinc olim juvenis mundi melioribus annis fortunatarum domuum non magna supeliex tota petebatur ; sellas , armaria , lectos . et mensas dabat , & lances , & pocula fagus , &c. couleij pl. l. . with it the turner makes dishes , trays , rimbs , for buckets , and other utensils , trenchers , dresser-boards , &c. likewise for the wheeler , joyner , and vpholster for sellyes , chairs , stools , bedsteads , &c. for the bellows-maker , and husbandman his shovel and spade-graffs ; floates for fishers nets instead of corks , is made of its bark ; for fuel , billet , bavin and coal though one of the least lasting : not to omit even the very shavings for the fining of wines . peter cresentius writes , that the ashes of beech with proper mixture , is excellent to make glasse with . if the timber lye altogether under water , 't is little inferior to elm , as i find it practised and asserted by shipwrights : of old they made their vasa vindimiatoria and corbes messoriae ( as we our pots for strawberries ) with the rind of this beech , nay , and vessels to preserve wine in , and that curiously wrought cup which the shepherd in the buchollicks wagers with all , was engraven by alcimedon upon the bark of this tree : and an happy age it seems : — no wars did men molest , when onely beechen-bowles were in request . — nec bella fuerunt , faginus astabat dum scyphus ante dapes . tibul. of the thin lamina or scale of this wood ( as our cutlers call it ) are made scabards for swords and bandboxes , superinduc'd with thin leather or paper , boxes for writings , hat-cases , and formerly book-covers . i wonder we cannot split it our selves but send into other countreys for such trifles . in the cavities of these trees , bees much delight to hive themselves : yet for all this , you would not wonder to hear me deplore the so frequent use of this wood , if you did consider that the industry of france furnishes that country for all domestic vtensils with excellent wallnut ; a material infinitely preferrable to the best beech , which is indeed good only for shade and for fire , as being brittle , and exceedingly obnoxious to the worm , where it lyes either dry , or wet and dry , as has been noted ; but being put ten dayes in water , it will exceedingly resist the worm . ricciolus much commends it for oars , and some say that the vast argo was built of the fagus , a good part of it at least , as we learn out of apolonius ; this will admit of interpretation . but whilst we thus condemn the timber , we must not omit to praise the mast , which fats our swine and deer , and hath in some families even supported men with bread : chios indured a memorable siege by the benefit of this mast ; and in some parts of france they now grind the buck in mills : it affords a sweet oyl , which the poor people eat most willingly : but there is yet another benefit which this tree presents us ; that its very leaves which make a natural , and most agreeable canopy all the summer ; being gathered about ●●e fall , and somewhat before they are much frost-bitten , afford the best and easiest mattrasses in the world to lay under our quilts instead of straw ; because , besides their tendernesse and loose lying together , they continue sweet for seven or eight years long ; before which time straw becomes musty and hard ; they are thus used by divers persons of quality in dauphine ; and in swizzerland i have sometimes lain on them to my great refreshment ; so as of this tree it may properly be said , the wood's an house , the leaves a bed. — sylva domus , cubilia froudes . juvenal . the stagnant water in the hollow trees cure the most obstinate tettars , scabs , and scurfs , in man or beast , fomenting the part with it ; and the leaves chew'd , are wholesome for the gums and teeth , for which the very buds , as they are in winter hardned and dryed upon the twiggs , make good tooth pickers . swine may be driven to mast about the end of august . chap. vi. of the ash . . fraxinus the ash , is with us male and female , the one affecting the higher grounds : the other the plains , of a whiter wood , and rising many times to a prodigious stature ; so as in forty years from the key , an ash hath been sold for thirty pound sterling : and i have been credibly inform'd , that one person hath planted so much of this one sort of timber in his life time , as hath been valued worth fifty thousand pounds to be bought . these are pretty encouragements , for a small , and pleasant industry . that there is a lower , and more knotty sort , every husbandman can distinguish . . the keys being gathered when they begin to fall ( which is about the end of october , and the ensuing month ) are to be sowed ; but not altogether so deep as your former masts : thus they do in spain : from whence it were good to procure some of the keyes from their best trees : a very narrow seminary will be sufficient to store an whole country : they will lye a full year in the ground before they appear ; therefore you must carefully fence them all that time and have patience : but if you would make a considerable wood of them at once , dig , or plow a parcel of ground , as you would prepare it for corn and with the corn ( or what other grain you think fittest ) sow also good store of keys , some crab-kernels , &c. amongst them : take off your crop of corn , or seed in its season , and the next year following it will be cover'd with young ashes , which will be fit either to stand ( which i prefer ) or be transplanted for divers years after ; and these you will find to be far better then any you can gather out of the woods ( especially suckers , which are worth nothing ) being removed at one foot stature ( the sooner the better ) provided you defend them well from cattel : the reason of this hasty transplanting , is to prevent their obstnate , and deep rooting ; tantus amor terrae — which makes them hard to be taken up when they grow older , and that being removed they take no great hold till the second year , after which , they come away amain : yet i have planted them of five and six inches diametre , which have thriven as well as the smaller wands . cut not his head at all ( which being young is pithy ) nor , by any means , the fibrous part of the roots ; onely , that down-right , or tap-root ( which gives our husbandmen so much trouble in drawing ) is to be totally abated : but this work ought to be in the increase of october , or november , and not in the spring . we are ( as i told you ) willing to spare his head ; because being yet young , it is but of a spongie substance ; but being once well fixed , you may cut him as close to the earth as you please ; it will cause him to shoot prodigiously ; so as in a few years to be fit for pike-staves . young ashes are sometimes in winter frost-burnt , black as coals , and then to use the knife is seasonable , though they do commonly recover of themselves slowly . in south-spain ( where as we said are the best ) after the first dressing , they let them grow till they are so big , as being cleft into four parts , each part is sufficient to make a pike-staff : i am told there is a flemish ash planted by the dutchmen in lincolnshire , which in six years grows to be worth twenty shillings the tree ; but i am not assur'd whether it be the ash or abeele ; either of them were , upon this account , a worthy encouragement . from these low cuttings come our ground-ashes , so much sought after for arbours , espaliers , and other pole-works : they will spring in abundance , and may be reduced to one for a standard-tree , or for timber , if you design it ; for thus hydra like , a ground-cut-ash , by havock , wounds , and blows , more lively and luxuriant grows . per damna , per caedes , ab ipso ducit opes auimúmque ferro . ho● . ash will be propagated from a bough slipt off with some of the old-wood , a little before the bud swells . such as they reserve for spears in spain , they keep shrip'd up close to the stem , and plant them in close order , and moyster places . these they cut above the knot ( for the least nodosity spoils all ) in the decrease of january , which were of the latest for us : it is reported that the ash will not onely receive its own kind , but graff , or be inoculated with the pear and apple , but to what improvement i know not . . it is by no means convenient to plant ash in plow-lands ; for the roots will be obnoxious to the coulter ; and the shade of the tree is malignant to corn when the head and branches over-drip it ; but in hedge-rowes , and plumps , they will thrive exceedingly , where they may be dispos'd at nine or ten foot distance , and sometimes neerer : but in planting of a whole wood of several kinds of trees for timber , every third set at least , would be an ash . the best ash delights in the best land ( which it will soon impoverish ) yet grows in any ; so it be not over-wet , and approaching to the ma●shy , unlesse it be first well drain'd : by the banks of sweet and crystal rivers and streams , i have observ'd them to thrive infinitely . one may observe as manifest a difference in the timber of ashes , as of the oak ; much more than is found in any one kind of elm , caeteris paribus : for so the ground-ash ( like the oak ) much excells a bough , or branch of the same bulk , for strength and toughnesse ; and in yet farther emulation of the oak , it has been known to prove as good , and lasting timber for building , nay , preferr'd before it , where there has been plenty of oake ; vast difference there is also in the strength of ground , and quarter'd ash : 't is likewise remarkable that the ash , like the cork tree , grows when the bark is quite peel'd off , as has been observ'd in several forests , where the deer have bared them as far as they could climb : some ash is curiously camleted and vein'd , i say , so differently from other timber ; that our skilful cabinet-makers prize it equal with ebony , and give it the name of green ebony , which the customer payes well for ; and when our woodmen light upon it , they may make what mony they will of it : but to bring it to that curious lustre , so as 't is hardly to be distinguished from the most curiously diaper'd olive , they varnish their work with the china-varnish ( hereafter described ) which infinitely excells i●ynseed-oyl , that cardan so commends , speaking of this root . . the use of ash is ( next to that of the oak it self ) one of the most universal : it serves the souldier — & fraxinus utilis hastis ▪ ovid. the carpenter , wheel-wright , cart-wright , for ploughs , axel trees , wheelrings , harrows , bulls , oares , the best blocks for pullys and sheffs , as seamen name them ; also for the cooper , turner , and thatcher : nothing like it for our garden palisad-hedges , hop-yards , poles , and spars , handles , stocks for tools , spade-trees , &c. in sum , the husbandman cannot be without the ash for his carts , ladders , and other tackling : from the pike , to the plow ; spear , and bow , for of ash were they formerly made , and therefore reckon'd amongst those woods , which after long tension has a natural spring , and recovers its position ; so as in peace and war it is a wood in highest request : there is extracted an oyl from the ash , by the processe on other woods , which is excellent to recover the hearing ; some drops of it being distill'd warm into the ears , and for the caries or rot of the bones , tooth-ach , pains in the kidneys , and spleen , the anointing therewith is most soveraign . lastly , the white , and rotten dottard part composes a ground for our gallants sweet-powder , and the truncheons make the third sort of the most durable coal , and is ( of all other ) the sweetest of our forest-fuelling , and the fittest for ladies chambers : to conclude , the very dead leaves afford ( like those of the elm ) relief to our cattel in winter ; and there is a dwarfe sort in france ( if in truth it be not , as i suspect , our witchen-tree ) whose berries feed the poor people , in scarce years , but it bears no keys , like to ours , which being pickled tender , afford a delicate salading . but the shade of the ash is not to be endur'd , because it produces a noxious insect ; and for displaying themselves so very late , and falling very early , not to be planted for vmbrage , or ornament ; especially neer the garden , since ( besides their predatitious roots ) the deciduous leaves descending with so long a stalk , are drawn by clusters into the worm holes , which foul the allies with their falling keys , and suddenly infect the ground . note , that the season for felling of this tree must be when the sap is fully at rest ; for if you cut it down too early , or over late in the year , it will be so obnoxious to the worm , as greatly to prejudice the timber ; therefore to be sure , fell not till the three mid-winter months , beginning about november . i am astonish'd at the universal confidence of all our botanists , that a serpent will rather creep into the fire , than over a twig of ash ; this is an old imposture of plinys , who either took it up upon trust , or we mistake the tree . chap. vii . of the chesnut . . the next is the chesnut , [ castanea ] of which pliny reckons many kinds , especially about tarentum and naples ; but we commend those of portugal or bayone , choosing the largest brown and most ponderous for fruit , such as pliny calls coctivae , but the lesser ones to raise for timber . they are produc'd best by sowing ; previous to which , let the nuts be first spread to sweat , then cover them in sand , a month being past , plunge them in water , reject the swimmers ; being dry'd for thirty dayes more , sand them again , and to the water-ordeal as before . being thus treated till the beginning of spring , or in november , set them as you would do beans ; and as some practise it , drench'd for a night or more , in new milk : they should be put into the holes with the poynt upmost as you plant tulips ; pliny will tell you they come not up , unless four , or five be pil'd together in a hole ; but that is false , if they be good , as you may presume all those to be which passe this examination ; nor will any of them fail : but being come up they thrive best unremoved , making a great stand for at least two years , upon every transplanting ; yet if needs you must alter their station , let it be done about november , and that into a light friable ground , or moist gravel , however , they will grow even in clay , sand , and all mixed soils , upon exposed , and bleak places , and the pendent declivities of hills to the north , in dry airy places , and sometimes neer marshes and waters ; but they affect no other compost , save what their own leaves afford them , and are more patient of cold than heat . . if you desire to set them in winter , or autumn , i counsel you to inter them within their husks , which being every way arm'd are a good protection against the mouse , and a providential integument . pliny l. . c. . from this natural guard , concludes them to be excellent food , and doubtlesse caesar thought so , when he transported them from sardis first into italy , whence they were propagated into france , and thence among us ; another encouragement to make such experiments out of forain countreys . some sow them confusedly in the furrow like the acorn , and govern them as the oak ; but then would the ground be broken up 'twixt november and february ; and when they spring , be cleansed at two foot asunder , after two years growth : likewise may copses of chesnuts be wonderfully increased , and thickned , by laying the tender and young branches ; but such as spring from the nuts and marrons are best of all , and will thrive exceedingly , if being let stand without removing , the ground be stirr'd and loosned about their roots , for two or three of the first years , and the superfluous wood prun'd away ; and indeed for good trees , they should be shrip'd up after the first years removal : thus will you have a copse ready for a felling , within eight years , which ( besides many other uses ) will yield you incomparable poles for any work of the garden , vineyard , or hopyard , till the next cutting : and if the tree like the ground , will in ten or twelve years grow to a kind of timber , and bear plentiful fruit . . i have seen many chess-nut-trees transplanted as big as my arm , their heads cut off at five and six foot height ; but they came on at leisure : in such plantations , and all others for avenues , you may set them from thirty , to ten foot distance , though they will grow much neerer , and shoot into poles , if ( being tender ) you cultivate them like the ash , the nature of whose shade it resembles , since nothing affects much to grow under it : some husbands tell me , that the young chess-nut-trees should not be pruned or touched with any knife or edgetool , for the first three or four years , but rather crop'd or broken off , which i leave to farther experience . . the chessnut being graffed in the wall-nut , oak , or beech ( i have been told ) will come exceeding fair , and produce incomparabl● fruit ; for the wall-nut , and chessnut in each other , it is probable ; but i have not as yet made a full attempt ; they also speak of inoculating cherrys in the chessnut-stock for a later fruit . in the mean time , i wish we did more universally propagate the horse-chessnut , which being easily increas'd from layers , grows into a goodly standard , and bears a most glorious flower , even in our cold countrey : this tree is now all the mode for the avenues to their countrey palaces in france , as appears by the late superintendents plantation at vaux . it was first brought from constantinople to vienna , thence into italy , and so france ; but to vs from the levant more immediately , and flourishes so well , and grows so goodly a tree in compent time , that by this alone , we might have ample encouragement to denizen other strangers amongst us . . the chess-nut is ( next the oak ) one of the most sought after by the carpenter and joyner : it hath formerly built a good part of our ancient houses in the city of london , as does yet appear . i had once a very large barn neer the city fram'd intirely of this timber : and certainly they grew not far off ; probably in some woods neer the town : for in that description of london written by fitz-stephens , in the reign of hen. . he speaks of a very noble and large forest which grew on the boreal part of it : proxime ( sayes he ) patet foresta ingens , saltus nemorosi ferarum , latebrae cervorum , damarum , aprorum , & taurorum sylvestrium , &c. a very goodly thing it seems , and as well stor'd with all sorts of good timber , as with venison and all kind of chase . the chess-nut affords the best stakes and poles for palisades , pedaments for vine-props , and hops , as i said before : also for mill-timber and water-works , or when it may lie buried ; but if water touch the roots of the growing trees , it spoils both fruit and timber : 't is likewise observed , that this tree is so prevalent against cold , that where they stand , they defend other plantations from the injuries of the severest frosts : i am sure being planted in hedge-rowes , & circa agrorum itinera , or for avenues to our countrey-houses , they are a magnificent , and royal ornament : this timber also does well for columns , tables , chests , chairs , stools , bedsteads ; for tubs , and vvine-cask , which it preserves with the least tincture of the wood of any whatsoever : if the timber be dip'd in scalding oyl , and well pitch'd , it becomes extreamly durable : beams made of chessnut tree have this property , that being somewhat brittle , they give warning , and premonish the danger by a certain crackling which it makes : formerly they made consultatory staves of this tree ; and the variegated rods which jacob peel'd to lay in the troughs , and impresse a fancy in his father-in-law's conceiving ewes , were of this material . the coales are excellent for the smith , being soon kindled , and as soon extinguisht ; but the ashes of chessnut-wood are not convenient for to make a lee with , because it is observ'd to stain the linnen . as for the fruit , 't is better to beat it down from the tree , some little time before they fall off themselves ; thus , they will the better keep , or else you must smoke-dry them . but we give that fruit to our swine in england , which is amongst the delicacies of princes in other countries ; and being of the larger nut , is a lusty , and masculine food for rustics at all times ; and of better nourishment for husbandmen than cole and rusty bacon , yea , or beans to boote , instead of which , they boyle them in italy with their bacon ; and in virgil's time , they ate them with milk and cheese . the best tables in france and italy make them a service , eating them with salt , in vvine , or juice of lemon and sugar ; being first rosted in embers on the chaplet ; and doubtlesse we might propagate their use , amongst our common people , ( as of old the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) being a food so cheap , and so lasting . in italy they also boyl them in wine , and then smoke them a little , these they call anseri or geese , i know not why : those of piemont add fennel , cinnamon and nutmeg to their wine , but first they peele them . others macerate them in rose-water ; the bread of the flower is exceeding nutritive ; 't is a robust food and makes women well complexion'd , as i have read in a good authour : they also make fritters of chessnut flower , which they wet with rosewater , and sprinkle with grated parmegiano , and so fry them in fresh butter , a delicate : how we here use them in stew'd-meats , and beatille-pyes , our french cooks teach us ; and this is in truth the very best use of their fruit , and very commendable ; for it is found that the eating of them raw or in bread ( as they do much about limosin ) is apt to swell the belly , though without any other inconvenience that i can learn , and yet some condemn them as dangerous for such as are subject to the gravel in the kidnies . the best way to preserve them , is to keep them in earthen vessels in a cold place ; some lay them in a smoke-loft , others , in dry barly-straw , others , in sand , &c. the leaves of the chess-nut tree makes very wholsome mattrasses to lye on , and they are good litter for cattel : but those leafie-beds , for the crackling noyse they make when one turns upon them , the french call licts de parliament : lastly , the flower of chessnuts made into an electuary with hony , is an approved remedy against spitting blood , and the cough ; and a decoction of the rind of the tree , tinctures hair of a golden colour . chap. viii . of the wall-nut . . jvglans , quasi jovis glans , the wall-nut , is of several sorts ; the soft shell , and the hard , the whiter , and the blacker grain : this black bears the worst nut , but the timber much to be preferred , and we might propagate more of them if we were careful to procure them out of virginia , where they abound , or from grenoble , which our cabinet-makers so prize . it is said that the wallnut kernel wrap'd in its own leaf , being carefully taken out of its shell , brings a nut without shell ; but this is a trifle ; the best way to elevate them is , to set them as you do the chess-nut , being planted of the nut , or set at the distance you would have him stand ; for which they may be prepared by beating them off the tree ( as was prescribed of the chessnut ) some dayes before they quit the branches of themselves , and kept in their husks , or without them , till spring , or by bedding them ( being dry ) in sand , or good earth , till march , from the time they fell , or were beaten off the tree : or if before , they be set with husk and all upon them ; for the extream bitternesse thereof is most exitial , and deadly to worms ; or it were good to strew some furzes ( broken or chopp'd small ) under the ground amongst them , to preserve them from mice and rats , when their shells begin to wax tender ; especially if as some , you supple them a little in warm cows milk ; but being treated as before , you will find them already sprouted , and have need onely to be planted where they are to abide ; because ( as we said long since ) they are most impatient of transplanting : but if there be an absolute necessity of removing , let your tree be about four years old , and then by no means touch the head with your knife , nor cut away so much as the very tap-root , if you can well dispose of it , since being of a pithy and hollow substance , the least diminution , or bruise , will greatly endanger the killing : but see here what we have said of the chess-nut ; i have been told , that the very tops , and palish buds of this tree , when it first sprouts , though as late as april , will take hold of the ground , and grow to an incredible improvement ; but first they steep them in milk and saffron ; but this attempt did not succeed with us , yet it will be propagated by a branch slipp'd off with some of the old wood , and set in february : an industrious and very experienc'd husbandman told me , that if they be transplanted as big as ones middle , it may be done safer than when younger ; i do onely report it : what they hint of putting a tile-shard under the nuts when first set , to divaricate and spread the roots ( which are otherwise apt to penetrate very deep ) i like well enough ; 't is said they will receive their own cyons being graffed , but that it does not at all improve their fruit : the best compost is the strewing of ashes at the foot of the trees , the salt whereof being washed into the earth , is the best dressing , whilst the juice of the fallen leaves , though it kill the worm , is noxious to the root . . the wallnut delights in a dry , sound , and rich land ; especially if it incline to a feeding chalk , or marle ; and where it may be protected from the cold ( though it affect cold rather then extream heat ) as in great pits , vallies , and highway sides ; also in stonie-grounds , and on hills , especially chalkie : likewise in cornfields : thus burgundy abounds with them , where they stand in the midst of goodly wheat-lands , at sixty , and an hundred foot distance ; and it is so far from hurting the crop , that they look on them as a great preserver , by keeping the grounds warm ; nor do the roots hinder the plow . when ever they fell a tree ( which is onely the the old , and decayed ) they alwayes plant a young one near him ; and in several places 'twixt hanaw , and francfort in germany , no young farmer whatsoever is permitted to marry a wife , till he bring proof that he hath planted , and is a father of such a stated number of walnut-trees , as the law is inviolably observed to this day , for the extraordinary benefit which this tree affords the inhabitants : and in truth , were this timber in greater plenty amongst us , we should have far better vtensils of all sorts for our houses , as chairs , stools , bedsteads , tables , wainscot , cabinets , &c. in stead of the more vulgar beech , subject to the worm , weak , and unsightly ; but which to counterfeit and deceive the unwary , they wash over with a decoction made of the green husks of walnuts , &c. i say , had we store of this material , we should find an incredible improvement in the more stable furniture of our houses , as in the first frugal , and better dayes of rome , when tables made here at home , those times beheld , of our own wood , for that same purpose fell'd , old walnut blown down , when the wind set east . sr. r. stapylton . illa domi natas , nostraque ex arbore mensas tempora viderunt : hos lignum stabat in usus , annosam si fortè nucem dejecerat enrus . juv. l. . sat. . for if it had been cut in that season , it would not have prov'd so sound , as we shew in our chapter of felling . it is certain , that the mensae nucinae , were once in price even before the citrin , as strabo notes ; and nothing can be more beautiful , than some planks , and works which i have beheld of it , especially that which comes from grenoble , of all other the most beautiful and esteemed . . they render most graceful avenues to our country dwellings , and do excellently neer hedge-rows ; but had need be planted at forty , or fifty foot interval , for they affect to spread both their roots and branches . the bergstras ( which extends from heidelberg to darmstadt ) is all planted with walnuts ; for so by another antient law , the bordurers were obliged to nurse up , and take care of them ; and that chiefly , for their ornament and shade ; so as a man may ride for many miles about that countrey , under a continued arbour , or close-walk ; the traveller both refreshed with the fruit , and the shade , which some have causlesly defam'd for its ill effects on the head , for which the fruit is a specifique and a notable signature ; although i deny not , but the sent of the fallen leaves , when they begin to be damp'd with lying , may emit somewhat a heady steam , which to some has prov'd noxious ; but not whilst they were fresh , and lively upon the trees . how would such publick plantations improve the glory and wealth of a nation ! but where shall we find the spirits among our countrymen ? yes , i will adventure to instance in those plantations of sir richard stidolph , upon the downs neer lether-head in surry ; and so about cassaulton , where many thousands of these trees do celebrate the industry of the owners ; and will certainly reward it with infinite improvement , as i am assur'd they do in part already , and that very considerably ; besides the ornament which they afford to those pleasant tracts , for some miles in circumference . i remember monsieur sorbiere , in a sceptical discourse to monsieur de martel , speaking of the readinesse of the people in holland to furnish and maintain whatsoever may conduce to the publick ornament , as well as convenience ; tells us , that their plantations of these , and the like trees , even in their very roads , and common high-wayes , are better preserv'd , and entertain'd ( as i my self have likewise been often an eye-witness ) then those about the houses , and gardens of pleasure belonging to the nobles and gentry of most other countries : and in effect it is a most ravishing object , to behold their amenities in this particular : with us sayes he ( speaking of france ) they make a jest at such political ordinances , by ruining these publick and useful ornaments , if haply some more prudent magistrate , do at any time introduce them . thus in the reign of henry the fourth , during the superintendency of monsieur de sulli , there was resolution of adorning all the high-wayes of france with elms , &c. but the rude and mischievous paysans , did so hack , steal , and destroy what they had begun , that they were forced to desist from the thorough prosecution of the design ; so as there is nothing more expos'd , wild , and lesse pleasant then the common roads of france for want of shade , and the decent limits which these sweet , and divertissant plantations would have afforded ; not to omit that political use , as my lord bacon hints it , where he speaks of the statues and monuments of brave men , and such as had well deserv'd of the publick , erected by the romans even in their high-wayes , since doubtlesse , such noble , and agreeable objects , would exceedingly divert , entertain , and take off the minds and discourses of melancholy people , and pensive travellers , who having nothing but the dull and enclosed wayes to cast their eyes on , are but ill conversation to themselves , and others , and instead of celebrating , censure their superiours . it is by a curious person , and industrious friend of mine , observ'd , that the sap of this tree rises , and descends with the suns diurnal course ( which it visibly slackens in the night ) and more plentifully at the root on the south-side , though those on the north were larger , and lesse distant from the body of the tree ; and not onely distill'd from the ends , which were next the stem , but from those which were cut off and separated ; which was never observed to happen in the birch , or other sap-yielding trees . . what universal use the french make of the timber of this sole tree , for domestic affairs , may be seen in every room both of poor and rich : it is of singular account with the joyner , for the best grain'd and colour'd wainscot , with the gunsmith for stocks , for coach wheels excellent , and the bodies of coaches , the drum-maker for rimbs , the cabinet-maker for inlayings , especially the firm and close timber about the roots , which is admirable for fleck'd and chambletted works , some wood especially , as that which we have from bologne very black of colour , and so admirably streaked , as to represent natural flowers , landskips , and other fancys : to render this the better coloured , joyners put the boards into an oven after the batch is forth , or lay them in a warm stable , and when they work it , polish it over with its own oyl very hot , which makes it look black and sleek , and the older it is the more esteemable ; but then it should not be put in work till thoroughly seasoned , because it will shrink beyond expectation . it is only not good to confide in it much for beams , or joysts , because of its brittleness , of which yet , it has been observed to give timely notice , by the crackling before it breaks . besides the uses of the wood , the fruit with husk and all when tender and very young , is for preserves , for food , and oyl , of extraordinary use with the painter , in whites , and other delicate colours , also for gold-size , and vernish ; and with this they polish walking-staves , and other works which are wrought in with burning : for food they fry with it in some places , and use it to burn in lamps ; the younger timber is held to make the better coloured work ( and so the oak ) but the older more firm and close , is finer chambleted for ornament ; and the very husks and leaves being macerated in warm water , and that liquor poured on the carpet of walks , and bowling-greens , does infallibly kill the worms without endangering the grasse ; not to mention the dye which is made of this lixive , to colour wooll , woods , and hair , as of old they us'd it . the water of the husks is soveraign against all pestilential infections , and that of the leaves to mundifie , and heal inveterate vlcers . that which is produc'd of the thick-shell , becomes best timber , that of the thinner better fruit , columella has sundry excellent rules how to ascertain , and accelerate the growth of this tree , and to improve its qualities , and i am assur'd , that having been graffed on the ash ( though others say no insition improves it ) they thrive exceedingly , become handsome trees , and what is most estimable , bears its fruit within four years ; all which i recommend to the farther industrious . the green husk dry'd , or the first peeping red buds and leaves reduc'd to powder , serves in stead of pepper , to condite meats and sauces . 't is better to cudgel off the fruit , than to gather it by hand ; and in italy they arm the tops of long poles with nails and iron for the purpose , and believe the beating improves the tree : those nuts which come not easily out of their husks , should be laid to mellow in heaps , and the rest expos'd in the sun , till the shells dry , else they will be apt to perish the kernel : some again preserve them in their own leaves , or in a chest made of walnut-tree wood ; others in sand : old nuts are not wholesome till macerated in warm and almost boyling water ; but if you lay them in a leaden pot , and bury them in the earth , so as no vermine can attaque them , they will keep mervellously plump the whole year about , and may easily be blanched : in spain they use to strew the gratings of old and hard nuts ( first peeld ) into their tarts and other meats . for the oyl , one bushel of nuts will yield fifteen pounds of peeld and cleer kernels , and that half as much oyl , which the sooner 'tis drawn , is the more in quantity , though the dryer the nut the better in quality ; the lees , or marc of the pressing , is excellent to fatten hogs with . after the nuts are beaten down , the leaves would be swep'd into heaps , and carried away , because their extream bitternesse impairs the ground , and as i am assured , prejudices the trees : the green husks boyled , make a good colour to dye a dark yellow , without any mixture ; and the distillation of its leaves with hony and vrine , makes hair spring in bald-heads : besides its use in the famous salernitan antidote ; if the kernel a little masticated , be applied to the biting of a suspected mad-dog , and when it has lain three hours , be cast to poultrey , they will dye if they eat of it . in italy , when a countrey man finds any pain in his side , he drinks a pint of the fresh oyl of this nut , and finds immediate ease : the kernel being rub'd upon any crack or chink of a leaking or crasy vessel , stops it better than either clay , pitch , or wax : in france they eat them blanch'd and fresh with wine and salt , having first cut them out of the shells before they are hardned , with a short broad brasse-knife , because iron rusts , and these they call cernois , from their manner of scooping them out . chap. ix . of the mulberry . . morus , the mulberry : it may possibly be wonder'd by some , why we should insert this tree amongst our forest inhabitants ; but we shall soon reconcile our industrious planter , when he comes to understand the incomparable benefit of it , and that for its timber , durablenesse , and use for the joyner and carpenter , and to make hoops , bows , wheels , and even ribs for small vessels in stead of oak , &c. though the fruit and the leaves had not the due value with us , which they diservedly enjoy in other places of the world. . but it is not here i would recommend our ordinary black fruit bearers , though that be likewise worth the propagation ; but that kind which is call'd the white mulberry , one of them of a broad leaf , found in province , whose seeds being procured from paris , where they have it from avignion , should be thus treated in the seminary . . in countreys where they cultivate them for the silk-worm , and other uses , they sow the perfectly mature berrys of a tree whose leaves have not been gather'd ; these they shake down upon an old sheet , spread under the tree , to protect them from gravel and ordure , which will hinder you from discerning the seed : if they be not ripe , lay them to mature upon shelves , but by no means till they corrupt ; to prevent which , turn them daily ; then put them in a fine siev , and plunging it in water , bruise them with your hand ; do this in several waters , then change them in other clear water , and the seed will sink to the bottom , whilst the pulp swims , and must be taken off carefully : this done , lay them to dry in the sun upon a linnen cloth , for which , one hour is sufficient , then van and sieft it from the husks , and reserve it till the season . this is the processe of curious persons , but the sowing of ripe mulberries themselves is altogether as good , and from the excrement of hogs , and even dogs ( that will frequently eat them ) they will rise abundantly : note , that in sowing the berry 't is good to squash and bruise them with fine siefted mould , and if it be rich , and of the old bed , so much the better : they would be interr'd , well moystned and cover'd with straw , and then rarely water'd till they peep ; or you may squeeze the ripe berrys in ropes of hair or bast , and bury them as is prescrib'd for hipps and haws ; the earth in which you sow them , should be fine mould , and as rich as for melons , rais'd a little higher then the area , as they make the beds for ordinary pot-herbs , to keep them loose and warm , and in such beds you may sow seeds as you do purslane , mingled with some fine earth , and thinly cover'd , and then for a fortnight strew'd over with straw , to protect them both from sudden heat , and from birds : the season is april or may , though some forbear even till july and august , and in the second quarter of the moon , the weather calm and serene ; at the beginning , keep them moderately fresh ( not over wet ) and clean weeded , secured from the rigor of frosts ; the second year of their growth about the beginning of october , or early spring , draw them gently out , prune the roots , and dipping them a little in pond-water , transplant them in a warm place or nursery ; 't is best ranging them in drills , two foot large , and one in depth , each rill three foot distance , and each plant two . and if thus the new earth be somewhat lower then the surface of the rest , 't will the better receive the rain : being planted , cut them all within three inches of the ground . water them not in winter , but in extream necessity , and when the weather is warm , and then do it in the morning . in this cold season you shall do well to cover the ground with the leaves of trees , straw , or short littier , to keep them warm ; and every year you shall give them three dressings or half diggings ; viz. in april , june , and in august ; this , for the first year , still after rain : the second spring after transplanting , purge them of all superfluous shoots and scions , reserving only the most towardly for the future stem ; this to be done yearly , as long as they continue in the nursery ; and if of the principal stem so left , the frost mortifie any part , cut it off , and continue this government till they are neer six foot high , after which suffer them to spread into head by discreetly pruning , and fashioning them : but if you plant where cattel may endanger them , the stem had need be taller , for they are extreamly liquorish of the leaves . . when now they are about five years growth , you may transplant them without cutting the root ( provided you irradicate them with care ) onely trimming the head a little ; the season is from september to november in the new moon , and if the holes or pits you set them in were dug and prepar'd some months before , it would much secure their taking ; some cast hornes , bones , shells , &c. into them the better to loosen the earth about them , which should be rich , and well refresh'd all summer . a light , and dry mould is best , well expos'd to the sun and air , which above all things this tree affects , and hates watery low grounds : in sum , they thrive best where vines prosper most , whose society they exceedingly cherish ; nor do they lesse delight to be amongst corn , no way prejudicing it with its shade . the distance for these standards would be twenty , or twenty four foot every way , if you would design walks or groves of them ; if the environs of fields , banks of rivers , high-wayes , &c. twelve or fourteen foot may suffice , but the farther distant , the better . . another expedient to increase mulberries is , by layers from the suckers at the foot , this done in spring , leaving not above two buds out of the earth , which you must diligently water , and the second year they will be rooted : they will also take by passing any branch or arm slit , and kept a little open with a wedge , or stone , through a basket of earth , which is a very sure way : nay , the very cuttings will strike in spring , but let them be from shoots of two years growth , with some of the old wood , though of seven or eight years ; these set in rills like vines , having two or three buds at the top , will root infallibly , especially if you twist the old wood a little , or at least hack it , though some slit the foot , inserting a stone , or grain of an oate , to suckle and entertain the plant with moysture . . they may also be propagated by graffing them on the black mulberry in spring , or inoculated in july , taking the cyons from some old tree , that has broad , even , and round leaves , which causes it to produce very ample and tender leaves , of great emolument to the silk-master . . some experienc'd husbandmen advise to poll our mulberries every three or four years , as we do our willows : others not till years : both erroneously . the best way is yearly to prune them of their dry and superfluous branches , and to form their heads round and natural . the first year of removal where they are to abide , cut off all the shoots to five or six of the most promising : the next year leave not above three of these , which dispose in triangle as near as may be , and then disturb them no more , unless it be to purge them ( as we taught ) of dead scare-wood , and extravagant parts , which may impeach the rest ; and if afterward any prun'd branch shoot above three or four cyons , reduce them to that number . one of the best ways of pruning is , what they practise in sicily and province , to make the head hollow and like a bell , by cleansing them of their inmost branches ; and this may be done , either before they bud , viz. in the new moon of march , or when they are full of leaves in june or july , if the season prove any thing fresh . here i must not omit what i read of the chinese culture , and which they now also imitate in virginia , where they have found a way to raise these plants of the seeds , which they mow and cut like a crop of grasse which sprout and bear leaves again in a few moneths . . the mulberry is much improv'd by stirring the mould at root , and lestulion . . we have already mentioned some of the vses of this excellent tree , especially of the white , so called because the fruit is of a paler colour , which is also of a more luscious taste , and lesser than the black ; the rind likewise is whiter , and the leaves of a mealy clear green colour , and far tenderer , and sooner produc'd by at least a fortnight , which is a marvellous advantage to the newly disclos'd silk-worm ; also they arrive sooner to their maturity , and the food produces a finer web . nor is this tree less beautiful to the eye then the fairest elm , very proper for walks and avenues : the timber ( amongst other properties ) will last in the water as well as the most solid oak , and the bark makes good and tough bast-ropes . it suffers no kind of vermin to breed on it , whether standing or fell'd , nor dares any caterpillar attaque it save the silk-worm only . the loppings are excellent fuel : but that for which this tree is in greatest and most worthy esteem , is for the leaves , which ( besides the silk-worm ) nourishes cows , sheep , and other cattel ; especially young porkers , being boil'd with a little bran : and the fruit excellent to feed poultry . in summe , what ever eats of them , will with difficulty be reduc'd to endure any thing else , as long as they can come by them ; to say nothing of their other soveraign qualities , as relaxing of the belly being eaten in the morning , and curing inflammations and ulcers of the mouth and throat , mix'd with mel rosarum , in which receipt they do best , being taken before they are over-ripe . . to proceed with the leaf ( for which they are chiefly cherish'd ) the benefit of it is so great , that they are frequently let to farm for vast summes ; so as some one sole tree has yielded the proprietor a rent of twenty shillings per annum , for the leaves onely ; and six or seven pounds of silk , worth as many pounds sterling , in five or six weeks , to those who keep the worms . we know that till after italy had made silk above a thousand years , they receiv'd it not in france ; it being hardly yet an hundred since they betook themselves to this manufacture in province , ●anguedoc , dauphine , lionnois , &c. and not in tourain and orleans till hen. the fourth's time ; but it is incredible what a revenue it amounts to in that kingdom . about the same time , or a little after , it was that king james did with extraordinary care recommend it to this nation , by a book of directions , acts of councel , and all other princely assistance . but this did not take no more then that of hen. the fourth's proposal about the invirons of paris , who filled the high-ways , parks , and gardens of france with the trees , beginning in his own gardens for encouragement : yet , i say , this would not be brought into example , till this present great monarch , by the indefatigable diligence of monsieur colbert ( superintendent of his majesties manufactures ) who has so successfully reviv'd it , that 't is prodigious to consider what an happy progress they have made in it , to our shame be it spoken ; who have no other discouragements from any insuperable difficulty whatever , but our sloth and want of industry : since where ever these trees will grow and prosper , the silk-worms will do so also ; and they were alike averse , and from the very same suggestions where now that manufacture flourishes in our neighbour countries . it is demonstrable , that mulberries in four or five years may be made to spread all over this land , and when the indigent and young daughters in proud families are as willing to gain three or four shillings a day for gathering silk , and busying themselves in this sweet and easie imployment , as some do to get four pence a day for hard work at hemp , flax , and wool ; the reputation of mulberries would spread in england and other plantations . i might say something like this of saffron , which we yet too much neglect the culture of ; but , which for all this i do not despair of seeing reassum'd when that good genius returns . in order to this hopeful prognostick we will add a few directions about the gathering of their leaves , to render this chapter one of the most accomplish'd ; for certainly one of the most accomplish'd and agreeable works in the world . . the leaves of the mulberry should be collected from trees of seven or eight years old ; if of such as are very young , it impairs their growth , neither are they so healthful for the worms , making them hydropical and apt to burst : as do also the leaves of such trees as be planted in a too waterish or over-rich soil , or where no sun comes ; and all sick and yellow leaves are hurtful . it is better to clip , and let the leaves fall upon a subtended sheet or blanket , than to gather them by hand ; and to gather them , than to strip them , which marrs and gauls the branches , and bruises the leaves that should hardly be touched . some there are who lop off the boughs , and make it their pruning , and it is a tolerable way , so it be discreetly done in the over-thick parts of the tree ; but these leaves gather'd from a separated branch will die , and wither much sooner than those which are taken from the tree immediately , unless you set the stem in water . leaves gathered from boughs cut off will shrink in three hours ; whereas those you take from the living tree will last as many days ; and being thus a while kept are better than over-fresh ones . it is a rule , never to gather in a rainy season , nor cut any branch whilst the wet is upon it ; and therefore against such suspected times you are to provide before hand , and to reserve them in some fresh but dry place : the same caution you must observe for the dew , though it do not rain , for wet-food kills the worms . but if this cannot be altogether prevented , put the leaves between a pair of sheets well dried by the fire , and shake them up and down 'till the moisture be drunk up in the linen , and then spreading them to the air a little , on another dry cloth , you may feed with them boldly . the top-leaves and oldest would be gathered last of all , as being most proper to repast the worms with towards their last change . the gatherer must be neat , and have his hands clean , and his breath sweet , and not poison'd with onions or tobacco , and be careful not to press the leaves by crouding them into the bags or baskets . lastly , that they gather onely ( unless in case of necessity ) leaves from the present , not from the former years sprigs , or old wood , which are not onely rude and harsh , but are annex'd to stubb'd stalks , which injure the worms , and spoil the denudated branches . . this is what i thought fit to premonish concerning the gathering of the leaves of this tree for silk-worms , as i newly find it in monsieur isnard's instructions , in that exact discourse of his published some three years since , and dedicated to monsieur colbert , who has , it seems , constituted this industrious and experienc'd person , surveyor of this princely manufacture about paris ; and because the book it self is rare , and known of by very few . i have no more to adde , but this for our encouragement , and to encounter the objections which may be suggested about the coldness and moisture of our country ; that the spring is in province no less inconstant than is ours in england ; that the colds at paris are altogether as sharp ; and that when in may it has continued raining for nine and twenty days successively , monsieur isnard assures us , he proceeded in his work without the least disaster ; and in the year he presented the french king his master with a considerable quantity of better silks , than any messina or boulonia could produce , which he sold raw at lions , for a pistol the pound ; when that of avignion , province , and dauphine produc'd little above half that price . but you are to expect the compleat history of the silk-worm from that incomparable treatise , which the learned malpighius has lately sent out of italy , and dedicated to the royal society ( now ready to be publish'd ) as a specimen , and noble effect of its universal correspondence and concernments for the improvement of useful knowledge . chap. x. of the service . . sorbus , the service tree ( of which there are four sorts ) is rais'd of the chequers or berries , which being ripe ( that is ) rotten , about september , may be sown like beech-mast : it is reported that the sower never sees the fruit of his labour ; either for that it bears only being very old , or that men are commonly so , before they think of planting trees : but this is an egregious mistake ; for these come very soon to be trees , and being planted young , thrive exceedingly ; i have likewise planted them as big as my arm successfully : the best way is therefore to propagate them of suckers or sets ; they delight in reasonable good ground , rather inclining to cold , then over hot ; for in places which are too dry , they never bear kindly . the torminalis is the kind most frequent with us ; for those of the narrower and lesse indented leaf , is not so common in england as in france , bearing a sort of berry of the pear shape , and is there call'd the cormier ; this tree may be graffed either with it self , or on the white-thorn , and quince . . the timber is useful for the joyner , for the engraver of woodcuts , bows , pulleys , skrews , mill-spindles and other , goads to drive oxen with , &c. pistol , and gun-stocks , and for most that the wild-pear-tree serves ; and being of a very delicate grain , for the turner , and divers curiosities , and looks delicately , and is almost everlasting , being rub'd over with oyl of linseed , well boyl'd , and may be made to counterfeit ebony , or almost any indian wood , colour'd according to art : also it is taken to build with , yielding beams of considerable substance : the shade is beautiful for walks , and the fruit not unpleasant , especially the second kind , of which with new wine and honey , they make a condilum of admirable effect to corroborate the stomach ; and the fruit alone is good in dysenteria and lasks . the water distill'd from the stalks of the flowers and leaves on m.b. and twice rectified upon fresh matter , is incomparable for consumptive and tabed bodies , taking an ounce daily at several times : likewise it cures the green-sicknesse in virgins , and is prevalent in all fluxes ; distill'd warm into the ears it abates the pain : the wood , or bark contus'd and applied to any green wound , heals it ; and the powder thereof drank in oyl olive , consolidates inward ruptures : lastly , the salt of the wood taken in decoction of althaea to three grains , is an incomparable remedy to break and expel gravel . the service gives the husbandman an early presage of the approching spring , by extending his adorned buds for a peculiar entertainment , and dares peep out in the severest winters . chap. xi . of the maple . . the maple [ acer minus ] ( of which authors ( see salmasius upon solinus . c. . ) reckon very many kinds ) was of old held in equal estimation almost with the citron ; especially the bruseum , the french-maple , and the peacocks-tail maple , which is that sort so elegantly undulated , and crisped into variety of curles . it were a most laudable attempt , if some would enquire out , and try the planting of such sorts as are not indigenes amongst us ; such as is especially the german aire , and that of virginia , not yet cultivated here , but an excellent tree : and if this were extended to other timber and exotic trees , likewise it would prove of extraordinary benefit and ornament to the publick , and were worthy even of the royal care. they are all produced of the keys , like the ash ; and like to it , affect a sound , and a dry , mould ; growing both in woods and hedge-rows , especially in the latter ; which if rather hilly then low , affords the fairest timber . by shreding up the boughs to a head , i have caused it to shoot to a wonderful height in a little time ; but if you would lop it for the fire , let it be done in january . the timber is far superiour to beech for all uses of the turner , who seeks it for dishes , cups , trays , trenchers , &c. as the joyner for tables , inlayings , and for the delicateness of the grain , when the knurs and nodosities are rarely diapred , which does much advance its price . also for the lightness ( under the name ayer ) imploy'd often by those who make musical instruments . but there is a larger sort , which we call the sycomor . . but the description of this lesser maple , and the ancient value of it , is worth the citing . acer operum elegantiâ & subtilitate cedro secundum ; plura ejus genera : album , quod praecipui candoris vocatur gallicum : in transpadana italia , tránsque alpes nascens . alterum genus crispo macularum discursu , qui cùm excellentior fuit , à similitudine caudae pavonum nomen accepit . the maple ( says pliny ) for the elegancy and fineness of the wood is next to the very cedar it self : there are several kinds of it , especially the white , which is wonderfully beautiful ; this is call'd the french maple , and grows on that part of italy , that is on the other side of po beyond the alpes : the other has a curl'd grain , so curiously maculated , that from a neer resemblance , it was usually cal'd the peacocks-tayl , &c. he goes on to commend that of istria , and that growing on the mountains for the best : but in the next chapter ; pulcherrimum vero est bruscum , multóque excellentius , etiamnum mollusculum tuber utrumque arboris ejus bruscum intortiùs crispum , mollusculum simplicius sparsum ; et si magnitudinem mensarum caperet , haud dubiè praeferretur cedro , nunc intrà pugillares , lectorúmque silicios aut laminas , &c. è brusco fiunt mensae nigrescentes , &c. plin. l. . c. , . the bruscum , or knur is wonderfully fair , but the molluscum is counted most precious ; both of them knobs and swellings out of the tree . the bruscum is more intricately crisp'd ; the molluscum not so much ; and had we trees large enough to saw into planks for tables , 't would be preferr'd before cedar ( or citron , for so some copies read it ) but now they use it onely for small table-books , and with its thin boards to wainscot bed-testers with , &c. the bruscum is of a blackish kind , with which they make tables . thus far pliny . and such spotted tables were the famous tigrin , and pantherine curiosities of , not so call'd from being supported with figures carved like those beasts , as some conceive , and was in use even in our grandfathers dayes , but from its natural spots and maculations ; such a table was that of cicero's , which cost him . sesterces ; that of king juba , sold for . and another which i read of , valu'd at h.s. which at about d. sterling , arives to a pretty summ ; and yet that of the mauritanian ptolomie , was far richer , containing four foot and an half diameter , three inches thick , which is reported to have been sold for its weight in gold : of that value they were , and so madly luxurious the age , that when they at any time reproach'd their wives for their wanton expensivenesse in pearl and other rich trifles , they were wont to retort , and turn the tables upon their husbands . the knot of the timber was the most esteem'd , and is said to be much resembled by the female cypress ; we have now , i am almost perswaded , as beautiful planks of some wallnut-trees , neer the root ; and of eugh , ivy , rose-wood , and olive , i have seen incomparable pieces ; but the great art was in the seasoning , and politure , for which last , the rubbing with a mans hand who came warm out of the bath , was accounted better then any cloth , as pliny reports . some there be who contend , this citern was a part neer the root of the cedar , which , as they describe that , is very oriental and oderiferous , but most of the learned favour the citern , and that it grew not far from our tangier , about the foot of mount atlas , when haply some industrious person might procure of it from the moors ; and i have not forgotten to put his excellency my lord h. howard in mind of it , who will have all the opportunities of satisfying our curiosity , that by comparing it with those elegant woods , both our own countreys , and the indies furnish , we might pronounce something in the controversie . here i think good to add what honest palissy philosophises after his plain manner , about the reason of those pretty undulations and chamfers , which we so frequently find in diverse woods ; which he takes to be the descent as well as ascent of moisture : for what else ( sayes he ) becomes of that water which we often encounter in the cavities , when many branches divaricate and spread themselves at the tops of great trees ( especially pollards ) unlesse ( according to its natural appetite ) it sink into the very body of the stem through the pores ? for example , in the wall-nut , you shall find , when 't is old , that the wood is admirably figur'd , and as it were marbl'd , and therefore much more esteemed by the joyners , cabinet-makers , &c. then the young , which is paler of colour , and without any notable grain , as they call it . for the rain distilling along the branches , when many of them break out into clusters from the stem , sinks in , and is the cause of these marks ; since we find it exceedingly full of pores : do but plane off a thin chip , or sliver from one of these old trees , and interposing it 'twixt your eye and the light , you shall observe it to be full of innumerable holes ( much more perspicuous and ample , by the application of a good microscope ) but above all , notable for these extravagant damaskings and characters , is the maple ; and 't is notorious , that this tree is very full of branches from the root to its very summit , by reason that it produces no considerable fruit : these arms being frequently cut , the head is more surcharged with them , which spreading like so many raies from a center , form that hollownesse at the top of the stem whence they shoot , capable of containing a good quantity of water every time it raines : this sinking into the pores , as was before hinted , is compell'd to divert its course as it passes through the body of the tree , where-ever it encounters the knot of any of those branches which were cut off from the stem ; because their roots not onely deeply penetrate towards the heart , but are likewise of themselves very hard and impervious ; and the frequent obliquity of this course of the subsiding moisture by reason of these obstructions , is , as may be conceived , the cause of those curious works , which we find remarkable in this , and other woods , whose branches grow thick from the stem . we have shewed how by culture and stripping up , it arrives to a goodly tree ; and surely , there were some of them of large bulk , and noble shades , that virgil should choose it for the court of his evander , one of his worthiest princes in his best of poems sitting in his maple-throne ; and when he brings aeneas into the royal cottage , he makes him this memorable complement ; greater , sayes great cowley , than ever was yet spoken at the escurial , the louvre , or whitehall . this humble roof , this rustique court , said he , receiv'd alcides crown'd with victorie : scorn not ( great guest ) the steps where he has trod , but contemn wealth , and imitate a god. — haec ( inquit ) limina victor alcides — chap. xii . of the sycomor . . the sycomor , falsely so called , is , our acer majus , one of the maples , and is much more in reputation for its shade than it deserves ; for the leaves which fall early ( like those of the ash ) turn to mucilage , and putrefie with the first moisture of the season ; so as they contaminate and mar our walks , and are therefore by my consent to be banish'd from all curious gardens and avenues . . there is in germany a better sort of sycomor then ours , wherewith they make saddle trees , and divers other things of use ; our own is excellent for trenchers , cart , and plow-timber , being light , tough , and not much inferiour to ash it self ; and if the trees be very tall and handsome , are the more tolerable for distant walks , especially where other better trees prosper not so well , or where a sudden shade is expected . chap. xiii . of the horn-beam . . ostrys the horn-beam , in latine ignorantly the carpinus , is planted of sets ; though it may likewise be raised from the seeds , which being mature in august , should be sown in october ; but the more expeditious way is by sets , of about an inch diametre , and cut within half a foot of the earth : thus it will advance to a considerable tree . the places it chiefly desires to grow in are in cold hills , and in the barren and most expos'd parts of woods . . amongst other uses which it serves for , as mill-cogs , &c. ( for which it excells either yew or crab ) yoak-timber ( whence of old 't was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) heads of beetles , stocks and handles of tools ; it is likewise for the turners use excellent : good fire-wood , where it burns like a candle , and was of old so employ'd ; carpinus taedas fissa facésque dabit . ( for all which purposes its extreme toughness and whiteness commends it to the husbandman . ) being planted in small fosses or trenches , at half a foot intervall , and in the single row it makes the noblest , and the stateliest hedges for long walks in gardens , or parks , of any tree whatsoever whose leaves are deciduos , and forsake their branches in winter ; because it grows tall , and so sturdy , as not to be wronged by the winds : besides , it will furnish to the very foot of the stem , and flourishes with a glossie and polish'd verdure which is exceeding delightful , of long continuance , and of all other the harder woods , the speediest grower ; maintaining a slender , upright - stem , which does not come to be bare and sticky in many years . that admirable espalier-hedge in the long middle-walk of luxembourg garden at paris ( than which there is nothing more graceful ) is planted of this tree ; and so is that cradle , or close walk , with that perplext canopy , which covers the seat in his majesties garden at hampton-court . these hedges are tonsile ; but where they are maintain'd to fifteen , or twenty foot height ( which is very frequent in the places before mention'd ) they are to be cut , and kept in order with a sythe of four foot long , and very little falcated ; this is fix'd on a long sneed or streight handle , and does wonderfully expedite the trimming of these , and the like hedges . . they very frequently plant a clump of these trees before the entries of most of the great towns in germany , to which they apply timber-frames for convenience , and the people to sit and solace in . scamozzi the architect , sayes , that in his time he found one whose branches extended seventy foot in breadth : this was at vuimfen neer the necker , belonging to the duke of witemberg : but that which i find planted before the gates of strasburgh , is a platanus and a lime tree growing hard by one another , in which is erected a pergolo eight foot from the ground , of fifty foot wide , having ten arches of twelve foot height , all shaded with their folige ; and there is besides this , an over-grown oak , which has an arbour in it of foot diameter : hear we rapinus describe the use of our horn-beam for these and other elegancies . in walkes the horn-beam stands , or in a maze through thousand self-entangling labyrinths strays : so clasp the branches lopp'd on either side , as though an alley did two walls divide : this beauty found , order did next adorne the boughs into a thousand figures shorne , which pleasing objects wearinesse betray'd , your feet into a wildernesse convey'd . nor better leaf on twining arbor spread , against the scorching sun to shield your head . in tractus longos facilis tibi carpinus ibit , mille per errores , indeprehensosque recessus , et molles tendens secto seu pariete ramos , praebebit viridem diverso e margine scenam . primus honos illi quondam , post aditus ord● est , attonsaeque coma , & formis quaesita voluptas innumeris , fartoque viae , obliquoque recessu : in tractus acta est longos & opaca vireta . quinetiam egregiae tendens umbracula frondis temperat ardentes ramis ingentibus aestus . chap. xiv . of the lime-tree . tilia the lime-tree , or [ linden ] is of two kinds ; the male ( which some allow to be but a finer sort of elm ) is harder , fuller of knots , and of a redder colour ; but producing neither flower , nor seed , as does the female , whose blossom is very odoriferous , perfuming the air : the wood is likewise thicker , of small pith , and not obnoxious to the vvorm , so as it seems theophrastus , de pl. l. . c. . said true , that though they were of both sexes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. yet they totally differ'd as to their form . we send commonly for this tree into flanders and holland , to our excessive cost , whiles our own woods do in some places spontaneously produce them , and though of somewhat a smaller leaf , yet altogether as good , apt to be civiliz'd , and made more florid . from thence i have received many of their berries ; so as it is a shameful negligence , that we are no better provided of nurseries , of a tree so choice , and universally acceptable . for so they may be rais'd either of the seeds in october , or ( with better successe ) by the suckers , and plants , after the same method , and in as great abundance as the elm , like to which it should be cultivated . but not onely by the suckers , at the roots , but even by branches lop'd from the head , may this tree be propagated ; and peeling off a little of the bark , at a competent distance from the stem or arms , and covering it with lome mingled with rich earth , they will shoot their fibers , and may be seasonably separated : but to facilitate this and the like attempts , it is advisable to apply a ligature above the place , when the sap is ascending , or beneath it , when it descends . . the lime-tree affects a rich feeding soil ; in such ground their growth will be almost incredible for speed and spreading . they may be planted as big as ones leg ; their heads topp'd at about six foot bole ; thus it will become ( of all other ) the most proper and beautiful for walks , as producing an upright body , smooth and even bark , ample leaf , sweet blossom , and a goodly shade at distance of eighteen or twenty foot . . the prince elector did lately remove very great lime-trees out of one of his forests , to a steep hill exceedingly expos'd to the heat of the sun at hidelbourg ; and that in the midst of summer : they grow behind that strong tower on the south-west , and most torrid part of the eminence ; being of a dry reddish barren earth ; yet do they prosper rarely well : but the heads were cut off , and the pits into which they were transplanted , were ( by the industry and direction of monsieur de son , a frenchman , that admirable mechanicean , who himself related it to me ) fill'd with a composition of earth and cow-dung , which was exceedingly beaten , and so diluted with water , as it became almost a liquid pap : it was in this that he plunged the roots , covering the surface with the turf : a singular example of removing so great trees at such a season , and therefore by me taken notice of here expresly . . the timber of a well-grown lime is convenient for any use that the willow is ; but much to be preferr'd , as being both stronger , and yet lighter ; whence virgil calls them tilias leves ; and therefore fit for yokes , and to be turn'd into boxes for the apothecaries ; and columella commends arculas tiliaceas . and because of its colour and easie working , architects make with it modells for their designed buildings ; and small statues , and little curious figures have been carved of this wood . with the twigs they made baskets , and cradles , and of the smoother side of the bark , tablets for writing ; for the antient philyra is but our tilia . bellonius sayes , that the grecians made bottles of it , which they finely rozin'd within side , also lattices for windows . the gravers in wood do sometimes make use of this fine material ; and even the coursest membrane , or slivers of the tree growing 'twixt the bark and the main body , they now twist into bass-ropes ; besides the truncheons make a far better coal for gun-powder than that of alder it self : and the extraordinary candor and lightnesse , has dignifi'd it above all the vvoods of our forest , in the hands of the right honourable the vvhite-stave officers of his majesties imperial court. those royal plantations of these trees in the parks of hampton court , and st. james's , will sufficiently instruct any man how these ( and indeed all other trees which stand single ) are to be govern'd , and defended from the injuries of beasts , and sometimes more unreasonable creatures , till they are able to protect themselves . in holland ( where the very high wayes are adorn'd with them ) they frequently clap three , or four deal-boards ( in manner of a close trunk ) about them ; but it is not so well ; because it keeps out the air , which should have free accesse , and intercourse to the bole , and by no means be excluded from flowing freely about them , or indeed any other trees ; provided they are secur'd from the violence of impetuous winds , &c. as his majesties are , without those close coffins , in which the dutch-men seem rather to bury them alive : in the mean time , is there a more ravishing , or delightful object then to behold some intire streets , and whole towns planted with these trees , in even lines before their doors , so as they seem like cities in a vvood ? this is extreamly fresh , of admirable effect against the epilepsie , for which the delicately sented blossoms are held prevalent ; and skreens the houses both from vvinds , sun , and dust ; then which there can be nothing more desirable where streets are much frequented . the stately lime , smooth , gentle , streight , and fair , ( with which no other dryad may compare ) with verdant locks , and fragrant blossoms deckt , does a large , ev'n , odorate shade project . stat philyra ; haud omnes formos●or altera surgit inter hamadryades ; mollissima , candida , lavis , et viridante comâ , & beneolenti flore superba , spargit odoratam latè , atque aequaliter umbram . coulei l. . pl. the distance for vvalks may in rich ground be eighteen foot , in more ordinary soil , fifteen , or sixteen . chap. xv. of the quick-beam . . the quick-beam [ ornus , or as the pinax more peculiarly , fraxinus bubula , others , the wild sorb ] or ( as some term it ) the witchen , is a species of wild-ash . the berries which it produces in october , may then be sown ; or rather the sets planted : it rises to a reasonable stature , shoots upright , and slender ; and consists of a fine smooth bark . it delights to be both in mountains and vvoods , and to fix it self in good light ground ; virgil affirms , 't will unite with the peare . . besides the use of it for the husbandmans tools , the vvheel-wright commends it for being all heart ; and our fletchers for bowes next to eugh , which we ought not to passe over , for the glory of right english ancestors : in a statute of hen. . you have it mention'd : it is excellent fuel ; but i have not yet observed any other use , save that the blossoms are of an agreeable scent , and the berries such a tempting bait for the thrushes , that as long as they last , you shall be sure of their company . some highly commend the juice of the berries , which ( fermenting of it self ) if well preserv'd , makes an excellent drink , against the spleen and scorbut : ale and beer brew'd with these berries , being ripe , is an incomparable drink chap. xvi . of the birch . . the birch [ betula ] is altogether produc'd of suckers , ( though it sheds a kind of samera about the spring ) which being planted at four or five foot interval , in small twigs , will suddenly rise to trees ; provided they affect the ground , which cannot well be too barren ; for it will thrive both in the dry , and the wet , sand , and stony , marshes , and bogs ; the water-galls , and uliginous parts of forests that hardly bear any grasse , do many times spontaneously produce it in abundance , whether the place be high , or low , and nothing comes amisse to it . plant the small twigs , or suckers having roots , and after the first year , cut them within an inch of the surface ; this will cause them to sprout in strong and lusty tufts , fit for coppse , and spring-woods ; or , by reducing them to one stem , render them in a very few years fit for the turner . for . though birch be of all other the worst of timber , yet has it its various uses , as for the husbandmans ox-yokes ; also for hoops , paniers , brooms , wands , bavin bands , and wythes for fagots ; and claims a memory for arrows , bolts , shafts , our old english artillery ; also for dishes , boules , ladles , and other domestic utensils , in the good old dayes of more simplicity , yet of better and truer hospitality : also for fuel , great and small-coal , which last is made by charring the slenderest brush , and summities of the twigs ; as of the tops and loppings m. howards new tanne . the inner silken-bark was antiently us'd for writing-tables , even before the invention of paper ; and of the out-ward thicker , and courser part , are divers houses in russia , and those poor northern tracts cover'd , in stead of slates , and tyle : 't is affirm'd by cardan , that some birch-roots are so very extravagantly rein'd , as to represent the shapes and images of beasts , birds , trees , and many other pretty resemblances . lastly , of the whitest part of the old wood , found commonly in doating birches , is made the grounds of our gallants sweet-powder ; and of the quite consum'd and rotten , such as we find reduc'd to a kind of reddish earth in superexannuated hollow-trees , is gotten the best mould for the raising of divers seedlings of the rarest plants and flowers ; to say nothing here of the magisterial fasces , for which antiently the gudgels were us'd by the lictor ; as now the gentler rods by our tyrannical paedagogues . . i should here add the uses of the water too , had i full permission to tamper with all the medicinal virtues of trees : but if the sovereign effects of the juice of this despicable tree supply its other defects ( which makes some judge it unworthy to be brought into the catalogue of woods to be propagated ) i may for once be permitted to play the empiric , and to gratifie our laborious woodman with a draught of his own liquor : and the rather , because these kind of secrets are not yet sufficiently cultivated ; and ingenious planters would by all means be encourag'd to make more trials of this nature , as the indians , and other nations have done on their palmes , and trees of several kinds , to their great emolument . the mystery is no more than this : about the beginning of march ( when the buds begin to be proud and turgid ) with a chizel and a mallet , cut a slit almost as deep as the very pith , under some bough , or branch of a well spreading birch ; cut it oblique , and not long-wayes ( as a good chirurgion would make his orifice in a vein ) inserting a small stone or chip , to keep the lips of the wound a little open : sir hugh plat , giving a general rule for the gathering of sap , and tapping of trees , would have it done within one foot of the ground , the first rind taken off , and then the white bark slit overthwart , no farther then to the body of the tree : moreover , that this wound be made onely in that part of the bark which respects the south west , or between those quarters ; because ( says he ) little , or no sap riseth from the northern . in this slit , by the help of your knife to open it , he directs that a leaf of the tree be inserted , first fitted to the dimensions of the slit , from which the sap will distil in manner of filtration : take away the leaf , and the bark will close again , a little earth being clapped to the slit : thus the knight for any tree : but we have already shew'd how the birch is to be treated : fasten therefore a bottle , or some such convenient vessel appendant : this does the effect as well as perforation or tapping : out of this aperture will extil a limpid and clear water , retaining an obscure smack both of the tast and odor of the tree ; and which ( as i am credibly inform'd ) will in the space of twelve , or fourteen dayes preponderate , and out-weigh the whole tree it self , body , and roots ; which if it be constant , and so happen likewise in other trees , is not onely stupendious , but an experiment worthy the consideration of our profoundest philosophers : an ex sola aqua fiunt arbores ? whether water only be the principle of vegetables , and consequently of trees : for evident it is , that we know of no tree which does more copiously attract , be it that so much celebrated spirit of the world ( as they call it ) in form of water ( as some ) or a certain specifique liquor richly impregnated with this balsamical property : that there is such a magnes in this simple tree as does manifestly draw to it self some occult and wonderful virtue , is notorious ; nor is it conceivable , indeed , the difference between the efficacy of that liquor which distills from the bole , or parts of the tree neerer to the root ( where sir hugh would celebrate the incision ) and that which weeps out from the more sublime branches , more impregnated with this astral vertue , as not so near the root , which seems to attract rather a cruder and more common water , through fewer strainers , and neither so pure and aërial as in those refined percolations , the nature of the places where these trees delight to grow ( for the most part lofty , dry , and barren ) consider'd . but i refer these disquisitions to the learned ; especially , as mention'd by that incomparable philosopher , and my most noble friend , the honourable mr. boyle , in his second part of the usefulnesse of natural philosophy sect. . essay d. where he speaks of the manna del corpo , or trunk-manna , as well as of that liquor from the bough ; so of the sura which the coco-trees afford ; and that polonian secret of the liquor of the wallnut-tree root ; with an encouragement of more frequent experiments to educe saccharine substances upon these occasions : but the book being publish'd so long since this discourse was first ready , i have onely here the liberty to refer the reader to one of the best entertainments in the world . . but whilst this second edition is now under my hand , there comes to me divers papers upon this subject experimentally made by a worthy friend of mine , a learned and most industrious person , which i had here once resolv'd to have publish'd , according to the generous liberty granted me for so doing ; but understanding he was still in pursuit of that usefull , and curious secret , i chang'd my resolution into an earnest addresse , that he would communicate it to the world himself , together with those other excellent enquiries , and observations which he is adorning for the benefit of planters , and such as delight themselves in those innocent rusticities . i will onely by way of corolarie , hint some particulars for satisfaction of the curious ; and especially that we may in some sort gratifie those earnest suggestions and queries of the most obliging publisher of the philosophical transactions , to whose indefatigable pains the learned world is infinitely engag'd . in compliance therefore to his queries , monday octob. . . numb . . p. , , &c. these generals are submitted : that in such trials as my friend essai'd , he has not yet encountred with any sap but what is very clear and sweet ; especially that of the sycomor , which has a dulcoration as if mixed with sugar , and that it runs one of the earliest : that the maple distill'd when quite reseinded from the body , and even whilst he yet held it in his hand : that the sycomor ran at the root , which some dayes before yielded no sap , from his branches ; the experiment made at the end of march : but the accurate knowledge of the nature of sap , and its periodic motions and properties in several trees , should be observed by some at entire leisure to attend it daily , and almost continually , and will require more than any one persons industry can afford : for it must be enquir'd concerning every tree , its age , soyl , scituation , &c. the variety of its ascending sap depending on it ; and then of its sap ascending in the branches and roots ; descending in cut branches ; descending from root and not from branches ; the seasons and difference of time in which those accidents happen , &c. he likewise thinks the best expedient to procure store of liquor , is , to cut the trees almost quite through all the circles on both sides the pith , leaving only the outmost circle and the barks on the north , or north-east side unpierced ; and this hole the larger it is bored , the more plentifully 't will distill ; which if it be under , and through a large arm , neer the ground , it is effected with greatest advantage , and will need neither stone nor chip to keep it open , nor spigot to direct it to the recipient . thus it will in a short time , afford liquor sufficient to brew with ; and in some of these sweet saps , one bushel of mault will afford as good ale as four in ordinary waters , even in march it self ; in others , as good as two bushels ; for this , prefering the sycomor before any other : but to preserve it in best condition for brewing , till you are stor'd with a sufficient quantity , it is advis'd that what first runs , be insolated , till the remainder be prepar'd to prevent its growing sowre : but it may also be fermented alone by such as have the secret : to the curious these essayes are recommended . that it be immediately stopp'd up in bottles in which it is gathered , the corks well wax'd and expos'd to the sun , till ( as was said ) sufficient quantity be run ; then let so much rye-bread ( toasted very dry , but not burnt ) be put into it as will serve to set it a working ; and when it begins to ferment , take it out , and bottle it immediately . if you add a few cloves , &c. to steep in it , 't will certainly keep the year about : 't is a wonder how speedily it extracts the tast , and tincture of the spice : mr. boyle proposes a sulphurous fume to the bottles : spirit of wine may haply not onely preserve , but advance the vertues of saps ; and infusions of raisins are obvious , and without decoction best , which does but spend the more delicate parts . note that the sap of the birch will make excellent meade . . to these observations , that of the weight , and vertue of the several juices would be both useful and curious : as whether that which proceeds from the bark , or between that and the wood be of the same nature with that which is suppos'd to spring from the pores of the woody circles ? and whether it rise in like quantity upon comparing the incisures ? all which may be try'd , first attempting through the bark , and saving that apart , and then perforating into the wood to the thicknesse of the bark or more , with a like separation of what distills . the period also of its current would be calculated ; as how much proceeds from the bark , in one hour , how much from the wood or body of the tree , and thus every hour , still a deeper incision with a good large augre , till the tree be quite perforated : then by making a second hole within the first , fitted with a lesser pipe , the interior heart-sap may be drawn apart , and examin'd by weight , quantity , colour , distillation , &c. and if no difference perceptible be detected , the presumption will be greater , that the difference of heart and sap in timber , is not from the saps plenty or penury , but the season ; and then possibly , the very season of squaring , as well as felling of timber , may be considerable to the preservation of it . . the notice likewise of the saps rising more plentifully , and constantly in the sun , than shade ; more in the day than night , more in the roots than branch , more southward than northward , &c. may yield many useful observations : as for planting , to set thicker , or thinner ( si coetera sint paria ) namely the nature of the tree , soyl , &c. ) and not to shade over much the roots of those trees whose stems we desire should mount , &c. that in transplanting trees we turn the best , and largest roots towards the south , and consequently the most ample and spreading part of the head correspondent to the roots : for if there be a strong root on that quarter , and but a feeble attraction in the branches , this may not alwayes counterpoise the weak roots on the north-side , damnified by the too puissant attraction of over large branches : this may also suggest a cause why trees flourish more on the south-side , and have their integument and coates thicker on those aspects annually , with divers other useful speculations , if in the mean time they seem not rather to be puntillos , over nice for a plain forester . . to shew our reader yet , that these are no novel experiments , we are to know , that a large tract of the world almost altogether subsist on these treen liquors ; especially , that of the date , which being grown to about seven or eight foot in height , they wound , as we have taught , for the sap , which they call toddy , a very famous drink in the east-indias . this tree increasing every year about a foot , near the opposite part of the first incisure , they pierce again , changing the receiver ; and so still by opposite wounds and notches , they yearly draw forth the liquor , till it arrive to near thirty foot upward , and of these they have ample groves and plantations which they set at seven or eight foot distance : but then they use to percolate what they extract , through a stratum made of the rind of the tree , well contus'd and beaten , before which preparation it is not safe to drink it ; and 't is observ'd , that some trees afford a much more generous wine , than others of the same kind . in the coco and palmeto trees , they chop a bough as we do the betula ; but in the date , make the incision with a chisel in the body very neatly , in which they stitch a leaf of the tree as a lingula to direct it into the appendent vessel , which the subjoyn'd figure represents , and illustrates with its improvement to our former discourse : note , if there be no fitting arms , the hole thus obliquely perforated , and a faucet or pipe inserted , will lead the sap into the recipient . ( a. b. ) the body of the tree ( g. ) boar'd at that part of the arm ( f. ) joyn'd to the stem , with an augre of an inch or more diameter , according to the bignesse of the tree . ( c. ) a part of the bark bent down into the mouth of the bottle ( e. ) to conduct the liquor into it . ( d. ) the string about the arm ( f. ) by which the bottle hangs . . the liquor of the birch is esteem'd to have all the virtues of the spirit of salt , without the danger of its acrimony ; most powerful for the dissolving of the stone in the bladder : helmont shews how to make a beer of the water ; but the wine is a most rich cordial , curing ( as i am told ) consumptions , and such interior diseases as accompany the stone in the bladder or reins : this wine , exquisitely made , is so strong , that the common sort of stone-bottles cannot preserve the spirits , so subtile they are and volatile ; and yet it is gentle , and very harmlesse in operation within the body , and exceedingly sharpens the appetite , being drank ante pastum : i will present you a receipt , as it was sent me by a fair lady . . to every gallon of birch-water put a quart of hony well stirr'd together ; then boyl it almost an hour with a few cloves , and a little limon-peel , keeping it well scumm'd : when it is sufficiently boil'd , and become cold , add to it three , or four spoonfulls of good ale to make it work ( which it will do like new ale ) and when the yest begins to settle , bottle it up as you do other winy liquors . it will in a competent time become a most brisk , and spiritous drink , which ( besides the former virtues ) is a very powerful opener , and doing wonders for cure of the ptisick : this wine may ( if you please ) be made as successfully with sugar in stead of hony , lbj . to each gallon of water ; or you may dulcifie it with raisins , and compose a raisin-wine of it . i know not whether the quantity of the sweet ingredients might not be somewhat reduc'd , and the operation improv'd : but i give it as receiv'd . . but besides these , beech , alder , ash , elder , &c. would be attempted for liquors : thus crabs , and even our very brambles , may possibly yield us medical and useful wines . the poplar was heretofore esteem'd more physical than the betula . the sap of the oak , juice , or decoction of the inner bark cures the fashions , or farcy , a virulent and dangerous infirmity in horses , and which ( like cancers ) were reputed incurable by any other topic , then some actual , or potential cautery : but , what is more noble ; a dear friend of mine assur'd me , that a country neighbour of his ( at least fourscore years of age ) who had lain sick of a bloody strangury ( which by cruel torments reduc'd him to the very article of death ) was , under god , recover'd to perfect , and almost miraculous health , and strength ( so as to be able to fall stoutly to his labour ) by one sole draught of beer , wherein was the decoction of the internal bark of the oak-tree ; and i have seen a composition of an admirable sudorific , and diuretic for all affections of the liver , out of the like of the elm , which might yet be drank daily as our cophee is , and with no lesse delight ; but quacking is not my trade : i speak onely here as a plain husband man , and a simple forester , out of the limits whereof i hope i have not unpardonably transgress'd . pan was a physician , and he ( you know ) was president of the woods . but i proceed . chap. xvii . of the hasel . . nvx sylvestris , or corylus , the hasel , is best rais'd from the nuts , which you shall sow like mast in a pretty deep furrow toward the end of february : light ground may immediately be sown and harrow'd in very accurately ; but in case the mould be clay , plow it earlier , and let it be sufficiently mellow'd with the frosts ; and then the third year , cut your trees near to the ground with a sharp bill , the moon decreasing . . but if you would make a grove for pleasure , plant them in fosses at a yard distance , and cut them within half a foot of the earth , dressing them for three or four springs and autumns , by onely loosning the mould a little about their roots . others there are , who set the nuts by hand at one foot distance , to be transplanted the third year at a yard asunder : but this work is not to be taken in hand so soon as the nuts fall , till winter be well advanc'd ; because they are exceedingly obnoxious to the frosts ; nor will they sprout till the spring ; besides , vermine are great devourers of them : preserve them therefore moist , not mouldy ; by laying them in their own dry leaves , or in sand , till january . hasels from sets and suckers take . plantis & durae coryli nascuntur — georg . . from whence they thrive very well , the shoots being of the scantlings of small wands , and switches , or somewhat bigger , and such as have drawn divers hairy twiggs , which are by no means to be disbranch'd no more than their roots , unless by a very sparing and discreet hand . thus your coryletum or copse of hasels being planted about autumn , may ( as some practise it ) be cut within three or four inches of the ground the spring following , which the new cyon will suddenly repair , in clusters and tufts of fair poles of twenty , and sometimes thirty foot long : but i rather should spare them till two , or three years after , when they shall have taken strong hold , and may be cut close to the very earth ; the improsperous , and feeble ones especially . thus , are likewise filberts to be treated , both of them improv'd much by transplanting , but chiefly by graffing , and it would be try'd with filberts , and even with almonds themselves , for more elegant experiments . . for the place , they above all affect cold , barren , dry , and sandy grounds ; also mountains , and even rockie soils produce them ; but more plentifully , if somewhat moist , dankish , and mossie , as in the fresher bottoms , and sides of hills , and in hedge-rowes . such as are maintain'd for coppses , may after twelve years be fell'd the first time ; the next at seven or eight , &c. for by this period their roots will be compleatly vigorous . you may plant them from october to january , provided you keep them carefully weeded till they have taken fast hold . . the use of the hasel is for poles , spars ; hoops , forks , angling rods , faggots , cudgels , coals , and springes to catch birds ; and it makes one of the best coals , once us'd for gun-powder , being very fine and light , till they found alder to be more fit : there is no wood which purifies wine sooner , than the chipps of hasel : also for vvith's and bands , upon which i remember pliny thinks it a pretty speculation , that a wood should be stronger to bind withal being bruis'd and divided , then when whole and entire ; lastly , for riding switches and divinatory rods for the detecting and finding out of minerals ; at least , if that tradition be no imposture . but the most signal honour it was ever employ'd in , and which might deservedly exalt this humble , and common plant above all the trees of the wood , is that of hurdles ; not for that it is generally us'd for the folding of our innocent sheep , an emblem of the church ; but for making the walks of one of the first christian oratories in the world ; and particularly in this island , that venerable and sacred fabric at glastenbury , founded by s. joseph of arimathea , which is storied to have been first compos'd but of a few small hasel-rods interwoven about certain stakes driven into the ground ; and walls of this kind , in stead of laths and punchions , superinduc'd with a course mortar made of loam and straw , does to this day , inclose divers humble cottages , sheads , and out-houses in the countrey ; and 't is strong and lasting for such purposes , whole , or cleft , and i have seen ample enclosures of courts and gardens so secur'd . . there is a compendious expedient for the thickning of copses which are too transparant , by laying of a sampler , or pole of an hasel , ash , poplar , &c. of twenty , or thirty foot in length ( the head a little lopp'd ) into the ground , giving it a chop near the foot , to make it succumb ; this fastned to the earth with a hook or two , and cover'd with some fresh mould at a competent depth ( as gardeners lay their carnations ) will produce a world of suckers , thicken , and furnish a copse speedily . but i am now come to the vvater-side ; let us next consider the aquatic . chap. xviii . of the poplar , aspen , and abele . . populus . i begin this second class ( according to our former distribution ) with the poplar , of which there are several kinds ; white , black , &c. ( which in candy 't is reported bears seed ) besides the aspen . the white is the most ordinary with us , to be rais'd in abundance by every set or slip . fence the ground as far as any old poplar roots extend , they will furnish you with suckers innumerable , to be slipp'd from their mothers , and transplanted the very first year . you shall need no other nursery . when they are young , their leaves are somewhat broader and rounder then when they grow aged . in moist and boggie places they will flourish wonderfully , so the ground be not spewing ; but especially near the margins and banks of rivers , populus in fluviis — and in low , sweet and fertile grounds . also trunchions of seven or eight foot long , thrust two foot into the earth , ( a hole being made with a sharp hard stake , fill'd with water , and then with fine earth pressed in and close about them ) when once rooted , may be cut at six inches above ground ; and thus placed at a yard distant , they will immediately furnish a kind of copse . but in case you plant them of rooted trees , or smaller sets , fix them not so deep ; for though we bury the trunchions thus profound , yet is the root which they strike commonly but shallow . they will make prodigious shoots in or years ; but then the heads must by no means be diminish'd , but the lower branches may , yet not too far up : the foot would also be cleansed every second year . this for the white . the black poplar is frequently pollar'd when as big as ones arm , eight or nine foot from the ground , as they trim them in italy for their vines to serpent on , and those they poll or head every second year , sparing the middle , streight and thrivingest shoot , and at the third year cut him also . . the shade of this tree is esteemed very wholesome in summer , and the leaves good for cattel , which must be stripp'd from the cut boughs before they are faggotted . this to be done in the decrease of october , and reserv'd in bundles for the winter fodder . the wood of white poplar is sought of the sculptor , and they saw both sorts into boards , which , where they lie dry , continue a long time . of this material they also made shields of defence in sword and buckler days . dioscorides writes , that the bark chopt small , and sow'd in rills , well and richly manur'd and watered , will produce a plentiful crop of mushrums . it is to be noted , that those fungi , which spring from the putrid stumps of this tree , are not venomous ( as of all or most other trees they are ) being gathered after the first autumnal rains . . they have a poplar in virginia of a very peculiar shap'd leaf , as if the point of it were cut off , which grows very well with the curious amongst us to a considerable stature . i conceive it was first brought over by john tradescant under the name of the tulip-tree , but is not that i find taken notice of in any of our herbals ; i wish we had more of them . . the aspen onely ( which is that kind of libica or white poplar , bearing a smaller and more tremulous leaf ) thrusts down a more searching foot , and in this likewise differs , that he takes it ill to have his head cut off : pliny would have short trunchions couched two foot in the ground ( but first two days dried ) at one foot and half distance , and then moulded over . . there is something a finer sort of white poplar , which the dutch call abele , and we have much transported out of holland : these are also best propagated of slips from the roots , the least of which will take , and may in march , at three or four years growth be transplanted . . in flanders ( not in france , as a late author pretends ) they have large nurseries of them , which first they plant at one foot distance , the mould light and moist , by no means clayie , in which though they may shoot up tall , yet for want of root they never spread ; for , as i said , they must be interr'd pretty deep , not above three inches above ground ; and kept clean by pruning them to the middle shoot for the first two years , and so till the third or fourth . when you transplant , place them at eight , ten , or twelve foot intervall : they will likewise grow of layers , and even of cuttings in very moist places . in three years they will come to an incredible altitude ; in twelve , be as big as your middle ; and in eighteen or twenty , arrive to full perfection . a specimen of this advance we have had of an abele tree at sion , which being lopp'd in febr. , did by the end of october produce branches as big as a mans wrist , and foot in length : for which celerity we may recommend them to such late builders , as seat their houses in naked and unsheltered places , and that would put a guise of antiquity upon any new inclosure ; since by these , whilest a man is in a voyage of no long continuance , his house and lands may be so covered , as to be hardly known at his return . but as they thus increase in bulk , their value ( as the italian poplar has taught us ) advances likewise ; which after the first seven years is annually worth twelve pence more ; so as the dutch look upon a plantation of these trees as an ample portion for a daughter , and none of the least effects of their good husbandry ; which truly may very well be allow'd if that calculation hold , which the knight has asserted , who began his plantation not long since about richmond , that lib. being laid out in these plants , would render at the least ten thousand pounds in eighteen years ; every tree affording thirty plants , and every of them thirty more , after each seven years improving twelve pence in growth , till they arrived to their acme . . the black poplar grows rarely with us ; it is a stronger and taller tree then the white , the leaves more dark , and not so ample . divers stately ones of these i remember about the banks of po in italy ; which river being the old eridanus , so celebrated by the poets , in which the temerarious phaeton is said to have been precipitated , doubtless gave argument to that fiction of his sad sisters metamorphosis into these trees ; but for the amber of their pretious tears i could hear of no such matter , whiles passing down that river towards ferrara , i diverted my self with this story of the ingenious poet. i am told there is a mountain poplar much propagated in germany about vienna , and in bohemia , of which some trees have yielded planks of a yard in breadth . . the best use of the poplar and abele ( which are all of them hospitable trees , for any thing thrives under their shades ) is for walks and avenues about grounds which are situated low , and near the water , till coming to be very old , they are apt to grow knurry , and out of proportion . the timber is incomparable for all sorts of white wooden vessels , as trays , bowls , and other turners ware ; and of especial use for the bellows-maker , because it is almost of the nature of cork , though not very solid , yet very close : also for wooden heels , &c. vitruvius l. . de materia caedenda reckons it among the building timbers , quae maximè in aedificiis sunt idoneae . likewise to make carts , because it is exceeding light ; for vine , and hop-props , and divers viminious works . the loppings in january are for the fire ; and therefore such as have proper grounds , may with ease and in short time store themselves for a considerable family , where fuel is dear : but the truth is , it burns untowardly , and rather moulders away than maintains any solid heat . of the twigs ( with the leaves on ) are made brooms . the brya or catkins attract the bees , as do also the leaves ( especially of the black ) more tenacious of the mel●dews then most other forest-trees , the oak excepted . of the aspen our wood-men make hoops , fire-wood , and coals , &c. the juice of poplar leaves drop'd into the ears asswages the pain ; and the buds contus'd and mix'd with hony , is a good collyrium for the eyes . chap. xix . of the alder. . alnus , the alder is of all other the most faithful lover of watery and boggie places , and those most despis'd weeping parts or water-galls of forests ; — crassisque paludibus alni . they are propagated of trunchions , and will come of seeds ( for so they raise them in flanders , and make wonderful profit of the plantations ) like the poplar ; or of roots , which i prefer , being set as big as the small of ones leg , and in length about two foot ; whereof one would be plunged in the mud . this profound fixing of aquatick trees being to preserve them steddy , and from the concussions of the winds , and violence of waters in their liquid and slippery foundations . they may be placed at four or five foot distance , and when they have struck root you may cut them , which will cause them to spring in clumps , and to shoot out into many useful poles . but if you plant smaller sets , cut them not till they are arriv'd to some competent bigness ; and that in a proper season : which is , for all the aquatics not till winter be well advanc'd , in regard of their pithy substance . therefore , such as you shall have occasion to make use of before that period , ought to be well-grown , and fell●d with the earliest , and in the first quarter of the increasing moon ; that so the successive shoot receive no prejudice . but there is yet another way of planting alders after the jersey manner , and as i receiv'd it from a most ingenious gentleman of that country , which is , by taking trunchions of two or three foot long , at the beginning of winter , and to bind them in faggots , and place the ends of them in water 'till towards the spring , by which season they will have contracted a swelling spire or knurr about that part , which being set , does ( like the gennet-moil apple ) never fail of growing and striking root . there is a black sort more affected to woods and drier grounds . . there are a sort of husbands who take excessive pains in stubbing up their alders , where ever they meet them in the boggie places of their grounds , with the same indignation as one would exstirpate the most pernicious of weeds ; and when they have finished , know not how to convert their best lands to more profit then this ( ●eeming despicable plant might lead them to , were it rightly understood . besides , the shadow of this tree does feed and nourish the very grass which grows under it ; and being set and well plashed , is an excellent defence to the banks of rivers ; so as i wonder it is not more practis'd about the thames , to fortifie and prevent the mouldring of the walls , and the violent weather they are exposed to . . you may cut aquatic-trees every third or fourth year , and some more frequently , as i shall shew you hereafter . they should also be abated within half a foot of the principal head , to prevent the perishing of the main stock ; and besides , to accelerate their sprouting . in setting the trunchions it were not amisse to prepare them a little after they are fitted to the size , by laying them a while in water ; this is also practicable in willows , &c. . of old they made boats of the greater parts of this tree , and excepting noah's ark ; the first vessels we read of , were made of this vvood. when hollow alders first the waters tri'd , tunc alnos primum fluvii sensêre cavatas . georg. . and down the rapid poe light aldars glide . nec non & torrentem undam levis innatat alnus missa pado — . and as then , so now , are over-grown alders frequently sought after , for such buildings as lye continually under water , where it will harden like a very stone ; whereas being kept in any unconstant temper it rots immediately , because its natural humidity is of so near affinity with its adventitious ; as scaliger assigns the cause . vitruvius tells us , that the morasses about ravenna in italy , were pil'd with this timber , to superstruct upon , and highly commends it . i find also they us'd it under that famous bridge at venice , the rialto which passes over the gran-canal bearing a vast weight . . the poles of alder are as useful as those of willows ; but the coals far exceed them ; especially for gun-powder : the wood is likewise useful for piles , pumps , hop-poles , water-pipes , troughs , sluces , small trays , and trenchers , wooden-heels ; the bark is precious to dyers , and some tanners and leather-dressers make use of it ; and with it , and the fruits ( in stead of galls ) they make ink. the fresh leaves alone applied to the naked soal of the foot , infinitely refresh the surbated traveller ; and the swelling bunches which are now and then found in the old trees , afford the inlayer pieces curiously chambletted and very hard , &c. but the fagots better for the fire than for the draining of grounds , by placing them ( as the guise is ) in the trenches ; which old rubbish of flints , stones , and the like grosse materials , does infinitely exceed , because it is for ever , preserves the drains hollow , and being a little moulded over will produce good grass , without any detriment to the ground ; but this is a secret , not yet well understood , and would merit an expresse paragraph , were it here seasonable , — & jam nos inter opacas musa vocat salices — chap. xx. of the withy , sally , ozier , and willow . . salix , since cato has attributed the third place to the salictum , preferring it even next to the very ortyard ; and ( what one would wonder at ) before even the olive , meadow , or corn-field it self ( for salictum tertio loco , nempe post vineam , &c. ) and that we find it so easily rais'd , of so great and universal vse , i have thought good to be the more particular in my discourse upon them ; especially , since so much of that which shall publish concerning them , is deriv'd from the long experience of a most learned and ingenious person , from whom i acknowledge to have receiv'd many of these hints . not to perplex the reader with the various names , greek , gallic , sabinic , amerine , vitex , &c. better distinguish'd by their growth , and bark ; and by latine authors all comprehended under that of salices ; and our english books reckon them promiscuously thus ; the common-white willow , the black , and the hard-black , the rose of cambridge , the black-withy , the round-long sallow ; the longest sallow , the lesser-broad-leav'd willow , silver sallow , vpright broad-willow , repent broad-leaf'd , the red-stone , the lesser willow , the strait-dwarf , the creeper , the black-low-willow , the willow-bay , and the ozier . i begin with the withy . . the withy is a reasonable large tree , and fit to be planted on high banks ; because they extend their roots deeper then either salleys or willows . for this reason you shall plant them at ten , or twenty foot distance ; and though they grow the slowest of all the twiggie trees ; yet do they recompence it with the larger crop ; the wood being tough , and the twigs fit to bind strongly ; the very peelings of the branches being useful to bind arbor-poling , and in topiary works , vineyards , espalier-fruit , and the like . there are two principal sorts of these withies , the hoary , and the red withy which is the greek ; toughest , and fittest to bind , whiles the twigs are flexible and tender . . sallyes grow much faster , if they are planted within reach of water , or in a very moorish ground , or flat plain ; and where the soil is ( by reason of extraordinary moisture ) unfit for arable , or meadow ; for in these cases it is an extraordinary improvement : in a word , where birch , and alder will thrive . before you plant them , it is found best to turn the ground with a spade ; especially , if you design them for a flat . we have three sorts of sallyes amongst us ( which is one more than the antients challeng'd , who name onely the black , and white which was their nitellina ) the vulgar , which proves best in dryer banks , and the hopping-sallyes which require a moister soil , growing with incredible celerity : and a third kind , of a different colour from the other two , having the twigs reddish , the leaf not so long , and of a more dusky green ; more brittle whilst it is growing in twigs , and more tough when arriv'd to a competent size : all of them useful for the thatcher . . of these , the hopping-sallyes are in greatest esteem , being of a clearer terse grain , and requiring a more succulent soil ; best planted a foot deep , and a foot and half above ground ( though some will allow but a foot ) for then every branch will prove excellent for future setlings . after three years growth ( being cropped the second and third ) the first years increase will be 'twixt eight and twelve foot long generally ; the third years growth strong enough to make rakes , and pike-staves ; and the fourth for m. blithes's tren●hing plow , and other like vtensils of the husbandman . . if ye plant them at full height ( as some do , at four years growth , setting them five , or six foot length , to avoid the biting of cattel ) they will be lesse useful for streight staves , and for setlings , and make lesse speed in their growth ; yet this also is a considerable improvement . . these would require to be planted at least five foot distance , ( some set them as much more ) and in the quincunx order : if they affect the soil , the leaf will come large , half as broad as a man's hand , and of a more vivid green , alwayes larger the first year than afterwards : some plant them sloping , and cross-wise like a hedge , but this impedes their wonderful growth ; and ( though pliny seems to commend it , teaching us how to excorticate some places of each set , for the sooner production of shoots ) it is but a deceitful fence , neither fit to keep out swine , nor sheep ; and being set too near , inclining to one another , they soon destroy each other . . the worst sallyes may be planted so neer yet , as to be instead of stakes in a hedge , and then their tops will supply their dwarfishnesse ; and to prevent hedge-breakers many do thus plant them ; because , they cannot easily be pull'd up , after once they have struck root . . if some be permitted to wear their tops five or six years , their palms will be very ample , and yield the first , and most plentiful relief to bees , even before our abricots blossom . the hopping-sallys open , and yield their palms before other sallys , and when they are blown ( which is about the exit of may , or sometimes june ) the palms ( or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , frugiperdae as homer terms them for their extream levity ) are four inches long , and full of a fine lanuginous cotton : a poor body might in an hours space , gather a pound or two of it , which resembling the finest silk , might doubtlesse be converted to some profitable use by an ingenious house-wife , if gather'd in calm evenings , before the wind , rain and dew impair them ; i am of opinion , if it were dri'd with care , it might be fit for cushions , and pillows of chastity , for such of old was the reputation of those trees . . of these hopping sallys , after three years rooting , each plant will yield about a score of staves of full eight foot in length , and so following , for use , as we noted above : compute then how many fair pike-staves , perches , and other useful materials , that will amount to in an acre , if planted at five foot interval : but a fat , and moist soil , requires indeed more space than a lean or dryer ; namely six , or eight foot distance . . you may plant setlings of the very first years growth ; but the second year they are better , and the third year better then the second ; and the fourth as good as the third ; especially , if they approach the water . a bank at a foot distance from the water , is kinder for them then a bog , or to be altogether immers'd in the water . . 't is good to new - mould them about the roots every second or third year ; but men seldom take the pains . it seems that sa●lys are more hardy then even willows and oziers , of which columella takes as much care as of vines themselves . but ●is cheaper to supply the vacuity of such accidental decays by a new plantation , then to be at the charge of digging about them three times a year , as that author advises ; seeing some of them will decay , whatever care be used . . sallys may also be propagated like vines , by courbing , and bowing them in arches , and covering some of their parts with mould , &c. . for setlings , those are to be preferr'd which grow neerest to the stock , and so ( consequently ) those worst , which most approach the top. they should be planted in the first fair , and pleasant weather in february , before they begin to bud ; we about london begin at the latter end of december . they may be cut in spring for fuel , but best in autumn for use ; but in this work ( as of poplar ) leave a twig or two ; which being twisted arch-wise , will produce plentiful sprouts , and suddenly furnish a head . . if in our coppses one in four were a sally set , amongst the rest of varieties , the profit would recompence the care . . the swift growing sally is not so tough , and hardy for some uses as the slower , which makes stocks for gard'ners spades ; but the other are proper for rakes , pikes , mops , &c. sally-coal is the soonest consum'd ; but of all others the most accommodate for painters to design their work , and first draught on paper with , &c. as being fine , and apt to slit into pencils . . to conclude , there is a way of graffing a sally trunchion ; take it of two foot and half long as big as your wrist ; graff at both ends a figure , and mulberry cyon of a foot long , and so , without claying , set the stock so far into the ground as the plant may be three or four inches above the earth : this will thrive exceedingly the first year , and in three , be fit to transplant . the season for this curiosity is february . . oziers or the aquatic salix , are of innumerable kinds , commonly distinguish'd from sallyes , as sallyes are from withies ; being so much smaller then the sallyes , and shorter liv'd , and requiring more constant moisture , yet would be planted in rather a dryish ground , than over moist and spewing , which we frequently cut trenches to avert : it likewise yields more limber , and flexible twigs for baskets , flaskets , hampers , cages , lattices , cradles , the bodies of coaches , and wagons , for which 't is of excellent use , light , durable , and neat , as it may be wrought and cover'd : for chairs , hurdles , stayes , bands , &c. likewise for fish wairs , and to support the banks of impetuous rivers : in fine , for all wicker and twiggie works : viminibus salices — . but these sort of oziers would be cut in the new shoot ; for if they stand longer they become more inflexible ; cut them close to the head ( a foot or so above earth ) about the beginning of october ; unlesse you will attend till the cold be past , which is better ; and yet we about london , cut them in the most piercing seasons , and plant them also till candlemass , which those who do not observe , we judge ill husbands , as i learn from a very experienc'd basket-maker ; and in the decrease , for the benefit of the workman , though not altogether for that of the stock , and succeeding shoot : when they are cut , make them up into bundles , and give them shelter ; but such as are for white-work ( as they call it ) being thus fagotted , and made up in bolts , as the tearm is , severing each sort by themselves , should be set in water , the ends dipped ; but for black , and unpeel'd preserv'd under covert only , or in some vault or cellar , to keep them fresh , sprinkling them now and then in excessive hot weather : the peelings of the former are for the use of the gard'ner , and cooper ; or rather the splicings . . we have in england these three vulgar sorts ; one of little worth , being brittle , and very much resembling the fore-mention'd sally , with reddish twigs , and more greenish , and rounder leaves : another kind there is , call'd perch , of limber and green twigs , having a very slender leaf ; the third sort is totally like the second , onely the twigs are not altogether so green , but yellowish , and near the popinjay : this is the very best for vse , tough , and hardy . but the most usual names by which basket makers call them about london , and which are all of different species , therefore to be planted separately , are , the hard gelster , the horse gelster , whyning , or shrivell'd gelster , the black gelster , in which suffolk abounds . then follow the golstones , the hard and the soft golston ( brittle , and worst of all the golstones ) the sharp , and slender top'd yellow golston ; the fine golston : then is there the yellow ozier , the green-ozier , the snake or speckled ozier , swallow-tayl , and the spaniard : to these we may add amongst the number of oziers ( for they are both govern'd and us'd alike ) the flanders vvillow , which will arrive to be a large tree as big as ones middle , the oftner cut the better : with these our coopers tie their hoops , to keep them bent . lastly , the white-sallow , which being of a year or two growth , is us'd for green-work ; and if of the toughest sort , to make quarter-can-hoops , of which our seamen provide great quantities , &c. . these choicer sorts of oziers , which are ever the smallest ; also the golden-yellow , and white , which is preferr'd for propagation , and to breed of , should be planted of slips of two , or three years growth a foot deep , and half a yard length , in moorish ground , or banks , or else in furrows ; so that ( as some direct ) the roots may frequently reach the water ; for fulminibus salices — though we commonly find it rots them , and therefore never choose to set them so deep as to sent it , and at three , or four foot distance . . the season for planting is january , and all february , though some not till mid - february , at two foot square ; but cattel being excessively liquorish of their leaves and tender buds , some talk of a graffing them out of reach upon sallys , and by this , to advance their sprouting ; but as the work would consume time , so have i never seen it succeed . . some do also plant oziers in their eights like quick-sets , thick , and ( neer the water ) keep them not more than half a foot above ground ; but then they must be diligently cleans'd from moss , slab , and ouze , and frequently prun'd ( especially the smaller spires ) to form single shoots ; at least , that few , or none grow double : these , they head every second year about september , the autumnal cuttings being best for use : but generally . you may cut vvithies , sallys , and vvillows , at any mild and gentle season between leaf and leaf , even in vvinter ; but the most congruous time both to plant , and to cut them is crescente lunâ vere , circa calendas martias ; that is , about the new moon , and first open weather of the early spring . . it is in france , upon the loire , where these eights ( as we call them ) and plantations of oziers and vvithies are perfectly understood ; and both there , and in divers other countries beyond seas , they raise them of the seeds , contain'd in their juli or catkins , which they sow in furrows or shallow trenches , and it springs up like corn in the blade , and come to be so tender and delicate , that they frequently mow them with a scyth : this we have attempted in england too , even in the place where i live , but the obstinate , and unmerciful weed did so confound them , that it was impossible to keep them clean with any ordinary industry , and so they were given over : it seems either weeds grow not so fast in other countries , or that the people ( which i rather think ) are more patient and laborious . the ozier is of that emolument , that in some places i have heard twenty-pounds has been given for one acre ; ten is in this part an usual price ; and doubtlesse , it is far preferrable to the best corn-land ; not onely for that it needs but once planting , but because it yields a constant crop and revenue to the worlds end ; and is therefore in esteem of knowing persons , valu'd in purchase accordingly ; consider'd likewise , how easily 't is renew'd , when a plant now and then fails , by but pricking in a twig of the next at hand , when you visie to cut them : we have in this parish where i dwell , improv'd land from lesse than one pound , to neer ten pounds the acre : and when we shall reflect upon the infinite quantities of them we yearly bring out of france and flanders , to supply the extraordinary expence of basket-work , &c. for the fruiterers , lime-burners , gardners , coopers , packers up of all sorts of ware , and for general carriage , which seldom last above a journey or two ; i greatly admire gentlemen do no more think of employing their moist grounds ( especially , where tides near fresh rivers are reciprocal ) in planting and propagating oziers . to omit nothing of the culture of this useful ozier , pliny would have the place to be prepar'd by trenching it a foot and half deep , and in that , to fix the sets or cuttings of the same length at six foot interval . these ( if the sets be large ) will come immediately to be trees ; which after the first three years , are to be abated within two foot of the ground . then , in april , he advises to dig about them : of these they formerly made vine-props , and one acre hath been known to yield props sufficient to serve a vineyard of twenty five acres . . john tradescant brought a small ozier from s. omers in flanders , which makes incomparable net-work● , not much inferiour to the indian twig or bent-work● which we have seen ; but if we had them in greater abundance , we should haply want the artificers who could imploy them . . our common salix or willow , is of two kinds , the white and the black : the white is also of two sorts , the one of a yellowish , the other of a browner bark : the black willow is planted of stakes of three years growth , taken from the head of an old tree , before it begins to sprout : set them of six foot high , and ten distant . those woody sorts of vvillow delight in meads and ditch-sides , rather dry , then over wet ( for so they last longest ) yet the black sort , and the reddish do sometimes well in more boggie grounds , and would be planted of stakes as big as on 's leg , cut as the other , at the length of five or six foot , and fix'd a foot or more into the earth ; the hole made with an oken-stake and beetle , or with an iron crow ( some use a long augur ) so as not to be forced in with too great violence : but first , the trunchions should be a little slop'd at both extreams , and the biggest planted downwards : to this , if they are soak'd in water two or three dayes ( after they have been siz'd for length , and the twigs cut off ere you plant them ) it will be the better . let this be done in february ; the mould as well clos'd to them as possible , and treated as was taught in the poplar . if you plant for a kind of vvood or coppse ( for such i have seen ) set them at six foot distance , or nearer , in the quincunx , and be careful to take away all suckers from them at three years end : you may abate the head half a foot from the trunk , viz. three , or four of the lustiest shoots , and the rest cut close , and bare them yearly , that the three or four you left , may enjoy all the sap , and so those which were spared , will be gallant pearches within two years . arms of four years growth will yield substantial sets to be planted at eight , or ten foot distance ; and for the first three years well defended from the cattel , who infinitely delight in their leaves , green or wither'd . thus , a willow may continue twenty , or five and twenty years , with good profit to the industrious planter , being headed every four or five years ; some have been known to shoot no lesse then twelve foot in one year , after which the old , rotten dotards may be fell'd , and easily suppli'd . but if you have ground fit for whole coppses of this wood , cast it into double dikes , making every foss near three foot wide ; two and half in depth ; then leaving four foot at least of ground for the earth ( because in such plantations the moisture should be below the roots , that they may rather see than feel the water ) and two tables of sets on each side , plant the ridges of these banks with but one single table , longer , and bigger than the collateral , viz. three , four , five or six foot high , and distant from each other about two yards . these banks being carefully kept weeded for the first two years , till the plants have vanquish'd the grasse , and not cut till the third ; then lop them traverse , and not obliquely , at one foot from the ground , or somewhat more , and he will head to admiration : but such which are cut at three foot height , are most durable , as least soft and aquatic : they may also be graffed 'twixt the bark , or budded ; and then they become so beautifull , as to be fit for some kind of delightful walks ; and this i wish were practis'd among such as are seated in low , and marshy places , not so friendly to other trees . every acre at eleven , or twelve years growth , may yield you near an hundred load of wood : cut them in the spring for dressing ; but in the fall for timber and fuel : i have been inform'd , that a gentleman in essex , has lopp'd no lesse than yearly , all of his own planting . it is far the sweetest of all our english fuel , provided it be sound and dry , and emitting little smoke is the fittest for ladies chambers ; and all those woods and twiggs would be cut either to plant , work with , or burn in the dryest time of the day . . there is a sort of willow of a slender and long leaf , resembling the smaller ozier ; but rising to a tree as big as the sally , full of knots , and of a very brittle spray , onely here rehears'd to acknowledge the variety . . there is likewise the garden-willow , which produces a sweet and beautiful flower , fit to be admitted into our hortulan ornaments , and may be set for partitions of squares ; but they have no affinity with other . there is also in shropshire another very odoriferous kind . . what most of the former enumerated kinds differ from the sallys , is indeed not much considerable , they being generally u●eful for the same purposes ; as boxes , such as apothecaries and goldsmiths use ; for cart-saddle-trees , yea , gun-stocks , and half-pikes , harrows , shooe-makers lasts , heels , clogs for pattens , forks , rakes , especially the tooths , which should be wedg'd with oak , but let them not be cut for this when the sap is stirring , because they will shrink , pearches , hop-poles , ricing of kidny-beans , and for supporters to vines , when our english vineyards come more in request : also for hurdles , sieves , lattices ; for the turner , kyele-pins , great town-topps ; for platters , little cashes and vessels ; especially to preserve verjuices in the best of any : pailes are also made of cleft willow , dorsers , fruit-baskets , canns , hives for bees , trenchers , trays , and for polishing and whetting table-knives , the butler will find it above any wood or whet-stone ; also for coals and bavin , not forgetting the fresh boughs , which of all the trees in nature , yield the most chast and coolest shade in the hottest season of the day ; and this umbrage so wholesome , that physicians prescribe it to feaverish persons , permitting them to be plac'd even about their beds , as a safe and comfortable refrigerium . the wood being preserv'd dry will dure a very long time ; but that which is found wholly putrifi'd , and reduc'd to a loamy earth in the hollow trunks of superannuated trees , is , of all other , the fittest to be mingl'd with fine mould , for the raising our choicest flowers , such as anemonies , ranunculus's , auriculas , and the like . what would we more ? low broom , and sallys wild , or feed the flock , or shepheards shade , or field hedges about , or do us hony yield . quid majora sequ●r ? salices , humilesque genista . aut illae pecori frondem , aut pastoribus umbram sufficiunt , sepemque satis , & pabula melli . georg. . . now by all these plantations of the aquatic trees , it is evident , the lords of moorish commons , and unprofitable wasts , may learn some improvement , and the neighbour bees be gratified ; and many tools of husbandry become much cheaper . i conclude , with the learned stephanus's note upon these kind of trees , after he has enumerated the universal benefit of the salictum : nullius enim tutior reditus , minorisve impendii , aut tempestatis securior . chap. xxi . of fences , quick-sets , &c. . our main plantation is now finish'd , and our forest adorn'd with a just variety : but what is yet all this labour , but losse of time , and irreparable expence , unlesse our young , and ( as yet ) tender plants be sufficiently guarded from all external injuries for , as old tusser , if cattel , or cony may enter to crop , young oak is in danger of losing his cop. but with something a more polish'd stile , though to the same purpose , the best of poets , plash fences thy plantation round about , and whilst yet young , be sure keep cattell out ; severest winters , scorching sun infest , and sheep , goats , bullocks , all young plants molest ; yet neither cold , nor the hoar rigid frost , nor heat reflecting from the rocky coast , like cattel trees , and tender shoots consound , when with invenom'd teeth the twigs they wound . texendae sepes etiam , & pecus omne tenendum est : praecipuè , dum frons tenera , imprudensque laborum cui , super indignas hyemes , solemque potentem , sylvestres vri assiduè , capreaeque sequaces illudunt : pascuntur oves , avidaeque juven●ae . frigora nec tantum cana concreta pruina , aut gravis incumbens scopulis arentibus astas , quantum illi nocuere greges , durique venenum dentis , & admorso signata in stirpe cicatrix . georg. . . for the reason that so many complain of the improsperous condition of their wood-lands , and plantations of this kind , proceeds from this neglect ; though ( sheep excepted ) there is no employment whatsoever incident to the farmer , which requires less expence to gratifie their expectations : one diligent , and skilful man will govern five hundred acres : but if through any accident a beast shall break into his masters field ; or the wicked hunters make a gap for his dogs and horses , what a clamor is there made for the disturbance of a years crop at most in a little corn ? whiles abandoning his young woods all this time , and perhaps many years , to the venomous bitings and treading of cattel , and other like injuries ( for want of due care ) the detriment is many times irreparable : young trees once cropp'd hardly ever recovering : it is the bane of all our most hopeful timber . . but shall i provoke you by an instance ? a kins-man of mine has a wood of more than years standing ; it was , before he purchas'd it , expos'd and abandon'd to the cattel for divers years : some of the outward skirts were nothing save shrubs and miserable starvlings ; yet still the place had a disposition to grow woody ; but by this neglect continually suppress'd . the industrious gentleman has fenced in some acres of this , and cut all close to the ground ; it is come in eight or nine years , to be better worth than the wood of sixty ; and will ( in time ) prove most incomparable timber , whiles the other part so many years advanc'd , shall never recover ; and all this from no other cause , than preserving it fenc'd : judge then by this , how our woods come to be so decried : are five hundred sheep worthy the care of a shepherd ? and are not five thousand oaks worth the fencing , and the inspection of a hayward ? and shall men doubt to plant , and careful be ? et dabitant homines serere , atque impendere curam ? georg. . let us therefore shut up what we have thus laboriously planted , with some good quick-set hedge . which , — all countreys bear , in every ground as denizen , or enter-loper found : from gardens and till'd fields expell'd , yet there on the extreams stands up , and claims a share . nor mastiff-dog , nor pike-man can be found a better fence to the enclosed ground . such breed the rough and hardy cantons rear , and into all adjacent lands prefer , tough rugged churles ; and for the battel fit , who courts and states with complement or wit to civilize nor to instruct pretend ; but with stout faithful service to defend . this tyrants know full well , nor more confide on guards that serve lesse for defence than pride : their persons safe they do not judge amisse , and realms committed to their guard of swisse . — omne solum natale est , intrat ubique ardelio ; illa quidem culiis excluditur agris plerumque , atque hortis ; sed circumsepit utrosque atque omnes adytus servat fidissima custos , vtilior latrante cane , armatoque priapo . aspera frigoribus saxisque helvetia tales educat , & peregis terras emittit in omnes enormes durósque viros , sed fortia bell● pectora ; non illi cultu , non moribus aulas , atque vrbes decorare valent , sed utrasque fideli defendunt opera ; nec iis , gens cauta , tyranni , praeponunt speciosa magis , multúmque sonora praefidia ; his certi vitam tutantur opesque , &c. couleii pl. l. . for so the ingenious poet has metamorphos'd him , and i could not withstand him . . the hei-thorne , and indeed the very best of common hedges , is either rais'd of seeds or plants ; but then it must not be with despair , because sometimes you do not see them peep the first year ; for the haw , and many other seeds , being invested with a very hard integument , will now and then suffer imprisonment two whole years under the earth ; and impatience of this does often frustrate the expectation of the resurrection of divers seeds of this nature ; so as we frequently dig up , and disturb the beds where they have been sown , in despair , before they have gone their full time ; which is also the reason of a very popular mistake in other seeds : especially , that of the holly , concerning which there goes a tradition ; that they will not sprout till they be pass'd through the maw of a thrush ; whence the saying , turdus exitium suum cacat ( alluding to the viscus made thereof , not the missleto of oak ) but this is an errour , as i am able to testifie on experience ; they come up very well of the berries , and with patience ; for ( as i affirm'd ) they will sleep sometimes two entire years in their graves ; as will also the seeds of yew , sloes , phillyrea angustifolia , and sundry others , whose shells are very hard about the small kernels ; but which is wonderfully facilitated , by being ( as we directed ) prepar'd in beds , and magazines of earth or sand for a competent time , and then committed to the ground before the full in march , by which season they will be chitting , and speedily take root : others bury them deep in the ground all winter , and sow them in february : and thus i have been told of a gentleman who has considerably improv'd his revenue , by sowing haws only , and raising nurseries of quick-sets , which he sells by the hundred far and neer : this is a commendable industry ; any neglected corners of ground will fit this plantation . . but columella has another expedient for the raising of our spinetum , by rubbing the now mature hips and haws into the crevices of bass ropes , and then burying them in a trench : whether way you attempt it , they must ( so soon as they peep , and as long as they require it ) be sedulously cleans'd of the weeds , which , if in beds for transplantation , had need be at the least three or four year ; by which time even your seedlings will be of stature fit to remove ; for i do by no means approve of the vulgar praemature planting of sets , as is generally us'd throughout england ; which is to take such onely as are the very smallest , and so to crowd them into three or four files , which are both egregious mistakes . . whereas it is found by constant experience , that plants as big as ones thumb , set in the posture , and at the distance which we spake of in the horn-beam ; that is , almost perpendicular ( not altogether , because the rain should not get in 'twixt the rind and wood ) and single , or at most not exceeding a double row , do prosper infinitely , and much out-strip the densest , and closest ranges of our trifling sets , which make but weak shoots , and whose roots do but hinder each other , and for being couch'd in that posture on the sides of banks and fences ( especially where the earth is not very tenacious ) are bared of the mould which should entertain them , by that time the rains and storms of one winter , have passed over them . in holland , and flanders ( where they have the goodliest hedges of this kind about the counter-scarps of their invincible fortifications , to the great security of their musketiers upon occasion ) they plant them according to my description , and raise fences so speedily , and so impenetrable , that our best are not to enter into the comparison . yet , that i may not be wanting to direct such as either affect the other way , or whose grounds may require some bank of earth , as ordinarily the verges of coppses , and other inclosures do : you shall by line cast up your fosse of about three foot broad , and about the same depth , provided your mould hold it ; beginning first to turn the turf , upon which , be careful to lay some of the best earth to bed your quick in , and there lay , or set the plants ; two in a foot space is sufficient ; being diligent to procure such as are fresh gathered , streight , smooth , and well rooted ; adding now and then , at equal spaces of twenty or thirty foot , a young oakling or elme-sucker , ash or the like , which will come in time to be ornamental standards , and good timber : if you will needs multiply your rowes , a foot or somewhat lesse : above that , upon more congested mould , plant another ranke of sets , so as to point just in the middle of the vacuities of the first , which i conceive enough : this is but for the single fosse ; but if you would fortifie it to the purpose , do as much on the other side , of the same depth , height , and planting ; and then last of all , cap the top in pyramis with the worst , or bottom of the ditch : some , if the mould be good , plant a row or two on the edge , or very crest of the mound , which ought to be a little flatned : here also many set their dry-hedge , to defend , and shade their under-plantation , and i cannot reprove it : but great care is to be had in this work , that the main bank be well footed , and not made with too suddain a declivity , which is subject to fall-in after frosts and wet weather ; and this is good husbandry for moyst grounds ; but where the land lyes high , and is hot and gravelly , i prefer the lower fencing ; which , though even with the arëa it self , may be protected with stakes and a dry hedge , the distance competent , and to very good purposes of educating more frequent timber amongst the rowes . . your hedge being yet young , should be constantly weeded , ( of brambles especially , the great dock , and thistle , &c. ) though some admit not of this work after michaelmas , for reasons that i approve not : it has been the practice of herefordshire , in the plantation of quick-set-hedges , to plant a crab-stock at every twenty-foot distance ; and this they observe so religiously , as if they had been under some rigorous statute requiring it : but by this means , they were provided in a short time with all advantages for the graffing of fruit amongst them , which does highly recompense their industry . some cut their sets at three years growth even to the very ground , and find that in a year or two , it will have shot , as much as in seven , had it been let alone . . when your hedge is now neer six years stature , plash it about february or october ; but this is the work of a very dextrous and skilful husbandman ; and for which our honest country-man m. markam gives excellent directions ; only i approve not so well of his deep cutting , if it be possible to bend it , having suffered in some thing of that kind : it is almost incredible to what perfection some have laid these hedges , by the rural way of plashing , better than by clipping ; yet may both be used for ornament , as where they are planted about our garden-fences , and fields neer the mansion . in scotland , by tying the young shoots with bands of hay , they make the stems grow so very close together , as that it encloseth rabbets in warrens instead of pales . . and now since i did mention it , and that most i find do greatly affect the vulgar way of quicking ( that this our discourse be in nothing deficient ) we will in brief give it you again after geo. markams description , because it is the best and most accurate , although much resembling our former direction , of which it seems but a repetition , 'till he comes to the plashing . in a ground which is more dry then wet ( for watry places it abhors ) plant your quick thus : let the first row of sets be placed in a trench of about half a foot deep , even with the top of your ditch , in somewhat a sloping , or inclining posture : then , having rais'd your bank neer a foot upon them , plant another row , so as their tops may just peep out over the middle of the spaces of your first row : these cover'd again to the height or thickness of the other , place a third rank opposite to the first , and then finish your bank to its intended height . the distances of the plants would not be above one foot ; and the season to do the work in , may be from the entry of february , till the end of march ; or else in september , to the beginning of december . when this is finish'd , you must guard both the top of your bank , and outmost verge of your ditch , with a sufficient dry-hedge interwoven from stake to stake into the earth ( which commonly they do on the bank ) to secure your quick from the spoil of cattle . and then being careful to repair such as decay , or do not spring , by suppling the dead , and trimming the rest ; you shall after three years growth , sprinkle some timber-trees amongst them ; such as oak , beech , ash , maple , fruit , or the like ; which being drawn young out of your nurseries , may be very easily inserted . but that which we affirm'd to require the greatest dexterity in this work , is , the artificial plashing of our hedge when it is now arriv'd to a six or seven years head ; though some stay till the tenth or longer . in february therefore , or october , with a very sharp hand-bill cut away all superfluous sprays and straglers which may hinder your progress , and are useless . then , searching out the principal stems , with a keen and light hatchet , cut them slant-wise close to the ground , about three quarters through , or rather , so far onely , as till you can make them comply handsomely , which is your best direction , and so lay it from you sloping as you go , folding in the lesser branches which spring from them ; and ever within a five , or six foot distance , where you find an upright set ( cutting off only the top to the height of your intended hedge ) let it stand as a stake to fortifie your work , and to receive the twinings of those branches about it . lastly , at the top ( which would be about five foot above ground ) take the longest , most slender and flexible twigs which you reserved ( and being cut as the former where need requires ) bind in the extremities of all the rest , and thus your work is finish'd : this being done very close , and thick , makes an impregnable hedge , in few years ; for it may be repeated as you see occasion ; and what you so cut away , will help to make your dry-hedges for your young plantations , or be profitable for the oven , and make good bavin . for stakes in this work , oake is to be preferr'd , though some will use elder , or the black-thorn droven well in at every yard of interval ; and even your plash'd-hedges need some small thorns to be lay'd over to protect the spring from cattel and sheep , 'till they are somewhat fortified ; and the doubler the winding is lodg'd , the better ; which should be beaten , and forced down together with the stakes , as equally as may be . note , that in sloping your windings , if it be too low done ( as very usually ) it frequently mortifies the tops ; therefore , it ought to be so bent , as it may not impead the mounting of the sap : if the plash be of a great , and extraordinary age , wind it at the neather boughs all together , and cutting the sets as directed , permit it rather to hang downwards a little , than rise too forwards ; and then twist the branches into the work , leaving a set free and unconstrain'd at every yard space ; besides such as will serve for stakes , abated to about five-foot-length ( which is a competent stature for an hedge ) and so let it stand . one shall often find in this work , especially in old neglected hedges , some great trees , or stubs , that commonly make gaps for cattel : such , should be cut so neer the earth , as 'till you can lay them thwart , that the top of one , may rest on the root , or stub of the other , as far as they extend , stopping the cavities with its boughs and branches ; and thus hedges which seem to consist but onely of scrubby-trees and stumps , may be reduc'd to a tollerable fence . we have been the longer on these descriptions , because it is of main importance , and that so few husband-men are perfectly skil'd in it . . the roots of an old thorne is excellent both for boxes and combs , and is curiously and naturally wrought : i have read , that they made ribs to some small boates or vessels with the white-thorn . the black-crab rightly season'd and treated , is famous for walking-staves ▪ and if over-grown us'd in mill-work . here we owe due elogy to the industry of that honourable person my lord ashley , who has taught us to make such enclosures of crab-stocks onely , planted close to one another , as there is nothing more impregnable and becoming ; or you may sowe sider-kernels in a rill , and fence it for a while with a double dry hedge , not onely for a suddain and beautiful , but a very profitable inclosure ; because , amongst other benefits , they will yield you sider-fruit in abundance : but in devonshire , they build two walls with their stones , setting them edge-ways , two , and then one between ; and so as it rises , fill the intervall or cofer with earth ( the breadth and height as you please ) and continuing the stone-work , and filling , and as you work beating in the stones flat to the sides , which causes them to stick everlastingly : this is absolutely the neatest , most saving , and profitable fencing imaginable , where slaty stones are in any abundance ; and it becomes not onely the most secure to the lands , but the best for cattel to lye warme under the walls ; when other hedges , ( be they never so thick ) admit of some cold winds in winter time that the leaves are of : upon these banks they plant not onely quick sets , but even timber-trees which exceedingly thrive , being out of all danger . . the pyracanth , paliurus , and like pretioser sorts of thorne might easily be propagated into plenty sufficient to store even these vulgar vses were men industrious ; and then how beautiful , and sweet would the environs of our fields be ? for there are none of the spinous shrubs more hardy , nor fitter for our defence . thus might berberies now and then be also inserted among our hedges , which , with the hips , haws , and cornel-berries , do well in light lands , and would rather be planted to the south than north or west , as usually we observe them . . some ( as we noted ) mingle their very hedges with oaklings , ash , and fruit trees sown , or planted , and 't is a laudable improvement ; though others do rather recommend to us sets of all one sort , and will not so much as admit of the black-thorne to be mingled with the white , because of their unequal progress ; and indeed , timber-trees set in the hedge ( though contemporaries with it ) do frequently wear it out ; and therefore i should rather incourage such plantations to be at some yards neer the verges , than perpendicularly in them . . in cornwall they secure their lands and woods with high mounds , and on them they plant acorns , whose roots bind in the looser mould , and so form a double , and most durable fence , incircling the fields with a coronet of trees . they do likewise ( and that with great commendation ) make hedges of our genista spinosa , prickly furzes , of which they have a taller sort , such as the french imploy for the same purpose in bretaigne , where they are incomparable husbands . . it is to be sown ( which is best ) or planted of the roots in a furrow : if sown , weeded till it be strong : both tonsile , and to be diligently clip'd , which will render it very thick , an excellent and beautiful hedge : otherwise permitted to grow at large , 't will yield very good fagot : it is likewise admirable covert for wilde-fowle , and will be made to grow even in moyst , as well as dry places : the young , and tender tops of furzes , being a little bruis'd , and given to a lean sickly horse , will strangely recover and plump him . thus , in some places , they sow in barren grounds ( when they lay them down ) the last crop with this seed , and so let them remain till they break them up again , and during that interim , reap considerable advantage : would you believe ( writes a worthy correspondent of mine ) that in herefordshire ( famous for plenty of wood ) their thickets of furzes ( viz. the vulgar ) should yield them more profit , then a like quantity of the best wheat land of england ? for such is theirs , if this be question'd , the scene is within a mile of hereford , and proved by anniversary experience , in the lands , as i take it , of a gentleman who is now one of the burgesses for that city . and in devonshire ( the seat of the best husbands in the world ) they sow on their worst land ( well plow'd ) the seeds of the rankest furzes , which in four or five years becomes a rich wood : no provender ( as we say ) makes horses so hardy , as the young tops of these furzes ; no other wood so thick , nor more excellent fuel ; and for some purposes also , yielding them a kind of timber to their more humble buildings , and a great refuge for fowl and other game : i am assur'd , in bretaigne 't is sometimes sown no lesse then twelve yards thick , for a speedy , profitable , and impenetrable mound : if we imitated this husbandry in the barren places of surrey , and other parts of this nation , we might exceedingly spare our woods ; and i have bought the best sort of french seed at the shops in london . it seems that in the more eastern parts of germany , and especially in poland , this vulgar trifle , and even our common broom is so rare , that they have desired the seeds of them out of england , and preserve them with extraordinary care in their best gardens ; this i learn out of our johnsons herbal ; by which we may consider , that what is reputed a curse and a cumber in some places , is esteem'd the ornament and blessing of another : but we shall not need go so far for this , since both beech and birch are almost as great strangers in many parts of this nation , particularly northampton and oxfordshire . . this puts me in mind of the broom ; another improvement for barren grounds , and saver of more substantial fuel : it may be sown english , or ( what is more sweet , and beautiful ) the spanish , with equal success . in the western parts of france , and cornwall , it grows with us to an incredible height ( however our poet give it the epithete of humilis ) and so it seems they had it of old , as appears by gratius his genistae altinates , with which ( as he affirms ) they us'd to make staves for their spears , and hunting darts . . lastly , a considerable fence may be made of the elder , set of reasonable lusty trunchions ; much like the willow , and ( as i have seen them maintain'd ) laid with great curiosity , and far excelling those extravagant plantations of them about london , where the lops are permitted to grow without due and skilful laying . there is a sort of elder which has hardly any pith ; this makes exceeding stout fences , and the timber very useful for cogs of mills , butchers skewers , and such tough employments . old trees do in time become firm , and close up the hollowness to an almost invisible pith . but if the medicinal properties of the leaves , bark , berries , &c. were throughly known , i cannot tell what our country-man could aile for which he might not fetch a remedy from every hedge , either for sicknesse or wound : the inner barke of elder , or , in season , the buds , boyld in water-grewel for a break-fast , has effected wonders in the feaver ; and the decoction is admirable to asswage inflammations and tetrous humors , and especially the scorbut : but an extract or therica may be compos'd of the berries , which is not onely efficacious to erradicate this epidemical inconvenience , and greatly to assist longaevity ( for famous is the story of naeander ) but is a kind of catholicon against all infirmities whatever : the water of the leaves and berries are approved in the dropsy , every part of the tree is useful : the oyntment made with the young buds and leaves in may with butter , is most soveraine for aches , shrunk sinnues , &c. and lesse than this could i not say ( with the leave of the charitable physitian ) to gratifie our poor wood-man ; and yet when i have say'd all this , i do by no means commend the sent of it , which is very noxious to the ayre , and therefore , though i do not undertake that all things which sweeten the ayre are salubrious , nor all ill savors pernicious ; yet , as not for its beauty , so neither for its smell , would i plant elder or much box neer my habitation : the elder does likewise produce a certain green fly , almost invisible , which is exceedingly troublesome , and whose sting is plainly venomous , smarts vehemently , and gathers a fiery rednesse where it ataques . . there is a shrub call'd the spindle-tree , evonymus or fusanum , commonly growing in our hedges , which bears a very hard wood , of which they sometimes made bowes for viols , and the inlayer us'd it for its colour , and instrument-makers for toothing of organs and virginal-keys , tooth-pickers , &c. what we else do with it i know not , save that , according with its name abroad , they make spindles with it . here might come in ( or be nam'd at least ) the wild-cornel , good to make mill-cogs , pestles , bobins for bonelace , &c. lastly , the viburnum , or way-faring tree , growing also plentifully in every corner , makes the most plyant and best bands to fagot with . . the american yucca is a hardier plant then we take it to be ; for it will suffer our sharpest winter , as i have seen by experience , without that trouble , and care of setting it in cases in our conservatories for hyemation ; such as have beheld it in flower ( which is not indeed till it be of some age ) must needs admire the beauty of it ; and it being easily multiplied , why should it not make one of the best , and most ornamental fences in the world for our gardens , with its natural palisados , as well as the more tender , and impatient of moisture the aloes does for their vineyards in languedoc , &c. but we believe nothing improvable , save what our grand fathers taught us . finally , let trial likewise be made of that thorn mention'd by cap. liggon in his history of barbados ; whether it would not be made grow amongst us , and prove as convenient for fences as there ; the seeds or sets transported to us with due care . and thus , having accomplish'd what ( by your commands ) i had to offer concerning the propagation of the more solid , material , and useful trees , as well the dry , as aquatical ; and to the best of my talent fenc'd our plantation in , i should here conclude , and set a bound likewise to my discourse , by making an apologie for the many errours and impertinencies of it ; did not the zeal , and ambition of this illustrious society to promote and improve all attempts which may concern the publick utility or ornament , perswade me , that what i am adding for the farther encouragement to the planting of some other useful ( though less vulgar ) trees , will at least obtain your pardon , if it miss of your approbation . . to discourse in this stile of all such fruit-trees as would prove of greatest emolument to the whole nation , were to design a just volume ; and there are directions already so many , and so accurately deliver'd and publish'd ( but which cannot be affirm'd of any of the former classes of forest-trees and other remarkes , at the least to my poor knowledge and research ) that it would be needless to repeat . . i do only wish ( upon the prospect , and meditation of the universal benefit ) that every person whatsoever , worth ten pounds per annum , within his majesties dominions , were by some indispensable statute oblig'd to plant his hedg-rows with the best , and most useful kinds of them ; especially , in such places of the nation , as being the more in-land counties , and remote from the seas and navigable rivers , might the better be excus'd from the planting of timber , to the proportion of those who are more happily and commodiously situated for the transportation of it . . undoubtedly , if this course were taken effectually , a very considerable part both of the meat and drink which is spent to our prejudice , might be saved by the country-people , even out of the hedges and mounds , which would afford them not only the pleasure and profit of their delicious fruit , but such abundance of sider and perry , as should suffice them to drink of one of the most wholesom and excellent beverages in the world. old gerard did long since alledg us an example worthy to be pursu'd ; i have seen ( saith he , speaking of apple-trees , lib. . cap. . ) in the pastures and hedg-rows about the grounds of a worshipful gentleman dwelling two miles from hereford , call'd mr. roger bodnome , so many trees of all sorts , that the servants drink for the most part no other drink but that which is made of apples : the quantity is such , that by the report of the gentleman himself , the parson hath for tythe many hogs-heads of sider : the hogs are fed with the fallings of them , which are so many , that they make choice of those apples they do eat , who will not taste of any but of the best . an example doubtless to be followed of gentlemen that have land and living ; but envy saith , the poor will break down our hedges , and we shall have the least part of the fruit ; but forward in the name of god , graff , set , plant , and nourish up trees in every corner of your ground ; the labour is small , the cost is nothing , the commodity is great ; your selves shall have plenty , the poor shall have somewhat in time of want to relieve their necessity , and god shall reward your good minds and diligence . thus far honest gerard. and in truth , with how small a charge , and infinite pleasure this were to be effected , every one that is patron of a little nursery can easily calculate : but by this expedient , many thousands of acres , sow'd now yearly with barley , might be cultivated for wheat , or converted into pasture to the increase of corn , and cattel : besides , the timber which the pear-tree , black-cherry afford , and many thorny plums ( which are best for grain , colour and glosse ) afford , comparable ( for divers curious vses ) with any we have enumerated . the black-cherry-wood grows sometimes to that bulke , as is fit to make stooles with , cabinets , tables , especially the redder sort , which will polish well ; also pipes , and musical instruments , the very bark employ'd for bee-hyves : but of this i am to render a more ample accompt in the appendix to this discourse . i would farther recommend the more frequent planting , and propagation of fir , pine-trees , and some other beneficial materials both for ornament and profit ; especially , since we find by experience , they thrive so well , where they are cultivated for curiosity only . chap. xxii . of the fir , pine , pinaster , pitch-tree , &c. . abies , pinus , pinaster , picea , &c. are all of them easily rais'd of the kernels , and nuts , which may be gotten out of their cones and clogs , by exposing them a little before the fire , or in warm water , till they begin to gape , and are ready to deliver themselves of their numerous burthen . . there are of the fir two principal species ; the male which is the bigger tree most beautiful and tapering , and of a harder wood ; the female , which is much the softer , and whiter . though whitenesse be not the best character ; that which knowing workemen call the dram , and that comes to us from bergen , swinsound , mosse , longlound , dranton , &c. long , strait , clear , and of a yellow more cedrie colour , is esteemed much before the white for flooring and wainscot ; for masts , &c. those of prusia , which we call spruse , and norway ( especially from gottenberg ) are the best ; unlesse we had more commerce of them from our plantations in new-england , which are preferrable to any of them . in the scottish high-lands are trees of wonderful altitude ( though not altogether so tall , thick and fine as the former ) which grow upon places so unaccessable , and far from the sea , that ( as one says ) they seem to be planted of god on purpose for nurseries of seed , and monitors to our industry , reserved with other blessings , to be discover'd in our days amongst the new-invented improvements of husbandry , not known to our southern people of this nation , &c. did we consider the pains they take to bring them out of the alps , we should lesse stick at the difficulty of transporting them from the utmost parts of scotland . to the former sorts we may add the esterund firs , tonsberry , fredrick-stad , hellerone , holmstrand , landifer , stavenger , lawrwat , &c. they may be sown in beds , or cases , at any time during march ; and when they peep , carefully defended with furzes , or the like fence , from the rapacious birds , which are very apt to pull them up , by taking hold of that little infecund part of the seed , which they commonly bear upon their tops : the beds wherein you sow them had need be shelter'd from the southern aspects with some skreen of reed , or thick hedge : sow them in shallow rills , not above half-inch-deep , and cover them with fine light mould : being risen a finger in height , establish their weak stalks , by siefting some more earth about them ; especially the pines , which being more top-heavy , are more apt to swag . when they are of two , or three years growth , you may transplant them where you please ; and when they have gotten good root , they will make prodigious shoots ; but not for the three , or four first years comparatively . they will grow both in moyst , or barren gravel , and poor ground , so it be not over sandy and light ; but before sowing ( i mean here for large designes ) turn it up a foot deep , sowing or setting your seeds an hand distance , and riddle earth upon them ; in five or six weeks they will peep : when you transplant , water them well before , and cut the clod out about the root as you do melons out of the hot-bed , which knead close to them like an egg : thus they may be sent safely many miles , but the top must neither be bruised , much lesse cut , which would dwarfe it for ever . . the best time to transplant , were in the beginning of april ; they would thrive mainly in a stiff hungry clay ; but by no means in over light , or rich soyle : fill the holes therefore with such barren earth , if your ground be improper of it self ; and if the clay be too stiff and untractable , with a little sand , removing with as much earth about the roots as is possible , though the fir will better endure a naked transplantation , than the pine : you may likewise sow in such earth about february , they will make a shoot the very first year of an inch ; next an handful , the third year three foot , and thence forward , above a yard annually . a northern gentleman , who has oblig'd me with this processe upon his great experience , assures me , that there are trees planted in northumberland , which are in few years grown to the magnitude of ship-masts ; and from all has been sayd , deduces these incouragements ; . the facility of their propagation , . the nature of their growth , which is to affect places where nothing else will thrive : . their uniformity and beauty , . their perpetual verdure ; . their sweetnesse , . their fruitfulness , affording seed , gum , fuel , and timber of all other woods the most useful and easy to work , &c. all which highly recommend it as an excellent improvement of husbandry , fit to be enjoyn'd by some solemn edict to the inhabitants of this our island , that we may have masts , and those other materials of our own growth . . the pine ( of which are reckon'd no lesse then ten several sorts , preferring the domestic or sative for the fuller growth ) is likewise of both sexes , whereof the male growing lower , hath its wood more knotty and rude than the female . they would be gather'd in june , before they gape , yet having hung two years ( for there will be always some ripe , and some green on the same tree ) preserve them in their nuts , in sand , as you treat akorns , &c. 'till the season invite , and then set , or sow them in ground which is cultivated like the fir , in most respects ; only you may bury the nuts a little deeper . by a friend of mine they were rolled in a fine compost made of sheeps-dung , and scatter'd in february , and this way never fail'd fir and pine ; they came to be above inch high by may ; and a spanish author tels us , that macerated five days in a childs urine , and three days in water , is of wonderful effect ; this were an expeditious processe for great plantations ; unless you would rather set the pine as they do pease ; but at wider distances , that when there is occasion of removal , they might be taken up with earth and all , i say , taken up , and not remov'd by evulsion ; because they are ( of all other trees ) the most obnoxious to miscarry without this caution ; and therefore it were much better ( where the nuts might be commodiously set , and defended ) never to remove them at all , it gives this tree so considerable a check . the safest course of all , were to set the nuts in an earthen-pot , and in frosty weather , shewing it a little to the fire , the intire clod will come out with them , which are to be reserved , and set in the naked earth , in convenient and fit holes , so soon as the thaw is universal : some commend the strewing a few oats at the bottom of the fosses or pits in which you transplant the naked roots , for a great promotement of their taking ; and that it will cause them to shoot more in one year than in three ; but to this i have already spoken . . i am assur'd ( by a person most worthy of credit ) that in the territory of alzey ( a country in germany , where they were miserably distressed for wood , which they had so destroy'd as that they were reduced to make use of straw for their best fuel ) a very large tract being newly plowed , but the warrs surprizing them , not suffer'd to sow , there sprung up the next year a whole forest of pine-trees , of which sort of wood there was none at all within lesse then fourscore miles ; so as 't is verily conjectur'd by some , they might be wafted thither from the country of westrasia , which is the neerest part to that where they grow : if this be true , we are no more to wonder , how , when our oak-woods are grubb'd up , beech , and trees of other kinds , have frequently succeeded them : what some impetuous winds have done in this nature , i could produce instances almost miraculous : i shall say nothing of the opinion of our master varro , and the learned theophrastus , who were both of a faith , that the seeds of plants drop'd out of the air : pliny in his . book , chap. . upon discourse of the cretan cypress , attributes much to the indoles and nature of the soil , virtue of the climate , and impressions of the air : and indeed it is very strange , what is affirm'd of that pitchy-rain , reported to have fallen about cyrene , the year . u. c. after which , in a short time , sprung up a whole wood of the trees of laserpitium , producing a precious gum not much inferiour to benzoin , if at least the story be warrantable : but of these aerial irradiations , various conceptions , and aequivocal productions without seed , &c. upon another occasion , if life and leisure permit me to finish what has been long under the hand and file , to gratifie our horticultores ; this present treatise being but an imperfect limb of that more ample work. . in transplanting of these coniferous trees , which are generally resinaceous , viz. fir , pine , larix , cedar , and which have but thin and single roots , you must never diminish their heads , nor be at all busie with their roots , which pierce deep , and is all their foundation , unless you find any of them bruised , or much broken , therefore such down-right roots as you may be forc'd to cut off , it were safe to sear with an hot iron , and prevent the danger of bleeding , to which they are obnoxious even to destruction , though unseen and unheeded : neither may you disbranch them , but with great caution , as about march , or before , or else in september , and then 't is best , to prune up the side - branches close to the trunk , cutting off all that are above a year old ; if you suffer them too long , they grow too big , and the cicatrice will be more apt to spend the tree in gumme ; upon which accident i advise you to rub over their wounds with a mixture of cow-dung ; the neglect of this cost me dear , so apt are they to spend their gum. some advise us to break the shells of pines to facilitate their delivery , and i have essay'd it , but to my losse ; nature does obstetricate , and do that office of her self , when it is the proper season ; neither does this preparation at all prevent those which are so buried , whiles their hard integuments , protect them both from rotting , and the vermine . . the domestic pine grows very well with us both in mountains and plains ; but the pinaster or wilder ( of which are four sorts ) best for walks , because it grows tall , and proud , maintaining their branches at the sides , which the pine does lesse frequently . . the fir grows tallest , being planted reasonable close together ; but suffers nothing to thrive under them . the pine not so inhospitable ; for ( by plinies good leave ) it may be sown with any tree , all things growing well under its shade , and excellent in woods ; hence claudian , the friendly pine the mighty oke invites . et comitem quercum pinus amica trahit . . they both affect the cold , high , and rockie grounds , abies in montibus altis ; yet will grow in better , but not in over rich , and pinguid . the worst land in wales bears ( as i am told ) large pine ; and the fir according to his aspiring nature , loves also the mountain more than the valley ; but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , it cannot endure the shade , as theophrastus observes , de pl. l. . c. . but this is not rigidly true ; for they will grow in consort , till they even shade , and darken one another , and will also descend from the hills , and succeed very well , being desirous of plentiful waterings , till they arrive to some competent stature ; and therefore they do not prosper so well in an over sandy , and hungry soil , or gravel , as in the very entrails of the rocks , which afford more drink to the roots , that penetrate into their meanders , and winding recesses . but though they require this refreshing at first , yet do they perfectly abhor all stercoration ; nor will they much endure to have the earth open'd about their roots for ablaqueation , or be disturb'd . this is also to be understood of cypress . a fir for the first half dozen years seems to stand , or at least make no considerable advance ; but it is when throughly rooted , that it comes away miraculously . that honourable knight sir norton knatchbull ( whose delicious plantation of pines , and firs i beheld with great satisfaction ) having assur'd me that a fir-tree of his raising , did shoot no lesse than sixty foot in height , in little more than twenty years , is a pregnant instance , as of the speedy growing of that material ; so of all the encouragement i have already given for the more frequent cultivating this ornamental , useful , and profitable tree . . the picea is another sort of pine , and to be cultivated like it , the cold grounds which these plants most affect , though it be hard to discover , yet sometimes pitch-trees and the noxious yew , or the dark ivy will dire symptomes shew . — piceae tantum , taxique nocentes interdum , aut ederae pandunt vestigia nigrae . georg. . and therefore i am not satisfied why it might not prosper in some tollerable degree in england , as well as in germany , russia , the colder tracts , and abundantly in france : it grows on the alpes among the pine , but neither so tall nor so upright , and produces a gum almost as white and firm as frankincense : but it is the larix ( another sort of pine ) that yields the venetian turpentine . . there is also the piceaster ( a wilder sort ) out of which the greatest store of pitch is boyl'd . the teda likewise , which is a sort abounding in dalmatia , more unctious , and more patient of the warmer situations , and so inflamable , that it will slit into candles , and therefore some will by no means admit it to be of a different species , but a metamorphosis of over-grown fattinesse , to which the most judicious incline . . the bodies of these being cut , or burnt down to the ground , will emit frequent suckers from the roots ; but so will neither the pine nor fir : but the fir may be propagated of layers , which i divulge , as a considerable secret that has been essay'd with successe . . that all these , especially the fir , and pine , will prosper well with us is more than probable , because it is a kind of demonstration that they did heretofore grow plentifully in cumberland , cheshire , stafford , and lancashire , if the multitudes of these trees to this day found intire , and buried under the earth , though suppos'd to have been or'ethrown and cover'd so ever since the universal deluge , be indeed of this species : that incomparable naturalist , the learned dr. merre●t , in his pinax , speaks of several places of this nation , where subterraneous trees are found ; as namely , in cornwal , ad finem terrae , in agris flints ; in penbrok-shire towards the shore , where they so abound , ut totum littus ( says the doctor ) tanquam sylva caedua apparet ; in cheshire also , as we said , cumberland , and anglesey , and several of our euro-boreal tracts , and are called noahs-ark . by chatnesse in lancashire ( says cambden ) the low mossie ground was no very long time since , carried away by an impetuous flood , and in that place now lies a low irriguous vale , where many prostrate trees have been digged out : these trees were ( some think ) carried away in times past by some accident of innundation , or by waters undermining the ground , till their own weight , and the winds bow'd them down and overwhelm'd in the mud : for 't is observ'd , that these trees are no where found but in boggie places ; but that the burning of these trees so very bright , should be an argument they were fir , is not necessary , since the bitumineous quality of such earth may have imparted it to them ; and cambden denies them to be fir-trees , suggesting the querie ; whether there may not possibly grow trees even under the ground , as well as other things ? there are in cumberland , on the sea-shore , trees sometimes discover'd at low-water , and at other times that lye buried in the sand ; and in other mossie places of that shire 't is reported , the people frequently dig up the bodies of vast trees without boughs , and that by direction of the deaw alone in summer ; for they observe it never lyes upon that part , under which those trees are interr'd . these particulars i find noted by the ingenious authour of the britannia baconica : but we shall enquire farther concerning these subterranean productions anon , and whether the earth , as well as the water , have not the vertue of strange transmutations : these trees are found in moors by poking with staves of three or four foot length , shod with iron . . in scotland ( as we noted ) there is a most beautiful sort of fir growing upon the mountains ; of which from the late marquiss of argyle , i had sent me some seeds , which i have sown with tolerable successe ; and i preferr them before any other , because they grow both very erect , and fixing themselves stoutly , need little or no support . and there neer loughbrun , 'twixt the lough and an hill , they grow in such quantity ; that from the spontaneous fall , ruine , and decay of the trees lying crosse one another to a man's height , partly cover'd with mosse , and partly earth and grasse , which rots , fills up , and grows again , a considerable hill has in processe of time been raised to almost their very tops , which being an accident of singular remark , i thought fit to mention . . for the many , and almost universal use of these trees , both sea and land will plead , the useful pine for ships — — dant utile lignum navigiis pines — georg. . hence papinius . thebaid . calls it audax abies . they make our best mast , sheathing , scaffold-poles , &c. heretofore the whole vessel . it is pretty ( saith pliny ) to consider , that those trees which are so much sought after for shipping , should most delight in the highest of mountains , as if it fled from the sea on purpose , and were afraid to descend into the waters . with fir we likewise make all intestine works , as wainscot , floors , pales , balks , laths , boxes , bellies for all musical instruments in general , nay the ribs and sides of that enormous stratagem , the so famous trojan horse , may be thought to be built of this material , and if the poet mistake not . — the ribs with deal they fit : — sectáque intexunt abiete costas . aen. . it is exceeding smooth to polish on , and therefore does well under gilding work , and takes black equal with the pear-tree : both fir , and especially pine , succeed well in carving , as for capitols , festoons , nay statues , especially being gilded , because of the easinesse of the grain , to work and take the tool every way ; and he that shall examine it nearly , will find that famous image of the b. virgin at loretto ( reported to be carved by the hands of s. luke ) to be made of fir , as the grain easily discovers it . the torulus ( as vitruvius calls it ) and heart of deal , kept dry , rejecting the albumen and white is everlasting ; nor does there any wood so well agree with the glew , as it , or so easie to be wrought : it is also excellent for beams , and other timber-work in houses , being both light , and exceedingly strong , and therefore of very good use for barrs and bolts of doors , as well as for doors themselves , by reason of a natural spring which it has , not easily violated : you shall find , that of old they made carts , and coaches of it : for scaffolding also there is none comparable to it ; and i am sure we find it an extraordinary saver of oak where it may be had at reasonable price . i will not complain what an incredible mass of ready money is yearly exported into the northern countreys for this sole commodity , which might all be saved were we industrious at home . likewise from fir we have the most of our pot-ashes : of fir are made our torch or funebral-staves ; nay , and of old , spears of it , if we may credit virgil's amazonian combate , — she prest a long fir spear through his exposed breast . — cujus apertum adversi longâ transverberat abiete pectus . aen. . lastly , the very chips , or shavings of deal-boards , are of other use than to kindle fires alone : thomas bartholinus in his medicina danorum dissert . . &c. where he disclaims the use of hops in beer , as pernicious and malignant , and from several instances how apt it is to produce and usher in infections , nay , plagues , &c. would substitute in its place , the shavings of deal-boards , as he affirms , to give a grateful odor to the drink ; and how soverain those resinous woods , the tops of fir and pines , are against the scorbut , we generally find : it is in the same chapter that he commends also wormwood , marrubium , chamelaeagnum , sage , tamarisc , and almost any thing rather than hopps . the pine , or picea buried in the earth never decay : from the latter transudes a very bright and pellucid gum ; hence we have likewise rosin ; also of the pine are made boxes , and barrels for dry goods ; yea , and it is cloven into shingles for the covering of houses in some places ; also hoops for wine-vessels , especially , of the easily flexible wild-pine ; not to forget the kernels ( this tree being alwayes furnish'd with cones , some ripe , others green ) of such admirable use in emulsion , and the tooth-pickers for which even the very leaves are commended : in sum , they are plantations which exceedingly improve the air by their oderiferous , and balsamical emissions , and for ornament , create a perpetual spring where they are plentifully propagated . and if it could be proved that the almugim-trees , recorded reg. . . and whereof pillars for that famous temple , and the royal palace , harps , and psalteries , &c. were made , were of this sort of wood ( as some doubt not to assert ) we should esteem it at another rate ; yet we know josephus affirms they were a kind of pine-tree , though somewhat resembling the fig-tree wood to appearance , as of a most lustrious candor . in the chron. . . there is mention of almug-trees to grow in lebanon ; and if so , methinks it should rather be a kind of cedar ; ( yet we find firr also in the same period ) for we have seen a whiter sort of it , even very white as well as red ; though some affirm it to be but the sap of it ( so our cabinet-makers call it ) i say , their were both fir and pine-trees also growing upon those mountains . mr. purchas informs us , that dr. dee writ a laborious treatise almost wholly of this subject ( but i could never have the good hap to see it ) wherein , as commissioner for solomon's timber , and like a learned architect , and planter , he has summon'd a jury of twelve sorts of trees . namely , . the fir , . box , . cedar , . cypresse , . ebony , . ash , . juniper , . larch , . olive , . pine , . oke , and . sandal-trees , to examine which of them were this almugim , and at last seems to concur with josephus , in favour of pine or fir ; who possibly from some antient record , or fragment of the wood it self , might learn something of it ; and 't is believ'd , that it was some material both odoriferous to the sent , and beautiful to the eye , and of fittest temper to refract sounds ; besides its serviceablenesse for building , all which properties are in the best sort of pine or thyina , as pliny calls it ; or perhaps some other rare wood , of which the eastern indias are doubtlesse the best provided ; and yet i find , that these vast beams which sustain'd the roof of s. peter's church at rome , laid ( as reported ) by constantine the great , were made of the pitch tree , and have lasted from anno . down to our dayes , above . years . . but now whiles i am reciting the vses of these beneficial trees , mr. winthorp presents the royal society with the process of making the tar and pitch in new-england , which we thus abbreviate . tar is made out of that sort of pine-tree from which natually turpentine extilleth ; and which at its first flowing out is liquid and clear ; but being hardned by the air , either on the tree , or where-ever it falls , is not much unlike the burgundy pitch ; and we call them pitch pines out of which this gummy substance transudes : they grow upon the most barren plains , on rocks also and hills rising amongst those plains , where several are found blown dovvn , that have lain so many ages , as that the vvhole bodies , branches and roots of the trees being perished , some certain knots onely of the boughs have been left remaining intire ( these knots are that part vvhere the bough is joyn'd to the body of the tree ) lying at the same distance and posture as they grevv upon the tree for its vvhole length . the bodies of some of these trees are not corrupted through age , but quite consum'd and reduc'd to ashes , by the annual burnings of the indians , when they set their grounds on fire ; which yet has , it seems , no power over these hard knots , beyond a black scorching ; although being laid on heaps , they are apt enough to burn . it is of these knots they make their tar in new-england and the countrey adjacent , whiles they are well impregnated with that terebinthine , and resinous ●atter , which like a balsam preserves them so long from putrifaction . the rest of the tree does indeed contain the like terebinthine sap , as appears ( upon any slight incision of bark on the stem , or boughs ) by a small crystaline pearl which will sweat out ; but this , for being more watery , and undigested by reason of the porosity of the wood , which exposes it to the impressions of the air and wet , renders the tree more obnoxious ; especially , if it lye prostrate with the bark on , which is a receptacle for a certain intercutaneous worm , that accelerates its decay . they are the knots then alone which the tar-makers amass in heaps , carrying them in carts to some convenient place not far off , where finding clay , or loam fit for their turn , they lay an hearth of such ordinary stone as they have at hand : this they build to such an height from the level of the ground , that a vessel may stand a little lower then the hearth , to receive the tar as it runs out : but first , the hearth is made wide according to the quantity of knots to be set at once , and that with a very smooth floor of clay , yet somewhat descending , or dripping from the extream parts to the middle , and thence towards one of the sides , where a gullet is left for the tar to run out at . the hearth thus finish'd , they pile the knots one upon another , after the very same manner as our colliers do their wood for char-coal ; and of a height proportionable to the breadth of the hearth ; and then cover them over with a coat of loam or clay ( which is best ) or in defect of those , with the best , and most tenacious earth the place will afford ; leaving onely a small spiracle at the top , whereat to put the fire in ; and making some little holes round about at several heights , for the admission of so much air as is requisite to keep it burning , and to regulate the fire by opening , and stopping them at pleasure . the processe is almost the the same with that of making char●coal , as will appear in due place ; for when it is well on fire , that middle hole is also stopp'd , and the rest of the registers so govern'd , as the knots may keep burning and not be suffocated with too much smoak , whiles all being now through heated , the tar runs down to the hearth , together with some of the more watry sap , which hasting from all parts towards the middle , is convey'd by the fore-mention'd gutter into the barrel , or vessel placed to receive it : thus , the whole art of tarmaking is no other , than a kind of rude distillation per descensum , and might therefore be as well done in furnaces of large capacity , were it worth the expence . when the tar is now all melted out , and run , they stop up all the vents very close ; and afterwards find the knots made into excellent char-coal , preferr'd by the smiths before any other whatsoever which is made of wood ; and nothing so apt to burn out when their blast ceaseth ; neither do they sparkle in the fire , as many other sorts of coal do ; so as , in defect of sea-coal , they make choice of this as best for their use , and give greater prices for it . of these knots likewise do the planters split out small slivers about the thickness of one's finger , or somewhat thinner , which serve them to burn in stead of candles ; giving a very good light . this they call candle-wood , and it is in muc● use both in new-england , virginia , and amongst the dutch planters in their villages ; but for that it is something offensive , by reason of the much fuliginous smoak which comes from it , they commonly burn it in the chimney-corner upon a flat stone or iron ; except , occasionally , they carry a single stick in their hand , as there is need of light to go about the house . it must not be conceiv'd , by what we have mention'd in the former description of the knots , that they are only to be separated from the bodies of the trees by devouring time , or that they are the only materials out of which tar can be extracted : for there are in these tracts millions of trees which abound with the same sort of knots , and full of turpentine fit to make tar : but the labour of felling these trees , and of cutting out their knots , would far exceed the value of the tar ; especially in countries where workmen are so very dear : but those knots above mention'd , are provided to hand , without any other labour then the gathering only . there are sometimes found of those sort of pine-trees the lowest part of whose stems towards the root is as full of turpentine as the knots ; and of these also may tar be made : but such trees being rarely found , are commonly preserved to split into candle-wood ; because they will be easily riven out into any lengths , and scantlings desir'd , much better then the knots . there be who pretend an art of as fully impregnating the body of any living pine-tree for six or eight foot high ; and some have reported that such an art is practis'd in norway : but upon several experiments , by girdling the tree ( as they call it ) and cutting some of the bark round , and a little into the wood of the tree , six or eight foot distant from the ground , it has yet never succeeded ; whether the just season of the year were not observ'd , or what else omitted , were worth the disquisition ; if at least there be any such secret amongst the norwegians , swedes , or any other nation . of tar , by boiling it to a sufficient height , is pitch made : and in some places where rosin is plentiful , a fit proportion of that may be dissolved in the tar whiles it is boiling , and this mixture is soonest converted to pitch ; but it is of somewhat a differing kind from that which is made of tar only , without other composition . there is a way which some ship-carpenters in those countries have us'd , to bring their tar into pitch for any sudden use ; by making the tar so very hot in an iron-kettle , that it will easily take fire , which when blazing , and set in an airy place , they let burn so long , till , by taking out some small quantity for trial , being cold , it appears of a sufficient consistence : then by covering the kettle close , the fire is extinguish'd , and the pitch is made without more ceremony . there is a process of making rosin also out of the same knots , by splitting them out into thin pieces , and then boiling them in water , which will educe all the resinous matter , and gather it into a body which ( when cold ) will harden into pure rosin . it is moreover to be understood , that the fir and most coniferous trees , yield the same concretes , lachrymae , turpentines , rosins , hard , naval or stone and liquid pitch and tar for innumerable uses ; and from the burning , and fuliginous vapour of these , especially , the rosin , we have our lamp and printers black , &c. i am perswaded the pine , and fir trees in scotland , might yield his majesty plenty of excellent tar , were some industrious person employ'd about the work . chap. xxiii . of the larch , platanus , lotus , cornus , &c. . larix , though of the coniferous family , looses its leaf , and therefore we separate him from the firs and pines ; but why we might not hope as well of the larch as from any of them i know not : i read of beams of no less then . foot in length made out of this goodly tree , which is of so strange a composition , that 't will hardly burn , as caesar found in a castle he besieg'd built of it ; ( the story is recited at large by vitruvius l. . c. . ) but see what philander says upon the place , on his own experience : yet the coals thereof were held far better then any other for the melting of iron . there is abundance of this larch timber in the buildings at venice , especially about the palaces in piazza san marco , where i remember scmozzi says he himself us'd much of it , and infinitely commends it : tiberius we find built that famous bridg to his naumachia with it ; and it seems to excel for beams , dores , windoes , and will support an incredible weight ; which ( and for its property of long refecting fire ) makes vitruvius wish they had greater plenty of it at rome to make goists of . from this tree it is that useful drug agaric is gathered ; and the timber of it is so exceedingly transparant , that cabanes made of the thin boards , when in the dark night , they have lighted candles , people , who are at a distance without dores , would imagine the whole room to be on fire , which is pretty odd , considering there is no material so unapt to kindle . that which now grows some where about chelnsford in essex , arriv'd to a flourishing , and ample tree , does sufficiently reproach our negligence and want of industry , as well as the incomparable and shady . . platanus , that so beautiful and precious tree , so doated on by xerxes , that aelian and other authours tell us he made halt , and stop'd his prodigious army of seventeen hundred thousand souldiers which even cover'd the sea , exhausted rivers , and thrust mount athos from the continent , to admire the pulchritude and procerity of one of these goodly trees , and became so fond of it , that spoiling both himself , his concubines , and great persons of all their jewels , he cover'd it with gold , gems , neck-laces , scarfs and bracelets , and infinite riches ; in sum , was so enamor'd of it , that for some days neither the concernment of his grand expedition , nor interest of honor , nor the necessary motion of his portentous army , could perswade him from it : he styl'd it his mistris , his minion , his goddesse ; and when he was forc'd to part from it , he caus'd the figure of it to be stampt in a medail of gold , which he continually wore about him . these trees the romans first brought out of the levant , and cultivated with so much industry and cost , for its stately and proud head only ; that great orators and states-men , cicero and hortensius would exchange now and then a turn at the bar , that they might have the pleasure ●o step to their villas , and refresh their platans , which they would often irrigate with wine instead of water ; and so priz'd the very shadow of it , that when afterwards they transplanted them into france , they exacted a tribute of any of the natives who should presume but to put his head under it . pliny tells us there is no tree whatsoever which so well defends us from the heat of the sun in summer ; nor that admits it more kindly in winter . and for our encouragement , i do upon experience assure you , that they will flourish and abide with us , without any more trouble than frequent , and plentiful watering , which from their youth they excessively delight in , and gratefully acknowledge by their growth accordingly ; so as i am perswaded , that with very ordinary industry , they might be propagated to the incredible ornament of the walks and avenues to great-mens houses . the introduction of this true plane amongst us , is due to that honorable gentleman sir geo. crook of oxfordshire , from whose bounty i received an hopefull plant now growing in my villa . . there was lately at basil in switzerland an ancient goodly platanetum , and now in france they are come again in vogue : i know it was antiently accounted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; but they may with us be rais'd of their seeds with care , in a moist soil , as here i have known them : but the reason of our little success , is , that we very rarely have them sent us ripe ; which should be gather'd late in autumn , and brought us from some more levantine parts than italy . they come also of layers abundantly ; affecting a fresh and feeding ground ; for so they plant them about their rivulets , and fountains . the west-indian plane is not altogether so rare , but it rises to a goodly tree , and bears a very ample , and lesse jaged leaf : that the turks use their platanus for the building of ships , i learn out of ricciolus hydrog . l. . c. . . the same opinion have i of the noble lotus , ( another lover of the water ) which in italy yields both an admirable shade , and timber immortal . of this wood are made pipes and wind-instruments , and of its root , hafts for knives , and other tools , &c. the offer of crassus to domitius for half a dozen of these trees growing about an house of his in rome , testifies in what esteem they were had for their incomparable beauty and use . the cornel-tree , though not mention'd by plinie for its timber , is exceedingly commended for its durablenesse , and use in wheel-work , pinns , and wedges , in which it lasts like the hardest iron ; and it will grow with us to good bulk and stature ; and the preserv'd , and pickl'd berries , are most refreshing , and an excellent condiment . chap. xxiv . of the cypress-tree and cedar . cvpressus , the cypresse-tree , is either the sative or garden tree , the most pyramidal and beautiful ; or that which is call'd the male , ( though somewhat prepostrously ) which bears the cones , but is of a more extravagant shape : should we reason only from our common experience , even the cypresse-tree was , but within a few years past , reputed so tender , and nice a plant , that it was cultivated with the greatest care , and to be found only amongst the curious ; whereas we see it now , in every garden , rising to as goodly a bulk and stature , as most which you shall find even in italy it self ; for such i remember to have once seen in his late majesties gardens at theobalds , before that princely seat was demolish'd . i say , if we did argue from this topic : methinks it should rather encourage our country-men to add yet to their plantations other forreign and useful trees , and not in the least deter them , because many of them are not as yet become endenizon'd amongst us . . we may read that the peach was at first accounted so tender and delicate a tree , as that it was believ'd to thrive only in persia ; and even in the days of galen , it grew no nearer then egypt , of all the roman provinces , but was not seen in the city till more then thirty years before pliny's time ; whereas there is now hardly a more common and universal in europe : thus likewise , the avellana from pontus in asia ; thence into greece , and so italy , to the city of abellino in campania . vna tantùm litera immutata , avellina dici , quae prius abellina . i might affirm the same of our damasco plum , quince , medlar , figue , and most ordinary pears , as well as of several other peregrine trees , fruit-bearers , and others ; for even the very damask-rose it self , ( as my lord bacon tels us cent. . exp. . ) is little more than an hundred years old in england : methinks this should be of wonderful incitement . it was years after the foundation of rome , ere italy had tasted a cherry of their own , which being then brought thither out of pontus ( as the above-mention'd filberts were ) did afterwards travel ad ultimos britannos . . josephus tels us , that the cedar in judea was first planted there by solomon , who doubtless try'd many rare experiments of this nature ; and none more kingly then that of planting to posterity . i do not speak of those which grow on the mountains of libanus , in the colder and northern tracts of syria : but as i am inform'd by that curious traveller , ranwolfius . i. since also confirm'd by that virtuoso monsieur monconys , there remaining now not above twenty four of those stately trees in all those goodly forests , where that mighty prince set fourscore thousand hewers at work for the materials of one onely temple and a palace , 't is a pregnant example what time , and neglect will bring to ruine , if due , and continual care be not taken to propagate timber . . nor is it any wonder if we find the whole species of some trees so totally lost in a countrey , as if there had never been any such planted in it : be this therefore applied to fir , pine , and many others with us ; since it was so long ere rome was acquainted with them , or indeed with any of the pitch-bearers . . we had our first myrtils out of greece , and cypress from creete , which was yet a meer stranger in italy , as pliny reports , and most difficult to be raised ; which made cato to write more concerning the culture of it then of any other tree : notwithstanding we have in this countrey of ours , no less then three sorts , which are all of them easily propagated , and prosper very well if they are rightly ordered ; and therefore i shall not omit to disclose one secret , as well to confute a popular errour , as for the instruction of our gard'ners . . the tradition is , that the cypress ( being a symbol of mortality , they should say of the contrary ) is never to be cut for fear of killing it . this makes them to impale , and wind them about like so many aegyptian mummies ; by which means the inward parts of the tree being heated , for want of air and refreshment , it never arrives to any perfection , but is exceedingly troublesome , and chargeable to maintain ; whereas indeed , there is not a more tonsile and governable plant in nature ; for the cypress may be cut to the very roots , and yet spring afresh : and this we find was the husbandry in the isle of aenaria , where they us'd to fell it for copse : for the cypress being rais'd from the nursery of seeds sown in september ( or rather march , ) and within two years after transplanted , should at two years standing more , have the master stem of the middle shaft cut off some hand-breadth below the summit , the sides , and smaller sprigs shorn into a conique or pyramidal form , and so kept clipp'd from april to september , as oft as there is occasion ; and by this regiment they will grow furnish'd to the foot , and become the most beautiful trees in the world , without binding or stake ; still remembring to abate the middle stem , and to bring up the collateral branches in its stead to what altitude you please ; but when i speak of shortning the middle shoot , i do not intend the dwarfing of it , and therefore it must be done discreetly , so as it may not over-hastily advance , till the foot thereof be perfectly furnished : but there is likewise another , no lesse commendable expedient , to dresse this tree with all the former advantages ; if sparing the shaft altogether , you diligently cut away all the forked branches , reserving onely such as radiate directly from the body , which being shorn , and clipt in due season , will render the tree very beautiful ; and though more subject to obey the shaking winds , yet the natural spring of it , does immediately redress it , without the least discomposure ; and this is a secret worth the learning of gard'ners , who subject themselves to the trouble of stakes and binding , which is very inconvenient . thus likewise may you form them into hedges and topiary works , or by sowing the seeds in a shallow furrow , and plucking up the supernumeraries where they come too close and thick : for in this work it shall suffice to leave them within a foot of each other ; and when they are risen about a yard in height ( which may be to the half of your palisado ) cut off their tops , as you are taught , and keep the sides clipp●d , that they ascend but by degrees , and thicken at the bottom as they climbe . thus , they will present you in half a dozen or eight years , with incomparable hedges , preferable to all others whatsoever , because they are perpetually green and able to resist the winds better then any which i know , the holly only excepted , which indeed has no peer . . when i say winds , i mean their fiercest gusts , not their cold : for though it be said , brumáque illaesa cupressus , and that indeed no frost impeaches them ( for they grow even on the snowy tops of ida , ) yet our cruel eastern winds do sometimes mortally invade them which have been late clipp'd , seldom the untouch'd , or that were dressed in the spring only : the effects of the late march and april winds ( in the years . and . ) accompanied with cruel frosts and cold blasts , for the space of more then two months night and day , did not amongst neer a thousand cypresses ( growing in my garden ) kill above three or four , which for being very late cut to the quick ( that is , the latter end of october ) were raw of their wounds , took cold , and gangreen'd ; some few others which were a little smitten towards the tops , might have escaped all their blemishes , had my gard'ner capp'd them but with a wisp of hay or straw , as in my absence , i commanded . as for the frost of those winters ( then which i believe there was never known a more cruel and deadly piercing since england had a name ) it did not touch a cypress of mine till it joyn'd forces with that destructive wind : therefore for caution , clip not your cypresses late in autumn , and cloath them ( if young ) against these winds ; for the frosts they only discolour them , but seldom , or never hurt them , as by long experience i have found . . if you affect to see your cypress in standard , and grow wild ( which may in time come to be of a large substance , fit for the most immortal of timber ) plant of the reputed male sort ; it is a tree which will prosper wonderfully ; and where the ground is hot , and gravelly , though ( as we say'd ) he be nothing so beautiful ; and it is of this , that the venetians make their greatest profit . . there is likewise the tarentine cypress , so much celebrated by cato ; i do not mean our savine , ( which some erroneously take for it , though there be a berry-bearing savine , much resembling the cypress , which comes to prove a gallant , upright tree , fit for the standard . ) both that , and the milesian , are worthy our culture . . i have already shew'd how this tree is to be rais'd from the seed ; but there was another method amongst the ancients , who ( as i told you ) were wont to make great plantations of them for their timber : i have practis'd it my self , and therefore describe it . . if you receive your seed in the nuts which uses to be gather'd thrise a year , ( but seldom ripening with us ) expose them to the sun till they gape , or neer a gentle fire , or put them in warme water , by which means the seeds will be easily shaken out ; for if you have them open before , they do not yield you half their crop . about the beginning of april ( or before , if the weather be showery ) prepare an even bed , which being made of fine earth , clap down with your spade , as gard'ners do for purselain-seed : of old they roll'd it with some stone or cylinder ) upon this strew your seeds pretty thick ; then sieft over them some more mould somewhat better than half an inch in height : keep them duly watered after sun-set , unless the season do it for you ; and after one years growth ( for they will be an inch high in little more than a moneth ) you may transplant them where you please . in watering them , i give you this caution ( which may also serve you for most tender and delicate seeds ) that you deaw them rather with a broom or spergatory , then hazard the beating them out with the common watering-pot ; and when they are well come up , be but sparing of water : be sure likewise that you clense them when the weeds are very young and tender , least in stead of purging , you quite erradicate your cypress : we have spoken of watering , and indeed whilst young , if well follow'd , they will make a prodigious advance : when that long , and incomparable walke of cypress at frascati neer rome was first planted , they drew a small stream ( and indeed irrigare is properly thus , aquam inducere riguis ( i.e. ) in small gutters and rills ) by the foot of it , ( as the water there is in abundance tractable ) and made it arrive to seven or eight foot height in one year ; but with us , we may not be too prodigal ; since , being once well taken , they thrive best in our sandy , light , and warmest grounds , whence cardan says , juxta aquas arescit , meaning in low and moorish places , stiff and cold earth , &c. where they never thrive . . what the vses of this timber are , for chests and other vtensils , harps , and divers other musical instruments ( it being a very sonorous wood , and therefore employ'd for organ-pipes , as heretofore for supporters of vines , poles , rails , and planks , ( resisting the worm , moth , and all putrefaction to eternity ) the venetians sufficiently understand ; who did every twenty year , and oftner ( the romans every thirteen ) make a considerable revenue of it out of candy : and certainly a very gainful commodity it was , when the fell of a cupressetum was heretofore reputed a good daughters portion , and the plantation it self call'd dotem filiae . but there was in candy a vast wood of these trees belonging to the republique , by malice or accident set on fire , which anno . burnt for seven years continually , before it could be quite extinguish'd ; fed so long a space by the unctuous nature of the timber , of which there were to be seen at venice planks of above foure foot in bredth ; and formerly the valves of saint peters church at rome were framed of this material , which lasted from the great constantine to pope eugenius the fourths time , almost six hundred years ; and then were found as fresh and intire as if they had been new : but this pope would needs change them for gates of brasse , which were cast by the famous antonio philarete ; not in my opinion so venerable as those other of cypresse . it was in coffins of this material , that thycidides tells us , the athenians us'd to bury their heros . . the timber of this wood was of infinite esteem with the antients : that lasting bridge built over the euphrates by semiramis was made of this wood ; and it is reported , plato chose it to write his laws in before brasse it self , for the diuturnity of the matter : it is certain , that it never rifts or cleaves , but with great violence ; and the bitternesse of its juice preserves it from all worms , and putrifaction . to this day those of creet , and malta make use of it for their buildings ; because they have it in plenty , and there is nothing out-lasts it , or can be more beautifull , especially than the root of the wilder sort , incomparable for its crisped undulations . divers learned persons have conceiv'd the gopher mention'd in holy writ , gen. . . and of which the ark was built , to have been no other than this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , cupar or cuper , by the easie mutation of letters ; and beside , 't is known that in creet they employ'd it for the same use in the largest contignations , and did formerly build ships of it : and epiphanius haeres . l. . tells us , some reliques of that ark lasted even to his dayes , and was judged to have been of cypresse . some indeed suppose that copher was the name of a place a cupressis , as elon a quercubus ; and might possibly be that which strabo calls cupressetum neer adiabens in assyria : but for the reason of its long lasting , coffins , as noted , for the dead were made of it , and thence it first became to be diti sacra ; and the valves or doors of the ephesine temple were likewise of it , as we observ'd but now were those of st. peters at rome : works of cypresse wood , permanent ad diuturnitatem , sayes vitruvius l. . and the poet — perpetuâ nunquam moritura cupresso . mart. e. . . but to resume the disquisition , whether it be truly so proper for shipping is controverted , though we also find in cassiodorus vor. l. . ep. . that theodoric caused store of it to be provided for that purpose ; and plato ( who we told you made laws and titles to be engraven in it ) nominates it inter arbores 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 utilis . l. . leg . and so does diodorus l. . and as travellers observe , there is no other sort of timber fit for shipping , so frequent as this tree about those parts of assyria , where the ark is conjectur'd to have been built ; so as those vast armadas that alexander the great caus'd to be equipp'd and set out from babylon , consisted onely of cypresse , as we learn out of arrian in alex. l. . and strabo l. . paulus colamenus in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 literaria cap. . perstringes the most learned is . vossius , that in his vindiciae pro lxx . interp. he affirms cypresse not fit for ships : but besides what we have produc'd , fuller , bochartus , &c. lilius gyraldus ( lib. de navig . c. . ) and divers others , sufficiently evince it , and that the vessel built by trajan was of that material ; lasting uncorrupt near years , when it was afterwards found in a certain lake ; if it were not rather ( as i suspect ) that which aeneas silvius reports to have been discovered in his time , lying under water in the numician lake , crusted over with a certain feruginous mixture of earth and scales , as if it had been of iron ; but it was pronounc'd to be larix , and not cypress , employ'd by tiberius . finally ( not to forget even the very chips of this precious wood , which gives that flavour to muscadines and other rich wines ) i commend it for the improvement of the air , and a specific for the lungs , as sending forth most sweet , and aromatick emissions , when ever it is either clipp'd , or handled , and the chips , or cones being burnt , extinguishes moths , and expells the gnats and flies , &c. not omitting the gum which it yields , not much inferiour to the terbintine or lentisc . but , quid tibi odorato referam sudantia ligno , if i forget . the cedar ? which grows in all extreams : in the moist barbados , the hot bermudas , the cold new-england ; even where the snow lyes as ( i am assur'd ) almost half the year : why then it should not thrive in old england , i conceive is from our want of industry : it grows in the bogs of america , and in the mountains of asia ; it seems there is no place affrights it ; i have frequently rais'd it of the seeds , which i set like the bay-berries ; and we might have of the very best kind in the world from the summer islands , though now almost utterly exhausted there also , and so the most incomparable of that sacred wood like to be quite destroy'd by our negligence , which is by nature almost eternal . . thus i read that in the temple of apollo at vtica , there was found timber of near two thousand years old ; and in sagunti of spain a beam in a certain oratory consecrated to diana , which had been brought from zant two hundred years before the destruction of troy. . and here i cannot omit my wishes , that since this precious material may be had at such tollerable rates , as certainly it might from cape florida , the bermudas , and other parts of the west indias : i say , i cannot but suggest , that our more wealthy citizens of london , now building , might be encourag'd to use of it in their shops ; at least for shelves , comptoires , chests , tables , wainscot , &c. it might be done with moderate expense , especially , in some small proportions , and in faneering , as they term it , and mouldings , since beside the everlastingnesse of the wood not obnoxious to the worms , and which would also be a means to preserve cloth , and other ware from moths and corruption ; it would likewise be a cure to reform the malignity and corrosivenesse of the air , and even preserve the whole city as if it stood amongst the spices of the happy arabia , or the prospects of mount libanus . note , that the cedar is of so dry a nature , that it will not well endure to be fastned with nails , from which it usually shrinks , and therefore pinns of the same wood , are better . . the sittim mention'd in holy writ , is believ'd to have been a kind of cedar , of which the most precious vtensils were formed ; so that when they said a thing was cedro digna , the meaning was , worthy of eternity . chap. xxv . of the cork , ilex , alaternus , phyllyrea , granad , lentisc , myrtle , jasmine , &c. . the cork [ suber ] of which there are two sorts ( and divers more in the indias ) one of a narrower lesse jagged leaf and perenneal ; the other of a broader , falling in winter ; grows in the coldest parts of biscany , in the north of new-england , in the south-west of france , especially the second species , fittest for our climate ; and in all sorts of ground , dry heaths , stony , and rockie-mountains , so as the roots will run even above the earth where they have little to cover them ; all which considered , methinks we should not despair : we have said where they grow plentifully in france ; but by pliny , nat. hist . l. . c. . it should seem they were since transplanted thither ; for he affirms there were none either there or in italy , in his time : but i exceedingly wonder that carolus stephanus , and crusius should write so peremptorily , that there were none in italy , where i my self have travell'd through vast woods of them about pisa , aquin , and in divers tracts between rome and the kingdom of naples . the spanish cork is a species of the enzina , differing chiefly in the leaf , which is not so prickly ; and in the bark , which is frequently , four or five inches thick : the manner of decortication whereof is once in two , or three years to strip it in a dry season ; otherwise , the intercutaneous moisture indangers the tree ; when the bark is off , they unwarp it before the fire , and presse it even , and that with weights upon the convex part , and so it continues being cold . . the uses of cork is well known amongst us both at sea and land for its resisting both water and air : the fisher-men who deal in nets , and all who deal with liquors cannot be without it : antient persons prefer it before leather for the soles of their shooes , being light , dry , and resisting moisture , whence the germans name it pantoffel-holts ( slipper-wood ) perhaps from the greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , for i find it first applied to that purpose by the grecian ladies , whence they were call'd light-footed ; i know not whether the epithite do still belong to that sex ; but from them its likely the venetian dames took it up for their monstrous choppines ; affecting , or usurping an artificial eminency above men , which nature has denied them . of one of the sorts of cork are made pretty cups , and other vessels , esteem'd good to drink out of for hectical persons : the aegyptians made their coffins of it , which being lin'd with a r●sinous composition , preserv'd their dead incorrupt : the poor people in spain lay broad planks of it by their beds-side , to tread on ( as great persons use turkie and persian carpets ) to defend them from the floor , and sometimes they line , or wainscot the walls , and inside of their houses built of stone , with this bark , which renders them very warm , and corrects the moisture of the air : also they employ it for bee-hives , and to double the insides of their contemplores , and leather cases wherein they put flasquera's with snow to refrigerate their wine . this tree has beneath the cortex or cork , two other coats , or libri , of which one is reddish , which they strip from the bole when 't is fell'd onely ; and this bears good price with the tanner : the rest of the wood is very good firing , and applicable to many other uses of building ; palisade work , &c. . ilex major glandifera or great scarlet oak , thrives manifestly with us ; witnesse his majesties privy garden at white-hall , where once flourish'd a goodly tree of more than fourscore years growth , though there be now but a sickly impe of it remaining . . by what i have touch'd in the chapter of the elms , concerning the peregrination of that tree into spain ( where even in plinie's time there were none , and where now they are in great abundance ) why should we not more generally endeavour to propagate the ilex amongst us ; i mean , that baccifera , which the spaniards call the enzina , and of which they have such woods , and profitable plantations ? they are an hardy sort of tree , and familiarly rais'd from the acorn , if we could have them sound and well put up in earth or sand , as i have found by experience . . the wood of these ilex's is serviceable for many uses , as stocks of tools , mallet-heads , mall-balls , chairs , axeltrees , wedges beetles , pins , and above all for palisadoes us'd in fortifications . besides , it affords so good fuel , that it supplies all spain almost with the best and most lasting of charcoales , in vast abundance . of the first kind is made the paynten lac extracted from the berries ; to speak nothing of that noble confection alkermes : the acorns of the first yield excellent nourishment for rustics , sweet , and little , if at all , inferiour to the chesse-nut ; and this , and not the fagus , was doubtlesse the true esculas of the antients , the food of the golden age. the wood of the enzina when old , is curiously chambletted , and embroidered with natural vermiculations as if it were painted . . the alaternus , which we have lately receiv'd from the hottest parts of languedoc ( and that is equal with the heat of almost any countrey in europe ) thrives with us in england , as if it were an indigene and natural . . i have had the honour to be the first who brought it into vse and reputation in this kingdom for the most beautiful , and useful of hedges , and verdure in the vvorld ( the swiftnesse of the growth consider'd ) and propagated it from cornwall even to cumberland : the seed grovvs ripe vvith us in august ; and the hony-breathing blossomes , afford an early , and mervellous relief to the bees . . all the phillyrea's are yet more hardy ; vvhich makes me vvonder to find the angustifolia planted in cases , and so char●ly set into the stoves , amongst the oranges and lemmons ; vvhen by long experience , i have found it equal our holly in suffering the extreamest rigours of our cruellest frosts , and winds , vvhich is doubtlesse ( of all our english trees ) the most insensible and stout . . they are ( both alaternus and this ) raised of the seeds ( though those of the phillyrea vvill be long under ground ) and being transplanted for espalier hedges , or standards , are to be govern'd by the shears , as oft as there is occasion : the alaternus vvill be up in one month after it is sovvn : plant it out at tvvo years grovvth , and clip it after rain in the spring , before it grovvs sticky , and vvhiles the shoots are tender ; thus vvill it form an hedge ( though planted but in single rows , and at two foot distance ) of a yard in thicknesse , twenty foot high ( if you desire it ) and furnish'd to the bottom : but for an hedge of this altitude , it would require the friendship of some wall , or a frame of lusty poles , to secure against the winds one of the most delicious objects in nature : but if we could have store of the phillyrea folio leviter serrato ( of which i have rais'd some very fine plants from the seeds ) we might fear no weather , and the verdure is incomparable . . the culture of the granade ( of which are three sorts ) does little differ from that of the alaternus , of which we might raise considerable hedges on all our southern aspects : they have supported that most unmerciful winter in sixty three , without any artifice ; and if they yield us their flowers for our pains of well pruning and recision ( for they must diligently be purged of their wood ) it is a glorious recompence : i plant them in my hedge-rows even amongst the quick ; but to have them thrive , you must loosen the earth at roots , and inrich it both spring and autumn , leaving but a few woody branches : there is no tree so adulterous as this shrub , and best by layers approach and inarching , as they call it ; and thence 't is said to marry with lawrells , damson , ash , almond , mulberry , citron , &c. too many ( i fear ) to hold : if you will plant them in gardens to best advantage , keep them to one stem , and inrich the mould with hogs dung well consum'd , which they greatly delight in . . the vulgar italian wild myrtil ( though not indeed the most fragrant ) grows high , and supports all weathers . i know of one near fifty years old , which has been continually expos'd ; unlesse it be , that in some exceeding sharp seasons , a little dry straw has been thrown upon it ; and where they are smitten , being cut down near the ground , they put forth and recover again ; which many times they do not in pots , and cases , where the roots are very obnoxious to perish with mouldiness . the shelter of a few mats , and straw , secur'd very great trees ( both leaf and colour in perfection ) this last winter also , which were planted abroad ; whiles those that were carried into the conserve , were most of them lost . myrtils may be rais'd of seeds , but with great caution ; and they seldom prove hardy , nor is it worth the time , being so abundantly encreased of layers . . lentiscus , the lentisc , a very beautiful ever-green , will thrive abroad with us , with a little care and shelter , amongst other expos'd shrubs , and may be propagated of suckers and layers ; and the like may be done by the olive , though it bear no other fruit than the perennial verdure of the leaves : of the lentisc are made the best tooth-pickers in the world , and the mastic , or gum is of excellent use , especially for the teeth and gums . . i might to these add lignum vitae , the aethiopic seseli , halimus latifolius , laurus tinus , celast●us , &c. fittest for the shrubby part and under-furniture of our ever green groves , and near our gardens of pleasure . but . i produce not these particulars , and other amoena vireta already mention'd , as signifying any thing to timber , the main design of this treatise ( though i read of some myrtils so tall , as to make spear shafts ) but to exemplifie in what may be farther added to ornament and pleasure , by a cheap , and most agreeable industry . the berries of myrtil were us'd of old in stead of peper . . the common white and yellow jasmine would flower plentifully in our woods , and as hardy as any of the periclimena : how it is propagated by submersion , or layers , every gard'ner skills ; and if it were as much imploy'd for nose gays , &c. with us , as it is in france and italy , they might make money enough of the flowers : one sorry tree in paris , where they abound , has been worth to a poor woman near twenty shillings in a year . chap. xxvi . of the acacia , arbutus , bays , box , yew , holly , juniper , and laurel-trees . . the french have lately brought in the virginian acacia , which exceedingly adorns their walks : the tree is hardy against all the invasions of our sharpest seasons , but our high winds ; which by reason of its brittle nature it does not so well resist ; and the roots ( which insinuate and run like liquorize under ground ) are apt to emaciate the soil , and therefore haply not so commendable in our gardens , as they would be agreeable for variety of walks and shade : they thrive well in his majesties new plantation in st. james's park . . but why do we thus neglect the arbutus , and make that such a rarity , which grows so common , and so naturally in ireland ? it is indeed with some difficulty rais'd from the seeds ; but it may be propagated from the layers , grows to a goodly tree ; is patient of our severest weather , and may be contriv'd into most beautiful hedges : virgil reports it will inoculate with the nut ; and i find bauhinus commends the coals for gold-smiths works , and the poet arbutean harrows and the mystic van. arbuteae crates , & mystica vannus jacchi . georg. . . bays are encreas'd both of their suckers , and seeds , which should be dropping-ripe ere gather'd : pliny has a particular process for the ordering of the seeds , and it is not to be rejected : which is , the gathering the berries , in january , and spreading them till their sweat be over ; then he puts them in dung and sows them : as for the steeping in wine , water does altogether as well ; others wash the seeds , from their mucilage , by breaking and bruising the glutinous berries ; then sow them in march by scores in a heap ; and indeed so they will come up in clusters , but nothing so well , nor fit for transplantation , as where they are interr'd with a competent scattering , so as you would furrow pease : both this way , and by setting them apart ( which i most commend ) i have rais'd multitudes , and that in the berries without any farther preparation ; onely for the first two years they would be defended from the piercing winds which frequently destroy them ; and yet the scorching of their tender leaves ought not make you despair , for many of them will recover beyond expectation . . this aromatic tree greatly loves the shade , yet thrives best in our hottest gravel , having once pass'd those first difficulties : age and culture about the roots wonderfully augment its growth ; so as i have seen trees near thirty foot high of them ; and almost two foot diameter . they are fit also both for arbour and palisade-work , so the gard'ner understand when to prune , and keep it from growing two woody . . the box which we begin to proscribe our gardens ( and indeed bees are no friend to it ) should not yet be banish'd from our care ; because the excellency of the wood does commute for the unagreeablenesse of its smell : therefore let us furnish our cold , and barren hills , and declivities with this useful shrub , i mean the taller sort , for i meddle not here with the dwarf and more tonsile ; it will increase abundantly of slips set in march. . the turner , ingraver , carver , mathematical-instrument , comb and pipe-makers ( si buxos inflare juvat — virg. ) give great prizes for it by weight , as well as measure ; and by the seasoning , and divers manner of cutting , vigorous insolations , politure and grinding , the roots of this tree ( as of even our common and neglected thorne ) do furnish the inlayer and cabinet-makers with pieces rarely undulated , and full of variety . also of box are made wheels or shivers ( as our ship-carpenters call them ) and pinns for blocks and pullies ; pegs for musical instruments , nut-crackers , vveavers shuttles , hollar-sticks , bump-sticks , and dressers for the shooe-maker , rulers , rolling-pins , pestles , mall-balls , beetles , topps , tables , chess-men , skrews male and female , bobins for bone-lace , spoons , nay the stoutest axle-trees ; but above all , — box-combs bear no small part in the militia of the female art ; they tye the links which hold our gallants fast , and spread the nets to which fond lovers hast . — non ultima belli arma puellaris ; laqu●os haec nectit amantûm , et venatricis disponit retia formae . couleii pl. l. . the chymical oyl of this wood has done the feats of the best guajacum ( though in greater quantity ) for the cure of venereal diseases , as one of the most expert physicians in europe has confess'd . . since the use of bows is laid aside amongst us , the propagation of the eugh-tree ( of which we have two sorts , and other places reckon more , as the arcadian black , and red ; the yellow of ida , infinitely esteem'd of old ) is likewise quite forborn ; but the neglect of it is to be deplor'd ; seeing that ( besides the rarity of it in italy , and france , where but little of it grows ) the barrenest grounds , and coldest of our mountains ( for — aquilonem & frigora taxi ) might be profitably replenish'd with them : i say , profitably , for , besides the use of the wood for bows — ityraeos taxi torquentur in arcus . ( for which the close , and more deeply dy'd is best . ) the foremention'd artists in box most gladly imploy it : and for the cogs of mills , posts to be set in moist grounds , and everlasting axle-trees , there is none to be compar'd with it ; likewise for the bodies of lutes , theorbas , bowles , vvheels , and pinns for pullys ; yea , and for tankards to drink out of ; whatever pliny report concerning its shade , and the stories of the air about thasus , the fate of cativulcus mention'd by caesar , and the ill report which the fruit has vulgarly obtain'd in france , spain , and arcadia ; but , how are poor trees abus'd ! quàm multa arborihus tribuuntur crimina falsa ! . the toxic quality was certainly in the liquor which those good fellows tippl'd out of those bottles , not in the nature of the wood ; which yet he affirms is cur'd of that venenous quality , by driving a brazen-wedge into the body of it : this i have never tri'd , but that of the shade and fruit i have frequently , without any deadly , or noxious effects : so that i am of opinion that tree which sestius calls smilax , and our historian thinks to be our eugh , was some other wood ; and yet i acknowledge that it is esteem'd noxious to cattel , when 't is in the seeds , or newly sprouting . . this tree is easily produc'd of the seeds , wash'd and cleans'd from their mucilage ; and buried in the ground like haws ; it will commonly be the second vvinter ere they peep , and then they rise with their caps on their heads : being three years old you may transplant them , and form them into standards , knobs , vvalks , hedges , &c. in all which works they succeed marvellous well , and are worth our patience for their perennial verdure , and durablenesse . . he that in winter should behold some of our highest hills in surrey clad with whole woods of these two last sort of trees , for divers miles in circuit ( as in those delicious groves of them , belonging to the honourable , my noble friend sir adam brown of bech-worth-castle , from box-hill , and neer our famous mole or swallow ) might without the least violence to his imagination , easily phansie himself transported into some new or enchanted country ; for , if any spot of england , — 't is here eternall spring , and summer all the year . hîc ver perpetuum , atque alienis mensibus aestas . . but , above all the natural greens which inrich our home-born store , there is none certainly to be compar'd to the agrifolium , or acuifolium rather , our holly , insomuch as i have often wonder'd at our curiosity after forreign plants , and expensive difficulties , to the neglect of the culture of this vulgar , but incomparable tree ; whether we will propagate it for vse , and defence , or for sight and ornament . a hedge of holly , thieves that would invade , repulses like a growing palizade ; whose numerous leaves such orient greens invest as in deep winter do the spring a rest . — mala furta hominum densis mucronibus axcens securum defendit in expugnabilis hortûm ▪ exornátque simul , toto spectabilis anno , et numero & viridifoliorum luce nitentum . couleii pl. l. . . is there under heaven a more glorious and refreshing object of the kind , than an impregnable hedge of one hundred and sixty foot in length , seven foot high , and five in diameter , which i can shew in my poor gardens at any time of the year , glitt'ring with its arm'd and vernish'd leaves ? the taller standards at orderly distances blushing with their natural coral : it mocks at the rudest assaults of the weather , beasts , or hedge-breakers , et illum nemo impunè lacessit . it is with us of two eminent kinds , the prickly , and smoother leav'd , or as some term it , the free-holly , not unwelcome when tender , to sheep , and other cattel . . i have already shew'd how it is to be rais'd of the berries ( of which there is a sort bears them yellow ) when they are ready to drop , this onely omitted , that they would first be freed from their tenacious and glutinous mucilage by being wash'd , and a little bruised , then dry'd with a cloth ; or else bury them as you do hipps ; and let our forester receive this for no common secret , and take notice of the effect : remove them also after three or four years ; but if you plant the sets ( which is likewise a commendable way , and the woods will furnish enough ) place 'em northwards , as they do quick. of this might there living pales and enclosures be made ( such as the right honourable my lord dacres , somewhere in sussex , has a park almost environ'd with , able to keep in any game , as i am credibly inform'd ) and cut into square hedges , it becomes impenetrable , and will thrive in hottest as well as the coldest places . i take thousands of them four inches long out of the woods ( amongst the fall'n leaves whereof , they sow themselves ) and so plant them ; but this should be before the cattel begin to crop them , especially sheep , who are greedy of them when tender : stick them into the ground in a moist season , spring , or autumn ; especially the spring , shaded ( if it prove too hot and scorching ) till they begin to shoot of themselves , and in very sharp weather , and during our eastern etesians , cover'd with dry straw or haume ; and if any of them seem to perish , cut it close , and you shall soon see it revive . the lustyer and bigger the sets are , the better , and if you can procure such as are a thumbs-breadth thick , they will soon furnish into an hedge . at denge-nesse in kent they grow naturally amongst the very beach and pibbles : and this rare hedge , the boast of my villa , was planted upon a burning gravel , expos'd to the meridian sun. . true it is , that time must bring this tree to perfection ; it does so to all things else , & posteritati pangimus . but what if a little culture about the roots ( not dunging , which it abhors ) and frequent stirring of the mould doubles its growth ? we stay seven years for a tolerable quick , it is worth staying it thrice for this , which has no competitor . . and yet there is an expedient to effect it more insensibly , by planting it with the quick : let every fift or sixt be an holly-set , they will grow up infallibly with your quick , and as they begin to spread , make way for them , by extirpating the white-thorn , till they quite domineer : thus was my hedge first planted , without the least interruption to the fence , by a most pleasant metamorphosis . but there is also another , not lesse applauded , by laying along of well rooted sets ( a yard or more in length ) and stripping off the leaves and branches : these cover'd with a competent depth of earth , will send forth innumerable suckers , which will suddenly advance into an hedge . . the timber of the holly ( besides that it is the whitest of all hard woods , and therefore us'd by the in-layer , especially , under thin plates of ivory to render it more conspicuous ) is for all sturdy uses ; the mill-wright , turner and engraver prefer it to any other : it makes the best handles , and stocks for tools , flayles , riding-rods the best , and carters whips ; bowles , shivers , and pins for blocks ; also it excels for dore-bars and bolts ; and as of the elme , so of this especially , they made even hinges and hooks to serve instead of iron , and of the bark is compos'd our bird-lime . . pill a good quantity of the bark about midsommer , fill a vessel with it , and put to it spring-water ; then boyle it , 'till the grey and white bark rise from the green , which will require neer hours boyling ; then taking it off the fire , separate the barks , the water first well drained from it : then lay the green bark on the earth in some coole vault or cellar , covering it with any sort of green and rank weeds , such as dock , thistles , hemlock , &c. to a good thickness : thus let it continue neer a fort-night , by which time 't will become a perfect mucilage : then pound it all exceedingly in a stone mortar 'till it be a tough past , and so very fine , as no part of the bark be discernable : this done , wash it accurately well in some running stream of water , as long as you perceive the least ordure or motes in it , and so reserve it in some earthen pot to purge and ferment , scuming it as often as any thing arises for four or five days , and when no more filth comes , change it into a fresh vessel of earth , and reserve it for use , thus : take what quantity you please of it , and in an earthen pipkin add a third part of capons or goose-grease to it , well clarified ; or oyle of walnuts which is better : incorporate these on a gentle fire , continually stirring it 'till it be cold , and thus your composition is finish'd . but to prevent frosts ( which in severe weather will sometimes invade it on the rods ) take a quarter of as much oyle of petrolium as you do of grease , and no cold whatever will congeale it . the italians make their vischio of the berries of the misselto of trees , treated much after the same manner , but then they mix it with nut-oyle an ounce to a pound of lime , and taking it from the fire , add half an ounce of terpentine which qualifies it also for the water . great quantities of bird-lime is brought to us out of turky , and from damascus , which some conceive to be made of sebestens , finding sometimes the kernels : this lime is of a greener colour , subject to frosts , and impatient of wet , nor will last above a year or two good : another sort comes also out of syria of a yellow hue ; likewise from spain , whiter than the rest , will resist the water , but is of an ill sent . i have been told that the cortex of our lantona or wayfaring shrub , will make as good bird-lime as the best . but , let these suffice , being more than as yet , any one has publish'd . the superiour leaves of holly trees dry'd to a fine powder , and drunk in white-wine is prevalent against the stone , and cures fluxes ; and a dozen of the mature berries being swallow'd , purge phlegme without danger . . of juniper we have three sorts , ( male , female , dwarf ) whereof one is much taller , and more fit for improvement : the wood is yellow , and sweet as cedar , whereof it is accounted a spurious kind . . i have rais'd them abundantly of their seeds ( neither watring nor dunging the soile ) which in two moneths will peep , and being govern'd like the cypress , apt for all the employments of that beautiful tree : to make it grow tall , prune and clense it to the very stem , the male best . the discreet loosening of the earth about the roots also makes it strangely to prevent your expectations by suddenly spreading into a bush fit for a thousand pretty employments ; for coming to be much unlike that which grows wild , and is subject to the treading and cropping of cattle , &c. it may be form'd into most beautiful and useful hedges : my brother having cut out of one onely tree an arbour capable for three to sit in : it was at my last measuring seven foot square , and eleven in height ; and would certainly have been of a much greater altitude and farther spreading , were it not continually kept shorn : but what is most considerable is the little time since it was planted , being yet hardly ten years , and then it was brought out of the common a slender bush of about two foot high : but i have experimented a proportionable improvement in my own garden , where i do mingle them with cypresse , and they perfectly become their stations . i wonder virgil should condemn its shadow , i suspect him mis-reported : for , . the berries afford ( besides a tolerable pepper ) one of the most universal remedies in the world to our crazy forrester ; the berry swallow'd onely , instantly appeaseth the wind-collique , and in decoction most soveraign against an inveterate cough : they are of rare effect being steeped in beer . the water is a most singular specifique against the gravel in the reins ; but all is comprehended in the virtue of the theriacle or electuary , which i have often made for my poor neighbours , and may well be term'd the forresters panaäea against the stone , rheume , ptisic , dropsie , jaundies , inward impostumes , nay , palsie , goute and plague it self taken like venice-treacle . of the extracted oyle ( with that of nuts ) is made an excellent good vernish for pictures , for wood-work and to preserve polish'd iron from the rust . the gum is good to rub on parchment to make it bear ink , and the coals , which are made of the wood , endure the longest of any . see saint hierom. ad fabiolam upon that expression psal . . v. . if it arrive to full growth it is timber for many curious works ; for tables , chests , small carvings and images , spoons , wholesome to the mouth ; spits to rost meat on , to which it gives a rare taste , but it should be old and dry wood ; nay , i read of some large enough for beams and rafters . the very chips render a wholesom perfume within doors , as well as the dusty blossoms in spring without . . and since we now mention'd pepper , it is by the most prudent , and princely care of his majesty that i am assur'd of a late solemn act of councel , enjoyning the preserving of that incomparable spice which comes to us from jamaica under that denomination ; though in truth it be a mixture of so many aromatics in one , that it might as well have been call'd cinnamon , nutmeg or mace , to every of which it seems something alied : and that there is not onely prohibited the destruction of these trees ( for it seems some prodigals us'd to cut them down for the more easie gathering ) but order taken likewise for their propagation , and that assays and samples be from time to time sent over , what other fruits , trees , gums and vegetables may there be found , and which i prognostick will at last also incite his majesty , and the planters there to think of procuring cinnamon , cloves and nutmeg-trees indeed from the east-indias , and what other useful curiosities will not approach our northern beare ( and that are incicurabiles amongst us ) and to plant them in jamaica , and other of his majesties western islands , a more safe and frugal expedient to humble our emulous neighbours ; since there is nothing in their situation , or defect of natures benignity , which ought in the least to discourage us : and what if some of the trees of those countrys ( especially such as aspire to be timber , and may be of improvement amongst us ) were more frequently brought to us likewise here in england ; since we daily find how many rare exotics and strangers with little care , become endenizon'd , and so contented to live amongst us , as may be seen in the platanus , constantinople-chess-nut , the greater glandiferos ilex , cork , nux vesicaria ( which is an hard wood fit for the turner , &c. ) the styrax , bead tree , the famous lotus , virginian acatia , guaicum patavinum , paliurus , cypress , pines , fir , and sundry others , which grow already in our gardens expos'd to the weather ; and so doubtless would many more : so judiciously observ'd is that of the learned author of the history of the royal society , part. . sect. . that whatever attempts of this nature have succeeded , they have redounded to the great advantage of the vndertakers . the orange of china being of late brought into portugal , has drawn a great revenew every year from london alone . the vine of the rhene taking root in the canaries , has produc'd a far more delicious juyce , and has made the rocks and sun-burnt ashes of those islands , one of the richest spots of ground in the world. and i will also instance in that which is now in a good forwardnesse : virginia has already given silk for the cloathing of our king ; and it may happen hereafter to give cloathes to a great part of europe , and a vast treasure to our kings : if the silk-worms shall thrive there ( of which there seems to be no doubt ) the profit will be inexpressible . we may guess at it , by considering what numbers of caravans , and how many great cities in persia are maintain'd by that manufacture alone , and what mighty customs it yearly brings unto the sophi's revenew . thus he ; and to return to that of trees and plants , the industry we have recommended , would questionless in lesse than halfe an age produce us wonders , by introduction , if not of quite different ; yet of better kinds , and such variety for pulchritude and sweetnesse ; that when by some princely example , our late pride , effeminacy and luxurie ( which has to our vast charges excluded all the ornaments of timber , &c. to give place to hangings , embroderies and forrain leather ) shall be put out of countenance , we may hope to see a new face of things for the encouragement of planters , the more immediate work of gods hands ; and the natural , wholesome , and ancient use of timber , for the more lasting occasions and furniture of our dwellings : and though i do not speak all this for the sake of joyne-stools , benches , cup-boards , massy tables and gygantic bed-steds , the hospitable vtensils of our fore - fathers ; yet i would be glad to encourage the carpenter and the joyner , and rejoyce to see , that their work and skil do dayly improve ; and that by the example and application of his majesties vniversities , and royal society the restauration and improvement of shiping , mathematical and mechanical arts , the use of timber grows dayly in more reputation : and it were well if great persons might only be indulg'd to inrich and adorn their palaces with tapistry , damasc , velvet , and persian furniture , whilst by some wholesom sumptuary laws , the universal excess of those costly and luxurious moveables were prohibited meaner men , for divers politic considerations and reasons which it were easie to produce ; but by a lesse influence than severer laws , it will be very difficult , if not altogether impossible , to recover our selves from a softnesse and vanity which will in time not onely effeminate , but undo the nation . . but to crown all , i will conclude with the laurel , which by the vse we commonly put it to , seems as if it had been only destin'd for hedges , and to cover bare walls ; whereas , being planted upright , and kept to the standard , by cutting away the collateral branches , and maintaining one stem , it will rise to a very considerable tree ; and ( for the first twenty years ) resembling the most beautiful headed orange in shape and verdure , arrive in time to emulate even some of our lusty timber-trees ; so as i dare pronounce the laurel to be one of the most proper , and ornamental trees for walks and avenues of any growing . . pity it is they are so abus'd in the hedges , where the lower branches growing stickie and dry , by reason of their frequent and unseasonable cutting ( with the genius of the tree , which is to spend much in wood ) they never succeed after the first six or seven years ; but are to be new planted again , or abated to the very roots for a fresh shote . . but would you yet improve the standard which i celebrate , to greater and more speedy exaltation ? bud your laurel on the black-cherry stock to what height you please ; if at least the report be true , which i had from an ocular testimony , and am now making an essay of , because i am more then somewhat doubtful of such allyances , though something like it in palladius speaks it not so impossible ; a cherry grast on laurel-stock does stain the virgin fruit in a deep double grain . inseritur lauro cerasus , partúque coacto tingit adoptivus virginis ora pudor . they are rais'd of the seeds or berries with extraordinary facility , or propagated by layers taleae , and cuttings where-ever there is shade and moisture . i find little concerning the mechanical uses of the laurel ; but than its attributes of old there was nothing more glorious and magnificent ; for , from laurel chew'd the pythian priestess rose , events of future actions to disclose . laurel triumphant generals did wear , and laurel heralds in their hands did bear : poets ambitious of unfading praise , phoebus , the muses all are crown'd with bays . and vertue to her sons the prize does name symbol of glory , and immortal fame . tu sacros phoebi tripodas , ta sidera sentis , et casus aperis rerum praesaga futuros . te ju●at armorum strepitus , clangorque tubarum : perque acies medias , saevique periculà belli , accendis bellantum animos ; te cynthius ipse , te musae , vatesque sacri optav●re coronam : ipsa suis virtus te spem proponit alumnis , tantùm servatus valuit pudor , & bona famu ▪ rapinus . i have now finish'd my planting : a word or two concerning their preservation , and the cure of their infirmities . chap. xxvii . of the infirmities of trees . the diseases of trees are various , according to the rustick rhyme , the calf , the wind-shoc and the knot , the canker , scab , scurf , sap and rot. affecting the several parts : these invade the roots ; weeds , suckers , fern , wet , mice , moles , winds , &c. to these may be added siderations and even plagues , tumors , distortions , lacrimations , tophi , goutes , carbuncles , vlcers , crudities , fungosities , gangreens , and an army more , whereof some are hardly discernable ; yet enemies , which not foreseen , makes many a bargain of standing-wood ( though seemingly fair ) very costly ware . . weeds are to be diligently pull'd up by hand after rain , whiles your seedlings are very young , and till they come to be able to kill them with shade and over-dripping : and then are you for the obstinate to use the haw , fork , and spade , to extirpate dog-grass , bear-bind , &c. . suckers shall be duly eradicated , and with a sharp spade dexterously separated from the mother-roots , and transplanted in convenient places for propagation , as the season requires . . fern is best destroy'd by striking off the tops , as tarquin did the heads of the poppies : this done with a good wand or cudgel , at the decrease in the spring , and now and then in summer , kills it in a year or two beyond the vulgar way of mowing , or burning , which rather encreases than diminishes it . . over-much wet is to be drain'd by trenches , where it infests the roots of such kinds as require drier ground : but if a drip do fret into the body of a tree by the head ( which will certainly decay it ) cutting first the place smooth , stop and cover it with loam and hay till a new bark succeed . these infest the bark ; bark-bound , teredo , or worm , conys , moss , ivy , &c. . the bark-bound are to be released by drawing your knife rind-deep from the root , as far as you can conveniently ; and if the gaping be much , filling the rift with a little cow-dung ; do this on each side , and at spring , february or march ; also cutting off some branches is profitable ; especially such as are blasted or lightning-struck . . the teredo , cossi , and other worms , lying between the body and the bark , poyson that passage to the great prejudice of some trees ; but the holes being once found , they are to be taken out with a light incision ; and the wood-pecker , and other birds often pitching upon the stem , as you may observe them , and knocking with their bils , is a mark that the tree is infected , at least , between the bark . . conies and hares by barking the trees in hard winters , spoil very many tender plantations : next to the utter destroying them , there is nothing better then to anoint that part which is within their reach , with stercus humanum , tempered with a little water or vrine , and lightly brushed on ; this renewed after every great rain : but a cleanlier than this , and yet which conies , and even cattel most abhor , is to water , or sprinkle them with tanners liquor , viz. that , which they use for dressing their hides . . moss is to be rubb'd and scrap'd off with some fit instrument of wood , which may not excorticate the tree , or with a piece of hair-cloth after a sobbing rain : but the most infallible art of emuscation is taking away the cause , which is superfluous moisture in clayie and spewing grounds . . ivy is destroy'd by diging up the roots , and loosning its hold : and yet even ivy it self , the destruction of many fair trees , if very old , and where it has long invested its support , if taken off , does frequently kill the tree , by a too suddain exposure to the un-accustom'd cold : of the roots of ivy ( which with small industry , may be made a beautiful standard ) are made curiously polish'd and fleck'd cups and boxes , and even tables of great value . missleto and other excrescences to be cut and broken off . but the fungi ( which prognosticate a fault in the liver and entrails of trees as we may call it ) is remedied by abrasion , friction , interlucation and exposure to the sun. . the bodies of trees are visited with canker , hollowness , hornets , earwigs , snails , &c. . the wind-shock is a bruise and shiver throughout the tree , though not constantly visible , yet leading the warp from smooth renting ; caused by over-powerful winds , when young , and perhaps , by subtil lightnings : the best prevention is shelter , choyce of place for the plantation , frequent shreading whilst they are yet in their youth . . cankers ( caused by some stroak or galling ) are to be cut out to the quick , the scars emplaistred with tar mingled with oil , and over that a thin spreading of loam ; or else with clay and horse-dung ; but best with hogs-dung alone , bound to it in a rag : or by laying wood-ashes , nettles , or fern to the roots , &c. but if the gangreen be within , it must be cured by nitrous , sulphureous and drying applications , and by no means , by any thing of an unctious nature , which is exitial to trees . tar as was said , onely excepted , which i have experimentally known to preserve trees from the envenom'd teeth of goats , and other injuries ; the intire stem smar'd over , without the least prejudice to my no small admiration . . hollowness is contracted , when by reason of the ignorant or careless lopping of a tree the wet is suffer'd to fall perpendicularly upon a part , especially the head : in this case if there be sufficient sound wood , cut it to the quick and close to the body , and cap the hollow part with a tarpaulin , or fill it with good stiff loam , and fine hay mingled . this is one of the worst of evils , and to which the elm is most obnoxious . . hornets and wasps , &c. by breeding in the hollowness of trees infect them , and are therefore to be destroy'd by stopping up their entrances with tar and goos-dung , or by conveying the fumes of brimstone into their cells . . earwigs and snails do seldom infest forest-trees , but those which are fruit-bearers , and are destroy'd by enticing them into sweet waters , and by picking the snails off betimes in the morning , and rainy evenings : i advise you to visite your cypresse-trees on the first rains in april ; you shall sometimes find them cover'd with young snailes no bigger than small pease : lastly , branches , buds , and leaves extreamly suffer from the blasts , jaundies , and caterpillars , rooks , &c. . the blasted parts of trees are to be cut away to the quick ; and to prevent it , smoak them in suspicious weather , by burning moist straw with the wind , or rather the dry and superfluous cuttings of aromatic plants , such as rosemary , lavender , juniper , bays , &c. i use to whip , and chastise my cypresses with a wand , after their winter-burnings , 'till all the mortified and scorch'd parts flie off in dust , as long almost as any will fall , and observe that they recover and spring the better . mice , moles , and pismires cause the jaundies in trees , known by the discolour of the leaves and buds . . the moles may be taken in traps , and kill'd , as every wood-man knows : it is certain that they are driven from their haunts by garlick for a time , and other heady smels buried in their passages . . mice with traps , or by sinking some vessel almost level with the surface of the ground , the vessel half full of water , upon which , let there be strew'd some hulls or chaff of oates ; also with bane . . destroy pismires with scalding water , and disturbing their hills , or rubbing the stem with cow-dung , or a decoction of tithy-male , washing the infested parts ; and this will insinuate , and chase them quite out of the chinks and crevices , without prejudice to the tree , and is a good prevention of other infirmities . . caterpillars , by cutting off their webs from the twigs before the end of february , and burning them ; the sooner the better : if they be already hatched wash them off with water , in which some of the caterpillars themselves , and garlick have been bruised , or the juyce of rue , or choak and dry them with smoak of galbanum , shooe-soles , hair , and some affirm that planting the pionie neer them is a certain remedy ; but there is no remedy so facile as the burning them oft with small wisps of dry straw , which in a moment rids you . . rooks do in time , by pinching off the buds and tops of trees for their nests , cause many trees and groves to decay : but if cattel break in before the time , conclamatum est , especially goats , whose mouths and breath is poyson to trees ; they never thrive well after , and varro affirms , if they but lick the olive tree , they become immediately barren . . another touch at the winds ; for though they cannot properly be said to be infirmities of trees ; yet they are amongst the principal causes that render trees infirme . i know no surer protection against them , than ( as we said ) to shelter and stake them whilst they are young , 'till they have well establish'd roots ; and with this caution , that in case any goodly trees ( which you would desire especially to preserve and redress ) chance to be prostrated by some impetuous and extraordinary storme ; you be not over hasty to carry him away , or despair of him ; but first let me perswade you to poll him close , and so let him lye some time ; for by this means many vast trees have rais'd themselves by the vigour onely of the remaining roots , without any other assistance ; so as people have pronounc'd it miraculous , as i could tell you by several instances ; besides what theophrastus relates c. . of that huge platanus , which rise in one night in his observation ; and the like i find hapn'd in more than one tree neer bononia in italy , an. . when of late a turbulent gust had almost quite irradicated a very large tract of huge poplars , belonging to the marchioness elephantucca spada , that universally erected themselves again after they were beheaded as they lay even prostrate : what says the naturalist ? prostratas restitui plerunque , & quadam terrae cicatrice reviviscere vulgare est : 't is familiar ( says plinie ) in the platanus , which are very obnoxious to the winds , by reason of the thicknesse of their branches , which being cut off , and discharged , restore themselves . this also frequently happens in wall-nuts , olive-trees , and several others , as he affirms ; l. . c. . these ( amongst many others ) are the infirmities to which forest-trees are subject whilst they are standing ; and when they are fell'd , to the worm ; especially if cut before the sap be perfectly at rest : but to prevent or cure it in the timber , i recommend this secret as the most approv'd . . let common yellow sulphur be put into a cucurbit-glasse , upon which pour so much of the strongest aqua fortis as may cover it three fingers deep : distil this to dryness , which is done by two or three rectifications : let the sulphur remaining in the bottom ( being of a blackish or sad red colour ) be laid on a marble , or put into a glass , where it will easily dissolve into oil : with this anoint what is either infected or to be preserved of timber . it is a great and excellent arcanum for tinging the wood with no unpleasant colour , by no art to be washed out ; and such a preservative of all manner of woods , nay , of many other things ; as ropes , cables , fishing-nets , masts of ships , &c. that it defends them from putrefaction , ether in waters , under , or above the earth , in the snow , ice , air , winter or summer , &c. it were superfluous to describe the process of the aqua-fortis ; it shall be sufficient to let you know , that our common coperas makes this aqua-fortis well enough for our purpose , being drawn over by a retort : and for sulphur the island of saint christophers yields enough , ( which hardly needs any refining ) to furnish the whole world . this secret ( for the curious ) i thought fit not to omit ; though a more compendious , three or four anointings with linseed oil , has prov'd very effectual : it was experimented in a wall-nut table , where it destroy'd millions of worms immediately , and is to be practis'd for tables , tubes , mathematical instruments , boxes , bed-steads , chairs , rarities , &c. oyl of wall-nuts will doubtless do the same , is sweeter , and a better vernish ; but above all is commended oyl of cedar , or that of juniper . . hitherto i have spoken of trees , their kinds , and propagation in particular : now a word or two concerning their ordering in general , as it relates to copses , lopping , felling , &c. then i shall add something more concerning their vses , as to fewel , &c. and cast such accidental lessons into a few aphorisms , as could not well be more regularly inserted . lastly , i shall conclude with some more serious observations in reference to the main design and project of this discourse , as it concerns the improvement of his majesties forests , for the honour and security of the whole kingdom . chap. xxviii . of copses . . sylva caedua is ( as varro defines it ) as well copse to cut for fuel as for use of timber ; and we have already shew'd how it is to be rais'd , both by sowing and planting . i shall onely here add , that if in their first designation , they be so laid out , as to grow for several falls ; they will both prove more profitable , and most delightful : most profitable , because of their annual succession ; and most pleasant , because there will alwayes remain some of them standing ; and if they be so cast out , as that you leave strait , and even intervals of eighteen , or twenty foot for grasse , between spring-wood and spring-wood , securely fenc'd , and preserv'd ; the pastures will lye both warm , and prove of exceeding delight to the owner . these spaces likewise useful and necessary for cart-way , to fetch out the wood at every fall. there is not a more noble , and worthy husbandry , than is this , which rejects no sort of ground , as we have abundantly shew'd ; since even the most boggy places , may so be drein'd and cast , as to yield its increase , by planting the dryer sorts upon the ridges and banks which you cast up , where they will thrive exceedingly : and then willow , sallow , alder , poplar , sycomor , &c. will shoot tollerably well on the lower and more vliginous ; with this caution , that for the first two years , they be kept diligently weeded and clensed , which is as necessary as fencing and guarding from cattel . our ordinary copses are chiefly upon hasel , or the birch ; but if amongst the other kinds store of ash , chessnut , and sallow ( at least one in four ) were sprinkled in the planting , the profit would soon discover a difference , and well recompence the industry . others advise us to plant shoots of sallow , willow , alder , and of all the swift growing trees , being of seven years growth , sloping off both the ends towards the ground , to the length of a billet , and burying them a reasonable depth in the earth . this will cause them to put forth seven or eight branches , each of which will become a tree in a short time , especially , if the soil be moist . the neerest distance for these plantations ought never to be lesse than five foot at first , since every felling renders them wider for the benefit of the timber , even to thirty and fourty foot in five or six fellings . . though it be almost impossible for us to prescribe at what age it were best husbandry to fell coppses ( as we at least call best husbandry ) that is , for most , and greatest gain ; since the mercats , and the kinds of wood , and emergent uses do so much govern ; yet copses are sometimes of a competent stature after eight or nine years from the acorn , and so every eight or ten years successively , will rise better and better : but this had need be in extraordinary ground , otherwise you may do well to allow them twelve or fifteen to fit them for the ax ; but those of twenty years standing are better , and far advance the price ; especially if oke , and ash , and chessnut be the chief furniture . some of our old clergy spring-woods heretofore have been let rest till twenty five or thirty years , and have prov'd highly worth the attendance ; for by that time even a seminary of acorns will render a consideble advance , as i have already exemplified in the northamptonshire lady . and if copses were so divided as that every year there might be some fell'd , it were a continual , and a present profit : seventeen years growth affords a tolerable fell ; supposing the copse of seventeen acres , one acre might be yearly fell●d for ever ; and so more , according to proportion ; but the seldom fall , yields the more timber . . as to what numbers and scantlings you are to leave on every acre , the statutes are our general guides , at least the legal . it is a very ordinary copse which will not afford three or four firsts , that is , bests ; fourteen seconds , twelve thirds , eight wavers , &c. according to which proportions the sizes of young trees in copsing are to succeed one another . by the statute of hen. . in copses or vnder-woods fell'd at twenty four years growth , there were to be left twelve standils , or stores of oak , upon each acre ; in defect of so many oaks , the same number of elms , ash , asp , or beech ; and they to be such as are of likely trees for timber , and of such as have been spar'd at some former felling , unlesse there were none , in which case they are to be then left , and so to continue without felling till they are ten inch square within a yard of ground . copses above this growth fell'd , to leave twelve great oaks ; or in defect of them other timber-trees ( as above ) and so to be left for twenty years longer , and to be enclosed seven years . . in summe , you are to spare as many likely trees for timber as with discretion you can . and as to the felling ( beginning at one side , that the carts may enter without detriment to what you leave standing ) the vnder-wood may be cut from january at the latest , till mid - march , or april ; or from mid - september , till neer the end of november ; so as all be avoided by midsummer at the latest , and then fenced ( where the rows and brush lye longer unbound or made up , you endanger the losse of a second spring ) and not to stay so long as usually they are a clearing , that the young , and the seedlings may suffer the least interruption : and if the winter previous to your felling copses , you preserve them well from cattel , it will recompense your care . . it is advis'd not to cut off the browse-wood of oaks in copses , but to suffer it to fall off , as where trees stand very close it usually does : i do not well comprehend why yet it should be spar'd so long . . when you espy a cluster of plants growing as it were all in a bunch , it shall suffice that you preserve the fairest sapling , cutting all the rest away . and if it chance to be a ches-nut , service , or like profitable tree , clear it from the droppings and incumbrances of other trees , that it may thrive the better : then as you passe along , prune , and trim up all the young wavers , covering such roots as lye bare and expos'd , with fresh mould . . cut not above half a foot from the ground , and that to the south slopewise ; stripping up such as you spare from their extravagant branches , water-boughs , &c. that hinder the growth of others : alwayes remembring ( before you so much as enter upon this work ) to preserve sufficient plash-pole about the verge and bounds of the copse for fence , and security of what you leave ; and for this something lesse than a rod may suffice : then raking your wood clear of spray , chips , and all incumbrances , shut it up from the cattel ; the longer the better . . by the statute men were bound to enclose copses after felling , of or under fourteen years growth for four years : those above fourteen years growth to be sixteen years enclos'd ; and for woods in common , a fourth part to be shut up ; and at felling the like proportion of great trees to be left , and seven years enclos'd : this was enlarg'd by eliz. your elder vnder-woods may be graz'd about july : but for a general rule , newly-weaned calves are the least noxious to newly-cut spring-woods , where there is abundance of grasse ; and some say , colts of a year old ; but then the calves must be driven out at may at farthest , though the colts be permitted to stay a while longer : but of this every mans experience will direct him ; and surely the later you admit beasts to graze , the better . for the measure of fuel these proportions were to be observ'd . . statutable billet should hold three foot in length , and seven inch and half compasse ; ten ; or fourteen as they are counted for one , two , or three , &c. a stack of wood ( which is the boughs and offal of the trees to be converted to char-coal ) is four yards long , three foot and half high ( in some places but a yard ) and as much over : in other places the cord is four foot in height , and four foot over ; or ( to speak more geometrically ) a solid made up of three dimensions , four foot high , four foot broad , and eight foot long ; the content cubique feet . fagots ought to be a full yard in length , and two foot in circumference , made round , and not flat ; for so they contain lesse fuel , though equal in the bulk appearing . but of these particulars when we come to speak expresly of fuel . . in the mean time it were to be wish'd , that some approv'd experiments were sedulously try'd ( with the advice of skillful and ingenious physicians ) for the making of beer without hopps ; as possibly with the white marrubium ( a plant of singular virtue ) or with dry'd heath-tops ( viz. that sort which bears no berries ) or the like far more wholesom , and lesse bitter than either , tamarisk , carduus , or broom , which divers have essay'd ; it might prove a means to save a world of fuel , and in divers places young timber and copse-wood , which is yearly spent for poles ; especially in countries where wood is very precious . note , that the wood-land-measure by statute , is computed after eighteen foot the perch . chap. xxix . of pruning . . pruning i call all purgation of trees from what is superfluous . the ancients found such benefit in pruning , that they feigned a goddesse praesided over it , as arnobius tells us : and in truth , it is in the discreet performance of this work , that the improvement of our timber and woods does as much consist as in any thing whatsoever . a skillful planter should therefore be early at this work : shall old gratius give you reason and direction ? and his incomparable interpreter thus in english . twigs of themselves never rise strait and high , and under-woods are bow'd as first they shoot . then prune the boughs ; and suckers from the root discharge . the leavy wood fond pity tires , after , when with tall rods the tree aspires , and the round staves to heaven advance their twigs , pluck all the buds , and strip off all the sprigs ; these issues vent what moisture still abound , and the veins unimploy'd grow hard and sound . wase . nunquam sponte sua procerus ad aera termes exiit , inque ipsa curvantur stirpe genistae . ergo ●ge luxuriam primo foetusque uocenteis detrahe : frondosas graevat indulgentia silva● . post ubi proceris generosa stirpibus arbor se dederit , teretésque ferent ad sidera virgae , stringe notas circum , & gemmanteis exige versus . his , si quis vitium nociturus sufficit humor , visceribus fluit , & venas durabit i●ertes . gra. fal . cynaeget . . for 't is a misery to see how our fairest trees are defac'd , and mangl'd by unskilful wood-men , and mischievous bordurers , who go alwayes arm'd with short hand-bills , hacking and chopping off all that comes in their way ; by which our trees are made full of knots , boils , cankers , and deform'd bunches , to their utter destruction : good husbands should be asham'd of it ; though i would have no vvood-man pretend to be without all his necessary furniture , when he goes about this work ; which i ( once for all ) reckon to be the hand bill , hatchet , hook , hand saw , an excellent pruning - knife , broad chizel and mallet , all made of the best steel and kept sharp ; and thus he is provided for greater , or more gentle executions , purgations , recisions , and coersions ; and it is of main concern , that the proper and effectual tool be app●ied to every work ; since heavy and rude instruments do but mangle and bruise tender plants ; and if they be too small , they cannot make cleer and even work upon great arms and branches : the knife is for twigs and spray ; the chizel for larger armes , and such amputations as the ax , and bill cannot well operate upon . as much to be reprehended are those who either begin this work at unseasonable times , or so maim the poor branches , that either out of lazinesse , or want of skill , they leave most of them stubs , and instead of cutting the arms and branches close to the boal , hack them off a foot or two from the body of the tree , by which means they become hollow and rotten , and are as so many conduits to receive the rain and the weather , which perishes them to the very matrix and heart , deforming the whole tree with many ugly botches , which shorten its life , and utterly marre the timber : i know sir h. platt tells us , the elm should be so lopp'd , but he says it not of his own experience as i do . . by this animadversion alone it were easie for an ingenious man to understand how trees are to be govern'd ; which is in a word , by cutting clean , smooth , and close , making the stroke upward , and with a sharp bill , so as the weight of an untractable bough do not splice , and carry the bark with it , which is both dangerous and unsightly . the oak will suffer it self to be made a pollard , that is , to have its head quite cut off ; but the elm so treated , will perish to the foot , and certainly become hollow at last , if it scape with life . . the proper season for this work is for old trees earlier , for young later , as a little after the change in january or february , some say in december : then shave their locks , and cut their branchy tresse severely now , luxuriant boughs represse . — tunc stringe comas , tunc brachia tonde : — tunc de●ique dura exerce imperia , & ramos compesce fluenteis . georg. . but this ought not to be too much in young fruit-tres , after they once come to form a handsom head ; in which period you should but onely pare them over about march , to cover the stock the sooner , if the tree be very choice : to the aged , this is plainly a renewing of their youth , and an extraordinary refreshment , if taken in time , and that their armes be not suffer'd to grow too great and large : besides , for interlucation , exuberant branches , & spissae nemorum comae , where the boughs grow too thick and are cumbersome , to let in the sun and air , this is of great importance ; and so is the sedulous taking away of suckers , water-boughs , fretters , &c. and for the benefit of tall timber , the due stripping up the branches , and rubbing of the buds to the heights you require : yet some do totally forbear the oak , especially if aged , observing that they much exceed in growth such as are prun'd ; and in truth such trees as we would leave for shade , and ornament , should be seldom cut ; but the browse-wood cherish'd , and preserv'd as low towards the ground as may be , for a more venerable and solemn shade : and therefore i did much prefer the walk of elms at s. james's park , as it lately grew branchy , intermingling their reverend tresses , before the present trimming them up so high ; especially , since i fear , the remedy comes too late to save their decay , if the amputations of such over-grown parts as have been cut off , should not rather accelerate it , by exposing their large and many wounds to the injuries of the weather , which will indanger the rotting of them , beyond all that can be apply'd by tar , or otherwise to protect them : i do rather conceive their infirmities to proceed from what has not long since been abated of their large spreading branches , to accommodate with the mall ; as any one may conjecture by the great impression which the wet has already made in those incurable scarrs , that being now multiplied , must needs the sooner impair them : the roots having likewise infinitely suffer'd , by many disturbances about them . in all events this vvalk might have enjoy'd its goodly canopy with all their branchy furniture for some ages to come ; since 't is hardly one , that first they were planted : but his majestie will have providently , and nobly supplied this defect , by their successors of lime-trees , which will sooner accomplish their perfection . . divers other precepts of this nature i could here enumerate , had not the great experience , faithful , and accurate description how this necessary work is to be perform'd , set down by our country-man honest lawson ( orchard , cap. . ) prevented all that the most inquisitive can suggest : the particulars are so ingenious , and highly material , that you will not be displeas'd to read them in his own style . all ages ( saith he ) by rules and experience do consent to a pruning , and lopping of trees : yet have not any that i know described unto us ( except in dark , and general words ) what , or which are those superfluous boughs , which we must take away ; and that is the most chief , and most needful point to be known in lopping . and we may well assure our selves ( as in all other arts , so in this ) there is a vantage and dexterity by skill ; an habit by practice out of experience , in the performance hereof , for the profit of mankind : yet do i not know ( let me speak it with patience of our cunning arborists ) any thing within the compasse of humane affairs so necessary , and so little regarded ; not onely in orchards , but also in all other timber-trees , where , or whatsoever . now to our purpose : how many forests , and woods , wherein you shall have for one lively thriving tree , four ( nay sometimes twenty four ) evil thriving , rotten and dying trees , even whiles they live ; and instead of trees , thousands of bushes and shrubs ? what rottennesse ? what hollownesse ? what dead arms ? wither'd tops ? curtail'd trunks ? what loads of mosse ? drouping boughs : and dying branches shall you see every where ? and those that in this sort are in a manner all unprofitable boughs , canker'd armes , crooked , little and short boals . what an infinite number of bushes , shrubs , and skrags of hasels , thornes , and other unprofitable wood , which might be brought by dressing to become great , and goodly trees ? consider now the cause . the lesser wood hath been spoil'd with careless , unskilfull , and untimely slowing ; and much also of the great wood. the greater trees at the first rising have fill'd and overladen themselves with a number of wasteful boughs and suckers , which have not onely drawn the sap from the boal , but also have made it knotty , and themselves , and the boal mossie , for want of dressing ; whereas , if in the prime of growth , they had been taken away close , all but one top , and clean by the bulk , the strength of all the sap should have gone to the bulk , and so he would have recovered , and cover'd his knots , and have put forth a fair , long , and streight body , for timber profitable , huge great of bulk , and of infinite last . if all timber-trees were such ( will some say ) how should we have crooked wood for wheels , coorbs , & c ? answ . dresse all you can , and there will be enough crooked for those uses . more than this ; in most places they grow so thick , that neither themselves , nor earth , nor any thing under or neer them can thrive ; nor sun , nor rain , nor air can do them , nor any thing neer , or under them , any profit or comfort . i see a number of hags , where out of one root you shall see three or four ( nay more , such is mens unskillful greedinesse , who desiring many , have none good ) pretty oaks , or ashes streight and tall ; because the root at the first shoot gives sap amain : but if one onely of them might be suffer'd to grow , and that well , and cleanly prun'd , all to his very top , what a tree should we have in time ? and we see by those roots continually , and plentifully springing , notwithstanding so deadly wounded , what a commodity should arise to the owner , and the commonwealth if wood were cherished , and orderly dress'd . the waste boughs closely , and skillfully taken away , would give us store of fences and fuel ; and the bulk of the tree in time would grow of huge length and bignesse : but here ( methinks ) i hear an unskilful arborist say , that trees have their several forms , even by nature ; the pear , the holly , the aspe , &c. grow long in bulk , with few and little arms. the oak by nature broad , and such like . all this i grant : but grant me also , that there is a profitable end and use of every tree , from which if it decline ( though by nature ) yet man by art may ( nay must ) correct it . now other end of trees i never could learn , than good timber , fruit much and good , and pleasure : vses physical hinder nothing a good form . neither let any man ever so much as think , that it is unprofitable , much lesse unpossible , to reform any tree of what kind soever : for ( believe me ) i have tried it : i can bring any tree ( beginning betime ) to any form . the pear , and holly may be made spread , and the oak to close . thus far the good man out of his eight and forty years experience concerning timber-trees : he descends then to the orchards ; which because it may likewise be acceptable to our industrious planter , i thus contract . . such as stand for fruits should be parted from within two foot ( or thereabouts ) of the earth ; so high , as to give liberty to dress the root , and no higher ; because of exhausting the sap that should feed his fruit : for the boal will be first , and best served and fed , being next to the root , and of greatest substance . these should be parted into two , three , or four arms , as your graffs yield twigs ; and every arm into two , or more branches , every branch into his several cyons : still spreading by equal degrees ; so as his lowest spray be hardly without the reach of a mans hand , and his highest not past two yards higher : that no twig ( especially in the middest ) touch his fellow ; let him spread as far as his list without any master-bough , or top , equally ; and when any fall lower then his fellows ( as they will with weight of fruit ) ease him the next spring of his superfluous twigs , and he will rise : when any mount above the rest , top him with a nip between your fingers , or with a knife : thus reform any cyon ; and , as your tree grows in stature , and strength , so let him rise with his tops , but slowly , and easily ; especially in the middest , and equally in breadth also ; following him upward , with lopping his under-growth , and water-boughs , keeping the same distance of two yards , not above three , in any wise , betwixt the lowest and highest twigs . . thus shall you have handsome , clear , healthful , great and lasting trees . . thus will they grow safe from winds , yet the top spreading . . thus shall they bear much fruit ; i dare say , one as much as five of your common trees , all his branches loaden . . thus shall your boal being low , defraud the branches but little of their sap . . thus shall your trees be easie to dresse , and as easie to gather the fruit from , without bruising the cyons , &c. . the fittest time of the moon for the pruning is ( as of graffing ) when the sap is ready to stir ( not proudly stirring ) and so to cover the wound ; and here , for the time of day , we may take columella , frondem medio die arborator ne caedito . l. . old trees would be prun'd before young plants : and note , that wheresoever you take any thing away , the sap the next summer will be putting ; be sure therefore when he puts to bud in any unfit place , you rub it off with your finger : thus begin timely with your trees , and you may bring them to what form you please . if you desire any tree should be taller , let him break , or divide higher : this for young trees : the old are reformed by curing of their diseases , of which we have already discours'd . there is this only to be consider'd , in reference to foresters , out of what he has spoken concerning fruit-trees ; ( that as has been touch'd ) where trees are planted for shadow , and meer ornament , as in walks , and avenues , the browse-wood ( as they call it ) should most of it be cherished ; whereas in fruit , and timber-trees ( oak excepted ) it is best to free them of it : as for pollards ( to which i am no great friend , because it makes so many scrags and dwarfes of many trees which would else be good timber , endangering them with drips and the like injuries ) they should not be headed above once in ten or twelve years , at the beginning of the spring ; or end of the fall. and note , that all copsing , and cutting close , invigorates the roots , and the stem of whatsoever grows weak and unkindly ; but you must then take care it be not overgrown with weeds or grasse : nothing ( says my lord bacon exp. . and truly ) causes trees to last so long , as the frequent cutting ; every such diminution being a re●invigoration of the plants juyce , that it neither goes too far , nor rises too faintly , as when 't is not timely refresh'd with this remedy ; and therefore we see , that the most ancient trees in church-yards , and about old buildings , are either pollards or dottards , seldom arising to their full altitude . . for the improvement of the speedy growth of trees , there is not a more excellent thing then the frequent rubbing of the boal or stem , with some piece of hair-cloth , or ruder stuff , at the beginning of spring : some i have known done with seals-skin ; the more rugged bark with a piece of coat of maile , which is made of small wyres ; this done , when the body of the trees are wet , as after a soaking rain ; yet so , as not to excorticate , or gall the tree , has exceedingly accelerated its growth , ( i am assured , to a wonderful and incredible improvement ) by opening the pores , freeing them of moss , and killing the worm . . lastly , frondation or the taking off some of the luxuriant branches , and sprays , of such trees , especially whose leaves are profitable for cattel ( whereof already ) is a kind of pruning : and so is the scarifying , and cross hatching of some fruit-bearers , and others , to abate that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which spends all the juyce in the leaves , to the prejudice of the rest of the parts . . this , and the like , belonging to the care of the wood-ward , will mind him of his continual duty ; which is to walk about , and survey his young plantations dayly ; and to see that all gaps be immediately stopp'd ; trespassing cattle impounded ; and ( where they are infested ) the deer chased out , &c. it is most certain , that trees preserv'd , and govern'd by this discipline , and according to the rules mention'd , would increase the beauty of forests , and value of timber , more in ten , or twelve years , than all other imaginable plantations ( accompanied with our usual neglect ) can do in forty or fifty . . to conclude , in the time of this work would our ingenious arborator frequently incorporate , mingle , and unite the arms and branches of some young , and flexible trees which grow in consort , and neer to one another ; by entring them into their mutual barks with a convenient insition : this , especially , about fields , and hedge-rows for fence and ornament ; also by bowing , and bending of others , especially oak and ash , into various flexures , curbs and postures , oblig'd to ply themselves into different modes , which may be done by humbling and binding them down with tough bands and wit hs , or hooks rather , cut skrew-wise , or slightly hagled and indented with a knife , and so skrewed into the ground , till the tenor of the sap , and custom of being so constrain'd , did render them apt to grow so of themselves , without power of redressing ; this course would wonderfully accommodate materials for knee-timber and shipping , the wheel-wright and other uses ; conform it to their moulds , and save infinite labour , and abbreviate the work of hewing and waste , — adeo in teneris consuescere multum est . the poet , it seems , knew it well , and for what purposes , when in the woods with mighty force they bow the elme , and shape it to a crooked plow. continuò in sylvis magna vi flexa domatur in burim , & curvi formam accipit vlmus aratri : geo. . so as it even half made it to their hands . chap. xxx . of the age , stature , and felling of trees . . it is not till a tree is arriv'd to his perfect age , and full vigor , that the lord of the forest should consult , or determine concerning a felling . for there is certainly in trees ( as in all things else ) a time of increment , or growth ; a status or season when they are at best ( which is also that of felling ) and a decrement or period when they decay . to the first of these they proceed with more , or less velocity , as they consist of more strict and compacted particles , or are of a slighter , and more laxed contexture ; by which they receive a speedier , or slower defluction of aliment : this is apparent in box , and willow ; the one of a harder , the other of a more tender substance : but as they proceed , so they likewise continue . by the state of trees i would signifie their utmost effort , growth , and maturity , which are all of them different as to time , and kind ; yet do not i intend by this any period or instant in which they do not continually either improve or decay ( the end of one being still the beginning of the other ) but farther than which , their natures do not extend ; but immediately ( though to our senses imperceptibly ) through some infirmity ( to which all things sublunary be obnoxious ) dwindle and impair , either through age , defect of nourishment , by sicknesse , and decay of principal parts ; but especially , and more inevitably , when violently invaded by mortal and incurable infirmities , or by what other extinction of their native heat , substraction , or obstruction of air and moisture , which making all motions whatsoever to cease and determine , is the cause of their final destruction . . our honest countrey-man , to whose experience we have been obliged for something i have lately animadverted concerning the pruning of trees , does in another chapter of the same treatise , speak of the age of trees . the discourse is both learned , rational , and full of encouragement : for he does not scruple to affirm , that even some fruit-trees may possibly arrive to a thousand years of age ; and if so fruit-trees , whose continual bearing does so much impair and shorten their lives , as we see it does their form and beauty ; how much longer might we reasonably imagine some hardy and slow-growing forest-trees may probably last ; i remember pliny tells us of some oaks growing in his time in the hercynian forest , which were thought co●evous with the world it self ; their roots had even raised mountains , and where they encounter'd , swell'd into goodly arches like the gates of a city : but our more modern author's calculation for fruit-trees ( i suppose he means pears , apples . &c. his allowance is three hundred years for growth , as much for their stand ( as he terms it , ) and three hundred for their decay , which does in the total amount to no lesse than nine hundred years . this conjecture is deduc'd from apple-trees growing in his orchard , which having known for fourty years , and upon diligent enquiry of sundry aged persons of eighty years and more , who remembred them trees all their time , he finds by comparing their growth with others of that kind , to be far short in bigness and perfection , ( viz. by more then two parts of three ) yea albeit those other trees have been much hindered in their stature , through ill government and mis-ordering . . to establish this , he assembles many arguments from the age of animals , whose state and decay double the time of their increase by the same proportion : if then ( saith he ) those fraile creatures , whose bodies are nothing ( in a manner ) but a tender rottennesse , may live to that age ; i see not but a tree of a solid substance , not damnified by heat or cold , capable of , and subject to any kind of ordering or dressing , feeding naturally , and from the beginning disburthen'd of all superfluities , eased of , and of his own accord avoiding the causes that may annoy him , should double the life of other creatures by very many years . he proceeds , what else are trees in comparison with the earth , but as hairs to the body of man ? and it is certain , that ( without some distemper , or forcible cause ) the hairs dure with the body , and are esteem'd excrements but from their superfluous growth : so as he resolves upon good reason , that fruit-trees well ordered , may live a thousand years , and bear fruit ; and the longer the more , the greater , and the better ( for which an instance also in dr. beale's herefordshire orchards , pag. , . ) because his vigour is proud and stronger , when his years are many . thus shall you see old trees put forth their buds and blossoms both sooner , and more plentifully than young trees by much ; and i sensibly perceive ( saith he ) my young trees to enlarge their fruit as they grow greater , &c. and if fruit-trees continue to this age , how many ages is it to be supposed strong and huge timber-trees will last ? whose massie bodies require the years of divers methusela's before they determine their days ; whos 's sap is strong and bitter ; whose bark is hard and thick , and their substance solid and stiff ; all which are defences of health and long life . their strength withstands all forceable winds ; their sap of that quality is not subject to worms and tainting ; their bark receives seldom or never by casualty any wound ; and not only so , but he is free from removals , which are the death of millions of trees ; whereas the fruit-tree ( in comparison ) is little , and frequently blown down ; his sap sweet , easily and soon tainted ; his bark tender , and soon wounded ; and himself used by man , as man uses himself ; that is , either unskilfully , or carelesly . thus he . but vossius de theolog. gent. l. . c. . gives too little age to ashes , when he speaks but of one hundred years ; and to the medica , pyrus , prunus , cornus but sixty : he had as good have held his peace : even rosemary has lasted amongst us a hundred years . . i might to this add much more , and truly with sufficient probability , that the age of timber-trees , especially of such as be of a compact , resinous , or balsamical nature ( for of this kind are the eugh , box , horn-beam , white-thorn , oak , walnut , cedar , juniper , &c. ) are capable of very long duration and continuance : those of largest roots ( a sign of age ) longer liv'd than the shorter ; the dry than the wet ; and the gummy , than the watery , sterile , than the fruitful : for not to conclude from pliny's hercynian oaks , or the terpentine tree of idumaea , ( which josephus ranks also with the creation : ) i mention'd a cypress yet remaining somewhere in persia neer an old sepulchre , whose stem is as large as five men can encompass , the boughs extending fifteen paces every way ; this must needs be a very old tree , believ'd by my author little lesse then . years of age : the particulars were too long to recount . the old platanus set by agamemnon , mention'd by theophrastus , and the herculean oaks ; the laurel neer hippocren , the vatican ilex , the vine which was grown to that bulk and woodinesse , as to make columns in juno's temple : pliny mentions one of six hundred years old in his time ; and at eguan the late duke of montmoramys house , is a table of a very large dimention made of the same plant . and the old lotus trees , recorded by valerius maximus , and the quercus mariana celebrated by that prince of orators : plinies huge larix , and what grew in the fortunate islands , with that enormous tree scaliger reports was growing in the troglodyfic india , &c. were famous for their age : saint hierome affirms he saw the sycomor that zaccheus climb'd up , to behold our lord ride in triumph to jerusalem : and now in the aventine mount they shew us the malus , medica , planted by the hand of saint dominic : in congo they speak of trees capable to be excavated in vessels that would contain two hundred men a piece . to which add those superannuated tilia's now at basil , and that of auspurg , under whose prodigious shade they so often feast , and celebrate their weddings ; because they are all of them noted for their reverend antiquity ; for to such trees it seems they paid divine honours , as the nearest emblems of eternity , & tanquam sacros ex vetustate , as quintilian speaks : and like to these might that cypresse be , which is celebrated by virgil , neer to another monument . . but we will spare our reader , and refer him that has a desire to multiply examples of this kind , to those undoubted records our naturalist mentions in his . chap. lib. . where he shall read of scipio africanus's olive-trees ; dianus lotus , the ruminal fig-tree lasting ( as tacitus calculated years : the ilix of prodigious antiquity , as the hetruscian inscription remaining on it imported ; but pausanias in his arcadics , thinks the samian vitex ( of which already ) to be one of the oldest trees growing , and the platan set by menelaus ; to these he adds the delian palme , co●evous with apollo himself ; and the olive planted by minerva according to their tradition ; the over-grown myrtil ; the vatican holm , those of tyburtine , and especially , that neer to tusculum , whose body was thirty five foot about ; besides divers others which he there enumerates in a large chapter : and what shall we conjecture of the age of xerxes's huge platanus , in admiration whereof he staid the march of so many hundred thousand men for so many days ; by which the wise socrates was us'd to swear ? and certainly a goodly tree was a powerful attractive , when that prudent consul , passienus crispus fell in love with a prodigious beech of a wonderful age and stature , and that wise prince francis the first , with an huge oak , which he caus'd to be so curiously immur'd at bituriges . . we have already made mention of tiberius's larch , employ'd about the naumachiaria , which being of one hundred and twenty foot in length , bare two foot diameter all that space , not counting the top : to this might be added the mast of demetrius's galeasse , which consisted of one cedar . and that of the float which wasted caligulas obelisks out of aegypt , four fathoms in circumference : we read also of a cedar growing in the island of cyprus , which was foot long , and in diameter ; of the plane in athens , whose roots extended cubits farther then the boughs , which were yet exceedingly large ; and such another was that most famous tree at veliternus , whose arms stretch'd out foot from the stem : but these were solid : now if we will calculate from the hollow besides those mention'd by pliny , in the hercynian forest ; the germans ( as now the indians ) had of old some punti or canoes of excavated oak , which would well contain thirty , some fourty persons : and the lician platanus recorded by the naturalist , and remaining long after his days , had a room in it of eighty one feet in compass , adorn'd with fountains , stately seats and tables of stone ; for it seems it was so glorious a tree both in body , and head , that licinius mutianus ( three times consul , and governour of that province ) us'd to feast his whole retinue in it , chusing rather to lodge in it , then in his golden-roofed palace ; and of later date , that vast cerrus in which an eremite built his cell and chappel , so celebrated by the noble fracastorius in his poem malteide . cant. . stro. . . compare me then with these , that nine-fathom'd-deep tree spoken of by josephus à costa ; the mastick-tree seen , and measur'd by sir francis drake , which was four and thirty yards in circuit ; those of nicaragua and gambra , which persons could hardly embrace . in india , ( says pliny ) arbores tantae proceritatis traduntur , ut sagittis superari nequeant ( and adds , which i think material , and therefore add also ) haec facit ubertas soli , temperies caeli , & aquarum abundantia . such were those trees in corsica , and neer memphis , &c. recorded by theophrastus , &c , and for prodigious height , the two and three hundred foot unparallel'd palms-royal describ'd by captain ligon , growing in our plantations of the barbados ; or those goodly masts of fir , which i have seen , and measur'd , brought from new-england : and what bembus relates of those twenty-fathom'd antartic-trees ; or those of which cardan writes , call'd ciba , which rising in their several stems each of twenty foot , in compass , and as far distant each from other , unite in the bole at fifteen foot height from the ground , composing three stately arches , and thence ascending in a shaft of prodigious bulk and altitude ; such trees of foot diameter ( an incredible thing ) scaliger ( his antagonist ) speaks of ad gambrae fluvium . mathiolus speaks of a tree growing in the island of cyprus , which contain'd foot high sound timber : and upon mount aetna in sicily is a place call'd by them , the ire castayne from three chesnut-trees there standing , where in the cavity of one yet remaining , a considerable flock of sheep is commonly folded : kerchers words are these , as seen by himself , et quod forsan 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 videri possit , ostendit mihi viae dux , unius castaneae corticem tantae amplitudinis , ut inta eam integer pecorum grex à pastoribus , tanquam in caula , commodissima noctu includeretur . china illust . p. . and what may we conceive of those trees in the indias , one of whose nuts hardly one man is able to carry ; and which are so vast , as they depend not like other fruit , by a stalke from the boughs , but are produc'd out of the very body and stem of the tree , and are sufficient to feed twenty persons at a meale . we read of a certain fig in the caribby islands , which emits such large buttresses , that great planks for tables and flooring are cleft out of them , without the least prejudice to the tree ; and that one of these do easily shelter men under them : strabo , i remember , geog. l. . talkes of fifty horsmen under a tree in india ; his words are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and of another that shaded five stadia at once ; and in another place of a pine about ida , which held foot diameter , and of a monstrous height : but this , and all we have hitherto produc'd , is nothing to what i find mention'd in the late chineze history ( as 't is set forth upon occasion of the dutch embassy ) where they tell us of a certain tree call'd ciennich ( or the tree of a thousand years ) in the province of suchu neer the city kien , which is so prodigiously large , as to shrow'd sheep under one onely branch of it , without being so much as perceiv'd by those who approch it . and to conclude with yet a greater wonder , of another in the province of chekiang , whose amplitude is so stupendiously vast , as fourescore persons can hardly embrace : not to omit the strange , and incredible bulk of some oaks standing lately in westphalia , whereof one serv'd both for a castle and fort , and another there which contain'd in height foot , and ( as some report ) foot diameter : i have read of a table of walnut-tree to be seen at saint nicholas's in lorraine , which held foot broad , all of a piece , and of competent length and thicknesse , rarely flek'd and watered ; scamozzi the architect reports he saw it : such a monster , that might be , under which the emperor fred. the third held his magnificent feast . for in this resention we will endeavour to give a taste of more fresh observations , and to compare our modern timber with the ancient , and that , not only abroad , but without travelling into forreign countries for these wonders . . what goodly trees were of old ador'd , and consecrated by the dryads i leave to conjecture from the stories of our ancient britains , who had they left records of their prodigies in this kind , would doubtlesse have furnish'd us with examples as remarkable for the growth and stature of trees , as any which we have deduc'd from the writers of forreign places , since the remains of what are yet in being ( notwithstanding the havock which has universally been made , and the little care to improve our woods ) may stand in fair competition with any thing that antiquity can produce . . there is somewhere in wales an inscription extant , cut into the wood of an old beam , thus , sexaginta pedes fverant in stipite nostro , excepta coma qvae speciosa fvit . this must needs have been a noble tree , but not without later parallels ; for to instance in the several species , and speak first of the bulks of some immense trees ; there was standing an old and decay'd chessnut at fraiting in essex , whose very stump did yield thirty sizable load of logs ; i could produce you another of the same kind in glocestershire which contains within the bowels of it a pretty wain-scotted room inlighten'd with windows , and furnish'd with seats , &c. to answer the lician platanus lately mention'd . . but whilest i am on this period ; see what a tilia that most learn'd , and obliging person , d. brown of norwich , describes to me in a letter just now receiv'd . an extraordinary large , and stately tilia , linden or lime-tree , there groweth at depeham in norfolk , ten miles from norwich , whose measure is this . the compass in the least part of the trunk or body about two yards from the ground is at least eight yards and half : about the root nigh the earth , sixteen yards , about half a yard above that , neer twelve yards in circuit : the height to the uppermost boughs about thirty yards , which surmounts the famous tilia of zurich in switzerland ; and uncertain it is whether in any tilicetum , or lime-walk abroad it be considerably exceeded : yet was the first motive i had to view it not so much the largenesse of the tree , as the general opinion that no man could ever name it ; but i found it to be a tilia faemina ; and ( if the distinction of bauhinus be admitted from the greater , and lesser leaf ) a tilia platyphyllos or latifolia ; some leaves being three inches broad ; but to distinguish it from others in the country , i call'd it tilia colossaea depehamensis . thus the doctor . a poplar-tree not much inferior to this he informs me grew lately at harlingly thetford , at sir william gawdies gate , blown down by that terrible hurrocan about four years since . . i am told of a very withy-tree to be seen somewhere in barkshire , which is increased to a most stupendious bulk : but these for arriving hastily to their acme , and period , and generally not so considerable for their use ; i pass to the ash , elm , oak , &c. there were of the first of these divers which measur'd in length one hundred and thirty two foot , sold lately in essex : and in the manor of horton ( to go no farther than the parish of ebsham in surrey , belonging to my brother richard evelyn esq ) there are elms now standing in good numbers , which will bear almost three foot square for more then forty foot in height , which is ( in my judgement ) a very extraordinary matter . they grow in a moist gravel , and in the hedge-rows . not to insist upon beech , which are frequently very large ; there are oaks of forty foot high ; and five foot diameter yet flourishing in divers old parks of our nobility and gentry . a large and goodly oak there is at reedham in sir richard berneys park of norfolk , which i am inform'd was valu'd at forty pounds the timber , and twelve pounds the lopping wood . . nor are we to over-pass those memorable trees which so lately flourished in dennington park neer newberry ; amongst which , three were most remarkable from the ingenious planter , and dedication ( if tradition hold ) of the famous english bard , jeofry chaucer ; of which one was call'd the kings , another the queens , and a third chaucers oak . the first of these was fifty foot in height before any bough or knot appear'd , and cut five foot square at the butt-end , all clear timber . the queens was fell'd since the wars , and held forty foot excellent timber , straight as an arrow in growth and grain , and cutting four foot at the stub , and neer a yard at the top ; besides a fork of almost ten foot clear timber above the shaft , which was crown'd with a shady tuft of boughs , amongst which , some were on each side curved like rams-horns , as if they had been so industriously bent by hand . this oak was of a kind so excellent , cutting a grain clear as any clap-board ( as appear'd in the wainscot which was made thereof ) that a thousand pities it is some seminary of the acorns had not been propagated , to preserve the species . chaucers oak , though it were not of these dimensions , yet was it a very goodly tree : and this account i receiv'd from my most honour'd friend phil. packer esq whose father ( as now the gentleman his brother ) was proprietor of this park : but that which i would farther remark , upon this occasion is , the bulk , and stature to which an oak may possibly arrive within lesse then three hundred years ; since it is not so long that our poet flourish'd ( being in the reign of king edward the fourth ) if at least he were indeed the planter of those trees , as 't is confidently affirm'd . i will not labour much in this enquiry ; because an implicit faith is here of great encouragement ; and it is not to be conceiv'd what trees of a good kind , and in apt soil , will perform in a few years ; and this ( i am inform'd ) is a sort of gravelly clay , moistn'd with small and frequent springs . in the mean while , i have often wish'd , that gentlemen were more curious of transmitting to posterity , such records , by noting the years when they begin any considerable plantation ; that the ages to come , may have both the satisfaction , and encouragement by more accurate and certain calculations . i find a jewish tradition , cited by the learned bochart , that noah planted the trees ( he supposes cedars ) of which he afterwards built the ark that preserv'd him . but to proceed . . there was in cuns-burrow ( sometimes belonging to my lord of dover ) several trees bought by a couper , of which he made ten pound per yard for three or four yards , as i have been credibly assur'd : but where shall we parallel that mighty tree which furnish'd the main-mast to the sovereign of our seas , which being one hundred foot long save one , bare thirty five inches diameter . yet was this exceeded in proportion , and use , by that oak which afforded those prodigious beams that lye thwart her . the diameter of this tree was four foot nine inches , which yielded four-square beams of four and forty foot long each of them . the oak grew about framingam in suffolk ; and indeed it would be thought fabulous , but to recount only the extraordinary dimensions of some timber-trees growing in that county ; and of the excessive sizes of these materials , had not mine own hands measur'd a table ( more then once ) of above five foot in breadth , nine and an half in length , and six inches thick , all intire and clear : this plank cut out of a tree fell'd down by my fathers order , was made a pastry board , and lyes now on a frame of solid brick work at wotton in surrey , where it was so placed before the room was finish'd about it , or wall built , and yet abated by one foot shorter , to confine it to the intended dimensions of the place ; for at first , it held this breadth , full ten foot and an half in length . mersennus tells us that the great ship call'd the crown , which the late french king caus'd to be built , has its keel-timber foot long ; and the main-mast foot diameter at the bottom , and in height . . to these i might add that superannuated eugh tree growing now in braburne church-yard , not far from scots hall in kent , vvhich being foot inches in the circumference , will bear neer twenty foot diameter , as it was measur'd first by my self imperfectly , and then more exactly for me , by order of the right honourable sir george carteret , vice-chamberlain to his majesty , and late treasurer of the navy : not to mention the goodly planks , and other considerable pieces of squar'd , and clear timber , which i observ'd to lye about it , that had been hew'd , and sawn out of some of the arms only , torn from it by impetuous winds . such another monster i am inform'd is also to be seen in sutton church yard , neer winchester : but these ( with infinite others , which i am ready to produce ) might fairly suffice to vindicate , and assert our proposition , as it relates to modern examples , and sizes of timber-trees , comparable to any of the ancients , remaining upon laudable and unsuspected record ; were it not great ingratitude to conceal a most industrious , and no less accurate accompt , which comes just now to my hands from mr. halton , auditor to the right honourable , the most illustrious , and noble , henry lord howard of norfolk . in sheffield lordship . . in the hall park , neer unto rivelin , stood an oak which had eighteen yards without bough , or knot ; and carryed a yard and six inches square at the said height , or length , and not much bigger neer the root : sold twelve years ago for li. consider the distance of the place , and country , and what so prodigious a tree would have been worth neer london . in firth's farme within sheffield lordship , about twenty years since , a tree blown down by the wind , made , or would have made two forge-hammer-beams , and in those , and the other wood of that tree , there was of worth , or made li. and godfrey frogat ( who is now living ) did oft say , he lost li. by the not buying of it . a hammer-beam is not less then ½ yards long , and foot square at the barrel . in sheffield park , below the manor , a tree was standing which was sold by one giffard ( servant to the then countess of kent ) for li. s. to one nich. hicks ; which yielded of sawn wair fourteen hundred , and by estimation , twenty chords of wood . a wair is two yards long , and one foot broad , sixscore to the hundred : so that , in the said tree was foot of boards ; which , if any of the said boards were more then half-inch thick , renders the thing yet more admirable . in the upper end of rivelin stood a tree , call'd the lords-oak , of twelve yards about , and the top yielded twenty one chord , cut down about thirteen years since . in sheffield park , an. . stood above trees worth li. and there are yet two worth above l. still note the place , and market . in the same park , about eight years ago , ralph archdall cut a tree that was thirteen foot diameter at the kerf , or cutting place neer the root . in the same park two years since , mr. sittwell , with jo. magson did chuse a tree , which after it was cut , and said aside flat upon a level ground , sam. staniforth a keeper , and ed. morphy , both on horse-back , could not see over the tree one anothers hat-crowns . this tree was afterwards sold for li. in the same park , neer the old foord , is an oak-tree yet standing , of ten yards circumference . in the same park , below the conduit plain , is an oak-tree which bears a top , whose boughs shoot from the boal some fifteen , and some sixteen yards . then admitting ½ yards for the common , or mean extent of the boughs from the boal , which being doubled is yards ; and if it be imagin'd for a diameter , because the ratio of the diameter to the circumference is / it follows . . ∷ . / yards which is the circumference belonging to this diameter . then farther it is demonstrable in geometry , that half the diameter multiplied into half the circumference produces the area or quantity of the circle , and that will be found to be / which is square yards ferè . then lastly , if a horse can be limited to three square yards of ground to stand on ( which may seem a competent proportion of three yards long , and one yard broad ) then may horse be well said to stand under the shade of this tree . but of the more northern cattle certainly , above twice that number . worksopp-park . . in this park , at the corner of the bradshaw-rail , lyeth the boal of an oak-tree which is twenty nine foot about , and would be found thirty , if it could be justly measur'd ; because it lyeth upon the ground ; and the length of this boal is ten foot , and no arm , nor branch upon it . in the same park , at the white gate , a tree did stand that was from bough end to bough end ( that is , from the extream ends of two opposite boughs ) foot ; which is witness'd by jo. magson and geo. hall , and measur'd by them both . then because foot , or yards is the diameter ; yards will be the semidiameter : and by the former analogies . ∷ . ½ and . ∷ ¼ . ½ that is , the content of ground upon which this tree perpendicularly drops , is above square yards , which is above half an acre of ground : and the assigning three square yards ( as above ) for an horse , there may be well said to stand in this compass . in the same park ( after many hundreds sold , and carryed away ) there is a tree which did yield quarter-cliff bottoms that were a yard square : and there is of them to be seen in worksopp at this day , and some tables made of the said quarter-cliff likewise . in the same park , in the place there call'd the hawks-nest , are trees forty foot long of timber , which will bear two foot square at the top-end or height of forty foot . if then a square whose side is two foot , be inscribed in a circle , the proportions at that circle are feet diameter : circumference : area : and because a tun of timber is said to contain forty solid feet : one of these columns of oak will contain above six tun of timber and a quarter : in this computation taking them to be cylinders , and not tapering like the segment of a cone . welbeek-lane . . the oak which stands in this lane call'd grindal oak , hath at these several distances from the ground these circumferences ,   foot foot   inch at : at : at : the breadth is from bough-end to bough-end ( i. ) diametrically foot ; the height from the ground to the top-most bough foot [ this dimension taken from the proportion that a gnomon bears to the shadow ] there are three arms broken off and 〈◊〉 and eight very large ones yet remaining , which are very 〈◊〉 good timber . foot is ⅓ yards , which being in this case admitted for the diameter of a circle , the square yards in that circumference will be ferè ; and then allowing three yards ( as before ) for a beast , leaves beasts , which may possibly stand under this tree . but the lords-oak , that stood in rivelin , was in diameter three yards , and twenty eight inches ; and exceeded this in circumference three feet , at one foot from the ground . shire-oak . shire-oak is a tree standing in the ground late sir tho. hewets , about a mile from worksopp-park , which drops into three shires , viz. york , nottingham , and derby , and the distance from bough-end to bough-end , is ninety foot , or thirty yards . this circumference will contain neer square yards , sufficient to shade horse . thus far the accurate mr. halton . . being inform'd by a person of credit , that an oak in sheffield-park , call'd the ladies-oak , fell'd , contain'd forty two tun of timber , which had arms that held at least four foot square for ten yards in length ; the body six foot of clear timber : that in the same park one might have chosen above trees worth above li. another worth li. & sic de caeteris : to this m. halton replies , that it might possibly be meant of the lords-oak already mention'd to have grown in rivelin : for now rivelin it self is totally destitute of that issue she once might have gloried in of oaks ; there being only the hall-park adjoyning , which keeps up with its number of oaks . and as to the computation of trees formerly in sheffield-park worth li. it is believ'd there were a thousand much above that value ; since in what is now inclos'd , it is evident touching worth a thousand pounds . i am inform'd that an oak ( i think in shropshire ) growing lately in a coppse of my lord cravens , yielded tun and half of timber , ● cord of fire-wood , load of brush , and load of bark . and my worthy friend leonard pinckney esq late first clerk of his majesties kitchin ( from whom i receiv'd the first hints of many of these particulars ) did assure me , that one john garland built a very handsome barne , containing five baies , with pan , posts , beams , spars , &c. of one sole tree , growing in worksopp-park . i will close this with an instance which i greatly value , because it is transmitted to me from that honourable and noble person sir ed. harley : i am ( says he ) assur'd by an inquisition taken about years since , that a park of mine , and some adjacent woods , had not then a tree capable to bear acorns ; yet , that very park i have seen full of great oaks , and most of them in the extreamest wane of decay . the trunk of one of these oaks afforded so much timber , as upon the place would have yielded li. and did compleatly seat with waine-scot pues a whole church : you may please ( says he , writing to sir rob. morray ) to remember when you were here , you took notice of a large tree , newly fallen ; when it was wrought up , it proved very hollow and unsound : one of its cavities contayn'd two hogs-heads of water , another was filled with better stuff , wax and hony ; notwithstanding all defects , it yielded , besides three tun of timber , cords of wood : but my own trees are but chips in comparison of a tree in the neighbourhood , in which every foot forward one with another , was half a tun of timber , it bore foot square , foot long ; it contein'd tun of timber , most of it sold for s. per tun ; besides that the boughs afforded cords of fuel-wood ; this was call'd the lady-oak : is 't not pitty such goodly creatures should be devoted to vulcane ? &c. so far this noble gent. to which i would add dirae , a deep execration of iron-mills , and i had almost sayd iron-masters too quos ego ; sed motos praestat componere — for i should never finish to pursue these instances through our once goodly magazines of timber for all uses , growing in this our native country , comparable ( as i said ) to any we can produce of elder times ; and that not only ( though chiefly ) for the encouragement of planters , and preservers of one of the most excellent , and necessary materials in the world for the benefit of man ; but to evince the continu'd vigor of nature , and to reproach the want of industry in this age of ours ; and ( that we may return to the argument of this large chapter ) to assert the procerity , and stature of trees from their very great antiquity : for certainly , if that be true , which is by divers affirmed concerning the quercetum of mambre ( where the patriarch entertain'd his angelical guests ) recorded by eusebius to have continued till the time of constantine the great , we are not too prejudicately , to censure what has been produc'd for the proofs of their antiquity ; nor for my part , do i much question the authorities : but let this suffice ; what has been produc'd being only an historical speculation , of more encouragement haply then other use , but such as was pertinent to the subject under consideration , as well as what i am about to add concerning the texture , and similar parts of the body of trees , which may also hold in shrubs , and other lignous plants ; because it is both a curious , and rational account of their anatomization , and worthy of the sagacious inquiry of that incomparably learned person , dr. goddard , as i find it entered amongst other of those precious collections of this illustrious society . . the trunk or bough of a tree being cut transversely plain and smooth sheweth several circles or rings more or less orbicular , according to the external figure , in some parallel proportion , one without the other , from the centre of the wood to the inside of the bark , dividing the whole into so many circular spaces . these rings are more large , gross , and distinct in colour and substance in some kind of trees , generally in such as grow to a great bulk in a short time , as fir , ash , &c , smaller or less distinct in those that either not all , or in a longer time grow great ; as quince , holly , box , lignum-vitae , ebony , and the like sad colour'd and hard woods ; so that by the largeness , or smallnesse of the rings , the quickness , or slowness of the growth of any tree may perhaps at certainty be estimated . these spaces are manifestly broader on the one side , then on the other , especially the more outer , to a double proportion , or more ; the inner being neer an equality . it is asserted , that the larger parts of these rings are on the south and sunny side of the tree ( which is very rational and probable ) insomuch , that by cutting a tree transverse , and drawing a diametre through the broadest and narrowest parts of the rings , a meridian line may be described . the outer spaces are generally narrower then the inner , not onely in their narrower sides , but also on their broader , compared with the same sides of the inner : notwithstanding which , they are for the most part , if not altogether , bigger upon the whole account . of these spaces , the outer extremities in fir , and the like woods , that have them larger and grosser , are more dense , hard , and compact ; the inner more soft and spungy ; by which difference of substance it is , that the rings themselves come to be distinguished . according as the bodies and boughs of trees , or several parts of the same , are bigger , or lesser , so is the number , as well as the breadth of the circular spaces greater or lesse ; and the like , according to the age , especially the number . it is commonly , and very probably asserted , that a tree gains a new one every year . in the body of a great oak in the new-forest , cut transversly even ( where many of the trees are accounted to be some hundreds of years old ) three , and four hundred have been distinguish'd . in a fir-tree , which is said to have just so many rows of boughs about it , as it is of years growth , there has been observed just one lesse , immediately above one row , then immediately below : hence some probable account may be given of the difference between the outer , and the inner parts of the rings , that the outermost being newly produced in the summer , the exterior superficies is condens'd in the vvinter . . in the young branches and twigs of trees there is a pith in the middle , which in some , as ash , and especially elder , equals , or exceeds in dimensions the rest of the substance , but waxes lesse as they grow bigger , and in the great boughs and trunk scarce is to be found : this gives way for the growth of the inward rings , which at first were lesse than the outer ( as may be seen in any shoot of the first year ) and after grow thicker , being it self absum'd , or perhaps converted into vvood ; as it is certain cartilages or gristles are into bones ( in the bodies of animals ) from which to sense they differ even as much as pith from vvood. these rings or spaces appearing upon transverse section ( as they appear eliptical upon oblique , and strait lines upon direct section ) are no other than the extremities of so many integuments , investing the whole tree , and ( perhaps ) all the boughs that are of the same age with any of them , or older . the growth of trees augmentation in all dimensions is acquired , not onely by accession of a new integument yearly , but also by the reception of nourishment into the pores , and substance of the rest , upon which they also become thicker ; not only those towards the middle , but also the rest , in a thriving tree : yet the principal growth is between the bark and body , by accession of a new integument yearly , as hath been mentioned : whence the cutting of the bark of any tree or bough round about , will certainly kill it . the bark of a tree is distinguished into rings , or integuments no lesse than the wood , though much smaller or thinner , and therefore not distinguishable , except in the thick barks of great old trees , and toward the inside next the wood ; the outer parts drying and breaking with innumerable fissures , growing wider and deeper , as the body of the tree grows bigger , and mouldering away on the out side . though it cannot appear by reason of the continual decay of it upon the account aforesaid ; yet it is probable , the bark of a tree hath had successively as many integuments as the wood ; and that it doth grow by acquisition of a new one yearly on the inside , as the wood doth on the out-side ; so that the chief way , and conveyance of nourishment to both the wood and the bark , is between them both . the least bud appearing on the body of a tree , doth as it were make perforation through the several integuments to the middle , or very neer ; which part is as it were , a root of the bough into the body of the tree ; and after becomes a knot , more hard then the other wood : and when it is larger , manifestly shewing it self also to consist of several integuments , by the circles appearing in it , as in the body : more hard , probably ; because streightned in room for growth ; as appears by its distending , buckling , as it were , the integuments of the wood about it ; so implicating them the more ; whence a knotty piece of wood is so much harder to cleave . it is probable , that a cience or bud upon graffing , or inoculating , doth , as it were , root it self into the stock in the same manner as the branches , by producing a kind of knot . thus far the accurate doctor . . to which permit me to add onely ( in reference to the circles we have been speaking of ) what another curious inquirer suggests to us ; namely , that they are caus'd by the pores of the wood , through which the sap ascends in the same manner as betwen the wood and the bark ; and that in some trees , the bark adheres to the wood , as the integuments of wood cleave to one another , and may be separated from each other as the bark from the outward-most ; and being thus parted , will be found on their out-sides to represent the colour of the outer-most , contiguous to the bark ; and on the inner sides , to hold the colour of the inner side of the bark , and all to have a deeper , or lighter hue on their inner-side , as the bark is on that part more or less tinged ; which tincture is suppos'd to proceed from the ascendent sap. moreover , by cutting the branch , the ascending sap may be examin'd as well as the circles : it is probable , the more frequent the circles , the larger , and more copiously the liquor will ascend into it ; the fewer , the sooner descend from it . that a branch of three circles cut off at spring , the sap ascending will be found at michaelmasse ensuing ; cut again in the same branch , or another of equal bignesse , to have one more than it had at spring ; and either at spring or fall to carry a circle of pricks next the bark , at other seasons a circle of wood onely next it . but here the comparison must be made with distinction ; for some trees do probably shoot new tops yearly till a certain period , and not after ; and some have perhaps their circles in their branches decreased from their bodies to the extreamity of the branch , in such oeconomy and order ; that ( for instance ) an apple-tree shoot of this year has one circle of pricks or wood less , than the graft of two years growth ; and that of two years growth , may the next year have one circle more than it had the last year ; but this onely till that branch shoot no more grafts , and then 't is doubtful whether the outmost twig obtain any more circles , or remain at a stay , onely nourished , not augmented in the circles . it would also be inquir'd , whether the circles of pricks increase not till midsummer and after , and the circles of wood from thence , to the following spring ? but this may suffice , unlesse i should subjoyn . . the vegetative motion of plants , with the diagrams of the jesuite kercher , where he discourses of their stupendious magnetisms , &c. could there any thing material be added to what has already been so ingeniously inquir'd into : therefore let us proceed to their felling . . it should be in this status , vigour and perfection of trees , that a felling should be celebrated ; since whiles our woods are growing it is pity , and indeed too soon ; and when they are decaying , too late : i do not pretend that a man ( who has occasion for timber ) is obliged to attend so many ages ere he fell his trees ; but i do by this infer , how highly necessary it were , that men should perpetually be planting ; that so posterity might have trees fit for their service of competent , that is , of a middle growth and age , which it is impossible they should have , if we thus continue to destroy our woods , without this providential planting in their stead , and felling what we do cut down , with great discretion , and regard of the future . . such therefore as we shall perceive to decay are first to be pick'd out for the ax ; and then those which are in their state , or approaching to it ; but the very thriving , and manifestly improving , indulg'd as much as possible . but to explore the goodness and sincerity of a standing-tree , is not the easiest thing in the world ; we shall anon have occasion to mention my l. bacon's experiment to detect the hollownesse of timber : but there is doubtlesse none more infallible , than the boring it with a middling piercer made auger fashion , and by frequent pulling out , and examining what substance comes along with it , as those who bore the earth to explore what minerals the place is impregn'd with , and as sound cheeses are tasted : some again there are who by digging a little about the roots will pronounce shrewdly concerning the state of a tree ; and if they find him perish'd at the top ( for trees dye upward as men do from the feet ) be sure the cause lies deep , for 't is ever a mark of great decay in the roots . there is also a swelling vein which discovers it self eminently above the rest of the stem , though like the rest , invested with barks , and which frequently circles about and embraces the tree , like a branch of ivy , which is an infallible indication of hollownesse and hypocrisie within . . the time of the year for this destructive work is not usually till about the end of april ( at which season the bark does commonly rise freely ) though the opinions and practise of men have been very different : vitruvius is for an autumnal fall ; others advise december and january : cato was of opinion trees should have first born their fruit , or , at least , not till full ripe , which agrees with that of the architect : and though timber unbarked be indeed more obnoxious to the worm , and to contract somewhat a darker hue ( which is the reason so many have commended the season when it will most freely strip ) yet were this to be rather consider'd for such trees as one would leave round , and unsquar'd ; since we find the wild oak , and many other sorts , fell'd over late , and when the sap begins to grow proud , to be very subject to the worm ; whereas , being cut about mid-winter , it neither casts , rifts , nor twines ; because the cold of the winter does both dry , and consolidate ; whiles in spring , and when pregnant , so much of the virtue goes into the leaves and branches : happy therefore were it for our timber , some real invention of tanning without so much bark ( as the honourable mr. charles howard has most ingeniously offer'd ) were become universal , that trees being more early felled , the timber might be better season'd and condition'd for its various vses . but as the custom is , men have now time to fell their woods , even from mid-winter to the spring ; but never any after the summer solstice . . then for the age of the moon , it has religiously been observ'd ; and that dianas presidency in sylvis was not so much celebrated to credit the fictions of the poets , as for the dominion of that moist planet , and her influence over timber : for my part , i am not so much inclin'd to these criticisms , that i should altogether govern a felling at the pleasure of this mutable lady ; however there is doubtlesse some regard to be had , nor is 't in vain sigus fall and rise to note . nec frustra fignorum obitus speculamur , & ortus ▪ the old rules are these : fell in the decrease , or four dayes after conjunction of the two great luminaries ; some the last quarter of it ; or ( as pliny ) in the very article of the change , if possible ; which hapning ( saith he ) in the last day of the winter solstice , that timber will prove immortal : at least should it be from the twentieth to the thirtieth day , according to columella : cato four dayes after the full , as far better for the growth : but all viminious trees silente lunâ ; such as sallies , birch , poplar , &c. vegetius for ship timber , from the fifteenth to the twenty-fifth , the moon as before ; but never during the increase , trees being then most abounding with moisture , which is the onely source of putrefaction : and yet 't is affirm'd upon unquestionable experience , that timber cut at any season of the year , in the old moon , or last quarter , when the wind blows westerly ; proves as sound , and good as at any other period whatsoever ; nay , all the whole summer long , as in any month of the year ; which for that it may be of great use on some publike emergencies , i thought fit to communicate . . then for the temper , and time of day : the wind low , neither east nor west ( but west of the two ) the east being most pernicious , and exposing it to the worms ; and for which the best cure is , the plentiful sobbing it in water ; neither in frosty , wet , or dewy weather ; and therefore never in a fore-noon . lastly , touching the species ; fell fir when it begins to spring ; not only because it will then best quit its coat and strip ; but for that they hold it will never decay in water ; which howsoever theophrastus deduce from the old bridge made of this material over a certain river in arcadia , cut in this season , is hardly sufficient to satisfie our inquiry . . previous to this work of felling is the advice of our countryman markham , and it is not to be rejected : survey ( saith he ) your woods as they stand , immediately after christmas , and then divide the species in your mind ; ( i add rather in some note-book , or tablets ) and consider for what purposes every several kind is most useful , which you may find in the several chapters of this discourse under every head. after this , reckon the bad and good together , so as one may put off the other , without being forc'd to glean your woods of all your best timber . this done ( or before ) you shall acquaint your self with the marketable prices of the countrey where your fell is made , and that of the several sorts ; as what so many inches or foot square and long is worth for the several imployments : what planks , what other scantlings , for so many spoaks , naves , rings , pales , spars , &c. as suppose it were ash , to set apart the largest for the wheel-wright , the smallest for the cooper , and that of ordinary scantling for the ploughs , and the brush to be kidded , and sold by the hundred , or thousand , and so all other sorts of timber , viz. large , middling stuff , and poles , &c. allowing the waste for the charges of felling , &c. all which you shall compute with greater certainty , if you have leisure , and will take the pains to examine some of the trees either by your own fathom ; or ( more accurately ) by girting it about with a string , and so reducing it to the square , &c. by which means you may give a neer guess : or , you may mark such as you intend to fell ; and then begin your sale about candlemas till the spring ; before which you must not ( according as our custom is ) lay the ax to the root ; though some for particular imployments , as for timber to make plows , carts , axel-trees , naves , harrows , and the like husbandry-tools , do frequently cut in october . being now entering with your workmen , one of the first , and most principal things , is , the skilful disbranching of the boal of all such arms and limbs as may endanger it in the fall , wherein much forecast and skill is requir'd of the wood-man ; so many excellent trees being utterly spoiled for want of this onely consideration : and therefore in arms of timber , which are very great , chop a nick under it close to the boal , so meeting it with the downright strokes , it will be sever'd without splicing . . some there are who cut a kerf round the body , almost to the very pitch , or heart , and so let it remain a while ; by this means to drain away the moisture , which will distill out of the wounded veins , and is chiefly proper for the moister sort of trees : and in this work the very ax will well tell you the difference of the sex ; the male being so much harder , and browner than the female : but here ( and wherever we speak thus of plants ) you are to understand the analogical , not proper distinction . . but that none may wonder why in many authours of good note , we find the fruit-bearers of some trees call'd males , and not rather females , as particularly the cypresse , &c. this prepostrous denomination had i read it sourse from very antient custom , and was first begun in aegypt ( diodorus sayes in greece ) where we are told , that the father onely was esteem'd the sole authour of generation ; the mother contributing only receptacle and nutrition to the off-spring , which legitimated their mixtures as well with their slaves as free-women : and upon this account it was , that even trees bearing fruit , were amongst them reputed males , and the sterile and barren ones , for females ; and we are not ignorant , how learnedly this doctrine has been lately reviv'd by some of our most celebrated physicians : but since the same arguments do not altogether quadrate in trees , where the coition is not so sensible ( whatever they pretend of the palms , &c. and other amorous intertwining of roots ) in my opinion we might with more reason call that the female which bears any eminent fruit or seed , and them males who produce none : but sometimes too the rudenesse , or lesse asperity of the leaves , bark , and grain , nay their medical operations , may deserve the distinction ; to which aristotle adds branchinesse , lesse moisture , quick maturity , &c. l. . de pl. c. . all which seems to be most conspicuous in plum-trees , hollys , ashes , quince , pears , and many other sorts ; not to insist on such as may be compell'd even to change , as it were , their sex by graffing and artificial improvements : but i onely hint it , and return to . felling , which should be as close to the ground as possible may be , if you design a renascency from the roots ; unlesse you will grub for a total destruction , or the use of that part we have already mention'd , so far superiour in goodnesse to what is more remote from the root , and besides the longer you cut and convert the timber , the better for many uses . some are of opinion , that the seedling oak should never be cut to improve his boal ; because , say they , it produces a reddish wood not so acceptable to the workman ; and that the tree which grows on the head of his mother does seldom prove good timber : it is observ'd , indeed , that one foot of timber near the root ( though divers i know who otherwise opine ) and ( which is the proper kerfe , or cutting place ) is worth three farther off : and haply , the successor is more apt to be tender , then what was cut off to give it place ; but let this be enquir'd into at leisure . . when your tree is thus prostrate , strip off the bark ; and set it so as it may best dry ; then cleanse the boal of the branches which were left , and saw it into lengths for the squaring , to which belongs the measure , and girth ( as our workmen call it ) which i refer to the buyer , and to many subsidiary books lately printed , wherein it is taught by a very familiar calcule mechanical and easie method . . but by none in my apprehension set forth , in a more facile and accurate way than what that industrious mathematician mr. leybourn has publish'd , in his late line of proportion made easie , and other his labours ; where he treats as well of the square as the round , as 't is applicable to boards and superficials , and to timber which is hew'd or lesse rough , in so easie a method , as nothing can be more desired . i know our ordinary carpenters , &c. have generally upon their rulers a line , which they usually call gunters-line ; but they few of them , understand how to work from it : and divers countrey gentlemen , stewards , and wood-men , when they are to measure rough timber upon the ground , confide much to the girt , which they do with a string at about four , or five foot distance from the root or great extream : of the strings length , they take a quarter for the true square , which is so manifestly erroneous , that thereby they make every tree so measur'd , more than a fift part lesse than really it is . this mistake would therefore be reformed ; and it were ( i conceive ) worth the seller's while to inspect it accordingly : their argument is , that when the bark of a tree is stripp'd , and the body hew'd to a square , it will then hold out no more measure ; that which is cut off being onely fit for fuel , and the expense of squaring costs more than the chips are worth . but let us however convince them of this errour by confronting mr. leybourns tables . prob. i. a tree being inches about , to find how much thereof in length will make one foot square . sol. a fourth part of inches , is , which they take for the due square ; wherefore look for inches ( viz. one foot three inches ) in the first column of the first table , and opposite to it in the second column , you shall find inches , tenth parts of an inch ( which is somewhat above half an inch ) will make one foot square . again , prob. ii. a tree being inches about , and foot in length , to know how many solid feet the tree contains ? sol. the fourth part of is inches in the first column of the second table , and foot in the head of it ; and opposite to the inches , and under foot , you shall find . . ( viz. foot ¼ ) and for so much you may sell it , and no more , which is yet less than the true content by above a fifth part . but supposing ( as they ought to do ) there were no such waste as is pretended ; you will find by the third table , how much in length of any cylendrical timber , whose girt is known , will make a foot solid , and consequently , detect the error of the former customary practise . prob. iii. a tree being inches circumference , to know how much thereof will make a cubical foot . sol. find inches in the first column ; and opposite to it in the second column , you shall find - - which is to say , inches onely : the consectarie is , that inches in length of a tree inches circumference , will make a foot solid : whereas by the other usual procedure , you found there must be inches and above half an inch , to make so much ; which is above an inch and half too much in every foot 's length , and what that amounts to in many feet 't is easy to imagine . so suppose a tree be but inches in circumference , the same table will in like manner shew , that it requires but foot inches and tenth parts of an inch in length , to make it a foot solid of timber ; and thus of any number as far as you will inlarge your table . but then imagine that the sides of the square at the extremities of squar'd timber are unequal , as frequently it happens , by sometimes , , , or more inches difference : some artificers think they encounter this well enough by adding the two sides together , and taking the moitie of the side for the true square : but this is as erroneous as the other ; especially , if the sides differ considerably . v. g. let one side be inches , and the other , these added , make , the half whereof is ½ , which they estimate for the true square ; whereas in truth , the right square is inches , and one tenth part ; which demonstrates the error to be inches and tenths . to reforme therefore this egregious mistake , the fourth table may be calculated to what number of inches you desire : example , prob. iv. one side of a square of timber containing inches , and the other : to find the side of a square equal unto it . sol. first , find inches in the fourth table , opposite to it you have this number . then find out inches , and opposite to that occurs which added , produces , and the half of it ½ . find in the table this number ( or the neerest you can to it ) and you will see it to stand against inches ; which is the true square of such an unequal'd-sided piece of timber . — — sum — — ½ note , in these instances 't is suppos'd the tree measur'd to carry the same proportion of square throughout the piece , which in almost all trees that are considerably long , does not hold , by reason of its continual tapering , which must needs cause a great difference in the squares at either extream . our common workemen do , to adjust this , for the most part , choose the most likely place about the middle of the tree , and take its square there ; but this is also an error : therefore in such trees , measure the square at both ends , and add the sides of the two squares together , and half that length shall be the true square which the tree does carry throughout . e. g. suppose a tree have that side of the square at the but-end inches , and at the smaller end onely ; those added , will make inches , and the moitie of that ½ , which is the true side of the square , with which , and the length , you may find by the second table the just content . and , in case your tree be longer than the table provides for ( as for example in this second table it proceeds but to foot ) take the half , or so many times foot , as its length contains , and the odd feet , if they happen , by themselves . v. g. suppose a tree being inches square , is foot long ; have recourse to foot in the second table , and opposite to in the inch column , you 'l find foot , parts under the column : put this down as many times as any tens occur in your foot ( which was the length of that tree , and by the same table the odd will give you feet parts , which sum'd together , amount to feet , parts , viz. half a foot and half a quarter of a foot . by this method proceed for any length whatsoever . there remains but one operation more , which our timber man can much stand in need of direction in ; and that is , for the measure of planks ; because we have occasion sometimes to saw them in the wood : we will therefore add one table more of that , and so dismiss him . prob. v. a plank or board being inches broad : to find how much in length will make one foot . sol. first find out inches in the first column ; opposite to that , in the second column , you shall meet . . . which imports foot , inches : so much then in length of a plank or board inches broad , must go to make a foot : so as every inches in length , is a foot of plank , and consequently , every inches , half a foot ; every inches a quarter , &c. thus again , if a board hold foot and inches in breadth ; inches and tenth parts of an inch in length will make a square superficial foot of plank , & sic de caeteris . table i. the square of the end of timber in feet and inches . the length of a foot solid in feet , inches and parts of inches . f. in. f. in. pts. . i. ii. iii. table ii. square of timber in inches , and half-inches . the length of the timber . inch.   f. pr. f. pr. f. pr. f. pr. f. pr. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - table iii. the circumference of the tree in inches . cir. f. in. pt. table iv. in.   table ii. square of the timber in inches and half-inches . the length of the timber . inch.   f. pt. f. pt. f. pt. f. pt. f. pt. - * - * ● - * - - - - ● - - - - - - - - - - - table ii. square of the timber in inches and half-inches . the length of the timber . in.   f. pt. f. pt. f. pt. f. pt. f. pt. - - - - - - - - - - ● - - - - ● - - ● - - square of the timber in inches and half-inches . the length of the timber . in.   f. pt. f. pt. f. pt. f. pt. f. pt. - - - - - - - ● - - - - - -   - ● ●   ● - - - - s table v. the breadth of plank in feet and inches . the length of a foot square , in feet and th . part of inches . f. in. f. in. pts. i ii iii . if you are to remove your timber , let the dew be first off , and the south-wind blow before you draw it : neither should you by any means put it to use for three , or four months after , unless great necessity urge you , as it did duilius , who in the punic war built his fleet of timber before it was season'd , being not above two months from the very felling to the launching : and as were also those navies of hiero after forty days ; and that of scipio , in the third carthaginean war , from the very forest to the sea. july is a good time for bringing home your fell'd timber : but concerning the time and season of felling , a just treatise might be written : let the learned therefore consult vitruvius particularly on this subject . l. . c. . also m. cato c. . plin. l. . c. . constantinus and heron. l. . de rr. veget. l. . c. . columella l. . c. . but especially the most ample theophrastus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . l. . note , that a tun of timber is forty solid feet , a load fifty . . to make excellent boards and planks , 't is the advice of some , you should bark your trees in a fit season , and so let them stand naked a full year before the felling ; and in some cases , and grounds , it may be profitable : but let these , with what has been already said in the foregoing chapters of the several kinds , suffice for this article : i shall add one advertisement of caution to those noble persons , and others who have groves and trees of ornament neer their houses , and in their gardens in london , and the circle of it ; especially , if they be of great stature , and well grown ; such as are the groves in the several inns of court ; nay , even that ( comparatively , new plantation ) in my lord of bedfords garden , &c. and wherever they stand in the more interiour parts of the city ; that they be not over hasty , or by any means perswaded to cut down any of their old trees , upon hope of new more flourishing plantations ; thickning , or repairing deformities ; because they grew so well when first they were set : it is to be consider'd how exceedingly that pernicious smoak of the sea-coal is increas'd in , and about london since they were first planted , and the buildings environing them , and inclosing it in amongst them , which does so universally contaminate the air , that what plantations of trees shall be now begun in any of those places , will have much ado , great difficulty , and require a long time , to be brought to any tolerable perfection : therefore let them make much of what they have ; and though i discourage none , yet i can animate none to cut down the old . . and here might now come in a pretty speculation , what should be the reason after generall fellings and extirpations of vast woods of one species , the next spontaneous succession should be of quite a different sort ? we see indeed something of this in our gardens and corne fields ( as the best of poets witnesses ) but that may be much imputed to the alteration , by improvement , or detriment of the soyle and other accidents : whatever the cause may be , since it appears not in any universal decay of nature ( sufficiently exploded ) i shall onely here produce matter of fact , and that it ordinarily happens . as in some goodly woods formerly belonging to my grandfather that were all of oak ; after felling , they universally sprung up beech ; and 't is affirm'd by general experience , that after beech , birch succeeds ; as in that famous wood at darnway on the river tindarne in the province of moray in scotland , where nothing had grown but oak in a wood three miles in length , and happily more southerly , it might have been beech , and not birch 'till the third degradation . birches familiarly grow out of old and decay'd oaks ; but whence this sympathy and affection should proceed , is more difficult to resolve , in as much as we do not detect any so prolifical , and eminent seed in that tree . some accidents of this nature may be imputed to the winds , and the birds who frequently have been known to waste and convey seeds to places widely distant , as we have touch'd in the chapter of firs , &c. sect. . holly has been seen to grow out of ash , as ash out of severall trees , especially hei-thorn ; nay , in an old rotten ash-stump , in a place where no ashes at all grew by many miles in the whole county : and i have had it confidently asserted by persons of undoubted truth , that they have seen a tree cut in the middle , whose heart was ash-wood , and the exteriour part oak , and this in northampton-shire : and why not as well ( though with something more difficulty ? ) as through a willow , whose body it has been observed to penetrate even to the earth ? obtruding the willow quite out of its place , of which a pretty emblem might be conceiv'd : but i pursue these instances no farther , concluding this chapter with the norway engine , or saw-mill , to be either moved with the force of water , or wind , &c. for the more expedite cuting and converting of timber , to which we will add another , for the more facile perforation and boring of elms , or other timber to make pipes and aquaeducts , and the excavating of columns to preserve their shafts from splitting , to which otherwise they are obnoxious . the frames of both these instruments discover themselves sufficiently to the eye , and therefore will need the less description ; there is yet this reformation from those which they use both in norway and switzerland ; that whereas they make the timber approach the sawes , by certain indented wheels with a rochet ( which is frequently out of order ) there is in the first figure a substitution of two counterpoises of about three hundred pound weight , each , as you may see at a.a. fastning the cords to which they append , at the extreams of two movable pieces of timber , which slide on two other pieces of fixed wood , by the ayd of certain small pullys , which you may imagine to be within an hinge in the house or mill , by which means the weights continually draw , and advance the moving pieces of wood , and consequently the timber to be slit , fastned 'twixt the said pieces , towards the teeth of the saws , rising , and falling as the motion of the wheele directs ; and on this frame you may put four or five saws , or more if you please , and place them at what intervals you think fit , according to the dimensions which you designe in cutting the timber for your use ; and when the piece is sawn , then one or two men with a lever , must turn a roller , to which there is annext a strong cord , which will draw back the piece , and lift up the counter-poise ; and so the piece put a little towards one side , direct the saws against another . the second figure for boring , consists of an ax-tree , to which is fastned a wheel of six and thirty teeth , or more , as the velocity of the water-motion requires ; for if it be slow , more teeth are requisite ; there must also be a pinion of six , turn'd by the said indented wheel : then to the ax-tree of the pinion is to be fixt a long auger , as in letter a , which must passe through the hole b , to be opened and clos'd as occasion requires , somewhat like a turners lathe : the tree or piece of timber to be bored , is to be plac'd on the frame cd , so as the frame may easily slide by the help of certain small wheels , which are in the hollow of it , and turn upon strong pins , so as the work-man may shove forwards , or draw the tree back , after 't is fastned to the frame ; that so the auger turning , the end of the tree may be applied to it ; still remembring to draw it back at every progresse of three or four inches which the auger makes for the clensing it from the chips , least the auger break : continue this work till the tree , or piece of timber be bored as far as you think convenient , and when you desire to inlarge the hole , change your auger bits as the figure represents them . to these we might add severall more , as they are described by besson , ramelli , cause , and others ; as likewise cranes and machines for the easier elevation , moving , and transporting of timber , but they are now become familiar , and therefore i omit them . chap. xxxi . of timber the seasoning and uses , and of fuel . since it is certain and demonstrable that all arts and artisans whatsoever , must faile and cease , if there were no timber and wood in a nation ( for he that shall take his pen , and begin to set down what art , mysterie , or trade belonging any way to human life , could be maintain'd and exercis'd without wood , will quickly find that i speak no paradox ) i say , when this shall be well consider'd , it will appear , that we had better be without gold , than without timber : this contemplation , and the universal use of that precious material ( which yet is not of universal use 'till it be duly prepar'd ) has mov'd me to design a solemn chapter for the seasoning , as well as to mention some farther particular applications of it . we have before spoken concerning some preparations of standing trees design'd for timber , by a half-cutting , disbarking , and the seasons of drawing , and using it . . lay up your timber very dry , in an airy place ( yet out of the wind or sun ) and not standing upright , but lying along one piece upon another , interposing some short blocks between them , to preserve them from a certain mouldinesse which they usually contract while they sweat , and which frequently produces a kind of fungus , especially if there be any sappy parts remaining . . some there are yet , who keep their timber as moist as they can , by submerging it in water , where they let it imbibe to hinder the cleaving ; and this is good in fir , both for the better stripping and seasoning ; yea , and not onely in fir , but other timber : lay therefore your boards a fortnight in the water , and then setting them upright in the sun and wind , so as it may freely passe through them , ( especially during the heats of summer , which is the time of finishing buildings ) turn them daily ; and thus treated , even newly sawn boards , will floor far better than a many years dry seasoning , as they call it . but to prevent all possible accidents , when you lay your floors , let the joynts be shot , fitted , and tack'd down only for the first year , nailing them for good and all the next ; and by this means they will lye stanch , close , and without shrinking in the least , as if it were all of one piece . amongst wheele-wrights the water - seasoning is of especial regard , and in such esteem amongst some , that i am assur'd the venetians for their provision in the arsenal , lay their oak some years in it , before they employ it . elm fell'd never so green for suddain use , if plung'd four or five dayes in water ( especially salt , which is best ) obtains an admirable seasoning , and may immediately be us'd . some again commend buryings in the earth ; others in wheat ; and there be seasonings of the fire , as for the scorching and hardning of piles which are to stand either in the water , or the earth ; — the oke explore , suspended in the chimney smoke . et suspensa focis exploret robora fumus . georg. ● . for that to most timber it contributes much to its duration . thus do all the elements contribute to the art of seasoning . the learned interpreter of antonio neris art of glasse c. . speaking of the difference of vegetables , as they are made use of at various seasons , observes from the button-mould-makers in those woods they use , that pear-trees cut in summer work toughest , but holly in the vvinter , box hardest about easter , but mellow in summer , hawthorn kindly about october , and service tree in the summer . . and yet even the greenest timber is sometimes desirable for such as carve and turn ; but it choaks the teeth of our saws ; and for doors , vvindows , floors , and other close works , it is altogether to be rejected ; especially , where vvallnut-tree is the material , which will be sure to shrink : therefore it is best to choose such as is of two , or three years seasoning , and that is neither moist nor over-dry ; the mean is best . sir hugh plat informs us that the venetians use to burn , and scorch their timber in a flaming fire , continually turning it round with an engine , till they have gotten upon it an hard , black , coaly crust ; and the secret carries with it great probability ; for that the wood is brought by it to such a hardnesse and drynesse , ut cùm omnis putrifactio incipiat ab humido , nor earth , nor vvater can penetrate it ; i my self remembring to have seen charcoals dug out of the ground amongst the ruines of antient buildings , which have in all probability lain cover'd with earth above years . . timber which is cleft , is nothing so obnoxious to rift and cleave as what is hewen ; nor that which is squar'd , as what is round ; and therefore where use is to be made of huge and massie columns , let them be boared through from end to end ; it is an excellent preservative from splitting , and not un-philosophical ; though to cure this accident , the rubbing them over with a wax-cloth is good , painters putty , &c. or before it be converted , the smearing the timber over with cow-dung , which prevents the effects both of sun and air upon it ; if of necessity it must lye expos'd : but besides the former remedies , i find this , for the closing of the chops and clefts of green-timber , to anoint and supple it with the fat of powder'd beef-broth , with which it must be well soak'd , the chasm's fill'd with spunges dipt into it ; this , to be twice done over : some carpenters make use of grease and saw-dust mingled ; but the first is so good a way ( sayes my authour ) that i have seen wind-shock-timber so exquisitely closed , as not to be discerned where the defects were : this must be us'd when the timber is green . . we spake before of squaring , and i would now recommend the quartering of such trees as will allow useful and competent scantlings , to be of much more durablenesse , and effect for strength , than where ( as custome is , and for want of observation ) whole beams and timbers are apply'd in ships or houses , with slab and all about them , upon false suppositions of strength beyond these quarters : for there is in all trees an evident interstice or separation between the heart and the rest of the body , which renders it much more obnoxious to decay and miscarry , than when they are treated , and converted as i have describ'd it ; and it would likewise save a world of materials in the building of great ships , where so much excellent timber is hew'd away to spoyl , were it more in practise . finally , . i must not omit to take notice of the coating of timber in work , us'd by the hollanders for the preservation of their gates , port-cullis's , draw-bridges , sluces , and other huge beams and contignations of timber expos'd to the sun , and perpetual injuries of the weather , by a certain mixture of pitch and tar , upon which they strew small pieces of cockle and other shells , beaten almost to powder , and mingled with sea-sand , or the scales of iron , beaten small and siefted , which incrusts , and arms it after an incredible manner against all these assaults and foreign invaders : but if this should be deem'd more obnoxious to fireing , i have heard that a wash made of alume , has wonderfully protected it against the assaults even of that devouring element , and that so a wooden tower or fort at the piraeum an athenian port , was defended by archelaus a commander of mithridates , from the great sylla . . timbers that you have occasion to lay in morter , or which is in any part contiguous to lime , as doors , window-cases , ground-sils , and the extremities of beams , &c. should be cap'd with molten pitch , which will be a marvellous preserver of it from the burning , and destructive effects of the lime ; and in defect of pitch , loam , or clay will prove a tollerable defence . . for all uses , that timber is esteem'd the best , which is the most pondrous , and which lying long , makes deepest impression in the earth , or in the water being floated ; also what is without knots , yet firm , and free from sap ; which is that fatty , whiter , and softer part , call'd by the antients alburnum , which you are diligently to hew away ; here we have much adoe about the porulus of the fir , and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by both vitruvius and theophrastus , which i passe over . you shall perceive some which has a spiral convolution of the veins ; but it is a vice proceeding from the severity of unseasonable winters , and defect of good nutriment . . my lord bacon exp. . recommends for tryal of a sound or knotty piece of timber , to cause one to speak at one of the extreams to his companion listning at the other ; for if it be knotty , the sound sayes he , will come abrupt . . moreover , it is expedient that you know which is the grain , and which are the veins in timber ( whence the term fluviari arborem ) because of the difficulty of working against it : those therefore be the veins which grow largest , and are softer for the benefit of cleaving , and hewing ; that the grain or pectines which runs in waves , and makes the divers and beautiful chamfers which some woods abound in to admiration . the grain of beech runs two contrary wayes , and is therefore to be wrought accordingly . . here it may be fitly enquir'd , whether of all the sorts we have enumerated , the old , or the younger trees do yield the fairest colour , pleasant grain and glosse for wainscot , cabinets , boxes , gun-stocks , &c. and what kind of pear and plum-tree give the deepest red , and approaches nearest in beauty to brasil : 't is affirm'd the old-oake , old walnut , and young-ash , are best for most uses ; black , and thorny plum-tree is of the deepest , oriency ; but whether these belong to the forest , i am not yet satisfied , and therefore have assigned them no chapter apart . . i would also add something concerning what vvoods are observed to be most sonorous for musical instruments : we as yet detect few but the german fir , which is a species of maple , for the rimms of viols , and the choicest and finest grain'd fir for the bellyes : the finger-boards , back , and ribbs , i have seen of eugh , pear-tree , &c. but pipes , recorders , and wind-instruments , are made both of hard , and soft woods ; i had lately an organ with a set of oaken-pipes , which were the most sweet and mellow that were ever heard ; it was a very old instrument , and formerly , i think , belonging to the duke of norfolk . . for the place of growth , that timber is esteem'd best which grows most in the sun , and on a dry and hale ground ; for those trees which suck , and drink little , are most hard , robust , and longest liv'd , instances of sobriety ; the climate contributes much to its quality , and the northern situation is preferred to the rest of the quarters ; so as that which grew in tuscany was of old thought better than that of the venetian side ; and trees of the wilder kind , and barren , than the over much cultivated , and great bearers : but of this already . . to omit nothing , authours have sum'd up the natures of timber ; as the hardest ebeny , box , larch , lotus , terebinth , cornus , eugh , &c. which are best to receive politure ; and for this , lin-seed , or the sweeter nut oyl does the effect best : pliny gives us the receipt , with a decoction of vvalnut-shales , and certain wild pears : next to these , oak for ships , and houses ( or more minutely ) the oak for the keel , the robur for the prow , vvalnut the stern , elm the pump ; furnerus l. . c. . conceives the ark to have been built of several woods ; cornel , holly , &c. for pins , wedges , &c. chessnut , horn-beam poplar , &c. then for bucklers , and targets , were commended the more soft and moist ; because apt to close , swell , and make up their wounds again ; such as willow , lime , birch , alder , elder , ash , poplar , &c. the robur , or wild-oak timber , best to stand in ground ; the quercus without : the cypresse , fir , pines , cedar , &c. for posts , and columns , because of their erect growth , natural and comely diminutions . then again it is noted , that oriental trees are hardest towards the cortex or bark ; our western towards the middle , which we call the heart ; and that trees which bear fruit , or but little , are more durable than the more pregnant . it is noted , of oak , that the knots of an inveterate tree , just where a lusty arme joyns to the stem , is as curiously vein'd as the wall-nut , which omitted in the chapter of the oake , i here observe . pines , pitch , alder , and elm , are excellent to make pumps and conduit-pipes , and for all water-works , &c. fir for beams , bolts , bars ; being tough , and not so apt to break as the hardest oak : in sum , the more odoriferous trees are the more durable and lasting . . here farther for the uses of timber , i will observe to our reader some other particulars for direction both of the seller and buyer , applicable to the several species : and first of the two sorts of lathes allow'd by statute , one of five , the other of four foot long , because of the different intervals of rafters : that of five has to the bundle , those of four ; and to be in breadth inch and ½ , and half inch thick ; of either of which sorts there are three , viz. heart-oak , sap-lathes , and deal-lathes , which also differ in price : the heart-oak are fittest to lye under tyling , the second sort , for plastring of side-walls , and the third for ceilings , because they are streight and even . . here we will gratifie our curious reader with as curious an account of the comparative strength and fortitude of the several usual sorts of timber , as upon suggestions previous to this work , it was several times experimented by the royal society , though omitted in the first impression , because the tryals were not complete as they now thus stand in our register . march . . the experiment of breaking several sorts of wood was begun to be made : and there were taken three pieces of several kinds ; of fir , oak , and ash , each an inch thick , and two foot long , the fir weighed / ounces , and was broken with l. weight : the oak weigh'd ¼ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , broken with weight : the ash weigh'd ¼ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , broken with weight . besides there were taken pieces of the same sorts of wood each of ½ inch thick , and foot long : the fir weigh'd j 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and was broken with ⅝ of an : the oak weigh'd ⅝ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 broken with ⅝ of an : the ash weigh'd ⅜ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 broken with l. again , there was a piece of fir ½ inch square , and two foot long , broken with l. a piece of ½ inch thick inch broad , and foots long , broken with weight edge-wise ; and a piece of ½ inch thick , ½ broad , foot long , broken with weight , also edge-wise . the experiment was order'd to be repeated by the president , to sr. william petty , and mr. hook ; and it was suggested by some of the company , that in these tryals consideration might be had of the age , knottinesse , solidity , several soyls , and parts of trees , &c. and sr. robert morray did particularly add , that it might be observ'd how far any kind of wood bends before it breaks . march — . the operator gave an accompt of more pieces of wood broken by weight , viz. a piece of fir foot long inches , ounce weight , broken with l. weight , and very little bending with ; by which the hypothesis seems to be confirm'd , that in similar pieces , the proportion of the breaking-weight is according to the basis of the wood-broken : secondly , of a piece of fir foot long , inch square , cut away from the middle both wayes to half an inch , which supported l. weight before it broke , which is more by l. than a piece of the same thicknesse every way was formerly broken with ; the difference was guessed to proceed from the more firmnesse of this other piece . his lordship was desired to contribute to the prosecution of this experiment , and particularly , to consider what line a beam must be cut in , and how thick it ought to be at the extream , to be equally strong : which was brought in april , but i find it not enter'd . april . . the experiment of breaking vvood was prosecuted , and there were taken two pieces of fir , each two foot long , and inch square , which were broken , the one long-wayes with l. weight , the other transverse-wayes with ½ hundred : secondly , two pieces of the same wood , each of ¾ of an inch square , and two foot long , broken , the one long wayes with ¼ hundred ; the other transverse with l. weight : thirdly , one piece of foot long ½ inch square , broken longwayes with l. fourthly , one piece cut out of a crooked oken-billet , with an arching grain , about ¾ inch square , two foot long , broken with ¼ hundred . june . . there were made several experiments more of breaking wood : first , a piece of fir ½ inch diameter , and inches long , at which distance the weight hung , broke in the plane of the grain horizontally , with ¾ l. whereof l. troy ; vertically , with l. more . also fir of a ¼ inch diameter , and ½ inch long , broke vertically with l. and horizontally , with l. elm of ½ inch diameter , and three inches long , broke horizontally , with l. vertically with l. elm of ¼ inch diameter , and ½ inch long , broke horizontally with l. vertically with l. which is note-worthy . july . . the experiment of breaking woods prosecuted : a piece of oak of ½ inch diameter and three inches long , at which distance the weight hung , broke horizontally with l. vertically with l. ash of ½ inch diameter , and inch long , horizontally with l. vertically , with l. ash of ½ inch diameter , and ½ inch long , horizontally with l. vertically , with l. &c. thus far the register . . here might come in the problemes of cardinal cusa in lib. . idiotae dial . to concerning the different velocity of the ascent of great pieces of timber , before the smaller , submerged in water ; as also of the weight ; as v. g. why a piece of wood l. weight , poising more in the air than l. of lead , the l. of lead should seem to weigh ( he should say sink ) more in the water ? why fruits being cut off from the tree , weigh heavier , than when they were growing ? with several the like paradoxes , haply more curious than useful , and therefore we purposely omit them . . concerning squar'd , and principal timber for any usual building , these are the legal proportions , and which builders ought not to vary from . summers or girders from f. to f. in length , must be in their square . in. & in. joysts of feet ½ ½ in length must be in their square . inch inch binding joysts & trimming from f. to f. ½ in length must be in their square & wall-plates and beams of any length , from foot , may have in their square — inch & inch purlynes from f. ½ to f. ½ ½ in length , must have in their square & principal rafters cut taper from f. ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ to f. ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ in length must have in their square on one side in. to in. on the other side single rafters in length from ½ to ½ — f. ½ ½ must have in their squ . - ½ & — principal dischargers of any length from foot upward must have in their square inch inch but carpenters also work by square , which is foot in framing and erecting the carcase ( as they call it ) of any timber edifice , which is valued according to the goodnesse and choyce of the materials , and curiosity in framing ; especially roofs and stayre-cases , which are of most charges . and here might also something be added concerning the manner of framing the carcases of buildings , as of floors , pitch of roofs , the length of hips , and sleepers , together with the names of all those several timbers used in fabrics totally consisting of wood ; but i find it done to my hand , and publish'd some years since , at the end of a late translation of the first book of palladio , to which i refer the reader . and to accomplish our artist in timber , with the utmost which that material is capable of ; to the study and contemplation of that stupendious roof , which now lies over the ever renowned sheldonean theater at the vniversity of oxford ; being the sole work and contrivement of that my most honoured friend dr. chr. wren , now worthily dignified with the superintendency of his majesties buildings . . we did , in chap. . mention certain subterranean trees , which mr. cambden supposes grew altogether under the ground : and truly , it did appear a very paradox to me , till i both saw , and diligently examin'd that piece ( plank , stone , or both shall i name it ) of lignum fossile taken out of a certain quarry thereof at aqua sparta not far from rome , and sent to the most incomparably learned sir george ent , by that obliging virtuoso cavalier dal pozzo . he that shall examine the hardnesse , and feel the ponderousnesse of it , sinking in water , &c. will easily take it for a stone ; but he that shall behold its grain , so exquisitely undulated , and varied together with its colour , manner of hewing , chips , and other most perfect resemblances , will never scruple to pronounce it arrant wood . signor stelluti ( an italian ) has publish'd a whole treatise expresly to describe this great curiosity : and there has been brought to our notice , a certain relation of an elm growing in bark-shire neer farringdon , which being cut towards the root , was there plainly petrified ; the like , as i once my self remember to have seen in another tree , which grew quite through a rock near the sepulchre of agrippina ( the mother of that monster nero ) at the baia by naples , which appear'd to be all stone , and trickling down in drops of water , if i forget not . but , whiles others have philosophiz'd according to their manner upon these extraordinary concretions ; see what the most industrious , and knowing mr. hook , curator of this royal society , has with no lesse reason , but more succinctnesse , observ'd from a late microscopical examen of another piece of petrifid wood ; the description , and ingenuity whereof cannot but gratifie the curious , who will by this instance , not onely be instructed how to make inquiries upon the like occasions ; but see also with what accuratenesse the society constantly proceeds in all their indagations , and experiments ; and with what candor they relate , and communicate them . . it resembl'd wood , in that first , all the parts of the petrifi'd substance seem'd not at all dislocated , or alter'd from their natural position whiles they were wood ; but the whole piece retain'd the exact shape of wood , having many of the conspicuous pores of wood still remaining pores , and shewing a manifest difference visible enough between the grain of the wood and that of the bark ; especially , when any side of it was cut smooth and polite ; for then it appeared to have a very lovely grain , like that of some curious close wood . next ( it resembled wood ) in that all the smaller and ( if so i may call those which are onely to be seen by a good glasse ) microscopical pores of it , appear ( both when the substance is cut and polish'd transversly , and parallel to the pores ) perfectly like the microscopical pores of several kinds of wood , retaining both the shape , and position of such pores . it was differing from wood . first , in weight , being to common water , as ¼ to . whereas there are few of our english woods that , when dry , are found to be full as heavy as water . secondly , in hardnesse , being very near as hard as a flint , and in some places of it also resembling the grain of a flint : it would very readily cut glass , and would not without difficulty ( especially in some parts of it ) be scratch'd by a black hard flint : it would also as readily strike fire against a steel , as also against a flint . thirdly , in the closenesse of it ; for , though all the microscopical pores of the wood were very conspicuous in one position , yet by altering that position of the polish'd surface to the light , it also was manifest that those pores appear'd darker than the rest of the body , onely because they were fill'd up with a more dusky substance , and not because they were hollow . fourthly , in that it would not burn in the fire ; nay , though i kept it a good while red-hot in the flame of a lamp , very intensly cast on it by a blast through a small pipe ; yet it seemed not at all to have diminish'd its extension ; but onely i found it to have chang'd its colour , and to have put on a more dark , and dusky brown hue . nor could i perceive that those parts which seem'd to have been wood at first , were any thing wasted , but the parts appear'd as solid , and close as before . it was farther observable also , that as it did not consume like wood ; so neither did it crack and fly like a flint , or such like hard stone ; nor was it long before it appeared red-hot . fiftly , in its dissolublenesse ; for putting some drops of distilled vinegar upon the stone , i found it presently to yield very many bubbles , just like those which may be observed in spirit of vinegar when it corrodes coral ; though i guess many of those bubbles proceeded from the small parcels of air , which were driven out of the pores of this petrifi'd substance , by the insmuating liquid menstruum . sixtly , in its rigidnesse , and friability ; being not at all flexible , but brittle like a flint ; insomuch that with one knock of a hammer i broke off a small piece of it , and with the same hammer quickly beat it to pretty fine powder upon an anvil . seventhly , it seem'd also very differing from wood to the touch , feeling more cold then wood usually does , and much like other close stones and minerals . the reasons of all which phaenomena seem to be . that this petrifi'd wood having lain in some place where it was well soaked with petrifying water ( that is , such a water as is well impregnated with stony and earthy particles ) did by degrees separate , by straining and filtration , or perhaps by praecipitation , co-haesion or coagulation , abundance of stony particles from that permeating water , which stony particles having , by means of the fluid vehicle , convey'd themselves not onely into the microscopical pores , and perfectly stop'd up them ; but also into the pores , which may perhaps be even in that part of the wood which through the microscope appears most solid ; do thereby so augment the weight of the wood , as to make it above three times heavier than water , and perhaps six times as heavy as it was when wood : next , they hereby so lock up and fetter the parts , of the wood , that the fire cannot easily make them fly away , but the action of the fire upon them is onely able to char those parts , as it were , like as a piece of wood if it be closed very fast up in clay , and kept a good while red hot in the fire , will by the heat of the fire be char'd , and not consum'd ; which may perhaps be the reason why the petrifi'd substance appear'd of a blackish brown colour after it had been burnt . by this intrusion of the petrifi●'d particles it also becomes hard , and friable ; for the smaller pores of the wood being perfectly stuffed up with these stony particles , the particles of the wood have few , or no pores in which they can reside , and consequently , no flexion or yielding can be caus'd in such a substance . the remaining particles likewise of the wood among the stony particles may keep them from cracking and flying , as they do in a flint . . the casual finding of subterraneous-trees has been the occasion of this curious digression : now it were a strange paradox to affirm , that the timber under the ground , should to a great degree , equal the value of that which grows above the ground ; seeing though it be far lesse , yet it is far richer ; the roots of the vilest shrub , being better for its toughnesse , and for ornaments , and delicate uses much more preferrable than the heart of the fairest and soundest tree : and many hills , and other waste-places , that have in late and former ages been stately groves and woods , have yet this treasure remaining , and perchance sound and unperish'd , and commonly ( as we observ'd ) an hinderance to other plantations ; engines therefore , and expedients for the more easily extracting these cumbrances , and making riddance upon such occasions , besides those we have produc'd , would be excogitated , and enquir'd after , for the dispatch of this difficult work. . finally , for the use of our chimneys , and maintenance of fire , the plenty of wood for fuel , rather than the quality is to be looked after ; and yet there are some greatly to be preferr'd before others , as harder , longer-lasting , better heating , and chearfully burning ; for which we have commended the ash , &c. in the foregoing paragraphs , and to which i pretend not here to add much , for the avoiding repetitions ; though even an history of the best way of charing would not mis-become this discourse . but something more is to be said sure , concerning the felling of fuel-wood : note therefore , that you first begin with the under-wood : some conceive between martle-mas and holy-rood ; but , generally with oaks as soon as 't will strip , but not after may ; and for ashes , 'twixt michael-mas and candle-mas ; and so fell'd , as that the cattel may have the browsing of it , for in winter they will not onely eat the tender twiggs , but even the very mosse ; but fell no more in a day than they can eat for this purpose : this done , kid or bavin them , and pitch them upon their ends to preserve them from rotting : thus the vnder-wood being dispos'd of , the rest will prosper the better , and besides it otherwise does but rot upon the earth , and destroy that which would spring . if you head or top for the fire , 't is not amiss to begin three or four foot above the timber , if it be considerable ; but in case they are onely shaken-trees and hedge-rows , strip them even to thirty foot high , because they are usually full of boughs ; and 't were good to top such as you perceive to wither at the tops a competent way beneath , to prevent their sicknesse downwards , which will else certainly ensue ; whereas by this means even dying trees may be preserved many years to good emolument , though they never advance taller ; and being thus frequently shred , they will produce more , than if suffered to stand and decay : this is a profitable note for such as have old , doating , or any wayes infirm woods : in other fellings , some advise never to commence the disbranching from the top , for though the incumbency of the very boughs upon the next , cause them to fall off the easier , yet it endangers the splicing of the next , which is very prejudicial , and therefore advise the beginng at the nearest . and in cutting for fuel you may as at the top , so at the sides , cut a foot , or more from the body ; but never when you shred timber-trees : we have said how dangerous it is , to cut for wood when the sap is up , it is a mark of improvident husbands ; besides it will never burn well , though abundance be congested : lastly , remember that east and north-winds are unkind to the succeeding shoots . now for directions in stacking ( of which we have said something in chap. of copses ) ever set the lowest course an end , the second that on the sides and ends , viz. sides and ends outward ; the third thwart the other on the side , and so the rest , till all are placd , spending the up-most first . thus we have endeavoured to prescribe the best directions we could learn concerning this necessary subject . and in this penury of that dear commodity , and to incite all ingenious persons , studious of the benefit of their countrey , to think of wayes how our woods may be preserved , by all manner of arts which may prolong the lasting of our fuel , i would give the best encouragements . those that shall seriously consider the intollerable misery of the poor cauchi ( the then inhabitants of the low countries ) describ'd by pliny , lib . cap. . ( how opulent soever their late industry has render'd them ) for want only of wood for fuel , will have reason to deplore the excessive decay of our former store of that useful commodity ; and by what shifts our neighbours the hollanders , do yet repair that defect , be invited to exercise their ingenuity : for besides the dung of beasts , and the peat and turf for their chimneys , cow sheardes , &c. they make use of stoves both portable and standing ; and truly the more frequent use of those inventions in our great , wasting cities ( as the custom is through all germany ) as also of those new , and excellent ovens invented by dr. keffler , for the incomparably baking of bread , &c. would be an extraordinary expedient of husbanding our fuel ; as well as the right mingling , and making up of char-coal-dust , and loam , as 't is hinted to us by sir hugh plat● and is generally us'd in mastricht , and the countrey about it ; than which there is not a more sweet , lasting , and beautiful fuel ; the manner of it is thus : . take about one third part of the smallest of any coal , pit , sea , or char coal , and commix them very well with loam ( whereof there is in some places to be found a sort somewhat more combustible ) make these up into balls ( moistned with a little vrine of man or beast ) as big as an ordinary goose-egge , or somewhat bigger ; or if you will in any other form , like brick-bats , &c. expose these in the air till they are throughly dry ; they will be built into the most orderly fires you can imagine , burn very clear , give a wonderfull heat , and continue a very long time . but first you must make the fire of char-coal , or small-coal , covering them with your eggs or hovilles ( as they are call'd ) and building them up in pyramis , or what shape you please ; they will continue a glowing , solemn and constant fire for seven or eight hours without being stirred , and then they encourage and recruite the innermost vvith a fevv fresh eggs , and turn the rest , vvhich are yet quite reduc'd to cinders . two or three short billets cover'd with char-coal last much longer , and with more life , than twice the quantity by it self , whether char-coal alone , or billet ; and the billets under the char-coal being undisturb'd , will melt as it were into char-coals of such a lasting size . if small-coals be spread over the char coal , where you burn it alone , 't will bind it to longer continuance ; and yet more , if the small coal be made of the roots of thorns , briers , and brambles . consult l. bacon , exp. . . the quercus marina , wrack , or sea-weed which comes in our oyster barrels , laid under new-castle-coal to kindle it ( as the use is in some places ) will ( as i am inform'd ) make it out-last two great fires of simple coals , and maintain a glowing luculent heat without wast : the manner of gathering it is to cut it in summer time from the rocks whereon it grows abundantly , and bringing it in boats or otherwise to land , spread and dry it in the sun like hay , turning and cocking it till it be fully cured : it makes an excellent fire alone , and roasts to admiration ; and when all is burnt , the ashes are one of the best manures for land in the world , for the time it continues its vertue , which should be frequently supplied with fresh ; and as to the fire mingled with other combustibles , it is evident that it adds much life , continuance and aid , to our sullen sea-coal fuel ; and if the main ocean should afford fuel ( as the bernacles and soland-geese are said to do in some parts of scotland with the very sticks of their nests ) we in these isles may thank our selves if we be not warm : these few particulars i have but mention'd to animate improvements , and ingenious attempts of detecting more cheap , and useful processes , for wayes of charing-coals , peat , and the like fuliginous materials ; as the accomplish'd mr. boyle has intimated to us in the fift of those his precious essays concerning the usefulnesse of natural philosophy , part . cap. . &c. to which i refer the curious . . by the preamble of the statute ed. . one may perceive ( the measures compar'd ) how plentiful fuel was in the time of ed. the th , to what it was in the reigns of his successors : this suggested a review of sizes , and a reformation of abuses ; in which it was enacted , that every sack of coals should contain four bushels ; every taleshide to be four foot long , besides the carf ; and if nam'd of one , marked one , to contain inches circumference , within a foot of the middle ; if of two marks , inches ; of . . of . ; of . . inches about , and so proportionably . . billets were to be of three foot , and four inches in length : the single to be inches and an half about ; and every billet of one cast ( as they term the mark ) to be ten inches about : of two cast , fourteen inches , and to be marked ( unlesse for the private use of the owner ) within six inches of the middle : of one cast within four inches of the end &c. every bound fagot should be three foot long ; the band twenty four inches circumference , besides the knot . in the . eliz. the same statute ( which before only concern'd london and its suburbs ) was made more universal ; and that of ed. . explain'd with this addition : for such taleshides as were of necessity to be made of cleft-wood , if of one mark , and half round , to be inches about ; if quarter-cleft inches ½ : marked two , being round it shall be inches compass : half-round : quarter-cleft : marked three , round : half-round : quarter-cleft : marked four , being round inches about : half-round : quarter-cleft : marked five round , inches about : half-round : quarter-cleft : the measure to be taken within half a foot of the middle of the length mention'd in the former statute . then for the billet , every one nam'd a single , being round , to have inches ½ circumference ; but no single to be made of cleft wood : if marked one , and round , to contain inches compasse : if half-round : quarter-cleft ½ . if marked two , being round , to contain inches : half-round : quarter-cleft ½ : the length as in the statute of king edward . . fagots to be every stick of three foot in length , excepting onely one stick of one foot long , to harden and wedge the binding of it : this , to prevent the abuse ( too much practis'd ) of filling the middle part , and ends with trash , and short sticks , which had been omitted in the former statute : concerning this and of the dimensions of wood in the stack , see chap. . to direct the lesse instructed purchaser : and i have been the more particular upon this occasion ; because , than our fuel bought in billet by the notch ( as they call it in london ) there is nothing more deceitful ; for by the vile iniquity of some wretches , marking the billets as they come to the wharf , gentlemen are egregiously cheated . i could produce an instance of a friend of mine ( and a member of this society ) for which the wood-monger has little cause to brag ; since he never durst come at him , or challenge his money for the commodity he bought ; because he durst not stand to the measure . at hall near foy , there is a fagot , which consists but of one piece of wood , naturally grown in that form , with a band wrapped about it , and parted at the ends into four sticks , one of which is subdivided into two others : it was carefully preserved many years by an earl of devonshire , and looked on as portending the fate of his posterity , which is since indeed come into the hands of four cornish gentlemen , one of whose estates is likewise divided 'twixt two heirs . this we have out of cambden , and i here note , for the extravagancy of the thing ; though as to the verity of such portents from trees , &c. i do not find ( upon enquiry , which i have diligently made of my lord brereton ) that there is any certainty of the rising of those logs in the lake belonging to that noble person , so as still to premonish the death of the heir of that family , how confidently soever reported . sometimes it has happn'd , but the tradition is not constant : to this classe may be referred what is affirmed concerning the fatal prediction of oakes bearing strange leaves , which may be enquired of . . but i will now describe to you the mystery of charing ( whereof something was but touch'd in the processe of extracting tar out of the pines ) as i receiv'd it from a most industrious person , and so conclude the chapter . there is made of char coal usually three sorts , viz. one for the iron-works , a second for gun-powder , and a third for london and the court , besides small-coals , of which we shall also speak in its due place . we will begin with that sort which is us'd for the iron-works , because the rest are made much after the same manner , and with very little difference . the best wood for this is good oak , cut into lengths of three foot , as they size it for the stack : this is better than the cord-wood , though of a large measure , and much us'd in essex . the wood cut , and set in stacks ready for the coaling , chuse out some level place in the copse , the most free from stubs , &c. to make the hearth on : in the midst of this area drive down a stake for your centre , and with a pole , having a ring fasten'd to one of the extreams ( or else with a cord put over the centre ) describe a circumference from twenty , or more feet semidiameter , according to the quantity of your wood design'd for coaling , which being neer may conveniently be chared in that hearth ; and which at one time may be , , , , even to stack : if therefore be the quantity you will coal , a circle whose diameter is foot , will suffice for the hearth ; if stack , a diameter of foot ; if , foot , and so proportionably . having thus marked out the ground , with mattocks , haws , and fit instruments , bare it of the turf , and of all other combustible stuff whatsoever , which you are to rake up towards the peripherie , or out-side of the circumference , for an use to be afterwards made of it ; plaining , and levelling the ground within the circle : this done , the wood is to be brought from the nearest parts where it is stack'd , in wheel-barrows ; and first the smallest of it plac'd at the utmost limit , or very margin of the hearth , where it is to be set long-wayes , as it lay in the stack ; the biggest of the wood pitch , or set up on end round about against the small-wood , and all this within the circle , till you come within five , or six foot of the centre ; at which distance you shall begin to set the wood in a triangular form ( as in the following print , a ) till it come to be three foot high : against this again , place your greater wood almost perpendicular , reducing it from the triangular to a circular form , till being come within a yard of the centre , you may pile the wood long-wayes , as it lay in the stack , being careful that the ends of the wood do not touch the pole , which must now be erected in the centre , nine foot in height , that so there may remain a round hole , which is to be form'd in working up the stack wood , for a tunnel and the more commodious firing of the pit , as they call it , though not very properly . this provided for , go on to pile , and set your wood upright to the other , as before ; till having gain'd a yard more , you lay it long-wayes again , as was shew'd : and thus continue the work , still enterchanging the position of the wood , till the whole area of the hearth and circle be fill'd , and pil'd up at the least eight foot high , and so drawn in by degrees in piling , that it resemble the form of a copped brown houshold-loaf , filling all inequalities with the smaller trunchions , till it lye very close , and be perfectly , and evenly shaped . this done , take straw , haume , or ferne , and lay it on the out-side of the bottome of the heap , or wood , to keep the next cover from falling amongst the sticks : upon this , put on the turf , and cast on the dust and rubbish which was grubb'd , and raked up at the making of the hearth , and reserved near the circle of it ; with this cover the whole heap of wood to the very top of the pit , or tunnel , to a reasonable , and competent thicknesse , beaten close and even , that so the fire may not vent but in the places where you intend it ; and if in preparing the hearth , at first , there did not rise sufficient turf and rubbish for this work , supply it from some convenient place near to your heap : there be who cover this again with a sandy , or finer mould , which if it close well , need not be above an inch or two thick : this done , provide a screene ; by making light hurdles with slit rods , and straw of a compent thicknesse , to keep off the wind , and broad , and high enough to defend an opposite side to the very top of your pit , being eight or nine foot ; and so as to be easily remov'd as need shall require for the luing of your pit . when now all is in this posture , and the wood well rang'd , and clos'd , as has been directed , set fire to your heap : but first you must provide you of a ladder to ascend the top of your pit : this they usually make of a curved tiller fit to apply to the convex shape of the heap , and cut it full of notches for the more commodious setting their feet , whiles they govern the fire above ; therefore now they pull up , and take away the stake which was erected at the centre to guid the building of the pile , and cavity of the tunnel . this done , put in a quantity of char-coals ( about a peck ) and let them fall to the bottom of the hearth ; upon them cast in coals that are fully kindled ; and when those which were first put in are beginning to sink , throw in more fuel ; and so , from time to time , till the coals have universally taken fire up to the top : then cut an ample and reasonable thick turf , and clap it over the hole , or mouth of the tunnel , stopping it as close as may be with some of the former dust and rubbish : lastly , with the handles of your rakers , or the like , you must make vent-holes , or registers ( as our chymists would name them ) through the stuff which covers your heap to the very wood , these in ranges of two or three foot distance quite round within a foot ( or thereabout ) of the top , though some begin them at the bottom : a day after , begin another row of holes a foot and half beneath the former ; and so more , till they arrive to the ground , as occasion requires . note , that as the pit does coal and sink towards the centre , it is continually to be fed with short , and fitting wood , that no part remain unfir'd ; and if it chars faster at one part than at another , there close up the vent-holes , and open them where need is : a pit will in this manner be burning off , and charing , five , or six dayes , and as it coals , the smoke from thick and gross clouds , will grow more blew , and livid , and the whole mass sink accordingly ; so as by these indications you may the better know how to stop , and govern your spiracles . two or three dayes it will onely require for cooling , which ( the vents being stopp'd ) they assist , by taking now off the outward covering with a rabil or rubber ; but this , not for above the space of one ya●d breadth at a time ; and first they remove the coursest , and grossest of it , throwing the finer over the heap again , that so it may neither cool too hastily , nor endanger the burning and reducing all to ashes , should the whole pit be uncover'd and expos'd to the air at once ; therefore they open it thus round by degrees . when now by all the former symptoms you judge it fully chared , you may begin to draw ; that is , to take out the coals , first round the bottom , by which means the coals , rubbish and dust sinking and falling in together may choak , and extinguish the fire . your coals sufficiently cool'd , with a very long-tooth'd rake , and a vann , you may load them into the coal-wains , which are made close with boards , purposely to carry them to market : of these coals the grosser sort are commonly reserv'd for the forges , and iron-works ; the middling and smoother put up in sacks , and carried by the colliers to london and the adjacent towns ; those which are char'd of the roots , if pick'd out , are accounted best for chymical fires , and where a lasting , and extraordinary blast is requir'd . . coal for the powder mills is made of alder-wood ( but lime-tree were much better had we it in that plenty as we easily might ) cut stack'd , and set on the hearth like the former : but first , ought the wood to be wholly disbark'd ( which work is to be done about mid-summer before ) and being throughly dry , it may be coaled in the same method , the heap or pits onely somewhat smaller , by reason that they seldom coal above five , or six stacks at a time , laying it but two lengths of the wood one above the other , in form somewhat flatter on the top than what we have described . likewise do they fling all their rubbish and dust on the top , and begin not to cover at the bottom , as in the former example . in like sort , when they have drawn up the fire in the tunnel , and stopp'd it , they begin to draw down their dust by degrees round the heap ; and this proportionably as it fires , till they come about to the bottom ; all which is dispatch'd in the space of two dayes . one of these heaps will char threescore sacks of coal , which may all be carried at one time in a waggon ; and some make the court-coals after the same manner . lastly , . small-coals are made of the spray , and brush-wood which is shripped off from the branches of copse-wood , and which is sometimes bound up into bavins for this use ; though also it be as frequently chared without binding , and then they call it cooming it together : this , they place in some near floor , made level , and freed of incumbrances , where setting one of the bavins or part of the spray on fire , two men stand ready to throw on bavin upon bavin ( as fast as they can take fire , which makes a very great and sudden blaze ) till they have burnt all that lyes near the place , to the number ( it may be ) of five , or six hundred bavins : but ere they begin to set fire , they fill great tubs or vessels with water , which stand ready by them , and this they dash on with a great dish or scoup , so soon as ever they have thrown on all their bavins , continually plying the great heap of glowing coals , which gives a sudden stop to the fury of the fire , whiles with a great rake they lay , and spread it abroad , and ply their casting of water still on the coals , which are now perpetually turn'd by two men with great shovels , a third throwing on the water : this they continue till no more fire appears , though they cease not from being very hot : after this , they shovel them up into great heaps , and when they are throughly cold , put them up in sacks for london , where they use them amongst divers artificers , both to kindle greater fires , and to temper , and aneal their several works . . the best season for the fetching home of other fuel , is from june ; the ways being then most dry , and passable , yet i know some good husbands will begin rather in may ; because fallowing and stirring of ground for corn , comes in the ensuing monthes , and the dayes are long enough , and swaines have then least to do . b the central pole or place of the tunnel with the area making ready . a the wood plac'd about it in triangle . c the coal wood pil'd up before it be covered with earth . d the coal-pit or pile fir'd . . and thus we have seen how for house-boot , and ship-boot , plow boot , hey-boot , and fire-boot , the planting , and propagation of timber and forest trees is requisite , so as it was not for nothing , that the very name ( which the greeks generally apply'd to timber ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , by senechdoche , was taken always pro materia ; since we hardly find any thing in nature more universally useful ; or , in comparison with it , deserving the name of material . . lastly , to complete this chapter of the universal vse of trees , and the parts of them , something i could be tempted to say concerning staves , wands &c. their antiquity , vse , divine , domestick , civil , and political ; the time of cutting , manner of seasoning , forming , and other curious particulars ( how dry soever the subject may appear ) both of delight and profit : but we reserve it for some more fit opportunity , and perhaps , it may merit a peculiar treatise , as acceptable , as it will prove divertisant . instead of this , we will therefore gratifie our reader with some no inconsiderable secrets : but first we will begin with a few plain directions for such persons and countrey gentlemen , as being far distant from , or unhandsomely impos'd upon by common painters , may be desirous to know how to stop , prime , and paint their timber-work at home , and save the expense of work by any of their servants indu'd with an ordinary capacity . putty to stop the chaps and cracks of wrought timber , is made of white and red-lead , and some spannish-white ( not much ) temper'd , and bruised with so much lin-seed oyl as will bring it to the consistence of a past . then , your first priming shall be of oaker and spanish-white , very thinly ground : the second with the same , a little whiter ; but it matters not much . the third and last , with white-lead alone ; some mingle a little spanish-white with it , but it is better omitted . if you desire it exquisite , instead of lin-seed-oyl , use that of wall-nuts : but the ordinary stone-colour for grosse work , expos'd to the air , may be of lesse expense , with the more ordinary oyl , to which you may add a little char-coal in the grinding . blew , is made of indigo , with a small addition of red-lead , or verdigreese for a dryer ; unlesse you will use drying-oyl , which is much preferrable , and is made of lin-seed oyl boyl'd with a little vmber bruised small : i speak nothing here of smalt and byce , which is onely done by strewing . green , with verdigreece ground with lin-seed oyl pretty thick , and then temper'd with joyners vernish in a glaz'd pot of earth ( the best to preserve your colours in ) till it run somewhat thin ; and just touch it with your brush , when you lay it on , having prim'd it the second time with white . note , that every primer must be dry , before you go it over again . if you will re-vaile , as they term it , and shadow , or vein your stone-colour , there is a colour call'd shadowing-black ; or you may now and then lightly touch it with a little red-lead ; or work with vmber . it will also behove you to have a good smooth slat , and a pibble muller well polish'd , which may be bought at london ; as likewise a dozen of large , and lesser brushes , and glaz'd pots ; and to grind the colours perfectly well . the spanish-white requires little labour ; the shadowing black , none at all . when you have finish'd , wash your brushes with warm-water and a little sope : preserve your oyl in bladders ; and what colour you leave , plunge the pots into fair water , so as they may stand a little cover'd in it , which will keep them from growing dry , till you have occasion for them . that you may not be altogether ignorant of the charge , and price of the ingredients , which seldome varies : cleer , and sweet lin-seed oyl is usually had for s. per gallon . spruce-oaker , of all sorts to prime with , s. per pound . spanish white , for half a penny : white-lead d. per pound . vert-de-greece , clean and bright , s. per pound . black to shadow with , exceeding cheap . joyners vernish , d. per pound . so as for farther direction ; of white-lead six pound , span. white six pound , spruce-oker three pounds , vert-de-greece half a pound , vernish one pound , shadowing-black half a pound , &c. will serve one for a pretty deal of work , and easily inform what quantities you should provide for a greater , or lesser occasion . we will next impart a receipt for a cheap black-dye , such yet as no weather will fetch out , and that may be of use both within and without doors , upon wainscot , or any fine timber , as i once apply'd it to a coach with perfect successe . take of galls , grosly contus'd in a stone mortar one pound , boyle them in three quarts of white-wine vinegar to the diminution of one part , two remaining : with this , rub the wood twise over ; then , take of the silk diers black , liquid ( cheap , and easie to be had ) a convenient quantity , mix it at discretion with lamp-black and aqua-vitae , sufficient to make it thin enough to passe a strainer : with this , die over your work again ; and if at any time it be stain'd or spotted with dirt , &c. rubbing it only with a wollen-cloth dip'd in oyl , it will not onely recover , but present you with a very fair and noble polish . there is a black which joyners use to tinge their pear-tree with , and make it resemble ebony , and likewise fir , and other woods for cabinets , picture-frames , &c. which is this . take log-wood q. s. boyl it in ordinary lye , and with this paint them over : when 't is dry , work it over a second time with lamp-black and strong size : that also dry , rub off the dusty sootiness adhering to it , with a soft brush , or cloth ; then melt some bees-wax , mixing it with your lamp-black and size , and when this is cold , make it up into a ball , and rub over your former black : lastly , with a polishing brush ( made of short stiff boars bristles , and fastned with wyre ) labour it till the lustre be to your liking . but , the black putty , wherewith they stop , and fill up cracks and fissures in ebony , and other fine wood , is compos'd of a part of the purest rosin , bees-wax , and lamp-black : this they heat and drop into the crannies ; then with an hot-iron , glaze it over , and being cold , scrape it even with a sharp chisel , and after all , polish it with a brush of bents , a wollen-cloth , felt , and an hogs-hair rubber : also mastic alone , mingled with a proper colour is of no lesse effect . . we conclude all , with that incomparable secret of the japon or china-vernishes , which has hitherto been reserv'd so choicely among the virtuosi ; with which i shall suppose to have abundantly gratified the most curious employers of the finer woods . take a pint of spirit of wine exquisitely dephlegm'd , four ounces of gum-lacq , which thus clense : break it first from the sticks and rubbish , and roughly contusing it in a mortar , put it to steep in fountain water , ti'd up in a bag of course linnen , together with a very small morsel of the best castle-sope , for hours ; then rub out all the tincture from it , to which add a little alum , and reserve it apart : the gum-lacq remaining in the bag , with one ounce of sandrac ( some add as much mastic and white-amber ) dissolve in a large matras ( well stopp'd ) with the spirit of wine by a two dayes digestion , frequently agitating it , that it adhere not to the glasse : then strain , and presse it forth into a lesser vessel ; some , after the first infusion upon the ashes , after twenty four hours , augment the heat , and transfer the matras to the sandbach , till the liquor begins to simper ; and when the upper part of the matras grows a little hot , and that the gum-lacq is melted , which by that time ( if the operation be heeded ) commonly it is , strain it through a linnen-cloth , and presse it 'twixt two sticks into the glass , to be kept for use , which it will eternally be , if well stopp'd . the application . the wood which you would vernish , should be very clean , smooth , and without the least freckle or flaw ; and in case there be any , stop them with a past made of gum tragacanth , incorporated with what colour you design : then cover it with a layer of vernish purely , till it be sufficiently drench'd with it : then take seven times the quantity of the vernish , as you do of colour , and bruise it in a small earthen dish glaz'd , with a piece of some hard wood , till they are well mingled : apply this with a very fine and full pencil ; a quarter of an hour after , do it over again , even to three times successively ; and if every time it be permitted to dry , before you put on the next , 't will prove the better : within two hours after these four layers ( or sooner if you please ) polish it with preslc ( which our cabinet-makers call as i think , dutch-reeds ) wet , or dry ; nor much imports it , though in doing this , you should chance to discover any of the wood ; since you are to passe it over four or five times as above ; and if it be not yet smooth enough , preslc it again with the reeds ; but now very tenderly : then rub it sufficiently with tripoly , and a little oyl-olive , or water : lastly , cover it once or twice again with your vernish , and two days after , polish it as before with tripoly , and a piece of hatters felt. the colours . to make it of a fair red , take spanish vermilion , with a quarter part of venice-lacke . for black , ivory calcin'd ( as chymists speak ) 'twixt two well luted crucibles , which being grown'd in water , with the best and greenest coppros , and so let dry , reserve . for blew , take vltra-marin , and onely twice as much vernish , as of colour . the rest , are to be appli'd like the red , except it be the green , which is hard to make fair and vivid , and therefore seldome used . note , the right japon , is done with three or four layers of vernish with the colours ; then two of pure vernish un-colour'd ( which is made by the former processe , without the sandrac which is only mingled and used for reds ) which must be done with a svvift , and even stroke , that it may not dry before the aventurin be seifted on it ; and then you are to cover it with so many layers of pure vernish , as will render it like polish'd glasse . last of all fourbish it with tripoly , oyl , and the felt , as before directed . note , by venturine is meant the most delicate and slender golden-wyre such as embroiderers use , reduc'd to a kind of powder , as small as you can clipp it : this strew'd upon the first layer of pure vernish , when dry , superinduce what colour you please ; and this is pretily imitated with several talkes . this being the first time that so rare a secret has been imparted , the reader will believe that i envy him nothing vvhich may be of use to the publique : and though many years since vve vvere master of this curiosity , athanasius kercher has set dovvn a processe in his late china illustrata pretty faithfully ; yet , besides that it onely speaks latine ( such as 't is ) it is nothing so perfect as ours . hovvbeit , there vve learn , that the most opulent province of chekiang is for nothing more celebrated , than the excellent paper vvhich it produces , and the gumme call'd ciè ( extilling from certain trees ) vvith vvhich they compose their famous vernish , so universally valu'd over the world ; because it is found above all other inventions of that nature , to preserve , and beautifie wood , above any thing vvhich has hitherto been detected : and it has accordingly so generally obtained vvith them , that they have vvhole rooms and ample chambers , wainscotted therevvith , and divers of their most precious furniture ; as cabinets , tables , stools , beds , dishes , skreens , staves , frames , pots , and other vtensils : but long it vvas ere vve could for all this , approach it in europe to any purpose , till f. eustachius imart an augustine-monk , obtain'd the secret , and oblig'd us vvith it . i know not whether it may be any service to speak here of colour'd woods , i mean such as are naturally so , because besides the berbery for yellow , and holly for white , we have very few : our inlayers use fustic , locust , or acacia ; brasile , prince and rose-wood for yellow and reds , with several others brought from both the indies ; but when they would imitate the naturall turning of leaves in their curious compartiments and bordures of flower-works , they effect it by dipping the pieces ( first cut into shape and ready to in-lay ) so far into hot sand , as they would have the shadow , and the heat of the sand darkens it so gradually , without detriment or burning the thin chip , as one would conceive it to be natural : note , that the sand is to be heated in some very thin brasse-pan like to the bottom of a scale or ballance : this i mention because the burning with irons , or aqua-fortis , is not comparable to it . i learn also , that soft woods attain little politure without infinite labour , and the expedient is , to plane it often , and every time you do so , to smeare it with strong glew , which easily penetrating , hardens it ; and the frequenter you do this , and still plane it , the harder , and sleeker it will remain . and now we have spoken of glew , 't is so common and cheap , that i need not tell you it is made by boyling the sinnes , &c. of sheeps trotters , parings of raw hides , &c. to a gelly , and straining it : but the finer , and more delicate work is best fastned with fish glew , to be had of the drougist by the name of ichthyocolla ; and here i conclude . . let us now then sum up all the good qualities , and transcendent perfections of trees , in the harmonious poets , consort of elogies . — pines are for masts an useful wood , cedar and cypresse , to build houses good : hence covers for their carts , and spokes for wheels swains make , and ships do form their crooked keels : the twiggy sallows , elms with leaves are frait ; myrtles stout spears , and cornel good for fight : the yews into ityrean bows are bent ; smooth limes , and box , the turners instrument shaves into form , and hollow cups does trim ; and down the rapid po light alders swim : in hollow bark bees do their hony stive , and make the trunk of an old oak their hive . — dant utile lignum navigiis pinos , domibus cedrosque cupressosque ; hinc radios triv re rotis , hinc tympana plaustris agricolae , & pandas ratibus posuere carinas . viminibus salices , foecundae frondibus vlmi : at myrtus validis hastilibus , & bona bello cornus : ityreos taxi torquentur in arcus . nec tiliae laeves , aut torno rosile buxum , non formam accipiunt ferroque cavantur acuto : nec non torrentem undam levis innatat alnus missa pado , nec non & apes exam●na condunt cort●cibusque cavis , vitiosaeque il●cis alvo : georg. . and the most ingenious ovid , where he introduces the miraculous grove rais'd by the melodious song of orpheus , — nor trees of chaony , the poplar , various oaks that pierce the sky , soft linden , smooth-rind beech , unmarried bays , the brittle hasel , ash , whose spears we praise , unknotty fir , the solace shading planes , rough chessnuts , maple fleet with different granes , stream-bordering willow , lotus loving takes , tuffe box , whom never sappy spring forsakes , the slender tamarisk , with trees that bear a purple fig , nor myrtles absent were . the wanton ivie wreath'd in amorous twines , vines bearing grapes , and elms supporting vines , straight service-trees , trees dropping pitch , fruit-red arbutus , these the rest accompanied . with limber palmes , of victory the prize : and upright pine , whose leaves like bristles rise , priz'd by the mother of the gods. — sandys . — non chaonis abfuit arbor , non nemus heliadum , non frondibus aesculus altis ▪ nec til●ae molles , nec fagus , & innuba laurus , et coryli fragiles , & fraxinus utilis hastis ; enodisque abies , curvataque glandibus ilex , et platanus genialis , acerque coloribus impar . amnicolaeque simul salices , & aquatica lotos , perpetuóque virens buxus , tenuesque myricae , et bicolor myrtus , & baccis caerula ficus . vos quoque flexi-pedes hederae venistis , & un● pampineae vites , & amictae vitibus vlmi , orníque , & piceae , pomoque onerata rubeuti arbutus , & lentae victoris praemia palmae . et succincta comas , h●rsutaqae vertice pinus grata deum matri , &c. — met. . as the incomparable poet goes on , and is imitated by our divine spencer , where he brings his gentle knight into a shady grove , praising — the trees so straight , and high , the sailing pine , the cedar proud , and tall , the vine-prop elm , the poplar never dry , the builder oak , sole king of forests all ; the aspine , good for staves ; the cypress funeral : the laurel , meede of mighty conquerours and poets sage ; the fir that weepeth still ; the willow , worn of forlorn paramours ; the eugh , obedient to the benders will ; the birch for shafts ; the sallow for the mill ; the myrrhe sweet bleeding in the bitter wound ; the war-like beech ; the ash for nothing ill ; the fruitful olive ; and the platane round ; the carver holm ; the maple , seldom inward sound . canto . ● and in this symphony might the noble tasso bear likewise his part ; but that these are sufficient , & tria sunt omnia . . for we have already spoken of that modern art of tapping trees in the spring , by which doubtlesse some excellent and specific medicines may be attained ; as from the birch for the stone ; from elms and elder against feavers ; so from the vine , the oak , and even the very bramble , &c. besides the wholesom and pleasant drinks , spirits , &c. that may possibly be educed out of them all , which we leave to the industrious , satisfying our selves , that we have been among the first who have hinted , and publish'd the wayes of performing it . what now remains concerns onely some general precepts , and directions applicable to most of that we have formerly touched ; together with a brief of what farther laws have been enacted for the improvement , and preservation of woods ; and which having dispatch'd , shall with a short paraenesis touching the present ordering , and disposing of his majesties plantations for the future benefit of the nation , put an end to this rustick discourse . chap. xxxii . aphorisms , or certain general precepts of use to the foregoing chapters . . try all sorts of seeds , and by their thriving you shall best discern what are the most proper kinds for grounds , quippe solo natura subest — and of these design the main of your plantation . . keep your newly sown seeds continually fresh , and in the shade ( as much as may be ) till they peep . . all curious seeds , and plants are diligently to be weeded , till they are strong enough to over-drop or suppresse them : and you shall carefully haw , half-dig , and stir up the earth about their roots during the first three years ; especially , in the vernal , and autumnal aequinoxes : this work to be done in a moist season for the first year to prevent the dust , and the suffocating of the tender buds ; but afterwards , in the more dry weather . . plants , rais'd from seed , shall be thinn'd where they come up too thick ; and none so fit as you thus draw to be transplanted into hedge-rowes , especially , where ground is precious . . in transplanting , omit not the placing of your trees towards their accustom'd aspect . . remove the softest wood to the moistest grounds , divisae arboribus partiae — . begin to transplant forest-trees when the leaves fall after michaelmasse ; you may adventure when they are tarnish'd , and grow yellow : it is lost time to commence later , and for the most part of your trees , early transplanters seldom repent ; for sometimes a tedious band of frost prevents the whole season , and the baldness of the tree is a note of deceipt ; for some oaks , and most beeches , preserve their dead leaves till new ones push them off . . set deeper in the lighter grounds than in the strong ; but shallowest in clay : five inches is sufficient for the dryest , and one or two for the moist , provided you establish them against winds . . plant forth in warm , and moist seasons ; the air tranquil and serene ; the wind westerly ; but never whiles it actually freezes , raines , or in misty weather ; for it moulds , and infects the roots . . what you gather , and draw out of vvoods , plant immediately , for their roots are very apt to be mortified by the winds , and cold air . . trees , produc'd from seeds must have the tap-roots abated ( the vvallnut-tree , and some others excepted , and yet if planted meerly for the fruit , some affirm it may be adventur'd on with successe ) and the bruised parts cut away ; but sparing the fibrous , for they are the principal feeders ; and those who clense them too much , are punish'd for the mistake . . in spring , rub off some of the collateral buds , to check the exuberancy of sap in the branches , till the roots be well establish'd . . transplant no more then you well fence ; for that neglected , tree-culture comes to nothing : therefore all young set trees should be defended from the winds , and sun ; especially the east , and north , till their roots are fixed ; that is , till you perceive them shoot ; and the not exactly observing of this article , is cause of the perishing of the most tender plantations ; for it is the invasion of these two assailants which does more mischief to our new set , and lesse hardy trees , then the most severe and durable frosts of a whole vvinter . . the properest soil , and most natural , apply to distinct species , nec verò terrae ferre omnes omnia possunt . yet we find by experience , that most of our forest-trees grow well enough in the coursest lands ; provided there be a competent depth of mould : for albeit most of our wild plants covet to run just under the surface , yet where there is not sufficient depth to cool them , and entertain the moisture and influences , they are neither lasting , nor prosperous . . vvood well planted , will grow in moorish , boggy , heathy , and the stoniest grounds : only the white , and blew clay ( which is commonly the best pasture ) is the worst for wood ; and such good timber as we find in any of these ( oak● excepted ) is of an excessive age , requiring thrice the time to arrive at their stature . . if the season require it , all new plantations are to be plied with waterings , which is better pour'd into a circle at some distance from the roots , which should continually be bared of grasse , and if the water be rich , or impregnated , the shoots will soon discover it ; for the liquor being percolated through a quantity of earth will carry the nitrous virtue of the soil with it ; by no means therefore water at the stem ; because it washes the mould from the root , comes too crude , and endangers their rotting : but , . for the cooling and refreshing tree-roots , the congesting of pot-sheards , flints , or pibb●es near the foot of the stem , is preferable to all other ; and so the poet , lime-stones , or squallid shells , that may the rain , vapors , and gliding moisture entertain . aut lapidem bibulum , aut squallenteis infode conchas , inter enim labentur aquae , tenuísque subibit halitus — georg. . but remember you remove them after a competent time , else the vermine , snails , and insects which they produce and shelter , will gnaw , and greatly injure their bark . . young plants will be strangled with corn , oates , pease , or hemp , or any rankly growing grain , if a competent circle and distance be not left ( as of near a yard , or so ) of the stem ; this is a useful remark . . cut no trees ( especially , having an eminent pith in them , being young and tender too ) when either heat , or cold are in extreams ; nor in very wet , or snowy weather ; and in this work it is profitable to discharge all trees of unthriving , broken , wind-shaken browse , and such as our law terms cablicia , and to take them off to the quick , — ne pars sincera trahatur . and for ever-greens , especially such as are tender , prune them not after planting , till they do radicare , that is , by some little fresh shoot , discover that they have taken . i will conclude with the tecnical names , or dissimiler parts of trees , as i find them enumerated by the industrious and learned dr. merett . scapus , truncus , cortex , liber , malicorium , matrix , medulla & cor , pecten , circuli , surculi , rami , sarmenta , ramusculi , spadix , vimen , virgultum & cremium , vitilia , talea , scobs , termes , turiones , frondes , cachryas & nucamentum , julus & catulus , comae : the species frutex , suffrutex , &c. all which i leave to be put into good and proper english , by those who shall once oblige our nation with a full , and absolutely compleat dictionary , as yet a great desiderate amongst us . to this i shall add , the time , and season of the flourishing of trees , computing from the entrie of each month as the figures denote ; that is , from march ( where the doctor begings ) inclusively . march , acer . ( ( i ) from march to may , viz. one month ; & sic de coeteris ) populus . quercus . sorbus . vlmus . april , alnus . betula . castanea . euonymus . fagus . fraxinus . nux-juglans . salix . sambucus . may , cornus . genista . juniperus , morus . tilia . june , aquifolium . july , arbutus . feb. buxus . many more usefull observations are to be collected , and added to these , from the diligent experience of planters . chap. xxxiii . of the laws and statutes for the preservation , and improvement of woods , &c. . 't is not to be passed by , that the very first law we find which was ever promulg'd , was concerning trees ; and that laws themselves were first written upon them , or tables compos'd of them ; and after that establishment in paradise , the next we meet withal are as antient as moses ; you may find the statute at large in deut. c. . v. , . which though they chiefly tended to fruit-trees , even in an enemies countrey , yet you will find a case of necessity , onely alledg'd for the permission to destroy any other . . to summe up briefly the lawes , and civil constitutions of great antiquity , by which servius informs us 't was no lesse than capital , alienas arbores incidere ; the lex aquilia , and those of the xii . tabb . mention'd by paulus , cajus , julianus , and others of that robe , repeated divers more . it was by those sacred constitutions provided , that none might so much as plant trees on the confines of his neighbours ground , but he was to leave a space of at the least five foot , for the smallest tree , that they might not injure him with their shadow . si arbor in vicini agrum impenderit , eam sublucato ▪ &c. and if for all this , any hung over farther , 't was to be strip'd up fifteen foot ; and this law baldwinus , olderdorpius , and hotoman recites out of vlpian l. . f. de arb. caedend . where we have the praetors interdict express'd , and the impendent wood adjudged to appertain to him whose field , or fence was thereby damnified : nay , the wise solon prescribed ordinances for the very distances of trees ; as the divine plato did against stealing of fruit , and violating of plantations : and the interdiction de glande legenda runs thus in vlpian , ait praetor , glandem , qvae ex illivs agro in tvvm cadit , qvo minvs illi tertio qvoqve die legere avferre liceat , vim fieri veto . and yet , though by the praetors permission he might come every third day to gather it up without trespasse , his neighbour was to share of the mast which so fell into his ground ; and this chapter is well supplied by pliny l. . c. . and cajus upon the place , interprets glandem to signifie not the acorns of the oak alone , but all sorts of fruit whatsoever , l. . f. de verb. signif . l. vnis ff . de glande leg . as by usage of the greeks , amongst whom 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imports all kind of trees . moreover , no trees might be planted neer publique aquae-ducts , least the roots should insinuate into , and displace the stones : nor on the very margent of navigable rivers , lest the boats and other vessels passing to and fro , should be hindred , and therefore such impediments were call'd retae , quia naves retinent , sayes the gloss ; and because the falling of the leaves corrupted the water . so nor within such a distance of high ways ( which also our own laws prohibit ) that they might dry the better , and lesse cumber the traveller . trees that obstructed the foundation of houses were to be fell'd ; bartol . l. . doct . c. de interdict . vlp. in l. priore ff . de arborum caedend . trees spreading their roots in neighbour-ground , to be in common ; see cujas and paulus in l. arb. ff de communi dividend . where more of the alienation of trees fell'd , and not standing but with the funds , as also of the vse-fruit of trees and the difference 'twixt arbores grandes , and cremiales or ceduae , of all which vlpian , ba●dus , alciat , with the lawes to govern the conlucatores and sublucatores , and pruners ; vide pan. s . c. sent. l. . festus , &c. for we passe over what concerns vines and olive-trees , to be found in cato de r.r. &c. nor is it here that we design to enlarge , as those who have philologiz'd on this occasion de sycophantis , and other curious criticismes ; but passe now on , and confine my self to the prudent sanctions of our own parliaments : for though according to the old and best spirit of true english , we ought to be more powerfully led by his majesties example , than to have need of more cogent and violent laws ; yet that our discourse may be as ample , and as little defective as we can render it , something 't is fit should be spoken concerning such lawes and ordinances as have been from time to time constituted amongst us for the encouragement , and direction of such as do well , as for the animadversion and punishment of those who continue refractory , which i deduce in this order . . from the time of edward the fourth , were enacted many excellent lawes for the planting , securing , cutting , and ordering of woods , copses , and vnder woods , as then they took cognizance of them ; together with the several penalties upon the infringers ; especially from the of hen. . &c. confirm'd by the and . of q eliz. cap. . . &c. which are diligently to be consulted ▪ revived , put in execution , and enlarg'd where any defect is apparent ; as in particular the act of exempting of timber of years growth from tythe , for a longer period , to render it compleat , and more effectual to their improvement : and that law repealed , by which willows , sallows , oziers , &c. which they term sub-bois , are reputed but as weeds . . severer punishments have lately been ordain'd against our wood-stealers , destroyers of young trees , &c. by an antient law of some nation , i read he forfeited his hand , who beheaded a tree without permission of the owner ; and i cannot say they are sharp ones , when i compare the severity of our lawes against mare stealers ; nor am i by inclination the least cruel ; but i do affirm , we might as well live without mares , as without masts and ships , which are our wooden , but no lesse profitable horses . . and here we cannot but perstringe those royotous assemblies of idle people , who under pretence of going a maying ( as they term it ) do oftentimes cut down , and carry away fine straight trees , to set up before some ale-house , or revelling-place , where they keep their drunken bacchanalias : for though this custom was , i read , introduc'd by the emperor anastasius , to abolish the gentil majana of the romans at ostia ; which was to transfer a great oaken-tree out of some forest into the town , and erect it before their mistris's door ; yet i think it were better to be quite abolish'd amongst us , for many reasons , besides that of occasioning so much wast and spoyl as we find is done to trees at that season , under this wanton pretence , by breaking , mangling , and tearing down of branches , and intire arms of trees , to adorn their wooden-idol . the imperial law against such disorders we have in l. ob . id . sl . ad legem aquill . & in ff . l. . tit. . arborem furtim caesarum : see also triphon . l. ig . de bon. off . cont . tab . vel in ligna focaria . l. ligni ff . de lege . &c. to these i might add the laws of our king inas or as the learned lambert calls them , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 de priscis anglorum legibus , whose title is , be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : of burning trees : the sanction runs thus . if any one set fire of a fell'd wood , he shall be punished , and besides pay three pounds , and for those who clandestinely cut wood ( of which the very sound of the axe shall be sufficient conviction ) for every tree , he shall be mulcted thirty shillings . a tree so fell'd under whose shadow thirty hoggs can stand , shall be mulcted at three pounds , &c. . i have heard , that in the great expedition of , it was expresly enjoyn'd the spanish commanders of that signal armada ; that if when landed they should not be able to subdue our nation , and make good their conquest ; they should yet be sure not to leave a tree standing in the forest of dean : it was like the policy of the philistines , when the poor israelites went down to their enemies smiths to sharpen every man his tools ; for as they said , lest the hebrews make them swords , or spears ; so these , lest the english build them ships , and men of war : whether this were so , or not ; certain it is , we cannot be too jealous for the preservation of our woods ; and especially of those eminent , and , with care , inexhaustible magazines : i dare not suggest the encouragement of a yet farther restraint , that even proprietors themselves should not presume to make havock of some of their own woods , to feed their prodigality , and heap fuel to their vices ; but it is worthy of our observation , that ( in that in-imitable oration , the second philippic ) cicero does not so sharply reproach his great antagonist for any other of his extravagancies ( which yet he there enumerates ) as for his wasteful disposure of certain wood-lands belonging to the common-wealth , amongst his jovial bravo's , and leud companions : tua ista detrimenta sunt ( meaning his debauches ) illa nostra ; speaking of the timber . . but to the laws : it were to be wish'd that our tender , and improvable woods , should not admit of cattle , by any means , till they were quite grown out of reach ; the statutes which connive at it , in favour of custom , and for the satisfying of a few clamorous and rude commoners , being too indulgent ; since it is very evident , that less then a . or . years enclosure is , in most places , too soon ; and our most material trees would be of infinite more worth and improvement , were the standards suffer'd to grow to timber , and not so frequently cut , at the next felling of the wood , as the general custom is . in edw. . the liberty arriv'd but to seven years after a felling of a forest or purlieu ; and but three years before , without special license : this was very narrow ; but let us then look on england as an over-grown country . . wood in parks was afterwards to be four years fenced , upon felling : and yearling colts , and calves might be put into inclosed woods after two : by the eliz. five years , and no other cattle till six , if the growth was under fourteen years ; or until eight , if exceeding that age till the last felling : all which statutes being by the act of hen. . but temporal , this parliament of eliz. thought fit to make perpetual . . then , to prevent the destructive razing , and converting of woods to pasture : no wood of two acres , and above two furlongs from the mansion house , should be indulg'd : and the prohibitions are good against assarts made in forests , &c. without license : the penalties are indeed great ; but how seldome inflicted ? and what is novv more easie , than compounding for such a license ? in some parts of germany , vvhere a single tree is observ'd to be extraordinary fertile , a constant , and plentiful mast-bearer ; there are laws to prohibite their felling without special leave : and it was well enacted amongst us , that even the owners of woods within chases , should not cut down the timber without view of officers ; this act being in affirmance of the common law , and not to be violated without prescription : see the case cited by my lord cook in his comment on littleton . tenure burgage . l. . sect. . or if not within chases , yet where a common-person had liberty of chase , &c. and this would be of much benefit , had the regarders perform'd their duty , as 't is at large described in the writ of the articles ; and that the surcharge of the forests had been honestly inspected with the due perambulations , and ancient metes : thus should the justices of eire dispose of no woods without expresse commission , and in convenient places : minuti blaterones quercuum , culi , & curbi , as our law terms wind-falls , dotterels , scrags , &c. and no others . . care is likewise by our laws to be taken that no unnecessary imbezelment be made by pretences of repair of paling , lodges , browse for deer , &c. wind-falls , root-falls ; dead , and sear-trees , all which is subject to the inspection of the vvarders , justices , &c. and even trespasses done de viridi on boughs of trees , thickets , and the like ; which ( as has been shew'd ) are very great impediments to their growth and prosperity , and should be duly looked after , and punish'd ; and the great neglect of swainmote-courts reformed , &c. see consuet . & assis . forest . pannagium , or pastura pecorum & de glandibus , fleta , &c. manwoods forest-lawes : cook pla . fol. . li. . fol. . . finally , that the exorbitance , and increase of devouring iron-mills were looked into , as to their distance , and number neer the seas , or navigable rivers ; and what if some of them were even remov'd ▪ into another world ? 't were better to purchase all our iron out of america , than thus to exhaust our woods at home , although ( i doubt not ) they might be so order'd , as to be rather a means of conserving them . there was a statute made by queen eliz. to prohibite the converting of timber trees to coal , or other fuel for the use of iron-mills ; if the tree were of one foot square , and growing within fourteen miles of the sea , or the greater rivers , &c. 't is pity some of those places in kent , sussex , and surrey were excepted in the proviso , for the reason express'd in a statute made eliz. by which even the imploying of any under-wood , as well as great trees , was prohibited within miles of london , and many other navigable rivers , creeks , and other lesser distances from some parts of sussex-downs , cinque-ports , havens , &c. there are several acres of wood-land of no mean circuit near rochester , in the county of kent , extending as far as bexley , and indeed , for many miles about shoters-hill , near the river of thames , which , were his majesty owner of , might in few years , be of an un-valuable improvement and benefit , considering how apt they are to grow forest , and how opportune they lye for the use of his royal navy at chatham . . but yet to prove what it is to manage vvoods discreetly ; i read of one mr. christopher darell a surrey gentleman of nudigate , that had a particular indulgence for the cutting of his woods at pleasure , though a great iron : master ; because he so order'd his vvorks , that they were a means of preserving even his vvoods ; notwithstanding those unsatiable devourers : this may appear a paradox , but is to be made out ; and i have heard my own father ( whose estate was none of the least wooded in england ) affirm , that a forge , and some other mills , to which he furnish'd much fuel , were a means of maintaining , and improving his woods ; i suppose , by increasing the industry of planting , and care ; as what he has now left standing of his own planting , enclosing , and cherishing , in the possession of my most honoured brother , george evelin of vvotton in the same county , does sufficiently evince ; a most laudable monument of his industry , and rare example , for without such an example , and such an application , i am no advocate for iron-works , but a declared denouncer : but nature has thought fit to produce this wasting-oare more plentifully in wood-land , than any other ground , and to enrich our forests to their own destruction , o poverty , still safe ! and therefore found insep'rably with mischiefs under ground ! woods tall , and reverend from all time appear inviolable , where no mine is near . o semper bona pauperies ! & conditus altâ thesaurus tellure nocens ! o semper ovantes , integra , salvaque solo non divite sylva ! couleii pl. l. . for so our sweet poet deplores the fate of the forest of dean . . the same act we have confirmed , and enlarged in the seventeenth of the said queen , for the preserving of timber-trees , and the penalties of impairing vvoods much increased ; the tops and offals onely permitted to be made use of for this imployment . . as to the law of tythes , i find timber-trees pay none , but others do , both for body , branches , bark , fruit , root , and even the suckers growing out of them ; and the tenth of the body sold , or kept : and so of vvillows , sallows , and all other trees not apt for timber : also of sylva caedua , as coppices , and vnder-woods , pay the tenth when ever the proprietor receives his nine parts . but if any of these we have named un-exempted are cut onely for mounds , fencing , or plow-boot within the parish in which they grow , or for the fuel of the owner , no tythes are due , though the vicar have the tyth-wood , and the parson that of the places so inclosed ; nor are vnder-woods grub'd up by the roots tythable , unlesse for this , and any of the former cases there be prescription . but for timber-trees , such as oak , ash , elm ( which are accounted timber in all places after the first twenty years ) also beech , horn-beam , maple , aspen , and even hasel ( many of which are in some countries reputed timber ) they are not to pay tithes , unlesse they are fell'd before the said age of twenty years from their first planting . note here , if the owner fell a fruit-tree ( of which the parson has had tythe that year ) and convert the wood into fuel , the tythe shall cease ; because he cannot receive the tythe of one thing twice in one year . beech , in countrys where it abounds , is not tythable ; because in such places 't is not accounted timber . jac. co. b. pinders case . cherry-trees in buckinghamshire have been adjudged timber , and tythe-free . pasch . jac. b.r. if a tree be lop'd under twenty years growth , and afterwards be permitted to grow past twenty years , and then be lop'd again , no tythe is due for it , though at the first cutting it were not so . if wood be cut for hedges , which is not tythable , and any be left of it un-employ'd , no tythe shall be paid for it . if wood be cut for hop-poles ( where the parson or vicar has tythe hops ) in this case he shall not have tythe of hop-poles . if a great wood consist chiefly of vnder wood tythable , and some great trees of beech , or the like grow dispersedly amongst them ; tythe is due , unlesse the custom be otherwise of all both great and lesser together : and in like manner if a wood consist for the most part of timber trees , with some small scatterings of vnder-wood amongst them , no tythe shall be paid for the vnder wood or bushes . trin. jac. b.r. adjudg . jac. in c.b. leonards case . no tythe is to be paid of common of estovers , or the wood burnt in ones house . now as to the manner of payment . to give the parson the tenth acre of wood in a coppice , or the tenth cord ( provided they are equal ) is a good payment , and setting forth of tythe , especially if the custom confirm it . the tythe of mast of oak , or beech , if sold , must be answer'd by the tenth penny : if eaten by swine , the worth of it . and thus much we thought sit to add concerning predial tythes ; who has desire to be farther informed may consult my lord cook 's rep. . , . . plow . . brownlows rep. part . . part . . d. & st. . &c : but let us see what others do . . the king of spain has neer bilbao , sixteen times as many acres of copse-wood as are sit to be cut for coal in one year ; so that when 't is ready to be fell'd , an officer first marks such as are like to prove ship-timber , which are let stand , as so many sacred , and dedicate trees : but by this means the iron works are plentifully supplied in the same place , without at all diminishing the stock of timber . then in biscay again , every proprietor , and other , plants three for one which he cuts down ; and the law obliging them is most severely executed . there indeed are few , or no copses ; but all are pollards ; and the very lopping ( i am assur'd ) does furnish the iron works with sufficient to support them . . what the practise is for the maintaining of these kind of plantations in germany , and france , has already been observ'd to this illustrious society by the learned dr. meret ; viz that the lords and ( for the crown-lands ) the kings commissioners , divide the woods , and forests , into eighty partitions ; every year felling one of the divisions ; so as no wood is sell'd in less than fourscore years : and when any one partition is to be cut down , the officer , or lord contracts with the buyer that he shall at the distance of every twenty foot ( which is somewhat neer ) leave a good , fair , sound and fruitful oak standing . those of 'twixt forty , and fifty years they reckon for the best , and then they are to fence these trees from all sorts of beasts , and injuries , for a competent time ; which being done , at the season , downfall the acorns , which ( with the autumnal rains beaten into the earth ) take root , and in a short time furnish all the wood again , where they let them grow for four , or five years ; and then grub up some of them for fuel , or transplantations , and leave the most provable of them , to continue for timber . . the french king permits none of his oak woods , though belonging ( some of them ) to mounsieur ( his royal brother ) in appenage , to be cut down ; till his own surveyors , and officers , have first marked them out ; nor are any fell'd beyond such a circuit : then are they sufficiently fenc'd by him who buys ; and no cattle whatsoever suffer'd to be put in , till the very seedlings ( which spring up of the acorns ) are perfectly out of danger . but these , and many other wholsom ordinances , especially , as they concern the forest of dean , we have comprised in the late statute of the twentieth of his majesties reign , which i find enacted five years after the first edition of this treatise : and these lawes are worthy our perusal ; as also the statute prescribing a scheme of proportions for the several scantlings of building-timber ( besides what we have already touched chap. . ) which you have car. . intituled , an act for the re-building of london ; to which i refer the reader . chap. xxxiv . the paraenesis and conclusion , containing some encouragements and proposals , for the planting , and improvement of his majesties forests . . since our forests are undoubtedly the greatest magazines of the wealth , and glory of this nation ; and our oaks the truest oracles of its perpetuity and happinesse , as being the onely support of that navigation which makes us fear'd abroad , and flourish at home ; it has been strangely wonder'd at by some good patriots , how it comes to passe that many gentlemen have frequently repair'd , or gain'd a sudden fortune , with plowing part of their parks , and setting out their fat grounds to gard'ners , &c. and very wild wood-land parcels ( as may be instanc'd in several places ) to dressers of hop-yards , &c. whiles the royal portion lyes folded up in a napkin , uncultivated , and neglected ; especially , those great , and ample forests ; where though plowing , and sowing has been forbidden , a royal command , and design , may well dispense with it , and the breaking up of those intervals , advance the growth of the trees to an incredible improvement . . it is therefore insisted on , that there is not a cheaper , easier , or more prompt expedient to advance ship timber , than to solicit , that in all his majesties forests , vvoods , and parks , the spreading oak , &c. ( which we have formerly described ) be cherish'd , by plowing , and sowing barley , rye , &c. ( with due supply of culture and soyl , between them ) as far as may ( without danger of the plow-share ) be broken up . but this is onely where these trees are arriv'd to some magnitude , and stand at competent distances ; a hundred , or fifty yards ( for their roots derive relief far beyond the reach of any boughs ) as do the wallnut-trees in burgundy , which stand in their best plow'd lands . . but , that we may particularize in his majesties forests of dean , sherewood , &c. and in some sort gratifie the quaeries of the honourable , the principal officers and commissioners of the navy , i am advis'd by such as are every way judicious , and of long experience in those parts ; that to enclose would be an excellent way : but it is to be consider'd , that the people , viz. foresters , and bordurers , are not generally so civil , and reasonable , as might be wished ; and therefore to design a solid improvement in such places , his majesty must assert his power , with a firm and high resolution to reduce these men to their due obedience , and to a necessity of submitting to their own , and the publick utility ; though they preserv'd their industry this way , at a very tolerable rate upon that condition , whiles some person of trust , and integrity , did regulate , and supervise the mounds and fences , and destine some portions frequently set apart , for the raising , and propagating of woods , till the whole nation were furnish'd for posterity . . and which work if his majesty shall resolve to accomplish , he will leave such an everlasting obligation on his people , and raise such a monument to his fame , as the ages for a thousand years to come , shall have cause to celebrate his precious memory , and his royal successors to emulate his virtue . for thus ( besides the future expectations ) it would in present , be no deduction from his majesties treasure , but some increase ; and fall in time to be a fair and worthy accession to it ; whiles this kind of propriety would be the most likely expedient to civilize those wild and poor bordurers ; and to secure the vast and spreading heart of the forest , which with all this indulgence , would be ample enough for a princely demeasnes : and if the difficulty be to find out who knows , or acknowledges what are the bordures ; this article were worthy , and becoming of as serious an inquisition , as the legislative power of the whole nation can contrive . . the sum of all , is ; get the bordures well tenanted , by long terms , and easie rents , and this will invite and encourage takers ; whilst the middle , most secure , and interiour parts would be a royal portion . let his majesty therefore admit of any willing adventurers in this vast circle for such enclosures in the precincts ; and rather of more , than of few , though an hundred or two , should joyn together for any enclosure of five hundred acres more , or lesse ; that multitudes being thus engaged , the consideration might procure , and facilitate a full discovery of latter encroachments , and fortifie the recovery by favourable rents , improvements , and reversions by copy-hold , or what other tenures and services his majesty shall please to accept of . . now for the planting of woods in such places ( which is the main design of this whole treatise ) the hills , and rough grounds will do well ; but they are the rich fat vales , and flats which do best deserve the charge of walls ; such as that spot affords ; and the haw-thorn well plash'd ( single or double ) is a better , and more natural fence , than unmorter'd walls , could our industry arrive to the making of such as we have describ'd : besides , they are lasting , and profitable ; and then one might allow sufficient bordure for a mound of any thicknesse , which may be the first charge , and well supported , and rewarded by the culture of the land thus enclosed . . for example , suppose a man would take in acres of good land , let the mounds be of the wildest ground , as fittest for wood : two hedges with their vallations , and trenches will be requisite in all the round ; viz. one next to the enclosure , the other about the thicket to fence it from cattle : this , between the two hedges ( of whatsoever breadth ) is fittest for plantation : in these hedges might be tryed the plantation of stocks , in the intervals all manner of wood-seeds sown ( after competent plowings ) as acorns , mast , fir , pine , nuts , &c. the first year chasing away the birds , because of the fir and pine seeds , for reasons given : the second year loosning the ground , and thinning the supernumeraries , &c. this is the most frugal way : or by another method , the waste places of forests and woods ( which by through experience is known and tried ) might be perfectly clensed ; and then allowing two or three plowings , well rooted stocks be set , cut and trimm'd as is requisite ; and that the timber-trees may be excellent , those afterwards copsed , and the choicest stocks kept shreaded . if an enclosure be sow'd , the seeds may be ( as was directed ) of all the species , not forgetting the best pines , fir , &c. whiles the yearly removal of very incumbrances onely , will repay the workmen , who sell the quick , or reserve it to store other enclosures , and soften the circumjacent grounds , to the very great improvement of what remains . . and how if in such fencing-works , we did sometimes imitate what quintus curtius , lib. . has recorded of the mardorum gens , near to the confines of hyrcania , who did by the close planting of trees alone upon the bordures , give so strange a check to the power of that great conqueror alexander ? they were a barbarous people indeed , but in this worthy our imitation ; and the work so handsomly , and particularly describ'd , that i shall not grieve to recite it . arbores densae sunt de industria consitae , quarum teneros adhuc ramos manu flectunt , quos intortos rursus inserunt terrae : inde , velut ex alia radice , laetiores virent trunci : hos , qua natura fert , adolescere non sinunt : quippe alium alii , quasi nexu conserunt : qui ubi multa fronde vestiti sunt , operiunt terram . itaque occulti ramorum velut laquei perpetuá sepe iter claudunt , &c. the trees ( saith he ) were planted so near and thick together of purpose , that when the boughs were yet young and flexible , bent , and wreath'd within one another , their tops were bowed into the earth ( as we submerge our layers ) whence taking fresh roots , they shot up new stems , which not being permitted to grow as of themselves they would have done , they so knit , and perplex'd one within another , that vvhen they vvere clad vvith leaves , they even cover'd the ground , and enclosed the whole country with a kind of living net , and impenetrable hedge , as the historian continues the description ; and this is not unlike what i am told is frequently practis'd in divers places of devon ; where the oaks being planted very neer the foot of those high mounds by which they separate their lands ; so root themselves into the bank , that when it fails and crumbles down , the fense continues still maintain'd by them with exceeding profit . such works as these would become a cato , or varro indeed , one that were pater patriae , non sibi soli natus , born for posterity ; but we are commonly of another mould , — & fruges consumere nati . . a fair advance for speedy growth , and noble trees ( especially for walks and avenues ) may be assuredly expected from the graffing of young oaks , and elms with the best of their kinds ; and where the goodliest of these last are growing , the ground would be plow'd , and finely raked in the season when the scales fall ; that the showres and dews fastning the seed where the wind drives it , it may take root , and hasten ( as it will ) to a sudden tree ; especially , if seasonable shreading be appli'd , which has sometimes made them arrive to the height of twelve foot by the first three years , after vvhich they grovv a main . and if such vvere planted as near to one another as in the examples vve have alledg'd , it is almost incredible , vvhat a paling they vvould be to our most expos'd plantations , mounting up their vvooden walls to the clouds : and indeed the shelving , and natural declivity of the ground more or lesse to our unkind aspects , and bleak winds , does best direct to the thickning of these protections ; and the benefit of that , soon appear , and recompence our industry in the smoothnesse and integrity of the plantations so defended . . that great care be had of the seeds vvhich vve intend to sovv has been already advised ; for it has been seen , that woods of the same age ; planted in the same soil , discover a visible difference in the timber and growth ; and vvhere this variety should happen , if not from the seed , vvill be hard to interpret ; therefore , let the place , soil and growth of such trees from vvhence you have your seeds , be diligently examin'd ; and vvhy not this , as vvell as in our care of animals for our breed and store ? . as to the form , obey the natural site , and submit to the several guizes ; but ever declining to enclose high wayes , and common-roads as much as possible . for the rest , be pleased to reflect on what we have already said , to encourage the planting of the large spreading oak above all that species ; the amplitude of the distance which they require resign'd to the care of the verderer for grazing cattle , deer , &c. and for the great and masculine beauty which a wild quincunx , as it were , of such trees would present to your eye . . but to advance his majesties forests to this height of perfection , i should again urge the removal of some of our most mischievously plac'd iron mills ; if that at least be true which some have affirm'd , that we had better iron , and cheaper from forreigners , when those works were strangers amongst us . i am inform'd , that the new-english ( vvho are novv become very numerous , and hindred in their advance and prospect of the continent by their surfeit of the woods which we want ) did about twelve years since , begin to clear their high ways by two iron-mills : i am sure their zeal has sufficiently wasted our stately woods , and steel in the bowels of their mother old england ; and 't were now but expedient , their brethren should hasten thither to supply us with iron for the peace of our dayes ; whilst his majesty becomes the great soveraign of the ocean , free commerce , nemorum vindex & instaurator magnus . this were the onely way to render both our countries habitable indeed , and the fittest sacrifice for the royal oaks , and their hamadryad's to whom they owe more than a sleight submission : and he that should deeply consider the prodigious waste which these voracious iron , and glasse-works have formerly made but in one county alone , the county of sussex , for miles in length , and thirty in breadth ( for so wide , and spacious was the antient andradswald , of old one intire wood , but of which there remains now little , or no sign ) would be touch'd with no mean indignation : certainly , the goodly rivers and forests of the other world , would much better become our iron , and saw-mills , than these exhausted countreys ; and we prove gainers by the timely removal : i have said this already , and i cannot too often inculcate it for the concerns of a nation , whose onely protection ( under god ) are her wooden walls . . another thing to be recommended ( and which would prove no lesse than thirty years , in some places forty , and generally twenty years advance ) were a good ( if well executed ) act to save our standards , and borduring trees from the ax of the neighbourhood : and who would not preserve timber , when within so few years the price is almost quadrupl'd ? i assure you standards of twenty , thirty , or forty years growth , are of a long day for the concernments of a nation . . and though we have in our general chapter of copses , declar'd what by our laws , and common usage is expected at every fell ( and which is indeed most requisite , till our store be otherwise suppli'd ) yet might much even of that rigor be abated , by no unfrugal permissions to take down more of the standards for the benefit of the vnder-woods ( especially where , by over dropping , and shade they interrupt the kindly dews , rains , and influences which nourish them ) provided that there were a proportionable number of timber-trees duly , and throughly planted , and preserved in the hedge-rows and bordures of our grounds ; in which case , even the total clearing of some copses would be to their great advance , as by sad experience has been taught some good husbands , whose necessities sometimes forced them to violate their standards , and more grown trees during the late tyranny . . nor will it be here unseasonable to advise , that where trees are manifestly perceiv'd to decay , they be marked out for the ax , that so the younger may come on for a supply ; especially , where they are chiefly elms ; because their successors hasten to their height and perfection in a competent time ; but beginning once to grow sick of age , or other infirmity , suddenly impair ; and lose much of their value yearly : besides , that the increase of this , and other speedy timber , would spare the more oak for navigation , and the sturdier uses . how goodly a sight were it , if most of the demesnes of our countrey gentlemen were crown'd and incircl'd with such stately rows of limes , firs , elms , and other ample , shady and venerable trees as adorn new-hall in essex , the seat of that suffolk knight neer yarmouth , and our neighbouring pastures at barnes ? yet were these plantations but of late years in comparison : it were a noble , and immortal providence to imitate these good husbands in larger , and more august plantations of such useful trees , for timber and fuel , as well as for shade , and ornament to our dwellings . . but these incomparable undertakings will best of all become the inspection and care of the honourable lieutenants , and rangers , when they delight themselves as much in the goodlinesse of their trees , as other men generally do in their dogs , and horses , for races , and hunting ; neither of which recreations is comparable to that of planting , either for virtue , or pleasure , were things justly consider'd according to their true estimation : not yet that i am of so morose an humour , that i reprove any of those noble , and manly diversions , seasonably us'd ; but because i would court the industry of great and opulent persons , to profitable , and permanent delights : for , suppose that ambition were chang'd into a laudable emulation , who should best , and with most artifice , raise a plantation of trees , that should have all the proper ornaments , and perfections their nature is susceptible of , by their direction and encouragement ; such as aelian sums up lib. . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. kind , and gentle limbs , plenty of large leaves , an ample , and fair body , profound , or spreading roots , strong against impetuous winds ( for so i affect to read it ) extensive , and venerable shade , and the like : methinks there were as much a subject of glory as could be phancied of the kind ; and comparable , i durst pronounce , preferrable , to any of their recreations ; and how goodly an ornament to their demesnes and dwellings , let their own eyes be the judges . . one encouragement more , i would reinforce from an history i have read of a certain frugal , and most industrious italian noble-man , who , after his lady was brought to bed of a daughter , considering that wood and timber was a revenue coming on whilst the owners were asleep : commanded his servants immediately to plant in his lands ( which were ample ) oaks , ashes , and other profitable , and marketable trees , to the number of an hundred thousand ; as undoubtedly calculating , that each of those trees , might be worth twenty pence , before his daughter became marriageable , which would amount to francs ( which is neer ten thousand pounds sterling ) intended to be given with his daughter for a portion . this was good philosophy , and such as i am assur'd is frequently practis'd in flanders upon the very same account : let us see it once take effect amongst our many slothful gentry , who have certainly as large demesnes , and yet are so deficient in that decent point of timely providing for their numerous children : and those who have none , let them the rather plant : trees and vegetables have perpetuated some names longer , and better than a pedigree of a numerous off-spring ; and it were a pledge of a noble mind , to oblige the future age by our particular industry , and by a long lasting train , with the living work of our own hands : but i now proceed to more general concerns , in order to the quaeries , and first to the proportion . . it were but just , and infinitely befitting the miserable needs of the whole nation , that every twenty acres of pasture , made an allowance for half an acre of timber , the ground dug about christmas , casting the grassy-side downwards 'till june , then dug again , and about november stir'd afresh , and sown with mast , or planted in a clump , well preserv'd , and fenc'd for , or years ; unless that sheep might haply graze after or years : and where the young trees stand too thick , there to draw , and transplant them in the hedge-rows , which would also prove excellent shelter for the cattel : this husbandry would more especially become northhamptonshire , lincolnshire , cornwall , and such other of our countries as are the most naked of timber , fuel , &c. and unprovided of covert : for it is rightly observ'd , that the most fruitfull places , least abound in wood , and do most stand in need of it . . such as are ready to tell ye their lands are so wet , that their woods do not thrive in them ; let them be converted to pasture ; or bestow the same industry on them which good husbands do in meadows by draining : it is a sloathfullnesse unpardonable ; as if the pains would not be as fully recompenc'd in the growth of their timber , as in that of their grass : where poor hungry woods grow , rich corn , and good cattle would be more plentifully bred ; and it were beneficial to convert some wood-land ( where the proper vertue is exhausted ) to pasture and tillage ; provided , that fresh land were improved also to wood in recompence , and to balance the other . . where we find uliginous and starv'd places ( which sometimes obey no art or industry to drain , and of which our pale and fading corn is a sure indication ) we are as it were courted to obey nature , and improve them for the propagation of sallyes , vvillows , alders , abele , sycomore , aspine , bircb , and the like hasty and profitable growers , by ranging them , casting of ditches , trenches , &c. as before has been taught . . in the mean while , 't is a thing to be deplor'd , that some persons bestow more in grubbing , and dressing a few acres which has been excellent wood , to convert it into wretched pasture , not worth a quarter of what the trees would have yielded , well order'd , and left standing ; since it is certain , that barren land planted with wood , will trebble the expence in a short time . of this , the r. honourable the l. vicount scudamor may give fair proof , who having fell'd ( as i am credibly inform'd ) a decay'd wood , intended to be set to tennants ; but upon second thoughts ( and for that his lordship saw it apt to cast wood ) enclos'd and preserv'd ; it yielded him , before thirty years were expir'd , neer pound upon wood-falls , whereas the utmost rent of the whole price of land yearly , was not above pound shillings . the like i am able to confirm by instancing a noble person , who ( a little before our unhappy wars ) having sown three or four acres with acorns , the fourth year transplanted them which grew too thick all about his lord-ship : these trees are now of that stature , and so likely to prove excellent timber , that they are already judg'd to be almost as much worth as the whole demesnes ; and yet they take off nothing from other profits , having been discreetly dispos'd of at the first designment . and supposing the longuaevity of trees should not extend to the periods we have ( upon so good account ) produc'd ; yet , neither is their arrival to a very competent perfection , so very discouraging ; since i am credibly inform'd , that several persons have built of timber ( and that of oak ) which were acorns within this fourty years ; and i find it credibly reported , that even our famous forest of dean , hath been utterly wasted no lesse than three several times , within the space of nine-hundred years . the prince elector frederic iv , in the year . sow'd a part of that most barren heath of lambertheim , with acorns after plowing , as i have been inform'd ; it is now likely to prove a most goodly forest , though all this while miserably neglected by reason of the wars . for the care of planting trees , should indeed be recommended to princes and great persons , who have the fee of the estate ; tennants upon the rack by reason of the tedious expectation , and jealousie of having their lands enhanc'd , are for the most part averse from this husbandry ; so that unless the land-lord will be at the whole charge of planting , and fencing ( without which as good no planting ) little is to be expected ; and whatsoever is propos'd to them above their usual course , is look'd upon as the whim and fancy of speculative persons , which they turn into ridicule when they are applied to action ; and this , says an ingenious and excellent husband ( whose observations have afforded me no little treasure ) might be the reason , why the prime writers of all ages , indeavour'd to involve their discourses with allegories , and aenigmatical termes , to protect them from the contempt , and pollution of the vulgar , which has been of some ill consequence in husbandry ; for that very few writers of worth , have adventured upon so plain a subject , though doubtlesse to any considering person , the most delightful kind of natural philosophy , and that which employs the most useful part of the mathematics . the right honourable my lord viscount mountague has planted many thousands of oaks , which i am told , he draws out of copses , big enough to defend themselves ; and that with such success , as has exceedingly improv'd his possessions ; and it is a worthy example . to conclude , i can shew an avenue planted to a house standing in a barren park , the soil a cold clay ; it consists totally of oaks , one hundred in number : the person who first set them ( dying very lately ) lived to see them spread their branches foot in compasse , which at distance of foot , mingling their shady tresses for above in length , form themselves into one of the most venerable , and stately arbor walks , that in my life i ever beheld : this is at baynards in surrey , and belonging to my most honour'd brother ( because a most industrious planter of wood ) richard evelyn esq the walk is broad foot , and one tree with another containing by estimation three quarters of a load of timber in each tree , and in their lops three cord of fire-wood : their bodies are not of the tallest , having been topped when they were young , to reduce them to an uniform height ; yet is the timber most excellent for its scantling , and for their heads , few in england excelling them : where some of their contemporaries , were planted single in the park without cumber , they spread above fourscore foot in arms . . i have produced these examples , because they are conspicuous , full of encouragement , worthy our imitation ; and that from these , and sundry others which i might enumerate , we have made this observation , that almost any soil is proper for some profitable timber-trees or other , which is good for very little else . . the bottoms of downs , and like places well plow'd , and sown will bear lusty timber , being broken up , and let lye till mid-summer , and then stirr'd again before sowing about november . an old , and judicious planter of woods , prescribes us these directions , for improving of sheep-walks , downs , heaths , &c. suppose , on every such walk on which sheep might be kept , there were plow'd up twenty acres ( plow'd pretty deep , that the roots might take hold , and be able to resist the winds ) this should be sowed with mast of oak , beech , chats of ash , maple-keys , sloes , service-berries , nuts , bullis , &c. bruis'd crabs , and haws ; mingled and scatter'd about the sides and ends of the ground , near a yard in breadth . on the rest sowe no haws , but some few crabkernells : then begin at a side , and sowe five yards broad , plowing under the mast , &c. very shallow ; then leave six yards in breadth , and sowe , and plow five yards more , and so from side to side ; remembring to leave a yard and half at the last side ; let the rest of the head-lands lie , till the remainder of the close be sown in march with oates , &c. to preserve it from hurt of cattel , and potching the ground , when the spring is of two years growth , draw part of it for quick-sets ; and when the rest of the trees are of six years shoot , exhaust it of more ; and leave not above forty of either side , each row five yards distant ; and here , and there a crab stock to graff on , and in the invironing hedge ( to be left thick ) let each tree stand four yards asunder ; which if forty four were spared , will amount to about trees : at twenty years end stock up of them , lop a thousand more every ten years , and reserve the remaining thousand for timber : judge what this may be worth in a short time , besides the grass , &c. which will grow the first six or seven years , and the benefit of shelter for sheep in ill weather , when they cannot be folded ; and the pasture which will be had under the trees , now at eleven yards interval , by reason of the stocking up those we mention'd , excepting the hedges ; and if in any of these places any considerable waters fortune to lye in their bottoms , fowl would abundantly both breed , and harbour there . these are admirable directions for park-lands where shelter and food is scarcy . but even this improvement yet does no way reach , what i have met withal in the most accurate , and no lesse laborious calculation of captain smith upon this very topic ; where he demonstratively asserts , that a thousand acres of land , planted at one foot interval , in rowes ; taking up plants of oak , ash , chessnut ( or to be sown ) taking up of each sort , and fit to be transplanted at three years period ( if set in good ground ) are worth eighteen pence the hundred ; and there being hundred , it amounts to no lesse then l. s. besides the chessnuts , of which there being l. ( valued at , and worth half a crown the hundred ) they come to l. and the total of all , to l. s. this being made out , consider what an immense sum , great trees would amount to , and in a large quantity of land ; such as were worthy a royal undertaking : it is computed , that at three foot distance , the first felling ( that is , eight , or nine years after their planting ) would be worth in hoops , poles , firing , &c. l. and the second fell , l. s. d. and the fourth ( which may be about thirty two years from their semination ) l. s. and so forward . at four foot interval , and felling , according to the same proportion , you may likewise reckon ; and in years with three years crop of wheat ( sow'd at first between ) it will amount to l. s. d. and the next , very much more ; in regard the wood will spring up thicker : so as at the fifth fell , the accompt stands l. s. d. &c. and at the seventh ( whoever lives to it ) : and if planted at wider distance , viz. foot ( according to the captains method ) at , or years growth you may compute them worth ● l. s. and in seventy years , ; besides the three years crop of wheat , in all l. s. which at foot interval ( accounted the utmost for timber ) takes up ( for acres ) trees for the first years . then , to make room , as they grow larger , grubbing up every middle tree , at l. per tree , trees amount to l. and the remaining at years growth , at but l. per tree , comes to l. besides the inferiour crop of meadow , or corn in all this time , sown in the distances ; reckoning for three years product bushels at s. per bushel , which will amount to l. besides the straw , chaff , &c. which at s. a load , and d. a bush . chaff , comes to l. so as the total improvement ( besides the years emolument arising from the corn , cattel , &c. ) amounts to . and these trees ( as well they may ) coming to be worth for timber , l. an oak ; the trees amount to l. and the total improvement of the acres ( the corn profits not computed ) ascends to l. so as admit there were in all england ( and which his majesty might easily compasse , even for his own proportion , and for posterity ) acres thus planted , at two foot diameter ( and as may be presum'd thirty foot high , which in years , they might well arrive to ) they would be worth l. an immense and stupendious summe , and an everlasting supply for all the vses both of sea and land : but it is to captain smith's laborious works ( to which i wish all encouragement ) that we have the total charge of this noble vndertaking from the first semination , to their maturity ; by which it will be easie to compute what the gains will be for any greater or lesser quantity . but now to return to the place of planting ( from whence this calculation has more than a little diverted ) we shall find , as we said , that even in the most craggie , uneven , cold and exposed places , not fit for arable , as in biscay , &c. and in our very peaks of derbyshire , and other rockie places , ashes grow about every village , and we find that oak , beech , elm , and ash , will prosper in the most flinty soils . and it is truly from these indications , more than from any other whatsoever , that a broken , and decaying farmer , is to be distinguish'd from a substantial free-holder , the very trees speaking the conditions of the master : let not then the royal patrimony bear a bankrupts reproach : but to descend yet lower ; . had every acre but three , or four trees , and as many of fruit in it as would a little adorn the hedge-rows , the improvement would be of fair advantage in a few years ; for it is a shame that turnip-planters , should demolish , and undo hedge-rows neer london , where the mounds and fences are stripp'd naked , to give sun to a few miserable roots , which would thrive altogether as well under them , being skilfully prun'd and lopp'd : our gard'ners will not believe me , but i know it to be true , though pliny had not affirm'd it : as for elms ( saith he ) their shade is so gentle and benigne , that it nourishes whatsoever grows under it : and ( lib . c. . ) it is his opinion of all other trees ( very few excepted ) provided their branches be par'd away , which being discreetly done , improves the timber as we have already shew'd . . now let us calculate a little at adventure , and much within what is both faisible , and very possible ; and we shall find , that four fruit-trees in each acre throughout england , the product sold but at six pence the bushel ( but where do we now buy them so cheap ? ) will be worth a million yearly : what then may we reasonably judge of timber , admit but at the growth of four pence per acre yearly ( which is the lowest that can be estimated ) it amounting to near two millions ? if ( as 't is suppos'd ) there may be five or six and twenty millions of square acres in the kingdom ( besides fens , high-ways , rivers , &c. not counted ) and without reckoning in the mast , or loppings , which whosoever shall calculate from the annual revenue , the mast onely of westphalia , a small and wretched countrey im germany , does yield to that prince , will conclude to be no despicable improvement . . in this poor territory , every farmer does by antient custom , plant so many oaks about his farm , as may suffice to feed his swine : to effect this they have been so careful , that when of late years , the armies infested the poor countrey , both imperialists , and protestants ; the onely bishoprick of munster was able to pay one hundred thousand crowns per mensem ( which amounts of our money to about l. sterling ) besides the ordinary entertainment of their own prince and private families . this being incredible to be practis'd in so extream barren a countrey , i thought fit to mention , either to encourage , or reproach us : general melander was wont to say , the good husbandry of their ancestors had left them this stock pro sacra anchorâ ; considering how the people were afterward reduc'd to live even on their trees , when the souldiers had devour'd their hogs ; redeeming themselves from great extreamities , by the timber which they were at last compelled to cut down , and which , had it continu'd , would have prov'd the utter desolation of that whole countrey . i have this instance from my most worthy , and honourable friend sir william curtius ( his majesties resident in germany ) who receiv'd this particular from the mouth of melander himself : in like manner , the princes , and freedoms of hesse , saxony , thuringia , and divers other places there , make vast incomes of their forest-fruit ( besides the timber ) for swine onely . i say then , whosoever shall duly consider this , will find planting of wood to be no contemptible addition ; besides the pasture much improv'd , the cooling of fat , and heavy cattel , keeping them from injurious motions , disturbance , and running as they do in summer to find shelter from the heat , and vexation of flyes . . but i have done , and it is now time for us to get out of the wood , and to recommend this , and all that we have propos'd , to his most sacred majesty , the honourable parliament , and to the principal officers , and commissioners of the royal navy ; that where such improvements may be made , it be speedily , and vigorously prosecuted ; and where any defects appear , they may be duly reformed . . and what if for this purpose there were yet some additional office constituted , which should have a more universal inspection , and the charge of all the woods and forests in his majesties dominions ? this might easily be perform'd by deputies in every county ; persons judicious , and skilful in husbandry ; and who might be repair'd to for advice and direction : and if such there are at present ( as indeed our laws seem to provide ) that their power be sufficiently amplified where any thing appears deficient ; and as their zeal excited by worthy encouragements , so might neglects be encounter'd by a vigilant and industrious cheque . it should belong to their province , to see that such proportions of timber , &c. were planted , and set out upon every hundred , or more of acres , as the honourable commissioners have suggested ; or , as might be thought convenient , the quality , and nature of the places prudently consider'd : it should be their office also , to take notice of the growth , and decay of woods , and of their fitness for publick uses and sale , and of all these to give advertisements , that all defect in their ill governing may be speedily remedied ; and the superiour officer , or surveyor , should be accomptable to the lord treasurer , and to the principal officers of his majesties navy for the time being : and vvhy might not such a regulation be vvorthy the establishing by some solemn , and publick act of state , becoming our glorious prince , sovereign of the seas , and his prudent senate , this present parliament ? . we find in aristotles politics , the constitution of extraurban magistrates to be sylvarum custodes ; and such vvere the consulares sylvae , vvhich the great caesar himself ( even in a time vvhen italy did abound in timber ) instituted ; and vvas one of the very first things vvhich he did , at the setling of that vast empire , after the civil vvars had exceedingly vvasted the countrey : suetonius relates it in the life of julius ; and peter crinitus in his fifth book de honesta disciplina , c. . gives this reason for it , vt materies ( saith he ) non deesset , qua videlicet navigia publica possent à praefecturis fabrum , confici : true it is , that this office vvas sometimes call'd provincia minor ; but for the most part , annex'd , and joyn'd to some of the greatest consuls themselves ; that facetious sarcasme of the comoedian ( vvhere plautus names it provincia caudicaria ) referring onely to some under officer , subservient to the other : and such a cha●ge is at this day extant amongst the noble venetians , vvho have near trivisi ( besides vvhat they nourish in other places ) a goodly forest of oaks , preserv'd as a jewel , for the onely use of the arsenal , call'd the montello , vvhich is in length twelve miles , large five , and near twenty miles in compasse ; carefully supervised by a certain officer , vvhom they name il capitano ; and vve might instance in many other prudent states ; not to importune you vvith the expresse laws vvhich ancus martius the nephevv of numa , and other princes long before caesar , did ordain for this very purpose ; since indeed , the care of so publick , and honourable an enterprize as is this of planting , and improving of woods , is a right noble , and royal undertaking ; as that of the forest of dean , &c. in particular ( were it bravely manag'd ) an imperial design ; and i do pronounce it more worthy of a prince ; who truly consults his glory in the highest interest of his subjects , than that of gaining battels , or subduing a province : and if in saying so , or any thing else in this rustic discourse , i have us'd the freedom of a plain forester ; it is the person you command me to put on , and my plea is ready , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . praesente quercu , ligna quivis colligit . for who could have spoken lesse upon so ample a subject ? and therefore i hope my zeal for it in these papers , will ( besides your injunctions ) excuse the prolixity of this digression , and all other the imperfections of my services . si canimus sylvas , sylvae sunt consule dignae . chap. xxxv . an historical account of the sacrednesse , and vse of standing groves , &c. . and thus have we finish'd what we esteemed necessary for the direction of planting , and the culture of trees and woods in general ; whether for the raising of new , or preservation of the more antient and venerable shades , crowning the brows of lofty hills , or furnishing , and adorning the more fruitful and humble plains ; groves and forests , such as were never prophan'd by the inhumanity of edge-tools : woods , whose original are as unknown as the arcadians ; like the goodly cedars of libanus , psal . . arbores dei according to the hebrew , for something doubtlesse which they noted in the genius of those venerable places besides their meer bulk and stature : and verily , i cannot think to have well acquitted my self of this useful subject , till i shall have in some sort vindicated the honour of trees , and woods , by shewing my reader of what estimation they were of old for their divine , as well as civil vses ; at least refresh both him , and my self , with what occurs of historical and instructive amongst the learned concerning them . . though sylva was the more general name , denoting a large tract of wood , or trees , the inciduae and coeduae ; yet there were several other titles attributed to greater or lesser assemblies of them : as when they planted them for pleasure , and shade onely , they had their nemora ; and as we our parks , for the preservation of game , and particularly venizon , &c. their saltus , and sylva invia , secluded for the most part from the rest , &c. but among authours , we meet with nothing more frequent , and indeed more celebrated , than those arboreous amenities and plantations of woods , which they call'd luci ; and which though sometimes we confesse , were restrain'd to certain peculiar places : yet were they also promiscuously both used , and taken for all that the wide forest comprehends , or can signifie . to dismiss a number of critics , the name lucus is deriv'd by quintilian and others à minime lucendo because of its densitie — nullo penetrabilis astro . whence apuleius us'd lucum sublucidum ; and the poets , sublustris umbra : others ( on the contrary ) have taken it for light in the masculine ; because there they kindled fires , by what accident unknown — whether it were by lightning sent from heaven , or else there the salvage-men in mutual wars and fight , had set the trees on fire , their foes t' affright . — seu coeli fulmine misso sive quòd inter se bellum sylvestria gentes hostibus intulerant ignem , formidinis ergo , &c. lucret. l. . or whether the trees set fire on themselves when clashing boughs thwarting , each other fret . mutua dum inter se rami stirpesque teruntur . for such accidents , and even the very heat of the sun alone has kindled wonderful conflagrations : or happly to consume their sacrifices , we will not much insist : the poets it seems , speaking of juno , would give it quite another original , and tune it to their songs invoking lucina , whilst the main and principal difference consisted not so much in the name , as the vse and dedication , which was for silent , awful and more solemn religion , to which purpose they were chiefly manu consiti , such as we have been treating of , intire , and never violated with the ax : fabius calls them sacros ex vetustate venerable for their age ; and certain it is , they had of very great antiquity been consecrated to holy uses , not onely by superstitious persons to the gentile deities and heroes ; but the true god , by the patriarchs themselves , who ab initio ( as is presum'd ) did frequently retire to such places to serve him in , compose their meditations , and celebrate sacred mysteries , prayers , and oblations following the tradition of the gomerites or descendants of noah who first peopl'd galata after the universal deluge . from hence some presume that even the antient druids had their origin : but that abraham might imitate what the most religious of that age had practis'd before him may not be unlikely ; for we read he soon planted himself and family at the quercetum of mambre , gen. . where as eusebius , ecc. hist . l. . c. . gives us the account , he spread his pavilions , erected an altar , offer'd and perform'd all the priestly rites ; and there , to the immortal glory of the oak , or rather arboreous temple , he entertained god himself . isidor , st. hierom , and sozomenus report confidently , that one of the most eminent of those trees remained till the reign of the great constantine , who founded a venerable chappel under it ; and that both the christians , jews , and arabs , held a solemn anniversarie or station there and believed that from the very time of noah it had been a consecrated place : sure we are it was about some such assembly of trees , that god was pleas'd first of all to appear to the father of the faithful when he established the covenant with him , and more expressly , when removing thence ( upon confirming the league with abimelech , gen. . and settling at bersheba ) he design'd an expresse place for gods divine service : for there , says the sacred text , he planted a grove , and called upon the name of the lord. such another tuft we read of ( for we must not alwayes restrain it to one single tree ) when the patriarch came to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 elon moreh , ad convallem illustrium : but whether that were the same in which the high-priest reposited the famous stone after the exhortation mention'd joshua . . we do not contend ; under an oak sayes the scripture , and it grew near the sanctuary , and probably might be that which his grand child consecrated with the funeral of his beloved rebecca , gen. . for 't is apparent by the context , that there , god appeared to him again : so grotius upon the words ( subter quercum ) illam ipsam ( sayes he ) cujus mentio , gen. . . in historia jacobi & judae ; and adds , is locus in honorem jacobi diù pro templo fuit . that the very spot was long after us'd for a temple in honour of him . . if we would track the religious esteem of trees and woods , yet farther in holy writ , we have that glorious vision of moses in the fiery thicket , and it is not to abuse or violate the text , that moncaeus and others , interpret it to have been an intire grove , and not a single bush onely , which he saw as burning , yet unconsum'd . puto égo ( sayes my authour ) rubi vocabulo non quidem rubum aliquem unicum & solitarium significari , verum rubetum totum , aut potius fruticetum , quomodo de quercu mambre pro querceto toto docti intelligunt . now that they worshipped in that place soon after their coming out of aegypt , the following story shews ; and the feast of tabernacles had some resemblance of patriarchal devotion under trees , though but in temporary groves and shades in manner of booths , yet celebrated with all the refreshings of the forest ; and from the very infancy of the world in which adam was entertain'd in paradise , and abraham ( as we noted ) receiv'd his divine guests , not in his tent , but under a tree , an oak , triclinium angelicum the antients dining-room ; all intelligent persons have imbrac'd the solace of shady arbours , and all devout persons found how naturally they dispose our spirits to religious contemplations : for this , as some conceive , they much affected to plant their trees in circles , and gave that capacious form to the first temples ▪ observ'd not onely of old , but even at this day by the jews , as the most accommodate for their assemblies ; or , as others , because that figure most resembl'd the vniverse , and the heavens : templum à templando says a knowing critic , and another , templum est nescio quid immane , atque amplum ; such as arnobius speaks of , that had no roof but heaven , till that sumptuous fabric of solomon was confin'd to jerusalem , and the goodliest cedars , and most costly woods were carried thither to form the columns , and lay the rafters ; and then , and not till then , was it so much as schisme that i can find , to retire to groves for their devotion , or even to bethel it self . . in such recesses were the antient oratories and proseuchae built even amongst the gentiles , as well as the people of god ( nor is it alwaies the lesse authentical for having been the guise of nations ) hence that of philo , speaking of one who 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. that had fell'd all the trees about it ; and such a place the satyrist means , where he asks , in qua te quaero proseucha ? because it was the rendezvous also , where poor people us'd to frequent to beg the alms of devout and charitable persons ; and it was esteemed piacular for any to cut down so much as a stick about them , unlesse it were to build them , when with the psalmist , men had honour according to their forwardnesse of repairing the houses of god in the land , upon which account it was lawful to lift up axes against the goodliest trees in the forest ; but those zealous dayes are past , now temples shut , and groves desertedly , all gold adore , and neglect piety . et nunc desertis cessant sacraria lucis aurum omnes victâ , jam pietate colunt . propert. . they came afterwards indeed to be abus'd to superstition , but what good , or indifferent thing has not been subject to perversion ? it is said in the end of isaiah , exprobratur hebraeis quod in opisthonais idolorum horti essent in quorum medio februabantur ; but how this is applicable to groves does not appear so fully ; though we find them interdicted , deut. . . judg. . . chron : . . &c. and forbidden to be planted neer the temple ; and an impure grove on mount libanus dedicated to venus , was by an imperial edict of constantine extirpated ; but from the abuse of the thing to the non-use , the consequence is not alwayes valid , and we may note as to this very particular , that where in divers places of holy writ , the denuntiation against groves is so express , it is frequently to be taken but catachrestically , from the wooden image or statue call'd by that name , as our learned selden makes out by sundry instances in his syntagma de diis syris . the summe of all is , paradise it self was but a kind of nemorous temple or sacred grove , planted by god himself , and given to man , tanquam primo sacerdoti , the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which properly signifies to serve or administer res divinas , a place consecrated for sober discipline , and to contemplate those mysterious and sacramental trees which they were not to touch with their hands ; and in memory of them , i am inclin'd to believe , holy men ( as we have shew'd in abraham and others ) might plant and cultivate groves , where they traditionally invok'd the deity ; and st. hierom , chrysostom , cyprian , augustine , and other fathers of the church greatly magnified these pious advantages ; and cajetan tells us , that from isaac to jacob and their descendants they followed abraham in this custome : in such places were the monuments of their saints , and the bones of their heroes deposited ; for which david celebrated the humanity of the galaadites , in nemora jabes as the most sacred and inviolable : in such a place did the angel appear to gideon , and in others princes were inaugurated ; so abimelec , judic . . and the rabbines add a reason why they were reputed so venerable ; because more remote from men and company , more apt to compose the soul and fit it for divine actions , and sometimes apparitions , for which the first enclosures were attributed to groves , mountains , fountains of water , and the like solemn objects ; as of peculiar sanctity , and as the old sense of all words denoting sanctity did import separatenesse and uncommon propriety : see our learned meade . for though since the devils intrusion into paradise , even the most holy and devoted places were not free from his tentations and ougly stratagems : yet we find our blessed saviour did frequently retire into the wildernesse , as elijah and st. john did before him , and divers other holy men : the reason is obvious , and i shall shew when i come to speak concerning the use of gardens in another work ( long since attempted , and now in some forwardnesse ) how the air of such retired places may be assistant and influential for the inciting of penitential expressions and affections ; especially where one may have the additional assistances of solitary grotts , murmuring streams , and desolate prospects : i remember that under a tree was the place of that admirable st. augustines solemn conversion , after all his importunate reluctances : i have often thought of it , and it is a mealting passage as himself has recorded it , con. l. . c. . and he gives the reason , solitudo enim mihi ad negotium flendi aptior suggerebatur . and that indeed such opportunities were successful for recollection , and to the very reformation of some ingenious spirits from secular engagements to excellent and mortifying purposes , we may find in that wonderful relation of pontianus's two friends , great courtiers of the time , as the same holy father relates it , previous to his own conversion . . we shall now in the next place endevour to shew how this innocent veneration to groves passed from the people of god to the gentiles , and by what degrees it degenerated into dangerous superstitions : for the devil was alwayes gods ape , and did so ply his groves , altars , and sacrifices , and almost all other rites belonging to his worship , that every green tree was full of his abominations , and places devoted to his impure service , hi fuêre ( says pliny , speaking of groves ) quondam numinum templa , &c. these , were of old the temples of the gods , and after that simple ( but antient custom ) men at this day consecrate the fairest and goodliest trees to some deity or other ; nor do we more adore our glittering shrines of gold and ivory , than the groves , in which with a profound and awful silence , we worship them . for in truth the very tree it self was sometimes deified , and that celtic statue of jupiter no better than a prodigious tall oak , whence 't is said the chaldean theologues deriv'd their superstition towards it ; and the persians we read , us'd that tree in all their mysterious rites ; so as to some they proceeded to the offering even of humane sacrifices , each tree besprinckled was with humane gore . omnis & humanis lustrata cruoribus arbos . lucan l. . procopius tells us plainly that the sclavii worshipped trees and whole forests of them : see jo. dubravius l. . hist . bohem. and that formerly the gandenses did the like , surius the legendary . feb. reports in the life of s. amadus : so did the vandals says albert crantz ; and even those of peru , as i learn from acosta l. . c. . but one of the first idols which procur'd particular veneration in them was the sidonian ashtaroth who took her name à lucis , as the jupiter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 amongst the rhodians , the nemorensis diana or arduenna , and others who had peculiar worship in the groves ; so soon had men degenerated into this irrational and stupid devotion , that arch - fanatic sathan ( who began his pranks in a tree ) debauching the contemplative use of groves and other solitudes . nor were the heathens alone in this crime , the basilidians and other haeretics even amongst the christians , did consecrate to the woods and the trees their serpent-footed and barbarous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as it is yet to be seen in some of their mysterious talismans and periapta's which they carried about . but the roman madnesse ( like that which the prophet derides in the jews ) was well perstring'd by sedulius and others for imploring these stocks to be propitious to them , as we learn in cato de r.r. c. . . &c. and it was not long after , when they were generally consecrated by faunus , that they boldly set up his oracles and responses in these nemorous places : hence the heathen chappels had the name of fana , and from their wild and extravagant religion , the professors of it phanatics ; a name well becoming some of our late enthusiasts amongst us ; who , when their quaking fits possesse them , resemble the giddy motion of trees , whose heads are agitated with every wind of doctrine . . here we may not omit what learned men have observ'd concerning the custome of prophets and persons inspir'd of old , to sleep upon the boughs and branches of trees ( i do not mean on the tops of them , as the salvages somewhere do in the indies for fear of wild beasts in the night time ) but on matrasses and beds made of their leaves , ad consulendum to ask advise of god. naturalists tell us , that the laurus and agnus castus were trees which greatly compos'd the phansy , and did facilitate true visions ; and that the first was specifically efficacious 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( as my authour expresses it ) to inspire a poetical fury : such a tradition there goes of rebecca the wife of isaack , in imitation of her father in law : the instance is recited out of an ancient ecclesiastical history by abulensis ; and ( what i drive at ) that from hence the delphic tripos , the dodonaean oracle in epirus , and others of that nature had their originals : at this decubation upon boughs the satyrist seems to hint where he introduces the gypsies . — with fear the poor she jew begs in my ladies ear , the groves high priestesse , heavens true messenger , hierusalem's old lawes expounds to her . stapylton . arcanam judaea tremens mendicat in aurem interpres legum solymarum , & magn sacerdos arboris , ac summi fida internuncia coeli . juv. sat. . for indeed the delphic oracle ( as diodorus l. . tells us ) was first made è lauri ramis of the branches of laurel transferr'd from thessaly , bended , and arched over in form of a bower or summer-house , a very simple fabric you may be sure : and cardan i remember in his book de fato , insists very much on the dreams of trees for portents and presages , and that the use of some of them do dispose men to visions . . from hence then began temples to be erected and sought to in such places , and as there was hardly a grove without its temple , so had every temple almost , a grove belonging to it , where they plac'd idols , and altars and lights endow'd with fair revenues which the devotion of superstitious persons continually augmented ; and i remember to have seen something very like this in italy , and other parts , namely , where the images of the b. virgin and other saints have been enshrin'd in hollow and umbragious trees frequented with much veneration , which puts me in mind of what that great traveller pietro della valla relates , where he speaks of an extraordinary cypresse , yet extant , near the tomb of cyrus , to which at this day many pilgrimages are made , and speaks of a gummy transudation which it yields , that the turks affirm to turn every friday into drops of blood : the tree is hollow within , adorn'd with many lamps , and fitted for an oratory , and indeed some would derive the name lucus a grove , as more particularly to signifie such enormous and cavernous trees quod ibi lumina accenderentur religionis causa : but our author adds , the ethnics do still repute all great trees to be divine , and the habitation of souls departed : these the persians call pir and imàm . perhaps such a hollow tree was that asylum of our poets hero , when he fled from his burning troy , — an antient cypresse near kept by religious parents many a year . — ju●●aque antiqua cupressus religione patrum multos servata per annos . aen. . for that they were places of protection , and priviledg'd like churches , and altars , appears out of livy and other good authority : thus where they introduce romulus encouraging his new colony , so soon as ere the grove he had immur'd hast hither ( says he ) here you are secur'd . — ut saxo lucum circumdedit alto quilibet , huc , dicit , confuge , tutus eris . such a sanctuary was the aricina , and suburban diana , call'd the nemorale templum , and divers more which we shall reckon up anon . . the mysteries which the famous druids celebrated in their woods and forests , are at large to be found in caesar , pliny , strabo , diodorus , mela , apuleius , ammianus , lucan , aventinus , and innumerable other writers , where you will see that they chose the woods and the groves , not onely for all their religious exercises , but their courts of justice ; as the whole institution and discipline is recorded by caesar , l. . and as he it seems found it in our countrey of britain , from whence it was afterwards translated into gallia : for he attributes the first rise of it to this once happy island of groves , and oaks ; and affirms that the antient gauls travelled hither for their initiation . to this tacitus assents , annal. and our most learned critics who vindicate it both from the greeks and french , who frequently challenge it : but the very name it self , which is purely celtic , does best decide the controversie : for though 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be quercus ; yet vossius skilfully proves that the druids were altogether strangers to the greeks ; but what comes yet nearer to us , dru , fides ( as one observes ) begetting our now antiquated trou , or true , makes our title the stronger : add to this , that amongst the germans it signified no lesse than god it self ; and we find drutin or trudin to import divine or faithful in the othfridian gospel , both of them sacerdotal expressions . but that in this island of ours men should be so extreamly devoted to trees , and especially to the oak , the strength and defence of all our enjoyments , inviron'd as we are by the seas , and martial neighbours , is lesse to be wonder'd , our brittish druids not with vain intent , or without providence did the oke frequent ; that albion did that tree so much advance nor superstition was , nor ignorance those priests divining even then , bespoke the mighty triumphs of the royal oake . when the seas empire with like boundlesse fame victorious charles the son of charles shall claim , non igitur dryadae nostrates pectore vano nec sine consulto coluerunt numine quercum , non illam albionis jam tum celebravit honore stulta superstitio , venturive inscia secli angliaci ingentes puto praevidisse triumphos roboris , imperiumque maris quod maximus olim , carolides vastâ victor ditione teneret . couleii l. . pl. as we may find the praediction gloriously followed by our ingenious poet , where his dryad consignes that sacred depositum to this monarch of the forest the oak , than which nothing can be more sublime and rapturous . . from those sylvan philosophers and divines ( not to speak much of the indian brachmans descended of the antient gymnosophists ) 't is believed that the great pythagoras might institute his silent monasterie ; and we read that plato entertain'd his auditors amongst his walks of trees , which were afterward defac'd by the inhumanity of sylla , when as appian tells us , he cut down those venerable shades to build forts against pyraeus : and another we find he had , planted near anicerides with his own hands , wherein grew that celebrated platanus under which he introduces his master socrates discoursing with phaedon de pulchro : such another place was the athenian cephisia as agellius describes it : democritus also taught in a grove , as we find in that of hippocrates to damagetus , where there is a particular tree design'd ad otium literarum ; and i remember tertullian calls these places studia opaca : i could here tell you of palaemon , timon , apollonius , theophrastus , and many more that erected their schools in such colleges of trees , but i spare my reader ; i shall onely note that 't is reported of thucydides that he compiled his noble history in the scaplan groves ▪ as pliny writes ; and in that matchless piece de oratore , we shall find the interlocutors to be often under the platanus in his tusculan villa , where invited by the freshnesse and sweetness of the place admonuit ( says one of them ) me haec tua platanus quae non minus ad opacandum hunc locum patulis & diffusa ramis quam illa , cujus umbram secutus est socrates , quae mihi videtur non tam ipsa aquula , quae describitur , quàm platonis oratione crevisse , &c. as the orator brings it in , in the person of one of that meeting . i confesse quintilian seems much to question whether such places do not rather perturb and distract from an orators recollection , and the depths of contemplation : non tamen ( sayes he ) protinus audiendi , qui credunt aptissima in hoc nemora , sylvasque , quod illa coeli libertas , locorumque amaenitas , sublimem animum , & beatiorem spiritum parent : mihi certè jucundus hic magis ; quàm studiorum hortator videtur esse secessus : namque illa ipsa quae delectant , necesse est avocent ab intentione operis destinati : he proceeds — quare sylvarum amoenitas , & praeter labentia flumina , & inspirantes ramis arborum aurae , volucrúmque cantus & ipsa latè circumspiciendi libertas , ad se trahunt ; ut mihi remittere potius vo●uptas ista videatur cogitationem quam intendere . but this is onely his singular suffrage , which as conscious of his error , we soon hear him retract , when he is by and by as loud in its praises , as the places in the world , the best fitted for the diviner rhetorique of poetry : but let us admit another to cast in his symbol for groves : nemora ( sayes he ) & luci , & secretum ipsum , tantam mihi afferunt voluptatem ut inter precipuos carminum fructus , majorem , quod nec in strepitu , nec sedente ante hostium litigatore , nec inter sordes & lacrymas reorum comprimantur : sed secedit animus in loca pura , atque innocentia , fruturque sedibus sacris . and indeed the poets thought of no other heaven upon earth , or elsewhere ; for when anchises was setting forth the felicity of the other life to his son , the most lively description he could make of it was to tell him , — we dwell in shady groves , — lucis habitamus opacit and that when aeneas had travell'd far to find those happy abodes , they came to groves , of happy souls the rest to ever-greens , the dwellings of the blest . devenere locos latos , & amoena vireta fortunatorum nemorum , sedesque beatas . such a prospect he gives us of his elysium ; and therefore wise and great persons had alwayes these sweet opportunities of recesse , their domos sylvae , as we reed , reg. . . which were thence called houses of royal refreshment , or as the septuagint 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , not much unlike the lodges in divers of our noble-mens parks , and forest-walks ; which minds me of his choice in another poem , in lofty towers let pallas take her rest , whilst shady groves ' boue all things please us best . — pallas quas condidit arces , ipsa colat , nobis placeant ante omnia sylvae . eclog. . and for the same reason mecoenas — chose the broad oak — maluit umbrosam quercum — and as horace bespeaks them , me the cool woods above the rest advance where the rough satyrs with the light nymphs dance . — me gelidum nemus nympharumque leves cum satyris chori , secernunt populo — and virgil again , our sweet thalia loves , nor does she scorn to haunt umbragious groves — nostra nec ●rubuit sylvas habitare thalia . or as thus expressed by petrarch , — the muse her self injoys best in the woods , verse flies the city noyse . sylva placet musis , urbs est inimica poetis . so true is that of yet a better poet of our own ; as well might corn , as verse in cities grow , in vain the thanklesse glebe we plow and sow , against th' unnatural soil in vain we strive , 't is not a ground in which these plants will thrive . conley . when it seems they will bear nothing but nettles , and thorns of satyrs , and as juvenal sayes , by indignation too ; and therefore almost all the poets , except those who were not able to eat bread without the bounty of great men ; that is , without what they could get by flattering them ( which was homer's and pindar's case ) have not onely withdrawn themselves from the vices and vanities of the great world , into the innocent felicities of gardens , and groves , and retirednesse , but have also commended and adorned nothing so much in their never-dying poems . here then is the true parnassus , castalia , and the muses , and at every call in a grove of venerable oaks , methinks i hear the answer of an hundred old druyds , and the bards of our inspired ancestors . innumerable are the testimonies i might produce in behalf of groves and woods out of the poets , virgil , gratius , ovid , horace , claudian , statius , silius , and others of latter times , especially the divine petrarch ; were i minded to swell this charming subject , beyond the limits of a chapter : i think onely to take notice , that theatrical representations , such as were those of the ionian call'd andria ; the scenes of pastorals , and the like innocent rural entertainments were of old adorn'd and trimm'd up è ramis & frondibus , cum racemis & corymbis , and frequently represented in groves , as the learned scaliger shews : and here the most beloved of apollo rooted his coy mistris , and the noblest raptures have been conceiv'd in the walks and shades of trees , and poets have composed verses which have animated men to heroic and glorious actions ; here orators ( as we shewed ) have made their panegyrics , historians grave relations , and the profound philosophers lov'd here to passe their lives in repose and contemplation , and the frugal repasts — mollesque sub arbore somni were the natural and chast delights of our fore-fathers . . nor were groves thus onely frequented by the great scholars , and the great wits , but by the greatest statesmen and politians also ; and the athenians were wont to consult of their gravest matters and publick concernments in them . famous for these assemblies were the ceraunian , and at rome the lucus petilinus , the farentinus , and others , in which there was held that renowned parliament after the defeat of the gaules by m. popilio : for 't was supposed that in places so sacred , they would faithfully and religiously observe what was concluded amongst them . in such green palaces the first kings reign'd , slept in their shades , and angels entertain'd : with such old counsellors they did advise , and by frequenting sacred groves , grew wise ; free from th' impediments of light and noyse , man thus retir'd , his nobler thoughts imploys . mr. wallet . as our excellent poet has describ'd it : and amongst other weighty matters they treated of matches for their children , and the young people made love in the cooler shades , and ingrav'd their mistris's names upon the bark , tituli aereis literis insculpti as pliny speaks of that antient vatican ilex , and euripides in hippolyto , where he shews us how they made the incision , whisper their soft complaints like that of aristaenetus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. and wish that it had but a soul and a voyce to tell cydippe , the fair cydippe , how she was belov'd : and doubtlesse this character was antienter than that in paper ; let us hear the amorous poet leaving his young couple thus courting each other . my name on bark engraven by your fair hand , oenone , there , cut by your knife does stand ; and with the stock my name alike do's grow , be 't so , and my advancing honour show . incisae servant a te mea nomina fagi et legor oenone falce notata tua , et quantum trunci , tantum mea nomina crescunt , crescite , & in titulos surgite ritè meos . ovid. ep. which doubtlesse he learnt of maro describing the unfortunate gallus . there on the tender bark to carve my love ; and as they grow , so shall my hopes improve . ogilby . — tenerisque meos incidere amores arboribus ; crescentillae , crescetis amores . eclog. . and these pretty monuments of courtship i find were much used on the cherry-tree ( the wild one i suppose ) which has a very smooth rind , as the witty calfurnius , repeat , thy words on cherry-bark i 'll take , and that red skin my table-book will make . dic age , nam cerasi tua cortice verba notab● et decisa feram rutilanti carmina libro . i omit olympius nemesianus , and others , for we have dwelt too long on this trifle , but we will now change the scene as the aegyptians did the mirth of their guests when they serv'd in a scull to make them more serious . for , . amongst other uses of groves , i read that some nations were wont to hang , not malefactors onely , but their departed friends , and those whom they most esteemed upon trees , as so much nearer to heaven , and dedicated to god ; believing it far more honourable than to be buried in the earth ; and that some affected to repose rather in these woody places propertius seems to bespeak . the gods forbid my bones in the high-road should lye ▪ by every wandring vulgar trod ; thus buried lovers are to scorn expos'd , my tomb in some by arbor be inclos'd . di faciant mea ne terrâ locet ossa frequenti quâ facit assiduo tramite vulgus iter , post mortem tumuli sic infamantur amantum , me tegat arboreâ devia terra comâ . the same is affirmed of other septentrional people by chr. cilicus de bello dithmarsico l. . we have already mention'd rebeccah , and read of kings themselves that honoured such places with their sepulchres : what else should be the meaning of chro. . . when the valiant men of jabesh interr'd the bones of saul and jonathan under the oke . famous was the hyrnethian caemeterie where daiphon lay ; ariadnes tomb was in the amathusian grove in crete , now candie : for they believed that the spirits and ghosts of men delighted to expatiate and appear in such solemn places , as the learned grotius notes from theophylact , speaking of the daemons , upon mat. . for which cause plato gave permission , that trees might be planted over graves , to obumbrate and refresh them . our blessed saviour chose the garden sometimes for his oratory , and dying , for the place of his sepulchre ; and we do avouch for many weighty causes , that there are none more fit to bury our dead in , than in our gardens and groves , where our beds may be decked with verdant and fragrant flowers , trees and perennial plants , the most natural and instructive hieroglyphics of our expected resurrection and immortality , besides what they might conduce to the meditation of the living , and the taking off our cogitations from dwelling too intently upon more vain and sensual objects ; that custom of burying in churches , and near about them ( especially in great and populous cities ) being both a novel presumption , undecent , and very unhealthful . . to make this discourse the more absolute , we shall add a short recital of the most famous groves which we find celebrated in histories ; and those , besides many already mention'd , were such as being consecrated both to gods and men , bore their names : amongst these are reckoned the sacred to minerva , isis , latona , cybele , osiris , aesculapius , diana , and especially the aricinian , in which there was a goodly temple erected , placed in the midst of an iland , with a vast lake about it , a mount , and a grotto adorn'd with statues , and irrigated with plentiful streams : and this was that renouned recesse of numa , where he so frequently conversed with his aegeria , as did minos in the cave of jupiter , and by whose pretended inspirations they gain'd the deceived people , and made them receive what lawes he pleas'd to impose upon them . to these we may joyn , the groves of vulcan , venus , and the little cupid : mars , bellona , bacchus , sylvanus , the muses , and that neer helicon from the same numa , their great patron ; and hence had they their name camoenae . in this was the noble statue of eupheme nurse to those poetical ladies ; but so the feranian and even mons parnassus , were thick shaded with trees . nor may we omit the more impure lupercal groves sacred , or prophan'd rather , yet most famous for their affording shelter and foster to romulus , and his brother rhemus . that of vulcan was usually guarded by dogs , like the town of s. malos in bretaigne : the pinea sylva appertain'd to the mother of the gods , as we find in virgil. venus had several groves in aegypt , and in the gnidian island , where once stood those famous statues cut by praxiteles ; another in pontus , where ( if you 'll believe it ) hung up the golden fleece for the bold adventurer . nor was the watry-king neptune without his groves , the helicean in greece was his : so ceres , and proserpine , pluto , vesta , castor and pollux had such shady places consecrated to them ; add to these the lebadian , arfinoan , paphian , senonian , and such as were in general dedicated to all the gods. — the gods have dwelt in groves . — habitarunt dii quoque sylva● . and these were as it were pantheons . to the memory of famous men and heros were consecrated the achillean , aglauran , and those to bellerophon , hector , alexander , and to others who disdained not to derive their names from trees and forests ; as sylvius the posthumus of aeneas ; divers of the albanian princes , and great persons ; stolon , laura , daphnis , &c. and a certain custom there was for the parents to plant a tree at the birth of an heir or son , presaging by the growth and thriving of the tree the prosperity of the child : thus we read in the life of virgil , and how far his natalitial poplar had out-strip'd the rest of its contemporaries . and the reason doubtlesse of all this was , the general repute of the sanctity of those places ; for no sooner does the poët speak of a grove , but immediately some consecration follows , as believing that out of those shady profundities some deity must needs emerge , quo possis viso dicere numen inest . so as tacitus ( speaking of the germans ) sayes , lucos & nemora consecrant , deorumque nominibus appellant secretum illud , quod solâ reverentiâ vident ; and the consecration of these nemorous places we find in quintus curtius , and in what paulus diaconus de lege relates of the longobards where the rites are expresse , allur'd as 't is likely by the gloominesse of the shade , procerity and altitude of the stem , floridnesse of the leaves and other accidents , not capable of philosophising on the physical causes , which they deem'd supernatural , and plainly divine ; so as to use the words of prudentius , here all religion paid ; whose dark recesse a sacred awe does on their mind impresse , to their wild gods — quos penes omne sacrum est , quicquid formid● trem●udu●● suaserit horrificos , quos prodigialia cogun● monstra deos — l. . cout . sym. and this deification of their trees , and amongst other things , for their age and perennial viridity , sayes diodorus , might spring from the manifold use which they afforded , and happly had been taught them by the gods , or rather by some god-like persons , whom for their worth and the publick benefit they esteemed so ; and that divers of them were voyc'd to have been metamorphoz'd from men into trees , and again out of trees into men , as the arcadians gloried in their birth , when out of the teeming bark of oakes men burst . géusque virûm , truncis , & rupto robore nati , which perhaps they fancied , by seeing men creep sometimes out of their cavities , in which they often lodg'd and secur'd themselves ; for in th' earths non-age under heavens new frame , they stricter liv'd , who from oaks rupture came . stapylton . quippe aliter tunc orbe novo coelòque recenti vivebant homines qui rupto robore nati , &c. juven . l. . s. . or as the sweet papinius , fame goes that thou brake forth from the hard rind , when the new earth with the first feet was sign'd ? fields yet nor houses doleful pangs reliev'd but shady ash the numerous births receiv'd , and the green babe drop'd from the pregnant elm , whom strange amazement first did over-whelm at break of day , and when the gloomy night ravish'd the sun from their pursuing sight , gave it for lost — — nemorum vos stirpe rigen●i — fama satos , cum prima pedum vestigia tellus admirata tulit , nondum arva , domúsque ferebant cruda puerperia , ac populos umbrosa creavit , fraxinus , & foetâ viridis puer excidit orno : hi lucis stupuisse vices , noctísque feruntur , nubila , & occiduum longe titana secuti desperâsse diem — almost like that which rinaldo saw in the inchanted forest . an aged oak beside him cleft and rent , and from his fertile hollow womb forth went ( clad in rare weeds , and strange habilement ) a full grown nymph . — quercia gli appar , che per se ste●●● incis● apre feconda il cavo ventre , è figlia : en ' esce fuor vestita in strania guisa ninfa d' età cresciuta . — canto . and that every great tree included a certain tutelar genius or nymph living and dying with it , the poets are full ; a special instance we have in that prodigious oak which fell by the fatal stroke of erisichthon ; but the hamadryads it seems were immortal , and had power to remove , and change their wooden habitations . . we might here produce wonderful strange apparitions of this nature , interceding for the standing , and life of trees , when the ax has been ready for execution , as you may see in that hymn of callimachus , pausanias , and the famous story of paraebius related by apollonius in . argonaut . with the fearful catastrophe of such as causelesly and wantonly violated those goodly plantations ( from which fables arose , that of the dodonean and vocal forests , frequent in heathen writers ) but by none so elegantly as the witty ovid , describing the fact of the wicked erisichthon . — who gods despis'd , nor ever on their altars sacrific'd , — qui numina divûm sperneret , & nullos aris adoleret honores &c. who ceres groves with steel prophan'd : where stood an old huge oak ; even of it self a wood. wreaths , ribands , grateful tables deckt his boughs and sacred stem ; the dues of powerful vows . full oft the dryades , with chaplets crown'd , danc't in the shade ; full oft they tript a round about his bole . five cubits three times told his ample circuit hardly could infold . whose stature other trees as far exceeds , as other trees surmount the humble weeds . yet this his fury rather did provoke : who bids his servants fell the sacred oak . and snatches , while they paus'd , an ax from one , thus storming : not the goddesse lov'd alone ; but , though this were the goddesse , she should down , and sweep the earth with her aspiring crown . as he advanc'd his arms to strike , the oak both sigh'd and trembl'd at the threatning stroke . his leaves and acorns , pale together grew , and colour-changing-branches sweat cold deaw : then wounded by his impious hand , the blood gush'd from th' incision in a purple flood : much like a mighty ox , that falls before the sacred altar , sprouting streams of gore . on all amazement seiz'd : when one of all the crime deters , nor would his ax let fall . contracting his stern brows ; receive , said he , thy pieties reward ; and from the tree the stroke converting , lops his head ; then strake the oak again ; from whence a voyce thus spake : a nymph am i , within this tree inshrin'd , belov'd of ceres , o prophane of mind , vengeance is near thee : with my parting breath , i prophecy , a comfort to my death . he still his guilt pursues ; who over-throws with cables , and innumerable blows the sturdy oak ; which nodding , long , down rush'd , and in his lofty fall his fellows crush'd . sandys . but a sad revenge follows it , as the poet will tell you ; and one might fill a just volume with the histories of groves that were violated by wicked men , who came to fatal periods . it is reported that the minturensian grove was esteem'd so venerable , that a stranger might not be admitted into it ; and the great xerxes himself when he passed through achaia , would not touch a grove which was dedicated to jupiter , commanding his army to do it no violence , and the honours he did to one single ( but a goodly ) platanus we have already mention'd . the like to this we find when the persians were put to flight by pausanias ; though they might have sav'd their lives by it , as appears in the story . the same reverence made that hercules would not so much as tast the waters of the aegerian groves after he slew cacus , though extreamly thirsty . — the priestesse se'd ( a purple fillet binding her gray head ) stranger , pry not , but quit this shady seat , avant , and whiles thou safely may , retreat , to men forbid , and by hard sanction bound ▪ far better other springs were by you found . punicco canas stamine vincta comas , parce oculis hospes , lucôque abscede verend● cede agedum , & tuta limina linque fuga , interdicta viris , metuenda lege piatur di tibi dent alios fontes — propert. l. . nor indeed in such places was it lawful to hunt , unlesse it were to kill for sacrifice , as we read in arrianus ; whence 't is reported by strabo , that in the aetolian groves sacred to diana , the beasts were so tame , that the very wolves and staggs fed together like lambs , and would follow a man licking his hands , and fauning on him . such a grove was the crotonian , in which livy writes , there was a spacious field stor'd with all sorts of game . there were many forests consecrated to jupiter , juno , and apollo ; especially the famous epidaphnes near the syrian antioch , which vvas most incomparably pleasant , adorn'd vvith fountains and rare statues . there vvas to be seen the laurel vvhich had been his chast mistris , and in the center of it his temple and asylum : here it vvas cosroes and julian did sacrifice upon several occasions as eusebius relates , but could not vvith all their impious arts obtain an answer ; because the holy babylas had been interr'd near that oracle , for vvhich it vvas reputed so venerable , that there remained an expresse title in the code de cupressis ex luco daphnes non excidendis , vel venundandis , that none should either fell , or sell any of the trees about it , which may serve for another instance of their burying in such places . the truth is , so exceedingly superstitious they were and tender , that there was almost no medling with these devoted trees , and even before they did but conlucare and prune one of them , they were first to sacrifice , least they might offend in something ignorantly : but to cut down was capital , and never to be done away with any offering whatsoever ; and therefore conlucare in authours is not ( as some pretend ) succidere , but to prune the branches onely , and yet even this gentle tonsure of superfluities was reputed a kind of contamination ; and hence lucus cöinquinari dicitur , unlesse in the case of lightning when caelo tacti , a whole tree might quite be fell'd , as mark'd by heaven for the fire . but of this sufficient : we could indeed fill many sheets with the catastrophe of such as maliciously destroy'd groves to feed either their revenge or avarice : see plutarch in pericles , and the saying of pompeius : cicero sharply reproves g. gabinius for his prodigious spoil in greece , and it was of late dayes held a piece of inhumanity in charles the french king , when he entred the frisons after he had slain their leader , to cut down their woods , a punishment never inflicted by sober princes but to prevent idolatry in the old law ; and to shew the heinousnesse of disloyalty and treason by latter sanctions , in which case , and for terror , even a traitors woods have become anathema , as were easie to instance out of histories . . but what shall we say then of our late prodigious spoilers , whose furious devastation of so many goodly woods and forests , have bequeath'd an infamy on their names and memories not quickly to be forgotten ! i mean our unhappy vsurpers , and injurious sequestrators ; not here to mention the deplorable necessities of a gallant and loyal gentry , who for their compositions were ( many of them ) compell'd to add yet to this wast , by an inhumane and unparallel'd tyrannie over them , to preserve the poor remainder of their fortunes , and to find them bread. nor was it here they desisted , when , after the fate of that once beautiful grove under greenwich-castle , the royal walk of elms in st. james's park . that living galery of aged trees , was once propos'd to the late council of state ( as they call'd it ) to be cut down and sold , that with the rest of his majesties houses already demolished , and mark'd out for destruction , his trees might likewise undergo the same destiny , and no footsteps of monarchy remain unviolated . . it is from hence you may calculate what were the designs of those excellent reformers , and the care these great states-men took for the preservation of their country , when being parties in the booty themselves , they gave way to so dishonourable and impolitic a wast of that material , which being left intire , or husbanded with discretion , had prov'd the best support and defence of it . but this ( say they ) was the effect of war , and in the height of our contentions . no , it was a late and cold deliberation , and long after all had been subdu'd to them ; nor could the most implacable of enemies have express'd a resolution more barbarous . we have spoken of the great xerxes , that passing conquerour through achaia , he would not suffer his army to violate so much as a tree of his adversaries ; and have sufficiently observed from the antients , that the gods did never permit them to escape unpunish'd who were injurious to groves . what became of agamemnon's host after his spoyl of the woods at aulis ? histories tell us cleomenes died mad : the temesaean genius became proverbial ; and the destructive fact that the inraged caesar perpetrated on the massilian trees , went not long unreveng'd , thus related by the poet , and an illustrious record of all we have hitherto produc'd , to assert their veneration . lucus erat longo nunquam violatus ab aevo , &c. lucan . l. . a wood untouch'd of old was growing there of thick-set trees , whose boughs spreading and fair meeting , obscured the inclosed air , and made dark shades exiling phoebus rayes : there no rude fawn , nor wanton sylvan playes ; no nymph disports , but cruel deities claim barbarous rites , and bloody sacrifice : each tree defil'd with humane blood ; if we believe traditions of antiquity : no bird dares light upon those hollowed boughs , no beasts make there their dens ; no wind there blows ; no lightning falls : a sad religious awe , the quiet trees unstirr'd by wind do draw . black water currents from dark fountains flow : the gods unpolish'd images do know no art , but plain , and formlesse trunks they are . their mosse and mouldinesse procures a fear : the common figures of known deities are not so fear'd : not knowing what god 't is , makes him more awfull : by relation the shaken earths dark caverns oft did grone : fall'n yew-trees often of themselves would rise : with seeming fire oft flam'd th'unburned trees : and winding dragons the cold oaks embrace , none give neer worship to that baleful place ; the people leave it to the gods alone . when black night reigns , or phoebus gilds the noon , the priest himself trembles , afraid to spy in th'awful woods its guardian-deity . but now erisichthon-like , and like him in punishment ; for his was hunger , caesars thirst , and thirst of humane blood , reveng'd soon after in his own. the wood he bids them fell , not standing far from all their work : untoucht in former war , among the other bared hills it stands of a thick growth ; the souldiers valiant hands trembled to strike , mov'd with the majestie , and think the ax from off the sacred tree rebounding back , would their own bodies wound : th' amazement of his men when caesar found ; in his bold hand himself an hatchet took , and first of all assaults a lofty oak , and having wounded the religious tree , let no man fear to fell this wood ( quoth he ) the guilt of this offence let caesar bear . &c. may and so he did soon after , carrying to the grave ( 't is thought ) the maledictions of the incensed gauls to his funeral-pile , — for who the gods thus injur'd , unreveng'd does go ? — quis enim laesos impunè putar●● esse deos — . but least this be charg'd with superstition , because the instances are heathen : it was a more noble and remarkable , as well as recent example , when at the siege of breda , the late famous general spinola commanded his army not to violate a tree of a certain wood belonging to the prince of orange there , though a reputed traytor , and in open defiance with his master . in sum , we read , that when mithridates but deliberated about the cutting down of some stately trees which grew near patara , a city of lycia , though necessitated to it for the building of warlike engines with them , being terrifi'd in a vision , he desisted from his purpose . it were to be wish'd these , or the like examples , might have wrought some effects upon the sacrilegious purchasers , and disloyal invaders in this iron-age amongst us , who have lately made so prodigious a spoyl of those goodly forests , woods , and trees ( to gratifie an impious and unworthy avarice ) which being once the treasure and ornament of this nation , were doubtlesse reserved by our more prudent ancestors for the repairs of our floating castles , the safeguard and boast of this renowned island , when necessity , or some imminent peril should threaten it , or call for their assistance ; and not to be devoured by these improvident wretches , who , to their eternal reproach , did ( with the royal patrimony ) swallow likewise gods own inheritance ; but whose sons and nephews we have liv'd to see hastily disgorge them again ; and with it all the rest of their holy purchases , which otherwise they might securely have enjoy'd . but this , in terrorem onely , and for caution to posterity , whiles we leave the guilty , and those who have done the mischiefs , to their proper scorpions , and to their erisichthonian-fate , or that of the inexorable paraebius , the vengeance of the dryads , and to their tutelar better genius , if any yet remain , who love the solid honour and ornament of their countrey : for what could i say lesse , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and * wood-born as i am , in behalf of those sacred shades , which both grace our habitations , and protect our nation ? . but i acknowledge how easie it is to be lost in this wood , and that i have hardly power to take off my pen whilst i am on this delightful subject : for what more august , more charming and useful , than the culture and preservation of such goodly plantations . that shade to our grand-children give . — seris factura nepotibus umbram . and afford so sweet , and so agreeable refreshment to our industrious wood-man . when he , his wearied limbs had laid , under a florid plataus shade . cùm post labores sub platano cubat virentis umbrae — claud. or some other goodly spreading trees , such as we told you stopt the legions of a proud conquerour , and that the wise socrates sware by : that passenius crispus did sacrifice to , and the honours of his gods. . but , whilst we condemn this excesse in them ; christians , and true philosophers may be instructed to make use of these enjoyments to better purposes , by contemplating the miracles of their production and structure : and what mortal is there so perfect an atomist , who will undertake to detect the thousandth part , or poynt of so exile a grain ; as that insensible rudiment , or rather halituous spirit , which brings forth the lofty firr-tree , and the spreading oake ? that trees of so enormous an height and magnitude , as we find some elmes , planes , and cypresses ; some hard as iron , and solid as marble ( for such the indies furnish many ) should be swadl'd and involv'd within so small a dimension ( if a poynt may be said to have any ) without the least luxation , confusion or disorder of parts , and in so weak and feeble a substance ; being at first but a kind of tender mucilage , or rather rotteness , which so easily dissolves and corrupts substances so much harder , when they are buried in the moist womb of the earth , whilst this tender , and flexible as it is , shall be able in time to displace and rent in sunder whole rocks of stones , and sometimes to cleave them beyond the force of iron wedges , so as even to remove mountains ? for thus no weights are observ'd able to suppress the victorious palm ; and thus , our tree ( like man whose inverted symbol he is ) being sown in corruption , rises in glory , by little and little ascending into an hard erect stem of comely dimensions , into a solid tower as it were ; and that which but lately a single ant , would easily have born to his little cavern , now capable of resisting the fury , and braving the rage of the most impetuous storms , magni mehercle artificis , clausisse totum in tam exiguo ( to use seneca's expression ) & horror est consideranti . . contemplate we again , what it is which begins this motion or flame , causing it first to radiate in the earth , and then to display its top in the ayre , so different poles ( as i may call them ) in such different mediums ? how it elects , and then intro-sumes its proper food , and gives suck , as it were , to it s yet tender infant , till it have strength and force to prey on , and digest the more solid juices of the earth ; for then , and not 'till then , do the roots begin to harden : consider how it assimilates , separates , and distributes these several supplies ; how it concocts , transmutes , augments , produces and nourishes without separation of excrements ( at least to us visible ) and generates its like , without violation of virginity : by what exquisite percolations , and fermentations it proceeds ; for the heart , fibers , veins , rind , branches , leaves , blossoms , fruit ; for the strength , colour , tast , odour and other stupendious qualities , and distinct faculties , some of them so repugnant and contrary to others ; yet in so uniform , and successive a series , and all this perform'd in the dark , and those secret recesses of nature . quid foliorum describam diversitates ? what shall we say of the mysterious forms , variety , and variegation of the leaves and flowers , contriv'd with such art , yet without art ; some round , others long , oval , multangular , indented , crisped , rough , smooth and polished , soft and flexible at every tremulous blast , as if it would drop in a moment , and yet so obstinately adhering , as to be able to contest against the fiercest winds , that prostrate mighty structures , raising hurrocanes , the violence whereof whole fleets and countries do often feel ; yet i say , continually making war , and sometimes joyning forces with steeming showers , against the poor leaf , tyed on by a slender stalk ; there it abides 'till god bids it fall : for so the wise disposer of things has plac't it , not only for ornament , but use and protection both of body and fruit , from the excessive heat of summer , and colds even of the sharpest winters , and their immediate impressions ; as we find it in all such places and trees , as like the blessed and good man , have alwayes fruit upon them , ripe , or preparing to mature ; such as the pine , fir , arbutus , orange and most of those which the indies and more southern tracts plentifully abound in ; where nature provides this continual shelter , and clothes them with perennial garments . . let us again examine with what care the seeds , those little souls of plants , quorum exilitas ( as one sayes ) vix locum inveniat ( in which the whole and compleat tree ; though invisible to our dull sense , is yet perfectly and intirely wrapp'd up ) are preserv'd from avolation , diminution and detriment ; expos'd , as they seem to be , to all those accidents of weather , storms and rapacious birds , in their spinic , arm'd and compacted receptacles ; where they sleep as in their causes , 'till their prisons let them gently fall into the embraces of the earth , now made pregnant with the season , and ready for another burthen : for at the time of year she fails not to bring them forth ; and with what delight have i beheld this tender and innumerable off-spring repullulating at the feet of an aged tree ! from whence the suckers are drawn , transplanted and educated by humane industry ; and forgetting the ferity of their nature , become civiliz'd to all his employments . . can we look on the prodigious quantity of liquor , which one poor wounded birch will produce in a few hours , and not be astonish'd how some trees should in so short a space , weep more than they weigh ? and that so dry , so feeble and wretched a branch as that which bears the grape , should yield a juice that cheers both god and man ? that the pine , fir , larch , and other resinous trees , planted in such rude , and uncultivated places , amongst rocks and dry pumices , should transude into terpentine , and pearl out into gums , and pretious balms ? . there are ten thousand considerations more , besides that of their medicinal and sanative properties , and the mechanical vses mention'd in this treatise , which a contemplative person may derive from the groves and the woods ; all of them the subject of wonder ; and though he had onely the palm or the cocco , which furnishes a great part of the world with all that even a voluptuous man can need , or almost desire , it were sufficient to employ his meditations and his hands , as long as he had to live , though his years were as many as the most aged oak : but a wise , and a thinking man can need none of these topics , in every hedge , and every field they are before him ; and yet we do not admire them , because they are common , and obvious : thus we fall into the just reproach given by one of the philosophers ( introduc'd by the oratour ) to those who slighted what they saw every-day , because they every-day saw them ; quasi novitas nos magis quàm magnitudo rerum , debeat ad exquirendas causas excitare : as if novelty onely should be of more force to ingage our enquiry into the causes of things , than the worth and magnitude of the things themselves . resonate montes laudationem , sylva , et omne lignum ejus . finis . pomona , or an appendix concerning fruit-trees , in relation to cider , the making , and several ways of ordering it . virg. eclog. ix . — carpent tua poma nepotes . london , printed by john martyn and james allestry , printers to the royal society . mdclxx . to the right honourable thomas earl of sovthampton , lord high treasurer of england , &c. my lord , if great examples did not support it , the dignity and greatness of your person would soon have given cheque to this presumption : but since emperours and kings have not only gratefully accepted works of this nature , but honor'd them likewise with their own sacred hands , that name of yours , ( which ought indeed never to appear but on instruments of state and fronts of marble , consecrating your wisdom and vertues to eternity ) will be no way lessen'd by giving patronage to these appendant rusticities . it is from the protection and cherishment of such as your lordship is , that these endeavours of ours may hope one day to succeed and be prosperous . the noblest and most useful structures have laid their foundations in the earth : if that prove firm here ( and firm i pronounce it to be , if your lordship favour it ) we shall go on and flourish . i speak now in relation to the royal society , not my self , who am but a servant of it only , and a pioner in the works . but be its fate what it will , your lordship , who is a builder , and a lover of all magnificences , cannot be displeas'd at these agreeable accessories of planting , and of gard'ning . but , my lord , i pretend by it yet some farther service to the state than that of meerly profit , if in contributing to your divertisement i provide for the publick health , which is so precious and necessary to it in your excellent person . vouchsafe pomona your lordships hand to kiss , and the humble presenter of these papers the honour of being esteem'd , my lord , your most humble , and most obedient servant j. evelyn . pomona , or an appendix concerning fruit-trees , in relation to cider : the making , and several ways of ordering it . the preface . sat quercus was the proverb ; and it is now time to walk out of the woods into the fields a little , and to consider what advancement may be there likewise made by the planting of fruit-trees . for after the earth is duly cultivated , and pregnant with a crop of grain ; it is only by the furniture of such trees as bear fruit , that it becomes capable of any farther improvement . if then by discovering how this may best be effected i can but raise a worthy emulation in our country-men ; this addition of noble ornament , as well as of wealth and pleasure , food and wine , may ( i presume ) obtain some grateful admittance amongst all promoters of industry . but before i proceed , i must , and do ingenuously acknowledge , that i present my reader here with very little of my own , save the pains of collecting and digesting a few dispers'd notes ( but such as are to me exceedingly precious ) which i have receiv'd ; some from worthy , and most experienc'd * friends of mine ; and others , from the well-furnish'd registers , and cimelia of the royal society . especially , those aphorisms , and treatises relating to the history of cider , which by express commands they have been pleas'd to injoyn i should publish with my sylva . it is little more than an age , since hops ( rather a medical , than alimental vegetable ) transmuted our wholesome ale into beer ; which doubtless much alter'd our constitutions : that one ingredient ( by some not unworthily suspected ) preserving drink indeed , and so by custom made agreeable ; yet repaying the pleasure with tormenting diseases , and a shorter life , may deservedly abate our fondness to it ; especially , if with this be consider'd likewise , the casualties in planting it , as seldom succeeding more than once in three years ; yet requiring constant charge and culture ; besides that it is none of the least devourers of young timber . and what if a like care , or indeed one quarter of it , were ( for the future ) converted to the propagation of fruit-trees , in all parts of this nation , as it is already in some , for the benefit of cider ? ( one shire alone within twenty miles compass , making no less , yearly , than fifty thousand hogsheads ) the commutation would ( i perswade my self ) rob us of no great advantage ; but present us with one of the most delicious and wholesom beverages in the world. it was by the plain industry of one harris ( a fruiterer to king henry the eighth ) that the fields , and environs of about thirty towns , in kent only , were planted with fruit , to the universal benefit , and general improvement of that county to this day ; as by the noble example of my lord scudamor , and of some other publick-spirited gentlemen in those parts , all herefordshire is become , in a manner , but one intire orchard : and when his majesty shall once be pleas'd , to command the planting but of some acres , for the best cider-fruit , at every of his royal mansions , amongst other of his most laudable magnificences ; noblemen , wealthy purchasers , and citizens will ( doubtless ) follow the example , till the preference of cider , wholesom , and more natural drinks , do quite vanquish hopps , and banish all other drogues of that nature . but this improvement ( say some ) would be generally obstructed by the tenant , and high-shoon-men , who are all for the present profit ; their expectations seldom holding out above a year or two at most . to this 't is answer'd ; that therefore should the lord of the mannour not only encourage the work by his own example , and by the applause of such tenants as can be courted to delight in these kinds of improvements ; but should also oblige them by covenants to plant certain proportions of them , and to preserve them being planted . to fortifie this profitable design , it were farther to be desir'd , that ( if already there be not effectual provision for it which wants only due execution and quickning ) an act of parliament might be procur'd for the setting but of two or three trees in every acre of land that shall hereafter be enclosed , under the forfeiture of six-pence per tree , for some publick and charitable work , to be levy'd on the defaulters . to what an innumerable multitude would this , in few years , insensibly mount ; affording infinite proportions , and variety of fruit throughout the nation , which now takes a potion for a refreshment , and drinks its very bread-corn ! i have seen a calculation of twenty fruit-trees to every five-pounds of yearly rent ; forty to ten ; sixty to fifteen ; eighty to twenty ; and so according to the proportion . had all our commons , and waste-lands one fruit-tree but at every hundred foot distance , planted , and fenc'd at the publick charge , for the benefit of the poor , ( whatever might dy and miscarry ) enough would escape able to maintain a stock , which would afford them a most incredible relief . and the hedg-rows , and the champion-grounds , land-divisions , mounds , and head-lands ( where the plough not coming , 't is ever abandon'd to vveeds and briars ) would add yet considerably to these advantages , without detriment to any man. as touching the species , if much have been said to the preference of the red-strake before other cider-apples , this is to be added ; that as the best vines , of richest liquor , and greatest burden , do not spend much in wood and unprofitable branches ; so nor does this tree : for though other cider may seem more pleasant ( since we decline to give judgment of what is unknown to us ) we yet attain our purpose , if this shall appear best to reward the planter , of any in present practise ; especially , for the generality ; because it will fit the most parts which are addicted to these liquors , but miss of the right kinds , and prove the most secure from external injuries and invaders . but not to refine any farther upon the rare effects of cider , which is above all the most eminent , soberly to exhilerate the spirits of us hypocondriacal islanders , and by a specific quality to chase away that unsociable spleen , without excess ; we must not forget that the very blossom of the fruit perfumes , and purifies the ambient air , which ( as d r beal well observes in his hereford-shire orchards ) is conceiv'd conduces so much to the constant health and longaevity , for which that country has been always celebrated , fencing their habitations and sweet recesses from winds , and winter-invasions , the heat of the sun , and his unsufferable darts : and if ( saith he ) we may acknowledge grateful trifles , for that they harbour a constant aviary of sweet singers , which are here retain'd without the charge of italian wires : to which i cannot but add his following option , that if at any time we are in danger of being hindred from trade in forreign countries , our english indignation may scorn to feed at their tables , to drink of their liquors , or otherwise to borrow or buy of them , or of any their confederates , so long as our native soyl does supply us with such excellent necessaries . nor do we produce these instances to redeem the liquor from the superstition , prejudice , and opinions of those men who so much magnifie the juice of the grape above it : but we will here add some experiments from undenyable success ( in spite of vintners , and bauds to mens palats ) were they sufficient to convince us , and reclaim the vitiated ; or that it were possible to dispute of the pleasantness , riches , and praecedency of drinks and diets , and so to provide for fit , competent , and impartial judges ; when by nature , nation , or climate ( as well as by custom and education ) we differ in those extreams . most parts of africa and asia prefer coffee before our noblest liquors ▪ india , the roots and plants before our best cook'd venison ; almost all the world crude water , before our country ale and beer ; and we english being generally more for insipid , luscious , or gross diet , than for the spicy , poignant , oylie , and highly relish'd , ( witness our universal hatred of oyls , french-wine , or rhenish without sugar ; our doating on currans , figgs , plum-pottage , pies , pudding , cake , &c. ) renders yet the difficulty more arduous . but to make good the experiment about thirty years since one m. taylor ( a person well known in hereford-shire ) challeng'd a london-vintner ( finding him in the country ) that he would produce a cider which should excel his best spanish or french-wine : the wager being deposited , he brings in a good red-strake to a private house : on that scene , all the vintner could call to be judges pronounce against his wine ; nor would any many there drink french-wine ( without the help of sugar ) nor endure sack for a full draught ; and to those who were not accustomed to either , the more racy canaries were no more agreeable than malaga , too luscious for the repetition . but this wager being lost , our vintner renews his chartel , upon these express terms , of competent and indifferent arbitrators : the gentleman agrees to the articles ; and thus again after mutual engagements i● must be debated who were competent judges , and absolutely indifferent . m. taylor proposes three , whereof the odd number should by vote determine : they must be of the fittest ages too , or rather the fittest of all ages , and such as were inur'd neither to cider nor any wine ; and so it was agreed . the judges convene ; viz. a youth of ten years old , a man of thirty , and a third of sixty ; and by all these also our vintner lost the battel . but this is not enough ; 't is assay'd again by nine judges , the ternary thrice over ; and there 't is lost also : to this we could add another , even of the cider of ledbury ( which is not yet the best of herefordshire ) which , when an experienced london-vintner had tasted , he wish'd had been poyson ; for that if it were known where he dwelt , it would utterly undo his trade . and here i will conclude ; for i think never was fairer duel ; nor can more be reasonably pretended to vindicate this blessing of god , and our native liquor from their contempt , and to engage our propagators of it . to sum up all : if health be more precious than opinion , i wish our admirers of wines , to the prejudice of cider , beheld but the cheat themselves ; the sophistications , transformations , transmutations , adulterations , bastardizings , brewings , trickings , not to say , even arsenical compassings of this sophisticated god they adore ; and that they had as true an inspection into those arcana lucifera , which the priests of his temples ( our vintners in their taverns ) do practise ; and then let them drink freely that will ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : — give me good cider . it is noted in our aphorisms how much this beverage was esteemed by his late majesty , and court , and there referr'd to all the gentry of the invironing country , ( no strangers to the best vvines ) when for several summers in the city of hereford ( so encompass'd with store of it , and brought thither without charge , or extraordinary subductions ) it was sold for six-pence the vvine-quart , not for the scarcity , but the excellency of it : and for the red-strake , that it has been seen there hundreds of times ( with vehement and engaged competition ) compar'd with the cider of other the most celebrated fruit , when after a while of vapour , no man stood for any other liquor in comparison . but it is from these instances ( may some say ) when the vvorld shall have multiplied cider-trees , that it will be time enough to give instructions for the right pressing and preserving of the liquor . the objection is fair : but there are already more persons better furnish'd with fruit , than with directions how to use it as they should ; when in plentiful years so much cider is impair'd by the ignorant handling , and becomes dead and sowr , that many even surfeit with the blessing ; it being rarely seen in most countries , that any remains good , to supply the defects of another year ; and the royal society would prevent all this hazard by this free anticipation . and yet when all this is said , we undertake not to divine what excellent cider other soils may bear ; nor do we positively extol the red-strake farther than the bounds and confines of herefordshire , for the experiments we have produc'd ; but because there are doubtless many such soils sparsedly throughout this nation ; why should it not incite our industry to its utmost effort , and the commendable emulation of endeavouring to raise a yet kindlier cider-fruit if it be possible , and which may prove in it self as good , and as agreeable to the soil where we plant it ? and certainly , much of this may fairly be expected , from the trials , culture , and propagation of kernel-fruits of innumerable sorts , and from hopeful vvildings , and the peculiarity of grounds . it now remains , that i should make some apology for my self , to extenuate the tumultuary method of the ensuing periods . indeed it was not intended for a queint or elaborate piece of art ; nor is it the design of the royal society to accumulate repetitions when they can be avoided ; and therefore in an argument so much beaten as is that of dressing the seminary , planting , and modes of graffing , it has been with industry avoided ; such rude , and imperfect draughts being far better in their esteem ( and according to my lord bacon's ) than such as are adorn'd with more pomp , and ostentous circumstances , for a pretence to perfection . the time may come when the richness , and fullness of their collections may worthily invite some more industrious person to accomplish that history of agriculture , of which these pieces ( like the limbs of hippolitus ) are but scattered parts : and it is their greatest ambition for the publique good , to provide such materials , as may serve to raise , and beautifie that most desirable structure . evelyn . pomona . chap. i. of the seminary . we had not the least intention to enlarge upon this title , after we had well reflected on the many and accurate directions which are already published , as well in our french-gardiner , as in sundry other treatises of that nature , had not a most worthy member of the royal society ( to whom we have infinite obligations ) furnished us with some things very particular and remarkable , in order to the improvement of our seminaries , stocks , &c. which are indeed the very basis and foundation of cider-orchards . it is from those precious papers of his , and of some others ( whose observations also have richly contributed to this enterprize ) that we shall chiefly entertain our planter in most of the following periods . whosoever expects from the kernel of a rich or peculiar apple or pear to raise fruit of the same kind , is likely to find many obstructions and disappointments : for the wilding , ( crab or pear ) pomus sylvestris , being at the best the natural product of the soundest kernel in the firmest land , and therefore the gust of the fruit more strongly austere , fierce , and sharp , and also the fruit less and more woody ; and the pleasanter or plumper and larger apple being the effect of some inteneration , which inclines to a kind of rebatement of the natural strength of the tree ; the best choice of kernels for stocks indefinitely , ( and on which we may graff what we please ) should be from the soundest wilding . for , a kernel taken from any graffed-apple , as pepin , pear-main , &c. does most naturally propend to the wildness of the stock on which 't was inserted , as being the natural mother of the kernel , which is the very heart of the apple ; and also from a more deep and secret reason , to be hereafter unfolded . apples and pears requiring rather a vulgar and ordinary field-land , than a rich garden-mould , ( as has been often seen to succeed by frequent observations ) it has been found that kernels sowed in a very high compost , and rank earth , have produced ( large indeed ) but insipid fruit , hastily rotting on the trees , before all the parts of it were mature . vid. aphor. . and sometimes when they seemed in outward figure to bear the shape of graffed apples , from whence the kernels came , yet the gust did utterly deceive , wanting that vivacity and pungent agreeableness . if the kernels of natural apples ( or of ungraffed trees ) should produce the same , or some other variety of apples , ( as sometimes it succeeds ) yet would this care be seldom operae pretium , and at best but a work of chance , the disappointment falling out so often through the fickleness of the soil : or admit that the most proper and constant , yet would the very dews and rain , by various and mutable seasons , and even by the air it self , ( which operates beyond vulgar perception , in the very changes as well of the mould , as of the seeds and fruit ) create almost infinite alterations : and the choice having been in all places ( apparently for some thousands of years ) by propagating the most delicate of fruits by the graffs , 't is almost a desperate task to attempt the raising of the like , or better fruit from the rudiments of the kernel . yet since our design of relieving the want of wine , by a succedaneum of cider , ( as lately improv'd ) is a kind of modern invention , we may encourage and commend their patience and diligence who endeavour to raise several kinds of wildings for the tryal of that excellent liquor ; especially since by late experience we have found , that wildings are the more proper cider-fruits ; some of them growing more speedily , bearing sooner , more constantly , and in greater abundance in leaner land , much fuller of juice , and that more masculine , and of a more winy vigour . thus the famous red-strake of hereford-shire is a pure wilding , and within the memory of some now living sirnamed the scudamores crab , and then not much known save in the neighbourhood , &c. yet now it would be difficult to shew that red-strake which grew from a kernel in that whole tract , all being since become graffed trees . thus 't is also believed , that the bromsbury crab ( which carries the fame in some parts of glocester-shire ) and many of the white musts , and green musts , are originally savages ; as now in somerset-shire they have a generous cider made of promiscuous kernels , or ungraffed trees , which fills their confidence that no other cider does exceed it ; and 't is indeed strong , and of a generous vigour . nor dare we positively deny , but that even the best of our table-fruit came also originally from the kernel : for it is truly noted by my l. bacon , that the fruit does generally obey the graff , and yields very little to the stock ; yet some little it does . the famous bezy de hery , an excellent musky pear , was brought into the best orchards of france from a forest in bretainy , where it grew wild , and was but of late taken notice of . but now to the deep reason we lately threatned : we have by an experiment found some neer affinity between the kernel of the apple and the heart or interiour of the stock : for i saw ( says dr. beale ) an old rotten kernel-tree bearing a delicate summer-fruit , yielding store of smooth cider , ( 't is call'd the french-kernel-tree , and is also a dwarf , as is the red-strake ; ) and examining divers kernels , many years successively , of that hollow and decayed tree , i found them always very small of growth , and empty , meer skins of kernels , not unlike to the emasculated scrotum of an eunuch ; another younger tree , issuing from the sounder part of a root of the same old tree , had full and entire kernels . and from some such observation might the production of berberies , &c. without stones , be happily attempted ; an instrument fitted to take out the marrow or pith of the branches , ( as the same d r beale perform'd it ; ) for from the numerical bush of that fruit he found some branches produce berberies that had no stones , others which had ; and in searching for the cause of the effect , perceived , that the pith or heart was taken from the radicat , or main branches , as the other was full of pith , and consequently the fruit in perfection ; of all which ( he writes me word ) he made several tryals on other fruit , but left the place before he could see the event . but he adds ; these many years ( almost twenty ) i have yearly tri'd kernels in beds of clean earth , pots , and pans , and by the very leaves ( as they appear'd in first springing for one moneth ) i could discern how far my essays had civiliz'd 'em : the wilder had shorter , stiffer , brown , or fox-colour'd leaves , the more ingenuous had more tender , more spreading leaves ; and approaching the lighter verdure of the berbery leaf when it first appears . he adds , some apples are call'd rose-apples , rosemary-apples , gillyflower-apples , orange-apples , with several other adjuncts , denominating them , from what reason i know not . but if we intended to try such infusions upon the kernels ( as should endeavour to alter their kinds ) we should not approve of the bedabbling them with such infusions , ( for over - moisture would rather enervate than strengthen them ) but rather prepare the earth the year before , with such insuccations , and then hinder it from producing any weeds , till ready for the kernels , and then in dewy times , and more frequently when our climate were surcharg'd with rain , cover the beds and pots with the small leaves of rosemary , gillyflowers , or other oderiferous blossomes , and repeat it often , to the end the dews may meteorize , and emit their finer spirits , &c. or if any shall please to be so-liberal of their salts and calcinations of peculiar virtues ( though possibly the essay may indanger their seeds ) yet the mixture of such salts finely reduc'd and strewed discreetly on their beds , may be a more probable means , than those liquid infusions which have hitherto been so confidently boasted . for thus also we are in this age of ours provided of more vigorous ingredients for trials than were known to the ancients . finally , from what has been deduc'd from the wilding of several parts , it may manifestly appear , how much more congeneal some soil is than other , to yield the best cider-fruit from the kernel ; and the hazzle ground , or quicker mould , much better than the more obstinate clay or ranker earth : in hot gravelly-grounds , where almost no sort of fruit will grow , pears will thrive ; and a friend of mine assures me , of one that clave a rock , and filling it with a little good earth , planted a pear-tree therein , which prosper'd exceedingly : i add this , that none may go hence without encouragement . chap. ii. of stocks . the former thus establish'd , after all humours and varieties have been sufficiently wearied , we shall find the wilding to be the hardiest and most proper stock for the most delicate fruit : this confirm'd by varro , lib. . cap. . in quamcunque arborem inseras , &c. and 't is with reason : however they do in hereford-shire , both in practice , and opinion , limit this rule ; and to preserve the gust of any delicate apple ( as of the pear-main , quince-apple , stockin , &c. ) rather graff upon a gennet-moyle or cydoddin-stock , ( as there call'd ) than a crab-stock ; but then indeed they conclude the tree lasts not so long ; and 't is observ'd , that apples are better tasted from a clean , light land , &c. than from stiffer clay , or the more pinguid and luxurious soil , whence we may expect some assistance from the civility of the stock , which is a kind of prepared soil , or foundation to the graff ; even as our very transplantations into better ground is likewise a kind of graffing . thus in like manner our master varro , loco citato concerning pears ; si in pyrum sylvaticam , &c. the wild-stock does enliven the dull and phlegmatic apple , and the stock of a gennet-moyle sweeten and improve an apple that seems over-tart , as the pome-roy , or some greening , &c. or may rather seem to abate at least some apple over-tart and severe . your crab-stock would be planted about october , at thirty two foot distance , and not graffed till the third spring after , or at least not before the second . but if your design be for orchard only , and where they are to abide , an interval of sixteen foot shall suffice for the dwarfish kind , or in the grounds where the red-strake , or other fruit-trees are of small bulk , provided the ground be yearly turn'd up with the spade , and the distance quadrupled where the plough has priviledge ; this being the most expedite for such as have no nursery ground . chap. iii. of graffs and insitions . make choice of your graffs from a constant and well-bearing branch . and as the stock hath a more verdant rind , and is capable to yield more plenty of juice , so let the graff have more eyes or buds : ordinarily three or four eyes are sufficient to give issue to the sap ; but as well in apples , and pears , as in vines , those graffs or cions are preferr'd in which the buds are not too far asunder , or distant from the foot thereof : and such a number of buds usually determining the length of the graff , there may divers cions be made of one branch , where you cannot procure plenty of them for severals . as to the success of graffing , the main point is , to joyn the inward rind of the cion to the inward rind of the stock , so that the sap of the one , may there meet with the sap of the other , and these parts should be joyn'd closely , but not too forceably ; that being the best and most infallible way , by which most of the quick and juicy parts are mutually united , especially towards the bottom . if the stock be so big as to endanger the pinching of your graff , when the wedge is drawn out of the cleft , let the inner side of the graff , which is within the wood of the stock , be left the thicker , that so the woody part of the cion may bear the stress , and the sappy part be preserved from bruising . some by an happy-hand , do with good success graff without cleaving the stock at all , only by incisions in the rind , as the industrious mr. austin teaches us : but since this is not for every rustic hand , nor seems to fortifie so strongly against impetuous winds , before the union be secure , there had need be some extraordinary defence . choose the streightest and smoothest part of the stock for the place where you intend to graff : if the stock be all knotty ( which some esteem no impediment ) or crooked , rectifie it with the fittest posture of the graff . for a graff covet not a cions too slender ; for the sun and wind will sooner enforce it to wither : yet are we to distinguish , that for inoculation , we take the bud from a sprig of the last years shoot ; and most allow that the cions should also have some of the former with it , that it may be the stronger to graff , and abide to be put close into the stock , which is thought to advance it in bearing . in hereford-shire they do frequently choose a graff of several years growth ; and for the graffing of such large stocks as are taken out of the woods or nurseries , and fitted into rows for orchards , they choose not the graffs so small as in other countries they require them ; which has , it seems , occasion'd some complaint from them that understand not the reason of the first branch of this note . once for all , the stumpy graff will be found much superiour to the slender one , and make a much nobler and larger shoot . this upon experience . graff your cions on that side of the stock where it may receive the least hurt from the south-west wind , it being the most common , and most violent that blows in summer ; so as the wind may blow it to the stock , not from it : and when the zephyres of the spring are stirring , choose that season before all others for this work . some there are who talk of removing the stock about christmas , and then also graff it ; which there be that glory they can succesfully do even by the fire side , and so not be forc'd to expect a two or three years rooting of the stock ; but in this adventure 't is adviseable to plunge the graff three or four inches deep in the stock . lastly , be careful that the rain get not into the clefts of your young graffed stocks : yet it has been noted , that many old trees ( quite decay'd with an inward hollowness ) have born as full burdens , and constantly , as the very soundest , and the fruit found to be more delicate than usually the same kind from a perfect and more entire stock . except some former case requires it , leave not your graffs above four , five , or ( at most ) six inches of length above the stock ; for by the length it draws more feebly , and is more expos'd to the shocks of the wind , or hurt by the birds ; and you shall frequently perceive the summities and tops of such young graffs to be mortified and die . the genet-moyle is commonly propagated by cutting off the branch a little below a burr-knot , and setting it without any more ceremony ; but if they be also graffed first as they grow on the tree , and when they have covered the head , cut off below the burr , and set , it is far better : in this separation cut a little beneath the burr , and peel off , or prick the bark , almost to the knot : thus also if the branch have more knots than one , you may graff , and cut off yearly , till within half a foot of the very stem , which you may graff likewise , and so let stand . now for encouragement in transporting graffs at great distance , we find that with little care ( their tops uncut and unbruis'd ) they will hold good , and may support the transportation by sea or land from october or november to the very end of march : see sir h. plat's offers , paragr . . to which may be added , that if the graff receives no hurt by lying in the stock expos'd to all rain , dews , and severities of winter frosts from december to spring , ( as has been experimentally noted ) ; then ( by a stronger presumption ) in oyled , or rather waxen leather , it may undoubtedly escape . some prescribe , that the ends shall be stuck in a turnip : and many excellent graffers ( gentlemen some of very good credit ) have assured us , that the graffs which seemed withered , and fit to be cast away , have proved the best when tri'd . thus in honest barnaby googes noble heresbachius you will find it commended to gather your cions in the wane of the moon , at least ten days before you graff them ; and constantine gives this reason for it , that the graff a little withered , and thirsty , may be the better received of the stock : i know some who keep them in earth , from the end of october , till the spring , and will hardly use them before . there are also other inducements for this practice , as simon harwood , pag. . has shew'd us ; but none beyond our own experience , who have known graffs gathered in december thrive and do perfectly well . the best expedient to convey graffs is to stick the cut-ends in clay , envelop'd with a clout to preserve it from falling off ; and to wrap the other part of the twigs in dry hay or straw-bands , which will secure them both from the winds , galling , and other injuries in transportation : nay , i have known them sent many hundred miles from beyond the seas accommodated to an ordinary letter , and though somewhat short , and with very few buds , yet with excellent success ; and if this course were more universally consider'd , we might be furnish'd with many great curiosities with little difficulty or charge . chap. iv. of variety and improvements . if any man would have variety of unexpected and unknown apples and pears , for the improvement of cider , or palate-fruit , there is more hope from kernels rais'd in the nursery ( as has already been directed ) than from such tryals of graffings as we have yet seen in present use . but if we would recover the patience , and the sedulity of the antient ( of which some brief account will follow ) or listen to some unusual proposals , then may we undertake for some variety by insitions . to delude none with promises , we do much rather recommend the diligence of enquiring from all countries the best graffs of such fruits as are already found excellent for the purpose we design : as from the turgovians for that pear of which dr. pell gives so good and weighty informations ; and of which i had presented me some graffs , together with a tast of the most superlative perry the world certainly produces ; both which were brought near miles , without suffering the least diminution of excellency , by my worthy friend mr. hake a member of the r. society , in the year , and tasting as high , and as rich as ever to the present year i am writing this paragraph . but as some sorts are to be enquired after for the palate and the table , so 't is now our main business to search after such as are excellent for their liquor , either as more pleasant , more winy , or more lasting ; of which sort the bosbury bare-land-pear excels . the red strake , bromebury-crab , and that other much celebrated wilding call'd the oaken-pin , as the best for cider ; though for sufficient reasons we do yet prefer the red strake , to oblige the emulation of other countries , 'till they find out a fruit which shall excell it , and which we do most heartily wish . but to pursue the diligence of the antients , we direct the eye to a general expedient for all kinde of varieties imaginable , and which we hold far better than to present the world with a list of the particulars either known , or experimented : for who indeed but a fool will dare to tell wonders in this severe age , and upon an argument which is so environ'd with imposture in most writers old or new ? much less pretend to experiments which may fail to succeed by default of an unhappy occasion , when the conclusion must be penes authorem sit fides ! and truly men receive no small discouragement from the ugly affronts of clowns , and less cultivated persons , who laugh and scorn at every thing which is above their understanding : for example ; i knew a man ( writes dr. beale to me ) and he a most diligent planter and graffer , who for thirty or fourty years made innumerable essays to produce some change of an apple by graffing : it seems he was ambitious to leave his name on such a fruit , if he could have obtained it ; but always fail'd ; for he perpetually made his trials upon crab-stocks , or such ( at least ) as did not greatly differ from the kind ; and he ever found that the graff would praedominate . and how infinitely such men having lost their own aims , will despise better advice , we leave to observation . however , let us add , that where nothing is more facile than to raise new kinds of apples ( in infinitum ) from kernels : yet in that apple-country ( so much addicted to orchards ) we could never encounter more than two or three persons that did believe it : but in other places we meet with many that , on the other side , repute wildings , or ( as they call them ) kernel-fruit , at all adventure , and without choice , to be the very best of cider-fruit , and to make the most noble liquor . so much does the common judgment differ in several countries , though at no considerable distance , even in matters of visible fact , and epidemical experience . it has been soberly affirmed , that by graffing any white apple upon an elm , it changes the apple , and particularly to a red colour : i have a direction where we may be eye-witnesses of the proof ; whatever the truth of it be , we are not over-hastily to erect hercules's pillars ; but rather to encourage the experiment . to gratifie yet the ingenious , instruct others , and emancipate us all from these bastinado-clowns , we are furnish'd with many arguments and proofs to assure a good success , at least for variety and change , if not for infinite choice : two or three antient references being duly praemis'd ; namely , first , . that 't is in vain to expect change of apples from graffing upon differing stocks of crabs or apples . . in vain also are we to look for a kind tree from a very much differing stock ; as an altered pear to grow kindly on a crab or apple-stock , & contra . there go about indeed some jugglings , but we disdain to name them . it is one thing to find the kindest stock for the improvement of any fruit ; as the crab-stock for the delicate apple , the wild or black-cherry-stock , for the graffs of the fairest cherries ; the largest vine , ( whose root makes best shift for relief ) to accept the graff of the more delicate vine ; the white pear-plum stock , for the abricot , &c. and another thing it is to seek the stock which begets the wonder , variety , and that same transcendent and particular excellency we inquire after : for this must be at more remote distance ; and we offer from the ancients to shew , how it may be at any distance whatsoever : but the whole expedient seems to be hinted by sir h. plat , pag. . where he affirms , that if two trees grow together , that be apt to be graffed one into another , then let one branch into another , workmanly joyning sap to sap. this our gardiners call graffing by approach , and is explicated at large by columella . but in this express rule he is too narrow for our purpose , and far short of old experience ; as we find in parag. . where he affirms , we may not graff a contrary fruit thereon . against this we urge ; that any contrary fruit may be adventured , and any fruit upon any fruitless stock growing in propinquity in the same nursery ; as it is not only affirm'd , but seriously undertaken , and experimentally proved by the sober columella , in several of his treatises ; turn to the eleventh chapter of his fifth book , ( stephens ediiion : ) sed cum antiqui negaverint posse omne genus surculorum in omnem arborem inseri , & illam quasi finitionem , qua nos paulò ante usi sumus , veluti quandam legem sanxerint , eos tantùm surculos posse coalescere , qui sint cortice , ac libro , & fructu consimiles iis arboribus quibus inseruntur , existimavimus errorem hujus opinionis discutiendum , tradendámque posteris rationem , qua possit omne genus surculi omni generi arboris inseri . and the example follows in a graff of an olive into a fig-stock by approach ( as we call it , ) which he also repeats in the twenty seventh chapter of his book de arboribus , without altering a syllable . but possibly in this check at the ancient he might aim at old varro , whom we find threatning no less than thunderbolts and blasts to those who should attempt these strange marriages , and did not sort the graff with the tree ; consult lib. . cap. . and yet you may see this art assum'd by columella for his own invention ( years since ) to be no news to varro years older ; where he goes on , est altera species ex arbore in arborem inserendi nuper animadversa in arboribus propinquis , &c. though here again we may question our masters nuper animadversa too ; since before he was born cato relates it as usual to graff . vines in the manner by them prescribed , cap. . tertia insitio est : terebra vitem quam inseres , &c. which by the way makes us admire how the witty walchius in his discourse de vitibus fructuariis , pag. . could recount the graffing of vines amongst the wonders of modern inventions . but it seems varro and his contemporaries did extend the practice beyond cato ; and columella proceeded further than varro , even to all sorts of trees , however differing in nature , quality , bark , or season : and then palladius assumes the result , and gives us the particulars of the success in his poem , de infitionibus . and to these four as in chief ( no phantastical or counterfeit persons ) we refer the industrious . but be pleas'd to take this note also : as soon as your graff hath attained to a second , or at farthest a third years growth , take it off the stock , and then graff it upon a stock of a more natural kind : for in our own trials we have found a graff prosper the second year exceeding well ; yet the third the whole growth at once blasted quite to the very stock , as if varro's augurs had said the word . to this add , the making use of such stocks as in this experiment may contribute some special aid to several kinds of humane infirmities : as suppose the birch tree for the stone , the elm for fevers , &c. for 't is evident , that by such insitions , the branch may convert the sap of the root even of another species into its own nature , and alter all its properties ; though in some they dominere , as the branch of the apple in the rhamnus , or mezerea , acquires a purgative quality . and by these means why may not the fruit by effectual marriages be rendred cordial , astringent , purgative , sudorific , soporiferous , and even deliterious and mortal : but this we only hint . moreover , to graff rather the wilding , or crab , than the pepin , because the wilding is the more natural ; and nature does more delight in progress , than to be retrograde and go backwards . i should also expect far more advance from a more pungent sap , than from insipid ; as generally we see the best and vigorous juices to salute our palats with a more agreeable piquancy and tartness ; for so we find the rellish of the stocking-apple , golden pepin , pearmain , eliot , harvy , and all ( both russetings and greenings ) to be more poignant than of others . and here we note from palladius , that the ancients had the success which we all , and particularly sir h. plat , does so frequently deny , as in the particular of graffing the apple on the pear , & contra . let us hear him de pomo . the graffed-crab its bushy head does rear , much meliorating the inserted pear : its self to leave its wildness does invite , and in a nobler issue to delight . insita proceris pergit concrescere ramis , et sociam mutat malus amica pyrum : séque feros sylvis hortatur linquere mores , et partu gaudet nobiliore frui . pallad . de insitionib . lib. . but possibly palladius assum'd this poetical expression , upon presumption , that no man in his days durst degrade the most excellent quince to support the cyon of another fruit , which then must be of less esteem , but we by our luxury have found the success . and we have good argument to believe ; that virgil , and columella , in several of their wonderful relations of these kinds of mixture , ( which but for the prolixity we might now recite ) did not so far affect wonders as to desert the truth . you may also observe , that as well the french gardiner , and our modern planters , have found the same benefit from the stock of the quince , as old palladius did , it seems , acknowledge ; yet ( as he conceiv'd ) more hospitable still with its own kindred , and that though the quince-stock admit all other fruit , it s cyon with no other stock will suit : scorning the bark of forreign trees , does know such lovely fruit on no mean stem can grow : but the quince-graff , to the quince-stock is joyn'd , contented only to improve its kind . cum praestet cunctis se fulva cydonia pomis , alterius nullo creditur hospitio . roboris externi librum aspernata superbit , scit tantum nullo crescere posse decus : sed propriis pandens cognata cubilia ramis , stat , contenta suum nobilitare bonum ▪ pallad . de malo cydonio . lastly , we did by unexpected chance find the facility of graffing the very youngest stocks , even of one years growth , by the root : at a second removal of the stocks ( being then of two years growth ) we observed some roots so fast closed together into one , as not to be divorced : hereupon we concluded , if casualty , or negligence , chance of spade , or oppression of neighbourhood did this , by art it might be done more effectually , and possibly to some desirable purpose ; for that then the stock was more apt to receive a mastering impression ; and any garden plant whatsoever might by this process interchange and mingle their roots . but this can extend no farther than the stock may prevail with the graff . and thus we have presented our diligent ciderist with what observations and arguments of encouragement , grounded on frequent experience , we have received from our most ingenious correspondents , especially the learned and truly candid d r beale , in whose person we have so long entertain'd you : and to these we could add sundry others , were it not now time ( whiles we discourse of possibilities ) to conclude with something certain , and to speak of what we have . for the kinds then of cider-apples in being ; glocester-shire affects the bromsbury crab ; it affords a smart , winy liquor , and is peculiarly hardy , but not so proper for a cold and late-bearing climate , it being not ripe in hot land till the end of autumn , nor fit to be ground for cider till christmas , lying so long in heaps and preparation . it is in the same shire that they likewise much esteem of the white and red must-apple , the sweetest as well as sowrest pepin , and the harvy-apple , which ( being boyl'd ) some prefer to the very best of all ciders ; though from any experience we have yet seen , we cannot recommend it , and it will want more particular and infallible directions before we can be reconciled to the adventure , which we have observed so frequently to miscarry . but about london , and the more southern tracts , the pepin , and especially the golden , is esteemed for the making of the most delicious of that liquor , most wholesom , and most restorative ; and indeed it may ( in my poor judgment ) challenge those perfections with very good reason . by others the pearmain alone is thought to come in competition with the best ; but , say they , the cider is for the most part found of the weakest , unless encourag'd with some agreeable pepin to inspirit it ; whereas this is to be taken according to the constitution of the fruit ; for even pepins do differ as much from pepins in tast and liquor , as the kind , and the soil dispose them ; nay , though of the same species ; so as the cider of the pearmain ( though likewise very different ) does not seldom exceed it in that briskness which others attribute to the pepin , which is for the most part more smooth and less poinant : i conceive a good way of extracting the spirits of these fruits , might prove a likely criterion to ground our judgments on in all these niceties ; whilst by the way , we may note , that of all apples , that bear one general name , the pepin seems the most to differ ; and the cider from the genuine cider-fruit , keeps nearest to the same strength and relish . some commend the fox-whelp ; and the gennet-moyle was once preferr'd to the very red-strake , and before the bromsbury-crab ; but upon more mature consideration , the very criticks themselves now recant , as being too effeminate and soft for a judicious palate . the red-strake then amongst these accurate tasters hath obtained the absolute praeeminence of all other cider-fruit , especially in hereford-shire , as being the richest and most vinous liquor , and now with the more earnestness commended to our practice , for its celerity in becoming an orchard , being ordinarily as full of fruit at ten years growth as other trees are at twenty ; the pepin or pearmain at thirty : and lastly , from that no contemptible quality , that though the smiles of it intice even on the tree , as being indeed better than most other table-fruits whilst hanging , yet it needs no priapus for protector , since ( as beautiful as 't is ) it has no such temptation to the tast , 'till it be either baked , or converted into cider . the same may be affirmed also of the broms-bery-crab , bareland-pear , and many other wildings , who are no less at their self-defence ; yet the gennet-moyle at due maturity , has both a gentle , and agreeable relish ; their unagreeableness to the palate ( as else-where noted ) proceeding only from the separation the juice makes from the pulp , which even children do remedy by contusing them on their sharpned elbows ; which ( if throughly weigh'd ) seems to dispute , if not overthrow some hypotheses of fermentation . in sum , the red-strake will at three years graffing give you fair hopes , and last almost an hundred years ; if from sundry mens experience of more than years , we may divine , and that it agree with the soyl. and the gennet-moyles hasten to an orchard for cider without trouble of art or graffing : but note , that this tree is very apt to contract a bur-knot near its trunk , where it begins to divide ; and being cut off under that boss , commonly grows ( if so set ) and becomes speedily a tree , except it encounter an extraordinary dry summer the first year to give it check . and though the knack of graffing be so obvious , yet this more appearing facility does so please the lazy clowns , that in some places they neither have nor desire any other orchards ; and how this humour prevails you may perceive by the hasty progress of our kentish codlin in most parts of england . but this hasty growth and maturity of the tree is by another instance confirm'd to us from that worthy gent. mr. blount of orleton , who writes me word , that some of the rejected spray , or prunings of the gennet-moyle , taken by chance to rice a plot of pease ( though stuck into the earth but at april ) put forth root , grew , blossom'd , and bore apples the same year . but to advance again our red-strake , even above the pepin , and the rest ( besides the celerity of the improvement and constant burthen ) consider we the most incredible product , since we may expect from each apple more than double the quantity ; so as in the same orchard , under the same culture , thirty red-strake trees shall at ten years graffing yield more cider than a hundred of those pepins , and surmount them in proportion during their period at least sixty or seventy years : so that granting the cider of the golden-pepin should excel , ( which with some is precarious ) yet 't is in no wise proper for a cider-orchard , according to our general design , not by half so soon bearing , nor so constantly , nor in that quantity , nor fulness or security . concerning perry , the horse-pear and bare-land-pear are reputed of the best , as bearing almost their weight of spriteful and vinous liquor . the experienced prefer the tawny or ruddy sort , as the colour of all other most proper for perry : they will grow in common-fields , gravelly , wild , and stony ground , to that largeness , as one only tree has been usually known to make three or four hogsheads : that of bosbury , and some others , are so tart and harsh that there is nothing more safe from plunder , when even a swine will not take them in his mouth . but thus likewise would the abundance preserve these fruits , as we see it does in normandy . chap. v. of the place and order . we do seriously prefer a very wild orchard , as mainly intended for the publick utility , and to our purpose of obliging the people , as with a speedy plantation yielding store for cider : upon this it is that we do so frequently inculcate , how well they thrive upon arable , whilst the continuing it so accelerates the growth in almost half the time : and if the arable can be so levell'd ( as commonly we see it for barly-land ) then without detriment it may assume the ornament of cyrus , and flourish in the quincunx . if it be shallow land , or must be rais'd with high ridges , then 't is necessary to have more regard of planting on the tops of those eminencies , and to excuse the unavoydable breach of the decussis , as my lord verulam excuseth the defect of our humane phansies in the constellations , which obey the omnipotent order rather than ours : add to this the rigour of the royal society , which approves more of plainness and usefulness , than of niceness and curiosity ; whiles many putting themselves to the vast charge of levelling their grounds , oftentimes make them but the worse ; since where the places are full of gastly inequalities , there may be planted some sorts of cider-fruit , which is apt by the great burden to be press'd down to the ground , and there ( whiles it hides irregularities ) to bear much better , and abundantly beyond belief ; for so have been seen many such recumbent pear-trees bear each of them two , three , yea , even to six or more hogsheads yearly . and for this cider , whiles we prefer some sorts of wildings which do not tempt the palate of a thief , by the caution we shall not provoke any man to repent his charge from the necessity of richer and more reserv'd enclosures ; though we have frequently seen divers orchards successfully planted on very poor arable , and even in stony gleab , gravel and clay , and that pretty high , on the sides and declivities of hills , where it only bears very short grass , like to the most ordinary common , not worth the charge of tillage : and yet even there the tenants and confiners sometimes enclose it for the fruit , and find their reward , though not equally to such orchards as are planted on better ground , and in the vallies . hence we suggest , that if there be no statute for it , 't were to be wished there were a law which should allow endeavours of this nature out of the common-field , to enclose for these encouragements , since both the publick and the poor ( whatever the clamour is ) are advantaged by such enclosures , as tusser in his old rhimes , and all indifferent observers apprehend with good reason . true indeed it is , that all land is not fit for orcharding , so as even where to form just inclosures , being either too shallow and dry , or too wet and sterving : but this ( saith the judicious m r buckland ) we may aver , that there are few parishes , or hamlets in england where there are not some fat and deep headlands capable of rows of trees ; and that ( as hath been said ) the raised banks of all inclosures generally by the advantage of the depth , fatness , and health of their mould , yield ready opportunity for planting ; ( yea , and in many countrys multitudes of crab-stocks fit to be graffed ; ) in which latter ( saith he ) i have frequently observed very goodly fruit-bearing trees , when in the same soil trees in orchards have been poor and worth nothing . to conclude , if the soil be very bad and unkind , any other fruit ( which it may more freely yield without requiring much depth , and less sun ) may be planted instead of apples . chap. vi. of transplanting , and distance . the most proper season for transplanting is before the hard frosts of winter surprize you , and that is a competent while before christmas : and the main point is , to see that the roots be larger than the head ; and the more ways that extends , the better and firmer . if the stock seems able to stand on its own three or four legs ( as we may call 'em , ) and then after settlement some stones be heaped or laid about it , as it were gently wedging it fast , and safe from winds ( which stones may after the second or third year be removed ) it will salve from the main danger : for if the roots be much shaken the first spring , it will hardly recover it . you may transplant a fruit-tree almost at any tolerable season of the year , especially if you apprehend it may be spent before you have finish'd your work , having many to remove : thus , let your trees be taken up about allhallontide , ( or as soon as the leaf begins to fall ) ; then having trimm'd and quickned the roots , set them in a pit , forty , fifty , or a hundred together , yet so as they may be covered with mould , and kept very fresh : by the spring they will be found well cured of their wounds , and so ready to strike root and put forth , that being transplanted where they are to stand , they will take suddenly , and seldom fail ; whereas being thus cut at spring they recover with greater hazard . the very roots of trees planted in the ground , and buried within a quarter of an inch , or little more , of the level of the bed , will sprout , and grow to be very good stocks . this and the other being experiments of our own , we thought convenient to mention . by the oft removal of a wild-stock , cutting the ends of the roots , and dis-branching somewhat of the head at every change of place , it will greatly abate of its natural wildness , and in time bring forth more civil and ingenuous fruit : thus gillyflowers do ( by oft removals , and at full-moon especially ) increase and multiply the leaves . plant not too deep ; for the over-turf is always richer than the next mould . how material it is to keep the coast or side of the stock , as well in fruit-trees as in forest , we have sufficiently discuss'd ; nor is the negative to be prov'd . for the distance in fields , they may be set from thirty two to sixty foot , so as not to hinder the plough , nor the benefit of manure and soil ; but in hedg-rows as much nearer as you please , sun and air considered . chap. vii . of the fencing . seeing a cider-orchard is but a wild plantation , best in arable well enclos'd from beasts , and yet better on the tops , ridges , and natural inequalities , ( though with some loss of order , as we shew'd , ) one of the greatest discouragements is the preserving of our trees being planted , the raising of them so familiar . we have in our sylva treated in particular of this , as of one of the most material obstacles ; wherein yet we did purposely omit one expedient , which came then to our hands from the very industrious mr. buckland to the learned dr. beal : you shall have it in his own words . this of fencing single trees useth to be done by rails at great charges ; or by hedges and bushes , which every other year must be renew'd , and the materials not to be had in all places neither . i therefore prefer and commend to you the ensuing form of planting and fencing , which is more cheap and easie , and which hath other advantages in it , and not commonly known . i never saw it but once , and that imperfectly perform'd ; but have practis'd it my self with success : take it thus . set your tree on the green-swarth , or five or six inches under it if the soil be very healthy ; if moist or weeping , half a foot above it ; then cut a trench round that tree , two foot or more in the cleare from it : lay a rank of the turfs , with the grass outward , upon the inner side of the trench towards your plant , and then a second rank upon the former , and so a third , and fourth , all orderly plac'd , ( as in a fortification ) and leaning , towards the tree , after the form of a pyramide , or larger hop-hill : always as you place a row of turfs in compass , you must fill up the inner part of the circle with the loose earth of the second spit which you dig out of your trench , and which is to be two foot and half wide , or more , as you desire to mount the hillock , which by this means you will have rais'd about your plant near three foot in heighth . at the point it needs not be above two foot or eighteen inches diametre , where you may leave the earth in form of a dish , to convey the rain towards the body of the tree ; and upon the top of this hillock prick up five or six small briars or thorns , binding them lightly to the body of the plant , and you have finish'd the work . the commodities of this kind of planting are , first , neither swine , nor sheep , nor any other sort of cattel can annoy your trees . secondly , you may adventure to set the smaller plants , being thus raised , and secur'd from the reach of cattel . thirdly , your trees faston in the hillock against violence of winds , without stakes to fret and canker them . fourthly , if the soil be wet , it is hereby made healthy . fifthly , if very dry , the hillock defends from the outward heat . sixthly , it prevents the couch-grass , which for the first years insensibly robs most plants in sandy grounds apt to graze . and , lastly , the grazing bank will recompence the nigardly farmer for the waste of his ditch , which otherwise he will sorely bethink . in the second or third year ( by what time your roots spread ) the trench , if the ground be moist , or seasons wet , will be neer fill'd up again by the treading of cattel ; for it need not be cleansed ; but then you must renew your thorns : yet if the planter be curious , i should advise a casting of some small quantity of rich mould into the bottom of the trench the second year , which may improve the growth , and invite the roots to spread . in this manner of planting , where the soil is not rich , the exact planter should add a little quantity to each root of earth from a frequented high-way , or yard where cattel are kept ; one load will suffice for six or seven trees ; this being much more proper than rotted soil or loose earth ; the fat mould best agreeing with the apple tree . the broader and deeper your ditch is , the higher will be your bank , and the securer your fence ; but then you must add some good earth in the second year , as before . i must subjoyn , that only trees of an upright growth be thus planted in open grounds ; because spreading of low growing trees will be still within reach of cattel as they encrease : nor have i met with any inconvenience in this kind of transplanting ( which is applicable to all sorts of trees ) but that the mole and the ant may find ready entertainment the first year , and sometime impairs a weak rooted plant ; otherwise it rarely miscarries . in sum , this manner of fencing is soon executed by an indifferent workman , who will easily set and guard six trees in a winter day . thus far mr. buckland : to which we shall only add , that those which are planted in the hedg-rows need none of these defences ; for ( i am told ) in hereford-shire in the plantations of their quick-sets , or any other , all men did so superstitiously place a crab-stock at every twenty foot distance , as if they had been under some rigorous statute requiring it ; and i am of opinion , that 't were better to be content with fruit in the bordering mounds , than to be at all this trouble to raise tumps , or temporary banks in the midst of an in●●osure ; or if pears will thrive in the plain of the ortyard , as we frequently see them , ( where neither apple or other fruit could in appearance be expected ) then crabs , which may be raised on the mounds , will kindly mix the liquor into very good beverage . chap. viii . of pruning and use of the fruit-trees . the branches are to be lopp'd in proportion to the bruises of the roots , whose fibres else should only be quickned , not altogether cut off nor intangled : for the top , let a little of each arm be lopp'd in cider-fruit only ; but for the pears , cut two or three buds deep at the summities of their aspiring branches , just above the eye slanting ; this will keep them from over-hasty mounting , reduce them into shape , and accelerate their bearing . to this we add again out of dr. beals herefordshire orchards , pag. . in a graffed plant every bough should be lopped at the very tops , in apples and pears , as in cherries and plums , if transplanted without violation of roots , which only indeed renders it less necessary . in most kinds of natural plants the boughs should not at all be lopped , but some taken off close to the trunk , that the root at first transplantation be not engaged to maintain too many suckers , this to be understood , though of such as grow naturally from the kernel , or the bur-knot ; especially if removed after they are well rooted . and this must be done with such discretion , that the top-branches be not too close together ; for the natural plant is apt to grow spiry , and thereby fails , of fruitfulness . therefore let the reserved branches be divided at a convenient roundness . the branches of those we call natural plants ( for usually the graffed generally fail ) that are cut off , may be set , and will grow , though slowly . if the top prove spiry , or the fruit unkind , then the due remedy must be in re-graffing . see chap. xxviij . in sylva . besides the perrys , dri'd and preserv'd fruit , useful is the pear-tree ( and best the most barren , or pig-taile , as they call it , which is the wild pyraster ) for its excellent colour'd timber , hard and levigable ( seldom or not ordinarily worm-eaten ) especially for stools , tables , chairs , pistol-stocks , instrument-maker , cabinets , and very many works of the joyner , ( who can make it easily to counterfeit ebony ) and sculptor , either for flat , or emboss'd - works , and to engrave upon , because the grain intercepts not the tool . and so is likewise both the black-cherry ( especially for the necks of musical-instruments ) and the plum-tree . animadversion . if some of the following discourses seem less constant , or ( upon occasion ) repugnant to one another , they are to be consider'd as relating only to the several gusts , and guizes of persons and countries , and not to be looked upon as recommended secrets , much less impos'd , farther than upon tryal they may prove grateful to the publick , and the different inclinations of those who affect these drinks : nor in reason ought any to decry what is propos'd for the universal benefit ; since it costs them nothing but their civility to so many obliging persons . general advertisements concerning cider : by d r beale . . he that would treat exactly of cider and perry , must lay his foundation so deep as to begin with the soyl : for as no culture or graffs will exalt the french wines to compare with the wines of greece , canaries , and montefiasco ; so neither will the cider of bromyard and ledbury equal that of ham lacy , and kings-capell , in the same small county of hereford . . yet the choice of the graff or fruit hath so much of prevalency , that the red-strake-cider will every where excel common cider , as the grape of frontignac , canary , or baccharach , excels the common french grape ; at least , till by time and traduction it degenerateth . . i cannot divine what soil or what fruit would yield the best cider ; or , how excellent cider or perry might be if all soils in common and all fruit were tried ; but for thirty years i have tried all sorts of cider in hereford-shire , and for three years i have tried the best cider in somerset-shire ; and for some years i have had the best cider of kent and essex at my call ; yet hitherto i have always found the cider of hereford shire the best , and so adjudged by all good palates . but i shall rejoice to be better informed , and truly from all other countries ; and do both wish and hope , that in a short time , we shall every where be rich in many improvements . . i cannot undertake to particularize all kind of soil , no more than to compute how many syllables may be drawn from the alphabet ; the number of alphabetical elements being better known than the ingredients and particles of soil , as chalk , clay , gravel , sand , marle , ( the tenaciousness , colour , and innumerable other qualities , shewing endless diversities ; ) and the fruit of crabs , apples , and pears , being as various as of grapes , figs , and plums . . yet in gross , this i note ; that as bacchus amat colles , and a light ground , so our best cider comes from the hot rie-lands : in fat wheat-land it is more sluggish ; and in white , stiff clay-land ( as in woollhope in hereford-shire ) the common cider retains a thick whey-colour , and not good : only such as riseth there ( by the diligence or some art of the inhabitants ) is bright and clear , and so lively , that they are apt to challenge the best . . some cider mixeth kindly with water in the cider-mill , and will hold out a good small wine , and less inflaming , all the following summer . some cider ( as of long-hope , a kind of sour wood-land country of herefordshire ) will not bear any mixture of water , but soon decay , and turn more harsh and sour : and thus we noted in france , some course wines stuck like paint in the glass , unwilling to incorporate with the water : vin d' aye , and other delicate wines , did spread themselves more freely , as gold is more ductile than baser metals . . some would , for a fit , extol the cider of pearmains , some of pepins ; ( and of pepins i have found a congenial liquor , less afflicting splenetick persons , as in mine own experience i conceived : ) and sir henry lingen once extolled the cider of eleots ( as richly bedewing the glass like the best canaries ; ) and full hogsheads of the stocking-apple have been tried amongst us , but disappointing our expectation , though perhaps by evil ordering : yet mr. gritten highly boasted a mixture of stocking-apples and may-pears , tried ( as i take it ) by himself : after many years trial of those and many other kinds , the red-strake carried the common fame , and from most of those reduced admirers . the gennet-moyl cider was indeed more acceptable to tender palats ; and it will require custom and judgment to understand the preferrency of the red-strake , whose mordicant sweetness most agreeably gives the farewel , endearing the rellish to all flagrant palats ; which both obliges , whets , and sharpens the stomach with its masculine and winy vigour ; and many thousands extol it for exceeding the ordinary french-wine : but grant it should not be so strong as wine ; let me ask how many sober persons abroad addict themselves to meer wine ? then compare this with diluted wine , as usually for temperate men , and then let the trial be made , whether the pepin-cider or red-strake will retain the winy vigour in greater proportion of water . add to this , that they commonly mingle water in the press with apples ( a good quantity ) whiles they grinde the apple ; and the water thus mixed , at that time , does so pleasingly incorporate in the grinding , fermentation , and maturity of vesseling , that 't is quite another and far more pleasant thing than if so much or half so much water were mingled in the cup at the drinking time ; as salt on the trencher will not give beef , pork , or neats-tongue , half that same rellish which duly powder'd and timely season'd . . i did once preser the gennet-moyl cider , but had only the ladies on my side , as gentler for their sugary palats , and for one or two sober draughts ; but i saw cause to recant , and to confess the red-strake to warm and whet the stomach , either for meat or more drink . . the right cider-fruit is far more succulent , and the liquor more easily divides from the pulpe of the apple , than in best table-fruit , in which the juice and the pulp seem friendly to dissolve together on the tongues end . . the liquor of best cider-fruit in the apple , in best season of ripeness , is more brisk and smart than that which proves duller cider : and generally the fiercest pears , and a kind of tamer crabs , ( and such was the red-strake called in my memory ) makes the more winy cider . . palladius denieth perry to bear the heat of summer ; but there is a pear in bosbury , and that neighbourhood , which yields the liquor richer the second year than the first , and so by my experience very much amended the third year : they talk much higher ; but that 's beyond my account . . as cider is for some time a sluggard , so by like care it may be retained to keep the memorials of many consuls ; and these smoaky bottles are the nappy wine . my lord scudamore seldome fails of three or four years ; and he is nobly liberal to offer the trial. . as red apples , so red pears ( and amongst them the red hors-pear next to the bosbury ) have held out best for the stomach and durance : but pears do less gratifie the stomach than apples . . the season of grinding these harsh pears is after a full maturity , not till they have dropt from the tree , and there lain under the tree , or in heaps , a week , or thereabouts . . and so of cider-apples , as of grapes , they require full maturity , which is best known by their natural fragrancy ; and then also , as ripe grapes require a few mellowing days , so do all apples , as about a week or little more , so they be not bruised , which soon turns to rottenness ; and better sound from the tree than rotten from the heap ; though yet the juice of apples and pears ( yea , of cherrys or grapes ) is not altogether destroy'd , or quite putrified , as soon as the pulp seems to be corrupted ; neither haply needs there such curiosity , to cull and pick them so accurately , as some prescribe , though doubtless the cleaner , and less contaminated , the better . . that due maurity , and some rest on the heap , does make the liquor taste rather of apples than winy , hath no more truth , ( if the cider be kept to fit age ) than that very old cheese doth taste of a posset . . the harsher the wild-fruit is , the longer it must lye on heaps ; for of the same fruit , suddenly ground , i have tasted good ver juice ; being on heaps till near christmas , all good-fellows called it rhenish wine . . the grinding is somewhat considerable , rather too much than too little ; here i saw a mill in somersetshire which grinds half a hogshead at a grist , and so much the better ground for the frequent rolling . . * soon after grinding it should be prest , and immediately be put into the vessel , that it may ferment before the spirits be dissipated ; and then also in fermenting time the vent-hole should not be so wide as to allow a prodigal waste of the spirits ; and as soon as the ferment begins to allay , the vessels should be filled of the same , and well stopped . . of late 't is much commended , that before it be prest the liquor and must should for four and twenty hours ferment together in a vat for that purpose , covered , as ale or beer in the yest-vat , and then tunned up . this is said to enrich the liquor , and to give it somewhat of the tincture of some red apples , as i have seen , and very well approved . . as sulphur hath some use in wines , so some do lay brimstone on a ragge , and by a wire let it down into the cider-vessel and there fire it ; and when the vessel is full of the smoak , the liquor speedily poured in ferments the better . i cannot condemn this , for sulphur is more kind to the lungs than cider , and the impurity will be discharged in the ferment . . apples over-long hoarded before grinding will for a long time hold the liquor thick ; and this liquor will be both pleasant , and as i think , wholesome ; and we see some rich wines of the later vintage , and from greece , retain a like crassitude , and they are both meat and drink . . i have seen thick harsh cider the second summer become clear and very richly pleasant ; but i never saw clear acid cider recover . . wheat or leven is good and kind in cider , as in beer ; juniper-berries agree well and friendly for coughs , weak lungs , and the aged , but not at first for every palate : the most infallible and undiscerned improver , is mustard a pint to each hogshead , bruised , as for sauce , with a mixture of the same cider , and applied as soon as the vessel is to be closed after fermenting . . bottleing is the next improver , and proper for cider ; some put two or three raisins into every bottle , which is to seek aid from the vine . here in somersetshire i have seen as much as a wal nut of sugar , not without cause , used for this country cider . . crabs do not hasten the decay of perry , but preserve it , as salt preserves flesh . but pears and crabs being of a thousand kinds require more aphorisms ; this only i would note , that land which refuses apples , is generally civil to pears , and crabs mingled with them , make a rich and wholsome cider , and has sometimes challenged even the best red-strake . . neither wheat , leven , sulphur , nor mustard , are used but by very few ; and therefore are not necessary to make cider last well , for two , three , or four years . . the time of drawing cider into bottles is best in march , it being then clarified by the winter , and free from the heat of the sun. . in drawing , the best is neerest the heart or middle of the vessel , as the yelk in the egge . . red-strakes are of divers kinds , but the name is in herefordshire appropriated to one kind , which is fair and large , of a high purple colour , the smell aromatical , the tree a very shrub , soon bearing a full burden , and seldom or never failing till it decays , which is much sooner than other apple-trees . 't is lately spread all over hereford-shire ; and he that computes speedy return , and true wine , will think of no other cider-apple , till a better be found . . i said the red strake is a small shrub , 't is of small growth where the cider proves richest , for ought we have yet seen in herefordshire , viz. in light quick land ; and if the land be very dry , jejune and shallow , that and other cider-fruit ( especially the gennet-moyle ) will suspend the store of fruit alternatively every other year ; except some blasts or surprising frosts in the spring alter that method ; for two bad years seldom come together , very hardly three . . in good soil , i mean of common field ( for fat land is not best for cider-fruit , but common arable ) i have seen the trees of good growth , almost equalling other cider-trees , the apple larger and seldom failing of a good burthen : thus in the vales of wheat-lands , in strong glebe or clay , where the cider is not so much extolled : but still sack is sack , and canary differs from claret ; so does the red-strake-cider of the vale excell any other cider of the foresaid soil , such as is already celebrated for its kindness to good cider . . yet this distinction of soil requires much experience , and great heed , if we insist upon accurate directions ; for as lauremberg saith , in pingni solo non seruntur omnia rectè , neque , in macro nihil . and for gardens , flowers , and orchards , i would chuse many times such lands as do not please the husbandman , either for wheat or sweet pasture , which are his chief aims ; and thus lauremberg , in arida & tenui terra faelicius proveniunt ruta , allium , petroselinum , crocus , hyssopus , capparis , lupini , satureia , thymus ; arbores quoque , tenue & macilentum solum amane ; itemque , frutices plerique hujusmodi arbores sunt , pomus , pyrus , cerasus , prunus , persica , cotonea , morus , juglans , corylus , staphylodendrum , mespilus , ornus , castanea , &c. frutices , scil . vitis , berberis , genista , juniperus , oxyacantha , periclymenum , rosa , ribesium , vva , spina , vaccinia , &c. . but here also we must distinguish , that pears will bear in a very stony , hungry , gravelly-land , such as apples will not bear in ; and i have seen pears bear in a tough binding hungry clay , when apples could not so well bear it ( as the smooth rinds of the pear-trees , and the mossie and cankered rinds of the apple trees did prove ) the root of a pear-tree being it seems more able to pierce a stony and stiff ground . and cherries , mulberries and plums can rejoyce in a richer soil , though by the smalness of the roots , the shallower soil will suffice them . and the quinces require a deeper ground , and will bear with some degrees of hungry land , if they be supplied with a due measure of succulency , and neighbouring moisture ; and the other shrubs , according to the smalness of their roots , do generally bear a thinner land . i have seen a soil so much too rank for apples and plums , that all their fruits from year to year were always worm-eaten , till their lives were forfeited to the fire . . to take up from these curiosities , the most useful result to our purpose ; we have always found these orchards to grow best , last longest , and bear most , which are frequently tilled for barley , wheat , or other corn , and kept ( by culture and seasonable rest ) in due strength to bear a full crop . and therefore , whereas the red-strake might otherwise without much injury be planted at fifteen or twenty foot distance , and the best distance for other cider-fruit hath heretofore been reputed thirty , or two and thirty foot ; very good husbands do now allow in their largest inclosures ( as of , or acres ) fifty or sixty foot distance , that the trees may not much hinder the plow , and yet receive the benefit of compost ; and a horse-teem well governed will ( without any damage of danger ) plow close to the trees . . in such soil as is here required , namely of good tillage , an orchard of graffed red-strakes will be of good growth , and good burthen , within ten or twelve years , and branch out with good store to begin an encouragement at three years graffing ; and ( except the land be very unkind ) will not yield to any decay within sixty or eighty years , which is a mans age . . in some sheets i rendred many reasons against mr. austin of oxford , why we should prefer a peculiar cider-fruit , which in herefordshire are generally called musts ; ( so we name both the apple and the liquor , and pulpe as mingled together in the contusion ) as from the latine mustum . white-musts of divers kinds , red-cheek'd and red-strak'd musts of several kinds , green-musts called also green-fillet , and blew-spotted : why , i say , we should prefer them for cider , before table-fruit , as pepins , pearmains , &c. and i do still insist on them : . the liquor of these cider-fruits and of many kinds of austere fruit , which are no better than a sort of full succulent crabs , is more sprightful , brisk and winy . for essay , i sent up many bottles to london , that did me no discredit . secondly , one bushel of the cider-fruit yields twice or thrice as much liquor . thirdly , the tree grows more in three or four years than the other in ten years , as i oft times remarked . fourthly , the tree bears far greater store , and doth more generally escape blasts and frosts of the spring . i might add , that some of these , and especially such pears as yield the best perry , will best escape the hand of the thief , and may be trusted in the open field . . by the first , second and fourth of these reasons , i must exclude the gennet-moyle from a right cider fruit , it being dry and very apt to take frosty blasts ; yet it is no table-fruit , but properly a baking fruit , as the ruddy colour from the oven shews . . i said that the right cider-fruit generally called musts , and deserving the latine name mustum , is of divers kinds ; and i have need to note more expresly that there is a red-strak'd must ( as i have often seen ) but not generally known , that is quite differing from the famous red-strake , being much less , somewhat oblong and like some of the white musts in shape , and full of a very good winy liquor . i could willingly name the persons and place where the distinct kinds are best known : it was first shewed me by john nash of ashperton in herefordshire ; and for some years they did in some places distinguish a red-strake , as yielding a richer red-strak'd cider of a more fulvous or ruddy colour ; but this difference , as far as i could find , is but a choice of a better insolated or ruddy fruit of the best kind , as taken from the south part of the tree , or from a soil that renders them richer . but my lord scudamore's is safely of the best sort ; and m. whingate of the grange in dimoc , and some of king's-capel , do best know these and other differences , straked-must , right red-strake , red-redstrake , &c. . the greenish must , ( formerly called in the language of the country , the green-fillet ) when the liquor is of a kindly ripeness , retains a greeness equal to the rhenish-glass ; which i note for them that conceive no cider to be fit for use till it be of the colour of old sack. . to direct a little more caution , for enquiry of the right red-strake , i should give notice that some moneths ago , m. philips of mountague in somersetshire , shewed me a very fair large red-strake apple , that by smell and sight seemed to me and to another of herefordshire then with me to be the best red strake ; but when we did cut it , and taste it , we both denied it to be right ( the other with much more confidence than my self ) but m. philips making cider of it , this week invited me to it , assuring that already it equals or resembles high-country-wines . it had not such plenty of juice as our red strakes with us , and it had more of the pleasantness of table-fruit , which might be occasioned , for ought i know , by the purer and quicker soil . this apple is here call'd meriot-ysnot , and great store of them are at meriot , a village not far distant : possibly , this meriot may prove to be the red-strake of somerset-shire , when they shall please to try it apart with equal diligence and constancy as they do in hereford-shire : this fruit is of a very lovely hue , and by some conceived to be of affinity to the red-jersey-apple , which is reported to tinge so deeply : in truth , there can hardly be a deeper purple , than is our right herefordshire red-strake , having a few streaks towards the eye , of a dark colour , or orange-tawny intermingled : but , 't is no wonder if an apple should change its name in travelling so far beyond the severn , when even in this country , most sorts of apples , and especially , cider-fruit , loseth the name in the next village . . i may now ask why we should talk of other cider-fruit or perry , if the best red-strake have all the aforesaid pre-eminencies of richer and more winy liquor , by half sooner an orchard , more constantly bearing , &c. an orchard of red-strakes is commonly as full of fruit at ten years , as other cider-fruit at twenty years , or as the pepin and pearmain at thirty or thereabout . . to this may be answered , that all soils bear not apples , and to some soils other apples may be more kind , and if we be driven to perry , much we may say both in behalf of the perry , and of the pear ; of the fruit , and of the tree ; it is the goodlier tree for a grove , to shelter a house and walks from summers heat and winters cold winds , and far more lasting ; the pleasantest cider-pear of a known name amongst them , is the horse-pear . and it is much argued , whether the white-horse-pear , or the red-horse-pear be the better ; where both are best , within two miles they differ in judgment . the pear bears almost its weight of sprightful winy liquor ; and i always preferred the tawny or ruddy horse-pear , and generally that colour in all pears that are proper for perry . . i rejected palladius against the durableness of perry ; his words are , hyeme durat , sed prima acescit aestate , tit. . febr. possibly so of common pears , and in hotter countries ; but from good cellars i have tasted a very brisk lively and winy liquor of these horse-pears during the end of summer ; and a bosbury-pear i have named and often tried , which without bottleing , in common hogsheads of vulgar and indifferent cellars , proves as well pleasanter as richer the second year , and yet also better the third year . a very honest , worthy and witty gentleman of that neighbourhood would engage to me , that in good cellars , and in careful custody , it passeth any account of decay , and may be heightned to a kind of aqua-vitae . i take the information worthy the stile of our modern improvements . the pear-tree grows in common fields and wild stony ground , to the largeness of bearing one , two , three or four hogsheads each year . . this bosbury-tree , and such generally that bear the most lasting liquor and winy , is of such unsufferable taste , that hungry swine will not smell to it ; or if hunger tempt them to taste , at first crush they shake it out of their mouths ; ( i say not this of the horse-pear ) and the clowns call other pears , of best liquor , choak-pears , and will offer money to such as dare adventure to taste them , for their sport ; and their mouths will be more stupified than at the root of wake-robin . . a row of crab-trees will give an improvement to any kind of perry ; and since pears and crabs may be of as many kinds as there are kernels , or different kinds or mixtures of soils ; in a general character i would prefer the largest and fullest of all austere juices . . m. lill of mark-hill ( aged about years ) ever observed this rule , to graff no wild pear-tree till he saw the fruit ; if it proved large , juicy , and brisk , it failed not of good liquor . but i see cause to say , that to graff a young tree with a riper graff , and known excellency , is a sure gain and hastens the return . . m. speke ( last high sheriff of somersetshire ) shewed me in his park some store of crab-trees , of such huge bulk , that in this fertile year he offered a wager , that they would yield one or two hogsheads of liquor each of them ; yet were they small dry crabs . . i have seen several sorts of crabs ( which are the natural apple , or at worst but the wild-apple ) which are as large as many sorts of apples , and the liquor winy . . i have disclaimed the gust of juniper-berries in cider ; i tried it only once for my self , and drank it before christmas : possibly in more time the rellish had been subdued or improved , as of hops in stale beer , and of rennet in good parmasan . neither was the gust to me otherwise unpleasant than as annise-seeds in bread , rather strange than odious ; and by custom made grateful , and it did hasten the clarification , and increase the briskness to an endless sparkling : thus it indulgeth the lungs , and nothing more cheap ; where juniper grows a girl may speedily fill her lap with the berries . if barbados ginger be good , cheaper , and a more pleasant preserver of beer , it must probably be most kind for cider : for first , of all the improvers that i could name , bruised mustard was the best ; and this ginger hath the same quick , mordicant vigour , in a more noble and more aromatique fragrancy . secondly , cider ( as i oft complain ) is of a sluggish and somewhat windy nature ; and for some moneths the best of it is chain'd up with a cold ligature , as we fancy the fire to be lock'd up in a cold flint . this will relieve the prisoner . and thirdly , will assist the winy vigour for them that would use it instead of a sparkling vvine . fourthly , 't is a good sign of much kindness , and great friendship : it will both enliven the ferment for speedier maturity , and also hold it out for more duration , both which offices it performs in beer . . cider being windy before maturity , some that must not wait the leisure of best season do put sprigs of rose-mary and bays in the vessel ; the first good for the head , and not unpleasant ; the second , an antidote against infections ; but less pleasant till time hath incorporated the tastes . . and why may we not make mention of all these mixtures , as well as the ancients of their vinum marrubii , vinum abrotonites , absynthites , hyssopites , marathites , thymites , cydonites , myrtites , scillites , violaceum , sorbi , &c. . and , for mixtures , i think we may challenge the ancients , in naming the red-raspy ; of which there is in this county a lady that makes a bonella , the best of summer drinks . and more yet if we name the clove-july-flower , or other july-flowers , a most grateful cordial , as it is infused by a lady in staffordshire , of the family of the devereux's , and by some ladies of this country . . i could also give some account of cherry-wine , and wine of plums ; the last of which ( in the best essay that i have yet seen ) is hardly worthy to be named : but , i conceive , and have ground for it , that some good liquor and spirits may be drawn from some sorts of them , and in quantity : and the vast store of cherrys in some places , under a peny the pound , and of plums that bend the trees with their burdens , and their expedite growth makes it cheap enough , and as in the other , so in these , the large english or dutch sharp cherry , makes the cherry-wine , and the full black , tawny plum , as big as a walnut ( not the kind of heart-cherrys , nor the plum which divides from the stone ) make the wine . their cheapness should recommend them to more general use at tables , when dryed like prunellas ( an easie art ) and then wholesomer . . to return for red-strake ; 't is a good drink as soon as well fermented , or within a moneth , better after some frosts , and when clarified ; rich wine , when it takes the colour of old sack. in a good cellar it improves in hogsheads the second year ; in bottles and sandy cellars keeps the records of late revolutions and old majoralties . quaere the manner of laying them up in sand-houses . . i tried some bottles all a summer in the bottom of a fountain ; and i prefer that way where it may be had . and 't is somewhat strange if the land be neither dry for a sand-house , nor fountainous for this better expedient . when cider is settl'd , and altogether , or almost clarifi'd , then to make it sprightful and winy , it should be drawn into well cork'd and well bound bottles , and kept some time in sand or water ; the longer the better , if the kind be good . and cider being preserved to due age , bottl'd ( and kept in cool places , conservatories , and refrigerating springs ) it does almost by time turn to aqua-vitae ; the bottles smoak at the opening , and it catches flame speedily , and will burn like spirit of vvine , with a fiery taste ; and it is a laudable way of trying the vigour of cider by its promptness to burn , and take fire , and from the quantity of aqua-vitae which it yields . cider affords by way of distillation , an incomparable and useful spirit , and that in such plenty , as from four quarts , a full pint has been extracted . . i must not prescribe to other palats , by asserting to what degree of perfection good cider may be raised , or to compare it with vvines : but when the late king ( of blessed memory ) came to hereford in his distress , and such of the gentry of vvorcestershire as were brought thither as prisoners ; both king , nobility , and gentry , did prefer it before the best vvines those parts afforded ; and to my knowledge that cider had no kind of mixture . generally all the gentry of herefordshire do abhor all mixtures . yet if any man have a desire to try conclusions , and by an harmless art to convert cider into canary-wine ; let the cider be of the former year , masculine and in full body , yet pleasant and well tasted : into such cider put a spoonful , or so , of the spirit of clary , it will have so much of the race of canary , as may deceive some who pretend they have discerning palats . sir pavl neil 's discourse of cider . my lord , in obedience to the commands of this honourable society , i have at length endeavoured to give this brief account of that little which i know concerning the ordering of cider ; and in that i shall propound to my self six things . first , to shew that cider made of the best eating-apples must needs be once the best ; ( that is to say ) the pleasantest cider . secondly , that hitherto the general opinion hath been otherwise , and that the reason of that mistake was the not apprehending the true cause why the pepin-cider , &c. did not retain its sweetness , when the hard-apple-cider did . thirdly , what is the true cause that pepin-cider , used in the ordinary me●hod , will not retain its sweetness . fourthly , how to cure that evil in pepin cider . fifthly , a probable conjecture , how in some degree by the same method to amend the hard-apple-cider , and french-wine . sixthly , that what is here propounded cannot chuse but be wholsome , and may be done to what degree every mans palate shall wish . having now told your lordship , what i will endeavour to do before i enter upon it , i must declare what i will not in the least pretend to do . . i do not pretend to any thing concerning the planting and graffing of trees , &c. nor what trees will soonest bear or last longest . nor what sorts of trees are the best bearers , and may with least danger grow in common fields . nor what sort of fruit will yield the greatest store of cider . nor what cider will keep the longest , and be the strongest , and wholesomest to drink constantly with meat . the only thing i shall endeavour , being to prescribe a way to make a sort of cider pleasant and quick of taste , and yet wholesom to drink , sometimes , and in a moderate proportion : for , if this be an heresie , i must confess my self guilty ; that i prefer canary-wine , verdea , the pleasantest wines of greece , and the high-country-wines before the harsh sherries , vin de hermitage , and the italian and portugal rough wines , or the best graves-wines ; not at all regarding that i am told , and do believe , that these harsh wines are more comfortable to the stomack , and a surfeit of them less noxious , when taken ; nor to be taken but with drinking greater quantities than can with safety be taken of those other pleasant wines : i satisfying my self with this , that i like the pleasant wines best ; which yet are so wholesom , that a man may drink a moderate quantity of them without prejudice . nor shall i at all concern my self , whether this sort of cider i pretend to is so vinous a liquor ; and consequently will yield so much spirit upon distillation , or so soon make the country-man think himself a lord , as the hard-apple-cider will do : nor whether it will last so long ; for it is no part of my design to perswade the world to lay by the making of hard-apple-cider ; but rather in a degree to shew how to improve that in point of pleasantness , and that by the making and rightly ordering of cider of the best eating-apples ; as golden-pepins , kentish-pepins , pear-mains , &c. there may be made a more pleasant liquor for the time it will last , than can be produced from those apples which i call hard-apples , that is to say , red-strakes , gennet-moyles , the broms●ury-crab , &c. which are so harsh that a hog will hardly eat them . nor shall i at all meddle with the making of perry , or of any mixed drink of the juyce of apples and pears ; though possibly what i shall say for cider may be aptly applied to perry also . for the first particular , i asserted that the best apples would make the pleasantest , which in my sence is the best cider ; ( and i account those the best apples , whose juyce is the pleasantest at the time when first pressed , before fermentation ) i shall need ( besides the experience of the last ten years ) only to say , that it is an undeniable thing in all wines , that the pleasantest grapes make the richest and pleasantest wines ; and that cider is really but the wine of apples , and not only made by the same way of compression ; but left to it self hath the same way of fermentation ; and therefore must be liable to the same measures in the choice of the materials . to my second assertion , that this truth was not formerly owned , by reason that in herefordshire , and those countries where they abound both with pepins and hard-apples of all sorts , they made cider of both sorts , and used them alike ; that is , that as soon as they ground and pressed the apples and strained the liquor , they put it into their vessels and there let it lye till it had wrought , and afterwards was setled again and fined ; as not thinking it wholesom to drink till it had thus ( as they call it ) purg'd it self , and this was the frequent use of most men in the more southern and western parts of england also . now when cider is thus used , it is no wonder that when they came to broach it , they for the most part found their pepin-cider not so pleasant as their moyle or red strake-cider ; but to them it seemed a wonder , because they did not know the reason of it ( which shall be my next work to make out ) for till they knew the reason of this ●ffect , they had no cause but to think it was the nature of the several apples that produced it ; and consequently to prefer the hard-apple-cider , and to use the other apples ( which were good to eat raw ) for the table : which was an use not less necessary , and for which the hard-apples were totally improper . to my third assertion , which is , that in herefordshire they knew not what was the true cause why their pepin-cider ( for by that name i shall generally call all sorts of cider that is made of apples good to eat raw ) was not , as they used it , so good as the cider made of hard-apples ( for by that name , for brevities sake , i shall call the cider of moyle , red-strake , and all other sorts of harsh apples , not fit to eat raw . ) first , i say , for all liquors that are vinous , the cause that makes them sometimes harder or less pleasant to the taste , than they were at the first pressing , is the too much fermenting : if wine or cider by any accidental cause do ferment twice , it will be harder than if it had fermented but once ; and if it ferment thrice , it is harder and worse than if it had fermented but twice : and so onward , the oftner it ferments and the longer it ferments , it still grows the harder . this being laid as a foundation , before we proceed further we must first consider what is the cause of fermentation in wine , cider , and all other vinous liquors . which ( in my poor opinion ) is the gross part of the liquor , which scapes in the straining of the cider ( for in making of wine , i do not find that they use the curiosity of straining ) and which is generally known by the name of the lee of that ( wine or ) cider . and this lee i shall , according to its thickness of parts , distinguish into the gross lee , and the flying lee. now , according to the old method of making and putting up of cider , they took little care of putting up only the clear part of the cider into their vessels or cask ; but put them up thick and thin together , not at all regarding this separation ; for experimentally they found that how thick soever they put it up , yet after it had throughly wrought or fermented and was setled again , it would still be clear ; and perchance that which was put up the soonest after it was pressed and the thickest , would , when the fermentation was over , be the clearest , the briskest , and keep the longest . this made them confidently believe that it was not only not inconvenient to put it up quickly after the pressing , but in some degree necessary also to put it up soon after the pressing , so that it might have so much of the lee mixed with it , that it might certainly , soon , and strongly put it into a fermentation , as the only means to make it wholsom , clean and brisk ; and when it either did not ( or that they had reason to doubt ) that it would not work or ferment strongly enough , they have used to put in mustard or some other thing of like nature to increase the fermentation . now that which in cider of pepins hath been a cause of greater fermentation than in cider of hard-apples , being both used after the former method , is this , that the pepins being a softer fruit are in the mill bruised into smaller particles than the harder sorts of apples ; and consequently more of those small parts pass the strainer in the pepin-cider than in the cider of hard-apples , which causeth a stronger fermentation , and ( according to my former principle ) a greater loss of the native sweetness than in that of hard-apple-cider ; and not only so , but the lee of the hard-apple-cider being compounded of greater particles than the lee of the pepin-cider , every individual particle is in it self of a greater weight than the particles of the lee of the pepin-cider ; and consequently less apt to rise upon small motions , which produceth this effect ; that when the fermentation of the hard-apple-cider is once over , unless the vessel be stirred , it seldom falls to a second fermentation ; but in pepin-cider it is otherwise : for if the gross lee be still remaining with the cider , it needs not the motion of the vessel to cause a new fermentation , but every motion of the air by a change of weather from dry to moist will cause a new fermentation , and consequently make it work till it hath destroyed it self by losing its native sweetness . and this alone hath been the cause , why commonly when they broach their pepin-cider they find it so unpleasant , that generally the hard-apple-cider is preferred before it , although at first it was not so pleasant as the pepin-cider . yet after this mischief hath prevailed over the pepin-cider , it is no wonder to find the hard-apple-cider remaining not only the stronger , but even the more pleasant tasted . this to me seems satisfactory for the discovery of the cause , why in herefordshire the hard-apple-cider is preferred before the pepin-cider . but perhaps it may by some be objected , that they have before the ten years , in which you pretend you found this to be the cause of spoiling the pepin-cider , been in herefordshire , and tasted the best cider that country did afford ; and yet it was not like the pepin-cider they had before then tasted in other parts . to this i do answer , at present , briefly , that by some mistake , or chance , the maker of this pepin-cider , which proved good , had done that , or somewhat like that , which under the next assertion i shall set down , as a method to cure the inconveniences which happen to pepin-cider , by the suffering it to ferment too often , or too strongly ; but till that be explained it would be improper to shew more fully what these particular accidents might possibly be , which ( without the intention of those persons which made the cider ) caused it to prove much better than their expectation , or indeed better than any could afterwards make : they possibly assigning the goodness of that cider to somewhat that was not really the cause of that effect . to justifie my fourth assertion , and shew a method how to cure the inconveniency which happens to pepin-cider by the over-working , i must first take notice of some things which i have been often told concerning wine , and which indeed gave me the light to know what was the cause which had made pepin-cider that had wrought long , hard when it came to be clear again . the thing i mean , is , that in divers parts , and even in france they make three sorts of wine out of one and the same grapes ; that is , they first take the juice of the grapes without any more pressing than what comes from their own weight in the vat , and the bruising they have in putting into vessel , which causeth the ripest of those grapes to break , and the juice without any pressing at all makes the pleasantest and most delicate wine : and if the grapes were red , then is this first wine very pale . the second sort they press a little , which makes a redder wine , but neither so pleasant as the first , nor so harsh as the last , which is made by the utmost pressing of the very skins of the grapes , and is by much more harsh , and of deeper colour than either of the other two . now i presume the cause of this ( at least in part ) to be , that in the first sort of wine , which hath little of the substance , beside the very juice of the grape , there is little lee , and consequently little fermentation ; and because it doth not work long , it loseth but little of the original sweetness it had : the second sort being a little more pressed hath somewhat more of the substance of the grape added to the juice ; and therefore having more of that part which causeth fermentation put with it , ferments more strongly , and is therefore , when it hath done working , less pleasant than the first sort , which wrought less . and for the same reason the third sort being most of all pressed , hath most of the substance of the grape mingled with the liquor , and worketh the longest : but at the end of the working when it settles and is clear , it is much more harsh than either of the two first sorts . the thought of this made me first apprehend that the substance of the apple mingled with the juice , was the cause of fermentation , which is really nothing else but an endeavour of the liquor to free it self from those heterogeneous parts which are mingled with it : and where there is the greatest proportion of those dissimilar parts mingled with the liquor , the endeavour of nature must be the stronger , and take up more time to perfect the separation : which when finished leaves all the liquor clear , and the gross parts settled to the bottom of the vessel ; which we call the lee. nor did this apprehension deceive me ; for when i began ( according to the method which i shall hereafter set down ) to separate a considerable part of the lee from the cider before it had fermented , i found it to retain a very great part of its original sweetness , more than it would have done if the lee had not been taken away before the fermentation ; and this not once , but constantly for seven years . now the method which i used , was this : when the cider was first strained , i put it into a great vat , and there let it stand twenty four hours at least ( sometimes more , if the apples were more ripe than ordinary ) and then at a tap before prepared in the vessel three or four inches from the bottom i drew it into pails , and from thence filled the hogshead ( or lesser vessel ) and left the greatest part of the lee behind ; and during this time that the cider stood in the vat , i kept it as close covered with hair-clothes or sacks as i could ; that so too much of the spirits might not evaporate . now possibly i might be asked why i did not , since i kept it so close in the vat , put it at first into the vessel ? to which i answer , that had i put it at first into the vessel , it would possibly ( especially if the weather had chanced to prove wet and warm ) have begun to ferment before that time had been expired ; and then there would have been no possibility to have separated any part of the gross lee , before the fermentation had been wholly finished ; which keeping it only covered with these clothes was not in danger : for , though i kept it warm in some degree , yet some of the spirits had still liberty to evaporate ; which had it been in the hogshead with the bung only open , they would not so freely have done ; but in the first hours it would have begun to ferment , and so my design had been fully lost : for those spirits if they had been too strongly reverberated into the liquor , would have caused a fermentation before i could have taken away any part of the gross lee. for the great mystery of the whole thing lies in this , to let so many of the spirits evaporate , that the liquor shall not ferment before the gross lee be taken away ; and yet to keep spirits enough to cause a fermentation when you would have it . for if you put it up as soon as it is strained , and do not let some of the spirits evaporate , and the gross lee by its weight only to be separated without fermentation , it will ferment too much and lose its sweetness ; and if none be left , it will not ferment at all ; and then the cider will be dead , flat and soure . then after it is put into the vessel , and the vessel fill'd all but a little ( that is , about a gallon or thereabout ) i let it stand ( the bung-hole being left only covered with a paper , to keep out any dust or filth that might fall in ) for hours more ; in which time the grossest part of the lee being formerly left in the vat , it will not ferment , but you may draw it off by a tap some two or three inches from the bottom of the vessel , and in that second vessel you may stop it up , and let it stand safely till it be fit to bottle ; and possibly that will be within a day or more : but of this time there is no certain measure to be given ; there being so many things that will make it longer , or less while before it be fit to bottle . as for example , if the apples were over-ripe when you stamped them , or ground them in the mill , it will be the longer before it will be clear enough to bottle ; or if the weather prove to be warmer or moister than ordinary : or that your apples were of such kinds , as with the same force in the stamping or grinding they are broken into smaller particles than other apples that were of harder kinds . now , for knowing when it is fit to bottle , i know no certain rule that can be given , but to broach the vessel with a small piercer , and in that hole fit a peg , and now and then ( two or three times in a day ) draw a little , and see what fineness it is of ; for when it is bottled it must not be perfectly fine ; for if it be so , it will not fret in the bottle , which gives it a fine quickness , and will make it mantle and sparkle in the glass , when you pour it out : and if it be too thick when it is bottled , then , when it hath stood some time in the bottles it will ferment so much that it may possibly either drive out the corks , or break the bottles , or at least be of that sort ( which some call potgun-drink ) that when you open the bottles it will fly about the house , and be so windy and cutting that it will be inconvenient to drink : for the right temper of bottle-cider is , that it mantle a little and sparkle when it is put out into the glass ; but if it froth and fly , it was bottled too soon : now the temper of the cider is so nice , that it is very hard when you bottle it to foretell which of these two conditions it will have : but it is very easie within a few days after ( that is to say , about a week , or so ) to find its temper as to this point . for first , if it be bottled too soon ; by this time it will begin to ferment in the bottles , and in that case you must open the bottles , and let them stand open two or three minutes , that that abundance of spirits may have vent , which otherwise kept in would in a short time make it of that sort i called before potgun-drink ; but being let out , that danger will be avoided , and the cider ( without danger of breaking the bottles ) will keep and ferment , but not too much . now this is so easie a remedy , that i would advise all men rather to erre on the hand of bottling it too soon , than let it be too fine when they bottle it ; for if so , it will not fret in the bottle at all ; and consequently , want that briskness which is desirable . yet even in this case there is a remedy , but such a one as i am always very careful to avoid , that so i may have nothing ( how little soever ) in the cider but the juice of the apple : but the remedy is , in case you be put to a necessity to use it , that you open every bottle after it hath been bottled about a week or so , and put into each bottle a little piece of white sugar , about the bigness of a nutmeg , and this will set it into a little fermentation , and give it that briskness which otherwise it would have wanted . but the other way being full as easie , and then nothing to be added but the juice of the apple to be simply the substance of your cider , i chuse to prefer the errour of being in danger to bottle the cider too soon , rather than too late : nay sometimes in the bottling of one and the same hogshead ( or other vessel ) of cider , there may the first part of it be too fine ; the second part well ; and the last not fine enough : and this happens when it is broached first above the middle , and then below ; and then when it begins to run low , tilted or raised at the further end , and so all drawn out . but to avoid this inconvenience , i commonly set the bottles in the order they were filled , and so we need not open all to see the condition of the cider ; but trying one at each end , and one in the middle , will serve the turn : and to prevent the inconveniency , broach not at all above the middle , nor too low ; and when you have drawn all that will run at the tap , you may be secure it is so far of the same temper with the first bottle . and then tilt the vessel ; but draw no more in three or four hours at the least after , and set them by themselves , that so , if you please , you may three or four days after pour them off into other bottles , and leave the gross behind : and by this means though you have a less number of bottles of cider than you had , yet this will continue good , and neither be apt to fly , nor have a sediment in the bottle , which after the first glass is filled will render all the rest of the bottle thick and muddy . by all this which i have said , i think it may be made out that those persons which i mentioned in the end of the last paragraph , that sometimes had pepin-cider better than ordinary , and indeed then they could make again , were beholding to chance for it ; either that their apples were not so full ripe at that as at other times , and so not bruised into so small parts ; but the fermentation was ended in the vessel , and the lee being then gross setled before the cider had fermented so long as to be hard . or else , by some accident they had not put it so soon into the vessel , but that in part it was setled before they put it up , and the grossest part of the lee left out of the vessel . or else , the bung being left open some part of the spirits evaporated ; and that made the fermentation the weaker , and to last the less time . or else , they put it up in such a season that the weather continued cold and frosty till the fermentation was quite over ; and then it having wrought the less time , and with the less violence , it remained more pleasant and rich than otherwise it would have done . now for the time of making pepin-cider , i chuse to do it in the beginning of november , after the apples had been gathered and laid about three weeks or more in the loft , that so the apples might have had a little time to sweat in the house before the cider was made , but not too much ; for if they be not full ripe before they be gathered , and not suffered to lye a while in the heap , the cider will not be so pleasant ; and if they be too ripe when they are gathered , or lye too long in the heap , it will be very difficult to separate the cider from the gross lee before the fermentation begins : and in that case it will work so long , that when it fines the cider will be hard ; for when the apples are too mellow , they break into so small particles , that it will be long before the lee settles by its weight only : and then the fermentation may begin before it be separated , and so destroy your intention of taking away the gross lee. and if the apples be not mellow enough , the cider will not be so pleasant as it ought to be . this being said for the time of making the pepin-cider , may ( mutatis mutandis ) serve for all other sorts of summer-fruit ; as the kentish codling , marigolds , gilly-flowers , summer-pearmains , summer-pepins , holland-pepins , golden-pepins , and even winter-pearmains . for though they must not be made at the same time of the year , yet they must be made at the time when each respective fruit is in the same condition that i before directed that the winter-pepin should be . nay , even in the making of that cider , you are not tied to that time of the year to make your cider ; but as the condition of that particular year hath been , you may make your cider one , two , three or four weeks later ; but it will be very seldom that you shall need to begin to make kentish-pepin-cider before the beginning of november , even in the most southern parts of england . the next thing i shall mention , is , the ordering of your bottles after they are filled ; for in that consists no small part of causing your cider to be in a just condition to drink : for , if it does ferment too much in the bottle , it will not be so convenient to drink , neither for the taste , nor wholsomness ; and if it ferment not at all , it will want that little fret which makes it grateful to most palates . in order to this , you must observe , first , whether the cider were bottled too early , or too late , or in the just time : if too early , and that it hath too much of the flying lee in it , then you must keep it as cool as you can , that it may not work too much , and if so little that you doubt it will not work at all , or too little ; you must by keeping it from the inconvenience of the external air , endeavour to hasten and increase the fermentation . and this i do , by setting it in sand to cool , and by covering the bottles very well with straw , when i would hasten or increase the fermentation . and if i find the cider to have been bottled in its just time , then i use neither , in ordinary weather ; but content my self that it stands in a close and cool cellar , either upon the ground , or upon shelves ; saving in the time that i apprehend frost , i cover it with straw , which i take off as soon as the weather changeth ; and consequently about the time that the cold east winds cease ; which usually with us , is in the beginning of april ; i set my bottles into sand up to the necks . and by this means i have kept pepin-cider without change till september , and might have kept it longer , if my store had been greater : for by that time the heats were totally over , and consequently , the cause of the turn of cider . having now declared what is ( according to my opinion ) to be done to preserve cider , if not in it's original sweetness , yet to let it lose as little as is possible ; i shall now fall upon my fifth assertion , which is , that it is probable that somewhat like the former method may in some degree mend hard-apple-cider , perry , or a drink made of the mixtures of apples and pears ; and not impossible that somewhat of the same nature may do good to french-wines also . first , for french-wines , i think what i have in the beginning of this discourse declared , as the hint which first put me upon the conceit , that the over - fermenting of cider was the cause that it lost of its original sweetness ( viz. the making of three sorts of wine , of one sort of grapes ) is a testimony that the first sort of wine hath but little of the gross lee , and consequently , ferments but little , nor loseth but little of the original sweetness ; which makes it evident that the same thing will hold in wine , which doth in cider ; but the great difficulty is ( if i be rightly informed ) that they use to let the wine begin to ferment in the vat before they put it into the hogsheads or other vessels ; and thus they do , that the husks and other filth ( which in the way they use , must necessarily be mingled with the wine ) may rise in a skum at the top , and so be taken off : now if they please , as soon as it is pressed , to pass the wine through a strainer , without expecting any such purgation , and then use the same method formerly prescribed for cider , i do not doubt but the gross part of the lee of wines , being thus taken away , there will yet be enough left to give it a fermentation in the bottles , or second vessel , where it shall be left to stand , in case you have not bottles enough to put up all the wine from which you have thus taken away the gross lee. this wine i know not whether it will last so long as the other used in the ordinary way , or not ; but this i confidently believe , it will not be so harsh as the same would have been if it had been used in the ordinary way ; and the pleasantness of taste , which is not unwholsome , is the chief thing which i prefer both in wine and cider . now for the hard-apple-cider , that it will receive an improvement by this way of ordering , hath been long my opinion ; but this year an accident happened , which made it evident that i was not mistaken in this conjecture . for there was a gentleman of herefordshire , this last autumn , that by accident had not provided cask enough for the cider he had made ; and having six or seven hogsheads of cider for which he had no cask , he sent to worcester , glocester , and even to bristol , to buy some , but all in vain ; and when his servants returned , the cider that wanted cask had been some five days in the vat uncovered ; and the gentleman being then dispatching a barque for london with cider , and having neer hand a conveniency of getting glass-bottles , resolved to put some of it into bottles ; did so , and filled seven or eight hampers with the clearest of this cider in the vat , which had then never wrought , nor been put into any other vessel but the vat ; the barque in which his cider came had a tedious passage ; that is , it was at least seven weeks before it came to london , and in that time most of his cider in cask had wrought so much that it was much harder than it would have been if it had according to the ordinary way lain still in the country , in the place where it was first made and put up , and consequently , wrought but once . but the other , which was in bottles , and escaped the breaking , that is , by accident , had less of the lee in it than other bottles had , or was not so hard stopped , but either before there was force enough from the fermentation to break the bottle , or that the cork gave way a little , and so the air got out ; or that the bottles were not originally well corked , was excellent good , beyond any cider that i had tasted out of herefordshire ; so that from this experience i dare confidently say , that the using hard-apple-cider after the former method , prescribed for pepin-cider , will make it retain a considerable part of sweetness more than it can do after the method used hitherto in herefordshire . nor do i doubt but my method will in a degree have the same effect in perry , and the drink ( as yet without a name that i do know of ) which is made of the juice of wardens , pears , and apples , by several persons , in several proportions ; for the reason being the same , i have no cause to doubt , but the effect will follow , as well in those drinks , as in cider and wines . i am now come to my last assertion ; that cider thus used cannot be unwholesom , but may be done to what degree any mans palate desires . first , it cannot be unwholesome , upon the same measure that stummed wine is so ; for that unwholesomness is by leaving the cause of fermentation in the wine , and not suffering it to produce its effect before the wine be drank , and it ferments in mans body : and not only so , but sets other humours in the body into fermentation ; and this prejudiceth their health that drink such wines . now though cider used in my method should not ferment at all , till it come into the bottle , and then but a little ; yet the cause of fermentation being in a great degree taken away , the rest can do no considerable harm to those which drink it , being in it self but little , and having wrought in the bottle before men drink it ; nor indeed do i think , nor ever find , that it did any inconvenience to my self , or any person that drank it when it was thus used . secondly , because the difference of mens palates and constitutions is very great ; and that accordingly men like or dislike drink that hath more or less of the fret in it ; and that the consequences in point of health are very different , in the method by me formerly prescribed : it is in your power to give the cider just as much fret as you please , and no more ; and that by several ways : for either you may bottle it sooner or later , as you please : or you may bottle it from two taps in your vessel , and that from the higher tap will have less fret , and the lower more : or you may bottle your cider all from one tap , and open some of the bottles about a week after for a few minutes , and then stop them up again ; and that which was thus stop'd will have the less fret : or , if your cider be bottled all from one tap , if you will ( even without opening the bottles ) you may make some difference , though not so considerable as either of the former ways , by keeping part of the bottles warmer , for the first two months , than the rest ; for that which is kept warmest will have the most fret . sir pavl neile's second paper . my lord , the paper which by the command of the royal society i delivered in the last year , concerning the ordering of cider , i have by this years experience found defective in one particular , of which i think fit by this to give you notice , which is thus : whereas in the former paper i mention , that after the pepin-cider hath stood hours in the vat , it might be drawn off into pails , and so put into the vessel ; and that having stood a second hours in that vessel , it might be drawn into another vessel , in which it might stand till it were fit to bottle ; for the particulars of all which proceeding i refer to the former paper ; and shall now only mention , that this last year we were fain to draw it off into several vessels , not only as is there directed , twice , but most of our cider five , and some six times ; and not only so , but we were after all this fain to precipitate the lee by some of those ways mention'd by dr. willis in the th chap. of his treatise de fermentatione . now though this be more of trouble than the method by me formerly mention'd ; yet it doth not in the least destroy that hypothesis which in the former discourse i laid down , ( viz. ) that it was the leaving too much of the lee with the cider , which upon the change of air , set it into a new fermentation , and consequently made it lose the sweetness ; for this change by the indisposition of the lee to settle this year more than others , hath not hindred the goodness of the cider ; but that when it was at last mastered , and the cider bottled in a fit temper , it was never more pleasant and quick than this year : but i find that this year our cider of summer-apples is already turned sowre , although it be now but the first of january ; and the last year it kept very well till the beginning of march ; which makes me fear that our pepin-cider will not keep till this time twelve-moneth , as our pepin-cider of the last year doth till this day , and still retains its original pleasantness without the least turn towards sowreness . and i am very confident , the difference of time and trouble , which this year we found in getting the cider to fine and be in a condition to bottle , was only the effect of a very bad and wet summer , which made the fruit not ripen kindly ; and to make it yet worse , we had just at the time when we made our cider , this year , extream wet and windy weather , which ( added to the unkindliness of the fruit ) was the whole cause of this alteration : and however my hypothesis as yet remains firm , for if by taking any part of the lee from the cider you can preserve it in its original sweetness , it is not at all material whether it be always to be done by twice drawing off from the lee , or that it must sometimes be done with more trouble , and by oftner repeating the same work , so that finally it be done , and by the same means , that is , by taking away part of the lee , which otherwise would have caused too much fermentation ; and consequently have made the cider lose part of its original sweetness . my lord , i should not have presumed to have given you and the society the trouble of perusing this paper , but that , if possible , i would have you see , that what i think an errour in any opinion that i have held , i am willing to own ; and yet i desire not that you should think my mistake greater than in reality it is . observations concerning the making , and preserving of cider : by john newbvrgh esq . if the apples are made up immediately from the tree , they are observ'd to yield more , but not so good cider , as when hoarded the space of a moneth or six weeks ; and if they contract any unpleasing taste ( as sometimes 't is confess'd they do ) it may be imputed to the room they lie in , which if it hath any thing in it , of either too sweet or unsavoury smell , the apples ( as things most susceptible of impression ) will be easily tainted thereby . one of my acquaintance , when a child , hoarding apples in a box where rose-cakes and other sweets were their companions , found them of so unsavoury taste , and of so rank a relish deriv'd from the too near neighbour-hood of the perfumes , that even a childish palate ( which seldom mislikes any thing that looks like an apple ) could not dispense with it . . it is therefore observ'd by prudent fruiterers , to lay their apples upon clean new made reed , till they grind them for cider , or otherwise make use of them . and if , notwithstanding this caution , they contract any rottenness before they come to the cider-press , the damage will not be great , if care be had before the apples be ground , to pick out the finnewed and the black-rotten ; the rest , though somewhat of putrefaction hath pass'd upon them , will not render the cider ill condition'd , either in respect of taste , or duration . a friend of mine having made provision of apples for cider , whereof so great a part were found rotten when the time of grinding them came , that they did , as 't were wash the room with their juice , through which they were carried to the wring , had cider from them not only passable , but exceeding good ; though not without previous use of the pre-mention'd caution . i am also assured by a neighbour of mine , that a brother of his who is a great cider-merchant in devonshire , is by frequent experience so well satisfied of the harmlesness of rotten-apples , that he makes no scruple of exchanging with any one that comes to his cider-press , a bushel of sound-apples for the same measure of the other . herein , i suppose , ( if in other respects they be not prejudicial ) he may be a gainer by the near compression of the tainted fruit , which , as we speak in our country phrase , will go nearer together than the other . his advantage may be the greater , if the conceit which goes current with them be not a bottomless fancy , that a convenient quantity of rotten-apples mixt with the sound , is greatly assistant to the work of fermentation , and notably helps to clarifie the cider . . it matters not much whether the cider be forc'd to purge it self by working downwards in the barrel , or upwards at the usual vent , so there be matter sufficient left on the top for a thick skin or film , which will sometimes be drawn over it when it works , after the usual manner , as when 't is presently stopt up with space left for fermentation , to be perform'd altogether within the vessel . the thick skin , or leathern-coat , the cider oftentimes contracts , as well after it hath purged it self after the usual manner , as otherwise , is held the surest preservation of its spirits , and the best security against other inconveniences incident to this , and other like vinous liquors , of which the devonshire cider-merchants are so sensible , that , beside the particular care they take , that matter be not wanting for the contexture of this upper garment by stopping up the vessel as soon as they have fill'd it ; ( with the allowance of a gallon or two upon the score of fermentation ) they cast in wheaten bran , or dust , to thicken the coat , and render it more certainly air-proof . and i think you will believe their care in this kind not impertinent , if you can believe a story which i have to tell of its marvellous efficacy : a near neighbour of mine assures me , that his wife having this year filled a barrel with mead , being strong , it wrought so boistrously in the vessel , that the good woman casting her eye that way , accidentally , found it leaking at every chink , which ascribing to the strength of the liquor , she thought immediately by giving it vent , to save both the liquor and the vessel , but in vain ; both the stopples being pulled out , the leakage still continued , and the vessel not at all reliev'd , till casually at length putting in her finger at the top , she brake the premention'd film ; which done , a good part of the mead immediately flying out , left the residue in peace , and the leakage ceased . it may seem incredible that so thin a skin should be more coercive to a mutinous liquor , than a barrel with oaken-ribs , and stubborn hoops : but i am so well assur'd of the veritableness of my neighbours relation , that i dare not question it : the reason of it let wiser men determine . . if the apples be abortive , having been ( as it usually happens ) shaken down before the time by a violent wind , it is observ'd to be so indispensably necessary that they lie together in hoard , at least till the usual time of their maturity , that the cider otherwise is seldom , or never found worth the drinking . a neighbour told me , that making a quantity of cider with wind-falls which he let ripen in the hoard , near a month interceding between the time of their decussion , and that which nature intended for their maturity ; his cider prov'd very good , when all his neighbours who made up their untimely fruit assoon as it fell , had a crude , austere , indigested liquor , not worth the name of cider . . no liquor is observ'd to be more easily affected with the savour of the vessel it is put into , than cider ; therefore singular care is taken by discreet cider-masters , that the vessel be not only tasteless , but also well prepar'd for the liquor they intend to fill it with . if it be a new cask , they prepare it by scalding it with water , wherein a good quantity of apple-pomice hath been boil'd : if a tainted cask , they have divers ways of cleansing it . some boil an ounce of pepper in so much water as will fill an hogshead , which they let stand in a vessel of that capacity two or three days , and then wash it with a convenient quantity of fresh water scalding hot , which they say is an undoubted cure for the most dangerously infected vessel . a friend and neighbour of mine herewith cured a vessel of so extream ill savour , as it was thought it would little less than poyson any liquor that was put into it . others have a more easie , and perhaps no less effectual remedy . they take two or three stones of quick-lime , which in six or seven gallons of water they set on work in the hogshead being close stopt , and tumbling it up and down till the commotion cease , it doth the feat . of vessels that have been formerly used , next to that which hath been already acquainted with cider , a white-wine , or vinegar cask is esteem'd the best ; claret or sack not so good . a barrel newly tenanted by small beer suits better with cider than a strong - beer vessel . . half a peck of unground wheat put to cider that is harsh and eager , will renew its fermentation , and render it more mild and gentle . sometimes it happens without the use of any such means to change with the season , and becomes of sharp and sour unexpectedly benigne and pleasant . two or three eggs whole put into an hogshead of cider that is become sharp and near of kin to vinegar , sometimes rarely lenifies and gentilizes it . one pound of broad-figs slit , is said to dulcifie an hogshead of such cider . a neighbour divine , of my acquaintance , assured me , that coming into a parsonage-house in devonshire , where he found eleven hogsheads of cider ; being unwilling to sell what he never bought , he was three years in spending that store which the former incumbent had left him ; and it greatly amus'd him ( as well it might , if he remember'd the old proverb , he mends as sour ale in summer ) to find the same cider , which in winter was almost as sharp as vinegar , in the summer become a potable and good-natur'd liquor . . a little quantity of mustard will clear an hogshead of muddy cider . the same virtue is ascribed to two or three rotten apples put into it . mustard made with sack preserves boild cider , and spirits it egregiously . . cider is found to ferment much better in mild and moist , than in cold and dry weather . every ones experience hath taught him so much in the late frosty season . if it had not wrought before , it was in vain to expect its working or clearing then , unless by some of the artificial means premention'd , which also could not be made use of in a more inconvenient time . . the latter running of the cider bottled immediately from the wring , is by some esteem'd a pure , clear , small , well relisht liquor ; but so much undervalued by them who desire strong drinks more than wholesome , that they will not suffer it to incorporate with the first running . in devonshire where their wrings are so hugely great , that an hogshead or two runs out commonly before the apples suffer any considerable pressure , they value this before the other , much after the rate which we set upon life-honey ( that which in like sort drops freely out of the combs ) above that which renders not it self without compression . in jersey they value it a crown upon an hogshead dearer than the other : ( this i take from the relation of one of my neighbours , who sometimes lived in that island , which for apples and cider is one of the most famous of all belonging to his majesties dominions ) yet even upon this , and their choicest ciders , they commonly bestow a pail of water to every hogshead , being so far ( it seems ) of pindar's mind , that they fear not any prejudice to their most excellent liquors by a dash of that most excellent element : insomuch that it goes for a common saying amongst them , that if any cider can be found in their island , which can be prov'd to have no mixture of water , 't is clearly forfeited . it seems they are strongly conceited , that this addition of the most useful element , doth greatly meliorate their cider , both in respect of colour , taste , and clarity . . the best cider-fruit with us in this part of dorsetshire ( lying near bred-port ) next to pepin and pearmain , is a bitter-sweet , or ( as we vulgarly call them ) bitter-scale , of which for the first , the cider unboil'd keeps well for one year ; boiling it you may keep it two years or longer . about seven years since i gave my self the experience of bitter-scale cider both crude and boil'd . i call'd them both to account at twelve months end . i then found the crude cider seemingly as good , if not better , than the boiled . but , having stopt up the boil'd , i took it to task again about ten months after . at which time , i found it so excessively strong , that five persons would hardly venture upon an ordinary glass full of it . my friends would hardly believe but i had heightned it with some of my chymical spirits . the truth is , i do not remember that i ever drunk any liquor , on this side spirits , so highly strong , and spirituous ; but wanting pleasantness answerable to its strength , i was not very fond of my experiment . in which i boil'd away , as i remember , more than half . . a neighbour having a good provent of pure-lings ( an apple of choice account with us ) making up a good part of them to cider , expected rare liquor , but it prov'd very mean and pitiful cider , as generally we find that to be , which is made without mixture . we have few apples with us , beside the bitter-scale , which yield good cider alone ; next to it is a deans-apple , and the peleasantine i think may be mention'd in the third place ; neither of which need the addition of other apples to set off the relish , as do the rest of our choicest fruits . pepins , pearmains , and gilliflours commixt , are said to make the best cider in the world . in jersey 't is a general observation , as i hear , that the more of red any apple hath in its rind , the more proper it is for this use . paleface't-apples they exclude as much as may be from their cider-vat . 't is with us an observation , that no sweet-apple that hath a tough rind , is bad for cider . . if you boil your cider , special care is to be had , that you put it into the furnace immediately from the wring ; otherwise , if it be let stand i● vats or vessels two or three days after the pressure , the best , and most spirituous part will ascend , and vapour away when the fire is put under it ; and the longer the boiling continues , the less of goodness , or virtue will be left remaining in the cider . my distillations sufficiently instruct me , that the same liquor which ( after fermentation hath pass'd upon it ) yields a plentiful quantity of spirit , drawn off unfermented , yields nothing at all of spirit . and upon the same account it is undoubtedly certain , that cider boil'd immediately from the wring , hath its spirits comprest , and drawn into a narrower compass , which are for the most part wash'd and evaporated by late unseasonable boiling . concerning cider , by doctor smith . the best time to grind the apples is immediately from the tree , so soon as they are throughly ripe : for , so they will yield the greater quantity of liquor , the cider will drink the better , and last longer than if the apples were hoarded : for cider made of hoarded apples will always retain an unpleasing taste of the apples , especially if they contract any rottenness . the cider that is ground in a stone-case is generally accused to taste unpleasantly of the rinds , stems , and kernels of the apples ; which it will not if ground in a case of wood , which doth not bruise them so much . so soon as the cider is made , put it into the vessel ( leaving it about the space of one gallon empty ) and presently stop it up very close : this way is observed to keep it longer , and to preserve its spirits better than the usual way of filling the vessel quite full , and keeping it open till it hath done fermenting . cider put into a new vessel will often taste of the wood , if it be pierced early ; but the same stopped up again , and reserved till the latter end of the year , will free it self of that taste . if the cider be sharp and thick it will recover it self again : but if sharp and clear , it will not . about march ( or when the cider begins to sparkle in the glass ) before it be too fine , is the best time to bottle it . cider will be much longer in clearing in a mild and moist , then in a cold and dry winter . to every hogshead of cider , designed for two years keeping , it is requisite to add ( about march , the first year ) a quart of wheat unground . the best fruit ( with us in glocester-shire ) for the first years cider , are the red-strake ; the white and red must-apple , the sweet and sour pepin , and the harvey-apple . pearmains alone make but a small liquor , and hardly clearing of it self ; but , mixed either with sweet or sour pepins , it becomes very brisk and clear . must-apple-cider ( though the first made ) is always the last ripe ; by reason that most of the pulp of the apple passeth the strainer in pressing , and makes it exceeding thick . the cider of the bromsbury-crab , and fox-whelp , is not fit for drinking , till the second year , but then very good . the cider of the bromsbury-crab yields a far greater proportion of spirits , in the distillation , than any of the others . crabs and pears mixed make a very pleasing liquor , and much sooner ripe than pears alone . of cider . by capt. sylas taylor . herefordshire affords several sorts of cider-apples , as the two sorts of red strakes , the gennet-moyle , the summer-violet , or fillet , and the winter-fillet ; with many other sorts which are used only to make cider . of which some use each sort simply ; and others mix many sorts together . this county is very well stored with other sorts of apples ; as pepins , pearmains , &c. of which there is much cider made , but not to be compared to the cider drawn from the cider-apples ; among which the red-strakes bear the bell ; a fruit in it self scarce edible ; yet the juice being pressed out is immediately pleasant in taste , without any thing of that restringency which it had when incorporated with the meat , or flesh of the apple . it is many times three months before it comes to its clearness , and six months before it comes to a ripeness fit for drinking ; yet i have tasted of it three years old , very pleasant , though dangerously strong . the colour of it , when fine , is of a sparkling yellow , like canary , of a good full body , and oyly : the taste , like the flavour or perfume of excellent peaches , very grateful to the palate and stomach . gennet-moyles make a cider of a smaller body than the former , yet very pleasant , and will last a year . it is a good eating pleasant sharp fruit , when ripe , and the best tart-apple ( as the red-strake also ) before its ripeness . the tree grows with certain knotty extuberancies upon the branches and boughs ; below which knot we cut off boughs the thickness of a mans wrist , and place the knot in the ground , which makes the root ; and this is done to raise this fruit ; but very rarely by graffing . of fillets of both sorts ( viz. summer and winter ) i have made cider of that proportionate taste and strength , that i have d●ceived several experienced palates , with whom ( simply ) it hath passed for white-wine ; and dashing it with red-wine , it hath passed for claret ; and mingled with the syrupe of rasp'yes it makes an excellent womans wine : the fruit is not so good as the gennet-moyle to eat : the winter-fillet makes a lasting cider , and the summer-fillet an early cider , but both very strong ; and the apples mixt together make a good cider . these apples yield a liquor more grateful to my palate ( and so esteem'd of in herefordshire by the greater ciderists ) than any made of pepins and pearmains , of which sorts we have very good in that country ; and those also both summer and winter of both sorts , and of which i have drank the cider ; but prefer the other . grounds separated only with a hedge and ditch , by reason of the difference of soils have given a great alteration to the cider , notwithstanding the trees have been graffed with equal care , the same graffs , and lastly , the same care taken in the making of the cider . this as to the red-strake ; i have not observ'd the same niceness in any other fruit ; for gennet-moyles , and fillets thrive very well over all herefordshire . the red-strake delights most in a fat soil : hamlacy is a rich intermixt soil of red-fat-clay and sand ; and kings-capel a low hot sandy ground , both well defended from noxious winds , and both very famous for the red-strake-cider . there is a pear in hereford and worcester-shires , which is called bareland-pear , which makes a very good cider . i call it cider ( and not perry ) because it hath all the properties of cider . i have drank of it from half a year old to two years old . it keeps it self without roping ( to which perry is generally inclined ) and from its taste : dr. beal , in his little treatise called the herefordshire-orchard , calls it deservingly a masculine drink ; because in taste not like the sweet luscious feminine juice of pears . this tree thrives very well in barren ground , and is a fruit ( with the red-strake ) of which swine will not eat ; therefore fittest to be planted in hedge-rows . red strakes and other cider-apples when ripe ( which you may know partly by the blackness of the kernel's , and partly by the colour and smell of the fruit ) ought to be gathered in baskets or bags , preserved from bruising , and laid up in heaps in the orchard to sweat ; covered every night from the dew : or else , in a barn-floor ( or the like ) with some wheat or rye-straw under them , being kept so long till you find , by their mellowing , they are fit for the mill. they that grind , or bruise their apples presently upon their gathering , receive so much liquor from them , that between twenty or twenty two bushels will make a hogshead of cider : but this cider will neither keep so well , nor drink with such a fragrancy as is desired and endeavoured . they that keep them a month or six weeks hoarded , allow about thirty bushels to the making of a hogshead ; but this hath also an inconvenience ; in that the cider becomes not fine , or fit for drinking , so conveniently as a mean betwixt these two will afford . keep them then about a fort-night in a hoard , and order them to be of such a cast by this mellowing , that about twenty five bushels may make a hogshead , after which mellowing proceed thus . . pick and clear your apples from their stalks , leaves , moaziness , or any thing that tends toward rottenness or decay . . lay them before the stone in the cider-mill , or else beat them small with beaters ( such as paviers use to fix their pitching ) in deep troughs of wood or stone , till they are fit for the press . . having laid clean wheat-straw in the bottom of your press , lay a heap of bruised apples upon it , and so with small handfuls or wisps of straw , which by twisting takes along with it the ends of the straw laid first in the bottom , proceed with the bruised apples , and follow the heaps with your twisted straw , till it comes to the height of two foot , or two foot and a half ; and so with some straw drawn in by twisting , and turned over the top of it ( so that the bruised apples are set as it were into a deep chees-vat of straw , from which the country people call it their cider-cheese ) let the board fall upon it even and flat , and so engage the force of your skrew or press so long as any liquor will run from it . instead of this cheese others use baggs of hair-cloth . . take this liquor thus forced by the press , and strain it thorow a strainer of hair into a vat , from whence straight ( or that day ) in pails carry it to the cellar , tunning it up presently in such vessels as you intend to preserve it in ; for i cannot approve of a long evaporation of spirits , and then a disturbance after it settles . . let your vessels be very tight and clean wherein you put your cider to settle : the best form is the stund or stand , which is set upon the lesser end , from the top tapering downwards ; as suppose the head to be thirty inches diametre , let the the bottom be but eighteen or twenty inches in diametre ; let the tun-hole or bung-hole be on the one side outwards , towards the top . the reason of the goodness of this form of vessel is , because cider ( as all strong liquors ) after fermentation and working , contracts a cream or skin on the top of them , which in this form of vessel is as it sinks contracted , and fortified by that contraction , and will draw fresh to the last drop ; whereas in our ordinary vessels , when drawn out about the half or middle , this skin dilates and breaks , and without a quick draught decays and dies . . reserve a pottle or gallon of the liquor to fill up the vessel to the brim of the bung-hole , as oft as the fermentation and working lessens the liquor , till it hath done its work . . when it hath compleated its work , and that the vessel is filled up to the bung-hole , stop it up close with well mix'd clay , and well tempered , with a handful of bay-salt laid upon the top of the clay , to keep it moist , and renewed as oft as need shall require ; for if the clay grows dry it gives vent to the spirits of the liquor , by which it suffers decay . i am against either the boyling of cider , or the hanging of a bag of spices in it , or the use of ginger in drinking it ; by which things people labour to correct that windiness which they fancy to be in it : i think cider not windy ; those that use to drink it are most free from windiness ; perhaps the virtue of it is such , as that once ripened and mellowed , the drinking of it in such strength combates with that wind which lies insensibly latent in the body . the cider made and sold here in london in bottles may have that windiness with it as bottle-beer hath , because they were never suffered to ferment : but those that have remarked the strength and vigour of its fermentation , what weighty things it will cast up from the bottom to the top , and with how many bubbles and bladders of wind it doth work , will believe that it clears it self by that operation of all such injurious qualities . to preserve cider in bottles i recommend unto you my own experience , which is , not to bottle it up before fermentation ; for that incorporates the windy quality , which otherwise would be ejected by that operation : this violent suppression of fermentation makes it windy in drinking , ( though i confess brisk to the taste , and sprightly cutting to the palate : ) but after fermentation , the cider resting two , three , or four months , draw it , and bottle it up , and so lay it in a repository of cool springing water , two or three foot , or more , deep ; this keeps the spirits , and the best of the spirits of it together : this makes it drink quick and lively ; it comes into the glass not pale or troubled , but bright yellow , with a speedy vanishing nittiness , ( as the vintners call it ) which evaporates with a sparkling and whizzing noise ; and than this i never tasted either wine or cider that pleased better : insomuch that a noble man tasting of a bottle out of the water ( himself a great ciderist ) protested the excellency of it , and made with much greater charges , at his own dwelling , a water repository for his cider , with good success . an account of perry and cider out of glocester-shire , imparted by daniel collwall esq about taynton , five miles beyond glocester , is a mixt sort of land , partly clay , a marle , and crash , as they call it there , on all which sorts of land , there is much fruit growing , both for the table and for cider : but it is pears it most abounds in , of which the best sort , is that they name the squash-pear , which makes the best perry in those parts . these trees grow to be very large , and exceeding fruitful , bearing a fair round pear , red on the one side , and yellow on the other , when fully ripe : it oftentimes falls from the tree , which commonly breaks it ; but it is of a nature so harsh , that the hogs will hardly eat them . they usually plant the stocks first , and when of competent bigness ( and tall enough to prevent cattel ) graff upon them : 't is observed , that where land is plow'd and dress'd for corn , the trees thrive much better than in the pasture-grounds , so as divers orchards are yearly plow'd and sown with corn , which for the most part , they suffer their swine to eat upon the ground , without cutting ; and such plantations seldom or never fail of plentiful crops , especially in the rye-land , or light grounds . about michaelmas is made the best cider , and that of such fruit as drops from the trees , being perfectly mature ; and if any are gathered sooner , they let them lye in the house or days for the better mellowing . the best mills to grind in , are those of stone , which resembles a mill stone set edge-ways , moved round the trough by an horse till the fruit be bruised small enough for the press : this done , then put it up into a crib made with strong studds , and oken or haisel twigs about foot high , and ½ wide , which is placed on a stone or wooden cheese-fat , a foot broader than the crib , fitted to a round trough for the liquor to pass into the cistern which is a large vessel : when the crib is filled with the foresaid ground fruit , they put a stone upon it , but first they fit a circle of fresh straw about the crib , to preserve the must ( which is the bruised fruit ) from straining through the crib when they apply the skrews , which being two in number , and of a good size , turn in a great beam , and so are wrung down upon the crib , within which they place two wide and thick cheese-fats , and several blocks upon the fruit , to crush it down with the more force , by which means it is wrung so dry , as nothing can be had more out of it . a crib will contain at once , as much ground fruit , as will make above an hogs-head of cider , and there may be dispatched six or seven such vessels in one day . when the pressing is finished , they take out the fruit , and put it into a great fat , pouring several payls of water to it , which being well impregn'd , is ground again sleightly in the mill , to make an ordinary cider for the servants ; this they usually drink all the year about . when the best liquor is ●un'd up , they commonly leave the bung-hole open , for nine or ten days , to ferment and purifie ; for though in most places they adde straining to all this , yet some of the husks and ordure will remain in it . the vessel after a day or two standing , is fill'd up , and still as the cider wastes in working , they supplie it again , till no more filth rises ; and then stop it up very accurately close , leaving only a small breathing hole to give it air for a moneth after , and to prevent the bursting of the vessel . note , that they sometimes put ⅔ pears , and ⅓ of apples . the usual names of glocester-shire cider-fruit . red-streaks , growing chiefly in the rye-lands , sweet white-musts , red-must , the winter-must , the streak-must , the gennet-moyl , the woodcock-apple , the bromsgrove-crab , the great-white-crab , the heming , and divers other sorts , but these are the principal . the pears for perry are , the red squash-pear esteem'd the best , the john-pear , the harpary green-pear , the drake-pear , the green squash-pear , the mary-pear , the lullam-pear : these are the chief . another account of cider from a person of great experience . cider-apples for strength , and a long lasting drink , is best made of the fox-whelp of the forest of deane , but which comes not to be drunk till two or three years old . . bromsborrow-crab the second year ; in the coast and tract 'twixt hereford and ledbury . . vnder-leaf , best at two years , a very plentiful bearer hath a rhenish-wine flavour ; the very best of all ciders of this kind , hoarded a little within doors . the longer you would keep , the longer you must hoard your fruit. . the red-strake of kings-capel , and those parts , is in great variety : some make cider that is not of continuance , yet pleasant and good ; others , that lasts long , inclining towards the bromsborrow-crab rather than a red-strake . . a long pale apple , called the coleing , about ludlow , an extraordinary bearer . . the arier-apple , a constant bearer , making a strong and lasting cider ; some ●all them richards , some grang-apples ; and indeed 〈…〉 ●e so 〈…〉 drink , that they are worthy to be reco● 〈◊〉 . 〈…〉 ●live● ●nk●own about ludlow , may , i conceive be ac● 〈…〉 the ●int●●-cider apples , of which 't is the constant re● 〈…〉 an hogs-head of the fruit will yield an hogs-head of ●ider . the summer-ciders are , . the gennet-moyl of one year : the best baking-apple that grows , and keeps long baked ; but not so unbaked without growing mealy : it drys well in the oven , and with little trouble . the gennet-moyl cider , when the fruit is well hoarded and mellow , will body , and keep better . . the summer red-strake , of a wonderful fragrant and aromatique quality . . sir ed. harley's little apple , esteemed to make one of the richest ciders in the world. also , his , . great summer-apple , resembling the red-strake , juicy and aromatique . . the white-must , streaked must , &c. great bearers , and their cider early ripe . . pearmains , have made excellent cider , as good , if not superior to any other in some years ; and though it be true , that every sort of fruit makes better drink some years than others ; yet , for the most part , the goodness and perfection of cider results from the lucky , or intelligent gathering , or hoarding of the fruit , or from both ; and this knowledge must be from experience . . generally , the cider longest in fining , is strongest and best lasting , especially if the fruit have been well hoarded for some time . . cider made of green , and immature fruit , will not fine kindly , and when it does , it abides not long good , but suddenly becomes ●agre . . cider kept in very cool cellars , if made of ripe fruit , renders it long in fining , and sometimes cider by exposing abroad in the sun , and kept warm , hath sooner matur'd , and continu'd long good : but the best drink is that which fines of it self , preserved in an indifferent temper . . all cider suffers fermentation when trees are blossoming , though it be never so old ; and cider of very ripe fruit , if bottl'd in that season , will acquire a fragrancy of the blossom . . new cider , and all diluted and watred ciders , are great enemies to the teeth , and cause violent pains in them , and rheums in the head. . one rotten-apple , of the same kind with the sound , corrupts a whole vessel , and makes it musty . but , to conclude this treatise , we will gratifie the cider-master with the construction of a new kind of press brought into the r. society , by their curator , the ingenious mr. hooke , and , if perfectly understood by him that shall imitate it , recommended not only for its extraordinary dispatch , but for many other vertues of it , chiefly , the accurately grinding of the pulp , and keeping the husks from descending with the liquor . explication of the figures . a the axis , by which four cylinders are to be mov'd , either by the force of men , horses , wind , or water , &c. b. c. d three of the ( visible ) cylinders , so placed , that those which are first to bruise the apples , may stand at about half an inch , or less distance from each other : those that are to press out the juice may join as close , as they can well be made to move . f. f the trough , in which to receive the liquor , running through certain holes made in the lower plate there marked . e. e the hopper , made tapering towards the bottom , in which you fling the apples , and supply them as they sink towards the cylinders . note , that such another hopper is suppos'd to be also made , and fitted to this fore-part of the press , but here omitted , that the prospect and description of the cylinders may the better be laid open and demonstrated . g. g. g the spindles of each cylinder . h. h. i. i. k. k the frame , consisting of two plates , and two pilasters , which hold the cylinders together . note , that the cylinders must be made of excellent oken timber , or other hard wood ; the dimensions about foot long , one foot and half diameter : the rest of the frame for thickness , &c. of size and strength proportionable . l l the legs which support the frame . fig . ii. represents the ichnography of the first . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e see petrarch de remed . utriusque fortunae l. . dial. . vide & curtium , l. . &c. de r.r. in agris erant tunc senatores . cic. de senect . palissy , le moye● de devenir rich. praefat. ad p. sylvium ; which i earnestly recommend to the serious perusal of our gentry . et mihi ad sapientis vitam proximè videtur accedere . cic. de senectute . * nè sylvae quidem , horridiorque naturae facies medicinis carent , sacra illa parente rerum omnium , nusquam non remedia disponente homini , ni medicina , sieret etiam solitudo ipsa , &c. hinc nata m●dic●na , &c. haec sola natura placuerat esse remedia parata vulgò , inventu facilia , ac sine impendio , ex quibus vivimus , &c. plin. l. . c. . notes for div a -e gen. . c. . notes for div a -e libro de colcribus . d● origine formarum . de wotton in agro surrensi . consule librum aut●ris de architectura . notes for div a -e introduction . notes for div a -e soile . seed . notes for div a -e seminary . notes for div a -e oak . notes for div a -e elm. notes for div a -e beech ▪ exercit. in theophrast . l. . c. . in arcad. notes for div a -e ash . notes for div a -e chess-nut . notes for div a -e wall-nut . notes for div a -e mulberry . notes for div a -e service . notes for div a -e maple . notes for div a -e sycomor . notes for div a -e horn-beam . notes for div a -e lime-tree . notes for div a -e quick-beam . notes for div a -e birch . de lithias● c. . n. . . &c. notes for div a -e hasel . notes for div a -e poplar . aspen . abele . notes for div a -e alder. notes for div a -e w●t● ▪ sally . oziers . willow . notes for div a -e fences . quick-sets . furzes . broom . elder . evonymus . cornel. yucca . fruit-trees . notes for div a -e fir. pitch . notes for div a -e larch . platanus ▪ mac●ob . saturnal . . lotus . cor●u● . notes for div a -e cypresse . in itinerario . notes for div a -e cork . ilex . alaternus . phillyrea . granad● ▪ myrtil . lentisc . jasmine . notes for div a -e acacia . arbutus ▪ bays . box. eugh . holly . juniper . laurel . notes for div a -e infirmities ▪ notes for div a -e copses . notes for div a -e pruning . notes for div a -e felling . the names of the persons who gave intelligence of the particulars . edw. rawson . cap. bullock . ed. morphy , wood-ward . jo. halton . kenhelm homer . jo. magson . geo. hall. jo. magson . hen. home● ▪ felling . * note that the short lines of the inch column , between the figures - - &c. do signifie half-inches . * note that the short lines of the inch column , between the figures - - &c. do signifie half-inches . * note that the short lines of the inch column , between the figures - - &c. do signifie half-inches . notes for div a -e seasoning . fuel . notes for div a -e in opere pas●bali . see s. hier. in trad. heb. reg. c. . vide annium viterb . l. . fol. . ad mart. l. . poetices l. . ● . . l. . c. . arist. l. ep. . vide symmach . l. . ep. . in phoe. & arcad. salmut . exer ▪ plin. sol●● . quae tibi factorum poenas instare tuorum vaticinor — vide met. l. . apollon . l. . argonaut . prosternit quercum fun●stam quam fibi nympha pignoribúsque suis fecit — * at wooton in surrey : for so in all ages from trees have been denominated whole countreys , regions , cities and towns ; as cyparissa in greece , cerasus in pontus , laurentum in italy , myrrhinûs in attica . ports , mountains and eminent places ; as the viminalis , aesculetum , &c. the reason is obvious , from the spontaneous growth and abounding of such trees in the respective soyles . epist. cic. d● nat. deor. l. . isa . . . notes for div a -e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : in eos qui relicto victu sordido , ad elegantiorem lautiorémque digrediuntur . * especially , from the most excellently learned dr. beale of yeavil in somerset-shire , a member of the royal society . hereford-sh . orch. p. . tot veneficiis placere cogitur , & miramur noxium esse vinum ? plin. as 't is most ingeniously cited by d r charleton , in his excellent discourse of the adulterations of wine , entered into the register of the royal society ; and ( with those other most useful pieces subjoin'd ) worthy to be published , &c. see regist . ro. society , num. . . decemb. . jan. . pag. . . &c. dr. beale of yeavil in somersetshire . see aph. , , . see c. taylor 's discourse of cider . aph. . aph. . see aph. . notes for div a -e * see for this , excellent directions in mr. newburghs preserving of the surface ; c. taylors vessel , and d r smiths closing of it up . the french gardiner instructing how to cultivate all sorts of fruit-trees and herbs for the garden : together with directions to dry and conserve them in their natural / first written by r.d.c.d.w.b.d.n. ; and now transplanted into english by phiocepos. jardinier françois. english. bonnefons, nicolas de. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing b estc r ocm 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 . 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 , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the french gardiner instructing how to cultivate all sorts of fruit-trees and herbs for the garden : together with directions to dry and conserve them in their natural / first written by r.d.c.d.w.b.d.n. ; and now transplanted into english by phiocepos. jardinier françois. english. bonnefons, nicolas de. evelyn, john, - . phiocepos. [ ], , [ ] p., [ ] leaves of plates : ill. printed by j.c. for john crooke, london : . "three times printed in france and once in holland." epistle dedicatory signed: j.e. reproduction of original in the huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.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. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. 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- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng fruit-culture -- france. gardening -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - olivia bottum sampled and proofread - aptara rekeyed and resubmitted - jennifer kietzman sampled and proofread - jennifer kietzman text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a hertochs fecit the french gardiner : instructing how to cultivate all sorts of fruit-trees , and herbs for the garden : together with directions to dry and conserve them in their natural ; three times printed in france , and once in holland . an accomplished piece , first written by r. d. c. d. w. b. d. n. and now transplanted into english by philocepos . london , printed by i. c. for iohn crooke at the ship in st. pauls church-yard . . to my most honour'd and worthy friend thomas henshaw , esquire . sir , i have at length obey'd your commands , only i wish the instance had bin more considerable : though i cannot but much approve of the designe and of your election in this particular work , which is certainly the best that is exstant upon this subject , notwithstanding the plenty which these late years have furnish'd us withal . i shall forbear to publish the accident which made you engage me upon this traduction ; because i have long since had inclinations , and a design of communicating some other things of this nature from my own experience : and especially , concerning the ornaments of gardens , &c. because , what respects the soyle , the situation and the planting is here performed to my hand with so mu●h ingenuity , as that i conceive there can very little be added , to render it a piece absolute and without reproach . in order to this , my purpose was to introduce the least known ( though not the least delicious ) appendices to gardens ; and such as are not the names only , but the descriptions , plots , materials , and wayes of contriving the ground for parterrs , grotts , fountains ; the propor●ions of walks , perspectives , rocks , aviaries , vivaries , apiaries , pots , conservatories , piscina's , groves , crypta's , cabinets , eccho's , statues , and other ornaments of a vigna , &c. without which the best garden is without life , and very defective . together with a treatise of flowers , and ever-greens ; especially the palisades and contr-espaliers of alaternus , which most incomparable verdure , together with the right culture of it , for beauty and fence , i might glory to have been the first propagator in england . this , i say , i intended to have published for the benefit or divertisement of our country , had not some other things unexpectedly intervened , which as yet hinder the birth and maturity of that embryo . be pleased , sir , to accept the productions of your own commands ; as a lover of gardens you did promote it , as a lover of you i have translated it . and in the mean time that the great ones are busied about governing the world ( which is but a wildernesse ) let us call to minde the rescript of dioclesian to those who would perswade him to re-assume the empire . for it is impossible that he who is a true virtuoso , and has attain'd to the felicity of being a good gardener , should give jealousie to the state where he lives . this is not advice to you who know so well how to cultivate both your self and your garden : but because it is the only way to enjoy a garden , and to preserve its reputation . sir , i am your most humble and most obedient servant j. e. to the reader . i advertise the reader that what i have couched in four sections at the end of this volume , under the name of an appendix , is but a part of the third treatise in the original : there remaining three chapters more concerning preserving of fruits with sugar ; which i have therefore expresly omitted , because it is a mysterie that i am little acquainted withall ; and that i am assured by a lady ( who is a person of quality , and curious in that art ) that there is nothing of extraordinary amongst them , but what the fair sex do infinitely exceed , whenever they please to divertise themselves in that sweet employment . there is also another book of the same author intituled les delices de la campagne , ( or the delights of the countrey ) being as a second part of this : wherein you are taught to prepare and dresse whatsoever either the earth or the water do produce , dedicated to the good housewives : there you are instructed to make all sorts of french bread , and the whole mysterie of the pastry , wines , and all sorts of drinks . to accommodate all manner of roots good to eat ; cocking of flesh and fish , together with precepts how the major domo is to order the services , and treat persons of quality at a feast , a la mode de france , which such as affect more then i , and do not understand in the original , may procure to be interpreted , but by some better hand then he that did the french cook , which ( being as i am informed an excellent book of its kinde ) is miserably abused for want of skill in the kitchin. if any man think it an employment fit for the translator of this former part ; it will become him to know , that though i have some experience in the garden , and more divertisement , yet i have none in the shambles ; and that what i here present him was to gratifie a noble friend , who had only that empire over me , as to make me quit some more serious employments for a few dayes in obedinc● to his command . farewell . the french gardiner . the first treatise . section i. of the place , of the earth and mould of the garden , together with the means to recover and meliorate ill ground . site . all those who have written concerning the husbandry of the countrey , have accompanied it with so many insupportable difficulties about the disposition of the edifices , and other parts appertaining to the demesnes , that it were altogether impossible to accommodate a place sutable to their prescription : forasmuch as the situations never perfectly correspond to their desires : and therefore i shall by no means oblige you to the particular site of your garden , ; you shall make use of the places as you finde them , if already they are laid out : or else you shall ( with good advice ) prepare a new one in some part that lyes most convenient to your mansion . soile . touching the ground , if you meet with that which is good , it will be to your great advantage , and much lessen your expence : but it is very rarely to be found where the land doth not require a great deale of labour : for many times the surface of the ground shall be good , which ( being opened the depth of a spade-bit onely ) will be found all clay underneath which is a more pernicious mould for trees then the very gravell it self : since in gravell , the rootes may yet encounter some smal veynes for their passage in searching the moysture beneath from whence to draw nourishment : but the clayie which is a sort of earth ( wherewithall the bakers of paris do make the hearths of their ovens ) is like a board , so thick , and hard , that the roots cannot peirce it : and in the extraordinary heats of sommer it hinders the moysture which is below , that it can by no means penetrate ; in so much as the trees and other plants become so extreamely drie , that instead of advancing their growth they altogether languish , and in conc●usion perish . dressing for redresse of this defect , there is onely one expedient ; and that is by hollowing and breaking up the ground or foot deep , beginning with a trench or foot large , the whole length of the place that you will thus open , casting the several moulds all upon one side ; and thus when your trench is voyded and emptied to the depth which you desire , you shall cast in long dung , of the marc , or husks of the wine-presse , or cider , and fearne ( which if you can commodiously procure is of all other composts the best ) leaves of trees , even to the rotten sticks and mungy stuffe to be found under old wood piles , mosse , and such like trash ; in fine whatever you can procure with the most ease and least charge : for all the design in this stirring the ground is onely to keep it hollow , that so the moysture beneath may invigorate the trees , and plants during the excessive drouths . you shall therefore lay it halfe a foot thick at the bottome of your trench ; and afterwards dig a second of the same proportion , casting the mould which lies uppermost ( and which is ever the best ) upon the dung , and so making this second trench as deep as the former , you shall fill your first trench ; and the mould which you found undermost , shall now lye on the top , thus continuing your trenches , till you have finished the whole piece . peradventure you may object , that the earth which you take from beneath , will be barren ? i confesse with you , that for the first year , the goodnesse of it will not appear , but when ( with that little amendment which you bestow upon it ) it shall be mellow'd by the rains , and frosts of one winter , it shall produce abundantly more then what before lay above , which being exhausted and worn out through the long usage , hath certainly lost a great part of its vertue . neither are all seasons proper for this labour ; because during the great heats , this earth is so extreamely hard and bound , that neither crow , nor pick-axe can enter it . the winter is then the most convenient season of all other ; for as much as the autumn raines , having well moystned the earth , it is dug with the more facility ; and besides , the rain , the snow , and the frosts , which are frequent in that season , contribute much to the work ; nor are labourers ( being at that time lesse imployed ) so chargable , as when they work in the vineyards , and during august , when they are hardly to be procured for money . as concerning the bottom , where you encounter with gravell , you shall husband it as we have allready described , by breaking it , and the stones that are mingl'd in the ground shall be carried out of the garden . but in case the gravell lie not very thick and that when it is broken up you arrive at sand , or to another smaller loose gravell , it shall suffice that it be broken up without flinging out of the trench : since the trees will shoot sufficient rootes amongst this smaller gra●vell , by reason of the moysture which the duug lying above them will coutribute . you must remember to lay excellent dung half consumed at the bottome of such trenches out of which you have cast the gravell , to the end that the rain and all other refreshings may the more easily passe through it ; especially if it be of the huskes of the presse , fearne and the like , such as we have already mentioned . you will object ( i suppose ) that to trench and dresse a whole garden in this manner is to engage one into an extraordinary expence ? i grant it indeed , but it is once for all , and the emolument which will result from one such labour , will recompence the charge an hundred fold : since the trees will be more beautifull , without mosse , or galls , and without comparison produce their fruits abundantly more faire then those which are planted in a ground which is not thus dressed . artichocks , leekes , and other rootes grow there to a monstrous bignesse : briefly you will finde your self so extreamely satisfied perceiving the difference , to what your garden produced before it was thus loosened , that you will have no cause to regret your expences . however if you would be yet more thrifty , i shall instruct you how by another expedient you may amend your garden with lesse charge , but withall , as the expence will not be so great , so neither will the product be so faire . of this i purpose to treate hereafter , in the planting of pole-hedges and the kitchen-garden . many that are curious do extreamely exceed all this : for they passe all their earth through a hurdle to cleer it from the stones , which is done by placing the hurdle or cive upon the margent of the trench , and so shoveling the mould to the top of the cive , the earth passes , and the stones rolle to the foot of the cive , which are afterwards carried forth of the garden . the forme of this cive is a frame joyned together , two inches thick , six-foot high , and five foot in breadth which shall have two crosse quarters within the height , of the same bignesse of the frame , and all the four crosse peices shall be equally b●ared about the bignesse of those sticks which the chandlers use to make their candles on ; these holes must be a fingers thicknesse distant one from another , and in them you shall fit sticks of dog-wood because it is tough and very hard when it is dry , and which will endure longer without breaking then any other . note , that both the top , and the bottome of your frame must be pierced quite through , that when any of the sticks are broken , you may put new ones in their places , fastning them with small wedges at the extreames . sect . ii. of espaliers , or wal-fruit and of single pole-hedges and shruls . wall-fruit ▪ ●edges . wal-fruits being the principal ornament of gardens it is most reasonable that we should assigne them the most eminent place and give a full description of them , as being indeed the subject upon which i determine chiefly to discourse in this first treatise . by espalier , we mean those trees with which the wals of gardens be adorned and furnished : to bring this to perfection you must make a large trench , as i have described it before . if the ground be of clay , you are to husband it as hath bin spoken of clay , and if of a rocky nature , as of rocky : but you shall leave one foot of earth unbroken , next to the wal , for fear least you indanger the foundation ; and after having layed a bed of dung , of halfe a foot thick at the bottome of your trench , you shall cast thereupon , of the very best mould which came forth of the trench to the thicknesse of a foot ; this done , you shall marke out the places where you design to plant your trees , which shall be at a reasonable distance . that of twelve foot to me seems the most convenient ; but this at your owne discretion , i shall oblige you to no law , every man hath his particular fancy , but my opinion is , that if they are planted neerer , they will much incommode one another in few years , if farther remote , and that a tree chance to die , or that you graft an other , whose fruit may peradventure not pleas● you it will extreamly vex you to see your wal so long disfurnished , and naked in that place . distance . having thus marked the place for your trees , according to the proportion of feet , you shall cause the pits where you plant them to be filled ( at three foot distance from either side of your marke ) with the best mould , which must be mingled with short dung of an old melon bed , or else with some other , which before had bin employed in your garden for plants ; and thus there will remaine a space of six foot , in which intervall you shall cast a second layer of cow , hogs , or sheeps dung very fat and well rotten , after this you shall fling thereupon the mould which you had out of the trench , and dressing your border , make it very even . planting . you shall make the holes for your trees , at the places before marked out , and plant them handsomly , making a small heap in the center of the pitt , to set your tree upon , whilst you extend the roots all about it , drawing them downward , and then the hole being filled , and the mould cast in , you may tread it about the tree the better to fix it , and fil up the hollow places . you may if you please , before you plant , break away the ledge of earth to the very wall a foot on either side of the place where you intend to plant your trees , without the least prejudice to your wall . you shall set your tree a foot distant from the wal , the branches somewhat inclining towards it , for the more ornament in their growth , this will also bring the roots better to the middle of your trench , by which they will more easily finde nourishment . have a special care that you put no other dung neer the roots of your trees , then that short stuff of the old bed ( which it will be good to mingle also with store of excellent mould ) least the summer burne it all ; for as much as new dung keeps the earth hollow and loose till it be totally consumed ; but if otherwise you cast it into the intervalls , when your trees are once taken , and that their roots within or years have found this excellent dung ( which will by that time be quite rotten ) they will shoot wonderfully , produce a clean bark , and most incomparable fruit . concerning esphaliers ( which i will english palisades ) i will shew you severall formes of accommodating then according to the age of your trees . * the first is , to fix small stakes into the ground halfe a foot distant from your wal , to begin to conduct the tender sprouts of your trees , and if need require , you may add some cross poles or lathes , as many as are necessary , binding to them your tender shoots with the gentlest osiers , or rushes , without knitting them too fast , but onely to guide them for the pr●sent . the second manner shall be to make a hedge of poles , and la●hes equally cancelled and well bound , which , being of greater strength then the former , will oblige the trees to what flexure and forme you please . the third is a lattice fashioned to the wall , and supported with the bones of horses legs or by iron hooks , fixed in the wall , least otherwise the tree , rising and forceing it to come at the fresh aire , bend it forwards , and break or overturne the hedg , whose stakes are onely fixed in the loose and newly broken up earth , and besides , with length of time they become rotten . see the figure or first plate . the fourth , which is the most substantial of all the rest , and more easily maintained , is to place in the wall the ends of woodden blocks , about the bignesse of a strong rafter , which are to be placed at eight equidistant squares , projecting onely six inches from the wall , in which you shall boar holes with an auger an inch and an half deep , and some two inches from the ends : be sure to place them at equal distance , for height , and breadth ; and in the middest of every square , there shall be also one block , resembling the figure of a quincunce . then you shall provide lathes , or poles , which you shall cause to be made exactly of the length , that your blocks-ends are placed , which lathes or poles you shall shave and fit at both ends , to enter into the holes made in the extreames of the blocks , and to fix them well you shall bend them alittle like a bow , putting the two ends into the opposite holes and letting the bow goe , they will force in themselves so strongly as that they shall need no other fastning . the figure which is at the beginning of the treatise , will sufficiently informe you . when your trees are now a little strong , they will not need to be spread with so much wood , as when they are young ; it shall suffice in these kinds of espaliers to stop the strongest branches onely . and when any of these poles shall chance to be rotten , another may easily be supplied , reserving alwaies provision of them in your house . the fifth is , to take quarters of wood , a little bigger then your poles , and to accommodate them to your iron hooks , or horses bones ( as we have said above ) and bind them with copper or brasse wyre which will continue a very long time . as they are frequently in france , with a kind of rough-cast if the wall be built of unhewen stone . the sixth and last fashion , to plie or palisade your trees ( and which is the handsomest and most ageeable , but cannot easily be made , save where the walls are plastred over ) is to take shreads of leather , or lists , of cloath with which you shall stay the tender branches , fixing the list of the cloath to the wall with a naile , and so the boughs will take their plie as they grow bigger , without either casting forwards , or loosning the nailes , which will rust within the wall . these three last manners of espaliers are in greatest practise , to defend the trees from snailes , earewigs , stotes , & other noxious infects which creep into the withy twigs , and betwixt the rinds of round poles , which are not quarter wood . be carefull not to plant any tree in the coines or angles of your walls ; since they can there come but to half their nourishment ; and besides in so doing it will marr the figure of your garden , the tree shooting forth all his branches forward , to come at the aire . pole-hedges . the counter espalier is a hedge which formes all the walkes and allies of the garden , it is planted in the same manner as the former , excepting onely that the trench shall be at the least four foot broad , causing the moulds to be cast , the good upon one side , and the worse upon the other , that so you may fling the best into the bottome of your trench , and the rest upon it . then you shall plant your trees in lines very even , perpendicular and not inclining as in wall-fruit . the wood which supports these trees must of necessity be fixed in the earth , and bound athwart with poles : all the curiosity which can be expressed in this manner of hedge , is to make it with quarter wood and bind them with iron or brasse wyre . there are some , to spare the charge of maintaining these palisads , satisfie themselves with b●nding and joyning the trees together when they are strong enough , but then they ought to be planted nine foot asunder ; and the mischief is , that they are extreamly subject to be shaken by high winds . shrubs . 〈…〉 kitchin-garden by the path sides ; which one may cut in what figure he please , round , square , flat at top , or let grow in the shape of a cypresse ; in clipping whereof men are rather satisfied with their forme , then their fruit , which the walls and contr ' espaliers abundantly afford . you shall therefore plant them in the most commodious places of your borders , and at equal distances one from another , observing what i have already taught concerning planting . the description which i have given you of planting your trees , will exempt you of the expence of trenching your whole garden ; the allies and walkes not so much needing it , for before the trees shall come to shoot their roots as far as the walks , they will have sufficient strength to pierce them and search out the best ground . howbeit you shall not leave your allies neglected , but shall cause them to be diligently weeded , and especially be carefull to cleanse them of couch or dog-grasse to the very least string , though you dig after it a spadebit deep , continually shaking it from the earth ; and if after all this you perceive any of it remaining , be sure to eradicate it how deep soever it lie , that so you may utterly exterminate a weed so extreamly noxious to your garden . section . iii. of trees , and of the choice which ought to be made of them . trees their choice . it is to no purpose to have well prepared your ground , unlesse you also plant it with the best and choycest fruit , which you may find in the nurseries of such gardiners as have the reputation of honest and trusty men ; for the greater part of those which ●ell , usually cheat those who deale with them . therefore of such , i shall not advise you to buy any , unlesse you first see the fruit on them , and so you may retaine them from that time , sealing them with little labels or bonds of parchment , with your own seale , that thereby when you take them up , you may be sure of your purchace . with those whom you may confide in , for their faithfull delivery , you may be lesse exact ; however it shall not be amisse to seale them , though it were onely to give other customers notice , that you have already bargain'd for them . if you desire to mark the species , you may effect it two manner of waies ; one by writing the name of the tree upon small pieces of slate , and the other , by binding to them locks of wooll died with several coulours , whereof you shall make a memorandum , and this shall serve you to difcerne your trees in planting , them , that so distinguishing your summer fruit from the winter , your wals , espaliers , contr ' espaliers and bushes may afford an object more agreeable , since they will never be intirely naked , but will here and there be still furnished with fruits , and also that you may the better sever them , that two of the same sort be not contiguous to one another . pears . the fruits which you shall make particular choyce of , as for pears ( if you desire to make profit of them in the market ) shall be the summer and winter bon-chrestien , the muscat , the great and lesser rath-ripe peare , the portail , the summer and winter bergamotte , st. lezin , amadotte , bezidairy , double flower , the great russeting of rheims , the perfume pear , and p●ire boeure of both sorts , the messire iohn , cir● , cadilla● , and what ever other you finde to sell dearest . apples . for apples , the renettings of severall sorts , cour-pendu , red pipin , chesnut , apis gros and petit , pigeonnet the iudea and others , peaches . abricots . as for peaches and abricots , they allwaies sell well ; but these two sorts of fruits , are not so proper in espaliers , because their boughs frequently dye , sometimes upon one branch sometimes on the other , and very often quite perish , which is very illfavored to behold , by reason of the breach which it causes in your espaliers . those which are chiefly in reputation are the rath peaches or peaches of troy , alberges , pavies , cherry-peaches , violette de pau , brignons , and others . cherrie● for cherries and bigarreaux , for as much as there are particular orchards of them , i will discourse no further of them , then onely to tell you that those which have the shortest , stalke , and least stone , resembling those of the vally of montmorency are the most excellent . there are likewise precoce and rath-ripe cherries , which are to be planted where they may stand warme , and exposed to the southern aspect , or else set in cases , to be removed into the stove during the winter , together with the orange-tree : but these serve rather for curiosity then for profit . returne we therefore to the election of our trees , and let us not suffer this digression to hinder us from saying all that can be spoken upon this argument , and in particular , concerning peare trees which are the bearers of the most delicious and best fruit of your garden . that tree which is grafted upon a quince is to be preferred before all other , because t is not only an early bearer , but produces large and lovely fruite ruddy and blushing where it regards the son , and yellow on the other part which is more shaded by its thicknesse . those which are on the freestock are esteemed to beare better relished fruit but they are nothing so large , nor so rarely colour'd , as are those which be grafted upon the quince , and that 's it we principally look after for sale , other pears being allwaies of a green and lesse tempting colour : and besides , they are long in bearing , and frequently fail of blossoming , spending much in superfluous wood ; if plyed in form of wall-fruit , you prune them till they are shot up very tall , and past their utmost effort . age. concerning the age you shall best choose your trees when they are about four years growth or thereabout , as being then of a very fair size ; for if they be younger , it will be a long while ' ere they will have garnished your walls ; and if they be elder , they will have shot their great roots , which one shall endanger the breaking or splitting in transplanting them , to the exceeding prejudice of the tree , which are wounds that are a long time recovering , and it must have shot a good quantity of new strings , before it will any thing prosper . it is the opinion of very many , that one should plant a great and full grown tree once for all , forasmuch as they are so long arriving to their perfection : 〈◊〉 i am quite of another sentiment ; for i conceave that a well chosen tree , and that is of a thriving kind , of the age i have spoken , shall make a fairer root then one that is elder , and which can send out but very small twigs , though in greater quantity . shape . as to the shape and forme of the trees , be carefull that they be clean from mosse , not stubbed , sightly and thriving ; the body clean and large , that the escuchion or ●left be well recovered at the stocke , and that the tree be plentifully furnished beneath , handsomely spread and agreeable at the wall . taking up . i would have you present your selfe at the takeing up of your trees that they break off as few of the string roots as is possible , nor split or cut any of the greater roots . transporting and transplanting . choose a fair day , about st. martines , for as soon as ever you shall perceive the leafe to fall you may securelty ●ake up your trees , and then transport them as gently as may be , either on the backs of men or beasts , and plant them again with all expedition , least otherwise they languish , and the hairy-roots grow drie : but as you plant , remember to cut off the small poynts of the roots , to quicken them , and take away that which may be withered . but you must not prune them till the season , for the reasons , which i shall hereafter prescribe . from peare-trees grafted upon the freestock you should cut off the downe right root , that so the other roots may fortifie and extend themselves all about to sucke the best mould . all sorts of other trees may be drawne , transplanted , and cultivated in the same manner , without any difference or distinction . pruning . touching the pruneing of trees , the just season for those which are old planted , is in the decrease of the moon in ianuary , at which time grafts for the cleft , and crowne are to be gatherd and provided : and for such as are newly planted , they must not be disbranched till the sap begins to rise , that the wound may the soner be cured , for if you cut them in winter , the wood will be dried by the frost in place of the scar and make a stubb of dead wood to the very bud , which should else shoot neer to the cut . i could scarcely resolve with my self how to teach this art of pruning : since it would merit an express discourse to instruct you perfectly : but having in my preface resolv'd to conceal nothing from you as a secret , i had rather hazard the censure of captious persons , then hide the art from you , how you may attain the most excellent and fairest fruit : in description whereof i shall nevertheless be as succinct and brief as i can ; teaching in a very few lines ( by way of maximes ) what would employ more then two sheets , if i should give a contexture to my period . therefore you shall begin to prune , by cutting off all the shoot of august where ever you encounter it , unless the place be naked , and that you suspect the next old branch will not suffice to cover it , without cutting it off , which would exceedingly spoil and deform your tree . those young branches which proceed from the old , and shoot lustily , must be stopped at the second or third knot ; for they would attract all the sap which ought to nourish the branch : and in case the tree be plentifully garnished , you may cut them off at their first peeping ; and such as you would spare are to be conducted where you would have them continue . every branch which sprouts as well before as behinde the tree must be cut off , because they deforme it . all buds that will be fruit shall be spared ; yet if there be any at the top of a branch which you desire should fortifie and spread , cut off that branch near a sprig-bud , rubbing off the fruit-buds which are on the new shoot . every branch which is to spread and fortifie , must be prun'd , be it never so little : but on the stronger you may leave more buds , then on the weak and feeble . every branch forceably plyed to garnish any void place , doth never bear the fruit fair : but in case it be guided thither from its prrimary shooting , it will do well enough . every bud which hath but a single leaf produces only wood : that of fruit hath many , and the more , the sooner it will bear , and the greater its fruit . the fruit-bud which grows on the body of the tree produces fairer fruit , then such as break out of the collaterall twigges , and tops of branches . you shall rub off all twig-bu●s , which sprout before or behinde your trees . if you desire to have your tree soon furnished on both sides , hinder it from shooting in the middle . the more you prune a tree , the more it will shoot . you should prune but little wood from trees that are graffed on the free-stock , and which do not yet produce fruit-buds : but afterward hauing passed their effort , they will bear but too plentifully . make as few wounds in a tree as possibly you can , and rather exterminate a deformed branch , then haggle it in several places . cut your branches alwayes slanting , behind a leaf-bud , to the end they may the sooner heal their wounds without leaving any stubs , which you shall afterward cut off to the very quick , to avoid a second skar , and a great eye-sore . when your trees form into crowns or bunches , the tops of your branches that have been too much pruned , or that have cast their fruit , leaving the knots of the stalks , they are to be discharged of it , to beautifie the tree . you shall also disburthen your trees that are too fertil , commencing with the smaller , by cutting the stalks in the middle without unknotting them : the fewer the tree doth nourish , the fairer will be your fruit . nailing and pruning . the best season to binde , plash , nail and dress your trees is in the moneth february , for the greatest frosts being then past , one may cut off what is superfluous without difficulty , and besides , the sap not as yet risen , there will be no danger of breaking off the buds , knotted into fruit . but the greatest dificulty in this work , is to spread the trees handsomely like a fan when it is displayed , that is , that as the sticks or ribs of a fan , never thwart one another , so nor should the branches of your trees . spreading and this is a vulgar error amongst the greatest part of gardiners , which proceeds from their ignorance , and that they will undertake , the ordering of trees , which is a peculiar science , not to be attained amongst the cabbage-planters . error . they do extrtamly ill , when they fagot and bundle together a great many smal twigs , in one tack , which is a fault altogether unsufferable ; for indeed one should never leave above the breadth of a single branch , about all the tree ; in fine they are so stupid , that they pass , and repass the branches , and wind them about the poles which ( in palissade hedges ) are erected for their support ; or else they thrust and draw the tree behinde , and the poles before , which are so grosse mistakes , that they may not be past over without due reproach . i shall counsell these men in charity , to put themselves into the service of some skilfull gardiner for a year or two , where they may learn to order trees as they ought , and profit by his instructions . and yet notwithstanding all this , if you spie a place about your tree which is very naked and unfurnished , you may in such a case thwart some small branch to cover that eie-sore and voide , but let this be rarely , and so disposed as not easily to be discovered . dressing . it is requisite that you give foure diggings or dressings to your trees every year , and you may employ that ground by sowing it with the seeds of such hearbs , as will be in season and ready to be spent at the renewing of every dressing , such as are lettuce , purslaine , cherile , cichorie , nay even yong cabbages to transplant ; in fine , what ever is not to abide long in a place ; and there you may also replant , lettnce to pome and head , cichory to blanch it , purslain to pickle , and for seed , and thus your labour will redouble the profit , for by this means your trees will ( besides the dressing , stirring and opening of the uld ) be often watered by the gardiner , whose care must be continuall about these youngherbs and plants . the season for the first is before winter , when you should well dung such as have need , and the digging ought to be very deep : at expiration of winter give it a second labour , mingling it with the soyl which you first bestowed upon it ; the other which follow need only suffice to preserve it from weeds ; but never dig it in rainy or scorching weather ; for the one will make morter of the ground , and the other will chap and and parch it : if you give it a stirring when the vine begins to soften the verjuice-grape , and tinge the black clusters , you shall finde your pears in the space of a week to swell and improve exceedingly . but you shall by no means sow any seeds which produce any large roots , not so much for that they require a longer sojourn in the ground to arrive to their full growth , as because they will suck , emaciate , and dry much of the mould about them . for this reason likewise let the greater cabbages , and leeks of the second year be sedulously banished . old trees . it will be necessary at every three or four years period , to cherish and warme your aged trees , and such as were old planted , and this is done by uncovering the mould within a little of the roots , and applying of excellent dung thereon . the best season for this worke is at the commencement of winter , that so the dung may be halfe consumed before the heat and drouth of summer invade it . section . iv. of the seminary , and nursery . seminary . the seminary being the mother and the nurse for the elevation and raising of trees , it will be highly requisite to give you perfect instructions , after what manner it is to be governed ; and therefore begin we with seeds . all sorts of seeds affect a fresh place cleansed from bushes , trees , and roots , & would be sheltred from the darts of the meridian sun by some high wall or other fence : and this is a convenience which you may easily finde in some quarter of your garden , where the wall is towards the south : one year will amply furnish you with all sorts of plants , and indeed with more then you can tell how well to employ . seeds . kernels . stones . having therefore provided store of kernells and stones the year before , and as you eat the fruits , and the winter well spent ; you shall towards the end of february , sow your kernells , &c. in lines upon beds , sow every species apart , and in like manner set the stones in even files about inches asunder . i presuppose , that the ground where you designe them , hath been well dressed and prepared at the begining of the winter , and that it shall receive a second e'●e you begin to sow . your kernells and stones will spring up the first year , some stronger , some more fe●ble then others , but that 's nothing , they will all serve to transplant . notwithstanding , if you did sow them in a bed or quarter behinde your pole-hedges : at the same south-side , that they might be visited a little by the rising and declining of the sun ) they would be better to be planted forth at two years growth then at one , but with such as they are omit not to store your seminary . set your peach stones at such time as the fruit is in maturity , interring them with the peach about them as they are gatherd from the tree but you must not forget to marke the place with a little stick , least in dressing the seed plot , you break off their sprouts . seed-plot to begin therefore your seminary , having made choyce of some fit place in your garden , you shall dress , labour and dig it very well and then tread it very even all over to settle the earth ; afterwards you shall cut out small trenches about a spade-bit deep , and two foot distant each from other , casting the mould on one side upon the margent of your furrow : this done , set your plants ( having first a little topped them ) about halfe a foot distant , and supporting them with your hand cover their roots with the mould which you cast out of the trench , and so tread them in to fix them , least , being loose they vent and spend themselves . you must observe to plant every species by themselves , pears with pears , apples with apples , &c. and be carefull that the weeds doe not suffocate the plants , and therefore they must be dressed and weeded upon all occasions . cutting . but you shall not cut your plants till the sap begins to rise , and then you may nip them within halfe a foot of the ground : and where they shoot leave only one cutting , the remainder of the following winter , still rubbing the formost buds for a foot space , to secure the bark from knots , which would be a great impediment , when you are to graft upon them . cra●●ing . if in the same year that you planted you find any of them strong enough to inoculate , & that they have plenty of sap , graft on them without farther difficultie . my opinion is that a man cannot inoculate either on wild or free-stock too young ; provided they be large enough to receive the scutcheon ; and my reason is , that the stocke and the scutcheon taking their growth proportionably the incision of the stock will the sooner be healed , and they will shoot with a great deale more vigour , then those which you shall bud upon stronger sets , which are or years recovering the place from whence you tooke the dead part , and of which at the other side of the scutcheon , the barke of the wild stock does frequently die three or four inches below the scutcheon , so that it will require three or four years to heal the defect : adde to this : that the bark of an old stock , will not unite so well with that of of the scutcheon ; but is apt to make a great wreath , subject to peel and unglue ; a thing which never arrives when the rinds are both of them young and tender . some observe yet , that tall stocks are to be graffed together , affirming that they grow equally : but chosing my plant at half a foot , it were impossible that all should prosper , and be taken up together separated , but with difficulty , and without violating the roots : and therefore it is better doubtless to graff young , for the causes already specified , since the stronger must needs master the weaker : and those likewise which are most vigorous will surmount the other ; and a small compasse will furnish you with a sufficient quantity of good trees , provided you suffer them not to grow there too long . quince-stocks . you shall likewise provide you a seminary of quince-stocks like to the other , and order them in the same manner . there are three sorts of quinces : that which is poynted before ; the pear or female quince , which hath the fruit like a callebasse ; the great portugall quince pointed at both extreams . the first is the least , the ordinary is next , that of portugal much more excellent , and abounding in sap. the right quinces ( which is that which i name the wild-stock ) are such as have their fruit resembling a gourd or callebasse , and not such as be great behind and pointed before . peaches . for the peaches which proceed from the stones that you set , i advise you to prepare a quarter in your garden a part , for the reasons already alledged : because that if you range them in hedges or walls some of the branches perishing every year , will prove a very great eye-sore : and therefore my counsell is that in one of the quarters most distant from your house ( toward the north where they will not impeach the prospect of your garden ) plant the peach-trees which you shall take out of your seminary , placing them six foot from one another equidistant on every side in the quincunx , and thus they will produce you a world of fruit , by reason of their multitude . dressing . you must be carefull to give them four dressings or diggings , prune off the dead wood , and to cut off at the second or third joynt the young shoots , which growing too exuberant will draw all the sap of the tree to themselves , and starve the old branches , which in defect of nourishment will shortly perish ; for observe this as a maxime , that the sap does allways apend to the most tender shoots ) you may also intermix some abricots in the same place , which are to be governed after the same manner of the peaches . nursery . you shall plant your nursery , in some large bed or quarter of your garden , which lyes most remote from your dwelling , least when it shall appear like a grove or copse-wood , it hinders your prospect . plot. the plott designed , and the ground exquisitely piched and voyded of all manner of weeds and roots , you shall marke out with a line , and make holes every way , foot large and deep , distant foot asunder , and the ranges also as wide from each other . then taking your grafted trees out of the seminary , you shall transplant them into this nursery ; nor is it materiall though the shoot be but of the first year they will serve well enough to replant ; and in that you shall punctually observe the rules which i have prescribed in planting of esphaliers and hedges , which is , to mingle some fine dung of the old bed with good mould , and making a little marke at the center of the holes , there you shall place your tree , extending the roots of it on every side , and allwaies drawing them downwards ; then fill the hole up to the very graft , and tread the mould about it to establish the tree . planting . note that the graft be almost levell with the ground for the greater ornament of the tree ; since it would be a very great eye-sore to see the knott or swelling where it was grafted , and especially in some whose graff is bigger then the stock which beares it , and so it makes an ilfavoured wreath at the closing which is very ugly and disagreeable . however you shall remember to plant somewhat hig●er when it has not bin long since the ground was trenc●ed , for as much as the dung underneath , when it begins to consume will make the tree to sinke . trees . as for trees in hedges and counter-hedges exposed to the south , one may set them four fingers lower then the soil , the better to refresh them ; and without any peril of striking out small roots , by reason of the drouth ; yet in case there should sprout any , the gardiner searching with his spade may cut them away , and give the knot a little air to stop their growth for the future . you shall likewise remember that ( if during the extream heats you will benefit your trees ) you put some mungy fearn , or half rotten dung about all their feet ; yet so as it do not touch the stemme : and thus you may spread it for a yard compass , and about four fingers thick ; this will both shade the roots , and exceedingly refresh the mould about them , preserving the earth from gaping in extremity of weather , by which oftentimes the tree languishes , and the small roots become dry : but if you a little stir the ground before you apply this dung , you will render a double advantage to your trees , for the earth will by this means maintain it self supple , and put forth no weeds through the dung . it will be requisite to have a nursery for three main considerations . the first is , that you may always have provision of trees , fit to supply the places of such as accidentally dye , or languishing do not thrive . the second is , to dis-incumber your seminary which will otherwise be too full and thick of young trees . and thirdly that you may spare some for the market , to recompence the expence of your first plantation ; and besides , they may yield you some fruit where they stand , which will extreamly please you ; add to this , that a tree which has been frequently transplanted , becomes a great deal more generous and kind then if it had bin immediatly drawn from the seminary only , and planted in his station to continue . disbranching . it is also convenient to have a nursery for those trees which are grafted upon the * free-stock ( as pears , apples , and others ) which you designe for trees of six foot stem , you cut off the top , or master root , and as the tree grows , to prune those branches neer the trunk , which suck too much of the moysture , or fork and deforms the tree ; but spare the smaller ones , that the stem may fortifie by stopping the sap in its course . there are very many which extreamly mistake themselves in this particular taking off all the branches upon the body of the tree to the place where they would have it head and so are constrained to set a prop or a stake to redress and secure it from the violence of impetuous winds , which bends and wrests the trunck , by reason of its weighty head which renders its top heavy , and hinders the body of the tree of its growth because the sap speedily passing upwards to the new shoots makes no halt by the way , as it would doe if some of the young branches were left . nipping . there is a season when to nip the bud and stop the trees whilst the sap is up : and the buds which may in this case be taken away , are such as most deforme the tree ; but you must ever spare those which will be fruit . and to distinguish them one from the other , such as have but one leafe apendant produce wood only , whereas those which are fruitfull are plentifully furnished with leaves . pruning . you may also prune off those yong shoots which are too exuberant , and that may draw too much sap from the tree to the prejudice of the rest of the branches : where therefore you observe this , you shall stop them at the third or fourth knot , and after it hath put forth its sap. they use also to prune in augustspring , as well to impeach its unhandsome spreading , as that it may ripen before winter and not starve the branches below , which must of necessity be cut off in february . if you desire to make a plantation of great trees in an orchard by themselves , you must of necessity graft them upon freestocks , and not upon the quince , that is to say , pears , and the apples upon the apples of paradise , for otherwise they will never become of any stature , but will be low and shrubbie . distance . you may plant your apple trees foot distant , and your pears , plum-trees and other fruits : forme . and be carefull that you plant them in the quincunx , that is , in lines which mutually cut at right angles . in such a plot of ground you may safely sow some seeds , and pulse , which will occasion you to open and stirr the ground ; for i advise you above all things not to permit any wild herbs or weeds in your orchard , rather restraine your self to a smaller circuit of ground , which you may manage well , then to undertake a larger , and neglect it for want of dressing . great orchards are admired , but the smaller better cultivated , and you shall receive more profit from a small spot well husbanded then from a large plantation which is neglected . section . v. concerning graffs , and the best directions how to choose them . graffing . there is a great deale of dificulty in the well choosing of grafts ; for upon that does depend their earely bearing , there being some which produce no fruit in ten or twelve years . the best grafts are those which grow upon the strongest and master branch of a tree , which is wont to be a good bearer and such a one as does promise a plentiful burden that year , and is thick of buds ; for hence it is that your young grafted trees , have fruit from the second or third year , and sometimes from the very first . whereas on the contrary , if you take a graft from a young tree which has not as yet borne fruit , that which you shall propagate from such a tree will not bear a long time after . ●noculating . the graffe or bud for the scutcheon , ought to be gathered in the moneth of august , at the decrease , and immediatly grafted or for a more certain rule , without such notice of the moon , observe when your wild-stock , and free are in the prime of their sap : for the escutcheon is allwaies fit enough , but the wild-stock does frequently fail of being disposed to receive it , for want of sap : as it commonly happens in an extreame drie summer where they shoot not at all , or very little in the agust-spring : and therfore if you have many trees to graft , loose no time , and be sure to begin early . season . you shall know whether your wilde-stock be in the vigour of his sap by two indications . the one is , by making incision , and lancing the bark with a pen-knife , and lifting it up ; if it quit the wood , there is sap sufficent ; but if it will not move readily , you must attend , till it ascend ; for it will else be but labour in vain , and prejudice your tree . the other is , when at the extremities of the branches of the wilde stock , you see the leaves of the new sap appear white and pallid , it is a symptome that the tree is in case , and fit to graffe . choyce . a graffe for the scutcheon shall be chosen from a shoot or syen of that year , mature and very fair ; for there are many which are thin and meagre at the points , and upon such you shall hardly finde one or two buds that are good : gather it neer to the shoot of the precedent year , cutting the upmost point in case you may not take off the scutcheons , and cut away also all the leaves to a moyety of the stalk . and the reason why i oblige you to cut off the top of the graffe , and its leaves so far , is , because if you spare them they will wither , and so drie all the graffe , that it will not be possible to separate the escutcheon from the wood , and besides all the leaves are worth nothing . time. if you defer your graffing till the morrow , or some dayes after they are gathered , you shall dip their ends in some vessel , the water not above two inches deep , till such time as you intend to graffe them , but if you will graff them on the same day , you need onely keep them fresh in some cabbage leaves , or moyst linnen clout . cleft . graffs for the cleft are to be gathered in the wain of the moon in ianuary , to the increase of it in february , and so continuing from moon to moon , till you perceive that the sap being too strong in the stock , separates the rinde from the wood . choyce . to choose a graff well for the cleft , my opinion is , that it should have of the wood of the * two saps of the precedent year , whereof the oldest will best accommodate with the cleft , and the other will shoot and bud best ; though i do not utterly reprove the graffing of the wood though but of one year ; but the tree will not bear fruit so soon . you shall gather your graffs at the top of the fairest branches , as i have formerly said , and you shall leave three fingers length of the first sap , or old wood , that you may cut your graffe with the greater case . to conserve them till you graffe , it is sufficient to cover them by bundles half wayes in the earth , their kindes distinguished , least if you should mingle them , and should graffe of two sorts upon the same same tree , you be constrained to cut one of them off ; since two several kindes of fruit do never agree well upon the same stem , the one hindring the other from arriving to its perfection by robbing it of the sap. sect . vi. the manner how to graffe . i have never observed above four several necessary manners of graffing , and from which you may hope for an assured success , the rest being more curious then profitable , seeing that by these four a man may graffe all sorts of trees and shrubs whatsoever . of these the escutcheon holds the preheminency ; for as much as it is applicable upon all sorts of trees , the most easy to do , and the soonest that bears fruit . the cleft or stock followes , and that as practicable upon the greater trees , and also upon the smaller , even to those of one inch diameter . the crown is not much in use , save upon trees of the largest size . the approch is not ordinarily practised , except it be upon orange , limmon trees , and other rare plants , such as we conserve in cases , and are therefore joyned with the more facility . inoculating to begin therefore with the escutcheon . your stock being stripped of all its small twigs the height of half a foot , or a little more , from the season that they use to cut trees ; or else deferred till graffing time , you shall choose out the fairest part of the bark of your stock , and if it be possible upon the quarter which is exposed to the most impetuous windes ; because they come sometimes so furiously , that they loosen the shield , being yet tender , and charged with branches and leaves ; which accident does not happen so frequently , when they are thus placed , as when they are graffed on the other side , though you should set supporters to uphold them . cut your escutcheon long enough , an inch or thereabout , and reasonably large , that it may derive sufficient nourishment ; be sure to take it off dextrously , and look within it , whether the sprout of the bud hold to it ; for if that stay behinde with the wood from whence you took it , it is worth nothing : you shall hold this in your mouth by the end of the stalk of the leaf , which i ordered you to reserve expressly when you gather your graffs ; then make incision upon your stock , and gently loosen the bark with the pointed handle of your knife , without rubbing it against the wood , for fear of scraping the sap which is underneath ; this done , place your scutcheon between the wood and the bark , thrusting it down till the head of the shield joyn with the incision at the top of your stock , and that it be even and flat upon the wood , which being performed , you shall binde it about with hemp , beginning to tie it very close above , neer the bud , then turning it below , leave the eye but a very small compass , and thus you shall finish your binding with a knot . season . be careful when you graffe , that it be neither during the excessive heat of the sun , nor in a rainy season , for the scutcheon will not endure to be wet , and it will be in great danger of not taking , if it rain the first four or five dayes immediatly after your inoculating . there are some who take off part of the wood with the shield , which they do with one cut of the knife , which manner of inoculating i do not disapprove : i have succeeded well in it my self , and besides in so doing , there is no danger of impeaching the bud of your scutcheon , that is , of leaving the eye of the bud behinde you . those which have many trees to inoculate use this way because it is more prompt & expedite . three weeks after you have inoculated ( or thereabout ) you may cut the knot of the ligature , that the sap may enjoy the freer intercourse . winter past , and the bud beginning to open , cut your stock three or four fingers above the scutcheon , and cut likewise the binding behinde it , and the rinde it self to the very wood ; this must be done at one gash of the knife , from the bottom to the top . howbeit you shall not take off the tow from about the scutcheon , but let it fall of it self ; for there is danger in quitting it , lest you press the bud , which is then extreamly tender : you shall not cut off the stub which remains beneath the scutcheon , till you prune the tree , which must be in february the year following . after your scutcheon has put forth its first sap , you may prune it at top , that it may shoot out branches about the eyes below , otherwise it will mount without forking , and so your dwarf will have no grace or beauty . the just season to stop them is in the decrease of the moon , when the sap of august shoots out ; you may then also , if you please , ●ut the wood of your stock which you left above the scutcheon , and cover the wound with good earth thinly mixed with hay , and making it a little hood , or more curiously , with a plaister of wax , mixed with a composition which i shall describe hereafter . if you will attend the issue of the winter following to cut the heel of your tree , you need not be obliged to wrap it up , and secure it thus , because the ascending sap will immediately cure it . i have observed , that a scutcheon set on a wilde or free-stock of about an inch diameter or more , does not prosper and shoot so well , as upon one that is younger , and besides , it is more subject to unglue . some there be that inoculate from the very first rise of the sap , but they do not much advance ; for the scutcheon not shooting till august , the sprout is nothing so fair as that of the close eye or shut bud , since it is frequently found that the wood of the new shoot never ripens , and the winter approaching kills it ; and therefore i counsel you not to inoculate so early , unlesse the necessitie be very urgent . in the cleft . in the cleft or stock , all sorts of trees from one inch bignesse to the greatest that are may be graffed : the most proper season for it , is from the beginning of the new moon in february , till the sap ( becoming too lustly in the tree ) separates the wood from the bark ; for then you shall leave off graffing . when you graffe in the cleft , if it be to make dwarfs , you must first saw your stock four inches , or thereabout , above ground , and then with your pruning-knife pare off the surface of the wood , where the saw has passed , about the thicknesse of a six-pence , because the track of the saw leaving it rugged will hinder the sap from healing the grated wood ; nor can the graffe joyn to its trunk unlesse the rinde be refreshed , and cut to the quick with the knife . when this is done , you shall cleave the stock where the bark appears most even , and least knotty ; and observe , that you never place your knife exactly in the middle of the tree , where the pith and heart of the wood is , but a little towards the side . then cut and fit your graff , sharpning all the old wood , as far as the new in fashion of a wedg , equal on both sides , yet leaving the two rindes fast to the wood in the narrowest parts ; for if once they be separated , your graff is good for nothing : then top your graffe three or four inches , more or lesse , according as it will bear it ; for as much as upon a small stock one would not leave them so long , as upon a great tree . thus prepared , you shall open the stock with a small wedge made of some tough wood , such as box , ebony or the like , striking it in gently , and then lodge your graffe at the edge of your stock , sinking it down as far as the new wood , and place it so that the parts through which the sap has intercourse ( which is mutual 'twixt the wood and the bark ) do exactly correspond . having thus lodged your graffe , you may place a second on the other end of the cleft , alway remembring to put two graffs into every cleft , provided that you can so place them that they be not contiguous ; for by this means they will sooner recover their stock , then if there were but one , because the sap ascends equally on both sides , and preserves the back side of the rinde from withering , as we have already said : after this you shall cover what remains of the cleft , 'twixt the two graffs , with a little of the thinnest and most tender bark , joyning it accurately to keep the water from entering in : then you shall make the hood with fine earth and hay ; some cover the hood with mosses , and with two short willow-rinds laid ' thwart one another , bind them on with an ozyer to the foot of the stock , to maintain them the more fresh , and preserve them from the water . when you graffe upon great trees , you shall choose the smoothest and most even branches to place your graffs upon , if they be very big you may lodge four upon it , making the cleft in forme of a crosse , yet without touching the pith of the tree , the remanent branches which you do not graffe , must be sawed off within half an inch of the stem , and then paring away the wood which the saw may have grated , you shall swathe it about with loam till the bark have healed the wound , to guard it from the scorching of the summer , and the frost of the winter , which would exceedingly prejudice it , by penetrating to the very heart of the tree . it will be good to apply some stayes to the branches which are graffed , to strengthen the young shoots , and secure them from the windes , till the second year be past , and that they are well established ; and if you finde any that grows disorderly , you shall cut it off , as also if they come too thick , and choke one another , by this means giving free air to the tree . upon your small wilde stocks , which will support but a single graffe , you shall cut the hinder part where you might place a second , to the very heart of the stock , slanting it in , like that part of a pipe which is applied to the nether lip , this will greatly contribute to its recovery . and when you graffe small stocks , which have not strength enough to fasten their graffs , you shall assist them , by binding them about with some tender twig of an ozier . now , albeit i did oblige you to choose a graffe with the old wood , yet i would not have you to cast away that which is but of one sap , nor the cuttings of those where you took the graffes of the two saps , because they are excellent , however they produce their fruit something later then the oher , nor do they bear so great a burthen ; and therefore unless it be in case of necessity , i would only use those which are of two saps . crown . graffing in the crown or 'twixt the wood and the bark is never practised , save upon old trees , whose rinde being very tough can indure the wedg without splitting , and which will not suffer the cleaving ( by reason of the thicknesse of the bark ) but with much difficulty , and besides it is a great hazard if it takes . to graffe in the crown , having sawed your tree at the place where you would graffe it , and pared away the raggednesse which the saw hath left to the quick , especially about the bark , you shall cut and sharpen your graffe but on one side , then str●ke in a small iron wedge 'twixt the wood and the rinde , and so taking out the wedge , set in your graffe , rinde to rinde , and wood to wood , to the full depth that it is sharpned . thus you may place as many as you please about the trunk , provided that their number do not split off , and cleave the bark . approch . to graffe by approch it is very easy ; for you have only to take two young branches , one of the free and graffed , and the other of the wilde stock , without separating them from their stems , and then paring away about four fingers breadth of bark , and wood till you approch neer to the pith , and so marry them together as dextrously as 't is possible , tying them about with raw hemp , from one end of the cut to the other , and so let them remain for two saps : then after a moneth or six weeks are expired , if you perceive the wood to swell , and that the ligature incommode them , you shall cut it upon the wilde stock , with one gash of your knife , as we taught you before on the scutcheon . at the beginning of winter , you may cut and sever the natural tree from its stock , and cut away the head of the stock within two inches of its graffe , and thus these two twigs concorporating , it will receive t●e nourishment of the wilde stock . r●member to cover the wounds of them both , with the wax , which i shall hereafter instruct you how to make . you shall not cast those twigs into the fire which you cut off from the quince , which you graffed in the cleft , for you may reserve the cuttings , which will strike root the first year , and must be set in your nursery to be graffed when they are ready , and what you prune off from the q●ince trees during winter , will be very good for this purpose . the prunings of the pomme de parradis , which they call the scion , will also take in layers . cuttings layers . all sorts of cuttings are to be planted in a small trench , such as we described in the nursery , which may be about the breadth and depth of a s●ade-bit : but first strip off the leaves , and cut them slan●ing at the great ends , in form of a does foot , and so you shall lay them at the bottom of your trench very thick , one by an●ther , because there will many of them die ; and let their small ends appear above ground , and so cover them , and fill the trench , pressing it well down upon the cutting , that the ayr do not enter , and when you dress them , cleanse them only with a haw , that the weeds do not choke them , and it will suffice . then cut off the tops of your layers all of an evennesse , within three fingers of the ground , and that especially when you perceive the sap to be rising , which you shall finde by the verdure of their buds , which never shoot when the scion begins to take root . you may not cut , or stop the first years shoots , fearing lest they put forth their buds beneath at august , which will hardly come to maturity : it were better stay till february , and then leave them as the tree will best support it , and in such places as you des●re they should shoot , rubbing off such as pe●p before , behinde , and in other unprofitable places . this opposes the opinion of many , but experience makes me persist in my own . sect . vii . of trees and shrubs in particular , how they are to be governed , and their maladies cured . trees . i thought it requisite to make a chapter apart , to comprehend in particular , all that we have spoken in general , in the several precedent sections , and that for the avoyding of confusion , and to the end , that in case there were any thing which might seem difficult to you ( though i have much endeavoured to render my self intelligible in the simplest terms , and the most vulgar that our language will bear , that i might be understood of all , and profit them by it ) i might more perspicuously explain it , in particularizing all sorts of fruits , which we in france do usually furnish our gardens withall . pears . i will therefore set pears in the first place , as those which of all others bear the most rarity of fruit , and are the principal ornament of the walls , contr ' espaliers and bushes of a garden , from whence we may gather fruit in their perfection during six moneths of the year at least , and for that it is a fruit which one may in great part keep till the new ones supply us again , and that without shriveling , or any impeachment of their taste , a thing which we finde not in any other fruit besides . graffing . all sorts of pear-trees may be graffed after any of the four precedent manners , but they succeed incomparably upon the quince , and in the scutcheon produce their fruit much earlier , and that fairer , ruddy , and of greater size , then when they are graffed upon the free-stock , excepting only the portail , which often misses taking upon the quince , and will therefore hit better upon the free-stock : the summer bon chrestien and the vallee are very fit for it , and if they have been formerly graffed upon the quince , it is the better , for it will render the fruit a great deal more beautiful , and fair . and in case that any graffed either in scutcheon or the cle●t upon the quince fortune not to take , and that you conceive it to be dead , let the stock shoot , it will produce wood sufficient , which you may clear of all the small branches , and at the neer expiration of the winter following , you shall earth it up at the ends in forme of a great mole-hill , leaving out the extreams of the branches , without cutting them off , and they will not fail to strike root the same year , provided that you remember to water them sometimes during the great heats , and that you do not suffer the rain to demolish the earth about them , which must be continnally maintained in its first height ; and if in the same year , you finde any of those branches strong enough inoculate them without any more ado , unlesse you will choose rather to stay till the next year and graffe them all together ; every one of these will be as so many trees to your hand , which you may plant in your nursery , the year after they have made their first shoot , accurately separating them from the mother-stock , and cutting the ends of their great root aslant . remember to graffe them conveniently high , that your tree may have sufficient stem , and all that part which is in earth will abound with small root● ▪ if you have any old quince-trees , and would raise young suckers from them , lay some of the branches in the ground , and in one year they will be rooted : but in case you desire to produce a tree at once ; you may effect it as i have already described it . the season of laying these branches is all the winter long , till the buds begin to spring , provided that the earth be qualified . apples . apple-trees challenge the second place , and may be likewise graffed after all the four wayes , they succeed very well upon the scion of the pear-main grafted on layers of the tree ( called by the french * pommier de parradis ) and in particular the queen-apple do●s wonderfully prosper upon it , and is more red within , then those which are graffed upon the free-stock . there are some curious persons who graffe the q●een-apple upon the white mulbery , and hold that the fruit does surpasse in rednesse , all others that are graffed , either on the free-stock , or the forementioned scion : but my opinion is , that it is the age of the trees only which imparts that colour to them . plum. plum-trees are ordinarily graffed in scutcheon and in the cleft , if you have any stocks rais'd from the stones , or the suckers which spring from the damask-plum , they will yield very good trees , and bring abundance of fruit , there being no plum whatsoever which bears so full as the damask . the wilde-plum ( which you shall know by the rednesse of the ends of the branches ) is not fit at all to graffe upon , for it rejects many kinds of fruits , and is besides very uncertain to take . your old plum-trees , whose small twigs grow in bundles and puckles , may be recovered and made young again , by taking off the head of them at the end of winter ; they will shoot anew , and bear fruit the very year following : but you must cloame the heads of the wounded branches , and refresh the tract of the saw , as i directed you before . abricots . abricots are grafted either in the stock , or in the bud , upon plants springing of their own stones , and also upon a plum-stock , but the white pear-plum , and moyend ' oeuf make a very fair abricot , and much larger then upon any other sort of plum. peaches . peaches , perses and * pavies , are ordinarily graffed by inoculation upon a peach , plum , or almond tree , but i prefer the plum , because they are of longer continuance , and do better resist the frosts , and the pernicious winds , which shrivel and rust the leaves , and the young shoots . the white plum , or poictrons are not at all proper , but the black damask , * cyprus , and * st. iulian. such as are budded on the peach do not last , upon the almond somewhat longer , and produce more abundance and much better fruit : but there is so much difficulty of governing the almond-tree in our climate , that one had better content himself with plum-stocks ; for the almond is very impatient of transplantation , and in great danger of perishing , if you remove him not the first , or second year at farthest , after he has made the first shoot : and besides , you must be sure to place him where he is ever to abide , and bud him there , without thought of stirring him afterwards . the almond-tree is of all others the most obnoxious to frosts , by reason of his early blossoming ; all the good in him is this , that he never sends forth any suckers from the root . cherries . cherries , bigarreaux and the like fruits are better propagated on the small wilde , or bitter cherrie , then upon the suckers which spring from the roots of other cherrie-trees of a better kinde , though tollerable in defect of the other : and the right season to bud them , is , when the fruit begins to blush , and take colour . they do very well graffed in the stock , and shoot wonderfully , but the bud is much to be preserved . they have of late found out an expedient to prevent the gumme which incommodes the graffes and clefts of cherry-trees , to which they are wonderfully obnoxious : and that is , by sawing and paring the part smooth with a knife , afterwards to make an incision of two inches length into the first and utmost rinde , drawing it aside , and separating it from the green some two inches long , without peeling it quite off : then in the middle of this length to make the cleft lodge the graff , and cover it with this skin , by replacing it ; and then swathe it , as the custome is . for stones and almonds of all sorts , which you would sow to produce natural fruit or graffe upon : prepare a bed of earth before winter , trench it , and tread it , then rake and water it : which done , range all your stones on it at three inches distance , ( every species apart ) then lay as many boards upon them as wil cover the bed , and upon the boards a good quantity of weighty stones ; cover all this with new dung to prevent the frost : the moneth of may following take up your boards : you shall finde your stones sprouted ; which you shall immediately take up without impeaching the sprouts , and so place them where you would have them remain : this is a particular which will extreamly satisfie you , as in time you will finde . figs. figs of all sorts are propagated by layers , and suddenly bear fruit , which you may facilitate by passing a fair branch through some bushel or bushels , and environing it with rich earth , that it may take root . but be careful that you fasten the vessel very well to the side of the tree , lest the windes and its own weight turn it over , and ruine your labour . you may also take the suckers which spring out of the earth from the foot of a fig-tree ready rooted , or the cuttings , which you may cultivate and govern after the manner of quinces ; but yet without cutting off the tops of the branches which you so lay , for this wood having a large pith , is very subject to the iniury of winde and water : and the sooner you plant these trees in the places designed for their abode , the better they will take . winter past , gather off all the unripe figs before they fall off themselves , for if they stay till they spontaneously quit the trees , they will have exhausted them very much of their sap , to the great prejudice of the figs which are to succeed them , and which by neglecting this do oftentimes never arrive to their maturity . and forasmuch as the fig-tree does very much suffer by reason of the frosts , you are obliged to plant them in a warm place , or in cases , which you may remove and house with your orange-trees in the winter . mulberies take likewise of cuttings and layers , pricking them in a moyst place , half a ●oot profound , not permitting above three fingers of the tops to peer out of the earth , and treading it down with your feet as you should do quinces . if you would sowe mulberies , to produce a great quantity in a little ground ; take an old well-rope , which is made of a certain wood called the bline , easy to be twisted , and rub it with such ripe mulberies as you finde fallen off the tree ; bury this cord four fingers deep in a trench , cover it with earth : and the next year you shall have trees enough both to store your self and your friends . oranges . limmons . concerning orange and limmon-trees , i shall only deliver the principal and most ordinary government of them , which is to sowe their repins in boxes , and when they are two years old , transplant them in cases , every one in a case by it self , filled with rich mellon - bed-mould , mingled with loam refined and matur'd by one winter , and when they can well support it , you may either inoculate , or graffe them by approch in the spring of the year : above all things , be diligent to secure them from cold , and commit them early to their shelter , where , that they may intirely be preserved from the frost , you may give them a gentle stove , and attemper the air with a fire of charcoal , during the extream rigour of the winter , in case you suspect the frost has at all invaded them . but so soon as the spring appears , and that the frosts are intirely past , you may acquaint them with the air by degrees , beginning first to open the doors of the conservatory in the heat of the day , and shutting them again at night , and so by little and little you may set open the windowes , and shut them again in the evening , till all danger is past , and then you may bring them forth , and expose them boldly to the ayr during all the summer following . as these trees grow big , you may change and enlarge their cases , but be sure to take them out earth and all , razing the stringy and fiberous roots , a little with a knife , before you replace them , and supplying what their new cases may want , with the fore-described mould : some when they alter their cases denude them of all the earth , conceiving it exhausted and insipid : but it is to the extream prejudice of the tree , and does set it so far back , that a year or two will hardly recover it . you may gather the flowers every day , to prevent their knotting into fruit , or ( being too luxurious ) their languishing ; it will suffice therefore that you spare some of the fairest , and best placed for fruit , and of them as many as you conceive the tree can well nourish . the spiders do extreamly affect to spread their toyles among the branches and leaves of this tree , because the flies so much frequent their flowers and leaves , which attract them with their redolency and juice , and to remedy this , use such a brush as is made to cleanse pictures withal , from the dust , but treat them tenderly . shrubs . arbusts and all shrubs , such as pome-granads , iassemins , musk-roses , &c. woodbines , myrtles , ordinary laurel , cherry-laurel , r●se-laurel , althea-frutex , lilac , guelder-roses , phylirea , alaternus , and divers more superfluous to repeat here ; of these we will only take the principal , and discourse a little upon them . granads . granads , as well those which bear the double flower , are propagated from layers , letting them passe the year in the ground , they will be sufficiently rooted before winter , to be transplanted : you may likewise govern their branches and cuttings as you did the quince . they may be either budded , or graffed in the cleft in the ordinary season : and some plant them in cases to preserve them in the house during winter ; but they will endure without doors , planted against some well-sheltered wall , where they will prosper very well . the granads which they call de raguignan , are most beautiful , very glowing , and of a rich taste , although something lesse . if your pome-granads run out too exuberant , and neither knot , nor preserve their fruit ; it proceeds from the drouth of the ground ; and therefore being in flower , you should water them , and their flowers will stop and knit . jass●mine common white iassemine , and yellow , are produced also by layers , out of which you may draw a rooted plant whereon to graffe the spanish iassemine , which you must preserve in cases , and house with your oranges in winter ; you shall cut it every year , ( at the end of winter ) neer the graft , leaving but one bud at a twig to produce young shoots for flowers : you may form the plant like the head of an ozier , leaving it only a foot high at the stem : you may graffe it in cleft , upon a shoot of the precedent year , placing the graffe in the middle of the pith of its stock , and inveloping it with your cerecloth , head it as you do other graffes : if you will plant it abroad against some wall expos'd to the east or south , you may govern it as you do the vine , making small heads at each knot : but you must loosen it from the wall in winter , and gently bend it towards the ground , the more commodiously to cover it with mats and long dung till the spring , at what time you may redress , prune and apply it to the wall as before . musk-rose the musk-rose may be budded upon a sweet-brier , and are easily ordered ; for you need onely discharge them of the dead wood , and stop the young shoots which are too exuberant , and draw away all the sap to the prejudice of the rest of the branches : you may also lay them in the ground , and separate other trees from them ; or the cuttings ordered like quinces , and interred in the shade . myrtl●s . laurels . myrtles , cherry-laurels and rose-laurels , are produced of layers . it is sufficient that it be done a little before august ; but you should cleave or wound that part of the wood a little which you plunge into the ground , at some joynt , cleaving it half the thicknesse of the branch , and three or four fingers in length , according as it is in strength , and in six weeks they will shoot a sufficient root to be severed and transplanted ; moreover they produce suckers ready rooted , which you may separate from their mothers . you may forme cherry-laurels in palisades and hedges , which support the winter abroad very well . common laurels are rais'd of seed in cases like oranges , and may be transplanted the first or second year , and being planted under the drip ( not the gutter ) of a house shaded from the sun , they will flourish wonderfully : some cover them with fearn or straw , to secure them from the frosts , to which they are obnoxious . phyliriea . alaternus phylirea and alaternus are sown likewise in cases before winter , and set in the house , where the berries will come up and sprout a great deal better , then if they had been sown at the spring . by that time they are half a foot high you may transplant them , and ( if you please ) clip and fashion them like box without any danger , shaping them into close walks and cabinets , upon frames of wood , as you will. althea-frutex . arbor . judae . lilac . concerning the rest , as althea-frutex , arbor iudae , lilac , &c. being plants which are easily propagated , i shall pass them over for fear of swelling this book , and importuning the reader . let us conclude rather with the diseases to which our trees and plants are obnoxious , and speak of those animals which incommode them . diseases . of all the maladies to which trees are subject , the canker is the most perilous , for it chaps and mortifies that part of the bark where it breeds , daily augmenting , unless prevented by a prompt and speedy remedy , so soon as it is perceived ; so that if you neglect to visit your trees , you shall often finde them all dead upon one side : to remedy which you must launce and open the living bark round to the very quick as deep as the wood , and so the canker will fall of it self : or else you must scrape it well , that the bark may the more easily recover , the sore ; and secure it from the hail , by covering it with a little cow-dung , and swathing it with a clout of some mosse . moss . the mosse which invades trees proceeds commonly from some occult and hidden cause , which is , when the roots encounter with a gravelly , sandy or other bad mould , so that they cannot penetrate to search for refreshment ; this burns up the tree , and spoils it of his leaves , during the great hea●s . for this , there is only this expedient . if it be a small tree , you must take it up with as much mould about its root as possible , and make a pit for it four foot square , filling the bottom with mellon-bed-dung , and the rest with rich earth , and then replace the tree , observing what i have already said ; and thus the tree may be taken up without any damage , and will take again with ease , provided that you be careful to preserve its rootes from languishing and taking ayr. but in case the tree be old , you must bare the root before winter , and dis-interre the greatest roots half their thickness , making a large trench about the foot of the tree , and so let it remain all winter ( that the earth may become mellow ) till the spring , when you must fill the apertures with well consum'd dung mixed with earth , and especially about the roots ▪ you may take off the mosse from great trees with a plane , lightly paring off the dry surface of the bark ; and from smaller trees with a blunt knife , or some proper instrument of wood . the properest season for this work is after a soaking rain , or great dew in the morning ; for whilst the great heats continue , it cleaves so obstinatly to the trees , that you cannot scrape it off without prejudicing the bark , if you would utterly eradicate it : neither ought you to neglect this cure , for the mosse undisturbed doth daily augment , and is the same inconvenience to trees that the itch is to animals . if you water your trees during the excessive heats , and cover the roots with fern , or other mungy stuff , it will preserve them from this disease . jaundies . the iaundies or languor , which you may perceive by the leaves of trees , proceed from some hurt , which either the mols , or mice , may have done to their rootes ; or by the stroake of some spade or peradventure by the too great aboundance of water which corrupting suffocates them . for redresse hereof you must uncover the roots intirely , and visite them , to see if they have received any prejudice from any of the forementioned accidents ; and in case you finde any galling or hurt upon a roote , you shall cut it smooth off , aslant , above , but neare the place , and then strow the bottom of the hole with some chimny-soote to make these creatures abandon their haunt filling up the rest with rich mould ; and if the cause proceed from corrupted water , you must divert it with a trench . moles . to take the moles , some place a butter-pot crosse their passage sinking it two fingers lower then the tract , by which meanes they often fall in and perish . others use a pipe of wood of about two foot long , and the bore as big as your wrist , in this trunk is a small tongue of tin or thin plate of iron within four fingers of either end , which is fastned to the trunk with a wyer a little slanting at the bottom towards the middle of the pipe ; that so the mole entring in , and thrusting the tongue can neither get out at one end or other : you must place this trunke exactly in the moles passage : some to make them quit an obstinate haunt make a small hoop of elder , which they six halfe a foot into the ground . but the most infallible way is , to watch them in the morning and evening , when they worke in their hills , and to fling them dextrously out with the spade . if you take any alive , put them in an empty butterpott , for they report , that they will invite others by their cry , who running through the same passage fall into the same pot and so are caught . they are destroyed likewise with mole-graines , which is a set of sharp iron points , skrewed upon a staffe , which struck upon the hill when the mole is working , does certainly pierce him through , amaze , or kill as you shall finde if you dig immediatly after it . mice . field-nice are best taken by making them a small hutt of ferne or straw , like the cover or hack of a bee-hive , placing under it some vessell full of water filled within fingers of the brim , and cover it with some husks of oats to hide the water which will soon tempt them to wallow in 't , and ●earch for the grain , and so drown themselves . it is good also to put some wheat-ears or of oates , which may hang near the middle of the vessell , without touching it ; for the mice striving to come at the corne will fall into the water . or you may poyson them with arsenick or ratts-bane the powder of it mingled with grease ; but you may by this means endanger your catts , which finding and eating the dead mice will not long survive them . worms . the worme getts sometimes between the barke and body of a tree : if you can discover whereabout they lie , you may soon draw them out without making any great incision . there is also another kind of small worme , which they call the nip-bud which breeds at the very poynt of young shoots , and kills all their tops ; but these are easily destroyed , for cutting the branch to the quick , you shall be sure to find them . there is a green-worme which devoures the young shoots as fast as they grow , and those are very hard to un-nestle , unless you daub them with quick-lime newly quinched , which you may easily do with a small painters brush . ants. ants and pismires will forsake their haunt , if you incompasse the stemme four fingers breadth with a circle or roule of wooll newly plucked from a sheeps belly , or if you anoint it with tarre . but there is an other expedient more cleanly and not so difficult , which is to make little boxes of cards or pastboard pierced full of holes with a bodkin , every box having a baite of the powder of arsenick mingled with a little hony ; these boxes must be hung upon the tree , and this wil certainly destroy them ; but you must be carefull that you do not make the holes so large that a bee may enter least they poison themselves also . a glasse-bottle with a little hony in it , or that has had any other sweet liquor in it fastned to the tree , will attract all the ants , which you may stop , and kill them , by washing the bottle with a little hot water ; then carrying it to its place again rinced with a little sweet syrup , you will by this meanes intirely destroy them . snails . shell-s●ailes you may easily gather from behinde the leaves which grow neerest to the fruit which they begun to eat the night before . for yor shall find some fruit half devoured in one night , insomuch as one would think it the work of some stotes , field-rats , or nut-mouse , whereas indeed they are nothing but the snailes which in great numbers devonr as much as one of those animals . you should never pluck off the fruit which the snails or other vermine have begun , for as long as they last , they will not touch any of the rest . the black snails ( without shell ) are easily gathered , for they cleave to the leaves , and feed upon them . woodlice . earwigs . as for wood-lyce , earwigs , martinets , and the smaller insects which likewise infest trees , you shall place ho●fs of bullocks , sheep or hogs , upon short stakes fixed in the ground , or upon the ozyers which fasten your palisades , and wall-fruit , and this chase will employ two men from morning break , who must take them gently , but speedily off , and shake them into a kettle of scalding water , which they are to carry with them ; or the other may bruise such as are likely to escape with some instrument of wood . cater-pillars . caterpillars are easily gathered off during all the winter , taking away the packets which cleave about the branches , and burning them ; but if you neglect this , till they are disclos'd , you will not be able to destroy them without much difficulty : but in case you have not prevented it , be diligent to take them whilst they are yet young , when either through the coldnesse of the night , or some humidity , they are assembled together in heaps ; for otherwise ; when the sun is hot , and that it is high day , they will have over-spread your trees . and the destruction of these vermine is so absolutely necessary , that you shall quit all manner work to accomplish it ; for a garden anoy'd with this plague but one year only , shall resent it more then three years after . and now we will shut up this treatise with the receipt which i promised to give you of the composition to cover your graffs . the composition to hood your grafs . take then half a pound of new wax , as much burgundy pitch , two ounces of ordinary turpentine , melt all these ingredients in a new earthen pot , glazed , sufficiently stirring it ; then let it cool at least twelve hours , then break it into pieces , and hold them in warm water half an hour , where you must work it with your hands , till it become very pliable . or you may dip any clouts in this composition , and afterwards cut them out into plasters , fitted to the wounds of your trees , which will lesse waste your store , and not take up so much of your composition as if you applyed it in morsels ; and you may make use of this cerecloth to cover the clefts of your trees , which gape between a stock that hath two graffs , and secure it from the rain ; and you may winde it about the hoods , before you daub them with loam and hay , and this will certainly preserve your graffs from all injuries of water whatsoever . to make fruit knot . there are some so curious , that to make their fruit knot well , and abide upon such trees , which spend all in blossoms , do make holes in divers parts of the tree with an auger of about a finger bore , filling the hole again with a pin of oak , which they beat in quite crosse the tree . this they conceive does stop the fruit . you may experiment it if you please , the labour is not great , nor at all to the hazard of your tree . a catalogue of the names of fruits known about paris . pears whose fruit is in perfection at the end of iune , and in iuly . small blanquet . hasty pear of several sorts . musk-pear , or sept en gueule , &c. the musky st. john. in iuly and in august . the great amyret . lesser amyre● . little john amyret . good twice a year . camouzines . lady-dear muscat . lady-dear green. citron-pear . cocquin rozat . ladies thigh . madera-pear . desgranges yellow . two headed pear . sweet two sorts . vacher rozatte . espargne . fine gold long stalk . fine gold of orleans . fine gold , great , round and rosse . friquet . gloutes de gap. magdalene . muscat long tayl . pearl muscat . great musky white and yellow . the great muzette . small muzette . perdreau . the pearl . pernant rozat . province pear . pucell of xainctonge . green royal. rozat of three colours . rozat red , straked with green. rozat royal. the king of the sommer . the superintendent , or great green musk. in august and september . the amazon . amours . amydon . armentieres . balme . the father in law. fair and good. sommer bergamotte . great blanquet . the butter-pear of august , long and round . green butter-pear . beuueriere . bezy of mouuilliers . sommer green bon-chrestien . the good micet of coyeux . the ugly-good . the younger brother . the rosy musk-flint . the maidens flesh . the wax-pear . the citron pear . the melt in mouth . rosy daverat . golden pear . white ladder pear . spicing . the forrest pear . the ditch pear . musky ant pear . the mangy pears . rosy garbot . the cake pear . giacçiole of rome . long gillets . gracçioli , or cowcumber pear round and red . the greasie pear . the jealous pear . jargonelle . jouars . the red and yellow balsam pear . milan pears . muscadel of piedmont . round and rosie muscat . nançy muscats . summer novelet . summer onion . musky onionet . d' or. the red orange of xainctonge , red and very great . yellow orange , pennach't with red like a tulip . orange knotted . flat green orange . canarie palmes . perfume of sommer . passe-good of burgogne . pepin . white and red piedmont . sommer portugal . putes , or pimp-pear . xaintogne rosy of three sorts . ingranad rosy . round rosie , green mixed with red . grey rosie of xaintonge . rosie or hasty butter-pear . bloody pear . wilde sweeting . sorel pear . the sugar pear . white sugar pear . the treasurer . the cheat-liquorish . the turky pear . the valley pear . clown of anjou . clown of reatte . in september and october . an●y , the english pear the goose's bill . long and green butter-pear . caillouat of champagne . the musky calvill . the cinnamon pear . cappon . the long clairvils . sommer certeau . the toad-pear . the deans pear , white , or st. michaels pear . the thorn pear . fontarabie . galore . the clove pear . the round clove . grain . rozatte guamont . high relish . jargonell of autumn . rosie kerville . the sawcy pears . the lombardy pear . the meilleraye pear . the flies pear , or soft butter . monsieurs pear . small melt in mouth . the muscat . mont dieu . the moutieres of daulphine . oignon of xaintonge . the poictiers . the rebet . the roland ▪ the great russet of rheims . small russet . long rosy poud'red with red . rosie green two sorts . st. michael . st. samson , or ditch pear . champagne without name . sausedge pear . rozatte of september . supreams . the pear of three tastes . the found-pear . vintage pears . ysambert . pear evelyn . in october and november . amadotte . the silver pear . the bag pipe pear . the ice pear . the great stalked pear . ugly-good . the lady pear . the great mary of amiens . messire john , green . the grey messire john. my lords pear . the autumn marrow in mouth . the peach-pear . the noiron . the virgin of flanders . the double virgins . robine . king of saulçay . king musky pear , all yellow . autumnal saffran pear . the seigneur . the sun-pear . the so-good . the vine-pear . the virgoulette : great and small . in november and december . aleaume . the musk long bergamo●s . the round betgamots . bezy d' hery . carisy . the double cartelle , the burnt cat. the charity pear . stopple-pear . the squib-pear . spindle-pear . girogille , or venus nipple . our lady-pear . the autumn pear . winter virgins . king of autumn . the peerlesse pear . white sucrin . black sucrin . in december and ianuary . the namelesse pear . gascogne bergamotte . musk-bon-chrestien . bonne foy. the ugly morma . cadillac-pear . certeau madam . pear of the other world . the pound pear . the scarlet pear . the fig pear . the winter flower . free royal. the great mesnil . keville . the dry martins . winter messire john. the white milan pear . the onionet with a short stalk . the orient pear . the leaden pear . the red king pear . the rosie saffran . the rozat of st. denis . the healthy pear . the saulsig-pear . the wreathed pear of two sorts . the cheat knave or ugly good . the priests load . in ianuary and february . the alençon pear . the amber pear . the lovers pear . bezy of privillier . bezy of quassoy . the winter butter p. of xaintonge the butter pear of yveteaux . the bouvart pear . the musk caillotet , or curdled p. the caillouat of varennes . the winter rosie flint . the carcassonne . the great certeau . the carmelite . the small hooked certeau . the castle gontier . the condon . the little dagobert . the dagobert of miossan . dame houdette . the red ladder pear . winter fine gold. rosy florentine . the fremont , or st. franceis . the winter spindle . the garay of auxois . the gourmandine . the huge hongrie . the incognito of persia. the winter legat. the sweet limon . the long green pear of berny . the micet . winter melt in mouth . the fleshy stalk muscat . the mazeray muscat . the winter bag-pipe . nanterre . the o●gnon of st. john of angely . the winter orenge-pear . the rose perigord . the petit oing . plotot , or squat pear . portail-pear . the prince or bourbon . the prince of sillery . the white rabu . the great and little ratot . the pear royal. rozatte of xaintonge . rozatte of mazuere . st. anthony-pear . the suisse with red , green , and yellow cheeks . the greening . the valladolid . the winter clown . in february and the other following moneths till new ones . bezy . the latter bon-chrestien . the great chrestien . calo rozat . the gallon oak-pear of severall sorts . the double blossom pear . gastelier . the great kairville . liquet . the long-liv'd pear . the long green pear . the musk pear . the parmein . the winter virgin. rille . the winter saffran pear . the peerlesse pear . the thoul pear . the great found pear . the little found pear . the vignolettes . rath-ripe apples . danquelles . the white calvil . the cleer calvil . the red calvil . queen apple . white camoise . carmagnolles . the tender chesnut . the clicquet , or rattle apple . the single short-start . red short-start . the great cushion apple . round cushion apple . long cushion apple . the apple of hell , or black apple . the scarlet apple . the spicing . the may-flower . the raspis apple . giradottes . the frozen apple . the great-ey'd apple . the jacob apple . lugelles . magdalene . the minion . the snow apple . our ladies apple . the oblong lissee . orgeran . passepommes or hony meal of several kindes . pommasses . the white rambourg . red rambourg . the hasty reinette or pippni . the royal. the dewy apple . the large red of september . the soft red . the st. john of two sorts . the clustred apple . the vignan court. the march violet . keeping apples . the great , and small apis , or appius claudius . the apioles . the parsly apple . babichet . the great white apple . the lcy white apple . the little-good . the white apple of bretagne . the red apple of bretagne . the cardinal . camuese , or flat snout . winter-chesnut . the citron-apple . the coqueret of several sorts . hard short-start . red short-start . russet short-start . douettes . the bretagne cloth of gold. the stranger . white fenouill . red fenouill . the yron apple . the great belly'd woman . the high-good . horluva . jayet . the judea apple . malingres , or maligar apple . mattranges . winter passe-pommes , or hony-meal . the pigeonnet . pear-apple . the raeslee . the reinet of auv●rgne . pippin of mascons . the grey reinet . the flat reinet . robillard . the winter reed . the rose apple . the apple without blossom . health . the seigneur . the vermillion . plums early and late : abricots . abricotines . amber . the great appetite . bessonne or twin-plum . all saints , white . blosses . good at christmas . prunella of provence . citron prunellas . white cherry-plum . red little cherry-plum . round citrons . pointed citron . pigeons heart . cypres . almond . the white damask . great double damask . the latter grey damask . the hasty black damask . musky black damask . the violet damask . white date . red date . great dattille . datilles . black diapred . white diapred . the escarcelle . the double flower . high good. great imperial . round imperial . joinville . jorases . green peascod . maximilian . merveille , or balsam plum . mirabolans . mirabelles . the looking-glasse . the egge yolk . yolk of bourgogne . monsieurs plum. montmiret . musk the passe for velvet of valency . white black red perdrigon . late green great violet . poictron . small grape plum. queen claudia . cocles kidney . roche corbon . roman . latter round . king of bresse . little st. anthony . st. catharine . st. cir. the white st. julien . black st. julien . huge saluces of two sorts . the plum without stone . simiennes . black trudennes . red trudennes . the vacation plum. the black vintage . verdach . peaches . great alberges . small alberges . alberges of province . aubicons . almond peach . amber peach . angelicks . white forward peach . yellow forward peach . great brignons of bearn . musky brignons . cherry peach . corbeil peaches . winter hard peach . double-flower peach . gallion peach very fair . yellow pavie . magdalen pavie . magdalene peach . white mircoton . yellow mircoton . mircoton of jarnac . nutmeg peach . parcouppes , or gashed peach . pau-peach . prune-peach . pavies-raves . peach-rave . persiques . persilles , or parsly peach . rossan peach . white scandalis . black scandalis . yellow peach . troy peach . the fromentee peach . the violet peach . cherries , heart-cherries , &c. bigarreaux . red cherrie . white cherrie . double blossom cherrie . heart-cherrie . preserving cherry , great . sweet guin cherries . white guin cherries . black guin cherries . merizettes . double blossom merizier . mountmorency cherry , short stalk . rath-ripe : or may. trochets clustred , or flanders cherrie . the all saints cherrie . figs , white figs. bourjassotes . bourno-saintes . flower-fig . gourravaund of languedoc . marseilles fig. white dwarfe . violet dwarfe . violet fig. oranges . bigarrades . china-orange . spanish genoa orange . portugall province limons and citrons . limonchali . limoni cedri . limoni dorsi . limoni of grarita . sweet limons . pommes d' adam . poncilles . spada fora with laurel leaves . other curious trees . arbutus . azarollier , or neapolitan medlar . carob-tree . cornelian . jujuba . mirabolans of africa . medlars without stone . pistachia . berberies without stone . reader , if in this catalogue of fruits , i have either mistaken or omitted many of the true english names , it is because it was a subjection too insupportable : and besides the french gardiners themselves are not perfectly accorded concerning them ; nor have our orchards , as yet , attained to so ample a choyce and universal , as to supply the deficiency of the dictionary . the second treatise . section . of melons , cucumbers , gourds , and their kindes . melons . since melons are the most precious fruits that your kitchen garden affords , i think it most proper to discourse of them in the front of this chapter , & instruct you how you ought to govern them in this our climate , for which alone , i have calculated all these observations passing by those which ( differing from ours ) may possibly fill you with doubt , should i confound you with the manner how they order them in the hotter countreyes , different from ours , more temperate , and cold in respect to these delicate fruits . seeds . in order to this intention of ours , which is , that we may have them excellent : you must diligently enquire after the best seeds , such as you may procure out of italy , from lions , tours , anjou , champagne , and other places , where men emulate one another who shall have the best melons . also to have of all the kindes , sucrin , morin , melonnes , grenots , white , wraught , or embrod'red , ribb'd , and others , even to the locking up of those seedes whose fruite has pleased you ; for some affect them of one tast , which another will reject , and hold worth nothing . one loves to eat them a little greene , another would have them very ripe . and therefore you shall furnish your self with such kindes as are most agreeable to your tast , and as thrive and ripen best in your ground , which is the thing you must chiefly respect ; for oftentimes there comes such raines from august as uterly spoyl them ; depriving them both of odor , savor , and colour , filling them so with water that they are not to be eaten , and ●ipening them so altogether , that they are only ●it to be given to horses , who extreamly affect them ; in briefe , these rains spoyl , and utterly destroy your meloniere , where you have bestowed so much care , and the paines of five or six moneths are lost , without gratifying you with the least of your hopes ; and therefore you should endeavour to have them early that you may prevent these inconveniences . in those countryes where they raise great store with little trouble ; but plant them in the open ground , as we do cabbages , as soon as the rains come , they give over eating them , and think them as bad as poyson . plo● . to begin then your meloniere , or melon plot , you shall choose a place in your garden the most secured from pernicious winds , which you shall close in with a reede-hedge handsomely bound in pannells , which you shall set up with sufficient stakes or posts fixed in the ground , and sustained , lest the windes overturne them : to this enclosure you must make a door , which you shall keep under lock and key , that none molest your plantation ; and particularly to keep out women-kinde at certaine times , for reasons you may imagine . f●gure the figure at the frontispiece of this treatise , will easily instruct you in what manner you should inclose your melon ground . in this parke , which may be of what extent you think good , you shall make beds of horse-dung , such as you have provided the winter before and heaped up together in some place neer your meloniere , as fast as it is throwne forth of the stable . season . about midd-february you shall begin to prepare a bed for the seeds , taking dung hot from the stable , and of that of your foresaid heape , mingling them together , that the heat of the fresh may communicate it self to the other . beds . make your bed the whole length of your melon ground , four foot large leaving a path about it of three foot wide , that you may have place to put hot dung when you perceive the bed to languish , and that it begins to coole overmuch . this bed handsomly made , and trodden with the feet to excite the heat , you must cover the ●op of it with ( neer four inches thick ) of excellent mould , or rather with that rich stuff , which comes from a last years bed mingled with a little of the purest mould you can procure : this composition you must spread , keeping a board to the side and margent of the bed , and clapping the earth down with your hand against the board , to render it the more firme and even . your bed thus prepared , of about a yard high you shall suffer to repose till it has passed its greatest heats ; which may continue two or three dayes , more , or lesse , according to the temper of the season . the extreamity of heat past ( which you shall discover by the sinking of the bed and by examining it with your finger ) you will easily judge if it be well qualified for your seed : for if you cannot suffer your finger in it , it is yet too hot , and it ought to be but tepid , but not qui●e cold , in which case , you mast heat it again by applying new made dung immediately to the sides of your bed in the passage about it , as i before have described . the bed in perfect temper , and your seeds steeped in good wine-vinagre , or cow-milk eight and fourty howers , every species apart by themselves : you shall sowe them at one end of your bed , reserving the rest , for the other seeds whereof i shall speak hereafter . sowing . draw then upon your terras , narrow furrowes with the point of your finger quite crosse your bed ; but let the lines be six inches asunder , and as even as you can , which you may facilitate with the help of a rule . upon every of these lines make three holes in the earth or terras , joyning your fingers together in fashion of a hens-rump , and in each of these holes put three or four melon-seeds , all of a sort . upon the intervalls 'twixt the lines , which i advised you to leave , you may sow lettice-seeds for early sallets , in other chervill ; and you may fringe the whole bed about with purslaine ; for these herbs will be very forward , and are to be taken up very young , least they suffocate your melon-plants , but this will spare you a weeding , and will be a kind of dressing to them also . covering . be carefull to cover your bed every night , and when the weather is bad , with hurdles made of straw , or close matts , which are to be supported with ribs , and arches of poles or small rafters layd crosse into forkes fixed in the ground , at the sides of the bed. you shall not approach these coverings neerer then four inches to your bed ; if it happen to freez or snow , you shall then fill the whole vacuum with fresh and newly drawn dung , till the weather be more kind . but if your seeds burn , by reason of the too great heat of your bed , ( which you shall soon perceive , for they ought not to be long in the ground ) you shall sow them all over again , and heat the bed a new by the sides , with hot dung , as you have been taught . season . the perfect season to sowe melon-seeds , is in the full of february . when your plants begin to peep you shall cover them with pretty large drinking-glasses , leaving a little passage for the ayr 'twixt the glasse and the earth , least otherwise , they suffocate and tarnish . thus you shall let them grow to the fourth or sixth leafe before you remove them . transplanting . they are transplanted after four several fashions . first upon the beds , which you must prepare at t●e side 〈◊〉 this genial bed , and all together : make holes in the middle of these beds four foot asunder , and in each of these holes put in half a bushel of excellent rich mould without making your whole ●ed of it , and in this , you shall transplant your melons , taking them dextrously from the nursing-bed with a good clod of earth about the noots . in the evening about sun-set will be the most covenient time for this purpose , and if it may , let it be after a fair day , for it will much improve your plants . this done , shelter the beds from the sun for three or four dayes following , but you must water them from the first day of their planting that they may take hold and spring the sooner . then you shall cover them with wider glasse bells till the fruit be big , and indeed , as long as the plant may be contained under it , leaving it a little ayr 'twixt the bell and the bed for fear of choaking the plant , unlesse the bell have a hole at the top , which you may stop at night . from ten in the morning till four in the afternoon , you may take off the bells , to accquaint them with the ayr and fortifie your melons against unseasonable weather , but you must cover them again in the evening . stormes . there sometimes happen such storms of hail as crack all the bells , and to prevent this , some are provided with covers made of straw of the same shape , to clap over the glasses at night , to prevent this accident . bells . others make bells of earth , but i do no way approve of this invention , for it is not possible that the sun should sufficiently penetrate this earth , as it doeth the glasse : they may pretend them for the night onely and to pervent hayl , and that indeed with better reason . if you perceive your plant to languish , and not improve , water it within halfe a foot of its roote , with water where in pigeons dung has been steeped . ●runing your melons now reasonable strong , choose out the prime shoots ( which will be in number equal to your seeds ) the rest you must gueld and prune off , and when you perceive three or four melons knotted upon one shoot , you shall stop that vine pinching a knott above that of the fruit , then extend all the other shoots of your plants , spreading them upon every part of your bed , that they may nourish the fruit with more ease , which when it is grown as big as your fist you shall forbear to water any longer , unlesse it be in some excessive dry season , when you perceive the leaves burne , and that the plant it self scorches ; in such case , you may refresh every languishing foot with a little water . you must place a tyle under every melon , the better to fashion them , and advance their maturity by the reflection of the sun from it , and this is a thing which cannot be so well upon a dung-bed , ( in which some transplant and force them ) besides they will be much dryer , and lesse participate of the loathsome quality of the dung . you shall never suffer any small new shoot or string to draw away the sap from your leading plant , but nip it off immediately , unlesse it be that your fruit lies naked , and too much exposed , and that it stand in need of any leaves to accelerate its growth & preserve it in temper . transplanting . the second method of transplanting melons , is to make , neer the end of summer , trenches of about foot deep , and four foot large , ( as they do in anjou ) leaving a square of three foot between each of them , to cast the mould upon , which you must form into a ridge somewhat round , in form of an asses-back , by which name the french call them . then you shall fill the trench with good dung , and very rotten earth , scoarings of ditches , which has laine two or three years mellowing in the raines and frosts . season . then in march when the winter has sufficiently ripened the foresaid earth , you shall stir and mingle that which lyes in the ridge with the ditch-scouring adding to it new dung well consumed , and so fill up your trenches with this mixture , and let it be kept well weeded till the season that you transplant your melons on it , as i have before instructed you . transpla●ting . there is yet a third fashion a great deale more easy then this , and which i have found as succesfull , as any of the former two , and which hath afforded me store of excellent and high tasted melons every year , ( but attribute the principall cause of it , to the goodnesse of my soil which is sandy , but richly improv'd by a long cultivation . ) there is no more difficulty in the business , then to give the ground three or four dressings before and after winter , and at the time of transplanting to make pits in the middle of the beds , which you must fill with a bushell of the mould , and halfe dung , of an old hot-bed , and in this to set your plants after the manner i have taught you . wa●ring . there are a world of curiosities in transplanting of melons , some place them in vessells of earth , pierced full of holes , and filled with excellent mould , and so change their beds when they are over chilled , others in baskets of the same shape , and some again , are so nice about them as would weary the most laborious gardiner . ga●hering if during the excessive heats you perceive that your melons suffer for want of refr●shment , and scald ( as they term it ) it will be good to to afford a watring to exery root , but this only in case of extream necessity , and very rarely . to k●ow when your melon is fit to be gather'd , you shall perceive him to be ripe when the stalke seem● as if it would part from the fruit , when they begin to gild and grow yellow underneath , when the small shoot which is at the same knot withers , and when approching to the fruit , you be saluted with an agreable odor . but such as are accustom'd , and frequent the melonieres judge it by the eye , observing only the change of their colour and the intercostal yellowness , which is a sufficient index of their maturity . those melons which are full of embrodery and characters are commonly twelve or fifteen dayes a fashioning , e're they be perfectly ripe . the morins grow yellow some days before they be fit to gather . for their gathering , let it be according as they turne ; if to be conveyed far off you shall gather him instantly upon his first change of colour , for they will finish their ripening by the way . but if he be spent immediately , gather them thrrough-ripe , putting them into a bucket of water drawn new out of the well , and let them refresh themselves there , as you would treat bottles of wine , since comming newly from the melonieres , they are sun-heated , and nothing so quick and agreable to be eaten . others which you must gather as fast as they ripen may be layd upon a board in some coole place , and spent according to their maturity . you shall remember to leave the joynt which holds to the stalk of every melon , with two or three leaves for ornaments , and be carefull not to break off the stalk , least the melon languish , ( as a cask of wine unbunged ) and loose the richnesse of its gust . visi●i●d and 〈◊〉 . you must not think it much to visit your meloniere at the least four times a day when your melons begin to ripen , lest they passe their prime , and lose of their tempting , becoming lank and flashy . choice . to choose a perfect good melon it must neither be too green nor over-ripe ; let him be well nourished , and have a thick & short stalk , that he proceed of a vigorous plant , not forced with too great heat , weighty in the hand , firme to the touch , dry , and of a vermilion hue within . lastly that it have the flavor of that pitchy mixture wherewith seamen dresse their cordage . seeds . remember to reserve the seeds of all such mellons as you found to be excellent and the most early , ( as before i advertis'd you ) preserve them carefully , taking those which lodged at the sunny side , they are better at two or three years old then at one . cowcumbers . cowcumbers are sown and raised upon the same bed , and at the same time with melons ; having before imbibed the seeds in either cow or breast milk . there are of white and green , which they call parroquets : you shall forbear to gather some of your fairest , whitest , longest and earliest fruit , but leave them for seed , letting them ripen upon their own stalks as long as the plant continues , which will be till the first frosts : as for the parroquets , they may all be spent , since the seeds of the white cowcumbers do sufficiently degenerate into them . they are transplanted also as melons are both in beds and in open ground , but they must be exceedingly watered , to make them produce abundantly ; the vines and superfluous shoots must be guelded , the false flowers which will never knot into fruit are to be nipped off . the first colds bring the mildew upon them , which is when the leaves become white and mealy , a signe that they are neer their destruction . gather them according to your spending , for they will grow bigger every day , but withall , harder , and the seeds more compacted renders the fruit less agreeable to the tast : they are then in perfection a little before they begin to grow yellow . pumpeons . pumpeons are raised also upon the hot-bed , and are removed like the former , but for the most part upon plain ground : being placed in some spacious part of your garden because their shoots and tendrells straggle a great way before they knot into fruit . transplanting . when you transplant them make their pits wide enough asunder , twelve foot or there about , and lay two bushells of rich soyle to every plant ; because of the strength of the plant ; water them abundantly . ga●hering . the time of gathering them is in their perfect maturity , which is about august , nor do they spoyl at all by lying upon the earth , but become daily riper by it . when the first cold begins to come , gather them in a morning and heape them one upon another , that they may drie in the sun , and afterwards carry them into some temperate roome upon boards , where let them ly without touching one another : above all , preserve them from the frost , for that will immediately perish them . if you have plenty , and abound , you may put it into your ordinary house-hold bread or that of your owne table . but first you must boyle it after the same manner as you prepare it to fry , only a little more tender , then drain the water from it , and wet your flower with this mash and so make your bread . it wil be of better colour , and better relish being a little dow , and is very wholesome for those who stand in need of refreshment . there is a small kind of pumpeon which knots into fruit neer the foot without trailing , and bears abundantly : they must be guelded leaving none but the fairest . poitirons * potirons white and coloured , priest-capps , spanish trumpets , gourds and the like , are to be order'd as you doe pumpeons , with this only difference , that some of them would be stalked , and not suffered to ramp upon the ground . seed . the seeds of these , as also of pumpeons are to be saved , as you spend their fruite , but it must be carefully cleansed and dried in the air , and secured from mice which devour these seeds as well as those of melons and cowcumbers . sect . ii. of artichocks , chardons , and asparagus . artichokes the artichock is one of the most excellent fruits of the kitchen garden , and recommended not only for its goodnesse , and the divers manners of cooking it : but also for that the fruit contiuues in season a long time . of these there are two sorts , the violet and the green. the slips which grow by the sides of the old stubs , serve for plants , which you must set in very good ground , deep dunged , and dressed with two or three manures . planting . when the frosts are entirely past , in april you shall plant the slips , having separated them from the stem with as much root as you can , that they may take the more easily , and if they be strong enough , they will bear heads the autumn following . you shall plant them four or five foot distant one from another , according to the goodnesse of the soil ; for if it be light and sandy , you may plant them closer ; if it be a strong ground , at a greater distance to give scope to the leaves , which with the fruit wil come fairer and bring forth more double ones . they shall need no other culture before winter , then to be dress'd and weeded sometimes . you shall cover them in winter to preserve them from the frost ; and to do this , they order them after divers manners ; some cutting all the plants within a foot of the ground , and gathering up the rest of the leaves , ( as they do to blanch succory ) think it sufficient to make it up in form of a mole-hill , leaving out at the top , the extreams of the leaves , about two fingers deep to keep the plant from suffocating ; and then covering them with long dung preserve them thus from the frosts , and hinder the rain from rotting them . others make trenches 'twixt two ranges , and cast the earth in long bankes upon the plants , covering them within two fingers of the topps , as i shewed you above : and there be some which onely put long dung about the plants , and so they passe the winter very well : all these severall fashions are good , and every man a bounds with his particular reason . ear●h●ng . onely be not over ea●ly in earthing them , least they grow rotten , but be sure that the great frosts doe not prevent and surprise you , if you have many to govern . if you desire to have fruit in autumne you need onely cut the stemm of such as have borne fruit in the spring , to hinder them from a second shoot . and in autumn these lusty stocks will not faile of bearing very faire heads , provided that you dresse and dig about them well , and water them in their necessitie , taking away the slips which grow to their sides , and which draw all the substance from the plants . the winter spent , you shall uncover your artichockes , by little and little , not at once , least the cold ayr spoyl them , being yet tender , and but newly out of their warm beds : and therefore let it be done at three times , with a four dayes interval each time , at the last whereof , you shall dresse , dig about and ●rim them very well , discharging them from most of their small slips , not leaving above three of the strongest to each foot for bearers . chard . to procure the chard of the artichocks ( which is that which growes from the rootes of old plants ) you shall make use of the old stemmes which you do not account of . for it will be fit to renew your whole plantation of artichocks every five-year , because the plant impoverishes the earth , and produces but small fruite . slips . the first fruites gathered , you shall pare the plant within halfe a foot of the ground , and cut off the stemm as low as you can possible ; and thus you will have lusty slips ; which grown about a yard high , you shall bind up with a wreath of long straw , but not too close , and then inviron them with dung , to blanch them . thus you may leave them till the great frosts before you gather them , and then reserve them for your use in some cellar or other place lesse cold . gathe●ing but it is best to gather them from time to time as you spend them , beginning w●th the largest , and sparing the rest , which will soon be ready , having now all the nourishment of the plant . spanish chardon . the spanish chardons are not so dilicate to govern , as those of the artichocke , nor produce they chards so sweet and tender : they are to be tyed up after the same manner to make them white . they spring of seeds , and are transplanted in slips . the flowers of these chardons which are little violet colour'd beards , being dryed in the ayr , will serve to turne milk withall , and make it curdle like rennett : the spanyard and languedociens use it for that purpose . asparagus asparagus are to be raised of seeds in a bed a part , the ground prepared before with divers diggings , and well dunged : at the end of two years you may take up the rootes and transplant them . to lodg them well , you must make trenches four foot large , and two in depth ( leaving an intervall of four foot wide 'twixt the trenches to cast the mould on which you take out of them ) and make them very levell at bottom , the earth cast in round banks on both sides , bestow a good dressing upon the bottoms of your trenches mixing the mould with fine rich dung , which you must lay very even in all places . this done , plant your asparagus by line at three foot distance , placeing two rootes together : you may range the first at the very edg of the trench , for that when you dig up the allyes , you may in time reduce them to a foot and a half wide , casting the earth upon the quarters , and then cutting above a foot large on either side of your aspargus , where the earth was heaped up , your plants will shoot innumerable roots at the sides of the alleys . you shall plant a third range in the midst between the two which we have named . it will be expedient to place them in crosse squares , that the rootes being at a convenient distance they may extend themselves through all the bed . some curious persons put rammshorns at the bottome of the trench , & hold for certaine , that they have a kind of sympathie with asparagus , which makes them prosper the better , but i refer it to the experienced . dressing . they will need dressing but three times a year . the first , when the arsparagus have done growing : the second at the beginning of winter ; and the last , a little before they begin to peep : at every one of these dressings , you shall something fill , and advance your beds about four fingers high with the earth of your allyes , and over all this spread about two fingers thick of old dung . three years you must forbear to cut , that the plant may be strong , not stubbed , for otherwise they will prove but small . and if you spare them yet four or five years longer , you will have them come as big as leeks , after which time , you may cut uncessantly , leaving the least to bear seed , and that the plant may fortifie . during these four-years , observing to give them the severall dressings , as i have declared , your bed will fill , and your paths discharged of their mould , you may dig them up , and lay some rich dung underneath . you know that the plants of asparagus spring up and grow perpetually , and therefore when the mould of your alleyes is all spent upon the beds you must of necessity bring earth to supply them , laying it upon the bed in shape like the lid of a truncke otherwise they will remaine naked , and perish . cutting . when you cut your asparagus , remove a little of the earth from about them , lest you wound the others which are ready to peep , and then cut them as low as you can conveniently , but take heed that you do not offend those that lye hid , for so much will your detriment be , and it will stump your plant . such as you perceive to produce onely small ones , you shall spare that they may grow bigger , permitting those which spring up about the end of the season in every bed , to run to seede , and this will exceedingly repayr the hurt which you may have done to your plants in reaping their fruit . sect . iii. of cabbages and lettuce of all sorts . cabbage . there are so many severall sorts of cabbages , that you shall hardly resolve to have them all in your garden , for they would employ too great a part of your ground , and therefore it will be best to make choyce of such as are most agreable to your tast , and that are the most delicate and easiest to boyle , since the ground which produces them , & the water which boyles them , renders them either more or lesse excellent . seed . we have seede brought us out of italy , and we have some in france , those of italy are the coleflower , those of rome , verona , and milan , the bosse , the long cabbage , of genoa , the curled and others . in france we have the ordinary headed cabbage of severall sorts , and some that do not head at all , and therefore i think it necessary to treat here particularly of them all , as briefly as i can . coleflowers . i will begin with coleflowers as as the most precious : seed . they bring the seede to us out of italy , and the italians receive it from candia and other levantine parts , not but that we gather as good in italy and france also ; but it dos not produce so large a head , and is subject to degenerate into the bosse cabbages , and na●ets and therefore it were better to furnish one self out of the levant either by some friend , or other correspondent at rome : the linnen drapers and millaners of paris can give you the best directions in this affaire which traffick in those places , linnen , lace , and gloves . to discover the goodnesse of the seed ( which is the newest ) it ought to be of a lively colour , full of oyle , exactly round neither shrivled , small or dried , which are all indications of its age , but of a broun hue , not of a bright red which shews that it never ripened kindly upon the stalke . sowing . being thus provided with good seede , sow it as they do in italy or france . the italians sow it in cases and shallow tubes in the full moon of august ; it comes speedily up , and will be very strong before winter : when the frosts come remove them into your cellar , or garden-house , till the spring , and that the frosts are gone , and then transplant them into good mould ; thus you shall have white , very fair heads , and well conditioned before the great heats of sommer surprize them . the italians stay not so long , as till their heads have attained their utmost growth , but pull them up before , and lay them in the cellar , interring all their roots and stalks to the very head ; ranging them side by side and shelving , where they finish their heads , and will keep a long time ; whereas if they left them abroad in the ground , the heats would cause them run to seed . the french are satisfyed to have them by the end of autumn keeping them to eat in the winter : not but that ( being early raised ) they have some which head about iuly ; but the rest grow hard and tough by reason of the extream heat , and improve nothing for want of moysture , producing but small and trifling heads , and most commonly none at all . and therefore i counsel you to sowe but a few upon your first bed in the meloniere thinly , sowing them thinly in li●es , four fingers asunder , and covering them with the mould . two or three ridges shall abundantly suffice your store . towards the end of april , when your melons are off from their beds and transplanted , you may renew your sowing of coleflowers , ( as you were taught before ) these will head in autumn , and must be preserved from the frosts , to be spent during the winter . removing . you must stay before you remove them till the leaves are as large as the ralme of your hand , that they may be strong . pare away the tops of them , and earth them up to the very necks , that is , so deep that the top leaves appear not above three fingers out of the ground , or to be more intelligible , you shall interre them to the last and upmost knot ; moreover you must hollow little basins of about half a foot diameter , and four fingers deep at the foot of each stalk , that the moysture may passe directly to the root when you water them , it being unprofitably employed elsewhere . transplanting . the just distance in transplanting is three foot asunder ; two ranges are sufficient for each bed : but be careful to keep them weeded and dug as often as they require it , till the leaves cover the ground , and are able to choke the weeds that grow under them . if you make pits in the places where you remove them , aud bestow some good soil ( as i described in melons and cucumbers ) they will the better answer your expectations , for they will produce much fairer heads . cabbage . watring . all sorts of cabbages whatever they be , must be carefully watred at first , for a few dayes after their planting that they may take the better root , which you shall then perceive , when their leaves begin to erect , and flag no longer upon the ground . sowing . all kindes of cabbages are to be sown upon the melon bed , whilst the heat remains , that they may cheq and spring the sooner , sowe them therefore very thin in travers lines cross your melon bed . in april you shall sowe fresh upon the same bed and place where your melons and cucumbers stood . birds . now forasmuch as the birds are extreamly greedy to devour their seeds as soon as they peep , because they bear the husk of it upon the tops of their leaves ; i will teach you how you may preserve them . some spread a net over the beds , sustaining it half a foot above the surface : others stick little mills made of cards , ( such as children in play run against the winde with ) and some make them with thin chips of firre , such as the comfit makers boxes are made withall , tying to the tree or pole which bears it some feathers , or thing that continually trembles ; this will extremely affright the birds in the day time , and the mice in the night ; for the least breath of winde will set them a whirling , and prevent the mischief . wormes . there breeds besides in these beds a winged insect , and palmer worms , which gnaw your seeds and sprouts : to destroy these enemies , you should place some small vessels , as be●r glasses , and the like , sinking them about three fingers deeper then the surface of the bed , and filling them with water within two fingers of the brim , and in these they will fall and drown themselves as they make their subterranean passages . large sided cabbages . the large sided cabbages , shall not be sowne till may , because they are so tender , and if they be strong enough to be removed by the begining of iuly they will head in autumn : to my gusto there is no sort of cabbage comparable to them , for they are speedily boyled , and are so delicate , that the very grossest part of them melts in ones mouth : if you eat broth made of them , fasting , with but a little bread in it , they will gently loosen the belly , and besides , what ever quantity of them you eat , they will never offend you ; briefly , t is a sort of cabbage , that i can never sufficiently commend , that i may encourage you to furnish your garden with them rather then with many of the rest . vvhite cabbage . of the white headed cabbage , those which come out of flanders are the fairest and of these one of the heads produced in a rich mould hath weighed above fourty pounds . those of aubervilliers are very free , and a delicate meate . there is another sort of cabbage streaked with red veines , the stalk whereof is of a purple colour when you plant it , and they seem to me , the most naturall of all the rest , for they pome , close to the ground and shoot but few leaves before they are headed , growing so extreamly close , that they are almost flat at top . red cabbage . the red cabbage should likewise have a little place in your garden , for its use in certain diseases . pefumed cabbage . there is yet another sort of cabbage , that cast a strong musky perfume , but bear small heads , yet are to be prized for their excellent odor . the pale tender cabbages are not to be sown till august , that they may be removed a little before the winter , where they may grow and furnish you all the winter long , and especially during the greater frosts , which do but soften , mellow , and render them excellent meat . they plant also all those italian kindes , of which the * pancaliers are most in esteem , by reason of their perfum'd relish . planting . to plant all these sorts of cabbages , the ground deeply trenched and well dunged beneath ; you shall tread it out into beds of four foot large ; and within a foot of the margent , you shall make a small trench , four fingers in depth , and of half a foot large , angular at the bottome , like a plough-furrow new turned up : in this trench ( towards the evening of a fair day ) you shall make holes with a setting stick , and so plant your cabbages , sinking them to the neck of the very tenderest leaves ; having before pared off their tops . place them at a convenient distance , according to their bignesse and spreading ; then give them diligent waterings , which you shall pour into these furrowes only ; since it would be but superfluous to water the whole bed . a man may transplant them confusedly in whole quarters , especially the paler sort , for the frosts ; but it is neither so commodious as in beds for the ease of watring them , nor for the distinction of their species : be carefull to take away all the dead leaves of your cabbages , as well that they may looke handsomely , as to avoid the ill sents which proceed from their corruption , which breeds and invites the vermine , snaile , frogs and toads , and the like which greatly endamage the plants . seed . when their heads and pomes are formed , if you perceive any of them ready to run to seede , draw the plant half out of the ground , or tread down the stem , till the cabbage inclines to one side , this will much impead its seeding , and you may mark those cabbages to be first spent . for the seeds , reserve of your best cabbages , transplanting them in some warm place , free from the winter winds , during the greater frosts , and covering them with earthen pots , and warm soyl over the pots : but when the weather is mild , you may sometimes shew them the ayr , and reinvigorate them with the sun , being carefull to cover them again in the evening , least the frost surprise them . others you shall preserve in the house , hanging them up by their rootes about a fourtnight , that so all the water that lurks amongst the leaves may drop out , which would otherwise rot them . that season past bury them in ground half way the stalk , ranging them so neer as they may touch each other . for those which arive to no head you need only remove them , or leave them in the places where they stand , they will endure the winter well enough , and run to seed betimes . when the seed is ripe ( which you will know by the drinesse of the swads which will then open of themselves ) you shall gently pull up the plant , drawing it by the stalks , and lay them aslope at the foot of your hedges or walls to dry , and perfect their maturity : but it w●ll not be amisse to fasten them with some small twig of an ozyer , for fear the winde fling them down , and disperse a great deale of the seeds . season of sowing . in august you shall sowe cabbages to head , upon some bed by it self , there to passe the winter , as in a nursery , till the spring , when you must plant them forth in the manner i have already taught : and by this means you will have headed cabbages betimes , especially provided that you be careful in well ordering them . insects . there are several little animals which gnaw and indammage cabbages , as well whilst they are yet young and tender , as when they be arrived to bigger growth ; as a certain green hopping flie , snails , ants , the great flea , &c. the best expedient i finde to destroy these insects , is , the frequent watering , which chaces them away , or kills them : for during the great heats , you shall see your cabbages dwindle and pine away , every day importun'd by these animals . at the full of the moon every moneth , if the weather be fair , it is good to sowe your cabbages , that you may prevent the disorders , which these devourers bring upon them : and you may do it without expence , by sowing them upon the borders under your fruit trees , which you must frequently dig , and besides the waterings which you must bestow upon your young plants , will wonderfully improve your trees . there are a curious sort of cabbages , which bear many heads upon the same stalk , but they are not so delicate as the other . when yo● have cut off the heads of your cabbages , if you will not extirpate the trunk , they will produce small small sets , which the italians call broccoli , the french des broques , and are ordinarily eaten in lent in pease-pottage , and * intermesses at the best tables . letice . there are almost as many sorts of lettuce as there be of cabbages and therefore i have ranged them together in the same chapter . for such as harden and grow into heads we have the cabbage-lettuce and a sort that beares divers heads upon the same stalk . the cockle lettuce , the genoa , roman and the curled lettuce , which pome like succory . others that grow not so close , as a sort of curled lettuce and severall other species : others which must be bound to render them white , such as the oake-leafed , the royal and roman . sowing . lettuce may be sown all the year long , winter excepted : for from the time that you begin to sow them upon your first bed ( as i have describ'd it in the article of melons ) to the very end of october , you may raise them . transplanting . to make them pome and head like a cabbage , you shall need onely to transplant them , half a foot or little more distant , and this you may do upon the borders , under your hedges , trees , and palisades , without employing any other quarter of your garden . during the excessive heat of the year , it will be difficult to make them head , unlesse you water them plentifully , because the season prompts them to run to seed . those of genoa are to be preferred before all others , by reason of their bignesse , and for that they will endure the winter above ground , being transplanted ; or you may make use of them in pottage , and for that they furnish you with heads from the very end of april . for such as do not come to head at all you need only sow them , and as they spring , to thin them ( that is extirpate the supperfluous ) that those which remain may have sufficient soope to spread : some transplant them , but it is lost labour , the plant being so easily raised . roman lettuce . heading . the lettice-royall would be removed at a foot or more distance , and when you perceive that the plants have covered all the ground then in some fair day , and when the morning dew is vanish't you shall tie them in two or three several places one above another , which you may do with any long straw , or raw-hemp , and this at severall times , viz. not promiseuously , as they stand , but choosing the fairest plants first to give roome and ayr to the more feeble , and by this means they will last you the longer : the first being blanched , and ready , before the other are fit to bind . blanching . if you would blanch them with more expedition , you shall cover every plant with a small earthen pot fashioned like a gold-smiths crusible , and then lay some hot soyl upon them ; and thus they will quickly become white . seed . lettuce-seed is very easily gathered , because the great heats cause it to spring sooner up then one would have it , especially the earliest sowne . pull them therefore up as soone as you perceive that above halfe of their flowers are past , and lay them a ripening against your hedges , and in ten or twelve dayes they will be drie enough to rub out their seed betwixt your hands , which being clensed from the husks and ordure , preserve , each kind by it selfe . sect . iv. of roots . roots . parsenp . the red beet , or roman parsnep , as the greatest , shall have the preheminence in this chapter . they should be placed in excellent ground , well soyl'd and trenched , that they may produce long and fair roots , not forked ; for if they do not encounter a bottom to their liking , they spread indeed at head , but have always a hole in the middle , which being very profound , renders them tough and full of fibers to the great detriment of their colour , which makes them despised . and therefore , if , to avoid the expence , you do not trench your garden , you must of necessity bestow two diggings one upon another , as i shall here teach you , a diminutive only of trenching . you must dig a furrow all the length of your bed , a full foot deep , and two foot large , casting the earth all at one side , then dig another course in the same trench , as deep as possible you can , without casting out the mould : afterwards fling in excellent dung , fat and rich , which must lye about four fingers thick ; and for this the soyl of cows and sheep , newly made after fothering time is past , is the best . when this is done , dig a second trench , casting the first mould upon this compost , and lay dung upon that likewise ; then dig the next , and cast soyl upon that , as you did upon the first , and so continue this till you have trenched the whole bed. your last furrow will be but a single depth , for which you may consider of three expedients , and take that which best pleases you , and which will cost you least to fill ; or else you may fetch the earth which you took out of the first trench , and fill it up even , setting your level on , or leaving it void to cast your weeds into , where they will consume and become good soyl reserving so much earth as will serve to make the area of the bed even , at every dressing which you give it . this manner of good husbandry is what i would have described before in the first section of the former treatise , when i spake of trenching the ground , when i promised to shew how you should better and improve your garden at lesse charge , and this i esteem sufficient for the raising of all sorts of pot herbs and pulse . ●owing . the winter intirely past you shall sow your red beets either upon beds , making holes with the setting stick fourteen or fifteen inches asunder , and dropping seeds into every hole , or confusedly , to be transplanted , those which are not transplanted be subject to grow forked , but those which you thus remove , grow ordinarily longer and fairer , because you will be sure to choose the likeliest plants . removing . in removing the plants you shall practise the same rule that i shewed in cabbages , excepting only , that you cut not off the tops . housing . a little before the frosts you shall draw them out of the ground , and lay them in the house , burying their rootes in the sand to the neck of the plant , and ranging them one by another somewhat shelving and thus another bed of sand , and another of beets , continuing this order to the last . after this manner they will keep very fresh , spending them as you have occasion , and as they stand , and not drawing any of them out of the middle or sides for choyce . seed . for the seed you shall reserve of the best and fairest roots , which you shall bury as you did the rest , to replant in the spring , in some voyd place neer the borders of your fruit-hedges ; because there you may stop its growth , which the windes would overthrow by reason of its overlopping , and poize ; unlesse it be sustained : except that you had rather place them in some bed , where you must support them with strong stakes for the purpose . the grain ripe , pull up the plan●s , and tye them to your pole-hedg , that they may dry and ripen with the more facility : then rub it out gently 'twixt your hands , and be sure to dry it well to preserve it from becoming musty . carrots . carrots and parsneps are to be governed like beets ; but are much more hardy , and easily endure the winter without prejudice , till the spring , when they run up to seed , and are then not to be eaten : and therefore you shall draw your provisions in the winter , and preserve them for your spending , as you did the beets . season . there are carrots of three colours , yellow , white , and red . the first of these is the most delicate , for the pot , or inter-mess : if you would have those that be very tender in may ( as the picards and those of amiens have them , who put them in their pottage instead of hearbs ) you must soyl the ground , and prepare it by good dressing before summer . in august you shall sowe at the decrease of the moon : they will spring before winter , and when you cleanse them from weeds , you must thin them where you finde they grow confusedly , since you need not transplant them as you do your beets . seed . for the seed , chuse the very prime and longest roots ; lay them all winter in the cellar , and set them in the ground again at the spring as you do beets , that they may run to seed : and in case you leave any in the grou●d , they will easily passe the winter without rotting , and come to seed in their season : but it is best to draw them out , as i said , that you may cull the best for propagation ; a rule to be well observed in all sorts of plants , if you be ambitious to have the best . salsifix . garden salsifix is of two sorts , the common is of a violet colour , the other is yellow : this is the salsifix of spain which they call scorsonera , they are different as well in leaf , as in flower : for the violet have their leaf like the small five rib'd plantine , and those of the yellow are much larger . it is but very lately that we have had this scorsonera in france ; and i think my self to be one of the first : 't is a plant aboundantly more delicious then the common salsifix , and has preheminence above all other . roots , that it does not lye in the ground as other roots which become stringy and endure but a year : leave these as long as you please in the earth , they will dayly grow bigger , and are fit to eat at all seasons ; though it yearly run up to seed . dressing . 't is good to scrape off the brown crusty part of the rinde ( from whence they derive their name scorfonera ) and to let them soak a while in fair water before you boyl them ; because they cast forth a little bitternesse , which they will else retain , and that the common salsifix is free of ; which being simply washed , are boyled , and the skin peeled off afterward . season . there are two seasons of sowing ; in the spring , and when the flower is past ; letting the seed flye away : for the more uniformity they are sown in lines upon beds ; four rankes on a bed : when they blowe you must raile about your bed with stakes and poles like a pole hedg , for fear the wind breake their stalks and fling them downe , to the great prejudice of your seed . but the common salsifix does flower before the spanish . seed . to gather the seed , you must be sure to visit your salsifix four or five times a day , for it will vanish and flie away like the down or gossemeere , of dandelyon , and therefore you must be watchfull , to gather all the beards , and taking them with the tops of your fingers , pluck out the seed ( as soon as ever you perceive their heads to grow downy ) which you shall put into some earthen pot ( which must stand ready , neer the bed , that you may not be troubled to carry it in and out so often ) covering it with a tyle , to keep out the raine , &c. radishes . there are three sorts of radishes . the horse-radish , the black-radish and the small ordinary eating radish . horse-radishes . the horse-radish is a grosse kinde of food , very common in limoges amongst the poorer people , who diversly accommodate them , by boyling , frying , and eating them with oyle , having first cut them in slices and soaked them in water to take away their rankness : you may sowe them all ialy even to three lines , that in case the first crops do not prosper , the other may . they affect a sandy ground well soyled , and turned up two or three times , and so they will come very fair , there are some that are as big as a twopeny loafe : you must draw them out of the ground before the frosts , and conserve them in a warme place , as you do your turneps . seed . for their seed you need only leave the fairest in the ground which will passe the winter well enough and produce you their seed in their season ▪ but the most certain way is to transplant some of the biggest as soon as the hard frosts are past . the black radish is little worth , but they are raised as the smaller are . small raddish . sowing . the small radish or little rabbon , may be sown at every decrease of the moon , from the time you begin your hot melon-bed , to the very end of october . they are several wayes ordered : for if you desire them very fair , transparent , clean and long , you must when you sowe your melons in some part of the bed , ( whilst it yet remains warm ) make holes as deep as your finger , three inches distant from each other . in every of these holes drop in two radish seeds , and covering them with a little sand leave the rest of the hole open : thus they will grow to the whole length of your finger higher then otherwise they would have done , and not put forth any leaves till after they are come up above the level of the bed. when your melons are transplanted , you may sowe them upon their bed , and in other open ground , by even lines . seed . let the first sown run to seed , and gather them when you first perceive their swads below to open and shead : then lay them to ripen and drie along your hedges , as i instructed you before . the best seed which we have comes from the gardens about amiens ; where amongst their low grounds they raise that which is excellent . at their first coming up , they appear like the wilde : but after the fourth or sixth leaf they grow very lusty , provided they be well watered . turneps . there are several sorts of turneps which i shall not particularize ; i shall onely affirme that the lesser are the best , and most agreeable to the tast , the other being soft , flashy , and insipid . season . you may sowe them at two seasons ; at spring , and in the beginning of august . all the difficulty is in taking the right time , for if the weather prove wet , the seed will burst , and not sprout at all : if too dry it will not come up , and therefore , if you perceive your first season to faile , you shall give them a second digging or howing , and sowe anew . vermine . so soon as they come up and have two or four leaves , if the weather be very dry , the ticquet , or winged wormes , and the flea , will fall upon them and devoure them , and all your paines : therefore ( as i said ) if you see your first to have failed , you must begin again . to be excellent , they must not remain above six-weekes in the ground , least they become worm-eaten , withered , ill meat , and full of strings . housing . house●hem ●hem in winter in your cellar , or some other place where they may be exempt from the frost , and without any other trouble , save laying them in heaps , or bunches . seed . for the seed reserve the biggest , longest , and brightest roots , which you shal plant in the ground at spring , and draw forth again when you perceive the pods to open ; then set them a drying , and afterwards rub out the seed upon a sheet , expos'd the remainder of the day to the sun to exhaust their moysture ; then , having well cleansed it , reserve it in some temperate place . parsly . we will range parsly also among the roots , though its leafe be the most in esteem , and used in severall dishes , serving oftentimes instead of pepper and spice . season . when the frosts are past , you shal sowe the greater and lesser sort of parsly , the pennach't , and the curled , in ground deeply dug , and well ●oyled that it may produce long and goodly roots . sow your seed upon your beds in each four lines , the mould made very fine and well raked : you may sow leeks over them , chopping them gently in with the rake only : when all is clear , cover the whole bed about two fingers thick with some dung of the old bed as wel to amend the ground , as to preserve the seeds from being beaten out with the raine , your watring , and from bursting . dressing . now ●ince parsly-seed lyes a moneth in the ground , before it comes up , the leeks will have time enough to spring and be sufficiently strong to be removed , and when you pull them up for this purpose , it will serve as a second dressing and weeding to your parsly , and when by this means they are grown , you may thin them where you perceive the plants come up too thick , which will very much improve them . you may cut the leaves when ever you have need , without the least detriment to the plant . rootes . leave the roots in the ground for your use , because they daily grow bigger and that even all the winter long , however you 'l do well to take as many up as you conceive you may need , least when the earth is hard frozen , you can procure none in case of necessity . seed . for the seed , let one end of your bed stand unpulled up till it is all ripe , which you must set a drying , as you did the others . skirret . the skirret comes of seed and of plants , but the best and fairest of plants ; and of these , those which they bring from troyes in champagne are most esteemed . to plant them , you must in spring ( the ground well dug , and dressed ) make four small rills on each bed , two fingers deep , then make holes with the dibber at half inch distance setting in every hole two or three young slips , which you may take from the old plants , being carefull to water them at the beginning . spending . draw them out of the ground according as you spend them , the rest which you leave will grow bigger and in their season produce their ●eed . rampions rampions , though it be a plant very agreeable to the tast , and which they have severall wayes of dressing : yet i will not spend time in teaching you how to order them , since they grow wild in sufficient quantity , and are not worth the trouble ofr●aising . jerusalem artichocks ierusalem artichocks are round roots which come all in knots and are eaten in lent like the bottomes of other artichocks : they need no great ordering , and if they be planted in good ground they will flowrish exceedingly . seed . they are raised of seed , and planted in roots , bearing flowers , like a small heliotrope , in which there growes a world of seed . danger . the physitians say that the use of them is prejudiciall to the health and that they are therefore to be banished from good tables sect . v. of all sorts of pot-hearbs . pot-herbs . beet-leeks we will begin with the white beet or leeks as being the greatest of all the pot-hearbs , and of which there is more spent then of any of the rest . the white beet or beet-card ( for so some will call it in imitation of the picards , who really merit the honour to be esteemd the best and most curious gardiners for herbs , before any other of all the provinces of france : be it that the●r soyle and climate produce more , or that they are more industrious . their hearbs are a great deal more fair and large , then in other places . season . i have seen of those amongst them that have been of eight inches circumference , or little lesse , and in length proportionable to their thickness ) is to be sown at spring when the frosts are quite gone . transplanting . you may make use of your hedge-borders for this purpose , and when they come to have six leaves , you shall transplant them in ground that has been deeply trenched the autumn before , and lain mellowing all the winter . before you remove them , soyl the ground very well , and then giving it another digging , turn the dung into the bottom , then taking them out of your nursery beds , cut off their tops and transplant them in quarters , two ranges in a bed ; and a yard distant , making a small trench or line , as i shewed before , concerning removing of cabbages , which i forbear to repeat to avoid prolixity . if you would have them abound in fair cards , you must keep them well hou'd , weeded , and watred when you perceive they need it . gathering . you must not cut them when you gather , but pull them off from the plant , drawing them a little aside , and so you shall not injure the stalk , but rather improve those which remain : a little time will repair its loss . plant not those for cards which you shall finde green , for they degenerate . sowing . you may sowe them all the summer , that you may have for the pot , and to farce such as are tender : also at the end of august , which you may let stand all the winter as a nursery , and transplant at spring , which will furnish you with leeks very early . red beets . there is a red beet if you desire to have of them , for curiosity rather then for use , because they produce but small cards , which being boyled , lose much of their tincture , becoming pale , which renders them lesse agreeable to the palat , and to the eye , then the white . seed . for the seed , leave growing of the whitest and largest , without cropping any of their leaves , which you shall support with a good stake , lest its weight overthrow it , to the prejudice of the seeds which would then rot in lieu of ripening . two plants are sufficient to store you amply , which you shall pull up in fair weather ( when , by the yellownesse of the colour you shall judge it to be ripe ) and lay a drying , afterwards rub out the seeds with your hands upon some cloth , and cleansing it from the husks , give it a second drying , lest it become musty ; for being of a spongy substance , as the red beets are , it will continue a long time moyst . orache . there is another sort of beets , which is called oracke , very agreeable to the taste , it is excellent in pottage , and carryes its own butter in it self : it is raised as the former is , excepting only that you may plant it neerer , and needs no transplanting , 't is sufficient that it be weeded , and houed when there is cause . succory . there are several kindes of garden succories , different in leaf and bigness● , but resembling in taste , and which are to be ordered alike . season . sow it in the spring upon the borders , & when it has leaves replant it in rich ground about inches distance , paring them at the tops . when they are grown so large as to cover the ground , tye them up , as i instructed you before , where i treated of rom ▪ lettuce , not to bind them up by handfuls as they grow promiscuously , but the strongest & forwardest at first , letting the other fortifie . i remit you thitherto avo●d repetition . it is in the second section , art. lettuce , where you will also finde the manner of whiting it under earthen pots . blanching . there is yet another fashion of blanching it . in the great heats , when instead of heading you perceive it would run to seed , hollow the earth at one side of the plant , and couch it down without violating any of the leaves , and so cover it , leaving out only the tops and extremity of the leaves , and thus it will become white in a little time , and be hindred from running to seed . those who are very curious bind the leaves gently before they interre them , to keep out the grit from entring between them , which is very troublesome to wash out , when you would dresse it . remember to couch them all at one side , one upon another , as they grew being planted , beginning with that which is neerest the end of the bed , and continuing to lay them , the second upon the first , and the third upon the second , till you have finished all the ranges . i finde likewise two other manners of blanching them for the wint●r ; the first is at the first frosts , that you ●ye them after the ordinary way , and then at the end of eight or ten dayes , plucking them up , couch them in the bed , where you raised them from seeds , making a small trench cross the bed the height of your plant , which will be about eight inches , beginning at one end . in this you shall range your plants side by side , so as they may gently touch , and a little shelving : this done , cover them with small rotten dung of the same bed : then make another furrow for a second range , in which order lay your plants as before , continuing this order til you have finish'd , and last of all cover the whole bed four fingers thick , with hot soyl fresh drawn out of the stable ; and in a short time they will be blanched . if you will afterwards cover the bed with some mats placed a●lant , like the ridge of a house to preserve them from the rain , they will last a very long time without rotting . when you would have any of them for use , begin at the last which you buried , and , taking them as they come , draw them out of the range , and break off what you finde rotten upon the place , or that which has contracted any blacknesse from the dung , before you put it into your basket for the kitchen . housing . a second manner of preserving it , is , to interre it , as before , in furrows of sand in the cellar , placing the root upmost , lest the sand run in between the leaves , and you finde it in the dish when they serve it . you need not here bestow any dung upon them , it is sufficient that the sand cover the plant four fingers high , and when you take it out for use , before you dresse it , shake it well the root upmost , that all the sand may fall out from the leaves . take them likewise as they happen to lye in the ranges . there is a kinde of succory , which hardens of it self without binding ; which is a small sort , but very much prized for its excellence . seed . for the seed , leave of the fairest plants growing , and particularly such as you perceive would whiten of themselves , and head without tying . let it well mature , though it a little over ripen : since it is not subject to scatter and fall out as many others are . on the contrary , when being exceedingly dryed , you shall lay it upon the barn-floor , you shall have much adoe , to fetch out the seeds from the heads , though you thrash it with a flail . endive . of endive or wilde succory , some of it bears a blew flower , others a white , it is to be governed like the garden , but with lesse difficulty ; for you need only sowe it in a small rill , weeding , houing , and thinning it in due season . blanching . housing . to blanch it , cover it only with reasonable warm dung , and drawing it out at the first appearance of frost , keep it under sand in your cellar , as you do other roots : but first , it ought to be almost white of it self : the root is very much esteemed , which has made me dubious whether i should not have placed it amongst them , but i concluded it most properly reserved with the curled succory in respect of their conformity , as well in growing , as in producing its seeds . sorre●l . of sorrel we have very many kindes , the great , the lazy , &c. for as much as one leaf is sufficient for pottage , being so prodigiously large , that they have some leaves seven inches broad and fifteen or eighteen long : it is a sort which has been transported out of the low-countryes , and i have had of the first . a second kinde is another large sorrel resembling patience . a third produces no seed , but is propagated from the small side-leaves , which it shoots when it begins to spread in the ground . a fourth is the small sorrel which we have had so long in use . a fift is the round-leaved sorrel , large , and small , which also does not seed , but is to be raised of the little strings with which it o'respreads the ground , and by little tendrels which grow about the plant , and which you may take up in tuffts to furnish your beds withall . a sixt is the wild sorrel , frequently found upon the up-lands and therefore not worth the paines to plant in gardens . lastly , there is a seventh sort , which bears a small traingular leafe called alleluja , it is very delicate and agreeable by reason of its acidity , like the other sorrel for tast , but excellent in pottage , farces and sallades , as being endowed with the same qualities and rellish of the other sorrels . soweing . you may sow all those sorts , which produce seed , after the frosts , in narrow rills , four in a bed , but be diligent to weed it , lest it be overgrown ; when it is a little strong thin it a little , that it may the better prosper , and if you please , you may furnish other beds with what you take away . transplanting but it is the best way if you would transplant it , it , to gather of the strongest , and at the beginning of autumn or spring make borders a part : they doe well either way , continue long in perfection , even till ten or twelve years . but then it will be fit to remove it , because the ground will be weary of being alwayes burthened with the same plant , and delights in diversity : besides the rootes crowding and pressing one another , cannot finde sufficient substance to nourish and entertain them . dressing ▪ they must be dug at least thrice a year , which should be at the entry of the hard frosts , you must shake some melon bed dung upon them : the soyl of poultry is excellent and makes it wonderfully flourish . at this second digging , you shall extirpate what ever you finde grow scatring out of range by the sheading of seed , and geuld them also about , cutting off all the leaves and stalks neer the ground , before you cover them with the dung . seed . the seed is easily gatherd from such as bear it , for it runs up at midd-summer , and when you see it ripe , cut off the stalkes close to ground , afterwards being dryed , it soon quits the pouches , cleanse it well and preserve it for use . patience . patience must be ordered like sorrel : the plant is not so delicious to the palate , however one would have a bed of it , that your garden may be compleat . borrage . the vertues of borrage recommends it to your garden , though it impaire the colour of your pottage , darkning it a little the flowers of it are a very agreeable service , to garnish the meate , pottages , sallades , and other dishes ; since by reason of their sweetnesse , they may be eaten without any disgust . soweing . it is to be sow●e in the spring , like other herbs , and may be left in the ground : their hardy ro●ts supporting the hardest frosts , sprouting a fresh in the spring : the gardiners of paris pull up the whole plant , and sowe it many times in the year , to have it alwayes tender . for the ordering of it , it is sufficient that it be gently houed and weeded . seed . for the seed , let the fairest plants run , and when they are full ripe on the stalke , gather and save it . buglosse . buglosse is to be govern'd like borrage , and therefore i will spend no more time upon it . chervill . chervill , besides what i told you before , that you should sowe it upon beds to compose swaller salades at the end of winter ; it will be good to sowe new from moneth to moneth ( though it be but little ) that you may still have it fresh and more tender , then that which is old sowne . the borders of your wall-fruit and hedges may serve for this effect , forasmuch as it cannot prejudice your trees , being so small , and requiring so little substance for its growth , and the small time of its sojourne in a place . seed . you shall let one end of your bed run to graine , which will amply suffice to furnish you , let it ripen well upon the stalke then pull it up or cut it , and dry it perfectly before you reserve it , there is another sort of spanish chervill which is called mirrhis odorata whose leafe much resembles hemlock : but very agreeable to the tast , having a perfume like the green anis , and much pleasanter being a little chewed . at the spring , when it makes a shoot from its old stalke , they cover it with small dung , and then with hot soyl over to choke it , that it may be fit for salads ; it is infinitely to be preferred before allisanders , or the sceleri of italy . sowing . you shall sowe it in spring in some place by it self , and till it be come up do nothing to it , besides cleansing it of weeds as they spring up , it being some times a whole year under ground . seed . the seed you shall gather in its season , and order it as you do the rest . allisanders . allisanders are to be ordered as i now shewed you in spanish chervill , only the seed of it does not ly so long hid , and that it is not to be eaten till it be buryed under the dung , or covered with pots like succory . sceleri . italian sceleri shall be treated after the same manner : the shoot or stalke is that which is the most excellent in the plant , because it is so delicate and tender . soweing . these three last plants , are not to be sowne every year , but preserve themselves in the ground during winter without prejudice . purslaine . of purslaines i finde four sorts , the greene , and white , and the golden lately brought us from the ilands of st. christopher , which is the most delicate of all the rest ; and lastly the small wild purslain ▪ which the ground spontaneously produces and is therefore least esteemed . soweing . it is to be sowne at spring upon the bed , and all summer long , to have alwayes that which is tender , bur first you must dig the earth well , and throughly dresse it : sprinkle your seed as thin as you can , which is the more difficult to do , because the grain is so exceeding smal , and when it is sowne , you shall cover it no otherwise , then by clapping the bed with the back of your spade . this done , water it immediately , that you make no holes in the bed , thus it will come up speedily , provided that you ply it with refreshments at the beginning . transplanting . to be master of excellent seed you must transplant it , and thus you will produce goodly stalks● to pickle , and serve to put in your winter salads , and in pottage . seed . you shall perceive the graine to be ripe , when it lookes very black , and then you shall pull up the plant , and lay it upon a sheet to wither , and dry in the sun : but at night carry it in the same sheet into the house , and the next day expose it again , continuing so to do till it be all perfectly ripe , then rub it 'twixt your hands , and poure it into another sheet to dry throughly before you box it up . you shall set your plants a drying again for some dayes after , and they will furnish you with more seed which could not be gotten out the first time . you shall finde that new seed is nothing so good to sowe as that which is two , three , or four years old . spinach . of spinach there are three sorts : the large which has not the leafe so pointed and prickly as the smaller , and the pale , which makes up the third . soweing . season . it would be sowne in the beginning of autumn , that it may gather some streugth before winter . if you perceive that it springs too fast , you may cut for pottage , and to make tarts , it will be a great deall tenderer then in lent when it is chiefly eaten . the manner of soweing of it is on beds in small rills four lines in a bed . when it is up keep it neatly weeded , and extirpate all such stragling plants as you shall find out of their files . seed . reserve a corner of your bed for the seed , cutting off al the rest as you have occasion . at lent pull up the plant quite for the use of the kitchin , cutting away only the roots . the seed is of two sorts , the prickly , and the smooth and round which produces the pale coloured and most delicate . sect . vi. of beanes , peas , and other ▪ pulse . beanes . there are three sorts of great beanes . those which we call at paris , marsh-beans , which grow very large , flat , and of a pale colour : of others there are many lesser kinds like the first but a little rounder . and some there are lesse yet than these , and wholly different from the first , being almost exactly round , of a gray , or a little reddish-coulour . and these are such as they give to horses , and which they grind for divers purposes . i shall here only treate how the great ones are to be ordered , leaving the small as of small consequence , and shall shew you how different mens opinions are for the time and manner of soweing them , sowing . some sowe them about advent , and hold that they shall have of the first ready to eat : others stay till candlemasse , and some will have the frosts first past : every man hath his particular reasons , because say they , the flea devoures their tops when they are in flower . for my own particular ( who alwayes love to be sure ) i stay till after the frosts are past , and i build my reason upon this ; that the season is all in all : not that i would disswade any from soweing in advent , or in february , but i would advise you to be sparing , and to reserve the greatest quantity for the spring , since it being necessary to sowe them in the best ground , and the lowest you have , it would be scarce fit to dig at those two seasons , being more retentive of water then the lighter grounds , choyce . before you sowe them , make choice of the most healthy and best condition'd ; then steep them a day or two in water wherein dung has been imbibed , this will cause them to flourish exceedingly , and advance their growth above ten or twelve dayes , and besides they 'l not remain● so long in the earth before they come up , will greatly prevent the danger of wormes , and , being throughly soaked in the foresayd liquor , will participate of its good quality , which is to make them produce great abundance . ground . for their soweing , the ground ought to be dug and prepared before winter , and cleansed of weeds , then with the houe make a furrow , upon the side whereof , ( and not at the bottome ) drop your beans a little above halfe a foot asunder , then open another trench , and with the earth which comes out of that , cover your first , then a third , placing your beans as on the first and so continuing every second furrow to drop the beans : be careful to make your trenches as direct as you can , that you may the better houe , weed , and crop them , without breaking their stalks , when you pass between them . there are others , who after they have well dug and dressed their ground , tread it out into quarters , and plant their beans with a dibber ; but i most of all affect the first , because it makes the ground looser about them . houing . whilst they are growing , and that the weeds are ready to choke them , you shall houe and cleanse them carefully , without doing them any harm ; and when they are pretty strong , you shall observe that the flies and gnats will even cover the tops of their spindles , lighting upon the tenderest part of them , which with your knife you may crop off , and so carry away both the tops and the insects , casting your cuttings into a bushel , and afterward burn them , or bury them in your dunghil pit , or in some other place distant from your beans , lest they return back again . gathering . some of these beds you must destine to be eaten young and green , and not gather the pods amongst the whole crop ; and when you have quite plundered a plant , cut the stalk close to the ground , that it may shoot up another , which will produce its fruit in the latter season . seed . for seed , let them drie upon the stalks , till both the pods and they are grown black ; then in the heat of day pull them up , and thrash them out gently with a flail , fanning them out at your leasure . hame . burn not the hame which they afford , though it makes excellent ashes , but cast it amongst your soyl , and let it rot there , for it will greatly improve it : nay if you would make your ground exceeding rich , sowe beans in it , and when they begin to lose their blossoms , dig them in all together , earth and beans , without minding your losse , for this sort of soyl is a wonderful improvement of your land . there are a great kinde of beans , which are of a red-brown colour : but they are nothing so delicious as the pale . haricots . the small haricot or kidney beans are of two sorts , white , and coloured , amongst which there are also some white , but they are lesse and rounder then the great white ones . sowing . to commence with the great , you shall sowe them in some bed apart , four ranges in a bed , that you may the more commodiously stick them , then if they were sown confusedly : some of these also you shall destine to be eaten green , leaving the rest till they are dryer , and for seed . when you gather them be careful not to break their stalks , that they may bear till it be withered to the very root . painted . beanes . the painted and coloured beans , which are a lesser sort , are commonly sown in the open ground , newly dug and raked over , without any further care then what you take of such seeds as are sown abroad in the fields , unlesse it be , that , eight or ten dayes after they are come up , you houe them a little , and then touch them no more till they shoot forth their strings , ( which is about the beginning of iuly ) which you must cut off , that the pods may the better prosper , which are below the stalks , and to prevent , that in catching one to another ( by over branching ) they be not thrown down , and so perish those which grow beneath , instead of ripening them . soyle . this kinde of bean doth not require so strong a mould as the marsh beans do , but rather a sandy . sowing . they would be sown at the beginning of may , and pulled up as the plants drie , threshing them forth as i spake before of marsh-beanes : for if you gather them greener , you will be much troubled to finde a convenient place to drie them , they being so cumbersome , if you have plenty . white . streaked . bean●s . as for the white which are riced , seeing they clime to the very top of the boughs , and continue long bearing , you shall do well to gather those pods which , you finde drie , since they doe not ripen together , and to prevent two inconveniences , the first whereof is , that being past their maturity , the pod will open of it self in the heat of the day , and so lose out their beanes , and the second that in case there fall any considerable raines , the skin of the pods being over soaked , will cleave to the beanes with a certain inseparable glue which it produces , indamaging the beanes by a musty finnow which bespots them , and makes them very ill-●avoured to the sight , and worse to the taste : and besides you will be constrained to shail them out by hand to the great losse of time . you should separate and draw out all such as you finde black , mixed with black and white , forasmuch as they also become black , and in boyling darken and tinge the liquor . red bean● but the red are to be esteemed above all the rest , because of their delicatenesse , much surpassing the white , though they are most accounted of at paris . peas . of pease there are found several species very much different , viz. the hot-spurs or hasties , the dwarf , the great white pease , the black-ey'd pease , great and small green , the crown'd pease : and those without skins of two sorts , the cic●es with , and without skins , monethly pease , the grey pease , and the lupines . of all which i think it not amisse to particularise in brief , their maner of ordering , though there be no great difficulty in the plant , yet for your better instruction . soweing . there are three manners of soweing peas . in beds or quarters making four or five ranges in each . according to the kinds which you will sowe : in heaps or clusters , and in confusion . hot-spurrs hot-spurrs and hasties , would be sowne from candlemas or a little after the great frosts . soyl. sandy ground is that which they most delight in to come early and if the place be something high and lie expos'd to the south-sun , it will exceedingly advance them , of which we have the experience about charenton and st. maur neer paris , from whence we have them very early , and all the secret is , in often houing them which doth wonderfully advance them . soweing . if you sow them in furrows and lines you will finde it very commodious when you come to dresse them , because you will finde room enough to stand and come at them between the files , without indamaging the shoots , and when they are growe to range them one upon another for the more convenient houing them , which should be often reterated , and gather the cods with more ●ase when they are ripe without hurting the plants . setting . if you sowe them in heapes , plant them with the setting-stick , or dibber , a full foot distance , and put six or eight peas in every hole , they will come up and grow without cumbring the ground , if you have the leasure to hou and dresse them sufficiently . as for those which you sowe confusedly upon the ground newly dug , or in furrows after the plough , they will not require so much attendance , because they spread and display themselves on both sides , and cannot be hou'd above once , without great hazard of spoyling many of them with your feet . great pease . bushing . all sorts of great pease ( as the white , green , crown'd , those without skin , and the cich●s ) would be sown in quarters , and small rills , four ranges in a bed , for the more commodious bushing them in two ranks , every rank serving to support two of pease , and the greater kinde your pease are of , the stronger and higher must your bushes be ; because they climb to the very top , producing cods at every joynt ; especially the greater kinde of those without skins , whose cods grow eared , and are very weighty , shooting their braches at every joynt from the foot , every of which doth oftentimes bear as many cods , as the master stalk of the others . this is a sort of pease which you ought much to esteem for its deliciousnesse , and they may be eaten green with as much pleasure as radishes . these are called holland pease , and were not long since a great rarity . mould . if you would have very fair pease , you must sowe them in rich mould , and geld them when they are grown about four foot high : but the mischief is , that being sown in a strong ground , they do not boyl so well as those which are produced in a light sandy , which is the only proper ground which they require to b●rightly condition'd . distance . you must not set your quarter of pease so bushed as that they may intertwine and intangle each other ; but leave a void bed betwixt two , to give ayr to your plants , lest otherwise they suffocate , and rot at the bottom . beds . you may employ these interposed beds by sowing any other sort of roots heretofore described , and which will wonderfully thrive by reason of the refreshment which they will receive from the shade of the higher peas . gray peas you shall also set a part some particular beds to be eaten green , and cause the cods to be gatherd by some carefull person , who may have the patience to take them off handsomly , or else cut them from their stalks without injuring them , that thus relieving the plant from all it affords they may the longer continue . small peas . for the smaller sort of peas ( as the white , green , gray , hasties , dwarf ; and black-ey'd ) you may sowe them after the plough in open field , for since they do not branch much , they never choak . soweing . they may be sown in two fashions , either in ground newly dug and which has one dressing before wet winter : or under furrow that is , to say by sowing them upon the field , before you plough , and then in making the furrows the peas slide in , and are coverd with earth by the culter . pidgeons . this kind of husbandry is practised for two respects , the one to lodg them coldly when the earth is too light , and the other to preserve them from the pigeons , for those which are onely harrow'd in upon the superficies , they scrape out like poultry , and so devour the greatest part of your seed . houing . there is also another method of soweing peas , in use amongst those of picardy : they have a kind of flat ●hou , like those which the vignerons use about paris , where the vines grow in a pale moyst soyl , or in a sandy . this instrument is very like their hou's , when they have done with them being too much worn at the sides , these they round to a point in the middle , or to make it more intelligible , they do very much resemble the culter of a plough , and use it after the same fashion as they plow the furrows , that is , without ridges or pathes , save only upon the lands where it is divided 'twixt neighbour and neighbour . with these , upon newly dug ground , cleansed of weeds and well dress'd , they make a rill or tr●nch , going backward and drawing the earth which separates it self on both sides : and in these furrows they sowe their pease at a reasonable distance and then beginning a second rill , the houe covers that which was sown before . and so the third the second , till they have finish'd the whole plot. this manner of husbandry is very expedite , and commodious for their cleansing , without danger of treading upon them when they are grown . in this manner they sowe like-wise all sorts of beans , radishes , sorrel , leeks , and divers other hearbs , some deeper then other , according to the nature and strength of the seed . mo●ethly peas . monethly pease ( so called because they last almost the whole year , continually flourishing ) must be sown in some place of your garden well defended from the cold win●les , that you may have fruit betimes . c●●ting . they need no other curiosity about ordering then other pease , only that they would be speed●ly cut being green , leaving none of them to drie ; and as you perceive that any thing springs from them of which you have no hope it should produce cods , to cut it off . wat●ing . you must have a great care to water them , especially during august , and to shelter them with pannels of reeds or mattresses during the excessive heats , to preserve them from the scorching sun. lupines . lupins or taulpins ( so called because the mole flyes the place where they are sowen ) are a flat kinde of pease , round like a bruised pistol bullet . slave-peas . in the gallyes they call them slave-peas , because they are their chief sustenance : they are bitter of tast , and must be a long time soaked before they be boyled . they proceed from pods fastned to the stalk like beanes , and are very full . in spain they sowe whole fields of them for their cattell . soweing . they must be sown in furrows four fingers distant , and four files in a bed and will prosper well enough in ordinary ground . lentills lentils should be sown at the same season as peas in ground newly dug , but if it were prepared the winter before , they will be a great deal fairer . mould . they affect sandy mould , and are to be gathered being ripe , and may be bound in swaths : thus you may leave them in the barns as long as you please unthrashed , because they are not so obnoxious to the mice not to be worme-eaten as other peas which are continually gnawn as long as they remain in their cods , thrashing and therefore they must be thrashed out as soon as possible you can , for which reason some bringing them out of the field in a fair day , thrash them in the very street upon some spacious place expos'd to the sun , which dos much contribute to their loosning : housing . for there is a great deal of trouble in housing them and besides they will sweat as many other graines do , and soften their cods which makes them difficult to beat out : notwithstanding you may house the gray peas to give your horses in the h●me , which will whet their appetite , and much restore them if they be fallen in their flesh . sect . vii . of onions , garlick , chibols , leeks , odoriferous plants , and other conveniences of a garden , not comprehended in the precedent chapters . onions . onions are of three colours , the white , the pale , and the purple-red : i say of three colours , for i do not conceive them to be of three different species , because they are so alike in taste : but i referre their qualities to the judgement of the botanists . oweing . besides your sowing of onions with parsly as i shewed you before , you shall sowe others upon a bed apart , and when it is grown as big as a hens quill , you may transplant it in lines with a dibber , that you may have them very fair . if you leave any upon the bed where you sowed it , 't will diminish , and rise out of the ground at the season , sooner then that which you removed . seeding . during the great heat of summer , it would run to seed , which you must prevent by treading upon the spindle , which will stop its carreer , and make the onion the fairer . drying . housing . when you finde them out of the ground , and that the leaf is become very drie , as it uses to be in august , then you shall take them quite out of the earth , searching with your spade for every small head , letting them dry upon the bed , and afterward lay them up in some temperate place , and an ayr rather d●ie then moyst . seed . for the seed , you shall choose ●he fairest and biggest that you reserved , and when the frosts are past plant them in ground very well soyled , and clear from stones , which is the mould thy best affect . for this you may make use of the houe , rilling the bed where you would set them : not long-wayes but a thwart , and deep enough , then lay them in the bottom of the rills , half a foot distant and cover them by drawing the second trench and thus a third , and a fourth continuing the order till your bed be finished . when it is in seed 't is very subject to be overthrown by the wind by reason of its weight , and the weaknesse of th● spindle , which being easily bent or broken fals with the head to the ground , which rots the seed instead of ripening it , and therefore to remedy this , you shall rail the bed a-about ( as i directed you concerning salsifix ) or else stake them from space to space , to which you shall tie them up , by four or five spindles together bending them gently to the props if it be possible without breaking them . the stalks drie , and the head discovering the seed gives testimony of its maturity , and therefore you shall draw them up , and having cut off all their spindles , you shall lay the heads a drying upon some cloath , seperating that which falls out of it self upon the cloath , as the best conditioned : afterwards when it all is perfectly drie , rub the heads in your hands , and getting out as much as you can with patience and much drying . if you do not immediately rub it out , bind up the heads in bunches , and hang them up in your house , because they will both keep and augment in good nesse taking them only as you have occasion . there is so great deceit in buying this seed , that i would advise you to use none but which is of your own growth , unlesse you have some intimate friend that will send you that which is excellent , to renew your store , for some merchants sell it old , and so it can never prosper , or else they scald it to make it swell : to discover that which is good put a little into a porrenger of water , and let it infuse upon the hot embers , and if it be good it will begin to check and speer , if it do not , its worth nothing . chibol . chibolls of all sorts , from the greatest to the english-cives , are to be planted in cloves , four or five together , to make a tuft , in distance according to their bignesse , they requiring no other care , then to be weeded and cleansed , and , if you will , a little dunged before the winter . thus you may let them continue in their bed as long as you please , the plant continually improving by off-s●ts which it will produce in abundance . transplanting however it will be good at every three or four years end to take it up , and plant it in another place , forasmuch as the ground is weary of bearing perpetually but one sort , and loses that quality which is most proper to the plant , rendring it languid and weak if it dwell on it too long . garlick . ● garlick is to be orderd like onions , planting . the best season is to plant it at the end of february . the time of bruising it , to make the spindles knot , is about st. peters in iune , and to pull it out of the ground , at st. peters in august , according to ●he old gardiners adage . sow at st. peters the first crop . your garlick at st. peters stop . and at st. peters take it up . pulling . housing . when you have amassed them together you shall let them dry in heaps upon the bed , and then in the cool of the morning bind them up with their own leaves , by dozens , and there let them passe the day in the hot sun , before you carrie them in , hanging it to the beames of the sieling to keep it drie . eschalots , or ( as the french call them ) appeties , being a species 'twixt an oniamd garlick , and add a rare relish to a sawce , neither so rank as the one , nor so flat as the other ) are to be orderd like chibolls , planting . planting the little cloves , to make them greater , and in the moneth of august , you shall pull as many of them out of the ground as you desire to reserve , and hang them up as you did the garlick . leeks . blanching . leeks are to be planted like onions , and transplanted in files with the dibber , as deep as may be , that you may have a great deale of white-stalke ; nor should you fill the trench till a little after , and that they be well grown , this will augmeut their blanching . but besides this there is another way , and that is when they have done growing , to lay them in the rill one upon another , leaving only the very extremities of their leaves out of ground , and thus what is covered will become white , and this does much lengthen the plant , one such leek being as good as two others . seeds . for the seed , reserve of the fairest and longest to transplant in the spring : and when they are run up , environ them with supporters and palisades as you doe onions to preserve their heads from falling to the ground . when they are ripe , cut them off ●rie , and reserve them in bunches , or otherwise as you did the onions . herbs odi●●sant . sweet and odoriferant herbs , and what other you ought principaly to furnish your garden withall as are proper for salades , and for the service of the kitchen , omitting the rest at your own pleasuure , such as are southen-wood , hysope , cassidonia : ●aulme , camomile , rue , and others . we will here discourse of such only as you ought of necessity be provided . salad . for salads , balm , tarragon , sampier , garden-cresses , corne-sallet , pimpinell , trippe-madame , are such as we do ordinarily use together with those which i have described in the foregoing sections ▪ that salad being most agreeable , which is composed with the greatest variety of herbs . some of these herbs are to be sown , and others to be planted in roots and though they all for the most part bear seed , yet none so effectually as the rooted plants . corne salad . pimpinel . cresse . those which you are to sowe are the corne-salad , pimpinel , and cresses , the rest are to be planted in roots● all of them passe the winter in the ground without prejudice . and you may leave them as long as you please in the beds where you sowed and planted them ; without any ▪ farther trouble then to weed them and now and then dig up and cleanse the paths least the weeds ocome them . the rest which you gather for the kitchen , are thyme , savory , marjoram and sage , of both sorts , and r●semary ; all which plants are easy to be raised , and sufficiently furnish you . licoris . we will not omit licoris , to gratifie such as make use of it in their p●isans : but if you plant it in your garden , place it in some quarter where it may not prejudice it , for if it like the ground , it will s●ring and goe a great deal deeper then the very couch or dog-grasse , and put you to a world of difficulty to come at it in case you should resolve to extirpa●e it intirely . there grows as good in all places of france , as any that they transport out of spain . plantin● to furnish your self with this take rooted plants , and lay them half a foot in ground , it will need no other labour to make it thrive , but to preserve it well weeded and clensed by stirring up the earth . time. thyme is both sown and planted ; one thyme tuft wil afford many slips , which you may set with the setting-stick , as you doe all sorts of cuttings . savory . savory is every year to be sown , and therefore be carefull to reserve the seeds , and the hearb also being dried , to serve in divers seasonings . marioram of marjoram there is the sweet , and the pot-marjoram . the first sort is very t●nder in winter , and therefore the seeds thereoff should be carefully preserved , to sowe of it every year : the winter or pot-marjoram ( which is a bigger kind ) may be perpetuated where you please . sage . garden and bastard-sage grows well of slips or branches cleft off with roots from the main stemms . rosemary . rosemary is also planted of slips , and roots split from the old stock . fenell . sweet-fenell and anis , which are plants to be sown and governed without much difficulty , are not to be forgotten in your garden . satisfie your self therefore with these few instructions which i have given of odiriferous plants : the apprehensions i have of swelling our volume has caused me to passe them so lightly over . there now only remains to conclude this treatise the addition of some plants and shrubs which bear fruit , highly necessary to accomplish your garden . st●awberies . strawberries are of four kinds . the white , the large red , the capprons , and the small red wild strawberry . plan● . concerning these last sort which are the small , you need not put your self to the trouble of cultivateing them , if you dwell neer the woods , where they abound ; for the children of every village will bring them to you for a very small reward : and in case you be far from these pretty sweets , you may furnish some small carpets of them on the sides of some of your alleys without other care or pains then to plant them , sending for such as are in little sods from the places which naturally produce them , or else you may sowe them , by casting the water wherein you wash the strawberies before you eat them , upon the foresaid beds . 〈◊〉 . for the great white straberies , the red , and c●aprons you shall plant in borders , four ranges in a border or low-bed , which must have a path between , of a foot and half at least : the best plants are such as you take from the strings which they make during all the summer , and to put three plants in every hole which you shall make with the dibber . season . the best season , is to plant them in august , when their strings are lusty , and have taken roots by their joynts , forming a small plant at every knot . proping . to order them well you must dresse , weed and loosen the mould about them very dilligently , and to have fair and clear fruit you shall stick a small prop to every plant , to which you shall bind their stalks with a straw and by this means , besides that your fruit will prove much fairer , snails , toads , frogs , and other noxious animals will forsak●● them , for want of covertures , which they would not do if the whole plant lay upon the ground , where they fail not to eat ago●dpart of them , ever attayning the fairest . 〈◊〉 when your strawberies shoot their strings , you must castrate them and leave them none but such as you reserve to ●urnish you with plants . ren●wing and you shall every year renew some of your 〈…〉 such as are above four of five years old , as beginning then to impair of their goodnesse and vertue . dressing . it will be convenient to strew them over with some melon-bed dung , a little before the great frosts , which will much improve them , cutting off all their leaves , as i taught you concerning sorrell . soyl. the soyl which they most affect is rather a sandy then a stiff , and therefore you shall make choyce of that part in your garden for them which most approaches this mixture . strawberries in autumn . if you desire to have strawberries in autumn , you shall only cut off the first blossomes which they put forth , and hinder their fructifying , they will not fail of blowing anew afterwards , and produce their fruit in the latter season . raspis . r●spis are of two colours , the white and the red : you must plant 〈◊〉 which you may split off into many from a good stemm : they are to be planted four fingers distant from one another in an open trench as deep as your spade-bit , as i have described it in my discourse of a nursery , whither i referr you for more brevity . p●uning . besides the former labours , they will only require that you free them of their dead wood , and clear them of the suckers which they shoot up in the paths between their ranges : but if you perceive that notwithstanding all this , they spring too fast as to endanger their choaking , you shall succor them by pruning off the new sets , and sparing the old , as the most ingenuous and fruitfull . goosber●ies . of gooseberries there are two kindes , the great-large and the small white ones which are thorny and full of prickles : others red , white , and perled , without prickles , which in normandy they call g●delles . they are all of them to be planted , and governed like raspis , and therefore i proceed no farther . champignon . choyce . champignons , and all other kinds resembling them to which the italians give the common apellative of fongi , we distingush in our language , naming some of them mushroms of the woods , which rests , and are very large . and are such as grow by the borders and skirts of great for-mushroms of the meadews , and sweet pastures , which are such as grow frequently where the cattell feeds , and seldom flourish till after the first fogs of autumn are past . these last are those which i esteem the best of all , as well because of their beauties and whitenesse above , as for their vermillion beneath , add to this their agreeable sent , which are wanting in the other . the garden mushroms which are ordinarily grow upon the beds , and those which do not appear before the beginning of may , hid under the mosse in the woods from whence they seem to derive their name of moush , or mousserons . bed mushram . dressing . of all these species there is only the bed-mushrums which you can produce in your garden , and to effect this , you must prepare a bed of mules or asses soil , covering it over four fingers thick with short and rich dung and when the great heat of the bed is qualified , you must cast upon it all the parings and falls of such mushrums as have been dressed in your kichen , together with the water wherein they were washed as also such as are old and wormeaten , and a bed thus prepared will produce you very good , and in short space . the same bed may serve you two or three years and will much assist you in making another . production . if you poure of this water upon your melon beds , they may likewise furnish you with some . but i had almost forgotten to inform you , that there are certain stones , which being placed in the dunghill , have the vertue to produce them in a little time , and that there are some curio●s persons which have of these stones , to whose better experience i recommend you . morrille● concerning morilles , and truffs : the first whereof is a certain delicate red mushrum , and the other an incomparable kind of round ru●●et excressence which grows in drie ground , without any stalk , leafe , or fibers to it , and therefore used to be found out by a hog , kept and trained up in the mysterie : there are but very few places which do naturally produce them . conclusion . and thus i presume to have sufficiently instructed you , in all things which are necessary to be cultivated in gardens ; at the least ; what is commonly eaten and in request in our parisien france . other provinces have other plants , the spoyls whereof they afford us so good cheap , that it is not worth the while to husband them : as for instance , capers , &c. not but that they prosper very wel in these parts ; but they are troublesome and require a large compasse , for a small crop , flourishing better amongst the stones of some antient ruine , then in any other place : t is too great a subjection to gather their blossomes , and to pickle them in salt , and would cost you more then you may buy them for of the oyl-men let us conclude this discourse then , and hasten to shew you how the fruits of the garden are to be conserved in their naturall , according to the precedent sections and articles , as your fruit , your herbs and your pulses are disciplind in the two former treatises . an appendix to the former treatises . sect . i. of the manner how to conserve fruits in their natural . conserving of fruits in their naturall . raspis . there is nothing which doth more lively concern the senses then in the depth of winter to behold the fruits so fair , and so good , yea better , then when you first did gather them , and that then , when the trees seem to be dead , and have lost all their verdure , and the rigour of the cold to have so despoyl'd your garden of all that imbellished it , that it appears rather a desart then a paradise of delices : then it is ( i say ) that you will taste your fruit with infinite more gust and contentment , then in the summer it self , when their great abundance , and rarity , rather cloy you then become agreeable . for this reason therefore it is , that we will essay to teach you the most expedite , and certain means how to conserve them all the winter , even so long , as till the new shall incite you to quit the old. for it is just with fruits as it is with wines : those which we drink first are the more delicate and juicy ; and those which we reserve for the latter part of the year are more firm and lasting : both excellent in their season : but so soon as the new are made , and fit to pierce , we abandon the old , which we before esteemed so agreeable . in like manner it is , so soon as the new fruits approach to their maturity , we forsake those of the year past ; and one dish of strawberries , or cherries , ( though never so green ) or forward pears , shall be preferred to the best , and fairest bon-chrestien which you can produce . conservatory . fabrick . situation to pursue then our first intention . it will be necessary to choose some place in your house the most commodious to make your reserva●●ry or store-house , which should have the windows and overtures narrow to prevent the extreamity both of heat and the cold : these you shall allways keep shut , and so secured from the ayr as only to afford you a moderate light , which you shall also banish by closing the wooden shutters when you go out : and indeed were there none at all , and that the door to it were very straight , and low , it would be the better keeping it shut so soon as ever you are entred . such a place designed for your store , you shall build shelves about , and ( if the room be capable of it ) that the middle be to lay fruit in heaps , such as are the most common and destind for the servants , and if it be not wide enough , it shall suffice to shelve it three parts and leave the fourth for the heaps . shelving . let your shelves be layd upon brackets of wood or iron very strong because of their charge : two of them side by side , two foot broad : which you must ledg with a small lath , to keep the fruit from rowling and falling off : but let-none of these shelves be within a yard of the floor , that you may place the best rare fruit under them , seperateing and distinguishing them according to their kinds : but you may continue the shelves upward to the very ceeling placing them about nine or ten-inches asunder . and for the more convenien●e you should have a smal light frame of steps by which you ascend and reach to the uppermost shelf , when you would visite your fruit : a ladder being nothing so convenient , wearying the feet , and more subject to fall . season of gathering fruit . the season of gathering your winter-fruits being come , which you shall discover by many indications , as when they begin to drop off themselves , which commonly happens after the first rains of autumn , when the tree being sobb'd and wet , swells the wood , and loosens , the fruit : or when the first frosts advertise you that it is time to lay them up : or ( to be more certain ) at the decrease of the moon in october ( thus for the pears and apples ) begining to gather the softest first , and finishing with the harder , that they may have the more time to perfect their maturity . there are some fruits that are only to be eaten ripe as the gros●enil-pear * cor●nes , services , azerolls , and the like , which you shall leave upon the tree till you perceive by their falling in great numbers , they admonish you to gather them . medlars are to be gathered about st. lukes , according to the ●roverb . medlars . baskets . when you gather your fruits , you should be provided with strong ozier baskets , to be born full betwixt two men , and you shall put a little straw at the bottom , lest the weight of the uppermost bruise the undermost against the basket . fallen fruit . you shall as you gather your fruits separate the fairest and biggest from the midling and such as are fallen off themselves , or as you have thrown down in gathering the others , putting each sort in a b●●ket apart : i speak not here of the smallest and the crumplings , for i suppose you discharg'd your trees of them before , so soon as you perceived that they did not thrive , to give the more nourishment to the rest . the worm-eaten apples should be put also amongst those which are fallen to be spent first . housing . as fast as you gather your fruits , you shall carrie them into your store-house , and range them upon your shelves so as they may not touch one another , putting ● little straw all under them , and in like manner distinguishing the fairest and biggest from the lesser upon several shelves and heaping up the worm-e ●en and fallen , as i but now directed you . bon-chresten as ●ouching the bon chrestien pears , they are more curiously to be gathered then the rest , for the stalkes of such as are very fair and well coloured , red at one side and yellow at the other , should be sealed with spanish wax to preserve their sap from evaporating : this done , wrap them up in drie pa●ers and put them in a bushell or a box well covered , that they may grow t●wny and mature being thus shut up . you shall practice the same upon the double-f●owere pear , the cadillace , the thoul , and others which are graffed upon the q●ince , and which receive their colour from the tree : for as for those as are graffed upon the pear-stock , they commonly continue green ; and therefore without any farther trouble , you need only range them upon the shelves , as you did the rest . c●●inet . those that are very curious have a cupboard which shutts very close , in which they reserve their bonne chrestiens : this cupboard is furnished with shelves , upon every of which are fastned small quarters of wood , which are laid cross like a grate , every square neer as big as the greatest pear . upon each of these s●uares they lay a pear by it self , for fear lest they should touch ; and that if any of them should be perished , it do not in●ect its neighbour . this cupboard they keep very close , pasting pieces of paper about the key-holes , to keep out the ayr , and never open it , save when they would take our fruit , and this closing them up does give them a most excellent colour : but before they thus shut them up , ● they leave the pears five or six dayes in the baskets , wherein they were brought out of the orchard , that they may have time to sweat . ripe fruit . those fruits which are to be leaten ripe , should be layed in heaps , and if they do not mellow fast enough to your desire , you shall put them into a wheat-sack , and shall jumble them together betwixt two , this concussion one against the other will exceedingly advance their maturity . grapes . your muscat grapes of all colours , as the chasselats , bicane , and rochel grapes , or others more ordinary , are to be preserved several ways , either singly ranging them upon straw o● h●nging them in sieves up to the ceeling , covering them over with paper to guard them from the dust , or barrelling them up with oat-chaff or in a tub of ashes , or which is best , hanging them by their ends ( not stalks ) in your forementioned cub-board . to keep them . i pretermit severall o●her curious wayes of keeping grapes , as when they are in flower to put the clusters into a glasse-violl , and when it is ripe cut it from the vine , and seal up the stalk , but it must so hang as that none of them touch the ●ide of the glasse , and then close the mouth of it with soft wax , to keep out the ayr , this will preserve the chister till christmas . there are divers other means , which i omit because they are altogether unprofitable , troublesome , and expensive . and though i have not before taught you how you may store your self with these muscat-grapes of all colours , it is not out of ignorance , for i am abundantly furnished withthem ; but because it is a plant which is to be governed like the other vines , i referr it to my vignerous , who have from their youth been accostomed to the ordering of vines , their experience instructing them in those necessary subjections which a gardner would never observe , with so many precautions as they are obliged to do , especially in planting and pruning them , which are the onely things i instrust them in , and am well satisfied . vermine . i shall tell you upon this occasion , that all sorts of flies , and bees , wasps , &c. dormise , and rats , are exceedingly licorish of these grapes , when they are ripe , to prevent which you shall place some clove of garlick half hid in severall places upon the poles which support them , neer the clusters , and the very sent thereof will chase them away . aspect . the fullest aspect of the meridian sun , and shelter of some wall , is the onely place that the muscat and precoce grape affects . rotten fruit . mice . cats . to conclude this section , i will advise you to visit your conservatory often , that in case you finde any of the fruits rotten , you take them away ; for they spoil all that they touch : but if you perceive any one that the mice have begun , stirre it not from the place ; for as long as any of that single fruit remains , they will never attaque another : in the mean time set a trap to catch them , for to let cats in , they will disorder your fruit , and leave their ordure amongst the heaps , and upon the shelves . sect . ii. of dried fruits . dryed fruit . there are divers fruits that we drie in ovens , which in hotter countreys they drie in the sun , as in provence the prunella's , in langvedoc raisins of the sun ; but since the cold of our climate obliges us to make use of the oven , i will here describe in particular , how each of them ought to be dried . cherries . beginning then with ch●rries , white , hearts , and the preserving cherries , as with the first which the season prescribes us . chuse such as are very ripe , fair , fresh , and not bruised : you shall spread them upon lattices , or hurdles made of wicker , ranging them one by another , as handsomely as you can , without suffering them to lye one upon another , with their stones and stalkes then put them into the oven which must be of a temperate heat . such as it usually is after the household bread is drawn . and then leaving them as long as any heat remains , you shall take them forth turne them , to the end they may perfectly dry : after this you shall heat the oven again , putting them in , and repeating this course till they are sufficiently dryed to be kept , then let them cool in heaps a whole day , and afterwards binding them up in small bunches , reserve them in great * round boxes exquisi●ely shut . plum. plums are to be dried like cherries very ripe gathered , the best for this purpose are such as are fallen off the trees , for they are most fleshy , and will be more agreable to eat then those which you shall gather , which retaine alwaies some verdure upon them . the very best to drye are to be chosen , as the imperial , date , and st. catherine , diaper , perdrigon , cytrout , 〈◊〉 mirabolan , roche-corbon , damasks of all sorts , and the st. iulian for ordinary spending . prunellas . if you desire to counterfeit prunellas , you must make choyce of the fairest of your plums , as the perdrigon , the abricotplum , * egg-yolk , brignolles or others , which have a white skin , pee●e them without a knife , drawing them by the skin which will easily quit the plum , if it be throughly ripe , then stone them without breaking the fruit , as i shall hereafter instruct you when i speak of abricots . boyle the skins well with a little water , and strain it through a cloath , and in this juice ( which be in the consistance of a syrupe infuse your plums as often as you set them into the oven , flatting them every time : if your liquor be not thick enough , you shall adde to it the juice of white corrinths , very ripe , which will render your syrup sufficiently thick . you may also ( if you please ) adde some sugar to them , they will be excellent , and require less drying . the provençals instead of setting them in the oven , stick them upon thorn branches , one upon each thorn , and so leave them to drie in the sun. peaches . peaches are to be ordered after the same manner as plums , excepting that they must be gathered from the tree ; for those which fall , besides that they are over-ripe , they wil have such bruises as will hinder their drying , without great trouble , and will be very disagreeable to the taste : before you stone them , you shall set them once into the oven to mortifie them : afterwards you shall slit them neatly with a knife , and take out the stone ; then open and flat them upon some table , that when you set them in the oven , they may dry as well within as without , by reason of their great thickness ; & the last time you draw them out of the oven , whilst they are yet hot , close them again , & flatten them , to reduce them to their natural shape . abricots . abricots are also to be gathered ripe from the tree , you need not open them , to take out their s●ones , but thrust them out dextrously , neer the stalk : neither in drying them need you open them like peaches ; but leave them whole , and only flatting them , that they may drie equally in every part , and be the more commodiously ranged in the boxes . if you desire to have them excellent , put a pill of sugar about the quantity of a p●a , in the place of the stone ; and fill an earthen milk-tray , covering it with a lid of paste closed thereto : then set it in the oven , as soon as the bread hath taken colour , and there let it remain till it be cold : after which you shal set it in the stove upon slatse , as they drie sweet-meats ; and when they are sufficiently dry to keep , whilst yet warm , strow some finely searced sugar upon them , and leave them two dayes before you set them up . pear● ▪ pears are to be dried pared and unpared , in the same manner as i shewed you before : but being pared they are much more delicate , and the parings are to be used , to infuse in the liquor , as i taught you in plums . you must leave their stalks , and the crown when you pare them , choosing such fruit as is the fairest , most delicate , and full of flavour , as the orange , summer bon-chrestien , muscadel , great m●scat-pear , the rousset , & a hundred others as rare . you shall put of these likewise in earthen pans , with their skins upon the fruit , before you cover them with paste , thus drie , and strew them as you did your abricots . the pear is not to be gathered over ripe , for that wil render it too flashy . in grape-time , you may infuse the parings in new white wine instead of water , or in cyder-time in new perry made without water . apples . apples are commonly dried without paring them , and are to be slit in the midst , taking out the core : some of them you may boyl for liquor to s●ak those in which you intend to dry . grapes . grapes of all sorts , muscadine and others , are to be dried in the oven , upon the hurdle , without farther trouble then onely to drie them in a temperate heat , and turn them frequently , that they dr●● equally . those of languedoc passe them through a * lye before they drie them in the sun. beanes . amongst drie fruits i will also range green beans , which being well dress'd with a little winter savory dried ( the true seasoning of beans ) may pass for new . to drie them , you shall take those that are tender , which have yet their * skins green , before they are white ; take off this coat ( that is , peel them ) then drie them in the sun upon papers , often turning them daily , at evening bring them in , and expose them again to the sun every day , till you finde them very drie , which will soon be , if it be not close weather : being drie , you may keep them covered in boxes , carefully preserving them from all moysture . before you boil them , you must lay them in soak for the space of half a day in warm water . pease . for green peas● chuse the youngest , which shailed out of their ●ods , drie as you did the beans , and infuse them likewise in warm water before you boil them , adding to the liquor , a handful of the leaves of new pease , if you have any green , tying them in a bunch , lest they mingle with your pease . mushrum● morilles and mushrums are to be filed on a thred , and hung up in some hot place , as over an o●en , where they will easily drie ; or if the place be commodious for it , before the fire , or set into the oven itself temperately warm . sect . iii. to pickle fruits with salt and ●inegre . pickling cucumbers . cucumbers are the biggest garden fruit which we use to pickle , they are to be chosen very small , ( which they call cornets or gerkins , because we choose those which resemble little crooked hor●s , and that do not improve ) or else somewhat bigger , but very young , before their seeds be hard , which are nothing so pleasant to eat : these are to be pickled pared , or whole ; but it is best to pare them before you put them in pickle then afterwards ; because of the loss of your salt and vinegre upon the skin , which will become so hard , as scarcely to be eaten : but they are handsomer and whiter , being pared at that instant when you serve them to the table , then such as you pare before they be pickled : so that you may do which of them you please . the other small horned cucumbers are to be pickled without paring , by reason of the delicateness of their skin . cathering you must gather very early in a fair morning , and let them lie all the rest of the day in the sun to mortifie them a little , that they may the better receive in the salt. put the pared , the unpared , and the ge●kins , each of them in well glazed earthen pots apart ( for those that are unglazed , crumble and moulder away , by reason of the salt which does penetrate them , and so lose their pickle ) ranging them handsomly , and crowding them as neer as you can to one another , without bruising : then you shall strew a good quantity of salt upon them , and the vinegre afterwards , tilf the uppermost of all are well covered ; otherwise there will breed a mouldinesse that will spoil all that remain bare . thus set them up in a temperate place , and touch them not at least in six weeks , that they may be perfectly pickled . your store-house will be the most convenient place to keep them in . 〈◊〉 . let the purslain which you would pickle be of tha● which you have transplanted , that it may be the fairer . the true season to gather it is , when it begins to flower , if you would have that which is tender : for if you omit it till it be out of flower , that you may save the seed , ( as it is commonly sold ) it will be too hard to eat . let it also be dried and mortified in the sun , two or three dayes , and then range it in glazed pots with vinegre and salt as you did the cucumbers . c●pers broom-b●ds . sampiere . tarr●gon . capers , broom-buds , sampier , tarragon and the like , are to be pickled after the same manner as above . artichoks . bottoms of artichock● are to be pickled in salt , but after another method then the former ; for they must first be above half-boyl'd , and when they are cold , and well drain'd of their water , which should likewise be dried with a cloth to take out all their hu●idity , range them in pots , and pour brine upon them , as strong as it can possibly be made ; which is done by putting into it so much salt , as till it will no longer imbibe , & that the salt precipitates to the bottom whole and without melting . this we call marinated water . upon this water ( which will cover your artichocks ) you must pour sweet butter melted , to the eminence of two fingers , that you may thereby exclude the air ; then the butter being cold , set up the pot with your cucumbers , or in some other temperate place , covered and well secur'd from the cats & the mice , which else will make bold to visit your b●tter . but i presume that before you put the artichoks in the pot , you did prepare them as you would have done to serve them to the table , that is , taken off all the leaves and the chocke which is within . time. the true season for this is in autumn , when ( practising what i taught you before in the second treatise in the chapter of artichokes ) your plants produce those which are young and tender , for they are these which you should take to pickle , before they come to open and flower , but yet not till their heads are well formed and hard . when you would eat of them , you must extract their saltnesse by often shifting the water , and boyle them once again before you serve them to the table . asparagus peas . champignons . asparagus , peas without cods , morilles , champignons , or mushrums , are also to be pickled in salt , ( having first parboyl'd them , & prepared every sort in its kind ) af●●r the same manner that you did artichoks . v●sit your pots . you shall monethly be sure to visite your pots , that in case you perceive any of them mouldy , or to have lost their pickle , you may according repayr it . cornelians . i have some years since invented the pickling of cornelians , and have frequently made them passe for olives of veronna , with divers persons who have been deceived , their colour so resembling them , and their tast so little different . to effect this , i cause the fairest and biggest to be gathered when first then would begin to blush , & then letting them lye a while , i pot or barrel them up , filling them with brine , just as i do artichocks , and to render them odoriferous , adding a little branch of green fenel , & a few bay-leaves : then closing the vessel well , touch it not for a moneth after . if you finde them too salt , dilute & abate the pickle before you serve them to the table . sect . iv. to preserve fruit with wine in the must , in cider , or in hony. to preserve fruit with wine cider . hony . all sorts of fruits which may be preserved in sugar , may also be preserved in must , in cyder , or in hony . and there is no other dfficulty in making choyce of fruits to scald and preserve this way , then in choosing such as you would preserve in sugar . in must. to describe in this place the principall rules which must of necessity be observed in preserving fruit in the must or new wine ; you shall take ▪ three pails full , three pots , or parts of must , according to the quantity of fruit which you intend to preserve : set it in a kettle or skillet on the fire , but with care , that if your fire be of wood , the flame being too great do not burn some side of the vessell . then let your must continue boyling till it be reduced to one third part , that it may be of fitting ●onsistence to preserve your fruit in , sufficiently , & keep it from moulding & spoyling . the fruits being pared or unpared , according to their natures or your curiosity , those which ought to be scalded being done , well drained , and dryed from their water , are to be put and preserved in this must carefully scummed , and made to ●oyl till you perceive that the syrupe is of a sufficient consistence , which you shall know by dropping some of it on a plate , if it appear in stiff rubies & run not about , the plate a little inclining . you cannot take your must too new , & therefore , as soon as you perceive the grapes very ripe , tread them immediatly , and take of that must as much as will serve , white or re● , according to the fruit you would preserve . some fruits as the quince , the pear , & the blew grape , &c. require must of blew grapes , others of white , as walnuts , the muscat-grape & the like , whose candor and whitenesse you desire to preserve . to heighten the tast of those fruits which you ought to preserve in red-wine , put in a little cinnamon and cloves tyed up in a button of lawn that they may not be dispersed amongst the preservs , lost or consum'd in the syrupe , and to those which require white wine , a bunch of green fenel bound up likewise in a cloath . ma●malad of grapes or raisins ▪ codiniack , or marmalad of grapes is made of the fairest , & ripest blew grapes , gathered in the afternoon at the heat of the day , to the end that their moysture may be intirely dryed up : lay them in some lost of your house , where both the ay● & the sun have free entercourse , spreading them upon tables or hurdles , that , for at the leas● a fortnight , they may there sweat & shrink : in case the weather prove cloudy , or that the season prove cold , you may set them in your o●en temperately warm , after which presse them wel with your hands , cleansing them from all their seeds and stalks , putting the husks and juice to boyl in the kettle , & diligently scumming and cleering it from the seeds : reduce this liquor also to a third part , diminishing the fire , according as your con●ection thickens , and stirring it often about with your spatule or spoon to prevent its cleaving to the vessel , and that it may boyl equally . being thus prepar'd , you shall percolat it through a sieve or course cloath , bruising the husks with your wooden ladle , the better to express out the substance , aud besides , you shall wring it forth , or squeez it in a press : when this is done , set it again on the fire , & boyl it once more keeping it continually stirring till you conceive it to be suffici●ntly boiled , then taking it off , pour it into earthen-pans , to prevent its contracting any ill smack from the kettle , and being half cold , put it into gally-pots , to keep . potting . you shall let your pots stand open five or six daies , and then cover them with paper so fitted as to lye upon the very preserve within the pot , and when visiting your pots , you finde that any of your paper is mouldy , take it away and apply another , this doe as long as you shall see cause , which will be untill such time as all the superfluous humidity be evaporated , for then the mouldinesse will vanish unlesse your confection was not sufficiently boyled , in which case it must be boyled again , and then you may cover them for altogether . m●stard de dijon . to make mustard a la mode de dijon , you shalf only take of this codiniack and put to it store of seneve or mustard-seed well b●uised in a mortar with water , & finely searced , and when it is exquisitely mixed together , quench therein some live coles , to extract all the bitternesse from the se●d , then either barrel or pot it up , well closed , and reserved for use . you may also preserve all sorts of fruit in perry that has not been diluted , reducing it in boyling also to a third part , as we shewed you in the must. lastly . in hony. to preserve in hony , you shall take that which is most thick , hard and most resembling sugar , boyling it in a preserving pan , scumming it exactly , & stirring it about to prevent its burning . you shall discover if it be enough boyled , by putting into it a hen● egg , if it sink , it is not yet enough , if it float , it is of sufficient consistence to preserve your fruits : you know that hony is very subject to burn , & therefore finish this preparation upon a gentle fire , frequently stirring the bottom of your pan with the spatule to prevent this accident . finis . table of the principal matters contained in this bo●k . the first treatise . § i. of the place , of the earth , and mould of the garden , together with the means to recover , and meliorate ill ground . s●te pag. soil . dressing . skreening . §. ii. of espaliers or wall-fruit , and of single pole-hedges , and shrubs . planting . pole hedges . shrubs . §. iii. of trees , and of the choyce wh●ch ought to be made of them . pears . apples . peaches . abricots . ● ▪ cherries . age. shape . taking up . transporting . transplanting . pruning . nailing . spreading . errour . dre●sing . old trees . §. iv. of the seminary and nursery . seminary . seeds . kernels . stones . seed-plot . cut●ing . graffing . quince-stocks . peaches . dressing . nursery . plot. planting . trees . nipping . pruning . distance . forme . §. v. concerning graffs , and the best directions how to choose them . graffing . inoculating . season . choyce . time. cleft . choyce . §. vi. the manner how to graff . p. inoculating . season . cleft . crown . approach . cutting . layers . §. vii . of trees , and shrubs in particular , how they are to be governed , and their maladies cured . trees . pears . graffing ▪ apple-trees . plum. abricots . peaches . cherries . figs. mulberies . oranges . limmons . shrubs . granads . ● jassemine . musk-rose . myrtles . laurels . phylyrea . alaternus . althea frutex . arbor judae . lilac . diseases . mosse . jaundies . moles . mice . worms . pismires . snails . wood-lice . earwigs . caterpillars . composition to hood graffs withall . to make fruit knot . a catalogue of the names of fruits known about paris , and when they are in season . the second treatise . § ▪ i. of melons , c●cumbers , gourds , and their kinds . melons . seeds . plot. figure . season . beds . sowing . governing . season . transplanting . stormes . ●ells . pruning . transplanting . season . transplanting . watring . gathering . visiting . care. choice . seeds . cucumbers . pumpeons . transplanting . gathering . seed . § ii. of artichocks , chardons , and asparagus . artichocks . planting . earthing . chard . slips . gathering . spanish-chardon . asparagus . planting . dressing . cutting . §. iii. of cabbages , and lettuce of all sorts . cabbage . seed . cole-flowers . sowing . removing . transplanting . cabbage . watring . sowing . birds . wormes . large sided cabbage . white cabbage . red. perfum'd . cabbage . planting . seed . season of sowing . insects . lettuce . sowing . transplanting . roman lettuce . heading . blanching . seed . § vi ▪ of roots . roots . parsneps . sowing . removing . housing . seed . carrots . season . seed . salsifix . dressing . season . seed . radishes . horse-radishes . seed . small radish . sowing . seed . turneps . season . vermine . housing . seed . parsly . season . ●re●●ing . roots . seed . skirret . spending . rampions . jerusalem artichocks . seed . dangers . § v. of all sorts of pot-herbs . beet-leeks . season . transplanting . gathering . sowing . beets red. seed . orache . succory . season . blanching . housing . seed . endive . blanching . housing . sorrell . sowing . transplanting . dressing . seed . patience . borrage . sowing . seed . buglosse . chervill . seed . sowing . seed . allisaunders . sceleri . sowing . p●rslain . sowing . transplanting . seed . spinach . sowing . season . seed . § vi. of beans , peas , and other pulse . beans . sowing . choyce . ground . houing . gathering . seed . hame . haricots . sowing . painted beanes . soyl. soweing . white streaked beans . red beans . peas . sowing . hot-spurrs . soil . soweing . setting . great peas . bushing . mould . distance . beds . gray-peas . small-peas . soweing . pigeons . houing . monethly peas . cutting . watring . lupines . slave-peas . soweing . lentils . mould . thrashing . housing . ● § ▪ vii . of onions , garlicke , chibols leeks , odirif●r●●us plants , and other conveniences of a garden , not comprehended in the precedent chapters . onions . sowing . seeding . drying . housing . seed . chibols . transplanting . ● garlick , planting . pulling . housing . eschalots . planting . leeks . blanching . seeds odoriferant . salad . corne-salad . pimpinell . cresse . licoris . planting . time. savory . ma●joram . sage . rosemary . fenell . strawberies . plants . ● beds . season . propping . stringing . removing . dressing . soil . strawberries in autumn . raspis . pruning . goosberries . champignons . choyce . mushrum-bed . dressing . produc●ion . morills . truffs . conclusion . an appendix to the former trea●ise . ● i. of the manner 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 fruits in their naturall . conserving fruit● . consevatory . fabrick . situation . ●●elving . season of gathering fruit . medl●rs . b●●kets . fallen fruit . nousing . 〈◊〉 - chrestien . cabinet . ripe-fruit . gr●pe● . keeping . vermine . aspect . rotten fruit ▪ mic● . cat● . §. ii. of dryed fruit● dried-fruit● . 〈◊〉 . ● plums . 〈◊〉 . peaches . abric●t● . pear● . apples . grapes . bea●s . pea● . mushrums . § iii. to pickle 〈◊〉 with salt and ●i●egre . pi●kle cucumbers . ● gathering . ● purslain . capers . broom-buds . sampiere tarragon . artichocks . season . asparagus . peas . champigno●s . pickle . c●rnelians . § iii. to preserve fruit with wine in the must , in cider , or hony. in mu●●● marmalad of grapes or 〈◊〉 . potting . must●rd of dijon . in hony. books printed for , and to be sold by iohn crooke , at the signe of the ship in st. pauls church-yard . annales veteris testamenti , à prima mundi origine deduct● ; unà cum rerum afiaticarum , & aegyptiacarum chronoco , à temporis historici principio usque ad maccabaicarum initia producto : à viro reverendissimo & doctissimo , iacobo vsserio , archiepiscopo armachano . folio ej●sdem annalium pars secunda , quae ad annum christi octogesimum producitur , ●nà cum harmonia evangeliorum , ab exercitatissimo sacris literis doctore , iohanne richard sono epischopo ardachadensi conscripta . folio ejusdem de textus hebraici veteri● testamenti variantibus lectionibus ad lodovicnm capellum epistola . quarto vsserii de lxx interpretum versione syntagma . quarto the holy history ; containing excellent observations , on all the remarkable passages and histories of the old testament , with a vindi●ation of the verity thereof from the aspersions of atheists and antiscripturians . written originally in french , by the curious pen of nicolas cau●●●n ▪ s. i. and now elegantly rendred into english out of the seventh and last edition by a person of honour . ● the bishop of derry's victory of truth for the peace of the church , in answer to mounsieur millitie●e . ● — of liberty and necessity , in answer to mr. hobbs . ● — his replication to the popish bishop of calcedon , in defence of his vindication of the church of england . ● — his vindication of the church of england from the aspersions of schism cast upon it by the papists . ● mountagues miscellanea spiritualia , or devout essays . the second part . the history of the ●ron age : wherein is set down the origi●al of all the wars and commotions , that have hapned from the year of god . with the manner of their prosecution and events , till the year . illustrated with the figures of the most renowned persons of this pressent time . folio 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , of drinking water , against our novelists that prescribed it in england , by richard short , doctor of physick . whereunto is added 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 ●arm drink , and is an answer to a treatise of warm drink , printed at cambridge . ● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ●ive introductori●● a●glo-latino-graecum , complect●ns colloqui● fa●iliaria aesopi febulas & lu●i●●i , s●léctiores mortuorum diologos , in usum scholarum , per j. sh. ● the life and death of the most reverend and learned father of our church dr. iames vsher , late archbishop of armagh , and primat● of all ireland , in a sermon at his funeral , at the abby of westminster , april . th . . by nicholas bernard , d. d. and preacher to the honourable society of grays inne , london . ● the judgement of the late archbishop of armagh and primate of ireland , of the extent of christs death and satisfaction , &c. of the sabbath , and observation of the lords day : of the ordination in other reformed churches , &c. by n. ber●ard , d. d. and preacher to the honourable society of grays inne , london , ● the holy life of mounsieur de re●ty , a late noble man of france , and counsellour to k. le●is xiii . written in french by iohn baptist s. iure , and faithfully translated into english by e. s. gent. ●● castigations of mr. hobbes his last animadversions , in the case con●erning liberty and universal necessity , with an appendix concerning the catching of leviathan , or the great whale , ●y 〈◊〉 bramball , d. d. and bishop of d●●●y . ● ☞ the annals of the worl● 〈◊〉 from the origin of time , and continued to the beginning of the emperour vespasians reign , and the total destruction and abolition of the temple and common-wealth of the jews , containing the historie of the old and new testament , with that of the maccabees . as also all the most memorable affairs of asia and egypt , and the rise of the empire of the roman caesars under c. iulius and octavianus , collected from all histories , as well sacred as profane , and methodically digested by the most reverend iames vsher arch-bishop of armagh , and primate of all ireland . folio hymens preludia , or loves master piece , being the seventh part of that so much admired romance , intituled cleopatra written originally in french , and now rendered into english by j. c. ● de hibernia et antiqui●atibus suis disquisitiones , editio secunda emendatior et quarta parte auctitor . accesserunt rerum hi●erni earum reguante hencico , viii . annales ●unc primum in lucem ●diti . a iacob● wat●o . autore equ . au● . ● honoria and mammon , with the contention of ajax and ulisses for the armor of achilles , by iames shyrly , gent , ● certain discourses , viz. of babylon ( revel . . . ) being he present see of rome , ( with a sermon of bishop bedels upon the same words ; of laying on of hands ( heb. . . ) to be an ordained ministry ; of the old form of words in ordination ; of a set form of prayer . each being the judgment of the late arch-bishop of armagh and primate of all ireland . published and enlarged by n. bernard . d. d. and preacher to the honourable society of grays-inne , unto which is added a character to bishop bedel , and an answer to mr. perce's fifth letter concerning the late primate . ● hymens preludia or loves master-piece , being the ninth and tenth part of that so much admired romance intituled cleopatra , written originally in french , and now rendered into english , by i. d. folio . the antiquitie● of warick shiere illustrated and beautified with maps , prospects and pourtractuers , by william dugdale . folio . by whom also a●● manner of books are to be sold brought from beyond the sea● . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e * pole-hedge set up agai●st a wall , much used in france . * such as are pr●duced of kernels . a wilde appl● produced of kernels , on which they graff the dwarf * viz. that which rises in spring & august . * a kind of codling . * sort that cleaves to the stone . * a great white plum , as big as an abricot . * a black unpleasant fruit . * a kind of round pumpeon or citrovill . * a long excellentt cabbage . * small dishes of severall things which stand twixt the greater to garnish the table . * a kinde of hip , a ●ound red berrie , cor●●es is a fruit fashioned like a pear and to be rotted like a medlar . pear . * they call them in f●ance bush●ll . boxes , bei●g of that shape and containing about hal● a bushell . * moyen d● oeuf , a plum so called . * 〈◊〉 preserve them from worms * in which the beau●s are involved . gas●be an instrument made like an oare . the compleat gard'ner, or, directions for cultivating and right ordering of fruit-gardens and kitchen-gardens with divers reflections on several parts of husbandry, in six books : to which is added, his treatise of orange-trees, with the raising of melons, omitted in the french editions / by the famous monsr de la quintinye ... ; made english by john evelyn ... ; illustrated with copper plates. instruction pour les jardins fruitiers et potagers. english la quintinie, jean de, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing l estc r ocm 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 . 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 , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the compleat gard'ner, or, directions for cultivating and right ordering of fruit-gardens and kitchen-gardens with divers reflections on several parts of husbandry, in six books : to which is added, his treatise of orange-trees, with the raising of melons, omitted in the french editions / by the famous monsr de la quintinye ... ; made english by john evelyn ... ; illustrated with copper plates. instruction pour les jardins fruitiers et potagers. english la quintinie, jean de, - . evelyn, john, - . [ ], , [ ], , - , [ ], , p. ill. printed for m. gillyflower ..., london : . translation of: instructions pour les jardins fruitiers et potagers. reproduction of original in bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.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. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. 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- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng gardening -- early works to . fruit-culture. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion hanc decor'ate dea , quot quot regnatis in hortis , floribus e vestris supraque infraque tabellam : hic dedit arboribus florere , et edilibus herbis , et semirata est tanto pomona colono . santolius victorinus portrait w. elder sculpsit the compleat gard'ner ; or , directions for cultivating and right ordering of fruit-gardens and kitchen-gardens ; with divers reflections on several parts of husbandry . in six books . by the famous mon sr . de la quintinye , chief director of all the gardens of the french-king . to which is added his treatise of orange-trees , with the raising of melons , omitted in the french editions . made english by john evelyn esquire , illustrated with copper plates . london , printed for matthew gillyflower , at the spread eagle in westminster-hall , and james partridge , at the post-house at charing-cross , m dc xc iii. to the right honourable henry lord capell , baron capell of tewksbury , one of the lords of their majesties most honourable privy-council . my lord , if ever book deriv'd honour from the person to whom it was dedicated , your lordship's name alone in the front of this work would secure its reputation , and justifie the presumption of our address . your lordship 's particular knowledge of the authour , and penetration into the subject he treats off ( and all the secrets of horticulture ) gives your lordship double title to this version : but as it was from your lordship's approbation , that this ( no easie work ) was undertaken by us ; so it is under the same influence it hopes to live and prosper : in this confidence we humbly offer it , and our selves to your lordship's protection , as your lordships most obedient servants , matthew gillyflower . james partridge . the preface . before i enter upon the matter of the subject i have undertaken , i think my self obliged to advertise you , that gardening is not among us moderns , what it was in the first ages of the world. in those early times 't is probable , they knew no other gardens than those of fruits and legumes , which we now call fruit and kitchin-gardens ; whereas in our days , there are several other sorts besides them , some being for parterres and flowers , some for nurseries , some only for plain gardens for common use , and others for rare and medicinal plants , &c. so great a multiplicity of different sorts of gardens , affording no less diversity of employments for gard'ners , in process of time , introduced several classes of them ; some being simply called gard'ners , others taking the quality of florists , and others well deserving the title of botanists , and others being named , market gard'ners , besides those that apply themselves only to the raising and maintaining of nurseries , for which there wants yet a particular term , unless we should call them nursery gard'ners . in the explication of the original , and establishment of which several ranks of gard'ners , i think it will not be impertinent to bestow a few lines , before we pass further . my opinion in this matter , is , that the first man having been created in a garden , and received orders after his transgression , to till the earth , and to get his maintenance out of it by the sweat of his brows . it follows from thence , that one of the chiefest employments , both of himself and his first descendants , was to apply themselves to the culture of fruits and legumes ; that being then the function which alone supplyed humane kind , with all the necessaries of life . and indeed the ground so tilled , did it not consist of true fruit and kitchin-gardens ? and consequently , because in those first ages , no other gardens were known but such , there could be no other gard'ners neither , but those which govern'd them , who may on that account , be justly esteemed the first of the whole order of gard'ners . for the patriarchs properly speaking , were those first fruit and kitchin-gard'ners , and continued to perform that function , till being diverted by their application to the invention of arts , they were obliged to make use of the service of some principal domestick to help them in their gardens , who disdained not to take the name of that we commonly understand by the term of gard'ner . but in the ages following , as soon as men thought they had made a sufficient provision for their necessities , and there begun to be establish'd among them , some distinction of degrees and fortunes ; it hapned that the pleasures of the sight and smell , inspired some persons with the curiosity to gratifie them with flowers agreeable to one or both of those senses , and accordingly , they begun to gather together some of all those beautiful plants which they observ'd so curiously to enamel , and so admirably to perfume the fields , where they were before confusedly dispersed . thus was the culture of flowers begun indeed by such gard'ners as those we just now mentioned , because there were no others that could do it ; but when men had a mind to have so great a number of them , as is now practised by way of ornament , to the palaces of great persons , they begun to make particular gardens of them which they called by a name proper to a flower garden ; and because it was not possible for one gard'ner at the same time , to manage the culture of so great a number of fruits , legumes , flowers , shrubs , &c. as were then required , there was a necessity of establishing a second class of gard'ners , to ease those of the first , which new gard'ners were commonly named florists , to distinguish them from the others , which were called only plain gard'ners . i might tell you here by the way , that in those times , orange and limon-trees , were perhaps look'd upon as trees only for flowers , just as the myrtles , jessimins , and laurustinus-trees , &c. are now , the delicacy of mens palates being not arrived to that degree of luxury , to seek after so many sorts of relishes , sawces , and seasonings as now ; so that 't is very possible , that limon and orange-trees might then belong only to the province of the florists . but yet methinks it may be more probably affirmed , that in those early times , those trees were not distinguished from fruit-trees , since they are truly so ; and therefore i am apt to believe , they were cultivated by the first gard'ners only for their fruit , and that the rather , because the first culture of the earth being begun in hot and temperate countries ; the slavery and trouble of boxes , and conservatories , which in our climates they cannot be without , were there of no use at all . it was therefore the rigour of the winter season in cooler regions that gave occasion to those inventions for the preserving of those plants that were of too tender a constitution to endure any great cold , and then the gard'ners of the second class , who otherwise were not over-much taken up with the culture of their flowers , begun to be charged with the care of orange and limon-trees . and further , the affectation of men to gratisie the pleasure of their eyes , inciting them to push on things to more and more perfection ; there came first into the minds of noble persons , some conceits of ranging those flowers with a little more agreeableness and symmetry than was practised by the first curiosi's , which gave the first beginning to parterres , or flower-plots among florists , the first of which , in all probability , were but cut pieces shaped after but a plain and gross manner . but afterwards there were some made of another fashion , called embroidery fashion , which were better contrived , and more delightful than the other , with which two sorts , the world contented themselves for several ages , so that gardens were not accompanied with any other beauties than those , till in these last times , curiosity , good judgment , and fancy , and magnificence it self being grown by little and little , to an extraordinary heighth , our age which excells in all that humane industry is able to invent , has given in particular , by the ingenious skill of the famous mr. le nostre , the last perfection to this part of gardening , which appears by so many canals , water-works , cascades , spouting fountains , labyrinths , bowling greens , terrases , &c. ornaments indeed that are new , but such as in earnest , do wonderfully set off the natural beauty of a garden . having spoken largely enough of the first and second class of gard'ners , i proceed to the third , which is of those which meddle neither with fruits nor flowers , but only with kitchin-plants , whose original might come from some of our first gard'ners , who being seated near some very populous cities , thought good to plant some particular gardens of herbs , in hopes they might make a considerable gain of them in the publick markets , and because grounds that were a little fat and moist seemed to them most proper , as well for the managing the culture , as promoting the abundance , and bigness , and height of every plant , they chose low places to make those kinds of gardens in ; nay , and perhaps such places had been formerly perfect fenns or marshes , which were afterwards drained and laid dry , so that in vulgar speech , those sorts of gard'ners were termed marsh gard'ners , which was as much as to say , gard'ners of dryed marshes or fenns . and the vent of those herbs , proving by the success so profitable to those that made it , stirred up mens industry to multiply that sort of gardens , even in very dry and sandy places , and to supply with their frequent waterings , and improvements with plenty of dung , the defects of goodness in the ground . this account which i here give , establishes clearly three classes of gard'ners very different one from the other , without mentioning the other two classes , viz. that of those gard'ners that mind only nurseries , and the other of those that consine themselves to the culture of rare and medicinal plants ; and yet 't is certain , there are some very able and knowing persons , that make it their pleasure and business too , to cultivate both of them , and to perform it with success and reputation . but as for my own inclination , it was always fixed to that sort of gard'ning that was known in the infancy of the world , and practised by our first parents , so that for a long time , i have particularly applyed my self to the culture of fruit , and kitchin gardens . and by this application , having not only discovered a great number of beauties , but likewise a great many faults that are committed in that sort of gardening , i cannot but think my self obliged before all things , to describe them carefully , that they may be avoided . i find then first , that commonly these sorts of gardens are not only unfurnish'd with what they should , and might easily have for each season of the year , whether fruits or legumes , but that besides , they are ill contrived in the disposition and ranking of the things contained in them . secondly , that there appears but little skill and capacity in most of the gard'ners that cultivate them , and as little understanding in the masters that employ them , to know how to direct them better ; so that usually 't is the fault both of the owners , and their gard'ners too , that those sorts of gardens come short of yielding either that pleasure or profit they might otherwise do , and which was expected from them . i will do what i can , to remedy those great failings , as well out of obedience to the orders i have received to that effect , as out of an inclination to pleasure others , an inclination which i dare affirm natural to me , and especially in affairs of gardening , which of it self inspires a man with the obliging humour of doing good offices . for which purpose i undertook to compose and publish this treatise , as thinking it might effectually be a useful work , if , as i believe , i may , and as i propose to my self to do , i shall be so successful to give any assistance to ingenious gentlemen to order their gardens with a more advantageous conduct , and at the same time direct their gard'ners to execute their master's intentions better than hitherto , and consequently by the means of a well managed culture , how to reap those advantages which the earth bestows only upon the laborious and industrious . besides which , three other principal reasons have obliged me to write . the first was the little instruction , i observed was to be gathered from so many books , which have been made upon this subject in all ages , and in all languages . 't is true , we have a great deal of obligation , not only to some ancient authors , that have so solidly treated of general agriculture , but likewise to some modern writers which have imparted to the publick , their particular improvements in this art. but we are most of all obliged to some persons of eminent quality , who under , the title of the memoires or observations of the famous curate of enonville , have so politely written of the culture of fruit-trees . and truly i must confess , it was from them i had the first views of the principal ornaments of our gardens , as well as those of the pleasure and advantage we reap from such of them as are well managed . but then to balance these few good authors , what a multitude of other books have we to exclaim against , with which we are overwhelmed ? the most part of which , i may without injustice affirm , are not to be lookt upon otherwise than as troublesom translations , and nauseous repetitions of several old maxims , which i hope , i shall carefully mark out to you , and demonstrate at the same time to be for the most part faulty , or at least very insignisicant . the second reason that obliges me to write , is the assurance i have , that i am the cause of peoples acting erroneously in many gardens , though it be the most innocently in the world on my side , which proceeds from the inconsiderate conduct of certain persons that being prejudiced with too favourable a conceit of my abilities in this kind , when they see what i do in our kitchin gardens , and to our fruit-trees , are sometimes tempted blindly to imitate my practice ; but because they are ignorant of my principles , and think it would reflect too much upon their reputation , to stoop so low as to ask me them , they venture to guess at them themselves , thinking without doubt that nothing is so easie as to hit them right . i cannot forbear telling them , and i desire them not totake it ill , that 't is a very rare thing to guess right inalmost any sort of matter whatsoever ; and though it be true , that this of our art is not at all difficult to understand when 't is illustrated and made out with good reasons , yet most commonly people are not very lucky in hitting upon them at a venture , without some instruction ; for alas , by following their first imaginations , they often run the hazard of acting just the contrary to what i practise , and consequently to what they design , when they think of nothing but guessing . for example , in matter of pruning , one gentleman , because he observes some short branches upon my trees , says presently , he sees well enough , that my way of pruning is to cut short , and keeps to that . another , because he has seen some long ones upon them , concludes as peremptorily on his side , that my method is to cut long , and that he fully understands it . lastly , a third , because he has once observed me at the same time , to cut some branches short , and others long ; if another time he returns and sees any trees with a different face from what he expected , presently accuses me of uncertainty in my principles ; nay , and takes the liberty to say , he sees much inconstancy in my pruning , and therefore , that i have no certain rule to go by in that operation , and thereupon as he fansies , makes the finest reflections in the world , in order to take for the future a quite disserent way from mine . the first being one of that sort of hasty spirits , that think they can comprehend any thing at first sight , makes , as i may say , great massacres upon the trees , whilst thinking to imitate my manner of pruning , he takes a resolution to cut close in all occasions . the second , with the like intention , ruines in little time the beauty of his trees , by leaving those branches long , which should be cut short . and lastly , the third salls into such a perplexity , that he knows not which way to take . these are the gulss into which the false reasonings from bare conectures and probabilities lead and decoy men. and therefore though i should do nothing else in this book , but give an account of my conduct , by explaining for example , what sort of branches i cut short , and what i leave long ; what trees i leave loaden with more branches , and which with fewer , &c. with the motives why i do so , i think it would be no small benefit to the publick , that they who shall be thus informed of them , may not torment their heads so much any more with guessing , nor consequently be so easily induced to venture upon erroneous methods . this done , if my conduct be approved it will be imitated , at which i shall be extreamly satisfied , because of the interest i have , that every one should be pleased ; and if it be not liked , it will be condemned , and perhaps may incite some charitable censurer to publish a better , at which i shall be no less pleased , because of the passionate desire i have to improve my self to more and more perfection in this matter . in fine , the third and last reason that obliges me to write , is the hopes i have , that the reading of this book will be advantageous in two other respects , of which i think i ought to make some account . the first is , that every one of my maxims being fully understood in their whole extent , as i intend they should , and as they may be , by what i have written to explain them , will , if i mistake not , give some light to direct people to take better methods in gardening . but if through malice or ignorance , any person shall follow one part of any of my rules , without observing the other , i am confident he will find himself very much deceived , and therefore do here sincerely advertise all concerned , to observe that caution , that i may not be responsible for all the inconveniences they will infallibly fall into , as often as they shall scruple entirely to believe me . the second is , because most of those unskilsul gard'ners , as have seen only with a cursory view what i do , or perhaps have only heard of it by the relation of others , if they succeed ill , as it but too often happens , they presently have an excuse ready , and without scruple discharge themselves of their faults , by throwing them on me ; they make me the author of all their mis-managements , thinking to authorize by my name what they cannot otherwise defend ; they will needs have me to have brought in such and such a use , which never entred intomy thoughts , and say they have done such and such things , purposely to imitate me , and to let the world see whether there be so much reason to imitate me , as is pretended . against these pleas , i shall now at least have an irrefragable justification in writing , so that it being in no man's power to pretend i have said any thing but what i have really said , i shall by this means prevent such imputations for the future , and perhaps save the poor innocent trees from being so barbarously handled any more upon my account , which would not have failed to act their parts well , if they had been wisely ordered . i hazard then to publish this instruction for gard'ning , principally with a design to pleasure ingenious gentlemen , and also because i can no longer with patience endure , that to the shame of our times , and if i may be permitted that expression , to the shame of all that close application i have bestowed upon this art for these many years ; it should be possible still with justice to say of ours , what columella reproached to his age , that though the knowledge of agriculture be one of the most excellent sciences , and the most akin to solid wisdom of any , yet is it so unhappily neglected as to sind but few masters able to teach it , or scholars desirous to learn it . i know well enough , that all books of gard'ning have usually begun with a preface full of the praises given to it , and that conscquently it may be thought , this ought to begin so too . but since i am far from presuming my self able to say any thing new , that may at all enhance the esteem which is due to gardens , or to the art that teaches their construction , and therefore cannot but think it very impertinent to go about to persuade any one to study it ; when i observe the most part of men possess'd with a natural passion for so sweet and profitable an occupation , i shall wave those complements , and fall down-right upon the pursuit of my design , which is to instruct , in case i can show my self really master enough of the art , worthily to perform it . this treatise therefore , as i have said , is chiefly intended for two sorts of persons . first , for those illustrious gard'ners ( for so it is , for want of more particular and significant terms , i will hence forward stile the famous lovers of gard'ning , of what quality soever they be . ) and next , the ordinary gard'ners , those , i mean , that are commonly known by the plain name of gardners , whether they already exercise the trade , or only desire to begin to learn it . i will assist the first , that is , the illustrious gard'ners , how to find and attain casily the true divertisements of gardens . and the others i will endeavour to instruct , and render fit and capable , artfully to perform all the duties of their calling and quality . my design appears very great , and very specious , and therefore must be managed with some order . that which i purpose to follow , is this . i will divide the work into six parts , every one of which i shall make a particular book . i shall begin the first by proving as well as i can , that a man had better never have any fruit or kitchin gardens at all , than not to be reasonably well instructed in the management of them ; and at the same time i will shew , that 't is very easie to acquire a general and sufficient knowledge in it , there being nothing else needful to be done for that , but carefully to read , and order to be exactly observed , a little abridgment of the rules of gard'ning , which i have drawn up by way of aphorisms , in the third chapter of the first book . and afterwards in the same first part , i will , if my judgment deceive me not , give directions how to make a discreet choice of able gard'ners , which i reckon to be one of the most important points to be lookt after in this matter . and lastly to prevent any doubts or perplexities , our gentlemen candidates , or young beginners in these curiosities may fall into , for want of a right understanding of certain terms of gardening , which i shall use in this treatise , i have added a little dictionary of them at the end , which gives as full an explanation of them , as is necessary to make them intelligible to the meanest readers . in the second part , i shall first shew what qualities are necessary to make any piece of ground fit to be converted into a garden , that may be both profitable and delightful . next i shall direct what is to be done in order to the right preparation of those grounds , that are naturally pretty good , and the melioration and improvement of those which are not so ; and how to model any fruit or kitchin garden whatsoever , great or little , regular or irregular , well or ill situated , as well for the most advantageous disposing of its enclosure , and well garnishing its walls , as of the ground in the middle , that the whole may be so well imployed , that it may not only court our senses with the charms of neatness and beauty , but be rendred more easie and convenient to cultivate , and so complaisant and good natur'd , as above all , to reward our labours with a competent store not only of all sorts of legumes , but particularly of choice , good and lovely fruits . and lastly , i will lay down instructions how to cultivate fruit-trees throughout the whole year , and how to recruit them with fresh amendments , as often as they shall need it . in the third part , i will endeavour to describe which are in my opinion , the choicest sorts of fruits , that gentlemen may not only be thereby induced to chuse none but them , but may be directed how to proportion the number of each of them in every garden , and because 't is not enough to know only in general , which are the principal sorts of fruits , i shall also specifie in particular which are the best in every month , how long each sort of them usually last , and as near as can well be calculated , what quantity of fruit each tree may be expected to yield at its first beginning to bear , after three , four , five , or six years planting , when it is well ordered , that gentlemen may take their measures accordingly , so as to be furnisht with such a store of them , that may be sufficient to content the passion they may have for fruit. i will likewise give directions at the same time , how to assign each fruit-tree the place that is most proper and effectual to make it thrive and prosper . and , secondly , how to chuse such well qualified stocks of every sort of tree , as may truly deserve a place in a garden . thirdly , how to prepare them by trimming both their tops and roots , in order to plant them ; and , lastly , how to plant them well ; all which are observations so absolutely necessary , that without them , 't is impossible not to commit very great errours . in the fourth part , i will treat of the pruning , of trees according to the method practised by my self ; and afterwards i will describe my way of pinching some of them , and of disbudding or thinning their leaves , nailing them up , &c. in the fifth part , i will direct how to thin them of their fruit , by plucking off as many as occasion shall require , where they grow too thick , for we are not to leave so many fruit upon a tree , as it had blossoms , but have reason rather to be suspicious of those that blossom too much , the excess of their good will , if i may so say , being to be reckoned a great fault , because it most certainly disables them from bringing their products to perfection . i shall also give instructions when 't will be proper to uncover such fruit as we shall have left growing , in order to their attaining that beauty of colour , and accomplisht goodness which are agreeable to their kind ; as also , exactly when to gather both those which ripen on the tree , and those which attain not their full ripeness there , but must be laid up to mellow in the house . also , how to keep them as long as 't is possible , for which purpose , i shall give all necessary directions for the building , exposition , and disposition of store-houses for fruit. and , lastly , i shall direct how to know when any sort of fruit is ripe , and when it may seasonably be served up to be eaten , whether it be such as will not keep , such as are all summer-fruits , or such as is laid up in the store-house to be kept , of which class , are autumn and winter fruits . in the same fifth part , i intend likewise to treat of some diseases of trees that may be cured , where i shall ingenuously declare at the same time , which are those against which i have been able yet to find no remedy : also to restore those trees to their former vigour which are fallen into a languishing condition , for want of good culture . and , lastly , to lay down instructions , how to distinguish those which are past recovery , that so no person may be at any further expence of time , or pains or money upon them , to no purpose . i likewise pretend in the same fifth part , to give all the insight that is needful for the management of nurseries of all sorts of fruit-trees , as well in respect to the choice of stocks most proper to receive grafts of what kind soever , as to the grafting them in such a manner , as may be most agreeable both to each sort of fruit to be grafted , and to each stock to be grafted on . i shall therefore also give my advice about the different ways of trellissing and nailing up wall-trees . lastly , in the sixth part , i intend to treat of kitchin-gardens ; which is a subject of no less vast extent than profit , when it falls into the hands of persons that understand , and manage it aright . i shall therefore treat of it somewhat largely ; with design to shew , first , what may profitably enter into all sorts of kitchin-gardens , so compleatly to stock them that it may be said , there 's nothing wanting in them , to which i shall add a description of all seeds and other things , by which each particular sort of plant is produced and multiplyed . secondly , i shall specifie what products and provisions , a kitchin-garden should furnish us with every month of the tear , and what should be the work of gard'ners in every one of those months , and shew how to do them well ; and lastly , what should be found in every kitchin-garden , at all seasons , to convince us it is in a good condition . thirdly , what sort of ground is most proper for every particular sort of plant , to bring it to its due perfection , and more especially which is the best way to make all sorts of legumes turn to account , and answer expectation , whether they be such as are sown not to be removed , or such as must necessarily be transplanted , or lastly , such as are propagated without sowing . fourthly , how long each of them occupies its place , as well before it arrives to its due perfection , as whilst it continues bearing . i will also specifie at the same time , what plants must be housed up in the conservatory for our winter provisions , and what by the help of art and industry , may be produced inspite of the srost . in the fifth place , i shall teach how to raise all sort of seeds , for the more easie maintainance of our kitchin-garden in full stock , and shall declare how long time each sort will keep good , they having not all the same destiny in that respect . and a gard'ner that could but understand , what i have just now proposed in the abovesaid , would in all likewise be as fit as could be desired , for an ordinary garden . but however , in my opinion , it would be further needful for him to have some little understanding , in the culture of orange-trees , which , as we have above remarked , are indeed properly fruit-trees , though very often they are not so much considered for their fruit , as for the flowers expected from them ; neither is that culture any thing nigh so difficult as has been hitherto imagined . and likewise without any design , to encroach too much upon so many skilful artists , whose peculiar province it is , to deal in all those beauteous plants , that compose the rich enamellings of parterres , and flower plots , i may venture to put in a word or two , concerning the culture of jessimins , and most of the ordinary flowers , which may be had every month in the tear , which i shall do whilst i am treating of the products and provisions of each month , in the same sixth part . and it is certain , we may have some few flowers in most gardens of any reasonable bigness , and have them betimes too , witness that famous gard'ner of oebalia ; and therefore because every curious gentleman either not being in a condition , or not willing to keep several gard'ners , many of them are often obliged to content themselves with but one , to serve their curiosity ; this induced me to think it necessary enough , that the gard'ner i instruct for the service of an ingenious gentleman , should find something here a little beyond the bare knowledge of the culture of a fruit-garden , or kitchin garden . perhaps in this sixth part , an ordinary gard'ner will find light enough to enable him to content a master , that has but a moderate passion for flowers : and that 's all i proposed to my self , by the instructions i have inserted relating to them . upon which occasion , i cannot forbear exclaiming , that happy are they who in matter of gard'ning , know how to follow the wise advises of the prince of poets , and the example of that gard'ner , whom he has rendred so famous by his verses ; for that illustrious author likes well , we should admire the beauty of spacious gardens , and praise them too , if we please ; but yet he advises us to content our selves with small ones to cultivate . for it is indeed the interest of every one , of what quality soever he may be , timely to resolve not only to choose that sort of garden he fansies best , but especially to be cautious how he undertakes to plant a larger one , than his conveniences will permit , that he may not be obliged to charge himself with more gard'ners than he can easily maintain , and than are absolutely necessary for a gentleman of his estate and circumstances . they which act otherwise in affairs of this nature , do but prepare assured matter of great vexation to themselves , out of that very subject , which otherwisewould have yielded them all the pleasures they expected from it . for gard'ning ought to bring in profit ; that was the first motive of its institution : but profit alas , seldom attends the endeavours of those rash projecters , that undertake things beyond their abilities : no , that is a prize only attainable by those that content themselves with feasible and moderate attempts . agriculture in general may be look'd upon as a science of a vast extent , and proper to afford philosophical wits an infinite deal of exercise , no part of natural philosophy yielding more excellent matter for contemplation , or being more fertile in useful and delightful experiments , than that which treats of vegetation . for i know there are abundance of fine and curious questions proposed in it ; as for example , whether the sap circulates in plants , as the bloud does in animals ? whether the roots do actively attract , or only passively , without any action on their side , receive the juice which serves for the nourishment of every plant ; from whence that infinite difference of saps proceeds , which produces so great a diversity and variety of tasts and figures , as we observe in plants , and how the growth of plants , in both length and thickness , is effected in their trunks , branches , leaves and fruits , &c. and there is an infinite number of other curiosities of that nature , the knowledge of which would doubtless give a great deal of pleasure to learned men ; but yet perhaps would not add any thing considerable to the skill or capacity of our work-man , which is , as i have said , my principal aim in this treatise . i shall however examine some of those ingenious and nice questions , only to give my opinion upon them , at the end of this treatise , which shall be done under the title of reflections upon agriculture . but in the mean while i do not think it very necessary to examine any of them to the bottom , unless they be such as may probably serve to the establishing of some rules , or maxims proper for my design : that which is most particularly our business here , being to shew what may most effectually procure us both plenty and pleasure , with the most easie and least expence . as for example , methinks 't is very material , to know in some competent measure , the beginning and order of vegetation ; to know what the sap does both in the roots and branches , according as it abounds more or less in each of them , whether strong or seeble ; to know what branches are best disposed for bearing of fruit , and which for producing of wood ; to know the reasons of tillage , and of amendments , and several other things no less useful than those . because without knowing such points as these , we could establish no certain method of pruning either roots or branches ; of making trees flourish , and advancing them into a condition to be able to bear fine fruit ; of making all sorts of trees and plants vigorous , &c. which are the things i think most particularly necessary to be known . and accordingly 't is in the decision of these sorts of difficulties that i have endeavoured to reason with the greatest evidence i could , the better to confirm the instructions i give , and which i found only upon very frequent , very long and very exact observations made by my own self in all the parts of gardening , without taking any thing upon trust , upon the report of any other person . so that here i communicate to the world all the light i have acquired in this sort of agriculture : and in so doing , i give an account of all i have observed nature to do in the production of vegetables . and i give this account not only without any reserve , but sincerely and faithfully , and according to the best of my slender skill and capacity . i have express'd my self in the plainest manner i possibly could , as being well enough convinced , that this kind of matter , requires no lofty or swelling style , and needs no greater ornament than to be set in a clear light , and to be well explained , and well understood . i shall here add , that the third part of this work , where i treat of the choice and proportion of fruits , was that which cost me the greatest pains of any , and that which , if i mistake not , will prove one of the most useful . my undertaking therein is as great as new ; that which makes me call it new , is because that hitherto i never knew any body that ever projected the like : and that which induces me to call it great , is the great variety of matter , which i am to treat of in it ; which though it be common and ordinary , yet is little understood , and consequently gives a great deal of trouble to most adventurers in these curiosities . those directions for the choice of the best fruits , that proportion of number to be observed of trees of every kind , according to the bigness of the gardens , and the quality of the ground . those rules for the situations and distances , &c. which i there lay down , are all matters of very great importance in gard'ning ; of which therefore 't is so highly necessary to be well informed , that 't will be otherwise impracticable , to plant with success . but what i find most troublesome in this attempt , is , that 't is impossible to perform it in few words : so that to manage it with the conduct it requires , i find my self obliged to make a large discussion , and under an indispensible necessity to promise a preface too , both somewhat long , and perhaps altogether tedious , both to my self , and to those for whose service i make it . so that though i should not otherwise have misfortune enough by giving occasion to some curious gentlemen to quarrel with me , for the judgment i shall give of every particular sort of fruit , whether i should care or not for their exceptions ; yet the frightful number of difficulties i must expect to meet with in the execution of a design of so great an extent , might be alone sufficient to make me lose courage , and indeed had almost actually prevail'd with me to desist , not only while i was but beginning it , but after i had made a considerable progress in it . however being perswaded on one side , that my work would have been much less useful than i intended it should , if this part had been wanting to it , and on the other hand , being extremely zealous to pleasure , and no less averse from the least inclination to offend any body , i took courage to pursue my project , in good hopes , that at least a considerable number of those admirers of fruit and fruit-trees , and which are the only persons , which i value in this matter , and for whom i designed it , will kindly accept a work which so much shortens their way ; and if there happen to be any among them that may think they have reason to find fault with my palate , because they will not always find it conformable to their own , i have reason to believe they will do it without any displeasure at me , or railing at my innocent design , since i pretend not to confine , or blame any man in point of taste . no , i know well enough , that by the order of nature , every man is soveraign judge of his own cause in that question , as well as i , so that as we say commonly , peoples tastes are not to be disputed . this being supposed , i shall need only to follow the resolution i have taken , to use all imaginable precautions , to keep as near to that complaisance in all the parts of this treatise of gardening , as i shall be able , acting however all along according to this principle , that doctrinal instructions are not to be managed like works of eloquence ; for in these latter indeed , all is not to be sai'd , that can be said ; an oratours part , being only to give the ingenious auditours a glimpse of the beauties of a subject , and to leave them the pleasure to make further discoveries of its charms , themselves ; but in this treatise , i think i cannot do better than to follow the wise counsel of a lord , as illustrious for the great extent of his knowledge , as for his birth , vertue , and eminent employments ; who advised me particularly , never to suppose others to know what i know , in matters of this kind , being perswaded that was the only sure method i could use , to succeed in my endeavours ; and therefore , i ought to be careful to omit nothing , and to leave nothing doubtful in my instruction , which being by this means very large , and perhaps very intelligible too every where , will likewise certainly prove as useful in all its parts , as i desire . this consideration necessarily engages me to give very long , and very particular accounts of things , for which exactness , i demand before hand some indulgence , not doubting but to most readers , it may seem too great ; but i have likewise no less reason to believe , that if it were less , it would be attended by many much more offensive faults of another kind . besides , if the length of this treatise disgusts any persons from reading it , in all likely-hood 't will be such as are wholly taken up with greater businesses than this , at which i am very well satisfied , it being only intended for people not otherwise employed , and for hours of recreation : at least they who will please to take the pains to examine my conduct , will see for my iustification , that , as i have already said , i have not pretended any thing else , but only to declare my opinion , upon the subject i treat of in that third part . and if any gentlemen be content to follow my judgment , without entring into any discussion of the reasons which i make use of to enforce it , they may let alone , not only my preliminary discourse , and my particular considerations , but likewise the descriptions i have made of the several sorts of fruits ; and so may go strait to the places where i conclude , what i really think is to be done , in order to plant wisely and happily , ( which is noted all along in the margent , and more especially in the abridgment i have added at the end of the treatise ) for there 't is , they will immediately find all the assistance they suppose they need , and for which they are willing to be obliged to me . that which moves me to undertake a thing in my opinion , so useful and commodious , is , because when i see many gardens of all sorts of sizes , as it has often hapned , and daily happens to me , i see indeed some fruit there , but withal at the same time , i see there the three greatest inconveniences to be feared in that respect . the first is , that hardly any sorts of fruits that are well known , ( which is no very hopeful sign of their goodness ) are to be seen there , and which is most of all to be found fault with , the good ones are more scarce there than the bad ones : as for example , to instance in pears , which of all fruits is that of which men plant most , we shall commonly find in gardens , more trees of catillacs , orange pears , besideri's , white butter pears , jargonells , summer boncretiens , &c. than of bergamots , virgoulees , leschasseries , ambrets , thorn pears , russelets , &c. the second incommodity is , that , if two or three kinds happen to be there that are truly good , they will be there almost all alone , and that pretty often under different names . for instance , we shall find a garden planted almost all with winter boncretiens , butter pears , messire johns , &c. or else almost all only with virgoulees , russelets , verte longues , or long green pears , &c. without a happy mixture of the one with the other . lastly , the third and most considerable inconvenience is , that we seldom see in any gardens , a succession of fruits so judiciously contrived , that without any discontinuation , we may expect a perpetual supply of them in summer , autumn , and winter , which yet with due regard had to the quality of their ground , might easily be effected ; they may perhaps boast , they have a sufficiency or perhaps too much , either in one of the three seasons , or during some part of each of them , as for instance , that they have some blanquets or russelets for summer , some butter pears and bergamots , for autumn , and some boncretiens and virgoulees , for winter , &c. but perhaps , they have sew other fruits , or perhaps none at all , to furnish successively every season so long as it lasts , and much less to furnish all the whole three seasons , one after another , without intermission . these are doubtless all very unpleasing irregularities , and which proceed from the want of due skill in contrivance , whilst a garden is planting ; for at that time , gentlemen commonly begin first with telling their design to some friends , either to demand their advice , ( which is good , if they be persons skill'd in gardening ) or else chiefly to excite their liberality , if they have any trees to give away , which usually produces , as one may say , rather an hospital , or confused chaos of fruit-trees , than a regular garden ; and if they have not skilful acquaintance to consult , they send , or perhaps go themselves to the nursery gardens , which are ordinarily very ill contrived ; they name some few sorts of fruits they intend to plant , and for all the rest only signifie in general , what number of trees they would have , without being able to name precisely the particular sorts they have occasion for , and much less to specifie what numbers they want of each . and indeed 't is because they are perswaded , there is no better way to be taken , considering that ( if i may have leave to use those new terms ) there are almost no able frugis consults , or fruit sages , nor any good books of this frugis prudence , or science of fruit culture , from which they may furnish themselves with the necessary instructions for the contriving of a well modelled plantation , and therefore they leave all to the discretion of some plant-merchant , who perhaps on one side , is not very knowing , nor over well stockt , though at first he endeavours to perswade his customers , that he has all sorts of good fruit-trees , as he would prove by the testimony of some old confused catalogue he fails not to shew them , and on the other side , is above all things desirous , to take advantage of the occasion presented him , to put off his ware , because he is assured , it will not keep long good . so that our new curious adventurer is forced to plant such trees as either his friends have given him , or as the plant-merchant has sold him , whether they be good or bad , and so provided the number he desired , be compleated , he rests satisfied and contented , and quietly lets pass the first four , or five , or six years in expectation , till every tree may shew what it is able to perform : and he finds here and there one perhaps , that bears fruit , to amuse the master's . hopes for some while , but at last , time shews him a true , but too late a sight of the errours into which he was unhappily fallen . but because the trees are now grown tall how ill satisfied soever a man may be at the fruit they produce , he can hardly find in his heart to resolve upon new grafting them , and much less upon beginning a new plantation , so much afraid are people of engaging in any attempt to correct their first mistakes , that is attended with the hazard of making new ones equally pernicious ; and by that means they find themselves plunged in the mire , and are so dispirited as to remain in it , vexing in the mean while , to see themselves deceived of the hopes they had conceived of their beloved project ; which produces that disgust which we observe so commonly , to sieze some men , and make them , though at first they appeared passionately inamoured with their gardens , seek in a few years after , to get rid of them at any rate . there are likewise two other faults that are very common : the first is that for want of knowing the reasonable distances that are to be observed between trees , with respect to the goodness of the ground , the height of the walls , and the quality of the several sorts of fruits ; they are osten planted either too nigh to , or too far off one from the other ; the second is , that likewise for want of duly understanding what situations agree best with each sort of tree , a considerable number of them are often unluckily planted in unkindly places . and is it possible for a man animated with so warm a zeal for gard'ning as i am , not to be sensibly touch'd at all these misfortunes , and not to have some compassion upon those that unwarily ingage in the curiosity of the planting and culture of fruits , without qualifying themselves with some little knowledge in it ? no , certainly , and therefore , as far as possibly i can , i will endeavour to prevent all those faults , and to lay down directions , how to plant with so much circumspection for the future , that if a gentleman has a garden big enough to receive any reasonable number of trees , he may have in it all the principal sorts of fruits that are to be had , for every season of the year . this reason that concerns the contriving of a continual successive supply of fruits throughout all the seasons ; may prevail with me sometimes in plantations , to preferr a meaner fruit before a better , and that because the better comes in , in a time when i may have a sufficient provision of other admirable sorts besides , and the meaner one comes in a season , when the scarcity of the most excellent fruits being very great , we think our selves very happy , if we can be supplied at least with some of a midling goodness : and accordingly for instance , if i had but little room for dwarf pear-trees , i would plant sometimes a dry martin , or a bugi which are pretty good winter pears , before a robine , or a musked summer boncretien , &c. which are summer fruits much better in themselves than the two precedent ones . i shall afterwards shew what reasons oblige me to follow this method . they which , as i may without vanity , say , know not so much in this matter as i do , may perhaps be surprised at such a choice , which without the knowledge of the particular circumstances that influenced me to make it , would appear somewhat odd , but i dare assure them , they will not find it not very easie to censure my conduct , if they will but allow themselves time to examine my reasons . but because if a gentleman , were never so well experienced in the knowledge of the good sorts of fruits , he would be never the further advanced , if it were very difficult , or perhaps impossible , to find them in the nursery gardens , this is the answer i make to so important a difficulty . i hope my exactness in the choice and proportion of fruits i shall prescribe , will produce a regulation and kind of reformation in all nursery gardens ; i mean , that it will not only banish all confusion , and effects of unskilfullness out of them that have been ill contrived , but will cause new ones to be modelled with all possible art and understanding ; and then it will happen , that instead of grafting any more either of those kinds i reject by name , or of those i name not , that both of them will grow so much out of request , that they will be but lost to the gard'ners , and consequently they will be obliged for their own interest , to graft only those which i express some esteem for ; whether they be new or ancient kinds , and none at all of the others , and fewer of those of which few are to be planted , and more of those of which i advise to plant the greatest number ; by which means , the able plant-merchants may be assured of a good and never-failing vent for their goods on one side , which may encourage them to do better and better , and on the other , all gardens will insensibly come to be established upon a perfect model , which is the main thing aimed at for the pleasure and satisfaction of all our curious gentlemen . and in the mean time , till nurseries can be brought into that state of perfection i have proposed , so that we may one day enjoy the convenience , to find in them a sufficient store of all sorts of good trees , we may have occasion for , now gentlemen are informed by the choice i have expressed in this treatise , which are the prime fruits of every season , if they happen , among a great number of other fruits which are rejected , to find but a part of those that are prized , they will do well to take rather more of them than they first intended , than to venture to meddle with any of the worser kinds . and in doing this , their best way will be , to observe these two resolutions , first , either to plant no trees but of those few good sorts which they have found , and to fill up all the places they have to fill , wholly with them , or else to stay till another year , to gain time to look for those sorts they could not find the last , rather than to hazard the planting of any unknown or doubtful kinds . and perhaps , as it is very expedient they should , they will have so much wise forecast of themselves , to prepare at least , in the mean while some stocks to graft those kinds upon the next , which they could not find the last year , and which i have advised them to plant ; which they may do either upon some of those supernumerary trees they have already taken , or upon good wildings , which they may plant ready in their assigned places , for that effect . for , to conclude , in the matter of plantations , assoon as ever we have resolved to have a fruit garden , we must not forget any thing that may assist us to follow exactly cato's precept , which advises us to gain time , and to advance our projects of curiosities in this nature , with all the expedition imaginable . for , says he , aedificare , diu cogitare oportet ; conterere , facere , non cogitare , id est , he that builds , should consider long beforehand of his work ; but he that plants , must act , and not think : or he must act at least as nimbly as thoughit self . advertisement . i cannot conceive but it must needs be a very acceptable advertisement , and of universal concern to all noble-men , and persons of quality , lovers of gardens , and improvers of plantations ( of all diversions and employments the most natural , usefull , innocent and agreeable ) at what distance soever ( from a place of so easy and speedy correspondence and which is so nere this great city ) to give this notice . that of all i have hitherto seen , either at home or abroad ; or found by reading many books publish'd on this subject , pretending to speak of nurseries and plantations for store and variety ; directions for the designing ( or as they term it ) the skillful making , plotting , laying-out , and disposing of a ground to the best advantage : in a word , for whatsoever were desireable for the furniture of such a ground , with the most excellent , and warantable fruit ( i say warantable ; because it is peculiarly due to their honnest industry , and so rarely to be met with elsewhere ) and other accessories to gardens of all denominations , as in that vast , and ample collection which i have lately seen , and well consider'd at brompton park near kensington : the very sight of which alone , gives an idea of something that is greater than i can well express , without an endumeration of particulars ; and of the exceeding industry , method and address of those who have undertaken , and cultivated it for publick use : i mean mr. george london ( chief gardner to their majesties ) and his associate mr. henry wise : for i have long observ'd ( from the daily practice , and effects of the laudable industry of these two partners ) that they have not made gain the only mark of their pains ; but with extraordinary , and rare industry , endeavour'd to improve themselves in the mysteries of their profession , from the great advantages , and now long experience they have had , in being employ'd in most of the celebrated gardens and plantations which this nation abounds in ; besides what they have learn'd abroad , and where horticulture is in highest reputation . i find they not only understand the nature and genius of the several soils ; but their usual infirmities , proper remedies , composts and applications to reinvigorate exhausted mould ; sweeten the foul and tainted , and reduce the sower , harsh , stuborn and dry , or over moist and diluted earth to its genuine temper and constitution ; and what aspects , and situations are proper for the several sorts of mural , standard , dwarf and other fruite-trees . they have made observations , and given me a specimen of that long ( but hitherto ) wanting particular , of discriminating the several kinds of fruits , by their characteristical notes , from a long , and critical observation of the leafe , tast , colour , and other distinguishing qualities : so as one shall not be impos'd upon with fruits of several names ; when as in truth , there is but one due to them . for instance , in peares alone , a gentleman in the country sends to the nuseries for the liver blanch , piguigny , de chouille , rattau blane , &c. the english st. gilbert , cranbourn pears ( and several other names ) when all this while , they are no other than the well known cadillac . the same also hap'ning in peaches , apples , plums , cherris and other fruit ; for want of an accurate examination ( by comparing of their taste , and those other indications i have mentioned ) for which gentlemen complain ( and not without cause ) that the nursery-men abuse them ; when 't is their ignorance , or the exotic name of which they are so fond . i find they have likewise apply'd themselves to attain a sufficient mastery in lines and figures for general design , and expeditious methods for casting and leveling of grounds ; and to bring them into the most apt form they are capable off ; which requires a particular address , and to determine the best proportions of walks and avenues , starrs , centers , &c. suitable to the lengths ; and how , and with what materials whether gravel , carpet , &c. to be layed . they have a numerous collection of the best designs , and i perceive are able of themselves to draw , and contrive other , applicable to the places when busie works , and parterrs of imbroidery for the coronary and flower gardens are proper or desired . and where fountaines , statues , vasas , dials , and other decorations of magnificence are to be plac'd with most advantage . to this add , a plentiful , and choice collection of orange-trees , lemon , mertil , baies , jassmines , and all other rarities , and exotics , requiring the conservatory ; after they have embellish't their proper stations abroad during the summer , and for continuing a no less ornament in the green-house during winter . they have a very brave and noble assembly of the flowery and other trees ; perennial and variegated ever-greens and shrubs , hardy , and fittest for our climate ; and understand what best to plant the humble boscage , wilderness , or taller groves with : where , and how to dispose , and govern them , according as ground , and situation of the place requires both for shelter and ornament . for which purpose ( and for walks and avenues ) they have store of elms , limes , platans , constantinople-chesnuts , black-cherry-trees , &c. nor are they , i perceive , less knowing in that most useful ( though less pompous part of horticulture ) the potagere , meloniere , culinarie gardent where they should most properly be plac'd for the use of the family ; how to be planted , furnish'd and cultivated so as to afford great pleasure to the eye , as well as profit to the master . and they have also seeds , bulbs , roots , slips , for the flowery garden , and shew how they ought to be order'd and maintain'd . lastly , i might super-add , the great number of grounds and gardens of noble-men and persons of quality , which they have made and planted ab origine , and are still under their care and inspection ( though at considerable distances ) and how exceedingly they prosper , to justifie what i have freely said in their behalf . and as for the nursery part in voucher , and to make good what i have said on that particular , one needs no more than take a walk to brompton park ( upon a fair morning ) to behold , and admire what a magazine these industrious men have provided , fit for age , and choice in their several classes ; and all within one inclosure : such an assembly i believe , as is no where else to be met with in this kingdom , nor in any other that i know of . i cannot therefore forbear to publish ( after all the encomiums of this great work of mouns● de la quintinye , which i confess are very just ) what we can , and are able to perform in this part of agriculture ; and have some amaenities and advantages peculiar to our own , which neither france , nor any other couutry can attain to ; and is much due to the industry of mr. london and mr. wise , and to such as shall imitate their laudable undertankings . be this then for their encouragement , and to gratifie such as may need or require their assistance . j. evelyn . cabala , sive scrinia sacra : mysteries of state and government , in letters of illustrious persons , and great ministers of state , as well foreign as domestick , in the reigns of king henry the eighth , queen elizabeth , king james , and king charles . wherein such secrets of empire , and publick affairs , as were then in agitation , are clearly represented ; and many remarkable passages faithfully collected . to which is added in this third edition , a second part , consisting of a choice collection of original letters and negotiations , never before published . with two exact tables to each part ; the one of the letters , and the other of the most remarkable occurrences . essays of michael seigneur de montaigne . in three books . with marginal notes and quotations of the cited authors . and an account of the authour's life . to which is added a short character of the authour and translator , by way of letters ; writen by a person of honour . new rendred into english by charles cotton , esquire . both sold by matthew gillyflower , at the spread eagle in westminster-hall . pomona in agro versaliensi quintinio regiorum hortorum culturae praefecto . versalii colles , atque alta palatia ruris , et vitrei fontes , rivique , & amoena fluenta , quotquot & hîc habitant , inter tot divitis aulae regificos luxus , vix rustica numina , nymphae , vos etiam non jam indociles cultoribus horti , regales horti : decus unde , & gloria vestris arboribus venit , & cultis nova gratia campis ? quintinio date serta deae , ramoque virenti vos nimphae hortorum doctam praecingite frontem , telluris contrà ingenium , solesque malignos , his florere dedit dudum infaelicibus hortis ; fas olli fuerit , quos sevit , carpere ramos , dum sub sole alio lodoicus ab hoste reportat longè alias lauros inimico sanguine tinctas . versaliis sincera habitant ubi gaudia campis , pomona sterilis dudum , & sine honore gemebat , imprimis dum cuncta virent , dum cuncta resurgunt , et prisci redeunt aevi melioris honores , principe sub tanto : vitio telluris iniquae squallebat radicis egens sine fructibus arbor ; hîc regnare omnes haud aequâ mente ferebat , exilio è longo quas rex revocaverat artes ; quòd magis urebat pectus : fas cuique dearum nativas depromere opes , ostendere honores , principis ambibant sibi consiliare favorem . sola gemens socias inter despecta sorores deserere has sedes , nec non regalia tecta constituit : tanto pudor est se ostendere regi vilem adeò , nudamque opibus , proprioque carentem ornatu foliorum & pulchro frontis honore . nam nulli ad pectus , nullique in vertice flores ; illa suis sine muneribus , sine divitis anni exuviis calathos aegrè monstrabat inanes : autumno indignante , & flentibus undique nymphis . anxia , tristis , inops , foelices tranfuga terras quaerebat ; propriis jamt●m deserta colonis : desperat se posse per ulta negotia fessum principis oblectare animum , licet omnia tentet : tellurem & votis , divosque imploret agrestes , nec quicqudm : stat campus iners , dextramque rebellis respuit agricolae , suus arvis incubat horror . ergò qui potuit gentes fraenare superbas , iluminibus dare jura , levesque attollere in auras aerium per iter suspensis fluctibus amnes , non legem dabit arboribus , nec dura remittet hujus ad imperium sese natura , benigno afflata intuitu ? ab potius mitescere discat , atque suas oblita vices ingrata rebelles culturae patiens subigatque , & molliat agros ! se●l quid ego'hicc autem ? manet intractibilis illa , et placet ipse sibi nativus sedibus horror . haec telluris erat facies miseranda , sine ullo cultore & sterilis , sine re , sine nomine campus , hinc dea versalio jamdudum ingloria rure decedens , alias terras , alia arva petebat ; sanclovios pede praecipiti properabat in hortos , nodo vincta comam , & vestes collecta fluentes . cum quintiniades properantem fistit , & arti confisus meritos pomonae spondet honores . versalides plausêre deae , festusque per altos rumor iit colles , fore mox regalibus hortis , quod non agricolae , nec speravêre coloni , quaesitum regale decus ; simul explicat artem , divinam plantandi artem : ceu numine plenus re super hortensi memorabat multa , latentes primaevâ rerum repetens ab origine causas . addebat dicenti animos praesentia regis : explorat terrae ingenium , solesque , suosque astrorum influxus : prudens discriminat agros , nam plantis tellus non convenit omnibus una . optimus ille locus pomis , haec optima sedes inter saxa piris , citros necat humida tellus : hîc solem accipiet , coeloque fruetur aperto , et fructus longè meliores proferet arbos : gaudebunt illic nati de semine flores ; paulatim haec tellus succos dediscet agrestes emendata fimo , cultum si dura recuset et sterilis nimium , & nullâ superabilis arte , fundum omnem exhauri , & meliorem suffice terram , qua vicinus ager de se nimis uber abundat ; si quis amor , teneatque tui te gloria ruris , non pigeat plenis terram asportare canistris : aspera mitescet sensim natura locorum , nec sese agnoscet nativi oblita rigoris . sic dabat & leges , sic & praecepta colonis , plantandique modos , & tempora certa docebat : quin & adoptivos teneris includere ramos arboribus monstrabat : habent sua soedera plantae : cunctis seminibus vis indita , & indita plantis , quâ vel amant jungi , vel faedera jussa recusant : sunt odia arboribus , sunt & quoque mutui amores , haec sociam petit , & plantae se jungere amanti quaerit , & appositis se coelo attollere fulcris . quàm facilè observes : dùm crebra perambulat auras , et se inclinat amans pendentibus undique ramis , ipsa suos prodit , simul & testatur amores . illa superba suis , opibus non indiget ullis , commendata suo satis & ditissima fructu consortem timet , & succos miscere refugit . haec tamen advertas ; truncum ditabis inertem connubio rami alterius , nam sponte dehiscit , et vulnus patitur fructûs melioris amore , gaudebit sterili nova poma ostendere tranco arbor , & ipsa novas jactabit adultera frondes . si mendax fundus , mendaci credere fundo , ne sata permittas , quae sub tellure profundâ radices altas coeca in penetralia mittat . nam tophus scaber , aut urens argilla , latensve creta nocet saepè arboribus , quae sicca negabit vitales succos , animaeque alimenta fovendae ; nec metuenda minùs vitabis scrupea saxa . nil humoris habent , paulatim nobilis arbor languescet moriens saxosis credita terris ; sed fibris quae mordet humum levioribus , omni se monstrantem agro , florum plantabis amaenam , surgere manè novo quam contemplabere , sylvam . haec pluvii nisi roris eget , facilique labore crescet & innato mulcebit odore colonum . haec praecepta memor servaveris , omnia cedent agricolae , laetis accedet copia campis , et sterilis nuper jam se mirabitur hortus . addiderat majora , sed haec praecepta ferentem abrumpit lodoicus , & illum praeficit hortis , illum adeo insignem , cui se natura videndam omnino exhibuit , nondum intellecta colonis . regales ubi quintinius circumspicit agros , qui dudum ingratis regionibus insidet horror , in lybiae montes , loca dura , & inhospita saxa . secessit ; nova tunc facies foelicibus hortis : quin etiam sentit tellus inarata colonum , et regale solum hoc uno cultore superbit : hinc dubium est , an praeclarae plùs debeat arti , quàm natura sibo : usque adeo labor utilis arvis . hîc hyemes nil juris habent ; laeta omnia , laeta : vernat humus , pulchris se ostentat fructibus arbor , seque ornant varijs depicti floribus agri ; sunt silvae ingentes , sunt & nemora alta , recessusque umbriferi , insanae loca tuta tumultibus aulae . versaliis visa hinc pomona ferocior arvis , florigerum caput attollens , calathique tumentes ostentans natos è fundo divite fructus , regales inter par nympha incedere nymphas . santolius victorinus . in tabellam qua imago ejusdem quintinii exprimitur . hanc decorate deae quotquot regnatis in hortis , floribus è vestris supráque , infráque tabellam . hic dedit arboribus florere & edulibus herbis , et se mirata est tanto pomona colono . santolius victorinus . verses to mr. quintenay written originally in latin by santolius victorinus a french man. ye hills , ye purling streams , and christal springs ye stately piles , the rural seats of king ; ye sylvan nymphs , who by exalting fate the country lost , and here arise to state : ye royal gardens taught at last to bear , no more ungratefull to the tiller's care ; whence rise your flowers , your trees , what art doth yield ? whence spring the beauties that adorn your field ? wreath lawrels , wreath , a lasting crown prepare , for learn'd quintinius , and repay his care : tho' cold unlivening suns , and barren earth oppos'd his art , nor would assist the birth , he ventur'd on , and his industrious toil bestow'd new beauties on the horrid soil : repos'd in ease , and stretcht in softest bowers , let him enjoy his fruits , and pluck his flowers ; whilst l — s conquers lands unknown before and reaps fresh lawrels on a foreign shore . at gay versailles , the brightest court below , where pleasures dwell , and joy unmixt with woe ; pomona mourn'd , nor would her grief be tame , of honors void , and conscious of her shame : she mourn'd to see , when our auspicious king made all things flourish , and restor'd the spring ; and better days , that she alone should find , the heaven adverse , and prove the earth unkind . in vain she planted , earth refused the root , and wither'd trunks deny'd the promis'd fruit. she mourn'd to see all arts but hers restor'd , make gratefull presents to their greatest lord ; she mourn'd to see with what high pride they strove , to show their duty , and express their love ; whilst he their labours generously surveys , with wealth supports them , and excites with praise . this mighty monarch partial foes confess , none cheers the arts so much , or needs them less : thy glorious actions foreign aids refuse , lasting themselves , and great without a muse . contemn'd she liv'd despairing of access , in such an habit , and so vile a dress , no flowers hung on her breast , her head was bare , and ruffling winds disperst her scatter'd hair ; her basket empty , she that lookt so gay , when deckt with all the various pride of may ; had now her honours , and her beauty lost , as beat by winters snow , or nipt by frost : old autumn mourn'd , her sister nymphs around , conspir'd in tears , and curst the barren ground . at last ( the glory of our mighty king recall'd her often , and unfledg'd her wing , ) tir'd with disgrace , unable to support her trouble , she resolves to leave the court ; to fly to happier seats , and strive to gain her usual honours on a better plain : she fear'd , now l — s had resign'd his ease , to arms and mars , her art too mean to please , tho' earth , and sylvan gods should aid to bring , a present equal to so great a king : but earth denyed her aid , the stubborn land prov'd more rebellious to the tiller's hand ; all care refus'd , and much averse to grace , was pleas'd with native horror on its face . that mighty prince , whom wildest streams obey , at whose command they take an airy way , o'er mountains climb , ascend the steepest hill , forget their nature , but observe his will ; shall earth oppose ? shall feeble fruits and trees , deny obedience to his great decrees ? what start of nature ! let her learn to yield , to know her duty , and correct the field . but i return , the stubborn fields remain , intractable , and all her care is vain : rude , unmanur'd , the dales and mountains lay , an undigested heap of barren clay ; a desart frightfull to the sight , the worst that nature knew , e'er since the ground was curst . to leave these seats , she imp'd her wings a new , she all the winds to her assistance drew ; she just took rise for flight , and markt her way , for the delicious plains of signelay . quintinius stopt her , beg'd a short return , and said ; no more shall there be cause to mourn ; you shall enjoy , so well his art he knew , the choicest honours to pomona due . she turn'd , the nymphs a general shout began , and o'er versails the pleasing rumor ran ; that now the time was come when fields should bear , no more ungreatfull to the tiller's care ; when gay pomona should her state regain , and live the glory of the royal train : yet still she doubted , many vows before deceiv'd her hopes , and she would trust no more ; till learn'd quintinius did his rules impart , and prov'd the sure foundations of his art ! he show'd how others spent their fruitless toil , not marking well the genius of the soil ; he taught , as fill'd by some diviner fire , what site , what suns , the different fruits require . what proper gounds peculiar trees preferr , the king stood by , and caus'd him not to err : for kings are gods , and they divinely taught , their subjects influence , and secure their thought . all soils affect not every sort of stock , the apple chooseth earth , the pear the rock ; the peach flies marshes , some delight to share the hottest sun , and choose an open air : some love the shade , here trees and shrubs will spread , their flowers from seed adorn a noble bed. some soils will mend , and care and pains produce what nature wants , and give a better juice . but if untractable , remove the old , and fill thy baskets with a fresher mould ; let richer grounds the poorer fields maintain , and lend their plenty to a barren plain . these laws quintinius gave , and every part appear'd the product of the greatest art : he show'd the seasons , and pomona saw the rules exact as she her self could draw ; but more he taught , how trees and fruits improve by mutual bonds , and know th' effects of love ; he taught how barren stocks unus'd to bear , themselves will thrive in an adopted heir . for trees have seeds of passions , love and hate rule them , and make a difference in their state . one seeks a prop , her amorous branches rove in wanton mazes , and confess their love ; rais'd by her mate she thrives , but dies disjoyn'd , the weaker vessel of the woody kind . another single stands , the losty maid in her own fortune rich , expects no aid : content with her own fruit she keeps her state , and flies the juices of a meaner mate . yet this observ'd you may improve the kind , and to poor stoks , the richest cion bind ; as 't is in men , just so in trees 't is found , propose but fortune , they receive the wound . the stock cleaves freely , and the adulterous root , forgets her shame , and glories in her fruit. to shallow ground forbear to trust the fruit , that earth require , and downward thrust the root : for rugged pumice , or a scorching clay , will stop their passage , and obstruct the way ; a stiffned marl resist , or chalk deny the vital moisture , and the plant will die : a rocky ground avoid with equal care , that moisture wants , and is averse to bear . the wither'd trunks will stretch its arms in vain , to dropping clouds , and beg supplies from rain . but shrubs , and common flowers that quickly shoot , ask little earth , nor fix a deeper root ; on any bed you may securely plant , for nature's kind , and will suppy their want . on little earth they are content to live , and crave no moisture , but what clouds can give . with various beauties they adorn the soil , whilst odorous sweets refresh the tiller's toil . observe these rules , the stubborn'st ground will yield , and flowers and trees will crown the poorest field ; rich orchards arise , and fruitfull branches shoot , and fields , once barren , wonder at their fruit. thus learn'd quintinius spoke , and more design'd , disclosing the large treasures of his mind ; but l — s with officious cares opprest , revolving fates of empires in his breast , thus said , enough , whilst i for arms prepare , and victory , the royal gardens be thy care . he said , enlarg'd quintinius bow'd , and took a higher genius from his awful look : scarce had he cast enlivening eyes a-round , but hatefull barrenness forsook the ground ; her long black wings upon a northern wind , she stretcht , nor left one blasting damp behind . to lybia's parcht inhospitable plains she fled , and there in a vast desart reigns : secure she reigns , but lo the times shall come , i see them roul through the abyss of doom , when our victorous arms shall reach the moors , and plant fresh lilies on the barren shores . with new born grace the fields began to smile , and felt his vigor ere he turn'd the soil : o happist artist ! thou alone couldst grace the royal gardens , and exalt the place ; oblige great l — s , and thy art alone adorn those seats where he hath fixt his throne . to thee her business nature gladly yields , and sits at ease , whilst art improves the fields . here frost and snow in vain cold winters bring , you break their force , and make perpetual spring . in every season foreign fruits appear and various flowers crown all the blooming year . here groves and forests rise , here fawns do sport in shady grots , here sylvan gods resort secure from the mad tumults of the court. and hence the gay pomona crown'd with flowers and fill'd with fruit , enjoys versalian bowers ; with statelier pace , and with a nobler port , approaches l — s , and adorns his court. an explication of the terms of gard'ning , in an alphabetical order . a. to ablaqueates , or lay bare the roots of trees . see bare , and trees and roots . acclivity is the sloping of the side of a hill , or bank , or ridge , or any other ground not level , considered as rising or ascending , which when considered as descending , is called declivity . see declivity . ados , is a french term signifying sometimes a sloping bank raised against some well exposed wall , to sow hasting or early pease or beans in , or plant artichokes , or any thing else we would have more forward than ordinary , and sometimes ridges or double slopes , with furrows or drains between them , to lay the plants dry , in wet or marshy , or over moist grounds . see banks , hillocke and slopes . agriots , in french , griots , are a sort of choice cherries , of the sharp sort , such as are our right kentish cherries . alberdge , is a name given to peaches , that are but of a small , or scarce midling size . to aline , is to range , level , or lay even in , and to a strait and direct line . said of walls , rows of trees , and sides of banks , allies , or beds , which is performed with lines fastned to spikes fixed in the ground or wall , as is amply described in its proper place . see to range , to level . aliners , are such rangers , or men imployed in the abovesaid work of ranging , or levelling rows of trees , walls , &c. it were well our english gard'ners would naturalize those two words , not being otherwise able to express their signification without a circumlocution , and having with less necessity naturalized many other forreign terms , without so much as altering their termination , which in these i have made perfectly english . allies , are such as we call walks in any garden . see walks , and their use and proportion , see in the body of the book . allies , are said to be bien tirrées , bien repassées , or bien retirrées , that is , well plain'd , when they are laid smooth and firm and tight again , with the beater or rouling stone after they have been scraped or turned up with an instrument to destroy the weeds . diagonal allies . see diagonal . parallel allies . see parallel . to amend , is to meliorate , recruit , or improve any ground that is either exhausted by continual bearing , or that is naturally barren , with dung , marl , compost , fresh mold , or any other usual way of improvement . amendment , is mucking , dunging , or any other way recruiting or improving of ground as abovesaid . amputation , is the sloping or cutting off , of any considerable branch or limbs of a tree . annual plants or flowers , are such as continue but a year . ants , pismires , or emets , are known insects . approlch , to graff by approach . see graffing and inoculation , in the first part of this work. to apple or pome . see to pome . argots or spurs , are the pointed ends and extremities of dead branches in any trees , which no neat gard'ner will neglect to cut off . but it is particularly necessary to do it in nurseries for trees grafsed scutcheon-wise . see spurs . arms are the main branches or limbs of a tree . aromatick plants , are such as are spicy , and hot in scent and tast , whether sweet or no. artichoke-eyes or eyelets , are the off-sets growing about the main stool or heart of artichoke roots , from which spring the suckers or slips by which they are propagated . artichokes suckers are of two sorts , viz. headed suckers , that bear small heads , and shoot out of their stems round about their main heads , but grow not so big , or suckers which as is abovesaid , spring from the off-setts of their main roots , called by the french , orilletons , or eyelets , which are therefore their slips or slip-suckers . app see exposure and exposition . avenves , are certain allies or walks in gardens larger than ordinary , but more properly leading to the front of the houses , which are commonly accompanied with two bye-walks , commmonly call'd counter-walks , which are both bordered with great trees , either elms , linden trees , or oaks , and sometimes standard fruit-trees . aviary , is a convenient place in a garden , or house where birds are kept , to sing , breed , &c. augusted , is a term used to signifie any thing that is sun burnt , and has endured the heat of the summer , and is turned ripe and yellow like corn in august , and hard and firm withall . it is spoken of several things , as of branches of trees that are of a full summers growth , of melons , pumpions , &c. when they are grown yellow , and hard , and will endure the nail . to arrest melons or cucumbers , is to break off the top of their vines , to check and stop their growth . see melons . azerolls , are garden-haws , being twice as big as the wild ones , and much more pulpy and pleasant , but not so fruitful ; and consequently , azeroll-trees , ●r garden-haw-trees , which are usually planted against walls . b. bacward fruits or legumes , are such as ripen late in the year . see latter . bands of long rie straw , steeped in water to make it lithe and pliant , and then twisted , are made use of to tie up lang lettuce , or other plants to cabbage , or whiten . such straw in french is called pleion . see straw . plat-bands . see borders ; see likewise under p. sloped banks , raised against walls well exposed , for the sowing or planting of hasting or early peas , beans , artichokes , &c. see ados and slopes . to bank , is to tight up the sides of a bed or border , and make it firm with the back of a spade or other instrument . to bare the roots of trees , or to ablaqueate , is to dig away the earth about them , and expose them sometime to the air , to refresh them , and make room for putting fresh mold to them , or in order to come at their roots , to prune them , when either defective , or too rank or luxuriant . see trees and roots . bark , is the outward rind of a tree . to bark a tree , is to peal and strip it of its bark . baskets made of ozier wrought so loose , that one may see through them , are used for circumposition , that is to plant young trees in , to keep in reserve , to be ready to take up again with basket and all , to replant in the places of such trees as shall happen to die , or otherwise miscarry , in the ranks where we had planted them , that so there may be no gaps , nor other deformity in any rank of trets . the french term them mannequine . to bear easily or quickly , or easily or quickly to take to , or to be brought to bearing , is spoken of trees that bear in few years , or little time after they are planted . to bear hardly , or to be hard to take , or to be brought to bearing , is spoken of trees that are many years or a long time after planting , before they bear . beaten , spoken of tilled ground when it is so beaten with great and violent rains , that 't is grown as firm as if it had been never tilled at all . a beater is an instrument wherewith gravel walks , pall-malls , &c. are smoothed and made firm . beds are plots of dressed ground , which in digging , are wrought into such a form by the gard'ner , as is most convenient to the temper and situation of the earth in that place , and to the nature of the plants to be sown or planted in it . they are of two sorts , cold and hot. cold beds are made either of natural earth , or mixed and improved mold , and are in moist grounds raised higher than the paths , to keep them moderately dry , and in rising and dry grounds , laid lower than the paths , that they may on the contrary retain moisture so much the better , and profit so much the more by the rain that falls . hot beds , are beds composed of long new dung , well packt together , to such a height and breadth as is prescribed in the body of the book , and then covered over to a certain thickness , with a well tempered mold , in order to the planting or sowing such plants in them , as are capable of being by art , forced to grow , and arrive to maturity even in the midst of winter , or at least a considerable while before their natural season . how these beds are differently made for mushrooms and how for other plants . see in the work it self . deaf beds are such hot beds as are made hollow in the ground , by taking away the natural earth to such a certain depth , and filling the place with dung , and then covering it with mold , till it rise just even with the surface of the ground . they are used for mushrooms . kernel beds are nursery beds , wherein the seed or kernels of kernel fruit are sown in order to raise stocks to graff upon . bells , are large glasses made in the form of bells , to clap over tender plants or such as are to be forced , to keep them from the cold , and to communicate the s●n's heat to them sometimes with the more advantage , when it is not strong enough without them . belles de nuit , or fair ones of the night , are a sort of flowers . bigarros , are a sort of french heart cherries , so called because they be partly red , and partly white . bigarrades , are a sort of sour oranges deep coloured , and in a manner crumpled , and with a very uneven rind , used chiefly in sauces , and to medicinal purposes . so called from their odd and uncouth shape . bigarrades , are a sort of mothey coloured pears , called also the vilonous pears of anjou . biting is a taste in fruits and plants , well known to any taster . le blanc , i. e. the whites , is a sort of disease in melons and cucumbers , termed only in english unhealthiness : see unhealthiness . to blanch : see to whiten . blast and blasting , are said of any young buds or flowers , or leaves of plants , that being nipt by the east or north east winds sometimes reigning in the spring , wither and shrivel , and fall off , to give place to new ones . the authour's counsel is to ease the plants , by taking them speedily off . to bleed , or weep is said of vines whose sap runs out to waste by indiscreet cutting or any other accident : see weep . blighing is said of flowers or blossoms , that shed or fall without knitting for fruit , by the effect of the same winds . to bloom is said of any plant that begins to flower . blossomes are well known to be the flowers of fruit-trees . blossoms that shed without knitting for fruit , are said in french couler , i. e. to slip , or slink like an abortive birth . to blow , is said of flower buds when they open and spread . borders are flat banks raised against walls commonly garnish'd with sw●et scented herbs , as time , sage , lavender , &c. bordures or borders , is a term likewise used for herbs commonly planted in borders . couter-borders , or plat bands , are such borders as are made on the sides of walks or squares that front the borders by walls . to border an alley , is to line or edge it with borders that may separate it from the squares , and beds , and other works contained in them , between which they traverse . a botannist , is one that is a profinement in the general knowledge of plants . a bottle or truss of hay , is a known term. bough : see branches . boxes : see cases . a branch or bough is a part of a tree , that shooting from the trunk , helps to form the head. branches are of several sorts . an augusted branch is a branch of a summers growth , that is just hard'ned , and has done growing . a bearing , or fruit-branch is a young shoot that is grown of a midling length and thickness from the pruning of the foregoing year . collateral branches , are such branches as grow and spread on the same side of a wall-tree . a mother branch , is a branch that after its last pruning , has shot forth other new branches ; and thus we say , that in pruning no young branches are to be left upon the mother branches , but such as contribute to the beauty of the figure of the tree . main , or whole branches are called arms , and limbs . branches chifonnes . skrubbed or shrubbie branches are such as are very small and very short or skrubbed , whether they be of but of one or more years growth , and because they do but stuff a tree with a confused quantity of unless leaves , must therefore be taken clean away . water branches , or water shoots , or water boughs , are such boughs that on standards , being shaded and dript upon , remain smooth and naked without buds which are as i suppose those which our authour calls jarrets or hams : see hams . a wood branch , is a branch that springing out of the last years pruning in a regular and natural order , is reasonably thick . a half wood branch , or branch of half wood , is a branch that being too small for a wood branch , and two thick for a fruit branch , must be shortned to the length of two or three inches , to make it produce other new ones that may be better either for wood , or fruit , and at the same time contribute to the beauty of the figure , and to spend off and divert some of the over luxuriant vigour of the tree . branchss of false wood , are such as shoot from any other part of the tree than that which was pruned , last year ; or else su●h as though they spring from the last pruning , are thick and gouty in those places where they should be slender . the main running branches of melons or cucumbers are called vines . to break off . see pinch , and brout , and brouse . to break up , is said properly of plowing or digging up ground that never was tilled before , or at least not a long time . to brouse or brout , in french , brouter , is to break off the extreamities of small branches , when they are too long in proportion to their vigour . brugnons : see nectarins . bruised fruit , that is , bruised in falling without piercing the skin , is called in french cottii , or squatted . a bud is the head of a young shoot that begins to peep out . a young bud or eye , is a bud as 't were in its first seed and principles , when it just only appears in the bark of the tree , before it swells to peep or shoot forth . to bud , is to graff by inoculation , or set a young bud of one tree into another ; an operation to be performed about mid-summer . see innoculate and inoculation , and graffing in the fifth part of this work. well buddod or well set trees ; is said of those fruit-trees , that have abundance of fruit buds , and the contrary of those that are not so . a bucket or tub used by gard'ners sometimes , to sow some choice particular seeds in ; they are made sometimes square or oblong , but most commonly round , and about the bigness of a barrel . the french call them baquets . see tubs . bulls or bulbous roots , are all such roots as are roundish and coat upon coat like onions , as those of garlick , tulips , &c. and are mostly propagated by off-sets . and accordingly in french they are called by the general name of onions . mother bubs , are those which produce off-sets . a bunch is a common term , as a bunch of radishes , turneps , &c. bunch is also said of grapes or any fruit that produces several fruit upon one stalk ; as also of knots of wood , &c. burly-trees are said to be or grow burly , when a graff grows bigger than the stock it is graffed upon , which is asign the stock or wilding is not vigorous enough . the french term is burlet . bubo , is said of some fruit shrubs , as a curran-bush , a goose-berry-bush , &c. also the tops of dwarf-trees are said to be bushie , when the branches grow into a tuft . bushel . a french-bushel is a measure containing near a peck and half english , or pound weight . to butt : see hillock . a button is a round and turgid swelling bud containing the blossoms that produce the fruit in any tree ; in kernal fruit every bud contains several blossoms , and in stone fruit but one . c. cabbage a known plant. to cabbage or pome , is to curl or fold up into a round firm head like a cabbage , or an apple . thus not only cabbage but lettuce is said to cabbage or pome , and artichokes are said to pome : see pome . calebas is a term used for plums that in the month of may instead of plumping or preserving their green grow broad , lank , and whitish , and at last fall off without plumping at all . a canker is a sort of scurf , scabbiness , or dry rot in trees , which breeds both in the bark and in the wood , and most infests , the little muscat and robine , and bergamot pear-trees , as well in their stems or bodies , as in their branches . capers and capucin capers , see them described in the sixth part treating peculiarly of kitchen-gardens . caprons are straw-berry plants that have large velvet leaves , and bear large whitish straw-berries which have but a faint taste , and are not very fruitful , and therefore not much valued . a carpet walk is a green walk of grass , camomil , or the like , kept neat and even with mowing and rolling : see walk . cases or boxes are conveniences made of wood to plant some certain rare and tender plants , as orange-trees , in &c. see boxes . to castrate or geld , is said of cutting or pinching of the superfluous shoots of melons , cucumbers , &c. castings of ponds or ditches . is the slime or mud cast out of ponds or ditches , which after it has been a while exposed to the sun , is profitably used to recruit , improve or amend , exhausted or lean ground . to chap , is said of the ground , or of any wood or fruit that cleaves and gapes by any cause whatsoever . chalk , and chalkie earth : see earth . chassis : see class frames . cherry-gardens , or cherry-orchards , or cherry-plantations are known terms . there are in france , some cherry-plantations in the open fields , confining upon the vine-yards , of some miles extent ; and the like there are of plums , olives , &c. stock cherry-trees , are cherry-trees sprung from the roots of others which yet bears good cherries without being graffed . chevreuses , are hairy or goat peaches , so called because they are hairy like goats . chevre signifying a goat . chevreuses , are peachos hairy like goats : see goat peaches . chovons , colly-flower plant in flowers . cions , or scions are young slips , or suckers of any tree fit to graff : see scions . circumposion : see baskets . a glass , is a rank or order by which things are sorted and in which they are placed . claws or fangs , called in french patts : see fangs . clay or clayie ground are terms well known see : earth . cleanse , as to cleanse a tree of moss , scab , or canker , gum , rust , vermin and their eggs , &c. clear , as to clear a tree of some of its superfluous branches when they grow too thick , or of its unless suckers and cions . cleft , to graff in the cleft . see it in the fifth part of the book . clod , as a clod of earth , is called in french motte . to close , a tree that is graffed is said to close when the bark grows over the cut where it was graffed so that it appears smooth without a scar ; or when the bark grows over and covers any other cut or wound in pruning . a close cut : see cut . cloves , is a term used to signify the off-sets of garlick , and some other like roots . see oss-sets . clusters , or bunch . to coffin themselves , is said of flowers that shrivel up and dry away in their buds without flowing or spreading . compartiments : see knots . compost . is rich made mold , compounded with choice mold , rotten dung , and other enriching ingredients . a conservatory is a close place where orange-trees , and other tender plants are placed till warm weather come in . see green house . a coronary garden , is a garden planted with flowers and other materials that compose nosegays and garlands . to couch , is to bend a wall-tree for palisading , or to lay down layers to take root . counter espaliers , are pole hedges , or trees growing in pole hedges , fronting the wall-trees , and spread , palisadoed , and trellissed like them . they are now almost out of use in france , but only for some sorts of garden vines . cotty or squatted is said of bruised in falling , without cutting their skin . courtilliere , is a sort of insect , or palmer word bred in horse dung , and consequently in hot beds , about two inches long at full growth , pretty thick , and yellowish , with many legs . it crawls very nimbly , and gnaws the roots of melons , succory , &c. growing on hot beds . see insects , and palmer . crop , is a known word to signifie the whole increase we gather from any thing , as a crop of corn , &c. to crop also is to plant sow or furnish a ground that is empty , &c. to crop , is to break or pinch of useless branches without cutting . to cross , is said of branches in wall - trees , that grow cross one another . crown , is used for the head or upper hollow extreamity of kernel fruit. to graff in the crown : see graff in the fifth part of the book . crumpling , or guerkins are small cucumbers to pickle , called in french cornichons . they are also small crumpled apples . a cubical toise or fathom : see toise , and fathom . cuckows , are straw-berry plants that blow without bearing . cucurbit glasses filled with honied beer or water are hung upon wall-trees , to catch and destroy wasps and flies . culture , is the tillage of ground , or the whole care and labour that is taken for the tillage of ground , dressing of gardens , or rearing , raising and improving of any particular plant or fruit. a curtain . to cut , and the several ways of it see in the treatise of pruning . a close cut , is a branch of a vine shortned to the length of or eyes , or young buds . cuttings , are ends of branches cut off from some certain trees , shrubs and plants , which being set or planted , will take root and grow . cutworks , are flower plots , or grass plot consisting of several pieces cut into various pleasing figures answering one another , like cut work , made by women . d. declivity is the sloping of the side of a hill , bank , ridge , or any ground not level , considered as falling , or descending , and is contrary to acclivity , which see . deaf beds : see beds . dented , is spoken of any leaves of trees or plants , that are dented . devils gold ring , in french , lisette , a sort of a worm or cater-pillar infesting the young shoots of vines . diagonal allies , or lines , are allies or lines drawn cross one another through the center of each , and cross any square in a garden from corner to corner , thereby to give them that walk in them the fuller view of the square . diet. see milk diet. feed , refresh . to dig or delve , are terms known to all . doughie . is said of the pulp of fruit , as a doughie pear , a doughie peach , &c. see pulp . drains , are dykes or gutters made in grounds , to carry off the water : see dykes , gutters , water-courses . to dress , is said of the tillage or tighting up of a garden , or any part of it . it is likewise said of the pruning and trimming of trees . thence we say , a vine dresser , or to dress a vine , &c. dung , is a known term , and is long and new , or short and old . long and new fresh dung is litter that has served horses or mules but one or two nights at most , and has all its straw entire in it , and has not yet fermented , and much less rotted , old and short dung , is dung that has fermented and lost its heat , and whose straw is rotted , and formed into a kind of mold with the dung. dwarf trees are low standards , or trees so dressed and pruned in planting , as to have but low trunks , and moderately spreading branches and tops . musty , mouldy , or hoary dung is used for a mushroom bed : see beds mouldy , and mushrooms . dikes : see drains , gutters , water-courses . e. embroidery , is a term used in flower gardens , signifying , flower plots that are wrought in fine shapes , like patterns of embroidery . ear-wigs are an insect well known . earth , in gardning , is taken for the soil or ground in which trees legumes , or edible and useful plants or their seeds are to be sown or planted , and is of several sorts , as for example : it is call'd sower , bitter , and stinking , when in smelling to it , or taking the water in which it has soaked , we perceive it sowr bitter or stinking . it is called white clay , when it is of a white stiff , and slimy substance , and is fat , heavy , gross and cold , and cuts like butter , and is very apt to chop with the summers heat ; and some call it dead earth because of its unfruitfulness . it is stiled good when we can make any thing grow in we have a mind to ; and bad when neither trees , plants nor seeds thrive in it . it is called hot and burning , when it is so light and dry that upon the least heat , all the plants in it dry away and wither . it is called gravelled when 't is mixed with much sand and many little stones tempered with a little light red clay . it is called tough , heavy , and by some stubborn , and because of its unfruitfulness chast , and in england red , loamy stiff clay , when it cuts smooth and stiff , and is very hard to till or dress , because the great rains beat it all into a marsh like mortar , and the heat on the other side ehops it , and makes it hard as a stone . it is called strong , free , or rank earth , when without being stiff and clayie , it is like the bottom or mould under the turf , of good medow ground , and in handling , sticks to the fingers like a paste , and receives any shape or impression from them , whether long , round , &c. it is termed cold , moist , and backward when upon the advance of the spring it is long before it conceives heat enough to put forth its productions , and brings forth every thing later than other places . it is called forward , or hasty , when fruits ripen in it betimes ; as at st. germains paris , st. maur , &c. and backward when it has a contrary effect . it is called loose , light and mellow , when either by art or nature it is brought to a midling consistence , that is , loose and light like sand , and yet partaking of the heart and substance of good mould , easily obeying the spade , rake and other instruments , and penetrable to seeds and the shoots and fibrous roots of plants and trees . it is called new or fresh when it never served yet to the production of any plant , such as is found two or three foot or more in depth beyond the surface or upper crust of the ground . it is called made or transported earth when 't is brought into the garden from some other place . it is called fallow ground when 't is laid to rest a year or two or more , without being planted or sown with any thing . see hollow . it is called over wrought or exhausted ground , when it has been a long time continually tilled , sown and planted without intermission , and without any recruit or amendment . lastly it is called light and sandy when without having any body of true earth , its parts do not stick together , no not with the rain it self , but are so loose , that no plants can take hold enough to fix any root there . mould is transported earth , and is either natural or artificial . natural mould , is pure choice well tempered earth , taken from the bottom or under pasture of a meadow , or other place where the earth is naturally rank and mellow , or made out of the castings of ditches or ponds , well dryed , sunned , and dressed , &c. artificial mould , is earth composed of rotten dung , natural mold , rotted leaves of trees , and other proper fanting and enriching materials . see compost . to earth up , is to bank or hillock up the earth about cellery , endive , long lettuce , chards , &c. almost to their tops , to whiten them . edgings , are the edges of borders or beds which are garnished with sweet flowers or herbs . espaliers , are wall-trees , or any trellissed , or pallisado'd tree . estiloers . ever greens are such plants , whose leaves are always green , as bays , lawrel , holly , &c. exhautted . see earth . exoticks , are foreign plants brought from beyond the seas , and that do not naturally grow in our climates . exposition , exposure and aspect , signifie the same thing , and denotes the posture or situation any wall , or plant is in , in order to receive the benefit of the rays , and influence of the sun. and is fourfold , viz. northern , southern , eastern , western . the good expositions , are those of the east and south , whereof the south is the best . the bad exposition is that of the north. the midling or indifferent exposition , is that of the west . see them all described in the body of the work. eye , a young bud just appearing in the bark of a tree . is called an eye . see bud. the crown , or higher extremity of any kirnel fruit , is likewise termed an eye . f. faggots , is the brushy or small part in the middle of a faggot , laid at the bottom of cases for orange-trees , to keep the earth lose , and let the moisture pass . fall , the falling or sloping of any piece of ground downward , is called declivity . which see. fallow earth or ground , is ground laid to rest , and only tilled , mucked , and amended , without sowing or planting any thing in for a certain time till it be recruited . see earth . false flowers or blossoms , are those flowers or blossoms of cucumbers , melons , &c. that do not knit , or set for fruit , but fall off without producing any thing . false wood. see branches . fangs , is a term signifying the claws of ranunculus , and such like roots , with which they take hold in the ground . see claws . to fan or skreen corn or seeds , is a well known term. fane , is a french term , the top or leafy part , properly of such plants whose leafs are only or mostly in use , as of radishes , turneps , &c. being that part of them , as the word imports , that is , subject to fade and wither . it is called in english , sometimes foliage . see foliage , tops , leaves . a fathom is a measure of six foot , called in french , a toise , and is a term much used by this author . see toise . feed as to feed vines with blood , and other nourishing and refreshing mixtures . fibres are small long roots like hairs , that spring out of the larger roots of trees to fill or knit , is said of fruit when it begins to plump . see knit and plump . fine , as roses , or arroses fine , are gentle waterings . fleas are a sort of black vermine , that hang upon and spoil plants , called pucerons in french , from their likeness to other fleas . flavour , is a grateful tast , mixed with a fragrant smell , as in some wine and fruit , when we say they have a fine flavour . to fill , or knit , is said of fruit when it begins to plump . see knit and plump . a florist , is a gard'ner that cultivates flowers , or any other person that understands and delights in the same . feliage is the leafy part of a tree or other plant , or a great quantity of leaves . ferest-trees are such trees as bear no fruit , but are planted only for yards , avenues , &c. fork and to fork the earth , &c. are terms that need no explanation . forward fruits , plants or legumes , are such as ripen or grow fit to be eaten , betimes in the year . see hastings . to force , is to advance things to maturity upon hot-beds before their natural season . fotherd grounds , is ground upon which cattel are fed upon in winter , with hay , &c. to better it . a free-stock , as free-stock upon free-stock , is a graff upon a wilding , or a graff of a wilding upon a wilding . see stock . frost-bitten , is said of blossoms , buds , shoots , fruits , or any edible plants , that are killed , or otherwise spoild with the frost . a fruit-loft , garner , room , store-house , or magazine , is a place where fruit is laid up . kernel-fruit , is fruit that comes of kernels or seeds , as apples , pears , quinces . stone fruit , is fruit that comes of , and contains stones , or hard shells inclosing their seed , growing within the pulp of the fruit , as peaches , plums , &c. furnitures , are all hot and spicy herbs , mixed with lettuce , purslain , and other cold herbs in sallets to temper and relish them , as rocket , tarragon , basil , &c. to fold in , is said of leaves of decayed or blasted plants that shrink , wither , and curl up together on a heap . the foot of a tree is that swelling part of a tree between the body or trunk , and the roots of the trees that are covered in the earth . it is sometimes called in french , the neck of a tree . g. agage is a hole or trench dug to plant a tree in , of a certain depth , which serves a measure for all the rest in the same row . gardens are choice inclosed pieces of ground planted with edible plants , fruit-trees , and flowers , and differ from orchards , which are commonly planted with standard fruit-trees , and are seldom walled , or so curiously inclosed as gardens . kitchen-gardens are chiefly for kitchen and edible plants . fruit gardens for fruits . and flower-gardens or patterres , for flowers . marsh , or market gardners , are such as frequent the markets . see botanists and florists . nursery-gardens . see nurseries . to garnish well , is said of wall , or any pallisaded trees , when they spread well , and cover the wall or trelliss on all sides , without leaving any place bald or bare . glass-frames or classis . goat-peaches are peaches that are very hairy . see cheureuses . a graff , a young cion , shoot , bud , or sucker set into another tree or stock . to graff , see the several ways of doing it in the fifth part of the book . a graffing knife , is a known instrument to cut withal in order to graffing . gravel , is a thing well known , see earth . a green-house , is a room or house framed with conveniencies for the housing and sheltering of orange-trees and other tender foreign plants , from the cold in winter time , and cool weather . gritty , sticky , or stony , is said of pears , whose pulp is hard , or harsh near the core , or all over . to grub , as to grub up weeds by the roots , is a word known of signification . gutter , gutters are little channels or dykes that serve for drains or water-courses , to carry off the water in moist marshy grounds , and keep it dry . sometimes they are paved and made up with stone . h. half standards , are trees whose trunks are shortned in planting to a midling length , between high standards and dwarfs or low standards . ham , is said of a branch of a tree very long , and bare of any other branches , either by nature , or by the gard'ners ignorance in cutting them off , which hams must be cut pretty close off , to make them shoot out new sprouts . hastings or hasting , is spoken of fruits , sallets , legumes , that ripen or come to perfection betimes in the year , as hastings , peas , beans , artichokes , cherries , &c. see forward . the head or top of a tree , is known to all what it is . to head a tree , is to cut off the head or top , leaving only the bare stem without any top branches . to heat , as to heat beds or paths with new long dung , in order to force on and advance sallets and fruits before the natural time . haugh : see hough . hedges , besides common hedges , there are hedges made of straw or reeds to shelter tender plants against the cold winters , call'd in french , brise-rents . pole hedges , are hedges composed of palisaded trees spread and fastned to lattice frames and trellisses : see counter espaliers or counter wall-trees . the heel of a branch is the grosser and thicker bending part of a branch that is cut off , which is graffed into a stock when the other end is too small and weak . the heel or stool of an artichoke slip , is that end that joins to the main root . herbalist or herborist , is one that understands or sells herbs and plants . hillocks are little hills or round banks raised about the feet of trees or other plants , as vines , hops , artichokes , &c. as also about such plants as are earthed up to be whitened . to hillock is to raise such rounds banks or hillocks about any plant as are above described hoary dung : see mouldy dung , and mushrooms . hortolage : see potagery . hot beds : see beds . hough or haugh , is an instrument well known to gard'ners , and most country people , as likewise the action of using it . i. to inarch , to graff by approach : see in the treatise of graffing . part . to incase , is to put curious tender , or exotick plants into boxes or cases , for their more advantagious culture and preservation . to innoculate or bud : see in the treatise of graffing . part . increase , a tree or plant is said to be of great increase , when they yield plenty of fruit , or a good crop of any thing else , as grain , pulse , &c. insects , are all little animals whose bodies are divided by several cuts as 't were and sectures . mother insects . insuccation , or mangonism . to interr or replant , is to set onions , tulips , or any boulbous roots into the earth again , after they have been taken up all the dead of the winter . k. a kitchen or olitory-garden , is a garden chiefly made for kitchen or olitory plants . kitchen or olitory plants are all plants that are usually eaten , and used in the kitchen : see olitory . kernells are the seeds of apples , pears , and quinces , which from them are called kernel-fruit in contradistinction to such as come of stones , as plums , peaches , &c. call'd stone fruit. kernel beds : see beds . to knit , or set for fruit , said of trees and plants , or their blossoms , when they begin to form their fruit. the knop of a flower , is the head case or cup wherein a flower is contained whilst in bud. knotty said of trees that are rugged and full of knobs . garden knots , are flower-plots , or plats , and beds of flowers formed into curious intricate , fanciful , and delightful figures , to please the eye , but seen from some eminent terret or room . l. latter fruits or legumes , are such as ripen late in the year . to lay , or couch , is to lay down and cover some part of the lower part of the suckers of some certain plants and trees or shrubs in the earth to make them take root in order to be slipped off , and re-planted . layers are such suckers , as are so laid and couched . lattices , are the square works in wooden frames or trellisses that support wall or palisaded trees . seed leaves , are the first leaves that spring up like ears on each side , at the first cleaving or sprouting of any seed . legumes , are properly such as we call pulse , as peas , beans , &c. but this author often uses the word for all esculent or edible kitchen plants . a level , is an even piece of ground , without any slope either rising or falling . a level slope , is a slope that rises or falls so gently and evenly , that it is hardly discernible from a plain , or true level . it is called in french micote , and when made so in digging , a talus . light earth : see earth . limbs , the main branches of a tree are called its limbs . losan , and loamy earth : see earth . litter is such straw as is used to little horses with which has not yet been used , or converted into dung. loose earth : see earth . litter counter walls . m. malacotoons , are peaches which are clothed with a cotton like down . mangonism , is an art used by some by the infusion of certain injuries or tinctures of several colours , or tastes , infused into the roots or stems of plants , and chiefly flowers or fruits , the same taste or colour . which knowing authour's condemn as vain . mare , is that which remains of the grape after they are pressed , it is also used to signifie , the gritte , stony or earthy part of a pear or any fruit that resists and disobliges both the teeth and taste in eating . market or march gard'ners : see gardners . marl is a sort of chalkie and faultty substance used to warm and amend land , that are cold and moist . matts , and mattrasses are used to cover plants with from the cold. melons , and muskmelons , are known fruits . their main branches are called vines , to break of the tops of which vines , is called checking or stoping them , and by the french , to arrest melons , &c. micote , a gently rising and falling ground hardly to be discerned from a level . mellow earth : see earth . mildew , is a sort of honey dew , that falling upon plants , blasts , rots and spoils them . milk diet , is milk diluted or mix'd with water and discreetly let down to the roots of orange-trees , or other like tender exoticks , and for curious plants , to refresh and recover them when sick , by letting it gently drop out of the vessel by a rag laid partly in the milk and part of it out . mother insects : see insects . mother branches : see branches . move , as to move , stir , turn up , and new dress or turn up the earth in any place . musk. mural-trees , are wall-trees . musked , those fruits are said to be musked that have a rich spicy or winy taste , and leave a smack of perfume in the mouth , and smell well . mushrooms , are certain fungous or spungy excrescentes of the earth , which are now highly prized in sauces . musty , or mouldy dung that is so mouldy that it begins to grow all hairy with hoariness , is then fit to use to make hot beds for mushrooms : see beds , dung , musty , and hoary . n. to nail up a wall-tree , is to fasten well its branches and palisade and trellise it as it should be to keep it tight , and in due shape and figure . the neck of a tree . see foot . nectarins called also brugnons are smooth skin'd peaches that cleave to their stones . to nip : see to pinch . novelties of the spring , are such things as are forced to a maturity upon hot beds , a considerable while before their natural time of ripening . nursery gardens or seminaries , are gardens planted only with seedling or other stocks to graff on , or young trees ready graffed , in order to have thom ready to transplant in other gardens as occasion shall require . nursery beds or seminary beds , are beds where young plants , or herbs are sown or planted , in order to be transplanted afterwards elsewhere . o. off-sets are young kernell ▪ excrescences breeding from the sides of the lower part of boulbous roots , which are round without and concave within , which in time grow to be bulbs themselves , and serve for their propagation . in garlick they are called cloves . onions is a common term in french for all boulbous roots . odoriferous is said of all sweet scented plants , flowers , or fruits . in fruits this quality is termed by the french musked , or perfumed . orangist , is a gardner that cultivates oranges , or any person that understands and delights in the culture of them . orangery is a place stocked with orange trees , whether within doors or without . orchards , or hort-yards ort-yards , are inclosed pieces of ground planted chiefly with standards fruit-trees , and more often fenced with hedges , or ditches , and other fences than with walls . p. panach't , is said of a tulip , carnation or such like flower when they are curiously striped , and diversified with several colours like a gaudy plume of feathers , which the word properly signifies . to palisade , is to bend , spread , and couch trees upon trails or trellisses , or against walls , whence trees are named palisaded trees . paradise apples , are a sort of sweet apple , growing on small trees very sit for some purposes of graffing . to graff upon paradise , is to graff upon the stocks of such trees . parallel allies , are allies of an-equal breadth through their whole length , and running along in lines equally distant all along from the lines that compose the sides of the allies which answer them . parterres , are flower gardens , or flower plots in such gardens . under pasture , is earth or mold taken up from under the turf of good meadow or pasture ground , to carry into gardens , to mend or recruit the soil . pavies , are peaches that stick fast to their stones . peaches , in a strict sence in this author , are such only as loosen from their stones . stone peaches are peaches growing on a tree , sprung from a stone without graffing . to peg down , is to fix down the layers of any plants , to make them firm that they may take root the better . perfumed or musked , is that which has a spicy tast , mixed with a smack both of the tast and smell of musk , or some such like perfume . to perch , is to inclose trees or plants with fences made with poles or perches laid cross one another , to keep off beasts and boys . perennial : see ever-green . pickets : see spikes . to pinch . see in the treatise of pruning . the pith , is the sappy part of the wood of a tree . plain or pure , is said of a flower that is but of one colour , without being pannach't or striped : see pure . to plant or set , is a term used in contradistinction to sowing . a plant merchant or herborist , is a term sufficiently known . a plantation , is a piece of ground stocked with plants of any sort , or of many kinds . a plot , as a garden plot , is a piece of ground modelled out ready for planting , according to the design of the plantation . to plump or fill , is said of fruits when they begin to grow bulky , and towards ripening . to pome or apple , is said of the heads of artichokes when they grow round , and full shaped as an apple . it is said also of lettuce , &c. pomace , is the mash which remains of pressed apples , after the sider is made , used for producing of seedling stocks in nursery-gardens . to pot , is to put or sow any seed or plant that is tender or curious into a pot , for its better and safer cultivation . potagery , is a term signifying all sorts of herbs or kitchen-plants , and all that concerns them , considered in general . pot-herbs , are always used in the pot or kitchen . powdret , is the dryed powder of occidental civet , otherwise called human dung , used by some to the roots of orange-trees , but condemned by the author . to prick , is to pull up young seedlings , where they grow too close and thick in the nursery beds , and prick them into other beds at more distance . to prop , is to prop up any plants with perches , forked sticks , or poles , such as hops , vines , peas , french-beans , &c. to prime , and its several ways . see in the treatise of pruning . pulp , is the inward substance or fleshy part of any fruit , of which there are several sorts , as buttred and melting pulp , is that which is melting and sweet in the mouth , like butter , such as is that of the butter-pear , bergamots , &c. short pulp , is that which breaks short in eating , such as is that of pears , that are firm without being hard , and that crackle between the teeth in eating . it is called tough harsh and hard in certain pear , that have nothing of fine or delicate , as in catillac's , double-flowers , &c. it is called mealy , when it eats dry and mealy , as in over ripe dean-pears , cadet-pears , &c. it is called doughy , when it is fattish and disagreeably soft like dough , as in white butter-pears , lansacs that grow in theshade . it is called tender , in certain pears , that though they be neither melting nor short , yet are tender and excellent , without being soft , fatty , or otherwise distastful , as in unknown chaineaus vine pears . lastly , some pears have sower taste , as the st. germain pears , and some sharp and biting as the crasauns . a punaise or bug is a sort of a tyke that preys upon plants , as the stinking bugs of the same name do human bodies . pure . see plain . q. quince stocks , that are smooth , strait , vigorous , and fit to graff upon , the author calls coignassiers , and those that are rough , knotty and skrubbed and unfit , he calls coigniers . but he believes them not male and female , according to the vulgar fancy . of these the portugal are best . r. rake , a gard'ners rake whether of wood or iron , is well enough known , and the action of using it . rame and ramberge , are terms used of melons , when instead of a pleasant , they have a stinking and filthy taste contracted from the neighbourhood of some stinking weeds , or being too near the dung , the same happens to hasty asparagus from the hot bed. to range , is to place in good order , or plant even in a line . rank earth : see earth . random plants , are such as having been smothered , and deprived too much of light and air , or oppressed with any weight , grow white small curl'd and crooked , and slim , like such we find under great stones or logs when we take them up . see estioler . to recreate , is to turn up ground , and recruit it with some heartning and fatning mold or mixtures , and convenient waterings , &c. red winds , are the dry and blasting north east winds , that reign in march and april . to refresh , is said in two senses , viz first , trees are refreshed by ablaqueation i. e. by laying their roots bare , and retrenching their decayed and superfluous roots , and recruiting them with good fresh earth , or well tempered mould , or by turning up side down , and well dressing and stirring the old earth . secondly , to refresh , is likewise to water trees or plants , as also to feed them , and diet them with water diluted with milk , or well tinged with dung , or other rich ingredients , or with bloud , or other fatning and nourishing things , when they are sick. to release : see unbind . retrench . rye-straw , being long firm , and steept in water to make it pliable , is used to make bands to tie up lettuce or cellery , &c. to whiten , or wads to wrap about them , or covers to cover them or other plants , and some tender trees in winter . see stram : a ridge , is a double slope between two furrows , in any digged or plowed land : see slope . roses , or arroses fine , are gentle waterings . rossane , is a name for all yellow peaches . roots , such plants whose roots are most in use , are called often simply by that name , as carrots , turneps , &c. rub , as to rub of superfluous buds . see it in the treatise of pruning . rust , is the effect of blasting or mildew . s. the salt of the earth so called in gard'ning terms , is a certain spirit which renders its fertile , supposed to be communicated by the rays of the sun tempered with the nitrous parts off the air and dew . sand , and sandy earth . see earth . sap , is the radical moisture or juice that nourishes a plant. saped , see sobbed , is any thing that is too much soaked in water . scar , is a gash which remains after the cutting or pruning of a tree . to scrape , as to scarpe off moss , spawn or eggs of vermines &c. needs no explication . scions : see cions . a scoop , to scoop out water , and the use of it are things well known . screens or skreens , are inventions made of straw or other matter , to shelter plants . scutcheon , or escutcheon , a term of graffing . see it explained in the treatise of graffing part . season , a thing is said to be in season while it continues fit to eat . seedlings , are little young plants , sprung from seeds or kirnels , in order to form stocks fit to graff on . thus we say , an apple seedling , a seedling orange-tree . seed-leaves : see leaves . seminaries are nursery beds , or gardens see nursery . to set , is to plant with the hand as distinguisht from sowing . well set , or budded . see budded . to settle , is the sinking of the earth , in order to grow firm , after digging or plowing , or otherwise tilling , or of a hot bed after its great and first heat is past . to sever , is to sever that end of any young graff that is graffed by inarching , or a pqroach from the stock on which it grew , when the other end of it has taken good hold and footing in the stock , into which it was graffed . 't is said also of rooted layers when slipt off , from their old stock . to shed , fruit trees are said to shed their flowers or blossoms , when blasted or nipt by winds or frosts , they fall off without producing fruit. to shoot , is the same as to spring or sprout out . shoots , are such young branches as shoot out every year . to shrivel or fold , is said of leaves blasted , or dying trees or plants . shrubs , are small kind of trees , of a midling sort between trees and herbs . slips , are suckers slipt off from any trees or plants , to set again , to propagate them . to smooth , is to pare or cut even a large bough with a pruning knife , after it is sawed off . smut , is the blacking or smutting of corn or other plants , that happens to them in some years . snivel called morve , is a sort of rotting moisture , hanging about some plants . spicy , is said of all hot scented and tasted plants . spikes are separated sticks , fixed on the sides of beds , or in rows where trees are to be planted , to guide the eye to keep them in a direct line . spindles are those stalks in stocks or tusts of carnations or clove-gilliflowers , that bear the flowers . spit , is the depth a spade pierces into the ground , as one spit deep , two spit deep , &c. sprigs , are small young shoots . sprouts , are young green shoots . a stalk is said of that part that bears any fruit immediately , and tacks it to the branch on which it grows . it is also the stem of any plant or herb that is not a tree or shrub . standards are tall bodied trees , growing in open ground . stake . squatted . see cotty . stem , is the body of a tree , between the foot and the head. stick , is said properly of a strait stem , that runs up high and upright all the way without any branches , till just at the top . sticky or stringy , is said of roots , when not kindly or running to seed . stiff , is said of some earth . see earth . to stir , or stir up , is gently to move the earth without diging or plowing it ; though sometimes it be used for any sort of tillage . a stock , is the stem or body of a tree upon which after due trimming and preparation the graff , or cion of another tree is graffed . to top , is by pinching , breaking , cutting , or treading the branches or main stalks of trees or other plants , the sap is checked ot stopped from mounting upwards , or at least strait forwards . stool , the crooked bottom part of an artichoke slip by which it is fastned to the main root , is called its stool . to strike root , any new planted tree , layer , slip , or cutting is said to strike root , when it begins first to take root , or at least take new root , after its planting . to strip , is to despoil a tree of its leaves fruit , bark , or branches that form not the head. striped is said of flowers diversified with streakes of several colours , as tulips , carnations , &c. to string , as to string straw-berry plants is to clear them of their superfluous strings and runners . strings : see sticky . a stone , is the seed of any fruit , which is enclosed in a woody shell hard like a stone , which from thence is called stone fruit , as plums , peaches , &c. a stone peach , is a peach growing upon a tree sprung from a stone without graffing . stub . stump , is the trunk or stock of a tree cut down very low , or a branch cut very close . to cut or prune stump wise : see it in the treatise of graffing pruning . surface and supersicies , is the outward or upper crust of the earth . surface earth , is that earth or mold that is uppermost , and exposed to the air. suckers , are young cions or slips commonly growing from the sides of the roots , ot else of the main joints of any plant or tree , sit to be slipt off , and planted or graffed . sweet herbs , are such as the french call sine herbs , as rosemary , marjerome , &c. t. a tendrel , is a young tender shoot of a vine or other fruit-tree that is not yet hardned or grown woody . a terrass , is an artificial bank or mount of earth , commonly supported with a fronting or facing of stone , and raised like a kind : of bulwark for the ornament of a garden . to thin , is to pick off fruit , pull up herbs and roots , or cut away branches when they grow too thick , that the rest may thrive the better . to ticket , is to fasten tickets or notes about fruit-trees containg their names and order to distinguish them . to till , is to dig , delve , plow , and otherwise dress or prepare the ground for planting or sowing . toise or fathom is a measure of six foot see fathom . a cubical toise is the foot every way of any thing measur'd by the toise or fathom . ton is a sort of worm or maggot that gnaws straw-berry roots . a trail is a trelliss , or lattice frame made for the support of wall and palisaded trees . to transplant , is to take up any thing out of the bed or place where it was sown , when it is grown to a fit bigness , and to plant or set in another place where 't is to remain , or to be improved to a greater perfection . to tread , is used in more sences than one , as to tread down earth about trees , &c. to make it settle firmly , &c. or to tread , as the the tops of carrots , parsnips , &c. are troden down to keep the sap from mounting , that it may nourish the roots the better , &c. to trench , is to dig the ground up , and to make trenches , furrows and holes to plant trees , artichokes , &c. in . trenches , are furrows with holes fitted for trees , &c. to trelliss , is to pallisade , nail up and fasten trees upon walls , or pole-hedges , and on wooden trails or trelisses . a truss of hay , is a term well known to truss up , is to raise up a branch of a wall-tree that hangs down , and tack it up fast , that the fruit may not break it , or disfigure the tree by swagging it down with its weight . to turn up or loosen the earth : see stir , and till . a turf , is either a turf of grass with its earth , or so much earth that hangs firm about the root of a tree , or plant or tuft of any plant that grows in tufts , when they are pulled up . tuft , is a knot of roots or boughs , as 't were united together in one round body or cluster ; so we say , a tufted or bushy tree , a tuft of strawberries , &c. tyger-babbs , are a sort of pestilent insects , infesting wall-pears , and pear-trees . v. vein , as a vein of earth is said comparatively of some parts of a garden that produce better or worse than other parts of it , whence we say , here is a good , and there is a bad vein of earth . vegetables , are all sorts of living plants , trees , or herbs that grow . vegetation , is the springing or growing of any plants . verdures , is a term denoting all plants whose green leaves chiefly are in use . vermine are all mischtevous creatures that hurt plants . vigorous . to vindemiate , is to gather grapes and make them into wine . vine-yard , is a piece of tilled ground planted with vines , in order to make wine . vine dressers , are those husbandmen that order and dress the vines . vines of melons , are their main running branches , so called , because they run along like vine branches . vinous , is said of a winy tast and smell or flavour in fruit. to unbind , is to take off the bands of a graff , when it is well fixed : see release . to uncase , is to take any plant out of its case . under pasture , is mold taken from under the turf of choice pasture ground , to improve the soil of gardens with . unhealthy , is said of melons or cucumbers , when they are troubled with a kind of whiteness that decays them . to unpot , is to take plants out of pots . w. wads of straw . see wrap and straw . walks . see allies . carpet walks . see carpet . wall-trees , are trees nailed , couched , and spread or displayed in a decent and profitable form against walls . wasps , are known insects : see cucurbits . water courses , are drains to carry off water . see drains dykes , gutters . to wean or sever : see sever. weeds , are all noisom herbs that annoy the useful plants in a garden . to weep or bleed said of vines . see bleed . windfalls , are fruit which the wind blows from the trees . red winds . see red. winter-greens are such plants as are green all winter . see ever-greens . wicks . see wrap . wood , is the substantial part of a tree , that is solid and not tender . wood branches . see branches . to whiten , is to use art by dunging , earthing , tying up , &c. to whiten plants , and sweeten them to the tast . to wound , is so to cut trees in pruning or otherwise as to hurt them , and such hurts are called wounds . to wrap , as to wrap up plants , or tender trees with wads or vvisps of straw , to keep them from the frost . y. yellow peaches are call'd rossanes . advertisement . the best pruning-knives , and other instruments for gard'ning , made according to the directions of mounsr. de la quintinye when last in london , are sold at mrs. gillyflowers a toy-shop , next to the kings-bench in westminster-hall the corner-shop . the kings kitchen garden at versailles . pag : . tom : . ground plan of the king's kitchen garden of fruit-gardens and kitchen-gardens . vol. i. part i. chap. i. how necessary it is for a gentleman , who designs to have fruit and kitchen-gardens , to be at least reasonably instructed in what relates to those kind of gardens . that part of gard'ning , i begin to treat of here , certainly affords a gentleman who understands and applies himself to it , a great deal of pleasure ; but that very gard'ning being manag'd by an unskilful lazy gard'ner , is liable to many inconveniencies , and vexations . these are two noted and undeniable truths , since nothing in the world requires more foresight and activity than those kind of fruit and kitchen-gardens . they are , as it were , in a perpetual motion , which inclines them always to act either for good or ill , according to the good or ill conduct of their master ; and so largely recompence the ingenious , as they severely punish the unskilful . the proof of my first proposition consists in that certainly nothing affords more delight , first , than to have a garden well seated , of a reasonable largeness , and fine figure , and that perhaps of our own contriving or modelling . in the second place , to have that garden at all times not only neat , for walking , and to divert the sight , but likewise abounding in good things to please the pallate , as well as for the preservation of health . thirdly , daily to meet with some new thing or other to do in it , as to sow , to plant , to prune , to pallisade , to see plants grow , legumes thrive , trees blossom ; fruit knitting , then thickning , colouring , ripening , at last come to gather them , taste them , treat ones friends with them , hear their beauty , goodness and abundance commended ; all which things together certainly form a very agreeable idea , which affords a world of variety . to prove my second proposition , i should only need in few words to enumerate all the disorders , wherewith our gard'ning is threatned , or rather dishonour'd when it wants culture ; but they are too well known , nothing being so common as to hear complaints of that kind . it follows from thence , that there are both pleasures and vexations in gard'ning ; and it is as certain , that the pleasures are reserved for skilful , active gard'ners , and the vexations infallibly for those that are either lazy or unskilful . this being granted , it must likewise be allowed , that those are neither to be excused or pitied , who instead of improving the advantages they expected from their gardens , are reduced to the misery of laying out a great deal of money , with loss , disgust and cause of anger , &c. while others with a little skill have avoided all those disorders , and enjoy all the delights ; from whence it follows , that if an ingenious man designs to have a garden , which is a thing so suitable to that qualification , he must absolutely think of attaining some skill in gard'ning , or else not meddle with it at all . the grand question is to know , whether that skill , which i think so necessary , may be acquir'd with ease or difficulty , now to take a just medium in this case . as to the first , which is to know whether it be easie to acquire that skil , i am persuaded that many gentlemen would be desirous to attain it ; for naturally every body desires it . i am likewise persuaded , that the number of such would have been considerable already , had there been sufficient instructions for it . as to the second case , whether it be difficult to attain a sufficient skill , it is to be fear'd , that few of the curious will be willing to undertake it ; being disgusted by the uncertainty of succeeding in it , after having employ'd a great deal of time and labour about it . the honour of having had for so many years the direction of the fruit and kitchen gardens of the royal-family , seems to give me some authority to answer that grand question : so that , without designing to deceive any body , and having a great desire to contribute to the satisfaction of the ingenious , i affirm that it is very easie to attain as much knowledge as is reasonably necessary for the curious , in order to avoid what might vex them , and to put them at the same time in a condition to enjoy their wishes . it will be easie for me to prove this assertion , after having explain'd my self more particularly upon what i think of all the pleasures that are inseparable companions of that part of gard'ning , now in debate . the most considerable of those pleasures , is not only to be able to obtain what may be produced by earth , that shall have been well ordered , and a ground well improv'd with trees that perhaps shall have been graffed , planted , prun'd , cultivated , &c. by our selves , though really the ideas of such injoyments are powerful charms to engage us to the study of them ; it consists in a great many other things , as well for those that will act themselves , as for those that will only act by their advice and orders . in the first place , to know with certainty what is most proper to be done , in order to make each part of the garden produce happily and in abundance , what is desired for every month in the year . the judicious gard'ner , as i have already observ'd , never fails in this , of being recompenced of his labour , cares and skill . the ground he cultivates himself , without doubt affords him more profusion , being in reality better cultivated , as if it dreaded , as i may say , the misfortune of belonging to a master , who only knows by his gard'ner how it must be used . it seems , that to engage that skilful master it belongs to , to continue the cultivating of it himself , it endeavours to produce more than it used to do . this pleasure of gard'ning in the second place consists in knowing how to avoid many great useless expences , to which we are often engaged by ill councils . is it not usual in most places to see people continually imploy'd in doing , undoing , and doing again ? and moreover is it not common to see a great deal of time , and many workmen imploy'd about a thing that might have been done quicker , and by less hands ? so that a great deal of money is laid out , which often creates great vexations , and sometimes great inconveniencies . it consists in the third place , in knowing the inconveniencies , that i shall explain in due place , of which some are invincible , and others not : this knowledge serves to prepare us betimes to receive the first patiently when they happen , and securely to avoid the second , without entering into a thousand impertinent reasons of an unskilful , careless gard'ner , who endeavours to conceal his negligence , or incapacity , by imputing all the disorders , and barrenness of his garden to a wrong cause . this pleasure consists in the fourth place in being able to condemn justly on the one side what is amiss or ill done in a garden , and on the other to commend what is well , and according to rules . there is hardly any thing more natural in all masters who speak of their gardens , than to blame or commend something in them , as if they really intended thereby to discover what they are ; and yet nothing is more dangerous for the service of a garden , nor more disagreeable for such a master than to expose himself to be laugh'd at , or corrected by his gard'ner , which certainly happens when the master is not capacitated to speak like an artist upon that subject . it consists in the fifth place in being reputed capable of giving good advice , and willingly to those who stand in need of it : what greater satisfaction can a man receive , than to assist or undeceive a friend who was in an error , or at a loss , and ready to give over his undertaking , putting him afterwards in a way of daily commending the good fortune his friend has procured him in his work ? lastly , this pleasure chiefly consists in being capable of judging by our selves , and for our selves , of the capacity of a gard'ner , either to avoid the inconveniency of sometimes discharging a good one upon very trivial pitiful reasons , and then taking an ill one in his room , or to resolve wisely to discard him who has not done his duty , and be able to chuse another better qualify'd . now if it be true , that there is so much facility in attaining so many real pleasures , which i am going to demonstrate visibly ; am i not in the right to conclude that when any body undertakes a garden , without endeavouring to get at least a sufficient insight in gard'ning , he deserves all the disgusts , which are numerous , instead of deserving all the delights , it may produce , the number of which is infinite , and that consequently it is necessary to study the attaining of such a degree of knowledge , as is absolutely requisite in those affairs ? it may perhaps be objected at first , that hereby i propose an infallible expedient to introduce the most pernicious thing in nature in all manner of affairs , that is , to introduce sciolists , or smatterers : the objections seems pretty strong , but the two answers i am going to make to it , in my opinion , are yet of much more force . the first is , that when a gentleman shall once have attain'd a certain knowledge of some principles capable of affording him a good tincture of gard'ning , it is most certain , that he will not rest with that bare knowledge of the first elements , but will infallibly have a passionate desire of knowing something more of an art , that he is so much delighted with . he will soon improve the knowledge he shall have acquir'd , and consequently will not remain long in that dangerous and so much fear'd station , which is call'd smattering . the second answer , which is no less material , is , that without doubt , that smattering of an ingenious person , if we may call it so , is much better , being grounded upon good principles , than the false notion of knowledge of common gard'ners ; it being most certain that you seldom find any thing among such beyond a presumptuous pratling ignorance , upheld by some wretched rote . is it not a great happiness to be able to attain a sufficient insight into those matters , and to put our selves above so many false reasonings , we should otherwise be lyable to , and so avoid a great deal of vexation , to purchase abundance of pleasure ? chap. ii. how easie it is for a gentleman to acquire at least a sufficient knowledge in point of gard'ning . next to that first foundation , which establishes , that a judicious man must apply himself to the attaining a sufficient skill into gard'ning . i propose this , that if he cannot afford so much time as to arrive to a full perfection ( which is not absolutely necessary ) he may rest assured that he may learn enough for his purpose , that is , to be capable of ordering the most material things that are to be done in his garden , and to hinder the gard'ner from imposing daily upon him , provided he be in some measure instructed in the five or six following articles . the first relates to the quality of the ground , its necessary depth , to the tillage , amendments and ordinary modelling of useful gardens . the second relates to the trees , to chuse them well qualified , either when they are still in the nurseries , or taken from thence , to know at least the names of the principal kinds of fruits of every season ; to be able to distinguish them , and what number of each the compass of his garden may require ; to understand how to prepare trees both as to the head and roots , before they are put into the ground again ; and afterwards to place them at a convenient distance , and expose them well ; to know , if not all , the rules of pruning , yet at least all the principal ones , either as to dwarfs or wall-trees ; how to pinch off some branches , being over vigorous ; to pallisade such as require it , as also the triming of such useless buds and sprigs as cause a confusion ; and lastly to give every one of them the beauty which they are capable of . the third article relates to fruit , to make it grow fine , gather it prudently , and eat it seasonably . the fourth relates to graffs on all kind of fruit-trees , whether placed in gardens , or still in the nurseries , both as to the time , and manner of applying them . in fine , the fifth article relates to the general conduct of all kitchen-gardens , and especially to understand the pleasure and profit they may yield in every month of the year . in my opinion , the number of these articles is not considerable ; and , i assure the curious , that they may be fully instructed therein , and in a little time , by the short abridgment that follows . chap. iii. an abridgment of the maxims of gard'ning . first article . of the qualifications of the earth or soil . the earth of a garden is known to be good , particularly for fruit-trees . first , when all that the ground produces of it self , or by culture , is beautiful , vigorous , abundant and consequently nothing poor ; or small , when it should be strong ; or yellow , when it should be green . secondly , when in smelling to a handful of that earth it casts no ill smell . thirdly , when it is easie to till , and is not over strong . fourthly , when in the handling of it , it is mellow , without being too dry and light , like turf - earth , or like grounds that are altogether sandy . fifthly , when it is not over-moist , like marshy ground , or too hard like loomy ground , at the bottom of good meadows , approaching near the nature of stiff clay . lastly , in relation to the colour , it must chiefly be of a blackish grey , and yet there are some that are reddish which do very well ; i never saw any both very white and good. second article . of the depth of the ground . beneath the surface , that appears good , you must have three foot of earth like unto that which is above , which is a very material maxim , of which you must be reasonably well assur'd , by sounding the ground at least in five or six different places . it is a great error , to be satisfied with less depth , especially for trees and long rooted-plants , viz. artichokes , beet roots , scorsonnera , parsnips , &c. third article . of tillages . the most frequent are commonly the best , at least in relation to trees , there must be four yearly ; viz. at the spring , and midsummer , at the end of august , and immediately before winter ; and generally speaking the ground , must never be left unmanur'd and full of weeds , nor trampled or beaten by great showers of rain : it is very pleasing to the eye when newly till'd . your small plants , as strawberries , lettice , succory , &c. require to be often weeded , the better to perform their duty . fourth article . directions for amendments . all sorts of rotten dung of what animals soever , horses , mules , oxen , cows , &c. are excellent to amend the grounds that are used for kitchen garden plants : sheeps dung has more salt than all the others , so that a smaller quantity of it must be used ; it is partly like that of hens and pigeons , but i would not advise any one to make use of it , by reason of a little sort of fleas they abound with , which generally spoil the plants . the dung of leaves throughly rotten , is hardly fit for any thing , but to be thrown over new sown beds , to hinder the rains or waterings from beating too much upon the surface , and so hinder the seeds from rising . all the legumes of the kitchen-garden require a great deal of dung ; the plants or layers of trees require none . the only good place to put the amendments in , is towards the surface . the worst place for dung in trenches ( or places that are dug in order to plant trees ) is in the bottom . as to those trenches , it cannot be said they are good and well made , unless they be near six foot wide , and three in depth . fifth article . as for the common disposition of fruit and kitchen-gardens , in my opinion the best , and most convenient for a gard'ner , is that which is made , as much as can be , in well regulated squares ; so that if it be possible the length may somewhat exceed the breadth ; the breadth of the walks must likewise be proportion'd , both to their length and the whole extent of the garden . the narrowest must not be less than six or seven foot to walk in , and the broadest , though never so long , must not exceed three or four fathom at most ; and as for the largeness of the squares , in my opinion , it is a fault to make any above fifteen or twenty fathom on one side , to a little more or little less on the other ; they will be pretty well of ten or twelve on one side , to fourteen or fifteen on the other , all which is to be regulated proportionably to the largeness of the kitchen-garden . the common paths for the convenience of service , are commonly of a foot. no kitchen garden , though never so agreeable in the disposition of it , can ever succeed well , without a convenience for waterings . sixth article . as to this article , which relates to the knowledge of fruit trees that are to be planted , it suffices , and is material to know . that a tree to be worth the chusing , whilst yet in the nursery , must have a clean and shining bark , and the shoots of the year , long and vigorous . and if it be already out of the ground , it must , besides these conditions , have fine , sound roots , and passably thick in proportion to the stem ; i seldom take any of those trees that have nothing besides certain hairy or capillar roots . the streightest trees , having but one stem , in my opinion , are the fittest to be chosen in order to planting . as to peach and apricock trees , those that have not been graffed above a year , provided the shoot be fair , are better than those that have been graffed two or more ; and yet the peach trees require more exactness in this than the apricocks ; and you must never take a peach tree , unless it has fine , sound and whole eyes or buds at the lower part of the stem . the thickness of an inch , or somewhat more in such stems , is what is particularly to be esteem'd in peach trees . peaches graffed upon almond trees thrive better in a dry light ground , than in that which is loamy and moist . but the clean contrary is to be observ'd for those that are graffed upon plum-trees . in all other dwarf trees , the thickness must be between two and three inches circumference about the lower part. only excepting apple trees graffed upon paradice stocks , for which the thickness of an inch is sufficient . the thickness of high standards is to consist of five or six inches on the lower part , and the height of about six or seven foot. the graff of little trees must be applied within two or three fingers from the ground . and when it closes again , it argues much vigour in the foot , as well as a great deal of skill in the gard'ner , who has had the ordering of it . all manner of pears succeed in dwarfs and wall-trees , and upon free stocks , as well as upon quince ; but it must be noted , they must only be graffed upon free stocks in light grounds , as well as in those that are but of an ordinary goodness . winter bon chrestien pears can hardly attain that yellow , and carnation colour , which is to be desired in them , either upon dwarfs or wall trees being graffed upon free stocks , and therefore must be graffed upon quince . your virgouteé and robines upon free stocks , are hard to bear ; but yet there is a remedy for it ; they always bear much sooner upon quince . your bargamots and little muscat pears , seldom succeed upon dwarfs , especially in moist grounds . the principal kinds of fruits , either pears , apples , peaches or plums , are sufficiently known ; but whereas the making of a very well contriv'd plantation is of great consequence . our new curioso will do well to consult the treatise i have written with a great deal of exactness upon the choice , and proportion of all sorts of good fruits to be planted in any garden whatever , either dwarfs , high standards or wall trees ; otherwise i dare affirm , that he will be liable to commit abundance of faults that will very much vex him . in the mean time he ought to know that as to pears , the best for the summer are the little muscats , the cuisses madam ( or lady-thigh ) the skinless pear , the blanquettes or white pears : viz. the large , the small and the long stalk'd one ; the robine , the cassolette , the musk bon chrestien , the rousselette , and the salviati . the chief for autumn are the beurré , burgamots , vertelongues , crasana , blossom'd muscat , lansac and loiiise bonne . for the winter , the virgoule , leschasseris , espine or thorn pear , ambrette , st. germain , winter bon chrestien , colmar , bugy , st. austin , and some dry martins . as to apples , the chief are the calvilles both red and white ; reinettes , both grey and white ; all the courpendus or short stalk'd apples , and the fenellets . as to plums , the principal are the yellow hasty , the white and purple perdrigon , the mirabelles , the several sorts of damask , the rochecourbon , the emperasses , the apricock plums , the st. catherine , the imperial , the royal , &c. as to peaches , the most considerable are , the early peach , the troy peach , the maudlins white and red , the rossanne , the minion , the chevreuse , the bourdin , the violets both early and late , the persiques , the admirable , the purple peach , the nivet , the smooth yellow peaches , and the latter yellow peaches . and as for the pavies or bastard peach , the purple nectarin , the white pavie , the cadillac , and the rambouillet . as to figs , those that are white , both inside and outside ; viz. the long and round are best for this country . as to grapes , the muscat is chiefly to be esteem'd , whether white , red or black ; long muscat , being well plac'd , and in a good ground , is admirable ; the chassolas succeeds more constantly than any . as for cherries , every body knows that the latest , and the griote , and even bigarros , are very good fruits upon standards ; early cherries are of no value unless upon wall trees . seventh article . to prepare a tree , both as to the head and roots , before the planting of it , i am of opinion , that all the capillar roots must be taken away . only preserve a few thick roots , especially the youngest , that is the newest . these are commonly reddish , and have a more lively complexion than the old ones : they must be kept short in proportion to their thickness . the longest in dwarfs must not exceed eight or nine inches , and in high standards about a foot ; you may allow them more extent , in mulberries and cherry-trees . the weakest roots , must be satisfied with one , two , three or four inches at most , according as they are more or less thick . one rank of roots is sufficient , when placed as they should be ; that is , when there are four or five roots round about the foot , especially when they are partly like so many lines drawn from a centre to the circumference ; and even two or three being good , are better than twenty mean ones ; i have often planted trees , with one single root , which indeed was extraordinary good , and they succeeded well ; you may easily see what i mean by a rank of roots in the treatise of plantations , where i have caused plates to be ingraven to that end. eighth articlle . in order to plant well , you must chuse dry weather , to the end that the earth being very dry , it may easily cling about the roots , and leave no vacuity ; and particular care must be taken lest it grow to the consistence of morter , which afterwards coming to harden , might hinder the production , and the shooting of the new roots . the best season for planting is from the beginning of november until the end of march ; yet in dry grounds it is very material to plant at the very beginning of november , but in moist soils it is better to stay till the beginning of march. the disposition of roots requires , that the extremity of the lowest should not be above a full foot deep into the ground , and the nearest to the surface , must be covered with eight or nine inches depth of mould . in a dry soil it will not be improper to make a little but or hillock over those roots , to hinder the sun from spoiling of them , and when the tree has taken root into the ground , it must be levell'd again . after having prun'd the roots of a tree , you must cut the steem of the length it is to remain , before you plant it , and never stay to cut it till after 't is planted . in dwarfs , i regulate that height to be about five or six inches in a dry soil , and about eight or nine when moist . and in high standards the proper height is between six and seven foot in all manner of soils . in planting , care must be taken to turn the best roots on that side which has most earth , and that none , as much as is possible , may incline streight downwards , but rather look towards the horison . those who after planting , shake or trample on little trees , do them a great deal of injury ; whereas on the contrary , it is absolutely necessary to trample and raise the ground about the great ones , to secure them against the impetuosity of the winds . the head or top of espaliers or wall trees must lean towards the wall , yet so , that the extremity of the head must be at three or four inches distance from it , and the wound must not appear . the distance between them is to be regulated according to the goodness of the earth , and particularly according to the height of the wall ; they must be nearer to one another against high walls , and at more distance against low ones . in this particular case of the common distance of wall trees , it is to be regulated from five or six foot , to ten , eleven or twelve . the walls being twelve foot high or more , you must always let one tree shoot up to garnish the top , between two that shall garnish the bottom ; in which case the trees must be planted within five or six foot of one another : but against walls that are not above six or seven foot high , the distance must be about nine foot. the distance of dwarfs must be from between eight and nine foot to twelve , or even a little more , being plum-trees , or kernel-fruit upon free stocks . in high standards from four fathom to seven or eight , for great plantations . in good soils the trees must be at a greater distance than in bad ones , because there their heads or tops spread more . when trenches are newly made , the earth will sink at least three or four large inches . this is a very necessary observation , to make in order to the keeping the earth about them , higher than the neighbouring surface , and to avoid falling into the inconveniency of having trees sunk too deep into the ground . for the success of kernel fruit , it matters but little whether the graff be above or under ground . but as for stone fruit , it is better not to be in the least cover'd with earth . yet for the beauty of both , it is to be wish'd that it may appear ; but the main point is to have the roots well plac'd , so that neither the great heat , nor great cold , nor the iron of the spade may prejudice them . as for the understanding of the expositions , that are most proper for the different kinds , is an account which will be best learned in a treatise written on purpose upon that subject : yet generally speaking i may say , that the best of all in our climates is the south , and the worst is the north ; the east is almost as good as the south , especially in hot soils ; and lastly the exposition of the west is not amiss for peaches , plums , pears , &c. but is stark nought for muscat , chasselas , and all manner of large grapes . ninth article . to have a reasonable insight into the pruning of trees it is necessary at least to know the time and cause , and especially , if possible , the manner . as to the time , it is always good to prune from the beginning of the fall until the new leaves grow again , and no tree must be prun'd above once a year . keeping within these bounds , it will not be improper to prune weak trees sooner , and those that are vigorous later . as for the cause , there are two reasons for pruning ; the first to dispose trees to bear finer fruit ; and the second to render them at all times more pleasing to sight than they should be , if they were not prun'd . to attain the effect of this second condition , must be by the means of the figure , that is given to every tree . that figure must differ according to the difference of the ground plats , and does not extend beyond dwarfs and wall trees ; for as for the generality high standards are not prun'd often . the thick branches only are capable of affording that figure , which is absolutely necessary to be well understood , and must be had constantly in the mind . a dwarf , in order to be of a beautiful figure , must have a low stem , be open in the middle , and of a round circumference , equally garnish'd on the sides : of these four conditions the most material is that which prescribes the opening of the middle , the greatest defect consisting in a confusion of too much wood in that very middle , which of all things must be avoided . the perfection of a wall tree consists in having its strength and branches equally divided on the two opposite sides , in order to be equally furnish'd throughout the whole extent of it , whatever part the head begins at , whether it has a low stem , in which case it must begin within half a foot from the ground , or high , and then it begins from the extremity of the stem , which is commonly about six or seven foot. the main thing in this depends on the distinction which is to be made among the branches , and the good use that is to be made of them ; the branches are either thick and strong , or slender and weak ; every one of them furnishing us with a reason to take it away or preserve it , to leave it long , or to prune it short . among both , some are good , and others ill , whether thick or slender . the good are those that grow according to the order of nature , and those have thick or large eyes , pretty close to one another . the ill ones on the contrary , are such as grow against the order of nature , have flat eyes , and at a great distance , for which reason they are call'd branches of false wood. to understand that order of nature , you must know in the first place , that the branches should only shoot from those that were cut shorter at the last pruning , and that all such as shoot from other parts are branches of false wood. secondly , that according to the order of new branches , if there be more than one , that which shoots from the extremity must be thicker and longer than that which grows immediately beneath it ; and this thicker and longer than the third , and so of all the rest ; and consequently when any of them prove thick where they should be slender , it is a branch of false wood. there are some few exceptions set down in the treatise of pruning . the good small branches , both as to stone and kernel - fruit , are the bearing branches ; and the good thick ones are for wood ; but quite contrary as to fig-trees and vines . as for the manner of pruning it is generally look'd upon as much more difficult than really it is ; the principles , which are pretty easie , being once understood , there is no difficulty in the operation , and yet it is the master-piece of gard'ning . the chief maxims are , first , that young trees are much more easie to purne than old ones , especially those having been often ill prun'd , and not having the figure they should have : the best gard'ners are very much put to it , to correct those old defects . i have given particular rules for such inconveniencies . secondly , that the strong branohes must be cut short , and commonly reduc'd to the length of five , six or seven inches ; yet there are certain cases in which they must be kept longer ; but those are not common : i specifie them in my great treatise . thirdly , that among the others , there are some that may be kept shorter , and others longer ; that is , even to eight , nine and ten inches ; nay , and to a foot , a foot and a half , and perhaps more , especially in peach , plum , and cherry wall trees , which must be regulated accorded to their strength and thickness , to be capable of nourishing and bearing , without breaking such fruits as they shall be burthen'd with . upon vigorous well proportion'd trees , there can hardly be too many of those we call branches for fruit , provided they cause no confusion : but as for the thick ones , which we call branches for wood , for the generality in all sorts of trees only one must be preserv'd , of all those that have been produc'd by every branch , having been prun'd the preceding year . unless the trees , being very vigorous , the extremities of the new branches chance to be very distant the one from the other , and looking towards different opposite parts , being bare on the sides ; which of necessity will require , being fill'd up for the perfecting of the figure ; in which case we may leave two , nay three , provided they be all of different lengths , and never form a forked figure . the fruit bearing branches , perish after having perform'd their duty with this distinction , that in stone - fruit they die at the end of one year , or two , or three at most . and in kernel - fruit , not till after having served four or five years . therefore foresight is of great use , to think betimes of providing new branches to fill up the room of such as we know are to die , in order to avoid growing too bare and barren . those kind of fruit branches are good , whatever part of the tree they shoot from , either inwards or outwards . but a thick one is always ill , when it shoots inwards in a dwarf , unless it be to close such as open too much , as it commonly happens in butter pear trees . so that the beauty of the trees , and the beauty and abundance of the fruit , depend chiefly upon good pruning , the good management of certain branches that are at once thick and good , and the taking quite away of such as are both thick and bad. and whereas it happens sometimes , that a branch having been left long the foregoing year in order to bear fruit , receiving more nourishment than naturally it ought to have , grows thick , and shoots other thick ones . one of the material points of pruning consists not only in using this branch like other branches for wood , but especially in not leaving upon it any thick one grown on the extremity of it , unless it be with a design to let the tree shoot upwards , in order to make it a standard . this good conduct teaches for the generality to lower trees , i mean , that it is better in pruning , wholly to take away the highest branches that are thick , preserving only the lowest , than to do the contrary . provided always , that the highest prove not better plac'd than the lower , to contribute towards the beauty of the tree , which is not usual ; for in such a case , the lowest must be taken away , and the highest preserv'd : the first design in this is , to have fine trees , it being most certain that the abundance of fine fruit never fails attending such a disposition of a fine figure , since none of the small branches for fruit , are removed , but on the contrary are thereby multiplied , and afterwards freed from whatever might obstruct them . the lowring of them , contracts into the branch seated on the extremity of that which has been cut down , all the sap that would have gone into the superior , or superiors , that have been taken away ; whereby the preserv'd branch grows much stronger , and consequently capable of greater production than it should have been . and whereas sometimes , contrary to the order of nature , weak branches shoot from the extremity of the thick one , that had been shortned at the preceding pruning ; this conduct teaches us to preserve those weak branches , and to perform the pruning upon that among the thick ones , which being underneath that , or those weak ones , appears most proper for the perfecting of the beauty of the figure . besides the pruning we have now mention'd , we sometimes perform another operation which we call pinching or breaking ; which is commonly of more use for peach trees than any others , unless it be upon all sorts of graffs perform'd upon thick vigorous trees already placed in the garden : the effect of this pinching is to hinder the branches from growing too thick , and consequently useless for fruit , as also from growing too long , to hinder a tree from shooting upwards too soon , or from being broken by high winds . the effect of it , is likewise to produce many branches instead of one , among which some small ones will be of use for fruit , and some thick ones for wood : the use of it , or rather the time of using it , is about may and june , and must be perform'd by breaking with the nail that branch , which being about half a foot , or somewhat more in length , begins to appear too thick . in order to pinch or break to the purpose , the thick branch must be reduc'd to three or four eyes or buds ; and when the branch so pinch'd proves obstinate in shooting thick again , the same operation of pinching must be perform'd again , but a weak branch must never be pinch'd . i will neither mention here the pruning of old trees , nor of vines , or fig-trees , which i refer to the particular treatises i have written upon each of them . tenth article . 't is commonly towards the middle of may that espaliers or wall trees begin to require being pallisado'd or bent. the beauty of pallisading or bending , consists in disposing with order to the right and left those branches that may grow on each side , to avoid confusion , barrenness and crossing one another . but whereas the defect of barrenness is the greatest of all , no scruple must be made of crossing , when barrenness cannot otherwise be avoided . care must be taken to pallisade or tack as often as the branches appear long enough to be tack'd , which otherwise would be in danger of breaking . above all things it is very necessary to preserve all the fine branches peach-trees shoot in the summer , unless they prove so numerous as to cause a confusion , which happens but seldom in a well order'd tree . but however when necessity requires it , a great deal of discretion must be used , in tearing or cutting close some of the most unruly , to hinder those that are hid from stretching too much , and growing bad : it is likewise proper to take away the branches of false wood , that grow sometimes in the front of pear wall trees , as well as those that grow in the middle of dwarfs , which we call triming of buds or useless branches . eleventh article . it is likewise very material for the master , as well as for the gard'ner , to know how to gather all manner of fruits well , of whatever season they are ; and to lay up , and order , in the store-house , such as do not ripen upon the trees , to preserve both the one and the other in their natural beauty , and eat them in due season , without allowing them time to spoil . this may have been learn'd in the particular treatise written upon that subject . as to the twelfth article . which relates to graffs and nurseries . the most common and best method of graffing , is either cleftwise , or scutcheonwise : the first in february or march upon trees from the thickness of an inch diameter to ten and twelve inches circumference , and even more : this way of graffing is good for all manner of fruit trees , excepting only peach , almond , mulberry , fig-trees , &c. upon which it seldom succeeds . as to the scutcheon graff for stone and kernel - fruit , if it be at the time of shooting , it must be perform'd about midsummer ; if at the closure of the eye , and upon plum , pear and apple-trees , about the middle of august ; and upon peach and almond trees , towards the middle of september ; that is , both on the one and the other it must only be done about the declining of the sap. every body knows , that the manner of graffing chesnut trees is flutewise and towards the end of april or the beginning of may , when the bark begins to loosen with ease : the fig trees may be grassed at the same time , and in the same manner , or else plain scutcheonwise . vines are grassed likewise upon old wood , which must be covered with earth , and in the months of march or april . pears succeed equally well upon wildings and quince-stocks . peaches upon plums and almonds . apples upon an apple wilding to make great trees , and upon paradise for dwarfs . plums and apricocks upon the suckers or new shoots of plum trees , of which the best are those of st. julien , and black damask . they succeed sometimes upon almond trees , and sometimes also pears and plums are graffed mutually upon each other , but commonly without success . there remains the last article . which relates in the first place to the profit of kitchen-gardens , and in the second to the work of every season . as to the profit it is sufficient to know , that the kitchen-garden must afford its owner some thing in every month of the year : insomuch , that he may never be necessitated to send for out of his garden , what skilful gard'ners expose to sale in publick places . for example , in november , december , january , february , march and april , besides what has been preserv'd in the store-house , viz. kernel - fruit , roots of all kinds , cardoons , artichokes , colliflowers , and pumpions . the kitchen garden must afford potherbs , that is , sorrel , beets , winter cabbage , leeks , chibols , parsly , mushrums , sallads , especially winter-succory , selery , macedonian parsly or smallage , with the furnitures of charvel , burnet , alleluya or wood sorrel , balm , tarragon , passepierre , &c. in case there be hot beds , during the great colds you may expect novelties , viz. green asparagus , small lettuce , charvil , basil , cresses , hartshorn , and even sorrel , &c. at all times ; to which may be added , raddishes in february and march , and purcelain in april , &c. in may and june you may easily have abundance of pot-herbs , and new sallads of all kinds , viz. purcelain , lettuce to bind , abundance of artichokes , pease , beans , cowcumbers , raddishes , asparagus , goossberries . currans commonly begin in june , with strawberries and rasberries for the remainder of the month , and mushrums always . in july and august an equal abundance with the preceding months . and besides that , french beans , new apple-cabbage , and especially melons , pears , plums , peaches and figs. in september you begin to have , besides the other , muscats , chasselas , and other grapes of all kinds , as also second figs. in october the same things , perhaps excepting the melons ; of which the season generally passes when the nights grow cool , and rainy weather comes in : but in recompence the autumn produces a world of good pears and cardoons , selery and spinage , &c. comes in season . as for the method of making all these things grow , together with the works of every month , is what a gard'ner must of necessity understand and practice ; and when the master shall be so curious as either to desire to understand it himself , to correct the gard'ner when he fails , or to enjoy the pleasure of seeing the order and succession of the productions . he may afford himself that divertisement , in reading the book in which this matter is throughly treated of , besides he may fully inform himself of all the rest of gard'ning from all the particular treatises , that are written upon every individual part thereof . chap. iv. how to make choice of a good gard'ner . it is not sufficient , as we have already said , for our virtuoso to have acquired the understanding of what we have mention'd , he must moreover be capacitated to judge by himself , without any other help of the skill , or ignorance of all sorts of gard'ners , in order , if possible , never to be deceiv'd in his choice ; but yet the truth is , that the number of the good qualifications , essential to that employment , is so considerable , that whenever i reflect on them all , i almost despair of ever meeting with an accomplish'd one . and yet without rendring the thing almost impossible , and without minding a scruple that comes into my mind , that i can say nothing here but what every body knows as well as my self , i am resolv'd to treat of this business at large , being perswaded that it is one of the most essential of all those that belong to gard'ning , and indeed the very soul of gardens ; for since a perpetual culture is the only way to render a garden delightful , it is impossible ever to expect it so , unless it be in the hands of a skilful laborious gard'ner . therefore barely relating my method on such occasions , i shall only say , that to act prudently in the choice of a gard'ner , it is fit to mind fitst the exterior part of his person , and secondly , the good interior qualifications that are absolutely requir'd in him . by the first , i mean his age , health , shape and motion ; and by the second , probity in his manners , honesty in his common dealings , and chiefly capacity in his profession . i shall begin with the good qualifications of the outside , of which the eyes are the only and first judges ; for often at first sight we find our selves all of a sudden inclined either to a good liking and esteem , or scorn and aversion for the gard'ner that offers himself . as for the first consideration , which is about age , health , shape and motion , i am for a gard'ner that is neither too old nor too young ; both extreams being equally dangerous . too much youth is to be suspected of ignorance and wildness , and too much age , unless supported by some children of a reasonable age and some capacity , is subject to laziness or infirmity . therefore , in my opinion , the best age is from twenty-five to fifty and fifty-five , carefully observing , whether the face denotes any visible appearance of health , without any evaporated brain , or foolish presumption ; likewise carefully chusing a shape and motion denoting a sturdy , vigorous , nimble man , not affecting to be dress'd or adorn'd above the common station of a gard'ner ; all which observations ought to be believ'd , and i affirm to be very material . being satisfy'd with the exterior part , the essential proofs of his merit must be examin'd , to which end a little conversation will be requir'd with the said gard'ner . first , to know the place whence he comes , the times he has lived there , and the reason of his leaving it . secondly , where he has learn'd his trade , what part of gard'ning he is most vers'd in , whether of fruit or kitchen-gardens , or of flowers or orange-gardens . these being the two different classis of gard'ning , that appear at present best establish'd . thirdly , whether he is married and has children , and whether his wife and children work in the garden . and lastly , whether he can write and draw ; those being , in my opinion , all proper questions for a man of sence to make on such occasions . the gardner's answer to the first , may give us great light to judge of his desert or imperfections , because that if he names several credible houses where he has liv'd in a few years compass , without being able to give good reasons for his leaving them , it will give cause to suspect either his ignorance or debauchness . if on the contrary , he give warrantable reasons for his so doing , it may be an inducement to resolve upon the taking of him , after having first made the usual enquiries in such cases , and receiv'd a good account of his conduct , from such as are capable of giving it , and of whom it is to be expected , provided malice and revenge have no part in it . i mean , after having been inform'd , first , of his prudence and honesty in his way of living , of his not being insatiably greedy after gain , of his giving his master a good account of all the productions of his garden , without imbezling any part of it , upon any account whatever ; of his being always the first and last at his work ; of his being neat and curious in what he does ; of his trees being always well prun'd and cleans'd , his wall-trees well order'd , and of his delighting in his gardens above all other things , especially upon holy days ; so that instead of debauching and carousing at such times , as it is most common for most gard'ners to do , he may be seen walking in his gardens with his servants , making them observe what is well , and what is ill in every place , determining what is to be done upon every work-day of the week , even taking away harmful insects , and tacking some branches that might be broken and spoil'd by the winds , if it were put off to the next day ; gathering fine fruits that might be in danger of being spoil'd in falling ; taking up the best of what is fallen ; trimming the buds or useless branches that offend the sight , and spoil the tree , which had not been taken notice off before . those little cares challenge as much esteem and kindness towards a gard'ner , as any other testimony he can render ; it shews his being well intention'd , that he has some qualifications , that are but seldom acquir'd , unless they be natural , viz. affection , curiosity , neatness and a docible spirit ; and indeed a garden is generally in a very good case , under the management of such a man. it generally is the first in producing novelties , it is clean and free from weeds , the walks are neat and well level'd , and the whole commonly furnish'd with all that can be expected in every season of the year ; happy are those who can meet with such , and have no cause to complain , as so many other gentlemen daily do , of their ill fortune upon that subject . the scarcity of good workmen of that kind is not to be wonder'd at , while the number of ingenious men of most kinds is pretty considerable ; the source of the ignorance of most gard'ners proceeding from their knowing nothing for the most part , but what they have seen practis'd , by those under whom they first began to work . those kind of masters had never learn'd elsewhere , nor imagin'd of themselves the reason of every part of their work ; so that not knowing it , and continuing to work for the most part by chance , or rather by rote , they have been no more capable of teaching it , than their prentices of enquiring it ; so that perhaps excepting some skill in grassing and couching the branches of wall-trees , in tilling , the ground , ordering of a bed , sowing and watering some seeds , clipping of box and pallisados , which are all very easie to do and learn , and may be learn'd by boys seeing others do it ; i say , excepting such kind of works which are none of the most material , it may be affirm'd that they hardly know any thing , especially as to the main part of gard'ning , which is the conduct of all sorts of trees , the beauty and singular goodness of every fruit , their maturity well understood , and an uninterrupted succession of the novelties of every month in the year , &c. indeed they have attain'd the boldness and dexterity of using the saw and pruning-knife , but never had any rules or principles to do it judiciously ; they venture to cut at random , what they think good ; and so a tree , if i may use the expression , not being able to oppose its enemies , is mangled and maim'd , discovering its grievances , by falling into decay , by its ill favour'd figure , and especially by the small quantity of ill fruit it produces . this is in reality the common prenticeship of gard'ners , or rather the epidemical disease of all gardens ; i am not ignorant that there are some well meaning gard'ners , who without doubt would grow skilful , were they well instructed ; those deserve pity and assistance , and therefore i never fail to assist them in all i can . i am also sensible that there are some , who either of themselves , or having been brought up under a good master , have both worth and capacity , and afterwards are careful of making good prentices ; therefore it is good to have some brought up by such hands , and approv'd by their masters . however , though these precautions might seem sufficient , i am still of opinion , that before we ingage any farther , especially , only wanting a gard'ner for an ordinary garden , it will not be amiss to find out some occasion to make the gard'ner you have some inclination to choose , set his hands to some laborious piece of work , to see how he goes about it ; as to till some spot of ground , to carry some watering-pots , &c. by which tryals it will be easie to judge whether he has those necessary qualifications of body ; whether he acts naturally , or forces himself ; if he be handy and laborious , or clumsey and effeminate : a man that is soon out of breath , does more than his strength can permit , and consequently cannot make a good workman , i mean , a lasting one ; such a man is not fit for our turn , unless we barely want one to order and manage , which is not usual , unless in great gardens , where such a one is absolutely necessary . supposing we are hitherto satisfy'd with the answers and work of the gard'ner , who offers himself , there are still other very material qualifications to be wish'd for , as we have already mention'd . first , that he may be able to write a letter , for though writing be not absolutely necessary in a gard'ner , yet it must be granted that it is a very considerable advantage , to the end that being absent from his master , he may be able to receive his orders himself , give him an account of his garden , keep a register of all he does in it , &c. secondly , if marry'd , it is sit that his wife , besides the care of her family , may love and be capable of working about her husband's trade ; it is an inestimable treasure for the perfection of gard'ning , as well as for the good fortune of the gard'ner : such a wife cleanses , scrapes and weeds , while the master and his men labour about harder , more in haste , and more material works ; and when her husband is absent or sick , she calls upon every body to do their duty ; she gathers the legumes and fruit , of which often a considerable part perishes for want of being gather'd in due time : in sine , she is to prevent a great many disorders , which we observe , where a gard'ner's wife does not love to work in the garden . i am of opinion that it will be proper to see her , to judge whether such important helps may be expected from her , and see whether she be cleanly , and has nothing disgusting in her . to this i might add , that in many countrey houses the gard'ner is made house-keeper , when his wife is ingenious and cleanly , which is always of great use . thirdly , it is necessary to enquire the names of the masters under whom this gard'ner has learn'd his trade ; when he cites for a good master , a man of known ignorance , and values himself upon it , it is a sign of incapacity , though in other things the prentice may chance to know more than his master . there are yet some other marks by which it may be easie to judge of the merit of gard'ners ; for instance , i do not like a great babler , who talks of nothing but his skill , or affects hard words , which he thinks are fine , though they really are not so . neither do i like him , who without being able to give a good reason for it , values himself upon equally despising what he has not seen , as well as what he has seen , who has so great an opinion of his ability , as to think that he can learn nothing new ; who thinks he should wrong himself in inquiring after , or hearkening to men of reputation ; as if this wretch thereby fear'd to bring his knowledge in question . there are but too many , who upon the questions that are made to them , answer with a disdainful smile . it would be a fine thing if at my age i did not know my trade , and thereupon would not for any thing acknowledge their faults , or be better inform'd . there are some who always affect to ruin whatever is ancient in their garden , and to make perpetual novelties , and those study to amuse their masters with some hopes of the future , both to hinder him , in the mean time , from perceiving their ignorance , for the time past or present , as well as to make their profit by the expence incident to new works . on the contrary , there are some others , whose stupidity is so great , that they never imagine any thing , and had rather leave the gardens they undertake in the same condition they find them , though never so much out of order , than alter the least thing about them ; who having a great number of ugly trees , quite decay'd , or squares of strawberrys , artichokes and sparagus , &c. no longer producing any thing fine or good , instead of endeavouring to remedy it , which is very easie , will cry that it is enough for them to preserve things as they find them . these two sorts of gard'ners are equally to be avoided ; those who are continually braging of their skill in graffing , thereby likewise give an infallible proof of their incapacity as to what relates to the main part of gard'ning ; i am not ignorant that 't is necessary to graff well , but at the same time i know that a woman , or a child of eight or ten years of age , may do it as well as the best gard'ners ; nothing has produc'd so many block-heads in point of gard'ning , as that skill in graffing . it is the nusseries that produce so many pittiful gard'ners , who have , as it were , corrupted and infected all that belongs to gard'ning , looking upon themselves as being the greatest masters in that art , as soon as they can graff well , and in that belief undertake the management of any garden what ever . there are yet another kind of blockheads , who cannot speak three words of their own trade , without intermixing the full and wainal-moon . pretending , and yet knowing no reason for it , that it is an observation altogether necessary for the success of all that belongs to gard'ning : they really fancy they can perswade us by such words , that they are acquainted with all the mysteries of that art ; so that having said with a presumptuous haughtiness , in their jargon , that every friday bears a decrease , and that good-friday is infallible for sowing and graffing , for planting and pruning , &c. they really think 't is the greatest happiness in the world , for any body to have them for their gard'ners . i fully examine in my treatise of reflection what relates to those visions , which in point of gard'ning i really look upon to be as ridiculous as old ; therefore i always suspect those talkers of decrease , who are dumb upon the least difficulty propos'd to them upon such maxims , their sole answer being , that in this they follow an opinion in vogue all the world over . i think i have been pretty exact in the observation of the good and ill qualifications , that are commonly met with among gard'ners ; now in my opinion it will not be amiss , especially in relation to those who know but little , to enjoin them to study carefully in order to improve themselves . as to those who have skill and capacity , i conjure them with all my heart to continue to perfect themselves , thereby more and more to deserve the favour of their masters , if good ones , if not , to deserve better . i find my self very much inclin'd to oblige all those who are desirous to learn , either in assisting them with some instructions in those parts of gard'ning , they are not sufficiently acquainted with , or in procuring them good places , in considerable houses . as on the other hand to despise , and render no manner of good offices to such as have 〈…〉 one of those good , and altogether necessary , qualifications . lastly , in order to ease the mind of a master who wants a gard'ner , if he himself be not ignorant of the good maxims of gard'ning , in my opinion he cannot do better than to examin the gard'ner , who comes to offer his service , upon all the principal points of culture , being perswaded that commonly those who are work-men , can speak indifferently well as to their trade ; and consequently that it is a very ill sign , when they cannot speak three words to the purpose about it . not but that there are some people who can work better than talk , and some who naturally have more facility to express themselves than others ; but in this case , we look first for gard'ners , not orators ; and in the second place expect no eloquence , only some marks of a necessary capacity , both to be satisfied that a garden will always be in a good case , it being in the hands of a good gard'ner , and to hope for the satisfaction of having sometimes the pleasure of discoursing about gard'ning , and to propose questions upon the matter occurring . a judicious man can never want capacity to judge and distinguish in such a case , what may be good , or indifferent for his use , and of being satisfied with what reason and his occasions may require of a gard'ner , without looking farther . the end of the first part. of fruit-gardens and kitchen-gardens . vol. i. part ii. i am particularly to treat here of four things : the first relating to the advantages to be wish'd for , in order to make gardens : the second relating to earth , in respect to those gardens : the third , to what is proper to correct the defects we meet with in gardens already made : the fourth , to the manner of cultivating gardens , together with such qualifications of soil , as are proper for every particular kind of fruit. i will speak of what relates to the first article , after having first declar'd that i am only to treat here of fruit and kitchen-gardens , whether they be city gardens , which commonly are but of a moderate compass : the ground of considerable cities being too precious to employ much of it in gard'ning , or country gardens , which for the generality are pretty large , at least much larger than those of cities , and that in proportion to the abilities of the master , and stateliness of every house . i am sensible , that for the generality , both city and country gardens are made for the conveniency of the houses , and therefore should be pretty close to them ; yet considering that those of the country require a pretty large extent , in order to yield considerably , being necessary for sustenance , as well as pleasure : in my opinion , it were to be wish'd that the houses were built for the gardens , and not the gardens made for the houses . i mean , that one of the chief considerations in the choice of the situation of houses , should be particularly to pitch upon a proper place to make fine and good gardens with ease , which however is but seldom minded . there are other more prevailing considerations most people fix upon : for instance , a fine prospect , the neighbourhood of a wood or river , the conveniency and pleasure of hunting , the facility of making fountains or canals , the advantage of the income , or some other consideration of the adjacency of friends , &c. so that the gardens in question are commonly the last thing thought upon , and consequently much more the works of nicety and after-thought , than of choice or forecast . and indeed it is much more common to become master of a house ready built , either by purchase or succession , &c. than to chuse the situation , and begin to lay the foundations of it ; so that generally people are necessitated to make such gardens as the dependencies of their houses will allow , which is the reason they are not commonly so good as they should be . but supposing a man were in a condition to chuse , i will take the liberty to explain here what i think most proper to be done , to suceeed in the choice of a garden for a house , as i would willingly do as to the choice of the situation of that house , were this a proper place for it . chap. i. of the conditions that are necessary in order to make a good fruit and kitchen-garden . i find in this seven particular considerations , and all of them , in my opinion , very material . first , i would have the ground good , whatever colour it were of . secondly , a favourable situation and exposition . thirdly , an easie conveniency of water , for watering . fourthly , to have the ground upon a small rising . fifthly , an agreeable figure , and well plac'd entrance . sixthly , a fine enclosure of pretty high walls . and lastly , that in case this garden were not within sight of the house , which is not always to be wish'd for , at least it might not be far distant from it , but above all , that the access to it may be easie and convenient : let us now explain those seven articles asunder , in order to shew whether my wish be grounded upon sufficient reasons , and whether the execution of it be material . chap. ii. of earth in general . in order to prove what earth is , not taking in a philosophical or christian sence , whereby is understood the whole mass , this not being a question proper to be decided in this place : it is sufficient to know , earth being considered in that sence , that it is a great round mass , which forming one part of the created world , is situated in the middle of the celestial sphere ; where , by the orders of the creator , it sustains it self , as it were by its own weight . but to take earth in the sence of a good husbandman , or a gard'ner , to be able to explain what it is in relation to all the small particles that compose it , and the culture it receives from the hand of man. in that sence , i think , i may say , that earth is a quantity of a certain kind of small sand , which by the operation of a certain salt , wherewith nature has endued every grain of that sand , is proper for the production of vegetables ; in order to which there must be several grains together , which receiving a temperate moisture , form a compacted body , which afterwards receiving some degrees of moderate heat , seems to compose an animated body : so that without these two helps of moisture and heat , this earth remains useless , and as it were dead . 't is almost in the same manner that flower , which is an entire body , composed of an infinite number of small particles , all well seperated the one from the other ; this flower , i say , being moistned to a certain degree , forms paste or pap , either of which being season'd with a little salt , and afterwards heated to a certain degree , become proper for the nourishment of man ; whereas this flower would remain useless or dead , if water , salt and fire were not introduc'd to animate it . however , we find this difference between earth and flower , that the last being once wetted , alters its nature to that degree , that it cannot return to its first condition , although the moisture be altogether drein'd out of it , whereas on the contrary , earth having once lost the moisture it had receiv'd , remains in the same condition it was before , when it receives a second moisture ; but yet this difference ought not to destroy our comparison . the reason that induces me to say that earth is a kind of sand , is , that in the handling of it , it really appears a sandy thing ; i will not take upon me to explain what sand is , since i can say nothing that is particular about it , nor new , i shall only say in general , that there are several kind of sands , of which some are very dry and barren , like those of the sea , rivers , sand pits , &c. others fat and fruitful , some more , some less : those that are fattest and most fertile , make the best earth ; the others that are not so fat , or have no fatness at all , make but ordinary or bad earth , especially such as are light , dry and sandy : moreover some are softer , which make soft easie soil or mould ; others courser , which make a rough loam , hard to be manag'd . in fine , some are unctuous and sticking together , of which those that are but moderately so , make strong earth ; others that are more inclining to it , make clean loamy earth , and those that are extreamly unctuous , make clayish and heavy earth , altogether unfit for culture . besides the difference of sands , in relation to fruitfulness and barrenness , there are others which only differ as to colour ; for among sands some are blackish , others reddish ; some are white , some grey and others yellow , &c. from whence earth derive the names of black , red , white , grey , &c. but those kind of colours are not very essential to the goodness of soil , as we shall demonstrate hereafter . it is most certain , that those fertile sands have really some qualities in themselves , or rather a certain fruitful salt , which is communicated to the water that moistens them , which being season'd by these qualities , must serve for the production of plants . just in the same manner as senné , rubarb and most plants have in themselves medicinal virtues and properties , which communicate themselves to the water into which they are infus'd , for the use of the health of man , &c. which truth is undeniable . i might assert here in the first place , that earth ( considering it in it self as one of the four elements ) has really no original or natural disposition for vegetation , being in its principal qualities cold and dry , whereas vegetation requires heat and moisture ; but as by the express order and command of divine providence , it finds it self endu'd with a salt necessary for fertility , and is afterwards assisted both by the rays of the sun , and subterraneous fires which give it heat , as well as by some waters that moisten it , it seems to change its nature ; so that , in submission to so absolute a command of the sovereign master , it appears as if it were a living animated being , a being , having its particular activity , that is , of producing , as if in effect plants were no more in relation to it than the teeth of an animal are in relation to that animal : i mean , that as it is the animal that lives , and not the teeth ; so it would be proper to say , that the earth lives , and not the vegetables . this earth , i say , in obedience to that command , makes that vast number of different productions we have so much reason to admire . i might say , secondly , that there was a second command , after the curse occasion'd by the disobedience of man , and that by vertue of that second command , that earth seems most inclin'd to produce ill plants or weeds ; so that this very man having for his punishment receiv'd a particular order to cultivate that earth for his subsistance , he finds himself in some manner necessitated to wage a perpetual war against it : he labours and makes use of all his industry to vanquish and overcome the malicious inclination of that earth , which on its part defends it self with all its might , to avoid , deceive and cross the subordinate authority of that second master . and so we see , that being no wise inclin'd to favour children that are in some manner strangers to her , which by culture we make her produce against her will. she relapses as soon as she can , shooting vigorously thistles , nettles , and a thousand other plants of no use to us , which are properly her natural welbelov'd children . in this the earth resembles those children who are seldom tired with voluntary games and sports , though never so rough or violent in themselves , and yet appear soon weary in the performance of what a superior authority enjoins them for their good , though never so easie in the execution . thus then , this earth is oblig'd to obey in a great many things , which man requires of it , in which perhaps it might be compar'd to a young colt , vigorous and obstinate , which being once subjected to the hand and spur of an able rider , becomes subservient for pleasures , combats and triumphs , &c. thirdly , i might say , that all sort of soils are not proper for all sorts of productions , so that every clime seems in some sence to be reduc'd to some particular thing , which it produces happily and with ease ; whereas other plants cannot succeed in it , without much toil and care : it is in this point that man stands in need of industry , nay even of obstinacy , finally to overcome the resistance he meets with sometimes , in the culture of his ground . those happy or unfortunate successes of plants , in certain places ought to inform us demonstratively , what kind of earth is absolutely fit for every sort of fruit , and which is improper ; for instance , the large cherry trees of the vale of montmorency , and the fine plum trees of the hills of meudon , &c. instruct me what soil is proper for cherries , and what for plums , &c. least i should engage to the rearing of them in soils of a different temper , with confidence and presumption of succeeding without difficulty . i might finally say what is known by every body , that some earths are much better than others in every climate , nay even sometimes in a small compass of ground , vulgarly term'd veins of earth : for instance , wheat grows well in one place , and yet cannot grow in another close by it , where the ground is only fit for rye , or other small corn. wine proves good in one place , and is not so in another , tho' close by it . muscadine ripens perfectly well in some , and in others neither acquires taste , firmness , colour , &c. from whence it follows , that it is very difficult to give general and positive rules for every climate in general , considering the great proximity or nearness of good soil to bad . so that we say in respect to the production of earth in every clime , that some are extraordinary good , that is , very fertile , as we have often cause to say , in respect to the said production , that some are very bad , that is , very barren : this difference proceeding apparently from the internal qualifications of every ground , since it cannot be imputed to the sun , which looks upon them all with the same eye ; it may likewise proceed from another cause , which we will demonstrate hereafter : but , in fine , our gardens absolutely require earth , therefore let us now examine what conditions are necessary to that earth , in order to make our garden thrive . chap. iii. of the conditions that are necessary for the earth of a garden , to qualifie it to be good . many things are to be said in relation to earth , which are necessary to be understood ; i will speak of each in particular without omitting any thing of what i know ; but whereas we have establish'd heretofore , that the first and most essential thing to be desir'd , for fruit and kitchen-gardens , is a good earth , it will be proper first to explain what a good soil is , to the making of which many things must concur . first , its productions must be vigorous and numerous . secondly , that earth must be able to recover it self with ease , when it has been worn out . thirdly , it must have no ill taste . fourthly , it must have at least three foot depth . fifthly , it must be clear from stones , and easie to till . sixthly , it must neither be too moist , nor too dry. i explain these six maxims in six particular sections , before i enter upon the other necessary conditions for the perfecting of a fruit-garden . first section . of the first proof of good earth . in my opinion , the best proof of a real good ground or soil , is chiefly when of it self it abounds in very vigorous and numerous productions , appearing seldom or never exhausted : when plants grow visibly , with large thick leaves , &c. when trees grow up in few years , producing fine shoots , green leaves , not drooping until the great frosts come in , having sine , lively , shining barks , &c. these marks are certain proofs of a good earth . section ii. of the second proof of good earth . besides this , the nature of this soil must be such , that it may easily repair what has been impair'd by some extraordinary accident , viz. by a great heat , or a great cold ; by a great drought , or great moisture ; by a long nourishment of some foreign plant , &c. so as easily and certainly to recover its former goodness , if left in quiet , and , as it were , abandon'd to it self ; which supposes that the accidents that had troubled it in its ordinary productions ceasing , the goodness of its nature , and particularly its happy situation , are apparently the principal causes thereof ; which is so true , as to that situation , that such a soil being admirably good in such a place , will soon cease to be so , if carried into another , where it may not meet with the good fortune of such an advantageous situation : whereas , on the contrary , if barren in some place , being transported into another , where the situation happens to be better , it will undoubtedly prove much better in its production there . this is the reason that transported earth , though never so good in the place whence it was brought , only has a transitory goodness , and will soon cease to be so , not meeting with a proper situation , in which case it will require extraordinary helps to be maintain'd in a fruitful condition . therefore we may lay down as a certain maxim , that no earth can be call'd good , unless it shows a great fertility by its natural productions , and be capable to recover it self without help . those are the earths that are absolutely necessary for gardens , without amusing our selves in hopes of correcting a natural barrenness absolutely , by laying out a great deal of money , in dunging , &c. especially in relation to fruits ; as for pot-herbs , i grant , that having abundance of dung and water , together with several indefatigable gard'ners , they may be made to grow in a common soil ; but that remedy is too expensive , and the real pleasure of a garden , is inconsistent with so much toil and charge . section iii. third proof of a good earth . moreover , in my opinion , the real goodness of earth consists in having neither smell nor taste ; since it would be vain for our fruits to be the children of a very fruitful soil , and to be large and beautiful ; if , at the same time , that soil had any ill smell , or ill taste , by reason that the fruits and legumes , or edible plants , will infallibly be tainted with it , and consequently cannot be good or pallatable , which is their main excellence . the example of those wines that taste of the soil , is a convincing proof of this truth , it being most certain that the sap , which is prepar'd by the roots , is only made by the water , which soaking in the ground where those roots are to work , of necessity participates to the taste and qualities of that soil , and still retains them , notwithstanding its being turn'd into sap. earth to be good , must be altogether like good water , that is , that without being tart , or insipid , and sweetish , it must have no manner of smell whatever , neither good nor bad. this is the first and most material observation to be made , in order to resolve and determine upon the ground of a garden , when it appears fertile ; which observation is very easie , since every body is capable of making it , either in smelling barely to a handful of that earth , to judge of the smell , or in tasting the water , in which it shall have soak'd , to judge of its taste . for example , leaving some small quantity to soak for five or six hours in a glass , which being afterwards drein'd through a clean cloath to remove all suspition of dirt or uncleanness , may be tasted , to judge by its good or ill taste , of stink and tarness , or pleasantness and sweetness , whether that ground may be proper to produce good fruits , in order to resolve upon the making or not making a garden there . it is impossible to be too nice in point of taste ; legumes do not require quite so much nicety , by reason that most of them , in the boiling , lose whatever might be disagreeable in their taste . section iv. the fourth proof of good earth . though it might seem sufficient in order to judge of the goodness of earth , to find its production vigorous , and that it does not grow weary of producing , as also that it has no manner of ill taste ; yet notwithstanding the knowledge of our curious , who will make a garden , must extend farther : it is necessary to sound the depth of the ground , and to dig into its entrails , to see whether it contains , at least , three foot of as good mould as the surface . the tress he shall plant there will not grow so easily as those which nature has produc'd of it self ; they will not thrive , unless they be , as it were , certain of a provision of food for the time to come , which provision consists in having three foot of good mould , very soft or labourable on the top ; and whereas by daily requiring some new thing from that earth , it is tired at last , and grows lazy and lean in its productions , it is necessary to make some alterations ; the most material of all which , as well as the most easie , is to lay the mould that lay in the bottom on the top , where not having had any thing to employ it , it preserv'd its natural fruitfulness , in expectation of being put to tryal , that is , of being expos'd to the sun and cultivated ; in which motion of the earth , the surface is turn'd in the room of the other , which was taken up there to lay at rest in its turn , in order to come to it self again in some years time , and to be put into a condition of acting again as well as ever : not unlike those animals , which , though never so tired at the end of the first day 's journey , go on the next day with the same vigour as before , provided they have rest in the night . it is not enough to have laid down as a maxim , that trees absolutely require three foot in depth of good mould , it is necessary besides to decide how much will be proper for long rooted legumes : for example , artichokes , beet roots , scorzonere , parsneps , carots , &c. all which , in my opinion likewise , require the same depth of three foot. other plants , as sallads , greens and cabbage , &c. may do with a foot less . but those among the curious who , in both cases , of trees and large legumes , are satisfied with less depth than i have instanc'd , are certainly in a very great error , and are to be pitied , or rather blam'd . they will be liable to have abundance of trees grow yellow and sick , and to see a considerable part of them perish , and consequently will be obliged to a new expence , to plant others at a time when , after five or six years patience , they ought to enjoy the benefit of their plants . and lastly , they will be expos'd to have small trees and legumes , and those neither good nor come to perfection , &c. which inconveniencies ought to be avoided , by following of my precepts in chusing of a sufficient depth . section v. the fifth proof of good earth . the natural and perpetual fertility of earths , their taste and depth , being thus establish'd as four indispensable conditions , there remains a fifth , which is , that earth , without being too light , ought to be easie for cultivation ( like those we call fat sand , or flax land , &c. ) and pretty free from stones , not only for the ease of culture and to make plants grow the easier , but also to please the eye , which undoubtedly is offended at the sight of many stones or rubbage in stirring of the ground : so that when any earth has that imperfection , it must be remedied , when there are but a few , they may be easily clear'd with a rake ; but when the ground is full of them , i know no remedy but sifting of it . i explain the use of that operation in the treatise of the preparations of soils . light moulds have great advantages for culture , they are convenient to plants for the multiplication of their roots , they easily drink the water of rains , and waterings , and yet preserve moisture enough for vegetation ; besides they are easily heated by the beams of the sun , and consequently are quick in their production , which is particularly desir'd by every body . section vi. sixth mark of good earth . the best way to know easie mould , is to compare it with other earth that is not so ; for example : earth that is too strong cuts with the spade like loamy or stif ground , which are apt to close and grow hard , to that degree , that it is almost impossible for rain , or waterings to penetrate or soak into them , wich is a very vexatious and most pernicious inconvenience for culture ; besides , they are naturally inclin'd to rottenness , and are cold and backward , preserving a continual moisture in their bottom , three of the worst qualifications earth can have ; the surface of them easily splits and parches in great heats , insomuch that they are incapable of receiving the least culture , and consequently are neither fit for new plantations , or to receive new seeds , which occasions a great scarcity in most seasons ; besides , those cranys are very prejudicial both to trees and plants , having already taken new root , by uncovering the roots , breaking the new ones , and hindering them from continuing their functions . it is impossible to be better inform'd than i am , with all the disorders that attend such soils , and with all the inconveniencies they cause in culture ; and therefore i think it will not be improper for me to make a short relation , by the by , of what i have been oblig'd to do in the kitchen-garden of versailles ; of which the earth is partly of the nature of those , which it were to be wish'd , might not be met with any where , and which we would not have there , had it been easie to bring better in the room of it . the necessity of making a kitchen-garden in a situation proper for walks , and the king's satisfaction , oblig'd us to pitch upon that place where it is ; and the difficulty of meeting with extraordinary good earth in the adjacent parts , necessitated us to be satisfied with such as was passably good . this kitchen-garden is in a place , where there was formerly a large and very deep pond ; we were oblig'd to fill up the place of that pond , and raise the surface of it even above that of the grounds about it , otherwise it being a marsh , and the sink of the neighbouring hills , it would never have succeeded for the use it was design'd to : we met with no great difficulty in the filling of it , by means of the sands we were oblig'd to dig out to make the adjacent canal , of which we us'd ten and twelve foot in depth every where , but yet the difficulty of meeting with proper mould to lay over those sands , and to have it speedily , together with the expence and time for the distant transportation of the great quantity that was necessary for the surface of near twenty five acres , or furlongs , were capable to discourage any body from the enterprise ; therefore we were oblig'd to take that which lay nearest to us , that is from the mountain of satory : i examin'd it upon the spot , and found that it was a kind of loamy ground which turn'd to pap or mortar , when after great rains the water remain'd long upon it , and look'd as if it had been petrify'd when it was dry ; i likewise perceiv'd that common showrs did not easily soak into it , which troubled me much , but i imputed the cause of it to a kind of white sand , or soft and chalkey stone , which was found upon that mountain at the second spit deep of the spade , and comforted my self in hopes of meeting with a remedy against it , by means of the sands , upon which that earth was to be plac'd ; upon that foundation i dispos'd the ground of this kitchen-garden in such a manner that the earth of the surface might lay upon a level , without any declivity , as commonly most gardens are ; but i was extreamly surpriz'd when i found the contrary of what i expected ; this earth in changing of place , did not change its nature , it remain'd impenetrable to water ; that which happen'd most favourable to me in this , was , that i was expos'd the first year to the greatest mischief that could possibly befall me , there falling such great and frequent showers of rain , that the whole garden seem'd to be turn'd into a pond , or at least into a puddled marsh , which was inaccessible , and above all , mortal , both for the trees that were rooted up , and all the kitchen plants that were overflow'd by it : a remedy was to be found suitable to so great an inconvenience , otherwise the great work of the kitchen-garden , the expence of which had made so great a noise , and the figure whereof afforded so much pleasure , should have been of no use : happily in causing this same garden to be made , i had at the same time also made an aqueduct that went a cross it , in order to receive all the waters of the hills , which were wont to fall into that very place to supply the former pond , and were necessary to fill the great neighbouring canal ; therefore i bethought my self to order matters so , that those waters which were so pernicious to me , might lose themselves in that great aqueduct , to which end i thought my self oblig'd to raise every plat or square into ridges , which remedy was good , but would have been violent , had i been forc'd to get new earth for that elevation ; in order to perform this with more ease , i made use of long dung , of which i was very well provided , as well to place it underneath , as to mix it with the mould design'd for legumes , which answer'd my expectation . the success prov'd good , and the charge inconsiderable ; in forming of this work , i allow'd every square an imperceptible declivity to lead or carry all the waters sliding down from all the parts so rais'd into one of the corners ; and caus'd a small stone gutter to be made at every corner , to carry those waters into the aqueducts ; and was not long before i found the benefit of that invention ; my squares with their plants , and my borders with their trees , being thereby preserv'd according to my wish ; besides , it contributed considerably towards the preservation and good taste of all the things that i could rear there . this manner of ridges appear'd at first surprizing by its novelty , but yet it had the good fortune to please the king , whose penetration and judgment are infinite in all things ; what honour , and what joy for me to have the approbation of so great a prince ! he judg'd that the invention was no less agreeable than new , so much the rather , because it was of the greatest use imaginable ; besides , it added three acres to the first surface of the garden . i do not question but this method of ridges will be imitated in all places where the earth shall be either like ours , or liable to the inundation of great rains , or naturally too marshy . but when people have no inclination to make such elevations , they must at least resolve to have recourse to frequent tillages , to avoid the inconveniencies that attend soils that easily chop in the time of great long heats , it being a very good and infallible remedy . section vii . seventh mark of good earth . we have now seen the inconveniencies attending a soil that is too ponderous , or too fat , and too strong , and have found a remedy for it ; on the other hand , those that are too light , and consequently dry , are accompany'd with so many difficulties , that they are capable wholly to disgust the curious . first , by the difficulty of a necessary remedy : secondly , by the necessity of great and frequent waterings , which are very chargeable , and without which the earth grows , or remains barren : thirdly , by the small progress of fruits and legumes , there during the summer , without extraordinary helps : lastly , by the small number of vegetables , that can agree with it in our gardens , in which not withstanding it is necessary to have them of all kinds to be fully satisfied . let us now consider what relates to those soils that are too dry and light , and let us examin whether it be possible to correct those defects . it happens often that earth is dry and light , because nature at first formed it in that temperature , such is that of dry turf in certain fens , such is the sandy soil of the plain of grenelle ; it is pretty difficult , tho not impossible to render them more ponderous and fat , which is only to be done by mixing abundance of other strong earth among it , or by making of a way for a considerable discharge of water towards the bottom , which might spread all over it , which is not very practicable ; sometimes this drought and lightness proceed from its lying upon a clear sand , especially when it lyes too shallow , and consequently has not a bed sufficiently solid , and close , to stop the waters that fall upon it , either by rain , snow , or other ways ; those waters easily penetrating the body of those soils descend to that sand , which being as it were , a kind of sive lets them pass , and go down lower , as to the place of their center , whither their weight inclines them , and so no moisture or coolness is preserved on the bottom of that earth , from thence to be communicated to the superior parts ; and consequently that soil still relapses into its natural driness and barrenness , since it cannot produce any thing , unless it be at once accompanied with some moisture and temperate heat . those that are at liberty to choose their ground , will hardly be so ill advised as to pitch upon one that is so defective ; but when they are indispensably obliged to it , three things must of necessity be done . the first is to remove as much of that clear sand as will be necessary to form that depth of three foot , filling it up afterwards with as good mould as can be conveniently got . the second is to keep all those places that are to be cultivated a little lower than the walks , to the end that the waters which falls into those walks , may altogether incline and run into that ground . the third and last is to throw into those cultivated plats , in the winter , all the snow that lies in the walks , and other parts , from which they may be easily brought , which will make a provision of moisture in the bottom of that ground , to help it to perform its functions during the great heats of summer . i have always us'd those three expedients , and have prevail'd with my friends to put them in practice ; and i attest with truth , that we have all found a great benefit by it , and that it is very safe to put them in practice . no body can be ignorant , that when there lies water at a moderate depth within the ground ; for instance , about three foot deep ( which is common at the bottom of vales , where there lies what we call a good black sand. ) no body , i say , can be ignorant , that in such a case a natural philtration or distillation , forms it self in the depth of that earth , which raises part of that water up to the surface , which preserving or maintaining the earth in a good temperature for production , makes it extraordinary good ; whereas on the contrary , that water lying in a great quantity too near the surface ; for example , within a foot or somewhat more , being stop'd there by some bank of soft chalk , stone , or stiff clay remains there , being hindred from descending lower , and thereby occasions too great a moisture in the earth ; so that unless a discharge be made of those subterraneous waters , or that the ground be rais'd ridgewise , as i have heretofore explain'd , in order to make those waters rise , such soil will of necessity grow cold , rotten ; and , in a word , stark nought . and , indeed , we may assure our selves , that the moisture of soils often proceeds from that cause , as well those that are very excessive as those that are not : that moisture proceeds sometimes from other causes , as we shall declare in the sequel . i think my self oblig'd to say in this place , that in relation to the difference of earth , either strong and fat , or dry and light , this distinction is to be made , that in cold countries light earth is most to be desir'd , to the end that a small heat may be able to warm it ; whereas pretty stony and fat soil is best in hot countries , heat not penetrating so easily into the bottom of it , or drying up the plants . the prince of poets , who was originally of such a country , seems to approve a fat earth even for vines ; but 't is only in respect to abundance ; for as to the goodness and delicacy of the vine , he speaks in a different manner , shewing , that light , lean mould is most proper for good wine , as loamy ground is for wheat . there are some soils of so equal a temperature , and so advantageous a constitution , that all manner of legumes and trees of any kind whatever succeed incomparably well in them ; nay , which is more , those kind of soils receiving but a common culture of ordinary labour , or stirring of the ground for fruit-trees , preserve themselves good for many years , without the assistance of any amendments , unless it be for legumes . happy are those who light upon such , when they are about making of a new garden , so as to be able to boast that in their grounds they meet with all the important conditions i have mention'd , viz. a fertile soil , without taste , sufficiently deep , moderately light , and pretty free from stones , neither too strong and moist , or too light and too dry , because they may assure themselves of an infallible success as to the ground , and consequently what is it they may not expect , taking care from time to time to have it search'd , and absolutely turned within the depth heretofore mention'd , as well to be certain of its being still in the same case every where , as to enable every part to perform its duty alternatively , not failing , besides this , to allow it the common culture it requires . i have had the honour of making one of the best kitchen-gardens that could be , for a great minister ; i had the liberty of chusing my ground , and found it according to my wish , and as i wish it to all gentlemen that are curious in gard'ning . this garden is so perfect , that no inconsiderable things are seen in it , nor any thing that belyes its excellence . no place can afford more vigorous trees , or more excellent fruits , nor in greater quantity , nor siner and better legumes . there is but one thing wanting in it , which is , that it is not altogether so forward as gardens that lie in a sandy ground ; but that defect , which art cannot correct , is sufficiently recompens'd by all the other advantages i have mention'd . chap. iv. of the other terms that are us'd in speaking of earth . after having explain'd the good qualifications that are to be wish'd for in the mould of gardens , i might now apply my self to the explaining of the other conditions that are necessary for the perfecting of the said gardens , viz , the situation , exposition , figure and conveniency of watering , &c. but whereas in our gardens we often speak of worn out or exhausted earth , of fallow earth , of new broken up earth , of transported earth , &c. i think that before i proceed any farther , it will be proper for me to declare my opinion thereof . section viii . of exhausted earth . first , it is an old saying , that earth wears out or exhausts in process of time , whatever quantity of salt it may have to preserve its fertility , that is , though never so good in its nature , with this difference only , that whereas some are extraordinary good , and others very indifferent , some are much sooner , and much easier worn out than others : we may in some measure compare them to the treasures of every state ; of which some are certainly very considerable , and others not ; whereby some are more able to sustain long wars , and bear greater expences than others ; but yet the treasures of the richest cannot hold out for ever , they not being infinite . they may be exhausted or wasted , either by being ill manag'd , or ill employ'd , or by being dispers'd , or squander'd away , though perhaps with a prospect of other advantages for the benefit of the state. foreign amendments are sometimes necessary to that state ; for example , great trading , a considerable alliance , &c. and chiefly no long wars , or great dissipations . it requires at least some rest and occonomy , or good husbandry . in the same manner whatever fruitfulness earth is endu'd with , it will waste at length by the abundance of its productions , i mean such as have been forc'd upon it , but not those that are natural and voluntary , wherewith it seems only to sport ; for instance , the ground of a good meadow is so far from wasting , by the nourishment it affords the grass it yearly produces , that it improves in its disposition of producing it , as if it delighted in following its natural tendency ; but when we go about to alter its function , and force it to produce saint foin , wheat , or any other corn that is a stranger to it , it will be soon perceiv'd , first , that it begins to slacken in its production , and finally exhausts or spends it self , insomuch , that it will want some help to be put again in vigour , otherwise it will remain for a time almost useless . it may be also , that the grounds where wheat and other corn grow of themselves ( for it is very probable , that those first grains grew naturally and without any industry in some soils . ) it may be , i say , that those corn grounds might be worn out sooner in producing of hey , than in the continuance of their natural productions : so that it is evident by the experience of all husbandmen , that earth frequently wears out or exhausts . i add , that according to the greater or lesser quantity of salt , every particular plant requires , all plants not consuming an equal quantity of it , that earth which is abundantly provided therewith , shoots , without wearing out so soon , several different kind of plants , and sometimes all of them together and at the same time , witness the good grounds of meadows , every part of which abounds with an infinity of different plants , all equally vigorous : sometimes , and that only when the ground is indifferently good , that earth only produces many successively the one after the other ; as we see by small corn , as barly , oates , &c. which are sown in those very grounds that have just before produced wheat and rye ; which , though not capable of producing some of the like so soon after it , have yet the force of producing smaller . the same things may be said of grounds that have serv'd long for vinyards , woods , or forests , or orchards , &c. where when we destroy those kind of plants , we must not expect that it will succeed immediately , if employ'd in the same manner it was before , it being too much wasted or worn out for that purpose ; but yet it may be good enough to serve a while for the production of smaller plants , and less voracious ; for example , pot-herbs , pease , beans , &c. and yet at last it will yeild to the common fate of all manner of earth , which is to wear out quite . it is in this that the gard'ner must shew his skill ; for he must have a perpetual application to observe in what manner all the plants of his garden do grow , not to employ his time in planting his ground with things that can no longer thrive there , and yet he must leave no part of his garden unmanur'd , it will be sufficient to shift his legumes and seed : his earth can never be so worn out or exhausted , as to oblige him to leave it altogether unimploy'd ; he may make it produce all manner of things one after another , provided he never lets it want some helps it requires . however , supposing he were oblig'd to plant or put things of the same kind in the room of the old ones ; for instance , new trees in the room of others that are dead , then in such a case there is some work to be done , and some oeconomy to be practis'd , which i will speak of hereafter ; besides the manner of employing earth well , is fully examin'd in the treatise of the kitchen-gardens . section ix . of fallow earth . these terms of fallows , or earth that lies at rest and unimploy'd , intimate , that the grounds sometimes want rest , thereby to be recover'd or reinforc'd , whether the influences of the stars , and more particularly the rains , cause that useful reparation ( as certainly they contribute much to it ) or rather whether those earths have in themselves a fund of natural fruitfulness with a faculty not indeed to render that fruitfulness undrainable , but to re-establish it , and produce it again ; when , after having been impair'd by continual productions , we let it lie fallow for some time , as if we did abandon it to its own discretion , and judg'd it capable of knowing its own distemper , and to remedy it . thus philosophers impute to the air an elastic force , and to use a more sensible example . thus water has in it self a kind of natural coolness with a principle of re-establishing , and reproducing that coolness , when after its having been heated by fire , or by the sun , it is remov'd out of their reach : heat is certainly a stranger to it , and , as it were , an enemy ; so that it keeps this water in a violent motion ; but when 't is remov'd from that which caus'd and maintain'd that heat , and thereby left at rest , it destroys that which render'd it defective , and by degrees becomes cool again as before ; that is , it recovers the perfection , which is natural to its being and temper . thus good earth being impair'd by the nourishing of some plants that were strangers to it , and drain'd it at once of all its ancient salt , and even of all the new , as fast as it repair'd it ; if we discharge or ease it of those plants , and leave it for a while without requiring any thing from it , that is fallow or at rest , it will easily return to its natural fertility , especially if instead of planting it with little ordinary plants , we mix a little good dung with it , insomuch that the straw that shall rot , or be burnt among it , will afford it new strength . nature shows us in this a true circulation , which we will explain hereafter in the chapter of amendments . section x. of transported earth . there is but little to be said in the càse of transported earth , unless it be , that it is a novelty our age has introduc'd in gard'ning . the author of the georgics , who has treated with so much exactness about the differences of earth , has not in the least mention'd this . this expedient of transporting earth is seldom practis'd , but when a garden is to be made in a place that has none , which does not happen often , at least where great gardens are to be made , or when we design to fill up some trenches , which we have cause to believe worn out ; in which cases earth must be sent for from places where it is very good . wo to him who being necessitated to be at the charge of such a transportation , only chuses that which is bad ; which is a fault , i believe , few people do commit . good earth seems to meet with a kind of improvement in that transportation , which is the reason that people say , such and such a garden cannot be ill , since it is altogether compos'd of transported earth . the reason of this improvement by transporting , is as difficult to be solv'd , as that of the amendment which proceeds from the burning of stubble . the poet gives four without determining upon any , perhaps being willing to insinuate , that he judges them all equally good . thus it appears evident to me , that earth really improves by transportation , whether that improvement proceeds from that in the removal the air penetrating more into it , revives some principle of vigour that was conceal'd , or that the air purifies some ill qualities it had contracted ; or , in fine , whether it renders it looser and more penetrable to the roots , which roam as it were every where to look for some fresh nourishment . section xi . of new earth , or ground new broke open . there still remains to explain what new earth is , i mean earth never having seen the 〈◊〉 . it is a help or succours newly introduc'd in our gardens , and apparently as much unknown in the ancient husbandry , as that of transported earth , which authors do not in the least mention . we have a particular value for it , and indeed cannot have too much , since it is certain that this new soil possesses not only all the first salt , which was given it at the moment of the creation ; but also the major part of the salt of the surface , which was press'd down to the bottom by rains and waterings , the weight of which made it descend where-ever it could penetrate . this salt preserves it self in those hidden earths , until they become a surface themselves , and then the air gives them a proper disposition to employ with glory that fertility wherewith they are endu'd ; and indeed they are no sooner at liberty to act , but they produce vegetables of a surprising beauty . it is not difficult to apprehend what new mould is , all earths were so originally , that is , at the moment of their creation , god by his command having bestow'd upon them the gift of the faculty of production , which till then had not been put in use . from that time none of the earth of the surface of that terrestrial body or mass , can be called new , since all those that were capable of producing , have not ceas'd to act hitherto : but whereas there are many places , where the bottom of that earth , within two or three foot of the surface , has always remain'd without action , and others where that very surface has not been allowed to act , both the one and the other afford us new earth , to make use of in our necessities : so that by new earth we mean such as never serv'd towards the nourishment of any plant. for instance , such as lies three foot beneath the surface , and from thence as low as it can go , provided it be really earth , or else we mean such as having already nourish'd several plants , has afterwards been long without nourishing any others ; for example , such as has been built upon . we say , and that by experience , that in the first year , both the one and the other of these earths are wonderfully good , especially for our gardens , all manner of plants and legumes improving , growing and thickning visibly in them : and when we plant trees in them , provided they be good in themselves , and be well planted , few of them miscarry ; whereas in those that are naught , or really worn out , the greatest part of them die , though never so well condition'd , or so carefully planted . the eyes are not capable to distinguish whether earth be new or worn out , that knowledge must proceed from other things , the one and the other being extreamly alike ; and it might be said with reason , that those earths that are bad , whether they have always been so , or are grown so , are not unlike gun-powder , which being bad , or having taken vent , cannot take fire , and yet looks altogether like that which is good . thus earth , that is naturally naught and barren , or having been good is worn out , not having any thing within it to animate it , when it receives heat and moisture , remains as if it were dead , notwithstanding a succours which would animate any other earth ; so that not contributing in the least to the action of the old roots of trees , they at last rot , and together with them the whole body of the tree , as i have fully explain'd in my reflections upon the beginning of vegetation . from whence it follows , first , that it is pleasant to make new plantations , and that in good new earth ; and in the second place , that all those who make new gardens , ought certainly to be careful of preparing a kind of magazine of it , in order to have it with ease and convenience , whenever they stand in need of replanting new trees , which happens pretty often . the space of the alleys , or at least of part of them is very fit for those kind of provisions to which use i employ them , instead of doing what most people do ; that is , to fill them with gravel and dirt , taken out of the plats , or squares and trenches . h 〈…〉 ooten does it happen , for want of such a conveniency of new earth to put again into the trenches , as people would do if they had it , that a great deal of money , time and pleasure is lost in being oblig'd to plant new trees and plants in the room of the old ones that are dead ; for indeed few of them escape in those old , ill-condition'd soils . i must needs pity those who neglect a thing that is so useful and so necessary . before i conclude what i had to say about earth , i must speak a word or two as to the colour of it , by which it is sometimes easie to judge of its good or ill qualities . section xii . of the colour of good earth . i have declar'd several times already , that the most essential and surest mark of the goodness of the ground , is that which is taken from the natural beauty of its productions ; some would willingly besides this , settle another certain mark upon the colour of it , and say , that a blackish grey is a convincing proof in that matter , besides its being most pleasing to the eye . this question has not only been debated in our days ; the great authors of antiquity have made some reflections upon it before us ; for my part i am not in the least prejudic'd in this point , having seen good and bad earth of all colours : but yet it is certain that this blackish grey , which pleases most , and has deserv'd the approbation of former ages , is commonly in that respect one of the best signs of goodness , though not infallible . we often meet with redish and whitish earth that are incomparable , but seldom any that is quite white deserving that character . we likewise meet with some that is black , either at the top of some hills , or in certain vales , which are very barren ; it being a kind of dead sand , which can at most only produce broom and furrs . therefore we must conclude , that the true mark to judge of the goodness of mould , is neither the colour nor depth of it ; since nothing but the fine production it naturally affords can do it , they only can decide in that point . for instance , in the open fields we may judge by the goodness of the grass , which cattle willingly feeds on ; by the brambles , briers , &c. in kitchen-gardens by the size of artichokes , large lettuces and sorrel , &c. but more especially , as has been said already by the vigour of the trees , their long shoots , the large size and flourishing verdure of the leaves , &c. these marks we may look upon as undeniable proofs and witnesses , upon whose deposition we may absolutely rely , without trusting to any other . the size of fruits may be look'd upon as something in that case , but is no infallible argument , since we commonly see large fruit upon weak trees and some very small upon others that are more vigorous . i explain the reasons of so great a difference in another place . chap. v. of the situation our gardens require . after having sufficiently explain'd what relates to the particular case of earth , i now proceed to the other conditions that are necessary for the perfection of fruit and kitchen gardens , of which the second in my opinion is the situation . there is a distinction to be made , viz. whether in relation to a kitchen-garden only without any mixture of fruit , excepting such as are red , as strawberries , raspberries , cherries , currans , which compose part of a kitchen-garden , or only to fruit-gardens without any legumes ; it happens sometimes that the fruit-garden and kitchen-garden are made asunder ; or , in fine , this garden being compos'd both of the one and the other . in the first case , which relates to a kitchen-garden , without doubt little valleys or dales are to be preferr'd to all other situations , and commonly have all that is to be desir'd in a good ground ; they are fit for excellent meadows , the moulds is easie and apparently of a sufficient depth , it is fatten'd with all that is good upon the neighbouring hills . fine legumes grow in it with ease and plenty . red fruit acquire in it that sweetness and size which renders them recommendable : waterings are easie at hand , springs and brooks being seldom wanting there ; but then they are liable to a great inconvenience , by inundations . when that misfortune happens , few of those plants escape which ought to last above a year in the ground . asparagus , artichokes and strawberries meet with their destruction by being long overflow'd ; and thus all the advantages that are promis'd by a good dale , are infinitely overbalanc'd by the desolation wherewith it is threatn'd . in the second case , which relates to the having of good fruits and betimes , certainly your elevated moderate dry grounds are the best , provided always the ground be good in it self , and deep enough ; the choice fruits do not perhaps grow so large there , but that is sufficiently recompens'd by the beauty of the colour , the goodness of the taste , and the forwardness of the maturity . what difference is there between the muscat-grapes that grow in those dry situations , and those that grow in moist valleys : and indeed , muscat-grapes are the true touchstone directing us to judge of the good or ill situation of a garden ; how delicious are your winter-thorns , burgamots , lansac , petitoms and louises-bonnes , &c. growing upon an elevated ground , compar'd to the same kind of pears growing in a meadow-ground . those kind of fruits are another convincing proof of the importance of the situation of fruit-gardens . but lastly , if in relation to those kind of gardens , that are coveted by most people , i mean gardens compos'd both of fruits and legumes , the choice is easily made . nothing can certainly be better than a rising ground , which furnishes all that is necessary both for the one and for the other , supposing still the ground be good in it self , according to the conditions heretofore explain'd ; which being , the earth in neither too dry nor too moist ; the waters of the hills washing it constantly , and not remaining upon it , afford it a proper temper ; the heat of the sun performs its function , without being oppos'd by cold , which is inseparable from marshy grounds . those risings to be altogether according to our desires must not be too steep ; least the torrents , summer commonly produces , might cause very considerable disorders there ; those are best where the ascent is almost imperceptible , where every clap of thunder does not threaten dismal consequences , and where people are not expos'd to the vexation of seeing their trees torn up by the sudden gluts of water , to see sometimes the earth tumbled from the top to the bottom , and sometimes the walks utterly spoil'd , and in fine , all the neatness , delight and advantage of it utterly over-thrown . it were to be wish'd that all gentlemen might meet with such favourable situations for their gardens ; but whereas they are scarce , and that people are often reduc'd to make them in the middle of great plains , which is most common ; others upon hills , and others in valleys or dales ; we will declare hereafter what may be most proper to be done in order to succeed in them , as well as is possible . chap. vi. of the exposures of gardens , as well in general as in particular ; with the explication of what may be good and ill in every one of them . it is not enough for a garden to have a good ground , and to be well situated , it must also be well expos'd ; and a small rising not being well expos'd , cannot be call'd an advantagious situation . there are four sorts of expositions , the east , the west , the south , and the north , all easily known by the names that have been given them , with this difference , that among gard'ners these terms signifie the clean contrary of what they do among astrologers and geographers ; these only regarding those parts , where the sun actually appears , and not those which are lighten'd by his beams ; for instance , by east they mean that part where the sun rises , by west the part where it sets , &c. whereas the gard'ners only consider those parts of their garden upon which the sun directly shines , and in what manner it shines upon it throughout the course of the day , either in relation to the whole garden , or only in relation to some of the sides of it ; for example , as to the sides , when the gard'ners see the sun at his rising , and during all the first half of the day continue to shine upon one side , they call that side the east , and indeed it is really the east of gardens ; so that when the sun begins to appear later upon it , or to remove sooner from it , it can no longer be call'd east ; and by the same reason they call that side the west , upon which the sun shines all the second half part of the day , that is from noon till night , and according to the same way of speaking , they call that part south , where the sun shines from above nine in the morning till evening , or else that part where it shines longest in the whole day , whatever hour it begins at , or removes from it ; in fine , they call that north which is opposite to the south , and consequently that part which is least favour'd by the rays of the sun ; for perhaps it does not receive the benefit of it above one hour or two in the morning , and the same at night . this is the true meaning of exposures in point of gard'ning , and particularly in relation to the walls of gardens , whereby may be understood the meaning of that manner of speaking so common among gard'ners ; my fruits of the east are better than those of the west ; my wall fruits of the east are not so often water'd by raine as those of the west , &c. besides , those names of expositions likewise express those winds gardens are more , or less expos'd to , and consequently can be more or less prejudicial to them ; for the winds in respect to gardens , especially for trees , are almost all to be fear'd ; but yet some more , and others less , and that according to the different seasons of the year . although it may be urg'd , that whatever situation a garden be in , it has of necessity all the aspects of the sun , and consequently is in a condition to enjoy the favors of all the expositions , as well as to fear the insults of all the winds , yet every body agrees , that some are better expos'd than others ; which is particularly understood of such as are upon hills , or the sides of mountains , of which some have the rising sun , others the setting ; some lye south , and others north ; for as to the gardens that are situated in plains , and are neither cover'd by mountains , or high woods , or lofty buildings , the difference of those exposures is not so sensible . the usual manner of speaking to express the expositions in respect of every garden , in the whole , and without any particular distinction of sides , must be understood in relation to the expositions of the whole coast where those gardens are situated ; as the manner of speaking of the exposures of walls in particular , relates to the manner of the suns shining upon every one of them in the course of the whole day ; and so for example , when in speaking of a garden situated upon a small hill , we say that it lyes to the east , we mean that the sun shines upon it as soon as it rises , and shines but little upon it in the afternoon : and when we say that a garden lyes full south , it is when the sun shines upon it all the day , or at least from nine or ten in the morning till the evening ; and by the same reason when we say that such a garden lyes to the west , we mean that the sun does not begin to shine upon it till about noon , and remains there till it sets . now the meaning of expositions is fully understood , in order to decide which is the best of the four , either in general for the whole garden , or in particular for every one of the sides ; it will be fit to know in the first place , that those of the south and east , are by the opinion of all gard'ners the two chief , and therefore to be preferr'd before the two others ; it is likewise fit to know that the exposition of the west is not amiss , or at least much better than the north , which consequently is the worst of all . secondly , in order to decide between the two first , which is the best , the temper of the earth must first be distinguish'd ; for if it be strong , and consequently cold , the south is best ; but if light , and consequently hot , that of the east will be most favourable . the exposures of the south in all earths is commonly proper to secure all plants against the rigors of the winter , to give a taste to the legumes and fruits , and to forward all that is to be early in all seasons ; and therefore since it is favourable to all sorts of earth , it must be so particularly to a strong cold earth , which can hardly act unless animated by an extraordinary heat from the sun , which is the most proper exposition for it : but not for light earths , especially in hot climats , it being apt to scorch the plants in summer to that degree , that the kitchen gardens become of no use , it engenders a thousand emots or kind of fleas which gnaw and wrinkle the leaves , it hinders the fruits from growing to that bigness they should do , and thereby lessens the goodness of the taste , and even often makes them drop before their time , which happens sometimes by reason that it spoils or drys up the branches and leaves , nay even the stalks of those fruits , as we often see it in musctts and peaches ; and sometimes also in over-hard'ning the rine of every fruit , even to that degree that it often scorches and chaps them ; by which means abundance of peaches and figs growing against walls perish through excessive heats : therefore it is easie to decide the choice of those two expositions , in respect to the difference of earth ; the south is most desirable in cold moist parts , but not so much in dry sandy grounds . generally speaking , this exposition of the south is free from the northern winds , which by their usual coldness are always cruel and fatal to all manner of gardens , which is the reason it is generally chosen before that of the east ; but yet it is most certain that in light grounds , the last being favour'd by night dews , and the first gentle and mild rays of the rising sun , is incomparable for maturity , size and taste , as well as for the preservation of trees and legumes , &c. and especially because over and above all this , it defends us from the north west winds ; that wind rises between the west and north , and as it regularly blows in the spring , it is commonly attended by white frosts , which are very destructive to the blossoms and fruits of trees , whereon it lights , which is the reason that people easily bear with that eastern exposition even in strong earths , but still i do certainly believe it best for light earth . although i have preferr'd the exposition of the west before that of the north without any hesitation , the last being certainly the worst of the two ; yet in those climats where the heat being excessive , burns , and absolutely ruins all that is too long expos'd to the sun , the north ought to be chosen before the other ; since our gardens only want a moderate heat to nourish gentle what they produce , especially to conduct fruits to a perfect maturity , and therefore in those climats where the sun seems too violent , i should rather affect a northern exposition , having but four or five hours of rising sun , and as much of the setting as any other , whether that which scorches it all the day , or that which shines upon it but half the day : and certainly those kind of hot climats are not in the least proper on the south walls for any of our kernel , or stone fruits , which are too tender for it , they are only proper for orange trees , citron trees , pomegranets , figs , and muscats grapes , &c. of which the greatest part of the leaves must be kept upon the trees ; the other expositions will be good enough , for those tender fruits which cannot bear that of the south . after having examin'd the advantages that may be expected from good expositions , let us now consider the inconveniences that may be fear'd from them ; but whereas they are not infallibly attended with them , we must indeed be prepar'd to bear them , but not discomforted when they happen , seeing the impossibility of a remedy . the southern exposition generally speaking is subject to great winds from the middle of august to the middle of october , which often blow down the fruit , some before their being ripe and full grown , and others after their being ripe , which are quite bruis'd by the fall ; and thus the best part of the fruit perishes , instead of performing its duty , which is to nourish and recompence the master of the garden ; for which reason , in such gardens directly expos'd to the southern winds , which otherwise enjoy the advantages that are so much valu'd in gard'ning , wall trees are most proper ; dwarfs also defend themselves pretty well , but standards are to be pitty'd , especially such whose fruit does not stick fast to the stalk , for instance , virgoules , vertelongues , the st. germains , &c. which are not so proper for those exposures , as those that have the power to resist better the violence of the winds ; for example , the thorn pears , the ambrets and lischalserie , the dry martins , &c. or else stick to the summer fruits which are good at the time of their fall , as the lady thighs , the small muscat pears , the blanquets , or whole pears , the robins , the russelets or russetings , &c. the eastern exposure , though otherwise incomparable , has its imperfections too sometimes ; in the spring it is subject to north east winds , which are dry , cold winds that wither the leaves and new shoots , especially of peach-trees ; they likewise often blow down abundance of kernel and stone fruit , and particularly young figs , at the time that by a reasonable size they began to give great hopes of plenty ; those winds are not the only enemies to that exposition , that which likewise is fatal to it , especially for the eastern wall trees , is the not enjoying the benefit of rains , which seldom coming but from the west , cannot reach the foot of the walls , whereby the trees are lyable to a mortal drought , unless it be remedy'd by the expedients explain'd in the treatise of the wall trees . the western exposure not only dreads north west winds in the spring , which are so pernicious for trees in blossom , and in autumn the winds of that season , those great throwers down of fruit , but also , and that particularly in moist cold grounds , the great rains , which being commonly very frequent from the parts where the sun sets , often causes great desolations there ; whereas on the oher hand , in dry light earths , those kind of showers repair the defects of sterility , and amend the disorders caus'd by too much drought . as to the northern exposition in relation to wall fruit trees , if on the one side it be tolerable for all summer fruits , and for some in autumn , on the other side , it is very dangerous for the beauty and good taste of those of the winter ; but then again , it is the most advantagious that can be during the great heats for legumes and red fruits , which we would make to hold out , as straw-berries , rasberries , currans , &c. i have likewise explain'd this matter at large in the treatise of kitchen-gardens , as well as in the use that is to be made of every particular wall in a garden . finally , the result of this small treatise about the exposition , is that all of them have their perfections and imperfections ; we must endeavour to take our advantage of the first , and use all our industry to defend our selves from the last . chap. vii . of the third condition , which requires in our gardens the convenience of waterings . nothing can be more certain , and more universally granted , than that it is impossible to have fine and good gardens , especially kitchen gardens , without being able for a considerable part of the year to secure them from their mortal enemy , which is drought ; the spring and summer are subject to great heats and scorchings , and consequently the legumes of the season , that should be perfect and abounding can yield no pleasure , unless they be greatly moisten'd ; they only improve and acquire the perfections they ought to have , by the vertue of water , viz. largeness , thickness , sweetness , and delicacy ; therefore i say that legumes are in danger of being always small , bitter , hard and insipid , without the help and assistance of considerable long rains , which commonly are very uncertain , or else that of great and frequent waterings , which we ought to be masters of , and to have at command . besides , whatever rain may fall , which indeed may be favourable to small plants , as strawberries , greens , pease , beans , sallad , onions , &c. there are still other plants in our gardens , which require something more , for example , artichoks of a year or two's growth , which must be water'd regularly two or three times a week , a pitcher at a time to every foot ; for if we think that a little rain is sufficient to satisfie our artichokes , we shall soon perceive that we are grosly deceiv'd , gnats will annoy them , the head will remain small , hard and dry ; and finally , the suckers will only produce leaves ; the experience of what is seen among substantial sale gard'ners , sufficiently justifies the necessity and importance of waterings ; they seldom fail watering of their gardens whatever rains may fall during the summer ; and indeed their ware is much finer than that of others who water less . during seven or eight months of the year , there is generally a necessity of watering all that grows in kitchen gardens , asparagus only excepted , which only performing their duty at the entrance of the spring are satisfied with the moistures of the winter , and want none after the months of april and may : but whereas those two months are the times of blasting and drought , there is often a necessity of watering even the new planted trees ; nay , sometimes it is good to water those , which having brought forth a great quantity of green fruit appear moderately vigorous , and require some help in order to a good reaping , which they are preparing for us ; especially if the earth be naturally dry and light , those waterings must not be neglected at the time of the summer solstice , and they must be renew'd in the month of august , when the fruits begin to form their pulp , the season being very dry ; otherwise they remain small , stony and not pallatable . from whence it naturally follows , that water is absolutely necessary in gardens , and that plentifully too , in order to perform the necessary waterings they require in due time ; for indeed what can be made of any ground without water , it will remain altogether useless for productions , and disagreeable to sight ; therefore the best way is to pitch upon situations that have the convenience of water ; and whoever does not make that one of his first considerations , deserves blame , or pity . the most common , and at the same time the most wretch'd recourse for waterings is that of wells : it is true that they are necessary , when no better can be had , but at least they should be chosen shallow , for certainly it is to be fear'd , that the waterings will be very inconsiderable , and consequently of little use , when the water is difficult to be drawn up ; the advantage of pumps , though often deceitful , may be look'd upon as something in that case ; but the disburthening of some springs or conduits , a neighbouring canal , or a small pond well stor'd , and well kept with pipes and tubs distributed into several squares , are , as it were , the soul of vegetation ; without it all is dead , or languishes in gardens , though the gard'ner be not faulty ; but with it the whole garden must needs be vigorous , and abounding in every season of the year , which will redound to the honour of him who has the management of it , whereas it will utterly disgrace such as have nothing to plead for an excuse . chap. viii . of the fourth condition , which requires the garden to be partly upon a level , in all the surface of it . it is very difficult , nay very rare to meet with situations that are so equal in all their extent , as not to have any rise or fall on any side ; but yet it is not impossible : i do not think it very necessary to look for any to be as smooth as water , but yet it is a happiness when such are met with ; great inequalities are certainly troublesom for gardens . the inundations or overflowings which happen after long rains , cause cruel disorders in them , and cut out a world of work to repair them ; moderate inequalities do no great harm , but rather good , especially in a dry earth , when inclining to a wall expos'd to the east , that part , as we have already said , being seldom soak'd by the waters that fall from the skies ; they light most upon the exposure of the west ; and thus a fall guiding the waters towards that east part , is very favourable . therefore , in my opinion , as much as is possible , a situation that has but a little inequality is to be preferr'd before another that has much ; and if any be tolerable , 't is only that i have been speaking of ; insomuch , that in gardens that are too much inclinable to drought , or lie somewhat high , and are of a perfect level , it will be proper to allow them a little inequality : for example , such a one as may be imperceptible , and yet perpetual in all the walks that lie southerly , to the end that the water which is of no use in those walks may fall into the feet of the trees of those two expositions . such an artificial descent produces two good effects , the first in that it is to be wish'd that those parts may never want a little moisture , in order to correct their drought , whether proceeding from the nature of the earth and situation , or from the heat of the sun by those waters . the second is to hinder those waters , by that means , from running into some other parts of the garden , where they might prove prejudicial . but when there is an indispensable necessity of making use of a situation that is very unequal for a garden . i explain hereafter in the thirteenth chapter what i think proper to be done , in order to correct the defects of it , as far as industry can reach . chap. ix . of the fifth condition , which requires a pleasant figure for a garden , together with a well plac'd entrance . it will not be difficult for me to prove , that the figure of our gardens ought to be agreeable ; it is necessary the eyes should meet at first wherewith to be satisfy'd , without any thing fantastical to offend them : the finest figure that can be desir'd for a fruit or kitchen-garden , and even the most convenient for culture , is without doubt that which forms a beautiful square , especially when it is so perfect , and so well proportion'd in all its extent , that not only the corners may form streight angles ; but especially , that the length may be above once and a half or twice as long again as it is broad : for instance , twenty fathom to ten or twelve , fourty to eighteen or twenty , or fourscore to forty , fifty or threescore , &c. for it is most certain , that those square figures afford the gard'ner , wherewith to form fine squares with ease , and to raise fine beds ; there is a great deal of delight in seeing true squares of stawberries , artichokes , asparagus , &c. great beds of charvel , parsly and sorrel , all very even , streight , exactly proportion'd out , &c. which cannot be done when the figure is irregular , or at least , not without losing a great deal of time , when in some measure , to hide the deformity of it , he endeavours to find or make something approaching to a square . whence it is easie to conclude , how much i dislike in the case of kitchen-gardens , all other indented figures , diagonals , rounds , ovals , triangles , &c. which are only proper for thickets and parterres , or flower gardens , in which places they are at once both very useful , and of a great beauty . i do not question but all people will be curious to afford their gardens the beautiful figure now in question , when at liberty to pick and chuse . it is a great vexation when an ill neighbourhood reduces us to the necessity of suff'ring imperfect figures , inlets , and unequal sides , &c. happy are those who meet with kind obliging neighbours ; wo to them who meet with such as are cross and ill natur'd . although the figure of an oblong right angled square , be the most proper , yet i have made a fine kitchen garden of one hundred and ten toises or fathoms in length , and sixty broad , somewhat resembling the figure a of a lozenge ; and whereas i have dispos'd the chief entrance in the middle of the narrowest side , it is not easie to distinguish the small irregularity a geometritian would sind in it , and it is a very necessary precaution to conceal as much as is possible , certain inconsiderable defects , which are met with in the space of a garden , and to dispose the ally's , and the division of the squares or plats , as if the ground was exactly of a square figure ; for though neither the angles or the four sides are perfectly equal , it does not hinder the plats from appearing perfect in their proportion . moreover , for the better ornament of our kitchen garden , especially if it be large , it is proper that the entrance should be plac'd just in the middle of that part which has most extent , as it appears by the figure at the point a in order to face an alley , which consisting of the whole length of the garden , may appear stately , and divide the ground into two equal parts ; each of those parts , composing squares or plats too long in proportion to their breadth , must afterwards be subdivided into other small parts , if necessary ; the entrance would not look so well in the middle of one of the broadest sides , as it appears by the figure b. a long prospect , moderately broad on both sides is much more pleasing ; than to have a long one on the sides , and a short one before ; however , it is sometimes impossible to dispose the entrance otherwise , and in such a case we must have patience , and the same when we are necessitated to make it in one of the corners , or thereabouts , though it be not so well ; yet i have made very fine gardens , which have their entrance in one of the corners , which i would not have done , had the disposition of the ground permitted me to place it better ; and yet no body finds fault with it , by reason that it faces a fine alley , which is border'd all along by one of the great espaliers , or walls full of fruit , which is very agreeable to the sight , when it is kept in good order , such is the entrance of the kitchen-garden of rambouillet . chap. x. of the sixth condition which requires a garden to be well enclos'd with walls and doors that shut well . this inclosure , i desire , sufficiently testifies , that for fruit and kitchen gardens i am not very desirous of those open prospects which are so necessary for other gardens ; not but when the situation will permit , i am very glad to enjoy the benefit of it . but that which i desire above all things , is that my garden may be secur'd from foreign as well as domestick thieves , and that the eye may be so delighted in surveying all the things that should be in it , that there may be no room left to wish for any thing besides to divert it . a wall well garnish'd , dwarfs well order'd , and very vigorous ; all manner of fine good fruits of every season , fine beds , and fine plats , well furnish'd with all manner of necessary legumes , clean walks , of a proportionable largeness , fine bordures , fill'd with useful things for the house : in fine , a well contriv'd diversity of all that is necessary in a kitchen garden ; so that nothing may be wanting , either early or late , or for the abundance of the middle seasons ; these indeed are the things we ought to covet in our gardens , and not a steeple , or wood in perspective , a great road , or the neighbourhood of 〈◊〉 r●v●r . in my opinion , the cloth as it were , should always be laid in a fine garden , without mattering to see what passes in the open fields . a kitchen garden might have the finest prospect in the world , and yet appear to me very ugly in it self , if wanting any thing of what it should have , instead of finding it 〈…〉 re , i should be necessitated to go without it , or to have recourse to my neighbours , or my purse . so that preferably to all manner of prospects , i would have my garden inclos'd with walls , though i were to lose some fine point of prospect by it , besides that the shelter they may afford against troublesome winds , and spring frosts , are very considerable : it is almost impossible to be truly delighted with a garden , as for instance , to have early legumes and fine fruits without the help of those walls ; besides , there are still many things , which dreading great heats , would hardly be able to grow in the hottest part of the summer , unless a wall expos'd to the north favour'd them with some shadow . in effect , walls are so necessary for gardens , that even to multiply them , i make as many little gardens as i can in the neighbourhood of the great one , whereby i have not only more wall-fruit or espaliers , and shelter , which is very considerable ; but am also thereby enabled to correct some defects and irregularities , which would render the garden desagreeable ; for in fine , i will at any rate have a principal garden , that may please in its figure and size , design'd for large legumes , and some high standards ; a large garden would without doubt be less pleasing , if for instance , it were too long for its breadth , or too wide for its length , if it had a corner , or some visible wriness to disfigure it , which being retrench'd , would make all the rest square ; and thus such gardens being lessen'd either on one , or on both ends , will afford ground to make little agreeable useful gardens , as i have done in many great houses , in the neighbourhood of paris . besides the inclosure of the walls , i am likewise for having good locks to my doors , that my gard'ner may be able to answer for all that is in the garden ; i am sensible that there are some , who are very discreet and careful , but then i likewise know that there are others who desire nothing more than to have some pretences . chap. xi . of the last condition , which requires that both the fruit and kitchen-garden , should not be far distant from the house , and that the coming to it should be easie and convenient . i am not ignorant that the countrey affords large and moderate houses , of which the first may be accompany'd with several gardens , and the other satisfy'd with one only . as to those which may have several gardens , it is proper that those that are design'd for flowers and shrubs , i mean the parterres , should face the principal aspect of the house , since nothing can be more agreeable than to see at all times on that side the charming variety of a succession of flowers whatever they be ; they are so many different scenes , or decorations upon a stage , of which the figure never alters , they afford perpetual matter to delight the eye , and charm us with their sweets ; but whereas generally those parterres are as publick , and as open to every body as the very court of the house , it is not fit to put any thing into them , the loss whereof might discompose us . for these reasons i allow that in such houses , the fruit and kitchen-garden should not be situated in the best place , besides the last being subject to have many things , which though necessary , are not always pleasing to the eye or smell ; as also producing many things , design'd for the pleasure and satisfaction of the master , which might tempt some licourish indiscreet persons , and so occasion cause of displeasure and complaint , i think it very necessary to place those gardens out of the reach of the publick . therefore as much as can be , we content our selves with placing them in the best ground we can meet with , without prejudicing the place of the parterre , pretty near to the house , being of a convenient easie access ; the ancients were of this sentiment , when they said , that the steps of the master , that is , his frequent visits , were of wonderful use for the neatness , abundance , goodness and beauty of gardens ; so that gardens that are at a distance , or of difficult access , are liable to disorders , filth and sterility , &c. i hope that whereas in the beginning of this work , i have presum'd to say , that none ought to pretend to have one of our gardens , unless he were passably well skill'd in the culture of it ; none will undertake to make one , unless he may be able to afford himself the pleasure of seeing it well cultivated , and consequently he will desire to see it often , which cannot be done , the garden being at a distance , or of a difficult access . as to the houses , that can no wise afford above one garden , i suppose it will hardly enter into any ones thoughts to employ it wholly in box or bowling-greens , instead of imploying it in fruits and legumes : in such a case , whether in the town or country , the space of the garden being reasonably large , it will be proper to take part of that which is nearest to make a small parterre , leaving the rest for things that are of use and necessary ; but if the place be not large , my advice is to make no parterre ; at least i would make none , being persuaded , that flowers may be easily dispens'd with ; resolving then to employ ones ground in plants that are for use ; that part of the kitchen-garden which is most pleasing , ought to be put most within sight of the house , keeping such as might offend the sight or smell , most at distance : fine espaliers , dwarfs , greens , artichokes , sallads and the perpetual action of the gard'ners , &c. being sufficient to employ the neighbourhood of some windows , even for pretty considerable houses , as well as for ordinary ones . i am so sensible of the innocent pleasure , the sight of a fine kitchen-garden can afford , that i am for making some fine arbor in all large gardens , not only to serve for shelter in case of a sudden storm , which happens pretty often , but also for the satisfaction of conveniently seeing the culture of a ground that is well employ'd . notwithstanding all i have said , i do not condemn those , who having but a very small garden , affect flowers , their inclination leading them to it preferably to any other plants . having said what is to be wish'd for , when people are at liberty to choose the place of a garden , let us now consider what is to be done when within the dependency of a house , we find our selves reduc'd and necessitated to make use of any place , whatever it may be , regular or irregular , good , indifferent or bad ; and let us follow the same order we have observ'd in the pretended choice i have explain'd . chap. xii . of what is to be done to correct a defective ground , either as to the quality of the earth , or the lack of a sufficient quantity . whereas the most material article for fruit and kitchen-gardens is to have a good ground , if notwithstanding the ground where this garden is to be situated should have some considerable defect , which might be corrected , i think i should be blame-worthy to go on without explaining my self upon what i think proper to be done in such a case ; in my opinion , those kind of defects may be reduc'd particularly to five . the first , is a very bad earth . the second , an indifferent earth . the third , a pretty good earth , but not enough of it . the fourth , to have no earth at all . the fifth and last , that though never so good , the too great moisture it may be subject to , may render it incapable of improvment by the culture of a skilful gard'ner . as to the first case , i cannot forbear pitying those who start so ill , as to make a garden in a place where the ground is absolutely defective , especially if there were any possibility of placing it better . first , i pity them , by reason of the great charge they expose themselves to , which i dread of all things , especially in fruit and kitchen-gardens , being perswaded that the property of those gardens is to cost little , and to yield much . secondly , i pity them for the small success , that infallibly attends such an undertaking , especially when those works that are necessary there , are only perform'd by halves : i wish none of the curious may be expos'd to such hardships ; but yet supposing an unavoidable necessity of falling into the first case , to make a garden in a very bad ground , let us consider what remedy may be apply'd to it , and finally endeavour to make this garden with as few defects , and as small a charge as can be possible . first then , if the earth be absolutely defective , either in stinking or being absolute loam or clay , or such as is dug out of quarries , or else stony , gravelly and full of pebbles ; or , lastly , being only dry sand of any colour , but still as unfruitful as the sand of rivers , and yet as high as to the surface , as can be desir'd for a garden . i will explain hereafter what i mean by that height . i say , if this earth happen to have any of these defects , i know no better expedient than to have it altogether taken away , in order to succeed , and that within the depth of three foot in such places as are to be the chief ornaments of the gardens ; viz. the trees and long rooted plants , and two large foot where the lesser plants are to be , filling it up again with the same quantity of the best mould that can conveniently be brought to it ; which being done , one may rest satisfy'd for a long while , all will go well , without the trouble of any other amendments ; but in case so much good mould as would be necessary to put every where , could not conveniently be had ; at least it will be necessary to endeavour to get as much as may serve for the trees , making a shift with indifferent good mould for the rest of the garden , that is , for kitchen-plants , it will not be difficult to amend it , as shall be declar'd hereafter . i am sensible , that the charge of great transportations , frightens , especially in the case of large gardens , but then 't is but seldom that people engage themselves to the necessity of it ; those are works for kings , the kitchen garden of versailles is a terrible instance of it : but as for small city gardens , the occasions of doing it are often met with , and whereas the expence of it is not too great , the undertaking of it is very tollerable . this then is all that is to be done , when the surface of the garden is no higher than it ought to be , and has no other defect than the ill quality of the ground . in order to explain my self as to this height , i suppose that the matter in hand only relates to the garden that is immediately next the house , for which it is , and no wise for others , which lying at a greater distance do not want so much precaution ; now , in my opinion , this first garden ought to lie somewhat lower than the house , and thus the house being upon a higher ground , it ought to have a ballustre with some steps to come down into that garden , which is an ornament to be wish'd for in such occasions , and without doubt such an assent of two or three foot above the surface of the garden , renders it much more pleasant to sight , than it would be , if it lay level with the step of the door , and consequently much finer than those that lay higher than the level or floor ; which require an assent , and are thereby liable to great inconveniences . i return to the other cases heretofore propos'd to say , that in case such a place full of ill earth , were too low , of about five or six foot in surface , it is visible that half the expence would be sav'd , since there would only be a necessity of raising it higher , without taking any of it away ; but however we must still reckon first on the small descent the garden ought to be situated upon , in relation to the house ; and , secondly upon the three foot of earth that must be brought thither , particularly for the trees and large plants , and in order not to be mistaken , it will be proper to measure that earth upon the place where it is to be taken with a rul'd gage , by reason that this height of three foot , as it lies , being newly stir'd , will at first appear to make a greater dimension , which afterwards being settled will reduce it self to the height propos'd , which i hold to be absolutely neccssary , and unless care has been taken to measure the earth before the moving of it , people must not flatter themselves that there will be enough , unless there be four foot or thereabouts in the first months , which the rains and time will soon reduce to three ; otherwise , having had but three foot at first , they will soon find it dwindled to two at most ; that is too little by a foot : and thus people will be expos'd to the vexationof seeing all their trees perish at the end of a few years , and to be reduc'd to begin a new , if they continu'd in the mind of mkaing their trees succeed . in the neighbourhood of great cities , great conveniences may sometimes be met with to raise and fill up places in gardens without much cost , 't is only allowing the liberty of throwing the rubbish of the foundations of houses there ; but often such conveniences cost a great deal of time , which in the case of planting is much to be fear'd , and even costs a great deal of money to have it sifted , otherwise the garden will be in danger of having more stones and ill sand than real earth , and consequently the owner of having an ill garden ; upon which every one may consult his purse and pleasure , and regulate himself accordingly . the answer i have made to the first article , relating to a very ill earth , where a garden is design'd , may likewise serve for the fourth , in which we suppose a place for a garden without any earth at all ; three foot of good earth must be brought to it , getting it as near hand as can be to save money . in the second case , in which the ground having a sufficient depth , the earth is notwithstanding but indifferent ; that is , either a little too dry and light , or a little too tough and moist , which are the two common defects ; or else , that there may be cause to judge it too much ●orn or exhausted : in such cases , immediate care must be taken to mend it , supposing one designs to have such things in it as good earth produces ; the best of all remedies is still to mix some new earth with it , with this precaution , to mix loamy earth with that as is light , and sandy mould with that as is tough ; and , in fine , to take such as is really good , to mix with that which is worn out or exhausted , unless you design to give it time to amend it self by rest : and in case , as i have already said in the first article , there be no sufficient convenience to get mould enough for the whole garden , it will be proper to begin with the place for the trees which requires it most ; and for the rest , recourse must be had to the common amendments for kitchen-plants . thirdly , when the earth is really good ; but yet there is not enough of it to accomplish three foot depth , two considerations are to be had ; the first to examine whether the surface be of a proper height or not : when it is of a proper height , all that is nought in the ground must of necessity be removed , whether sand , gravel or stones , putting as much good mould in the room of it , as will be necessary to have the depth requir'd , still preserving our height . therefore the same operation must be perform'd , in removing all that is bad under good earth , when the surface being , too high compar'd to the level of the house , there is a necessity of sinking it , in order to be one step higher than the level of the garden ; upon which all people may easily regulate themselves , to do it more or less according to the exigencies of their ground and its wants ; but still , keeping to the quantity of good earth propos'd , as well as to the distance that must be from the surface of the garden to the door which serves for an entrance into it . the earth being according to our wishes , both as to quantity and goodness , and yet too low in the surface ; we must likewise examin how much too low it lyes , in order to raise it conformably to our wants and wishes ; it might chance to lay so low , that there would be a necessity to raise it considerably above three foot , in which case all the good earth must be dug up , and laid aside , and the bottom rais'd sufficiently with what ever could be got good or bad ; after which the good earth must be laid over it again with the management and mixture heretofore explain'd . i could wish i had better expedients to propose to avoid the charges of transportation ; but truly i know none . there now remains to examine what is to be done in the fifth case , to correct the over great moistures some gardens are subject to , which rot every thing , and make the production not only backward , but also insipid and bad ; none but hot and dry earths are forward ; those that are moist are always cold , and consequently have no disposition for novelties . this cold which is inseparable from moisture , is of all defects the most difficult to be cur'd : the ancients knew it as well as we do , and have given it the name of deceiver . but still since earth has been submitted to the industry of man , and that there are but few things labour cannot overcome ; let us declare what a long experience has taught us in this case . moistures are either natural and perpetual in earth , or only accidental and passing ; in the first case we have two expedients : the first is , to turn aside at a distance , if possible , by conduits or gutters , the waters that annoy us , and give them a discharge to remove them from us , which being done , the ground will not fail becoming dry ; and when the first is impracticable , the second is , to raise the whole plats , or only the great beds upon ridges , and to that end make deep furrows to serve for kind of paths : the earth that is taken from thence will serve to raise the plats or beds . but if those moistures are only transitory , and , for instance , only occasion'd by great rains , and the nature of the ground not proper to soak them in , recourse must be had to the same expedient of raising of the earth to drain them , and to the making of conduits or gutters to carry those waters out of the garden . finally , the moisture not being extraordinary , the contrary of what we have prescrib'd for very dry grounds must be done , that is , the earth must be rais'd a little higher than the walks , to the end that those walks may serve as a drain to those elevated beds , just as in the other case the haughing of the borders serves as a drain to receive and improve by the waters of the adjacent walks . in order to raise grounds , nothing can be better than what we have said to raise the surface ; and in case conveniences be wanting for the transportation of earth , having abundance of great dung at hand , it may be us'd instead of it , as i have said about the kitchen-garden of versailles , mixing it abundantly at the bottom of the ground , or underneath the earth , in order to raise it as much as is necessary ; but still great conduits are of great use . i conclude what relates to the preparation of such grounds as are defective , either in their quality , or too small quantity , carefully exhorting those who dig the ground along some walls , to take care first not to approach too near the foundations , and to leave always some solid banck undug , lest the wall might tumble down by its own weight , or by some unexpected showers . i exhort in the second place to fill up such trenches immediately after their being empty'd , or rather at the very same time , one part after another ; for want of which , and for the same reasons , the danger of tumbling is yet greater . after having examin'd what relates to the conditions that are necessary for the fruit and kitchen-gardens that are to be made , viz. the quality and quantity of good earth , the happy situation , and favourable exposure , the convenience of waterings , the level of the ground , the figure , entrance and closure of the garden , together with the proximity of the place ; having also propos'd the means to correct the defects of drought and moisture , there still remains to speak upon the subject of the acclivities and declivities , when they are too sleep for the gardens we are absolutely compell'd to choose . chap. xiii . concerning the acclivities and declivities of every garden . we have already said what is to be wish'd for certain inequalities , that may be favourable in gardens , and insinuated what is to be fear'd from the inconveniences of the great ones ; let us now speak of what may be proper to remedy such as may be corrected ; in order to which , as soon as the place of the garden is resolv'd on , upon the considerations heretofore establish'd , the figure being either very square , so that the sides and angles may be altogether , or at least partly equal and parallel , which is most to be wish'd for ; or else irregular , the angles or sides being unequal , or having perhaps more or less than four sides or angles , both the one and the other differing in themselves , either in length or overture , &c. are defects fit to be avoided , if possible , or at least endeavours must be us'd to rectifie them . the place of the garden being , i say , resolv'd upon , either voluntarily or out of necessity , the enclosure must not be begun , until after having taken the level of all the ground , to know all the acclivities and declivities , in order to take measures accordingly ; otherwise one might fall into many great inconveniences , either as to the walls that are to be made , or in respect to the allies and squares . it is most certain ; that every piece of ground may chance to have different risings and falls , viz. one , two or three for as many sides ; and one for every diagonal : and 't is almost impossible to know the true level of a garden , without having first taken , and afterwards regulated all the inequalities . the diagonals , to speak more intelligibly in favour of some gard'ners , are , as it were , the two arms of a st. andrew's cross , which may and ought to be figur'd by trenches carried from corner to corner a cross some place . in order to take every level very true , it must be done upon a very streight line , which shall be drawn either along the side that is to be level'd , which is the best ; or upon another line very parallel to that side . this is the manner of performing this operation , which i might , perhaps , save my self the trouble of explaining , it being already explain'd in so many books of mathematicks and mechanicks ; but our gard'ner perhaps having none of them , will be satisfy'd with what i shall tell him . besides the leveller and the rule , which must be very streight , and about two or three fathom long , there must be three wooden spikes to be driven into the ground with a mallet ; and those three spikes must be of a very even equal length , about three or four foot , all split on the top , in order to put white paper in that slit . i should not need to say ( it being evident of it self ) that there must be at least three or four persons , that is , three while the rule and leveller are us'd , and four when it comes to the spikes ; one of these persons must in all cases stand on the lowest part of the side that is to be levell'd , holding a perch to serve for a mark , in order to raise or louer the said perch , according to the direction of him who is to regulate the line and leveller . to find the level : having chosen a calm day without wind and rain , and , if possible , a little lou'ring ; or , at least , being so plac'd , that the great brightness of the sun may not prejudice the sight , one of these spikes must be driven into the ground even to the surface , which must remain , and another in a streight line a little below it ; in order to place the rule immediately and conveniently upon it , which being done , the leveller must be put upon the rule , raising or sinking the second spike , until the lead falls directly , and of it self , without any motion of the wind , or any thing else into the notches . this being perform'd , the second spike must be absolutely fix'd , and the leveller remov'd , after which , lying flat upon the ground , one may aim or level with the eye upon the rule so fix'd and order'd towards the person who holds the perch below with a white or black cloth on the top of it , who perhaps may have had occasion to climb upon a ladder , wall or tree , to raise or louer the said perch according to the direction of the leveller , and that until the extremity of it , having been observ'd by the said leveller , a calculation may be made exactly how many foot or fathoms there are in a direct perpendicular line from that extremity , which is the top of the perch or spike , unto the natural surface of the ground , which lies immediately beneath the said perch , &c. and whereas the posture of lying down is too inconvenient ; the ground may and ought to be dug near the first spike that is driven into the ground , low enough for any one to level with the eye , standing , sitting or kneeling in it ; or else use may be made of two of the spikes heretofore mention'd , to which end they must be plac'd asunder upon two others that are fix'd into the ground , or upon some other piece of wood , or rising ground made on purpose , where they must be kept very upright , after which the rule must be plac'd upon the said sticks , examining with the leveller , whether the rule lies upon a true level , in order to level or aim with the eye , and when there is occasion for a third person , and consequently for a third stick , they must be plac'd with the same exactness as the two first ; the third being plac'd at any distance whatever , having a piece of linen , or paper , or a hat upon the top of that spike , serves to aim more conveniently ; so that having met at the end of the prospect , the extremity of the perch or stick that is held below , the borrow'd height of the sticks , as well as the height of the rule , must be deduc'd upon the whole , and thus the level will prove true . for instance , in aiming , twelve foot may be found from the top of the perch to the surface of the earth , out of which may be deduc'd first the four borrow'd foot of the sticks , upon the top of which the leveller had laid his rule , for which must also be deduc'd three or four inches , which altogether amounts to four foot , and four inches ; by which supputation will be found seven foot and eight inches declivity from that part of the surface which is regulated , and to remain , from whence the leveller aim'd , to the surface of that part , where the last spike stuck , the level of which is look'd for . these inequalities are either considerable , or not . those that are inconsiderable are tolerable ; for instance , only half an inch or an inch and a half in a fathom , which hardly wants , being corrected , if the expence will amount to any thing considerable ; so that a declivity of about a foot or two , or two and a half to a length of twenty fathom , will do no great harm , and would hardly be perceptible , being only of half an inch , or an inch and half in a fathom : which ought to comfort one , especially if there be a great length , since a declivity of twelve or fifteen foot upon fourscore fathom in length , though pernicious , is not so sensible nor inconvenient as one of two foot and a half upon twenty fathom , although the proportion be altogether equal . if a descent of two , or two inches and a half per fathom is considerable , what would it be if there were three , four , five , or more , then it must of necessity be corrected , which may be done four ways . first , in sinking that part of the ground which lyes too high , as much as will be necessary to take away the roughness of the ascent ; and , in the second place , in carrying to the lower part what shall be taken from the higher , whereby a descent of five foot will be reduc'd to three , taking a foot from the upper part , and placing it upon the lower ; so that the upper will be a foot lower than it was , and the lower a foot higher , &c. but whereas , above all things , care must be taken to preserve always three large foot in depth of good earth , before any thing be taken away from the upper part , holes must be made in different places of it , to examin how much good earth we have there , in order to decide , whether we may really take any of it away , and how much ; or whether we cannot take any part of it without prejudice to the ground of the garden ; upon which it is easie to resolve ; for the depth of good earth being sufficient to bear a diminution , part of it must be taken away to moderate the declivity in question . but if , on the contrary , none of it can be taken away without prejudice to the depth or quantity that is necessary there , recourse must be had to a third expedient , which is , either not to meddle with the height at all , and to raise the lower part as well as we can for the best , in putting more good earth over that which is good already , if it can be done conveniently , or else to take up that which is good , to put worse at the bottom , nay even stones or gravel , if nothing better can be had ; afterwards covering it all again with the good earth that was taken up before ; or if the ground of the upper part may be sunk , all the good earth must be taken up and laid aside , until so much of the bad , which lay under it , as shall be thought proper , shall have been remov'd ; which being done , that which is good shall be laid again in the room of the bad . but in case none of these three expedients be practicable , we must make use of the fourth , which is pretty chargeable , but yet absolutely necessary ; and he who meets with so untoward a situation , must comfort himself as well as he can , if he designs to have a profitable pleasant garden , since it is impossible to compass it by any other means . this fourth expedient is to divide this great descent into different degrees , or different portions , to make several particular terrasses of it , some higher , and some lower , and all of them more or less broad , according as the declivity is more or less considerable ; after which every one of those terrasses shall be dispos'd in themselves , according to the method aforementioned , in order to correct moderate inequalities ; but that is not all , for every one of those terrasses must be supported and stay'd to hinder them from tumbling down , which must be done by little walls , or small banks well beaten and trampled , with some steps proper to descend from the one to the other , or else by some banks that shall be sodded on purpose , to make them the more solid and lasting ; and finally , as if they were so many separate gardens , they must be accompany'd with walks of a breadth proportion'd to their length , as we shall declare in the sequel . to end this matter , i am only to add , that the little walls may serve for very good wall-fruit , the exposure being good , or else for rasberry-bushes , goosberry shrubs , or bourdelais , the exposure standing northward ; the small banks will not be useless neither , on the contrary , lying to the south or east , they may be useful for spring plants , as winter lettuce , pease , beans , strawberries , artichokes , &c. and after the spring they may be us'd for purcelane , basil , &c. and if there be abundance of those banks well expos'd , a considerable part of them may always be employ'd in good grapes , and other fruits , as i have done in the king's kitchen-garden , on certain banks made on purpose . when our banks look to the north , they will be good all the summer for charvel , or else to sow things that must be transplanted , as lettuce , succory , cabbaget , celery , &c. since there is no part of a garden but may be useful for some things or other . those banks require a necessary precaution , which is not only to beat and trample them extream close at the bottom at the time they are made ; but especially to keep the upper part of every bank a little higher than the neighbouring alley to it , otherwise the water running down from the banks of the whole terras , would soon ruin and demolish them ; and , if notwithstanding this precaution , any accident should befal it , it must of necessity be repair'd in the winter , by adding some earth to it , which must be well trampled and beaten anew , leaving only three or four inches of good earth loose on the surface , which must be afterwards cultivated , in order to make that place fit for production . and whereas i do not expect that the great inequalities of gardens should be absolutely levell'd , i would have little fences made from space to space in the alleys or walks , to turn the water of great showers into the adjacent squares or plats ; which fences must be made with boards stuck into the ground a-cross the walks , about two or three inches above the surface of the walks ; and in case those fences or stays should not prove sufficient , i would have a drein made at the lower end of every garden for the disburthening of those waters ; or at least , the neighbourhood not allowing this discharge , i would have a great hole made ( that is a kind of well ) in ones own ground , fill'd with dry bricks ; for those waters to lose themselves in , otherwise few walls would be able to resist long against great inundations without demolishing , and consequently , without causing great disorders . chap. xiv . of the disposition or distribution of the whole ground of every fruit and kitchen-garden . two particular considerations are to be had in relation to every fruit and kitchen-garden : the first is to order that garden so , that it may be useful and abounding in its production proportionably to its extent , and the goodness of the ground . the second consideration is to order it so , that it may be agreeable to the eye , and convenient either for walks , or culture , and for gathering , those being the two principal ends propos'd in the making of it , to which end it is not only sufficient to know what the earth is capable of doing of it self without much help , but also what it is capable of performing without such and such helps it may receive . to attain the first point , which is the advantage of its productions , the best parts of the garden must be employ'd with all the occonomy and prudence that can be , with plants and seeds , insomuch that no part thereof may remain useless , putting into each such things as are most proper to succeed in them ; and to attain the second , which is beauty and convenience , the ground must not only be agreeably distributed into squares or plats , but the walks must of necessity be made very neat , well plac'd , and of a suitable size , to the extent of the ground , or place , it being most certain , that no intelligent man will make a garden without convenient walks , which must be suited both as to size and number , to the largeness or scantiness thereof . what we call the best parts of a garden are really those which have the best ground , in case , as it commonly happens , it be not equally good all over , as it were to be wish'd ; but the goodness of the earth being equal , the best parts or places of a garden are those particularly that are most shelter'd from the wind , and consequently receive most benefit by the reflexion caus'd by the walls . by necessary well-plac'd walks or allys , we mean such as are commonly necessary either near the walls , in order to see the trees , the better , to cultivate them with more ease , and have the convenience of gathering the fruit ; or in the whole body of the garden , to divide the ground in equal squares , and to multiply the pleasure of variety in walking , to see and visit what those plats or squares contain , as also that the culture of them may be perform'd with more ease and convenience by the gard'ner . therefore , as i have already said , in our distribution we ought to look at once for the advantage of production , and the convenience of culture of walking . as for the advantage of production we will certainly find it , if , in the first place , we plant good trees against all the walls , even sometimes , without excepting the face of the house , especially , in a small garden , planting dwarfs also round about the squares , instead of the counter espaliers or polehedges that were formerly in use , but are now abolish'd , by reason that the keeping of them in good order was very troublesom , and their productions very inconsiderable . secondly , we will find those advantages , if our squares are garnish'd with useful bordures , at a convenient distance from those dwarfs , and finally , if the body of every square be continually fill'd with good legumes , insomuch , that those of one season be no sooner gather'd or pick'd , than the earth be again prepar'd to receive others for , or of , another season . the third part of this treatise will shew what trees will be proper to plant in all kind of gardens , either for wall-fruit or dwarf-standards ; the fourth will shew the manner of cultivating and pruning of them ; and the sixth , which contains the treatise of the kitchen-garden , will shew which are the bordures i call useful , and which the legumes of every season , together with the culture that is proper for them , in order to be fine , good and seasonable . it is not sufficient to have set down in general , what relates to the advantages of the production , we must likewise declare what relates to the conveniences of culture , and the pleasure of walking ; therefore we are now to regulate the space that is to be allow'd before the espaliers , or flat bordures , when any are made ; to regulate the largeness of the squares , and finally the place and breadth of the walks of every garden , whatever size it be of . when i shall speak here of the allies or walks , i only mean the place destin'd for walking , and nothing else , as some do , who in their disposition give the name of walks to all the space that lies from the wall to the dwarfs of the counter espalier or polehedge , or the distance that lies from one dwarf to another in the division of the squares or ground plats : this space of walks must never be narrower than five or six foot , though the garden be never so small , and ought seldom to exceed eighteen or twenty , though the kitchen-garden be never so large . this is what i had to say , as to the breadth , with this proviso , that in the first place every walk must be more or less broad in proportion to its length ; and , in the second place , that it must always be kept very smooth and gravell'd , and as firm as can be under foot , otherwise it would not be convenient for walking . it will not be improper to declare here wherein the difference between a walk and a path consists : a walk must be broad enough for two persons to walk a-breast at least , and therefore cannot be allow'd less than five or six foot ; without which it would no longer be a real walk , but a large path ; and , as to paths , provided one person can go through them they are large enough , and therefore do not require above a foot , or a foot and a half at most in breadth . chap. xv. of the disposition or distribution of a very small garden . i proceed now to the particulars of every garden , and say , that commonly there are but few gardens that have not at least five or six fathom in breadth , with a proportionable length , since the name of garden could hardly be bestow'd upon a narrower place ; but however , whatever it be , it is certain , that such a place being well situated , that is , in the face of the house , is a great ornament to it , whether immediately joining to it , or divided by some small yard . in case then of such a small garden , in my opinion , in order to manage the ground to the best advantage , the entrance must be made in the midst of that breadth , with a walk of about six foot , which must be the only walk , leaving only small paths along the walls and bordures , about a foot broad ; and in case the entrance should chance to be at one of the corners , as sometimes one is necessitated to make it , we must likewise be satisfied with one walk along the first wall which presents it self at that corner ; this walk may chance to have the sun one part of the day , and be shaded the rest , whereby it will be sometimes pleasant for walking . if such a garden being five or six fathom broad , should happen to be as long again , it may very well be order'd , so as to contrive at every end , or , at least , at one of them a walk of an equal breadth with the former , especially at that end which is nearest to the house , in which case this walk may be allow'd a little more breadth than the other , which is an observation the practice whereof is very necessary in all kind of gardens , especially great ones , to the end , that as it is customary to stop at the entrance of a garden ; to consider it , a place may be found at first passably large , and consequently agreeable and airy : those walks at the ends will afford room for two or three disterent or separate companies , which is a thing to be wish'd for . besides this , i would have the walks that are along the espaliers or walls , at least at three or four foot distance from the walls , that the trees may have at least three or four foot of cultivated earth , whereas their former allowance was not near so considerable , by which means this bank being pretty large , as i would have it for all espaliers , even so as to make it yet much larger , in great gardens , the trees will not only be better nourish'd , but yet , besides the bordures which support the earth , and form an agreeable figure in gardens , some of those useful plants that delight in the neighbourhood of walls , may be planted in them ; i mean such as love to be shelter'd from cold dangerous winds , which is a thing altogether necessary in order to have something in the spring . chap. xvi . of the breadth that is to be allow'd the bordures of espaliers . i desire every body to reflect upon this article , in which i advise them to place the walks at a pretty distance from the espaliers , or walls , by reason of the advantages that may accrue from the shelter of the walls , which shelter is of no use when it only favours walks , which receive no benefit by it ; for , in fine , what inconvenience can attend the cultivating of three or four foot more to the right or left of the walk , in respect to the good use that is to be made of the mould of every garden , whereas the three or four foot i cause to be added to the small bank , to which espaliers were commonly confin'd , will be much more profitable in that place , than if being imploy'd to some part of the walk , an equal quantity to it were cultivated on the other side of that walk , by reason that it could not enjoy the benefit of the shelter of the wall. i will not absolutely decide , whether dwarf fruit-trees ought to be planted in very small gardens , every man is free in that to follow his own inclination , though , in my opinion , it were best to have none , unless they were small paradice apple-trees or gooseberry shrubs ; i should fear those dwarfs might grow so large as to offuscate or shadow the wall-fruit or espaliers , which i have a particular respect for in this place ; besides , they would certainly be inconvenient for walking , and take away the beauty and pleasure of the walk , not affording it room to breathe in . therefore i would employ the smallness of my ground in other things than fruit-trees ; for instance , in strawberries , sallads and pot-herbs , &c. or else one part one way , and the rest of another , to have some little thing or other to pick at all times ; and thus the whole space of our little garden , of which we have divided the breadth by one only walk in the middle , or made it narrower by a walk along one of the walls or espaliers , should be cut cross-wise by beds about five or six foot broad , with several small paths . after having maturely examin'd the distribution i have now made , i find it so reasonable that i would make no other , though it were for a garden of seven or eight fathom broad , nay , not even of those that consist of eight or nine . chap. xvii . of the distribution or disposition of a garden of a moderate bigness . but if it were for a garden of ten to eleven , or eleven to twelve fathom , which composes a garden of a moderate size , whether it has been thought fit in regard to its situation , to place the entrance of it at the middle , or else at one of the sides ; in both cases i would allow the walks seven foot in breadth , nay , i would even allow eight or nine to that which is parallel to the front of the house , leaving , as i have already said , a bank of about five or six foot for every wall ; so that in such a disposition i should only make walks along all the walls : and thus there would remain in the midst of the garden a square about six or seven fathom broad , or from seven to eight upon the whole length , and if that length should chance to be about fifteen or twenty , or more , it would be fit to divide it into two equal parts by a walk partly like that of the espaliers or walls ; but i would not allow it above three foot , that square not being above ten or twelve fathom long . now the master might follow his own inclination as to the imploying of that square , either altogether in fruit-trees planted in equal distances , with strawberries , and some small legumes among them , only for the space of five or six years , while the pear-trees should be growing ; or else to employ it part in fruit-trees , that is upon the edge of the walks , always observing the distance i have heretofore mention'd , and the rest in sallads , greens , artichokes and strawberries , which is what i should like best , or else i might imploy the farthest part from the house wholly in fruit-trees , and the other in legumes , every one of them having seven or eight fathom in length to the breadth propos'd . chap. xviii . of the distribution or disposure of a garden from fifteen to twenty fathom in breadth , and one of five and twenty to thirty , and from thirty to forty . i proceed now to a place from fifteen to twenty fathom breadth , upon any length whatever , which i look upon as a fine garden ; and , in the first place , i will examin whether that garden joyns the house , or not ; secondly , whether the house be built with free-stone , or only with a ragged stone plaister'd over , or new pargetted . the house not joyning to the garden , trees must be planted against all the walls , the garden being altogether inclos'd ; nay , even though it were adjoyning , the front being only plaister'd , or new pargetted ; the same may be done , especially to have the benefit of the breadth and of the height of the space that lyes between the windows , as well as of the lower part of the windows ; but if the architecture be fine and rich , i would leave it naked and expos'd to the eye of every body , since it would be a pitty to hide so fine an ornament , through the hope of a little more fruit. in such a place then , having fifteen or twenty fathom in breadth , the length containing twenty five or thirty , i would have the walks along the walls eight or nine foot broad , nay , nine or ten , or more , the length amounting to five and thirty , or forty ; and the walk which offers it self at the entrance , and is parallel to the front of the house , whatever length the garden consisted of , i would allow five or six foot more than the rest , nay , it might be allow'd twelve or more , it being a terras , as it happens sometimes , since the terrasses adjoyning to a i louse can hardly ever be too broad . besides the walks we have mention'd round about our garden , there should be another in the middle to divide the breadth in two equal parts , and the breadth containing twenty fathom , or a little more , it might be allow'd four or five foot more than those that are parallel to the walls to the right and left , especially this walk fronting the entrance of the house . as to the length of our garden , which we suppose to be from thirty to forty fathom , it must be divided in two by a cross walk , almost about the same breadth with those of the sides , or only some feet less , considering the extent is not so great , besides that generally it is closer by the trees that edge it to the right and left , than those of its sides , which being favour'd by the banks , have more air than that of the middle . such a walk cross-wise will form two squares , which may have each about six or seven fathom one way to nine , ten , or twelve on the other . whereupon i think it proper to say that a square in any garden whatever , always looks sine , when it consists of twelve or thirteen fathom in length , and six , seven , or eight in breadth ; and consequently much more when it is in some measure equal on all sides , and especially when it is a little longer than broad . if it should happen at any time that going about to make a walk on one of the sides of the garden , one should meet with a wall , which instead of being strait , should chance to be on a crooked line in part of its extent , in such a case , in which we must not pretead to correct that defect absolutely , i am of opinion still to make the walk regular with strait angels , that is , square , beginning it at four foot distance from that part of the wall which advances most into the walk , and making it square on the extremity where it is to end , it shall be garnish'd to the right and left with fine bordures that shall mark it ; and as for those parts which shall chance to be much broader with earth than they should be according to our usual disposition , it may be imploy'd usefully either in straw-berries , or other plants , that are not capable to offuscate the wall-trees . there are sometimes lengths of three or fourscore fathom , and even more to eighteen or twenty in breadth , which we are speaking of , in which case that length must needs be divided into three or four equal portions by cross walks ; and whereas such a length bears no proportion to the breadth , i would stop the prospect of our garden within forty or fifty fathom from the house by some wall , or , at least , by some pallisade ; such a wall might be proper to multiply the espaliers or wall-fruit , or that pallisade for grapes , or other fruit-trees , and thus we should gain on all sides , either as to the advantage of production , or the pleasure of the eye . although the space of a garden should contain five and twenty , thirty , or thirty five fathom in breadth , i would make no other distribution of it , than what we have already made to a breadth of fifteen or twenty , unless it were to make the walks somewhat broader , in proportion to their length . chap. xix . of the disposition or distribution of gardens of an extraordinary size . if the breadth of such a garden should amount to threescore , threescore and ten , or fourscore fathom , or more ; i would divide it into four equal portions , as i have done at versailles , and in several other kitchen-gardens ; or else i would make counter-walks garnish'd with dwarfs upon the flat bordures , as i have done at rambouillet for his grace the duke of montausier , upon condition that in those two cases the two walks parallel to the chief , which we suppose in the middle , about three fathom broad , should not be allow'd above eight or nine foot : in my opinion , it were a pitty to make them broader , since that would employ too much ground in walks . we have already mention'd the bigness the squares of a kitchen-garden ought to consist of , and thus without repeating it , we will find that those two walks will afford us fine ones , either as to their breadth or length ; for the same rule we prescribe for the dividing of the breadth , must serve for the division of the length , and we must needs be persuaded at all times that when a space of garden approaches fourscore fathom in breadth , and passes them in length , as the great square of the king's kitchen garden does ; it really composes a large kitchen-garden , since it contains at least seven or eight acres of ground , in which case the squares may have fourteen or fifteen fathom one way , to eighteen or twenty on the other . i do not think there is any necessity of inlarging farther in what relates to the disposition or distribution of the ground of fruit and kitchen-gardens ; what we have already said suffices , which is that when one may have or afford variety of such fruit and kitchen-gardens , as princes or great lords do , who have occasion for them , it is proper to make little particular gardens in places adjacent to the great one , as i have done at chantilly , at seaux , at st. oüen , &c. or round about the great one , as i have done at versailles ; or else the overplus of the place we would have cultivated , must be employ'd in high standard trees ; for to speak the truth , over large kitchen-gardens are attended with great inconveniences , and liable to great charges , which very often do not answer our expectations for want of due cares . chap. xx. of the manner of cultivating fruit-gardens . although this culture taken in the whole , contains all what we have explain'd in several particular treatises , my intention , notwithstanding , is to reduce it here to three things only : first , to the tillage the earth stands in need of ; secondly , to the neatness gardens require at all times . the remainder of the culture of the earth shall be examin'd in the treatise of the kitchen-gardens . therefore we must conclude , that as the earth , as often as it is hot and moist , always finds it self in an approaching disposition to act , that is , of producing some plants good or bad , and sometimes of no use for man , because it can , as it were , never remain idle , the production it makes of one thing , must of necessity be prejudicial to another . the reason is , first , that the interior salt of it ; that is , its fertility , or capacity of acting is no wise infinite , and is exhausted by often producing , as every body knows : so that several plants lying near one another , it always happens that all , or a great part of them grow the smaller , because that which was to serve for the nourishment of all , being divided into many , the share of each must of necessity be the smaller , and the nourishment of all of them the slenderer , or else it happens that some of them being more lively , either by being grown naturally , or being of a temper more suitable to that part of the earth which nourishes them ; this plant has suck'd a greater quantity of the nourishment that was in that place ready prepar'd for vegetation , than any of the rest . it is not only the inside of that earth which appears exhausted to us in its productions , when too great a quantity of different plants have exhausted it by their roots ; we say , besides , that this earth is dry and wants moisture , when it is hindred from receiving the benefit of the night-dews , and of those small show'rs which have the gift of repairing and amending that earth , provided they may be able to penetrate to the internal parts ; thus when the leaves of all those plants , which cover the ground , come to receive those kind of moistures , they hinder them from descending lower , and so they remain expos'd to the sun , which rarifying them as soon as it lightens and heats them , converts them into vapours , and so consequently for that time prevents their being of any use to that earth . it follows from thence , that when we would have our trees , and particularly our dwarfs and tall standards well fed , and consequently very vigorous , and thereby agreeable to sight , we must take care . first , that they be not too near one another , to the end that the nourishment may be the less divided . secondly , that there may be no sort of plants near them , which may inwardly steal their nourishment , or outwardly hinder the refreshings and helps they are certainly to receive by rain and dew . thirdly , care must be taken to keep the earth always light , and consequently often cultivated , as well that the moistures of rains and dews may easily , and the sooner , penetrate to the roots , as that the earth may be duly heated by the rays of the sun , which it stands indispensibly in need of . now to put that earth in a condition of producing advantageously what we require of it , without allowing it time to imploy it self in other things , as also to preserve cleanness in the whole extent , we must be careful to till the ground , to amend and cleanse it when it requires it . let us now examine those four kind of cultures , to shew the manner , use , cause and success of them . chap. xxi . of tillage . tillage , properly speaking , is nothing but a movement or stirring , which being perform'd on the surface of the ground penetrates unto a certain depth , and makes the lower and upper parts reciprocally change place : now it not being my intention , to speak in this place of the tillage that is perform'd with a plough in the open fields , but only of the tillage of our gardens , it is proper to know that it is perform'd several different ways . first , with the spade and haugh in easie grounds . in the second place , with a pitch-fork , and french mattock in stony and yet pretty strong ground ; some are perform'd deeper ; for instance , in the open ground , and in the middle of the squares or plats ; and others lighter , viz. about the foot of trees , upon asparagus , among small legumes , &c. it must be noted next , that in all likelihood the cause or motive of tillage , is not only to make the earths appear more agreeable to sight , though they really thereby become so ; but that it is , in the first place , to render such easie as are not so , or to preserve those in a good case that are so naturally ; and , in the second place , that it is chiefly thereby to augment fertility in such earths as have but little , or to preserve it in such as have a sufficient store : earths that are absolutely barren , must not be till'd . when i talk of rendring earth easie , i mean to make it become sandy and loose , insomuch , that the moisture and heat which comes from without , may easily penetrate through it , and that it may be no wise compact or sticking together , like clayish , gravelly earth , which by the constitution of their nature , are no wise proper for vegetation . and when i speak of endeavouring to give fruitfulness , i mean , that the tillage must contribute to give a temper of heat and moisture to a soil , that is already provided with that salt , it stands in need of for the chief part of fertility ; this temper of heat and moisture being so necessary to the earth , that without it its salt is altogether useless , insomuch , that it can produce no manner of plants , in the same manner as animals can enjoy no perfect health , without the temper of elemental qualifications . it is not enough to have given reasons for the cause of tillage , we must besides give rules , that may serve to procure this temper in question to earth . upon which , i say , that it is observable , that some earths are easily heated ; for example , such as are light , to which we have but little to do in relation to heat ; but whereas they are commonly dry and parch'd , we must work carefully to procure them moisture : others are not easily heated ; for instance , those that are strong and cold ; and those require but little culture for an augmentation of moisture ; on the contrary , they have generally too much of it ; but they require a great deal of help for an additional heat . moreover , some kind of plants require more moisture ; for example , artichokes , sallads , sorrel and thick rooted plants : the earth which produces them must be dispos'd in such a manner , as to receive a great deal of water from without : others are satisfy'd with less , as fruit-trees , and asparagus , &c. and we need not much trouble our selves to afford it them ; but however , as we have nothing in our gardens which requires either an excessive heat or moisture , so we have nothing but what requires some . the sun , rains and subterranean waters provide for one part , and we ought to provide , by other means , for what may be wanting besides ; which is , what we do by a well understood culture , of which tillage is one of the chief parts . those tillages are to be perform'd at different times , and even differently as to the multiplicity , in respect to the difference of earth and seasons : earth that is hot and dry must be till'd in the summer time , either a little before , or while it rains , or soon after it , especially when there is any likelihood of more ; at which time they can neither be till'd too often , nor too deep when it rains ; as , by the reason of contraries , they must but seldom be till'd in very hot weather , unless they be water'd immediately after it . those frequent breakings of the ground make way for the waters of rain , and make them penetrate towards the roots , which stand in need thereof ; whereas otherwise they would remain upon the surface , where they would be of no use , and soon after evaporate : tillage likewise makes a passage for heat , without which moisture can be of no use . on the contrary , cold , strong , moist earth , must never be till'd in time of rain , but rather during the greatest heats , at which time they can neither be till'd too often nor too deep , especially to hinder them from parching and splitting on the top , which , as we have often said , does a great deal of prejudice to the roots ; and to the end , that it being softned by tillage , the heat may penetrate the easier to them , and thereby may destroy the cold , which hinders the action of the roots , and makes trees yellow . the nature of the earth shews us in this , as well as in many other things , that it will be order'd regularly , so that it answers our intentions with success , when it is prudently manag'd ; whereas , on the contrary , it opposes them when it is govern'd ill : the season of putting most coin into the ground , which commonly are only sown each in one season , the time of graffing , of pruning and of planting vines as well as trees , &c. which likewise is only done in certain months ; all these , i say , are so many instructions which nature gives us , in order to teach us how to study well what the ground requires , and precisely at what time . by those observations , a great application has taught me , that it is good to till often about trees , either in dry , light earths , or in such as are strong and moist ; the one in rainy weather , and the other in great heats . those frequent tillings , which i advise , when convenience will permit it , are of great use ; for , besides their hindring part of the goodness of the earth from being exhausted by the production and nourishment of ill plants ; they , on the contrary , make those weeds which rot , being laid under ground , serve for an amendment to fatten it ; but moreover those frequent tilths partly destroy the ancient maxims , which had establish'd but one tillage for every season ; and what i like most in them is , that , at least , they establish the necessity , and consequently the usefulness of them : but i add , that they are not sufficient , unless , during their intervals , care be taken to scrape , or pull out those ill weeds , which especially in the summer and in autumn , grow upon earths , and then multiply , ad infinitum , when they are suffer'd to run up to seed . we must say here by the by , that the times in which trees bloslom , and the vine shoots are very dangerous for tillage , it must never be performed at those times , neither about those trees or vines ; the earth being newly stir'd in the spring , exhales abundance of vapours , which upon the least white hoary frosts , which are common at that season , being stopt near the surface of the earth , stick upon the blossoms , soften and moisten them , in so much that rendring them susceptible to the frost , they contribute to kill them ; earths that are not till'd at that time , and consequently are hard about the surface , are not subject to exhale so many vapors , and therefore not subject to so many accidents of frost . from what i have said heretofore to favour the nourishment of our trees , it follows , that i condemn those who sow or plant , either many pot-herhs , or strawberries , or flowers , near the foot of their trees , such plants being certainly very prejudicial to them . the rule i practise for the culture or tillage , that is to be perform'd about our trees , as well in the winter as in the spring , in dry light earths , is to allow them a large one at the entrance of the winter , and the like as soon as it is past , to the end that the rains and snows of the winter , and the rains of the spring , may easily penetrate into our earth ; and as for the strong and moist earths , i give them a small tillage in the month of october , only to remove the weeds , and tarry to give them a large one at the end of april , or the beginning of may , when the fruit is absolutely knit , and the great moistures over ; thus the surface of that earth being kept hard , firm and close , has left but little passage for the waters of the winter and spring , which we have no occasion here , for the snow being melted , without having been capable of penetrating , remains part upon the surface , where it is converted into vapors , and the rest following the declivities of the place , descends into the neighbouring rivers . i must needs say , in this place , that nothing moistens so much , and penetrates so far as the water of melted snow . i have seldom known water to penetrate above a foot deep , whereas the water of snow will penetrate two or three foot , as well because it is heavier than common rain water , as by reason , that as it melts slowly and by degrees , and from the undermost part of the mass of snow , it soaks in with more ease , without being hindred by the wind , or by the heat of the sun. therefore , as much as i dread abundance of snow upon strong , moist grounds , and cause it to be remov'd from about our fruit-trees ; i like it , and cause it to be gather'd in dry earths , there to make a kind of magazine of moisture ; and especially in those earths i cause that which lyes , and is of no use , in the walks , to be taken up and thrown into the bordures of the espaliers or wall-trees , and particularly to the expositions of the south , which in the summer time want most moisture ; and the same into the exposures of the east , even in strong earths , by reason that the summer showrs seldom falling upon them , the ground of those expositions remains commonly dryer than the rest , and consequently the trees are thereby expos'd to suffer . this necessity of tillage , which i recommend and advise , is sometimes contradicted by the success of certain trees , which being cover'd with pavement or beaten gravel about the foot , do notwithstanding thrive well , though they are never till'd ; to which i have two things to say in answer ; the first , that as commonly such trees are plac'd under spouts or gutters , a great deal of water falls upon them , which penetrating through the crany's of the pavement , or through the beaten gravel , furnishes a sufficient nourishment for the roots . the second is , that the moisture which has thus penetrated into those grounds cover'd with pavement , preserves it self much better in it , and longer than in others , the wind and the heat of the sun not being capable to destroy it : yet notwithstanding , i still recommend tillage , as well for the good of the earth and plants , as for the pleasure of the eye ; the universal experience we have of it , can never be destroy'd by so small an objection , no more than the use of bread and cloathing can be condemn'd , although the savages do not understand it : fig-trees orange-trees , and other plans and shrubs in cases sufficiently justifie the use of tilling , or breaking of the ground to give a passage to the water or waterings , without which they pine , and often perish . chap. xxii . of amendments or improvements . after having explain'd the motive , use and manner of tillage , we must do the same thing about amendments , which are nothing but a bettering , or recovering of earth ; we have already said , that this improvement might be done with all manner of dung , of which we must now explain the motive , use and manner . as to the motive , it is likewise certain , that when we amend , or dung the ground , it is with an intention of affording fruitfulness to that which wants it , that is , that which has many defects , and consequently little disposition towards production ; or else to preserve it when it has it , and might lose it , unless it received from time to time some necessary reparations , according to the productions we require of it , either beyond its capacity , or conformably to its power ; and likewise to amend it more or less , according to its temper , whether good or bad : for example , there must be a great deal of dung to produce pot-herbs , which grow in a short time abundantly , and succeed each other quickly in a small compass of ground , which without that might grow barren ; on the other hand , trees require but little or none for their nourishment , by reason that being long a-growing , they make but inconsiderable productions , compar'd to the ground they take up : and lastly , though they remain long in one and the same place , yet by means of their roots which stretch out to the right and left , they make a shift to pick up the nourishment that is proper for them , far and near : i add , that the earth which has a great deal of fruitfulness in it self , requires less than that which has but little ; and finally , cold moist earth requires more than those that are hot and dry . certainly , and no body can be ignorant of it , the great defects of earth consists , as i have already said , either in too much moisture , which is commonly accompany'd with cold , and great ponderousness , or else in too much drought , which is likewise regularly accompany'd with an excessive lightness , and a great disposition to parching ; we likewise find that among the dungs we may imploy , some are too fat and cooling , for instance , the dung of oxen and cows ; and the other too hot and light , for example , the dung of sheep , horses and pidgeons , &c. and whereas the remedy must have vertues opposite or contrary to the distempers it is to cure ; we must imploy hot and dry dungs in moist , cold , heavy earth , in order to heat them , and make them lighter and easier ; and oxen and cow dung in lean , dry , light earths , to make them fatter , and more material , thereby hindring the great parchings or droughts of the spring , and the great heats of the summer from drying them up with too much ease . there are at this time great controversies in philosophy and chimistry , to endeavour to decide which are the best dungs , and that with the same exactness or accuracy mathematicians use in deciding what is necessary to form a straight line , &c. the world is certainly highly oblig'd to those gentlemen , who drive their curiosity and their observations so far into the secrets of nature ; i hope , we may reap great benefits by it , but in the mean time , i am of opinion for my self , and for those for whom i write , that we can do no better than to proceed in this as i do , orderly , plainly and grosly , being persuaded that the fertility of earth does not consist , as , i may say , in an indivisible point ; and indeed i am so far from being willing to occasion the least scruple in any body , and especially any wise to scare or terrifie our gard'ners in point of culture , that on the contrary i endeavour as much as in me lyes to make it plain and easie to them . to which end , i think i may say once more , that we may form to our selves a certain idea of richness in earth , which certainly contains in its bowels a salt which occasions fertility , and that this salt is the only and real treasure of this earth . thus we say , that the money of a miser ( which makes his riches and plenty ) is the treasure he possesses ; yet this miser will still remain equally rich and pecuniary : if , in the first place , he spends nothing , or , if in the second place , whatever liberality he may affect , it happens so that he constantly receives as much gold and silver in one hand , as he spends with the other ; he spent yesterday fifty shillings , to day he has increas'd his store , either in gold , silver , or goods , to the value of the same summ ; he is then equally rich , so that to morrow he shall be able to spend the same summ , and to take up the next day , either the same money in bond , which is not common , or the value , &c. and thus , ad infinitum , this circulation is real and effective . we must know for certain , that earth has been created with a disposition to produce plants , and that ( excepting some stones and mettals which are extraordinary productions of nature ) there is nothing on the earth which is not come out of its own bosom , and that by the way of vegetation , and consequently all the vegetative plants we see are part of that earth , and thus we may affirm that there is nothing ( whatever it may be , provided it be material ) but what may serve to amend that earth or soil returning to it by way of corruption , under whatever figure it returns to it ; because that whatever re-enters into that earth , gives it back in some manner what it had lost , either in the same specie , or in value , and in effect it becomes earth again , as it was before ; thus all manner of stuffs , linnen , the flesh , skin , bones and nails of animals , dirt , urines , excrements , the wood of trees , their fruit , their leaves , ashes , straw , all manner of corn or grains , &c. in short , all in general that is palpable and sensible on earth ( excepting perhaps as i have already said , most stones , and all minerals ) all this entring into the ground , serves to amend and better it , so that having the convenience and facility of spreading often upon earths , as we have it in good farms , and particularly in the neighbourhood of cities , as it is practis'd for the sowing of corn , and for legumes , we put our land in a condition of being able to continue to produce always without intermission . moreover , our ground , though good , not being permitted to produce , for instance , such as are built upon ; those grounds thus cover'd with buildings , are , though against their will , like a rich man who spends nothing , though able to spend much ; they always remain , as the philosophers say , equally fertile in power , that is , equally capable of producing , and would actually produce , if they were not hindred from so doing ; as to the others which produce at all times , if in tilling of them , the plants they had produc'd be again put underneath them , as it happens often , especially in those parts that are the seat of war ; those plants thus put under the surface of that earth rot there , and serve to fatten it again to the same degree it possess'd before the producing of them , or else we may say , that it is the same salt in specie , which returns to it , and makes it as rich , that is , as fertile as it was before . and when all the productions of such a spot of ground are taken away , as it is very usual , and that in lieu thereof it be allow'd as many of the productions of another place , and that by means of rotten straw , season'd , as it were , with the excrements of some animals , which excrements are likewise originally sprung from the earth , and make a part of it , that earth having thereby repaired its loss , becomes as rich , that is , as fertile as before . we may then in some manner look upon dungs in relation to earth , as a kind of coin which repairs the treasures of that earth . now as there are several kind of coins , some more precious , others less , but still , both the one and the other being coin'd , pass in trade and inrich ; so there are several kind of dungs , some a little better than others , but still all proper to amend , that is , to repair the loss that earth had sustained in producing ; and thus the substance of the earth does not wear out to be at last reduc'd to nothing , or waste so as to give cause to say , that it diminishes , for if it did , where should it be now , after having produc'd so much from the beginning of the world ? 't is only the salt of it that diminishes ; or to speak more properly , changes place , which , as it may return , as it does , is capable of restoring that earth to the same condition it was in formerly . the alambicks in chimistry sufficiently manifest what that salt is , and show in little what a small quantity of it is required to animate a pretty considerable quantity of earth . upon which , i think i may say , that dung seems to be in relation to earths that are of a different temper , what salt is in relation to different kinds of meat , either such as are fine and curious , as partridges and sheep , and such as are material and gross , as beef and pork , &c. these without doubt can bear a much larger quantity of salt in the seasoning of them , without spoiling , than the others , since a good piece of beef , without doubt , requires a much greater quantity of salt to relish it , than a piece of mutton , though equally large ; and indeed gross meats are made more pallatable by being well poudred , whereas mutton being salted at the same rate , would be spoil'd . besides , as there are some salts that salt more , for instance , bay-salt , and others less , as white salt ; so as to the heating , or animating of earth , there are some dungs which heat and amend more ; for instance , those of sheep and horses , and others that amend and heat less ; for example , the dung of hogs and cows , &c. we must prudently make use both of the one and the other ; experience sufficiently justifies this faculty of heating in point of dungs , in that a certain quantity of horse dung heap'd up together will cause a considerable heat , even to that degree , as to convert it self sometimes into real fire , whereas a heap of cow dung never heats it self to that degree . and , therefore , should a great deal of horse and sheeps dung be laid in light , sandy earths , which stand in no need of so much heat , it would prejudice them instead of doing them good ; those dungs are too burning ; but according to the advice of the poet , we might allow them a great deal of cows-dung , which is fatter , and not so hot : and on the contrary , what is not sit for dry , hot earths , is very proper for such as are cold and moist ; those , which naturally produce but too many weeds , want heat to be animated , as it were , to dispose them , to produce others that are better for us . chap. xxiii . of dungs . it will not susfice to have spoken of amendments or improvements in general , we must come to particulars ; to which end i think it will be necessary to examin five things , principally in the case of dung , which is the most usual of all amendments . the first , what dung is . secondly , how many kinds there are of it . thirdly , which is the best of all . fourthly , which is the proper time to imploy it . and , fifthly , which is the manner of making so good a use of it , that earths may be amended by it , that is , made more fruitful , which is the intention of him that uses it . as to the first point , i cannot forbear saying , that dung , being a vulgar thing , and so well known , it seems useless , and almost ridiculous , to endeavour to give an account of it ; but yet in order to continue to follow exactly the design i have propos'd in this treatise , which is not to omit the least singularity of all that belongs to gard'ning , i think my self oblig'd to speak of this dung , not indeed to make it known to such as are unacquainted with it , since it would be hard to meet with such , but only to make some observations upon it , which are very material for the matter in hand . i say then , that dung is a composition of two things , of which , the first is a certain quantity of straw which has serv'd for litter for domestick animals ; and the second , the excrements of some animals among it , which has in some manner incorporated with that straw ; neither that straw alone , though half rotten , is sit to make good dung ; nor yet the excrements of those animals without straw , can be sufficient alone , to induce one to imploy them , they must of necessity be mix'd together to be of use , which is a thing known by every body . neither can any body be ignorant that those who keep those animals both for pleasure and use , have particular places for them to feed and rest in ; which places have peculiar and different names ; they are call'd stables for horses and mules , &c. and pens , stalls and sties for oxen , cows , sheep and hogs , &c. great hunters have , besides , kennels for hounds , but those afford but little of what we treat of in this chapter . it is usual to place daily under those animals , and particularly under horses , a sufficient quantity of fresh new straw , well spread , which is call'd making of litter , which is , as it were , a kind of bed , which serves for them to lye upon , and take their rest , when they are weary , to put themselves again in a condition to go about their usual service a-new ; this litter serves then to preserve their health , to help to recover their vigor , as well as to keep them neater , and more agreeable to sight . but that is not all , for after that it must be good for some other thing ; this straw being thus imploy'd by the name of litter , becomes not only bruis'd and broken by the trampling and agitation of those animals , but their excrements having imbib'd or soak'd it , changes the colour of it , and half rots it , so that it becomes , as it were , of a different nature from what it was ; and being altogether corrupted , and no longer proper to serve for litter , there is a necessity of removing it , to put new into the room of it , which in its turn must undergo the same fate . this first litter being taken from under those animals , and laid aside , is not look'd upon as a heap of common dirt , to be rejected , we give it the name of dung , now in question ; and under that name , it is found to be , not only a useful , but a very necessary thing for the good of human kind . now that which is the cause of this new service it yields , being grown dung , is , that the excrements of those animals have communicated unto it a certain quality , or rather a certain salt , which being contain'd in it , causes it ( being heapt up ) to heat it self considerably , and at the same time to heat all that is round about it , as we shall explain more at large hereafter . after having thus explain'd what dung is , if it may be truly said that that explication was not very necessary , at least it must be allow'd , that the other four articles are very material to be explain'd , beginning by that which is to give us an account how many sorts of dung we may use . it naturally follows from what i have said above , that as there are many horses every where , there likewise is a great deal of horse dung , and a little of mules , &c. that there is a great deal of cows , and that sheep and hogs afford a small quantity , we may likewise say that the poultry that is kept in some houses , as pigions , hens , geese , &c. also produce some small manner of dung , but it is so very inconsiderable , that it is hardly worth mentioning . the great animals in question do not alone contribute by their excrements , to the composition of dungs , and the amendments of the earth , all the parts of their bodies being once rotten , nay , their very nails and bones serve to fatten it . the leaves of trees which are gather'd in autumn , being put in a moist place , and especially under the drein of a stable or pen , being also rotten , may likewise be of some use in places where straw and animals are not common . the very ashes of all combustible matters are of a very good use in this case , for the small quantity that can be had of them , and not only ashes , but also rotten wood , and generally all things which being come out of the earth , are corruptible , becomes dung for the ground , when put into it again , and there corrupts . nay , there are some people , who , in order to multiply the number of dungs or amendments , maintain , that turf , and the earth of high ways is proper for it ; i will speak my opinion of it in the sequel , and will only say in this place , that that kind of whitish earth which is met with in the bowels of some piece of grounds , which we call marle , and seems to be inclin'd to become stones , must be consider'd as an amendment to help towards the production of some things , as i will explain in the sequel . now we have explain'd the diversity of dungs , it will be proper to see what are their particular qualifications , to the end that this knowledge may teach us to make a good choice according to the occasions we have for it . there are two peculiar properties in the case of dungs ; the one is to fatten , that is , to fatten the earth , and better it , or render it more fruitful , and that is common to all manner of dung , being well rotten , only some more , and others less : the second property is to produce a certain sensible heat , capable of producing some considerable effect : the ancients knew the first , and have not known the second ; this last is seldom met with in any but horse and mule dung , when newly made , and still a little moist , and indeed those sort of dungs are of a wonderful use in our gardens , and particularly in the winter ; at which time they seem to perform the office of the great planet , which animates and enlive●s all things , really performing there the same function which the heat of the sun is us'd to dispense there in the summer ; as for instance , being laid in the form of couches , it serves to afford us all the novelties of the spring , viz. cowcumbers , radishes , small sallads , and melons , and all that , long before nature can give it ; it serves in great frosts to furnish us with greens and flowers , and that which is yet more singular , very green asparagus , and those better than the common ones ; it likewise serves to advance considerably the maturity of strawberries , of figs in cases , pease , &c. and finally , it serves to make mushrooms grow at all times . and if new dung has a peculiar goodness and faculty , when it stands possess'd of its first heat , it has another when , without being rotten , it is old and dry , the heat being altogether past , which is to preserve against , or from , cold , that which frosts might indamage and destroy ; and therefore it is us'd in the winter time to cover fig-trees , ar●●chokes , succories , selery , &c. which are all manna's of great value in gard'ning , which would perish without the help of dung to cover them : which is not all that dung is useful for ; for , after having serv'd in so many places , as according to the condition of all sublunary beings , it rots at last ; it then serves again to the last use which i treat of here , and that is , to amend the ground . this amendment or improvement supposes two considerable conditions , the one relating to the time which is proper for the doing of it , and the other to the manner of doing it well . as to the time , we must not imagin that all the seasons of the year are proper to employ dung , none but the five moistest months of the year are good for it , viz. from the beginning of november till towards the end of march ; those dungs would be of no use in the bosom of the earth , unless they perfectly made an end of rotting there , and nothing but rain can cause that consummation ; those that are employ'd at other times , only grow dry and musty , and so far from being favourable to vegetabels , they are pernicious and fatal to them , especially when there is a considerable quantity of it ; abundance of large white worms engendring in it , which remain in the earth , and gnaw all the tender things they meet with ; whereas the great moistures of autumn and winter making an end of rotting by the degrees , the gross material substance of that dung , the salt which lyes in it , passes into the interior parts of the earth ; and thus this salt spreads it self in those places , whence the plants draw their nourishment , that is , in the neighbourhood of the roots , which alone have the tallent of improving the benefit of dung , and thereby vegetables make an end of acquiring all the perfection , which is proper for them , as thickness , largness , and the rest , &c. it follows then , that the winter is the only season fit for great amendments ; therefore it behoves able gard'ners , not to lose a time which is so precious for their occupation : in order to which , they need neither to mind the quarters of the moon , nor the winds , whatever they be , notwithstanding the traditions of some of the ancients , and whatever may be said in some books of gard'ning ; they are only troublesom observations , and altogether useless , and are only proper to afford matter towards the imbellishment of poetry , or , perhaps , to set off some visionary talkative gard'ners . let us now proceed to the manner of employing this dung to the purpose : this matter ought to afford us two instructions ; the one is to point out those parts where the dung is to be laid , and the second to mark out partly the true quantity . as to the first , it is to be noted , that sometimes there is a necessity of dunging largely , and pretty deep into the ground , and sometimes it suffices to turn the surface lightly . as to the first , i am not of the opinion of those who make beds of their dung at the bottom of trenches , whatever care they take of tilling every bed largely , in order to mix the earth and dung together , and my reason , confirm'd by a long experience , is , that whatever is good in that dung , so employ'd , soon becomes useless , since it passes too low with the moistures which force it along , and drive it to such parts where the roots cannot penetrate , besides that the motion which is made in tilling those three or four beds in the trenches , instead of contributing to make the earth lighter ; which is one of the most material conditions , only presses and hardens it by the trampling , which cannot be avoided in tilling . therefore , as i have already said elsewhere , i would have the dung used for earth , in the same manner as ashes are us'd in washing , that is , that whereas the ashes are only laid upon the surface of the linen , that is heaped up in the tub , in order to cleanse it ; so the dung should only be laid on the surface of the earth that is to be amended . i say it again , it is not the gross substance of the dung which fertilises , as it is not the gross substance of the ashes which cleanses , it is that invisible salt which is contain'd in those matters , incorporating , wetted with the waters that wet it , descends with them , whereever their weight inclines them , and there produces what it is capable of performing . but it is not sufficient to know the best place where the dung is to be laid , we must likewise examine what quantity may be proper for it : in order to explain this article , it is proper to know that as some dungs have a far greater quantity of salt to communicate than others ; so there are earths which require and want more amendments than others : i still mean the earth for kitchen-plants , and not that earth in which trees are to be planted ; for i will have none for these , supposing always that if they have the least goodness they have enough to nourish trees , from which we expect pallatable fruit. he who studies to make excellent wine , soon perceives that the use of dung is directly contrary to his intention , and that if those amendments augment the quantity , at the same time it diminishes the value , though perhaps that defect might have been corrected by fermentation and boiling ; therefore have we not yet much more cause to fear for the taste of fruits , which , without the advantages of boiling , are to be transmitted directly from the tree , to the mouth ? and when the earth is naught , i can not , as i have already said , forbear blaming those who lose their time in planting there , instead of getting better earth brought there , the quantity cannot be considerable , nor consequently the charge , considering that none will go about to plant many trees in ill grounds . but if , contrary to my sentiment in this particular case of planting of trees , people will be obstinate in dunging of trenches , where they intend to plant , i am willing to explain the manner i think most proper for it , to save charges , and to have the work better done and sooner . i suppose , for instance , that a trench six foot deep is to be prepar'd , either along a wall to plant against it , or about a square to plant dwarfs ; first , i would have the quantity of dung one has examin'd , either horse or cow dung , which are the two sorts that are most commonly us'd , and which are most plentiful ; this knowledge will teach us whether we may use a great deal or not : after this i would have it laid in equal distances , all along the trench that is to be made , and the overture of the trench dug three foot deep , and about a fathom upon the breadth propos'd , so that before we go about to employ the dung , we may have an empty free space before us ; i would likewise have three men , two with spades to stir the ground , and one with a pitch-fork for the dung ; and lastly , i would have two of them take that earth that is to be dug , and throw it at the farther end of the empty place ; so that the height of the trench may be fill'd , and that half a foot higher than the adjacent surface , taking care to place the earth that lay on the surface at the bottom , to the end that the earth which lay at the bottom , may in its turn become the surface of the new trench ; this earth so thrown , in the manner i mean , makes a natural declivity , at the bottom of which all the stones will fall by the same means , which must be remov'd immediately ; and while the two men thus throw the earth which forms this declivity , i would have the third , who shall be remaining upon the edge of the trench , to take the dung with the pitch-fork , and throw it without intermission , not into the bottom , but only upon the top of the declivity in question , and there spread it , that it may be so well dispers'd , that no great quantity of it may lye together ; by this means , supposing always the work-men act briskly , and understand each other , two very material things are done at once , and in a small time , with little charge ; the first is , that the dung is plac'd and mix'd in the earth as it should be , and the second , that this earth being stirr'd from top to bottom , grows easie and light , as it should be . i must not forget minding those who dig along a wall , to take care not to come too near the foundations , for fear of indamaging it , the wall might be in danger of falling ; a small slope of hard ground must always be left untouched against it . when besides the trench for trees , there are to be others round about all the squares or ground plots destin'd for kitchen-plants , in a garden not having the good qualifications that are to be wish'd for , the same method must of necessity be us'd , multiplying only the number of those that are to till , proportioning the number of those that are to spread the dung accordingly ; there must always be the same depth of earth , ever making the first overture of the trenches about a fathom broad , it being for example of the length of the whole square , to which end the earth that shall be taken out of the trench , must be laid along the square that is to be fill'd , which shall serve to fill up the gage that shall lay empty at the end of the said square ; in the mean time the dung must be brought either in baskets , hand-barrows , or otherwise , into the neighbourhood , or near that empty place ; and a sufficient number of people shall be imployed to spread it upon the top of the slopes , by degrees , as the others continually throw new earth towards the empty places . i warrant that with such a concert of workmen , well skill'd in their work , the ground may be dispos'd to produce very fine , and very good legumes , care being taken finally to make an universal tillage to render all the surface even . i would only have people observe , that in case the earth which wants to be amended or improv'd , is naturally dry and sandy , fat dung must be imploy'd , for example , cow-dung , or else horse-dung , which shall have been rotten in a morish place ; i seldom mention the dung of hogs , because , that besides its being scarce , it has an ill savour , which hinders people from desiring it , it is capable of infecting the ground , and giving it an ill taste , which would infect the fruit sooner than better it : when they are course , strong , moist earths , the largest and dryest dung will be most proper ; for example , horse and mules dung , never putting too much , nor too little , but a moderate quantity , excess being dangerous in these cases ; on the other hand , putting none at all in the earth in question , is a defect that would soon be perceiv'd ; as likewise putting but too small a quantity , is a help , which not being sufficient , must be look'd upon as useless , especially in lean earths , from which more is requir'd than it is able to produce ; that is , abundance of thick well fed legumes . the most reasonable measure for imploying of that dung , is to lay a basket full , and that of a moderate size , upon the length of every fathom of slope , when it is about the thickness of a foot of earth ; and thus the length of twenty fathom to the breadth of six foot , and the depth of three , will consume sixscore baskets full , of that moderate size , that is , about such a size as a woman may partly be able to carry . and when there is not dung enough to make the mixture i have explain'd here , the small quantity there may be of it must only be spread upon the surface , spreading it with an even hand ; after which tilling it sufficiently about nine or ten inches in depth , it must be buried so that it may no longer appear on the out-side , and yet not so deep as to be out of the reach of the roots of plants . the excrements of sheep and goats are very fit for that kind of dung , and it will suffice to spread about two inches thick of it , that small quantity will contribute to amend the earth as much as a greater of horse or cow-dung . and in truth , i look upon sheeps-dung , as the best of dungs , and that which has most disposition to fertilize all manner of earths ; the treatise of the culture of orange-trees will show more particularly how much i value it above all others . la poudrette , and the dung of pidgeons , and of poultrey , may also make some amendments , but yet i seldom use them , the one is too stinking , and pretty scarce , the others are full of little fleas , which sticking to the plants , are very prejudicial to them . as for the excrements of aquatick animals , or such as commonly live in water , it is stark nought , as well as that which comes from cunny warrens , witness the sterility that appears about the clappers ; the rotten leaves of plants occasion blackness and cold , which , far from amending , rots the new plants , and therefore it must not be us'd at all . the leaves of trees gather'd up , and rotten in some moist ground , become rather a kind of soil than dung , and are fitter to be spread to secure the earth from parching , than to fume the inside of it . terreau or soil is the last service we receive from dung , the dung having serv'd to make couches , consumes it self to that degree , that it becomes a kind of mould , which then is no longer employ'd like dung to fatten , but like earth which produces small plants , and so seven or eight inches of it is laid upon new beds for sallads , raddishes and legumes that are to be transplanted , or to remain , as melons , comcumbers , hard lettuce , &c. and about two inches thick of it is likewise laid over earths new sown at the spring , and in the summer , when they are too dry of themselves , or inclin'd to harden and split easily by heat , the seeds would dry up in the first , and could not penetrate the surface of the other . therefore this soil is us'd , which preserving its moisture occasion'd by tillage , or waterings , makes the seeds rise easily , and shoot with success ; besides , it has another property , which is , to hinder the birds from picking off the new seeds . ashes of all kinds would be of great use to amend the earth , if there was enough of it ; but whereas we have but little of it , it is only us'd about the feet of some fig-trees , or some other trees , where they are not useless . some people have a particular value for turf to make amendments , but i look upon it in a different manner , that is , as being fit to produce of it self , and not to fertilize other earth ; and i have a great value yet for the earth that lies under that turf which we call new earth , the which having never been wrought , is consequently full of all the fertility that can be expected from new earth , and therefore happy are those who can make whole gardens of such : but when people have not a sufficient quantity to compass this , and yet have a reasonable stock of it , i would have them employ it either wholly for fruit-trees , or , at least , in the same manner as i have caus'd dungs to be employ'd for deep amendments . chap. xxiv . to know whether it be proper to dung trees . i cannot approve the sentiments of those , who being infected with the vulgar error in relation to dungs , use it indifferently every where , even so far that to make a grand maxim of it , they say in a pretty popular manner , that , especially in relation to trees , it is impossible to afford them too much kindness , which is the soft and sparkish expression they use in speaking of what we vulgarly call dung. but , in order to examin whether their opinion is any wise reasonable , i desire them to answer five queries i propose upon that subject . first , whether they mean all manner of trees ? secondly , whether only fruit-trees ? thirdly , whether , if those fruit-trees , they mean all of them in general , to preserve such as are vigorous and re-establish those that are infirm ? fourthly , whether they have a certain rule for the quantity of dung that is to be allow'd to each , and for the place where it is to be laid ? and fifthly , whether they should be dung'd in all manner of earths , whether good or bad ? i dare not believe that their opinion in relation to dungs , extends to all trees in general , since every body knows that the trees , of forests , those in the open fields , and those that serve for avenues to houses , thrive commonly very well without ever having been dung'd : in case those gentlemen allow this to be true , as to trees that bear no fruit , they condemn themselves unawares as to fruit-trees , since both the one and the other receive their nourishment in one and the same manner , that is , by their roots ; and indeed those roots working in a natural ground , when it is passably good , never fail of finding enough of what is necessary for them to live . but however , in all probability , those gentlemen only apply the maxim in question to fruit-trees ; and yet really i cannot believe , that they dare own that they mean all those trees in general , since it would be ridiculous to say , that one and the same thing can be equally good ; for so many trees of such different constitutions , some more or less vigorous , and others more or less infirm ; some kernel , and some stone fruit , &c. and yet they have never explain'd themselves upon that difficulty , and have never spoken upon this matter but in general terms ; in which , as we have already said , they make use of the sparkish term of kindness , to perswade the more agreeably . neither do i believe , that if they were pressed to declare their opinion , they would say , that they mean the most vigorous , since great vigour appearing inconsistent with the abundance of fruit , it would be an ill expedient , in order to get fruit , to have recourse to a thing they should believe proper to maintain that vigour , and perhaps to augment it ; moreover dung being only look'd upon as a remedy , and remedies being only us'd for the diseas'd , it follows from thence , that that dung is not to be us'd for those trees , which , far from being any wise infirm , have all the signs imaginable of perfect health , throughout their whole extent , supposing then that dung were capable of improving trees , still i do verily believe , that it would sooner harm these , than procure them the least advantage . therefore we may conclude , that their opinion is , that infirm trees stand in need of the assistance of dungs : now in order , if possible , to disabuse the world of such an error , i affirm sincerely , that by a study'd experience of a long series of years , i do know with certainty , that all the dung in the world can operate nothing in favour of any tree whatever ; i had liv'd long in that common error , my curiosity having begun by that , as well as by the rote of the declinings of the moon , &c. but am now happily undeceiv'd , and all those who will take the pains to inform themselves of the truth thereof , without prejudice , will certainly conclude with me , that at best it is but a useless labour and expence ; besides , i declare that it is a great happiness when it does not prove prejudicial ; those dungs , as i have hinted elsewhere , being apt to ingender worms which kill the trees , and at most all the vertue that is in them , extends no farther than to produce small roots , which roots , though really good for small plants , can no wise contribute towards the forming of those fine shoots , by which we judge of the vigour we desire in trees . but in order to enter a little farther into the convincing proof of this truth , which i establish , i should be glad to be inform'd exactly , what an infirm tree is , it is a matter i have enlarg'd upon sufficiently in the treatise of the distempers of trees , &c. therefore i shall now only say , that , for example , an infirm pear-tree , is not always to be concluded so , by reason of its producing yellow shoots , since there are some that are very vigorous and yet produce leaves of that colour ; they are only such upon which some thick old branches die , or such of which the extremity of the new shoots wither , or such as produce none at all , and remain scabby , full of cankers and moss , and yet blossom exceedingly ; yet little of the fruit knits , and that which does knit , remains small , stony and bad : and when the tree happens to produce large yellow shoots , which happens frequently , to some pear-trees graffed upon quince-stocks , which being planted in a dry lean ground are naturally in a good case , this defect of yellow leaves proceeds from that , some of the principal roots lying level with the ground , are parch'd by the great heats of the summer . now the dung which is imploy'd for amendments , and is consequently put pretty deep into the ground , can no wise prevent this . on the other hand , if any of the branches of that infirm tree chance to die , that defect may proceed from that , either the tree may be overburthen'd with branches , compar'd to the small vigour of it , so as not to be able to nourish them all , or else from its being planted too high or too low ; or lastly , from that the earth , which is to nourish it , is either bad or worn out , and especially , when the foot of the tree has many dead roots . as to the first case , dung cannot discharge that tree from its burthen : in the second , it cannot make it to be better planted : and in the third , it cannot revive the dead roots : and lastly , can produce no thick new ones ; for dungs have never been able to effect that , neither great dungs , though never so rotten , nor the small ones we call soil . thus as long as it produces no thick new roots , we must expect no fine new shoots ; and while none of those kind of new shoots are produc'd , the trees will always remain ill-favour'd , and the fruit will never be well-condition'd in its kind , nor give us satisfaction by the abundance of it . to this i add , that if dung had the faculty of rend'ring a weak tree vigorous ; in the first place i should have experienc'd it at one time or another , after having try'd it so often ; which being , i should be much to blame to dissent from an opinion so well establish'd , and to endeavour at the same time to introduce a new doctrine in the room of it , which , instead of doing me any kindness , would only serve to turn me into ridicule . in the second place , if dungs could afford vigour , especially to old infirm trees , that advantage would certainly be attended by a very great inconvenience , which is , that it would occasion the shooting of abundance of false wood or suckers , and destroy the disposition of that tree towards the producing of fruit ; since , contrary to the masters intention , it would cause those buds which were grown round for fruit to shoot out for wood , which wood must of necessity be remov'd as being ill-condition'd and ill plac'd . i explain more particularly in another place , what is most proper to be done in such a case , and that is at the end of the fifth book , where i propose remedies for the infirmities of old trees . but supposing it were good to dung trees , which i do not allow , what true rule can be had for the more or less quantity of dung each tree may require : will a moderate quantity produce the same effect as a great one , or will not a great quantity perform more than a small or moderate one ? moreover , in what place shall that dung be plac'd , shall it be near the stem or foot , or at a distance from it ? it will be useless near the stem , since the extremities of the roots , where all the action is perform'd , being distant from it , can receive no benefit by it , and yet it is commonly laid particularly in that place , therefore those amendments should be plac'd near those extremities , but how shall one be certain in what part they lay , especially since those extremities stretching out yearly , consequently yearly change their place , &c. i conclude by this vulgar observation , that infirm trees are met with in good grounds , as well as in ill ones ; will the same remedy be proper for both ? there appears to me a great deal of difficulty to answer those three last questions justly ; so that those certainly engage themselves in a great confusion , who will have the only remedy for fruit-trees to consist in dunging , either to preserve their vigour , or to restore that which they have lost . i find much more advantage , and less charge , in using new earth , than any dungs , whatever they be : i explain in another place the manner of employing those new moulds , which has occasion'd me to say in another place , that one of the chief conditions , to succeed in the planting of young trees , provided they be good , and the roots well prun'd , is to plant them in passable good earth , and such as has never been dung'd . chap. xxv . what sort of earth is most proper for every kind of fruit-trees . i conclude this second part , after having said that the wildlings of pear-trees and apple-trees , and even those we call paradice , and likewise plum-trees and fig trees agree very well with all manner of earth , whether hot and dry , or cold and moist , provided the ground be deep enough , that is , at least two good foot and a half , or three foot deep ; fig-trees do not require near so much . quince-trees do not thrive well in dry light grounds , they grow yellow too easily ; almond and stone peach-trees thrive better in this than in strong earth , in which they are too subject to gumm ; those strong earths are fitter for plums , merisiers , or small bitter cherrys , goose-berries , raspberry bushes , &c. vines thrive better , and produce better grapes and better wine in certain dry grounds , than in strong and cold earth ; cherries thrive pretty well in dry light grounds , but yet better in clear mould . after having explain'd what sort of earths are best for every kind of plantations , one might think to draw necessary consequences for the kinds of fruits that are graffed upon those kind of stocks ; for instance , for pears graffed upon free stocks or quince ; for peaches upon plum or almond-trees , &c. but yet , as we shall declare in the sequel , earth has not the same effect as to the good taste of fruits , as it has as to the vigor of trees . winter bon chrestien pears , petitoin , lansac and thorn pears , &c. will always remain insipid , and most of them stony or meally in a cold moist ground , whether graffed upon a wildling or quince-stock , especially for dwarf-standards , the same with peaches and pavies , &c. those kind of fruits do particularly require a pretty dry ground , or at least such a one as is drein'd well by gutters , or studied declivities , the ground being naturally moist : in fine , generally speaking trees are commonly vigorous in strong earth , but the fruit seldom acquires that delicacy of taste there , it should have , the which they meet with in dryer grounds . it is not sufficient to have our gardens well cultivated by tillage and amendments , besides this , they must be kept very clean , that is , the walks must always be kept very free from stones and weeds , always firm under foot to walk conveniently and with ease , the ground likewise clear from stones and weeds , the trees always free from caterpillars , snales and moss , &c. finally , useful gardens , should be as pleasing , when old made , as they are displeasing when new , in which particular they differ from parterres or flowey gardens , which are never so neat , or agreeable to sight , as the very day they have pass'd through the gard'ners hands , being then adorn'd with flowers newly planted , the walks being newly gravell'd and very smooth , the green turf fresh , &c. in sine , if i may use the expression , at that time , they are not unlike a new bride adorn'd with powder , patches , ribbons , nosegays , &c. to render them the more pleasing ; whereas our useful gardens which should in some measure resemble a good housewife , must have a natural unaffected cleanness , without any studied constrain'd adornments . the end of the second part. of fruit-gardens and kitchen-gardens . vol. i. part iii. what is to be done in all sorts of gardens , as well in making a judicious choice , as in proportioning and placing the best kinds of fruit-trees , whether dwarfs , wall-trees , or standards . among the fruits that are at present in use in the world , it may without prejudice be said , there are some so exquisite and perfect , that nothing is known more delicious to the tast , and perhaps , hardly any thing more useful for the health : and accordingly we are accustomed to make such frequent use of them at all times , that we are almost perswaded to rank them among things absolutely necessary to life ; we hardly meet with any body that can be without them , so that there is nothing almost but people will do to have some ; which is the cause , that how magnificent and abundant soever any great feasts may be , they are still found fault with , if fair and good fruits be wanting to set out their lustre , and to help to leave behind them a certain idea of greatness in the minds of the invited guests ; and thence it also comes to pass , that the most sumptuous and stately country mansion in the world , is thought to want one of its principal ornaments , if it be not accompanied with fair and well planted and contrived fruit-gardens . and therefore nature , which does nothing in vain , has been careful to provide us almost an infinite number of different sorts of fruits , and at the same time has inspired us with a strong inclination , not only to cultivate those of our own climates , but also to multiply them , by adding to them , those of foreign countries , so that to speak truth ; we ought to look upon the abundance she has blest us with in this kind , as one of the greatest obligations we have to her ; and it seems , as if all she had done besides , to make us live and subsist , would be thought very inconsiderable , if we were deprived of the treasure the gardens afford , a treasure that is to us a very great assistance : for in effect , what is there more precious or commodious to life , than to find good fruit planted in all inhabited countries ; and what is more valuable to us , than to have abundance of them at all seasons of the year ? and here a goodly field offers it self , were i minded to persue it , in praise of those rich presents which the earth furnishes us of her own accord , even in the obscurest forrests , and most horrid desarts : but that is a task that belongs not at all to my profession , and much less is it any part of my present design , and therefore as i am sensible how uncapable i am to undertake it with success , i shall not venture upon it , but shall rather confine my self within the modest pleasure of communicating to the world , what by long experience i have found useful to instruct men to make the best improvement of those master-pieces of nature , and to assist them to add still more and more perfection to them by their industry . now , though under the name of fruits , we ordinarily comprehend all the productions of gardens that go under that appellation , yet i pretend not here to treat of any of the fruits of the lesser classis , such as strawberries , raspberries or gooseberries , nor of muk-melons neither , though they be certainly fruits most excellent in their kind ; they being articles i reserve to speak of in our kitchen-garden , of which they are to constitute a part , but i shall only treat here , of such as grow on trees , and which , when they excel in their kind , and are planted in a proper seat , and well qualified , make the true ornaments of gardens ; for unless they be indeed of such sorts , there are many kinds of fruits that instead of doing honour , do rather a disgrace , to the master that cultivates them . and after i have discoursed of the good fruits of all kinds of trees , i shall also speak of those sorts of grapes , which are so much esteemed by all persons of quality . i cannot proceed any further without taking notice to you , how much i am surprised at the contemplation of all the fruit i see , as well in general , as particular : for as to particular kinds , i am very much , having made very exact descriptions of them , as well of their inside as outside , and that both of kernel-fruits , and those with stones or shells , as also of figs and grapes , as will be afterward seen ; insomuch , that of pears only , i can affirm with truth , that i have seen , tasted and described above three hundred several sorts , all different one from another , without finding all this while above thirty kinds that were excellent enough to my taste , to merit the character of having regularly more good qualities than bad ones . i expect to find some curious persons , whom my opinion in matter of choice , will not please in all things : but let them permit me , if they please , to make a most humble request , which is , that before they censure the esteem , or dislike i express for certain fruits , they would first examin very particularly my intention , which chiefly tends to the establishing a continual succession of choice good fruits ; and after that , they would remember , that peoples particular palates are not to be disputed ; that being an incontestable point , and in the next place , that great allowances are to be made to the fickleness of seasons , of which we are not the masters , as also of the diversity of soils and climates , which is almost infinite , and to the nature of the stock of the tree , which is sometimes good , and sometimes bad ; and lastly to the manner or figure in which the several trees grow and produce . they are all points that require a great deal of consideration , and very much serve to ballance the opinions of those that would judge of them . there are sometimes ill pears to be found among the virgoulees , the lechasserees , the ambrets , and the thorn pears , &c. and but scurvy peaches among the minions , the maudlins , the violets , the admirables , &c. and in fine , there are some bad plumbs among the perdrigons , some bad grapes among the muscats , and some bad figgs among those that are most esteemed , &c. and is not that enough to astonish any curious person that has applied himself so much as i have done , to search into their nature , and should i be excusable if i were so disingenuous as to suppress the great observations and useful reflections i have made thereupon , from which i have at last drawn this conclusion ; that although in a certain sort of good fruits , there may be some defective , yet it follows not from thence , that the whole kind should therefore be rejected , nor that on the other side , we should put any great value upon another kind , because , though known , by competent judges in matter of fruits , to be of a bad sort , it may by some lucky hit ; have yielded some tolerable good ones , which some less delicate palates may be enamoured with ? for , in the first place , all the world is agreed , that of fruits considered according to their nature , there are three classes , that is to say , there are some very good , and some very bad ones , and lastly , that there are some again , that cannot well be comprehended under neither of those , but can only be lookt upon as fruits simply tolerable , and but indifferently qualified ; and it is only those of this last rank , that finding here and there some friends and patrons , give occasion to all disputes arising about the choice of fruits , for seldom it happens , but that all are unanimous in praising the first , and rejecting the second sort , for we see that a good russet , or virgoulee pear is generally esteemed , and a parmain pear or pear of fontarabie , as much decried every where ; but 't is not so with a doyenuee , or dean pear , or a st. lezin , &c. it is likewise granted , that , for example , such a fruit may prove ill one year , or in such certain expositions or placings , which may have appeared good several years before , or in other expositions , and again on the other side , that such or such a fruit may prove good this year , which was not to be endured some preceding years . and , in fine , it is also agreed on all hands , that in one sort of soli , climate and figure of a tree , such fruit proves good , that always regularly proves bad in a different climate , in another sort of ground , and another kind of figured tree . for example , that which perhaps produces good fruit in a full and open air , will not produce nothing nigh so good in the form of a dwarf tree , &c. nor every plant that prospers against a wall , have the same destiny in a full air , &c. nor every fruit that proves good in a sandy soil , arrive to the same perfection in a moister ground , &c. and therefore i shall make as exact a discussion of this matter as 't is possible , that i may be the better able to come to a decision in the point of choice , and of the order of preference , which is the scope of my present discourse . and besides , as it is probable , i have not yet attained the knowledge of all the several sorts of good fruit in europe , and much less in the rest of the universe ; there may perhaps be some which might thrive in our country , and whose excellence , were it once known to me , might induce me to make some alteration in the disposition i am going to establish ; i grant that such a thing may be ; but yet , i am perswaded , there are no new sorts produced , so i do not say ; but that from time to time , some sorts may be discovered , that after having remained a long time hid in the obscurity of certain remote regions , may come at last to be known and admired by the great ones of the world ; nay , we have several sorts amongst those that are now reckoned most exquisite among us , of which i dare affirm , that no mention was made in the first years of my application to curiosities of this nature . and therefore i shall not fail to make the best advantage of all such novelties as fast as they shall come to our hands , and i heartily exhort all those that shall see this treatise , that they would testifie to the publick the same zeal which in this respect , i make profession of : for this at last is certain , that i would not venture to speak my particular thoughts concerning this matter of the choice and proportion of fruits , but after a long labour and experience in their cultivation ; my design in so doing was at length to give such advices as might be securely followed , and with assured success practised in a good part of this kingdom , and in all climats any thing like it , and 't is in prospect of this end , that i have entertained above these thirty years , a particular correspondence with the most part of the curious of our age , as well at paris , and in our provinces of france , as in foreign countries , and the neighbouring kingdoms ; i have made it my study to procure every where as many illustrious friends in the curiosities of gardning as i could , that i might profit as much as was possible by their light , and their rich acquisitions , while i endeavoured at the same time not to be unuseful to them on my side ; and as i can affirm without vanity , that hitherto i have not succeeded amiss , so the world may be assured , that i will never discontinue to labour with all the care imaginable , to draw into our own soil , what fruits are most considerable in other parts ; which is as much as to say , in a word , that i pretend not only to satisfie and regulate my own curiosity in this matter , which is not small , but also that of other honest and ingenious lovers of gard'ning , which is no less eager than mine . now though it be not discommendable , to be always upon the quest of the discovery of some new fruits still , that may deserve our care and cultivation , which is what i am always doing without intermission , yet it seems to me , that at present we are already in a condition to be able to boast of a store sufficient to form gardens and orchards reasonably well furnished with fruits for all seasons of the year , so that i believe i may say there is no great necessity we should be over solicitous in seeking out any more : about five and twenty , or thirty years ago , we could not have said the same , it being an undoubted truth , that our fathers were much less rich in these delicious treasures than we . however , we cannot but ingeniously acknowledge , that the months of march and april are not so happily provided for as the rest , they wanting good fruits that are tender and buttery ; for those sorts of pears that remain for the spending of those months , have not the gift to please like those that went before them , nor as most of them themselves had formerly , they seeming every day to lose more and more of their ancient reputation ; but till we have better to fill up their places , we must be content to make the best of them we have ; though , upon the whole matter , i think we shall not be over unhappy , if our boncretien-pears which are last ripe , be provided with all the good qualities they are capable of ; for without doubt there are some very good ones even in that season , and then those apples that are left , and which usually last till the month of june , satisfie well enough some curious palats towards the end of winter , and at the beginning of the spring ; but to say the truth , they are not in any great number , nor those of the principal sorts . for the better establishing therefore and authorizing my judgment in such fruits as are known to us , i can assure you , and you may believe me , that i have not been only content with seeing , tasting and examining them my self for several years together , without the least partiality , but because i would neglect nothing that might assist me to make a well-grounded determination in the matter , i have held frequent assemblies of curious persons , and such who were perfectly well skill'd in things of that nature , and that were perhaps men of as delicate and exquisite palats as any in the kingdom . after so many precautions and experiences , i at last resolv'd to undertake this treatise ; and the better to succeed in it , and take occasion to declare what is good or bad in each particular sort of fruit , with the different names under which they are disguised , according to the different countries where they are found ; for the number of those fruits that have but one name , and particularly among pears ; as , for example , the boncretien , the russeleit , the buttred pear , the messire john , the portal , &c. is but very slender ; but as for other pears , plums , peaches , apples , &c. it is quite another case with them , there being few of them without two or three , and sometimes more names . therefore i thought my self obliged first , to endeavour to draw out the picture and description of each fruit , and to make it big enough , that it might be able to give the more lively instruction for a thing which i judge necessary , which is to learn a man to distinguish more easily , as well by the eye as the taste , the only true name which each respective fruit ought to have : and that , without doubt , will be the same which will be found in use among the able and curious in these matters at court ; the rest of the world , as well in these as other things , being apt to follow exactly the modes and manners practised there . from such determination of the name of each fruit , well authorized by the description which i shall make of them , it will , i hope , come to pass , that gentlemen will no more fall into the inconvenience of being pesterd with bad fruits , under the names of good ones , nor of having one sort under different names , and , conseqnently of being so imposed on as to be made to believe they have a great many sorts , when they have but a few , considering the number of trees in their gardens . i shall place those descriptions in such passages where i shall decide the choice of each fruit in particular ; and as i have elsewhere said , they are intended only for those that will take the pains to read them : as for others , that desire only to be resolved in short , which are the good sorts , and what proportion of each , they are to observe in their several gardens ; they will find at the end of this part , a little abridgment , where they may presently satisfie themselves . in the second place , i thought it would not be a little conducing to my purpose , to suppose i am going to give my advice to a great many new curious gentlemen , one after the other , who are all desirous to be planting fruit-trees , but very much perplexed how to determine either what sorts of trees , or what numbers of each sort they shall fix upon . whereof the first , perhaps , has not room for above one plant , whether it be in form of a dwarf-tree or a wall-tree ; a second has place but for two , but another has room for a hundred trees , and another for as many more , &c. and all of them are studying what choice to fix upon , and that with a great deal of eagerness too ; for nothing is so hot upon the design as are the young curioso's in gard'ning , who always are big with longing to see their gardens made up , and that quickly too , and yet none of them know where to begin , having yet received no directions from any body skill'd in those affairs . to ease them therefore of their pain and perplexity , i shall fancy my self in the place of every one of them one after the other , that i may be the better able to counsel each of them to do what i would actually do my self , if i had that to do which any one of them would undertake ; so that sometimes you must suppose me some curious gentleman that would plant but a very small garden , sometimes one that would cultivate but a middling one , and sometimes another that would form a very great one : and i shall act all these several personages , not only to be able to give my more effectual assistance in well-forming new plantations , but in reforming old ones too , when ill contriv'd ; so that , by this means , i pretend , that , after a few years time , every one of those gentlemen that will take my advice , shall infallibly find that pleasure in his gardens , that he proposed to himself to enjoy in them . it may be objected , that it is not very ordinary to have gardens so little to admit of the planting but of one tree , or two of each sort ; but though that were true , as it is not , witness the little gardens of so many religious people in convents , and of so many petty burgesses in cities , &c. yet would i demand the liberty to suppose such a case , as a thing not only serviceable to my design ; but which appears to me more necessary than any thing , to make me be the better , and more advantageously understood by all the world. and this being then supposed , i shall first advertise you , that among all sorts , whether kernel or stone - fruits , there are some that i would willingly plant in a garden of a certain bigness , which yet i have not esteem enough for , to plant in one of a smaller extent , it being easie enough for a great one to receive any thing that is to be found in a little one , though the same consequence from great to less , does not appear to me so feasible to be drawn . besides , there being different manners and forms of having fruit trees , i am to advertise you in the next place , that , for example , as to pears , there are some that i would seldom plant in any other form than that of dwarf-trees , as the buttred pears , or beurrees and virgoulees , &c. and others again , which i more willingly raise in the figure of high trees , as are all the fruits of an indifferent bigness , and more especially such as are apt to doughy and insipid , such as the petit-oins , the sucré-verts or sugred-greens , the thorn-pears , the louise-bonnes or good louisas , the lansacs , &c. and that there are some that regularly bear not well any where else but against walls ; as boncretiens , bergamots , little muscats or musk pears , &c. and others again that will prosper well enough in what figure or place soever you plant them ; as russelets , robines , leschasseries , st. germains , &c. in fine , there being also soils of several natures , and gardens of different situations , i must likewise advertise you , first , that there are some fruits which delight only in dry grounds ; as , peaches , muscats or musk pears , &c. and others that prosper well enough in soils that are a little moist , as cherries , plumbs , &c. secondly , that there are grounds that will not agree indifferently with all sorts of plants ; as for example , peaches upon plum-tree stocks , and pear-tree graffs upon quince stocks , love rather fat than dry soils ; and on the contrary , peach-graffes upon almond-trees , and pear-tree-graffs upon frank or good-kernel-stocks , prospering both well in sandy grounds . thirdly , that there are some fruits that do not ripen well , but when very well sheltred from the cold : as muscat and figs , and particularly about paris , and others that endure well enough the open air , as all red fruits and most kernel fruits . fourthly and lastly , that moist grounds are proper to produce large fruit , but not to make them so delicate , without an extraordinary care and cultivation , whereas dry soils are qualified to give them a delicious taste , yet they are apt to yield but small fruit , unless they be extraordinarily assisted . now having designed to give my advice upon all these differences , that is to say , the differences of extent of gardens and grounds , and the differences of expositions in them , the differences of soils and their situations , the differences of the several forms of trees , and of the stocks on which they are graffed ; as also to give my particular counsel and directions about all sorts of fruits , viz. st . how to chuse the best : dly , how among those best , to cull out those only that are most likely to prosper in that particular form of a tree , in which they must be planted : dly , how to dispose of each tree in that part of the garden , that is most necessary for it : and thly and lastly , how to observe a just proportion between the number of trees of each sort of fruit ; i shall pursue this method . first , i shall speak of kernel fruits , beginning first with pear-trees , to shew first , which are those that may succeed best upon dwarf-trees ; dly , which may be most happily planted in form of standard trees : dly , which require to be placed against walls : and thly and lastly , which are those that give satisfaction all manner of ways : after which , i will succinctly deliver my judgment as to apples , remarking to you , which i esteem most , and which least , whether to be rear'd in the form of dwarf-trees , or of standards , not thinking it worth any ones while , to give themselves the pains of planting them in any other fashion , that is to say , of making wall-fruit of them . and when i have given order how to fill up with dwarf-trees and standards , the middle space of each garden , i shall proceed afterward to the most curious part reckon'd in all gardens , which is that of wall-fruit , and shall endeavour to shew in what manner i judge any gentleman may most usefully employ what walling he has , let its extent in length or heighth be what it will , and what fruits will best merit place there , and what are unworthy of that choice station ; under which head , i shall treat not only of plumbs and peaches , but also of grapes , &c. and shall tell what fruits of all those sorts , delight in such and such certain expositions , and can hardly endure any other ; and which of them , in fine , are of a temper good enough to agree indifferently with any of them . when i shall go about to give counsel about the choice and proportion of fruits , there is one article , in speaking to which , i shall make great difference between those curious gentlemen that aim at the pleasing of their own palats , only in planting them , and such as do it only with design to sell their fruit. the first whom i aim chiefly to gratifie in this treatise , ought above all things , to seek for , as one may term it , the true intrinsick merit of each sort of fruit , as discernible by their own taste , or by that of their friends , for whose entertainment they design them . as for the other , they need to regard little else in them but the beauty , the largeness , and the ordinary fruitfulness and abundance of them , and to see they be of those ancient kinds that are most commonly sold , and go off best ; such as the orange-pear , the two-headed pear , the dry martin , &c. which in those qualities carry it by many degrees above the thorn-pear , the leschasserie , the petit-oin , the crasane , &c. but as to their cultivation , i make no great distinction between one and the other ( though i would not have this maxim too rigorously understood ) they ought to know , that commonly it is not the great number of trees , which , in proportion to the great expences they have cost their masters , bring forth the greatest quantity of fruits , it is rather a moderate number , well contriv'd and dispos'd , and well cultivated , that gives the most compleat satisfaction in all respects . the care that is necessary and sufficient enough for the cultivation of the trees in ordinary gardens , or of the plants in kitchen-gardens , will go but a little way in producing any happy effects in greater undertakings , and we must reduce our selves to midling ones , if we pretend to any very certain success by that kind of culture ; but with this precaution however , that that which is little in respect of such a certain man , may be great in respect of another , and that on the contrary , that which might be reckon'd too great an undertaking for such or such a curious person that wants those conveniences some have , may be too small a one to another better furnish'd with means to carry on the cultivation of his grounds . but , in sine , there is hardly any sort of work which needs more prudence in undertaking it , than i wish to every one in this , considering the malignant disposition there appears in all things that fall under the subject of gard'ning , to decline rather from evil to worse , as one may say , than to improve from good to better ; so that we may say with the ancients , that in this art we have to do with a formidable enemy , who is always laying ambushes against us , or with a merciless creditor that gives us no respite for the paying him his debts ; or with a furious adversary that infallibly crushes us to pieces , if we be not strong enough to throw him at the first shock : or lastly , with a rapid river , against whose stream we must be continually tugging up our boat , with all the force we can of sails and oars . and since 't is not enough to have rendred you an account of the method i think my self obliged to observe in this treatise , i think it further expedient clearly to explain to you what my taste and judgment is , in all sorts of fruits , and first in pears ; that after i have declared what pleases or displeases me , as well in those that are eaten raw , as in those which are not good without baking or preserving : no body may be surprized at the praises i shall bestow on the one , and the small account i make of some others ; being in that , guided only by the dictates of my own palate , though i be confidently perswaded , that they will not be found much differing from those of persons of quality . therefore i say , that as for raw pears , i love them in the first place that have a kind of butter-like and smooth pulp , or at least tender and delicate , with a sweet sugred and well relish'd juice ; and especially when these perfections are set off with something of a perfume ; such as are the bergamot-pears , the verte-longues or green-longs , the beurrees or butter-pears , leschasseries , ambrets , russelets , virgoulees , marquises or marchionesses , petit-oins , winter thorn pears or espines de hyver , st. germains , salviatis , lansacs , crasanes , little muscats or musk-pears , cuisse-madames , or lady-thighs , &c. in the second place , for want of the foregoing sorts , i love those that have a pulp that breaks short in the mouth , with a sweet and surged juice , and that sometimes with a little smack of perfume , such as the winter-boncretien , gathered out of a good place , the robine , the cassolet , the summer musk boncretien , the dry martin , and sometimes even the portal , the messire-john , the orange-green-pear , &c. in the third place , i truly esteem those that are pretty much perfum'd and well scented ; though i do not care this perfection should be inclosed in a pulp that is extream hard , stony and full of dreggy matter , as the amadote , the thick-tail or grosse-queuë , the citronpear , and the great winter musk pear , &c. for that hardness and stoniness do so much disgust me in all sorts of pears , that though i passionately love a little smack of perfume in any fruit , yet those two great faults do in a great measure ruine the esteem i should have otherwise , for those kind of musked-pears that i have last mentioned . after having thus expressed what pleases me in raw pears ; it is no very hard matter to guess what may particularly displease me in them ; for that doubtless is , first , a pulp , which , instead of being of a butter-like , smooth and tender substance , or pleasingly short in the mouth , is doughy , as that of the bellissime , the musked beurree , the white beurree or gravel-pear , or that of the musked valley-pear , the most part of the doynnees or dean-pears , &c. or which is sharp or sour , as that of the ordinary valley-pear , &c. or that is hard and tough , as that of the bernardiere , of the mountain foundling , &c. or full of stony and dreggy earthy matter , as that of the musked pernan , of the milet , &c. or that is of a wildish taste , as the gilogile , the dutch-pears or fosse-pears , and a numerous train of others , of which i will make a particular catalogue . as for pears to stew or bake , i prefer those that are large , that colour well in the doing , whose pulp is sweet and somewhat firm , and especially such as keep the longest in winter , such as are the frank-reals , the double-flowers , and the donvilles : the boneretien particularly is admirably good prepared any of those ways , only its preparation yields not so pleasing a colour ; and in truth , when there is any pear among them that is defective , either in shape or colour , it ought to be served up only baked , stewed , or otherwise prepared ; the boncretien-pear , that has none of those defects , requiring and well deserving to appear in its natural beauty , that is , to be served up raw . besides these , the amadote , the besidery , and above all , the lansac-pear for autumn ; and generally all the winter-pears that are good raw , as the virgoulee , the louisse-bonne or good louisa , the dry martin , the st. lezin , &c. are admirable baked , or otherwise prepared by fire , provided they be done before they be quite ripe , because otherwise their consistence will be too soft and doughy . the winter certeau , seems to me too small to be kindly produced upon dwarf-trees , and therefore it would be better to have some standard tree of it in the apple-orchards : the gatelier resolves it self too soon into marmalade ; the catillac , the fontarabie , the parmain-pear , &c. are endued with such a tartness , that no sugar can qualifie , and the pound-pears and love-pears are so near a-kin to them , that they may almost be reckoned in the same rank . to these first observations i add , that , if in a very good soil you are consin'd within a garden of very small extent , so that having room but for a very inconsiderable number of trees , you cannot have so much as one stock of each , though choice were made only of the prime sorts , than in such a case , it were not amiss , when the trees would suffer the experiment , to endeavour to have two excellent sorts of fruit , of two different seasons , upon every stock ; as for example , a boncretien with a beurree or buttred pear ; a leschasserie with an ambret ; a violet-peach with a minion ; a white maudlin with an admirable , &c. and there may be several reasons to justifie the graffing of such a diversity of fruits upon the same tree , provided the stock be vigorous , and shoots forth promising branches on both sides ; for otherwise the enterprize would prove succesless , because 't is to no purpose to graff upon that side of a tree that is weak , with any hopes to have any fruit there , either so good or for so long time , as may be expected from that side which is sound and vigorous . lastly , i declare my self a sworn enemy to all affected multiplicity , and that i am not at all taken with the pleasure of some that pass for curious persons , that believe and assert publickly , that those that pretend to have any thing like a garden , should have in it of every thing something ; there being some whose palate is so far from being delicate , that they brag , for example , they have two or three hundred sorts of pears , which they warrant all to be good , or , at least , not bad . and they affirm , in a manner , as much of the goodness of peaches , plumbs , apples , grapes , &c. of which they also boast to be stored with an incredible variety . such a great number of fruits does but fright me , as certainly knowing , that what they say , cannot be true of all of them , in respect of goodness ; and , for my part , i cannot find in my heart with the curious of that sort , to trouble my self to get for one and the same season one good pear and several others but indifferent ; how fair soever the later may appear to the eye : but i much rather chuse to multiply those sorts which are infallibly good , that i may have , during any one season , a sufficient store of one sort that is excellent , than to let my fancy be led away after a compound diversity of fruits , which may be perhaps agreeable to the sight ; but are assuredly disgustful to the taste ; or , at best , qualified with a very indifferent degree of goodness ; or , to speak plainer , with a little goodness accompanied with several great defects . i know that nothing is more pleasing in a company that are curious , and passionate admirers of good fruits , than to be able to furnish them with several sorts at the same time , when they are good enough to pusle the most delicate persons among them , to judge which is most excellent ; as it may happen in the months of july and august , for summer-fruit ; and of october , november and december , for those of autumn and winter : but in my judgment , nothing is more unbecoming or beneath any person of quality that is curious in such rarities , than to desire to have an abundance of all sorts of fruits , without regard to any other excellence , but what will meerly qualifie them to make a fine show in the variety from which results the so much praised beauty of certain pyramids ; for alas ! they are fruits that will not endure the test of any other sense but the eye , which commonly are only used for decorations to tables , and are indeed now a-days in fashion , and which , 't is true , have some appearance of greatness and magnificence , but yet after all , are good for nothing else but to do honour to the skill of the officer that piled them up with so much symmetry . upon which occasion , i shall by the by tell you , that in the houses of great persons , where such sorts of pyramids are in use , and are by custom become in a manner necessary , particular care should be taken to have spacious gardens , that will afford room to plant trees enough to furnish wherewithal to compose so many as occasion shall require , that may consist all of such sorts of fruits , as are both beautiful to the eye , and excelling in goodness : which perhaps will not be over difficult to effect . but for midling gardens , we ought only to be ambitious to have magazines of fruits that are really good and delicious , and not of such as serve only for ornament and shew : and perhaps , if a sufficient abundance of such fair and good fruits could be attained , i would be bold to maintain , that pyramids compos'd only of them , as they would be really much more valuable than those others , though beautified with less variety of colours , shapes and kinds of fruits , so would they be better accepted , and more highly esteem'd . at least , without pretending to go about utterly to decry the mode of using that other sort of pyramids , which plead a kind of prescription for appearing at great tables , if they must be used , i would have them always accompanied with a pretty basket well fill'd with the choice eating fruits of the season , all fair and goodly , and all perfectly ripe ; which in the courts of kings and princes , is called the hors-d'oeuvre , or the out-work ; and , as the honour of a pyramid , is to come off always whole and entire , without suffering the least breach or rufle , neither in its construction , nor in its symmetry ; so i pretend , that on the contrary , the honour of the basket consists in returning always empty , without bringing back any thing its errand was to present . i will not here dispute whether it be expedient to plant any dwarf-trees in little gardens , because no body questions it , and especially in those of a large extent , and that are spacious enough to contain all manner of trees , neither will i move any doubt , whether there should be any placed in very small gardens , because that is a thing that depends of the inclination of the masters of them , which are at their own liberty to order them as they please . but supposing them to have already taken up a resolution to plant some such trees in them , but are at some loss , what sort of fruits they had best to fix upon for that purpose ; i can very well discuss this latter question , and give them my opinion of what kind of fruit it would be most for their purpose to make choice of for a dwarf-tree to plant in such a little garden ; as namely , whether a pear-tree or an apple tree , a plum-tree or a peach-tree , a fig-tree or a cherry-tree , &c. in which point my decision should presently be , that all those sorts of trees that bear not easily , or that produce not fruit of sufficient goodness , should be excluded out of all very little gardens ; and consequently , that no cherry-trees or apple-trees upon free-stocks should enter into them ; but as to the apple-tree on the paradise or sweet-apple-tree stocks , the case alters , because they produce such small tops , that one may well enough admit a small number of them into a little garden , without incumbring it in the least . the peach-tree might well pretend a place there , for the excellency of its good fruit ; but the objections against it are , that in a few years it grows too high , and spreads into a very ill-favour'd top , and is too apt to shed its flowers , to give any hopes of contenting its owner . besides that , it is but too true , that excepting in some few city-gardens , that are sheltred from the north wind by lofty buildings , or very high walls . peach-trees can hardly thrive any where in the form of dwarf-trees , and therefore must be let alone , only for the hot countries , where they prosper wonderfully in the vine-yards . the plum-trees of those sorts that we esteem most , are also liable to the inconvenience of growing too high , or of bearing very late , and very uncertainly ; and for that reason , are to be excluded those little gardens of which we are treating . the same is to be said of the fig-tree , which besides those other incommodities , requires too much attendance for the well covering it , for want of which it will be in great danger of perishing . in fine , among them all , our only choice must fall upon the pear-tree , for which i most incline ; because , if it be well ordered , its top or spreading cannot well grow monstrous enough to be any nuisance ; but , on the contrary , may be agreeable , and give pleasure all the year long , either by its earliness , plenty and considerable goodness of its fruit , or by its round , open and well ordered figure , which lasts in all seasons . next then , we are to see of what sort that one pear must be , that is to be planted in a garden where the master would have but one , or where there is no room for any more ; then of what kind the second must be , where there is room for it ; and thence we shall go on in order , to examin of what respective sorts must be all the rest , that are fittest to be planted in every one of the other gardens , of the several bignesses to be proposed , determining at the same time , which are to be graffed on free-stocks , and which on quince-stocks . but i shall do nothing of all this , without first supposing every one of the gardens i shall treat of to be enclosed with some sort of wall , and consequently in a condition to receive some wall-fruit-trees , from which they may promise themselves at least with so much the greater certainty , the pleasure of having some good summer and autumn fruits ; for i hardly reckon them for gardens that have not the advantage to be enclosed with walls , although it were for nothing else but to secure them from the injurious blasts of the cold winds . and supposing further , that here we are to treat of a little garden , qualified with all the conditions necessary , in regard of its soil , and which we have above explained . and lastly , supposing , that for little gardens , the aim of a true and well guided curiosity , is rather to raise fruit that may be fair and good , than purely to endeavour to have it early and hastily , without any consideration of its quality . for to gentlemen , that are of this last humour , i would not give counsel to plant any tree of our best kinds , but to them i would offer other advices , which , being such as i dislike my self , would by consequence not be over good to follow ; and that would be , for example , to plant nothing but orange-green , white butter , doyennee or besidery pear-trees , because those kind of trees will assuredly yield fruit much sooner than the choicer sorts ; or , if they would have really good fruit , but care not much whether they be of those beautiful sorts of trees that content the eye at all seasons , as well by the regularity of their disposition , as the beauty of their shapes , then i would counsel them , after they have chosen some of those better sorts , to plant them indifferently , just as they come out of the nurseries , that is , with the most part of their branches on , and yet with but few roots , that being ordinarily a means sure enough both to have fruit quickly , and to have it good . but withal , it is as certain a way to have it but small , to have but a little of it upon each tree , and to have the trees bear but a very little while , and to have them always grow in a rustick and miserable shape ; to which , i add , that by such an indiscreet greediness , and over-hasty method , they very often fall into the same inconvenience with aesop's dog , who lost all by snatching after too much . i confess ingenuously , that i have a very particular aversion for ill favoured trees , and consequently for all those hasty proceedings , that infallibly cause them to be such . and especially in a garden that we would have agreeable for the goodness of its trees , as well in winter , when they are quite bare and stript , as in summer and autumn , when they are set out with their best ornaments of leaves and fruits . for in such a garden , i should not willingly consent to plant none but such trees , as either yield fruit soon indeed , but good for nothing , or of those others , that being first planted in a wild ugly figure , can never come to be fair or pleasing to the sight . i very well know , that generally speaking , the intention of all planters is not only to have fruits , but to have some speedily ; and they have reason ; for i am so far of their mind , that i could wish , that in this respect the order of nature would accomodate it self to our desires , so as to give us fruit upon trees that are cut and trimm'd , much sooner than she does , and particularly such as are both fair and good : but alas ! the secret never yet could be found , to make her in any considerable degree to advance her ordinary pace , without spoiling all ; and therefore , though the skill of the gard'ner may in that case be of extraordinary assistance , yet , after all , our best way is to be content to allow that wise mother the time she takes of four , five or six years , for the production of kernel-fruits , which she performs on some trees sooner , and on some latter ; and to comfort our selves with the consideration of the assurance we have , that , first , in the sequel she will amply recompense us for the scarcity of those preceding years ; and , secondly , that to give us stone-fruit , and figs , and grapes , she commonly requires less time : for that , in effect , a plantation of handsom and well ordered trees of this latter sort , seldom makes us stay above three or four years without pleasuring us with a considerable quantity of fruit , to while us with in expectation of a full crop in the fifth or sixth years , and many years after . but in case the ordinary time of staying for kernel-fruit seem too long , and the party be a person of quality accommodated with great gardens ( for what i am going to advise is not practicable in little ones ) then i would willingly consent , that in some by-place remote from the principal garden , he should venture the sacrificing of a good number of pear-trees of the best sorts of every season , planting them whole and rough , as we have before hinted , and at small distances one from the other , as in nursery-gardens , that is to say , about two or three feet one from the other : for , being so ordered and well look'd after , they will pretty soon yield some good fruit , and tolerably fair too , which will be at the least some beginning of consolation , till such time as the fine garden shall be arrived to perfection enough to play its part . i followed this expedient in the kitchen-garden at versailes , as well for certain fruits which in cold and moist soils thrive not over well in the form of dwarf trees , as particularly for some new kinds , whose new names rendring them unknown to me , fired my curiosity with the greater impatience to see the fruits of them , in which i succeeded very well , as i did also in the joint intention i had to arrive speedily to some competent abundance , and to raise by this means some tall standard-trees , both lasting and fair , of which i foresaw i should have need . however it is to be expected , that if such trees be kept too long in that manner , they will run great danger either of dying , or at least of infallibly becoming unfit to be removed to other plantations : therefore it is for such curious persons as are very rich and able , and that plant spacious gardens , to consult their own inclinations upon the point , and accordingly to resolve whether they will please to be at a little the greater expence , to attain by that means the satisfaction to taste fruit so much the sooner , or otherwise to have the patience to stay somewhat longer for a crop , with assurance to have it with less charge and much fairer , and in greater abundance . and though i have great reason to fear , the preface of this third part , as necessary as it is , may already have seem'd too long and tedious to new beginners in these curiosities , who without doubt demand nothing more here but to know in all haste which are those choice kinds of trees they are to furnish their gardens with : yet , by their leave , i must needs add three things more , before i can proceed to what will satisfie them . first , i am to establish it for a certain rule , that in all those parts of europe where the cold and heat are neither too long nor too violent , nature having engaged her self , as i may say , in some manner , to give us certain kinds of fruits in some particular months of the year , it therefore constantly happens of course , that those kinds of fruits do once in the year without fail come to maturity there : but withal , i must tell you , that it is no less certain that this happens sooner in some places , and latter in others , that difference happening from the different measure of heat that predominates in each place . thus in the hotter climates , the fruits of each season ripen sooner than in the colder ; and what is more , some fruits , and particularly some sorts of figs , peaches and grapes ripen sooner in the former than in the latter , which can never ripen at all in cold regions . which is the reason why italy , provence , languedoc and guyenne , not only see those fruits ripen in june and july , which we on the hither side of the loire , see not arrive to maturity before the months of august and september , but besides have the peculiar advantage to see some sorts of fruits ripen with them , which for want of sufficient heat , never turn to account in the neighbourhood of the north. but then again , as it is true , that in those southern provinces , all their autumn and winter fruits are almost past , when ours hardly yet begin to ripen ; so to be even with them , we are often in the prime and height of our crops , in the time when they have nothing at all left : we see almost the same difference happen in one and the same climate , by reason of the different tempers of soils and of years , which , according as they are favoured with a greater or lesser proportion of heat , make the fruits growing in them to be the more or less early . to give you an example of this effect in hot soils , it is observed , that the soil of paris has ordinarily the start of above fifteen days before that of versailles ; and for hot years , that of was known to ripen us in the month of august those sorts of peaches and muscats , that in the years and came not to maturity till after the middle of september . which supposes the same difference as to the early or backward maturity of all the other fruits of each fruit month in the year : generally may , june and july are the months that decide the destiny of each sort of fruit for the time of their maturity : and curious gentlemen that are skilful , are to take their measures well upon that foot , so as not to let their autumn and winter-fruits hang too long on the trees in hot years , nor to let themselves be surprized by the ripeness of them , which ought not fully to come to those fruits till some time after they are gathered and laid up . for 't is certain there rots a great many of them after they are laid up , for want of being timely gathered ; to prevent at least some part of which mischief , i shall elsewhere prescribe some remedies . the maturity of muscat-grapes which grow in a good soil , and in a good exposition , ought , in my opinion , serve for a great rule in two principal articles concerning fruits ; the first is , to know what fruits may ripen , or not ripen in every garden in the months of september and october ; for it is most certain that where-ever the muscat ripens , there all the fruits of the latter season will ripen too , and reciprocally again on the other side , where-ever that ripens not , there the most part of those other fruits will not ripen neither . the second article or point , for which the muscat may serve for a rule , is , for the knowing whether those fruits of the latter season shall comparatively ripen soon or late ; for it is a most certain mark , that in what gardens soever , where the muscats ripen soon , that is to say , about the end of august , or the beginning of september , there the year is forward ; and , on the other side , if they ripen late , that is , towards the first of october , it is as sure a sign , that the year is backward : so that , in truth , i have found i might as securely govern my self by this rule , as any mariner by his compass . the second thing i have to add , is , that we are to reckon four distinct seasons of fruits ; namely , st , the summer season , which begins in june , and finishes at the beginning of september . dly , the vacation season , or first autumn , all which comprehends the first part of autumn , and ends at martelmas , or the beginning of november . the d , which begins where the last ends , and holds till about christmas , comprehending the latter part of autumn , and may be called the second autumnal season . and the th . and and last is that of winter , which beginning in january , holds on till the appearance of the red fruits of the month of april . thus , after having done with first and second things i had to propose , as i promised in the project of this part , i am in the third place to specifie to you , which are the principal kinds of fruit , not only of every of those seasons , but of each particular month of which they are composed : so that our description will be like a little landskip in which may be seen , with one cast of an eye , the whole abridgment of all that can give pleasure in matter of gardening ; and by that means , without any further discussion , we may be able perhaps of our own heads , to determine what choice to make of those kinds which we fancy best . therefore i shall run through all the months in particular , the more precisely to describe to you what fruits each of them claims to its share , without omitting to mention so much as those , that because they grow not on trees , such as are strawberries , raspberries , gooseberries , currans , musk melons , grapes , &c. are not within the compass of our present project . but i shall speak of them not in the order commonly used in the world , but according to that of the successive maturity of their fruits . and accordingly , summer shall be the first part of the year with which i shall begin ; it being most true , that the summer season is the first that can be said any thing richly to entertain us with the new productions of the earth : and i dare affirm , that , in matter of fruits , we may look upon that season as a kind of annual and fleeting republick , which from very small beginnings at first , rises in a very little time to a very considerable power , which yet is not of long continuance , because no sooner is it establish'd in its full glory , but it begins to flag , and tend towards that decay which soon after it sinks into ; though indeed it be not such a decay that brings with it an entire destruction , but only like a kind of inter-regnum or vacancy of government , which is a revolution it must suffer for some months , which being past over , its destiny will make it reassume its former flourishing estate , and the same vicissitudes in which we have before seen it , and through which , as i have said above , it passes constantly once every year . in discoursing of which , you are above all things to take notice , that it will be chiefly with respect to our own climate , that i shall enter upon the particularities and upon the discussion of the several sorts of fruits each season . accordingly to begin with the fruits of the month of june , i say , and few people there are but know , that straw-berries that begin to ripen at the end of may , begin to be in great plenty at the entrance of june ; and i add , that they are followed hard at the heels by the forward cherries raised upon wall trees well plac'd , and that before the end of the same month , currans gooseberries , raspberries , guignes and hasting-cherries , and griots too begin to fill the markets ; and , in fine , that the bedded muskmelons , the forward apricocks , and some little muscat-pears upon wall-trees , endeavour to shew us by some little samplers , the riches which they altogether promise us in greater abundance in the month next immediately ensuring . that is to say , in the month of july , commonly , and not without reason , called the month of red fruits ; for accordingly , till the fifteenth or twentieth day of it , there continues to be a great plenty of all the kinds of that fruit which were beginning to come in during the preceding month ; and when they draw to an end , the backward cherries or bigarros fail not to succeed them , and to perform their duty ; during which opportunity , the industry of discreet and skilfull persons that have the care of them , by the help of sugar which is at their command , makes a most admirable use of all sorts of red fruit under different figures . and here i shall not forget to tell you , that muskmelons are , without contradiction , the principal of all the fruits of the season ; and that besides , provided that in well qualified soils , some wall fig-trees be intermixed between the boxes of the former , we may see those muskmelons accompanied with a great abundance of figs ; at the same time may be expected plenty of forward peaches , of yellow plums , of little muscat and ordinary apricocks , whilst the dwarf-trees and tall-trees or standards shall strive with a seeming emulation which shall present us with the greatest numbers of pears , called cuisse-madams or lady-thighs , of maudlin-pears , of the three sorts of blanquets , of hasty russelets , of bourdons , muskat-roberts , skinless pears , and of many others of lesser quality ; and consequently , that we have a great deal of reason to be very well satisfied with this month of july . when we are once in august , we are arrived , as i may say , to the great magazin of an infinite number of good fruits . for in the beginning of this month there continues still as great a plenty as can be desired , both of figs and backward cherries , of bigarros and apricocks , as well on wall-trees as on standards ; and by way of surplusage still to so many blessings , the unbedded muskmelons begin to furnish our tables , and to bear company with the bedded ones which last to the end of the month. besides all which , towards the end of the same month , we begin to have pears of the following sorts , viz. robines , summer musked boncretiens , cassoletts , espragnes or reserve-pears , fondants de brest , or melting pears of brest , russeletts , &c. and above all , this is the illustrious and happy month for the fruits that charm me most , that is to say , for certain plums , which when in our climates they have the good fortune to be raised upon wall trees , may dispute the prize of excellence with most fruits of the season , or at least may claim an equal place in our esteem with the most famed and accomplished of them all . those plums are the two sorts of perdrigons , white and violet ; the prune royal , the cloath of gold plum , the apricock plum , the st. catharine , the diapred violate , the rouche courbon , the queen claude , &c. together with those that thrive well enough upon dwarf-trees and standards , that is to say , not only the most part of those already named , but likewise all those that bear the title of damask , and are of five or six fashions very different one from another , either in bigness , colour , figure , or more or less early maturity ; there being of them the white , black , red , violet , grey , &c. i shall tell you by the by , that the grey damask appears to me to be one of the principal sorts ; besides which the mangerous , the mirabelles and the imperials , &c. strive at this time which shall do best , and imitate the wall-trees which now yield the rest of their crop of apricocks and peaches of troy , rossanne , alberge and cherry peaches , &c. and the wall-trees begin also to give us some maudlin , mignon and bourdin peaches , which are sometimes accompanied with the muscat , and forward or hasty grapes , as well black as white ; and therefore none can dispute but that this month of august is furnished with wherewithal to satisfie the most insatiable , nice and difficult curiosity 't is possible to have . but yet how rich soever the foregoing month has appear'd , i may for all that without scruple say , that this of september is nothing inferior to it ; for what almost does it not produce in our climates ? it is the true month for good peaches , there being every where such an extream abundance of them , that they are served up in no lesser quantities than by great pyramids at every meal . the white and red maudlins , and the minions which began only to come in season in the precedent month , are so far from being exhausted now , that 't is particularly at this time they are in greatest plenty , and are followed by a great number of other sorts of peaches , all very excellent , and every one ripening regularly , according to the order of maturity that nature has establish'd among them , and that , without doubt , with a particular intent they should be able to furnish with a sufficient and successive store , all the parts of the whole month ; and this is their order , the bourdins begin , the cherreuses or goat-peaches follow next after them , and immediately precede the hasty violets ; then come the persicks , and then the bellegardes and white andilli's , and lastly the admirables , the brugnons or nectarines , and the purple peaches ; a number great enough one would think to content us so , as not to leave us any stomack to desire any more in this season ; and yet that is not all , for this month of september yields us besides abundance of grapes , of chasselas , of corinth of three colours , of ciotats , of morocco grapes , and several other sorts of good grapes , and particularly a great plenty of muscats , which of what colour soever they be , whether white , or red , or black , ( provided they have all the excellencies that belong to them , that is to say , the firmness , perfumed scent and swe●t taste they should have ) are by the confession of all the world , far better worth than all other grapes : neither is this month inclined to end without giving us a beginning of lateward plums , such as are the empresses , the black damasks , the little perdrigons , the backward perdrigons , &c. and it is so much in the humour of liberality , that it begins a fresh to refurnish us with a great quantity of second figs , as well on wall-trees , as in boxes , and on dwarf-trees ; and , as an addition to this abundance , it lets us drop some butter-pears and bergamots , &c. which it ravishes us to see when the stone-fruits are going away . in a a word , it seems , as if the deluge or full tide of good fruits happened in this month , which in effect , if it produced much less than it does , would still be extream rich , and luxuriantly plentiful . the month of october indeed possesses not so great a number of stone-fruits as its predecessor , but yet for all that , it is not ill furnished with them ; for all the admirable and purple peaches , nor the figs neither were not consumed in september , there often remaining a sufficient quantity of them in this month : besides which , its fertility extends much further , as being in a condition to make us great largesses of nivette-peaches , yellow late , and violet late peaches , and yellow lices , or smooth peaches , all excellent peaches for the latter season ; and even in our climate , the great red pavie or bastard peaches of catillac and of rambouille●t with the yellow pavies that make so much noise in the vine-yards of hot countries ; i say those pavies , when in our gardens they happen to grow in a good place , that is to say , where they are well nourished and exposed to a good sun , certainly make a very good figure at this time , and especially the yellow pavy which i have found of an admirable taste in its season . but though we had none of these peaches nor of these pavies , should we not be rich enough in having still on one side , abundance of good grapes to gather always upon the vines , as the ordinary muscat , the long muscat otherwise called passe musked , the great royal black grape ; not to mention the gennetin-grapes , the chasselats , the expirants , the greek grapes , the malmsie and the corinthian grapes , &c. and on the other , in having a vast quantity of most exquisite pears , as the grey butter-pears , the bergamots , the green sugar-pears , the floury muscats , the long green pears or verte-longues , the crasanes , the marchionesses or marquises , the petit-oins , &c. and is it not very certain , that one only sort of all these , or , at most , two or three of them might be sufficient not only to supply our necessities , but even amply to humour the pleasure of the most curious ? the reign of those fruits which acquire not their excellence till after they are gathered , fails not to begin at the same time when that of fruits that attain their full ripeness on the trees , expire ; that is to say , particularly the reign of stone-fruits , whose destiny ordinarily terminates about the end of october . but this is our comfort , that we shall not yet this pretty while perceive any sensible diminution of fruits , there remaining for a part of november many of those that we saw signalize themselves towards the end of the foregoing month ; besides which , good grapes will also last a good while , if care has been taken to gather them before the frosts , and to keep them carefully in the fruit-lofts : for , being so ordered , they have as great a privilege as any to appear at noble tables , though they be a little shriveled ; it being not to be denied , but that they are always very good so long as they continue untainted with any speck of rottenness . the long muscat grape is that whereof i most particularly speak here , it having the gift to please the greatest king in the world : and i that have the honour to be the director and chief manager of his fruit and kitchen-gardens , what ought i not to do , and indeed what do i leave unattempted for the finding out all means imaginable to furnish him with that darling fruit for several months together ? besides these , the chasselas-grapes both white and black , want not patrons that highly praise them ; for they have the advantage both to ripen and to keep much more easily than the muscats . and because , in truth , they can hardly have the confidence to appear at the same table with the muscats , they wait till they are passed to triumph in their turn ; and so these two sorts of grapes both do honour to the month of november , that is to say , the muscats in the beginning , and the chasselats at the end ; these latter lasting the most part of the advent-season . i add , that this month is still opulent and well stored with miraculous pears . for the fruit-loft , if well stock'd , supplies it with a good part of those that were so much in fame at the end of october , it being accommodated with considerable remains of bergamots , crasannes , marquises or marchionesses , lansacs , petit-oins , &c. and besides , this month is the master and dispenser of very many other good pears ; for there are some that begin to mellow in its time , and that is in favour of those whose gardens are in a hot and dry soil , or that , have wall-trees and standards , the same pears otherwise staying longer to contribute to the good fortune of december and january , for their commodity whose gardens are in a little more fattish and coldish soil : and these kinds of pears are , the espine or thorn-pear , the leschasserees , ambrets , st. germains , pastourells , st. augustins , virgoulees , &c. and for those persons too that love pears that break short in the mouth , and such as are musk'd , this month of november presents them with spanish boncretiens , amadots , dry martins , winter russelets , which are all tolerably good pears , though not so excellent as those which are tender , or , as 't were , buttered . i shall tell you in another place what sorts of pears grow stark naught when they are too long a ripening , and of what kinds , the biggest pears are commonly the worst : and on the contrary again , of what other sorts , the little ones are regularly and ordinarily good for nothing . nay , and the very apples come to do homage to this month of november , and advantageously to display the proofs of their merit : the red calvils signalize themselves above all the rest ; and as they pretend to reign alone in this month , they leave to their companions , the apis , the white and grey pepins , the courpendus , the fenouillets or fennel-apples , the white calvils , &c. they leave to these , i say , the field free for the months of december , january , february and march. it seems not necessary to specific any thing more particularly of the fruits of december , because being a month confining upon november and january , and coming between both , it is in possession of an ample share of the greatest part of the riches of both months ; and consequently it may truly be said , that its condition is none of the worst , especially in years that are a little backward ; nay , and as i have already told you elsewhere , we have very often reason to complain , that the principal fruits of the season mellow too fast towards the end of this month ; it making a very great many of them grow soft and rotten , as if in effect their destiny would not permit them to pass any further . the order of nature will not permit that which in few months time , mounted to its highest degree of perfection , to subsist long in that condition ; and therefore our republick of fruits that shewed it self in so much lustre and glory since the month of june , must submit in the following months to appear with a great change of dress upon the theatre , and with a great diminution of fortune , notwithstanding which disadvantages , the month of january is none of them , that have the most reason to complain , because there remains for it some of those same pears that so well plaid their parts in the two preceeding months . we have already remarked to you by the by , what is the effect of backward years , and of grounds that are a little fatter and stronger than ordinary , and told you , that the fruits produced by them are something longer time a losing what they brought with them from the tree ; that is , their hardness , sowrness and insipidity , which are defects of which two or three months keeping perfectly cures them , and thereby consequently gives them what they wanted to make them good ; so that sometimes we may have in this month excellent virgoulee pears , some ambrets , some leschasseries , and perhaps some espines or thorn pears , and some st. germains , and above all , a great quantity of colm 〈…〉 and st. augustin-pears , which probably may not have begun to appear before ; and together with them , there are to be had some musked-pears , and such as break short in the mouth , as namely , the great winter musk pears , the lemon-pears , &c. nay , there are no pears so mean , though to the degree of a portal , a sort of pear much renowned in poiton , but think themselves good enough to contribute something to the riches of january : and indeed one cannot but allow , that all these sorts of pears have something wherewithal to render the month of january none of the least esteemable ; because we are now fain to accommodate our selves the best we can with what we have , without standing too much upon niceties , since we know the happy time of choice and abundance to be really past with the last months of the late expired year . one may in some sort say , that in the month of february , and still more in the month of march , the low ebb of the empire of fruits begins in earnest , it being now fallen into a terrible abject state ; for besides dry and liquid sweet-meats , and lemons , and apples , and what we call baking or stewing pears , namely , the double flowers , donvills and angoberts , &c. which both in this month and all along after , till the coming of may-strawberries , make up almost all the furniture of the desarts , what have we else left but some st. lezins , which are but little worth , and some bugy-pears , which yet are not so much to be slighted , since the lent-season makes up with them a part of its best days ? but particularly there still is left us a certain kind of those famous pears that bear the venerable name of boncretiens , which , as it cannot but be unanimously confessed , are capable alone gloriously and happily to terminate the campaign i shall not fail in another place to lay before you what must needs produce in you a great consideration for them , but at present i shall only content my self with telling you , that , if i may be permitted so to speak , we are to look upon them to be , as 't were , the rear-guard and body of reserve of the army of fruits newly disbanded ; for , in effect , that great number of other fruits having for the space of eight or nine months , fought against and exterminated that sterility that would have oppressed us without their assistance , and being at last dismissed , the boncretien remains alone , being , as it seems , the general , who with a small number of subaltern officers , gently retires to take up his winter quarters in expectation of new recruits for another expedition . but i am afraid 't is not enough to have told you what sorts of fruits are to be had in every month , there remaining , methinks , one thing still very necessary to be treated of , and that is to shew you with some tolerable exactness , how long the fruit of any tree whatsoever will ordinarily hold out in spending , supposing the trees reasonably well loaded ; because , unless that be known , it will be hardly possible to regulate what number of trees one may , within a small matter over or under , need , to furnish one with a handsom provision of them , without troubling ones self to plant a superfluity of trees , upon which , i tell you , that we may say such a tree is well loaded , if , for example , one wall peach-tree yield fifty great peaches , and one dwarf pear-tree bear fifty large pears ; and if of plums and pears of a midling bigness , each dwarf-tree or standard bear about the quantity of two hundred a piece ; and of figs in boxes , one box yields two or three dozen , and if of the same , one wall or dwarf-stock yeilds about a hundred , &c. it being certain that as in the first years of their bearing , all these sorts of trees yield much less , so when they grow to their just bigness , and the years prove good , they bear ordinarily much more fruit than the proportion i have specified . this then being establish'd for a rule , i shall next observe to you , that experience further teaches us these three things ; viz. i. first , that regularly the fruits of the good wall-trees of every garden ripen a little before those of standards ; and these again something before those that grow on dwarf-trees . ii. the second is , that among wall-trees , those facing the east and south-quarters are the first that bring their fruit to maturity , which these two first do commonly much about the same time , they both being earlier than those of the west by eight or ten days , and than those of the north , by at least fifteen or twenty ; though , in serious truth , those fruits of the north are little to be counted upon , unless it be such as some butter-pears , crasannes , and some kinds of baking or stewing pears , &c. iii. in fine , the third thing that experience teaches us in matter of fruits , is , that as to those summer fruits that are to be gathered as fast as they ripen ; a peach-tree , a plum-tree , a fig-tree , a pear-tree , &c. yield fruit for ten or twelve days , and seldom or never pass that time : and as for those pears which use to be laid up in the fruit-lofts , of which the first are those that are eaten in the beginning of autumn ; as namely , the butter-pears , the verte-longues or long green-pears , the bergamots , &c. each of those kinds last about fifteen or twenty days at most , the different figures of those trees , and the different soils , and different expositions in which they are planted , lengthening or shortning a little duration of their fruit. as for the fruits that are for the spending both during the end of autumn , and all the whole winter , which though , what kinds of trees soever they be gathered from , are commonly laid up promiscuously together , people only contenting themselves with laying each kind of fruit in separate heaps by themselves ; yet persons that are very curious , such as i am , are so accurate as to separate even the fruits of one and the same kind into different heaps , laying the fruit of one tree of them in one place , and that of another in another , according to the differences of the figures of their trees , and their different expositions , that they may the more precisely know when each of them mellows . now , i say , of these kinds that are for the spending , as well of the end of autumn , as of the whole winter ; there are some that furnish you for a months spending , such for the beginning of october , are the pears called the crasanne , the marchioness , the messire-john , the green sugar , the vine pear , the lansac , the flowered muscat , &c. and others that afford a supply for five or six weeks , such as are for the end of october and part of november , the louise-bonnes or good louises , the petit-oins , the thorn pears , the dry martins , &c. others again there are that supply us for near two months , as the virgoulees , the ambrets , the leschasseries , the pastourelles , the st. augustins , st. germains , and above all the thorn-pears may last part of november and all december . lastly , some endure till january , as the colmars and the boncretiens , that may last all january and february , and likewise the st. lezins and bugis that are able to supply us both in february and march. from hence we may conclude , that , for example , if a curious gentleman have in summer time a competent number of fine trees of each kind , and for peaches , plums , figs , &c. have some wall-trees in all the several expositions ; and for pears , plums , &c. have some others , in both the several forms of dwarf-trees and standards , provided the trees be of a full age to bear , such a person may reckon that about twenty days he shall be reasonably well supplied with fruits of each kind . for , for example , if he have three fine wall-minion-peach-trees , such as they ought to be after three , four or five years planting at furthest , one towards the east , another toward the south , and a third towards the west ; these three fine peach-trees may supply him with that kind of fruit for three weeks together , and yield him in that time about a hundred and fifty fair peaches , that is to say , seven or eight a day ; and consequently he may have three hundred , which is at the rate of fifteen or sixteen a day , from six peach-trees ; which is no over great number of trees of the same kind ; and he may have no less than six hundred from twelve trees , which is at the rate of about thirty a day ; and that is a very noble provision ; the same may be said as to the mandlin , chevreuse , admirable , violet and nivete-peaches , &c. and if from so moderate a supputation , we may expect such a considerable treasure of peaches , with much greater reason , what may we not look for from double , treble or quadruple the number of trees of those same kinds of good fruits ? in like manner , two russelet or two robine pear-trees , whether they be dwarfs or standards , when they are come to the age of four , five or six years , and have been always carefully trimmed and cultivated , may be able both together , to furnish us for at least fifteen days , and in that time to give us two or three hundred pears ; that is to say , about twenty a day , and consequently four russelets or four robine-trees , will yield us five or six hundred of each sort , being about forty a day , &c. likewise two and four pear-trees of what season soever they be , will yield us of each kind in particular , a like provision , which is always to be understood of those sorts of fruits that are not very big . the same thing also holds in the great fruits of the beginning of autumn . and accordingly , as to dwarf-trees , two great pear-trees of that figure will in fifteen days time , furnish us near one hundred fine pears , and four will give us near two hundred , that is to say , about fourteen or fifteen a day : and for wall-trees , two and four bergamots of that figure will produce no less : in like manner for the fruits of the latter season , two and four dwarf-trees of crassannes , marchionesses , thorn-pears , virgoules , st. germains , st. augustins , ambrets , leschasseries , &c. as also two and four wall-boncretien-pears will yeild the same quantity in proportion . and as for standards and high trees , two or four pear-trees of those choice kinds which have the good fortune to thrive in that place , will yield at least double that quantity ; that is to say , two or four hundred goodly pears : according to the same rule of proportion , six and eight will produce six hundred , eight hundred , and so forward in infinitum . that which i have said in the ease of pear-trees , may still with greater reason be extended to that of apple-trees , which excepting the red calvil-trees , are ordinarily more fruitful than the pear-trees . i say nothing of the red fruits whose product is measured either by the pound-weight , or by baskets heap-full , because there is no body but knows how to guess well enough at them : all the world likewise knows what is the usual increase of a bed of strawberries , a tuft of raspberry-bushes , and of curran or gooseberry-shrubs , or of a forward wall cherry-tree , or of a standard cherry-agriot or bigaro-tree . it is also well enough known , that one musk-melon plant furnishes ordinarily but two or three melons , but that a one cowcumber-plant produces of that fruit successively two dozen or more . our curious new planters then having made upon this foot , a pretty supputation of the product of each sort of fruit , may easily judge how many stocks or plants they shall need to plant of every of them , without blindly engaging themselves in the trouble and charge of two great a multitude . i know , the greatest part of those that out of an excessive eagerness to have fruit , undertake to plant gardens , are , as it seems , like most new travellers who ordinarily travelling for no other design but barely to content their own curiosity , will not omit seeing even the least singularities of each country , though perhaps there are a great many not worth their pains ; and though have they been advertised of it before-hand by men able and experienced that know the country , and give them that caution to spare them such fruitless labour ; yet they will not hear them , it being enough to animate their passionate desire of seeing them , that they have been told the contrary by some other person , though much less knowing in the matters in question than the others . and so in our business of gardening , how many apprentices or , if you please , candidates ( would i might be permitted to make use of that term ) i say , how many candidates or n●vices do we see , that upon the report of i know not what and who , will stuff their gardens with all that can be call'd the rascally sort of trees ? it is easie to find a colourable excuse for the excessive curiosity of travellers , for that when they are once upon the way to see things , they may at little charge , and in little time , inform themselves generally of all things , so that no person whatsoever shall be able afterwards to impose upon them , or thwart them concerning things not seen : but in the matter of fruits , the itching desire to have all sorts of them , is a disease so much the harder to cure , because instead of being look'd upon as such , it seems on the contrary to have all the inciting charms of a singular perfection : and in earnest , those poor gentlemen greatly move my pity , because they will never be at quiet , till they have spent a great deal of time and money , only to know at last by a long experience attended with a great deal of vexation , that there are ten times more kinds of fruits fit only to be flighted , than there are good and deserving enough to be cultivated , though perhaps they have been forewarned of it by some understanding friend , but have not heeded his counsel . how happy had i been , if during those many years that i was serving my apprenticeship in this art , under the conduct only of my own head , i had met with an able director to guide me ? for , above all things , i should most have needed one to cure me of a kind of mad fancy one has commonly for that which they call new fruits , though very often they prove nothing else but some common sorts disguised under new names ; which is an unhappiness caused partly by the ignorance of some people , and partly by the affectation of some fantastical presumptuous pretenders ; who , out of a vain desire to be thought richer in such curiosities than they are , endeavour by this artifice , to stir up people to court them for some share of them . and now , for my part , it shall be none of my fault , if all persons that are curious in gardening , avoid not all the shelves by which i have passed , and take not at the very first setting out , the shortest and best way that can be taken in this matter ; which is assuredly of a vast extent , and the number of persons that have lost their way there , is infinite . but , in fine , after having set down all the precautions and observations above specified , i shall now enter upon the large and particular account of the choice and proportion of fruits , which i engaged my self to give you , not without telling you by the way , that i found it a work at least as difficult and perplexing in the execution , as i first thought it would be , and perhaps more than i could imagine . chap. i. of the choice of a dwarf-tree to be planted alone ; or , to be the first in any other gardens , where there are more than one . though i doubt not but there may be a strong party of competitors formed among our best pears , ready to vie merits for the place of preference here in question , yet i shall make no difficulty , without further consultation , to declare my self in favour of the winter boncretien-pear the first dwarf-tree , a first winter boncretien . so that what complaints soever the other pears may make against me , for not at least vouchsafing them a hearing ; i cannot dispense my self from maintaining and standing by this declaration , so powerful do those reasons appear to me that engaged me to make it . for , first , if , as i may so call it , the antiquity of its known extraction may be counted for any advantage to it in this cause , as it is in so many other more important matters , then without doubt our boncretien or good christian pear may in that particular pretend it self much more noble than all the other pears . for though probably all fruits were created in one and the same day , yet 't is certain they were not all known at the same time , but some sooner and others later : and this pear was one of the first that by its singular excellencies , gain'd the admiration and courtship of the world : the great monarchies , and principally that of old rome having known and cultivated it under the name of crustumium or volemum ; so that in all appearance it often made a noble figure among those conquering people , in the magnificent entertainments they usually made , as well to set out the splendor of their triumphs , as to do honour to the tributary kings which often came to pay their homage to those masters of the world. in the second place , the great and illustrious name which it has ever born ever since so many ages , and with which it seems to have been baptized at the very birth of christianity it self ; how can it but imprint in all a veneration for it , and especially in all christian gardeners ? in the third place , to consider it in its self , that is to say , with respect only to its own proper merit , which is that which is particularly in question , and can only intitle it to a preference in this place ; it must be confessed , that among kernel-fruits , nature presents us nothing so beautiful , nor so noble to behold as this pear , whether we consider its shape which is long and pyramidical , or its bigness , which is prodigious , as being for example three or four inches thick , and five or six long , and very commonly of a pound weight or more , nay , and sometimes exceeding two pounds , which is certainly a truth of rare and singular remark : or particularly , if we cast our eyes upon its lively carnation colour , with which the ground of its natural yellow is so charmingly set off , when it grows in a favourable sun and advantageous exposition , that it attracts the admiration of the whole world : add to this , that it is the pear which of all others gives the longest pleasure , as well upon the tree , upon which it continues still increasing to the view of the eye from may till the end of october , as in the fruit-magazine ; where easily preserving its self for four or five months together , it daily pleasures the sight of the curious that have a mind to look upon it , as much as the view of a jewel or a treasure rejoyces the master that possesses it . it is the pear that does the greatest honour at all tables , and which in all countries , and principally in france , where the gardens produce a wonderful quantity of them has acquired the greatest reputation : it is that which is most commonly made use of when any considerable presents of fruits are made , and especially such as are sent to remote places , either within or without the kingdom ; and lastly , it is the pear for the beauty of which , the ablest gard'ners have always laboured with the greatest passion , and that which yields the greatest profit to those which cultivate it only to expose to sale. it is always very good stewed or baked , when people have a mind to eat of it a little before 't is full ripe , and it cannot be denied but it is most excellent when we give it time to mellow , if it come out of a garden where the soil is naturally good , or , at least , well cultivated ; and it has this advantage over and above , that its mellowness is not like that of the most part of the butter-fruits , which passes , as one may say , like lightning ; so that those sorts of fruits are no sooner mellow , but they grow soft and pappy , and degenerate into rottenness ; whereas the mellowness of each boncretien-pear continues to maintain it self in vigour for some whole months together , as if seemed with patience to wait the time when we shall be pleased to do it the honour to employ it to those uses for which nature design'd it . 't is true indeed , that in the order i have established for the excellence of pears , the first degree of goodness is altogether wanting to this , because it is not buttery ; and consequently it may seem , that because here our business is to give the first rank to that sort of pears only , that can vaunt it self to have the most excellent taste , i should not grant it to this which , by my own confession , is but in the second class of good ones . but though it has not the first degree of goodness , it is certain , it wants not the second ; that is to say , a pulp that eats short , and is often tender enough , with an agreeable taste , and a sweet sugred juice , indifferently abundant , and a little perfum'd ; from the consideration of which , without doubt , it was that our fathers , to make a great distinction between that and other pears , added to its name the epithet of good , without doing the same thing in favour of any other pear ; which additional name has remained to it every where in all countries , but only in poitou , where the people content themselves with calling it only the christian-pear . and , besides all the advantages above-mentioned , it has likewise this , which appears to me a very great one , that is , when all other pears are past , this still remains to honour our tables till the new fruits of the spring ; and , by consequence , protracts even so far as that time , the pleasure of those that love raw fruit. all which summ'd up together , excites in me so much consideration for the good christian or boncretien-pear , that i think i should do a kind of injustice if i should refuse it the place of a first dwarf-pear-tree . i know very well it pleases not all the world , and that it is slighted by certain people , that accuse it to have commonly a pulp or flesh , that is tough and strong , or , at least , not very fine . to which i answer , that those are general accusations , and such as may in a manner be made against all sorts of fruits ; it being but too true , that we are not to expect to find any that are absolutely perfect , and therefore accordingly we call only those good fruits which have the fewest defects . i will not deny but that among boncretien pears , there may be some that may deserve the reproach cast on them by those persons ; but , in my opinion , they deserve it not always by their own fault , since it is true there very often are found most excellent ones among them ; and therefore those defects , when found in these pears , are rather to be attributed to the badness of the soil in which they grew , as not being proper for the producing of good fruits , or of their exposition , as being planted in a quarter not blessed with a favourable aspect from the sun ; or to the negligence or unskilfulness of the gard'ner , who took not sufficient care of them , or to the over hastiness of those that needs will be serving them up before they are come to a fit maturity . i know very well too , there are a great many persons that think a boncretien can never prove good upon a dwarf-tree , and that 't is absolutely impossible to have any fine ones unless it be upon wall-trees ; and therefore , that they will highly condemn me for chusing it for the first to be planted in a scituation which they pretend directly contrary to it . but though i do ingenuously grant it true , that the boncretien succeeds best upon a wall-tree , especially in acquiring that vermilion that so well becomes it , and which the full air on a standard-tree cannot give it in such perfection , yet i believe i have hitherto pretty well succeeded in disabusing a great number of curious persons of the false impression they had against a boncretien upon a dwarf-tree , by shewing them by the certain experience of several years , especially in gardens of a midling extent , well closed and sheltred from the great colds , either by good walls of their own , or by several buildings , and which consequently are in a good exposition , and advantaged besides with a soil indifferently good , either by nature or by the help of art ; that upon trees of that figure may be raised very goodly boncretien pears ; that is to say , very great ones well shaped with a good fine skin , a little blushed on that side next the sun , and in the rest of their bodies , of a green proper to take a yellow as they grow ripe ; and , in a word , very excellent pears , and such as few wall trees were seen able to compare with . and , to put an end to this contestation , i think it not necessary to make here any other answers , than , in the first place , to invite our adversaries to go in autumn and see the dwarf-trees in several gardens at paris , and at vernon , where they rear such ●ine ones ; and , in the second place , to ask them whether before the use of wall-trees , which is not ancient , there were no where in the open air any fair boncretiens ? if they say not , all the back-courts of the provinces of tourain , angoumois , poitou , auche , &c. where they grow even upon standard-trees , will evidence the contrary against any that shall deny it : to which add , that the invincible persecution of the tyger-babbs , keeps the pears too far off from the assistance of wall-trees , and renders it impracticable almost in those parts , to raise any of them upon any other trees but dwarfs . in fine , when the whole matter is well examined , i am perswaded , that whosoever shall count on one side the enemies of the boncretien upon a dwarf-tree , and the reasons they think they have to condemn it for , and the other shall reckon up its approvers , with the experiences they have on their side , will find the number of these lat●er greater than that of the other , or , at the least , equal to it ; and therefore i think i have enough wherewith to maintain the preference here in question . away with all those different kinds of boncretiens which some curious persons have fancied , and which they would perswade us to be real , as the long , the round , the green , the golden , the brown , the satin , that of auche , that of england , that without core , &c. for all these are to be found upon one and the same tree , and assuredly make but one single and only kind , the general mutual likeness not only of the wood , leaves and flowers of all these pretended sorts of boncretien-trees , but also more particularly the resemblance of the figure of the pear , of the time of its ripening , and of its short-eating pulp and sugred juice , &c. visibly confirm this truth . the differences of soils and expositions , of dry and wet summers , and of vigour and weakness in a tree , whether it be in the whole tree , or only in a part of it , &c. those differences , i say , cause these other little external differences of colour , figure , &c. the wall-tree will produce fruit more golden than green , and the dwarf-tree more green than golden ; and the dwarf graffed upon a free-stock will produce greener fruit than that which is graffed upon a quince-stock . if the tree be sick , whether it be young or old , it will bring fruit without a core , and upon that very same tree , if there be any vigorous branch , as it often enough happens , there will be a core in the fruit that grows upon that vigorous side , though there be none in the pears that grow upon the infirm branches ; and if from that yellowish and languishing side , a branch be taken and graffed happily upon a sound and lively stock , it will produce a tree both green and brisk , which will shew not only the conformity of its kind with that of other boncretiens ; but likewise its good health , as well by the core as the the green colour of its pear : upon which occasion i shall tell you , that such boncretien-pears as grow yellow upon the tree , and have a skin that feels extraordinarily soft , are apt to have but a very indifferent goodness . a good fruit-branch will produce a pear long and large , and a fruit-branch of a little more inferiour goodness , will form its fruit short , flat and roundish : a good soil gives it a fine skin , and a delicate pulp , whereas a fat and moist earth renders its skin rough , and the pulp gross and course . they might as well make different kinds of great and little , of horned and crumpled , of well shaped and well look'd , &c. which would be a very ridiculous fancy , which is carefully to be avoided . the winter-boncretien then , such a one , in a word , as is every where known by persons of quality for such , without ever changing its name , as most other fruits have done . this boncretien , i say , should be then the dwarf-tree that i would plant in a little garden well qualified , where it should be design'd to plant but only one dwarf-pear-tree ; and this same pear-tree should be likewise the first i would chuse , not only for a garden in which i should have room for a second dwarf , but also for all the other gardens alike well qualified for it , in which i should have room for many more such trees , and particularly if there were but little walling for those trees that should be designed for that station . and this boncretien-tree should first be graffed upon a quince : stock , chiefly because the boncretien-dwarfs graffed on free-stocks , commonly bring fruit spotted , small , crumpled , &c. and consequently disagreeable to the sight : in the second place , it should be planted in that part of the garden facing the wall trees , nearest the wall exposed to the most favourable sun ; and lastly , immediately after the end of august , i would have the leaves taken off that hindred the sun from shining upon the fruit , which are all precautions extreamly important . i am not yet speaking of those country gardens that want all the good qualities , and other good conditions which we have newly described in respect to the ordering of small gardens , and which yet i could wish to all good fruit trees ; for then i should be of a very different sentiment from that i declare my self of here in regard to our boncretien ; for i would plant but little of it there , unless it were in the figure of wall-trees ; being resolv'd , in fine , whatever it cost , to plant some boncretiens in all sorts of gardens , since , in truth , we have nothing better for the end of winter , than this noble fruit. chap. ii. concerning the choice of a second dwarf-pear-tree , and after that , concerning the choice of a third , fourth , fifth and sixth of the same , &c. now let us see upon what pear-tree our choice will fall to be the second dwarf , as well of that little garden where there can be but two , as the second of all others , where there is room for a greater number ; for truly it is a point not over-easie to decide . we have above all the rest , six different sorts of pears that put in briskly for this second place , nay , and which can hardly brook without murmuring , that the boncretien should peaceably enjoy the honour it has newly received , which are the butter-pear , the autumn bergamot , the virgoulee , the leschasserie , the winter ambret and winter thorn-pear : nay , and besides there are , the ancient petit-oin , the louise-bonne or good louise , with four new commers , namely , the st. germain , the colmar , the crasanne , and the marquiss or marchioness , which finding themselves provided with sufficient merit , want not the ambition to enter into this dispute , every one of these twelve pretending severally to have more perfections , and fewer defects than any one of its rivals , or , at least , to be nothing inferior to them ; and accordingly pretending too , to win from them the place that is here in question . and i grant , they all have such powerful motives for their several pretentions , that we cannot be censured to have made an ill choice to which of them soever we shall give the preference : however , my judgment is , that these six last ought to retire for a time , and leave the six first to fight out this quarrel ; and i shall give , if i be not mistaken , such good reasons for it , that i hope their patrons will be satisfied with them . but before i declare my self for any one of these six , it will be necessary to examine separately , and without prejudice , all the several reasons pleaded by every one of them . i begin with those of the butter-pear , concerning which i must first lay it down for a conclusion , that as well the red butter-pear , otherwise called the ambroise or isambert of the normans , as the grey butter and green butter-pears , are but one and the same thing ; for that oftentimes all these pretended sorts are found upon one and the same tree , those differences of colour having no other foundation in a manner than those which we have remarked in the boncretien ; the fair exposition of them , or perhaps an indifferent weak temper either in the whole tree , or in any particular branch , producing red pears ; and a shady situation , and the vigour either of the whole tree , or of any particular branch of it , making grey or green ones : and the quince and free-stocks upon which these pear-trees are graffed , shew themselves by the different colours with which they tinge their fruit , the colour of the fruit of the pear-trees on free-stocks being quite another thing from that of the boncretien graffed on a quince-stock : besides which , the dryness or moistness of the soil in which they grow , fail not to imprint some marlts and features of their own fashion . this being first laid down as a necessary remark , the reasons of this butter-pear are , first , that it is possess'd in such perfection of the first degree of goodness , that is to be desired in fruits , which is a smooth delicious melting softness , that the name of butter-pear was for that quality given it by way of excellence ; and , in effect , its name is borrowed to give to others whose merit we would extol , and therefore this pear believes to have right to pretend , that not one of the other pears should dispute with it for an extream abundance of juice , nor for a fine and delicate pulp , and rich taste , which are all the conditions necessary to constitute an excellent pear . in the second place , it pretends to have the advantage to charm the sight , as well by the bigness of its body , as the goodliness of its figure , and beauty of its colour . in the third place it is perswaded , it may hope all things from the happiness it has to be extreamly fertile ; so that commonly every year , and in all sorts of ground it is loaden almost ready to break , and succeeds as well upon a free-stock , as upon a quince one , and almost as well under the hands of ignorant as of able gard'ners ; besides , that it is seldom or never apt to be doughy , insipid and mealy , as are most other tender pears , and that not only , it is not so incommoded by the full air as the bergamot , but also bears sooner than the virgoulee , and produces fairer fruit than any of its competitors . here are without doubt a great many reasons , and all of great weight and authority , strongly to prove and confirm the right of the butter-pears claim in this cause . nay , its friends would fain believe further , that if the butter pear could be had at all seasons of the years , and we could cure our selves of the natural curiosity we have for change , and for the variety of fruits , that in that case , we ought not to think of any other than this famous butter-pear , it being certain , that it is really so excellent , that by the confession of all , at the end of september when it begins to ripen , we are well enough content to see the peaches pass away , which is to say , a great deal in its commendation . the autumn bergamot making no great account of all that has just now been said in favour of the butter-pear , presents it self to stop this question of precedence from being so soon decided : its party is very numerous and formidable , which is as much as to say , its excellence is very much known : and indeed i see a thousand people that assert , that if it be considered with respect to all the ingredient parts of its goodness ; that is to say , its tender and melting pulp , its sweet and sugred juice , and the little smack of perfume that accompanies it , it is more valuable than all the other pears in general ; they also affirm , that fruitfulness is not much less on the bergamots side , than on that of the butter-pear , since it is ordinarily loaded with a sufficient abundance , and so quickly repays the pains of those that cultivate it . add to this , that contrary to what we find by the experience we have of almost all other fruits , it may be said in its favour , and with truth , that a midling bergamot-pear is as good as the biggest , nay , and that very often it is the midling one that is the most excellent , though it may have appeared to be the most despisable , which advantage ought to be esteemed as a singular and considerable argument in its favour . this pear commonly uses to furnish the end of october and part of november , and sometimes passes on as far as december , which gives a wonderful pleasure to our curious gentlemen ; so that , in truth , we had need to provide our selves with trees of them in different expositions , in divers sorts of ground , and upon different stocks ; that is to say , graffed upon free-stocks , and upon quince-stocks , and in the various figures of dwarf-trees , wall-trees , and even of standards too , the better to assist the inclination this pear seems to have , to entertain us several months together . i shall note by the by , that you are not to believe there is any other difference in bergamot-pears ( i man those of autumn and not of summer ) but what consists in the colour only , but then that difference is real ; for indeed there is one of a greenish grey , which is simply named the bergamot , or the common bergamot , or the pear de la hiliere , or de recous , &c. they all signifying but one thing ; and there is another that is strip'd with yellow and green streaks , which makes it be called the suisse-bergamot , this motley colour appearing at the same time both in the wood and in the fruit ; but as to their internal excellence , it seems to me to be equal both in the one and the other , when they are both as good as they should be ; they also agree together in the same proportion of bigness , which is sometimes of three inches diameter in thickness , but most commonly but of one and a half or two inches ; they likewise agree both in having a flattish shape , and an eye or crown sinking hollow in , and a short and small stalk , and polish'd and yellowish skin , and a little moistish when it is ripe , &c. would to god it were true , there were a sort of latter bergamots , or otherwise lent bergamots , and that every year we could be sure to have some of them till the end of march , as sometimes it happens ; for in that case we might have just grounds to brag , that we had for , at least , four or five months in the year , the real treasure of fruits . some certain curious persons would fain have perswaded themselves and me too , that they infallibly had this sort of latter bergamots ; but to my great regret , i cannot forbear confessing , that to this present time i have not been able to convince my self that i have attained any such good fortune , although in truth i have been wanting neither in care , nor diligence , nor in any other precaution that might contribute to the making a conquest of that importance ; for what have i attempted for that end , what in pains and what in expences , is insinite as well as to no purpose , and the particular account and relation of it would be but troublesom and disagreeable . that which has given occasion to speak of such things as late bergamots , is , that in some very rainy years , or from some soils more fat and moist , or in some exposition less sunny , or from some tree more vigorous than ordinary , we commonly keep some as long as till lent , and thereupon we take pleasure to deceive our selves with the hopes of having the like every year : but , the truth is , that commonly chance has more part in all this than any thing else ; for the same tree which produces some for the month of october , yields some others likewise sometimes for the month of march , which happens chiefly when any particular branch of it has blossom'd much later than the rest , the pears which were the last in knitting , being commonly the last that ripen on that tree ; but that happens but very rarely : or else we may say very probably , that the bergamots we have so in the latter seasons , are of the growth of such standard-trees as are grafted upon free-stocks , and perhaps but little shone upon by the sun ; the success of such trees being ordinarily very dubious and uncertain , and particularly for the producing of pears that are fair , agreeable to the sight , and good and backward . but howsoever some such are sometimes gathered , which keep a little longer than those that grow on wall-trees and dwarfs : and therefore it were to purpose enough not for the curious , of whom we treat here , that have but a very little ground , but for those that have a great deal , to venture to plant some of them in all manner of fashions ; for , in fine , they ought not to fail to make what provision they can of bergamot-pears . besides these abovesaid advantages of the good kind of bergamot , it has yet another that methinks exalts it much above the butter-pear , in what concerns the present contestation , which is , that the butter-pear meets often at the same time with the peaches , figs and muscat-grapes of mid - september , three sorts of good fruits that all the world passionately affect , and in favour of which it may be said , that among all delicate , nice and knowing persons , they are so well received , that scarcely any pears dare venture into their company ; whereas the bergamot ripens not till those peaches , figs and muscats , nay , and the very butter-pears and verte-longues , or green-long-pears are ended , and so comes in all alone towards the end of october , that is to say , in a time when without its assistance , we should be reduced to a great scarcity of good fruits , the pears call'd the lansac , the sugar-green , the flowery-muscat , rousseline , bezi de la mote , vine pear , messire-john , &c. not worthily enough supplying the place of those last passed ; and therefore by consequence , from hence they would pretend , that as to what concerns a little garden , and that for the reasons declared in the beginning of this third book , it is more convenient to plant in it , for a second dwarf-tree , a bergamot , than any other pear-tree . the partisans of the two preceding pears , the butter and bergamot , are methinks surprized to hear say there are any that dare to enter the lists against them ; and whatsoever the others can alledge they look upon as a piece of rashness , and therefore will hardly vouchsafe to hear them ; and if they consent to it , 't is only to answer them in terms of contempt and raillery , or rather with design to gain their cause against them with so much the more glory and security . but for all that , the pear of virgoulé , which they call bujaleuf in angoumois , chambretie in limousin or the province of limoges , the ice-pear in gascony , virgolese and virgouleuse in so many other places , and which after the example of the pears of besidery , l'eschasserie , &c. ought , in my opinion , to bear the plain name of virgoule before any other ; that which makes me judge so , is , because we had it from a village called virgoulé , near the town of st. leonard in the limousin countty , where , in all appearance , it had passed a long time without any lustre , neither more nor less than just as a pearl shut up in its shell ; but at last , as well for the happiness of our curious gentlemen , as for the ornament of our gardens , it was advanced out of that village by the liberality of the marquess of chambret , who was lord of it , and who was pleased to give it us under the name of his pear of virgoulé ; since which time it has begun to make it self be talked on as famous , so that at this day , notwitstanding the brags , i say , of the two preceding pears , it , not without reason enough , pretends to the honour which is here proposed . it is a pear of a figure pretty long and thick , being three or four inches long , and two or three in thickness ; it s stalk is short , fleshy and bending ; its eye or crown indifferently great and a little hollow ; its skin smooth and polish'd , and sometimes coloured , and which from green , which it was upon the tree , grows yellow as it ripens , and in ripening grows tender and melting ; so that when it is well nick'd in the gathering , it proves one of the best fruits of the world : and accordingly its reputation has made such a progress , since , that in a few years time , it has spread it self into as many gardens all over europe , as any pear that we know . this virgoulee-pear , priding it self , as it may seem , as well in the extraordinary vigour that accompanies its tree in all places , and draws to it the admiration of all beholders , as also in the merit it pretends to be ennobled with , and besides being offended at the injurious contempt with which it was but now treated by the others , asserts for the establishing of its right , that nature has not only endowed it with all the good qualities , namely , of a tender and melting pulp , an abundance of sweet and sugred juice , and a fine rich taste , and of a plentiful increase , which render the butter and bergamot-pears so considerable ; but that besides , that it has the assured advantage to begin to ripen almost as soon as the bergamot , and yet to last much longer than that ; and in earnest it alledges , that often from the very beginning of november , it is in a condition to content the curious , which happens to those of them that are raised upon wall-trees exposed to a good sun , or that grow otherwise in a dry and light soil , and that particularly it signalizes it self by furnishing a great quantity of fruit all the rest of november , all december , and sometimes for part of january , which cannot be said of the butter-pear , and but little , or , at least , very rarely , and by pure hazard , of the bergamot . which induces the virgoule-pear-tree to demand pretty boldly , whether it be not true , that its fruit is not only excellent for taste , but of an agreeable figure to the eye , so that those pears of it that grow in a fair exposition , acquire an admirable vermilion blush ; this pear-tree further demands , if it has not the gift to form the fairest trees of all other fruit-plants , and to succeed admirably well in the figure of a dwarf-tree , that is to say , in that very manner of trees , the planting of which is at present in question ; it also further maintains , that the distinctions of dry or moist grounds , of free or quince-stocks , and of standards or wall-trees , are ordinarily of no such great importance to its wood , as they are to that of the bergamots ; though in respect of the inward goodness of the fruit , those sorts of differences work almost the same effects as in the others : it is then true , that the virgoulees are not only not subjected to that sort of scabbiness which disfigures the bergamot-trees , and renders them hideous to look on , and too often kills them , or at least hinders their fruitfulness ; but on the contrary , shoot out regularly on all sides , store of fair branches , and are seen always with a smooth and shining complexion ; as if really one had taken the care to rub them , to make them bright . the virgoulee therefore pretends , that the time of its continuance in maturity , which is about three months , and the beauty of its tree , which never fails , ought to prevail here to carry the cause for it , against both the butter and bergamot-pear , and against all other pears which would oppose it , since , besides those advantges , it is inferior to none of the rest , either for abundance of increase , or in the point of goodness . the leschasserie-pear , which some call the winter green-long or verte-longue , and others besidery-sandry , and which has not appeared in our gardens above twenty years ; this pear , i say , might put in alone for a title here , so strong is its party ; but it chuses however rather to join with the ambret-pear , which is of ancient standing among us , and in great esteem , and is called in some countries by the name of cheat-servant or trompe●alet . these two pears do not think themselves overcome by all that has been said to the advantage of them that have first spoken ; they will not make it their business to destroy one another , being agreed to serve alternatively at the entrance of gardens , and so their principal ambition is to remain united , and allied in interest and friendship , that they may be able the more vigorously to defend themselves against the three precedent ones : and that which contributes the more to the strict union they have made one with the other , is , that , in effect , they have some resemblance one with the other , first in their shape , which appears roundish in both , though the ambret be a little flatter , and hath its eye or crown hollower and deeper sunk , whereas the leschasserie hath its eye or crown quite jetting out ; and in that some of them have the form of a lemon ; they also resemble one another in the second place , in their bigness , which is of a midling size , and of about two inches extent every way ; in the third place , in their colour , which upon the tree is greenish and speckled , though the ambret be commonly of a deeper and ruddier colour , and the leschasserie lighter and yellower , but especially when it grows ripe . these two pears further in some degree resemble one another in their stalks , which in both of them are strait and pretty long , though that of the leschasserie be a little thicker of the two ; and in fine , they resemble one another as well in the time of their ripening or mellowing , which is in november and december , and sometimes in january , as in the fine and butter-like substance of their pulp , and in their sugred and somewhat perfumed juice , but that is perfumed with a scent so agreeable , that nothing can be wished for more delicious : the leschasserie has a little more of it than its associate , and the pulp of the ambret is sometimes a little more greenish ; its kernels are blacker , and , as one may say , lodged more at large in their apartments , than the kernels of the other , and even the skin of it feels ordinarily a little rougher ; and besides the leschasserie pears are pretty often , as one may term them , bunch'd and warty ; but as to the wood of their trees , they are very different one from the other , in that the wood of the ambret is extreamly thorny and prickly , and is exactly like one of those wild trees commonly seen in hedges and thickets , which quality is not to be found in that of the leschasserie-tree , which is commonly pretty slender , and shoots forth some points but not sharp enough to prick the fingers of them that meddle with it , as do the ambret-trees . these two pears found the pretentions of their claim of preference upon the fault that is found with the butter-pear about the time of its ripening , and upon that objected against the bergamot for its scabby wood ; and lastly upon that accusation brought against the virgoulee , not only for being so long before it bears , but for having some kind of disagreeableness in its taste ; so that having at least all the good qualities of those pears , both in their fruit , and in the disposition of their plants to be wrought into beautiful figures of dwarf-trees , without participating of any of their defects , they pretend it their right to be preferred before those which are so notably incommoded with them , that they can neither avoid nor disguise them . the winter thorn pear , which well knows its own worth , will not let it self be condemned neither without speaking for it self : it is a very fine pear that approaches nearera pyramidical than a round figure , though it has almost no part that is small in its shape , so that it ends in very little or nothing of a bluntish point towards the stalk , which stalk is pretty short and small , except where it comes out of the pear , where it is a little fleshy ; every where else the pear is all over in a manner of the same bigness , being about two or three inches thick towards the head ; it is particularly much bigger than the ordinary bergamot , or than the ambret and leschasserie ; it has a satiny skin , and a colour between green and white ; it sometimes ripens before the two last preceding ones , but most commonly at the same time with them , and sometimes too after them ; it is likewise of a tender and butter-like consistence , having ordinarily a very fine and delicate pulp , an agreeable taste , and a sweet juice relished with an admirable smack of perfume ; it also produces fine dwarf-trees , and prospers as well on free as on quince-tree-stocks , when the stocks are good , and the ground is well qualified , that is , of a dry rather than moist temper . it has little to say against the two last , and especially against the leschasseries , and ingenuously confesses the good qualities of both of them , but yet without consenting to give them the precedence , till there shall be a regulation for it ; but as for the other pears , it objects to them the same defects which these last just now reproached them with . it is therefore now the question how to terminate this contestation which has appeared but too long , upon which , having maturely examined all the reasons alledged by each of them , i confess i have a very particular esteem for every one of them ; but yet , in regard to the trees which give them us , we must not judge the question here under discussion , altogether upon the same foundation as if we were only examining the merit of each fruit in particular , and by comparing them only one with the other ; for upon the bare foot of merit , in what garden soever it were , where there were to be but two dwarf pear-trees , i should ever incline to give the second place to the bergamot , which i honour infinitely , and that , methinks , cannot be too much honoured , as being as it were the queen of pears : for indeed it is like the excellent muskmelons , its pulp appearing at first firm , without being hard or stony , and fine and melting without being doughy or mealy , and its juice sugred and a little perfumed without having any mixture of sharpness or wildness ; and lastly , its taste rich , and wonderfully delicious , and accompanied with something of noble : for such a pear as that , may it not vaunt to have approached very near the perfection of fruits , and ought it not to serve for a rule and model to all those that shall pretend to be entred into the catalogue of good fruits ? this decision , in favour of the bergamot to the exclusion of the other pears , would not at all surprize those curious persons that have tasted those that are really good ; for assuredly it excels the butter-pear , which cannot deny but it has a little mixture of sharpness in its juice ; it surpasses the virgoulee , in that it is a nimbler-bearing tree than that , and is not at all subject to that little odd strawy taste , which , as i may so say , persecutes the most part of the virgoulee pears , and does them a thousand ill offices in good companies ; it no less surmounts the other three competitors , the leschasserie , the ambret and the thorn-pear , because that certainly they have nothing in them more excellent nor more advantageous than our bergamot in the point of perfect goodness , but , as one may say , without any design to offend them , that both the one and the other have sometimes the ill hap to have a faint and insipid juice , and a hard or meally pulp : but these faults are not to be objected against those kinds of fruits in general , but are rather defects that proceed from the coldness or moistness of the year , the badness of the soil , or the improper exposition in which they were produced . yet that which may sometimes hinder the bergamot from receiving the benefit of this my declaration , is , the unhappiness the wood of its tree has to be of so delicate a temper , that instead of making an agreeable spectacle in gardens , it does often but vex its owner with its scabbiness , which is an evil that every where almost persecutes both its fruit and tree . and that is the reason i do not willingly venture to counsel the planting any of them any where in the figure of dwarf-trees , and much less in little gardens : but yet , if notwithstanding this deformity , which so much disobliges the eyes , any persons be minded , because of the excellence of its fruit , to plant any of them in all sorts of gardens , whether great or small , supposing always the ground to be fitly qualified , i would have those chosen that are graffed upon free-stocks ; but if the ground be fatty and a little moist , then i would advise them to take those that are graffed on quince-stocks , and further , i would wish them to take the striped bergamot , otherwise called the suisse bergamot , rather than the common one , because being both of an equal goodness , and as difficult to rear the one as the other , it seems in my judgment more to the purpose , to fix first upon the striped one before we plant any of the other sort , because it has the advantage to surpass this latter in beauty of colours ; but , in fine , if none be planted of either of them in the form of dwarf-trees , we should not fail however to plant a great many wall-trees of them in great gardens ; and i would have one standard tree of them planted , to make a figure in a great space which without that , would appear too much ungarnish'd . but above all , it is most advantageous to plant one of them in the neighbourhood of a great wall exposed to a good sun ; for i have had very great satisfaction in doing in the kitchen-garden at versailles what i now counsel to others : i also plant some of them of the size of half standards , as well in the middle of squares , as on the sides , and particularly i plant some of them at two or three foot distance one from another , as in nursery-gardens ; and i take the same way with all the other delicate sorts , as the petit-oins , the thorn-pear , the louise-bonne or good louise , the sugar-green , &c. to which a cold and moist earth is absolutely contrary , and i gather from them for eight or ten years , a considerable quantity of very good fruits , and when those trees grow too big and seem to encumber the place where they are , i take them away , and plant young ones elsewhere , to have the same assistance from them as long as 't is possible . the article concerning this bergamot-pear , has given a great deal of trouble to decide it ; i return now at last to declare my judgment of those sorts of trees which , together with the beauty of their fruit , have the advantage to be graced with a beautiful wood : and therefore i incline here to give the second place to the butter-pear-tree . the second , or perhaps third dwarf-tree . a first butter-pear-tree . the last reproach which was made to the virgoulee , concerning some oddness often found in its taste , will be favourable to the butter-pear to maintain it in a rank before that ; besides a particular right of antiquity of this butter-pear , that has procured it a singular veneration among all the world , to which the latter cannot so soon pretend , as also its ready facility in bearing , which is an advantage belonging to the butter-pear-tree preferably to the virgoulee ; and lastly , besides that 't is certain , though they be both admirable , yet may we truly say , that generally speaking , the butter-pear makes it self more desired by all the world than the virgoulee , and therefore that this latter ought to give place to a first butter-pear-tree in little gardens , which have but two dwarf-trees in all . and for its consolation , it may expect its turn will come very quickly to be treated elsewhere much better than the butter-pear , that is , much more multiplied in trees of its kind ; for in this respect , it will in a very high degree surpass the other in most great gardens , which we shall afterwards plant. but yet it is of a great importance to this virgoulee-pear , that we should not leave it under the defamation of the publick reproach which the other pears cast upon it , because of its odd taste . we cannot deny but there have been many of these pears found with that defect ; but then 't is not impossible to exempt them from it ; for it proceeds from their having been too long kept upon hay or straw , or perhaps too long smothered up in some cupboard , where they had no air , or in a kind of cellar , which is never without some taste of must ; or else in some fruit-store-house too close kept shut , when full of other sorts of fruits , and perhaps in some part of it infected with some strong smell whatever it be : for all those scents together make but a very disagreeable smell , of which this kind of pear is unhappily very susceptible . the only remedy in question is then , to put them up in some place where none of these inconveniences are to be met with , and consequently having a fruit-loft for that purpose , well qualified against the great cold and moisture , the boards of it must be covered with some moss extreamly well dried ; and then the pears must be placed on it at a distance one from the other , and air must be given them as often as the weather is fair : with these kinds of precautions , which are not very difficult , we may be assured to have all winter long these virgoulee-pears preserved from any ill taste . they are , as we have said , fair and large , and most excellent , provided first , that , without being too much wrinkled , they appear only a little withered ; and secondly , that they be yellow almost all over the whole extent of their skin ; and thirdly , if in squeezing them a little with the thumb near the stalk , they give way without shewing any softness at the heart ; that is to say , in fine , if they come so well to ripen and mellow , that their pulp is become tender and melting : for if , though in appearance ripe , they remain firm and hard , as it happens sometimes to them that have been laid up in moist places , or which are of the product of a very rainy summer , or of some northern exposition , or some cold and watrish soil , then it cannot be denied but that these sort of pears prove both mealy and insipid , and by consequence disagreeable . so it is , that among the things of this world , that are the most perfect , there may be some of them that may fall into corruption , and at the same time into contempt ; but the fault of one particular thing ought not to be made a matter of reproach to the whole general kind . one thing that is extraordinary enough , i have to remark concerning these pears , is , that such of them as perhaps fell off the tree , or were gathered about fifteen days before they should have been , and which because of that grow a little withered ( for if they were much so , they would be despisable in all manner of respects ) these sort of pears , i say , though a little unhandsom to look upon , yet at length being throughly mellowed , are almost always of an admirable taste , which can be hardly said of any other fruit : but yet i do not counsel any to gather them very long before their time ; as for example , before the end of september , because the ordinary winds that reign at that time , spare them , and sometimes more than they desire , the taking of that pains ; and therefore we may comfort our selves then , when any of them happen to fall , with the expectation that they will mellow later than the rest , and will be less subject to grow doughy , and we shall be apt to wish it may happen oftner , that we may without fail have some pears that may be good , and at the same time fair , sound and indifferently wrinkled . i shall in another place explain to you more particularly what time they are to be gathered , and what are the infallible marks of their true maturity , as well as of that of all other fruits ; which are articles of very great importance , and in which consist the principal points of our curiosity . the virgoulee-pear-tree shall be regularly the third dwarf-tree . the third dwarf-tree . a first virgoulee . which we will plant in a garden which is able to hold but three , and methinks now , this pear-tree would be much in the wrong to complain , since it may be affirmed with truth , that it has the honour to see it self preferred before other marvellous pears , which are following after it ; as namely , the leschasserie , the ambret , the winter thorn-pear , the crasanne , the st. germain , the colmar , the marchioness , the petit-oin , the st. augustin , the rousselet , the robins , &c. all the world must necessarily grant , that the name of fruit-garden cannot properly be given to any garden whatsoever , in which are not to be found the thirteen or fourteen principalest sorts of pears we have ; and likewise , that we cannot dispute it that title , when they all meet there in company . happy is he that has planted with so much knowledge and discerning judgment , as having no more room in his garden but for such a small number of trees , to have so wisely cull'd out and join'd together the best fruits we know . to continue the order of my choice , i place the leschasserie-pear immediately after the virgoulee-pear . the fourth dwarf-tree . a first leschasserie . before which , perhaps , some curious persons will make no scruple to prefer it , so true it is , that it often seems a pear without defect , and consequently a fruit of the most excelling goodness : i will say in its favour , that i never tasted any thing better in matter of pears , than some leschasseries growing in the open air upon trees , as i may say , abandoned . they were of a midling bigness , having a skin and shape that seemed quite wild ; but , in truth , in eating them even with their skin and all , they quite charmed me with their rich taste , their little delicate perfumed scent , and their fine and melting pulp : in fine , i cannot be silent of the astonishment they put me in , and of the pleasure i had , and continue to have every year in eating them ; and perhaps i might say , that the best bergamot in the world would have had much ado to have maintained its post before them ; for those which i had of the same sort from wall-trees , came not near them any way of the world in point of goodness . the fifth dwarf-tree . a first ambret . and this follows it as near as 't is possible ; and indeed is ordinarily a most excellent pear in every point , having a fine melting pulp , and a certain rich taste that is very charming , provided it be of the growth of a good soil , and that without suffering any miscarriage , or any other ill accident upon the tree , it come to its perfect maturity ; but yet i know not what greenish tincture in its pulp , and a faintish taste in its juice , and particularly a strange kind of unknown , and secret lurking dry rottenness found in some of these fruits , appear to me three sorts of defects , for which , in my opinion , this pear in general ought without repugnance , to yield the precedence to the leschasserie , and might with good reason enough do it likewise to the winter thorn-pear , when it attains all the perfection 't is capable of . for indeed , this thorn-pear , when it grows in a country hot enough , in a dry ground , and a good exposition , in years moderately rainy , and upon a standard or half standard-tree well placed , is so perfect in all its qualities , that it equals the delicateness of the pulp of good peaches , and is of such excellence , that the name of marvellous has been given it in the provinces of angoumois , xantoigne and poitou , provinces situated in a marvellous climate , and which are known to be famous for the great number of sorts of good fruits they produce , and of persons of quality that divertise themselves there in gardenage : and i confess in good truth , that among all pears , i find none better than this , when it attains the full goodness of its kind ; but , at the same time . i cannot but confess likewise , that it is very hard to find any perfect ones of them ; so that one may say of them , and of the petit-oins , ambrets , louise-bonnes and colmars , &c. what is said of new laid eggs , that the least defect is enough to make them be rejected : whereas it is not so with other pears , they are not rejected , though they want some degree of natural perfection , for all butter pears , russelets , boncretiens , &c. are not every pear of them of the most excellent in their kind , and yet that hinders not people from eating them , though but of a midling goodness . there truly still remains a small reproach to be made to this thorn-pear , because it ripens sometimes at the same time with the other pears which i have newly placed before it , and consequently according to those regards i always have in making this choice , and from which it will be convenient i should never depart , it would be much better to plant some good fruit of another season in this little garden , rather than this pear ; but to this i answer , that since this objected inconvenience of over-hasty ripening , happens but very seldom , instead of banishing the thorn-pear from hence for such a reproach as that , we ought rather to be careful to plant it there , and especially if there be already no bergamot dwarf-tree , because it makes a very agreeable dwarf-tree , and easily takes to bear . i persist therefore to give to the thorn pear at least the sixth dwarf-tree . a first winter thorn pear . the sixth place in a garden well qualified , and that can receive but six dwarf-trees . and there must a particular care taken of this tree , to keep its branches well spread , and to strip it of its leaves too at the end of autumn . so that the pear , whose colour is naturally green , may receive thereby an extraordinary coction ; and when it comes to be laid up , may grow a little yellowish , to signifie the first appearance of its mellowing ; for to say the truth , when it still preserves the same ground of green in its skin , it had upon the tree , as do those of this kind , that grow in a moist ground , or upon a dwarf-tree with a top too much tuffed , or in a bad exposition , it lasts indeed till january or february , but 't is only to vex him that took the pains to lay it up , and keep it ; because without mellowing , it grows soft all about the stalk , and contracts a cottonish dry pulp , and a flat and insipid taste ; and , in a word , proves the worst pear in the world ; neither indeed is there any pear which has need of greater care than this , to make it come to good . it requires to be graffed upon a free-stock in dry grounds , and upon a quince one in those which are moistish . it succeeds not so well in the form of a dwarf-tree , as in that of a standard , in those grounds that are a little strong ; and commonly is worth nothing in soils that are fat and moist , having that quality in common with some others which i shall speak of afterwards . however , i must needs say , that , with the care i have had to keep my soil a little raised , and timely to uncover my thorn-pears by stripping off the leaves of their dwarf-trees , i have had very fair and good ones of them for near two months together ; and consequently , that the defects of this pear are not always incorrigible , and that when we can preserve it from them , it is a piece of injustice not to give it place before the two last preceding ones . i prefer it here before the st. germain , the perit-oin , the crasanne , the marchioness , the louise-bonne , the colmar , and the st. augustin-pears ; because , that all things well considered , it is of more worth than they ; and chiefly , because the most part of those other pears mellow in the time of some of the three preceding ones , that is to say , in the months of november and december ; in which , with respect to the smallness of the gardens we now treat of , we have other fruits enough to give content . i prefer it also before the two most valuable summer-pears , which are the famous russelet , and the illustrious robine , but it is but one degree only to make it march immediately before them ; and these latter in their turn shall be preferred before those other five , which are of so great reputation . and without doubt , this preference given them without any hesitation , ought to stop their mouths from murmuring , because they were no sooner produced on the stage . for my part , i make so great account of both of them , that i do not think a garden that may contain seven or eight dwarf-pear-trees , ought to be without one russelet and one robine-tree ; which when we have placed , we will proceed to examine what good and considerable qualities the other pears can plead , in order to the doing them that speedy justice thereupon , which we think to be their due . would to god , that in the matter of good pears , the months of january , february and march , were able to furnish me as many subjects of disputes and contestation to determine , as i am plied with by the four preceding months ; for these latter being so poor and barren as they are , have great need of assistance ; but when there will come any to them , i cannot tell . certain it is , 't would be a great good fortune to them , if they possessed any of those good pears , which pour in in shoals upon us , as i may say , about the end of autumn , and the beginning of winter ; i lose not a moment of time in studying and using all imaginable means , as i have before said , to bring about so great a happiness . but to return to my purpose , i proceed then to place these two last pears , of which we were but now speaking , assuredly expecting , that my choice of them will be approved . for , methinks , we ought not to delay any longer to introduce here some summer-pears , having already placed six sorts of other seasons : but what must i do to regulate the dispute that 's like to rise between these two pears , which shall be the first ? why , i will not undertake to decide it of my own head , it being a cause too dangerous to judge of in the presence of the patrons of both the parties , and therefore not to embroil my self on either side . the way i shall take with them , shall be either to give these pears an alternative precedence to be enjoyed by each of them , in their turns , or rather even to let them fairly draw lots for it : 't is not the first contest of precedence that has been determined this way and that , to the contentment of both parties too . so be it then , and accordingly they cast lots , &c. the lot falls upon the russelet , for the garden of seven dwarf trees . the seventh dwarf tree . a first russelet . and therefore that shall be the seventh in rank , and the robine the eighth . and in these russelet-pears , i make no difference between the great sort and the small sort , as do some curious persons ; for they are certainly both but one , and to prove it so without contradiction , let us have but recourse to our eyes , and we shall see one tree very ordinarily produce both the pretended sorts of them . 't is true however , that those that are but of a midling bigness , are commonly better than the fairest ( which observation holds too in some other fruits , though not in all . ) the great russelet-pears doubtless are of the product of a fat soil , whether they grow upon dwraf-trees or wall-trees , and the others of that of a dry ground , or of a standard-tree . i shall begin my discourse of this russelet-pear by telling you , there is hardly a pear in the world more known , nor more esteemed than it . i think it is hardly necessary to make a description of it by telling you , that 't is a pear of a midling bigness , of a handsom shape , more long than round , with a pretty thick stalk and pretty long , of a grey colour , reddish on one side , and of a dark red on the other , with some greenish parts interlac'd , which grow yellow very opportunely , to give us notice of the time of its maturity : its pulp is tender and fine , and without any earthy or stony remains , and its juice most agreeably perfumed , but with such a perfume as is to be found no where but in it self . it commonly ripens about the end of august and beginning of september , and at that time , in respect of the good qualities with which it is endowed , i believe all the world , without hesitation , is agreed , that it may be said of the russelets , as of the bergamots and leschasseries , that no pears can pretend any place in the rank of those that are excellent ; but as they proportionably approach more or less to the goodness of the russelet , as well as of those two other pears . and certainly the merit of this russelet is so great , that it is in nothing surpassed by its great reputation : all ages have experienced it to prove good in what manner soever one order it . in effect , let it be raw or baked , stewed or preserv'd , or let it be prepared in form of a liquid compote , or of a dry sweet-meat , it equally maintains its good character in every manner : and let it be planted in any sort of ground whatsoever , it will prosper . have we a mind to have it upon a wall-tree ? it will give content : or , is our fancy to plant it in form of a dwarf-tree ? it will be admirable that way , and still better upon a great standard ; nay , one may say in its honour ( which , among all fruits , belongs , if i mistake not , only to this ) that though among its pears there are often found some that are better than others , yet there is never seen any of them that can be said to be absolutely bad , provided it be come to its full maturity ; for those that have not that , and much less those that have too much of it , are not at all agreeable . it is good you should know here , that nothing is more contrary to this pear , to hinder it from being excellent , than the planting it against a wall , because it certainly loses in that situation , a part of its perfume ; but it grows fair there indeed and large , and in great abundance , and by that , in some measure , repairs the defect of extream goodness : so that we may lay it down for a rule , that we ought to plant few trees of this fruit against walls , unless we make more account of the bigness and quantity of its fruit , than of the goodness and delicacy of its taste ; or , unless we think it better rather to have some of them , though but indifferently good , than to have none at all , that being the ordinary effect of a wall-tree in respect of pears and peaches ; for that is of the two , what i would counsel all persons to chuse , who have a great deal of walling to garnish , as i shall afterwards more particularly shew , this not being the place to speak of it here . i was not able to resist the temptation which over-sway'd me , nor to forget any thing that might set out the excellence of this russelet ; and therefore cannot but observe to you , that there is still one singular advantage belonging to it , which is , that whereas most other fruits prove unsuccessful upon the northern wall-trees , yet those of this pear in that exposition , produce fruit reasonably good , so that it would not be amiss to plant some trees of it in those expositions which commonly are useless , or very bad for other fruit. o how happy should we be , if first the russelet pear could keep a little longer than it does ( it having the mishap to be very subject to grow soft and pappy , 't is its only defect , and one may often be deceived by it , without taking very good heed ) or , if chiefly it would change place with so many other pitiful sorts of pears , some of which unprofitably come in the first summer-months , and some again yet less to the purpose , in the midst of winter ; so that this russelet , instead of ripening as it does , at the end of august and beginning of september , that is to say , in the time of the abundance of good peaches and plums , had but the gift to come and feast us , either some time before the maturity of the principal stone-fruits , or sometimes after they are past . i could not help making this wish , though it be so very insignificant , and beg your pardon for it . i know well enough , that peaches , when they attain their natural goodness are , as one may say , the precious manna of our gardens , and by the general confession of all , are more valuable than any kernel-fruit whatsoever ; so that few people make their court to these last , so long as the peaches with their largeness , fine shape , beautiful colour , and the abundance of their sweet and rich tasted juice , together with all the rest of their admirable qualities , continue in a condition to charm the eye , and move the appetite . but yet for all that , the russelets and the robines are esteemed even in the season of peaches , how plentiful soever these latter be : and likewise , because peaches are commonly more faulty , and more apt to fall short of their due perfection than pears , and that peaches of the growth of a moist soil , are good for little , therefore 't is necessary for them , whose ground is not very good , to precaution and provide themselves another way , at least by a supply of russelet-pears in their stead , which seldom fails and is never to be rejected ; that at the end of august , and in the month of september , which is the season of mens eager appetite , and most passionate desire after fruits , they may be furnish'd at least with some pretty good pears , in case they be so unhappy as to see the most part of their peaches miscarry , or prove not over good . this pear is indeed small , but it affords this convenience , that it may be gathered while 't is yet greenish , to mellow afterwards off of the tree ; so that by that means it may be kept some days , whilst the perfection of its mellowness is coming on , and may , without any diminution of its goodness , be hazarded to make some small journies ; so that , for example , one may carry some about one , or send them from province to province , when the distance is not too great . and now , after all these praises i have given to the russelet , may it not seem to have some reason to complain of me , for giving it but a seventh place ? i certainly have for it as much consideration as any curious person can have ; but , in fine , that which ought to justifie my conduct in this case , is , that when one can compass so much as to have a garden big enough to contain five or six dwarf-pear-trees , one may and ought , in all probability , to have a proportionable quantity of wall-trees , for figs , peaches , plums and grapes . and that so it would be a piece of imprudence , for such very little places as are the gardens we are here planting , to counsel any one to plant any considerable number of trees , both of stone-fruit and kernel-fruit , to ripen in one and the same season of the months of august and september , which could not well be without running the hazard of having almost no fruit at all for the most difficult seasons : and therefore i have grounded my expectations upon the wall-trees , to be surely furnished with summer-fruits , and have design'd the most part of the six first pear-trees for the making a provision for autumn and winter , two seasons which we pass but disagreeably without a desert to brisk them up ; and therefore , i think , i have great reason to say , we ought to labour to provide for them before the rest . the russelet being thus plac'd , the robine advances , and takes the eighth place . the eighth dwarf-tree . a first robine-pear-tree . this pear is known in different places , sometimes under the name of the pear of averat , sometimes under that of the muscat-pear of august , &c. and at the court it self by the name of the pear-royal , that name being given it by the illustrious father of the curious , who believed , and not without reason , that , as among us , the title of king is at present appropriated to the person of him that , of all men , has the most merit ; so the name of royal among pears , ought to be given to that which appears to have the fewest defects ; and , in truth , may be look'd upon as an accomplish'd pear . take here its picture : it is near about the bigness and shape of a little bergamot , that is to say , between round and flat , its stalk is pretty long , strait , and sunk pretty hollow into the pear , and its crown or eye is also a little hollow and sunk inwards , its pulp breaks short in the mouth without being hard , and its sugred and perfumed juice charms all the world , and particularly the chiefest prince of the earth , and with him all the whole royal family . it s colour is a yellowish white , and its skin is gentle ; it hardly grows soft at all , which is a very important quality , and almost peculiar to this only among all the summer-pears : neither does its excellence terminate in being eaten raw ; it is admirable besides in pies and compotes : it forms a very fair and large dwarf-tree , and thrives well every where , and has no reproach to fear , except that its wood is subject sometimes to the canker , and that commonly it is difficult to be brought to bear ; but i shall elsewhere give you sufficient good remedies against those defects ; and there is nothing else but the time of its ripening that gives us any trouble to defend our choice of it to this place , because it comes in , as i have said above , together with the russelet-pear , and the first great peaches . but it has this advantage , that it is not asham'd to appear in their company : all this then put together , is it not enough to oblige us to confess , that the robine-pear merits at least an eighth place , without fearing any other pear will be able to make any available opposition against it , unless it be the colmar-pear , for the month of february ? the seventh and eighth places of dwarf-trees being so well filled up , the ninth is demanded not only by every one of the seven pears which we have already mentioned above , viz. the louise-bonne or good louise , the petit-oin , the st. germain , the marchioness , the crasanne , the st. augustin and the colmar ; but also by the verte longue or long-green pear , besides which , the sucré-vert or sugar-green , the dry martin , the lansac , the messire-john and the portal , dare almost presume themselves not altogether unworthy of it . let us examine separately the reasons of the principal aspirants in the same manner as near as we can , as we have done those of them already plac'd . i shall begin with explaining what concerns those new sorts of pears , the crasanne , the st. germain , the marchioness , the st. augustin and the colmar , and then pass on to speak of the petit-oin , the louise bonne or good louise , the verte-longue or long-green pear , and the lansac . the crasanne meets with many gentlemen that call it the bergamot crasanne ; bergamot , because of its pulp ; and crasanne , because of its shape , which looks as if it were squeezed down : but i think it would be more proper for it to bear the name of the flat butter-pear , it being pretty much of the nature and colour of the butter pear , though it differ from it in its flat figure , it is nearest the shape of the messire-john : there are of this sort some very great , some midling , and some very small pears . the ground of its colour is greenish , growing yellow when it is ripe , and almost all over speckled with red spots : its stalk is long , pretty thick , bent and hollow set , like apple stalks : its skin is rough , its pulp extreamly tender and butter-like , though it be not always very fine ; and its juice is as abounding as that of the famous butter-pears , but that it unhappily adds beyond what they have , a certain kind of biting sharpness , which is the cause that among the bergamots , the thorn-pears , the petit-oins , the louise-bonnes or good louises , the ambrets , the leschasseries , &c. in whose company it pretty often appears in the months of october and november , it is accused to make not an over pleasing figure , and particularly with those persons that , loving pears as nature presents them , seldom care for any sugar with them : however , because there are often enough found some pears of this sort without this great defect of biting sharpness , as it proves in those growing in a soil a little fattish and moistish , like that of versailes ; one may say , that 't is not altogether without reason , that it pretends to the place in dispute ; to which , if we add the qualities of preserving it self a whole month in perfect mellowness without ever growing pappy ; and lastly , of being subject at most but to the common condition of all fruits , that is to rottenness , and that but by degrees , it beginning at first in this pear , but at one small part of it , to give notice that it cannot last much longer . these three last considerations may reasonably procure it a great number of protectors . to look upon a st. germain-pear , being very long and pretty big , and some of them green and a little spotted , some pretty red , and all of them growing very yellow as they ripen , with short , indifferent thick and bending stalks ; one would take it for a very fine virgoulee-pear ; and those of them that are but small of growth , are something like the st. lezin-pears : this sort of pear comes almost always in at the same time with the virgoulee , thorn pear , ambret and leschasserie , though sometimes it comes before them , and sometimes not till after them , which commonly depends upon the temper and behaviour of the summer and autumn ; and that , as i have elsewhere said , holds true , not only as to these pears , but , in general , in all the fine autumn and winter-pears ; and besides , the difference of stocks on which those sorts are graffed , whether free or quince-stocks ; and of expositions more or less sunny , and of soils dry or wet , are of great influence in this respect , &c. this st. germain-pear , otherwise called the unknown pear of the fare , has a very tender pulp , without any earthy or stony remains , is of a great taste , with much juice , but that juice has very often a small point of lemonish sharpness , which pleases some curious people , and displeases some others : i have seen some of them that had little or nothing of that taste , and some others again which happily had none at all , and were by consequence , better to my taste ; without doubt , the being graffed on a quince-stock , and the excessive driness of a soil , augment this defect ; and therefore we ought to affect rather to graff them upon free-stocks , and in a ground where driness does not so much predominate ; yet , i will say to its honour , that this sowrish taste is found only in such pears of this sort , that because they are worm-eaten , mellow in november , and is seldom met with in those that come not to mellow till the end of december . the marquis or marchioness assumes two different figures , according to the difference of the soils or trees on which it grows : if the ground be dry , it is pretty like in bigness and shape , to a very fine blanquet-pear , or a midling boncretien , and it proves the same upon a standard-tree ; but in grounds that are fat and moist , and upon a dwarf-tree , there are of them that grow extraordinary great . this pear is of a handsom make ; it has a flat head , a little eye or crown sunk inwards , a pretty big belly and handsomly sloping down towards the stalk , which is indifferent long , thick , bent downward , and a little hollow set ; its skin is somewhat rough , its colour is of a green ground flourished with some flakes of red , as is to be seen in the butter-pear ; which colour , if it change not in ripening , the pear proves very bad , having in that the same destiny with the louise-bonnes or good louise's , the thorn-pears , petit-oins and lansacs ; this miscarriage comes from the moistness of the soil , or the too thick and tuffed figure of the dwarf-tree in such grounds : but when the green of it grows kindly yellow as the fruit ripens , then the pulp of it is tender and fine , the taste pleasing , the juice sufficiently abounding , and as much sugred as is to be wish'd in a marvellous pear : it 's true , it has something of a stony substance towards the core , but that sure ought not to hinder it from being look'd upon with some esteem , in the months of october and november . the pear of colmar came to me under that name , from an illustrious curious gentleman of guien , and from another place under the name of a manna-pear , and under that of the latter bergamot : and indeed this last name would better agree to it , than that of colmar ; it has very much of the air of a boncretien , and sometimes of a fair bergamot : its head is flat , its eye or crown indifferent great , and sunk very hollow , its belly a little thought bigger than the head , moderately lengthening it self , and very grosly lessening till it comes to the stalk , which is short , pretty thick and bent downwards . it s colour is a spotted green like the bergamet , and sometimes a little tinged with red on the side next the sun : it grows a little yellow when it comes to be mellow , which happens in december and january , and sometimes reaches as far as february and march : its skin is gentle and smooth , its pulp tender , and its juice very sweet and very sugred ; in which you have the picture of an excellent pear , but yet it has the same ill offices to fear from the quality of the soil , and of the seasons with the thorn-pear , the louise-bonne or good louise , the petit oin , &c. being a little subject to have its pulp gritty and insipid ; besides which , it fears the least blasts of the autumn winds , which especially upon tall-trees easily blow down its fruit , and hinder it from acquiring that degree of perfection which naturally it should have . it s just maturity of mellowness is not easie to nick ; for though it be yellow , it is not always ripe enough for all that , but after it has appeared yellow for a considerable time , when it yields a little to the thumb , if gently pinch'd . the petit-oin , which some angevins , or people of anjou , name bouvar , others the russet of anjou , others amadont ; and lastly , others , the winter-marvel , is a pear of november . it is almost of the bigness and shape of the ambrets or leschasseries . it s colour is a clear green , a little spotted , and has a small touch of yellow when it is ripe ; one would be ready enough to take it for a midling bergamot , but that it has nothing of flatness , but , on the contrary , is very round , has a great eye or crown jetting outwards , a small stalk pretty long , a little bending downward , and shallow set , a skin between rough and soft ; its body is a little uneven , and full of bunches , its pulp extreamly fine and melting , without any stony or earthy remains , its juice very sweet , very much sugred , and agreeably perfumed with a smack of musk ; all which confirms to us , that as little as it is in bulk , it ought to be allowed a place among good pears , and be ranked among the first in fruit-gardens , though , as i have elsewhere said , it runs the same hazards as the thorn-pear , and other principal pears of contracting a doughy and insipid pulp ; but in fine , for all that , it may be said , that provided its natural temper be not spoiled by those things which may be termed the sworn enemies of all good fruits , which are too much moisture and too little heat ; there cannot , during two months space , be seen a better little pear than this is in its perfect maturity . the louise bonne , or good louise , is of a shape pretty like that of st. the german-pear , and even of the verte-longue , or long-green-pear of autumn ; but that it is not quite so narrow pointed ; some of them are much bigger and longer than others , but the least are best ; its stalk is very short , a little fleshy , and bent downwards ; its eye or crown is small and even with the body ; its skin very gentle and smooth , its colour of a speckled greenish , growing whitish as it ripens , which happens not to the bigger of them : the first mark then of its ripeness is that whiteness , tho that be not sufficient alone , but it must yield to the thumb when it is gently pinched towards the crown : it 's other good qualities consist in , that it is marvellously fruitful , and supplies almost the two whole months of november and december ; that its pulp is extreamly tender , and full of juice , which juice is pretty sweet , and of a rich taste ; in that it grows not soft and pappy , as most other pears do ; and above all , in that it very much pleases his majesty ; but that is to be understood , when it has all the goodness it is capable of ; for it seems to be like children that are born with good inclinations , of whom it may be truly said , that if they be well educated , those good qualities improve in them to perfection , but if ill , they degenerate and are corrupted ; in the same manner , wet grounds makes this pear very big , but at the same time very bad withal , giving it a green crude and wildish tast , and a very peculiar sort of pulp not otherwise to be described , but by saying it is almost like congealed oyl , it being true enough , that this pulp makes no continuous body , its parts hanging no more together , than so many grains of honey , or of wetted sand ; but in recompence , the full air and standard trees are very favourable to it , and would be more , if it stuck but a little faster than it does , to its stalk : from whence 't is easie to conclude that such as we see good of them , are of the growth of dry soils , or at least of such other grounds as have been very carefully cultivated . the verte-long , or long green , otherwise called the mouille-bouche , or mouth-moistner of autumn , is one of those ancient pears that all the world knows ; of the two names it bears , the first gives the true description of its outside , and the other denotes its inward goodness ; it has a great many friends , and , a great many enemies , and those which are its adversaries object against it , that it often comes unseasonably to mix it self in the company of the lateward-peaches , and among the butter-pears , that is to say , among excellent pears endued with such charming qualities that are able to eclipse all that the verte-longue can shew to recommend it self , and even to perswade people they may very well be without it ; they likewise find fault with it for being too apt to grow soft , and because unless it grow in a ground that 's dry and sweet , it commonly is in danger of growing doughy , or at least of having but a faint and insipid juice . i confess indeed , that those are very powerful reproaches , if they were altogether true , and inseparably affixed to this pear ; but we can answer , first , that we suppose in this place the ground to be favourable enough to produce good ones ; in the second place we say , that the time of its ripening is commonly about the middle of september , and that then the butter-pears are ordinarily gone and past , so that in that time , it often makes an agreeable interlude in consort with the last ripe peaches , and particularly with the muscat-grapes , in expectation of the ripening of the bergamot and petit-oin-pears , which ought not to be long behind ; for otherwise , we are reduced to make a shift with nothing else perhaps , but messire johns , vine-pear , lansacs and rousselins , &c. which are all pears that ought to hide themselves so long as any verte-longues , or long-greens are in being . on the other side , if we please to do it the justice to consider the great quantity , the sweetness and perfume of its juice , with the delicacy and fineness of its pulp , we cannot but confess we have no pear that can dispute with it in those qualities ; nay , further i dare affirm , that it exceeds most other pears in that wonderful abundance of fruit , which as it were to confound its enemies , it ordinarily presents us every year upon our garden-theater . it is very certain , if it be never so little helped out with sugar , as it is a pear without any appearance of any stony or earthly matter , and that has hardly any more skin neither than good peaches , we shall find so many reasons for it , and so few against it , that in fine , in spite of all objections , it will make it self be considered , as a very important fruit in the time of its perfect maturity . the dolphin , or lansac pear , called in some places , the lichefrion , or lick-sweet of autumn , has indeed some fine days , and some very foul ones : it s ordinary bigness is about that of bergamets , and none but the little ones of this sort are good ; its shape is between round and flat towards the head , and a little longish towards the stalk ; its colour is a pale yellow ; its juice sugred , and a little perfumed ; its skin is smooth ; its pulp yellowish , tender and melting ; its eye or crown bigg , and even with the body ; it s stalk strait , and pretty long , thick and fleshy : and i have met with some of them that to my tast , were almost perfectly good pears ; but as i said just now , that happens only when they are but of a midling bigness , and especially when their skin is almost all over covered , as i may say , with a coat of russet or cinnamon colour , which often happens to those that grow in dry grounds , or upon tall trees ; for in any other soil , or on any other sort of tree , this sort of pear proves doughie , inspid , and in a word , one of the most imperfect pears in nature ; which proves but too true in those that growing in cold and moist soils , or particularly upon tufted and bushy dwarf-trees , have acquired the bigness of a fair messire-john , and a whitish green colour ; from this then , it follows , that the lansac is like the most part of the good pears of which we have spoken , that is to say , that it succeeds not indeed every where , but yet is in an entire good disposition to do well , if it be happily planted ; and therefore might well enough deserve a tolerable good place in a small garden , if particularly it ripened in any other season but just at the beginning of november , which is so well stored with other pears of the first order ; upon which consideration , we shall defer placing it , till we come to plant bigger gardens . but as to the seven other preceding ones , that , as one may say , make an admirable consort of good fruits , during the months of november , december and january , having to second them , the ambrets , the leschasseries , the thorn-pears , and above all , the virgoulees , which seems to make in this body of musick , a kind of continual base , i say , in respect to those seven preceding pears , i cannot deny but i am much puzled how to decide in what order they ought to have admission into our gardens , they are all so very good ; yet if i had some of those good soils which offend neither in too much driness nor moisture , i would give my voice to the petit-oin for the ninth place , to the crasane , for the tenth , the st. germain , for the eleventh , the colmar , for the twelfth , the louise bonne , or good louise , for the thirteenth , the verte-longue , or long-green , for the fourteenth , and to the marquise , or marchioness , for the fifteenth . the ninth dwarf-tree . a first petit-oin . a. the tenth dwarf-tree . a first crasane . b. the eleventh dwarf-tree . a first st. germain . c. the twelfth dwarf-tree . a first colmar . d. the thirteenth dwarf-tree . a first louise-bonne . e. the fourteenth dwarf-tree . a first verte-longue . f. the fifteenth dwarf-tree . a first marchioness . g. and that which is here to be remarked by all the world ( for ordinarily men are not masters of such happy soils ) is , that of these seven sorts of pears , there are two that are much afraid of a very dry ground , and require one that is moderately moist , and they are the crasane , and the st. germain ; but that , as for the other five sorts , they are of a quite opposite temper , and succeed wonderfully well , where the two others miscarry ; and again in their turn , become objects of our pity , or rather of our horrour and aversion , in moist soils , unless our industry and cultivation be very skillfully applied to correct that defect . you may be pleased to take notice , what for that purpose i have practised with good success enough in the kings kitchin-garden ; the scituation of the place which is naturally marshy , and the temper of the earth which is cold and gross , put me on upon making many experiments , as i have said elsewhere ; for i was absolutely minded to have of all those sorts of pears , that really had any thing of worth to make them desirable , and for that effect , striving particularly to content the palate of the master i have the honour to serve , i endeavoured to lay in there a proportion of molds of all sorts of constitutions , to give those pears the means to attain their due perfection : and therefore i raised a part of my ground into double slopes and ridges with convenient furrows and gutters between , to drain them , and consequently to dry them from all superfluous moisture ; and planted upon the most elevated parts of these ridges or slopes , as well in form of dwarf , or standard-trees , such sorts of fruits that could the least endure humidity , and placed those others that find their account better in a scituation not so dry , in other parts which i had not raised so high . the counsel then that i take the liberty to give to all curious persons , is , that , if their little gardens offend in humidity , and they be minded to correct that fault in them , they would imitate as far as they can in due proportion , what i have practised in a very great one ; and on the other side , that they who have only a very dry soil , if they please to believe me , would plant but few crasane , or st. germain-pear-trees , unless it be upon free-stocks , for fear otherwise , of a little biting sharpness in the first , and a little sowrness in the second ( tho both those tasts are easily allayed with a little sugar , or else vanish when those fruits come to their full ripeness ) and would rather fix upon the five other sorts , which will amply recompense them for all their pains and care . but those again who have ground that is moderately moist , will do well to give some good places to some dwarf-trees of the crasane and st. germain-pears grafted , either upon free or quince-stocks , and at the same time , to reject the louise-bonns , or good-louise , the petit-oins , and the marchioness-pears , unless they plant standard trees of them , or take great care that nothing cover them from the heat of the sun. the short eating pears , which were formerly in such great vogue in all gardens , are so far from seeing themselves in favour at this day , that now no esteem at all is made neither of the messire johns , nor dry-martins , nor portals , nor besideries , and if they appear upon noble tables , it is not never to return any more , or to give any pleasure to the taste ; but only with design at most , to help towards a solid construction of fruit-pyramids there used for state or shew . yet notwithstanding all this , these kinds of pears are not without some patrons ; and therefore as they are sensible they have still as much worth as ever they had formerly , they demand to be admitted to have the fair play to shew it with the best advantage to the world ; to endeavour what they can to retrive their credit , and to be suffered at least to follow next those fifteen choice preceding pears which have had all the honour of the first gardens . the excellency of the dry-martin ; which is sometimes called the dry-martin of champagne , to distinguish it from another that is called the dry-martin of burgundy , does not consist in its being of the bigness and shape of a russelet , so that in some places 't is called the winter russelet ( tho there be another pear that having no other name but that , takes it very ill the dry martin should so enviously usurp the title from it . ) neither does it's merit consist in that being tinged with an isabella red on the one side , and a very high coloured red on the other , it extreamly pleases the eyes , for that would not be enough to carry the prize in a contestation about the goodness of fruits ; but it lies first , in that it has a pulp that eats short , and that is pretty fine , together with a sugred juice with a little smack of perfume ; and in the second place , in that it has the advantage to be good to eat with its skin and all , as is the true russeles or russetin , nay , and to be eaten too as soon almost as 't is gathered ; thirdly , in that it is a fruit of great increase , and sometimes keeps pretty long , so that it is of some use in the month of november ; and lastly , that its plant forms a very fine dwarf-tree , and produces well in all sorts of figures of trees , and in all sorts of grounds : and therefore i cannot but have some esteem for this pear , and accordingly shall admit it to appear when we shall come to model the plantations of great gardens , and especially when we come to finish that of a hundred trees ; but in little ones it durst not presume to shew it self among so many other excellent tender pears that come in as well as that in the month of november . as for the messira-john , whether it be white or grey ( for they are both but the same sort ) who is there that knows it not ? it has not in truth the gift to please all the world : for those that like it not find fault with its stoniness to which it is very subject , and objject against its rough and gross pulp , which by this means it contracts , and that , with but too much reason ; yet methinks they lash out a little too far in their contempt of it ; when they say , 't is but a pear for a curate , a burgess , or a serving-man , or at most , a pear for the vulgar people ; but whatsoever they are pleased to say , they cannot but confess however , in its justification , that as much as it dreads and abhors grounds that are too dry , and summers too burning hot , which make it small and despicable ; so much it desires and delights in a soil that is moderately moist , either by nature , or by art , that is to say moist , by the the help of watering ; and so accommodated , in a summer that is pretty mild , it infallibly prospers so as to grow a fair large pear , and of great increase , thriving almost as well upon a free , as upon a quince-stock , and in the form of a standard-tree , as of a dwarf : the shape of this pear is flat , and its skin is a little rough in those that are grey , but in those that are white , it is a little gentler , and in a short eating pulp , it yields a very sugred juice , with a midling quantity of stony substance ; and it may even be praised for so well nicking the time of its ripening ; for that , in fine , to avoid the confusion it might suffer if it should be so bold as to intrude into the company of the tender and butter-pears , to which it will not presume to compare it self , it stays just till the russelets , the butter-pears , and the verte-longues , or long-green-pears are past , and comes in a little before the middle of october , as 't were only to amuse the curious , whilst the marchionessos , louise-bonnes , or good louise's and petit-oins are advancing towards their maturity , and especially whilst the bergamot is preparing to shew her self with all the splendour and agreeableness that becomes the queen of pears : if this messire-john had any better reasons to produce , it would not fail to alledge them with the utmost advantage it could ; and it desires we should count it for one plea in its favour , that it is disposed well enough to form a goodly dwarf-tree , and that its fruit makes an indifferent fine figure in the deserts of the vacation season . it would not be just , if after we have spoken of the messire-john , we should not say something too of the portal , which is a pear so famous in one of the greatest provinces in the kingdom , that is to say of poitou , a province full of gentry of very delicate palats , and very curious in matters of gardening ; such a proceeding would be publickly to reflect on them , as if they were grosly mistaken in the esteem they make of their portal-pear ; or , i should put my self in danger of being accused by them of not knowing it well enough , if i should prefer many other pears before it ; but for all that , to speak of it with all possible sincerity , i must needs say , i know no pear that has a greater number of enemies than this , whose aversion is grounded upon all those faults that discredit it in a great many places ; as for example , these that follow , viz. that it is somewhat hard , stony and full of earthy and gritty substance ; that it seldom comes to any good any where else but in poitou , and especially in and about the city of poitiers ; that it seldom ever begins to be good to eat , till it begins to have some speck of rottenness , which cannot be said of any other fruit ; and lastly , that it is much of the nature of musk-melons , that is to say , that for one pear of this sort , that proves excellent , there are very many that are very far from it , besides that its dwarf-trees are ordinarily of a very mean beauty . that which may be answered in its defence , is , that notwithstanding all these reproaches , it cannot be disputed but that it has some good qualities which are capable to procure it some consideration , when it has all the goodness which belongs to it , and which ordinarily is not found but in such pears of it as are of the product of trees grafted upon free-stocks : it's sugred juice its agreeable perfume , its bigness , its colour and its shape , which render it almost like a brown and very flat m●ssire-john , and its mellowing in the months of january and february , &c. these reasons might methinks sweeten peoples minds towards the portal-pear , and induce them to consent i should give it a good place , especially considering withal , that , tho commonly it be better in poitou than any where else , it is however true , that we have pretty often some in this country that hardly yield to them of poitou in goodness ; but that being something rare , i think it best for our purpose to leave the gentlemen poitevins in full liberty to plant themselves as many trees as they please , of their so much beloved pear , and to counsel my querists every where else , to prefer many other pears before them . i have already placed fifteen sorts of pear-trees , i shall next speak of those others that i still esteem beyond the portal , to fill up the rest of the five and twenty , or thirty first places in gardens of a midling extent . you are without doubt surprised , that having above named in passing , the st. augustine among the principal pears , i have since made no more mention of it in order to the placing it : the truth of it is , this omission was made , not out of any forgetfulness , but only because of the time of its mellowing , which hapning together with so many others towards the end of december made me reckon this ill 〈…〉 ing its season for a kind of fault . i had formerly seen some under this name , and under that of pears of pisa , which i made no account of , because of their smallness , and particularly because of the hardness and dryness of their pulp , tho a little perfumed ; but since that i have seen other very fair ones which i believe different from the former , and found them very good : they are of much about the bigness and shape of a fair virgoulee-pear , that is to say , they are indifferent long , and pretty big , having their belly and also their lower part round , but with some diminution of bigness as well on that side , as towards the stalk ; i should tell you , this stalk is rather long than short , and that it appears strait in some , and bent downwards in others , and yet not hollow set in the part out of which it comes ; its eye or crown is pretty big , and somewhat sunk in wards ; its colour is a fair lemon-yellow , a little speckled , with a little blush of red on that side next the sun : the pulp of it is tender , without being butterish , and furnishes more juice in the mouth than it promised in cutting with the knife ; some of these pears have a little smack of sowrness in their tast , which is so far from being displeasing , that it serves rather to give it the greater rellish ; and some others of them have hardly any at all of it ; i believe this description sufficient to direct you how to know this pear , which i assuredly esteem , but should prize it much more , if , as i was made to hope , it could be brought to keep till the months of february and march : however , it may well deserve the sixteenth place , which i give it . the sixteenth dwarf-tree . a first st. austin . the seventeenth dwarf-tree . a first messire-john . a. the eighteenth dwarf-tree . a second butter-pear . b. this done , i thought i could not do better than to give the seventeenth place to a first messire-john ; it being a pretty good pear when it is large and full ripe ; and the eighteenth place , to a second butter-pear , because in a garden of eighteen dwarf-trees , it seems to me , that 't would be too little to have but one dwarf-tree of that sort . and now here follows all at once a crowd of pears of three several seasons , which have every one their partisans to demand in their favour the nineteenth place in a garden of nineteen trees : viz. the little muscat , or musk-pear , which is one of the good summer-pears , and comes in in the beginning of july ; the cuisse-madame , or lady-thigh ; the great blanquet , or white-pear , and the lesser one ; and the long-tail'd blanquet , and the skinless pear , the muscat-robert , the gourmandine , or greedy guts pear , the bourdon , the amiret , the hasty russelet , or russetin , the finor and the cyprus pear , &c. which all follow the little muscat hard at the heels ; the orange-green-pear , for the end of july . the musked orange-pear , the summer thorn-pear , the summer bergamot , and the pear d'epargne , or reserve-pear , for the middle of august ; the oignonnet , or onionet-pear , the fondante , or melting-pear of brest , the persume-pear , the brutte-bonne , or chew-good-pear , the two sorts of summer boncretiens , and the cassolette , for the end of the same month ; the salviati , the english-pear , the reville , the cat-pear of the country of foret , and the flowery-muscat , im september , the brown-orange-pear , the russelin , the fille-dieu , or daughter of gods-pear , the suggar-green-pear , and the besi de la motte , in the month of october and november , as also the round-milan , otherwise called the winter-milan-pear , the arch-duke , the boncretien butter-pear , the ebergenit , and the winter messire-john , the pastourelle , for november and december ; the ronville , the great musk-peor , the chaumontel , and the winter-russelet , for january and february , the st. lezin , and the bugi , for the months of march and april , the winter-lemon-pear , otherwise called the lucina , is not without having raised some affection towards it in some curious persons that love fruits of a perfumed rellish : the vine-pear in october , boasts it self to be so good in some places , that we cannot , as it believes , without the greatest injustice in the world refuse it admittance at least among the nineteen , and the spanish boncretien , has it not , as one may say , some adorers of its beauty , and some of its goodness ? nay , and the very besidery , the carmelite , the bernardiere , the gilogile , the cadet pear , the double crowned-pear , and the double-flowered pear could almost find in their hearts too , to present their petitions for precedence before all those we have just now named : and the admiral , the rose-pear , the malta-pear , the maudlin-pear , the catburnt-pear , the black sucrine or black sugred-pear , the vilaine of anjou , the caillot rosat , or rosie pebble pear , the thick tail'd pear , the besie de caissoy , and some others like them , have indeed some goodness and some reputation in some certain parts : but i do not believe they have vanity enough to demand i should speak of them so soon , they will doubtless be contented to appear in the crowd of fruits , and will without jealousie see many other pears make a great figure every where , whilst with little noise a part of them shall be allowed their place in some by-part in great gardens , and shall serve at least to make there some tolerable variety . the pretensions of this last troop of pears , have indeed a while diverted me from the choice i design to make for our nineteenth place , but have not made me change it ; for i am now going to give the honour of it to those for which , of all pears , i think my self most obliged in this place to declare . and that is not as yet , for the little muscat or musked-pear , though seriously i infinitely esteem it , and it be really a very agreeable pear , especially when it is pretty large , and it have time to grow yellow , that is , to ripen well . it comes alone , and almost the first of all ; it is that which , as i may say , opens the theater of good fruits ; all which considerations would be strong enough to gain me in its favour , but that 't is too small a pear to take up so soon so great and precious a place , and especially in the figure of a dwarf-tree , in which , no more than the bergamot , it seldom meets with any success : it requires , without doubt , to be planted rather against walls , and accordingly i shall take care to place it well in that situation , when i shall come to treat of those fruits that are to garnish our walls . the great blanquet-pear , which is the true musked blanquet , and the cuisse-madam or lady thigh pear , would have reason to be offended , if the muscat should precede them , at least in the form of a dwarf-tree , though doubtless , and without contradiction , they both ought to give place to it , in that of a wall-tree . and therefore i think 't is most proper to give the nineteenth place here to the cuisse-madam or lady thigh , and the twentieth to the great blanquet , rather than to any other . the nineteenth dwarf-tree . a first cuisse madam , or lady-thigh . a. the twentieth dwarf-tree . a first great blanquet . b. the cuisse-madam or lady thigh , is a kind of russelet , its shape and colour being agreeable to that sort of pear ; its pulp is between short and tender , accompanied with an indifferent great abundance of juice , having a small relish of musk , and being very pleasant when it is full ripe ; to which may be added another very favourable reason both for this pear and the great blanquet ; which is , that they both come to chear us , whilst the peaches are a coming ; and that they are the first pears that are reasonably large and good , that we have in the beginning of july . their plants form very fine dwarf-trees , and the only fault i find in them is , that they are very hard to be brought to bear ; but yet from the very first moment they have once begun , they produce to a wonder . the great blanquet , or white-pear , is very different from that which is simply called the blanquet , or little blanquet-pear , and is more forward in ripening by fifteen days ; it is bigger and not so handsomly shaped for a pear as the lesser one ; it colours a little upon a dwarf tree , and has a very short thick stack and a little hollow set : its wood , which is small , and its leaf , are pretty like those of the cuisse-madam , or lady-thigh , whereas the wood of the little blanquet is ordinarily very thick and pretty short ; the great blanquet is likewise very different from the long-tail'd blanquet , which is a handsom pear , whose crown is pretty big and standing out ; its belly round and pretty long towards the stalk , which is a little fleshy and pretty long , and bending downwards ; its skin very smooth , white , and sometimes a little coloured on the sunny side ; its pulp is between short and tender , very fine , and very full of juice , which is surged and very pleasant . it has the faults of most part of the summer-pears , which are to have something of stony or earthy relicks , and to become doughy when they are let to grow too ripe ; this pear , no more than the great blanquet are not yet very common , though they well deserve to be so : they succeed well , whether it be on dwarf or standard trees . i shall not be long before i place this long-tail'd blanquet . the white colour which appears in the skin of the three sorts of pears , has occasioned their being called blanquets or blanched pears , which is the name they bear . the cassolet having just now seen the cuisse-madam , and the great blanquet , or white-pear , pass before it , murmurs in earnest , because it is not preferr'd before them . it is a longish and greyish pear , which is hardly inferior to any thing to the robine-pear ; neither in its pulp , nor in its juice , nor in its whole excellence taken altogether , save only that is apt to grow soft , which happens not to the robine-pear , and therefore it might well dispute these two last places , if it were as happy as the cuisse-madam , or lady-thighs , and blanquets or white musked-pears , in well timing its maturity ; but it comes not in till about the middle of august , that is to say , with the robine , and near about the beginning of the principal peaches , and in the prime of the season of figs , and of the best plums , which we have by the means of walls of inclosure , which is , to come in too good company to participate so soon in the first honours of small gardens , and therefore i defer the placing of it yet for some further time . it is visible enough , that in this distribution of places , i act as 't were the part of a master of ceremonies , who for the common good , aims particularly to order things so , that if in every season of the year we cannot have an abundance of good fruits , we may have at least a competent and reasonable quantity of them in proportion to the extent and quantity of ground in the garden every one has , and particularly in proportion to the assistance which the wall-trees should contribute for their part , upon which i count , and 't is certain that had it not been for such prospects as these , i had already placed the cassolet , and the musked summer boncretien , &c. that which i intend then at present , is so exactly well to regulate and proportion all good fruits that every one of them in its rank , may have opportunity to satisfie the obligation that seems to have been imposed upon them all , not only to give pleasure to man , but above all , to contribute to the preservation of his health . and methinks we have appearance enough to perswade us , there is such an obligation laid on them : for in effect , is it not visible , in that nature furnishes us more or less of fruits according as we are more or less attacked by external heat , which would otherwise be powerful enough to offend us ? this is a sovereign remedy , and a refreshment ready prepared , which she presents us every year in the critical time of our need : 't is for that reason , that in the month of august , that is to say , in the time of the most formidable heats of the dog-days , we have such store of musk-melons , figs , peaches , plums , and even of pears too : we see likewise that at the arrival of the rigorous cold , which ordinarily domineers from mid-november , till february and march , we all finding our selves more sensible of the first on-set of the frosts , are thereby constrained to approach so much the nearer the fire , to defend our selves from them . that external foreign heat so suddenly taken in , might without doubt so immoderately augment that which we have from nature , that great infirmities might from thence happen to us . but that this good mother out of her ordinary wisdom seems to have provided against them , by giving us precisely for that time , an admirable quantity of tender fruits , that is to say , of bergamot-pears , petit-oins , crasannes , louise-bonnes or good-louises , leschasseries , ambrets , virgoulees , thorn-pears , st. germains , colmars , st. augustins , and intermixing with them even some of those short-eating and musked pears , which are no bad fruit , of which i have above spoken , as amadots , great musk-pears , dry martins and portals , besides all the apples , as calvilles , pepins , fenouillets or fennel-apples , cour-pendu's or short-stalk'd apples , &c. and we see the number of these divine antidotes diminishes gradually , as we cease to have so great a necessity for them ; that is , i mean as the great cold approaches , which , if i may be so bold to say it , appears to me , to be the common enemy of mankind , and which particularly at the time that i am labouring most for the matter i treat of , most torments and afflicts me . 't is not my part , nor yet is this a proper place to declaim here against this cold ; but if any advantage might redound to us by so doing , without doubt considering that it equally incommodes me every where , where-ever i meet with it , whether in my body or my slender wit , or whether more particularly in our gardens , and , above all , in regard of our novelties . there should be nothing that i would not say or do , to banish a good part of it out of our climates : for , humanly speaking , i have no kindness at all for the cold , unless it be for some icicles and a little snow , which are the relicks we have of it in its absence , and which we take great care to shut up in the close prisons of our ice-houses ; they being as it seems a sort of criminals which have need of the correction of a long imprisonment , before they can be brought to a temper to be made serviceable for any good ; and , in effect , there is a time when the remains of those persecutors of men and gardens , approve themselves to be very useful ; for , in fine , during the troublesom heats of summer , they bear the most delicious part in the drink of noble persons . however , would to god , that without experimenting the rigor of the winters our selves , we could have ice brought to us from the north , as we have olives , oranges , and so many other good things from hot countries . i proceed all along according to the design i proposed to my self , which is to contrive , as near as 't is possible , that we may have in every garden at least some one kind of good fruit of every season , and that from the moment we begin to have any , there may be no discontinuation or interval till the return of fruits again the next year . we have the cuisse-madam , or lady-thigh , about the middle of july , we may join to it for the one and twentieth place , the musked bourdon , or rather the muscat robert , which makes the more agreeable dwarf-tree of the two . the one and twentieth dwarf-tree . a first muscat-robert , otherwise called the queen-pear , the amber-pear , the maiden of xantoigne , &c. for in other things , their merit is in a manner equal , as for their tender pulp , and juice indifferently musked : they ripen both about mid - july , but the muscat-robert begins first . we shall stay a little longer yet before we place the bourdin , and the little-blanquet or white-pear , which follow pretty close after them , and sometimes accompany them . this muscat-robert furnishes us almost till the time of the coming in of the musked boncretien , which is about the end of the month ; it is a very handsom pear , having a pretty tender pulp , and very much sugred : it is about the bigness of a russelet , having hardly any other faults than that which is common to most of the summer-pears , which is , to have a little stony or earthy substance , and to last but a little while ; but in recompence , it produces a great increase . the two and twentieth place would not be very ill filled up by the vine-pear , or damsel , or gentlewoman-pear , in some places improperly called the petit-oin . it is grey , reddish , round and pretty big ; it has an extream long stalk , and ripens towards the middle of october , which is the vacation season , that is to say , the time in which the country is most frequented , and when we have most need of fruits to entertain company withal : its pulp indeed is not hard , but to speak properly , 't is neither of the class of the buttery-pears , nor of that of the tender ones , and yet less of that of the short-eating pears , but rather makes a particular class by it self , which consists in a kind of fattish and glewy pulp , and often doughy ; over and above which , its merit is infinitely obscured by meeting with the butter-pears , verte-longues or long-green-pears , bergamots , sugar-greens , petit-oins , lansacs , marchionesses , crasannes , &c. and therefore i will not place it so soon , but will stay to place it among the standard-trees . in the mean while , let us give the twenty-second place to a second verte-longue , or long-green-pear , which doubtless is much more to be valued than the vine-pear . the twenty-second dwarf-tree . a second verte-longue , or long green-pear . the skinless pear might well dispute this twenty-second place with the verte-longue , or long-green , but however because this latter is so good a pear in the vacation season , i will leave it to that , and let its competitor follow it in the next place after . the twenty-third dwarf-tree . a first skinless-pears . which is otherwise named the guine flower , and also the hasty russelet , because of some resemblance it has with the russelet in its longish figure , and russet colour : it is a very pretty pear , and especially towards the twentieth of july , to keep company with the longtail'd blanquet or white-pear : it has a sweet juice without any mixture of any rosie or four taste , and has a tender pulp without any stony or gritty relicks , all which ought to be enough to procure your approbation of the rank i give it , and which i should have given to a musked summer boncretien , if it came in in the same season as this does , that is to say , a little before peaches . to finish the two dozen of dwarf-trees , i give the twenty-fourth place to a second winter-boncretien . the twenty fourth dwarf-tree . a second winter boncretien . i should never have done , and , contrary to my intention , i should tire all the world if i should stand so long a deciding the contestations of the other pears that are in use in fruit-gardens , as i have done upon the occasion of the four and twenty preceding ones : they which still remain behind are of no such great merit , to induce me to make a formal panegyrick of them , nor particularly to express the reasons they may have to dispute with their companions . and i do not think it necessary , as i think i have told you elsewhere , for a well-contrived garden , to have at least one tree of every one of those sorts that are but reasonably good ; but my judgment is , there should be rather so many the more trees of those that are assuredly excellent . i know well enough , that we have more sorts of pretty good pears , than i have here placed ; and accordingly as the gardens i treat of , shall grow more spacious , i will not fail to place them some in other kinds . however , at least , thus far i may say , that without having in our little gardens , one only bad sort of pears , we can boast that there are to be found one and twenty of the best sorts that are known , though there be in all but four and twenty dwarf pear-trees . i speak not yet of those which are to be planted against walls . and i have set down the order of the ripening and mellowing of these fruits , not only by specifying the seasons , but also by particularising every month of those seasons . there are six trees for the summer , which are , one cuisse-madam or lady-thigh , one great musked blanquet or white-pear , one muscat robert , one skinless-pear , one robine , and one russelet or russetin ; nine for the autumn , in seven kinds , which are , two verte-longues or long-green-pears , two butter-pears , one crasanne , one messire-john , one marchioness , one louise-bonne or good louise , and one petit-oin : and nine for winter , in eight kinds . this winter season , besides a part of the autumnal-pears , of which it has often the advantage to make its profit , glories very much in having one winter thorn-pear , one st. germain , one virgoulee , one leschasserie , one ambret , one colmar , one st. augustin and two boncretien-trees , being all pears of a maturity much further extended than that of the other seasons ; which if they be not super excellent , yet we ought to comfort our selves and be content , since , among all the great number the earth brings forth to us , and that are come to our knowledge , we have no better than those which we have chosen . i pretend to redouble the dwarf-trees of our principal pears , at least four or five times over , before i multiply the others , and before i proceed to place a score of those which we have mentioned in passing . i see well enough they are extreamly eager to produce themselves ; but yet , methinke , whatever merit they may have , and which i dispute them not , at least upon the foot it is on , i say , i think i may affirm in regard to them , that all of them together durst not presume to enter into contestation against any of those principal sorts , though they should take them one by one . and therefore i must counsel them , to have patience yet for some time , since , in my opinion , their condition will not be over-unhappy if they be admitted to appear each of them once in great gardens , after they have first seen four or five of the most honourable places given to every one of them which are already actually establish'd , and which , if i may be permitted so to speak , are among our fruits that which those called the keys in a pack of hounds are in hunting . this being setled , and we now beginning to enter into gardens that are indifferent large , my judgment is , that , to plant them skilfully , we ought , first , to make a designment of a particular canton or plat of ground for the fruits of each season , that so they may not be confusedly mix'd poll-moll one among the other , but that the summer-fruits may be in a place apart by themselves , and those of autumn and winter in like manner by themselves ; for want of which regulation , there happens several inconveniences which i elsewhere shall lay open ; and secondly , to assign every tree its place in the following order , and consequently to give , the twenty fifth place to a third grey butter-pear . the twenty sixth to a second virgoulee . the twenty seventh to a second leschasserie . the twenty eighth to a second thorn-pear . the twenty ninth to a second ambret . the thirtieth to a second st. germain . the thirty first to a second russelet , or russetin . the thirty second to a second crasanne . the thirty third to a second robine . the thirty fourth to a second cuisse-madam , or lady-thighs . the thirty fifth to a second colmar . the thirty sixth to a second petit-oin . the thirty seventh to a third winter boncretien . the thirty eighth to a fourth butter-pear . the thirty ninth to a third virgoulee . the fourteenth to a third leschasserie . the forty first to a third thorn-pear . the forty second to a third ambret . the forty third to a third st. germain . the forty fourth to a first flower'd muscat , or otherwise call'd a long-tail'd muscat of autumn . the forty fifth to a third verte-longue , or long-green-pear . the forty sixth to a third crasanne . the forty seventh to a second marchioness . the forty eighth to a second st. augustin . the forty-ninth to a fourth winter boncretien . the fiftieth to a fourth virgoulee . and so in fifty dwarf-trees , there will be nine summer ones , in six kinds ; seventeen for autumn , in eight kinds ; and four and twenty for winter , in eight other sorts . the fifty first place shall be given to a third marchioness . the fifty second to a first musked summer boncretien . the fifty third to a third petit-oin● the fifty fourth to a fifth winter boncretien . the fifty fifth to a first virgoulee . the fifty sixth to a fourth leschasserie . the fifty seventh to a fourth thorn-pear . the fifty eighth to a fourth ambret . the fifty ninth to a fourth st. germain . the sixtieth to a first long-tail'd blanquet , or white-pear . the sixty first to a first butter-pear . the sixty second to a first orange-green-pear . the sixty third to a fourth verte-longue , or long-green-pear . the sixty fourth to a sixth winter boncretien . the sixty fifth to a sixth virgoulee . the sixty sixth to a third colmar . the sixth seventh to a fourth crasanne . the sixty eighth to a fourth marchioness . the sixty ninth to a second louise-bonne , or good louise . the seventieth to a fifth thorn-pear . the seventy first to a first ambret . the seventy second to a first leschasserie . the seventy third to a first st. germain . the seventy fourth to a fifth verte-longue , or long-green-pear . the seventy fifth to a first doyennee , or dean-pear . by this means , a garden of threescore and fifteen dwarf-trees , will have twelve for summer , in nine kinds , twenty six for autumn , in other nine kinds ; and thirty six for winter , in eight sorts . all the pears contained in this number of seventy five , have been already described , excepting four , namely , the flowery muscas , the musked summer boncretien , the orange-green-pear , and the doyenne or dean-pear . the flowery muscat , otherwise the long-tail'd muscat of autumn , is an excellent round reddish pear , of an indifferent bigness , a tender and fine pulp , and of a rich taste very proper to be eaten , as one may say , greedily at one chop , just as a good plum , or a fair agriot . the musked summer boncretien comes seldom to good unless it be upon a free-stock : this pear is excellent , and makes a very fine tree ; it is of a very agreeable shape to look upon , being well made in its pear , which is of a reasonable bigness , near about that of the fair bergamots : its colour is white on the one side , and red on the other ; its pulp is between short and tender , having a great deal of juice accompanied with an agreeable perfume ; its unhappiness is , that it comes in at the same time with the robins-pear , by which it is always eclipsed , and with the good peaches of the end of august , which hardly suffer any pears in their company ; but however , i thing it worthy to enter at least once into a garden of threescore and fifteen trees . as for the orange-green-pear , it has a considerable great number of small friends : all the world knows it by its name , and , in effect , it is a common and popular pear , and which , in the time of our fathers , made a pretty great figure in gardens ; so that among all old trees , we fail not to find a great many of this sort . i do not believe any body will go about to chase it out of the place which i have given it . the time of its ripening , which is at the beginning of aug 〈…〉 , that is to say , a little before the robins , the musked boncretien and the peaches : it s short eating pulp , its sugred juice , with its perfume altogether peculiar for its kind , its shape and make which is pretty big , flat and round ; its hollow eye or crown , its green colour tinged with carnatian ; but particularly the abundant crop that accompanies it almost always upon a dwarf-tree , and which is very favourable for menial servants and for communiities ; all these circumstances make a great solicitation for it . and its vanity is not great , it aspires not at all to the honour of a wall-tree , but is content with its sixty second place , which with a good luck let us leave it . in fine , the doyennes or dean-pear enters last into a garden of threescore and fifteen dwarfarees , and performs its duty not amiss there : it is otherwise called the st. michael , the white butter-pear of autumn , the snow-pear , the 〈◊〉 , or good graff , &c. it is of the bigness and shape of a fair grey butter-pear , and unhappily for it , comes in at the same time with that butter-pear ; before which , in truth , for its honour's sake , it ought almost never to appear : its picture tells us , that it has a thick short stalk , a very smooth skin , a greenish colour which grows very yellow when 't is ripe ; it is a right melting pear , and its juice is sweet , but commonly 't is such a sweetness that is not very noble , nor of no high relish , notwithstanding i know not what little perfume of which sometimes it has a smack , and which seems to me not worthy of any great esteem : its pulp easily grows soft , and as it were doughy and sandy ; so that 't is somewhat difficult to nick the just time of gather gathering this pear ; but if care be taken togather it pretty green , and to serve it up before it has attained a clear yellow colour , which is a mark of its over-maturity , we may venture to let it shew it self , without any fear of receiving any disgrace thereby . i had one year some of them that proved so good , that i was almost ready to believe them of a particular kind , but i never could see the like since : it has in all sorts of soils the advantage of being very fruitful , which procures it among many of the midling sort of gardeners , a very particular esteem ; and it has besides another advantage of being beautiful , which , during the month of october , gives it a place in all the pyramids served up at great tables . it meets with a good many curious persons that much more value it than i do ; but i cannot tell how to help it , and they must pardon me if i tell them , that i am almost ashamed i have so well placed it . we have since this little while a new pear under the name of besi de la motte , which pretty near resembles a large ambret , save only that it is spotted with red ; if this pear should prove another year to be of as melting a substance , and to have so pleasing a juice as it had about the end of october in , which is the time of its maturity , the doyennee or dean-pear will be in great danger of being obliged to yield to this latter the place i have given it , at least , it shall see it received immediately next after it . though thus far , in some of these first gardens , and , for example , in that of threescore and fifteen pear-trees . the number of some kinds for autumn , be very great in proportion to those for winter ; for there are twenty seven trees of the first sorts , and but thirty seven of the other , yet i should not be against any ones changing a little that regulation , by retrenching a part even of the summer-pears , which are to the number of twelve , to multiply in their place , such kinds of other seasons as should most please him . and , for that reason , i should think my self much to blame , if when we shall all be planting of great gardens , i should counsel all the world to place there for example , almost as many verte-longues or long-green-pears , or even of butter-pears too , &c. as of boncretiens , ambrets , virgoulees , leschasseries , thorn-pears , de la fares , &c. nay , and i am assured , the great lovers of those good pears of autumn , would not disapprove this conduct ; i will sometimes multiply them , and sometimes also those of the second and third class , but it shall be always with this consideration , which ought to serve for a rule to every gard'ner , and which i propose to my self as a direction for every other person in particular , that is to say , that regularly we should not strive to have more of each sort of fruits , than just about what we may probably spend either our selves , or in our own families , or in entertainment of freinds , without giving those fruits the time miserably to rot and spoil : nay , i believe that those pears which have not the good fortune to last long , and which , as well as we , have reason to envy that advantage to so many bad sorts , which without any care , and as 't were in spite of us , keep easily till the coming in of the next summer-fruits ; i believe , i say , that those good pears would think themselves offended , if we should multiply them in such a manner , that instead of being all of them employed whilst in their perfect maturity , in performing their duty to mankind , a great part of them should see themselves insensibly become unserviceable , by being over-run with rottenness . for when we have but a little quantity of each sort of fruit , it seldom happens we let them be spoiled ; no , we visit them too often to give them time for that : whereas , when we have a great abundance of them , nothing is so ordinary as to see a good part of them spoiled . and therefore in this point we ought judiciously to determine what quantity we shall , as near as can be computed , need to have of them according to our designs ; and according to that foot , to proportion , as i have said before , the number of trees of each kind , which we are to plant in our garden . there are some of these trees that are long before they come to bear , as the ambret , the robine , the bourdon , the russelet , the thorn-pear , and above all the rest , the virgoulee , the colmar , &c. and there are some that are quick enough in producing , provided they be graffed on quince-stocks , as the verte-longues or long-green-pears , the butter-pear , the doyennee or dean-pear , &c. but these last bear such fruits , that it is convenient to have a pretty good number of them , because we eat a great many of them in their season , they coming in while the weather is yet hot , and in a time in which we are not used to be contented with half a pear ; for , in earnest , a man must eat a great many russelets , verte-longues or long-green-pears , butter-pears , doyennee or dean-pears , &c. before he can satisfie his appetite ; and nature , that is as well acquainted with our passions as our necessities , and which intended equally to accommodate the one as well as the other , has , as we may say , given to these latter sorts of pears the gift of fruitfulness , as well as that of quickness in bearing , with design , that in their season we might have a sufficient plenty of them , since we are in a condition to spend them both with profit and pleasure . it ought not then to be wondred at , if so far as in those sizes of gardens that can hold but about seventy five trees , i desire there should be almost as many trees of those fruits that ripen , as 't were , altogether , as of some of those that ripen successively one after another , and which by consequence , give us the time to make a commodious and regular consumption of them ; for , as i have said , when i come to treat of larger plantations , i shall doubtless use much more moderation in regard to those fruits which keep but a little while , than to those others that having the advantage of being good , as well as lasting , will keep for several months together . however i leave it to every curious person , to multiply the fruits of one season more than those of another , according to his own inclination or occasions . for such a gentleman , for example , upon the consideration that he is to pass such and such certain times in the country , where he is frequently to entertain company , must necessarily have more fruits of the months of september , october and november , than of the other seasons , and in such a case , the number of the russelets , verte-longues or long-green-pears , butter-pears , doyennces or dean-pears , bergamots , marchionesses , lansacs , crasannes , vine-pears , petit-oins , louise-bonnes or good-louises , besi de la mottes , and even of messire-johns , &c. must be augmented , and the kinds proportionably diminished . and for another gentleman , on the contrary , for other good reasons , as for example , because he cannot go into the country to spend the summer-fruits , nor can have them brought him from thence , it is absolutely expedient to have only good store of winter-fruits : it will be most convement largely to multiply the virgoulees , winter-boncretiens , thorn-pears , ambrets , leschasseries , colmars , la fares , st. augustins , dry martins , pastourelles , &c. and to reduce the fruits of the other seasons to a smaller number . it is very certain , that my true design in this treatise of the choice and proportion of fruits , was without any regard to such particular circumstances as these , which may be infinite , whether in respect of every head of a particular family , or in regard of such as are heads of communities , and indeed it was impossible it should provide for them : no , it was chiefly intended only for the curious in general , who desire to have regularly and equally all the year long , as great store as can be of the choicest fruits out of their gardens , of what bigness soever they be : and as for the rest of the curious , they may from the knowledge i here have communicated of the good fruits of every season , and of the lasting of each kind of them , gather sufficient directions to assist them in making such determinations thereupon , which shall be most conformable to their intentions . to continue then at present , what i have begun for the first sort of curious persons , i think , we ought to give . the seventy sixth to a first besi de la motte . the seventy seventh , to a sixth butter pear . the seventy eighth , to a second great blanquet , or white pear . the seventy ninth , to a third louise-bonne , or good louise . the eightitth , to a second long-tail'd blanquet , or white pear . the eighty first , to a seventh winter boncretien . the eighty second , to a sixth thorn pear . the eighty third , to a sixth leschasserie . the eighty fourth , to a sixth ambret . the eighty fifth , to a seventh virgoulee . the eighty sixth , to a sixth verte-longue , or long-green-pear . the eighty seventh , to an eighth virgoulee . the eighty eighth , to a seventh thorn-pear . the eighty ninth , to a seventh ambret . the ninetieth , to a seventh leschasserie . the ninty first , to a sixth st. germain , otherwise the unknown la fare . the ninety second , to a fourth colmar . the ninety third to a ninth virgoulee . the ninety fourth , to a second flowery-muscat . the ninety fifth , to a first dry martin . the ninety sixth , to a fourth petit-oin . the ninety seventh , to a fourth louise-bonne , or good louise . the ninety eighth , to an eighth thorn-pear . the ninety ninth , to an eighth ambret . the hundredth , to a tenth virgoulee . there then you have a garden of a hundred dwarf-pear trees , regulated with all the choice and proportion i am able to prescribe , having introduced into it , eight and twenty kinds of pear-trees , namely , nine for summer , ten for autumn , and nine for winter : the nine for summer consist of fourteen trees , the ten for autumn , of thirty three , and the nine for winter , of fifty three . the fourteen summer fruit-trees are two cuisse-madams , or lady-thighs , two robines , two russelets , two great-blanquets , or white-pears , two longtaild-blanquets , one muscat robert , one skin-less-pear , one musked-summer-boncretien , one orange-green-pear : and i think there are summer-pears enough , with some little muscat-pears against a wall. the thirty six of autumn , are six butter-pear-trees , six verte-longues , or long-green-pears , four crasanes , four marchionesses , four louise-bonnes , or good-louises , four petit-oins , one messire-john , two flowery-muscats , one doyennee , or dean pear , and one besi de la motte , all these being helped out with some bergamot wall-trees , make a pretty well furnished autumn . the fifty three for winter-fruit , are seven winter-boncretiens , ten virgoulees , eight thorn-pears , eight ambrets , seven leschasseries , six st. germains , otherwise unknown de la fares , four colmars , two st. augustins , and one dry martin . to begin the second hundred of dwarf-trees . the hundred and first pear-tree should be an eleventh virgoulee . the hundred and second , an eighth leschasserie . the hundred and third , a ninth winter-thorn-pear . the hundred and fourth , a first bourdon or humble-bee-pear . the hundred and first , a seventh lazrus , otherwise st. germain . the hundred and sixth , a first colmar . the hundred and seventh , a seventh butter-pear . the hundred and eighth , a seventh verte-longue , or long-green pear . the hundred and ninth , a tenth thorn-pear . the hundred and tenth , a fifth petit-oin . the hundred and eleventh , a first sugar-green-pear . the hundred and twelfth , a first lansac . the hundred and thirteenth , a third russelet . the hundred and fourteenth , a third robine . the hundred and fifteenth , a first maudling-pear . the hundred and sixteenth , and the hundred and seventeenth , two espargnes or reserve-pears . the hundred and eighteenth , a twelfth virgoulee . the hundred and nineteenth , a sixth colmar . the hundred and twentieth , an eighth winter-boncretien . the hundred and twenty first , a second dry-martin . the hundred and twenty second , a seventh colmar . the hundred and twenty third , an eighth butter-pear . the hundred and twenty fourth , a first bugi . the hundred and twenty fifth a second bugi . and so in the number of a hundred twenty five pear-trees , there are twenty of summer-fruits , in twelve kinds , thirty nine of those of autumn , in twelve kinds , and sixty six of winter-fruits , in ten kinds . the twenty summer-fruit-trees , are three russelets , three robines , two cuisse-madams , or lady-thighs , two great-blanquets , or white-pears , two longtaild-blanquet , two espargnes , or reserve-pear , one skin-less-pear , one musked summer-boncretine , one orange-green-pear , one muscat-robert , one bourdon , or humble-bee pear , one mauldin-pear . the thirty nine of autumn , are eight butter-pears , seven verte-longues , or long-green-pears , save petite-oins , four marchionesses , four crasanes , four louise-bonnes , or good-louises , two flowery-muscats , one doyennee or dean pear , one lansac , one besi de la motte , one sugar-green-pear , one messire-john . the sixty six of winter-fruits , are eight boncretines , twelve virgoulees , ten thorn-pears , eight leschasseries , eight ambrets , seven lafares , seven colmars , two dry-martins , two st. augustins , and two bugi . into this last number of twenty five , i have introduced five sorts of pears which had no entrance into the first hundred : namely , three summer ones , viz. the bourdon , or humble-bee-pear , lespargne , or the reserve-pear , and the maudlin-pear ; one of autumn , which is the sugar-green-pear , and one of winter , which is the bugi . the bourdon , or humble-bee-pear , is a pear of the end of july , which for its bigness , quality of its pulp , its taste , its perfume , and its juice , as well as for the time of its ripening , very much resembles the muscat-robert , and is little different from it in its stalk , which is longer in this than in that . the espargne , or reserve-pear , otherwise , the st. sanson , is a red pear , indifferent big , and very large , and as one may say , a little vaulted in its shape : it has a tender pulp , a little sowrish , and ripens about the end of july : of this pear , one may say without any design to offend it , that it has more beauty than goodness , and accordingly , it triumphs more in the pyramids , than in the mouth . the maudlin-pear is a pear that is greenish and pretty tender , and approaching very near in shape to the bergamot : it ripens at the beginning of july , and so is one of the first pears of the summer ; but it is very apt to deceive us , if we stay till it begins to grow yellow before we gather it , because then it is past its goodness , and is grown doughy . the compounded name the sugar-green-pear bears , describes to us at the same time both its juice and its colour : if it were a little bigger , it might be taken for a winter-thorn-pear , it so much resembles it in shape ; it ripens towards the end of october , its pulp is very buttery , its juice sugared , and its taste agreeable , having hardly any other fault , than that of being a little strong towards the core. the bugi , to which is regularly given the sir-name of bergamot , and of easter-bergamot , because in its green colour , and in its bigness , it has some air of the good autumnal bergamot , yet being a little less flat towards the eye or crown , and a little longer towards the stalk ; the bugi , i say , is a pear speckled with little grey specks , which grows a little yellowish in ripening , whose pulp participates at the same time of tenderness and firmness , and as one may say , eats almost short ; it has the misfortune sometimes to grow doughy and mealy , which happens when 't is suffered to grow too ripe before it be gathered : its juice which is in abundance enough , has i know not what smack of sowreness , which often makes it be comtemned and rejected , but a little sugar serves it for a great remedy ; and in truth , having the advantage to stay to mellow in lent , when it makes a good figure , appearing then almost alone in the great sterility of fruits , it merits at least the place i have given it , nay , and the curious person , in whose grounds it usually succeeds well , may very well place it better than i have done . to continue a second hundred of dwarf trees . the hundred twenty sixth pear-tree , should be a ninth winter-boncretien . the hundred twenty seventh , a ninth butter-pear . the hundred twenty eighth , a first great oignonnet , or onionet-pear . the hundred twenty ninth , a second sugar-green-pear . the hundred and thirtieth , a first little blanquet , or white-pear . the hundred and thirty first , a thirteenth virgoulee . the hundred thirty second , an eleventh thorn-pear . the hundred thirty third , a ninth ambret . the hundred thirty fourth , an eighth verte-longue , or long green-pear . the hundred thirty fifth , a sixth petit oin . the hundred thirty sixth a first angober . the hundred thirty seventh , a fourth russelet . the hundred thirty eighth , a fourth robine . the hundred thirty ninth , a fifth crasane . the hundred and fortieth , an eighth unknown la fare , otherwise sr. gemain-pear . the hundred forty first , an eighth colmar . the hundred forty second , a second messire-john . the hundred forty third , a fourteenth virgoulee . the hundred forty fourth , a tenth leschasserie . the hundred forty fifth , a tenth ambret . the hundred forty sixth , a first double-flowr'd-pear . the hundred forty seventh , a fifth marchioness . the hundred forty eighth , a first franc-real , or frank-royal-pear . the hundred forty ninth , a second skin-less-pear . the hundred and fiftieth , a first besidery . in this last number of pear-trees i have newly placed , there are five , of which i have yet made no description , namely the double flower , the franc real , or frank royal , the angober , the besidery , and the great onionet , or onion pear : therefore to satisfie the curiosity of them that have a mind to know what i think of them , i shall tell them , that i make a very particular account of the double flower , or double flowr'd pear , not to eat raw , though some certain persons like it well enough so too , finding that in it , which i do not , that is , something pleasant in its pulp , and in its taste ; but i esteem it first , because it is altogether beautiful to look upon , it being really a large slat pear with a long strait stalk , a smooth skin , blush-coloured on one side , and yellow on the other ; in the second place , there being no srcuple made in letting it appear in great dishes of fruit ; i prise it for the service it renders on such occasions : and lastly , because after it has made an agreeable figure for several days together , and that by often handling , it begins to loose the flower of its lovely colour , and to grow quite dull and blackish , it then remains in a condition to signalize its true excellency ; for it is most useful and agreeably employed in making one of the loveliest and best compot's , or wet sweet-meats in the world , having a marrowy pulp , without being incommoded with the least stoniness , and having above all , abundance of juice , that easily takes a beautiful colour over the fire ; so that , in my judgment , and according to my palate , all that together affords me great reasons to esteem this pear , though i should only consider it as particularly good to preserve , or otherwise prepare by fire . it is likewise well known , that the franc-real , or frank-royal , which some name , the winter finor , is a pear of great increase , large , round and yellowish speckled , with little reddish specks , with a short stalk , and having a wood quite mealy . the angober is also known to be a pretty big long pear , blush-coloured on one side , and of a greyish russet on the other ; the wood of its tree is very much like that of the butter-pear and the pear is not much unlike that . it is likewise no less known , that the besidery is a pretty round pear , about the bigness of a large tennis-ball , of a yellowish and whitish green-colour , with an indifferent strait and long stalk , and ripening in october and november . the great onionet , or onion-pear , otherwise amiré roux , or red-wonder-pear , and the king of the summer , is a pear of the middle of july , which is pretty red-coloured , round and indifferent large . i return now to continue my project for the choice and proportion of fruits , for the garden that may hold a hundred an fifty one dwarf-trees , and accordingly i design for the hundred a fifty first pear-tree , a tenth winter boneretine : the hundred fifty second , a fifteenth virgoulee . the hundred fifty third , a sixteenth virgoulee . the hundred fifty fourth , an eleventh leschasserie . the hundred fifty fifth , a twelfth thorn-pear . the hundred fifty sixth , a tenth butter-pear . the hundred fifty seventh , a first vine-pear . the hundred fifty eighth , a first ronville-pear , which some name la hocre-naille , and others , martin sire ; it is a celebrated pear upon the river loire , being in season in the months of january and february ; its bigness and shape come very near that of the fair russelet or russetin ; it has a pretty hollow or inward sunk crown or eye , and its belly is ordinarily bigger on the one side than on the other , but yet every where pretty big , and handsomly sloping down towards the stalk , which is of a midling thickness and length , and not at all set hollow ; the colour is lively on one side , though more in some pears than in others of them , and the other side grows very yellow at the time of its mellowness ; its skin is very slick and satin-like : as for the considerations that have engaged me to place it here , they are the time of its maturity , and because its juice is sugred , and has a little smack of perfume , that is agreeable enough , and for the shortness of its pulp in eating ; its faults are , that is , is small and hardish , and a little gritty . but they being excusable by its other good qualities , i therefore was minded to place at least one tree of it in a garden of a hundred and fifty eight dwarf-trees , and for , the hundred and fifty ninth , i will place a fifth russelet . the hundred and sixtieth , a fifth robin . the hundred sixty first , a sixth crasane . the hundred sixty second , a sixth marchioness . the hundred sixty third , a seventh petit-oin . the hundred sixty fourth , a third cuisse-madam , or lady-thigh . the hundred sixty fifth , a ninth colmar . the hundred sixty sixth , an eleventh winter boncretin . the hundred sixty seventh , a second musked boncretin . the hundred sixty eighth , a second muscat-robert . the hundred sixty ninth , a third skinless-pear . the hundred and seventieth , an eleventh butter-pear . the hundred and seventy first , a second maudlin . the hundred seventy second , a seventeenth virgoulee . the hundred seventy third , a twelfth leschasserie . the hundred seventy fourth , a second bourdon , or humble-bee-pear . the hundred seventy fifth , a third dry martin . the hundred seventy sixth , a third bugi . the hundred seventy seventh , a twelfth winter-boncretien . the hundred seventy eighth , a tenth verte-longue or long-green-pear . the hundred seventy ninth , a second doyennee , or dean-pear . the hundred and eightieth , a first salviati . the hundred eighty first , a twelfth butter-pear . the hundred eighty second , an eleventh ambret . the hundred eighty third , an eighth petit-oin . the hundred eighty fourth , a ninth unknown la fare , or otherwise st. germain . the hundred eighty fifth , a tenth colmar . the hundred eighty sixth , a twelfth ambret . the hundred eighty seventh , a second lansac . the hundred eighty eighth , a seventh crasanne . the hundred eighty ninth , a thirteenth winter boncretien . the hundred and ninetieth , an eighteenth virgoulee . the hundred ninety first , a second besi de la motte . the hundred ninety second , a sixth russelet . the hundred ninety third , a sixth robine . the hundred ninety fourth , a first cassolet . the hundred ninety fifth , a first unknown chaineau . the hundred ninety sixth , a first little muscat . the hundred ninety seventh , a first hasty russelet . the hundred ninety eighth , a first portal . the hundred ninety ninth , a second portal . and the two hundredth shall be a third augustin . i cannot here forbear expressing some regret , that among so many dwarf-trees , i find so few boncretiens , and no autumnal bergamots ; i have already declared the reasons i had for that , which were the hopes we had to have a pretty good number of wall-trees of both of them ; and because those grounds that are subject to be cold and moist , are altogether fatal to them . but if our ground be reasonably dry , because we have a very great inconvenience to fear from the tyger-babs , a cursed little volatile insect that horridly destroys the wall-pears , and hinders us from planting many of them , especially in the good expositions of the east and south ; i say therefore , if our ground has not that great defect of being too cold and moist , it will be convenient enough to plant in it a good number of boncretion dwarf-trees . therefore the two hundred and first shall be a winter boncretien . the two hundred and first , a winter boncretien . the two hundred and second , another winter boncretien . the two hundred and third , a winter boncretien . the two hundred and fourth , a winter boncretien . the two hundred and fifth , a winter boncretien . the two hundred and sixth , a winter boncretien . the two hundred and seventh , a winter bergamot . the two hundred and eighth , a virgoulee . the two hundred and ninth , a virgoulee . the two hundred and tenth , a virgoulee . the two hundred and eleventh , a leschasserie . the two hundred and twelfth , a leschasserie . the two hundred and thirteenth , an ambret . the two hundred and fourteenth , an ambret . the two hundred and fifteenth , a thorn-pear . the two hundred and sixteenth , a thorn-pear . the two hundred and seventeenth , a crasanne . the two hundred and eighteenth , a petit-oin . the two hundred and nineteenth , a la fare , otherwise a st. germain . the two hundred and twentieth , a la fare . the two hundred twenty first , a marchioness . the two hundred twenty second , a marchioness . the two hundred twenty third , a dry martin . the two hundred twenty fourth , a dry martin . the two hundred twenty fifth , a butter pear . the two hundred twenty sixth , a butter pear . the two hundred twenty seventh , a russelet . the two hundred twenty eighth , a russelet . the two hundred twenty ninth , a musked summer boncretien . the two hundred and thirtieth , a messire john. the two hundred thirty first , a robine . the two hundred thirty second , a verte-longue , or long-green-pear . the two hundred thirty third , a verte-longue . the two hundred thirty fourth , a cassolet . the two hundred thirty fifth , a lansac . the two hundred thirty sixth , a cuisse-madam , or lady-thigh . the two hundred thirty seventh , a cuisse-madam the two hundred thirty eighth , a long-tail'd blanquet , or white-pear . the two hundred thirty ninth , a first musked blanquet , or white-pear . the two hundred and fourtieth , an orange-green pear-tree . the two hundred forty first , a besidery . the two hundred forty second , an espargne , or reserve pear-tree . the two hundred forty third , a messire john. the two hundred forty fourth , a sugar-green pear . the two hundred forty fifth , a winter boncretien . the two hundred forty sixth , a winter boncretien . the two hundred forty seventh , a winter boncretien the two hundred forty eighth , a winter boncretien the two hundred forty ninth , a virgoulee . the two hundred and fiftieth , a virgoulee . the two hundred fifty first , a virgoulee . the two hundred fifty second , an ambret . the two hundred fifty third , an ambret . the two hundred fifty fourth , a thorn-pear . the two hundred fifty fifth , a thorn-pear . the two hundred fifty sixth , a leschasserie . the two hundred fifty seventh , a leschasserie . the two hundred fifty eighth , a leschasserie . the two hundred fifty ninth , a dry martin . the two hundred and sixtieth , a petit-oin . the two hundred sixty first , a la fare . the two hundred sixty second , a st. augustin . the two hundred sixty third , a marchioness . the two hundred sixty fourth , a butter-pear . the two hundred sixty fifth , an amadot . the two hundred and sixty sixth , a first spanish boncretien . the two hundred sixty seventh , a louise-bonne , or good louise pear the two hundred sixty eighth , a doyenne , or dean pear . the two hundred sixty ninth , a portal . the two hundred and seventieth , a louise bonne , or good louise . the two hundred and seventy first , a besidery . the two hundred seventy second , a besidery . the two hundred seventy third , a double flower , or double flowered pear . the two hundred seventy fourth , a frank-real , or frank royal. the two hundred seventy fifth , a frank royal. the two hundred seventy sixth , a frank royal. the two hundred seventy seventh , an angober . the two hundred seventy eighth , an angober . the two hundred seventy ninth , a first donville the two hundred and eightieth , a second donville . the two hundred and eighty first , a robine . the two hundred and eighty second a robine . the two hundred and eighty third , a st. lezin . the two hundred eighty fourth , a louise-bonne , or good louise . the two hundred eighty fifth , a colmar . the two hundred eighty sixth , a crasanne . the two hundred eighty seventh , a butter-pear . the two hundred eighty eighth , a winter bergamot . the two hundred eighty ninth , a musked boncretien . the two hundred and nintieth , a verte-long , or longgreen pear . the two hundred and ninety first , a spanish boncretien . the two hundred ninety second , a crasanne . the two hundred ninety third , a vine pear tree . the two hundred ninety fourth , a fondante , or melting pear of brest . the two hundred ninety fifth , a musked blanquet , or white musked-pear . the two hundred ninety sixth , a salviati . the two hundred ninety seventh , a summer satin-pear . the two hundred ninety eighth , a muskat-robert . the two hundred ninety ninth , a bourdon , or humble-bee-pear . the three hundredth shall be a skinless-pear . i have here inserted two spanish boncretiens , two salviaties , two musked blanquets , or musked white-pears , and two donvilles ; it is but just i should now give you an account why i did so , and should teach you to know them . the spanish boncretien is almost of all the pears , that which has puzzled me most , and so much , that i am almost ashamed to tell it ; i found my self naturally inclined to esteem it at first for its shape , for one can hardly forbear it . it is a great thick long pear , and handsomly made into a pyramidal form , resembling altogether in that , a very beautiful winter boncretien , from whence proceeded the finest name it bears ; it is on one side painted with a lovely bright red , all speckled with little black specks , on the other side it is of a whitish yellow . it s pulp eats the shortest of all the pears i know : it has ordinarily a sweet sugred and indifferent good juice , when it grows in good ground , and comes to its perfect mellowness , which happens commonly from mid - november to the middle of december , and sometimes lasts till january . it was for all those qualities , that for two or three years together , i had conceived a great esteem for it ; but , besides , that in that very same season , we have all our principal tender and melting pears , i have for more than twenty years , always found its pulp so harsh and gross , and so stony , and particularly in years or grounds that are a little moist , that at last , in spite of my first inclination , i was forced to resolve to deny it entrance into many gardens ; and so i am of opinion , that we ought to be content to suffer at least some trees of it in those gardens where the number of dwarf-trees exceeds two hundred and fifty , and where the soil is indifferent good : it having always this advantage , that it contributes much with its good meen and lovely appearance , to the adorning of fruit-pyramids . the salviati altogether resembles a besidery in its shape , but not in colour : it is a pretty big round pear , with a pretty long and small stalk set in a little hollow , with an eye or crown also a little hollow and small ; it is of a yellow russet-whitish colour ; those that have great red streaks , have a pretty rough skin , but those who are without that red are soft-skin'd enough : its pulp is tender , but not very fine ; its juice is sugred and perfumed , coming nearer in taste to that of the robine , than of the orange-pear : but this juice is but in little quantity ; the pear is pretty good , and would be still better received , if it came not in with the peaches of the end of august , and of the beginning of september . le blanquet musqué , or la blanquette musqueé , that is , the musked blanquet , or white musked-pear , is a pear of the beginning of july , coming pretty near both in bigness and shape to a muscat-robert : it has a fine skin , its colour is a pale yellow tinged a little with red on that side next the sun ; its pulp is a little firm , so that it is not without some earthy and stony matter , but the juice is very sweet and sugred , and upon that account is not unworthy to appear here . and here methinks , i see a great many discontented persons murmuring at my choice : and they are the lovers of certain kinds of pears , of which i have not yet spoken , which are , the cat-burnt-pear , the english-pear , the winter lemon-pear , the winter russelet , the brutte bonne , or chew-good , &c. nay , and there are some among them that love the rose-pear , the caillot rosat , or rosie-pebble , the tulipt orange-pear , the villain-pear of anjou , &c. and who yet durst hardly speak their minds . both the one and the other sort of gentlemen have fought for these pears in the gardens i have been just now modelling , and not finding them there , every one of them in particular has , as 't were taken offence at it , and at the same time would fain make me pass for a man that does not know all the good fruits yet , or at least for one that is led away by prejudice . to which i answer , that i am willing these gentlemen should every one of them be free to think those pears they speak of good enough to plant in their gardens , and in that case i willingly consent they should continue to praise them , to multiply them , and employ as much rhetorick in their praises as they please : let them only do me that favour to remember what i said at the beginning of this treatise concerning the diversity of palats , of soils and of years , and to be pleased to permit me to tell them in my justification , that what made me reject those fruits about which they are scandalized , was certainly nothing else but because for twenty years together , i had found them constantly rather bad than good , in spite of all the industry i had use in their cultivation . however because they may happen to meet with certain circumstances very favourable to that merit they sometimes have , i shall now , at last , in our great gardens , do them that justice i think due to them . and so to continue the third hundred of dwarf-trees , i will first place six bugi-pear-trees . the three hundred and first , a bugi . the three hundred and second , a bugi . the three hundred and third , a bugi . the three hundred and fourth , a bugi . the three hundred and fifth , a bugi . the three hundred and sixth , a bugi . the three hundred and seventh , a pastourelle . the three hundred and eighth , a pastourelle . the three hundred and ninth , a pastourelle : which is a pear that , notwithstanding a little point of sharpness in its juice , makes it self be courted by many curious persons : it is much of the bigness and shape of a st. lezin , or of a fair russelet ; it s stalk is bent downward , not hollow set , and of a midling length and thickness ; its skin is between rough and smooth , growing somewhat moist as it ripens ; its colour on one side is yellowish covered with russet-spots , and on the other side , it has a small tincture of a blushing red ; its pulp is very tender and butter-like , having nothing of hard or stony matter ; but , as i said just now , sowrish juice does not please me very well , yet the months of december and january may well enough suffer some of them . the english-pear , the cat burnt-pear , the winter lemon-pear , and the winter russelet shall follow after the pastourelles ; and therefore , the three hundred and tenth shall be an english pear-tree , otherwise called the english butter-pear , being a pear that is more long than round , resembling in shape and bigness , a fair verte-longue , or long green-pear , though not in colour ; its skin is smooth , and of a greenish grey colour , full of russet specks : its pulp is very tender and butter-like , and full of pleasant juice , so that it seems by that , to be a pear of perfect goodness ; but because its pulp is commonly mealy , and easily grows too soft , even upon the tree it self ; and in fine , because it comes at the same time with the verte-longue , or long-green pear , the petit-oin , and the lansac , and sometimes too with the rousselet , i think i have not done much amiss in not thinking of it sooner . the three hundred and eleventh dwarf-tree shall be a first cat-burnt-pear , otherwise called the maid or maiden-pear , being a pear in season in the months of october and november ; it might pass sometimes for a dry martin , it so much resembles it in shape and bigness , but its colour being a little different , prevents our mistaking them ; it is on one side of a very russet colour , and of the other , pretty clear , without any tincture of isabella ; its skin is indifferent smooth , and its pulp tender , but it is a kind of wildish tenderness , inclining to a doughy consistence , having but little juice , which is almost like in taste to that of a besidery , the pear in conclusion , is very strong towards the core , which makes it be of small value with me , whatsoever , not a few people say in its vindication , that they have had many pears of this sort which had not so many faults . the three hundred and twelfth shall be a first winter lemon-pear : this pear is very well named , in respect of its shape and colour , which is so like a middle siz'd lemon , that it might well be taken for one indeed , especially when it is round enough : its pulp is very hard and stony , and full of earthy matter , and we cannot say its excellency consists in that ; but it has a good deal of juice , which is extreamly musked , and it is that , that has procured it some friends for the months of january and february . the three hundred and thirteenth shall be a first winter russelet . the pears that pass for winter-russelets in many gardens , i have already told you , are nothing else but dry martins ; but yet there are some that are of a different kind , which resemble the others very much , both in shape and bulk ; their colour is greenish , which grows yellow when they ripen , their pulp is between tender and short , and full of a little sort of earthiness , they are full enough of juice , which would appear sugred enough , were it not too much allayed by a mixture of an ugly sort of greenish and wildish taste ; it is mellow in february , and shews its mellowness just as the bergamots do , by a little kind of dewiness about the skin : the pear is indifferent good , and might at least maintain its place well enough in plantations of gardens of three or four hundred stocks of trees , though on the other side , it would be no great harm not to admit it at all , we may all in good time , have some standard tree of it . the three hundred and fourteenth , shall be a summer satin-pear . the three hundred and fifteenth , a second english-pear . the three hundred and sixteenth , a second cat-burnt-pear . the three hundred and seventeenth , a summer-boncretien . the three hundred and eighteenth , a dry martin . the three hundred and nineteenth , a dry martin . the three hundred and twentieth , a colmar . the three hundred twenty first , a louise-bonne , or good louise-pear . the three hundred twenty second , a verte-longue , or long-green-pear . the three hundred twenty third , a virgoulee . the three hundred twenty fourth , a virgoulee . the three hundred twenty fifth , a virgoulee . the three hundred twenty sixth , a virgoulee . the three hundred twenty seventh , a virgoulee . the three hundred twenty eighth , a virgoulee . the three hundred twenty ninth , an ambret . the three hundred and thirtieth , an ambret . the three hundred thirty first , an ambret . the three hundred thirty second , a thorn-pear . the three hundred thirty third , a thorn-pear . the three hundred thirty fourth , a thorn-pear . the three hundred thirty fifth , a leschasserie . the three hundred thirty sixth , a leschasserie . the three hundred thirty seventh , a leschasserie . the three hundred thirty eighth , a leschasserie . the three hundred thirty ninth , a winter-bonecretine . the three hundred and fourtieth , a winter boncretien . the three hundred fourty first , a winter boncretien . the three hundred fourty second , a winter boncretien . the three hundred fourty third , a virgoulee . the three hundred fourty fourth , a virgoulee . the three hundred fourty fifth , an ambret . the three hundred fourty sixth , a thorn-pear . the three hundred fourty seventh , a thorn-pear . the three hundred fourty eighth , an ambret . the three hundred fourty ninth , a leschasserie . the three hundred and fiftieth , a leschasserie . the three hundred fifty first , a la fare , or st. germain . the three hundred fifty second , a doyennee , or dean-pear . the three hundred fifty third , a petit-oin . the three hundred fifty fourth , a marchioness . the three hundred fifty fifth , a st. augustin . the three hundred fifty sixth , a lansac . the three hundred fifty seventh , a vine-pear . the three hundred fifty eighth , a petit-oin . the three hundred fifty ninth , a 〈◊〉 . * the three hundred and sixtieth , a muscat robert. the three hundred sixty first , a skinless pear . the three hundred sixty second , a dry martin . the three hundred sixty third , a dry martin . the three hundred sixty fourth , a butter-pear . the three hundred sixty fifth , a butter pear . the three hundred sixty sixth , a messire john. the three hundred sixty seventh , a messire john. the three hundred sixty eighth , a russelet . the three hundred sixty ninth , a robine . the three hundred and seventieth , a besidery . the three hundred seventy first , a besidery . the three hundred seventy second , a double flower . the three hundred seventy third , a double flower . the three hundred seventy fourth , a double flower . the three hundred seventy fifth , a frank royal. the three hundred seventy sixth , a frank royal. the three hundred seventy seventh , an angober . the three hundred seventy eighth , an angober . the three hundred seventy ninth , a donville . the three hundred and eightieth , a donville . the three hundred eighty first , a first pound-pear . the three hundred eighty second , a second , pound-pear . the pound-pear , which some name gros-rateau-gris , and others the love-pear , is a very big pear , as may be guessed by the weight attributed to it , having a pretty rough skin , and of a dark russet colour ; its stalk is short , and its eye or crown hollow . it makes a very lovely and good compote , whether it be stewed in a pot , or roasted under the embers , or any other way prepared . the russelin-pear is called in tourain the long-tail'd muscat of the end of autumn , and that is the name under which i first knew it ; but the name of russelin is more pleasing , which was given it by one of our most illustrious curious friends , because of its shape , which is much like that of a russelet : it is of a very light isabella colour , that one would take it for a dry martin ; its pulp is tender and delicate , and its juice very much sugred , and agreeably perfumed . it s great fault is , that it comes in with the butter-pears , the bergamots , the lansacs , &c. and those are the reasons which made me resist the temptation i otherwise had , to place it better than i have done . the three hundred eighty third , a winter boncretien . the three hundred eighty fourth , a winter boncretien . the three hundred eighty fifth , a winter boncretien . the three hundred eighty sixth , a la fare , or st. germain . the three hundred eighty seventh , a cuisse madam , or lady-thigh . the three hundred ninety eighth , a cuisse madam , or lady-thigh . the three hundred eighty nineth , a great blanquet , or white-pear . the three hundred and ninetieth , a musked blanquet . the three hundred ninety first , a pendar , or hanging , or felons-pear . * the three hundred ninety second , a pendar . the three hundred ninety third , a robine . the three hundred ninety fourth , a pastourelle . the three hundred ninety fifth , a musked boncretien . the three hundred ninety sixth , a russelet . the three hundred ninety seventh , a bugi . the three hundred ninety eighth , a portal . the three hundred ninety ninth , a st. lezin . the four hundredth shall be a bouchet . this bouchet-pear is large , round and white , almost like a besidery , and some others of the same tree are about the bigness of midling bergamots , and others again about that of large cassolets . it s pulp is fair and tender , and its juice sugred . it s wood is like that of the mon-dien , or my-god pear , it is ripe about the middle of august . the pendar-pear , or hanging-pear is a pear of the end of september , in respect of its pulp , its juice and its shape , it might be mistaken for a cassolet , but it being a little bigger , and growing upon a tree of a different wood , and ripening besides at a different season , we may easily see 't is not the same . methinks , this distribution should not be ill received , unless it be perhaps by them which , in comparison of a cat-pear , make no account of the most part of the pears we so highly prize ; and they are the curious gentlemen that inhabit along the banks of the rhone , who seriously have a very particular esteem for it , and therefore , to content them , i will give the four hundred and first place to a fifth cat-pear . the four hundred and second , a second cat-pear . it is a pear in season about the middle of october , and is shaped almost like a dry martin , and very near like a hens egg , that is to say , 't is a little rounded a little sharper towards the stalk , and blunter towards the head ; its belly is round , but not very big , and falls grosly sloping to the stalk , which is indifferent long and thick ; its skin is very smooth , satin'd and dry ; its colour is a very clear or light isabella , much lighter than the ordinary isabella of the cat-burnt-pear , and of the dry martin ; its pulp is tender and buttery , and its juice indifferent sweet ; and therefore , in imitation of those gentlemen that so much admire it , we may make some account of it . but since our butter-pears , bergamots , lansacs , &c. which come in season at the same time with it , will hardly suffer it to appear in any gardens of a midling extent , where there ought to be nothing but what makes a very important figure , i am willing to have two trees at least of it , admitted into plantations of four hundred and one , and four hundred and two trees , and some more of them in greater ones . but i am not so well perswaded of the merit of the besi de caissoy , otherwise the russet of anjou : which is a little pear in season in the months of december and january , near about the bigness of a blanquet or white-pear : the ground of its colour is yellowish all over full of russet spots ; its pulp is tender , but doughy , with a great deal of stony and earthy matter , its juice not very pleasing , and of a taste very near that of services ; all these faults joined with that of the smallness of the pear , have hindred me from placing it in any rank till now ; but however , because sometimes some of them prove pretty good , and the angevin gentlemen are so well pleased with them , therefore , the four hundred and third dwarf-tree shall be a first besi de caissoy , and the four hundred and fourth , a second besi de caissoy . thus far , i think , i have employed about therescore sorts of pears , of all the several seasons , that is to say , eighteen sorts for summer , seventeen for autumn , and six and twenty for winter : and methinks they must needs be very difficult to please that will not be satisfied with such a great number of sorts , which , as i have plainly enough shewn , are nothing near so good the one as the other : i will subjoin afterward a list of them which i will name indifferent ones , because i neither despise them so much , as utterly to reject them , nor prize them so mightily , as to seek them new admirers , that so any of those gentlemen , who knowing what they are , shall retain any affection for them , may preserve and cultivate them if they think good : but as for those that know them not , i durst assure them , they will do well enough if they never trouble their heads about them at all , or else joyn them to the list of those that i advise people to exterminate quite out of their gardens , a list of which latter , that is , of the bad ones , shall immediately follow after the list of the indifferent ones . and so , to continue planting the following gardens , into which i will introduce very few more new kinds , unless it be some baking and preserving pears , i will place the the four hundred and fifth , a virgoulee . the four hundred and sixth , a virgoulee . the four hundred and seventh , a virgoulee . the four hundred and eighth , a virgoulee . the four hundred and ninth , a double flower . the four hundred and tenth , a frank royal. the four hundred and eleventh , an ambret . the four hundred and twelfth , an ambret . the four hundred and thirteenth , a thorn-pear . the four hundred and fourteenth , a thorn-pear . the four hundred and fifteenth , a leschasserie . the four hundred and sixteenth , a leschasserie . the four hundred and seventeenth , a crasanne . the four hundred and eighteenth , a la fare , or st. germain . the four hundred and nineteenth , a winter boncretien . the four hundred and twentieth , a winter boncretien . the four hundred twenty first , a winter boncretien . the four hundred twenty second , a winter boncretien . the four hundred twenty third , a winter boncretien . the four hundred twenty fourth , a winter boncreten . the four hundred twenty fifth , a winter boncretien . the four hundred twenty sixth , a butter-pear . the four hundred twenty seventh , a first . st. francis. the four hundred twenty eighth , a second st. francis. 't is a pear that is good only baked or preserved ; it is indifferent big , and very long , is yellowish , and has a very smooth skin . the four hundred twenty ninth , a st. augustin . the four hundred and thirtieth , a russelin . the four hundred thirty first , a musked blanquet . the four hundred thirty second , a cuisse-madam , or lady-thigh . the four hundred thirty third , a robine . the four hundred thirty fourth , a first musked orange-pear . the four hundred thirty fifth , a second musked orange-pear . the musked orange-pear is a pear of the beginning of august ; it is indifferent large , flat , pretty much tinged with red , with a longish stalk ; its skin is pretty often spotted with little black spots ; its pulp is pleasant enough , but has a little touch of grittiness . the four hundred thirty sixth , a melting-pear of brest . the four hundred thirty seventh , a dry martin . the four hundred thirty eighth , a la fare . the four hundred thirty ninth , a marchioness . the four hundred and fourtieth , an amadot . the four hundred forty first , a lansac . the four hundred forty second , a messire john. the four hundred forty third , a verte-longue , or long-green-pear . the four hundred forty fourth , a besidery . the four hundred forty fifth , a doyennee , or dean-pear . the four hundred forty sixth , a st. lezin . the four hundred forty seventh , a vine-pear . the four hundred forty eighth , a russelin . the four hundred forty ninth , an english pear . the four hundred and fiftieth , a pendar , or hanging pear . the four hundred fifty first , a bugi . the four hundred fifty second , a first gros fremont . the four hundred fifty third , a second gros fremont . it is a pear that is good only baked or preserved ; it is indifferent big and long , and of a yellowish colour , and its compote or sweet-meat is a little perfumed . the four hundred fifty fourth , a donville . the four hundred fifty fifth , a louise bonne , or good louise . the four hundred fifty sixth , a colmar . the four hundred fifty seventh , a portal . the four hundred fifty eighth , a lemon pear . the four hundred fifty ninth , a catburnt pear . the four hundred and sixtieth , a pound pear . the four hundred sixty first , a pastourelle . the four hundred sixty second , a virgoulee . the four hundred sixty third , a virgoulee . the four hundred sixty fourth , a virgoulee . the four hundred sixty fifth , a virgoulee . the four hundred sixty sixth , an ambret . the four hundred sixty seventh , an ambret . the four hundred sixty eighth , a thorn-pear . the four hundred sixty ninth , a thorn-pear . the four hundred and seventieth , a leschasserie . the four hundred and seventy first , a leschasserie . the four hundred seventy second , a petit-oin . the four hundred seventy third , a petit-oin . the four hundred seventy fourth , a winter boncretien . the four hundred seventy fifth , a winter boncretien . the four hundred seventy sixth , a winter boncretien . the four hundred seventy seventh , a winter boncretien . the four hundred seventy eighth , a sugar-green pear . the four hundred seventy ninth , a sugar-green pear . the four hundred and eightieth , a , dry martin . the four hundred and eighty first , a bourdon , or humble-bee-pear . the four hundred and eighty second , a maudlin pear . the four hundred and eighty third , a butter-pear . the four hundred eighty fourth , a musked boncretien . the four hundred eighty fifth , a spanish boncretien . the four hundred eighty sixth , a messire john. the four hundred eighty seventh , a skinless pear . the four hundred eighty eighth , a great onionet , or onion-pear . the four hundred eighty ninth , a musked orange pear . the four hundred and nintieth , a lansac . the four hundred and ninety first , a cuisse madam , or lady-thigh . the four hundred ninety second , an espargne , or reserve-pear . the four hundred ninety third , a cassolet . the four hundred ninety fourth , a summer boncretien . the four hundred ninety fifth , a doyennee , or dean pear . the four hundred ninety sixth , a bouchet-pear . the four hundred ninety seventh , a bouchet-pear . the four hundred ninety eighth , a vine-pear . the four hundred ninety ninth , a winter bergamot . the five hundredth dwarf-tree shall be a bugi . i begin to be perswaded , that my exactness in well chusing these five hundred pear-trees , will give light enough to our new beginners in these curiosities , to direct them how to order things if any occasions present themselves which require more trees ; and especially there being hardly any need , after so many as we have set down , to employ any more new kinds , they may see , that in every hundred of augmentation of dwarf-trees , i ordinarily augment first for the summer , but about the sixth or seventh part in the hundred , and that still in diminishing them too proportionably as the plantations augment in number of trees ; as well , because if there be walling enough to permit it , there is always a part of it allotted for some pear-trees of that season , as for example , for little muscats or musk-pears , cuisse-madams or lady-thighs , robines , russeltes , &c. which supplies the defect of dwarf-trees ; or , because those summer fruits are to be look'd upon as fruits that pass off very swiftly , and are but of very small duration , so that when the quantity of them is excessive , they do us but very little honour and profit . add to this , that i seldom fail in plantations that are any thing considerable , to plant some standard-trees of the principal of those sorts in symetry , as being an assured means to have from them much better fruit , and in greater plenty too . in the second place , in respect of the autumnal fruits , i have at least the same regard for them , as for those which i have just now spoke of ; and i look upon the bergamot with the same consideration i have always expressed for it , yet i have planted but one or two dwarf-trees of it in the number of five hundred , though it be one of the fruits for the abundance of which , i least pretend to forget to provide : but as all the world knows , 't is hardly possible to have any competent quantity of these pears , unless it be against walls . it is no very hard matter to conclude from thence , that doubtless i will make great wall● plantations of them , and provided i find conveniences to accommodate my inclination , that i will place some trees of them in most expositions ; but in truth to my great regret , i shall plant but few of them in those to the east and south , as well in favour of the stone fruits , for which i think they ought to be reserved , as because of the damage they are subject to receive from the tyger-babs , from which i cannot at all secure pears ; but , in recompence , i will plant a great many in the northern expositions , with which all sorts of wall pears , but the boncretien , agree well enough , and especially in grounds that are something dry : 't is true indeed , they are not so good in that situation as those that longer enjoy the favourable aspect of the father of good fruits , but the help of a little sugar , allays , at least , a part of their faults , if it does not entirely rectifie them . we are going to plant then good store of bergamots , and i suppose that work already begun as soon as ever we found our selves in a condition to do that honour to this queen of pears , i therefore return now from that digression , to tell you , that in every hundreds increase of dwarf-trees , the number of those that furnish the fruits for the autumnal season , must not be augmented above a seventh or eighth part , because of the small duration of most of them , and their too great aptness to corrupt and rot . but that yet on the other side , the pleasure we take then in devouring a great many of them , and the season which draws great companies together , and engages people to make some abode in the country , are always as a kind of mariners compass , which ought to guide us in the modelling and perfecting our plantations , and direct us accordingly to plant a greater or lesser number of trees . there remains now then the winter fruits , which every where are to make up the main body of reserve ; so that in every hundred of dwarf trees , they ordinarily should augment about three quarters of the four . and if my advices have the gift to please you , pray let care be taken to multiply those sorts least , which i multiply here as 't were blindfold , and at a venture . and now , without engaging my self to draw out a plot at length of six hundred dwarf-trees , such a one as i have done above for the preceding five centuries , that is , to set down exactly , and one after another , every kind of fruit , and every single tree-stock , according to the order in which every one of them in particular ought to be admitted into the garden . i shall content my self only to tell you at once , that besides the five hundred already regulated , i will add to make up the sixth hundred , about ten summer pear-trees , eighteen autumnal , and threescore and twelve winter ones . i do not at all wonder , if they who have great plantations to make , find themselves pusled about the choice of the number of their trees ; for , i believe , they would be much more perplexed , if they were put to cultivate every particular themselves , without turning off that trouble to their gardeners , as most of them unluckily enough do . and i confess in good truth , that 't is a matter that appears to me like an abyss of an unfathomable depth ; and that i find an unspeakable difficulty in it , when i go about to mark out the quantities as 't were with a compass , in order to regulate the several kinds of fruits by exact proportions . those great plantations strike me with terrour , how much accustomed soever i may be to them ; nay , and i believe 't is because i am accustomed to them , that i have so clear a prospect of the hazards and inconveniences with which they circumvent men , and from thence too it is , that i have so often before my eyes , and in my mouth , and at the point of my pen. laudato ingentia rura , exiguum colito . we are apt to think we can never come to be masters of so much variety and plenty of fruit as we would have , and indeed the idea of abundance , is one of the most pleasing fancies in the world , and hard enough to attain in reallity , chiefly because of the unkindliness of the seasons : 't is in prospect of this abundance , that at first we so much extol the convenience of large plantations ; but besides the expences we must be at , as well to plant them at first , as to keep them in order afterward , which is very great , and which in this matter ought to be very well considered by us . if it happens , as doubtless it does , that we come at last to compass within a little , what we proposed to our selves , i am sure , that after all , we are still at least at as much loss as ever , what to do with our fruits . it would be now quickly time for me to begin to plant a few trees of those fruits , that are at least fit to conttibute to the ornament of the pyramids ; and i think nothing can be said against it , when once we are come to planting of six or seven hundred dwarf-trees of other sorts : and therefore now we may conveniently enough place among them some summer boncretiens , otherwise called graccioli , some pears called supremes , some admiral pears , some summer mouille-bouches , or moisten-mouths , some bellissimes , or super-fair pears , some de bouge pears , some grillands , some gilogiles , &c. i do but only name them here in passing , that our curious gentlemen that know them by their names , mny plant some trees of them , if they please , for as for my self , so long as i shall follow my own inclination , i shall hardly plant any of them . therefore to proceed , as i have begun , i advise that the ten summer fruits of augmentation to be added to make up six hundred trees , be great blanquet , or white-pear . musked summer boncretiens . cassolet . robines . espargne , or reserve-pear . maudlin-pear . skinless-pear . pendar , or hanging-pear . musked orange-pear . and that the eighteen for autumn be two amadots . one spanish boncretien . four butter-pears . one besidery . one dean-pear , or doyennee . three lansacs . one vine-pear . three messire johns . one russelin . one sugar-green pear . and the threescore and twelve for winter , ten virgoulees . seven winter boncretiens . five leschasseries . five thorn-pears . five ambrets . three st. germains , or unknown la fares . three bugis . two angobers . two portals . two st. augustins . two st. lezins . one lemon-pear . one besi de caissoy . one donville , otherwise a calot . one petit-oin . one ronville . two colmars . two double flowers . two frank royals . two great musk pears . two dry martins . two marchionesses . one winter russelet . two st. francis ' s. one gros fremont , or great fremont . one pound-pear . one louise-bonne , or good louise . one pastourelle . i will add to them two carmelites , which are pears that are large and flat , grey on one side and a little tinged with red on the other , and in some places full of pretty large spots which look as if they were pieces clap'd upon them after some cut . among all these , we have about threescore and eleven trees of pears good to bake , stew or preserve , besides those of which we may have standard-trees , as little certeaus , angobers , frank royals , &c. which turn to good account on those kinds of trees . if we have occasion for seven hundred dwarf pear-trees , 't is but augmenting above the six hundred , much in the same manner and proportion as we did in making up the five hundred to six hundred , that is to say , letting the tenth part in the hundred be for summer fruits , and another tenth part for those of autumn , and the remaining fourscore for winter fruits ; or else , if we be content with those we had provided before for summer and autumn fruits , and fill up the whole hundred last added with winter fruits , we shall find our account well enough that way too ; that is to say , in the number of seven hundred dwarf-trees , we shall have about a hundred and eighteen of summer fruits a hundred thirty two of those of autumn , and four hundred and fifty of winter fruits ; or else the other way , we shall have a hundred and fifteen for summer , a hundred and twelve for autumn , and four hundred threescore and thirteen for winter : and so in eight hundred , we may have near a hundred twenty five for summer , a hundred and fifty for autumn , and five hundred twenty five for winter : and in nine hundred we have about a hundred forty five for summer , a hundred and threescore for autumn , and five hundred fourscore and fifteen for winter , in case that in the numbers of eight and nine hundred , we should think we had not summer and antumn fruits enough , if we should allow our selves no more trees of them than we had before in the number of six hundred , which yet are a good reasonable number . and so likewise in the number of a thousand dwarf-pear-trees , we might have about a hundred forty five for summer , a hundred fourscore and five for autumn , and six hundred and threescore and ten for winter . i shall now make a distribution here of this last number , and finish with what i have to say of dwarf-pear-trees , after i have once more told you that so great a number of pear-trees both for summer and autumn too , frights me , so that if i might follow my own inclination , i should be naturally moved to diminish them , in order to multiply in their room so many more of the winter fruits : by this every curious person may see what to chuse best for his use . those hundred and forty five summer pear-trees shall be nine great blanquets , or white-pears . five musked blanquets . five bourdons . fifteen musked boncretiens . six cassolets . fifteen cuisse madams , or lady-thighs . six espargnes , or reserve-pears . six melting-pears of brest . six robines . four musked orange-pears . eight orange-green-pears . four great onionets , or onion-pears . four maudlin-pears . three bouchet-pears . eight skinless-pears . three salviati's . seven muscat roberts . fifteen russelets . six pendars , or hanging-pears . the hundred fourscore and five pear-trees for autumn , shall be thirty two butter pears . twenty verte longues , or long-green-pears . fifteen lansacs . twenty messire johns . fifteen besideries . four catburnt pears . four cat pears . ten doyennces , or dean-pears . twelve amadois . four english pears . six spanish boncretiens . one bergamot . six crasannes . six russelins . eight sugar-green pears . eight vine pears . the six hundred and seventy winter pear-trees shall be sixscore virgoulees seventy winter boncretiens . sixty five ambrets . seventy leschasseries . sixty five thorn-pears . thirty double flowers . twenty four st. germains , or unknown la fares . twenty four dry martins . eighteen frank royals . fifteen angobers . fifteen bugis . * four rose pears . * four caillot-rosats , or rosie-pebble pears . * four villain anjou pears . i have let my self be perswaded to place the three last kinds of pears , though i have no great esteem for them , the abundance of fruit they produce , having wrought upon me in their favour ; besides , that for people that happen not to be furnished with other fruits , these pears have a juice that is pretty well sugred , and not very unpleasant to those that love a rosie taste . the rose pear is indifferent large , flat and round ; its stalk is very long and small , and its pulp eats short . the caillot-rosat , or rosie pebble-pear , otherwise the rose-water-pear , is almost of the colour , bigness and shape of an ordinary messire john , but that it is a little rounder , and has a very short stalk , and set hollow like that of an apple , and has a short eating pulp . the villain-pear of anjou , called otherwise the tulipid and bigarade , or motley-pear is large , flat and of a yellowish grey colour , and has a short-eating pulp . i will add also two thicktail'd pear-trees . the name of this pear gives a sufficient description of it ; its stoniness with its driness , makes it be slighted , and its great perfume makes it be esteemed by those that love fruits that are strongly musked : it is yellow in colour , and of a competent bigness . next shall be eight portals . fifteen st. lezins . eight great musk pears . eight colmars . twelve louise-bonnes , or good-louise . eight pastourells . twelve donvilles . twelve marchionesses . eight st. augustins . eight petit-oins . eight ronvilles . eight carmelite-pears . five lemon-pears . four besi de caissoy . six great fremonts . six pound pears . six st. francis pears . ten winter russelets . and in this number we have a hundred and one trees of pears that are only to bake or preserve , &c. besides those which , as we have said , are good both raw and otherwise . i conclude with a little reflection that concerns such a curious gentleman that is so happy as to see himself master of a thousand dwarf-pear-trees , or that proposes to plant so many ; and i demand of him , as soon as every one of those trees begin to yield him a little fruit , though it should not be to the quantity of above twelve pears for each tree , which is a very moderate number , i ask , i say , this curious person , how he can dispose of those twelve thousand pears , unless he give away a good part of them in presents , or sell them , or make perry of them , &c. for as for my part , i confess in good earnest , that so great a quantity terrifies me so as to vex me , or at least to move my pity , as certainly knowing , that at least the half of them will be spoiled , &c. chap. iii. of standard pear-trees to plant. there is nothing near so much reason to oblige me to make so nice a discussion about placing standard pear-trees , as i was about disposing of the dwarf pear-trees : for they do not all accommodate little gardens , as these latter do ; the shade of great trees being destructive to every thing else we might plant there . add to that , that all the world are particularly desirous to have air round about their houses , and none care to suffer any thing near them that may hinder its free accession ; and that 's one of the principal reasons which makes every one desire at least little gardens , when they cannot have great ones . we will therefore plant no standard trees any where but in great gardens , and there too we will plant but a small number , which ordinarily amounts not to above one tree for every square in a kitching garden . i have used my self to two several methods in this matter , which succeed not amiss , one is to plant them all along the sides of those great alleys or walks that cross the garden , and always at a good distance from any walls , excepting those of the north ; and the other is , to place them in the midst of the squares , that is to say , one in every square . in the first manner particularly , because the greatest part of their shadow falls commonly into the walks , none of the trees can do any harm to the little plants growing underneath them , nor to the good wall trees which are far enough off of them : and in the second manner , there is nothing to intercept or cloud the sight , because the squares extending ordinarily at least threescore , or threescore and twelve foot every way , and being separated from one another by some alleys or walks , the standard trees in them will be at a very considerable distance one from another , and the number of those squares being not very great , the number of the standard trees in them can be but moderate neither , there being very few kitchen-gardens so proportioned , and so designed out , as we have expressed , that can have above thirty such trees . now for this purpose , i either chuse trees of those sorts of fruits which are not very big , and yet are of great increase , and are good when they fall , that is to say , of some summer fruits , because their smallness preserves them from bruising , and their ripeness which loosens them from the tree , makes them fit to be eaten presently with pleasure , when any of them happen to be battered in falling . or else i chuse those kinds which hold fast by their stalks , and such whose fruits are very hard in themselves , as are the small winter fruits and baking-pears ; so that they are not easily shaken down by winds , nor when they fall so apt to be much endamaged thereby . among the summer-fruits proper to be planted in the form of standard-trees , i do not comprehend the little muscat-pear , though for its bigness and season it might seem fitter than any other ; no , the canker which is apt to seize on its wood , and quite spoil it , hinders me to my great regret from planting any trees of it in this fashion ; but that which i most willingly plant in this manner , is first , of summer-fruits ( mark here the order of my choice ) the russelet , the cuisse-madam , or lady-thigh , the great blanquet , or white-pear , the musked-blanquet , the musked-summer-boncretien , the bourdon , or humble-bee pear , the musked-robert , the pendar , or hanging-pear , the melting-pear of brest , and in a very large plantation , i would add too , some summer-boncretiens , some admiral pears , &c. for the fruits of autumn , those which i choose , are the lansacs , vine-pears , russelins , &c. and for winter-fruits , the dry martin , the ambret , the winter-russelet , the ronville , and perhaps , some besi de caissoy-trees , and in fine , for fruits to bake , preserve , &c. i will choose the little certeau , the frank-royal , the angober , the donville . there we have about twenty four sorts of standard pear-trees to plant prosperously enough in our gardens ; but because in important places , as for example , in fine kitching-gardens , baking and preserving fruits are not considerable enough to be allowed any room , and because ( as it is expedient for all them that conveniently can ) we may have some of them in the separate orchards , designed only for fruit , together with all sorts of cherry-trees , agriots , bigarros , guignes , with all sorts of good apples , pippins , calvils , apis , fenouillets , or fennel-apple , courpendus , or short hung , or short stalked apples , &c. with some good sorts of plums , that is to say , of damask plums of all sorts , of mirabelles , st. catherines , diapred damasks , &c. and lastly with mulberry-trees , almond-trees , azerol , or garden haw-trees , &c. therefore i say , since for these reasons , fruits for baking , &c. may without any dishonour to them , be planted elsewhere , far off from our kitching-gardens , we should in their stead , particularly multiply some trees of the principal sorts of our summer-fruits . i know the voice of all the world , as well as mine own will presently give the first choice to the russelet-pears ; so that we shall not think much to have at least four great trees of them to one of each of the other sorts : the russelin , the lansac , the ambret , and the dry martin , are likewise trees that require each of them to be doubled before we double the other kinds . a summer pear-tree that has been planted ten or twelve years , is capable of yielding so great a quantity of fruit of its kind , that 't will be all we can do to spend them before the rottenness that follows close after their ripeness , makes them good for nothing : and therefore , when we are contriving plantations of fruit-trees , we should still remember when we intermix in them any standard-trees , that we must proportionably diminish the number of dwarf-trees , which we should otherwise be obliged to have of those same kinds . methinks 't is not amiss to add here this caution , that in respect of these standard-trees , it is good in planting them , to leave them some of the branches of their tops which they had when in the nursery garden , because they will bear fruit so much the sooner , and because the heighth of their trunks is not so exactly regulated as that of the dwarf-trees , whether that heighth begin a foot higher or lower , their shape will be never the less comly for that , and it is always a considerable advantage , this sort of trees may be made to afford us of advancing their fruitfulness , which we can hardly ever draw from the dwarf-trees . i have hitherto examined only the conduct we are to observe in disposing the good pear-trees , to have as many of them in our gardens , as 't is possible , as well in the form of dwarf , as standard-trees : but i have not yet spoken of those great boncretien pear-trees they have in the courts of some houses in many provinces in the hotter climates , nor of some other more common pear-trees which they have in other parts , in other courts . nor have i yet spoken any thing of the great pear plantations , planted for the making of perry in those places where vines cannot prosper . as to the two first points , because i have nothing to say to them , as being of no manner of consequence , but only barely for the pleasure of some particular persons , i leave it wholly to each person to do in them what he shall find best for his own satisfaction ; for the success he shall meet with may serve him for a rule . however , 't is convenient to advertise you , that in places , which we say , are much exposed to the * secular arm , we ought to have this fore-cast , not to plant any fruit there that is eatable whilst on the tree , otherwise 't is certain , all the fruit that will come to the owner from thence will be only a great deal of vexation , and little else . as for what concerns the plantations of pear-trees or apple-trees designed for the making of cyder or perry ; i shall content my self with only telling you , that in them , the trees are planted at threescore , or threescore and twelve foot , one from another , because that proportion observed , hinders not the grounds in which they grow , at least for several years together , from being sown yearly with good corn , the plowing up , and other culture used for the latter , extreamly contributing to the well cultivating of the other : i leave what is more to be said to this article , to the discussion of those to whom those liquors are necessary , or at least very convenient , or which as passionately love them as i do good fruits which are the chief delights of the nobility and gentry . it is now time to examine what sorts of pear-trees we shall plant against walls , i know very well there is not any sort of them which that situation would not very well accommodate by contributing much to the largeness of their fruit , and the certainty of their bearing and bringing their productions to perfection , when the spiteful tyger-babbs will give them leave to do it ; but i likewise no less certainly know , that that there are some of them which stand so much in need of the assistance of the wall , that they cannot live and thrive without it . and we have hinted in several places in the foregoing part of this treatise , that the bergamots particularly lay under this necessity , and the little muscat-pears still more than they : the wall is further indispensably requisite for the raising of well coloured boncretiens . but because if we have never so few walls exposed to a kindly sun , we ought to have so much regard to them as to employ them as usefully as they deserve , and according to the importance of the fruits that challange place there , i think i ought to treat of the pears that may be planted in that scituation , before i come to treat particularly of the order which is to be observed for the filling up every wall with all sorts of good fruits , as well as 't is possible to fill them ; and that is the order i proposed to my self at the very beginning of this treatise : after i have drawn therefore a particular list of the first five hundred dwarf-pear-trees which i have placed here a little above , and after i have told you in particular , which , in my opinion , are the good-pears , which the indifferent ones , and lastly which are they that are so bad , that i would advise no body to plant them at all , i will conclude this chapter , with informing you what other fruits , besides pears , prosper well upon dwarf-trees , and then proceed to speak of all sorts of wall-fruits , and of the method of disposing them , in a separate discourse . a list of the first five hundred dwarf-trees , according to the order in which i have placed them in the above premised discourse , in which i have set down in what months their fruits are good to eat , and expressed the pages , in which are contained their several descriptions . . dwarf-tree a first winter-boncretien , a pear in the months of february and march , described pag. . a first butter-pear to be eaten about mid - september and the beginning of october , described pag. or a first bergamot , another of the middle of september , and beginning of october , described pag. . a first virgoulee , a pear of november , december and january , described pag. , . a first leschasserie , a pear of november , december and january , described pag. , . a first ambret , a pear of november , december and january , described pag. , . a first winter thorn-pear eatable in november , december , and jan. described pag. , . a first russelet , a pear of ausgust and september , described pag. . a first robine , a pear of august and september , described pag. . a first petit-oin , a pear of november and december , described pag. . a first crasane , a pear of november , described pag. . a first st. germain , otherwise called an unknown la fare , a pear of november , december and january , described pag. , . a first colmar , a pear of november , december , january and february described pag. . a first louise-bonne , or good-louise , a pear of november and december , described pag. . a first verte-longue , or long-green-pear , eatable about mid - october , described pag. . a first marquise , or marchioness , a pear of the month of october , described pag. . a first st. augustin , a pear of the end of december , described pag. . a first messire-john , a pear of the middle of october , described pag. . a second butter pear . . a first cuisse-madam , or lady-thigh , a pear of the entrance of july , described pag. . a first great-blanquet , or white-pear , ripe in the beginning of july , described pag. . a first muscat-robert , a pear of the middle of july , described pag. . a second verte longue , or long-green-pear . . a first skin-less-pear , ripe at the end of july , described pag. . a second winter-boncretien . . a third butter-pear . . a second virgoulee . . a second leschasserie . . a second thorn-pear . . a second ambret . . a second st. germain . . a second russelet . . a second crasane . . a second robin . . a second cuisse-madam , or lady-thigh . . a second colmar . . a second petit-oin . . a third winter-boncretien . . a fourth butter-pear . . a third virgoulee . . a third leschasserie . . a third thorn-pear . . a third ambret . . a third st. germain . . a first flowered muscat , a pear of mid october , described pag. . a third verte-longue , or long-green-pear . . a third crasane . . a second marchioness . a second st. augustin . . a fourth winter-boncretien . . a fourth virgoulee . . a third marchioness . . a first musked summer boncretien , a pear of the month of august , described pag. . a third petit-oin . . a fifth winter-boncretien . . a fifth virgoulee . . a fourth leschasserie . . a fourth thorn-pear . . a fourth ambret . . a fourth st. germain . . a first longtail'd-blanquet , a july pear described pag. . a fifth butter-pear . . a first orange-green-pear , ripe in the beginning of august , described pag. . a fourth verte-longue , or long-green-pear . . a sixth winter-boncretien . . a sixth virgoulee . . a third colmar . . a fourth crasane . . a fourth marchioness . . a second louise-bonne , or good louise . . a fifth thorn-pear . . a fifth ambret . . a fifth leschasserie . . a fifth st. germain . . a fifth verte-longue , or long-green-pear . . a first doyennee , or dean-pear eatable in september and october , and described pag. . a first besi de la motte , a pear of the end of october , described pag. . a sixth butter-pear . . a second great blanquet . . a third louise-bonne , or good louise . . a second long-tail'd blanquet . . a seventh winter-boncretien . . a sixth thorn-pear . . a sixth leschasserie . . a sixth ambret . . a seventh virgoulee . . a sixth verte-longue , or long-green-pear . . an eighth virgoulee . . a seventh thorn pear . . a seventh ambret . . a seventh leschasserie . . a sixth st. germain . . a fourth colmar . . a ninth virgoulee . . a second flower'd muscat . . a first dry martin , or a pear of mid - november , described pag. . a fourth petit oin . . a fourth louise-bonne , or good louise . . an eighth thorn-pear . . an eighth ambret . . a tenth virgoulee . . an eleventh virgoulee . . an eighth leschasserie . . a ninth thorn-pear . . a first bourdon , or humble-bee-pear to be eaten in the end of july and beginning of august , described pag. . a seventh st. germain . . a first colmar . . a seventh butter-pear . . a seventh verte-longue , or long-green-pear . . a tenth thorn-pear . . a fifth petit-oin . . a first sugar-green pear , or sucre-vert , a pear of the end of october , described pag. . a first lansac , a pear of the beginning of november , described pag. . a third russelet . . a third robin . . a first maudlin-pear , ripe in the beginning of july , and described pag. . a first espargne , or reserve pear , ripe at the end of july , described pag. . a second espargne . . a twelfth virgoulee . . a sixth colmar . . an english winter boncretien . . a second dry martin . . a seventh colmar . . an eighth butter-pear . . a first bugi , a pear of february and march , described pag. . a second bugi . . a ninth winter boncretien . . a ninth butter-pear . . a first great onionet , or onion pear , ripe in the middle of july , described pag. . a second sugar-green , or sucre-vert . . a first little blanquet , a pear of the end of july , described pag. , . a thirteenth virgoulee . . an eleventh thorn-pear . . a ninth ambret . . an eighth verte-longue , or long-green pear . a sixth petit-oin . . a first angober , a baking pear described . pag. . a fourth russelet . . a fourth robin . . a fifth crasane . . an eighth st. germain . . an eighth colmar . . a second messire john. . a fourteenth virgoulee . . a tenth leschasserie . . a tenth ambret . . a first double flowred pear , eatable in march , and described pag. . a fifth marchioness . . a first frank-royal , a january pear described pag. . a second skinless-pear . . a first besidery , a pear of october and november , described pag. . a tenth winter boncretien . . a fifteenth virgoulee . . a sixteenth virgoulee . . an eleventh leschasserie . . a twelfth thorn-pear . . a tenth butter-pear . . a first vine-pear , eatable in mid - october , and described pag. . a first ronville , a pear of january , described pag. . a fifth russelet . . a fifth robin . . a sixth crasane . . a sixth marchioness . . a seventh petit-oin . . a third cuisse-madam , or lady-thigh . . a ninth colmar . . an eleventh winter boncretien . . a second musked summer boncretien . . a second muscat-robert . . a third skinless-pear . . an eleventh butter-pear . . a second maudlin-pear . . a seventeenth virgoulee . . a twelfth leschasserie . a second bourdon . . a third dry martin . . a third bugi . . a twelfth winter boncretien . . a ninth verte-longue , or long-green-pear . . a second doyennee , or dean-pear . . a first salviati , a pear of august and september , described pag. . a twelfth butter-pear . . an eleventh ambret . . an eighth petit-oin . . a ninth st. german . . a tenth colmar . . a twelfth ambret . . a second lansac . . a seventh crasane . . a thirteenth winter boncretien . . a eighteenth virgoulee . . a second besi de la mott. . a sixth russelet . . a sixth robin . . a first cassolet , ripe in the middle of august , and described pag. . a first unknown chaineau , a pear of the middle of september , not described . . a first little muscat , a pear of the beginning of july , described pag. . a first hasty-russelet , a pear of the end of july , not described . . a first portal , a pear of january and february , and described : pag. . a second portal . . a third st. augustin . . a fourteenth winter boncretien . . a fifteenth winter boncretien . . a sixteenth winter boncretien . . a seventeenth winter boncretien . . an eighteenth winter boncretien . . a nineteenth winter boncretien . . a first winter bergamot . . a nineteenth virgoulee . . a twentieth virgoulee . . a twenty first virgoulee . . a thirteenth leschasserie . . a fourteenth leschasserie . . a thirteenth ambret . . a fourteenth ambret . . a thirteenth thorn-pear . . a fourteenth thorn-pear . . an eighth crasane . . a ninth petit-oin . . a tenth s. germain . . an eleventh st. germain . . a seventh marchioness . . an eighth marchioness . . a fourth dry martin . . a fifth dry martin . . a thirteenth butter-pear . . a fourteenth butter-pear . . a seventh russelet . . an eighth russelet . . a third musked summer boncretien . . a third messire-john . . a seventh robine . . a tenth verte-long , or long-green-pear . . an eleventh verte-longue . . a second cassolet . . a second lansac . . a fourth cuisse-madam , or lady-thigh . . a fifth lady-thigh . . a third longtail'd blanquet . . a first musked blanquet ; a pear of the beginning of july , described pag. . a second orange green-pear . . a second besidery . . a third espargne , or reserve-pear . . a fourth messire john. . a third sucré-verd , or sugar green-pear . . a twentieth winter boncretien . . a twenty first winter boncretien . . a twenty second winter boncretien . . a twenty third winter boncretien . . a twenty second virgoulee . . a twenty third virgoulee . . a twenty fourth virgoulee ▪ . a fifteenth ambret . . a sixteenth ambret . . a fifteenth thorn-pear . . a fifteenth thorn-pear . . a fifteenth leschasserie . . a sixteenth leschasserie . . a seventeenth leschasserie . . a sixth dry martin . . a tenth petit-oin . . a twelfth st. germain . . a fourth st. augustin . . a ninth marchioness . . a fifteenth butter-pear . . a first amadot , a pear of november and december . . a first spanish boncretien , eatable about the middle of november and beginning of december , described pag. . a fifth louise-bonne , or good louise . . a third doyennee , or dean-pear . . a third portal . . a sixth louise-bonne , or good louise . . a third besidery , a good baking pear . . a fourth besidery . . a second double flower . . a third double flower . . a second frank royal. . a third frank royal. . a second angober . . a third angober . . a first donville . . a second donville . . an eighth robine . . a ninth robine . . a first st. lezin , a march pear . . a seventh louise-bonne ; or good louise . . an eleventh colmar . . a ninth crasane . . a sixteenth butter-pear . . a second winter bergamot . . a fourth musked summer boncretin . . a twelfth verte-longue , or long-green-pear . . a second spanish boncretin . . a tenth crasane . . a second vine-pear . . a first melting pear of brest , an august pear . . a second musked blanquet . . a second salviati . . a first summer satin-pear . . a third muscat robert. . a third bourdon . . a fourth skinless-pear . . a fourth bugi . . a fifth bugi . . a sixth bugi . . a seventh bugi . . an eighth bugi . . a ninth bugi . . a first pastourelle described pag. . a second pastourelle . . a third pastourelle . . a first english-pear described pag. . a first cat-burnt-pear described ibid. . a first winter lemon-pear described ibid. . a first winter russelet described ibid. . a second summer satin-pear . . a second english-pear . . a second cat-burnt pear . . a fifth musked summer boncretien . . a seventh dry martin . . an eighth dry martin . . a twelfth colmar . . an eighth good louise . . a thirteenth long-green pear . . a fourteenth long-green pear . . a twenty fifth virgoulee . . a twenty sixth virgoulee . . a twenty seventh virgoulee . . a twenty eighth virgoulee . . a twenty ninth virgoulee . . a seventh ambret . . an eighteenth ambret . . a nineteenth ambret . . a seventeenth thorn-pear . . an eighteenth thorn-pear . . a nineteenth thorn-pear . . an eighteenth leschasserie . . a nineteenth leschasserie . . a twentieth leschasserie . . a twenty first leschasserie . . a twenty fourth winter boncretien . . a twenty fifth winter boncretien . . a twenty sixth winter boncretien . . a twenty seventh winter boncretien . . a thirtieth virgoulee . . a thirty first virgoulee . . a twentieth ambret . . a twentieth thorn-pear . . a twenty first thorn-pear . . a twenty first ambret . . a twenty second leschasserie . . a twenty third leschasserie . . a thirteenth st. germain . . a fourth doyennee , or dean-pear . . an eleventh petit-oin . . a tenth marchioness . . a fifth st. augustin . . a fourth lansac . . a third vine-pear . . a twelfth petit-oin . . a first russelin described . a fourth muscat robert. . a fifth skinless pear . . a ninth dry martin . . a tenth dry martin . . a seventeenth butter-pear . . an eighteenth butter-pear . . a fifth messire john. . a sixth messire john. . a ninth russelet . . a tenth robine . . a fifth besidery . . a sixth besidery . . a fourth double flower . . a fifth double flower . . a sixth double flower . . a fourth franc-royal . . a fifth franc-royal . . a fourth angober . . a fifth angober . . a third donville . . a fourth donville . . a first pound-pear , being a pear of novem. good to bake , described pag. . a second pound-pear . . a twenty eighth winter boncretien . . a twenty ninth ditto . . a thirtieth ditto . . a fourteenth st. germain . . a fifth cuisse-madam , or lady-thigh . . a sixth ditto . . a third great blanquet . . a third musked blanquet . . a first pendar or hanging-pear described . pag. . a second ditto . . an eleventh robine . . a fourth pastourelle . . a sixth musked summer boncretien . . a tenth russelet . . a tenth bugi . . a fourth portal . . a second st. lezin . . a first bouchet , a pear of the middle of august described pag. . a first cat-burnt-pear , being a pear of the middle of october described p. . a second ditto . . a first besi de caissoy , a pear of december and january described pag. . a second ditto . . a thirty second virgoulee . . a thirty third ditto . . a thirty fourth ditto . . a thirty fifth ditto . . a seventh double flower . . a sixth franc-royal . . a twenty second ambret . . a twenty third ditto . . a twenty second thorn-pear . . a twenty third ditto . . a twenty fourth leschasserie . . a twenty fifth ditto . . an eleventh crasane . . a fifteenth st. germain . . a thirty first winter boncretien . . a thirty second ditto . . a thirty third ditto . . a thirty fourth ditto . . a thirty fifth ditto . . a thirty sixth ditto . . a thirty seventh ditto . . a nineteenth butter-pear . . a first st. francis , being a good baking pear , described pag. . a second ditto . . a sixth st. augustin . . a second russelin . . a fourth musked blanquet . . a seventh cuisse-madam , or lady-thigh . . a twelfth robine . . a third salviati . . a first musked orange-pear , being a pear of the beginning of august . . a second melting pear of brest . . an eleventh dry martin . . a sixteenth st. germain . . an eleventh marchioness . . a second amadot . . a fifth lansac . . a seventh messire john. . a fifteenth green-long-pear . . a seventh besidery . . a fifth doyennee , or dean-pear . . a third st. lezin . . a fourth vine-pear . . a third russelin . . a third english-pear . . a third pendar , or hanging-pear . . an eleventh bugi . . a first great fremont , a baking pear , described pag. . a second ditto . . a fifth donville . . a ninth louise-bonne , or good louise . . a thirteenth colmar . . a fifth portal . . a second winter lemon-pear . . a third cat-burnt-pear . . a third pound-pear . . a fifth pastourelle . . a thirty sixth virgoulee . . a thirty seventh ditto . . a thirty eighth ditto . . a thirty ninth ditto . . a twenty fourth ambret . . a twenty fifth ditto . . a twenty fourth thorn-pear . . a twenty fifth ditto . . a twenty sixth leschasserie . . a twenty seventh ditto . . a thirteenth petit-oin . . a fourteenth ditto . . a thirty eighth winter boncretien . . a thirty ninth ditto . . a fourtieth ditto . . a fourty first ditto . . a fourth sucré vert , or sugar-green pear . . a fifth ditto . . a twelfth dry martin . . a fourth bourdon . . a second maudlin-pear . . a twentieth butter-pear . . a seventh musked summer boncretien : . a third spanish boncretien . . a seventh messire john. . a sixth skinless pear . . a second great onionet . . a second musked orange-pear . . a sixth lansac . . an eighth cuisse-madam . . a third espargne , or reserve-pear . . a third cassolet . . an eighth summer musked boncretien . . a sixth doyennee , or dean-pear . . a second bouchet-pear . . a third ditto . . a fifth vine-pear . . a third winter bergamot . . a twelfth bugi . not to tire the reader too much , i have only made a list of the first five hundred pear-trees , the rest besides being all only the same kinds ready above set down , excepting only these five that follow . the carmelite , being a march pear , described pag. the rose-pear described . pag. the caillot-rosat , or rosie-pebble , or rose-water pear , being a pear of the months of august and september , described . p. the villain-pear of anjou , an october pear described pag. and the thick-tail pear , an october pear described pag. a list or catalogue of all sorts of pears , both good , indifferent , and bad ones . good pears . . the bergamot , a pear of the middle of september . . the winter boncretien , february and march. . the butter pear , middle of september , and beginning of october . . the virgoulee , november , december , and january . . the leschasserie , the same months . . the ambrett , the same months . . the thorn-pear , the same months . . the russelet , august and september . . the robine , the same months . . the petit-oin , november and december . . the crasane , november . . the st. germain , otherwise , the unknown la fare , november , december , and january . . the colmar , the same months . . the louise-bonne , or good louise , november , and december . . the verte-longue , or long-green-pear , middle of october . . the marchioness , october . . the st. augustine , end of december . . the messire-john , middle of october . . the cuisse-madame , or lady-thigh , entrance of july . . the great blanquet , the same months . . the muscat-robert , otherwise called , the queen-pear , the amber-pear , the great musked-pear of coud , the princess , in poitou , the maiden of flanders , and the maiden of xaintonge , is ripe in the middle of july . . the skinless-pear , about the twentieth of july . . the flower'd-muscat , middle of october . . the long-tail'd-blanquet , july . . the orange-green-pear , august . . the besi de la motte , end of october . . the dry martin , middle of november . . the bourdon , or humble-bee-pear , end of july , and beginning of august . . the sugar-green , or green-sugar-pear , or sucre-verd , end of october . . the lansac , in the same time . . the maudlin-pear , entry of july . . the espargne , or reserve-pear , end of july . . the bugi , february and march. . the little blanquet , or white pear . . the unknown chaineau , september . . the little muscat . . the portal , january , and february : . the green-satin-pear , january . . the red admiral , july . . the vine , or damsel-pear , middle of october . . the non-common , or dead-mens-pear , november ▪ . the great musk-pear , january . . the almain , or german-muscat , march , and april . . the amadotte , november , and december . . the st. lezin , march. . the melting brest-pear , august . . the russelin , october . . the pendar , or hanging-pear , september . . the cassolette , or friolet , or green muscat , or the eche-frion . . the ronville , or martin-sire , january . indifferent pears . . the london-pear , november . . the brown orange-pear , or monsieur-pear , august , and september . . the musked summer-boncretien , or graccioli , at the same time . . the doyennee , or dean-pear , or st. michael's pear , middle of september , and october . . the cat-burnt-pear , october , and november . . the english-pear , september , and october . . the ambrette of bourgeuill , or graville , thirteenth of october . . the besidery , a baking-pear , october . . the pastourelle , or bag-pipe-pear of autumn , november . . the topinambour , or potato-pear , or musked finot , december . . the arch-duke , march. . the naples pear , same month. . the summer-perfume , same time . . the perfume of berny , the twenty third of september . . the spanish boncretien , november . . the crapaudine , or toady-pear , otherwise , the grise bonne , or graygood , and summer-ambrette , august . . the portugal summer-pear , or prince-pear , or admiral-pear , july . . the villain-pear of anjou . . the black sugry-pear , or sucrin-noir , december , and january . . the cat-pear , october . . the jessamine-pear , november . . the besi de caissoy , or russet of anjou , november . . the musked onion-pear , the same month. . the limon-pear , november , and december . . the etranguillon vibray , or vibray-choak-pear , december . . the round milan-pear , january , and february . . the queen of winter , the same time . . the carmelite-pear , march. . the winter-russelet . . the jasmin , and frangipane , august . . the thorn less ambrette , november . . the gold-pear of autumn , the same month. . the nameless-pear of monsicur le jeune . . the caillot-rosat , or rosie pebble-pear , or rose-water-pear , or otherwise , pera del campo , august , and september . . the rose-pear , august . . the milan de la beuvriere , or summer-bergamot , august the twelfth . . the winter-orange-pear , march , and april . . the tuliped , fly-pear , september . . the brutte-bonne , or chaw-good-pear , or otherwise , the pope-pear . . the finor of orleans , common in august , reddish , and like a russelet ; it must be gathered green , to make it mellow and more juicy . . the white-butter-pear , august the twentieth . . the double-flower , march. . the morfontaine , the twenty fifth of september . . the tibivilliers , or bruta-marma , march , and april . bad pears . . the dumas , or christalline , or marin-gout-pear , of the shape of the gilogiles , february , and march. . the english-burket-russet , september , and october . . the sain-pear , or sound-mans-pear , august , and september . . the summer-certeau , end of september . . the belle-bonne , or fair-good-pear , october the tenth . . the catillac-pear , october and november . . the cadet-pear , october , november , and december . . the thick-tail'd-pear , october . . the fin-oin-pear . . the passe-bonne , or past-good-pear . . the chambrette , these three last , all in october . . the winter-caillot , or pebble-pear , to bake , november . . the carmelite , mazuer , or gilogiles , november . . the baking pound-pear , november . . the ros-pear , november , and december . . the sicilian musked bergamot , or dove-pear , december . . the citroli-pear , same month. . the caloët , or winter-caillot , or pebble-pear , december . . the lady joan , or rousse de la merliere , december , and january . . the pernan , january . . the miret , february . . the gourmandine , or liquorish-pear , march. . the foundling of the mountain , the same month. . the supreme , july . . the gros fremon , or great fremon , december , and january . . the macarius-pear , april . . the bernardiere , april , and march. . the betterave , or beet-root-pear , august . . the red orange-pear , august . . the burgundy dry-martin , november , december , and january . . the bellissime , or super-fair-pear , august . . the martineau , october . . the legat-bouge , or bens-pear , the same month. . the cyprus-pear , november . . the fontarabie-pear , january . . the malta-pear , november . . the constantinople , or borgueil-pear , december . . the orange-pear of st. lo , the same month. . the winter-jargonnelle , january . . the gastellier , january . . the estoupe , or stopple-pear , march. . the bete-bir , the same time . . the monrave , the same time . . the gambay , april . . the summer-jargonnelle , august the twenty second . . the lombard-pear , august . . the sanguinole , or bloody-pear , august . . the hasty-pear , same time . . the double-headed-pear , august , and september . . the onion-pear of vervan , august . . the musked certeau . . the winter-villain , january . . the stergonette , the same time . . the green-pear of pereus , january , february , and march. . the toad-pear , january . . the scarlet-pear , august . . the my-god-pear , august . . the belle-vege , same time . . the courtreau , or st. giles's pear , august . . the red pairmain-pear . . the st. francis-pear . . the bequêne . . the love-pear . . the marine , or thomas-pear . . the carisie . . the chair-à-dame , or lady-flesh-pear , august . there are some pears among these , good to bake , &c. which are , the carmelite . the caloët . the great fremont . the st. francis. the bequêne . the love-pear . the thomas , or marine-pear . and the ros-pear . besides the bad-pears which i know not , here is a particular list of those which i know to be so bad , that i counsel no body to plant any of them . summer-pears . . the summer-certeau . . the belle-bonne . . the poire de sain , or sound-man's-pear . . the sanguinole , or bloody-pear . . the betterave , or beet-root-pear . . the red orange pear . . the bellissime . . the jargonnelle . . the lombardie . . the windsor-pear , august . . the musked vally-pear . . the odorant , or sweet-smelling-pear . . the scarlet-pear . . the my-god-pear . . the st. giles , or courtreau-pear . . the chair-à-dame , or lady-flesh-pear . . the vally-pear . . the toady-pear . . the milan-pear , or summer-bergamotte de beuvriere . autumn-pears . . the cadet-pear . . the musked certeau . . the chambret . . the fin-oin . . the passe-bonne , or past-good-pear . winter-pears . . the catillac . . the lady joan. . the pernan . . the mountain-foundling . . the bernardiere . . the burgundy dry-martin . . the fountarabie-pear . . the gastelier . . the stergonelle . . the vertzburg . . the toad-pear . . the pairmain-pear . . the carisie . . the winter-jargonnelle . . the malta-pear . . the swisse-pear . . the gilogiles . . the mauritany , or moorish-pear . . the armenian-pear , the fourth of january . a list of those which i esteem not highly enough to counsel any gentleman to plant them , nor yet so much despise as to banish them out of the gardens of them that like them . the summer-pears are , . the summer-perfume . . the berny-perfume . . the hasty-pear . . the janet-pear . . the frangipane . . the jassemine , or gessimine-pear . . the brutte-bonne , or chaw-good-pear . . the finor . . the vervan onion-pear . . the nicole-pear . . the besi de mapan , august . the autumn-pears are , . the monsieur , or brown gold-pear . . the onion-pear of autumn . . the thornless-ambrette . . the gold-pear of autumn . . the tuliped , or fly-pear . . the cyprus-pear . . the ruddy english-bergamot . . the nameless-pear of monsieur 〈◊〉 jeune . the winter-pears are ; . the topinambour . . the besi des essars . . the arch-duke . . the naples-pear . . the armenian-pear . . the sicilian , or musked bergamot . . the sucrin-noir , or black sugry-pear . . the round milan-pear . . the winter-villain . . the winter-gold-pear . . the legat , or bouge-pear . . the bruta-marma . . the green - pereus-pear . . the ros-pear . . the citroli . . the miret , february . . the gourmandine , or liquorish , or greedy-guts-pear , march. . the macarius-pear , &c. chap. iv. treating of apples . since apples make a part of our kernel-fruits , and a very considerable part too , as well in respect of their goodness , and lasting quality , as of the convenience they afford us , of having them either growing upon little dwarf trees , grafted upon paradise-apple-stocks , or upon larger dwarf-trees and standards grafted upon wild or crab-stocks , i will take the opportunity in this place to set down what i would counsel gentlemen to plant of them , before i proceed to speak of wall trees , among which , i seldom or never admit them entrance . among the apples that are good to eat raw , or baked , or otherwise prepared , ( for i meddle not here with cyder-apples , ) i count seven principal sorts , that is to say , the gray-pippin , the white , or frank-pippin , the autumn calvill , the fennellet , or fennell-apple , the cour-pendu , or short-hung , or short-stalk'd-apple , the api , and the violet-apple . there are some others which i prize not so much , tho' they are no bad fruit , as the rambour , the summer-calvill , the cousinotte , the orgeran , the jerusalem , the thick pairmain , the ice-apple , the francatu , the hiute-bontée , or high-goodness , the royalty , the rouvezeau , the chesnut-apple , the pigconnet , or pigcon-apple , the pass-pomme , or passing-apple , the petit-bon , or small-good , the fig-apple , &c. all apples pretty near resemble one another in their flat figure , and short stalk , and the most part of them in bigness too , and in their short eating pulp , but they are very different in colour . i know not above two or three sorts that are bigger than the others , namely , the rambours , the calvills , and the ice-applos , and but three or four that are more long than flat , namely , the calvills , the violets , the jerusalems , and the ice-apples , and they are thicker towards the stalk than towards the head , so that we must conceive the most part of them flat , without any further description . the two sorts of pippins are distinguished by the two names of gray and white which they bear , being in other respects of an equal goodness ; good compôtes , or wet sweet-meats may be made of them at all times , and they begin to be eaten raw towards the month of january ; before that time , they have a little point of sharpness which pleases not some people , but unhappily assoon as ever they begin to be entirely free of that , they contract a smell that is much more displeasing , and which is rendred still more disagreeable , when the smell of the straw upon which they are laid to mellow , intermixes therewith . in sine , it may be said , to the advantage of these pippins , that they are very profitably made use of almost all the year long ; and to their disadvantage , it may be no less truly affirmed , that their neighbourhood is infinitely disagreeable and incommodious . the summer and autumnal-calvills resemble one another pretty near in their longish shape , and in their colour , which is of a blood-red , but yet the summer-calvill is a little flatter , being likewise less coloured without , and not at all within , whereas those of autumn are very red both without and within , and especially the best of them ; that is to say , those that thave the most agreeable violet-smell that renders them so considerable : i say , these most excellent ones have always their pulp deeplier tinged with red , and are also more beautiful to look upon than the others . they keep most commonly from october , when they begin to come in , till january and february . it is a most excellent fruit to eat raw , and no less excellent to use in compôtes , and wet sweet-meats . it sometimes grows dry and mealy , but that is not till 't is very old . the summer-calvills , both the white and the other , are gone as soon as september is past ; they may at least be said not to be disagreeable , and especially in the pyramids of their season . the fennellet , or fennell-apple , or anis-apple , is of a colour not well to be express'd : it is grey , overcast all over with something of a russet , coming near the colour of the belly of a doc , never taking any lively colour . it never grows very big , and seems to incline to a longish figure : its pulp is very fine , and its juice much sugred , and perfumed with a little smack of those plants from which it derives its name . this apple begins to be good from the beginning of december , when we have the pleasure to eat it with the pears of the season , and keeps till february and march. it is certainly a very pretty apple , and would be much more so , if it were not so apt to wrinkle and wither as well as that which follows next . the cour-pendu , or short-hung , or short-stalk'd , apple , whose ancient name some would have changed , to give it that of bardin , is perfectly of the regular figure of an apple , and is of a reasonable bigness ; it is of a grey-russet colour on one side , and dyed with vermillion on the other . it s pulp is very fine , and its juice very sweet and pleasant ; they are eaten with pleasure from the month of december , till february and march : we must not give it time to grow wrinkled , because then it is insipid , and loses its tast . it is likewise a very pretty apple . the api , which is in truth , a right lady's-apple , and good company , is known by all the world , as being remarkable for its extraordinary piercing and lively colour . it begins to be good as soon as it has no more green left , neither towards its stalk , nor towards its crown , which happens pretty often in the month of december , and then , if i may be permitted so to speak , it requires to be eaten greedily , and at a chop ; that is to say , without ceremony , and with its coat all on : for among all the other apples that are , there are none that have so sine and delicate a skin as this ; it is scarce perceivable in the eating ; nay , and contributes so much to the agreeableness found in these apples , that 't would be to impair that to strip them of it . this apple lasts from december till march and april , and plays its part wonderfully well in all winter assemblies , whither it brings no disagreeable smell , but on the contrary , a certain little touch of a most delicious perfume in a pulp extraordinary fine ; and to conclude , it commands esteem where-ever it presents its self . it is of great increase , and consequently may be commended for a very pretty apple , and has this further particular advantage , that it never wrinkles nor loses its charming colour . the violet-apple is of a whitish colour'd ground , a little speckled in those parts turned from the sim , but marked , or rather striped and whipt with a good lovely deep red on that side exposed to the view of that luminary : the colour of its pulp is very white , and its self very fine and delicate , having a juice extremely sweet and sugred , leaving no earthiness or lees behind it , so that assuredly it is an admirable apple to begin to eat of as soon as 't is gathered , and continues till christmas , beyond which time it will not reach . i was promised a violet-ice-apple pretended to be better , and to last longer , and not to come in season till after the other , but i have seen none of them yet . i have indeed seen one they called the black ice-apple , of the bigness and shape of an ordinary pippin , and of a very shining dark red colour , except on that side not exposed to the sun , which has little or no red in it ; which is an apple that keeps till april , but it has always such a tang of a green tast , which is so disagreeable , that it has given me little stomach to multiply many trees of it . the rambour , as i have already said , is a fair large apple , green on one side , and whipt with red on the other ; it is eatable as soon as august comes in , but lasts but a little while : it is very good baked , or otherwise prepared , and requires particularly to grow on standard trees , the little paradise-apple stocks being too weak to support the weight of it . the cousinottes are a kind of calvills , which keep till february ; their juice is very sower , and their stalk long and small . the orgerans , both the hasty and backward ones , seem to me of little worth . the apple which is formed like a star , and bears that name , is yellow , and keeps till april , and is sowrish and hardish , and worth no great matter . the jerusalem-apples are almost red all over , have a firm pulp , but of little tast , though it be a little sugred , and have nothing of that ill smell that accompanies most apples . the thick english-pearmains are of the colour of the jerusalem-apples , but are flatter , and sweeter , and more sugred : the english make greater account of them than of most of our french-apples : they likewise mightily esteem another sort of apples , which they call golden pippins , which have perfectly the air of paradise-apples , or some other wild apples : they are very yellow and round , and have but little juice which is pretty high , and rich tasted , and without any ill smell . the ice-apples are so called , because when they ripen , they seem to grow transparent , without being really so . they are altogether greenish and whitish , and make no great figure among any truly curious persons . the francatu's are red on one side , and yellow on the other . they keep a great while , and that 's their principal excellency . the haute-bonte's , or high-goodnesses , are white , horned , and longish , and last a long time . they are called in poiton , blandilalies : their pulp is pretty sweet , with a little touch of sharpness . the rouvezeau's are whitish , coloured with red. the chesnut-apples , called in anjou , martranges , are white and russet , coloured with a kind of dirty and dusky red. the apple without flowering , or flowerless , or blossomless-apple , is green , and grows out of the tree just as figs do out of a fig-tree : it keeps a long time , and is sometimes called a fig-apple . the petit-bon , or little-good , is longish , and pretty good . the rose-apple extreamly resembles the apis in all its outside , but to my taste is not so good , whatsoever the curious gentry about the rhone can alledge to the contrary , who would extoll this above other apples , as much as they would the cat-pear above other pears . and these are all the apples as near as i can reckon , that i know , after a very exact scrutiny , and because there is no great difference among them in goodness , i willingly content my self with the seven first sorts , for which i have exprest some esteem , and shall make no scruple to plant a considerable quantity of them , provided they be grafted upon paradise apple-stocks , that being a tree that shoots forth little wood , and consequently produces but small dwarf-trees , that give very little incumbrance , and that besides , is blest with the advantage of producing great increase , which makes it very considerable to our curious gentlemen ; to which may be added , that it equally agrees with all sorts of soils , both hot and cold , dry and moist . i use often to place some of them between all the dwarf-pear-trees i plant about every square of our kitchin-gardens , and for that purpose , i set the pear-trees at a pretty good distance one from another , without being at all afraid my apple-trees should defraud the pear-trees of their nourishment , because these latter draw theirs a good depth our of the ground ; whereas those little apple-trees which need but little , content themselves with licking up those superfluities of it only , which were spending themselves towards the surface , and outward crust of the earth . by the means of these little apple-trees , i have the convenience to allow my self almost as many trees of one sort of apples , as of the other , and since these little trees are agreeable enough to the sight in great gardens , it follows naturally enough from thence , that they produce no ill effect in little ones . now therefore we have nothing else to do but to determine what kinds of them to plant , and what number of each kind , and this is my method with them ; if i have room enough to plant a considerable number of them , as for example , from fifty , to one or two hundred ; i plant two thirds of the total number , of these four sorts , gray-pippins , white-pippins , autumn-calvills , and apis-apples , of each an equal number ; and for the remaining third part , i divide it into three portions , which i employ in trees of these three other kinds , viz. fennellets , cour-pendu's , and violet-apples . and proceeding in this manner , in fifty apple-trees , i shall have eight gray pippintrees , eight of white pippins , eight autumn-calvills , eight apis , six fennelets , six cour-pendu's , and six violet-apples . in a hundred apple-trees , i shall have sixteen of each of the four first principal sorts , and twelve of each of the other three , and so proportionably in the number of two hundred . but when we shall have occasion to plant three , four , or five hundred , i shall mix with them a twelfth part composed of summer-calvills and rambours ; and so at that rate , there would be in three hundred apples , twelve summer-calvills , and twelve rambours , with fourty three gray-pippins , fourty three white pippins , fourty three autumn-calvills , fourty three apis , thirty two fennellets , thirty two cour-pendu's , and thirty two violet-apples , and so forwards in greater numbers of each sort , according to the same proportion . and if any curious person be minded to add besides , some other apples , as for example , some jerusalem petit-bons , or little-goods , chestnut-apples , &c. he may do his pleasure , but in my opinion , that is , according to my taste , these others are not so good as those seven kinds which i here preferr before the rest . there remains but one difficulty more to clear , which is to direct what is to be done in very little gardens , in which i freely counsel that some little apple-trees be planted ; there needs but a very little room to place half a dozen , or a whole dozen of them , without so much as the company of any pear-trees among them , and without harming any of the little plants we have a mind should grow under them . in such a case , i would plant but six or twelve apis , which when loaden with fruit , would be a very pretty ornament to such a little garden , and if there were room to place two dozen , there should be eight apis , eight autumn-calvills , and eight cour-pendu's ; if there were occasion for fourty , they should be parted among those three above-said kinds , together with the fennellet , and violet-apples , and so there should be still eight of each sort ; that is to say , i would hardly plant any pippins at all among them , they being so easy to be had every where for money , and peoples curiosity leading them to covet the other sorts rather than them . the great dwarf-apple-trees grafted on crab-stocks , are hard to be brought to bear , produce too unsightly and cumbersome tops , and too ungovernable to be reduced to a middle-siz'd figure , and require a great extent of ground , so that 't is much better to have great standard apple-trees in separate orchards , where they spread into tops sometimes of three or four toises or fathoms diameter . in this case , they require to be placed at a great distance one from the other , that is to say , about sixteen or twenty yards , and yet so they will not continue long to bear fruit , nor consequently to pleasure us . it is most especially needful to have recourse to those standard trees , for autumn-calvills , pippins of all sorts , rambours , francatu's , &c. and then gentlemen may plant as many trees of them , as they have occasion for . after having treated of both pear-trees and apple-trees , as well in the figure of dwarf-trees , as of standards , it is very pertinent to discourse next of those sorts of stone-fruit that are capable of prospering either in the one or the other of those two figures , before we come to the wall-trees . chap. v. how to make the best use of the walls in every garden . among the fruit and kitchen-gardens of which i treat , there are some that are entirely enclosed on all sides with walls , and some that are so but in part , and some again that are without any at all ; as for these last , i have nothing to do nor say to them , but to pity them , and wish them better fortune ; the condition of the gardens we have to do with , for many good reasons , requiring to be walled quite about . as for the first sort , they have at least three expositions , it being not possible they should have fewer , and regularly , they have four , those which have but three , are gardens that are triangular , and they are pretty rare , that being a cramped and forced figure , which people strive to avoid as much as they can . as for those that have four walls , they are of a square figure , which is the commonest as well as the fairest and most convenient . there are some indeed , as i have said elsewhere , that are pentagonal and hexagonal , &c. which are not very disagreeable for the planting of wall-trees . but i make no great account of them , because they are attended with many inconveniences , and perplex gardeners , who are thereby hindred from forming any fair and sightly squares in their kitchen gardens , which consequently makes me have little stomach to speak any thing in their favour ; and besides , it costs a great deal more to make gardens of those unusual figures , than to make them simply and plainly square ; and yet when all 's done , though such figures may have more walls , yet they can have no more distinct expositions than a plain square , for let us do the best we can , it is impossible by any variation of figure that can be invented , to produce any more than four of them , that is to say , the expositions of the east and west , and of the south and north. this is a truth that needs no proof , since no body can call it into doubt . now in terms of gardening , we call expositions , every wall that enjoys the aspect and kindly reflection of the rays of the sun during a certain time of the day , in a different manner from another wall not in the same position . thus we call an easterly exposition , a wall that is eyed by the sun the first half of the day ; that is to say , from its rising till noon , at what hour soever it begins to rise ; and that a westerly exposition , which is shone upon the second half of the day ; that is to say , which begins to be shone upon immediately after noon , and continues to be so till sun-setting . and we style that a southerly exposition , which beginning in summer time , to enjoy the comfortable smiles of the sun , soon after his rising is not totally deprived of them till he be almost ready to disappear from among us , or perhaps not till he be actually out of sight , or to speak more generally , we call that a southern exposition , that is it self alone constantly shone upon longer than either of the two former taken separately , and there are some gardens so advantageously turned , that one of their walls is almost the whole day cherished by the sun-beams . i express in the treatise of plantations , what sorts of expositions i affect most , and counsel others to affect too , that have as we say , a whole piece of cloath to cut out as they list , in order to the contriving themselves both a fair and good garden , which is a happiness , not very ordinarily to be met with , especially in great cities , where gentlemen are under a thousand subjections to their houses , for which their gardens are made , and to which they must be accommodated , and consequently are such subjections from which they can hardly ever exempt themselves . after all we have said about the three good expositions , it is no hard matter to conclude , that the unhappy northerly exposition is that which enjoys the sun , only during that little time in which the southerly one has him not ; for the sun cannot shine upon two walls directly opposite one to the other , at the same time . the portion of those of the north , then , is to enjoy from the equinox of march , to that of september , the earliest rays of the sun that appear above our horizon ; that is to say , to be shone upon betimes in the morning , and that sometimes for an hour or two , and sometimes for three or four , but sometimes they run the danger of having but a very short view of him towards evening ; nay and very often , of having none at all . it follows from this explication of expositions , that there is no wall that has not as least some little glance of the sun once a day , and that is a favour always to be counted for something . and this , if i mistake not , is the proper place in which i ought to tell you , that the sun never begins to shine upon one wall , but he shines upon two at the same time , and they are those that concurr to make the common angle in which the two joyn that are so shone upon ; thus when he rises , he ordinarily shines at once upon the northern wall , and part of the eastern one , and as soon as ever the progress of his course , carries him out of the sight of that of the north , he insensibly extends his beams to that of the south , yet so as not for a good while after to quit that of the east , but shining upon both at once ; in the same manner also he leaves not off shining on the eastern wall , but in order to advance himself by little and little to the western exposition , and to continue in the mean while his favourable aspect to the southerly wall , so that those two walls are likewise at the same time gratified with his cheering rays . and thus every day begins and ends that glorious progress and course of the sun , which causes the fertility of the earth , the goodness of fruits , and the joy and pleasure of mankind : but he finishes it not however , without scattering some small remains of his last melancholy and expiring splendour upon the poor northern wall , he gives it a slight visit in passing , that is to say properly , he only glances lightly by it when he is got beyond the reach of its southern opposite . any two walls that are diametrically opposite one to the other , are never shone upon at the same time , unless it be just in the moment the sun is passing from one to the other ; for then that great torch which is always advancing with an unconceivable rapidity , appears as if he were for some time stopt , and sixt , though he really be not , and then he may be truly said to view three different expositions at the same time ; but that being only just as he is going to quit the sight of that of the three , which he had thitherto continued the longest looks towards , and beginning to turn his countenance towards the other , which is directly opposite to it , cannot be of any long duration . upon which , i suppose , there are neither any tall trees nor high walls , nor neighbouring houses that may obstruct the reflexion of the sun 's light upon any of the expositions we are examining , otherwise we shall never be able to lay down any thing positive for the instructions we intend to sub●oyn about them . after having thus explained what we mean in terms of gardening , by expositions , any person may easily judge of those he has in his own garden , whether it be walled quite about , or only in part ; as we see in those for example , that are closed on some sides only with rivers , ditches , or quick hedges , &c. but though i were informed of the extent of the surface of every garden , that would not enable me to calculate any thing near what extent of walling it will take up . for example , though an arpent or acre of paris measure , contains nine hundred toises or fathoms of superficies , yet it may be , that this superficies may be reduced to a perfect square of thirty toises or fathoms every way , and so such an arpent or acre will contain but one hundred and twenty fathoms in compass , that is to say , sixty yards for each of the four expositions , which is as little walling as a paris acre of ground can have . some such acres may also have one hundred and thirty , one hundred and fifty , two hundred , two hundred and eighteen , and sometimes as many as three hundred and twelve fathoms circumference , and more ; which will happen , if in the first occasion there be supposed two large sides of forty five fathoms each , and two lesser ones each of twenty ; if in the second there be two long sides of sixty , and two shorter ones of fifteen fathoms each ; if in the third there be two long sides of fourscore and ten , and two shorter ones of ten fathoms each ; if in the fourth , supposed to be a triangular enclosure , there be two sides of one hundred fathoms each , and a short one of eighteen . and lastly , if in the fifth , this acre have two long sides of a hundred and fifty fathoms each , and two short ones of six fathoms each , &c. which indeed would make a very odd conceited garden , and one ridiculous enough . but however such a case may possibly happen . after all , i can truly say , that i cannot exactly calculate what quantity of walling every piece of ground will require for its entire enclosure , since as i have just now shewed you , one and the same quantity of superficies may have a great deal more , or a great deal less , according to the greater or lesser length of the sides of the said land. in fine , it is pleasant enough to see , that if a square have two hundred fathoms of walling in its circumference , and we be minded to make a separate inclosure of the quarter , or of the half of the said square , that quarter will take up one hundred fathoms , which is the half of the whole , and that half will take up one hundred and fifty , that is , three quarters of the whole ; geometry satisfies us with good reasons for all those differences , which belonging not to my subject , i omit . therefore i shall not define what circumference a garden may have , nor what expositions , because i cannot , but shall only tell you how many trees each exposition may admit , in respect to two things , viz. the heighth of the walls , and the goodness of the ground , for the better the ground is , the more trees it is able to nourish , the contrary may be said of that which is lean and barren ; likewise the higher the walls are the greater number of trees may be applyed to them ; that is to say , we may place them so much the nearer one another , and by this means order them so , that between two , which we may reserve to garnish the lower part of the wall , there may be always one to shoot up and garnish the upper part , that so the upper and lower parts of our fruit-walls may be both garnished at once , and consequently yield us fruit so much the sooner , and in the greater quantity . the contrary is likewise true in respect of walls that are low , always considering withal , the quality of the soil ; that is to say , the lower the walls , so much the further the trees are to be placed one from another , and those very distances must still be more enlarged when the ground is very rich , than when it is but indifferently qualified . and here it is needful to explain and make you understand the following truth which seems a little paradoxical : our design in planting wall-trees is indeed to have so much the fairer fruit , but still more chiefly , to secure the greater store of it ; but trees do not infallibly yield fruit , unless it be upon feeble branches , and therefore we shall have no fruit upon our wall-trees , unless we contrive it so , that we may have some feeble branches on them : and if the trees he very vigorous , as they are commonly in good soils , they cannot produce any feeble branches , unless they be allowed a great deal of room to spread out to the best advantage all those that are fit to bear ; because , that supposing they be planted too near one another , and the walls be not high enough , they must necessarily be pruned very short , or else they will shoot above the wall , and consequently cease to be wall-trees ; or else they will so intangle their branches one with another , that they will make a very disagreeable confusion , and such a one as will prove as prejudicial to the fruit , as if they had been cut too short . if then they be curbed in that manner ; that is to say , if we leave them not branches of some reasonable thickness and length , all the young shoots they will produce will be always thick , and thick ones bear no fruit , and consequently good trees planted near one another in a good ground will bear no fruit , and all through the gard'ner's fault : and therefore it follows by an undoubted consequence , that in good soils , whose walls are but low , we ought to allow very considerable distances between tree and tree , if we would pretend any store of fair fruit from them ; and that when the walls are higher , we may and ought to place the trees nearer one another , as i have already shewed ; now i shall proceed to tell you what is my advice concerning the measure and regulation of those distances . my judgment is , that no walls of inclosure ought to be made less than seven or eight foot high , as well for the better security against robbing and spoiling to be apprehended from abroad , as for the advancing and improving the goodness of the wall-trees : i likewise am of opinion , that in the good expositions , it is not convenient to desire walls of above fifteen or sixteen foot ; for as for those of the north , which we call bad ones , the highest walls are ordinarily the worst , for they cast long shadows of pernicious influence to gardens , but yet we shall endeavour to make a good use of them , and especially in soils a little dry , and in pretty hot climates . by all i have newly said about the heighth of walls , it appears , that i have little value for those leaning-walls to pretend to make them fruit-walls for pears , peaches , apricocks , &c. but they may serve for something else , as i shall shew afterwards : it likewise appears , i do not much approve the extraordinary heighths of some topping walls of houses , or of churches , though i make use of them very advantageously when i meet with any of them exposed to the east or south ; and that is , particularly to raise figs against them , which as they love nothing so much as heat and shelter , so they apprehend nothing so much as the cold winds and scabbiness ; and high walls are very proper , as well to do them all the good they need , as to defend them from the mischiefs which attack them . when i here so much extoll the conveniences of the high walls of the east and south quarters , i suppose it to be in climates where the heat is but small , or at least very moderate ; for in those which are hot and burning , as those of our provence , and of spain , and italy ; or that exceed them still in heat , as those countries that lie nearer the line , in those climates , such walls are as formidable and pernicious to fruits which do but broil and cleave or chap against them , and to trees which they dry up , and kill , as the northern walls are uneasie , and contrary to the ripening of fruits in other places that offend in want of heat , and excess of moisture . chap. vi. of the distances to be observed between wall-trees . before i proceed to regulate the measures of the distances to be observed in the placing of all sorts of trees that are to be planted against walls , because there are some kinds of fruits that require very different distances from others , i think , that for the better understanding of what i am to deliver upon that subject , it will be necessary i should first examine what fruits really deserve admittance to this choice situation ; and secondly , which , as unworthy , are to be excluded . of the first sort are all the good kinds of figs , peaches , plums , pears , and grapes , with the hasting , or forward-cherries ; all sorts of apricocks are also of that number , with some azerolls , or garden-haws . i speak expressly of the good kinds of every sort of fruit , to shew , that i admit not indifferently to the privilege of the wall , all sorts of figs , peaches , plums , pears , &c. and then secondly , those which ordinarily are excluded from it , are apples , mulberries , almonds , ordinary cherries , agriots , bigarros , quinces , &c. unless it be when we have so great a quantity of walling , that we know not , as i may say , how to dispose of it , and therefore resolve out of curiosity , to fill up the superfluous places of it with some trees of those sorts of fruits . of all the fruits that have rank and place among wall-fruits , those that require the least distance one from another , are all sorts of grapes , they contenting themselves every where with two feet , or two feet and a half distance at most , and therefore there will be no difficulty in regulating their distances , as there will be in ordering that of other fruits . those which must be allowed good large distances , are peaches and plums : pears need not quite so great , nor hasting , or forward-cherries , but the apricock and fig-trees commonly require greater than all the rest ; the first , because they shoot forth very thick branches which it is dangerous to cut too short ; and the latter , because they are little subject to pruning , and shoot up mightily in their stock , and therefore have need of a considerable extent of room , or else they will hardly bring any fruit. to treat of all these with the more order and brevity , i will divide them into two classes , one , for those trees that commonly take up more room , which shall be the first class ; and another , for those that take up less , and that shall be the second . the first class comprehends figs , peaches , plums , and apricocks ; the second comprises pears , hasty , or forward-cherries , and azerolls , or garden-haws : which two classes must be well observed , for the full understanding of my distinctions . now , as we have already said , the principal things that must regulate all our distances , must be the greater or lesser heighth of the walls , or greater or lesser goodness of the soil . and accordingly , my custom is to order them in this following manner , conformably to my abovesaid supposition of two classes of trees . against walls that are about seven or eight foot high , or a little more , if the ground be good , and the soil fresh and hearty , as it is in many places , i place the trees of the first class at twelve foot distance one from the other , and those of the second , at nine ; but if the soil be but indifferently qualified , i place the first at eight or nine ; and the second , at seven or eight foot distance . the distance of twelve foot surprises a gentleman raw and unexperienced in these curiosities , who has not many walls to fill up ; for example , a gentleman that has but threescore or fourscore yards of walling , when he sees himself confined to plant but fifteen or twenty trees against it , he is apt to fear two things , the first is , that he shall hardly ever see his walls well garnish'd ; and the second , that he shall as hardly ever have much fruit : but besides the inconveniences , which , as i have shewn , arise from planting trees too near one another , as well in regard of the barrenness it causes in them , as of the greater trouble it gives for their cultivation ; i say , besides this , first , we may confidently expect , that trees planted in a good soil , will be brisk , and easily shoot forth every year several young branches of four or five foot long apiece ; and that so , according to that rate , being planted in such a soil , and against walls but of a small heighth , and at twelve foot distance one from another , which by consequence makes round about them , about six foot for each tree to garnish as well upwards as on each side of them , such trees i say will certainly in few years come near one another , and therefore will not leave the spaces between them long void : and so this will be a speedy remedy against the gentleman's first fear . to remedy the second , he may venture to plant double the number of trees i have before limitted , if he like to be at that charge , notwithstanding my abovesaid advice which is against it , and so place them at the distances of six foot , to please his eye with seeing his wall so much the sooner garnished , but then it must be upon condition , that at the end of three or four years , when those trees shall be in a condition to begin to act their parts well in bearing fruit , to recompense by that means the nourishment they have consumed , and the pains they have cost ; i say , it must be upon this condition , that the gentleman be of a temper at the expiration of that time , to be willing for securing the flourishing condition of the rest , to sacrifice the superfluous half , by plucking them up by the roots , and throwing them into the fire , and afterwards putting fresh molds about those left to grow , instead of the old earth which the unfortunate condemned trees have so unusefully exhausted : for he must necessarily proceed to that extremity with them , or else he must lay aside all hopes of fruit. and methinks people are but too apt to make use of the first expedient when they begin their plantations ; and in earnest , it is that which most of any thing tickles the fancy of those that are apt to reckon upon their store of fruit from the number of their trees , but we find few that can find in their hearts to proceed to the execution of the second , when the time that requires it is come , and so by that imprudent and unseasonable pity , they infallibly fall into those inconveniences which i have mentioned ; so that the surest way is , not to be at any such unprofitable expences , nor to give our selves such occasions to have those combats afterwards within our selves ; and therefore i counsel gentlemen rather to follow the advice i propose in observing the distances i prescribe between trees to be planted in special good soils . let us now proceed to planting our trees by walls of nine foot high , or more , and let us tell you , that if the ground be good , as i have before supposed , then the distances of the trees of the first class shall be proportioned at nine or ten foot , and those of the second , at seven or eight ; but if the ground be not very good , eight foot will suffice for the first , and seven for the second : where note by the by , that tho' the difference of a foot more or less , as well in the heighth of the walls , as the distance of the trees , seems no great matter , yet is it of very considerable influence for the good or bad success of a wall plantation . if the wall reach the heighth of eleven or twelve foot , or a little more , and the ground be full as good as we desire , then i plant the trees half as near again as by the walls above mentioned , taking care all along , that between every two trees of indifferent stature , which are managed so as to garnish the lower part of the wall , there be one which may shoot up and garnish it above ; for which purpose , we may have some trees of the true standard-kind , which prove very useful , especially for pear-trees , cherry-trees , apricock-trees , and even for peach and plum-trees too , tho' for these two last , we may do well enough without them , because they are trees that commonly in little time put forth shoots big enough to form very fine stemms or bodies , and consequently fit to mount up and garnish the upper part of our walls . in such a case then , where the walls are very high , i add as many trees more ; and for that reason , if the soil be good , place them at about six foot distance one from another ; and if it be but indifferently qualified , i reduce their distances to four or five foot , making my account , that by this means , the head of each of those taller trees will garnish about five or six foot of the wall on each side of them , which it will easily do , provided that at the end of seven or eight years , if we perceive their vigour flag , care be taken to put a little fresh mold between every couple of trees , to restore it , and to repair that heart in the ground which so many roots may have exhausted , or brought low ; but so long as we perceive no change in the trees to the worse , we need not trouble our selves to do any thing to the earth . i shall advertise you by the way , that one of the things that most displeases me in wall-plantations , is , to see vines , figs , stone fruit , and kernel fruit , interlaced pell-mell one among another against one wall ; i thinking it much more convenient to place every kind in a separate quarter by themselves ; so as for example , one good wall might be only for figs , and another for peaches , plums , and apricocks , the mixture of which , i do not much condemn , because that the peach-trees being more subject to perish and die , in whole , or in part , either by accident , or by age , than those other fruits , there may always remain in our wall-plantation some other trees to keep up its beauty in case of any mortality hapning to the peach-trees ; another end of a wall should be for pear-trees ; which as near as 't were possible , i would by no means mix with the peach-trees : in fine , another part of this plantation should be for the early , or hasting-cherries , and another for the grapes , which last i would have also separated into several quarters , according to their different sorts , without confounding together the muscats , or musk , or muscatine-grapes , with the chasselas , corinthians , &c. sometimes indeed i chance to place some plants of chasselas-grapes among other fruits , but that never happens , but when 't is to garnish some part of a wall that is extreamly high , with design to have some stock of it shoot strait up to a certain heighth , to which other fruit can seldom ever reach , which is not ordinary ; nay , i care not to use my darling muscat-grapes in that service , because they ripen not so well when raised upon high trails , as chasselas do . and now without repeating over again all the above specified differences , either of the heights of walls , or goodness of soils , i shall suppose all sorts of walls about the heighth of nine foot , which is the most ordinary heighth , and all grounds we are to deal with , to be of a reasonable goodness ; and according to that foot , i shall regulate all sorts of wall-plantations , leaving every one in this matter to govern himself by the rules we have above-prescribed for the greater or lesser distances of his trees , according to the greater or lesser heighth of his walls , and as his grounds shall more or less excell in goodness . chap. vii . how to know what kinds of fruits deserve best to be admitted into wall-plantations . there may here arise a great and pleasing contestation amongst our curious gentlemen , how to decide which sorts of fruits , in their judgment , ought to be honoured with the first and best places in our wall-plantations , and perhaps at least , in this country , the charming excellence of the choicer sorts of grapes may raise a powerful and formidable party to declare for a decision in their favour . nature which seems to have taken pleasure by the production of so many delicious fruits , to demonstrate how far the extent of its ingenious fecundity could go towards absolute perfection , has sufficiently shewn by the admirable temper wherewith she has enobled grapes , that she had not yet exhausted the treasures of her rich invention in the making of other fruit-trees , but that whilst she was designing to enrich mankind with such important and valuable presents as those , she was pleased to reserve something more singular for the honour of the vine , and to shew in it as 't were a master-piece of her surprising art. and certain it is , she has not refused to grapes no more than to other fruits , that infinite diversity of kinds which adds so much to their agreeableness ; that is to say , that delightful variety of colour , tast , bigness , shape , perfume , and of maturity in all , and forward ripeness in some , &c. for in effect , all those differences are to be found in grapes , as well as among pears , apples , peaches , plums , figs , &c. since there are some of them large , some small , and some long ones , round ones , sweet ones , perfumed ones , some forward ones , and some lateward ones ; and some again of all sorts of colours , as white , black , red , yellow , party-coloured , &c. but nature was minded to ●ut-do all that , and as one may say , to sport her self in certain points , to give some advantages to the vine above other trees i could specifie wherein she has done it in several particulars , but i shall only instance in this one , which is , that she has regularly fastened but one fruit of any other sort upon one single stalk , whereas the number of grains , or berries , that hang upon the stalk of one bunch of grapes , is so great , that it can hardly be told . she does much more than that , for sometimes she has the complaisance not to envy the boldness of some curious persons that undertake to imitate her , or even to surpass her in some very extraordinary things ; she takes it not ill , that some people not content to see their care and labour succeed in the cultivation of the grapes of their own country , that is to say , chasselas , cioutat , morillons , gennetins , and even muscats , &c. venture to transplant into climates that are pretty cold , those vine-plants she designed only for the hotter countrys : nay , she disdains not to favour their industry , by assisting them to bring some of them to maturity in some parts where she her self would never have thought of producing any . but yet as liberal and beneficent as she is , it seems she thought it would be too much against her honour , if she should be so easie as to suffer all the grapes of egypt , africk , and italy , &c. to ripen in the countries neighbouring on the north ; it 's true indeed , we endeavour all we can , by the help of our walls that are most advantageously exposed , to procure as much heat as is required for the passe-musquee , or passing-musk-grape , the pergolese , the damask , and the marroquins , &c. and in certain years , and certain sorts of grounds , we have pretty good success with some of them , but there are many years and soils too , wherein on the contrary , we have more need of seeking some consolation for our lost labours , than any occasion to rejoice at our successes , which may be a great instruction to us , to let us see , that we are not to attempt to force nature in every thing , and every where ; no , she is a wise and understanding mother , who looking upon all the parts of the earth as so many children all equally belonging to her , thought good therefore equally to dispense among them the good things , and other favours , she had to bestow upon them , so that the better to maintain that union and good intelligence she had a mind should reign eternally among them , she has so well regulated all things , that every one of them is furnished with qualifications enabling them to signalize themselves by some kind of productions singular and peculiar to them ; which is the cause that being as 't were jealous , lest the order and allotment she has so well establish'd , and which she is zealous to maintain entire , should be violated , she very often opposes the encroachments made by any of the parties upon any of their sister countries , and the attempts by which they go about , as one may say , to rob them of that which was given them for their peculiar portion . the anana-grape ripens in the indies , and the pergolese ; the passe-musquee , or passing-musk-grape , and all the other principal sorts of grapes ripen , even in the open air in italy , &c. but 't is not so with them in our provinces , there none of them can arrive to any tolerable ripeness ; and likewise , on the contrary , kernel-fruits prosper wonderfully among us , whereas the mexicans , and moors , let them do the utmost they can to make them grow under the line , find always their endeavours baffled . let us now return to lay down directions , what methods are to be used , to give our grapes all the means possible to attain in our country that perfection which they naturally should have ; upon which head , we tell you , we have nothing more sovereign for that , than the most advantageous expositions of our walls , and for that reason , in the contestation here to be terminated , we ought to make it our care to treat them well , and demonstrate by that , how much esteem we have for their excelling merit . some of our curious gentlemen , will not plead here in general , for all sorts of good grapes , so as to comprise the chasselas , cioutat , and corinth-grapes , but at least for the muscat , or muscatell : now of this muscat , or muscatell , there are four sorts , viz. the long-muscat , otherwise called the passe-musquee , or passing-muscat , which is the most difficult of them all to be brought to ripen , and the white-muscat , red-muscat , and black muscat , which three last have their grape or berry round , and of a middling size , and tho' they need a great deal of heat , yet not so much as the long-muscat ; in my opinion , the black one is the least of them all , but the white seems to excel the two others . and indeed a white muscat , or muscatell , whether its grape be small or great , 't is no matter , so it be clear , firm , yellow , hard , and crackling , and its juice sweet , sugred , and perfumed ; such a muscatell grape , i say , what pleasure gives it not to him that eats it ? can there be seen a more excellent fruit during the months of september and october , and sometimes till the end of november ? in hot countries they have admirable ones growing in the full air , that is , upon a vine planted in the open field ; but here to have any that are constantly pretty good , we must necessarily have recourse to the assistance of some easterly or southerly-walls . the year particularly produced us the most delicious ones in the world in those expositions ; and in dry and sandy grounds , we have had better grapes of them in the easterly , than even in the southerly exposition ; from whence , those gentlemen would conclude , that a wall can never be better employed , than by planting it with good muscat-grapes . other curious persons will hold as stifly for good peaches , as well for the beauty of their colour , ( it being really the fruit , that above all others , most delights the eye , ) as for its beauty and largeness , its lovely round figure , the abundance of its sugred juice , and its rich and sweet perfume , &c. and truly their party is likewise very great and considerable . it is very true , there is nothing comparable to a good peach in the months of august , september , and october , and even in the beginning of november till the frosts come ; but we can have but few of them here , unless it be against walls , which is a sensible displeasure to us all , because in the open air they become incomparably better than against walls . and 't is the open air that has evidenced to us here how far their chief excellence can attain ; the open air which yet cannot do us any good in their favour in this country , unless it be in the gardens , within great cities , which by a great number of lofty topping walls of houses , are in the first place extreamly well sheltered from the winds , and from the frosts of the spring , and that it is which makes them bear so great an abundance of fruit ; for in effect , we can seldom say , we have any great plenty of peaches , but when we have a reasonable number of dwarf-trees of them , and those dwarf-trees take . in the second place , those high walls shut in and augment that heat that is necessary to ripen their fruit , on all sides ; and so in fine , those fruits being thus exposed to the air , to the zephirs or gentle growing winds , and to the rain , acquire in that manner of situation , a degree of goodness , which the violent ardour of the sun reflected against a wall , could never be able to give them equally on all parts of their circference . the experience we have of these singular good effects of the full air , has made me to think of raising a kind of cavelling objection against wall-plantations ; for though i know indeed for certain , that 't is they that contribute to the insuring us a crop of fruit , yet i know as certainly at the same time , that 't is they that by cramping up our fruits against a wall , and thereby depriving them of the free enjoyment of the air , hinder them from acquiring the full goodness they naturally would have , as if those trees out of a sense of impatience and indignation at the violence and torture they suffer by being so tyed and crampt up , had a mind to punish us by a suppression of some part of their goodness , for the injury we do them in robbing them of that liberty which nature had blest them withal . in the spring time then , i take advantage of the assistance of the wall , to make the peaches knit , and take the more surely , and at midsummer i draw the branches with fruit on them forwards from the wall , which after my manner of pruning , i leave long , and with props which i six deep in the earth , i support and keep tight and firm those branches so laden with their fruit , which by that artifice , acquires that goodness which the open air only can give it , and which we have newly described . 't is true , there is some subjection and pains required to do this well , and the symmetry and beauty of our wall-plantation is thereby a little disfigured whilst the fruit is on the trees , so that the eyes of all persons that look upon it , are not so well pleased as otherwise , but that fault is amply recompensed , as well by the beauty of the colour , and the smoothness of the skin , as by that rich taste in the fruit , which cannot be had otherwise . and as soon as the fruit is gathered , the branches are put back again to the wall , and fastned in the same places they were in before , so that no body can see they have been ever medled with . i could not forbear mentioning here this fancy i have had for branches so drawn forward . it is certain then , that almost all sorts of peaches placed in the full air , in such kind of high fenced city gardens , as we have mentioned , so luckily hit to produce such rare and delicious fruit , that one would think it grew in some enchanted place , rather than in a garden cultivated by human art. there are only some avant-peaches or forward-peaches , troy-peaches , white-maudlins , and backward violet-peaches , which are not so happy as the rest . these last not finding heat enough there , and the wood of the others being too delicate and tender to endure the open air. as for those gardens that are a little exposed to the winds , not only all their peach-blossoms are frost-bitten every year , and so afford the owners no satisfaction , but also the wood of their trees either dies , or grows so scabby and ugly , that they are little better than if they were quite dead , for which reason , after i had obstinately continued a long time to bring up dwarf-peach-trees in several gardens in the country , as i had done at paris , i was at last forced to renounce all hopes of making them turn to account that way , and trust only to our wall - trees . but to return to the pursuit of the contestation of fruits , concerning the point of precedence in wall-plantations . i do not believe any body would offer to put up pears here to pretend to precedence in the good places in dispute , to the prejudice of the muscat-grapes , peaches , figgs , &c. ( whatever merits pears may otherwise have , and which we readily acknowledge in them , and particularly in the boncretiens that are fair , large , long , and coloured with a lovely red ) for we have other fruits that undoubtedly far excell them , much less still will any pretend to propose in this dispute , either apricocks , or early cherries , or azerolls or garden-haws . they would have the disgrace of a repulse , if they should engage them in it , but we shall do all of them that honour which is their due , when their turn comes , so that their protectors , if there should appear any to put in any such claim for them , shall have no reason to be discontent . there are few persons that have yet thought of declaring in favour of good plums in this contestation , i do not say all sorts of plums , but only four or five of the best sorts , and that may perhaps be , because they have not yet proved with what incomparable delicacy , what exquisite taste , and what sugred sweetness wall-plums are enriched , not only in comparison of those of their own kind , that grow in the open air , but even of all other fruits ; a difference very surprizing in it self , but still more when we consider how difficult it is to render a good reason , why a wall should produce so contrary an effect in plums , to what it do's in other fruits , it being very certain , that plums very considerably improve in goodness by the wall , whereas other fruits no less considerably impair theirs in the same situation . perhaps , i would put my self willingly at the head of those gentlemen that in the present competition , would be for giving to the good wall-plums , the precedence before all other fruits . and to make good my cause , i would readily produce a basket full of good violet-perdigon-plums full ripe , and curiously dewed or flower'd , mixed with some white perdigons , some st. catharine plums , and some apricock-plums , being well assured that the eyes of all the spectators would be much moved to favour my plea , by so lovely a sight , that their taste would almost convince them of its justice ; and in fine , that all that would procure me a great many backers , and make my party considerably strong . chap viii . a treatise of figs. but good figs put a peaceable end to all these contestations , carrying away the prize without contradiction , as being assuredly the most delicious fruit that can be had in a wall-plantation ; i do not say , that 't is in strict truth , the most considerable fruit the earth produces in this country ; no , in my judgment , no fruit can vie for excellence with a musk-melon , that is perfectly good , and well qualified , ( a thing so rare , and especially in this country , that it has given occasion to take a * proverb from it , to express the rarity of all that may be good ) . but the musk-melon has nothing to do here , it 's business is to creep on the earth , whereas our dispute here is only among those fruits which may be brought to any perfection by us in wall-plantations . a good fig then is that which above all fruit deserves among us the best place in a wall-plantation , ( though in hot countries , a wall might incommode it . ) but to judge by outward appearances both of its excellency , and by consequence , of the high esteem it deserves , we need but only observe the shrugging up of the shoulders , and the motion of the eye-brows of those that eat them , and what great quantities of them may be eaten without at all indangering the health . besides , it has the advantage to bear twice a year , that is to say first , in the months of july and august , which first figs are called fig-flowers ; and the second time in september and october , which are called second figs. this advantage , i say , is of wonderful importance to the maintaining them in the first rank , which they so rightfully ought to possess . i might here tell you by the way this truth , that among the second ones , those which ripen in the beginning of september , before there come any frost , have in my opinion , both a more sugred pulp , and a richer taste , and consequently are better , though a little lesser than the first , the reason of which is palpable enough , it being because the september figs were formed in the fairest season of the year , and nourished with a juice well concocted , and wrought up to a great perfection ; whereas the fig-flowers have had all the cold , and all the rain of the spring-time to weather , and go through ; which are two no very favourable circumstances to any fruits , for their acquiring a sugred , delicious , and exquisite taste . i know several sorts of figs that probably are all good in hot countries , because they all ripen there , but we in this country have but two sorts , which may properly be said to be admirable , and they are the great white ones , of which some are round , and some long. the round ones come in more abundance , and the long ones are especially most admirable about the end of autumn , when they can attain to their due ripeness , because they are not so subject to split and chap towards their crown , as the round ones are : which fault ordinarily proceeds from some hot rains that fall in the month of october , that make those poor round figs so swell , that they gape towards the head , with clefts enough to fright one , and thereby vent and let out all their sweetness and perfume ; so that the long ones which are of better proof against those rains than the round ones , have in truth at that time a most exquisite and miraculous tast , which the others have quite lost . i have had against one southern-fruit-wall , twelve or fifteen sorts of figs , all of different kinds , to convince me that in this country we ought assuredly to keep only to the white ones , as well for their being brought quickly to bear , and for the abundance of the fruit they yield , as for the delicacy and sweetness of their pulp ; most of the other sorts , excepting two , which are the great long violet-fig , the worst sort of all , and the flat one , which is but little better , are not only hard to be brought to bear , but bring fruit that is but small , and that is neither delicate , marrowy , nor sugred enough ; for those are the qualities of a good fig , to be delicate , marrowy , very much sugred , and of a rich and exquisite taste . among those which are of a lower degree of goodness ; for we cannot well say , among the bad ones , the black fig holds the first rank . it is very long , and pretty big , and so coloured with a dark red , that thence it derives its name of black. it is not quite so red within , as without ; it is very much sugred , but is a little drier than our excellent white ones ; i preserve some stocks of it for rareties sake . there are great yellow ones that are a little red , and flesh-coloured within ; they bear little fruit in the spring , but a good deal in autumn , but to my taste , they are not very delicate , neither in the first , nor latter season . there are also great violet-figgs both long and flat , which we just now mentioned , whose pulp is very course : i prize them not . there is also the green fig which has a very long stalk , and a vermilion pulp , and is pretty sweet and well sugred , but yields little increase . also the little grey fig almost of a tawny colour , called mellete in gascony ; its fault like that of the others , is to bear but little fruit , and that not very delicate . also another sort called a medot , which is yellow within and without . also another sort which is pretty black , having only its skin a little whipt with gray ; its pulp is red . also a small white sort , whose tast is rather faint than sugred , it is called a hasting , or forward fig , though it be so but a very little time . also the little bourjassote , which is of a blackish , or rather of a dark violet colour , like that of some plums ; it is very delicate , but bears little fruit in the spring , and seldom any that ripens in autumn . lastly , there is also the angelick-fig , which is of a violet colour , and long , but not very big ; its pulp is red and reasonably good . having examined all these sorts of figs , i think it will be most for our profit , to banish the greatest part of them , and keep only to the good white ones , which constantly prove better with us here than the rest . but yet if there be any curious gentleman , that is fully resolved to have in his garden all sorts of figs , as well as all sorts of pears , apples , peaches , plums , grapes , &c. so that , as one may say , he would keep a general hospital open to receive all fruits as well passengers and strangers , as others , let us pardon him that spirit of charity ; nay , if you please , let our complaisance go so far as to praise such an unbounded curiosity that knows no limits . but let us have a care of imitating him ; no , exiguum colito . i. e. let us cultivate a little ground , and a few plants , but good . thus you see the choice made , and the excelling merit determined in favour of figs , in regard to precedence of place in wall-plantations , as far at least as the disposal of that honour depends on me. afterwards , when i shall come to garnish our walls , i shall tell you what reasonable quantity i counsel every one to plant of them , in proportion to the bigness of his garden . chap. ix . a treatise of peaches . let us pass on to the other fruits that pretend to the honour of the wall , that is to say , to peaches and plums , to see which of those two , next to the figs , ought to have the precedence . and let us begin with the peaches . here is an account of all the sorts i know of them , according to the order of their usual ripening , every one of which i shall describe according to the same order , as fast as i shall speak of them . the first of all , is , the little avant-white-peach , or forward white-peach ; which being well exposed , ripens at the beginning of july , and will yield fruit during the whole month , if the stocks of it be multiplied in several expositions . the troy-peach follows it , but a little aloof off , how advantageously soever it be exposed , and ripens not tell the end of july , or at least in the beginning of august . it is a wonderful good little peach to stir up in us the idea and remembrance of the excellent ones we had the years before . the yellow alberge peach , and the little yellow pavy alberge ripen almost at the same time with the troy-peach , or a little after ; and are both of them far from being qualified with that goodness which makes us so much esteem the other . the white maudlin , red maudlin , the minion , and italian peach which is like a hasting persick , ripen almost all together about the middle of august , with the white pavie : in which season , we may truly say , we find choice enough to satisfie our nicest palates . the little violet alberge peach , and the little violet pavy alberge , together with the bourdin peach , ripen towards the end of the same month , and play their parts incomparably well . the druselles and cherry peaches , especially those with the yellow pulp , present themselves at the same time to bear them ( but bad and nauseous ) company . but the white pulpt cherry peach is not of that rank , being a very pretty peach when it is suffered to grow fully ripe . the chevreuse , and rossane with the pavy rossane , come in at the beginning of september , and almost at the same time , begin the persicks , the violet hastings , the bellegardes , the violet brugnons or nectarins , and purple peaches , to supply us plentifully for about fifteen days , which is in truth an illustrious , charming , and delicious shoal , or glut of fruits ; the violet peach alone , which in my judgment , is the queen of peaches , and which appears likewise so to the palates of persons infinitely more considerable than my self , being sufficiently qualified without the help of any others , most agreeably to satisfie the curiosity of the whole world. the admirables appear in crowds presently after the middle of september ; good god , what peaches , for colour , delicacy of pulp , abundance of juice , for sugred sweetness , and for a rich and exquisite taste ! &c. who is there not charmed with them , and particularly with those which ripen in the open air ? the nivettes , as beautiful and marvellously excellent as they are , have the modesty to stay till the admirables are declining before they ripen , and then they shew themselves ; and for ten or twelve days , amply recompense the pains of them that planted them in a good place . the pau peaches , the white andillis , and the narbon peaches press earnestly in , to accompany the nivettes : but for all their beauty , which in truth may be called but a painted peauty , those peaches , i say , would do wisely to forbear an attempt that can turn to nothing but their own disgrace . we shall not say the same thing of the great yellow backward peach , of the peach royal , of the backward violet peach , and of the yellow smooth peach , of the great pavies , as well red , as yellow , and of the little yellow pavies , called st. martin pavies : for when the season has prov'd favourable to their ripening , the garden theater for the representation of autumn , seems to me very much honoured with the company of these last sorts , during all the month of october ; but we must hold to them , and go no further , if we would keep our mouths in good taste , and not suffer the yellow smooth brugnon or nectarin , the later violet brugnon or nectarin , the nipple peach , the sanguinole , or bloody peach , the white corbeil , the double flower'd or double blossom'd peach , the nut-peach , &c. to appear , they being the last peaches of october , and the worst of the year , at which no body need to wonder ; long nights that are often wett , and always cold , being not very proper to make fruits good , and especially stone-fruits . in this list of peaches , brugnons , or nectarins , and pavies , there are reckoned thirty two very different sorts of peaches ; three very different sorts of brugnons or nectarins , and seven sorts of pavies , likewise extremely differently . i need not tell the people of this country , that we call peaches those which separate from their stone , our country men here abou ts knowing it well enough , though the gascons , languedocians , and people of provence , and in general , all the curious gentlemen of guienne know it not so well ; but it is necessary to tell all the world , that we call * brugnons all peach like fruits that being smooth skin'd , and without any down , cleave to their stones ; and that we call pavies , those that though they have a skin cloathed with a little down , of what colour soever they be , whether yellow , white or red , do not loosen from their stones . we have some curious persons that pretend , there are as many sorts of paives , as there are of peaches , and thereupon further affirm , that the pavie is the male , and the peach the female : a good luck go with their fancy of male and female , or rather with the ancient language of gardeners , i will not go about to find fault with it , though i never yet found any reason or colour of reason , able to satisfie me about it . but as for the great number of the pretended males they talk of , it is altogether unknown to me ; not but that i have sufficiently employed all my endeavours to discover more of them than the eight sorts above mentioned ; perhaps the race of them may be kept still in persia , from whence they pretend all peaches first came , yet without bringing along with them that mortal quality some would make us believe they have there , or if they will needs have the pavies to have all come out of that country , those which we have not here , must without doubt have been drowned in the long seas by the way . i am particularly sorry for those that would have been extream forward to ripen in our climates , we should be very happy if we could repair the loss of them , supposing that ever any such loss we had . i know well enough too , there are some curious persons , that reckon up more sorts of stone fruits than we have counted above ; i am willing to grant , they may know some that i know not ; but at least , let them be pleased to let me tell them , that after a very great and very long continued exactness in searching , i never could find any more , and i will add , that as great a liberty has been taken in multiplying the names of peaches , as well as those of other fruits , and that the least difference , either in flower and colour , or in bigness and shape , or in the time of their ripeness , or in the taste and delicacy of their juyce , has always given , and still gives many people an itching fancy , to pretend they have some new particular sort of peach , upon which they fail not to baptize it with a new name . o unlucky itching humour , which mayst properly enough be named , the daughter of vanity or ignorance , how great a confusion dost thou occasion to us among our fruits ! is it possible people should not know that a difference in soils , in expositions , or in climates , or in the tempers of seasons , is able to produce those little varieties in fruits , which yet are not essential ? notwithstanding which , they have given me an infinite deal of pains to discover the truth . i shall now with my ordinary ingenuity , tell you what i think of them , though with the hazard of incurring the displeasure of a great many of our nursery mongers . i am very far from desiring to suppress any sort of good fruit , since in all places as far as my curiosity and acquaintance extends , i always indefatigably labour to discover some new kinds that are good , with design to multiply and propagate them as soon as they come to my knowledge . but likewise on the other side , instead of desiring to form chimera's and imaginary and notional beings , though never so pleasing to the fancy , by multiplying of names for the least inconsiderable differences , i oppose that spreading disease with all the vigour and sincerity i possibly can ; and though i have reckoned up thirty two sorts of peaches , yet i do not therefore say , there are thirty two sorts of good ones , so good as i would desire them , in my garden , or counsel my friends to plant them in theirs ; no , in that number there are some which we may truly pronounce not to be good , and accordingly i shall banish them , as much as possible from our plantations : but likewise , though of any one kind , some should sometimes prove bad , we ought not presently to conclude , that the whole kind is therefore bad . let us now consider exactly in what consists the excellency of some , and the meanness or badness of some others of them , that we may be so much the better able to judge upon solid grounds , which are to be received and multiplyed , and which , proscribed and entirely debarr'd of all claims to the choice places in our wall plantations . chap. x. of the excellency of peaches , and wherein it consists . the excellency of peaches consists in the good qualities they ought naturally to have . of which the first is , to have their pulp a little firm , so as it may be just perceivable , and no more , and very fine withall , which ought to appear when their skin is taken off , which should be fine , shining and yellow , without any thing of green , and easy to strip off , which if it do's not , the peach is not ripe . this excellence further appears when we cut a peach with the knife , which is , in my opinion the first thing to be done to them at table , by any one that would eat them delightfully , and with a true relish , and then we may see all along where the knife has past , as 't were an infinite number of little springs , which are methinks , the prettiest things in the world to look upon . they that open a peach otherwise , oftentimes losing half that delicious juice that makes them to be so highly esteemed by all the world. the second good quality of a peach is , that its pulp melts as soon as 't is in the mouth ; for indeed , the pulp of peaches is properly nothing but a congealed water , which dissolves into a liquid form , when 't is never so little press'd by the teeth or any thing else . in the third place , that water or juice in melting , ought to be sweet and sugred , and of a rich , high , and vinous taste , and in some kinds of them , a little musked ; i would have also their stone little , and that those peaches which are not smooth , be only covered with a reasonable proportion of soft down , much hairiness being a certain mark of the want of competent goodness in a peach , that hair usually falling almost quite off , in good peaches , and particularly in those which grow in the open air. in fine , i should count it one of the principal qualities of a good peach to be large , if we had not some little ones that are marvellously excellent ; as for example , the troy-peaches , the red alberges , and the violet-peaches . however , it is at least so far true , that if the peaches which should be large , come short of the bigness they should have , or much exceed it , they prove always bad ; and perhaps it has been pertinently enough said by some , that these last were dropsical , and the others hectical , or consumptive . the hectical ones have much more stone and less pulp than they should have , and the dropsical ones have their stone open and gaping , and a hollow between their stone and pulp , which pulp is also course , and gross , and tough , and its juice sharp or bitter . and in reality , as i have said , there is none but the peaches that grow in the open air , which have all these good qualities in a sovereign degree , with something of i know not what exalted taste , which 't is impossible to describe . the peaches indeed that grow on wall-trees , have some proportion of them , but not to that degree , in which we just now observed those growing in the open air so much excell , unless it be those that grow upon branches , which i order to be drawn from the wall , in the manner i have above explained . chap. xi . of qualities indifferent in peaches . i have shewn you what good qualities peaches may have , besides which , they have some that are indifferent , which i place only in their flower or blossom ; for some have great ones , as the avant-peach or fore-peach , the troy-peach , the two maudlins , the minions , the persick , the backward nipple-peach , the rossanes , the white pavies , the narbon-peach , &c. some again have small ones , as the chevreuse , the admirable , the purple-peach , the nivette , the peach-royal , the bourdin , bellegarde , red pavie , red alberge , and the red pavie , alberge . some have both great ones and little ones , but not upon one and the same tree , as the two violet-peaches , both hasting and backward , the two violet-brugnons or nectarins , the pau-peaches , the yellow alberges , &c. there is but one sort that has a double flower , which derives its name from thence . chap. xii . of the bad qualities of peaches . let us now take a view of the bad qualities of peaches . the bad qualities of peaches consist , first , in having a pulp too soft , and almost like pap , to which fault the white andilly-peaches are very subject . secondly , in having it like dough or paste , and dry , as it is in most yellow peaches , and in most other peaches that are suffered to grow too ripe upon the tree . thirdly , in having it gross and course , as in the druselles , the beet-root-peaches , and the ordinary pau-peaches . fourthly , in having a faint and insipid juice with a green and bitter tang , as is ordinarily found in those same pau-peaches , growing upon wall-trees , and in the narbens , double-flower'd-peaches , and common peaches , otherwise called corbeil or vine-peaches . in the fifth place , 't is a fault to have a hard skin , as the nipple-peaches ; and sixthly , 't is another fault to be sometimes so vinous , as to contract from thence a vinegarish sharp taste . and now it can be no hard matter to judge of good peaches , and amongst the good ones , to judge which are the best , no more than to judge which are bad , and among those bad ones , to judge which are the worst . it is certain that all the peaches of one certain kind , do not always prove so perfect as they naturally ought ; no , nor all the peaches of the same tree neither , are not of an equal goodness . we have already told you that 't is a great fault in them to be too big or too little ; it is likewise one to be either over , or not full ripe ; peaches to be just as ripe as they should be , and no more , should stick but slightly to their stalks ; for those that stick too fast to them , and cannot well be pulled without bringing the stalk with them , are not ripe enough , and those that stick too gingerly on them , or not at all , but are perhaps already separated from them of themselves , and fallen upon the ground , or upon the wooden props set under them , are too ripe , and are past , as we say in terms of gardening ; that is , they are like dead things , and have lost all their goodness . there are only the smoother sort of peaches , all the brugnons , or nectarins , and all the pavies or bastard peaches that can hardly be too ripe , so that in them it is no fault to fall of themselves . those that grow upon branches that are beginning to turn yellow , and are sick , and those which ripen very long before all the rest of the same tree , or a very long time after both the first , and the most that succeed them upon the same tree , are subject to prove bad , that is to say , to have all the bad qualities we have described , or at least to have a part of them ; so that to meet with a good peach upon a tree , many conditions are necessary , which i shall explain when i come to give directions how to gather them , and how infallibly to know a very good peach from one that is but indifferent . our business in this place , is only to give our judgment which are those good kinds that deserve admittance into our wall-plantations , which i shall now proceed to declare , provided , as i have before cautioned , that for any one ill quality that may be found in any of the fruits i preferr , it be not therefore concluded , the whole species is bad ; nor for any perfection that may be found in any one of those kinds i reject , it be not thence concluded , the whole kind is really good . chap. xiii . the author's judgment of the several sorts of peaches . among the thirty two sorts of peaches i have reckoned , i condemn eight , and almost nine , and the ninth which is almost excluded , is the white andilly peach ; i also condemn two sorts of brugnons or nectarins : the eight sorts of peaches are the narbon , the druselle , the yellow smooth peach , the latter nipple peach , the beet root-peach , the corbeil , the nut peach , and the double flower'd peach , unless any person desire to have some trees of this last , simply for its flower , which is very fair , and some beet-root-peaches , to make compotes or wet sweet-meats with , for which they are admirable ; the two disgraced brugnons or nectarins , are the yellow one , and the latter violet one , neither of them seldom hardly ever ripening here , and being subject to burst , and rot upon the tree . in that part of my discourse above , where i set down the ill qualities of peaches , you may see the reasons why i banish eight or nine sorts of them . as for the pavies , i extremely honour all those of them which can be brought to ripen well ; but that is something rare in this country , unless it be those called hastings : such curious gentlemen as dwell in hot climates , and that are accommodated with walls well exposed , do very well to plant a great many of them , and are happy enough to see them ripen in the open air , and upon standard trees ; and then instead of that hard and tough pulp which they have commonly in this country , without being accompanied with any sugred juice of a vinous , rich , and perfumed taste , they have a fine and tender pulp , and almost as melting as our best peaches ; that is to say , they have a great deal of juice , and that juice is seasoned with that agreeable taste we desire in them . all these advantages , together with the pleasing view of a dark red colour that penetrates through their whole substance , but more towards their stone , than further from it , allure people to eat of them , and consequently begets in their minds an esteem for them , and a curiosity to plant and rear them . the year furnished us with admirable ones , and particularly of that sort that bears the name of monstrous , and of pompone , from that illustrious father and patron of all honest and ingenuous gard'ners , who first had of them in the garden of his house at pompone , and from thence afterwards propagated them in all the gardens of the curious . there are some curious persons that love them almost better than peaches ; we must content them , and plant good store of them in their gardens : but the number of the curious of that mind , not being very great , and we having declared particularly for the peaches , we shall therefore in most of our gardens plant abundantly more peaches than pavies . having then first shewn the excellence of the principal pears , in treating of dwarf-trees , and afterward of the several merits and excellencies of the muscat-grapes , of figs , of peaches , and of pavies , upon the occasion of our discourse of wall-trees , i cannot pass any further to declare my judgment concerning the order and precedence to be observed in planting of the trees which are to furnish our walls , till i have first done the same thing in favour of the good plums , and made an enumeration likewise of their good qualities . chap. xiv . a treatise of plums . there are reckoned almost infinite numbers of kinds of plums ; i shall speak only of those that i have seen , tasted , and examined , which are a considerable number enough , tho' there be but few in all that multitude , that i have much esteem for . in the idea and conception i form to my self of plums , i see good qualities , bad qualities , and indifferent qualities ; and i observe some plums that are good both raw , and baked , or preserved , and some again that are good only to bake , or preserve . the good qualities of plums , are to have a fine , tender , and very melting pulp , a very sweet and sugred juice , and a rich and exquisite tast , which in some is perfumed : a good plum is the only fruit almost that is to be eaten raw , and has no need of sugar , such are upon wall-trees , the violet and white perdrigons , the st. catharines , the apricock-plums , the roche-courbons , the empresses , or latter perdrigons ; such also upon wall-trees , are the queen claudias , the imperials , the royals , the violet , red and white damasks , and even the white mirabells . the bad qualities of plums , are to have a hard skin ; but because there is no plum without that fault , it is not to be counted for any thing considerable like those that follow , which are , to have their pulp tough , mealy , and doughy , as the perdrigon of cernay , the white double blossom'd plum , &c. or sharp and sowrish , as the black damask-hasting , the date-plum , the moyen , or pitch-plum , the brugnolle ; or dry , as the musked damask plum , the moyeu , the amber-plum , the bull-plum , the brugnolle , the rhodes ; or hardish , as the date-plum ; or too watery , as many sorts of plums are , which we need not know ; or wormy , as the imperials , many of the damask-plums , and diaper plums , &c. and particularly all those plums of all sorts that appear to ripen first upon the trees , that is to say , before the set time of the maturity of that kind of plum. and here we can say something in favour of our beloved perdrigons , that they of all plums , are the least subject to worms . the indifferent qualities of plums respect their shape , bigness , colour , ray , or parting crevise , &c. nay , and to stick fast to the stone , is a quality likewise indifferent , if the plum be otherwise good ; for if the plum be really bad , then if it quits not its stone it is more slighted than if it did ; and as to the shape , it is indifferent whether the plum be very long , as the imperial , the date-plum , the ilvert , the rognon de coque or cocks-kidney . or longish , as the perdrigons , the st. catharine , the diaper-plums , the mirabells , the long violet damask , the datills , or little date-plums , the minions , the burgundy-moeyu , the rhodes-plum , &c. or round , and almost square and flat , as the queen claudia , the white , the violet , the gray , the green , and the musked damask-plums , the cerisetts , or little cherry-plums , the cernay-perdrigons , the royal-plum , the pigeons heart , the brugnolle , and the drap d'or , or cloth of gold plum , &c. the shape then is of no consequence , to make us slight or esteem any sort of plums , and the colour is of no more than the shape , there being good and bad of all colours , which are either a yellowish white , as the white perdrigons , the white damasks , the st. catharines , the apricock-plums , the minions , the queen claudia's , the drapd'ors or cloth of gold plums , the great date-plums , or white imperials , &c. or else of a violet colour inclining to red , ( the finest colour of them all ) as the violet-perdrigron , the reche-cour'bons , the empresses , the imperials , the long and round damasks , the royal-plum , the violet diaper , the coeur de boeuf , or bullock's-heart , &c. or a violet inclining to black , as the brugnolle , the great violet tours damask , the st. julian , &c. or quite black , as the rhodes-plums , the latter and forward black-damasks , the masked-damask , the pigeon's-heart . or green , as the ilvert , the green damask , the castellan . or gray , as the gray-damask . or red , as the cerisets , the prime-morins , the datills , or little date-plums , &c. as well as their ray , or crease , whether it be very deep cut , as in the plum call'd the pigeons-heart , or but very little , as in most other plums , that is of no consequence as to their goodness . as for their bigness , it is better they should be pretty big , as the perdrigon , st. catharine , apricock-plum , damask &c. than little , as the mirabelles . there are a few sorts of plums extream large , as the bullock's-heart , the cernay-perdrigons , the imperials , as well white as red , and the forward and hasty , as the backward ones . all plums that are good raw , are likewise commonly very good baked or preserved , whether it be to make dry prunes , or compotes , or wet sweet-meats , as the perdrigons , &c. but there are some good only to bake or preserve , and even among the baking plums , there are some particularly good to make prunes of , as the roche-courbon , and the st. catharine , and others , whose principal excellency is shewn in compotes , or wet sweat meats ; the moyeu's , the castellans , the ilverts , the brugnolles , the cloth of gold-plums , the mirabells , &c. the pulp in all plums is yellow , in some more , and in some less ; but that is of no consequence . there are two things that seem to me to be wished for in plums ; first , that they would come in before the season of peaches ; that is to say , in the month of july , because then they would be much more advantageous and helpful to us , than by coming as they do almost all in the month of august , that is to say , together with the peaches , but our wishes in that point are but in vain ; however they maintain their ground with them , with such marvellous good grace and gallantry , that they come off with reputation . in were to be wished in the second place , that all the good plums would eleverly quit their stones , and yet we must e'en have patience in this case too , when the wall-perdrigons though ripe , and at their highest perfection , yet cleave extream fast to their stones , and the roche-courbons , which are the sweetest and most sugred plums we have , will not at all part from them . there are also a great many bad ones that quit not their stones , as for example , the black-bull's-eye , the amber-plum , the moyeu's , the ilvert , the st. julian , the norbett , the castellan , &c. those that quit them easiliest , are almost all the damask-plums , of which the number is great , or at least the number of the names people give them upon the least little differences in the world. from all the good qualities of plums that i have above noted , i conclude conformably to my experience . that there are but four or five sorts of plums , which deserve to be admitted to the honour of the wall , namely the two perdrigons , white and violet , the st. catharine , the apricock-plum , and the roche-courbon . however we add to them some empresses , and some mirabelles too , if we please , but it must not be so much in expectation to have them better upon wall-trees than otherwise , because they are seldom or never eaten raw , as to have them the more certainly come to good , because they , as well as most other plums are subject to miscarry in the blossom , and that yet it is of great importance , that we should have some of these last to make use of in the compotes and wet sweet-meats of the season . as fast as i shall dispose of each sort of plum , i will give a little description of it , as well of those we shall plant by walls , as of those which we shall rear upon dwarfs and standards . for in fine , i intend to have of them in all manner of situations where the ground will permit me , but yet always taking care to place every one of them in that situation which is most agreeable to them . i have nothing to say against the hasting or early cherries , there is but one sort of them that i know of ; it is in the novelty of the fruit , coming in the beginning of june , more than in any thing else that their excellence consists , whether it be to serve them up raw , or in compotes or wet sweet-meats ; for otherwise to be sowre , to have but little pulp , a large stone , and a thick skin , could certainly be no qualities to render them very recommendable : and 't is this novelty that will oblige us to plant some wall-trees of them , when we have walling enough to spare them . we shall likewise plant there some corinthian-grapes , which is a small berried grape , of a sweet and most delicious juice , of which there are two or three colours ; as also some chasselas , which i prize much in this country , as well for the beauty of the grape , and its berry or grain , as for the sweetness of its very much sugred juice , but above all , for its great easiness in being brought to bear , and to ripen , in which they almost never fail us , whereas the muscat can hardly ever arrive here to that point of ripeness , unless it be in such another hot and long summer , as was that of the year . i have little to say about apricocks ; all the world is well enough acquainted with their tast , colour , shape and bigness ; and do indeed make some account of them , but it is only to make use of in sweet-meats as well dry as wet , it being not a very delicious fruit to eat raw in any great quantity ; yet in the gardens , in the time of their being ripe , we find pleasure enough in gathering here and there one , to eat upon the spot . there grow pretty good ones upon great standard trees , upon which they grow all tanned , and speckled with little red spots that recreate the sight , and stir up the appetite with a much richer and more exquisite tast than they have upon wall-trees . but then in recompense , the vvall augments their bigness , and gives them an admirable vermilion , and principally , it secures us of a more certain crop of them . but both sorts of them are equally good for preserving ; the best of them are a little sugred , but yet most commonly of a substance too like dough. there are few gardens where there must not be some one tree of them . this fruit is early ; that is , it begins to appear at the very beginning of july , and especially a small sort called the hasting apricock , and which must be planted in the full south quarter ; the pulp of this latter is very white , and the leaf rounder and greener than that of the others , but is never a whit better than they for that . the ordinary apricocks which are much larger , and have a yellow pulp , ripen not till about the middle of july ; we must have some of them in every one of the four expositions , if we have walling enough to spare , or otherwise we may chance to want wherewithall to make the best of all our compotes , or wet sweet-meats , a thing that is very surprising to consider , that fire and sugar should be able to raise up and awaken in an apricock when preserved , a certain perfume which was not perceivable , but seemed to lie dormant while it was raw . the reason why i would have some of them planted in all sorts of expositions , is , because , putting forth their blossoms very early , that is , in the middle of march , a season much traversed with white hoar frosts , which are of mortal influence to their blossoms , from what side soever the cold wind comes to blow full upon them ; it certainly freezes and nips those blossoms dead , and le ts but few of them escape , and because the winds that reign in the spring , do not every year blow full upon all the four walls of a garden , that which shall happen not to be afflicted with their pernicious blasts , may at least recompense us for the loss our trees may have suffered on other sides ; and by this means , sometimes we have had of these fruits on the north-side wall of our gardens , when we could have none neither on the eastern , southern , nor western quarters , and sometimes the happy side is only on the south , sometimes on the east , and sometimes again , only on the west . and therefore as far as our convenience will permit us , we should venture some trees in all the several expositions , that we may not fail in one or other of them , to have some apricocks . and if there knit too great a number of them , as it often happens , we must not fail to pluck a great many of them , being assured of this satisfaction , that they will not be lost as those commonly are which we are forced to take away small and green , of other fruits ; but that they may be employed in making green compotes , or wet sweet-meats , and dry ones too , and all of them so very good , as we should hardly dare , without the encouragement of experience , to hope they could be . in the country of anjou we have commonly a little sort of apricock , with a kernel so sweet , that one would almost take them for filberts , and accordingly we often crack the stones for to eat them . this sort of apricock has a white pulp , and is very good in that country , but they most of them grow on standard trees , and that is it which has so well established the reputation of their goodness . in very hot years , such as was the year . if there chance to remain any apricocks , for any long time upon our wall-trees , they acquire there almost the same perfection , as they do when they are preserved , after they have quite lost a certain sharpness which is natural to them , as we have proved to our great surprize . having then ran through and examined all the several sorts of fruits that are fit to be employed in stocking our wall-plantations , let us now dispose of them against our walls , in that order of rank and precedence , as their greater or lesser excellencies shall deserve ; in order to which , let me tell you , that i will call a good exposition , first , that which is posited towards the south , because it is commonly the best , or at least that which makes fruits most forward . and secondly , that which is towards the east , which i esteem almost as much as the preceeding one . and i shall call a midling or indifferent exposition , that which is towards the west , and a bad one , that which is towards the north. this being laid down as a ground , my advice is , that if a gentleman has but never so small a proportion of the good expositions , that he should plant a fig-tree there of the white round sort , which of all figs , is , without contradiction , the best , and since whatever it cost , it is necessary to have a few figs , he can never choose a better sort than that . this wall - fig-tree alone will require the extent of ten or twelve foot of wall. i suppose the least gardens , to have at least five toises or fathoms extent of wall on one side , and a little more on another , so that in a garden supposed to have about twenty four yards of good exposition , as well towards the east as south , ten or twelve of midling or indifferent , and eight or ten of bad , i would have first placed in the good one a fig-tree , and that should be just at the corner joyning the southern and eastern wall ; that is the place i design in all gardens for the fig-trees , as being the best to defend them from the north winds , and from the galern , otherwise called the north , and north north-west wind , which reigns commonly in the month of april , which is the time of the putting forth of the first figs called fig-flowers , and because at that season , this wind is seldom without frosts , it most unmercifully destroys those poor little infant - figs , which being very tender , as being but newly born , are not able to resist the rigour of a frost , for the united shelter of those two walls of the east and south , meeting in one corner , is able to guard them from the violence of that their enemy ; however i do not mean , that the fig-tree should be always placed just in the very corner , but near it , whether it be by the south wall if there be one , or by the eastern one , if the other be wanting . when the fig-tree is placed , there may perhaps remain still to us in that little garden , about twenty yards of good walling , supposing one of the good sides be not employed in the facing of a building , or in rails , which is ordinary enough , in which case , the number of our good expositions will be so much lessened , and our number of trees likewise . but at least , if by good chance , that building or piece of rails , happen to be on the western or northern side , there will still remain to us , as i have just now said , about twenty yards of good walling , and that shall serve for six trees , allowing eight foot extent to each tree , according to our abovesaid regulation , upon this supposition , that the walls of all sorts of inclosures should be about nine foot high ; and of these six trees , i advise there may be five peach-trees , and one violet perdrigron plum-tree . i name first the sive peach-trees , because commonly there is hardly any body that has never so little a garden , but absolutely resolves to have some peaches whatsoever else he wants , and if there be room for seven or eight trees , i think any gentleman would be much in the wrong not to place among them one violet perdrigon plum-tree , that he may have about the middle of august some of those beautiful plums that are reasonably large and long , and so well flourished over their reddish violet colour , with a charming dew , and are so marvellously delicious for their fine pulp , sugred juice , and rich and high taste ; and this plum-tree must be sure to have too one of the first places about the fig-tree , or otherwise , no pleasure can be expected from it . we shall also place here some certain sorts of peaches with it , which may agree better thant hat does , with an exposition but indifferently good . let us examine then seriously which ought to be those five favourite sorts of peach-trees we are to plant here , to fill up with the best advantage the little room we have . i am not for any of those that bring small peaches , though the troy-peach be to my liking , one of the best that can grow , it being better to stay a little longer before we begin to have peaches in our little garden , that we may begin with the large stones at the very first ; and besides , we must have here such as are most certain and constant in bearing , and are least subject to be poster'd with ants , and by that rule , the white , maudlins will likewise be excluded for their smallness , as well as those of troy. the violet hasting peach , is in truth , the best of all peaches , it is that which has the most delicious and perfumed pulp , and the most vinous , rich , and noble taste of all them , and that which with good right , might claim the first place , both here and every where else , but that it is not large enough . the admirable peach has almost all the good qualities that can be desired , and has no bad ones ; it produces a goodly tree , and is one of our roundest and largest peaches ; it is of a lovely colour , and has a firm , fine , and melting pulp , a sweet and sugred juice , and a vinous , rich , and exquisite taste ; it has but a small stone , and is not subject to degenerate into a doughy substance ; it remains a long time upon the tree to delight the eye , ripens about mid-september , and is of great increase , that is to say in a word , it is one of the most accomplished peaches we know , and therefore i would by no means plant any garden without some tree of this , and of the violet peach too . but if i had room but for one of the two , i should without doubt preferr the admirable peach before the other , though the violet peach do really excell it in goodness , but i should take the contrary resolution if they were both of an equal bigness . this admirable peach grows kindly enough in midling expositions , but yet still better in good ones , and therefore to manage well the little room we have , it is better to place this peach near the northern exposition , than any of all the other kinds , and where ever we have convenience to plant two or three trees of it , it will be best to separate them by placing one in each exposition , and always to contrive to have one of them at least in a good situation , that so we may take advantage of experimenting what this kind is able to do in all of them . i have here two things more to say concerning this peach , which i have no mind neither to forget , nor to put off to another place . the first is , that contrary to the maxim i have above laid down , the admirable peaches that ripen last upon the tree are the best , they having had the time that peaches need for the acquiring of a perfect maturity , for they are not fruits to ripen or mellow off of their trees , though one may keep them three or four days without spoiling ; where note , that unless its tree be very vigorous , this peach is very subject to fall off half ripe , greenish , and all downy , and then all the vinous and lively taste it should have , degenerates into bitterness and sowreness , and its pulp which should be so fine and melting is course , and almost dry . in fine , its stone is bigger than it should be ; nay , and sometimes gapes , all very ill signs and symptoms , which we see not in the fruit of found trees , and which never fail to appear in all peaches that fall of themselves before they be full ripe . from whence i draw my second observation , which is , that when trees have any of those defects , we are to reckon no more upon them almost than if they were dead ; in that case , we must prune and cut them very close , to try if being reduced to a less extent , they will not shoot forth fairer and sounder branches , and consequently bear better fruit , and at the same time , we must put our selves in a condition to be able to repair the loss we are like to have in those diseased trees , by timely planting some good tree of the same kind in the best place we can choose for it , without which seasonable provision and precaution , we shall run the hazard of languishing under the displeasure of having for a long time nothing but scurvy peaches of that kind , which should be the best in the world. and since we have room here for five peach-trees we must needs have the minion , the belle chevreuse , or fair chevreuse , or goat peach , and the nivette , to be of the number , and accordingly we shall dispose of our twelve toises or fathoms of wall , in this manner . the fig-tree shall take the two first toises or fathoms . the space between the third and fourth shall be for a first admirable . that from the fourth to the fifth , for a first violes hasting peach . that from the fifth to the sixth , for a first minion . that from the sixth to the seventh , for a first chevreuse . that from the seventh to the eighth shall remain void , the better to facilitate the distances between the others , which must be about eight foot. that from the eighth to the ninth , shall be for a first nivette . that from the ninth to the tenth , for a first violet perdrigon plum. that from the tenth to the eleventh shall remain void . and , that from to the eleventh to the twelfth , for a second admirable peach . the minion peach is certainly to the eye , the most beautiful peach that can be seen . it is very large , very red , sattin-skin'd , and round . it ripens the first of those of its season , and has a sine and very melting pulp , and a very small stone ; its taste indeed is not always the richest nor briskest that is , and sometimes it is a little faint and flat , but that shall not hinder it from being the third in order here . the fair chevreuse , or goat-peach , describes to us in its beautiful name , a good part of its excellency ; it ripens next after the minion , and a little before the violet-peach , as the admirable succeeds the violet , and comes in a little before the nivette . so that by the means of these five peach-trees , we may be furnish'd for about six weeks together , with an uninterrupted successive supply of the goodliest and best peaches of all our gardens . the chevreuse has some very considerable advantages ; for first , it is hardly inferiour to any in largeness , in beauty of colour , in godly shape , which is a little longish , and in abundance of sugred and well relish'd juice , and over and above all that , it further excells in the great increase it yields , so that with a great deal of justice , i place it here for the fourth . it has no other fault , than that sometimes its pulp grows doughy , but it never contracts that fault but when it is let to ripen too much upon the tree , or when it grows in a cold and moist soil , or when it meets with a summer that is neither hot enough nor dry enough . it most particularly requires to be placed towards the east or south , and in grounds that are not over moist : it do's well enough in a western exposition . it is a very good sort of peach , and the commonest with those that plant them only to sell . the nivette , otherwise called the velvet-peach , is likewise in my opinion , a very fair and large peach ; it has so fine a colour both within and without , that it is most agreeable to look upon . it has all the internal good qualities , both of pulp and juice , and of taste , and of the smallness of stone , and loads its trees with great abundance . it is not quite so round as the minions and admirables , but yet comes near enough that figure , when it grows upon a sound branch , otherwise it is a little horned , and inclining to a longish shape . it ripens about the twentieth of september , just when the admirables begin to go off , and therefore with so many good qualities as it produces to maintain its claim , who dare dispute it admittance among the wall-trees in a good exposition , where there is room for five peach trees . if our midling exposition cannot contain above four peach-trees , then i would fill it up with one admirable , and one chevreuse , or goat-peach ; one common apricock-tree ; and one purple , otherwise called a vinous-peach . this last is one of the peach-trees that bears in greatest abundance , and in my judgment , in little gardens we should chiefly aim at abundance , for which reason , i preferr it before the bourdin , though that in reality ; be the better tasted of the two , and thrives as well as that in a westerly exposition , but yields not so much fruit. i do not place any maudlin-peaches in this exposition neither , nor any minions , dandilli's bellegardes , &c. because they thrive not there , and are all apt there to have a pulp too much like dough. this purple-peach denotes its colour by one of its names , and the quality of its tast by the other , and in effect , it is of a brown dark red colour , that penetrates pretty much into its pulp . it is very round and indifferent large , its pulp is pretty fine , and its taste rich and exquisite : in a word , it will very well maintain its place in this little garden . the four trees of the northern exposition shall be pear-trees , which shall be content with the distance of seven foot and a half from each other ; and they shall be , one orange green pear , two butter-pears , and one verte longue , or long green pear , all pears that bear speedily , easily , and in great abundance . thus in a very little garden whose walls contain but about twenty two or twenty four toises or fathoms in compass , we shall yet have sixteen of the choicest fruit-trees ; namely , one white fig-tree , one violet-perdrigon-plum-tree , one common apricock-tree , nine peach-trees , and four pear-trees . the peach trees shall be three admirables , one violet-hasting , one minion , two chevreuses , or goat-peaches , one nivette , and one purple-peach ; and the four pear-trees shall be two butter-pears , one verte longue , or long green pear , and one orange-green pear . after having thus furnished eleven or twelve toises of good exposition , six or seven toises or fathoms of midling , and five or six toises , or ten or twelve yards of bad , which make in all four and twenty toises or fathoms , in a garden that contains no more in its four walls ; i think for the better prosecuting the execution of my design , it will be very pertinent for me to continue my directions for the proportion of thirty toises or fathoms of good exposition , which make about fifteen toises or fathoms for the eastern , and as many for the southern exposition , and afterwards to employ the remaining thirty toises or fathoms in the two other expositions , allotting the one half to the midling one , and the other half to the bad one ; after which , i will fill up more and more of them , augmenting still thirty toises or fathoms each time , till i come to six hundred toises or fathoms of good exposition . methinks that in this scheme or project , all the world may without trouble or confusion find what they shall need for the stocking of their wall-plantations , and in sine , that the directions which i shall give there , may afford sufficient light to those who have a greater extent of walling to stock , how to fill it up . for i dare affirm , that unless it be for the garden of some great king , that any private subject will find he has a terrible quantity of wall trees , if he has toises or fathoms of them in all , viz. of very good ones , midling ones , and bad ones . that is to them that know the consequence , a number great enough to fright any man , because of the difficulty he will find in ordering and managing them to the best advantage . add to this , that if we suppute the quantity of peaches which every peach-tree may reasonably yield at the end of five or six years , we may expect from every hundred stocks of them , at least five or six thousand peaches , though every stock should yield but fifty or threescore each , and what will that be in comparison of the crop they will yield , when they shall bear twice as many , as they may easily do at the age of eight or nine years , &c. to proceed then , having already furnished twelve toises or fathoms of good exposition , and being minded to continue on to thirty , we must reckon that the space from the twelfth to the thirteenth toise or fathom , will afford us over and above the former number , one second minion peach-tree . and , that from the thirteenth to the fourteenth , a second violet hasting peach . we shall place nothing in the space between the fourteenth and fifteenth , the better to make room for the distances of others . that from the fifteenth to the sixteenth , shall be for a second chevreuse . from the sixteenth to the seventeenth , for a first white maudlin . from the seventeenth to the eighteenth , for a first persick . from the eighteenth to the nineteenth , for a first common apricock tree . and , from the nineteenth to the twentieth , shall be left void , to give the greater scope for the other distances , as i have already said . we cannot speak well enough of the white maudlin peach , when it is planted in a good soil , and is well exposed , only the ants make war a little too much against it ; and what is worse , we know not how to secure it from them , which reproachful misfortune does it a great deal of prejudice among the curious . to see some trees of it bear abundance , and others but little fruit , seems to give us good grounds to say with some gard'ners , that there are two sorts of them , one which they call the great one , and the other the little one ; but yet for all that , neither by their flower , which in both is large , and has but a little blush of red , nor by the leaf of the tree , which in both is large , and very much dented , nor by their ripening , which happens to both at the same time , being towards the end of august , nor by their colour , bigness , shape , juice , taste , nor stone , which are alike in both of them ; no , not by all these marks , i say , which ought to constitute an essential difference , can i find sufficient reason to perswade me to embrace the opinion of those that think there are two distinct sorts of them , both of them being large , round , and half flat , very much painted with red on the sunny side , and not at all on the other , and have a fine pulp , a sweet and sugred juice , a rich taste , no red about their stone , which stone in them both , is short , and almost round , all which considered , suspends my judgment as to the point of their being two different kinds . besides which , i have observed , that they both produce very goodly trees , and that when i have brought up stocks both of that pretended sort that yielded but little fruit , and of that that bore a great deal , and taken some grafts from that which bore a great deal , and grafted them upon those that bore but little , yet the trees they produced , yielded me very little fruit. so that in conclusion , i believe this difference in their bearing , proceeds only from the greater or lesser vigour of the stock of the tree ; that which has a great deal , produces greater main branches , and fewer small shoots , whereas the other on the contrary , produces lesser main branches , and more small shoots ; now the main branches , as we have already , so many times inculcated , yield no fruit , but 't is the small shoots only that are the bearing branches , and if we give but a larger extent of wall to these strong and vigorous trees , and leave them thick branches enough , and leave them a little longer than ordinary , we shall see that when they have more room to spend their fury in , they will put forth no more such thick branches , but will shoot out more small ones , and consequently will give us more satisfaction and pleasure . the persick peach is a fruit of a marvellous increase , and of ; no less admirable taste ; it is longish , and has all the good qualities we can wish it , when the tree is in health , and grows in a good ground , and well exposed , and as the stones come pretty near the figure of their fruit ; that of the persick peach is a little longish , the pulp which is next to it , is but very little tinged with red. it ripens just when the chevreuse or goat-peach is going off , and a little before the admirable comes in , that is to say , it very commodiously chooses the time which is most advantageous to us . to go on , from the twentieth to the one and twentieth toise , or fathom , shall be the place of a third admirable . and in the space between the one and two and twentieth , i have a great mind to place a violet brugnon , or nectarin , that in this number we may have at least one sort of fruit , that we may carry a good way without spoiling . i have a particular value for this sort of brugnon , or nectarin , when it has time enough to come to so full a maturity , as to grow a little shriveled and wrinkled with it , for then in truth it is a most admirable fruit : the pulp of it is reasonably tender , or at least is not hard ; it is pretty much painted with red round about the stone ; and its juice and tast are enchantingly delicious . so many good qualities therefore cannot but justifie my choice . the space from the twenty second toise , or fathom , to the twenty third , should be for a first troy-peach . from the twenty third to the twenty fourth , should remain void . and , from the twenty fourth to the twenty fifth , should be for a first st. catharine-peach . besides what i have before said of the troy-peaches , concerning their smallness , the time of their ripening , and their good tast , i have nothing else to add , but that they are very much tinged with red , and are round , with a little kind of teat at the end ; their flower is of the greatest size , and we are very unhappy that we cannot defend them from the ants : the trees , neither of this sort , nor of the avant , or forward peaches , are so large as other peach-trees , and for that reason , may be allow'd something less place than the others , which may amount to the retrenching of a foot , or a foot and a half for both of them : they last not so long as the rest . the st. catharine-plum planted against a wall , in a good exposition , and in a good soil , will certainly surprize both those that know it but little , and those that thinking they know it , disesteem it : for in this situation , there can hardly grow a better fruit in the world , if it may be allowed time to ripen , so that it grows wrinkled about the stalk : it is , as i have said , a white or pale yellowish plum , of a longish figure , and pretty large , and that parts very clean from its stone . i cannot tell whether i may not say , that , notwithstanding the ill report it always had to be absolutely good for nothing else but to make prunes , i am the first that have done it the honour to advance it to the choice station of the wall ; but truly i have found it so well to answer my expectation there , that i cannot sufficiently extoll it in that respect . and as i have been always a great searcher out of experiments , i have likewise made trial , whether there might not be some other plums which might find some assistance from the wall towards the improvement of their excellence , as well as the perdrigons , and st. catharines , as we found , had done ; but as i shall afterwards more amply tell you , instead of meeting with any good success with them , i only found that they very much dishonoured themselves in that noble situation . the wall has almost the same effects upon these good plums , as boiling sugar has upon some certain fruits , some of which it very notably improves in goodness , as for example , apricocks ; and others , it as sensibly spoils , such as are commonly butter-pears , when they are ripe enough to be eaten raw. however , i am well enough satisfied , that i have found but few plums receive any addition of perfection by the influence of the wall , since at least by making trial , i am now convinced of the vanity of the hopes i once had , that they might , and by consequence , am now able to save any other gentleman that may have the same curiosity , the expence of time and pains that i have been at , to content it . in the space from the twenty fifth to the twenty sixth toise , or fathom , we will place a first yellow admirable-peach . and in that from the twenty sixth to the twenty seventh , a first latter violet-peach . now before i tell you what are the excellencies of these two peaches , i must advertise you , that they must have the choicest places in the southern exposition , if we will pretend they should attain to their due maturity ; but for our encouragement , we may expect to have in them , when the nivette peaches are gone , two sorts of peaches which cannot be enough commended , and especially in forward years , that is such as are hot and dry . this yellow latter admirable-peach , is also called the apricock-peach , and the sandalie : it is a malacotoon , as the yellow pavie is a malacotoon : it entirely resembles the admirable-peach , both in shape and bigness , so that it may well be named the yellow admirable , and the other barely , the admirable , from which it differs in the yellow colour both of its skin and pulp . both the one and the other are coloured pretty much with red on the sunny-side , and that red pierces a little more about the stone of the yellow one , than about that of the white one : it is of a very good tast , and well deserves to be here , tho' it be a little subject to grow doughy as well as other yellow peaches . as for the latter violet , otherwise called the marble-peach , i must needs say in its commendation , that it has certainly a vinous and delicious tast , and when it ripens well , surpasses all the rest : we could only wish it so much heat as it needs , for assuredly it needs a great deal . it grows a little bigger than the ordinary violet-peach , and is not so much coloured all over with red , as that ; from which difference , it had the name of marbled , because that very often it is indeed but whipped or striped with a violet red : its fault is , not to ripen well , and to chap and burst out all over , when the end of summer or autumn prove too moist , or too cold : it produces a sightly tree , and tho' there be not two different kinds of it , no more than there is of the other hasting , or forward violet peaches , yet some trees of it have large flowers , and some others but little ones , just as the other violet peach-trees do . we must place between the twenty seventh and twenty eighth toise , or fathom , a first bourdin-peach . between the twenty eighth and twenty ninth we shall put nothing , to give the more scope for the distances . between the twenty ninth and the thirtieth , we will put a first white avant-peach , or forward-peach . which make in all , two and twenty trees , at eight foot distance each from the other , and there are four feet over-plus allowed to the fig-tree , which must have twelve foot to it self , when 't is alone . we may say in favour of the bourdin-peach , almost all that has been said in praise of all the rest , saving only that commonly it is not quite so large as the maudlins , minions , chevreuses , persicks , admirables , nivettes , &c. tho' sometimes it comes very near them , which happens when because a tree is old , we ease it of some of its burthen , by pulling off some of its green fruit. the new planted trees of it are naturally a little tedious before they begin to bear , which has hindred it from being so soon admitted into little gardens ; but then when once it begins to bear , it is extreamly loaden with fruit , which is the reason why sometimes its peaches are not so big as they should be , but by taking care to pluck so many of them about midsummer , as to leave only a reasonable number upon each branch , we may be sure to have them grow large enough . what remains further to be said of them is , that they are some of the roundest , best coloured , and in fine , of the most agreeable peaches to look upon , that we have ; to which add , that their inside does not any way in the world give the lye to their fair external physiognomy , and therefore when all is summed up , it must needs be a peach that can spoil nothing in this garden . i have already said , when i was disposing of the first westerly exposition , where we placed four trees , what i have to say about the purple-peach . it remains next , that we should examine wherein the forward-peach , or avant-peach excells . it s principal excellency is then , that it is among the peaches what the little hastings are among the pears , and the cerisets , or little cherry-plums are among the plums . it commonly beginning to be ripe a month before any of the other peaches , and for that effect , it assumes a pulp , grows to its bigness , and ripens at the very beginning of july . it is small and roundish , with a little teat at the end ; it is so very pale , that no sun can colour it red , how hot soever it shine upon it , no more than it does the narbon-peach , as we shall afterwards shew . it has a pulp that is fine enough , but very subject to grow doughy ; it has a little smatch of a peach , which we are ravished to taste again , after we have been so long without tasting any thing like it ; but most especially because it is like the aurora or morning star before the sun , that is to say , a fore-runner to tell us the good news of the approach of the good peaches , for which reason , it was thought to deserve the name of the avant peach , that is to say , the fore , or fore-running peach . it is esteemed , and not only its fault of growing doughy excused , but that likewise of its not having so rich and brisk a taste as most of the others ; and therefore we resolve to have one avant peach-tree , when we have room but for a dozen and a half of peach-trees . besides , because we would not give it time enough to discover all its faults to us , it 's true , we make less use of it raw , than in making composes or wet sweet-meats of the season , for which it is admirably good ; its flower is of the largest size , and of so pale a yellow , that it appears almost quite white ; naturally it shoots out not many branches , and consequently produces no sightly tree , and therefore needs not so much room as the very troy-peach ; and naturally also 't is of all peaches , one of the most subject to be annoyed with ants , which inconvenience made me not very hasty to introduce it sooner among the two and twenty trees we have planted in the thirty first toises or fathoms of good exposition . before we enter into larger gardens , to look out there for a greater proportion of the good expositions , let us first fill up conformably to what i have above proposed , that which , as near as we can guess , we may have of midling and bad exposition , in these gardens in which i have already newly disposed of so much as there was in them of the good ones . and as both those two together , ought not regularly to take up more walling than the two eastern and southern quarters together , to which probably they are parallel , i will suppose the proportion of wall for each of them , may amount to fifteen toises or fathoms apiece , to make thirty for them both , as there are thirty for the two good ones , which would fall out so indeed , if the garden were perfectly square , though it would be really so much the less agreeable , if it were so , because it is most desirable for the forming a garden in the most beautiful figure ; that first , it should be twice as long , as wide . secondly , that all its sides that are opposite one to the other , should be of an equal length ; and lastly , that the whole should terminate all in right angles , that is to say , with an equal fall of right lines upon right lines , as i have already shewed , when i was treating of the manner how to dispose every piece of ground . those gentlemen that shall happen to have a little less proportion of wall , in one of their expositions than i suppose , may plant so many fewer trees there than i have prescribed , as that shall direct , and may take their measures from that place , where in passing , i have mentioned exactly the quantity of wall they have ; but if on another side , their western quarter be of a little more extent than i may have guessed , they may multiply so many more trees of that sort of peaches they like best of those i have planted in the same exposition , as will fill it up ; and the admirable peach is that which of all peaches , i would always most heartily advise them to multiply . as also in case their northern-wall has more extent , which may very well be , they may augment the number of those pear-trees , which they find i have expressed the most esteem for , which will be either the butter-pears , the bergamots , the virgoulees , or the verte longues , or long green pears , as they shall find most agreeable to their palates , and most answerable to their occasions ; and likewise if their north quarter has less room than i have supposed , they may plant so many the fewer trees , and content themselves with that number which i have assigned for an extent of walling equal to theirs . we have already filled up a western-wall of about five or six toises or fathoms extent , with four trees , which are one apricock-tree , and three peach-trees ; namely , an admirable , a chevreuse , and a purple peach . and to another westerly wall of about six or seven toises or fathoms , i would advise nothing to be added more than the abovesaid four trees , to make the more room for setting out the distances between them , which should always be about eight foot , but to that of between seven and eight toises or fathoms , there shall be added , a first bourdin peach . to that from eight to nine , a second admirable . to that from nine to ten , a first white perdrigon plum . from ten to eleven , a first troy peach . from eleven to twelve , a first violet hasting , or forward violet peach . from twelve to thirteen , nothing for the above said reasons about the distances . from the thirteenth to the fourteenth , a second chevreuse . from the fourteenth to the fifteenth , a second bourdin . as to the northern side , after having disposed of five or six toises or fathoms of it , to four pear trees ; namely , two butter pears , one verte longue or long green pear , and one orange-green pear , because the distances of the pear-trees in this exposition , are reasonably set out at seven foot and a half ; we will further add to such a northern exposition , that shall contain between six and seven toises or fathoms , a first virgoulee . from seven to eight , a first bergamot . from eight to nine , a second verte longue , or long green pear . from nine to ten , nothing , for the abovesaid reason of the distances . from ten to eleven , a second bergamot . from eleven to twelve , a second orange-green pear . from twelve to thirteen , a third butter pear . from thirteen to fourteen , a third bergamot . from fourteen to fifteen , a second virgoulee . and so a northern wall of fifteen toises or fathoms , would be furnished with twelve pear-trees . all the pear-trees i place to the northern wall , fail not to produce there both goodly trees and fair fruit ; 't is true , they may want something of a good taste , but if we perceive it , we may soon remedy it with a little sugar . and therefore we shall have no reason at all to be dissatisfyed for having planted some good pear-trees in this northern exposition , instead of leaving it bare , or of planting it only with filaria or hony-suckles , as many do . i suppose always , that this northern wall should in summer time , have an hour or two's aspect of the sun ; for if it had none at all , or next to nothing of it , the fruit would hardly come to any good there . in this disposition which i have newly regulated , of a garden containing sixty toises or fathoms of walling , allowing each wall fifteen toises or fathoms , and planting them with such trees that may prosper there , we should have in all , forty five good trees , namely one fig-tree , twenty seven peach-trees , two common apricock-trees , two violet-perdrigon plum-trees , and one st. catharine plumb-tree . the twenty seven peach-trees should be five admirables , three violet hastings , or forward violet peaches , two minions , four chevreuses , one nivette , one white maudlin , one persick , two troy-peaches , one yellow admirable , one latter violet peach , two bourdins , one avant peach , or forward peach , and one violet brugnon , or nectarin . the twelve pear-trees should be three bergamots , three butter pears , two virgoulees , two verte longues , or long green pears , and two orange-green pears . with this provision , we may boast , that though we have in our garden but thirty toises or fathoms of wall in a good exposition , and fifteen in a midling one , we have not ill furnished them ; since we have placed in that small space , at eight foot distance one from the other , all the most considerable peaches our country affords , with the best of all our fig-trees , three excellent plum-trees , and two apricock trees . well understanding and meaning always , that the apricock and plum-trees should be dispersed among the peach-trees , and be placed in respect of them , at an equal distance one from the other , so as that there may be between a plum tree , and an apricock-tree , five or six peach-trees ; and so on . the plum-trees and apricock-trees are not so subject to die young , in part or in whole , as the peach-trees , and therefore are able , as one may say , to support in some manner the honour of the wall-plantations , when there happens any afflicting accident , or mortality to the poor peach-trees . however i do not always mix plum-trees with peach-trees , though they do them no harm , but i sometimes plant whole walls with nothing but plums , when i have walling enough ; nay , and sometimes i make some little gardens all of plum-trees , when the disposition of the ground will permit me . let us now return and proceed on to a good exposition that may contain between thirty , and one and thirty toises or fathoms , that we may have room to place a second fig-tree , near the first , the one being planted against the southern wall , if we have one , and the other against the eastern one , in case likewise we have one , or else both of them shall be placed in one of those expositions , if either of the two be wanting : next to that , the space between thirty one and thirty two toises or fathoms , shall be for a third violet hasting peach . that from thirty two to thirty three , for a third minion . that from thirty three to thirty four , shall be left void , to make good the distances . from thirty four to thirty five , for a second white maudlin . from thirty five to thirty six , for a first forward or hasting apricock . from thirty six to thirty seven , for a second violet perdrigon plum. from thirty seven to thirty eight , for a second nivette peach . from thirty eight to thirty nine , shall go only to make out distances . from thirty nine to forty , shall be for a first italian peach . the italian peach is a kind of hasting or forward persick , and resembles in all things the persick , in its bulk , which is noble , its sigure which is longish , with a little teat at the end , its colour , which is of a fair , but deepish carnation , its good taste , and its stone , &c. but this ripens about the middle of august , that is to say , full fifteen days before the other . in a word , 't is very certain , that 't is an excellent peach , next which the space from forty toises or fathoms to forty one , shall be for a second troy peach . from forty one to forty two , for a first royal peach . from forty two to forty three , for a first rossane . from forty three to forty four , shall be kept void . from forty four to forty five , shall be for a first violet alberge-peach . i add here one after another three sorts of peaches , i had not yet planted . the royal peach is a kind of admirable , only it is always more lateward , and of a darker red without , and still a little more tinged near the stone than that , in every thing else it is perfect like the admirable , and by consequence , is admirable it self , that is to say , most excellent . the rossane resembles the bourdin peach in shape and bulk , and is different from it in the colour of its skin and pulp , which in this latter are yellow . both of them take strong tincture of red from the sun , that is to say , a very dusky red : this peach is very fruitfull , and of a very good taste , and has no other fault but that it is apt to grow doughy , to avoid which distastful inconvenience , we must not let it grow too ripe on the tree . the red alberge is one of our prettiest peaches for its vinous and rich taste , if we let it grow ripe enough , otherwise its pulp is hard , as is that of all other peaches not ripe ; it is no bigger than a troy peach , and is pretty like it , but that it seems to me more coloured with red . the only fault of all those incident to peaches , that can be objected against this , is that it is not large . the space from forty five to forty six toises or fathoms , shall be for a second persick . from forty six to forty seven , for a second violet brugnon , or nectarin . from forty seven to forty eight , for a first apricock plum. from forty eight to forty nine , shall remain void . from forty nine to fifty , shall be for a first red maudlin peach . though the apricock plum that grows upon a standard tree in the open air , be better to eat raw than a st. catharine ; yet in my opinion , the st. catharine out-tops it by a very great height , in a wall-plantation . these two plums are much like one another , and i see no other difference , than that the apricock plum comes nearer a round figure than the other , and has some red spots not seen in the other . the red maudlin which is the same with the double troy peach , or country , or peasant peach , and which notwithstanding the multiplying humour of those which would make different kinds of it , is round , flat , and sinking , very much coloured with red without , and pretty much within , is indifferent large , and apt to grow double , and twin-like , which is not very agreeable , and hinders it from producing fair fruit ; its flower is large and high coloured , its pulp is not very fine , but its taste is good enough , yet is it methinks nothing near so excellent a peach as all those are which we have planted before it ; though in certain places i have seen it improve to a wonder , both in bigness and good taste , for all which , i believe its friends will hardly blame me for not having well placed it , and at worst , if those gentlemen like it not so well in this place , they may do it the honour to advance it to the station of any of the foregoing ones which they can find in their hearts to displace for its sake . in the place between fifty and fifty one toises or fathoms of wall , we will put a first bellegarde . that from fifty one to fifty two , shall be for a second latter violet peach . from fifty two to fifty three , for a second bourdin . from fifty three to fifty four , shall be employed for making good distances . from fifty four to fifty five , shall be for a first diaper roche courbon plum. that from fifty five to fifty six , shall be for a first purple peach . from fifty six to fifty seven , for a second yellow admirable . from fifty seven to fifty eight , for a third white maudlin , or rather for a first white pavie , for those that love it . that from fifty eight to fifty nine , shall remain void . from fifty nine to sixty , shall be for a second chevreuse , or rather a great red pavie of pompone . the bellegarde is a very fair september-peach ; it is a little sooner ripe , and a little less tinctured with red , both within and without , than the admirable , and its pulp is a little more yellowish , and perhaps its taste not quite so rich , otherwise for its bulk and figure , it might be mistaken for an admirable , but it produces not so goodly a tree as that . the roche courbon plum may be well enough known by what we have already said of it above , when we were treating of the qualities of plums . certainly we have not a more sugred plum than that . the white-pavie dissers not at all from the white maudlin-peach , in its whole outside , only in the opening and eating of it , we find it to be a pavie ; that is to say , it has a firm pulp sticking fast to the stone , and has a good brisk taste enough , when it is full ripe . the red pavie of pompone , or the monstrous pavie is monstrous indeed , that is to say , it is prodigiously large , being sometimes thirteen or fourteen inches about , and of the loveliest red colour in the world ; and in earnest , nothing is so delightful to behold , as to see a good handsome quantity of them upon a goodly wall tree . it is a sight that almost dazles the eyes , and when besides all these other advantages , they come to ripen well , and in fair weather , a garden is much honoured in being adorned with them , a hand well satisfyed to hold them , and a mouth most exquisitely pleased in eating them . let us now furnish again our western walls from those of fifteen toises or fathoms in length , which we have already planted , to those of thirty , after which we will do the same thing for the northern ones of the same extent , and so we shall see by that , what quantity of good sorts of fruits , a garden of six-score toises or fathoms , or of two hundred and forty yards in compass , may have of good fruits , whether it be a perfect , or an oblong square . to a western wall-plantation then , of between fifteen and sixteen toises or fathoms , we will further add a first italian peach . from sixteen to seventeen , a third admirable . from seventeen to eighteen , nothing . from eighteen to nineteen , a second troy peach . from nineteen to twenty , a second violet hasting , or forward violet peach . from twenty to twenty one , a second apricock-tree . from one to two and twenty , a first forward or avant peach . from twenty two to twenty three , nothing . from twenty three to twenty four , a first persick . from twenty four to twenty five , a first latter royal peach . from twenty five to twenty six , a first nivette . from twenty six to twenty seven , a first violet brugnon , or violet nectarin . from twenty seven to twenty eight , nothing . from twenty eight to twenty nine , a first boncretien pear . from twenty nine to thirty , a first autumnal bergamot . methinks , where we have conveniency in a garden to place in a wall-plantation , no fewer than fifty three good peach-trees , six good plum-trees , four apricock-trees , and two fig-trees , and having still room for a couple of trees in the western quarter , we cannot do better than to fill them up with one boncretien , and one bergamot pear-tree , since they both prosper very well in this exposition . all the world is acquainted with their excellency , and are not ignorant how difficult it is to raise any of them otherwise than upon wall trees ; so that in my judgment , we shall do very well to plant them in a garden of this proportion ; according as our gardens shall grow more spacious , we shall plant more of them , and we shall come to some , where we will plant whole walls of each kind . the abovesaid distribution contains three and twenty trees , which according to an equal proportion , should be allowed but seven foot ten inches a piece ; but we will allow them all but the two last , full eight foot , and what remains shall be divided between the pear-trees , for which it will be sufficient . the northern wall which contains over and above what we have already stocked . from fifteen to sixteen toises or fathoms , should be filled up with a first ambret pear . from sixteen to seventeen , with a second ambret . from seventeen to eighteen , with a first leschasserie . from eighteen to nineteen , with a second leschasserie . from nineteen to twenty , with nothing . from twenty to twenty one , with a first apricock-tree . from twenty one to twenty two , with a fourth butter-pear . from twenty two to twenty three , with a fifth butter pear . from twenty three to twenty four , with a third bergamot . from twenty four to twenty five , with a second verte longue , or long green pear . from twenty five to twenty six , with nothing . from twenty six to twenty seven , with a first dry martin . from twenty seven to twenty eight , with a second dry martin . from twenty eight to twenty nine , with a first bugie . that from twenty nine to thirty , with nothing . and thus in a garden of a hundred and twenty toises or fathoms in compass , the two good expositions of which might take up about sixty of them together , and the other two about the same proportion , we should have in all , fourscore and eleven trees ; namely , two fig-trees of the white round sort , six apricock-trees , six good plum-trees , two pavies , three violet hasting , or forward brugnons , or nectarins , fourty seven peach-trees , and twenty five pear-trees . the six plum-trees are two violet perdrigons , one white perdrigon , one st. catharine , one apricock-plum , and one roche-courbon . among the apricock-trees , there are one of the hasting or forward sort , and five ordinary ones ; the two pavies are one white , and one red one , the three violet brugnons , or nectarins , are all of the forward or early sort . the forty seven peach-trees are two forward or avant peaches , four troy peaches , one red alberge , two white maudlins , one red maudlin , four minions , two bourdins , one rossane , one italian peach , four chevreuses , four violet hastings , or forward violet peaches , three nivettes , two yellow admirables . i have already reckoned to you above , what peach-trees i have placed to the westward , because they prosper reasonably well in that situation . the twenty five pear-trees are one winter boncretien , four autumnal bergamots , five grey butter pears , four virgoulees , two ambrets , two leschasseries , two dry martins , two verte longues , or long green pears , two orange-green pears , and one bugie , and all these in the north part , except only one boncretien , and one bergamot , which we have placed towards the west . to continue on still what i have proposed , i will next stock thirty toises or fathoms more of the good expositions , with fifteen of the midling , and fifteen of the bad one , placing always the trees in the good exposition , and in the midling one , at eight foot distance one from another , and in the bad one , but at seven and a half ; therefore to avoid mistakes , before we proceed to plant any thing in them , let us always first begin with making so many holes at regulated and prescribed distances , as we know we have trees , to plant . accordingly then in the good expositions , we shall assign for the toises or fathoms extending from sixty to sixty one , and from sixty one to sixty two , and from sixty two to sixty three , and from sixty three to sixty four , two fig-trees of the white sort , which shall be planted next after , and adjoyning to the two first , on each side of the corner that joyns the east and southern walls , for no less than four toises or fathoms will serve them two . from sixty four to sixty five toises or fathoms , a fourth admirable . from sixty five to sixty six , nothing . from sixty six to sixty seven , a third violet hasting peach . from sixty seven to sixty eight , a fourth minion . from sixty eight to sixty nine , a third white maudlin . from sixty nine to seventy , a third chevreuse . from seventy to seventy one , nothing . from seventy one to seventy two , a third violet perdrigon plum. from seventy two to seventy three , a third troy peach-tree . from seventy three to seventy four , a third nivette . from seventy four to seventy five , nothing . from seventy five to seventy six , one rossane pavie . from seventy six to seventy seven , a second forward apricock-tree . from seventy seven to seventy eight , a second persick peach . from seventy eight to seventy nine , nothing . from seventy nine to eighty , a second red alberge . from eighty to eighty one , a third latter violet peach . from eighty one to eighty two , a third yellow admirable . from eighty two to eighty three , nothing . from eighty three to eighty four , a second italian peach . from eighty four to eighty five , a first white perdrigon plum . from eighty five to eighty six , a second forward , or avant peach . from eighty six to eighty seven , nothing . from eighty seven to eighty eight , a fourth white maudlin . from eighty eight to eighty nine , a third common apricock-tree . from eighty nine to ninety , a fifth hasting , or forward violet peach . and that makes two and twenty trees for thirty toises or fathoms of wall. let us next see what we shall place in the fifteen western , and the fifteen northern toises or fathoms , to compleat this garden which may have forty five toises or fathoms of walling towards each exposition , and consequently , a hundred and fourscore toises or fathoms in compass , for all its four sides . for the space then between thirty and thirty one toises or fathoms of the western wall , wo will assign a fourth admirable peach . and for that from thirty one to thirty two , nothing . from thirty two to thirty three , a third chevreuse . from thirty three to thirty four , a second peach royal. from thirty four to thirty five , a third violet hasting , or forward violet peach . from thirty five to thirty six , a third troy peach . from thirty six to thirty seven , nothing . from thirty seven to thirty eight , a third bourdin . from thirty eight to thirty nine , a second forward , or avant peach . from thirty nine to forty , a second italian peach . from forty to forty one , nothing . from forty one to forty two , a first violet perdrigon plum. from forty two to forty three , a third apricock-tree . from forty three to forty four , a second nivette . from forty four to forty five , nothing . and there you have eleven trees for the fifteen western toises or fathoms of wall. in the northern division , we will assign for the place from thirty to thirty one toises or fathoms of wall , a fifth virgoulee pear . from thirty one to thirty two , a fourth bergamot . from thirty two to thirty three , a sixth butter pear . from thirty three to thirty four , a third verte-longue , or long green pear . from thirty four to thirty five , nothing . from thirty five to thirty six , a third ambret . from thirty six to thirty seven , a third leschasserie . from thirty seven to thirty eight , a third dry martin . from thirty eight to thirty nine , a second apricock-tree . from thirty nine to forty , nothing . from forty to forty one , a third orange-green pear . from forty one to forty two , a first meeting brest pear . from forty two to forty three , a sixth butter pear . from forty three to forty four , nothing . from forty four to forty five , a seventh butter pear . and so for a hundred and fourscore toises or fathoms of walling , of which there may be forty five to the east , forty five to the south , forty five to the west , and forty five to the north , we shall have a hundred thirty six trees , viz. threescore and eighteen peach-trees , thirty six pear-trees , four fig-trees , nine plum-trees , and nine apricock-trees , whereof two of the forward sort . among the threescore and eighteen peach-trees , there are three pavies , viz. one white hasting pavie , one latter red one , and one rossane hasting pavie , three hasting or forward violet brugnons or nectarins , and threescore and twelve peach-trees , strictly so called , which are three forward or avant peaches , six troy peaches , two red alberges , four white maudlins , one red maudlin , six minions , three bourdins , one rossane , three italian peaches , six chevreuses , eight forward or hasting violet peaches , three persicks , one bellegarde , eight admirables , two purple peaches , three latter royal peaches , four latter violet peaches , five nivettes , and three yellow admirables . the nine plum-trees are four violet perdrigons , two white perdrigons , one st. catharine , one apricock plum , and one roche-courbon . the thirty six pear-trees are one winter boncretien , five autumnal bergamots , seven grey butter pears , five virgoulees , three ambrets , three leschasseries , three dry martins , three verte longues , or long green pears , three orange-green pears , one melting pear of brest , and two bugies . if i were obliged to furnish two good expositions , which instead of having fourscore and ten toises or fathoms of wall to them two , had a hundred and twenty , so that i had about threescore toises or fathoms in each wall-plantation , instead of forty five , whether it consisted all of one wall , or were parted into several ; i would , if i might follow my own inclination , fill up the fifteen additional toises or fathoms , with two fig-trees ; which would take up near four toises or fathoms ; with fifteen foot of white muscat , and three of red muscat grapes , which placing them at two foot distance one from the other , would take up six toises or fathoms , and in nine foot of chasselas , which would take up three toises or fathoms , and in six foot of corinthian grapes which would take up two toises or fathoms . and i would place all these grapes apart , as i have already told you . besides the goodness of the grapes which is very considerable ; we have need likewise of the leaves of their vines during the month of october , to help to garnish our dishes when flowers begin to grow scarce . the chassela's , otherwise called the bar-sur-aube , is a very sweet grape , which produces fair and large clusters ; and its grain or berry is large and crackling : it keeps longer than any other grapes , and gives marvellous pleasure when it so presents it self out of the common season for grapes . there is both a red and black sort of them , which i do not like so well as the white . the white corinth or corinthian grape is a very sweet grape : the bunches are small and long , and its grains or berries , small , and sticking close together , and have no stones . the red sort is not better than the white . it is good to have some vines of this grape , when we have any reasonable proportion of walling , and especially towards the south ; for in any other exposition , neither the muscat nor the corinthian grape will prosper : but when we have a good southern wall , there is hardly any thing more agreeable than to gather at the same time in ones garden , a basket of fair peaches , another of good muscat grapes , one of corinthian grapes , and another of fair chassela's . the manner of eating corinthian grapes , is different from that of eating all other grapes , which we eat grape by grape , whereas the corinthian grape , is eaten by whole bunches like plums , &c. the fifteen additional toises or fathoms towards the east , to make up sixty , shall be disposed of in this order , in the place from forty five to forty six toises or fathoms , shall be a second st. catharine plum. from forty six to forty seven , a fourth violet brugnon , or nectarin . from forty seven to forty eight , a fifth admirable . from forty eight to forty nine , nothing . from forty nine to fifty a second bellegarde . from fifty to fifty one , a fourth chevreuse . from fifty one to fifty two , a fourth troy peach . from fifty two to fifty three , nothing . from fifty three to fifty four , a fifth white maudlin . from fifty four to fifty five , a second bourdin . from fifty five to fifty six , a seventh minion . from fifty six to fifty seven , nothing . from fifty seven to fifty eight , a third common apricock-tree . from fifty eight to fifty nine a first white andilly peach . from fifty nine to sixty , nothing . i am induced to place here a white andilly peach , as well in consideration of its goodly sirname , as because it is a peach of great increase . it is fair to look upon , large , round and flat ; it takes a very lively red colour in the sun , but has no red within . it gives some satisfaction when we let it not ripen too much upon the tree till it grows doughy . the fifteen toises or fathoms augmented towards the west , shall furnish us for the place extending from forty five to forty six , toises or fathoms , a second violet perdrigon plum. from forty six to forty seven , a sixth admirable peach . from forty seven to forty eight , a fourth chevreuse . from forty eight to forty nine , nothing . from forty nine to fifty , a third latter royal peach . from fifty to fifty one , a fourth hasting or forward violet peach . from fifty one to fifty two , a seventh admirable . from fifty two to fifty three , a first mirabelle plum. from fifty three to fifty four , nothing . i have already sufficiently expressed above , my sense concerning this plum , which is small , white , and a little tawny . it s tree bears an infinite quantity of fruit , which separates from the stone . this plum is indifferent good to eat raw , but is most particularly excellent to preserve , whether it be to make sweet-meats , to keep , or to eat presently . in the space from fifty four to fifty five , a second violet brugnon , or nectarin . from fifty five to fifty six , a second boncretien pear . from fifty six to fifty seven , a second autumnal bergamot . from fifty seven to fifty eight , nothing . from fifty eight to fifty nine , a third boncretien pear . from fifty nine to sixty , a third bergamot . the western division of fifteen toises or fathoms of wall , with the precedent one of like length , furnish us three and twenty trees . the fifteen additional toises or fathoms , towards the north quarter , will furnish us for the place extending from forty five to forty six toises or fathoms , a fourth verte-longue or long green pear . from forty six to forty seven , a sixth virgoulee . from forty seven to forty eight , a fifth bergamot . from forty eight to forty nine , nothing . from forty nine to fifty , a first winter thorn pear . from fifty to fifty one , a first marveil thorn pear . from fifty one to fifty two , a third bugie . from fifty two to fifty three , a fourth ambrett . from fifty three to fifty four , nothing . from fifty four to fifty five , a third apricock-tree . from fifty five to fifty six , a fourth leschasserie pear . from fifty six to fifty seven , a second winter thorn pear . from fifty seven to fifty eight , a second marevil thorn pear . from fifty eight to fifty nine , nothing . from fifty nine to sixty , a seventh virgoulee . and there are twelve trees for the fifteen northern toises or fathoms , as there were fifteen for the proceeding fifteen toises or fathoms , at the allowance of seven foot and a half for each tree . and here it may be observed , that though in planting each exposition , i have all necessary regards for the due keeping of the general proportion of all the fruits of all the four walls of every garden , consider'd all together , so that they may make but one whole and uniform compound , yet in setting down the fruits of each division separately ; i number them without any respect to the fruits of the others , that they that please to make use of my advices , may readily see in a moment , both what fruits , and what number of trees of each kind , i place in every exposition , so that when towards the last toises or fathoms of wall , of any one of the four walls ; they shall see set down for example : a seventh virgoulee-pear , a third common apricock-tree , a sixth admirable-peach , &c. they may know , that in such an exposition , there are seven virgoulee pear-trees , three apricock-trees , six admirable peach-trees , &c. without mistaking me , because of that , as if i meant , there are but so many trees of such a kind , &c. in the whole garden . and in sine , because after i have stocked four walls , each of fifteen toises or fathoms extent a piece , i presently subjoyn a general recapitulation of all the trees i have planted from the first begining of our wall plantations as far as that proportion : all gentlemen concerned may easily see at one view , by that recapitulation , how many trees there enter into a garden ; for example , of sixty toises or fathoms extent , how many into one of a hundred and twenty , how many into one of a hundred and fourscore , and how many into another of two hundred and forty , and at the same time , they may see by the particular account above set down , how that number of trees is distributed in each exposition . in my last recapitulation , i have set down all the fruit that are to stock the walls of a garden , of a hundred and fourscore toises or fathoms : take now that of another garden that may contain two hundred and forty ; and that should be of fifteen foot of white muscat , and three of red muscat or musk grapes , nine foot of white chassela's , and six of white corinthian grapes ; six white fig-trees , fourscore and ten peach-trees , fifty one pear-trees , eleven apricock-trees , and twelve plum-trees : among the fourscore and ten peach-trees , there are three forward or avant peach-trees , seven troy peaches , two red alberges five white maudlins , one red maudlin , seven minions , four bourdins , one rossane , three italian peaches , eight chevreuses , nine hasting or forward violet peaches , three persicks , three bellegardes , eleven admirables . two purple peaches , four latter royal peaches , four latter violet peaches , five nivettes , three yellow admirables , five violet brugnons or nectarins , one white andilly peach , and three pavies , viz. the white hasting , or forward pavie , the hasting or forward rossane pavie ; and the red latter pavie . among the twelve plum-trees , there are five violet perdrigons , and two white ones , two st. catharines , one apricock plum , one rochecourbon , and one mirabelle . among the eleven apricock-trees , there are two of the hasting or forward sort , to place towards the south , and nine more to plant in all the other expositions . among the fifty one pear-trees , there are three winter boncretiens , eight autumnal bergamots , seven butter pears , seven virgoulees , four ambrets , four leschasseries , two winter thorn pears , two mareuill thorn pears , three dry martins , four verte longues or long green pears , three orange-green pears , three bugies , and one melting pear of brest . these sorts of recapitulations so frequently made , may seem impertinent and tedious to those that have no need of them ; and with a good luck , e'en let them do so for me , it is not for them i here am at work : but those gentlmen that have need of such directions , will doubtless think themselves in some measure obliged to me for them ; and if they have a mind to know what pains they cost me , ( which i may say was one of the greatest of my whole work ) they need but try by way of divertisement , to make the distribution of the trees for the furnishing of two or three gardens of different bignesses , always proposing to themselves , to plant in them all the choisest fruits that are to be had , without intermixing any bad with them , and taking care to place in every exposition what may prosper in it , and to observe a reasonable proportion of every kind of fruit , according to the bigness of the garden ; and then they will be able to judge whether i have not done a pleasure to our gentlemen gard'ners , by thus saving them the labour of drawing up an account of all those particulars so long and so tiresome , as that i all along deliver , and set down . if i had a hundred and fifty toises or fathoms of well exposed walling , whether it were but to one only aspect of the south , or one only aspect of the east , or to two aspects , one of the southern , and the other of the eastern sun , i should probably enough determine to plant a dozen of early or hasting cherry-trees , but it must be sure to be towards the south , because we are not easily induced to spare so important a part of our garden , for the rearing and producing of that little sort of fruit , but by the hopes of having it very early indeed , which we can never attain to but by the means of a very hot exposition ; now the eastern one , is not of sufficient warmth for that ; and therefore besides all the grapes , and other fruits already assigned for our good expositions , we should have twelve early cherry-trees , which should be content with the allowance of seven foot and a half of distance each from the other , and so should serve to fill up the fifteen last additional toises or fathoms of wall to the southwards . as to the other toises or fathoms of wall , added to the extent of each exposition , i shall not stand any more to specifie what is to be done in them , from toise to toise , or from fathom to fathom , as i have done before , as well because my manner of disposing them is well enough understood by the preceeding dispositions , without any further need of troubling our selves , to set down any more such exact lists of all particulars , as also because we are now entring into great gardens , where i think it sufficient only , and simply to set down the order of the trees to be observed in planting fifteen additional toises or fathoms to each exposition . those persons , whose garden walls are not perhaps augmented full out to fifteen toises , or fathoms in each exposition , knowing the distancè we allow to the trees , and seeing the order of precedence i assign for entire augmentations , will know well enough how to confine themselves to the number which their ground will permit them to plant ; for if for example , any gentleman has but sixty toises or fathoms of wall , he will not need so many trees as if he had seventy five . this is then the order which i would have followed in the choise of the trees that are to stock an eastern wall plantation augmented with the addition of fifteen toises or fathoms of wall , over and above the sixty before disposed of . two trees of the white figs shall take up four toises or fathoms , one whereof shall be of the long white sort ; and the thirteen remaining ones shall be for nine other trees in this order , viz. a sixth admirable peach , an eighth minion , a sixth forward or hasting violet peach , a sixth white maudlin , a fifth troy peach-tree , a fourth violet perdrigon plum-tree , a fifth chevreuse peach-tree , and a fourth nivette . the fifteen additional toises or fathoms towards the west , for the making up the number of threescore and fifteen toises or fathoms , shall be for eleven trees in this order , viz. a fourth royal peach-tree , a fourth apricock-tree , a fourth bourdin peach-tree , a second purple peach , a second italian peach , a second persick , a seventh admirable , two boncretien , and two bergamot pear-trees . to compleat the threescore and fifteen northern toises or fathoms , i would add twelve trees in this order , viz. an eighth and ninth virgoulee pear-tree , an eighth and ninth butter pear , a first , second and third franck royal , a fifth verte longue , or long green pear , a first and a second st. lezin , a fourth dry martin , and a fourth bugie . and thus for three hundred toises or fathoms length of walling , allowing to each side about threescore and fifteen , we should have eight fig-trees , whereof one of the long white sort , twelve apricock-trees , whereof two of the forward sort , twelve early or hasting cherrie-trees , fifteen foot of white muscat , and three of red muscat grapes , nine foot of chassela's , and six foot of corinthian grapes , fourteen plum-trees , a hundred and three peach-trees , and threescore and seven pear-trees . the fourteen plum-trees , are six violet perdrigons , three white perdrigons , two st. catharines , one apricock plum , one roche courbon , and one mirabelle . the hundred and three peach-trees are three forward or avant peaches , eight troy peaches , two red alberges , six white maudlins , one red maudlin , eight minions , five bourdins , one rossane , four italian peaches , nine chevreuses , ten forward or hasting violet peaches , four persicks , two bellegardes , thirteen admirables , three purple peaches , five latter royal peaches , four latter violet peaches , six nivettès , three yellow admirables , five violet brugnons , or nectarins , two white andilly peaches , and three 〈◊〉 pavies , viz. the hasting or forward white one , the hasting rossane pavie , and the latter red one . the sixty seven pear-trees , are five boncretiens , ten bergamots , nine butter pears , nine virgoulees , four ambretts , four leschasseries , two winter thorn pears , two mareuil thorn pears , four dry martins , eight verte longues , or long green pears , four bugies , three orange-green pears , one melting pear of brest , two st. lezins , and three franck royals . a hundred and fourscore toises or fathoms length of good exposition , which comprehend , as i have always supposed , the southern and eastern wall , which two together i almost esteem allke for all sorts of plantations , bating only a little quicker advance in ripening fruits which the south makes before the other , and especially in early cherries , and in muscat or musk grapes , which commonly ripen better towards the south , than towards the east . i say , a hundred and fourscore toises or fathoms extent of walling , make me wish there might be some little particular gardens , formed within it to accompany a great one . for in earnest , a kitching garden is large when it is of threescore and ten , or fourscore toises or fathoms extent on one side , and of fifty or threescore on another , and still more spacious , if all its four sides be of about an equal length , so that with one great one , ( which i hold always necessary ) some little midling gardens of about twenty , or twenty five toises or fathoms extent , on one side , and about fourteen , fifteen or sixteen , on the other , seem to me very desirable and convenient , as well to please the eyes which delight in such variety , as for the better accommodating the fruits , and raising the greater abundance of them ; the shelter of the walls which is so favourable for fruits , being of much better influence in little gardens , than in great ones ; and besides it seems very useful to have these little gardens , to place apart in each of them , a particular sort of fruit. for example , 't is good to have one little garden , in which the two good expositions , that of the south and east , nay , and that of the west too , may be for figs ; another where may be all the sorts of good plums ; another wherein may be placed all the small sorts of peaches ; another , where may be all the pavies we can have ; another for all red fruits ; and another for all the hasting or forward pears , &c. whilst the great garden is designed for the producing an abundance of large peaches in its eastern and southern expositions , and an abundance of autumnal pears , in that of its western , and of winter ones in that of its northern quarter . let us now proceed to furnish our hundred and fourscore toises or fathoms of good exposition ; that is , let us add to the hundred and fifty already stocked , the thirty with which we last augmented them , and supposing first fifteen of them to be towards the south , let us place there two good fig-trees more , and nine hasting , or forward , or summer-pears , viz. six little muscat pear-trees , and six of cuisse-madames , or lady thighs . the fifteen towards the east , shall be for eleven trees in this order , viz. for a fourth and fifth forward or avant-peach , a second rossane , a ninth troy peach , a ninth minion , a seventh white maudlin , an eleventh hasting or forward violet peach , a second red maudlin , a fifth italian peach , a fourth purple peach , and a fourth common apricock-tree . the fifteen towards the west , to make up the number of fourscore and ten , shall be for eleven trees , viz. a fourth troy peach , a fifth chevreuse , a first and second yellow alberge , a second white mirabelle plum , an eighth admirable peach , and a third boncretien and a second bergamot pear . the fifteen additional toisis or fathoms towards the north will not be ill bestowed , partly in thirty foot of raspberry bushes , which grow fairer there , and last longer than in the open air ; and partly in six foot of bourdelais grapes , which will shoot up above them , and garnish the upper part of the wall , and for that purpose , must be equally distributed among the raspberry-bushes . the bourdelais is a sort of large white longish grape , that grows in great and large clusters , and almost never comes to maturity , and consequently is good only to make sweet-meats , or simply to make verjuice with , when there is occasion ; its leaves too are extreamly used to garnish dishes in the month of october . and so in three hundred and threescore toises or fathoms of walling thus planted , we should have ten white fig-trees , thirteen apricock-trees , of which , two of the forward sort , twelve early or hasting cherry trees , fifteen foot of white , and three of red muscat , or musk grapes , nine foot of chassela's , and six of corinthian grapes , fourscore and one pear-trees , fifteen plum-trees , and a hundred and two peach-trees . the hundred and two peach-trees are five forward , or avant-peaches , ten troy peaches , two red alberges , two yellow alberges , two rossanes , seven red maudlins , seven white maudlins , nine minions , five bourdins , five italian peaches , ten chevreuses , eleven hasting or forward violet peaches , four persicks , two bellegardes , fourteen admirables , four purple peaches , five latter royal peaches , four latter violet peaches , six nivettes , three yellow admirables , five violet brugnons or nectarins , one white andilly peach , and three pavies , viz. one white and yellow forward one , and one latter red one . the fifteen plum-trees are six violet perdrigons , three white perdrigons , two st. catharines , two mirabelles , one apricock plum , and one roche courbon . the eighty one pear-trees are eight boncretiens , twelve bergamots , six little muscats or musk pears , three cuisse madames or lady thighs , nine butter pears , nine virgoulees , four ambretts , four leschasseries , two winter thorn pears , two mareuil thorn pears , four dry martins , five verte longues , or long green pears , four bugi's , three orange-green pears , one melting pear of brest , two st. lezins , and three frank-royals . four hundred and twenty toises or fathoms of walling , viz. two hundred and ten of good exposition to the south and east , a hundred and five of the midling sort to the west , and a hundred and five of bad to the north , should be filled up as follows . the thirty additional toises or fathoms to make up the two hundred and ten of good exposition , which are parted into two equal portions of about for the south , and for the east-side , should have on the south-side , eleven trees in this order , viz. two forward apricock trees , two white forward or hasting pavies , one yellow forward pavie , two red latter pavies , two yellow latter pavies , and two latter violet peaches . and on the east , two white fig-trees , to make up the dozen , they will be content with foot of extent to each , and so we may have on this east-side , trees more , in this order , viz. a second white andilly peach , a first empress plum , a second roche-courbon , a second apricock plum , a third st. catharine , a fifth apricock-tree , a tenth minion peach , an eighth admirable , and an eighth forward violet peach . the empress plum is a sort of latter violet perdrigon , which ripens not till october , and is very good . the fifteen additional toises or fathoms to the west , to make up the proportion of a hundred and five , shall have eleven trees in this order , viz. a first and second robine pear , a first and second leschasserie , a first and second ambrett , a first and second winter thorn pear , a first and second mareuil thorn pear , and a first russelet . and the fifteen added to the north , to make up a hundred and five , shall have twelve trees in this order , viz. a first and second lansac pear , a first great blanquet , or white pear , a first espargne or reserve pear , a first robine , a first cassolet , a doyenne or dean pear , a fourth apricock-tree , a first and second double flower'd pear , and a first angober . so that the four hundred and twenty toises or fathoms of walling , which we have last filled up , would at this rate be stocked with white fig-trees , apricock-trees , of which of the forward sort , early cherry-trees , foot of white , and of red muscat , or musk grapes , of chassela's , and of corinthian grapes , plum-trees , peach-trees , pavies , pear-trees , foot of bourdelais grapes , and foot of raspberry bushes . the plum-trees are violets , and white perdrigons , st. catharines , white mirabelles , apricock plums , roche-courbons , and empress . the peach-trees are forward or avant peaches , troy peaches , red , and yellow alberges , rossanes , white , and red maudlins , minions , bourdins , italian peaches , chevreuses , hasting or forward violet peaches , persicks , bellegardes , admirables , purple peaches , latter royal peaches , latter violet peaches , nivettes , yellow admirables , violet brugnons or nectarins , and white andilly peaches . the pavies are forward or hasting white pavies , red alberge pavie , yellow forward pavies , red latter pavies , and latter yellow ones . the pear-trees are boncretiens , bergamots , little muscats or musk pears , cuisse madames or lady thighs , robines , leschasseries , ambretts , winter thorn pears , mareuil thorn pears , dry martins , verte longues , or long green pears , bugi's , orange-green pears , melting pear of brest , st. lezins , frank royals , lansacs , great blanquet or white pear , epargne , or reserve pear , cassolet , doyenne , or dean pear , angeber , double flowers , russelet , butter pears , and virgoulees . finding my self stocked with a sufficient number of peach-trees for the proportion of four hundred and twenty toises or fathoms extent of fruit-walls , and but with too few pear-trees , for so great a proportion of walling , i thought it convenient to augment the stone-fruits less , and the kernel-fruits more . and therefore i have filled up one whole wall-plantation , of fifteen toises or fathoms in length , all with pear-trees only , of which four fathoms or toises are planted with summer pears , and the rest with winter ones . i have likewise multiplyed towards the north , some fruits of summer , autumn and winter , such as i know by certain experience , to thrive pretty well in that exposition , though less favourable than the rest . for four hundred and fourscore toises or fathoms of fruit-walling , viz. at the rate of a hundred and twenty to each exposition , i think the fifteen new ones last added towards the south , would best be planted all with grapes , and therefore we will fill them up with foot of white , and of red muscat , of chassela's , and of corinthian grapes . i think likewise , that the fifteen additional ones towards the east , require two fig-trees more , a fifth and a sixth violet perdrigon plum , a third white perdrigon , with six peach-trees , which shall be a sixth and seventh chevreuse , a sixth forward or avant peach , an eleventh and twelfth troy peach , and an eighth white maudlin . the fifteen added to the western side , to make up a hundred and twenty , require a fifth and sixth bourdin peach , a third violet brugnon or nectarin , one italian peach , one persick , one purple peach , one lutter royal peach , two winter boncretien pears , and two autumnal bergamots . and in the northern fifteen , that compleat the hundred and twenty toises or fathoms , that belong to the share of that exposition , we will place pear-trees , viz. a th . th ; th , and th . virgoulee , a th and th frank royal , and a d and d. angober . four hundred and fourscore toises or fathoms of fruit-walling then , in all the four several expositions , will in the whole contain , fig-trees , apricock-trees , whereof of the forward sort , early cherry-trees , thirty foot of white , and six of red muscat grapes , foot of chassela's , and of corinthian grapes , plum-trees , peach-trees , pavies , pear-trees , foot of raspberry bushes , and six foot of bourdelais or verjuice grapes , to garnish the upper part of the wall. the plum-trees are violet perdrigons , white perdrigons , st. catharines , white mirabelles , apricock-plums , roche-courbons , and empress . the peach-trees are forward or avant peaches , troy peaches , red alberges , yellow alberges , rossanes , white , and red maudlins , minions , bourdins , italian peaches , chevreuses , forward or hasting violet peaches , persicks , bellegardes , admirables , purple peaches , latter royal peaches , latter violet peaches . nivettes , yellow-admirables , violet brugnons , or nectarins , and white andillies , the pavies and white forward pavies , red alberge pavie , yellow forward pavies , red latter pavies , and yellow latter pavies . the pear-trees are boncretiens , bergamots , little muscats , or musk pears , cuisse madames , or lady thighs , robines , leschasseries , ambrets , winter thorn pears , mareuil thorn pears , dry martins , verte longues , or long green pears , sugar green pear , bugies , orange-green pears , melting pear of brest , st. lezins , frank royals , lansacs , great blanquet , or white pear , espargne , or reserve pear , cassolet , doyenne , or dean pear , angobers , double flowers , russelet , butter pears , and virgoulees . and here i think is the proper place to tell you , that when i have seen what number of trees of any one certain kind , as of peach-trees , pear-trees , &c. i am to plant in any certain wall-plantation ; as for example , how many violet , or admirable peach-trees , how many boncretien , or berganot pear trees , &c. i design for my east , south , west , or north expositions , i place together , and all one after another , first , all the trees of one sort , as all the violet peaches , and in thesecnod place , all the trees of another kind , likewise one after another , as all the admirables &c , without mixing any of the kinds one with another : as finding that to make better both for the commodity of gather'ing the fruit , and for preventing any loss of it . and i never made any other intermixture , as i have already told you , but of apricock-trees among peach-trees , as i likewise use to do of plum-trees among peach-trees , unless i have a separate garden big enough to hold all the plum-trees the extent of my ground requires , for then i reduce them all into that one place ; the same thing i do with fig-trees , &c. for five hundred and forty toises or fathoms length of fruit walling , allowing about a hundred and thirty five to each exposition , methinks , to fill up our additional fifteen toises or fathoms of wall towards the south , it would not be amiss for certain curious persons to introduce here eight foot of early or forward grapes , which will take up the room of two trees , azeroll or garden hawthorn , or white thorn-trees , twenty foot of white muscat grapes , and ten foot of chassela's ; or if they please , rather ten foot of cioutat grapes . as for the early cherry-trees , seven foot will afford room enough for them . the azeroll , or garden haw , is a kind of white thorn , which produces a fruit like both in colour and shape , to that of the common white thorn , but it is twice as big , and its eye or crown is great , and very open ; its stalk is short , small , and set hollow into the fruit , which is yellow , and doughy , having two great stones within it , which is the reason the fruit has but little pulp : its taste is sharp and sowrish , which pleases certain persons , and therefore when we have five or six hundred toises or fathoms length of wall , it is not amiss to plant a couple of stocks of them . it shoots forth a great many boughs , and consequently , its tree is fair enough ; its leaf is a little larger than that of the common white thorn , but it is nothing high so fruitful as that . the early or forward grape , is a sort of black morillion , which takes colour very early , which makes it appear ripe long before it is ; its skin is very tough , and when it is ripe , the grape is very sweet . they appear commonly at the very beginning of july . it may easily be seen , i make no very great account of them , by my so long deferring to place them ; but when we have a great quantity of walling , we may plant some few of them for curiosity . as for the cioutat grapes , i leave the curious at their own liberty to preferr it here before the chassela's , if they please . the fruit of both of them is very like in all things , as colour , bigness , and taste ; only the leaf of the cioutat vine , is dented all about the edges like parsley , and besides , it seems to bear more fruit than the chassela's , but yet i like the chassela's better , and nothing but pure curiosity can induce me to plant some feet of it in great gardens , the fifteen toises or fathoms added towards the east , to make up its proportion of a hundred thirty five , shall receive two fig-trees , an eleventh , twelfth , and thirteenth minion peach , a ninth and tenth white maudlin , a thirteenth and fourteenth hasting or forward violet peach , and a ninth and tenth admirable . the fifteen western ones to make up the same quota of a hundred thirty five , shall receive a first and second butter pear , a first and second virgoulee , a ninth , tenth , eleventh and twelth boncretien , and an eighth , ninth , tenth , and eleventh bergamet ; and the fifteen added to the north side , to make up the like number of a hundred thirty five , shall be taken up with a sixth , seventh and eighth frank royal , a fourth , fifth and sixth angober , a first , second , third , and fourth besidery , and a third and fourth double flower pear-tree . our five hundred and forty toises or fathoms then of fruit wall , will at this rate , be stocked with sixteen white fig-trees , of which two of the long sort , seventeen apricock-trees , of which four of the forward sort , twelve early cherry-trees , and fifty foot of white , and six of red muscat or musk grapes , nineteen of white chassela's , ten of ciontat , twelve of corinthian grapes , eight foot of early or forward grapes , twenty two plum-trees , one hundred forty six peach-trees , ten pavies , two azerolls , or garden haw , or haw thorn-trees , and a hundred forty two pear-trees , the twenty two plum-trees are entirely the same with those named in the preceeding distribution of the four hundred and eighty toises or fathoms . the hundred forty six peach-trees are six forward , or avant peaches , twelve troy peaches , two red and two yellow alberges , two rossanes , ten white maudlins , and two red , thirteen minions , seven bourdins , six italian peaches , twelve chevrreuses , fourteen hasting , or forward violet peaches , five persicks , two bellegardes , seventeen admirables , five purple peaches , six latter royal peaches , six nivettes , three yellow admirables , six violet brugnons , or nectarins , and two white andilly peaches . the ten pavies are the same as in the precedent distribution . the hundred forty two pear-trees are fourteen boncretiens , eighteen bergamots , six little muscats , or musk pears , three cuisse madames , or lady thighs , three robines , six leschasseries , six ambrets , four winter thorn pears , four mareuil thorn pears , four dry martins , four verte longues , or long green pears , sugar green pear , bugies , orange-green pears , one melting pear of brest , two st. lezins , eight frank royals , four besideries , six angobers , four double flowers , two lansacs , one great blanquet , or white pear , one epargne , or reserve pear , one cassolet , one doyennee , or dean pear , one russelet , fifteen butter pears , and fifteen virgoulees . for six hundred toises or fathoms of walling , allowing about a hundred and fifty to each exposition , i would place in the fifteen augmented towards the south , a seventh , eighth , ninth and tenth latter violet peach , a seventh and eighth nivette , a fourth , fifth and sixth yellow admirable , a fourth violet brugnon , or nectarin , and a third avant or forward peach . for the fifteen augmented towards the east , i would assign two fig-trees , a fourth avant , or forward peach , a tenth troy peach , a third rossane , an eleventh and twelfth vvhite maudlin or early hasting violet peach , a fourteenth and fifteenth minion , and a first white pulpt cherry peach . there are two sorts of cherry peaches , the one with a white , and the other with a yellow pulp ; they are both about the bigness of the troy peaches , both have a smooth skin , and are both very round , and as it were flat , and sinking : both of them are extremely coloured with red on the outside , from whence they had the names they bear ; but one has a yellow pulp , and of a doughy substance , and consequently is little worth ; and the other has a white and firm pulp , and therefore is much better ; which last when it can attain to its due ripeness , has a pretty good and vinous taste , and an indifferent tender pulp . the earwiggs which are little longish and brown insects commit cruel hostilities upon them , as well as upon the forward , or avant peaches , and the troy peaches . for the fifteen superadded to the western sides , we will order a ninth admirable peach , a sixth and seventh chevreuse , a fifth and sixth troy peach , a sixth latter royal peach , a fifth and sixth common apricock-tree , a third white , and a second violet perdrigon plum , and one royal plum-tree . and for the fifteen augmented towards the north , to make up its quota of a hundred and fifty , we will provide a second and third robine , a second melting pear of brest , a second epargne , or reserve pear , a second doyennee , or dean pear , a second cassolet , a second blanquet , or white pear , a third and fourth st. lezin , a first and second cuisse madame , or lady thigh , and a fifth dry martin . and at this rate , to garnish six hundred toises or fathoms extent of fruit walling , allowing about an hundred and fifty toises or fathoms to each exposition , we should have in all , eighteen white fig-trees , whereof two of the long sort , nineteen apricock trees , whereof four of the forward sort , twelve early or hasting cherry trees , one hundred twenty eight foot of grapes , viz. fifty of white , and six of red muscat , twenty eight of chassela's , twelve of corinthian , and eight of forward , or early grapes , and twenty four of white bourdelais , or verjuice grapes ; twenty five plum-trees , peach-trees , ten pavies , two azerol or garden haw-trees , and a hundred fifty one pear-trees . the twenty five plum-trees , are nine violets , five white perdrigons , three st. catharines , two white mirabelles , two apricock plums , two roche courbons , one empress , and one plum royal. the hundred seventy three peach-trees , are eight forward , or avant peaches , fifteen troy peaches , two red , and two yellow alberge's , three rossane's , twelve white , and two red maudlins , fifteen minions , seven bourdins , six italian peaches , fourteen chevreuses , fifteen forward or hasting violet peaches , five persicks , two bellegardes , eighteen admirables , five purple peaches , seven latter royal peaches , ten latter violet peaches , eight nivettes , six yellow admirables , seven violet brugnons , or nectarins , two white andillies , and one white pulpt cherry peach , the ten pavies , are two white hasting , or forward pavies , one red alberge pavie , two forward , or hasting rossane pavies , and two latter yellow ones . the hundred fifty one pear-trees , are fourteen boncretiens , eighteen bergamots , six little muscat , or musk pears , five cuisse madames , or lady thighs , five robines , six leschasseries , six ambretts , four winter thorn pears , four mareuil thorn pears , five dry martins , four verte longues , or long green pears , one sugar green pear , four bugies , three orange-green pears , two melting brest pears , four st. lezins , six frank royals , five besideries , six angobers , four double flowers , two lansacs , two great blanquets , or white pears , two epargne's or reserve pears , two cassoletts , two doyennee's , or dean pears , one russelet , fourteen butter pears , and fourteen virgoulees . methinks this distribution of six hundred toises or fathoms of fruit wall , might be sufficient to direct people how to stock a greater quantity to the best advantage , though it were of a thousand or twelve hundred toises or fathoms , since having from the very beginning , disposed of our walls , by adding fifteen and fifteen toises or fathoms at a time to each exposition , and set down exactly what enters first , into the first fifteen , and afterward into , , , , , , , , and . those gentlemen , which for example , instead of the , in one of the four expositions , for the garnishing of which , we last gave directions , should have , , , or toises or fathoms of wall , &c. might make use of what i have set down , to fill up the additional toises or fathoms of the same exposition ; and therefore without pursuing any further , this tedious long list and enumeration of each single tree , i might very well finish here , and justly hope that some of them would be satisfied with me , and the rest would not blame me for having insisted too long upon this unpleasing work . however , the more to facilitate all things yet , i will tell you , that for six hundred and sixty toises or fathoms of fruit walling , whose southern side contains a hundred and sixty five , i would place in the fifteen toises or fathoms last added , eleven trees , viz. four peach-trees , that is , two minions , and two white maudlins , one forward apricock-tree , and six early or hasting cherry-trees . to an eastern wall of the same extent , i would super-add eleven other trees , viz. two fig-trees , and nine good peach-trees , which should be three chevreuses , three bourdins , and three persicks . to a western one augmented with the like number of fifteen toises or fathoms , i would order eleven peach-trees , which should be three forward , or hasting violet peaches , two purple peaches , two italian peaches , one rossane , one red alberge , one yellow alberge , and one nivette . and to a like supernumerary quantity , added to the northern side , to make up the like proportion of toises or fathoms , i would assign twelve pear-trees , which should be two butter pears , two virgoulees , two bergamots , two double flowers , two bugi's , and two st. lezins . and so in the extent of six hundred and threescore toises or fathoms of fruit wall , besides all the grapes , the twenty five plum-trees , the ten pavies , and the two azeroll , or garden hawthorn-trees , set down in our distribution of the six hundred toises or fathoms , we should have eighteen forward , or early cherry-trees , twenty apricock-trees , of which five of the forward sort , twenty fig-trees , one hundred ninety seven peach-trees , and a hundred sixty three pear-trees . for seven hundred and twenty toises of fruit walling , the south side of a hundred and eighty , should for its augmentation of fifteen toises or fathoms , have an addition of eight boncretien and four suisse bergamot pear-trees . we should have some well coloured boncretien pears , and some bergamots a little earlier ripe than others ; for which effect , the southern exposition is necessary : 't is true the tiger babbs put me in great apprehensions for these twelve pear-trees . but besides that i ought not to give occasion to any persons to blame me for having had no care to place honourably and advantageously , those two pears which i so highly prize , we will do what we can to defend them from all enemies , and at last , if all our care and industry be without success , we will put stone-fruit , or fig-trees , or muscat vines , in place of pear-trees , that we may at least have this satisfaction , to have forgot nothing that may contribute towards the well discharging of our duty . the east of a hundred and fourscore , for its augmentation of fifteen toises or fathoms , should have eleven trees , viz. three violet perdrigon plums , one white perdrigon , one white mirabell , two empresses , one roche courbon , two st. catharines , and one apricock plum-tree . the west of a hundred and eighty , should have eleven trees , four admirables , two lateward royals , two bourdins , one brugnon , or nectarin , one nivette , and one rouselet pear-tree . the north , of a hundred and eighty , should have for its augmentation of fifteen toises or fathoms , eighteen foot of rasp-berries , and sixteen foot of goose-berries , and curran-bushes , i allow foot to the goose-berries , and currans , and only to the raspberries , and these goose-berries or currans , as well as the raspberries will indeed yield their fruit later there , but yet it will be larger , and amongst those rasp-berries , and goose-berry , or curran bushes , we will put eight standard-trees that may serve to garnish the upper part of the wall , to wit one apricock-tree , and seven such pear-trees as i shall here specifie ; two dry martin pear-trees , two frank royals , two angobers and one besidery . so that in seven hundred and twenty toises of fathoms of fruit walling , besides all the vines or grapes , the ten pavies , and the two azeroll or garden haw-trees mentioned in the distribution of the six hundred toises or fathoms , we shall have two hundred and seven peach-trees , a hundred and eighty three pear-trees , eighteen forward , or early cherry-trees , twenty one apricock-trees , of which five are hastings , twenty white fig-trees , thirty six plum-trees , eighteen foot of rasp-berries , and sixteen dutch goose-berries , or curran-bushes . the two hundred and seven peach-trees shall be eight forward peaches , fifteen troy peaches , three red alberge's , four rossane's , fourteen white maudlins , two red maudlins , seventeen mignons , twelve bourdins , eight italian peaches , seven chevreuses , eighteen hasty violet peaches , eight persick peaches , two bellegardes , twenty two admirables , seven purple peaches , nine latter royals , ten nivette peaches , six yellow admirables , eight violet brugnons , or nectarins , two white andillies and one white pulpt cherry peach . the a hundred eighty three pear-trees , should be twenty two winter boncretiens , twenty four bergamots , six little muscats , five cuisse madames , or lady thighs , fifty robines , six leschasseries , six ambretts , four winter thorn pears , four mareuil thorn pears , seven matinsecs , or dry martins , four verte longues , or long green pears , one sugar green pear , six bugies , three orange-green pears , two fondante de brest , or melting brest pears , six st. lezins , eight frank royals , eight angobers , six double flowers , six besideries , two lansacs , two great blanquets , two epargnes or reserve pears , two cassolets , two doyennes , or dean pears , two rousselets , sixteen butter pears , and sixteen virgoulee pears . the plum-trees must be violet perdrigons , white perdrigons , st. catharines , white mirabells , apricock plums , and empresses , roche courbons , and one plum royal. to toises or fathoms of fruit-vvall , for the of augmentation of the south exposition which make in all , i will allow trees , which shall be these ; pau peaches , bellegardes , and pavies , namely a d . and d. little pavie alberge , a d. hasty pavie rossane , a d. hasty white pavie and a th . red backward pavie peach , and a d. yellow latter pavie . i here venture to add pau peaches , to a great quantity of other peaches , being assured that when they can fully ripen , they are pretty good , and of great increase , and at least they will be good in a wet sweet-meat . for the toises or fathoms , of augmentation of the east quarter , which make , we will put trees , viz. fig-trees , troy peaches , white pulpt cherry peach , admirables , and hasty violet peaches . for the toises or fathoms , of the augmentation of the west , which also make , we shall put trees , to wit , ambretts , leschasseries , winter thorns , thorn marevils , little muscats , for to have fruit for a longer time , robine , and one double flower'd peach tree , only for the simple curiosity of its flower or blossom . the toises augmentation of the north , to make up the number of toises or fathoms , shall be for twenty four foot of bourdelais , and foot of chassela's grapes , as well to have the service of their leaves and verjuice , as to be provided with grapes that will keep very long . for toises or fathoms of fruit-walls , we will place to the southern exposition , which shall be composed of . white fig-trees , little muscats , robines , lady thighs , and one musqued summer boncretien . the toises or fathoms of augmentation of that of the east , to make up , shall be for trees , viz. red maudlins , minions , and white maudlins . the toises to the west , to make the same quantity of , shall be for trees , viz. fig-trees , avant peaches , and troy peaches . i put fig-trees to the west , not that i expect they will yield any second figs , for it 's but very seldom they can ripen there , unless there happen such a summer , as that in . but for the first figs , they grow very fair there and ripen very well . i set them also sometimes towards the north , especially when i have a very extraordinary quantity of walling , and i draw assistance from them as well for the first figs , which fail not to ripen there , as for the layers of them , which grow fair there and in great abundance . the toises to the north , will be for pear-trees , viz. sugred greens , messire johns , long green pears , lansacs , vine pears , and orange-green pear . so that toises or fathoms of wall - trees , should contain peach-trees , pavies , pear-trees , garden haw , or azeroll-trees , fig-trees , plum-trees , early cherry-trees , apricock-trees , of which must be hastings , foot of rasp-berries , of goose-berries and currans , foot of grapes , of which there must be foot of white musked , or muscat grapes , and of red , foot of chassela's , of corinthian , of early , or forward grapes , and foot of bourdelais . the peach-trees , are forward peaches , troy peaches , yellow alberges , rossanes , white maudlins , red maudlins , minions , bourdins , italian peaches , chevreuses , forward violets , persicks , bellegardes , pau peaches , admirables , purples , lateward royals , lateward violets , nivettes , yellow admirables , violet brugnons or nectarins , white andillies , white pulpt cherries , and double flower'd peach . the pavies , are vvhite hasting pavies , red alberge pavies , rossane hasting pavies red lateward pavies , and yellow lateward pavies . the pear-trees are winter boncretiens , bergamots , little muscats , lady thighs , robines , leschasseries , ambrets , winter thorns , mareuil thorns , dry martins , long greens , sugar greens , bugi's , orange-greens , melting brest pears , st. lezins , messire johns , frank royals , angobers , double flowers , besideries , lansacs , vine pears , large blanquets , espargnes or reserve pears , cassolets , doyennes or dean pears , russelets , butter pears , and virgoulee pears . the plum-trees , are the same specified in the distribution of the toises or fathoms , above specified . for toises or fathoms of wall , i will make into sloped banks the toises or fathoms of augmentation to the south , making in the whole , and will do the same if i find toises or fathoms on the south , which is just the fourth part of toises or fathoms of circumference , these banks or slopes are very useful and necessary for producing early and hasting peas , beans , and hasting artichoacks , &c. and therefore there must be built little small counter walls to support them ; but this must be in some by-place , or in some garden apart , for it will make a very disagreeable figure in a great garden . for the toises or fathoms added to the east , and making , we shall put trees , viz. hasting violets , chevreuses , nivette , minions , and one white magdalen . for the west , augmented in the same manner , also trees , viz. bourdins , italian peaches , persicks , purples , and violet brugnon or nectarin . for the toises or fathoms to the north , augmented to make up , we will plant toises or fathoms , with all sorts of goose-berries or currans , as well red as white , or pearled , with standard-trees , to wit virgoulces , butter pears , and . dry martins . for toises or fathoms of wall , i will raise into slope - bank to the toises or fathoms of the south part , augmented beyond the , as i have already hinted . the fathoms or toises to the east , which make , shall be for trees , viz. abricot-trees , violet perdrigon , white perdrigon , st. catharine , abricot pluni , roche courbon , empress , minion , and plum royal. the fathoms or toises of the vvest , shall be for admirables , violet peaches , vvinter boncretien pears , and bergamots . the of the north , making in the same manner , fathoms shall be for trees , viz. fig-trees , magdalen pears , abricot-tree , and double flower'd peaches ; those fig-trees of the north , may be to furnish us with figs in the interval that is betwixt the first and second figs of other exposition . so that for toises of wall-trees , we shall have peach-trees , pavies , pear-trees , garden azerol , or haw-trees , fig-trees , plum-trees , early cherry-trees , abricot-trees , of which hastings , foot of rasp-berries , foot of goose-berries or currans , both red and speckled , and prickling , foot of grapes , toises or fathoms of slope banks . the peach-trees are early peaches , troy peaches , red alberges , yellow alberges , rossanes , white magdalens , red magdalens , minions , bourdins , italian peaches , chevreuses , hasting violets , persicks , bellegardes , pau peaches , admirables , purples , lateward royals , lateward violets , nivettes , yellow admirables , violet brugnons or nectarins , white andillies , white pulpt cherry peaches , and double flower'd peaches . the pavies are the same as in the distribution of toifes or fathoms . the pear-trees are , boncretiens , bergamots . stocks of little muscats , lady thighs , robines , leschasseri's , ambretts , vvinter thorns , mareuil thorns , dry martins , verte longues , or green long pears , sugar'd greens , bugi's , orange-greens , melting brest pears , st. lezins , messire jeans , frank royals , angobers , double flowers , besideries , lansacs , wine pears , great blanquets , epargnes or reserve pears , cassolets , doyennes , or dean pears , russelets , butter pears , virgoulees and magdalen pears . the plum-trees are violet perdrigons , vvhite perdrigons , st. catharines , white mirabells , abricot-plums , roche courbons , empresses , minion and plum royals . the foot of grapes , are the same as in the distribution of the fathoms or toises . the toises or fathoms of slope-bank , are for hasting peas , hasting beans , and hasting artichoaks . of the fig-trees , there are of the long vvhite , and the rest of the round vvhite figs. for toises or fathoms , equally divided into expositions , every one of them of , i will put for the of augmentation of the south quarter once more , foot of white muscats , of red , and fifteen foot of corinths , providing it be in a country where they will thorowly ripen , which experience ought to teach us . for the toises or fathoms of augmentation of the first side , trees , viz. troy peaches , forward peach , red alberge , rossane , vvhite magdalen , mignonne , yellow admirables , and purple peach . for the fathoms of the vvest , trees , viz. troy peaches , forward peach , yellow alberge , chevreuses , and virgoulee pear-trees . for the fathoms of the north , trees , viz. bergamots , long greens , butter pears , dry martins , and frank royals . for fathoms of vvall-trees , equally divided into expositions , each consisting of , we will place for the of augmentation of the south quarter , trees , viz. latter violets , yellow admirables , nivettes , admirables , latter royal. for the fathoms of the east , trees , viz. boncretiens , bergamots , ambrett , vvinter thorn , leschassery , mareuil thorn pears , butter pear , and lansac . for the fathoms of the vvest , trees . viz. robines , cassolets , cuisse madames , or lady thighs , russelets , lansac , magdalen pear , ambret , and leschasery . for the fathoms of the north , plum-trees , all for the compôtes or wet sweet-meats , viz. imperials , cer 〈…〉 y perdrigons , castclanes , ilverts , and mirabel . so that for fathoms of wall trees , we shall have peach-trees , pavies , pear-trees , azerall or garden haw-trees , fig-trees , plum-trees , early cherry-trees , abricot-trees , foot of rasp-berries , foot of all sorts of goose-berries and currans , foot of grapes , and fathoms of sloped bank. the peach-trees are , forward peaches , troy peaches , red alberges , yellow alberges , rossanes , vvhite magdalens , red magdalens , mignons , boin dins , peaches of italy , chevreuses , hasting violets , persicks , bellegardes , pau peaches , admirables , purples , latter peach royals , latter violets , nivettes , yellow admirables , violet brugnons or nectarins , white andillies , vvhite pulps cherry peaches , and double flower'd peach . the pavies , are white hasting pavies , red alberges , hasting rossane pavies , latter red pavies , and latter yellow pavies . the pear-trees are winter boncretiens , bergamots , little muscats , cuisse madames or lady-thighs , robines , leschasseries , ambrets , winter thorns , mareuil thorns , dry martins , verte longues or long green pears , sucre vertes or sugar greens , bugi's , orange-greens , melting brest pears , or fondantes de brest , st. lezins , messire johns , frank royals , angobers , double flowers , besideri's , lansacs , vine fears , great blanquets or white pears , epagnes or reserve pears , cassolets , doyennes or dean pears , russelets , butter pears , virgoulees , maudlins , and summer musked boncretien . among the fig-trees , there are of the long white sort , and the rest are all of the round white . the plum-trees are violet perdrigons , white perdrigons , st. catharines , white mirables , apricock plums , roche courbons , empresses , minions , imperials , cernay perdrigons , castellans , and ilverts . of the apricock-trees , there are hastings ; among the foot of rasp-berries , there are of the white sort ; in the foot of goose-berries and currans , there are both of the red and of the white or pearled sort , as also of the prickled called in english goose-berries . in the foot of grapes , there are foot of white muscats , of red muscats , of white corinths , of chassela's , of cioutat , of early grapes , and of bourdelais or verjuice grapes . and the fathoms of sloped banks are planted , of them with hasting pease , with hasting beans , and the rest with hasting artichoaks . for fathoms of wall-trees equally parted into four expositions , each consisting of , we would plant in the fathoms augmented towards the south , boncretien winter pear trees , swiss bergamots , russelets , musked summer boncretien , lansac ; hasting apricock , and common apricock-tree . in the fathoms added towards the east , we would place peach-trees , viz. white maudlin , minions , italian peaches , bellegarde , purples , violet brugnon or nectarin , and troy peach . the fathoms towards the west , we would stock with peach-trees , viz. admirables , troy peach , hasting or avant peach , bourdins , persicks , and double flower'd peaches . the fathoms towards the north , we would fill up with trees , viz. fig. trees , common apricock-tree , and admirable peach-trees . it may be thought strange that i should place peach-trees in the northern exposition , but i know by experience , that though the other sorts of peaches by reason of their aptness to grow doughy , prove not good in that aspect , yet those of this sort do tolerably well there , and especially in dry grounds , and dry years . and i have seen in this exposition , both lovely and very good admirable peaches , yet i must add this hint withal , that 't is then only i resolve to hazard some few trees of this sort in a northern aspect , when i have extraordinary of walling to garnish . for fathoms divided into four equal expositions , each consisting of fathoms , i would raise those fifteen augmented towards the south , into a sloped bank , for pease , beans , and artichoaks ; nay , 't would not be too much if we should employ fathoms out of to the same use that i have mentioned ; for those fathoms would give satisfaction both in winter and spring ; and in summer there should be of them taken up with purslain , and basil for seed . the fathoms added towards the east , should be filled up with peach-trees , viz. hasting violets , troy peaches , hasting or avant peach , red maudlin , rossane , white maudlins , and minions . the western additional fathoms , should also be stocked with trees , viz. fig-trees . so that there may be in that exposition that succeeds that of the south , or east , and hasting violet peaches , chevreuses , latter royal peaches , and common apricock-tree . the fathoms towards the north , to make up the , shall be filled up with foot of common red currans , and foot of rasp-berries , with foot of bourdelais or verjuice grapes , mixt among them at equal distances to run up above them , and garnish the upper part of the wall. so that in fathoms of wall foot high , there may be planted wall-trees , plants of rasp-berries , plants of all manner of goose-berries and currans , vine plants , and fathoms of sloped banks , for hasting pease , beans , and artichoaks . the trees are peach-trees , pavies , pear-trees , azeroll or garden haw-trees , fig-trees , plum-trees , hasting or may cherry-trees , and apricock-trees . the peach-trees are forward or avant peaches , troy peaches , red and yellow alberge's , rossanes , white , and red maudlins , minions , bourdins , italian peaches , chevreuses , hasting violets , persicks , bellegardes , pau peaches , admirables , purples . latter royal peaches , latter violets , nivettes , yellow admirables , violet brugnons , or nectarins , white andilli's , white pulpt cherry peaches , and double flowers . the pavies are white hasting pavies , red alberge pavies , hasting rossane pavies latter red latter pavies , and latter yellow pavies . the pear-trees , are winter boncretiens , bergamots , of which are swisse , little muscats , cuisse madames , or lady thighs , robines , leschasseries , ambrets , winter thorns , mareuil thorns , dry martins , verte longues or long green pears , sucre vertes or sugar greens , bugi's , orange-greens , fondantes or melting pears of brest , st. lezins , messire johns , frank royals , angobers , double flowers , besideries , lansacs , vine pears , great blanquets , or white pears , epargne or reserve pears , cassolets , dean pears or doyennes , russelets , butter pears , virgoulees , maudlins , and musked summer boncretiens . of the fig-trees there are of the long white sort . the plum-trees , are violet perdrigons , white perdrigons , st. catharines , white mirabels , apricock plums , roche courbons , empresses , minion , imperials , cernay perdrigons , castellans , ilverts , and royal plums . of the apricock-trees there are hastings , of the plants of rasp berries , there are of the white sort , of the plants of goose-berries and currans , there are of the red holland currans , of white holland goose-berries , of common red currant , and of the common green goose-berries , of the vine plants , there are of white muscats , of red muscats , of white corinths , of early grapes , of bourdelai's or verjuice grapes , of chassela's , and of cioutat . the fathoms of sloped banks are filled up thus , viz. with hasting pease , with hasting beans , and with hasting artichoaks . and now since i have with my best skill and judgment , performed my promised undertaking , in directing you how to plant to the best advantage , as far as the quantity of toises or fathoms of wall of foot high , with the choicest wall-trees , i think it not amiss for your better understanding of my design , to set down likewise here by themselves , all the several trees there are assigned to every one of the four expositions , that so among the great number of fruits named in the whole , you may see at one view how i have disposed of every of them in particular ; and this is also plainly shown from article to article containing a gradual augmentation of fathoms or toises to each exposition , by which method , you may easily know for example , how many of the admirable peach-trees , how many of the hasting violets , how many of the bergamot pear-trees , &c. which we have made use of , i say how many trees of each sort are placed to a southern exposition of fathoms , how many to an eastern one of the same extent , how many to a western , and how many to a northern exposition , and the like of all other fruits , whether kernal fruit , stone fruit , &c. i have already declared my judgment , that there is but a small difference to be made between the southern and eastern exposition , except it be for raising of hastings , such as are pease , beans , or artichoaks , which we would plant in a sloped bank , and for early cherries , early grapes , hasting apricocks , &c. and particularly for muscat grapes , and little muscat pears , which i would likewise advise you to place in a southern aspect ; and the reason that obliged me to mix these two expositions together , was because very often gardens are so contrived , that one of these two expositions is quite wanting in them , and therefore either of them that is found there , ought in that garden to be made to supply the place of both the two . and indeed how many gardens do we see that have but one great wall towards the south , or one great wall towards the east , with little or none at all towards the other quarters ; but 't is not the same thing as to the expositions of the west , or north , very few persons ever being guilty of such ill contrivance , to have a garden only furnish't with wall , towards those aspects . and therefore they which are accommodated only with a southern wall , may very well furnish it with all those trees , i have assigned for that and an eastern one too , and in like manner those gentlemen that have only the convenience of an eastern wall , since they cannot have all the advantage they might expect from a southern aspect , ought to content themselves , and make the best of their eastern ones , by planting in it all the same things that are assigned for both that , and a southern one ; for these two expositions , as is well knwon , are capable of receiving every thing that is sit to be planted in the other two ; whereas the other two expositions are not sit to be made use of for the most part of those things that require the expositions of the east and south ; and consequently , we ought not easily to hazard to plant towards the north or west , any muscat grapes , hasting cherries , hasting pease , plums to eat raw , &c. i say plums to eat raw ; for good plums as well as good grapes , should bring their natural sugar with them ; which is a perfection that nothing but a thorow ripeness can give them , and such an accomplish'd ripeness is not to be attained in a northern aspect , and whereas other fruits as peaches , pears , &c. are capable of being better'd with artificial sugar , prunes will admit of no seasoning . i have one observation more to offer to those who have much walling towards the south or east , and none towards the north , which is that they may very well forbear planting towards their south or east , many things which i have assigned for a northern wall ; as for example , some baking pears , bourdelai's , or verjuice grapes , goose-berries , currans , rasp-berries , &c. the places of the southern exposition , seeming to me too precious to be bestowed upon fruits of so little value , and that thrive well enough without the assistance of any walls , unless they know not how to choose any thing better wherewithal to sill up their southern and eastern walls . but such gentlemen as are accommodated with both an eastern and southern exposition , may divide into two parts those things which i have placed under the single head of a good exposition , and may proportion them equally or unequally according to the extent of their several walls , only taking care to reserve for the southern aspect , those things which are chiefly valuable for their precocity , and early advance in maturity . chap. xv. an abridgment of the fruits assigned to each exposition . to the proportion of six hundred toises or fathoms of walling , divided into a southern and eastern exposition , we have assigned peach-trees , pavies , plum-trees , pear-trees , early cherry-trees , foot or plants of grapes , sloped banks , azeroll or garden haw-trees , and fig-trees , whereof four of the long sort . the peach-trees , are admirables , hasting violets , minions , chevreuses , nivettes , white maudlins , red maudlins , persicks , common apricock-trees , and hasting apricocks , violet brugnons , or nectarins , troy peaches , purples , yellow admirables , latter yellow violets , bourdins , forward or avant peaches , italian peaches , pau peaches , latter royal peaches , white andilli's , rossanes , and red alberge's . the plum-trees , are violet perdrigons , white perdrigons , st. catharines , apricock plums , empresses , mirabel , royal plum , minion plum , and roche courbons . the pavies , are pompone pavies , white hasting pavies , rossane pavies , yellow latter pavies , and red alberge pavies . the pear-trees , are little muscats , cuisse madames , or lady thighs , winter boncretiens , bergamots , robines , musked summer boncretiens , russelets , lansacs , ambret , winter thorn , mareuil thorn , leschasserie , butter pears , and early cherry-trees . the foot of grapes , are foot of white muscats , of red , of chassela's , of cioutat , of corinths , and of early grapes , azeroll or garden haw-trees , fathoms of bank , for peas , beans and artichoacks , all hastings . to the fathoms of the west , fig-trees , common abricocks , peach-trees , plum-trees , and pear-trees . the peach-trees , are admirables , chevreuses , pourprees , bourdins , troy peaches , avant or forward peaches , hasting violet peaches , italian peaches , persicks , latter peach royals , nivettes , violet brugnons or nectarins , rossane , red alberge , yellow alberges , and double flower'd peaches . the plum-trees are violet perdrigons , white violet peaches , mirables , and plum royal. the pear-trees , are winter boncretiens , autumnal bergamots , leschasseries , ambrets , winter thorns , mareuil thorns , russelets , butter pears , virgoulees , little muscats , robines , cassolets , lady thighs , lansac and magdalen pear . to the north , consisting of fathoms , pear-trees , prunes , foot of goose-berries and currans , peach-trees , rasp-berry plants , of bourdelai's , of chassela's grapes , and apricock-trees . the pear-trees , are butter pears , verte longues or long green pears , orange-green pears , virgoulees , bergamots , ambrets , leschasseries , dry martins , bugi's , winter thorn pears , mareuil thorn pears , frank royals , sugar green pears , st. lezins , lansacs , blanquets , or white pears , epargnes , or reserve pears , robines , cassolets , doyennes , or dean pears , vine pears , double flowers , angobers , besideries , cuisse madames , or lady thighs , messire johns , maudlin pears , and melting pears of brest . the plum-trees are imperials , cernay perdrigons , castellans , ilverts , and mirabel . the peach-trees , are all of admirables . in the foot of goose-berries and currans , there are of red dutch , white dutch , of the common sort , and six of the prickly ones . among the of rasp-berry bushes , there are twenty of the white ones . i have already explained above , of what consists the foot of goose-berries and currans , placed towards the north , and the foot of grapes , which are placed partly to the south , and partly to the north , and likewise how the forty five toises or fathoms of bank are filled up , which are all placed to the south wall. and so there you have fruit walls garnished , as far as to the extent of toises or fathoms , and that with figs , peaches , plums , pears , early cherries , azerolls , or garden haws , grapes , goose berries and currans , rasp-berries , &c. and you have pear-trees , and apple-trees both dwarfs and standards , planted to the number of for dwarfs , and as many as you can desire for standard-trees : let us now see how we can contrive a plum , and a cherry garden , if the extent and quality of our ground will permit it . plums are a sort of fruit that is pleasing enough to every body , and plum-trees prosper well enough in all sorts of ground , let it be dry and sandy , or moist and hearty . they every where produce very sightly trees , both dwarfs and standards , and commonly flourish very much every where ; but they are likewise very subject every where unfortunately to miscarry in their blossoms , because there often happen frosts in the spring that destroy them , which is the cause that plums are very often scarce . but however when they meet with a favourable march and april , they produce an unconceivable quantity of fruit. we have some certain kinds of them , whose blossoms are much more tender and susceptible of the injuries of an unkind season , than others , as for example , the perdrigons , and particularly the violet one ; and therefore i would have none of them planted in the open air , especially in countries that are inclining to cold , or on those sides that are a little more subject than the rest , to the insults of the frosts ; my self for that reason , as well as for the improving them to a greater perfection of goodness , taking care to plant them by walls , as i have already told you . those sorts of plums that are a little better able to defend themselves , are the cernay perdrigons , of which i make little account ; and next them , all the sorts of damask plums , among which i most particularly value , the red or round violet , the great white , and the latter black damasks , the queen claudia , the violet imperial , the st. catharine , the apricock plum , the white mirabel , the violet diaper plum , the diapred roche courbon , the royal plum , the minion plum , the brugnolle , the empress , the hasting or forward morin , and the cerisset or little cherry plum : all which sixteen sorts are very good raw , and very good dried or preserved . the ilverts , casselans , moyens or pith plums , st. julians , cloth of gold plums , and green damasks , are only for preserving . it were good to have of all these kinds , if we can , but if our ground will not admit of the planting but of a small number , those sorts which i should preferr are they which follow . for a garden where there could be but one only plum-tree whether dwarf or standard , i would take for the first , a round violet damask . for a second , a queen claudia . for a third , an imperial . for a fourth , a white great damask . for a fifth , a diaper roche courbon . for a sixth , a mirabel . for a seventh , an empress . for an eighth , a black latter damask . for a ninth , a st. catharine . for a tenth , an apricock plum. for an eleventh , a royal plum. for a twelfth , a minion plum. for a thirteenth , a diaper violet plum. for a fourteenth , a gray damask . for a fifteenth , a brugnolle plum. for a sixteenth , a hasting or forward morin plum. for a seventeenth , a ceriset , or little cherry plum , because of it's earliness . for an eighteenth , a cloth of gold plum. for a nineteenth , a castillan . for a twentieth , an ilvert . for a one and twentieth , a cernay perdrigon , because of its abundant increase , and of its being good in compotes , or wet sweat-meats . for a twenty second , a date plum. and i would double the twelve first three or four times over , before i would double the other ten , and would plant none of any other kind , till i had at least once doubled the ten last ; neither would i plant any but standard-trees of the st. julian , and black damask plums . thus insensibly we might form a plum garden , of fourscore or a hundred stocks of trees ; and that is a great deal , considering how little a while that fruit lasts when it comes , and how troublesome it is when it takes up a great deal of room to no purpose , as it often happens ; for when they take , that number is enough to furnish us a sufficient abundance of plums , to convert into both prunes and sweet-meats . the number of the other sorts of plums is very great , and they that have a mind to it , may stuff their gardens with them , if they please , but at least they shall have no reason to blame me for counselling them to it . about mid - june the red fruits begin to come in , and hold at least till the end of july . among which i reckon cherries , griots , and bigarro's or heart cherries , to be the most principal ; we may have dwarf-trees of them , but standards are better . they are fruits so well known every where , that they need no description , i prize none of them so particularly as the large latter cherries , which they call monmorancies , and next them the bigarro's , or heart cherries , and in the third place the griots or agriots . the guignes or guings , of which there are white , red and black , are indeed early ripe , but they are too flashy and insipid , and are not much eaten by persons of any quality . the cherries which are called forward cherries , but are not the early ones of all , or true hastings , succeed the guignes or guings ; they are fair enough to the eye , are long stalked , and of a sharpish , and a little bitterish taste ; and therefore i value them but little , unless it be for the making of some of the first compotes , or wet sweet-meats . the truly good and fair cherries , commonly called preserving cherries , are those of monmorancy , some of them grow upon trees that shoot out great and upright branches , and they are the largest sort of them , but that sort of trees bear but few of them . they are otherwise called the coulardy-cherry . the right sort of good common cherries , produces small branches , and bending downwards , and brings great store of fruit , which is very sweet , and pleasant to the taste ; one and the same tree bears both long and short stalk'd ones ; and 't is chiefly of this sort we are to plant most trees . the bigarro or heart cherry is a fruit both firm and crackling , longish and almost square , but always very sweet and very agreeable . it s tree shoots out thick branches , and that are luxuriant enough , and its leaf is longish . the griot or agriot is a sort of blackish cherry , of a pretty firm consistence , and very sweet and excellent . it blossoms mightily , but withall is very subject to miscarry in the blossom . it s tree produces a thick dwarf-tree , with a top composed of branches , keeping close and tight together , and its leaf is broad and blackish , none of the kinds of merises or common black-cherries , deserve to be admitted into an artificial garden , being properly forest-trees or wildings , yet may they serve us at least for stocks to receive the grafts of the choice sorts of cherries above named . in poitou and the angoumois country , they call those guignes or guings , which we call cherries , and those cherries which we call merises , and those guindo's , which we call griots . if i were to plant a dozen of these sorts of trees , six of them should be of the latter large cherries , two bigarro's , two griots , and two of the forward cherries , and if two dozen , there should be twelve of the latter sort , and four of each of the other kinds ; if three dozen , then of the latter , bigarro's , griots , and but four of the forward sort , and so on in greater numbers . perhaps i might be of the mind to plant a couple of pale red guignes or guings , if i had dozen of cherry-trees to plant , and people seldom pass that number , unless it be with design to sell the fruit. let us now prepare to plant some tall standard mulberry-trees , apricock-trees , and almond-trees , and let us choose out for that some by-place , that may not spoil any thing as to the prospect of our garden , or else let us place them among other standard-trees , if we have planted an orchard of tall trees , for 't is good to have a few mulberries , and we may plant them too in some back courts , if we please : one , two , three , or four at most , will be more than sufficient for all sorts of persons . as for apricock and almond-trees , from two to twelve of either of them , seem to me to be a sufficient number to furnish all sorts of gentlemen of what quality soever , with a reasonable quantity of those fruits . the apricocks that grow on tall-trees , are much richer tasted than others , and almonds are a necessary and agreeable fruit , and especially in the months of july and august , when they are eaten green . i counsel you particularly to choose those that are tender shell'd , and since they are a sort of trees that in four or five years time , grow very tall , we must only take care in the month of february , to plant some almonds in the place where we would have trees of them , and to thin their top branches the first years , and they will soon yield us the satisfaction we expected from them ; for they hardly ever thrive , when they are planted from trees ready grown , as those of other fruits do . let us likewise provide some medlar trees for them that love them , but on condition they be not placed in parade , or to open view , they being not a fruit precious enough to deserve so noble a station , nor yet of which we need plant any great number of trees , the number of people that love them being not so very considerable . we must not forget too some dozens of quince-trees , that we may have a provision of quinces to preserve , and to see they be planted in some place we do not often visit ; smell of the fruit of that tree , being none of the most delightful , and especially since we ought hardly to plant less than a dozen of them , it being my opinion , that we ought either to have none at all of them in our gardens , or at least to have a reasonable quantity . and a dozen , or two , or three , or four at most seem to me to be a very sufficient number of this sort of trees . lastly , let us likewise remember to plant some few azeroll or garden haw dwarf-trees , for such as shall not think two wall ones of that kind enough ; they take well enough in that manner , and especially in bringing a great quantity of fruit , but the wall-trees bring the biggest fruit of any others of this sort . and this done , we may say , we have done all we possibly could , to enable us to stock well with choice fruit-trees the room which could be afforded them in all sorts of gardens . let us now proceed to the choice of each tree in particular . chap xvi . what good conditions are required in each fruit-tree , to qualifie it to be chosen and preferr'd to some good place in a fruit garden . our garden being formed , dunged , accommodated , divided , and in sine , quite ready for planting , and every gentleman knowing what number of trees he needs according to the bigness of his garden , and having also resolved upon the choice of the kinds , and what proportion of each kind he is to plant , with respect to the quality of his ground , and to the several seasons of the year . it is now our business to chose such stocks of trees that are fair , and so well qualified , as to deserve to be planted , because of the hopeful promises they make us of contenting our expectations . and i suppose here that we have to do with gard'ners that are in reputation to be knowing exact and faithful ; for otherwise we run great danger of being grosly deceived in the kinds of our fruits , and especially of peach-trees , because they all resemble one another so much , both in leaf and bark , excepting the troy-peaches , forward , or avant peaches , and the white maudlins , which are distinguished by some more visible differences , for which reason i would advise no body to take any trees of suspicious or unknown gard'ners , or that are of ill repute , how cheap a bargain soever they may offer them , such an errour as that , being of too great a consequence to be ventured on at what rate soever . tree stocks then are to be chosen , either whilst they are yet growing in the nursery-gardens , or after they are pulled up , and brought from thence . in both cases we must consider first , the figure of each tree . secondly , its bigness , or thickness . thirdly , in what manner they are fashioned , and composed , and if the trees be already pulled up , we must take special notice of their roots , and of the bark , both of their bodies and branches . chap. xvii . how to chose trees as they stand in the nursery-gardens . if we choose our trees in the nursery-gardens , which 't were always to be wished , we could , and that about mid-september , to mark out the trees we choose and pretend to carry off , though that be not always feasible , because of the too great distance sometimes of the places where the choice nurseries are , yet if we can go to the places , we must only fix upon those trees that have shot vigorously that year , and that appear sound both in their leaves , and at the end of their young shoots , and by their smooth and shining bark , so that if any trees have no shoots of that years growth , but what are very feeble , or perhaps have none at all , if any before the season for the fall of the leaf , have all their leaves lesser , and more starveling than they should be , and the extreamity or their young shoots , black and mortified , or their bark rough and wrinkled , and full of moss ; and if pear-trees , apple-trees , or plum-trees , they be canker'd , or if they be stone fruit , and found to have gum , either about their body or roots , all these are so many marks of trees which we are to reject , to which we shall subjoyn some other particular marks yet of very great importance . peach-trees that have been grafted above a year , or above two , without being stript below , are worth nothing , they being hardly vigorous enough to sprout above the old branches ; the same judgment is to be made of those which are above three inches , or not so much as between one and two inches thick below , and of those that are grafted upon old almond stocks , and are about four or five inches thick . plum-trees , apricock-trees , azeroll or garden haw-trees , are passably good at two inches and an half , and admirable at three or four ; it is no matter whether the graft be of one , or two , or three years grow'th , or whether it be covered up again or no , though it would be better it were , but i would not have them either smaller or older than i have expressed . those sorts of trees that attain to a due bigness the first , or at least the second year , prove ordinarily admirable ones , because that shows they are grafted upon a very good stock . apple-trees grafted on paradise stocks , and early or hasting cherry-trees , are good from an inch and an half to two inches thickness . standard-trees must be straight , and be at least full six good foot high , and five or six inches thick below , and four or five above , having always their bark as little rugged as may be , and rather on the contrary , smooth and shining as a mark or their youth , and of the goodness of the soil from which they are taken . as to the manner how trees should be fashioned , i judge that for all sorts of dwarf or wall-trees , it is better they should be straight , and consisting only of one entire stick , and of one only graft , than to be composed of two or three grafts , or several branches , the new sprouts that will shoot out round about the single body of the tree when top't , and new planted , being more fit and pliable to be turned as we would have them , to make a fair tree , than if they consisted of two sticks , or of old branches , because we cannot be assured from what part of those old branches of the new planted tree , the new sprouts will shoot , and because commonly they grow ill favouredly , and so confusedly interlaced one with another , that we are forced to cut them quite away , and consequently to make so many wounds in the tree , which is time lost both for the advancement of the beauty of it , and of its producing fruit , both which are by this means retarded . i would have my tree then without any branches at all below , but yet i would have it have good eyes or buds , which may by consequence , promise good branches , and especially in peach-trees ; so that we must never take those whose eyes are as 't were put out , that is to say , their issues stopt up , because 't is very rarely that any new branches spring out from such ; and 't is so true that i desire but one single stick , that commonly when i find two grafts , i take away the weakest , and preserve only that which is the more vigorous and better placed of the two . as for standard-trees that are to be planted in the full and open air , i am content they should have some branches about their tops , that may be shortned when they are new planted , because we require not so regular an exactness for the beauty of these tall trees , as we do for that of lesser ones ; it being sufficient if those of the former sort be adorned with tops , that spread into but any thing nigh a round figure , to be reasonably enough , handsome in their kind . chap. xviii . how to choose trees when already drawn out of the nursery gardens . if the trees be already pull'd up , we must not only have regard to all the particulars above expressed , without neglecting one of them , but we must besides have a care they have not been too long taken up ; so that their bark is grown shriveled , and their wood dry , and perhaps quite dead ; or that their bark be not too much peeled off , or the grafting place strangled with too hard binding with pack-thred , or that they be not grafted too low , and especially in peach-trees , so that to place the roots as they should be , we must necessarily be forced to bury the grafts under ground in planting them ; or else grafted too high , so that they cannot begin a well proportioned wall , or dwarstree , both which ought to begin about six or seven inches from the ground . but this is not all , for we must take special heed too to the roots , because though they had all the other necessary good qualifications in perfection , yet if their roots be much defective , we must e'en reckon such trees good for nothing . to be able to pronunce a tree then to be well qualified as to its roots , in the first place they must be of a proportionable thickness to the bigness of the tree , that is , it must have at least one root very near as big as the body of the tree ; for when they are all small and fibrous , and like a head of hair , it is almost an infallible sign of the weakness of the tree , and of its approaching death , or at least of its never being likely to produce any good effect ; neither is the over great quantity of such fibres any very good sign . in the second place we must see that the principal roots be neither rotten nor split , nor very much peeled or unbarked , nor grown very red , or dry or hard ; for if they be rotten , they show a great infirmity in the principle of life of the whole tree , the roots never rotting when the tree is in good health ; if they be split in the place out of which they spring , it is a wound that may be termed incurable , and the gangreen and rottenness will sieze upon it , and so it will be left like a work-man without either hands or tools . and therefore , they who pull up trees should be very careful to do it dextrously and gently , and for that effect to make good holes , that they may not be obliged to strain any part of them too violently when they draw them up , or else they will not fail to split or break some good root or other . if likewise they be too much grated or unbark't in those parts , which should be most particularly preserved , those are also dangerous wounds , and especially in stone fruit-trees , the gum seldom failing to breed in them . and in fine , if the roots be dried up either by frost , or by having been too long drawn out of the ground , and exposed to the air , we are to reject that tree , it being certain it will never take to grow again . i most particularly value the young roots that are newliest shot out , they sprouting commonly out of that part of the main body nearest the surface of the ground , and care little for the old ones , which are commonly knotty , and in pear-trees , plum-trees , wildings , &c. they are blackish , whereas the young ones are reddish , and pretty smooth and even ; in almond-trees , they are whitish , in mulberry-trees , yellowish , and in cherry-trees reddish . chap. xix . how to prepare a tree for planting . this preparation is of so great a consequence for the making of trees take new footing , and grow again , that very often they take , and produce a good effect only because they were well prepared before they were replanted , and no less often fail taking , or producing a good head or top , because they were ill prepared . there are two things to be prepared in them , viz. a less principal one which is the head or top , and another which is most highly principal , and important , and that is the foot or roots . as to the head , there is but little mystery in ordering that , either in standard or dwarf-trees , it being needful only for that effect , to remember these two points . the first is , that as it appears , we do a great prejudice to a tree when we pluck it up , because we always weaken it thereby , and abate its vigour , and its activity at least for some time , we must therefore take off so much of its charge and burthen about its head , as may be proportionable to what we take from it of that strength and activity , as we certainly do by removing to a new place , and retrenching it of some of its roots : that is a maxim that needs no proof . the second point , we are to be mindful of , is , that we must leave its body no higher than is convenient for the use the tree is designed for : some being to produce their effect very low , as the dwarfs and wall-trees , which therefore must be cut pretty short , and others to produce theirs very high , as the standard-trees which therefore must be left of a considerable height : but i seldom cut either sort of them to the length they are to be of , till i have first finish'd the whole operation , that is to be performed about their roots . and this is the method i observe in doing it . first , i order all the fibres to be cut off as near as can be to the place out of which it springs , unless it be a tree that i plant again assoon as ever 't is pluck'd up , without leaving it a moment out of the ground , otherwise if it continue never so little while in the air , all that would be good to preserve of its root , which is a kind of tuft of white small hair like roots or fibres , turns , presently black , and consequently spoils , being , as it seems no more able to endure the air , than some sorts of fish that die as soon as ever they are out of the water . but we can never have opportunity to save this white fibrous part of the roots , but when we pull up a tree in one part of our garden , to plant it immediately in another place of the same garden , for then indeed we may save some part of those fibres which is not broken , and whose extremities or points appear still acting as 't were , and that comes out of a good place , otherwise if all those conditions be not found in it , we are not to make any account of it ; and for the better preservation of it , we may too at the same time , take along with it some of its former mold , that hangs next about it , like a kind of turf , taking care in planting it to place and spread out well that hairy or fibrous part . to return now to order a tree that has been longer pulled up , i first of all then take away all that fibrous or hairy part which many gard'ners save with so much care , and so little reason , in such trees as those : and when i am about stocking any large plantation , iorder my people immediately to fall to work to retrenching from the trees , what is to be cut from them , before i plant them , and that both in the day time in some bye place of the garden , and particularly in the night , in some place within-doors by candle light , to hinder the delaying of some other work no less in hast , that cannot be done but without-doors ; and so by that means , i take advantage of the night , which comes upon us so soon , and so unconveniently at the usual season of making our plantations . the fibres being thus taken away , and by that means , the greater roots laid open to my full view , i am the better able to see the bad ones to take them quite off , and to discern the good ones to save them , and afterwards to regulate the cutting them to the exact length i would leave them of ; and very often , when i find the roots of any trees a little too much dried , i order them to be steeped seven or eight hours in water before i replant them . when i speak of good and bad roots , it may be thought i mean by these latter , only such roots as are broken , or unbarked , or rotten , or dry ; but yet i mean something of greater consequence ; and that is , that every tree that is planted , and especially every nursery-tree , shoots out sometimes , either all good roots , or all bad ones , or both good ones and bad ones at the same time , which comes to pass as follows . a tree planted with the preparations recommended by me , if it takes , must shoot forth new roots , or else it dies , all its old roots being of no service to it ; and of those new ones , some are fair and thick , and some are feeble and small ; the fair ones will spring either out of the extremities of those which we left it , which is most to be desired , or else from some other part , that is , either from the body of the tree , and consequently above the old roots , which composed the extream parts of the tree , or from that part of the old ones that is nearest the body of the tree , whilst the old ones either have shot out nothing at all throughout their whole extent , or but very small roots out of their extremities , and some thicker ones a little further off those extremities . in which two cases , the thick ones growing either out of the body of the tree , or out of any part of the old roots but their ends , make all the rest both old and new insensibly to perish , and dwindle away , and therefore the perishing ones are to be counted bad , because if not taken away , they make the tree grow yellow and languish in some part of its top , or head . it is no hard matter to know the good ones from the bad ones , because that supposing according to the order of nature , the lower part of the body of the tree planted , should , as in truth it ought , be always bigger than the rest of it , and maintain it self always in that condition , yet if we perceive that part instead of enlarging it self proportionably to the rest of the body , according to the same order of nature , to remain on the contrary smaller than some part a little higher , from whence in effect we find some fair roots to spring , then the unthrifty part is to be looked upon as 't were accursed , and abandoned by mother nature , which seems to take pleasure in bestowing its favours upon another , and consequently we must entirely cut away all that lesser part with all that it had shot forth before , ( which many gardiners call pivot , but are mistaken , as i shall afterwards shew . ) the first thing to be done then in this case , is entirely to take away all that part of it that appears to be so abandoned and disgraced , as close as we can , to the part well nourished and which is as 't were in favour , that we may only preserve those roots that spring from the fortunate part , what kind of ones , or in how small a number soever they be , for indeed the number of them should never be very great ; and above all , we must take care as i have said , to take away the greatest part of the old ones , which , far from having any appearance of vigour and of youth , or a lively and fresh colour , look all black , shriveled , and rugged , and worn out , and therefore we are only to esteem those which are fresh and new , and that we find at the same time well placed . and these young ones are to be kept short proportionably to their length , the longest in dwarf-trees , of what bigness soever it be , which is commonly not very great , never being to exceed eight or nine inches , nor much above a foot in standards : we may leave a greater length the roots of mulberry and almond-trees , because those of the first are very soft , and those of the second , very dry and hard , and therefore will be in danger of perishing , if they be cut too short . after we have fixed the length of the biggest roots of our fruit-trees , i am to tell you , that the length of two or three , or four inches will serve for the lesser and feebler ones , and that proportionably to the bigness of each , the least being always to be the shortest ; and here as i have elsewhere told you , we must use a quite contrary method to that we practise in the pruning of the branches . one single rank or story of roots is enough , and i make more account of two or three roots well placed , than of twenty midling ones . i term roots to be well placed , when being round about the tree foot , they are like so many lines drawn from the center to the circumference . and i would have all my trees , as near as possible , so prepared , that without being planted they may be able to stand upright of themselves like so many nine-pins , and especially such as are designed for dwarfs , or standards to grow in the open air ; for to plant against walls , because we must keep them always a little bending forward and that it is not convenient there should be any root turned towards the wall , we must entirely cut away all those we find turned that way , and which in appearance were the worst , for having occasion to preserve the best , to be sure i always retrench those that were the worst qualified , and most inconveniently placed . methinks these maximes are easie to be understood , and are so easie to practise , that any man that has but seen a tree prepared according to their prescription , as 't is represented in the figures therewith inserted , may be able to prepare all sorts of trees , and especially of those sorts that are not very prickly , as quince-trees , plum-trees , wildings of the woods , &c. but in ordering of trees that prick , as wildings come of kernels , stones , &c. there , there is a little more difficulty . and the better to enable my self to compass the ordering of them , as well as of easier trees , i made coice of fifteen trees , among the great number that i have taken up and replanted these five and twenty or years , which were such in which i observed any remarkable difference in the situation of their roots , by which i found , that generally all trees in the spreading of their roots imitated some one of those fifteen , so that having first caused them to be drawn out in figures , exactly as they were when newly pulled up , and afterwards when they were cut and trimmed , ordering them to be drawn over again in other plates , in the condition they were in then , to show how they must be order'd before they be planted , any gentleman may after that model , regulate the operations that are to be made upon the roots of all sorts of trees whatsoever . i likewise thought it very convenient to have them drawn too , in the state they were in , while they were shooting out the new roots they produce after replanting , that every one might see what a tree well prepared and well planted should do , to thrive and succeed well , and wherein it may have been faulty if it prospers not . and when i have done all that i think fitting to the roots , then i endeavour discreetly to judge what depth the lowest roots require in the ground , and what quantity of earth the highest roots must have laid over them ; for they must be secured , and put out of the reach , as well of the injuries of the air , as of the delving tools , &c. and then i determine of what length or height the tree must be above ground , that i may have no occasion to touch it any more after 't is planted ; for we must needs shake and loosen it when we let alone cutting it till after 't is planted , and that shaking seems to me to be very dangerous to the tree . we need not fear the frost will do any harm to the place where the tree is cut off , and shortned , there assuredly never hap'ning any inconvenience that way , as i can maintain to you by certain experience which you may venture to believe upon my word . the length of the bodies of the trees to be left above ground to all sorts of trees , is to be regulated as follows . if they be little , and to be planted in a dry soil , they must be allowed six or seven inches , because that in summer , their head or top may be able to skreen their foot or rooting , from the burning heat of the sun ; in moist grounds , they may have ten , or eleven , or twelve at most , that their head or top may not too much hinder the heat from imparting its influence to the foot or root which there has need of it : as for the height of the bodies of standards , that is always to be about six or seven inches in all sorts of grounds ; for taller ones would be too apt to be shaken or torn up by the roots by the winds , and shorter would be unpleasing to the sight , unless it were a whole entire plantation of half standards , as is often practised for plum-trees , cherry-trees , &c. we must have a great care in peach-trees , to leave them two or three good eyes or buds in that proportion of length , that is to remain to them , otherwise they will be in danger of producing nothing but wild shoots . i have already told you , that for all sorts of trees , and especially for dwarfs , i would chuse plants consisting but of one straight stick : as for standard-trees , i am not much against their having some branches ; and i willingly leave those branches long , that being the feeblest cannot so well contribute to the beauty of the figure , but yet may yield fruit soonest , and of the thick ones i leave two , or three , or sometimes four , which when well placed , may serve to begin the forming of a fair round top , and i shorten them to the length of seven or eight inches . chap. xx. when and how to plant trees when ready fitted and prepared for it . the first thing to be observed here , is , that in the season of planting , which as all the world knows , lasts from the end of october , to the middle of march , that is , from the time that the trees quit their leaves , till they are almost ready to begin to put forth new ones , we must choose dry , and mild weather , without troubling our heads to take any notice of the age of the moon , as formerly was practised , rainy weather is not only incommodious to the gard'ner in his work , but also hurtful to the trees that are then planted , because the mold is then too apt to be reduced to a mortar-like consistance , which makes it not so proper to settle all cleverly down round about , and close to the roots without leaving some hollow between , which it is very expedient to prevent . now , though all those months be equally fit to plant in , so that it may seem , the sooner it be done , the better , yet as i willingly affect to plant presently after martlemas , in dry and light grounds , so i care not to plant neither till the end of february , in cold and moist ones ; because the trees in these last can do nothing all winter , and may more likely be spoiled there , than be able to preserve themselves , whereas in lighter grounds , they may begin even that very same autumn , to shoot out some small roots , which is a great advance to them to put them in the way of doing wonders in the following spring . the second observation is , that we are to regulate exactly all the distances which are to be between one tree and another , whether they be wall-trees , dwarfs , or standards , that we may know perfectly both the number of trees to be planted in general , and how many there are to be of every particular kind . the third is , to regulate exactly the places to be assigned both to each sort of tree , and to each particular tree , i liking best that all the fruits of the same season , should be placed in the same canton , or parcel of ground . the fourth is , to make even by a line , holes about the wideness and form of a hat ; for i suppose trenches to be well made , and if so , the hole , though little , will be big enough to plant the tree in , and it would be but time , expence , and labour lost , to make it bigger . the fifth is to order every tree to be carried and laid near its hole , before we begin to plant any of them ; and if there be occasion to plant any dwarf-trees about any squares , or to form a quincunce , i would have the fairest , and best qualified placed particularly at the corners of the several squares , or ranks , and likewise in wall-plantations . it 's most convenient always to plant the sinest trees , and those that bear the finest fruits , in the most eminent places , and the most visited , as , near the gates , and along those fruit walls near the fairest walks . yet though i here make choice of the fairest , it do's not follow that we are never to plant any but such as are fair , and accompanied with all the hopeful appearances of thriving ; though it be true enough that after we have taken all the care we can to choose none but sine ones , yet some of them will be always siner than the others . the trees then being all carried and laid every one near its assigned place , if we be to plant dwarfs , i begin with the corners of each square , that they may serve to guide us to place the others direct in the same lines ; and if the soil has been newly dug up and moved , and mixed with a good quantity of long dung , so that it seems not to be so firm and close as it should be , i take care to sink my trees but about half a foot , meaning that the extreamity of the lowest root of the tree is but half a foot deep in the earth , because as i reckon , the ground will sink at least half a foot ; and because it is better to plant too high , than two low , at the end of some months , my trees will be found sunk about a foot into the earth , which is the justest measure we can assign them in that respect , trees planted deeper , almost always dying in a few years . when i have planted the corner trees , then i place a man at that rank i have a mind to plant , to adjust the trees with a line , that they may be sure to be planted in a right line , and i take another man with a spade to cover up the roots of the trees as fast as i present them in their places , and be informed by my line manager that they are right in the line , and so in one morning i will plant four or five hundred dwarf-trees with ease . it is yet more easie to plant in a little time a great many wall-trees , because there is no need of using a line ; but in forming a quincunce , we cannot go so fast , because that , as every tree must answer exactly to two ranks , there must be two aliners , viz. one for each rank , and there is always some time lost before the tree can be placed so exactly as equally to answer two several ranks . and we must not only be careful to plant our trees a little high , and very straight , but we must be particularly mindful to turn their principal roots towards the good soil ; this being the most important point of all ; so that though it be much to be desired , that all trees designed for dwarfs , should appear straight upright upon their feet , after they are planted ; yet if the disposition of their roots which perhaps naturally incline to pirot , or spread round , require that the tree should be a little stooped , to give that good situation to its roots which i desire they should have , that is , to give them scope to spread rather between two earths , than to shoot right downward , i not only make no difficulty to hold the head or the top of the tree a little stooped , and that always over the line that is stretched out by it , but i counsel it as a thing necessary ; otherwise , the roots that shoot from such a tree , being naturally inclined to follow the bent of those out of which they sprout , it will happen , that those roots being forced to shoot downwards as low as the bad mold towards the bottom , or beyond the reach of the rain water , the tree will thereupon grow sick , and languish , and will make an ill-favoured figure , and bring but scurvy fruit , and will at last die . from what i have said of the good situation of the roots , it follows that if we be to plant any trees along by the sides of any walk or alley , we must take care to avoid turning the principal roots towards the alley side , and with much greater reason , ought we to do the same when we are planting wall-trees , and to take special care we leave not any good root of them , in vain to spend its force and vigour against the walls . this stooping of the head in low trees , need not raise in us any scurple , or put us in any apprehension of spoiling the beauty either of their figure in particular , or of that of the whole plantation in general , because it is not the same case with branches that are to spring forth , as 't is with roots ; for the branches do not at all follow the disposition of the stooping head ; on the contrary , they grow regularly upright round about their trunk , and so because their rise is very near the ground , their trees make as a well shaped figure , as if they had been planted upright upon their center . it is the standard trees that are to grow in the full air , that we are necessarily obliged to plant as upright upon their center as 't is possible ; for otherwise their trunks would always remain standing awry , and consequently would make an unseemly figure , and besides would be more subject to the insults of violent winds , and be apt to be overturned by them ; and therefore for that same consideration , they must be planted a little deeper than other trees , that is , they must be placed a full foot deep in the ground , and though i caution people not to trample over the ground where our small trees are planted , for fear of making them sink too deep , and because they are in no danger of the winds , on the contrary , i advise them to press the ground as hard and close as as they can , against the feet of these standards , to fasten them , and make them the firmer to resist the violence of the winds . after the planting of every tree , if i have the convenience of any dung-hills , i put a bed of two or three inches thick of dung over every tree foot , and cover it over at the same time with a little mold , to hide it from being seen , as being no handsome sight . this bed of dung is not so much to improve the ground , which i suppose already to be good , and well prepared , as particularly to hinder the burning heat of the months of april , may , and june , from penetrating to their roots , and by consequence from putting them out of due temper , and hindering them from performing their function , which would cause no less than the death of the trees . if i want dung , i content my self during those first dangerous months , to cover the feet of my trees with a bed of weeds , or fern ; i hinder any thing from growing there that may shade or cloud the young shoots , and if there be a great drought , as it often happens , i order a pitcher of water to be poured upon each tree foot , every fifteen days during the three or four hot months , making first a kind of circular trench round the tree that the water may pierce quite down to it , and when the water is all imbibed , i fill and make up this circle again , even with the rest of the ground , so that 't is not discerned . but if the season prove rainy , those waterings will not be necessary . and after all these preparations , and precautions , yet we commonly think our selves happy enough if we can stock our plantations so well , as to have but few trees miscarry under our conduct . chap. xxi . how to order trees planted for reserves in osier cases , or baskets . but notwithstanding all this , because some trees may happen to die , and yet as far as 't is possible , it is to be desired , our plantation should be compleated the very first year , i use to prepare a greater number of trees than i have actually need of to fill up my plantation , that i may always have some as 't were in a body of reserve , and for that purpose , it is my practise at the same time i am filling up my plantations , to plant some supernumenary trees of every kind in osier cases , or baskets , but more of stone , than of kernel fruits , because those former most commonly are in greater hazard of dying than the others . accordingly i chuse out some good place in the garden , ( the most shady parts of it being the most proper for this effect ) and there i plant some trees in osier baskets , well ticketed , or at least carefully set down in my book according to the order both of their ranks , and of the respective places allotted to them in those ranks , that i may have recourse to them , when any tree shall happen to die or languish in its place ; being desirous , if it be possible , that my plantation should continue finished and compleat as well in its figure , as in the kinds of trees , according to my first modelling of it . in order to which , i keep in a leaning posture in the reservatory baskets those trees that are designed for the wall , and in a straight and upright posture in the middle of the said baskets , those that are intended for dwarfs , that when i have occasion for either of them , i may the more commodiously remove and place them with basket and all , so as the tree may be every whit as well situated , as if it had been first planted there , which it would not be , if the tree designed for a wall-tree , were placed bolt upright in the middle of the basket , because we could not so easily bend the tree towards the wall ; the same inconvenience almost happens if we be to plant for a dwarf , a tree that we find in a leaning posture in a reservatory basket , though of the two , that be easier to place well than the tree designed for a wall-tree . this operation of the transporting of reserve trees , may be done till mid-summer ; and when we have a mind to go about it , we must first by way of preparation , water those reserve trees well that we design to remove , ( which probably will be the fairest we have ) and then move the earth away neatly round about the baskets , for fear of breaking the roots of the plants in case they have shot any beyond the compass of their baskets ; and we must ch 〈…〉 rainy weather to do it in , or at least weather that is mild and temperate , and a time when the sun is low , or a little after he is set , or a little before he rises ; and he must be extreamly carefull not to shake or loosen the tree in the least manner in the world , neither when we are taking it up , nor when we are carrying it off , nor when we are replacing it in its designed station , the shaking and loosening of it being in this case , very pernicious and often mortal . now when in removing these reserve trees , we perceive any roots of them to have begun to shoot out of the basket , we must first in placing it , be very careful to preserve the points of those new roots , place them well , and support them with good mold , cover them immediately , and ramm the earth close against the basket , and then water the ground pretty plentifully round about the basket , to make the earth next to it , cleave the closer about it , so as there may remain no hollow , which may be known by the waters not sinking so hastily when you pour it on the place as before ; and this watering is indispensably necessary in what manner soever we remove our reserve trees : and lastly , on those days when the sun shines hot , we must cover the head of the tree with straw screens , till such time as it begins to sprout , and then we may begin to take them off a nights ; but this last precaution is not necessary but when we see any new roots sprout out of the basket , or when the tree has been shaken and loosened . the same care and caution we use in placing against walls trees thus brought up in reserve baskets : we must practise too in placing the same sort of trees for dwarfs or standards , and above all , we must have a special care to leave those new roots as little as possible in the air ; otherwise they will presently grow black , and consequently die . i have nothing else to add about this head , but only directions how to make these baskets , which must be made purposely , and so loose wrought that you may see through them , as well because the roots of the plants may the more easily grow through them , as that taking up less stuff , they may cost so much the less , and besides when there is so much stuff as to make them too thick and impenetrable , it do's but harm . they must be made of the greenest and freshest gathered oster that is to be had , that being put quite green into the earth , they may last the longer without rotting , that is , at least a whole year ; for those that have been made any time , rot sooner . they must not be very deep , because then they would be too troublesome to remove , eight or nine inches depth is enough , that when they are set into the ground as deep as till their brims be covered , we may have room enough to put into them first about four or five inches depth of mold , and then the tree , and after that , cover their roots with a little quantity of earth more ; and we may in removing these reserve trees with their baskets , take off some of the uppermost mold , if we find them too cumbersome to carry ; but as i told you before , we must be very careful to ramm down the earth close about the baskets , that there remain no chink or hollow . as to the bigness of the baskets , it must be proportionable to the length of the roots of the trees we design to plant in them : they must be at least big enough to afford us room to put in three or four inches depth of mold between the ends of the roots , and the brim of the basket , so that for trees designed for wall trees , the baskets need not be so large as otherwise , because those trees are planted in them in a leaning posture , and therefore lie so near one side , that all their roots are turned to the other , and so their new roots may find room enough provided the basket be wide enough ; but for trees designed for dwarfs , because they must be planted in the middle , and therefore shoot out roots round about them , the baskets for them must be a little larger . the baskets likewise for standards , must be proportionably greater than for low trees . i need not tell you , that the baskets must be round , because every body knows that , though they might be made oval or square too , but then they would cost more and be never a whit the better . the difference therefore of the bigness of trees obliges us to make baskets of three different sizes , viz. little ones of about a foot diameter , midling ones , of about fifteen or sixteen inches , and great ones , of about eighteen or twenty . the principal quality most to be look'd after in them , is , that their bottom be strong and solid enough to bear without bursting , the weight of earth to be charged upon them , and that the edges both above and below be so well wrought as not to unravel ; there must be also a welt round about the middle for the same reason . and i am not content to make use of this precaution of reserve-trees at the time of my first planting any great plantations , but i practise it every year , for a certain finall number of trees , according to the bigness of the plantation i have to cultivate , that when there happens any accident to any of the trees placed in it , as there may happen many , i may remedy it assoon as i am threat'ned with it , or assoon as ever the accident happens ; for in fine we should always be in a condition to keep our plantation full and compleat without suffering any tree in it that will not comply with our design . a little cost will put our minds at ease in this respect ; and for want of that , we may lose much time and pleasure too . it is now time for us to proceed to the master work of gard'ners , which is pruning . the end of the third part of fruit and kitchen-gardens . a table of the chapters , and matters contained in the three parts of the first tome . part i. chap. i. how necessary 't is for a gentleman that would have any fruit and kitchen gardens , to be at least tolerably instructed of what concerns the ordering of such gardens . p. . chap. ii. how easie 't is for a gentleman to attain at least a sufficient knowledge in garden concerns . p. . chap. iii. an abridgment of the maxims and rules of gard'ning . p. . article i. of the qualities requisite in soil . ibid. art. ii. of the depth required in soil . ibid. art. iii. of its tillage and cultivation . p. . art. iv. directions how to amend it . ibid. art. v. of the ordinary way of modelling fruit and kitchen gardens . ibid. art. vi. how to know fruit-trees . ibid. art. vii . how to prepare a tree as well at head , as at root , before it be planted . p. . art. viii . what time we are to choose to plant in . ibid. art. ix . how to attain a tolerable knowledge in the pruning of trees . p. . art. x. when wall-trees are to be bent and palisado'd . p. . art. xi . how and when to gather all sorts of fruits of every season , and to lay up and stow in the store rooms , those that do not ripen upon the trees , to preserve them in their beauty , and eat them in due season without giving them time to rot and spoil . ibid. art. xii . concerning graffs and nurseries . ib. art. xiii . and last , divided into two heads , viz. one that concerns the improvement of the kitchen gardens , and the second , the work that is to be done in every season . p. . chap. iv. how to choose a good gard'ner . ib. chap. v. an explication of the terms of gard'ning . ibid. part ii. chap. i. of the necessary qualifications for a good fruit and pot garden . p. . chap. ii. of earth or soil in general . ib. chap. iii. of the qualifications required in the soil of a garden , to constitute it good . p. . sect. . of the first proof of a good soil . ibid. sect. . of the second proof of a good soil . p. . sect. . of the third proof of a good soil . ibid. sect. . of the fourth proof of a good soil . p. . sect. . of the fifth proof of a good soil . ibid. sect. . of the sixth mark of a good soil . p. . sect. of the seventh mark of a good soil . p. . chap. iv. of other terms used in speaking of soils , p. . sect. . of soils exhausted and worn out . ibid. sect. . of fallow soils . p. . sect. . of transported soils . ibid. sect. . of soils new broken up , or new soils . p. . sect. . and last of the colours most commendable in good soils . p. . chap. v. of the situation required in our gardens ; and of the ordinary advantages of those that are situated upon a gently rising ground . p. . chap. vi. of the expositions in gardens , both in general and particular , with an account of what is good and bad in them . ib. chap. vii . of the third condition , which is the convenience of waterage . p. . chap. viii . of the fourth condition , which is , that the garden should be upon a ground that is almost level . p. . chap. ix . of the fifth condition , which is , that a garden should be of a pleasing figure , and that the entrance into it be well placed . ibid. chap. x. of the sixth condition , which is , that the garden be inclosed with walls , and well secured with doors that shut fast . p. . chap. xi . of the last condition , which is , that the fruit and kitchen gardens be not far from the house , and that the passage to it , be easie and convenient . ibid. chap. xii . what is to be done to correct a ground that is defective whether in the quality of its soil , or in its too small quantity . p. . chap. xiii . concerning the acclivity and declivity , or rises , and falls in every garden . p. . chap. xiv . of the modelling or distribution of the whole ground in every garden . p. . chap. xv. of the modelling and distribution of a very little garden . p. . chap. xvi . of the breadth of the ground to be tilled next the wall-trees . ibid. chap. xvii . of the distribution or modelling of a garden of a competent bigness . p. . chap. xviii . of the modelling or distribution of gardens of several sizes , from fifteen , to forty toises or fathoms extent . ibid. chap. xix . of the modelling or distribution of gardens of an extraordinary bigness . p. . chap. xx. how to cultivate fruit gardens . p. . chap. xxi . of the labourage and tillage of them . p. . chap. xxii . of amendments . p. . chap. xxiii . of dung. p. . of the several sorts of dung. p. . how to choose dung. ibid. what times most proper to dung ground in . p. . no dung to be used to trees . p. . chap. xxiv . whether it be good to dung trees . p. . chap. xxv . what sort of ground agrees best with every sort of fruit-trees . p. . part iii. vvhat is to be done in all sorts of gardens , as well in making a judicious choice as in proportioning and placing the best kinds of fruit-trees , whether dwarfs , wall-trees , or standards . p. . the design and order of this part . p. . some advertisements . p. . the author's judgment and taste in pears . p. . whether it be convenient to plant any dwarf-trees in little gardens . p. . what dwarf fruit-trees are to be chosen to plant in small gardens . ibid. how necessary 't is for gardens to be inclosed with walls . p. . the pear-tree , most proper to be planted in little gardens , and why . ibid. the author's advice to gentlemen over hasty for fruit with the inconveniences attending it . ib. what method may be taken in spacious gardens to have fruit early and fair , while the principal garden is growing to perfection . p. . the effects of the difference of climates , difference of soils , and temper of years in the same climate . p. . autumn and winter fruits not to hang too long on the trees . ibid. four several seasons of fruit and how reckoned . ibid. fruits of the month of june . p. . fruits of july . ibid. fruits of august . ibid. fruits of september . p. . fruits of october . ibid. fruits of november . ibid. fruits of december . p. . fruits of january . ibid. fruits of february , march , and april . p. . the precedence of the maturity of fruits , according to the expositions they grow in . ibid. how long the fruit of each sort of tree generally last . p. . chap. i. of the choice of a dwarf pear-tree to plant in a garden where there is room but for one . p. . chap. ii. of the choice of a second dwarf pear-tree , to be planted in a garden where there is room for but two , and afterwards of the choice of a third , fourth , fifth , sixth , &c. p. . necessary qualifications required in an excellent pear . p. . chap. iii. of standard pear-trees fittest to be planted . p. . a list of the first five hundred dwarf pear-trees , according to the order in which they are ranked by the author , together with an account of the seasons in which they are to be eaten , and an indication of the pages wherein they are described . p. . a list of all sorts of pears , both good , indifferent , and bad ones , and first of the good pears . p. . of the indifferent or tolerable pears . ibid. of the bad pears . p. . besides the pears unknown to the author , a list of those known by him to be so bad , that he would counsel no body to plant any of them . p. . another list of those which he neither values enough to councel any body to plant them , nor yet slights so much as to pretend to banish them out of the gardens of those that fansie them . p. . chap. iv. a treatise of apples . ibid. chap. v. of the good use that is to be made of walls in any garden . p. . chap. vi. of the distances to be observed between wall-trees . p. . chap. vii . what fruits best deserve to be placed in wall-plantations . p. . what are the qualifications of a good grape . . chap. viii . a treatise of figs. p. . the qualifications of a good fig. p. . chap. ix . a treatise of peaches . p. . chap. x. of the excellence , and good qualities of peaches . p. . chap. xi . of the indifferent qualities of peaches . p. . chap. xii . of the bad qualities of peaches . p. . chap. xiii . the author's judgment of peaches . p. . chap. xiv . a treatise of plums . p. . the good qualities , defects , and indifferent qualities of plums . p. . chap. xv. an abridgment of the wall fruit-trees in every exposition . p. . chap. xvi . of the necessary qualifications required in every fruit-tree , to fit it to be chosen and designed for a good place in a wall-plantation . p. . chap. xvii . how to choose trees in nurseries . p. . chap. xviii . how to choose trees already drawn out of the nurseries . p. . chap. xix . how to prepare a tree for planting . p. . chap. xx. how to plant trees when prepared . p. . chap. xxi . how to order trees planted in baskets for a reserve . p. . the end of the table of the chapters and matters contained in the first , second , and third parts of the treatise of fruit , and kitchen-gardens . a list of the different sorts of fruits , viz. peaches , pavies , or bastard-peaches , brugnons , or nectarins , plums , figs , apricocks , cherries , grapes , azerolls , or garden-haws ; and apples , specifying the seasons they are to be eaten in ; and the places of this treatise where they are described . peaches , pavies , or fix'd ston'd-peaches , and brugnons , or nectarins . the peach , nectarin , and pavie , or bastard-peach described , and distinguished in general . p. . the little early or avant peach , its season , beginning of july described . p. . the troy-peach , end of july , and beginning of august . p. , . the yellow alberge-peach , and the little yellow alberge pavie , or fix'd ston'd-peach , august . p. . the white maudlin , the middle of august . ibid. the red maudlin the middle of august . p. . the minion the middle of august . , . the italian-peach , the middle of august . p. , . the red alberge peach , the end of august . ibid. the little alberge violet pavie , or fix'd ston'd peach , the end of august . ibid. . the bourdin-peach end of august . ibid. the yellow pulpt cherry-peach , the end of august . ibid. the white pulpt cherry-peach , the end of august . ibid. the chevreuse or hairy or goat-peach , the beginning of september . p. , . the rossane the beginning of september . . the rossane pavie or fix'd ston'd-peach , the beginning of september . p. , . the persick the middle of september . ibid. the hasting or forward violet-peach the middle of september . ib. p. . the bellegarde the middle of september . p. , . the violet nectarin the middle of september . ibid. the purple-peach the middle of september . ibid. the admirable the middle of september . ibid. the nivette october . p. . the pau-peach october . ibid. . the white andilly-peach october . p. . . the great latter yellow peach , otherwise , the yellow admirable october . p. , the royal-peach october . p. , . the latter violet-peach october . . the great red pompone or monstrous pavie , or bastard-peach october . p. , . plums . the description of plums in general . p. . the violet perdrigon . p. . the st. catharine-plum . ibid. the apricock-plum . p. , . the roche-courbon . p. . the mirabelle . ibid. the empress . p. . several sorts of plums very good both raw and dried , or preserved . p. . several other sorts of plums , good to dry or preserve . figs . the description of figs in general . p. . the great white fig , both the long and round sort . p. . the black fig. . the great yellow fig. ibid. the green fig. ibid. the little gray fig , otherwise called the mellette , or honey-fig . ibid. the blackish fig. ibid. the little white , or early fig. ibid. the little bourjassotte . ib. the angelick fig. ibid. apricocks . the hasting , or early apricock . p. . the ordinary apricock . ib. the little almond apricock in the angoumois country . p. . cherries . hasting , or early cherries , beginning of june . p. . guings or guignes . ibid. montmorancy cherries to preserve , otherwise called coulardes . ibid. the good sort of common cherry . ibid. the bigarrô , or bright heart cherry . ibid. the griotte , or agriot-cherry . ibid. grapes . the corinthian grape . p. . the chasselas . p. . the bourdelais , or verjuice grape . p. . the early or hasting grape , or black morillon . p. . the cioutat grape . ibid. azerolls or garden-haws . the azeroll or garden-haw . ibid. apples . the description of apples in general . . the white and gray pippin , in season almost all the year . p. . the white and red summer calville , august , and september . ibid. the autumnal calville , from october till february . ibid. the cour-pendu or short stalk'd , or bardin apple , from december till march. ibid. the fennellet , or anis-apple , from december to march. ibid. the api or ladies-apple , from december till april . ibid. the violet-apple , from the end of october till christmas . ibid. the rambour august . p. . the cousinot from the end of october till february . ibid. the orgeran . ibid. the star-apple . ibid. the jerusalem apple . ibid the thick english pear-main . ibid. the ice-apple . ibid. the francatu . ib. the haute bonte , or high good , otherwise called blandilalie . ibid. the rouvezeau . ibid. the chesnut-apple , or martrange . ibid. the blossomless , or fig-apple . ib. the petit-bon , or little-good . ib. the rose-apple . ibid. finis . of fruit-gardens and kitchen-gardens . vol. ii. part iv. of pruning of fruit-trees . the introduction . generally speaking , pruning of trees is cutting off some of their branches ; and so we commonly say , that a tree is prun'd , when many marks appear of branches being cut off . we likewise say , that a gard'ner prunes , when he is cutting some branches from his trees with his pruning-knife . this pruning has been look'd upon in all times , among the curious in fruit-trees , as the master-piece of gard'ning : and , indeed , the practice of it began not in our days , for it was held as a maxim many ages since , as it appears by the testimony of the ancients ; so that , to speak the truth , we only follow now , or perhaps improve what was practis'd by our fore-fathers . this custom of pruning does not commonly extend to all sorts of fruit-trees , only to such as are known in gardens by the names of espaliers , or wall-fruit-trees , counter-espaliers or pole-hedges and dwarfs . as for those that are called tall-standards , they are seldom prun'd , unless it be once or twice in their first years , either to give them the first turn of a round figure , and overture , which is requisite at the time they first begin to form an head ; or to take away some irregular branches , which in process of time might intangle or disfigure that head ; which pruning is absolutely necessary . a kind of pruning is likewise practis'd upon very old tall-standards , by cutting off the dead or languishing branches , both large and small ; but that is rather called cleansing , or dis-incumbring , than pruning . although the first idea people have of pruning , is commonly in relation to the heads of trees , that is , their branches , which frequently want some correction , to be put in a way of doing well , according to the mind of their master ; yet notwithstanding , there is still another trimming which is very material , and that is the trimming of roots ; which is perform'd upon two occasions ; of which , the one , that is the most common , is generally practis'd upon all trees , before they are planted ; ( which i have sufficiently mention'd in the treatise of plantations : ) the other , which is extraordinary , is only made use of upon some on the place , according as one designs to make some more , and others less vigorous than they are . this i will speak of at the end of this treatise . this maxim , or necessity of pruning the heads of all trees , not being tall-standards , being well establish'd , tho there are some erroneous opinions in it , in relation to very vigorous dwarfs , which i shall easily destroy . i think my self indispensibly oblig'd to examine here , as much as in me lies , whatever relates to so renown'd a practice in the management of fruit-trees ; therefore i protest , at first , that i will make no particular reserve to my self ; but on the contrary , that i will use my utmost endeavour , not to omit any thing whatever of what i have been able to apprehend in it hitherto , and of what i have so long practis'd with success . i am persuaded that pruning is not only a very useful , but also a very curious thing , and capable of affording pleasure to those that understand it : but at the same time it must be acknowledg'd , that it is likewise perpicious , or dangerous , when perform'd by unskilful hands . for , to speak properly , pruning , in the sense we take it , is not barely cutting ; every body cuts , but few prune ; nothing is more easie than to cut : and it may even sometimes happen by chance , that what has been cut without discretion , may succeed well enough , tho for the most part the consequences prove very bad ; whereas there being a great deal of judgment and rule in pruning skilfully , the success is generally certain , at least , as to what may depend on the gard'ner ; for all does not depend on him : it is well known that he is neither master of times , or seasons ; which must of necessity , and chiefly concurr to the perfecting his work. and therefore , when people have not that abundance of fruit they desire , and did hope for , the fault ought not always to be imputed to the gard'ner : he is only blameable when his trees are not-well shap'd , when they do not blossom abundantly , and when the fruit is not universally and equally beautiful , so as to see , upon one and the same tree , fruit of very different sizes ; for he is partly master of that . chap. i. definition of the pruning of trees . to let you understand what this pruning is ; i say , that it is an operation of gardning for three things , which are to be done yearly to trees , betwixt the beginning of the month of november , and the end of march : the first is , to take away all those branches that are naught , or might be prejudicial , either to the abundance , or goodness of the fruit ; as also to the beauty of the tree . the second , to preserve all those that may be of good use to those trees : and the third , prudently to clip those that are found too long , and not to cut any thing off those that have not too much length . and all this in order to make a tree lasting , to beautifie it , and at the same time dispose it soon to bear a great deal of fine and good fruit. by branches that are naught , i mean those that are of false wood , those that are decay'd by having yielded much fruit , and those that are too small , or have no disposition to produce either wood or fruit. by branches that may be prejudicial , either to the beauty of the tree , abundance , or goodness of the fruit , i mean such as might cause a confusion , or shadow the fruit , as well as those that take part of the sap of the tree , when it is over-charg'd with wood , compar'd to its vigour . by branches that may be of good use , i mean all those that are so well condition'd , as to be fit to contribute to the beautiful figure of the tree , and infallibly to produce fruit. by branches that are too long , i mean such as exceed nine or ten inches in length , and so consequently want to be shorten'd ; such are all the thick branches , which we call branches for wood ; and some of the small ones , which we call branches for fruit. in fine , by branches that have not too much length , i mean certain little branches , which being of a moderate thickness , have buds at the ends of them , or are in a disposition of having some the following year , and yet are strong enough to bear the fruit they are to produce , without breaking . this so material distinction in point of branches , shall be more particularly explain'd in the chapters that treat of the manner of pruning . i will say nothing here of the original of pruning , by reason that what has been said of it is fabulous , and ridiculous , and consequently cannot at present serve for instruction . for example , what signifies it to know , that some pretend to derive the original of pruning from that province of greece , which was called nauptia ; a country abounding in vineyards : an ass having brouz'd or nibbl'd some branches of vines , it was observ'd that the nibbl'd branches produc'd a great many more grapes , than those that were untouch'd ; which made them resolve thenceforward to shorten , or break , or cut , that is , to prune all the branches of vines . it is moreover reported , that so much success attended this experiment , that to express their acknowledgment of so fine an invention , they erected in one of the finest places of that province , a marble statue to that animal , as to the author of pruning of vines ; that is to say , to the author of the abundance of wine . and our books tell us , that this is the true reason of bacchus's being drawn mounted upon an ass . the usefulness of pruning vines being visible ; it was judg'd from thence , that it would not be less advantageous to prune fruit-trees ; and thus , in the beginnings , they did in this , as has been done in all other arts and sciences , they begun to cut grosly , that is , to prune some of the branches of trees , till by degrees they have study'd to refine upon it ; and , even in these days , people still study , by reason and observation , to improve , and render themselves more and more perfect in it . this is the information we receive from books , as to the original of pruning : it will easily be granted , that this is not a very material thing . but , what is very necessary to be known , are three principal points ; without the understanding of which , it seems impossible to me , either to speak well of this pruning , or to perform it . the first relates to the reasons for which it is done . the second , to the time in which it must be done . and the third relates to the manner of doing it with skill and success . let us examine these three points , one after another . chap. ii. of the reasons of pruning . i will begin with the reasons for which pruning is used , which , in my opinion , are two . the first , and chief , is , that which pruning aims at , the speedy getting of abundance of fine and good fruit ; without which , no fruit-trees would be had , or cultivated . the second , which is pretty considerable , informs us , that pruning serves to make trees , in all seasons , even in those in which they have neither fruit nor leaves , appear more agreeable to sight , than they would do if they were not prun'd . now , the satisfaction of the sight in this last point depends wholly upon the well-understood , and well-proportion'd figure , a skilful hand is capable of giving to each tree . and , as to what relates to the abundance of fine and good fruit , as much as the industry of the gard'ner can contribute to it , it depends first upon the knowledge he must have of every branch in particular , to know those that are good , from those that are not : it depends , in the second place , upon the judicious distinction which is to be made among the branches , wholly to take away those that are bad , or useless , and carefully to preserve all the good ones , be they branches for wood , or branches for fruit ; with this caution , that if among these last , some be found not too long , they shall be left as they are : but as to the main , of the others which are too long , they must be prun'd more or less , according as reason may require , either as to the abundance , or even to the figure of the tree . this abundance depends , in the third place , upon the proper time of pruning , all times not being fit for it . in relation to the two first heads , which relate to the knowledge and distinction of branches in general , i shall shew hereafter in what order , and to what use nature produces them upon fruit-trees ; how some are useful for one thing , others for another , and chiefly how some have more disposition to fructify , and others less ; and shall conclude from thence , that it is according to that order , and that intention of nature , and according to that more or less disposition , that those branches must be order'd and prun'd in a different manner , the one from the other . but before i enter any farther into that matter , which has a great extent , since i must therein explain , especially the manner , or rules that must be practis'd in the pruning of a great number of trees , which commonly are very different the one from the other ; i think , it will not be improper to say first , and as briefly as i can , what i think of the time of pruning , since that article is soonest decided . chap. iii. of the time of pruning . there is but little to be said upon the time of pruning , because that by a general approbation , it is commonly fix'd to the end of winter , or at the beginning of the spring ; that is , a little before the trees sprout , and partly about the time that the buds begin to swell , in order to become blossoms , and the others to stretch out to become branches : which happens infallibly , after the great colds ( which generally attend the months of november , december , january , and february , are past ; ) the spring coming in , and consequently the air beginning to grow hot , and mild , the plants , that had wholly ceas'd to act during four months , begin , as it were , to waken , and really to enter into action : that first motion is constantly perform'd at the head , before it begins at the roots ; that is to be understood , when the cold has been so great , as to interrupt their function ; for among us , in mild winters , there is not much more interruption , than in very hot countries . we shall shew this order in another place . this external renewing of action is a certain sign that it is time to prune . people were formerly so scrupulous as to the precise time of pruning , that they durst not absolutely labour about it , but in the decrease of the moons of february and march : it was almost the only maxim , in that case , that appear'd well establish'd , and was in effect inviolably observed . it may be said , that it was a kind of rote , which most gardners affected with an incredible obstinacy ; or rather , that it was a kind of tyranny , which they exercis'd , when they were employ'd by gentlemen who were lovers of their fruit-trees . that custom was grown to that heighth , that both the one and the other would have thought all lost , had any thing been prun'd out of those declinings : it was an epidemical distemper ; of which , there are still but too many ill remains . i grant that in other things that are above my reach , and in which i have no insight , it may be necessary to observe the motions of the moon ; but as to the pruning of trees , and whatever has any relation to gard'ning , i will take upon me to shew hereafter , in a treatise of some reflections i have made upon husbandry , that those observations are not only vain , but even chimerical . and whereas i was formerly infected with that opinion my self , and am now fully disabus'd of it , i do not despair of ridding gard'ners of that kind of notion , or ignorance , and at the same time cure the disquiets of several ingenious men upon that subject . 't is true , that it is very good to prune at the end of february , and at the beginning of march , which are commonly times of decrease ; but it is likewise as true , that without minding the moon , one may begin to prune as soon as the leaves of the trees are faln ; that is , at the end of october , or , at least , about the middle of november ; which may be continu'd afterwards for the whole winter , until all be done . and , because that having commonly three sorts of trees to prune ; the one too weak , the other too vigorous , and the others that are in as good a case as can be desir'd , i am of opinion that it may be both prudent and useful , not to prune them all at the same time ; and that it is proper to prune some sooner , and others later . for example , i am sufficiently persuaded , that the weaker , and more languishing a tree is , the sooner it ought to be prun'd , to take from it betimes those branches which , as noisom and useless , must be taken from it at another time ; that is , towards the end of the winter . and this is the reason why the pruning in november , december , and january is very good and wholesom in relation to these ; and even better than that of february and march. and , by the rule of contraries , the stronger and more vigorous a tree is , the longer the pruning of it may be deferr'd ; i mean , as to such an one , that the pruning of it may not only safely , but also very usefully be deferr'd until the end of april . i advance in this , two principles , which appear pretty new : those that are desirous to see the certain proof of it , may continue to read what follows : as for those who are willing to rely upon my word and experience , and are only desirous to see the sequel of my manner of practising , they may skip over the remainder of this chapter , to proceed to that wherein i explain the reasons why pruning is necessary . to establish the two principles i have heretofore advanc'd , i make use of two comparisons , whereof the first , which relates to the pruning of weak trees , is drawn from the conduct of certain frugal millers , who , with a small quantity of water , find the means to manage a mill that requires a great deal . the second , which relates to the pruning of very vigorous trees , is taken from other millers , who knowing how dangerous great streams of rising waters are to their mills , for a time suffer the abundance of water ; which might annoy them , to flow gently by ; and the violence of it being over , they shut their sluce , or water-gate , and afterwards employ the remainder of their water ; according as may be expedient for the number of wheels they are to ply . for the understanding of these two comparisons , i say , that the sap in every tree appears to me to be partly the same as water is in every river : i will say in another place , what water is in the pipes of spouting fountains . whether rivers be large or small , it is still certain that they are beautiful , provided that the channel of each , whatever it may be , be commonly furnish'd with a quantity of water proportionable to it ; without which , they are miserable , and of no consideration : so is a tree likewise esteem'd beautiful , whatever size it be of , ( there being both great and small , ) provided that tree yearly produces sufficient fine shoots ; from all its parts ; and in quantity , proportionable to its present heighth and thickness , or bulk ; without which , a tree is certainly both ugly and miserable . it is certain , that while a tree is in a good ground , and well , the weather not being so cold , as to freeze the ground as far as the roots ; for such a cold stops all manner of vegetation ; in such a case , the extremities of the old roots , still produce other new ones , and consequently still produce a new sap , as i prove in my reflections , and so there perpetually rises a sap , both into the stem of the tree , and in all the branches which compose the head or top of it ; and this , more or less in the whole extent of each , according as the sap is in it self more or less abounding ; just as it is in a river , while the source is good , and no ways obstructed , the water flows continually , not only in the bed or channel , which art and nature have provided for it , but also , generally into all the branches into which it may divide it self ; that is to say , into all the brooks , or rivulets , which may form themselves along its course , and that more or less , according as that water is in it self more or less abounding . when we find that a tree has but little vigour , and produces no fine shoots ; or that having been vigorous the preceeding years , it ceases to be so , so as to produce no more shoots , or at least , none but very small and inconsiderable ones , we may say that it is an infallible mark , either , that the source of the sap is naturally weak and small , or that it is become so ; so that being no longer capable of performing any effect in long branches , nor in many , and yet it being necessary it should produce some for our profit and satisfaction ; we must betimes ease that tree of its burthen , which is too great , considering its want of strength and vigour , and so consequently betimes , wholly cut off a great part of its branches , to the end , that we may , as soon as possibly can be , stop many of those overtures through which part of the sap of that tree did enter ; and so that , which for example , being divided into forty boughs seem'd to produce but little effect in each , the same being afterwards contracted , and distributed into half the quantity , will be found sufficient to perform much greater productions upon that tree , tho' indeed less numerous : it was like a river , whose source or spring , was either naturally weak , or considerably diminish'd , and which , notwithstanding that being yet divided into too many branches ; could not perform any thing considerable in any of them ; but the same being industriously contracted , or reduc'd , and kept within narrow bounds , so that for the future no part of it may be lost , as it us'd to be ; is thereby enabl'd , at least to turn some wheel . a dam , or sluce made betimes , have perform'd in this , what the good fortune of a more abounding river would have done , as to several wheels . this reason has induc'd me to advice the pruning of weak trees betimes , and the same reason informs us , that they must be cut very short , as we will demonstrate hereafter . now , that which is a convincing argument , in relation to the pruning of these , must , in my opinion , by the rule of contraries , serve to direct us as to the pruning of vigorous trees ; be it either to do it later , or to leave a greater burthen upon each of them . it is most certain , that we only have fruit-trees , in order to have fruit ; and it is as certain , that fruit commonly grows upon those weak branches only ; the large ones bear but little , their function being to perform something else , which is very considerable : thus great torrents are not fit to grind , on the contrary , they are apt to choak or stop up a mill , or to break all ; their function is to serve to other things ; for instance , for the transportation of travellers , burthens , merchandises , &c. so that none but those that are moderate , can be useful for grinding ; so likewise , a tree being very vigorous , generally produces none but large branches , especially at the beginning of the spring , at which time the sap rises most , and can begin none of those weak ones , which we stand in need of for fruit. now to such a tree that must be prun'd in order to yield fruit , and yet retain a pleasing figure ; you must not only leave a great burthen , whether it be as to the number of branches , or the length of every one of them , which is certainly absolutely necessary , but there must be something more : and as it is particularly on those extremities , that the new sap performs most at the entrance of the spring , it is necessary , as one may say , to let the heat and fury of its first action discharge it self : and therefore it is fit to prune such a tree later ; that is , it must not be done until the first impetuosity of the sap be pass'd ; there will yet remain enough in it , to make those kind of branches so prun'd , afterwards shoot out , at the same time , both large shoots for the figure , and of those small ones which we desire for fruit. not but that , as i will shew hereafter , the best expedient in relation to very vigorous trees ; and even , if i may express my self so , obstinate in point of fruit ; i say , the best expedient , is to go to the source of their vigour , which are the roots : it is that vigour which must be weaken'd , and consequently the most working roots : diminish'd , and thereby you will diminish the effect which proceeds from several good labourers ; which acting at one and the same time , produce more sap than is requir'd to such a fruit-tree : for , in fine , that tree must according to our intention , quickly bear fruit in a constrain'd figure , the which is in no wise natural to it ; which it cannot do , when the sap , being over abundant , produces every where , none but over large branches . the experience which every one may acquire in the practice of these two maxims , and particularly that which relates to the pruning of weak trees ; that experience , i say , will perfectly establish them for ever ; and as for other trees , i engage that every body will find a benefit by it ; and i affirm , above all things , that it will be a great help to all gard'ners , who are to mannage great fruit-gardens ; and who , as it is very much to be wish'd , will prune the greatest part of their trees themselves . as i am of opinion , that they can do no better than to follow this advice , so they appear to me very blame-worthy , if they tarry to the end of winter , and the time of those decreases of the moons , of february and march , to begin to prune ; because , that is the greatest time of hurry for all manner of work relating to gard'ners : all comes at once at the entrance of the spring ; the tillage of the whole garden , the sowing of most kitchen-plants , the budding of artichokes , the making of the different beds , the cleansing of the walks ; so that it is a strange confusion , to have at the same time , the most considerable of all works to do ; for it is the only one , in which no small faults can be committed , they are all considerable and pernicious ; it is the pruning of many trees , and perhaps large trees , dwarfs and espaliers , or wall-trees ; without omitting the first pallisading of these ; and whereas in that case , all things are done in a hurry , so they are commonly ill enough done : for to speak the truth , every thing requiring an equal haste to be done , there are but few to which a man can give that time , and application , which they require . i have said by the by , that i did no ways matter the decrease of the moon , &c. but i have not answer'd an objection which some gard'ners pretend to be invincible , and in which , in my opinion , they are infinitely deceiv'd ; it is , say they , that the winter frost may spoil the extremities of the branch that is prun'd ; and that if it be not to be fear'd so much for kernel-fruits , yet at least it is very dangerous for stone-fruit , they pretending that the wood of those trees is very tender , because it is very pithy ; i will only desire those scrupulous persons , to lay aside that apprehension , and i assure them , that the experiment they will make of it , without prejudice , will fully cure them of their error ; we have had within these seven or eighth years , the hardest winters in the memory of any living man. i had prun'd my peach-trees before that great cold , and i never found the least inconveniency by it . i am fully perswaded , that it is safe to prune as often as the cold is not so violent , as personally to prejudice the pruner ; there are only certain days of white or hoary frost , in which the wood being altogether cover'd with a rimy frost , the pruning-knife , tho' never so sharp , cannot cut through it cleverly ; and so , whereas a man ought to prune with delight ; to do it well , 't is certainly impossible at that time , and therefore it is necessary to defer pruning , until that frost be altogether melted and gone . the proper times for pruning being regulated , we must proceed to something more material and curious . as nothing is more creditable and natural for a workman , than to know certainly , why , and for what reason , he does the work he is employ'd about ; so i am perswaded , that nothing can be more stupid , and below a man , than to act barely by custom , and habit : it is a fault which is but too common amongst most gard'ners ; they seldom prune for any other reason , than that it is customary . i am convinc'd that there is an indispencible necessity of knowing something more ; without which , it is impossible ever to attain to any perfection in pruning , which in my opinion is an undeniable truth : i cannot endure that a gard'ner should be puzzl'd , and almost quite at a loss , when any body desires to know the reasons of his pruning : and that is the subject i intend to treat of in the following chapter . chap. iv. of the reasons that oblige to prune . we have two principal reasons , which prescribe and authorise pruning . the first is , to be sure to have a greater abundance of fine fruit , and sooner . the second is , to render the tree at all times more agreeable to sight , than it would be , if it were not prun'd : it is undeniable , that it is not only the fruit and leaves that render a tree beautiful : they are indeed its greatest ornaments , but there is something more requir'd ; since the fruit not remaining upon it all the year round , it were to be wish'd , that when it is stript of those adornments , or is not yet old enough to have them all ; it may at least be compos'd , and shap'd so , as to delight the eye . now that which , besides the importance of fruit , renders a tree pleasing to the eye , is nothing but the beautiful figure a skilful gard'ner can give to it : and whereas we have two sorts of trees , upon which particularly we exercise pruning , to wit dwarfs , and wall-trees , we must establish good principles to proceed prudently upon both : those principles relate particularly to the thick branches , without which we cannot have beautiful dwarfs ; and by means of which it is easie , and even infallible , to attain to a perfection in it ; the whole mystery of that operation , shall be discover'd in the chapters that treat of the manner of pruning dwarfs ; and wall-trees , there being no other rules for the one than for the other . i say first , that for those two sorts of trees , it must be granted , that their figures being so opposite the one to the other , the beauty consequently must needs be so too , therefore i think it will not be amiss , to shew in what , particularly , i faney , that those two different kind of beauties may consist . and perhaps , after that , it will not be improper to compare , in that respect , a good gard'ner , to a skilful carver ; for as the latter , conformably to the idea which fills his imagination , ought at first sight , to behold in his marble , the figure he designs to work out of it , and consequently to behold distinctly in it , the place of every particular beauty , of which it is to be compos'd . so an understanding gard'ner , conformably to the idea he shall have fram'd to himself of a fine tree , must at a view behold whatever is to be done in any tree , either to beautifie it , when it is not so , or to preserve it in its beauty , when it has acquir'd it ; whether it be to render it useful ; or , for example , to see where the fruit shall be , and consequently the branches that shall produce it ; to observe the branches that must be taken off , and those that must be preserv'd , to give it an agreeable figure , &c. and as from time to time , the carver draws back from his work , to see whether he has perform'd or executed his thought well ; so a skilful gard'ner , in pruning his tree , ought to do the same thing ; that is , to draw back from it , from time to time , to see whether he has really hit upon the beautiful figure he designs to give it . but before we enter into the explication of that idea , or notion of beauty in trees , it will be necessary to remember , that , as i have said in my treatise of plantations , we have but few of those that are call'd fruit-trees , that naturally remain low , dwarfish , and , as i may say , creeping enough , either to make regular dwarfs , or yet less , to make wall-trees : all trees , following the inclination which nature has given them , endeavour to rise , and consequently 't is only the industry of the gard'ners , who opposing the course of nature , hinders them from forming long stems , and from growing tall. these gard'ners knowing that , as we have already said , the sap which is to form those stems , lies partly in the trees ; much in the same manner , as the water which is to form the spouts of water-works , lies in the pipes : they have concluded from thence , that if they stopp'd the passage which carries this sap upwards , which is easie to do , by short'ning the stems of the trees , there wou'd be no further likelyhood of its growing to be a standard ; and so that sap which is in motion , or strives to get out , without any possibility of being prevented , finding no longer a passage to rise up , as it ought , will discharge it self at the place where its course has been interrupted , and will produce the same effect there , it would have done higher , had it had the liberty of ascending further ; so that this sap springing out of the sides , not only by many overtures , which are already actually form'd there , but likewise by or through others , that it will make it self , proportionably as it is abundant , it will produce to the right and left a pretty considerable quantity of fine branches . i must now tell you , that if the tree that is shorten'd be planted in the open air , it may be dispos'd to make a fine dwarf ; and if near any wall , to make a fine wall-tree . i have also explain'd in the same treatise of plantations what is a dwarf , and what a wall-tree . i have there shewn what was the intention of those that first made them , and of what use they may be to us . i have likewise declar'd in it , that when the walls are high , you must plant long body'd trees to garnish the top of the wall ; and that instead of leaving them there the liberty of forming a round tree , as they wou'd do were they left at liberty , their branches must be constrain'd , like those of the trees that are shorten'd , as we will demonstrate ; after having first explain'd wherein the beauty both of the one and the others does consist ; i mean , of dwarfs , and wall-trees . chap. v. of the idea of beauty which the dwarfs require . the beauty of dwarfs requires two conditions , the one in respect to the stem , and the other of the head : according to the first condition , dwarfs must be low stem ; and according to the second , they must have an open head , that is , free from thick branches in the middle ; it must be round in its circumference , and equally furnish'd with good branches on the sides . i will explain more particularly hereafter what i mean by that opening of the middle , and it shall be in the place where i shall give directions how to attain to it ; but in the mean time a man must have a right apprehension of the four conditions of that figure , and be fully perswaded of it , in order to understand usefully my maxims of pruning , and grow skilful in them , in case he approves them so well , as to be willing to practise them . i say nothing as yet of the heighth of the head of those dwarfs ; it depends on the age of the trees , being low in those that are yet young , and rising in all according as they grow : but as much as is possible , i wou'd not willingly have it exceed six or seven foot : it being better , in my opinion , that those trees shou'd grow in extent of circumference , and breadth , than to let them rise high . the pleasure of sight , which dreads whatever limits it too much , particularly in gardens , besides the persecution of the winds , which easily beats down the fruit of high trees , makes me fix to that measure . as the pruning of dwarfs is incomparably more difficult , and consequently contains a great many more rules than the pruning of wall-trees . i will begin with that , before i speak of the other . chap. vi. of the idea of beauty which wall-trees require ; together with the maxims of pallisading . to advance our wall-trees to that perfection of beauty which best becomes them ; i am of opinion , that it must be our particular care , that all the branches of each tree , in spreading over the sides of that part of the wall which they are to garnish ; must be so well stretch'd , and so equally plac'd , both on the right and lest ; that in their whole extent , taking them from the place , whence they severally proceed , as far as all the extremities of their heighth and roundness , no part of the tree may appear thinner or fuller than another ; in so much , that at first sight , one may distinctly see all the branches that compose it , so far as to be able , to tell them with ease , if so minded : thinness is the greatest imperfection of wall-trees , as fulness is the greatest fault of dwarfs ; when i say , that i would have my wall-trees full , i do not mean , that they should be full of ill branches , old , worn , or useless , as a great many ignorant persons affect to have them ; neither on the other hand , in desiring my dwarfs to be open in the middle , would i have them empty , like the inside of a glass , &c. i do particularly desire all gard'ners , to be very mindful of these two ideas of beauty . as to the beauty of wall-trees , it is certainly disagreeable , to see their branches crossing one another , which must be avoided as much as is possible ; but whereas thinness , as i have already said , is in my opinion , the defect the most contrary to the beauty of those kind of trees , i am for endeavouring to avoid it above all things ; so that for that reason , i will have it allow'd , nay and order'd too , to run them over one another in some occasions , and that particularly it may be allow'd for the great branches , which are alone the foundation of all the beauty of the tree , to be sometimes drawn over small ones , or the small ones over them , otherwise it would be impossible to avoid the danger of falling into the disagreeable inconvenience of that unlucky barrenness . those little branches , which we may in some manner look upon here , as temporary branches ; are commonly , as we have said , the only ones that must yield fruit , and that is the reason , why they have been carefully and preciously preserv'd ; but whereas , after having given that fruit , they must infallibly perish ; they will be soon retrench'd from our wall-trees , and consequently they will soon supercede the reproach of crossing , they may have drawn upon the gard'ner ; and he shall thereby be freed from another reproach , which is much more to be fear'd , and that is the want of fruit. so then , that crossing must not be us'd , unless there be an absolute necessity ; insomuch that when it can be avoided , i condemn the gard'ners , who , either through ignorance , or negligence , have thereby destroy'd the agreeable simetry their wall-trees might have had . and because , that , in the first place , the only way of giving every one of those trees the beauty , which i have been speaking of , is by means of pruning ; and that in the second place , every tree being compos'd of two parts ; of which the one is call'd the stock or stem , and the other the branches ; it is certainly upon those two parts , that the pruning is to be perform'd , but yet much more upon the branches , than upon the stem . and because , that chiefly in trees , there are , as we have said , several kind of branches , very different the one from the other , all having their particular reasons , either to be taken away , or preserv'd ; and among those that are to be preserv'd , some are to be shorten'd , because they are too long , and others to remain whole ; so consequently , there must be a great deal of care taken , for the well mannaging of them both . i do think my self indispensably oblig'd , to endeavour to unravel , if possible , all the distinctions that are to be made among those branches ; or otherwise it will not be possible to understand the maxims i design to establish for pruning well . i am of opinion , that i must take the same method in this , as people do in teaching to read : the first thing , is to learn the letters of the alphabet : the second , how to use those letters , to joyn two or three together , to form sillables ; and , in fine , the third , to learn the union of many sillables , in order to make whole words ; and these words following each other afterwards , compose both the line and page , &c. in the same manner , will i first teach , how to understand well the branches of our fruit-trees , giving them names that may express what they are , and then the use and peculiar function of each of them ; to the end , that several of them , being well plac'd , may render the trees beautiful , and dispose them soon to yield abundance of good fruit. perhaps on the occasion of this comparison , it would not be improper to say ; that as in reading , words are only form'd by the reciprocal function of the vowels and consonants ; so our trees only become beautiful , when they have at one and the same time , a reasonable proportion of wood and fruit-branches ; so that as the vowels , or consonants asunder , can form no words , or discourse ; neither can wood , or fruit-branches asunder , compose a beautiful fruit-tree . chap. vii . of branches in general . rightly to understand the doctrine of branches ; five material things must be observ'd . first , that as they compose a considerable part of the tree , they sprout out of two parts of it ; some shoot directly out of the main body , and those are the first , and may be stil'd , the elder , or mothers ; their number is not considerable ; the others afterwards are produc'd by these , and are as it were the daughters of these mother - branches : the number of these last is infinite ; for successively in their turns , they become every one mother - branches , to many others . it must be noted , in the second place , that from the body of every branch , when the tree is in a good case , there yearly grow new ones at the extremities of it ; and that more or less , according to the strength or weakness of that branch , which i shall call mother - branch , in relation to the new ones it produceth . in the third place , you must observe that these new branches grow in two different manners ; the one in a regular order , which is the best , the most common , and most frequent ; the others in an irregular order , which is the least common , and least frequent . that order , which is most common , and the best of the production of the new branches , when they produce more than one , is , that tho' both the one and the other at the same time issue from the extremities of one that is more ancient , whether prun'd , or not , they are notwithstanding regularly all of a different thickness , and length ; for every one of the highest , are always both thicker and longer than any of those that are immediately under them , drawing nearer to the body : i said , when it produces more than one ; for when the mother - branch brings forth but one , the daughter at the end of the summer proves as large as the mother , and is very good ; when that mother yields two , that which is grown from the extremity , which i call the first , or highest , is thicker and longer than that which is grown immediately beneath it , which i name the second , or lowest : and in the same manner , when the mother - branch produces three , four , five , &c. as the first , that is the highest , is thicker and longer than the second , so the second in the same manner exceeds the third , the third the fourth ; and so by degrees , what ever quantity of new branches the mother - branch may produce , as it appears by the figures . this being granted , it is easie to judge , that the order which is least common , and worst in the production of new branches , is , when the common order is inverted , so that there are weak ones in the place where there ought to be thick ones ; and that on the contrary , there are large ones , where they ought to be weak , and where perhaps there ought to be none ; as it appears by the figure of branches mark'd with a * . it is not enough to know whence the branches proceed , nor the order in which they come forth ; it is requisite to know , in the fourth place , that as that greater or smaller number of branches , depends upon the force or weakness of the mother - branch ; i think , that to make my self the better understood , it will be sit to call those strong , which are thick ; and to call those weak , which are small ; every one of those branches having their functions regulated according to their degrees of force , or weakness ; so that they seldom incroach upon one another , being wholly apply'd to the discharge of the first duty which nature seems to have impos'd upon them , in forming them . in the fifth place , you must note , and this is the most material point ; that among all the branches , whether strong or weak ; there are some which have the real character of good , of which a great many must be preserv'd : there are likewise some which have the real character of bad ones ; for which reason , a name of reprobation is given them : in regularity , almost all these last ought to be expell'd ; let us observe how to distinguish the one certainly from the other . different situations of the first branches produced sometimes , by a tree newly planted chap. viii . to know the difference of good and ill branches . we have two certain and infallible marks in relation to fruit-trees , certainly to distinguish the good and ill branches from each other , either while they are still upon the tree , or when they are cut off : the one depends upon the difference of their scituation , and original , and the other from the difference of their eyes , or buds . i suppose that every body knows that there are eyes upon every branch , which are little knotty places , a little elevated above the rest of the bark ; it is upon those little places that the leaves are actually fix'd , as they are seen there in the summer time ; or at least some have been fix'd there some time before , which may either have dropt of themselves , or perhaps have been taken off . what we learn by that difference of scituation , and original , is first , that the branches to be good , must absolutely , and only proceed from the extremities of those which were remaining upon the tree , at the entrance of the spring , whether they were form'd in the last year , or some years before ; or likewise whether the one and the others have been prun'd as is customary , or not ; as it happens sometimes , for example , in standard-trees . in fine , as we only speak here in relation to trees that are liable to pruning , it must be granted , that it is only from the extremity of branches , tho' never so old , which have been prun'd , at the season of the last pruning , that the new branches must proceed : in the second place , what we gather from the difference of scituation , and original of new branches , is , that those branches , to be good , must have been produc'd in the most ordinary and most common order of nature , as we have heretofore explain'd it . from thence two things must be concluded : the first , that any branch which , instead of being grown from the extremity of that which had been form'd the preceeding summer , or at least from the extremity of that which had been taken shorter at the last pruning , proceeds from any other part of the tree , be it either from the stem , or some other old branch , that had not been prun'd : i say it must be concluded , that such a branch , of whatever size , thick or small , is an ill branch , as i will demonstrate hereafter . and what must be concluded in the second place , is , that any branch which , instead of being grown in the good order of nature , being either thicker or longer than that which is immediately beneath it , drawing towards the superiour extremity ; it must , i say , be concluded that such a branch is likewise nought : it is for those kind of branches that the name of false wood has been made , to express that those branches are incapable of performing what we desire ; they must be us'd altogether in a different manner from the good ones . we will set down particular maxims to that effect . but whereas i do not think it sufficient to have methinks , pretty intelligibly explain'd the difference of branches , by that which is grounded upon the difference of their scituation , and original ; i will moreover explain the other , which is founded upon the difference of their eyes . the mark of the good ones by that difference of eyes , requires that in the whole extent of the branch , the eyes should be thick , and well fed , and very close one to another ; whereas the mark of the bad ones by those same eyes , is that in all the lower part of such branches those eyes are flat , ill fed , and hardly form'd , and very distant the one from the other . these two different marks , as well by situations , as by eyes , are easily known in the figures annex'd hereunto a. b. in which the ill ones are mark'd with a * . you may see both very good , and very bad ones , as well among the thick and strong ones , as among those that are small and feeble . as to these , their weakness , is sometimes so excessive , that like sapless branches , incapable of bearing fruit , or at least of nourishing and sustaining the weight of their fruit , they must be wholly taken off from our fruit-trees , and especially from the dwarfs , of which the branches are not tack'd ; because that to do well , we must suffer nothing that is not good . the good weak branches , i mean those which being well plac'd , and of a mean thickness , and length , are as it were proper and certain instruments to produce speedy , beautiful and good fruit , and are infallibly so , provided the frost spoils nothing , either while they are in blossom , or soon after the fruit is knit ; for such branches seldom fail of producing blossom-buds ; and besides , cannot possibly serve to any end but yielding of fruit , unless contrary to the natural and common order of vegetation , they shou'd happen to have certain overflowings of sap to thicken them in an extraordinary manner , and so alter their property ; that is , convert them into branches for wood ; which happens sometimes in all manner of trees , particulaely in such as have been ill prun'd : i will explain in the sequel , what method is fit to be us'd in such occasions . the good strong branches , of which the principal use is first to begin , and then continue to give the trees a proper figure , which they can receive by no other means , are particularly employ'd in producing yearly on their extremities other good new branches , some strong , and others weak , as it appears by the figure a. and the great skill of the gardner consists in making a good use of both . and to that end , as it is material to preserve the good weak ones for fruit , which is the peculiar end of fruit-gardens , it is likewise very necessary to work prudently to mannage our operations upon the good strong ones : it is true , that it is requisite to preserve on the extremities of every old branch some of those new strong ones that are grown there , but that commonly extends but to a small number ; for example , to one only ; and sometimes the mother - branch being extraordinarily vigorous , it may extend to two , or three ; as i will demonstrate hereafter , in explaining the manner of pruning , for which we must have very good reasons ; for if too many were preserv'd , we shou'd certainly fall into the inconvenience of confusion , which inconvenience spoils the whole disposition towards fruit , as well as the beauty of the figure . there is chiefly a great deal of skill requir'd , to know how to take away entirely all the useless branches , whether it be because they are worn or spent , or because they have no good qualifications ; and the same concerning those that are to be preserv'd , to know how to regulate their length proportionably to their force , and the vigour of the whole tree ; so that afterwards every one of them may be able to produce on its extremity just as many good branches as are necessary either for the fruit , or for the perfecting the beauty of the tree , or for preserving it when it is establish'd : and this is what we call the common pruning of trees . chap. ix . of the explication of the words of strong and strength , of weak and weakness . whereas in this treatise of pruning , i am of necessity oblig'd , to make use frequently of the words of strong and strength , of weak and weakness ; which words bear a double meaning , and therefore might puzzle the reader ; i think it will be proper , before i enter into the particulars of that matter , to give a short account of the sence , in which i take and use them ; i must omit nothing of what may help me to avoid the ambiguity which those terms might create in my maxims . lest that not being well understood , being paradoxes , they might not at first meet with all the approbation i could wish them , and hope to procure them in the sequel . when ever then i speak here , of strong branches , and strong roots ; i mean , as i have already hinted , such as are thick ; and likewise , speaking of weak branches , i mean such as are small : moreover , when i speak of a strong tree , i mean a vigorous tree ; that is , a tree that produces a great many fine thick branches ; and in speaking of a weak tree , i mean a languishing tree ; that is , a tree that yields but very few shoots , and for the most part all small . this being agreed on , and conformably to the sence , in which the words of strong and strength , of weak and weakness , are commonly taken , when us'd in speaking sometimes of animals , and sometimes of timber to build with , in relation to the burthens they are able to bear . i say , in speaking of the pruning of branches , that those that are strong must be kept short , i mean those that are thick ; and that the weak ones must be kept long , that is , those that are small ; and in speaking of the pruning of roots , i prescribe a clean contrary method from the branches ; for we must keep them short , that are weak and small , and those that are thick , strong , and better nourish'd , a little longer● ; as i explain in the treatise of the plantations , in that part where i give directions for preparing trees to plant. i likewise call apple-trees , graffed upon paradice-stocks , weak trees ; as also early cherry-trees , graffed upon common cherry-stocks ; as i say , that those that are graffed upon free stocks , that is , upon good wildlings , are strong and vigorous trees ; these being really capable ' of producing and bearing a great deal , and the others but very little . it is likewise in that sense , that after having regulated of what thickness partly the trees of each kind ought to be , to be proper to be chosen and planted by a skilful gard'ner ; i say in that case , observing the difference between the one and the other ; that for example , such a pear-tree , or such a peach-tree , in which i find a fitting thickness , is strong enough , and so will be fit to be planted : i say likewise that another tree of that kind , being of an excessive thickness , is too strong ; and that on the contrary , another of that kind , in which that necessary thickness is wanting , is too weak : it is likewise in that sense , that it may truly be said , that the trees which grow slowly , and never grow extream tall , are the weakest ; witness the quince-tree , the elder , the medlar , the hazzle , or nut-tree , the paradice apple-tree , &c. i maintain two things more in the same sense . the first is , that care must be taken that the weak branch which is full of buds , be however strong enough to bear the weight of its fruit , because that otherwise , if it be too weak , it will break under it ; and therefore i maintain that no more must be left upon each , than in proportion to the strength it may have to bear it . the second thing i maintain , relates particularly to the graffs that are made cleft-wise , upon which , when a branch , being small at the time of its graffing , becomes afterwards much thicker than before , methinks that it is hard forbearing to say that it is grown the stronger by it , there being no likelyhood of maintaining , on the contrary , that the thicker it is , the weaker it is . from all i have been saying , to explain the signification of those words strong and strength , weak and weakness , it follows , that they may , according to my sence , be usefully employ'd , and distinctly understood in the treatise of the pruning of trees . now , among these trees , there are some which yearly produce a great quantity of thick branches , and few small ones : there are some that produce a reasonable number of both ; and in fine , there are some which grow but little either from foot , or head ; that is , that produce but few new roots under ground , and even those all small ones , and but few new branches above ground , and those likewise almost all short and small ; which are consequently far from appearing , as they say commonly , fine , strong , and vigorous trees ; but , on the contrary , look , if i may express my self so , sick , and languishing . this production of different branches , is only the work of nature , which is perform'd innocently , and without the least dependance on the reasonings of philosophy ; and tho' this production has not been the work of the meditation of man , yet it has furnish'd him a fair subject to work upon ; so that we pretend to have drawn great instructions from it , towards the cultivating and management of our fruit-gardens . being then certain , that all the parts , of which all manner of trees are compos'd , do not receive an equal quantity of sap , since all the branches are not of an equal thickness , and length ; i mean , some being considerably thicker , and harder to break , which consequently may be said to be stronger than others their neighbours : being likewise certain , that upon the same trees , there are certain branches , which are considerably smaller , and more easie to break , and therefore may be said to be weaker than other neighbouring ones . it is moreover certain , as i have heretofore offer'd , and 't is what i have observ'd ( which perhaps few had done before me ) i say it is certain , that very seldom fruit-buds form themselves upon thick and strong branches ; so that , for instance , if a pear-tree produce none but such , it will commonly bear no pears ; whereas , on the contrary , the small and weak branches produce generally a great deal of fruit ; insomuch , that if sometimes in one and the same tree all one side appears as it were pining , in not having produc'd any new branches , or at least but very weak ones : it is observable , that that side grows ordinarily full of fruit-buds , while the other part of the tree , which by the abundance of fine branches appears very healthy and vigorous , produces but very few , and often none at all . this observation has put me upon performing two operations which i have found very successful . the first is , that when a fruit-tree remains several years without producing hardly any thing besides these kind of branches of an extraordinary thickness and length ; and consequently bears but little fruit : in that case i have found no better and readier way to make it fruitful , than by the extraordinary pruning i have mention'd heretofore ; that is , by applying my self at the beginning of the spring to the source or spring of that force and vigour , which are the roots , in order to diminish their action ; and to that end i lay open half the foot of that tree , and wholly take away one or two , and sometimes more of the thickest and most active roots i meet with , and retrench them so well from the place where they grow , that there does not remain the least part capable of performing the least function of a root ; by that means i prevent the luxuriance of the sap for the future , and consequently render the whole head less vigorous ; whence it follows , that it shoots less of these thick branches , and more small ones , and thus it is dispos'd to bear fruit. the second operation is that , when in the month of may a branch shoots out of an extraordinary thickness , either in the ordinary course of an old planted tree , or in the first years of graffing , and that consequently it will be evident that such a branch will be at the same time very long , and have no disposition to bear fruit ; this being grounded upon the reason of its strength , or thickness , which proceeds from too great an abundance of sap ; in such a case , i am of opinion , that it is easie for those that are willing so to do ; to divide , as i may call it , that torrent of sap ; and whereas instead that its whole tendency was only to the production of a thick branch , which for the most part would he of no use at all , it is easie to reduce it , and as it were oblige it to make several very good ones , whereof one part will be weak for fruit , and others sufficiently thick for wood. and that is fit to be done in the month of may : therefore at that time i cause that young thick shoot to be pinch'd , that is broken with the nail , and leave it no greater length than that of two , three , or four eyes at most . hereafter i will explain the manner , and success of such an operation , after having explain'd what relates to pruning . but before i enter into the particulars of pruning ; i suppose , that we are to prune either young trees , which have never yet felt the pruning knife ; and , for example , have not been planted above a year or two ; or old trees , which have already been prun'd several years before . i suppose besides , that these old trees are in a good condition , as having been govern'd by persons of understanding , so that they only want being preserv'd ; or else that they are in an ill case , either for having always been neglected ; that is , not prun'd ; or else , for having been ill prun'd ; so that it may be necessary to endeavour the correcting of their defects . i do not really believe , that i may so foresee all the cases of pruning , as without forgetting one , be able to give rules for every one that may happen ; i am far from being so presumptuous , knowing , that it is almost , in this case , as it is in physick , and in the matter of law-suits : hypocrates and gallen , with so many aphorisms for the one ; le code and le digeste , with so many regulations and ord'nances for the other , have not been capable of foreseeing and providing against all , nor consequently to decide all , since there daily occur new cases : all i pretend , is to give you exact information of the method i have practis'd for these thirty years with an extraordinary application , in which i have been very successful ; as well as those who understand it , and who , in imitation of me , do me the honour to practise my maxims . to explain the particulars of this method , i will divide what i have to say into three classis ; and first , in favour of the curious , who begin to make new plantations , i will speak of trees newly planted , upon which i will first give general rules for the well pruning of all the shoots , which every tree shall have produc'd ; beginning with those of the first year , and shall continue in the same manner from year to year , for five successive years , in order to shew the effect of the pruning of every one of these five years ; afterwards i will give other rules to remedy certain defects , which will happen sometimes , notwithstanding the first cares of a skilful gard'ner : with all these precautions , and this method , i have ground to believe , that a gard'ner , who will be tollerably industrious , may be sufficiently instructed in this matter to understand it , to take pleasure in it , and lastly , to perfect himself in it , by his own practice , as much as he shall have occasion for . p● ; ●ol . chap. x. of the tools that are necessary for pruning , and of the manner of using them . i should not need to say , that in order to prune , either branches or roots , two good tools are necessarily requir'd , which are a pruning knife and a saw , because 't is no novelty , since every body knows it as well as my self : but whereas , i am not to omit any thing relating to my subject , i should think my self blame-worthy , if i did not speak of these instruments . besides that , as i always aim at rend'ring the work easie , and that i am a mortal enemy to confusion ; i will destroy certain portative shops , which are a large and great case , stuft up with a multitude of pretty large tools , and consequently massive and heavy , which gard'ners heretofore only us'd at the time of pruning , and call'd it a gard'ner's budget : now instead of all this stuff , i only desire these two little tools , which may at all times be carry'd in the pocket , without receiving the least trouble from their bigness or weight ; so that on all occasions , people may not be without something about them , to take away in their walks , whatever may be judg'd fit to be remov'd ; otherwise it often happens , that certain things remain imperfect , for want of having about one , wherewith to correct it , as soon as it is taken notice of . i say then , with every body , that the saw serves here , to take off dry and old wood , which is consequently very hard , and capable of spoiling the pruning-knife , or else to take away that which is ill-plac'd , or so thick , that it cannot easily , and at once be cut off with the pruning-knife . i say next , that this being granted , the pruning-knife must of necessity serve to cut off , at one cut , young , lively , tender , and well-plac'd wood , of a moderate thickness ; so that the pruning-knife must never be us'd upon any thing that would presently blunt its edge , and for which the saw is more proper than it ; nor likewise employ the saw to retrench any branches , which one good cut of the pruning-knife may cleverly perform . but it is not sufficient to be agreed upon the necessity and use of these two tools , for the different occasions in which they are employ'd ; perhaps it will not be useless besides that , to make the description both of the one and the other . i begin by the figure of the pruning-knives which i use , and which i look upon as the most convenient ; for they are made several ways which i do not approve of , some being too hooked , in respect to their length , and others not enough ; so that in my opinion , neither the one nor the other are near so easie to work with , as those which keep a medium between these two figures ; i have often try'd them of all kinds , and have at last fix'd upon these that are figur'd here , which perhaps are of my own invention ; at least i have taken a great deal of pains to bring the workmen to make them exactly according to the model which i had given them , they still made them too crooked or too streight , and consequently inconvenient ; so that in this case , the figure of the pruning-knife is considerable . however , it is not enough to have the pruning-knives well shap'd ; besides that , their matter must be of good temper'd steel , so that the edge may neither turn , or notch easily ; they must be well whetted , often clean'd from the filth that fastens upon them in working , and set as often as the edge is observ'd not to run smoothly in cutting easily , in proportion to the strength apply'd to them ; and besides , when there are many trees to cut , 't is fit to have many pruning-knives , to change them often ; for without doubt , with good tools , more work is done in one day , and with more pleasure , than could be done in two or three , having but indifferent ones , and yet worse having bad ones . besides this , the blade of these pruning-knives must be of a moderate length , that is , but about two inches to the part where the bending of the back begins , and afterwards , the whole hooked part to the extremity of the point , must have two inches more , insomuch , that the extent of the outside , must not have above four inches in all ; besides this , the handle must be more square than round , and a little rugged : buck's-horn is very fit for it ; this handle must be of a reasonable bigness , so as to sit the hand , and to hold it firm without turning , or slipping out of it , in putting ones strength to it ; the thickness of two inches and eight lines , or at most three inches , is that which is fit for the use of a man who actually prunes all manner of trees , that is , to cut here and there some small branches : such are fit for gentlemen to have , to cut , as they are walking , such branches as they observe to be ill-plac'd . this is all i can say of the conditions of a good pruning-knife . as for the saw , in my opinion it does not require so much ado ; however it s most commendable quality is to be streight : it must be of a very hard mettal , and well temper'd ; old blades of swords are very fit for it , and the teeth must be of a good distance , and well open'd , the one turning towards one side , the other on the 'tother , and the back must be very thin , or at least not so thick nor so substantial as the teeth ; otherwise the saw will not move easily , because the teeth will soon be fill'd up , so that it will soon tire him that uses it , and make the work advance but little . it is not necessary that the saws for the common use of pruning shou'd be broad , half an inch in breadth will suffice , they must not be very long neither , five or six inches in length will do ; and as for the handle it may be round ; since it is to be push'd in a streight line before one , that so its turning in the hand need not be fear'd , as a pruning-knife with a round handle wou'd do . it will be thick enough , provided in that part where it is thickest , which is the extremity , where the point of the blade meets when it shuts , it has about two inches , and seven or eight lines circumference ; and on the other extremity , somewhat less than two inches ; and thus one shall have folding-saws , which may be carry'd in the pocket as easily as the pruning-knives , the blade closing into the handle , which will be very convenient , and very necessary for a gard'ner . i do think it a very great matter to have good tools , but that is not enough , there is some skill requir'd to use them well , either for the expedition of business , or to avoid some accidents . this is a prentiship which generally costs some blood to those who begin to work , without having had good directions . there are some necessary precautions relating to the manner of placing the whole body well , and particularly of placing the left hand well , without which , a learner is in great danger of hurting himself ; therefore i think it very proper to instruct him in it at first . to that end , i say , first , that the person must be dispos'd and planted near his tree , in such a manner as to stand firm , so as to be able with ease to make use of his instruments with his full strength and vigour : in the second place , he must hold his tools as firm as can be , that they may not turn in his hand : and , in the third place , as to his pruning-knife , he must always begin his pruning , that is , to cut , on that side which is opposite to the eye , or the branch upon which he cuts , which must after that make the extremity of the branch which is cut : and in fine , whether he cuts to the right , which is towards home , and is the most common ; or whether he cuts with a back hand , as it is often necessary ; and proper to be done , he must still take care , and use the precaution of putting his left hand underneath , and close to the place which is to be cut , there to remain as it were fix'd , and to hold the part he grasps so steady that it may not stir or move in the least ; and so consequently resist the force of the right hand in cutting ; otherwise if the left hand should quit its hold , the pruning-knife would no doubt meet with it , and wound it dangerously . besides this , that right hand must be us'd , not only to hold the pruning-knife so , that the edge may be mov'd flat-wise , and horizontally , but also use it to stop short after the effort it has exerted in cutting , that you may cut nothing but the branch or root that you intend to cut , without touching any of the neighbouring ones , which must so carefully be preserv'd , as neither to be any wise cut , or wounded ; and therefore before you come to present the pruning-knife , you must rightly observe the situation of the neighbouring branches , and partly consider , not only how the hand must go in cutting , for that hand in moving must give a certain turn to the pruning-knife , that the point may meet with nothing ; but you must likewise feel how far the force you must use to carry off at once the part you design to remove may carry you , lest the pruning-knife in its way might harm some of the neighbouring branches ; and this we call cutting dry , as it must be done to prune well , that is to cut cleverly ; so that if it be a branch , the cut may be in some manner round , and flat ; at least it must in no wise be long , as unskilful people do it ; and if it happen to be made long-wise , you must make use of your pruning-knife again , to take away that deformity ; noting however , that it must be done in a different manner from roots , which must be cut absolutely like the foot of a hind , that is somewhat long-wise : we have given a reason for it in the chapter of plantations . when by a frequent exercise , or habit of pruning , a man is become handy , and bold in cutting , he may very well , especially in the case of certain green branches , thick enough to be taken away , i say he may very well place his left hand above the right , to grasp , and gently bend such branches in drawing them towards him ; and by that means , such branches will really prove more easie to be cut ; in so much that a man will often be surpriz'd to find so great a branch so easily cut off at one stroak ; but then this left hand must be at such a distance from the right , that the great strength he must use to cut at once the branch in question , may not carry it as far as that left hand ; and it is very necessary to observe , that as in cutting , the right hand moves towards the left , so that likewise should move away from it , in carrying off , as i may call it , the booty which the right hand has newly prepar'd for it ; or otherwise , as we have already said , that left hand wou'd run a great hazard of receiving a dangerous wound , which happens but too often . let us say moreover , that in order to cut well , every branch must be within reach of him that cuts it ; in so much that he may be able to cut it without straining himself ; that is , that such a branch shou'd reach up to the stomach of the gard'ner : if it be much lower , he must be forc'd to stoop so as to put one knee to the ground , if it be needful ; and if that branch be too high , he must get upon something , either a ladder , or steps , to the end that he may cut it with ease , and without straining himself ; for he would run a great bazard of hurting himself , or of splitting the branch in cutting it downwards : it is not so dangerous to cut upwards ; provided , as i have said , the left hand be below the right . i may say by the by , that vine-leaves are a natural balm to stop the blood of the wounds a man receives in pruning , they take away the pain , and close up the wound in a very little time . the tenderest leaves are commonly the best , and for want of green leaves , the old ones may serve : i have formerly experienc'd that remedy , and often upon my self ; and have always found so much benefit by it , that i willingly advise our new virtuoso's to use it upon occasion . as for the saw , those that are to use it , must , contrary to what is done with the pruning-knife , as much as possibly can be , place the left hand above the right , and lean hard upon the part which is to be saw'd , to hinder it from stirring ; otherwise the saw would not play well . that done , they must hold the handle of the saw in such a manner that the but-end may not reach above the middle of the palm of the hand , and just underneath the thumb , where it must in some manner be stay'd , or supported , to move the saw the better ; in order to which , it is likewise proper that the fore-finger should be stretch'd along the handle , as far as the edge of the blade , to conduct the motion of the saw the streighter ; and to that end , is requir'd , in the first place , a considerable application of the mind to what is to be saw'd , without the least distraction by any thing ; and at the same time , the saw must be manag'd with an extream quickness and vigour ; for working slowly , or thinking upon any thing else , the work wou'd not succeed well , and the saw would often bend , or break : you must not saw quite through , but stop just close to the last bark , otherwise you might be in danger of tearing the bark from off the remaining branch , and consequently peel it dangerously ; so that the pruning-knife must always end the work of the saw , both to cut off clean what has not been made an end of sawing , and to smooth the part that has been saw'd ; that is , to cut off all that remains rough from the action of sawing , since otherwise it would hardly recover , the saw having in some manner burnt the part so saw'd . there are likewise certain occasions , in which the left hand , by gently bending the branch to be saw'd , makes the saw play the better ; and sooner , and more neatly finishes the work : but you must be very exact in the strength you use , or apply in bending , lest you should make a dangerous slit in the part that is to remain . this is what i had to say , as to our tools ; let us now proceed to the application of the use that is to be made of them . chap. xi . of the manner of pruning trees , in the first year of their being planted . a fruit-tree of what kind soever , pear-tree , apple-tree , plumb-tree , peach-tree , &c. which seem'd to promise all the good and necessary qualifications requir'd in order to be planted , and has actually been planted with all the skill and consideration which we have heretofore explain'd in the chapter of plantations : this fruit-tree , i say , from the month of march , until the months of september and october following , will of necessity perform one of these four things ; either it will not shoot at all , or little , or it will shoot reasonably ; that is , at least one fine branch , or else it will shoot much , that is , two or three fine branches , and perhaps more , as it appears by the figures . we must exactly explain what is to be done , in these four particulars . chap. xii . of the first pruning of a tree that has not sprouted at all the first year . as to the first case , in which we suppose the tree to have shot forth nothing the first year , perhaps it may be dead , and appears visibly so ; and perhaps it is really dead , tho' it does not seem to be so , by reason of a little green which the pruning-knife discovers under the bark ; for without doubt it may seem alive at the head , and yet be dead at the root , and that is likewise call'd being quite dead , without however appearing so outwardly ; or else it may seem dead , either because it has produc'd nothing , or perhaps because part of the stem is really dead , tho' it be no wise dead in the principal place , which is the place of the principle of life , and of the thick roots , on which depends the whole spring of vegetation when the tree is dead on all sides , it is easily known by the dryness , or blackness either of the whole stem , or a main part of it ; especially if that blackness appears about the graff ; in which case it is neither difficult of giving , nor of receiving good advice ; that is , such a tree must be remov'd as soon as you are convinc'd of its being dead , but ever with an intention of putting another in the room of it , at the first moderate shower of rain : provided the death of such a tree be perceiv'd in the month of may , or at the beginning of june , 'till which time you may plant others in the room of it ; but it is not so safe to be done during the rest of the summer . this re-implacement sufficiently shews , that i design it should be done by means of those trees which are brought up in baskets ; if , as i have so much exhorted people to do , the curious have taken care to raise some in that manner , not only in the first year of their planting , but likewise all the following years ; to the end that this first year , and even at all times they may have the satisfaction of seeing their garden perfectly stock'd : without doubt such basket trees in the months of july and august would have shot their roots beyond the baskets , in case they had taken so well , as to produce very fine shoots , which are the only ones you must re-implace , but it is very dangerous to take them out , to transport or plant them in the summer , when their roots are thus shot out ; for they either break in removing , or as their extremities are white , they easily blacken in a hot air , and consequently perish ; and cause the tree to pine long , and even often kills it . but if you do not use baskets in the months of may and june , you must stay until the return of the next season of planting , which is from november , to the middle of march , and then they may be us'd ; or having none , you must re-plant a new tree well qualify'd , in the room of that which is dead . in the mean time we must carefully examine how we happen'd to be deceiv'd in that tree , in which we had observ'd all the appearances of a better fortune ; since without that it should not have been planted , to the end that if it be possible to discover or avoid the inconveniencies that have kill'd it , we may endeavour to remedy it for the future . for example , it may be the great cold during the winter , which happens but seldom , or else the great heat during the summer , which may happen : then since great colds , and great heats are capable of spoiling and ruining the roots of a tree , the best way to prevent it is , to cover the foot of that which is newly planted with something , for it is an ill expedient to plant it deeper than i have said in the treatise of plantations , pretending thereby to preserve the roots from the cold or heat : it is better then to plant it according to our rules , and take care in the summer to cover the foot with fearn , or dry dung , or else new drawn weeds , &c. if the tree be dead only for want of watering , the new one must be water'd ; if for want of good mould , you must put some fresh there ; if it proceed from having been too often and maliciously shaken or loosen'd at the time of the first sprouting , it must be prevented , by putting some fence before it , or not suffering the unlucky wags that have done it , to come near it . if it proceeds from having been planted too low , or in too moist a ground , the other must be planted a little higher , or else the ground rais'd to enable it to drain it self . if it preceeds from having been under the shade of other trees , or in the neighbour-hood of some wood or pallisades , which by an infinity of roots exhaust all the ground about them ; you must resolve to remove either those trees that make the shade , or those that waste the ground so much ; and before you re-plant any thing in their room , you must remove all the earth that is worn out , to put better in the room of it , without imagining to better it with dung , or else resolve to plant no more fruit-trees in that unhappy place . if , in fine , some moles have rais'd and shaken them , you must endeavour to catch them ; if the worms have gnaw'd them , they must be look'd for , and destroy'd ; tho' as we have already said elsewhere , it be of all the evils that may afflict plantations the greatest , most dangerous , and most incurable : all the comfort that can be had in this is , that it is a kind of torrent that must of necessity have its course , but passes , and does not return often ; and this is what i have to say as to a tree which is , and actually appears dead the first year of its being planted . if the tree remain green in the whole stem , or at least in a great part of it , without having produc'd any thing , and that perhaps it be only a kind of lethargy , which has in some measure benum'd the vegetative faculty , as it happens to some orange-trees newly planted , which remain sometimes two , three , or four years without coming to any thing , and yet at last perform wonders . 't is strange and difficult to apprehend , that the principle of life of those kind of trees , which in effect are so easie to take , and yet are so hard to dye , shou'd not withstanding be so difficult to be mov'd to begin some roots : but this is not the point in question here ; our fruit-trees are not so long without shewing the certainty of their life or death . in case , i say , this fruit-tree has preserv'd its greenness all the summer , without producing any shoots ; it may perhaps give some hope of satisfaction for the time to come , but indeed that hope is very slight ; and if it may be done conveniently , the surest way is to replant as soon as can be another new one , that appears better , or at least equally good in the room of it ; but if no other can be had , i am still of opinion that it will be proper in the month of november to search round about that suspicious foot , to see whether there appears any good beginning of thick roots , or none at all . in the first case , that is , if any good signs be discover'd , consisting in the beginning or growing of some thick roots , which is very extraordinary ; for as soon as any new roots grow in summer , new shoots appear at the same time : if then , i say , any beginning of thick roots be discover'd , which perhaps only began to form themselves since the end of summer , you must rest there , without doing any thing more , and only cover the place well again where you have open'd the ground ; and besides , the following summer take some extraordinary carefrom time to time to water it , if the ground and the season seem to requireit : such a tree may very well make up the time it has lost , and become fine the following years . in the second case , that is when the tree has perform'd nothing by its root , it must be wholly taken out of the ground , and prun'd again , that is , according to the term of a gard'ner , all its roots must be refresh'd , doing the same to the head , of which the extremity may perhaps be dead ; and in such a case it must be refresh'd as far as the quick , and then the tree may be re-planted at that very time , and in the same place , if it be judg'd worth it , having preserv'd its roots sound and entire , or you must fling it quite away , if the principal roots be defective , either in being dry , or black , or being actually rotten , or gnaw'd , as it happens sometimes , for in that case no good can be expected from them : the case is different , when there are only some small roots tainted , tho' it be not a good sign : but however , in that case it wou'd be sufficient to cut them again to the quick , and re-plant the tree in the same place where it has given cause to believe its destiny doubtful : i have pretty often re-planted such trees in nurseries , where they have thriven so well , that some years after i have successfully given them some of the chief places of the garden , and yet i had planted very good new trees in the places where those could not thrive : it is very difficult to have perfect plantations without all those necessary considerations . the coolness of a moist ground is sometimes sufficient to preserve for a year , or more , uncertain signs of life , both in the roots and stem of a tree , as well as it preserves it in cut branches , and yet without any certainty of their performing afterwards any happy operation ; that is , to operate in the same manner as well qualify'd trees use to do ; therefore it is fit to be very nice upon those kind of appearances of life , by which so many people suffer themselves to be amuz'd and deceiv'd for so many years . this is , what i had to say upon those appearances of life , whether good and certain , or ill and doubtful . chap. xiii . of the first pruning of a tree that has sprouted weakly . i pass now to the second article of a tree newly planted , which is to sprout but little , especially if the shoot be weak , small , and yellowish , and sometimes accompany'd with some fruit-buds . upon which i declare , that i have but little more value for that tree , than for the preceeding , which we have just examin'd , and found it either quite dead , as well in the roots , as in the stem , or only dead as to the roots , tho' it appear'd green at the bark ; or else have found it to have yet some small signs of life in the roots , as well as in the stem ; both these , and the others , having still preserv'd some signs of life ; that is , some green , and a little sap. therefore when i am furnish'd with good trees , i never fail rejecting this , altho' it has sprouted a little , as well as the preceeding which has not sprouted at all : but when i find my self in want , or unprovided , i am contented with cutting these little shoots close to the stem , shortning that above by the half ; and besides , i never fail to search the foot ; and if i find that the roots have shot nothing , as it happens sometime , i pluck up the tree quite , and refresh the roots , to see if they are all sound ; which being so , i plant them again , or else some of the principals being spoil'd , i fling it away . if in order to replant such a tree , i fear the earth be not good enough , i put better in the room of it , this is the only good expedient to be us'd ; the help of dung being too uncertain and deceitful to rely upon it : in fine , i do the same thing to this tree , as i do either to that , which did nothing , but remain'd green both at the head and roots , which we prun'd anew every where , and afterwards replanted , either in the garden , or in the nursery ; or else like the other , whose head is really in a pretty good condition , that is green , but yet has its principal roots entirely spoil'd , which , upon that account , we have rejected as dead therefore i ev'n look for a new tree , to put in the room of that , which , as it were , only seem'd to sprout , such little shoots being properly but false marks of its having taken new root , they being only produc'd by the effect of rarefaction , and without the help of the roots , as i explain elsewhere . that pitiful fruit-bud , which appears upon the languishing head of that tree newly planted , far from producing in me the effect it operates upon so many philosophers ; that is , from raising any joy in me , or giving me the least consideration , either for the father that has brought it to light , or for the action by which it is produc'd , creates in me on the contrary , a real scorn for both ; which confirming me in the maxims i have advanc'd , to prove that fruits are only marks of weakness , puts me upon the resolution of forsaking that tree , and to fling it away like a piece of dead or useless wood : this i do not only to low trees , that are to make dwarfs , or part of the wall-trees , but likewise to standards , both the one and the other being a-like , in respect to their taking new root . i will say here by the by , that this despicable bud , which i think i may call a bud of poverty , has rais'd a war between some philosophers and i , because i will not grant them , that the production of it is a sign of vigour in the tree , as commonly the generation of animals , is a mark of it in the fathers . i explain this matter more at large in my reflections , not having thought it proper to proceed any further here upon the reasonings i have had cause to make upon it , conformably to a thousand irreproachable experiences . the different situations of the first branches which a tree newly planted somtimes makes . chap. xiv . of the first pruning of a tree , that has at least produc'd one fine branch . we must now proceed to the third article , which relates to our low trees , newly planted , either for a dwarf , or wall-tree , and declare what we are to do if they sprout reasonably ; that is , at least one beautiful , and sufficiently thick branch , which is commonly attended with some weak ones . in that case , we are to make three particular considerations , viz. whether that fine branch proceeds from the extremity of the stem , the middle , or the lower part . if altogether from the extremity , out of the fear of falling into the inconvenience i dread , which is a defect for a dwarf , that is , its growing too high in the stem , into which inconvenience i should undoubtedly fall ; if i perform'd my pruning upon that new shoot , i rather resolve to shorten the stem of that young tree about an inch or two , and so put it back to the a. b. c. being certain , that round the extremity where i shall lower it , it will produce fine new branches , all well plac'd , and in a sufficient number ; and this is grounded upon that fine shoot it has produc'd , which convinces me fully , that it has shot forth good roots . thus in putting back perhaps the pleasure of a year , because i run the hazard of having my fruit somewhat later ; i avoid the dissatisfaction of having a tree rise too high , as it would do , if i permitted it wholly to shoot out of that branch , which would offend me perpetually , whereas in taking it a little lower , i put it in a way of appearing with all the advantage that can be desir'd in a well order'd tree ; and consequently i put it in a condition of rewarding me yet better , as well by a fine figure , as by the pleasure of abundance of fruit. but if the fine branch shoot out of the middle of the stem , you must without hesitation cut down the stem to that branch , and even shorten that branch within the compass of four or five eyes at most , therein to place the whole foundation , and all the hope of a beautiful figure in your tree ; it being certain , that at the place where you have shorten'd it , it will produce in the second year at least two fine branches , opposite to each other : this is sufficient to make a fine tree , for those who know how to order it well ; but if that shorten'd branch shoots forth three or four , as it happens pretty often , the success will still be the more favourable , easie , and agreeable . i suppose still , that the gard'ners who are any thing careful , will have taken care to order that only branch we speak of , in such a manner , that it may be very upright , in order to form a streight tree upon its center , as it is necessary it should be . if they have been wanting as to that precaution , they must have recourse to the grand remedy , which is , to shorten that branch within the compass of two or three eyes , which rough treatment had not been necessary , had it been well rear'd up from the beginning . in pruning that branch , which is come here by its self , one may still preserve , not the very small branches which i call sappless , and must be utterly exterminated from our new planted tree ; but only some of those that are either short , or passably thick , or longish , and likewise passably thick , in whatever place either of them may be ; provided they have pretty good eyes , and are well plac'd , we may securely expect to have soon fruit upon them , without fearing it might prejudice the vigour of our tree , especially in stone fruit , and even in kernel fruit , taking care however to shorten those branches a little , which are really too long , without medling with the others that are short and passably thick . the reason why i do not hinder the preserving of some of those weak branches , is , that being very certain , as i have so often repeated , that it is the small quantity of sap which produces the fruit , it follows from thence , that the little sap that goes towards the making of it , cannot considerably prejudice our new tree , and yet it will afford us a great deal of pleasure in giving us fruit betimes . it is not that i think it a great fault , the first year , unmercifully to take away all those hopes of the first fruits : the curious may do in this as they think fit , but for my part , i preserve them . if our only branch shoots out of the lower part of the stem , we have reason to rejoice at it , it is very well plac'd , provided the gard'ner has taken care of it betimes , to keep it upright , in case it were not so , as we have said of the preceeding : we may with assurance prune it the heighth we desire it at , to begin a fine tree , whether it be a dwarf , or wall-tree ; but if it prove not streight , or without a probability of being streightned by some strong ligature , it must be us'd like the other , that is , it must be shorten'd quite low to make it produce another that may be streight , otherwise the tree would always be a-wry , and consequently of an ill figure , still remembring that the stem must be shorten'd close to the single branch it has produc'd , and we have prun'd . i will say here , by the by , that when we plant a tree , we may according to appearances , but not demonstratively and infallibly assure that it will take root : yet less , in case it do's , can we assign in what part it will produce its first shoot : but as for the fine branches produc'd by a tree that has taken root , which we have afterwards prun'd , we may with some certainty affirm , that they will produce new ones on the extremities on them which we have shorten'd , and partly guess at the quantity ; so that this may be rely'd upon ; and consequently if our tree has only produc'd the single branch we speak of , we may with certainty expect that being prun'd somewhat short , it will at least shoot two fine ones , capable of performing in all respects what we have above establish'd for the beginning of the beautiful figure of a tree . i fancy then , that as to this branch shot from the lower part of our stem , we may partly allow it the same length we had allow'd that stem in planting the tree , that is , about seven or eight inches long , what ever place we have planted it in , whether in cold , or moist ground , or hot , and dry. chap. xv. of the first pruning of a tree that has produc'd more than one fine branch . as to the fourth case , in which our new planted tree has produc'd two fine branches , or three , or four , or more , with some weak ones among them . we are to make other great considerations upon them , which will engage us into different chapters , viz. in the first place , to know whether that plurality of branches be produc'd to ones liking ; that is , whether they grow round about some part of the stem , whether at the top , in the middle , or in the lower part ; so that they may grow like a branch-candlestick , for a dwarf , or like a hand spread open for a wall-tree . to know , in the second place , whether all those branches are grown on one side , and all over one another . or whether in degrees at a great distance from each other , tho' round about the stem , or if sometimes they are all grown from one and the same eye , and likewise whether it be on the top , middle , or lower part of the stem . lastly , to know whether all those branches of themselves are dispos'd to open and spread , or all of them to keep close together in a confus'd manner . these are almost all the different ways in which the first short shoots of every tree newly planted form themselves , when it is so happy as to take root again , as it appears by the figures hereunto annex'd . i repeat again , that i do not consider here , as any thing considerable , the little small branches , altho' they should be good to produce fruit the very next year , which is often true in stone fruit , but seldom in kernel fruit : woe to that tree , what ever it be , which produces many of these , or no others ; however , i will say what is fit to be done to them , after having ended the most material part of my work. they are only the great branches i value in this case , desiring to have a fine and good tree ; these , in respect to this , have been the first object of my wishes , and the only ones that can serve for the first foundation of my tree , that is , in case they be naturally well plac'd , and i can give them a pruning proper for my intention , and for the beauty of the tree i am to manage . for as the first branches , tho' happy in their original , may very well be ill order'd , and consequently give an ill beginning to a tree , being handled by an unskilful hand ; so likewise tho' those firrst branches , at their first sprouting , might happen to be found in a defective situation , may very well with a little time , and good discipline be , as i have said , so skilfully turn'd , that the defect of their birth may not hinder them from being mothers to a well-shap'd , and sightly tree . the different situations of the first branches sometimes made by a tree new planted dwarfs the first caution i am to give here , is , that commonly all the thick branches which grow the first year upon new trees , are those we call branches of false wood , their eyes discover it ; and therefore must be treated accordingly by pruning , and even the weak and slender ones are commonly in that respect of the same form with the thick ones , unless they did remain very short . the second advertisement , is , that the first pruning i perform upon the thick branches of new dwarfs , differs but little from that i use the first year upon new wall-trees : it is true , that in these i easily constrain the most obstinate branches , that is the worst grown , to put themselves into the posture i desire , to attain the beauty requir'd in a wali-tree ; it serves likewise to afford me more fruit , and finer ; it is likewise true , that dwarfs are , if that expression may be us'd , a kind of half volunteers , which indeed do part of what they have a mind to themselves ; but yet commonly suffer themselves at the same time , to be conducted by my industry , as well for the satisfaction of my eyes , as for the delight of my pallate : only the fruit-branches can not be left so long upon dwarfs , as upon wall-trees , because in those we have the convenience of tacking and propping , which we have not in others . chap. xvi . of the first pruning of a tree that has produc'd two fine branches , and both well plac'd . as for what relates then to this fourth case , in which a tree newly planted has happily and vigorously produc'd more than one fine branch , with some weak ones among them : if , for instance , it has on the top of the stem two almost equally strong , and well plac'd , that is one on one side , and another on the other , nothing can hardly be desir'd better , it is a very fair beginning to make a fine tree : the only thing in question is , to shorten them all equally within the compass of five or six inches in length : but above all , you must take care that the two last eyes of the extremity of each of these branches so shorten'd , look on the right , and on the left , upon the two bare sides , to the end , that each of them producing at least two new ones , these four may be so well plac'd , that they may be all preserv'd ; and in order to that , if it be a dwarf , they must all contribute to form the thin round which we desire ; and if it be a wall-tree , to form the flat and full round , which we likewise design . it would be ill pruning , if those two last eyes look'd , for example , either on the inside of the dwarf to begin to fill it , or the outside to begin to open too much ; it being first requir'd well to establish the first beauty of the figure of that tree , which is to open in a round equally garnish'd : for the same reason , in relation to the wall-tree , the pruning would not be sufficiently well perform'd , unless it were order'd so , that the two eyes that are to be found on the extremities of the two branches that are to be shorten'd , should cast upon opposite sides the new branches they are able to produce : for it is necessary that those very branches should have of themselves , and without the least violence a natural disposition to place themselves well upon those parts of the wall that we would cover , to the end that they may all be preserv'd ; and so the first vigorous branches of that wall-tree have perform'd their duty , as well as the first vigorous ones of the first dwarf will have done theirs : however , it will still be fitting to have such necessary regards both towards the one and the other , as may tend first , and chiefly , to a roundness , which must be continu'd to that end , until the round be almost perfect , and then we must begin to have two other prospects to dwell upon ; of which , the one is , to endeavour by all possible means to give a reasonable opening to that tree , if it be a dwarf , having already attain'd its roundness ; and to fill it equally throughout its whole extent , if it be a wall-tree , likewise having its roundness ; the other prospect is , to preserve in both that round which is already form'd , and must yearly grow in circumference , without ever , as much as in us lies , suffering it to lose any thing of the beauty of its figure . a particular care must be taken , that if one of those two branches has any advantage in thickness over the other , so that likely the one may well produce two other thick ones , while his neighbour can yield but one ; in such a case , i say , care must be taken , that as well the two of the thickest , as the single one of that which is not so thick , may come forth so happily , that all three together may be preserv'd as fit and necessary for the composing of the beautiful figure in question : otherwise , if there should be a necessity of removing some , because ill-favouredly grown , it would prove a vexatious loss , both in respect to the tree , and gard'ner . it is necessary to say here , that if , in these two kind of trees in debate , a fruit-branch shou'd chance to be joyn'd to the two wood-branches , it may be preserv'd without any consequence . chap. xvii . of the first pruning of a tree that has only produc'd two branches , both beautiful and thick , yet both ill-plac'd . if one of those first fine branches the tree has produc'd , be considerably lower than the other , or perhaps both on the same side ; or may be the one on one side on the top of the extremity , and the other quite at the bottom of the opposite side ; in that case , i say , you must fiercely and unmercifully resolve to preserve but one , and chuse the fittest to begin a fine figure ; and consequently , you must cut off the other so close , that , in all probility , it may never be able to produce any thick ones in the same place ; it being most certain , that if both were preserv'd , it cou'd never form a tree of an agreeable figure , the sight of which wou'd continually vex you , for not having order'd it well from its infancy . the ignorant perhaps may imagine , that this wou'd occasion the loss of a year ; but i can assure them of the contrary , if they will confide in me . in this case then you must take down the tree to the lowest branch , if you design to preserve that , which , indeed , is the most proper for our design , and an infallible means not to fear any other branch ill-plac'd on that side : or , if you must take off the lowest , as not being fit to contribute to the beauty of the tree , it must be cut within the thickness of a crown-piece ; for there seldom arises a necessity of cutting a thick new branch , being ill-plac'd so close , that nothing at all may grow from it . i explain this sort of pruning , together with that which is to be perform'd sloping , more at large in the . chapter . that pruning within the thickness of a crown-piece , will either produce nothing , or only weak branches , which , far from spoiling any thing , will be fit to be preserv'd for fruit. this way of pruning supposes the branch to be thick and vigorous ; for had it been a moderate one , it must have been preserv'd entire , as a fruit-branch ; if very thin , it must have been cut so close to the stem , that no passage had remain'd for any thing new ; and that particularly , it being very ill-plac'd , or the tree having but a moderate vigour . this case of a single branch , which has been preserv'd , and must be prun'd , reduces it self to another heretofore explain'd , where our tree at first produc'd but one fine branch ; and consequently , in order to the pruning of this , you must follow the method prescrib'd for the other , which is useless to repeat here . it happens sometimes , that from one and the same eye of a tree newly planted , two fair branches may proceed , without any others from any other part . in such a case , they may both be preserv'd very well , whatever part of the stem they are in ; that is , if they are likely to serve to form a beautiful figure , as it is possible , if the vigour of the foot , or the care of the gardner , have made them shoot streight upwards : but if either of them cannot serve towards that figure , it will be necessary to take it away , and be contented with that , of which a good use may be made ; and that must be order'd according to the foregoing method upon that subject . chap. xviii . of the first pruning of a tree that has produc'd three or four fine branches , well , or ill-plac'd . if our tree has produc'd three or four fine , well-plac'd branches , or else three or four ill-plac'd ones , and that all on the extremity , or a little beneath it . one and the same tree differently prund according to the different branches it has shot four years one after another but if those three or four fine branches shoot out a little below the extremity , 't is but shortning the stem to them , and then do what i have been saying , when the branches did at first shoot out from the top of the stem . in the second case , where we suppose that the branches produc'd , are most of them ill plac'd , insomuch that they cannot all conduce towards the forming a fine tree , and consequently cannot all be preserv'd , you must examine whether , among the three or four , there are not at least two pretty well situated ; that is , the one on one side , and the other on the other , and whether the degrees are not too distant to permit you to frame upon those some foundation for your figure ; and that being so , those may very well satisfie you , cutting off the others within the thickness of a crown-piece , as we have heretofore establish'd . the two that are preserv'd , must be prun'd with the same regards heretofore explain'd for the pruning of the two fine branches , whether we have them by choice , or by the good fortune of vegetation ; which having given but two , has given them in such a situation as could be desir'd ; and care must be taken , that these two being prun'd , they may be found afterwards of an equal heighth , though of a different length , to the end that those that may shoot from them may begin our figure happily ; for after that , it will be easie to go on with what has been so well begun . i do not repeat what is to be done to the good weak branches , having , in my opinion , sufficiently observ'd , that they must be carefully preserv'd for fruit , only shortning them a little on the extremity , when they appear too weak for their length ; not failing to take away the sapless ones , whatever quantity there be of them . chap. xix . of the pruning of trees that have produc'd to the number of five , six , or seven fine branches . in fine , our new planted tree may , as it happens sometimes in good grounds , and particularly on fine trees , that have been planted with all necessary regards , whether they be graffed upon tree-stocks , or upon quince , i say , it may have produc'd to the number of five , six , or seven fine branches , and even more . it wou'd be a good fortune if they shou'd be all so happily plac'd , that they might be all preserv'd , without causing any confusion , as i have met with it sometimes ; by which means it is easie to have soon a fine and good tree . but as it is a rarety to find them all well plac'd , i am of opinion , that it will be sufficient to preserve three or four of those , that a skilful gard'ner shall judge , both by their situation and strength , to be the fittest for the execution of our design , and so prune them , as we have explain'd in such a case . this being so , he must wholly cut off all the others , if they happen to be higher than those that are preserv'd , especially if they be thick ; for if they are weak , that is , fit for fruit-branches , he will do well to preserve them until they have perform'd what they are capable of doing . in case then there be a necessity of taking away some of those highest that are thick , they must either be cut off stump-wise , to amuse a little sap in them during two or three years , or else the stem must be shorten'd to them that are preserv'd ; especially , the tree not being very vigorous . but if there happen to be some thick ones lower than those which we preserve for ever , it is likewise convenient to preserve those low ones for a while , provided they spoil nothing in the figure ; because that for the space of two or three years , they employ a little of that sap , the abundance of which is prejudicial to us , both to compass fruit , and to arrive at a beautiful figure . but if such low branches can annoy us , then , as we have already said , they must be cut within the thickness of a crown-piece , or else take them off close , when we find but a moderate vigour in the foot of the tree . i still forewarn , that if , among the thick ones , there chance to be a great many weak ones , you must be contented with two or three of those that are best plac'd , and best condition'd , breaking off the extremity of the longest a little , and not medling with those that are naturally short , and passably thick ; and consequently , you must wholly take away the others , which would only cause a confusion . this , in my opinion , is all that can be done for the first pruning of trees ; i mean , for the pruning of the first branches they shall have produc'd , in the place where they have been newly planted . chap. xx. of the second pruning , which is to be perform'd the third year on a new planted tree . the first pruning of those new planted trees being perform'd , and that upon the first shoots they have produc'd the first year of their being planted , we now must shew the success it ought apparently to produce , and what conduct is to be held the following year for the second pruning ; i mean , for the pruning of the twigs , that shall shoot from the extremity of those that have been prun'd the year before : and to that end , i think it will be proper to follow the same order i have establish'd for the first ; that is , for the pruning of the first shoots they had produc'd . but before i come to that , let us consider what is to be done to the trees which had not succeeded well the first year . if the fruit-tree , which , without having produc'd any branches the first year , has been preserve'd , in hopes that , having still been green , and consequently alive , it might do better the second ; i say , if that tree does not begin betimes , that is , even in the month of april , to shoot very vigorously , it is an infallible sign , that it will never be good for any thing ; and therefore , without losing any more time , it must be thrown away , and one of those that shall have been brought up in baskets , in order to supply such accidents , plac'd in the room of it . and likewise , if the tree , which having only produc'd small shoots in the first year , has been preserv'd , the stem of it being only shorten'd ; if that tree , i say , does not , at the very entrance of the spring , begin to shoot fine new branches , i am also of opinion that it shou'd , without any hesitation , be us'd in the same manner with the fore-going , we have now been speaking of : it wou'd be a kind of miracle , if ever it shou'd come to a condition of affording any satisfaction . but if , as it happens pretty often in the case of pear-trees , and sometimes , but not so often , in the case of stone-fruit ; if , i say , that tree , thus taken down lower , has shot fine branches at its new extremity , as well as that , which , having shot but one at the top of the stem , has been likewise taken down lower than the place of that branch ; then both the one , and the other will fall in one of the cases heretofore explain'd for the first shooting of those new-planted trees which have happily succeeded ; and so we have nothing particular to add to the conduct that is to be observ'd for them . let us now proceed to the tree , which had only produc'd one fine branch , be it either about the middle of the stem , or at the bottom ; supposing always , as we have said , that even in that first year care shall have been taken , in both cases , to render both these only branches streight , if they were not so naturally : for , if that care has not been taken , the gard'ner must have been oblig'd , as i have said heretofore , not only to lower the stem to those branches , but likewise to shorten them within the compass of two or three eyes of the place whence they grew ; which being granted , we must in this case only consider for the first pruning that which shall be perform'd upon the branches which are to shoot from those two or three eyes of a branch so extraordinarily shorten'd : and thus this first pruning will fall in one of the cases of the pruning of the first branches of a new-planted tree , without any necessity of saying any thing more upon that subject . the tree , which in the first year had only produc'd one wood-branch , having been prun'd upon that branch , never fails , as we have already said , of producing others on the extremity of that branch ; and , for example , will , without doubt , have shot upon it , at least , one thick one , with some weak ones , and perhaps two or three thick ones , which is pretty usual , and may be more . this great multitude does not happen commonly ; but yet it happens sometimes . if unfortunately it had only produc'd one upon it , partly of the same thickness with the mother , which may happen by some accident befaln to the first roots , then you must be positive either in re-cutting the new one very short , leaving it only two eyes , or in cutting it quite off , which is yet better ; in hopes that the other , which we must call the old one , may shoot forth something more considerable the following year , as it may happen : for the tree may chance to have made better roots the third year , than it had produc'd either the first , or second ; and consequently , being grown more vigorous , it may shoot a greater quantity of fine branches . but yet , to speak the truth in such cases , there is no relying upon the success of such a tree , which shews so little vigour in the beginning ; and therefore it is my opinion , and i think it very material , to have recourse to the magazine of trees in baskets , not to languish in vain hopes , at least beyond the second year , otherwise you may chance to languish yet longer , and always to no purpose , as it happens to a great many of the curious . and if that single branch , being well prun'd , has perform'd its duty so well , as to have produc'd at least two of those fine ones , which we look upon as wood-branches , or perhaps three or four , besides some of those that are fit for fruit. in all these cases , nothing can be done besides what has been said for the trees , which in the first year of their being planted have produc'd the same quantity of shoots , that is , some fruit-branches may be preserv'd ; but among the thick ones , only such as may conduce towards the beauty of the figure , cutting off all the others without any mercy , either close , or within the thickness of a crown-piece . so the second pruning of such a tree must be perform'd upon the fine branches that are shot from that single branch , and must differ in nothing from the first that is to be perform'd upon the fine branches , which the first year have been happily produc'd from the stem of a new planted tree . the precaution of keeping upright the single branch grown upon a wall-tree would be good , but is not so absolutely necessary as upon a dwarf-standard ; by reason of the convenience of turning almost at pleasure the branches that shall proceed from that , after having prun'd it : the only thing then , is to take care in their youth of fastning them to the right and left , according as may be necessary for laying the foundation of a beautiful figure ; and in so doing , it is easie to remedy certain defects which can hardly be remedy'd in a low standard . chap. xxi . of the second pruning of a tree that has produc'd two fine branches in the first year of its being planted . as to our tree , which in the first year has produc'd two fine well-plac'd branches , we must suppose , and it is generally very certain , that both the one and the other having been prun'd within the compass of four , five , or six inches , or thereabouts , with all the caution heretofore observ'd , both as to their thickness and original , as well as the situation of the last eyes that have been left at their extremities ; i say , it must be suppos'd , that both these branches shall each of them have produc'd at their extremities , at least two fine strong ones , both well plac'd , besides some small ones that shall be grown either beneath , or above them . those two fine branches , newly grown , fill up the two sides agreeably , which ( to advance the perfection of the round figure ) stood in need of that help . and if one of these two first , or even both had produc'd each of them above two , either according to the order of nature , or against it ; we must without doubt resolve to cut off close those among these new-commers , which , in what situation soever , are not favourably enough plac'd to conduce to our design ; and therefore if they prove higher than those which we preserve , in such a case , if the tree be but moderately vigorous , you must take it down to these , to strengthen it the more : but if it be very vigorous , those highest may be cut square , within the thickness of a crown-piece , from the place where they issue ; and likewise if those unhappy branches prove lower than those that are preserv'd , and in a situation inclining on the inside of the tree , they must likewise be taken away , but no otherwise than in the manner i have just express'd , which i call pruning within the thickness of a crown piece , as it appears by the figure . this pruning perform'd within the thickness of a crown , often serves to give us the following year a small branch or two , which proceed from the sides of that thickness , and are commonly very good for fruit ; it happens likewise then , that as the sap finds it self stopt thus at the overture of the branch in question , and as it must of necessity move forwards , it not being able to return back , being push'd and press'd by some other that follows it close , to make it go out at the top ; i say it happens then , that this first sap enters sometimes , or the greatest part of it , into the superiour branch , which is nearest to that thickness , and which , however , had already a portion suitable to its thickness . if it cannot enter altogether in it , as it happens pretty often , the remainder of it is divided , and bursts out , as we have said , upon the sides of that small thickness , and furnishes us with some of those good little branches which vve desire , as it appears by the figure . sometimes vve may also take avvay those vvretched branches slopingly , that is , cut them in such a manner , that on the inside of the tree there may not remain the least part , and on the outside enough for some nevv branches to shoot out of it , as it appears likevvise by the figure . this sloping way of pruning is to be practis'd when the branches , being neither altogether outward , nor yet wholly inward , they are a little upon the side , on which part however they cannot be preserv'd ; but yet are plac'd so , that by that slope one may expect the following year a branch shooting wholly outwards . now such a branch may chance to be thick , and consequently capable of conducing to the figure , or weak , and so fit to give fruit ; and in case , as it happens sometimes , nothing proceeds from that slope , the figure of our tree will be no wise alter'd by it . i dare be bold to say , that this pruning in a sloping manner , which is a new invention , is an excellent way of pruning to be practis'd upon all sorts of trees that have a little vigour , whether old or young , when some branches , unhappily plac'd , as we have just explain'd it , give us cause to do it with hopes of success : it is not indeed infallible , but it succeeds very often , and for certain never spoils any thing : therefore i advise others to use it as i do ; i generally find a great deal of benefit by it , and am very well pleas'd with my self for having invented it . perhaps it may not be improper to relate here what made me think upon it ; i knew , as every body does , and as we have just observ'd it upon the account of the pruning , which is perform'd within the thickness of a crown piece ; i say i knew , that according to the order of nature , the sap newly form'd in the spring , regularly presented it self at the entrance of all the channels of the branches form'd the preceeding year , to nourish , thicken , and lengthen them , &c. and so i knew that it was certainly to return to endeavour to perform its function in the branch i took away , it being ignorant , as i may say , of its being taken away ; therefore i concluded from thence , that apparently part of the sap would make its way at the place where it found it self dam'd up , provided it found room enough to get out : so that , in leaving such a place on the outside , a branch would shoot from it to do me a kindness . success has confirm'd my reasoning , and practice ; and so from a branch that was grown in an ill and troublesom situation , i put my self in a way of drawing a considerable advantage for my tree . if it should happen as , sometimes it does , that one of those two first branches , we speak of in this chapter , should have produc'd from its extremity but one thick enough , with some small ones lower , whilst her neighbour has produc'd the two we expected ; or this having really produc'd two , of which , one might be broken , or spoil'd by some accident , so that only one remain'd on that side : these are two cases in which i think it very material to explain what is to be done . as to the first , which is the growing but of one branch instead of two , which in probability were to have grown ; in that first case , i say , supposing there may be cause to judge , that the prun'd branch has not receiv'd so large a proportion of sap as her companion , which will appear in that , for example , it shall not have thicken'd in proportion to the other , which proceeds from some inward , un-fore-seen , and inevitable defect ; in that first case , i say , this new branch must be cut a little shorter , and that with a prospect that apparently it will yield but one , which consequently must be expected on that side where it is most wanted for the figure ; with this resolve , that , if the following year the original branch shews no more vigour than the fore-going year , neither it , nor its off-spring must hardly be look'd upon , but as fruit-branches , which cannot be lasting , and so we must be necessitated to endeavour betimes to establish the foundation of the beauty of our tree upon the branches that may proceed from its neighbours . in the second case , wherein one of the two new branches which are grown from a vigorous one , may have been torn off , or broken ; in that second case , i say , whether the remaining branch prove that which was grown on the extremity , or that which was grown from the second eye , we may apparently reckon that the sap which made the two , and would have nourish'd them both , had they remain'd , will come altogether into the remaining ; and that so it must be prun'd , in hopes that it will at least produce two , which will be well plac'd , according to our wish , if , in the pruning of it , we observe all that is necessary to be done ; but above all , we must always take care not to let one side of the tree grow higher than the other , for fear of the deformity which attends that inequality , which must be avoided as much as is possible : and therefore in pruning such a vigorous branch , which is left alone by some accident befaln to her sister , we must regulate the length of the new pruning we perform upon it , to that we make upon the opposite branch , which has not profited proportionably to what it had done the first year ; and that in fine , until the whole figure of such a teee comes to establish it self entirely upon the branches , which successively must come from the vigorous side , a skilful gard'ner is sufficiently the master of such an operation . if from the last eye of one of the two first branches , from which eye , according to the order of nature , a thick one should have proceeded ; if such a one , i say , should bring forth a weak branch , or even if the two last eyes have produc'd two weak ones , which , as we have said , regularly should have given us two thick ones , and under these weak ones should have grown one or two thick ones , or more , which happens sometimes ; in such a case , this , or these weak ones , must infallibly be look'd upon as fruit-branches , their weakness procuring them that merit in regard to us ; and so we shall preserve them very preciously , breaking them as little as can be on their extremities , in case they appear too weak for their length , or leaving them untouch'd , if they seem well proportion'd of themselves : and this without doubt is one of the most material advices i could give . woe to those trees which shall pass through the hands of gard'ners who will not be able to make use of this advice , or shall take away those weak branches ' as causing any deformity to the wretched idea they have form'd to themselves of a tree , if they have really fram'd any , for the greatest part of them seldom frame any ; and cut pell-mell , whatever sort of branches fall under their hands : those wretches , in the first place , do not observe or mind that fine fruit never spoils any thing , what ever place it be in : in the second , that it is a kind of murther to take away a fine disposition to fruit when it is already form'd , although an ignorant man does not know it ; and that lastly , the beauty of the figure of a tree only consists , and depends absolutely upon the thick branches . in the mean time , it is to be observ'd , that the thick branches , that are thus grown below those weak ones , which are found on the extremity ; that those thick branches i say , shall commonly in that place have begun to follow the order of nature for the difference of their thickness , and length , in the same manner as if they had grown on that extremity , where naturally they ought to be . in that case they must be prun'd just as if they were really grown from that extremity ; that is , one or two of them must be preserv'd , supposing they may contribute to the figure ; which being granted , they must be prun'd of a reasonable length , according to their strength , and the vigour of the whole tree , still preserving the necessary regard that must be had for the branches they are to shoot from the last eyes of their new extremity ; and as for those that might be prejudicial to the beauty of the tree ; if there are really any such , they must be taken away in the manner here above explain'd ; that is , within the thickness of a crown piece , or else slopingly , according to what may be best for the advantage of the tree . i may begin to give notice here , that it happens sometimes , and even pretty often , that this branch which was left long for fruit , which in the order of nature should always remain weak , may , notwithstanding , chance to thicken in an extraordinary manner , and perhaps produce one , or many thick ones on its extremity , while that those thick ones which had been prun'd short for wood , remain almost in the same condition , and only produce weak ones , the sap having , as i may say , alter'd its course , just as it happens sometimes in some rivers . in such a case , we must submit to that alteration , which cannot be prevented , nor hardly alter'd when once form'd ; therefore we must begin the very next year after that alteration , to use that branch like a wood-branch , which having alter'd its property , is become a wood-branch , from being a fruit-branch ; and so likewise alter our method in respect to that which , from being a wood-branch , is become a branch for fruit. there is nothing to be fear'd so much , as to see a tree grow thin towards the bottom , which part ought to be fullest ; which is the reason that i am so very sollicitous , that no branches for wood should ever be left long in the pruning , unless it be perhaps on some here and there , as we have said , to let them take up , for a year or two , part of that sap which might prove troublesom to us , and afterwards remove them when the tree bears fruit ; that is , it must be done sometimes , when they are extraordinary vigorous trees ; but as it is never done without good grounds , so it ever proves advantageous . this way of pruning thick branches long , is a fault most gard'ners are guilty of , and that for want of knowing , or taking notice , that as the greatest part of our fruit-trees are not capable of furnishing at one and the same time a great extent , that is , to fill at once both the top and bottom ; and that naturally , contrary to our intention , and the beauty we affect , they all incline to grow upwards , and consequently , that bottom which shou'd be fullest , remains most bare , unless we use a particular application to oppose in this the course of nature , which seeks , it seems , to deceive us : therefore a great deal of care must be taken to stop , that is , to prune those thick branches short enough , it being most certain that they never shoot much in the lower part , from whence they proceed ; but only on their extremity , whatever it be , high or low . the defect of thinness , which is sufficiently minded in dwarfs , is yet much more observable in wall-trees ; where , among unskilful gard'ners , we seldom see any thing but the top of the wall well cover'd , and that even garland-wise , so that commonly all the new branches exceed the top of it , and there spend the vigour of the tree to no purpose ; which obliges them to cut those wretched branches four or five times in a summer , to prevent the disorders of the wind ; while the heart of the tree is only compos'd of long , blackish , mossy , wrinckled branches , destitute of those other little ones that shou'd accompany them ; and even often full of scars , and consequently , the wall , which shou'd be cover'd every where , always beginning from the bottom , on the contrary , appears quite bare , and the tree has none of those branches it ought to have . granting then , that a branch for wood must seldom , or never be left long at the first pruning , unless it be in order to form a tree , or to fill up some parts of the farthest sides , it is yet less allowable the following years , upon the thick new branch , which is grown from that which having been left long for fruit , is afterwards grown thick , by an unexpected and extraordinary abundance of sap. this is another dangerous rock , from which few save themselves : therefore i am of opinion , that , instead of performing our pruning upon a thick and long branch , shot from one that had been left long for fruit , we shou'd descend , or come down to that old one , and shorten it , leaving it no more length than it might have been allow'd , had it been at first of the thickness it is grown since . and if such an old branch shou'd not prove of an excessive length , it will be sufficient to prune all the new ones that are grown from it so close , that not the least part of them may remain , whence any thing new might proceed . in these two cases it is most certain , that such an old branch , so order'd , will not fail , at the very following spring , to produce others on its extremity ; some for fruit , and others for wood ; among which , those must be chosen that are fittest for the figure , to the end that , according to the maxims heretofore establish'd , they may be prun'd like thick branches , and continu'd to be order'd as such , while nature causes no alteration in them . chap. xxii . of the second pruning of a tree , that on the first year had produc'd three fine branches for wood. the tree , which had produc'd at first but two fine branches , being prun'd the first and second time it cou'd be so , we must now proceed to that which had produc'd three proper to make a fine tree . in regard to which , i do not think i need add any thing to what i have said of the pruning of the preceding , unless it be , that , to avoid confusion , every branch may be allow'd two inches more than those we have been speaking of , in order to procure both overture and roundness to the dwarfs , as well as fulness and roundness to the espaliers ; and therefore great regard must be had for the two or three last eyes or buds on the extremities of the prun'd branches , to the end that those that are to proceed from those eyes may be happily dispos'd to contribute to the beauty of the figure . it is a great happiness , as we have already said , when a new tree produces three fine branches the first year : but it is yet better , when in the second it produces two more on the extremity of each of those three . i may inform you here , that if , on a dwarf , the prun'd branch of a fitting length be capable of producing more than one thick new one on the extremity of it , and yet we have occasion but for one , the last eye may indeed be inward , but never the second ; and therefore the second eye must either be broken , or torn off , if required by the disposition of the branches that are to come , as we have said , either within the thickness of a crown-piece , or sloping , as shall be judg'd most convenient . chap. xxiii . of the second pruning of a tree which had produc'd the first year four fine branches for wood , or more . to prune for the second time a tree , which in the first year had produc'd four fine branches , and even more , it is certain , that as this tree has a great deal more vigour than all the others we have mention'd , so it requires more application and skill , not to let it fall into those inconveniences wherewith it is threaten'd . i must say here , that in such a tree , especially in a dwarf , it is necessary sometimes to preserve some branches upon it , which at that time are no ways conducing to the beauty of the tree , but serve to consume for a time part of the sa● , which might be prejudicial to the branches that are to yield fruit ; but none of those that might cause any confusion . those branches which must be look'd upon as temporary , may be prun'd without consequence ; so they may be left long , since they are to be wholly taken away as soon as the tree is form'd , and produces a reasonable quantity of fruit. as to those that are essential for the beauty of the tree , i have begun to prune them all a little longer than those of the preceding trees ; that is , about two or three eyes at most ; as well to avoid confusion , which is a very perniclous thing , and to be avoided at any rate , as to make an advantage of the vigour of such a tree ; which , without such a precaution , wou'd not yield fruit of a long time , because the great abundance of sap might convert into branches all the eyes that shou'd have turn'd into flower-buds , had their nourishment been more moderate . such a tree , at the end of the second year , appears in a manner quite form'd , by means of all the new branches that every one of the old ones that have been prun'd shall have produc'd on their extremities ; and , among the new ones , care must be taken to chuse those that conduce to the beauty of the figure , to prune them again , partly of the same length as those had been prun'd for the first time , from which they proceed ; endeavouring , above all , to judge whether the branch that has been prun'd may , at least , produce two , in order to preserve them both , if they prove fit to contribute to our design : or in case one must be quite taken away , let it commonly be the highest , to the end , that , as much as possible can be , the lowest may always be preserv'd , as the fittest to form or preserve the beauty we look for ; and by that means , not only the place which is cut shall be ( to use the gard'ners term ) quickly cover'd again , which is much to be desir'd , as an ornament in a tree ; but besides , it will make no wound upon the branches that shall be preserv'd ; and consequently , the tree will thereby be infallibly handsomer and sounder . but if the vigour of that tree be observ'd to continue , as it is very common , and even to augment visibly , in such a case confusion is to be fear'd more than ever , either in the heart of our dwarf , or in respect to our wall-fruit-tree , whatever trees they be , of either kind , pear-trees , apple-trees , plum-trees , peach-trees , cherry-trees , fig-trees , &c. therefore that second pruning must be perform'd yet a little longer than the first , particularly if the tree appears inclinable to close ; and that length must be about a large foot , or a little more , to employ that abundance of sap , which , we judge , must not be restrain'd , nor contain'd in a small space . upon condition , that when , from the second pruning , other good branches shall be grown , which shall begin to open the dwarf reasonably , or to fill sufficiently our wall-fruit-tree , especially the tree beginning to yield fruit ; upon condition , i say , that then we shall return to our ordinary pruning of six or seven inches upon the most vigorous branches , and four or five upon the moderate ones . this great fury seldom fails of diminishing at the end of the first five or six years , if the tree has been well govern'd ; and then all those little branches which we have taken care to procure in a great number at the bottom , and have afterwards preserv'd with care , begin to give us an ample recompence for all our cares : and even pretty often , in such occasions , we come to prune over again here and there some of the old branches , which the great vigour of the tree had oblig'd us to leave of an extraordinary length ; and at the same time we aim still at extending , by way of overture , on the sides , there to employ usefully the vigour of that tree , and indispenceably to preserve its agreeable figure . it is upon those very vigorous trees that we must begin to perform some masterly strokes : we must , as is done in point of fountains , make here and there a kind of cupping , or rather , a kind of superficial discharge ; that is , for example , leave upon that tree , without any use , some branches cut stump-wise , and even some thick ones , though of false wood , in which , for some years space , that furious sap , of which we have too much , may lose it self in vain , which otherwise might disorder some of our principal parts : and even , if upon those sort of trees any branches of false wood be found in a place where they may serve towards the figure of the tree , they must be preserv'd , and us'd as such ; being certain that , as they will take up the greatest abundance of the sap , the good branches , which have produc'd those false ones , will receive less , and consequently will bear fruit the sooner ; these false branches , in the mean time performing the same effect , as to the figure , as good ones cou'd have done . such branches may likewise be left , where-ever the overture of the tree shall not be prejudic'd by them ; from whence , the tree bearing fruit , they may at pleasure be taken away without any prejudice to the figure ; provided always they cause not the least confusion , that being the greatest harm that can happen to a vigorous tree . and whereas , to moderate the great fury of such a tree , in respect to our selves , that is , to make it bear fruit the sooner , two things are particularly required , besides the overture ; which are , first , the length and multitude of good weak branches , when they are plac'd so as to cause no confusion ; and in the second place , a considerable plurality of out-lets upon the thick branches , through which that abundance of sap may perform its effect , since we cou'd not hinder it from doing it in some part of the tree . therefore , when the figure of my tree will permit it , if some branch , prun'd the preceding year , has produc'd three or four , all pretty thick ones , i often do not retrench them ; so that having one or two of the best plac'd , i preserve one or two of the others for the pruning of the next year , and leave them reasonably long . besides this , if i preserve the lowest , i cut the highest stump-wise ; and when i preserve the highest , i leave under them , either on the out-side , or upon the sides , one or two stumps of the thick branches , form'd like the hooks of a vine , each about two inches in length , as it appears by the figure annex'd hereunto ; which succeeds very well to me . there infallibly happens in those stumps , or hooks , a discharge of sap , which produces some favourable branches , either for fruit when they prove weak , or to become in time fit branches for the figure when they are strong . the best way always is to lower the tree , in taking away the highest branches , to preserve the lowest ; and not take away the lowest , to preserve the highest ; to the end , that if the tree cannot fill both at top and bottom , it may rather be dispos'd to remain low , and well fill'd , than to rise high , without being well fill'd . these kind of stumps and hooks will not please our gard'ners at first , who neither know my principles , nor the way of cupping ; which we have explain'd here above : but if , after having known my reasons , and long experience , they will neither approve , or try them , so much the worse for them ; they must give me leave to pity their ignorance , or obstinacy . chap. xxiv . of the pruning that must be perform'd the third year , upon all sorts of trees planted within four years . this case does not require the preceding distinctions we have made , to determine what was to be done to trees , according to the smaller or greater quantity of branches they had produc'd the first year : they must , at the end of four years , be partly all of the same classis , though they be not all furnish'd with an equal quantity of thick branches : but however , both the one and the other must have produc'd a sufficient number , to shew a head entirely form'd ; and though even that , for example , which had produc'd but one the first year , shou'd have produc'd but four or five in the fourth , still there shou'd be nothing to be said in respect to that , since that , if it be vigorous , it will partly fall under the case of a tree which at first had produc'd four or five , or more ; and if it be not of those that are capable of producing more than one thick branch on the extremity of the pruning , you must regulate your self upon the meanness of its vigour , both in keeping the thickest branches short , and expecting but one thick one on the extremity of each , making it ever grow on that part where the figure requires it most . we must always inviolably follow the idea of a fine tree we have first of all propos'd to our selves , either in a dwarf , or wall-tree , and never fail to proportion the burthen of the head to the vigour of the foot , in leaving more and longer branches on a vigorous tree , and less and shorter on that which appears weak . and whereas many old branches must be carefully preserv'd on a vigorous tree , especially for fruit , provided there be no confusion ; on the contrary , you must ease a weak tree of the burthen of the old branches , as well those that are for wood , as those that are for fruit ; and out them short , in order to make it shoot new ones , if it can , with resolution to pull it out of the ground , if not able to perform it ; which being done , a better must be plac'd in its room , after having taken away all the old earth , which may be judg'd to be either ill , or worn out , and having put new in the room of it . i still forewarn , that , in pruning , provision must be made for those branches that may proceed from those that are pruning , in order to prepare some that may be proper for the figure , with this assurance , that when a high branch is taken down over a lower , this being strengthen'd by all the nourishment that wou'd have gone to the highest , which has been taken away ; this low branch , i say , will produce more branches than it shou'd have done , had it receiv'd no re-inforcement . in short , when , according to my principles , a young tree shall have been conducted to a fourth pruning , the effect will infallibly have made good what i have promis'd , both as to the beautiful figure , which must then appear in its prime , and as to the fruit , of which , pears then begin to shew a sample , and stone-fruit abundance : after this , apparently every body must be capable thenceforward to manage all manner of fruit-trees , without needing any other instructions than the preceding ; and indeed , i have no other new ones to give ; and it wou'd be ridiculous and tiresom to repeat the same things , which , in my opinion , i have sufficiently establish'd . it seldom happens , that all the trees of the same garden , though order'd alike , prove equally vigorous ; no more than the children of the same father , all equally healthy : trees , as well as men , are subject to an infinite number of accidents , that can neither be fore-seen , nor avoided ; but it is certain , that all the trees of a garden may be form'd agreeably in their figure ; and this is one of the principal things to which a gard'ner is oblig'd . above all , i advise every body not to be obstinate in preserving pear-trees , which yearly , towards the end of summer , grow extream yellow , without having produc'd fine shoots ; nor those , of which the extremities of the branches likewise die every year . they are commonly trees graffed upon quince ; of which , some of the principal roots are dead , or rotrotten : they are trees that produce but small roots at the upper part of the foot , and consequently , roots that are expos'd to all the injuries of the air , and of the spade . the same thing may be said of the peach-trees that appear the first years to gather gum at the greatest part of their eyes , and of those that are extreamly attack'd with certain little fleas and pismires . such peach-trees have certainly some rotten roots , and will never do well . i am likewise of the same opinion for those trees that shoot on all sides an infinite number of little , weak , sapless branches , with some thick ones here and there ; both the one and the other , for the most part , of false wood : in which case , a great deal of time may be lost upon ill-grounded hopes . that which is best to be done in all these occasions , is , as soon as can be to remove such trees ; and when they are not extreamly old , or spoil'd by the roots , venture to plant them again in some other place , in good ground , after having cleans'd them of all their rottenness and cankers , in order to see if they will come to any thing , to make use of them elsewhere ; which happens sometimes with pear-trees , but very seldom with stone-fruit , especially peach-trees ; still putting better in the room of them , with all the conditions heretofore explain'd . chap. xxv . of the first pruning of trees that have been planted with many branches . after having sufficiently explain'd , in the treatise of plantations , my aversion to plant little trees with many branches , i am willing at present to believe , that as i seldom plant any , those who will do me the honour to imitate me , will do the same . however , those that will plant such , must principally observe two things : the first is , to cut off whatever may cause a confusion , and is not proper to begin a fine figure . the second , to leave a length of about six or seven inches to every branch they preserve upon them : and as for the other branches that shall proceed from these , they must regulate themselves upon the principles which we have sufficiently establish'd for the pruning of other trees : it is certain , that such trees , planted with branches , are not commonly so easily turn'd to receive a fine figure , as those i affect to plant : the old branches that are left upon them , are not often happy in producing others on their extremity , yet less to have them well-plac'd ; they generally produce them disorderly , and consequently must be often wounded , before what is desir'd can be met with ; but when at last attain'd , 't is but following what has been said distinctly enough for the management of a tree , which having been planted without any branches , has since produc'd some very fine ones , and very well plac'd . and when trees have been planted with a great many more and longer branches than they shou'd have been , so that there appears no manner of disposition towards the figure we ought to wish for , endeavours must be us'd immediately to reduce them upon a fine beginning , and that conformably to the ideas of beauty so often explain'd . what we shall say hereafter , for the first pruning of old trees , that have never been order'd well , may serve altogether for the first pruning of these , without saying any thing more about it . though commonly , either as to low standards , or espaliers , i condemn the manner of planting little trees with many branches , by reason of the inconveniences which attend them , in respect to the figure they ought to have , i am not , however , so severe in relation to high standards , in which i do not condemn it so much , by reason that they do not require so great an exactness for their beauty : so that i allow they shou'd be planted sometimes with some branches on their heads , when some are found well enough dispos'd for it ; they will certainly produce fruit sooner than the others : but still i have a particular esteem for those that are planted without any . there are some other occasions in which a tree may be planted with many branches ; and that is , in a great plantation , where some other is dead ; for supposing the ground to be very good , and other good mould put into the hole , made to plant the other , in such a case a tree may very well be planted with some branches , especially those trees that are difficult to fructifie . for example , your lady-thigh , pears without rinds , virgoulez , &c. chap. xxvi . of the pruning of high-standards , or tall body'd trees . as the number of principles for the pruning of dwarf-trees has been very great , so the number of principles for pruning of high-standards planted in open wind , shall be very small : for as to high-standards planted against a wall , they all require the same precautions as the little ones ; so that instead of medling yearly with those great trees , i only desire , as i have said in the beginning of this treatise , that they should be touch'd once or twice in the beginnings , that is , in the three or four first years , in order to remove some branches from the middle , which might cause a confusion there ; or to shorten a side which rises too much , or bring another nearer , which extends farther than in reason it ought to do : as for the remainder , we must refer it to nature , and let her produce freely what she can , there would be too much pain and labour to order these with as much circumspection as the others . chap. xxvii . of the first conduct of graffs in slits made and multiply'd upon old trees , in place , either dwarfs , or espaliers . nothing is so common in our gardens , as to graff in slits upon old trees , be it either to be rid of some ill fruit we are weary of , or to improve some considerable novelty that has been discover'd ; so that often we do not even spare good kinds , of such trees of which we have a sufficient number . now as many things are to be said upon those sort of graffs , and first , if the tree has so little thickness as not to be able to receive above one , as none are commonly apply'd without having three eyes ; it may very well happen that every such graff shall produce three fine branches fit to lay the foundation of a fine tree ; in which case , we must have recourse to what we have said heretofore of the first pruning of a tree , which in the first year had produc'd three fair shoots ; and may allow them about two or three eyes more in length ; if , as in all likelyhood it ought to happen , the graff has produc'd very vigorous twigs , especially if the tree appears inclinable to close . in the second place , if the tree to be graffed is thick enough to receive two graffs , as it is when it has a good inch diameter , or a little more ; and if the two graffs produce each two or three fine branches , as it happens pretty often , then it is fit to study hard to avoid the great confusion that is threaten'd here by the great proximity of graffs , and consequently we must study to open ; therefore among those branches , those that being thick and inwards , form that defect which we must never suffer , must be taken away , either within the thickness of a crown piece , or slopingly , according as the prudence of the gard'ner , and the occasion of the tree shall prescribe : after which , not only the first pruning shall be perform'd a little longer than that of the trees that have been planted within a year or two , but a greater quantity of branches must be kept upon them , as well quickly to finish the figure , if the matter be fit for it , as to imploy for a certain time the overplus of sap we judge fit for our designs , and that plurality of branches may comprehend those stumps and temporary branches , as well as kind of hooks that are on the outside , which i have spoken of heretofore . in the third place , the same regards must be observ'd , and with more severity , as well for the overture , as for the length of the first prunings , if the graffed tree has been capable of receiving upon its head to the number of three or four graffs , which happens when you graff crown-wise . so much the rather , if the tree having several thick branches all pretty near the one to the other , and all capable of receiving several graffs on the head , it comes to be graffed upon every one of them . such a tree is apparently a little old , and yet vigorous enough , so that all the sap which was prepar'd by the great number of its roots , and was sufficient for the nourishment and maintenance of a great quantity of long and strong branches , finding it self pent up in the little compass of those graffs , produces generally there branches of an extraordinary thickness and length , to that degree , that pretty often one eye produces two or three branches , most of them strong . in such cases , all the prudence of a skilful gard'ner is requir'd to make a good use of that great vigour thus reduc'd , to the end that by means of a wise conduct in a short time a tree may be brought to a fine figure , and to bear a great deal : nothing is more common than to see such graffs ill order'd , and , if i may say so , cobbled and massacred ; and consequently woe to that tree , which for the first time falls under the hands of an ignorant gard'ner . the great overture of the tree , the reasonable length of certain branches that are essentially necessary for the figure , the plurality of such as are not so ; and that as well by the means of short and long stumps , &c. as by means of those that are not imploy'd , and may be remov'd at pleasure , without harming the tree , both by the way of such prunings as are perform'd within the thickness of a crown piece , and by the great length of the weakest branches for fruit , &c. all these together are soveraign remedies , and pretty easie against the disorders that might arise from such an abundance of sap so reduc'd within a small compass ; but yet how many ill-favour'd trees are daily seen , for want of the gard'ners having good principles , or for not having practis'd them from the beginning . in the fourth place , the second , third , and fourth years , and even longer , if it falls out so , you must labour in the manner aforesaid , until the tree begins to yield fruit , and then you must not only return to the pruning of six or seven inches upon each branch , but likewise take them lower from year to year , here and there , in order to have the lower part of your tree always well fill'd , which you cannot arrive to by any other means . what i have now said in general upon old trees graffed a-new in place , may be indifferently apply'd as well to dwarf-standards as to wall-fruit-trees ; which being granted , we must ever propose to our selves the fine ideas both of the one , and the other , which we have recommended at the beginning of this treatise ; knowing for certain , that confusion and thinness are of a dangerous consequence in point of espaliers , as well as dwarfs , tho' we must grant , that the conveniency of tacking the branches of wall-fruit-trees , and by that means of constraining them to lye as we would have them , renders the management of them much easier , more secure , and quicker for success , than it can be for dwarf-standards . chap. xxviii . of what is to be done in cases not foreseen , and yet pretty common to all manner of trees , even to those that have been manag'd according to all the rules of art. i think i may suppose , that whoever has with a sufficient application read over what i have establish'd here for the pruning of trees , has acquir'd a sufficient knowledge , either to understand it well , or to put it in practice with pleasure and advantage : to tell the truth , i should be infinitely deceiv'd if it were not so , having made it my study with all the care imaginable , to render my self intelligible , as well to the ignorant , and the novice , as to the man of understanding , whether gard'ner or not , who shall be desirous to know my sentiments upon this matter . but i must add to this , that yet to arrive to a greater perfection of knowledge , it will be necessary , for two or three years , to endeavour the putting in practice upon young trees both the principles and manner i use : experience far exceeding theory , or speculation in this case , as well as in all other practicable arts and sciences . i dare affirm , that hardly any difficulty would ever be found in the application of these principles , if , as i may say , nature was always wise in the production of branches and fruits ; or if she could be govern'd as the carver governs his marble , and the painter his colours ; but it is certain , that whatever care we take for the conduct of our trees , yet we cannot always labour about them with so much success , as to oblige nature , which we are not altogether masters of , on all occasions to answer our intentions and labour . nature is a particular agent , but yet a necessary one , which in her actions depends upon an infinite number of circumstances , either as to times , and seasons , or grounds , of which , some are good , and others bad ; some hot , some cold , some dry , some moist ; or lastly , in relation to the different temper of trees , of which some are apter to bear fruit than others ; some to produce more branches , others less , some for stone - fruit , others for kernel ; and some others are even of a particular kind ; as figgs , grapes , &c. i do not know whether i might not say , that pretty often the rules for pruning are in some respects the same in relation to trees , as the rules of christian morality are in respect to the conduct of men ; our trees to me , seem impatient under the constraint we impose upon them , to keep them low ; and sometimes tack'd against a wall ; they seem to aim constantly at their escape , and to surprize the gard'ner , to shoot where he would not have them , and produce branches where he would have none ; just as the corrupt nature of man often rebels against the divine laws and reason , and affects most of those things which morality forbids . it is likewise true , that in our trees there sometimes happen certain inconveniencies , which we could neither foresee , nor hinder ; but at least , when they are come to pass , we must apply our selves to avoid the ill consequences that might attend them ; and moreover , if it be possible , as i have pretty often cause to believe it may ; we must endeavour to draw advantages from them . there are in this certain particulars , which may prove tiresom to some readers , i mean such as have no occasion for them , or such as do not care to understand pruning to the bottom ; but i hope they may prove of great use , or at least afford some pleasure to true gard'ners , who are sensible that nothing is so proper to improve in all manner of sciences , as those studied and instructive particulars . i have in my time made many remarks upon several particular cases relating to the pruning of all manner of trees ; which i look upon as proper to be added here , together with the conduct i have held towards them . but first , i think my self oblig'd to say that stone-fruit , and especially peuch-trees , and even apricocks , greatly require a second pruning , and sometimes a third , besides the first which is done at the end of winter : those last prunings must be perform'd towards the middle of may , when the fruit is either knit , or blasted : at which time , i dare affirm , that they are not only advantageous , but even very necessary ; at the same time you must likewise trim the buds and useless branches of some others , which is no less necessary than those kind of prunings . these last operations , viz. the second and third pruning of stone-fruit , and the trimming of the buds and useless branches of all manner of trees , are necessary , both to strengthen certain branches , which may be of use for the future to make branches for wood , as well as to take away intirely some that are grown useless , and inconvenient ; their function which was to bear fruit , not having succeeded , their blossoms being destroy'd . i will make a particular chapter of this hereafter , after having explain'd all the particulars i have mention'd for pruning . all these i have divided into four classis ; of which the first consists of those remarks that are generally common for the pruning of all manner of fruit-trees , whether dwarfs , or wall-trees : this classis has a pretty large extent , and shall be the first i will explain . the second of the remarks that are peculiar in every year to the first pruning of stone-fruit , especially peach-trees , and apricocks . the third , of those remarks that relate only to the second and third pruning of those very stone-fruits , as well espaliers , as dwarfs . and lastly , the fourth is for the trimming of the buds and useless branches of both . chap. xxix . common remarks for certain singular cases relating to the pruning of all manner of trees . i shall set down the whole matter of this chapter without order or connection , by reason that it would almost be impossible to do it otherwise , every case being singular , and without the least relation to the other ; as well as that , in my opinion , it would be of no use , tho' it might be done ; besides , i did set down things carefully in my journal , according to the singularities i observ'd by degrees in my studies upon vegetation , and therefore i think it will not be improper to communicate them in the same method i collected them , which is as followeth . observation . when from any part of a branch that has been couch'd and constrain'd against a wall , or from some part of the branch of a dwarf which naturally stands horizontally ; that is , which instead of mounting upwards , like most of the others , has inclin'd sidewise ( i have a great value for such which grow soon branches for fruit ) i say , when such branches have shot some of false wood , which can neither serve towards the figure , nor for fruit , i cut them within the thickness of a crown piece , or slopingly , according to my occasion , otherwise that false wood would ruine that which is good , or at least it would ruine it from the part it came from , to the extremity of the branch ; and if in the summer i perceive the beginning or birth of such branches , i break them off immediately , which is done with ease , pressing them downward with the thumb , where they begin to appear , or in drawing them towards one . observation . i likewise remove all pretty strong branches , shooting from a kind of hard knob upon which the stalks of pears did grow , and upon which there may perhaps still be new ones ; there is seldom any foundation to be laid upon such branches ; therefore when i observe any such in the summer , i tear them off immediately . observation : i do the same with those branches which proceed from those which originally were short and streight , looking upon the horizon , and plac'd in the form of a spur upon certain trees where these spurs are common , and extraordinary good to be preserv'd ; such as ambret , virgoule , burgamots , &c. either in dwarf , or wall-tree ; those sort of branches grown from those kind of spurs will never be good for any thing , they will ruine both the beauty of the figure , and the disposition to fruit , which commonly attends those kind of spurs ; and if , as it happens often , nature seems obstinate , in producing upon those spurs these kind of branches which i am an enemy to ; it will be necessary , finally , to cut those spurs within the thickness of a crown piece , in order wholly to remove the great course of sap which throws it self on that side , and does it a prejudice ; we have already sufficiently spoken as to the effect of such an extraordinary pruning . observation . the pruning of weak long branches may as well be perform'd by breaking them only on the extremity , as in cutting them with the pruning-knife , and perhaps better , as well as faster ; in my opinion , in breaking of them we waste more sap , which may be of use to form fruit-buds the sooner , since , as we have already said , they only grow on those places that receive little sap. observation . a skilful curious gard'ner ought never to suffer any dry or dead argot , or cock-spur upon any trees , but cut them off close when ever he perceives them , unless it be upon certain peach-trees that appear somewhat inclin'd to gum , upon which it is dangerous to do it , by reason that the wound cannot soon be clos'd , and that the gum supurates through it ; but it is certain that it is both a beauty and advantage , especially in kernel-fruit , to cut off wholly all those kind of argots , by reason that the part infallibly closes again , provided the tree be sound . by this word argot , i mean in this place , the old extremity of a branch which has been formerly shorten'd at some distance from the eye , so that this eye has afterwards shot another branch , and this same extremity is grown dry , and half dead without having profited since the pruning , which has given it birth . . observation . when from some good part of a tree , which in the first years had only produc'd branches of a moderate vigour , and thereby gave but little hopes of a long continuance , we afterwards come to get one or two fine branches , or more , though all of false wood ; if i find that i may lay the foundation of a fine new figure upon it for such a tree , i always do it conformably to the rules heretofore establish'd , and in the mean time i still preserve all the ancient weak ones , as long as they are capable of yielding fruit , with a resolve to cut them as soon as they cease to bear ; and by that time , others shall have form'd themselves in the new figure , and those shall insensibly supply the room of the old branches . but in case such branches shou'd grow in a place whence i can draw no advantage to form a fine tree , i take them off quite , in hopes that another year may produce more favourable ones ; supposing that such a tree having been capable to shoot some , though ill-plac'd , the vigour of it not only subsists , but even increases still , and will certainly produce new ones , and probably better plac'd ; such kind of branches will owe their birth to some new roots , which shall have been form'd in an extraordinary manner . . observation . if likewise i find that an old tree , and a little elevated , shoots finer branches towards the bottom than on the top , and find the top in an ill case , and almost forsaken by nature , i abandon it likewise , and follow the alteration which is happen'd , in order to begin a new figure , and consequently make a new tree again . those alterations happen pretty often , especially in peach-trees that begin to grow old : 't is fit , in such a case , to improve the advertisement nature gives us . but if the top appears pretty good and vigorous , so that it may yet last long in the condition it is in , i then cut off entirely the new branches that shoot below , to preserve the old ones , unless i find room in the neighbourhood of the foot to place these new branches . . observation . i never value certain small branches , little and weak , which shoot from other small , weak branches ; from which , if thick ones chance to shoot , i only consider them as branches of false wood , and use them accordingly . . observation . in the order nature commonly observes for the production of branches and roots , what is produc'd a-new is less thick than the place from whence it is produc'd : and if , contrary to that order , the branches or roots that are shot prove thicker than those whence they are produc'd , the new ones are commonly of false wood , and must be us'd accordingly ; still supposing , in respect to the branches , that those which are of false wood may be prejudicial to the figure , or fruit , as we have heretofore explain'd : for if , instead of being prejudicial , their situation shou'd favour the figure , or even be capable of wasteing for a time part of the sap , which is too abounding here ; in such a case , they must be preserv'd according to our foregoing rules ; but in the case of roots , as the thickest are always the best , the distinction of false wood not being essential here , we must always preserve them , let them be grown how they will , and destroy the old ones , which seem to be abandon'd . . observation : a branch must never be prun'd without considering first the place whence it proceeds , to judge whether it be good , and capable of answering our end : for some branches might be look'd upon as thick ones , if they proceeded originally from a weak place ; which , notwithstanding , ought to be look'd upon as weak ones , because they proceed from a place being originally strong and vigorous ; and so of the rest . . observation . likewise , a tree must never be prun'd without having first examin'd the effect of the preceding pruning , in order to correct the defects of it , if any ; or else of preserving its beauty with care. . observation . in point of dwarfs , where we have not the convenience of tying the branches , as in wall-fruit-trees ; in order to judge of the quantity of buds that must be left upon each fruit-branch , we must consider what the strength of such a branch is capable of bearing of it self , without being expos'd to the hazard of breaking ; and therefore it will be proper to lean upon the extremity of such a branch , to the end that , by the great or small resistance we find in leaning upon it , compar'd to the known weight of such a kind of fruit , the burthen may be proportion'd to the strength or weakness of the branch . . observation . commonly in peach and plum-trees , if a pretty old thick branch be shorten'd , there are seldom any new ones to be expected , either on the extremity , or in the whole compass of it ; the sap of such a tree can hardly penetrate so hard a bark : but yet sometimes , the tree having some vigour left , the sap produces its effect upon the youngest branches , near to that old one in question . but the contrary as to apricock-trees , either old , or young ; or young peach-trees , and all other kind of trees ; we may regularly expect new branches from the old ones which have been cut shorter , seldom meeting with any disappointment . . observation . whereas in vigorous trees , either young or old , as we have so often declar'd , we only look for fruit upon the weak branches ; on the contrary , in weak trees , that have but little vigour , we must look for fruit upon the strong ones , and never upon the weak ; those having too much weakness to be able produce sine fruit , and the others , which appear thick , and indeed are only so compar'd to the small vigour of the whole tree , have no more sap in them than is requir'd for the forming of fine fruit : so that in such weak trees , all the small branches must be taken away ; they always appear worn out , whether they have given fruit , or not ; and they often perish without having fructify'd . . observation . in all sorts of fruit-trees , being sound , a single eye sometimes produces to the number of two , three , or four branches , and for the most part pretty fine ones : it is necessary to judge prudently which are the fittest to be preserv'd , either for wood , or fruit , and which are to be cut off quite : it seldom happens that above two are preserv'd , and even those must look upon two empty sides , distant from each other ; to that end the middlemost of the three is often taken away , and so the two remaining receive the better nourishment . this operation ought to be perform'd in trimming the buds , and useless branches , which is in may , or june . . observation . in espaliers , or wall-fruit-trees , all the branches may easily be dispos'd on one side or other , provided they be tack'd while they are young , for then they are easily bent ; but if they be not order'd at that time , and shou'd make an ill figure , they must be cut within the thickness of a crown-piece , at the season of the first pruning , which shall be in february or march of the following year ; or , at least , upon the first eye , in hopes that the sides of that thickness may produce some branches which may prove more useful than the mother . . observation . though it be in some manner disagreeable , as well in a wall-fruit-tree , as ( especially ) in a dwarf , to see a thick branch crossing the middle of the tree , yet it is fit to preserve it when it contributes to the filling up of one of the sides , which , without it , wou'd remain empty , and is necessary for the beauty of the figure . such niceties need not be observ'd for fruit-branches ; they are good in any part . . observation . of all that depends upon art , nothing seems securely capable of strength'ning a weak branch , being within the extent of a thick one , but the taking away of all the other branches which are superior to it , and even that part from whence it shoots ; so that this may arrive to be the highest of those that proceed from the same mother , and consequently forms an extremity to it . all the first , second and third prunings , as well as the trimming of the buds and useless branches in the month of may , are very proper for it ; but when naturally a branch is weak on the extremity of a thick one , there is no certainty of strengthning it , unless it be by removing an old branch , originally superior to that whence that weak one sprung . not but nature sometimes effects such things of her self , without removing any superior thing ; as we have observ'd , speaking of some fruit-branches , which , by an overflowing of sap , thicken more than naturally they shou'd do ; but we being ignorant how this is done , cannot possibly imitate it . . observation . in order to prune very vigorous peach-trees towards the end of the winter , for the first time , it is necessary to tarry till they are ready to blossom , in order to know with more certainty the buds that will blossom , for there are a great many blossom-buds which never blossom , the coldness of the winter , or the abundance of new sap , and sometimes the gum , destroying a great quantity . those buds being known , we must regulate our selves accordingly , both for the choice of those branches that are to be preserv'd , and for the length that is to be allow'd to them . . observation . we observe , that the fruit-buds that are on the extremities of the branches are commonly thicker , and better fed than the others ; which confirms what the order of the production of new branches had taught us ; which is , that the sap always goes more abundantly to the extremities , than elsewhere ; which has given a rise to the maxim i have establish'd in my reflections for the effect of the strong and weak , in relation to fruit-buds , which form themselves upon all kind of branches , strong or weak . from thence i concluded , that , especially for weak trees , it is good to prune them betimes , not to let the sap waste it self in vain on extremities that must be retrench'd . this teaches us besides , that in the winter both the branches and buds thicken : we know it sufficiently , by the example of almond-trees graffed at the end of autumn , which , before the return of the spring , appear extreamly press'd by the flax that had been apply'd to them in graffing . . observation . we must never begin to prune an espalier , or wall-fruit-tree , until it be quite untack'd ; for , besides that the pruning is perform'd with more ease , and quicker , it happens , besides , that in tacking for the first time after the pruning , the preserv'd branches are the better order'd ; and that often , out of laziness , instead of undoing a tack , to make a new one , a branch is left as it was found , though ill-plac'd . . observation . it is often necessary to untack ; for the first tacking of the month of may , first , in order to equal the figure ; in the second place , to remove from behind the props or stays such branches as were already flip'd behind them ; which must never be suffer'd there : therefore it behoves one to be careful in the month of may , often to visit wall-fruit-trees , as well to prevent such disorders , as to remove the languishing , wretched shoots that wou'd only cause a confusion . . observation . the multitude of branches in the first year , is not always a sign of vigour ; on the contrary , when they prove all weak ones , it is an ill omen , which shews an infirmity in the roots . and thus , for example , redness in the cheeks is not always a sign of health . . observation . when a tree , either dwarf , or espalier , is great and old , it seldom shoots any green branches ; and consequently , it is not likely that any faults can be committed in pruning of it ; always supposing , if a dwarf , that it is open ; if an espalier , that the figure of it be passably well establish'd : faults are only greatly to be fear'd upon very vigorous trees , which perform more than the gard'ner wou'd have them ; that is , produce more branches than he expected . . observation . we can only judge of the thickness and weakness of branches , comparatively to those that are adjoining to them in one and the same tree . for example , some are deem'd weak in one part of a tree , or in certain trees , which in another might pass for thick ones : the neighbourhood of a very thick one renders another , that is not so thick , weak , as well as many weak ones render another , that is not so weak , thick . . observation . this rule is very considerable , in order not to fail , affording sometimes an extraordinary length to certain branches ; which , though pretty thick , ought notwithstanding to be look'd upon here as weak and small , the length being necessitated by the consideration of other neighbouring branches , and thicker ; which in the neighbourhood , are look'd upon , and us'd like branches for wood. . observation . when weak branches are very slender on their extremities , it is a certain sign of an extream weaknes ; wherefore they must be much shorten'd : and when they are pretty thick there , they must be left somewhat longer , because they really are not so weak . . observation . the farther a weak branch is distant from the heart of the tree , the less nourishment it receives ; therefore , in such occasions , we must draw nearer upon the lowest ; whereas , on the contrary , the farther a thick branch is distant from the heart , the more nourishment it receives ; for which reason it must be remov'd , in order to keep the vigour in the middle , or in the lower part of the tree . . observation . from some trees , either old or new - planted , especially pear-trees , either dwarfs , or wall-trees , sometimes proceed horizontal branches , of an ordinary thickness , which are admirable to be preserv'd for fruit , either shooting outwards or inwards : but regularly most branches streighten again , and threaten a great deal of confusion , if care be not taken to take away those that are worst plac'd ; or else are apt to disgarnish , unless one be severe in cutting some of them short . . observation . sometimes some branches are prun'd like branches for wood , though in reallity they have no more thickness than a fruit-branch shou'd have ; and therefore must not be look'd upon as being real branches for wood , proper to establish and preserve long part of the figure of a tree , but rather as half wood-branches : they really are of some use for the figure , and to fill up some vacuity for two or three years ; after which , they must perish , which must be expected ; and , without relying upon them , endeavour to get others near them , to supply their room ; otherwise a tree will soon grow defective . . observation . when a tree , either dwarf , or , particularly , a wall-fruit-tree , especially peach , or plumb-tree , no longer shoots new branches , it must be look'd upon as a decay'd tree , and therefore another must be prepar'd against the next year ; and without pruning any of its branches for wood , all those that are likely to produce fine fruit , must be preserv'd to that end , retrenching all the sapless ones exactly , as being incapable of doing any good . . observation . you must never prune a branch for wood , when you have no such occasion for it ; and therefore , for example , when a high standard begins to be press'd by the neighbourhood of a lower tree , so as to be partly necessitated to cut off some of the lowest branches of that high standard , to make room for the highest of its neighbour ; in such a case , those branches of the high standard must be left long for fruit , especially if it be vigorous , and can nourish these without prejudicing the principal branches : and thereby endeavours are us'd to get some fruit , by the extraordinary length of such branches , before one be necessitated to cut them off quite . . observation . we must cut stump-wise , that is , entirely , all the thick branches that are shot from the extremity of another passably thick and long , which , if prun'd according to the common method of pruning , wou'd grow too naked , and too long ; and consequently , wou'd look disagreeable . by this manner of pruning stump-wise , we may commonly hope for some new branches from the body of the old one , proper to maintain the beauty of the figure , in filling up every part . . observation . we likewise cut stump-wise when , upon a very vigorous tree , of two strong branches , grown on the extremity of a vigorous one , we think fit to use the second preferably to the first , and yet do not think it proper to strengthen that second any more ; and so we leave , for the space of a year or two , or more , a small passage for the sap to the highest cut stumpwise , in order to take it quite away , as well as the new branch that shall be shot from it , as soon as the tree shall begin to bear fruit. however , i must confess , that the most common use that is made of that way of pruning stump-wise , is seldom for any branches , but such that , from weak , and passably long as they were , are grown extraordinary thick and vigorous ; insomuch that they have shot from their extremity one , or two , or many thick branches . the original weakness of such branches only proceeded from their length , which shou'd not have been allow'd them , had they been as thick as they are grown since ; and therefore , being grown thick , they must begin to be us'd like branches for wood ; that is , they must be shorten'd . . observation . and in case that branch cut stump-wise has produc'd no branches for wood in its extent , especially drawing near to the place whence it proceeded , and on the contrary , has shot a thick branch at the place of the stump , or close by it , this last thick one must again be cut stump-wise , especially the old one not being too long ; for if it be too long , and has not been shorten'd at a proper time , the pruning must be perform'd upon the body of that old one , and consequently shorten'd , according to the rules heretofore establish'd . . observation . if on an old , but pretty vigorous tree , altogether disorder'd with false wood , barely by the defects of an ill-perform'd pruning , care be not taken for three or four years , one after another , to take it lower , by a branch or two yearly , until it be quite shorten'd , it will never yield any satisfaction ; but by that means it may very well be brought to be a fine and good tree . this is fit to be done , when a tree is of a very good kind : if not , it were better to take it quite down , and to graff a better kind upon it slit-wise , either of such as we have not already , or have not a sufficient number of . . observation . sometimes certain trees are so vigorous , that they cannot , especially the first years , be reduc'd to a small compass ; therefore they must be allow'd to extend either upwards , or on the sides ; otherwise they will only produce false wood : afterwards you may by degrees reduce them to the standard of others , when they begin to bear fruit. such are commonly , virgoulé , lady-thighs , saint-lezin , robine , rousselets , or russettings , &c. . observation . a very vigorous tree can never have too many branches , provided they be well order'd , and cause no confusion ; whereas , on the contrary , a weak tree can never have too few , that the burthen may be proportion'd to the vigour of it ; and therefore you must seldom leave any upon it , but such thick branches as it may have . . observation . the branches of false wood , or suckers , as to peach-trees , and other stone-fruit , are not commonly so defective as to the eyes , or buds , as those that grow upon kernel-fruit-trees ; but are more subject to perish , and to have their eyes extinguish'd with gum , which is a peculiar distemper to them . as for the pruning , they must partly be manag'd like the branches of false wood of pear-trees , when they are but in a small number upon a tree ; but when there are a great many on the lower part of a tree , they must be look'd upon as proper to renew that tree ; and therefore , a considerable length must be allow'd to some , in order to take them away when the fury shall be over ; and in the mean time , those that shall be pitch'd upon for the foundation of the re-establishment of a fine figure , must be prun'd according to the common method . we seldom meet with this abundance of thick branches upon any but peach-trees , especially stone-peaches , which begin to grow ancient , and worn out about the head . . observation . all manner of trees have a branch or two predominant over the others , and sometimes more ; happy are those in which the vigour is divided , unhappy those where the torrent lies all on one side . . observation . a wood-branch , growing on the in-side of a dwarf which you intend to close , is ever welcome , and the same , if favourably plac'd to supply a thin side . . observation . fruit-buds of pear and apple-trees sometimes form themselves the very same years in which the branch they are adherent to has been form'd , as generally all the buds of stone-fruit do ; but sometimes there are some that are two or three years , and even longer , before they come to perfection : some arrive to it at the entrance of the spring , so that it happens that some may be seen at the time of the blossom , which did no wise appear during the winter . . observation . the extremities of the shoots that come out when autumn is almost spent , especially after a great cessation of sap , which happens sometimes , are always bad ; their colour , which differs from the rest of the branch , shews it sufficiently ; and so , being good for nothing , they must be taken off , being likewise subject to perish : gard'ners call them branches of august . . observation . we say , and with reason , that it is commonly in our power to make fruit-buds grow where we please ; but it is not always so soon as we could wish . . observation . when it comes to pass that a thick branch being prun'd , shoots three , of which , the highest proves of a good thickness , the second weak for fruit , and the third thicker than the highest , two considerations must be had to prune them skilfully ; that is , if the highest be fit enough for the figure , it must be made use of , and the third , which is thicker , cut slantingly , or within the thickness of a crown-piece . but if this third branch be better plac'd for the figure , it may be prun'd , as being a branch for wood , and the highest left for a fruit-branch , or rather for one of those that must be remov'd within a certain space of time , supposing it causes no confusion , and that the tree is very vigorous ; for if it causes a confusion , or the tree be but of an ordinary vigour , it must only be cut stump-wise , for fear of losing the disposition which the weak one had for fruit , if we should wholly take away the highest over the weak one . . observation . it is always a happiness , especially in stone-wall-fruit-trees , when from the lower part of the thick branch there shoots , that very year , another thick one . our trees are commonly but too much inclin'd to shoot upwards . . observation . you must never , upon any consideration whatever , preserve your sapless branches ; not even if they were on the top of the pruning of a vigorous branch . . observation . when dwarf-pear-trees of beurré bear fruit , they must commonly be prun'd shorter than other trees , by reason that as they produce a great deal of fruit , and that that fruit is large and heavy , they are apt to open , and spread too much ; which figure is not pleasing . . observation . during the month of may one cannot be too careful in looking after espaliers , especially pear-trees , to hinder good branches from slipping behind the stakes or props , from which they cannot be remov'd afterwards , without either breaking them or the lattice-frame . . observation . a young pear-tree languishing or decaying in one part , may sometimes be re-establish'd , if , after having taken it out of the ground , and prun'd it every where , it be put into better ground : but there is no help for a decaying peach-tree , especially gum having appear'd upon it ; those kind of trees seldom are reviv'd . . observation . if it happens that any dwarf , planted within the space of three , four , or five years , or of a longer standing , not having been well order'd in the pruning , in order to form a lovely figure ; or perhaps having been spoil'd by some unexpected accident , so as to be grown lower and thinner on one side than the other ; if , i say , it happens fortunately that such a dwarf-standard does shoot out of that defective side a branch , which being thick , though of false wood , may seem proper to correct the defect aforesaid , as it happens sometimes ; in such a case it is fit to allow such a branch a greater length than my maxims have for the general regulated for branches of false wood , to the end that this branch being equal in heighth to those of the other side , the figure of the tree may acquire the perfection it wanted . the defect of extraordinary length in a branch is not certainly so great as that of being crooked , flat , or slender , which it has now corrected in a dwarf-standard . . observation . all the sap of a tree being employ'd in forming many branches , some strong , others weak , it will probably soon produce fruit upon the weak ones : but when it abounds , and is confin'd within a very small number of branches , for the most part thick , it will produce no fruit any where , until the great vigour of it be in some manner wasted by the great number of branches it will produce in succession of time , which branches must be preserv'd . . observation . when trees are hard to produce fruit , by reason of their being too vigorous , as those are we have so often mention'd ; especially certain plumb-trees that grow against a wall , one of the things i commonly do affect , is to leave a great deal of old wood upon them , particularly for fruit-branches , avoiding , however , confusion and thinness , or vacuity ; but still , upon condition , that when a branch left long for fruit the first year , shall afterwards shoot another on the extremity of it , which i likewise think sit to preserve ; upon condition , i say , that in case that second should shoot a third , the last must never be preserv'd , which would cause a disagreeable length , and yet would not answer our aim , which is to get fruit. in such occasions i do one of these things , viz. i perform my pruning upon the second , the two having a sufficient length ; or else i prune the third , which is shot from the end of the second , stump-wise , the two first not being excessive in length . . observation . there are some moments in which a skilful man's thoughts may be roving while he is pruning , and so may chance to commit some faults , which commonly are not very material , and are easily corrected ; as for example , having left some branches too long , or having preserv'd some that should have been taken away ; therefore in my opinion , a revise is very necessary to be done the next day , if not that very day ; without which , it is impossible to be fully cerain of what has been done ; it is with this , as with all other works in the world. . observation . when one side of an old tree , either dwarf , or wall-tree , is extraordinarily strong and vigorous , and the other weak and slender ; that is , properly speaking , when a tree is crooked , and disagreeable to sight , it is hard to reduce it to a fine figure ; then a great deal of care must be taken about that vigorous side , in taking away the greatest part of the strong branches close to the stem , whence they shoot , or cut part of them stump-wise , in expectation that at last the sap which inclin'd altogether on that side , may turn it self towards that weak side , at which time we shall be enabled to begin the repairs which were wanting . . observation . in all sort of trees care must be taken to allow less length to a wood-branch , that is somewhat weak , than to that wood branch which is thick and strong . . observation . it is pretty common in all manner of trees , especially when they are pretty ancient , to find certain weak branches , which , without having ever born any fruit , are , as it were , threatned to perish for want ; therefore it is requisite every year , at the time of the grand pruning , and even at the time of the second , which is perform'd on stone-fruits , especially wall-fruit ; i say it is requisite to take a special care that such branches may not be without nourishment ; to which end , they must be kept shorter , and the number of them diminish'd , and sometimes it will be fit to take away some of the thick ones that are superior to them ; or , if after such branches have blossom'd , that is , have perform'd the main part of their duty , their blossom happens to perish , they must be wholly taken away , especially when there appears no disposition in them to shoot some good branches for the following year . . observation . when a high branch is taken away over a lower , that is , as we have already said , what we call lowering , or shortning of a tree , it must be cut so close , that no part of it may remain ; to the end that the place may soon be cover'd again , and neatly ; but when the lower is taken away to preserve the higher , we must keep of that low one , at least the thickness of a crown piece , or cut it slantingly , as we have said elsewhere , in hopes of a good new branch . . observation . when a branch of a good thickness being prun'd pretty close , produces nothing but what is weak on its extremity , it is a sign that it is upon perishing , and that nature has withdrawn , in favour of another , the yearly substance she us'd to afford it ; so that you must no longer rely upon it for the beauty of the tree . . observation . if a tree being crooked at the time of planting , produces the first year a fine streight branch , as it sometimes happens , you must shorten the whole stem to that branch , there only to fix the foundation of the beauty of that tree . . observation . we may better resolve to preserve upon a wall-fruit-tree , a thick branch , not being altogether well plac'd , than upon a dwarf-standard ; where such a branch might chance to be ill scituated , by reason of the facility we meet with in wall-trees , of turning and winding such a branch at pleasure , or those that shall shoot from it , which cannot be effected in dwarf-standards , in which we want the conveniency of tacking to the right and left ; and such a branch would make a dwarf-standard show awry : therefore in a dwarf-standard such a branch must be remov'd , whereas with the assistance of ligatures it might serve to form a fine wall-tree , and therefore should be preserv'd . . observation . the common length of branches for wood , which i willingly six to five , six , or seven inches , tho it is to be regulated and proportion'd upon many things , in order to be either more or less extended ; for example , upon the vigour or weakness of the whole tree ; upon the thickness or mediocrity of the branch , to be longer where it meets with vigour and thickness , and shorter where it does not meet with it : this length is likewise to be regulated upon the vacuity that is to be fill'd , to be either more or less long , according as the vacuity is either great or small : it must particularly be regulated upon the heighth of the other branches for wood of the same tree , to the end , that those that are newly prun'd , may be proportion'd to the old ones . . observation . there are some people who fancy that the pruning of a tree does not require much art ; to justifie which , they cite great trees that are never prun'd , as also the trees of certain gard'ners , who , without ever having known how to cut , prune so happily , that they do not fail of having abundance of fruit. i have no answer to make to those people , or rather i have so many things to say , that i do not think it worth my while to answer them . physicians , lawyers , and most of the learned in most arts , sometimes in their turns , meet with such pretended objections . . observation . when a fine fruit-branch shoots many others , which likewise seem fit for fruit , i am for preserving of them , when they cause no confusion , and the tree is vigorous , particularly in pear-trees . . observation . it happens sometimes , especially in wall-fruit-trees , that within the compass of a branch , which grows thick and vigorous the very summer in which it is produc'd ; i say , it happens sometimes , that one or two thick ones form themselves , which are as it were after shoots ; so that whatever is beyond those new-comers , drawing towards the extremity , appears incomparably smaller than what is on the other side , drawing towards the birth of that mother - branch ; in such a case , those last comers must be look'd upon as branches that commonly will always augment in thickness , and consequently will become real branches for wood , in the place where they are ; for which reason , they must be prun'd short ; and as for those that draw towards the extremity , they must be look'd upon as fruit-branches , which will thicken no more , nature having directed her course upon these last made . . observation . you must not in the least scruple the taking lower , even in old trees , especially pear , apple and apricock-trees , certain sides which , having been ill order'd , prove too long and thin : but i wou'd not , without an absolute necessity , have many thick branches cut over a very weak one , shot from the same part , though never so well plac'd for the figure ; too many inconveniences arising from it , by reason of the false wood that commonly grows about that weak branch ; which not being capable of receiving all the sap that flows towards it , and was destin'd for the nourishment and maintenance of those superior branches that shall have been cut , that sap , being necessitated to come out , and consequently to force its way in an extraordinary manner , not finding any issue ready made ; that sap , i say , being very abounding , flows out of it disorderly and furiously , like water having overthrown a dam that stop'd its course . now all those forc'd and violent issuings produce those kind of branches we have heretofore explain'd , giving them the name of false wood , or suckers , and are such as do not grow in the most common and ordinary order nature follows in the production of new branches ; and therefore it is fit , as much as possible can be , to avoid falling into such inconveniencies . but if you chance sometimes to be necessitated to cut such thick branches , the small branch not performing here the operation of a cleft graff , which sometimes it does , but often fails , in such a case you must resolve to make use of one of the branches of false . wood shot from it , and chuse that which is best plac'd , pruning it according to the common method , and by that means establish upon it the figure of the tree . . observation . allthough the branches that , according to the order of nature , shoot from the extremities of other branches are commonly of good wood , yet some of them happen sometimes not to be so , especially growing from the lower part of branches , which , being originally of false wood , have been cut very short , or shooting from a stump ; or else , when in the very year they only begin to shoot a long while after the others of the same tree , ( this happens but seldom , unless in virgoulé-pears , ) which you must not wonder at , and only prune those kind of branches that appear ill-condition'd , leaving them of a moderate length ; for you must seldom allow much length to such branches of false wood. chap. xxx . particular remarks for the first pruning yearly to be perform'd in february , and march , upon trees of stone-fruit , especially on peach and apricock-trees , either dwarf-standards , or wall-trees . i shall not need to inlarge upon this article , of the first pruning ; having already largely explain'd in general the rules for all sorts of pruning : i shall only observe , that the fruit-branches of the trees above-mention'd , are but of a small continuance , many of them perishing the very first year in which they have produc'd fruit , and even without it , their blossoms having been spoil'd , either by gum , blasts , or frosts in the spring ; in which cases , they must be wholly taken away , unless they be grown considerably thick , or have shot some fine branches fit to bear fruit the following year ; for in that case , they may last two years , and even sometimes , though very seldom , three or four ; provided they still shoot some good branches , either on the extremity of the last pruning , or in their extent : but after that , they must only be look'd upon as worn-out branches , and consequently of no use . it is not so with the fruit-branches of pear and apple-trees ; and even plumb-trees , both the one and the other lasting pretty long , that is , much longer than those of peach-trees , by reason , that in their extent they shoot very good small ones , which regularly produce fruit ; until at last , according to the nature of fruit-branches , they all perish intirely . i may say here , without any vanity , that in following my method of pruning peach-trees , you may expect to have commonly much finer trees , more lasting , and without doubt much more fruit , and even much finer than those who prune another way , which is infallible ; provided the weather be fair at the time of the blossom , and the gum spoil nothing about the branches , and especially , that the trees be planted in a good ground . the curious are much to be pity'd , when their gardens happen to be in a cold ill ground , or when the mould is worn , because that the trees seldom produce any good new roots there ; and consequently , abundance of the old ones perish , roots not being able to subsist without action ; which is the reason that so much gum grows both upon the stem , and upon the branches , and even upon the foot , and in the roots . the reason for which i say that my method of pruning greatly preserves and imbelishes the trees , is because it prescribes the being very careful in keeping pretty short all the thick branches , &c. and as for the abundance of fine fruits , it depends infallibly on the other caution i recommend , of preserving all the good branches for fruit , without taking away any , and the leaving no more fruit upon them than they are able to nourish , in order to its being very beautiful . when in the months of february and march , you design to perform the first pruning upon peach-trees , and that , after having taken away all the old dry branches , or such , which through an extream weakness , are of no use ( for you must begin by this , in order to see clearly and distinctly what is to be done ) you find only two sorts of good branches remaining ; of which , the one ( which are weak ones ) are to bear fruit the following years , the buds being already form'd ; and the others ( which are the strong ones ) are not commonly to produce any , not having any buds upon them , but are to serve us for another use , which is very material . these weak ones are to be preserv'd with care , and even of a great length , by reason of the visible appearance of present fruit , but without building any hopes upon most of them for the following year ; nature will afford us others , to supply the loss of those ; but still care must be taken , that the length of those branches be proportion'd to their strength ; being also perswaded , that a branch of an ordinary thickness is capable of nourishing a considerable part of the fruit it seems dispos'd to bear : so that , at the first pruning , there is no danger in venturing to leave much upon it , provided part be taken away at the second , if there be reason to believe there is too much . as to the strong ones , they must particularly be look'd upon in relation to the future , and therefore must be cut short , in prospect , that , according to the order of nature , they will produce others of two kinds ; some thick ones for wood , and many small ones for fruit ; which will certainly come to pass : but , above all , care must be taken to provide for the branches that are to fill up the room of those slender ones , which , for the time being , produce so good an effect , but are , as it were , no longer to be look'd upon as living , since , after their having produc'd their fruit , they must be taken away . we have sufficiently explain'd the difference there is between weak branches , and sapless ones ; therefore it will suffice to say , that no long branches must be preserv'd , unless they be of a moderate thickness , and have at the same time fruit-buds ready form'd for the present year . i commonly call none buds but such as are double , with an eye for wood in the middle ; and i value no others for preserving , unless it be on troy-peaches , and early peaches . moreover , no branch must be prun'd short , unless it be , that , being incapable of bearing fruit in the present year , their strength or vigour may promise other branches for the following year ; or that the tree having a vast quantity of fruit-branches , and very few for wood , and all those very high , there may be reason to fear , that some of the lower parts , or the middle , may grow too thin for the following years ; in which case , it is very proper to sacrifice some buds ; and to that end , shorten some of the finest and thickest among those that are over-burthen'd by them , and so make them , as we have said elsewhere , demy-branches for wood , which is of very good use . in the mean time we must observe that there are some very vigorous peach-trees , which commonly are hard to bear fruit , upon which it is necessary , as well as upon some furious pear-trees , to leave branches of a moderate thickness , long , though they have no fruit-buds at all . such furious peach-trees are your magdalens , some white bastard-peaches , bourdins , brugnons , or latter violets , &c. that is , when those peach-trees are young : upon such it is necessary to leave some long branches , though without any appearance of fruit , upon the apparent certainty of their producing a great many other weak branches for the following year● ; and though those branches be pretty thick , and might be look'd upon as branches for wood , yet they are not cut short , because it is probable that in their neighbourhood there may be other thicker that have been prun'd for wood , and that , according to the best rules , many thick branches must never be left very near one to another . those different ways of cutting long or short , are the cause that it cannot , and must not be said that a peach-tree is well prun'd , unless every branch ; has one of those two properties , either actually fit to bear fruit in the present year , or to produce fine wood the year following , in those places where it may be requir'd ; and when these two conditions meet , and are perfectly observ'd , we may say that a peach-tree is very well prun'd . those kind of regards must not only be had at the time of the first pruning , but , yet particularly , at the time of the second and third , if perform'd ; and likewise at the time of the trimming of the buds , and useless branches . the mischief which attends gum , to which every body knows peach-trees are commonly subject , and even much beyond all other stone-fruits , hinders us from having any certainty that a thick branch , being prun'd , will produce others on its extremity ; which is almost infallible in pear , plumb , and apricock-trees , &c. when peach-trees appear attack'd with that gum , and yet the owners are willing to preserve them some years longer , they must prune them late , that is , about the time they begin to blossom and shoot , to be certain of preserving , at least , some good eyes , and some good blossoms : there can be no certainty before that time . i add farther , that when a peach-tree has produc'd no branch for wood , it must no longer be consider'd as a tree to keep , from the time the fruit has been gather'd ; and a successor must be provided . i add besides , that if it happens that an old peach-tree , having been shorten'd , has produc'd several branches , which happens but seldom , unless it be a tree grown from a stone , you must begin to prune it upon those new branches , in the self-same manner as a young tree is prun'd ; excepting only , that the branches must be left a little longer , for fear of the gum. it is almost impossible not to be very uneasie at the pruning of peach-trees , either dwarf-standards , or wall-trees , by reason of an itching desire of preserving all the buds that are ready form'd for the present year , and of not depriving ones self of a present good : but yet , unless you be a little hard-hearted for the present , in prospect of the future , you may assure your selves to see those kind of trees perish by your own fault , or , at least , become of no use . 't is true , that in so doing , you may perhaps get abundance of fruit for two or three years ; but it is as true , that after that , you must expect a very great scarcity , and very ugly trees . those uneasinesses , or conflicts , i have mention'd , are only undergone by skilful gard'ners : others are not so much as sensible of the danger , and so are liable to no manner of agitation . the chief cause of disquiet is , particularly , when a weak branch , that had been left long for fruit , is grown thick , contrary to the common order of vegetation ; and that the thick one , which had been cut short , in order to shoot abundance of new ones , is , as it were , abandon'd , and hardly produces any thing . this alteration generally produces a great disorder in a tree ; for those kind of branches that are grown thick , have probably shot a great many branches for fruit , which occasions a very great and just cause of temptation and desire of preserving them all : so that , unless the desire of having a fine and lasting tree opposes the itch of preserving those appearances of present fruit , there is a great deal of danger of being overcome by the temptation ; and consequently , of making soon a very ugly tree , as we have already instanc'd . therefore it is very material to examine what is most proper to be done in such conjunctures . it is sometimes necessary to take the advantage of such a disorder , to let the tree shoot up , in order to cover the top of a wall , which may very well be allow'd of ; and in such a case , there will be no need of taking any of these terrible resolutions : but sometimes there may be a great deal of danger in so doing ; in which case , there is a necessity of resolving to sacrifice part of those fine appearances of fruit , without any mercy , and consequently , to shorten such branches extreamly , in prospect , that in the following years you shall be recompenc'd a hundred times for those fruits which , as i may say , have been thus cruelly destroy'd . this disorder happens but seldom , which is a comfort ; but yet , as it happens sometimes , i thought my self oblig'd to give my opinion about it . when walls are very low , for example , about six or seven foot high , and yet people desire to have peach-trees against them , which , in such a case , must be planted at a great distance from one another ; when , i say , along such low walls peach-trees appear to be very vigorous , for the two first years the thick branches that are to fill up the sides must be kept pretty long , because , that in pruning of them short , they will only shoot false-wood , or suckers , and seldom or never produce any fruit , you may allow them twice the length of what is allow'd to common wall-trees , and sometimes even thrice ; that is , a foot and a half , or somewhat more . when a wall-tree is reasonably vigorous , it must of necessity be allow'd at least three foot of wall free , above the pruning that is perform'd upon it in the spring , for the placing of the new shoots ; otherwise the greatest part of the principal branches should be of no use , growing over the top ; and there should be a necessity of cutting them often during the summer , lest the great winds should break them : and , besides the vexation of not enjoying the benefit of the vigour of ones trees , those branches thus cut , ever look ungainly upon a wall-tree , by the quantity of furzes that appear at the extremity of such a tree . chap. xxxi . particular remarks upon the second and third pruning of stone-fruit . these second and third prunings are altogether new , and yet are altogether as necessary and material as the first , and must be perform'd about the middle of may only upon weak branches : they were left long by the winter - pruning , in prospect of abundance of fruit ; but whereas they are subject to certain circumstances we are going to examine , they made us bethink our selves of the necessity of a second operation , and sometimes of a third . as to the thick branches , that have been prun'd short in february or march , they have sufficiently undergone the dispensation of the knife , they require no more of it , their function not being to produce any thing that wants retrenching at this time ; but , on the contrary , to shoot many precious branches , that deserve to be preserv'd with much care. these last prunings , we are now explaining , are of great use for the grand pruning that is to be perform'd the following year , in cleansing a tree from all superfluous and half-dead branches , which wou'd only create a confusion : they strengthen other branches that will be of use in the sequel , by affording them the sap , which wou'd be wasted on those scurvy ones that can never be of any use , and must of course be taken away the winter following . it likewise contributes towards the beauty and goodness of the fruit , and serves to keep a tree equally well furnish'd ; so that , by that means , seldom , or never , any defects wou'd appear upon any of those peach-trees , unless they were persecuted by that cursed gum. these are the consequences of those kind of branches , upon which the above-mention'd prunings are perform'd . i desire all gard'ners to follow this discussion exactly . these branches , which i have a particular regard for , in relation to fruit , shall have perform'd one of these six things . first , they may either have produc'd , almost in their whole extent , a great deal of fruit and fine branches , or much fruit and ugly branches . by fine branches here , i mean , such as are thick enough to prove fruit-branches the following year , and in the mean time bear abundance of fine leaves : and , on the contrary , i call those poor and ugly , that are short and slender , and are incapable of bearing fruit , only producing small leaves . secondly , those fruit-branches may chance only to have born fruit upon part of their length ; for example , the fourth part , third , or half , &c. and to have shot either fine or ugly branches every where , or in some part ; and all this , perchance , towards the upper end , and sometimes towards the lower . thirdly , they may chance to have produc'd no fruit , but abundance of fine branches ; or many altogether ugly and useless . fourthly , they may only have produc'd a single branch on the extremity , with abundance of fruit every where , or without any fruit any where . fifthly , they may only have produc'd one single fruit on the extremity , with some branches in part of their extent . lastly , they may be kill'd with gum or cold in their whole extent , or only towards the extremity . i have had the experience of all these cases several times , in all which i have held the following method . in the first part of the first case , in which the fruit-branches shall have produc'd fruit and fine branches in the best part of their extent , we may rejoice at the abundance ; for , without doubt , all will go well , since the appearances are so fair as far as the month of may : some of the fruit only must be taken away , where it lies so close , that we may have cause to believe that , in growing , they might obstruct each other ; for that wou'd spoil it : and likewise , in case any confusion be threaten'd by that multitude of new branches , some of the meanest , and worst plac'd , may be remov'd . it is always to be wish'd , that the lot of being retrench'd may fall upon the farthest . in the second part of the first case , in which the branch has produc'd a great deal of fruit , but no fine branches ; on the contrary , all weak and useless ; the best part of the fruit must be taken away , since it wou'd neither grow beautiful nor good ; only some of that which looks best , and is best plac'd , may be preserv'd ; that is , that which grows in the lowest part of the branch . at the same time the said branch must be very much shorten'd , to reduce it to the second or third eye or bud of the bottom , in order to strengthen some of the best branches that are upon it , for the next year . in the second case , in which the fruit-branch only produces fruit upon part of its length , if the fruit be grown upon the lower part of it , the branch must be preserv'd , and shorten'd close to that , among the new ones , which appears finest , and nearest to that fruit ; it is enough when there remains one or two passable good ones . in case the fruit be pretty abundant , and towards the upper extremity , that having likewise pretty fine branches , that fruit must likewise be preserv'd , and all the useless branches remov'd , in the manner abovesaid ; only preserving one or two of those that appear the finest , whatever part they be in , especially being in the lower part , where we are always desirous of them ; for , as to the fruit , 't is always well plac'd , where-ever it be , even at the end of the branches ; provided always , that in preserving one or two fine branches on the extremity of a fruit-branch that has been kept of a great length , you must resolve the following year to retrench both the mother and daughter , or daughters , otherwise one part wou'd grow too thin . in the first part of the third case , in which the branch has really produc'd no fruit , but , to make amends , has shot a great many fine new branches ; in such a case , i say , it is fit , as much as can be , to preserve the best of those branches , being careful of not letting any of them grow stronger than the other , especially towards the extremity , for such a branch wou'd ruin all the lower ; therefore such a branch must be wholly taken away , and pinch'd or broken within two or three eyes , or buds , as we have heretofore explain'd . in the second part of that third case , in which the fruit-branch has neither been fortunate in fruit , nor in wood of a favourable growth , you must wholly shorten such a branch , to a single one of those it has produc'd ; and chuse the lowest , in hopes to strengthen it , to make it good for the next year , or take it quite away , it not answering our intentions . in the first part of the fourth case , in which the fruit-branch has only produc'd a single branch on the extremity , with abundance of fruit every where , i am of opinion that such a branch shou'd be preserv'd , provided it does not incline to become a branch for wood , in which case it must be broken pretty short : so that , in case such a branch be but moderately thick , it promises much for the following year ; and as for all the little diminutive branches , that grow among the fruit it bears , we prune them , as we have declar'd in the exposition of the second case . therefore there is yet more reason to use all the little branches we meet with here without fruit in the extent of the branch in debate in the same manner , being certain that , for the generality , they shoot no more , being all at a stand in the month of june : so that all our comfort for the following year lies in the fine fruit-branch that offers it self here , on the extremity of the branch that has blossom'd to no purpose in all its extent . in the fifth case , in which the branch that was left long , to bear a great deal of fruit , has yet been so unfortunate , or abus'd , as not to have retain'd above one or two on the extremity of it , and yet has shot some branches in part of its extent . several particular regards must be had in this case : for example , if the tree , on the other hand , has but little fruit , for that being one will be tempted , and that with reason , to preserve that which is known to be good , in such a case it will be proper not to meddle with such a branch ; or else , to observe whether the tree has produc'd a great deal of fruit in the main ; in which case , no great difficulty must be made of losing so little , and consequently , of pruning such a branch again short , in order to strengthen some other that appears pretty good , and is well plac'd ; which we may stand in need of for the beauty of the tree , and for the hopes of future years . it will likewise be proper to consider whether the year be universally barren , which wou'd hinder the operation i have been advising ; or whether it be a doubtful fruit , of which , it wou'd be necessary to know the kind , either to suppress , or multiply it , &c. in which case , it will be fit to preserve this single peach , or those two peaches , that are remaining on the top of the branch in question , though with some regret , out of a just fear of a future deformity in that tree . for , in fine , the principal thing to be done in the management of peach-trees , is , to prefer the beauty of the whole tree , in hopes of a future abundance ; i say , to prefer the beauty of that tree to a small quantity of fruit , though really present . in fine , in the sixth case , in which the branches are destroy'd by gum , or cold , it is neither difficult to give a good advice , or to take it ; for you must wholly take away all that is dead , and consequently useless , and disagreeable to sight , in any part whatever , particularly on the extremity . this is my method for the second pruning . if any thing has hinder'd the performing of it about the middle of may , it may be done until the middle of june ; so that even a third may be perform'd at that time , when on the second of the middle of may , it has been thought fit to venture still some lengths of branches , and some fruits . it is likewise an effect of the second pruning , to cut all the small , sapless branches , that grow within the compass of the sine one , which has been produc'd that very year ; as also , to shorten , in september , the branches of peach-trees that are weak , and at a stand . i add , that the performing of such an operation is very material , but that unfortunately it is hardly practis'd at all , or , at least , so seldom , either out of laziness , or for want of time ; the gardner having , perhaps , too great a number of trees , and other works , that overwhelm him . chap. xxxii . of the different manners of ordering a peach-tree in the summer-time . i observe , among gard'ners , three different methods of ordering all manner of peach-trees in the summer , in relation to the young branches they produce . the first tear or pull off indifferently all those that grow before and behind , and leave but few others : those seem to me extreamly to blame , and unworthy the profession they follow . the second cut all those branches within three or four eyes , or buds , and by that means occasion abundance of fruz , among which there sometimes grows a little fruit , but that is pretty rare : besides that , this method renders the trees ugly , and disagreeable ; and therefore i disapprove it . lastly , the third preserve in the summer all the good branches , and pallisado them neatly ; tarrying to chuse the best until the season of pruning : those , in my opinion , are in the right , and i imitate them as much as i can . chap. xxxiii . of the triming of superfluous needless buds and sprigs . whereas pruning only serves barely to shorten , or wholly to take away some old branches , that , either by their length , situation , or number , annoy a tree ; so this triming or picking , is only to destroy , and entirely remove young branches of the year , either thick , or small , growing improperly , and capable of causing a confusion , or prejudicing either the whole tree , or only the branch on which they are grown . the time of pruning , as we have declar'd , is from november , to the end of march ; which pruning must be perform'd regularly every year ; whereas the time of the triming is commonly about may and june , and sometimes july and august , and sometimes it is not done at all ; but when there is cause for it , it must not be neglected ; and generally it cannot be done too soon , to prevent the growth of those useless shoots , and consequently , the wasting a great deal of sap unprofitably , which might be employ'd to better uses : so that when it has been neglected , or not perform'd soon enough , it must be done late , if possible , since it is better to do a necessary thing late than never . it is not easie to set down precisely what branches must be so prun'd , or trim'd , particularly to satisfie those , among the curious , who know but little , and are only beginners : but a skilful gard'ner , who , by the rules heretofore establish'd , has form'd to himself the idea of a fine tree , and consequently must know partly what branches are requir'd , as well for the beauty of the figure , as for fruit ; such a gard'ner , i say , must needs , at first sight , know those branches that are no ways answerable to the idea he has conceiv'd , and consequently take them away at their very birth , or at least from the moment he perceives them , especially before the end of summer ; that is , before the trees have made an end of shooting , or that such branches are grown thick ; otherwise they must remain until the time of pruning : but , generally speaking , i may say , that this triming or picking , is to retrench or take off all ill-plac'd branches shooting from any part whatever , whether good or bad : especially such as cause a confusion , without being proper either for wood , or fruit. the knowledge of the order in which the branches grow , whether good or ill , which we have clearly explain'd at the beginning of this treatise , is absolutely necessary for this . pear-trees must particularly be look'd to , from the very beginning of april , to the end , that if , from a slanting cut , which was to produce a branch for wood outwardly , there should grow a thick one inwardly , it may be taken away immediately , in consideration of the two reasons which ordain trimming . it is likewise necessary to take away the branches which hinder others that are better plac'd , and should be more useful , from receiving a due nourishment ; for example , take away high branches , to favour low ones ; by which means they would grow considerable ; whereas without such a help , they would remain uprofitable , and the tree would suffer , both as to the figure , and the fruit we expect from it . this trimming or pruning , is perform'd upon young trees , as well as old ones ; and therefore , when a young tree at once shoots high and low branches , with a great interval or space between them , it is proper to take away the highest , when the lowest are design'd to be preserv'd ; or else the lowest , when the others deserve it better : which is not only to be done by way of trimming , but also by the real way of pruning , that is , with the pruning-knife , when the bare trimming or nipping is not sufficient . if , upon any tree whatever , one and the same eye produces two or three branches , some of them must be taken away by way of nipping off , to better the condition of the others , as well as to avoid confusion . so that upon a weak branch , which , from one eye or bud , shoots , for instance , two or three , and all probably weak , i will only preserve one , chusing that which appears to be the best , that is , the thickest . but if , on the contrary , a very vigorous branch shoots three from one and the same eye , and that the middlemost appears too strong , and the worst plac'd , i shall , without doubt , take it away , to strengthen the two others a little ; which may afterwards , the one on one side , and the other on the other , prove very serviceable to the tree . so upon very vigorous trees , it is necessary , at the nipping off or trimming , to take away some of the strongest branches , always preserving such as are somewhat less , provided they seem to be good ; and especially , when the thick branch that has been prun'd shoots many , whence confusion proceeds , the highest must be taken away , taking care however not to disburthen those kind of trees too much , which , by reason of their great vigour , hardly produce any other but thick branches ; whereas , on the contrary , upon trees that have not much vigour , all the slenderest and poorest must be taken off , in order to strengthen those that appear stronger , and yet are not so strong as they should be . from thence it is easie to conclude , that some trees may as well be prejudic'd by nipping off of them too much , as others by not being nipp'd off enough : the gard'ner's prudence must distinguish between those whose great vigour requires one kind of nipping off , or trimming , and those whose weakness requires another . i will say by the by , that if it be judg'd that many cyons may be requir'd to graff scutcheon-wise , it will be fit to be somewhat more cautious in the nipping off of vigorous trees , which may furnish graffs ; still taking care that it may not prejudice the fruit of the following year . it happens pretty often , that for want of having nipp'd off , or pallisado'd prudently , we see that , in the confusion of branches , some long slender ones shoot out ; which must be carefully taken away at the season of pruning , or , at least , shorten'd to an eye or bud , being commonly naught . it likewise commonly happens , that the branch of a peach-tree shoots others in the very summer , which has produc'd it , in which case it must be examin'd and ( if very poor ) nipp'd off , or taken away , in any part whatever : but if of a good thickness , having double eyes , or buds , so as to be fit to make a fruit-branch , it must be carefully preserv'd , though only grown in july . and if the lower part of such a branch should produce one of a reasonable thickness , so as to be proper for a branch for wood , it must be look'd upon as a very good omen for the beauty and preservation of the tree : but if , on the contrary , the upper part of such a branch should shoot any which should grow so thick as to be only fit for a branch for wood , it must be taken away , as being in a place where we have no occasion for a branch for wood ; besides , it would prejudice the mother that produc'd it . it is not much to be question'd , but that , as in pruning a vine , while in sap , we visibly lose a great deal of sap through the part so prun'd , so in fruit-trees , some of the sap evaporates , or is wasted through the place that is cut at the time of shooting , which is in the summer . it is likewise observ'd in the pruning of melons , that a branch , being prun'd , produces more new ones than that which was left unprun'd ; and therefore i advise the pruning of too vigorous trees late : for it is observable in peach-trees , that a thick , young branch , having been cut in the summer-time , seldom shoots afterwards , or , at least , very inconsiderably , insomuch that the end of it blackens and dies ; the consequence of which is , that the neighbouring branches thereby commonly grow the more vigorous . but , indeed , neither this nipping off , nor the pinching , or breaking , do waste sap at this rate ; and are so far from being dangerous operations to be perform'd in the summer , as is the pruning with a knife , that they are very useful , and often very necessary . though this nipping off properly relates only to the removing of buds , it may likewise be understood for the plucking off of fruit , especially stone-fruit , when there is too much in one place ; this plucking off being perform'd at the same time with the nipping off : which matter i treat of at large in another place , and so shall say no more of it here . when any branch ( which seem'd to be good at the time of pruning it , and therefore was preserv'd ) grows poor , for want of a good supply of new sap , which happens sometimes by an inward disorder , which could not be prevented ; in such a case , there is no other remedy , than the taking away of such a branch , as soon as perceiv'd . sometimes also some useless branches may have been left by negligence , or want of application ; which must likewise be remov'd , as soon as observ'd : and supposing some fine fruit may be left on the extremity of a branch that has produc'd no new wood , which is not common , in that case the branch must not be taken off until the fruit be gather'd ; after which , it must be remov'd , since it could never be good for any thing . chap. xxxiv . particular remarks for another material operation , to be perform'd in the summer upon some trees , which is called pinching , or breaking . pinching , in relation to gard'ning , is , to break designedly a tender sprig of any plant whatever , and that without the help of any instrument , only using the nails of two fingers . this way of breaking has ever been practis'd upon the shoots of melons , cowcumbers , &c. but i do not know that ever it was practis'd upon any fruit-trees ; yet i have thought ●it to make use of it , though only upon four kind of fruit-trees , viz. pear , peach , fig , and orange-trees ; and i shall only treat here of what relates to the thick new branches of vigorous peach-trees , and the thick new branches shooting from slit graffs made upon old pear-trees , being still in a pretty good case : i will treat in other places of what relates to the pinching of orange and fig-trees , and even of strawberry-plants , and raddishes run up to seed , &c. the reason which made me imagine this way of pinching these two sorts of trees , and that makes me use it pretty often , is , that it being most certain that fruit seldom grows upon thick branches , and commonly upon the weak ones , i thought , if it were possible to order matters so , that the sap , which is wholly employ'd in producing but one thick branch , which proves either useless , or cumbersom ; i say , if it could be order'd so , that this sap might be so divided as to produce several branches , there is no question to be made , but in the quantity there would be some weak ones , or perhaps many , which consequently would be proper to bear fruit instead of that , and , as we have already said , the thick branch would have produc'd no good effect . i have found the thing possible , and that it is requir'd , not only in may , but sometimes in june and july , to break the thick new shoots of those kind of trees , while yet tender , and as easie to break as glass ; which is most true . this operation is founded upon a reason which i have explain'd in my reflections , and therefore is not necessary here . having then , at the time heretofore mention'd , broken some of those thick new shoots within two or three eyes , or buds , i have often obtain'd what i desir'd by it , that is , as many branches as i had left eyes ; and , indeed , a vigorous tree cannot have too many , provided they be good , and well plac'd . among the branches proceeding from such pinching , if i may use the expression , commonly some have prov'd weak , and those have born fruit ; some have prov'd pretty strong , and have been branches for wood : if the sap , which produc'd such thick branches , and form'd them with a lively , vigorous action , met in its way an obstacle , to stop it short in the heighth of its action , and consequently hindring it from following its course in continuing to rise , as it would do , not being hinder'd ; in such a case , this sap , which , in the mean time , cannot cease acting , being forc'd to get out one way or other , would burst out by as many cranies , or overtures , as it would find near that place where it was stop'd ; or , upon necessity , would make some of it self . but it must be noted , that this pinching is seldom to be practis'd upon any but the thick branches of the top , which would remain useless by their situation , and yet would consume abundance of good sap superfluously ; and therefore it ought to be very seldom us'd upon the thick branches of the lower part , it being always very necessary to preserve them until the winter - pruning , in order to their shooting some others the following year , sit to fill such places as naturally , and for the most part , are but too subject to be thin . it is likewise to be observ'd , that this pinching , or breaking off , must never be perform'd upon weak branches ; which , having no more sap than they want , to be good , would only produce slender , sapless ones in that place , where the small portion of sap which nature allows them should be divided . and therefore nothing must be broken upon such trees as produce but too many of those weak branches , and few of those good thick ones : there are some of this character to be found among all kind of peach-trees . the best time for pinching , particularly in cold climes , like ours of paris , and the neighbourhood of it , as we have already said , is , at the end of may , and the beginning of june ; and when necessary to be perform'd a second time , the time of the solstice , or longest days of the year , is admirable for it , as well as to water some trees in a dry soil , when rain is wanting ; at which time there is a wonderful re-doubling of action in the roots , and consequently in the branches ; that being , indeed , the time of the greatest effort of all the spring . we have already observ'd , that the first fury of stone-fruits begins to appear at the full-moon of april , which commonly falls out in may ; and we are going to see another kind of fury at the first quarter of the moon of the said month of may ; both which times are good for pinching : and , indeed , we observe , that all the branches of every tree do not begin to shoot vigorously at the same time ; so that what has not been pinch'd or broken off at the first season , may be done at the second . i have said , that the best time to pinch the thick new branches of peach-trees , was , at the time they are easie to break at the least pull , without being oblig'd to use a knife to shorten them : from thence it is easie to judge , that i have found it dangerous to use instruments to cut such branches , which is true ; for , as i have said heretofore , the extremity or end of such branches so cut , is apt to blacken and die , it certainly not producing the same effect with that which proceeds from the action of pinching . the same thing may be said of the thick , tender branches , proceeding from the graff's of pear-trees , made upon a thick , vigorous stock ; however , experience teaches us , that the knife is not so dangerous upon these , as upon those of peach-trees . chap. xxxv . of what is to be done to some trees , being extraordinarily vigorous , not bearing of fruit. there still remains to see what is to be done in relation to some trees being extraordinary vigorous , to that degree , that they remain sometimes many years , only producing much wood , and little fruit , and pretty often none at all , as most pear and apple-trees are , being graffed upon free stocks ; and particularly , how to preserve a tree producing only small shoots , and most of them of false wood , or which yearly shews its infirmity at the end of iss branches , and by the colour of its leaves . as to the very vigorous tree , particularly in question here , many people propose , as soveraign and infallible , abundance of expedients and remedies , which i have tried a long while , with great application ; yet , upon my word , without the least success . to bore a hole through the stem of a tree , and put a peg of dry oak into it ; to split one of the main roots , and put a stone into it ; to prune at the time of the declinings of the moon , &c. are wretched secrets of good old people , infatuated with old maxims ; people who have but little skill in vegetation , and are easily satisfy'd . for my part , besides my being persuaded by experience , that my manner of pruning often prevents the difficulty now in question , i have moreover , in case of great obstinacy , recourse to what i have said elsewhere , it being really the best thing that can be done ; which is , that , as constantly the fruit on trees , is only an effect , or , at least , a mark of a certain moderate weakness , it is necessary , without minding a thousand trifles , to go to the source of the vigour of the tree , that is , to the roots , uncovering half of them , and cutting off one , two , or three of the thickest on that side , and consequently the most active ; insomuch that the least part of them may not remain , to be capable of acting , or producing the least thread of a capilar root : the roots of the other moity , ( for i suppose there may be good ones ; otherwise , so many must not be taken away from the side uncovered ; ) the roots , i say , of the other moity , left untouch'd , will be sufficient to nourish the whole tree . this remedy is infallible to prevent such trees from being , as it were , resty to our cares and industry , and will soon make them produce fruit ; by reason that this will put a stop to the production of the sap , so that it shall not be so abounding as before , one , two , or three of the chief workers being remov'd ; and thus the weak branches will only receive a moderate nourishment , and the buds begun , instead of extending , will grow round , and consequently turn to fruit-buds , will blossom , and finally yield what is desired of them . philosophers may criticise upon , and explain this as they please ; but still it is most certain , that the thing happens as i have said . to root up such trees , and re-plant them immediately , with the main part of their roots and branches , either in the same place , or in another , as some authors propose it , is sometimes an effectual remedy ; but it seems to me somewhat too violent , since sometimes it threatens death , and often makes an ugly tree , which , in my opinion , is as great a defect as the other ; for which reason i use it but seldom , though sometimes i do . chap. xxxvi . of the conduct , or culture of fig-trees . after having said in another place , and that after a long experience , that a ripe fig , according to my pallat , is the best of all the fruits growing upon trees , that hitherto i have met with ; and , indeed , is look'd upon as being the most delicious , by all judicious persons ; i thought my self oblig'd , in this general treatise of the culture of fruits , to make a particular one for the conduct of this . before i enter upon this matter , i cannot forbear expressing my astonishment , considering that notwithstanding the singular esteem most people have for good figs , it was a general custom in this country to have but a very small quantity of them in each garden , not exceeding two or three at most , and even those commonly abandon'd in some inner yard , expos'd to all manner of ill treatment , without the least culture . indeed , in warmer climates they are better , and more honourably treated ; there are always abundance of them , not only in gardens , and under the shelter of a house , but particularly in vine-yards , in hedges , and in the open fields ; and they make a considerable trade of those that are preserv'd , and dry'd , which i do not mention here . i am sensible , that the difficulty of preserving fig-trees from the great colds of the winter , is the chief reason for which we have so few of them in our climates ; but yet , considering the consequence and merit of their fruit , in my opinion , people should have made it their study , a little more than they have done , to enjoy , to a higher degree , that rich present of nature . it is not necessary to repeat here what i have said at large in the treatise of the choice and proportion of fruits , touching the diversity of the kinds of figs , nor of my preferring the white ones , whether long , or round , for this country , to all the others : neither will i repeat what i have said , as to the situation which is most proper for them . i shall only relate the manner of my cultivating of them ; and especially , how that , notwithstanding the ill custom , which made us be satisfy'd with a few of them , i have apply'd my self to the breeding of many ; and that not only by the common way of planting them in espaliers , or against walls , but also in an extraordinary manner , that is , in cases , which is both pretty new , pleasant and useful ; which , if i may be allow'd to introduce a new expression , may be call'd a figuerie , in imitation of orangeries . the delight his majesty takes in that fruit , and the danger of dying , to which all fig-trees are expos'd in the open ground , in great frosts , or , at least , of bearing no fruit that year , have been two powerful motives for me , who am honour'd with the place of director of all the fruit and kitchen-gardens belonging to the royal family , to induce me to bethink my self of the means of certainly having a great many figs every year . in the performance of which , i have met with very little difficulty ; for , in the first place , the common mould of every garden , mix'd with an equal quantity of soil or small dung , turn'd to mould , is extraordinary good for it . secondly , the roots of fig-trees , instead of being hard and thick , like those of other fruit-trees , either stone , or kernel , on the contrary , remain soft and flexible , and commonly slender , and so are easily order'd in cases , and even with more case than those of orange-trees , which thrive so well in them . thirdly , these kind of trees naturally produce abundance of roots ; so that it is very casie for them to live fatly and vigorously in a small quantity or space of ground , provided moisture be not wanting . besides , the universal approbation i have met with in this undertaking , and the imitation that has follow'd it by many of the curious , have encourag'd me to make a considerable progress in this figuerie , or fig-garden ; and that which has most induc'd me to proceed in it , is , that the fruit ripens a great deal sooner here than in the main ground , and is somewhat better , and yellower , the earth which is easily heated in the cases , producing the first good effect , and the open air the two others . to which i might add , the pleasure of seeing in this country abundance of fig-trees in the open air , ( which seem'd to be altogether reserv'd for hot countries , ) and that of being , in the summer , in the middle of a wood , abounding with figs ; there to chuse and gather the sinest and ripest , without any trouble . therefore i have bred abundance of fig-trees in cases , having found that , besides the advantages above related , there was yet another which is very considerable ; and that is , that , to preserve them securely , and with ease , in the winter , an ordinary covering to keep off the great frost is sufficient , that covering or shelter not being near so considerable as those for orange-trees and jessemins , these both stripping or casting their leaves at the least cold , by which they are almost utterly spoil'd ; every body knowing , that a fall of leaves , proceeding from the rigour of cold , or too much moisture , denotes , in those trees , at least , a great infirmity in the branches so stripp'd , insomuch that it is almost impossible to recover them ; whereas we have no leaves to preserve on our fig-trees , it is only wood , i mean branches , of which the wood is pretty course , though extreamly pithy , or sappy ; insomuch , that it resists the cold much better than orange-trees , it being certain that this wood , which of it self is pretty tender , notwithstanding , dries up at the usual fall of the leaves , and consequently grows hard ; the reason of which is , that the roots of fig-trees ceasing to act within , from the time the leaves begin to fall on the out-side , the wood no longer receiving any new sap , ceases to fear the rigour of the season ; whereas the wood of the orange-trees and jessamins , by the perpetual operation of their roots , remains as tender in the winter as it is all the rest of the year : which is the reason that , as the sap continually rises , particularly for the nourishment of those leaves that remain upon the branches , as well as for the nourishment of the branches themselves ; that sap , at that time , as it were , keeps both the one and the other so sensible to frost and moisture , that thereby they often fall into those great disorders , known by every body , which are almost the greatest they are liable to . it being then granted , that , for the preservation of our fig-trees , it is sufficient that the great frost should not light directly upon their branches , it follows from thence , that it is sufficient for the conservatory to be reasonably close , as well at the top , as at the doors and windows ; insomuch that the ground may have been pretty well frozen in the cases , and yet the fig-tree receive no prejudice by it : so that a moderate low cellar , or a stable , or a common-hall , which would be so pernicious to orange-trees and jessemins , may not be amiss for our fig-trees ; not but if that place were very moist , it might harm them : as also a cas'd fig-tree , remaining in the winter without a covering , would be much more endanger'd than another in the main ground ; for a thick frost would kill the roots , as well as the head ; whereas a fig-tree , planted in open ground , would , at least , be preserv'd towards the roots . the time of putting fig-trees in the conservatories , is the month of november ; that is , they must be plac'd there as soon as the thick or great frosts are coming on , there to re without wanting the least culture , or any care , besides the keeping of the place as close as can be , and that only during the great colds ; for , excepting that time , they need not be kept so close . lastly , they may be taken out again about the middle of march , and sometimes at the very beginning , the weather being very fair , and the seasons of great frosts appearing , in some manner , past : there is no need of staying , till there is nothing at all to fear , for the new figs ; for then there would be a necessity of staying until the end of april ; it happening pretty often , that , until that time , there are certain frosts , which blacken and kill them , though reasonably thick . the reason which obliges to take them out sooner , is , that it is necessary fig-trees should immediately enjoy the rays of the sun , and some soft showers of march and april , in order to be able to shoot their first fruit with success , to the end , above all things , that those fruits may insensibly be us'd to the open air ; which must make them grow , and ripen betimes ; it being most certain , that the figs which grow under covert , coming into the open air , are apt to blacken , and so perish , even without any frost , or considerable cold ; a north-east wind , or excessive heat , in the first days of their coming out , destroying them without redemption : whereas those figs that have been a little enur'd to the air , have harden'd themselves so , as to be able to resist , notwithstanding the intemperature of the season . in taking the fig-trees out of the conservatory , at the time prefix'd , there are only two things to be done : the first is , to put them immediately along , and as close as can be to some good walls , expos'd to the south or east ; and there leave them , until the full-moon of april be past , which is about the beginning of may. this situation is very necessary for them , to enjoy the aspect of the father of vegetation , and be soak'd by the rains of the spring , as well as to find some shelter against the morning-frosts of the remains of winter , which are those of march and april ; because that , whereas this wonderful fruit shoots out at that time , ready form'd , from the body of the branch ; presenting it self thus , all on the sudden , without the help of any covering , or being accompany'd with blossoms , or leaves , it must needs be very tender in the first days of its birth ; and therefore such frosts , which are very common and frequent at those times , falling then upon them , would prove very dangerous , or rather mortal ; insomuch that , though this shelter be favourable to fig-trees , both to such that are planted in the ground , as well as to those that are in cases , yet , notwithstanding , it is necessary to cover them with sheets , or straw , or long dry dung , or peas-cods , when-ever they seem to be threaten'd by some frost : the cold north-west winds , north , and north-east , or some ha●● , or melted snow , seldom fail to occasion it in the night , after having commonly fore-told it the day before : woe to the gard'ner who neglects , or does not improve the signal of such an ill omen . the second thing that is to be done , after having remov'd fig-trees out of the conservatory , and having thus plac'd them under shelter , is , ( to use the phrase of gard'ners ) to give them a good wetting in every case ; which is , one good substantial watering ; insomuch that all the moat may be soak'd by it ; and there shall hardly need any more watering , until , with some leaves , the fruit begins to appear all together , and even a little thick , which is about the middle of april ; the spring-rains will supply other waterings , but this first watering is absolutely necessary , to soak the ground a-new , which , after four or five months confinement , was grown quite dry ; otherwise the roots , at the coming in of the hot weather , should not be capable , for want of moisture , to renew their action ; and consequently , there should be no good motion of vegetation , either to nourish and thicken that new fruit the sooner , or to afford us the sooner leaves , and new wood ; with a certainty , that the sooner fig-trees shoot in the spring , the sooner we shall have the second figs of autumn . i will take notice by the by here , that the first figs grow independently from the action of the roots , just as the blossoms of other fruit-trees open ; and produce their first buds independently , from the action of their roots . lastly , the cold , that is the great enemy of those figs , being gone , which happens commonly about the middle of may , the cases must be remov'd from that shelter , and put somewhat at large , to be in the open air , especially in some little garden , well surrounded with good walls ; they may be dispos'd so , as to border , or form allies on both sides , or else a little green wood , as i do , when there are enough for it ; which is that i call , and ought to be call'd , a figuerie , or fig-garden . as soon as these cases are thus dispos'd of , they must be allow'd another good watering , the same to be continu'd once a week , until the end of may ; after which , they must be water'd , at least , twice a week ; and lastly , towards the middle of june , they must receive great and frequent waterings , almost once a day . but , before i come to this , in order to gain time , and to get with ease a great many fig-trees , for the establishment and maintenance of my fig-garden , i begin by making , towards the middle of march , an ordinary bed , or colich , of good dung , of about three foot high , in proportion to four or five foot in breadth , and as much in length as my occasion requires : i let the great heat of it pass , which commonly lasts five or six days ; after which , having provided earthen pots about five or six inches diameter , or small cases about seven or eight : i fill those pots , or cases , with the mould of the garden , mix'd , as i have said , with an equal quantity of soil or small , old , consummated dung , or with nothing else ; that soil being very good for the first multiplication of roots , but would not be so good for the other casings . care must be taken to press that earth very close into the bottom of the pot , as well as in the bottom of the case ; it will suffice to have two or three inches loose on the top . after this , i take small fig-trees , altogether rooted , and after having extreamly shorten'd all their roots , i put them , about three or four inehes deep , into the said pots , or cases , allowing each but about four or five inches stem : ( fig-trees in cases cannot be too short body'd : ) afterwards i put the said pots , or cases , up to the middle in the aforesaid bed. a considerable part of those fig-trees , so planted , commonly take , and produce , that very year , some pretty fine shoots , and in a pretty good number ; provided , as is absolutely necessary , they be well water'd during the summer , and that the bed has been heated twice or thrice on the sides , to keep it always reasonably hot . when i make use of pots , i take out of the pots , that very summer , or , at least , in autumn , or the following spring , those little fig-trees that have shot well in those pots , to put them together , with the mote into cases , of about seven or eight inches , fill'd up with the prepar'd earth ; which , above all , as i have already said , must have been press'd close into the bottom , to hinder that mote , and the new roots that shall grow , from descending too soon , and too easily , into that bottom ; and to do it yet more effectually , in casing of them , i observe the same method as in casing of orange-trees , excepting only rubbish , and pieces of old and dry plaister , which are no wise necessary here ; that is , i plant these fig-trees in such a manner , that the superficies of the mote , may exceed the edge of the case about two or three inches ; and , with douves put on the sides , i keep in the earth , and the water of the waterings , so that none of it can be wasted ; the weight of the cases , and especially the frequent waterings , together with the moving or transporting of the fig-trees so cased sinking the surface but too soon . great care being taken to water those young fig-trees , in those little cases , they begin pretty often to produce fruit in them the very year of their being cas'd ; at least , they are in a condition to produce some the following years . they must be kept two years in those kind of little cases , in order to be put next into larger , of about thirteen or fourteen inches in the in-side ; in order to which , two thirds of the mote , must of necessity be taken away , planting them especially , as i have already said , a little high , and pressing the ground , as close as can be , into the bottom : which things must all be done of necessity , at every removal out of the cases . they are to remain in these , until there be a necessity of changing them a-new : which must be done as soon as the fig-trees are observ'd to shoot no more thick wood , which commonly happens at the end of the third or fourth year after their being cas'd : at which time they must be taken out of those chests , and , after having perform'd the operations heretofore explain'd , put again either into the same cases , if , after having serv'd three or four years , they are still good enough ; which happens but seldom , the great waterings rotting many of them ; or into other new cases of the same size . those fig-trees must be left three or four years longer in those kind of cases , being about thirteen or fourteen inches in the in-side ; and afterwards , as soon as it is observable , by the marks above explain'd , that there is a necessity of changing them , the same method as before must be us'd , to put them into other cases of seventeen or eighteen inches ; in which they must likewise be preserv'd for the space of three or four years ; at the end of which , they must be remov'd again , for the fourth time , in the manner aforesaid , either into the same cases , or into others of the same size . the difficulty of transportation commonly hinders me , after the wearing out of these second cases of eighteen inches , from venturing to put them into larger ; which , notwithstanding , would be very proper for them , being about twenty one or twenty two inches , which , however , should be the last i would remove them into , unless i had very great conveniencies , both for the transporting of them , and for the laying of them up . and whereas , at length , those cased fig-trees would grow to such a degree of largeness and weight , as would require too many machines to move them , and even too great a quantity of water to give them due waterings , i abandon them , after having cultivated them for the space of fifteen or twenty years ; and take no farther care of them , than to plant them , either into our own gardens , or in some of our friends ; for which they are yet good enough , provided care be taken to cut off a considerable part of their wood , and especially the main part of their roots ; or else , with a great deal of regret , i resolve to burn them . but , in the mean time , in order to have my conservatory , and my fig-garden , always equally fill'd , i yearly rear up new ones , in the manner aforesaid ; which serve to fill up the room of the old ones i have been oblig'd to part with . the best of it is , that the breeding of them is easie : first , because the feet of the fig-trees that are planted in the main ground shoot abundance of rooted suckers . secondly , because it is very easie to lay branches into the ground , round about every old foot , in order to their taking root . and finally , because some may be bred by means of bended layers , plac'd a little in the shade , it is good to make a little gash in those towards the extremity , though many succeed without it . thus there are abundance of means , and all very easie , in order to make a pretty good provision of small young fig-trees : wo to that gard'ner who does not do it , and does not use his utmost skill to multiply so good a tree ; trying immediately , whenever he is oblig'd to cut some fig-branches , to make those layers take root ; at he may do , provided it has a little wood of two years standing ; because that those cut branches that are but of a years standing , are much apter to rot , than to take root . the greatest inconveniency attending cases , is that which i have mention'd heretofore ; which is , that , during the months of june , july , august , and september , there is an indispensible necessity of watering them largely every day , insomuch that the water may penetrate through the bottom of the case ; at least , without fail , they must be water'd so every other day , unless it rains very hard ; not that the water of rains often penetrates the body of the mote ; but , because while it rains , there is no sun-shine capable of penetrating through the case , to dry up the roots ; which is the only reason that may stop the continuation of watering . neither must small rains be minded , they are of no use to fig-trees ; on the contrary , often prejudice them , by persuading the gard'ner they are sufficient to supply the want of watering , which they are not ; the broad leaves of fig-trees hindering the earth ( which lies very close in the case , and is very hard by an infinity of roots ) from being soak'd by an inconsiderable rain , since even great showers cannot do it . it is most certain that the fruit is in danger of dropping down , and perishing , the roots of fig-trees ceasing never so little to act , for want of moisture , and to furnish the figs with the perpetual help they stand indispensibly in need of ; which will certainly happen , upon failure of the great and frequent waterings we recommend : for those figs that have wanted the least nourishment , remain flobby , and , as it were , full of wind , instead of being fill'd up with a good pithy pulp ; and so , instead of ripening , drop down ; which is the greatest inconvenience that can be fear'd ; and consequently , this requires so great an application , that it is no easie matter to succeed in fig-gardens . the fig-trees planted in the main ground requires no such slavery ; since such as are planted even in very dry soils commonly produce fine large good figs ; the roots which have the liberty of extending round about , tho' the earth be never so parch'd , still find wherewithal to perform their function and duty : and in imitation of those , when the bottoms of cases touch the ground , commonly some roots get out of it , which take into that very ground , and there multiply to that degree , that they are able to live without frequent waterings : but then they are liable to other inconveniencies , which i shall mention in the sequel . there now remains to speak of the pruning and pinching or breaking , which i practice upon fig-trees , either planted in the main ground , or in cases ; both for the forming of fine trees , according to the beauty proper to those trees , as well as to make them shoot the figs the sooner , every one in their season ; that is , not only the first , which are call'd blossom-figs , but also the second , call'd autumn , or second-figs , and figs of the second sap , &c. as to the beauty proper to fig-trees in cases , it is not to be expected that it can be so regular as that of orange-trees , that are likewise in cases ; neither can the beauty of fig-trees , either dwarf-standards , or against a wall , be expected so perfect as that of dwarf-pear-trees , or other wall-fruits . we have sufficiently explain'd those kind of beauties , each in particular , in treatises written upon that subject , without repeating it here : it will suffice to say , that the beauty of fig-trees in cases , consists chiefly in being real dwarf-standards , without having any stem if possible ; and lastly , in not shooting too high , or being too much extended , and open , with great bare branches , which is but too common in those trees , unless an extraordinary care be taken of them . there is no great necessity of saying , that at the end of winter , or at the beginning of the spring , it will be necessary to trim or pluck off all the dead wood of fig-trees , either in the main ground , or in cases , no body being ignorant of it : those kind of trees having very pithy or sappy branches , are liable to have a great many of them spoyl'd , tho' the cold be never so moderate . we have often experienc'd it , particularly in the winter of . in which there was not half an inch of ice in any part , and yet a considerable number of fig-tree branches perish'd ; as if the absence of heat alone was capable to destroy them ; consequently , a far greater quantity must perish in long hard winters , as we had in , and . in which , the frost was so terrible , and our gard'ners suffer'd so much by it , that they were forc'd almost in all parts , to cut the thickest fig-trees , within the very foot , altho' they had been pretty well cover'd either with straw , or dry dung ; even in so much , that the very snow , which is a soveraign remedy for the preservation of many young tender plants , as pease , strawberries , and lettuce , &c. could not avail for the preservation of those well-belov'd unfortunate fig-trees ; nay , rather contributed to their destruction . it is true , that some gard'ners , tho' pretty careful , have ( notwithstanding their care ) had the ill luck to see part of their fig-trees perish , when no body could impute the least fault to them , which was occasion'd by the walls where those fig-trees were planted , not being thick enough to hinder the rigour of the frost from penetrating through them ; happy are those whose fig-trees are planted against good buildings , particularly , near chimneys , that are actually us'd , or at least , against walls about two foot thick , and well expos'd : happy likewise are those who have them in dry elevated situations , and yet in a good ground . and consequently , unhappy all those , who having none of these advantages , are expos'd to all that 's pernicious for fig-trees , as thin walls to their gardens , a cold and moist soil , wanting both a favourable climate , and situation . since then fig-trees are as difficult in the preservation , as their fruit is precious ; let us give an exact summary of what we think most proper , at least to endeavour the defending of them as much as can be possible , from what is capable of destroying of them . the inconveniencies wherewith they are threaten'd , do not hinder me , as i have already declar'd , in the treatise of the choice and proportion of fruit , from advising every body to plant a reasonable quantity of them ; i mean in the main ground , having somewhat of the situation that is proper for them , tho wanting some of the conditions that were to be wish'd for , for them . great winters do not happen so often , as to discourage us for ever from having some of those kind of trees , which produce such an excellent fruit. the most material thing in this case for the culture , is first , during the summer , and autumn , to give their branches some liberty , the fruits growing better , and more easily upon them : they must neither be constrain'd , nor pallisado'd , or tack'd like the branches of other wall-fruit-trees ; it will suffice to uphold them before with some pearches barely plac'd upon great hooks driven into the walls , so as to be at three foot distance from each other ; and that beginning from the bottom , there may be a row within a foot of the ground , checker-wise : those hooks must be four inches into the wall , and about eight on the outside , made , as it appears in the figure . in the second place , every year , as soon as the leaves of fig-trees are fallen , that is , as soon as the winter draws nigh , whatever that winter may prove ; for we must always 〈◊〉 its being violent , which dread ought to produce good effects in us ; every year , i 〈◊〉 , we must as much as can be constrain the branches of those fig-trees , as near as we 〈◊〉 to the walls , either with nails and list , or else with osirs , poles , and pearches ; but yet so , that they may neither break , nor crack ; after which , must be apply'd to them a 〈◊〉 made of straw , about two or three inches in thickness , or else bare straw in the 〈◊〉 of those frames , or rather long dung , about the thickness of four or five inches ; all 〈◊〉 being well prop'd with pearches , most broadwise , and some crosswise , taking care that no part may remain bare , and expos'd to the weather . besides all which , another parcel of the same long dung must be kept ready near the fig-trees , to double the coverings if need be , one single night being sufficient to ruine all . north east winds , as we had them in the winter . and the south winds , like unto those of the winter . are likewise sometimes mortal for fig-trees , and commonly more than full north , so that a guard must be kept equally against them all . whenever then any body designs to have fig-trees , they must be prepar'd to take all the care we have mention'd , as necessary for their preservation : but when , notwithstanding all this , some prove so unfortunate as not to succeed , which without doubt will happen but seldom , provided the walls they stand against , are condition'd as aforesaid : although i say , this should happen , in my opinion it ought not to trouble one , since nothing has been wanting that lay in the power of man. the winter being past , and even the month of march almost quite spent , if the fig-trees stand against the wall , only half their covering must be taken away , especially that part the winter may have spoyl'd or rotten , and leave the branches still fix'd thus to the wall , at least always half cover'd , without altering any thing about them , until the full moon of april ; provided always , that if the full moon of march , which happens in the passion-week , seems to threaten some frost , as it often does , you must not fail at the least signal of it to redouble the coverings immediately , there to leave them until the weather appear more certain , and the figs are grown to the bigness of a large pea ; which in our climates seldom happens until the beginning of may ; for as we have already said , the main part of the great colds seldom leave us 'till then : at which time it will be proper to put some small branches , heretofore ty'd and constrain'd , at liberty ; but yet , as i have likewise said , not without propping them with pearches crosswise , to hinder them from falling too much forward : this , in my opinion , is a sufficient stay , those pearches put upon hooks supporting the branches very well , and hindering them , not only from falling , but also from breaking , and being ruffled by the wind , and the fruit is thereby preserv'd sound and intire . i must farther add , that large sheets are proper enough to cover ( during dangerous or suspected nights ) fig-trees being near the wall , either planted there , or in cases ; to which end they must be fasten'd to the pearches , like sails to masts , and besides , put other long perches almost straight over the fig-trees , to hinder the sheets being agitated by the winds , from touching the fruit , the rubbing of the sheets against them never failing to spoyl them ; so that it will likewise be convenient to tie those sheets near the ground , by means of some hooks that may hinder them from such agitations . the third material thing to be done for the culture of those fig-trees , is early to remove at the end of winter , or even at the end of autumn , the greatest part of the suckers or layers they shoot from their foot , without preserving any , unless it be some that may appear to be of use , either to fill up the sides , or to supply the room of such as are dead , or dying : besides , a good use will be made of those suckers , or layers , planting them in some trench made on purpose for it near some good wall ; and whether there , or elsewhere , care must be taken to cover them so well , that the great cold may not be able to spoil them . it is not less necessary to hinder as much as can be , those fig-trees from raising soon to a great heighth , for example , to two or three fathom , to the end , that keeping them always of a moderate heighth , they may consequently always remain full , and well furnish'd , especially , easie to cover in the winter time , which cannot be when they are too high : therefore from year to year the thick new branches must seldom be allow'd more than a foot , a foot and a half , or two foot at most , which is the only pruning they require , after having , as we have already said , clear'd them from all manner of dead wood. moreover , towards the end of march , it is fit to break the end of the extremety of every thick branch , which may chance not to be above a foot in length , provided the winter has not already spoil'd it , which happens commonly to such as have only been finish'd a great way in autumn , but seldom happens to such as have been perfected betimes ; however , that end which appears black , wrinkled , and dead , must be cut neatly . this method of pinching or pruning , serves to make several new branches grow forked , instead of shooting single , which in regularity would have grown straight , that end being indeed a real beginning of a branch : this breaking then promises a greater quantity of figs , either for the second , which is most common , or for the first of the summer for the following year ; it being certain , that from the navel of every leaf a fig will infallibly grow , and sometimes two at once , for one of those two seasons . this breaking , or small pruning of the bud , which appears on the extremity , serves besides , as it seems , to make the figs shoot out the sooner , and consequently to ripen them sooner , since the first that come out of the tree are always the first ripe upon that tree ; it serves likewise , without doubt , to make them grow the larger , by reason that the sap being thus hinder'd from rising as quick as it would have done without this pruning , slips , as it were , into the adjacent parts , and consequently into the figs , and so serves to nourish them better than they should have been . the same operation which we perform in breaking or cutting in the months of march , and april , the ends of the shoots of the preceding year , which is to be understood of those that are thick , and moderately long ; for the slender ones must be almost taken away quite , and as for those that are very thick , and very long , we have heretofore declar'd how they must be shorten'd : the same operation must be perform'd at the beginning of june , upon the thick branches shot in the spring , and that likewise in order to multiply that very summer the branches that are to grow , and consequently to multiply the first figs of the following year ; for many figs must not be expected in either season , unless by means of pinching a great many good new branches be prepar'd , which happens infallibly , when people are careful of pinching ; besides , this very operation produces yet a wonderful effect , which is to hinder the tree from mounting too much , and too soon , and from having branches that may prove too thick , and too long , as well as bare , which is much to be fear'd . if the preceeding year some thick branches have been allow'd a pretty length , which in their time have been good and useful , and yet give cause to fear the inconvenience of thinness , or barrenness , they must in the months of april , and may , especially having no fruit upon them , be shorten'd very low , close to the old wood , in hopes that new branches may proceed from that pruning ; but that is no more infallible here , than upon the old branches of shorten'd peach-trees : however , it will serve at least not to leave any thing with too much length , which might cause an emptiness , or barrenness ; and in the mean time the sap will perform its effect upon some of the adjacent branches , and sometimes also upon the old one that has been shorten'd ; but yet it is certain that fig-trees never shoot so well , as from the natural extremity , i mean the extremity of the branches of the preceeding years growth , not having been cut. fig-trees , in relation to their fruit , are contrary to all other fruit-trees , because that the thick branches of fig-trees , provided they be not of false wood , they being liable to it , as well as other trees , produce the fruit ; whereas the slender ones produce it in other fruit-trees ; therefore as much care must be had in destroying the slender branches upon these trees , as in preserving them upon others . those branches of false wood , or suckers , are known here by flat eyes , or buds , and their being at a great distance from each other , in the same manner as upon stone and kernel fruit ; which branches must of necessity be prun'd somewhat short , which needs not be done to such which being happily grown on the extremities of other branches , are both very good , and of a moderate length , and as such have thick or large close eyes , or buds . it is likewise particularly to be noted , that in the pruning of the thick branches here is a greater conflict to undergo , than in other trees ; since , as we have already often said , the thick branches never produce or bear fruit upon those , and only serve for the figure : whereas in fig-trees the thick branches serve both for the figure , and for the bearing of fruit ; so that particularly , as to the fig-trees in cases , whereof the chief beauty consists in remaining low ; it seems almost impossible to have them at once well form'd , to be of an agreeable figure , and yet full of fruit , which , notwithstanding , is the main point here ; for as the fig-trees in cases naturally produce but little wood , and that whatever fig-tree has but little wood , can have but little fruit. in short'ning the thick branches in prospect of the figure , we decline the fruit. the only medium to be observ'd in this , is always to shorten some of the thickest in every tree , either old , or new , which will serve for the beauty of the figure ; at the same time venturing to leave all the other long , to enjoy the fruit that appears upon them : in case any misfortune be befal'n the first figs , and that towards the middle of april , or the beginning of may , any be desirous to shorten also some of those branches that had been left long for fruit , it may be done , and in so doing , the number of the second figs will receive so much diminution ; but then , to make amends , the number of the first for the next year will be augmented , by reason that the new branches that shall shoot from those that shall have been prun'd , will not come out soon enough to produce autumn figs , but yet time enough for the others . in hot soils , all the figs come out before the end of march , and the trees begin to make new shoots before the end of april , and the first fruit ripens before the end of june , and in the beginning of july , and the second in the beginning of september : but in cold soils , like versailles , the figs do not come out till about the end of april , or even towards the middle of may ; and the shoots do not begin to appear neither , until towards the middle of may ; and the shoots do not begin to appear neither , until towards the middle of may ; and consequently , the first fruits do not ripen there , until the middle or end of july ; and the second , towards the latter end of september . from every eye , or bud , which , in fig-trees , remain , in the spring , upon the thick branches of the preceding year , we may certainly expect a fig , and sometimes two ; but we must never have above one which may come to good , if the season be favourable : and , moreover , every eye may produce a branch , which does not always happen , it depending from the thickness of the mother - branch , and the short pruning that has been perform'd upon it . besides , every good branch commonly produces to the number of six or seven figs ; that is to say , that it may be grown longer , by six or seven eyes , or buds ; either from the month of march , to the middle of june ; or from the middle of june , to the end of autumn ; it seldom produces any more . besides , figs never grow twice upon the same eye , or bud ; that which has produc'd any in autumn , whether they ripen , or no , producing no others the next season . more preparations must be us'd to make the first figs grow , than the second ; there being constantly but too many of these , because that sound fig-trees commonly shoot many fine sprigs , and that every leaf form'd before midsummer , generally owes a fig , either for the autumn of that very year , which is most common ; or for the summer of the following year , when the fig has not appear'd in autumn . this being so , it happens almost always , that abundance of those figs for autumn do appear , which grow in vain , by reason that they seldom ripen ; the cold rains , that are frequent and common in autumn , and the white frosts of the season , killing them almost all , either in making them burst , and open , and so fall , or drop ; or else , hindring them from growing to maturity : and , as for these , it is not to be expected , that , notwithstanding they have been preserv'd green in the winter , and well fix'd to the tree , the renewing of the sap in the spring should bring them to any perfection ; it being most certain , that they will drop , without coming to any thing . but as for those figs we call figs of the first sap , or midsummer - figs , as they only grow in proportion to the shoots and leaves , shot from midsummer , till towards autumn ; and that often fig-trees , particularly in cases , produce but few branches , and regularly short , having but little vigour in the summer , and yet being oblig'd to nourish their fruit , it follows consequently , that they produce but a small quantity of fruit for the spring , the weak branches neither being capable to bear any at that time , nor when they do bear them , of preserving them against the cold of the season ; wherefore it is fit to have very particular regards , in order to make fig-trees , and particularly those that are in cases , produce fine shoots after midsummer , which depends upon the vigour of the foot ; and more particularly on the assistance we ought to afford it , when in that condition . when some branches are preserv'd , being somewhat weak , they must be kept very short , to the end that the remainder may be the better nourish'd , and that the figs , if any can grow upon them , may grow the finer ; but still , upon condition that if any other weak branches should shoot from those , they shall all be taken away , and none preserv'd , unless perhaps the lowest , which thereby may grow to a reasonable thickness . the same care that is taken of fig-trees in cases , just after the winter , placing them in good situations , ought likewise to be taken to place them also in proper situations at the coming in of autumn , to the end that , in order to the maturity of the figs of that season , they may receive the benefit of the little heat the sun affords us at that time . but then , none of the roots must be allow'd to get out of the cases , by reason that there being a necessity of pulling them out , in transporting of the cases , both the tree and fruit would suffer considerably by it , which must needs create a subject of trouble . but then , the only remedy , when the bottom of the cases has touch'd the ground in the summer time , the roots of the fig-tree having extreamly multiply'd there , and the trees being really the better for it , so as not to stand in need of such frequent waterings , though , at the same time , it rots the cases the sooner ; the bottom of the cases having thus touch'd the ground , it will be necessary , before they are put in the conservatory , to cut all those roots well ; or , at least , it must be done at the taking them out again , before they are carry'd to the place where they are to remain all the summer ; for whatever part of them has been expos'd to the air , absolutely spoils : but , after having taken off what is spoil'd , those very cases , being again put upon the ground , the roots will multiply again , more than the year before . and it is not amiss to sacrifice thus some cases , especially such as begin to be old , and of which the fig-trees have been long cas'd . moreover , whereas the first figs may always ripen , whatever situation they be in , the heats of the summer being sufficient for that , it induces me to place fig-trees willingly into the west part , and pretty often likewise to the north ; by which means i have figs much longer , those that are plac'd in those indifferent situations ripening after the others ; so that they almost supply the interval , between the first , and the second : in which i advise others to imitate me ; but yet , upon condition , not to expect autumn - figs from such situations , unless the season proves extraordinary fine and dry . and when fig-trees have been plac'd in such expositions , or situations , great care must be taken to cover them yet better in the winter , than those that were plac'd in the other situations . particular precautions must be had for fig-trees planted in the ground ; especally , not to place them under the spouts of great coverings , which might threaten them with too much water , and particularly , with a great deal of mizling frost , as well in the winter , as in the spring : and in case there be no other place proper to plant them in , those spouts must be turn'd some other way , by means of some wooden or leaden gutter . as to the method of pruning dwarf-standard fig-trees , there is nothing to be added to what we have already said of those that are planted against walls , or in cases . the dwarf-standards will not produce figs , altogether so soon as those fig-trees that are well expos'd , and even later than those that are in cases : which being heated by the sun , on all sides of the case , ripen , as we have already said , a little sooner than the dwarf-standards , and even sooner than the espaliers . those dwarfs will likewise be a little troublesom for the coverings of the winter , and therefore it is dangerous to have any of those , unless it be in very little , private places , and those shelter'd from great frosts : they will likewise be apt to cause a confusion , if , being in a good soil , endeavours be us'd to keep them low , and to hinder them at the same time , from producing great shoots : for which reason , it will be necessary to pinch them carefully , and to have always some thick branches , prun'd low ; and finally , to clear and free them often , as well from so many old worn out branches , as from all new suckers . to that end , such dwarf-standards must always be kept at a very considerable distance from each other , in order to lay a great many branches yearly into the ground , thereby to ease the whole body of the tree , suffering it to grow in breadth as much as it pleases . as to their coverings , care must be taken , at the end of autumn , first to assemble and close their branches together with oziers , and poles , fix'd into the ground , that they may form a kind of bowl , or pyramid ; closing it afterwards with long , dry dung , as we have done to fig-trees in espaliers ; but yet they must not be uncover'd quite , altogether so soon as the others that are shelter'd by a wall ; and the coverings must , by all means , be renew'd , during the spring . after having explain'd my method , as well as possible i can , as well for the pruning of all kinds of young trees , during the four or five first years of their being planted , as for the trimming for the buds , and useless sprigs , and pinching of such as may stand in need of it , having also explain'd my method , as to the culture of fig-trees , planted either in the open ground , or cases ; i now proceed , according to my promise , to explain , with the same exactness , my opinion , as to the pruning of old trees . chap. xxxvii . of the manner of pruning pretty old trees . since pruning may be look'd upon as a kind of remedy for fruit-trees , and that really we have made use of the rules and principles thereof , in order to render the young trees in our gardens more agreeable as to their figure , as well as more fertile in fine and good fruit , than they would have been without being prun'd ; being now to treat about a proper remedy for old fruit-trees , i am of opinion , that , to make my self the better understood , i must first of all suppose two things ; the one in relation to their vigour , or weakness : and i am likewise of opinion , that it will be proper for me to explain this last part , before i meddle with the first , this being altogether grounded upon the other ; and those vigorous trees requiring absolutely to be treated in a different manner from those that are not so . as to what relates to the vigour or weakness of trees , we are to say , that those trees are either very vigorous , producing abundance of thick shoots , or very weak , hardly producing any , or at most but very small ones ; or in fine , neither incline too much to an excess of vigour , or of weakness , so as to be in the case we may wish to have them : these are absolutely the three different cases trees can be in . when they are very vigorous , and as it were furious , whether the beauty of their figure be already form'd , or not , we must still propose to our selves , that whenever we go about to prune them , it will be proper above all things , to leave a great burthen upon them , that is , to leave a great many out-lets upon them , not only for fruit-branches , but also for branches for wood ; which is perform'd two ways ; of which the first is to allow thick branches preserv'd for the establishing or preserving of a beautiful figure , somewhat of an extraordinary length : the second is , not wholly to take away hardly any of their thick new branches , especially such as shoot outward ; but after having chosen in each part of the tree , among the thick ones , that which appears the best plac'd to contribute to the beauty of the figure , and that with an intention to shorten it moderately , according to its situation , which i explain elsewhere ; after that , i say , the adjacent branches to that must be cut very short , that is , if they shoot outwards they must be cut slantingly , within one or two eyes of the place whence they proceed ; if altogether inward , within the thickness of a crown piece . when i speak of allowing somewhat of an extraordinary length in praning to a branch for wood , i mean a foot and a half , or two foot at most , and yet i seldom practice this my self ; but whenever i do , 't is always with an intention of reducing that extraordinary length to a more moderate one , as soon as the tree bears fruit. in order to understand what is meant by shortning a thick branch moderately , it will be proper to remember , that whereas from the extremity of a thick branch being prun'd , several other new ones will proceed , care must be taken to leave room , that is , an empty place , where these new branches may easily lodge themselves , without causing any confusion among one another , or with those that are there already , or such as are to come ; which is the point upon which i would have people regulate themselves as to the moderate length which is to be allow'd to such thick branches that are to be prun'd ; but yet , in regularity , a vigorous tree must seldom be allow'd thick branches , unless they be at least seven or eight inches in length , and sometimes in case of necessity they may be allow'd to the number of eleven or twelve , always remembring , that the said branches must be cut shorter , whenever the tree shall satisfie us with fruit ; so that it depends on the gard'ners prudence to allow more or less length to such a branch that is to be shorten'd , and that as well in respect to the vigour it appears to be of , as to the place that is to be fill'd up in the neighbourhood thereof . when old trees are very weak , commonly the best expedlent is to take them away , and put young ones in their room , after having us'd all the precaution necessary in such cases ; but if , on the contrary , people will preserve them , they must resolve to disburthen or clear them extreamly , either in giving them the figure which is proper to them , which perhaps they want , or in order to preserve it , if already acquir'd ; to which end , they must resolve to leave very few branches for wood upon them , and to prune them all short , that is , five or six inches in length at most , even resolving to leave but very few weak ones , and consequently no useless ones , especially such as seem to be wasted with air , without having born any fruit , or such as are wasted by having produc'd much ; for as we have already observ'd in sundry places , branches perish in bearing , and even some perish sometimes after having born : therefore those branches must be considerably shorten'd , or even taken away quite , when they appear altogether wasted , and consequently useless . but when trees are moderate , so as neither to fall into the excess of vigour , or weakness , but on the contrary , bear a reasonable quantity of fruit , and at the same time produce wood in some measure , according to our desires , both for us , and for themselves ; in such a case , those trees being pretty well shap'd , it will be fit , in relation to them , to follow as well the rules heretofore prescrib'd for young trees , as those we are going to prescribe ; and if those trees are ill condition'd , or ill shap'd , endeavours must be us'd to order them better , which we will visibly discover , after having first explain'd what concerns the figure , which is proper for all manner of old trees . upon this case , we must moreover suppose , that those kind of trees are either already defective , and in disorder , or perhaps are upon the point of becoming so : this is the first reflection to be carefully made at first sight of a tree that is to be prun'd , whatever it may be , wall-tree , or dwarf , in order to resolve with more ease upon what is to be done in relation to the figure . if the defects are already happen'd , that is , if the tree , instead of having an agreeable figure , according to the idea i have heretofore explain'd , it has an ill disagreeable one , either in the whole , or in part. for example , if it be a dwarf , instead of being low in the stem , a. which is the perfection of it , of being open in the middle b. which is the second , of being round in the circumference c. which is the third ; and in fine , instead of being equally furnish'd with many good branches round about its roundness d. which is the fourth ; it should on the contrary , be too high in the stem e. which is the first defect of it ; full and confuse in the middle f. which is the second ; having one side high , g. and the other low , g. or one side flat , h. or weak , h. while the other is pretty round , and very full , which are the third and fourth defects . if it be a wall-tree , whether high in the stem , or low , and short , for as to the branches , the same rules serve for both ; i say if it be a wall-tree , which instead of being furnish'd to the right , and left , as it ought to be with good branches , from the place where it begins , to the place where it ends ; and that in such a manner , as to be equally garnish'd on both sides , without the least confusion in the world ; insomuch that every branch might easily be distinguish'd , and reckon'd ( in which the great perfection , and beautiful figure of a wall-tree consists ) should on the contrary , be quite unprovided in the middle , shooting altogether upwards , so as to reach the top of the wall in two or three years time , which it ought not to do in less than eight or ten ; and perhaps , altogether confuse besides , and intangled on the one side , while the other appears thin , and unfurnish'd , which are the grand defects of wall-trees . let us now run over all those defects one after another , beginning by the dwarfs , in order to speak our opinion precisely , as to the means of correcting of them , if it be possible . chap. xxxviii . of the defects of pruning , in relation to old dwarfs . as to the first case , which supposes a dwarf to be too high in the stem , i think it need not trouble us much , if the tree has been planted long , because it cannot be remedy'd without falling into considerable inconveniencies , which should be wholly to destroy the head of the dwarf , and consequently set it back for the space of three or four years from bearing fruit : the remedy would be violent , and therefore i do not think it fit to meddle with the stem of such a dwarf , tho' too high , and in that respect defective : in that case , i am only for correcting the defects of the head. but when the tree has not been planted many years , to wit , two or three years , especially the head being ill begun , and not according to the rules of art , my opinion is to shorten it quite , to reduce it to the rule , which prescribes it to have a low stem , as it is declar'd in the treatise of plantations ; which i had rather do , than expose my self to leave it always with such a defect , which must offend the sight perpetually : a tree well rooted again , and afterwards shorten'd , soon recovers it self , so as to afford a great deal of pleasure , and upon that account we are not only comforted , but even very much satisfy'd with having shorten'd it in that manner . as to the second defect of a dwarf , which is its being confus'd in the middle ; when i meet with a tree thus confus'd in the figure , and consequently not very proper to bear fruit , i commonly look upon it as i would do upon a great lord , who really has a great estate , and yet is not easie , by reason of the great incumbrances that lye upon it : the selling of some part of his estate , or of a place , might be capable to clear his debts ; whereas on the contrary , when i see a tree well shap'd , and well dispos'd , i fancy i see another man , who by the wise management of a moderate estate , wants for nothing , and lives at ease and quiet . therefore i am for correcting that second defect intirely , as well to afford the tree the beauty it ought to have , as to facilitate the means of making it bear fruit , and that so much the rather , because the remedy is easie , and the success speedy , certain , and without the least danger . and so there will be no fear of the growing of any false wood , or suckers there , nor of any new confusion , which would certainly happen , if , in the first place , those thick branches had been cut from the top , over some weak small branches , and consequently incapable of receiving in their small mouth all the sap which us'd to enter into those that have been retrench'd . or , if in the second place , part of the said thick branches of the middle had been left , whereas they ought to have been wholly taken away , or else would make a kind of stump there . for the sap returning still from the foot with its usual abundance , and returning through the same channel it was us'd to , either to the stem , or some thick branch , and finding no overture large enough to receive it ; or perhaps finding none at all , this sap , i say , bursts of necessity round about that small branch , over which the thick one was cut off , or else round about that stump , or those stumps which were left , and in bursting , makes a great many new branches in that middle , and consequently forms there the same defect we endeavour'd to correct . i have shown heretofore , that on such occasions , there are sometimes some master-stroaks to be perform'd , to leave for a certain time a thick branch over another thick branch , which must be taken away ; to the end that , as in the case of fountains , which are someties vented , lest the winds might hinder the water from performing its function as well as it ought to do , a considerable part of sap may be wasted into those kind of thick useless branches , which otherwise would ruine some dispositions for fruit , ready form'd , or others which might form themselves : but after the tree seems to perform its duty in relation to fruit , we may without any scruple wholly take away such thick branches , that are of no use for the figure , and have only been left two or three years to waste , as we have said , an abundance of sap which would have been troublesom to us : besides , the overture of the tree being made by means of some thick branches that has been taken out of the middle : it will be fit next to examine the remaining branches , whether good , that is , grown according to the most common order of nature , or bad , being grown contrary to the said order ; and consequently branches of false wood , in order to preserve as many as can be of the first , which may be useful for wood , or fruit , at the same time , assigning to each the length that may be proper for it , thereby to ruine the ill ones , all , if the beauty of the figure requires it , conformably to the idea we shall have form'd of it , or only part , which may happen when some thick one chances to be sufficiently well plac'd to contribute to that figure , which without it would prove imperfect . as for the third defect , which relates to the roundness , it is not so easily remedy'd , as the foregoing ; it proceeds from that , when the dwarf was first form'd , care was not taken to order the matter so , that the head of the tree might at least be compos'd of two branches , partly of an equal strength , or thickness , the one on one side , the other on the other , to keep the vigour of it in some measure divided , or as it were in an equilibrium , ( when there happen to be three or four , the thing is yet easier . ) but yet , two may be sufficient to that end , by reason that , as we have said , each of them being afterwards prun'd , as it ought to be , will shoot others on the extremity of it upon the sides , which others being likewise prun'd , will in their turn likewise shoot others . and thus , from year to year , ad infinitum , still performing a new pruning , good new branches will still form themselves , which will contribute to form , and afterwards preserve in our trees that agreeable roundness , and that abundance of fine fruit we desire . this defect in the roundness , probably proceeds then from that the tree when it was first planted , having at the beginning only produc'd one thick branch on one side , with a weak one on the opposite side , as it appears by the figure ; the gard'ner instead of looking at first on that thick branch as the only one , capable of forming a sine head , according to the method i have prescrib'd for the conduct of those kind of trees , when they are newly planted ; instead of that , i say , has indifferently cut both this thick one , and at the same time , this other small one , leaving them perhaps each of an equal length , without any prospect as to the figure , which i hold necessary , and thus the strength of the sap still continuing its first road , which inclines it only to the thick branch , still produces many new fine ones on that side ; and , whereas there enters but a very inconsiderable quantity of sap in the small neighbouring branch , tho' it grew at the same time with the thick one , so it produces but a very small number of small new branches , which perish soon after ; that is , perhaps , after having born a little fruit : thus one side grows still in vigour , being extreamly well furnish'd , while the other remains weak , languishing , and thin ; and consequently the tree being only well on one side , makes a very ugly figure , half flat , and half round , not in the least answering the figure that is requir'd in a tree to be perfect , either in it self , or for the pleasure of sight . from thence it is easie to judge that this defect in point of roundness is great , and even difficult to correct , at least to be corrected in few years ; however , provided the gardner takes care in pruning , as he easily may , to order it so , that yearly the thick branch he prunes may produce some other likewise thick , shooting towards the side that wants filling , furnishing , and being made round ; he may in time , in some measure attain to that round figure . now , in order to understand how this may be perform'd with a little cate and forecast , it is fit to remember , that , as we have already said , every branch being prun'd , must of necessity shoot some new ones on the extremity of it , and that more or less , according to its thickness , and strength , and the length that has been allow'd to it : a thick , strong , and short one producing commonly a greater quantity , and those finer than either the thick and strong one that has been left long , or the weak one , whatever way it was prun'd . so that it is most true , that it is possible to prune in such a manner , from year to year , that among the thick new branches ( that are to come , and are to grow out of those eyes , or buds that are on the extremity of the old one that has been prun'd ) there may always be some principal one , shooting toward the defective side , which consequently must be carefully preserv'd , and prun'd also with the same regards , and thus this defect diminishing by degrees , the perfection of roundness , which is wanting in the figure , will be insensibly introduc'd . in correcting the third defect of this dwarf , the fourth is corrected at the same time , which consists in not being equally furnish'd round about its circumference ; so that this dwarf in losing the defect it had in wanting of roundness , at the same time acquires the fourth perfection it ought to have , that is , it becomes as full on one side , as it was on the other . chap. xxxix . the defects of pruning , in relation to old wall-trees . we must impute the defects of wall-trees to the same canse , which is a failure in the first years against the same principles of pruning , which had been transgress'd in the forming of dwarfs , and has now been corrected by us : that which hinder'd the roundness of those , is absolutely the same thing with that which has hinder'd the establishing of that equality of strength , without which the sides of a wall-tree cannot be equally furnish'd . that is , the wall-tree must have produc'd the first year , some branches equally strong , opposite one to another ; or if it has shot but one strong one , the whole beauty of the tree must be founded alone upon that , without trusting to the weak ones that are grown at the same time for any thing , but fruit , and then their death . this single thick one , being at the spring prun'd somewhat short , that is , within five or six inches , seldom fails , as we have said , of producing that very year at least two thick ones , with some small ones ; which two thick ones will be partly of an equal strength , and oppos'd to each other . now each of them having a side to fill , will perform it well , provided the gard'ner still remains master of the extremity of them , so as not to let either slip up , as we have fully explain'd in the conduct of our young wall-trees ; and consequently this wall-fruit-tree is commonly only defective by the negligence , or rather want of skill of the gard'ner , who being intrusted with the conduct thereof , has not had all the regards we have explain'd in this treatise for the pruning of thick branches : and therefore , whereas he may have been deficient for many years together in those wall-trees , against the good principles of pruning ; it follows , that to repair the defects of them , there are as many inconveniencies to be fear'd , as we have demonstrated , in order to the repairing of those of a dwarf , being shot too high . when the trees are not too old , i am for short'ning the thick branches that are , for example , shot up within two or three years , as well in the case of kernel , as of stone - fruit ; those thick branches being short'ned , will produce new ones on their extremities , which will begin a-new to form the agreeable figure wall-trees ought to have ; and together with that figure , will not only bear abundance of fruit , but will bear long , which those kind of wall-trees shot up too high cannot perform , the common heighth of the walls not allowing it : and as for those trees that are older , perhaps some thick branches may be short'ned , which expedient is pretty secure in all sort of fruit-trees , excepting peach-trees being graff'd ; for it is certain , that peach-trees growing from a stone , live much longer than others , but then they do not bear fruit so soon ; but in recompence , being cut again , they still shoot vigorously , which the others that have been graff'd do not do , being old , infirm , and weak , at the end of ten or twelve years : this is the reason why they can hardly shoot any new branches through the hard dry bark of an old branch that shall have been shorten'd upon them . therefore , in my opinion , the best way is to leave those old peach-trees in the condition they are , without performing the grand remedy upon them , which is to shorten them ; only pruning them as if they were well-condition'd , in order to get fruit from them , as long as they are capable of affording such as is good , and fair , with a resolve to destroy them as soon as they cease to bear such . in the mean time , i think it very proper to remove the earth from the sides , which i believe may be wasted ; at the same time taking away the greatest part of the old roots that may be found in moving of the earth , putting afterwards good new mould in the room of it , then plant new trees there , that may be young , and fine , and of the choicest fruits . as for the other kind of trees that have been stock'd up , or shorten'd , either pear , fig , abricot , or plumb-trees , their new branches must be order'd according to the rules heretofore establish'd in the management of young wall-trees , which without doubt will succeed well . the first defect of a wall-tree being corrected , which , as we have said , consists in not being so well garnish'd with good branches on the sides , as to have an equality without the least appearance of confusion ; the second , which consists in having thick branches shot up too high , being but a sequel of the first , or rather the same thing , will consequently be corrected by the same means . the thick branches which a negligent or unskillful gard'ner has suffer'd to grow too long , have occasion'd all this disorder , for want of considering , that whereas the new branches commonly grow only on the extremity of those that have been prun'd , and never on the lower part ; it follows of course , that the lower part of such as have been left too long of a foot and an half , and more , must needs from a great vacuity , or thinness , and consequently such a tree having been thus ill order'd , can never acquire the beauty a wall-tree ought to have , to be effectually in a good case . as for the next defect , which consists in having one part confuse , that is , too full , while the other wants fullness ; it commonly proceeds , either from old , small , wither'd , useless branches , left by the ignorant , or negligent gard'ners , or else from having suffer'd and cut two , three , or four thick branches close by one another , of an equal length , contrary to a good maxim which forbids it ; it being certain , that since every branch that is prun'd , produces new ones , and often many ; it being certain , i say , that if many cut branches be left near one another , several new ones will of course shoot from them , which not finding empty places enough to fill up , will cause a confusion where they are , while another part of the tree , to which that sap might have been directed , which occasions a great defect here , becomes wretched , and forsaken , and as it were starves . the rule which forbids this multiplicity of thick neighbouring branches of an equal length , wills one only to be left in every part , and that of a moderate length ; to the end that the new ones it will produce , may severally garnish some places , which certainly without this forecast , might prove empty , and thin : and in case it be thought fit in one place , to leave two or three in proportion , as it proves more or less vigorous , or thin in that place , they must all differ exceedingly in length , and look on different sides , which may require being garnish'd ; to the end that the new ones that are to grow , may cause a good effect , instead of being cumbersom , so as to force one to take them away as soon as they are grown . i have now declar'd in general what i think proper to remedy by pruning , the grand defects that are happen'd , and still happen daily in old trees , either dwarfs , or wall-trees . there now remains to tell , what i think proper to remedy the inconveniences that are like to befall old trees . perhaps it may be sufficiently known by the remarks i have just made , without any necessity of saying more precisely , that it is necessary betimes to establish the equality of vigour , which being once so establish'd , must be preserv'd ; and above all things , it is fit to be diffident of thick branches , which never fail of usurping a mastery wherever they begin to form themselves . the truth is , that these are the only ones that spoil all , by the ill use that is made of them ; they cause all the defects we have now observ'd , and combated , whereas they are the only ones , which , being made a good use of , according to the rules we have heretofore explain'd , must not only contribute to the beauty of the figure of trees , and to make them lasting , but likewise to the abundance of the good and fine fruit they are to produce . and therefore the first thing to be done , is to examine at first , whether the tree be conformable to the idea of beauty it ought to have , and must be very well understood ; or if not , in the first case , 't is but following what is establish'd for young trees ; but particularly , when they seem to swerve from a fine figure , care must be taken to oppose it with vigour , and exactness : so that if one side seems to weaken , endeavours must be us'd to strengthen it again , by retrenching some thick branches that are superiour to it ; that is , when the condition of the tree can permit it : for as one side never weakens considerably , without the others strengthning at the same time , as soon as it is observ'd that the other side seems to strengthen in an extraordinary manner ; insomuch , that some branch shall have thicken'd considerably , and have produc'd a great number of others , that thick one must immediately be cut off , over one looking on the weaker side , thereby going to the exteriour source of that defect , and stopping it , even in the original ; and so consequently , whether one branch only , or more , shoot out too much , the current of the sap is turn'd aside ; and whereas that sap must of necessity have a course , if it be stop'd on one side , it will incline to another , and by thus dividing it , we contribute to the equality of vigour , without which , a tree can never have the beautiful figure that is proper to it , and which we ought to endeavour to procure . this is for the present all i have to say in relation to the pruning of trees , either dwarfs , or wall-trees : let us now proceed to the vine , which is not near so long , or difficult to explain . chap. xl. of the pruning of vines . of all the things the art of husbandry subjects to pruning , and are commonly prun'd once a year ; nothing to me seems to require it so much as vines , and nothing more easily perform'd : both which propositions i am perswaded of , and will prove hereafter . in the mean time , i may say by the by , that earth hardly nourishes any thing that is subject to more accidents , or is oftner afflicted , than a vine ; but then , on the other side , i may likewise affirm , that nothing on earth would be happier in its productions , if the wishes of men could preserve it from all manner of misfortunes . it will not be proper to make the apology of it here , it not being the design of this treatise ; it is daily sufficiently prais'd by others : and tho' i were so minded , i could hardly say any thing in favour of it , that were not tiresom . the proof of my first proposition is grounded upon this , that constantly a vine wanting to be prun'd , perishes soon after ; not in relation to the foot , which works as it us'd to do , without regard to what relates to the head , but in relation to the fruit ; since it neither produces any so good , so fine , or so well fed , as that which is regularly prun'd , by reason that ( lively and sprightly as it is , perhaps beyond any plant we are acquainted with ) when it is well , it commonly shoots wood furiously , even several branches in one summer , and those thick enough , each five or six fathom long , every one of those shooting at the same time a vast number of bad small branches all along the thick ones , which is a thing sufficiently known by every body . now these small branches in relation to vines , no more than the too great quantity of large , thick , long ones in relation to pear-trees , have no-wise the gift of fertility : on the contrary , they remain useless , and so consume to no purpose , a considerable quantity of sap , which might be imploy'd to produce fruit ; therefore it is fit to avoid that great quantity of useless branches upon vines , which can be done no otherwise than by pruning , and consequently it is absolutely necessary to prune a vine ; insomuch , that it is less pernicious for a vine to be ill prun'd , than not prun'd at all : for at least this pruning , tho' ill perform'd , occasions a great benefit , in hindring the sap from wasting , or being dissipated , as it would be in the long branches that we retrench in pruning , it producing at the same time other branches from the foot , which will prove more useful : from whence it follows , that in our husbandry nothing requires so much being prun'd as a vine ; and indeed , as we have already observ'd , we stand indebted to the vine for the first beginnings of pruning , which is now practis'd so usefully by gard'ners , and vine-dressers . the reason which made me affirm , that nothing appears so easie to be prun'd as a vine , ( and this is my second proposition ) is , that in my opinion nothing punishes the defects that are committed in pruning less than a vine does . we have daily a thousand examples of it in common vineyards , where we seldom meet a vine-dresser skillful enough to understand the true method of pruning a vine , and consequently of giving a good reason for what he does ; and yet those very vine-dressers seldom fail of having yearly a pretty good vintage , provided the seasons do not hinder it . thus we see that vines , tho' ill prun'd , provided the foot be in a good condition , do not fail of producing abundance of fine wood , and consequently a great deal of fruit ; therefore i had reason to say , that nothing is more easie to prune than a vine : for indeed , whereas the roots of it are extreamly active , they produce abundance of sap , which of course makes a great many large new branches , especially upon those that have been prun'd the year before . every one of those new branches commonly shoots fruit on the fifth and sixth eye or bud , and even pretty often on the seventh ; and that which is singular in a vine , is , that it produces its fruit at the same time with the branches ; for the fruit does not grow afterwards here , as it does on the branches of other fruit-bearing plants : and indeed , no fruit must be expected on a vine , unless it comes out at the same moment with the branches , which is a truth known by every body . commonly every good new branch produces at least two fine bunches of grapes , which seldom fails ; and this furnishes a pretty considerable quantity of wine ; but when every branch , or at least the major part produces three , which happens sometimes , then we have a full vintage ; supposing always , that neither hail , frost , or bad rains , especially those , which falling at the time of the blossom , make the grapes run ; i say , supposing those enemies to vines have spoil'd nothing in its productions . i need not mention in this treatise of the pruning of vines , the manner of planting , or multiplying it ; for besides that , it is not a proper place for it , nothing can be more generally known , than those two articles are : so that i shall only insist upon the pruning part , which i look upon to be very necessary , by reason of four or five sorts of grapes , that are commonly introduc'd in our gardens , and are indeed the chief adornments of them , i mean muscadins , which are the most considerable ; the others are chasselas , precoses , or early grapes , currans , even bourdelais not being excluded ; not indeed for the same reasons proper to the others , but for the reasons explain'd in that part , which treats of the good use that is to be made of the walls of every garden ; and shews that bourdelais are useful both for leaves , and verjuice . i shall begin this small treatise of the pruning of vines , by saying , that among the good grapes , which compose part of our gard'ning , and the common grapes that grow in vineyards , there is particularly this great difference ; that in our gardens we neither require abundance of bunches , or abundance of grapes upon those bunches ; we desire thin bunches , with few grapes upon them , provided they be large , firm , and crackling ; to the end that the season for maturity being favourable , we may have the pleasure we had propos'd to our selves ; which never happens when the grapes are too close ; whereas in vineyards they have different prospects , and with reason , desiring nothing so much , as the abundance of bunches , and quantity of grapes upon each of them . i say , moreover , that a good and well amended soil is not proper to produce good grapes in our gardens , especially for muscadins ; we rather want a soil moderately fat , provided it be not too much worn , and be well situated ; and lastly , provided the plants are neither too old , nor too young ; and , in case they be very vigorous , not too close one to another , so as to cause a confusion ; all which conditions are very necessary for the goodness of muscadin , and without doubt to contribute considerably to it , nothing can be of more use , than a skillful pruning . in order to perform it skillfully , we are to examine two principal things ; first , the vigour of the whole plant that is to be prun'd ; and secondly , the thickness or strength of every branch upon which the pruning is to be perform'd ; for as to the time of pruning , nothing is to be added to what has been said of the time of the pruning of trees , since all the same considerations are to be had in the pruning of vines , as have been had in the pruning of fruit-trees . as to the first point in question , viz. the vigour of the plant ( which is known by the thickness , and number of new shoots ) the chief thing to be done , is always to leave a great burthen to those plants , that are very vigorous ; i mean a great many prun'd branches , whether those plants have as yet but one arm , as when they are very young , or have many , as they may have after the fifth or sixth year of their being planted : but yet , in either case , that great burthen must be so well mannag'd , that it may have no confusion : and whereas very vigorous plants must be greatly burthen'd , so always in proportion , few cut branches must be left upon such as are but moderately strong , and yet less upon those that are very weak . as to the second point , which relates to the thickness of every branch upon which the pruning is to be perform'd ; always supposing the regards i advise for the best plac'd , which i will explain in the sequel . that being done , i am always for pruning upon the thickest branches , which indeed are the best ; at least it must never be perform'd upon the weak ones ; so that if the trimming of the buds , and useles branches , that is necessary to be done yearly in the month of may , had not taken away abundance of small shoots that commonly grow upon the stock , or upon some old branch , they must be remov'd at the time of pruning , weak shoots not producing near so much as the thick ones . the branches to be prun'd being chosen , which , as we have already declar'd , must always be the thickest , and best plac'd , we must now regulate the length that is proper to be allow'd to each of them : this length ought commonly to be limited to four good eyes , or buds , ( which are the four first to be reckon'd from the place whence the branch has taken its birth ) unless it be with a design to make the plant of that vine rise all on a suddain , or else in the space of two or three years , a great deal higher than it is , or else to make it garnish some distant place , in a short space of time ; in which case , it may be allow'd a great deal more length than we have now regulated ; but still on condition , that when it shall once have reach'd that heighth , or propos'd distance , it must , if it prove well , always be kept to that , as it may be done with ease , by means of the pruning i practise , only yearly performing that pruning , within the compass of the moderate length above mention'd . in the performing of this , as well as all other manners of pruning of vines , these two precautions must be had ; both of which are pretty material : the first is , to cut within a large inch of the eye or bud that is to be the last , i mean on the extremity of the branch that is prun'd , by reason that if it were cut closer , that eye would be wounded by it , and would not produce so fine a shoot : and the second is , to order the cut so , that the slope may always draw towards the side that is opposite to that last eye , for fear the water , or bleedings which never fail dropping from that part that is prun'd , when the sap begins to rise , should fall upon that last eye , because it might prove prejudicial to it . from those four eyes or buds left upon the pruning of a vigorous plant , especially against a wall , may always be expected four new branches , one from each ; each of which , as we have already said , will be furnish'd with two or three bunches of grapes ; that is , every good branch being prun'd within the compass of four eyes , provided , no ill accident befall either of them , which happens sometimes , may produce four good new branches together , with eight , ten , or twelve bunches of grapes for autumn ; so that one plant of vine , upon which , at the spring , shall have been left two good branches prun'd , may yield that very year twenty , or twenty four bunches of grapes ; and another having four good branches , may yield to the number of forty , and so it might rise ad infinitum ; always remembring to proportion the burthen in pruning , to the vigour of the plant ; likewise noting , that such an abundance can only suit with vines planted against walls . i repeat again , that in pruning , a great difference is to be made between a branch shot from the pruning of the preceeding year , and another ; for indeed the first can only be look'd upon as a branch of false wood , and consequently , must be absolutely remov'd , unless there be no other upon the stock , or that it may be of use , as it is pretty often , in order to shorten the stock close to it , being necessitated so to do , both to keep within the bounds of the heighth we affect , and because old branches perish , in fine , at the end of a certain time , and so consequently the old wood being grown infirm , and useless , it must needs be remov'd , as soon as it is perceiveable . now , since for the reasons abovesaid , it has been thought fit to preserve some branches shot from the stock , for instance , one or two in one and the same place ; in such a case they must be shortned within the compass of two eyes , in hopes of two fair good branches , upon which we may lay the foundation of our hopes , for the re-establishing of such a vine , whether it be the whole plant , or only part of it , continuing during that year the common pruning upon some higher branch , in order to have fruit that year , resolving to ruine it intirely , the fruit being gather'd . we have declar'd elsewhere , that muscadin requires a pretty deal of heat , adding thereunto , that it dreads the excess , as much as the mediocrity , or want of it : therefore , as in moderate climes , like france , muscadin requires being plac'd to the south , or at least to the east , against walls : so in very hot countries , like languedoc , and provence , it dreads those kind of scituations , by reason that the heat being too scorching , the grapes wither , and burn , instead of ripening , and therefore only thrive there in the open air , where indeed they attain a miraculous perfection , insomuch , that all the industry of man can never reach that perfection , in countries that lye somewhat to the north ; for which reason , we are oblig'd to confess , that tho' we need not envy other climes for all other fruits , viz. peaches , plums , pears , apples , and even figs , and melons , &c. yet in our climes we can never approach the happiness of meridional countries for muscadins . it is to be observ'd particularly , that muscadin never thrives well against a high treillis , it is always close , small , and flabby ; wherefore i am not for placing it against such , neither must it ( especially in espaliers ) be kept so low that the grapes may touch the ground , or for the water of spouts to spurt gravel against it : for which reason , i affect a heighth of three , four , or five foot at most , particularly for muscadin , insomuch , that the fruit on the espalier may neither be much higher , nor much lower ; this is what i meant heretofore , when i spoke of a branch , which being thick , is fit for pruning , provided it be well plac'd . the same heighth is likewise very proper for chassellas , currans , and early grapes , &c. but not so necessary : grapes that do not grow against walls , indeed may , and ought to be kept much lower , whatever they be , but still we must not swerve from the maxim which forbids that grapes that are to be eaten raw , should touch the ground . the length for the pruning of every branch of vine being regulated , it will now be proper to examine to the bottom the burthen that is fit to be left upon every plant , which is the most difficult , and most material point . when the preceeding years pruning has produc'd three , or four branches , as it may do , and often happens ; then supposing the vine to be of the heighth above-mention'd , i begin , by removing wholly all the weak ones , and as to the others , unless the mother branch , be very vigorous , i never preserve above two of them , and chuse the thickest , because that , as we have already said , they are doubtless the best , always chusing , as much as can be , the lowest , provided they be thick , otherwise i keep to the highest ; after that , i prune them both , tho' not of an equal length , that is , allowing them each four eyes , i only allow it the highest of the two , which i call the pruning , and leave but two upon the lowest , which i call a stump ; resolving at the same time , to remove the highest quite the following year ; together with all those that shall shoot from it , reducing my self wholly to the two that shall grow from that shortest branch , provided the said branch succeeds according to my hopes , and appearances ; for if any accident should happen to it , so as not to produce two fine branches , it shooting perhaps but one , i fix still to the finest , and lowest of the pruning , either to keep two of them , in case the short branch has fail'd quite ; or at least , i preserve one for pruning , the short one having shot one , that may serve for a short one the following year : this is the method i daily attempt , not to swerve from the heighth i affect , as good , and necessary . i affirm , that by this method , accompany'd with some culture , and the common custom of couching branches from time , to time , in order to get new wood , when the old begins to appear wasted ; as also with the help of a little dung , or rather some renewing of soil , when any diminution of vigour is perceiv'd ; i say , i affirm that such a method will constantly preserve every plant of vine in a good case , vigorous , and without any wounds , it will produce fine grapes ; and consequently , if the season , and clime contribute to afford it due maturity , it will yield the satisfaction that was expected from it . but when the plant of vine , especially of muscadine , is extraordinary vigorous , as it happens pretty often , insomuch that the three , or four branches it has shot from every branch that has been prun'd prove very thick ; i am for preserving of them all , pruning both the one and the others of the length heretofore specifi'd , as well the highest for pruning , as the lowest for a stump ; and in order to have room to place without confusion all the young ones that are to proceed from that , i pull up some neighbouring plant that might stand in my way : i likewise affect sometimes to choose for my pruning the meanest of those branchss , always forming my stump upon the lowest of the thick ones , after which i cut the thickest that are near that mean one , that may be fit for pruning within one eye ; in order that those kind of stumps may wast part of the fury of the foot , and that the mean branch i have chosen for the best may not be inconvenienc'd by it , and made to bear close fruit , as it would certainly do , if it receiv'd the vigour of all of them ; so that in such a case , i do not cut the highest over the lowest , as i use to do , when the plant is but moderately vigorous . when our muscadines are in blossom , the thing in the world i am most desirous of , is , that which , excepting frost and hail , is most to be dreaded for vines , and that is rain , in order to make part of the grapes weep away , without which they would be too close , as well as too small and flabby ; therefore when nature does not allow me that rain according to my desire , i endeavour to supply it with waterings , which for the most part succeeds well : i must confess that it is very troublesome for such as have a great many plants of muscadine , but yet the experiment may be try'd upon a smaller number . when the year proves extraordinary drie at the season of maturity , if my soil be naturally very drie , i water the foot of my vine largely , especially when the fruit begins to turn ; such a watering , when necessary , and well perform'd in the month of august , contributes certainly to the largeness and firmness of the grapes . when the fruit-bearing branch , i mean the new branch of that years growth , is not of a monstrous thickness , as some of them prove sometimes , i cut it in the month of july , close to the fruit , being careful at the same time , by means of some neighbouring leaves , to shelter the fruit from the great heat of the sun , until it be at least half ripe ; for when it draws near maturity , and this is a general rule , it is proper to keep it a little bare , in order to afford it that yellow colour , which becomes it so well : the cutting i just mention'd , augments the nourishment of the fruit , and commonly contributes to make it larger , and more crackling , but it is not always certain nor infallible , neither must it be done , when the branches are very thick ; for whereas in the summer they shoot almost as many small new branches , as they have eyes or buds , those branches growing thick , would in course occasion a great confusion , for even when the branches are not shortned , they notwithstanding shoot , during the summer , abundance of those buds , which must be carefully pull'd off , as being very useless . happy are those who are in such situations , where muscadine yearly ripens well , i cannot forbear envying their good fortune a little . happy likewise are those , who having muscadine in an indifferent climate , and pretty ill ground , are favour'd with such a summer as we had in the year , for it is most certain , that we have reason to be contented with that years muscadine . but it is not sufficient for our vines to have abundance of fine bunches , and those not over stock'd with grapes , nor for the season to be favourable to make them ripen well , we have besides other considerable enemies to dread for those grapes , as well as for fig-trees , which are , besides some frosts which make the leaves fall , and long cold rains , which rot the grapes ; birds and flies of several kinds ; as to the first , the first , the best way to prevent their mischief , is to hang nets before those grapes which will hinder the birds from coming near it ; but that remedy is not very easie , when there is abundance of muscadine to be preserv'd : as to the flies , we have the remedy of viols , that must be half filled with water mix'd with a little hony , or sugar , which expedient is sufficiently known by every body ; those viols must be hung up in divers places about the vines with some pack-thread , and those infects seldom fail of getting into them , being attracted by the sweetness of the honey and sugar , and there certainly perish , as soon as they are got in , not being able to find the way out again ; at least abundance of them are destroy'd that way , tho' it is almost impossible to destroy them all : care must be taken besides , to empty those viols , when any considerable number of those flies are taken , otherwise no more of them would be taken , the corruption and stink they are subject to , hinder the others from coming there : then the said viols must be fill'd up again , as before , and plac'd a-new in proper places . paper bags , and linnen cloths , are likewise us'd to cover every bunch , but besides that it is a kind of slavery , if on the one side it serves to preserve the grapes so inclos'd from the birds and flies , on the other side , it hinders the sun from affording them that same yellow colour , which is so agreeable to sight , and contributes to make them better , as well as to show their perfect maturity : for to imagine that it preserves the grapes the longer ripe , is an error i have experienc'd ; the reason is , that fruit begins to rot , as soon as it is throughly ripe , and even sometimes before ; and as soon as one grape is tainted , it spoils the next , 〈◊〉 next another , and so ad infinitum , which is a very considerable inconveniency , not so easily discover'd when the grapes are enclos'd , as when they are bare ; as soon as a grape looks tainted , it must be pick'd , to hinder it from infecting the rest . i must not omit adding , that in such years as produce an infinite quantity of bunches , as the year . it will be fit to take away part of them in those places where they are too thick , as also too thin , those bunches that appear too close , or too full , as well as to shorten on the lower extremity such as seem too long , that extremity never ripening so well , as the top , which always ripens the best of any other part . i should likewise add , that no grapes must be gather'd , especially muscadine , until it be perfectly ripe , since perfect maturity is absolutely necessary to afford it that sweetness , and flavour , without which , nothing can be less agreeable than muscadin : but this advice shall be compos'd in one of the chapters of the following part ; wherein i shall examine whatever relates to the maturity of every particular fruit. the end of the fourth part. of fruit-gardens , and kitchen-gardens . vol. ii. part v. chap. i. concerning the care that is requir'd to pick fruits , when they are too abounding . whereas the intention of our culture is not only to promote fair fruit , but especially to have it fine , and large ; hoping thereby , and with reason , that it will be the better for it , goodness seldom failing to attend beauty , and largeness of size : and , whereas neither pruning , nor the trimming of the buds , and useless branches , the tillages , or improvements of the ground are always sufficient to afford us this beauty , and size ; it follows from thence , that there is something else to be done , which is that i am to treat of here . it is certain , that when we neither meet with frosts , or north-east winds , at the time that the trees blossom , and the fruit knits ; that is , in the months of march , april , and may ; i say , it is certain , that pretty often in some parts of the tree there remains too much fruit for it to be very beautiful ; for in the first place , in relation to kernel-fruits , whether pears , or apples , it is most certain that every bud commonly produces many blossoms , and consequently may produce many fruits ; that is , to the number of seven , eight , nine , and ten , &c. in the second place , as to stone fruits , altho' every bud , excepting only plain cherries , morello's , white and black hearts and bigarreaux , produce but one single fruit , ( for indeed , one peach-bud , and one plum-bud only produce one peach , and one plum , ) yet , as every one of their fruit-bearing branches , is commonly burthened with a great number of buds , all close to one another ; it follows , that upon every one of those branches there may remain an excessive quantity of fruits , and therefore the same argument we use for the buds of kernel-fruits , may stand good for this ; which is , that the more fruit there knits upon one bud , the smaller the portion must be ; which at the shooting out of the stalk out of that bud , distributes it self to every individual fruit ; insomuch , that if the quantity were less , 't is most certain that the portion of every one of the remaining would be the larger , and consequently , the fruit being the better fed , would be larger , and commonly better . so likewise , the more fruit there is upon a branch of stone-fruit , peach , plum , or apricock-trees , &c. the smaller is the portion of nourishment , which distributes it self to every peach , and every apricock , on such branches ; so that had there been less upon every branch , the fruit would certainly have been better fed , and consequently larger , and commonly better ; since indeed , it is almost impossible to have at once largeness , beauty , and goodness , when there is too much fruit , either upon one and the same bud , or upon one and the same branch . it follows from thence , that a skillful gard'ner , who takes care to make his trees blossom ( which is in some measure in his power to do ) it follows , i say , that he must likewise take yet more care to leave no more fruit on every tree , and particularly on every bud , and on every branch , than in proportion to what he may judge , that the tree , or rather the branch , is capable to nourish , in order to have that fruit beautiful . i say , particularly the branch ; for , whereas the distribution of the nourishment which is destin'd to every one , is perform'd at the first entrance of the branch , according to the largeness of the overture thereof , and not according to the multitude of the fruit it is burthen'd with , nor the measure of nourishment it may stand in need of ; it follows , that the fruit of every one only receives the benefit of that which nature allows the branch it grows on , without receiving the least benefit of that which it allows the neighbouring branches , every one of them having their peculiar functions , and separated works , which is so certain , that a tree sometimes bearing but one or two fruits , or at least , but a small quantity , that fruit is no finer than if it had produc'd a far greater quantity . it likewise follows from thence , that the encrease of sap , or nourishment , which may happen to every individual fruit , only proceeds from the retrenchment that is made of the too great quantity of fruit , which grew on every bud , or upon the same branch upon which it is found ; as if every bud , or every particular fruit-branch made particular families , having every one their particular income , and each their servants to nourish ; insomuch , that as the one receives no benefit from the abundance of the others , so the children of every one in particular , have a greater share of nourishment ; when the same food , which , for example , might have been divided , or shar'd among ten , is only divided among two or three . therefore it is certain , that we must leave but few fruits upon every bud , and upon every branch , if we design to have them all both larger and finer ; and whereas in pruning every tree , i leave as many , and sometimes more good buds , and good fruit-bearing-branches upon it , than it seems capable to nourish , being sensible of the hazards that are to be fear'd , before the fruits of every one are safe ; and being likewise desirous that all the fruits of every tree should be partly equally beautiful , i never fail , after the fruit is knit , to make an exact review of that which every bud and every branch contains , in order to leave no more on each place , than it is likely to be able to nourish plentifully . it is likewise certain , that , pretty often , nature seems to take care to purge , or disburthen it self of what it is over-burthen'd with ; at least the spring sometimes produces of those frosts , and north-east winds , we have already mention'd , which happen also pretty often between the months of july and august ; those kind of north-east winds are terrible shakers of fruits ; they beat down abundance of it , and some times too much , and that without the least discretion or measure , either in respect to the whole tree , or to every branch , in so much that such years have a great scarcity of fruit , and often to excess ; but yet whatever misfortune it may have caus'd , we must not fail still to make a review of what is remaining , to take away such from some places , which in prudence we judge to be overburthen'd . but then again , those frosts and stormy winds do not always happen , and then the greatest part of the fruit , which has knit , remains upon the trees , and thus in the midst of plenty , as to number , we may really call our selves poor as to beauty , and goodness , having nothing fine enough to honour our culture . in such a case , i think it very proper , to ease nature of a cousiderable part of its burthen , in the following manner . first , it is fit to tarry , until the fruits be pretty large and well form'd , in order to take away such as are superabundant , and particularly to preserve the most beautiful and most sizeable ; since that great number consists both of good and bad , to which end we must commonly tarry until the end of may , and the begining of june , at which time fruit is large enough to facilitate our choice . but this picking or culling must be perform'd sooner for apricocks than any other fruits : whereby we derive an advantage , which is not met with on other trees , a very good use being made of small green apricocks , which we cannot make of other small green fruits , at least hitherto we have not found the way of it , tho it were perhaps to be wish'd we might . secondly , we must be careful to allow every fruit , as near as we can , as much room as it may require , for the size we know it is to be of , when it approaches to maturity , and that particularly for those kind of principal stone - fruits , which have short stalks , viz. peaches , pavies , or purple-peaches , apricocks , &c. otherwise they would obstruct each other in growing , and it often happens that those that are equally large destroy each other , or at least the strongest get the better , that is , the largest destroys the smallest , and thus the nourishment which those wretches have receiv'd during two or three months , is lost in vain ; whereas it might have been imploy'd to advantage , had care been taken to take off some of those that were worst plac'd betimes ; for by that means those that should have been preserv'd , would have receiv'd the benefit of the nourishment which was wasted on their neighbours . it follows from thence , that you must never leave those kind of fruits near one another , tho' they are commonly so , several of them growing together , witness apricocks , or at least two and two , witness peaches : for commonly the blossom buds of peach trees only grow two and two , both very close to one another , being only divided by a small eye , for wood , which is a small beginning of a branch , which places it self between the two , and for the generality only shoots a few leaves , and no wood ; but when it shoots vigorously and forms a pretty fair branch , then there is no necessity of removing one of those fruits which on both sides accompany the branch ; their natural situation keeping them at sufficient distance , and without doubt both of them will prove very fine , provided nothing else press them while they are thickning , which as i have said , must be carefully look'd to ; but in case the shoot be but weak , and slender , it must not hinder the removing of one of the two peaches : moreover , as those kind of small shoots are commonly at a stand even in june , it is very proper to shorten them at that very time to an eye or bud , in order to save the nourishment , which would be wasted in them to no purpose ; besides those are the shoots which generally cause a confusion ; it will suffice to leave a leaf or two upon each , to shelter the peach from the heat of the sun , and that during all the time , of it's tenderest infancy ; shade being so very necessary at that time , that without it the peach might perish , being uncover'd , before its being come to some maturity . autumn and winter pears , especially such as are recommendable for the largeness of their size , for instance , beurre or butter-pears , bon chretiens , virgoulee , &c. do likewise stand in need of that picking or culling of fruits ; by reason that too many of them being left together upon one knob , they will seldom prove very fine , one will suffice upon each , or two at most , and even those must appear pretty large , according to the season , and both of an equal size , for the one being less than the other , will always remain so , and consequently ill favour'd , which far from deserving to be preserv'd , since it could not attain the size it ought to have , only serves to wrong the other , which would have thriven the better had it remain'd alone upon that bud. as for summer pears , for instance small muscat , robins , cassolets , rousselets , &c. there is no such absolute necessity to pick them , they must only be us'd like plums and cherries ; they are fruits of an ordinary and regular size , and are commonly good of all sizes , provided they be ripe , and not tainted by worms . thirdly , it must be noted , that , when the branches of peach-trees , upon which in pruning we have left as many blossoms , as we thought fit , which , as we have already noted , is always to some kind of excess ; when those branches , i say , do not appear in the month of may to receive considerable succors of new sap , so as to thicken , or to shoot fine branches on their extremities : in that case , as i have declared more at large in the treatise of pruning , we must not only take away a great part of the fruit which is aready knit upon them , but even shorten the branch extreamly , and that to that part from which the finest shoot proceeds ; for otherwise certainly the best part of the fruit would drop before its being ripe , or at least would remain very small , and consequently bad , it being most certain , especially as to stone fruit , that unless they approach to that size which is proper to their kind , they never attain the delicacy they ought to have . the peaches remain shaggy and green , and do not quit the stone ; they are sowrish , and bitterish , the pulp is rough and course , and often mealy , the stone is much larger than it should be , all which are certain marks of an ill peach . fourthly , the pears which remain in too great a number , are apt not only to hinder each other from thickning , but likewise to rot , the air and the wind not having a free passage about them ; this inconveniency is sufficient to inform us , that part of them must be taken away , that the remainder may be at more liberty and ease . in my opinion , it is very necessary to observe in this place , that it is absolutely necessary , especially in relation to winter bon chrestien pears , in the months of april and may , which is the time in which they begin to appear knit and form'd , to be greatly careful to destroy small black caterpillars which are very numorous at that season , which otherwise would gnaw the rind of those pears , which is the reason we often meet with them crooked and uneven . chap. ii. to learn to uncover , at a proper time , certain fruits which require it . fruits being thus pick'd upon every tree , they thicken by degrees under the leaf , some more , others less , every one according to its kind , some sooner and others later , each according to the time nature has design'd for their maturity ; but whereas the red , or carnation colour are necessary to certain fruits , which may receive it , if not hinder'd , or not have it if hinder'd , ( for there are some which absolutely can never attain it , what ever may be done , for instance , white peaches , verte longue , or long-green , green sugar pears , white figs , &c. there are likewise others , which , thonever so cover'd , ever receives the colour of their kind , for example cherries , rasberries , strawberries , &c. whereas , i say , colour as to certain fruits , is a very material condition , in order to render them the more valuable , and that they can never attain that colour in ripening , unless the rays of the sun light directly upon them , it is proper at certain times to remove some leaves which shade them too much , and consequently are prejudicial to them , in relation to that colouring ; nay more , they are prejudicial as to the maturity of those fruits , it being most certain for the generality , that a fruit , much cover'd with leaves , cannot ripen altogether so soon as another , which is more expos'd , and moreover has not so much delicacy . but a great deal of prudence and discretion must be us'd in this case ; and care taken not to uncover fruits until they have almost attain'd their proper size , and begin to lose the great greenness they had till then ; fruits begin to thicken from the moment they are knit , until the beginning of june ; and afterwards , as gard'ners say , they remain for a considerable space in a kind of lethargy without thickening , at least visibly ; for i do not question but they thicken a little , and that above all some matter enters into the inside of the body of the fruit , since the roots are continually preparing some , and sending it immediately upwards ; this matter indeed remains press'd under the rind , which is the reason fruit is so hard at that time ; but finally the time which is regulated for their maturity approaching , this very matter , tho' condens'd , begins to rarify , and to extend in few days , whereby the fruits begin to sosten and thicken more , and consequently to approach to maturity . this is the only proper time to uncover them , at two or three different times , and that during the space of five or six days ; for if they wereuncover'd sooner , or all at once , the great heat of the sun would certainly occasion a great disorder upon that tender rind , not yet accustom'd to the open air ; this truth is confirm'd by too many experiences , when either through the ignorance of an unskilful gard'ner , or by some unlucky frosts , the fruits are uncover'd before that time ; the same cause which splits the rind of fruits , likewise dries up the stalks , and consequently the fruit withers and rots , as it happens pretty often in vinyards , which at the beginning of autumn , are afflicted with some over hastly frosts . let us return to the colour , which is desirable for most fruits , and say that it imprints it self in few days on those that have been long cover'd , as it appears by peaches , apricocks , and especially on the quince apples , &c. and that therefore those are much to blame , who neglect the procuring of so great an advantage to their fruit , when it is so easily done . moreover , in order to render that colour more bright and lively , it is not improper , to use a kind of seringe made on purpose , with several little holes at the end of the spout , like those of a watering pot , to water them twice or thrice a day , during the greatest heat of the sun : such a watering softens the rind , and is of wonderful use to that end ; especially for apricocks and peaches , and it likewise succeeds well for bon chreten pears , and vergoules , &c. which remain somewhat whitish , and which having a fine thin rind , are consequently susceptible to receive that fine colour , which becomes them so well . chap. iii. of the maturity of fruits , and the order nature observes in it . in fine fruits , having attain'd their size and colour , and the time of their maturity being arriv'd , it behoves us to improve those rich presents which nature treats us with ; it is a liberality , or rather a profusion it yearly bestows upon us , as if it thereby delighted to recompence the cares , and industry of the skilful gard'ner which cultivates it . two things are to be consider'd in every fruit , the pulp of the fruit and the seed of the fruit , the pulp which is proper for the nourishment of man , and the seed which lying in the heart of that fruit as in a sccabberd , receives its perfection by degrees , as the pulp makes an end of ripening ; this perfection of seed being apparently design'd for the multiplication of the specie of that fruit ; but this i only speak by the by , yet it appears often that the seed is of no use at all . perhaps it may be urg'd in relation to that seed or fruit , that nature seems to perform in trees , in respect to its fruits , the same thing in part , which it performs in animals , in relation to their young ones ; no body can be ignorant of the extraordinary earnestness of animals to nourish and preserve their young , and that to a certain point , that is until they attain that perfection of size , and strength , which every one stands in need of , either to subsist of themselves , or to labour afterwards to perpetuate their kind at the times which nature prescribes insomuch , that till then those animals fathers and mothers , can hardly suffer , without resistance , nay sometimes without fury and cruelty , any body to touch , much less to take away their young ones ; but when those young ones are grown big , nature endeavouring on one side to employ those fathers and mothers with the care of a new multiplication , and on the other hand to excite those young ones , as it were , to make a figure in their kind , inclines those fathers and mothers to abandon them , and to cease nourishing and protecting of them ; insomuch that those young ones being grown big , shift for themselves , no longer looking upon the authors of their being , or keeping them company , otherwise than as indifferent strangers . thus we see that trees , which are really the fathers of the fruits , take care for a while to nourish those fruits , and to preserve them , as if , if i may use the expression , they suckled , or hatch'd , or heated them with their leaves , and that to a certoin point , that is , until they are come to the full perfection of their size , and maturity : but then , nature seeing them in a condition not only of subsisting without the assistance of the father that has produc'd them , but likewise of perpetuating and multiplying their different kinds , seems to withdraw the affection of the tree ; insomuch , that before that time the fruit seems to stick closer to the tree than it does afterward : but when those fruits cease to receive the wonted help , they no longer stand in need of , and sticking no longer to the tree by the former tye , they quit their father and mother , they drop , they keep asunder , and lastly are abandon'd to themselves , &c. as to the pulp of those fruits , it is to be noted , that the degree which approaches nearest to what we call rotteness , ( which is their destruction , ) is the perfection of their maturity , insomuch , that they are never perfectly good to eat , until being absolutely ripe , they are near spoiling . therefore , unless the gard'ner be careful to gather his fruits , and make use of them , when they are entirely ripe , he will be in danger of seeing them perish , some through a rotteness , which begins at first in some part of the body , as it happens with most apples , and others by growing mealy , as peaches , some by growing soft first , as many pears do , especially such as are tender , as butter-pears , others by growing dry and shaggy , as most musc-pears do ; all which are different ways conducing to rotteness and destruction . when this happens , man is subject to some inward checks of nature , which seems to reproach him for his not having been capable of improving her liberalities towards him . it might be question'd in this place what maturity is , and how it is perform'd , both which questions are pretty agreeable , but of no great use to a gard'ner . first , as to the definition of maturity , perhaps considering the great proximity between it and corruption , we can hardly give a better , than to say , that it is a beginning of corruption . the truth is , that in speaking of a thing which passes for a perfection , it seems pretty odd to make use of a term , which expresses defect , and is really disgusting ; but then to soften the signification of that expression , it will suffice to say , that there are several degrees of corruption ; many fruits are corrupted and rotten , without ever having been ripe , which corruption is a real defect , without the least perfection . on the contrary there are other fruits , which never begin to corrupt unless they have attain'd the utmost degree of perfect maturity , which corrupion is really a defect for the fruit , but is at the same time a perfection for the eater : thus we may say , that a piece of wood which becomes a circle , receives a degree of corruption in relation to it self , since it ceases to have the figure which nature had given it , but it receives a perfection in relation to the workman , who forces it to take that bend , which it stands in need of for his use . as to the manner , how maturity is perform'd , the difficulty is much greater , and more puzling ; for tho the sun shining directly upon the trees seems the only author of the maturity , of the summer fruits , by means of the air , to which it has given a proper degree of heat ; yet we cannot say in general , that it is the only and last author of the perfect maturity of all manner of fruits , since those which are gather'd without being ripe , ripen of themselves in the store-house , where the sun no longer shines directly upon them . therefore , it will be more proper and more likely to say , that the sun indeed begins the maturity of those fruits , which remain upon the tree , to a certain degree of perfection , without which the fruits shrink and spoil , without having enjoy'd the benefit of the real way of a good maturity , and that after this the greatest crudity having been thus consum'd by the heat of the sun , as all natural bodies are subject to corrupt , some sooner , others later ; one part of the fruits of the store-house arrive at last to the period of their existance , which often proves the point of an agreeable maturity ; another part likewise meets its end in a precipitated rottenness , which may proceed either from too much cold , or too much heat , or too much moisture , &c. we might likewise please our selves with asking , whether those fruits , which are soonest ripe , are better for the health of man , than those which are longer before they attain their maturity . the like question might be made , as to those that are perfum'd , and those that are not ; such as have kernels , and such as have stones , &c. but whereas those gallantries are of no use to the matter in hand , i shall wave them , and proceed to the instructions that are necessary , in order to learn to gather fruits seasonably , without losing my time in needless philosophy . first , then , care must be taken to understand that maturity rightly , as also that not only every kind of fruit has a time , or regulated season for its maturity , but likewise that of every particular fruit in its season , some have as it were , about week to be good in , and no more , as the rousselets or russetins , beurre or butter-pears , burgamets , verte-longue or long-green , &c. others not above a day or two , and nothing beyond it , as figs , cherries , most peaches , &c. some have a great deal longer , as grapes , apples , and most winter fruits , for instance , an apple or bon chrestien pear , will be good to eat for a month or six weeks together . moreover , it must be noted , that every kind of fruit has its peculiar marks of maturity , either such as ripen upon the tree , or such as only ripen some time after their being gather'd . altho generally the common time of maturity of every kind , is within the compass of the knowledg and understanding of common gard'ners , who commonly are pretty able to distinguish which are summer , which autumn , and which winter fruits , &c. yet it is certain that the singular marks of the maturity of every fruit in particular , to take them in the very nick of time , that is , the precise time of their maturity , those marks , i say , are properly reserv'd for the knowledg of a gentleman who will use some application about it , without which nothing is more common than to see fruits serv'd , either before their being ripe , that is before they are good , or else pass'd fruits , that is , too ripe , and consequently nought , and that at a time too , when without doubt , there are others , which having attain'd a just maturity might supply the room of those , and which for want of being us'd at that time , have the misfortune to lose their delicacy , and the value they deserv'd . one would think that there were but little to be said upon the subject of this maturity of fruits , and yet the extream application i have us'd about it for a long while , has couvinc'd me of the contrary . and whereas all the expence , all the care , and all the pains people have been at , to get fruit , would prove vain , if having compass'd it , they were still at a loss , not knowing how to make the good ●se of it they propos'd , i think my self oblig'd not to omit the least circumstance of any thing that may seem useful to that end. i have already fully explain'd in the treatise of the choice and proportion of fruits , which are the fruits not only of every season , but even those which are of every month , so that perhaps it would be tiresome and needless to repeat it here ; so that the only thing in question now is , to give a true explication of what relates to the particulars of the maturity of every fruit , and if possible to give the world a greater insight into that knowledg , than it has had hitherto . above all things , i would have an ingenious gard'ner so well skill'd in that point , as never to present any of his fruits , especially of those that are tender and mellow , as peaches , figs , plums , or pears , unless they were in a just degree of maturity , in so much that those they are presented to , may take the very first , without the least fear of being disappointed , or at least may be able to chuse with the eye , without being reduc'd to picking , and squeezing , that is to spoil the fruit , before they can meet with any to their liking . my intention is , that this picking and squeezing , which hitherto may have been pardonable , or tollerable , shall no longer be allowable , unless it be at the tavern , or among ordinary people , and such as have little or no nicety , or else such as have no fruit but what they buy at the market : and even there i would not have those squeezers , squeeze any where but near the stalk , and that gently too , sticking to the first which yields to the thumb , to the end that one part only may be tainted by this squeezing ( which occasions a beginning of rottenness ) besides they may assure themselves , that whatever fruit is ripe near the stalk , is sufficiently so every where . one of the most considerable defects i am to combat here , is the precipitation wherewith i observe most of the curious are inclin'd , to begin betimes to cause the fruits of every season to be eaten ; nothing is more common than to see that when people have begun ill , they continue during all the season to eat their fruit ill condition'd , by reason that as naturally the desire of eating fruit continues from the moment we have begun to do it , it commonly happens , that in gathering the second or third time we commit the same fault we had been guilty of at the first ; whereas if we tarry to eat those that are in season until we have a sufficient quantity ripe to give , we have ever after the satisfaction of eating none but such as are incomparably good . therefore , i advise all gard'ners never to begin gathering until there be a visible appearance of a happy continuance . i am likewise to combat another great defect , of some of the curious , which is seldom or never to serve any fruits until they be pass'd , the number of those is very considerable : their fear of its not lasting long enough , or of not having enough for some occasion or other , or rather their ignorance in point of maturity , occasions all this disorder : therefore i will endeavour to remedy those two defects . but first , i cannot forbear to admire , in this place , the providence of nature , not only in what relates to the succession of that maturity , which we see in relation to every kind of fruit , commonly to make the one ripen in one season , and the other in another ; but also in what relates to the order of the succession of the maturity of the fruits of every tree in particular , which it conducts to maturity by degrees ; as if it really intended to allow man , for the nourishment of whom it seems to have produc'd them , time to consume them all , without suffering any to perish : and , indeed , it is observable , that nature likewise observes the same order for the forming , and the opening of the blossoms of trees , and plants , which produce fruit , as it does for plants which only produce flowers ; for instance , hiacints , tuberoses , carnations , &c. the buds whereof only open by degrees , as if design'd thereby , the longer to delight the senses of humane creatures . in effect , tho' every blossom of a tree does not commonly last above four or five days in its perfection , yet every tree appears in blossom for a fortnight , or three weeks together , which certainly proceeds from that the blossoms are originally form'd , and afterwards open one after another ; those that are form'd first , open first , as those that blossom first , have the advantage of producing those fruits which ripen first ; thus the second and third blossoms , which are like so many younger sisters , successively form'd after the elder , seem to perfect themselves , while those delight our eyes ; those second , and third blossoms , i say , in imitation of a well-regulated family , are not to open , and shew themselves , until the elders have had their career ; so that those elder fading , in order to produce the first fruits of their season , the young ones appear , to form those fruits which are to be the second , and third , in ripening , &c. although we have observ'd in every tree an order in the succession of the maturity of the fruits , in relation to each other ; we do not find this same order of succession of maturity observ'd for the fruits of another tree , of a certain kind , in respect to the fruits of another tree , which is of another certain kind , whether both have blossom'd at one and the same time , or whether the one have blossom'd sooner , the other later : for instance , all peach-trees blossom at the same time , and yet some peaches ripen about the middle of august , and others do not ripen 'till towards the end of october ; and likewise other fruit-trees , either pear , apple , or plum-trees blossom almost all in one and the same month , and yet that kind which blossoms first , does not always ripen first ; nature orders it otherwise , which i can give no reason for : the pear of naples for instance , is the first that blossoms , and almost the last which comes to maturity . therefore , as it is most certain , that fruits ripen one after another , so it is likewise true , that , as aurora ushers in , or declares the coming of the sun , so the maturity of fruits is declar'd , or preceeded by some particular marks , the knowledge of which , i have made it my business to study ; and i am of opinion , that i shall oblige the curious , by acquainting them with my observations . 't is certainly very difficult to be very exact as to the precise time of the just maturity of fruits : nothing is so common as to be deceiv'd therein , as we have already declar'd , either in gathering them too soon , or too late ; besides , there are some in which the point of maturity is so momentary , as the white butter-pear , the maudlin-pear , the doyeinné , the white of andilly , &c. that whatever care be taken , it is almost impossible to hit that point of maturity exactly , it passes so swiftly , when once 't is come ; neither am i fond of having many of those kind of fruits . as nothing is more delightful than to eat well-condition'd fruits , nothing can be more disagreeable than to eat them green , or over-ripe : not but in my opinion , this last defect is less tolerable than the first , by reason that all fruit that is over-ripe , far from having any tast , is commonly insipid , and mealy ; whereas fruit that is not quite ripe enough , though on the one side it may set the teeth on edge , yet on the other it discovers part of its vertue , by the briskness of its tast , and by its pulp drawing near perfection ; most women in this , will be of my opinion . moreover , as in this particular case of maturity we have two sorts of fruit , of which , the one are good , from the moment they are gather'd ; for instance , all stone fruits , some summer - pears , and all red - fruits , &c. it follows , that none of those should be gather'd until they be ripe , by reason , that how little time soever their maturity may last , they preserve themselves much better , and longer upon the stock than they would do being gather'd : there are other fruits which are only good sometime after their being gather'd ; for example , most kernel - fruits that are mellow , and constantly all autumn , and winter - fruits . in order to give true rules to understand the maturity of all manner of fruits , i think it will not be improper to begin here with those that are fit to be eaten as soon as gather'd ; i shall not mention the others , until i come to the treatise of the store-houses , or fruit-rooms . chap. iv. how to judge of the maturity and goodness of fruits . three of our senses have the gift of judging of the appearances of the maturity of fruits , viz. sight , feeling for the most part , and smelling for some , i say only to judge of the appearances , for the tast is the only and real judge to whom it belongs to judge solidly , and without appeal , as well of the maturity , as of the goodness , it is sufficiently known that there are some fruits which are neither good nor agreeable to the pallat , tho' actually ripe . sometimes one sense alone is sufficient , to judge certainly of the appearances , and even of the reality ; for instance , the eye alone suffices for all red fruits , and for grapes , &c. it judges with certainty of the ripeness of a cherry , a strawberry , a raspberry , a bunch of red , or black grapes ; when both the one and the other are all over painted with that fine colour , which is natural to them : and on the contrary , when any part does want it , the eye thereby judges , that it is an infallible mark , that all the rest is not yet arriv'd to its just maturity . so likewise , feeling alone judges very well of the apparent and effective maturity of tender mellow pears , whatever they be ; so that even the blind are as able to judge of it by feeling , as the most clear sighted , both by seeing , and touching . sometimes it is necessary to imploy two of our senses , seeing , and feeling , barely to judge of the appearance of maturity ; for example , for figs , plums , and peaches , and even apricocks , it not being sufficient for a peach to appear ripe upon the tree by its beautiful colour , red on the one side , and yellowish on the other , thereby to judge that it is fit for gathering ; neither does it suffice after their being gather'd , for them to be without stalks , besides this fine colouring , though commonly it is a good mark , the stalk always sticking to those kind of fruits , until their being ripe , at which time the fruit quits it with ease , and the stalk remains fix'd to the tree ; but whereas this stalk may have been sever'd violently , their appearing without a stalk , may chance to prove a false mark of maturity . those signs alone , as to those kind of fruits , i say are not sufficient , to judge absolutely by the eye of their maturity , the hand must likewise act its part , and concur therein , tho' not to touch it roughly upon the tree ( nothing is more offensive to me than those gropers , who , to gather one according to their mind , will spoil a hundred by the violent impression of their unskillful thumb ) but i would have the hand play its part in the manner i shall explain hereafter . the hand must likewise be us'd for a peach that is ready gather'd , when we are not certain it was gather'd by a skillful hand , but then it must be perform'd very gently , and that , as i have already said , near the stalk . in case it be a fig , whether gather'd , or not , it is allowable to touch it gently with the end of the finger , almost in the same manner as a chyrurgeon feels for the vein in order to bleed ; for in case that fig , after having appear'd to the eye of a yellowish colour , a shrivel'd rind , with some crannies , the head hanging down , and the body shrunk , likewise appears very mellow under the finger , and that being still upon the tree , may be loosen'd by the least motion , it is very sit for gathering , and without doubt ripe , and good : but if , notwithstanding all those fine appearances , and all this mystery , it does not easily quit the tree , the gathering of it must be deferr'd for some days , it is never perfectly good , while it resists in gathering . when a fig having all the good marks of maturity , has been gather'd by a skillful gard'ner , and is afterwards presented to any body , they may freely , and without any rough feeling , judge it to be fit to receive , and eat . we may say the same thing of a plum ready gather'd , that is , that if besides the beautiful colour it ought to have , which satisfies the eye , and the mellowness which skillful fingers have discover'd , without offering it any violence , it proves without a stalk , being a little shrivel'd , and wither'd on that side ; it may be inferr'd from thence , that it is perfectly ripe , and consequently fit to take . likewise if this plum being still upon the tree , finely colour'd for the eye , and mellow for the finger , comes off with ease , without a stalk , it is without doubt fully ripe , but if not , like the fig , itmust be left some days longer upon the tree . two things may be inferr'd from this remark about the stalk , the first is , that it must not stick to some kind of fruits when they are ripe ; for instance , peaches , plums , straw-berries , raspberries , &c. insomuch that none of those fruits should be eaten , while the stalk sticks close to them ; and the second , that it may , and ought to stick to others , tho' never so ripe ; for example , to figs , cherries , pears , apples , &c. to which , the stalks serve as an agreeable ornament , and their being without it , would be a kind of defect . after having demonstrated , that in some fruits , for example , red fruits , the eye alone is sufficient to judge of their maturity , and in others , as tender mellow pears , the feeling only ; as also that some others require both seeing , and feeling , viz. peaches , plums , figs , &c. we may add , that there are still some others in which smelling may be admitted with sight , in order to judge with more certainty , for instance , melons , after having approv'd their colour , stalk , and beautiful figure , and examin'd their ponderousness , it is not improper to smell to them before we cut them , to be able , as 't is thought , thereby to judge with more certainty of their maturity , and goodness , tho' at the same time i am convinc'd , that those which have the best scent , or savour , are not commonly the best : this maxim is sufficiently well establish'd . but , in fine , generally speaking , all the marks above explain'd , to distinguish maturity , may chance not to be certain , and infallible ; they are exteriour signs , which might be term'd signs of phisiognomy , and consequently deceitful , something more is necessary in this case , it requires matter of fact ; and therefore , as we have already declar'd , tast only can decide in this point ; and , if i may use that expression , that only can affix the seal , and the character of an absolute decree , as a judgment , which is to be pronounc'd , particularly in the case of goodness ; for let the exteriour marks be never so favourable , unless the peach , plum , and melon please the pallat , after having pleas'd the other senses , as it happens sometimes , all the preliminaries are useless ; therefore we must submit all to the pallat , however with this scruple , which i cannot remove , for the establishing of real goodness , which is , that tasts are very different in themselves , and that a thing which may please one man's pallat , may displease another's : but this discussion is out of my province ; the ancient maxim ( de gustibus ) forbids my medling with it , and thus i can only speak of my own in particular , and at the same time applaud those who have the good fortune of liking that which does not seem good to me : it would be ridiculous in me to endeavour disabusing of them , since probably i shou'd only lose my labour . chap. v. of the causes of the forwardness , or backwardness of maturity , in all manner of fruits . fruits ripen sooner , or later , first , according as the months of april , and may are more or less warm , to cause the trees to blossom , or knit . secondly , according as those fruits grow against a good wall , or good shelter , that is , expos'd to the south , or east ; and , in fine , particularly according as they are in a hot climate , and light earth . all which considerations are very material for the forwardness of fruits ; for the months of april and may proving hot , the fruits knitting the sooner , they will consequently ripen the sooner ; witness the maturity of melons , which is an undeniable truth ; fruits being , as it were , in respect to their maturity , like bread , in respect to its being bak'd the sooner , or later , according to the time of its being put into the oven . when fruits , tho' knit betimes , are in the open air , or only against some walls expos'd to the west , or north , &c. they will advance but little , for want of the assistance of the heats of the spring , and likewise , if notwithstanding the advantage of a pretty hot season , and happy exposure , they are in a cold climate , nay , tho' in a moderate clime , the earth being course , and consequently cold , they will not ripen so soon , as those which have all things favourable . for example , all manner of fruits ripen sooner , in languedoc , and provence , which are hot soils , than in the neighbourhood of paris , and even in those parts of paris fruits ripen much sooner within the city it self , and in the subburbs of st. anthony , and st. germans , as well as at vincennes , at maisons , carriere , &c. where the earth is light , and hot , than they do at versailles , where the ground is cold , and course . all those places are too near one another , to impute those differences in point of maturity to the sun ; besides , there is a difference between the immediate heat of the sun in respect to the maturity of fruits , and the immediate heat of the fire , in respect to the meat it rosts , or boils , fire first affecting the exteriour parts of the meat which are nearest to it , before it performs its function on the inside , which is at more distance ; whereas the sun ripens the inward parts , before the exteriour ; in effect , the inward part of fruits always ripens first , and soften first , and likewise commonly is the soonest spoil'd . if i may be allow'd to declare the reason which to me seems most plausible in this point , i shall say , in the first place , that maturity proceeds from two causes , the one near and immediate , which is the heated air , the other not indirect , and distant , and that is the sun which heats that air ; so that the function of the sun is to heat the air as much as the winds will allow ; and the function of the air so heated , is to impart its heat to the earth , and so to all the plants ; this earth thus heated , causes first the principle of life which lies near the root to act , and then the root it self , which consequently prepares sap as soon as it is put in action ; and that sap , at the same time , rises to perform its function into all the superiour parts , where it can penetrate . in the second place , i shall say , that the air of every climate is in probability compos'd , or at least considerably mix'd with the vapours , and exhalations which rise from the earth of that climate , which in my opinion , is the reason of peoples saying , that the air of such a country is good , and the air of such another is bad . thirdly , i shall say , that it follows from thence , that that air is more or less easie to be heated , according as the earth , from which those vapours rise , is more or less cold , and material ; for those vapours participate altogether to the nature of that earth , and therefore that as in light earths the air sooner receives the impression of heat , by reason of its being form'd by more subtle vapours , it consequently the sooner heats both that earth , and the whole body of the tree , and the plant it nourishes ; which is the reason that it is the roots being sooner heated at such times , and in such earth , and consequently the saps being sooner prepar'd , which form inwardly in those fruits the first degrees of maturity . therefore it is certain , that the air , according to its being more or less thick , is also more or less apt to receive heat ; and that according to its degrees of heat , it either advances , or does not advance maturity , as it has advanc'd , or not advanc'd the heat of the earth . therefore the forwardness , or backwardness of maturity , depends on the conditions above explain'd , in so muuch , that they must all combine ; that is , that fruit in order to ripen betimes , must knit betimes ; and next , must meet with a favourable exposure , a hot clime , and light earth . chap. vi. of the particular marks of maturity in every kind of fruit , and first of summer - fruits , which ripen altogether upon the tree . according to the natural order of the maturity of fruits of every season , the honour of eldership certainly belongs to early cherries , and next to strawberries , raspberries , and goosberries , &c. the first commonly begin to appear in the month of may , and that a little sooner , or a little later , according as the conditions we have explain'd , are more or less favourable : strawberries begin to blossom about the middle of april , or a little before , in good situations , and in cold places , not before the latter end of april , or in the beginning of may ; and happily , none of those small frosts which are apt to blacken , and spoil those first blossoms intervening , ripe strawberries may be expected at a months end : and as for early cherries that have blossom'd about the middle of march , we may expect to have them about the beginning of may , not altogether ripe , but half red , with which colour they may serve as well , as if they had attain'd a full maturity , since they are only considerable , and valued for their novelty , especially by ladies ; for after all , at that time it is only a little colour'd cloak , which only serves to cover a little sower pulp , and a large stone ; and therefore they stand in need of the assistance of a confectioner , to require an excellency , which the gard'ner , or rather the sun has not had time to afford them . the trees of a pretty cold climate blossom almost as soon as those of a climate that is somewhat hotter , by reason that the opening of those blossoms seems to be perform'd independantly from the action of the roots , witness the branches that blossom , being cut , ( the bare force of the rarefaction caus'd in the bud , by the presence of the first rays of the sun , is capable of producing this effect ) but as for the maturity of every fruit , it can only be perform'd , and perfected ; first , by a great concurrency of the operation of the roots , and secondly , by a certain degree of heat in the air , which is necessary for the perfection of that master-piece : now this heat , both in the earth , and in the air , can only proceed regularly from the rays of the sun ; and yet i dare affirm , that i have been so happy as to imitate it in little for some small fruits ; i have made some to ripen five or six weeks before their time ; for instance , strawberries at the end of march , and pease in april , figs in june , asparagus , and cabbage-lettuce in december , january , &c. but we can find no facilitations to imitate this heat in great , to cause the fruits of large trees to ripen in an extraordinary manner ; therefore it is apparent , that tho' nature has abandon'd the earth to us , leaving it in our power to heat some portion thereof , to make it produce against its will , by means of a foreign borrow'd heat , what we have a mind to ; has , notwithstanding , reserv'd to it self in a particular manner , the universal faculty of the maturity of fruits ; this maturity in relation to us , is the finisher , and perfection of the production of the earth ; in so much , that without it , all our cares and industry for the generality , only afford us some hopes , which often prove false , and deluding . i have said heretofore , that we may begin to have some early cherries , in the month of may , those small fruits have an open field at that time , they are the only that appear in our gardens , and that grace our tables ; they are rival'd by no others until the end of the month , which is the time of the displaying or opening the grand magazine of the other red fruits ; and these remain in possession until the end of june , and towards the middle of july ; for the early cherries which seldom appear but in china-dishes , and in small quantity , are follow'd close by strawberries , with this difference ; that these , to endear themselves the more , above the cherries that have preceeded them , appear with a charming scent , and in prodigious quantity ; that is , in full basons , and would think themselves disgrac'd to appear as poorly attended , as their predecessors . among these strawberries some are red , and others white , the last are seldom ripe until they are grown yellowish , and the others are never good , until they are perfectly and universally red ; and neither of them are eatable , until they have attain'd a considerable size . i may say by the by , that those strawberries that are soonest ripe , are those that have blossom'd first , and that those that are nearest to the body of the plant , are those that blossom'd first ; i will draw some instructions in the treatise of the kitchen-garden , in order to our getting of them always finer , larger , and better , from that part , than otherwise we should do . the strawberries that grow naturally , and of themselves , which most people are fond of , are accompany'd towards the middle of june with red and white raspberries , currans , hearts , and plain cherries , of which , some are somewhat earlier , and not so good ; others later , which are larger , and sweeter , and better , either preserv'd , or raw : bigarreaux also come in among them , and even morrello's , but commonly they both tarry until the hurry of red fruits is somewhat over ; not but they might appear sooner , for really those bigarreaux , and morrello's are admirable fruits : the first are ripe , as soon as they are half red , but the others do not attain their perfection of maturity , until they are almost black. the order of the maturity of all those fruits is the same with what we declar'd for the strawberries , that which has blossom'd first in every tree , likewise ripens soonest . here 's the month of june provided for , it is call'd the month of red fruits , and with reason : for those kind of fruits are met with wherever one goes ; we have said that the marks of their maturity is that red colour which surrounds them ; it commonly begins at that part which is most immediately expos'd to the sun , and is soonest ripe ; in fine , by degrees that colour spreads all over , and when the liveliness of that red begins to turn to an obscure red , excepting only the morello's , they draw towards corruption . among red fruits , those that have stones , tho' never so ripe , do not easily loosen from the branch , as other fruits do , they wither upon it , instead of falling , they must be pluck'd off , and that with some violence . all those kind of red fruits should be the only ones during the whole month of june to fill up the stage of the maturity of the fruits of that season , but that some espaliers , expos'd to the south , in dry sandy grounds , begin to produce towards the end of june some little muscat-pears , and some early musck-peaches . those small pears are extraordinary good , if they be allow'd the time of ripening ; the first marks of their maturity appear in them as in all other pears of every season , that is near the stalk , which part must appear a little yellowish , and somewhat transparent ; and afterwards , for a greater mark of full maturity , that yellowness must appear a little through a certain tan'd colour , and a certain red , which covers the remainder of the rind ; and lastly , they must begin to drop of themselves , without any exterior violence ; at which time it will be proper to gather , and eat them . i have sufficiently declar'd my opinion as to the goodness of that pear , in the choice of fruits . when people do not allow themselves the time of examining about the stalk of the pears , to judge of their maturity ; they must , as i have said , judge by the natural dropping of those kind of pears , but then the worms must have no share in it , and they must neither be grown upon a sick tree , nor upon a sick branch ; pears that are infected with worms drop soonest , and soonest seem ripe , without really being so , their defect is not much conceal'd , it appears generally in the middle of the eye of the pear , and when it does , there 's no depending upon it for good fruit. all manner of fruits , borh stone , and kernel , ripen sooner upon sickly trees , than upon sound ones ; but we must not suffer our selves to be deceiv'd by the size , for it often happens , especially in relation to peach-trees , that the fruits of those languishing trees are larger than those which grow upon vigorous trees ; but then that largeness , as i may say , is only a swelling , or a kind of dropsie , which is the reason that the pulp of those fruits , that are larger than they should be , is generally insipid , or bitter , and disgusting . peaches that drop of themselves , are contrary to what we have been saying of pears ; by reason that peaches which drop thus of themselves , or loosen , are commonly pass'd , and consequently naught , in so much , that they should not be presented as good to any body , tho' not bruis'd by the fall , as it happens commonly . but that rule does not commonly extend to small peaches in their kind , nor especially to early or late purple peaches , nor to pavies ; those kind of fruits which can hardly ever be too ripe , are commonly very good when they drop , insomuch , that when they drop without being shook , it is a good mark of their maturity , as well as goodness . the same thing may be said of plums , since we always shake plum-trees in order to get good plums ; tho' indeed this method is more particularly for common plums , than for perdrigons , rochecourbons , and other principal plums , by reason that one of their chief excellencies consisting in the flowry beauty of their complexion , the which excites the appetite of the most moderate : a fall , or their being finger'd too much , spoils that flower which should be preserv'd carefully ; therefore those that are really curious , never touch them otherwise than with the extremity of two fingers . let us now return to our early peaches , and say , that the part which ripens first in them , as well as in all other fruits , pears , peaches , plums , apricooks , melons , &c. is commonly the inward part , i mean , that which is nearest to the stone , and moreover , that which in relation to them appears first ripe to the eye , is directly contrary to what we have said of pears ; for whereas in pears that part which is nearest to the stalk ripens first , in these it is commonly the extremity which is opposite to the stalk , by reason that that part enjoys the benefit of the sun sooner , and longer than any other ; but when the beams of the sun lay upon no part of these early peaches , it seems that the heat which reigns in the air , ripens them all over equally . we begin to judge of their approaching maturity , when we perceive that they begin to thicken extreamly ( which we call taking pulp ) and when at the same time , their green whitens considerably , and their down begins to fall ; but unfortunately for those poor fruits , or rather for nice pallats , and such as have skill ; those first appearances of maturity are commonly mistaken for perfect maturity , and so they are gather'd , while they are still as hard as stones , instead of staying until they are grown mellow , as they should be ; and therefore , excepting a few of the first , which are serv'd pretty unseasonably , most of them pass through the fire , before they appear at table . i must not omit saying in this place , that the peaches which do not attain the size their kind requires , commonly drop before their being ripe , and when they seem to ripen , their rind remains downy , their pulp green , their water bitter , and the stone larger than those which have taken more pulp . neither must i forget to say , that as a little after the knitting of the fruit , generally a considerable part of it drops , so it often happens that at the time the maturity approaches , a great number of the fruits fall , and that about a fortnight , or three weeks before that maturity , as if the tree was sensible of its being over-burthen'd , and would thereby give us notice that the good time is approaching ; and indeed it is commonly observ'd at that time , that a good number of large fruits drop , whereby those that remain , grow the finer , and the better ; and as we have already said , it had been much the better for them , had the gard'ner taken care to perform what time has now done . people are overjoy'd to see those early peaches ripe at the end of june , and to enjoy them long , which is not difficult , provided we have several trees of them in different exposures ; they are incomparable , when they are well-condition'd , both as to size , and maturity ; but then we are commonly expos'd to the vexation of tarrying until towards the end of july , for the peaches that succeed these first , and those we call troy-peaches ; which peaches , provided they be throughly ripe , charm every body by the fineness of their pulp , the perfume of their water , and the deliciousness of their tast ; their maturity is known as in other fruits , first by the size , secondly by a fine red colour on that side which is expos'd to the sun , and a light transparent yellow in the other parts : thirdly , by a thin , soft , mellow rind , somewhat like satin ; any of these marks being wanting , the fruit cannot be ripe , and therefore should not be gather'd . those troy-peaches are often abus'd as well as the early peaches , and all other peaches at the entrance of their maturity ; that is , they are gather'd upon the least symptoms , without staying until they have attain'd that degree of goodness , they never obtain 'till they are throughly ripe ; and this defect proceeds , either from the ignorance , or liquorishness of the person , who gathers them out of desire to eat , or else out of a silly avidity of gain , which reigns in the heart , and eyes of those who are uneasie until they expose them to sale in the market . the month of july affords us many other fruits besides troy-peaches , but the month of august surpasses it in point of abundance , for it affords us not only an infinity of plums , but also a vast quantity of kernel - fruits ; among which , are the cuisse-madame , or lady-thigh , the gros-blanquet , the sans-peau , or without rind , the espargne , or sparing , the orange-pears , the summer-bon-chreitien , the cassolets , the robins , the russettings , &c. the maturity of which is known , either by their dropping , or not resisting when they are gather'd , or else by a certain yellow colour , which appears in the rind , especially near the stalk . among plums we reckon the perdrigons , the mirabelles , imperials , st. catherine , roche-courbon , queen claude , apricock-plums , &c. to those plums are joyn'd about the middle of august some fine peaches , viz. first , the two magdalens , the white and red , the mignonne , the bourdin , the rossane , &c. all which are large : in the second place , the alberges , both red , and yellow , the cherry-peach , the one with white pulp , the other with yellow , &c. those peaches , as well as those that are to succeed them , have no other particular marks to discover their maturity , than those i have already mention'd for early , and troy-peaches , which are a reasonable size , a red and yellowish colour without any mixture of green , and especially their coming off with ease at the least pull or motion of a skilful hand ; all these fruits are fit to eat as soon as gather'd , and require no store-house , at least to ripen , peaches never ripening off the tree , so that it is in vain to gather them before they are perfectly ripe ; but as i have said elsewhere , a day or two's repose in the store-house , far from injuring of them , affords them a certain coolness which is very proper for them , and which they cannot acquire , while they remain upon the tree . the month of september is famous for a world of the principal peaches , the chevreuse , hasty violet , persique , admirable , pourpree , or purple-peach , bellegarde , white d'andilly , besides brugnons , and white pavies , &c. there are also some summer calville apples , and some good pears , which keep these peaches company , and may be eaten off the tree , viz. the melting-pear of brest , brown orange-pears , &c. at least they will not keep long , the pears grow too mellow , and the apples grow downy ; but yet at this time kernel - fruit will begin to require a little rest in the store-house , or conservatory , and the best way to judge of their maturity , is to squeeze them gently with the thumb about the stalk , to try whether they yield , or no. the month of october is likewise to be valued for the last admirable peaches it produces in the open air , or in the west , viz. the nivet , and latter violets , besides the large red , as well as yellow pavies , without omitting the fine latter yellow peaches , all growing in good expositions . the butter-pear , verte longue , or long green , doycnneé , or deanery , lansac , green sugar-pear , burgamot , vine-pears , messire john , &c. begin to signalize themselves at this time , but then they must be kept some time in the store-house ; we will speak more particularly of this , in the treatise of store-houses ; in the mean time , it will not be improper to speak about the means of preserving , and transporting the tender fruits we have mention'd , sound , and unbruis'd . chap. vii . of the situation that is proper for the fruits that are gather'd , in order to preserve them some time . in order to end what i have begun , i am now only to speak of the means of preserving , as much as can be , good fruits after their being gather'd , and of the means of transporting them when it is necessary : as to the preservation , i mean such in particular , as are not gather'd until they have attain'd a full maturity , and such as being extream tender and puny , make an end of acquiring it after their being taken out of the garden , both the one and the other losing their lustre and beauty to a high degree , by being either bruis'd , rub'd , scratch'd , or spotted with little black spots ; such are your figs , and peaches with their fine colour , and delicate pulp ; such are plums with the fine flower that covers them , and butter-pears that are perfectly ripe ; this has no relation to other fruits that are neither so choice , as cherries , morello's , bigarreaux , &c. nor so easily spoil'd , as melons , pavies , hard pears , baking pears , all apples , &c. i suppose that every fig , every peach , and every plum has been gather'd with all the caution i have heretofore explain'd , insomuch , that in the taking them off the tree , nothing was wanting to their perfection ; i also suppose , that in the gathering of them , care has been taken to lay them in sives , with tender soft leaves , as vine-leaves , &c. and to place them all asunder , that they may be no wise squeez'd , nor any laid a top of one another , by reason that the weight of the upermost would be capable of brusing the undermost , and that particularly for peaches , and figs , for plums are not so heavy as to hurt one another . now , in order to preserve those kind of fruits some days , that is , two or three days , especially the peaches ; they must be laid either in closets , or store-houses , which must be very dry , and clean , and full of shelves , the windows being always open , unless it be in very cold weather : hereafter i will explain the conditions of a good store-house , or conservatory ; you must lay a finger thick of moss upon those shelves , which may serve , as it were for a kind of quilt , taking care that the moss be very dry , and has no ill scent ; the reason of which is , that every peach so plac'd , sinks of it self into the moss , and lies softly , without being squeez'd by any of the others . i dare affirm that it is with peaches , as with melons , which are better to eat a day after their being gather'd , and left at a distance from the sun , than just after their being gather'd , at which time they are lukewarm : altho' it is not good to touch fruit much , either upon the tree , or in the store-house , yet , provided it be perform'd by a skilful hand , it will not prejudice it ; therefore , while those peaches lay in the store-house , they must be carefully visited once a day , to see whether there appears no marks of rottenness , at the same time removing all such that are in the least tainted , otherwise they would spoil others . it is necessary to place fruits well in the store-house , those that have not those regards , lose abundance of them by their own fault : the best situation for peaches , is , to be plac'd , not only upon moss , but upon the part which joyn'd to the stalk , otherwise they are apt to bruise ; figs must be laid sidewise , by reason that if they were laid upon the eye , they would lose their best juice ; as for plums , whereas they have no great weight they may be laid any how , as well as cherries . the best situation for pears , their figure being pyramidal , is to be plac'd upon the eye , with the stalk upwards ; it is indifferent whether apples , the figure of which forms a perfect cube , lay upon the eye , or stalk , which is always very short , both these fruits will preserve themselves well enough upon the bare boards , besides , for a while they may lie upon one another , when first brought out of the gardens , until they approach to maturity ; but above all , i would not allow them any bed or covering of straw , or hay , by reason , that commonly it gives them an ill scent . the best way for grapes is to hang them up in the air fasten'd to a packthread , or about a hoop , or six'd to some beam ; besides , they may be laid safe enough upon straw , and when any body desires to preserve them until february , march , or april , they must be gather'd before they are perfectly ripe , otherwise they are apt to rot too soon ; besides , care must be taken once in two or three days to pick all the rotten ones carefully . all manner of apples will last until march , and some until may , and june ; for instance , the reynettes , or french peppins , apis , rose-apples , francatie , &c. care being taken that the greatest mark of their maturity commonly consists in being somewhat wrinkled , excepting the apples of api , and the rose-apples , which never wrinkle ; they are known to be ripe when all the green which appear'd in the rind is turn'd yellow . the destiny of pears , as to their lasting , is very different , those that last longest , are the bon-chrestiens , st. lezin , dry-martins , martin-sires , baking-pears , double-blossoms , and some franc-reals , &c. i will speak more at large of them in the treatise of the store-houses . we have set down elsewhere which are commonly the pears of every month , and therefore it would be useless to repeat it here : red fruits last but little after their being gather'd , strawberries , and raspberries are seldom good after a day , cherries , morello's , bigarreaux , and currans may perhaps last a day longer ; good fruits should be serv'd upon the table in the same situation they are plac'd in the store-houses , in order to make a pretty show , excepting only pears , which in that case require some agreeable cimetry for the construction of the pyramids . with all these precautions , fruits may be easily preserv'd as long as they can last , nothing can prejudice them , but great winter frosts , which are very dangerous , by reason that they may penetrate into the store-houses , and so reach the fruits , and fruit that has once been frozen , preserves no manner of goodness , and immediately decays ; those that have no store-houses made on purpose , with all the necessary regards , i shall explain in the sequel , and who have only a closet , or some ordinary room , are in danger of losing all their fruit in bad weather , unless they take a great deal of care to cover them well with good blankets , or place them between two quilts , or else carry them into some cellar , until the danger be past , at which time those poor prisoners are taken out of their dungeons , to be put at liberty again in their former places . chap. viii . of the transportation of fruits .. the difficulty in question has no relation to any pears , being newly gather'd , nor to any hard baking pears , tho' ripe , provided , in case they be winter bon-chretien pears , every pear be wrapt up in a piece of paper ; neither has this difficulty any relation to any apples whatever ; those kind of fruits tho' laid pell mell in baskets , or panniers , will indure the being carry'd , either upon a horse , or in a cart ; but we cannot do so with tender mellow pears when they are ripe ; in that case they are like the figs , and peaches , &c. their delicacy and tenderness requires a gentle usage , like beautiful young ladies , otherwise the agitation of the carriage would bruise and blacken them , and consequently would deprive them of their greatest ornaments , and even of their chief goodness . this prelude conducts us insensibly to establish , that peaches , figs , strawberries , morello's , &c. in order to their being transported from one place to another , require water-carriage , or the back or arms of a porter without any jogging , and above all , if they be peaches , they must be laid upon that part which is fix'd to the stalk , without touching one another , and be laid first upon a bed of moss , or tender leaves laid pretty thick ; and in the second place , wrapt up in vine-leaves , and so well order'd , that they may not move out of their places ; and finally , in case several beds be laid over one another , a good separation must be made between them of moss , or of a reasonable quantity of leaves , the last couch must likewise be pretty well cover'd with leaves , and the whole wrapt up with a cloth , well fasten'd , in order to keep all that is contain'd in the basket close , and in good order : the safest way would be to do with peaches , what i am going to prescribe for figs , but then the inconvenience is , that it would be impossible to carry any considerable quantity at a time . for figs you must have sives not above two inches deep , and lay a bed of vine-leaves at the bottom of them , and place the figs sidewise , wraping them up first , asunder , each in one of the said leaves , taking care to order them so well , and so neatly close to one another , that the motion of the transportation may not be able to remove them , and never lay two a top of one another : this first and only bed being made , it must be cover'd with leaves , and next with a sheet of paper , neatly fix'd round about the sive , and moreover stay'd with some small packthread , in order to keep the fruit close into the said sive . good plums being laid up , without any ceremony , in any basket , or sive , with a good bed of leaves or nettles at the bottom of it ; the top must also be cover'd with nettles , after having first taken off the thickest down , which being done , the whole must be cover'd with a linen cloth , or some sheets of paper , fasten'd with some pack-thread : common plums may be transported in great baskets , barely putting small leaves under , and over them . apricock-plums are sent from tours to paris upon messengers horses , with a great deal more precaution apart , for they are put in boxes stuff'd with houads , every one of them being moreover separately wrapt up in houads ; but that expedient is chargeable , besides it is impossible to carry many at a time . strawberries being likewise order'd in double ridges , in baskets made on purpose , stuff'd with leaves at the bottom , and round about ; it will suffice to cover them with a fine wet piece of linnen , abundance of them are carryd thus , according to the bigness of those baskets . grapes , either muscat or chasselas , are partly carry'd in the same manner i have noted for peaches ; nay with less ceremony , since it is not very material to separate every bed with leaves . muscat grapes , are sometimes sent into distant countrys , and they are put in cases fill'd with bran , and carry'd upon horses or mules , care being taken that the bunches may not touch one another ; but that is an expence only proper for kings , or very great lords . for the transportation of our principal fruits , when they are only to be sent a days journey at most , i commonly use certain square baskets , divided in the inside into several stories , which are at a convenient distance from one another , to place our sives full of fruit ; those are either made of very close ozier , and then they need no other covering to secure them from dust , or else of loose ozier , and then they must be cover'd with sere-cloath ; moreover , those baskets open sidewise like a kind of press , or else at the top , and then the lowest story must be fill'd first , and a little covering laid over it which serves to close this first , and to bear the second , and thus to the uppermost ; a small pad-lock may be fixed to it , at pleasure , to which two keys may be made , the one for those to whom the fruit is sent , and the other remaining with the person who sends it , by which means the fruit is convey'd safely . chap. ix . of store-houses , or conservatories for fruits . if in that very season , when kitchen-gardens charm most by their greenness , and neatness , fruits are notwithstanding their chief ornament , what advantages , or rather what consolations are not those fruits capable of affording us , when in the middle of a dismal , melancholy winter , we are provided with a considerable store of them , and even some of them infinitely better than any the summer had supplied us with . there is no denying that we are all naturally inclined to have a violent passion for fruits , and by that very reason , as they are delicious to the palate , we easily perswade our selves that they are of use for our health ; physitians who are to give no rules against infirmities , are so far from opposing this opinion , that they establish it as infallible , and often prescribe the use of fruits as soveraign remedies ; for which reason most people are at present curious of fruits , and many gentlemen are proud of expressing their earnestness in rearing them : nature seems to delight in favouring that curiosity , it yearly produces abundance of fruits ; the summer produces but too many , and autumn yields a sufficient quantity ; but the difficulty is to have some in the winter , which is a dead , infertile season ; therefore we should make it our study to preserve such , as are only good a considerable while after their being gather'd ; they are expos'd to a long journey , in which they are to run many hazards : it does not only require a careful man , but also a place that may be altogether proper to preserve them ; we must on one side combat cold which destroys all those it reaches , on the other hand we must prevent all ill scents , which would spoil what the weather had spar'd : this place is commonly call'd a store-house or conservatory , which without doubt must have its rules , and particular properties , since it is so useful , and is to produce such good effects . it is to be suppos'd that i must needs be skill'd in that point , considering the great and ancient use i have made of it in gardens ; and consequently i should certainly be blam'd , unless i declar'd what my experience has taught me in relation to store-houses , either to avoid the defects that are to be fear'd in it , or to attain the success that is to be hop'd for . let other curioso's , which are in so great a number , cry up their closets as much as they please , let them invite every body to come and see them , let them be careful in making rich descriptions of them , i am so far from finding fault at it , that i am one of the first to commend them , i visit them with a singular satisfaction , and take great delight in looking upon such things as are most extraordinary , not only for the matter , but likewise for the workmanship ; i say , let people cry up those collections of miracles of art , but at least let them allow those that are curious in gard'ning , the liberty of boasting of their store-houses of fruits , which are their closets ; not that they contain any originals , or antiquities , far from it , their greatest value consists altogether in novelty , but then they are excellent novelties ; that is , they are productions of nature , which renew , and take new vigour yearly : productions which indeed are only , if i may use the expression , so many copies of its first productions at the birth of time , which at the same time surpasses the merit of those originals : by reason that this nature having been charm'd at first , with the beauty of its first essays , has taken delight in repeating them as often as it could , as if it really study'd more and more to improve , even to that degree , that it suffers it self to be conducted a little by culture , seeing that culture really contributes to the perfectioning of its new productions . this being granted , i am of opinion , that no body will deny that this closet deserves to be seen , and in truth nothing can be more agreeable to sight than this store-house , where at the first entrance you discover a kind of well contriv'd room , of which the size is proportion'd to the occasion for which it was built , where you discover in the next place , a fine edg d-table , which takes up the middle of the place , and is convenient and necessary to order the baskets , or china-basons that are to be serv'd , where finally you discover the four walls garnish'd , and see all the shelves well order'd , and fill'd both in autumn and winter with fine fruits ; those fruits differently plac'd with flying labels , to express their kinds , and maturity in relation to the sequel of months ; thus burgamots are order'd in one place , virgoules in another , ambrets here , thorn-pears there , leschasserirs here , the st. germans there , bonchretien here , bugy there , baking pears here , there the apples , with the same distinctions observ'd for the pears ; here fruits that drop of themselves , there such as have been gather'd in season , here those of the north , there those of good espalies ; here those of high-standards , there those of dwarfs , there the fruits that are ripe in such a month , there those that do not ripen so soon , &c. with this constant order , that those that are ripe are always most within reach , both for the hand and eye , and those that are not ripe yet , according to their degree , plac'd upon higher shelves , where they expect the season that is to ripen them , and consequently to be remov'd in the room of those that are pass'd ; those first disappear after having perform'd their part , and finish'd their career ; and others are ready to succeed them , and as it were , to come each to their turn to serve the quarter which is dessign'd for them . finally , do's not the liberality of our curioso towards his friends ( for he loves to impart what he has ) deserve some privilegde to raise the merit of his closet above others , out of which we only bring bare ideas , and were far from receiving any liberaliteis , on the contrary the curioso makes profession of being close fisted ; he never makes a show of his treasure unless it be against his will ; there constantly appears a great deal of disgust in him , which sometimes proceeds from the fear of being robb'd , but more commonly out of fear of not being thought as rich , as he pretends to be . let us now proceed to establish the principal conditions of a good store-house ; in my opinion the first consists in its being inpenetrable to frosts ; great cold as we have already often declar'd being a mortal enemy to fruits , those that are once frozen , are never after good for any thing . it follows from thence , for the second condition , that this store-house must he expos'd to the south or east , or at least to the west ; the northern exposition would be very perninicious to it . it also follows for the third condition , that the wall of the said store-house must be at least twenty four inches thick , or else the frost could not be kept out . it likewise follows for the fourth condition , that the windows besides the common quarrels , should have good double paper saches , very close , and very well stopt , together with a double door , insomuch that the cold air from abroad , may not be able to enter in , for it would certainly destroy the temperate air which has been preserv'd of old in the inside , it is impossible to be too exact in this care , since the least or any , might occasion a great deal of disorder in one frosty night ; i do not in the least approve the making of fire in the store-house , for the same reason , i have sufficiently establish'd in the treatise of orange-trees . notwithstanding all these conditions , which perhaps have not been exactly observ'd the thing being pritty difficult , it is absolutely necessary to have some small vessel full of water in the store-house , to be certain , it is a faithful incorruptible centry , which is to give us notice of all that may prejudice us ; when that water does not freeze there is nothing to be done ; but when it freezes in the least , a remedy must immeadiately be apply'd : the colds of the month of december , , , , that of january , and february , . and especially that of december , and of january , which lasted a whole month , without discontinuation the last time , must needs serve for a great instruction in this matter ; it required a great deal of care , and forecast , not to be caught by it . a good weather-glass plac'd on the out-side at the northern-exposure is of great use ; we have reason to judge the peril great , when this weather-glass continues for two nights together to be , at the fifth and sixth degrees , and even the seventh and eighth ; the first night may have done no harm , the second is much to be fear'd , and therefore it is very necessary the very next day after such a night to use good quilts , or good blankets , or else a great deal of dry moss to secure our fruits from frost ; nay more , having a good cellar , it will be very proper to remove our fruits into it , and leave them there until the great cold be pass'd , and in all these cases care must be taken to replace all those fruits as they were before in the store-house ; as soon as the weather grows better , and to remove such as are ripe , and such as are tainted , rotenness is one of the worst accidents to be fear'd , while fruits are not in a condition to be visited often one after another . after having made provision against cold , we must study to preserve our fruits from ill taste ; the neighbourhood of hay , straw , dung , cheese , a great deal of foul linnen , especially such as has been imploy'd in the kitchen , &c. are all very dangerous , and must not in the least be suffer'd near our store-house or conservatory ; a certain musty taste , together with the smell of many fruits laid up together is likewise very disagreeable , and therefore the store-house must not only have good overtures , and a high ceiling , the just measure of which , is to be from ten to twelve foot high , but the windows must often be kept open , that is , as often as there is no fear of great cold either in the night , or in the day , fresh air from without , when it is temperate , is incomparable to purify , and reestablish , that which has been long inclos'd . for the sixth condition , i think i may say , that neither a cellar nor a garret are sit to make this conservatory , the cellar by reason of a mustiness , and moist heat that are inseparable from it , which inclines the fruit to rottenness ; the garret because of the cold , which easily penetrates the roof ; and therefore a ground room is the best for our use , or at least a first story , accompany'd with other lodging-rooms inhabited over and under it , as well as on the sides . i add to this sixth condition , that the store-house must be often visited by him that has it in charge , which is neglected when he is not at hand , that is , conveniently plac'd , by reason of the trouble of going too much up , or down . the seventh condition requires , many shelves fram'd together in order to lodge the fruits separately the one from the other , the finest on the best side , and baking - pears on the worst ; apples must lye by themselves . the reasonable distance of these shelves is to be about nine or ten inches ; and i would have them about seventeen or eighteen inches broad , that they may hold the more , and please the sight the better . for the eighth condition , i would have those shelves a little sloaping outwardly , that is , about an inch in the breadth , with an edge about two fingers high , to hinder the fruit from falling : the fruits are not so much in sight when the shelves are level , as when they are as i desire them , and thus when any of them are rotten it is not so easily perceived , and that rottenness communicates it self to those that are about it , unless remedy'd at first . the fear of that rottenness requires for a ninth condition , that every shelf should be visited at least every other day , without fail , to remove what ever may be tainted . and for the tenth condition , it requires that the shelves should be cover'd with something , for instance dry moss , or about an inch thick of fine sand , in order to keep every fruit steady , after its being plac'd upon its basis , as it should be , and to keep it asunder , for the fruits must no wise be allow'd to touch each other : it is much pleasanter to see them all in a row upon their basis , that is , upon the eye which is opposite to the stalk , than to see them lye pell mell any how . i require for the last condition , that care be taken to sweep our conservatory , or store-house often , to suffer no cobwebs in it , and to keep traps for rats and mice , and moreover it will not be amiss to allow it some secret entrance for cats , otherwise the fruit will be in danger of being gnaw'd by those curs'd little domestick animals . the conservatory , which is particularly design'd for winter-fruits , is likewise very useful for those of autumn , either pears or grapes , and for summer fruits , either peaches , pavies , plums , &c. these being in my opinion , as i have already said , much better a day after their being gather'd , than the very day ; they acquire a certain coolness in the store-house , which is a great improvement which they can never have , while they are upon the tree . now whereas generally speaking , the fruits that are most considerable , are only brought into the store-house , after their having acquir'd one of the two maturities , which is proper for them , viz. for the summer fruits an approaching maturity , which expediates them in few days , and for autumn , and winter-fruits , a distant maturity , which makes them keep long , some less , some more ; and besides , whereas it is the approaching maturity , which is of most consequence , as well for those good fruits , which would perish miserably , unless taken in the nick , as for the master whose pains , cares , and hopes would be lost , unless he were capable , as the saying is , to nick the critical minute ; it follows from thence , that it is necessary to make an end of giving , in this place , the infallible marks by which this maturity is to be known : i have already explain'd those : marks for most fruits which do not exceed september and october , viz. for the remainder of summer pears , the remainder of plums , the best latter peaches and pavies , &c. there now remains to speak of october pears , and others , which keep from all-saints , till easter , and longer . the vertelongue or long-green , butter-pears , vine-pears , messire-john , green-sugar-pears , &c. after these , the petit-oins , lansaes , marchionesses , burgamots , amadottes , and even the besideri , and thick-stalks , &c. are the first , that are to pass during the month of november ; the thumb ( as we have observ'd already , for the butter-pears , long-greens , green-sugar-peart , and others , which have began to ripen in october ) daly turns whatever ripens out of the store-house , viz. petit-oins , marchionesses , russettines , lansaes &c. by reason that these are still tender pears ; a whitish colour which forms it self in the rind of the messire-john , a yellow cast in the amadottes , thick-stalks , besideri , &c. and a moisture upon the rind of the burgamots , together with a little yellowness which discovers it self upon them , all those are certain signs which inform us without the help of the thumb , of what we have a mind to know of those lost kinds of fruits , 't is but examining of them constantly , or at least every other day , and that rule of review for the maturity is to be continu'd the following months for all other fruits , that remain , in order not to lose the least sign which discovers their approaching maturity ; moreover this review is necessary , to remove such as begin to rot. the louise-bonne , winter-thornes , ambrets , leschaseries , st. germains , vergoules , even the dry-martins , spanish bon-chretiens , with the apples of all kinds , of capendu , either grey , or red , or white , the apples of fenouillet , autumn calvils , some apis , and some reynettes , &c. all these fruits begin to ripen at the beginning of december , and a little yellowness , together with some wrinkles discovers it self upon the six first , by which we may judge , in case that they do not resist the thumb , that they are fit to eat , but until then , we must not venture to meddle with them ; in cutting of them , the knife would soon discover their want of ripeness ; those kind of pears are very subject to soften , and thereby are certainly apt to deceive those who do not strictly examine them every day . as to the dry-martins , and spanish bon-chretiens , it is with them in the month of december , just as what i am going to say in january for the portail-pears , as soon as ever there appears the least spot of rotteness upon any of them , you may boldly attack them all , their time is come , and they are soon threaten'd with rottenness ; but yet with this advantage , that they remain a pretty while in the state of perfect maturity . the capendu , fenouillet , and reinettes , declare their maturity as soon as they become extreamly wrinkled , the apis declare theirs when their green colour turns to yellow . the calvils seem to become lighter , and their kernel loossens , and rattles in shaking , when they ripen , they remain good a long while , as well as the reinettes , which are become yellow , without wrinkling , and , those are admirable qualifications in those kind of fruits . people must not grow weary of often feeling the tender melting pears of that season , the lazy and negligent thereby fall into great inconveniences . such fruits as have resisted the thumb in the month of december , will finally yield to it in their turns in the months of january and february , but when the winter-thorns , are not able to change their colour a little in these months , they become mealy and insipid , and in a word , perish without attaining a perfect maturity , which is a cruel loss to the curious , since it is really one of our best pears . i have made very considerable observations in relation to it , and of some others , in the treatise of the choice and proportion , &c. the louise-bonnes , and the long-greens , of september and october , seldom grow yellow , but they wrinkle , and become soft , mellow , and agreeable to feel . many ambrets soften , before they grow yellow , particularly such as grow north-ward , or upon dwarf-standards , and especially upon trees graffed upon free stocks , that are too full , therefore these , as well as all other pears which grow upon northern espaliers , require sugar above all others , to correct their taste , which is not so good as it should be , tho they are so very full of water . the large winter-musky , and the portail-pears have some friends , neither of them value the skill of the thumb , but the yellowness of the first , and a few wrinkles , or some rotteness in the second , to invite their votaries do make use of their merit , what ever it be . one of the chief things i mind in ordering my fruits in the store-house or conservatory , is not only to place every kind upon different shelves , or when i do put several upon one , they are distinguish'd by divisions of edges , but i likewise make the same distinction among fruits of the same kind ; first i place those that are fallen before their time ( for i do not fling them away ) by themselves , out of sight , they seldom look well , by reason of their growing very much wrinkled , indeed some more , and others less , and that according to their dropping , sooner , or later ; but yet they ripen at last , tho pretty long after the others of their kind ; and i cannot forbear doing of them the justice to say , that they are pretty often incomparably good under a wither'd , ugly , wrinkled rind , especially when their fall does not exceed a month before the time of the common gathering . secondly , pears growing upon dwarf-standards are apart , as well as those of good espaliers or wall-trees . i follow the same method for the fruits of high-standards , and the same for the fruits of northern espaliers , by reason that regularly the fruits of good espaliers ripen first ; those of vigorous dwarfs follow them in this order , those of dwarfs graffed upon quince-stocks preceed those that are graffed upon free-stocks , and those of infirm trees preceed both the one and the other . in ●ine , the fruits of high-standards succeed , and often mix with these , and are the best of all , which maxim is universally true , excepting only plums , and figs , as i have said elswhere ; the fruits of the northern exposure , ripen last of all . winter bon chretiens , with their brittle pulp , and the colmars with their tender pulp , let all other mellow pears pass before them , and in the mean time the others begin to turn yellow , and in turning yellow , to ripen , and to wrinkle a little towards the stalk : when bon-chretien is perfectly ripe , the pulp is almost melting , and when it is not , it remains very stony ; some of them will keep till march , and april ; the bugy's , st. lezins , and martin-sires joyn with those , to close up the theatre of the maturity of pears ; the bugys in march and april are very delicious , with their tender watery pulp , tho' a little sowrish : the st. lezins with their firm pulp , accompany'd with a little perfume , also make some figure , but it is very difficult to preserve them 'till then , the least touch of cold blackens them intirely , and renders them hideous to sight , as well as disagreeable to the palate . as for the baking - pears , they are good at all times , for the end they are design'd for , particularly when they begin to grow yellow ; with this proviso , that all such as are tainted with rottenness , must be laid aside , lest they should infect those that are sound ; and thus the franc-reals , little certeau , the carmelites , or mazuer , and especially the double-blossoms , which must be consider'd as the best of those that are only fit to bake , are almost ready at all times to perform their part : the pears of book and love , the angobers , catillac , fontarabie , &c. may chance to acquire some goodness , being season'd with sugar , and the heat of the fire , but they still retain a touch of tartness , which can never agree with nice pallats . autumn calvils , and reinets , are admirable for preserving , the capendus and fenouillets are not so good , by reason of their sweetness , but the first have a kind of briskness , which gives them an incomparable rast . chap. x. of the diseases of fruit-trees . it is apparent , that by a law universally establish'd , all living animated beings are subject to some accidents , which hinder them from enjoying a perpetual , and always equally vigorous health ; this is the reason that it is not only among men , and other animals , we find different distempers : vegetables , and more particularly fruit-trees , are likewise subject to certain infirmities that destroy them , which we may very well term distempers ; yellow leaves out of season , new shoots growing black , and dying on their extremities in the months of august , and september , fruits remaining small , or dropping of themselves , &c. are , as the physicians term it , so many speaking symptoms , informing us of the indisposition of the foot. among those infirmities , there are some that may be cur'd with the assistance of some remedies , and others which hitherto appear incurable ; since whatever can be done to them , has still prov'd ineffectual , perhaps time may produce some skilful person , whose knowledge and experience may give us some light , in a case which exposes us to scorn , or at least to pity . in the mean time , since it is but too true that our trees are liable to different distempers , gardners would certainly be blame-worthy , if they did not make it their study to find out effectual remedies for some , and to satisfie themselves as to the others ; and if knowing those remedies , they were not careful to apply them upon occasion : for it were vain for them to breed trees in their gardens , to be liable to see them perish in their prime , for want of knowing how to cure them , and restore them to their pristine vigour . in order not to omit any thing relating to those accidents which our trees are liable to , without including such as proceed from too long wounds , of great heat , of great cold , of storms , of whirlwinds , hails , &c. i think my self oblig'd to say , in the first place , that there are distempers common to all trees in general ; secondly , that there are some that are peculiar to every particular kind : the common distempers consist either in a defect of vigour , which makes the trees appear in a languishing condition , or else in a storm of large white worms , which are sometimes form'd in the earth , and there gnaw the roots , or the bark of the neighbouring stem ; those mischievous little insects which we call tons , by degrees cause so great a disorder , that the tree which is attack'd by them , and had always appear'd vigorous before , all on a suddain dies without any remedy . the peculiar distempers are , for example , in pear-treees against a wall , when their leaves are attack'd with what we call tigers : cankers , and scabs in other pear-trees , viz. robins , small muscadins , &c. gum on stone - fruit-trees , especially peach-trees , which commonly destroys that part on which it fixes , either branch , or stem ; and when , unfortunately it attacks the part where the tree is graffed , which is often hid under ground , it insensibly spreads round about that graff , without any bodies observing of it , for the tree still continues in a good condition , while there remains any passage for the sap ; but , finally , this gum hindering this sap from rising to the upper parts of the tree , makes that tree die suddenly , as if it had been suffocated by a kind of apoplectick fit. moreover , some peach-trees are also attack'd with aemets , and a small kind of green fleas , which sometimes fasten on the young shoots , and hinder them from thriving ; sometimes on the new leaves , and cause them first to shrink , next to dry , and fall : we have likewise north-east winds which blast , in some springs wither , and as it were burn all the new shoots ; insomuch , that the trees on which this unlucky influence lights , appears dead , while others about them are green , full of fine leaves , and continue to produce fine shoots : besides this , are not the most vigorous trees subject to have the end of their new shoots intirely cut off by a little black round insect , call'd bud-cutter . fig - trees dread the great colds of the winter , which are capable of freezing their whole head , unless they be extreamly well cover'd , but it is not sufficient to have secur'd them against frost . they are likewise subject in that winter season , to have the lower part of their stems gnaw'd by rats , and * mulots which makes them pine , and die . those very animals , together with * laires , ear-wigs , and snails , likewise spoil the very fruit on the trees when they approach to maturity , especially peaches , and plums ; have not goosberry-shrubs their peculiar enemies also , which are a kind of small green caterpillars , which form themselves towards the months of may , and june , on the back part of their leaves , and eat them to that degree , that those little shrubs remain altogether bare ; and their fruit no longer having any thing to cover and defend them from the great heats of the sun , is destroy'd , without being able to ripen . i might run over all the accidents which all the rest of gard'ning is liable to , and cause abundance of disorders in it : for example , strawberry-plants in the prime of their youth and vigour , are as it were treacherously attack'd in their very roots by those wicked * tons which destroy them . kitchen-plants , especially lettuce , and succory , &c. constantly have some of those * tons , or other little reddish worms which gnaw them about the neck , and kill them just as they come to perfection . how much do artichokes suffer by little black flies which infest them towards the end of summer , and mulots , or garden-mice , which gnaw their roots in the winter . lettuce , and succory are absolutely devour'd by snails , some of which are long , and yellow , some blackish , and gray , and others little and white , especially in rainy weather . sorell is tormented in very hot weather with little black fleas , which gnaw all the leaves , insomuch that it becomes of no use . even cabbages are spoil'd by green snails , which gnaw and spoil all their leaves ; but i am only to speak in this place , of those distempers that may be cur'd in fruit-trees , and not of such as are incurable , nor of those that are incident to kitchen-plants ; those commonly proceed , either from the defect of the ground , which does not furnish nourishment enough , or from an ill culture , or a defect in pruning , or finally , from a defect in the tree , which was not well-condition'd , either before it was planted , or in planting of it . it therefore follows , in the first place , that the soil may contribute to distemper our trees , which commonly happens when the earth is not fruitful in it self , or is perhaps become so by being exhausted , or when it is too dry , or too moist ; or else when , tho' never so good , there is not a sufficient quantity of it . in order to remedy all those kind of inconvenients , i say , that when the soil is infertile , as it happens in many places , where there is nothing but clear sand , the master is to blame to have planted any thing in it , the defect of it can never be corrected , whatever quantity of dung he puts into it ; the only expedient is to remove that earth , and put better mould in the room of it : happy are those who can meet with it in their neighbourhood , and thereby avoid the trouble and charge of fetching it at a distance . as to that which is worn out , it is likely that there may be some better about it which may be us'd , unless people would allow it two or three years time to lie fallow , in order to amend it by rest , but there is no pleasure in losing so much time : when we resolve to make this exchange of mould , and yet are unwilling to remove the tree which is not old , one half of the roots must be prun'd short again , which will suffice for the first year , doing the same again at the end of two years , to the other half of the tree : nothing exhausts the ground more than the roots of trees lying long in the same place , especially the roots of neighbouring trees , particularly pallisado's of elms ; fruit-trees must of necessity pine , or perish , if that neighbourhood subsists . when the ground is too dry , and light , the best remedy is to soak it often with frequent waterings , or by artificial falls of water , or else by ordering spouts , or , dreins in such a manner , that they may conduct the water of rains into the squares and bordures , as i have explain'd it in the treatise about soils . when the ground is too moist , that part must be rais'd where the trees stand , making lower ridges to receive the waters , and conduct them out of the gardens by gutters , or aqueducts , as i have done in the kitchen-garden of versailles . when there is not mold enough , it must be augmented , either about the roots , removing all the ill mould , to put better in the room of it ; or else laying new mould over the surface of it ; the mould being thus amended , without doubt the trees will thrive better in it , and grow more vigorous . when the distemper is only visible by a certain yellowness , as for example ; pear-trees graffed upon quince-stocks , in certain grounds , always grow yellow , tho' the ground seems to be pretty good ; it is a good and certain advertisement to remove them , and to place others in their room upon free-stocks , which are much more vigorous , and agree better in an indifferent soil , than others . when peaches graffed upon almond-stocks , cast too much gum in moist grounds , others must be planted upon plum-stocks , and when they do not thrive upon plum-stocks in sandy grounds , only such must be planted there , as are graffed upon almonds . if , on the other hand , the tree appears over-burthen'd with branches , so as only to shoot very small ones , it must be eas'd , until it begins again to produce fine shoots , always performing that pruning , by lowering the uppermost branches , or by removing part of those that cause a confusion in the middle , observing the maxims i have establish'd for good pruning . when the distemper proceeds from the trees being ill-condition'd before its being planted ; as for instance , from its having a scabby poor foot , half dead for want , or from its being too weak , the best way is to pull it out , and place a better in the room of it . if the tree , being good in it self , has been planted too deep , or too shallow , or with too many roots , the best expedient is to take it up again , prune the roots a-new , and re-plant it according to the rules of art. and to all these ends , it is very necessary to keep always some dozens of good trees in baskets , to place new ones ready grown in the room of such as must be remov'd . when the trees are attack'd with some cankers , you must with the point of a knife remove the part so tainted to the quick , and then apply a little cow-dung to it , covering it with a piece of linen , a kind of rind will grow over it , which will cover the wound , and so that accident will be cur'd . when catterpillars annoy a tree , care must be taken to remove them . when rats gnaw the barks , snares and traps must be laid for them . when the distemper is suppos'd to proceed from tons , the foot of the tree must be uncover'd to extirpate them absolutely , putting new mould in the room of the old , after having shortned the roots that are gnaw'd . among the incurable distempers of our trees , i reckon first old age ; when for instance , a pear-tree , or plum-tree has serv'd for thirty , forty , or fifty years , we may conclude that it has attain'd a decrepit age , and consequently , that it has perform'd its part , and is out of date , there is no hopes of a return , it must be taken out , not leaving any of its roots into the ground , putting new mould into the room of it , in order to plant new trees there , when people are desirous of seeing trees in the same place . in the second place , i reckon the tigers which stick to the back of the leaves of wall-pear-trees , and dry them up by sucking all the green matter that was in them , among the incurable distempers ; i have imploy'd all manner of strong , sower , corrosive , stinking lees , viz. of rue , tabacco , salt , vinegar , &c. to wash the leaves , and branches : i have , by the advice of some of the curious , imploy'd oyl ; i have smoak'd them with brimstone by the advice of others ; i have burnt the old leaves , i have scrap'd the back of the branches , and stem , to which the seed sticks : i daily endeavour to find out some new expedient ; and after all , i confess freely , and to my shame , that i have never succeeded in any of them ; there still remains some of the seed of that cursed insect , in some part or other : and in the months of may , and june , this seed is hatch'd by the heat of the sun , and then multiplies ad infinitum , and therefore one of these two things must be done ; either no pear-trees must be suffer'd against a wall , or in espalier , which is a violent remedy , especially for small muscat-pears , burgamots , and winter bon-chretiens , which seldom thrive from a wall ; or else we must resolve to see those tigers upon them , contenting our selves with burning all the leaves yearly , and with cleansing the trees as much as is possible . thirdly , i reckon among the incurable distempers the gum , which fastens to peach-trees , and other stone-fruits ; when it only appears on one branch , it is no great matter , 't is but cutting the said branch two or three inches below the part so distemper'd ; whereby this kind of gangreen is hinder'd from extending farther , as it would infallibly do , if it stuck about the graff , or all over the stem , or on most of the roots , and then the sole expedient is to lose no more time about it , and consequently to remove such a tree out of the ground , in the manner aforesaid : the gum sometimes proceeds from an external accident , for instance , from a wound which has been made by way of incision , by a scratch , and sometimes from an evil inward disposition : in the first case , that gum is nothing but a spurted sap , which is subject to corruption , and rottenness , from the time it ceases to be inclos'd in its ordinary channels , which lye between the wood , and the bark ; in that case the remedy is easie , especially when it happens only on a branch , as i have declar'd in the preceeding article , when the distemper affects the stem , it often cures it self by a knob , or a continuation of new bark , which extends over the part so wounded ; sometimes it is necessary to apply a plaister of cow-dung over it , cover'd with a piece of linen , until the wound be clos'd : when the gum proceeds from the inside , i judge it incurable on the stem , or roots . a treatise of the graffs of trees , and of nurseries . chap. xi . of graffs . i never reflect on what we call graffing of trees , and the advantage which accrues from thence , for the imbellishment of our gardens ; but at the same time , in my mind , i compare all young persons before their being educated , to so many wildlings , to be graffed . it really seems to me , that as most trees before their being graffed , naturally produce none but ill fruits , so most young people before their being instructed , naturally incline to evil ; but education intervening like , a kind of good graff , to inspire them with sentiments conformable to reason , disposes and inclines them insensibly to vertue , purging and divesting them at the same time of their evil inclinations ; insomuch , that being afterwards influenc'd by good maxims , they no longer swerve from what is just and reasonable , and ever receive the approbation of the wise : and as education is the master-piece of morality , so likewise it cannot be deny'd , but the art of graffing is what is most considerable in gard'ning . the roman oratour , conformably to many others among the learned , who had explain'd themselves upon that subject before him , has taken delight inspeaking of that invention , in terms so noble , and so elegant , that posterity has been charm'd with it : in effect , he expresses the singular esteem he had for it , very agreeably , and yet without seeming to insist upon the praise of its ancientness , being willing as it were by his silence to incline us to believe that the original of it is hardly known , and that without doubt we are only indebted to chance for it ; and indeed our books of husbandry , hardly mention any thing capable of giving us any agreeable useful insight into it ; for , as for instance , what signifies it to believe , with theophrastus , that we have receiv'd the first idea of graffing from the inside of the trunk of a tree's having produc'd another tree of a different kind ? that author , who , to maintain his opinion , lays a great stress upon that adventure , delights in reciting the whole story at length ; for which reason , he adds , that a bird having swallow'd a whole fruit , had afterwards voided it again accidentally in the hollow of that old tree , and that the rains mixing with some rotten part of that hollow had made it sprout and grow , insomuch that it was become a new tree of the same kind of that whence this fruits was originally grown , which consequently was absolutely different from that hollow tree which had given birth and nourishment to that new tree , as if it had sprouted in the open ground . what signifies it likewise for me to believe , with pliny , that this invention of graffing proceeds rather from that a plough-man , who was a good husband , being desirous to secure a piece of land against the spoils , he dreaded from without , unless his field was well inclos'd , had fenc'd it round about with a pallisade of green poles , and that in order to secure those poles from rottenness , thereby to make them last the longer , he had bethought himself of laying into the ground round about that field trunks of ivy , with a design to intermix , as he did , the inferiour extremity of those poles into the body of those trunks , from whence it happen'd , contrary to his expectation , that the sap which was in the internal parts of those trunks , serv'd for a nourishment to those poles , just as if it had been a piece of good earth , insomuch that in process of time , they grew to be large trees . now pliny upon this example , and theophrastus upon the other , lay the foundation of the reflections , which , as they say , have given birth to the art of graffing ; for my part , far from opposing their arguments , i willingly submit to them , and am very ready to believe that those two observations may have given some insight for graffing , to which i add at the same time , that cleft graffs have undoubtedly been practis'd first , in imitation of the peasants green poles above mention'd : the success of those has since put our gardners upon trying new experiments for graffing , which we find very useful ; therefore i own that we can never praise the first authors of the use of graffing too much , nor sufficiently publish our obligation to them for the main part of the innocent pleasures fruit-gardens afford us ; for it is most certain , that without this admirable expedient , we should to this hour , be all poor in respect to the different kinds of fruits , since every body should have been reduc'd to the necessity of being satisfy'd with such as his climate , or chance had afforded him , whether good , or bad : it is the skill of graffing alone which has made the first curioso's ; the facility of commerce has since increas'd the number ad infinitum , by reason that people freely and generously communitate their choicest production to one another , and that particularly , because such liberalities do not in the least impair or diminish the stock or abundance of the curious : and in truth , can any thing be so delightful , and so convenient , as to be able in the first place , by an easie multiplication , which is at our command , to inrich our selves with good fruits ; and secondly , to be also able to get from , and send to distant countries reciprocally , and at a very easie rate , wherewith to entertain the persons of the greatest quality , as well as the most solitary desarts , as also to add to the good cheer of banquets , and relish the delicacy of the pallate , as well as to charm the curiosity of the eyes , and the greediness of the nostrils ? but above all , who can express the great satisfaction gentlemen receive , who have made it their business to graff in their gardens ? for instance , one that shall have graffed , in order to make some wildling change its nature , another to multiply some good fruits , and in both cases , nothing can equal the transports of our gentleman gard'ner , when coming to injoy the fruit of his industry , he shows his handy work , and imparts the fruits it has produc'd . the history of great men , who have delighted in this art , has sufficiently mention'd it , without my inserting any particulars about it ; therefore i shall only say , that as the great delight of the famous gard'ner of the georgicks ( which the poet makes no scruple of comparing to the pleasure of kings ) consisted in finding at his coming home at night , wherewith to maintain , and treat his family , without buying any thing , ( no body can question but it was with the fruit and legumes of his garden , seconded by some profits of his poultry , dairy , &c. ) so the pleasure of our curioso's consists in filling their gardens with all manner of good trees , which cost them nothing , that is , out of their nurseries , without reckoning the satisfaction of being able to present them to those friends they respect and value . it were perhaps to be wish'd , in the case of graffs , that people had been satisfy'd with the bare improvement of that fine invention , without pushing it to excess , and tormenting themselves to produce monstrous fruits by a world of projects , as ridiculous , as useless ; our books have endeavour'd to perswade us about the success thereof , but ingenious men give but little credit to them : i believe there are but few , who upon the report of some of the ancients , have made it their business to graff vine upon wallnut , or olive-trees , in hopes to get bunches of oyl , or to graff good fruits upon plain-trees , or ash , and cherries upon lawrel , chesnuts upon beach trees , oaks , upon elms , wallnuts upon a shrub , and all in hopes of raising new kinds of fruits ; and therefore , tho' with submission , and respect to the memory of great men , i must needs say , that all their attempts have for the most part been faulty ; it is sufficient that all good kinds of fruits may be graffed with success , upon wildings , or other stocks of a nature approaching to theirs , and the only use we ought to make of the visions of the curiosos which have preceeded us , is to avoid falling in the same inconvenience with them , in losing so much time and pains , as they have done in making a thousand such extraordinary essays . now in order to enter upon the matter , you must know , that , as i have already said else where , graffing and enter , or ingrassing , are sinonimous terms , only us'd in gard'ning , which without doubt are meerly of the institution of our own tongue , and my reason for it is , that they have no relation to the latin term inserere , which apparently has preceeded them , and signifies the same thing , with this difference , that it is much more significant ; but however , to give as perfect a notion of it as we can , we are oblig'd to say , that those two terms have the same signification as the latin term , to plant part of some tree , which we valued , upon some part of another tree , of which we do not like the kind ; this manner of planting is very singular , and causes , as the prince of poets tells us , the head of that last tree to change its kind in the whole , or in part , according to the intention of the gard'ner ; thus an almond tree , becomes a peach tree , a quince tree , a pear-tree , &c. another illustrious poet of the same age , casually speaking about that manner of graffing , says very ingeniously , that it is a kind of adoption introduc'd among trees , by means of which good trees are multiply'd with ease , in making use of those stocks which produc'd none that were good . this alteration of kind , or this adoption cannot be perform'd , without some operations , of which the very names are capable to strike people with horror , heads to be saw'd , arms to be cut , bodies to be split , ligatures , plaisters , incisions , &c. the explication of what relates to this matter of graffs , will unriddle this mystery clearly . in the first place it is to be noted , that graffing is not perform'd all the year round , but only in certain months ; secondly , that in relation to the trees you graff upon , you must of necessity cut and retrench a great deal of them , sometimes immediately , and at other times , only five or six months after , that is , a considerable part , either of the stem or branches ; and that without meddling in the least with what we call the foot of the tree : this tree being , as it were , ignorant of what has been done to its superiour part , and subsisting still , that is , continuing to act in the ground as it us'd to do , and tho it no longer has occasion to nourish either the stem or branches , which it had originally produc'd , and were its real offspring ; this foot , i say , in obedience to the gard'ners industry , labours to stretch out , thicken , multiply , and cause to fructify , either the bare eyes or buds , or the foreign branches that are substituted , while small , upon its stem or branches , and those new branches , in the sequel , taking the room of those that have been retrench'd , become the adopted children of that foot , and joyn so perfectly and so closely to it , that they appear to be absolutely its legitimate offspring ; whence it follows , that its function for the future , is no other than to serve , as it were , for a nurse to these new infants : in order to understand this description of graffs perfectly , which hitherto appears obscure and enigmatick , it is necessary in the first place to declare the different kinds of graffs that are in use : secondly , the proper time to make them ; and finally the manner of making them well ; there are great differences among the one and the others . in the next place we shall add , which are the proper stocks , that have a natural disposition to receive certain kinds of fruits , and can agree with no other . chap. xii . of the kind of graffs that are in use . the graffs that are most commonly us'd are inarching , budding or inoculating , the cleft , the crown , or graff's between the wood and the bark , and whip-graffing . inarching is for chesnuts , marons , fig-trees , &c. budding or inoculateing is for all manner of fruits , both kernel and stone , and sometimes for other trees that bear no fruit. the cleft is also proper for all manner of good fruit trees , and even for other great trees , provided both the one , and the other have , at least three or four inches circumference at the place where the graff is to be so perform'd ; clefts are not generally so proper for stone fruit , especially peaches , as for kernel fruit ; the curiosos of some provinces in guyenne affirm the contrary . the crown or graffs between the wood and the bark , as well as whip-graffing , are particularly for thick branches , or for thick shorten'd stems of kernel fruit , and are nought for stone fruit , as well as for all branches and stems of a moderate size , which are too weak to press their graffs sufficiently . chap. xiii . of proper times to graff . the proper times to graff , are first , the beginning of may , in which the sap , being risen into the trees , especially in the branches of the preceeding years growth , without the eyes or buds having shot yet , the bark loosens easily , insomuch , that they may be stript with ease , which is necessary for those kind of graffs in question . this month of may is only proper for inarching , which as we have already said , is only fit for chesnut , maron , and fig-trees , &c. secondly , the middle of june is proper for inoculating , * which is only to be us'd for certain stone fruits ; for instance , for cherries , morellos and bigarreaux , upon a small bitter wild-cherry , and peaches upon old almond-trees , &c. thirdly , the months of july and august , for budding or inoculating trees , which by the small vigour of their foot , or else by reason of the excessive heat and draughts which happen sometimes at that time , seem to have a visible , if not total dimunition of sap ; for you must know , that this way of inoculating , with a close eye or shut bud , requires but little sap , particularly from the stock , upon which , after having made the necessary incision , the scutcheon must be apply'd : too great an abundance of sap in the stock is pernicious to that apply'd scutcheon , by reason that it is commonly drown'd there with gum , whereas it should only stick , without meeting any thing there for the remainder of the year capable of making it shoot ; it stands in need but of a very small help to preserve it from death , in expectation of a kind of vigorous resurrection , which the spring promises , when it recovers out of its lethargy ; as to the twig from whence the bud is taken , it can never have too much sap , provided the bark be sufficiently well nourish'd to strip with ease from the wood it covers , and take along with it the internal sprout which forms the principal part of that scutcheon ; the common stocks which are budded upon , during those two months , are plum-stocks , for plums , or peaches , young almond-stocks planted in an ill ground for peaches , quince-stocks for pears , white-thorns for apricocks ; paradice-stocks and apple-wildlings , for good apples , &c. the month of september is proper for inoculating peach-trees , upon vigorous peach-stocks , or young almond-stocks , of that years groweth ; planted in good ground , both the one and the other have the gift of preserving abundance of sap very safe ; and they are only fit to bud upon , at the time of the declining of that sap. we might graff in the cleft , during the months of november , december , and january , but one is never the more forward , on the contrary , it is much to be fear'd that the graffs would wither and absolutely perrish , by reason that during these three months , they receive no assistance from the root , which at that time , by reason of the cold , is , as it were , benum'd of all its vegetative functions . all the month of february , and a considerable part of march , are admirable for the cleft , and for whip-graffing , but that is to be understood , when by reason of the length of the colds of the winter , the season is not forward , and consequently the trees not yet enter'd into sap , that is before the bark quits the wood ; for as soon as ever it loosens , such trees can no longer be graffed in the cleft that year . therefore it is necessary , to provide betimes , particularly against that time , graffs of pears , apples , plums , &c. especially when they are to come from distant countries . the end of march in mild springs , i mean such , which instead of being accompani'd with snows , and small frosts , as it is usual , are hot and moist ; the first half of april , particularly is very favourable for the crown ; by reason that the sap must of necessity be sufficiently risen into those shorten'd trunks , to be able to divide the bark from the wood , with small wedges made of box , or ebony , in order to faclitate the lodging of the graff , that has been prepar'd on purpose for it . the month of april is only proper to graff all manner of apple-trees in the cleft , by reason that those kind of trees are not so easily mov'd to produce sap as other fruit-trees are , and as i have declar'd already , the only time to graff in the cleft is a little before the trees begin to blossom and shoot ; the said month of april is likewise convenient to graff vines , which can only be graffed in the cleft upon trunks cover'd with earth . chap. xiv . of the manner of performing all manner of graffs . having explain'd the different sort of graffs that are now in use , and the different months of the year , that are proper for each of them , there still remains to explain the proper manner of performing them ; and therefore , i shall begin with the description of the graffing-knife . the blade of this graffing-knife must be about two inches long , with a small handle , a full inch longer than the blade , or ordinary knives , the overplus of the handle must be flatten'd on the extremity , and made round , about the edges of that extremity , in order to serve to loosen the rind of the wildlings with ease , upon which the scutcheon is to be apply'd ; the most convenient graffing-knives , are those which close within the handle , like pruning-knives , or like the common pocket-knives that are made to fold . now since in the order i have observ'd for graffs , i have begun with that which is perform'd first in the finest season of the year , viz. inarching , i think it will be proper to begin this chapter with the manner of doing it as it should be ; and therefore , i say , that in order to succeed in it , in the first place the twig that is designed to graff with , which you must hold in your hand before you begin , in order to make the necessary comparisons the better , between the twig and the branch that it is to be graffed upon , either with thred , rush , ribbon , &c. by reason that this twig must be exactly of the same thickness with the branch you are to graff upon ; for it being thicker or smaller , the graff will not succeed . next , you must chuse a fine place upon the said twig , having two good eyes or buds , looking regularly the one on one side , the other on the other , and with your graffing-knife , or other sharp instrument you must cut the bark of the piece you are to take off for the graff , circularly to the very wood , both at the top and bottom ; you must take off all the bark which covers the smallest part of the said twig , in order to make that piece come out there , which is to be taken off after having loosen'd it from its wood , by twisting it gently with the thumb : but before you take it quite out of its place , you must shorten the branch that is to be graffed upon , four or five inches , and without wounding the wood , you must strip it intirely in a very sound , and very smooth place , unto the lower part where the graff is to come , that it may fit it so exactly , that it may rather be thought it grew there naturally , than by art , and immediately , in order not to permit a small moisture which lyes round about the part so stript , which is the sap newly risen , to evaporate , you must make an end of taking the piece that is design'd for the graff , out of its place , and lodge it with all the diligence , and dexterity imaginable within the branch so stript , to the place where 't is to remain , and finally to hinder the moisture of the air from penetrating into the space between the wood of the branch that is graffed , and the bark that is newly applied , you must raise small shavings out of the wood of the branch round about the superiour extremity of that graff , without putting them off , and make them hang like a kind of ruff on the extremity of that bark , to cover , and shelter it from the injuries of the air. inocculating or budding , a la pouce , ( which i take to be with an open bud ) and with the close eye , or shut bud , only differ as to the time of performing them , as we have already observ'd ; they are both perform'd in the same manner , the first thing to be done in order to it , is , to take from the tree you design to graff with , cyons of that years growth perfectly at a stand , upon which you find good eyes or buds , likewise at a stand , and they are those which have been first form'd since the spring , those that are form'd last being too tender to succeed : as soon as those twigs are cut , you must take off the leaves close to the place where they stick to their stalk , by which means the eyes or buds will not wither so soon ; the cyons may be preserv'd three or four days , provided the butt end be plac'd in water , or any thing that is moist , and the twig not above half a foot long ; insomuch that one may very well cut a twig that is two foot long into several pieces : with these two precautions you may very well send those twigs newly cut from the tree , thirty or forty leagues off ( note , that if they be twigs taken from peach-trees , you must seldom take any scutcheons from them , unless the eyes be double or treble , that is , unless you find the beginning of a growing branch accompani'd with leaves , and two beginnings of fruit buds to the right and left , or other branches to come ) as for other fruits , pears , apples , plums , &c. a single eye is as good as a double , or treble one , &c. as to the scutcheons of kernel fruits , they can hardly be taken off otherwise than with a piece of wood : when the scutcheon is taken off , you must look whether the inward sprout , which is the channel through which the sap is communicated for the production of a new branch , hold to the said scutcheon , as it must absolutely do , which being so you shall hold this scutcheon in your mouth , only between your lips by the end of the stalk of the remaining leaves , by reason that spittle might prejudice it ; in the mean time take care to separate the rind dexterously , by degrees , with the flaten'd end of your knife , without leaving any thing along the two long sides of the incision , being careful that the incision may be somewhat longer towards the point than the scutcheon , then take the scutcheon out of your mouth , and presenting the pointed part thereof to the horizontal incision , make it slide down all along the incision ; insomuch that it may be lodg'd there intirely , and especially that it may fill up all that part which is stript at the head of the incision , and finally that the sides of the bark that are loosen'd , may afterwards come to cover all the scutcheon , excepting the eye , this being done , you must take course flat flax , wherewith you must gently , and neatly , tye the scutcheon , the loosen'd bark , and the branch together , to the end that they may the better joyn together , and there ends the mystery of inoculating , or budding , with this difference only , that when it is perform'd in * june , the branch , or stem so budded , must be immediately shorten'd within two or three inches of the scutcheon ; to the end that the sap being hinder'd from ascending higher ( as it naturally would do ) it may be forc'd to enter into that scutcheon , in order to make it shoot soon after : meriziers , a small wild bitter cherry , so budded , commonly succeed better than any fruit-trees , and especially better than peach-trees budded in june , either upon other peach trees , or old almond trees ; by reason that they are very subject to perish with gum , and that by an over-abundance of sap , which being in the summer in the trees that are inoculated , and not finding a sufficient issue at the overture of the eye of that scutcheon , comes out at the incision , there congeals like blood out of the veins , and absolutely destroys the said scutcheon ; but when this inoculation is perform'd with a close eye , or shut bud , neither the branch , or stem so graffed , must be immediately shorten'd , you must tarry until the month of march following , which is the time that the sap begins to mount up into the trees again , which is the proper time to shorten them in the same manner we have express'd for the budding in june , the same reason serving for both , provided always , that before that time , that is , during the winter , the flax which did tie the scutcheon , has been cut neatly , without wounding the bark that was cover'd by the said flax ; for unless it were cut , all the part so tied , and what is above it , would be apt to perish for want of a sufficient passage for the sap , which would ascend to the extremity of the branch , and thereby all pains taken about the inoculation , would prove vain , while the lower part below it , would shoot abundance of wild twigs , of no use . the description of the cleft we have in the georgicks , tho' admirable in it self , might yet be much better , if it were more compleat , more particular , and more instructive ; it only tells us , that in order to perform this graff , the head of the trees must be cut off , in that part where the stem appears most even , and least knotty , that we must cleave the said stock pretty deep with wedges , and finally , that we must lodge cyons of better fruits into those clefts , which in time produce fine large trees . the reading of that description does not appear sufficient to me , to instruct a new learner in the art of graffing , to perform it as it should be , it is deficient in several articles , first , because it does not inform us that we may not only graff upon thick shorten'd stocks , but also that it may be done upon several branches of trees , either dwarfs , or tall standards , even upon stocks of two or three inches circumference , provided they be capable of suffering the cleft , and of closing the graff sufficiently . it is defective in the second place , in not specifying the proper time for those kind of graffs . we have explain'd it already . thirdly , it is defective , in not fixing the length of the twigs that are employ'd about it : we commonly regulate it to two or three inches in length , or rather upon the number of three good buds at least , which the graff must have . fourthly , it is deficient , in neither teaching us how to prune the graffs well , nor how to place them so exactly in the only places that are proper for them , that the sap of the foot may enter securely into them : as for the pruning of those graffs , in order to perform it well , the butt-end of them must be cut with a very sharp pruning-knife , on both sides in the form of a wedge , about half a large inch in length , preserving on the two sides which edge that figure of a wedge , some bark sticking very close to the wood ; the side which is to be most outward must be somewhat broader , and thicker , than the other which is inward , and precisely on the top of that bark preserv'd for the outside , you must have a good eye , or bud , as high as the edge of the shorten'd stock , and the upper part of the cleft ; and as to the well-placing of the graffs , the inside of the barks , both of the wildling , and of the graffs , must be so exactly sitted , that the sap rising from the foot , may as easily enter into the space between the wood , and the bark of the graff , as between the wood and the bark of the stock , or branches graffed upon . the description is likewise deficient , in the fifth place , in not observing , that in case the cleft be not made very curiously , as it happens often , you must pare it with your pruning-knife , removing whatever might obstruct or hinder the graff from entring freely , nay more , in case there be cause to judge that the graff , by being a little too small , in proportion to the stock , may be a little too much press'd , it is necessary to pare the wood on both sides of the cleft very neatly , and very smoothly , which is to be done with the point of a very sharp pruning-knife , beginning from the lower part upwards , and all this so exactly , and so conformably to the figure of the branch that has been cut for the cleft graff , that after having lodg'd the graff , there may appear no vacuity between it , and the sides of the cleft ; and yet , that the graff may stick so close , that it may not be easie to move it . sixthly , the description is defective , in not mentioning how many graffs may be apply'd upon one stock , and how the upper part of the stem being cut must be prepar'd ; large stocks , or branches that are to be graff'd in the cleft , must be very smooth at top , and equal on all sides , insomuch that the head may be horizontal , to place several graffs upon it , if there be room , and the stock requires it ; small stocks , or branches that cannot receive above one graff , must only be smooth'd in one part of the head ; and if that part where the graff is to be apply'd , the remainder must be cut like the foot of a hind . finally , the said description is defective in not informing us how to secure our graff'd trees , and hinder them from being prejudic'd by the injuries of the air , rains , heats , and droughts , through the overtures of the cleffs , whereupon it is to be noted , that all cleft graffs must be swadled with fine earth , and hay newly prepar'd , or else with gum prepar'd to that end , compos'd either of black fat pitch , melted in an iron pot , or earth mix'd with a little yellow wax , the said gum must be kept hot , and liquid , over a chaffing-dish , to be apply'd with a kind of wooden trule ; but before you apply either the earth , and hay , or the gum , you must cover all the crannies with some barks , immediately loosen'd from some branch of the tree that is graffed ; they are commonly put crosswise on large stocks , or graff'd branches , in order to cover the clefts so well , that nothing may get into them ; and whereas we generally cover the earth , and hay , with a piece of linnen to keep it fix'd about the head that is graff'd , which has some resemblance to a child's baby , we often call the cleft graff a baby - graff : nota , that when the stock does not seem to press the graff sufficiently , it must be bound about with some tender twigs of an ozier , in order to secure the graff . i conclude what relates to cleft graffs , after having declar'd what i can say about wedges ; which is , that before you make use of them to open the cleft , you must , in case it be a large stock , begin the cleft with the edge of a pretty large knife , apply'd upon the whole breadth of the trunk , or branch , striking with a hammer upon it , in order to make the said edge enter pretty deep into the wood , and thereby mark the cleft in question : stocks of a moderate size are easily enough cleft with the bare edge of the knife , without the help of a hammer . the wedges to be convenient must be made according to the model of this figure , one of the hooks being thicker , longer , and stronger than the other , which is to serve for large stocks , and the other being both shorter , smaller , and weaker , for small ones : in order to use those wedges , that which seems best proportion'd for the stock that is to be graffed upon , must be plac'd in the middle of the cleft that is begun , and when it cannot enter sufficiently , to make the overture that is necessary , it must be driven in with a hammer : in fine , the cleft being partly large enough , to lodge the graff into it , you must raise or pull down the end of the tool that serves for a wedge , with the left hand , in the mean time , with the right , placing the graff , cut as aforesaid , to the place where it is to remain ; and thus you may make an end of stretching , or closing the cleft , according as you may judge it proper , when the graff , or graffs are plac'd as they should be . i need not tell you , that one cleft may serve to place two graffs opposite to one another , and when two more can be plac'd , a second cleft may be made croswise upon the stock , altogether like the first , using the same method prescrib'd about the two first graffs . we sometimes call it graffing in the crown , when we place four graffs cleftwise upon a stock , that is large enough to receive them conveniently ; but it is more particularly call'd so , when upon very large shorten'd stocks we place a greater number of graffs between the wood , and the bark , for instance , , , . and therefore this kind of graff , as well as that we call whip-graffing can only be perform'd upon such stocks as exceed three or four inches diameter , which cannot be cleft ; but we seldom use either of them , by reason that the success is very uncertain , and the trouble of making them very considerable ; to that end twigs are us'd about half an inch circumference , with four or five good eyes , or buds in their length ; they must be cut slantingly at the butt-end , insomuch that the slope may be about an inch long , and that the upper part of it may be cut close to the pitch of the said twig , in order to be as small as possible can be at the end , and whereas the sap , which begins to rise from the foot , passes betwixt the wood , and the bark of the graff , those sloping sides must be plac'd on the side of the bark of the shorten'd stock , by which means the graff will receive its nourishment . but before you place those graffs , you must take out a little of the wood of the stock with a small joyner's chizzel , from those parts where it is to be plac'd , loosening the bark with a tough wooden wedge , striking dextrously with a hammer upon the said wedge , without prejudicing the bark ; the graff being lodg'd , the same thing must be done , we have already declar'd to secure the cleft graffs from the injuries of the air. as for whipp-graffing , slopes or notches must be made into the bark , and into the wood of the shorten'd stocks , chusing twigs about an inch in circumference , cutting the graffs in the same manner as those that are for the cleft , proportioning the twig so cut , so exactly to the notch of the stock , that it may enter with some small difficulty , to the end , that the inside of the barks may meet exactly , and that no space may remain between the sides of the graff , and the slop'd , or notch'd sides of the stock ; this being done , you must take one or two large oziers to bind the head so graffed , as firm as can be , that the graffs may not easily be moved ; doing moreover to secure the head from the injuries of the air , what we have already prescrib'd for the graffs in the cleft , and in the crown . the authors , and particularly the ancients , who have written about graffs , have all made mention of a certain inoculating , as of a particular manner of graffing ; saying that this inoculation is to be perform'd by placing the scutcheon in such a manner , that the eye or bud thereof may be exactly plac'd upon that part where there was another eye before the incision was made , and they pretend that it is the best method of applying the scutcheon . nay , moreover i do believe that they were of opinion that the sap of the stock graffed upon , could not enter into the eye or bud of the said scutcheon , unless it were inclin'd to it by the interiour figure which remains upon the wood that is strip'd , after the eye is taken away : to which i answer , in the first place , that the daily experience of all gard'ners sufficiently confutes that opinion , without my insisting upon it : secondly , i answer , not only that there is no advantage by that inoculating ; but moreover , that it is almost impracticable , by reason that the scutcheon cannot thrive , unless it be absolutely glued to the part to which it is apply'd ; and consequently that part must be as smooth as the scutcheon , which cannot be when a scutcheon is apply'd upon an eye , or bud , which is an elevated part , that forms a kind of stub , contrary to what must be plain , and smooth : i have often try'd those inoculatings , but have always lost my time , and labour . chap. xv. which are the stocks that have a natural disposition to re-receive some kinds of fruits , each in particular , and to receive no others . the fruits in question in the case of graffing , are reduc'd to those we know by the names of pears , apples , plums , peaches , cherries , figs , azerolles , quince-apples , grapes , sweet-almonds : to these we might add medlars , tho' few gentlemen care for them : as to oranges , lemons , and pomegranats , i have given a sufficient account about them , in the treatise of orange-trees . goosberries , raspberries , melons , strawberries , and avelins are not in the rank of fruits that may be improv'd by graffing . pears succeed very well , graffed upon pear-wildlings grown from trunks in woods , and forrests , and they are the best fruits to graff , especially in the cleft for dwarfs , they are not fit to be graffed scutcheon-wise , their bark being too thick for it ; those wildlings are likewise very proper for high-standards graffed in the cleft . wildlings grown from kernels in nurseries , and the suckers that shoot from the roots of the foot of old pear-trees in orchards , are likewise good to graff pears upon ; either to be budded while they are very young , or graff'd in the clef when they are grown large ; but they are much better for tall-standards , than for dwarfs ; they are too vigorous to remain low , and to submit to the hardships of pruning . quince-stocks , especially such as are very sound , and produce large leaves , and fine shoots , and have a smooth shining blackish bark ( they are call'd females , and those that are wrinkled , and shrunk , males ; tho' for my part , i do not admit that difference of names ; it is an act of vegetation , in which i only distinguish the degrees of vigour in every foot ) those kind of good quince-stocks , i say , are admirable to graff all manner of pears upon , against a wall , or for dwarf-standards , with a scutcheon : nay , sometimes they will grow to be high-standards , being planted against a wall , otherwise they are apt to unglue , that is , to separate cleverly from the part where they are graffed , in great storins of wind : the cleft is seldom , or never proper for those kind of stocks , unless the quince-stock be large enough to press the graff close , and even then they must be us'd but seldom . nota , that there are some kind of pears which are difficult to take upon quince-stocks ; for instance , summer musky bon-chretiens ; and portails ; to which i add , lastly , that pear-trees graffed , have as it were that complaisance for one another , to serve each other reciprocally for stocks for a change of graffs : yet , notwithstanding , some are peevish , and untoward in that case ; for example , thick-stalk'd-pears ; pears are sometimes graffed upon apple-stocks , either wildlings , or paradice , and upon white-thorns , and medlars , but commonly they are not lasting , or else they pine : there is certainly a kind of antipathy in their saps , insomuch that they cannot mix together , and can suffer no commerce of graffing . the same thing i have been saying of pear-wildlings , and quince-trees , in relation to the graffs of pear-trees , which succeed very well upon them , must be said of apple-wildings , either grown from trunks , or kernels , or suckers of the roots of old apple-trees , in relation to the apples that are graffed upon them , with this difference only , which seems surprizing between the quince , and paradice-stocks , that the paradice-stocks , being any thing large , are extraordinary good graffed in the cleft , and seldom succeed graffed with a scutcheon ; whereas it is the clean contrary with quince-stocks . moreover , apple-wildings , whatever they be , and however graffed , are fit to make high-standards , but not in the least fit for dwarfs ; and the quite contrary with paradice-stocks ; insomuch , that apple-trees must never be planted to remain dwarfs , and take up little room , unless they be graffed upon paradice-stocks , these quickly bear fruit , and shoot but little wood ; the others are a long while producing nothing but a vast quantity of wood , which makes excessive large trees , and are long before they bear fruit : apples graffed upon pear-trees , or quince , succeed no better than the pears that are ventur'd to be graff'd upon apple-stocks , or paradice ; altho' the poet seems of a different opinion , but i rather believe , that he uses indifferently , for all that relates to kernel - fruits , the terms of pyrus , pyrum , pomus , pomum . plum-trees are neither graffed in the cleft , nor budded , unless upon other plum-trees , and that only upon a small number of kinds , for instance , upon st. julians , black damask , and little cherry-plum , &c. and seldom succeed upon good kinds ; for example , upon perdrigons , apricock-plums , st. catherin's , &c. i have sometimes graffed some plums in the cleft upon large almond stocks , which have done indifferent well ; but where i succeeded in one , i lost a great many others , and therefore there is but little to be got in making those kind of trials . peaches , to succeed well , must be budded , and seldom graffed in the cleft , at least in our climes . secondly , they must be inoculated with the close eye , or shut bud , and that in a proper season , as we have heretofore declar'd , either upon st. julian plums , or black damask , or upon apricock trees already graffed , or upon young almond-trees of that years growth ; they seldom succeed upon stones of other peach , or apricock trees ; neither do peaches succeed better being graffed upon the principal kinds of plums , than the plum-trees themselves , as we have said already ; peaches budded in the month of june , are more apt to deceive the gard'ners hope , than to confirm it ; for the scutcheon either perishes with gum , without having shot , or often perishes after having shot ; or lastly , as it commonly shoots but weakly during that first summer , it perishes the following winter by cold and by ice , therefore , they must seldom be graffed , and that but casually , and upon stocks , that otherwise would be of no use . among what is vulgarly call'd cherries , we reckon merises , or a small wild cherry , both white and black , white and black hearts , early and late cherries , griotes , bigareaux cerisiers de pied , white cherries . all these kind of cherries are graffed except the meriziers , or small white bitter cherry , which are not worth it , but then those meriziers , especially the white ones , which grow in the fields , and in vineyards from each others suckers , are very good stocks to graff other principal kinds upon ; viz. hasty and late cherries , hearts , griotes , bigarreaux , &c. suckers which spring from the root of other cherries , produce pretty good cherries , and serve to be graffed upon , particularly with early cherries , which are a kind of cherry of a moderate size , that are seldom planted but in espaliers , to produce fruit betimes ; they are most valued for their earliness , and are no longer minded when the fine cherries which come soon after begin to appear ; early cherries require no very vigorous stocks , as the merisiers do , which have a far greater disposition to shoot abundance of vvood that to bear fruit speedily . you may graff fig-trees if you please , but as i have already said in the treatise of the choice of figs , there accrues but little advantage by graffing of them . azerolles are budded , or graffed in the cleft , particularly upon the vvhite-thorn ; they are likewise graffed some times upon small pear-vvildlings which succeed pretty well , and sometimes upon quince , and graffed pear-trees , but the success is not very certain . as for the quince-apple it is seldom graffed , by reason that quince-trees produce fruit so easily of themselves , yet they may be graffed upon one another ; thus you may graff portugal-quince-trees upon french ones , you may likewise graff them upon pear-trees , whether graffed , or wildlings . vines are only graffed upon old plants of other vines , and only in the cleft ; they are shorten'd on purpose for it , and when the graff is made , the place so shorten'd must be cover'd with earth , yet without covering the twigs or cyons that are graffed , the heat of the sun , and drought , would kill the graff , if it were left expos'd to the air like the cleft-graffs of other fruit-trees ; there is this difference between the cleft graff of vines , and that of other fruit-trees , that the graff is plac'd indifferently in the middle , or on the sides of the shorten'd trunk , which cannot be done to other fruit trees graffed in the cleft , as we have observ'd heretofore . meddlar trees are graffed either upon other meddlars , or upon vvhite-thorn , or pear-vvildlings , or pears trees already graffed , or else upon quince-stocks . almond-trees whether with hard or tender nuts , grow most commonly from almonds put into the ground , or graffed upon one another . chap. xvi . of nurseries and seminaries . it is proper to begin this chapter , by saying that our nurseries require a good easie soil , or ground , well till'd , having at least two foot and a half depth ; the trees must be placed in rows at three foot distance , according to the largeness of the trees , and at a foot and a half , two or three foot distance from one another in the said rows , still according to the proportion of the sizes : of all vvildlings almonds are plac'd closest in the rows . t is easy to conclude , from what i have been saying in the foregoing chapter , about all kinds of fruits to be graffed , what kind of stocks are most proper to make nurseries of all kind of fruits . first , for pears you must plant vvildlings out of vvoods and forests , or vvildlings grown from kernels , or suckers sprouted from the roots of old pear-trees , or else plant quince-trees , all which must be well condition'd both as to the roots and stem . secondly , for the apple-tree seminary ; when you design to have them high-standards , you must plant pretty large vvildlings , taken out of vvoods and forrests , to graff them in the cleft , or kernel vvildlings to inoculate them , when they are about two inches circumference , and are to shoot up , in order to become high-standards ; and when you design to make a seminary of dwarfs , you must plant paradice-apple-trees , at a foot distance in the rows : and that , by reason that those kind of little apple-trees shoot but few roots , and consequently require but little room . thirdly , to make a seminary of plum-trees , you must only plant the suckers of certain plum-trees , viz , st. julian , black-damask , the little cherry-plum , those that are large enough to bear it , are graffed in the cleft , and the lesser with the scutcheon . fourthly , good seminaries for peaches , must consist of st. julian , and black damask plum-trees , which must be inoculated or budded in the months of july or august , or young almond-trees , that is , almond-trees grown from an almond planted in good grounds in the vvinter time , grown about september following half an inch thick , to be budded at that time : old almond-trees of two or three years standing are hot proper to be graffed . fifthly , to make nurseries of red stone-fruit , viz. cherries , griottes , bigarreaux ; no stocks are so proper as merisiers , which is a small wild bitter cherry , especially such as beat whitish ones ; the sap of the black ones is commonly so bitter , that the graffs of good cherries do not take upon them , or always pine away . suckers which spring from the roots of other cherries may serve to graff good cherries upon , but they are most proper to be graffed with early cherries . sixthly , fig-tree seminaries are planted with suckers sprouted from the foot of old fig-trees , or with branches of two years standing laid into the ground , and notch'd in that part which is most bent , and laid into that ground . seventhly , for the nursery of azeroles , you must only plant white-thorn , and some few quince-stocks . eighthly , no nurseries are made for vines , they are seldom graffed otherwise than upon old plants , ready planted . finally , for medlars , people seldom make any particular nurseries , the least quantity of them is sufficient , a dozen wildlings of that kind , or white-thorn , or quince-stocks ; are sufficient to provide for the largest gardens . before i proceed to the sixth part , i think it will not be altogether improper to give my opinion about the different kinds of lattices , to the end that people may determine at first to pitch upon that which i value most , and indeed , which is the most noble , and most convenient . chap. xvii . of the different manners of lattices us'd to pallisade . from the very moment we resolve to enclose our garden with walls , we certainly design to have fruit against them , and consequently must prepare whatever is necessary to pallisade the trees that are to be planted there , neatly , and conveniently . the first observation i have made in relation thereto , is , that one cannot be too careful in having the walls well pargetted , or plaistred over when it can be done conveniently ; in order to stop all the holes from rats , snails , earwigs , and other vermin which destroy the fruits , and commonly attack the fairest , and best , and thereby continually plague the curious . when the walls are pargetted with plaister , we have the convenience to ply , or pallisade the branches with nails , and shreads of sheep's-skin , or shamoy , or lists of cloath , both about half a finger broad , and a finger long against the said walls , putting the stays about the branch , and fixing it upwards with a nail , we thus form the figure of our trees . this manner of pallisading is very agreeable , but tedious ; those shreads may last a year or two , the only thing that can be said against it is , that sometimes earwigs shelter in them in the day time , and come out at night , to indammage the trees . those who are not willing to use those shreads , have try'd three or four ways of pallisading , some for all manner of walls , but especially for such as are made of earth , and hey , as they do in beausse , and normandy ; some fix spikes from space to space into the wall , sticking out about two inches , to fasten laths , poles , perches , or switches upon them : others make a lattice of poles , supported by the bones of horses , or oxen , fix'd into the wall , to which they fasten the branches of their trees : others have abundance of sheeps feet bones fix'd into their walls at a small distance , in a straight line , and so bind every branch of their tree to one of the said feet ; some make a lattice of narrow laths nail'd a cross one another checker-wise , every square consisting of about twelve inches ; and this lattice being made by whole , or half fathoms , separate , they fix them to the walls with nails , or hooks , that are driven into the joynts of the stones ; it is a pretty good expedient , but neither gentile , nor handsom . some who yet covet cheapness beyond these , make a lattice of brass or iron wire , of a moderate size , supported by flat-headed nails fix'd into the walls . others have been satisfy'd with barely fixing streight lines of this wire , either longwise , or crosswise : these two last methods are pretty neat , but not very good ; both by reason that they are too weak , insomuch that the thick branches , that sometimes require to be forc'd , either break , of ▪ stretch them ; and that this wire is apt to wound and scratch the young , and consequently tender branches , which occasions gum to grow upon them , which destroys them ; besides , those young shoots slip too easily behind those wires , from whence it is not easie to remove them , without spoiling of them . the best manner of all , the most convenient , and most noble , is a lattice of quarter wood , or heart of oak ; every pole or lath about an inch square , and as much as can be without knobs , they must be very well plain'd , and notch'd in such places as require it ; those that are not plain'd , are course , and ugly . i confess that this lattice is chargeable at first , but then it is more lasting , and requires less mending : the square fathom of that lattice amounts constantly to , , , and pence , for the wood , making , wire and all . in order to make this lattice as it should be , you must have iron hooks made on purpose , they must be square , about a quarter of an inch thick , and half a foot long ; besides , the end which turns upwards in a streight angle , which must be above an inch and a half long , the end which enters into the wall , must be forked , to hold the faster into the wall , into which it must enter about four inches deep , two inches on the outside will suffice . those hooks cost commonly about a penny a piece , they must be plac'd at three foot distance , and always checker-wise , beginning the first row within a foot of the surface of the ground , continuing it to the top of the wall ; the rows of those hooks must lie in a streight line , and parallel to one another ; that is all i have to say about the hooks . as to the poles , or laths , you may buye them in shops , of different lengths , viz. of four foot and a half , of six , seven , eight , or nine ; some are made of twelve foot , but seldom , because it is too difficult to slit such long pieces of wood ; you may take them of what length you please , according to the heighth of your walls ; they are sold in bundles , those of four foot and a half , contain forty , and cost eleven pence , those of six , cost twelve pence , and contain five and twenty ; those of seven , eight , and nine ; likewise contain twenty five , and cost somewhat more . the best and most useful way is to make those that stand upwards all of a piece , when you can , but yet you may joyn two or three , such as you can get , and they are much cheaper ; they must be joyn'd together neatly , plaining and proportioning the extremities that are to be marry'd together exactly , tying them afterwards very close with wire ; to which end , you must use small pinchers made on purpose , with which you may pull the wire towards you , and turn and wind it until the ligature be strong enough , then break the end close to the knot , and fasten the said knot against the laths , lest it should prejudice the gard'ner , or branch . in chusing the poles , or laths , take the streightest , and weakest , to serve in a streight line , by reason that they always appear on the outside , placing the butt-end downwards ; the strongest must be imploy'd crosswise to support the work ; the squares of the lattice must be regularly about or inches , they do not look well of ten or twelve inches , and in my opinion , they are too little of or inches for espaliers ; but they may be imploy'd for those kind of arbors , that are of late in fashion . a good maker of lattice should never work without a regulated measure in hand for his checkers , measuring every one of them carefully ; he must leave an inch between the laths , and the wall , and when the hooks are too short , he must make use of a wooden wedge , and hold it between the laths , and the wall , in order to have more room to pass his wire . the lattice must not only appear neatly made to the eye , it must also be solid , which is easily known by shaking one of the laths ; for it is not as it should be unless it resists the hand . i must not forget to tell you , that you must use but one straight lath in corners , to fasten the two lattices of two walls that joyn , two would look clumsily , the one on one side of a wall , the other , on the other . the last perfection of our lattice consists in being painted first with white , and when that is dry , with a fine mountain green. we do not only make lattice frames for walls , we likewise make them sometimes for a kind of counter-espalier , or pole-hedges , which lattice frames may be made four , five , or six foot high , according as you please : in order to its being solid , it is necessary to stick oaken spikes into the ground , at five or six foot distance from one another , about four inches square , driving them about a foot deep into the ground , the outward extremity being pointed , to last the longer , for if it were square , the rain would rot it the sooner ; as for the size , and the place to fasten the wire , the checkers must be like those of the espaliers , with this only difference ; that in pole-hedges , the poles or laths must be fix'd with nails into the body of the spikes , which must be notch'd in order thereunto . the end of the fifth part. of fruit-gardening and kitchen-gardens . vol. ii. part vi. of the culture of kitchen-gardens . there 's nothing seems less unknown than the art of cultivating kitchen-gardens . it has been universally practised in all ages , and almost in all climates of the world , and the care to bring up and multiply in select places , some herbs and legumes , or edible plants , which nature had produced promiscuously in the midst of the wild fields , and which the first men used for their only food , has been , and still continues to be the occupation of a great number of all sorts of people . and indeed , how many do we see , that being weary and tired , either with the fatigues of war , or the drudgery of publick employments , or with the idleness of a city or court life , have chosen to retreat into the country , to go ( as our proverb says ) and plant cabbages , and how many others are there , that take an extream pleasure in entertaining their friends with herbs and sallets out of their own gardens , stiffly maintaining , that they taste much better than those bought in the markets , and of common gard'ners ? and therefore since kitchen-gardens have been planted in all times , have i not some reason to fear , it may appear at first , either ridiculous or impertinent for me to subjoyn here a particular treatise of that sort of gardens . i answer , that i will not deny but that almost as soon as there were men upon the earth , they had some kind of kitchen-gardens , and that in process of time , the curiosity of their cultivation has been extreamly augmented , and has made mighty advances , and i am far from pretending , that the first sowing of sallets , and roots , and planting of cabbages , and artichokes , and rearing of cucumbers , melons , &c. begun in our days . no , i know well enough , that our ancestours understood what belonged to the culture of all those plants , and that the most part of the very country-people , and of the meaner sort of the inhabitants of cities , have some tincture of it ; nay , and i will ingenuously confess , that the knowledge i have my self in the management of kitchen-gardens , was chiefly attained by my often conversing with what we vulgarly call , able market-gard'ners . but i must add withall that as the kitchen-garden taken in a general sence , comprehends the culture of a great number of different sorts of plants , so there is hardly any gard'ner that has made it his business , to be skilful in cultivating generally all the sorts of them ; it having ordinarily hapned , that one has applyed himself to the care and improvement of one particular part of this culture , which he has performed exactly well , neglecting the rest , whilst another has employed his industry , no less particularly in that which his neighbour had neglected , and succeeded in it , as much sighting on his side , that other part in which the same neighbour had so prosperously laboured ; the different appetites of men , but more especially , the different goodness of soils and climates , having been the true causes of those different affectations in the cultivation of pot or kitchen-plants . now it being undoubtedly necessary for a gentleman's gard'ner to be able to perform with equal skill and happiness , all the parts of culture belonging to a kitchen-garden , that so he alone may be in a condition to furnish his master with all the variety that a good kitchen-garden can produce , without wanting at least any of those productions that are of most importance , and it being no less expedient too for the gentleman himself to know exactly what he may expect from his gard'ner every month in the year , and what is the particular work that is to be done in every season ; i have therefore taken care to omit nothing that is necessary for either of them to be informed in , that the one may be able to give content by knowing how perfectly well to discharge his duty , and the other be contented , when he knows he has sufficient reason to be so . in order to which , by way of answer to those , that may ask me what i pretend to say that is new , upon a subject which i my self confess to be so very well known , i shall first repeat the same thing which i have already laid down , and inculcated , as my intention in all the parts of this work , viz. that i write not here for those which are actually gard'ners by profession , and that are skillful in it , but for the instruction , as well of those that have a mind to become so , as for gentlemen that are curious in gard'ning , being well assured there are a great many of these latter , though ignorant in the particulars of this science , that esteem it not unworthy of their curiosity , and are fully perswaded it is capable of giving them pleasure as well as profit , and being no less certain , that i my self found a great deal in pursuing the acquisition of those lights i have attained in it , therefore i cannot but think , it will be sweet and gratefull to them to enjoy without pains , the fruits of the study i have made therein , and to find out an exact and faithful collection of all that concerns this matter . in the second place , i shall answer , that 't is my design to cut out a shorter way than the common roads , for those young persons who though very desirous of learning the art of gard'ning , yet would willingly be instructed by some other means than by bare seeing others practice , it being a tedious and uncertain way , and had rather be taught by stated rules and principles , which , i think may be done in a little time , and by very short and easie methods . thirdly , i reply , that i shall set down here some particular experiments which i my self have made with success , and which seem to me never to have been made before , and i think i may add , that they have been too well approved , not to merit to be divulged . lastly , i answer , that my intention is to give such directions , that the place designed for a kitchen-garden may be so well ordered in all its parts , that not only each part may perform its duty in respect of its productions but by the accurate symmetry and proportion observ'd in modelling of the whole , it may be in a condition to allure the spectators , and at all times to delight the eyes of the curious . and accordingly for these reasons , i purpose here to follow exactly the model and platform i have already delineated and explained at the beginning of these treatises of gard'ning , conformably to which , i shall set down , first , every thing that generally speaking , should be in all sorts of good and well-furnisht kitchen-gardens , to which i shall add a description of the seeds and other things which serve for the production and multiplication of every particular plant. in the second place , i shall specifie not only all the things that may be gathered out of a kitchen-garden every month of the year , but also what work gard'ners are to do in every one of those months , and to those two heads i will joyn another , viz. a particular account of what should at all times be found in any kitchen-garden whatsoever , that so we may be able to judge when there is any thing wanting in it , and when not . thirdly , i will explain what sort of earth or soil , and what sort of culture are most proper for each sort of plants , to make them excellent ; and because some of them are sown to remain always in the same place , and some , only to be transplanted elsewhere , and some again are propagated without seed ; i will give directions at the same time how to order all of them , as well in respect to the seasons in which they are to be sown or planted , as the manner of their propagation . fourthly , i will shew how long each sort may profitably occupy its place , and which of them must be laid up in store for our winter provision , and which may by the help of industry be produced in spite of the frosts . and fifthly and lastly , i will inform you how long any sort of seed will last without spoiling , they having not all the same destiny in that matter . chap. i. what things should be planted in any kitchen-garden of a reasonable extent , to render it compleatly furnished . all the world is agreed , that there are few days in the whole year in which we can be well without the assistance of the kitchen-gardens , whether it be in the fair and fruitful season , whilst they are still growing on the earth that first produced them , when we have no more to do but to go and gather them there ; or in winter when we must fetch them out of the store-rooms , where we had timely laid them up for security , before the arrival of the bitter cold , which not only makes the earth unfruitful for a time , but destroys too a great part of those vegetables which are so unhappy as to be within its reach ; and therefore it follows , that every day of the year , we must be furnisht with what we need of this nature , out of our own gardens of stores , or elsewhere , either by the liberality of our friends , or what is most common from the markets . that you may therefore have at one view , the knowledge of what composes this agreeable assistance , that may be drawn out of the kitchen-garden . i shall here present you with a kind of alphabetical inventory of all the things that such a garden should , and may furnish us with , throughout the whole course of the year . a. alenois cresses . vid. cresses . alfange , a sort of roman lettuce . alleluia , wood-sorrel , alias french-sorrel , or sharp trefoil . anis . artichokes , both green , violet and red. artichokes , costons , or slip-suckers . asparagus . aromaticks ; see fine herbs . b. balm , called in french , melisse . basil or basilick , both the greater and the lesser . bays , the common sorts . hot beds , of several sorts , as for sallets , and spring-radishes , and the first early strawberries , as for musk-melons , cucumbers , and mushroons , and for raising some sorts of flowers in the winter , and other plants to set again in the naked earth , and for the forcing of sorrel and cabbage lettuce , &c. to advance . beet-raves , or red beets , to produce roots for sallets . white beets called poirée , for chards . beans both of the common sort , and those called harico's , or french kidney beans ; as also venetian beans called feverolles . bonne dame , or good lady . borage . bour delais , or verjuice grape , both red and white . bucks horn sallet . bugloss . burnet , called in french , pimpernel . c. cabbages of all sorts . capers of the ordinary sort . capucin capers , called otherwise nusturces . caprons , a sort of strawberries . spanish cardons . carlots . cellery . chalots , vid shalots , and eschalots . chards of artichokes . chards of beets . chassela's grapes . cheril , musked and ordinary . chervi , or skirrets . chicons , the same with alfange . ciboules . citrulls or pompions , or pumpkins . cives . colyflowers , and coleworts , both comprehended under cabbage in french. cresses , as al●nois or garden cresses . cucumbers . currans , which with gooseberries , are both called groseilles in french , and distinguish'd into the prickly , the red , and the pearled . d. dragons or estragon , a sallet . e. endive , white or tame , as well the curled as the plain , called in french chicorée or succory , as also the wild sort . eschalots , vid. shalots . estragon or dragons , a sallet . f. fennel . french-sorrel ; see allcluja . furnitures for sallets , which with the french , are spare-mint , called by them balm , as also estragon , or dragons , english cives , fennil , chervil , as well the common as the musked sort , and basil , &c. fine herbs , called in english , sweet-herbs , but meant by the french of all hot scented herbs , as ti●e , morjarom , lavender , rhue , worm-wood , hysop , &c. which are planted in borders . g. garlick . gooseberries , together with currans , both confounded , under the name of groseilles in french , and distinguish'd into the prickly , the red , and the pearled . good lady , vid. bonne dame. h. hysop . l. lavender in borders . leeks . lettice of all sorts , according to the seasons , as well to sow in rows , or small furrows , to cut when little , as to cabbage , and to bind up , viz. the coquille or shell-lettuce , alias the winter , and the passion lettuce , the curl'd bright lettuce , and the green curl'd lettuce , the little red lettuce , the short lettuce , the royal lettuce , the bellegarde , the lettuce of genua , of perpignan , and of auberviliers , the imperial , and the roman lettuce , which comprehends all the chicons , both the green and red , otherwise called the alphange lettuce , and they are to tie up . m. macedonian parsty . vid. parsly . mâches . mallou's and marsh-mallo●s . marjoram in borders . melons or musk-melons . mint , called in french , balm . muskat , or musk-grapes , both the white , the black , and the red. the long muscat , alias , the passe-musquée● mushrooms . n. nasturces , or capucin capers . see capers . o. onions , both the red and the white . p. parsly , as well the common as the curled . macedonian parsly . parsnips . patience , a sort of sorrel . vid. sorrel . pease , from the month of may , which are the hastings , till allhallow-tide . passe musquée . see muscats . piercepier , a sort of stone parsly . pompions or pumpkins , called in french , citruls . potirons , a sort of flat pumpion or pumpkin . purslain , both of the green , and golden or red sort . r. radishes , both in spring , summer , and autumn . raspberries , both red and white . responces , or field-radishes . rue . rocamboles , or spanish garlick . rocket , a kind of sallet . furniture . rose-mary . rubarb . s. sage . salsisie , or goat's-beard . saracens or turky wheat . savory . scorzonera , or spanish salsi●ie . sellery . see cellery . shalots . see eschalots . smallage . sorrel , both the great , the little , and the round . spinage . spare-mint . see mint . straw-berries , both red and white . succory . vide. endive . suckers of artichokes . sweet herbs . see fine herbs or aromaticks . sharp trefoil . see alleluia . t. time for borders . tripe-madam . sharp trefoil , vid. alleluia . turkey or saracens wheat . turneps . v. verjuice grapes , vid. bourdelais . vines . violets in borders . w. vvheat . see turkey and saracen● wheat . worm-wood for borders . wood-sorrel . see alleluia . chap. ii. containing a description of the seeds , and other things which contribute to the production and multiplication of every sort of plant , or legume . a alenois cresses : see cresses . alfange : see lettuce . alleluia , or wood , or french sorrel , is a sort of trefoil , that is multiplied only by runners or slips , which sprout from the foot of it , as do violets and daises , &c. it bears a white flower , but no seed . anis , is propagated only by seed , which is pretty small , and of a yellowish green , and is of a longish oval figure , striped : which oval is bunched on one side . in a word , it is altogether like fennel-seed . artichoaks , are commonly multiplied only by their oeillitons or little eyes , or off-sets which are a sort of kernals , which grow about the heart of the foot of their plants , ●hat is , in that part that separates the root from the eye or bud , out of which the stemm grows that produces the artichockes : these little eyes or off-sets begin commonly to breed at the very end of autumn , or in winter , when it is mild , and shoot forth their leaves in the spring , that is at the end of march , and in the month of april , at which time , we grope about the foot of the artichoke , and separate or slip off these suckers or off-sets , in french called little eyes , and that is called slipping , or dis-eyeing . these off-sets or suckers to be good , should be white about the heel , and have some little roots ; those that are black about the heel , are old , and produce but very little artichokes in the spring , whereas the others stay till august , september , or october , before they bring theirs to perfection , according to the intention of the gard'ner . sometimes artichokes are multiplied by the seed , which grows in the artichoke bottoms , when they are suffered to grow old , to flower , and to open , and lastly to dry , about midsummer . when we tie them up in autumn , we wrap and cover them up to their whole length , with straw or old dung , and so whiten the cottony sides of their leaves , to make artichoke chards of . asparagus , or sparagras are propagated only by seeds which is black , a little oval , round on one side , and very flat on the other , about the bigness of a great pin's head , and grows in a shell , or round cod , which is red , and about the bigness of an ordinary pea ; there are four or six seeds in each shell , and those shells grow in autumn , upon the head of those asparagus plants that are a little fairer and stronger than the rest . sometimes those shells are sown whole , but the best way is to break them , and beat the seeds out of them . the time of sowing them is about the end of march. b balm , in french , melisse , is multiplied only by runners and cuttings . basil , or basilick , as well the great , as the small sort is multiplied by seed , which is of a blackish cinnamon colour , and very small and a little oval , and is propagated no other way but that . the common bay , or bays , is propagated by seeds which are black , or else by layers . beans , as the marsh or common beans , which are pretty thick and long , of an oval figure , round at one end , and flat at the other , with a black list or crease pretty thick and broad , of a sullied white colour , having a smoother skin than the haricauts , or kidney beans , which are likewise long and oval , but narrower , lesser , and thinner than the other , having a black list in the middle of one of the sides of the oval , which is round on one side , and a little bending inward on the other . the feverolles , or venetian beans , dister only from these last , in that they are a little less , and are some of them white , some red , and some mottled with several colours ; there is one sort of them that is very small . every body knows , they all grow in cods . beet-raves , or beet-radishes , that is , red-beets to produce roots for sallets , are multiplied only by seeds , which are about the bigness of middling peas , and round , but all gravelly in their roundness ; they are yellowish , and so like those of the white beet , that they are hardly to be distinguish'd one from the other , so that people are often mistaken , thinking they have sown red ones for roots , and see nothing come up but white beets ; they are planted apart when designed to run to seed . white beets , called porrêe or poirée , for chards are also propogated only by seed , which is like that of the red beets , only 't is of a little duller colour : they are replanted to produce chards . bonne-dame , or good lady , is multiplied only by seed , which is extreamly flat , and thin , and is round and reddish . borage is propagated only by seed , which is black , and of a long bunchy oval figure , and having commonly a little white end towards the base or bottom , which is quite separated from the rest , the length is all engraven as 't were with black streaks from one end to the other . bugloss is likewise only multiplied by seed , which is so like that of borage , that they cannot be known asunder . buckshorn sallet is multiplied only by seed , which is one of the least we have ; it is besides that , longish , and of a very dark cinnamon colour , and grows in a husk like a rats tail. burnet is propagated only by seed , which is pretty big , and a little oval , with four sides , and is all over engraven as 't were in the spaces between those four sides . c. cabbages , called in french , choux , and comprehending both cabbage , coleworts , and colyflowers of all kinds , of what nature soever they be , are multiplied only by seed , which is about the bigness of an ordinary pin , or of birding powder , and is reddish , inclining to a brown cinnamon colour . capucin capers . see nasturces . caprons . see strawberries . spanish cardons are propagated only by seed , which is longish , oval , and about the bigness of a fair wheat corn ; it is of a greenish , or olive colour , mark'd with black streaks from one end to the other , and is sown from the middle of april to the end . carrots are multiplied only by seeds , which are small and oval , the sides of which are wrought with little streaks , or longish points very small ; and one side of the flat part of the seed is a little fuller , and more raised than the other , and both of them are marked long-ways with streaks ; they are of the colour of a dead leaf . collery is multiplied only by seed , which is very small , yellowish , and of a longish oval figure , and a little bunched . chalots : see eschalots . chards of artichokes : see artichokes . chards of beets : see beets . chervil is multiplied only by seed , which is black , very small , and pretty longish ; striped long-ways ; it grows upon the plants that were sown in the autumn before , and knits and ripens in the month of june . musked chervil is multiplied likewise only by seed , which is longish , black , and pretty big . chervi or skirrets is multiplied only by seed , which is oval , longish , and pretty small and narrow , streaked from one end to the other , and of the colour of a grayish white dead leaf , and flat at one end . ciboules , or small onions , are propagated only by seed , of the bigness of a corn of ordinary gun-powder , a little flat on one side , and half round on the other , and yet a little long and oval , and white on the inside ; so like to which are the seeds of both the red and white onion , and of leeks , that it is very hard to distinguish them one from the other : ciboules are sown in all seasons . citrulls , pumpions , or pumkins , are propagated only by seeds , which are of a flat oval figure , and pretty large and whitish , and are as 't were neatly edged about the sides , excepting only at the bottom , where they stuck to the citrull or pumpion , in whose belly they were formed . cives , called english cives , are multiplied only by little off-sets that grow round about their tufts , which grow very big in time , from which a part of those off-sets are taken to replant . colyflowers : see cabbages . coleworts : see cabbages . cresses , called alènois cresses , are multiplied only by seed , which is of a longish oval figure , small , and of an orange yellow colour . cucumbers , or cowcumbers , are propagated only by seed , which is oval , a little pointed at both ends , but a little less at the lower end or bottom than at the other , out of which springs its bud or sprout ; it is of a midling thickness , of a whitish colour , and is gathered out of the bellies of those cucumbers that are grown yellow with ripeness . the curran-bushes , whose fruit grows in bunches , both the red , and the white , called dutch currans ; as also goosberry-bushes , called in french , groseilles , as well as currans , and named picquans , or prickly groseilles , are multiplied as well by slips that are a little rooted , that sprout out of the foot of their stocks every year in the spring , as by simple cuttings ; we also replant their stocks of two or three years old . d. the dock , called patience , being a sort of sorrel , is multiplied only by seed , which is like sorrel seed , only a little bigger . dragons , or estragon , a sallet : see estragon . e. white endive , called in french , chicorée , i. e. succory , is multiplied only by seed , which is longish , and of a whitish grey colour , flat at one end , and roundish at the other , and grows upon the stocks or stems of the preceeding years growth ; one would take it almost for nothing else but little bits of herb cut pretty small . wild endive , or succory , is also propagated only by seed , which is longish and blackish , and grows as the other doth . eshalottes , or shalotts : see shalots . estragon , or dragons , being a sallet , is multiplied only by runners , or cuttings . f. fennel is propagated only by seed , which is pretty small , longish and oval , bunched , and streaked with greenish grey streaks . french sorrel : see alleluia . g. garlick is produced by a kind of kernels , or off-sets , which grow in great numbers about its foot , and make all together a kind of bulb like an onion , which kernels are called the cloves of the garlick ; every clove being concave or hollow on the inside , and convex , or bending outwards on the out-side , having at its lower end , a flat base or bottom , by which it is fastned to the body of the foot or stalk , out of which the roots spring ; and having on the top a pointed end , out of which springs its bud , or shoot , when it is planted in the earth in the months of march or april , in order to its bringing forth . good lady : see bonne dame. goosberry-bushes : see curran-bushes . h. hyssop , or hysope , is propagated only by slips . l. lavender is multiplied by seed , and by the old stocks or plants replanted . lawrel , or laurel : see bays . leeks are multiplied only by seed , which is altogether like that of ciboules ; they are replanted in the month of may , very deep in the earth , to make their stalks and plants thick and white ; and they are sown in march as soon as the frost will permit ; their seed grows in a kind of thick white purse , which is round , and grows upon the top of a good long stalk , and it keeps a pretty long time in that purse or hood before it falls . lettuces , of what sort so ever they be , are multiplied only by seed , which is of a longish oval figure , streaked long-ways , sharp pointed at the ends , and very small ; some are black , as those of aubervilliers , but the most of them are white : when they are sown in the spring they run to seed in the month of july after ; but the winter lettuces , called otherwise shell lettuces , after having past the winter in the place where they were re-planted in october run up to seed in the month of july following . m. macedonian parsly : see parsly . mâches , or masches , are multiplied only by seed , which is very small , and of an orange colour . mallows , or marsh-mallows , are propagated only by seeds , which are like one another in shape , but yet are different as well in colour as in bigness ; for the seed of the mallows is much bigger than that of the marsh-mallows , and that of this latter is of a deeper brown than that of the plain mallows ; they are both triangular , and streaked all over . marjoram is propagated only by seed , which is very little , and shaped almost like a limon , more pointed on one side than on the other ; it is speckled in some places with little white specks , and is as 't were streaked with white all over ; it is of a pretty light cinnamon colour . melons , or musk-melons , are multiplied by a seed , which is like that of a cucumber , excepting in colour , which in melons is of a pale red , and is not so broad as that of the others ; they are taken out of the bellies of ripe musk-melons . mint , or spare-mint , called in french , balm , is multiplied only by runners that are like so many arms that spring out of its tuft , and take root ; it likewise is propagated by cuttings , but bears no seed . muscat : see vines . n. nasturces , commonly called capucin capers , are multiplied only by seed , which is a kind of pea or haricot , or french-bean , which climbs and gets up upon branches or poles which are near it ; the leaf of it is pretty large , and the flower , of an orange colour ; the figure of the seed is a little pyramidal , divided by ribs , having all its superficies engraven , and wrought all over , being of a grey colour , inclining to a light cinnamon : they are sown in hot beds about the end of march , or the beginning of april , and afterwards they are replanted by some wall well exposed . the seed easily falls as soon as ever 't is ripe , as doth that of borage , and the belles de nuit , or night fair ones ; and therefore they must be carefully gathered . o. onions , as well the white , as the red , are multiplied only by seed , which as i have already said , is like that of ciboules . p. parsly , as well the common , as the curled sort , is multiplied only by seed , which is little and very small , and of a greenish grey colour , and a little bending inward on one side , and all over streaked with little rising streaks from one end to the other . macedonian parsly or alisanders is also propagated only by seed , which is pretty big and oval , and a little more full and swelling on one side than on the other , which bends a little inward , streaked throughout its whole length ; and is also streaked a cross on the edges between the sides . passe-pierre : see pierce-pierre . parsnips are multiplied only by seed , which is flat , and of a round figure , a little oval , and as if it were hemmed or edged , streaked throughout its length , and is of the colour of a brownish straw . patience : see dock . passe-musquee : see muscats , and vines . peas , or pease , are multiplied only by seed ; there are great ones , little ones , white ones or yellow ones , and green ones . all the world knows they grow in cods , and are almost round , and sometimes half flat . perce-pierre vulgarly called passe-pierre , i. e. pass , or pierce stone , being a kind of stone-parsly , is multiplied only by seed , which is more long than round , pretty big , of a greenish grey colour , striped on the back and belly , and resembling a lute in shape . pimpernell : see burnet . pompions , or pumpions , or pumkins : see citrulls . potirons , a sort of flat citrulls , or pumpions , are multiplied only by seed , which is altogether like that of the common citrull , or pumpion , and grows in the same manner . purslain , as well of the green , as red , or golden sort , is multiplied only by seed , which is black , and extraordinary small , and of a half flat roundish figure . to have a good crop of this seed , the purslain plants must be replanted at the end of may , at a full foot distance one from the other : the seed grows in little husks or shells , each of which contain a great many , and when we are to gather it , we cut off all the heads of the stalks , and lay them to dry a little in the sun , and then we beat the seed out , and fan , or screen it . r. radishes are multiplied by seed , which is round , pretty thick , and of a reddish cinnamon colour ; it grows in a kind of little cods , which they call coque-sigrues in provence . raspberries , both red and white , are propagated only by slips that sprout out of their stocks every year in the spring time , and are sit to replant the next spring after . reponces , or field radishes , are multiplied only by seed , and are a sort of little radishes that are eaten in sallats , and grow without any pains in the fields . rocamboles , are a sort of mild garlick , otherwise called spanish garlick , which is multiplied both by cloves , and by seed , which latter is about the bigness of ordinary peas . rocket , being one of the sallat furnitures , is multiplied by seed , which is extreme little , and of a cinnamon , or dark tan colour . rosemary is a little very odoriferous shrub , that is propagated by seed or branches that have some portion of root . rubarb is propagated only by seed , which is pretty big , and triangular , the three angles being as thin as very thin paper , and there being a thickness in the middle where the bud or shoot is . rue is multiplied by seed , whose shape resembles that of a cocks stone ; it is of a black colour and rugged ; but yet we usually propagate it rather by its layers and cuttings , than by its seed . s. sage is multiplied only by a kind of hooked slips that have a little root . salsifie , or goats-beard , the common sort is multiplied only by seed , which is almost like in all things to that of scorzonera , except in its colour , which is a little greyer ; it is of a very long oval figure , as if it were so many little cods all over streaked , and as 't were engraven in the spaces between the streaks , which are pretty sharp pointed towards the ends . samphire or sampire : see pierce-pierre . saracens wheat , or turky wheat , is a dark red seed or grain , about the bigness of an ordinary pea , very smooth , round on one side , and a little flat on the other , where it is fastned to its spike or ear. savory is multiplied only by seed , which is extraordinary small and round , slick , and grey . scorzonera , or spanish salsifie , is propagated only by seed , which is small , longish and round withal , and of a white colour , and grows in a kind of ball , mounted on the top of the stalk of the plant , having its point garnished with a kind of beard like that of pissabeds , or dandelions . sellery : see cellery . shalots or eschalots , are multiplyed by off-sets or kernels , which grow about the foot of its plant , and are about the bigness of a filberd nut. smallage is multiplyed only by seed which is reddish , and pretty big , of a roundish oval figure , a little more full and rising on one side , than on the other , and is streaked from one end to the other . sorrel , as well the lesser one which is the common sort , as the greater one , are both multiplyed only by seed , which is very small , slick , and of a triangular oval figure , the ends of it being sharp and pointed , and being of an excellent dark cinnamon colour . round sorrel , is propagated only by slips or runners , so that out of one tuft , we may easily make several plants of it . french or wood-sorrel : see alleluia . spare-mint : see mint . spinage is multiplyed only by seed , which is pretty big , and horned , or triangular on two sides , having its corners very sharp pointed and prickly , and the other part which is opposite to those pointed horns , is like a purse , of a grayish colour . straw-berry plants , as well the white as the red , and those called caprons , are propagated only by runners , which are produced by a kind of threads or strings , which springing out of the body of the plant , and creeping along upon the earth , easily enough take root , at certain joynts or knots about a foot distance one from the other , which knots coming to take root , make new plants , that in two or three months time , are fit to be transplanted , and they are placed three or four of them together , to make what we call a tuft . succory : see endive . suckers of artichokes : see artichokes . sharp trefoil : see alleluia . t. time is multiplyed by seed , which is very small , and sometimes we separate those plants or stems of it that produce several rooted slips or suckers , to replant them in borders , for time is seldom planted otherwise . tripe madam is propagated both by seed , and cuttings or slips , every stem or stock of it producing several arms , which being separated and replanted , easily take root again . the seed of it is gray , and longish , and almost of the shape of parsly seed ; there grows a great deal of it upon every seed stalk , which runs up one above another , like those of seed - carrots , parsnips , &c. there are seven or eight of them in a sort of little open cup , where they grow ripe after the falling of a yellow flower , inclining to an olive colour . turkey wheat : see saracens wheat . sharp trefoil : see alleluia . turneps are multiplyed only by seed , which is almost like that of cabbage . v. vines of what sort soever they be , whether white , red , or black muskat chassela's , bourdelais , corinthian , or long muscat , called otherwise passe-musquée , &c. are multiplyed by layers , by hooked or bent slips , and especially couched ; and lastly , by grafting cleft-wise . violet plants , as well of the double as single sort , and of what colour soever they be , though they produce seed in little reddish shells or husks , yet are multiplyed only by the slips they produce , each plant or stock of them growing insensibly into a great tuft , which is divided into several little ones , which being replanted , grow in time big enough to be likewise divided into others . w. wheat : see saracens and turkey wheat . worm-wood , is multiplyed by seed , which is of a pretty odd figure , being a little bent inward in its smallest part , and a little open on the other end , which is bigger and rounder , and upon which there is a little black spot . it s colour is yellowish at the bigger end , and its sharper end inclines a little to black . it s seed is seldom used , because it is very difficult to fan or sift , being very light , and therefore when we have need of propagating worm-wood , we make use rather of its cuttings and layers , that are a little rooted . wood-sorrel : see alleluia . chap. iii. shews what a good kitchen-garden may yield us every month in the year , and how a gard'ner may and ought to employ himself there in every one of those months . the experience of hot countries sufficiently convinces us , that the earth taken in general , is capable at all seasons , to produce all manner of things , without any extraordinary assistance of art , because in those parts , there is no season in the year , in which she is not teeming , but by a contrary experience we find , that our climate is too cold to afford us any such fertility ; and yet because there are few days , in which a man has not occasion to make up a part of his nourishment and subsistance with something of the growth of his garden ; it concerns the industrious gard'ners so to manage it , that it may not only produce enough amply to suffice for our daily use , during the five or six months in which the earth acts at her ease , by the favour of the sun's neighbourhood , but also furnish us at the same time , a sufficient provision for those five or six months in which she is suspended from her ordinary functions . now among the barren and less happy months that commonly make the greatest opposition to our culture , are reckoned the last fifteen days of november , all december , and january , and the first fifteen days of february ; the violence of the frosts which in that season use to harden and cool the earth , and the abundance of snow with which it is then wont to be covered , putting such a perfect stop to all vegetative operations , that the most fertile soil becomes at that time altogether like that which never was blessed with that accomplishment . but notwithstanding all those hindrances , there is still work enough to be done in winter , to keep us from being quite idle , and a great deal of assistance too to be drawn from our gardens , even in that season , that we may not labour under too great a scarcity of their productions ; and therefore i have determined to give you a particular account of every one of those works , and of every one of those commodities which our gardens will afford us , during every one of the twelve months of the year , and shall begin with that which , because it passes for the first , and opens and begins the year , seems to me best to deserve the preference . works which may be done in a kitchen-garden , in the month of january . to prune all sorts of trees , whether dwarfs or wall-trees , to prepare some of them to plant as soon as ever the ground shall be open after the hard frosts , and the melting of the snow that covered it . to make trenches , to plant trees , to dig molds to amend them ; to dig round the feet , either of trees over luxuriant , to cut off their thick roots , and by that means to make them fructifie , or of such as are infirm , to trim and redress them . to make hot beds , to sow forward cowcumbers , and sallets in , whether in rows or little furrows , or under bells . to make screens to cover those seeds in case of need : the first hot beds for cowcumbers , as also for musk-melons , are usually made at the very beginning of the month , and at the same time we may make hot beds for mushrooms . to heat or force asparagus . to heat beds of sorrel , patience , borage , &c. to raise on hot beds , jacinths , narcissus's of constantinople , and some tulips , &c. to make trails , trellisces , or frames for wall-trees . to pull down the hot beds of the last year , and to take the rotten dung that composed them , and lay it upon those grounds we would amend , or meliorate . to lay apart some molds to have them at hand , to prepare for the hot beds , and we may also clear and cleanse the places of the hot beds , in order to the making of new ones . to tie up with bands of straw , the tops of the leaves of long lettuce , which have not cabbaged , to make them cabbage , or at least to whiten them , when they are grown big enough for it . to raise some strawberries upon hot beds , to have some ripe in the months of april and may. to dung figg-trees , in order to have early figs. and in fine , to advance the doing by little and little , all that the spring season is wont to do with an extraordinary expedition . to plant trees in baskets , to pot , and case figg-trees , to lay vine and fig-tree branches , to clear your trees of moss , if troubled with it , which is done best in rainy weather , with the back of a knife , or some such instrument . but it would be to little purpose to know what to do , without being informed how to do it , and therefore for your instruction in pruning , i referr you to my fourth book , which treating throughly of that subject , may excuse me from speaking any more of it here . and as to the way of making hot beds , you must first know , they are to be made only with long horse-dung , or mule-dung , which is to be either all new , or mixed with a third part at most of old , provided it be dry , and not rotten , for that which is rotten , is not at all proper for making hot beds , no more than the dung of oxen , cows , hogs , &c. as well , because it has little or no heat , as because ordinarily those kinds of rotten dung are accompanied with an unpleasing smell that infects the plants raised upon such beds , and gives them an ugly taste . by new long dung , is to be understood , that which is taken from under the horses , and has served them for litter but one night or two at most . by long old dung , is meant that which has been piled up ever since it was new , in a dry place where it has lain all summer , to be ready to be used , either to make coverings for fig-trees , artichoaks , endive , &c. against the winter cold , or to make hot beds after the ordinary manner , which is thus performed . after we have mark'd and proportioned out the place where the bed is to be , and mark'd out likewise with a cord , or with stakes , of what breadth it must be , there must be brought a rank of baskets full of long dung , one at the tail of the other , beginning the rank or row where the bed is to end ; which done , the gard'ner begins to work where the rank of baskets ends , that so the dung not being intangled with any thing lying upon it , may more easily and handsomly be wrought into the bed. then the gard'ner takes up this dung with a fork , and if he be any thing handy , places it so neatly and tightly in laying every layer of his bed , that all the straw ends of the dung , are turned inwards , and what remains , serves to make a kind of back or fence on the out-side . the first layer being thus compleated exactly to the breadth that is marked out , which is commonly of about four foot , and to such a length as is thought fit , the gard'ner proceeds to lay the second , third , &c. beating them with the back of his fork , or else treading them with his feet , to see if there be any defect , because the bed must be equally stuft every where , so that no one part may be less strong of dung than another , which being done , he continues it to the designed length , proportioning it still by layers , till the bed reach the length , breadth , and heighth it should have , which heighth is of between two and three foot when 't is first made , and sinks a full foot lower when it is setled . now as to the intention of these hot beds , some of them are designed for the raising , or forwarding of some plants which our climate is not capable naturally of producing in the naked ground , as for example , for the raising of radishes , little sallets , straw-berries , cucumbers , musk-melons , &c. and the better to compass those ends , we make hot beds during the months of november , december , january , february , march and april . these beds must be covered over with a certain quantity of small fine mold , as we shall afterward direct , and must have heat enough to communicate to that mold , and to the plants that are nourished by it ; and therefore those hot beds that are an invention of gard'ners against the cold , which is the cruel enemy of vegetation , must be well made . in the second place , there are other beds which are to serve for mushrooms , in all the seasons of the year , and such may be made every month , though they act not till about three months after they are made ; and that is , when all their great heat being quite spent , they are grown mouldy within ; this sort of beds are made in a new and sandy ground , in which is first made a trench of about six inches deep , then we cover them with a layer of about two or three inches thick of the same earth ; they are raised in the form of an asses back , and over the covering of earth , we lay another of five or six inches thick of long dry dung , which serves in winter , to shelter the mushrooms from the frost , which destroys them : and in summer , from the great heat that broils them , and likewise to prevent the mischievous effects of the same excessive heat , we further take care gently to water these mushroom beds twice or thrice a week . as for the breadth of hot beds , it should be in all sorts of them , of about four foot , and their heighth must be of between two and three when they are first made , because they sink afterwards a full foot , when once the great heat of the bed is past ; as for the length that is to be regulated by the quantity of dung we have to make them with , so that according to that , we make them of several lengths ; but in heighth and breadth , all beds should be as near as may be , alike proportioned . the difference which there is in other respects , between hot beds that are to produce plants by their heat , and those which are designed for mushrooms , consists first in that those of the first sort need not be sunk down within the earth like the others , which are usually sunk about half a foot , unless they be designed for such beds as we call deaf beds , that is to say , beds sunk so over head and ears into the earth , that when filled up , they exceed not the superficies of the rest of the ground about them , in height . in the second place , this difference consists , in that those of the first sort must be flat and even above , whereas these others must be raised in form of an asses back . lastly , it consists in that those of the first sort must be loaden with a pretty good quantity of very small mold , as soon as they are made , whereas there must be but a very little mold laid upon the others ; that mold by its weight , makes the beds heat , and settle the sooner . we lay upon them sometimes more , and sometimes less mold ; as for example , we throw on to the quantity of six or seven inches thick , if it be to sow ordinary plants in , as sallets , or musk melons , or cucumbers , or to plant cabbage lettuce , and asparagus to be advanced by heat ; and to the depth of a foot , if we be to sow radishes , and to replant sorrel , and musk melons , and pots of straw-berries , &c. but before we sow or replant any thing whatsoever upon any new made hot beds , the first precaution we must observe , is , to stay six or seven days , and sometimes ten or twelve , to give the bed time first to heat , and afterwards to give time to that heat which is very violent , to abate considerably ; this abatement appears when the whole bed is sunk , and when thrusting down our hand into the mold , we perceive in it but a moderate heat . then it is we are to begin handsomly to shape out and adjust the mold , for which purpose the gard'ner , makes use of a board of a foot broad , which he places upon the sides of the bed about two inches from the edge , and joining close to the mold , and having thus placed it , he endeavours to keep it firm and tight , as well with his left hand and knee , as with the strength of his whole body , and then with his right hand , he begins at one end , to press down the mold against the board , so hard , till he bring it to so firm a consistence , that how light and loose soever it were before of its own nature , yet it may be able to keep up it self alone , when the board is taken away , as well as if it were a solid body . when the mold is thus adjusted to the whole length of the board , then he removes the board to another place , and so continues till he has performed the same operation on all sides of the bed. and if the board be a little longer , and consequently a little more unwieldy than ordinary , then there must two or three persons join together to work in the same manner , and at the same time , to adjust this mold ; or if the gard'ner be all alone , he must keep the board tight with some pins , fastned in the sides of the dung bed already adjusted ; and when the thing is done , the mold should have at least a full half foot extent less on every side , than the lower part of the bed , and in its oblong square figure , appear as even as if it were a bed formed on the plain ground ; after which , the beds are to be employed for those occasions that first obliged us to make them . all things in them would either perish , or be much endamaged , if we sowed or planted in them sooner , or if we should delay our doing it any longer . the heat of the bed , may last in a condition to be able to perform well its effects for about ten or twelve days after it is sown or planted ; but when that time is past , if we perceive the bed to be too much cooled , we must renew the heat with some good new long dung , or fresh warm litter applied round about it , both to recruit the heat , and to maintain it afterwards in that good temper in which it should be , and in which it was before , when we begun to sow and plant there ; so that the plants instead of wasting away or perishing there , may increase and thrive visibly as they should do . it is not so very needful to tell you , that when a man has two beds next one another , one recruiting of heat will serve for them both , because there 's no body but knows it , but it is good to know , that this recruiting of heat between two beds , should not be by a great deal so strong as when there is but one ; for the ordinary interval or space left between two beds for the path , being about the breadth of one full foot , a little dung will suffice to fill it up , and that new heat is reciprocally maintained in its vigour by the neighbour-hood of the two beds , that border on each side upon it ; but when there is but one bed , our addition of dung for a new heat , must be at least two foot broad , all along the whole length of the bed , and to its full height , and many times it must be higher than that . when we are to renew the heat , it is not always necessary to make an application of new dung , it being many times sufficient to stir that the bottom upwards , which we last applied , and which needs it , provided it be not too much rotted , which stirring of it is enough to renew the heat for eight or ten days longer ; and there is no need of applying new dung but when by the rotting of all the last , or of at least a good part of it , we find it to be no longer fit to yield that heat which is necessary for those plants that are raised on hot beds . if they be asparagus , or straw-berries which we have taken out of their cold beds , and replanted in hot ones , and there be any apprehension of the cold , we must carefully cover them with glass bells , or chasses or glased frames ; and to hinder the frost from penetrating even them , and spoiling what is underneath them , we use besides to cover them with screens of dry long dung , or litter , or straw , which we put over the glass bells or glased frames , and plants never fail to produce upon beds thus accommodated and maintained in a due heat , by such recruitings renewed from time to time . this manner of proceeding is good and commodious enough for sorrel ; because being animated by the moderate heat of the hot bed , it springs up there for some fifteen days time , just as that do's that grows in the naked ground in the month of may , and afterwards dies ; but it is not so good for asparagus , because they when they are pull'd up and replanted , never produce such fine shoots , as when they are dunged and heat on the naked earth . it follows then , that the best method for asparagus , and even for sorrel too , is to take up for about two foot deep , all the earth in the paths between two cold beds , ( which paths should be a full foot broad ) and fill them up afterwards with long warm dung , to heat the neighbouring earth , and if it be for asparagus , to cover the whole cold bed with the same dung , to help to warm the earth ; and when the asparagus begin to sprout , we put bells upon each plant , or else cover the whole bed with glased frames ; after which , the heat of these paths must be renewed by stirring them the bottom upwards , or by renewing from time to time an application of fresh dung , covering besides the bells or glass frames with dry long dung , or screens of straw , or such like matter , for the reasons above expressed , when we were treating of asparagus and sorrel in hot beds . the asparagus plants being thus warmed , and feeling under those bells or glass frames an air as comfortable as in the months of april or may , they produce shoots that are red at first comming up , but which afterward turn green and long , like those that nature it self produces in warm and temperate seasons . the only inconvenience of these artificial heatings is , that because they must be very violent to penetrate a cold earth , they dry up and spoil those plants , so that such asparagus , instead of continuing for fifteen years together , to bear well as otherwise they do , never spring kindly afterward , and though they be let alone two or three years after a first heating , yet at most , are able to endure but one more . the straw-berries which are forced on hot beds begin to put out their shoots in january , and flower in february and march , and yield their fruit in april and may. the best method of raising them , is to pot them in september , in a tolerable good and light earth , and afterwards to plant them in hot beds in december ; they may also be planted in hot beds without potting at all , in the month of march ; their runners and some of their leaves must be taken off , if they have too many ; the earth in their pots must be kept always loose and a little moist , and if there happen any excessive heats in some days of march and april , they must have a little air given them towards the north , and they must be covered a nights . to have little sallets of lettuce to cut , mixed with chervil , cresses , &c. with the furnitures of mint , taragon , &c. and to have radishes , &c. we make such hot beds as i have directed , and we steep in water about twenty four hours , a little bagg of lettuce seed , after which time , we take it out , and hang it in a chimny corner , or in some other place where the frost can't reach it , and the seed so wetted , drains it self from the water , and heats to such a measure , that it sprouts , and then after we have made upon our hot beds some little furrows of about two inches deep , and about as broad , with a little stick that we draw hard over the mold , we sow that sprouted seed in those furrows , so thick that it covers all the bottom of the furrows ; there must be a * french bushel to sow a bed of fourteen toises or fathoms long , and of four foot broad , and when 't is sown , we cover it with a little mold cast upon it lightly with the hand ; and each cast of the hand dextrously performed , should cover a furrow as much as it needs , which done , we put some bells or long rice straw over them to hinder the birds from eating them , and the heat from evapourating , or the frost by chilling it , from destroying the seed , we take away the straw when at the end of five or six days , the seed begins to spring well , and at length , ten or twelve days after it is commonly high enough to be cut with a knife , and eaten in sallets , that is to be understood , if the ice and snow , and even the heat of the bed be not too excessive . we take the same course with chervil , and cresses , save only that they must be sown without steeping their seeds . as for mint , taragon , cives , and other furnitures of sallets , they are planted on the hot bed in the same manner as on the cold one . as for radishes , we seldom steep them to make them sprout , the skins of their seeds being so tender , that in less than a days time , they would be melted all to a pap. i have directed how to sow roaishes , in the works of november , where we treat of preparing the provisions we would have from our gardens in january , february , and march. it is convenient to sow in the beginning of this month , or even in november , and december , a hot bed of parsley to supply us with fresh , in the spring time to serve us till that we should sow in the naked earth , at the end of february , be grown to its perfection . to lay the branches or slips of vines , fig-trees , goose-berry and curran bushes , to take root , we need only couch , or lay down their branches into the earth and cover them in the middle with earth , to the height of five or six inches , which are to remain in that condition , till the month of november following , when having taken root , we take them up , that is , separate them from the tree , and plant them where we have occasion for them . to circumpose trees by planting them in baskets , pots , and boxes , or cases , we first fill half way with earth those baskets , pots , or boxes , and then having pruned and trim'd the trees as i have directed in the treatise of plantations , we plant them , plunging the baskets and pots quite into the earth , but leaving the boxes or cases above ground : the way of potting the bulbous roots of tubereuses , juncquills , narcissus's of constantinople , jacynths , &c. is first to put them into pots , and then to plunge those pots into hot beds , covering the beds carefully with glass frames , bells , straw screens , &c. to warm or force fig-trees , we must have some in boxes or cases , and make for them in january , a deaf hot bed ( being a hot bed made in a hollow dug into the earth , and raised only even with its surface ) and place the boxes upon it . then we must have some square glass frames about six or seven foot high , which must be fitted purposely to be applied against a wall exposed to a southern aspect : and so the dung in the hot bed fermenting into a heat , warms the earth in the box , and by consequence , makes the fig-tree sprout ; that bed is to be put into a new ferment when there is occasion , and great care must be taken to cover those glass frames close , that no cold may get within them . during the whole month of january we continue to sow upon hot beds , under bells , lettuces to be replanted again as i have directed in the works of december ; as also to replant them under bells , as well to serve for the nursery , as in the places they are designed for , and as to the seeds when sown , we may let alone covering them with mold , if we please , it being enough to pat with the flat of our hands upon the bed , to press the mold close about them ; we use the same method with purslain sown under bells , for we can hardly throw so little mold upon those seeds to cover them , but we shall through too much . to have some fine little lettuces for salleting , we must sow under bells some of the bright curled sort , and sow it thin , and stay till it has shot forth two leaves before we gather it . the seeds of these lettuces must be sown thin , that the plants may grow tall , and if we see them come up too thick , we must thin them ; the choisest sorts of lettuce for the spring season , are the curled fair or bright lettuce , and after that , the royal lettuce , the short lnttuce , and above all , the shell lettuce , &c. we also sow under bells , to replant again , borage , bugloss , and arach , or orage . the right method of making trenches , and diging of molds , is not as was heretofore practised , first , to throw out of those trenches all the earth , and then to throw it in again ; for that was unprofitably to handle the same earth twice , and so to lose time , and spend money to no purpose . the best way to do it then , is to make at first a gage full as broad as the trench and of the length of a toise or fathom , and to throw up upon the bordering alley , all the earth that is taken out of that gage , which will be all the earth we shall need handle twice , because at the end of the trench there will remain one gage , empty , which must be filled up with the earth that came out of the first , when the first gage is made , we must fill it up with the earth that is to be dug up to make the next , throwing that part of it into the bottom which was at the superficies , and making a new superficies of that which was at the bottom ; this kind of moving the ground , makes a natural slope before the workman , and in case the soil must be dunged , we must have dung ready placed all along the side of the trench , and whilst two or three men are at work in turning up the earth , and throwing it before them , there must be one at the side of the trench , to scatter dung upon that slope by which means the mold is well mixed , and not at all trampled on , as it is by common gard'ners , that first lay a layer of dung , and then a layer of earth , and afterwards dig the whole over again , continuing this way of laying of layers of dung and mold , and to turn up one over another , till their trench be quite filled up as 't is to remain . works to be done in february . in this month , we continue the same works we were doing in the last , if we have had the foresight and convenience to begin them then , or else at least we set upon beginning them now in earnest . therefore we set to manuring the ground if the frost permits us , and about the end of the month , or rather to wards mid-march , or later , that is towards mid-april , we sow in the naked ground those things that are long a rearing ; as for example , all sorts of roots , viz. carrots , parsnips , chervils or skirrets , beet-raves , or red-beet-roots , scorzoneres , and above all , parsly-roots . we sow now also onions , leeks , ciboules , sorrel , hasting peas , garden or marsh-beans , wild endive , or succory , and burnet . if we have any shell-lettuces that were sown in autumn last , in some well sheltered place , we now replant them on hot beds under bells , to make them cabbage betimes . and particularly we take care to replant on them some of the curld bright lettuces , which we sowed last month , because they turn to better account than the others . we begin at the latter end of the month , to sow a little green purslain under bells , the red , or golden sort being too delicate and tender to be sown before march. we replant cowcumbers and musk-melons , if we have any big enough , and that upon a hot bed , in some place well sheltered , either by walls , straw or reed hedges , or some other invention to keep off the wind. we also sow towards the end of the month , our annual flowers , in order to replant them again at the latter end of april , and the beginning of may. we also sow our first cabbages , if as we should , we have not a provision of some in a nursery under some good shelter , which we should have sown at the beginning of august , and replanted in october in the nursery ; we replant these latter in the places they are designed for , taking care not to replant any that begins to run to seed . we begin to graft all sorts of trees in the cleft , and we prune and plant them ; we plant also vines , and about mid-february , if the weather be any thing fair , is the proper time to begin all sorts of works . we only make now the hot beds which we have occasion to make use of for radishes , little sallets , and to raise those things which we are to replant again in the cold beds . we take care to maintain the necessary heat about our asparagus , and to gather those that are good . as also to maintain the heat in the hot strawberry beds . we unnail our wall-trees in order to prune them the more commodiously , and then nail them up anew . at what time soever radishes are gathered , they must be tied up in bunches , and put to steep in water , or else they will wither , and retain too biting a taste . we also continue to plant trees when the weather and the soil will permit us . works to be done in march. at the beginning of this month , it appears who are the gard'ners that have been idle , by their not furnishing us with any thing which the diligent and skilful ones supply us with , and by their having neglected to sow their grounds which lie for the most part as yet unsown , though the weather has been favourable for it . there is now no more time to be lost in delaying the sowing of the first seeds that are to be sown in the naked earth , and of which we have spoken in the works to be done about the end of february . good gard'ners ought to cover with mold , the cold beds which they have sown with their designed seeds , for fear the waterings and great rains should beat down the earth too much , and render its superficies too hard for the seeds to pierce and shoot through ; they should also bank up their cold beds tightly with a rake , that so the rain water , or that of their waterings may keep in them , and not run out of them into the paths ; and in fine , if they have never so little of the spirit of neatness in them , they will not fail to take away all the stones the rake meets with in its way . the way to cover well all these seeds with earth , is to harrow or rake , that is , to move it extreamly to and fro , which is commonly done with an iron rake . about mid-march at furthest , we make the hot beds in which we are to replant the earliest musk melons . we sow in the naked earth , in some well sheltered place , all those things which we are to plant again in the like ; as for example , both our spring lettuce , and that which we are to replant again at the latter end of april , and at the beginning of may , viz. the curl'd bright lettuce , and the royal , and bellegarde lettuce , the perpignan lettuce which is greenish , the alfange , the chicons , and the green , red and bright genua lettuces are near two months on the ground , before they grow big enough to be replanted . and we also sow cabbages for the latter season , and collyflowers to plant them in their proper places , about the end of april and beginning of may ; and if they come up too thick , we take out some , and replant them in a nursery , to make them grow bigger , &c. we sow radishes in the naked earth , among all the other seeds we are sowing , because they do no harm there , but are fit to be gathered at the beginning of may , before either the sorrel , chervil , parsly , ciboule , &c. be grown big enough to suffer any incommodity by them . we sow arrach , or orage , in the naked earth . about mid-march , we sow citruls or pompions upon hot beds , to replant in the beginning of may. commonly there is nothing fit to be replanted in cold beds at their coming out of the hot ones , till the end of april , or the beginning of may , unless it be lettuce , and the earth must be a little warmed before we remove any thing into it out of a hot bed , in which the plants were still cherished with some remaining heat , or else they will all come to nothing there . we make an end of pruning and planting during the course of this month , of all garden-trees , and also of gooseberry , curran , and raspberry shrubs , &c. it is very convenient to delay the pruning of vigorous trees till they begin to sprout , as well to let them spend their first strength , as to prevent the losing any of their fruit buds which we cannot till then discern , and which come to their perfection in the spring-season . we take up at the beginning of the month , with mold and all , the plantation of strawberrys , which we had in the nursery , to form cold beds and squares of them to remain and to refurnish those where there want any . we sow some seed of piercepier or garden sampire in some tub of earth , or in the naked ground some sheltered place ; it requires commonly two months to come up , and when it is big enough , we replant it in the month of may , and sometimes we let it grow till the next year , in order to replant it at the foot of some wall. we sow a third time a few more peas , for we should be sure to sow some of them every month of the year , and these now sown must be of the great square sort . we now have some mushrooms either upon some hot beds made purposely for them , or in some other places well dunged . at the very beginning of the month , we sow some little quantity of endive very thin , to have some of it whited about mid-summer . when we know that the paths between hot beds , or asparagus banks , have been stuffed with very long dung , so that there seems not to be heat enough in them , and if it be very hot weather , it is convenient to water them reasonably well , that so the straw in them being wetted , may the more easily ferment into a heat . towards the end of the month , or at the beginning of april , we sow a little cellery in the naked earth , to have some late in the months of august and september . cellery is commonly almost a month a coming up ; and we sow a little of it at the same time on a hot bed , in order to have some of it early . we digg about the roots of fruit-trees , that we may have finisht that work before they blossom ; the frost being more dangerous in soils newly moved and turned up than in others . we begin now to uncover a little our artichokes , but seldom begin to manure them till the full moon of march be past , which is generally very dangerous both to them and to the figg-trees , which last must not yet be quite uncover'd , it being enough to do it half way , at the same time we take off all their dead wood and branches , whether killed by the frost , or by any other means . about the middle of march or before , if the weather be mild , we begin to sow some red or golden purslain upon hot beds under bells , and continue still to sow of the green sort . we replant in their sixt places common cabbages and milan cabbages , which we should take care to have ready in our nursery , from the beginning of november last past , in some well sheltered place , but we replant none of those that begin to mount , that is , to run up their stalks , as if they were going to seed . we sow upon some end of a cold bed in plain earth , some asparagus seed for a nursery , to furnish us with a provision of it , which is sown like other seed . we plant the asparagus squares we have occasion for , to which purpose we make choice of a fine plantation of one years growth , or else of one of two . the way to plant asparagus is , to place two or three plants of them together , and neatly to spread out their roots without cutting them but very little , unless we please , and then to cover them with a layer of earth of two or three inches thick , to plant these tufts checquer-wise , at a foot and a half 's distance one from the other . this cold bed should generally be full four foot broad , that there may be room enough for three ranks of them . but if we design to force any of them by heat in winter , we must make the cold beds but three foot broad , and we must observe , if the ground be dry , to lay the bed hollow within the earth , with a good spade , and by that means raise the paths arch-wise , making use of the soil that comes out of it to cover again by little and little , and year by year , the plantation as it grows stronger , and rises out of the ground . but if it be in a moist ground , and very cool , it is better not to make the bed so low nor hollow , but on the contrary to keep it a little higher than the paths , that the winter waters may descend out of it into them , and may not rot the plants , to which nothing is more dangerous than too much wet . asparagus both old and young must be carefully howed , or cleared of weeds , and in this month of march , before they begin to appear above ground , we must afford them a little manuring , by turning up the earth to the depth of half a foot about them , to give the young asparagus the more liberty to shoot up . the radishes that are sown on hot beds with a cast of the hand , are generally not so fair nor so good as those sowed in holes , and are more apt to grow hollow and stringy than they . we still continue to make some hot beds for radishes , that we may be still supplied with them , till the beginning of may , when those sown in plain ground come in . all the other months in the year will produce us enough of them , if we will take the pains to sow some from time to time , and be careful liberally to water them . at the beginning of the month it will be time to replant what we have a mind should run to seed , viz. leeks and onions , and especially the white sort , cloves of garlick cloves and seeds of shalots , white cabbage , pancaliers cabbage , &c. now likewise we are to tie up such lettuces as should cabbage , and yet do not , which tying makes them in a manner cabbage by force . we sow the seed of pannacht or striped gilliflowers upon hot beds , before the full moon , to replant them in may ; we also sow the annual flowers upon hot beds , to replant at the latter end of may , viz. passe velours , or velvet flowers , called also flower gentles , and amaranthus , indian ocellus or french marygolds , indian roses , the belles de nuit . we make an end of planting trees both in their fixed places , and in baskets . we bestow the first manuring upon all sorts of gardens , as well to render them agreeable to the sight , during the easter holy-days , as to dispose the ground for all sorts of plants and seeds . we set in the ground , almonds that have sprouted breaking off the sprout before we plant them . we sow in the flower plots , or parterres , some seeds of poppy , and of larks heels , which will flower after them that were sown in september . we plant oculus christi . towards the twentieth day of this month , we sow some capucin capers , or nasturces , to replant them again a month after in some good exposition , or at the foot of some tree . works to be done in april . there is no month in the year wherein there is more work to be done in gardens than in this , for now the earth begins to be very fit , not only to be manured , but to receive whatsoever we have a mind to plant or sow in it , as lettuce , leeks , cabbage , borage , bugloss . artichokes , tarragon , mint , violets , &c. before the month of april , it is as yet too cold , and after april , it begins to be too dry . we furnish those places where any new planted trees give but little marks of their prospering , whether it be by gum , in stone fruit , or by pitiful small shoots in all manner of fruit-trees . but for this important reparation , we must have brought up ready to our hands , some trees in baskets , which an understanding curious person will never fail to have made provision of , who will have the pleasure to plant some of them near those that thrive not so well as they should do , when he is not well assured they will absolutely die ; for when we are sure of that , we pluck them up quite , to make room for them we should substitute in their place , for which purpose , we make choice of close and rainy weather . we perform now our second pruning of the branches of peach-trees , i mean only the fruit branches , in order to cut them off short to that part just above where there is fruit knit ; and if any of those peach-trees , have produced any very thick shoots upon high branches , as sometimes it happens after the full moon of march , we pinch them to make them multiply into fruit branches , and to keep them low , when there is occasion , that they may not run up too high before their time . peas sown in a good exposition , at the very middle of october , should begin towards the middle of april , to put forth at least their first blossoms , and consequently must be pinch'd ; the blossom springs out commonly in peas , from the middle of the fifth or sixth leaf , from which same place , there springs an arm or branch that grows exceeding long , and produces at each leaf , a couple of blossoms like the first , and therefore the more to fortify the first , we cut off that new arm or shoot , just above the second flower . we continue to trim musk melons and cucumbers , to new heat our hot beds , and make new ones , and to sow cucumbers , that we may have some to replant that may ripen about the end of summer , and beginning of autumn . we make some hot mushroom beds in new ground , the manner of doing which , i have already described elsewhere . 't is the moon of this month , that we vulgarly call the ruddy moon , it being very subject to be windy , cold and dry , and to be fatal thereby to many new planted trees , unless great care be taken to water them about the foot , once a week ; for which purpose we make a round hollow circle or small trench , round about their foot just over the part where the extremities of their roots are , and then pour into the said trench or circle , a pitcher full of water if the tree be little , or two or three , if it be bigger , and when the water is soak'd in , we fill up the circle again , if we think good , with earth , or else we cover it with some dry dung , or weeds newly pluck'd up , that we may the better repeat our watering once a week during the extream dry weather . we weed up all the ill weeds that grow among good seed , we take the same course with straw-berries , peas , and replanted lettuce , and we howe all about them , the better to loosen the earth , and open a passage for the first rain that shall fall . about the middle of april , we begin to sow a little white endive , in plain ground , to whiten it in the same place ; and provided it be thin sown , no seed comes so easily up as this sort of endive . at the middle of april we also sow in their places , the first spanish cardons , and the second at the beginning of may ; the first are commonly a month in coming up , and the others about days . we also still sow in this month , some sorrel , if we be not sufficiently provided with it before ; and we sow it either in cold beds , in little furrows , which is handsomest , or else scatteringly on the plain ground , which is most common ; or else upon the sides of squares , to serve for an edging : we likewise replant in rows or furrows , that which we remove from other places , and is but about a year old , and especially of that of the large sort , whether our necessities have obliged us to break up some bed of it , and that we be not minded to lose it , or whether we do it designedly . we use the same method with fennel and anis , and if the high winds , and cold hinder us not , we begin to give a little air to our musk melons under bells , and continue to give them a little more and more of it by degrees , till the end of may , when if we be in a good climate , we take off the bells quite . and we lift up each bell with three little forks , otherwise the plant hurt by its sides , would dwindle and grow lank . and if after we have given it a little air , the cold continues still sharp enough to spoil the branches and leaves of it that are sprouting , we take care to cover them with a little dry litter . at the end of the month , we replant the radishes we have removed from the hot beds where we first raised them , to make a good provision of seed , choosing for that purpose , those that have the reddest roots and the fewest leaves , and we need only make holes at a foot distance one from the other , in one or more cold beds , with a planting stick , and thrust in the radishes into those holes , and then press down the earth about them , and afterwards water them , if the rain do's not spare us that labour . we choose apart of the fairest of the cabbage-lettuces , as well the winter ones , which are the shell , and jerusalem lettuces , as the curles bright lettuce raised upon hot beds and under bells , to plant them all together in some cold beds at a foot distance one from another , to let them run to seed ; which we also perform with a planting stick . we plant edgings of time , sage , marjoram , hyssop , lavender , rue , worm-wood , &c. we replant spring lettuce , to cabbage , which succeed one another in this order ; the curled bright lettuce is the first and best , as being the most tender and delicate , but it requires a mild and light soil , or above all , a hot bed to plant it on , under bells , from the month of february , and during all the month of march , and the beginning of april . a gross soil agrees not with it , for instead of growing bigger there , it dwindles to nothing . the green curled lettuce , the george lettuce , the little red lettuce , and those called the royal , the bellegarde , and the perpignan , follow next after . the royal lettuce is a very fair and thick lettuce , which differs only from the bellegarde in that it is a little less curled . the capucin , short , aubervilliers , and austrian lettuces succeed them , and run not so easily to seed , as the preceeding ones . the alfanges , chicons , and imperials which are all lettuces to tie up , bring up the rear ; and the genua lettuces , both the red , bright , and green , are the last summer lettuces ; we must replant a good number of them at the very beginning of may , to have them good about mid-summer , and all the rest of the summer ; of all lettuces , this sort best endures the great heats , and is least disposed to run to seed ; for which reason to obtain seed of it , we must have sown it upon hot beds from the very month of february , that we may have some good plants of it to set again at the latter end of april . the royal lettuce begins again to be fit to be replanted about the middle of september , to supply us , together with that of genua , all the rest of autumn . from the end of august , we begin to sow the shell , or winter lettuce , that we may have some fit to re-plant in the months of october , and november , for our winter provision . it is hard to make any descriptions of these sorts of lettuces , exact enough to distinguish them by , the difference between them consisting chiefly in having leaves a little more or less green , or curled ; it is enough for the curious to know their names , to be enabled to ask for them of their friends , or buy them of the herb merchants , we learning effectually to know them in the using . the two crisped or curled sorts are so called , from the curling of their leaves , and the red ones from their colour . the shell lettuce has a very round leaf which is very apt to shut up like a shell . there is an infinite diversity of kinds of lettuces , the worst is that which we call cats tongue , which is very sharp pointed , and never cabbages . the aubervilliers lettuce grows so very hard that it is scarce fit for sallets , but is better for pottage ; but yet it is very subject to be bitter . we must not fail every fifteen days , to sow a little genua lettuce , that we may always be provided with some fit to replant during all the whole summer , till the middle of september ; we must be careful and especially in rainy weather , to destroy both the black and shell snails that come out of the walls where they breed young ones , because they do a great deal of mischief by gnawing the young shoots of trees , and new planted lettuces and cabbages . if the ruddy or dry winds reign , as they generally do this month , we must carefully and plentifully water every thing in our kitchen-garden , except it be the asparagus . we continue to trim musk melons , and cucumbers , and plant new ones upon new hot beds , at the beginning of this month , and we also sow some in the naked ground , in little dikes filled with mold , or compost , like to those i have already mentioned for cardons . we now likewise search the woods for young straw-berry plants , to make nurseries of , in some part of our garden , we plant tufts of two or three plants of them together at four or five inches distance one from another , and if the soil be dry , in a hollow bed of two or three inches deep , the better to retain and preserve the rain water , and that of our waterings , or else upon some bed near some northern walls . we also now dis-eye or separate the off-sets or slips of our artichokes , as soon as they are big enough , and we plant as many of them as we need , two or three of them in each hole , or trench of about three or four inches deep , and two full foot and a half distance one from the other , each bed should be four foot wide , and contain two rows of artichoke plants along its sides , and there must be a void space left in the middle , of three foot wide for the planting of leek chaids , or great whited leeks , or else of collyflowers , in imitation of the market-gard'ners , who are good husbands of their ground . the two artichoke plants which we set in each hole , must be placed a full foot and half distance one from the other . we still continue planting asparagus , and filling the places where there are any wanting , if we can timely discover them , and we take care to water the new plants . we likewise still bind up those lettuces that cabbage not as they should . we keep open the windows of the green houses , where our orange trees are in fair weather , to reaccustom them by little and little , to the wide air ; towards the end of the month , we bring out our jasmin and trim it ; we also begin to prune our vines at the first coming in of the month , if we have neglected to do it about the middle of march last ; and we prune the wall vines sooner than those in the open fields . we have already in the month of march , set into the earth , those almonds which sprouted early , and in this month we set those which having not sprouted at the same time with the others , had been put up back again into mold , earth , or sand. in the beginning of this month , gardens should be almost in their perfection , as well for their general neatness , and pleasing prospect , as being all over covered either with the green seedlings of all sorts which have been sown , or with plants which have been set , excepting endive , succory , celery , collyflowers , &c. which are not replanted till about the middle of may. in fine , if we have neglected any thing that should have been done in march , we must be sure to do it at the very beginning of this month , and particularly , we must sow parsly , wild endive , or succory , and the first harico's or french-beans , the second being to be sown about the middle , and the third at the latter end of may , that so we may have a crop of them about two months after sowing . about this time , the strawberries growing in the naked earth , shoot forth their stems , when we must take exact care to pluck all the cuckows among them , that is , those straw-berry plants that blossom much without knitting ; nay , i would have the caprons pluckt up too , unless any person have a particular fancy for them , they are easie to be known by their thick short and velvet stems , their large flowers , and their very long velvet , and sharp pointed leaves ; but the cuckows are somewhat hard to be distinguisht , particularly till their stems be formed . the most part of them are strawberry plants that have degenerated , and yet so , that the leaves of the good ones and the bad ones are pretty like one another ; but those degenerate plants in process of time by their runners , produce an infinite number of others , which to appearance are very fair , and consequently very apt to deceive us , yet those that are acquainted with them , observe that they are a little more velveted , and somewhat greener than the good ones . and in conclusion , i must tell you , that if extraordinary care be not taken to extirpate those unlucky plants that impose upon us thus by their beauty , we shall in little time find our ▪ selves stockt with none but such , to which the proverb particularly agrees , which saith , a fair show , but little fruit. we sow our last cucumbers about the tenth or twelfth of this month , to have some lateward ones , and such as may be fit to pickle in october , which last are commonly called cornichons , or horned cucumbers , and in english , crumplings , and guerkins . the strawberry stems must be much pinched , and some of them must be quite plucked up too when they shoot up in too great numbers from feeble plants ; by pinching , here is meant the taking off the last flowers and last buds of every stem , leaving but three or four of those that first appeared upon those stems , and which are nearest to the ground . it is particularly about the end of this month , that may moon begins , that is so fertile , and so vigorous in its productions , when we must with all possible care run over our wall-trees , and draw from behind the trails , those branches that grow between them and the wall , as well the smaller ones , as more particularly those that are thick : at the same time peach-trees and other stone-fruit-trees are to be pruned the third time , it having been done the second time whilst they were in blossom , to take away all those branches that had not blossom'd . and at this time we reckon , that all those blossoms that will knit at all , are already knit , and accordingly we are not to count any of them for true peaches , but those only that are well knit , and of a pretty bigness too , because till then , many of them continue to fall , though they seemed well knit . and therefore it is convenient to shorten all those branches which having been left long purposely for fruit , have not answered that end , but have either retained no fruit at all , or a very small quantity , and which perhaps sprout but weakly , that is , produce but very little shoots , or perhaps nothing but leaves , the feeblest of those branches must be discharged of all their shoots , to one or two at most , and in general , all those branches must be shortned , that appear not vigorously , or that are blasted by the ruddy winds . and lastly , we must leave only such a burden of branches and fruit on the tree as shall be proportionable to its greater or lesser vigour , and accordingly we must leave a great deal upon vigorous trees , especially if they be sprung from stones , and but a little on them that are weak , and always aim as near as may be , to form that which we call a goodly tree , taking all possible care that each fruit-branch may have its fruit at its extremity . this third pruning should be done either before we new nail up our wall-trees , or at least whilst we are nailing them . at this time likewise , we are to pinch , that is to say , break off , to four or five eyes or buds , those thick shoots in peach-trees that are sprung out since the main pruning of that year , in order to make them shoot out three or four midling shoots , one whereof may be for a wood branch , and the rest for fruit ; this operation is to be performed particularly upon those very thick shoots that spring out of the extremity of a tree that is grown high , when it has already attained its due height . it is likewise sometimes , though rarely performed upon the lower shoots , when we have occasion to fill up any void places that are made near any very thick branches , whether young or old , which we have cut short the last winters pruning ; those thick branches are but too subject either not to sprout at all , or to grow full of gum , both they and the young shoots they produce in the spring time . it is not convenient to pinch any of all the other fruit-trees , excepting graffs , when having been graffed upon thick stocks , they have begun to shoot out with too much rigour , because the shoots of such graffs would grow too high , and too bare , if they were not checkt by this operation , and made to produce many branches that prove good , instead of one that otherwise might have remained useless , unless it be in such occasions we may pinch as long as we please , we shall never gain any advantage by it . sometimes pinching extends likewise to fig-trees , but that is not to be done till the end of may , as i shall further shew afterwards . works to be done in may. the effects of vegetation during the month of march , seemed to be but little proofs of trial which nature then made in order to some greater performances . for alass , trees blossoming or shooting forth leaves , or beginning to put forth swelling buds . &c. are all marks of lesser vigour than weakness , after which , in the productions of april , we have seen the same nature augment in strength , and shew its effects by the knitting of fruit , lengthning out branches , and the coming up of sown seeds , &c. but at length when we once come to the month of may , 't is then that mother of vegetation seems in earnest to display and exert all the force she is mistress of , in order to the maintaining her self in that flourishing estate during the whole months of june and july following , at this time covering the walls with new branches , plumping the fruit , and covering the earth with a lovely and charming verdure , &c. and now our gard'ners have great need to be upon their guards , to prevent their gardens falling into disorder , because 't is most sure , that if they be not now extreamly careful and laborious , there is no disaster , but they may expect ; pernicious weeds will in little time choke up all their good seeds , their walks and alleys will be overgrown , and their trees will fall into the greatest confusion , for which reasons it will highly concern them to be extreamly watchful and diligent to weed , manure , cleanse , to take off all superfluous leaves and sprigs , and to nail up wall-trees , by which means it will be in their power to acquire the desirable commendation of having adorned and set out their gardens with all the lustre and excellency which they ought to have . green peas , that were sown in banks or borders in october , now begin to recompense our pains , and to blossom at the coming in of this month , ( the blossoms last commonly about eight or ten days before they begin to pod , and in three weeks after , they are fit to gather , and shell . in the mean while , about the seventh or eighth day of the month , we should plant our collyflowers , milan cabbages , capucin capers , or nasturces , beet-chards , &c. if we plant them sooner , they commonly run to seed , which is to be avoided ; and in fine for those things , we ought not to pass the fifteenth day , nor likewise for the sowing of winter cabbages . we now make all the hast we can , to make an end of dis-eying or slipping our artichokes , which are vigorous , and seem to have need of being discharged and thinned , and we make an end of planting new ones . the eyes or sucker-slips are good enough , provided they be pretty thick and white , though they have no root at their heel or foot , and we may be sure to have very fine fruit from them in autumn , and in truth it were to be wished , they would yield none sooner , because those produced before that time are commonly pitiful , starveling , and as 't were abortive fruits . yet 't is not enough to plant only some good thick young slip-suckers , but we must likewise plant some midling ones , especially in some well sheltred place , only to fortifie themselves there during the rest of the year , that they may be able to yield us their first artichokes next spring ; those which have born in autumn , not making such swift advances as these other . next we are to plant our beet chards almost at the same time , which are well placed , if planted in the middle of the artichokes , that is , one beet plant between two artichokes , so that there may be some in one rank , and none in the other , for there must be room enough left free , to go upon to water , weed , manure , gather , and to cover them too , when need shall require . the earliest musk melons begin to knit in the first quarter , or at the full of this months moon , but chiefly at the wane of it , if their beds were very hot at the full , and are grown cooler at the wane . we also at the same time rank our fig-trees in the place alloted for the fig plantation , that we may have them in the disposition we desire . they begin then to put forth their leaves and shoots , and at length their fruit begins to plump at the full moon . towards the end of the month , we begin with diligence and expedition , to nail up the new shoots of wall-trees , if they be strong enough to suffer it : and it is convenient to have finish'd this work at the beginning of june , because at the end of that month , we must begin the second nailing of the first shoots , and the first of those which were never yet nail'd . we must likewise pinch , or break off the thick shoots we find , whether because after the first pinching of april , they have not multiplied into branches as far as they extend , and on the contrary , have produced yet but one thick shoot , or because , though they have multiplied into branches , they have produced one shoot thick enough to be pinched ; for otherwise that thick shoot would be unuseful and pernicious ; unuseful , because it must be taken away , or at least be cut very short , and pernicious , because it will , as one may say , have robb'd other necessary shoots of that nourishment they should have had : always taking it for a rule , that we must in nailing , take care to couch all those branches which may and ought to be couched , without tying several of them together , or taking away , or plucking off any that is sightly , unless it be that we can by no means couch it , in which case , we must cut it off within the breadth of a crown piece of the place from whence it sprouts , in hopes that out of the two sides of the remaining stump of that thickness , there may sprout some good fruit-branches , we must also have a care not to lay one cross another , unless we be necessarily obliged so to do , to fill up a void place , or to preserve a uniform equality . if there be any trees designed to mount upright , we must accordingly order for that purpose , the branch that seems most proper for it . we tie the graffs either to their trunk , or to sticks set up on purpose by them , to make them grow in that figure we would have them , and hinder them from being broken by the winds . we sow a great deal of genua lettuce , and we replant some of them , and of the other lettuces also . we likewise trim pear-trees , either to take off the false shoots if any appear , which is done by plucking them quite away when they make a confusion , or even such others which though they be good , yet because they might produce that confusion which is so much to be avoided in a tree , must therefore be taken off , for the better fortifying of those that are to make the figure of that tree ; for a second shoot will grow much more vigorous , if we take away that which being at the extremity of the pruned branch was counted for the first . we sow endive , that we may have some good , at the end of july , which may be whitened in the same place where it first grew , without removing , if it being sown thin , and well watered during the whole month. we now also take the advantage of some rainy weather , to replant in their designed places , our annual flowers , some of them seldom failing to come to good there ; we likewise take the advantage of the same time , to fill up with basketed , or circumposed trees , the places of those that are dead , or that thwart our expectations , or that give us no very good hopes of their thriving . the manner of doing it , is , to make a hole big enough to hold the basket and tree , then to put it in , and carefully to fill up with earth all the hollow space round about the basket , and to press it down hard either with the foot or hand , and then to pour down all round upon it , two or three pitchers full of water , in order to the better incorporating the earth without , with that within , so that there may not be left the least hollow in the world . it is necessary to renew these waterings two or three times during the rest of the summer . we also still plant beet chards , choosing for that purpose the brightest of those that are of the growth of the last sown seeds , as being both fairer and better than those which are green . we continue our nurseries of straw-berry plants till the end of this month , at which time , we may perfectly distinguish the good ones by their stems , or upright shoots . we also still continue to tie up those lettuces that cabbage not as they should . we sow no more lettuces , except genuz lettuces , after the middle of may , because all the rest but only this last sort , are too apt to run to seed . we replant musk melons and cucumbers in the naked earth in little holes or trenches filled with mold ; we also plant pumpions ▪ or citruls in the like holes , at the distance of three toises or fathoms , they are such as have been raised on hot beds , and therefore to make them take root again , the sooner , we cover them with something for five or six days , unless it rain , the great heat of the sun , otherwise being apt to make them wither , and sometimes to kill them quite . we continue to sow a few peas , which must be of the biggest sort ; and if we think good , we pull off some of the branches of the others that are over vigorous , after they are well cleared of weeds ; peas that are disbranched , bearing a more plentiful crop than others . we bring out our orange-trees at the first quarter of this months moon , if the weather begin to be secure from the assaults of the frost , and we put them into boxes that have need of it ; i referr you for their culture to the treatise i have composed expresly about that subject : it was our care during all the fair days in april , to leave open the windows of their conservatories , to accustom them by degrees , to the open air. we trim our jasmins when we bring them out , cutting off all their branches to the length of half an inch. at the end of this month , we begin to clip for the first time , our palisades , or pole hedges of box , filaria's , yew and espicia's . above all things , care must be taken to water all our plants largely , or else they will all roast and scorch , whereas by the help of seasonable waterings , we may visibly perceive them thrive . we also now water new planted trees , and for that purpose , we make a hollow circle of four or five inches deep , round about the extreamities of the roots , and pour into it some pitchers of water , and when 't is soak'd in , we either throw back the earth into the circle , or else we cover it with dry dung , or little , in order to renew our waterings several other times , till the trees have taken fast root again , after which , we fill it up with earth again . we may begin to replant our purslain for seeding towards the end of the month. we continue to trim musk melons , but we replant no more of them after the middle of may. but we still continue to plant cucumbers . about the end of the month ; we begin to plant cellery , and we use two ways of planting it , viz. either in cold beds hollowed into the ground , as we do asparagus , planting three ranks of them in every bed , and placing both the ranks , and the cellery plants at about a foot distance one from another , and that is the best way for them when they are a little bigger than ordinary , that so we may be able to raise the earth about them afterwards , with that which was taken out of the furrows , and which was thrown upon the next cold beds , or else we replant them on plain ground at the same distance as before , and at the end of autumn , binding them first with two or three bands ; these are raised in tufts , that we may replant them as nigh as we can , to one another , that so they may be the more easily covered with long dry dung , and be the better whitened , and defended from the frost . towards the end of the month , we begin to tie our vines to their props , and to nail up such stocks of them as are planted by walls , after we have first clear'd them of all their feeble , unprofitable , and unfruitful shoots and sprigs . we likewise plant single anemonies , which flower a month after , and we may have planted some every month since the last preceeding august , they blowing and flowering in the same manner , if not hindered by an extream cold season . at the very beginning of the month , or at least as soon as ever we can , we pick off , and thin our apricocks when there are too many of them , never leaving two close together , that so those we leave on , may grow the bigger , and at the end of the same month , we may pick off , and thin our teaches and pears , if they be big enough , and there be two many of them . about that time also , or at the beginning of the ensuing month , the first bright cabbages are to be sown for autumn and winter , the biggest of them which are replanted in july , being to be eaten in autumn , and the less vigorous which are replanted in september and october , being to serve for our winter provision . during all the month of may , the shoots of wall-trees are apt enough to slide themselves behind their trails or props as i have said in the month of april , and we shall hardly be able to draw them out again without breaking them , unless we do it in time , and be careful once every week , to take an exact view all along our walls , to remedy so mischievous an inconvenience , against which too much caution cannot be used . many branches grow crooked , rugged , parched , and hooked at the ends , and their leaves also ; and therefore about the full moon , we must pull off those leaves so crumpled and hooked , and break off as low as we can , the parched shoots , that there may spring others instead of them that may be better and streighter . fig-trees too must now be pruned , and especially those in boxes , of the method of doing which , i have composed a particular treatise . we continue to sow a few radishes among other seeds , as we should have also done in the two last preceeding months . we also now take the advantage of some gentle showers , or of very cloudy weather , to uncover what we have sheltred under glass bells or frames , as well for the watering of our beds , as for the inuring and hardening them to indure the open air. if our garden be situated in a sandy and dry ground , we endeavour by the help of some little dykes or gutters , to carry off all the water that falls sometimes in hastly storms , to those places that are manured , that none of it may be unprofitably wasted in the walks or allies , and if they be situated in ground that is too strong , fat and moist , such as that of our new kitchen-garden at versailles , we drain it away from those grounds that are incommoded by it , by conveying it into the walls or allies , to spend it self there , or shooting it off into stone gutters that carry it out of the garden ; for which purpose we must raise our ground into arch'd ridges . during all this month , it is good to lay yellow stock gilliflowers , by planting cuttings of them , where ever we have a mind , or by laying their branches that still grow to their plants . those that are curious in carnations and clove-gilliflowers , in order to have double ones , sow some good seeds of them about the , , , or th . of may moon , in earthen pans , or wooden tubs , that at least they may begin to sprout at the full moon , which sometimes happens in june , but most commonly in may , those plants ought to grow big enough to be removed in september , into the naked earth , that so they may have taken ground before the equinox ; others again content themselves with sowing their seeds before the equinox . we should likewise replant before the end of may , some green curled , and aubervilliers lettuce , that we may have some all the month of june , together with the chicons , and imperial long-lettuce . we must also at this time endeavour to destroy the thick white worms , which now spoil the strawberries , and cabbage lettuce , and take away the green caterpillars , which quite cat up the leaves of the curran and gooseberry bushes , and so spoil their fruit. at the end of may , we should also thin those roots that grow too thick , and replant those we have plucked up in another place , as beet-raves , or red beet-roots , parsnips , &c. we may replant daisies , bears-ears , and white double narcissus's , though in flower , that not at all hindering them from taking root again . works to be done in june . ihere repeat the same caution i have already given at the beginning of the works of each month , which is , that we must be careful to do that at the beginning of this month , which we could not do in the last , and we must moreover continue all the same works , excepting hot beds for musk-melons , which now have no longer need of them , but we may still make some for the latter cucumbers , and for mushrooms . we may also plant some artichokes , till the twelfth or fifteenth of the month , which being well watered , will serve for the next spring . waterings are to no purpose , if they soak not to the root , and therefore the deeper the plant is rooted , the more plentifully must it be watered , and especially in dry ground , for in wet grounds , they must be watered both less often , and less plentifully . for example , artichokes growing in light grounds , have need of a pitcher full or two of water , for each plant , whereas in stronger grounds , one pitcher full will serve three . towards the middle of june , we plant leeks in holes or trenches six full inches deep , at half a foot 's distance one from the other , which is done with a planting stick , placing but one of them in each hole , without heeding to press down the earth close about the leek , when we have done , as is practised to all other plants that are set with a planting stick . we continue to sow endive , and genua lettuce , that we may be furnisht with some to replant upon occasion , all the rest of the summer , and we gather the chervil that is the first that runs up to seed from the chervil , that was sown the autumn before , cutting off all the seed stems , and when they are dried , threshing out the seed , and fanning it like wheat . the same method is practised with all seeds that are gathered each in their proper seasons , and especially in the months of july and august , taking great care to prevent the birds , who are very greedy of them , from devouring them . we replant beet chards in order to have them good to eat in autumn , and they are best placed in the void space remaining between the artichoke ranks , they must be set at the distance of a foot and a half one from the other . we must take great care to extirpate all the weeds which now grow up in abundance , and that particularly before they run to seed , to prevent their multiplying which they are apt to do but too much of themselves without sowing . we must now also without further delay , clip all our palisade's , and edgings of box , so that they may be all furnisht at furthest at mid-summer , and have time to shoot out again before autumn ; and we must liberally water all seeds sown in our kitchen gardens . we must water plentifully , and every day the cucumbers upon hot beds , and musk-melons moderately two or three times a week , allowing half a pitcher full of water to each plant. from the very middle of june we begin to graff by inoculation , our stone-fruit-trees , and especially cherries upon great trees , upon wood of two years growth , which are cut off three or four inches from the place where the scutcheon is to be placed . the best time for this , is always before the solstice . gross soils must be often stirred and manured , that they may not have time to grow hard , and chap , commonly we bestow an universal manuring or stirring up the ground upon all our gardens in this season , and the best time to stir dry grounds in , is either a little before or after rain , or even whilst it rains , that the water may the more swiftly penetrate to the bottom , before the great heat comes to turn it into vapors , and for strong and moist soils , we must wait for hot and dry weather , to dry and heat them , before we move them , carefull gard'ners make dykes to convey the gluts of water that fall about this time in hasty storms , a cross their squares , especially if their ground be light ; but on the contrary , if it be too strong , they drain the water out of the squares , as i have said already , when i was speaking of the works of may. persons curious in carnations , and clove-gilliflowers , should have begun before this time to put rings about each plant of them , to keep up their mounting stems , and hinder the winds from breaking off their buds or buttons , the like they do to their sedums , &c. and if they have not yet done it , they do it in this month , and not only take off from them the small buds that grow upon them in over great numbers , to fortifie the principal ones , but likewise the greatest part of the mounting stems , in order to preserve only one of the fairest , and most likely , to produce the most beautiful flowers . we also still continue to destroy the thick white worms that spoil the strawberries and cabbage lettuce . we carefully cultivate our orange-trees , according to the method prescribed in the treatise i have composed purposely on that subject . the wild purslain begins to appear at the beginning of june , and lasts till the end of july , which must be carefully scraped . we take up our tulip roots out of the ground at the end of this month , their leaves being then withered . we disbranch harico's or french-beans , and towards the end of this month , we sow peas to have them fit to eat in september . works to be done in july . this month likewise requires a great deal of application and activity in a gard'ner , to do all that he could not do the last month , and to continue still all the same works , but only the hot beds . now the great heats without waterings , do very great damage , but being allayed with frequent waterings , give birth to very fine productions . in this month , many sorts of seeds are gathered , and endive is sown for the provision of autumn and winter . we also sow royal lettuce to have it good for use at the end of autumn . we also still continue to sow some ciboules , and white beets for autumn , and some few radishes in cool places , or such as are extreamly well watered , to have them fit to eat at the beginning of august . if the season be very dry , we begin at the latter end of the month , to graff by inoculation of a dormant bud , upon quince-trees , and plum-trees we begin to replant white or bright cabbages for the end of autumn , and the beginning of winter . we sow more lettuce royal. we sow for the last time , our square peas in the middle of july , that we may have some to spend in october . in this month particularly , peach-trees produce several shoots . about the middle of july , we begin to lay our clove-gilliflowers and carnations , if their branches be strong enough to bear it , otherwise we must stay till august , or the middle of september . from the very middle of august , we begin to sow spinage to be ready about the middle of september , and mâches for winter sallets , and shell-lettuces , to have provision of cabbage-lettuces at the end of autumn , and during the winter season . we replant strawberry plants in their designed places , which we had raised in tufts . we gather lettuce and radish seeds , as soon as ever a part of their pods appears dry , and then we pull up their plants , and lay the whole a drying . we also gather the seeds of chervil , leeks , ciboules , onions , shalots , and rocamboles , or spanish garlick . we sow radishes in the naked earth , for autumn . at the latter end of the month , we sow some cabbage in some good exposition , to remove into a nursery , in some other well sheltered place , where they are to pass the winter , in order to be replanted in their designed places in the following spring . we also sow all the month long , some shell-lettuces in some good exposition , as well to replant at the end of september , or beginning of october , in the places where they are to remain under some good shelter , as to have some ready hardned to the cold , to replant again after winter , either in the naked earth in the month of march , or upon hot beds ; at the very beginning of february , and if the winter be very cold , they must be covered with long litter . we may sow onions to have good ones the next year , at the very beginning of july , which it is best to replant in the month of march next following . we now water liberally . we replant a great deal of endive at a large foot distance between plant and plant , as also royal and perpignan lettuces , which are very good in autumn and winter . we sow mâches for lent. we still continue to replant winter cabbages . we shear our palisade's the second time . we continue to nail up our wall-trees , and by little and little , to uncover those fruits , which we would have tinged with much red , as peaches , api apples , &c. we tye up our endive with one , two , or with three bands , if it be very high , but the uppermost band must be always looser than the rest , otherwise the lettuce will burst in the sides whilst it is whitening . at the middle of august we begin to cover with compost , the sorrel that was cut very close to recruit its vigour , a good inch's thickness of compost is enough to strew all over it , because they would be apt to rot , if we should use more to them . we still continue sowing of sorrel , chervil , and ciboules . we pluck off the runners of strawberry plants , to preserve their old stocks in the greater vigour , and when their fruit is past , which is about the end of july , or the beginning of august , we cut away all the old stems , and old leaves , that they may produce new ones . we also cut away all the old stems of artichokes , when the artichokes are taken off . we still continue sowing of spinage , for the beginning of winter . we take our onions out of the ground as soon as their stems begin to dry , and we let them lie ten or twelve days a drying in the air , before we lay them up in our granary , or some other dry place , or else we bind them up in ropes , because otherwise they would ferment and rot , if they were laid up before they were dry . we gather our shalots at the very beginning of the month , and draw our garlick out of the ground . at the end of august the florists set into the earth their jacinths , fair anemonies and ranunculus's or crow-foots , junquills , totus albus's and imperials . we destroy both ordinary flies and wasps which eat the figs , the muscat grapes , and other fruits , and for that effect , we tye some bottles or cucurbit-glasses full of water mixed with a little honey , to some of their branches , by which means , those insects being allured by the sweetness of the honey , enter into the necks of those glasses , and so perish in that mixture , but they must be emptied and shifted with new water , as often as they begin to fill with those little unlucky insects . though the first bud of a clove-gilliflower or carnation is beautiful and promising , it do's not follow thence , that all the rest will be so too . the beauties of a carnation are , to be high and tall , well burnisht and garnisht , well ranged , of a lovely colour , well plumed and displayed , and of a perfectly velvet-like softness to the touch. at the beginning of this month , we tread down the stems of onions , and the leaves of beet-raves , or red beet roots , carots , parsnips , &c. or else we take off their leaves quite , to make their roots grow the bigger in the ground , by hindering their sap from spending it self above ground . it is still a good season enough to lay clove-gilliflowers and carnations . works to be done in september . the ground in gardens in this month should be universally covered all over , so that there should be not so much as the least spot in it without some kitchen and esculent plants , whether sown or replanted , which is not altogether so necessary in the preceeding months , both because we then reserve a good part of our ground for winter plants , such as are lettuces , endive , peas , &c. and because some plants require a very considerable time to arrive to perfection in , and would not have enough if they were allowed less than to the end of autumn . we still continue the works of the preceeding month. we make hot beds for mushrooms . we replant a great deal of endive , and that closer together now than in the foregoing months , that is , we place them at half a foot 's distance one from the other , because now their tufts grow not so large as before . they must be replanted in almost all the spare places from the very beginning of the month , till the fifteenth or twentieth day . at the latter end of the month , we sow spinage the third time , which will be good in lent , and even in the rogation season following . we still continue planting winter cabbages , and especially those of the greener sort . we may likewise still about mid-september , sow some cold beds of sorrel , and replant some old , there being yet time enough for it to attain to a sufficient vigour before the first frosts come . during this whole month we continue to remove straw-berry plants out of our nurseries , to reimplace those tufts which are dead in our beds , and we immediately water them , as we must do all plants which we set a new . we set some in pots towards the twentieth day , if we intend to force any in the winter . about the fifteenth of the month , we graff peach-trees upon almond-trees , and upon other peach-trees as they stand in the places where they are to remain ; the sap being then too much diminished to be in any capacity to overflow the scutcheons . we tie up first with osier wit hs , and afterwards towards the fifteenth of the month , we carefully wrap up with long litter , or new straw , some spanish cardons , and artichoke plants , to have them whitened or blanched about fifteen or twenty days after ; but great care must be taken in wraping them up , to keep them perfectly upright , otherwise they will overset , and snap in sunder on one side ; and to hinder the winds from laying them on one side too , they must be fenced with a bank of earth of about a full foot high . towards the end of the month , we plant cabbages in nurseries , in some well sheltred place , in order to replant them in their designed places assoon as the winter is over . from the fifteenth of the month to the end , and till the middle of october , we replant shell lettuces in some well sheltered place and especially near the foot of some southern and eastern wall , that we may have some of them cabbage for our spending in lent , and during the whole months of april and may. we bind up our cellery with one or two bands below , and then we raise a butt or bank about it , either with very dry long dung , or with very dry earth , to whiten it ; but we must have a care not to tie it up but in very dry weather . the same caution must be observed in all plants that are to be tied , after which , we cut off the extreamity of the leaves , to prevent the sap from ascending and spending it self to no purpose , by which means it is kept down in the buried plant , and makes it grow thick . we also now tie up the leaves of some collyflowers whose fruit seems to begin to be formed . we cover with compost , the sorrel which has been cut . we sow maches for lent , and for reponces , it is not worth the while to sow them in a garden because there are enough of them in the spring time , to be found in the corn fields , and by hedge sides . it is particularly in the month , and during all autumn , that gard'ners most desire rain . we continue to destroy flies and wasps that eat the figs , muscat grapes , and pears , and other fruits , &c. with bottles , or cucurbit glasses of honied water . we sow poppies and larks heels in flower gardens , to have them flower in june , and july , before them that are sown in march. in this month , and the precedent one , we replant endive among cabbage lettuces , these latter having commonly performed their duty , before the endive is come to its full growth . waterings must be continued as long as the weather is hot and dry . good winter endive , if our garden be in a sandy soil , must be sown from the middle of august , to st. lambert's day , which is the seventeenth of this month ; and if it be in a stronger and heavier soil , it must be sown a little sooner , and that always very thin , that in a month's time , it may grow big enough to remove , that is to say , about as thick as ones finger . it should be planted till the middle of september , at six or seven inches distance between plant and plant , that it may be replanted a second time , and that nearer together , afterwards , at the beginning of september two or three inches deep in the earth , if it be dry and sandy , or at least in a sloping ground , without cutting off any thing from the root , which has produced a little tuft , and it must be covered in frosty weather , to prevent the cold from rotting it to the very heart , which caution being observed , it will keep till lent , whereas endive that is come to its full growth before the bitter cold weather , will not keep at all in winter . works to be done in october . we continue the same works as in the preceeding month , except graffing , the season for which is now past , but we are particularly busie in preparing cellery and cardons ; we plant a great many winter lettuces , and some too upon old hot beds , to force them so as to have them good for our eating about martlemas . at the beginning of the month , till the tenth or twelfth day , we sow some spinage to be ready for the rogation season . we also sow our last chervil upon the ground , that it may be come up before the great frosts , and may yield seed betimes the next year . at the very beginning of this month , if we did not do it at the beginning of the last , we take down our hot beds , and apply our selves to making of stacks or large cocks of the mouldiest dung , to raise mushrooms on . we plant winter cabbages on those stacks , we lay aside all the mold or made earth , to use again when we make new hot beds , and we carry away the rottenest dung to those grounds that are to be dunged . about the middle of october , we carry back into their houses our orange-trees , tuberoses , and jasmins , placing them there with some agreeable symmetry , leaving the windows open in the day , so long as it freezes not , but keeping them always carefully shut at night , till at last we shut them up quite , and carefully dam up both them and the doors . we lay the tuberose pots upon their sides to drain them from the water , that the roots of those plants may not rot in them . we begin to plant all sorts of trees as soon as their leaves are fallen . we still continue to plant a great many winter lettuces in some well sheltered place , and on some good borders , at six or seven inches distance one from the other , there usually perishing enough of them to prevent our complaints of their growing too thick together . towards the middle of october , the florists plant their tulips , and all other bulbous roots not yet set into the ground . in this month we must perform our last manuring and turning up of strong , heavy , and moist grounds , as well to destroy the weeds , and give an air of neatness and agreeableness to our gardens in this season , when the country is more visited by all the world than at any other time , as to make that sort of ground timely contract a kind of crust , that may hinder the winter waters from so easily penetrating them , and on the contrary , may shoot them off down to places of a lower situation . we continue our hostilities against the wasps that destroy the figs and grapes , and the good plums and pears , &c. we cut old chervil , that it may spring afresh . it is convenient to begin to sow now in some well sheltered place towards the south or east , or else upon hot beds , those sallets , &c. that are to be made use of in winter , or early in the spring , upon condition they be well covered when sown , against the cold , when it shall be time . works to be done in november . in this month we begin to force an artificial spring by the means of our hot beds , upon which we sow little sallets , viz. small lettuce to cut , chervil , cresses , &c. we plant lettuce to cabbage , under bells or glass frames , and we replant upon them , mint , tarragon and balm plants , and some sorrel , wild endive or succory , and macedonian parsly . we also sow in them peas , beans , parsly , and burnet , and if the weather still continue pretty fair , we make an end of planting lettuces in places of good shelter . this is peculiarly the month of the greatest work and labour of all , in order to the avoiding the inconvenience of wanting garden necessaries , which is an ordinary companion in this dead season , to those that have been wanting in timely foresight ; for in earnest the cold fails not to make great havock in the gardens of the lazy ; and therefore at the very beginning of the month , how flatteringly fair soever the weather appear , there must be some dry long dung brought and laid near the endive , artichokes , chard beets , cellery , leeks , roots , &c. that being ready at hand , it may with the more facility in few hours be thrown upon every thing that needs it , to prevent their destruction ; and assoon as ever the cold begins to declare it self , we must begin to cover our fig-trees . now is the proper time to make plantations of all sorts of trees , and of goose-berry , curran , and rasp-berry shrubs , and 't is good to continue on till the end of march , unless it be when it freezes hard , or when the earth is covered with a great deal of snow . during all the same time , we set trees and shrubs in baskets , which we dispose of in some particular place , and especially towards the northern quarter . we set in them standards as well as dwarfs , keeping an exact account in writing of the order of the several kinds . these baskets are to be placed at half a foot distance one from the other , and must be so well interred , that but just their brims at most may be discerned above ground : and we couch in those baskets , such trees as are designed for wall-trees , just in the same manner as if we were actually planting them by walls , and those which are designed to be planted in the open air , we place upright in the middle of the baskets . assoon as the frosts begin to appear , we begin to use the long dung which we have been carefull to order to be brought and laid ready in needfull places ; for example , if it be for artichokes , we may keep them a little elevated towards the north , to serve them instead of a small shelter , till we cover them quite , or else if we be pressed with work to be done elsewhere , we cover them presently , always taking care however before we cover them , to cut off all that is withered from them . a little of this dung serves against the first attacks , but we redouble our coverings as the cold augments . they which are not provided with that sort of dry dung , may use instead of it , such dry leaves as are gathered up in the neighbouring woods . if we have a mind to whiten for chards any of the biggest of those artichoke plants , we tie them below with two or three bands , and then we wrap them about with long dry dung , or straw , which we bind over them again , as we have already directed when we were speaking of cardons . in dry soils , we earth up a little our artichokes , which would be pernicious in wet grounds , because it would rot the artichoke plants . it is convenient to let the artichokes alone so covered till the full moon of march be past , that being commonly very dangerous ; and many gard'ners are the cause of the loss of their artichokes , when they let themselves be tempted by some fair days in march , to take off their coverings quite , and to proceed to manuring them ; for if we uncover them , it should at most , be but a little , and we should always have that caution , to leave the dung close by them , to be ready at hand to cover them again , in case the frost returns . at the very beginning of the month , before the frosts be come , we make an end of tying up our endive that is big enough to suffer it , and we cover it with what we can get : we also cover our other endive in the same manner , which we could not tie up . it likewise whitens equally well ; and it is very convenient , if we have a conservatory , to plant as many as we can of the biggest of them there , in tufts , as we shall further shew afterwards . we cut down asparagus stalks when the seed is ripe , which we carefully lay up , if we be minded to sow any of them in the following spring . it would be dangerous to cut those stalks sooner , as well because of spoiling the seed , as the plants or stocks themselves , which might by that means be irritated to an abortion , and producing before their time , some pitiful sorry little new shoots . we take the advantage of some fair dry weather , to lay up all we have a mind to keep for our winters provision ; and for that effect , we take up the plants in tufts , with earth hanging to them , before they be frost bitten , and plant them very close to one another in the conservatory , which are for example , all roots , as carrots , parsnips , and beet-raves , or red beet roots , and artichokes , which have fruit. the green ones are more proper for this purpose than the violet ones , which are more tender and less able to resist the frost , and more apt to putrefie in that part next their stem , than the others which are more rustical and hardy . and also spanish cardons , collyflowers and endive or succory , as well the white , as the wild sort , and even leeks and cellery , though both these last will keep well enough in the naked earth , when they are well covered : but here it is to be noted , that cellery when once whitened must be eaten presently , otherwise it would rot ; and we must be carefull to raise some of it late , that may remain small in the earth , without being very much covered , which serves for the latter end of february and the month of march. those persons who live near woods , will do well to gather up the leaves there , not only to make use of for coverings , as i have said , but likewise to lay them to rot in some hole , the powder of them being very good , and especially to make use of for mold . we now open and lay bare the roots of trees that seem to languish , in order to take from about them the old soil , cut off as much of their roots as is found in an ill condition , and earth them up again afterwards with good new earth . we make some hot beds for mushrooms . the method to make them well , is to choose some spot of new , and as near as can be , light and sandy ground , and dig there a hollow bed of five or six inches deep , of three or four wide throughout , and of what length we please . the dung must be either of horse , or mule , and must be already pretty dry , and such as has been piled up some time : then we make the bed about two foot high , ranking and pressing the dung as close and tight as we can , yet so disposing it that the upper part of it may be raised into a ridge like the back of an asse , that it may the better shoot off the waters to the right and left , which if they should pierce through it , would rot the dung ; after that , we cover the bed to the thickness of two foot more , with the neighbouring earth , over which again , we throw another covering of three or four inches thick of litter , which in the winter may guard from the great cold , and in the summer , shade from the violent heat the mushrooms which may be expected to shoot up about three or four months after . we cleanse trees of moss that are troubled with it . they which have great plantations of trees to prune , should now begin that operation upon those which are least vigorous . we employ the long dry dung of which we ought to have made provision in the summer , to cover our fig-trees , as well those of the wall , as dwarfs ; and for these last , we tie all their branches as close as we can conveniently , together with osier wit hs , that we may the more easily wrap them about with this covering ; and for the wall-trees , we endeavour to leave so many of the higher branches as we can , on the sides , and to tie several of them together to poles or forked sticks that are to serve them for props , and by that means too , we cover them with more ease , and less charge . we leave on them that covering till the full moon of march be past , at which time , we only take off part of it , till the full moon of april be likewise past , the frosts of these two last months being dangerous to the young fruit which then begins to put forth it self , as the winter frosts are to the wood which they make to turn all into pith. they whose pear-trees are pestered with tiger babbs , will do well now , not only to gather up the leaves that are attack'd by them , to burn them immediately , but also to scrape their branches with the back of a knife to clear them of the eggs or seed of that cursed insect , which remains sticking to them all winter , for though we cannot so far prevail that way , as totally to exterminate them , yet however there will be so many enemies destroyed , as we destroy of those eggs. the days being now very short , skilful gard'ners will therefore work by candle-light till supper time , either in making of straw-screens and coverings , or preparing trees for planting , as soon as the frost permits them , or in designing , &c. we put those trees into the earth in furrows which we could not plant , covering up their roots as carefully as if we were planting them in their designed places , without leaving any hollow chinks about their roots , because otherwise the great frost would spoil them . we may begin at the latter end of the month to force such asparagus , as are at least three or four years old , and this forcing is performed , either on the cold bed in the place where they grow , which is the best way , or else upon a hot bed , if we be minded to remove them . but ordinarily we stay till towards the beginning of the next month , before we make any essays of that kind , it being in my opinion , long enough to have of them for four months together by artifice , till nature be ready to furnish us with more of them for two months longer by her own sole virtue and power , not but that we might begin to force them at the very beginning of september or october . the way of forcing them is , to dig the earth out of a path , to the depth of two foot , and the breadth of one full foot and a half , if originally the path were but three foot over , because there must be at least six or seven good inches of earth be left next the asparagus tufts . the path being thus voided , we fill it up with long hot dung , very well ramm'd and trodden down , till it be a full foot higher than the superficies of the cold bed , at the first making , and after fifteen days , we stir this dung over again , mixing some new dung with it , the better to enable it to communicate sufficient heat to the two adjoyning cold beds , but if it appear too much mortified , so that the asparagus does not shoot up briskly enough , then this recruiting of the path-way with fresh dung and stirring , must be repeated afterwards as often as it shall be necessary , which commonly happens to be once every ten or twelve days . if there fall any great rains or snow , that may have too much rotted that dung , so that it appears not to retain a sufficient heat , then must it be quite taken away , and all new put in its place ; for in fine , this bed must always be kept extreamly hot ; as to the cold bed , in which the plants are , the ground must be digged up , and stirred a little in it , to the depth of about four or five inches , as soon as the path-way is filled up , for it cannot be done before , because of bringing the dung to that , ( which cannot be done without much trampling on the soil ) which digging being finished , we cover the said cold bed with some of the same long dung , to the thickness of three or four inches , and at the end of fifteen days , so much time at least being necessary to give activity to those asparagus tufts , that in this season , are as 't were dead , or at least benumbed with the cold , we lift up the dung to see whether the asparagus begin to shoot or no , and if they do , at every place where they appear , we clap a glass bell , which we also take great care to cover close with long dung , and especially a-nights , to prevent the frost from penetrating in the least manner in the world , to the asparagus , which being so extreamly tender and delicate as 't is , would be absolutely spoiled by the least breath of cold. if in the day time , the sun shine out a little bright , we must not fail to take off the dung from the bells , that the asparagus may be visited by those kindly beams that animate all things , and if besides those bells , we had likewise glass frames to clap over them , and so doubly to cover whole beds of plants , that would still be more commodious and more advantageous for bringing to effect this little master-piece of our art. by these helps , the asparagus springing out of that warm earth , and meeting with a warm air under those bells , grow red and green , and of the same thickness and length as those of the mont●s of april and may ; nay , and prove a great deal better too , because they have not only been unattack'd by the injuries of the air , but have attained their perfection in much less time than the others , and i can without vanity affirm , that i was the first that by the inducement of some very plausible reasons , devised this expedient , to oblige the greatest king in the world , with a pleasure before to him unknown . i add here , that a bed of asparagus dextrously forced , and well maintained , produces abundantly enough for a fortnight or three weeks , and that because the king should not want during the whole winter , this new dish which he beholds with so gracious an eye , as soon as the first beds begin to furnish him , i begin to force as many new ones , and so continue the same course every three weeks , till the end of april , when nature advertises me , that 't is time to put an end to those violences i have done her , and that she is then willing in her turn , to serve us some dishes prepared by her own skill . i can likewise tell you , that though my beds are but ●i●teen toises or fathoms long , and that i force but six at a time , yet there is spent on them each time , at least fifty cart loads of dung , and that the only vexation i meet with in this work , is to see an infinite number of glass bells broke with covering and uncovering them every day , in spite of all the care i can take to prevent it . we may likewise remove old asparagus plants out of cold beds into hot ones , it being true that they spring there , but they never prove so fair as the others , and are attended besides with this inconvenience , that they die there in a very short time . we force sorrel and wild endive , or succory , macedonian parsly or alisanders , &c. in the same manner as we do asparagus , but most commonly it is done rather upon hot beds , than on the naked earth , and the success is very speedy and infallible , and particularly in procuring in one fifteen days time , sorrel that is as fair as that of the month of may. we should have finished our last manuring of dry grounds the fifteenth day of this month , as well to render them impenetrable to the rain and snow waters , as to destroy the weeds , and to make our gardens appear something neat and handsome . we preserve in their places , or rather we transplant in turfs , such cabbages as we design for seed ; and if in the month of april , we perceive they meet with any difficulty in making their way , we must help them by giving the cabbage a cut cross-wise on the head pretty deep , by which means the seed stem will the more easily pass . we do the same thing in may to some sorts of cabbage lettuce , which have much ado otherwise to run up to seed . to have radishes betimes , that is , towards christmas , or candlemas , we sow them in hot beds about the middle of november . i have already laid down directions for the making of hot beds , in the works of february : that which is particularly to be observed for radishes , is that we must beat down with a board , the superficies of the mold , to render it a little solid , and to prevent it from rowling into the holes that are to be made to sow the radishes in , after which , that the bed may be handsomly sown , we take a cord rubbed with plaster , or chalk , or other white matter , and holding it well stretched out between two of us , we mark out with it as many white lines , at three or four inches distance one from another , both throughout the whole length and breadth of the bed , as its extent will permit , and then with a round wooden planting stick of a full inch thick , we make holes all along every line at the like distance of three or four inches one from another , and we put only three radish seeds into every hole , and if we chance to let fall any more we pull up all the radishes that come up above the number of three . they which observe not to mark out such lines , but make their holes by random-sight only , have their beds not so handsome , and they which make their holes nearer , and which leave more than three radishes in a hole , run the hazard of having radishes with a great many leaves and but little root , there are many market gard'ners whose practise it is , to sow lines or rows of lett●ces in february and march , a cross their beds of radishes , but then the holes must be made at the distance of seven or eight inches ; and the lett●ces thus sown in lines , will be gathered and spent , before the radishes are fit to gather . if it freezes very hard we cover the hot bed , with long steeped straw , for five or six days , besides which , for its further defence against the rigours of the winter , wecover them with straw-screens or coverings , supported upon traverse frame● or cradles composed of stakes , or other poles of wood , placed very near the superficies of the mold , and we stop the sides close up , and if the frost increase notably , we put a new load of long dung over those straw-screens , but if it be but moderate , there will need no other covering , the heat of the bed being sufficient to defend the plants ; radishes thus sown come up in five or six days , and if the holes had not some air , they would be smoothed and grow dwinling in piercing through the small straw . we must not fail at the beginning of this month , to take up in turf , the cellery which we had planted at a reasonable distance , in the months of june and july , in particular cold beds ; and when we have taken it up , to carry it into the conservatory , or else to replant it in some other cold bed , placing its plants very close together , that they may the more easily be covered . assoon as the white frosts seem to be setled , we must cover our winter-lettuces which are planted in well sheltred places , but not with dry dung as other plants , for fear some of the filth should get into the heart of those that cabbage , but with very clean straw , upon which we lay some long pole of wood , to keep it in its place , and hinder the wind from blowing it off . works to be done in december . if it be a pertinent caution i have given at the beginning of every month , that we ought then to be careful to finish what we could not do in the preceeding month , it is particularly necessary to repeat it at the beginning of this month , with respect to that which last expired . assoon as december is come it is no longer time to dally . for now the earth in gardens is quite strip'd of all its usual ornaments , and the frost that seldom fails to signalize it self this month , without respecting the quality of their masters , spares no bodies gardens , but unmercifully destroys all it meets with of a nature too delicate to endure its rigour ; and therefore it concerns us now to make an end of housing and of covering what we could not house or cover in the month of november , viz. endive , cardons , cellery , artichokes , roots , collyflowers , chard-beets , leeks , fig-trees , &c. and above all things , we must be careful to preserve those novelties which we may have begun to advance by art , as peas , beans , cabbage , lettuce , and little sallets , to avoid the displeasure of seeing perish in one bitter night , what we have been labouring two or three months to advance . we may likewise still at the beginning of the month , continue to sow some early peas , upon some banks made of earth raised in double slopes along by some wall placed in a good exposition , and especially that towards the south . we transport our rotten dung to those places we design to muck , and spread them abroad there , that the rain and snow waters may the better penetrate them , and carry their salt a little below the superficies of the earth where our seeds are to be sown . we interr our almonds in some basket , to sprout . they should have sprouted by the month of march , to be ready then to be planted in their allotted places . it is convenient to prevent the great frost from coming at them ; for which end the baskets must be housed up in the conservatory , or else well covered with long dung if left in the naked earth . the way to lay these almonds to sprout , is first to lay at the bottom of the basket , a layer of sand , earth or mold , or made earth between two and three inches thick , and to lay a layer of flat almonds , upon it with their sharp ends inwards , till its first layer of earth be quite covered with the layer of almonds , upon which we lay a second layer of mold or sand of two inches thick , and then upon that again a second layer of almonds placed in the same manner as the first , and so a third and fourth , &c. till the basket will hold no more . it is likewise not amiss to put one single layer of almonds into the naked-earth , and to cover them with earth , to the thickness of about three inches : when they begin to come up at the latter end of april , we take them in up turfs , that is , with some earth hanging to them , and breaking off their sprouts , we replant them in their designed places , in rows distant one from another , a foot and a half , and in those rows , the almonds must be placed at the distance of half a foot from each other . we are busie in making trails for wall-trees . we may prune trees as long as there is no icicles , or hoar upon the branches , and as the hard frosts do not raign , for they harden the wood so that the pruning knife cannot easily pass : always observing that we must never prune wall-trees without unnailing them , because it would be too troublesom to do it otherwise , neither can we so well discern what work we are to do . one of the most principal works of this month , is , at the beginning of it , to make a hot bed of long new dung of the ordinary breadth of four foot , and height of three , and assoon as its great heat is spent , we must sow upon it , under glass bells , some good bright curled lettuce , and assoon as 't is grown a little big , which usually happens in a month's time , we must take up the fairest , and plant it in a nursery upon another hot bed , and under other bells , to the number of twenty , or twenty five under every bell , and when they are grown reasonably big there too , we must take up the biggest with a little earth about them , to replant them to the number of five or six under each bell , to remain there till they be quite cabbaged , which usually happens towards the latter end of march , and we take care to fence them well from the cold , as well with coverings of litter , as by new heating their beds . we practise the same method in sowing these lettuces in the month of january , and in replanting in february , that we may have some ready betimes , that is , towards the end of march , and to continue so doing till the earth produces us some of her self , without the help of hot dung. at this time they that employ themselves in rearing novelties , spend the most part of each day in covering them at night , and uncovering them in the morning , or else all comes to nothing . when in the winter time , we are raising and forcing of lettuce upon hot beds , and under bells , we must be careful often to lift up the bells , to take away the dead leaves , there being a great many that rot and perish , and one rotten leaf rots others . the inside of the bells must also be cleansed from the filth and moisture that gathers there in abundance , and when there comes a fair sun shiny day , we must not fail to lift up the bells , that the moisture may be dryed up that sticks about the leaves . but the chiefest thing to be observed above all , is to keep the beds moderately hot , by recruiting and new heating , and fermenting them from time to time . provisions and products we may have from our gardens in the month of january . besides the good pears following , viz. leschasseries , ambrets , thorn pears , st. germains , dry martins , virgoulees , and winter boncretiens , &c. and these good apples , viz. calvils , pippins , ap●'s , courpendu's , or short stalkt apples , fennellets , or fennel-apples , &c. and lastly , besides some sorts of grapes , as the ordinary muscat , the long muscat , the chassela's , &c. every person may have artichokes , &c. all sorts of roots , as beet-raves , or red beet-roots , scorzonera's , carrots , parsnips , common salsifies , or goat's beard , turneps , &c. spanish cardons , and chards of artichokes whitened . cellery whitened . macedonian parsly or alisanders whitened . fennel , anis , and endive , as well that which is called the white , as that which is called wild , or succory . collyflowers , &c. all these things must have been brought into the conservatory in the months of november and december , and ordered as i have directed in speaking of the works to be done in those two months . besides which , we have also pancaliers , milan , and bright , or large sided cabbages . these sorts of cabbages are not carried into the conservatory : on the contrary , they must be frost-bitten in the open air , to make them tender and delicate . we may also have some citruls or pumpions , and some potirons , or flat pumpions , by the help of a conservatory . we may have also pickled cucumbers , pickled purslain , pickled mushrooms , and pickled capucin capers , or nasturces . we may have onions , garlick and shalots , out of the conservatory . we may have leeks , ciboules , burnet , chervil , parsly and alleluia , or wood-sorrel , &c. we may have very good reddish green asparagus , which are better than those that grow naturally in april , and all the month of may. and by the help of hot beds , or heated path-ways , we may have very fine sorrel , as well of the round as long sort , and little sallets of lettuce to cut , with their furnitures of mint , tarragon , garden-cresses , tender chervil , &c. and parsly , borage , bugloss , &c. we may likewise have little radishes upon hot beds , provided the abundance of snow , and the rigour of the frosts be not so terrible great , that we cannot for so much as a few hours in a day , uncover the beds on which they are , nor give them any new recruits of heat , without which , all that is planted of this sort , on hot beds , is subject to grow yellow , and come to nothing . we may likewise have mushrooms upon hot beds made on purpose for that effect , and which are kept carefully covered with long dry dung , to prevent the hard fosts from spoiling them . we have now naturally but few flowers , except those of laurel-time , or laurus thymus , and snow drops , but by the help of hot beds , we may have some single anemonies , winter narcissus's , and narcissus's of constantinople , crocus's , &c. and we have now lawrel rose-leaves to garnish the dishes we serve up to table . provisions and products of february . the weather usually begins to grow a little milder this month , so that as to flowers , we may now naturally by the favour of a good shelter and a good exposition , have of all those sorts which i told you in my discourse of the products of the last month , might be raised by forcing on hot beds . besides which , we may have some primroses , and the heat of the hot beds may even produce us some tulips , and totus albus's . but in respect of kitchen-plants , we have as yet only those things which we have before mentioned ; that is to say , we continue to spend the stock we have in the conservatory or store-house , and what we raise by the assistance of our hot beds , and artificial heatings , as little sallets , sorrel , radishes , asparagus , &c. provisions and products of march. vve have now upon our hot beds , abundance of radishes , and little sallets , and of sorrel , and cabbage lettuces under bells , which are the bright curled lettuces sown in november and december , and afterwards transplanted into other hot beds . the other sorts of lettuces will not come to any thing under bells . we continue to have forced asparagus , and to spend what we had laid up in the conservatory , as cardons , collyflowers , &c. as to flowers , if the cold be not extraordinary violent , we have every where , and that naturally , all those sorts which blow only in good expositions in the preceeding months , besides which , we have violets , jacinths , passe-touts , and single anemonies . and towards the end of the month , we have english narcissus's , narcissus's of algers , english iris , or flower-de-luces , yellow stock-gilliflowers , nonesuch narcissus's , single and double hepatica's , as well of the red , as of the pale violet sort , hellebore flowers , some single junquils , of which we sometimes compose double ones , by putting the leaves of two or three into one button . and we need not now force any flowers , unless it be single or double junquils , if the weather be very hard . and if the weather be very mild , we have double anemonies , bears ears , fritillaria's , some spring tulips , daisies , flammes , or flame-flowers , persian iris , and junquils at the latter end of the month. provisions and products of april . vve have now abundance of radishes , spinage , and sallets with their furnitures , and other edible herbs . we have likewise at the very beginning of the month , bright curled cabbage lettuces , if we have taken care to raise any upon hot beds , otherwise we have none , for the winter lettuces are not as yet cabbaged . we have also at the very beginning of the month some strawberries by the extraordinary help of our hot beds , and glass frames , if we have had the will , or convenience to make use of them . we have asparagus produced naturally and without artifice . we have an infinite number of flowers , as anemonies , ranunculus's or crew foots , imperials , narcissus of constantinople , english narcissus , and algers narcissus , white narcissus , prim-roses , violets , hepatica's , both red and pale blue , and about the end of the month we have fair tulips . provisions and products of may. it is now the time of the flourishing reign of all sorts of verdures and green things , and of sallets , radishes , asparagus , and cucumbers as to their plenty and abundance . peas and strawberries now begin to come in , and we may and ought to have of those sorts of long lettuces call'd alfanges , and white chicons , provided we have had timely care to raise some upon hot beds , and early to transplant them , either in other hot beds , or else in the naked earth in some well exposed place . we have an infinity of all sorts of flowers , tulips , stock-gilliflowers of all colours , prim-roses both deep blue and pale blue , musaris , daisies , flames , spring honey-suckles , roses of gueldres , single anemonies , &c. we begin to have orange flowers as soon as ever the orange-trees , are brought out of their conservatories about the middle of may. we have also both single and double narcissus's , and peonies both of the flesh , or carnation , and of the very red colour . we begin likewise to have some spring larks heels . we have the flower of the trifolum arboreum , or yellow trefoil , growing on a shrub , and both the common and persian lilac , mary-golds , and sedums , otherwise called palmaria , and musked white stock gilliflowers , both single and double , that is to say , the julians . as likewise columbines , veronica's , or fluellins , plumed or panached jacinths , yellow martagons , with their flame coloured pendant , spanish carnations , &c. towards the end of the month , we begin to have abundance of strawberries , and some early cherries . provisions and products of june . vve have now abundance of all sorts of red fruits , as strawberries , currans , gooseberries , cherries , and bigarro's or heart-cherries , &c. some pears , and particularly little muscats . we have upon the plain and natural earth , all sorts of sallets with their furnitures . abundance of all sorts of kitchen herbs . abundance of artichokes and beet-chards . great store of peas , and of garden , and french beans . great store of mushrooms and cucumbers . at the end of the month , we begin to have some verjuice grapes , and white endive , we have also great plenty of fine , or sweet and strong scented , or aromatick herbs , viz. time , sage , savory , hyssop , lavender , &c. and also of medicinal herbs . we have roman lettuces , and white alfange lettuces , and abundance of genua lettuces . we have purslain . we have abundance of flowers , as well to garnish dishes , as to set out flower-pots , viz. double poppies of all colours , white , pale , violet , flesh-coloured , or carnation , flame coloured , purple , violet colour'd , and panached or striped ; yellow , and violet pansies , larks heels , julians , fraxilenes , or fraxinella's , or bastard dittanies , roses of all sorts , viz. double , panached or striped , double eglantines , or dog-roses , roses of gueldres , cinnamon roses , white lillies , yellow lillies , matricaria's , or featherfew's , asphodel or asphondel lillies , calves-snowts , virga aurea , or golden rod , of jassee flowers of two colours , gladiolus's , veronica's , or fluellins , spanish carnations , mignards , verbascums , or mullein flowers , double coqueriers . thlaspi or treacle mustard of two sorts , the great and little muscipula's , valerians , toute-bonnes , or algoods , or good harries , poets gillyflowers , both the white and carnations , yellow willow herbs , or loose-strifes , lady-gloves ; and towards the middle of june , roman chervil , orange flowers , tuberoses , single anemonies , mignardises , and marine , or sea violets . we have still very fine pippins . we begin to see some cabbages . we have likewise some musk-melons at the latter end of the month , and some very fine carnations , and double jerusalem cresses . provisions and products of july . vve have in this month abundance of artichokes , cherries , griots , or agriots , and bigarro's , or heart cherries . plenty of strawberries , peas and beans . great store of cabbages , musk-melons , cucumbers , and all sorts of sallets . some white endive , and some radishes . some plums , viz. the yellow plum , and the ceriset , or little cherry-plum . some summer calvill-apples . a great many pears , viz. maudlin-pears , cuisse madams , or lady thighs , great blanquets , or great white pears , orange-green pears , &c. about the middle or latter end of july , we have the first figs. we have peas and beans of two sorts . we have radishes , and abundance of muskmelons towards the middle of the month. we have verjuice . as for flowers , we have still a great many , and the most part of them i have mentioned in the preceeding month. we have besides them , geranium nocteolens , or night smelling cranes-bill , rue with its olive-colour'd flower , jerusalem cresses , both single and double , clovons , indian harico's , or kidney-beans , of a flame colour , which last till november , cyanus , or dog , or corn-flowers , both white , and pale violet , capucins , or nasturces , camomils , staphysagria , or staves-acre , and towards the middle of july , clove-gilliflowers and carnations begin to come in . provisions and products of august . we have at this time abundance of summer pears , and of plums , and of some sort of peaches , as maudlin , minion , and bourdin peaches , &c. as also of white endive . plenty of figs. great store of musk-melons and cucumbers . we have also some citruls or pumpions . a great many cabbages . we have verjuice . we continue still to have all sorts of green herbs , all kitchen-roots , and onions , garlick and shalots . as also , abundance of larks-heels , indian roses , and indian gilliflowers , or french marigolds , great store of musked roses , monthly roses , jasmin , latter larks-heels , tuberoses , matricaria's , and greater or lesser thlaspi's , and besides them , sun-flowers , asters , or oculus christs's , &c. provisions and products of september . we have now abundance of violet peaches , admirables , purple , persick peaches , &c. great store of russelet , or russet pears , melting pears of brest , some butter-pears , &c. plenty of endive , and of succory , and of cabbages . towards the end of the month begins to come in abundance of second figs. at the latter end of the month we have likewise some spanish cardons , some artichoke chards , some cellery stocks , a great many citruls , or pumpions , store of artichokes , and some musk-melons still . some collyflowers . we begin to have some good muscat grapes . we have vine leaves to garnish our dishes . we have verjuice . and some oranges . as to flowers , we have now great store of tuberoses , asters , or oculus christi's , of flower gentles , velvet flowers , or amaranthus , of indian gilliflowers , or french marygolds , of indian roses , marvels of peru , tricolor volubilis , lawrel , or bay roses , both white and carnation , ultramarine roses , ordinary stock-gilliflowers , both of the white and violet sorts , &c. ciclamens , and some orange-flowers , with single anemonies . provisions and products of october . vve have abundance of second figs. plenty of muscat and chassela's grapes . great store of butter pears , doyennee , or dean-pears , bergamots , vine-pears , lansacs , crasans , and messier-johns . abundance of endive and succory , cardons , artichoke-chards , beet-chards , mushrooms , and cucumbers , and still some musk-melons too , if there have been no hard frosts . we have all manner of green pot-herbs , sorrel , beets , chervil , parsly , and ciboules , roots , garlick , onions , and shalots . great store of peaches , viz. admirables , nivets , white andillies , latter violet peaches , yellow latter peaches , rambouillet , and cadillac pavies , or bastard peaches , yellow pavies , and red pavies . spinage and latter peas . for flowers , we have single anemonies , tuberoses , lawrel , time , flowers , velvet flowers , jasmins , lawrel-roses , ciclamens , &c. provisions and products of november . vve have still in the beginning of the month , some figs , and some latter yellow pavies . we have winter thorn pears , bergamots , marchionesses , messire johns , crasans , petitoins , some virgoulee pears , ambrets , leschasseries , amadots , &c. we have artichokes . we have abundance of autumnal calvil apples , and some white calvils . the fennelets or fennel apples , and courpendu's , or short stalkt apples begin also to ripen . we have spinage , endive and succory , cellery , lettuces , sallets , and pot herbs , and cabbages of all sorts , and roots and pumpions . for flowers , we have almost the same as in the foregoing month , as also some beginnings of thlaspi semper virens , or ever green thlaspis . provisions and products of december . by the assistance of our store-house and conservatory , we have all the same things that we already mentioned in the month of november . we may also now begin to have some forced asparagus ; and , some very green and tall sorrel , in spite of the hardest frosts . we have spinage . we have winter cabbages , as well of the bright and long-sided sort , which are the most delicate , as of the green sort . we have abundance of virgoulee pears , thorn pears , ambrets , st. germans , dry martins , portal pears , &c. as also , of api apples , pippins , courpendu's , femellets , or fennel apples , and some calvils too still , &c. as to flowers , we have store of lawrel , time , flowers , and we have some anemonies and ciclamens . chap. iv. how to judge certainly by viewing and visiting a kitchen-garden , whether there be any thing wanting in it , which it should be stockt with . it is no inconsiderable thing to understand certainly , not only what provisions a kitchen-garden well maintained and ordered may furnish us with every month in the year , but likewise what works are to be done there in every season , by an able gard'ner , but yet that is not enough to make a gentleman so knowing , as to be able to give himself the pleasure to judge certainly by viewing of his kitchen-garden , whether it be indeed so well stockt or no , as to want nothing that it should have . for in fine , we must not expect always actually to find init , all the advantages we are beholding to gardens for . we know indeed , that it should bring forth a provision for the whole year , but we know very well too , that it does not bring forth all days in the year , for example , in the winter months we hardly see in it any of its productions , the most part of them being then carried out of it , and laid up in store-houses and conservatories . and besides , among the plants that are to be seen in it at other times , how many is there which have not then attain'd to their perfection , which yet ought to make a figure in this garden , though they require perhaps two or three , and sometimes five or six months time to arrive to it ? thus it is in the beginning of the spring , with all legumes or edible plants , and green things , and thus it is too in the summer , with the principal fruits of the other seasons , upon which consideration , i thought it not impertinent nor unuseful , to shew yet a little more particularly wherein consists the excellency and accomplishment of a kitchen-garden , judging of it acccording to the proportion of what we ought to find in it every time we go into it , and to give you the more exact and perfect an idea of it , i will as near as i can , draw you the picture of our kings , which is in its kind , the greatest that ever was beheld , as its master is the greatest prince that ever yet appeared ; not , that i exhibit this picture to engage any person to copy it , but only to direct them how by the rules of a just comparison , and proportion of great things to little , they may take such measures , as they shall think most accommodated to their own particular conveniences . i will begin this chapter with the month of january , as i have done the two next preceeding ones , and shall tell you first , that in the month of january , we ought to be very well satisfied with the garden in question , if we find in it a reasonable quantity of winter lettuces planted in borders by walls , and covered with long straw , or straw screens . and secondly , if we find in it some squares of artichokes , and beet-chards well covered with long dung , with the like provision of cellery , endive , common parsly , and macedonian parsly , or alisanders , &c. and ordered after the same manner . and in the third place , some winter cabbages , ciboules , sorrel , and sallet furnitures , and if these two last be sheltred with some sort of covering . and if in the fourth place there be some squares of asparagus without any other artifice , than what is used to warm and force them in their cold beds , as i do , and have begun to do in november and december . all other kitchen-plants must be housed and laid up , as roots , onions , cardons , artichokes , collyflowers , &c. in the fifth place , we may be content if we find the fig-trees well covered , all places where trees should be , well filled up with trees , or at least , with holes digged , and trenches prepared , ready for planting them , or the roots of those bared and laid open , that begin to languish , in order to their cure. sixthly , if we see men busie in clearing the fruit-trees of moss , and other filth that spoils them , and if over and above that , we find there any hot beds for the novelties of the spring time , such as are strawberries , radishes , little sallets , peas , beans , cabbage lettuces , parsly , cucumbers , and musk-melon plantations , &c. if we likewise see some fig-trees and some other trees forced and advanced by artificial warmth , what then ought we not to say in praise of the gard'ner , especially if we find the walks and alleys kept neat and clean , and no garden tools or utensils any where neglected ? having told you what should compose the beauty of a kitchen-garden in the month of january , i think it needless to add any description of what makes it imperfect and disagreeable as well in that month , as in all the rest of which i shall afterwards treat , because any body may easily discern of himself , that 't is just the contrary and reverse of what i have just now specified , that is to say , a want of any thing that should be in it , negligence , slovinglyness , &c. which we are to look upon as the monsters of kitchen gardens . in the month of february , we must certainly expect to see the beginning of a great bustling and activity in garden works , we should now find the most part of those things flourishing , and grown pretty forward , that we told you were to be raised on hot beds , in the preceeding month , and if about the latter end of the month , the weather appear pretty temperate , and there happen so considerable a thaw as to promise an end of the great cold , our gard'ners should then begin to dig and manure the squares and the counter borders prepare the cold beds , sow those sorts of seeds that are long coming up , as parsly , onions , ciboules , leeks , &c. they must likewise now earnestly mind the pruning of trees , as well dwarfs , as wall-trees , and palisade or nail up these last for the first time , and particularly they must take care to make hot beds for the replanting of musk-melons and cucumbers , and for little sallets , radishes , cabbage-lettuces , &c. in march , when the sun begins to pleasure us with both indifferent fair , and pretty long days , and nature begins visibly to grow warm and active , our gard'ners also should with new and fresh vigour , and application , bestir themselves in all parts of their garden , and be seen indefatigably to pursue all the works i have mentioned in the particular treatise i made on that subject , and which therefore 't is not necessary to repeat here again ; so that if the extent of our ground be great , and the number of labourers proportionable , we should have the pleasure with one cast of an eye to see them diging , making up , sowing , planting , howing , weeding , graffing , pruning , &c. for in fine , before the month be out , the most part of the ground should be taken up either with seeds or plants , which are to serve for provision for the whole year . all that was before covered with dung , ought to be discharged of its coverings , which are now grown hidious , assoon as they cease to be necessary , and every thing ought to breath the free air , which begins now to cheer both animals and plants ; we should at this time have at least something to begin to gather , either of sallets or radishes , of the new season , if the hot beds of the foregoing months have not as yet obliged us with that pleasure ; but neatness and politeness ought particularly to glitter every where , and serve for a varnish to all the alleys , and the dressed grounds , that together with the first dawning of the rising green that is now springing out of the womb of the teeming earth , and the perfumed breath of those plants which heavens richer influences have made odoriferous , and the abundance of flowers which begin to display their beauties on every side , and the harmony of the pretty birds , which a sort of extraordinary gayety and briskness at this time inspires with amorous prattle , and with melodious airs to strive to out-vie each other . this neatness may concurr to make a theater of pleasure universally perfect , which may with irresistible allurements intice the curious to the divertisement of walking in so delicious a place . in the month of april , we are not to find any thing new to be done in our kitchen-gardens , unless it be an augmentation of hot beds for musk-melons and cucumbers . the earth in them should now be covered almost all over with a new decoration of infant plants ; here we should see artichokes rising as 't were from the dead , and there asparagus piercing the ground in a thousand places ; here we should with pleasure observe the cabbage lettuce wind up it self into round balls , and here that multitude of green herbs , and legumes , so different in colour , and so various in their shapes ; these , these are the innocent and natural dainties which there present themselves for the nourishment , and delicious entertainment of humane kind . the jacinth , the tulip , the anemone , the ranimculus , and so many other flowers , with what glories do they not adorn the gardens where they are ? that which is here to be remarked , is only the ordinary maintaining of what is already done and perfected ; but that which should most take up our thoughts is the hopes of a future crop of fruits , every one now being eager to run and view the trees that shed their blossoms , to see whether much fruit knit upon them or no , or else to visit the hot beds of musk-melons and cucumbers that seem to have taken well , to see how liberally they are like to recompence them for all the pains bestowed upon them . when the month of may comes in , what contentment have we not in useful gardens ; and how great are the sweets of enjoyment which we begin then to taste ? we have now no longer occasion to demand why such and such spots of ground are yet bare , spanish cardons , collyflowers , chard-beets , cellery , and even artichokes , and cabbage lettuces , which were not to appear so early , and for which those places were designed , coming to occupy them at the latter end of april , or beginning of this month , and purslain which because of the delicateness of its temper , had till now been retain'd in the seed closet , comes out at this time to gild the earth , and to offer it self in abundance to pleasure its master . the straw-berries beginning to come now to maturity open and lead the way to the other red fruits which are immediately to follow after them : green peas are ready to satisfie the longing appetire of the lickerish palate . mushrooms shoot up in crowds ; and in fine , of all the things contained in the alphabet i have premised before this treatise , there is hardly any but spinage , and mâches , that stave off the performance of their duty till august and september , for we may now see some little beginnings even of endive , and if hasting or early cherries were the first fruit that appeared in this month of may , the hasting apricocks , the little muscat pears , and the avant peaches , or forward peaches will not leave them long alone to enjoy the glory of being the sole riches and ornaments of our gardens , all these fruits being now preparing themselves to appear in a very few days ; the musk-melons likewise will not stay long behind them , &c. while the cucumbers with an infinite number both of lettuces and of other plants , satisfie both our palates and necessities , as the flowers together with the orange-trees , which in mid-may we carry abroad out of their houses , perform likewise their functions in delighting both our sight and smell . the parching heat of the month of june , hinders us indeed from going into our garden in the heat of the day , but what charms are there not in going to visit it morning and evening , when the cool breathings of a gentle zephir reign there with sovereign sway ? now is the season when we may visibly perceive with our eyes , all things to grow and thrive , and see a branch that five or six days before , was not above a foot long , now shot out to three or four . leeks are now planted , and squares covered with green herbs , compleat the tapestry ; that odorns the ground the vine flowers make an end of throughly embalming the air which was already all over perfumed with the grateful odour of the straw-berries . we gather in all parts , and at the same time with profusion distribute all those plants that are become so beautiful and accomplish'd ; we fill up the places again we had disfurnish'd , so that there hardly ever remains any part void ; and nature now affects no better divertisement than to be amazing us with miracles of fertillity , so well assisted as she is , by the kindly warmth of the father of light ; only she needs now and then the auxiliary refreshment of convenient moisture , moisture which the propitious clouds sometimes abundantly pour down , but which sometimes the gard'ners industry too is fain to supply her with in time of need . the cold beds and counterborders levelled and adjusted so even to a line , and so well furnish'd with cabbage-lettuces , what pleasure do they not afford to behold them ? that forest of artichokes of different colours which appears in a select and particular place , doth it not call out to the curious to come and admire them , and more especially to judge of their goodness and delicacy , whilst they are also passing their opinions of their beauty and abundance ? the palisades and pole-hedges so exquisitely well extended , and resounding with the warbling notes of chirping birds which we pass through in going to this kitchen-garden , commence the pleasure of their walk , compleat it at their going back , and inspire them with a longing desire to return again with all convenient speed . in these two months of july and august , kitchen-gardens should be so richly and happily endowed with whatsoever their condition is capable of , that we may find plenty of all things there both to satisfie the pleasures of the present , and provide for the necessities of the future time , so that let us require of them what we please , they may be as ready to answer as we to make our demands . as for example have we a mind to all or any sorts of herbs , roots , sallets , perfumes , &c. they will immediately furnish us with them ; have we a fancy to any musk-melons those chief and principal fruits of our climate ? we may smell them a great way off , and need but follow our noses and go and visit them , and stoop and gather them ; would we have any cucumbers , flat pumpions , or other pumpions or citrulls , mushrooms , &c. they will present us with store of them ; do our appetites further crave after artichokes , or pears , plums , figs. &c. we may be sure to find there a considerable quantity of all those things ; or , have we a mind likewise to have any sweet and aromatical herbs , as time , sage , savory , &c. or any relishing plants , as garlick , onions , ciboules , leeks , rocamboles , or spanish garlick , &c. there we need not fear to be supplied . nay , the four or five next preceeding months seem only to have laboured for these two last , so that we may expect all should go well in our gardens in this season , if we be provided with a good gard'ner , and which above all things , has the skill to chuse well , and judgment enough to know how and when to gather . the carnations now are no small ornaments to our gardens ; and the florists now are busie in couching their layers , and forget not to take their bulbous roots out of the earth , to lay them up in places of shelter and security . if in july and august our kitchen-gardens have signalized themselves by their musk-melons , cucumbers , legumes , and even by their plums , their first figs , and some few pears , &c. we shall see that in the months of september and october which succeed them , they will shew themselves exceedingly glorious in the matter of fruits which will be by the abundance of peaches , muscat , and chassela's grapes , of second figs , and of russelet , butter , verte longue , or long green , and bergamot pears , &c. this being undoubtedly the true season for fruits , and the time in the whole year wherein the country is most frequented . that moderate temper of the air which now keeps an agreeable medium between the great heat of the dog-days newly past , and the bitter cold that is to bring on winter ; this charming moderate temper i say , of the weather , invites out the inhabitants of the cities , to make a sally out to go and breath the free air of the countrey , and to assist at the diverting employment of the vintage , and gathering of fruits : and the gardens ought now to surpass in an infinite quantity of all they were accustomed to produce in other months , nor is it fit now to suffer one speck of ground to lie idle . for if any square has been newly disfurnished , as for example , a garlick onion , or shallot square , &c. we should take care to fill it up presently again with spinage , mâches , cheroil , ciboules , &c. the same course is to be taken with some beds of summer lettuces , which should be succeeded by a great number of endive plants , winter lettuces , &c. the bulbous roots of flowers must now be put into the earth again , to begin to take such new root as may defend them against the rigours of the approaching winter . the first white frosts of november that make the leaves of trees grow yellow , and loosen them from the places where they grew , that shrivel up and rot the leaves of endive , and of the larger lettuces , and that blacken the artichoke tops , &c. are as so many cruel , and dreadful fore-runners , that give us warning of the approach of winter that common and merciless enemy of all vegetation : and therefore we must take care early to secure in our conservatory or store-house , all that is liable to be spoiled by the cold without-doors , and besides , to cover with long dry dung , that which we cannot conveniently take out of the ground , and which yet will run great hazard of perishing without being sheltered with some covering , and so in this kind of hasty breaking up , and removing , i would have every body extraordinary busie in plying their duty , and i would advise our gard'ner to increase the number of his labourers , to prevent the damage he is theat'ned with . the prickle baskets , and hand-barrows should at this time be plyed with the greatest vigour and diligence , so that there may be always the one going thither and coming away again loaden with such things as are to be laid up or housed in the store-house or conservatory , and the other filled with dung , to cover that which is to be left upon the ground . in a word , i cannot tell how to pardon those that either by imprudence or negligence , let themselves be surprized in such important occasions as this , for i would not have them indulge themselves any rest at all , till all their business be done : i would likewise have the store-house or conservatory well filled , and all things in it placed in a regular order . and i would have the whole garden put on as 't were another strange and new kind of cloathing , and such a cloathing as at another time would render it ugly and disagreeable . i need not name here of what stuff it must be composed , we may smell well enough , that it must be generally of long dung. the month of december , is still not without standing in need of a great deal of activity , for it often happens that the preceeding month proves too short to let us finish all that should be done in it , which must therefore be made an end of in this , and that particularly if the cold have not yet made all the havock it is capable of : we must then mind exactly to do all i have directed to be done under the head of the works of this month ; so that we should expect to see now a great diligence used to prepare the novelties of the following spring ; to clear the places of old hot beds , and to make preparation for the making of new ones with all imaginable expedition , and care taken not only to have a good provision of long dung , and a great many glass-bells , but likewise to keep all the glass-frames in good repair , &c. and here i shall not forget to recommend to those curious persons who are blessed with the means to do it , the care to force asparagus , and to recruit their beds with new warmth as often as their great heat shall begin to flag . it is a work indeed of no inconsiderable pains and expence , but the pleasure to see growing in the midst of the severest frost and snow , abundance of asparagus , both thick , green , and every way most excellent , is great enough to take us off from grudging at our cost or trouble , and it may be truly said , that 't is a priviledge hardly belonging to any but our king , to taste of such a pleasure as that , which is perhaps none of the least which his versailles has afforded him by the care i have had the honour to take of it for that effect ; and i may add , that 't is certainly the only place in the world , where a ground naturally cold , backward and unfruitful , was ever seen to be forced to bear in the midst of the hardest winter , what the best grounds produce not but in temperate seasons . chap. v. what sort of ground is proper to each legume and kitchen-plant . it is certain , there are certain sorts of grounds which want none of the good qualities required to make them produce in every season , and for a long time together , all sorts of fair and good legumes , supposing always , that they be reasonably well cultivated : and there are some that besides that , have the faculty to produce them more early some than others , and they are such grounds as they commonly call black sands , in which is found an equal temper between dry and moist , accompanied with a good exposition , and with an inexhaustible salt of fertility , rendring them easie to be entred by the spade , and to be penetrated by the rain waters : but on the other hand , it is no less certain that it is rare enough to find any of these perfect sorts of earth , and that on the contrary , it is very usual to meet with those that offend either in being too dry , light , and parching , or over moist , heavy and cold , or else by being unfortunately situated , as being some of them too high , some too sloping , and some again too low , and too much in a bottom . happy are those gard'ners that meet with those first sorts of ground that are so admirably well disposed for cultivation , in which they have hardly ever any bad success to fear , but commonly all manner of good fortune to expect : on the other side unhappy , or at least much to be pitied are those whose lot it is to have always some of the great enemies of vegetation to combat with , i mean , either great drought , or more especially excessive moisture , because this last , besides that it is always attended with a chilling cold that retards its productions , is likewise apt to rot the greatest part of the plants , and consequently , it is very difficult to correct , and almost impossible entirely to surmount so great a defect , but it is not altogether so difficult to qualifie a dry temper , for provided it be not extream great , and that we have the convenience of water to water it , and of dung to amend and inrich it , we are masters of two soveraign and infallible remedies , which we must apply for its cure . and so by care and pains we may get the conquest over those dry and stubborn lands , and force them to bring forth in abundance all things we shall regularly demand of them . it follows thence , that when we are so happy as to meet with those choice good sorts of ground , we may indifferently both sow and plant every where in them , any sorts of legumes or plants whatsoever , with an assured confidence , that they will prosper there . the only subjection we are obliged to in such grounds is , first , to weed much , because they produce abundance of weeds among the good herbs , and secondly to be often removing our legumes , and changing their places , which is an essential point of practice in all sorts of gardens , it being not at all convenient to place for two or three times together , the same vegetables in the same piece of ground , because the nature of the earth requires these sorts of changes , as being as 't were assured in this diversity , to find wherewithall to recruit and perpetuate its first vigour . and though in those good grounds all things prosper admirably well , yet is it a most undoubted truth , that southern and eastern expositions are here as well as every where else , more proper than those of the west and north , to forward , and improve its productions , witness strawberries , hasting peas , cherries and muscat-grapes , &c. to balance which , these last expositions have likewise some peculiar advantages , that make them to be esteemed in their turn ; for example , during the excessive heats of summer , that often scorch up every thing , and make our legumes and other plants run up too hastily to seed , they are exempt from those violent impressions , which the sun makes upon those places that are fully exposed to his burning rays , and consequently our plants will , maintain themselves longer in good plight in those situations than in the others . it also follows from hence , that if any person have ground , though tolerably good , yet not of an equal goodness all over , either caused by the difference of its natural temper , or situation , and sloping inclination upwards or downwards , that then i say , the skill and industry of the gard'ner shews it self , by knowing how to allot every plant the place in which it may best come to maturity in every season , as well in regard of forwardness , and sometimes of backwardness , as of its outward beauty , and inward perfection . generally speaking , those grounds that are moderately dry , light , and sandy , and such as though they be a little strong and heavy , are situated on a gentle rising towards the south or west , and are backed by great mountains , or fenced by high walls against the cold winds , are more disposed to produce the novelties of the spring , than the strong , heavy , fat and moist sands , but likewise on the other hand , in summers when there falls but little rain , these last produce thicker and better nourisht legumes , and require not such large and frequent waterings , so that we may find some sort of consolation and satisfaction in all sorts of grounds . however though absolutely speaking , all things that may enter into a kitchen-garden , may grow in all sorts of grounds that are not altogether barren , yet it has been observed in all times , that all sorts of earth agree not equally with all sorts of plants , our able market gard'ners in the neighbourhood of paris , justifie the truth of this by a most convincing experience , for we see that such of them whose gardens are in sandy grounds , seldom mind to plant in them any artichokes , collyflowers , beet-chards , onions , cardons , cellery , beet-raves or red beet-roots , and other roots , &c. as those do that have theirs in stronger and more hearty lands , and on the contrary , these last employ not their ground in sorrel , purslain , lettuce , endive , and other small plants that are delicate and subject to perish with mildew , and the wet rot as do those whose gardens are in lighter lands . from all that i have asserted , there result two things , the first is , that an able gard'ner which has a pretty dry or hilly ground to cultivate with an obligation to have of all sorts of things in his garden , should place in the moistest parts those plants that require a little moisture to bring them to perfection , as artichokes , red beet-roots , scorzonera's , salsisies , carrots , parsnips , skirrets , beet-chards , collyflowers and cabbages , spinage , common peas , beans , currans , gooseberries , raspberries , onions , ciboules , leeks , parsly , sorrel , radishes , patience or dock-sorrel , sweet herbs , borage bugloss , &c. and ( supposing the provisions above specified , without which nothing will be sightly , be already planted in its other parts ) he should fill up the drier parts of the same garden with lettuces of all seasons , endive , succory , chervil , tarragon , basil , burnet , mint , and other sallet-furnitures , and purslain , garlick , shalots , winter-cabbages , hot beds of all sorts of plants , and of little sallets ; he may likewise plant in the same places what grapes he has a mind to , and he must place his legumes there at moderate distances , because they grow not of so large a size and stature there , as in fatter places . and lastly , he must keep his walks and path-ways higher than his dressed grounds , as well to draw into these latter the rain waters that would be but unuseful and incommodious in the walks , as to render the artificial waterings he shall be obliged to use , of the greater advantage to them , by preventing them from running out any where aside , which must be one of his principal applications . he must also chuse out in the same grounds those parts which come the nearest to the good temper between dry and moist , for the raising of asparagus , strawberries , cardons , cellery , &c. because these sorts of plants languish with drowth in places too dry , and perish with rottenness in parts over-moist . he must place in the borders under his northern walls his alleluia's , latter strawberries , and bourdelais , or verjuice grapes , and in the counter-borders of the same northern quarter , he may make his nursery beds for strawberries , and sow chervil all the summer long , the north side in all sorts of grounds , being most proper for those purposes . and as this gard'ner should be curious of novelties , he ought to look upon the banks under the walls towards the south and east to be a marvellous and favourable shelter for the raising them ; as for example , for the procuring of strawberries and early peas at the beginning of may , violets at the entrance of march , and cabbage-lettuces at the beginning of april . he should likewise plant in the dressed banks next to the same eastern and western walls , his nursery of cabbages , and sow there his winter lettuces , that is , shell-lettuces , to remain there all autumn and winter , till in the spring it be time to transplant them into the places where they are to come to perfection ; he should likewise plant in the borders of the same walls , his passe-pierre , or sampire , which he can hardly have by any other means , which course is to be followed in all sorts of gardens ; and in the winter time he should likewise observe this particular caution to throw all the snow off from the neighbouring places upon the dressed borders of those wall-trees , and especially those of the eastern quarter , both for the erecting of a magazine , as 't were of moisture in such places upon which the rain but seldom falls , as upon those in which the violent heat of summer is like to be of pernicious influence . the second thing that results from what i before laid down , is , that the gard'ner whose garden is in a very fat and moist ground , must take a quite contrary method with all his plants to that just now above mentioned ; always assuring himself that those parts of it which are very moist , unless he can find means to drain and render them lighter , will be of no other use to him than to produce noxious weeds , and consequently , that those which partake the least of that intemperature , whether by their own nature and situation , or by the care and industry of the ingenious gard'ner , are always to be lookt upon as the best for all sorts of things . he must place in the driest parts most of those plants that keep in their places for several years together , excepting currans , goose-berries , and raspberry bushes ; as for example , asparagus , artichokes , strawberries , wild endive or succory , &c. in other places , let him put those things which in summer require the least time to come to perfection , viz. sallets , peas , beans , radishes , nay and cardons , cellery , &c. and because all things grow thick and tall in those fat and moist places , therefore he must plant his kitchen-plants there , at greater distances one from the other , than in drier places ; he must also keep his beds and dressed grounds , raised higher than his walks and path-ways , to help to drain out of his grounds the water that is so hurtful to his plants , and for that reason , his beds of asparagus , especially , as likewise his strawberry and cellery beds , &c. no more than those of his sallets must not be made hollow , as those must be that are made in drier grounds . i have had good success in the new kitchen-garden at versailles , where the ground is fat , viscous , and as 't were clayie , by raising in the midst of it , certain large squares where the frequent rain waters in the summer , of the year . remained without penetrating above seven or eight inches deep , and by having given to the said squares by the means of that elevation , a sloping descent on each side , all along the bottom of which i made at the same time some little dikes or water-courses about a foot deep , as well to separate the squares from the counterborders as particularly to receive the mischievous waters which by staying on the squares , otherwise would ruine all the plants in them ; which waters afterwards discharged themselves into stone gutters which i had purposely ordered to be made to carry them off . i afterwards raised most of the counterborders in the same manner , arch-wise , that what water might remain in them might shoot off into the sides of the walks , all along which there were other little dikes almost unperceivable , to receive those waters and convey them into the same stone gutters-newly above mentioned ; and i can truly affirm , that before i used this precaution , all that i had in those squares , not only of kitchen-plants , even to the most rustical and hardy sort of them , as artichokes , beet-chards , &c. but to the very fruit-trees were visibly perceived to perish , the plants with the rot , and the trees with the jaundice , besides which mischiefs , the winds easily threw up my trees by the roots , because they could hardly take any fast hold in that kind of ground that were grown liquid and soft like new made mortar , or pap. my forecast and diligence were a great help to me in that cas , eand i sincerely advise all those that shall have to do with places of the like difficulty , to use the same method , if they can find out no better expedient . the reasoning by which i was induced to this way of proceeding , was this : that though the excessive quantity of water did reduce that unhappy sort of ground to a kind of marsh , and thereby disposed it afterwards by the operation of the great heat to grow as hard as a stone , and consequently rendred it uncapable of culture in either of those two states wet , or dry , yet i say , my reason suggested to me , that if i could hinder the first inconvenience which was the rendring of this ground too liquid and marshy , it would be an infallible means to secure me against the second , which was to see them grow hard and stony , because i concluded , that if my grounds having been once made light and loose , could be kept reasonably dry after that , as they would be if the waters were hindred from lodging in them , they would not be any more so closely glued together as to grow into any such kind of stony consistence , but would become tractable like other lands ; and accordingly i found my reasoning answered by the success which i expected . chap. vi. what sort of culture is most proper for every particular plant. it is a very considerable advance to have settled a garden upon a good foot at first and to have wisely employed , or at least assigned out all its parts according to the different qualifications of its ground , the goodness of its expositions , the order of the months , and the nature of each plant ; but that is not all , we must likewise carefully cultivate them , in such a manner as they peculiarly require . for there is a general culture of kitchen-gardens , and there is a particular culture peculiar to each plant. as to the general culture , it is well enough known , that the most necessary and important points of it consist first , in well amending and mucking the earth , whether it be naturally good or not , because kitchen-plants exhaust it much ; secondly , in keeping it always loose and stirred , either by digging up whole beds , to sow or transplant in them , &c. or such other places where the spade may be employed , as for example , among artichokes , cardons , &c. or by pecking and grubbing up where the closeness of the plants to one another , will permit us to use only grubbing instruments , as for example , among straw-berries , lettuces , endive , peas , beans , cellery , &c. thirdly , in watering plentifully all sorts of plants in very hot weather , and especially in sandy grounds , for those that are strong and rank require not so much , always observing that in both sorts of ground , watering is not so necessary for asparagus , nor for borders or edgings of time , sage , lavender , hissop , rue , worm-wood , &c. which need but little moisture to keep them in good plight ; fourthly , it consists in keeping the superficies of our ground clear of all sorts of weeds , either by weeding , or digging , or by only raking them over , when they have not been long dressed , so that as far as 't is possible , the earth may always appear as if it had been newly stirred up . i shall not insist any longer here upon the head of the general culture , because it is so well known to all people , but shall only declare my opinion and the practice of able gard'ners in that which is peculiarly to be used to each particular plant . and i shall begin with observing to you , that among kitchen-plants , there are some that are sown to remain still in the place where they were first , and others again , only to be transplanted elsewhere ; that there are some that prove well both ways ; some that are multiplied without seed , some that are transplanted whole , and some that are cut to be transplanted ; that there are some which for the supply of man-kind , bear several times in a year , and that last longer than a year ; others that produce but once in a year , but yet last to bear for several years after ; and lastly some again , that perish after their first production . the plants of the first class , are radishes , almost all red beet-roots , carrots , parsnips , skirrets , turneps , maches , reponces , scorzonera's , salsifies , and besides them , garlick , chervil , wild endive , or succory , harts-horn sallet , garden-cresses , shallots , spinage , beans , small lettuce to cut , parsly , burnet , cutting beets , peas , purslain , &c. and the greatest part of our sorrel , patience or sharp-leav'd dock , onions , and ciboulees . the plants of the second class which succeed not without being transplanted , are chard-beets , cellery , and the greatest part of our white endive , both long and tied , and cabbages , unless they be sown very thin , or be very much thinn'd after they are sown ; of this class are also cabbages , most musk-melons , and cucumbers , citrulls or pumpions , potirons or flat pumpions , leeks , &c. those of the third class , that is , such as may be indifferently either continued in the places where they are first sown , or transplanted elsewhere , are asparagus , though most commonly they are sown at first in nurseries , to be transplanted a year or two after ; as also basil , fennel , anis , borage , bugloss , cardons , capucin capers or nasturies , ciboulees , savory , time , musked chervil , &c. the plants of the fourth class that are multiplied without being sown , are alleluia , or wood-sorrel , english cives , violets , &c. because they grow into thick tufts which are separated into many ; artichokes are propagated by their eyes , off-sets , or slips ; mint , and round sorrel , tripe madame , tarragon , balm , &c. by their layers or branches that take root where they touch the earth , the two last of which have also the advantage of multiplying by seed , as likewise have the artichokes sometimes . straw-berries propagate by their runners , rasp-berries , goose-berries , and currans , by their slips , or suckers , and by their cuttings which also take root . lavender , worm-wood , sage , time , and marjoram , by their branches which take root at their joints , and are also multiplied by their seed ; the common bays , both by layers and seed too ; vines , and fig-trees , by their suckers , hooked slips , and cuttings whether rooted or not rooted . in the fifth place , those plants of which we cut off some part either of the leaves or roots or both at the same time , in order to transplant them , are artichokes , chard-beets , leeks , cellery , &c. and those others whose leaves we do not cut at all , though it be good always to trim their roots a little to refresh them , are endive , and succory , most commonly , and savory , sorrel , &c. and all lettuces , alleluia or wood-sorrel , violets , basil , arrach or orage , borage , bugloss , capucin capers or nasturces , cabbages , tarragon , samphire , straw-berries , marjoram , musk-melons , cucumbers , citrulls or pumpions , purslain ; and radishes for seed , &c. the plants that bring forth several times in a year , and yet last for some years following , are sorrel , patience or sharp dock , alleluia or wood-sorrel , burnet , chervil , parsley , fennel , all edging , or sweet herbs , wild endive or succory , macedonian parsley or alisanders , mint , tarragon , samphire , &c. those that produce but once in the year , but yet last bearing for several years together afterwards , are asparagus , and artichokes . and lastly , those that cease to be useful after their first production , are all lettuces , common endive , peas , beans , cardons , melons , cucumbers , citrulls or pumpions , onions , leeks , cellery , arrach or orage , and all plants whose roots are only in use , as red beets , carrots , &c. now to give you a particular account of the culture that belongs to every several sort of plant , i must tell you , that this culture consists , first , in observing the distances they are to be placed at one from the other ; second , in the triming of such as need it ; third , in planting them in that situation , and disposition , which they require ; fourth , in giving them those assistances which some of them have need of to bring them to perfection , or which are convenient for them , whether it be by typing up , or wrapping about , or earthing up , or otherwise covering them , &c. i begin in the alphabetical order a. alis anders : see macedonian parsley . alleluia , or wood-sorrel , when it grows old , grows into tufts , and being a plant that grows in the woods , and consequently that loves the shade , we therefore plant it along by the sides of our northern walls , at the distance of about one foot between one plant and another ; the more we strip it of its leaves , which is one good quality it has , the more fresh ones it shoots forth : it is enough to set it two inches into the ground ; it lasts three or four years without being renewed , and to renew it , we need do no more than to separate or slip out the great tufts of it into several little ones , and replant them again immediately , which is to be done in the months of march and april ; a little watering in very hot weather , and especially in sandy grounds , is a very great and welcome help to them . anis and fennel are commonly sown pretty thin , either in surrows , or borders ; their leaves are used in sallets among other furnitures . they run to seed towards the month of august , and when their stalks are cut down , they shoot out new leaves the next year that are as good as the first , but however it is best to renew them every two years . arrach , orrach , or orage , is propagated only by seed , and is both one of the quickest both in coming up , and in running to seed , which latter it does at the very beginning of june . it is sown pretty thin , and to have good seed of it , we must transplant some plants of it in some separate place . the leaf of this plant is very good both in pottage , and in stuffings or farces ; we use it almost as soon as it peeps out of the earth , for it passes away very quickly ; and to have some the more early , we sow a little quantity of it upon a hot bed : it thrives well enough in all sorts of grounds , but yet it grows always fairer in good grounds than in but indifferent ones . aromatick or sweet , or spicy herbs such as are planted in edgings of borders , as marjoram , time , sage , rosemary , &c. see their culture under the several titles of each of those particular herbs . artichokes , as we have already elsewhere told you , are multiplied by their eyes , suckers , slips , or off-sets , which every plant of them usually shoots out every year in the spring , round about its old root , and which must be taken off as soon as they are grown big enough , leaving only at each place three of the best and furthest distant one from the other . for the planting them , we commonly make little trenches , or pits about half a foot deep , and three foot distant one from another , and filled with mold , and we place two rows of them regulated by a line , in each bed , which is to be full four foot broad , and parted from the next bed by a path-way of one full foot ; these trenches of pits are to be made at about half a foot 's distance from the edge of the bed , and checquerwise one towards the other ; we place two slips in a right line in each space containing between nine and ten inches in length . we must renew them once every three years at least , cut off their leaves at the beginning of winter , and cover them with long dry dung during all the very cold weather till the end of march , when we must uncover them , and slip them , if their slips be yet big enough , or else stay three weeks or a month longer till they be , then we must labour and move the earth well about them , and dung them with the rottenest part of that dung that served them for a covering ; we water them moderately once or twice a week , till about the end of may , their fruit begins to appear , and from that time we must water them plentifully , that is two or three times a week , during the whole summer , allowing half a pitcher full of water to each plant , and especially in grounds naturally dry ; those planted in the spring , should bring their fruit to perfection in autumn following , if well watered , and they which do not , ought to yield their first fruit in the next spring after , in case they be strong enough to resist the sharpness of the winter . artichokes have not only the hard weather , and excess of wet to fear , but they have the field mice likewise for their enemies , those mischievous little animals gnawing their roots in the winter-time , when they find nothing better in the gardens , and for that reason , it 's good to plant one rank of beet-chards between two ranks of artichokes , that the field-mice finding the roots of these last the tendrer of the two , may fall upon them instead of the others , as they never fail to do . there are three sorts of artichokes , viz. the green , or otherwise white ones , which are the most early , the violet ones , whose fruit is almost of a pyramidal figure , and the red ones which are round , and flat like the white ones . the two last sorts are the most delicious . artichoke chards . see chards . asparagus are sown at the beginning of the spring like other seeds , that is , they are sown in some bed well prepared ; they must be sown indifferent thin , and raked with an iron rake , to cover them with earth . about a year after , if they be big enough , as they will be , if the ground be good , and well prepared ; or if not , at least at two years end , we must tranplant them , which is to be done about the end of march , and all the month of april ; and for that effect we must have beds between three and four foot broad , and separated one from the other ; if it be in ordinary ground , we dig these beds hollow with a good spade , throwing up the earth we take out of them upon the path-ways ; and as to strong , heavy and moist grounds , i would have them ordered as i have done the kitchen-garden at versailles , that is to say , i would not have the beds in them at all laid hollow , but on the contrary , raised and kept higher than the path-ways , too much wet being mortal to these plants . asparagus thus sown shoot out tufts of roots round about their eye , or mother root ; that is to say , round the place from whence all their shoots are to spring , which roots spread between two earths , and in order to transplant them either into a hollow bed , or a high raised bed , we bestow a good thorough tillage on the bottom of the trench , and if the ground be not very good , we dung it a little , and afterward we plant two or three stocks of these young plants , orderly in ranks upon the super●icies of the bed prepared for them , without needing to trim the extremity of their roots , or at least , but a very little , and if our intention be , to force these asparagus by an artificial heat , when they are grown big enough , we place them at a foot distance one from the other , and if they be to remain to grow after the usual manner , we allow them at a foot and a half 's distance , but in both cases , we place them checquerwise , and when they are so placed , we cover them up again with two or three inches depth of earth : if any of them fail to spring up , we may reimplace them with new ones two or three months after , which is to be done in the same manner as we planted the others , only taking care to water the new planted ones sometimes during the great heat , and to keep them always well weeded , and well dug about , or else we mark out with little sticks the empty places , and stay till the spring before we fill them up again . every year we cover the bed with a little earth taken off from the path-way , because instead of sinking , they always are rising by little and little : we dung them moderately every two years , and let them shoot up the first three or four years without gathering any , till we see them begin to grow pretty thick , and then we may force as many as we please of them , or if not , we continue to gather of them every year a crop for fifteen years , before we need to renew them . every year about martlemas , we cut down all their stems , every stock producing several stems , and take the seed of the fairest of them for seed , if we would have them come to bear at the time above-mentioned . to draw them out of their nursery-beds , we use an iron fork , the spade being too dangerous for that work , because it would cut , and hurt those little plants . we must not fail every year at the latter end of march , or beginning of april , that is , before the asparagus begin to sprout naturally , to bestow a small dressing or stirring of the ground about three or four inches deep , on every bed , taking care not to let the spade go so deep , as to hurt the plants ; which small dressing serves , both to kill the weeds and to render the superficies of the earth loose , and thereby not only the better to dispose it to drink up the rain , and the may-dew that nourishes the stocks , but likewise to facilitate the passage of the asparagus in sprouting . the particular and most dreadful enemies of asparagus are a sort of little fleas , that fasten upon their shoots , make them miscarry , and hinder them from thriving ; they are most troublesome in very hot and dry years , not appearing at all in other years ; there has been no remedy found yet against this mischief . b. balm , called in french melisse , is an odoriferous herb , whose leaf when tender , makes a part of sallet-furnitures . it is multiplyed both by seed , and by rooted branches , like lavender , time , hyssop , &c. basil is an annual plant , that is very delicate . we seldom sow it but upon hot beds , and not in open ground , as we do purslain , lettuce , &c. we begin to sow some in that manner at the very beginning of february , and we may continue so to do the whole year . it s tender leaves are mixed in a small quantity , with the furnitures of sallets , among which , they make an agreeable perfume ; it is likewise used in ragou's , especially dry ones , for which reason , we take care to keep some for winter . we gather its seed in the month of august ; and usually to make it run to seed , we transplant it in the month of may , either in pots , or beds . there are several sorts of it , but that which bears the biggest leaves , and especially if they incline to a violet colour , and that which bears the least leaves , are the two most curious ; that which produces midling ones , being the ordinary or common sort . the common bays , or bay-tree , is a shurb of no very great use in our gardens , and therefore it is enough to have some few plants of it in some well sheltered place , to gather some leaves of them when occasion requires . beans , as well those of the common , and garden sort , as those called kidney-beans , and french-beans , and in french , aricôs , are sown in open ground , and grow not otherwise ; the aricô french , or kidney-beans , are sown about the latter end of april , and all the month of may , and are very sensible of the frost ; the common garden beans are sown at the same time with hasting-peas , both in november , and in february . hot beds . see the works in november . bete-raves , or red beet-roots , are annual plants propagated only by seed , and are seldom transplanted . they are sown in the month of march , either in beds or borders . they must be sown very thin , or at least if they come up too thick they must be very much thinned , or else they will not grow so fair and large as they should be . they require a very good , and well prepared ground : they are the best that have the reddest substance and the reddest tops : they are not good to spend till towards the end of autumn , and all the winter season . to have seed of them , we transplant in march some of the last years roots that we have preserved from the frost , their seed is gathered in the months of august and september . white , or chard-beets : see chards . borage and bugloss , grow and are to be ordered in the same manner as arrach , only they come not up so vigorously . we sow of them several times in the same summer , because their leaves , in which consists all their excellence , are good only whilst they are tender , that is , while they are young . their little violet colour'd flowers serve to adorn sallets . their seed falls assoon as 't is ripe , and therefore must be carefully watch'd : the surest way is to cut down the stalks , and lay them a drying in the sun , assoon as ever the seeds begin to ripen , and by that means we shall lose but very few . bourdelai's , otherwise called verjuice , as well the white , as red sort , is a kind of vine which is pruned , and slipt , or layed , and graffed and planted as other vines are in the months of january , february , and march. care must be taken to tie up its branches , either to props , or some sort of trail , about the middle of june at latest , or else the wind destroys it quite : we must also pick and pluck off the weak and unprofitable branches of these vines ; and when we prune them , 't is enough to leave two , three , or four fair branches at most upon each stock , and to keep them not above three or four buds long , every one of which usually shoots forth one bearing branch , with three or four fair bunches of grapes upon each branch . my practice is in all sorts of vines , but particularly in the muscat or musked sorts , to keep the lower branches shorter by two buds , than the highest , to keep the plant always low , when i would not have them mount up upon a trail . buckshorn-sallet : see hartshorn-sallet . burnet , called in french pimprenelle , or pimpernelle , is a very common and ordinary sallet furniture , which is seldom sown but in the spring , and is sown thick either in beds or borders . it often springs afresh after cutting , of which the youngest shoots must be chosen for sallets , the leaves that are any thing old being too tough . it does it a great deal of good to water it in summer . there is but one sort of it whose seed is gathered at the end of summer . c. cabbages of all sorts of kitchen-plants take root again the easiliest when transplanted , as they are likewise the most known , and most used of any in our whole gardens . they are multiplied by seed , and are of several sorts and seasons . there are some called white , or headed cabbages , which are for the service of the latter end of summer , and for autumn . there are some curled , called pancaliers , and milan cabbages , which produce small headed cabbages , for winter ; there are some of a red or violet colour ; and some called long sided cabbages , whereof some are bright or white , and very delicate , ripe in vintage time , and others green , and are not very good till they be frost-bitten . lastly , there are some called choux fleurs , i. e. cabbage flowers , and by the english collyflowers , which are the most noble and valuable of them all , and are not used in pottage , but in choice intermesses ; they cannot endure the frost , and therefore assoon as they begin to form their heads , they must be covered with their leaves tied up for that end over them , with straw bands , to guard them from the insults of the cold that spoil and rot them . they are for our winter spending , and must be sheltred in the green house or conservatory , whither they must be carried and there planted with a turf of their old earth , about them , where they commonly are used to perfect the full growth of their heads . all other cabbage-plants yield seed in france , but only these , whose seed we are fain to have brought up from the eastern countries , which makes them ordinarily very dear . to make cabbages run to seed , we use every year either in autumn or spring to transplant some of the best and fairest of them , which run to seed in the months of may and june , that is gathered in july and august . you are by the way to remark two things ; the first is , that all thick plants that run to seed , and grow pretty high , as cabbage , leeks , ciboules , onions , red beet-roots , carrots , parsnips , cellery , &c. must be supported either with upright props , or cro●s sticks , to hinder the wind from breaking down their stems before the seed be ripe . the second is , that we seldom stay to let any seeds dry upon their plants as they stand , it being enough to let them only ripen , when we cut down their stems , and lay them to dry upon some cloth , after which , we beat them out , and fan and cleanse them and lay them up when they are fully dry : and thus we do with the seeds of cresses , chervil , parsley , radishes , borage , bugloss , &c. ordinary capers grow upon a sort of small shrub that is raised in niches made purposely in well exposed walls , for that end , which are filled with earth to nourish the plants ; and every year in the spring we prune their branches , which afterwards shoot out buttons or swelling buds , which are pickled up in vinegar to be used in winter , either in sallets , or in pottage . capucine-capers , or nasturces , are annual plants which are usually sown in hot beds , in the month of march , and transplanted again in the naked earth along by some walls , or at the foot of some trees , where their mounting stalks which are but weak , and grow pretty high may take some hold , to support themselves . they are also planted in pots , and boxes , in which some sticks are set up to support their stalks . their buttons or round buds before they open , are good to pickle in vinegar . their flower is pretty large of an orange colour , and very agreeable . they must be carefully watered in the summer , to make them shoot vigorously , and so long time as they should . their seed falls to the earth assoon as ever 't is ripe , as well as that of borage and bugloss , and therefore must be carefully gathered up . caprons , are a sort of large straw-berries , not over delicate , which ripen at the same time as those of the better kind . their leaves are extraordinary large , velveted and of a darkish green colour . they are little to be prized , and are found in the woods as other straw-berries are . spanish cardons or cardoons , grow only from seed . they are sown at two several times . the first is commonly about the middle , or latter end of april , and the second , at the beginning of may. they must be sown in good and well prepared ground , and in little trenches or pits a full foot wide , and about six inches deep , filled with mold . we make beds of four or five foot wide , in order to place in them two ranks of those little trenches or pits checker-wise . we put five or six seeds in every hole , with intention to let but two or three of them grow , if they all come up , taking away those that are over and above that number , either to throw away , or to new stock those places where there perhaps are none come up , or where we may have sown some few upon a hot bed for that intention . and if in fifteen or twenty days we do not see the seed come up , we should uncover them , to see whether they be rotten , or begin to sprour , that so we may fill up their places with new ones in case of need . the seeds of the first sowing are generally three weeks coming up , and those of the second fifteen days . cardons must not be sown before the middle of april , for fear they should grow too big , and run to seed in august and september , and then they are not good . great care must be taken to water them well ; and when towards the end of october , we have a mind to whiten them , we take the advantage of some dry day , first to tie up all their leaves with two or three bands , and some days after , we cover them quite up with straw or dry litter well twisted about them , so that the air may not penetrate to come at them , except it be at the very top , which we leave open . these cardoon plants thus wrapt up , whiten in about fifteen days or three weeks , and grow fit to eat . we make an end of tying up , and wrapping , or covering all that we have in our gardens , when we perceive the winter approach , and then we take them up with the earth about them , to transplant them in our green house , or conservatory : some of those plants are good to transplant in the naked earth in the following spring , to run to seed in june , or july , or else some plants of them tied up in their first places , will serve for that three or four times together . carrots are a sort of root , whereof some are white , and others yellow , that grow only from seed , and require the same care and ordering which we have already described under the head of red beet-roots . cellery , is a sort of sallet produced by seed , and is not good but at the end of autumn , and during the winter season . we sow of it two several times , to be supplied with it so much the longer , because that which has been long sown , easily runs to seed , and grows hard . we sow it then the first time upon hot beds in the beginning of april , and because its seed is so extream small , we cannot help sowing it too thick , so that if we be not careful to thin it , and crop it in time , to make it grow to some strength and bigness before we transplant it , it warps and flags its head too much , and grows weak , and shoots its leaves straglingly outward , instead of producing store of them from the middle of its stock . the surest way is to transplant it in a nursery bed , placing the plants two or three inches one from another , for which we make holes with our fingers only ; we transplant that which comes of the first sowing at the beginning of june , and sow our second sowing , at the latter end of may , or beginning of june , but 't is in open beds , and we take the same care to thin , crop , and transplant this , as we did that of the first sowing , but we must plant more of it the second time , than at the first . there are two ways of transplanting it ; the one is in a pit or trench one full spit deep , and between three and four foot broad , in order to place in it three or four ranks of these plants at the distance of one foot from one another : this way of making hollow beds earth up our cellery in , is good only in dry grounds , wet ones being too apt to rot , it . the second way of transplanting it , is in plain beds that are not made hollow , and at the same distances as in the other , taking care in both sorts of beds to water them extreamly in summer time , its chief goodness consisting in being tender , as well as in being very white . watering contributes to the first kind of goodness , and for the second , you are to observe , that to whiten cellery , we begin at first to tie it with two bands when it is big enough , chusing dry weather for that effect , and afterward we earth our cellery plants quite up , with earth taken off the high raised path-ways , or else cover it all over with a good quantity of long dry dung , or dry leaves , as we do cardoons . cellery so earthed up with dry earth , or clothed with long dry dung , or dry leaves , to the very top of its leaves , whitens in three weeks or a month , and because when 't is whited , it rots as it stands , if it be not presently eaten , by consequence , we are not to earth it up , or cover it with dung , but in such proportion as we are able to spend out of hand ; there needs no other precaution to be used to it so long as it does not freeze ; but as soon as ever it begins to set to freeze , we must then cover up our cellery quite over head and ears , for a hard frost spoils it presently . and that we may the more easily cover it , after we have first tied it up with two or three bands , we take it up with the earth about it , at the beginning of winter , and plant it in another bed , setting the plants as close as we can one to another , and then there needs much less stuff to cover them , than when they are left standing in their old places at such great distances asunder . the way to raise seed from them , is , to transplant some plants of them in some by-place , after winter is past , which will not fail to run to seed in the month of august , we know but one sort of it . chards of artichokes , otherwise called costons , are the leaves of fair artichoke plants tied , and wrapt up with straw in autumn and winter , which being covered up all over but at their very top , with straw , grow white , and by that means , lose a little of their bitterness , so that when they are boiled , they are served up like true spanish cardons , but after all , are not so good , and besides the plants often rot and perish whilst we are whiting them . chard-beets are plants of white beets transplanted in a well prepared bed , at the distance of a full foot one from the other , which produce great tops , that in the middle have a large white , and thick downy cotton-like main shoot , and that downy cotton-like shoot is the true chard used in pottages and intermesses . after we have sown white beets upon hot beds , or in the naked earth , in the month of march , we transplant that which is yellowest in beds purposely prepared , and by taking care to water them well during the summer , they grow big and strong enough to resist the hard winter cold , provided care be taken to cover them with long dry dung , just as we do artichokes . they are likewise well placed , when two ranks of them are transplanted between two ranks of artichokes . we uncover them in april , and dress the earth about them , and give them careful attendance , and by the means of this diligent culture , they produce those fine chards we have in the rogation season , and in the months of may and june ; in fine , they run to seed , which we gather in the months of july and august , to sow in the following spring . the chassela's is a very good and sweet sort of grape , of which there are two kinds , white and red , and this latter is very scarce and rare , but the other very common . it requires the good expositions of the south , east and west , to be so much the yellower , the more firm and crackling , the better ; it is of all grapes that which keeps longest , if it be not suffered to grow too ripe upon the vine before it be gathered . it s culture which consists in pruning it , is the same with that of the bourdelais or verjuice grape . musked chervil is one of our sallet-furnitures , and at the beginning of the spring , whilst its leaves are young and tender , it is agreeable , and proper to contribute towards the giving a perfuming relish , but they are to be used no longer when they are old and tough . it remains several years in its place without being spoiled by the frost , so that its stock grows pretty big and high : it runs to seed towards the month of june , and by that is multiplyed . ordinary chervil is an annual plant , or rather a plant of few months , which serves for many uses , and especially in sallets , when it is young and tender , and therefore we ought to see a little of it every month proportionably to the occasions we have for it , and to the quantity of ground we have . it runs very easily to seed , and if we have some of it betimes , we must sow it about the end of autumn , and doubtless we shall have the seed quite ripe towards the middle of june following ; we cut down the stalks as soon as it begins to grow yellow , and beat it out as we do that of other plants . chicons are a sort of lettuces to tie up ; see their culture under lettuces . cibouls or chibouls , properly speaking , are but onions that are degenerated , and of which nature has as 't were miscarried , that is to say , onions that instead of producing a thick root in the earth , and one single stem , produces but a small root , and several stems , or upright shoots , and those which produce most of them , are most esteemed , which are the sort of which we should be most careful to preserve seed , and which if planted in march will yield us seed fit to gather in august . we sow cibouls almost every month in the year , except in very hard weather , when the earth cannot be cultivated ; their seed is so perfectly like that of onions , that they cannot be distinguisht one from the other , but the former never recover so as to produce onions , and particularly those we pluck up out of the onion beds , which are sown too thick , and must be thin'd , that those which are left , may grow the bigger . we thin our cibouls also for the same , and we transplant some which prosper very well , and grow big when they are so transplanted . it is convenient sometimes to water our ciboul beds in summers that prove extraordinary dry , and unless in such cases , they will not need watering , but however they must be always planted in good earth . english cives , otherwise called appetites , are multiplied by producing thick tufts , which are slipt out and separated into many little ones , and are transplanted nine or ten inches asunder , either in borders or beds ; they require pretty good ground , with which if they be accommodated , they will last three or four years without removing , without needing any great culture ; it being enough to keep them well weeded , and to water them sometimes during the great heat . it is their leaves only , that are used for one of the sallet furnitures . citrulls or ordinary pompions , pumpions , or pumkins , and potirons , or flat pumpions , as every body knows , are the biggest productions the earth brings forth in our climates , for whose culture there is little to be done ; usually we sow them in hot beds towards the middle of march , that being the only way to preserve and multiply them , and at the end of april , we take them up with the earth about them , to transplant them in holes made for that purpose , of about two foot diameter , and one foot deep , and two toises or fathoms asunder one from the other , which are filled with mold ; when their vines begin to grow five or six foot long , which happens about the beginning of june , we throw upon them in the middle of that length some shovels full of earth , both to prevent their being broken by the winds driving them to and fro , and to make them take root at the place so covered , by which means the fruit that grows beyond that part , will be the better nourished and consequently grow the bigger : there are two sorts of citruls or pumpions , the green , and the whitish ones , but neither of them are sit to be gathered till they be augusted , that is till they be grown yellow , and their skin grown tough enough to resist ones nail . we keep of them in our store-houses , till about the middle of lent , when they have been seasonably gather'd , and well defended from the cold : all sorts of situation in the open air agree with them well enough , but yet they which are well exposed ripen sooner than the others ; we trim nothing off from them , but only content our selves with watering them sometimes when the summers are excessive dry . their seed is found in their bellies . coleworts and collystowers are included under cabbage . costons of artichokes : see chards . garden cresses , is one of the little sallet furnitures , and is a plant that lasts but a little while . we sow of it every month as we do chervil , that we may have always some of it that is tender ; and we sow it very thick . it is propagated only by seed , which it is very apt to run to , and which we begin to gather at the end of june , cutting down the stalks in order to dry them , and beat out the seeds and winnow them as we do those of other plants , assoon as we perceive any of them to ripen . cucumber : see their culture under the head of melons , and musk-melons . it is to be observed , that a cucumber plant yields a great quantity of fruit , and for a long time , when 't is well cultivated , and especially when 't is well watered . currans and goose berries , both being comprehended under the french name groseilles , both the red and white , or pearled sort , termed in english , currans , and the prickly sort , called in english , dutch goose-berries , are kinds of little fruit shrubs , which yield a great deal of fruit. they produce round about their old stock , a great number of rooted suckers or slips , which serve to propagate them , besides which their branches and especially the young ones that are cut off from them , take root easily . they are planted in the month of march , at the distance of at least six good foot one from the other , either in whole beds , or squares , or in the void spaces between the dwarf-trees which are usually planted about the squares of kitchen or fruit-gardens . both of them delight in a ground that is a little moist , the better to enable them to produce thick shoots , and consequently good fruit. the red and pearled , or white sort , called in english currans produce bunches , which are ripe in july , but the prickly ones , named in english , goose berries , produce none , but bear their fruit upon single stalks all along the young branches of the preceeding years growth , and that at the place of every one of the eyes or buds of that branch . the fruit of this latter is used particularly in march and april , in compôtes or wet sweet-meats , and sauces , for which uses it must be very green , for when it is ripe , it grows too soft and flat . the culture that is most proper to be used to both currans and goose-berries , and especially to the currans , consists in cutting away all their old wood , and preserving only that of one and two years growth : for a confused mixture of one with the other , is not only very indisagreeable and pernicious , but the old branches will bear nothing but very small fruit , till at last they quite degenerate , so that they will bear none but small , common , and very crabbed sowre currans or goose-berries , and assoon as the old stocks have done bearing any longer either fair branches or good fruit , we should take a resolution utterly to grub them up , after we have first raised a plantation of new ones in some other choice fresh piece of ground , to supply their places ; for a garden ought by no means to be without fair currans and goose-berries , and assoon as ever the new ones begin to bear , we are to destroy the old ones , which make but a very unsightly figure in a garden . d. sharp dock , or dock-sorrel , or patience , properly speaking , is but a sort of very great or large sorrel , which is very sower . we content our selves only with some borders , or perhaps , some one single bed of it , to have some of its leaves to mix now and then among our sorrel . the manner of raising it is the same we practise with sorrel . e. endive is a sort of very good annual plant used in sallets , and in our pottage in the autumn and winter seasons , provided it be well whitened , and consequently tender and delicate ; it is multiplied only by seed . there is the common or garden endive , and wild endive , called also succory , the common name in french to them both . the common endive is of several kinds , viz. the white , which is the most delicate , and the green sort which is the most rustical , and best able to resist the cold , as likewise the curled sort , and that which is not curled . all sorts of them agree tolerably well with all kinds of ground . we seldom begin to sow any of them till towards the middle of may , and then they must be sown very thin , or be very much thinned , aftewards in order to be whitened in the places where they first grow , without transplanting , and we also sow but a little quantity of them at once , because they are too apt to run to seed : the season for sowing a greater quantity of them is at the latter end of june , and during the whole month of july , in order to have some good for spending in september , and we afterwards sow a great deal of it again in august , that we may have a sufficient provision of it to supply us all the rest of autumn , and the first part of the winter . when our endive comes up too thick , we cut it , or else pull up some of it , to thin it , that the rest may grow big enough to be transplanted ; and when we transplant any of it in summer time , it must be placed at the distance of a large foot between plant and plant ; we usually make great beds of five or six foot broad , in order to transplant them afterwards in rows markt out strait with a cord . this plant requires great and frequent waterings ; and when 't is big enough we must go to work to whiten it , for which effect , we tie it up with two or three bands according as its height requires ; and being so tied , it whitens in fifteen , or twenty days : but because it is very apprehensive of the frost , therefore assoon as ever the cold begins to come on , we cover it with long dry dung , whether it be tied up or no : at the end of september , we plant the stocks of it pretty near together because then it grows neither so high , nor spreads so much as in summer : and if we can save any plants of it in winter , we must transplant them again in the spring in order to produce seed that may have sufficient time to ripen . those persons that have a good conservatory or green house , will do well to house it up there , but they which have none must be content to cover it up well with a good quantity of long dry dung , so that the frost may not come at it . wild endive , or succory is sown at the very beginning of the month of march , and that pretty thick , and in ground well prepared . we endeavour to fortifie it , and make it grow big all summer , by watering , and cropping it that it may be fit to whiten in winter . there are some people that will eat it green in sallets though it be never so bitter , but commonly they rather desire it whitened : and to whiten it , we cover it up with a great deal of long dung , after we have first cut it close to the earth , by which means , it been forced to spring up in obscurity , and shaded from all light , its young shoots grow white and tender . the neatest way is by the interposition of some props crossing from side to side , to keep the dung from touching it , since it shoots up in the same manner under such a hollow covering as under a close one , so that care be taken , so well to stop up passages on all sides , that no light or air at all get in . being thus ordered , its shoots are much cleanlier , and relish not so much of the dung. they which have conservatories may transplant some of it thither in winter , it sprouting well enough there , when it is but a little obscurely placed . when it is green it endures the frost well enough , and at the very latter end of may , it runs to seed . many people eat its young shoots in sallets when they are young and tender . f. fennel is one of our sallets furnitures which grows only from seeds , and is seldom transplanted . it resists the cold of winter . we sow it either in beds or borders . it springs again , when cut . it s youngest and tendrest shoots are the best . it s seed is gathered in august ; and in fine it agrees well enough with all sorts of grounds . see more of it under anis . furnitures , which are mint , tarragon , samphire , &c. see their culture under the several titles of those plants that compose them . g. garlick is propagated by heads , or kernels called cloves , about the end of february which are set three or four inches deep in the ground , and at three or four inches distance one from the other . they are taken out of the earth at the end of july , and laid to dry in a place free from moisture , in order to preserve them from one year to another . goose-berries : see currans . h. hartshorn or buckshorn sallet , is a little annual plant whose leaves when tender , are used in sallet furnitures they are sown in march very thick , it being impossible to sow them thin , because their seeds are so very small which are gatherad in the month of august . the little birds are very greedy of them , as they are of all other small kitchen plant seeds . when the leaves of this plant are cut , there spring up fresh ones , as do also from sorrel , cives , parsley , &c. fine , or sweet herbs : see aromaticks . l. lavender serves to garnish borders in kitchen-gardens , and yields a flower which without being separated from its stalks , is used to put among clean linen to perfume it . it is multiplied both by seed , and by its branches or slips which have taken root at their joints . leeks are sown at the end of winter , and that pretty thick , and in beds well prepared , after which during the whole month of june , we take them up neatly and transplant them into other beds which are no less carefully prepared ; in order to which , we make with a planting stick , holes about four inches deep , and half a foot asunder , and after we have a little trimmed both their roots and leaves , we only slide down a single plant into every hole , without minding to press down the earth about it , as we do to all other plants ; however we take care to grub up the weeds about them from time to time , and to water them a little in very dry weather , that their stems may grow to a due thickness , and may whiten before winter ; when the frost is very brisk , it is best to cover them , or else , to set them into earth in the conservatory ; it is likewise very convenient , to take them up out of their bed where they are planted a little at large , and to place them nearer together afterwards in another nursery bed , and cover them up with long litter , because otherwise when it freezes hard , we should not be able to get them out of the ground without breaking them . we may leave some of them standing after winter , to run to seed , or else we may plant some in a separate place for that purpose . their seed is gathered in august , and there is one sort that is bigger than the ordinary one , which is the best . lettuces are plants that are the most ordinarily and commonly seen in our kitchen-gardens , and are indeed the most useful manna of them , and especially for sallets , of which almost all the world is most constantly amorous . we have many things ; for in the first place , there are lettuces of different seasons , those which are good in certain months in the year being not good in others ; and those which grow well in the spring , thriving not well in summer ; and they which prosper in autumn and winter , coming tonothing , neither in spring nor summer , as will be seen afterwards : in the second place , there are some that with the ordinary help of the general culture attain their due perfection , and contribute both to the nourishment and pleasure of man-kind , and they are the cabbage lettuces . thirdly , there are some that necessarily require the art of industry and the gard'ner to advance them to that degree of perfection which they should have ; and they are such as must be tied up to make them grow white , without which they would be neither tender , nor sweet , nor good ; such as are the roman lettuces , &c. nay , and i have thought fit sometimes to tie up those that were to cabbage , when i saw they did not cabbage soon enough , by which means they may be forced to cabbage whether they will or no. i use this method particularly with some sorts of winter lettuces , that is , when there are any of them which though furnished with leaves big enough to cabbage , yet for want of sufficient heat , are hindred from turning , that is from growing hard ; and this expedient is a very soveraign remedy against that defect , in a surly season ; and besides these general distinctions , the number of the particular kinds of lettuces is greater than of any other sort of kitchen-plants whatsoever , as will appear more especially by the order they observe in respect of the seasons ; and the order of the cabbage-lettuces , as near as i can describe it , is this . the first that cabbage at the going out of winter , are the shell lettuces so call'd , because their leaf is round almost like a shell . they are otherwise called winter-lettuces , because they pretty well indure ordinary frosts , which none of all the other lettuces can do . these are sown in september , and afterward transplanted in some wall-border towards the south and east , in the months of october and november , or else they are sown upon hot beds under bells , in the months of february and march , and are good to eat in april and may. we have at the same time another sort of reddish lettuces called passion lettuces , which prosper very well in light grounds , but not over well in others that being colder and stronger or heavier , easily infect them with slimy snivel . both these kinds should when they thrive , produce very thick and good heads . to these succeed the bright curled lettuces , which usually cabbage in the spring , that is before the heat grows any thing excessive , but they must not be planted in strong and heavy lands . they likewise do well enough upon a hot bed , and especially under glass bells or frames ; for when they are sown in january , and transplanted as soon as they are grown any thing thick , or else left thin upon their nursery-beds , they cabbage as soon as the winter-lettuces , and are very excellent . there is about the same season , two other sorts of curled bright lettuces ; viz. one called george lettuces , which are thicker and less curled than the ordinary curled bright lettuces ; and another called the minion lettuce , which is the least sort . both these last require such ground as we term good black sand , but yet their heads seldom cabbage close enough , that is to say , are not ordinarily so hard and firm as those of the right curled bright lettuces . the curled green lettuces come in near about the same season with the preceeding ones , but are not so tender nor delicate . there is also a sort of small red ones , and another named short lettuces , both which have all the necessary qualifications of good lettuces , excepting only that their heads are small , and that they likewise require black sandy ground . the first lettuces supply us amply as i have said , during the months of april and may , and the beginning of june , but after that time they are too apt to be influenced to run to seed by the great heat that then comes on . they are followed during the rest of june , and all the month of july , by those called the royal bellegardes , or fair looks , bright genua's , capucins , aubervilliers , and perpignans ; of which last , there are both green and bright , both of which produce very fair and very good heads , and thrive well enough in strong grounds too , when the summer proves not too rainy ; but cold , or too frequent rains infect them with slime and snivel , and consequently destroy them . the capucin lettuces are reddish , cabbage easily , even without transplanting , and are pretty delicate . the aubervilliers bring forth heads that are too hard , and sometimes bitter withall , and are more used for boiling than for sallets . the difference that appears between the royal and the bellegardes or fair look'd lettuces , is only , that the former are a little more greenish , and these last a little brighter . however in the summer time , the tied lettuces are mixed among the cabbaged ones , viz. the roman lettuces which are open , and are called chicons , or bright , and are termed alphanges , which last are more delicate than the chicons , both to raise , and when they are eaten in sallets . there are also a sort which are stiled imperial lettuces , which are of an extraordinary great size , and are likewise very delicate to the taste , but very apt to rot as soon as ever they grow white ; there are besides , a certain kind of large reddish chi●●●s , which whiten in a manner of themselves without tying , and are good in course grounds , and succeed usually pretty well in summer , for as for the green chicons , we cannot well have them but in the spring , because they run too hastily to seed . the lettuces that defend themselves best from the great heat that predominates about the end of july , and all the month of august , are those we call genua lettuces , and especially the green sort , for the bright genua , and red genua run more easily to seed , and will hardly come to good but in light grounds . we should therefore prepare a great many of these green genua's against the dog-days , and the first frosts ; we may also intermix with them some few bright , and some red genua's ; but more especially we should be sure to mix with them some alfanges , and a great quantity of bright or white endive , as likewise , a great many perpignan lettuces , both of the bright and green kind . the great inconveniencies that happen to cabbage lettuces , are first , that they often degenerate so far as to cabbage no more , which is discovered by their leaves growing out in length like a cat 's tongue , as gard'ners term it , or by their changing their natural colour into another more or less green ; and therefore we must be very careful to gather no seed from any but such as cabbage very well , for which effect , we should be sure to mark out at first , some of those that turn best , in order to reserve them to run to seed where they stand , or to remove them with a turf of the earth about them into some separate place assigned for that purpose . the second is , that as soon as the most part of them are cabbaged , they must be spent , unless we would have the displeasure to see them run to seed without doing us any service ; in which respect the market gard'ners have a great advantage beyond other persons , because they can sell off in one day , whole beds of these cabbage lettuces , for commonly the beds which were new planted at the same time , cabbage likewise all at once , whereas in other gardens , we cannot spend them any faster than we need them , for which reason we are obliged to plant often of them , and that in greater quantity than we are able to consume , that we may have a continual supply of them successively , without any discontinuation , it being much more commodious to have an over-plus quantity of them , than to want . the surest way is to keep particularly to those sorts that are the most rustical , and that last a great while cabbaged before they run to seed , such as are the shell lettuces , the perpignans , the green genua's , the aubervilliers , and the austrichettes , or austrian lettuces , which i must confess too , are a long time cabbaging . the third inconvenience is , that the morie , that is , the rot which begins at the ends of their leaves , seizes them sometimes , and that when the ground or the season are not favourable to them , they remain thin and lean , and run up to seed instead of spreading and cabbaging . there is hardly any remedy to prevent this rot because there is hardly any to be found effectual against the cold and rainy seasons that cause it ; but against the defects that may be in the ground , there are infallible ones , that is to say , it must be amended and improved with small dung , if it be barren , whether it be a sandy , or a cold and gross earth ; and to this last , we should give a little slope , if when the ground is good , the waters spoil it by settling too much in it , and by that means , make all the plants growing there to rot . good dung throughly rotten , being the soul and primum mobile of kitchen-gardens , without which , no more than without frequent waterings , and dressing of the ground no man can ever be rich in fine and goodly legumes . there yet remains to be known for the perfect understanding the ordering of lettuces , that they which grow biggest must be placed ten or twelve inches one from the other , which is to be understood of the shell lettuces , perpignans , austrians , bellegardes , or fair-looks , aubervilliers , alfanges , and imperials ; and for those that bear heads but of a midling size , the distance of seven or eight inches is enough , which are the bright curled , the short , the little red , and the green chicon lettuces , &c. those that will be good husbands may sow radishes in their lettuce beds , because the radishes will be all drawn out and spent before the lettuces cabbage ; and for the same reason , because the endives are much longer before they come to perfection than the lettuces , we may plant some of these last among the endives ; they agree well enough one with the other : and so we may have a double crop to gather upon one and the same bed and in the same season ; for the lettuces are gathered first , and afterwards the endives arrive to their full goodness . m. maches , are a sort of little sallet which we may call a wild and rustical sallet , because indeed it seldom is brought before any noble company . they are multiplied by seed which is gathered in july , and are only used towards the end of winter . we make beds for them which we sow about the end of august ; they are hardy enough to resist the rigours of the frost , and because they produce a great many little seeds that easily fall , though we have but a little quantity of them , they will propagate themselves sufficiently , without any other culture but weeding them . mallows and marsh-mallows ought to be allowed a place in our kitchen-gardens , though civility will not permit us to explain in this treatise what uses they serve for , and though they be rather plants of the wild fields than of a garden . they grow of their own accord , and have no more need of cultivating than any of the weeds that infest the good herbs . when we have a mind to have any of them in our gardens , it will be best to sow them in some by-place . marjoram , or marjerom , is an odoriferous plant of which we compose agreeable borders and edgings . there is the winter marjoram , which is the best , and the summer marjoram which lasts not beyond that season . both of them are multiplied by seed , and likewise by rooted slips or suckers . they are principally used in making perfumes . mint , called in french , balm , when once planted , needs no other particular culture than being cut down close to the ground every year , at the end of autumn , to make it shoot out store of tender sprouts in the spring , which are mingled with the furnitures of sallets for them that love them a little spicy and perfumed . it must be renewed every three years at least , and placed always in good earth . the branches when cut off , take root at the place where they are covered , and by that means , of one great tuft , we may easily make a great many , which are to be planted at the distance of a foot one from the other . in the winter likewise , we plant some thick tufts of it upon hot beds and by taking care to cover them with bells , they spring very well for about fifteen days , and then perish . muscats are a kind of grapes , which when they attain to their natural goodness , are one of the most considerable commodities of a kitchen-garden . there are three sorts of them , viz. white , red , and black , the white is commonly the best of the three , it requires temperate countries like that of the isle of france , and the expositions of the south and east , and always a light ground , we seldom see any good ones in pure earth , and if it be in hot climates , or gravelly , and sandy ground ; they prosper very well upon counter-espaliers , or pole hedge-trees , and even in the open air. their goodness consists in having large , yellow , and crackling berries , and growing thin in their clusters , and in a pretty rich musked taste , but yet not too strong like the spanish ones . the province of tourain produces admirable ones . their culture is exactly the same with that of the chassela's grapes , both as to their pruning , and manner of propagation . the long muscat , called otherwise the passe-musquee , is another sort of grape whose berry is bigger and more longish than that of the ordinary muscat , and its clusters are also longer , but yet its taste is nothing near so rich as that of the others . n. nasturces : see capucin capers . o. onions are red or white , which last are sweeter and more prized than the red ones . there 's no body but knows how many uses they serve for . they are propagated only by seed , which is commonly sown at the latter end of february and beginning of march , in beds of good earth , and well prepared , and afterwards raked with an iron rake , to cover them , as is done to other small seeds . they must be sown thin , that they may have room to grow to their full bigness , and therefore if they come up too thick , they must be thinned by pulling some of them up as soon as they are big enough for that , which is towards the month of may , which we transplant in order to use instead of cibouls . though the ordinary season for sowing onions , be at the end of winter , yet we maysow some in september , and transplant them afterwards in the month of may , by which means we may have some full grown at the very beginning of july , which we may gather , plucking them first out of the ground as soon as that time comes , and then after we have dried them two or three days in the hot sun , lay them up in some dry place , to keep all the year in case of need . we must not forget when our onions begin to appear with pretty thick stems above the superficies of the earth , that is , when they begin to advance towards their maturity , to break them down , either by treading them under our feet , or with a board pretty hard pressed down upon them , because by that means the nourishment that was before spent in their stems , being hindered from mounting upwards , will remain and settle all in that which i think , is but improperly called their head , and make it grow so much the bigger . i have already told you elsewhere , how their seed is to be raised . p. parsley , as well of the curled as ordinary sort , is of great use in kitchens all the year long , as well for its leaves as roots . it is comprehended under the title of verdures or green pot-herbs . we ought not to fail in the spring , to sow a reasonable quantity of it in every garden , and that pretty thick , and in good , and well prepared ground . when its leaves are cut , it shoots out new ones like sorrel . it well enough resists a moderate , but not a violent cold , and therefore 't is best to bestow some covering on it in winter , to defend it . when we would have any of it produce large roots , we must thin it in the beds or borders where 't is sown . it requires pretty much watering in very hot weather . there are some that pretend to have a kind of parsly bigger than ordinary , but for my part i know no such kind . the curled parsly appears more agreeable to the sight , than the common sort , but is never a whit better than it for that . we gather our parsly seeds in the months of august and september . macedonian parsley , or alisanders , is one of the furnitures of our winter-sallets , which must be whitened like wild endive , or succory ; that is to say , at the end of autumn , we must cut down all its leaves , and then cover the bed where it grows , all over with long dry dung , or straw screens , so close , that the frost may not come at it , by which means , the new leaves that spring from it , grow white , yellowish and tender . we sow it in the spring , pretty thin , because it produces a great many large leaves , and we gather its seed at the latter end of summer . it is a good hardy plant , and that defends its self very well from the drought , without requiring much watering . parsnips are a sort of roots well known in our kitchens . we sow them towards the end of winter , either in open ground , or borders , and that always pretty thin , and in good and well prepared ground ; and if they come up too thick , they must be thinned as soon as may comes in , that they which are left , may be the better nourisht , and grow the fairer . they are propagated only by seed , for the raising which , the same care is to be taken as we have directed for that of red beet-roots , carrots , &c. passe musquee : see muscats . patience , or sharp dock : see dock . peas , or pease may be placed in rank of kitchen-plants . it is a good rustical or hardy plant , which commonly is sown in the open field , without needing any other culture than being weeded whilst 't is young , that is , before it begins to codd . but when they are propt , they yield more than when they are not . they require pretty good ground , and a little rain to make them tender and delicate , and must be sown pretty thin . there are several sorts of them , viz. hastings , green , white and square ones , otherwise called large codded peas , &c. we may have of them in the months of may , june , july , august , september and october . for to have some all that while after the first , we have no more to do , but to sow them in different months , to have them fit for eating three months after . those sorts we are most choice of in kitchen-gardens are the hastings both white and green , which are of a midling size . we sow them at the end of october , under the shelter of some eastern or southern walls , and we raise ridges or sloped banks too , sometimes for that purpose ; and to dispose them to come up so much the sooner when they are sown , we make them sprout five or six days before , by laying them to steep two days in water , and afterwards laying them in a place where the cold cannot reach them , till their first root begins to appear . hard weather spoils them quite , which is the reason why all we can do , will not procure us any good ones till the latter end of may. we likewise sow some upon hot beds , at the end of february , in order to transplant them by the sides of some well exposed walls , in case those sown at the latter end of october preceeding , happen to have been spoiled by the frost . our last time of sowing them is at midsummer , to have them fit to eat about all-hallow-tide . pompions and potirons , or flat pompions : see citrulls . purslain is one of the prettiest plants in a kitchen-gardens , which is principally used in sallets , and sometimes in pottages . there are two sorts of it , viz. the green , and the red , or golden ; this latter is the more agreeable of the two to the eye , and more delicate and difficult to rear , so that in hard weather we have much ado to make it grow even upon hot beds , and under bells , for it seldom prospers in open beds till about the middle of may , and then too , the earth must be very good , sweet , and very loose , and the weather very fair . and therefore for our first purslain which we are not to begin to sow upon hot beds till towards the middle of march , we must use only the green sort , because the yellow or golden sort dwindles away as soon as 't is come up , unless the season be a little advanced , and the sun a little hot , which is , towards the end of april . it is commonly sown very thick , because its seed is so very small , that it cannot be sown thin . when we sow it upon hot beds , either when 't is cold , and that by consequence glass-bells or frames are needfull , or in milder weather , we only press down the mold about it with our hands , or with the back of a spade ; but when we sow it in open beds which must be well prepared for that purpose , we rake it over five or six times with an iron rake , to make the seed enter into the ground . they way to raise seed from it , is to transplant some plants of it that are big enough , into beds well prepared , at the distance of eight or ten inches ones from the other : the months of june and july are proper for that effect . and then in a little time after , they are run up , and have done flowring , assoon as ever we perceive any of their husks to open , and discover some black seed , we must cut down all their stems and lay them some days in the sun till all the seed be quite ripened , and then we beat them out and winnow them , &c. we must be carefull to transplant each sort apart by it self , that we may not be mistaken in the seed when we are to sow it . the stick stalks of purslain that is run to seed , are good to pickle in salt and vinegar , for winter sallets . r radishes , when they are qualified with all the goodness they should have , that is , when they are tender , and snap easily , and are sweet , are in my opinion , one of the plants that give the most pleasure of any in our kitchin-gardens , and that give it as often , and for as long a time as any of them all ; and i look upon them as a kind of manna in our gardens . there seems to be no great pains required to make them grow , it being indeed only necessary to sow them pretty thin , in well prepared loose and mellow earth , and to water them soundly in drie weather , and with this culture they will attain to all the perfection they are capable of . but the main points here in question , are first , to be always provided with seed of a good kind ; and secondly , to take order to have radishes without discontinuation , from the month of february , till the coming in of the frosts in the middle of november . as for seed of a good kind , know , that is it that produces few leaves , and a long red root , for there are some that produce a great many leaves and little root ; and when we are once provided with seed of a good kind , we must be extreme carefull to propagate it , that we never be without a stock of it ; for which effect , in the month of april , we must choose out among those radishes that are come of the last years seed , such , as i have said , which have the fewest leaves and the most root , and reddest necks , and transplant them quite whole in some well prepared spot of ground , a foot and a half a sunder : being so transplanted , they will run up , flower and yield seed ripe enough to gather towards the end of july ; and then we cut down their stems ; and after they have been dried some days in the sun , we beat out the seed , and winnow it , &c. those stocks of them that run up to seed , shoot up their branches to such a height , and perpetuate their flowers so far as if they knew not where to stop ; and therefore it is good to pinch off these branches to a reasonable length , that the first podds may be the better nourished . but 't is not enough to raise good seed , we must likewise take order to be supplied with good radishes for eight or nine months in the year . the first that are eaten grow on hot-beds , the manner of raising which , i have explained in the works of november ; and by the means of those hot beds , we may have some during the months of february march and april ; otherwise we have none ; and in order to have some all the other months , we must sow some among all manner of seeds , they coming up so very quickly , that we have time to gather off our radishes before they can do any harm to the other plants . radishes are extreamly apprehensive of the excessive heat in summer , which makes them grow strong as they term it , that is , too biting , stringy , and sometimes very hard ; and therefore in that season we would affect to sow them in very loose mellow ground , where the sun shines but little ; and the best way should be , to make up along by the sides of some northern walls , a bed or two for that purpose , filled with mold to the depth of a large foot and an half , and to sow our radishes there , and water them well . in spring and autumn , when the sun is not so hot , radishes take well enough in open ground , and in the wide unsheltered air. rass-berries , or rasp-berries , as well as the white as red , begin to ripen at the beginning of july . they are planted in march , either in beds or borders observing the distance of two foot between plant and plant. they shoot out during the summer many well rooted suckers , some of which we take away to make new plantations with , by which means the old ones are likewise renewed for they drie assoon as their fruit is gathered . the only culture used to them is , first , in the month of march to shorten all their new shoots which we preserve round about the old stock , and which ought to be only the thickest and handsomest , and in the second place , to pluck away all the small ones , as likewise the old ones that are dead . reponces are a sort of small sweet radishes which grow wild in the country , and especially in the corn , and are eatch in sallets in the spring time . they are multiplied only by seed . rocamboles : see shallots . rocket is one of our sallet furnitures , which is sown in the spring as most of the others are . it s leaf is pretty like that of radishes , and its seed is very small , and almost like purslain seed , but it is of a reddish , or rather darkish cinnamon colour . rosemary is another sort of odoriferous plant which is principally used for the perfuming of chambers , and in decoctions for washing the feet . it is multiplied in the same manner as rue , and other border plants , and lasts five or six years in its place . rue is a plant of very strong smell , of which we plant some borders in our gardens ; it is propagated both by seed , and rooted slips , and is hardly of any use but against the vapours of the mother . s. sage is a border plant , whose culture has nothing of particular , but is like that of the other border herbs , as rosemary , lavender , worm-wood , &c. there is a sort that is parti-coloured , which to some people appears more agreeable than the common sage , which is of palish green colour . spanish salsifie , or sassifie , otherwise scorzonere , is one of our chiefest roots , which is multiplied by seed as well as the others , and is admirable good boiled both for the pleasure of the taste , and the health of the body . it is propagated only by seed which is sown in march. we must be careful to sow it pretty thin , whether it be in beds or borders , or else at least to thin it afterward , that its roots may grow the bigger . scorzonere runs up to seed in the months of june and july , and is gathered assoon as 't is ripe . common salsifie is another sort of root cultivated after the same manner as the preceeding one , but is not altogether so very excellent . they easily pass the winter in the ground . it is good to water both sorts of them in very dry weather , and to keep them well weeded , and especially , to put them into good earth well prepared , of at least two full foot deep . samphire called in french , pierce pierre , or passe-pierre , is one of our sallet furnitures that is multiplied only by seed , and which being by nature very delicate requires to be planted by the sides of walls exposed to the south or east , the open air , and great cold being pernicious to it . we usually sow it in some pot or tub filled with mold , or else on some side-bank towards the south or east , and that in the months of march or april , and afterwards transplant it in those places above-mentioned . savory is an annual plant a little odoriferous , which grows only from seed , and whose leaves are used to some ragou's , and particularly among peas , beans ; it is sown in the spring either in beds or borders . scorzonere , or scorzonera : see spanish salsifie . shallots , otherwise rocamboles , or spanish garlick , require no other culture than common garlick , and are particularly remarkable for that their seeds are as good to eat as their cloves taken out of the earth . their seed is large and serves to propagate them as well as the cloves or kernels that compose their root . skirrets are a sort of roots propagated by seed , and cultivated like other roots , as is directed in the month of march. spinage is one of those kitchen plants that requires the best ground , or at least that which is most amended and improved . they are multiplied only by seed . we sow them either in open ground , or else in furrows or strait rows upon well prepared beds and this we do several times in the year , beginning about the sixteenth of august , and finishing a month after ; the first are fit to cut towards the middle of october , the second in lent , and the last in rogation time ; those which remain after winter , run up to seed towards the end of may , which we gather about the middle of june . when they are once cut they spring up no more , as sorrel do's . all their culture consists in keeping them very clear from weeds ; and if the autumn prove extraordinary dry , it is not amiss to water them sometimes . they are never transplanted no more than chervil , cresses , &c. sorrel in kitchen-garden terms , is placed under the title of verdures , or green pot herbs , and accordingly is much used in the pot. there are some sorts of it that produce a larger leaf than others , which are called sorrel of the greater sort . all the sorts may be sown in the months of march , april , may , june , july and august , and in the beginning of september too , provided they be allowed sufficient time to grow big enough to resist the rigour of the winter , we sow sorrel either in open ground , or else in strait rows , or furrows , in beds or borders , in all which cases , it must be sown very thick , because many of its plants perish . it requires a ground that is naturally good , or else well improved with muck. its culture consists in being kept very clear of weeds , in being well watered , and being covered with a little mold once or twice a year , after 't is first cut down very close to the ground . that mold serves to give it new vigour , and the season most proper for applying it , is in the hot months of the year . sorrel is most commonly multiplied by seed , though sometimes we transplant some of it that thrives very well . we gather its seed in the months of july and august . there is a particular sort of sorrel , which is called round sorrel , its leaves being indeed round , whereas those of the other sorts are very sharp and pointed . the tender leaves of this sort are sometimes mixed with sallet furnitures . but it is ordinarily used most in bouillons , or thin broths . it is multiplied by running branches , that take root in the earth , as they run over it , which being taken off , and transplanted , produce thick tufts which also produce other runners , and so in infinitum . sharp dock , or dock-sorrel : see dock . wood sorrel , or alleluia : see alleluia . straw-berries , as well the white as the red , multiply and perpetuate themselves by running suckers that springing out of their old stocks , take root . it is observed , that a new plantation of them taken out of the woods , turns to better account when transplanted , than one slipt of from the garden straw-berries . we plant them either in beds or borders , both which must be well prepared , amended and laboured or stirred up in one manner or other . if it be in dry and sandy ground , both the beds and borders must be sunk a little lower than the allies or path-ways , the better to retain both the rain that falls , and the water we bestow on them ; a quite contrary course must be taken , if we plant them in strong , heavy , and fat earth , and that is almost all pure clay , because excessive moisture rots the plants . we place them usually nine or ten inches asunder , putting two or three little plants into each hole which we make with a planting stick . the best time to plant them in is during the whole month of may , and in the beginning of june , that is to say , before the great heat comes in . and we may plant them all summer long in rainy seasons . it is particularly requisite to plant nurseries of them in the month of may , and that in some place near the north quarter , the better to shelter them from the violent heat of the summer sun , and then we plant them but three or four inches one from the other , and when they are grown big enough there , we transplant them afterwards in the month of september in order to make beds or squares of them , according as we find occasion to have a greater or less abundance of them . their culture consists chiefly , first , in watering them well in dry seasons ; secondly in leaving , but a moderate number of stems or upright shoots to every stock , three or four of the most vigourous being enough ; in the third place , in leaving but three or four straw-berries of them that appeared first , and nearest the stock , on every stem , and therefore we must pinch of all their other blossoms that almost endlessly grow out at the ends of those that have already blossomed , or are still in blossom , because none but the first produce any fair straw-berries , hardly any of the last being ever known to knit or come to any perfection , but when we are careful to pinch them off judicially we may be assured always to have good straw-berries . i have already given directions in the works of the month of february , how to raise hasting straw-berries . curious persons have usually two straw-barries of two several colours , viz. red and white , but they place them in separate beds . the great enemies of straw-berry plantations are the ton's which are great white worms , that in the months of may and june , gnaw the necks of their roots between two earths , and so kill them ; to prevent which , in those months we should carefully search every day , under the roots of all our straw-berries that begin to wither , where we shall commonly find one of these great worms which after they have done a mischief to one , pass on to do the same to other straw-berry plants , and kill them in the same manner . straw-berry plants bear very well the year after their planting , if planted in may ; but yield very indifferently , if not planted till september , after they are taken out of the woods ; yet in the second year they bear wonderfully , but that being past , they produce but very pitifully , and therefore 't is good to renew them every two years ; it is likewise convenient to cut off every year their old tops , when the straw-berries are gone , which is commonly at the latter end of july . the earliest straw-berries that ripen towards the end of may , are those that were planted by the sides of southern or eastern walls , and they that ripen last , are such as are planted in a northern exposition . succory : see endive . sweet herbs : see aromaticks . t. tarragon is one of the perfuming or spicy furnitures of our sallets , it is propagated both by rooted slips and seed . it springs again several times after 't is cut ; it endures the winter , and needs little watering in the driest weather in summer , when we plant it , we must allow eight or nine inches distance between plant and plant in the beds we set with it . the best time to plant in , is in march and april , which hinders not , but that we may transplant it again in the summer season . time is another odoriferous border-plant , which is multiplied as well by seed as rooted branches or slips . a border of time is a considerable and necessary ornament in our kitchen-gardens . tripe-madam is one of our sallet-furnitures ; it is used chiefly in the spring when it is tender , but a little of it ought to serve in the summer , because then it is too tough . it is multiplyed both by seeds and cuttings . turneps or turnips are not properly kitchen-garden plants , but yet where they are spacious , they may be admitted into them . they are propagated only by seed , and are sown very thick in beds , some in march , and others in august . we gather their seed in july and august , every body so well knows their use , that i need speak no more of them here . v. verjuice grapes : see bourdelais . vines : see the several heads of bourdelais , muscats , &c. violets , and especially the double ones serve to make pretty borders in our kitchen-gardens . their flowers make a very agreeable figure when they are artfully placed on the superficies of spring-sallets . every body knows , that they are propagated by tufts , that is , by dividing one great tuft into several little ones , which likewise in time grows thick , and fit to be divided into other little ones . w. wormwood . the plants of this and all other plants placed in borders of edgings , and therefore called border-plants , as of time , lavender , hyssop , &c. are planted by a line , and at the distance of two or three inches one from the other , and five or six inches deep in the ground . it is good to clip them every spring , and to renew them every two years , and to take away their oldest and decayed stocks . their seed is gathered about the month of august . chap. vii . shewing how long every kitchen plant may profitably stand in its place in a kitchen-garden ; which of them must be housed in the conservatory to supply us in the winter , and which are they which we may force to grow by art , in spite of the frost . and lastly , how long each sort of seed will last without losing its virtue . it is a very important point in gard'ning , to know how long every plant may usefully possess the place where it grows in our gardens , that so the forecast of an able gard'ner , may prepare others immediately to substitute in the places of such as being as 't were , but passengers , take up their places but a few months ; for by this means , not only there remains no unprofitable spot of ground in our gardens , but we seem besides to reap a sensible pleasure by enjoying in some sense beforehand some things that are not yet in nature . to treat of this matter well , i think it very pertinent to speak first of those plants that are of long duration , whether in respect of the time they take up in attaining to their perfection , or of that in which they continue bearing . all sorts of grapes , capers , and asparagus , doubtless , hold the first rank in this number , for vine and caper plants last five and twenty or thirty years , and as to asparagus , reckoning from the time we first sow or transplant them , we ought hardly ever to begin to gather them till their shoots be of a competent thickness , which happens not till the third or fourth year after , but after that time , provided they be placed in good ground and carefully cultivated , they may very well be suffred to stand ten or twelve years , it being certain that they will not fail to shoot up and bear vigorously and plentifully during all that time ; but yet if we perceive any decay in them sooner , we may destroy and break them up sooner , and if on the contrary , we find them continue to produce well longer than we have limited , we may continue them longer in their places . rasberry , curran , and gooseberry shrubs , easily last eight or ten years . artichokes must be renewed , that is new planted in a fresh place after the third year . the borders of wormwood , hyssop , lavender , marjoram , rue , rosemary , sage , time , violets , &c. provided they be not endamaged by an extraordinary hard winter , may subsist in their places three or four years , if care be taken to clip them pretty close every summer . alleluia , or wood-sorrel , mint , musked chervil , english cives , tarragon , sorrel , patience , or sharp dock , samphire , macedonian parsly or alisanders , tripe-madame , &c. may likewise last well enough in their places three or four years . strawberry plants may last three years , wild endive or succory , anis , ordinary parsly , burnet , fennel , scorzonere , and common salsifie , &c. last two years . leeks both to cut , and for chards , and cibouls , &c. last a year , that is , from one spring to another . borage , bugloss , red beet roots , spanish cardons , carrots , skirrets , cabbages , milan cabbages , collyflowers , citruls or pumpions , harts-horn sallet , potirons or flat pumpions , parsnips , leeks , &c. keep their places nine months , that is , reckoning from the spring , when they were sown , to the end of autumn . garlick , basil , nasturces or capucin capers , cucumbers , and melons or muskmelons , shalots , onions , and the first or summer turneps , &c. take them up only during the spring and summer seasons , so that their places may receive a new decoration of plants in autumn . arrach , or orage , ordinary chervil , white endive , and succory garden cresses , and all sorts of lettuces , whether to cabbage , or to tie up , &c. take up their ground about two months . radishes , purslain , and ordinary chervil , &c. take up their places but five or six weeks , and therefore they must be new sown every fifteen days in summer time . hasting pease and beans , continue on the ground six or seven months , reckoning from the month of november when they are sown , but common peas and beans , and aricôs , or french-beans , take it up but four or five months . spinage and màches keep theirs all autumn and winter , and therefore are planted in places , where we have already raised such plants as last not beyond the summer . mallows and marsh-mallows are multiplied only by seed , and pass not beyond the winter . the plants that require housing in the conservatory during winter , are cardoons , cellery , artichoke heads , both the endives , as well the white , as the wild sort , all that are known by the name of roots , as red beet roots , carrots , &c. as likewise leeks , citruls or pumpions , potirons or common pumpions , garlick , and shalots . all the rest resist the injuries of the winter well enough , viz. cabbages , parsly , fennel , cibouls , and even tarragon , mint , samphire , tripe-madame , balm , asparagus , sorrel , &c. but they sprout not till the spring , unless forced on hot beds . other plants are not acquainted with that sort of help , or rather violence , such as are all roots , and garlick , onions , leeks , cabbages , &c. add to this , that by the same expedient of hot beds , we may also raise in the height of cold weather , little sallets of lettuces , with their furnitures of cresses , chervil , mint , &c. there remains now nothing but to know how long each sort of seed will keep good , upon which i must tell you , that generally speaking , most seeds grow naught after one of two years at most , and therefore it concerns us always to be provided with new ones , if we would not run the hazard of sowing to no purpose in the spring . there are hardly any but peas , beans , and the seeds of muskmelons , cucumbers , citruls or pumpions , and potirons or flat cucumbers , that last eight or ten years . the seeds of collyflowers last three or four , and those of all sorts of endive and succory , five or six years . of all sorts of seeds there are none that keep so small a time as lettuce seed , which yet are better the second , than the first year , but yet are good for nothing the third . the end of the sixth and last part . a table of the chapters , contained in the fourth , fifth , and sixth parts of the treatise of fruit-gardens , and kitchen-gardens . part iv. chap. i. the pruning of trees defined . page . chap. ii. of the reasons for pruning . p. . chap. iii. of the time and season of pruning . p. . chap. iv. of the reasons that oblige us to prune . p. . chap. v. of the idea and notion of the beauty required in dwarf-trees . p. . chap. vi. of the idea and notion of the beauty required in wall-trees , and of the rules and maximes of palisading , or nailing up . p. . chap. vii . of branches in general . p. . chap. viii . how to know the difference between good and bad branches . p. . chap. ix . of the explication of the terms of strong and strength , and of weak and weakness . p. . chap. x. of the tools necessary for pruning , with directions how to use them . p. . chap. xi . of the manner of pruning trees in the first year after they are planted . p. . chap. xii . of the first pruning of a tree that has not sprouted at all the first year . p. . chap. xiii . of the first pruning of a tree that has sprouted but feebly . p. . chap. xiv . of the first pruning of a tree that has shot forth at least one fair branch . p. . chap. xv. of the first pruning of a tree that has shot forth more than one fair branch . p. . chap. xvi . of the first pruning of a tree that has shot forth two fair branches both well placed . p. . chap. xvii . of the first pruning of a tree that has shot forth but two branches which are both fair and thick , but both ill placed . p. . chap. xviii . of the first pruning of a tree that has produced three or four fair branches well or ill placed . ibid. chap. xix . of the pruning of trees that have produced five or six or seven fair branches . p. . chap. xx. of the second pruning to be performed on a tree the third year after its planting . p. . chap. xxi . of the second pruning of a tree which shot forth two fair branches the first year after its planting . p. . chap. xxii . of the second pruning of a tree that produced three fair wood branches the first year . p. . chap. xxiii . of the second pruning of a tree which produced four fair wood branches or more the first year . p. . chap. xxiv . what pruning is to be used in the third year to all sorts of trees , of not above four years planting . p. . chap. xxv . of the pruning of trees that have been planted with many branches . p. . chap. xxvi . of the pruning of standard-trees . p. . chap. xxvii . of the first method to be observed in ordering of graffs in the cleft , made and multiplied upon old trees as they stand , whether they be dwarf or wall-trees . ibid. chap. xxviii . how to proceed in unexpected cases , which commonly enough happen in all sorts of trees , though ordered according to all the rules of art. p. . chap. xxix . common remarks in certain particular and singular cases that concern the pruning of all sorts of trees . p. . the first observation . p. . the second observation . ibid. the third observation . ib. the fourth observation . ibid. the fifth observation . ibid. the sixth observation . p. . the seventh observation . ibid. the eighth observation . ibid. the ninth observation . ib. the tenth observation . ibid. the eleventh observation . ibid. the twelfth observation . p. . the thirteenth observation . ib. the fourteenth observation . ibid. the fifteenth observation . ibid. the sixteenth observation . ibid. the seventeenth observation . ibid. the eighteenth observation . p. . the nineteenth observation . ibid. the twentieth observation . ib. the twenty first observation . ibid. the twenty second observation : ibid. the twenty third observation . ibid. the twenty fourth observation . p. . the twenty fifth observation . ibid. the twenty sixth observation . ibid. the twenty seventh observation . ibid. the twenty eighth observation . ibid. the twenty ninth observation . ibid. the thirtieth observation . ib. the thirty first observation . ib. the thirty second observation . p. . the thirty third observation . ib. the thirty fourth observation . ibid. the thirty fifth observation . ib. the thirty sixth observation . ib. the thirty seventh observation . ibid. the thirty eighth observation . p. . the thirty ninth observation . ibid. the fourtieth observation . ibid. the fourty first observation . ibid. the fourty second observation . ibid. the fourty third observation . ibid. the fourty fourth observation . ibid. the fourty fifth observation . ibid. the fourty sixth observation . p. . the fourty seventh observation . ibid. the fourty eighth observation . ibid. the fourty ninth observation . ibid. the fiftieth observation . ibid. the fifty first observation . ibid. the fifty second observation . ibid. the fifty third observation . ibid. the fifty fourth observation . p. . the fifty fifth observation . ibid. the fifty sixth observation . ibid. the fifty seventh observation . ibid. the fifty eighth observation . ibid. the fifty ninth observation . ibid. the sixtieth observation . ibid. the sixty first observation . p. . the sixty second observation . ibid. the sixty third observation . ibid. the sixty fourth observation . ibid. the sixty fifth observation . ibid. the sixty sixth observation . ibid. the sixty seventh observation . p. . chap. xxx . particular remarks to be observed in the first pruning , performed every year in february and march upon stone fruit-trees , and especially upon peach and apricock-trees , whether dwarfs or wall-trees . ibid. chap. xxxi . particular remarks for the second and third prunings of stone fruit-trees . p. . chap. xxxii . of the different ways of ordering peach-trees in the summer . p. . chap. xxxiii . of disbudding and plucking of superfluous buds and branches . ibid. chap. xxxiv . particular remarks to be observed in another important operation , used in summer to some trees , which is called pinching . p. . chap. xxxv . what is to be done to certain trees that are so extraordinary vigorous that they bear no fruit. p. . chap. xxxvi . of the ordering and culture of fig-trees . p. . chap. xxxvii . of the manner of pruning trees that are already old . p. . chap. xxxviii . of the faults committed in pruning of old dwarf-trees . p. . chap. xxxix . of faults committed in pruning of old wall-trees . p. . chap. xl. of pruning of vines . p. . part v. chap. i. of the care that is to be taken in picking fruits , when we have too many of them . p. . chap. ii. how to know when to uncover some fruits that need it . p. . chap. iii. of the maturity and ripening of fruits , and the order nature observes in it . p. . chap. iv. of the marks by which we are to judge of the ripeness and goodness of fruits . p. . chap. v. of the causes of the hasty or backward , ripening of all sorts of fruits . p. . chap. vi. of the particular marks of the ripeness of each sort of fruit , and first of the summer fruits that ripen , that attain their full ripeness on the trees . p. . chap. vii . how to place fruits when gathered in such fit places as may be most proper to preserve them for some time . p. . chap. viii . of transporting of fruits . p. . chap. ix . of store-houses or fruit-lofts . p. . chap. x. of the diseases of fruit-trees . p. . chap. xi . a treatise of the graffs of trees and of nurseries . p. . chap. xii . of the kind of graffs that are in use . p. . chap. xiii . of proper times to graff . p. . chap. xiv . of the manner of performing all manner of graffs . p. . chap. xv. which are the stocks that have a natural disposition to receive some kinds of fruits each in particular , and to receive no others . p. . chap. xvi . of nurseries and seminaries . p. . chap. xvii . of the different manners of lettuces used to pallisade . p. . the vi. and last part of the treatise of fruit-gardens , and kitchen-gardens . chap. i. of the culture of kitchen-gardens . p. . chap. ii. containing the description of the seeds and other things that serve for the production and multiplication of every plant and legume . p. . chap. iii. shews us what things we may be supplied with , out of a kitchen-garden every month in the year , and what a gard'ner may and ought to do in them , in every of those months . p. . works to be done in the month of jan. p. . works to be done in february . p. . works in march. ibid. works in april . p. . works in may. p. . works in june . p. . works in july . p. . works in september . p. . works in october . p. . works in november . ibid. works in december . p. . the products and provisions we may be supplied with from a kitchen-garden , in the month of january . p. . products and provisions of february . p. ibid. products and provisions of march. p. . products and provisions of april . ibid. products and provisions of may. ibid. products and provisions of june . p. . products and provisions of july . ibid. products and provisions of august . p. . products and provisions of september . ibid. products and provisions of october . ibid. products and provisions of november . p. . products and provisions of december . ibid. chap. iv. how to know by viewing a kitchen-garden , whether it wants any thing it should be furnish'd with . ibid. chap. v. what sort of ground is most proper for every legume . p. . chap. vi. what sort of culture is most agreeable to every particular plant. p. . chap. vii . and last . shewing how long every kitchen plant may profitably occupy its place in a kitchen-garden . p. . which are they that need housing , to supply us in the winter . ibid. which are they that we may force to grow by art , in spite of the frost . ibid. and lastly , how long every several sort of seed will keep good . the end of the table of the chapters of fruit-gardens , and kitchen-gardens . directions concerning melons . it is now more than twenty years since monsieur de la quintinye , being in england , that receiving the honor of a visit from him at my house , and falling into discourse of gardens , he afterwards ( on my request ) sent me some directions from paris , concerning the ordering of melons ; it being in effect the same ( though somewhat more ample ) which was about that time published by mr. oldenburg . it may not perhaps be unwelcome to our gard'ner , or improperly annex'd to this useful part of horticulture ; especially coming from the most experienc'd , in relation to this delicious fruit : however ( and for what reason i enquire not ) omitted as to any particular , and full instructions in this long expected work of his . i give it therefore in the method i long since cast it for some friends of mine . j. evelyn ▪ the most undegenerating sort of melons are not large , but of a middling size , the rind thin , faintly embroider'd , and without being ribb'd or divided along the sides , or at least very obscurely : others there are which be whitish , some of a slate-colour , red-flesh , dry , yet melting in the mouth , and not at all mealy , but of an high and generous gust . in a word , the only sort ( after trials of many hundred kinds ) i have cultivated with success , and that retain their good qualities more than twenty years , without any considerable alteration . every gard'ner now-a-days , knows how to raise melons , but very few to govern them ; the greatest difficulty whereof is in the guelding of superfluities , to cause them to knit , and bear as they should do . in order to which , observe these few directions : the first thing appearing ( after the seed is sown , and the plants prick'd out from the hot-bed into a more temperate ) are a pair of small smooth leaves , which ( in france ) we call the ears , marked . . in the figure above . a few days after , 'twixt these , comes up a single leaf , which we call the first leaf , as being on the first knot , noted . next to this , in the same place , and soon after , there appears another , which we term the second knot , marked . about the middle of whose stalk there shoots out another leaf , call'd the third knot , figur'd . which third knot is always to be pruned off at fig. . but with care , and without wounding the stalk or branch of the second knot , marked , upon which that third did grow ; it being from this place you will find that branch to sprout , which we call the first leader ; and is that which will send out a first , second , and third knot ; which third ( and all other such thirds ) you must cut , or pinch off , as you did the other , without staying 'till a fourth , or fifth , or more , shoot out . it is , i say , from these knots and joints , that other branches in like manner will proceed , knit , and form into excellent fruit , provided the foot and original stem have been well nourish'd in rich , warm , and proper mould , and well expos'd . i must not forget , that from the middle , likewise 'twixt the ears and two first leaves , there frequently rises another branch , which you may abate , or leave on , as you find it likely to prove , especially if a vigorous one ; but the leaf figur'd , issuing from the middle of the fourth joint , and several more besides , successively springing out of one another , as you see the fourth from the third ( and as all the rest i have marked do ) i purposely omit , and have only figur'd , as superfluous to the ingenious gard'ner . when i transplant from this nursery-bed ( into the prepared holes or ridges , and open meloniere ) i commonly place two roots together , unless i meet with an extraordinary good plant , and then spare both the branches which spring from each side , 'twixt the ear and leaf , , as before is shew'd : but when i plant two roots near each other ( as i do when they are not very fair ones ) i totally reject both branches which shoot from the two opposite ears , to avoid that confusion of those supernumeraries which injure the principal stem and foot it self . never suffer the root , or stalks of your melon plants , to touch the dung ; nor should you water them immoderately , but when the earth is very dry , and the season excessively hot , refresh , and give the roots drink , without deferring it 'till the shoots complain , when it may come too late : i water them in these parching seasons , two or three times every week , and in the evenings when the sun is setting , and then cover them with matrasses , from eleven 'till two a clock ; and in the afternoon during the suns excessive violence , which exhausts , and consumes the humidity necessary to both roots and branches . i cover my meloniere also when it rains , lest too much moisture prejudice the fruit ; all which requires a great deal of care , and no small pains , though this regular proceeding is to me a real pleasure . when the foot of your melon plant grows over luxurious in branches , cut away the feeblest of them , leaving not above three or four of the most vigorous , and whose knots grow nearest to one another : and when the melons are knit , suffer not above two upon each foot , choosing such as are best plac'd , and nearest to the main and principal stem , which should be thick , snug , and not too far above the ground . of these that are knit , and beginning to form , make choice of the handsomest , that are well truss'd with a thick short tail ; melons with long starts , slender , and narrow leaves , never prove worth any thing . when you begin to cover with bells , raise them so upon little forks , as they neither rest upon the fruit or branches , or quite exclude the air ; but so as to keep the edges from bruising , and pressing the tender stalk , and intercepting the current sap. it now and then happens , that there rises a second branch from between the ears , and two first leaves ( though i mention'd indeed but one ) but this is very seldom ; and you are still to count them but for one joint or-knot , though there will thence proceed a second , third , fourth , and perhaps twenty or thirty more , and further remote , if you let them alone , and be not vigilant to restrain , and stop this ex●berance in due time . 't is true , they will present you with fruit at the extremities of their branches , but 't is little worth , as being so far distant from the root , that the sap spends it self in the tedious passage before it arrives , as you 'll find by the wither'd branch , and dryness of the leaves which should skreen both branches and fruit , 'till they are ripe , as we see they do , where a melon has a short and substantial foot. a curious gard'ner therefore should visit his meloniere from time to time , and be cutting off all mutilated , starv'd and vicious branches which annoy the plants , for these impertinents will grow even to the view of ones eye , and quite impoverish the fruit , if not timely prevented . thus you see i am careful to purge the stems of all the small , straggling , and unprofitable branches , from which there is no expectation of good fruit , whilst observing those that have well knit melons on them at the ends of the branches , i constantly take away the rest of that branch on this side the fruit , which-divaricating into other useless wanderers , would rob , and deprive the fruit of the nutriment derived from the root ; nevertheless with this caution , that in pruning , i spare some other less noxious branches to shade the fruit , that it be not left quite naked , and expos'd to such a scorching heat as would hinder its growth and maturity , which within forty days from its nativity and knitting into fruit , arrives to full perfection . great and pumpion-like melons are very seldom tollerably good , as arriving to their bulk either from the nature of the seed and kind , or from superfluous watering the smaller ones ; wherefore ( though as i said they cannot support the too excessive heats ) the less water you give your plants ( provided you find them not to want it ) the better ; and that rather a little at a time than much : once a week is for most part sufficient . as to this therefore you must determine , and regulate your refreshments with great circumspection , and judge by the nourishment which you concieve necessary to produce and maintain the foot , with its branches , and leaves deriving from it ; without which no kind and genuine fruit is to be expected . when you would gather a ripe melon , you will have notice by its turning a little yellow ; for from that time , within a day ( as the weather proves ) it does ordinarily ripen , and begin to cast a grateful scent : this yellowness appearing in some part of it or other , and not seldom with some rift , or little casm's about the stalk , &c. are most infallible indications of its being left rather too long , than too hastily gather'd : the gard'ner must therefore not fail of visiting the meloniere at the least three times a day , morning , noon , and evening , for this critical time of ripening . he will sometimes find melons ripen too fast , but they are seldom or never good , as proceeding rather from a sickly , or vicions root , than from the nature of the plant , or species of those i cultivate . after twenty four hours keeping , or the next day after it has been gather'd ( for so long , contrary to vulgar opinion , it should be preserv'd in some sweet dry place ) and not eaten immediately as it comes from the garden : a perfect and transcendent melon will be full , juicy , and without any vacuity ( which you 'll easily discern by rapping a little with your knuckles upon the outside of the fruit ) the meat should also be dry , or but a little rorid meazing out of the pulp ; but by no means watrish and flashy . to this add a vermillion colour , a grateful flavor , and an high and racy taste . lastly , reserve for seed of that only which lies towards the sunny side of the melon , which being immediately cleans'd from its musilage , with a dry linnen cloth , reserve in boxes , or papers , in some temperate and sweeter place . an advertisement to the curious . it were to be wish'd that the author ( whom i had the honour to know ) had liv'd to put his last hand to this whole work , and added to his potagere , the culture of melons in which he was the most exquisite master , but has in a manner quite omitted it : not , that what he has oblig'd the world withal , is not the most perfect , and consummate piece that was ever , i believe , publish'd on this agreeable subject , but because 't is said , he did himself intend it , and perhaps , to have abbreviated some periods and repetitions which now and then occur to the translator , but which he cannot honestly pretermit to justifie the version . as to what imports this little treatise , in which i have been concern'd out of my affection to this sweet , and innocent toil , and to prevent mistakes , and needless circumlocution ( had i over-nicely follow'd the text ) let the reader take notice , that i use the word case , indifferently , for the box , tube or other vessel in which these choice trees are commonly planted : oringist , for the gard'ner pretending to the culture of orange-trees . casing , or in-casing , for the action , or putting the trees into the case or vessel . un-casing , for the taking them out of the case or vessel . re-casing , for the planting them again into the same , or some other case or vessel . green-house , for the plate or conservatory where the trees are inclos'd , and sh●t up during the winter . clod ( or mot ) for that earth , sod , or whole mass of mould adhering to the roots : the rest are obvious . as to what the author has mention'd in chap. ix . speaking to the prejudice of using fire , and supplying it with lighted flambeaux and lamps ; besides that he no where says h●w the smoak is to be convey'd out of so very close a place , nor any thing of the number of lights and lamps , if the house be large and ample , which would be a considerable charge , if maintain'd with wax , or oyl-olive ( for such it ought to be , to avoid the intolerable smell and fuligo's of gross and cheaper materials ) it gives me an opportunity of adding something to the justification , and melioration of what i lately publish'd in the last edition of my hortensial kalender . it is certain , that a naked or stov'd fire , pent up within the house , without any exit , or succession of external , fresh , and unexhausted vital air , must needs be extreamly noxious and pernicious to these delicate and tender plants : but that which answers all the ends , and operations of natural air , and the objections against the use of fire , any other way save by lamps and flambeaux , i conceive is preferible to them . i acknowledge to have seen by experience , that the naked fire , made t●o near the pipes , is intolerable , melting even cast iron it self : but , as i no where recommend that metal , but that the pipes be made of crucible earth , and propose the whole but as a laudable experiment ; so i do not question , but if such pipes were contriv'd to be plac'd at farther distance from the fire , or that there were a reasonable thick fire-stone laid flat , or rather arch-wise ( on which there might be strew'd a bath or bed of sand ) between the naked fire and the pipes , to intercept , and moderate the intenser heat ( with due regard to register and govern the blast ) but that a gentle and benign warmth would ensue , and such as should only recreate , without the least inconvenience to our nicest exotics : add to this , and for the more equal distribution of this genuine temper , that the noses of the pipes might easily be inserted into a larger pipe of laton , which should be applied either to the blind wall the whole length of the house within , or in the middle , which being pierced with frequent small holes , would breathe it more equally through the conservatory : there might also be placed a vessel , or kettle , upon the firestone-diaphragma , to be at any time fill'd , and supplied by a tunnel from without with water , the vapor of which would exceedingly temper the pipes , and contribute to the perfection of this experiment . facile est inventis addere . j. evelyn . a treatise of orange-trees . translated by john evelyn esq preface . among the florist gard'ners , of whom there are a great many very able men , one frequently meets with some , pretending as if to them alone pertain'd the government of orange-trees ; and would make the world believe , that the culture of those sort of trees is the only master-piece of gard'ning ; and upon this , make a great deal of shew , and talk mightily about the preparation of earths , and of finding out all the ingredients which , they 'll tell you , ought to go to their composition : nor boast they less of their in-casement , potting , waterings ; the setting them in , bringing out , and exposure , &c. there are likewise some among 'em , who carry the secret a great deal farther , and that pretend the kinds and species of orange-trees are almost infinite , and such as ( how true soever ) were enough to affright the most curious , if , as they would make one believe , every one of those kinds did absolutely require a certain specific salt peculiar to them , and would imbark us upon such an ocean of difficulties , as hardly any body would adventure upon a voyage so dangerous , and where the ship-wreck seems almost inevitable . but , as in our ort-yards and olitorie gardens , where the number of the species , and several kinds , do greatly exceed those of orange trees , experience teaches us , that the very same culture does very near serve for all sorts of kernel-fruit , all kind of stone-fruit , and all verdures whatsoever : upon this experience therefore we presume , that there needs no other culture for all the sorts of orange trees , and this upon very good assurance , daily trials , and convincing proofs . i shall not therefore stand upon so many and great difficulties , by which both the one and the other have deterr'd many curious persons , passionate lovers of the orange tree : a passion , in my opinion , the most reasonable , and best plac'd , of any ; since , in effect , through the whole extent of gard'ning , we find neither plant nor trees that afford us so much delight , and that are so lasting : for there is not a day throughout the whole year , wherein orange trees may not ( and as they should do , ) gratifie and court their lovers , either by the verdure of their leaves , the agreeableness of their shape , plenty , and perfume of their flowers ; and , in a word , the beauty , goodness , and durableness of their fruit ; so as i must acknowledge there is no man more charm'd with them than my self . in favour therefore of such whose inclinations i find so general for these trees , i take a third party totally opposite to the doctrine of these mystery-men , and do declare , that , after a long and ample examination , there seems nothing in the whole art of gardning so easie , and little difficult , as the culture of orange trees , be it either the raising them from their first principles , the governing them afterwards , and maintaining them in good condition , when once they have been set ; there being only the recovery of those that are sick , of any difficulty ; notwithstanding all which , i think , one may ( according to every man's ability , ) resolve to store ones self with orange-trees , provided one have an able gard'ner , and a good green-house , without which , indeed , i would advise none to enter upon this curiosity ; for , certain i am , the orangist gard'ner is absolutely guilty , and to blame , either through gross ignorance , laziness , want of diligence , application , or over-fondness to his mysterious fancies , if his orange-trees do not thrive ; provided , i say , that his green-house be not faulty , nor the earth and mould in which they are planted ; or that the head of the tree be not disproportionate to the root , or there be some defect in the casing , which may perhaps be ill made , or not in fit season , or , especially , by over-watering , and the too much use of fire during winter , which is not at all needful , or of water during summer , which should be given with great moderation . i shall , in the next place ( after i have declared what my opinion in general is , as to the easie culture of orange-trees , ) explain , what conditions are required in a good green-house : this easie culture , which i speak of , i know does not please many of our doctor orangists : they 'll tell ye , that both those who believe it , and those who publish it , do not themselves understand it : however , without being in the least discourag'd with what they say , i shall adventure to declare my opinion upon this matter . a treatise of the culture of orange-trees . chap. i. of the easie culture of orange-trees . in confirmation of what i undertake to prove in this chapter , i advance five propositions , which i hold for indubitable : the first is , that we have hardly any plants or trees which take root so easily : secondly , that there 's none which so naturally agree with all sorts of nourishment : thirdly , that these are the most lasting and longaevous trees of all others : and in the fourth place , that there are none less obnoxious , and subject to infirmities : and lastly , none that have so few particular enemies as orange-trees . the tons , which kill our strawberry-plants at the root , and the caterpillar , which spoil their leaves ; the canker-worm that cuts them off to the very ground ; the field mice , little flies , and gnats , which destroy our artichoaks : the gumm , pismires , small fleas , that ruine peach-trees ; and the tyger-bob which ravage the pear-trees ; all these afflicting accidents attacquing our melons , and invading all our olitory and kitchin-garden furniture , are what we may truly reckon to be the greatest enemies to gard'ning in general ; enemies , i say redoubtable enemies , invincible , and by consequence , a thousand times more dangerous than any others whatsoever that menace our orange-trees : some foes i confess they have , nor are they altogether exempt , as there 's no plant which is ; i shall here therefore examine them one by one , and in the mean time , prescribe such remedies as are proper for their cure and preservation . the particular enemies of orange-trees are the pismires , the punaise or bug , ear-wigs , &c. but all the mischief they are able to do , is far from being mortal : there 's nothing more easie than a defensive war against their rudest insults ; for first of all , as to ants and pismires , which sometimes come upon trees in whole troops , and gnaw the leaves ; they rarely invade the orange-tree , save when baited and intic'd by bug-eggs : this filthy spawn , ( as all orangists well know without need of much description ) can prejudice them no further , than to make the tree look all over soul , squalid , and not so agreeable to the eye as a tree should be , whose principle beauty consists in the neatness and cleanness as well of its boughs as leaves ; this sort of filth is bred by certain winged mother-insects , but too well known by their green colour , and nasty smell , proceeding from their bodies being bruised : they lay their spawn in autumn , almost as do the silk-worms , and wind their bags especially about the dry and withered twigs , and under the foul and rumpled leaves ; one would take them at first but for little reddish frecles and spots , whilst they no sooner appear on a tree ( how few soever they are ) but the heat of summer following , makes them grow , extend , and swell , 'till they become as big as a lentil , and then they hatch and multiply , and in autumn again produce infinite numbers of others : but as these nests are neither errant , fugitive , or volatile , one easily spies where they fasten , and may as easily take them away , so one begin the work betimes , and especially when first you bring the trees forth of the green-house : these pull'd off with your fingers , or cleansed with a little brush , you 'll immediately be secured from the pismires , which give over their hostility against orange-trees so soon as ever the bugs are gone . earwigs , those little , long , reddish , nimble insects , that now and then invade the orange-trees ( sharing both flowers and leaves , and marring their prime beauty . ) are not so easily destroy'd as those we newly mentioned : but as the mischief is not mortal , reaches not to the roots , and happens but seldom , there are ways enough to prevent it ; as by sticking up caps of paper , and neat-hoofs in several places of each tree : these pernicious small insects , that go out to forage during night only , you 'll be sure to meet with in their retreat and hiding-places as soon as 't is day , when visiting the hoods and hoofes , you may crush them under foot , and with ease dispatch them . another expedient is by vessels of earth , wood , lead , or copper made square , or round , and hollow ; there are also of them of two fashions ; one whereof is to be set about the stem of every tree ; the others under all the four feet of each case : those that are for the stem or body of the tree , are composed of two pieces , which may easily be glew'd or cemented together , when they are plac'd about the stem , and so accurately close to it , as to hold the water you pour into it : the others consist but of one piece , which are to be put under the feet of the cases , and so being fill'd with water like the first , are an invincible obstacle against earwigs , which being no good swimmers , will hardly attempt the liquid passage . thus are orange-trees intirely safe from desolation by earwigs . the same vessels are likewise protection against pismires ; should there any be so bold to adventure the traject , and get over to these beautiful trees , as some perhaps will try to do , though there be no more of that bug-spawn which so powerfully attracts them . there are besides these mischievous minute creatures ( against which orange-trees require defence ) several other great and sore inconveniencies , to which they ( in common with all other fruit-trees ) are obnoxious , whilst they stand abroad and are exposed : as namely , impetuous winds , white and pretty hard frosts , and above all , great hails ; but since such calamities happen rarely , a gard'ner so surpriz'd is rather to be extreamly pitied , than at all to be blam'd , especially in case of hail : 't is a mischief which comes like a ruine on the sudden , and which no fore-sight can well prevent , be one's carenever so great , and therefore no remedy but patience . as for danger of winds , such as for most part are those between the west and south , seldom blowing before the beginning of autumn ; they give fair warning to remove orange-trees to some place of shelter from their fury ; be it in some house , or under protection of a wall , or grove of trees , so plac'd and oppos'd to the weather , as the orange-trees may , at least some part of the day , enjoy the comfort of the sun. concerning frosts , in as much as we seldom bring orange-trees out of the green-house 'till it be towards mid-may , and commonly shut them up again about the middle of october : they are times when these trees are safe , and sufficiently out of their reach : these kind of spring frosts , which came in the tail of winter , usually end about mid-may ; and the season praedicting their fierce return , is not come at mid-october : as for the small white frosts , which some times continue till half may is spent , and appear again at the beginning of october , they do no considerable damage to orange-trees , that are sound and in health : indeed , the sick and crazy may suffer and receive prejudice by them , by reason of their general tenderness , which they would not have done if strong and vigorous ; that is , well govern'd , and treated as they ought to have been . now therefore , being sufficiently assur'd , that the beauty and preservation of the trees we discourse of , does in the first place , so entirely depend upon the being provided with a good and well-qualified green-house , as that whoever pretends to orange-trees , is never to expect any tolerable success and contentment , without beginning with this necessary precaution : it follows , that before we proceed any farther in explaining what more belongs to their culture and government , the green-house be the first thing we ought next to speak of , as of the greatest importance . chap. ii. of the conditions of a good green-house . to the having a good and well condition'd green-house , there are in my opinion , five principal qualities requisite : the first is , that it be well plac'd and expos'd : secondly , that it have sufficient openings , and they well provided , and guarded with all that is necessary for the shutting them up close when the season requires it : thirdly , that the walls be made of a good thickness , and substantially built : fourthly , that it be well cover'd : and lastly , that the floor be laid even and firm . let us now examine each of these conditions in particular . as touching the first , 't is universally agreed upon , that the meridian exposure and situation is absolutely the best , so that it may enjoy the sun from the hour of ten in the morning , 'till it sets , or is almost ready to go down . the eastern situation , which receives the sun from its rising till noon , or a little after , is also very good . that of the west , which enjoys the sun but from noon to the evening , may serve for want of the other two ; whil'st the north is very pernicious and good for nothing , as hardly seeing the sun at all either morning or afternoon . the second property of a good green-house , namely , that it have fair openings ; requires that the doors and shutters be so made , as that the orange-trees may easily pass thro' them ; and the windows large , and so high , as almost to touch the timbers which support the cieling , which is commonly about three foot , and five or six foot in breadth ; so as having occasion to open them at any time in the winter ( as 't is requisite ) when the sun shines invitingly , all the trees may receive the warmth and comfort of his beams : and in case any moisture remain among them , it may be dried up by the virtue of this bright planet : these windows should also be fitted within side of the house , with chassis of doubled paper , that is , by glewing the sheets on both sides of the frame ; and without this , another chassis of glass : as for other shutters of wood , they signifie little , and are nothing comparable to the other , which should be accurately stopp'd , and cauk'd during the winter , to seclude and keep out all access of the cold air from penetrating , which would infallibly chill and abate the warm and comfortable temper , which the air in the house received from the sun , when the windows were lately open'd upon those fair days we mentioned , and without which , the orange-trees would not preserve their good looks . in the third place , all the walls of the green-house ( those especially that are to the north ) should be built of good free-stone and mortar , chalk and sand ( which doubtless is best ) or of plaster , ( which is not the worst ) provided the walls be so carefully wrought , and well joynted , that there be no crevices or void places left between the stones : where stones are not easily to be had , they may be built of loame , tempered , and mingled with straw or hay ; or with a double cloison made of boards well rabetted , filling the void between with earth or * sand , so as the walls and partitions , as well of the one as the other , be at the least two foot , or two and an half , in thickness : happy in the mean time are they , who with all this , have some other building , dry bank , or grove of tall trees to bask it on the north ! fourthly , since both the cold and wet is apt to insinuate and get in through the roof and covering , as well as through the sides of the house : the cieling and floor above ought to be of a good thickness ; and besides that , be clad in winter with a thatch of hay or straw , unless there happen to be a room or lodging over head , or some gallery , whose windows also must be kept very close shut , whilst the cold weather continues : or , except at least it be substantially vaulted and cover'd with store of earth , or some such material as we have describ'd . lastly , the lower floor of the green-house ( which cannot possibly be too dry ) should methinks , be laid a little higher than the area or walk without , or at least even with it ; but by no means much lower , for fear of dampness , which is more pernicious than the cold it self ; in as much as there 's hardly any remedy for this , as there is against the other . those who have not heard what i formerly objected against the use of fire , ( which is sometimes made in the green-house ) will presently conclude , that whilst i discourse of remedies against the cold , i would have it understood to be fire of charcoal , which they commonly make in several places of the house ; but in truth , i mean nothing less , seeing on the contrary , i am of opinion and abundantly convinc'd , that sort of fuel to be no less than exitial , and hurtful to orange-trees , than either cold or wet , as i pretend to prove . having then spoken of the height of the green-house floor , it remains to shew , that it may be made of well beaten , hard and compacted salpeter'd-earth , or of plaster ; or which is to be preferr'd before all , a floor of well lay'd planks , &c. by what was said of the height of the floor , it needs must follow , that cellars , and vaults are very dangerous , and often mortal , as well to orange-trees , lemons , jessimines , myrtles , &c. as generally to all cas'd , and impotted shrubs whatsoever , for that such low subterraneous places are commonly damp and moist , out of reach , and far from receiving any comfort from the sun , without whose influence , no green-house can be fitly qualified . as to the breadth and length of the green-house within side , it were not desirable it should exceed twenty-four feet , although it might well be made from thirty to thirty-six , or a little more , nor would the house be much the worse , provided the height be withal proportionable , and so dry , as neither cold , nor wet get entrance . they are not the sun beams immediately darting on the orange-tree leaves , that are so essentially salutary and propitious to them , seeing they seldom visit the foliage in the middle , and interior parts of the branches , and head of the tree , how ever advantagiously expos'd ; but they are those rays of the sun , which shine into the whole capacity of the houses , that dispel , and hinder this humidity from settling and doing the mischief . and thus having establish'd for a general maxim , that supposing one is well provided of a good green-house , it is easie to be master of fair , and excellent orange-trees . i next come to explain more particularly , what my opinion is of their culture . chap. iii. of the several parts belonging to the culture of orange-trees . to speak of this as intelligibly as is possible , i conceive there are five articles to be consider'd ; the knowledge of which , will be of great instruction to the newly curious : those i mean , who are altogether strangers to these matters , and are desirous to learn . the first , and which is very important for the removing of many scruples is about the composition of the earth and mould , most proper for the nourishment of such orange-trees as we plant in pots or cases . the second , treats of the way of raising them from seed , and afterwards how to graft them ; and more especially , what there 's to be done to trees of great , or lesser growth , newly brought from other countries , whether naked , strip'd , and without any clod , or earth adhering to the roots ( like other fruit-trees ) or whether with their leaves on , together with the clod , &c. when i say , receiving them in this manner , we would impot or case them . the third article , directs the shape , and bigness of the cases to be us'd , and what is to be done about the clod , and roots of such as are to be new cased , with the manner of doing it , which are two essential points in this culture , and also rules concerning watering . the fourth article , shews how to dress and fashion the heads of orange-trees , whether it be to recover such as have been long neglected , or ill treated , or such as have suffer'd by the frost , or humidity of winter ; or , that one would have handsom trees , that should always maintain their beautiful figure in health and vigour , without losing their leaves . the fifth concerns the necessary situation of the places in which orange-trees are to be set , when they are brought out of the green-house , and ( as every body knows ) what time they should be carried in , shut up , and expos'd again abroad . it also shews what is to be done , during six or seven months , that the trees are thus confin'd ; upon which , i shall in particular say what i think concerning fire , which divers people kindle in their green-houses . chap. iv. of the composition and mixture of earths , proper for the in-casing orange , and lemon-trees , &c. since orange , and lemon-trees , are strangers among us , and as one may say , come artificially into climates subject to rigorous winters ; as here in the isle of france , and other northern countries , whereas they grow spontaneously and naturally in warmer places . it makes some to fancy , that this may partly proceed from some defect in the earth that 's us'd , as well as from the air we breathe in , which causes these trees to undergo some inconvenience here : and upon this , every gard'ner makes a wondrous mystery , forsooth , of certain peculiar compositions of earths , &c. and of this , there are various contests , and very different opinions . for , some will have the main importance of the mixture , to consist as well in the plurality of ingredients ( especially if they be hard to come by ) as in the several doses : others , in the frequent removing and stirring the mould , so blended together ; without which , they conceive all the rest unprofitable , and of no effect . there be others , who stand much upon the antiquity , and age of the composition ; and that what has been longest made and prepared , is best : some again , for that which has most been stirr'd . in fine , most of them make chiefest account of the lighter ingredients for their mixture , namely , such as is sifted , and reduc'd to powder , the marc of wine , earth of an old hot-bed , &c. i should never have done , should i speak particularly to every orangist's conceit upon this subject : 't is certain , there 's hardly one of them but pretends to some rare , and peculiar secret , that no body has save himself , and which he would not impart to another for any thing in the world. i 'll suppose they all have reason to be satisfied with their manner of proceeding , nor is it for me to contradict them , none ever heard me censure them for it : in the mean time , for my own part , as i think i have made choice of a method easie and simple , and that appears to me very conformable to the general course and order of vegetation , and particular nature of the trees , under consideration , i shall endeavour to explain it to the curious , and let them see with what success i have long made use of it effectually . there are also , divers other worthy persons , who have thought good to pursue my method for their orange-trees , who shall be my vouchers . but before i enter far on this explication , i declare again ( once for all ) that whatever the earth produces , be they plants , or trees , there is none of them , ( as to their culture , their complexion and constitution ) more easie , tractable , and ( as i may say ) accommodant , than are orange and lemon-trees ; the different manners they are govern'd by , in several places , visibly justifie it . one may , in my opinion , fitly resemble them to those healthy , and vigorous youths , who abandoning themselves to debauchery , and disorderly courses , their juvenile strength does , for all that , often repair the breaches of their irregular lives ; but it lasts but for a certain time , the young person , accustoming his body to that , which in fine , must absolutely destroy him , or at least extreamly alter , and impair it s robust composure . 't is just so with our orange-trees , which are naturally wonderful , strong and lively ; so as by that , they easily repair whatever nourishment ( though little agreeable to their kind ) it be , that may corrupt and spoil them . it is not with these trees as with certain other vegetables , some of which will thrive and live no where , but in a dry and light soil ; others , save in the fat and moist , whereas orange-trees live in either , but by no means thrive so well in one , as in the other . that which i would especially recommend to observation , concerning the culture of orange-trees , which ( as we said ) are but strangers to our climate , is to take good notice out of what sort of earth they were brought , and did naturally grow in , and accordingly endeavour to replant them in the like , as near as one can guess : by this inquiry , i have found that they most naturally thrive , and grow to perfection , in strong , fat , and heavy earth , and from thence conclude , that it were convenient , by art , ( which should ever imitate nature ) to prepare mould that were accordingly rich and weighty : but forasmuch as these trees , being set in cases , this heavy fat earth , which is to nourish them ( without receiving any assistance from the neighbouring mould ) would be apt to grow dry , and hard almost as a stone , so as becoming unfit for vegetation , the roots cannot spread and extend themselves , without administring some succour to them . it follows , that of necessity we not only afford them due watering and refreshment , but such as may easily , and universally penetrate throughout , and therefore some means must be found , that this earth be well , and industriously stirr'd , and made loose , to correct its natural sluggishness . but you 'll presently object , as to this dull and heavy material i so commend , that the sun , which looks but obliquely upon us , cannot have the same effects as it has in those climates where it darts its beams more directly . this is the common objection of our orangists . to which i reply in the first place , that as every body sees ( and is confirm'd by daily experience ) the heat which we have here during the four or five months in which our orange-trees are expos'd , is sufficiently great to make them live , and that with a great deal of vigour for a long time . in the second place , that the cas'd-mould being open to the air , and consequently visited on every side by the sun , receives the impressions of its heat almost as freely , as what being in the wide and open field , enjoys its beams on the superficies only . and lastly , that the earth being thus made loose , as well as ponderous , is by this expedient render'd easie and compliant for the roots to spread in , and for the water to penetrate and refresh it , and by so much the more dispos'd to entertain the impressions of the warmth which it requires : and thus we render it capable of receiving that by our art , which would be superfluous , and too much in the hotter countries . upon this foundation and reason ( be it in what country soever ) i endeavour to find out the best , natural common - earth , and least stony that i can light upon in all the neighbourhood : that is to say , mould which has substance , and is pretty solid ; by no means clay , which i look on as dead , but such as all sorts of plants seem naturally to delight in by their growth and thriving . nor am i much concern'd what colour it is of , though for the most part , and to sight , the blacker be most agreeable and approv'd of . for example , that which is proper for hemp , good wheat , or pasture-ground , or of an high-way , or that lying low , it receives the water , and drainings of some higher rich ground . of this earth i take as much as i have need , and without farther trouble of preferring that which lies uppermost , ( and which indeed , is the best in most mens opinions ) i rather choose that which lies undermost , provided it appears to be of the same quality of that which is above it , ever seeking that which is freshest ; i mean , that which haply never saw the sun , and consequently , has never yet served to the nourishment of any plant ; so as 't is not only to be presum'd , that it retains in it all its original salts , but a good part likewise of that which the upper , and incumbent ground , through which it has been the drain , contributes to it . after this , visiting the folds , i procure dry sheeps-dung , reduc'd almost to powder ; ( and which is to be had in almost every country ) or for want of that , i seek for soil where sheep have formerly been pent ; than which , there is nothing better and more soveraign for the trees we speak of . but in defect of this , i use either the mould of well-rotted leaves of trees , or of an old hot-bed , that has not been over sob'd and water'd , without ever medling with the marc , and husks of grapes for reasons i shall alledge hereafter . now ( as i said above ) i would have the mould which i prepare , weighty , and yet so loose withal , as w●ilst it being solid and material , it ●ail not of producing good and substantial roots , such as it could not do in lighter earth . on the other side , it being thus loosen'd , the water and refreshments , together with the warmth of the sun may the more easily penetrate it , than possibly it could , were it altother constipat and over-heavy . considering then , how many trees i have to in-case , i accordingly order my composition , by taking , at least , one half of that natural earth which i find near at hand , ( and which is that which gives it that weight , ●nd solidness which i judge convenient ) proportionable to the other half , which i compose of powder'd sheeps-dung , if i can p●ocure enough of it ; and if not , of those other ingredients i before have mention'd , viz. mould of the old melon 〈…〉 d , or of rott●d leaves , and all these in almost equal portions , which makes the half of my mixture , and imparts to it that lightness which i desire . all this do i mingle together the very same day i have occasion for it ( if i could not dispatch it some days before ) not thinking it at all necessary to have prepar'd it much sooner ; and that which induces me is , first , that every particle of earth contains evidently in it self , its peculiar vegetative salt. secondly , 't is certain that no grain , or particle of earth does enter into the body of another grain , much less into the bodies of the roots , which only common water does , which drenching ( as i may say ) the borrow'd earth with the salt of every part , receives more or less , according as the earth is more or less charged with it : and this water so impregnated , and season'd with the salts of those good earths , is that which ( as we have often noted ) administers to the roots that food and nourishment which forms their sap , which we affirm will be found so much better , according as the earths ( through which the water has drain'd ) renders them more fruitful , and above all less diluted . this being so , it follows , that the staleness and oldness of the composition , signifies no more to its melioration and improvement , than the frequent stirring of it . on the contrary , methinks it were to be wish'd , that this mixture , once made , and the earths cast into heaps , were cover'd from the rain , lest the waters falling upon them , wash , and carry away the best part of it , and scatter it unprofitably about the sides or bottom of the whole mass . now to make our composition the more speedily and easily , and indeed with more exactness ; having first cast all the materials into several heaps , pretty near to one another , i cause as many men as there are different ingredients , with their shovels and spades , standing by their respective heaps , to cast it equally , and in equal portions pell-mell in some void place near them . for instance , if i have but one single heap of good earth , and another of sheeps-dung , there will need but two men to fling them equally from their heaps , to make another heap : and if with the heap of good earth , i have two or three of those other ingredients mention'd , i place as many labourers near that single heap of good earth , as i do at all the other heaps . and thus at one , and the same instant , as a shovel-full of stuff is thrown from each of the two or three separated heaps , there may ( at the same time ) be cast as many shovel-fulls of the single heap of good earth : and so my composition is soon finish'd , and made exactly , without losing any time , or of making a greater quantity , or removing more ingredients than one needs . from that which has been said , it appears , that i neither much look after the earth of drains , dry and old rotted dirt , marshy , or castings of ditches , pidgeons-dung and the like , as well because i can be very well without them when i have the others which put me to no trouble in finding ( the facility and easiness in agriculture being that which infinitely charms me ) as especially , because i esteem them preferable , and much better , so as i never make use of the other when i can have these at hand , but upon the utmost exigence and necessity . by this you also see , i do not plant in pure and simple earth only , and less yet in that which is finely sifted , as do divers gard'ners . indeed , orange-trees will i confess , make pretty shoots in this powder'd-mould for a year or two , but 't is as true , that they make no clod , or union , so as 't is very difficult to case , or change them upon occasion , without danger of leaving no mould cleaving about the roots ; without which , you must look for nothing during that whole year , nor the next , but the dropping of their leaves , whereas such as are planted in my composition , retain a fair lusty clod about them , from which one may ( and as indeed one should ) pare off a good part when you re-case them , so that as well the old roots , as old and exhausted earth , may be sufficiently abated , without any peril of losing the leaves , or risquing the tree , but , on the contrary , make it stronger , and more beautiful , and begin to put forth considerable shoots that very year . this also shews , how little i attribute to the marc of wine : and first , for that the water which must retain the tast and quality of wine ( as in effect it would , if the marc contain'd in it any , the least sort of moisture , the water , i say , in which it were infus'd , participating of it ) is really , not only improper , and not at all good for any kind of plants , but extreamly pernicious to them . in the second place , for that this mare , consisting , as it does , of three things , which contain in them no sort of juice ( namely , the stone or kirnel , the skin , and the stalk ) furnish nothing of advantage to vegetation , for the kirnels are commonly as hard as little stones , which scarce ever rot or turn to earth ; the skin , and stalks for having been extreamly press'd , can yield nothing at all of nourishment . and all this we find , in as much as the water , wherein the mares have been macerated , and infus'd a considerable while has no manner of tast or relish in it ; whereas the water which has percolated ; and pass'd through sheeps-dung , or an old melon-bed , &c. sensibly retains in it something of extraordinary , as appears by the acrimony or the tast it leaves , to conclude , after all the pains that i have taken , i never yet observ'd that the mare of wine did impinguate , and inrich the ground ; it renders it indeed somewhat lighter ( but without imparting to it any other quality ) and that 's what i strive chiefly to avoid in earths for orange-trees , not only because i would not have a mold too light , but above all , that what does give it the lightness requisite , should carry with it also something of more useful and soveraign towards the nourishment of plants . besides , if the mare of wine were of that absolute importance for orange-trees , what should they do , or rather what had they done , who having orange-trees , live in colder countries , where vine-yards to not succeed or prosper ? add to this , that as to the moist and colder climates , and indeed other places also where the soil is churlish and over binding ( approaching the nature of clay ) the earth for orange-trees , ought to have good and sufficient quantity of sheeps-dung , or of those other light , and tractable ingredients , apt and dispos'd to warm and heat ; but which is not needful in hot , and more temporate countries , or in the good earth of other places , so as on such occasions , one may go as far as two thirds of sheeps-dung : and this last composition is i assure you , very proper and good to raise any sort of plant in whatsoever , whether in pot or case . chap. v. of the manner how to raise orange-trees from the seeds , and afterwards to graft them : how first to cultivate those which are newly brought to us from the countries where they grow and live without art , whether they come stripp'd and naked , without clod , or with it , having some leaves upon them . touching the first article , we have this to say , that though it be true , that the branches of orange-trees in certain climates ( those especially which come in bundles , will take root of suckers , as easily as with us goose-berry , fig , and quince-trees do , &c. yet in these countries here , where there is not that facility , we seldom raise them but from the seeds , and such as we get from very ripe , or rotten fruit : the month of march is the proper time to sow them , either in earthen-vases , or cases fill'd with sheeps-dung-mold , or that of the old melon-bed , burying what seeds you intend to sow , two or three fingers deep , in rills and lines , or in holes at two inches distance , and at this nearness , that at the least some of them may take , if not all , and with purpose to thin , and pull up supernumeraries where they stand too thick , that those which are left may thrive the better , as in a short time they will do . preparatory to this semination , choose of the best species and kinds of oranges , especially of the bigarades , which will produce , and furnish you with wild stocks , that in two years time may be fit to re-plant at greater distance , and by this means so increase in growth and substance , , as that at the end of five or six years ( if care be taken to dress them , either by frequent , but gentler stirrings of the earth , ordinary watering , and discreetly trimming and pruning them ) they will become fair and lusty stocks fit to graft on . and this is done two manner of ways : the first , and most frequent is by in●culation , and grafting in the escutcheon in the months of july , august , and september as they do other fruit-trees , and that as near the earth as conveniently you can , that it may send forth a strait , and fair shoot from the shild : the second way is grafting by approach , which is done in the month of may , but for this operation the wild stock had need be of some considerable substance and growth , because the head is to be cut off to make the incision or gash , and sometimes a cleft , in which to apply or approach a branch of the orange-tree of whose kind you desire a graft . in adjusting these , you must cut away a little of the rind , and of the wood of both sides of the branch , and so insert and apply it neatly to the middle of the gash , and then with a plaister of soft wax , or clay , and wrapping that about with a linnen rag , bind all close together , so as it may resist the wind until towards august ; when , if you perceive the graff has taken ( which you 'll find by the vigorous shoot it makes ) you may then separate the stock-graff from the mother-tree , by sawing , or cutting the approached branch just before the place where it was bent down . after the same manner are grafted lemon-trees , and that indifferently ; orange on the lemon and orange-stock , as well as the lemon upon either , though indeed the orange does better upon its own kind , than on either lemon or balotins . 't is easie to distinguish an orange-stock from the lemon , for the latter has a yellowish bark , the orange greenish ; besides , that the leaves of orange-trees have near the stalk a little foot at the bottom of the leaf , shaped like an heart , which lemon-trees have not . moreover , orange-trees graffed on the wild stock of their own species , commonly make a more vigorous shoot , and are less obnoxious to shed their leaves , than what are grafted on the lemon-stock or balotins . here about paris , we seldom raise either by seeds or graffs ; none save the curious for tryal sake , will put themselves to the pains of it , since the genoa merchants so easily relieve us of that trouble , where they raise them with such success , as well for the profit they make of them , as for our satisfaction . there come yearly to us in the months of march , april and may in great abundance , both orange and lemon-trees , strong and lusty plants , and that at very reasonable price , as well such as have no clod or earth about them , as those that have . the main thing is , how to preserve such of either kind as are well-condition'd : that the stem be strait , even and sound , not gall'd any where , and of competent height , as about a foot and a half , or from two foot to a yard , or four foot ; that the roots be also sound , and look as if but newly drawn out of the nursery : that the cold , wet , or too much heat have not dried , chill'd , or any way injur'd them by the way ; either of all which defects , may have utterly spoil'd them , and made them good for nothing . these , and other infirmities , you may easily discover by cutting or peeling a little of the rind of the stem , branches and roots , which should be pretty firm and close , and of a yellowish green ; the bark also loosen'd a little from the wood , should be found of an oily moisture , which is the effect of the sap's being plentifully in it . on the other side , if the bark be too soft , or rather rotten , or very rough , hard and dry , they are mortal symptoms , and you 'll commonly find the wood underneath the bark , to appear blackish and spotted , and such are only fit for the chimney . those trees which are brought us without the earth , or any clod about the roots , and have yet perhaps other good marks , are to be trimm'd from head to foot : the head , that is to say the branches , being commonly naked and bare of leaves , should be sufficiently prun'd and abated , and so order'd , that new shoots may spring from their tops , fit to be form'd into beautiful , and handsom heads , round and full , as we shall shew in due place . as to the roots , be sure to ●eanse them well from their hairy fibers , which for the most part you 'll find quite dry'd and shrunk up ; and take so much off the other roots , that you leave not the very largest , and best grown above four or five inches in length , and in proportion the least also , cutting those that are spoil'd by any galling , or bruise quite off to the very quick : and this done , plunge the roots for five or six hours into common water , and then plant them in baskets , tubs , cases , or pots fill'd with good mould , a little lighter than that which is compos'd for grown orange-trees , such as you have had a good while , and that have their clod about them : for these new plants therefore , there needs not be in the composition of the mould above a quarter part of the grosser earth at most , the rest being of the above-mention'd ingredients . when this is done , place the baskets , or vasas in a moderate hot-bed , made in some shady place where the sun does but a little peep through ; or if more expos'd to its heat , which may dry and injure the tender plants during the first hot months , in this case you must cover , them with matresses , or canvas , so as preventing these inconveniences , you may yet give them air in rainy , close , and cloudy seasons , being also careful to water them from time to time moderately , and with discretion , so as the mould may remain always a little moist ; yet so , as that the earth in the case , may enjoy some , be it never so little ( since a very little is sufficient ) of the warmth , and comfort of the hot-bed : but by no means too much , for that were worse than none at all . arm'd with these cautions , you will be able to save most orange-trees so in-cas'd , potted , or in baskets , leaving them in the same bed all the rest of the year , until towards the middle of october , when you are to remove them to such a green-house as we have recommended , or else made them a warm cover as they stand , with dry dung and litter well matted , &c. sufficient to preserve them from the cold of winter to the end of april , or the beginning of may , when you shall take them out of this first case or pot , together with earth and all ; or if in baskets ( which commonly you 'll find rotten at the years end ) put them as they are , into new , and proportionable cases , without troubling your self about taking any of the rotten basket-twigs away , lest by letting in the air , you prejudice the tender r●o●s : this done , give them the ordinary dressing and culture as hereafter we shall direct , from henceforth beginning to form the head till it arrive to the utmost beauty it is capable of . thus much touching orange , and lemon-trees brought to us with the clod , branches and leaves about them . as for such as come with all this furniture , you are first , to examine whether the adhering clod be natural , because they are sometimes artificially clump'd , and daub'd about the root with clay after the root is cut ; but this is easily discover'd by the manner of the small roots clinging to it , for if it be natural , it will stick very firmly to them , but if loose , 't is a certain sign of knavery : and if it be only such as has apparently been thus applied , take it all clear off , if otherwise , ●abating very little , let most of it remain , since 't is likely to be no great quantity , and then you need only refresh the roots , by pairing and shortning them discreetly . but for the others , they are to be treated as has already been shew'd , where we speak of such young orange-trees as arrive without their clod. having thus perform'd what is necessary about the clod , you are in the next place to work about the head , and consider how to give beginning to the most agreeable figure ; which you shall do by taking away a great part of the little small , straggling branches , you find to grow confus'dly , cutting also the grosser ones off , which you see hinder the symmetry and beauty of the head , which should be reduc'd to a perfect round , and full. this done , bathe the root a good quarter of an hour , namely , so long as ( that being quite under water ) you perceive any air-bubble to rise , and then set it as long to drain . lastly , place it in your case , after the same manner we commonly do orange-trees out of an old case . chap. vi. of the size and bigness of good cases , and other circumstances relating to them . there needs no great directions about the bigness and shape of cases , which ought to be of capacity made proportionable to the growth and substance of the trees which you would plant in them . a small tree would appear as ridiculously in a large case , as a great tree in a small one ; but with this difference in the mean time , that the latter would languish , and be in danger of perishing for w●nt of competent nourishment , it being impossible a great tree , together with all its roots , should find sufficient to maintain life in a vessel that contain'd but little matter , whereas a little orange-tree , in a great and large case , would run no such danger , but be in effect the same as if it had been planted in the wide and open field . i am not of some curious mens opinion , who hold that large and ample cases hinder the growth , and thriving of young orange-trees , unless they also imagine they would grow and be worse in the plain earth , and open field . 't is a great mistake to think that a single root produces nothing of it self ; let it be never so throughly heated , it will never exert any thing , if it be not animated with a certain vital-principle , as i have fully demonstrated in one of the chapters of my treatise of reflections . now the impression which must promote this activity , seems to proceed more naturally from the superficies than from the sides . what remains to be spoken concerning cases , is the figure , which every body knows to be square , for though they sometimes make little round ones , and other oblongish , they are not so agreeable , unless the height ( without reckoning the feet ) correspond , and answer the length ; for to be large and low , or high , and but narrow , is very unsightly : the foot ought therefore ordinarily , to be from five , to six inches high , for cases , that are in height from one foot and half , to two or three feet . they may be some inches shorter , if they be not above eight , ten , or twelve large ; or be allow'd some inches more , if of three and half , or four feet , which are the largest size we see any where us'd . the best timber to make cases of is oak , as the most durable : firr , beech , chesnut , &c. are by no means proper . cases may also be made of barrel-board , or pipe-staves , when they exceed not twenty , or two and twenty inches ; but if more , of good clap-board , and wainscot full inch thick , they will else be apt to break , and be dis-joynted when they come to be remov'd and carried by the lever , especially being large , full of earth and heavy . 't is of great importance to have their feet of sound oak , and made square , and proportionable to the bigness of the cases : also , that the bottoms be very substantial , supported with bars well nail'd and fasten'd , that they may be able durably to sustain their burden , and secur'd from becoming rotten , to which the frequent waterings make them obnoxious : for it were desirable that the trees might continue in the same cases many years without any necessity of change , every removing and alteration being prejudicial to them . one should likewise take care , that the bottoms of the cases hold stanch , and without starting ; and that they may last the longer , it were in my opinion requisite to give the inside a good priming or two , with some oil-colour'd , no matter what it be . this may perhaps seem needless , but i assure you upon experience , you 'll find it worth the expence in the durableness of your cases , and the benefit of the orange-trees ; which being thus accommodated will not need to be so often chang'd , provided you govern them as i have shew'd , and that you in-case them pretty high , and tread the earth well at the bottom before you re-plant them . every body knows that the bottom of the case should be bor'd through in several places with an auger , if the board be joyn'd close , or else be laid at some reasonable distance one from another , bar-wise , for the more commodious draining , and passage of the superfluous water , and often refreshments . if the case or box be of two foot and halfsize , it were convenient to give it an iron plate at each corner , and under the bars below , that the levers ( which you must of necessity make use of , to lift and transport so great a burden by ) do not break any of the bars . i would also advise , that two of the sides of the boxes were contriv'd with wickets , to open and shut at pleasure , by the help of some iron-bars and hooks , to hold them fast in : not that hereby one may give them an half in-casing upon occasion , a thing i neither approve of or use ( for reasons hereafter ) but that when ever there really is need of re-incasing large and great orange-trees , one does the more easily take them forth their old case , with the greater part of the earth and clod adhering , which one cannot so commodiously and safely do otherwise , without danger of breaking and disorder . let us next shew how they are to be re-cas'd . chap. vii . of re-casings , and the best manner of doing it . re-casing an orange-tree is sometimes necessary , either for some defect in the box , or in regard of the tree : as first , when a box , or case is so broken through age or other accidents , that it cannot be removed without detriment to the tree it contains ; or when it is too little and has not sufficient room to nourish , and entertain it in any longer . secondly , when one suspects , or foresees the ruine of a tree by the weakness and languor of the shoots , the yellowness of its leaves , the smallness of the crumpled flowers , &c. or that in fine , one of the most principal perfections , and beauty of an orange-tree being ( in my opinion ) its yearly putting forth lusty , and handsom new shoots , if it have fail'd in so doing the last spring , 't is to be presum'd there is something in fault , and that though it may haply bear a florid , and green leaf of the last two years , 't is evident yet that it does no more receive that due nourishment in the case which it requires : and therefore be it that the mould is too old , and much exhausted , or the box too narrow in regard to the quantity of the roots , on either of these defects , a new re-casing is to be resolv'd on . happy those orange-trees , or rather happy the master of them , that has an able and skillful gard'ner to govern 'em , and the sagacity to prevent these accidents , by a timely re-casing before his trees complain or suffer ; being careful to do it before these infirmities seize too far upon them , and perform it dextrously with all the necessary circumstances : he may then in the first place , be sure his trees will regularly maintain their leaves and verdure , which is no small master-piece ; and in the second place , find them to shoot ( that very year ) almost as freely as if they had not at all been new-cas'd , which is another extraordinary advantage . thirdly , supposing it to have already attain'd as beautiful an head as we have fancied in our idea , there will be no farther need of working upon that , or using the knife , though haply it may be convenient to pare away , and abate about two third parts of the clod and earth which is about the root ; and thus have you an orange-tree perfectly well re-cas'd . 't is therefore very necessary to re-case ( though the tree may have been never so well treated ) whenever we observe it to have pass'd a summer without continuing to make as vigorous a shoot as 't was wont to do ; since being neglected , until we find our trees actually sick , and in an ill condition , one may assuredly conclude , that either the same year , or the next after , they 'll in all probability lose their leaves , and that the very year of re-casing they will make no shoot at all , or if they do put any out , none but such as are very feeble , wretched and miserable ones , with small round flowers , most of which will drop before they be spent or wither'd ; so as of necessity , you will be oblig'd to cut off a very great part of the old branches , and sometimes the entire head , to ones infinite vexation , to behold the poor trees in this sad and naked condition , and that for so long a time before they will recover , or afford you any satisfaction . it is fit you should have notice , that sometimes a cased orange-tree ( be it one brought from hot countries , or that has only been newly chang'd into another box ) may now and then remain two , or three years without pushing either roots or branches , whatever pains one takes about it , which is very irksome : but even in this case , one is not presently to despair of the tree , or cast it away , seeing so long as the stem and branches continue fresh , you may be sure it is alive , and may for all this emerge . nor will i advise you to change its case , but to continue your wonted care of him as he stands , and you 'll after a while find him to recover , and answer all your pains and patience , it familiarly happening , that this lethargie and benumb'ness ( from i know not what unknown and secret cause ) is at last vanquish'd and overcome : but where an orange-tree that ( for instance ) has been in-cas'd , and diligently dress'd for three or four years , ceafes for a whole twelve-month to spring at all , you may ( as already we have noted ) conclude that he is beginning to be sick , and speedily re-case him the next year following . to perform this well , you shall first of all pare off two thirds of the old mould or clod , which indeed looks very frightful at first to those who are yet unacquainted with the government of cased trees : though it be indispensably necessary at every re-casing , especially if the tree have been in the same box four or five years , or perhaps a a longer time ; for 't is sometimes expedient to diminish , and take away a full half of its clod ; as when through the negligence , or imprudence of former gard'ners , you find a tree become excessively gross and over-grown , for want of being duly prun'd and trimm'd on its precedent re-casings . the second thing to be done in re-casing well , is before you begin this important work : in the first place to consider the mould and earth of the clod : in the next , to see what condition the case and box is in . as for the mould , if you find it over light , and that you conceive the root has but a small clod about it , you must then water it plentifully the day before you stir any thing , that so the moisture may cause it to adhere to the roots , least otherwise the earth fall wholly away from them , leaving them quite naked when you come to take the tree out of its case ; but if you perceive the earth to be solid and material , so as in likelihood the root has a sufficient clod about it , you may altogether omit the previous watering , and proceed to un-case : the earth will hold well enough to the roots , and you may work without any danger . as for the box , you were before to consider , whether it be fit to serve any more ; and if so , to reserve it : if not , to dispose of it accordingly . now for the saving of the case , be it with a wicket , or ( as ordinarily ) without any , you should with some fitting instrument , howe , or trowel scrape , and take away from about the roots clod and all the four sides of the case , as much old earth as until you can conveniently arrive at the clod ; and then also , pare off as much of the ancient roots as you can without disordering of the clod , of which you should leave three parts . this is a necessary operation for the cleansing of it quite round , which otherwise you would not be able to reach and come at . this done , lift the tree out of the case with either strength of arm , if it be not too heavy , or by the help of a crane , pully , and ropes if it be of too great a bulk ; and so without demolishing any part of the old case , you may keep or make use of it again , either to re-case the same tree in , or some other , whilst the former , with some small reparations , may last perhaps four or five years longer : but if you find it not worth the mending , let it be broken up for the fire , and so you shall come to the intire clod , and as before , abating about two thirds , or more of the mould as you see cause , since in either respect , retrenchments are to be made as well on every of the four sides , as underneath , scraping away so much of the old exhausted earth , as till you discover , and lay bare about two inches of the ends of the roots that had been cut , to be revested and turnish'd in re-casing with new and fresh mould ( as shall hereafter be shown ) that so they may at their extremities , put forth new and lusty roots , sufficiently to re-establish the tree . by the way , i advertise , that in pruning the roots , which you will find twisted and intangled one within the other , you be careful to take clean away all that you cut off , without leaving so much as a fragment , or chip remaining , thereby preventing the rotting , and infecting of their neighbours , which were very dangerous . in a word , after these retrenchments made of earth and roots , if the weight and bulk of earth permit , i counsel you to dip it in some tub , or vessel full of water or fountain basin , deep enough to cover the intire clod , and there to let it remain as long as the water works and boils about it ; for so it will , soaking in by degrees , where the ordinary waterings could not penetrate , and consequently , the earth excessively dry'd , and water taking place , will force out and expel the latent , and prejudicial air which causes the ebullition and disorder . so soon as the boiling ceases , take the drenched tree out of the water , and placing it on some block or case laid side-long ( or any thing that stands a little higher than the ground ) there let it rest until all the water be drain'd from it , and it have almost quite done dropping : for this reason , that whilst the clod is thus streaming , should one put it into a new earth'd case , it would make it all into a mortar , which were very pernicious to the tree ; for being necessarily oblig'd to press , and close the mould to the sides of the clod , and crowd as much into the case as is possible , as well about the naked roots , as where ever one finds a void , it could not be , but the earth thus moisten'd , beaten and press'd would turn all to pap and mortar , which would at last grow hard , and petrifie like stone , by all means to be prevented . now in case the clod be too big to be thus plung'd in water : when the re-casing is finish'd , with a good big pointed stake ( made of some hard wood ) or an iron crow or pin made for the purpose ; endeavour to pierce the clod in several places of it , and pour water in the holes gently from time to time , as long almost as it will imbibe any , and that you judge the whole mass of earth may sufficiently be soak'd with it . let us next proceed to fit our new case , be it of the smaller , middle , or largest size : the custom is , and 't is a very good one , both for the benefit of the roots , as for the preservation of the cases bottom , to cover them with a bed of rubbish , old brick-bats , &c. that the frequent waterings draining through those loose materials , may not stagnate and corrupt , which would both rot the roots , and bottoms of the cases also . i would have this rubbish handsomly rang'd , pretty gross and thick , suitable to the bigness and capacity of the case , yet not to lye above three or four inches thick , the least siz'd boxes two . this done , 't is sufficient to fill in as much prepar'd earth as is requisite to set the clod in , so as the superficies be plac'd level with the brim of the case , and then finish all , gently filling the void places at the sides , and give it all a plentiful watering : so have you the true ordinary way of in-casing all sorts of trees . but , for as much as i perceive that by this manner of putting in the mould , 't is apt to sink , and settle too much after a little while , and consequently cause the roots quickly to touch the bottoms of the cases , which may extreamly prejudice the beauty of orange-trees ; make them look yellow , put forth small shoots and flowers , and soon despoil them of their leaves , and so oblige one to change the cases every four , or five years . i have consider'd the doing something more , which has very well succeeded with them , though i confess upon this account i have stirr'd up against me a great many among the orangist-gard'ners , who upon this , as well as my composition and mixture of earth , have looked on me as an innovator , and as one may say , a disturber of the publick peace , and as if i had at the same time dishonour'd both them and their ancestors : but let the success of my method decide the process , to the confusion of the envious . see then how i re-case my trees : so soon as i have laid upon the bed of rubbish a foot of the prepar'd earth , which i would have to be dry , or very little moist , i cause it to be exceedingly beaten with the fist , or with some rammer , or piece of wood when it is for the lesser cases ; or else make one to go into the bigger cases , and tread the mould sufficiently , so as it may subside , and settle almost once for all , whilst the weight of the earth , and agitation of its transporting , would in time by the common method , shake the clod down to the very rubbish , and bottom of the case , to the great damage of the tree , which i would by all means prevent , as i have already shew'd . and since my purpose is , first , that in re-casing , the superficies or upper part of the clod should exceed the brim of the box three or four inches , as certainly knowing that notwithstanding all the treading and ramming , the clod will in less than three or four years , be so sunk down , as to be no higher than the edge of the case ( as it happens at the first in the ordinary way above described ) though the bottom of the clod be well enough plac'd : and , since also i would that the clod should meet , and touch three or four inches of the well-loosen'd mould , into which the naked roots may commodiously enter and insinuate themselves . upon these two considerations i govern my self , as well for the due replenishing the case with earth , to the place where it touches the bottom of the clod , as for the well ramming and treading of it , as by degrees ( and bed upon bed ) i cast it in , ' til the whole case be full within three or four inches of the top , which should remain loose , and not be trodden at all . after all these precautions , i so plant my clod , as that its stem be just in the center of the case , and stand exactly upright . to do which , you shall draw diagonal lines from corner to corner ; by the decussation of which , you cannot fail of placing it accurately in the middle . then for replenishing the void places about the clod to the height of its superficies , i use to cram and press in of the prepar'd mould ( as much as is needful ) with the end of a little piece of wood or barrel board , which forces and crowds the earth in so very hard , as from that very day forward , settles the tree , without loosing its perpendicular , and establishes it against all ordinary winds , motions , or transportings of the cases whatsoever . now to keep the earth ( which i advise should considerably exceed the margins of the case ) from sliding down , especially , that when you refresh it , the water run not down unprofitably by the sides , i order pieces of boards of four or five inches breadth , be applied to all the four sides of the cases , sinking and pressing in one of the edges of the boards between the earth and the side of the case , to keep up the mould so heaped above the level of the cases brims : nor is this any great eye-sore , provided the boards be handsomly plac'd , which otherwise i confess it would be ; but however , 't is necessary to be done , the benefit and use easily reconciles one to the custom , as well as its being to continue but a few years , for so soon as the clod is once descended as low as it should go , they signifie nothing , and you may take them away . lastly , the tree and side boards plac'd in this order , i make a small circle of three or four fingers deep in the upper earth , 'twixt the extremities of the clod and this new loose mould , and then by degrees , pouring water into the channel , and refreshing it plentifully , the mould by this time closed to the ends of the new cut roots , will soon dispose them to exercise their function , which is to produce new ones , &c. i shall in the next chapter speak concerning what other waterings , and refreshments are to be given after this first . one thing i must not forget , that instead of cases , they often make use of vasas , and earthen-pots ; and many now a-days would perswade us , that certain vasas of a peculiar fabrick , are incomparably better than cases and boxes : in the mean time , i am not of that opinion , since by long experience , we all find the many conveniences of cases , and the great inconvenience of pots . i confess pots and vasas may be proper enough for ordinary trees , and especially those of the new make , seeing besides that they are very beautiful , both for their shape and fine paintings ; they are also capable of earth enough ( for some time at least ) for those less curious sorts of trees , without needing so great , and so frequent waterings , which i do not approve of , nor of such often changes , which i like as little . but for great and well-grown trees , abounding in roots , and dispos'd to increase them with new ones , when they are well planted , i do not think vasas ( which cannot be made of capacity to furnish sufficient matter , and maintain them well any considerable time ) can be so proper , and convenient , as are our ordinary cases . concerning the inconvenience of the use of pots and vasas : trees that have ample and goodly heads , ought to be so steadily plac'd , and at large , as to be able to resist the impetuosity of the winds , which vasas do not afford them , whose slight , and narrow feet , commonly make them subject to be over-thrown , and consequently spoil'd , besides their fragility and brittleness ; such trees are therefore in continual danger of unexpected re-casing upon all such accidents . to conclude , without entring farther into this controversie , upon any philosophical account , in favour of pots and vasas ; and especially , upon the consideration of a certain . antiperistasis ( which i do not at all comprehend ) i am sufficiently convinc'd , that generally speaking , this novel mode , is none of the best , and that cases are much to be preferr'd , and a thousand times better for service , and more commodious , though there go about of late , certain manuscripts , which endeavour to turn our use of cases to ridicule . chap. viii . of watering : its use and way of applying it . i come now to the use and manner of ordinary watering and refreshing of orange-trees , either during winter in the green-house , or particularly in summer-time whilst they stand abroad : and the difficulty is in my opinion greater than it appears at first , for as if it were of little importance , most of our gard'ners , perswaded of the great necessity of it , but unwilling to take the pains of fetching the water , leave it for the most part to the most ignorant of their boys and drudges , and think it well , so their trees be often and soundly drench'd ; that is to say , three or four times a week , and sometimes more frequently , and that so profusely , as that it streams out at the bottom of the cases in that abundance , that the neighbour places where they stand , are commonly all in a puddle , and unaccessible . i acknowledge that these gard'ners have good reason to water well , because of the lightness of the mould they use for in-casings : that is , having ( as i reckon ) committed an error at first , through ignorance , they think of mending it by a second ; which , whatever be the fault , ( consider'd in it self ) hinders for a time , the first from being as pernicious as it would have been without a second . for my own particular , i am extreamly scrupulous , and sparing as to point of waterings ; not that i totally forbid it , it being of so absolute necessity , especially during the great and extraordinary drouths and heats of may , june and july , whilst the roots are ( as one may say ) more animated than in the former months : besides , that they be then most stirring and active , it being the season of their flowering , and putting out new shoots , &c. but i should not counsel you to excessive reiterated , or over frequent waterings , excepting it be during those months above-mention'd , as being the most important , and considerable for vegetation ; when yet it will be sufficient to bestow on them two good weekly waterings , and no more . i stint it to that number , because i certainly know , that in the fat and sluggish earth i make use of , there is no such great occasion for great and frequent refreshings , and that it would be extreamly prejudicial to the trees that receive them ; and expect withal , that we shall see considerable change , in the common use of great , and often waterings , if one would apply them in the ancient composition of moulds . certain it is , that earths which are light , and which ( as they speak ) have little or no body and consistence , coming to be watred in any sort , will hardly retain sufficient moisture for any time , as indeed they should : on the contrary , they quickly become dry , by reason of the easie passage which the water finds , as well through the loose mould , as through the very cases , and so the trees not finding their roots sufficiently refresh'd ( of which they have now most need , to set them in motion ) are subject to pine away and wither , unless they be plied with water . in such kind of earth therefore , 't is indispensably necessary to repeat it ; but , as 't is only want of moisture , which makes them dwindle thus , so those earths which we have describ'd above , being of consistence naturally to retain their moisture , and continue fresh , how little soever you water them , will preserve the trees from that infirmity , and enable them to exert their genuine activity , in sending forth good roots , and consequently fair shoots , large and ample leaves , and beautiful flowers , &c. in a word , maintain themselves in perfect health , without needing such abundant , and continual waterings . the rules which i follow as to waterings , concern first of all , that which is given immediately either after their being put into the green-house , or at their bringing out . and secondly , those refreshings which are given during all the time that orange-trees stand abroad , some of these waterings i make to be great , others moderate : those i call great , when pouring water on the earth , it drop out at the bottom of the case , but so as it be very little or nothing ; and such waterings are profitable , provided one use them not too often . those i call moderate , which i cast on to refresh the surface-clod only , and maintain the moisture that has been consum'd , as well by the heat , and dryness of the air , as by the attraction of the roots . as for those refreshings which are given immediately after they are set into the green-house , i would bestow a plentiful one , so soon as the orange-trees are placed where they must stand during all the time of their confinement ; and that which justifies it , is , the necessary closing of the mould about the roots , which in transporting , the shaking , and agitation of the stem , may have separated both from it and the roots , letting the air into the void places , which would prove an invincible obstacle to their action , which ( as we have often noted ) never move or thrive in any plant , save when the roots , and the moist earth , immediately unite , which is effected by a good watering , and prevents the disorder one is to apprehend , when a tree is disabl'd from acting according to its nature . having finish'd this great refreshment of our cloister'd orange-trees , i hardly give them any more , unless it be very sparingly at the entrance and expiration of april , when the season growing mild , the inclos'd trees themselves become sensible of it ; and then one should not fail of setting open the doors and windows of the green-house often , so as the heat of the sun augmenting by degrees , its beams , or the newly warmed air at least , qualifying the room , the earth about the trees becomes a little more thirsty , and being heated , urges the roots to begin to shoot and quicken apace . i say , quicken and augment their motion ; for 't is certain , ( as i have elsewhere shew'd ) orange-trees , as well as all other verdures , are in perpetual action , and that in the very house , else would both their fruits , and leaves infallibly drop off , as being only preserv'd , and fastned to them by vertue of the sap , which continually maintains , and gives them nourishment , &c. 't is true indeed , these plants do act and move less some time than in another ; that is , more slowly in winter than in summer , when the sun ( which is the parent of all things living ) favours them with his benign influence : but excepting only this month of april , i totally cease from watering all the winter long ; and in this i say nothing new , all discreet gardners observe it , and very rarely give i any water at the beginning even of may , because its approaching so near the time of freeing the trees from their long confinement , i see no necessity of making the cases heavier by watering , which one shall find weighty enough already , and sufficiently difficult to t●ansport . by the way , i make no reckoning at all of certain casts and sproutings , which some orange-trees now and then push out during winter ; nor in truth are they good , as appears by the withering of their tops , and falling of the leaves ; so as instead of its perswading me those trees should be water'd , that they may make better shoots , i rather pull them quite off , as superfluous , and good for nothing , but unprofitably to avert the sap from the other more substantial parts , branches and foliage , which it should augment and fortifie . the work i would have bestow'd about orange-trees whilst they are inclos'd , in order to their necessary politeness , is to finish the making them clean from the filth and ordure , which the punaises and buggs have left behind , and that has not yet been well taken away ; and that if any may here or there seem to wither , a little water be given to it , but in very little quantity , since it proceeds only from some of the superficial roots that suffer , for the water which was given upon their first consinement , has doubtless conserv'd the body of the tree , and bottom of the clod sufficiently moist : since having not yet undergon any such scorching heats of the sun as was able to dry them up , they can suffer no such excessive thirst , and therefore a very small refreshing will soon revive the drooping leaves . as for those which stand sound and vigorous in the green-house , maintaining their leaves fresh , large , upright and open , they are only to be look'd on and admir'd . what i have said concerning watering confined orange-trees , is to be understood ( and that with greater rigour and exactness ) of the watering of all trees and shrubs that are their fellow-prisoners ; such as jessimines , granads , &c. the over-frequent waterings spoiling their roots , and injuring the trees ; and besides they naturally are not so active as orange , lemon , and myrtle-trees , these latter sort giving indications for most part , by the saint and pallid complexion of the leaves , when they stand in need of a little refreshment . i would moreover for all sorts of cas'd-trees , whether in the house or abroad , that the upmost earth should be always kept loose , and appear as if newly stirr'd ; since besides , this slight motion yields a marvellous relief and succour , by facilitating the penetration of the refreshments you give them , and shews very handsomly to the eye , whilst the chap'd , cloven , and crusty surface is as unsightly , i would therefore have it also a little sprinkled . we come now lastly to waterings abroad out of the green-house , as being in truth that which requires a great deal of discretion , and in which methinks they commonly most fail . as soon therefore as you bring forth your trees , and have rang'd them in the stations where they are to continue , bestow upon them as plentiful a watering as you were advis'd to do when first you hous'd them : i say , let this be a thorough and bountiful refreshment ; which to do effectually , make several holes in the earth with some iron-pin , or stake of hard wood , but withal so cautiously , as not to gall any of the roots : by this expedient the water will visit every part of the clod as 't is necessary it should . besides this first plentiful watering , i allow them also two considerable ones more every week , so long as i see the trees to flower and spring ; namely in the months of may , june , july , and consequently ( if the season prove very hot and dry ) to mid - october , when they are to be hous'd , and which some , trees will themselves advertise you of , by the crumpling , half closing , and hanging down of their flaccid leaves , giving notice that they want refreshment , as you 'll also find if you thrust your hand a little down into the earth by its being dry . i would likewise every ten days , o● thereabouts , order them a considerable refreshing , and sometimes a second moderate one , especially in august when commonly orange-trees make new shoots , so as you do not repeat it in case the mould be moist enough already , for 't is not always the dryness of the earth which causes the leaves to wither , they faint oftentimes before a following tempest , or that the tree be not well establish'd , is loose in the roots , or too much expos'd to the sun. in such cases you are ever to examine of what temper the earth is , dry or moist , and accordingly to govern the waterings . notwithstanding all this , every body finds that some sort of trees will always look faint and sickly , whatever bountiful waterings you bestow upon them . 't is very certain as to this particular , i have often observ'd two things : first , that when some gard'ners have command of water , they are commonly apt to over water their orange-trees , either themselves or by their servants . and in the second place , some extreamly neglect to do it , and give them not sufficient , especially where it requires pains to fetch the water , laziness or ill custom carrying them to these extreams . 't is i say most certain , that as to the first of these two cases , i would not they should exceed very moderate refreshments , finding that they commonly give them too much : and to the second quite the contrary , namely , to allow them a thorough watering , lest being to take pains to fetch the water , they afford them not enough . i very well know that discreet gard'ners need none of these stepposite documents ; however , that i may reconcile them both together , i adhere to my former opinion , supposing the earth to be mingled according to my method ; that regularly watering twice a week , at certain times ( namely during the hot seasons , the time of flowring , and pride of shooting , and ever observing a mediocrity between two great ones , and refreshing them every eight or ten days only at other times ) you will find your trees in excellent condition as to their waterings : to which add , that orange-trees have this of agreeable as to what concerns their drink , and in which they almost resemble men that are wise , that as they seldom call for it but when they have need and are thirsty ; to urge them when they do not require it , instead of doing them a kindness one does but incommode them . in like manner orange-trees sometimes of themselves give notice when they have need of being refresh'd ; so as we certainly do them injury when we water them out of season , whereas we do them good in refreshing them when their leaves becoming lank , and wrap'd together call for help , and give symptoms that the root is languishing for want of moisture . but that which justifies the comparison farther is , that a prudent and skilful gard'ner is never to wait for the signal from his orange-tree when he should do his duty , but that when ever he perceives or suspects it ( if he be not mistaken ) he be sure to apply the proper remedy according to our prescription ; but as there are both good and wholsom refreshments , there are likewise very evil and pernicious ones too . concerning which i shall declare what i think , with that moderation i judge most convenient . chap. ix . of the inconveniences which happen to orange-trees , as well from over-waterings as from the fire which is made in green-houses . 't is easily perceiv'd , that when too much water is given cas'd orange-trees , there usually ensue two great disorders ; and as remarkable it is , that one is not sensible of the evil when it first begins , but the consequence makes us feel it at last , when 't is too late for remedy . the first disorder consistsin this , that those unreasonable and frequent summer - watering accustoming ( as one may say ) the trees to a course of life which though inconvenient , would nevertheless enable them to subsist , were it to be continued all the winter long : their being so easily inur'd to all sorts of nourishment , would produce them this singular advantage . but since we find that such waterings will become mortal to them when the cold weather comes , we ought to be very sparing , though to avoid one danger ( which in effect is of all other the greatest ) we are apt to fall into another which is not without its great inconvenience , namely , that of an every years loss of leaves . now one cannot reflect on an accident so ungrateful , without concluding it to proceed from the roots not receiving that due nourishment during the seven previous months of their confinement , which they us'd to have the five former months abroad , which needs must check and put a stop to their natural activity . this doubtless is the cause that the leaves finding themselves destitute of that perpetual supply of sap which then they need , are forc'd to forsake the branches , which naturally and from their birth produc'd them : and so not well understanding from what source this evil proceeds we make divers erroneous conjectures , and have recourse to other things which peradventure have not at all contributed to it , always supposing that the green-house be not in fault . in the next place ( and which indeed is the most important ) since the nature and quality of the shoots intirely depend upon the quality of the roots , and these particularly upon that of nourishment . 't is certain , that when this is peccant and feeble , the new-born roots must needs be weak and feeble also , and consequently , that the sap which they prepare being of an ill constitution , the shoots themselves which they produce must needs be short and weak , also the leaves sinall , limber , and often yellow . hence it comes to pass , that these orange-trees , which for want of sufficient nourishment during summer are already fall'n sick , finish ( as i may say ) their languishing and misery , so soon as the cold ( which above all things they dread ) assaults them : the main principle of their natural strength and vigour , may possibly have enabled them to resist and struggle for some time against the mischief to which their ill culture has reduc'd them , but when once this little stock comes to be spent and exhausted ( as at length it will be ) they pine so miserably , that for some years after one shall be hardly able to recover them , and perhaps at last without success . we have already said ( and may not improperly repeat here ) that it is not from the material substance of the earth the roots elaborate and compose the sap , administring nourishment to all the parts of the tree ; it is the water only , which percolating through the ground , is impregnat with part of its salt , or some other qualities wherewith the earth was endowed : so as if this earth , whose salt doubtless is not inexhaustible and without end , comes once to be over-diluted by great and frequent washings , it must needs at last be quite robb'd and depriv'd of all its salure , and within a short time after , the roots finding no more of it in the water which moistens the earth , or but very little , they can produce no more new shoots worth any thing ; and consequently , neither any good and laudable sap , branch , leaves , or flowers , &c. as doubtless they would do in better mould moderately moisten'd and refresh'd . whence i conclude ( and i think with reason ) that to water trees to the purpose , requires more skill and prudence than usually appears in the ordinary conduct of most gard'ners . on the other side , by the use of fire which most of them affect to make in the green-house , orange and lemon-trees fall into other very pernicious inconveniences as by long experience i have learn'd . the reason is evident , the fire is either too great or too small . if the latter , the heat can only affect those plants which are very near it , without any influence on the farther distant . for example , if you make it below , and ( as commonly they practice it ) in several places of the room , neither the heads ( of any height ) nor opposite sides of such as stand not near , are sensible of it ; and in case you make it higher , the under branches receive no comfort by it . thus granting it may do some good , which i don't believe , 't is yet certain , that the fire being little it does but little good , and in few places , and consequently its benefit is inconsiderable , or rather none at all . on the contrary , if you make a great fire , as the nature of such a fire is to dry up that which is moist , as far as its heat extends , 't will doubtless parch and dry both the bark and branches of the trees , especially those parts on which the leaves depend , and consequently make them shrink ; stop and obstruct the channels and passages of the sap , which should always continue moist and open for its free and perpetual intercourse , whilst ( as above we said ) 't is indispensably requisite that the sap do convey continual supplies both to the trunk , branches , fruit and leaves , this disorder else will be sure to happen , upon the least interception of this supply : sap , without question , being to these sort of trees what water is to fishes , and the air to all terrestrial animals , and even what foundations are to buildings , and the hand is to the ballance which holds it up , and suspends it in the air. in all events this fire ( as philosophers speak ) changes , and dries the air , and causes a notable alteration , and has the same effect upon it as it commonly has on water , which experience tells us being boil'd , and coming after to be expos'd to the fresh air , grows more susceptible of cold than 't was before , and consequently shall sooner freeze than that which has never been near any fire at all : so as to the impressions of cold in relation to the air , this fire ( kindled in the green-house ) ●enders the air more obnoxious and dispos'd to receive the cold which environs it on every part , than that which never was thus alter'd with any artificial heat . the heat of char-coal , and the like , whether in some hidden stove , or earthen pan , though it may perhaps encounter , and hinder some effects of cold offensive to living creatures , who will receive no more than they need and have a mind to ; yet orange-trees have not that gift to distinguish and know the just degree of a foreign heat , necessary to protect them against the rigour of winter . the truth is , to derive any advantage from artificial fire in favour of the green-house , one should first understand the just measure of the need which these trees have of it , whether only to defend them from the cold , or so to recover the heat which they have lost , as that afterwards no infirmity may be the consequent of it ; but we have not this sagacity , an orange-tree which has once been attack'd by the frost infallibly loses its leaves , remaining sick and indispos'd a long time after . in the second place , it were necessary that through the whole extent of the green-house , the heat were always uniform and of the same temper , which it neither is nor can be , for it can neither be equal as to its continuance , nor ( as philosophers speak ) perfectly regular as to its intention : that is ( as all the world has sufficiently experienc'd ) maintain a constant heat , and of the self same tenor , especially during the night , which is the time that the cold is most intense and penetrating , and when the gard'ner is commonly fast asleep ; so as the fire , which at the beginning , or when newly kindled was but moderate , does afterwards increase , the fuel at last being all spent and consum'd , it does either extreamly diminish and abate of its heat , or is altogether extinguish'd : such fire , i affirm therefore creates great disorders in the green-house , spoiling the boughs that are nearest to it , parching the leaves , and above all , altering the air , which produces all the good , and all the mischief , accordingly as 't is well or ill qualified . my opinion therefore is , that the very best expedient for the preservation of orange-trees thus inclos'd against the cold , which is so funest and deadly to them , were ( as we have shew'd ) a good situation and exposure : that the doors be made of sufficient thickness , and exactly shutting ; the windows very close , with good chassis double , and well cauk'd ; especially , that the walls of the house be substantial . but in case the conservatory should not have purposely been built for this purpose , as now and then it may happen ; and that perhaps one is oblig'd to make use of a room that has been formerly some hall , cellar , or stable , &c. as occasion prompts till a better be made . in such exigence ; the best way is to build either within , or on the out-side ( as shall be found most convenient ) some counter-wall , of a full foot in thickness , as high , and long as is the old wall , if you suspect it not thick enough ; and this should be built of good masonry : or in case of necessity , one may cloath an old wall with litter of a dry dunghill , beating it very close together as you heap it up ; and to the end it may stand and not slide down , to drive in some stout quarters of wood at competent distances from the wall about four foot of each other , joyning to the counter-mure of the litter . indeed such litter-counter-walls are not so sightly and sweet within doors : besides they will be a retreat for rats and mice , which may be apt to gnaw and disbark the trees , not sparing the roots themselves : but besides that there are many remedies and ways to destroy most of those vermin ; they are not such deadly and pernicious enemies to trees which are inclos'd , as the frosts against which such counter-walls of dung are made use of , 'till a more commodious house can be built : this therefore may serve to answer the objection of unsightliness , and ill odor . i wish no body ( who is a lover of orange-trees ) may be reduc'd to this extremity ; but may have timely prevented it by erecting a good conservatory for this purpose only . but , if notwithstanding all these precautions , we discover the ice in our inclosure , as 't is easily done by hanging a linnen rag moistned , or setting some small dishes of water in several places of the house in the winter-time , and especially near the doors and windows , on the edges of the cases and boxes , to observe whether the frost ( against which one cannot be too watchful and jealous ) have gotten any entrance : in this exigence , the most infallible remedy to maintain a sweet and uniform warmth , and which may last as long as one pleases ; is to hang up lighted flambeaux , or lamps ( which will be sure to last ) either between the chassis against the windows , if it be there the cold enters , or near the doors , or all along the whole house ; taking care the flame touch none of the trees , and that the warmth continue of the same temper , as is easily done : the experience of setting a small wax-candle lighted in a coach close shut up , or of more than one , in a very close chamber , may serve to confirm this expedient , as they have me to justifie this imagination . chap. x. what there is to be done to the heads of orange-trees , as well in order to the recovery of such as have been long neglected , ill govern'd or spoil'd , either by cold , wet , hail ; as also how to attain the having such trees as shall be always beautiful , and agreeable both in shape , and figure , health , and vigour . to satisfie the importance and extent of this comprehensive chapter , i think first to propose the idea which i have conceiv'd of the beauty of the orange-tree ; whether it be a well-grown tree , a small , or moderate one ; for there are very fine ones both of the one and other sort , as well as among all the species of animals , there are fair ones of all ages and growths : but the truth is , there is nothing more rare , than to find orange-trees , such as are great and perfect at the same time ; whilst it is easie enough among the ordinary and moderate sort , to meet with such as are both fair , and extreamly handsom : there are also i confess , very beautiful orange-trees in bush ( that is , such as produce branches from the very bottom ) but indeed those which maintain an upright , strait and fair stem of about two feet and an half , to three or four , or at most , to five feet in height , are much statelier , and carry a certain majesty , much superior to the shrub and bush : i am not much for those whose beam surpasses this height ; tho' they have otherwise their beauties also , and really something in them of noble and royal ; such as would infinitely become a plantation without doors , and in plain ground : but for the case and box , they would bring with them great inconveniences , and be nothing so commodious , in regard of the difficulty of carrying and removing them , the height and capacity of the doors , and cieling of the conservatory , &c. a green-house from fifteen to sixteen feet , is an handsom proportion for the well entertaining any reasonable and curious person 's trees : but for such as have houses of twenty , twenty two , and twenty four feet high ( as indeed there ought to be ) for trees of eight , nine , and ten feet stem or above , they ought to have heads correspondent to their stature , and will require cases of four and five feet depth : but i confess these gyants affright me ; there being i fear few persons that would be at the expence of such buildings : and indeed hardly find we the gates of cities of that altitude : however , they deserve due praise and encouragement , who in our days attempt the raising trees of that goodly stature , since we may hope , that as they appear worthy the curiosity of the greatest monarch of the world , so we shall shortly see them an extraordinary ornament to his gardens . now therefore to be able to pronounce that the head of an orange-tree ( whatever it be ) is endow'd with all the beauty and accomplishments 't is capable of , these six conditions are requisite : first , that the head be of a round figure , yet so as it be also large , well-spread , and almost flat , approaching in shape to that of a mushroom newly risen , or of a calott , yet not affected or nicely circular , as they use to cut myrtles , tews , philyria's , and standard-honey-suckles , box , &c. which appear forc'd and constrain'd , but of a natural roundness , free and airy , and without art , as we commonly see grow the constantinople-chess-nut , lime-trees , &c. secondly , that it be full , without confusion within , and not void and hollow as we affect to have our fruit-trees : but the orange-trees heads should be furnish'd with a pretty number of fair well-fed branches , almost of an equal size , and easie to be seen and numbred if one be dispos'd . this is one of the most principal conditions of the beauty of orange-trees , as it is also the most rare , whilst many do not esteem this confusion for any great defect , though i confess it appears to me a great one . thirdly , that the branches which form and compose the head of the tree , be sufficiently and well nourish'd , and so strong that their tops instead of inclining towards the earth ( as many we find do ) erect and hold up their heads to the air , with plenty of large and green leaves ; yet so , as that the longest branches exceed not half a foot , since if the boughs sink down , 't is a mark they are so weak that they are not able to redress themselves ; and seeing the new shoots spring only from the extremities and tops of the old ones ( whose situation they naturally follow ) it comes to pass that all such shoots as proceed from those feeble ones , are yet more feeble , and less able to erect themselves , and consequently yield a very ill-favour'd prospect . besides , if the leaves be small and yellow , 't is yet a sign of greater imbecillity in the roots ( for as much as naturally this tree does produce leaves that are large , green , thick and in plenty ) and therefore that they will quickly fall off , and denude the tree of its genuine ornament . in short , the reasons of this third qualification propos'd , are , that if the utmost length be excessive ( as a foot or more would be ) the leaves not being of above three or four years abiding on the branch which bears them ( and even for those a tree ought to be a very lusty one , since most of those which we see seldom hang on above a year or two , and live not beyond three or four ) it happens , that coming to drop off in their turns , those over-long branches will appear all naked and bare , which is extreamly unsightly ; therefore , whatever branch in the spring of the year advances above half a foot , it should be nipp'd off and confin'd to that dimension . fourthly , the fourth condition requires that the tree should be ready to put forth plenty of fair shoots every spring yearly ; which if it do not , or that it only produce but small and trifling ones , the defect is from the foot , and the next year after it will be in danger of losing its leaf , which should be prevented by all means possible . now no shoots ought to be accounted fair , but such as are of competent length and bigness , and consequently ( as we shew'd ) able to sustain themselves without bending their tops ; such never fail of large and green leaves , which they keep on from falling , since those which have now perhaps been on for three years past , coming to drop according to the course of nature , there is still a succession of those of the two former years , besides those of the current and present year , to maintain the ornament and decoration of the tree . fifthly , 't is required that our orange-tree produce ( not an infinite , but ) a reasonable quantity of flowers , fair , great , long , large and weighty , such as give presage of goodly fruit : on which i am to advertise , that orange-trees do every spring produce two sorts of flowers , one whereof proceeding from the old wood or shoot of the precedent year , usually are but small and round , and confus'dly plac'd , so as most of them drop off without knitting ; and these first appear in the early spring . but woe to that tree which is over-charg'd with them however the owner esteem of it ; their beauty will soon pass , and the end of it be unprosperous and displeasing . i foresee that my sentiments herein will not be very acceptable to every body , divers curious persons fancying that an orange-tree can never bring forth too many flowers ; but for all that , i adventure to declare it a great mistake , which time and experience will cure them of . i should willingly be of their opinion , were it possible to reconcile that large quantity of those sort of flowers with those other conditions , which indeed i esteem a great deal more , the beauty of the abundance of those being but for one fortnight , whereas the other are the beauty of the whole year about , and therefore to be preferr'd . the other flowers of the orange-tree spring out at the tops of the shoots of that year , and commonly with those transcendent qualities we have enumerated ; nor come they in clusters and confus'dly , but are of substance long , and well fed , and do not appear ' til the end of june , or beginning of july , and of which we cannot have too many . the sixth requisite to the beauty of the orange-tree , is its being free of all ordure , dust and sullage , and especially of bugs and pismires . we have shew'd already how this may easily be compass'd at the beginning of this treatise . having thus propos'd the idea which i have form'd of a beautiful-headed orange-tree , and especially supposing they have not fail'd in performing all the directions i have given concerning the root , in order to its shooting well ( upon which all the rest depends ) there remains to inquire what there is more to be done to arrive at this idea , whether in relation to such trees as have not yet begun their heads , and are but newly in-cas'd , or in respect to others , which have never received any assistance or ( as one may say ) education at all . and first , as to the roundness and fullness of the head , i conceive that having well consider'd and approv'd of it , one shall easily discover the defects which are repugnant to it , so as one shall not endure so much as the sight of an orange-tree unfurnish'd in the middle , flat at one of the sides , over long on another , or rising in pyramid like a cypress , or with branches groveling on the earth like the tardy and late-bearing cherry-tree : you will not ( i say ) be able to suffer the least bough to start out beyond its fellows , disfiguring the roundness which is now a forming . and so for the supply of vacuities ( which seldom is the fault of orange-trees , that on the contrary grow naturally full , confus'd and irregular , as do most sorts of other fruit-trees ) one is to consider , that this defect either proceeds from no other cause than from the ignorance , and ill handling of the gard'ner , or that some interior and middle branches may unhappily , or unwarily have been broken . in either of these cases , there 's nothing to be done but to endeavour the preserving of those other branches which nature will not fail of putting forth if the tree be vigorous ; or if it be not in condition ( whilst perhaps it is become sick and languishing ) you must speedily resolve to lop off , and abate one or two of the biggest branches near to the middle , being certain of its soon producing others , sufficient to furnish and repair this blemish in a little time . as to a tree defective in roundness , or that you find one of its sides too flat , it may proceed from a double cause ; as either from some accident of a boughs being broken , which should naturally have contributed to that comely figure , and then the remaining sound part of the branch must of necessity be cut off , as far as to that very place which the discretion of an able gard'ner judges may best supply the defect : or else it springs from where an ignorant gardner may have suffer'd some one or more libertine great branches to shoot uncontroll'd , and to have robb'd and receiv'd all the nourishment from the rest ; whilst the most seeble parts remain as it were abandon'd : whereas , he should have nipp'd off those exorbitants , at their very first appearing , and reduc'd them to order , or else have cut them short the ensuing spring . branches thus nipp'd off , or discreetly cut , would not have fail'd to sprout from all about the tops several new branches , and become a round and handsome tree : nay for the redress of such a fault ( a great one in my opinion ) one is sometimes forc'd to proceed to an operation which at first appears a little cruel ; namely , to the amputation of all those wanderers , and constrain the whole-tree to begin a new the forming of that agreeable roundness , as shall be thought most convenient , and which commonly reaches to that feeble part of the tree : or else one must begin upon the very tops and summity of those escaped branches , provided there be any likelihood of bringing it to a beautiful shape , in which case , one is to abandon all those small and infirm ones that stand in the way : if the figure of an orange-tree be disagreeable by being too long sided ; you have no more to do , than to cut away , and abate all that part which grows out of due rank , and strangles beyond its bound : the same is to be done to the pointed , and over tapering trees , till you have reduc'd them to that globular and desirable figure a little flatted at the crown . but in case that most of the branches bend down their tops , it proceeds from want of strength ; else they all of them naturally sustain themselves upright , if of sufficient substance to support the burden of the leaves : now this defect of vigour sometimes springs for want of wholesome nourishment , and now and then from the superfluous number of branches , which require to be fed according to the vigour of the root , be it great , or small ; since its strength can reach but a determin'd point : the gard'ner therefore ought to be an able , and experienc'd workman ; first , in knowing how to apply good and proper mould ( of which the chapter above has amply treated ) and then ( having done his endeavour as to that particular ) to consider what weight and charge his tree is able to sustain , and accordingly leave no more branches on than can well be fed , and the stem support . when therefore one perceives a tree to suffer under this infirmity , the branches growling or over-bending ( which happly may not yet proceed from want of nourishment ) one should begin to take a great part of those branches quite away ; namely , all the feeble ones , and those especially which grow out of order , and discompose the figure ; preserving only those substantial ones which are found well plac'd . this operation should be perform'd with great diligence , just when the trees begin to sprout ; and therefore one is to observe , that commonly , as to orange-trees ( for it does not fall out the same in most other trees ) from whatever part a branch does issue , be it from the body of the tree , or from some other bough , 't is ever accompanied with a second , and not seldom with a third ; upon which this reflection is to be made ; that in case the sap , which is divided into two or three channels , were all reduc'd to one alone , namely to a single branch ; that one branch partaking of the greater portion , would doubtless be the most strong and vigorous , and capable of erecting its head , and supporting all its weight . now the assembling and uniting this divaricated juice to one channel , is soon learn'd and done , by pulling off the small shoots , and notably diminishing of their number , not leaving above one in a place , namely , the handsomest , and most commodious , in order to the desired figure proposed . this pulling off the shoots should be done as soon as possibly , that the sap spend not it self unprofitably amongst the faulty branches to be taken away ; but finding its accustomed passage not only stopp'd and intercepted , but another ( which is near it ) open , may flow in plentifully there , and render it a considerable increase of nourishment , and as certain of success , as the execution of it is easie . 't is sufficiently evident , that it were much better not to have above one single good and substantial shoot , than two or three moderate ones ; one strong , vigorous , and consequently most beautiful shoot , shall furnish infinitely beyond all those trifling ones which can produce but poor and despicable foliage . it often fortunes , that such a branch , so nourish'd with the portion of three or four , will in a short time become of great length , and much exceed its neighbours , to the ruine of our propos'd symmetrie : wherefore , in this case , 't is advisable to nip it off , and not permit it to exceed a foot in length . to which standard and size , i would willingly reduce the shoots of all our orange-trees , that by this means , their heads growing at least a foot large in diameter every year ( never above ) that is half a foot on each part or side round the stem ( i do not mean to restrain its growing more in height , half a foot shall suffice me ) one may be contented with this annual augmentation for the diameter ; since it fairly promises an increase of six feet , in six or seven years , which is very considerable if one be able to attain it , as i doubt not but the orangist will accomplish doing his duty as he should , or the fault is in the gard'ner . now in case that all you thus nip off , soon after produce new shoots , and that in reasonable number , well plac'd , for the equally furnishing the whole circumference of your orange-tree ; 't is happy for you , and should be cherish'd , since it does not often happen : and therefore if there be but few branches , that having been so nip'd put ●orth new shoots at their tops , you should spare none of them but such as may contribute to the beauty of the figure ; continually plucking off all the springs of the rest : which if the lazy or unskilful gard'ner have omitted to do , and what else has lately been directed him , and was to have been done in summer ( when those shoots being extremly tender and brittle , knap off easier than glass ) you must have recourse to the knife again , and fall to cutting when they are now grown hard , either at the end of summer , before you shut them up in the green-house ( which is best ) or at the spring of the year , when you bring them forth : for absolutely , you must not indulge any one branch that grows extravagantly , disgracing the shape and comely figure which one should always bear in mind and aim at . the pruning and cutting of orange-trees has an advantage , which other trees have not , particularly peach-trees ; it often happening that a branch of the peach being cut off , does not sprout at all again , hindred by a certain gum that kills it : but of the orange-tree , whatever branch you cut , or pinch off , if it be a vigorous tree , small or great , it will not fail of re-producing new ones , according to the strength and ability of the tree . as to nipping of the orange-tree ; you should never permit any new , long and straggling branch upon them , excepting on such as have been newly planted , and that yet have nothing to shew but the stem only , without any old branches : 't is necessary that those sort of trees should speedily put forth good and lusty shoots , and such as being free and without intanglement , may form an head proportionable to the bigness and stature of the stem ; which they would not do , but on the contrary , produce some confused slight ones , if according to the rules formerly established , the vigorous shoots were not pinch'd off short . the summer solstice is the proper season when orange-trees make their strongest and most vigorous shoot , namely the month of june ; and 't is then one should be most industrious in nipping , and taking off the false shoots , and watering them more than at other times ; that is , once or twice a week , thereby to assist them in this first and greatest action , and to promote the continuance of it , which sometimes they redouble considerably towards the end of july , and beginning of august : and therefore the same care is to be taken in june . but if this exuberance of second pushing , do not appear till towards the expiration of august , or commencement of september , they are worth little : the shoots of that season will perish in the green-house for want of time to perfect them ; and therefore it were best to take them off as soon as they peep ; that the sap which gave them beginning , may continue in the bodies of the branches that bare them , and make them the stronger . so soon as you perceive any lusty branch left upon a tree re-cas'd , that has made no shoot in any part of it , excepting perhaps , a some few small yellowish and trifling ones , instead of strong and lusty ones ; such as was expected to break out from the extremities of those branches , and should have serv'd to shape the tree : cut them away without any scruple , even during the pride of their sap. those which you leave will prosper much the better . i am also bold to affirm , that 't is impossible to have an orange-tree answerable to the idea which i have conceiv'd ; unless you take off those early shoots so soon as ever they first begin to push ; and especially from those trees which have not as yet attain'd that goodly head which becomes them : those trees which are left with these smaller shoots on them without this discharge , or that it be not finishhd , before the flowers are past , may indeed produce more flowers , but never come to be beautiful trees . the first of these are most to be condemn'd ; forasmuch as all the branches of those trees abound with knots and bunches , and consequently are full of buggs , producing none save a few pittiful flowers : the others discover themselves soon enough ( as well as the first ) to see themselves stripp'd of theirs , whilst they suffer'd a part of the nourishment to go into , and feed those branches which are to be taken away , instead of managing it for those which are to be preserv'd , and would become much fairer , strong , and well furnish'd with goodly flowers , and spreading leaves . this pinching off the idle shoots , does not only contribute to the rounding , filling , and extending of the head of an orange-tree , but likewise gives it all those other graces and perfections 't is capable of ; it produces fairer and stouter shoots , strong and able to sustain themselves ; adorns it with plentiful leaves , ample and lovely green ; and enables the tree to put forth abundance of new shoots every spring , and afterward to produce a sufficient quantity of goodly fruit ; and lastly , hinders the increase of those numerous swarms of buggs and ants you see crawling on the heads of those trees , so extreamly bunch'd , and full of tufted leaves , and consequently preserves them in that neatness and beauty which is so charming . if therefore ( always supposing a commodious green-house ) a little care and industry inable one to maintain our trees in this excellent plight , of shape , beauty , strength and soundness : is 't not evident , that it is no such hard and difficult matter , to know what is first to be done to recover , and stablish those which happly are deficient in nothing but their shape and figure ; being otherwise vigorous and lusty trees ; as also such as are of shape and figure beautiful enough ; but wanting strength and health : and lastly , to recover those , which labouring under both these defects together , languish and are ready to perish ? generally , the great disorder of orange-trees happen to them from these four different causes : first , from the in-casing , which peradventure was not carefully done , or with improper mould ; or for want of renewing in due time . secondly , from some defect in the green-house , its being over-heated with fire ; or from the cold or too much moisture . thirdly , it may proceed from without , as by hail , impetuous winds , or some other unforeseen accident . and lastly , from their being ill and unskilfully prun'd and cut , or perhaps too unmercifully : also from over-watering without necessity , or neglect of due refreshment during the months of may , june , and july . these are in my opinion the principle causes of orange-trees being reduc'd many times to a miserable condition . that which many gard'ners are so afraid of , and does not a little trouble them , is , that to remedy these defects , they are often necessitated to have recourse to the severity of abating and cutting off both the head and foot of their trees : which operation , very few save the skilful in these matters , are capable of , and all the world are ready to condemn at first sight , how well soever it be perform'd : but however , we hope , the curious , truly knowing and experienc'd will approve of it , and are certain that the success will justifie it , though it indeed require some time . to commence first with the roots of a sick orange , or lemon-tree if it has long been cas'd , so as one may reasonably suspect that the roots are come to touch the bottom of the box , and so to receive no nourishment there : one is then to resolve without more ado to take it quite out of the case , and abate two third parts of the clod , and withall to examine whether the mould of the clod be not too light ; and if so , to water it sufficiently for three or four hours before you lift it out ; thus the earth being well drench'd , the roots may adhere the faster to it , and you with more ease and assurance take away what you judge convenient . this is not to be done where you find the earth so light , excessive dry , and exhausted as to fall , and crumble away at every touch more than it should : but in case it be sufficiently tenacious and consistent to hold , spare the pains of the watering we speak of in new casing . if the trees have not been cas'd above a year or two , and have perhaps been planted too deep and low : you should then examine in what temper the earth is ; as whether too strong or over light : if the latter ; you must give them an half re-casing ; that is , supply them with as much well prepared , and better condition'd mould as you can , and be careful in the mean time that you neither shake the tree , or lay bare its roots , which would be very prejudicial . but if you find the earth to be over gross and stiff , or not sufficient , i hold your best course is to uncase it quite , and to abate part of the clod after 't is well sob'd and moistned , and to replace and set it in again , as already we have taught ; since in truth , all that can be done about the head , will be of small advantage , unless you begin first to fecure the foot , which is the basis and foundation of all , and the sole architect able to preserve both head and all the rest . having thus perform'd what is due to the foot , your next work must be about the head again , and make account that what you 'l most regret , are the extremities and tops of the branches , to which hardly any nourishment for a long time has been able to arrive , and accordingly , you 'l find them chang'd and dry'd exceedingly , either by reason of the diminution of the sap it self in the roots , or that the head and branches are charg'd beyond what the foot is able to support : not unlike those fountains , which cannot rise to their accustomed height , either from the failure of the spring or sourse , or that the waters are too much divided and have taken some other course . in this exigent , you must not only pluck away , and cut off the tops of those branches , but do it to the purpose , since your own reason will tell you , that having treated the foot as a sick and crazy member , you should not charge it with a greater burden than it can bear . now supposing the tree to be in a languishing condition ( as by its root appears ) and that you have been oblig'd to retrench a considerable part of it : that is , that a great many of those agents , which wrought and endeavoured to maintain the whole tree , be extreamly diminish'd by these great abatements and amputations of the roots , ( although for the good and benefit of all ) you must resolve to do as much proportionably , by diminishing of the head. moreover , as you expect your tree should likely put forth new branches at the tops of the old ones which you have shortn'd : you should carry such an idea in your mind of the shape and beauty you would bring it to , that no more new branches succeed in any place , than what may serve and contribute to that conceiv'd idea . now according to this idea one ought to be as discreet as bold : discreet , to cut and prune off no more than is necessary ; bold , to spare no unprofitable branches . in a word , one should be compleat master of the operation , and proceed couragiously and without hesitation : he shall else work with a trembling hand , in fear of being blam'd for having been too free with his knife , and cut too much ; and by this means falling into the common and contrary error of not cutting enough at first , be at last reduc'd to a necessity of still cutting more for two or three years successively , by which a great deal of time 's lost that one shall afterwards repent of . not but that however skilful and dextrous one be in pruning , one shall now and then find some tops of cut branches to die without putting forth any shoots at all , especially among the sick and long diseased trees ; so as one shall be forc'd to cut them again lower , and that immediately as soon as ever one finds that there 's nothing to be hop'd for or expected , as you 'l know by a dryness , accompanied with a certain blackness , or some cleft , and then you 'l never be in danger of reproach for having abated too much . for in ●ine , altho' in such like re-casing of trees one ought to cut a great deal , yet should one also be exceedingly cautious in sparing what ought to be preferr'd ; especially among the greater branches : the small ones are not of the same consequence ; though by reason of a shew they make of some remaining leaves , they appear indeed as if they were of some consideration : on the contrary , one should not at all pity or spare 'em upon that account ; for you 'l find them quickly drop off after the n●w casing , without advancing a jot the more for your indulgence . but if you have been afraid to cut these small trifling branches when you new cas'd your tree , be sure to do it to the purpose , so soon as the leaves forsake them ; nay , though you should find some pretty likely shoots upon them , since you are to reckon none for fair shoots , but those which are great and strong ones , and that sprouting from some good part of the tree , branch , or stem , may contribute to the beauty of its shape : as for those which you find upon the weak and feeble . branches of the years before , they are to be looked on but as false money , which makes a fair shew indeed , and nothing else . i must here acquaint you , that it is not with orange-trees , as with other fruits which come from the kernel or stone , as to what concerns all sorts of branches : for instance , those great boughs which we call false wood , are commonly pernicious and hurtful to fruit-trees . indeed , on whatever part we find them to grow , we ought instantly to make war against them , and cut them off , as very seldom producing fruit , which is the thing we principally seek from those trees , and therefore spare and cherish with great care the small and feeble branches : but as to the orange-trees , the chief thing we affect , is to have them of a beautiful and elegant shape , that they appear full of vigour , as well by their leaves as the shoots they make , without being much concerned about the flowers , which commonly they are furnish'd with in too great quantity : hence it is , that we save and spare all the great and substantial branches we can , even those which in our fruit-trees they call water-bows , or false-wood ; provided that both the one and the other be well plac'd : in effect , they are those only which are able to put out others as fair , and as many as we have need of , and consequently to produce large and ample leaves , and as fair and goodly flowers as one would desire . it will not be amiss here , that for the consolation of the curious , i give them notice that the first shoots which push out at the tops of the old branches of those trees that have been re-cased whilst they were sick : i say , that these new shoots , far from being sound and strong , are themselves very sick and near their end . but let not this trouble you , they commonly resemble water that first runs through the pipe of a fountain newly made , which comes foul and duty , as bringing along with it the filth and sullage of the ground and place it passes through ; neither is the pipe clean at first ' til it cleanse it self , the pure new water of the sourse , assisted by the wind , chases the filth before it ; after which it continues to run perfectly clear . in like manner the shoots of an orange-tree that are sick , are yellowish and languid , because its branches retain nothing in them save the dregs , and small remainder of a morbific and tainted sap , rising from the long diseas'd and infected roots ; and therefore you cannot reasonably expect that such a tree should make any new , strong and vigorous shoots , large and verdant leaves , ' til it produce new and sound roots , by having the old ones cut away , and an application of new and sound earth at its re-casing , with good government and culture . 't is observable , that what proceeds even from the fairest new roots , come ordinarily at the foot , and underneath the first yellow sick ones ; and which from the sole effort of the rarefaction of the spring , have been immediately produc'd independently from the new roots . but these last shoots which come out below these , near the body of the tree , proceed from the operation of the new roots , which acting their part in their fresh and new good earth ( given them at their re-casing ) prepare good and wholsom sap , and consequently produce fair and goodly shoots . now such newly re-cas'd trees , are sometimes a great many years e'r they produce any thing , so as one may fitly compare them to some animals , that having lived a long time upon unwholsom food , find it very difficult to recover when they come to that which is better ; and it seems as the stomach , muscles , bowels &c. of these creatures are shrunk up by famine and want : so the skin which clothes and invests the stems and roots ( the seat of the principle of the life of orange-trees ) grows hard , and by this means , the heat which should revive , excite and animate this vital spring , which puts all into action ( and animates and awakens the old roots to begin to act a new ) is not able to reach them , and to rarifie the old torpent and sluggish sap , and mollifie the dry bark , for the passage of the new roots to which it should give birth . but albeit such newly cas'd trees remain a long time without action , as being in a manner quite stupified , one is not yet quite to despair of them , so long as there 's any appearance of green in them , for i have known some of them three or four years without putting forth so much as one shoot , and yet afterwards do miracles . most sort of trees regularly do sooner put forth new shoots than new root ( as we have shewed in our treatise of plants ) but orange and fig-trees spring sooner at the root than in the branches , and in more abundance . one may know as to both these effects , that when they grow in the roots , they produce new shoots , of which if any dye after they have begun to shoot , 't is a sign that the new root does also perish , tho' it seldom happens . 't is likewise to be remembred , that if upon the old branches of the trees we speak of , new ones spring out in several places , and the fairest of them push in those parts that are nearest the body of the tree , one should bring them as near one another as is possible , and abandoning all the rest , follow and promote this natural vigour wheresoever it shews it self . i suppose it is not at all necessary to advertise you to cover over the wounds and scars of the amputations you have made in those strong bigger branches or stems , with wax which is prepar'd ; this one never fails of , and careful gard'ners are diligent to observe it : i wish they were as industrious in the rest of what belongs to the culture of orange-trees . this prepar'd wax protects the wound against the heat and ardour of the sun , and is compos'd of a very small quantity of oil mingled with new yellow bees-wax , melted and brought to such a temper as makes it easie to be handled and spread . the apothecaries ( at paris ) commonly sell it ready made , and for the better show , colour it with some cheap red , green or blue , &c. which is more than needs . having thus said all that i think needful concerning the re-casing of sick orange-trees ; it remains to give some directions about those , that being sound and strong , may have been batter'd and spoil'd by hail and winds , or other unexpected accident : but this operation is nothing so terrible and severe as what we have describ'd a little while ago , the greatest mischief happening commonly among the leaves , which the hail may have jagg'd and mangled , whilst the roots ( which are the most important ) suffer nothing which obliges one to new case them . on this accident one needs only to strip the leaves off , and if any shoot be broken or bruis'd , to cut it off beneath the place ; and in case one finds that one side is more broken than the other ( which may disfigure the tree ) spare not to cut , and trim the other unhurt side as much , for it being a vigorous tree ( as it to be suppos'd ) you will quickly see it recover : but if it be a sick and languishing tree , the mischance will prompt one the sooner to re-case it . so as if it have suffer'd by the hail towards the end of may , or beginning of june ( which is ordinarily the most dangerous season ) one should go about it immediately with a considerable retrenchment of branches , but if the hail have spar'd it ' til the end of july , 't will be sufficient to prune , and cut off those leaves and branches that have been so spoil'd . chap. xi . directions for the carrying and transporting of orange-trees , and how to place them when they are brought out of the green-house , and at what season best : what is to be done both at their carrying in and bringing out , and whilst they are shut up . lastly , of the ornament they will afford whilst they stand in the green-house . the title of this chapter is not so long , as the matter and subject of it will be succinct and short : not but that one might perplex it with some impertinent difficulties ; as whether i should first begin to speak of what were to be done at the bringing out the orange-tree , or at their carrying into the green-house-since the bringing of them out , supposes they first were carried in ; and their being carried in , that whether one had them by succession , or new purchase and acquisition , they already had been set abroad , and afterwards brought in : somewhat like that probleme , whether were first , the egg or the chick ? but as i conceive the point is of no very great importance , i shall leave it to the decision of those who are at leisure , and would make themselves merry . returning then to my subject and supposing , that as to the removing and transporting cases and boxes of the middle and smaller size , every body knows 't is done by wheel-barrows , or strong coul-staves , which with good hocks take hold on the bottom of the cases at both sides , or else with ropes put about the four feet , to carry the great trees , to place them on low truckles by the help of lovers , and so draw them along , either by the labour of men or horses to the stations appointed for them . this suppos'd , i say to the other part of my contents ; that as these trees affect warmth , and as from mid-may ( when we bring them forth ) to mid-october ( when we shut them up ) which is the whole time of their exposure , they do well enough in what place soever you set them , provided they enjoy the sun , at least a good part of the day : so they are most happily plac'd if near a wall , wood , or grove to protect them from the north. besides , this situation being from the end of august to the time of carrying into the green-house , is of all the rest most convenient for them , as defending them from the south and western winds , which about that season blow , and commonly disorder and exceedingly ruffle our in-cas'd trees : so as if one had the convenience , it were to be wish'd , that after they had been expos'd to the east or south , during the months of may , june , july and august ( which in effect , are the most favourable situations for them at first bringing out of the green-house ) you might afterwards expose them to the north till mid - october , when it is time to carry them in . the exposing them to the east and south , screens the orange-trees from the north winds , which are cold , and especially from the north-west that blow most in may , and are not seldom without white frosts enough to spoil them . as to the time of carrying in , and bringing out these trees , every body knows that as they dread nothing so much as cold , they are to be protected from that , where-ever it invades and threatens them . now the nights seldom fail of being cold and dangerous till about the full moon of april , or towards the eighth , tenth , or twelfth of may , when you may boldly bring them forth : especially if there be any appearance of rain during that full-moon : but if on the contrary , the sharp and cold winds continue , have patience a while , till the weather come to be more favourable . again , the nights begin to be cold near the fifteenth of october , which is your just time of retiring them into the green-house , or at least to bring them so near it , that in case the season prove very fair , you may suspend the carrying them in for a few days ; for as long as you find the weather at all inviting , it does the orange-trees good to enjoy the fresh air ; especially those , whose shoots grow still in length : but as soon as ever the wind changing menaces cold , hasten them to covert as speedily as conveniently you can . i have been particularly cautious at the beginning of may , not to bring them forth ( as i noted ) till the full moon of april be past ; because commonly we are till then in danger of frosts : and i take care that the air begins to be very agreeable and temperate , especially if there be shew of a warm and gentle shower , which if it happen , i often resolve to bring them forth before mid - may. this is certain , that however some orange-trees give signs , and seem ( as one may say ) impatient to be at liberty , by the shoots they begin to put out in the green-house , and would undoubtedly be much better abroad in the sweet and more benigne air , than in that which has been pent up , and is colder by reason of so long absence of the sun. yet since the frost but of one single night , may extreamly prejudice them , parch many of their leaves , and ruin the tops of the tender new shoots ; i perswade you to have a very special regard to the temper and inclination of the season , and that rather than hazard them , to defer their exposure , though it be a little late , than at all too soon . in a favourable year , warm , and showry one may do well to bring them sooner out : but in a dry , cold , and windy year be not over-hastly of exposing them , and even in places that are low , you had need yet to be more scrupulous , than in the higher and more elevated : because commonly , the free air , and the small breezes spring there , the frosts are less to be apprehended . now as a kind and gentle shower were to be desired at the time of their bringing forth ; above all , that their leaves might be wash'd and cleans'd from the dust contracted in the house : for the same reason , one should be glad of such another shower a little before we carry them in to cleanse them of the dust gotten on them abroad . but not that i counsel you to retire them whilst it actually rains , lest the sob'd leaves , shut up wet , should soon become soul and squalid again , by the dust settling on them there : however you must remember to give them one plentiful watering , so soon as you have rang'd and plac'd them in the house , as was directed you in the eighth chapter , wherein we have copiously spoken of refreshments to be applied whilst abroad . 't is not very necessary to repeat here , that as great care is to be taken to prevent the cold from piercing into the green-house : so nor should there be less , for the duly opening the windows when the sun shines ; and the preserving them likewise from rats and mice : but of this also , we have spoken in the chapter of the qualifications of a good green-house . there only now remains to caution , that there be some space left between the green-house walk and the cases ; as well to keep their branches from touching the walls and being spoil'd , as for commodiously passing to visit and water the trees from time to time if occasion be : moreover , that if your green-house be a very ample one , so as to contain a double rank of trees , ornamentally and with symmetry all your other plants ( so as to leave an alley in the middle , and enjoy a graceful walk between them ) it will be worth your consideration how to do it , so as to embellish the place with several other vasas , and pots of flowers of the season , by placing them about them , or plunging them in the ground , which would grace and become the front of the door , by setting the lesser trees and shrubs above the greater , and by raising also the greater on blocks as on so many piedestales , so as to hide the naked walles ( and the blocks themselves too ) with pots and little boxes : thus will the room appear full and aboundantly furnished : the lemons , limes , jessamines , myrtles , laurel trees , lentises and some cherry-laurels , and a world of other simples properly enter into the ornament , and the variety of foliage rejoyces and recreates one marvellously . but for the pome-granate and rose-laurel-trees ( loosing their leaves so soon ) they are not at all agreeable , as neither are the small sharp-pointed gray leaves of that other shrub , which disparage our orange-trees , and disgrace the rest of the verdant theatre . i would likewise if possible , that in bringing them abroad , which were so well ranged within , they should be set and dispos'd in as graceful a figure without , for the decoration of the place they are to summer in ; and above all , if it might be so martial'd as agreeably to surprize the eye , by making them appear in greater number than they really are : and now i think there has enough been said , concerning orange-trees , their flowers , leaves , and shoots ; let us now speak a word or two of the fruits , such as are desirable ; and how long they should hang upon the trees and when to gather them off ? chap. xii . of the fruits of orange and lemon trees . all oranges are either sweet , eger , or sharp-sweet ; that is participating of both : the sharp are for sauces ; the other to be eaten raw like other fruits . of the first form are the sweetish or flats ( as some call them ) not at all pleasant , and therefore one should avoid having any of them , if one may chuse : the best of the sweet oranges are those of portugal , and another of a great kind , with a fine thin rind , which are brought from the indies . the small china-oranges are also very agreeable . of the class of sharp oranges , the bigarad● are the best , the fairest and most considerable . those which they call rich-depouille , and the common orange-tree , whether grafted or wild are all likewise good. there are orange-trees that bear fruit with extraordinary gross and thick rinds , which have but very little juice , and others , whose skin is horny and knobb'd , as are the bigarades : and lastly , some which are endued with a sweet , thin and delicate rind . those goodly oranges which one should leave to knit , are such as you find to grow on the tops of the shoots of that year , and that are in flower at the end of june , or mid - july : the rest that spring from the shoots of the year before , as being subject to drop , and fall off without coming to maturity , one would reserve but few of . one ought seldom to leave two together on the top of the same twig , lest they hinder one anothers growth , being also apt to break the shoots on which they depend . such oranges as knit in june and july , are seldom fit to be gathered till fourteen or fifteen months after , when they begin to turn yellow . the very leaves of that they call cedrat orange-tree , have the same tast with the fruit it self , and are proper to make limonades . among the lemon-trees and limes , there are of different sweetnesses and tartness , as well as among the orange-trees : so is there likewise among the pomcytrons . chap. xiii . of orange and lemon trees planted abroad in the open ground . since it is certain that orange , and lemon-trees do naturally grow abroad in the open field and plain earth in warm and temperate countries ; and that it is by art alone we raise and bring them up in pots and cases in climates obnoxious to severe winters : it needs must follow , that these kind of trees are more disposed to thrive in the first way of culture , and where their roots have free scope and liberty to receive abundance of nourishment on every side , than by the second and artificial way ; where the same roots being reduc'd to a narrow compass , imprison'd as it were , and surrounded with air capable of spoiling them , attain it but in very small proportion . in the planting therefore and cultivation of these trees , there 's no more mystery , than in planting of other fruit-trees : all the trouble and difficulty is , how to protect and secure them with covering's during winter ; which , besides their being well and substantially made , and so thick as the cold cannot penetrate them , are capable of being very ornamental on the out side if well understood , and that such as are able , curious and discerning , take care and have the disposing of them : that which we every year see , and so much admire at versailles in the gardens of trianon , may serve for instance , and instruction to those who are able to imitate it . end of the treatise of orange-trees . a table of the chapters of the treatise of orange-trees . preface . page . chap. i. of the easie culture of orange-trees . pag. . chap. ii. of the conditions of a good green-house . pag. . chap. iii. of the several parts belonging to the culture of orange-trees . pag. . chap. iv. of the composition , and mixture of earth proper for the in-casing of orange , and lemon-trees , &c. pag. . chap. v. of the manner how to raise orange-trees from the seeds , and afterwards to graft them : how first to cultivate those which are newly brought us from the countries where they grow and live without art , whether they come stripp'd and naked without clod , or with it , having some leaves upon them . p. . chap. vi. of the size and bigness of good cases , and other circumstances relating to m. p. . chap. vii . of re-casings , and the best manner of doing it . p. . chap. viii . of watering ; its use and way of applying it . p. . chap. ix . of the inconveniences which happen to orange-trees , as well from over-waterings , as from the fire which is made in green-houses . p. . chap. x. what there is to be done to the heads of orange-trees , as well in order to the recovery of such as have been long neglected , ill govern'd or spoil'd , either by cold , wet , hail ; as also how to attain the having such trees as shall be always beautiful , and agreeable both in shape and figure , health and vigour . p. . chap. xi . directions for the carrying and transporting of orange-trees , and how toplace them when they are brought out of the green-house , and at what season best . what is to be done both at their carrying in , and bringing out ; and whilst they are shut up : lastly , of the ornament they will afford , whilst they stand in the green-house . p. . chap. xii . of the fruits of orange and lemon-trees . p. . chap. xiii . of orange and lemon-trees planted abroad in the open ground . p. . reflections upon some parts of agriculture . the introduction . the same curiosity which made me take notice of those usual faults in gard'ning i have already discoursed of , and endeavoured to correct , has frequently put me upon making observations upon plants , and engaged me in some natural disquisitions . and now having reduced those particular remarks , and general considerations , which were both the first ground , and the main proof of what i here advance into the form of a treatise , under the title of reflections , i think it my duty to communicate them to the world. 't is like they may not relish well with some of our new philosophers : and indeed it were an extravagant pretence to please every body . however it is possible that among so many great wits in this our enlightened age , there may be some that may observe something in them worth their notice , and thence take occasion to push on their own enquiries to greater attainments , then a person of my weak abilities can pretend to ; for having carefully employ'd so many years in making such observations upon the ordinary productions of nature , as might be some ways serviceable to perfect the art of gard'ning , i can hardly think so very ill of my own endeavours , as that they should be despised by every body as useless and insignificant , and that at least my good intentions should be so unhappy , as not to meet with some few that may approve of them . they will however , i presume , accept of this franc and ingenuous account of my observations , and pardon the weakness of my judgment and reasonings thereupon . and with this i shall be very well satisfied . i will therefore begin with an account of what stirr'd up my curiosity , and first put me upon making these re●lection● . chap. . reflections upon the different condition wherein fruit-trees appear in those two different seasons of the tear , autumn and spring . if you look upon fruit-trees in the latter end of autumn , when they are dispoiled of the ornaments of there fruits and leaves , and when there appears no sign of life in them , as also upon such as are newly planted , you wou'd take them for dead trunks , or poles , rather than live trees ; both of them seem to have so perfectly lost the principle of vegetation , that there appears not the least hopes they should ever recover themselves . but then if you look upon them again in the beginning of the spring , when both the old and the young ones begin on all sides , either to blossom or bud , or put forth cions , you wou'd think they were either performing a kind of resurrection , or that they were not really the same we lately saw in so deplorable a condition ; and wherein we shall first consider them . these as well as many other things , wou'd doubtless be very surprizing to us , if they were not common in the ordinary course of nature , and if those continual miracles were not become so familiar to us ; though when a man seriously considers them , he cannot but be much abash'd at his own ignorance , and very desirous by all means possible to find out the causes , and the manner of such alterations . and this particular affords us matter for two nice and weighty enquiries : the one is , whence this cessation of action proceeds , which makes the trees all on a sudden appear dead when really they are not ? and the other is , how that wonderful change is effected , which , a few months after , puts them into the same course of acting as before ; so that the old trees becoming , in a very little space , as gay as ever , and the young ones , as it were after their example , shooting out roots at the one end , and branches at the other , plainly shew , that , quite contrary to what they appeared , they still continued live trees ? as also how they should be always liable to the same vicissitudes of nature : that as autumn and spring make their annual returns , so they make our gardens their theatre , and as often present us with new scenes ? for these trees upon the first nipping frost , return to the very same desolate condition from which we lately saw them recover themselves , but as soon as ever the severity of the weather is over , they , as it were , conquer and triumph over their enemy which had brought them so very low , and present us with the same beauty and agreeable verdure wherewith they had formerly charmed our senses . now the better to represent to others the conceptions i have of these different appearances of trees , i shall illustrate them by plain , vulgar and sensible comparisons . first then , i imagine an artificial tree , of as solid a matter as you please , of iron , suppose , or copper , and that it stands upright , exactly resembling a real tree , and having tubes or passages in all parts of it , the greater for the use of the trunk , and the lesser for the branches and roots . i imagine further , those tubs or passages filled either up to the top , or a good way , with milk. things thus prepared , i suppose this liquor at rest , and in its natural consistencies , taking up no more space than its ordinary quantity requires , nor any more at one time than another ; but this only so long as no external heat comes near the tubes . for as soon as ever the heat of the fire comes near either the ends , or the middle of the tree , i perceive the liquor begin to move , to rarifie , as the philosophers speak , or , as we commonly say , to boil up , and to fill a larger space than it did before ; so that if any part of the tubes was empty , the liquor swelling as the heat encreases , fills them up ; or if they were full at first , the liquor discharges it self at the ends of the tree . and this it does with such force , that if it could find none , it would burst the tubes , and make it self a passage out of a place that was not large enough to contain it . green wood put in the fire , and sending out a kind of froth at the end as soon as ever it begins to burn , seems to me an ocular demonstration of all this . now 't is certain , that if the ejected milky substance thus rarified be capable of becoming solid , it will produce , or rather turn into a kind of new body , which will not give over growing so long as more of the same liquor shall succeed in the room of that , which after it has been thus heated , becomes solid ; but a succession of such operations will produce a continuation of such effects . now by these tubes i would represent the bark of the trees , and by the unmoved liquor in them , the condition of the sap in winter , when the extremity of cold , which fixes the motion of the liquids , and hinders the natural effects of heat , thickens the sap , and renders it so unactive , that for want of the ordinary influence of the suns heat upon it , it remains immoveable ; that is , without any appearance of action . the fire warming the tubes , and , through them , the liquor inclosed in them , represents the air and the earth , which , being in themselves warmed , do also in the very same manner warm the real trees . and this i look upon as the manner and order of this wonderful operation which we see performed every spring . the air is first heated by the rays of the sun , and from it , both the bark , and the earth that lyes about the roots of the trees receive their heat , which they immediately communicate to every part of the plant which they respectively inclose . upon this , the sap which is diffused throghout the whole tree but is especially lodged between the bark and the wood , where it chiefly operates , and where it remained , as it were dead all the winter , having then no motion at all . this sap , i say , as soon as ever it comes to feel the heat of the sun in the spring , begins first to move in its place , and then to swell and rarisy , and to require more room than it took up before ; and the hotter the air and the earth grows , by the encreasing heat of the sun , the more it rarifies and exerts it self towards all the branches and roots of the tree , that it may get out of that place where it finds it self too closely confin'd . and thus it begins to enter upon a state of action . but this first motion or action , begins to appear at the upper end of the tree first , those parts heating first , as being most expos'd to the heated air , which does nor till some considerable time after , reach those parts that are fixed in the earth and consequently those parts being at greatest distance from the air , are the last that are sensible of its heat . but how far soever this agitated sap reaches , it immediately shews what it can do , having this wonderful quality , that it hardens , and grows solid wheresoever it makes its passage out . and indeed this is that which of all others is the most difficult both to understand , and to explain , whether we take notice of the new growths , simply considered in themselves , or their conjunction with and adhesion to those of the former year ; or especially the exactness of the order , and proportion of those new productions we see in the extreme parts of each branch , where we find leaves breaking out at the same distance one from another . those of some plants are diametrically opposite to each other , and of others , at certain distances one above another ; and again , some branches are at certain distances so perfectly divided by knots , that they seem to be contiguous bodies , rather than continued parts of the same body , as we see in the vine , the fig-tree , the elder , &c. and in general , the origine of flowers and fruits , the difference of their colour , tast , shape , and smell , and the variety of leaves and barks afford us matter of the greatest wonder and admiration . now to give the best account we can of all this , let us pursue the working of this heated sap as far as we are able . we have already said , that its first effects in the spring , do usually discover themselves in the upper parts of the tree , as being most exposed to the air. now those upper parts are the bole and the branches , whereof the former is more massive , and the latter small and tender ; upon each of which i conceive the sap operates after this manner . the latter being smaller and more limber , and having a finer and more delicate bark , are more easily pierced by the air , than those that are harder and larger . and this is the reason why those smaller parts , and especially the fruit-buds they send forth , are as it were the fore-runners of the approaching spring . and this appears especially in such trees as bear stone-fruit , the buds whereof are then perfected , having begun to be formed at the latter end of the fall of the sap the foregoing year . and thus the first action of the sap concludes in raising the buds , which it opens soon after , and at last , if the rigour of the season does not hinder , makes the fruit to knot in the center of the bud , which after it has been the subject of the gard'ner's hopes and care , is to recompense all his cost and pains . as for the ordinary eyes which appear upon the smaller branches , particularly those of core-fruit , the sap enlarges some of them , those especially that are nearer the end , where its force is the greatest ; and entering with less impetuosity into those that grow along the branches , it at the same time sends forth leaves , and lays a foundation for fruit-buds against the next year ; and those of the last years formation which it finds in any good forwardness , it goes on to perfect the following spring . but as for the bole and the largest boughs , the first action of the sap , when the lenites is over , and it begins to grow warm , goes no further than to enlarge such eyes as it finds already formed , and to begin the formation of new branches , as sometimes also of new fruit-buds , tho' it has not yet received any new supply from the roots . and this is the reason , that most of the branches , and trees that are newly planted , sprout out in the spring , and shew some signs of life , tho' ●it cannot thence be certainly concluded that they are really alive : for these small sprouts are no sure proof that the trees are recovered , especially at the lower end , where the great difficulty lies in producing a good set of new roots : there lies the great press of the work of nature in recovering the tree , whereto are required much greater efforts of the moving sap , than in those parts of the tree , that are exposed to the air. let us now see what passes in the other element , as soon as the warmth of the spring has allay'd its natural cold , and the heated air has imparted its warmth to the old roots . we are therefore to imagine that , as the sap being moved in the bole and branches , requires more space than it took up before , so , being in the very same manner moved in the roots , neither can it be wholly confined in them ; and that as the sap appeared first in the smaller , and then in the greater branches : so it observes the very same method in the roots also . the swelling sap breaks the bark that contains it , and gets out at every passage it can possibly make ; and then this , which as well as that above , was liquid in the tree , being got out , grows hard , and assumes the nature and form of roots in the earth , just as that in the branches becomes leaves , fruit , new branches , &c. chap. ii. reflections upon the origine , and the action of the roots . thus then this first and principal part of vegeration begins , namely , the producing of roots ; concerning which we are to know that in their first formation they appear white , much like bubbles of some clammy fluid , and that they continue of the same colour for some days , while they are shooting out ; and after that , this whiteness which we may call their native and infant colour ) turns into a more lively one , something red , which represents their riper state : and while this lasts , all those greater operations of the roots are performed . and at last , after a certain number of years , succeeds a dusky and blackish hue , which plainly shews them to be in their declining age ; insomuch that those roots being no longer able to perform any of their offices , they become not only useless , but also so prejudicial to the tree , that we may fitly resemble them to rotten teeth in animals . for as those , if they be not pull'd out , serve only to torment and disorder the body : so unless these decrepit roots be taken away , the lower part of the tree will i anguish and decay . and i have therefore shewn , that the taking away of these old roots is the best means of restoring a languishing tree to its former vigour . now of these roots that first spring out , some are weak , namely such as are small ; and those that are thicker are also stronger : and at the ends of the former of these grow very small ones , which we commonly call fibers . these last seldom grow to any considerable bigness ; each root acting in proportion to those several degrees of strength or weakness , they naturally have at their first formation . and of these it may be truly said , that they serve but to very little purpose , and that they are of no long continuance , notwithstanding all the care and pains that many gard'ners take with them . but , for my part , tho' i may have some regard to them , so long as they are in the earth , yet when they are out , and the trees are to be planted anew , i cut them all quite away . and this way of dealing with them , i endeavour to justifie in another place , where i treat more particularly of this matter . as to those roots that sprung out large , and strong , and good , and took their beginning from a vigorous principle , which they could not do , if they grew out of others , that were themselves small , these are the chief sinews and strength of the tree . these , as they encrease in length and thickness , do also continually prepare and supply more of such new matter as is proper to be sent up into the body of the tree , both to produce new growths , and also to strengthen and enlarge such as are already produced at the upper end of it . and to such roots especially it is , that those trees that thrive well are beholding for their beauty , bulk , and fruitfulness . and here we are to observe , that there are some trees and plants , wherein that sap which turns to branches because it goes out at the upper part of the tree , which is exposed to the air , would have become roots , if that part of the tree , where it made it's passage on t , had been cover'd with earth & c'est ce qui s'appelle marcoter , ou provigner . and contrariwise , that sap which in the parts under ground turns to roots , would have been branches , if it had come out above the surface of the earth . and i heartily wish it were as easie to make roots the same way in other trees , as it is in setting the branches of vines , fig-trees , quince-trees , goosberry-trees , myrtle , and some others , for that the advantages that would thence accrue would be vast , and in a manner infinite , will easily appear by a general consideration , without descending to particulars . and here it may not be improper to add , that though the orifices which the rarify'd sap makes , be ordinarily either horizontal , or on the lower side of the root , yet sometimes they happen to be on the upper side , and instead of roots , send forth shoots , which grow up into new trees . this observation is as certain as the former , and yet i am so far from demonstrating to others how the different situation of those orifices alone should be the cause of such different effects , that i ingenuously confess i could never find out a reason sufficient to satisfie my self therein . but to return to the production of the roots , it is easie to imagine how they encrease in length and thickness , by comparing them to a stream of water , which grows longer and broader , and stronger , according as the spring , from whence it arises , supplies it with a greater quantity of water : for just after the same manner , the sap ascending continually from the roots to the upper parts of the tree , is made use of in all those new productions we there behold . but i could never yet think of any material agent , that might in the least represent the manner how the roots , those especially of trees newly planted , do at the same time grow themselves , and convey sap to their trees . and if i were not afraid of disparaging the glorious nature of the angels , i should borrow a parallel from them , to make my conceptions in this matter the better understood : for indeed , those spiritual beings act with all possible perfection , from the very first moment their creation has given them an existence . and in like manner , these new roots no sooner appear out of the old ones , but they immediately enter upon action in searching out their own nourishment , and by their action , which begins as soon as ever they begin to be , they contribute towards their own encrease in largness and number ; and after the very same manner they make the tree which they support , equally to encrease in thickness and length , in number of branches , and quantity of fruit. and in short , to the great astonishment of him that considers them , they all on a sudden , and that too in the very same action , effect their own , and the good of the whole tree . the first sett of new roots that the rarified sap produces , are not only employed in feeding themselves , and the tree out of which they grow , but they also immediately contribute to the production of a second course of roots which grow out at their ends , and are in all respects like themselves , and whereby they also become both larger and stronger ; and by the joint-force of both , the whole root of the tree becomes longer and better fortify'd . and , which is yet more wonderful , this second range both contributes to the feeding and enlarging the first from which they sprang , and also by a continued course of acting grow bigger themselves , and joining with the former , produce a third course of little roots , growing out of their extremities , and so closely link'd , interwoven , and as it were incorporated into the two former , as that it is not possible to loose and disentangle them ; all which three new growths make up one body of roots , which is then more able to act than it was at any time before . and after that those two former growths have , as i may say , given being to this third , they both receive from it that supply which before the first receiv'd from the second ; and these continually enlarging themselves by an endless succession of such new productions , and mutually doing to , and receiving from each other those good offices that preserve them , they also preserve the tree in all its parts alive and vigorous . but after all , i must confess i cannot fully comprehend this continued miracle of nature in vegetables . i see plainly , that from the rarefaction of the sap the first roots have their being ; but considering them as they live and mutually act , i find it a very difficult matter to account for the acting either of the first or second , or any of the following growths , so immediately after they are formed , for they cannot be idle and unactive one moment after they begin to be formed since that might make them dye , and thereupon the whole tree wou'd certainly dye also . and what is thus performed in the first production of roots , may be illustrated by comparing it with the lighting of a torch , that will in some measure help our conception of this first act of vegitation . — the torch continues wholly useless and unactive in the place that contains it , till a little fire and flame , apply'd to it from some other matter , put it into a condition of burning and flaming it self ; the first fire and flame by their own vertue and action , encreasing in the torch to which they are communicated . just so the tree remains unactive , and without any vegetative motion in the earth , ' til by the assistance of something else , that is , by the efforts of rarefactiion , its principle of life having made some small beginnings of new roots at the ends of those old ones it had before , it at the same time begins to perform all the offices of a live tree , those new roots encreasing and enlarging themselves by their own operations . and , as in the former case , the encrease of the first fire and flame proceeds from their acting , which having melted down something a greater quantity of the neighbouring matter that is proper for it to work upon , it furnishes both the fire and the flame with more fuel , and consequently puts both into a condition of acting more vigorously . after the very same manner the first root being enliven'd by the assistance of rarefaction , which gave it its being , it enlarges it self to such a degree , that having got together a large quantity of new sap , and becoming thereby stronger and better able to perform that kind of action , it at last produces a great number of other roots ; by means whereof , the whole tree becomes more beautiful , large and vigorous . we easily perceive that in the torch , the greater the heat is the more matter it melts down ; and we observe also , that that melted matter serves to encrease the same heat that melted it ; and that the heat thus encreased has still a greater power to subtilize the matter upon which it acts , and to turn it into a proportionably thinner vapour and exhalation , and consequently to make a large flame bigger ; and that this augmented flame does again encrease the heat that produc'd it : and thus we see a circulation of actions and re-actions perform'd by the heat , the flame , and the fuel . and moreover , as in the torch the more matter the fire acts upon , the clearer the flame is ; so the more and the better roots the trees send forth , the larger the branches also are , and the longer they are like to live . and this is the reason also , why trees standing alone have a much greater number of roots than those that are set against a wall ; because these latter have roots only on one , whereas the other have them on all sides . from whence also it comes to pass , that the former do usually much exceed the latter , both in height , thickness and duration . and although the principle of life , which makes the roots to act , be at first the same in both , just as the fire that lights a great torch is the same that lights a little one , yet this principle of life seems to grow stronger in a tree that sends forth many roots , than in one that sends forth but a few ; each root according to its first natural strength and bigness , growing as it were a particular and distinct agent : so that each preserving and improving those assistances which it hath , and still does receive from the principle of life , and without which it would remain void of all manner of action , it every day acts more vigorously , and does really encrease its power of acting in proportion to its length and thickness , and according as it multiplies it self ; which it does after the very same manner that the first fire , and the first flame of a torch grows stronger by the supply of new fuel , which they prepare themselves by continually encreasing their heat and light ; and in both , the larger the matter is , the greater is the action ; only with this difference , that whereas the first fire , and the first flame , do both perish at the same time that that first matter which gave them being is consumed , and as one may say , annihilated , the tree's principle of life still subsists after it has lost some of its roots . nay , we see that the taking some of them away proves the most effectual means of making it grow and flourish . we must therefore lay down this as a certain truth in the course of nature , that in every plant there is a certain principle of life , which continuing the rarefaction , does also continue both the being and the action of the roots in their formation : that 't is this inward principle , which co-operating with each of them in those offices which nature has assigned them , assists them in performing what otherwise it were impossible for them to effect ; and consequently , that 't is this principle alone that gives these roots a power either to attract , or receive . i shall hereafter give my opinion in this grand question concerning the action of the roots ; at present i shall only say , that there are but very few roots that are able to act of themselves , and when they are once sever'd from the trees with which they were formed ; i only say sever'd ; for of roots first pluck'd up , and then set again , i know not whether any are able to recover themselves , and to act again : and though the principal roots of elms , rose-trees , vines , fig-trees , raspish-bushes , and some other very sprightly shrubs , may sometimes send forth at that end which was next to the tree from which they were cut off , such sprouts as may become elms , rose-trees , vines , &c. yet 't is certain that this is a privilege peculiar to themselves , so that we cannot draw any general consequence from them , that the roots of other trees and plants may do the same ; and upon the whole we may conclude , that there is in every tree a certain principle of life which makes its roots to act , and that too to the utmost of their power and capacity . we must also allow that in respect of this principle of life , as well as of the soil , there is a vast difference between trees : the heat of the sun being equal in it self , does equally heat a piece of ground equally good in it self , and equally expos'd to its rays , as it does also all the trees that are planted in it , and yet , though they seemed all in good condition when they were set , some of them produce roots in abundance , and others none at all , but languish and dye . which failure must ordinarily be ascribed to the trees themselves , and not to the ground , which we supposed equally well qualified , nor to the sun which also acts equally upon both it , and them. the planted trees therefore do chiefly act by their principle of life , since it is that which being animated by the heat , makes the old roots send forth young ones ; to the actings whereof the trees are obliged for that constant supply of nourishment which preserves and makes them grow . custom has fix'd the name of sap upon this nourishment , and therefore we shall commonly call it so , as often as we shall have occasion to speak of it . chap. iii. reflections upon the nature of sap. before i proceed to a closer disquisition about the nature of sap , which is the same in plants that chile ; or blood are in animals , the water in the bowels of the earth being also the same to plants , that food in the stomach is to animals , it may be requisite to observe , that as the earth serves to produce , and nourish vegetables , as having in it a virtue or principle of fertility necessary for such performances , so 't is also certain that of it self , and unless it be duly moistened it cannot perform those offices . just as sené , which being of a purging nature , does not operate of it self , but by means of a proportionate quantity of water , or some other liquid , wherein it is infus'd , and to which , by that infusion , it communicates its vertue . but as this purging quality becomes altogether ineffectual , if the proportion of water be too great for the quantity of the sené , so also the earth becomes unfruitful , and rots fruit-trees , as well as most other plants , if it happens to be drench'd or cover'd with water . it requires some , but not too much moisture ; and too much wet is altogether as prejudicial , as too much drought . now wheresoever the earth is too dry , it is necessarily barren : and therefore all the ground we commonly call good , is attended with all sorts of moisture , which indeed is nothing else but real water diffus'd through every part of the ground . and this water comes for the most part , either from rain , or snow , or rivers , or springs , and sometimes by artificial conveyances ; which water having by its weight sunk into , and diffused it self through all parts of the earth , it becomes , as philosophers speak , impregnated with the nitre , or fertile salt of that earth : or , to use the gard'ners term , it becomes so far seasoned with the quality of that earth , as to assume its taste , whatsoever it be , which it communicates to those plants it nourishes . the truth of which observation is sufficiently evinced from experience in wines , and several sorts of fruits , which receive different tastes from the different soils they grow in . one part of this impregnated moisture , whether its tincture be perceiveable by sense or not , serves to make minerals and fountains : and another part , as we have just now said , goes to the production and nourishment of a thousand several sorts of trees , and plants , and vegetables ; it being in every earth of such a substance as may serve for the use of all sorts of trees and plants , and is , in effect , nothing else but that water we are going to treat of , though it immediately appear very different both in colour , taste , and consistency , as soon as ever it has , by the action of the roots , enter'd into the several plants , and that it ceases to be pure and simple water . for whereas it was at first liquid , before it enter'd the roots , it becomes in time , and by degrees , in a manner perfectly hard , and as it were metamorphosed into the nature either of fruits or leaves , of wood or bark , or pith ; and there makes a body more or less hard , according as it happens to be dispos'd of into the several fruits , trees , or plants . and hence perhaps it comes that the simple dew , which is sprinkled upon certain flowers in gardens and meadows , becomes changed , part into honey , part into wax , and part into little thin coats , as soon as the bees have with their usual industry collected , and by the instinct and direction of nature , wrought and separated it . now this hardening of the sap is not to be ascribed to any quality peculiar to it self , since 't is no more than what the skin in fruits , and the bark in trees may be supposed to effect , for both of them are in all likelihood made up of the grosser parts of the sap ; and it is easie to imagine that they may have a power of communicating their own density to the sap , when their inward parts come to be bathed and drench'd in it . as for instance , when the sap passing between the bark and the tree , not only ascends , by a kind of filtration , up to the top of the plant , but also , if it be in a sufficient quantity , rises even above the top , and adds something to the length of it . this therefore must be ascribed to the vertue of the bark , which in trees makes this sap so hard and durable , that it cannot be dissolv'd , but by a long continuance in some corroding or putrifying moisture ; and to the skins , which in fruits makes only a kind of congelation , and such a one as is easily dissolv'd , either by chewing , or any sort of heat , or by violent bruising . common salt apply'd to all the sides of a vessel full of liquor , and then encompassed with ice , has altogether the same vertue of congealing the liquor in the vessel . and thus the industry of persons of qualities servants furnish them in the heat of summer with several sorts of artificial snows , and delightful coolers . but after all , there remains one very great difficulty , how both the skin , and the bark themselves grow hard , and how they afterwards encrease and enlarge themselves . this , i must confess , passes my skill , as indeed do most other things in the whole course of vegetation . neither is this all , namely , that the water being made sap by the action of the roots , turns by degrees into a solid body , but it also undergoes several other changes which are no less wonderful than the former : for one part of it grows stinking , as when it is to make an onion , a leek , wormwood , &c. another part becomes odoriferous , viz. in the formation of jonquille balm jassimen , &c. 't is ranck poyson in aconit and hemlock , and an antidote in the antorat and rhubarb ; it becomes of a bitter taste , and a viscous consistency in the branches of stone-fruit-trees , and thinner , but clammy withal , in fig-trees and jitimales . it is of an oily nature in the indian-c●esnut , clear and sweet in the mulberry , in core-fruit , the sallow , and especially in the vine wherein it becomes wine , which may very well be look'd upon as the great master-piece both of nature and art , begun by the one , and perfected by the other . but above all , how can a man choose but be wonderfully astonish'd when he considers how that which is nothing else but a sweetish , simple , and harmless juice , when it comes first to be lodg'd in the several cells of the grape , shou'd , when it is out , make so rich , so strong , and so noble a liquor . 't is strange indeed that this simple juice , upon its passage out of those natural cells ( where it first contracted such an extream sharpness , and then by degrees became mellow by the heat of the sun , which manag'd the whole process of the ripening ) being in a great quantity collected and shut up in a vessel , shou'd pass such a wonderful change as makes it the delight of mankind ; for no sooner is it in the vessel than it begins to ferment , and to boil up , just as if its parts were forced up by the heat of an external fire ; and by the violence of this natural agitation it so purges it self , and comes to such a perfection , as we shou'd certainly judge impossible , if we were not convinc'd by experience . but besides all this we are to observe , that this sap which in the stocks of such trees , for instance , as bear core-fruit , is insipid , and the very same in all sorts of such trees , becomes of a quite different taste in the several fruits which each of those trees do respectively bear . it has a flavour in some which it has not in others ; it has a sweet and sugarish taste in the bergamot-pear and bon-chretien , and an eager and harsh one in the franc-real and angober , &c. and that which in the quince-tree naturally produces a hard , sharp , and unpleasant fruit , if it go out at one side of the tree into a graff of a butter-pear , or ambrette , will produce a sweet mellow fruit , and at the other into an amadote , or robin , and the great musk , a waterish and well scented fruit , the different graffs in some trees managing and altering the sap that comes from the roots , much after the same manner as in water-works the instruments do the water that comes from the elevated source , the water of each of those artificial fountains being naturally alike dispos'd to represent any figure whatsoever , of a drinking-glass , for instance , a crown , flower-de-liz , &c. according to the difference of the instruments , upon the opening whereof , it being forced out by its own weight , rises up in various forms . after the same manner the sap in the stoek of a quince-tree , being equally dispos'd to make any kind of fruit , is by means of the graffs determin'd to this or that sort in particular . and the particular alterations which the sap undergoes by reason of the difference of the trees it enters , are no less wonderful than infinite . the juggler , who of simple water which he drinks vomits up so many several sorts of water , all differing in colour , taste , and smell , performs by art what nearly resembles the working of nature in those stocks whereon the slips of several trees are graffed . now of this sap , which may properly be said to be nothing else but water prepar'd by the roots , some part may indeed enter into the very body of the tree for its support , as i have already said ; but the greatest part of it goes up , chiefly between the bark and the wood , either to make some new addition in the height or thickness of the tree it self , or to produce leaves , flowers , fruits , &c. chap. iv. reflections upon the passage of the sap. the arguments we have to prove that the sap ascends principally between the bark and the tree , are grounded upon a vast number of undeniable experiments ; whereof the first is that of graffs . now it is certain that these graffs are not rightly apply'd , but between the wood and the bark of the tree ; and that the experiment wou'd not succeed , unless the slip , or little branch , that is to be engraffed , have its bark likewise ; and that they be so exactly plac'd one against the other , that the ascending sap may pass under the bark of the graff . there is only the vine that is graffed without such an exact fitting of the barks ; and indeed , to speak properly , it has no bark ; for the body of it being so porous , that the sap ascends in great quantity both athwart , and into every part , as well of the bole as the branches , it seems to suck in in the spring , more nourishment than any other plant we know of ; and has also a power of digesting it ; insomuch that upon its issuing out of the stock , which it easily does by any the least incis●on you can make in it , it will keep a long time without corrupting , being in that very different from the sap of stone-fruit-trees , which will not keep much longer out of its tree than the blood of animals out of their bodies , but turns to slime and putrefaction , as soon as it is out of its natural vessels . there is , i say , no plant , but only the vine , that can be graffed by a simple incision into the body of another plant , without an exact fitting of the barks to each other , nor indeed is a vine-slip capable of being so justly adapted . 't is true indeed all other trees might be graffed the same way as the vine is , if in them as in the vine , the sap pass'd up the bole in such a quantity as were sufficient to join and incorporate the graff into the tree , which it does not . hence also it comes that as the sap never passes out of such new branches in any part of the sides of the tree as are without bark , so neither will it ever pass out of the middle of the bole when the upper part of the tree is cut of , or of the branches that are crop'd , or of any stock when the tree is cut down ; whereas ordinarily about the end of any such cut tree or branch having bark , that being the place whither all the sap that was prepar'd in the root chiefly directs its course , it there forms a great number of branches which break through the bark , and in their formation fasten upon that part of the tree which is nearest the breach they have made in the bark ; though these branches are not near so firmly united to the tree , as those are to an old branch which the sap produces at the end of it . the second argument to prove that a great part of the sap passes up between the wood and the bark , may be taken from the quantity of water which goes out at the ends of a piece of wood while it is in burning ; and especially if you burn it soon after it has been cut off from the stock that nourished it , for this liquor issuing out like a whitish froth , and bubling out from between the wood and bark , falls down and turns to perfect water . from whence i conclude , that this is nothing else but the dissolving of the same sap , which having passed through the roots , was formerly the nutriment of the tree , differing now from what it was then only in this , that whereas the moisture upon its entrance into the roots , was by the acting of the roots render'd capable of assuming the nature and quality of such sap as was proper for such or such trees , becomes of somewhat a thicker consistency , when the branch which it was to have fed and enlarg'd , is sever'd from the live tree to which it belong'd , or when the whole tree is pluck'd up by the roots . in either of these cases it is so , as it were laid to sleep , that it may be preserv'd whole years without any alteraration , provided the tree or branch be kept in a place that is moderately warm and moist ; insomuch that such a tree or branch coming at the years end to be set again in a good earth , or graffed upon a good stock , and to have the benefit of a warm sun , flourishes as well as those that were never remov'd out of the places where they first grew . all which is sufficiently confirmed by experience in trees and graffs , we receive safe and sound from foreign parts ; and in others , which at certain seasons of the year we send thither . but if instead of replanting this tree , or making use of this branch for a graff , you put them into the fire , you will see that part of the sap which was not turn'd into the substance of the tree , but only a little thicken'd for want of action , as soon as it comes to be heated by the fire , first to grow thin , and then to rarifie it self to such a degree as to pass out at the ends of the tree or branch in a thousand little sources ; and that liquor , which before its entrance into the tree was really nothing but water , and which afterwards suffer'd so many alterations both in colour and taste , and consistency , and other qualities , recovers the natural simplicity it had before it enter'd the tree , without any remains of the effects of those great changes it had undergone , except only a little sharpness in the smoak , which doubtless is only accidental , and to be ascrib'd to the fire , by which those pieces of wood are consumed . i know very well that 't is not only from between the wood and the bark that the fire makes this rarified water to pass out , but that it does the same also at the ends of all the inward parts of the wood successively and circularly , as it were one lair after another ; which it does according as the heat advancing reaches by degrees , and in a circular manner , the inner parts of the wood. but yet this is so far from destroying my hypothesis , that the sap passes up chiefly between the wood and the bark , that it mightily confirms it . for every one of the inward parts of the tree having been in their turn , next to the bark , and consequently each soaked in the sap which passed by it , and indeed being it self nothing else but sap condensed , it is no strange thing to see it in its dissolution return to the same matter of which it was at first made . and for the further proof of this opinion , i have two arguments to offer , both which seem to me very strong and cogent . the first is , that as it is the sap which being for a time grown thick , and as it were cold , so strongly glues and joins the bark to the wood , that they are not easily pull'd asunder ; so upon its being heated either by the sun , in the spring or summer , or by our common fire , they become easily separable . and this is easily concieveable to every one that considers that almost the very same thing is every day done in the use of common glue . as to the second , you need only take a view of the inside of the bark , and the outside of the tree , and you will percieve in both an infinite number of little gutters or chanels which are separated from each other by as many little partitions , which serve to fasten the bark to the tree , and to be passages for the sap to ascend up to the very top , both to be a continual supply to all the several parts of the tree , and to add new growths to such parts as are capable of enlargement . observing all those little chanels which in every part of the wood appear cross-wise from the pith to the bark , like so many straight lines drawn from the center of a circle to its circumference , or the sun as painters use to draw it , and which are plainly seen in cutting a turnip through the middle , i know not whether instead of assigning the saps passage up into the body of the tree through the fibres of it , i may not as reasonably conclude , that these are the real passages by which the sap ( which as i have already proved is lodged , and performs most of its actions between the wood and the bark ) is conveyed into the body of the tree , to refresh and feed all the inward parts of it , since i cannot positively determine for what other use nature shou'd have intended those little chanels which are made with so much exactness and curiosity . i have already observed , in speaking of the water which becomes sap by the operation of the roots , that it undergoes a great variety of alterations in the several plants into which it is received . chap. v. reflections upon the cause of the difference in saps , and upon the effects produced by engraffing . the opinion of our modern philosophers , who ascribe the great difference that is in saps , as well as in other sublunary bodies , to the difference of pores , is indeed very ingenious and pretty : but for my part , i must own , i cannot understand it . i cannot imagine how a poisonous juice shou'd become wholesom , an insipid sweet , or a stinking one well scented , meerly by changing its place ; and how it s being in certain pores of such a figure made it one thing , and then its passing thence into others of another figure , shou'd make it the quite contrary . yet notwithstanding this , i shou'd make no great difficulty of agreeing with so many ingenious persons as maintain this doctrine of pores , if they wou'd undertake to give as good an account how the great changes we see in trees by the means of graffs , might be perform'd the same way . i confess the comparison between this performance of nature , and that of a water engine , appears very fit for their purpose . it appears at first sight to have so much of demonstration in it , as may perhaps puzzle a man , but i dare say , can never perswade or convince him . the workings of nature in the graffs are too dark and intricate to be thereby sufficiently illustrated ; and the particulars wherein they plainly disagree , do vastly exceed those wherein they seem to agree , and for which the fancy was so much applauded , as will appear by insisting upon some particulars , and considering what light this way of explication can give us therein . the force of the water-instrument , the more it is used , the weaker it grows , and at last quite spends it self ; whereas on the contrary , that of the graff , the more it is employ'd , the stronger it grows . again , each of those instruments can represent but one sort of figure , while every graffed slip produces a vast number of distinct effects , and all differing from one another . as for instance , the bark produces wood , leaves , flowers , fruits , &c. which fruits do also differ in their colour , shape , taste , meat and seed , &c. add hereto , that the slip in producing an infinite number of other slips , does also produce a like number of new instruments for the conveyance of its sap ; a thing which our water-engines cannot any ways be said to do , seeing they are incapable of multiplying themselves . as also , lastly , that any water-engine will serve for all sorts of water , whereas each slip is restrained and limited to one particular sort of fruit : those , for instance , of a core-fruit-tree , serving only for the production of such fruit , and it being impossible to employ those of any sort of tree in producing the fruit of another . and now what convincing arguments does this comparison bring along with it ? and how does it make it barely possible , that a smaller number of pores shou'd of themselves be able to alter the disposition of a much greater number of quite contrary pores ? but that which still adds to the difficulty is , that the smaller number of pores in the slip being , as i may say , become strangers , weak , and in some sort already alter'd by its inoculation , whereas the greater number of pores in the tree are , as it were , at home , and supported by a strong and vigorous stock , one wou'd imagine that the former shou'd submit to the latter , and yield to the impressions which the stronger shou'd , according to the course of nature , make upon the weaker . but here we see the quite contrary , the stronger shamefully submitting , and all the glory and advantage on the weaker's side ; that a poor slip pull'd from the tree whereon it grew , and deprived of all assistance from it , which one wou'd think absolutely necessary at least to preserve it in its specific being , and having nothing but a little of its native sap , shou'd not only live , and preserve its own species , but also be able as it were to master that so much greater quantity of sap with which it mixes , that this small stream shou'd stop the violence of so mighty a torrent , and keep it self within its own narrow bounds , instead of being hurried away by the violence of the current to which it is joined . the vigorous stock was , by the particular manner of its action upon the sap , which its roots had prepared about to produce a fruit of such a taste , colour , figure , &c. but the sap finding one or more graffs in its passage up the tree , accommodates it self to them , and produces both trees and fruits of a quite different nature . thus a quince-tree , for example , about to produce quinces , which every body knows to be a hard , harsh , gritty , and unpleasant fruit , produces a vast number of very good and sweet pears ; and an almond-tree , which naturally bears only almonds , is thus made to bear plumbs , apricots , &c. and all this by means of certain slips , which being , as i may so say , endued with a commanding power , and presenting themselves to the ascending sap , oblige it to pass according to their directions , and subject it to all those several alterations which we daily see in graffed trees . now the better to comprehend how this little graff works , and by what power of nature it serves it self so advantagiously of that mass of matter which were sufficient to drown and destroy it , or at least make it submit to it , we may not unfitly resemble it to a weak child , and one that is not of the royal blood , placed at the head of an army at the same time that it is engaged . the army continues resolutely to pursue the orders it received from its general , till the young successor coming to give new orders , employs its force and courage in the execution of a quite contrary design . now that which enables this new commander , who is yet a child , thus all on a sudden to put the whole army upon a different enterprize , can be nothing else but a certain character of majesty which he carries in his person , which makes the army , how numerous and brave , and how hot soever it was upon another design , at the very first to acknowledge his sovereign authority , blindly to follow , and without any manner of reluctancy to execute his orders ; though perhaps it may not do so very long , no longer than till another new commander shall get the same advantage over him , which he had over the first . all which we see in some sort performed by the sap of the graff , which after it has prevailed over that of the tree , comes it self to be subject to that of another set upon it self . but yet after all it must be owned , that though there be nothing either more common or more easie than engraffing , there is nothing in the whole production of vegetables that is more wonderful , or harder to be understood than it . it shou'd seem that nature has here placed the bounds of our curiosity , dazling our sight when it wou'd pierce any farther , thinking it sufficient we shou'd know how to apply the agent and the patient together , without discovering the particular manner of that action whereby such wonderful effects are produced ; and perhaps if we knew it , we shou'd not be much better graffers than we now are without that knowledge : and a small experience is sufficient to teach us both the manner and the success of every kind of graffs in all sorts of fruits . let us therefore be content to make the best use we can of what we know already in this particular , without spending time in endeavouring to advance our knowledge further therein . let us fix our thoughts upon some other things , which may be consider'd with less difficulty and more advantage , and endeavour to discover something that may be of use to us in the better and quicker improvement of them . from all that has been thus far discoursed upon this subject of graffs , i cannot but conclude , that there must of necessity be something more extraordinary in all this than what can be ascribed to the bare meeting together of certain pores , some of one figure , and some of another . chap. vi. concerning the different effects of the sap in plants , and of that opinion which maintains the notion of pores . when i further observe that in every tree a certain quantity of sap , which of it self is equally disposed to make either wood , leaves , fruit , or bark , passes up into a branch of a wallnut , a marroneer , an orange , or cherry-tree ; and that at certain places of those branches this sap , after it has sent forth blossoms , which are the first beginnings of the fruit , comes promiscuously , and without distinguishing it self into parts , to enter the stalks of each of those blossoms , how small soever they be ; and immediately upon this progress of the sap thus far , and its passage out of the stalk , it so dextrously separates it self , that in a wallnut , for instance , one part goes to make a green , tough , and bitter bark , another part the shell lin'd with films , a third to make certain partitions exactly proportioned where the body of the nut is to be formed and lodged , a fourth the skin that is to cover it ; and lastly , another part makes the nut it self sweet , and without any thing of that bitterness with which 't is encompassed on every side ; and from which it seems to have been extracted . when i likewise carefully consider all the other several sorts of fruit , and observe that in the very same manner the sap passing out at the end of the stalk divides it self , in order to the forming and making up of those fruits , agreeably to the distinct nature of each of them , and that so variously , that in some , that part which we value most is without , and that which we esteem less , within ; as in peaches , cherries , plumbs , &c. and in others the better part is within , to which the less useful part which is without serves only for a defence and security ; as in the chesnut , noisitiers , oranges , &c. and when i also observe some valuable fruits , such as figs , perdrigons , peaches , &c. exposed to all the injuries both of air and animals , without any other defence than that of a little , thin and delicate skin , while the chesnut , the wallnut , the acron , and hazle-nut , &c. are guarded with such prickles , shell , and rind . when , i say , i consider this constant and regular course of nature in each of these vegetables , and wou'd explain all this by an infinite number of pores of different figures , i must own my self quite lost in the contemplation , being not able to solve any of that vast crowd of difficulties , which at the very first presenting themselves to my curiosity , disorder and confound my thoughts . — i cannot know , for instance , how , by what , where , and when are all those pores made ? for 't is evident , they did not come all ready made out of the earth , nor were they inclosed in the substance of that water which the roots make use of in making the sap. whether they are all made at once , and separated afterwards , or whether the first have a power of making others as occasion shall require ? for if so , they must be supposed to produce one another in infinite successions . and admitting this , how shall i certainly know the original , and the place of this first pore , which upon its passing out of this small stalk , is either to produce , or to find in its passage , such a vast number of others as shall be exactly fit to qualify the sap for those several uses , of bark , substance , seed , smell , and all the other parts and qualities of the fruit they are to make . whether this small stalk be really the womb where all those pores are formed , or whether it is any more than a chanel through which they only pass , without leaving any of their number behind , when they go to make such fair , useful , delicate , and well-scented fruits . how this number of pores so range themselves in the stalks of fruits , as to make them always exactly of such a determinate length ; in leaves , so as to make that half leaf en caur which we find before the great leaf in orange-trees : in the wallnut and almond , to preserve the respective bigness of their shells : in plants , to observe the same distances between the knots whereby they are at certain lengths , distinguished , as in the rose-tree , the vine , the sureau , as also in corn ; and to perform all this with so much exactness and proportion . furthermore when in the months of january or february , thirty melon-seeds , for example , being set in the same bed , are so far from sprouting or growing up all together , that there is sometimes three or four , or five or six months space , between the first and the last . i wou'd gladly have those that will needs have vegetation performed by a forcible bringing in of certain little particles of earth into the plant , resolve me in these particulars . first , whether particles thus brought in , have pores or not ? if they have , then we shall have pores brought one into another ; and then pray consider , whither such a notion as this will lead us . secondly , whether the pores are all first form'd before the seed is set , or whether they are afterwards made by the heat of the bed ? they cannot say it is done the latter way ; and if the former , i demand further , thirdly , whether those pores are always open and ready to receive , or they are open'd by the heat of the bed ? fourthly , supposing those pores always open , i wou'd know whether they have any thing within , or nothing ? fifthly , upon this supposal that they are all open , i ask further , why those in one seed do not as well , and as soon draw in these earthly particles as those of another ? sixthly , granting this introduction of small particles of earth , how comes it to pass that those particles , which in all things else appear plainly to go upward , enter into the seed for no other end , but only that they may immediately pass out again downwards , that so they may be turn'd into roots ? seventhly , i demand whether new pores are formed in the root , and the introduced particles come in only through those new pores , or whether they still continue to come in only through those of the seed , through which they first enter'd in to make their roots ? i would also further know , whether one sort of wood be more porous than another ? i own that some have larger pores than others , as the liege , for example , than the ebene : but i cannot conceive how one should have more than another , since all are made up of little parts which come together successively one after another . now if all roots be equally porous , how comes it that some act more vigorously than others ? the vine , for instance , and the fig-tree , make abundantly more roots than any other trees . is it not reasonable to ascribe these effects to a certain principle of action which exerts it self more vigorously in those than in any other vegetables , just as we see more of vigour and sprightliness in one man than in another ; and in one fort of brutes than in some of another kind ? i would also fain know , whence it happens , as we see it often does , that certain trees newly planted remain a long time in the earth , some two or three months ; nay as many years , without any the least appearance of action : as also how some seeds continue whole years without sprouting ? this questionless must be acknowledged a matter of great difficulty , and very obscure . in short therefore , i will take it for granted , that there is more in the effecting of all this , than a meer meeting together of certain great or little pores of different figures . that we must look higher for the original of that vegetative faculty , and own that principle of life to be neither a free nor a casual , but a necessary agent ; concerning which i shall speak more at large hereafter , which by means of an external heat , and a due proportion of moisture , is determined to form those several particles of matter , some into skin , others into pulp , others into juice , some to give the fruit its relish , and others its smell ; some to become seeds , others stalks of the fruits , and others the wood of the tree , &c. and it is this also that , by means of the sap , which it prepares in the roots , makes the trees capable of receiving an infinite variety of alterations , just as the moisture of the earth makes it capable of producing , or rather indeed of being instrumental to the production of so many several sorts of plants , all different one from another . the living stock of each tree is , in effect , the same to graffs that the earth is to seeds and plants ; and in some sort the same that the air is to the different instruments of musick , or water to the instruments of water-works : that is , the sap in each of those stocks is equally dispos'd to produce this or that effect ; and consequently is capable of great alterations , according to the difference of the graffs which are set upon the stock ; between which and them , there must however be some sort of natural agreement . — though after all , the farther i pursue this enquiry , the greater difficulties i find my self entangled in , and the less able i am to satisfy my own curiosity . i should very willingly embrace this new opinion , if it could not shew me all the several figures of those wonderful pores , but only teach me , how , upon occasion , to direct nature to make such pores as were for my purpose , and to hinder the making of such as were not . but now that there is no great likelihood that this philosophy will ever procure us such an advantage , since none has yet been able to attain to it , and that notwithstanding all that is , or can be said , we must have recourse to divine providence , and assert that if what those gentlemen advance be true , that every particular kind of fruit is of such , or such a tast , bigness or shape , meerly because its pores are of such or such a figure : ( i say we must assert ) that 't is the divine providence alone that has ordained , that pores of such or such a figure shall certainly make such or such a sort of fruit. and then pray , what new discoveries has this philosophy made towards finding out of the nature of individual beings ? and did not the old hypothesis go altogether as far in searching out the first workings of providence ? but if in favour of this opinion it be urged , that one day lunetts and microscopes may possibly be invented , whereby these pores may plainly be seen and distinguished , and that there wants only time and industry to bring all this to pass , may it not also , with as good reason be hoped , that the same instruments may serve to discover the attractive motion of the roots , against which those gentlemen so eagerly contend ? though to speak my mind freely , i cannot understand what a company of pores is able to effect ; how each should be joyn'd to its fellow , so at least as to make up any thing that is not it self a pore ; what their sides are made of , and what they are joyn'd together with . i am indeed of opinion , that in every one of the works of nature there are a great many of these pores ; as also , tht they are much bigger in some bodies than in others . but since pores can be nothing else but little bodies , that is , figured cells , having no solid matter within , and compass'd about with their own sides , those sides must of necessity be solid ; and also be joyn'd together by something else of a nature different from their own . and this will engage us in such deep speculations , as are not less difficult than the ideas of accidents and occult qualities ; which i think is as much as needs be said , for 't is no more possible that a concourse of many pores should make up a solid body , without being determined by some other thing that is solid , than that in arithmetic a line of ciphers should make up an effective number , without having at the head of it some one of those nine principal characters , which custom and common consent has vested with a power of determining what each of those ciphers shall stand for in numeration . their notion , who hold that all these changes can be ascrib'd to nothing else but such different qualities as the great author of nature has thought good to fix in the several kinds of bodies , is more easily conceiv'd , and better understood , by my weak and shallow reason . though after all , i do not pretend magisterially to determine , whither of the two opinions has the more of certainty and reason on its side , my business being only to present to the world those thoughts which my study , and the remarks i have made upon vegetation , have suggested to me . and in this particular i shall use the same diligence i have done in the rest of the book . 't is true , i have upon occasion consider'd several other parts of the works of nature , and observ'd how the heads of some sorts of birds are adorned with tufts and combs , whilst others are distinguish'd either by the feathers , or the make of their bodies . and i have also often admired the melodious and charming notes of the nightingale and canary-bird , while those of the magpy , the jay , and the crow , are so harsh and ungrateful . and how wonderfully satisfied am i in my self , when considering these , and an infinite number of other particulars , i resolve all meerly into the good pleasure of the great author of nature , which ordain'd all these pretty marks of distinction that make up that wonderful harmony and agreement in this great machine , the world , without ever troubling my self to consider how possibly , by the help of this doctrine of pores , all this might be well , and convincingly accounted for . so that referring all this variety we see in flowers , and fruits , and seeds , immediately to the providence of god , i shall only add , that so wonderful has been the contrivance of the great creator in every , the smallest piece of his work-manship , as well as in those great ones , the heavens and the earth , as shews his wisdom and his power to be equally infinite . chap. vii . some further considerations upon the action of the roots . but to return to the roots of plants , and to see what useful instructions may be drawn thence for the advancement of husbandry , let us something more closely consider , whether the roots have really any attractive faculty , whereby they , as the mdsaraic veins in the body of an animal , do , at their extremities , draw to them , and suck in the impregnated moisture of the earth , or whether like the cover of a pot , they only by means of their pores , receive the vapours and exhalations which are continually ascending out of the bowels of the earth . each of these opinions has its patrons and friends ; and indeed , both seem to be supported by good and plausible reasons . but my present business being only to offer my own observations upon husbandry , i shall be as reserv'd in giving my judgment in this , as i have been in that other case of pores , and declare ingenuously , that i am not able positively , to determine in favor either of the one , or the other . and yet how difficult soever it may be to explain , or even to conceive a clear idea of what we call power , or quality in sublunary bodies , i cannot but own my inclination to approve rather of living and attractive powers , than an inanimate and lifeless row and order of parts of matter . and indeed it seems to me very reasonable , to assign action to that alone which has need of it , namely , to plants , to the end they may attract , and suck in such nourishment , as may be necessary both to preserve and enlarge themselves , and to multiply their species . and thence i conclude , that 't is they that act. without doubt the earth would not grow lank , meagre , and hungry , as it does , if the plants did not suck it just as animals do their dams ; and as they do not tarry till the milk comes to find out them , so neither do the plants expect till the vapours and exhalations come and present themselves to the pores . this moisturerises up continually out of the bowels of all sorts of earth , though those earths do not thereby cease to be still fresh ; that is , in a condition to produce all sorts of fruits . and since it is utterly false that the goodness of any rich soil decays , or is in the least diminished by being not made use of in feeding some set plants , it necessarily follows , that when such an earth fails of its usual fruitfulness , as it sometimes does , even to perfect barrenness , this decay must proceed from the activity of the roots , which by their attractive motion have exhausted all that fruitful salt which nature had furnished it with . and if we observe how the roots of a plant , set in a chest of earth , get out in great numbers , at such holes or crevices of the chest as are nearest the ground , that they may there grow and multiply , i know not whether we may not , with very good reason , allow them a kind of local motion . and indeed , it is for reasons that incline me to favour this opinion of an attractive power in the roots , that i do leave but a very few roots upon the trees i plant ; for if i imagined that the sap , which the tree requires in great abundance , did without any action in the vegetable , barely enter into the roots through such holes , or pores , as it found open , i shou'd certainly believe that the more old roots i left on , the more pores or holes to receive the sap i shou'd also leave , and that it wou'd ascend in greater quantities into the bodies of such trees , than of those that had fewer roots . but my own experience shews me that all this is false , and that a good tree , of what sort soever , being planted in a good earth , with a few roots , and reasonably short , grows much better and quicker than another equally good , and planted at the same time in as rich an earth with many long roots . and in this case i think i may safely rely upon my own experience , since i herein advance nothing but upon above thirty years tryal and careful observation . and upon the whole , i lay down this as a standing rule , that the more old roots you leave upon the tree you plant , the fewer and the worse the new ones will be which it sends forth ; whereas the fewer you leave , provided they be good ones , and indifferently short , the more and the better the new ones will be . and to this i chiefly ascribe the different success we usually observe in planting . chap. viii . considerations upon the vital principle in plants . i lay down this as another maxim which i think never fails , and which , having already spoken something of it , i come now more fully to enlarge upon ; namely , that there is in every tree and plant a certain principle of life , which being assisted with all the necessary circumstances of a good earth , due moisture , a favourable sun , &c. makes every part of the tree or plant so to act , and perform all its offices , that they all continue in their natural vigour , so long as this vital principle is not injured ; and that as soon as it is destroyed , the plant immediately dies . but this vital principle is not in all plants lodged in one and the same place ; for in some 't is lodged in that outward eye of the plant , which is the first that appears above ground , and distinguishes it from other plants , as in melons , turnips , and all sorts of annual flowers ; and this being cut off , all the rest of the plant immediately dies , and that without recovery . in others 't is seated in the ball of the root , as in tulips , jacintes , imperiales , anemonies , &c. and these plants do not die , but when their round root is spoiled by heat , or cold , or wet , or by being cut or bruised ; nor will the taking away the fore-mentioned eye do them any great hurt . in others , besides its principal seat , which i shall speak of by and by , when i come to treat of great trees , 't is diffused like a kind of seed through all the remoter parts , as is evident in the branches of vines , fig-trees , quince-trees , salows , ivy , girostees , jaunes , and in general of all sorts that easily admit of either engraffing or inoculation . lastly , in others , as in all trees , both those that do , and such as do not bear fruit , this vital principle seems to be between the bole and the roots ; for the upper parts may be cut off , and the roots taken away , provided nothing be done to the very place where it is lodged , and yet the tree be so far from being prejudiced thereby , that on the contrary this will make it send forth both more branches , and more roots . now that which gave me the greatest light in judging of the seat of this vital principle , was the observations i made upon the sprouting either of almonds , or peach-stones , or the seeds of melons , lettuces , or any other sort of pot-herbs ; that when they come once to be throughly moisten'd , and heated in the earth , the substance of each swelling so , as not to be any longer contained within their respective shells or skins , it makes it self a passage out at the sharpest part of the shell or seed howsoever it happen'd to lie in the ground ; and thence issues out first the beginning of a root , white , and proportionable to the nut , or seed out of which is sprouts . this , directing its course downwards , grows longer and thicker , and sends forth other small roots all along on every side of it . and all this it does before any thing appears to ascend upwards to the surface of the earth . but at length when the root has so fixed and strengthen'd it self , as to be able to support and nourish the plant , whereof it is to be the foundation , then at the very same place where it sprung out , the nut or seed perfectly opens it self , to give a passage to the stem , which begins its formation exactly in the same place with the root ; and by degrees it works it self through all the earth that lies upon it , and at last appears above ground in a few small leaves , which shew both the top of the plant , and of what kind it is , and so grows up to its natural bigness . i hold then , that there is in plants a certain principle of life , and that is the very same that philosophers call the vegetative soul ; and that 't is a necessary agent which at certain times cannot but act , and that too sometimes after such a manner as men shall direct . but to make it do so , care must be taken , that that part of the plant where this vital principle is chiefly lodged , be perfectly sound ; that the principle it self be moved and actuated by a just degree of heat ; and lastly , that if the plant have roots , they be found , and set in a good earth , duly moisten'd . but for the better clearing of this particular , it may be necessary to observe these four things : first , that that part of the plant where the vital principle is seated be sound , and in good condition : for if it be in the least putrified or corroded , or have suffered any thing from cold , drought , or any other accident , it will receive no benefit from that heat which plants require , but will at best thrive but very ill , and perhaps quite die away . secondly , that it be cherished with a due and a proportionable degree of heat , both in the the earth , and in the air ; for some plants are soon heated , and put into action , as all spring-flowers in general , the indian chesnut , the raspis , the sparagus , and most kitchin-herbs , and particularly the oignons de coronne imperiale , the tulip , and some others ; some of which shoot out their roots , and others their stem , without being set in the ground ; and that too when the power of vegetation seems to be as it were asleep , namely in the month of august . and others again are of a colder complexion , and harder to be moved ; such as the mulberry , yew-seeds , sweet charvil , &c. and therefore 't is no wonder if all plants do not enter upon action at one and the same time , tho' the heat both of the earth , and of the air , be the same to all , and upon that consideration might be supposed to influence all alike . so that it is evident , that 't is the different nature of the plants that makes them quicker or slower in entring upon a state of action . thirdly , that the action of the vital principle is limited and confined to certain spaces of time , which in some plants are much longer than in others ; as in all larger trees , and especially in those we commonly call for distinction-sake green-trees , such as the yew , the espicias , the holly , &c. as also in the orange-trees , in most of which trees , it scarcely ever gives over acting either in summer or winter , provided none of those four qualifications be wanting . in other plants this season of action is much shorter , and can by no means be prolonged beyond that time nature has assigned it , as in lettices , pease , tulips , anemonies , hyacinths , &c. all which have but a very short time of action , and appear in a manner quite dead within a very few months after they first began to give any certain signs of life . the last thing i am to observe is , that the roots must not only be sound , but also set in a good earth duly moisten'd : for if the roots be damaged , either by drought , or any other way ; or if being sound , they happen to be set in an earth that is either bad , or exhausted ; or lastly , if being good , it want due moisture : in any of these cases , you will not be sensible of any manner of action the plant performs . and this is a truth which every body knows , so that i need not enlarge upon it . we see daily instances of it , especially in the spring , in trees both kept in chests , and newly set. for if either of these want moisture , without which they cannot act , and consequently grow too hot , and dry , they immediately seem as it were faint , and in a dying condition ; but no sooner are they wet either with a shower , or by the gardiner's hand , then you immediately observe in them just such another change as is made the same way in persons recovered out of a swoon . for as in this latter case , persons in a swoon recover themselves by receiving a little wine , or spirits ; which recovery is perform'd by the nutritive faculty , which coming to act upon this new supply of nourishment , makes use of it as a remedy , and dispenses it out of the stomach , where it received it , to all the parts of the body : just so when the tree , which either in a chest , or newly set , had suffered for want of water , comes to be refreshed by a new supply of water , its roots , and especially the extreme parts of them , being throughly moisten'd therewith , immediately the vital principle begins to act again upon the moisten'd earth , and sends up a great quantity of sap , which distributing it self into all the several parts of the tree , its boughs , leaves , flowers , and fruits , puts them all into the very same condition they were in before , when for want of moisture the roots gave over acting . and this it does , provided this cessation of action be not too long , which if it be , 't will kill the plant ; the vital principle being not able to preserve it self , if it have not always something of moisture to work upon , ( which moisture it can have no way , but by the action of the roots ; ) just as continual evacuation , and long abstinence , prove mortal to animals , which cannot live any considerable time without fresh supplies of food . and 't is likewise to be observed , that flowers , and fruits , and leaves , which are all tender , and short-lived , have much more need of constant supplies of sap to keep them alive , and to preserve their beauty , then the stocks , or other parts of the tree , which being more solid and massive , will live a long time , though the roots should perform no action that might any way advantage them . we are further to note , that though the greatest part of the sap , that is prepared in the roots , goes up into the upper parts of the tree , yet it does not equally at all times make them grow longer ; sometimes it does only , and that too so as we cannot perceive it , strengthen its parts , and enable it to send forth fairer sie●s ; whereas when the sap goes up in a greater abundance , it makes it shoot out in length , as we often see it does in a double quantity , at both the solstices , and at the vernal equinox . and in the last place i hold , that the vital principle being duly moved , and quicken'd , serves as an instrument to enliven , to strengthen , and to envigorate the roots : so that the strength or weakness of their action , depends wholly upon the strength or weakness of the motion or impression they derive from this principle ; as also , that the vigour and activity of this principle being not infinite , but proportion'd to the nature of the tree which it is to enliven , it communicates it self to all the roots that depend upon it , and which it is to actuate , according to their several capacities , as being instruments it must necessarily make use of in the performance of its office. chap. ix . considerations upon the number of roots to be left in the planting of trees . from what has been said , it evidently follows , that the more numerous those roots are which depend upon that principle , so much a lesser share of the aforesaid motion and impression does accrue to each of them in particular . for 't is most certain , that when only three or four roots receive the whole impression of such a certain proportion of vigor as might have been distributed to a greater number ; each , i say , of those three or four being thereby more plentifully supplied , doth consequently become capable of producing more , than if that impression had been divided amongst a dozen . it is also as certain , that since this impression can never lie useless in that part where it is received ; it must necessarily act in proportion to what it is in it self , that is either strongly or weakly , according to its own strength or weakness . now since the effect of this impression upon the root is nothing but the production of other roots ; if the impression it self be weak and feeble , such also by consequence must the roots be that are produced by it . 't is upon this impression that the goodness and vigour of these roots , and the continuance of the whole tree in its beauty , do entirely depend : so that when the roots succeed well , and exert themselves strongly , the tree cannot fail of thriving both in its trunk and branches ; as , on the contrary , if the roots do not take well , the tree will of necessity grow but very poorly . but to proceed : since every one that plants in a good soil , proposes to himself the raising a tree as soon as may be , that shall be vigorous , and capable of being long liv'd . he must take special care so to order it in the setting , as to make it in a little time put forth some of those good new roots , since it is from them only that he can expect the accomplishment of his desires . now for the better attaining of this , it is to be considered , first , that although there are few trees planted , but what have some of these roots ; yet they will receive no advantage from them , whatever their number be , if those roots soon after they are planted do not produce new ones . secondly , you must take notice , that it is from these thick and strong new-grown roots , that trees become fair , great , thick leav'd , and firmly rooted in the ground ; whereas those new roots which are small and feeble , act but very weakly , and always discover the symptoms of their infirmity , either in the leaves or branches of the trees belonging to them . thirdly , these thick and hard new roots shoot forth only from two places , viz. either from the very body of the tree , which rarely happens ; or else , as is most usual , from some other thick and strong old roots : for , as i have observed before , such roots as are small and feeble , can only produce others as feeble as themselves , and therefore not likely to turn to any account . fourthly , you must observe , that even of those old , thick , and hard roots , from which only you are to expect such new ones to shoot out as you desire , some are much better than others . the best , and principally to be chosen , are those of the latest growth out of the foot of the tree , and they are easily distinguished by their smooth and reddish skin from those that are older , which always look black , rugged , and full of wrinkles ; whereby you will presently discover them to be unfit for use . fifthly , this sort of good roots cannot be produced , but by virtue of that impression proceeding from the vital principle of the tree ; and this impression will be so much the more strong and active , the fewer you leave of those old roots amongst which it is to be divided . you must observe likewise , that this impression will be the more effectual , the nearer it is made to the principle from which it proceeds . but this nearness is not to be strictly and absolutely understood , but with such a restriction , as when we say , a good eye can better distinguish objects which are near , than those which are remote ; since it is well observed by the philosophers , that all extremes are to be avoided . sixthly , 't is to be observed , that these good new roots by which the trees are strongly fasten'd in the ground , and plentifully nourished , generally shoot forth at the ends of the old roots ; provided they are not left of too great a length , or planted above a foot deep . for you will find , that of these new roots of the later shoot , those which grow at a greater distance from the body of the tree are generally more lively , and consequently of greater virtue , than those that grow nearer to it ; which are always observed to be somewhat smaller than the others . now since the extremities of the old roots must not be too far distant from the trunk , because then the tree will not be able to resist the force of the wind : it will be necessary to cut all of them in general somewhat shorter , as their strength or weakness will permit ; that is , the weaker roots may have more cut from them , but the stronger may admit of a greater length . taking this as a general rule : that the roots of the strongest and largest trees ought not to be left above or inches long ; but for the weaker , it will be enough to leave some of them , and to others or inches at most . these things being premised , our gardiner must remember , first , that to make a tree which is planted in a good soil thrive well , he must retain those roots only which appear promising , young , and of a sufficient bigness ; and consequently cut off all the rags , and such as we call hairy roots ; as likewise all that through age are worn out , rotten , or abandon'd by the sap , which abandoning you may easily discover by this sign , namely , when some younger , larger , and fairer roots shoo● out above the old ones . secondly , it must be allowed , ( which yet , as i have already hinted , is not to be strictly and literally understood , ) that how small soever the number of roots is which you retain , it will be sufficient for receiving the whole virtue of the tree's vital principle , and so become capable of producing such new roots as may be good and serviceable , so that oftentimes he must be contented with one single root , if all the rest do not prove good ; sometimes he may keep or , or or at most , all of them separated at a due distance from each other : these altogether make up what we call a bed or lay of roots , and when they happen to be so many , must , in the planting your tree about a foot deep , be disposed so far below the surface of the ground , as may secure them from being killed either by heat , cold , or the stroke of a spade , ( and for this , or inches will be enough ) but yet not so deep as to hinder them from enjoying of the comfortable warmth of the sun , or so much of the earth's moisture as is necessary for their nourishment . lastly , let him rest fully assured , that if a young tree thus planted , with a few , and those but short roots left upon it , do not thrive in the two first years ; it would certainly have succeeded no better , though he had left it more roots , and of greater length . so that without losing any more time in a fruitless expectation , to which all gardiners are extremely subject , let him resolve with all convenient speed according to the directions here prescribed , to plant another good tree in the room of it . thus i have given you the rules for planting , which i had proposed to my self , with relation both to the tree and the soil ; by the observation of which , the tree will put forth good new roots , whereby that nourishment is conveyed to it which causes it to thrive as well in the body as branches , and makes it continue vigorous , and every year to bring forth plentifully both leaves and fruit. chap. x. considerations upon the motion of the sap as soon as it is prepared in the roots . for the better illustration how that nourishment , which in the spring begins to enter into each root , is at the same instant of time distributed into the trunk , branches , leaves , and fruit of the tree . i cannot think of any fitter or more instructive comparison than that of a torch , which , as soon as it is lighted in the midst of a dark room , does in a moment , and at once , diffuse its light in its whole circumference , in every place of the room wherever it can reach . for sap being a liquid , light , and subtil body , which , as well as all vapours and exhalations , seems to participate of the nature of air , and consequently to have its centre in the upper , rather than in the lower parts : the resemblance in the subtility of their matter , which seems to be found between sap and light , will , i hope , make my comparison allowable . but how far soever it may hold in some respects , yet i am very sensible there is a considerable difference in others . for as light diffuses its strongest emissions upon those parts of the air that are nearest to the luminous body , which is their source and original cause , so likewise it grows sensibly weaker in the remoter parts , in proportion to their greater or lesser distance from that source . and this is grounded upon the order of nature , which hath determined every agent to a certain limited sphere of activity , and to act more powerfully upon those objects that are at a reasonable distance , than upon such as being further off , are in some manner out of its reach . but now on the contrary , the sap produces its most considerable effects , in those parts which are farthest distant from the roots , from which it is originally deriv'd . for having a natural tendency to raise it self , with impetuosity to the extremities of the tree , which are its proper centre ; it only makes a quick and brisk passage through all the other parts , which are the channels to convey it to that centre . we find then , that the sap which is prepared by the roots in the ground , makes its first entrance in great plenty into these extremities of the branches ; the other parts of those branches , tho' nearer to the trunk , receive no benefit from that sap , but proportionably as they lye nearer , or farther from the spring which produced it . the only advantage the lower parts of those branches can get from it , proceeds merely from the abode which that sap , in its continual ascent towards those extremities , is sometimes forced to make in the neighbourhood of those lower parts . this abode happens , when that which was already come up of the first sap , being not able to break out soon enough to be employed in putting forth branches , leaves and fruits is a hindrance to the attempt of that which comes after it , and consequently stopping it by the way ; for a while makes it tarry at some distance from those extremities , till the passage be opened for it , to issue out as the foregoing sap did . and methinks , this seems to have a great resemblance with what often happens in a stream , that is stopt in its descent by some dam. this stream hastening to its centre beyond that dam , runs continually toward it , with all the swiftness that the pressure of its own weight can afford it . in the mean time , all the new water which flows every moment from the same spring , from whence both of them are deriv'd , striving naturally to follow the course of the foregoing , which issued out first ; 't is intercepted in its passage by that first , so as it cannot reach even the dam ; by reason that the first having as it were seized upon that principal post , hinders it from flowing any further , just in the same manner as the dam hindred the flowing of the first . from hence it comes to pass , first , that both being so stopt , there is a great conflux of water made in a certain tract of land. secondly , that those parts of that water , which are most distant from the dam , dilate themselves on every side , and consequently wet , nourish , and even drown sometimes the plants growing on its banks , which would have been neither watered nor nourished , could that water instead of meeting with the said dam , have freely arrived whither its own declivity would have carried it . in like manner the sap whose source is in the roots , having a natural propension to rise up to the extremities of the branches , to which it tends as its own centre , is , as we have already said , sometimes stopt far enough from its designed mark , by that which ascended first , and which had not time enough by issuing forth to compleat it s intended work. if the sap which ascended last , continues never so little in the place where it is stopp'd , it never fails of producing some new effect , which shews it has been stopp'd there : for its abode is never useless wherever it be ; and the effects produced by it are these . where it is in great plenty , as it usually is in the trunk and bigger branches , the more active parts of it which are got nearest to that which ascended first , are prepared there in some measure , to assist that which came up first , in putting forth new branches , differing in their bigness and number , according to its plenty : ( in what order these branches are produced , i shall explain hereafter ) but that which is less vigorous , doth the same every where about it , which a small quantity of sap appears to do in branches of a lesser size ; viz. both of them form those protuberant and round eyes which meet near their passage , and place of their abode , and by that means begin , and sometimes finish the fruit-buds ; namely , when the sap is happily temper'd to such a degree , as is necessary to bring them to perfection . the consideration of this , has induced me to lay down this maxim , that the fruit buds grow sometimes upon the weak of the strong , and sometimes upon the strong of the weak . chap. xi . reflections upon the production of the fruit-buds . for the better understanding this maxim , it is to be observed , that the former part of it relates to those fruit-buds , which tho' they grow sometimes upon the bigger branches , yet it is only in the parts which are farthest distant from their extremities , that is to say in the lowest part of the branch : the second part of it is concerning the buds that grow upon the weak branches , in a place quite contrary to that of the big ones ; viz. in the very extremities of them . there are then , as you have already heard , two sorts of branches , strong and weak , upon each of which these fruit-buds are formed ; and i think i may presume to say , that the sap which is diffused through the whole extent of those branches , makes there as it were a body of sap : i am forced to express my self in these terms , to render my maxim more intelligible . there is no question to be made , as i have before intimated , but that a far greater proportion of that sap rises up to the extremity of all sorts of branches , than remains of it in any other parts . now i give the name of strong , as well to the whole branch that is big and strong , as to that part of all sorts of branches whatsoever , where the sap is gathered in a greater quantity . and i call weak , as well the whole branch whether small and weak , as that part of any sort of branches whatsoever , which partakes of that sap in a lesser quantity . this being suppos'd , i positively affirm , that in the big and strong branches , where there is a greater confluence of sap , that sap forcing it self upward to their extremities , is consequently convey'd thither in great plenty . but that abundance as great as it is , may be fit to cause the putting forth many branches , but is not adapted to the making of fruit-buds . for experience tells us , that these are never brought forth , but in those places where there is a just proportion of sap , viz. neither too much nor too little . and 't is for this reason probably , that we never see any fruit-buds growing at the prun'd or lopp'd extremity of a big branch , except when the sap has been diverted by some unknown obstacle , from rising up to it altogether , according to its usual course ; but upon the lower parts of the branch , where the sap is neither so plentiful nor so stirring , they are frequently produced . and this is the reason , that induced me to lay down this as a maxim , that the fruit-buds grow sometimes upon the weak of the strong ; that is to say upon the weak part of the strong branch , where by weak , the lower part of the branch is to be understood ; forasmuch , as there being really much less sap in the lower , than in the upper part , or extremity of the branch , it has by consequence a greater disposition , to bring forth those lovely fruit-buds which so justly challenge our admiration . the former part of this maxim being well understood , there will remain no great difficulty in the latter ; so that when i say , that the fruit-buds grow sometimes upon the strong of the weak the meaning is plain , that they shoot out at the extremity of the weak branches , wherein , tho' indeed there is but a small quantity of sap , in comparison of what is to be found in the big ones , yet there is more of it in the extremities , than in any other parts of the same branches , and therefore enough to make up the just measure , which is necessary to the frame or conformation of those fruit-buds . and this is the true reason , why the middle siz'd branches that are neither too big nor too little , are commonly first loaded with fruit-buds ; the first years they begin to put out buds at their ends , then continue from year to year to bring them forth in their whole length , but afterwards they shift from one part to another , still drawing back by degrees nearer to that big branch out of which they sprung , till at last they come to bear in that which is nearest to the place from whence they had their first production . chap. xii . reflexions upon the short continuance of the fruit-bearing branches . i have observed elsewhere , in discoursing of the means to prevent the ill accidents , to which the fruit-bearing branches are subject , that those branches never last long in any trees : but that in stone-fruits , and especially in peaches , they never bear twice successively in the same place . commonly they die in the very year of their bearing , which is the following year after their shooting forth . but if any of them escape , the reason is , that being grown a little bigger than they were , they put forth out at their extremities , some other fruitful branches against the next year ; but after that time they become dry and useless , and by consequence must be cut off . in core-fruits , the branches last somewhat longer , a 〈…〉 continue bearing throughout their whole length or years successively , till at last they fall by the common fate of fruit-bearing branches , that is to perish by their own fruitfulness . it is not improbable , but that the same thing may be said , in relation to the dying of these fruit-branches , that is generally observ'd in the fruits themselves , which decay constantly in a certain time ; and the resemblance between them , is , in my opinion , well enough grounded , to admit the comparison . for as the first degree or mark of corruption in fruits , is the perfection of their ripeness ; that is to say , they are then nearest to corruption , when they have attained their compleat maturity ; so likewise in the branches their beginning to bear , is the first sign of their approaching destruction ; that is to say , according to the common observation of gard'ners , they begin to die , just in the same moment , that they begin to bear fruit. now to give some probable reason of this particular destruction ; it cannot be said , that the fruit-bearing branch destroys it self , seeing it hath no peculiar action distinct from the general action of the plant , whose great end is self-preservation . it is then more to the purpose , i conceive to say , that those parts ( viz. the weak branches ) through which that small quantity of sap passeth , which makes the fruit , being not stored with a sufficient quantity of sap to strengthen themselves , and to resist the injuries of the air , do first begin to dry up insensibly , and soon after wholly wither and dye : whereas the other parts which are furnish'd with it in greater plenty ; viz. the strong , thick , and vigorous branches , being daily supplied with new sap , and thereby fortified against the injuries of the air , have also the good luck of a longer continuance . chap. xiii . reflections upon the inward contexture of fruit-buds . it is a question that has extreamly puzled the curious , to explain the inward frame of these fruit-buds , and i must confess , that the contexture and arranging of those little leaves enfolded in one another , which make up those buds and distinguish them from the other parts of the tree , are an ample subject for a very curious but difficult disquisition ; and i should be extreamly glad to arrive at a perfect understanding of this wonderful master-piece of nature . but after having a great deal of pains to little purpose , i am forced to acquiesce and satisfie my curiosity , by saying plainly and in the general , that those buds may probably be formed , almost after the same manner , with cabbages and loaf'd lettuces . let us see then , whether we can unfold the mystery of those , and thereby attain to the knowledge of the other . to find how far this comparison will hold , we must consider , that of the several species of plants , there are some which commonly do but shoot forth outwardly , that is , they only lengthen and extend their extremities . of this sort are such as either grow upright , for instance , trees , asparagus , artichokes ; or such as creep upon the ground , as melons , gourds , ivy , and the like , &c. others there are which for a while do only shoot inwardly , to get a firmer and more compacted substance , till at last they take the same way with the former ; for instance , all such as are of an orbicular figure , as cabbages , loaf'd lettuces , and even those plants which are tied together to make them grow white , as chicorees , &c. those of the former kind shoot only at the extremities of what was grown before ; the others rarely shoot but only just round about their center , in the same manner almost as we see water springing up in the source of a fountain . having premised this : i say , that as cabbage and lettuces cannot grow round when their root is too vigorous ; that excess of vigor causing them to grow upright in their stem as much as their strength will allow , and at last causing them to run up to seed , when their strength is much exhausted ; so likewise scarce any fruit-buds can be produced on trees or branches too much invigorated by the sap , that excess of it causing them to exert themselves in length instead of growing round , as it is necessary they should do to become really fruit-buds . a certain mediocrity then of vigor is requisite in those kinds of plants , in order to their growing round and headed , as there must be a certain mediocrity of sap in fruit-trees to produce fruit-buds . now to understand after what manner those heads are framed in cabbages and lettuces , it is to be observed , first , that those outward coats and leaves are commonly first produced in those plants , and have their formation begun as soon as the plants themselves . secondly , that of all those leaves first produced , there usually remain but few , which growing proportionably to the dimensions of the cabbage or lettuce , serve for ramparts and bastions to defend the nobler parts lying innermost , and which are , as it were , the cittadel or magazine of the place . hence it comes to pass , that some of those old outward leaves , either by instinct of nature , or the gardiner's industry , contracting their extremities very close to one another , do form a kind of natural girdle , or cap as it were , which entirely covers and encloses the heart and inside of those plants ; which being the seat of their vital principle , and assisted by the action of the roots which are produced by it , and resembling , as we have said already , the spring of a fountain , shoots continually from its whole circumference an infinite number of small productions , which become so many small leaves . now these being confined , and hindred from spreading abroad , enfold and entangle themselves for a while one within another , till they grow strong enough to break open the bars which restrain them in so narrow a compass , and violently to force their way out : and because they are not exposed to the injuries of the air , they remain tender , delicate , and white ; as also being very numerous , and having but little room , they draw so close together , that at last they become a hard and solid body . and this is what is called cabbages , and loaf'd-lettuces . now it is not improbable , but that fruit-buds are formed just in the same manner as those headed cabbages . without question 't is partly the frame and figure which makes the difference of their denominations . in trees , that small , blackish , sharp-topped roundness which both makes , and encloses the blossom , is more properly termed bud , than head ; as in cabbage and lettuce , their bigness and roundness causes them to be more fitly styled heads , than buds . i am of opinion , that onions are formed within the ground almost after the same manner as the heads of cabbages and lettuce are upon the surface of it . now as those onions , cabbages , and lettuce , when they are supplied with an additional encrease of sap , begin to disclose themselves , and to put forth that which they had a long time contained hidden within : just so the fruit-buds , having in the spring received an inward encrease , as well by rarefaction of their former sap , as their new nourishment , burst out , and disclose at last that blossom which carries in it the embrio , or first beginning of the fruit. that first beginning of the fruit is a very small particle , enclosed in the heart of the blossom , wherein is contained the seed from which the fruit is produced ; nor does either of them receive their formation till the decreasing of the heat , and descent of the sap of the foregoing summer . the temperate warmth of the spring assists the tree in bringing to perfection what was but just begun , at once gratifying the gardiner with the agreeable object of his hopes and desires , and giving nature an opportunity of multiplying its productions . thus far i have been led by my curiosity to make an essay of enquiring into the inward frame and texture of fruit-buds , but i must confess ingenuously , that i have not made any considerable progress , when i reflect upon that vast difference in their several species in this respect , viz. that the buds of s●●pe-fruits have in them but one blossom apiece , whereas the core fruit-buds enclose or together , not to mention the many other distinctions in their colour , bigness , &c. chap. xiv . reflections upon other effects of the sap relating to the thickning and lengthning of the branches . i come now to speak again of those effects which owe their being to the continuance of the sap in some particular parts of the trees , and these are in my opinion evidently demonstrated by the instance of those willow-tops that grow to an extraordinary bigness in comparison of their trunk , which undoubtedly proceeds from hence , that their top-branches being often lopp'd off near the place of their shooting out , the sap rising up to it in its usual course , cannot issue out so soon as it is arrived there , but is forced to tarry there for some time , and so sticking and incorporating it self in part to that place where it is stopp'd , it causes that head to grow much bigger than all the rest of those parts through which it only makes a quick passage . it may be said , and perhaps reasonably enough , that the sap causes-the bigness of the branches in trees , and the leaves in all other plants , almost in the same manner , as the melted wax doth in tapers , flambeaux and torches , with this difference only , ( which yet doth not alter the comparison ) that the sap risesup between the wood and the bark , aspiring to the center of light bodies ; whereas on the contrary , the melted wax runs downward along the suspended wyck , because it tends to the center of heavy bodies : and if it happens that any of that melted wax stays any longer in one part than in another , it will not fail of producing the same effect that the sap doth in the extremities of maimed trees . i cannot find any thing in mechanics fitter to give a lively representation , how sap , though liquid it self , can contribute to the thickning a solid body by that solidity which it self acquires ; for it really grows thick as it were , by so many coats successively enfolded one over another , as is obvious enough to the eye of him that doth but consider the extremity of any stump of a tree , or that views the structure of onions , radishes , and other roots , when cut through the middle . but now as to the extension of the branches of trees , and leaves of every plant ; ( which is made in this manner , viz. by the new parts drawing nearer to the old ones , there is so close an union made , and , to speak philosophically , such an intimate and individual incorporation , that it is impossible either to distinguish them by the eye , or to unfold and separate them from one another . ) i say then , as to this extension of branches , the new sap must needs have in some measure the propriety of mollifying and melting the hard extremity of each branch , and trunk , of the former year's growth , that so it may unite the new liquid with the old solid , and constitute a body altogether like , so as that the least difference cannot be perceived between them . i must confess , this is a point that seems to me worthy of the highest admiration , nor has the utmost of humane industry ever yet attained to any performance comparable to that imperceptible extension of branches : for though the painters colours laid on at several times , and the solder which goldsmiths and founders make use of , afford us some saint resemblance of it ; yet we must have recourse to some other effect of nature , to give us a clear idea of this so perfect an union . for instance ; that of ice , which by the sharpness of the cold is formed over all sorts of water , as we see it in the basin of a fountain . 't is true , the superficies of that water which was congeled to day , cannot absolutely be distinguished from the inner parts of that water which will be congeled to morrow , and so successively from one part to another , as the cold continues to have a stronger influence upon them : but the comparison of gutters in which the icicles grow longer , proportionably as the cold of the air becomes more intense , represents still more clearly , that lengthning of branches which we can so difficultly solve in trees , for to give an account how those knots and eyes come to be so artificially placed at certain distances , and to be so beautifully adorned with leaves and fruits , is beyond the limits of our understanding . but however , neither of these comparisons will signifie much to us , unless there happen in the interval , from one day to another to be some abatement of cold , so as it may certainly appear , that there has been some relenting of the frost : for when that continues without any intermission , it has a like effect in the water during the extremity of winter , that the sap has in the extended branches during the heats of the spring and summer . the only difficulty lies in the first extension , which happens at the end of the winter ; and this arises from the stirring activity in the liquid sap , which rises up anew to the extremity of the hard and solid branches of the preceding year . and here we may observe , that a tree is easily to be cleft lengthways , viz. from the head to the foot , or from foot to head , as if in that position the fibres , of which its trunk consists , were in some manner like threads wrapped close one over another : but to take it breadthways or across from one side to the other , 't is very difficult to cleave it . for the several parts are so compacted and linked together , that each of them seems to make a little all , perfect and entire in it self , neither can any separation be made of it , but by means of a sharp-edg'd tool . what effects are produced by the continuance of the sap , are yet more fully demonstrated by its contrary , namely by the too quick passage of it , as it happens , ( especially in any sort of fruit-trees whether core or stone-fruit ) when the sap following its usual course , which is to ascend by regular steps to the extremities of the branches , doth in its passage open to it self an indirect and extraordinary way into some other part of the tree , and in few days puts forth what we call suckers or false shoots . the sap , i say , being thus disordered , and making its escape with some sort of violence , bursts out and rises with an impetuous force , and during that first effort , makes no stay in its passage . from hence it comes to pass , that those eyes which are nearest that breaking out are very far distant from one another , are flat and ill nourished , so as to be scarcely discernible : but when the violence of that first effort is somewhat abated , the sap returns to its ordinary pace , and seems to have its regular pauses ; whereby it both forms those eyes nearer to each other , and affords them better nourishment . so that while the lower parts are accounted useless and false wood , the upper on the contrary prove fruitful and well condition'd . the reader perhaps may think , i have insisted too long upon this comparison between sap and light , but as i could not explain my notion more briefly concerning that extream quickness wherewith the sap , after its being prepared by the roots , seems as it were to fly to all the extremities of the branches , so i wish that even thus i may have the good fortune to be understood . chap. xv. reflections upon some other effects proceeding from the greater or lesser quantity of the sap. i shall now proceed to give another instance , wherein a lighted torch and the roots of trees have a mutual analogy or resemblance , for a further confirmation of my opinion , concerning the different operation of the roots in relation to the sap , which causes the thickening , lengthening , and indeed the universal extension of the tree . for as a luminous body , the bigger and brighter it is , the farther will it diffuse its light ; just so those roots that are thickest , hardest , and most vigorous in their operation , do force up highest that sap or nourishment that is prepared by them . and hence it is very easie to give a reason how the extremities of some trees or branches come to die , which certainly in my opinion is nothing else but only the want of some of those substantial and strong roots growing out of the foot of the tree ; whence consequently it happens , that there is not sap enough prepared to rise up so high as it used to do , either in former years , or even in that very season wherein this defect was observed . for instance : the sap that in other years used to rise or fathoms , may now perhaps rise but or feet , and of this you have a certain indication when the new branches shoot out no where but at a considerable distance below the extremities of the old ones . on the other hand , when the sap in the beginning of the year had advanced the boughs or feet in height , and yet towards the latter end of the summer they begin to grow blackish , and at last to wither and die within or inches of the top ; and this even when the root seemed in the spring to have sufficiently done its part , and the soil to have been duly qualified with such a just proportion of heat and moisture as was requisite for their vegetation : when this , i say , happens , it must be ascribed to no other cause than the drying up of their moisture by the excessive heat of the summer , in regard that their roots being but small and weak , could not so well resist the violence of it , as those which were more vigorous and substantial . what means are proper to be used for the preventing of such accidents , i have already mentioned elsewhere . now since the more vigorous the root is , the more vigorously also it will act , and consequently suck in more nourishment , and cause that nourishment to rise so much higher , it must undoubtedly follow , that the rising of the sap to the top of the branches , whereby there is an accession made to their former length , proceeds only from this vigour and strength of the root ; as on the other side , the weakness of the root is the true cause that the sap , not being in a sufficient quantity to rise to a considerable height , is confined much lower than its usual pitch . and indeed it seems probable , that as all animals are limited to such a determinate size and proportion , and , as a fountain , containing such a quantity of water , and conveyed by a pipe of such a capacity , cannot raise it up to a greater height than the level of that source from whence it flows . in the very same manner the dimensions of all vegetables seem to be confined to a certain stint both of height and circumference , so as to have a fixed point to which the sap may ascend in order to the putting forth new branches , but cannot possibly rise higher to cause any further production . thus if we lop a tree or feet , whose usual height does not exceed or , it will always appear vigorous and lively , till it have recovered its usual height of feet ; and the reason is , because it will be continually labouring to exert it self to the utmost sphere of its activity , and consequently there is no danger of its falling to decay , or dying at the extremities of its branches . it must therefore be the gardiner's business to render himself expert in his profession , by a diligent observation of what is necessary to be done , both in the ordering of his trees , and the manuring of the ground ; and indeed , the difference that is between a fertile and barren soil , will assist him very much in the making a true estimate of the force and vigour of the sap. for in a soil that is really good , a tree will grow or feet high , with a circumference proportionable ; but if the soil be lank or barren , a tree , though of the same species , and as well condition'd as the other , will not , perhaps , exceed or feet . the former kind of soil will prove fruitful in a manner without any cultivation , but the latter will be good for nothing , if its sterility be not supplied by the utmost care and assistance of the gardiner . chap. xvi . reflections upon the order of the branches shooting out of the tree . having thus given my opinion , how the sap , after its entrance into the roots , does afterwards rise up , and communicate it self to the upper parts of the tree , i shall now proceed to explain in what manner the new branches grow out of the extremities of those of the precedent year , and how it comes to pass that their shooting out is generally so ordered by nature , that the higher branches have most commonly some advantage both in their length and thickness over the lower . and here i shall resume my former comparison of a brook , which having its course retarded for some time by a digue or dam , is hindred from continuing its progress to it s designed journey 's end . this water then , which we will suppose amass'd together in a considerable quantity , as we see in larger ponds , coming afterwards to find divers vents of equal capacity , as well in the body of the dam which principally sustained its pressure , as in the walls built on each side of it , for the confining it within such a compass : this water , i say , having either found or made these breaches , will issue out at the same instant through all of them ; but for the most part will run out in a much greater stream , and with a stronger current , at the breach of the dam it self , than at the crannies of the sides , and still faster in proportion , through those breaches which have an aperture nearest resembling that of the dam , than through those which are more unlike . this so remarkable a difference is caus'd by the pressure of the water , hastning continually towards its centre , which pressure still encreases the nearer it approaches to that centre , as is obvious to the meanest understanding . the sap produces almost the same effect in the branches of trees ; for having found in them several apertures of an equal bigness , which we call eyes , it makes its way at the same time through those in the upper parts , but principally , and in greater abundance , through the last eye , ( that i mean , which is in the very extremity of the branch ) and where the sap makes its strongest effort , than it does through the others which are at some distance . 't is true if there be such an exuberance of sap , that the parts of it which ascended first are press'd forwards by the succeeding ones , it will then discharge it self into the lower eyes , but always more plentifully into those which are nearest to the top of the branch , than into those which are at a greater distance from it . and as it falls out sometimes that a stream enclosed by a dam in the front , and by walls on each side , by striving to force its way out , happens to make a greater eruption through one of its sides than through the dam it self , so that the water gushes out in great abundance , where in all probability one should have expected it in a lesser quantity . just so we frequently experience it in trees , that the new sprouts which shoot out at the extremities of a pruned branch , instead of being bigger do oftentimes prove much less than any of those which at the same time grew out of it in other places . now , that i may give the best reason i can of this effect , which is so contrary to the natural course of the sap ; i conceive that this alteration may proceed from hence , viz. the sap endeavouring by its natural activity to make its principal passage through the extremities of the pruned branch , is diverted by some internal cause which the gard'ner cannot always discover ; and being prevented by this obstacle from rising up in a full stream to that extremity , some part of it only can get through , but the more spirituous and active particles of that stream having insinuated themselves into some one of those eyes which were next below the uppermost , begin there to exert their utmost vigour , and communicate their virtue to the remoter eyes in greater or lesser quantity , according as they are more or less distant from that part of the branch which serv'd as a canal to convey that torrent of sap to the extremities of the branches . that little portion of sap which passed to the uppermost eye or eyes , having there produced branches of but an indifferent bigness , communicates to them what it uses to do to all the weak branches ; namely a great disposition to a quick production of fruit buds . and upon this account i take a particular care in the pruning my trees , of this branch , as of the greatest value and importance to be preserved for the raising of fruit. i must confess it is a difficulty which neither my long study , nor diligent observation have been able to solve , how this sap in proportion to its greater or lesser quantity should produce such different effects . that it does so is very evident , and thence it was that i laid down this paradox , that the fruit is a symptom of the branches weakness ; but the manner how , or the reason why this comes to be so , i have not yet been able to comprehend . neither do i find it less difficult to give an account how soil comes to decay and grow barren , by bearing those plants which are not of its native growth , such as corn , trees , pulse , &c. but will not become lank or exhausted by a plentiful production of thistles , nettles , and many other weeds . after all these observations , i think i may safely aver , that in all that infinite variety of speculations that serve for the entertainment of our intellectual faculties , there is not perhaps any subject more nice and intricate to adjust rightly than that of vegetation . 't is , i confess , a field of very large extent , and open to all the world , where every one has free liberty to enter and make what researches he pleases , though very few have had the good fortune to succeed in the attempt . so many are the particular differences that perplex it , that nothing is so easie or so common as to fall into great mistakes about it , when we pretend from our observations upon one plant , to make inferences concerning another ; and from thence proceed to lay down several conclusions and general maxims . chap. xvii . reflections upon the different effects of the sap in the outward parts of the plants . though it be very probable that the formation of the roots , and nourishment of all plants , so far as it is transacted under ground , is performed by nature in the same manner , as i have formerly explain'd it in the ch. of plants . yet as to their outward appearance , they may not unfitly be compared to so many little republicks , each of them differing from the other in their government , and having nothing in their manner of acting common with their neighbours , but the polity of the one being pretty often quite contrary to that of the other . thus we see , for instance , that birds , though they all agree in the way of multiplying their species , viz. by eggs , do notwithstanding differ in their bigness and colour , in their note , their way of living , acting , &c. nature has impress'd so great a diversity in all vegetables , as if she had design'd as well to make us admire that inexhausted stock of variety in her productions , as to confound and dazle the understanding of mankind , when it presumes to dive into the mysteries of her workmanship , and pretends to give reasons for the abstrusest of her operations . there have been in all ages some very ingenious persons , who have made it their business to become knowing in this faculty ; and even at this present time we see many that study it with extraordinary application . but the misfortune is , that if we happen to make any , though but an inconsiderable discovery , into the nature of some one vegetable , beyond the medicinal properties of it , we are presently too apt to flatter our selves with a belief , that we have attain'd to a perfect understanding of it both in the cause , and manner , of its being , and from thence make no scruple to infer conclusions concerning others also ; whereas if we look into the matter but a little further , there will immediately occur to us so many plants of a quite contrary nature , as are more than enough to confound our judgments , and destroy our hypothesis , or at least to give a fatal blow to the greatest part of what we pretend to lay down as universal maxims . for instance , if we consider the process of maturation , or what part it is that grows ripe soonest in pears , apples , grapes , &c. as likewise if we do but observe the order of production in the flowers of the tubereuse , lilly , hyacinth , larksfeet , viz. which of their buds come to be first blown , we shall certainly ●ind that both in those fruits and flowers , that part which is next to the stalk , and so to the bole and roots , and which consequently doth first receive its being and formation , doth also get the advantage of priority in ripening and blowing . which ripeness as it is , with relation to mans use , the highest degree of its perfection , so in respect to the duration of the fruit or flower , it is the nearest step to its destruction . this consideration , i say , is enough to encline one , to lay down this as a general rule , that in all plants , the nearer any part is to that place from whence it receives its nourishment , so much sooner doth that part arrive to its maturity and perfection . but how ill grounded this assertion would be , is sufficiently demonstrated by what we continually see in figs , melons , peaches , plums , abricots , &c. namely that the best part , and which ripens soonest , is furthest from the stalk , and consequently that which is at the greatest distance both from the bole and roots . in orange-trees , jessimines , pinks , musk roses , &c. the buds that flower first , are those growing at the extremities of the branches ; and indeed , there needs no more to the putting our naturalist to an absolute non plus , than only to bid him consider the nature of the rasberry and rose-laurel trees , neither of which keep any constant order either in the ripening of their fruit or blowing of their bud ; for sometimes that which is furthest off ripens or blows first , and sometimes that which is nearest . this unequal , or rather disorderly way of acting , cannot without extream difficulty be fix'd or stated by any general maxims . thus then we see , that instead of laying down one general aphorism concerning the order of nature in the ripening of fruit , and blowing of flower buds , we must deliver as many different maxims as there are different specie ; of fruits and flowers upon the whole face of the universe . again , if in the spring we examine what branch it is out of which most fruit. grows , as pears , apples , peaches , plums , abricots , cherries , goosberries , &c. it will appear to be upon the boughs of at least one or two years former growth , for here it was that the fruit-buds did upon the fall of the sap in the preceding summer receive their first formation . now having gain'd this point of knowledge , we are tempted to infer from thence that all blossoms have their being a long time before the fruit , but then on the other side , let us but look upon the vine , the wallnut-tree , the great chesnut , the quince-tree , the rasberry-bush , &c. and we shall see that in these nature has acted in a quite different manner than she usually doth in other trees : for in those i have now mentioned , the blossoms precede the fruit but a very few days , since both the blossoms and the fruit grow only upon such branches as were put forth themselves but that very spring , and are almost contemporaries in their birth with the bough it self that is to support them . however there is this difference between them , that some fruits are form'd at the very extremity of the bough , as wallnuts , chesnuts , quinces , and these for the most part do entirely put a stop to the branches growing any further , except only that on the wallnut and chesnut-trees , we see sometimes that after the nuts have received their formation at the top of the bough , there will yet rise sap enough to make it grow considerably longer . other fruits there are which are produced on the lower part of the branch , and these never hinder the extension or lengthning of it , as the grape , the mulberry , &c. thus we see what a mighty difference there is in the manner of the production of several fruits . if we look , in the latter end of autumn , upon that part of the branch which is first stripp'd of its leaves , it will presently appear that in most trees it is the top that first shews it self bare , as if the roots not being then so vigorous in their action , or the heat of the air not strong enough to supply their necessities , the sap thereupon became incapable of rising to its usual heighth ; but now on the contrary in pease , beans , artichokes , cabbage , and most sorts of pulse or legumes ; as also in almond and peach-trees , that are very vigorous and thriving ; we find the lower part is first dried and decayed , whilst at the same time the top continues its verdure , and shooting forth . can any thing be more irreconcileable than these two effects of sap so contrary one to another ? in all trees whether of stone or kernel fruit , ocular experience tells us that the fruit grows always just in the same place where its blossom grew , as if the blossom in its exit or falling off seem'd only to give way to the coming of the fruit , for whose sake it was blown ; but now in wallnut-trees , chesnuts and has●enuts , as also in turky wheat , &c. we find no fruit where the blossoms were , so far rather to the contrary , that in those trees the fruit is produced at the very end of the branch where not one blossom appear'd , and in turky wheat , the blossom is form'd at the top of the stalk , and the seed grows out from the very middle of each of the lower leaves . as to the order or process of nature in the production of fruits , the first beginning of it is made by the fruit-buds , and as we have said already concerning kernel-trees , every bud contains in it several blossoms , and consequently several fruits also ; as in stone fruit-trees every bud contains but one blossom , and therefore but one single fruit. in the midst of every one of these blossoms , there is a little sting or active particle , from which within three or four days after blowing the fruit is form'd if the weather prove favourable ; that is , if the rigor of the cold do not destroy these precious embryo's or beginnings ; so that ordinarily every species of fruit is usher'd in by its blossom . but here we must except the fig , which is produced entirely , and all at once , without any blossom ; and in melons , cucumbers , gourds , &c. the fruit it self appears before the blossom , for it is not till some days after the production of the melon , that the blossom which grows out of the top of it receives its compleat formation , and afterwards proceeds to blowing . 't is upon the thriving of this blossom that the perfection of the fruit depends ; so that if that prove unable to resist the cold , and all its other enemies , the fruit will dye almost as soon as it is born. it is further observable , that though for the most part there remaineth nothing of the blossom with the fruit , so that this is not wont to appear before the blossom is entirely gone , yet notwithstanding we find that in the pomegranate there is left some part of the blossom which goes to the construction or composition of it ; unless you will say rather that part of the fruit grows at the same time with the blossom and is to it , if i may use the comparison , like a cradle or shell , and this as well for the preservation of it , as to serve for a cover both to that sort of congealed liquor , and to the grains or kernels which are the very essence and substance of this fruit. in an acorn the first thing that appears is a kind of shell or husk , of a figure between round and flat , that shews it self about the latter end of july , and which we may say serves in stead of a blossom to it , since indeed it has no other : and out of the middle of this husk the acorn it self grows , which tradition tells us was the principal food of mankind in the primitive ages of the world. now as every tree is composed of several branches , some strong and others weak , if we examine the place whereon ordinarily the fruit grows , we find that nature has industriously chosen to fructifie upon the weaker , and not upon the stronger branches . but now in vines and fig-trees it is just the contrary , for it is generally seen that grapes and figs very rarely grow upon the weak branches , but are in great plenty upon those that be thicker , stronger and more vigorous . how then is it possible to reduce to one maxim this inconsistency of nature in chusing such different situations for the production of fruit ? if we consider after what manner trees are extended in length both in their trunk and branches , we find this remarkable circumstance , namely , that in the spring and summer whilst the sap acts most briskly , that which was the top or extremity of a bough this moment , ceases to be so the next ; by reason that the sap ascending continually without intermission , still puts out new leaves above the precedent extremity ; and the new shoot receives the same treatment from the succeeding sap , that it gave to that extremity of the branch which immediately preceded it . but on the contrary in artichokes , asparagus , grapes , in all leafs , and fruits , in tulips pinks , and most sorts of flowers , we see that what was once the extreme part , always continues so , so that their augmentation or growth is only inward , and not form'd outwardly , as experience shews us it is in trees . the asparagus , artichoke , tulip and most sorts of flowers appear plainly to grow entirely , though but in small threads or filaments , out of the very substance or heart of the plant , and afterwards encrease in thickness in the inside of it by the assistance or supply of the adventitious nourishment . so that if we consider by what small and almost imperceptible degrees they rise up from their stalk , and are push'd up by the new sap , it seems to have some resemblance in the manner of its growth with a syringe , where the sucker is thrust through the exteriour tube till it come out through the top of it . again , if we consider what it is that causes the whiteness and delicacy of tyed lettuce , celeri , the spanish or white thistle , the leek , &c. it will appear to be either from their having been cover'd with dry dung , dry leaves , earth or mould , whereby they are hindred from receiving the usual freshness and virtue of the open air. hence it comes to pass , that the parts thus covered being no longer penetrated by the sun-beams , do not only lose , together with their beautiful green colour , whatever they had of toughness , or of a bitter unpleasant taste ; but also acquire a certain whiteness , accompanied with that agreeable and delicate relish for which they are so much esteem'd . but in asparagus the case is quite otherwise , for in that we find those parts the toughest and most ungrateful to the palate which by their being deprived of the suns immediate presence , by the mould or dung that covered them , were become perfectly white : whereas on the contrary the best and sweetest parts are those which are green and reddish . this in my opinion is an inexplicable difficulty , that the being exposed to the air should make some plants tender , and others tough and hard at the same instant . dazies and gilliflowers are for some time white , but a little after , the sun by degrees changes them from white , into the most beautiful red in the world. in pinks and tulips , that vivid red which adorns them in their first blowing , forsakes them after the sun has shin'd upon them for some time . most sorts of pears are coloured in the blossom , and afterwards become green , grey , white or yellow , and some of them towards the latter end , when they are near ripening , resume a more lively red than ever they had before . apricocks , as they advance nearer to maturity , change from green to white , and from thence turn to an admirable vermillion . the suns influence makes early peaches white , mulberries black , cherries , straw-berries , rasberries , &c. of an orient redness , most kinds of peaches of a purple colour : in short , it gives an incredible variety of tinctures , both to plums and other fruits , as well as to all sorts of flowers . you see here how many instances i have given of very material differences . now for the leaves of plants and trees , we commonly find but one upon a stalk , and they grow upon the boughs chequerwise , in little stories or steps at a small distance from each other . but nevertheless in some trees we find growing upon one stalk , three , five , or seven leaves : as in the elder , walnut , and rose-lawrel-tree ; upon others seven , nine , or eleven , as in the ash-tree : nay , upon others to the number of seventeen , nineteen , and twenty one , as in the acacia ; but always with an odd number . and it is observable , that when so many leaves are found upon one stalk , they never grow in stories or chequer'd , as i just now affirm'd , but are diametrically opposite one to another . in mulberry-trees we see that in may , out of every eye or bud that was upon the branches of the precedent year , there grow ordinarily four or five mulberries : nay , sometimes there appears a new shoot , which is either longer or shorter in proportion to the quantity of sap that was convey'd to the bud from whence it sprung . in fig-trees , out of the navel or midst of every leaf coming between the beginning of the spring and the middle of june , ( which is about the time of the summers solstice , and consequently of the greatest exuberance of the sap ) there constantly grows a fig at autumn , of that kind we call second figs : but the number of them in our climate does not exceed five or six , or seven at most , and that upon every good branch only . i say upon every good branch only , because all branches have not the advantage of being so : for instance , such as are weak , and those great suckers that rise out of the foot of the tree , with all that sprout from the extremity of the pruned stock : and lastly , even those great boughs , or false shoots rather , that grow out of the trunk of the tree , must not come under that denomination . so that indeed none are to be esteem'd good branches but such as at their first shooting are of a due bigness , and following the natural order of production in all branches ; concerning which we have already discoursed in another place . those figs which are usually called figs of the first sap , begin to appear about the middle of april , and grow on a suddain to an indifferent bigness before the putting forth yet of any leaves : the seat where they grow is that very point or place where those leaves were put forth the summer before that had not produc'd any of those above-mention'd second figs , which use to be ripe at autumn . these figs of the first sap seldom fail of being ripe at the latter end of july , or in august , if the cold do not happen to pinch them , and make them fall : or if during the summer they escape being spoiled by violent rains or excess of heat : as for the figs of the second sap , there is no hope of their coming to perfection , except in those which being put forth by mid - june , were come almost to their full bigness before the end of july ; and even then it must be in a hot and dry soil , and when it proves a favourable autumn , and free from frosts , and cold rains , as it was in the years , and . neither are figs the only fruits that are formed out of the navel or middle of their leaf , since it is no more than what is common to them with many others , particularly to the acorn and jasmin . grapes indeed grow in a quite contrary fashion , viz. upon the reverse or back-side of the leaf : which is very strange and singular . nor is it less remarkable , that in most vines they grow commonly but at the third , fourth , or fifth knot , which is at the lower part of the branch ; whereas all other fruits are born throughout the whole length of that branch , which we call the fruit-branch , and in greater plenty toward the top than bottom of it . quinces bear almost in the same manner with rasberries , azeroliers , and pome-granates , viz. at the end of the small branches sprouting from the great ones in march and april : but if a pear-tree be graffed upon a quince , it beareth only upon those branches that are of a year or two's growth . in all plants the greatest part of the sap , as i have often said , commonly rises up between the bark and the tree ; and perhaps some of it may ascend through the wood it self : but in the vine , which to speak properly has no bark , the sap evidently rises through the substance or body of the tree . the increasing of the fruit in bigness , is caused by its nourishment or sap , which being convey'd from the branch by the stalk , as through a pipe , into the fruit between the skin or paring , and the pulp , is there reduced to a thicker , and more solid consistence conformably to its respective nature . and probably both the wood of the tree , and stalk of the fruit receive their increase in bulk much after the same manner . nature has observed this order in her productions , that generally the fairest fruit grows upon the top of the bough , that the weakest boughs are most fruitful in bearing , and that they bear but once a year . in fig-trees she doth not keep to this rule : for first , the fig-tree bears fruit twice a year . secondly , it bears only upon the bigger branches , so that ( in autumn particularly ) those fig-trees bears only , that are old enough to be of a sufficient strength and vigor . thirdly , the earliest and largest figs grow farthest from the top , the others in proportion to their greater or lesser distance from it , advance more or less in their forwardness and bigness , and commonly they follow the same order of succession in their ripening , that they did at their first growing . the manner of the indian fig-tree's bearing its fruit without the support of any trunk or branches , and making use of its leaves only to multiply and grow upon , is , in my opinion , as surprising a phaenomenon as any of those objects which daily attract our admiration . ordinarily most of our plants are some time in the blossom before they run up to seed . but purslain runs to seed almost without any blossom at all : for as soon as the stem is grown to a sufficient bigness , it begins to rise up in several stalks , all of them separated from each other , and produces a seed , which at first is white and tender . this seed , which is contained in little pods , as it ripens , becomes black and hard , and then the pods opening themselves , discover the little treasure included in them , which before they had so carefully conceal'd . the difference of colours in fruit blossoms , is very remarkable . pears , abricots , cherries , and orange-trees have a white blossom : apple-trees a red , pomegranates an orange-colour , and peach-trees a light purple ; and of these blossoms , some are double , some single ; some great , some middle-siz'd , and others very small . that indented , or jagged figure wherewith nature has wantonly adorned most sorts of vigetables , and which by its different cut or edging , in every species , gave mankind the first hint that hath since furnish'd him with so many varieties : this artificial , and curious edging , may very well deserve some place in our philosophical meditations . if we consider the circumstances attending the bulbs of tulips , we cannot but acknowledge that philosophy has not yet been able to give us a satisfactory account of them . they are put into the ground in october , and there take root , and in march following , each of them puts out a stalk , in order to budding , and blossoming in due time . hitherto you will say , there is nothing extraordinary , since the same thing is always seen in the imperial crown , the hyacinth , tuberose , jonquil , &c. but here then lyes the wonder , that this tulip-stalh , which grew manifestly out of the very middle , or center of the bulb , just as the stalk usually grows out of the middle in all other bulbs , is at length remov'd from its first seat , viz. the center , to the outside , or superficies of its bulb ; a peculiar case which happens not to any other plant. now who is it that can solve the difficulty how this transposition is brought to pass ? does the bulb force it back again ? or does it by a sort of leger de main in its ascent , penetrate the sides of the bulb ? this indeed is a mystery in vigetation that can never be look'd upon with sufficient astonishment and admiration . it would be an endless labour , should i particularize all my observations of this kind in vegetables : but these are sufficient to demonstrate , that every plant has a peculiar , determinate , certain , and infallible stint or term , for the beginning and duration of its action , for the manner of its appearance above ground , for the quality of its soil , for the taste , colour , and size of its fruit , for the figure , bigness , and colour of the seed , the difference of its leaves and stalk , or for the parts of the tree where the fruit and the seed grows . and though , as i have said divers times , it be very difficult to explain all these peculiar differences by the doctrine of pores , the different configuration of parts , or atoms of a figure , justly proportioned for the penetration of them . i shall here , notwithstanding , conclude this subject at present , after i have given the reader my thoughts concerning that circulation of the sap , which some pretend to have discovered in plants . chap. xviii . reflections upon their opinion that maintains the circulation of the sap. as i am of opinion , first , that there is in the spring , a certain rarefaction in all vegetables , which is the first mover in vegetation . and secondly , that there is in every plant a vital principle , which being a necessary agent , receives the first effects of that rarefaction , as i have already discoursed elsewhere . so i cannot think of any comparison fitter , to make my notion intelligible , than that of a clock , which needs no more to set it going , than only to pull up the weight , and give a little jog to the pendulum — the truth is , i always thought it absolutely impossible to make this pretended circulation consistent with the action of the roots , which we daily see to extend themselves both in length and thickness at the very same instant that they receive their nourishment . and the objections that prevail'd with me , were these . first , i cannot apprehend either at what time , or in what place this circulation should begin . secondly , i cannot see either any necessity , or advantage of it . thirdly , supposing we should admit it , i am in the dark , whether we must assert one general circulation only in every tree , or whether there must be as many circulations , as there are particular branches , &c. as for the time when it begins , if there be such a circulation , it must certainly have its beginning the very same instant that the roots begin their action , and also must owe that very beginning to the influence and virtue of the roots ; so that consequently there may be a time when there will be no circulation , for as much as the roots are not continually in action . now , as the principal reason of admitting this hypothesis of circulation in animals is drawn from the necessity of it , viz. for the purifying the blood , which , we are told , would be in great danger of being corrupted , if not kept in continual motion : so if that instance hold in plants , it must then also follow , that the sap would be in the like danger of corruption , that very first moment of its circulations being intermitted ; and consequently we should see a general mortality of all those trees that should happen not to be in action ; whatever the cause of it might be , whether their being hindred by the frost , or their lying out of the ground ; and much more , that all branches , when once separated from the tree that bare them , must immediately perish ; just as the members , as soon as they are cut off from the body . but now there is nothing more contrary to the experience of every one , than this will , as appears evidently by that infinite number of plants , and grafts , which are so frequently , and with such good success , sent into foreign countries , without the least ill accident , provided they be not overmuch dry'd by excess of heat . but supposing there be really such a circulation , and that it commences at the same time with the action of the roots : yet how will they be able to solve the production of those branches which shoot forth in the spring , without any dependance upon the roots . that it is so , there can be no doubt , since we have instances of it every spring in trees newly planted , and which have not yet put forth any new roots . as also in trees digg'd up in the winter , and left lying on the ground : and even branches lopp'd off in that season , and set up an end in the ground , will put out little shoots in the spring . in fine , how is it possible to give a clear account of this circulation , when we find that almonds , nuts , and even common seeds , shoot out within the earth , and in a few days put forth a root , growing in length downward , but do not cause any production to rise up out of the ground ? when we see that , the bulb of the imperial will send out roots in august , but no stalk ; and on the contrary , other bulbs put out stalks in the autumn and spring , but no roots ; when tulips , tuberose's , and especially the asparagus , grow upright in such a manner , as that which was the extream part at its first appearance , still continues so , and that all of it rises entirely and at once from the bottom to the top ; when the sprouts shooting out from the extremity of a branch , which has been cut or cropt , have such an extream difference in length and thickness , as i have formerly described . it is , i think , sufficiently clear from hence , that there is a very unequal distribution made of the sap ; seeing that the fruit-buds are form'd only upon the top of the weak branches , and grow only at the bottom of the strong . i must confess , it seems a very difficult task to me , to prove a circulation in all these , and an infinite number of other examples , that i could produce upon this occasion . if we can prove therefore that there is no circulation in some plants , i see no reason why we may not positively conclude against the admission of it in others . but to give a further demonstration of the impossibility of this circulation , let us but consider , that upon the admission of it , we must suppose in every branch , three distinct , and separate passages , viz. two for the going , and returning of the imperfect sap , and a third for the return of it when it is arriv'd at its perfection , namely , to convey it to that place where it is to make its residence . i do not say there must be passages for its rising and descending , because it happens very frequently , that the branches hang downward , and fruit-branches generally grow in that posture ; so that to speak properly , we cannot say that the sap ascends , when really it descends ; and for this reason i chose rather to say barely , that the sap will need several ways or passages for the conveyance of it in its going and return . for instance , i desire to know where they will find these three distinct passages in a cherry-stalk , or how the sap , which in its first motion , should have risen to the extremity , or top , and then return'd back immediately down to the roots : how i say it should be determin'd by nature , to descend to the cherry , which hangs down , and afterwards re-ascend to that place , where it turn'd out of the way that lead it upward , and from thence fall into that path which was to convey it to the root , and at last re-conduct it to the place where it is finally lodg'd , to supply the exigencies of the fruit and leaves . i would ask further , whether or no there be not a circulation of sap in the fruit , as well as in the tree ; if so , then these two saps , must , in their return , have each of them their particular way ( which will cause a great multiplication of ways ) or else they must necessarily mix together , and then would ensue an unlucky confusion of the two saps , one of which is affirm'd , by them , to be much purer and nobler than the other . according to this hypothesis , the sap must make a great many journeys backward and forward , which is a thing very disagreeable to nature , who affects to be plain and simple in all her operations . why therefore may we not rather say , that the sap acquires its perfection that very moment in which it arrives at the roots ; just as the air is illuminated in every part , immediately upon the sun's beginning to appear above the horizon ? but further , admitting that this circulation were necessary for perfecting the sap , i would fain be satisfy'd where it is that the sap receives this perfection . it cannot be at its first entrance into the roots , because , according to the principles of our antagonists , it is there but in an imperfect and indigested state ; neither can it be when it is arrived at the extremities of the boughs , or fruit , seeing it doth not continue there , but has yet two stages to travel further ; for if it take up its rest in those extremities , it must then follow , that it was come to its compleat perfection , and consequently would have no need of returning to its first sourse . neither can it be said to be thus perfect at its second coming into the roots , because then certainly it would take up its final residence with them ; for since it is indifferent to the sap , when it is once perfectly digested , whether it be employed in the formation of the roots , trunk , or branches , leaves or fruits ; it would undoubtedly fix it self in the very first place , where it should find it self qualified with all the degrees of perfection requisite to its nature . again , supposing that the extremity , or top of the branch , to which the sap was to have risen , were cut off , i desire to know in what manner this communication of ways , and turning out of the one into the other , could be solved , and what would become of the sap design'd to have been made into fruit , if it should be stopp'd in the midst of the way , before it could arrive at its journey 's end. it cannot be deny'd that this doctrine of circulation , draws an infinite number of inconveniencies along with it , which , in my judgment , can be prevented no other way , but by the following account of the process of the sap in vegetation , viz. that the vital principle , which is the first mover in the action of the plant , being invigorated by the warmth of the sun , immediately communicates to that moisture , which was attracted by the roots , such a quality as is necessary to the making of it perfect sap , which nevertheless is not determined in its own nature , to any particular . production , but may indifferently become either fruit , leaves , or trunk ; and as that sap has all the degrees of rarefaction that are requisite for it , it must necessarily be a light and subtil body , and consequently extreamly adapted to rise up to all the extremities of the branches . where it is very plentiful , it exerts it self , in producing a great number of boughs , and leaves , all of them bearing a size proportionable to the abundance of the ascending sap : if it ascend but in a very small quantity , it is employ'd in bearing an infinite number of blossoms , and good store of fruit , though it will be but small in its dimensions . and lastly , where the sap rises in a moderate proportion in some certain places , as either upon the top of the weak branches , or the lower part of the strong , it there signalizes it self in the productions of buds , and of large and beautiful fruit. but now to give a clear and rational account of this admirable distribution of the sap unto every part of the tree , either for the beginning , continuing , or compleating , and determining it in its just bigness and proportion , is a work above humane performance . nature seems expresly to have deny'd us that priviledge , as if she had seem'd industriously to hide from us , under a thick veil , the manner , both of her conception and production ; so that hitherto , our ordinary faculties have not been able to fathom this mysterious subject of vegetation . i will not deny but that there is a circulation of the blood in all animals ; forasmuch as the vessels with their extremities and insertions , and indeed the whole structure of their body is so exactly entire , and perfect in all its extent , as that we cannot conceive an abrupt beginning or end of them . hence it is that they are so excellently fitted for the reception of the blood and spirits , and restraining them from issuing out at any extremity . but in trees , whose encreasing in length is continually form'd outwardly , we must suppose the vessels to be open at their extremities , and that they receive their augmentation in length , on their outside , as the whole mass of the tree doth ; so that there is no analogy between the vessels in the body of an animal , and those in a tree , and consequently the inference deduced from that comparison , must needs be erroneous . the third question , wherein i desire to be satisfy'd , viz. whether , upon supposition that there be such a circulation , we must say that there is but one general circulation in each respective tree , or else that there are as many particular circulations as there are branches , is perhaps as difficult to resolve as any . for if we admit but one in general , we shall be hard put to it to give an account how a slip set in the ground , comes to take , so as in a short time to become a perfect tree . we must be forc'd to say , that in every one of these branches there was a true circulation , which ceas'd from action as soon as they were cut off from the tree upon which they grew ; but that as soon as by their re-plantation they were restor'd to a condition of acting of themselves , their circulation also began to resume its action ; and by these steps they came to be perfect trees . if therefore , to give a reason for this growth of slips , we must admit of a particular circulation in every branch , we must likewise be forc'd to admit of many circulations in every branch . for since any branch may be divided into several parts , if every one of these parts be set in the ground , with all the due circumstances belonging to them , they will as easily take to grow , as if they had been entire branches . but this solution will draw us into a progressus in infinitum , than which , in ratiocination , nothing can be more absurd . thus , when a layer of a vine being put into the ground , takes a new root , and thereupon that part of the layer next to the earth , which before was the smallest , becomes in a little time thicker than the part next adjoyning to the tree : must we not of necessity have recourse to a new circulation , since the former seems plainly to be at an end , or at least to have become altogether useless i must confess , i cannot find any expedient of adjusting all these particular circulations , with the general one , to make them act in conformity with , and subordination to it , when they are all together in the same tree at the same time . such a cloud of difficulties and inconveniencies have prevail'd with me not to give any credit to this new opinion of the circulation of the sap , though i have at the same time an extreme veneration for those worthy and learned persons , who are the authors of it . chap. xix . reflections upon the opinion that maintains the conveyance of the nourishment through the upper parts of the plant. there have been some of opinion that the nourishment of the tree is not only derived to it through the pores , and by the operation of the roots in the earth , but that there is likewise some contribution of maintenance afforded by the air , and subtilly conveyed to it through the upper parts of the tree . this opinion of theirs is grounded upon this observation , that if you make a very strait ligature round any branch , or even if you strip the bark off it , the boughs that are below that part so tyed or stripp'd , will notwithstanding encrease both in length and thickness . but to this i answer , first , that in some vegetables , viz. in almonds , and stones of fruit , as also in ordinary seeds , there is no necessity for this aerial nourishment , since the whole series of their vegetation is performed in the bowels of the earth without having the least communication with the air. secondly , i answer that it is impossible to tye any branch so straitly as that the sap ( a liquor not only very subtil and delicate , but also very impetuous in its operation ) shall not insinuate it self , and find some passage through ; for tho' the main stream of the sap rises up between the bark and the tree , yet it is certain that some little quantity doth constantly penetrate through the fibres of the solid wood , neither is it any wonder if nature , who out of her great abhorrence of a vacuum does frequently perform such extraordinary and surprizing wonders , may likewise in this case force up the sap ( which was stop'd in its ascent either by that ligature or stripping off the bark ) through the very substance or fibres of the wood , in order to its nourishing the upper parts of the tree , which must infallibly have perished without a seasonable supply . lastly , i say it may be answer'd with very good reason , that this distension or tumor of such tyed branches in their breadth , and accretion to their length , may be stiled rather a kind of dropsie , than a real and firm augmentation of their sound substance and continuity ; for experience tells us , that in trees thus tyed or stripp'd , the upper parts of the tree come to dye in a very little time , as they must needs do if the channel be not open'd again to give a free passage to the true nourishment of the tree . now to give some other instances , to confirm our opinion , we may consider that those plants whose roots lye very deep in the ground , as tulip-bulbs , &c. do always grow up to the greatest heighth . as also we may observe the pointed and pyramidal extremity of all branches ; every one of which seem in the manner of their growing , as with one consent , naturally to tend upward . to which we may add , as another corroborating circumstance , the shooting out of new sprouts , upon the back or elbow of such branches as are bent violently , or by force , to the ground ; the suckers that grow out of the foot of the tree when it has been injured at the top : the decay of the branches at the extremities notwithstanding their being still vigorous at the root , as also the withering and fading of plants at the top of their leaves in hot weather when they are newly set : all these instances seem to me evidently contradictory of any descent of the sap which they suppose to be caus'd by the influence of the air , either upon the bark of the tree , or the extremity of the branches . the different tastes in fruits which always have a smack of their soil , are a sufficient proof that their nourishment is derived from a soil of such a savour , and not from the air , which has none at all ; and certainly if any of the sap could find a passage across , or through the solid wood , it might as well enter in the same manner through the skin of the fruit ; and so the stalk , which by a long prescription has hitherto been look'd upon as the true and only channel for conveyance of the aliment to the fruit , would have a great many partners in that office , and consequently become in a manner wholly useless . i will not deny but that it is highly necessary for trees to enjoy the benefit of a temperate air , whereby the bark may be rendered the more pliable and easie to be dilated and loos'd from its inclosed trunk , to give the freer passage for the sap in its rising up from the root . indeed , i can never be persuaded to think that any nourishment can be conveyed through that rind , but am of opinion rather , that a tree depriv'd of all its top branches , in a very hot region ; as for instance , we may suppose a row of trees cut even at the tops , and planted in a hedge to the south under the torrid zone , would be so far from drawing in any nourishment through the bole , that even the sap would be so much hindred by the heat of the air from ascending by its ordinary passage , as that the upper part of the tree would infallibly perish ; whence it would follow , that the sap being made unable to rise up to the small upper boughs , would burst out at the foot into an infinite number of new and small productions . as for those who from the experiment of making an incision into a tree , pretend to prove this intromission of sap into the upper part , or to defend the circulation of the sap from that liquor which will run plentifully out of such an incision , in my opinion they build their hypothesis upon a very sandy foundation . for , first , if we either cut or break off the top of any plant , the sap will be seen plainly to gush out in great abundance from each of the two extremities bubling out of every pore , as well in that part which retain'd its situation , as in the other which was separated from the former . secondly , if the incision be made at the bottom , there will run out not only some part of that sap which is continually ascending , but also a little of that which being already upon its rise , and having till then been supported by the succeeding sap , must of necessity fall down when destitute of that support and foundation of which it was depriv'd by that incision . to conclude , if this incision were a sufficient proof of this assertion , it must follow that all the uppermost sap must make its way out at one single hole , as we see the water in a vessel runs all out at any hole it meets with : but experience tells us , that how many incisions soever you make , either above or below the first , the sap will issue through all of them , but most abundantly through the lowest , and in least quantity through the highest , which certainly must proceed from the reason which i have given before . chap. xx. reflections upon the undistinguishable likeness of the sap in the wood , leaves , and fruit. there is hardly any plant growing with us , during the whole summer , puts out more roots , and consequently produces greater plenty of sap , than the fig-tree does ; so that we may venture to build our observations concerning sap in general , upon such remarks as a particular enquiry into the nature of this tree will afford us : the sap whereof appears to me to have exactly the same colour , taste , and consistence both in the wood of the tree , and the stalk both of the leaves and fruit , that it has in the fruit it self , whilst it is yet green ; for when it comes to be ripe and fit for gathering , there is not the least sign to be perceived of that white sap with which it was so plentifully impregnated before it was come to maturity . from hence we may very well advance this general conclusion , that there can be no material difference between that sap which goes to the forming of the fruit , and that which enters into the composition of all the other parts of the tree , since there is so great a conformity between them at the time of its passing out of the stalk into the fruit. so that admitting the sap for fruit to be endued with some particular degrees of perfection beyond what are to be found in the sap of the tree , yet what do they think becomes of it , when the fruit which it was design'd to have form'd and nourish'd , chances to perish , as oftentimes it doth , even in the embryo , or at least before it comes to perfection ? in this case it must certainly be mixed with the rest of the sap , and be equally employ'd with it in the production of something that is not fruit. and this will suggest the reason to us why trees without fruit abound more in wood than those that bear fruit plentifully ; which according to the opinion i ever had , is nothing else but the different proportions of the sap ; the smaller quantity whereof causes plenty of blossoms and fruits , as the greater quantity produces the like encrease both in the body and leaves . to this may be added , what i have already repeated so often , viz. that the fruit grows at the top of the weak branches , but at the bottom of the strong ; whence it appears , that no part of the branch is exempted from bearing , and that they are under a very great mistake , who , while they pretend to render an account why the weak branches are generally most loaded with fruit , and particularly towards the extremities , put us off with this reason , that it is for the better concoction and refining of the sap , which ( say they ) can be effected no other way than by so long a passage and percolation through the narrow conveyances . but suppose this fancy had some probability of reason in it , how shall we explain the production of grapes , quinces , mulberries , azerolles , rasberries , &c. which receive their formation at the same time that the wood does upon which they grow : for example : there grows upon every old branch of a vine that used to be pruned in the spring , as many new branches as there were eyes left upon it . upon these branches , and at the very same time with them are the grapes formed , which ordinarily do not grow nearer to the end than the third , fourth , or fifth knot , for from that distance the branch runs up only in length , without bearing any fruit. this being granted , which indeed cannot be denied , i would ask them what ground they have to assert , that the sap is not sufficiently prepared till it arrive at one of these three eyes , and there receive its perfect digestion : for they divide the sap into two sorts , viz. digested , and indigested ; the former they tell us is employed both in forming the grapes in some one of those three knots , and in production of the leaves and branches ; and yet there is always some wood , pulp , and husk of the grape between every one of these knots , to the formation of which both these saps did contribute . lastly , after this secretion of the digested sap from the indigested , they come both of them to be re-united in order to the production of boughs and leaves only , for the remaining part of the year . i must confess ingenuously , i am not quick enough to penetrate into , and comprehend these so subtile and refined notions of our modern philosophers . chap. xxi . reflections upon the opinion of those , who from the generation of animals argue concerning the production of fruits . there are some , as i have formerly observed in my treatise of pruning , who treating of the production of fruits , proceed the same way they do in their considerations about the generation of animals . animals ( say they ) do not procreate their like , but when they are in their vigor , generation being an act of vigor in all natural productions . now since trees are also natural beings , 't will hence follow , that they are never capable of bearing fruit , but when they are in their full strength and vigour , it being absurd to make the production of fruit a sign of the weakness of the tree . and they further add . that in all the works of nature , the cause is known by the effects , and every extraordinary effect must be produced by a suitable strength and vigour in its agent . these indeed are very plausible arguments and inferences , and which , when mentioned by persons of reputation , may prevail with such as do not see into the weakness of them . but though i highly esteem the persons , and the works of those ingenious men , who argue after this manner ; yet , when to expose my notions , they make me advance such a one as this : that the abundance of moisture which makes the trees produce a great quantity of branches and leaves , is an effect of their vigour ; they must give me leave to say something in my own defence . i might well say , and now i say it again , that blossoms and fruits on trees are signs of their weakness , or , that they have but little sap ; as on the contrary , a great number of fair branches without fruit , is of the vigour , or of the abounding quantity of their sap. for i do not think that the word moisture does properly signifie the sap in a tree , and therefore should not be understood in that assertion of mine for any thing else , but the moisture of the earth where a tree is planted ; there being so great a difference between it and sap. and we seldom see any very great quantity of sap in such fruit-trees as have very much moisture about their roots . nay , we sometimes see them die , by having their roots too much drenched in water ; and they will never take well in very wet ground ; whereas , for the most part , they afford both much lop-wood and fruit , if they have naturally a vigorous vital principle , and are planted in a good earth , indifferently mosten'd , and do thereupon send forth good roots to furnish the upper parts with a sufficient quantity of sap. these terms therefore of moisture and sap , are not to be promiscuously used , the one being to be understood only for that nourishment which is in the tree , and the other for such water as may be about the root of it . that which has given occasion for mens arguing upon the production of plants , after the same manner they do upon the generation of animals , has been this , as i conceive , that they imagin'd the fruit to be the same , in respect to the tree , that the young animal is to its syre that begat it ; and wou'd thence conclude , that as lyon's whelp'd , for instance , exactly resembles its syre in all its essentials , so a pear , or a cherry must , in its formation , that of its tree , seeing that in time it may grow up to be as tall and big , and every way like it , just as the young lyon does at length equal the old one , both in largeness and proportion of parts . now nature it self plainly shews us , that it does not act the same way in both these cases ; and that the most that can be gather'd from such considerations , is , hat one part of the fruit of each sort of trees , is the same with respect to its tree , that the seed of the animals is to its respective animal . i am not so well skill'd in anatomy , as to know , whether the seminal matter in animals require as much force and vigor to be formed in the body , as it afterwards does in being duly employ'd in order to generation : but sure i am that no man ever distinctly perceiv'd in himself , either the time or manner of its formation , any more than he did those circumstances of the formation of his muscles , bones , or cartilages : and that 't is certainly a provision in nature , that of the whole mass of nourishment , one part should go to the making of seed , and the rest should be imployed either to the encrease , or the preservation of the animal , without ever making any sensible effort , either in framing , or perfecting any of the internal parts of the body . and besides , he will find himself mightily mistaken , that shall lay down this as a standing rule , that every kind of fruit is in the nature of a case to such a seed as is capable of producing the same sort of tree with that it self grew upon . the most ordinary way of multiplying trees , being not by their fruits . and indeed who ever saw a prunier de perdrigon , or a bigarotier grow from the stones of the fruit ? a fig , or mulberry-tree from the seed , a bon-chrestien , or bergamotte from the kernels of such pears ? though i know 't is common for an oak to come of an acorn , and a chestnut-tree of its nuts , and some others to be produc'd in the same way ; yet nature has provided other ways of multiplying them , viz. by young siens growing out at the roots , and several sorts of graffs . some of those ways which nature makes use of in preserving the several kinds of trees , i have already treated of in another place : and now i come positively to affirm , that if a man first lays down such a maxim as this , that the only reason why some fir-trees thrive well , is , because they grow on the south side of a mountain ; and that others do not , because they stand on the north side of it : and thence draw inferences , and apply them to fruit-trees , such arguments must necessarily be very weak , for these two sorts of trees are subjects very different , and therefore should be as differently considered . for what is chiefly to be considered in fruit-trees , is scarcely at all taken notice of in firrs . in these latter , we are only to compare one part with another , that is , barely to consider the whole bulk and extent of the tree , to see whether it be good for masts , planks , beams , or joists . but in the other , all the branches are to be carefully considered , both the great and small , which may be of use , and which not . in these we observe the working of nature , in distributing the sap to every single part of the tree . but in the other , only to what particular use it may be put in the building of a ship. nature is not concern'd whether such a particular firr-tree be fit for boards , and whether , or no , it be put to that use ; whereas it may not be improperly said , that she is highly concerned in the productions of fruit-trees , which are to bethe food of the noblest part of the creation . and yet of all that is performed in the whole course of vegetation , these fruits cost nature the least pains in making , and the philosopher the most in undertataking them . and the more to puzzle and confound the curious enquirers in the works of nature , it proceeds in the formation and nourishment of trees in a way quite different from that wherein perfect animals are generated and preserved ; as if it thereby designed to prevent the drawing of any manner of consequences from the one , whereby to understand or illustrate the other . the distribution of nourishment in perfect animals is made in equal proportions to each of the members , which exactly answer one another ; so that the right arm or thigh usually receives no more than the left ; and so of the rest : whereas in fruit-trees the sap is distributed in very unequal measures ; few of the branches being perfectly of the same bigness , but some very large , others very small , and a third sort of a middle size between both ; and consequently requiring a proportionable quantity of sap. it also sometimes happens that some of the smaller branches receiving more sap than that particular use for which they seem'd to be designed , did require , grow in a short time to an extraordinary bigness ; and on the contrary , others that at first seem'd large ones , receiving a less quantity of sap than was necessary , never grow much bigger than those of the smaller size . and this may not unfitly be illustrated by those alterations we frequently observe in some rivers , where the main stream does not always go in the very same place : sometimes you 'll see it bear strongly upon one bank , and within a few months after , quite removed to the opposite side , or else settle in the midst between both . only 't is to be observed , that whether side soever it takes to , it commonly makes no very long continuance there . for after the very same manner , we frequently see strange alterations in the motion of the sap in the boughs , which are properly its channel , and where it never constantly keeps the same course it first took . one year it flows in so great a quantity into one of the smaller boughs , which was just upon bearing , that it quite alters its disposition , and puts it upon lengthening and enlarging it self ; that matter which otherwise would have been fruit , assuming the nature of , and turning into wood. the next year it may happen , that what formerly was employ'd in enlarging the boughs , now changes its office , and feeds them chiefly in order to the bearing of fruit. another year you shall see a branch , which at first look'd as if it would have grown into a massive bough , begin all on a suddain to bear ; the channel through which the sap passed before in a great quantity , being some way altered , and thereby the branch hinder'd from growing any bigger than those of the lesser size . and 't is further observable , that nature has for each kind of perfect animals its own peculiar mould , wherein they are all as it were cast exactly into the very same shape , and have such an air as makes them very nearly resemble each other ; whereas in the designing and forming of fruit-trees , it neither observes proportion of parts , nor equality in bigness , nor resemblance in shape . in perfect animals , the eyes and the ears , the belly and the feet , &c. are always orderly placed in the same parts of the body : and none of these is ever suffered to grow in a wrong place , but when some frightful monster is to be produced : whereas the care of nature is no further concerned about fruit-trees , but only that they send forth large boughs , and yield good fruit , whether it be on the top or below , on one side or the other : nay , it seems willing so far to comply with the ingenious gardiner , as to observe his orders and conduct in the management of trees , suffering them to receive what shape he shall appoint them , and even to produce what branches and fruit he will , and where he pleases . now since many productions may be in a tree at the same time , and there is no one exteriour part of it which is not capable of producing , whereas this work of nature is only performed in one certain part of animals ; how unreasonable is it to argue in all things concerning the production of trees , from the generation of animals ? there is a certain course of action in the sap , which very few have the curiosity nicely to observe ; and some are so wholly taken up with studies of a higher and more delightful nature , or with business of greater importance , that they cannot sufficiently apply themselves to such observations . and though it would be a very great accomplishment in any person that has attained to some considerable perfefection in two or three sciences , if it were possible for him to make himself as much master of all the rest ; yet a man may properly be said to be a good astronomer , a geometrician , or architect , though he be not perfectly well skill'd in all the other arts and sciences . and it would be an unjust censure , to say , that such a man is no good architect , because he is not also a good gardiner . for though an architects skill in building might justly be suspected , who should make a house with smoaking chimneys , or rooms that would not hold a bed ; yet , 't would be hard to question the same man's abilities in architecture , because the trees in his orchard were not all well ordered , or did not bear abundance of good and fair fruit. and speaking with reference to a gardiner , there are a great many parts of curious knowledge which he has no use of in his way , and would not in the least contribute to the advancement of his skill or art. as for instance , when one knows that the marble of such a mountain at genoua , or the stone of carriere de st. leu are very good and fine , either to build with , or to make statues of ; whereas those of other places are much courser , and less fit for such uses : pray , why should a man break his brain to find out the reasons of the excellency of the one , the imperfections of the other , since he can neither correct the one , nor make the other last for ever ? all that is necessary in this case , is , to know where to find the best , when he shall have occasion to make use of it ; and where the bad is , that he may not meddle with it . in italy , the firrs that grow on the south-side of a mountain are much better than those that grow on the north side of it . this many of us know upon our own experience . but i believe a man would find himself mightily mistaken , if without any regard to the difference of the earth , he should thence conclude , that the only reason why the latter are bad , is because they grew up exposed to the north : for all our modern mariners agree , that the best firrs for masts come from the most northern parts of norway ; or if on the contrary , he should lay down this as the only reason why firrs that stand exposed to the south , are the best ; namely , because nothing else but the excessive heat of the sun can compress the parts of that matter wherewith they are nourished , and consequently harden and strengthen the fibers of such trees more than of those that are not so directly exposed to its influence : how will this way of arguing hold concerning such firrs as are almost continually in a frozen condition ? pray , is not cold as apt to close , and harden , and strengthen any thing as heat ? and is it not as usual for rains to come from the south , as from the north ? and consequently are not such things as as lie to the south , as liable to be kept moist , as those that lie towards the north ? from all which it appears , how unsafe it is , in treating of vegetation , to go upon general considerations ; and that it is much better to examine particulars ; and that not barely with a design to feed and gratifie a vain and useless curiosity , but especially to discover something that may be of real use and benefit to the artist in the way of his profession . we shall therefore take little or no notice of such notions , as being but barely probable , are not sufficient to advance any general maxime upon ; and keep our selves from paying too great a defference to the authority , and being prepossessed with all the opinions of persons , who , not contenting themselves to know , and to be justly esteemed for their skill in some things , take upon them to lay down rules in others they do not so well understand . every body knows that trees that grow in an open plain , and in a dry earth , yield more top-wood then such as grow in a forest , and in a moist ground . but i believe it matters not much whether such trees as grow in a plain be more exposed to the south , or to the north ; such positions being in some countries not at all taken notice of . and this is evident , particularly in the vines of versenay , which are much better when they are exposed to the north , then to the south , notwithstanding that * general maxim of the ancients to the contrary . — now he that taking these words in their strict literal sense for an universal maxim , should go about to maintain and propagate it by reasons and arguments , would find many dissenters from this opinion of his and the ancients . how necessary soever the heat and influences of the sun may be in themselves , and how advantageously soever any plant may be exposed to it , yet if it have not the benefit of a good earth , as well as the prospect of the mid-day , or afternoon sun , we very seldom see that its productions are any way extraordinary . hence comes that vast difference we see in vines , that have all exactly the same position towards the sun : and hence also it comes that we have so much marsh ground that is wholly useless , so many plains that are rich and fruitful even without tillage , and so many mountains that produce nothing at all . if the pipes of an organ , or any other instrument , be not good and well made , to what purpose is it to put them into the most skillful musicians hand ? are not all mens souls of the same immaterial substance , and equally perfect in themselves ? to what therefore shall we ascribe that wonderful difference we find between the abilities of wise ministers of state , or great philosophers , and the others who are so dull and rude , that they are capable neither of ingenious arts , nor common civility , but to the difference of their temper , and of the organs of their body ? 't is most certain therefore , that the good or bad disposition of the earth is chiefly to be look'd upon as the principal cause of whatsoever difference we find in its productions — and in order to the several uses they are to be put to , all that is necessary to be here further observed , is , that such trees as grow in large and thick forests are much taller , and their timber streighter than those that grow in thin woods or thickets . — the reason whereof may be this , that every tree having a kind of natural desire to enjoy the benefit of the sun , and as it were fearing to be stifled by the closeness and over-topping of those next it , endeavours to raise its head so high as to reach the free and open air : and all of them having , if i may so call it , this natural instinct , each endeavours to overtop the rest ; and so all of them grow to a much greater height than those that stand alone : and if such a forest happen to be very thick , the trees growing up too hastily to an excessive height , have not a proportionable bulk , whereas such as grow up more at liberty , having no such necessity of growing high on a sudden , make the best advantage of their nourishment , grow up leisurely , and with a thickness answerable to their height . and this may be sufficient to satisfie our curiosity , as well as to direct the artist what sort of trees may be fit , and which not , for his several purposes in building . chap. xxii . reflections upon the influences of the moon in its wain and full , &c. i shall now , in the last place , consider those superstitious observations our modern gard'ners make upon the influences of the moon in its wain and full. i know they will take it ill , that i should look upon that as a piece of superstition , nay as downright folly , which they pretend to have been the constant observation and practice of all times , and in all parts of the world. — they will tell you that , according to the opinion of the ancients , every friday the moon is in a kind of wain ; and that above all the rest , good friday is to be made choice of for sowing all manner of seeds ; insomuch that sowing upon that day such whose fruit you would have to be early ripe , they will perswade you that they will be ripe exactly at the time you expect , such for instance , as melons , cucumbers , pease , &c. — as also that those you would not have to come so soon to their maturity , will as exactly answer your expectation , namely all sorts of pot-herbs , coleworts , lettuces , ofeilles , &c. and all this doubtless out of a profound respect they bear to the day whereon they were set . and that such as are set in any other time of the moon do quite fail the gard'ners expectations . this they will not be convinced to be a gross delusion , as are also several others which they have received by a kind of tradition from the ancients , namely such as these , that neither plants , nor graffs , nor lopped trees , will be quick in bearing , unless they be set , or cut in the wain of the moon . and that so many days as any of these is done after the full , so many years the sooner will the trees come to their perfection in bearing . and they positively assert , that the only reason why some trees are so long before they bear , is because they were either set , or cut , or graffed while the moon was either in the encrease , or at the full — this they contend for as a matter of universal experience , and beyond all manner of dispute , notwithstanding all that can be said , or shewn to the contrary . but for my part , i think there is nothing more ridiculous , whether we consider the things themselves they contend for , or their way of proving what they assert . as to the things themselves , i profess that i have for above years , observed with all the exactness imaginable , whether the several phases of the moon have such different influences upon gardening , to the end i might follow an opinion so universally received , if it should prove true : and that after all , i find that all this is no more than the old sayings of some unexperienced and ignorant gard'ners , who designed thereby to cover their own ignorance , and hoped to be remember'd for such jargon among such as knew nothing at all of husbandry . i should be the boldest , and most insolent man in the world , if i should decry , or go about to disprove a maxim that has obtained for so many ages , and is mentioned by so many persons so strongly perswaded of its truth , and so zealous in the defence of it , if i had not the authority of a long experience free from all manner of prejudice , to confirm what i advance against it . 't is true indeed , i have plaid the critick in all the several parts of gardening ; and laying aside the authority of authors , and modern practice , i have exposed the errors of the one , and the faults of the other : all which i have done with no other design but only to confirm and improve what i found to be good , and to undeceive the world in what upon experience proved to be otherwise . and among these latter i may justly reckon this superstitious observation of the moons wain ; for in what quarter of the moon soever you set your graffs , provided you do it well , and at such times of the year as are proper for such or such graffs ; and upon such trees as suit with the graffs you set upon them , that the stock be good , and rightly qualified , that it neither send up too much , nor too little sap ; and that the graff ●e neither too strong , nor too weak , your experiment will , if not always , yet for the most part , have the same success : or if the graff happen to fail , you will have no occasion to blame your self for it . in like manner , sow or set any sort of seeds or plants , in all the several quarters of the moon , and i will promise you the same success in all , provided your earth be good and well prepared ; that there be no fault in your seeds or plants , and that the season be favourable : and that the first day of the moon will be altogether as good for that purpose as the last . — having thus consider'd the thing it self , we may , in the last place , look into the absurdity of it : for indeed , how it is possible that one and the same influence of the moon in one particular position , should at the same time affect plants after such a different manner , and produce in them quite contrary effects . — 't would be a rare secret indeed , if the moon should hold an intelligence with the gard'ner , causing some of his plants to spring up apace , and hindering the growth of others , just as he would have them . — nothing certainly would be of greater advantage in the way of gardening than this , if it were true ; but since nothing is more repugnant either to reason or experience ; and that i hope men will grow wiser than to trouble themselves any longer about it , i shall spare my self the pains of exposing it any further . finis . a table of chapters of the reflections upon agriculture . the introduction . page chap. i. reflections on the different condition , wherein fruit-trees appear in those two different seasons of the year , autumn and spring . p. chap. ii. reflections upon the origine and action of the roots . p. chap. iii. reflections on the nature of sap. p. chap. iv. reflections upon the passage of sap. p. chap. v. reflections upon the cause of the difference in saps , and upon the effects produced in engraffing . p. chap. vi. concerning the different eflects of the sap in plants . , and of that opinion which maintains the notion of pores . p. chap. vii . some further considerations upon the action of the roots . p. chap. viii . considerations upon the vital principle in plants . p. chap. ix . considerations upon the number of roots to be left in the planting of trees . p. chap. x. considerations upon the motion of the sap as soon as it is prepared in the roots . p. chap. xi . reflections upon the production of the fruit-buds . p. chap. xii . reflections upon the short continuance of the fruit-bearing branches . p. chap. xiii . reflections upon the inward contexture of fruit-buds . ibid. chap. xiv . reflections upon other effects of the sap relating to the thickning and lengthning of branches . p. chap. xv. reflections upon some other effects proceeding from the greater and lesser quantity of sap. p. chap. xvi . reflections upon the order of the branches shooting out of the tree . p. chap. xvii . reflections upon the different effects of the sap in the outward parts of the plants . p. chap. xviii . reflections upon their opinion that maintains the circulation of the sap. p. chap. xix . reflections upon the opinion that maintains the conveyance of the nourishment through the upper parts of the plant. p. chap. xx. reflections upon the undistinguishable likeness of the sap in the wood , leaves , and fruit. p. chap. xxi . reflections upon the opinion of those , who from the generation of animals argue concerning the production of fruits . p. chap. xxii . reflections upon the influences of the moon in its wain and full , &c. p. notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e verbatim . marsh gard'ners . the original of the diversity of gardens . ex ea vives in laboribus omnibus diebus vitae tuae . genes . cap. v. flower gard'ners or florish . d 〈…〉 pez . market or marsh or kitchin-gard'ners . nursery gard'ners ▪ botanists . agriculture is an art truly noble , and capable to ennoble its worthy professours ; most of which are so generous and communicative , that they take an extreme pleasure in letting the whole world see their works ; and when they happen tomake any prosperous experiment , they have no greater , joy than to declareto such as have a mind to know them ; the means they used to succeed in it , whereas commonly the humour of other artists is to make a mystery of all things , and disingenuously to keep to themselves alone , the new discoveries they have made in their art. xenoph●n , colum●'la , cato , varre , theophrastus , xenoph●n , geopenna . under the title of memoires of the curate of enonville . as it is a thing of great use , to work skilfully in agriculture , so it is much more pernicious to do any thing in it ill , than to do nothing at all . xencplion . sola res rustica qua sine dul tatione prexima , & quasi consanguinea sapientiae est , ta● disientibus eges quam magistris . columella . virum bonum cum antiqui laudabant , bonum agricolam , benumque colcnum pradicabant , & amplissimè laudatum existimabant . says cate , i. e. when the ancients praised any good man , they called him a good husbandman , and a good plow-man , thinking that the highest compliment imaginable . the division of the following work. the substance of the first part . the substance of the second part . the substance of the third part . the substànce of the fourth part . primui vere rosem , atque autumno carpere poma . virg. gurg . 〈◊〉 . cui pauca velic●i iugera ruris . extant . virg. georg. . laudato ingentia rura , exignum colito . virg. georg. . serâque revertens nocte domum , dapibus mensas encrabat inemptis . virg. georg. . f●cundier est culta exiguitas , quàm neglecta magnitude . palladim . summa emniu● in h●c spectanda fuit , ut fructus is maximè probaretur , qui quam minimo impendio censt at ur●s esset . pliniu● . ornari res ipsa negat , contenta doceri . horace . nonnulla relinquenda auditori , quae suo marte colligat . deme●r●us phalereus de elecutione . qui omnia exponit audit ri , vol lectori , ut nullâ mente piaedito , similis est el qui auditorem vel lectorem improbat atque coutemnit . dimidium fact i qui benè coepit , habet . ovid. a works half done that 's well begun . ignarosque vi●mecum miseratus agrestes . virg. georg. . notes for div a -e the k. of france's aqueducts . notes for div a -e ipsa ratio arandi spe magis & jucunditate , quam fructu , atque emolumento tenetur , &c. cicero . honestis manibus omnia melius proveniunt , quoniam & curiosius fiunt . plinius . in foelix ager , cujus dominus villicum audit , non docet . columella . this is contrary to the opinion of theophrastus , who says , stultum est amittere radices , quas habemus , ut acquiramus novas . contra xenoph. vitio nostro agricultura male cedit , qui rem rusticam pessimo cuique servorum velut carnifici noxae dedimus , quam majorum nostrorum optimus quisque optime tractavit . columella . pater ipse colendi , haud facilem esse viam voluit . virg. georg. . labor omnia vincit improbus , & duris urgens in rebus egestas . georg. . in rebus agrestibus maxime officia juvenum , & imperia senum congruunt . palladius . we must dread gard'ners who prefer their interest to their honour and reputation . xenoph. quippe etiam festis , quadam exercere diebus , fas & jura sinunt . virg. geor. . villicus neque venandi , neque occupandi , neque negotiandi studio occupetur , sit in opere primus , & ultimus , ne quia s●ire se putet , quod nesciat , nec plus conseat se sapere quam dominum . plin. primus vere rosam , atque autumno carpere ponia . virg. georg. . the vine of an unskilful vine-dresser , and the trees of an ignorant gard'ner , seldom produce any thing beyond abundance of leaves , instead of the quantity of fruit they should have born , had they been well pruin'd . xenoph. the skill of the master makes good disciples , and we seldom find good servants in the house of a lazy unthrifty master . xenophon . distrust those gard'ners who boast of knowing what they are ignorant of . xenophon . no gard'ner can be good unless skilful and ignorance is the greatest defect he can possibly have . zenophon . Ét vocavit deus aridam terram . gen. cap. . v. . germinet terra herbam virentem , &c. gen. cap. . v. . spinas , & tribulos germinabit tibi , &c. gen. cap. . v. . in laboribus comedes ex ea cunctis diebus vitae tuae . gen. cap. . v. . sponte sua quae se tollunt in luminis aur as , infaecunda quidem , sed laeta , & fortia surgunt . virg. georg. . loquere terrae , & respondebit tibi , &c. iob. nec vero terrae ferre omnes omnia possunt . virg. georg. . quid faciat l●tas segetes , &c. virg. . optima putri arva solo : id venti curant , gelidaeque pruinae , & labefacta movens robustus jugera fossor . georg. . cumulosque ruit male pinguts arenae . georg. . at quae pinguis humus , dulcique uligine laeta , quique frequens herbis & fertilis ubere campus . georg. . & paulo post . hic tibi praevalidas olim , multoque fluentes sufficiet baccho vites hic fertilis uvae , &c. georg. . densa , magis cereri : rarissima quaeque lyaeo . et superlus . alter a frumentis quoniam favet , altera baccho . ibidem georg. . sponte sua quae se tollunt in luminis auras , infoecunda quidem ; sed laeta , & fortia surgunt , quippe sol● natura subest . georg. 〈◊〉 . sape etiam steriles incendere profuit agros . georg. . nigra fere & presso pinguis sub vomere terra . georg. . the usual advantages of rising grounds . triste lupus stabulis , maturis frugibus imbres , arboribus venti , &c. virgil . buc . ecl. . aqua nutrix omnium virgultorum , & diversos singulis usus ministrat , &c. ex d. hieronimo . anima mea , sicut terra sine aqua . psal . reg. optima stercoratio vestigia domini . ex plntarch . at sceleratum exquirere frigus difficile est . georg. . labor omnia vincit improbus , &c. virg. georg. . exigua tantum gelidus ros nocte reponet . georg. . et cui putre solum ( namque hoc imi tamur arando . ) georg. . optima putri arva solo ; id venti curant , gelidaeque pruinae , & labefacta movens , robustus jugera fossōr . georg. . prima ceres ferro mortales vertere terram instituit , cum jam glandes , atque arbuta sacrae deficerent silvae , & victum dodona negaret . georg. . cultaque frequenti in quascumque voces artes , haud tarda sequentur . georg. . omne quot annis terque quaterque solum scindendum , gl●baque versis . aeternum ●rangenda bidentibus . georg. . et caeca relaxat spiran enta , novas veniat qua , succus in herbas . georg. . 〈…〉 cetque fre 〈…〉 llqrem , 〈…〉 perat 〈…〉 g. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . rapidive potentia solis ac●●or , aut boreae penetrabile frigus adurat . georg. . fundit humo facilem victum justissima tel 〈◊〉 . george . . germinet terra herbam vitentem , &c. genese . arida tantum ne saturare fimo pingui pudeat sola , &c. georg. . humida majores herbas alit , ipsaque justo laetior , georg. . the variety of dungs . the choice of dung. proper times to turn earth . et cui putre solum . georg. . no dung for trees . et quid quaeque fer at regio , & quid quaeque recuset , &c. georg. . the design of the order of this part. advertisements . melior est culta exiguitas , quam neglecta magnitudo . i. e. a little ground well tilled , is better than a great deal that lies neglected . palladius . res agrestis est infidiosissima cunctanti . columella . imbecillior ager , quam agriola esse debet , quomam cum sit cum eo colluctandum , si fundus praevaleat , allidit dominum . ibid. gravem patitur tributis creditorem , qui agrum colit , cui sine spe absolutionis astrictus est . palladius . non aliter qui adverso vix flumine lembum , remigiis subigit . virg. georg. . my taste and judgment in pears . what is to be thought of fruit pyramids , and how they are to be order'd . in this and the two next paragraphs . whether it be fit to plant any dwarf-trees in little gardens . what sorts of dwarf-fruit-trees are fittest to be planted in little gardens . and first , what trees not proper , and why ? the pear-tree of all the most proper to be planted in little gardens , and why . what the author advises to gentlemen over hasty for fruit , with the inconveniences following it . what method may be taken in spacious gardens to have fruit both soon and fair , while their principal garden is growing to perfection . the effects of the difference of climates . as also of the difference of soils , and tempers of years in the same climate autumn and winter-fruits not to hang too long on the trees . the ripening of muscat-grapes a certain rule to know the temper of th● year and soil , and the ripeness of other fruits by . four several seasons of fruits , and how reckoned . of the summer-season . fruits in june . fruits in july . fruits in august . fruits in september . fruits in october . fruits in november . fruits in december . fruits in january . fruits of february , march and april . precedence of maturity according to the difference of expositions . the ordinary lasting of the fruits of every sort of tree . and first of summer-fruits . secondly , of those of the beginning of autumn ; and , thirdly , of the fruits of the latter season , and of winter . a winter boncretien preferr'd to the first place . reasons for the preference of the winter boncretien . it s antiquity . it s old roman name , volemum or crustumium . it s modern name . the description and praises of this pear . tyger-babbs , a pernicious insect infesting wall-pears . no really different kinds o 〈…〉 winter-boncretien . the description and commendation of the butter-pear . the conditions necessary to constitute an excellent pear . the autumn bergamot , it s description and character . the second place adjudged to a dwarf-pear-tree , wherein the butter-pear is to be prefered to the virgoulee . how to prevent the ill taste in virgoulee-pears , and from what cause that taste proceeds . the marks of goodness or badness in virgoulee-pears . a singular remark about virgoulee-pears . november , december and january . november , december and january . november , december and january . november , december and january . the russelet or russetin-pear described . compote , fruit stew'd in sugar , after a manner peculiar to the french. august and september . the several names of the robine-pear . the robine-pear described and commended . its desects . the crasanne its names , and why given . it s description . the s. germain-pear ; its names and description . the marchioness pear described . the colmar-pear ; its names . it s description . the petit-oin , its names , it s description and character . the louise-bonne , or good-louise-pear described . the verte-longue , or long-green-pear . its names . it s description . the lansac-pear . its names . it s description . a. november and december . b. november . c. november , december and january . d. november , december , january and february . e. november and december . f. middle-october . g. october . directions how to accommodate our ground to all sorts of trees . the dry martin , its names . it s description . the messire-john described . the portal-pear . it s description and good qualities . the st. augustin-pear . several different sorts of it . it s description . the end of december . a. mid - october . b. september and october . the little muscat-pear . it s praise . a. the beginning of july . b. the beginning of july . the middle of july . the muscat-robert , its names . it s description . the vine-pear , its names . it s description . mid - july . the skinless-pear ; its names and description . the flowry-muscat describ'd . the musked summer boncretien described . the orange-green-pear described . the doyenne or dean-pear , its names . it s description . besi de la motte , a new pear described . the summer-pear-trees specified . the autumn-pears specified . the winter-pears , specified . august . end of october , mid - november . entrance of july . end of july . february , and march. the summer-pear specified . those of autumn specified . those of winter specified . the bourdon , or humble-bee-pear described . the espargne , or reserve-pear described . the maudlin-pear described . the sugar-green-pear described . the bugi , or easter-bergamot described . mid - july . october and november . the double-flower , or double-flower'd-pear described . the frank-royal pear described . the angober-pear described . the besidery-pear described . the great-onionet , or onion-pear . its names and description . the ronville-pear described . its faults . the sranish-boucretien-pear described . the salviatipear described . the musked-blanquet , or white-pear ; its season and description . the pastourelle pear described . the english butter-pear described . the cat-burnt , or maiden-pear described . * it s description is after that of the pound-pear . the pound-pear , its names and description . the russelin-pear , its names : it s description . * see its description next to that of the bouchet , after the end of the fourth hundred of trees . the bouchet-pear described . the pendar , or hanging-pear described . the cat-pear , its season and description . the besi de caissoy-pear , or russet of anjou ; its season and description . the st. francis-pear described in short . the musked orange-pear described . the greai frement described . i. e. commend ; if you please , large fields , but chuse but little ones to cultivate . the carmelite-pear described . * though these three last kinds are here counted in the number of the dwarf-trees for winter-fruit , yet they come in season all three in autumn , but that need not disturb the order here observed . the rose-pear described . the caillot-rosat described . the villain-pear of anjou , it s other names and description . what summer-pear standards are fit to be planted . what autumnal ones , and what winter ones . bakeing and preserving pears , with cherries , &c. and apples , &c. best planted apart in separate orchards . standards to be much less trimmed in their heads than dwarfs , to make them bear so much the sooner . * that is , places near high-ways , where many people pass . to what pear-trees the wall is absolutely necessary . seven principal sorts of fating and preserving apples . other sorts less valuable , but yet good . apples described in general . the two sorts of pippins , gray and vvhite . their season and character . the summer and autumn-calvills . described . their season and character . the fennellet , fennell-apple , described . it s season and character . the cour-pendu , or short-stalk'd apple , described . it s season and character . the api described . it s season and character , the violet-apple described . it s character and season . other pretended violet-apples . the black ice-apple described . the rambour described . the cousinottes described . the orgerans of little worth . the star-apple described . jerusalem-apples described . the english-pairmain described . golden-pippins described . ice-apples described . the francatu's described . the haute-bonte's high-goodnesses , or blandilalies , described . the rouvezeau's described . the chesnut-apples described . the blossomless , or flowerless-apple , otherwise the fig-apple , described . the petit-bon , or little-good . the rose-apple described . paradise-apple-stocks , how commodious to graft the best apple-trees upon . they may be fitly placed between the dwarf-pear-trees planted about 〈◊〉 squares in kitchin-gardens . what proportion of trees of each choice sort of apples , it is best to plant , from the total number of fifty , to several hundreds . what sorts of apple-trees , and in what proportion , it is best to plant in little gardens . the inconveniencies of great dwarf-apple-trees , on crab-stocks , &c. great standards in separate orchards , best for apples , and how to be managed . of the quan 〈…〉 of walls of the several figures of gardens , and their convenience , or inconvenience . the number of expositions and that it cannot exceed four . what is meant by expositions . the four expositions , easterly , vvesterly . northerly and southerly , defined and explained . the sun always shines upon two walls at once and how . when the sun seems to stand , and shines a small moment upon the three walls at once . what is the extent and content of an arpent , or paris acre . what quantity of compass such an acre or arpent may have , and what walling it may require in several sorts of figures , as a perfect squaes . &c. a pretty geometrical remark upon subinclosures made out of greater ones . the number and distances of trees to be ordered according to the different height of the walls , or quality of the ground . a difficulty explained in ordering of wall-trees . in what case , even in good soils , they are to be placed nearer one another , than otherwise . of what height walls ought to be , and the several allowable proportions of that height , viz. never to be less than or , and never more than or foot. leaning walls not proper . grapes require the least distance of any wall-fruit . fig-trees need most of any , and why . trees in relation to distances , divided into two classes , viz. . requiring large distances , and . requiring smaller ; and what fruits belong to each . the chief rules for distances taken from the height of the walls , and quality of the soil . rules for the first size of walls of seven or eight foot high . the distance . reasons for the distance of foot sometimes in plantations a-against such walls . objected inconveniences and fears answered and remedied . rules for walls of between nine and eleven foot. rules for walls of eleven or twelve foot. the author will suppose all walls about the height of foot , being the most ordinary height , and all grounds to be of a midling goodness , and lay down his general directions according to that foot. the pretensions of grapes to the first place in a wall-plantation . the praises of that fruit. all fruits thrive not every where . divisae arboribus patria , trees are distinguished by their several countries , as well as men , virg. georg. . how many sorts there are of muscat , or muscatel grapes . the muscat , the best grapes that ripen in the paris climate . here are described all the good qualities of an excellent grape . the pretensions and praises of peaches . those peaches most admirable that grow in the open air , and why . but such not to be had in paris climate , but in some city-gardens favoured by lofty w●ls , or 〈…〉 dings . how to draw out the bearing branches to give the fruit the advantage of the open air till they are ripe . the effect of that method . what peaches will not suffer that method , and why . country-gardens not fit for dwarf-peach-trees , but only for wall-ones and why . the authours plea for , and commendation of choice plums . the wall produces a better effect in plums than in other fruit. figs at last preferred to the first wall station . their elogy . * as rare as a rare good musk-melon . figs not hurtful to the health . fig-trees bear twice a year . the first figs called fig-flowers , and the others second figs. the latter figs best , and why . but two sorts of figs excellent in france , viz. the great round , and great long white figs. the long best , and why . compared with other figs. the good qualities required in an excellent fig. a catalogue of some other sorts . the black fig described . it s character . great yellow fig described . great violet figs long and flat , little worth . the green fig described . the little gray fig. or mellete described . the medot yellow fig. another black fig described . the small white or hasting fig. the little bourjassete fig described , good but not fruitful . the angelick fig described . the avant , or forward white peach described . ripe at the beginning of july . the trey peach described , ripe at the end of july , and entrance of august . peaches that ripen in august . september peaches the nivettes come in when the admirables are going out and are also excellent . the pau , white andillis , and narbon peaches , ripe at the same time , and are fair , but not good . october peaches . the general word of peaches distinguisht into peaches , brugnons , and pavies , sorts of peaches , of brugnons , and of pavies . peaches , strictly so called , what . * brugnons , what called by us , nectarins . pavies , what . the fancy of some about the many sorts of pavies , and about male and female peaches , tho an old tradition of gard'ners , ridi●ul'd . the vanity of some people of multiplying species without grounds . the good qualities of peaches . the first good quality . a remark in cutting a peach . the second good quality . the third good quality . the fourth qualification . the fifth qualification . two faults in the bigness . distinguisht into hectical and dropsical , and their description . indifferent qualities in peaches . which consist only in the differences of their howers or blossoms , which are here specified . the bad qualities of peaches . the first . the second . the third . the fourth . the fifth , and sixth . seventhly , another fault to come short or exceed in ripeness . how to know when a peach it just ripe , and when too much , or too little . other faults , to grow on a sick branch , or to ripen too soon , or too late . eight or nine sorts of bad peaches , and two of brugnons , or nectarins , condemned and excluded , and which they are . the author's opinion and advice about pavies in this paragraph , and the next . the menstrous , or pompene , pavie . kinds of plums almost infinite . the good qualities of plums . good plums need no sugar raw . the excellent plums enumerated . the bad qualities of plums . and some of the worst sorts of plums specified . perdrigons least subject to worms . indifferent qualities of plums . the shapes of plums . very long plums . longish plums . round , and almost square and 〈◊〉 p 〈…〉 . coloars of plums yellowish white plums . violet red plums . violet black plums . plain black plums . green plums ▪ gray plums . red plums . of the crease in plums . of the bigness of plums . large plums . little plums . extream large plums . all plums good raw , good also to bake , &c. some are only good to bake , &c. plums good to make prunes . plums good in competes , or wet sweat-meats , &c. the pulp in all plums , yellow more or less , but of no effect to their goodness . most plums quit not their stones whether good or bad . damask plums quit their stoues casiliest . but four or five sorts , fit to be planted by walls , and which they are . empresses and mirabelles , added sometimes , and why . the authors sense about apricocks . standard apricocks best . the wall-ones larger and fairer . the little july hasting or forward apricock . the common and larger one , about mid july . no green fruit so good to preserve , as apricocks . the anjou sweet kernel'd apricock . the several expositions , repeated . fig-trees , where to be placed . the regulation of wall-trees in a little garden of the extent of ten toises or fathoms at one side , and a little more on the other . a description of the violet perdrigon plum. the choice peach-trees recommended . the admirable peach described . how to cure diseased peach-trees . a toise is two yards , six foot , 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 . the minion peach described and commended . its defects . the fair chevreuse or goat-peach described . the order of ripening of these peaches . the chevreuse peach further commended . its faults , and their causes . the nivette or velvet-peach described . it s elogy . the trees advised for the midling or vvestern expositions the purple or vinous-peach , its character in this and the next paragraph . the trees advised for the northern exposition . pear-trees , &c. the total supputation of the choice wall - trees advised for the stocking of a garden of or fathoms in compass . continued for a garden of toises or fathoms compass . from which it will be continued , still augmenting to the number of toises or fathoms of good exposition , and in all . toises or fathoms of wall-trees , enough for any subject of the greatest quality . what quantity of fruit every hundred foot of peach-trees may yield , at or years old , &c. a remark about ants. the persick peach described with its character . the violet brugnon or nectarin , its description and character . the st. catharine plum described . the effect of a good wall , &c. the apricock-peach . the sandalie , or yellow admirable-peach . it s character . the latter violet , or marble peach . it s description and character . the character of a bourdin-peach . the qualities and character of an avant or forward peach . ripens a month before the rest . it s description . what figure is best for a fine garden to be of . the effect of the northern exposition in pear-trees . the italian peach described . it is a kind of forward persick . the characters and description of the peach 〈◊〉 , or latter-admirable . the description and character of the rossans . the red alberge peach . it s description and character . the apricock plum described , and compared with the st. catharine . the red maudlin-peach described . no different kinds of it . it s character . the bellegarde peach described . the roche-couron plnm excellent . the white pavie described . the red great pompons pavie , called the monstrous pavie described . it s elogy . the corinthian grapes . the white andilly peach . it s description and character . the bourdelais grape , called in paris , the verjuice grape , described . the empress plum. what. when apricock or plum-trees may be mixed with peach-trees , and when not . the azeroll or garden haw described . the early grape , or black morillon described . it ripens in the beginning of july . tiger babbs . how to order a plum or cherry garden . sixteen choice sorts of plums good every way . plums good only to dry , preserve , &c. the plums the author most preferrs , and their order of precedence . which only to be reared on standard-trees . a plum garden of or trees affords plums enough for all uses . guignes or guings , their character . the second forward cherry . their character , chiefly good for early compotes , &c. monmorancy , coulardy or large preserving cherries . the best sort of common cherry described . the same tree bears long and short stalk'd cherries . the bigarro described and commended . the griot , or agriot described . merises of common black-cherries described . where to plant standard mulberry , apricock , and almond-trees . what number to plant of each . almonds commended . their season july and august , when green . some few medlar trees also to be added in places least in view . as also some quince-trees . and lastly a few azeroll or garden haw dwarf-trees . fruit trees to be bought of none but gard'ners of known skill &c. when tree stocks and plants are to be chosen ; and directions what chiefly to consider in them . marks of vigorous plants . marks of unsound plants . marks of bad peach plants . of what thickness and age they should , or should not be . the thickness and age required in plum-trees , apricock-trees , and azeroll or garden haw-trees . the proportion of apple-trees grafted on paradise stocks . the proportion and other good qualities required in standard plants . how trees should be shaped and fashioned . now to choose trees when already taken up . marks of trees spoiled . good qualifications required in the roots of young trees . marks of a dying tree . what caution is to be used in taking up trees . other signs of decaying or dying plants taken from their roots . the author's method in triming the roots of trees . how to order the roots of a tree that has been longer pulled up . what the author means by good and bad roots . notes how to distinguish them , and instructions how to deal with them . pivot , a hinge or axel-tree . of what length the good roots are to be left in dwarfs , standards , &c. fifteen eng●● en different figures of trees , with their roots most difficultly disposel for cutting , inserted by the author in this book taken from the life . all difficult disposures of roots may be learnt , and ordered by those figures . the author's regulation of the height or length fit to be left to the bodies of trees above ground . a necessary caution about peach trees . the fourth to make convenient holes , or trenches , to plant them in , &c. the author's method of dwarf-trees , &c. of what depth trees are to be planted . the use of dung about trees . a bed of weeds or fern may serve in want of dung. in very dry weather , to be watered every days in the hot months . how to be pla●●d . how the baskets must be made and proportioned . notes for div a -e columella , theophrastus , xenophon . qui cum judicio putat arborem , efficit , ut quod arbor sponte voluit facere , just●iâ violentâ cogatur , ut id agat . crescentius . terrae imperamus , & soli nequaquam . omnis arborum putatio quandocunque fieri potest à tempore casus foliorum . crescentius . aspices curvatos pomorum pondere ramos . ut sua quod peperit , vix ferat arboronus . fundusque mendax arbore nunc aquas culpante , nunc torrente agros sidera . horatius nec sen'ire sitim patitur , bibulaeque recurvas radicis fibras labentibus i● rigat undit . ovid. vim tamen agrestum metuens pomaria claudit , intus & accessus prohibet . idem . juniperi gravis umbra , nocent & frugibus umbrae . virgil. ecl. hortus nullas amat umbras praeter umbrar● domini . cresentius . vix unquam 〈◊〉 surculus proficit nisi primo anno valdè proficiat . crescentius . perfections of the figure of a dwarf-tree . a. first perfection . b d . perfection . c. d perfection . d th . perfection . imperfections of the figure of a dwarf-tree . e. first imperfection . f. . imperfection . g. . imperfection . h. . imperfection . bonum ex integrâ causâ ; malum ex quolibet defectu . non nunquam in arbore unus ramus c●teris est latior , quem nisi rescideris tota arb●r contristabitur . columella . * lisete . * garden-mice . * weesels . * those usually called by the name of cock-chafers . cultus , & in primis succos emendat acerbos , &c. ovid lib. remedio amoris . sponte suâ quae se tollunt inluminis auros , infaecunda quidem , sed laeta & fortia surgunt . quippe solo natura subest . tamen haec quoque si quis inferat , &c. ec paulo post . exuerint silvestrem animum , &c. georg. lib. . nec consitiones modo delectant , sed etiam insitiones , quibus nihil invenit agricultura solertius . cic. de senectuce . sunt alii , quos ipse viâ sibi repperit usus . georg. . of all arts the most generous , and most proper for a gentleman is the art of husbandry . xenophon . ut gaudet imitiva decerpens ' pyra . horat. epod . regem aequabat opes animis serâque revertens nocte domum dapidus inensas onerabat inemptis . georg. . et sterilès plantani malos gessere valentes . georg . castancae fagus , ornusque inc●nuit albo flore pyri : glandemque sucs fregere sub ulmis ! et paulo superius inseritur vero ix foetu nucis arbutus horrida . et alio loco & prunis lapidosa rubescere corna . georg. . venerit insitio . fac ramum ramus adoptet , stetque , peregrinis arber operta comis ! ●issaque adoptivas , accipit arbor opes . ovid. lib. . de remed . amoris . et saepè alterius ramos impune , videmus vertere in alterius , mutatamque insita mala ferre pyrum . georg. . inutilesque falce ramos amputans faeliciores inserit . horat. epod. tamen haec quoque si quis inserat , &c. cultuque frequenti in quascunqu : voces artes , haud tarda sequentur . georg. . * a la pousse , as the author terms it . nec modus inseree atque oculos imponere simplex . & . georg. . the figure of the graffing-knives is described in the plate of the pruining-knives , p. . vol. ii. huc aliena ex arbore germen includunt , udoque docent inolescere libro . georg. . * a la pousse . aut rursum enodes trunci resceantur , & alté finditur in solidum cuncis via : deinde seraces plantae immittuntur ; nec longum tempus , & ingens exiit ad caelum ramis foelicibus arbos , georg. nam quae se medio trudunt decortice gemmae & tenues rumpunt tunicas angustus in ipso sic nodo sinus : hûc aliend ex arbore germen includunt , udoque docent inolescere libro . georg. . insere daphne pyros , carpent tua poma nepotes . virg. georg. pole lattices set up against walls , much us'd in france . the art of cultivating kitchen-gardens and pot-herbs , &c. ancient and universal . beatus ille qui precul negotits , 〈◊〉 prisca gens mortaliam , paterna rura bebus exercet suis , &c. hor. fp d. . happy the man from toilsom cares set free , who does regain man's ancient liberty ; plowing his ground with oxen of his own . by parents l●fe , fr●e from usurious loan . * a french bushel is pound weight , or near a peck and half english . january . february . march. april . may. june . july and august . september and october . november . december . notes for div a -e tran. r. s. notes for div a -e * they in holland use chaff , or , ( which is certainly better , because of vermin , ) saw-dust , exceeding well dried in the sun ; giving the whole house a coat of pitch . ou de salpetre batu . mettre des hausses . notes for div a -e * auster vites sibi objectas nobilitat , aquilo f●cundat , elige plus velis quam melius . crescentius palladius . the garden of eden, or, an accurate description of all flowers and fruits now growing in england with particular rules how to advance their nature and growth, as well in seeds and herbs, as the secret ordering of trees and plants / by that learned and great observer, sir hugh plat. plat, hugh, sir, - ? this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing p ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing p estc r ocm 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 . 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 , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the garden of eden, or, an accurate description of all flowers and fruits now growing in england with particular rules how to advance their nature and growth, as well in seeds and herbs, as the secret ordering of trees and plants / by that learned and great observer, sir hugh plat. plat, hugh, sir, - ? bellingham, charles. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing p ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread p. printed for william leake ..., london : . engraved frontispiece. dedication signed: charles bellingham. includes index. imperfect: pages cropped, stained, with loss of print. reproduction of original in the cambridge university library. eng gardening -- early works to . fruit-culture -- great britain. a r (wing p ). civilwar no the garden of eden· or, an accurate description of all flowers and fruits now growing in england, with particular rules how to advance their plat, hugh, sir b the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the b category of texts with fewer than defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - john latta sampled and proofread - john latta text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the garden of eden . or , an accurate description of all flowers and fruits now growing in england , with particular rules how to advance their nature and growth , as well in seeds and herbs , as the secret ordering of trees and plants . by that learned and great observer , sir hugh plat , knight . the fourth edition . london , printed for william leake , at the crown in fleetstreet betwixt the two temple gates . . to the honourable and most perfect gentleman , francis finch junior , of the inner temple , esquire . sir , you may please to pardon my forward inscribing this book to your name . were it a work of mine own composition , i should have thought on a meaner patron . but the memory of that learned knight the authour ( to whom i had so neer alliance ) may excuse this presumption . he was a great searcher after all sorts of knowledge , and as great a lover of it in all others . and i humbly conceiv'd i could not doe him a higher service than by placing his book under your protection , who are not more honour'd by those many noble families whence you are descended , than by that large portion of learning and vertue which have so enriched your noble mind ; and rendred you precious to all that know you . i hope that candor and sweetness which accompanies all your actions , will also shew it selfe in acceptation of this offering from him who is ambitious of no other title than sir , the most humble and most devoted of all those that honour you charles bellingham . the pvblisher to the reader . i shall not blush to tell you , i had some ambition to publish this book , as well to doe right to the learned author ( my ever honoured kinsman ) as to check their forwardnesse who were ready to violate so usefull a work . there are some men ( of great name in the world ) who made use of this author , and it had been civil to have mentioned his name who held forth a candle to light them to their desires ; but this is an unthankfull age . and what ever you may think of this small piece , it cost the author many yeares search , and no small expence , there being not extant in our language ) any work of this subject so necessary and so brief . he had consultation with all gentlemen , scholars , nay not a gardiner in england ( of any note ) but made use of his discoveries , and confirm'd his inventions by their own experience . and what ever they discover'd ( such was his modesty ) he freely acknowledges by naming the authors , sometimes in words at length , as mr. hill , mr. taverner , m. pointer , m. colborn , m. melinus , m. simson , and sometimes by t. t. a. p. &c. what ever is his own hath no name at all , unlesse sometimes ( and that not often ) he add h. p. at the end of the paragraph . and when he refers you to some other part of the book , 't is according to the number or section , not the page , for that onely serves for the table . he wrote other pieces of natural philosophy , whereunto he subjoyned an excellent abstract of cornelius agrippa de occulta philosophia ; but they fell into ill hands , and worse times . as for this collection of flowers and fruits , i would say ( if i had not so near relation to it ) that no english man that hath a garden or orchard can handsomely be without it , but at least by having it will finde a large benefit . and all ladies and gentlemen by reading these few leaves may not only advance their knowledge and observation when they walke into a garden , but discourse more skilfully of any flower , plant , or fruit then the gardiner himself , who ( in a manner ) growes there night and day . farewell . c. b. the author's epistle to all gentlemen , ladies , and all others delighting in god's vegetable creatures . having out of mine own experience , as also by long conference with divers gentlemen of the best skill and practice , in the altering , multiplying , enlarging , planting , and transplanting of sundry sorts of fruits & flowers , at length obtained a pretty volume of experimentall observations in this kind : and not knowing the length of my daies , nay , assuredly knowing that they are drawing to their period , i am willing to unfold my napkin , and deliver my poor talent abroad , to the profit of some , who by their manuall works , may gain a greater imployment than heretofore in theirusual callings : and to the pleasuring of others , who delight to see a rarity spring out of their own labors , and provoke nature to play , and shew some of her pleasing varieties , when shee hath met with a stirring workman . i hope , so as i bring substantiall and approved matter with me , though i leave method at this time to schoolmen , who have already written many large and methodicall volumes of this subject ( whose labours have greatly furnished our studies and libraries , but little or nothing altered or graced our gardens and orchards ) that you will accept my skill , in such a habit and form as i shall think most fit and appropriate for it ; and give me leave rather to write briefly and confusedly , with those that seek out the practicall and operative part of nature , whereunto but a few in many ages have attained , then formally and largely to imitate her theorists , of whom each age affordeth great store and plenty . and though amongst these two hundred experiments , there happen a few to faile under the workmans hand ( which yet may be the operators mistake not mine ) yet seeing they are such as carry both good sense and probability with them , i hope in your courtesie i shall find you willing to excuse so small a number , because i doubt not , but to give good satisfaction in the rest . and let not the concealing , or rather the figurative describing of my last and principall secret , withdraw your good and thankfull acceptation , from all that go before ; on which i have bestowed the plainest and most familiar phrase that i can : for ▪ jo. baptista porta himself , that gallant and glorious italian , without craving any leave or pardon , is bold to set down in his magia naturalis , amongst many other conclusions of art and nature , four of his secret skils , ( viz. concerning the secret killing of mē , the precipitation of salt out of sea water , the multiplying of corn two hundred fold , which elswhere i have discovered : & the puffing up of a little past , to the bignesse of a foot-ball ) in an obscure and aenigmatical phrase . and i make no question , but that if he had known this part of vegetable philosophy , he would have penned the same as a sphinx , & roll'd it up in the most cloudy and dark some speech that he could possibly have devised . this author , i say , hath emboldened me , and some writers of more worth and higher reach then himself , have also charged me , not to disperse or divulgate a secret of this nature , to the common and vulgar eye or ear of the world . and thus having acquainted you with my long , costly , and laborious collections , not written at adventure , or by an imaginary conceit in a scholars private study , but wrung out of the earth by the painful hand of experience : and having also given you a touch of nature , whom no man as yet ever durst send naked into the world without her veile ; and expecting , by your good entertainment of these , some encouragement for higher and deeper discoveries hereafter , i leave you to the god of nature , from whom all the true light of nature proceedeth . h. p. knight . an alphabeticall table to the book . a. annis seeds to grow in england page apple cornels to set apple agreeth not with a pear-stock . notè contra apples kept without wrinkles apricot multiplied apricot , which is best apricots fair apricots to bear well apricot stones to set apricots in what ground apricots to prosper arbour when to cut . arbour aloft artichocks from frost , , b. barking to help barking of trees barly growing without earth barrenness in trees , upon what cause , and how helped bayes to plant & beasts of hearbs to grow speedily birds of hearbs to grow speedily blossoms from frost to stay blossoming borders of hearbs delicate box tree to plant branches to root , , briony sap to gather c. candying of growing flowers canker avoided carnations growing in winter , carnations old and revived carnations how to set carnations plants to carry far carnations seed to gather carnations of divers kinds upon one root . carnation pots of a stately fashion , carnations to multiply carnations early carots kept long carots to grow large , carots when to sow cats at the roots of trees cherries when to plant cherries growing long upon the tree cherry stock wilde , of what bignesse to graft on cherry upon a plum stock cherries fair cherry to grow large cherries in clusters chestnut tree to plant cions how to chuse cions made the stock cions how to carry far cions to prosper cions and stock sutable coleflower seed to gather and plant coleflower to bear late coliander to sow colour of a flower altred , cowcumbers to multiply crabstock , at what bignesse to be grafted d. dogs at the tree roots dung for pot-herbs dwarf-trees dwarf-trees in an orchard depth for trees e. earth barren strengthned earth , see ground eldern to plant , elme no stock to graft on elme to lop truly early fruit , , , f. fearn to enrich ground flower de luce of seed flowers to grow gilded flowers candied as they grow flowers to keep backward , or forward , flowers to grow upon trees , flowers grafted one upon another flowers single made double flowers from frost fruit early . see early . frets of hearbs in a delicate manner fruit hanging long upon the tree frut without stones frut hiden with leaves g. garden enriched philosophically garden ground rich garden within doors garlick to grow large grafting in the bud , with all the rules grafting in the cions , with all the rules grafting , how often in the yeere grafting between the bark and tree grapes kept long , , grapes growing long upon the vine ground to temper ground enriched with fearn ground enriched with soot ground enriched with horn ground enriched , gilding of leaves , and flowers growing h. hasels when to plant hedge of fruit trees for a garden hedge when to cut hedge of white-thorn , how to use hearbs with great heads hearbs to grow upon trees hearbs grafted one upon another hops , how to order horn to enrich ground i. inoculation , witb all the rules thereof k. kernels when to set l. leaves growing gilded leeks to grow great lettice to sow lettice seeds to gather lettice to grow great lopping of trees for beauty lopping of trees for bearing m. medlar upon a white thorne medlar stock for a quince mellons to grow great mellons to order musk-mellon to prosper mellons to multiply misseltoe to find misselchild mosse to kill mold rich for orchard or garden , n. nursery , what ground it requireth nuts , when to set nuts set o. oake , when not to be felled oake , how to lop onions and baysalt sowed together onions how to order orchard of dwarf-trees , orchard ground how to keep orchard wet , how to help orchard barren to bear p. parsnips kept long parsnips when to sow parsnips to grow large , peaches in what ground peach stones to plant , peach upon a plum-stock peare , in what ground peare stocks , of what bignesse to be grafted on peare , not to be grafted upon a white thorn ibid. pear tree when to plant pescods early and late , pineapple when to set pinks of carnations , and in carnation time piony of the seeds pippen upon what stocks pyramides of hearbs to grow speedily plants , when to set plants rooted , how to remove without harm plums growing long upon the trees plum-stocks white , of what bignesse to graft on plum agreeth not with a cherry stock plum-stones when to set pompions to grow great pompions to multiplie poplar to grow pot-hearbs , what dung they require pots for carnations , of a stately fashion , proining of trees for beauty proyning of trees for bearing purslane seed to gather q. quinces when to plant quince grafted upon medlar quinces to grow delicate r radish radish to grow large roots when in their best strength roots to grow long and great roots old removed roots of trees , how to be ordered in setting roses grafted , upon what stocks rose musk to bear late roses growing in winter roses to bear late , roses to defend from frost roses early roses late , , roses to multiply rose to bear twice in one yeer rose of gelderland , how to plant s. salt sowed with onions sap in trees checked sappinesse in wood avoided sap of hearbs , how to gather sap of trees , how to gather seeds how old they may be seeds how to choose , seeds to multiply seeds to sprout speedily seeds to grow full and plump seeds kept from fowle sent of flower altered . snayles to kill soot to enrich ground spring when to set stock gilliflower made double stock and cions sutable stock gilliflowers how to plant stock gillyflowers to continue long growing stock when it is big enongh to be grafted on stock made to prosper stock to multiply stones when to set strawberries wild into gardens strawberries how to water strawberries early strawberries large suckers planted spinage when to sow t tast of a flower altered , timber or tree togrow of any fashion trees old recovered , trees coming of a branch tree to bush in the top , trees to prosper tree from barking , or canker tree , at what depth to set trees to top tree bark-bound , helped tree let into another tree how to transplant , tree transplanted , how it altereth . tree-gum in winter tree to grow tall tree made to root higher , tree with a wreathed body tree-gum in autumn tree to burnish tree barren to bear tulip to double turneps kept long turneps to grow large v. vine cutting to choose vine when to plant vine young , when to proin vines old , recovered , , vine to carry grapes long upon it vineyard how to keep vine bleeding helped vineyard to plant w walnut tree to plant walflowers how to plant wardens in what soyl warden agreeth not upon a white-thorn water philosophicall for gardens water artificiall for gardens wax artificiall for graffing weather ill to work in white-thorn for what cions white-thorn stock at what bignesse to be graffed on woods speedy worms to kill the garden of eden . or , a briefe description of all sorts of fruits & flowers , with meanes how to advance their nature and growth in england . i shall not trouble the reader with any curious rules for shaping and fashioning of a garden or orchard ; how long , broad , or high the beds , hedges , or borders should be cōtrived ; for every man may dispose it as his house or quantity of ground requires . and ( to deale freely ) i look on such work as things of more facility then what i now am about . every drawer or embroiderer , nay ( almost ) each dancing-master may pretend to such niceties ; in regard they call for very small invention , & lesse learning . i shall therefore speake to that which common searchers passe over , or never aymed at , being somewhat above their reach , who neglect the cause of what they find effected . yet i shall begin with the ground , soile , or earth it selfe , as the foundation of all ; still confessing what light or assistance i had from those who imployed their hours this way as well as my selfe . . break up your ground , and dung it at michaelmas . in januar. turn your ground three of four times , to mingle your dnng and earth the better , rooting up the weeds at every time . proved by mr. t. t. in winter time , if you cover the ground which you meane to break up in the spring , with good store of fern , it keepeth down grass and weeds from springing up in winter , which would spend some part of the heart of the ground , and it doth also inrich the ground very much , for all manner of roots and hearbs . by mr. and. hill . ashes of fern are excellent . . quaere , of enriching ground with soot , which mr. stutfield ( that married my lord north's brothers daughter ) assured me to have found true in pasture grounds , the same onely strewed thinly over . . shavings of horn strewed upon the ground , or first rotted in earth , and ( after ) that earth spread upon the ground , maketh a garden ground very rich . probatum at bishops hall , by h. p. . onions & baysalt sowen together , have prospered exceeding well . . the surest way to have your seeds to grow , is to sow such as are not above one year old , t. t. . if hearbs be nipped with the fingers , or clipped , they will grow to have great heads . t. t. . chuse such seeds as be heavy , & white with in , t. t. . swines & pidgeons dung are good for potherbs and sifted ashes laid about them , killeth snails , t. t. . if you would have garlick , parsnep , radish , turnep , carot , &c. to have a large root , tread down the tops often , else the sap will run into the leaves , t. t. . take the cutting of a vine from a branch that spreadeth most in the midst of the tree , and not from the lowest nor the highest branch , having five or six joynts from the old stock , and it would be a cubit long or more : plant it in octob. or march . t. t. . proine not your young vines untill they have had three years growth . t. t. . every slip of a bay tree will grow , strip off the great leaves , and set them in march when the sap beginneth to rise . t. t. . every plant of an eldern will grow . t. t. . first , put some good fat dung into water , and therein water your leekes one night , and make your beds of good fat dung , that the dung may be a foot at the least in depth : then cover the bed with fern , and set the leekes with a great planting stick , and fill not the holes with earth , but water them once in two dayes and no more ; after this maner of setting i have seen leekes as great as the stemme of a spade . t. t. . sow lettice in august for winter . t. t. . after the lettice is all blowen , and some of the bolles begin to bear a white poff , then cut off the whole great stem , and lay it a drying in the sun : and when it is dry , beat it up and down with thy fist upon a boord , & put altogether in a dish , & blow away softly all the dust . t. t. and if you sow or set your lettice in the shade they will be very great . . when it hath bolles , cut it up , and lay all the hearb to dry in the shadow then beat it out . t. t. . strawberries which grow in woods , prosper best in gardens : and if you will transplant them forth of one garden into another then enrich the last ground by watering the same either with sheeps dung , or pidgeons dung infused in water ; by master hill . . the muske and yellow rose , and all those double and centiple roses , may well be grafted in the bud upon the sweet-brier . by mr. hill . . if you would have pompions to grow exceeding great , first plant them in a rich mold , then transplant those sets into other fat mold , watring them now and then with the water wherein pidgeons dung hath been infused , then take away all the hang-bies , maintaining only one or two main runners at the most , and so you shall have them grow to an huge bignesse . proved by mr. hill . you must nip off these side branches about blossoming time , with their flowers and fruits ; and take heed you hurt not the heads of the main runners , for then your pompions will prove but dwindlings . . in winter time raise little hills about your artichokes close to the leaves , because they are tender ; and if any extream frosts should happen , they might otherwise be in danger to perish . . if you cut away the old branches of a muskerose , leaving onely the shoots of the next year to bear ; these shootes will bring forth musk roses the next year , but after all other musk-rose trees . by mr. hill . . the roots of every tree and plant , are most full of sap when their tops or heads are most green and flourishing : and when the bark of the tree will pill and loosen from the body , then will the rind also loosen from the root ; and when the tops begin to wither or stand at a stay , then doe the rootes likewise . and therefore that common opinion , that rootes are best and of most force in winter , is erroneous . so as if i should gather any roots , for the use of physick or surgery , i would gather them either at their first putting forth of leaves , or else between their first springing , & the springing up of their branches , when they begin to encline towards their flowring . by a. h. . if every evening you lay a great colewort or cabbage leaf upon the top of every artichoke , this will defend the apple from the violence of the frost . by goodman the gardiner . . a branch of box or rosemary will carry their leaves gilded a long time fair , notwithstanding the violence of rain , if you first moisten the leaves with the gum of mastick , first dissolved in a hard egge according to art , and leafe-gold presently laid thereon . do this in a summers day , when all the dew is ascended , and when the sun being hot , may presently harden the mastick , and so bind down the gold fast unto it . quaere , if myrrhe and benjamin will not do the like , dissolved as before . . make gum water as strong as for inke , but make it with rose-water ; then wet any growing flower therewith , about ten of the clock in a hot summers day , and when the sun shineth bright , bending the flower so as you may dip it all over therein , and then shake the flower well ; or else you may wet the flower with a soft callaver pensill , then strew the fine searced powder of double refined sugar upon it : do this with a little box or searce , whose bottom consisteth of an open lawn , & having also a cover on the top ; holding a paper under each flower , to receive the sugar that falleth by : and in three houres it will candy , or harden upon it ; & so you may bid your friends after dinner to a growing banquet : or else you maycut off these ers so prepared , and dry them after in dishes two or three dayes in the sun , or by a fire , or in a stove ; and so they will last six or eight weeks , happily longer , if they be kept in a place where the gum may not relent . you may doe this also in balme , sage , or borrage , as they grow . . i hold it for a most delicate and pleasing thing to have a fair gallery , great chamber or other lodging , that openeth fully upon the east or west sun , to be inwardly garnished with sweet hearbs and flowers , yea and fruit if it were possible for the performance whereof , i have thought of these courses following . first , you may have faire sweet marjerom , basil , carnation , or rose-mary pots , &c. to stand loosely upon faire shelves , which pots you may let down at your pleasure in apt frames with a pulley from your chamber window into your garden , or you may place them upon shelves made without the room , there to receive the warme sun , or temperate raine at your pleasure , now and then when you see cause . in every window you may make square frames either of lead or of bords , well pitched within : fill them with some rich earth , and plant such flowers or hearbs therein as you like best ; if hearbs you may keep them in the shape of green borders , or other forms . and if you plant them with rosemary , you may maintain the same running up the transumes and movels of your windowes . and in the shady places of the room , you may prove if such shady plants as do grow abroad out of the sun , will not also grow there : as sweet bryars , bayes , germander , &c. but you must often set open your casements , especially in the day time , which would be also many in number ; because flowers delight and prosper best in the open aire . you may also hang in the roof , and about the sides of this room , small pompions or cowcombers , pricked full of barley , first making holes for the barley ( quaere , what other seeds or flowers will grow in them and these will be overgrown with green spires , so as the pompion or cowcomber will not appear . and these are italian fancies hung up in their rooms to keep the flies from their pictures : in summer time , your chimny may be trimed with a fine bank of moss , which may be wrought in works being placed in earth , or with orpin , or the white flower called everlasting . and at either end , and in the middest place one of your flower or rosemary pots , which you may once a week , or once every fortnight , expose now and then to the sunne and rain , if they will not grow by watering them with raiue water ; or else , from platformes of lead over your windows , raine may descend by smal pipes and so be conveyed to the roots of your hearbs or flowers that grow in your windowes . these pipes would have holes in the sides , for so much of them as is within the earth , and also holes in the bottome , to let out the water when you please in great showers and if you back the borders growing in your windowes with loose frames to take off and on , within the inside of your windows , the sun will reflect very strongly from them upon your flowers and hearbs . you may also plant vines without the walls , which being let in at some quarrels , may run about the sides of your windows , and all over the sealing of your rooms . so may you do with apricot trees , or other plum trees , spreading them against the sides of your windowes . i would have all the pots wherein any hearbs or flowers are planted , to have large loose squares in the sides ; and the bottoms so made , as they might be taken out at ones pleasure , and fastned by little holes with wiers unto their pots , thereby to give fresh earth when need is to the roots , and to remove the old and spent earth , and so in your windowes : see more of this in numb. . . to have roses or carnations growing in winter , place them in a room that may some way be kept warm , either with a dry fire , or with the steam of hot water conveyed by a pipe fastened to the cover of a pot , that is kept seething over some idle fire , now and then exposing them in a warm day , from twelve to two , in the sun , or to the rain if it happen to rain ; or if it rain not in convenient time , set your pots having holes in the bottom in pans of rain water , & so moisten the roots . i have known master jacob of the glassehouse to have carnations all the winter by the benefit of a room that was neare his glasse house fire ; and i my self , by nipping off the branches of carnations when they began first to spire , & so preventing the first bearing , have had flowers in lent , by keeping the pots all night in a close room , and exposing them to the sun in the day time , out at the windowes , when the wather was temperate : this may be added to the garden ( mentioned nu. . ) to grace it in winter , if the roome stand conveniently for the purpose . . you shall oftentimes preserve the life of a carnation or gilliflower growing in a pot , that is almost dead and withered , by breaking out the bottom of the pot , and covering the pot in good earth , & also the old stalks that spring from the roots ; but every third or fourth year , it is good to slip and new set them . . if you make an orchard of dwarf-trees , suffering none of them to grow above a yard high ; then may you strain course canvas over your trees in the blooming time , especially in the nights and cold mornings , to defend them from the frosts : and this canvas being such as painters use , may after be sold with the losse onely of a penny upon the ell . you may use it onely for apricots , and such like rare fruit whose blossoms are tender ; or else to backward them after they be knit , if you would have them to beare late when all other trees of that kind have done bearing . in this dwarf orchard i would have the walks between the trees either pavedwith brick , or graveled , and the gravel born up with bricks , that the sun might make a strong reflection upon the trees , to make them bear the sooner . and to bring forth the better digested fruit , i would also have the plot so chosen out , that all easterly and northerly winds may be avoided by some defence . i would have it but a small orchard ; and if it were walled in , it were so much the better . help this orchard with the best artificial earths and waters that are . i think a vineyard may thus be planted , to bring forth a full , rich , and ripe grape : or if you could happen upon a square pit of a yard deep , whose banks are sloaping ▪ & whose earth have been philosophically prepared ( as before num. . ) & that your trees were bound sloaping to the sides of your orchard , and backed with boards , or lead , for reflexion , that so your trees would prosper and beare most excellent fruit : and to keep your trees low , when your stock is at such height as you would have it , nip off all the green bunds when they come first forth , which you finde in the top of the tree , with your fingers ; and so , as often as any appeare in the top , nip them off : and so they will spread but nor grow tall ; even as by nipping off the side buds onely , you may make your tree to grow streight and tall , without spreading , till you see cause : and thus with your fingers onely , and vvithout any toole , you may keep your young trees grovving in what form you please . . to have early fruit , you must have an especial care to plant or graffe such fruits , as are the earliest of all other , and then adde all artificial helps thereto . . two quarts of oxebloud or horse bloud for want thereof , tempered with a hat full of pidgeons dung , or so much as will make it up into a soft paste , is a most excellent substance to apply to the principal roots of any large tree , fastening the same about them , after the root of the tree hath taken ayr a few dayes , first , by lying bare : and it will recover a tree that is almost dead , and so likewise of a vine . for this will make a decaying tree or vine to put forth both blossoms and fruits afresh . this must be done to the tree about the midst of february , but apply it to the vine about the d or th of march . this is of m. nicholson gardiner . . get a load or two of fresh horse dung , such as is not above . or . dayes old , or not exceeding fourteen : lay it on a heap till it have gotten a great heat , & then make a bed thereof an ell long , and half a yard broad , and eighteen inches high , in some sunny place , treading every lay down very hard as you lay it ; then lay thereon three inches thick of fine black sifted mold ; prick in at every three or four inches distance a muske mellon seed , which hath first bin steeped twenty four hours in milk : prick the top of your bed full of little forks of wood appearing some four or five inches above ground ; upon these forks lay sticks , and upon the sticks so much straw in thicknesse , as may both keep out a reasonable showre of rain , and also the sun , & likewise defend the cold ( some strain canvas slopewise onely over their beds ) let your seeds rest so untill they appeare above ground , which will commonly be in six or seven dayes . you must watch them carefully when they first appeare ; for then you must give them an howers sunne in the morning , and another in the afternoon ; then shall you have them shoot an inch and a halfe by the next morning ; then strew more fine earth about each stalk of such plants as have shot highest , like a little hill to keep the sun from the stalks : for if the sun catch them , they perish ; and therefore you shal often see the leaves fresh , when the stalks wither . heighten your hills , as you shall perceive the stalk to shoot higher and higher . the plants must remain till they have gotten four leaves , and then remove them , taking up earth and dung together carefully about every root : make a hole fit for every of them good ground , placing them ( if the ground serve ) upon an high slope bank , which lyeth aptly for the morning sun , if you may ; let this bank be covered with field sand two inches thick all over , except neare about the plants ( this ripeneth & enlargeth the fruit greatly ) then cover each plant with a sugar pot , gilliflower pot , or such like , having a hole in the bottom ; or else prick in two sticks acrosse , archwise , and upon them lay some great leaves to keep your plants from rain , sun and cold . after they have been planted a day or two , you may give them two houres sun in the morning , and two in the evening , to bring them forward , but , till they have stood . dayes , be sure to cover them from to in the afternoon every day , and all night long . these pots defend the cold , and keep out all worms from spoyling your plants ; and therefore are much better then leaves . note , that you must defend them in this manner in the day time , until your plants have gotten leaves broad enough to cover their stalks and roots , from all injury of weather ; and then may you leave them to the hot sun all the day long . if there be cause , you must with rain water , water them now and then , but not wetting the leaves . and if by any exceeding cold , or moysture , your plants doe not shoot forward sufficiently , but seem to stand at a stay , then take some blood and pidgeons dung tempered ( as before in num. . ) apply the same to the roots of the young plant ; leaving some earth betwixt the roots , and the same will make them to shoot out very speedily . remember to plant three plants together ther in each place , being round , and a little deep , and of the bignesse of a round trencher . now when they have shot out all their joynts ( which you shall perceive when you see a knot at the very end of the shoot , which is somewhat before the flowring time ) then some do use to cover every knot , or joynt , with a spade or shovel full of fine and rich earth ; and thereby each knot will root , and put forth a new shoote ( quaere , of the same course in pompions or cowcumbers ) by means whereof you shall have great increase of mellons . when your mellons are as big as tennis balls , then if you nip off at a joynt , all the shoots that are beyond them , the mellons will grow exceeding great ; for then the sap doth not run any more at waste . but some hold , that you shall have greater mellons though not so many , if you suffer their shoots to run on without earthing the knots ; and then , when when you see your mellons of the bigness of tennis balls ( as before ) then nip off , at a joynt , all the shoots that are beyond the mellons , but meddle not with the chief runner . this of mr. nicholson gardiner . lay your young mellons upon ridge-tiles , to keep them frō the ground , and for reflection . . make a high bank , slopewise like a penthouse , that openeth to the sun , and is by some means defended from all hurtfull winds : plant your strawberries therein , and water them with the infusion of some apt dung , now and then , when the weather is dry . . bow down the branches of roses , having buds upon them , into a vessel of wood pitched , standing within the ground , to keep them long upon the stalk , or to prevent frosts if you see cause . . quaere , what pigeons dung and bloud , applyed to the rootes of roses , or carnations , will do , in the forwarding of their bearing . . plant roses , according to the manner set down for strawberries before ( num : . ) to have them before all others . . make a lay of sand , and a lay of carot rootes , cutting away the toppes close to the root , with some of the small ends of the carots ; do this in october or novemb : in dry weather : and about the last of december where there is no frost , unpack them againe ; and if you will then keep them longer , you must pare off the shooting at the upper end of the root , and then lay them in sand . this out of gardiners kitchin-garden , printed . so of parsneps and turneps . . quaere , if binding the bark somewhat hard with a packthred , or rather with brawn-bands , will not keep roses , and other flowers and fruits , long from blowing , by staying the sap from rising . . to have rootes prosper and grow great , you must trench your dung about the depth of your root which you would sow ; and if the root once get into the dung , then it forketh , and gathereth fibras , whereas otherwise it will grow wholly into a long , round , and fair root , of mr. andr. hill . but if you desire to multiply your seed , not respecting the rootes , then mix your dung first well rotted with good mold , and therein sow your seeds and they will encrase much : so as for seeds the dung must lye in the top , and for roots in the bottom by mr. andr. hill . gather your carot or parsnep seeds &c. from the highest spiring brances , and out of some friends garden , where you may be sure of the best ; sow these seeds about march , or april : and at drawing time choose the fairest roots of all other ; cut off their tops somewhat low , and set them againe , and then let them feed the next yeare ; then take the seedes from the highest toppes and sow them , and so shall you have most faire and large roots . this of master hunt , the good horseman . . take off the tops as far as the green goeth , viz. till you come to the wood , from carnations , gilliflowers , &c. slit them upward thorough the nethermost joynt , thrusting between the joyns some fine searced earth , made first into pap ; and with the same pap close the ends round about as big as a walnut : make holes in your pots , and put in your tops so earthed ; these do seldome or never faile . by minisris hill . also , the old root is here preserved , and you may carry these tops thus earthed miles in a box . quaere , if this secret will not also extend to stock gilliflowers , wall-flowers , &c. . cut off a bought from any tree ; and two inches from the bottom , take away the bark round about , prick it into the ground , and it will grow . quaere . . in the end of february or march , wet the ground first , and about eight or nine of the clocke at night , by candle-light , gather up all the wormes in dishes , and so you may destroy them . . a rich mold for a garden : see among the trees . numb : . . set or sow kernells in november , nuts in february , stones of fruit in march , all in the increase of the moon . . quaere , of graffing roses , the splicing way , and so of thyme , rosemary , hysope , &c. to be graffed in this manner , either one upon another , or graffing them upon the boughes or branches of trees , if happily they will take . . whether the colour , sent , or tast , may be altered in a flower or hearb , by art , see the title , trees and plants , numb : . . instead of privy hedges about a quarter , i commend a fence made with lath or sticks , thinly placed and after graced with dwarf apple , and plumme trees , spred abroad upon the stick . . when you would have a strong and speedy white-thorne hedge about your garden , set your plant high and sloping , and not flat , after the common manner . prick in the cuttings , with the slope side downward , that the rain may not get in between the wood and the bark . weed these hedges twice every yeare , and as the sprowts doe grow of some length , let them be platted , or brayded upward from the ditch ; defend them from cattell with a dry or dead hedge . let carnations or gilliflowers shed their leaves , and leave the cods standing upon the root till the end of october , v●z . so long as you may for the danger of frost : then cut off the stems with the cods upon them ; stick them upright in some dry place in an upper roome , and so let them rest untill the spring , then sow them . your carnation seed will prove faire large pink , and beare in carnation time ; by s. . your coleflower seed will not ripen till michaelmas , or a week after ; let it stand so long or longer , if you feare not frost , before you gather the seeds , which grow in yellow cups ; and being ripe , are also yellow themselves . be sure you gather the cups before the seedes be shed ; put these seeds with their cups or cods in a box , but cover not the box , and keep the box in some place from the frost ; prick them in about the full of the moon in aprill , when cold weather is spent : remove them when they have gotten four leaves , and in the full of the moon in any case . remove some of them in severall moneths , and so you may save them growing with coleflowers till christmas . your ground cannot be too rich for them ; the best removing is not till june and july , and those of least growth , are best to remove late , to bear in winter . cover each coleflower in frosty weather , every night with two of their great leaves , fastned in two places , with two woodden pricks . do this also in cold gloomy dayes , when the sun shineth not . . graft the branches of carnations the splicing way , as in small twigges of trees , placing upon each branch a severall coloured flower , but let the branches which you graft , be wooddy enough . by s. . cause large carnation pot to be made , viz. double in bignesse to the usuall pots , let them have ranks of sloping holes , of the bignesse of ones finger , each rank one inch distant from another . set in the midst of the pot a carnation , or a lilly , and in every of the holes , a plant of thyme or hysop ; keep the thyme or hysop as it groweth , even with clipping , or in the forme of frets or borders , and set these pots upon faire pillars in your garden , to make a beautifull shew . also , you may either of stone or wood , make pyramides , losinges , circles , pentagons , or any forme of beast or fowle , in wood , or burnt clay , full of slope holes ( as before ) in gilliflower pots ; these being planted with hearbes , will very speedily grow greene , according to the forme they are planted in : and in this manner may you in two yeares space , make a high pyramid of thyme , or rosemary . in hot weather , they would be shaded with some strained canvas from the sun , * and watered now and then by some artificiall meanes . also , a fret or border may be cut out in wood or lead , and after placed in a garden when the hysope or thyme sides are growne to some height to be let thorough the cuts , and alwayes after kept by clipping , according to the worke of the border , or fret : let the earth settle well before you sow your seeds ; water with an infusion of dung , or good earth , because otherwise the earth within your molds will spend , and then your plants will decay . . sow english annis seeds when the moon is at the full in february , or any time between the full and the change : if frosts will not suffer you to take the full moon , hatch them into the ground , with a rake stricken thick upon them : then strew new hors-dung thinly upon the ground , to defend the seedes from the frost . these will ripen about bartholomewtide ; then respecting the moon as before , sow againe , and these seeds will be ripe sooner then those which were sowen in february . these seeds will also come up well , being self-sowen , only break up the ground about them when they begin to ripen . that ground which you would sow in february , breake up about michaelmas ; let it lye and crumble all the winter : then when you meane to sow , stir it up againe , that it may be mellow ; for , the mellower the better . a black rich mellow ground is best , and they like well in a rich dunged ground : proved by s. . having well earthed your artichocks , then strew upon them some fresh hors-dung , one inch in thicknesse , and so leave them all the winter : by . . . sow onion seeds in february within eight dayes after the full at the farthest ( but the neerer the full , the better , so all will go to seed , or head , and not grow to scallions : after you have sowed them , cover them as you did your annis seeds , before in num. . by s. . sow the early pease as neer midsommer as the moon will suffer , if you would have them come about six weekes after michaelmas : but if you would have them ripe in may , then sow them in the beginning of september , somewhat before or after , as the moon will give you leave : at the full is good , or three dayes before the full , and till eight dayes after the full , is also good : these will be ripe in may . make your holes about one inch and a halfe deepe , wherein you set your pease ; let the ground be rich , mellow , and ordered , as before , ( numb. . ) in annis seeds ; beare them up with stickes , as they doe the gardenpease ; cover them after they be set with new hors-dung about halfe an inch thick , all over ; and ( if you may possibly ) plant them so , as that they may be defended from the north , and northeast , by reason of some hedge or wall . quaere , of covering them with un sleakt lime powdered , after they have been steeped in some apt liquor a convenient time ; by s. . sow coliander seeds in february , respecting the moon as in annis seedes , ( num : ) but they need no dunging : by s. . in aprill make a deep overthwart cut or gash into a briony root , taking away the earth first from it ; put in a goos-quill a little under the slit , sloping the quill at the end which you thrust into the root : but first make a hole with your knife to get in the quill , and so you may gather great store of the water of briony , placing a receiver under the quill ; by s. . quaere , if one may not prevent the early budding of the rose , by crosshacking the bark ( as in trees to kill mosse , or to stay their sap from rising . ) . you may multiply many rootes from a province rose , and the double musk-rose , ( quaere , of carnations ) if you buy a grafted rose tree , that hath gotten many sprowts from the place graffed , and setting the root so as the body may lye sloping neer the earth : then lay as many of the branches as you may conveniently into the earth , loosing every slip a little from the body , and pricking with an aule about the joynt that is next the slip , from whence many sprowts will issue . and thus may you have great store of province roses without graffing in the bud , because each of them standeth upon his owne roote ; whereas the bud is maintained from one roote , whch also maintaineth many other branches . by s. see before in numb. . . put some of your seeds in a sawcer of faire water , set it a while upon a chafingdish of coales ; and if they be good , they will sprowt in a short time , else not . . quaere , in what time seeds may be made to grow in earth , moystened with warme water now and then , and the same placed in a warme roome , over a fornace , with a small temperate heate under the same . . remove a plant of stock gilliflowers when it is a little woodded , and not too greene , and water it presently ; doe this three dayes after the full , and remove it twice more before the change . doe this in barren ground , and likewise three dayes after the new full moone , remove againe ; and then remove once more before the change : then at the third full moon , viz. eight dayes after , remove againe , and set it in very rich ground , and this will make it to bring forth a double flower ; but if your stock-gilliflowers once spindle , then you may not remove them . also , you must shade your plant with boughs for three or foure dayes after the first removing ; and so of pinks , roses , daysies , featherfew , &c. that grow single with long standing . in removing , breake not the least root . make tulipees double in this manner . some think by cutting them at every full moone before they beare , to make them at length to beare double . num : . . by sitting upon a hill late in an evening , neere a wood , in a few nights a fire drake will appeare ; marke where it lighteth , and there you shall finde an oake with misletoe therein , at the root whereof there is a misell-childe , whereof many strange things are conceived . beati qui non crediderunt . . gather your grapes at the full of the moon , and when they are full ripe , slip each bunch from the stocke whereupon it grew , and hang those bunches along by beames , in the roofe of a warme chamber , that doth not open to the east , or to the north , and these will keepe plump and fresh till our lady day , or thereabout : or else with every bunch , cut off some of the stock whereupon the stalke grew , and then hang up the bunches . both these wayes be true ; by s. . make a ●●●tle square or round hole in a tree , or in some great arme there of , of halfe an inch , or an inch deep , fill it with earth , sow therein some rosemary seeds , wall-flower , carnation , or other seeds ; and these will grow first in the earth , and after root in the sap of the trees , and seeme in time as if they were graffed . . remove both double and single stock-gilliflowers , when they are halfe a foot high , and then they will stand six or seaven yeares : whereas otherwise they will decay very speedily : see before , num. . . if you remove any rooted plants of hearbe or flower , though it be somewhat forward in the summer , so as you do it in the evening , after the heat is past ; and plant it presently , and water it , there is no danger of the parching heat of the sun the next day . but in any case heave up the earth with the root carefully , so as you do not breake the least sprigge of any root ; for then the sap goeth out of the plant , and it perisheth . this way you may recover great gilliflower rootes , and others , without danger ; by s. . cut your roses , after they have done bearing , so soone as the moone will give you leave , viz. the fourth , fift , or sixt day after the change , and so you shall have store of roses againe about michaelmas , or after . take heed you cut no branch of a rose so low , as that you leave no leading branches upon it : for that will hinder the bearing of the roses exceedingly . it is also good in the after-said dayes after the change , to cut any hedge , arbour , &c. to make it grow the better : by s. . if you would have peascods before all men , sow the early pease in august , three dayes before the full moon , or within six dayes after , and these will come very early ; by s. . how to plant the gelderland rose , see among trees and plants , numb : . . how to have onion seeds , annis seeds , and other seedes , to keepe full and plump , see among trees : numb : . . sow at every wane before midsommer , to have radishes unseeded , and one under another ; but at midsommer wane so we radish , spynage , &c. but once , to grow till winter unseeded ; proved by tomkins the gardner . . the double piony , and flowerdeluce , will grow of their own seed . by tomkins . . lime beaten to powder , and mixed with corne before it be sowen , preventeth rookes , and other fowle , from devouring the same . by my cousin mathews of wales ; quaere , if it do not also help to enrich . . gather you grapes , as before , num . . dry them in a stove , till the faint water be spent , and so you may keep them all the yeare for your table . quaere , if they will not plump up againe at any time in warm water . quaere , of drying all manner of apples , plummes , peares , &c. this way , for lasting . before numb. . . as soone as your strawberries have done bearing , cut them down to the ground ; and as often as they spire , crop them , till towards the spring , when you would have them to proceed towards bearing : now and then as you cut them , strew the fine powder of dryed cow-dung ( quaere of pidgeons dung ) upon them , and water them when there is cause . field strawberries , this way , will grow two inches about in bignesse , as i am credibly enformed . enrich carnation pots this way . . to water your pyramides , pentagons , globes , beasts , &c. made of wood , or lead , and overgrowne with hearbes , as before in num . . let there be placed a long and large pipe of lead , or tinne plate , reaching from the bottome to the top ; let the bottome be sodred up , and let it have divers holes in the sides , at a reasonable distance : then have an exceeding large funnell of tin plate , to let in to the pipe at your pleasure to receive so much raine as will water the same sufficiently ; and when it raineth not , you may also water thereby with some rain-water kept of purpose . . quaere , if pompions planted in large pots , will not grow and beare fruit : for then you may have an arbour of them in an open tarras , leades , or gutter , having a frame to support the fruit . enrich the earth ; as before , numb. . now and then , to nourish the plant the better . . quaere , if musk-mellons will not grow , and beare in such pots , for so in a leads or tarras , the sunne will shine shrongly upon them ; and you may defend frosts and cold winds by streining of canvas : water the pots with raine water put into other pannes , wherein you may place these pots when you want raine . . cut you roses when they are ready to bud in an apt time of the moon , and they will begin to bud , when other roses have done bearing : this is an excellent secret , if frosts happen in budding time : for so may you have store of roses , when others shall have few or none , and may then be sold at a high rate . this i proved the th . of march . being a few dayes after the change , upon divers standards at bednal-green , being extreamely nipped with frosts , in budding time ; and many of them did yeeld me great store of roses , when the rest of my garden did in a manner fail . . cut your rose-standards in the twelve dayes , and not before : so they will beare exceeding well . proved often by garret the apothecary , and pigot the gardener . . towards winter , new earth your gilliflowers , carnations ; and such other flowers as you would defend from the violence of winter ; then whelme carnation pots that are bottomlesse upon them , or having a great hole in the bottom : and by this meanes , neither the sharp windes , nor the frost , can easily pearce to their roots . i hold this to be a good course for the defence of artichokes in winter . . you may keep bunches of grapes that are sound and well gathered , in stone pots , covering them carefully , with sand . to choose ground for a hop-garden , you must be sure it bee not a moorish or wet soyle ( though such perhaps may content a wild hop ) but a dry ground , if it be rich , mellow , and gentle , is absolutely best . yet a light mold ( though never so rich ) is unapt for this purpose , for the heaviest ground will bear the greatest weight of hops . place your garden so as the sun may have free accesse to it , either all day , or warmest part of the day . it must be guarded also from the wind , either naturally defended by hills , which is best ; or artificially by trees : but your trees must stand aloofe , lest the shadow of them reach the hops , or drop wet upon them , which will destroy all . about the end of march , or beginning of april , take your roots from some garden where they are yearly cut , and where the hills are raised high ( for there the roots will be greatest ) let each root be nine or ten inches long , let there be three joynts in every root , and of the last yeer's springing ; but be sure no wild hops cumber the ground , which cannot be distinguished by the root , but by the fruit , or stalk . secrets in the ordering of trees and plants . dogs and cats applyed to the roots of trees before the sap rise , have recovered many old decaying trees , shred them . . divers waies for the enriching of a ground , whereof to make an orchard , see among flowers . numb. , , , , . . gravelly ground is to be dunged with chalk , and chalky with gravell , for lack of dung . t. t. . strip away the leaves form the boxen slippe , and winde not the stemme , but set it whole without winding . t. t. . every slip of a bay tree will grow : strip off the great leaves , and set them in march , when the sappe beginneth to rise . . every plant of an eldern will grow . t. t. . sand enricheth a clay ground ; and clay a sandy ground . . every slip of the poplar tree will grow . . all trees which you would have to grow thick at the top , and to bush there , cut or proin them in may : for they spring more in june and july , than all the yeare before or after . . plant cherries in october , november , january , and february . t. t. . plant quince trees in october , november , february , and march . t. t. . set hasells and peare trees in october , november , february , and march . t. t. . set apple cornells evermore the end that is next the root downward , five fingers breadth between every cornell ; moysten them often with water by sprinkling , and set the cornells in march . t. t. . set plumstones in november , six or eight inches ches deep in the earth . t. t. . set the pineapple cornel ( first steeped in water three dayes ) in october , november , february , and march , four inches deep . . set peach-stones the sharp end downward , in november , four or five inches deep . t. t. . set springs and plants in harvest . . if a plant put forth many stalkes or branches from the root , and you would have each branch to root , then bear up the earth about them to some reasonable height , either with tills or brickbats ; and in that earth , every branch will root . ( quare , if your branch will root at any part but in a joynt , about the which also , with a great aule you must pricke many holes even to the wood , ) this is a necessary secret in all such plants as be straight and stiffe , and not apt to bow , or to be laid along within the earth . by mr. pointer . . how to recover an old decaying tree or vine , with bloud , and pigeons dung , see among the flowers numb. . . an orchard of dwarf-trees , that may be defended from all frosts , see among the flowers , numb. . . how to have early fruit , see among the flowers numb. . . plant dwarse trees , and when the fruit is almost ripe , bow down their branches with their fruit upon them , into great earthen pots , or pitched tubs , either with bottomes , or without bottomes , the pots or tubs standing in the earth ; then cover them with boards and earth from the sun , and the sap of the tree will keep them growing a long time , as i suppose . prove this in greene fruit , ripefruit , and almost ripe fruit ; also in the blooming time , if you fear frosts bow downe the branches with the blossoms , as before to defend them in may , from the injury of the weather : and by this help you may happily have fruit , when others shall want . . put a vine branch through a basket in december , chuse such a one as is like to beare grapes ; fill the basket with earth , and when the grapes are ripe , cut off the branch under the basket : keep the basket abroad , whilst the weather is warme ; and within doors in cold weather , in a convenient place : prove this in plummes and cherries , &c. . make divers holes with a croe of iron , round about the bodies of your trees ; and about alhallontide , pour oxe bloud into the holes , cover them with earth , and this will make your trees to prosper well . probatum in apricot trees , by mr. andr. hill . if you do this at the spring , the smell of the bloud will offend you ; and therefore this practice is best for the winter season . . plant the shoots of sallow , willow , alder , and of all swift growing trees , being of seven yeares growth , sloping off both the ends one way , and laying the sloaped ends towards the ground , let them be of the length of a billet , bury them a reasonable depth in the ground , and they will put forth seven or eight branches , each of which will becom a tree in a short time . i take moyst grounds to be best for this purpose : thus you may have speedy growing woods . . to make any branch of a tree to root , see among the flowers , numb. . . mixe green cow-dung and urine together , wash the trees with a brush so high as you think meet , once in two or three months , and it will keep the trees from barking with beasts , conies , &c. and the same doth also destroy the canker . . take of the rich crust of one acre of ground , and therewith you may make any garden , or orchard ground , that is but a foot deep in goodnesse , of what depth you please to make the rootes of your trees to prosper the better . . in high grounds and sandy , set trees deepe : in low grounds , and watry , plant them shallow ; the shallower the better . by master hill . but by taverner , you must set your trees so , that the rootes may spread in the upper crust , which is the fruitfull part of the earth . this crust in some grounds is two foot ; in some three foot ; in some one foot ; and in some but halfe a foot deepe : see the reason more at large , in his booke , page . . lop , top , and proin all trees in january , in the wane of the moone , and pare them over in march : so shall the bark cover his stock the sooner . . slit the barke of all trees that are bark bound , in february , or march , in the increase of the moon . . refuse to grasse , plant , remove , lop , top , proin , to slit the barks of trees , or set or sow cornells , nuts or stones , in weather frosty or watry , and when the wind shall be east or north , or north-east . yea , the best oake felled under such a winde , will prove but wind-shaken timber . . small crabstock of three inches about , or lesse , may be graffed . . peare stocke , and white thorne stockes of the same scantling , all of them about the length of twelve or twenty four inches . . wild cherry stocks , three , four , or five foot long and three inches about , little more , or lesse . . white plumstockes would be of the same bignesse . . when the stocke is able to put forth in one yeare a shoot of a yard long , then is it of strength sufficient to bear a cions ; for then it sheweth to like the ground well ; otherwise , it will never prove a fair tree . . a peare or warden , grasled upon a white thorn , will be small , hard , cappard , and spotted ; but a medlar may well be grafted upon a white thorne . taverner . . the suckers of quince trees , and filberds , will prove well being planted . taverner . . for chestnuts and wallnuts , set the nuts onely . taverner . rules for inoculation , or graffing in the bud . . if you graft in the bud , be carefull to close the same well in the bottome of the scocheon ; for there the sap riseth that maketh it to take . by andr. hill . . from the eight of june until the is the best time to graft in the bud in plums and cherries , but specially in apricots ; but the surest rule is to do this work when you find the bark to come easily from the body . . two parts of three in a goos-quill taken away in breadth , is an apt tool to take off a bud withall , without danger of hurting the bud . by master pointer . some commend a tool of ivory ; some do onely slip off the bud and the bark together . . graffing , by taking off a bud losenge wise , and setting the same in another like place upon a stock , is good . by master pointer . this is done at such time , as is sit to graft in the cions . . when your bud takes , then in march after , cut off all that groweth aboue it , stripping away all the buds that put forth : and that which remaineth serveth to leade up the branch of the bud to keepe it straight , and to defend it from breaking with the wind . . if you graft two or three buds upon one tree , and they all do take , maintaine onely the lowest , and preserve and strengthen the same with some neither branch , as before in num . . . a cherry prospereth well upon a plum stocke ; but not e contra : and therefore , if you graft a cherry in the bud upon a branch , or bough , of a plumtree that doth beare , you may make the same tree to bear both plums and cherries . proved by mr. hill . . a pair of compasses made flat at the ends , and sharp with edges , is an apt instrument to cut away the bark for inoculation , both for a true breadth and distance all at once . and so likewise with the same you may take off the bud , truly to fit the same place again in the stocks some compasses are made flat at one end , and sharp at the other . . you must have care in this grafting , not to hurt or bruise the gelly next the stock which must minister sap to your bud . . also when you have taken off your bud , clip the sides of the bark whereon the bud standeth , with a pair of scissors , very even , in a square form ; or rather somewhat longer then broad : for if you cut the bark at the ends with a knife , laying the inside upon any board , you will hurt the gellie in the inside , and then the bud will never take . . make the place ready for inoculation , and remove not your bud before you mean to place it , for taking of too much ayre . . when you have cut down the bark on either side , and likewise at the top , leave the bottome of the barke whole , and then slip down the bark ; and betweene the barke and the tree , put in the bud , and bind the loose barke of the tree upon your bud , and by this meanes your grafting will take more certainly . the lesser your slit is , and the closer that your bud fitteth the slit , it it the likelier to take . . take off your bud from a sprig of the last years shoot , for that is best for this purpose ; by mr. andr : hill . . make an overthwart cut at the bottom , and then begin your slit upward , putting up your bud from the bottome of your slit , closing well at the bottom , this is contrary to the common course , which beginneth at the top , with a slit downward . graffing of a cions . . a tool of ebony , or box , is better to open the bark than a toole of iron , if you would graft a cions betweene the bark and the tree . by master pointer : for mars tainteth the sap presently . . grafting whipstocke wise , and letting in the cions into the stock by a slit , is good for young trees , that spring upot stones , or pippins , being of theee of foure yeares growth , and not above . some call this the splicing way . . grafting upon a old tree , by cutting off the head , and one inch from the center by striking in a small iron wedge , and as it eleaveth by following the same with your knife ; and so on either side , placing of a cions , sap to sap ; this is a way of grafting used by master pointer of twicknam . . graft within a foot of the ground , if you would have the fruit to grow low , and easie to be gathered ; and this is also thought a fit way to make your cions to take , because the sap riseth speedily to the cions . . graft your cions on that side the stock , where it may take least hurt with the south-west wind ( because it is the most common , and the most violent wind that bloweth in the spring , and summer : ) so as that wind may blow it to the stock , and not from the stock . . if you would have faire and kindly cherry trees , set the stones of cherries , of the same kind as your bud or cions is of , and at three of foure yeares , you may graft thereon , according to the manner , spoken of before , in numb : viz. great cherries , upon stocks that carry great cherries . . some think it good , that your cions have some of the former yeares shoot with it , that it may be the stronger to graft , and abide to be put close into the stock ; and perhaps it will forward the sam in bearing . . it is the best way , to put in your cions in the graffing as close and straight as you may : neither are you here to fear the pinching of the stocke , unlesse it bee where you graft in a deepe clift of a large body . . so likewise you may graft , upon a bearing bough of an apple tree , a contrary apple ; and when that cions is growne great enough to receive another graft , you may graft a contrary fruit thereon ; but an apple cions doth not agree with a peare stocke , ( not e contra ) nor a plumme upon an apple or peare stock , neither will any cions of a fruit tree take upgn an elme stocke ; proved by master hill . . a quince may well be grafted upon a medlar stock : and a medlar will grow , but not prosper so well upon a quince stocke , because the cions will out-grow the stocke ; proved by master hill . . unlesse the uttermost rind or barke of your stocke be very gentle and thin , it is best to slit the same along : but hurt not the innermost barke when you graft between the bark and the tree by mr. an. hill . . before you graft your cions , take a way a little of the uppermost barke on either side the edge , but hurt not the greenish part . . if your bark and cions are both straight , then may you graft the deeper into the stock , viz. foure inches , and that is a very sure way to make the cions to take , so as you joyne sap to sap well ; but if either the stock or cions be crooked , then two inches are sufficient . by mr. and: hill . . you may graft an apple cions at christmas , so as you graft the same very deepe into the stocke , viz. four inches , or three at the least , and close it well : for , though the sap rise not , yet the moysture of the stock is sufficient to preserve the cions , untill the sap do rise ; proved by mr. and: hill . . long mosse , well bound about the head of your stock and of an inch or more in thicknesse , is sufficient alone to keep out both wind and water from the stock where the cions is let in . this must be repaired again at midsomer . . close your cions with red or green wax , having a little butter therein about the slit : and this both keepeth out the wind , and maketh the sap to creepe under , and cover the slit the sooner . . a peach may well be grafted or inoculated in a plmme stocke , and will thrive better then upon his own stock . . if two trees grow together , that be apt to be grafted one into another , then let one brach into an other workmanly joyning sap to sap . . if you have three or foure good buds next the foot of the cions , that cions is long enough to be grafted ; and so you may make divers cions of one branch , where you cannot get plenty of cions . . close all your incisions upon small and young stocks , with a mixture consisting of green wax , or red wax : and if your wax be old , melt the same , and adde some fresh turpentine thereto , or else you may use pitch instead of wax , adding turpentine : but let there be alwayes in your wax , one fifth , or one sixth part of butter , to keep the same supple ; and when you have applyed this salve close to the joynts , then strew thereon the fine powder of dryed earth , which you must have alwayes ready ; and that keepeth it hard in the sun-shine : this is the onely composition to make the bark to cover the stock . you must first after your grafting , binde the stock and the cions together , with the bands of brawne , and then lay your tempered wax thereon ; and if the band continue whole , you shall cut it in sunder about august following ; by andr : hill . . you may carry your cions in this manner , a long journey without endangering them : first , wax over the ends with the artificiall wax , ( mentioned before in numb : . ) then role them up in great store of greene mosse moystened , and tye them , and then put them into a case or box of wood , and so carry them ; by and : hill : you may keep a cions fourteen dayes or weekes in grafting time , so , as it be done before march , by sticking the same in your window onely ; yet some will have ends of them dipped in the compounded wax , as before in numb : . . alwayes be carefull when you graft upon your stocks the splicing way , that your stocke be of as large a kind of fruit , or larger , then the cions , or else it will not be able to feed the cions : or else you must graft upon larger stocks , if the cions be of a large fruit , and the stock but of a small fruit . . plant an apricot in the midst of other plumme trees round about it , at a convenient distance ; then in an apt season , bore thorought your plum trees , and let in to every one of them , one or two of the branches of your apricot tree , thorough rough those holes , taking away the barke on both sides of your branches which you let in , joyning sap to sap , and lute the holes up with tempered loame ; and when they are well knit , the next year cut off the branch from the a. pricot tree : and so you have gotten many apricot trees out of one . take away in time all the head of your plum tree , and all other branches maintaining onely that which is gotten from the apricot . but some commend rather the leting in of a branch of one tree , into the other , worknanly , for the more certaine kinde of grafting . . plant every stocke with one leading branch , at the least , to carry up the sap : and after your stocke hath growne one year , and maketh good shew of liking the ground , then graft your cions upon it , leaving one or two leaders ; but none so high as to overtop your cions : and when your cions is well taken , then cut away your leaders , and all other spires ; and so your cions will prosper exceedingly . by andr. hill . . some hold opinion , that if when others begin to graft in the slit , you doe then cut off the head of your stock , leaving one branch near the head to lead the sap , and then after cold weather is all past , if you graft in the slit , that so your stock and cions will prosper far better , then if you had grafted the same in the slit at the first . by andr : hill . but then you must remember to take away the leader , that the sap may more plentifully feed the cions . . some doe cut off all their cions in the winter , viz. either in november , or december , and then lay them in earth ; and in the new moone of march or aprill , they graft them , and they prove exceeding well ; perswading themselves , that no knife is so sharpe , but that it will hurt the barke orgelly of the cions , if the cions should be cut downe when the sap is up . this of mr. colborne ; who commendeth this course , upon long experience . and if you graft those cions upon such forward trees , as have put out their sap very plentifully , they will prosper exceeding well ; because being hungry , and almost starved for want of nourishment , they take hold of the sap that ariseth from the stocke , very eagerly . . note , that your stocks may put forth buds , yea , small leaves ; and yet you may safely graft upon them . . if you would have your stocks of your young grafted trees to prosper , and grow exceedingly , then suffer the waterboughs to grow up with the stock , till the bodies be as big as your arme , and then prune them at your pleasure ; for by this meanes the sap doth rise more lustily , when it hath many branches to draw from the root . . you may graft in the cions , a moneth after other men , and yet have a longer shoot than they , the same yeare , in this manner : cut off the head of your stock when other men do ( which many times falleth out to be in very cold weather ) then cover your stock over with your artificiall wax , ( as before in numb. . ) and one moneth after , or when all cold weather is past , crop your stock one inchlower , and then graft your cions ; and then ( cold weather being past ) the sap will rise very plentifully to maintaine the cions . proved by master andr. hill . . graft not upon any young stock , till it be able to put forth a shoot of a yard long in one yeare ( which sometimes will not happen , till it have been of two or three years growth ) for till it put forth abundance of sap , it will never feed the cions sufficiently . proved by master andr. hill . . the stocks of black cherry trees , are best to graft the great cherry upon ; proved by mr. colborne . . to have your nursery full of stocks to graft on , sow the stampings of crabs ; which are commonly : full of cornells ; by mr. kirwin . . let your nursery consist alwayes of a more barrain ground then your orchard , whither you meane to remove your stocks and grafts . so likewise , if you transplant any fruit trees , bring them alwayes from a worse ground to a better , or else they will never prosper . . slope your stockes which you meane to graft on , like colts feet before you graft them : for so the bark will cover the sooner , and the raine shooteth from the stock the better . proved by master colborne . . if you would have your graft to beare quickly , one speciall help is , to take it out of a bearing branch . . at the beginning of the yeer , and before the sap doe rise , you may graft in the body of the stock , or by way of splicing upon every little branch of your tree ( but alwayes remember to take off the top of your cions , having any leaves upon it : ) when the sap is up , then you must graft betweene the barke and the stock ; and then the sap is so plentifully risen , that the barke will easily pill from the body , then may you graft in the bud , or leafe . how to graft at christmas , see before in numb. . . to graft roses , or hearbs upon trees , see among the flowers , numb. . . graft the small end of the cions downward ; and so of pears and apples ; and they will have no coar . quaere , of glummes grafted upon a willow , to come without stones . also , such apples and pears thus grafted , will for the most part hang under the leaves , and not be seene , unlesse you come under the trees : by s. . a grafted apricot is the best : yet from the stone you shall have a faire apricot , but not so good ; and the grafted is more tender then the other . by s. . graft a medlar upon a quince , and it will bring a faire and large medlar : by s. . a cion of a pippin , grafted upon a crab-stock , is more kindly , and keepeth better , without touch of canker , then being grafted upon a pippin . by mr. simson . . trees that bear early , or often in the yeare , as peare trees upon vvindsorhill , which beare three times in a yeare ; these , though they be removed to as rich , or richer ground , yet they do seldom bear so early , or so often , except the soyle be of the same hot nature , and have the like advantages of situation , and other circumstances , with those of vvindsor . and therefore commonly , the second fruit of that pear tree being removed , doth seldome ripen in other places . by master hill . . all those fantasticall conceits , of changing the colour , taste , or sent , of any fruit , or flower , by infusing , mixing , or letting in at the bark , or at the roots of any tree , hearb , or flower , of any coloured , or aromaticall substance , master hill hath by often experience sufficiently controlled : and though some fruits and flowers , seeme to carry the sent or taste , of some aromaticall body , yet that doth rather arise from their own naturall infused quality then from the hand of man . . some do never graft betweene the bark and the tree , but in old stocks . . lop the branches of your trees alwayes in winter , before the sap doe rise within ten or twelve inches of the trunk ; and in the spring , when the sap is up , cut those branches close to the trunk : and so shall you both have your tree lusty , because no sap is left in those vast branches ( which would have beene lost , if you had proined them according to the usuall all manner , in march , or aprill ) and also the sap will then come purling out , and soone cover the wood ; whereby you shall avoid those blemishes in your trees , which others procure by proining them in the winter . by master andr. hill . . quaere , what hearbs , flowers , or branches of trees , may be grafted upon the bay or holly tree , or any such tree as keepeth green to winter , to make them also carry green leave in winter . . pare your ground with a shod shovell , so often as any grasse or weedes begin to put forth , both in your nursery and orchard ; and so shall you both keepe the ground mellow , and the raine shall have better passage unto the roots of your trees . by masters pointer ; who keepeth coines in his orchard , onely to keepe downe the grasse low , because otherwise it would be very chargeable . also , in vineyards , the use is to turne up the grounds with a shallow plough , as often as any grasse offereth to spring : but i thinke , that prevention of graffe , both in orchard and vineyard , is much better , if in were not too costly . . upon the epiphany , by reason of a great storme , an apple tree , that had not beene very fruitfull before , was almost blowne up by the roots at hackney ; and after with ropes it was drawne upright , and the what mounted , and the root covered with earth ; and that tree , the next sommer , bare an exceeding great burden of fruit . . when your apple cornells are of two yeares growth , then set a long straight stick by each of them , winding the young stocke about the stick ; by little and little as it groweth , and fastning it with bands under the stick , and so it will grow in a wreathed form . . quaere , if nipping off the new and tender tops about blossoming time will not make sommer fruit trees to blossome speedily , or to enlarge the fruit . . if an old tree that is spent , and hath done bearing , be underpropped , so as the body sink not , and that the earth be after taken away from under all the roots , and instead thereof , good rich mold be conveyed into the void places , that so an old tree will florish againe , and beare fruit . see before in numb. . . the lord zouch , in winter , in the yeare ( and master and. hill ) thinketh moist weather is best , that the earth cleaving to the roots , may be also removed with them , the earth being fast bound with fearn branches to the roots ) removed diverse apple trees , damson trees , &c. being of thirty or forty years growth , at hackney : the earth was digged in a good large compasse from the roots , the roots little hurt ; holes were prepared for each tree before hand , enriched with fresh and good earth ; and branches and tops taken off almost close to the trunk ; and they were planted again in the same hower wherein they were removed ; and the roots placed towards the same point of the compasse as they first grew . he had a few damsons the first year , and all put forth leaves at michaelmas after , anno . . blood laid at the roots of old vines , hath been commended for an excellent substance to harten them , unto mr. andrew hill . . if you cut any vines when the sap is up , presently cover the place with good store of turpentine , and it will stay bleeding . proved by mr. melinus . some commend the straight binding of a packthred about the bark thereof : some sear with a hot iron , and drop hard wax presently upon it . . by the opinion of some men , if outlandish fruit trees be planted in england , they do strive to put forth blossoms , and to bring fruit at the same time with us , as they did in their naturall places , unlesse the extremity of cold doe nippe or hinder them . and this seemeth to them to be the reason , why the black thorne at glassenbury abbey , did use to blossome at christmas , because happily the plant was brought from such a climat , as where it did blossome at the same time of the year . . if your trees stand in wet grounds , some doe advise to lay lime on the face of the ground , to help the bearing of the trees . . if whilst you maintaine some suckers to your stock , ( because the stock is not yet so big as your arme ) your cions doth not prosper to your mind , then nip off the buds that grow upon the suckers , now and then in the midst , till your cions thrive according to your owne desire . . in proining of your fruit trees , or of any other shrub or plant bearing fruit you must alwayes have respect , whether it beare his fruit upon the first , second , or third yeares sprowt ; for you must never cut away all the bearing sprowts , if you meane to have any fruit . as , in pippins , the third yeares sprowt doth onely beare fruit ; and in some other fruit trees ; onely the second yeares sprowts ; in gooseberries , the last years sprouts bear most , by mr. andr. hill . . when your trees are young , you may bow them to what compass you will , by binding them down with packthread to any circular form , or other shape that pleaseth one best . and by this means your timber will growe fit for ships , wheels , &c. whereby great waste of timber in time would be avoided . . mix cow-dung and horse-dung well rotted , with fine earth and claret wine lees , of each a like quantity , baring the roots of your trees in jan. february , and march : and then apply of this mixture to the roots of your apricot trees , and so cover them with common earth : by this means , such apricot trees as never bare before , have brought forth great store of fruit . prove this in other trees . this of mr. andr. hill . . pears , wardens , and peaches , delight in clay grounds . . when you plant any tree , presse not down the roots together , with laying earth confusedly upon them , but extend every branch by it self , and cover it loosly with earth , according to that form wherein it did first growe . by mr. colborn . . apricots like well in sandy ground . . some hold opinion , that if one set the slips of an apple tree , and so of divers other trees , that these will prove dwarfe trees . and so of the tree that beareth a white flower as big as a rose , called the gelderland rose . . from may to the end of july , you may take off the bark from any bough of a tree , round about the bough foure inches deep , if the bough be as large as a mans wrist ; or else a lesse depth will serve . if the bough be lesse in compasse cover the bare place ; and somwhat above and below , with loame well tempered with horse dung , binding downe the loame with hay , and brawn ban ds upon the hay : and so let it rest till about alhallontide : and then within two or three dayes of the first new moon , cut off the bough in the bare place , but in any case cut not the green bark above it ; and then set it in the ground , and it will grow to be a faire tree in one yeare , according to the length of the bough . quaere , of watering the loam now and then . yet in reason , me thinkes it a likelier course , to clap a gilliflower pot made of purpose in two halfes , with a great hole in the bottome , about such an arme ; and after you have bound the pot well with wier , then to fill it with good earth , which you may better water in dry weather , than you can do the lump of loam . you may also use a twig no bigger than ones finger , in the same manner . yet some do rather commend the binding of the loam , or earthing the tree , with a pot about it , without taking away any bark at all , but only pricking many holes with a great aule , in that part of the bark which is covered with the loam or earth . you must remember to underprop the pot , or else to hang it fast to the tree . quaere , if a branch must not root at a joynt . . if you cut off the top or head of an elme , it will not leave rotting downward , till it be hollow , and doat within : but an oake will abide heading and not rot . also , the boughs or branches of an elme , would be left a foot long , next to the trunk when you lop them . this of an expert carpenter . . to avoid sappinesse , fell both the bodies and the arms of oaks and elms in december after the frost hath well nipped them : and so your saplings , whereof rafters , sparres , &c. are made , will last as long as the heart of the tree , without having any sap . by the same man . . take off a thin turfe of two foot , round about type="duplicate" each tree newly planted , cover the same with fearn , pease straw , or such like , a handfull thick : water your trees once a moneth , if the weather prove dry , with dung water , or common water , that hath stood in some open pit in the sun . this keepeth the ground loose from baking ; whereby the tree will prosper the better , and put forth shoots of three and four foot in one year : remember you do not set any tree above one foot deep , or little more , & give each tree some props for the first yeare , that the wind shake it not too much . and yet some , of good experience , doe hold , that it skilleth not how much a young tree be shaken ( so as it be not blown up by the roots ) and that it prospereth so much the better . . quinces growing a gainst a wall , lying open to the sun , and defended from cold windes , eate most delicately . this secret the lord darcy brought out of italy . quaere , of all other fruits . . set peach stones in a dry ground , where there is no water within three or four foot ; for this tree hath one root that will run deep into the ground : and if it once getteth into the water the tree dyeth . the stone bringeth forth a kindly peach . set peach and apricot stones in pots of earth , within doors in february ; keep the earth moist , by wat ring now & then ; transplant them in march into your orchard . by s. . in the end of march , gather the sap of the trees within a foot of the ground : but take off the first bark , & then slit the white bark overthwart wise , even to the body of the tree ; but slit onely that part of the bark which standeth south-west , or between south & west , because little or no sap riseth from the north , or north-east side . after you have slit the tree , open the slit with your knife , so as you may let in a leafe of a tree , first fitted to the breadth of the slit ; and from this the sap will drop , as it doth in filtration . take away the leaf , and the bark will close again ; earthing it with a little earth upon the slit . by s. . cut away all the idle shoots of the last year , in your apricot and cherry trees , before christmas some three weeks , to make your fruit the fairer . . if you would stay the sap of trees from rising , to make your trees to blossom later , thereby to avoid frosts in blooming time , then hack crosse-wise , viz. overthwart the tree , upon so much of the tree as is within the ground , even down to the root , and then cover it again with earth . hack it very thick , even thorough all the bark to the very wood , in the new moone three weekes before christmas , if they be apple trees , pear trees , or warden trees : but for apricots , doe this rather in the full of the moone , next before christmas ; but crosse hack your cherry trees and peach trees in the new moon next after christmas : and so you shall have your blossomes , and by consequence your fruit , come later then other mens doe , because the sap cannot rise . i thinke you must also hack the maine root . cuaere . by s. . if you would make a tree in a short time to cast his leaves , and thereby to bring forth young leaves , which will last upon the tree fresh and green , when all other trees have lost their leaves ; then crosse hack the bark , close to the wood about midsomer . in all the crosse hackings here mentioned , let every of them be halfe an inch , or thereabout , distant one from another ; and every rank of hacks , one inch above another , or thereabout . also , this practice to avoid the fall of the leafe , must be done but every second yeare to any tree , for fear of destroying the same . . but if in january , or before the sap doe rise , you hack the body long-wise , and not overthwartly , and that only thorough the first bark , and no further ; this will make the bodies of your trees to swell , and burnish the better , to maintain their heads or grafts . . and if by overthwart hacking you would only kill the mosse of trees , then let your overthwart backs be thorow the bark , even to the wood : and this you must do between alhallontide and s : andrews day ; viz. so soon as the leaves be off the tree , both to avoid mosse , and to make barren trees to bear . you must make these hacks with the nether corner , or point of a small hatchet , so as every notch may be about half an inch long : and hack the body the height of a man ; viz. one row of hacks , two inches below one another ; all over the body : but let there be a distance between the overthwart hacks , so as they may not meet in a round ring , like a circle , about the tree : and by this meanes the uppermost bark whereon the mosse grew , will in time fall clean away , and the mosse with it , and the tree will gather a new bark . and though the tree be thus hacked but to a mans height , yet the tree will beare much better the next yeare . but when your leisure serveth , crosse-hack all the body in this manner , even to the trunk , as also a part of every great arme that groweth next the tree : note , that in seven years the tree will bee bark-bound , and so mossie again , as at the first : and therefore once in seven yeares you must renew this work . by s. . but if your tree bear not , because it was planted too deepe at the first , then take away the earth from the body of the tree ; and a little below the uppermost face of the ground , prick the body of the tree clean thorough the bark , full of holes , with a pretty round aule or bodkin , of a reasonable bredth . then cover the body with earth , and divers new roots will issue , to make the same fruitfull . . and if your tree beare not well , by reason that all the sap runneth into leaves , which is a common fault in divers orchards , then to check the sap , cut off all the young roots that grow about the master roots ; and crosse hack the body under the ground , and likewise the maine roots , as before ( num. . ) to avoid mosie , and cover the tree with earth againe : for by this meanes the sap is kept from rising up too plentifully . by s. . all barrennesse , or unfruitfulnesse in trees , doth for the most part arise , either by reason of their mossinesse , whose cure is set downe before in numb. . or because they are bark-bound ; whose remedy is also in numb. . or because they were planted too deepe , whose remedy is in num. . or by reason that the sap , which should turne into fruit , runneth together , or for the most part into leaves : and this is remedied also in numb. . . gather not your pippins till the full moon , after michaelmas ; so may you keepe them a whole yeare without shrinking : and so of the grapes , and all other fruits ; so of onion seeds , annis seeds , and other seeds , which you would keepe full and plump . by s. . let your tree whereon you graft , be more forward then the cions ; viz : let it either have bigger buds then the cions hath , or small leaves : but the cions is best that hath onely red buds , and no leaves . . i have seen cherriesgrow in clusters like filberts , viz. , , , and . upon one stalk . cuaere , if it be not performed in this manner ; joyne , , , or . leaves with the buds in one flit together , by way of incoulation , and so leave them . here i will conclude with a conceit of that delicate knight , sir francis carew ; who , for the better accomplishment of his royall entertainment of our late queen of happy memory , at his house at beddington , led her majesty to a cherry tree , whose fruit he had of purpose kept back from ripening , at the least one moneth after all cherries had taken their farewell of england . this secret he performed , by straining a tent or cover of canvas over the whole tree , and wetting the same now and then with a scoope or horne , as the heat of the weather required ▪ and so , by with-holding the sun-beames from reflecting upon the berries , they grew both great , and were very long before they had gotten their perfect cherry colour : and when he was assured of her majesties comming , he removed the tent , and a few sunny dayes brought them to their full maturity . a philosophicall garden : with a touch at the vegetable work in physick , whose principall fire is the stomach of the ostrich . first , pave a square plot with brick , ( and if it be covered with plaister of paris , it is so much the better ) making up sides of brick also plaistered likewise : let this be of a convenient depth , fill it with the best vegetable ♄ which you can get , that hath stood two yeares , or one at the least , quite within his owne spheare : make contrition of the same ; and be sure to avoid all obstructions , imbibe it with aqua coelestis in a true proportion , grind it once a day till it be dry : being dry , let it stand two or three days without any imbibition , yt it may the better attract from all the heavenly influence , continuing then also a philosophical contrition every day ( this grinding must also be used in the vegetable work where the ☿ of hearbs is used instead of aqua coelestis ) during all the time of preparation : then plant what rare flowers , fruits , or seeds , you please therein . and ( if my theory of nature deceive me not this ♄ so enriched from the heavens , without the help of any manner of soyl , marle , or compost ( after one years revolution ) will make the same to flourish and fructifie in a strange and admirable manner : yea , i am perswaded , that it will receive an indian plant , and make all vegetables to prosper in the highest degree , and to bear their fruits in england , as naturally as they do in spain , italy , or elsewhere . so likewise of that walnut-tree , planted within the limits of the aforesaid abby , which on st. barnabias eve standeth bare , and naked without leaves ; and upon the day it self , richly clothed with his green vesture . i could remember many philosophical plants in england , were it not that the losse of ripley's life , that renowned alchymist , who suffered death ( as the secret report goeth ) for making a pear-tree to fructifie in winter , did command an altum silentium in these matters : but it was the denial of his medicine , and not the crime of conjuration , which was but colourably laid to his charge , that wrought his overthrow . nay , if the earth it self , after it hath thus conceived from the clouds , were then left to bring forth her own fruits and flowers in her own time , and no seeds or plants placed therein by the hand of man , it is held very probable ( unlesse for the sin of our first parents , begun in them , and mightily increased in us , the great god of nature , even natura naturans , should recall , or suspend those fructifying blessings which at the first he conferred upon his coelestial creatures ) that this heavenly earth , so manured with the starres , would bring forth such strange and glorious plants , fruits and flowers , as none of all the herbarists that ever wrote till this day , nor any other , unlesse adam himselfe were alive againe , could either know , or give true and proper names unto these most admirable simples . also , in the work of fructification , i think that corn it self may be so philosophically prepared , only by imbibition in the philosophers aqua vitae , that any barren ground , so as it be in nature kindly for corn , shall bring forth a rich crop , without any matter added to the ground , and so with a small or no charge , a man may sow yearly upon the same ground and he that knoweth how to lay his fallowes truely , whereby they may become pregnant from the heavens , and draw abundantly that coelestial and generative vertue into the mataix of the earth ; this man , no doubt , will prove the true and philosophical husbandman , and goe beyond all the countrey coridons of the land , though never so well acquainted with virgils georgicks , or with master bernhard palisiy his congelative part of raine water , which he calleth the vegetable salt of nature : wherein though he observed more then either varro , columella , or any of the ancient writers in this kind , did ever dream of ; yet doth he come many degrees short of this heavenly mystery . now , to give you some taste of that fire which the philosophers call the stomach of the ostrich , ( without which the philosophers true and perfect aqua vitae can never be made ) you must understand , that it is an outward fire of nature , which doth not onely keepe your glasse , and the matter therein contained , in a true proportionable heat , fit for workmanship , without the helpe of any ordinary or material fire : but it is also an efficient and principal cause , by his powerful nature and pearcing quality , to stir up , alter and exalt , that inward fire that is inclosed within the glasse in his owne proper earth . and therefore here , all the usual chymical fires , with all their graduations , are utterly secluded ; so as neither any naked fire , nor the heat of filings of iron , of sand , of ashes , nor of baln . mar. though kept in a most exquisite manner , nor any of the fires engendered by putrefaction , as of dung and such like , no nor the heat of the sun , or of a lamp , or an athanor ( the last refuge of our wandring and illiterate alchymists ) have here any place at all . so that by this fire and furnace onely , a man may easily discern a mercenary workman ( if he deale in vegetables onely from a second philosopher ; and if in any thing ( as no doubt in many things ) then here especially vulgaris oculus caligat plurimum . this fire is by nature generally offered unto all , and yet none but the children of art have power to apprehend it : for , being coelestial , it is not easily understood of an elemental braine ; and being too subtile for the sense of the eye , it is left onely to the search of a divine wit : and there i leave it for this time . the physical use of this fire , is to divide a coelum terrae , and then to stellifie the same with any animall or vegetable star , whereby in the end it may become a quintessence . here i had thought to have handled that crimson coloured salt of nature , so farre exceeding all other salts , in a true , quick , and lively taste , which is drawne from the philosophers earth , and worketh miraculous effects in mans body ; and withall , to have examined that strange opinion which doctor quercitanus , an excellent theorist in nature , and a great writer in these dayes doth . violently maintaine , in his discourse upon salt-peter . but because it is impertinent to this subject , and that i have discoursed more at large thereon in my abstract of corn . agrip. his booke de occult . philos. and for that quercitanus doth shew himselfe to be a true lover of hermes houshold , i will not straine my wit , to write against any particular person that professeth himselfe to be of that family ; although both he , and some others , as great as himselfe , must give me leave , whensoever i shall be forced in that booke to handle the practical part of nature , and her processe , happily to weaken some principles and positions , which both he and they have already published ; excusing my selfe with that golden saying of ar●isttle , {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} . amicus socrates , amicus plato , sed magis amica veritas . but i am affraid i have been too bold with vulgar wits , who take no pleasure to heare any man altius philosophari , that they can well understand ; and therefore i have compiled this book in plain termes , of such a garden and orchard as will better serve for common use , and fit their wits and conceits much better . finis . ●ooks printed or sold by william leake at the signe of the crown in fleetstreet between the two temple gates . a bible of a faire large roman letter , o . tokt's heraldy . man become guilty , by iohn francis senalt , & englished by henry earl of monmouth . welby's second set of musique , and paris . the h●story of vienna , and paris . callis learned readings on the stat. . h. . cap. . of sewers . sken ' de fignificatione verba rum . posing of the accidence . delaman's use of the horizontall quadrant . corderim in english . doctor fulkis meteors . nyes gunnery & fireworks gato major , with annotat. mel helliconium , by alex. riss lizerillo de tormes . the ideot in four books . aula luck , or the house of light . topicks in the laws of engl perkins on the laws of engl wilkinsons office of sheriffs parsons law . mirrour of justice . the fort royall of holy scripture , or a new concordance by j. h a tragedy written by the most learned , hug grotius , called chris●● patiens , and englished by george sands solitary devotions , with man in glory , by the most reverend and holy father , anselm , archbishop of canterbury . ex●●citatio scholastica . mathernaticall recreations with the generall horologicall ring , and double horizontall dyall , by william o●ghtred . playes . hero and leander . the wedding . the hallander . henry the fourth . maids tragedy . king and no king . philaster . the gratefull servant . the strange discovery . the merchant of venice notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- tempering the ground . fern to enrich ground . soot to enrich ground shavings of horn to enrich ground . onyons & bay-salt . age of seeds . hearbs with great heads . choice of seeds . dung for potheabs to kill snailes . roots made large . chusing of a vine cutting . vine when to plant . young vines to proine . bayes to plant . eldern to plant . leeks to grow great . lettice to sowe . lettice seed how to gather . lettice to grow great . purslane seed to gather . wood strawberries into gardens . watering of strawberries . roses grassed upon what stock . pompions to grow great . artichokes from frost . see this in numb. . . musk rose to beare late . roots in their best strength . artichocks from frost . , . flowers or leaves gilded and growing . quae●● of isinglasse dissolved . flowers candied as they grow a garden within doors . barly growing without earth . pots for flowers of a good fashion . see this also numb. . roses or carnations in winter . reviving of carnations . orchard of dwarf trees . uineyard to plant . trees growing either high or lowe . early fruit old trees recovered vines recovered . ordering of the musk-mellon . the shortest way is to buy plants and set them . pompions and cowcumbers multiplied mellons to growe great . earlie strawberries . roses to bear late , and from frost . early roses and carnations . early roses . carots , parseneps , and turneps , kept long . roses and flowers backward . quaere , of doing thus after the rose is new budded . roots long and great . seeds to multiply . large carots , or parsneps . a new planting of carnations , wall-flowers , & stock gilliflowers . plants to carry far . branches to root . to kill wormes . rich mold when to set or sow . one plant upon another , or upon a tree . colour , sent , or taste of a flower , altered . fence of fruit trees . white-thorn hedge . carnation seed to gather . coleflow re seed to gather & to plant . coleflower to bear late . divers carnations in one root . stately pots for carnations as before num. . birds , beasts , pyramides &c. to grow speedily . * see after in num. . delicate frets or borders . the wood may be laid in some oyle colour . earth strengthned . to sow anniseeds in england . artichocks from frosts oniō seeds ordered . early and late pescods . colianders to sow . sap of briony , to gather . roses to beare late . roses and carnation multiplyed good seeds to know . seeds to sprowt speedily . single flowers doubled . tulipee double . miseltoe to finde . missel child grapes kept long . see after in num. flowers in trees . stock-gilliflowers to continue . to remove rooted plants . roses to bear twice . hedge and arbour when to cut . early peascods . gilderland roses . seeds full & plump . radish & spinage . piony and flowerdeluce . seeds from devouring grapes kept long . prove this in cheries , clusters of raisins , figs . strawberries large . after in num. . watering artificiall . arbour aloft . musk-mellon to prosper . roses late . store of roses . flowers from frost . artichocks from frost . grapes kept . notes for div a e- dogs and carst to the roots . rich ground . ground enriched . box tree pranted . bayes to plant . eldern to plant ground enriched . poplar to grow . trees to bush in the top . cherries when to plant . quinces when to plant . hasels and pear trees when to plant . apple cornels set . plum-stones set . pineapple corness set . peach stones set . springs & plants set branches to root in the ground . o'd tree or vine recodered orchard of dwarf trees . early fruit fruit growing long . blossoms frō frests . grapes growing long upon the vine . plums and cherries growing long . trees to prosper apricots to prosper speedy woods . branches to root . trees frō barking or canker . rich mold for ochard or garden . depth for trees . procining of trees . trees baakbound , helped . ill weather for orchard works . oak when not to be felled . bignesse of crabstock . bignesse of pear stock and white thou ne . bignesse of wild chery stocks . white plumstocks . when a stock is to be graffed . white thorn no stock for peare or warden ; good for a medlar . suckers planted . nuts set . close well in the bottom . time of grasting . instrument to graft with . losengewise . what to do when the bud taketh . the lowest bud maintained . a cherry upon a plum tree . grafting compasses . galy preserved in the stock . gelly in the bud preserved . bud to take no ayre . how to slit the bark . what buds are best . how to slit the bark . grasting tocl splicing way . . cleaving he body . . low grafting . on which side to graft . how to have large cherries . what cions is best . cions put in close . the cions made the stock . uponwhat stock to graft . to quinces upon a medlar . bark when to slit . prepasing the cions . when to graft deep . grasting at christmas . graft bound with mosse closing the cions . peach upon a plum stock one ●ree let into another . length of a cions . artifi●iall wax to close with . how to carry a cions far . upon large fruited stocks . many apricot trees of one . observation in stock . heading of stocks , and grafting after . when to cut down a cions . upon what stock to graft . stocks when to graft . stockss to prosper late , grafting , yet with advantage when to graft a stock . stocks so great cherriet . store of stocks . ground for a nursery . a rule for transplanting of trees . stocks stopped . cions to beare quickly . the times of severall grafting . plants upon trees fruit without stones , and hidden with leaves . apricot grafted . a large medlar . a pippin upon what stock why trees transplanted doe alter . colour , sent , or taste altered . graft between bark and tree . how to lop . to have green trees in winter . orchard ground to order . vineyard to order . tree rooted higher see after in . wreathed bodies of trees . fruit enlarged . barren trees to beare . transplanting old trees . old vines recovered bleeding of vines stayed . early fruits . wet orchard helped . the cions to prosper true proining timber to grow of any fashion . apricots to beare . peare , warden , peach , in what ground . how to use the roots in settings . apricot , in what ground . dwarf trees . gelderland rose . dwarf trees . how to lop elms. sappiness to avoid . young trees to grow . delicate quinces . peach and apricot stones to set . sap of tree to gather fair apricots and cherries to stay blossoming . green trees in autumne . quaere , if the moon be here to be respected . bodies of trees to enlarge . bark-bound . to kill mosse . a tree to root higher . sap choaked . barren trees to beare . causes of barrenness in trees . app'es without wrinckles . respect between the stock and cions . cherries in clusters of gardens four books first written in latine verse by renatus rapinus ; and now made english by j.e. hortorum libri iv. english rapin, rené, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing r estc r ocm 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 . 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 , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) of gardens four books first written in latine verse by renatus rapinus ; and now made english by j.e. hortorum libri iv. english rapin, rené, - . evelyn, john, - . [ ], , [ ] p. printed by t.r. & n.t. for thomas collins and john ford..., london : . first edition in english? translation of hortorum libri iv. "the table" [i.e. index]: p. [ ]-[ ]. "the epistle dedicatory" signed: j. evelyn [the younger] reproduction of original in cambridge university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.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. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. 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- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng gardening -- poetry. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - tcp staff (michigan) sampled and proofread - tcp staff (michigan) text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion of gardens . four books first written in latine verse by renatus rapinus . and now made english by i. e. london , printed by t. r. & n. t. for thomas collinsand iohn ford at the middle-temple gate , and benjamin tooks at the shipin st. paul's church-yard , . to the right honourable henry earl of arlington , viscount thetford , &c. his majesties principal secreiary of state , of his most honourable privy council ; and knight of the most noble order of the garter , &c. my lord , t is become the mode of this writing age , to trouble persons of the highest rank , not only with the real productions of wit ; but ( if so i may be allowed to speak ) with the trifles and follys of it ; hardly dos an ill play come forth without a dedication to some great lady , or man of honour ; and all think themselves sufficiently secure , if they can obtain but the least pretence of authority to cover their imperfections : my lord , i am sensible of mine : but they concern only my self , and can never lessen the dignity of a subject , which the best of poets , and perhaps the greatest wits too , have celebrated with just applause . i know not how , my lord , i may have succeeded with this adventure , in an age so nice and refin'd , but the die is cast , and i had rather expose my selfe to the fortune of it , then loose an occasion of acknowledging your lordships favours , which as they have oblig'd the father , so ought they to command the gratitude of the son : nor must i forget to acquaint your lordship , that the author of this poem address'd it to one of the most eminent persons in france ; and it were unhappy if it should not meet with the same good fortune in england ; i am sure the origiginal deserves it , which though it may have lost much of its lustre by my translation , will yet recover its credit with advantage , by having found in your lordship so illustrious a patron . great men have in all ages bin favourable to the muses , and done them honour ; and your lordship , who is the true model of virtue and greatness , cannot but have the same inclinations . for the delights which adorn , those titles ; especially , when they are innocent , and useful , and excellent , as this poem is pronounced to be by the suffrages of the most discerning ; i had else my lord , suppress'd my ambition of being in pring , and setting up for a poet , which is neither my talent nor design : but my lord , to importune you no further , this peice presumes not to intrude into your cabinet , but to wait upon you in your gardens at euston , where , if when your lordships more weighty affairs give leave , you vouchsafe to divert your self with the first blossoms of my youth , they may by the instuence of your lordships favour , one day produce fruits of more maturity , and worthy the oblation of my lord , your lordships most dutiful , and most obedient servant i. evelyn . the preface . it , will doubtless appear an intollerable presumption in the to prosecute that part of the perfectest work of all antiquity , which was omitted by the most accomplished poet that ever wrote . few are ignorant of what he says in the fourth of his georgicks . for sitan & pingues hortos quae cura colendi , ornaret , canerem , biferique rosaria poesti : quoque modo potis gauderent intyba rivis , et virides apio ripae . you would think in this place that virgil was pleased with his own fancy , he is so fluent ; nor without cause , where he is invited by the charm of so liberal a subject . but whether he was hastened by his design'd poem of bees ; ot that he reserved his time for the setting forth of his hero , not m●ch after he leaves off what he had beg●n ; yet not without a commendation of the argument , as worthy to be handled by all posterity . verum haec ipse equidem spatiis disclusus iniquis praetereo , atque aliis post commemoranda relinquo . now to go on where so great a man left off , to treat of a matter , which if we may believe pliny , was able to deter so expert a writer , makes me fear i can scarce free my self from the guilt of an extream confidence , besides in the imitation of so divine a pattern , i raise a greater expectation then i can satisfie : and the example which i propose to my self is not so much an advantage to me . as it leads me to an infallible despair . what a rashness is it to attempt that which partly for the difficulty of what virgil has omitted , partly for the excellency of what he has perform'd , none ever yet dared to undertake ? the culture of gardens also being arrived to that height , that nothing can render it more perfect ; and their dignity is such , that when i have done all i can , i shall have done less then they deserve . nor was i a little discouraged by the defects of the latine tongue , since it is an insufferable arrogance to write of a thing in latine , of which the latines were wholly ignorant : for the method of gardening which is now in vogue , either of disposing flowers in beds , or the planting , and ordering of wall fruits , was not used among them . but yet if i transgress either through the penury of the language , or my own ignorance . i am so vain as to hope , that our age which admires gardens above all others , will forgive me , if i fall short in an essay which none have made trial of before me . on the other side , i was encouraged by the kind reception which gardening finds every where , even with those of the highest and noblest rank ; insomuch , that i question whether it was ever in greater esteem . and it was requisite since we are grown more curious in this affair then formerly , that somewhat of the delightful part of it should be communicated , which as well by the discipline of the times , as the industry of the improvers , is come to its utmost perfection . for certainly that symmetry of parts , which is now visible in every garden , is that exact beauty to which nothing can be added . i need not say much here of the nature of that verse , in which precepts were wont to be delivered ; the georgicks of virgil are the best patterns of it ; whose natural ingenuity is such , as will hardly admit of that more elegant dress which i have put on ; considering also the humility of that style , in which a naked and unmixed simplicity is most sought after . i will not go about to excuse my self , since i have happened on a subject in which virgil could not easily contain himselfe ; though it was no difficult matter for him to do it , especially in that duller part of husbandry ; in which nevertheless , as pliny observes , he onely cull'd the flowers of things , leaving out nothing that was capable of any splendour or ornament : hence proceeded those frequent digressions from his purpose , that he might avoid the inconvenience of being tedious , which ma●robius speaks of in the th . book of his saturnalia . in the georgicks ( says he ) after the precepts which are naturally harsh , he concludes each book with the interposition of some quicker argument : as the first with the signs of the weather ; the second with the praises of a countrey life ; the third with a mortality among cattel ; and the fourth with a pertinent story of orpheus and aristaeus . nor have i bin wanting in that particular : having made it my business to teach with as little rudeness as i can : and to advance the dulnesse of the instruction by the freedom of my fancy , that i might allay the harshness of those places , which the humility of the subject has so debased , that otherwise they would be displeasing to the reader . yet if i appear too curious : i can defend my self by the authority of all those greeks , who have written of flowers , or their culture . what can be more elegant then the description which nicander makes in the seond of his georgicks of those gardens in the territories of pisa , which were water'd by the river alpheus ? in which he so often makes use of those ornaments , which poetry derives from its fabulous times . it is almost incredible how copious and eloquent the rest are in that argument , of whom athenaeus makes mention in his th . book . those who in verse treated of flow'ry garlands , as cratinus , hegesias , anacreon , sappho , pancrates , chaeremon , eubulus , and innumerable others . but i should not have so freely made use of fables , in a matter that is expected to be grave and instructive : i should have inquired into the nature of flowers and plants , have described their properties , and estimated their virtues . i confess i should ; and i think i have done so : yet not forgetting that i act the part of a poet , and not of a philosopher , to gain credit by the raw simplicity of a scrupulous discourse . but though this be a middle , and more contracted way of writing , yet it sometimes takes courage , and exalts it self , that the slenderness of the matter may not make it appear too mean and dejected . to prevent which , the soul must be excited , that so the mind ( as anacreon has it ) being raised to a poetique height , may breath forth divine raptures . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but the mention of the heathen deitys , by a christian authour , perhaps will seem absurd to those , who are ignorant of the genius of poetry , which by the services of the gods , and a feigned terrour of their decrees , ought sometimes to elevate the mind , that it may create admiration ; and for this the liberty that is usually allowed the muses is warrant enough , if we had not that of religion too , which neither thinks it self , or morality injured , by that licence which a poet takes to set off the truth , by the beauty and gracefulness of fiction . i have not been so nice in wood , and water , as in flowers , whose charms forced me to be a little more exuberant : unless it be in some places , where it was convenient to make the excellency of poetry shine forth in the delightfuliness of fables ; that so the work might not wholly labour under the barrenness of the precepts , which it treats of . in the orchard , i fear i have not satisfy'd their expectations , who looked for a long catalogue of fruits and apples , which are so numerous that it were endless to go about it ; in describing the different kinds of fruit , i have only touched the heads of things , after the example of virgil , who in the second of his georgicks , speaks but of a few of those wines which italy afforded with so much variety and abundance ; nor dos he take notice of any more then three sorts of olives , and as many of pears : for nothing is more abhorrent from the nature of that verse , then the hateful enumeration of particulars , which cannot but be very tedious , when it descends so low as to divide every thing into atomes , like that impertinent workman whom horace speaks of in his poems . aemilium circa ludum faber imus , & ungues exprimet , & molles imitabitur aere capillos , infoelix operis summa . a correct writer can never fall into this errour , he will rather make choice with judgment , then be voluminous . but since i cannot avoid being faulty in many things : i were unwise if i should endeavour to excuse all . therefore not to tire the reader ( whose favour i implore ) with a long preface , i will make no more apologies for my self , but only add a word or two of the end , that is proposed in an instructive poem : which as it is the same with that of all poetry , is very easie . not but that it is more generous , then to insist wholly upon vanities and trifles : although its chief talent lies in being delightful : that which makes philosophy it self appear wiser then other things , is the harshness , by which it renders the truth more difficult to be attain'd . the end of that poetry is as of all the rest to teach : which as horace intimates to lollius . quid sit pulchrum , quid turpe , quid utile , quid non : plenius ac melius chrysippo , & crantore dicit . though seneca in other things is no inconsiderate writer , yet here he is so confident a critique , that i have no patience with him , when he censures virgil in his georgicks , for making it his business not so much to speak truth , as what was graceful and ornamental ; and to have rather aimed at the delight of the reader , then the improvement of the husband-man : thus he destroys the main design of the gentiler sort of poetry , which was never more happily carryed on then by virgil. therefore as to this point , i value the opinion of seneca but little ; from whom i may appeal to the judgment of antiquity , which is ever to be reverenced by all wise men . it is manifest enough , how improbable it is , that a man so well seen in the works of nature , and one who acts with so much strictness in other things , should play the fool where he intends to instruct . for what is more below a generous man , then to trifle where he should teach ; or to dwell upon nicetys , where he promises that which is serious : and no one who is not very stupid can impute this to virgil ? in varro i find innumerable of the ancients to have written of agriculture . but of all those none but menecrates the ephesian , and hesiod wrote in verse , and hesiod was the first , who as pliny testifies : thousands of years ago , in the infancy of learning , gave the first rules of husbandry ; though indeed hesiod treated of the manners of men , more then the nature of things ; which was what he proposed to himselfe : so that he acts the part of a moralist , rather then of a true poet : yet he deserves infinite praise ; but not so much as virgil , whose performances in that kind , are above admiration . this is the reason that makes me look upon him , as one who contrary to the mode of the rest of the poets-promises nothing of himself , but without modesty and plainness , which in my opinion , is the most approved method of a good understanding ; whose clearness is the perfect accomplishment of that wisdom , which horace ad pisones requires as the standard of sound and correct writing . scribendi recte , sapere est & principium , & fons . rapinus of gardens . book . flowers . of flowers , a gardens chiefest grace i sing , how you may groves to best perfection bring ; of aquaeducts , of fruit , the cure and use : this to the world is publish'd by my muse. ye gods that make the earth to fructifie , let no rude tempest now disturb the skie . through paths by the poetick train untrod , apollo calls , though first to maro show'd ; when in the end of his discourse he writes , what most th' italian fertile soyl delights ; to till the field his thrifty swain he taught ; gardens to plant , left for some later thought . this poets footsteps i can onely trace ; nor dare i think to equalize his pace , whose heav'nly flight by nothing i pursue , but my weak eyes , and keep him in my view . thou that art mine , and learnings greatest light , under whose influence justice shines more bright lamon , if with thy laws severe defence , and state-affairs a while thou canst dispence ; afford my gardens room within thy mind , though to the laws and government resign'd : while with impartial sentence you decide causes , by int'rest , nor affection ty'd ; while your example is to all a law , and your own virtue vice it self do's awe ; yet to alleviate this sublimer care , grant to the muses in your thoughts a share . though i perhaps to lower ends aspire , some kinder god may set my soul on fire ; then shall i sing , and publish loud your fame , and in due numbers celebrate your name : the woods shall you , the fountains you resound , your praise shal eccho from the fruitful ground . my flowers to your temples shall be joyn'd , which for immortal garlands are design'd . soyl fit for gardens first of all prepare , to th' east expos'd , refresh'd with wholesom air , where no near hill his lofty head presumes t' advance , or noisome fens exhale in fumes . where no dull vapours from the pools infect ; flow'rs most of all the open air affect . but before this you ought to know the state , and nature of the earth you cultivate , 't is best , where fat and clammy ground you see ; flow'rs with rich soyl most properly agree . this rank with weeds of a luxuriant blade , culture admits , and is for flowers made . learn that t' avoid , where deep in barren clay the specked euts their yellow bellies lay . where burning sand the upper-hand obtains , or where with chalk unfruitful gravel reigns . and lest th' external redness of the soyl deceive your labours , and despise your toyl ; deeply beneath the furrows thrust your spade : outward appearance many hath betray'd . earth under the green sward may be inclos'd to a rough sand , or burning clay dispos'd . some i 've observ'd , who , if the ground they find to bring forth stones or pebbles be inclin'd , sift it , lest they the tender blade molest , and by their weight the flowers be opprest . now if both earth and air answer your ends , ( for earth upon air's influence depends ) inlarge your prospect , nor confine your sight to narrow bounds ; flow'rs in no shades delight . break with the rake , if stiffer clods abound , and with ir'n rollers level well the ground . nor yet make haste your borders to describe ; but let the earth the autumn show'rs imbibe ; that after it hath felt the winter cold , you may next spring turn up , & rake the mold . this done , your box in various forms dispose , such as were heretofore unknown to those , whose gardens nothing ow'd to modern art ; deckt by what kinder nature did impart , among ignobler plants you then might view , where blushing roses intermingled grew : no spacious walks , no alleys were design'd , edg'd by green box , all yet was unrefin'd . flora at first was unadorn'd , and rude ; happ'ning at liber's orgies to intrude . the feast approch'd , the neighb'ring deities were present ; thither old silenus hies , mounted on 's ass ; with whom the satyrs joyn in drunken bacchanals , and sparkling wine . here cibele through phrygia so rever'd . and with the rest our flora too appear'd : her hair upon her shoulders loosely plaid ; or pride , or beauty this neglect had made . how e're it was , the other goddesses laugh'd , and despis'd the rudenss of her dress . this pity mov'd in berecinthia's heart , who griev'd to see her daughter want that art , which others us'd ; and therefore to repair those imperfections , she adorn'd her hair with various flow'rs ; her temples these inclose , and box which nature on each field bestows . her mine's now alt'red , every charming grace strives to be most conspicuous in her face . as this to flora greater beauty gives ; so hence the gard'ner all his art derives . the romans , and the grecians knew not how to form their paths , and set their flowers as now . goodness of air and soyl perhaps might be occasions of our curiosity in gardens ; and the genius too of france , with time , this blest improvement might advance . so that if you a villa do desire with gardens , for a skilful man enquire ; who with his pensil can on parchment draw the form of your intended work. no flaw , no errour ' scapes you : thus deformity timely appears to your considerate eye . in thousand figures some their box infold , as was the cretan labyrinth of old . these artificial mazes some reject , who more the phrygian flourishes affect : and these as many various textures taught , as uncomb'd wool by tyrian virgins wrought . others with squares , less diff'rent , strive to please themselves , in which the fragrant flow'rs with ease , and pleasure too , may stoop to the command of the spectators eye , and gath'rers hand . i will not divers knots to you suggest , to chuse of them which please your fancy best ; that is preferable beyond compare , which with the scantling of your ground doth square . when all things thus provided are , again level your ground , that , being smooth & plain , garden , and borders both may even be , admitting no irregularity . as soon as snowy winter disappears , in planting box employ your labourers : you must not trifle then , let no delay retard , when sun and temp'rate air give way : where smaller limits cannot this afford , with brick they must contented be , or board : for box would there the flowers over-shade , and too much of the narrow spot invade . this rule for larger gardens was not meant , where box is thought the greatest ornament . and howsoe're you cultivate a place ; if it wants box , you take away its grace . in flow'rs so great a difference we find , do we regard their natures , or their kind ; that a good florist cannot do amiss , to learn their natures , and their properties : chiefly the seasons when to set and sow , and in what soyl what plants do use to grow . the seeds , and sorts of flow'rs no number own ; neither is that of bulbous roots more known . the tenderness of some makes them desire propitious spring , that then they may aspire into the air ; while others which are bold , contemn north-winds , and flourish through the cold . these love the warmer sun ; those , cooler shade . nor is the vigor equally convai'd to all from th' earth ; for flowers will abound sometimes in dry , oft in unfruitful ground . earth that is barren , and do's stones produce , though often 't is improper , is of use sometimes in raising flow'rs : therefore again i must give warning to the husbandman , that he observe the seasons , and with care read the contents of the celestial sphear : that he take notice in the monethly state , and order , how the stars discrminate . what alterations , in the calmer air ? the east , and troubled southern winds prepare : that from the rise and setting of the sun , and by the aspect of the horned moon , showers to come , and tempests he presage , and how to heav'n we may our faith engage . wherein the greater and the lesser bear do's your plantations infest , or spare : how far the hyads with excessive showers , and the atlantick pleiads hurt your flowers . who th' observation of the stars neglect , too late are sensible of their effect . they with our labours correspondence hold , and all the secrets of our art infold . to be more sure , you ought before to know the winds , and diff'rent quarters whence they blow . else other gardens you in vain admire ; though western breezes with the spring conspire , yet no appearance of the winds obey ; for most of all they now their faith betray . if aries with his golden fleece appear , and zephyrus foretells the spring is near ; yet some unlucky planet menaces the fields , and gardens , and disturbs the skies . the south-wind now against the corn , and flowers , rages with frequent and destructive showers . of the remaining cold we should beware , and see if ought of winter hang i' th' air ; it s cruel footsteps often stay behind : therefore remember still to bear in mind the seasons that most proper are to sow ; for thus your seed will prosper best , and grow . as soon as e're the knots have fill'd their space , lest noxious weeds should over-spread the place , between the borders , and the beds , you may lay gravel , and so take the weeds away ; for if you suffer them to get to head , mallows & thistles o're your walks will spread . but let not this check your design at all ; the earth in time will be reciprocal . no sooner has the sun o'recome the cold , when with astonishment you will behold your gardens riches , whither far then snow , on a broad leaf the primrose first will blow . it keeps not always constant to a dye , but loves its colours to diversifie . the grecian cyclamine from far they bring , the red and white both flourish in the spring ; woody zacynthus , stony coritus , and corcyraean mountains these produce : i' th' summer moneths they flourish , and though late , in autumn too their flowers propagate . theis season soft fumaria too obeys , and in bavarian rocks it self displays in various colours ; but is known to die ; soon as we hear th' artill'ry of the sky ; blasted by sulph'rous vapours , as if dead , it droops , and yields to th' earth its vanquisht head . now iris springs , which from the heav'nly bow , is nam'd , and doth as many colours show . its species , and its tinctures diff'rent are , according to the seasons of the year . by th' coming of the swallows we divine , 't will not be long before that celandine , which from that bird alone its name derives , favour'd by gentler western-winds revives . golden narcissus also now aspires ; who looking on himself , himself admires , he fondly tempting the destructive pow'r of beauty , from a boy became a flow'r . nor longer can the violets suppress their odours , clouded in a rustick dress ; girt round with leaves , without varieties of colours , from the humble turf they rise . if we may credit what the poets write , she was diana's nymph , her sole delight . with her ianthis follow'd in each chace , next to the goddess , after none in place . as she was feeding the pherean cows , by phoebus seen , in love with her he grows : nor could he long conceal within his breast loves wound , the frighted maiden straight addrest her self to th' goddess . ah! dear sister , fly , said she , if you 'l preserve virginity untouch't : you must all open grounds sorbear , and lofty hills , for he 'l pursue you there . to thickets , and for saken vales she hyes , and all alone by shady fountains lyes . nor did her modesty her form depress , but she was valued more , for her recess . the god perceiving nothing else avail , attempts by theft , and cunning to prevail . diana then foreseeing 't was in vain to think with life her honour to maintain ; ah! let that beauty perish then , she said , and soon a duskish colour did invade the changing nymph , who rather chose to be still virtuous , though with deformity . the fields and lower valleys these afford , and among brambles of their own accord , they spring ; nor should their site at all abate of their esteem , whose value is so great . if sharper cold give leave , about this time the hyacinth shoots up from phoebus crime . at quoits he playing , by eurota's side , chanc'd the boy's tender temples to divide . the god and youth at once appalled stood ? he through his guilt , and he through want of bloud ; from which , in pity of his angry fate , a flow'r arose , which oft do's change its state , and colour ; and to one peculiar kind , no more then to one season is confin'd . now meadow-saffron divers colours yields ; and on a slender stalk adorns the fields . th' earth grown by reason of internal heat , patient of culture , let your gard'ner set in beds prepar'd , what seeds he do's intend for summer , and with care their growth attend as linum , caltha , lychnis , cyanies , malva , delphinium , and anthemis , with fragrant melilot for seed receiv'd , in ground before prepar'd , may be reliev'd , if th' earth defective be by being drest ; or by refreshing streams if drowth molest : it were an endless labour to set down the flow'rs , which in the spring are to be sown the moister spring makes all in time appear ; and shews the hopes of the succeeding year . then , above all the flowers in the bed , the crown imperial elevates his head : around him all the num'rous vulgar spring ; as if they humbly would salute their king. beneath the top a golden crown is plac't ; this by a verdant tuft of leaves is grac't : four flow'rs , with leaves inverted to the earth , do from one stalk alone derive their birth . nor would there any other this excell , if to its beauty , were but added smell . let not your tulips , through the vernal show'rs , make too much haste , to spread abroad their flow'rs . for th' heavy aspects of the moon would prove , with frost pernicious to them which love to flourish most ; when winters cold gives way , and glad some sun shine do's serene the day . then on the beds in thicker ranks they stand , and in the air their spotted leaves expand . their beauty chiefly from their colour flows ; for whither on the leaves they do inclose a snowy whiteness intermixt with red ; or like the crimson bloud a purple shed ; or the deep murrey into wan decay'd ; like a pale widow under a black shade ; or in strip'd strakes with py'd achates vies , the tulip from the rest still bears the prize . though now a flow'r , yet dalmatis before , hard by timavus sping a blew nymph bore ; this was her mother : changing proteus her father was ; whose fickle genius she follows , when vertumnus had searcht o're the world , at last near to timavus shore , in the illyrian bounds , the maid he sees ; and while with flatt'ring words he strives to please his mistress , she from his addresses flies , though in her colours he diversifies himself , yet still she frustrate his desires ; and would not nourish his unlawful fires . at last , in hopes this would all doubts remove , he tells her he 's a god , a god in love . yet she persists ; which causes him to try by force to make the tender maid comply : now she implores the gods , and by their pow'r t' avoid the ravisher , becomes a flow'r . the ornaments and fillets which adorn'd her head and golden hair , to leaves were turn'd . where her breast was , a slender stalk do's grow ' girt with a tuft of spreading leaves below ; in an orbic'lar figure , like a cup , upon this stalk a slower rises up , consisting of six leaves , which proudly show the diff'rent colours nature can bestow . this nymph , though now a flower , cannot yet her fancy for strange colour'd clothes forget . in the worst mold this flower better thrives ; and barren earth miraculously gives more beauty to it , then a fertile ground , and when least strong , it is most comely found . if to your tulips you will adde more grace , 't is best to set them in a fainter place . for if you put them in a richer bed , the goodness of the soyl will make them red . wen out of ev'ry bed the flow'rs disclose themselves , if that the humid south-wind blows , or from the drier north if boreas move , bring garlands to the altars ; for they love with these to be adorn'd . thus glycera appeas'd great iove , and did the storms allay . a flow'ry wreath was then the ornament , with which the modest temples were content . profuseness had not on the vulgar gain'd ; and vows to lesser bounds were then restrain'd . i by my own experience do find , that a wet april with a southern wind , destroys the horrour of the spring again , and makes our early expectations vain . throughout the sabine valleys heretosore bath'd all in wine , the shepherds us'd t' adore celestial pales : hay was th' ossering , which for their seed & cattle they did bring ; the chaff consum'd th' infernals to appease : them with their februan rites they strove to please . that moneth o're which the ram is president , brings forth the bellides , the ornament of virgins now , though heretofore they were nymphs of the meads themselves ; among them are those of the woods , whose stalks discriminate their species , from them which propagate themselves in gardens , made of finer threads , on lesser stalks these shew their painted heads . the white etrurian iris now appears ; but those are yellow , lusitania bears : one , for its figure , is by some desir'd ; the other , for its colour , more admir'd . with leaves condens't on the iberian hills exalted high , now springs the daffodills ; and water-mint in moister vales we find , for garlands fit , when 't is with myrtle joyn'd . with its three colours too the flow'r of iove we see , which had it smell , would equal prove to th' violets : adonis also flow'rs , whose loss idalian venus so deplores . and thou ranunculus , whose fame resounds among the nymphs that dwell in lybian bounds . thou through the fields in parti-colour'd dress aspir'st , thy paleness do's thy thoughts confess . the love-sick youth once with the same desire inflam'd himself , and set the nymphs on fire . these flow'rs with easie culture are content ; the mattock , rake , or other instrument , they trouble not ; for if with fast'ned root into the air they once but dare to shoot , the bed once made , by wat'ring them you gain so much of pleasure for so little pain . nor yellow calthae with their paler light would i forget , shew'd first to acis sight on the sicilian shore ; which from the sun , towards which they look , draw their complexion . with curled threads , and top divided now along the margin of your borders grow stock-gilly-flow'rs , whose blushing leaf may fear , and justly too , the sharpness of the air . therefore because they cannot well preserve themselves against ill weather , they deserve a place in earthen pots ; the best defence against the north , and winters violence . then if november with its horrid show'rs should rage , it cannot prejudice your flow'rs . for thus dispos'd , when danger menaces , to warmer sheds they are remov'd with ease . our fields may now of that sambucus boast , which first was borrow'd from the geldrian coast ; it s candid flow'rs when they themselves dilate , do most the swelling roses imitate . to make the year prove kind , postumius i' th' mayan calends fi●st did introduce the rites of flora ; for the husbandman in rural matters newly then began t' employ himself , his hair with privet bound ; about the place the floral rites resound . swains to their temples pleited garlands joyn ; then new-blown flow'rs they offer'd at the shrine o' th' goddess ; for such off ' rings as these did best the mother of the flow'rs appease . but when the ram , who boldly heretofore upon his back essay'd to carry o're his helle , disappears , from other seed another race of flow'rs will succeed . if with kind aspects gentle mercury favour his mother maia from the sky ; if the olenian goat no storms portend , and no black showers from the clouds descend ; now , more then ever , will the wanton ground with all the species of herbs abound . the prickly hedges now their odours give ; and tam'risks with their precious leaves revive . soft cicer too will flourish , and green broom , with colocasia which from egypt come ; acanthus girt with knots , and thorns , we see , and bright parthenium , with rosemary , triorchis , sage , and parsley , once the meed , which to the istmian victor was decreed ; dames violets appear , with meadow-rue ; among the alps phalangium we pursue . through allobrogian vales isopyrum , time , rhamnus , housleek , and antirrhinum , with woody nard , arcadian moly that which homers poems so much celebrate . by the same culture these we raise from seed : with them invest your fields , let ev'ry bed be then replenisht ; for a naked space the honour of your garden would disgrace . the seasons known , next learn how deep in mold you ought the seeds of flowers to infold . among high branches lofty piony proudly aspires , stain'd with a crimson-dye . a colour , as it guilty odours show , its crimes , and not its blushes did bestow . a happy nymph , if her more peaceful hours had not been troubled by divine amours ; mortal addresses she resus'd , as vain , guarding alcinous sheep upon the plain . and nothing yet perhaps had made her yield , till an immortal lover won the field . convolvulus disdaining to be bound with divers flow'rs dilated , now is found in the moist vales ; then mighty nature wrought , while lillies once employ'd her busie thought , a little work , if with the rest compar'd ; when she to greater things her felf prepar'd . blew-bottle , lark-spur , of their own accord now in the fields their diff'rent leaves afford . painted blattaria , pois'nous aconite wolss-grass , wild basil , fennel which delight in various forms and colours all , and now along the borders all their beauties show . these , and a thousand others will contend t' enrich your garden ; odours too ascend spreading themselves through the serener air , where gentle breezes strive to bless the year . this makes the fertile meadows all rejoyce , and philomela with her charming voice ; and this invites the wanton flocks to play , as they amidst their fruitful pastures stray . who could be so unkind as to perswade , i should for th'town forsake my countreyshade ? such joys i 'le ever love , and should be glad at those delightful rivers to be staid , near thee , o tours , between the cher and loir , where we the rural miracles admire of france . thou native soyl of gardens hail ! to the surrentine hills , the sabine vale , or the oebalian fields thou giv'st not place . thee soft ferentum , nor the bantine chace excell , nor what phalantus did possess , or the sweet shades which happy tibur bless . besides the coast with streams and fountains grac't , and on each side vast tracts of meadows plac't ; the neighb'ring hills all set with vines , the town , which its rich merchandizes so renown ; the peoples inclinations , whose soft clime ha's rendred them polite , they spend their time in silken works ; here shady woods are seen , and meadows cover'd with eternal green : gardens , as if immortal , ne're decay , and fading flow'rs to fresher still give way . such is saint germans , which the pow'rs of france inhabit , or the vale of mommorance , such fields are wash'd by th' sein ; medun's like this ; and such saint cloud , with famous ruel is . the pensile gardens of semiramis , the orchard kept by the hesperides , whose apples watch'd by dragons are be liev'd ; or vain elyzium of the greeks receiv'd ; cannot approach the streams , and groves , which france adorn , or the proud structures which advance her fame , where pow'rful art with nature strives , and rivers into large canales derives . from taurus front in iune the hyades appear , and lowring clouds disturb the skies ; with prayers therefore you must heaven appease , and by devotion make the tempests cease : then will the earth be spangled o're anew , and high-topt lychnis brings it self in view . asphodel too , by learned hesiod priz'd , whose roots out temp'rate ancestors suffic'd . next these the greater cyanys , which bring their name of old from a bizantine king. the shield-leav'd cresse , and cityssus both fain'd , in humane figures to be once contain'd : the first , a famous dardan hunter was ; the last , a shepherd of the argive race . like the cone-bearing cypress now we see linaria , which obtain'd in italy a better name , by them call'd belvedere ; nor aquilegia longer can defer to flow'r , its leaves a violet-purple stains , with anthemis , as long as taurus reigns , it grows : the flow'r of helen too ascends , which in it self both colours comprehends . that helen ancient ilium did destroy ; her eyes , and not the greeks , set fire on troy. she asia fill'd , and europe with alarms , and her high quarrel put the world in arms . then german fox-glove , with discolour'd rays , and lovely calamint it self displays : thryallis , anthora , aethiopis , with scylla , whose thrice flow'ring signifies , like lentisk , the three seasons fit to plow. lytrum , obscure cerynthe , all-heal too will shew it self , known by its tyrian dye , with multitudes of the ignobler fry . now i perceive from whence these odours flow ; while on the roses kinder zephyrs blow . out of the prickly stalk the purple-flow'r springs , and commands the vulgar to adore . the garden-queen do's now her self display , soiling the lustre of the rising day . and cynthia too withdraws her wearied sight , grown pale , and vanquish'd by excess of light . she , who not yet had spread her tender leaves , impatient now of her confinement , cleaves thrugh all impediments ; her form divine speaking her justly of a royal line . her blushing modesty would make you guess , that she was chaste , if not her virgin-dress . therefore since bloud and virtue so agree , it shews her chasteness , and her majesty . the amazonians falsly do combine among themselves to place this heroine . falsly , i say ; for she 's to greece allow'd , where sea-girt corinth to her scepter bow'd . fame of her beauty spreads through ev'ry place , and kings themselves pay homage to her face . warlike halesus first of all arrives , then high born brias , who himself derives , from seven-fold nile ; next ax-arm'd arcas hies , cover'd with laurels , proud of victories ; which after various perils undergone , his conqu'ring arms on theban plains had won . all these he prostrates at her royal feet , in hope such off'rings might acceptance meet . proud of her beauty , she replies , her charms yield not to such mean arts , but manly arms. no longer hearkens to their idle vows , but in the midst of armed troups she goes to phoebus , and his sisters fane , desires diana's aid against immodest fires . the surious lovers now with force attaque the queen , the temple-doors they open break . from whence repell'd , their mistress makes them feel the dire effects of her inraged steel . perhaps her courage , more then feminine , mingled with modest blushes made her shine more splendidly ; or else some fresh supplies of lightning were conspicuous in her eyes . something there was that had amaz'd the rude and duller genius of the multitude : for with loud shouts they daringly prefer rhodanthes name before diana's : her they now adore , and in the goddess stead , cry out rhodanthe shall be deified when learn'd apollo from the azure sky beheld rhodanthes great impiety , with vengefull flames , that did obliquely glide , he makes her curse her sacrilegious pride . close to the altar now her feet are joyn'd ; which spreading roots do yet more firmly bind . her arms are boughs ; and though she senseless grows , yet great and comely in her change she shows . she had not less perfection , then before ; and fair rhodanthe is as fair a flow'r : happy , if she had never merited those honours which to her destruction led . apollo's vengeance stops not coldly here ; the irreligious vulgar now appear transform'd to thorns ; which in that shape contend with dreadful points rhodanthe to defend . into a butter-fly halesus goes ; arcas t' a drone ; while valiant brias grows a caterpiller ; who with one consent their former mistress in new shapes frequent . and though this flow'r be justly plac't above all others , yet it do's not lasting prove . thus the best things do soonest bend to fate ; and nothing can be durable that 's great . i cannot all the species rehearse of roses , in the narrow bounds of verse . some curl'd , some wav'd about the top are found , and others with a thousand leaves are crown'd ; through which the flaming colours do appear . others are single , not t' insist on here either the damask , or numidian rose , or cistus , which in lusitania grows . roses unarm'd , if you the earth prepare , may be produc't ; but they in danger are ; because unguarded ; for what excellence can be secure on earth without defence ? though saliunca to the roses yields , yet it will adde some beauty to our fields . these flow'rs are quickly subject to decay , and when orion shines , they fade away . in pots the candid hyacinths remain intire , which from their tub'rous roots obtain another name ; our merchants those of late from the far distant indies did translate : their station first in italy they had ; and then to rome , and latium were convai'd . from whence all europe ha's been furnish'd , where in ev'ry garden now they domineer . not onely boasting of the native snow , which decks their front , but of their odours too . if ever any flow'rs you admire , these above all will greatest care require . in earthen vasa's when they are secure , the shocks of wind and rain they best endure . and lest the parching rayes of sirius prove destructive , you must soon your flow'r remove into your house ; nor think it labour lost , that cannot be unworthy of your cost ; which , to adorn , and to augment our store , by sea we borrow from the farthest shore . nor cymbalum will long be wanting found with purple flow'rs inverted to the ground . the onely nat'ral difference we see of them , and lillies since their smells agree . chrysanthes next with radiant threads appears , its leaf a deep sidonlan tincture bears . and though amaracus at first may seem unworthy of a place in your esteem , contemn it not ; for it will recompence the want of form , in pleasing th' other sence . venus with fragrant smell did heretofore indue this plant hard by deep simois shore . yarrow will now a thousand leaves expose , and summer iris various colours shows . with , malva , linum , yellow melilot , and red ononis too ; whose binding root do's oft the tardy husbandman molest , and stops the progress of his lab'ring beast : the nymphs may now frequent the verdant meads , and make them pleited chaplets for their heads : their hands , and ozier baskets may be fill'd with flow'rs , which spread themselves o're ev'ry field . but let all nymphs that tragick use avoid , by which th' aegyptian queen her self destroy'd . when vanquish'd antony from actium ran , leaving augustus th' empire of the main ; she fearing to adorn his victory , rather chose death , then living in famy . but lest her resolutions should be known , beneath the flow'rs the pois'nous asps were thrown . thus she expir'd in death with pleasure blest , applying fatal serpents to her breast . flowers in many things convenient are ; our tables , and our cupboards we prepare with them ; and better to disfuse their scent , we place them in our rooms for ornament . by others into garlands they are wrought ; and so for off rings to the altars brought . sometimes to princes bankets they ascend , and to their tables fragrant odours lend ; as oft they serve to grace a temp'rate mess , where the content is more , the plenty less . nor want there those , who with sublime skill , in hollow limbecks flowers can distill . now with a slow , now with a quicker fire they work , which makes the vapor strait aspire to the cool brass , whence heated once anew , it gently trickles into pearly dew . the spirit thus of flowers is convey'd to water , and by trial stronger made . unguents from them are drawn , such as of old to rub the hair capuan seplasia sold ; capua , whose soft delights , and pleasing charms prov'd worse then cannae to the punick arms . where hannibal that enemy to peace , indulg'd himself to luxury and ease , painting it self , from flow'rs we derive , whose colours did the first examples give . by glycera pausiades thus taught , painted the diff'rent flowers which she brought from them , & by the care of those that weave , such great improvements figur'd silks receive . and from that nectar which the flow'rs contain , industrious bees their honey too obtain , i should too tedious be , if i should sing the mighty aids which herbs and flowers bring to the diseases men are subject to : for these the gods with virtue did indue . near paris , where the rapid sein do's glide , in a sub urban villa did reside a single man ; his garden was his wife ; and his delight a solitary life . few acres were the limits of his land ; no costly tapestry his walls prophan'd : and yet he was as satisfi'd as those , on whom too partial fortune oft bestows her greatest favours , since'tis not excess , but moderation causes happiness , from regions far remote he flowers brought , and wholesome herbs on distant mountains sought . into his garden these he did translate , and to his friends their qualities relate . he could not long enjoy his solitude , fame soon attracts the neighb'ring multitude ; who importune him that he would impart his skill , and not conceal his pow'rful art . those who of shortness in their breath complain'd , and in whose bowels scorching feavers reign'd ; some for ill humors , joynts ne're standing still , and beating at the heart , implor'd his skill . those , whom physicians long had given o're , he by reviving med'cines did restore . but he that could renew lost health agen , deserves the praises of a better pen. peruvian granadil in summer blows , which near the amazonian river grows . nature her self this flowers leaves divides into three parts , and waves them on the sides . from a tall stalk sharp prickles it do's send , like those that do the holy thorn defend : with triple-pointed leaves resembling those accursed nails , which fix'd christ to the cross. next painted meleagris , echium shew themselves with rumex , adianium too , and hesperis ; to which the influence of phaebus various colours dispence . lovely carnations then their flow'rs dilate ; the worth of them is , as their beauty , great . their smell is excellent ; a cod below restrains the swelling leaves , which curled grow divided too ; this flow'r exacts our care : for if th' extreams of heat or cold the air molest too much , they 're blasted in their birth , unable to aspire above the earth . morning and evening therefore you must chuse to water them , or else their charms they lose . hemerocallis next we see , whose name deservedly from its short duration came . its flowers always do obliquely bend , and into purple leaves themselves extend . with numbers of them all your garden store , while they are fresh you will admire them more . if pois'nous orobanche should by chance , among the rest , its noxious head advance ; let not your cattle eat it , lest they find too late the dire effects it leaves behind . cows set on fire by its pernicious taste , without delay , straight to ingender haste . whole flocks besides , as if they were untam'd , stray through the woods with lustful rage inflam'd . high matricaria on long branches shows her candid flow'rs : about them thlaspis grows . thlaspis was once a cretan youth ; he lov'd this nymph ; & their amours had happy prov'd if fate had crown'd their innocent delights , with less unlucky hymeneal rites . chamaedris near cold springs new vigour takes ; nature its leaves like saws indented makes . two sorts of the wild orchis now appear ; and on their leaves two diff'rent colours bear . within a while your garden waxes white , and snowy flowers will surprize your sight . for if the summer do's not late arrive , on verdant stalks the lillies will revive . france more then any nation has preferr'd this flow'r , some say , from phrygla 't was transferr'd by francus , sprung from hector ; full o' th' fame of his great aucestours ; that his own name might be extoll'd , remoter climes he sought , and settling here to us our lillies brought . but our forefathers , by tradition , prove they fell , like the ancile , from above . saint clodovaeus , who did first advance the doctrine , and the faith of christ in france , with his pure hands receiv'd the heav'nly gift and to the care of his successors left ; that it should be preserv'd from age to age his kingdoms ensign , and praedestin'd badge . these arms shall flourish , when propitious fate in lasting peace shall on great lewis wait . when he th' affrighted world shall have compos'd , and all the wounds of war and tumult clos'd ; when fraud and murder he ha's put to flight , and with firm leagues he shall mankind unite . now for past loves unhappy clytie grieves , and paleness from the parching sun receives . sh' aspires o're other flow'rs , in hopes , by chance her former lover might vouchsafe a glance . crosus , and smilax too in iune appear , which heretofore did humane bodies wear . their tufted heads when poppies have expos'd , and th' earth for new productions is dispos'd ; to make her riches in more splendour shine , in the same flower diff'rent colours joyn . to eleusinian ceres poppies owe their rise ; with purple leaves some higher grow : but the white kind a dye , like silver , yields , shewing the modest treasures of the fields . the seeds to med'c'nal uses are applied , and often in diseases have been tried . sometimes short-winded coughs they moderate , and welcome sleep in sickly men create . in greece eryngus is deserv'dly sought ; born in a womans breast , while green , 't is thought an antidote against all lustful fires ; and to allay a husband 's wild desires . phaon did thus his sappho's love obtain , if the records of time may credit gain . but while the dog-star rages in the sky , and cruel clouds their wonted show'rs deny ; when burning phoebus lengthens out the days , scatt'ring the dew by his refulgent rays ; lest all your plants should at the root decay , and wanting moisture quickly fade away ; from neighb'ring fountains flow your garden o're , such vital drops will life again restore . for now aurora no refreshment gives , no humid dew the dying grass relieves . among the flow'rs , which late i' th' year arrive , immortal amaranthus will survive . for at that time an unknown multitude of vulgar flowers will themselves extrude . conyza , horminum , hedysarum , angelica , small henbane , apium , marchmallows , woad , armeria , clematis , with trembling coriander , barberis , both the abrotonums , myrrhe , centory , slender melissa , sium , cicory , buphthalmum , stoechas , hyosedamus , and spotted calendule their flow'rs produce . mint , and nigella too ; with these we see the summer thus and autumn still agree to fructifie , and thus the year goes round , while ev'ry season is with flowers crown'd . the golden attick star in meadows reigns , so term'd by greece ; but by the latine swains , amellus : in wet vales , near fountain sides , it grows , or where some crook'd maeander glides . in making nooses it is useful found , when the ripe vintage hangs upon the ground . purple narcissus of iapan now flow'rs , its leaves so shine , as if with golden showers it had been wet ; which makes it far out-vy the lustre of phoenician tapestry . therefore t' augment the grace of france , 't is fit this flow'r into our gardens we admit . 't is true , it hardly answers our desires at first , but longer culture still requires . yet let not this occasion our despair , when once it blows , 't will recompence our care . the box about the borders , ev'ry year , about the spring , or autumn always shear . it 's best to let the boughs be mollifi'd by rain , which makes them easier to divide . but you must know , that flowers are not all deduc'd at first from one original : for some alone from tub'rous roots proceed , from bulbous some , and others rise from seed . the beds we in october should disclose , and on large floors the bulbous roots expose to th' air , that the suns rays may then attract that moisture which in summer they contract , by lying under ground ; thus purg'd and clean , after some time they may be set agen . and better to resist the winters cold , they must be deeply buried in their mold . but with less care we set the tub'rous root , that of its own accord will downward shoot . while others if not deeply plac'd are lost , as well by drowth , as by the piercing frost . perhaps your stupid lab'rers may not know the seasons that convenient are to sow . therefore you must observe , if scorpio meet erigone , and move his lazie feet . when the hoarse crane cuts th' air with tardy wing , and makes the clouds with horrid clangor ring . then 's the best time of all to plant your flow'rs , if humid autumn but with mod'rate show'rs some days before refresh the parched face of th' earth , which in its bosome will embrace the bulbous roots , and kindly warmth infuse , supplying ev'ry branch with quick'ning juyce . but lest the rain should stagnate , and be found by its unequal wetting of the ground . hurtful to th' roots , by swelling banks you may all the superfluous water drain away . our lab'rers thus the royal gard'ner taught ; from him , this way of planting flow'rs they brought . in all that could improve , or grace the field , in all the arts of culture he excell'd . by the moons face you should the seasons know , o're tempests she , the air , and earth below an influence ha's ; if she her orb displays , piercing the opacous clouds with silver rays . when with soft breezes she inspires the air , and makes the winds their wonted rage forbear . till it be full moon , from her first increase , the season's good ; but if she once decrease , stir not the earth , nor let the husbandman sow any seed ; when heav'n forbids , 't is vain . you must obey , when th' heav'nly signs invite ; have the parrhasian stars still in your sight . which less then any do their lustre hide ; and best of all the erring plowman guide . some in preparing of their seed excell , making their flow'rs t' a larger compass swell thus narrow bolls with curled leaves they fill , helping defective nature by their skill . others are able by their pow rful art , new odours , and new colours to impart ; to change their figures , to retard their birth , or make them sooner cleave their mother earth . these pleasures are with small expence and ease obtain'd , if such delights your fancy please . spite of hot sirius tanacetum lives , and , while he burns the fields , in africk thrives , it s lovely colours , and thick foliage will allo flourish through the winters rage . this flow'r great austrian charls did here to fore besieging tunis , from the punick shore transmit to spain . when frost first binds the ground , and sharp december spreads its ice aground i' th' scythian clime , in the sarmatian fields , distracting hellebore black flowers yields . and yellow aconites on th' alps appear , others at other seasons of the year . now persian cyclamine , and lawrel blows , which on the bank of winding mosa grows . broad-leav'd merascus , and green sonchus live , with crocus , which from iura we derive . the late narcissus in these months we find , and winter hyacinths ; but from the wind , and killing frost , to save your flowers , draw over your beds a covering of warm straw . thus they avoid the winters violence , till the kind spring renews its insluence . what angry deity did first expose to the rough tempests , and more rigid snows , the soft antmony , whose comely grace a gentler season , and a better place deserves● for when with native purple bright it shews its leaves to the propitious light , with diff'rent colours strip't , and curled flames encompast , it out love and wonder claims . there is not any other that out-vies this flowers curled leaves , or num'rous dyes ; nor the sidonian art could e're compose so sweet a blush , as this by nature shows . flora inrag'd , because she was so fair , banish't this nymph into the open air ; she was the boast and ornament of greece , but beauty seldom meets with happiness . so 't prov'd to her ; for whilst the careless maicl to take the air , about the fresh fields stray'd : straight jealous thoughts the angry goddess move ; angry her husband zephyrus should love ought but her self ; th' effects of her disdain on anemona light ; her form in vain adorns her now , to that she ow'd her fate : less beauty might have made her fortunate . thus she who once among the nymphs exceld , transform'd is now the best of flowers held . while venus for her lov'd adonis griev'd , after he had his mortal wound receiv'd ; her onely comfort in this flow'r remain'd ; for from his streaming bloud , when she had drain'd all that was humane , and had sprinkled o're the corps with sacred juyce ; from the thick gore immediately a purple flow'r arose , which did a little recompence her loss . this flowers form and colours so invite , that some whole cases full of turf delight to sow with seed ; which when they first arise , with colours pleasingly confus'd surprise . victorious gast● so this flower did grace , that in his luxemburgh he gave it place ; call'd for the pots ; nor could at meals refrain , with it himself and court to entertain . these in the winter you should cultivate , that so upon the beds they may dilate their percious flow'rs , which only can restore your gardens life ; for when the frost before destroy'd without repulse , these triumph still , and conquer that which all the rest do's kill . when others with dejected leaves do mourn , and wet aquarius do's discharge his urne ; this with illustrious purple decks the fields , but if her zephyrus kind breezes yields , she 'l flourish more ; by which we well may find , that to each other they are yet inclin'd . while with succeeding flow'rs the year is crown'd , whose painted leaves enamel all the ground ; admire not them , but with more grateful eyes to heaven look , and their great maker prize . in a calm night the earth and heaven agree , there radiant stars , here brighter flow'rs we see . rapinus of gardens . book ii. woods . long rows of trees and woods my pen invite , with shady walks a gardens chief delight : for nothing without them it pleasant made ; they beauty to the ruder countrey adde . ye woods and spreading groves afford my muse that bough , with which the sacred poets use t' adorn their brows ; that by their pattern led , i with due laurels may impale my head . methinks the okes their willing tops incline , their trembling leaves applauding my design ; with joyful murmurs , and unforc't assent , the woods of gaule accord me their consent . cithaeron i , and menalus despise , oft grac't by the arcadian deities ; i , nor molorchus , or dodona's grove , or thee crown'd with black okes , calydne love ; cyllene thick with cypress too i flye ; to france alone my genius i apply . where noble woods in ev'ry part abound , and pleasant groves commend the fertile ground . if on thy native soyl thou dost prepare t' erect a villa , you must place it there , where a free prospect do's it self extend into a garden ; whence the sun may lend his influence from the east ; his radiant heat should on your house through various windows beat : but on that side which chiefly open lies to the north-wind , whence storms and show'rs arise , there plant a wood ; for , without that defence , nothing resists the northern violence . while with destructive blasts o're cliffs & hills rough boreas moves , & all with murmurs fills ; the oke with shaken boughs on mountains rends , the valleys rore , and great olympus bends . trees therefore to the winds you must expose , whose branches best their pow'rsul rage oppose thus woods defend that part of normandy , which spreads it self upon the brittish sea. where trees do all along the ocean side great villages and meadows too divide . but now the means of raising woods i sing ; though from the parent oke young shoots may spring , or may transplanted flourish , yet i know no better means then if from seed they grow . 't is true this way a longer time will need , and okes but slowly are produc'd by seed : yet they with far the happier shades are blest ; for those that rise from acorns , as they best with deep-fixt roots beneath the earth descend , so their large boughs into the air ascend . perhaps because , when we young sets translate , they lose their virtue , and degenerate . while acorns better thrive , since from their birth they have been more acquainted with the earth thus we to woods by acorns being give : but yet before the ground your seed receive , to dig it first employ your laborer ; then level it ; and , if young shoots appear above the ground , sprung from the cloven bud ; if th' earth be planted in the spring , 't is good those weeds by frequent culture to remove , whoseroots would to the blossoms hurtful prove nor think it labour lost to use the plow : by dung and tillage all things fertile grow . there are more ways then one to plant a grove , for some do best a rude confusion love : some into even squares dispose their trees , where ev'ry side do's equal bounds possess . thus boxen legions with false arms appear at chess , and represent a face of war. which sport to schaccia the italians owe ; the painted frames alternate colours show . so should the field in space and form agree ; and should in equal bounds divided be . whether you plant yong sets , or acorns sow , still order keep ; for so they best will grow . order to ev'ry tree like vigour gives , and room for the aspiring branches leaves . when with the leaf your hopes begin to bud , banish all wanton cattle from the wood . the browzing goat the tender blossom kills ; let the swift horse then neigh upon the hills , and the free herds still in large pastures tread ; but not upon the new-sprung branches feed . for whose defence inclosures should be made of twigs , or water into rills convai'd . when ripening time ha's made your trees dilate , and the strong roots do deeply penetrate , all the superfluous branches must be fell'd , lest the oppressed trunk should chance to yield under the weight , and so its spirits lose in fuch excre●cencies ; but as for those which from the stock you cut , they better thrive , as if their ruine caus'd them to revive . and the slow plant , which scaree advanc'd its head , into the air its leavy boughts will spread : when from the fastned root it springs amain , and can the fury of the north fustain ; on the smooth bark the shepherds should indire their rural strifes , and there their verses write . but let no impious axe prophane the woods , or violate the sacred shades ; the gods themselves inhabit there . some have be held where drops of bloud from wounded okes distill'd : have seen the trembling boughs with horrour shake ! so great a conscience did the ancients make to cut down okes , that it was held a crime in that obscure and superstitious time . for driopeius heaven did provoke , by daring to destroy th' aemonian oke ; and with it it 's included dryad ' too : a venging ceres here her faith did show to the wrong'd nymph ; while erisichthon bore torments , as great as was his crime before . therefore it well might belesteem'd no less then sacriledge , when ev'ry dark recels the awful silence , and each gloomy shade , was sacred by the zealous vulgar made . when e're they cut down groves , or spoil'd the trees , with gifts the antients pales did appease . due honours once dodona's forrest had , when oracles were through the okes convaid . when woods instructed prophets to foretell , and the decrees of fate in trees did dwell . if the aspiring plant large branches bear , and beeches with extended arms appear ; there near his flocks upon the cooler ground the swain may lie , and with his pipe resound his loves ; but let no vice these shades disgrace : we ought to bear a rev'rence to the place . the boughs , th' unbroken silence of a wood , the leaves themselves demonstrate that some god inhabits there , whose flames might be so just , to burn those groves that had been fir'd by lust but through the woods while thus the rusticks sport , whole flights of birds will thither too resort ; whose diff'rent notes and murmurs full the air : thither sad philomela will repair ; once to her sister she complain'd , but now she warbles forth her grief on ev'ry bough : fills all with tereus crimes , her own hard sate ; and makes the melting rocks compassionate . disturb not birds which in your trees abide , by them the will of heav'n is signified : how oft from hollow okes the boading crow , the winds and future tempests do's foreshow . of these the wary plowman should make use ; hence observations of his own deduce : and so the changes of the weather tell . but from your groves all hurtful birds expell . when e're you plant , through okes your beech diffuse ; the hard male-oke , and lofty cerrus chuse . while esculus of the mast-bearing kind , chief in ilicean groves we always find . for it affords a far extending shade ; of one of these some times a wood is made . they stand unmov'd , though winter do's assail , nor more can winds , or rain , or storms prevail . to their own race they ever are inclin'd , and love with their associates to be joyn'd . when fleets are rigg'd , and we to fight prepare , they yield us plank , and furnish arms for war. fewel to fire , to plowmen plows they give , to other uses we may them derive . but nothing must the sacred tree prophane : some boughs for garlands from it may be ta'ne . for those whose arms their countrey-men preserve , such are the honours which the okes deserve . we know not certainly whence first of all this plant did borrow its original . whether on ladon , or on maenalus it grew , if fat chaonia did produce it first , but better from our mother earth , then modern rumours we may learn their birth . when iupiter the worlds foundation laid , great earth-born giants heaven did invade . and iove himself , ( when these he did subdue , ) his lightning on the factious brethren threw . tellus her sons misfortunes do's deplore ; and while she cherishes the yet-warm gore of rhoecus , from his monstrous body grows a vaster trunk , and from his breast arose a hardned oke ; his shoulders are the same , and oke his high exalted head became . his hundred arms which lately through the air were spread , now to as many boughs repair . a sevenfold bark his now stiff trunk do's bind ; and where the giant stood , a tree we find . the earth to iove strait consecrates this tree , appeasing so his injur'd deity ; then 't was that man did the first acorns eat . although the honour of this plant be great , both for its shade . and that it sacred is ; yet when its branches shoot into the skies , let them take heed , while with his brandish'd flame , the thund'rer rages , shaking natures frame . lest they be blasted by his pow'rful hand , while tamarisks secure , and mirtles stand . the other parts of woods i now must sing ; with beech , and oke , let elm , and linden spring . nor may your grove the alder-tree disdain , or maple of a double-colour'd grain . the fruitful pine , which on the mountain stands , and there at large its noble front expands ; thick-shooting hazle , with the quick beam set , the pitch-tree , withy , lotus ever wet ; with well-made trunk here let the cornel grow , and here oriciau terebinthus too ; and warlike ash : but birch and ewe repress ; let pines and firrs the highest hills possess : brambles and brakes fill up each vacant space with hurtful thorns ; in your fields walnuts place . and hoary iunipers , with chesnuts good , vvith hoops to barrel up lyoeus bloud . the diffrence which in planting each is found , now learn ; since th' elm with happy verdure's crown'd : since its thick branches do themselves extend , and a fair bark do's the tall trunk commend ; vvith rows of elm your garden or your field may be adorn'd , and the suns heat repell'd . they best the borders of your walks compose ; their comely green still ornamental shows . on a large flat continued ranks may rise , vvhose length will tire our feet , and bound our eyes . the gardens thus of fountain-bleau are grac'd by spreading elms , which on each side are plac'd . vvhere endless walks the pleas'd spectator views , and ev'ry turn the verdant scene renews . the sage gorycian thus his native field near swift oobalian galesus till'd . a thousand ways of planting elms he found ; with them he would sometimes inclose his ground : oft in directer lines to plant he chose ; from one vast tree a num'rous offspring rose . each younger plant with its old parent vies , and from its trunk like branches still arise . they hurt each other if too near they grow ; therefore to all a proper space allow . the thracian bard a pleasing elm-tree chose , nor thought it was below him to repose beneath its shade , when he from hell return'd , and for twice-lost enrydice so mourn'd . hard by cool hebrus rhodop ' do's aspire ; the artist , here , no sooner touch'd his lyre , but from the shade the spreading boughs drew near , and the thick trees a sudden wood appear . holm , withy , cypress , plane trees thither prest : the prouder elm advanc'd before the rest ; and shewing him his wife , the vine , advis'd , that nuptial rites were not to be despis'd . but he the counsel scorn'd , and by his hate of wedlock , and the sex , incurr'd his fate . high shooting linden next exacts your care ; with grateful shades to those who take the air . when these you plant , you still should bear in mind philemon and chaste baucis : these were joyn'd in a poor cottage , by their pious love , whose sacred ties did no less lasting prove , then life it self . they iove once entertain'd , and by their kindness so much on him gain'd ; that , being worn by times devouring rage , he chang'd to trees their weak and useless age . though now transform'd , they male and female are ; nor did their change ought of their sex impair . their timber chiefly is for turners good ; they soon shoot up , and rise into a wood . respect is likewise to the maple due , whose leaves , both in their figure , and their hue , are like the linden ; but it rudely grows , and horrid wrinkles all its trunk inclose . the pine , which spreads it self in ev'ry part , and from each side large branches do's impart , addes not the least perfection to your groves ; nothing the glory of its leaf removes . a noble verdure ever it retains , and o're the humbler plants it proudly reigns . to the gods mother dear ; for cybele turn'd her beloved atys to this tree . on one of these vain-glorious marsyas died , and paid his skin to phoebus for his pride . a way of boring holes in box he found , and with his artful fingers chang'd the sound . glad of himself , and thirsty after praise , on his shrill box he to the shepherds plays . with thee , apollo , next he will contend ; from thee all charms of musick do descend . but the bold piper soon receiv'd his doom ; ( who strive with heaven never overcome . ) a strong made nut their apples fortifies , against the storms which threaten from the skies . the trees are hardy , as the fruits they bear , and where rough winds the rugged mountains tear , there flourish best : the lower vales they dread , and languish if they have not room to spread . hazle dispers'd in any place will live : in stony grounds wild ash , and cornel thrive ; in more abrupt recesses these we find , spontaneously expos'd to rain and wind . alder , and withy , chearful streams frequent , and are the rivers onely ornament . if ancient fables are to be believ'd , these were associates heretofore , and liv'd on fishy rivers , in a little boat , and with their nets their painful living got . the festival approch'd ; with one consent all on the rites of pales are intent : while these unmindful of the holy-day , their nets to dry upon the shore display . but vengeance soon th' offenders overtook , persisting still to labour in the brook. the angry goddess fix'd them to the shore , and for their fault doom'd them to work no more . thus to eternal idleness condemn'd ; they felt the weight of heaven , when contemn'd . the moisture of those streams by which they stand , indues them both with power to expand their leaves abroad ; leaves , which from guilt look pale ; in which the never-ceasing frogs bewail . let lofty hills , and each declining ground , ( for there they flourish ) with tall firrs abound . layers of these cut from some ancient grove , and buried deep in mold , in time will move young shoots above the earth , which soon disdain the southern blasts , and launch into the main . but in more even fields the ash delights , where agood soyl the gen'rous plant invites . for from an ash , which pelion once did bear , divine achilles took that happy spear , which hector kill'd ; and in their champions fate involv'd the ruine of the trojan state. the gods were kind to let brave hector dye by arms , as noble , as his enemy . ash , like the stubborn heroe in his end , always resolves rather to break then bend . some tears are due to the heliades ; those many which they shed deserve no less . griev'd for their brothers death in woods they range , and worn with sorrow into poplars change . by which their grief was rend'red more divine , while all their tears in precious amber shine . these , with your other plants , still propagate : 't is true indeed they are appropriate to italy alone , and near the po , who gave them their first being , best they grow . into your forrests shady poplars bring , which from their seed with equal vigor spring . rich groves of ebony let india show ; iudaea balsoms which in gilead flow : persia from trees her silken fleeces comb ; arabia furnish the sabaean gum ; whose odours sweetness to our temples lend , and at the altar with our pray'rs ascend : yet i the groves of france do more admire , vvhich now on meads , and now on hills aspire . i not the wood-nymph , not the pontick pine esteem , which boasts the splendor of its line ; or those which old lycaeum did adorn ; or box on the cytorian mountain born : th' idaen vale , or erimanthian grove , in me no reverence , no horrour move ; since i no trees can find so large , so tall , as those which fill the shady vvoods of gause . vvhen from the cloven bud young boughs proceed , and the mast-bearing trees their leaves do spread ; the pestilential air oft vitiates the seasons of the year , and this creates vvhole swarms of vermin , which the leaves assail , and on the woods in num'rous armies fall . creatures in different shapes together joyn'd , the horrid eruc's , palmer-worm design'd with its pestif'rous odours to annoy your plants , and their young offspring to destroy . remember then to take these plagues away , lest they break out in the first show'rs of may. from planting new , and lopping aged trees , the prudent ancients bid us never cease : thus no decay is in our forrests known ; but in their honour we preserve our own . thus in your fields a sudden race will rise , which with your nurseries will yield supplies ; that may agen some drooping grove renew : for trees like men have their successions too . their solid bodies worms and age impair , and the vast oke give place to his next heir . while such designs employ your vacant hours , as ordering your woods , and shady bow'rs ; despise not humbler plants , for they no less , then trees , your gardens beauty do increase . with what content we look on myrtle groves ! on verdant laurels ! there 's no man but loves to find his limon , with acanthus , thrive . to see the lovely phyllirea live ; with oleander . ah! to what delights shorn cypress , and sweet gelsemine invites . if any plain be near your garden found , with cypress , or with horn-beam hedge it round . which in a thousand mazes will conspire , and to recesses unperceiv'd retire . its branches , like a wall , the paths divide ; affording a fresh scene on ev'ry side . 't is true , that it was honour'd heretofore ; but order quickly made valued more , by its shorn leaves , and those delights which rose from the distinguish'd forms in which it grows , to some cool arbor , by the ways deceit , allur'd , we haste , or some oblique retreat : where underneath its umbrage we may meet with sure defence against the raging heat . though cypresses contiguous well appear , they better shew if planted not so near . and since to any shape , with ease , they yield , what bound's more proper to divide a field ? repine not cyparissus , then in vain ; for by your change you glory did obtain . silvanus and this boy with equal fire did heretofore a lovely hart admire ; while in the cooler pastures once it fed , an arrow shot at random struck it dead . but when the youth the dying beast had found , and knew himself the author of the wound , with never ceasing sorrow he laments , and on his breast his grief and anger vents . silvanus mov'd with the poor creatures fate , converts his former love to present hate . and no more pity in his angry words , then to himself th' afflicted youth affords . weary of life , and quite opprest with woe , upon the ground his tears in channels flow : which having water'd the productive earth , the cypress first from thence deriv'd its birth , with silvan's aid ; nor was it onely meant t' express our sorrow , but for ornament . chiefly when growing low your fields they bound , or when your gardens avenues are crown'd with their long rows ; sometimes it ; serves to hide some trench delining on the other side . th' unequal branches always keep that green , of which its leaves are ne're devested seen . though shook with storms , yet it unmov'd remains , and by its trial greater glory gains . let phyllirea on your walls be plac'd , either with wire , or slender twigs made fast . it s brighter leaf with proudest arras vies , and lends a pleasing object to our eyes . then let it freely on your walls ascend , and there its native tapestry extend . nor knows he well to make his garden shine with all delights , who fragrant iassemine neglects to cherish , wherein heretofore industrious bees laid up their precious store . unless with poles you fix it to the wall , it s own deceitful trunk will quickly fall . these shrubs , like wanton ivy , still mount high ; but wanting strength on other props rely . the pliant branches which they always bear , make them with ease to any thing adhear . the pleasing odors which their flow'rs expire , make the young nymphs and matrons them desire , those to adorn themselves withall ; but these to grace the altars of the deities . with forreign iassemine be also stor'd , such as iberian valleys do afford : those which we borrow from the portuguese ; with them which from the ind●es o're the seas we fetch by ship ; in each of which we find a difference of colour , and of kind . though gentle zephyrus propitious proves , and welcome spring the rigid cold removes ; haste not too soon this tender plant t' expose . your gardens glory , the rash primrose , shows delay is better ; since they oft are lost , by venturing too much into the frost . the cruel blasts which come from the north wind , to over-hasty flow'rs are still unkind . let others ills create this good in you , without deliberation nothing do . for this will scarce the open air endure , till by sufficient warmth it is secure . no tree your gardens , or your fountains more adorns , then what th' atlantick apples bore . a deathless beauty crowns its shining leaves , and to dark groves its flower lustre gives . besides the splendour of its golden fruit , of which the boughs are never destitute ; this gen'rous shrub in cases then dispose , made of strong oke , these little woods compose ; whose gilded fruits , and flow'rs which never fade , a grace to th' countrey and your garden adde , proud of the treasures nature ha's bestow'd . when snowy flow'rs the slender branches load , and straying nymphs to gather them prepare , molest them not ; but let your wife be there ; your children , all your family employ , that so your house its orders may enjoy : that with sweet garlands all may shade their brows ; for in their flow'is these plants their vigor lose suffer the nymphs to crop luxuriant trees , and with their fragrant wreaths themselves to please . such soft delights they love ; then let them still with their fresh-gather'd fruit their bosoms fill . these apples atalanta once betray'd : they , and not love , o'recame the cruel maid . these were the golden balls which slack'd her pace , and made her lose the honour of the race . but these sweet smells , and pleasant shades will cease , nor longer be your gardens happiness ; unless the hostile winter be represt , and those strong blasts sent from the stormy east . wherefore to hinder these from doing harm , you must your trees with walls defensive arm . to such warm seats they ever are inclin'd , where they avoid the fury of the wind . these plants , besides that they this cold would shun , look for th' assyrian , and the median sun. in parched africa they flourish more , then if they grow by strimons icy shore . lest then the frost , or barb'rous north should blast your flow'rs , while all the sky is over-cast with duskish clouds , sheds set apart prepare , to guard them from the winters piercing air ; till the kind sun these tempests do's disperse , and with his influence chears the universe . then calmer breezes shall o're storms prevail , and your fresh groves shall sweet perfumes exhale . these trees are various , and the fruits they bear , are diff'rent too . the limons always are of oval figure , underneath whose rind a juyce ungrateful to our taste we find . but though at first our palates it displease , yet better with our stomack it agrees . others less sharp do in hetruria spring ; some , that are mild , from portugal we bring . another sort from old aurantia came , to which that city do's impart its name . hard by dircaean aracynthus lies this ancient town ; the orange hence do'srise . to which in rind and juyce the limons yield , by each new soyl new tasts are oft instill'd . mind not the fables by the grecians told of the hesperian sisters , who of old on vast mount atlas , near the libyan sea , with greatest care did cultivate this tree of fierce alcides , who by force brake in , and in the spoils o' th' nemean skin ; and from the dragon , who securely slept , stole , with success , the apples which he kept . return'd to th' aventine , he sets that hill , with orange-trees , which italy now fill . but things of greater moment are behind ; for purple oleander may be joyn'd with oranges , and myrtles ; each of these peculiar graces of their own possess . the myrtle chiefly , which , if fame says true , from the god's bounty its beginning drew . when venus plac't it in the pleasant shade of the idaean vales , about it plaid whole troups of wanton cupids , while the night was clear , and cynthia did display her light . this citherea above all prefers , and by transcendent favour made it hers . with myrtle , hence , the wedded pair delights to crown their brows at hymenaeal rites . hence iuno , who at marriages presides , for nuptial torches always these provide . eriphyle , sad procris , phaedra too , and all those fools , who in elysium wooe , honour this plant , and under myrtle groves , if after death they last , recount their loves . proud victors with its boughs themselves adorn , while round their temples wreaths with it are worn . tudertus , when the vanquish'd sabines fled , plac'd one of these on his triumphant head . the trunk is humble , and the top as low , on which soft leaves and curled branches grow . it s grateful smell , and beauty so exact , th' admiring nymphs from ev'ry part attract . if too much heat , or sudden cold surprize , which are alike the myrtles enemies , you must avoid them both , and quickly place the tender plant within a wooden case . sheds may protect them , if the cold be great ; or watring from the summers scorching heat , no impious tool our tenderness allows , to fell these groves , nor cattel here must browse oft oleanders in great vasd's live , with myrtles mix'd , and oranges , and give some graces to your garden , which arise from the confusion of their diff'rent dies . in watry vales , where pleasant fountains flow , their fragrant berries lovely bay-trees show . with leaves for ever green , nor can we guess by their endowments their extraction less . the charming nymph liv'd by clear peneus side , and might to love himself have been ally'd , but that she chose in virtues path to tread , and thought a god unworthy of her bed . phaebus , whose darts of late successful prov'd in pythons death , expected to be lov'd . and had she not withstood blind cupids pow'r , the siery steeds and hea'vn had been her dow'r . but she by her refusal more obtain'd , and losing him , immortal honour gain'd . cherish'd by thee apollo . temples wear the bays , and ev'ry clam'rous theater . the capitol it self ; and the proud gate of great tarpeian love they celebrate . into the delphick rites , the stars they dive , and all the hidden laws of fate perceive . they in the field ( where death , and danger 's found ; where clashing arms , ( and louder trumpets sound ) incite true courage : hence the bays , each muse , th' inspiring god , and all good poets chuse . persian ligustrum grows among the rest , whose azure flowers imitate the crest of an exotick fowl ; they first appear when the warm sun , and kinder spring draws near . then the green leaves upon the boughs depend , and sweet perfumes into the air ascend . pomegranates next their glory vindicate ; their boughs in gardens pleasing charms create . nothing their flaming purple can exceed , from the green leaf the golden flow'rs proceed : whose splendor , and the various curls they yield , add more then usual beauty to the field . as soon as e're the flowers fade away , yet to preserve their lustre from decay , to them the fruit succeeds , which in a round conforms it self , whose top is ever crown'd in seats apart , stain'd with the tyrian dye , a thousand seeds within in order lye . thus , when industrious bees do undertake to raise a waxen empire , first they make rooms for their honey in divided rows ; and last of all , on twigs the combs dispose . so ev'ry seed a narrow cell contains , made of hard skin , which all the frame sustains . neither to sharp or sweet the seeds incline too much , but in one mixture both conjoyn . from whence this crown , this tincture is deriv'd , we now relate ; the nymph in africk liv'd : descended from the old numidians race , beauty enough adorn'd her swarthy face ; as much as that tann'd nation can admit , too much , unless her stars had equall'd it . mov'd by ambition she desir'd to know what e're the priests or oracles could show of things to come , a kingdom they dispense in words including an ambiguous sense . she thought a crown no less had signifi'd , but in the priests she did in vain confide . when bacchus th' author of the fruitful vine from india came , her for his concubine he takes ; and to repair her honour lost , presents her with a crown ; by fate thus crost , the too ambitious virgin ceas'd to be ; transmitting her own beauty to this tree . sharp paliurus , rhamnus , ( which by some is white-thorn term'd ) your garden will become . there leavy caprifoil , alcaea too , th' idaean bush , and halimus may grow . woody acanthus ; ruscus there may spring , with other shrubs , these skilful gard'ners bring into a thousand forms ; but 't is not fit to tell their species almost infinite . from brighter woods the prospect may descend into your garden , there it self extend in spacious walks , divided equally , where the same angles in all parts agree , in oblique windings others plant their groves , for ev'ry man a diff'rent figure loves . thus the same paths , respecting still their bound in various tracts diffuse themselves around . whether your walks are strait , or crooked made , let gravel , or green turf be on them laid . the nymphs and matrons then in woods may meet , there walk , and to refresh their weary'd feet , into their chariots mount , though to the young labour and exercise does more belong . if close-shorn phylliraea you deduce into a hedge , for knots the carpine use ; or into arbors with a hollow back , the pliant twigs of soft acanthus make . with stronger wires the flowing branches bind . for if the boughs by nothing are confin'd , the tonsile hedge no longer will excell ; but uncontroll'd beyond its limits swell . and since the lawless grass will oft invade the neighb'ring walks , repress th' aspiring blade suffer no grass , or rugged dirt t' impair your smoother paths ; but to the gard'ners care these things we leave ; they are his business , with setting flow'rs , and planting fruitful trees . and with the master let the servants joyn , with him their willing hearts and hands combine : some should with rowlers tame the yielding ground , making it plain , where ruder clods abound . some may fit moisture to your meadows give , and to the plants and garden may derive refreshing streams ; let others sweep away the fallen leaves ; mend hedges that decay ; cut off superfluous boughs ; or with a spade find where the moles their winding nests have made ; then close them up : another flow'rs may sow in beds prepar'd ; on all some task hestow : that if the master happens to come down , to fly the smoak and clamour of the town ; he in his villa none may idle find , but secret joys may please his wearied mind . and blest is he , who tir'd with his affairs , far from all noise , all vain applause , prepares to go , and underneath some silent shade , which neither cares nor anxious thoughts invade , do's , for a while , himselfe alone possess ; changing the town for rural happiness . he , when the suns hot steeds to th' ocean hast , ere sable night the world ha's over-cast , may from the hills the fields below descry , at once diverting both his mind and eye . or if he please , into the woods may stray , listen to th' birds , which sing at break of day : or , when the cattle come from pasture , hear the bellowing oxe , the hollow valleys tear with his hoarse voice : sometimes his flow'rs invite : the fountains too are worthy of his sight . to ev'ry part he may his care extend , and these delights all others so transcend , that we the city now no more respect , or the vain honours of the court affect . but to cool streams , to aged groves retire , and th' unmix'd pleasures of the fields desire . making our beds upon the grassie bank , for which no art , but nature we must thank . no marble pillars , no proud pavements there , no galleries , or fretted roofs appear , the modest rooms to india nothing owe ; nor gold , nor ivory , nor arras know : thus liv'd our ancestors , when saturn reign'd , while the first oracles in okes remain'd , a harmless course of life they did pursue ; and nought beyond their hills their rivers knew . rome had not yet the universe ingrost , her seven hills few triumphs then could boast . small herds then graz'd in the laurenitne mead ; nor many more th' arician valleys feed . of rural ornaments , of woods much more i could relate , then what i have before : but what 's unfinish'd my next care requires , and my tir'd bark the neighb'ring port desires . rapinus of gardens . book iii. water . of pleasant flouds , and streams , my muse now sings , of chrystal lakes , grotts , and transparent springs . by these a garden is more charming made , they chiefly beautifie the rural shade . to me ye river-gods , your influence give , if deities in springs , in rivers live . into the secret caverns of the earth , where these perennial waters have their birth , i now descend ; as well to know the source , as to explore which way they take their course . to learn where all this liquid treasure lies , and whence the channels still have fresh supplies . wherefore let those who would instructed be in aquaeducts , their precepts take from me . into th' unskilful gard'ner i 'le infufe what may be ornamental , what of use . you then who would your villa's grace augment and on its honour always are intent : you who employ your time to cultivate your gardens , and to make their glory great : among your groves and flow'rs let water flow ; water , the soul of groves and slow'rs too . he that intends to do as i direct , must in the vales the scatter'd flouds collect . he into th'bowels of the earth must dive , to find out springs , which may the fields revive , all parch'd and dry ; for else , within a while . no grass will live upon the thirsty soyl. nor is it hard to do what you desire , if on the neighb'ring hills some rock aspire ; for in such places waters always flow , from whence you may refresh the meads belows thus the swift loir , the rhine , and the garonne , parisian sein , the sealdis , and the rhone ; the mighty danube too , and almost all the streams in nature from the mountains fall . whether some space be in the hollow caves , made for a receptacle of the waves ; or that the vital air no sooner feels th' included cold , but it as soon distills into small brooks ; thus the warm caverns sweat such humid drops , as when the season 's wet , and winter has obscur'd the air again , from marble pillars are observ'd to drain . with dewy moisture lofty cliffs abound , all places weep perhaps into the ground , and through the hills , help'd by the rain and snows , the water runs , still sinking at it goes . till forc'd for want of room , it then disdains more narrow bounds , insulting o're the plains . those before others should our credit gain , who would deduce all fountains from the main : whose boundless waves the universe embrace , and penetrate into each vacant space , each cranny of the earth ; as in our veins that active bloud which humane life sustains , is always mov'd , so th' ocean circulates , and into ev'ry part it self dilates . hence , though all rivers to the ocean hast , and in its depth are swallow'd up at last : yet these additions make it not run o're , or violate the limits of the shore . nor is the ground so close together knit , but that its pores and caverns will admit the subtle waves , which sinking by degrees , descend into its deep concavities . when uncontroll'd , they gently take their course ; but if disturb'd , they make their way by force . where frequent clefts the gaping earth divide , the waters there in greater plenty slide . thus too fresh streams do from the sea proceed , which of their native salt are wholly freed . they through the sand , and crook'd maeanders stray , and through uneven places force their way , strain'd by their soyls , through which they are convai'd , they lose that brackishness which once theyhad no taste , no other colour water knows , but what alone its mother earth bestows . for she alone distinguishes its end ; by causing it to heal , or to offend . borbon and pugia such springs produce , which borrow from the ground a wholesome juyce . by drinking them , diseases reign no more , to dying men they welcom health restore : the gods in nothing more their pow'r declare , in nothing more we may discern their care . what need of drugs ? what use of medicine ? pains cannot , dare not conquer aids divine . art sure must starve ; physicians must grow poor , if nature the decays of nature cure . let your first labour be to find a spring , which from the neighb'ring hillock you may bring . such places seldom fail of these supplies , therefore with digging you must exercise the earth , be diligent on ev'ry side : then if success be to your hopes deny'd ; if heavy sand composed the glebe , in vain you wish for what you never can obtain . when in their field some have for fountains sought , which thence they to their gardens would have brought , i saw their thirsty wishes unrepaid ; while the deaf gods neglected those who pray'd . where the medonian hills do lose their hight , there lately dwell'd the greatest favorite fortune e're had , the greatest france e're saw , a hundred plows his num'rous oxen draw . the treasures of the kingdom he commands , the nerves of peace and war were in his hands , to be dispos'd of , as the king thought fit , and as the rules of government permit . he on th' advantage of the hill had plac'd a noble house , which underneath was grac'd by a large plain , o're which it might be seen from paris , and the countrey too between . no gardens there , no woods were wanting found , the spacious prospect stretch'd it self around . but by the grassie banks no water straid , nor with hoarse murmurs wanton rivers plaid . the owner of the seat , a thousand ways , to find out springs beneath the earth essays . he left no means , no charges unapply'd : all the efforts of art and labour try'd . still his desire of fountains did incerease , and no repulses made his wishes cease , with empty hopes he feed his longing mind , and sought for that which he could never find . for though he left no place unsearch'd , unmov'd , yet his attempts still unsuccessful prov'd . so hard it is , unless the soyl consent , to find a spring ; which done , your thanks present to the kind gods , the rural pow'r adore ; do this , as i have done for you before . water , 't is true , through pipes may be convaid from hollow pits ; so fountains oft are made , by art , when nature aids not our designs , the pensile machine to a tunnel joyns ; which by the motion of a siphon straight , the element attracts , though by its weight it be deprest ; and thus , o sein , thy waves beneath pontneuf , the tall samarian laves ; and pours them out above : but let all those , who want these helps , to him address their vows , whose arm , whose voice alone can water draw , and make obdurate rocks to rivers thaw . now that success may equalize your pains , because the earth the searcher entertains with seeming hopes , these cautions take from me , which may prevent too rash credulity . where small declining hillocks you perceive , or a● soyl where flags and rushes live , where the fat ground a slimy moisture yields , if weeds and prickly sedge o'respread the fields ; there hidden springs with confidence expect : for sedgy places still to springs direct . the same conyza which with sea-weed grows , and moss condens'd upon the surface shows , batrachium , and sium too express unerring marks of neighb'ring streams . no less by reedy calamint we may divine . but you may make the scatter'd flouds combine and though in diffrent hills they were begun , they must united to your garden run . if in the hanging brow of some near hill , a copious vein be found ; then if you will , you may of lead , or earthen tiles make use , and so the springs into the vales deduce . for where the little vein you would compell , by adventitious waters still to swell ; there hollow vaults of slate do best convay the springs themselves , and rains which fall that way . th' adjacent brooks which ran before to waste , will by degrees to these inclosures haste . collected there they soon the channels fill , which will at length to larger currents swell . next that the waves may unmolested slide , and not through rough and darksom winding , glide ; that you may sep'rate the gross sediment , at distances with drains your course indent . for where through even ways the stream runs strong , that heavy slime , which it had forc'd along , proceeds , till the next trench its course controlls , then intercepted sinks into the holes . though under ground the vaulted channel goes , yet grates upon the top of wells dispose ; through which the water may its passage find , leaving the dirt and slimy mud behind . no sordid mire can make it now less pure , since by these means'tis rendred more secure . what if illustrious medicea calls arcolian springs to the parisian walls ? though her endeavours aquaeducts have made , and murmuring streams on hollow bridges laid ? yet such expences are too great sor me , nor with my narrow fortune can agree . with endless walls the stately pile appears , which a proud row of haughty arches bears . within the vault suspended waters flow , o're cloven hills , and vales which lye below . for with stone-walls the distances are joyn'd , to their extent the current is confin'd . hence come those springs , which all the city bless . the royal bounty caus'd this happiness . for publick work on publick souls depend ; to them no private fortune can pretend . such benefits from them alone are due , who with their treasures have profuseness too . though your estate be great , let me advise , that to no publick works you sacrifice , that which your fathers left : for he 's to blame , who with his ruine buys an empty name . in all such enterprizes ruine lurks ; who have not sunk themselves in water-works ? be modest therefore , fly from all extreams ; and in canales of tile convay your streams . or troughs of alder prostrate on the ground , for to this purpose they are useful found . but blest is he , who can without the aid of lead , or tile , or troughs of alder made , all through his garden neighb'ring brooks dispose ; such as near paris noble bearny shows : where copious bivara the happy place with swelling waves do's pleasingly embrace . and such is liancourt ; so we admire at borguiel in anjou the rapid loire . which through the wide salmurian vales and meads , it self with loud resounding murmurs spreads ; abounding so with water polycrene , ( if nature would have suffer'd it ) had been , whose warbling noise the poets now invites , and the inspiring muses more delights . nor be offended lovely fountain , though through sancaronian forrests thou dost go ; though th' unkind earth affords no smoother way , and makes thee through uneven chamberstray : yet art thou welcom to lamon : if so with thy moist springs and streams which ever flow , thou wouldst refresh his gardens , and agree to wash sweet bavillaeum , thou wouldst be more fortunate , thy deity would seem the greatest then in themis's esteem . for where we find a lib'ral vein at hand , and can with ease the neighb'ring waves command , 't is better far then pipes of brittle lead , which often crack , as oft the liquor shed . besides confinement is an injury ; a force on water which was ever free . but if the place you live in be so dry , that neither springs nor rivers they are nigh ; then at some distance from your garden make within the gaping earth a spacious lake : that like a magazine may comprehend th' assembled flouds , which from the hills descend , and all the bottom pave with chalky lome , since that can best the falling waves o'recome . how to distribute springs i now impart ; the means of spreading them , and with what art their motion must be gulded ; how restrain'd ; your gard'ner all these things must understand . the docile streams will any shape put on ; a thousand diff'rent courses they will run . all these instructions i to none refuse , who listen to the dictates of my muse. if you would have your water useful be , where neighb'ring vales beneath your garden lye , in pipes of lead let it be closely penn'd ; without restraint it never will ascend . others do rather brazen conduits use , that the stiff mettal might more strength infuse ; to make th' imprison'd element retire , and then with greater force again aspire . but still take heed that the included air within the pipes move no intestine war : that its fierce motion force them not to leak , and to get loose , the empty prison break . therefore through spiracles the air restore , to those wide mansions it possest before . thus in falernian cellars , when the wine , which is the product of that gen'rous vine , is pour'd into the cask , and hoop't about , they leave a vent to let the air go out : were this undone , the wine would quickly fly through the weak ribs , and all restraint defie . when in your gardens entrance you provide , the waters , there united , to divide : first , in the middle a large fountain make ; which from a narrow pipe its rise may take , and to the air those waves , by which 't is fed , remit agen : about it raise a bed of moss , or grass , or if you think this base , with well-wrought marble circle in the place . statues of various shapes may be dispos'd about the tube ; sometimes it is inclos'd by dubious scylla ; or with sea-calves grac'd ; or by a brazen triton 't is embrac'd . a triton thus at luxembourg presides , and from the dolphin , which he proudly ricles . spouts out the streams : this place , though beautisied with marble round , though from arcueill supply'd ; yet to saint cloud must yield in this out-shin'd , that there the hostel d'orleans we find . the little town , the groves before scarce known , enabled thus , will now give place to none . so great an owner any seat improves ; one whom the king , one whom the people loves . this garden , as a pattern , may be shown to those who would adde beauty to their own . all other fountains this so far transcends , that none in france besides with it contends . none so much plenty yields ; none flows so high , a gulf , i' th' middle of the pond do'slye , in which a swollen tunnel opens wide ; through hissing chinks the waters freely slide ; and in their passage like a whirlwind move , with rapid force into the air above ; as if a watry dart were upward thrown . but when these haughty waves do once fall down , resounding loud , they on each other beat , and with a dewy show'r the basin wet . how fountains first had being now i tell ; if any truth in ancient stories dwell . hard by the phasian bank , with prosp'rous gales , arm'd with his club , while great alcides sails ; a band of argian youth was with him sent , and among them his dearest hylas went. near old ascanius in bithynia stood a lofty grove of beech : as by this wood the swift bank sayls , the weary minyae land , and stretch their limbs on the inviting sand. the nimble favourite now goes in quest of hidden springs , and wanders from the rest ; with travel tir'd he comes to one at last , straight from his shoulders on the grass he cast the weighty pitcher which they hither bore ; and for refreshment sits upon the shore . ascanius had invited to a feast the neighb'ring nymphs , fair isis thither prest , with graceful ephyra , th' inachian dame , and lycaonian melanina came . the rural , and the river-nymphs were here , and none were absent , whose abodes were near . the charms of hylus isis first surprize ; his features she admires ; his sparkling eyes , on the green turf the weary youth repos'd : now all her artifices she disclos'd ; she uses all th' artillery of love , all that could pity or affection move ; and though she saw but little cause , so vain all lovers are , she hop'd he lov'd again . while he by stooping to draw water strives , either the slipp'ry bank his foot deceives ; or by the vessels weight too much opprest , he tumbles in ; to succour the distrest kind isis soon approch'd ; the offer'd aid not with acceptance , but with scorn he paid . th' assisting waves he scatters in the wind , and wrestles with that stream which would be kind . now all the other nymphs their pray'rs unite , and to the room with pumice arch'd invite the sullen boy ; there promise he shall be , as he deserv'd , a liquid deity . resusing still , his arms now wearied lose their strength , and he a sacred fountain grows . to which the nymph indulging her revenge , ( for love repuls'd to cruelty will change ) designs still proud , a lofty genius gave , that it by nature might a diff'rence have from other water ; always might aspire , always , in vain , to be more high desire . a copious fall its ruine hastens on ; and by its own ambition 't is undone . mean while alcides all along the coast , vainly enquires for him whom he had lost : th' ascanian shores , the hills his name resound , the rocks and woods of hylas eccho round . hylas , whose change alone was the first cause , that water rises against natures laws . thus he , who the embrace of isis flies , was punish'd by that nymph he did despise . hence spouting streams in verdant groves we see , and noble gardens to a luxury , by art diversify'd : for pow'rful art to the ambitious water can impart such diff rent shapes , as great ruel can boast , where glorious richlieu with excessive cost , and pains , the waves into subjection brings ; and still survives in monumental springs . all this he did , while he , not lewis raign'd , and atlas-like the tott'ring state sustain'd . here variously dispos'd the fountains run , first head-long fall , then rise where they begun . receive all forms , and move on ev'ry side ; with horrid noise , chimaera gaping wide , out of her open mouth the water throws . for from her mouth a rapid torrent flows , from her wide throat , as waves in circles spout , a serpent turning sprinkles all the rout . a brazen hunter watchfully attends ; and threatning death the crooked tunnel bends . instead of shot , thence pearly drops proceed ; drops not so fatal as if made of lead . this soon the laughter of the vulgar moves , whose acclamation the deceit approves . but why should i repeat how many ways in the deep caves art with the water plays ? the place grows moist with artificial rain , and hissing springs , which here burst out amain . rebounding high , streams ev'ry where sweat through , and with great drops the hanging stones bedew . they who the grotts , and fountains over-see , may as they please the streams diversifie . though the kind naiades comply with those , who when they grotts of pebble do compose , and springs bring in , still beautifie the cells , with eastern stones , or erythraean shells . others of hollow pumice may be made , and well-plac'd shells may on the top be laid . but all these arts , which modern ages own , were to our happy ancestors unknown . these sights must be expos'd to th' peoples view , whose greedy eyes such novelties pursue . to serious things you must your self apply , and water love in greater quantity : learn how to manage it when it falls down , either that like a river it may crown the deeper brims of some capacious lake ; or the resemblance of a pond may make . the tube , if wide enough , may more contain , and at a distance render it again . plenty in fountains always graceful shows , and greatest beauty from abundance flows . nor is the spout of water to be pois'd one way , or in one form to be compriz'd , it must be varied , if you pleasure seek . some from divided streams make showers break . the solar rays and light some represent ; or from a twanging bow swift arrows sent ; others in waves from precipices cast , more pleasure take ; then rap't about as fast , in little they charybdie imitats , which so indangers the sicilan straight . as in the bubling brass , o're rustling fires , hot liquor boils , the water so aspires . where it abounds , the current , there divide into small brooks , which o're the fields may glide . and into ponds these brooks must fall at last ; lest the best element should run to wast . now learn how art restrains the wandring flood , and at due distance makes it spread abroad . though to its nat'ral course the stream's inclin'd , and being free is hard to be confin'd ; yet you may soon compell it to that course which you prescribe , and make it run by force through dubious errours ; for it will delight to take false channels , having lost the right . by frequent windings water thus is staid , till over all the field it is convaid . so amymona's fabled to have err'd , as soon as neptunes passion she had heard . th' unhappy virgin , fearing her disgrace , follows , and flyes her self with equal pace , perhaps she had not yet the power to see . that she was chang'd by th' am'rous deity chang'd to a stream ; which in her footsteps strays , and through dircaean fields its pace delays . rivers diffus'd a thousand ways may pass , with hast'ning waves through the divided grass . like sudden torrents , which the rain gives head , through precipices some may swiftly spread ; and in the pebbles a soft noise excite . some on the surface with a tim'rous flight , may steal ; if any thing its speed retard , then its shrill murmurs through the fields are heard . inrag'd it , leaps up high , and with weak strokes the pebbles , which it overflows , provokes . threatning the bank it beats against the shore , and roots of trees which froth all sprinkles o're . that slender brook , from whence hoarse noises came , which as it had no substance , had no name ; when other riv'lets from the vales come in , th' ignoble current then will soon begin to gather strength ; for bridges may be fit , and by degrees great vessels will admit . sometimes by grassie banks the river goes ; sometimes with joy it skips upon green moss ; sometimes it murmurs in exalted groves , and with its threats the narrow path reproves . whken 't is dispers'd , then let the meads be drown'd , let slimy mud inrich the barren ground . if it runs deep , with dams its force restrain ; and from the meadows noxious water drain . where from their fountains rivers do break loose , and the moist spring the valleys overflows ; when on the meads black showers do descend , with mounds of earth the groves from flouds defend . as diff'rent figures best with streams agree , so on the sides let there some diff'rence be . still with variety the borders grace , there either grass , or fragrant flowers place ; or with a wharf of stone the bank secure ; but troubled fens let their own feeds obscure : or weeds , where croaking frogs and moor-hens lye ; nothing but grass your banks must beautifie . where silver springs afford transparent waves , and glist'ring sand the even bottom paves . on which green elms their leaves in autumn shee l . thus rivers both our care and culture need . while in their channels they run headlong down , we must take heed , that , as they hast , no stone fall'n from the hanging brink , may keep them back , and through the vales their course uneasie make . ye springs and fountains in the woods resound , and with your noise the silent groves confound . frequent their windings , all their avenues , and into the dry roots new life infuse . while pleasant streams invite your thoughts and eyes , and with resistless charms your sense surprize ; of humane life you then may meditate , obnoxious to the violence of fate , life unperceiv'd , like rivers , steals away . and though we court it , yet it will not stay . then may you think of its incertainty . constant in nothing but inconstancy . see what rude waves disturb the things below , and through what stormy voyages we go . so hypanis , you 'l say , and peneus so , simois , and volsoian amasenus flow ; naupactian achelous , inachus , with slow melanthus , swift parthenius , thus ran along , and so dyraspes went , whose current borysthenian streams augment . besides the fountains , which to art we owe , that falls of water also can bestow such , as on rugged iura we descry , on rocks ; and on the alps which touch the sky . where from steep precipices it descends , and where america it self extends to the rude north ; expos'd to eurus blast : on canadas bold shore the ocean past . there among groves of fit-trees ever green , streams falling headlong from the cliffs are seen : the cataracts resound along the shore ; struck with the noise , the woods and valleys rore . these wonders which by nature here are shown , ruellian naiads have by art out-done . into the air a rock with lofty head aspires , the hasty waters thence proceed . dash'd against rugged places they descend , and broken thus themselves in foam they spend . they sound , as when some torrent uncontroll'd , with mighty force is from a mountain roll'd . the earth with horrid noise affrighted grones , flints which lye underneath , and moistned stones , are beat with waves ; th' untrodden paths resound , and groves and woods do loudly eccho round . but if on even ground your garden stand , if no unequal hill , or cliff command , whence you the falling waters may revoke , from the declining ridge of some kind rock . then in long ranges your cascades digest : the nymph of liancourt so hers ha's drest . for by the gardens side , the rivers pass from no steep cliff , but down a bank of grass . nor should it less deserve of our esteem , when from an even bed diffus'd the stream runs down a polish'd rock , and as it flows , like linen in the air expanded shows . the textile floud a slender current holds , and in a wavy veil the place infolds . but these cascades and sports you need not there , where spacious pools with wider brims appear . and scarce within their banks and chambers held , run into brooks , and visit all the field . and to this end , if my advice you take , in the low places of your garden make , besides the other springs , large trenches too ; to which from ev'ry part the streams may flow . for little brooks and springs are not so good , nor please so much as a more noble floud . but if square pools , and deeper ponds you love , dig a broad channel ; all the earth remove ; to make it level to that watry bed , or the deep marsh by which it must be fed . then with a wharf of stone secure the place , with cement bound ; let this the shore embrace . for the foundation you with stone must lay ; though that it self ha's oft been forc'd away . always by force the element restrain , and let the shores the raging flouds contain . the empty lakes from springs will be supply'd , brought from the field along the gardens side . an hundred brooks from flowing never cease , and with their plenty make the pools increase . some i have seen , who all their ponds have fill'd , with those supplies which the deep torrents yield . and in a laver , by its bank inclos'd , the waves collected in the vales dispos'd : collected through the fields from fallen rains . and bavillaeum such a pond maintains . the nymph o' th place ha's this of late prepar'd the owners fortune ha's the house repair'd . from him the seat its greatest glory draws , and he obtain'd his honour by the laws . the slender stream through ancient ruines went , unless the winter showers did augment its force , it wash'd a villa quite decai'd , and with it s sully'd waves through rubbish straid . the sancaronian cattle on the brink , and bavillaean cows were wont to drink . once with a leap i could have past it o're , but its great master quickly did restore the beauty it had lost ; and as he rose , so still with him the current bigger grows . that which with rushes cover'd ran of late , though small , was destin'd to a better fate . in a great laver now the water swells , and stor'd with fish a spacious channel fills . the graver senators here often meet ; here the civilians , and the lawyers sit . here wearied with the town , and their affairs , they please themselves , and put off all their cares . a spout whose fall makes all the garden sound , discharges in the middle of the pond . nor will the plenteous waters please you less , when in the ground a circle they possess . which figure with a garden best agrees : if on the grassie bank a grove of trees , with shining scenes , and branches hanging down , the seats of stone , and verdant shores do's crown . but whether they stand still , or swiftly glide , with their broad leaves let woods the rivers hide . bestowing on each place their cooling shade ; for springs by that alone are pleasant made . still banish frogs , who their old strifes recite , and in their murmurs and complaints delight . drive them away ; for the malicious rout pollutes the springs , and stirs the mud about . let silver swans upon your rivers swim : let painted barges beautifie the stream ; and yielding waves with num'rous oars divide . but let no matrons in the shores confide ; for we , too well , have known their perfidy . a●ter her husbands fate alcyone , and anna sister to elisa too , the water-gods displeas'd , nor did they go unpunish'd long ; swift vengeance did descend , on them , and all who dare the gods offend . therefore with care these deities adore , lest while your servants work along the shore , some swelling tide should snatch them from your sight : but on our foes let these misfortunes light . now to proceed to what i have begun , that through your fields continued streams may run . let the collected flouds from ev'ry side o th' garden , of themselves extended wide , upon the banks in equal channels beat . no water makes a garden more compleat , then if arising from a copious source , o're all the meads it freely takes its course . if seen all round with sounding waves it flows , and as it runs a noble river grows . to adde more rules to those already known , were vain ; for if in verse i should set down all that this art contains , i then should swerve from those strict laws which poets should observe . if you 'l know more , then see those vales of late in their successful owner fortunate . see there the springs in order plac'd ; some bound in pipes of lead , and buried under ground . there you will find the grotts with springs adorn'd ; and how by art the fountains may be turn'd . nor suffer liancourt t' escape your sight , whose humid streams , and grassie banks invite . see how the nymph the schomberg-water guides a thousand ways , and o're the place presides . and thou , bellaquean naias must be seen ennobled by a prince . thou , like a queen , rul'st over all the waves of france ; none dare affect such honours , or with thee compare : the rivers , fountains , and the lakes of gaul , broad sein , which washes the parisian wall : loire , and elaver , swallow'd by the loire , our own , and forreign waters thee admire . to thee great rome her tiber must submit , and greece her self must all her streams forget . as other nations must subscribe to france , so o're the rest thy happy waves advance . victorious lewis having settled peace , and by his conduct made all quarrels cease , this garden by additions fairer made , and from a rock contriv'd a new cascade . but what should i these haughty springs repeat ? or the immense canale , with waves repleat ? how , like a river , with majestick pride , betwixt steep banks the tardy waters glide . these shores have witness'd deep intrigues of state , have seen when nations have receiv'd their fate , when suppliant princes have our aid implor'd , and on their knees our rising sun ador'd . when from all parts embassadours have come , to sue for peace , or to expect their doom . but here it is impossible to show the riches which adorn thee fountainbleau , or all the honours which thy gardens boast : thy palaces erected by the cost , and happy luxury of former kings , my humble muse of gardens onely sings . how should i think to make thy wonders known ! when the shrill trumpets ev'ry where are blown by fames loud breath , how should my feeble . voice , be understood amidst so great a noise ? see how much joy appears in all the court ! and what a sacred pledge fit to support an empires weight ! lucina brings to light . you might perceive the world in joy unite ; as if the dauphins birth-day were design'd to settle peace , and blessings on mankind . while the glad nymph redoubles her applause , and celebrates great lewis , who gives laws to quiet france , and with unshaken reins . his glory with a lasting peace maintains : i sing the other treasures of the field , and all those gifts which fruitful orchards yield . rapinus of gardens . book iv. orchards . nor thee , pomona , will my muse forget ; thou flourishest amidst the summers heat ; all things are full of thee : autumnus shows thy honour too , adorn'd by verdant boughs : to thee lamon , this part of my design relates ; let prosp'rous breezes then combine . and suffer thou my voyage to succed , that through the main my bark may cut with speed . though you maintain severe astraeas right , incourage virtue , and from vice affright : yet have we seen you play the gard'ner too , and giving precepts how your trees should grow . their culture , and their species too by thee at large describ'd , the husbandman may see . and for this benefit so let thy ground be ever kind , be ever grateful found ! let thy luxuriant orchards so be filld that the weak boughs beneath their load may yeild ! that bavillaeau barns with store may break , and plenty never may thy house forsake ! though to all plants each soil is not dispos'd , and on some places nature has impos'd peculiar laws , which she unchang'd preserves , such servile laws , france scarce at all observes . shee 's fertile to excess : all fruits she bears , and willingly repays the plowmans cares . what if burgundian hills with vines abound ? or if with orchards normandy be crown'd ? though beausse her corn ? bigorre her metals shows ? though bearn be woody ? troys with wine o'reflows ? if burdeaux cattel breeds ? and auvergne yeilds the best and noblest horses . yet the sields all over france improvement will admit : and are for trees , or else for tillage fit , chiefly near thee , moist tours , where may be seen a lasting spring , and meadows ever-green . those fields which the durance , and flower soane refresh , and the sweet vales which the garonne with slimy waters gently passes by , with those blest meads which near great paris ly , choose a rich soil when you intend to plant not that which heavy sand has rendred faint . avoid low vales , which lye between close hills , which some thick pool with noisome vapours fills . where pithy mists , and hurtful steams ascend , least an ill tast they to your fruit may lend . still fly that place , where auster always blows , aud sor your trees that scituation choose , where in the open air on a descent , to bless their growth more gentle winds consent . and though the field toth ' sun exposed be , or the hot winds , yet this may well agree with flowers , but then you must some distance make between the flow'rs , and trees , and to keep back people and cattle , which would else offend , with iron-grates the avenues defend . how to choose land i here omit to tell , in diffrent grounds what diff'rent habits dwell : as also how to plant , or when to sow , these arts the husbandmen already know . but if the ground cannot the trees maintain , in open furrows till it o're again . dig all the barren field with care and toil , and for exhausted earth bring better soil . that which comes nearest sand is best of all , if it be moist and colour'd well withall . too many weeds from too much moisture rise : destructive weeds , a gardens enemies . now that the plant may with the mold comply ; what fruits it most approves you first must try . whether the vine thrives best upon the place , or other trees , for there can be no grace in any ground that 's forc'd against its will to bring forth fruit : therefore remember still never with nature any force to use , for t is injurious if she should refuse . when once the field is levell'd , and prepar'd , let it in equal distances be thar'd . appoint the seats in which your trees shall stand , then choose a quince from a selected band : and having cut the woody part away , into warm mold you then the plant may lay . nor think it is unworthy of your hand to make the furrows hollow , or t'expand the earth about the roots , for still we find , that he who does the laws of planting mind , he who from parent-stocks , young branches cuts , and then in trenches the soft layers puts , seldom repents these necessary pains , but rather profit by his care obtains . while fortune waited on the persian state ; cyrus , who from astyages the great himself deriv'd , himself his gardens till'd . how oft astonish'd tmolus has beheld th' industrious prince in planting trees and flow'rs . and watring them imploy his vacant hours ! how oft orontes stopp'd his hasty flood , and gazing on the royal gardner stood . the sabine vallys heretofore have known when noblest romans have forsook the town ; when they their pomp and glory laid aside , and to the rake and plow themselves applied , and this employment warlike fabius chose , when he return'd from vanquishing his foes . he , who in open senate made decrees , manures his ground , and now gives laws to trees . no longer o're his legions he commands , but sows the earth with his victorious hands , the glebe by this triumphant swain snbdued , repay'd his pains with timely gratitude . became more fruitful , then it was before , and better plants , and larger apples bore . thus massinissa , when he wonne the day , and made false syphax with his troops obey ; in tilling of his ground he spent his time , and try'd t' improve the barb'rous libian clime , great lewis too , who carefully attends his kingdom government , sometimes descends from his high throne , and in the country daigns to please him self , and slack his empires rains . for to st , germans if he chance to go , to the versalian hills , or fountainbleau , he thinks not that it makes his glory less , t' improve his ground : his servants round him press ; hundreds with fruits , hundreds with flowers strive to fill the place : the water some derive into the gardens , while with watchful eye he oversees the work , and equally to ev'ry laborer his duty shows ; and the same care on all the field bestows . nor dos the king these arts in vain approve : the gratefull earth rewards his royal love . but why should i such great examples name ? our age wants nothing that should more inflame its zeal , for since the greatest men now please themselves in cultivating of their trees ; since t is their praise to do do it , why should you refuse this sweet imployment to pursue . if fruit of your own raising can invite , if in your villa you can take delight , or can the country love , to that apply your self , and to your plants no pains deny . the stars if kind , or goodness of the soil , help not so much , as never-ceasing toil . then let the earth more frequent tillage know : the stubborn glebe is vanquish'd by the plow . when rain or stormy winds pernicious are , when the suns influence or intemp'rate air injurious proves the tillers industry and culture all defects will soon supply . that this is true , a marsian clown has shown , who in a little garden of his own , which he himself manur'd , had store of fruit , while all the country else was destitute . the standing corn you on his ground might view : and apples broke the boughs on which they grew . his neighbours quickly envied his success , he by thessalian arts his grounds did dress , they said , and hastned on his early corn by herbs upon the marsian mountains born , or magical insusions : then repleat with rage and envy to the judgment-seat they halethe blameless swain , where his defence he makes , with plain and rural eloquence . his sickle he produces , and his spade , and rake , which by long use were brighter made . see here , said he , the crimes which i have done : if tools by time and usage bright are one . these are my magick arts ; these are my charms : then , stretching forth his labour stiffned arms his sabine dame , and daughters brawny hand inur'd to work , and with the sun-beams tann'd . thus by his industry his cause he gains : so much a field improves by constant pains . hence comes good corn , and hence the trees are crown'd with leavy boughs , hence t is that they abound in their choice fruits , in each of which we find a colour proper to it self assign'd . then let the forked shears , the rake , and prong , crows , barrows , mattocks , rowlers which belong to th' garden , be for ever clean and bright . let rust on arms and trumpets only light . let useless helmets in the dust be thrown : but let peace bless the country and the town . neglect that ground which culture doth refuse , least there the tiller all his hopes should lose . transfer your pains to some more grateful soil . the way of raising plants now learn a while . from all your garden first a place divide , there let the hopeful race be multiplied ? seed for your trees about your fields prepare , and let the stocks confus'd spring ev'ry where . there let them all together upward shoot ; by these supply's your losses you recruit . the fairest plant from stones or kernels grows , then your mix'd seedlings in no rank dispose . along the walls and beds : if from their birth they are accustomed to their mother earth ; they flourish better , be it they derive more proper nourishment from her , or thrive with more success , where their forefathers were , but you must still a gen'rous stock prefer . whose vigor , and whose spirits are no less , then what its ancesters did once possess . that 's best which has most joints , but those resuse which at wide distances few buds produce . when with due judgment you would choose a place , proper , wherein to raise a future race ; let it be in the sun ; without his aid the ground will languish , and the fruit will fade , he rules the winds , and tempests in the sky ; and while he views the world with his bright eye , he cherishes all things , and vital juice into the witherd herbage can infuse , he governs the twelve signs , and by him steer the courses of the earth , the heav'n , and year . heav'n if observ'd , great benefits imparts , nor less the rayes which glorious phorbus darts , either when setting he do's disappear , or rising guilds the northern hemisphear . his radiant beams will never shine in vain , to him and his sister then who raign together , and olympus empire sway ; let the glad youth deserved honours pay . they both are kind to trees ; and both expect to be observ'd : by them your course direct : for they well known you have no cause to fear , though diffrent colours in sky appear . yet in the spring desire not too much heat , least the remaining cold your hopes defeat : and the suns kindness then should prove his crime , if forward fruit appear before its time , though chearful blossoms promise you success , trust not the fading flow'r , but still suppress your expectations , and for summer stay , whose genial warmth secures them from decay . the gardner oft vain blossoms has believ'd ; and with false hopes as oft has bin deceiv'd . i th' end of spring when welcome heat returns when ev'ry garden lovely fruit adorns , sometimes a tree by sudden tempests crost the whole years hopes in one short night has lost . the cruel winds now most their rage imploy , rough boreas more then any will destroy . the trees and orchards , therefore , now , ye swains while the fresh spring your lively plants maintains . now , on your festivals , by frequent prair avert pernicious winds , and have a care in summer nights of moons , which nip with cold , the cloud ingendred southern gusts with-hold ; and the sithonian northern blasts ; for these , unless the cautious husband-man foresees that they approch him always hurtful are , when ever lowring clouds disturb the air your self with care from future ills defend , the seasons mark , and what the heav'ns portend . when among other seasons of the year the time of graffing comes ; do not defer in proper stocks young cions to inclose ; then buds between the cloven bark dispose . and if your fruit be bad , as oft it will , make choice of better , and remove the ill . by these improvements greatest praise you get , and thus your gardens honour you compleat . into your stocks the forraign pears admit , and far fetch'd apples place within the slit . hence springs a nobler race , and greater store of hopeful offspring then you had before . the plants you want the neighbourhood will give : if not , from distant countrey's them derive . greece first sought plant in barb'rous climes , and then she civiliz'd the trees as well as men . these still at home she fortunately plac't , and by translation did correct their tast . while auncient fables reputation gain'd , the then white mulberry with red was stain'd . thisbe and pyramus who yet survive in naso's verse . in babylon did live : a spotless love united both their souls ; but parents hate their happiness controlls . deluded by their passion they grow bold ; not walls , nor strict injunctions them with-hold . that bliss , which in their life they could not have , they found at last by meeting in the grave . hard by the place there stood an aged tree which , as if touch'd with their sad destiny . imbibes their blood , and caus'd its frait , which late was pale , to blush at the poor lovers fate . so rhodopeian phillis heretofore , left by her faithless servant , on the shore , when she was pin'd away with grief and shame , an almond in her fathers ground became . pallas gives olives ; bacchus do's bestow the figgs and vines to ceres corn we owe. but , what the romans did , why should i tell whose arms on trees as well as nations fell ? while they in chains the victors chariots drew , their plants as much inslav'd by tiber grew , into his garden thus from cerasus lucullus first did cherrys introduce ; damascus plums afforded ; media , with lydia , egypt , india , caria , and persia apples gave ; and these were brought from the geloni , who with axes fought . each nation which had her arms overcome , did thus pay tribute to triumphant rome . phaliscians then , who iuno most ador'd , their empty fields with rows of apples stor'd . and the crustumian pears , the sabines plac't i th' amiternan vale , th' auruncans grac't taburnus then with vines and olives too ; at these new plants amazed anio admires : oenotria likewise then possest of wholsom air , and with a fat soil blest . fruit bearing trees , which were before unknown from other gardens brought into her own . when plants of a corrected tast are found , and stocks are chosen which are young and sound ; thegraffer then th' adoptive bough must bring into those stocks : of this the means i sing . which though they are distinct , you learn with ease how to graff fruitful slips in barren trees . some cut down trunks , which bore a lofty top , and hollow them above , thus wood-men lop the tallest oaks , and cut out four square stakes ; but first of all a wedge its passage makes . this done , the cions may descend down right into the cleft ; and with the stock unite . though others in the rind betwixt each bud make an incision , and the graff include , which by degrees is afterwards inclind t' incorporate it self with the moist rind . some like a slender pipe the bark divide , or like a scutcheon slit it down the side . or the hard trunk , which a sharp augur cleaves , into its solid part the graff receives . mean while , with care , the branches which are joyn'd , you with a sev'nfold cord must strongly bind . and all the chinks with pitch or wax defend ; for if the cruel air should once descend into the cleft , it would impede the juice : and to the plant its nourishment refuse . but , if these dangers it has once indur'd , when the adopted branch is well secur'd ; by their conjunction trees their nature loose ; that which was wild before , more civil grows : unmindful of their mother they forsake the tast , which they from her at first did take . from yellow quinces , and cornelians rise fruits , which are differenc'd by various dies . the pear thus mends : the slow affords good plums : and the bad cherry better now becomes . from diff'rent boughs distinguish'd species shoot ; but now i tell how you must mix your fruit , what branches with each other you may joyn : what sorts will best in amity combine . all kinds of pears the quinces entertain ; and them receiv'd with their own tincture stain . the hoary pears their tast to apples give , they with the shrubby willow too will live . the fig would love the mulberry , if that its blacker hue would somewhat moderate . cherrys with laurels blushes will compound : apples with apples do their tast confound . and , from the salvage plum , we pears may raise : ( if we may credit what palladius says ) but gardners now , by long experience wise , what former ages taught them may despise . they of auvergne in willows fruits inclose ; t is true , at first their colour grateful shows . but , by this marriage they degen'rate are , and tast but ill , although they look so fair . for various plants what air , and soil is good , and that , which hurts them , must be understood . warm air , and moisture is by apples lov'd : but , if to stony hills they are remov'd , you must not blame them , if they then decay . through a crude soil the figg will make its way : if it be not expos'd to the rude north , a humid sand will make the peach bring forth . the pear , when it has room enough to spread , where it has warmth sufficient over head , if it be seconded by the wet ground , with swelling fruits , and blossoms will be crown'd . the backward mulb'ry chuses to be dry , for constant moisture is its enemy . and a wet soil the apple vitiates , the cherry deeply rooted propogates if self with freedom as in italy the thriving olives every where we see . a milder ground the lemmon most desires : one more severe the yellow quince requires . it is not fit that apricots should stand in a hot mold , and cherrys love not sand , no more then strawberrys ; which last , if fet in earth that 's well subdued , if to the heat of the warm sun expos'd , they soon abound with juice , their berrys then grow plump and round . those hills , which favour bacchus , lemmons sterve : and melons which a gentler clime deserve . when a warm scituation plums obtain , they quickly recompence the gardners pain . if in your orchards any tree seems faint , with wonted culture cure the sickly plant ; er'e the whole trunk is touch'd with the disease . briars and weeds which fatal are to trees where ere the ground is bad the fields infest , whence ev'ry bough with faintness is opprest . culture mends bitter plants ; they then , who break the surface oftnest up ; who most their rake , and forked tools about the roots employ ; they , the best fruits , and noblest trees enjoy . but if the soilor sow'r , or brackish be , neither the careful plow-mans industry , nor cold , nor frost , or storms of wind or rain , improve those fields , they never can obtain their ancient reputation ; all things there grow worse and worse , forgetting what they were . when for an orchard you a seat will chuse , first learn what sorts of planting are in use : thus with the humours of each place complys , in open plains on which the warm sun lyes . there let your trees aspire in grounds inclos'd , let a dwarf-race of fruit-trees be dispos'd , whose boughs are round and short : nor bodys tall . some plash , and tack their layers on the wall : whilst others make their twisted branches grow , like a shorn hedge , in a continued row . these rural ornaments by all are sought ; and if they vary , are more graceful thought . follow these precepts rather much , then those , which our own ancient husband-men impose . the former age must all its claims resign , now all these arts in perfect lustre shine . trust not your tender plants too much abroad ; to figgs the summer sun must be allow'd . apples , and nuts , with cherrys , plums & pears , and the soft almond , which all weather bears ; let them with freedom in the air ascend . and if just tasts you to your fruit would lend , if you would mend their genius , let them take their liberty , for if the sun do's bake them well , if to his light they are displaid , they vanquish those which sculk within the shade . either this benefit from phoebus flows , who on all things his influence bestows ; or else great trunks to make their off-spring thrive , more juice and vigour from the earth derive . perhaps the middle region of the sky , ( for duller vapours dare not mount so high ) sometimes imparts a favourable breeze , and fanns with purer air the tops of trees . then let your gardens in the sun be plac't ; from him your apples must receive their tast , and hardned thus the summer they endure , those which were crude he renders more mature . the tender brood you must defend with care ; and if you can the little race repair ; with sharper tools you must restrain excess ; or with your hand superfluous leaves suppress . and let no bough its parent overshade , nor on a branch let greater weight be laid then it can bear : those blossoms which decay , or are not hopeful you must take away . till a more gen'rous off-spring dos succeed : this is the only way to mend the breed . the mother of her children thus bereav'd must with assiduous culture be reliev'd . though it be welcome to the sordid swain , too fruitful trees their plenty boast in vain : their store destroys them ; rather let them feel the wholsome sharpness of the crooked steel . for , while the gard'ner th'useless flow'rs invades , he greater glory to the parent adds . no tree can long its fruitfulness enjoy ; such virtues their possessors soon destroy . unless they cease from bearing , they must wast ; for no extream of good can ever last . they who retard their siuit deserve more praise , then they who nature by incitements raise . some gardners i remember near the town , with dung their slower apples hastned on . the usual method could not them content , they by their hast the seasons did prevent . let no such customs in your gardens be , for these productions are an injury . they in a lethargy the plants ingage , and make them subject to untimely age . let not your fruits their seasons then forsake , nor with ungentle hand sow'r apples take : least with abortian you the mothers kill , and your nice stomach with raw humours fill . if you are curious how your fruits are died , to neighb'ring walls their branches must be tyed . when titans raies on them at mid day beat , and grow more pow'rful by reflected heat ; those , which are most expos'd , will best derive the pleasing colours which the sun can give . how this advantage is to be obtain'd ; and how t' augment the heat shall be explain'd , first a long wall you must due south erect , from thence the most intensive warmth expect . this dawbe with morter o're ; which being plain will best reverbe rate the raies again . those vermine too are kill'd by scorching lime ' which would destroy the trees themselves in time . next hooks of iron fix along the wall , on them let poles or rods of willow fall : on which the branches may depend in rows , the husband-man with twiggs may tye them close , though others fasten them with knotts of wire , in time the pliant boughs themselves desire to bear that yoke , to which they are restrain'd , if from their tender youth they are inchain'd . that so by long obedience being taught , they to their duty may with ease be brought . age dos rebellion into shoots instill : and makes them stubborn to the benders will. then , that they may comply with greater ease , instruct them in submission by degrees . while blooming years permit , and while they have an inclination proper to inslave ; along your walls young trees betimes expand , which by degrees may stoop to your command . the branches , if in decent order plac't . by servitude are not at all disgrac't . no more , then when a woman dos with care within strict fillets bind her flowing hair : disposing it according to the mode , when she intends to show her dress abroad . restraint becomes her hair ; and thus a tree when it is captive will more lovely be . if lawless twiggs rebell not from the rest ; and the green mantle dos the wall invest . these textures noblest tapestry transcend , and with their beauty all the place commend . chiefly when diff'rent fruits their seasons know , and to your sight their various colours show . how must it then the gardners heart affect , to see those beautys he ne're durst expect ; while on the fruit-charg'd wall , the figgs grow black , and peaches red , the boughs with apples crack . for when the summers particolour'd race appears , then ev'ry tree its wealth displaies , which was before beneath the leaves conceal'd ; then t is delightful to survey each field , to visit all your villa , and to see what fruits and treasures in your gardens be . nor unaffecting to admire those dies , which on the branchy solds your sight surprise . to pluck the early fruit , or if you will , home to convey the panniers which you fill . whether you search what fruits are of good kind , or would the genius of your orchards find ; or with what culture plants will flourish best , and when aspiring twiggs must be represt . if you would find what stocks will graffs admit , and how far graffs their former names forget . your rural pleasures will excel the pride and riches of the great ; fame you 'l deride . and city noise , nor the unconstant wind of kings , or peoples favour stirs your mind . thrice happy they who these delights pursue ! for whether they their plants in order view , or overladen boughs with props relieve , or if to forraign fruits new names they give , if they rast of ev'ry plum explore , to eat at second course , what would they more ? what greater happiness can be desir'd , then what by these diversions is acquir'd ? you who the beauty of your trees design , to each along the walls its seat assign . cherrys with cherrys , figgs with figgs may meet , the syrian and crustumian pears are fit to mingle with the brittish , but we find that apples and red plums must not be joyn'd . all that are of a sort together plant , they must succeed if they no culture want . and when affairs of greater moment cease to set their stations be your business . for if they have not ample room to spread they then both strength and nourishment will need . but what the kinds and various natures are of fruitful trees , i must not now declare : nor tell their different appearances , or how the gardners art has with success improv'd our orchards , what should i count ore those fruits , which persia sent us heretofore ? why or their taste should i relate , or hue , which more illustrious by its purple grew ? some of a thicker substance stick fast on , while others which are thinner quit the stone . these last with iuice and dewy moisture swell , and all the other sorts by much excell . others there are which , like the plum , are thin , and have no down upon their naked skin . their species , forms , nor names i here must sing ; as those which the avmenians once did bring from their high hills , by native blushes prais'd ; or those which from great stones alcinous rais'd . tibur●ian peaches i must here forget , then which picenian ones were thought more sweer . nor here at all of quinces must i boast , which , when they have no smell , are valued most , chorrys , which at first course are grateful still ; or figgs , which heav'nly nectar do distill . i here pass ore , these from their taste obtain more honour , then the mellow apples gain . but nature never show'd more wantonness then , when so many shapes she did impress , from wardens to the pears which lesser grow , and did to each its proper iuice allow . some imitate the brisk falernian wine , others , like must , to sweetness more incline . in swelling some extravagant appear ; and crooked necks with oblong bellys bear . to plums and grapes just commendations yeild , if on the wall they are by propt upheld . muscat , and purple vines , which both observe their wonted seasons , may our praise deserve . the humble strawberrys i would repeat , which are by nature with sweet iuice repleat . and , if i had but leisure , i would sing the fragrant odours which from melons spring . when husbandmen give precepts to expand their trees , to imitate the spreading hand , or backbone of a fish they sometimes chuse , when er'e one trunk the branches dos produce . successful trialls both these ways have had : and therefore use of either may be made . you cannot be too often put in mind of that advantage which your plants will find by being prun'd : the boughs will thus obay , and by your tool are fashion'd any way . though tough with age , they stoop to your command , nor can the crooked pruning knife withstand . and when the trees thus cut revive agen , when from their wounds they borrow courage , then oft exercise your pow'r , and so restore beauty to that , which was deform'd before . youth unadvis'd dos in desire exceed : and would without all moderation breed . the pruners care must succour each defect , he with his hook their vices must correct . superfluous shoots his servants may repress ; destructive pity makes them more increase . but in what part they must be cut , and how , from the experienc'd you will better know , always untouch'd the chiefest branches save , from whom you hope a future race to have . now if the season proves reciprocall ; you may behold your fruit upon the wall . yours gardens riches then will make you glad ; nor think that any thing can colour add , or bigness to them , but that influence , which on their ranks kind phoebus do's dispence . nature your wishes then will satisfy , if with these methods only you comply . and though we ripeness to our fruits impart by heat on walls reflected , yet this art by the reports of dark antiquity , in the records of time is set more high . and if we may at all our faith ingage to what we hear of the preceding age . alcinous first , who the phoeacians swaid , thus to have cultivated trees is said . his stores with usual plenty overflow'd , and when the year its usual hope had show'd , from the malicious north arose a blast , which in one night laid all the garden wast , if any plant by fortune was retriv'd , and , in the fields , the common fate surviv'd ; that ruine , which by boreas was begun , was finish'd by the spiteful air and sun. all through the sky unwonted tempests rore , and horrid noises the clear welkin tore . the greatest slaughter on the orchard salls ; struck with portents the king the augurs calls , the meaning of the prodigies inquires , and their advice upon his loss desires . from calais and zethes some pretend , ( both sprung from boreas ) that these plagues descend . the kings alliance both of them had sought , nor were unworthy by the mother thought : the daughter too their passion had approv'd , but neither were by prince or people lov'd . their father vex'd to see his sons deceiv'd , by them perhaps had his revenge contriv'd . because they both were angry with the king. some from atlantian calypse bring these mischiefs . circe only , some accus'd . calypso mindful how she was abus'd by the phoeacians , when laertes she from drowning sav'd , and boasted him to be her right , she then to be reveng'd , decreed that circes neighbourhood , and hate might breed these ills some think , that she the moons aspect had chang'd , and did the purer air infect . but good eurymedon , who was the priest of phoebus , and a prophet better ghest . think not , says he , that our misfortunes flow from outward causes , to our selves we owe our dire mishaps ; nor did he longer speak . the king commands he should his silence break , and bids him undiscover'd crimes recite . then he ; the weight of our affairs permits not many words , when worse events are fear'd , appease the gods , while prayers may be heard . the objects of their vengeance now we are , when plenty fill'd his stores , to his own cate , and art , alcinous did ascribe his fruit . madman that should the gifts of heav'n dispute ! that , he the sun and winds should so neglect , nor his devotions to great iove direct . himself the criminal he then did find , accusing his prov'd thoughts and haughty mind . strait he repairs to the phoeacian wood , where the hesperian nymph had her abode ; where she the oracles of heaven spoke , soon a soft voice the sacred silence broke . to mighty iupiter twelve bullocks pay : as many more on titans altars lay . both deity 's have bin provok'd ; from them our fruits , and all other our blessings stream . they went , and to great iove twelve bullocks paid : and twice six more on titans altars laid . these rites eurymedon ordain'd , should be yearly perform'd by their posterity . taught by the nymph alcinous now immures his orchards in , and so his plants secures from hurtful blasts , and where they wanted heat , upon the walls he makes the sun-beams beat . this way of setting trees arose from hence ; which , though th' hesperians had forgot long since , the norman swains reviv'd again ; and shew'd their servants , that their ground must be allow'd more warmth , for the reflected sun alone , could make their fruits attain perfection . from hence , this art to paris old advance , and stretch'd it self through all the parts of france . you , who my precepts hear , this ornament , bestow upon your gardens nor repent the building of long walls , and them infold with the green tapistry ; no pains with-hold . and while you do the fruitful youth survay , or among leavy textures loose your way ; when you behold your thriving nurserys , cut all superfluous branches from your trees . the masters hand improves the orchard most : for he , if any plant its hold has lost , or hang ; he trims and ties it up again ; thus the neat hedge its beauty dos regain . vermin and erwigs from the leaves he shakes , and of those fruits before a trial makes , which he designs at second course to eat : the times of gathering he best can set . to the deserving praises he extends ; and those which are deceitful discommends . when once the ground is till'd , the gardner then beginst ' instruct the ruder husbandmen . the taste and merit of each tree he shows , and by what graffs the parent better grows . for thus is he imploy'd ; while ev'ry where he visits all his wealth with equal care . no time is lost : the year with fruits is blest : or else the boughs with blossoms are opprest . nor slow nor idle lab'rers must you hire , these works excess of diligence require . the stubborn earth and plants exact the same , which are by pains and culture only tame . a backward soil with rotten dung improve , and often in the sun the clods remove . if after this the year should prove unkind , you must impute it to the spiteful wind . whose pow'rful blasts all situations sway , for still the ground dos heav'ns command obey . be kind ye winds , so shall your altars share a part of that , which you with pity spare . a thousand enemy 's , a thousand ills ore plants prevail : sometimes the bad air kills the hopes o th' spring , and therefore you must try with greatest care these threatning plagues to fly . if that disease which springs from faulty air , with its infection should your fruits impair ; the gods with vows and prayers supplicate , no other remedy is left but that . to fell those trees can be no loss at all , whose age and sickness would your axe forestall . a youthful successour , with better grace , and plenty , will supply the vacant place . plants by their looks betray their strength and years , if through the gaping rind the wood appears , if dying leaves upon the boughs are seen , while all the rest are flourishing and green : if they look pale , then with your knife invade those branches which afforded too much shade . sometimes beneath the bark a canker breeds , or burning moss which like a scab o're spreads the trunk with cruel venom , these repress before they reach the quick , and ere they seize the inward parts , before that all the race with a pernicious leaness they disgrace . if the exhausted spirits sail to do their offices , if they dengen'rate grow , dig up the earth and with the dung of swine or the hoarse stock-dove make it then combine the hungry mold must thus be satisfi'd . and those do well who in deep trenches hide dry leaves among their dung , with fern , or broom , bean shales , or dirty ashes are by some thrown on their fields , all these the ground will aid , but let it never be too fertile made . for as a tree due nourishmen ; may want , so too rich soil destroys the tender plant. and if you know not how a barren field must be incourag'd , and with pains be till'd , or if you would allay rich mold , that art , the rules of culture fully will impart . when from swift clouds or rain descends , or hail , a thousand plagues your orchards will assail . as gnats , worms , catorpillers which infold the boughs , with buzzing drones , and snails inroll'd , within their shells made always circular , of merops too , and other birds beware , which from the mischiefs that their beaks effect , are tigers call'd ; when these begin t' infect your nurseries , they are a pestilence with which no careful gardner must dispence . with flying smoak these enemys oppose , and kill the vermin on the leaves and boughs . flys here , and painted lizards i omit , with cunning moles , which still avoid the light , and mice , who from their holes their thefts repeat , all these with diff'rent traps you must defeat , as custom and experience teaches best . nor ought i here more precepts to suggest ; i write not now to dull unskilful swains , such as of old till'd the laurentine plains . all husbandmen are now so artful grown , that almost nothing can be further shown of culture , nothing can be found out more , then what has bin invented long before . my hasty muse permits me not to write of famous gardens here or to recite those noble villa's , which deserve my verse , no● here my countreys honours i rehearse . ye gardens therefore , and your owners too , forgive me , if you have not what 's your due . when france her former riches shall regain , if our affairs should prosper once again ; then by the bounty of a lasting peace , our labours may be crown'd with more success . the world of late in warrs has bin ingag'd , and stem enyo through all europe tag'd ; famine , and pestilence , and feavers raign'd , the blushing fields with civil gore were stain'd . the gods were all averse , who can remount those crimes , which do the reach of thought surmount . the violated laws , the broken faith , and nations guilty of their sov'rains death ? and heavier ills then these had yet remain'd , if lewis from the gift of heav'n obtain'd ; had not with pow'rful arms , and greater mind , repair'd our fortune , ere it quite declin'd , then having stretch'd his bounds from shore to shore , that he might arts and manners too restore , and through the world the golden age renew ; the rains of iustice great lamon to you he gave , and you ore his tribunals plac't : when led by you astroea shall , at last , return to us agen , as we have cause to hope from the beginnings of your laws ; then shall the earth in her first glory be ; and those new arts and methods which by thee t' improve their plants the husbandmen receive , shall ever in thy native soil survive . thus much of gardens , i at clermont sung , in thee sweet paris ; treading all along those sacred steps ; which virgil led before , when blest in her affairs , in her king more , ore willing nations france began to sway : and made the universe her pow'r obay . finis . the table before the reader make use of the table , he is desired to reforme in the book the following pages , thus : for a. abricot , pag. . acanthus branc vrsine . bears-foot , also , thorne . . achilles's spear , . aconite , herba christi , vide anthora , . . adiantum , black-oake . ferne , . aethiopis , ethiopian mullein . alca●a , marsh-mallow , . alcinous the fable , . alder , . . almond , fable of phillis , . amaracus , majoran , . amaranthus , velvet-flower , amellus , shire-wort , . amymona , the fable , . anemonie , and fable , . angelica , . anthemis , camomil , . anthora , wolfebane , . antirrhinum , calves-snout , . apium , parsley , . apples , . . april , . aqueducts , . , . v. fountain , &c. aquilegia . colombine , . arcueil described , . armeria , pinks , . ash , . , . asphodel , daffodil , . after-atticus , starwort , . atalanta , and fable , . vide oranges . b. bafil , . batrachium , crowfoot , cranesbill , . bayes , . . v. daphne . beech , . bellaquea , fontain bleau , . . bellides , daisyes , . berny , . birds , . blattaria , moth mullein , . blewbottle , . box knots , , , . . bupthalmum , oxe eye , . c. calamint , . calendula , marigold , . caltha , march-marigold , . canales , . . . . v. fountains , waterworks , ponds . canker , . v infirmities . caprifoile , honysuckle , . carnations , v. gilliflowers , . carpine , hornbeam , . cascades , . . v. waterworks . celandine , swallow-wort , . centaury , . cerynthe , hony-wort , . cerrus , holme-oke , chamaedrys , germander , . cherrys , . . . . chesnuts , . chrysanthes , corn-marigold , . cicher , ciche , . cicory , . cityssus , shrub-trefoile , . clematis , periwinkle , . st. cloud described and celebrated , . . clytie , sunflower , . colocasia , egiptian-bean , . colours , . composts , . v. dung. conduits , . v. fountains . convolvulus , bindweed , . conyza , fleabane , . . coriander , . cornel , . . countrey life , and villa prais'd . . . cresse , . crocus , saffron , . . crown-imperial , . cyanus , blew-bottle , . cyclamen , sowbread , . cymbalum , mountain lilly , cypresse , . . cyrus , . d. dalmatis , the fable , v. tulip . daphne , the fable , . v. bayes . dauphine his birth , . december , . delphinium , larkspur , . distilling , . dodona , . dung , . . v. compost . dwarf trees , . e. echium , scorpion grass , . education , . elme , , , . eringo , sea-holly , . esculus , a species of oke , . ewe , . f. fabius , . felling , . fennel , . figs , , , . firre , . . flos iovis , pansy , . flora the fable , and her rites , . . flowers . their difference and variety , , . culture . . . seasons , . , . cautions in gathering , . use . . painting , . flower de luce , arms of france , . v. iris. fountains , origin , . qualities , . . . . artificial , and cisterns , . , . aqueducts , grotts , cascades , waterworks , &c. fountainbleau , described and celebrated , . fox-glove , . france , its orchards and productions , . frogs , . fruit , . praecoce , tardy , . v. wall-fruit . fruitfulness , . g. gardeus , soile , . situation and culture , , . of old not so elegant , , . garlands , , . . st. germains , described and celebrated , gelsemine , . , . granadil , passionflower , . graffing and graffs , . . greece , . grotts , v. fountains , waterworks . groves , where to plant , . . infamous to destroy , , . v. woods . h. halimus , sea-purslane , . hazle , . . hedges , . hedysarum , hatchetfetches , helle bore , . hellen , elicampane , . hemerocallis , day lilly , . henbane , . hesperis , dames-violet , . horminum , clary , . hornbeam , , . house-leek , . human life , . hyacinth , iacintb , . hylas , v. isis. hyosciamus , . v. henbane , i. ianthis , the fable , . ilex , scarlet-oke , . idustry , . infirmities of plants , vermine , . . . influences , , . . , . iris , . . v. flower de lys , isis and hylas the fable , . isopirum , water-trefoile , . iune , . iuniper , . l. lawrel , . . lewis xiv . celebrated , . . . ligustrum , privet , . lillies , . linden , lime tree , . . limon , . . . linaria , toadflax , . linum , gardenflax , . . liancourt , . . . loire , . lopping , . . lotus , nettle tree , . luxembourg , . lychnis , wild rose campion , lytrum , willow herb , . m. malva , wild mallow , . maple , . . march mallows , . marsy as , the fable , . massinissa , . matricaria , featherfew , . meadow saffron , . medune celebrated , . meleagris , checquer'd daffedil , . melilot , plaister claver , . melissa , balm , . melons , . merascus , mezereon , . mint , . mixture , . moly , sorcerers garliek , . momorancy vale celebrated , moone , . mulberry , fable of pyramus and thisbe , . . . myrtle , . . . saered to venus , . n. nard , . nailing , . narcissus , . . . narcissus of iapan , , . nigella , gith , , november , . nursery , , . o. oake , . culture , use . fable of rhoecus , . v. woods , woods of france , , . oleander , rose-bay , . . . olives , . ononis , rest-harrow , . oranges , . ad . orthards , soil , . . . situation , . . culture , , . . orchis , dog-stones , . orobanche , broom-rape , . orpheus , . p. painting flowers , v. flowrs . paliurus , christs thorn , . parsley , parthenium , mayweed , . peaches , . . piony and fable , . pears , . , , . . . phalangium , spiderwort , . philemon and baucis , . phillyraea , mock-privet , . . . pine , . . pitch-tree , . planting , . . plums , . . . . pomegranate , . ad . ponds , . v. canales . poplar , . poppyes , . primrose , . pruning , . . . q. quiekbearn , . quince , . . r. ranunculus , crowfoot , . rhamnus , hartshorn , . . rhodanthe fable , vide rose . rivers celebrated , . rivalets , . . rocks artificial , . v. grotts , waterworks . romans , . rose and fable of rhodanthe , , . &c. rosemary , . rue , . ruel described and celebrased , . . rumex , dock , . ruscus , butchers broom , ● . water , . how to find , . . . expence , . . waterworks , grots , fountains , . . watermint , . watering , . . weeds , . . . winds , . . . willow . withy . . . woad , . woods , their planting , . , . . y. yarrow , . a nevv orchard and garden, or, the best way for planting, grafting, and to make any ground good for a rich orchard particularly in the nor[th] and generally for the whole kingdome of england, as in nature, reason, situation and all probabilitie, may and doth appeare : with the country housewifes garden for hearbes of common vse, their vertues, seasons, profits, ornaments, varietie of knots, models for trees, and plots for the best ordering of grounds and walkes : as also the husbandry of bees, with their seuerall vses and annoyances, being the experience of yeares labour ... / by william lawson ; whereunto is newly added the art of propagating plants, with the tree ordering manner of fruits in their gathering, carring home & preseruation. lawson, william, fl. . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc . estc s ocm 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 . 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 , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a nevv orchard and garden, or, the best way for planting, grafting, and to make any ground good for a rich orchard particularly in the nor[th] and generally for the whole kingdome of england, as in nature, reason, situation and all probabilitie, may and doth appeare : with the country housewifes garden for hearbes of common vse, their vertues, seasons, profits, ornaments, varietie of knots, models for trees, and plots for the best ordering of grounds and walkes : as also the husbandry of bees, with their seuerall vses and annoyances, being the experience of yeares labour ... / by william lawson ; whereunto is newly added the art of propagating plants, with the tree ordering manner of fruits in their gathering, carring home & preseruation. lawson, william, fl. . harward, simon, fl. - . most profitable newe treatise from approued experience of the art of propagating plants. markham, gervase, ?- . and now the second time corrected and much enlarged. [ ], p. : ill. printed by nicholas okes for iohn harison, at the golden vnicorne in pater-noster-row, london : . "the country house-wifes garden" has special t.p.; it is sometimes erroneously attributed to gervase markham. includes "a most profitable newe treatise from approued experience of the art of propagating plants, by simon harward." statement of responsibility follows edition statement. t.p. contains illustration. signatures: a⁴ b-i⁸ k⁴ (last leaf blank). reproduction of original in the university of illinois (urbana-champaign campus). library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.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. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. 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- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng fruit-culture -- great britain. gardening -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - jennifer kietzman sampled and proofread - jennifer kietzman text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a nevv orchard and garden or the best way for planting , grafting , and to make any ground good , for a rich orchard : particularly in the nor●● and generally for the whole kingdome of england , as in nature , reason , situation , and all probabilitie , may and doth appeare . with the country housewifes garden for hearbes of common vse their vertues , seasons , profits , ornaments , varietie of knots , models for trees , and plots for the best o●dering of grounds and walkes . as also the husbandry of bees , with their seuerall vses and annoyances 〈◊〉 being the experience of . yeares labour , and now the second time corrected and much enla●ged , by william lawson . whereunto is newly added the art of propagating plants , with the tr●● ordering of all manner of fruits , in their gathering , carring home , & preseruation . skill and paines bring fruitfull gaines . nemo sibi 〈◊〉 . london , printed by nicholas okes for iohn harison , at the golden vnicorne in pater-noster-row . . to the right vvorshipfvll sir henry belosses . knight and baronet . worthy sir , when in many yeeres by long experience i had furnished this my northerne orchard and countrey garden with needfull plants and vsefull hearbes , i did impart the view thereof to my friends , who resorted to me to conferre in matters of that nature , they did see it , and seeing it desired , and i must not denie now the publishing of it ( which then i allotted to my priuate delight ) for the publike profit of others . wherefore , though i could pleade custome the ordinarie excuse of all writers , to chuse a patron and protector of their workes , and so shroud my selfe from scandall vnder your honourable fauour , yet haue i certaine reasons to excuse this my presumption : first , the many courtesies you haue vouchsafed me . secondly , your delightfull skill in matters of this nature . thirdly , the profit which i receiued from your learned discourse of fruit-trees . fourthly , your animating and assisting of others to such endeuours . last of all , the rare worke of your owne in this kind all which to publish vnder your protection , i haue aduentured ( as you see ) vouchsafe it therefore entertainement , i pray you , and i hope you shal● finde it not ●he vnp●ofitablest seruant of your retinue : for when your serious employments are ouerpassed , it may interpose some commoditie , and raise your contentment out of varietie . your worships most bounden , william lavvson . the preface to all well minded . art hath her first originall out of experience , which therefore is called the schoole-mistresse of fooles , because she teacheth infallibly , and plainely● as drawing her knowledge out of the course of nature , ( which neuer failes in the generall ) by the senses , feelingly apprehending , and comparing ( with the helpe of the minde ) the workes of nature ; and as in all other things naturall , so especially in trees : for what is art more then a prouident and skilfull collectrix of the faults of nature in particular workes , apprehended by the senses ? as when good ground naturally brings forth th●stles , trees stand too thicke , or too thin , or a ●●●derly , or ( without dressing ) put forth vnprofitable suckers , and such like all which and a thousand more , art reformeth , being taught by experien●e and therefore must we count that art the surest , that stands vpon experimentall rules , gathered by the rule of reason ( not conceit ) of all other rules the surest . whereupon haue i of my meere and sole experience , without respect to any former written treat●se gathered these rules , and set them downe in writing , not daring to hide the least talent giuen me of my lord and master in heauen : neither is this in●urious to any , though it differ from the common opinion in diuers points , to make it knowne to others , what good i haue found out in this facultie by long triall and experience . i confesse freely my want of curious skill in the art of planting . and i admire and praise plinie , aristotle , virgil , cicero , and many others for wit and iudgement in this kind , and leaue them to their times , manner , and seuerall countries . i am not determined ( neither can i worthily ) to set forth the praises of this art : how some , and not a few , euen of the best , haue accounted it a chiefe part of earthly happinesse , to haue faire and pleasant orchards , as in hesperia and thessaly , how all with one consent agree , that it is a chiefe part of husbandry ( as tully de senectute ) and husbandry maintaines the world ; how ancient , how , profitable , how pleasant it is , how many secrets of nature it doth containe , how loued , how much practised in the best places , and of the best : this hath already beene done by many . i only aime at the common good . i delight not in curious conceits , as planting and graffing with the root vpwards , inoculating roses on thornes . and such like , although i haue heard of diuers prooued some , and read of moe . the stationer hath ( as being most desirous with me , to further the common good ) bestowed much cost and care in hauing the knots and models by the best artizan cut in great varietie , that nothing might be any way wanting to satisfie the curious desire of those that would make vse of this booke . and i shew a plaine and sure way of planting , which i haue found good by . yeeres ( and moe ) experience in the north part of england : i preiudicate and enuie none , wishing yet all to abstaine from maligning that good ( to them vnknowne ) which is well intended . farewell . thine , for thy good , w. l. a table of the things contayned in this booke chap. . of the gardner his labour and wadges . pag. chap. . of the soyle . pag. the kinds of trees . p. of barren earth . p. of grasse . p. of the crust of the earth . p. chap. . lowe & neere the riuer . p. of windes . p. of the sunne . p. trees against a wall . p. chap. . of the quantity . p. orchards as good as a corne-field . pag. good as the vineyard . p. what quantity of ground . want no hinderance . p. how land-lords by their tenants may make flourishing orchards . p. chap. . the forme of the orchard . chap. . of fences . pag. effects of euill fencing . p. the kinds of fencinge● . p. of pales and rayles . p. of stone-walles . p. of quicksets and moates . p. chap. . of setts . p. of slipps . p. of burknots . p. of small setts . p. tying of trees . p. signes of diseases . p. of suckers . p. a running plant . p. of bough setts . p. the best sett . p. times of remouing . p. the manner of setting . p. chap. . of the distance of trees . p. the hurts of too neere planting . p. all touches hurtfull . p the best distance . p. of wast ground in an orchard . p. chap. . of the placing of trees . p. chap. . of grafting . p. ●he kinds of grafting . p. 〈◊〉 to gra●t . p. what a graft is . p. ●he ●ies of a graft . p. 〈◊〉 of grafting . p. 〈◊〉 of grafts . p 〈…〉 sing . p. . p. . p. ●●aft●ng in the scutcheon p chap. . the right dressing of trees . p. timber-wood euill dress the cause of hurts in wood . pag. how to dresse timber . p. the profit of dressing . p . trees will take any form● . how to dresse all fruit-trees . p. the best times for proyning . p. faults of euill dressing and the remedies . p. of water-boughes . p. barke-pyld . p. instruments for dressing . chap. . of foyling . p time fit for foyling . p. chap. . of annoyances . p two euill in an orchard . p. of galls cankers mosse &c. of w●l●ull annoyances . p. chap. . of the age of trees . p. the parts of a trees age . p of mans age . p. the age of timber-trees . to discerne the age of trees . p. chap. : of gathering and keeping fruit. p. chap. . the profit of orchards . p. of cydar and perry . p. of fruit , waters and conserue . p. chap. . of ornaments . p. of the delights . p. the causes of delights . p. of flowers , borders , mounts &c. p. of bees . p. the best , svre and readiest vvay to make a good orchard and garden . chapter . . of the gardner , and his wages . whosoeuer desireth & endeauoureth to haue a pleasant , and profitable orchard , must ( if he be able ) prouide himselfe of a fruicterer , religious , honest , skilful in that faculty , & therwithall painfull : by religious , i meane ( because many think religion but a fashion or custome to go to church ) maintaining , & cherishing things religious : as schooles of learning , churches , tythes , church-goods , & rights ; and aboue all things , gods word , & the preachers thereof , so much as he is able , practising prayers , comfortable conference , mutuall instruction to edifie , almes , and other works of charity , and all out of a good conscience . honesty in a gardner , will grace your garden , and all your house , and helpe to stay vnbridled seruingmen , giuing offence to none , not calling your name into question by dishonest acts , nor infecting your family by euill counsell or example . for there is no plague so infectious as popery and knauery , he will not purloine your profit , nor hinder your pleasures . concerning his skill , he must not be a scolist , to make shew or take in hand that , which he cannot performe , especially in so weighty a thing as an orchard : than the which , there can be no humane thing more excellent , either for pleasure or profit , as shall ( god willing ) be proued in the treatise following . and what an hinderance shall it be , not onely to the owner , but to the common good , that the vnspeakeble benefit of many hundred yeeres shall be lost , by the audacious attempt of an vnskilfull arborist . the gardner had not need be an idle , or lazie lubber , for so your orchard being a matter of such moment , will not prosper . there will euer be some thing to doe . weedes are alwaies growing . the great mother of all liuing creatures , the earth , is full of seed in her bowels , and any stirring glues them heat of sunne , and being laid neere day , they grow : mowles worke daily , though not alwaies alike . winter herbes at all times will grow ( except in extreame frost . ) in winter your young trees and herbes would be lightned of snow , and your allyes cleansed : drifts of snow will set deere , hares , and conyes , and other noysome beasts ouer your walles & hedges , into your orchard . when summer cloathes your borders with greene and peckled colours , your gardner must dresse his hedges , and antike workes : watch his bees , and hiue them : distill his roses and other herbes . now begins summer fruit to ripe , and craue your hand to pull them . if he haue a garden ( as he must need ) to keepe , you must needs allow him good helpe , to end his labours which are endlesse , for no one man is sufficient for these things . such a gardner as will conscionably , quietly and patiently , trauell in your orchard , god shall crowne the labours of his hands with ioyfulnesse , and make the clouds drop fatnesse vpon your trees , he will prouoke your loue , and earne his wages , and fees belonging to his place : the house being serued , fallen fruite , superfluity of herbes , and flowers , seedes , graffes , sets , and besides other offall , that fruit which your bountifull hand shall reward him withall , will much augment his wages , and the profit of your bees will pay you backe againe . i● you be not able , nor willing to hire a gardner , keepe your profits to your selfe , but then you must take all the pains : and for that purpose ( if you want this faculty ) to instruct you , haue i vndertaken these labours , and gathered these rules , but chiefly respecting my countries good . chap. . of the soyle . fruit-trees most common , and meetest for our northerne countries : ( as apples , peares , cheries , filberds , red and white plummes , damsons , and bulles , ) for we meddle not with apricockes nor peaches , nor searcely with quinces , which will not like in our cold parts , vnlesse they be helped with some reflex of sunne , or other like meanes , nor with bushes , bearing berries , as barberies , goose-berries , or grosers , raspe-berries , and such like , though the barbery be wholesome , and the tree may be made great : doe require ( as all other trees doe ) a blacke , fat , mellow , cleane and well tempered soyle , wherein they may gather plenty of good sap . some thinke the hasell would haue a chanily rocke , and the sallow , and eller a waterish marish . the soile is made better by deluing , and other meanes , being well melted , and the wildnesse of the earth and weedes ( for euery thing subiect to man , and seruing his vse ( not well ordered , is by nature subiect to the curse , ) is killed by frosts and drought , by fallowing and laying on heapes , and if it be wild earth , with burning . if your ground be barren ( for some are forced to make an orchard of barren ground ) make a pit three quarters deepe , and two yards wide , and round in such places , where you would set your trees , and fill the same with fat , pure , and mellow earth , one whole foot higher then your soile , and therein set your plant. for who is able to manure an whole orchard plot , if it be barren ? but if you determine to manure the whole site , this is your way : digge a trench halfe a yard deepe , all along the lower ( if there be a lower ) side of your orchard plot , casting vp all the earth on the inner side , and fill the same with good short , hot● & tender muck , and make such another trench , and fill the same as the first , and so the third , and so through out your ground . and by this meanes your plot shall be fertile for your life . but be sure you set your trees , neither in dung nor barren earth . your ground must be plaine , that it may receiue , and keepe moysture , not onely the raine falling thereon , but also water cast vpon it , or descending from higher ground by sluices , conduits , &c. for i account moisture in summer very needfull in the soile of trees , & drought in winter . prouided , that the ground neither be boggy , nor the inundation be past . houres at any time , and but twice in the whole summer , and so oft in the winter . therefore if your plot be in a banke , or haue a descent , make trenches by degrees , allyes , walkes , and such like , so as the water may be stayed from passage . and if too much water be any hinderance to your walks ( for dry walkes doe well become an orchard , and an orchard them : ) raise your walkes with earth first , and then with stones , as bigge as walnuts : and lastly , with grauell . in summer you need not doubt too much water from heauen , either to hurt the health of your body , or of your trees . and if ouerflowing molest you after one day , auoid it then by deepe trenching . some for this purpose dig the soile of their orchard to receiue moisture , which i cannot approue : for the roots with digging are oftentimes hurt , and especially being digged by some vnskilfull ●eruant : for the gardiner cannot doe all himselfe . and moreouer , the roots of apples & pea●es being laid neere day , with the heate of the sun , will pu● forth suckers , which are a great hinderance , and sometimes wi●h euill guiding , the destruction of trees , vnlesse the deluing be very shallow , and the ground laid very leuell againe . cherries and plummes without deluing , will hardly or neuer ( after twenty yeares ) be kept from such suckers , nor aspes . grasse al●o is thought needfull ●or moisture , so you let it not touch the roots of your trees : for it will breed mosse , and the boall of your tree neere the earth would haue the comfort of the sunne and ayre . some take their ground to be too moist when it is not so , by re●son of waters standing thereon , for except in soure marshes , springs , and continuall ouerflowings , no earth can be too moyst . sandy & fat earth wi●l auoid all water falling by receit . indeed a stifle clay wi●l not receiue the water , and therefore if it be grassie or plaine , especially hollow , the water will abide , and it wil seeme waterish , when the fault is in the want of manuring , and other good dressing . this plainnesse which we require , had reed be naturall , because to force an vneuen ground will destroy the fatnesse . for euery soile hath his crust next day wherein trees and herbes put their roots , and whence they draw their sap , which is the best of the soile , and made fertile with heat and cold , moisture and drought , and vnder which by reason of the want of the said temperature , by the said foure qualities , no tree nor herbe ( in a manner ) will or can put root . as may be seene if in digging your ground , you take the weeds of most growth : as grasse or docks , ( which will grow though they lie vpon the earth bare ) yet bury them vnder the crust , and they will surely dye and perish , & become manure to your ground this crust is not past . or inches deepe in good ground , in other grounds lesse . hereby appeares the fault of forced plaines , viz. your crust in the lower parts , is couered with the crust of the higher parts , and both with worse earth : your heights hauing the crust taken away , are become meerely barren : so that either you must force a new crust , or haue an euill soile . and be sure you leuell , before you plant , lest you be forced to remoue , or hurt your plants by digging , and casting amongst their roots . your ground must be cleered as much as you may of stones , and grauell , walls , hedges , bushes , & other weeds . chap. . of the site . there is no difference , that i find betwixt the necessity of a good soile , and a good site of an orchard . for a good soile ( as is before described , cannot want a good site , and if it do , the fruit cannot be good , and a good site will much mend an euill soile . the best site is in low grounds , ( and if you can ) neere vnto a riuer . high grounds are not naturally fat . and if they haue any fatnesse by mans hand , the very descent in time doth wash it away . it is with grounds in this case as it is with men in a common wealth . much will haue more : and once poore , seldome or neuer rich . the raine will scind , and wash , and the wind wi●l blow fatnesse from the heights to the hollowes , where it will abide , and fatten the earth though it were barren before . hence it is , that we haue seldome any plaine grounds , and low , barren : and as seldome any heights naturally fertill . it is vnspeakeable , what fatnesse is brought to low grounds by inundations of waters . neither did i euer know any barren ground in a low plaine by a riuer side . the goodnesse of the soile in howle or hollowdernes , in york●sh●re , is well knowne to all that know the riuer humber , and the huge bulkes of their cattell there . by estimation of them that haue seene the low grounds in holland and zealand , they farre surpasse the most countries in europe for fruitfulnesse , and only because they lie so low . the world cannot compare with aegypt , for fertili●y , so farre as nilus doth ouer flow his bankes . so that a fitter place cannot be chosen for an orchard , then a low plaine by a riuer side . for b●si●es the fatnesse which the water brings , if any cloudy mist or raine be stirring , it commonly falls downe to , and followes the course of the riuer . and where see we greater trees of bu●ke and bough , then standing on or neere the waters side ? if you aske why the plaines in holderns , and such countries are destitute of woods ? i answer that men and cattell ( that haue put trees thence , from out of plaines to void corners ) are better then trees . neither are those places without trees . our old fathers can tel vs , how woods are decaied , & people in the roomth of trees multiplied . i haue stood somwhat long in this poynt , because some do condemne a moist soile for fruit-trees . a low ground is good to auoide the danger of winds , both for shaking downe your vnripe fruite . trees the most ( that i know ) being loaden with wood , for want of proyning , and growing high , by the vnskilfulnesse of the arborist , must needes be in continuall danger of the south-west , west , and north west winds , especially in september and march , when the aire is most temperate from extreme heat , and cold , which are deadly enemies to great winds . wherefore chuse your ground low or if you be forced to plant in a higher ground , let high and strong wals , houses , and trees , as wall-nuts , plane trees , okes , and ashes , placed in good order , be your fence for winds . the sucken of your dwelling house , descending into your orchard , if it be cleanly conueyed , is good . the sunne , in some sort , is the life of the world . it maketh proud growth , and ripens kindly , and speedily , according to the golden tearme : annus fructificat , non tellus . therefore in the countries , neerer approching the zodiake , the sunnes habitation , they haue better , and sooner ripe fruite , then we that dwell in these frozen parts . this prouoketh most of our great arborists , to plant apricockes , cherries and peaches , by a wall , and with tackes , and other meanes to spread them vpon , and fasten them to a wall , to haue the benefit of the immoderate reflexe of the sunne , which is commend●ble , for the hauing of faire , good & soone ripe fruit . but let them know it is more hurtfull to their trees then the benefit they reape therby : as not suffering a tree to liue the tenth part of his age . it helpes gardners to worke , for first the wall hinders the roots , because into a dry and hard wall of earth or stone a tree will not , no● cannot put any root to profit , but especially it stops the passage of sap , whereby the barke is wounded● & the wood , & diseases grow , so that the tree becomes short of life for as in the body of a man , the leaning or lying on some member , wherby the course of bloud is stopt , makes that member as it were dead for the time , till the bloud returne to his course , and i thinke , if that stopping should continue any time , the member would perish for want of bloud ( for the life is in the bloud ) and so endanger the body : so the sap is the life of the tree , as the bloud is to mans body : neither doth the tree in winter ( as is supposed ) want his sap , no more then mans body his bloud , which in winter , and time of sleep draws inward . so that the dead time of winter , to a tree , is but a night of rest : for the tree at all times , euen in winter is nourished with sap , & groweth as well as mans body . the chilling cold may well some little time stay , or hinder the proud course of the sap , but so little & so short a time , that in calme & mild season , euen in the depth of winter , if you marke it , you may easily perceiue , the sap to put out , and your trees to increase their buds , which were formed in the summer before , & may easily be discerned : for leaues fall not off , til they be thrust off , with the knots or buds , wherupon it comes to passe that trees cannot beare fruit plentifully two yeares together , and make themselues ready to blossome against the seasonablenesse of the next spring . and if any frost be so extreme , that it stay the sap too much , or too long , then it kils the forward fruit in the bud , and sometimes the tender leaues and twigs , but not the tree . wherefore , to returne , it is perillous to stop the sap . and where , or when , did you euer see a great tree packt on a wall ? nay , who did euer know a tree so vnkindly splat , come to age ? i haue heard of some , that out of their imaginary cunning , haue planted such trees , on the north side of the wall● to auoide drought , but the heate of the sunne is as comfortable ( which they should haue regarded ) as the drought is hurtfull . and although water is a soueraigne remedy against drought , ye want of sun is no way to be helped . wherefore ●o conc●ude this chapter , let your ground lie ●o , that it may haue the benefit of the south , and west sun , and so ●ow and close , that it may haue moysture , and increase his fatnesse ( for trees are the greatest ●uckers & pillers of earth , and ( as much as may be ) f●ee from g●eat winds . chap. . of the quantity . it would be remembred what a benefit riseth , not onely to euery particular owner of an orchard , but also to the common wealth , by fruit , as shall be shewed in the . ch●pter ( god willing ) whereupon must needes follow : the greater the orchard is ( being good and well kept ) the better it is , for of good things , being equally good , the biggest is the best . and if it shall appeare , that ●o ground a man occupieth ( no , not the corne field ) yeeldeth more gaine to the purse , and house keeping ( not to speake of the vnspeakeable pleasure ) quantity for quantity , than a good orchard ( besides the cost in planting , and dressing an orchard , is not so much by farre , as the labour and seeding of your corne fields , nor for durance of time , comparable , besides the certainty of the on before the other ) i see not how any labour , or cost in this kind , can be idly or wastfully bestowed , or thought too much . and what other things is a vineyard , in those countries where vines doe thriue , than a large orchard of trees bearing fruit ? or what difference is there in the iuice of the grape , and our cyder & perry , but the goodnes of the soile & clime where they grow ? which maketh the one more ripe , & so more pleasant then the other . what soeuer can be said for the benefit rising from an orchard , that makes for the largenesse of the orchards bounds . and ( me thinkes ) they do preposterously , that bestow more cost and labours , and more ground in and vpon a garden than vpon an orchard , whence they reape and may reape both more pleasure and more profit , by infinite degrees . and further , that a garden neuer so fresh , and faire , and well kept , cannot continue without both renewing of the earth● and the hearbs often , in the short and ordinary age of a man : whereas your orchard well kept shall dure diuers hundred yeares , as shall be shewed chap. . in a large orchard there is much labour saued , in fencing , and otherwise : for three little orchards , or few trees , being , in a manner , all out-sides , are so blasted and dangered , and commonly in keeping neglected , and require a great fence ; whereas in a great orchard , trees are a mutuall fence one to another , and the keep●ng is regarded , and lesse fencing serues sixe acres together , than three in seuerall inclosures . now what quantity of ground is meetest for an orchard can no man prescribe , but that must be left to euery mans seuerall iudgement , to be measured according to his ability and will , for other necessaries besides fruite must be had , and some are more delighted with orchard then others . let no man hauing a fit plot plead pouerty in this case , for an orchard once planted will maintaine it selfe , and yeeld infinite profit besides . and i am perswaded , that if men did know the right and best way of planting , dressing , and keeping trees , and felt the profit and pleasure thereof , both they that haue no orchards would haue them , & they that haue orchards , would haue them larger , yea fruit-trees in their hedges , as in worcester-shire , &c. and i think , that the want of plunting , is a great losse to our common-wealth , & in particular , to the owners of lord-ships , which land lords themselues might easily amend , by granting longer terme , and better ●ssurance to their tenants , who haue taken vp this prouerbe botch and sit , build and flit : ●or who will build or plant for an other mans profit ? or the parliament mighte ioyne euery occupier of grounds to plant and mainetaine for so many acres of fruitfull ground , so many seuerall trees or kinds of trees for fruit . thus much for quantity . chap. . of the forme . the goodnesse of the soile , and site , are necessary to the wel being of an orchard simply , but the fo●me is so farre necessary , as the owner shall thinke meete , for that kind of forme wherewith euery particular man is delighted , we leaue it to himselfe , suum cuique pulchrum . the forme that men like in generall is a square , for although roundnesse be forma perfectissima , yet that principle is good where necessi●● by art doth not force some other forme . if within one large square the gardner shall make one round laby●inth or maze with some kind of berries , it will grace your forme , so there be sufficient roomth left for walkes , so will foure or more round knots do . for it is to be noted , that the eye must be pleased with the forme . i haue seene squares rising by degrees with stayes from your house-ward , according to this forme which i haue , crassa quod aiunt minerua , with an vnsteady hand , ●ough hewen , for in forming the country gardens , the better sort may vse better formes , and more costly worke . what is needefull more to be sayd , i referre that all ( concerning the forme , ) to the chapter of the ornaments of an orchard . chap. . of fences . all your labour past and to come about an orchard is lost vnlesse you fence well . it shall grieue you much to see your young sets rubd loose at the rootes , the barke pild , the boughes and twigs cropt , your fruite stolne , your trees broken , and your many yeares labours and hopes destroyed , for want of fences . a chiefe care must be had in this point . you must therefore plant in such a soile , where you may prouide a conuenient , strong and seemely fence . for you can possesse no goods , that haue so many enemies as an orchard , looke chapter . fruits are so delightsome , and desired of so many ( nay , in a manner of all ) and yet few will be at cost and take paines to prouide them . fence well therefore , let your plot be wholly in your owne power , that you make all your fence your selfe : for neighbours fencing is none at all , or very carelesse . take heed of a doore or window , ( yea of a wall ) of any other mans into your orchard : yea , though it be nayld vp , or the wall be high , for perhaps they will proue theeues . all fences commonly are made of earth , stone , bricke , wood , or both earth and wood . dry wall of earth , and dry ditches , are the worst fences saue pales or railes , and doe waste the soonest , vnlesse they be well copt with glooe and morter , whereon at mighill-tide it will be good to sow wall-flowers , commonly called bee-flowers , or winter gilly-flowers , because they will grow ( though amongst stones ) and abide the strongest frost and drought , continually greene and flowring euen in winter , and haue a pleasant smell , and are timely , ( that is , they will floure the first and last of flowers ) and are good for bees . and your earthen wall is good for bees dry and warme . but these fences are both vnseemly , euill to repaire , and onely for need , where stone or wood cannot be had . whosoeuer makes such walles , must not pill the ground in the orchard , for getting earth , nor make any pits or hallowes , which are both vnseemly and vnprofitable . old dry earth mixt with sand is best for these . this kind of wall will soone decay , by reason of the trees which grow neere it , for the roots and boales of great trees , will increase , vndermine , and ouerturne such walles , though they were of stone , as is apparant by ashes , rountrees , burt-trees , and such like , carried in the chat , or berry , by birds into stone-walles . fences of dead-wood , as pales , will not last , neither will railes either last or make good fence stone walles ( where stone may be had ) are the best of this sort , both for fencing , lasting , and shrouding of your young trees . but about this must you bestow much paines and more cost , to haue them handsome , high and durable . but of all other ( in mine owne opinion ) quickwood , and moats or ditches of water , where the ground is leuell , is the best fence . in vnequall grounds , which will not keepe water , there a double ditch may be cast , made streight and leuel on the top , two yards broad for a faire walke , fiue or sixe foot higher then the soyle , with a gutter on either side , two yards wide , and foure foot deepe set with out , with three or foure chesse of thorns , and within with cherry , plumme , damson , bullys , filbirds , ( for i loue these trees better for their fruit , and as well for their forme , as priuit ) for you may make them take any forme . and in euery corner ( and middle if you will ) a mount would be raised , whereabout the wood may claspe , powdered with wood-binde : which wil make with dressing a faire , plesant , profitable , & sure fence . but you must be sure that your quicke thornes either grow wholly , or that there be a supply betime , either with planting new , or plashing the old where need is . and assure your selfe , that neither wood , stone , earth , nor water , can make so strong a fence , as this after seuen yeares growth . moates , fish-ponds , and ( especially at one side a riuer ) within and without your fence , will afford you fish , fence , and moysture to your trees , and pleasure also , if they be so great and deepe that you may haue swans , & other water birds , good for deuouring of vermine , and boat for many good vses . it shall hardly auaile you to make any fence for your orchard , if you be a niggard of your fruit . for as liberality will saue it best from noysome neighbours , liberality i say is the best fence , so iustice must restraine rioters . thus when your ground is tempered , squared , and fenced , it is time to prouide for planting . chap. . of sets . there is not one point ( in my opinion ) about an orchard more to be regarded , than the choyce getting and setting of good plants , either for readinesse or hauing good fruite , or for continuall lasting . for whosoeuer shall faile in the choyce of good sets , or in getting , or gathering , or setting his plants , shall neuer haue a good or l●sti●g orchard . an●●●ake want of skill in this faculty to be a chiefe hinder●nce to the most orchards , and ●o many for hauing of orchards at all . some for readinesse vse slips , which seldome take roote : and if they doe take , they cannot last , bo●h because their roote hauing a maine wound will in short time decay the body of the tree : and besides that rootes being so weakely put , are soone nipt with drought or frost . i could neuer see ( lightly ) any slip but of apples onely set for trees . a bur-knot kindly taken from an apple tree , is much better and surer . you must cu● him c●ose at the roote ende , an handfull vnder the knot . ( some vse in summer about lammas to ci●cumc●se him , and put ea●th to the knots with hay roaps , and in winte● cu● him off and set him , but this is curiosity , re●dlesse , and danger with remouing , and drought , ) and cut away all his twigs saue one , the most principall , which in setting you must leaue aboue the earth , burying his ●●unk in the ●●●st of the earth for his root . i● matters not much what part of the bough the twig growes out of . if it grow out of or ●eere the roote end , some s●y such an apple will haue no c●are nor kirnell . or if ●t ●p●e●se the plantor , he may let h●s bough be crooked , and leaue out his top end , one foote or somewhat more , wherein will be good grafting● if either you like not , or doubt the fruite of the bou●h o● commonly your bur-knots are summer fruit ) or ●fy●●●hinke he will not couer his wound safely . the most vsual kind of sets , is plants with rootes growing of kirnel , of apples , peares , and crabbes , or stones of cherries , p●ummes , &c. remoued out of a nursery , wood or other orchard , into , and set in your orchard in their due places i g●ant this kind to be better than either of the former , by much , as more sure and more durable h●rein you must no●e that in sets so remoued , you get all the roots you can , and without brusing of any ; i vtterly disl●ke the opinion of those great gardners , that following their bookes would haue the maine rootes cut away , for tops cannot growe without rootes . and because none can get all the rootes , and remouall is an hinderance , you may not leaue on al● tops , when you set them : for there is a proportion betwixt the top and root of a tree , euen in the number ( at least ) in the growth . if the roots be many , they will bring you many tops , if they be not hindred and if you vse to stow or top you tree too much or too low , and leaue no issue , or little for sap , ( as is to be seene in you● hedges ) it will hinde● the growth of rootes and b●ale , because such a kind of stowing is a kind of smothering , or choaking the sap . great wood , as oke , e●me , ash , &c. being continually kept downe with sheeres , knife , axe . &c. neither boale nor roote will th●iue , but as an hedge or bush . if you intend to gr●ff● in your set , you may cut him closer with a greater wound , and ne●rer the earth , within a foote or two , because the graft or grafts will couer his wound . if you like his fruite , and would haue him to be a tree of himselfe , be not so b●ld : th●s i can tell you , that though you do cut his top close , and leaue nothing but his bulke , because his ●ootes are ●ew , if he be ( but little ) bigger than your thumbe ( as i wish all plants remoued to be ) he will safely recouer wound within seuen yeares ; by good guidance that is● i● the next time of dressing immediatly aboue his vppermost ●p●ig , you cut him off ●sl●pe cleanely , ●o that the sprigge sta●d on the backe side , ( and if you can northward , that the wound may ha●e the benefit of sunne ) at the vpper ende of the wound : and let that sprigge onely be the boale . and take this for a generall rule ; euery young plant , if he thriue , will recouer any wound aboue the earth , by good dressing , although it be to the one halfe , and to his very heart . this short cutting at the remoue , saues your plants from wind , and neede the les●e or no st●king . i commend not lying or leaning of trees against holds or st●yr●s ; for it breedes obstruction of ●ap and wounds incureable . all remouing of trees as great as you● arme , or aboue , is dangerous : though sometime some such will grow but not continue long : because they be tainted with deadly wounds , e●ther in the roote or top . ( and a tree once throughly tainted is neuer good ) and though they ge● some hold in the earth with some lesser taw , or tawes , which giue some nourishment to the body of the tree : yet the heart being tain●ed , he will hardly euer ●hri●e ; which you may easily discerne by the blackenesse of the boughes at the heart , when you dresse your trees . also , when he is set with moe tops than the rootes can nourish , the tops decaying , blacken the boughes , and the boughs the armes , and so they bo●le at the very heart . or th●s ta●n● in the remouall , if it ki●l not presently , but after some short time , it may be discerned by blacknesse or ye●lownesse in the barke , and a small hungred leafe . or if your remoued plant put forth leaues the next and second summer , and little or few spraies , it is a great signe of a taint , and next yeares d●ath . i haue knowne a tree tainted in setting , yet grow , & beare blossomes for diuers yeares : and yet for want of strength could neuer shape his fruit . next vnto this or rather equall with these plants , are suckers growing out of the roots of great trees , which cherries and plums do seldome or neuer want : and being taken kindly with their roots , will make very good sets . and you may helpe them much by enlarging their rootes wi●h the taws of the tree , wh●nce you take them . they are of two sorts : either growing from the very root of the tree : and here you must be carefull , not to hurt your tree when you gather them , by ripping amongst the rootes ; and that you take them cleane away : for these are a great and continuall annoyance to the growth of your tree : and they will hardly be cleansed . secondly , or they do ar●e f●om some taw : and these may be taken without danger , with long and good rootes , and will soone become trees of strength . there is another way , which i haue not throughly proued , to get not onely plants for gr●ffing , but sets to remaine for trees , which i call a running plant : the manner of it is this : take a roote or kirnell , and put it into the middle of your plot , and the second yeare in the spring , g●●d his top , if he haue one principall ( as commonly by nature they haue ) and let him put forth onely foure cyo●s toward the foure corners of the orchard , as neere the earth as you can . if he put not foure , ( which is rare ) stay his top till he haue put so many . when you haue such foure , cut the stocke aslope , as is aforesayd in this chapter , hard aboue the vttermost sprig , & keepe those foure without cyons cleane and straight , till you haue them a yard and a halfe , at least , or two yards long . then the next spring in graffing time , lay downe those foure sprayes , towards the foure corners of your orchard , with their tops in an heape of pure and good earth , and raised as high as the roote of your cyon ( for sap will not descend ) and a sod to keepe them downe , leauing nine or twelue inches of the top to looke vpward . in that hill he will put rootes , and his top new cyons , which you must spread as before , and so from hill to hill till he spread the compasse of your ground , or as farre as you list . if in bending , the cyons cracke , the matter is small , cleanse the ground and he will recouer . euery bended bough will put forth branches , and become trees . if this plant be of a burie knot , there is not doubt . i haue proued it in on● branch my selfe : and i know at wilton in cleeue-land a peare-tree of a great bulke and age , blowne close to the earth , hath put at euery knot rootes into the earth , and from roote to top , a great number of mighty armes or trees , fi●ling a great roomth , like many trees , or a little orchard . much better may it be done by art in a lesse tree● and i could not mis●ke this kind , saue that the time will be long before it come to perfection . many vse to buy sets already grafted , which is not the best way : for first , all remoues are dangerous : againe , there is danger in the carriage : thirdly , it is a costly course of planting : fourthly , euery gardne● is not trusty to sell you good fruite : fiftly , you know not which is best , which is worst , and so may take most care about your worst trees . lastly , this way keepes you from practise , and so from experience● in so good , gentlemanly , scholerlike , and profitable a faculty . the onely best way ( in my opinion ) to haue sure and lasting sets , is neuer to remoue : for euery remoue is an hinderance , if not a dangerous hurt or deadly taint . this is the way . the plot-forme being layd , and the plot appointed where you will plant euery set in your orchard , digge the roomth , where you● sets shall stand , a yard compasse , and make the earth mellow and cleane , and mingle it with a few coale-ashes , to auoide wormes : and immediately after the first change of the moone , in the latter end of february , the earth being a fresh turn'd ouer , put in euery such roomth three or foure kirnels of app●es or peares , of the best : euery kirnell in an hole made with your finger , finger deepe , a foote distant one from another : and that day moneth following , as many moe , ( lest some of the former misse ) in the same compasse ; but not in the same holes . hence ( god willing ) shall you haue rootes enough . if they all , or diuers of them come vp , you may draw ( but not digge ) vp ( nor put downe ) at your pleasure , the next nouember . how many soeuer you take away , to giue or bestow elsewhere , be sure to leaue two of the proudest . and when in your . and . yeare you graffe , if you graffe then at all , leaue the one of those two vngraffed , lest in graffing the other you faile : for i find by tryall , that after first or second graffing in the same stocke , being mist ( for who hits all ) the third misse puts your stocke in deadly danger , for want of issu● of sap . yea , though you hit in graffing , yet may your graffes with winde or otherwise be broken downe . if your graffes or graffe prosper , you haue your desire , in a plant vnremoued , without taint , and the fruite at your owne choyce , and so you may ( some little earth being remooued ) pull , but not digge vp the other plant or plants in that roomth . if your g●●ffe or stocke , or both perish , you haue another in the same place , of better strength to worke vpon . for thriuing without snub he will ouer-lay your grafted stocke much . and it is hardly possible to misse in grafting so often , if your gardiner be worth his name . it shall not be amisse ( as i iudge it ) if your kirnels be of choyce fru●te , and that you see them come forward proudly in their body , and beare a faire and broad leafe in colour , tending to a greenish yellow ( which argue● pleasant and great fruit ) to try some of them vngraffed : for although it be a long time ere this come to beare fruit , ten or twelue yeares , or moe ; and at their first bea●ing , the fruit will not seeme to be like his owne kind : yet am i assured , vpon tryall , before twenty yeares growth , such trees will increase the bignesse and goodnesse of their fruite , and come perfectly to their owne kind . trees ( like other breeding creatures ) as they grow in yeares● bignes and strength , so they mend their fruit . husbands and houswiues find this true by experience , in the rearing of their yong store . more then this , th●e is no tree like this for soundnes and dureable last , if his keeping and dressing be answerable . i grant , the readiest way to come soone to fruit is graffing : because in a manner , all your graffes are taken of fruit bea●●ng trees . now when you haue made choise of your sets to remoue , the ground being ready , the best time is , immediatly after the fall of the leafe , in , or about the change of the moone , when the sap is most quiet : for then the sap is in turning : for it makes no stay , but in the extremity of drought or cold . at any time in winter , may you transplant trees so you put no ice nor snow to the root of your plant in the setting : and therefore open , calme and moist wea her is best . to remoue , the leafe being ready to fall and not fallen , or buds apparan●ly put forth in a moist warme season , for need , sometime may do well : but the safest is ●o walke in the plaine trod●e● path . some hold opinion that it is best remouing before the fall of the leafe , and i heare it commonly practised in the south by our best a●borists , the leafe not fallen : and they giue the reason to be , that the descending of the sap will make speedy rootes . but marke the reasons following and i thinke you shall find no soundnesse , either in that position or practise , at least in the reason . . i say , it is dangerous to remoue when the sap is not quiet , for euery remoue giues a maine checke to the stirring sap , by staying the course therof in ●he body of your plant , as may appeare in trees remoued any time in summer , they commonly dye , nay hardly shall you saue the life of the most young and tender plant of any kinde of wood ( scarcely herbes ) if you remoue them in the pride of sap . for proud sap vniuersally staied by remoual , euer hinders ; often taints and so presently , or in very short time ki●s . sap is like bloud in mans body , in which is the life , cap. . p. if the blood vniuersally be cold , life is excluded ; so is sap tainted by vntimely remouall . a stay by drought , or cold , is not so dangerous ( though dangerous if it be ex●reme ) because more naturall . . the sap neuer descends , as men suppose , but is consollidated & transubstantiated into the substance of the tree , and passeth ( alwayes aboue the earth ) vpward , not onely betwixt the barke and the wood , but also into and in both body & barke , though not so plentifully , as may appeare by a tree budding , nay ●●uctifying two or three ye●es , after he be circum●is●d at the very root , ●i●e a riuer that inlargeth his channel by a continu●l descent . i cannnot perceiue what time they would h●●● the sap to descend . a● m●●sommer in a biting drought it staies , but descends not , for immedi●tly vpon moisture it makes second shoots , at ( or before rathe● ) michaeltide , when it shapens his buds for next yeares f●uit . if a● the f●l of leafe , i grant , about that time is the greatest stand , but no descent , of sap , which begins somwhat before the leafe fall , but not long , therfore at that time must be the best remouing , not by reason of descent , but stay of sap . . the sap in this course hath his profitable apparant effects , as the growth of the tree , couering of wounds , putting of ●uds , &c. wh●rupon it follows , if the sap descend , it must needs haue some effect to shew it . . lastly , boughs plasht and laid lower then the root , dye for want of sap descending , except where it is forced by the maine streame of the sap , as in top boughs hanging like water in pipes , or except the plasht bough lying on the ground put rootes of his owne , yea vnder boughs which we commonly call water boughs , can scarcely get sap to liue , yea in time dye , because the sap doth presse so violently vpward , and therefore the fairest shootes and fruits are alwayes in the top . obiect . if you say that many so remoued thriue , i say that somewhat before the fall of the leafe ( but not much ) is the stand , for the fall & the stand are not at one instant , before the stand is dangerous . but to returne . the sooner in winter ●ou remoue your sets , the better ; the latter the worse : for it is very perillous if a strong drought take your sets before they haue made good their rooting . a plant set at the fall , shall gaine ( in a a manner ) a whole yeeres growth of that watch is set in the spring after . i vse in the setting to be sure , that the earth be mouldy , ( and somewhat moist ) that it may runne among the small tangles without straining or bruising : and as i f●●l in earth to his root , i shake the set easily to and fro , to make the earth settle the better to his roo●s : and withall easily with my foot i put in the earth close ; for ayre is noysome , and w●ll follow concauities . some prescribe oates to be put in w●●h the earth . i could like it , if i could know any reason thereof : and they vse to set their plant with the same side toward the sunne : but this conceit is like the o●her . for first i would haue euery tree to stand so free from shade , that not onely the root ( which therefore you mus● ke●p● bare from grasse ) but body , boughes , and branches , and euery spray , may haue the benefit of sunne . and what hurt , if that part of the tree , that before was sh●dowed , be now made partaker of the heat of the su●n ? in ●urning of be●s , i know it is hurtfull , because it changeth their entrance , passage , and whose worke : but not so in trees . set as deepe as you can , so that in any wise you goe no● beneath the crust . looke chap. . we speake in the second chapter of moysture in genera●l : but now especial●y hauing put your remoued plant into the earth , powre on water ( of a puddle were good ) by distilling presently , and so euery weeke twice in strong drought , so long as the earth will drinke , and refuse by ouerflowing . for moisture m●llifies , and both giues leaue to the roots to spread , and makes the earth yeeld sap and nourishment with plenty & facility . nurses ( they say ) giue most & best milke after warme drinks . if your ground be such that it will keepe no moisture at the root of your plant , such plant shall neuer like , or but for a time . there is nothing more hurtfall for young trees then piercing drought . i haue known trees of good stature after they haue beene of diuers yeeres growth , & thriue well for a good time , perish for want of water , and very many by reason or taints in setting . it is meet your sets and grafts be fenced , till they be as big as your arme for feare of annoyances . many waies may sets receiue dammages , after they be set , whether grafted or vngrafted . for although we suppose , that no noysome beast , or other thing must haue accesse among your trees : yet by casualty , a dog , cat , or such like , or your selfe , or negligent friend bearing you company , or a shrewd boy , may tread or fall vpon a young and tender plant or graft . to auoid these and many such chances , you must stake them round a pretty distance from the set , neither so neere , nor so thicke , but that it may haue the benefit of sun , raine , and ayre . your stakes ( small or great ) would be so surely put , or driuen into the earth , that they breake not , if any thing happen to leane vpon them , else may the fall be more hurtfull , then the want of the fence . let not you stakes shelter any weeds about your sets , for want of sunne is a great hinderance . let them stand so farre off , that your grafts spreading receiue no hurt , either by rubbing on them , or of a●y other thing passing by . if your stocke be long , and high grafted ( which i must discommend ( except in need ) because there the sap is weake , and they are subiect to strong wind , and the lighting of birds ) tie easily with a soft list three or foure prickes vnder the clay , and let their tops stand aboue the grafts , to auoid the lighting of crowes , pyes , &c. vpon your grafts . if you sticke some sharpe thornes at the roots of your stakes , they will make hurtfull things keepe off the better . other better fences for your grafts i know none . and thus much for sets and setting . chap. . of the distance of trees . i know not to what end you should prouide good ground , well fenced , & plant good sets ; and when your trees should come to profit , haue all your labours lost , for want of due regard , to the distance of placing your trees . i haue s●ene many trees stand so thicke , that one could not thriue for the throng of his neighbours . if you doe marke it , you shall see the tops of trees rubd off , their sides galled like a galled horses backe , and many trees haue more stumps then boughes , and most trees no well thriuing , but short , stumpish , and euill thriuing boughes : like a corne field ouer-seeded , or a towne ouer peopled , or a pasture ouerlaid , which the gardiner must either let grow , or leaue the tree very few boughes to beare fruit . hence small thrift , galls , wounds , diseases , and short life to the trees : and while they liue greene , little , hard , worme-eaten , and euill thriuing fruit arise , to the discomfort of the owners . to preuent which discommodity , one of the best remedies is the sufficient and fit distance of trees . therefore at the se●ing of your plants you must haue such respect , that the distance of them be such , that euery tree be not annoyance , but an helpe to his fellowes : for trees ( as all other things of th●●● m● k●nd ) should shroud , and not hurt one another . and assure your selfe that euery touch of trees ( as well vnder as aboue the earth ) is hurtfull . therefore this must be a generall rule in this art● that no tree in an orchard well ordered , nor bough , nor cyon , drop vpon , or touch his fellowes let no man thinke this vnpossible , but looke in the eleuenth chapter of dressing of trees if they touch , the winde will cause a forcible 〈◊〉 young twigs are tender , if boughes or armes touch 〈◊〉 , if they are strong , they make great galls . no kind of touch therefore in trees can be good . now it is to be considered what distance amongst sets is requisite , and that must be gathered from the compasse and roomth , that each tree by probability will take and fill . and herein i am of a contrary opinion to all them , which practise or teach the planting of trees , that euer yet i knew , read , or heard of . for the common space betweene tree and tree is ten foot : if twenty foot , it is thought very much . but i suppose twenty yards distance is small enough betw●xt tree and tree , or rather too too little . for the distance must needs be as far as two trees are well able to ouer spread● and fill , so they touch not by one yard at least . now i am assured , and i know one apple-tree , set of slip finger-great , in the space of yeares , ( which i account a very small part of a trees age , as is shewed chapter . ) hath spred his boughes eleuen or twelue yards compasse , that is , fiue or sixe yards on e●ery side . hence i gather , that in forty or fity yeares ( which yet is but a small time of his age ) a tree in good soile , well liking , by good dressing ( for that is much auaileable to this purpose ) will spread double at the least , viz. twelue yards on a side , which being added to twelue alotted to his felllow , make twenty and foure yards , a●d so farre distant must euery tree stand from another and looke how farre a tree spreads his boughes aboue , so far doth he put his roots vnder the earth , or rather further , if there be no stop , nor let by walls , trees , rocks , barren earth , and such like : for an huge bulk , and strong armes , massie boughes , many branches , and infinite twigs , require wide spreading roots . the top hath the vast aire to spread his boughs in , high and low , this way and that way : but the roots are kept in the crust of the earth , they may not goe downward , nor vpward ou● of he earth , which is their element , no more then the fish out of the water , camelion out of the aire , nor salamander out the fire . therefore they must needs spread farre vnder the earth . and i dare well say , if nature would giue leaue to man by art , to dresse the roots of trees , to take away the tawes and tangles , that lap and fi●t and grow supe●fluously and disorderly , ( for euery thing sublunary is cursed for mans sake ) the tops aboue being answerably dressed , we should haue trees of wouderfull greatnes , and i●finite durance . and i perswade my selfe that this might be done sometimes in winter , to trees standing in faire pl●ines and kindly earth , with small or no danger at all . so that i conclude , that twenty foure yards are the least space that art can allot for trees to stand distant one from another . if you aske me what vse shall be made of that waste ground betwixt tree and tree ? i answer : if you please to plant some tree or trees in that middle space , you may , and as your trees grow contigious , gr●a● and thick , you may at your pleasure take vp those last trees . and this i take to be the chiefe cause , why the most trees stand so thicke . for men not knowing ( or not regarding ) this secret of needfull distance , and louing fruit of trees planted to their handes , thinke much to pull vpp an● , though they pine one another . if you or your heires or successors would take vp some great tre●s ( past setting ) where they stand too thicke , be sure ●ou doe it about miasummer , and leaue no maine roo●● i destina●e this sp●ce of foure and twenty yards , for trees of age & sta●ure . more then thi● , yo● h●ue borders to be made for wal●es● with roses● berries , &c. a●d chiefly consider : that your orchard , for the first twenty or thirty yeeres , will serue you ●or many gardens , for safron , licoras , roots , and other herb● for profi● , and flowers for pleasure : so that no ground need be wasted if the gardiner be skillfull and diligen● . but be sure● you come not neere with such deepe de●uing the roots of your trees , who●e compas●e you may partly discerne , by the compasse of the tops , if your top be well spread . and vnder the droppings and shadow of your trees , be sure no herbes will like . let this be said for the distance of trees . chap. . of the placing of trees . the placing of trees in an orchard is well worth the regard : for although it must be granted , that any of our foresaid trees ( chap. . ) will like well in any part of your orchard , being good and well drest earth : yet are not ●ll trees alike worthy of a good place and therefore i wish that your filbird , plummes , dimsons , bules●● , and such like , be vtterly remoued from the plaine soile of your orchard into your fence : for there is not such fertility and easefull growth , as within : and there also they are more sub●ect , and an abide the blasts of aeolus . the che●ries and plummes being ripe in the hot time of summer , and th● rest standing ●onger , are not so soone shaken as your better fr●i● : neither if they suffer losse , is your losse so grea● . besides that , your fences and ditches w●ll de●ou●e ●ome of your fruit growing in or neere your hedges and seeing the continuance of all these ( except nu●s ) is small , the care of them ought to be the lesse . and make no doubt● but the fences of a large orchard wi●l containe a suffi●ien●●umber of such kind of fruit-trees in the wh●le compasse . it is not materiall , but at your pleasure , in the s●d fences , you may either intermingle your seuer●l ki●ds of fruit-trees , or set euery kind by himself● , which order doth very well become your bet●er and greater fruit . let therefore your appl●s p●●res , an● quinches , possesse the soile of you o●chard , vnlesse you be especially affected to some of your other kinds : and of them let your greatest ●rees of growth stand furthest from sunne , and your quinches at the s●u●h side or end , and your● apples in th● middle , so shall none be any hinderance to his fellowes . the warden-tree , and winter-peare will challenge the pre●emine●ce for stature . of your apple-trees you shall finde difference in growth . a good pippin will g●ow large , and a costard-tree : stead them on the north side of your other apples , thus being placed , the least will giue sun to the rest , and the greatest will shroud their fellowes . the fences and out-trees will guard all . chap. of g●af●ing . of this there be diuers kinds , but three or foure now especially in vse : to wit , grafting , incising , packing on , grafting in the scutchion , or inoculating : whereof the chiefe and most vsuall , is called grafting ( by the generall name , catahexocen : ) for it is the most knowne , surest , readiest , and plainest way to haue store of good fruit . it is thus wrought : you must with a fine , thin , strong and sharpe saw , made and armed for that purpose , cut off a foot aboue the ground , or thereabouts , in a plaine without a knot , or as neere as you can without a knot ( for some stocks will be knotty ) your stocke , set , or plant , being surely stayed with your foot and legge , or otherwise straight ouerthwart ( for the stocke may be crooked ) and then plaine his wound smoothly with a sharpe knife : that done , cleaue him cleanly in the middle with a cleauer , and a knocke or mall , and with a wedge of wood , iron or bone , two handfull long at least , put into the middle of that clift , with the same knocke , make the wound gape a straw bredth wide , into which you must put your graffes . the graft is a top twig taken from some other tree ( for it is folly to put a graffe into his owne stocke ) beneath the vppermost ( and sometime in need the second ) knot , and with a sharpe knife fitted in the knot ( and some time out of the knot when need is ) with shoulders an ynch downeward , and so put into the stocke with some thrusting ( but not straining ) barke to barke inward . let your graffe haue three or foure eyes , for readinesse to put forth , and giue issue to the sap . it is not amisse to cut off the top of your graffe , and leaue it but fiue or sixe inches long , because commonly you shall see the tops of long graffes die . the reason is this . the sap in graffing receiues a rebuke , and cannot worke so strongly presently , and your graffes receiue not sap so readily , as the naturall branches . when your graffes are cleanely and closely put in , and your wedge puld out nimbly , for feare of putting your graffes out of frime , take well tempered morter , ●oundly wrought with chaffe or horse dung ( for the dung of cattell will grow hard , and straine your graffes ) the quantity of a gooses egge , and diuide it iust , and therewithall , couer your stocke , laying the one halfe on the one side , and the other halfe on the other side of your graffes ( for thrusting against your graffes ) you moue them , and let both your hands thrust at once , and alike , and let your clay be tender , to yeeld easily ; and all , lest you moue your graffes . some vse to couer the clift of the stocke● vnder the clay with a piece of barke or leafe , some with a sear-cloth of waxe and butter , which as they be not much needfull , so they hurt not , vnlesse that by being busie about them , you moue your graffes from their places . they vse also mosse tyed on aboue the clay with some bryer , wicker , or other bands . these profit nothing . they all put the graffes in danger , with pulling and thrusting : for i hold this generall rule in graffing and planting : if your stocke and graffes take , and thriue ( for some will take and not thriue , being tainted by some meanes in the planting or graffing ) they will ( without doubt ) recouer their wounds safely and shortly . the best time of graffing from the time of remouing your stocke is the next spring , for that saues a second wound , and a second repulse of sap , if your stocke be of sufficient bignesse to take a graffe from as big as your thumbe , to as big as an arme of a man. you may graffe l●sle ( which i like ) and bigger , which i like not so w●ll . the best time of the y●ere is in the ●ast part of february , or in march , or beginning of apr●ll , when the su●ne with his h●a● begins to make the s●p stirre more rankely , about the change of moone before you see any great apparancy of lease or fl●we●s but onely knots and bads , and before they be proud , though it be sooner . cheries , pea●es , apricocks , q●●nces , and plummes would be gathered and graf●ed sooner . the graff●s may be gathered sooner in february , or any time within a moneth , or two before you graffe or vpon the same day ( which i commend ) if you get them any time before , ●or i haue knowne graf●es gathered in december , and doe well , take heed of drought . i haue my selfe ●aken a bu●knot of a tree , & the same day when he was laid in the earth about mid februory , gathered graf●s and put in him , and one of those graffes bore the th●rd yeere after , and the fourth plentifully . graffes of old trees would be gathered sooner then of young trees , for they sooner breake and bud● if you keepe graffes in the earth , moisture with the heat of the sun will make them sprout as fast , as if they were growing on the tree . and therefore seeing keeping is dangerous , the surest way ( as i iudge ) is to take them within a weeke of the time of your graf●ing . the gr●fts would be taken not of the proudest twigs , for it may be your stocke is not answerable in strength . and therefore ( say i , the graf●s brought from south to vs in the north although they take and thriue ( which is somewhat doub●full , by reason of the difference of the clime and carriage ) yet shall they in time fashion themselues to our cold notherne soile , in growth , taste &c. nor of the poorest , for want of strength may make them vnready to receiue sap ( and who can tell but a poore graft is tainted ) nor on the outside of your tree , for there should your tree spread but in the middest● for there you may be sure your tree is no whit hindered in his growth or forme . he will still recouer inward , more then you would wish . if your clay clift in summer with drought , looke well in the chinkes for emm●●s and earewigs , for they are cunning and close theeues● about grafts you shall finde them stirring in the morning and euening , and the rather in the moist weather . i haue had many young buds of graffes , euen in the flourishing , eaten with ants. let this suffice for graffing , which is in the faculty counted the chiefe secret , and because it is most vsuall it is best knowne . graffes are not to be disl●ked for growth , till they wither , pine , and die . vsually before m●dsummer they breake , if they l●ue . some ( but few ) keeping proud and greene , will not put till the second yeere , so is it to be thought of sets . the first shew of putting is no sure signe of growth , it is but the sap the graffe brought with him from his tree . so soone as you see the graft put for growth , take away the clay , for then doth neither the stocke no● the graffe need it ( put a little fresh well tempered clay in the hole of the stocke ) for the clay is now tender , and rather keepes moisture then drought . the other waies of changing the naturall fruit of trees , are more curious then profitable , and therefore i mind not to bestow much labour or time about them , onely i shall make knowne what i haue proued , and what i doe thinke . and first of incising , which is the cutting of the backe of the boale , a rine or branch of a tree of some bending or knee , shoulderwise with two gashes , onely with a sharpe knife to the wood : then take a wedge , the big●es of your graffe sharpe ended , flat on the one side , agr●eing with the tree , and round on the other side , and with t●●● being thrust in , raise your barke , then p●t in your gr●ffe , fashioned like your wedge iust : and lastly cou●r your wound , and fast it vp , and take heed of straining . this will grow but to small purpose , for it is weake hold , and ligh●ly it will be vnder growth . thus may you graft betwixt the barke and the tree of a great stoc●e that will not easily be clifted : but i haue tryed a better way for great trees , viz● first , cut him off straight , and cleanse him with your knife , then cleaue him into foure q●arte●s , equally with a strong cleauer : then take for euery clift two or three small ( but hard ) wedges iust of the bignesse of your graf●s , and with those wedges driuen in with an hammer open the foure clifts so wide ( but no wider ) that they may take your foure gr●ffes , with thrusting not with straining : and lastly couer and clay i● closely , and this is a sure and good way of grafting : or thus , clift your stocke by his edges twice or thrice with your cleauer , and open him with your wedge in euery clift one by one , and put in your grafts , and then couer them . this may doe well . packing on is , when you cut asl●pe a twig of the same bignesse with your graft , either in or besides the knot , two inches long , and make your graft agree ●umpe with the cyon● and gash your graft and your cyon in the middest of the wound , length-way , a straw breadth deepe , and thrust the one into the other , wound to wound , sap to s●p , barke to barke , then tie them close and clay them . this may doe well . the fairest graft i haue in my little orchard , which i haue planted , is thus packt on , and the branch whereon i put him , is in his plentifull roote . the sprig . the graft . the twig . the graft . inoculating is an eye or bud , taken barke and all from one tree , and placed in the roome of another eie or bud of another , cut both of one compasse , and there bound . this must be done in summer , when the sap is proud . chap. . of the right dressing of trees . if all these things aforesaid were indeed performed , as we haue shewed them in words , you should haue a perf●ct orchard in nature a●d subst●nce , begu●ne to your hand : and yet are all these things nothing , if you want that skill to keepe and dresse your trees . such is the condition of all earthly things , whereby a man receiueth profit or pleasure , that they degenerate presently without good ordering . man himselfe left to himselfe , growes from ●i heauenly and spirituall generation , and becommeth beastly , yea deuillish to his owne kind , vnlesse he be regenerate no ma●u●ll then , if trees make ●heir shootes , and put their spraies disorderly . and truly ( if i were worthy to iudge ) there is not a mischiefe ●h●t b●eedeth greater and more generall harme to all the orchard ( especially if they be of any continuance ) that euer i saw , ( i will not except three ) then the want of the ski●full d●essing of trees . it is a common and vnskilfull opinion , and saying . let all grow , and they will bea●e more fruit : and if ●oulop away su●erfluous boughts , they say , what a pitty is this ? how many apples would there haue borne ? not considering there may arise hurt to your orchard , aswell ( nay rather ) by abundance , as by want of wood . sound and thriuing plan● in a good soile , will euer yeeld too much wood , and disorderly , but neuer too little . so that a skilfull and painfull a●bo●ist , need neuer want matter to ●ffect a plentifull and well drest orchard : for it is an easie matter to take away superfluous boughes if your gardner haue skill to know them ) whereof you● plants will yeeld abundance , and skill will leaue sufficient well ordered . a●lages both by rule and experience doe consent to a pruining and lopping of trees : yet haue not any that i know described vnto vs ( except in darke and generall words ) what or which are those superfluous boughes , which we must take away , and that is the chiefe and most needfull point to be knowne in lopping . and we may well assure our selues , ( as in all other arts , so in this ) there is a vantage and dexterity , by skill , and an habite by practise out of experience , in the performance hereof for the profit of mankind ; yet doe i not know ( let me speake it with the patience of ou● cunning arborists ) any thing within the compasse of humane affaires so necessary , and so little regarded , not onely in orchards , but also in all other timber trees , where or whatsoeuer . imagine the roote to be spread farre wider . if all timber trees were such ( will some say ) how should we haue crooked wood for wheeles , co●r●s , &c. answ. dresse all you can , and there will be enough crooked for those vses . more than this , in most places , they grow so thicke , that neither themselues , nor earth , nor any thing vnder or neere them can thriue , nor sunne , nor raine , nor ●ire can doe them , nor any thing neere or vnder them any profit or comfort . i see a number of h●gs , where out of one roote you shall see three or foure ( nay more ) such as mens vns●ilfull greedinesse , who desiring many haue ●ore good ) pretty okes or ashes , straight and tall , because the root at the first shoote giues sap amaine : but if one onely of them might bee suffered to grow , and that well and cleanely pruned , all to his very top , what a tree should we haue in time ? and we see by those rootes continually and plentifully springing , notwithstanding so deadly wounded . what a commodity should arise to the owner , and the common-wealth , if wood were cherished , and orderly dressed . the wast boughes closely and skilfully taken away , would giue vs store of fences and fewell , and the bulke of the tree in time would grow of huge length and bignes . but here ( me thinkes ) i heare an vnskilfull arborist say , that trees haue their seuerall formes , euen by nature , the peare , the holly , the aspe , &c. grow long in bulke with few and little armes , the oke by nature broad , and such like . all this i graunt : but grant me also , that there is a profitable end , and vse of euery tree , from which i● it decline ( though by nature ) yet man by art may ( nay must ) correct it . now other end of trees i neuer could learne , than good timber , fruit much and good , and pleasure . vses physicall hinder nothing a good forme . neither let any man euer so much as thinke , that it vnprobable , much lesse vnpossible , to refo●me any tree of what kind soeuer . for ( beleeue me ) i haue tried it , i can bring any tree ( beginning by time ) to any forme . the peare and holly may be made to spread , and the oke to close . but why do i wander out of the compasse of mine orchard , into the forrests and woods ? neither yet am i from my purpose , if boales of timber trees stand in need of all the sap , to make them great and straigh● ( for strong growth and dressing makes strong trees ) then it must needes be profitable for fruit ( a thing more immediately seruing a mans need ) to haue all the sap his roote can yeeld : for as timber sound , great and long , is the good of timber trees , and therefore they beare no fruite of worth : so fruit , good , sound , pleasant , great and much , is the end of fruit-trees . that gardner therefore shall performe his duty skilfully and faithfully , which sha●l so dresse his trees , that they may beare such and such store of fruit , which he shall neuer do ( dare vndertake ) vnlesse he keepe this order in dressing his trees . a fruit-tree so standing , that there need none other end of dressing b●t fruit ( not ornaments for walkes , nor delight to such as would please their eye onely , and yet the b●st forme ca●not but both adorne an● d●light ) must be parted from wi●hin two foote , or thereabouts , of the earth , so high to giue liberty to dresse his roote , and no higher , for drinking vp the sap that should f●ede his fruit , for the boale will be first , and best serued and fed , because he is next the roote , and of gre●●est waxe and substance , and that makes him longest of life , into two , three , or foure armes , as your stocke or graff●s yeelde twigs , and euery arme into two or more bran●hes , and euery branch into his seuerall cyons , still spre●ding by equ●ll degrees , so that his lowest spray be hardly without the reach of a mans hand , and his highest be not past two yards higher , rar●ly ( especially in the middest ) that no one twig touch his fellow . let him spread as farre as he list without his maister-bough , or ●op ●qually . and when any bough doth grow sadder and fall lower , than his fellowes ( as they will with weight of fruite ) ease him the next spring of his superfluous twigs , and he will ri●e : when any bough or spray shall amount aboue the rest ; either snub his top with a nip be●wixt your finger and your thumbe , or with a sharpe knife , and take him cleane away , and so you may vse any cyon you would reforme , and as your tree shall grow in stature and st●ength , so let him rise with his tops , but flowly , and e●rely , especially in the middest , and equally , and in bredth also , and follow him vpward with lopping hi● vnder growth and water boughes , keeping the s●me distance of two yards , but not aboue three in any wise , betwixt the lowest and the highest twigs . . thus you shall haue well liking , cleane skind , healthfull great , and long-lasting trees . . thus shall your tree grow low , and safe from winds , for his top will be great , broad and weighty . . thus growing broad , shall your trees beare much fruit ( i dare say ) one as much as sixe of your common trees , and good without shadowing , dropping and fretting : for his boughes , branches , and twigs shal be many , and those are they ( not the boale ) which beare the fruit . . thus shall your boale being little ( not small but low ) by reason of his shortnesse , take little , and yeeld much sap to the fruit . . thus your trees by reason of strength in time of setting shall put forth more blossomes , and more fruite , being free from taints ; for strength is a great helpe to bring forth much and safely , whereas weakenesse failes in setting though the season be calme . some vse to bare trees rootes in winter , to stay the setting til hotter seasons , which i discommend , because , . they hurt the rootes . . it stayes it nothing at al . though it did , being small , with vs in the north , they haue their part of our aprill and mayes frosts . . hinderance cannot profit weake trees in setting . . they wast much labour . . thus shall your tree be easie to dresse , and without danger , either to the tree or the dresser . . thus may you safely and easily gather your fruite without falling , bruising or breaking of cyons . this is the best forme of a fruit tree , which i haue here onely shadowed out for the better capacity of them that are led more with the eye , than the mind , crauing pardon for the deformity , because i am nothing skilfull either in painting or caruing . imagine that the paper makes but one side of the tree to appeare , the whole round compasse will giue leaue for many more armes , boughes , branches , and cyons . the perfect forme of a fruit-tree . if any thinke a tree cannot well be brought to this forme : experto crede roberto , i can shew diuers of them vnder twenty yeeres of age . the fittest time of the moone for proyning is as of grafting , when the sap is ready to stirre ( not proudly stirring ) and so to couer the wound , and of the yeere , a moneth before ( or at least when ) you graffe . dresse peares , apricocks , peaches , cherries , and bullys sooner . and old trees before young plants , you may dresse at any time betwixt leafe and leafe . and note , where you take any thing away , the sap the next summer will be putting : be sure therefore when he puts a bud in any place where you would not haue him , rub it off with your finger . and here you must remember the common homely prouerbe : soone crookes the tree , that good camrell must be . beginne betime with trees , and do what you list : but if you let them grow great and stubborne , you must do as the trees list . they will not bend but breake , nor bee wound without danger . a small branch will become a bough , and a bough an arme in bignesse . then if you cut him , his wound will fester , and hardly , without good skill , recouer : therefore , obsta principijs . of such wounds , and lesser , or any bough cut off a handfull or more from the body , comes hollowness , and vntimely death . and therefore when you cut , strik close , and cleane , and vpward , and leaue no bunch . this forme in some cases sometimes may be altered : if your tree , or trees , stand neere your walkes , if it please your fancy more , let him not breake , till his boale be aboue you h●●ad : so may you walke vnder your trees at your pleasure . or if you set your fruit-trees for your shades in your groues , then i ●espect not the forme of the tree , but the comelinesse of the walke . all this hitherto spoken of dr●ssing , must be vnderstood of young plants , to be formed : it is meete somewhat be sayd for the inst●uction of them that haue olde trees already formed , or rather deformed : for , malum non vitatur nisi cognitum . the faults therefore of a disordered tree , i find to be fiue : . an vnprofitable bo●l● . . water-boughes . . fretters . . suckers : and , . one principall top . a long boale asketh much ●eeding , and the more he hath the more he desires , and gets ( as a drunken man drinke , or a couetuous man wealth ) and the lesse remaines for the fruit , he puts his boughes into the aire , and makes them , the fruit , and it selfe more dangered with windes : for this i know no remedy , after that the tree is come to growth , once euill , neuer good . water boughes , or vndergrowth , are such boughes as grow low vnder others and are by them ouergrowne , ouershadowed , dropped on , and pinde for want of plenty of sap , and by that meanes in time die : for the sap presseth vpward ; and it is like water in her course , where it findeth most issue , thither it floweth , leauing the other lesser sluces dry : euen as wealth to wealth , and much to more . these so long as they beare , they beare lesse , worse , and fewer fruit , and waterish . the remedy is easie , if they be not growne greater then your arme . lop them close and cleane , and couer the mid●l of the wound , the next summer when he is dry , with a salue made of tallow , tarre , and a very little pitch , good for the couering of any such wound of a great tree : vnl●sse it be barke-pild , and then sear-cloath of fresh butter , hony , and waxe , presently ( while the wound is greene ) applyed , is a soueraigne remedy in summer especially . some bind such wounds with a thumbe rope of hay , mo●st , and rub it with dung . fretters are , when as by the negligence of the gardner , two or moe parts of the tree , or of diuers trees , as armes , boughes , branches , or twigs , grow so neere and close together , that one of them by rubbing , doth wound another . this fault of all other shewes the want of skill or care ( at least ) in the arborist : for here the hurt is apparant , and the remedy easie , seene to betime : galls and wounds incurable , but by taking away those members : for let them grow , and they will be worse and worse , & so kill themselues with ciuill strife for roomth , and danger the whole tree auoide them betime therefore , as a common wealth doth bosome enemies . a sucker is a long , proud , and disorderly cyon , growing straight vp ( for pride of sap makes proud , long , and str●ight growth ) out of any lower parts of the tree , receiuing a great part of the sap , and bearing no fruit , till it haue tyrannized ouer the whole tree . these are like idle and great dro●es amongst bees ; and proud and idle members in a common wealth . the remedy of this is , as of water-boughes , vnlesse he be growne greater then all the rest of the boughs , and then your gardner ( at your discretion ) may leaue him for his boale , and take away all , or the most of the rest . if he be little , slip him , and set him , perhaps he will take : my fairest apple-tree was such a slip. one or two prin●ipall top boughes are as euill , in a manner , as suckers , they rise of the same cause , and receiue the same remedy : yet these are more tolerable , because these beare fruit , yea the best : but suckers of long doe not beare . i know not how your tree should be faulty , if you reforme all your vices timely , and orderly . as these rules serue for dressing young trees and sets in the first planting : so may they well serue to helpe old trees , though not exactly to recouer them . chap. . of foyling . there is one thing yet very necessary for make your orchard both better , and more lasting : yea , so necessary , that without it your orchard cannot last , nor prosper long , which is neglected generally both in precepts and in practise , viz. manuring with foile : whereby it hapneth that when trees ( amongst other euils ) through want of fatnesse to feed them , become mossie , and in their growth are euill ( or not ) thriuing , it is either attributed to some wrong cause , as age ( when indeed they are but young ) or euill standing ( stand they neuer so well ) or such like , or else the cause is altogether vnknowne , and so not amended . can there be deuised any way by nature , or art , sooner or soundlier to seeke out , and take away the heart and strength of earth , then by great trees ? such great bodies cannot be sustained without great store of sap . what liuing body haue you greater then of trees ? the great sea monsters ( whereof one came a land at teesmouth in yorkeshire , hard by vs , . yards in length , and neere as much in compasse ) seeme hideous , huge , strange , and monstrous , because they be indeed great : but especially , because they are seldome seene : but a tree li●ing , come to his growth and age , twice that length , and of a bulke neuer so great , besides his other parts , is not admired , because he is so commonly seene . and i doubt not , but if he were well regarded from his kirnell , by succeeding ages , to his full strength , the most of them would double their measure . about fifty yeeres agoe i heard by credible and constant report , that in brooham parke in west more-land , neere vnto penrith , there lay a blowne oake , whose trunke was so bigge , that two horse men being the one on the one side , and the other on the other side , they could not one see another : to which if you adde his armes , boughs , and roots , and consider of his bignesse , what would he haue been , if preserued to the vantage . also i read in the history of the west-indians , out of peter martyr , that sixteene men taking hands one with another , were not able to fathome one of those trees about . now nature hauing giuen to such a faculty by large and infinite roots● taws and tang●es , to draw immediately his sustenance from our common mother the earth ( which is like in this point to all other mothers that beare ) hath also ordained that the tree ouer loden with fruit , and wanting sap to feed all she hath brought forth , will waine all she cannot feed , like a woman bringing forth moe children at once then she hath teats . see you not how trees especially , by kind being great , standing so thicke and close , that they cannot get plenty of sap , pine away all the grasse , weeds , lesser shrubs , and trees , yea and themselues also for want of vigor of sap ? so that trees growing large , sucking the soile whereon they stand , continually , and amaine , and the foyzon of the earth that feeds them decaying ( for what is there that wastes cotinually , that sha●l not haue end ? ) must either haue supply of sucker , or else leaue thriuing and growing . some grounds will beare corne while they be new , and no longer , because their crust is shollow , and not very good , and lying they s●ind and wash , and become barren . the ordinary corne soiles continue not ferti●e , with following and foyling , and the best requires supply , euen for the little body of corne. how then can we thinke that any ground ( how good soeuer ) can sustaine bodies of such greatnesse , and such great feeding , without great plenty of sap arising from good earth ? this is one of the chiefe causes , why so many of our orchards in england are so euill thriuing when they come to growth , and our fruit so bad . men are loth to bestow much ground , and desire much fruit , and will neither set their trees in sufficient compasse , nor yet feed them with manure . therefore of necessity orchards must be foiled . the fittest time is , when your trees are growne great , and haue neere hand spread your earth , wanting new earth to sustaine them , which if they doe , they will seeke abroad for better earth , and shun that , which is barren ( if they find better ) as cattell euill pasturing . for nature hath taught euery creature to desire and seeke his owne good , and to auoid hurt . the best time of the yeere is at the fall , that the frost may b●●e and make it tender , and the raine wash it i●to the roots . the summer time is perillous if ye digge , because the sap 〈◊〉 amaine . the best kind of foile is such as is fat , hot , and tender . your earth must be but lightly opened , that the d●ng may goe in , and wash away ; and but shallow , lest you hurt the roots : and in the spring closely and equally made plaine againe for f●are of suckers . i could wish , that after my trees haue fully possessed the soile of mine orchard , that euery seuen yeeres at least , the soile were bespread with dung halfe a foot thicke at least . puddle water out of the dunghill powred on plentifully , will not onely moisten but fatten especially in iune and iuly . if it be thicke and fat , and applied euery yeere , your orchard shall need none other foiling . your ground may lye so low at the riuer side , that the floud standing some daies and nights thereon , shall saue you all this labour of foiling . chap. . of annoyances . a chiefe helpe to make euery thing good , is to auoid the euils thereof : you shall neuer attaine to that good of your orchard you looke for , vnlesse you haue a gardner , that can discerne the diseases of your trees , and other annoyances of your orchard , and find out the causes thereof , and know & apply fit remedies for the same . for be your ground , site , plants , and trees as you would wish , if they be wasted with hurtfull things , what haue you gained but your labour for your trauell ? it is with an orchard and euery tree , as with mans body . the best part of physicke for preseruation of health , is to foresee and cure diseases . all the diseases of an orchard are of two sorts , either internall or externall . i call those inward hurts which breed on and in particular trees . galles . canker . mosse . weaknes in setting . barke bound . barke pild . worme . deadly wounds . galles , canker , mosse , weaknes , though they be diuers diseases : yet ( howsouer authors thinke otherwise ) they rise all out of the same cause . galles we haue described with their cause and remedy , in the . chapter vnder the name of fretters . canker is the consumption of any part of the tree , barke and wood , which also in the same place is deceiphered vnder the title of water-boughes . mosse is sensibly seene and knowne of all , the cause is pointed out in the same chapter , in the discourse of timber-wood , and partly also the remedy : but for mosse adde this , that at any time in summer ( the spring is best ) when the cause is remoued , with an harecloth , immediatly after a showre of raine , rub off your mosse , or with a peece of weed ( if the mosse abound ) formed like a great knife . weaknesse in the setting of your fruit shall you finde there also in the same chapter , and his remedy . all these flow from the want of roomth in good soile , wrong planting , chap. . and euill or no dressing . bark-bound ( as i thinke ) riseth of the same cause , and the best , & present remedy ( the causes being taken away ) is with your sharpe knife in the spring , length-way to launch his bark throughout , on . or . sides of his boale . the disease called the worme is thus discernd : the barke will be hoald in diuers places like gall , the wood will die & dry , and you shall see easily the barke swell . it is verily to be thought , that therin is bred some worm i haue not yet thorowly sought it out , because i was neuer troubled therewithall : but onely haue seene such trees in diuers places . i thinke it a worme rather , because i see this disease in trees , bringing fruit of sweet taste , and the swelling shewes as much . the remedy ( as i con●ecture ) is so soone as you perceiue the wound , the next spring cut it out barke and all , and apply cowes p●●le and vineger presently , and so twice or thrice a weeke for a moneths space : for i well perceiue , if you suffer it any time , it eates the tree or bough round , and so kils . since i first wrote this treatise , i haue changed my mind concerning the disease called the worme , because i read in the history of the west-indians , that their trees are not troubled wiih the disease called the worme or canker . which ariseth of a raw and euill concocted humor or sap , witnesse pliny , by reason their country is more ho● then ours , whereof i thinke the best remedy is ( not disallowing the former , considering that the worme may breed by such an humor ) warme standing , sound lopping and good dressing . barke-pild you shall find with his remedy in the . chapter . deadly wounds are when a mans arborist wanting skill , cut off armes , boughes or branches an inch , or ( as i see sometimes ) an handfull , or halfe a foot or more from the body : these so cut cannot couer in any time with sap , and therefore they die , and dying they perish the heart , and so the tree becomes hollow , and with such a deadly wound cannot liue long . the remedy is , if you find him before he be perished , cut him close● as in the . chapter : if he be hoald , cut him close , fill his wound , tho neuer so deepe , with morter well tempered & so close at the top his wound with a seare cloth doubled and nailed on , that no aire nor raine approach his wound . if he be not very old , and detaining , he will recouer , and the hole being closed , his wound within shall not hurt him for many yeeres . hurts on your trees are chiefly ants , earewigs , and caterpillars , of ants and earewigs is said chap. . let there be no swarme of pismires neere your tree-root , no not in your orchard , turne them ouer in a frost , and powre in water , and you kill them . for caterpillars , the vigilant fruterer shall soone espy their lodging by their web , or the decay of leaues eaten round about them . and being seene , they are easily destroyed with your hand , or rather ( if your tree may spare it ) take sprig and all ( for the red peckled butter fly doth euer put them , being her sparm , among the tender spraies for better feeding , especially in drought , and tread them vnder your feet . i like nothing of smoke among my trees . vnnaturall heates are nothing good for naturall trees . this for diseases of particular trees . externall hurts are either things naturall or artificiall . naturall things , externally hurting orchards . beasts . deere . birds . bulfinch .   goates .   thrush .   sheepe .   blackbird .   hare .   crow .   cony .   pye.   cattell .       horse .   &c. the other things are , winds . cold. trees . weeds . wormes . mowles . filth . poysonfull smoke . externall wilfull euils are these . walls . trenches . other works noisome done in or neere your orchard . euill neighbours . a carelesse master . an vndiscreet , negligent or no keeper . see you here an whole army of mischeifes banded in troupes against the most fruitfull trees the earth beares ? assailing your good labours . good things haue most enemies . a skilfull fructerer must put to his helping hand , and disband and put them to flight . for the first ranke of beasts , besides your out strong fence , you must haue a faire and swift greyhound , a stone-bow , gun , and if need require , an apple with an hooke for a deere , and an hare-pipe for an hare . your cherries and other berris when they be ripe , will draw all the black-birds , thrushes , and maw pies to your orchard . the bul-finch is a deuourer of your fruit in the bud , i haue had whole trees shald out with them in winter-time . the best remedy here is a stone bow , a piece , especially if you haue a musket or spar-hawke in winter to make the black-bird stoope into a bush or hedge . the gardner must cleanse his foile of all other trees : but fruit-trees aforesaid chapter for which it is ordained , and i would espeecially name oakes , elmes , ashes , and such other great wood , but that i doubt it should be taken as an admission of lesser trees : for i admit of nothing to grow in mine orchard but fruit and flowers . if sap can hardly be good to feed our fruit-trees , why should we allow of any other , especially those , that will becom their masters , & wrong them in their liuelyhood . and although w●●dmit without the fence of wallnuts in most plaine places , trees middle-most , and ashes or okes , or elmes v●most , set in comely rowes equally distant with faire allies ●wixt row and row to auoide the boisterous blasts of winds , and within them also others for bees ; yet wee admit none of these into your orchard-plat : other remedy then this haue wee none against the nipping frosts . weeds in a fertile soile ( because the generall curse is so ) till your trees grow great , will be noysome , and deforme your allies , walkes , beds , and squares , your vnder gardners must labour to keepe all cleanly & handsome from them and all other filth with a spade , weeding kniues , rake with iron teeth : a skrapple of iron thus formed . for nettles and ground-iuy after a showre . when weeds , straw , stickes , and all other scrapings are gathered together , burne them not , but bury them vnder your crust in any place of your orchard , and they will dye and fatten your ground . wormes and moales open the earth , and let in aire to the roots of your trees , and deforme your squares and walkes , and feeding in the earth , being in number infinite , draw on barrennesse● wormes may easily be destroyed . any summer euening when it is darke , after a showre with a candle , you may fill bushels , but you must tred nimbly● & where you cannot come to catch them so ; sift the earth with coale ashes an inch or two thicknes , and that is a plague to them , so is sharpe grauell . moales will anger you , if your gardner or some skilful● moale-catcher ease you not , especially hauing made their fortresses among the roots of your trees : you must watch her wel with a moal spare , at morne , noon , and night , when you see her vtmost hill , cast a trench betwixt her and her home ( for she hath a principall mansion to dwell and br●ed in about aprill , which you may discerne by a principall hill , wherein you may catch her , if you trench it round and sure , and watch well ) or wheresoeuer you can discerne a single passage ( for such she hath ) there trench , and watch , and haue her . wilfull annoyances must be preuented and auoided by the loue of the master and fruterer , which they beare to their orchard . iustice and liberality will put away euill neighbours or euill neighbour-hood . and then if ( god blesse and giue successe to your labours ) i see not what hurt your orchard can sustaine . chap. . of the age of trees . it is to be considered : all this treatise of trees tends to this end , that men may loue and plant orchards , whereunto there cannot be a better inducement then that they know ( or at least be perswaded ) that all that benefit they shall reape thereby , whether of pleasure or profit , shall not be for a day or a moneth , or one , or many ( but many hundreth ) yeeres . of good things the greatest , and most durable is alwaies the best . if therefore out of reason grounded vpon experience , it be made ( i thinke ) manifest , but i am sure probable , that a fruit tree in such a soile and site , as is described so planted and trimmed and kept , as is afore appointed and duely foiled , shall dure ● yee●es , why should we not take paines , and be at two or three yeeres charges ( for vnder seuen yeeres w●ll an orchard be perfected for the first planting , and in that time be brought to fruit ) to reape such a commodity and so long lasting let no man thinke this to be strange , but peruse and consider the reason . i haue apple trees standing in my lit●le orchard , which i haue knowne these forty yeeres , whose age before my time i cannot learne , it is beyond memory , tho i haue enquired of diuers aged men of . yeeres and vpwards : these trees although come into my poss●ssion very euill ordered , mishapen , and one of them wounded to his heart , and that deadly ( for i know it will be his death ) with a wound , wherein i might haue put my foot in the heart of his bulke ( now it is lesse ) notwithstanding , with that small regard they haue had since , they so like , that i assure my selfe they are not come to their growth by more then . parts of . which i discerne not onely by their owne growth , but also by comparing them with the bulke of other trees . and i find them short ( at least ) by so many parts in bignesse , although i know those other fruit-trees to haue beene much hindred in their stature by euill guiding . herehence i gather thus . if my trees be a hundred yeeres old , and yet want two hundred of their growth before they leaue encreasing , which make three hundred , then we must needs resolue , that this three hundred yeere are but the third part of a trees life , because ( as all things liuing besides ) so trees must haue allowed them for their increase one third , another third for their stand , and a third part of time also for their decay . all which time of a tree amounts to nine hundred yeeres , three hundred for increase , three hundred for his stand , whereof we haue the te●rme stature , and three hundred for his decay , and yet i thinke ( for we must coniecture by comparing , because no one man liueth to see the full age of trees ) i am within the compasse of his age , supposing alwaies the foresaid meanes of preseruing his life . consider the age of other liuing creatures . the horse and moiled oxe wrought to an vntimely death , yet double the time of their increase . a dog likewise increaseth three , stanns three at least , and in as many ( or rather moe ) decayes . euery liuing thing bestowes the least part of his age in his growth , and so must it needs be with trees . a man comes not to his full growth and strength ( by common estimation ) before thirty yeeres , and some slender and cleane bodies , not till forty , so long also stands his strength , & so long also must he haue allowed by course of nature to decay . euer supposing that he be well kept with necessaries , and from and without straines , bruises , and all other dominyring diseases . i will not say vpon true report , that physicke holds it possible , that a cleane body kept by these . doctors , doctor dyet , doctor quiet , and doctor merriman , may liue neere a hundred yeeres . neither will i here vrge the long yeeres of methushalah , and those men of that time , because you will say , mans dayes are shortned since the floud . but what hath shortned them ? god for mans sinnes : but by meanes , as want of knowledge , euill gouernment , ryot , gluttony , drunkenesse , and ( to be short ) the encrease of the curse , our sinnes increasing in an iron and wicked age . now if a man , whose body is nothing ( in a manner ) but tender rottennesse , whose course of life cannot by any meanes , by counsell , restraint of lawes , or punishment , nor hope of praise , profet , or eturnall glory , be kept within any bounds , who is degenerate cleane from his naturall feeding , to effeminate nicenesse , and cloying his body with excesse of meate , drinke , sleepe &c. and to whom nothing is so pleasant and so much desired as the causes of his owne death , as idlenesse , lust , &c. may li●e to that age : i see not but a tree of a solide substance , not damnified by heate or cold , capable of , and subiect to any kinde of ordering or dressing that a man shall apply vnto him , feeding naturally , as from the beginning disburdened of all superfluities , eased of , and of his owne accord auoiding the causes that may annoy him , should double the life of a man , more then twice told ; and yet naturall phylosophy , and the vniuersall consent of all histories tell vs , that many other liuing creatures farre exceed man in the length of yeeres : as the hart and the rauen. thus reporteth that famous roterodam out of hesiodus , and many other historiographers . the testimony of cicero in his booke de sen●ctute , is weighty to this purpose : that we must in posteras aetates ferere arbores , which can haue none other sence : but that our fruit-trees whereof he speakes , can endure for many ages . what else are trees in comparison with the earth : but as haires to the body of a man ? and it is certaine , without poisoning , euill and distemperate dyet , and vsage , or other such forcible cause , the haires dure with the body . that they be called excrements , it is by reason of their superfluous growth : for cut them as often as you list , and they will still come to their naturall length ) not in respect of their substance , and nature . h●ires endure long , and are an ornament and vse also to the body , as trees to the earth . so that i resolue vpon good reason , that fruit-trees well ordered , may liue and like a thousand yeeres , and beare fruit , and the longer , the more , the greater , and the better , because his vigour is p●oud and stronger , when his yeeres are many : you shall see old trees put their buds and blossomes both sooner and more plentifully then yong trees by much . and i sensi●ly perceiue my young trees to inlarge their ●rust , as they grow greater , both for number , and greatnesse . young he●fers bring not fo●th calues so faire , neither are they so plentifull to milke , as when they become to be old ki●e . no good houswife will b●e●d of a young but of an old bird-mother : it is so in all things naturally , therefore in trees . and if fruit-trees l●st to this age , how many ages is it to be supposed , st●ong and huge timber-trees will last ? whose huge bodies require the yeeres of diuers methushalaes , before they end their dayes , whose sap is strong and bitter , whose barke is hard and thicke , and their substance solid and stiffe : all which are defences of health and long life . their strength withstands all forcible winds , their sap of that qu●lity is not subiect to wormes and tainting . their barke receiues seldome or neuer by casualty any wound . and not onely so , but he is free from remoualls , which are the death of millions of trees , where as the fruit-tree in comparison is little , and often blowne downe , his sap sweet , easily , and soone tainted , his barke tender , and soone wounded , and himselfe vsed by man , as man vseth himselfe , that is either v●skilfully , or carelessely . it is good for some purposes to regard the age of your fruit trees , which you may easily know , till they come to accomplish twenty yeeres , by his knots : reckon from his roote vp an arme , and so to hys top-twig , and euery yeeres growth is distinguished from other by a knot , except lopping or remouing doe hinder chap. . of gathering and keeping fruit. although it be an easie matter , when god shall sen● it , together and keepe fruit , yet are they certaine things worthy your regard . you must gather your fruit when it is ripe , and not before , else will it wither and be tough and sowre . all fruit generally are ripe , when they beginne to fall . for trees doe as all other bearers doe , when their yong ones are ripe , they will waine them . the doue her pigeons● the cony her rabbets , and women their children . some fruit tree sometimes getting a taint in the setting with a frost or euill winde , will cast his fruit vntimely , but not before he leaue giuing them sap , or they leaue growing . except from this foresaid rule , cherries , damsons , and bullies . the cherry is ripe when he is sweld wholy red , and sweet : damsons and bulies not before the first frost . apples are knowne to be ripe , partly by their colour , growing towards a yellow , except the leather-coat and some peares and greening . timely summer fruit will be ready , some at midsummer , most at lammus for present vse ; but general●y noe keepi●g fruit before michal-tide . hard winter fruit and wardens longer . gather at the full of the moone for keeping , gather dry for feare of rotting . gather the stalkes with all : for a little wound in fruit , is deadly : but not the stumpe , that must beare the next fruit , nor leaues , for moisture putrifies . gather euery kind seuerally by it selfe , for all will not keepe alike , and it is hard to discerne them , when they are mingled . if your trees be ouer-laden ( as they will be , being ordered , as is before taught you ) i like better of pulling some off ( tho they be not ripe ) neere the top end of the bough , then of propping by much , the rest shall be better fed . propping puts the bough in danger , and frets it at least . instruments : a long ladder of light firre : a stoole-ladder as in the . chapter . a gathering apron like a poake before you , made of purpose , or a wallet hung on a bough , or a basket with a fiue bottome , or skinne bottome , with lathes or splinters vnder , hung in a rope to pull vp and downe : bruise none , euery bruise is to fruit death : if you doe , vse them presently . an hooke to pull boughs to you is necessary , breake no boughes . for keeping , lay them in a dry loft , the longest keeping apples first and furthest on dry straw , on heapes ten or fourteene dayes , thicke , that they may sweat . then dry them with a soft and cleane cloth , and lay them thinne abroad . long keeping fruit would be turned once in a moneth softly : but not in nor immediately after frost . in a loft couer well with straw , but rather with chaffe or bra●●e : for frost doth cause tender rottennesse . chap. . of profits . now pause with your selfe , and view the end of all your labours in an orchard : vnspeakable pleasure , and infinite commodity . the pleasure of an orchard i referre to the last chapter for the conclusion : and in this chapter , a word or two of the profit , which thorowly to declare is past my skill : and i count it as if a man should attempt to adde light to the sunne with a candle , or number the starres . no man that hath but a meane orchard or iudgement but knowes , that the commodity of an orchard is great : neither would i speake of this , being a thing so manifest to all ; but that i see , that through the carelesse lazinesse of men , it is a thing generally neglected . but let them know , that they lose hereby the chiefest good which belongs to house-keeping . compare the commodity that commeth of halfe an acre of ground , set with fruit-trees and hearbs , so as is prescribed , and an whole acre ( say it be two ) with corne , or the best commodity you can wish , and the orchrad shall exceed by diuers degrees . in france and some other countries , and in england , they make great vse of cydar and perry , thus made : dresse euery apple , the stalke , vpper end , and all galles away , stampe them , and straine them , and within . houres tun them vp into cleane , sweet , and sound vessels , for feare of euill ayre , which they will readily take : and if you hang a poakefull of cloues , mace , nutmegs , cinamon , ginger , and pils of lemmons in the midst of the vessell , it will make it as wholesome and pleasant as wine . the like vsage doth perry require . these drinks are very wholesome , they coole , purge , and preuent hot agues . but i leaue this skil● to physitians . the benefit of your fruit , roots and hearbs , though it were but to eare and sell , is much . waters distilled of roses , woodbind , angelica , are both profitable and wondrous pleasant , and comfortable . saffron and lico●as will yeeld you much conserues and preserues , are ornaments to your feasts , health in your sicknesse , and a good helpe to your friend , and to your purse . he that will not be moued with such vnspeakable profits , is well worthy to want , when others abound in plenty of good things . chap. . ornaments . me thinks hitherto we haue but a bare orchard for fruit , and but halfe good , so long as it wants those comely ornaments , that should giue beauty to all our labours , and make much for the honest delight of the owner and his friends . for it is not to be doubted : but as god hath giuen man things profitable , so hath he allowed him honest comfort , delight , and recreation in all the workes of his hands . nay , all his labours vnder the sunne without this are troubles , and vexation of mind : for what is g●eedy gaine , without delight , but moyling , and turmoylidg in sl●u●ry ? but comfortable delight , with content , is the good of euery thing , and the patterne of heauen . a morsell of bread with comfort , is better by much then a fat ox● with vnquietnesse . and who can deny , but the principall end of an orchard , is the honest delight of one wearied with the works of his lawfull calling ? the very workes of , and in an orchard and garden , are better then the ease and rest of and from other labours . when god had made man after his owne image , in a perfect state , and would haue him to represent himselfe in authority , tranquillity , and pleasure vpon the earth , he placed him in paradise . what was paradise ? but a garden and orchard of trees and hearbs , full of pleasure ? and nothing there but delights . the gods of the earth , resembling the great god of heauen in authority , maiestie , and abundance of all things , wherein is their most delight ? and whither doe they withdraw themselues from the troublesome affaires of their estate , being tyred with the hearing and iudging of litigious controuersies ? choked ( as it were ) with the close ayres of their sumptuous buildings , their stomacks cloyed with variety of banquets , their cares filled and ouerburthened with tedious discoursings ? whither ? but into their or●hards ? made and prepared , dressed and destinated for that purpose , to renue and refresh their sences , and to call home their ouer-wearied spirits . nay , it is ( no doubt ) a comfort to them , to set open their cazements into a most delicate garden and orchard , whereby they may not onely see that , wherein they are so much delighted , but also to giue fresh , sweet , and pleasant ayre to their galleries and chambers . and looke , what these men do by reason of their greatnes and ability , prouoked with delight , the same doubtlesse would euery of vs doe , if power were answerable to our desires , whereby we shew manifestly , that of all other delights on earth , they that are taken by orchards , are most excellent , and most agreeing with nature . for whereas euery other pleasure commonly filles some one of our sences , and that onely , with delight , this makes all our sences swimme in pleasure , and that w●th infinite variety , ioyned with no less● commodity . that famous philosopher , and matchlesse orator , m. t. c. prescribeth nothing more fit , to take away the tediousnesse and heauy load of three or foure score yeeres , then the pleasure of an orchard . what can your eye desire to see , your eares to hear , your mouth to tast , or your nose to smell , that is not to be had in an orchard , with abundance and variety ? what more delightsome then an infinite variety of sweet smelling flowers ? decking with sundry colours , the greene mantle of the earth , the vniuersall mother of vs all , so by them bespotted , so dyed , that all the world cannot sample them , and wherein it is more fit to admire the dyer , then imitate his workemanship . colouring not onely the earth , but decking the ayre , and sweetning euery breath and spirit . the rose red , damaske , veluet , and double double prouince rose , the sweet muske rose double and single , the double and single white rose . the faire and sweet senting woodbinde , double and single , and double double . purple cowslips , and double cowsl●ps , and double double cowslips . primerose double and single . the violet nothing behinde the best , for smelling sweetly . a thousand more will prouoke your content . and all these , by the skill of your gardner , so comely , and orderly placed in your borders and squares , and ●o intermingled , that none looking thereon , cannot but wonder , to see , what nature corrected by art can doe . when you behold in diuers corners of your orchard mounts of stone , or wood curiously wrought within and without , or of earth couered with fruit-trees : kentish cherry , damsons , plummes , &c. with staires of precious workmanship . and in some corner ( or moe ) a true dyall or clocke , and some anticke-workes , and especially siluer-sounding musique , mixt instruments and voices , gracing all the rest : how will you be rapt with delight ? large walkes , broad and long , close and open , like the tempe groues in thessalie , raised with grauell and sand , hauing seats and bankes of cammomile , all this delights the minde , and brings health to the body . view now with delight the workes of your owne hands , your fruit-trees of all sorts , loaden with sweet blossomes , and fruit of all tasts , operations , and colours : your trees standing in comely order which way soeuer you looke . your borders on euery side hanging and drooping with feberries , raspberries , barberries , currens , and the rootes of your trees powdred with strawberries , red , white , and greene , what a pleasure is this ? your gardner can frame your lesser wood to the shape of men armed in the field , ready to giue battell : or swift running greyhounds : or of well sented and true running hounds , to chase the deere , or hunt the hare . this kind of hunting shall not waste your corne , nor much your coyne . mazes well framed a mans height , may perhaps make your friend wander in gathering of berries , till he cannot recouer himselfe without your helpe . to haue occasion to exercise within your orchard : it shall be a pleasure to haue a bowling alley , or rather ( which is more manly , and more healthfull ) a paire of buts , to stretch your armes . rosemary and sweete eglantine are seemely ornaments about a doore or window , and so is woodbinde . looke chapter , and you shall see the forme of a conduite . if there were two or more , it were not amisse . and in mine opinion , i could highly commend your orchard , if either through it , or hard by it there should runne a pleasant riuer with siluer streames : you might sit in your mount , and angle a peckled trout , or sleightie eele , or some other dainty fish. or moats , whereon you might row with a boate , and fish with nettes . store of bees in a dry and warme bee-house , comely made of fir-boords , to sing , and sit , and feede vpon your flowers and sprouts , make a pleasant noyse and sight . for cleanely and innocent bees , of all other things , lone and become , and thriue in an orchard . if they thriue ( as they must needes , if your gardiner bee skilfull , and loue them : for they loue their friends , and hate none but their enemies ) they will , besides the pleasure , yeeld great profit , to p●y him his wages yea , the increase of twenty stockes of stooles , with other fees● will keepe your orchard . you need not doubt their stings , for they h●rt not whom they know , and they know their keeper and acquaintance . if you like not to come amongst them , you need not d●ubt them : for but neere the●r store , and in their owne defence , they will not fight , and in that case onely ( and who can blame them ? ) they are m●nly , and figh● desperately . some ( as that honorable lady at hacknes , whose name doth much● grace mine orchard ) vse to make seates for them in the stone wall of their orchard , or garden , which is good , but wood is better . a vine ouer-shadowing a seate , ●●is very comely , though her grapes with vs ripe slowly . one chiefe grace that adornes an orchard , i cannot let slip : a brood of nightingales , who with their seuerall notes and tunes , with a strong delightsome voyce , out of a weake body , will beare you company night and day . she loues ( and liues in ) hots of woods in her hart . she will helpe you to cleanse your trees of caterpillers , and all noysome wormes and flyes . the gentle robin●red-brest will helpe her , and in winter in the coldest stormes will keepe a part . neither wi●l the silly wren be behind in summer , with her distinct whistle ( like a sweete recorder ) to cheere your spirits . the black-bird and th●estle ( for i take it the thrush sings not , but deuoures ) sing loudly in a may morn●●●● and delights the eare much ( and you neede not 〈◊〉 their company , if you haue ripe cherries or berries , and would ●s gladly as the rest do you pleasure : ) but i had rather want their company than my fruit . what shall i say ? a thousand of pleasant delightes are attendant in an orchard : and sooner shall i be weary , then i can recken the least part of that pl●asure , which one that hath and loues an orchard , may find therein . what is there of all these few that i haue reckoned , which doth not please the eye , the eare , the smell , and taste ? and by these sences as organes , pipes , and windowes , these delights are carried to refresh the gentle , generous , and noble mind . to conclude , what ioy may you haue , that you liuing to such an age , shall see the blessings of god on your labours while you liue , and leaue behind you to heires or successors ( for god will make heires ) such a worke , that many ages after your death , shall record your loue to their countrey ? and the rather , when you consider ( chap. . ) to what length of time your worke is like to last . finis . the covntry hovse-vvifes garden . containing rules for hearbs and seedes of common vse , with their times and seasons , when to set and sow them . together , with the husbandry of bees , published with secrets very necessary for euery house-wife . as also diuerse new knots for gardens . the contents see at large in the last page . genes . . . i haue giuen vnto you euery herbe , and euery tree , that shall be to you for meate . london , printed by nicholas okes for iohn harison , at the golden vnicorne in pater-noster-row . . the covntry hovs vvifes garden . chap. . the soyle . the soyle of an orchard and garden , differ onely in these three points : first , the gardens soyle would be somewhat dryer , because hearbes being more tender then trees , can neither abide moisture nor drought , in such excessiue measure , as trees ; and therefore hauing a dryer soyle , the remedy is easie against drought , if need be : water soundly , which may be done with small labour , the compasse of a garden being nothing so great , as of an orchard , and this is the cause ( if they know it ) that gardners raise their squares : but if moysture trouble you , i see no remedy without a generall danger , except in hops , which delight much in a low and sappy earth . secondly , the soyle of a garden would be plaine and leuell , at least euery square ( for we purpose the square to be the fittest forme ) the reason : the earth of a garden wanting such helpes , as should stay the water , which an orchard hath , and the rootes of hearbes being short , and not able to fetch their liquor from the bottome , are more annoyed by drought , and the soyle being mellow and loose , is soone either washt away , or sends out his heart by too much drenching and washing . thirdly , if a garden soyle be not cleere of weedes , and namely , of grasse , the hearbes shall neuer thriue : for how should good hearbes prosper , when euill weeds waxe so fast : considering good hearbes are tender in respect of euill weedes : these being strengthened by nature , and the other by art ? gardens haue small place in comparison , and therefore may be more easily be fallowed , at the least one halfe yeare before , and the better dressed after it is framed . and you shall finde that cleane keeping doth not onely auoide danger of gathering weedes , but also is a speciall ornament , and leaues more plentifull sap for your tender hearbes . chap. . of the sites . i cannot see in any sort , how the site of the one should not be good , and fit for the other : the ends of both being one , good , wholesome , and much fruit ioyned with delight , vnlesse trees be more able to abide the nipping frostes than tender hearbes : but i am sure , the flowers of trees are as soo● perished with cold , as any hearbe except pumpions , and melons . chap. . of the forme . let that which is sayd in the orchards forme , suffice for a garden in generall : but for speciall formes in squares , they are as many , as there are diuices in gardners braines . neither is the wit and art of a skilfull gardner in this poynt not to be commended , that can worke more variety for breeding of more delightsome choyce , and of all those things , where the owner is able and desirous to be satisfied . the number of formes , mazes and knots is so great , and men are so diuersly delighted , that i leaue euery house-wife to her selfe , especially seeing to set downe many , had bene but to fill much paper ; yet lest i depriue her of all delight and direction , let her view these few , choyse , new formes , and note this generally , that all plots are square , and all are bordered about with priuit , raisins , fea-berries , roses , thorne , rosemary , bee-flowers , isop , sage , or such like . the ground plot for knots . cinkfoyle . flower-●e●uce . the trefoyle . the ●ret . lozenge●● . crosse-bow . diamond . ouall . maze . chap. . of the quantity . a garden requireth not so large a scope of ground as an orchard , both in regard of the much weeding , dressing and remouing , and also the paines in a garden is not so well repaied home , as in an orchard . it is to be graunted , that the kitchin garden doth yeeld rich gaines by berries , roots , cabbages , &c. yet these are no way comparable to the fruits of a rich orchard : but notwithstanding i am of opinion , that it were better for england , that we had more orchards and gardens , and more large . and therefore we leaue the quantity to euery mans ability and will. chap. . of fence . seeing we allow gardens in orchard plots , and the benefit of a garden is much , they both require a strong and shrowding fence . therefore leauing this , let vs come to the hearbs themselues , which must be the fruit of all these labours . chap. . of two gardens . hearbes are of two sorts , and therefore it is meete ( they requiring diuers manners of husbandry ) that we haue two gardens : a garden for flowers , and a kitchen garden : or a summer garden : not that we meane so perfect a distinction , that the garden for flowers should or can be without hearbes good for the kitchen , or the kitchen garde● should want flowers , nor on the contrary : but for the most part they would be seuered : first , because your garden flowers shall suffer some disgrace , if among them you intermingle o●ions , parsnips , &c. secondly , your garden that is durable , must be of one forme : but that , which is for your kitchens vse , must yeeld daily rootes , or other hearbes , and suffer deformity . thirdly , the hearbs of both will not be both alike ready , at one time , either for gathering , or remouing . first therefore of the summer garden . these hearbs and flowers are comely and durable for squ●●es and knots , and all to be set at michael-tide , or somewhat before , that they may be setled in , and taken with the ground● before winter , though they may be set , especially sowne in the spring . roses of all sorts ( spoken of in the orchard ) must be ● be●t . some vie to ●et sl●ps and twine them , which sometimes , but seldome thriue all . rosemary , lauender , bee flowers , isop , sage , time , cowslips , pyony , d●●ies , cloue gilnflowers , pinkes , sothernwood , l●●lies , of all which hereafter . of the kitchen garden . though your garden for flowers doth in a sort peculiarly challenge to it se●fe a profit , and exquisite forme to the eyes , yet you may not altogether neglect this , where your hearbes for the pot do growe . and therefore , some here make comely borders with the hearbes aforesayd . the ra●her because aboundance of roses and lauender yeeld much profit , and comfort to the sences : rose-water and lauender , the one cordiall ( as also the violets , burrage , and buglas ) the other reuiuing the spirits by the sence of smelling : both most ●urable for smell , both in flowers and water : you need not here ●aise your beds , as in the other garden , because summer towards , will not let too much wet annoy you . and these hearbes require more moysture : yet must you haue your beds diuided , that you may goe betwixt to weede , and somewhat forme would be expected : to which it auaileth , that you place your herbes of biggest growth , by walles , or in borders , as fenell , &c. and the lowest in the middest , as saffron , strawberries , onions , &c. chap. . diuision of hearbs . garden hearbs are innumerable , yet these are common and sufficient for our country house-wifes . hearbs of greatest growth . fenell , anglica , tansie , hollihock , louage , elly campane , french mallows , lillies , french poppy , endiue , succory and clary . herbes of middle growth . burrage , buglas , pa●sley , sweete sicilly , floure-de-luce , stocke gil●flowers , wall-flowers , anniseedes , coriander , feather fewell , marigolds , oculus christi , langdibeefe , alexanders , carduus benedictus . hearbes of smallest growth . pansy , or har●s-ease , coast margeram , sauery , strawberries , saffron , lycoras , daff●downdillies , leekes , chiues , chibals , skerots , onions , batchellors buttons , d●sies , peniroyall . hitherto i haue onely reckoned vp , and put in this ranke , some hearbs . their husbandry follow each in an alphabeticall order , the better to be found . chap. . husbandry of herbes . alexanders are to be renewed as angelica . it is a timely pot-hearbe . anglica is renued with his seede , whereof he beareth plenty the second yeare , and so dieth . you may remoue the rootes the first yeare . the leaues distilled , yeeld water soueraigne to expell paine from the stomacke . the roote dried taken in the fall , stoppeth the poares against infections . annyseedes make their growth , and beareth seeds the first yeere , and dieth as coriander : it is good for opening the pipes , and it is vsed in comfits . art●choakes are renewed by diuiding the rootes into sets , in march , euery third or fourth yeare . they require a seuerall vsage , and therefore a seuerall whole plot by themselues , especially considering they are plentifull of fruite much desired . burrage and buglas , two cordials , renue themselues by seed yearely , which is hard to be gathered : they are exceeding good pot-hearbes , good for bees , and most comfortable for the heart and stomacke , as quinces and wardens . camomile , set rootes in bankes and walkes . it is sweete smelling , qualifying head-●ch . cabbages require great roome , they seed the second yeare : sow them in february , remoue them when the plants are an handfull long , set deepe and wet . looke well in drought for the white caterpillers worme , the spaunes vnder the leafe closely : for euery liuing creature doth seeke foode and quiet shelter , and growing quicke , they draw to , and eate the heart : you may finde them in a rainy deawy morning . it is a good pothearbe , and of this hearbe called cole , our countrie house-wiues giue their pottage their name , and call them caell . carduus benedictus , or blessed thistle , seeds and dyes the first yeere , the excellent vertue thereof i referre to herbals , for we are gardiners , not physitians . carrets are sowne late in aprill or may , as turneps , else they seede the first yeere , and then their roots are naught : the second yeere they dye , thei● roots grow great , and require large roome . chibals or chiues haue their roots parted , as garlick , lillies , &c. and so are they set euery third or fourth yeere : a good pot-hearb opening , but euill for the eies . clarie is sowne , it seeds the second yeere , and dyes . it is somewhat harsh in taste , a little in pottage is good , it strengtheneth the reines . coast , roo●es parted make sets in march : it beares the second yeere : it is vsed in a e in may. cor●ander is for vsage and vses , much like anniseeds . daffadownd●llies haue their roots parted , and set once in three or foure yeere , or ●onger time . the● flower timely , and after midsammer , are scarcely se●ne . they are mo●e for ornament , then for vse , so are dasies . da●sie-rootes parted and set , as flowre-deluce and camomile , when you see them grow too th●cke or decay . they be good to keepe vp , and strengthen the edges of your borders , as pinkes , they be red , white , mixt . ellycampane root is long lasting , as is the lou●ge , it se●ds yeerely , you may diuide the root , and set the roote , taken in winter it is good ( being dryed , powdered and dru●ke to kill i●ches . endiue and suc●ory are much like in nature , shape , and vse , they renu● themselues by seed , a● fennell , and other hearbs . you may remoue them before they put forth shankes , a good pot-hearbe . fennell is renued , either by the seeds ( which it beareth the second yeere , and so yeerely in great abundance ) sowne in the fall or spring , or by diuiding one root into many sets , as a●tichoke , it is long of growth and life . you may remoue the roote vnshankt . it is exceeding good for the eyes , distilled , or any otherwise taken : it is vsed in dressing hiues for swarmes , a very good pot-hearbe , or for sallets . fetherfewle shakes seed . good against a shaking feuer , taken in a posset drinke fasting . flower-deluce , long lasting . diuide his roots , and set : the roots dryed haue a sweet smell . garlicke may be set an handfull distance , two inches deepe , in the edge of your beds . part the heads into seuerall cloues , and euery cloue set in the latter end of february , will increase to a great head before september : good for opening , euill for eyes : when the blade is long , fast two & two together , the heads will be bigger . hollyhocke riseth high , seedeth and dyeth : the chiefe vse i know is ornament . isop is reasonable long lasting : young roots are good set , slips better . a good pot-hearbe . iuly-flowers , commonly called gilly-flowers , or cloue-iuly-flowers ( i call them so , because they flowre in iuly ) they haue the name of cloues , of their sent . i may well call them the king of flowers ( except the rose ) and the best sort of them are called queene-iuly flowers . i haue of them ●ine or ten seuerall colours , and diuers of them as big as roses : of all flowers ( saue the damaske rose ) they are the most pleasant to sight and smell : they last not past three or foure yeeres vnremoued . take the sl●ps ( without shanks ) aud set any time , saue in extreme frost , but especially at michael tide . their vse is much in ornament , and conforting the spirits , by the sence of smelling . iuly flowers of the wall , or wall - iuly-flowers ● wall-flowers , o● bee-flowers , or winter - iuly-flowers , because growing in the walles , euen in winter , and good for bees , will grow euen in stone walls , they will seeme dead in summer , and yet reuiue in winter . they yeeld seed plentifully , which you may sow at any time , or in any broken earth , especially on the top of a mud-wall , but moist , you may set the root before it be brancht , euery slip that is not flowr'd will take root , or crop him in summer , and he will flower in winter : but his winter-seed is vntimely . this and palmes are exceeding good , and timely for bees . leekes yeeld seed the second yeere , vnremoued and die , vnlesse you remoue them , vsuall to eate with salt and bread , as onyons alwaies greene , good pot-hearb , euill for the eyes . lauendar spike would be remoued within yeeres , or eight at the most . slips twined as isop and sage , would take best at michael-tide . this flower is good for bees , most comfortable for smelling , except roses : and kept dry , is as strong after a yeere , and when it is gathered . the water of this is comfortable . white lauendar would be remoued sooner . lettice yeelds seed the first yeere , and dyes : sow betime , and if you would haue them cabbage for sallets , remoue them as you doe cabbage . they are vsuall in sallets , and the pot . lillies white and red , remoued once in three or foure yeeres their roots yeeld many sets , like the garlicke , michael-tide is the best : they grow high , after they get roote : these roots are good to breake a byle , as are mallowes and sorrell . mallowes , french or gagged , the first or second yeere , seed plentifully : sow in march , or before , they are good for the house-wifes pot , or to breake a bunch . marigolds most commonly come of seed , you may remoue the plants , when they be two inches long . the double marigold , being as bigge as a little rose , is good for shew . they are a good pot-hearbe . oculus christi , or christs eye , seeds and dyes the first or second yeere : you may remoue the yong plants , but seed is better : one of these seeds put into the eye , within three or foure houres will gather a thicke skinne , cleere the eye , and bolt it selfe forth without hurt to the eye . a good pot-hea●be . onyons are sowne in february , they are gathered at michael-tide , and all the summer long , for sallets ; as also young parsly , sage , chibals , lettice , sweet sicilly , fennell , &c. good alone , or with meate as mutton , &c. for sauce , especially for the pot . parsly sow the first yeere , and vse the next yeere : it seedes plentifully , an hearbe of much vse , as sweet sicily is . the seed and roots are good against the stone . parsneps require and whole plot , they be plentifull and common : sow them in february , the kings ( that is in the middle ) seed broadest and reddest . parsneps are sustenance for a strong stomacke , not good for euill eies : when they couer the earth in a drought , to tread the tops , make the rootes bigger . peny-royall , or pudding grasse , creepes along the ground , like ground iuie . it lasts long , like daisies , because it puts and spreads dayly new roots . diuide , and remoue the roots , it hath a pleasant taste and smell , good for the pot , or hackt meate , or haggas pudding . pumpions : set seedes with your finger , a finger deepe , l●te in march , and so soone as they appeare , euery night if you doubt frost , couer them , and water them continually out of a water-pot : they be very tender , their fruit is great and waterish . french poppy beareth a faire flower , and the seed will make you sleepe . raddish is sauce for cloyed stomacks , as cap●rs , oliues , and cucumbers , cast the seeds all summer long here and there , and you shall haue them alwaies young and fresh . rosemary , the grace of hearbs here in england , in other countries common . to set sl●ps immediately after lammas , is the surest way . seede sowne may proue well , so they be ●owne in hot weather , somewhat moist , and good earth : for the hearbe , though great , is nesh and tender ( as i take it ) brought from hot countries to vs in the cold north : set thinne . it becomes a window well . the vse is much in meates , more in physicke , most for bees . rue , or hearbe of grace , continually greene , the sl●ps are set . it lasts long as rosemary , sothernwood , &c. too strong for mine housewifes pot , vnlesse she will brue ale therewith , against the plague : let him not seede , if you will haue him last . saffron euery third yeere his roots would be remoued at m●dsummer : for when all other hearbs grow most , it dyeth . it floweth at michael-tide , and groweth all winter : keepe his flowers from birds in the morning , & gather the yellow ( or they shape much like lillies ) dry , and after dry them : they be precious , expelling diseases from the heart and stomacke . sauery seeds and dyes the first yeere , good for my housewifes pot and pye . sage : set slips in may , and they grow aye : let it not seed it will last the longer . the vse is much and common . the monkish prouerbe is tritum : cur moritur homo , cum saluia crescit in horto ? skerots , the roots are set when they be parted , as pyonie , and flower-deluce at michael-tide : the roote is but small and very sweet . i know none other speciall vse but the table . sweet sicily , long lasting , pleasantly tasting , either the seed sowne , or the root parted , and remoued , makes increase , it is of like vse with parsly . strawberries long lasting , set roots at michael-tide or the spring , they be red , white and greene , and ripe , when they be great and soft , some by midsummer with vs. the vse is : they will coole my housewife well , if they be put in wine or creame with sugar . time , both seeds , slips and rootes are good . if it seed not , it will last three or foure yeeres or more , it smelleth comfortably . it hath much vse : namely , in all cold meats , it is good for bees . turnep is sowne . in the second yeere they beare plenty of seed : they require the same time of sowing that carrets doe : they are sicke of the same disease that cabbages be . the roote increaseth much , it is most wholesome , if it be sowne in a good and well tempered earth : soueraigne for eyes and bees . i reckon these hearbs onely , because i teach my countrey hou●ewife , not skilfull artists , and it should be an endlesse labour , and would make the matter tedious to reckon vp , land● beefe , stocke-iuly-flowers , char●all , valerian , go-to bed at no●ne , piony , liconas , tansie , garden mints , germander , centaurie , and a thousand such physicke hearbs . let her first grow cunning in this , and then she may enlarge her garden as her skill and ability increaseth . and to helpe her the more , i haue set her downe these obseruations . chap. . generall rules in gardening . in the south parts gardening may be more timely , and more safely done , then with vs in yorkeshire , because our ayre is not so fauourable , nor our ground so good . secondly most seeds shakt , by turning the good earth , are renued , their mother the earth keeping them in her bowels , till the sunne their father can reach them with his heat . in setting hearbs , leaue no top more then an hand●ull aboue the ground , nor more then a foot vnder the earth . twine the roots of those slips you set , if they will abide it . gilly-flowers are too tender . set moist , and sowe dry . set slips without shankes any time , except at midsummer , and in frosts . seeding spoiles the most roots , as drawing the heart and sap from the root . gather for the pot and medicines , hearbs tender and greene , the sap being in the top , but in winter the root is best . all the hearbs in the garden for flowers , would once in seuen yeeres be renued , or soundly watered with puddle water , except rosemary . in all your gardens and orchards , bankes and seates of camomile , peny-royall , daisies and violets , are seemely and comfortable . these require whose plots : artichokes , cabbages , turneps , parsneps , onyons , car●e●s , and ( if you will ) saffron and scerrits . gather all your seeds , dead , ripe● and dry . lay no dung to the roots of your hearbs , as vsually they doe : for dung not melted is too hot , euen for trees . thin setting and sewing ( so the rootes stand not past a foot distance ) is profitable , for the hearbs will like the better . greater hearbs would haue more distance . set and sow hearbs in their time of growth ( except at midsummer , for then they are too too tender ) but trees in their time of rest . a good housewife may , and will gather store of hearbs for the pot , about lammas , and dry them , and pow●d them , and in winter they will make good seruice . thus haue i lined out a● garden to our countrey housewiues , and giuen them rules for common hearbs . if any of them ( as sometimes they are ) be knotty , i referre them to chap. . the skill and pain●s of weeding the garden with weeding kniues of fingers , i refer to themselues , and their maides , willing them to take the opportunitie after a showre of raine : withall i aduise the mistresse , either be present her selfe , or to teach her maides to know hearbs from weeds . chap. . the husbandry of bees . there remaineth one necessary thing to be prescribed , which in mine opinion makes as much for ornament as either flowers , or forme , or cleanlinesse , and i am sure as commodious as any of , or all the rest : which is bees , well ordered . and i will not account her any of my good house-wiues , that wanteth either bees or skilfulnesse about them . and though i knowe some haue written well and truely , and others more plentifully vpon this theame : yet somewhat haue i learned by experience ( being a bee-maister my selfe ) which hitherto i cannot finde put into writing , for which i thinke our house-wiues will count themselues beholding vnto me . the first thing that a gardiner about bees must be carefull for , is an house not stakes and stones abroad , sub●dio : for stakes rot and reele , raine and weather eate your hiues , and couers , and cold most of all is hurtfull for your bees . therefore you must haue an house made along , a sure dry wall in your garden , neere , or in your orchard : for bees loueflowers and wood with their hearts . let the floores be without holes or clifts , least in casting time , the beees lye out , and loyter . and though your hiues stand within an hand breadth the one of another : yet will bees know their home . in this frame may your bees stand drye and warme , especially if you make doores like doores of windows to shroud them in winter , as in an house : prouided you leaue the hiues mouths open . i my self haue deuised such an house , and i find that it keeps and strengthens my bees much , and my hiues will last sixe to one . m. markham commends hiues of wood i discommend them not : but straw hiues are in vse with vs , and i thinke with all the world , which i commend for nimblenesse , closenesse , warmnesse and drinesse . bees loue no externall motions of dawbing or such like . sometimes occasion shall be offered to lift and turne hiues , as shall appeare hereafter . one light entire hiue of straw in that case is better , then one that is dawbed , weighty and cumbersome . i wish euery hiue , for a keeping swarme , to hold three pecks at least in measure . for too little hiues procure bees , in casting time , either to lye out , and loyter , or else to cast before they be ripe and strong , and so make weake swarmes and vntimely : whereas if they haue roome sufficient , they ripen timely , and casting seasonably , are strong , and fit for labour presently . neither would the hiue be too too great , for then they loyter , and waste meate and time . your bees delight in wood , for feeding , especially for casting : therefore want not an orchard . a mayes swarme is worth a maies foale : if they want wood , they be in danger of flying away . any time before midsummer is good , for casting and timely before iuly is not euill . i much like m markhams opinion for hiuing a swarme in combes of a dead or forsaken hiue , so they be fresh & cleanly . to thinke that a swarme of your owne , or others , will of it selfe come into such an hiue , is a meere conceit experto crede roberto . his smearing with honey , is to no purpose , for the other bees will eate it vp . if your swarme knit in the top of a tree , as they will , if the winde beate them not to fall downe : let the stoole or ladder described in the orchard , doe you seruice . the lesse your spelkes are , the lesse is the waste of your honey , and the more easily will they draw , when you take your bees . foure spelkes athwart , and one top spelke are sufficient . the bees will fasten their combes to the hiue . a little honey is good : but if you want , fennell will serue to rub your hiue withall . the hiue being drest and ready spelkt , rubd and the hole made for their passage ( i vse no hole in the hiue , but a piece of wood hoal'd to saue the hiue & keep out mice ) shake in your bees , or the most of them ( for all commonly you cannot get ) the remainder will follow . many vse smoke , nettles , &c. which i vtterly dislike : for bees loue not to be molested . ringing in the time of casting is a meere fancie , v●olent handling of them is simply euill , because bees of all other creatures , loue cleanlinesse and peace . therefore handle them leasurely & quietly , and their k●eper whom they know , may do with them , what he will , without hurt : being hiued at night , bring them to their seat . set your hiues all of one yeere together . signes of breeding , if they be strong . they will auoid dead young bees and droanes . they will sweat in the morning , till it runne from them ; alwaies when they be strong . signes of casting . they will fly droanes , by reason of heat . the young swarme will once or twice in some faire season , come forth mustering , as though they would cast , to proue themselues , and goe in againe . the night before they cast , if you lay your eate to the hiues mouth , yo shall heare two or three , but especially one aboue the rest , cry , vp , vp , vp ; or , tout , tout , tout , like a trumpet , sounding the alarum to the battell . much descanting there is , of , and about the master-bee , and their degrees , order and gouernment : but the truth in this point is rather imagined , then demonstrated there are some coniectures of it , viz. we see in the combs diuers greater houses then the rest , & we heare commonly the night before they cast , sometimes one bee , sometimes two , or more bees , giue a lowd and seueral found from the rest , and sometimes bees of greater bodies then the common sort : but what of all this ? i leane not on coniectures , but loue to set downe that i know to be true , and leaue these things to them that loue to diuine . keepe none weake , for it is hazard , oftentimes with losse : feeding will not helpe them : for being weake , hey cannot come downe to meate , or if they come downe , they dye , because bees weake cannot abide cold . if none of these , yet will the other bees being strong , smell the honey , and come and spoile , and kill them . some helpe is in casting time , to put two weake swarmes together , or as m. markham well saith : let not them cast late , by raising them with wood or stone : but with impes ( say i. ) an impe is three or foure wreathes , wrought as the hiue , the same compasse , to rase the hiue withall : but by experience in tryall , i haue found out a better way by clustering , for late or weake swarmes hitherto not found out of any that i know . that is this : after casting time , if i haue any stocke proud , and hindred from timely casting , with former winters pouerty , or euill weather in casting time , with two handles and crook●s , fitted for the purpose , i turne vp that stocke so pestred with bees , and set it on the crowne , vpon which so turned with the mouth vpward , i place another empty hiue well dr●st , and spelkt , into which without any labour , the swarme that would not depart , and cast , will presently ascend , because the old bees haue this qualitie ( as all other breeding creatures haue ) to expell the young , when they haue brought them vp . they gather not till iuly ; for then they be discharged of their young , or else they are become now strong to labour , and now sap in flowers is strong and proud : by reason of time , and force of sunne . and now also in the north ( and not before ) the hearbs of greatest vigour put their flowers ; as beanes , fennell , burrage , rape● &c. the most sensible weather for them , is heat and drought , because the nesh bee can neither abide cold or wet : and showres ( which they well fore-see ) doe interrupt their labours , vnlesse they fall on the night , and so they further them . after casting time , you shall benefit your stockes much , if you helpe them to kill their droanes , which by all probability and iudgement , are an idle kind of bees , and wastefull . some say they breed and haue seene young droanes in taking their honey , which i know is true . but i am of opinion , that there are also bees which haue lost their stings , and so being , as it were gelded , become idle and great . there is great vse of them : deus , et natura nihil fecit frustra . they hate the bees , and cause them cast the sooner . they neuer come foor●h but when they be ouer heated . they neuer come home loaden . after casting time , and when the bees want meate , you shall see the labouring bees fasten on them , two , three , or foure at once , as if they were theeues to be led to the gallowes , and killing them , they cast out , and draw them farre from home , as hatefull enemies . our housewife , if she be the keeper of her own● bees ( as she had need to be ) may with her bare hand in the heate of the day , safel● destroy them in the hiues mouth . some vse towards night , in a hot day , to set before the mouth of the hiue a thin board , with little holes , in at which the lesser bees may enter , but not the droanes , so that you may kill them at your pleasure . snayles spoile them by night like theeues : they come so quietly , and are so fast , that the bees feare them not . looke earely and late , especially in a raine or dewey euening or morning . mice are no lesse hurtfull , and the rather to hiues of straw : and therefore couerings of straw draw them . they will in either at the mouth , or sheere themselues an hole . the remedy is good cats , rats-bane and watching . the cleanly bee hateth the smoake as poison , therefore let your bees stand neerer your garden then your brew-house or kitchen . they say sparrowes and swallowes are enemies to bees , but i see it not . more hiues perish by winters cold , then by all other hurts : for the bee is tender● and nice , and onely liues in warme weather , and dyes in cold : and therefore let my housewife be perswaded , that a warme dry house before described , is the chiefest helpe she can make her bees against this , and many more mischiefes . many vse against cold in winter , to stop vp their hiue close , and some set them in houses , perswading themselues , that thereby they relieue their bees . first , tossing and mouing is hurtfull . secondly , in houses , going , knocking , and shaking is noysome . thirdly , too much heate in an house is vnnaturall for them : but lastly , and especially , bees cannot abide to be stopt close vp . for at euery warme season of the sunne they reuiue , and liuing eate , and eating must needs purge abroad , ( in her house ) the cleanly bee will not purge her selfe . iudge you what it is for any liuing creature , not to disburden nature . being shut vp in calme seasons , lay your eare to the hiue , and you shall heare them yarme and yell , as so many hungred prisoners . therefore impound not your bees , so profitable and free a creature . let none stand aboue three yeares , else the combes will be blacke and knotty , your honey will be thinne and vncleanly : and if any cast after three yeares , it is such as haue swarmes , and old bees kept all together , which is great losse . smoaking with ragges , rozen , or brimstone , many vse : some vse drowning in a tub of cleane water , and the water well brewde , will be good botchet . drawe out your spelkes immediatly with a paire of pinchars , lest the wood grow soft and swell , and so will not be drawne , then must you cut your hiue . let no fire come neere your hony , for fire softeneth the waxe and drosse , and makes them runne with the hony . fire softneth , weakeneth , and hindereth hony for purging . breake your combes small ( when the dead empty combes are parted from the loaden combes into a siue , borne ouer a great bowle , or vessel● , with two staues , and so let it runne two or three dayes . the sooner you tunne it vp , the better will it purge . runne your swarme honey by it selfe , and that shall be your best . the elder your hiues are , the worse is your honey . vsuall vessels are of clay , but after wood be satiated with honey ( for it will leake at first : for honey is maruellously searching , the thicke , and therefore vertuous . ) i vse it rather because it will not breake so soone , with fals , frosts , or otherwise , and greater vessels of clay will hardly last . when you vse your honey , with a spoone take off the skin which it hath put vp . and it is worth the regard , that bees thus vsed , if you haue but forty stockes , shall yeeld you more commodity cleerely than forty acres of ground . and thus much may suffice , to make good housewiues loue and haue good gardens and bees . deo laus . finis . the contents of the countrey house-wifes garden . chap. . the soyle . pag. chap. . site . p. chap. . forme . p. chap. . quantity . p. chap. . fences . p. ibid. chap. two gardens . chap. . diuision of herbs . p. chap. . the husbandry of herbes . p. ibid. chap. . generall rules . p. chap. . the husbandry of bees . p. bee-house . p. . hiues . p. . hiuing of bees . p. ibid. spelkes . p. . catching . p. . clustering . p. . droanes . p. . annoyances . p. . taking of bees . p. . straining honey . p. ibid. vessels . p. ibid. a most profitable newe treatise , from approued experience of the art of propagating plants ; by simon harward . chap. . the art of propagating plants . there are foure sorts of planting , or propagating , as in laying of shootes or little branches , whiles they are yet tender in some pit made at their foote , as shall be sayd hereafter , or vpon a little ladder or basket of earth , tyed to the bottome of the branch , or in boaring a willow thorow , and putting the branch of the tree into the hole , as shall be fully declared in the chapter of grafting . there are likewise seasons to propagate in ; but the best is in the spring , and march , when the trees are in the flower , and doe begin to grow lusty . the young planted siens or litt●e grafts must be propagated in the beginning of winter , a foot deepe in the earth , and good manure mingled amongst the earth , which you shall cast forth of the pit , wherein you meane to propagate it , to tumble it in vpon it againe . in like manner your superfluous siens , or little plants must be cut close by the earth , when as they grow about some small impe , which we meane to propagate , for they would doe nothing but rot . for to propagate , you must digge the earth round about the tree , that so your rootes may be laid in a manner halfe bate . afterward draw into length the pit on that side where you meane to propagate , and according as you perceiue that the roots will be best able to yeeld , and be gouerned in the same pit , to vse them , and that with all gentlenesse , and stop close your siens , in such sort , as that the wreath which is in the place where it is grafted , may be a little lower then the s●ens of the new wood , growing out of the earth , euen so high as it possible may be . if the trees that you would propagate be somewhat thicke , and thereby the harder to ply , and somewhat stiffe to lay in the pit : then you may wet the stocke almost to the midst , betwixt the roote and the wreathing place , and so with gentle handling of it , bow downe into the pit the wood which the grafts haue put forth , and that in as round a compasse as you can , keeping you from breaking of it : afterward lay ouer the cut , with gummed waxe , or with grauell and sand . chap. . grafting in the barke . grafting in the barke , is vsed from mid - august , to the beginning of winter , and also when the westerne winde beginneth to blow , being from the . of february , vnto . of iune . but there must care be had , not to graffe in the barke in any rainy season , because it would wash away the matter of ioyning the one and the other together , and so hinder it . grafting in the budde , is vsed in the summer time , from the end of may , vntill august , as bring the time when the trees are strong and lusty , and full of sap and leaues . to wit , in a hot countrey , from the midst of iune , vnto the midst of iuly : but cold countries , to the midst of august , after some small showies of raine . if the summer be so exceeding dry , as that some trees doe withhold their sap , you must waite the time till it doe returne . graft from the full of the moone , vntill the end of the old . you may graft in a cleft , without hauing regard to the raine , for the sap will keepe it off . you may graft from mid - august , to the beginning of nouember : cowes dung with straw doth mightily preserue the graft . it is better to graft in the euening , then the morning . the furniture and tooles of a grafter , are a basket to lay his grafts in , clay , grauell , sand , or strong earth , to draw ouer the plants clouen : moste , woollen clothes , barkes of wilow to ioyne to the late things and earth before spoken , and to keepe them fast : oziers to tye againe vpon the barke , to keepe them firme and fast : gummed wax , to dresse and couer the ends and tops of the grafts newly cut , that so the raine and cold may not hurt them , neither yet the sap rising from belowe , be constrained to returne againe vnto the shootes . a little sawe or hand sawe , to sawe off the stocke of the plants , a little knife or pen-knife to graffe , and to cut and sharpen the grafts , that so the barke may not pill nor be broken ; which often commeth to passe when the graft is full of sap . you shall cut the graffe so long , as that it may fill the cliffe of the plant , and therewithall it must be left thicker on the barke side , that so it may fill vp both the cliffe and other incisions , as any need is to be made , which must be alwaies well ground , well burnished without all r●●t . two wedges , the one broad for thicke trees , the other narrow for lesse and tender trees , both of them of box , or some other hard and smooth wood , or steele , or of very hard iron , that so they may need lesse labour in making them sharpe . a little hand-bill to set the plants at more liberty , by cutting off superfluous boughs , helu'd of iuory , box , or brazell . chap. . grafting in the cleft . the manner of grafting in a cleft , to wit , the stocke being clou'd , is proper not onely to trees , which are as great as a mans legs or armes , but also to greater . it is true that in as much as the trees cannot easily be clouen in their stocke , that therefore it is expedient to make incision in some one of their branches , and not in the maine body , as we see to be practised in great apple trees , and great peare-trees , and as we haue already declared heretofore . to graft in the cleft , you must make choise of a graft that is full of sap and i●yce , but it must not bee , but till from after ianuary vntill march : and you must not thus graft in any tree that is already budded , because a great part of the iuyce and sap would be already mounted vp on high , and risen to the top , and there dispersed and scattered hither and thither , into euery sprigge and twigge , and vse nothing welcome to the graft . you must likewise be resolued not to gather your graft the day you graft in , but ten or twelue dayes before : for otherwise , if you graft it new gathered , it will not be able easily to incorporate it selfe with the body and stocke , where it shall be grafted ; because that some part of it will dry , and by this meanes will be a hinderance in the stocke to the rising vp of the sap , which it should communerate vnto the graft , for the making of it to put forth . and whereas this dried part will fall a crumbling , and breaking thorow his rottennesse , it will cause to remaine a concauity , or hollow place in the stock , which will be an occasion of a like inconuenience to befall the graft . moreouer , the graft being new and tender , might easily be hurt of the bands , which are of necessity to be tyed about the stocke , to keepe the graft firme and fast . and you must further see , that your plant was not of late remoued , but that it haue already fully taken root . when you are minded to graft many grafts into one cleft , you must see that they be cut in the end all alike . see that the grafts be of one length , or not much differing , and it is enough , that they haue three or foure eylets without the wrench when the plant is once sawed , and lopped of all his small siens and shootes round about , as also implyed of all his branches , if it haue many : then you must leaue but two at the most , before you come to the cleauing of it : then put to your little saw , or your knife , or other edged toole that is very sharpe , cleaue it quite thorow the middest , in gentle and soft sort : first , tying the stocke very sure , that so it may not cleaue further then is need : and then put to your wedges into the cleft vntill such time as you haue set in your grafts , and in cleauing of it , hold the knife with the one hand , and the tree with the other , to helpe to keepe it from cleauing too farre . afterwards put in your wedge of boxe or brazill , or bone at the small end , that so you may the better take it out againe , when you haue set in your grafts . if the stocke be clouen , or the barke loosed too much from the wood : then cleaue it downe lower , and set your grafts in , and looke that their incision bee fit , and very iustly answerable to the cleft , and that the two saps , first , of the plant and graft , be right and euen set one against the other , and so handsomely fitted , as that there may not be the least appearance of any cut or cleft . for if they doe not thus ●●mpe one with another , they will neuer take one with another , because they cannot worke their seeming matter , and as it were cartilaguous glue in conuenient sort or manner , to the gluing of their ioynts together . you must likewise beware , not to make your cleft ouerthwart the pitch , but somewhat aside . the barke of your plant being thicker then that of your graft , you must set the graft so much the more outwardly in the cleft , that so the two saps may in any case be ioyned , and set right the one with the other but the rinde of the plant must be somewhat more out , then that of the grafts on the clouen side . to the end that you may not faile of this worke of imping , you must principally take heed , not to ouer-cleue the stockes of your trees . but before you widen the cleft of your wedges , binde , and goe about the stocke with two or three turnes , and that with an ozier , close drawne together , vnderneath the same place , where you would haue your cleft to end , that so your stocke cleaue not too farre , which is a very vsuall cause of the miscarrying of grafts , in asmuch as hereby the cleft standeth so wide and open , as that it cannot be shut , and so not grow together againe ; but in the meane time spendeth it selfe , and breatheth out all his life in that place , which is the cause that the stocke and the graft are both spilt . and this falleth out most often in plum-trees , & branches of trees . you must be careful so to ioyne the rinds of your grafts , and plants , that nothing may continue open , to the end that the wind , moisture of the clay or raine , running vpon the grafted place , do not get in : when the plant cleueth very straight , there is not any danger nor hardnesse in sloping downe the graft . if you leaue it somewhat vneuen , or rough in some places , so that the saps both of the one and of the other may the better grow , and be giued together , when your grafts are once well ioyned to your plants , draw out your wedges very softly , lest you displace them againe , you may leaue there within the cleft some small end of a wedge of greene wood , cutting it very close with the head of the stocke : some cast giue into the cleft , some sugar , and some gummed waxe . if the stocke of the plant whereupon you intend to graft , be not so thicke as your graft , you shall graft it after the fashion of a goates foot , make a cleft in the stocke of the plant , not direct , but byas & that smooth and euen , not rough : then apply and make fast thereto , the graft withall his barke on , and answering to the barke of the plant. this being done , couer the place with the fat earth and ●oste of the woods tyed together with a strong band : sticke a pole of wood by it , to keepe it stedfast . chap. . grasting like a scutcheon . in grafting after the manner of a scutcheon , you shall not vary nor differ much from that of the flute or pipe , saue only that the scutcheon-like graft , hauing one eyelet , as the other hath yet the wood of the tree whereupon the scutcheon-like graft is grafted , hath not any knob , or budde , as the wood whereupon the graft is grafted , after the manner of a pipe . in summer when the trees are well replenished with sap , and that their new siens begin to grow somewhat hard , you shall take a shoote at the end of the chiefe branches of some noble and reclaimed tree , whereof you would faine haue some fruit , and not many of his old store or wood , and from thence ruise a good eylet , the tayle and all thereof to make your graft . but when you choose , take the thickest , and grossest , diuide the tayle in the middest , before you doe auy thing else , casting away the leafe ( if it be not a peare plum-tree : for that would haue two or three leaues ) without remouing any more of the said tayle : afterward with the point of a sharpe knife , cut off the barke of the said shoote , the patterne of a shield , of the length of a nayle . in which there is onely one eylet higher then the middest together , with the residue of the tayle which you left behinde : and for the lifting vp of the said graft in scutcheon , after that you haue cut the barke of the shoote round about , without cutting of the wood within , you must take it gently with your thumbe , and in putting it away you must presse vpon the wood from which you pull it , that so you may bring the bud and all away together with the scutcheon : for if you leaue it behinde with the wood , then were the scutcheon nothing worth . you shall finde out if the scutcheon be nothing worth , if looking within when it is pulled away from the wood of the same sute , you finde it to haue a hole within , but more manifestly , if the bud doe stay behind in the wood , which ought to haue beene in the scutcheon . thus your scutcheon being well raised and taken off , hold it a little by the tayle betwixt your lips , without wetting of it , euen vntil you haue cut the barke of the tree where you would graft it , and looke that it be cut without any wounding of the wood within , after the manner of a c●utch , but somewhat longer then the scu●cheon that you haue to set in it , and in no place cutting the wood within ; after you haue made incision , you must open it , and make it gape wide on both sides , but in all manner of gentle handling , and that with little sizers of bone , and separating the wood and the barke a little within , euen so much as your scutcheon is in length and breadth : you must take heed that in d●ing hereof , you do not hart the bark . this done take your scutcheon by the end , and your tayle which you haue left remaining , and put into your incision made in your tree , lifting vp softly your two sides of the incision with your said sizers of bone , and cause the said scutcheon to ioyne , and lye as close as may be , with the wood of the tree , being cut , as aforesaid , in waying a little vpon the end of your rinde : so cut and let the vpper part of your scutcheon lye close vnto the vpper end of your incision , or barke of your said tree : afterward binde your scutcheon about with a band of hempe , as thicke as a pen of a q●ill , more or lesse , according as your tree is small or great , taking the same hempe in the middest , to the end that either part of it may performe a like seruice ; and wreathing and binding of the said scutcheon into the incision of a tree , and it must not be tyed too strait , for that would keepe it from taking the ioyning of the one sap to the other , being hindred thereby , and neither the scutcheon , nor yet the hempe must be moist or wet : and the more iustly to binde them together , begin at the back● side of the tree , right ouer against the middest of the incision , and from thence come forward to ioyne them before , aboue the eylet and tayle of the scutcheon , crossing your band of hempe , so oft as the two ends meet , and from thence returning backe againe , come about and tye it likewise vnderneath the eylets : and thus cast about your band still backward and forward , vntill the whole cleft of the incision be couered aboue and below with the said hempe , the eylet onely excepted , and his tayle which must not be couered at all ; his tayle will fall away one part after another , and that shortly after the ingrafting , if so be the scutcheon will take . leaue your trees and scutcheons thus bound , for the space of one moneth , and the thicker , a great deale longer time . afterward looke them ouer , and if you perceiue them to grow together , vntye them , or at the leastwise cut the hempe behinde them , and leaue them vncouered . cut also your branch two or three fingers aboue that , so the impe may prosper the better : and thus let them remaine till after winter , about the moneth of march , and aprill . if you perceiue that your budde of your scutcheon doe swell and come forward : then cut off the tree three fingers or thereabouts , aboue the scutcheon : for if it be cut off too neere the scutcheon , at such time as it putteth forth his first blossome , it would be a meanes greatly to hinder the flowring of it , and cause also that it should not thriue and prosper so well after that one yeere is past , and that the shoote beginneth to be strong : beginning to put forth the second bud and blossome , you must goe forward to cut off in byas-wise the three fingers in the top of the tree , which you left there , when you cut it in the yeere going before , as hath beene said . when your shoote shall haue put foorth a great deale of length , you must sticke downe there , euen hard ioyned thereunto , little stakes , tying them together very gently and easily ; aud these shall stay your shootes and prop them vp , letting the winde from doing any harme vnto them . thus you may graft white roses in red , and red in white . thus you may graft two or three scutcheons : prouided that they be all of one side : for they will not be set equally together in height because then they would bee all staruelings , ne●ther would they be directly one ouer another ; for the lower would stay the rising vp of the sap of the tree , and so those aboue should consume in penury , and vndergoe the aforesaid inconuenience . you must note , that the scutcheon which is gathered from the sien of a tree whose fruite is sowre , must be cut in square forme , and not in the plaine fashion of a scutcheon . it is ordinary to graffe the sweet quince tree , bastard peach-tree , apricock-tree , iuiube-tree , sowre cherry treee , sweet cherry-tree , and chestnut tree , after this fashion , howbeit they might be grafted in the cleft more easily , and more profitably ; although diuers be of contrary opinion , as thus best : take the grafts of sweet quince tree , and bastard peach-tree , of the fairest wood , and best fed that you can finde , growing vpon the wood of two yeeres old , because the wood is not so firme nor solid as the others : and you shall graffe them vpon small plum-tree stocks , being of the thicknes of ones thumbe ; these you shall cut after the fashion of a goats foot : you shall not goe about to make the cleft of any more sides then one , being about a foot high from the ground ; you must open it with your small wedge : and being thus grafted , it will seeme to you that it is open but of one side ; afterward you shall wrap it vp with a little mosse , putting thereto some gummed wax , or clay , and binde it vp with oziers to keepe it surer , because the stocke is not strong enough it selfe to hold it , and you shall furnish it euery manner of way as others are dealt withall : this is most profitable . the time of grafting . all moneths are good to graft in , ( the moneth of october and nouember onely excepted ) but commonly , graft at that time of the winter , when sap beginneth to arise . in a cold countrey graft later , and in a warme countrey earlier . the best time generall is from the first of february , vntill the first of may. the grafts must alwaies be gathered , in the old of the moone . for grafts choose shootes of a yeere old , or at the furthermost two yeeres old . if you must carry grafts farre , pricke them into a turnep newly gathered , or say earth about the ends . if you set stones of plummes , almonds , nuts , or peaches : first let them lye a little in the sunne , and then steepe them in milke or water , three or foure daye● before you put them into the earth . dry the kernels of pippins , and sow them in the end of nouember . the stone of a plum-tree must be set a foot deepe in nouember , or february . the date-stone must be set the great end downwards , two cubits deepe in the earth , in a place enriched with dung . the peach-stone would be set presently after the fruit is eaten , some quantity of the flesh of the peach remaining about the stone . if you will haue it to be excellent , graft is afterward vpon an almond tree . the little sie●s of cherry-trees , grown thicke with haire , rots , and those also which doe grow vp from the rootes of the great cherry-trees , being remoued , doe grow better and sooner then they which come of stones : but they must be remoued and planted while they are but two or three yeeres old , the branches must be lopped . the contents of the art of propagating plants . the art of propagating plants . page . grafting in the barke . p. . grafting in the cleft . p. . grafters tooles . time of planting & seting . time of grafting . how to cut the stumps in grafting . sprouts and imps : how gathered . grafting like a scutcheon . p. . inoculation in the barke . empla●ster-w●se grafting . to pr●cke stick●s to beare the first yeere . to haue cherries or plums without stones . to make quinces great . to set stones of plummes . dates , nut , and peaches . to make fruit smell well . to plant cherry-trees . the hvsband mans frvitefvll orchard . for the true ordering of all sorts of fruits in their due seasons ; and how double increase commeth by care in gathering yeere after yeare : as also the best way of carriage by land or by water : with their preseruation for longest continuance . of all stone fruit , cherries are the first to be gathered : of which , though we reckon foure sorts ; engl●sh , flemish , gascoyne and blacke , yet are they reduced to two , the early , and the ordinary : the earely are those whose grafts came first from france and flanders , and are now ripe with vs in may : the ordinary is our owne naturall cherry , and is not ripe before iune ; they must be carefully kept from birds , either with nets , noise , or other industry . they are not all ripe at once , nor may be gathered at once , therefore with a light ladder , made to stand of it selfe , without hurting the boughes , mount to the tree , and with a gathering hooke , gather those which be full ripe , and put them into your cherry-pot , or kybzey hanging by your side , or vpon any bough you please , and be sure to breake no stalke , but that the cherry hangs by ; and pull them gently , lay them downe tenderly , and handle them as little as you can . for the conueyance or portage of cherries , they are best to be carried in broad baskets like siues , with smooth yeelding bottomes , onely two broad laths going along the bottome : and if you doe trasport them by ship , or boate , let not the siues be fil'd to the top , lest setting one vpon another , you bruise and hurt the cherries : if you carry by horse-backe , then panniers well lined with fearne , and packt full and close is the best and safest way . now for the gathering of all other stone-fruite , as n●rtarines , apricockes , peaches , peare-plumbes , damsons , bullas , and such like , although in their seuerall kinds , they seeme not to be ripe at once on one tree : yet when any is ready to drop from the tree , though the other seeme hard , yet they may also be gathered , for they haue receiued the full substance the tree can giue them ; and therefore the day being faire , and the dew drawne away ; set vp your ladder , and as you gathered your cherries , so gather them : onely in the bottomes of your large siues , where you part them , you shall lay nettles , and likewise in the top , for that will ripen those that are most vnready . in gathering of peares are three things obserued ; to gather for expence , for transportation , or to sell to the apothecary . if for expence , and your owne vse , then gather them as soone as they change , and are as it were halfe ripe , and no more but those which are changed , letting the rest hang till they change also : for thus they will ripen kindely , and not rot so soone , as if they were full ripe at the gathering . but if you● peares be to be transported farre either by land or water , then pull one from the tree , and cut it in the middest , and if you finde it hollow about the choare , and the kernell a large space to lye in : although no peare be ready to drop from the tree , yet then they may be gathered , and then laying them on a heape one vpon another , as of necessi●y they must be for transportation , they will ripen of themselues , and eate kindly : but gathered before , they will wither , shrinke and eate rough , losing not onely their taste , but beauty . now for the manner of gathering ; albeit some climb into the trees by the boughes , and some by ladder , yet both is amisse : the best way is with the ladder before spoken of , which standeth of it selfe , with a basket and a line , which being full , you must gently let downe , and keeping the string still in your hand , being emptied , draw it vp againe , and so finish your labou● , without troubling your selfe , or hurting the tree . now touching the gathering of apples , it is to be done according to the ripening of the fruite ; your summer apples first , and the winter after . for summer fruit , when it is ripe , some will drop from the tree , and birds will be picking at them : but if you cut one of the greenest , and finde it as was shew'd you before of the peare : then you may gather them , and in the house they will come to their ripenesse and perfection . for your winter fruit , you shall know the ripenesse by the obseruation before shewed ; but it must be gathered in a faire , sunny , and dry day , in the waine of the moone , and no wind in the ●●st , also after the deaw is gone away : for the least wet or moysture will make them subiect to rot and mi● dew : also you must haue an apron to gather in , and to empty into the great baskets , and a hooke to draw the boughes vnto you , which you cannot reach with your hands at ease : the apron is to be an ell euery way , loopt vp to your girdle , so as it may serue for either hand without any trouble : and when it is full , vnloose one of your loopes , and empty it gently into the great basket , for in throwing them downe roughly , their owne stalkes may pricke them ; and those which are prickt , will euer rot . againe , you must gather your fruit cleane without leaues or brunts , because the one hurts the tree , for euery brunt would be a stalke for fruit to grow vpon : the other hurts the fruit by bruising , and pricking it as it is layd together , and there is nothing sooner rotteth fruite , then the gre●ne and withe●ed leaues lying amongst them ; neither must you gather them without any stalke at all : for such fruit will begin to rot where the stalke stood . for sach fruit as falleth from the trees , and are not gathered , they must not be layd with the gathered fruit : and of fallings there are two sorts ; one that fals through ripenesse , and they are ●est , and may be kept to ba●e or roast : the other windfals , and before they are ripe ; and they must be spent as they are gathered , or else they will wither and come to nothing : and t●●●e●o●e it is not good by any meane● to beate downe fruit with poales , or to carrie them in carts loose and iogging , or in sacks where they may be bruised . when your fruit is gathered , you shall lay them in deepe baskets of wicker , which shall containe foure or sixe bushels , and so betweene two men , carry them to your apple-loft , and in shooting or laying them downe , be very carefull that it be done with all gentlenesse , and leasure , laying euery sort of fruit seuerall by it selfe : but if there be want of roome hauing so many sorts that you cannot lay them seuerally , then such some fruite as is neerest in taste and colour , and of winter fruit , such as will taste alike , may if need require , be laid together , and in time you may separate them , as shall bee shewed hereafter . but if your fruit be gathered faire from your apple-loft , then must the bottomes of your baskets be lined with greene ferne , and draw the stuborne ends of the same through the basket , that none but the soft leafe may touch the fruit , and likewise couer the tops of the baskets with ferne also , and draw small cord ouer it , that the ferne may not fall away , nor the fruit scatter out , oriogge vp and downe : and thus you may carry fruite by land or by water , by boat , or cart , as farre as you please : and the ferne doth not onely keepe them from bruising , but also ripens them , especially peares . when your fruit is brought to your apple-loft or store● house , if you finde them not ripened enough , then lay them in thicker heapes vpon fearne , and couer them with ferne also : and when they are neere ripe , then vncouer them , and make the heapes thinner , so as the ayre may passe thorow them : and if you will not hasten the ripening of them , then lay them on the boords without any fearne at all . now for winter , or long lasting peares , they may be packt either in ferne or straw , and carried whither you please ; and being come to the iourneys end , must be laid vpon sweet straw ; but beware the roome be not too warme , not windie , and too cold , for both are hurtfull : but in a temperate place , where they may haue ayre , but not too much . wardens are to be gathered , carried , packt , and laid as winter peares are . medlers are to be gathered about michaelmas , after a frost hath toucht them ; at which time they are in their full growth , and will then be dropping from the tree , but neuer ripe vpon the tree . when they are gathered , they must be laid in a basket , siue , barrell , or any such caske , and wrapt about with woollen cloths , vnder , ouer , and on all sides , and also some waight laid vpon them , with a boord betweene : for except they be brought into a heat , they will neuer ripen kindly or taste well . now when they haue laine till you thinke some of them be ripe , the ripest , still as they ripen , must be taken from the rest : therefore powre them out into another siue or basket leasurely , that so you may well finde them that be ripest , letting the hard one fall into the other basket , and those which be ripe laid aside : the other that be halfe ripe , seuer also into a third siue or basket : for if the ripe and halfe ripe be kept together , the one will be mouldy , before the other be ripe : and thus doe , till all be throughly ripe . qu●nces should not be laid with other fruite ; for the sent is offensiue both to other fruite , and to those that keepe the fruit or come amongst them : therefore lay them by themselues vpon sweet strawe , where they may haue ayre enough : they must be packt like medlers , and gathered with medlers . apples must be packt in wheat or rye-straw , and in maunds or baskets lyned with the same , and being gently handled , will ripen with such packing and lying together . if seuerall sorts of apples be packt in one maund or basket , then betweene euery sort , lay sweet strawe of a pretty thicknesse . apples must not be powred out , but with care and leasure : first , the straw pickt cleane from them , and then gently take out euery seuerall sort , and place them by themselues : but if for want of roome you mixe the sorts together , then lay those together that are of equall lasting ; but if they haue all one taste , then they need no separation . apples that are not of like colours should not be laid together , and if any such be mingled , let it be amended , and those which are first ripe , let them be first spent ; and to that end , lay those apples together , that are of one time of ripening : and thus you must vse pippins also , yet will they endure bruises better then other fruit , and whilst they are greene will heale one another . pippins though they grow of one tree , and in one ground , yet some will last better then other some , and some will bee bigger then others of the same kinde , according as they haue more or lesse of the sunne , or more or lesse of the droppings of the trees or vpper branches : therefore let euery one make most of that fruite which is fairest , and longest lasting . againe , the largenesse and goodnesse of fruite consists in the age of the tree : for as the t●ee increaseth , so the fruite increaseth in bignesse , beauty , taste , and firmnesse : and otherwise , as it decreaseth . if you be to transport your fruit farre by water , then prouide some dry hogges-heads or barrells , and packe in your apples , one by one with your hand , that no empty place may be left , to occasion sogging ; and you must line your vessell at both ends with fine sweet straw ; but not the sides , to auoid heat : and you must bore a dozen holes at either end , to receiue ayre so much the better ; and by no meanes let them take wet . some vse , that transport beyond seas , to shut the fruite vnder hatches vpon straw : but it is not so good , if caske may be gotten . it is not good to transport fruite in march , when the wind blowes bitterly , nor in frosty weather , neither in the extreme heate of summer . if the quantity be small you would carry , then you may carry them in dossers or panniers , prouided they be euer filled close , and that cherries and peares be lined with greene fearne , and apples with sweete straw ; and that , but at the bottomes and tops , not on the sides . winter fruite must lye neither too hot , nor too cold ; too close , nor too open : for all are offensiue . a lowe roome or cellar that is sweet , and either boorded or paued , and not too close , is good , from christmas till march : and roomes that are seeled ouer head , and from the ground , are good from march till may : then the cellar againe , from may till michaelmas . the apple loft would be seeled or boorded , which if it want , take the longest rye-straw , and raise it against the walles , to make a fence as high as the fruite lyeth ; and let it be no thicker then to keepe the fruite from the wall , which being moyst , may doe hurt , or if not moist , then the dust is offensiue . there are some fruite which will last but vntill allhallontide : they must be laid by themselues ; then those which will last till christmas , by themselues : then those which will last till it be ●andlemas , by themselues : those that will last till shrouetide , by themselues : and pippins , apple-iohns , peare-maines , and winter-russettings , which will last all the yeere by themselues . now if you spy any rotten fruite in your heapes , pick them out , and with a trey for the purpose , see you turne the heapes ouer , and leaue not a tainted apple in them , diuiding the hardest by themselues , and the broken skinned by themselues to be first spent , and the rotten ones to be cast away ; and euer as you turne them , and picke them , vnder-lay them with fresh straw : thus shall you keepe them safe for your vse , which otherwise would rot suddenly . pippins , iohn apples , peare maines , and such like long lasting fruit , need not to be turned till the weeke before christmas , vnlesse they be mixt with other of a riper kind , or that the fallings be also with them , or much of the first straw left amongst them : the next time of turning is at shroue-tide ; and after that , once a moneth till whitson-tide ; and after that , once a fortnight ; and euer in the turning , lay your heapes lower and lower , and your straw very thinne : prouided you doe none of this labour in any great frost , except it be in a close celler . at euery thawe , all fruit is moyst , and then they must not be touched : neither in rainy weather , for then they will be danke also : and therefore at such seasons it is good to set open your windowes , and doores , that the ayre may haue free passage to dry them , as at nine of the clocke in the fore-noone in winter ; and at sixe in the fore-noone , and at eight at night in summer : onely in march , open not your windowes at all . all lasting fruite , after the middest of may , beginne to wither , because then they waxe dry , and the moisture gone , which made them looke plumpe : they must needes wither , and be smaller ; and nature decaying , they must needes rot . and thus much touching the ordering of fruites . finis . london , printed by nicholas okes for iohn harison , at the golden vnicorne in pater-noster-row . . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e religious . honest. skilfull . painfull . wages . kinds of trees . soyle . barren earth . plaine . moyst . grasse . naturally plaine . crust of the earth . low and neere a riuer . psal . . ez● . ● . . 〈◊〉 . . mr. markham . winds . chap. . sunne . trees against a wall . orchard as good as a corn-field . compared with a vinyard . compared with a garden . what quantity of ground● want is no hinderance . how landlords . by their te●an●s may mak● flour●shing orchards in england . the vsuall forme is a square . a. al these squares must bee set with trees , the gardens and other ornaments must stand on spaces betwixt the trees , & in the borders & fences . b. trees . yards asunder . c. garden knots . d. kitchen garden . e. bridge . f. conduit . g. staires . h. walkes set with great wood thicke . i. walkes set with great wood round about your orchard . k. the out fence . l. the out fence set with stone-fruite . m. mount to force earth for a mount , or such like set it round with quicke , and lay boughes of trees strangely intermingled tops inward , with the cart●● in the midle . n. s●ill-house . o. good standing for bees , if you haue an house . p. if the riuer run by your doore , & vnder your mount , it will be pleasant . effects of euill fencing . let the fence be your owne . kinds of fences , earthen walles . pale and raile . stone walls . quicke wood and moates . moates . slip● . bur-knot . vsuall sets . maine rootes cut . stow sets remoued . generall rule . ●ying of trees . generall rule . signes of diseases , chap . suckers good sets . a running plant. sets bought . the best sets . vnremoued how . sets vngrafted best of all . time of remouing . generall rule . remooue soone . the manner of setting . set in the crust . moysture good . gra●ts must be fenced . hurts of too neere planting . remedy . generall rule . all touches hartfull . the best distance of trees . the part● of a tree . waste ground in an orchard . kinds of gra●●ing . graft how . a graft what . eyes . generall rule . time of graffing . gathering graffes . graffes of old ●●ees . where taken . emmits . incising . a great stocke . packing thus . inoculating . necessity 〈…〉 sli●g trees . generall rule . profit of trees dressed . the end of trees . trees will take any forme . the end of trees . how to dresse a fruit-tree . benefits of good ●ressing . time best for proining , dressing betime . faults of euill drest trees , and the remedy . the forme altered . dressing of old trees . faults are fiue , and their remedies . long boale . no remedy . water boughs . remedy . barke-pild , and the remedy . fretters . touching . remedy . suckers . remedy . one principall top or bough , and remedy . instruments for dressing . necessity effoiling . trees great suckers . great bodies . time fit for foyling . kind of foyle . two kinds of euils in an orchard . galls . canker . mosse . weaknesse in setting . barke-bound . worme . remedy . barke pild . wounds . remedy . hurts on trees ants , earewigs , caterpillars , and such like wormes . externall euils . remedy . decre , &c. birds . remedy . other trees . winds . frosts . weeds . remedy . wormes moales . remedy . wilfull annoyances . remedy . the age o● trees . gathered by reason out of experience . parts of a trees age . mans age . the age of timbe● tree● . age of trees disc●rne● . generall rule cherries . &c. apples . when. dry stalkes . seuerally . ouerladen ●●ees . instruments . bruises . keeping . cydar and perry . fruit. waters . conserue . d●li●ht the chiefe end o● orchards . an orchard delightsome . an orchard is paradise . causes of wearisomnesse . orchard is the remedy . all delight in orchard● . this delights all the sences . delighteth old age . causes of delight in an orchard . flowers . borders and squares . mounts . whence you may shoote a bucke . dyall . musique . walkes . seates . order of trees . shape of men and beasts . mazes . bowle● alley . buts . hearbes . conduit . riuer . moats . bees . vine . birds . n●●hting●le . robin-red-brest . wren . black-bird . thrush . your owne labour . notes for div a -e dry. hops . plaine . bee-house . hiues . hiuing of bees . spelkes . catching . clustering . droanes . annoyances . taking of bees . straining honey . vessels . notes for div a -e cherries . gathering of cheries . to carry che●rie● . other stone-fruit . g●thering of peares . gathering of apples . to vse the fallings carriage of fruit . of wardens . of medlers . of ●uince● . to packe apples . emptying and laying apples . difference in fruit. transporting fruit by water . when not to transport fruit . to conuay small store of fruit . roomes for fruite . sorting of fruit. times of stirring fruit . the compleat gardeners practice, directing the exact way of gardening in three parts : the garden of pleasure, physical garden, kitchin garden : how they are to be ordered for their best situation and improvement, with variety of artificial knots for the by stephen blake, gardener. blake, stephen, gardener. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing b estc r ocm 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 . 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 , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the compleat gardeners practice, directing the exact way of gardening in three parts : the garden of pleasure, physical garden, kitchin garden : how they are to be ordered for their best situation and improvement, with variety of artificial knots for the by stephen blake, gardener. blake, stephen, gardener. [ ], , [ ] p., leaves of plates : ill. printed for thomas pierrepoint, ..., london : . reproduction of original in british library. includes index. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.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. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. 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- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng gardening -- great britain. gardening -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - derek lee sampled and proofread - derek lee text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the compleat gardeners practice , directing the exact way of gardening . in three parts . the garden of pleasure , physical garden , kitchin garden . how they are to be ordered for their best situation and improvement , with variety of artificial knots for the beautifying of a garden ( all engraven in copper ) the choisest way for the raising , governing and maintaining of all plants cultevated in gardens now in england . being a plain discourse how herbs , flowers and trees , according to art and nature may be propagated by sowing , setting , planting , replanting , pruning ; also experience of alteration of sent , colour and taste , clearly reconciling as it treateth of each herb and flower in particular . by stephen blake gardener . search the world , and there 's not to be found a book so good as this for garden ground . london , printed for thomas pierrepoint , and are to be sold at the signe of the sunne in st paul's church-yard , m. dc . lxiv . to the right worshipfull william ovglander esq ; one of the honourable house of parliament , son and heir to the late sr john ouglander , &c. the honourable example of piety , the worthy pattern of good endeavours , and great observer of the works of nature . sir , let the heighth of your understanding , and the greatness of your learning , condescend so low as to take a view of the words and works which your servant hath bound up in this volume : to give you a description thereof in metaphoricall expressions i have not scholarship enough , but i have confidence enough to speak and publish the truth of these experiments which i have gathered , with a diligent eye and a painfull hand from all such plants as are cultivated in gardens now in england : the truth of the discourse contained in this treatise , hath enboldened me to enrich it with your noble name ; now sir i will be accountable of the work : i have from time to time took a due observation of that part of gods vegetable creatures which are placed within the compass of my calling , and with pains , care and diligence , i have writ down the knowledg of propagating of each plant , to help me the better in my calling ; for in viewing of it i am put in mind of those herbs and flowers that the winters cold breath hath bereaved of life , or otherwise i might forget them though i might know them very well formerly : they are so infinite in their number , so various in their nature , that my head cannot carry in mind what experiments my eye and hand hath seen and done without the help of my pen : upon this account i have set down these observations which i know to be true , and i doubt not but it is a laudable piece : now i think fit to publish it to the world for the advancement of gods creatures , and for the good of my self and others that shall put it in practice , that it may be a rule to guide the ignorant , and confirm the judgement of those that have good experience . the reason why i undertook this work is this ; i have made diligent enquiry after such books of such authors as might help me in my practice , and i could find very few , and for those that are they did not answer my desires , because they only treated of the use and vertue of herbs , the beauty , variety and preheminence of flowers , the goodness and profit of fruit-trees , but they have written little or nothing as to the practicall part of the advancement of the nature and growth of herbs , flowers , and trees ; and for that which is written , seems to me , and other men which have experience , as fancies , dreams , and conceits which might come into their heads as they were sitting in their studies ; for i and others have found ( by wofull experience ) that their direction concerning the propagating of any plant , to be more hurtfull than usefull ; but this is not my intended discourse , for in the ensuing treatise , i have spoken little against authors , and took less from them ; for mine is the gardeners practicall part , which hath never been written by any , and having good experience therein ( a talent god hath given me to improve ) i think it not fit to lay it up , but to unfold my napkin , that it may contribute to a publick good . i further humbly conceive , that it was my duty to dedicate it to you before any other whatsoever , because i was a plant nourished up within the pale of your habitation , and i hope not altogether unfruitfull : yet considering i was nursed up with your bounty , preserved with your love and care , then the fruit is no more mine but yours worthy sir , and i know it is very usefull for all as have a desire of such a work as tendeth to the propagating of plants , wherein is abundance of excellent things both for food , medicable and physicall arts for the use and comfort of mankind , that god in all things may be glorified ; every sensible man knoweth this , and he hath so much reason ( if he will but set his understanding awork ) whereby he can discern the wisdome of a creator , in forming such a harmony of creatures , and in giving of them such various operations in their severall natures , and that all things are so ordained that it shall be no way usefull without knowledge and labour : then let all degrees of men know , whether they be high or low , rich or poor , they ought to labour either in body or mind , that they may some way or other cooperate and contribute to the common good , or else they are unworthy of the blessings of this life : yet all men desire a good name , with reputation and honour , whether they are deserving yea or no. now my counsell is to all such , that they will look upon you , worthy sir , as an example of all good endeavours , ( to wit ) your great love , care , and diligent search after the knowledge of those plants which are mentioned in this book , and that they will take notice of your more estimable vertues , as constance in times of distraction , such a setled devotion in times of faction , such lowliness of mind in such heighth of estate : much more my eyes and ears have gathered from your eminent parts which my pen cannot express . and sir , let me intrude farther on your patience , to acquaint you with this treatise , wherein i have faithfully declared the way of contriving , modelizing and situation of a garden of pleasure , with artificiall knots to be amplified therein , for the variety of delight , pleasure and contentment of all noble and ingenious persons . i have given rules and directions for the advancement of a physicall garden and a kitchin garden , and for each of these i have given a right information , how each herb , flower and tree in particular is to be propagated in its own nature ; also experiments of alteration , ingemination in the fructition , or by conviction , with varieties , properties and beauties appertaining to plants either for food , physick or pleasure ; and i suppose it cannot be altogether unwelcome to you and the rest of the nobility of this nation , if they take into their consideration , those excellent effects that i shew from the practice of a skilfull gardener , as fruit so desirable , herbs so vertuous , flowers so beautifull , how delightfull all these are placed in uniform ranks , whose beauteous lustre beautifies the banks , the earths cabinet , wherein is its chiefest treasure and school of divinity : on the contrary , by reason of the ignorance of the gardener in artificiall work , noblemen are deprived of their pleasure , their minds are discontented , and the place is disgraced , if in propagating of plants they will follow old errors , by reason of the dulness of their brains , and stubbornness of their wills , which will not let reason work , to know the times and the seasons , the difference in climates , the mixture , the operations of the earth , and the vast difference in the vertue of plants ; for want of these observations the owner is deprived of his profit and earnest expectations of fruit , which cannot choose but be a trouble to master and gardener : to prevent these dangers i give this my testimony , which is a true relation how plants may be propagated and made fruitfull without any sensible error , it being some part of the best invention of my lean brain ; i now right worthy sir recommend it to you as yours , and my self as obliged to you by the law of nature and gratitude , submit my self to your loyall will , and shall study the remainder of my dayes as now i do , how i may be truly worthy for to be your worships in all humble service to be commanded whilest i have a being . stephen blake . the preface to the reader , declaring why this treatise was written , the use and profit of it . reader , incomparable are the works of the eternal god , the creator of all things that live , move , or have any being ; for by his wisdome he formed the world of a composition of elements , and of those elements he created all kind of creatures , and man being a creature of the expresse image of his creator , it pleased god his creator to give him power to rule and govern all creatures else , and man having reason given him to exercise himself therein , then it is reason that man should be accountable to god of what improvement he hath made of that measure of knowledge which was given him ; then it followeth by consequence , that he which cannot give a reason for the judgement which he holdeth , and the actions which he doth , that man is without reasonable knowledge , and if he die so , the end of that man is miserable : then it fits the time , the place and the work , that i give you some reasons why i writ this treatise , and a brief account of what it is , and what the use and profit of it will be , or otherwise i shall condemn my self to be one of those miserable men . reason at the first set my understanding awork , to know to what end i was made , presently the word told me , and reason confirmed it , that i was made to set forth the greatnesse and the goodnesse of god in his wonderfull works he hath set before me , and unless i should blind my eyes by winking at the light of nature , i could not chuse but see the wisdome of a creator in forming the whole creation , and in giving such a decree that all his work must once come to a period ; but whilst it hath a being underneath the sun , it must be in actual labour according to its course of nature ; nay the sun it self never resteth , but still is running of a race to enlighten a dark world ; the moon goeth her circuits , the governing of the sea and mans body ; for the observation of times and seasons , the stars and planets are alway travelling of their circuits ; the wind passeth to and fro and never abideth in one place , the air is continually moving in and out at the nostrils of all living creatures ; it is that which giveth life , beauty , vertue vertue and perfection to all sensible and unsensible creatures : the fresh waters are alwayes ascending and descending through the air and the earth for the preservation of the whole creation : the clouds are continually riding on the wings of the wind , the dropping of their moisture to stop the mouth of a thirsty earth : the sea hath no rest , but is at all times ebbing or flowing : the whole body of the earth hath such motions , operations by assimulations , which doth give nourishment to all plants therein ; the fire is alwayes craving and never satisfied ; the stones are in a posture of growth for the increase of their number , the perfecting of their nature ; the innumerable company of vegetables spread over the face of the earth , do participate , draw and contract into their several natures , the operations of the teeming womb of the earth ; the endless and hidden company of fish in the boundless sea , have an order and discipline according to their kinds , they can discern what tendeth to the good or evil of their life : the universality of fowls , according to their distinct kinds , have unity and copulation one with another , they know how for to build their nests , and to provide for their young : the worms know the times and the seasons , they provide for the winter in the summer , they will not engender but with their fellow-creature : the numberlesse and powerfull hosts of beasts have a government , whereby they know their superiour and inferiour , they are offensive and defensive , they know their prey and pasture , and have generation one with another . and lastly , according to creation , is the harmony of properties , phisiognomies , languages , speeches , actions , judgements ; of the innumerable and triumphant army of men , which by reason and labour subdues and brings to their use and subjection all creatures else , they multiply by conception . these are the humane labours wherein all things work according to their several natures ; now i communicated with my self , how to know the difference betwixt men and bruits , i found in respect of gemination , appetites , sleeping , waking , wrath , lusts , diseases , seeing , hearing , beginning and ending ; what befalleth the body of the beasts , befalleth the body of man , as the one dieth so dieth the other ; yea they have one breath , all are of the dust , and turn to the dust again , and man hath no preheminence over a beast save this , that man hath a spirit that goeth upward , which giveth him a spiritual understanding , whereby he can discern the work and will of god and his own duty , and he is able to give a reason for each , which maketh him a reasonable creature : but all men are not thus able to give a reason for that , yet all men have a spirit , but that spirit ( by the generality of men ) is kept in subjection to the flesh , for it must not labour no more than for the satisfying of the same ; these men are unreasonable men , for they have only a knowledge , and so hath the beast , for the ox knoweth his owner , and the asse his masters crib , but israel doth not know , my people doth not consider , isa . . . so it is plain and evident , that man with a bare knowledge of those things which necessity and custome hath taught him , without a spiritual consideration , and a temporal knowledge of the several workings of the course of nature under the sun , is no better than the ox and the ass that knoweth their owner and his crib . now let thee and me consider this , it is unconsideratenesse that undoes worldly men , for without consideration accompanied with reason and labour , no man can understand the use of external things which are visible every moment to the sight , how then shall a man understand eternal things which are invisible in the heaven of heavens , where no mortal eye can approach , but by an extraordinary means of reasoning and labouring betwixt the body and the spirit : the generality of men are far from this spiritual understanding , for they have no reason but what custome hath taught them , no faith but what is builded on other mens foundations : the discovery is this , let the custome be never so evil and hainous in the sight of god and good men , yet if it be but a general one they will follow it , and for a wise man to perswade them to the contrary , he were as good to throw feathers against the wind , or shoot arrows at the moon : and for their faith , let it be never so contrary to natural reason , never so false to spiritual understanding , yet they will keep to it , and lay it on the clergy mans shoulders , whether they are able to bear it yea or no , they will venture all and learn nothing ; as simple passengers do that are going over the seas for a far countrey , when they are aboard , there they lie like the ballast not knowing whither they are going , nor will they search out by reason how mariners guide the ship with globe , map , crosse-staff , scoul , rudder and compasse , why then for all they know the pilot may be a devil to carry them to a burning sodom , as well as a saint to convey them to a glorious jerusalem : thus stands the case with ignorant and dull spirited men in their passage towards eternal life ; and it is plainly seen , that they manage their affairs so in this life , by imprisoning the spirit in the corrupt body of clay , that will not let their inventions to work no farther than filthy lucre doth draw them ; truly the reason is this , the flesh and the devil warreth against the soul , and bringeth the natural and spiritual understanding into this total ectipse of utter darkness . again , my soul wondreth to see how laborious carnal men are in bodily labour , and in the workings of the spirit they are so idle , dull and stupid , that they will not open an eye or an ear to give wisdome any entertainment , can they give a reason for this ? sure they cannot . now i wish all men would study even as i do , how they may be able to give a reason for their words and actions ; the truth of it is , the god of this world hath so blinded their eyes that they cannot see the reasons of the working of the course of nature , nor how they labour for that which they do not enjoy : they will part with their understandings before they will part with their money : see what solomon saith of them , prov. . . so are the wayes of every one that is greedy of gain , which taketh away the life of the owners thereof . these words are of efficacy enough to perswade me , that those men that look no higher than their barns , no farther than their fels and flocks , no nigher than their chests and apparel , are men without wisdome or spiritual understanding if so bruit , then i think it is reason man should labour to obtain wisdome : for wisdome is better than rubies , and all things that may be desired are not to be compared to it , prov. . . so reader , let this wise kings counsel , and my weak argument serve to prove why man should labour for wisdome and reason , which is to understand the working of the course of nature , as god hath fitted , created and ordained it . much more i have to say , and i could have enlarged upon each of these principles but for passing the bounds of my preface , and being too troublesome to the reader . now i shall conclude the introductory part with this advice to all sleepy headed , ignorant and customary men , that they will take the wise mans counsel , as he saith , eccles . . . whatsoever thy hand findeth to do , do it with thy might , for there is no work , nor device , nor knowledge , nor wisdome in the grave whither thou goest . truly the weighty considerations of these words , and the perswasions of reason was the grand cause of my studying this work , and with truth and honesty i have finished it , which told me i must publish it to the world ; and as my duty i have done it for the preventing of publick dangers , not for the gaining of filthy lucre , or purchasing of vain glory , but for the gaining of a free conscience , and purchasing of the society and love of just and wise men : let these few reasons serve to acquaint thee why i writ and published this work . now i will give you a brief account what it is , and what the use and profit will be . for asmuch as divers men have took in hand to set forth in order the perfect way of propagating of those excellent , amiable , desirable , medicinable , physical , profitable and mysticall arts , which are derived from the hand , and are placed within the compasse of a gardeners calling , those authours have written many large and methodical volumes upon this subject , and have greatly furnished our students with such books , but little or nothing have they given unto the practical man , that which is set down is too dark for their apprehension ; yet let me not judge hardly of these authours meanings , for i assure my self , had they had so much of the practical part , as i have , that they would have delivered their art in a great deal better method than i have done , in expressing themselves in the quintessence of wit and refinings of scholarship unto the learned , which would have fitted their minds , as well as the apparel fitteth the body ; so that they circumvent the apprehension with their learned style , they make those helplesse rules which they set down for to passe blamelesse , whereas if they did illustrate in their writings , a weak capacity might comprehend what is incredulous or improbable , also what is laudable and full of practice . but whereas the vulgar sort of people have tired their apprehensions , with the perusing of such treatises as are so full of oratory of words , and so filled and varnished ( as it were ) with quirks . quiblets and paradoxes , speaking little absolutely , but imaginations very obscure and promiscuously written and composed together , running far wide of the practice , and for the major part suspitious and incredulous , seeming to men of experience as an emblem , so that the studies of them which study naturall work , and deliver it in methodicall expressions , prove unfruitfull unto the unlearned sort of men , and i my self being wanting of scholarship , had a sympathy with those in their wants , which caused me for to write this plain and extemporary work in the following treatise , which was meerly drawn from the very practicall part , that it might red ound to an extraordinary and publick profit , &c. which i suppose will be as followeth : first of all , there is the expert way for the situation of a garden of pleasure , so that in it you may have large , sound , plenty , beautifull and wholsome fruit , which is accomplished by the observation of the year as the chiefest part , next in the laying of the ground for to keep it fruitfull , declaring what errors are in it to be observed , and how they may be prevented with great and easie rules , how gardens may be laid in descents , that it may be best for to draw or amplifie every knot prescribed therein by the most severe , commendable , and workman-like way as may be imagined . secondly , there is presented to thy view plenty of knots and whole garden plats , and such as are meerly inacted and sprung from my own study , yet i will not say but some of them have reference to some other thing ; yet let me tell you that if they were the same , yet they were worthy of the impression after my own way and method of drawing of them , for i have given an easie scale to each particular knot , which sheweth plainly what each plat doth contain , being drawn upon the ground , and that no other author hath done . thirdly , you have an inventory of all plants cultivated in gardens now in england , and those are divided into three generall parts ; the first is a garden of pleasure , consisting of flowers and curtous trees : the second is a physicall garden , describing how it ought to be planted with physicall simples , as herbs and trees of that nature ; the third is a kitchin garden , where it is most properly shown , how such a garden should be planted with salletting herbs , pulse and roots . the profit of this work will be more than i can or will stand to reckon up to him that doth put it in practice : . in that thou canst not think of any plant but presently thou hast my judgement for the propagating of it , which i assure thee are certain and true rules : . you have a catalogue of plants , also fit places for the planting of them in ; with apt times and seasons for the sowing , planting and replanting of all plants whatsoever . if this catalogue seem indifferent to thy judgement , yet it will turn to thy profit , if it be but only for to put thee in mind of particulars . lastly , what the lack of these things may be to the practicall man , a wise man will understand ; therefore i shall cease to give any farther information , and for any vindication of the work , i shall not give it , let it vindicate it self : so i leave this my testimony , and conclude my preface , resting a servant unto all men , as i am thine in truth and love . s. b. the gardners practice in preparation for a garden of pleasure . first for the situation . if a man would have a garden situated according to his desire , it would be so , that it might be shelving or declining on the south-east sun ; so that the sun at its first rising may reflect upon the garden , for the vanishing of vapours , dispelling of mists , and quallifying of cold air and frosts , which oftentimes perish herbs and flowers in their first gemination , and nipping of fruits at the first knitting , which causeth them to fall at an untimely birth ; or if you please , before they come to perfection . the air is farther to be observed for plants that are at their full growth . being planted in a bad air , though the soyl be never so rich , yet the herbs are never so vertuous , the flowers never so beautifull , the fruit of the fruit-trees is never so sound , as those that are planted in a clear air . yet seeing that all men cannot obtain this , though they have never so earnest a desire , therefore let the inhabiter learn how to dispence with his own habitation , so that he may make the best improvement that may be upon all advantages , for the making of his garden fruitfull . and let the purchaser learn , that in purchasing , the choice of air is the chiefest thing to be looked after : for if the soyl be bad , it may be improved with labour and soyl , and made rich : or if it should be so barren , that it could not be made rich under two or three years time , by any art in digging and dunging of it ; yet a man may remove thir barren earth and bring good mould in its stead ; or otherwise it may be laid a top of the other : so a man may have a garden fruitfull , if the air be good , with industry and charge . but if the air be bad , all the cost , care and skill that may be used , cannot change it , or remove it for a good ; therefore the air is the chiefest to be looked upon for health , pleasure and wealth . secondly , what means is best to be used for the situation of gardens of pleasure , according to every mans respective place , which is the modelizing and contriving of it . the modelizing of a garden , is to compose it of the bigness according to the cost intended for it , in the making of it up , and for the keeping of it afterwards . this rightly understood , the second thing in modelizing , is to raise it by a direct square , from that part of the house where it is appointed to be ; for if it be not took by a true square , there will be a confusion in all the work that is to be done in that ground-plat , intended for a garden : besides that it will never answer the face of the house , but all things will seem to stand askew , when there is any prospect took of it from a window , or a balcony of the said house . the ready way to prevent these mistakes is thus : having appointed the place and the quantity of ground , according to the former directions ; then lay a line upon one side thereof , as i told you , by a direct square from the foundation of the house ; then look how many yards you will have your garden in length , so many yards measure out by the line side , beginning at the house : and when you are come to the end of the account of your measure , there stick down a stake ; so done lay another line across at that said stake , which must be one corner of your garden , in that corner place the square , so that one part of it agree with the first line ; then cause the second line to come exactly straight by the eye of the other part of the square : this observed , measure out so many yards as you would have the garden in breadth ; and if it be to be laid at a full square , then measure just as many as before : this done you are come where the next corner must be , there stick down a stake in all respects as you did at the first corner ; then take up your first line , and lay it across as you did before , making of it agree with the square . do thus till you come to that place where you begun , leaving a stake at every corner , which will stand at a just square , which is the first and chiefest part of modelizing of a garden of pleasure . secondly , lay two lines from each corner cross-wayes to the next corner opposite to it , and where these lines cross , there is the center of the garden-plat , and in that place set another stake ; let this stake and the rest be drove in stifly , so that they may not be easily pulled up ; and also let these stakes be as straight , and as long , and stand as upright as it may be possible ; for if the garden-plat be unlevell , you will have an occasion to raise your lines by these stakes , as i shall shew you afterward in the levelling of a garden . thirdly , a form for a garden-plat thus laid out , what remains but that i make some queries , what kind of earth it is , and what air and shelter it hath , and what work may be intended to be amplified in this space of ground : but i will first speak of the improvement ; so that in the future ages the garden may be fruitfull , and then of draft-work . the improveing of a thing is to bring it from barrenness to fruitfulness ; for barrenness is a disease , and improvement is a cure ; therefore i must know the disease , before i can give directions for the cure . to be brief , if i know what earth it is , and what place and manner it lyeth in , reason telleth me the cause of barrenness , and experience teacheth me the cure . viz. if it be a cold wet and clayey ground , then contrive it with high walks , which in the making of them will make motes : but if the garden should be large and spacious , and springs lye in the middle , then dig trenches where the walks of the garden are intended , and lay in those trenches stones and wheat-straw ; it is no matter whether it be in any order yea or no ; it will convey the small springs and issues out of the earth , better than those gutters which are laid by a mason with lime and sand . yet further observe , that stones thus laid in the ground , if they have not a vent for that water which it receiveth , they are of no use : therefore lay them so , that they may be somewhat falling from the center of the garden , to those motes afore-named , or to any other respective place . the second cure which is more available for stubborn and barren earth is this : levell it about michaelmas or candlemas , when opportunity shall best serve : the next midsummer following or thereabout dig the quarters at a spit depth , casting off the stones and roots out of it , breaking the clods ; which will be then as dry as dust . now consider what good this will do ; and if you please i will name some of those benefits to you . first , the sun by reason of the looseness of the earth , killeth all the weeds that are displanted there , and it breaketh the heart of the stubbornness of the earth . secondly , the rain mollifieth it , and maketh it to shiver ; whereas before if it were digged in the wet time , it bindeth it and maketh it the stronger . thirdly , the reason of this loosness is , the air hath recourse and influence into it , whereby it purgeth it , and maketh it fruitfull : for let me premise a word or two ; earth and water are that whereof bodies are made ; but air is that which giveth life and vertue to all things that are sensible and insensible . i cannot stay here , but must insist upon that promise which i made , touching the levelling of a garden . i am come now to the levelling of a garden , either by descents , or a true levell-fall , and that which is better than either is a true water level : the last of these shall be the first i will speak of before i give you the directions . if you please to look back into the second page , there you shall find that i spoke of modelizing , and i also gave directions for it ; that is , to leave the stakes standing at the corners and the centers thereof . this observed , here followeth the levelling of it . first of all find out the highest corner thereof by your eye ; then go to that place with a water-levell , and they are placed like a levelled canon , against that corner cross-wayes opposite against you , which is generally the lowest part of a piece of ground : your levell thus placed , fill it with water , so that it may stand at both ends alike ; then lay your eye to the uppermost part of the levell , as if you were shooting at a mark ; take your sight exactly on the furthermost stake , and mark the place well : do so likewise of that in the center ; then strain a line from that place where your levell lyeth , to that place where you fixt your eye upon the lowermost stake ; then consider how many yards , foot or handfuls that is from the ground , just half so many set another line below that ; again strain it as far towards the upper corner at that height , as the ground will give you leave , which if the ground be of a true fall , before it will be just at the center : be it more or be it less , take your gage from the uppermost line ; then fasten it , and stick some pegs down as may be just as high as the line ; so done , you may take away both lines , and do so cross-wayes again , leaving pegs in like manner . now understand , that earth which riseth above the pegs being brought down , will make good what is wanting there , and abate what is too much in the other : so the garden-plat will be levell , without bringing of any to it , or carrying any from it . i think this experiment would sometimes have saved many a noblemans purse , and a gardners credit . next for laying a garden by a true fall : that is done with great ease , if you know how to levell it , or did observe what directions i gave you for it . you may remember what was said for setting of lines , to make the garden of a levell ; then it is no more but to set the line at the lowermost stake , a foot or a yard , more or less under the levell-mark , according as you would have your garden fall ; and this bringeth it exactly to pass , if you observe to lay cross lines , as was said of the levell-work , for casting the ground by . next for laying gardens in the ascents , it must be done in the selfsame manner , one quarter after another levelled , as i prescribed for a whole garden , according as the ground will rise , either one yard or two yards , more or less , with half paces , or steps to walk up out of one part of the garden into the other . i have more and greater things in hand for the advancement of garden-plats , either for pleasure , physicall or profitable , viz. how to levell ground to make it fruitfull . how to divide ground into quarters for knots . the expert way of laying of grass-work . the manner of setting of hard quick-set and poll-work . the ready way to make borders and beds according to the new art . the way of purifying of earth , for to receive curious plants . the best way for laying of walks , either with grass , gravell or taris-morter . the way of making high walks and mounts . how to make bowling allyes with great ease and little cost . rules for cutting of a wilderness and maze-work . also one hundred proper drafts , as were never so drawn by any , with rules and directions how they may be amplified in the ground , with an information and a farewell on them in verse . the advancement of a physicall garden by improving the earth . preparations for indian plants . contrivance for a physick-garden for profit and pleasure . means for the saving of plants from hurtfull worms . errors discovered in the practice of digging . the means of improving a kitchin-garden . the ready way to cleanse and destroy weeds . seasons for digging for improvement . all these experiments i shall not fail to bring forth , if god permit me life . but what remaineth at the present , but that you modelize and contrive your garden-plats , by these few directions which i gave you , or others , which you may better like of ; and also to beautifie them with such knots as follow hereafter of my invention , or those that may be invented by your self , which probably may please your fancy better than mine . this figure represents lines how they ought to be layde before you begin to drawe a large knott but especially that following , and allso note that these lines are not to be stirred till the knott be finisht , and so by the use of these lines and two lines more you may draw any knott . this figure is supposed to contayne . : yards square & allowing . : inches to each footpath . a scale by one foote measure this is a scale of foote heere i have made the true lovers knott to ty it in mariage was never my lott . this scale will serve for : other knots folowing . a scale of : foote running drafts cross diamonds in the paper i doe frame and in the ground i can draw the same . this scale by : inch measure this scale is : foote a scale by foote measure by the foote measure four severall quarters fit for to be drawne with herbe or box for to set flowers there in . these workes neede no scale being so plaine heere is other foure fit for the same purpos as the last this by : inches page weere . this by twentie . this knot may be drawne with foure lines onely as it is heere this scale by prescribed . one foote it is by twenty two a scale inches measure this scale by : inch measure a scale of foote a scale of foote a scale by the foote etc : also a forme how to lay your lines . this is a good patern for a wilderness as well as for a quarter of herbes . a scale of foote a labyrinth this scale by two foote and two inches a forme how to lay lines for the folowing worke . the flower of deluse ovall . heere i have in the paper the ovalls so round put and in the ground the same i can cut. a scale of foote a scale by the two foote measure the halfe moones . every black and white in this scale is two foote and two inches vpon the worke grass worke . a forme how to lay lines for the folowing worke . the flower of deluse ovall . heere i have in the paper the ovalls so round put and in the ground the same i can cut. a scale of foote a scale by the two foote measure the halfe moones . every black and white in this scale is two foote and two inches vpon the worke grass worke . the figure of a whole garden . this the a foote and half . a plaine ovall for flowers . by : : inches grass worke this is the triangle ovall . a scale by two foote . a plaine wilderness . a scale of yards . the gardners practice in the garden of pleasure : in the knowledge of propagating , preserving and maintaining of flowers , and curious trees therein contained . first of flowers . amorantus : or christerious purantus . there are divers names and divers colours of them , but one in nature . their names are thus ; amorantus purple , amorantus scarlet , amorantus cleery ; many more that i 'le not stand to speak of . now i 'le give you a description of them ; amorantus is like the princes feather in shape ; it flowreth in the spring , and it is sown in the same , and seedeth the same year , and dyeth presently after : the seed is of a purple colour ; this is for no use but only for the beauty and preheminency of the flower , and therefore we nurse it in gardens in england , and hold it in great estimation . it is supposed that the seed of this flower came first from the indies , and they call it there vtter : it is the flower of which they make the scarlet-dye ; the heathens with the juyce of this flower will make their skins look as if they were imbrued in blood . now i shall speak something to the propagating of it . first , the season for sowing of it is in the beginning of march , on this manner ; we make a hot bed with horse-dung , as we do for purslin ; then we sow a quantity of this seed upon that bed , setting glasses over it , covering the bed with mats : this done , it cometh up the sixth day , so soon as it is come up , you must give it a little air in the middle of the day , covering of it again at night ; water it moderately as you see occasion : this carefully done , it will grow to be half a foot high by may ; then you may transplant it from these hot beds into borders or pots , or other places wherein you take most delight , sheltring of it for the first week , till it be well rooted again : this done , it will come to flower by the latter end of may. there is little or no experiment to be used about this plant , because it dyeth yearly ; therefore it is only propagated in its own nature as aforesaid ; so i leave the ordering of it to your care , and proceed to the next . anstartion indecom . it is known by no other name , and it is a flower that is raised every year . if you will have it every year , i describe it to you thus ; it hath a seed something like a pepper-corn ; this seed when it is sown , it cometh up something like the honey-suckle , and flowreth in june , and it is a flower of great rarity amongst the gentry and gardeners of this land. now followeth the ordering of it . the season fit for it is in march , in the encrease of the moon ; the place for it is to make a hot bed , covering of it pretty thick with mould ; let this bed lyeten dayes , covering of it with a little straw to keep in the heat , and at the third dayes end take off your straw , and set some bended sticks over the bed ; then prick in your seeds at a handfull distance ; then cast a mat on the top of your sticks ; this done you shall see your seed to come up the fifth day , as i told you before . now take notice that you must give these plants some air once a day , if the weather be warm : this done , you may transplant them in the middle of may into the out-borders of your garden of pleasure , there setting of them at half a foot distance , and one chase in a border : this done , it will flower , and the flower will keep fresh long on the stalk ; it seldome beareth seed in england without great care and industry . i should speak much more of it , but that it is of a tickle nature , as to the alteration of it in germination , which i have been informed by others , and being not well acquainted with it , i shall cease to give any arguments to the contrary , and leave those experiments with you which are set down . angulshenelus . it was never called by any other name : i 'am not very well acquainted with this flower , and therefore i shall not affirm any thing of experience ; but take this description , as i received it from a friend : he saith this herb or flower , whether you please to call it , hath such a property that there is none like it , viz. saith he , when this flower hath its seed full ripe in its self , then if you go to it and touch it with your hand , presently the cod that the seed lyeth in breaketh , whatever he be that toucheth it : from the nature of this flower , viz. saith he , i have gone to one that hath been counted for a maid , and i have desired her to touch the cod wherein lay the seed of this flower ; what if i should , saith she , why then , saith he , if you have lost your maiden-head , then this cod will break at your touching of it ; she cannot believe that , but boldly toucheth it , then it breaketh , and she is convinced of her fault and confesseth , thinking the seed were sensible of her fact ; by this saith the author i have found out my desire , as to the knowing whether a woman hath lost her maiden-head or not : this i thought worthy of the reciting . now i will give you a description of it . it is much like your purple - valaren in shape , but in colour of a whitish green , the flower being of a blewish colour : it never groweth above a foot high , and it flowreth in august , and hath a hundred seeds in a cod , and it is much like rose-campion seed . it is raised of the seed in the moneth april , in the same manner and place as you do your clove-gilliflowers , as you may see hereafter , and at the moneths end it will be fit to be transplanted into the borders amongst orher flowers , or you may let it stand in the same beds if you please : this done , it will grow up and flower as aforesaid , and when the winter cometh the top-branches dye , and at the top of the root remaineth a small spring being well shelterd , but be as carefull as you will , the third year dyeth both root and branch , saith the same author . batchelors buttons . descrip . it is a flower that runneth on the ground like water cresses , with stalks like pease , with a thick round furrey leaf like balm , but only it hath a bright green colour ; the flower is a round double flower of the colour of a white and red speckled cornation , but something less ; this flower seldome leaveth any seed behind , the branches of it dye when winter cometh , and springeth again in the spring . now for the propagating of it ; if you have it not already in your garden , then you must procure slips of it , not that it hath slips from the branches which may be set to grow , but they must be such slips as have both root and branch , and such are easie to be had where they are growing , for they spread mightily in the ground ; now having got such slips as i told you of , prepare a border , either a border round a quarter of herbs , or an out-border of your garden , as i told you in the former part of this book , then set your line at the uppermost part of the border , then your slips a hands breadth asunder only one chase in a border , for they encrease exceedingly , this must be done in march or august , those that were set in august will flower early , but those that are set in the spring will not flower till july or august , those that are set in august will flower in may , june and july ; now observe , that as soon as they have done flowering you must cut off the top-branches with a pair of garden-shears , then it will spring presently after ; and take notice , this flower never groweth out of a garden being once planted , though the old stock dyeth yet it sendeth forth young shoots in its stead , which causeth them to spread mightily ; and therefore if you will keep them in uniform manner , you must transplant them once in two or three years , as i directed you before . bee-flower . it is so called because it beareth a flower in shape like a bee ; whether i may properly call it a flower or the seed i 'le not dispute , but such a like thing in shape and colour ; it putteth forth at the time of seeding , therefore i call it a bee-flower : i shall cease to give you any further description of it , because i think it not worth the labour . if you have a desire to raise them , if you can procure the seed , it is easily done by sowing of them in good mould in the spring time , with other flowers in borders or beds , setting a mark where you sow them , you shall see them come up with a sharp leaf , and in june or july they bring forth seed , and dye the same year : i have spoken with some which have been mightily taken with this flower . balm of christ . or if you please the hand of christ ; the romans in former time were wont when they found any excellent herb or flower , to dedicate it to their saints , and call it by their names , so i conceive that the name of this flower was derived from some romish author because it hath this title , and indeed it is a great rarity to see a flower representing the figure of a hand , as this doth when it is in the fulness of its perfection : it will be needless to describe it any further . now for the propagating , if you can procure the seed of it at the beginning of april , then sow it , but with a great deal of care and curiosity , viz. first find out the warmest place in your garden , and there make a bed of barley-straw and bran , then cover it with fine mould three inches thick , then prick in your seeds half an inch deep , then shelter this bed a nights with a mat , you shall have your seeds to come up the tenth day ; you shall find that making of beds with barley-straw and bran to be the excellentest way of raising of flowers that ever was invented , for why your beds that are made with horse-dung forceth gemination too soon , and does not continue that height which the plant was forced up , for which cause the plant decayeth , and those that are made only of earth they are too cold for outlandish plants ; if you will take my counsell and sowe it after this manner before described , transplant it in may into a box of earth , and you shall have the balm of christ to flourish in july , which is a great rarity to the beholders of this nation : there are few experiments more to be used than have been described ; it will dye when winters cold breath comes , therefore remember every year to raise it as i told you . bears-ears . by some called rickaluses , by others french cowslips , and purple cowslips ; it hath a leaf like your none so pretty , very thick and jagged , and keeps green all the year , they never rise above a handfull high , only the stalk , the flower on that stalk is much like the double cowslip , and the flower is not much unlike in number of leaves and in shape , but in colour they differ ; the colours are these , the pink colour , the scarlet , the morey colour , and the purple , these naturally flower all at one time , and that is in march and april : these are flowers of great estimation , and a great many of curiosities are used about them , in the propagating of them from seed and slip . now i will give you my own experience which i found true by my practice ; rickaluses are encreased by seed and slip : first of the seed , if you can get the seed of the best colours , then sowe it in a box in march or the beginning of april in speciall good mould , you must be carefull to water the seed well for the first summer , the second summer it will flower about that time as i told you before , you may let these remain in the box , so they stand not too thick where they will grow continually , you may take slips from them to transplant into other places : take notice that the putting of them inboxes is not because they will not endure the cold winter , but to have them early . there are ordinary means for raising of them by seed and slip , the seed you may raise in beds with other flowers , the slip is to be set in august and march in this manner ; having gotten your slips prune them handsomely , and setting of them at a distance atop of a border , or by a borders side , watering of them for the first ten moneths if the season should be dry , by that time they will be rooted and come to perfection , but they flower not that year . bell-flowers . there is a white and a blew , they differ not much one from the other in nature , therefore the directions of one will serve for both : first i 'le give you a description ; they spring up with branches like safforn-crocus in the beginning of january , if the weather be not too much unseasonable , and flower in the latter end of march , the flower is in shape like a bell , it hath only five leaves , presently after it is flowering the stalk withereth and beareth no seed , but the root remains in the ground alwayes and springeth every year , they are a flower numbred amongst those that have bullous roots . the preserving of them in their nature is thus ; at any time after they are flowering you may transplant the root into new places , or set them again in the old ; or if you have them not , then you may send for the root to some other place where they may be had , the place proper to set them in is in your intervails of herball or out-borders of grass-work in this manner ; make holes in your ground with a diber half a foot asunder , put in each hole a root , be sure you make not your holes too deep , for then it will keep back the flower from coming early , it lying so low and so cold , otherwise you may get them early by putting of them in boxes and housing of them : lastly take notice that you must replant them every two year , or else the roots will grow thick and the flower will be small . crows-foot . there are single and double , there are distinct colours , as white , red and purple , the double sort beareth a flower something like the double stock-gilliflower in bigness , set with many leaves like the inner part of the emrose , it spreadeth with many stalks of two foot high , with many dark green leaves , and shaped like the vine leaves with a weak stalk , it flowereth in july and august , and beareth its seed a little after . the chiefest way of propagating this is of the slip , in the moneths march or august , the slip is taken partly from the root , for the branch dyeth every year , and the slip of such branches will not take root . i shall not need to describe every particular in planting of them , the places fit for them is in the borders next the walks in your garden at a foot distance , for they spread very much : you must save the seed of this flower , or take of some of the slips and set , for he 'le stay with you but two years , then he dyeth ; you may raise it of the seed also even as you do any other ordinary flower , and therefore i 'le not stand to treat of it . crokus . of these there are two sorts , the striped crokus and the safforn crokus , these are both winter flowers , for they flower at the beginning of february even to the latter end of march , they are a very pretty flower , and they are so well known i need not stand to describe them , only i 'le tell you what properties they have ; and though it be said that all herbs and flowers bear seed , this i could never find to bear any , for flower , stalk and branches soon vanish after their first appearing , nothing remaineth but the root , and this root ought to be took up presently after he is flowered , which is in april , and when you have taken them up , reserve the suckers by themselves and the bearers by themselves , you may keep them in a box with a little earth a moneth or two if you please , and plant them at your leisure . the manner and place of planting of them : the properest place to plant them is in borders where tulips are planted , between every tulip-root you shall set a crokus-root , at what time the crokus hath done flowering a little after the tulips will begin ; we usually take up crokus as well as tulips every other year , because they should not lye too deep in the earth , for they 'le run downwards and encrease with so many suckers that they 'le be hindered of their large growth ; and by having too many suckers about them , and by lying so deep in the cold earth , they 'le be hindered of their early flowering , for these reasons we transplant them every year , or every other year : from the qualon-crokus you may save safforn . lastly , some may enquire for experiment of moloration in the nature of the plant , in ingemination there can be none , for it is out of mans element , because they are not produced of seed , but encrease of themselves by the root in the earth : now if any man should desire to alter the colour of this flower , i think it a vanity , for no man can devise more rarity of colours than nature doth bestow in flowers ; but for promoting of the nature of this or any other which springeth of a bullous-root , take these observations : first , fill some boxes of the finest mould that may be had , and as dry as may be , then put it into boxes , then set these boxes in some garret , or room , or other , where it may have the sunne and wind , but no rain come at it , have so much patience as to let it stand for a twelve moneth , then get sheeps-bloud , the juyce of a laren , camomile , mallows and lapeons tails , mix these juices and sheeps-bloud together , then water this dry earth with this substance , then take your bullous-roots , as crotus tulips , crown imperials , lillies , snow-drops and the like , then plant them in these boxes at the times and seasons as i have directed you formerly , and anoint the roots with this substance at their planting , water them continually with the same , let them have no rain , or any kind of water else , but only this ; besure they have sunne , wind and air enough , for otherwise your flowers will corrupt ; this done , your flowers will spring out of an exceeding large growth , and produce them very early , and i can positively say , that it will make them differ from what they were formerly . so much for that . crains-bill . it is a flower of a bullous-root about the bigness of the top of a mans thumb , long and flat , on one side rising with branches like great rushes spreading every way , with a stalk rising in the middle , whereon groweth the flower with a few small long leaves , hanging down of his head ; it is a flower of the spring , being once planted in a ground , there it remains : it will not be worth my labour to describe every particular of it ; to be short , the time of planting of them is in april or august , the place in some out-border in a physical or a kitchin-garden , and there if they be but kept clean from hurtfull weeds , they will flower yearly and increase , so you may plant more ground with the suckers , or pleasure your friend with them . cullenbines . there is a speckled cullenbine and the purple cullenbine , the white and the blew : and many other mixt colours , which i shall not stand to name . the branches of cullenbines die every year , and the root springeth again ; the leaves are for good use for pot-herbs ; and for physical uses , as you may see in herbals ; the seed of this flower doth ripen the latter end of july , and if you let it shed of it self , it will spring up again , if the earth be cleansed from weeds ; so where they are once , soon the falling of the seed keepeth the garden replenisht with them , yet the old stock dieth standing four or five years : the time for sowing of these is chiefly in august , so that they may flower timely ; the place ought to be in some borders , next a privy walk ; be sure you let them not stand too thick , for then they will grow small and single ; let them be cleansed from weeds . thus much may serve for the ordinary sort of cullenbines . now there is a more tenderer sort , which we call the thrice double converted cullenbine ; these are not much unlike the former , but only they are much larger , and much exceeding the other in orient colour ; these flower at the same time the other do , they seldom bear seed , but if you can procure either seed or slip , you shall order them , as followeth : prepare some fine boxes of earth , and therein sow your seed , or set your slip , having a diligent care over them afterward : by watering of the slip , and transplanting of the seedlings , sheltering of them from the frost and snow , you shall have them to flower early in the spring : i cannot stand to set down every particular ; there may be many means used to set forward the nature of them , but no way to alter the form , setting forward of the nature is but a watery substance , which i shall not speak of here , but refer it to that place where i treat concerning cornation gilli-flowers . crown-imperial . crown-imperial , or imperial-crown , counted the worthiest of spring-flowers , for it flowreth at the beginning of april ; now understand that there are two or three sorts , as the great imperial , the italian imperial : they differ not so much , but if you know one you may know the other . imperials at the first coming up are so like lillies that they have been took for lillies by some ; they rise to three foot high , and at the very top shouteth out six flowers , hanging directly downward , above them rises sharp leaves , eight in number , sharp and small , and a handfull long , standing directly upright , which resembleth an imperial-crown : this flower keepeth fresh three weeks off the stalk ; in the middle of the flower standeth six blewish pearls ; the stalk of this flower perisheth every year after it hath born its seed , which is about the middle of june , the root remaineth in the ground , which is as big as a mans fist , yellow and round , it stinketh mightily : i need not give you any farther description . the propagating of them is either by seed or slip : first , the seed that is raised as are tulips ( of which i treat hereafter ) in the same time and place setting of the slip , is presently after his flowering , then if you have them not , you may procure them , and set them in your borders with your tulips , betwixt every tulip an imperial root , so by that time your imperials have done flowering , your tulips will begin , so you shall have your borders to flourish all the spring . and not to be troublesome to you , the imperial-roots must be removed every year , and the suckers took from the old mother , and planted in a bed by themselves at a handfull distance , and the next year you may replant them into the borders amongst your bearers , they flower the second year . lastly , to produce any thing by art from this flower contrary to nature , if it may be done upon any , it may be done upon this ; for you may take the root out of the ground for a moneths space , and in that time you may water it , or anoint it with such contrary colours as you desire most to have the flower of , then this root is forc'd to participate this watery substance of contrary colours into its nature ; and some think that this must force the root to bring forth a flower like those colours , like that substance that it was watered with , but i am not of that judgement ; yet some alteration may be , but not according to mans expectation ; for sow a turnip in a sandy ground , which is that which his nature requires , and sow it in the rankest ground that is , and it is a turnip still : so imperial roots being set in these substances , it will be an imperial still ; and therefore they are but conceits , and not experiments , which i can affirm for truth ; yet some alterations will be , and many times contrary to what a man doth expect , every seed will spring up to be the like of his mother , yet some difference may be in shape and forme , as one physiognomy of a brother may differ from another , and that is not as man pleaseth . let this suffice . cornflag . this is a flower which springeth of a bullous-root , rising with many leaves two foot high in the shape of a sword , in the middle of those rise in the branch with shorter leaves , one in the same forme as the other ; this beareth a flower resembling the flowerdeluce in shape , a matter of six leaves , and every leaf is of three fingers breadth , purple at the top , and blew towards the bottome ; this flower is in his prime in may , and the seed is ripe in june , then dieth the branch , the root remaineth in the ground , and springeth yearly . the ordering of them i shall set down in few words : first , if you have them not , you shall procure the seed in the moneth of august , then you shall sow it in this manner ; prepare a border of good mould under some wall , where it may be sheltered from the cold winter , your bed being finely raked , cast your seed on it of such a thickness , as reason shall best direct you , then riddle a quantity of fine mould , and cast upon these seeds , so that they may be covered half an inch deep ; this done , you shall see your seed spring up a matter of three weeks after with a single blade , shelter these all the winter there , and in the latter end of march replant them into the out-borders of your garden of pleasure at a foot distance , one range in a border , the second year they will flower : the fourth year you shall replant them again , for otherwise they will grow so thick that it will spoil their flowering : and for planting of them , take slips which are took from the root in the moneth of march , and set them one chase in a border , as i told you of seedlings . thus much for our english corn-flag . there is also the indean corn-flag , which is of a more statelier growth , a curiouser colour , and tenderer in nature , but it flowereth at the same times , and is sown and planted at the same seasons as the former , only with a great deal more care , for the seed , root or branch will not endure the cold winter , therefore we sow it in boxes , transplant it into others , and by putting these boxes into houses in the winter , giving of them air in seasonable dayes , we raise and preserve this italian corn-flag : now concerning any experiment of alteration , i never could find any man of such an ambitious desire as to do any such thing , but for the setting forward of the nature of it , water it with such a water wherein hath been sheeps-dung and pigeons-dung : so i cease and proceed to the worthiest of flowers , which is cornation gilliflowers . of gilliflowers there are divers kinds , as the cornation-gilliflower , the clove-gilliflower , the wall-gilliflower ; these i shall referre to another place , and speak here only of the cornation-gilliflower , which for beauty and delicious smels , and excellent properties deserves letters of gold . i wonder that solomon did not write of this flower , when he compared his spouse to the lilly of the valley : but whether there were any of these flowers in those dayes , or in those places we will not enquire , but proceed to the flower it self . to give a description of it were vanity , being so generally known by every one , yet few know the nature of it ; therefore i shall only speak of the titles of them , and proceed to the ordering of them . they are only tituled and distinguished by their colours , chiefly thus ; the crystaline , the granado , the fair maid of kent , the fools-coat , the dover , the bandeleer , the mixt clove , the painted lady , the old mans head , the london-white the emperors-robes , the patern of nature , the scarlet , the wine-colour , the widdow , the peach-colour , the purple : these and all these are intermixt , which doth make so many mixt colours that i will not stand to name , but will proceed to sowing , planting and replanting . first , of these i 'll begin with sowing , and therein are matters of consequence ; first , it is the way to have plenty and store of these flowers ; secondly , it is the chiefest art in the practice indoubling and redoubling of them . for sowing of them you ought to consider what ground is fit for them ; it must be a well tempered ground , by no means too rank , and in a convenient place , where it may be warmed by the reflection of the sun : the place appointed , dig it and cleanse it from stones , then lay it out into small beds of two foot and a half in breadth , then rake them finely , take a quantity of seed and sow it of a thickness , as you think best , then get a little fine mould and riddle through a riddle , cover these seeds with it a matter of three quarters of an inch thick ; these seeds will come up the sixteenth day with two spindles like grasse . now i have shown you the manner of sowing of them ; now you must consider the times and the seasons for them . the season fit for it is the first full moon in april , and the first full moon in may , and likewise in august , the same manner as i told you . now observe those that are sown in april ought to be watered in the dry weather , and in the first full moon of august they ought to be replanted to a better earth in some border by a wall-side where they may be sheltered from the cold the winter following . the planting of them is done thus ; when your border is digged and evenly raked , then go to your place where your seedlings grew , then take them up with a setting stick , which is the fittest instrument for that purpose ; so done , prune them , which is to cut off all the superfluous grosse top blades , slipping off some of the under blades , then go to your place , as before mentioned ; and by a direct line set the one from the other six inches distance , and so let them stand while the next march , covering of them from frost and snow a nights then in march you may remove them into knots or pots , or any other proper place where you shall have a desire , or shall stand for the beauty of your garden ; these plants being set in a better mould than before , and diligently watered , will come to flower by the next july following . thus much of the seedlings sown in august . now for those that are sown in the spring , being ordered in like manner as the other , preserved with the same care , will come to flower the second summer . next for the setting of the slips , the time for it is in april , may , june and august , the moon being three dayes before the full ; in this manner , we go to such stocks , and slip off such slips as we can conveniently ; these slips we clip off the tops praise with a knife , and under we slip quite off , then slitting the lower most part of the slip that we put in the ground ; this done , set them in a convenient place , as i told you of the seedlings , at a hand-breadth asunder , the next spring or fall following transplant them into borders , three chase in a border at a foot difference . thus farre of the ordinary means for ordering of the common sort of cornation-gilliflowers . now followeth extraordinary means for the propagating of the rarest sort of these flowers , with some answers to such vain opinions , as some men affirm to be true by words , but never proved to be true by actions . first , for altering the colour by incisions ; it hath been given out by some that aris , and bisse , and verdigrease ; these and such like may be dissolved betwixt the bark and the body of the cornation , and that these mixt colours will cause a mixture in the flower . to this i answer , that this will never cause the effect , upon several trials that i have made ; for any thing dissolved betwixt the bark and wood of a tree , causeth that part of the bark to die , which is of a stronger nature than any flower whatsoever : i could shew you many more of these arguments , but i will only propound this one question to you : do you think that you can any way give sullenance either to man or beast , any way but at the mouth , so that it may be concoctedin the man , and dissolved into the several parts of a man ? nothing can be applied to any part of man to cause it to grow as aforesaid : in like case it is with flowers , for the root is the place where sustenance must be had for the maintaining of the branch , then if any alteration may be made , it must be a watery substance applied to the root , and not to the branch , but it is not aris nor bis that the plant will participate of , but it must be the corruption of itself , or the corruption of some other : now i will instance to you , what i have done , viz. i took camomil , valaren , flag-roots , solendine-leaves , these beaten together into a salve , and applied to the roots of the flowers when they are planted or removed , and watering of them with the same , hath propagated the flower in bigness , so that it hath made it as big again as any of the ordinary natural flowers , but i could never find that i could alter the form of them ; sometimes the colour of them will alter that are thus ordered , but the alteration or mixtures of colours is a law in nature more than experiment in art . secondly , there have been certain wayes given for grafting and inoculating of these flowers . but i wonder whether they mean the root or the branch ; if inoculating in the branch there is no bud , and to inoculate without a bud that is impossible to me : now we 'll enquire about their grafting , what manner of grafting they did mean , whether it be clift-grafting , or whip grafting , or grafting betwixt the bark and the wood ? if they meant any of these , or all these ; if clift-grafting , i could never get any such thing as a science , for that purpose , and for any of the rest i think it more strange . but what grafting may be done is by addition , grafting , and addition grafting is done thus ; take two young plants of four moneths growth , take a part of the bark of the root of each of them alike , then join them artificially together , then bind them with a little soft flax , and anoint it with the juice of valeran , which is of a healing nature , then commit them to the ground , those will incorporate into one body , which will bring forth a very large flower if they be both of one kind ; if of two several kinds , then there will be two several kinds of one stock , which is rare ; but some have told me this will make a mixt colour , but i could not give any credit to their words , as to believe them , for why , each of them keeps their own nature : for example , the least bud of an apricock inoculated upon a plum-stock , keepeth his own nature , and bringeth forth an apricock , then of necessity we must needs think , that if this keep his nature where there was no substance , that the gilliflower grafted ( as before spoken of ) where there was body and substance , must needs bring forth flowers according to their kinds . i can keep you a long time upon these like things , but so much for this point . now for altering the sent of these flowers , there be divers things they say will cause this effect , which i think altogether needlesse , because it hath a passing smell of it self ; therefore if you have any desire to make use of what authors have said for altering of the sent of flowers , make trial upon such as have little or no sent , as fowerdeluces , scarlet-beans , emrose or tulips , because they are flowers that ladies love to have so nigh their noses , which have little or no sent , and it would be a rare art to cause them to have a sent , as authors say ; and it is a great wonder , that if they could alter the sent of them , that they do not produce some of those flowers ; now if you will make use of this experiment , i can tell you what will follow , you shall lose your labour ; and i give you my reason ; the sweetest and lushiousest meat turns into the foulest and stinkingst excrement ; so it is with these infusions and molerations which man doth imagine may infuse a sweetnesse to any flower ; for the flower doth not draw the substance as it is , but converts it into its own nature and intercisial form that it hath . here followeth some directions for the preservation of your choisest gilliflowers . . observe that they have good mould . . that they have pots . . that they have cradles . . that they be not kanker-eaten . . that they be not bound too hard in the mould . . you must observe you let not too many flowers grow upon a stalk . . that they be housed in the winter . . that you get layers . . for the first of these , you must understand that every thing bringeth forth fruit according to its mother ; the mother here is the earth , therefore if poor earth then poor flowers . . for the second , pots are necessary for the keeping of hurtfull worms from the roots , and sheltering of them from the storms in the cold weather , and from too much moisture and too much drithe , for too much wet doth keep the plant cold , and too much drithe doth famish the plant : now these pots do preserve them from both , and if they are made of a stately fashion they do beautifie the garden . and lastly , you may have your flowers at such times in the year by removing of them from place to place , as cannot be effected by those that grow out of pots . . thirdly , cradles are necessary ; you must understand to keep the wind from breaking and beating of them to and fro , and keeping of them in uniform manner ; these cradles are made of white rods , six standing , and two woven round about , and the lower end sharp to put into the earth , and these keep the flowers up . . fourthly , if flowers be kanker-eaten it will destroy them , for it is a worm that eateth the root ; this you shall discern by the branches , when they look of a dead colour , then search the root , when you have found this kanker , take tarr and the yelk of an egg , and mans ordure , and apply this to the kanker-eaten , and that will cure it . . fifthly , if your flowers stand too long unremoved , or the ground stirred about them , and fresh mould put to them , the ground will be bound stiff about the root , which must be remedied by opening the earth about them , and putting in of fresh mould ; this must be done early in the spring , or otherwise you will hinder it more than farther it . . sixthly , if you let too many flowers grow upon a stock , they will be very small , and in danger to kill the stock ; therefore you must when you see there is like to be great store of flowers , cut the most of them away , for the preservation of the stock , and the enlarging of your flower , and for the preserving of seed ; for if you would have good seed , you must not suffer above five or six flowers to be upon a stock , these must be of the top flowers , at the first flowering , the seed will come to perfection by the latter end of august , and when you see the seed black in the cod , then cut off the branch and hang it up in the house till it be thorow dry , then you may rub it out , this seed you must sow in your own garden for two years , and afterwards you must change it , or else your flowers will degenerate and grow single . . seventhly , housing of the plants is necessary for preserving of them from frost and snow which would kill them ; and for getting of them to flower early , observe that you are to give them sun and air on such dayes as it is to be had , and to set them forth in rainy dayes , for rain water is much better than conduit for them , but if rain-water may not be had , water them with standing water , and be sure that they have it often , for all vegetable creatures do partake more of the element water more than the element earth ; to prove this , take any plant and burn it , look how much ashes so much earth , and all the rest which vapour'd away was a watery substance which vapoured up out of the earth , then watering often is needfull . . eighthly , to get laires is very needfull , and it is done thus ; you may buy small pots for the purpose , which are like a tunnell , with a hole at the bottom to let out the water if there should be too much , it hath a slit of one side , these pots we fill full of earth , and set it by cornation-gilliflowers side , and bring one of the choicest slips that we can see in at the slit , so that the top of it shall be above the top of the small laire-pot , and the lower part of it is in the pot and in the earth , so this putteth forth root , this must be done in august , and next march you shall cut off the slip that is so rooted and plant it in another pot , that laire-pot which the slip came out of will serve for the like use again . further queries and observations there are concerning producing of these flowers contrary to nature and seasons : . the first dispute is , whether cornation seed bringeth forth a single pink , i answer some do and the most do not , for those that comes single were of the under-seed , therefore if there were diligence and care in the saving the seed , ( as i told you before ) there would be very few single pinks , but those that are by diligence replanted may be made double , but if you will not bestow the pains , you may plant them in some border or bank-side , there to remain for strowing flowers : another curiosity is to have cornations almost while christmas , and it is very probable this might be done if you will take these directions . . in june and july till the latter end of august , cut away all such buds or branches that you see are like to bring forth a flower , and afterward let such as will spring forth alone , and by michaelmas these will be budded forth , this must be done by your pot-flowers , because they must be carried in , in the cold nights they must be set into a room , and set abroad again adayes , by this means you shall have the buds open , and keep this flower even while christmas . . other things i have been told that would cause this effect , & that was by enclosing the flower in soft wax at the time they begin to open , & so let them stand enclosed while christmas , or any time of the winter that you have a desire to have a cornation-gilliflower , then ( saith he ) take off your wax in a sun-shine day , and the sun will open the flower , and by this means you may have them at any time ; you may believe this if you please , but it were good for you to find it true by experience , for my part i think it cannot be so , for the stalk withereth before that time of the year , and if the stalk be dead the flower cannot be alive , and that is a sufficient reason . . many other vain things i have been told concerning alterations , which are very uncertain truths which i shall not bestow the pains to set down , but shall proceed with laudable and creditable and profitable things for him that is employed therein : i do not intend to please any man in writing of this treatise , unless he will be pleased with the bare truth and no more : so i 'le speak a word or two of the continuance of this flower . if it may be carefully looked to it may continue five or six year , or otherwise not half so long . some men are of opinion when they see this beautifull flower , as to think it is of an art of their own or others , but they are mistaken , all the art of man is to find out the art of nature it self , for if any thing be not used in its own nature and season it will come to no effect , therefore what i have discovered of the nature of this or any other flower ( as far as my capacity can truly understand ) i give it to all men ; yet i know ( reader ) that it may be contrary to your judgment , for so many men as there are so many minds , but the truth that i have here set down , i shall dispute it face to face with as many as have an objection against it . one thing more i give you and then i have done : if you shall have any of these flowers stolen , and if you would be revenged on the party , or would put a jest or a jeer , you shall accomplish your desire thus ; take an elecompane root dry and beaten to powder , then sprinkle it upon your gilli-flowers , or put it into the midst , then give your flowers to the party that you desire to be revenged of , let it be a he or she they will delight in smelling to it , then they will draw this powder into their nostrils which will make them fall a sneezing , and a great trouble to the eyes , and by your leave will make the tears run down their thighs : other things there are which may be bought at the apothecaries , which i will not give you the receit of , for fear it should come to a malicious mans hands , then the effect would be evil . clove-gilliflowers . these differ little from the former in nature , to give a description of them it were needless , i 'le only speak a word of the propagating of them : they are sown of the seed and planted of the slip as the former , but for the most part they grow single without much pains and care , therefore i think it best to set them of the slip if they may be had , if not you must take the pains to sow them as aforesaid , and out of a great quantity of seed it is very probable you will have but a few double ones , for the seed is of so great a rate that they commonly mix it with others that came of single pinks , or else of the under-seed : if you set them of the slip , the best time is the first full moon of august , so that they may take root by the spring , ( all things observed as i told you of the ordinary sort of cornation-gilliflowers ) you may remove them in march again at the full of the moon ; take notice that the moon is of great force , for we find in the scripture , that the moon is appointed for times and seasons , and i observed it by this more than any other , for those slips that were set just at the full moon were so great that they brake in the hores or the husk , and these are as bad as those that are too small , therefore set them three or four dayes before the full moon : it will take up a great deal of time to set down every particular , but he that knoweth how to order cornation-gilliflowers may order these ; i shall speak something to the worth of this flower , but my pen is not worthy to subscribe it , for all other flowers are inferiour to them , because they are preserved , conserved , and also pleasant syrups for the palate of man. many other things of them there are which the apothecary well knows . cowslips . double cowslips are fit to be planted in a garden of pleasure for the use of their flowers in sallets , for the bedecking of the garden , because they flower early when other flowers are scarce , being once planted there they continue alwayes ; they never bear seed , therefore they must be planted . the time of planting of them is either in the spring or the fall , the place is in the edge of the upper part of your borders , having prepared your ground then slip your plants into as many slips as you can , cutting off the top leaves within three inches of the root , and strain your line and prick them in three inches one from another where they will grow very well , if you water them , this must be while they are well rooted , and afterward they need no care but weeding , now remember to clip off the dead leaves and stocks after your cowslips have done flowering , then the leaves will spring green and fresh again which is very pleasant to behold . daysies . there are three or four kinds , as the wild daysie , the french daysie , and the garden double daysie ; the garden daysie it is i intend to treat of , of these there are two or three sorts of colours , but one in nature ; the colours are these , the white , the red , the purple and the speckled : this flower never beareth any seed ; the time of flowering is in may and june , a fine ornament to a garden , and the flowers are used in nosegayes : the branches of this flower dieth every year , and the root sendeth up young again ; so where they are once planted they alwayes continue . the place , time and manner of planting of them , is as i told you of the couslips , onely the choisest sorts be set in knots or beds , so i need not trouble my self nor you to give any farther reason for the ordering of them . daffodillies . these are very well known to them that know any thing ; there are many sorts , and for little use , and i might describe them as mr. purchas hath done , and truly i think it a needless curiosity , i will only describe to you their names ; there is the wild daffodilly , and the garden daffodilly , the french daffodilly , and the italian daffodilly ; all these but the wild are cultevated in gardens , because they flower early in the spring , and are commonly used in flower-pots ; it 's a flower seldom beareth seed ; presently after it is flowering , the stalk dieth , and the leaves remain green . they are propagated by slips taken from the old root ; the time for it is in april presently after they are flowered ; the place for the ordinary sort is in some borders by a privy walk , where you may plant them half afoot asunder , and no deeper , and that they may be just covered . the italian , and the french , and great double sorts are planted in the intervals of herb-knots , or in the out-borders of grasse-knots , in manner as i told you of the former ; some make a curiosity to plant the great double sorts in boxes , because they would house them in the winter , to the end that they would have them flower early in the spring ; you may , if you please , take up this root , and keep it in the house in a little sand a quarter of a year , and plant it again , and it will grow , in which space you may see if there be any alterations , in sent , colour or form , as some have said . dragons-claw . it first riseth up with dark-green leaves like black elivert , and afterwards they grow more smaller and jagged ; with these leaves riseth a stalk of the substance of a mallow-stalk , and this stalk shouteth forth many branches ; and on these branches there are many flowers of a blewish colour , in the shape and bigness of a womans thimble ; the time of their flowering is in the moneth of may , june and july ; for the top branches being broken off , the sides send forth more , which causeth it to continue so long a flowering ; the seed is ripe in august , the stalk dieth presently after the root springeth , the next year after , and having yeelded its seed three years the root and branch dieth : the general use that it is for , is for the beautifying the garden , and for flower-pots . this flower is propagated of the seed only ; the time for it is the beginning of april ; the place fit for it is in a piece of ground which we reserve only for a nursery , only for raising of flowers in , there you may sow it with others , or by themselves in the end of a bed , having committed them to the earth , you shall see them spring up in a fortnights time with two small green leaves ; being carefully watered they will be big enough to be removed , for they will spread mightily , so they will not have room enough to grow in the bed where they are sown , therefore transplant them into beds or borders in your garden of pleasure , and in august they will come to flower , and the next year they will flower by the latter end of may. there is another season in sowing of them , and that is in the latter end of august ; but the plants that were sown at this season must be carefully looked after , and sheltered from the frost and snow , they will come to flower in the spring seasonably , and die at the third years end ( as i told you before ) therefore save that seed and sow it again ; there is nothing more of curiosity belongeth to this flower , so let these short and plain directions serve . emrose . considering that flowers are more for beauty than for vertue ; this flower challengeth the title of praise : first , for its early flowering ; for in warm places some begin to flower presently after christmas , and then others begin ; so some are continually flowering while june ; others by art and nature flower twice a year , as in march and september . now to give you a description of them , they are of a set colour seldom or never speckled , the ordinary colour is red , blew and purple ; the emroses held most in estimation are , the scarlet , the london white and the black ; these colours being of large kinds , i have known a root of each sold for ten shillings ; others have told me they have known them sold for three pound a root . of these flowers there are double and single ; the root is like a ginger-race in shape and bignesse ; this flower beareth a weak seed something like sweet madeling-seed , and that will seldome grow ; and i suppose that emrose-seed never grew , though it be commonly sold for that purpose ; yet i have found by experience that it will not grow ; and as many gardeners as ever i had conference with , did ever affirm such a thing to be true : therefore if you will have emrose , you must set them of the root , and i will be brief and willing to show you where and how . the fittest season for setting of them is in june , the moon being at the full ; but if opportunity doth not then serve , you may plant them any time betwixt that and the latter end of august , but ( as i said before ) it is best to remove them in june , for then there will be the stalks above ground , and some flowers , and afterwards there will be none ; so that in the taking of them up you may cut them with a spade , but that 's not all , you 'll never find all your roots , unless you will sift the earth , and that is a great deal of trouble . the fittest place in planting of these roots is in beds amongst your cloves , or else at the edge of your borders where you plant tulips , and sometimes in beds by themselves , for the common sort make a little trail of an inch deep , then break the roots into a many small peeces , and lay them into this trail at a hands breadth distance , the least peece will grow and flower the next year following . here followeth experiments worthy of observation , emrose-roots must be removed once in two years , because they do so increase and multiply , so that you shall have twenty or thirty roots about one old bearer , these being so thick , and growing barren , will cause them to bear very poorly , which is a very sufficient reason that they must be removed every year , or every other year at least . secondly , whether there might be any alteration in the colour by any skill or care that may be used . many men have said this may be done , and they have given some blind reasons for it , which i shall wave , and tell you how you may propagate the natural growth , viz. take tulip-roots , lettice , sheeps-dung , strong-waters , mix these together into a salve and apply it to the root , and so commit the root to the earth , and it will cause this root to send forth a large flower , and more speedilier than those that are not so ordered : those roots ought to be planted in a box for to have them come timely , not but that any emrose-roots will endure any weather . lastly , to produce emrose at all times in the year , is easily done , if the winter be not too violent : first take notice that you may take up emrose-roots at any time , and keep them in your house , though for a year , then set them again , and they will grow . having this advantage , if you have a desire to have them in harvest , you must plant them in the later end of may , and they will flower at that time ; and to have them flower later , plant them at the later end of july . now observe that there is such a law and nature , that any herb being deprived of its natural season , yet it will bud forth its flower afterwards having liberty , alwayes provided it be sheltered from the cold : so it is plain , that a man may put such flowers as have bullous roots , you may put them forward or backward by keeping of them in season or out of season out of the earth . african . by some called the african-marigold , all that can be spoken of this flower is , that it serveth for beautifying of a garden , for they flower towards the later end of summer , when most flowers are nigh done ; another thing , they have not been long in england , it came to use first out of africa , and you know that things that are new are rare in estimation . it rises first like young ashes in shape and colour , afterwards spreadeth it self into many branches , and before it flowereth it riseth to be a yard high , the flowers are in shape like the double marigold , but three times as big , and of a yellow colour ; if you smell to it , it will put you in mind of honey : the seeds are small and black , something like oats ; this seed is ripe about september , the branch and root dieth presently after . it is propagated by sowing of it in hot beds , as you may see of amorantus in this book ; this must be done in the beginning of march , so that they may be ready to transplant into borders at the beginning of may , so that you may have them to flower timely . the second and the ordinary way of raising of them is in the middle of april ; it is done thus , when you have prepared a bed fit for that purpose , then sow them , you must get other earth and cover them with , for if you should rake them you cannot cover the seeds , they being so long they will not fall in , then cover them , as i directed you three quarters of an inch thick ; this done , if the weather be seasonable , you shall see your seed come up the eighth day , and when they have stood in this bed five weeks you may replant them into borders , two rowes in a border , each plant nine inches asunder , there let them remain , they 'll come to flower in august , or in september . a little after the seed cometh to perfection , and the plant dieth , you may pull it up and hang it in the roof of the house while it is dry , and this will cause the seed to ripen , then you may rub it out , and sow this seed for two years , and the third year you must change it , or else your flowers will degenerate and grow single . everlasting-pea . it cometh up with many branches out of one root ; these branches run out to four-foot length much like the veines of cucumbers , on the stalks are narrow small leaves set on close to the stalk without any stem , and at the top of every branch runneth spindles which will take hold of any thing that they are nigh , they spring up at the first of april , and flower in the later end of may ; the flower is mixt with a blew and purple colout of the bignesse of the snap-dragon flower ; the seed of it is like a small gray pea . the time of planting of it is in the beginning of april ; the place fit for it is in some border next a wall , where you may prick them down athalf afoot distance , they 'll spring up in a fortnights time , and after they are of a pretty height , you must support them with small sticks ; they seldome flower the first year , but the second year , and so onward , so they 'll continue alwies with you : hence it is they call it everlasting-pea . the branch dieth every winter and springeth again , as was said . i shall not trouble you with any more directions for the propagating of it , it being of such a hardy nature that it is altogether needlesse . everlasting-life . it is so called by reason of its long continuance on the stalk , and being gathered , it will keep fresh two moneths in the house : i 'll give you a short description of it ; it springeth up about the beginning of may , and by august it flowereth ; it rises up with a stalk two-foot high ; there is but one flower of a stalk , and that putteth out like the fennel-flower , with many small leaves like the inner part of a marigold ; this flower is white , it seldome or never leaveth seed behind it , the branch dieth yearly , and the root remaineth in the ground , which is like the root of the spare-mint . if you will have this flower in your garden , you must procure the root in the spring-time , then provide a bed by it self , dresse it in order , as you do for any other flower , then plant three chace of these slips in a bed , the bed being two foot and a half in breadth , water them well at the first planting , plant nothing else amongst them , for they increase and spread mightily ; this done , you shall have them to flower that summer , and continue with you alwayes they being cleansed from weeds . flower-deluce . i cannot describe them more than they have been by others , as to the preheminence of them ; the king of france's arms is a witnesse , and our english quoin is a testimony that this flower is and was in great estimation : farther consider , that no inferiour person dares put this flower in his coat of armes , though he may put it in his gardens : waving this discourse , i will shew you the ordering of them . this flower leaveth a tender seed , therefore if you have a desire to sow them of the seed , you must have a special care in the ordering of it ; the time is in the later end of april , in a natural fertile earth , the moon being in the increase ; this being done ( in manner as i told you of cornation gilliflower-seed ) the twentieth day it will come up with one blade , which groweth very slowly , therefore it must be diligently weeded , and the first winter it must be covered from the cold , the second year they 'll get strength , and shift very well for themselves , the third year they flower : but you must take notice , that they must be rep anted every year about that time that they were sown . i have discoursed with many gardeners , and one amongst the rest told me , that he could have them to flower in any moneth in the summer time : i demanded of him how ? he told me it was by housing of the root in boxes of earth in the winter time , giving of them the benefit of the sunne , when opportunity did serve , and by watering of them now and then with warm water , and this will cause them to spring forth presently , and flower by the later end of april ( saith he . ) now reason told me that it could not be so soon , yet it may cause it to flower a moneth before its natural season , as any man of natural reason may understand . now to have the flower late , you must nip off the springs as fast as they begin to spindle to flower till the middle of june , and then forbear ; this will cause them to flower about about michalmas . the next thing is , to know the right manner of planting and replanting of them for the increase of their number , and the perfecting of their nature . first , the time for planting and replanting of them is in the later end of july , or the beginning of august , presently after they are flowering : the place fit for it , for the preheminence of your garden , is in the intervals of your herb-work , or in the trails of grasse-work . the manner is as followeth ; when you have taken up your roots , slip the small suckers from the old bearers , and set them in a border by themselves at a hand breadth distance , there let them stand while that time twelve moneth , then replant them into those places where you do your old bearers : some of them will flower the first year , others not till the second after their planting . the manner of planting the great bearers , is to make holes at a foot distance in those respective places as i told you , putting of them no deeper in the earth than they may be just covered . now we will enquire of colours , and colouring of this flower ; the natural colour is the blew ; the colours held most in estimation is the white and blew , the yellow and white , the blew and purple ; there is another colour that i have been told of , that is the red and white . experiments of force of nature may be as easily acted on this flower , as any other whatsoever . the first experiment is , you may take them out of the earth , and keep them in a room in sand two moneths , in which space you may steep them in morical substances , whereby you may make some infusions and alterations , and crosse the nature and the seasons of the plant , whereby you may bring about pretty fancies . other experiments may be made by grafting of them , which is subtil , viz. take the root of this , and the foxes-glove , cut a part on the side of each of these roots off with a sharp knife of each part alike , letting the strings of the bottom of the root alone , then join them together , and tie them with a little soft flax , and so plant them in a box of earth , these two roots will unite into one body , and the effect will be pretty , for there will be two several flowers in one body . lastly , this flower is a great ornament to a garden , and for beautifying of rooms , being placed in flower-pots , and an excellent shape it hath , which my artlesse pen cannot describe in writing , but in draught work , my pen , rule and compasse hath walked a station , and set it forth in its own shape and fashion , and so i leave this worthy flower to your care . the flower of the sunne . it is well known to those that have it , and so is any other flower ; therefore i shall give a short description of it , to satisfie those that are not acquainted with it . this flower , when it is at its full growth , is at the height of a man , onely with one stalk , and that is as big at the nether end of a mans hand-rist ; upon the stalk are many leaves something like mallow-leaves , in colour and in bigness , but they are not divided : this one plant beareth but one flower , and that is at the very top of all , and is of a great bigness , so that some of them are thirty inches about , and of a black and yellow colour , bending it self down , and inclining after the sunne ; it flowereth in august . the season fit for sowing of them is in april , on this manner : prepare a border , then prick in these seeds with your finger at half afoot asunder ; they come up suddenly after their setting , they ought to be replanted after they are half afoot high into a rich earth , where they may have good store of rotten dung under them , to the end they may grow large ; you must water them often , for it is a plant requireth much moisture , so it will grow up and flower , and bring forth seed which you may save and sow again : the root and branch of this flower dieth every year . french marigolds . these are something like the african marigold , that is to say , as like as any two several kinds may be like one another , howsoever yet they are not so neer alike , but there is a difference in every part : for seeing the one , and not seeing the other , it puts you in mind of the other , this is at such time till they come to flower , then there is a great deal of difference in the colours of the flowers , for this is more delightfull than the other , for it is intermixt with purple and yellow like your double wall-flowers ; this flowereth in july , being sown in natural earth , being produced from hot beds they flower sooner . concerning the raising of them , i shall not need to trouble my self to set it down how , or where , but see the directions for africans , as you raise them , so you mayraise these . i shall only give you a few observations ; if you low them in natural earth , you need not replant them , those that are sown in hot beds must be replanted ; you nor i need not trouble our selves with any more curiosity than hath been spoken , for they continue not long with us , they die that year ; so i hope out of your own capacity , and what hath been spoken may sufficiently serve for the propagating of this flower . french pinks . french pinks , otherwise called french-daises , by others none so pritty ; and seeing the names are so obscure , i will give you a description of this flower ; it never riseth not above half afoot high , but lieth on the ground with some stalks about afoot long , these stalks are reddish about the bignesse of a peas-vine , of a hard substance , with many thick leaves set in order upon them , thick and jagged , a whitish green colour about the bignesse of a ten shilling-piece , round also , at the top of the braches rise little spindles of a handfull long of a red colour ; on these branches grow many small flowers no bigger than a single peny , five leaves in number white and red speckled : their time of flowering is from the latter end of may , even to the later end of july , they never bear any seed , therefore take the propagating of them with slips , as followeth . the fit time for it is in the later end of august , or the beginning of march , for they cannot endure any drithe , therefore set them in these seasons , and now i will give you my directions how it ought to be done : having gotten slips , then prepare a border which is round an herb knot , and if you have none , prepare a border next the wall , having drest this border by a direct line , and made the sides of it firme , then set your line against the side of the border , two inches below the top , then prick in your slips by your line at two or three inches distance , so that nothing appear but the tops of them ; if you do this in august , they will flower the next spring following timely ; those that be set in the spring will not cast their flower so soon . lastly , remember that you cut the leaves and dead branches off after they have done flowering , then they will spring again fresh ; where they are once planted they alwaies continue and spread mightily , so that they will run out upon your walls ; to prevent this , and keep them in uniforme order , strain a line at the bottome of your border , and cut them off with a spade by that line ; those slips you may set again , or pleasure your friends with them , which you please . foxes-glove . it is a flower that springeth up with a blade like the corn-flag , through which shouteth up a stalk which beareth many flowers set in order one above another , and of a reddish colour , and in the shape of a drinking bowl . this flower is richest on the branch in july , it continueth fresh long on the stalk , it beareth a seed which is ripe in the latter end of august . the propagating of this flower is either by seed or root ; first , of the seed , and that you shall sow in the beginning of april , the moon being in the increase , in beds of natural earth , in manner as i told you of the seed of the flower-deluce ; the plants sprung of this seed groweth very slowly , so that it will be two or three years before it come to flower ; in which space you must replant it once or twice at the spring or fall , and have it weeded carefully , and after it is come to perfection they are very hardy . next i give you directions for setting of them of the root ; thus having roots of your own , or procuring of them from some other place , slip all the young roots off the old , set the old by themselves , and the young by themselves , in the intervals of your knots , or in borders where your fancy most leadeth you . lastly , i advise you to cut off the dead branches when they have done flowering close by the earth , and remove them once ntwo years . globe-flower . it is known by no other name that ever i did hear of , yet there are two sorts , that is , single and double , they are of one nature ; to give you better knowledge of them , this plant groweth up to two foot high , with many branches of one stalk , spreading with green leaves , in shape like the ivy-leaf , but lesser , rough and jagged ; this plant beareth many flowers , which are yellow , round , and of the bignesse of a wallnut ; it flowereth in the latter end of april ; the branches die every winter , and springeth again early ; having stood four year root and branch dieth : this flower is propagated by seed or slip ; the slip is it which is taken from the side of the old mother , which is taken from part of the root , and part of the branch ; this is to be done at the later end of march ; the place for planting of it , is where you plant your pot-flowers , i hope i need not stand to insist upon every particular that appertaineth to this flower . having given you the knowledge of ordering of more choiser flowers , i think your own discretion may guide you how to order this . so to be short , you may buy the seed and sow it in the spring with other flowers , and it will come forward without any great care or curiosity . green cowslips . so called , because part of the flower is green , for there are leaves that are mixed amongst the flowers , which maketh them appear to be green ; they flower early in the spring , and never beareth any seed . this flower is set only of the slip in the spring , or in august ; the place fit for it is upon the edge of borders , you shall do it thus ; slip them into as many pieces as you can , then prune them with your knife , which is to cut off all the leaves within an inch of the root , then set them down by a line one by one upon the edge of your border , water them while they are rooted , then afterward they need no care but cleansing of the weeds from them , thus you shall have them alwayes after . holihock . or mallows , there are many kinds and full of many vertues , but first i will describe which they are , and then i 'le treat of them in particular . first , for worthiness and beauty that are placed in gardens of pleasure , is the white , and red , and double holihock ; next the red , white , yellow , and blew , double holihock ; forasmuch as they are called mallows , i take them to be two or three distinct kinds , for there is the kings-mallow , march mallow , and french-mallow , these bear single flowers , and so will the holihock without good industry ; but that is not all , they differ in vertue ; as the kings-mallow , the french-mallow , these are for physicall uses , and the holihocks are very wholsome for the body , and a very pleasant flower they bear : i shall not treat of every sort in this place , because they fit not the garden of pleasure , i shall reserve the french-mallow , march-mallow , or kings mallow , to the treatise of the physicall garden . holihocks i have described , what they are in order to their places and names , i think it is needless to write any farther description of them they are so generally known : i now proceed to the propagating of them . first , to have them early from the seed , you shall sow them in hot beds in the middle of march , the seed is of a quick spirit and cometh up the sixth day , these plants must be covered or else you will lose your labour ; by may day you shall replant these seedlings into borders next the walls , set them at the innermost part at a yard distance , set them nigh the wall , because they spread much : another reason is , you may nail the body of it to the wall to keep the wind from breaking of them , these will flower by the latter end of the summer . a second and ordinary way of sowing of them is in the middle of april , in beds of ordinary earth , where you may let them remain till the next august , then replant them as you did the former . the third best way is , to sow them in the middle of august , so by the coming on in winter they will have four or five leaves ; be sure you shelter these plants in the frost and snow , and the seedlings will flower as soon as the old standards , which is in july and august , the seed is ripe about michaelmas , which you may save and sow again . herbit . if i am mistaken in the name i will give you a description whereby you shall know it ; it hath many jagged thick leaves rising half a foot from the ground , in the midst of it riseth a stalk like the stem of a cowflip , though something bigger and higher , it is bare without leaves , the flowers have many small leaves in the middle with five greater set round it , this flower is the bigness of a double primrose white and red speckled , the time of flowering is in may , it seldome bringeth seed to perfection , the nethermost leaves keep green all the year . this plant is set of the slip in the spring of the year , i suppose it is needless to stand telling of you how in every particular ; the place fit for it is in a quarter laid out into beds for flowers ( as before , ) this being so planted it will endure any weather till the fourth year , and then it dieth naturally , therefore take off some of the slips from the branch and root , and set them , which will renew their nature and keep the garden flourishing . humble-plant . i suppose the name of it was derived from the nature of it , for the nature of it is thus ; when it is in its perfection , if a man or a woman go to it and touch it with their hand this plant will bow to them , therefore an humble plant . it 's a plant that riseth never above a span in heighth with a broad head , only a single stalk with small sharp whiteish green leaves set thereunto about the top , the foot of the stalk is without leaves , it putteth forth a blossome before it yeeldeth its seed , which i cannot fitly call a flower : the seed is in shape and colour like the spanish-broom seed , though not half so big , and a smooth glistering seed . in the propagating of this plant there must be a great deal of care and diligence ; this plant is only raised of the seed ; observe the time and season for it , that is in the beginning of april , the moon being ten daies old , or in the encrease , at least the season being temperate for the time of the year , then order this seed as followeth . first , get a small quantity of horse-dung , lay this in a bed of two foot square and a foot high , lay upon your dung some barley straw and some bran , which may make it rise to a hands breadth higher , then get a quantity of pigeons dung and lay atop of that an inch in thickness , then sift some freckled mould and lay atop of all about two inches in thickness , then prick a small stick through the middle of your bed , so that it may reach to the bottome and stand an inch above the too of the bed ; the use of this stick is to let up the steme of the heat below , when you see the plant shall want it : now these things observed , cover the bed with some litter for four and twenty hours both top and sides , and when the time is expired , then take the litter off from the top of it , and prick in the seeds in such a circumference as a million glass may cover them ; i suppose no body will be willing to buy any more seeds than may be planted therein , for they are usually sold at twelve pence a seed . now for the further care of the plant , be sure that your bed be not too hot , for if it be it will spend the spirit of the seed before it hath taken root , and then it will fade immediately : to prevent the bed for being too hot , you shall make a hole with a stick of one side , or both , to let out the steme ; these things observed , the plant will come up moderately the sixth day , and afterward you must give it a little air , by raising of the glass up on one side , for without air your plant will never come to any colour or perfection ; if the plant stand at a stay by reason of the coldness of the bed , then stir the stick of the middle of the glass to let up the steme and the heat which is at the bottome to the plants , with this care i have raised them up in five weeks time , fit to be transplanted into boxes of freckell earth , and then i left them , they left not me . for the further preservation of them , i have been satisfied by my brother gardeners and by my own reason , they may be preserved in boxes all the summer , and in the winter housed in the same , so they will continue two years before they die . hearts-ease . or wall flowers , by others yellow gilliflowers , i cannot stand to dispute why this flower hath severall names . the nature of this plant requireth to have a dry and a rich soyl ; for fear you should mistake , there are two kinds sometimes called by one name , the one is single and coveteth to grow upon walls , the other is double and desireth such earth as i told you of . this flower yeeldeth a pleasant smell , and keepeth green its leaves all the year , and flowereth the most part thereof ; this plant is in shape and substance like the stock-gilliflower , the flower is yellow intermixt with purple , this plant being planted in earth that it liketh it continueth five or six years , the double wall-flower seldome beareth seed to perfection , therefore i shall not trouble my self to set down directions for the ordering of the seed , yet it is generally sold and sown , but seldome or never hits . this plant may be set of the slip , at any time of the year save the middle of the winter and the middle of the summer , the place fit for them is in the borders of high walks : having prepared such a place , then dress your slips , which is to slip off all your under-sprouts and leaves , then twist the nether end which you intend to put in the earth , and thrust them in with a dove-tail setting stick , about eight inches asunder by a line , two rows in a border ; if this be done in the beginning of september , most of them slips will flower in the spring quarter , those slips that be set in the spring , if they be well watered at the first planting they 'l come to flower in autumn . for preservation and doubleing of them , first i advise you to cut most of the under branches away , this will help to enlarge the rest of the flowers and preserve the plant : secondly they would be moulded up with fresh mould , by these means many times such as are single are turned double . the other kind of wall-flowers are single with five leaves only , they love to grow upon walls and are seldome set of the slip because walls are not a convenient place for it ; they are sown of the seed thus , take a quantity of seed and cast it upon an old wall or pavement where you have a desire it shall grow , this seed will spring forth without any more care and come to flower and bear seed , which seed will fall and grow up of it self , so where they be once sown they alwayes continue , the time for sowing of them is when you please , for if you sow them in the winter , they will spring in the summer , so it is no matter when . so much for wall-flowers , it may be some may think it too much . jerusalem-cowslips . the least hair hath a shadow , and every shadow hath a substance , and this small flower hath a property which maketh it to be cultivated in gardens , though it be but small , yet it is pretty . it hath many spindle leaves like soft rushes , in the midst is a stalk of a handfull high , very small , with a flower atop of it of five leaves , usually of a blew colour , in the shape of a cowslip , the root of it is a bullous-root with many knots , which increase in the earth , for the flower never bringeth seed to perfection . the time , place and manner of planting of them , is as i told of crocuses , where they are once planted they alwaies continue . indian-wheat . indian-wheat or christmas-flower ; it is known of a broad blade like a flager-leaf , these leaves spring out of the earth , on the stalk are a matter of four smaller leaves , of one root springeth but one stalk , and that stalk never beareth but one flower rising to two-foot and a half high ; the flower is like the dragon when it first begins to open in the husks , under the flower grow seeds in colour and shape like a reddish seed , only flatter of one side ; the time this plant flowereth is presently after christmas , if it be housed from the cold ; the seed never cometh to perfection in england , but in the indies from whence it had its name . this plant is propagated by sowing of it upon hot beds in marck , these beds are only to be covered with mats , the seed is of a quick nature and cometh up suddenly after it is sown ; the plants coming thus of seed are to be transplanted into boxes ( as i told you ) and after it hath yeelded its flower it dieth . catterpillars . is a plant men fancie to have in a garden , because it beareth a seed so much like a catterpillar , that at a distance one may take the seed for it ; the branches of this plant lieth on the ground like clovergrass with many knots and small green leaves , it beareth a flower like the broom-flower . this plant though it be little worth yet it hath a peevish nature , for one must sow the seed many times before they will grow if it be not ordered carefully , the surest way to get them , is to prick in some of these seeds on your hot beds with choice seed , and at the replanting water them well at the first , and afterward they will grow very well and yeeld their seed in august , presently after root and branch perisheth . lillies . i write lillies because they be of the plurall number , for there are many kinds of the wild sort ; the water-lillie , the lillie of the vale ; the garden-lillies are these , the white , the red , the yellow , or cur-lillie ; the worthiest of all both for pleasure and antiquity , for use and vertue is the white lillie . although that all these are generally known by the sight , yet the nature and the properties are not so well known , therefore i shall describe them to you ; this lillie beareth a seed in four quarters , being but a small seed , and small in quantity , and if you sow it , it will be long before it come to perfection ; and seeing the root is so common , i think it needlesse to bestow the pains to shew you the difficulty of the raising of them from the seed . in planting of them , take notice that the root seems to be set with leaves like a hartichoke , and brittle , therefore you must be carefull in the taking of them up , and planting of them again , for fear of breaking of them ; the place fit for the planting of them is under some stone or brick wall which incloseth your garden on the sunnie part thereof , for of all flowers this delighteth most in heat and drithe : when you have provided your ground in such a fit place , the manner of planting of them is thus , lay a line upon your border in the midst thereof , so that you may plant but one row in a border , then the way is to make a trench with your planting hoe a matter of four inches deep , then set your great lilly-roots , such as bore lillies the last year in this drill , a matter of six inches difference one from another , the suckers are best planted by themselves at four inches distance in another place , those you may set with a diber ; the time for this is in august , for that is presently after they have done flowering : some will plant them in february and march , but they will prosper nothing so well as those that were planted as aforesaid , it may be a reason , because they spring in february , and the removing of them in the spring will hinder their growth . some would have lillies to be coloured by art , and they have set down directions for it , and that is , you shall take them up out of the ground about michalmas , and hang them up in the smoke for the space of a moneth , and then steep them in claret-wine two daies and two nights , then commit them to the earth again , and this they say will alter the colour : gravos marcombe is the author of this . i answer to the first of these , for the keeping of the root so long in the smoke , i have not the faith to believe that ever they will grow when they are committed to the earth , for sure in that time they will be dried up so , that they will have no more moisture than a dried chip ; for if you be pleased to take notice of this root , there is no substance in it , as in others , no sooner is it out of the earth , but presently it withereth and falleth asunder : i thought good to give you these reasons , that you might not lose your labour about what authors have said concerning the alteration of lillies . but if you have any desire to make any incisions by applying of liquors , do it seasonably at the removing of the root , for it is so loose a root that the liquor will go into every part , but i think it a needlesse curiosity , for thereis no lillet o compare with the white lillie , nor no lillie that there is any likenesse of altering of the colour but it , and why should you alter the best to make it the worst ? red lillies , and yellow lillies , or cur lillies , these differ not from the white , but that they are of a contrary colour and growth , not to half the stature ; they differ not in nature , as the one is propagated , so is the other . the last observation of lillies : all sorts of lillies being once planted , there they continue , yet if they be not removed every year , or every other year at the least , and the suckers taken away and set in another place , they will grow small and wild . to conclude , lillies were held in great estimation in solomons daies , when he commended his spouse to the lilly of the valley : you may consider that it was the flower that he took most delight in , or at least the admirablest flower that was in those daies ; but as the world hath grown in years , so doth it still grow in knowledge more every day than other ; for i am perswaded , that the most part of the flowers cultivated in a garden , do grow naturally in some part or other after the similitude which we have them in , though not in that perfection that they are brought to with diligence , care and industry . larks-heel . larks-heel or larks-spur ; it is a plant so well known i need not give a description of them , therefore take the nature of them as followeth : they are a plant that are propagated only of the seed , it is a plant that dieth every year , and springeth no more , therefore they must be sown yearly , if you will have them every year . the time of sowing of the seed is in april , the place fit for them is in a bed by themselves in your quarter of flowers , for they spread a great deal of ground , and will not let any thing grow nigh them ; if the plants grow too thick , you 'll do well to pull some of them up , and plant them again , or throw them away , whether you please , for the rest will prosper much the better : in august these plants usually flower , and after the flower fadeth , there springeth a cod , wherein are eight or ten seeds , small , round , coal black and rough : of larks-heel there are three sorts of colours , though but one in nature , those are the perfect white , blew and purple , very pritty flowers they are all . london-pride . it 's a plant that dieth every year , and when it is at its full growth , the plant is a foot and an half high , with a stalk like the sweet william , but it is strong , it supporteth it self ; at the top of every stalk spring many small branches of an equal height , , atop of every branch is a flower of a pritty pink , speckled colour , the flower is five leaves in number , at the outer part of every leaf of the flower groweth a prickle : this flower flourisheth most in the latter end of july . for the propagating of them i will be short with you , the time is in the latter end of april , the place is in the quarter which you reserve for flowers , in that manner as i have shown you of other small seeds of flowers , in which bed you may let them stand till they flower , soon after they have yeelded their seed the whole plant perisheth . lupins . many sorts there are , viz. the blew , the yellow , the white , the purple , and the great lupin ; these and all these differ as well in shape as in colour ; they differ also in growth , every sort of seed hath a difference in greatnesse , and in colour also , to puzzle my self and trouble the reader with the description of each is altogether needlesse , i shall give you some observations , how all sorts of lupins may be raised of the seed , and not stand to name in particular how each is to be raised , for one direction will serve for them all . the time of planting of all sorts of lupins , is in the middle of april , and so till may ; the place is in beds or borders , according as your fancy is , or the quantity of your seed ; if you have a great quantity , then you may plant them in trails , in beds or borders , in manner as they plant peas ; these are for the blew and yellow ( which are the ordinary sorts ) but the greater sorts require more room . lastly , observe that any sort of lupins committed to the earth in their season , will spring up without any further care , so they need nothing but weeding ; in the latter end of july all sorts of lupins come to flower , which are very beautifull in a garden ; after the shading of the flower springeth cods in the shape of a bean-cod , bigger or lesser according to their kinds ; the cods are rough like a peach ; the seed will come to perfection in the latter end of august , and may be set again in the same garden where it grew for many years , and it will not degenerate . ladies-thistle . it hath only one stalk upon a root , with long leaves , and as broad as a mans hand ; these leaves are prickley , and of the colour of a cardus-leaf ; the plant never groweth to above two foot high , and in august it flowereth ; the flower is of the colour of the great wild thistle-flower , but greater and without prickles ; the seed is long and rough , of a gray colour . this plant is set of the seed in the later end of march , the place is in a border ; when you intend to have them flower , each seed being set half afoot asunder , and half an inch deep , it cometh up suddenly , and flowereth the same year , and the time as aforesaid : the branch when winter cometh dieth , and springeth again in march , the third winter after it soon dieth root and branch . lowe in idle . lowe in idle , or two faces under a hood , is a flower that is much like violets in all respects , but only it flowereth at such times at violets does not , that is in june and july ; this flower beareth a seed , of which it may be raised , if slips might not be had . the time for setting of them in the slip , or sowing of them in the seed , is in march ; the place is either in the side borders of high walks , or on the edge of low borders , in manner as i told you of cowslips ; if you sow them of the seed , then you shall make drils by a line with a stick half an inch deep , each drill at a foot asunder , if it be on the side border of your high walks ; if on your low borders , one is sufficient in these drils , thinly cast your seed , then cover it , and it will grow up , and cover the whole border suddenly , where it will alwayes remain , for it renewes its nature by the branches taking root as they lie on the ground . ladies-liveries . this is not a flower , yet many people fancy to have it in the garden of pleasure , because it hath such a pretty property with it , for it shouteth up with many blades like spire-grasse , of an inch in breadth , each blade is striped red , white , yellow and green ; some call it truelowe-grasse , it hath a root like such grasse , though it runne not so farre ; this root if you set in any part of your garden , there it will grow and continue alwayes . this plant i thought fit to set down for brevities sake , because i would not exempt any . ladies-smocks . otherwise called blew-caps and white-caps . it is a plant that the nethermost leaves keep green all the year , those leaves are green and jagged , of the length of a mans finger , set on close to the ground ; in the midst of these leaves riseth a stalk with a few smaller leaves on it , and on the top of the stalk are four or five flowers , white , or blew , according to their kind : this flower is single , with five leaves , in shape and bignesse like a dogg-rose ; the time they chiefly flower in , is in april and may , it seldom bringeth seed to perfection . this plant is set of the slip , at any time of the spring or the fall , in the edge of borders for the keeping of them up , and for the beautifying of the garden ; if you set them in the fall , it is much better than in the spring ; for those that are set in the spring in dry weather , usually cometh presently after , then your borders will be so dry , without watering , will cause the slips to die ; those that are set at michaelmas will be well rooted by that time the summer cometh , and so flower in their season ; these slips being thus planted continue always , nothing dieth but the stalk whereon is the flower , which you shall cut off after the flower fadeth for the keeping of your border handsome . marmadle deparve . or otherwise called the worlds wonder , and i think it no wonder that it should be so called , for it hath a quality naturally as no other flower hath , and that is this , it beareth a flower of one colour as it may be to day , and on the morrow after of another , and sometimes two or three colours at once ; the colours are chiefly these ; first red , white , purple , peach , yellow , and cinamon , these are distinct colours ; there are mixt also , as the white , and the red , the purple , and the yellow , and so of the rest ; the shape of this flower is much like a heart , with the smallest end upward , no bigger than an acron , this flower is of no continuance , for it continues not long upon the stock not touched , and being pulled off it withereth presently , so that it is of no use but for the ornament of the garden . there is two kinds of these plants , that is , the single and the double , the single dieth yearly , the double will continue two years , if it be shelter'd from the frost and snow in the winter . this plant is in growth like unto the stock gilliflower , it riseth not so high , it spreadeth close to the ground , with sharp-pointed leaves , with a stock of the bigness of a mans thumb , each flower bringeth a seed and no more , which is in shape and colour like the pepper-corn , but something greater . the fit time for sowing of it is in the moneth of march , the moon being in the encrease , these seeds are tender and very dear , for i never bought them for less than two pence a feed , therefore they ought to be raised with great diligence , and thus it must be ordered ; it must be sown in a hot bed , but you need not make it purposely , for about that time we fow colliflowers , cowcumbers , and musmillions , and in some part of one of these beds you may prick down your seeds , three fingers asunder , so done cover them with a glass , the sixth day they will come up with two round thick leaves , the next leaves that shoot forth will be long and sharp-pointed , when this plant hath six leaves , they ought to be transplanted into a border or pots of good mould , so done about the beginning of august they will come to flower ( in manner as aforesaid . ) there are other wayes of sowing of them , that is in beds of freckled mould in the latter end of april , for if they should be sowed before they would not grow , those that are thus sown toward may day , may be let stand in the same bed and it will be michaelmas before they come to flower , the year being so far spent they will not come to perfection , therefore i think it best to take the pains to sow them in hot beds ( as was said ) so i 'le leave these directions to your charity , and rest to speak any more here of the worlds wonder . muscabious . be not flowers of distinct natures and properties , but distinguished in colours , as the purple , white , red , and damask-colour flowers . scabious is a plant that groweth to great stature as it is in number of branches , though they be but small they spread and grow to three foot high , with some leaves growing jagged , and others smooth , of a dark green colour , standing from the branches upon stems , every plant yeeldeth abundance of flowers , in shape and bigness like the great double emrose ; this flower smelleth like honey ; the time of their flowering is from june till michaelmas and after , the seed of this plant groweth atop of all , standing in order naked being enclosed in nothing , these seeds when they are ripe have many beards whereby it entangleth one in another , it is a hollow loose seed and the lightest of all others . these plants are propagated from the seed , the time for it is in april or august , for indeed august is the best , for then it sheddeth its seed ; and it is to be noted , that at such time as plants shed their seed , is the naturall time of sowing , if they be such plants as keep green all the year . then in august prepare a bed of earth in a quarter which you reserve for flowers , so done mingle with your seed some earth , or otherwise it will not untangle , so that you will sow it too thick or too thin ; so done get some other earth and cover your seeds half an inch thick ; these things observed , and your seed new and good , it will come up in three weeks space like gruncel ; let it alwaies grow on this bed , and next summer following it flowereth , then if you rail in this bed with little sticks , it will keep the wind from breaking the flowers , keeping the plants in uniform order : when the seed is ripe upon the stalk , then cut the stalks off within a hands breadth of the ground , the plant will spring again , so you shall preserve seed and plant , thus you may do for three years , the fourth root and branch dieth . monks-hood . or old mans head : it riseth up like the branches of carawaies , with small stalks never above two foot high , every plant yeeldeth many flowers , which are set with many small whiteish grey leaves , the flower is of the bigness of the ordinary cornations , with a few green prickles growing among the flowers . this plant is sowed of the seed only in the latter end of april , usually after this manner ; we dig a border by a walk side , when this border is digged and raked , then lay a line in the middle of the border , and by the line make a drill , then cast the seed thinly into that drill , for it is very small , then cover it ; this done it needeth no more care , it cometh up well , and by the mid - august after it flowereth , and dieth as soon as it yeeldeth its seed . marble-flower . it is a plant of a small stature , and the stalks are of a soft substance and of a whiteish green colour , the leaves are of the same colour in shape like the wild poppy-leaves ; this plant beareth many flowers which have no more than four leaves apiece , and of a perfect white colour , the time of flowering is in july , the seed is ripe presently after , then dieth the plant . this plant is raised only of the seed in the spring time : i shall not stand to set down every particular concerning the ordering of it , but so as you raise monks-hood so you may raise this , you may have that at one end of the border , and this at the other . nurssusuly . they are a kind of daffodillies ; the difference is , these flower after the daffodilly , and is of a milk white colour , something smaller , growing upon longer stalks . these are planted of the root , as i told you of the daffodillies ; the place is chiefly upon borders of high walks , because they are of a hardy nature , and nothing else might so well grow there as they , because of the drithe you may set them in any place else , and they will grow and flower yearly , neither weeds , nor grasse , nor any thing that groweth nigh them will kill them ; some will plant them in their orchards round their fruit-trees . oxslips . the double sort are planted in gardens , because they flower early in the spring , and for using of the flowers in salets , and for strewing flowers . oxslips are set of the slip onely in the spring or fall ; the place fit for it is on bank-sides ; where they are once set they alwayes continue . oak of paris . it resembleth a young oak plant , the leaves being much smaller , body and branches also are of a short substance : the plant spreadeth at the top , whereon are many pretty flowers ; they flourish chiefly in august , the seed groweth in great cods eight square , wherein is brown seed as small as parsley-seed ; after this seed is ripe the plant dieth . this plant is propagated of the seed only in the beginning of may ; the place fit for it is in a bed , in a quarter amongst other flowers , but sow no other seed amongst them , for they are a tender plant , so that another will kill them : this observed , sow them as i have directed you to sow muscabions ; this done they will grow up ( if the seed be good ) according to the description . pionys . of these flowers there are two or three sorts ; first the male poiony , next the rose-poiony , the small rose-poiony , or the poiony-rose ; the colours are all these , it is naturally red , there are searlet colours ( supposed to be made so by art ) the male piony never beareth seed to perfection , but the rest do , which you may raise pionies of : the way here i shall not stand to treat of , because it is so nigh the nature of tulip-seed , and must be ordered alike , and it will be so long before it come to flower ; i will save the pains to set it down here , but refer you where it treateth of tulip seed , and so give you a short direction for the ordering of the root . the fittest time for planting of piony roots is in july , presently after their flowering , yet you may do it in march , or september ; the place and manner is thus : first , the place is in the out-borders of your garden , the ground being good , where you must set them a yard distance , no deeper than the root may be covered : now if you have but small store of roots , and would willingly have great store of pionies , you may cut every great root into half a score pieces , and set them in like manner , and they will grow , but they will not flower till the second year ; those that are set whole will flower the next spring following . the old piony-roots should have the suckers took from them once a year , in so doing you need not remove the old root , but make the flowers much the larger . the male piony is planted at the same times and seasons in a box , because it is of a more tenderer nature ; and for the causing of them to flower early ; some have told me they have had them flower at the beginning of april , but i 'll not affirm what i hear by relation for fear i should not make it good by my action . primrose-tree . if you know it not by that name , i will give you this description ; when this plant first springeth it hath many broad , long leaves lying on the ground , whitish green in colour , jagged on the sides , full of veins ; afterward riseth the stalk , being bore without leaves , at the lowermost part , and at the top a few small one ; this stalk riseth to four-foot high , and it resembleth the daisie very much ; this plant beareth its flower in june , it beareth a seed that seldome will grow by mans industry , but i have known it grow naturally of it self ; sometimes the branches of this plant die in the winter and spring again ; this plant hath certain young springs come from the side of the old mother , which may be taken off , and set in good earth , and they will grow ; thus you must do if you have them of your own , if you would have them to multiply ; and if you have them not , you must procure them of the slip , if you will have them . the place fit to plant them in , is in a bed with other flowers , where they will prosper without any more trouble ; i shall not trouble my self to write any more of them . princes-feathers . otherwise called , my love lieth a bleeding ; yet forasmuch as they are called by two several names , they are partly of two kinds , but both in one shape , though they differ in colour ; that which is called the princes-feather hath green leaves with red and white speckled flowers , bendingof it self down , and many of them put together in a mans hat at a distance , you would take it for a feather : that which is called , my love lieth a bleeding , hath red branches , red leaves and red flowers , hanging its head down : there is a difference in the seed also , that of the princes-feather is white , that of my love lieth a bleeding red , both as small or smaller than mustard-seed , glistering like a marble-stone ; the nature of them are alike , therefore the ordering of them i will set down alike . the time for raising of these curious flowers is from the later end of april till the middle of may , in manner as followeth ; prepare a border , or a bed being finely raked , take the seed and mix them with a little earth in a dish or bole , for these seeds are so small that you cannot sow them otherwise , but that they will be unevenly sowed ; this observed , commit them to the earth with an even hand , according to the quantity of your seed , then riddle a little fine earth , and cast uodn the seed a matter of half an inch thick , if the season prove dry , afterward you shall water it in the evenings and mornings sometimes ; this done , you shall see this seed to spring up like bloudwort about the twelfth day . when these plants come to have five leaves , you may remove some of them , or all of them into another bed or border , and set them by a line each plant half a foot distance : they would be watered at their first planting , for then the time of the year is commonly dry ; these plants will hang their heads the first three dayes , while such time as the root is well fixed in the earth , then the plant riseth and flourisheth bravely , and needeth no more labour but only weeding : in the later end of july they begin to flower ; and if you note , this flower hath a quality as no other hath , and that is this ; it appeareth at the first in the same shape and colour as it is in the fallnesse of its perfection , and that will be five weeks after : this flower keepeth long fresh in a garden , and being gathered it fadeth quickly , therefore they are little used in flower pots : this plant after the seed is ripe dieth suddenly . lastly , to have them sooner than ordinary , you may raise them upon hot beds , as i told you of amorantus . this flower hath a property of colouring as none hath , of it self it coloureth red , writing upon paper , it serveth as well as the best ink in the world ; it coloureth cloath , or any thing that the juice of it toucheth . i have shewed a pritty experiment with this flower ; i took the juice of it , and went to the white lilly , and gave it strokes with it , presently the lilly appeared white and red striped ; all that saw this lilly thought it grew so naturally , which indeed is strange to behold . many rarer things may be done with the juice of this flower , if a man be studious thereabout . poppies . blew , white , black , red , double and single , wild and garden poppies there are : i shall only speak here of the blew and white . double poppies i shall not need to give any description of them , because they are so well known : nor shall i need to make any distinction of the directions for the propagating of them , they being of alike nature . both these sorts are raised of the seed only ; the time for it is in the beginning of march ; the place for it is in a bed in a quarter which is reserved for flowers onely , in manner as i shewed you concerning the princes-feather : if your seed be good , in a short time it will come up : and observe , if your plants should be thick , then pull some of them up , and set them in another place , or cast them away ; by the later end of july following your plants will flower according to their kinds . the white poppie is for general uses , and for distilling , as the physicians herbals will shew you . the red is also good for the cure of many maladies . the second season of sowing of poppies is in the later end of august , or the beginning of september , in place and manner as aforesaid . these plants will come to flower in the later end of may following . lastly , where poppies are once , they likely alwayes continue , though the plant dieth every other year , yet the seed that it sheddeth springeth up again naturally . pinks . two sorts there are , viz. the matted pink , and the grasse pink. i need not trouble my self to write any more of them they are so well known ; i will only acquaint you the easiest and the best way of propagating them by seed and slip , which may be most for pleasure . first , for sowing of them of the seed ; the time which is seasonable for it is in the middle of april , the place in some high border side , or a high wall side , provided that there be but earth drest conveniently and finely : if the bank-side be ten foot high , then make as many drils at a direct line , and at an equal distance one from another ; in those drils sow your seed with an equal hand , then cover it and fix the face of your bank smooth again . now understand that these seeds will come up in ranks , which will be very pleasant to the beholders ; these plants must be well weeded the first summer , the second summer they will spread so that they will cover the bank themselves , so that no weed can possibly grow there , then these pinks will flower , which will cause such a beautious sight as hath nor been seen in england , unlesse it were the like . besides this , they will alwayes continue there , and need no labour , but cutting off the dead stalks after they have done flowering . the time for the setting of the slips is in the beginning of september , the place is in the edge of borders , round grasse-work , or herb-work , a single chace in every border , set at three inches distance : so done they 'll come to flower the later end of the next may following . purple-primrose . these are flowers that differ not from the white primrose in shape and growth , but only in bearing purple flowers ; and that which is more rare , they flower twice a year , in march , and in september : these flowers are set only of the slip , at two several seasons , and those are presently after their flowering . the place fit for it is in borders , at the uppermost part thereof , directly at a hands breadth asunder ; if this be done in the spring time , the slips must be well watered till they have taken root ; if in the fall , you have no more care or trouble with them but to keep them weeded , to cut off their dead leaves and stalkes after their flowering , for the renewing of their nature , and to cause them to look the pleasanter . pawmers . so called because the seed is the figure of a pawmer , and upon this account men hold such a thing a great rarity , and though of little use , yet they will bestow the pains to propagate it as followeth . about may-day this plant is only to be raised of the seed in this manner ; prepare a place in a border under a wall , or some other warm place , there prick in your seeds with your finger , at a hands breadth asunder , ( i suppose you will not set many of them , because they are no more usefull ) and so by july they will come to flower , and a moneth after the seed is ripe , and the plant dieth . queens-gilliflower . some call it the white gilliflower , whether it hath any more names i cannot tell ; yet i know it is usuall to give divers names to one and the same plant . it hath many leaves growing and spreading close to the ground , something long , sharp-pointed , of a dark green colour , being hard , rough , rugged , and grayish underneath , of little or no sent , but of a fine pleasant sharp tast : above these rise a stalk two foot in heighth , and at the tops of the stalks and branches stand many tufts of small white flowers which smell sweet , and in their places , being fallen , come cods wherein is a brown flat seed , and at one time you shall have flower and seed ripe upon the stalk : the root is somewhat black and woodish with divers great strings , the top branches die every year , but the root and the under leaves perish not , but abide many years , the sides ( partly from the root ) send forth many young slips every year . by this description i hope you understand the nature of this plant ; i shall not need to stand to treat of every particular in reference to its ordering : to be short , get of the slips of this plant either in spring or fall , and set them in a convenient bed or border of good earth , &c. the flowers of this plant are good in nosegaies or to be placed in flower-pots , the leaves are a good pot-herb and serve for many physicall uses . rose-campions . be these , the white , the red , the purple , they differ not in form but in the colour , let one description serve for all : rose-campions have white hoary leaves and soft , sharp at each end ; the stalks are of the same colour , weak and small as a hop-vine , not well able to support themselves : from one root springeth many of them which spread mightily : in june and july this plant hath its flower richest in the branch , these flowers are made of five leaves , the seed lieth in bags which are round and of the bigness of a mans fore-finger , and when this seed is full ripe it will rattle in the husks ; the seed is as small as gunpowder and of a dark brown colour ; on this plant will be ripe seed and a rich flower at once : this plant riseth to three foot high , the second year the whole plant dieth naturally . this plant is propagated only of its seed , and in short i will show you the way , viz. prepare a bed or one end of a bed in the quarter which is appointed for flowers , so done sow your seed , then cover it thinly with a little ridled earth , let this be done in the beginning of april or the latter end of august : now observe , that those that are sown in august , if the winter following be hard they must be covered with a little straw , and the spring following when your plants are grown up , make a frame of rods round your bed to support the plants , for they are altogether weak of themselves , so oft as the seed falleth it groweth naturally . rose-rubee . or sattin flower : it rises with a stalk of a foot high , bare at the bottome , towards the top are many leaves like the smooth charlock leaves or wild turnop leaves , and on the tops of the stalks are many small flowers , composed of five leaves betwixt a blush and a scarlet colour . the naturall time for the sowing of the seed of this plant is in the latter end of august , in a bed by it self as was said of rose-campion seed : so done , by the next march these plants flower in manner as was described : after the flower is gone there appeareth a bag wherein is composed many small seeds , after these are ripe the plant fadeth and springeth no more . rocket-flower . it 's needless to give you any description of them because they are so well known and so little worth , yet shall i not wholly exempt this plant , by reason it is one that helps to make up the inventory of kiltevated flowers , the leaves when they are young serve well insallets . this plant is raised of the seed only , the season for sowing of it is in mid - april , in a bed as i told you of rose campion seed , in the same manner and with the same care , by the middle of june it will come to flower , and a little after the seed is ripe ( which is as small as any seed whatsoever and of a whiteish red colour and glistering ) the plant fadeth and springeth no more . stock-gilliflowers . this flower hath the preheminency of a garden for ority of colour , delicious smell , and for continuance of flowering , for they flower almost all the year : and again they cast such a pleasant sight afar off or nigh , and are such a pleasant ornament , as cannot be better expressed than they express themselves , for some of them are of a crimson and a purple die , others of a scarlet , and some have intermixt colours , as white and red , purple and blew , so overspreading the bush with a passing beauty , some double , and some single : but the chiefest of my work shall be to show the ordering of the double stock . first , i must make some queries , what is meant by a double stock , whether the double and single are two distinct kinds or no ? i answer , they are , and they are not , for the double is made by art of nature , the single comes naturally : now you must understand there is two sorts of nature , the one voluntary , the other of industry , for naturally every creature liveth , but by nature and industry every creature cometh to the fulness of perfection , and so man by nature and industry cometh to the fulness of wisdome , whereas naturally he is a fool . well then i hope you confess it is truth ( and this fits my discourse ) that we must use industry in the propagation of gilliflowers , wherein there is some art in doubling and redoubling of them . the first thing needfull to know in this art is , the distinct times and seasons for the sowing of them : true it is you may sow them betwixt march and august , and they will grow very well so that the earth be fixt for the seed , but yet they will prove single if you do not take the right times and seasons for them : the right season is the first new moon in april , when it is about fifteen dayes old , and in may also observing the moon , these are the fit seasons : now i will show you what earth the seeds require , that is a dry , loose , and something stony , but by no means barren : the fittest place for it is in a border by some wall , where they may have the reflection of the sun , and a shelter from the storm : such a convenient place prepared , sow your seeds as you think fit according to the quantity of it , then cover it with a little fine mould as thin as you can possible , forget not to water it if the season be dry : all this done you shall see your plants come up the eighteenth or the twentieth day : let these plants be weeded , and so stand while that day two moneths that they were sown , then remove them into a richer earth of the same nature : but one thing you must observe , such plants as have crumpled heads , them reserve by themselves , for those will be double if you will order them as followeth : in the next september following remove them again at the full moon , and that will keep them back from flowering untill the next spring : be sure these plants be sheltered from the frost and snow the winter following , for we found by experience , that the last winter killed all the stock-gilliflowers , both old and young , unless it were such as were sheltered . thirdly , replant these plants the first full moon in march following , and be sure that they be transplanted into a better earth which is as rich as it may be possible , to that place where you have a desire they shall be , and the most of these will be double , if in their farther growth , before they come to flower , you guild off some of the leaves , and cut off some of the branches that would deprive the flower of its sap . fourthly , there are subtle wayes of grafting of them , the effect of it is to have two severall colours of one stock , it is done in manner as i told you of the cornation-gilliflowers , so of these , and with a great deal more ease you may obtain your desire . fifthly , the ordinary sowing for ordinary and single flowers is at any time you please , for they usually grow best to be single flowers when they have least care took of them . sixthly , means for setting of slips of double stocks that they may not degenerate but be double and large , still the time for it is the first full moon in may , the flower is ricked in the branch , then slip off as many slips of the under leaves as you can conveniently , then plant them in such earth , and in such a place as you replanted the seedlings in : let these slips be often watered with such water wherein have been steeped sheeps-dung ; these plants thus planted , and those raised of the seed , will continue three or four years before they decay , and then they must be supplied with younger in the room . seventhly , to plant seedlings for pleasure , and that is upon the border of a high walk ( where there is no hedge ) set by a direct line , each plant seven inches one from another , and so to grow up in a frame made with small sticks , and to be kept clipt with a pair of sheers on each side , and on the top where a plant riseth higher than ordinary , so that they may stand like a hedge , and a pleasant hedge indeed : but if such a convenient place is not to be had , then you may plant them in uniform order insome out-border . lastly , some may surmise , or be ready to conjecture , because i have not set down rules for inoculation and transforming of shape , and altering of sent and colour , nor any objections to the contrary , that i do not understand whether any such thing may be done yea or no. to this i answer , that these intercisions or supplies , are but conceits took up upon trust , and never made good by practice , and therefore i shall not dispense with the time to answer them in particular , and swell up my book about such uncertain , vain and needlesse curiosities which are unpractical , and that which is more , they were never affected , so i wave the discourse . snap-dragons . they are not distinct kinds , but distinct colours , viz. the white , the red and the peach colour , so i will give a description which shall serve for all . this plant spreadeth at the middle with many branches , the bottom of the stalk is bare without branch or leaf , the top of the plant riseth by degrees above the rest , whereon are many small leaves , green and sharp pointed , of the same colour of the stalk , on every branch are many flowers knit double , in the shape of a peas blossome : the time of flowering is chiefly in july , the seed is ripe soon after , which lieth in bags , it is very small and of a brown colour : after the seed is ripe , the uppermost branches die , the lowermost spring again two year after its first flowering , then root and branch dieth . this plant is propagated of the seed only ; the time is in march or august , but it is best in august ; it is done as followeth : prepare a bed or a border , and there sow the seed , in manner as i told you of others , so done it will come up in a fortnights space , it need not be removed ; all the care is to shelter it the winter following from the frost and snow ; the summer following these plants will flower , and continue with you according to the description . sweet williams . it is a plant that springeth every year , when it is at its full growth , it lieth one half of the ground , the other rising up ; the whole branches being nigh three foot in length , with many knots or joints , where springeth many small leaves set close on to the stalk , betwixt the stalk and the leaves springeth tufts whereon are many small flowers , four leaves in number of a pink colour , rising all of a height , that at a distance you would take it for one united flower : this plant continueth flowering both june and july , it seldom or never beareth seed to perfection . now this plant is set of the slip in march or september ; the slips must be such as have part of the root and of the branch , and that is easie to be had where they grow , for the root spreadeth in the ground mightily . the place for planting of them is in banks or border sides : i shall not need to stand to declare every particular of it , but as you set the bachelors-buttons , so set these : where they are once planted they alwayes continue , they need no more trouble , but after their flowering cut off the old vines , and they will spring anew again . scarlet beans . various are the wayes which i could enter upon the description , and the ordering of this plant or flower , which i shall omit : the description is thus : this plant riseth in all respects like the kidney or french bean ; the flower is of a scarlet colour , which continueth long on the stalk , and after it fadeth springeth cods , wherein are likely five beans , something bigger than the kidney-bean , in the same shape , and of an intermixt purple and red colour ; these beans or seeds are set in the middle of april , and so till may-day , if opportunity do not then serve , or the weather contrary to the season . the place fit for it is in out-borders of gardens of pleasure , where they may runne up against the trees , or supported with sticks against the wall ; this done , by the later end of july they will come to flower , and yeeld their seed ripe in the middle of september , and then dieth the plant . lastly , this plant yeeldeth a great increase of seed , which you may plant again , and it will prosper very well without any changing for three years : these beans are very good for to eat , insomuch that they are prized before the kidney-bean . if you have a great quantity of the seed , and would plant them for food , you may do it in a kitchen-garden , the ground being hot and sandy , well dunged ; plant them in rowes of two foot and an half distance , and when they are grown up , if they be stuck with small sticks , they will be much the better , yet they will bring a good increase without . snails . they are so called , because the seed is twisted much like it in shape and bignesse , and of the colour of a dry tobacco-leaf : this seed is ordinary to be bought at most seedmens ; and if you set it in the spring time , it will grow and bring forth its seed the same year , and after that the plant dieth . snow-drops . they rise with many spirish blades , thick and of a soft substance , set close to the ground , bending with their tops down to the ground again , through which rise many small stalks of half a foot in length , upon which groweth flowers of the bignesse and shape of an acorn , five leaves in number , of a milk white colour bending downward : the time of this flower is in the beginning of april , the roots are bullous-roots , which you may transplant after their flowering . the place that they are commonly planted in is upon borders in intervales , with crokus , and other flowers with bullous-roots . let this short direction serve , for i think it is as much as is needfull , it being a flower of such a hardy nature . start up and kisse me . or otherwise called wag-wantons . this is a plant that riseth to half a foot in height , with many small brown leaves , with a few branches spreading from the stalk , whereon groweth flowers of a sky colour , being but a small flower spreading of it self full abroad ; in the middle standeth three or four knots alwayes wagging , of the colour of the flower ; the time this flowereth is in april , and after the flower is gone , are round husks wherein is seed much like violet seed . this plant is sown of the seed , or set of the slip in march , in manner as you do violets , and such like . i cannot stand to dispense any more time about it , but must go to that of more consequence , which is tulips . i am come now to that flower which authors have left a large description of to posterity , and also vain disputes , how tulips are made by art into those several colours that they are in . to give an answer to those things i shall omit the pains , and not raise my discourse out of other mens words : so i 'll set down what i have found by experience , and what the nature of them is . first , in nature : here is a wonderfull work , and many rare and excellent things to be observed from this work in nature : first , consider how beautifull it is , and of what a hardy nature it is of ; other flowers that are beautifull are of a tender nature , it is not so with this , considering what a stately form it hath : but this i shall wave ; i will speak how tulips are tituled . tulips are distinguished and called in the oraty of the colour each tulip hath ; that which is held most in estimation is the scarlet , the princes-robes , and the fools-coat , the chimney-sweeper , and the black and yellow , especially if they have the shape of the crown tulip . the ordinary sort of tulips are these , the wind colour , the london-white , the yellow , the purple , the peach colour , the maiden-blush , the red , the white , the cinamon , the widow-tulip . ordinary mixt colours are these , the lords-livery , the priests-vestures , the red and white , the yellow and red , the orange and damask , the purple and red , and many more , which i cannot stand to name . all these colours , or any other , doth sometimes alter their colour by nature as well as by industry of themselves ; and forasmuch as the colour of tulips do differ one from another , is of an apt nature , and not of a forced nature ; and seeing that they are apt to alter of themselves , i will endeavour to shew you how you shall find the nature of this flower . first , if you have tulips already in your garden , when they are flowering , take notice of what colour they are , then stick a small stick by each particular flower , and write upon the stick what colour each flower is ; now by the setting down of this stick , you shall know what colour they were when the flower is faded , and nothing remaineth but the root in the earth : let these sticks or marks stand till such time as you remove them ; the time of removing them is presently after they have done flowering , and that is about the beginning of june : in the removing of them , all the art and knowledge consists , either for the enlarging of them , or to have them flower at contrary seasons , or to alter the colour . first , for altering the colour : having set the marks to know what colour they were , take up your roots , and lay each colour by themselves , so done prepare your ground to set them in ; if you set them in the same place where they were taken up , some fresh mould must be gotten and well ridled , so lay it upon the border where you have a desire to set them . but happily you may set them in a wrong place for ornament , therefore i will give some directions for the place ; if the garden be crosse-work , then it is proper to set them in a border round it ; if herb-work , then tulips must be set in a quarter cast out into beds , in such a manner as is in the draft-work of this book . secondly , these tulip-roots thus taken up , you must seprrate the young suckers from the old bearers , and plant them in a bed by themselves , at a hands breadth one from another , the old bearers must be planted at eight inches difference either in bed or border , no deeper than that there be half an inch of earth above the root , for if you do , they lie cold in the ground , and cannot get the benefit of the sun and air to cause them to spring timely . thirdly , concerning the altering of colour , having taken notice of what colour they were before , set the red tulips by themselves , and the white tulips by themselves after these directions ; take a quantity of wild or garden-herbs , and sheeps-dung , and pigeons-dung , beat these herbs and the dung together , so done put some of this into the holes where you set your tulip-roots , anoint the roots with the same , and set them into the holes , and put in more atop of them , covering of them with earth ; this done , upon several trials it hath altered the colour , some after one manner , and some after another , but still the red and the white carrieth the greatest sway . again , i have been told , and i have conceited it to be true , that is in the planting of a red tulip , to alter the colour , i should take a white tulip-root , lettice-leaves , solendine leaves , camomile , and the white thistle and peas-flower , and beat all these together , and so i did , and committed them to the earth , as i did the former , and i did imagine that the root would partake of those several coloured juices , and convert it into its own nature , which should cause so many orites of colours as was mixt in the juices , but i found by experience that it was nothing so , for i found no more alteration in those than i did in the former , which was only the enriching of the earth with the strength of the substance of the herbs and dung ; so flowers do not convert any colours as they are , but into its own colour and intercisial form as every one hath . some think that there is several juices in the earth which is the cause of it , as is said , that if garlick be set by gilliflowers , that they will be the sweeter , because that they think that the garlick doth draw away the strongest juice ; this is as uncreditable as the stories of robinhood ; for sure if flowers draw juice , so does the crab-tree , i mean drawing or receiving of it , as it is ; then mark , an apple grafted upon a crab-tree must needs turn a crab , for it receiveth its juice from the crab-stock ; and as they say the crab-stock draweth sower juice , and if it be so , from whence should the apple receive its sweet juice ? why then it is plain , that the apple graft converts the sower juice of the crab-stock into its own nature , and becometh of a pleasant taste , and so it is with all plants else : so it is not garlick by roses can make them the sweeter , nor contrary colours applied to tulips that will alter the colour , and seeing there are divers colours it is an art of nature , and those things which i direct you to apply to them in the former page , is that which doth agree with their nature , for it inlargeth the flower , and altereth the colour as soon as any thing whatsoever applied unto them . fourthly , there is certain wayes of grafting of them to have two flowers spring from one root , and that is done thus ; take two tulip-roots of two several colours , one as big as the other , and cut off a part from the side of each , proportionably alike , so that you cut not the strings at the bottom , then joyn them together , and bind them with a little flax , and set them in the earth , and the next year , according to what they are grafted , they will bring forth flowers of two several kinds , seeming to spring from one root ; some are so simple to think that they will be mixt colours ; but that is answered where i treat of flower-deluce-roots , and prove to the contrary . fifthly , to have tulips of the seed , is to sow it in the later end of august in a fine fertile earth , for it is a very tender feed , though when it is come to perfection the plant is the hardiest of all others . the plants that come of seed will be very small the first year , and beareth no flower while the fourth year ; and seeing mr. purchas and others have took up their time to study curiosities about ordering this seed ; and that this flower is grown so common that the roots may be had almost any where , i shall not insist any more upon ordering this seed . sixthly , tulips must be removed every year , or every other year ; the time fit for it is in the later end of june , in manner as aforesaid ; the reason is , if they be not removed , they grow too deep in the ground , and the ground groweth stiff about them , and they send forth suckers from the old bearers ; these things hinder the timely bearing , and maketh the flower the less . seventhly , concerning sent . in the former treatise of gilliflowers i had an occasion to speak of the alteration of the sent of flowers , and if it could be done on this , as i know it is impossible , it would make this flower exceed all flowers , for here is nothing wanting in this flower that nature did bestow in any other , except sent ; and what may be done in altering the sent , authors say it is thus : take two or three cloves , as much mace , and a stick of oinamon , two grains of musk , and a little amber-grease , these beaten together , adde unto it a few drops of damask-rose-water , then take a fine camebrick rag , and spread this upon it ; lay this to a tulip-root , then commit it to the earth ; this done , water them now and then with damask rose-water , and some other sweet drugs this cost with diligence performed , say they , the tulip that springeth from that root will be as sweet as any flower whatsoever . this you may believe if you please ; but i can assure you that you will lose your labour and cost : my reason is , as i said before , plants do not contract any substance , as it is either sweet or sowr , black or white , but into its own sent , colour and for me that god and nature gave it . lastly , some things may be done in crossing of the nature of this flower , by keeping of the root out of the earth to put it backward for flowering at contrary seasons , for you may keep it out of the earth a quarter of a year and set it again , and it will grow and flower ; thus you may keep them back from flowering one summer , and the next summer they will flower the timelier , and the flowers will be much the larger . i cannot insist upon every particular , but i hope i have shewed you the principal things of concernment , and i have answered some of the groundlesse opinions that men have took up upon trust concerning the ordering of this flower . the sensitive plant . a strange nature this plant hath , and that is , if a man touch it with his hand , it will crumble it self up together ; hence the name of it is derived , or called the sensitive plant . it riseth to a span high , with weak stalks , but tough with small brownish leaves , with a few tufts at the top of the branches , where groweth small flowers , and it beareth a small seed presently after . this plant is raised on a hot bed of the seed under a glass : in the beginning of april , and at may transplant it into a box of fertile earth , where it will remain two years , if it be housed in the winter , and carefully looked after . thrift . it is matted close to the ground like matted grasse , with spiry blades like matted pinks ; it spreadeth mightily upon the ground , and it beareth a flower in may , which is double , and of a whitish pink colour : this flower standeth upon a naked stalk of an handfull long , and after the flower fadeth and beareth no seed . this flower is set of the slip only , for the keeping up of borders , and for the distinguishing of knots ; these slips may be set at any time of the spring or fall , and where they are set they alwayes continue . turkey-caps . they spring up like red lillies to two-foot high , and afterward brancheth out into five or six branches , on each branch groweth a flower which is red , and in the form of a cap , standing with the tops exactly downward ; the time of its flowering is in july , and after the flower fadeth , it leaveth the seed behind it , which seldome cometh to perfection . this flower is set of the root only ; the time for it is presently after its flowering , or at its first springing in march , in the same places and manner as was told you of lillies , after the stalk dieth the root springeth again yearly , the roots would be removed every year , or every other year , or else the flowers will be but small . violets . both double and single are sown and planted in gardens for several uses as well as for pleasure . in august and the beginning of march they set up the slip in borders or banks , and in april you may sow them of the seed in drils , as was shown of pinks , where they will alwayes remain . i need not trouble my self to write any more of them . wall-gilliflowers . i am now come to the last flower in my treatise , it needeth no description ; it is only propagated of the seed , by sowing of it amongst rubbish , or upon wals , at any time of the year you please ; for it is a seed of that hardinesse , that it maketh no difference betwixt the winter and the summer , but will flourish in both equal , and beareth its flowers all the year ; therefore i advise you to sow it upon some wall or stony bank : now after this seed is once sown and hath taken root , it will naturally of it self overspread much ground , and will hardly ever after be rooted out . this beareth its seed much like to the stock-gilliflower , but that it is much smaller , and the lightest of all seeds ; and as it scattereth it cometh up naturally of it self ; and seeing it requireth no more labour , i will not insist any more upon it . so endeth the treatise of flowers . the garden of pleasure as it treateth of curious trees . here followeth short descriptions and directions for the raising and maintaining of such curious trees as are placed in gardens of pleasure now in england , either for their fruits , flowers or pleasure . apricock . an apricock is a tree that is placed against a wall for the gaining of fruit from them ; for if they be set abroad for standards they will never bring fruit to perfection ; neither will those against the wals some years , if they be not preserved with mats , and that is done thus ; drive some tenter-hooks at the uppermost part of the wall , and upon those hooks with a pole hang your-mats in the evening , and in the morning take them off with the same , and these mats will preserve the fruit from frosts , winds and blasts , which oftentimes perisheth fruit at the first knitting : thus you may preserve any other wall fruit . apricocks are propagated by inoculation and circumcising ; the experiments i refer to the treatise of fruit-trees . almonds . there be two sorts , the sweet and the sowr ; the sweet sort are planted against wals , as the apricocks are , and propagated as the other are in all respects . bay. bay-trees are planted sometimes against pillars , or on each side of doors of gardens of pleasure , but chiefly in fore-courts at a yard difference , to the end that they shall spread the wall , and not grow too big , for then they would not be nailed to the wall , but would endanger to throw it down , and stand very unseemly . these trees are raised of seed or slip : first of the seed ; the time for it is in the middle of april , in a good earth ; and if the seed be new and sound , it will come up suddenly , and by the third year it will be four foot high : the setting of the slips is in this manner ; in september go to a bay tree , and cut off all the strait shoots that are joyning to the body , and set them slope-waies in good earth , and they will take root most of them at that time twelve moneth , they may be took up and set in those places where they shall remain . box. with box , knots and borders are set , but now it is almost out of fashion , for the roots of it drieth and improverisheth the earth , so that nothing can grow nigh it , so it is chiefly now used for setting of hedges upon the edge of high walks , where it shall annoy nothing but cast a pleasant sight alwayes : this is set of the slip in september , and the least slip of it will grow , though it be but slowly . ciprus . there is two kinds , that is the great cipruss and the dwarf-cipruss : the great kind will grow to twelve foot high ; the dwarf-cipruss seldome grows to above four or five foot high ; they are both planted for pleasure thus : the great kind is planted at ten foot distance , more or lesse in grasle-knots , according to the space of the garden , usually at the corners thereof , and for to keep them in a pleasant form , you shall set a stake by them , which is strait , to the end that the plant may grow up by it , and be bound to it with wier , and clipping off of the loose branches with a pair of sheers , and keeping of it so clipt that they grow no bigger than a mans body , and cutting of them all off at an equal height , which is usually at nine foot high , and when they are at their full growth they will be kept in this form with twice or thrice clipping in the year . the dwarf-cipruss is usually planted by pole-hedges , two foot and an half distance , so that when they are grown up they might be a hedge themselves , cut at three foot and a half high : the place that they are thus planted , is round the quarters of a garden , and it is the newest work that is growing , witness his majesties new garden at st. jameses . these plants are raised of the seed in april , sown in exceeding good earth , and sometimes in hot beds : the plants thus come of seed ought to be transplanted into other beds , and set at half a foot distance , sheltered the first winter , and the third transplanted for pleasure as aforesaid . fig-tree . fig-trees are planted against the house , because they run up to such an height that no wall will be high enough for them . these are set of the slip which springeth from the root of the old fig-tree , as usually all fig-trees put forth , unless such as be set in pavements , where the stones hinder them from coming up . figs of india . figs of india , or indian-figs : it is such a strange kind of plant that i cannot call it an herb , flower , nor tree . it groweth on the ground like an heap of cucumbers laid up together without either branch or leaf , or any thing like it ; at the bottom it hath a root which is white , and of a soft substance , and those kind of parts which i cannot give a name for , which i told you are like cucumbers , take root , whereby it increaseth ; and for me to give you any farther account of them , i shall go beyond my knowledge , but these are to be seen in the earl of meaths garden in ireland . filleroy . there are many sorts of them , but all are of one nature and held in great estimation . they are trees that grow to three foot high , spreading with branches to the very bottome , and in the beginning of march this plant putteth forth so many flowers that it covereth it self , these flowers are made of four leaves and of a reddish colour , and after the flowers shed there springeth leaves which are of a swarthy green colour and as broad as a shilling , afterward appeareth a green berry , and in august it turneth red as a cherry , and something bigger than a great pea , by michaelmas it is full ripe , then it is coal black and loseth the outer husk , the seed is in the middle , which is black also and smooth as glass . the propagating of this plant is chiefly of the seed in this manner , in the beginning of april make hot beds of a foot high , laying of two inches of earth on it , then cast the seed upon that , then lay another inch of earth upon that , let both be ridled well ; make a shelter over the bed with sticks and mats , and in short time the seeds will come up and there they must stand till the fall , and then transplant it into ordinary beds , but they must be sheltered the winter following or else the cold will endanger to kill them : many curiosities more there are used about them which i will not treat of , a wise man knows one thing by another . gesamits . of these there are two sorts , the white , and the yellow , the yellow is little set by because it hath no sent , yet it flowereth early even at the beginning of may , the white gesamit flowereth not while june , this tree beareth a flower , in sent , colour and shape , like the white stock-gilliflower , both these kinds are set of the slip in autumn , in a moist rich soyl , so they will take root by the spring : the place they are severally transplanted to after they have taken root , is against walls or bowers , so that they be nailed or tied up , for they cannot stand of themselves : these directions are sufficient , there is no curiosity belongeth to these plants . holyander . it is a tree that keepeth green all the year , it groweth to four foot high , with five or six branches rising together even from the very root , on these branches stand leaves in order one against another much like the laurell leaves , and atop of every branch springeth a flower like the white lillie . these plants are not raised in england but are brought in boxes of earth out of italy , so i shall cease to give any directions for the propagating of the tree : this tree is to be seen in the lord of brobston's garden , where you may be satisfied whether i have given you a right information of it yea or no. horn-fig-trees . it is a tree hath few branches scattering one from another with here and there a leaf , the bark of the body is of a brown colour , the whole tree groweth to be a little higher than a man , atop of every branch putteth forth a kind of a fruit like a key ball , and at the first it hath a kind of a red husk on it , which maketh it appear at a distance like a flower , and when that sheddeth the fruit is as hard that is underneath and as rough as the pyone apple . this tree is raised either of the seed or slip , but best of the seed , for it is done with as much ease as the pippin-kernels are raised , but it is hard to procure the seed or slip , for the tree is very scarce . creeping vine . so called , because if it be set against a wall or a house , it will take hold it self without any nailing , and run up to the very top , and needeth no care but pruneing : you may say , what need it have any pruneing , seeing every branch will take hold of the wall ? i answer , the reason is , because one branch will grow over another else , and therefore they must be prevented while they are young by cutting off . i need not trouble my self in setting down waies for the planting of them , for it is done with as much ease as the ordinary vine . lowaray . this tree groweth to ten foot high , with branches springing from the body of the root , even from the very bottome to the top , being very strait shoots covered with a grey bark , the leaves are of a pale colour , round at the bottome and sharp at the top : at the and of every old branch springeth a flower in the form that the vine putteth forth her flower , but of a blew colour . this tree is raised of the sucker which springeth from the root , these being taken away in september and set in any ordinary earth , they will grow as soon as a willow : the place that they are usually set in is by bowers , to the end that they may cover them , for you may bend this tree which way you please and they will not break . laurell . is so generally known that i need not speak any thing in describing of it , i shall only speak two or three words of the raising of it , and the place of planting of it in for ornament . first for the raising of it ; if you have good store of laurell trees , at michaelmas cut off so many young branches as you can , that are two foot in length and longer , the longer the better , then find out a place that is very moist earth and rich , lying something in the shade , there plant your cuttings , laying of them slope-waies , so that there be a foot of them in the ground and the rest above ; thus done let these cuttings remain there till the next march , and by that time they will have roots of an inch long , then you may transplant them to wall-sides or pales , where they may be set at four foot distance , and kept nailed to the walls or pales : those that have great store of them make hedges of them by walks sides , supporting of them with poles , and so keep them cut at the top : about london they make a great profit of the cuttings of laurell . lowrex . this plant spreadeth like a bush even close to the ground , and seldome groweth to be three foot high , the leaves are green and two inches in breadth , made of the fashion of a long ovall , and are so thick set on , that a man cannot see into the body of the plant : this plant keepeth green all the year , and beareth a berry , but it never cometh to any perfection , therefore it is set of the slip , and the least slip of this plant will grow . the raising of it and planting of it , is as i told you of the laurell cuttings , therefore let one direction serve for both : the place that this plant is set in , is in physick-gardens , because it is a physicall plant . lorestrinus . the branches of this plant are weak , so they are usually planted against walls , arbors , or upon frames of close walks : it keepeth its leaves green all the year , which are of a brownish green , shooteth out with long branches , like the young vine shoots , and the old shoots beareth a tufty white flower which flourisheth in may. this plant is planted of the slip as most plants are that keepeth green all the year , so i shall not need to insist upon the manner of it , for it is done with as much ease as any of the other ; so nothing remains but that it be planted in the places according to the description . lignae-vitae . is a tree that is not very common , i do not know that ever i saw above three of them in my life , yet if the slips of them may be had , i am confident that it would grow almost any where , but it never beareth seed which cometh to perfection , and that maketh it so much a stranger in england : and for your better understanding i give you this short description , it is a tree which hath branches like the saven , the body of it is smooth and strait , and of a ruddy colour , with never a twig upon it , but at the very top , which is very pleasant to behold : this tree at his full growth is as big as a mans thigh ; and a matter of twelve foot in heighth , the body of it is the best wood in the world for musicall instruments and for your new engine turning-work ; i think it needless to speak any thing of the propagating of it more than i have . mirtill-trees . of mirtils : there is the sweet mirtill , the smooth mirtill , and the prickly mirtill , and some will have them distinguished into more names , yet he that knoweth the one may easily know the other . all mirtils keep green all the year , and have a thick leaf as broad as a groat ; that they call the prickly mirtill hath a sharp-pointed leaf full of veins : the sweet mirtils leaves are smooth and round : that they call the smooth mirtill , differeth not in any thing from the sweet , but only the sweet hath a bloom which hath a sweet savour : no mirtill tree groweth to any great stature , for it is a great tree counted that is so big as a mans thigh and six foot high . the propagating of each of these sorts is chiefly of the berry or seed on this wise , prepare boxes of as good mould as may be had , set the seeds therein , so done , let the boxes be sheltered anights : the time for this is in the beginning of april , this observed , if the seed be good it will come up in a little more than three weeks space , let the plants stand in these boxes till the next september , then draw out such plants as stand too thick , and plant them in other boxes , and let some remain in the same , where they may stand alwaies if the boxes be big enough and deep enough : these plants must be housed in the winter as long as they stand in boxes , but some when they are three years growth transplant them against walls , where they will prosper very well if it be upon the south part thereof . orange-trees . and lemon-trees will grow very well in england if they have houses built on purpose , so that they may be wheeled in and out upon truckels , in the boxes of earth that they grow in , but yet they seldome bring any fruit to any perfection , they are only for a sight , they are pleasant trees to behold , for their leaf never fadeth but keepeth green all the year : i think i may spare the labour to give any further information of them , or any directions for the propagating of them , for i think few of my countreymen will dispence of so much charge for to have nothing but a sight for it . pomegranate-tree . is the stateliest tree in shape or growth of all others , it is a tree also that never fadeth its leaf , the leaves are long and of a yellowish green colour , of a thick substance : this plant groweth not to its full stature in england , and i never saw it out , therefore i cannot give a right description of it : these plants will be raised no where but at home , which is in spain , and being brought hither when they are young plants , in boxes of earth , they may be preserved in warm chambers to bring untimely fruit . peach-trees . of peaches : there is the double peach-flower , the smooth peach , and the rough peach , the early peach , and the winter peach , all these are planted against walls , at twelve foot distance , and preserved as you may see of apricocks : for the raising of them i shall wave it here , and speak of it in the treatise of fruit-trees , i only name them here , because they are cultivated in the garden of pleasure . perry winckle . it runneth training on the ground with many joynts , whereat shoot out leaves of a dark green , shining leaves somewhat like the bay leaves but not half so big ; at every joynt cometh flowers of a paleblew colour , some are white , some of a dark reddish colour ; the root is a little bigger than a rush , the branches creepeth far about . this plant is set of the slip only , and it may be set any where , it refuseth no ground , being set either in the spring or the fall : the best place to set it in is upon bank-sides , where little or nothing will grow , this taketh root and spreadeth a great deal of ground presently , and keepeth the bank whole of it self without weeds , for it killeth them . sweet-bryer . it is planted underneath windows for its sweet savour sake , the suckers that come from it may be planted , they will grow up very well , but to have great store of sweet-bryer , save the seeds while the spring of the year , and then sow it in beds of loose earth and it will grow without fail , the plant sprung of that seed by that time a twelve moneth they will be big enough to transplant into hedge-rows , as some have them planted round their quarters of their gardens , others plant them in maze-form , keeping of the sides cut and the top , and pleasant walking it is there . tamarus . is a tree so well known that it needeth no description , it is usually planted to grow over doors or bowers , for it shadeth and covereth much ; it 's a tree that never beareth seed , therefore it is only planted of the sucker or the slips which comes from the body , or the root being took of in september and planted where you have a desire they should grow , and it may be done without any curiosity . the gilli-rose . or the gilderland-rose ; it riseth to six foot high with a body as big as a mans wrist with a reddish bark , the leaves resemble the vine leaf , though much less and of a darker colour , upon one branch groweth but one flower , after the flower sheddeth there appeareth a seed but it never cometh to perfection , this tree decayeth not in eight or nine years where it liketh its air and earth . of the sucker this rose may be raised : the time for getting and setting of the sucker is in february the latter end thereof , placing of it in a very warm place , so done it will come to flower the third year after : another way is , which is more certainer , for to inoculate it upon a damask-rose stock . the province-rose . there be two or three sorts , and that is , the provincerosal , the province-vicar , the red province , and the damask province : a great enlargement i could make upon these , but the summe of all is , province-roses must be inoculated upon damask rose stocks , so i shall give you the way of inoculation , and that briefly . first , observe the time , and that is about the first of june , when the plant is full of sap : now followeth the manner ; go to a province-rose tree , and cut off one of the likeliest young shouts that you can see , then go to a young damask-rose stock , which must not be above a year old ; this observed , take off a bud from off the cutting which you brought from the province-rose ; the bud took off evenly and square , then lay it upon the damask-rose stock , a matter of a foot from the ground let it be , so mark out just such a proportion of bark by that , then take it out with the point of your knife , then set the other in its room , which if you did it artificially , will just fill up the place , or else it is worth nothing ; but if it do joyn right then it is very likely if will grow , then bind it with a little flax , leaving the middle open for the bud to grow out ; set two or three of these buds of one stock , but if one grow it is enough . now when you see the bud incorporated with the stock , then unbind them for the band will do them hurt ; after the bud is shotten forth an handfull length , then cut the stock off above it : these are certain and easie wayes of inoculation of roses , but if you are not satisfied with these short directions , see the treatise of inoculation for fruit trees . the cinamon-rose . a great quoil there is about this rose : some think it was coloured by a morical substance , being a damask rose before : others are of that opinion that it was inoculated upon a barbary stock ; but whilst men hold these opinions , it doth plainly appear , that they do believe , that colours in flowers were made by mans art ; but i am not of that opinion , for i believe they are only preserved by mans industry , and all mans art is to find out the working nature , and all that is here required in the promoting of this plant in its own nature , is to inoculate it upon a damask rose stock , which may stand in a warm convenient place where the unkind winter may not nip it . vines . of vines there are many kinds , and many authors have given large descriptions , praises and directions for the promoting of vines , whose large and historical discourses have drowned the sense or the method of it to the reader : this discourse i shall omit , and speak a few words in brief , how vines are propagated of such ordinary sorts as grow in england . first , i will give you an account of them : there is the white muskadine , the red muskadine , the small sugar grape , the murcot , the ordinary french white and red grapes , and the english white and wild grape : in the raising and maintaining of these , i find but four things requisite , and that is , planting , pruning , gelding , and cures for hurtfull distempers . for the first , before you plant , get such plants as are rooted , though some say , that cuttings will root very well , but i have found by experience , that one in ten will hardly come to any thing ; and if they do shoot out the first year , they decay afterward : the way to get rooted plants is thus ; go to an old vine , and bring most of the young vines that grow nigh the root , and bring them under the earth , and bring the tops up to the wall again ; this ought to be done in september , and those vines let lie under the earth while that time twelve moneth , and by that time they will have taken root , then they may be cut from the old mother , and planted against walls , houses , bowers , or close walk frames ; and in setting of them , observe that they stand not too nigh the wall , and not above a foot deep , and that you put about them some pigeous-dung and good mould , and that the plant be cut off a yard above the ground : these are certain and sure wayes of planting of vines . the second is pruning , and that is one of the necessariest things that belongeth unto them , for if they be not pruned they will soon decay and give over bearing of fruit , and grow out of all shape and form . the time for pruning of them is in february , for if it should be done before , the cold would nip the cuttings and kill them , and if it should be done after , the vine would bleed out most of its sap , which will hinder its growth , and keep it from bearing that year . now the pruning is thus ; cut off all such as were of the last years growth , save such as are leaders , and those must be left to spread further against the wall , and in cutting the branches off cut them so that you leave one joint or eye from whence springeth the grape . for the third , gelding of the vine is requisite for the preserving of the flowers and the grape : first understand that gelding is to pluck away the sprouts where they grow thick , and the leaves which deprive the grape of its sap , and keep the benefit of the sun from it , which the vine loveth above all plants . lastly , hurtfull distempers which annoy vines is canker eaten earth , bound and barrennesse of the soil : first , for canker eaten , that is usually at the root , which is eaten by worms ; the cure is to anoint it with tar and herb-grasse , and pouring some chamber-lie on it , which will cure the distemper , and keep the worm from eating of the root any more . secondly , if they be earth bound , then open the earth from about the root in september , and lay a little chaff or bran about it , and so let it lie till february , and then take the chaff away , and put good mould in the room . barrennesse in a vine is sometimes the cause of its too deep planting , and in the barrennesse of the earth ; if the cause be in the earth , it is soon remedied with the taking that away , and bringing better in its stead ; if it be too deep and an old vine , there is little remedy : i am forc'd to end here . the gardeners practice in the physical and fruitfull garden , in the knowledge of raising , growing , and maintaining of herbs and trees contained therein . first as it treateth of herbs . angelica . it is called by no other name , and so well known i need not describe it . this plant is sown of the seed , or set of the slip ; the slip is that which springeth from the old mother-root , which may be more properly called young plants : the time for the getting and setting of these is in the beginning of march at the first springing , or in september after the old branch decayeth . the place of setting of them ( if you have a great quantity ) is in beds by themselves laid out at two foot and an half in breadth , two rows on a bed , each plant afoot asunder ; the earth would be very rich , because the plant is of a speedy growth , and where it is once set it alwayes continues , yet the old plant dieth being six years old , and sendeth young suckers from its sides , which keepeth the bed alwayes flourishing ; and ( as i said before ) if the earth be not made rich at the first planting , it cannot be easily hope afterward , because the plant ought not to be removed . secondly , observe that the branches of angelica dieth every year , and beareth a seed in like manner as the parsnip doth , and the seed is much like it , but that it is thicker and weightier , it hath a stronger sent than the herb , and as much vertue , and so it is great profit to sow or plant angelica near any market towns where there live any apothecaries or strong water men , for it is the excellentest of all herbs for waters or cordials , and commonly sold at a dear rate . thirdly , in sowing of it , it is to be noted , that it hath a peevish nature , for if you take never so much pains and care with it it will not grow , and yet sometimes as it shades naturally of it self , so it will come up if the plants grow in a moist place ; therefore i advise you to cast the seed in a mighty moist place in august , raking of it lightly , and by the next spring some of this seed will come up , and some the next year after ; every michaelmas take these plants out of that place , and set them in beds , the first year they will be worth little , the second year they may be cut , and the third year it beareth seed : this is as much as need to be done or understood in the ordering of angelica . alicompane . it shooteth up with long broad and whitish leaves , hoary and soft in the handling , set upon three foot stalks , with a lesser toward the top : this plant hath divers great and large flowers , like those of the corn-marigold , and the middle thrim being yellow , which turn into down , and underneath are small brownish seeds , the root is great and thick , branching forth divers wayes , black on the outside and white within , and as tart of taste as mustard-seed . this plant is set of the slip which sendeth from the root , being set in any kind of earth it will prosper very well and continue in that place alwayes . alexander . alexander is also called alexandre and horse-pisle ; it hath winged leaves much like young elders , and beareth its seed in tufts like parsnips , and it is black and three square , pretty great and weighty . it is propagated either of the seed or slip ; if you sow it of the seed it is no great matter when , nor is it material where , it being committed to any ordinary digged earth , it cometh up naturally , and continueth there alwayes . the leaves of it are boiled with beef , and in the spring time it is used for a pot-herb ; the root is used for sauce . annis . it will grow in england if it be carefully manured , but seeing that the leaves of this plant are for no use , it will be lost labour to raise it , considering the seed may be bought any where . all-hail . all-hail , or clowns all-hail , by others woundwort . it hath leaves thick and round of the breadth of a six-pence , gray , rough and full of sap ; the branches that they grow on lie on the ground much like germander , but it runneth not out so long ; it beareth a little blewish flower , but never leaveth seed to perfection ; the nethermost leaves keep green all the year . this herb set of the slip in the spring time in borders , or any ordinary earth , and it will prosper very well and spring yearly . bares-britch . this herb doth resemble the smooth thistle , rising up with a stalk , and at the top the leaves turn something round , and in the middle springeth tufty downy flowers , of a brownish colour , growing in rough husks , and underneath is grayish rough seeds . this plant groweth wild in some parts , but it is nursed up in gardens for physical uses ; it is usually set of the slip in the spring , and it flowereth that summer , and after it hath yeelded its seed three times the plant dieth . balm . balm beareth a seed which it may be raised of , but the herb is so common that it is needless to trouble you with its description . the time that they usually set the slip of this herb is in the beginning of april , if in case that you can get but few of the roots , they may be slipt into many parts , and each part will grow if it have but part of the branch with it . the place that it is usually planted in , is in beds by it self of two foot and an half broad , four rows of it in a bed , and let it have all the bed to it self , and let it be well watered at the first planting , it requireth no more trouble , but springeth yearly : the dead branches would be cut off when winter cometh . basyll . garden seed basyll hath one upright stalk , rising up to one foot high , whereon are set small branches with two leaves upon a joint set one against another , whereat spring a small flower whitish in colour , and after it fadeth it leaveth one seed in a bag , which is black , and something bigger than hysop-seed ; this herb hath the sweetest sent of all others ; at the approaching of winter this herb dieth ; it is propagated only of the seed ; the time for it is in the later end of april ; in this manner , dig a bed finely in a quarter which is reserved for sweet herbs , rake it likewise , then sow your seed on it , and cover it with a little fine mould thinly . now observe , if that it be like to rain after , the bed ought to be covered , for if the seed take wet before its gemination , it turneth all to a gelly , and so is lost . lastly , this seed cometh up the ninth or tenth day , and then it would be watered in dry weather , till such time as it covereth the bed . the use of this herb is for broth or for stewing meats , and the like . blessed-thistle . it is called cardus benedictus , holy-thistle , and cardus ; i suppose it need not any further description . this herb is raised of the seed only in march , it must be sown in a loose rich earth , in a warm place under some pale , hedge or walk , you should prick in the seeds with your finger in the bed at three fingers breadth asunder ; for if it should be raked , the beards that are at the end of the seeds would not let them be covered , and that is the reason i advise you to prick them in with your finger . the second season of sowing of it is in the later end of april , then it may be sown without any trouble in any ordinary earth , and will prosper very well , and so this herb dieth at the approaching of winter , then you may save the seed and sow it in the spring , in like manner as i told you . bares-foot . this herb shooteth up branches two foot high , with many joints , whereat shoot out springs with five dark green leaves upon them shaped like a bares-foot , and pale coloured flowers fashioned like a cup , hanging with the top downward . this flower is upon the branch in may , it hath clumped roots which spread in the ground , and are of a stinking savour . this herb is set of this root onely , either in the spring , or in the fall ; it delighteth in a shadie place , where if you set it , it will grow without any more trouble , and spring every year after according to the description . bugloss . i suppose this is so well known , it needeth no description . bugloss may be sown either in march , or the later end of august thinly , for it spreadeth much ground , if it be sown in the spring , it will be late in the summer before it come to flower , therefore it is best to sow it in august . it continueth three year before it dieth , but the branches die every year , only the root remains which springeth again . the vulgar uses of this herb is , the flowers and the leaves are put into claret-wine and beer , to give it a pleapleasant taste ; the flowers also are used in sallets and syrups . burrage . this herb is much like the former , but that it groweth not to such a stature , and the leaves are shorter and broader . i need not write any thing of the time of sowing of it , for sow it when you will it will come up at its natural season , and if you suffer it to seed , the seed that falleth comes up naturally , and in time will overspread the garden , therefore i advise you to sow it in some reversion , or some waste place in the garden . bloodwort . bloodwort hath leaves shaped and striped like the harts-tongue leaf , but they are of a red colour ; these leaves are set on close to the ground , through which rise stalks like the dock , and beareth a seed in like manner , which is red and three square , glistering like the sorel seed . this herb is sowed of the seed in the spring time , it would be in a small bed by itself ; it cometh up soon after its sowing , and will come to cover the bed suddenly ; it beareth not seed till the second summer after its sowing , and the fourth year it dieth , but it seldom leaveth the ground without young in the stead ; for if you suffer it to bear seed , as it falleth it cometh up naturally : this herb is very good in broth , and bloud puddings of all sorts . burnat . there is a wild kind , and a garden kind ; of the garden kind there is only double and single ; one description will serve for both . burnats have winged leaves rising thick from the very root , being much crumpled and jagged , and of a palish green colour ; through the midst of them riseth a stalk two foot high , whereon are many branches , and at the top of each groweth a knob something like a button , red and white speckled , in which groweth yellow seed something like redish seed ; the branch dieth yearly . of this seed this herb is sown , or set of the slip in march or april , in the end of a bed or border by it self , where it will grow and flourish according to the description : it requireth no more care than to cleanse it from weeds , this herb is used in claret-wine and in sallets in the beginning of march , for it springeth very early . betony . garden betony is so well known i need not write the description of it , therefore take the ordering of it as followeth : this herb is set of the slip only for it never beareth seed to any perfection ; the time for setting of it is in march or april , the place for it is usually in the edge of borders , or otherwise for to have a great quantity of it for stilling of it in cordiall waters , then in beds by it self without any curiosity , for it is a hardy herb , and will continue a long time being once planted . camomill . is known so well , and the manner and time for setting of it , so i shall wave that , and speak of the place only ; the first fit place that i shall name is round upon the edge of borders next to gravell walks ; the second place is upon banks of earth made couch-fashion ; to the end that a man might sleep upon a camomill bed ; the third way is , to set walks with it , and of each side of the walk a water table laid with white sand which is a very pleasant sight : the fourth way is , to distinguish knots with it , and that is thus , set camomill in the same form as you would lay grass-work , and truly the best garden that ever i saw in his majesties dominions had a knot thus set . lastly , be pleased to take notice that camomill set as was prescribed , must be kept mown and clipt once or twice a week for the summer time , or else it will grow out of form and hollow at the bottome and soon decay . comfrey . a description of it is vain , and a direction for the planting of it is needless , for it will grow in any place where it is set ; i only name it to put you in mind of the planting of it somewhere about your house , for its vertue is generall for man and beast , as the physicians herbals will show you , and i hope you will bestow the labour to plant it once , for inso doing you need not do it more . cives . sometimes called rush leeks , chives and chivet , i hope that by one of these names there is no man but will know them ; the ready way for setting of them , is to slip them into as many heads as they have , and that will be sometimes twenty on one bed , so done prick them into a bed finely digged and raked , at two fingers distance , so that they may come to cover the body themselves , for the keeping of the ground moist , and for the less expence in weeding , and there they will alwayes remain ; yet they ought to be removed after they have stood four years , because they will grow so thick that they will want moisture . cammell beg. the leaves of this keepeth close to the ground and something resemble violet leaves , but only thicker and of a darker green , and in the middle standeth a stalk some eight inches in heighth , whereon groweth one knapped flower like the flower of betony , the stalk and some part of the leaves die yearly , and the under leaves alwaies keep green . this plant is set of the slip only , which must have part of the root and branch , the best place for setting of it in , is upon the edge of borders for the keeping of them up ; this herb is for speciall uses being employed physically . chervill . it is called merah chervill , sweet chervill , and sweet sisly , it is supposed there were three kinds of them , that is , the wild chervill , the sallet chervill , and the sweet chervill ; one description will serve for the garden kinds . both sorts the leaves resemble tongue-grass but of a fresher green colour , the stalks rising up a yard high , spreading with white flowers at the top , after which comes long black shining seeds , the herb is sweet to smell and tast , where once it is growing it continueth many years , but the branch perisheth in the winter . this herb is sown only of the seed , that is to say , there is no other way of gaining of it : there are two seasons for the sowing of it , the one is in the beginning of april , and the other in the latter end of august , these are the times : the place is in a bed amongst sweet herbs , in manner as i shewed you of basill , so done it will come up according as it was described . carowaies . at the first coming up a man at a distance may very well take them for carots , but as they grow up bigger they differ more , for the caroway is of a darker green and yeeldeth its seed like the fennell . the time and the only time for sowing of carowaies is in the latter end of august , for i have often tried it in the spring , and i could never have it to grow , and i sowed but once in august and it prospered very well , therefore sow it in august , and the next summer it will yeeld seed , and after the branch dieth , but springeth again and yeeldeth seed every summer for many years without any care . clary . the leaves are thick , gross and woolly , and of a light brownish colour , very broad spreading upon the ground as it were , and in the middle riseth a stalk of two foot high , with many branches spreading , whereon are many flowers like those of sage , and each flower leaveth its seed behind it like that of radish , but something smaller . this herb is sown of the seed , and it requireth a good ground and to grow in a bed by itself : there is two seasons for the sowing of it , one in the spring and the other in the fall ; that which is sowed in the fall a hard winter will kill it , therefore it is best to sow it in the spring : the vulgar uses of this herb is for frying with eggs and other things , for it strengtheneth the back and encreaseth venery . course-mary . or ale-coust , and by some balsom-herb , it is known of a long whitish leaf , sharp pointed at both ends and finely cut about the edges , the stalk hath many such like leaves though smaller , with a tust at the top when it flowereth like that of sweet maudlin , and it never yeeldeth seed . this herb is set of the slip only ; i hope i need not stand to shew every particular of it , but as you set sweet maudlin so set this : the time for it is in march , and where it is once planted it flourisheth every summer for many years after , this herb is used in ale and clarified whey . cummin . besides it is called bullwort , amios , bishops-weed , and cummin-royall ; for a better knowledge of it , it groweth four foot high , with round stalks , and many branches growing of them with long green leaves , from the top of the branches are white fussy flowers , after this fadeth the seed soon appeareth , which is like parsly-seed , but four times as big , the root and branch perisheth every winter . it must be sown in the spring , in a good earth which is very moist , and it will prosper as was said : the common use of this seed is , to tole pigeons to a dove-coat ; there are besides speciall and physicall uses which i need not to set down it is so largely spoken of in many herbals . coriander . it resembleth flax and beareth its seed much like it , but it is hollow , something big and very light and of a whitish colour , the plant peritheth as soon as the seed is ripe . the time of sowing coriander seed is toward may day , there be those that sowes half acres of it and more , i suppose i cannot give them directions , but what i have observed from them i will give you , they usually sow in a light rich ground , and but thinly , for each plant spreadeth much ground : the use of this is for strong waters , the seed of it i mean , whereby those that sow it have great profit . celandine . the leaves are in the form of turnip-leaves , of a whitish yellow colour and full of yellow sap , the root is reddish and full of yellow sap also ; the branches rise to a foot and an half high , full of yellow flowers , and yeeldeth small seeds . and for the ordering of it , i will be short with you ; if it be sown in any place in digged earth , it will grow and prosper , and never forsake you , and if you did but know the worth of it , you would not neglect the doing of it . dragons . i shall not need to stand long to describe it , for it is very easie to be known by this , that is , the lowermost part of them are absolutely like a snake , and as big as the biggest snake whatsoever , and two foot from the ground spreadeth out winged leaves , made in the shape of a dragons-claw of a whitish green colour , above that riseth that which we may call the flower ; it is made in the fashion of that they call cookowpintle , and in this lieth much small seed , which is as small as the smallest , of a brownish colour ; the branch fadeth every winter , and springeth again the first of april , and at the seventh or eighth year dieth root and branch , but it leaveth suckers behind it . of the sucker this herb is to be planted in the choisest earth that may be had , or else it will not prosper ; the time for it is about the middle of april ; of the seed also this plant may be raised , but it is very difficult ; i cannot permit the time to explain every particular of it . dill. this herb is not without its vertue , nor is it fit i should exempt it out of the inventory , and i know that you need not my judgment in the sowing of it , for nature doth it better than you or i ; for sow it when you will it will come up at its natural season . evat . it hath long slender stalks rising to three foot high , beset with leaves round about one against another , in shape and colour like that of arssmart , and on the top standeth downy white flowers , which the wind carry away ; it never yeeldeth seed , the leaves have little sent , but as bitter as wormwood in taste ; the root is like spare-mint root in tufts , spreading far : of the root this herb is planted wither in the spring or autumn , and it will grow almost in any place where it is set and never decay : this is a special herb in physick , and will well reward your labour , if you know the worth of it . fether-few . otherwise called white wort , in the north of england they call it white rue ; i suppose i need not give any description of so common an herb. this herb may be set of the 〈…〉 either in the spring or the fall , refuseth no ground , and continueth many years without any replanting ; if men that live in the countrey , and have cattel , did but know the worth of this herb , they would find that it would do them as much good as a horse-doctor . fennell . there be three sorts of fennell , viz. fennell-flower , sweet fennell , and the ordinary great fennell : the first two dieth yearly being sown of the seed , so i shall only trouble you with the common fennell , and i suppose that can be no great trouble to you ; for put either seed or slip in the earth . and it will grow . french honey-suckles . french honey-suckles has not long been inhabited in england , therefore i will give a description . this herb hath leaves a foot long coming forth even from the root , in some places two inches in breadth , and in other places a hand breadth , scolloping out with five or six scollops between the bottom and the top , being of a fresh green colour , and smooth ; it hath branches springing up to four foot high , with many of those said leaves on them , and many yellowish flowers , which leave a brown , rough , flat seed behind them , the nethermost branches green all the year . this herb is propagated of seed or slip , but chiefly of the seed ; the time for sowing of the seed is in april ; the place is in a border , where it shall remain the season being temperate , and the earth good ; it cometh up suddenly , but it beareth no flower till the second year . french-mallows . this herb , hath strait stalks , which grow up to three or four foot high ; if it be not cut it hath a round jagged crumpley and pale coloured leaf , something broader than a mans hand , with many small white flowers of the stalks made of five leaves a peece , each flower yeeldeth one seed , and of a three cornered fashion , and of a gray colour . this herb is to be sown only in the spring , not in beds in a quarter where pot-herbs are sown , but in a bed by it self ; and if the ground be good the seed cometh up the sixth day , and by august it cometh to flower , according to the description , and when the winter cometh on it perisheth , but whilest it is young it is very good in sallets , and it is a good pot-herb at all times , whilst it is green . gromwel . two kinds there are , the wood gromwel , and the garden gromwel . there is a great deal of difference betwixt these two kinds ; i shall onely describe the garden kind . it hath woody branches like the mustard-branches , but slenderer and lower , many short leaves and blewish flowers , standing in brown husks , and in each husk after the flower fadeth , there appeareth one seed in a husk , which are small and of a sky colour , glistering like pearls ; the branches perish yearly , but if you suffer the seed to shade , it cometh up naturally of it self . so if i should give any directions for times and seasons of sowing it , it were needlesse , for the description sheweth it ; so there is no more to be said , sow it when you will , it will come up at its own season . the virtue of these seeds are incomparable for curing of the stone and gravel , and women when they be in labour . gladin . it springeth up with spiry blades like the flag , and beareth a flower something like the flower-deluce , but of a yellow colour , it hath double roots spreading in the ground . of the root this herb or flower is set without any curiosity , and in any ordinary place , and there it will continue alwayes , and flower in july : the root of it is excellent in physick . gooses-tongue . a common thing it is to give three or four names to one and the same thing ; for fear there should be any mistake in the name , i will give you this short description of it : this herb is in all parts at the first springing like sweet maudlin only , it is of a darker green colour , and afterward it rises up with branches spreading , beset with jagged leaves , and tufts atop , of downy stuff like that of coursemary ; it never yeeldeth seed ; it hath a sweet savour and stringed roots , whereby it spreadeth and increaseth . this herb is set of the slip , which is taken from the root , in a bed in a quarter amongst pot-herbs , where it will grow without any industry , and continue alwayes green , it should have the top branches cut off at the comeing in of winter . note also this herb is one of the best of pot herbs . germander . it runneth with small branches on the ground which will take root ; it is set thick with small leaves , of a brownish colour ; it beareth the smallest flower of any other , and no seed ; it keepeth green all the year and never decayeth . now this herb is set only of the slip in border sides , for the keeping of them up . others distinguish knots with it ; it must be kept alwayes cut , for it runneth and spreadeth farre else . note it is a stinking herb , yet sovereigne in physick . garlick . it is a needlesse curiosity to describe that which all men know so well , and to pen down the vertues , it were double labour , seeing the physicians have done it so often ; so i will onely put you in mind of the setting of it in march , and taking of it up at michaelmas for your several uses , so that you might not want it , when you have occasion for it , and that my physical garden should not be without it . horse-redish . at its first springing it hath jagged and torn leaves , as it were of a light green colour , the next that spring are broader and longer , and only cut a little on the edges , then runneth up spindle stalks , whereon are white flowers , seldom any seed to perfection . the manner of planting of this is of the root , and so easie and so plain that you cannot misle , for put the least piece of the root of it in the ground , and it will spring up ( as was said ) and in three years time it will come to be as big as the small of a mans leg , and then it should be taken up for the vertue that is in it , or else it will decay , and be worth nothing . herb grasse . herb-grass or rue : it is a common herb , yet there is great difficulty in the planting of it , for it will not grow in any place , let the earth be never so good , for where it doth like it groweth very slowly , and so doth all sorts of herbs and trees that have most vertue in them . secondly , it is to be observed , that this herb is to be propagated of the slip only , for it never beareth any seed , therefore take the observations in the planting of it , as followeth . in september get the slips of this herb , which must be slipt from the body , and not from the branches ; this observed , then look out a convenient border , either under a wall , a hedge or a pale , to the end that it may have shadow , and if it be possible under the shadow of a bay-tree ; for this herb is an hot herb , and delighteth least in the sunne of all others ; as for example , pulse which is cold , as musmillions and cucumbers , these are cooler , and desire the benefit of the sun , and heat of manure . thirdly , you see it is plain , that herb-grass requireth a shady place , where it may have the sunne only some small part of the day , then ser it ( as i told you ) in a shady border , and let the earth be very good , though authors have said that it abhorreth dung , yet i have found by continual experience , that dung well qualified maketh it prosper mightily , so nothing remains but that you set it so , and it will prosper very well ; but the first year and the second it will grow but very slowly , till it be well rooted , and afterward it will flourish for nine or ten years , if no accident befall it ( as some suppose ) that if an evil woman break any of it , that it will soon fade and die presently after ; if it be so , my judgement is , that there be few or no women can break off this herb , but it must of necessity die : to prove whether it be so or no , it would take up an extraordinary discourse , which i shall wave , and leave this vertuous herb to be propagated by your care for your use and profit . hore-hound . of these there are two sorts ; there are the wild kind , which hath a stinking smell ; but that which i here prescribe , and intend to treat of , is the sweet hore-hound , which is nursed in gardens for its physical vertues : i suppose it is needless to give any description of it . the way of propagating of it is of the slip , which hath part of the root ; the time for doing of it is either in the spring , or in the fall , according as opportunity shall best serve : the manner of it is without any difficulty , even as i told of betony , and so done , it prospereth very well , and springeth every year after . hyssop . there is only two sorts , that is , the yellow and the green ; they differ not in nature , though in vertue : one direction will serve for both in the propagating of it , and therein i shall be very brief . the best and the easiest way for raising hislop is of the seed . first , the ordinary way of raising of it of the seed , is in the later end of april ; the place fit for it is in beds two foot and an half in breadth , in the quarter with the sweet herbs , in that form , as you may see in the draft-work in the beginning of this treatise : i shall save the labour to write the manner of sowing of it , but so as basil is sown , so is this . the second way of sowing of it is in drils , round beds , wherein is tulips , and other flowers of bullous-roots ; the seed in like manner is sown in drils , for the distinguishing of knots , either division-work , or running-drafts . now take notice , that hissop-seed thus sown , or any other way , being thinly covered ; it cometh up suddenly , and by the later end of the summer it will come to seed , if you cut it not ; but i advise you to cut it every fortnight , after it is grown to a handfull high , for it is for profit , pleasure , and for the preservation of the herb ; for that which is kept from seeding will flourish seven or eight years , and the other not half so long . thirdly , this herb may be set of the slip , at that time , manner and place , as was said of the seed , and it will flourish accordingly ; if it be well watered at the first planting , and afterward if the season be dry . lastly , hissop is the best of strowing herbs , both for sent and for growth , and being distilled the water of it is very precious . housleek . housleek or singreen is an herb of general uses , and though it be no art in the planting of it , i name it for its worth , and to put you in mind that you may plant it upon wals or thatcht houses of the slip in cow-dung and earth , and it will prosper very well , and spread and continue with you without any more trouble . jerusalem-sage . it hath many rugged leaves to the sight and handling , they are at a span in length , sharp pointed at the upper end ; the lowermost part growing close to the earth , spreading every way , and of a greenish gray colour ; in the middest groweth many spindles , something like cowslips , with flowers on them like those of english-sage . this flower never yeeldeth seed ; it is propagated of the slip , as followeth . in march or september get the slip of this herb , and set it in a bed of good mould , and it will prosper , or otherwise it will not . now observe , after these slips are rooted , they will continue many years in that place without any more trouble ; and the leaves and flowers are for sovereign medicines , although i cannot find the physicians have treated of it either by name or description ; yet the vertues are these ; it cureth sore brests , applied poultiswayes , and made up into salve ; it cureth all manner of green wounds , and drunk inwardly helpeth women in travel , and many other vertues it hath , which i cannot dispense with time to repeat . kings-mallow . kings-mallows or march-mallows ; these are much like the pot-mallows , or hollihock , but a great deal bigger in body , and leaves something rounder ; the branches grow not so high as the other , and something crookeder . the raising of this mallow is of the seed in march ; the place fit for it is in some out-border of the garden , where it may grow without any replanting , and so at the later end of august next after the sowing , it beareth a small flower in comparison of the hollihock , much like it , and afterward the seed ( which seldom comes to perfection ) having done so three years , root and branch dieth . kapons-tayles . by some named capons-feathers , and by others caponherb . it hath winged leaves rising from the root of a foot long , of a fresh green colour , smooth to the sight and in handling ; in the middest riseth branches to four foot height , weak and bending , with many such like leaves as the former , though not so big ; the top of the branches are huskey flowers , of a sad white colour , which dry on to the stalk , and never yeeldeth seed ; the roots are long and white , full of knots and spreading , which shoot up young branches every year . of the root this herb is planted , either in the spring or fall ; the fittest place for it is in a bed with other pot-herbes , and being done , it needeth no more industry , but will prosper according to the description . this herb is excellent good for broath , and for puddings made of bloud . lovage . it hath stalks growing to a mans height , hollow like bean stalks , with many branches spreading from the sides of them , whereon are leaves much like those of angelica , and of a strong stinking savour ; the branches and stalks perish yearly , and the root sendeth up the like again . now for the ordering of it i will be short , for the herb is hardy , and requireth no more than to be set in the earth of the slip , which is taken from the root , either in the spring or the fall , and it will continue , as was said in the description . liquorish . i suppose the root of it is well known of all those that are troubled with colour , that take any thing to prevent it ; the branches that springeth from the roots are in all respects like young ash-plants at four foot high ; this may serve for the knowledge of it . the way of planting of it for profit , as many do now plant three or four acres of it ( more or lesse according to their opportunities and abilities ) would take up a large discourse , and very probable i might outrun my judgement in some particulars : those that are plantaginers of it differ in the way and judgement of planting of it ; so i will wave the quantity , and speak of the nature and quality . my reason is , because i think that those need not my judgment that plant such great quantities , so take the way of planting of a bed for a houshold use as followeth : in march provide a bed of good earth either light or sandy , and of three spit deep ; such a bed of earth provided , and layed out at three foot in breadth , then set three chace of roots at a foot distance , each root a foot asunder ; now note , the roots must be but half a foot in length at the most , pricked in with a diber , so that there be but an inch of earth above them ; atop of this you may sow any salletting the first year , the second year it would have the bed to it self , and the earth loosened about it , and the third year in january or february it should be taken up , and in the taking of it up , note that such roots as run downward are good liquorish , and those that run side-waies are not so good , but it is better for planting again than the other , which you may plant in the manner as was said before in the march following , and by this industry you may come to have acres of it , as is at the neat houses nigh london . lastly , see what profit is made of planting of liquorish , viz. the apothecaries give fifty shillings for a hundred weight of the roots , and upon this account some have made five hundred pounds upon the encrease of six acres of land . lavender-cotton . or white lavender : the branches of it are like cypruss , but of a white colour , and riseth not altogether so high as the lavender slip doth ; it beareth a yellow downy flower , and leaveth no seed : the herb is bitter in tast , and little better in sent . of the slip this herb is set either in march or september , after two sorts or waies , first when it is set for physicall uses or for profit , it is in beds in manner as you set rosemary : secondly when it is set for pleasure , it is either in borders or knots , and to see a knot set of lavender-cotton , drawn in a large scope of ground , either division or in running draft-work , done by the hand of an artificial workman , and let grow to a foot high and half , a foot a breadth , being kept clipt evenly with a pair of shears , is a rare prospect , and casteth the pleasantest sight of all works of a gardeners inventing , and also this knot so planted and so kept , will continue so twelve or fourteen years before the herb dieth . lavender-spike . sometimes called spike : i think it is altogether needless to write any description of it . this herb is set of the slip only , the best time for it is in the latter end of march in beds of good mould , setting two chase in a bed , each slip at half a foot distance , and the bed of two foot and a half breadth ; it must be well watered at the first planting or else it will not take root , but if it may be so ordered , by july most of those slips will spindle up with a knapple like the flower of betony , yeelding the pleasantest sent of all other herbs . lastly , it is profitable to plant this herb for distilling and for other physicall uses , and especially for oils which are of most vertues approbated to any pain or distemper of man which cometh by aches or old bruises . lavender-slip . this herb which is known so well to be planted of the slip only , with little labour but it yeeldeth more profit : the fittest time for the planting of it , is in the beginning of march , so that it may take root before the dry weather cometh ; and it is also observed , that the sooner of the year it is planted , the longer it will continue before it decayeth . for the planting of it , though it be such an ordinary thing , yet i have seen errors in it , that is , they plant it too thick , for some i have seen plant three rows in a border , of two foot and a half in breadth , when one is enough , therefore i advise those that set it , to set but one , each slip near half a foot asunder , and also observe to twist the nether end of the slip . lemon-time . i wonder that the physicians have left this herb out of their herbals , considering that it is for severall uses , as distilled for waters , and a good pot-herb and nursed in gardens also , this forceth me to give a short description of it , that they and you might be acquainted with it . this herb is much like the pot-marjerom in shape , but little bigger in leaf and branch than the ordinary green time , and it spreadeth upon the ground , sometimes taking root ; the colour of it is betwixt a light yellow and a green , the sent of it is pleasant and sweet , it beareth its flower like the pot-marjerom , but never yeeldeth any seed ; it keepeth fresh all the year and never decayeth , where it is planted of the slip , which is taken from part of the root ; this may be done either in april or august ; the place is sometimes in beds by it self when it is planted for its use , and others plant knots of it for pleasure , and being kept clipt often and clean ( as garden knots ought to be ) it out-lasteth the planter . mallows . or garden-mallows , otherwise called holihocks : in the treatise of flowers i had an occasion to speak of the double kinds of holihocks , and of their severall kinds and colours , how they are raised and planted for ority of the garden of pleasure ; these mallows that i prescribe here are single kinds , and sown in the physicall garden for physicall or kitchin uses . the time of sowing is either in march or in august , in a remote place or an out-border ; by reason of their high growth they would be unhandsome in the middle of a garden , therefore sow them against the pales or wall , and they will prosper very well in any ordinary earth : now note , that seed which is sown in march seldome cometh to flower that year , those that are sown in august come to flower the next summer at its naturall season , which is in july : and lastly note , that mallows spring four or five years , and only loseth its branch in the winter and then it dieth . march. this herb is much like parsly at the first coming up , but of a darker green colour and of a stinking sent , afterward it spreadeth into bushy branches , never rising to above two foot high , carrying of its leaves to the very top , yeelding of its seed in like manner as the parsly doth in shape and colour , but much smaller and of as strong a sent as the herb : the branch perisheth yearly , and springeth again for three or four years and then dieth . this herb is raised of the seed , it is no great matter at what time , for where it groweth , as the seed sheddeth naturally so it cometh up again , therefore the time cannot make much difference : let the place be in a bed which is reserved for such like strong herbs , as rue , wormwood , featherfew , savin , southern-wood , and germander , for these like herbs agree best together , and are for the curing of desperate diseases : but as is said , if the seed be committed to the earth , if it be but new and sound , it will come up at its naturall season , and your garden will never be without it : this may serve for the propagating of it . now i 'le describe some of the vertues of this herb , my reason is this , i have run my eye over culpeppers physician and other herbals , and i found that the name and description of this herb was not there , and the vertue of it is so needfull and usefull that i must describe it , viz. it cureth fellons and gangreens of the flesh applied poultiss-way , it preventeth in cattell the murrain and the pestilence , giving them a drench of it : many more vertues it hath which i would wish both physician and patient to study how to know them . madrath . many long four square stalks trailing on the ground it hath , something reddish and full of joynts , whereout shoot forth long narrowish leaves rough and hairy , betwixt them riseth flowers pale and yellowish , after they fade cometh small round heads , green at the first and black afterwards , wherein is contained the seed : the root runneth down into the ground even four foot ( if it may have good earth so deep , ) and spreadeth many waies also , and are of a red colour . this is planted of the root in march , in manner as followeth : first , provide a bed in a warm place for matter of foyl , for it will endure any air : now the bed being cast something high at three foot a breadth , and good store of rotten dung under them , then set the roots in manner and distance , as was shown of liquorish ; so done , the summer following it shooteth up with branches , according to the description , that would be cut off at the winters approaching , and that is all that need to be done till the third year , and then the root ought to be took up for its use and vertue ; the use is for diers for dying , and the physical vertues the herbals will shew you . marygolds . there be double and single flowered ones , and both of them yeeldeth seed ; and if it be sown in any place which is digged , it will grow and keep the garden full , but if the ground be barren , they will degenerate and turn single . the use of the flower of this herb is for the pot for broth , and the like ; and those that do think of the winter in the summer , do gather the flowers , and dry them in the shade , and put them up in paper bags for the like uses and others , viz. for to make posit-drinks for those that have any distemper at their hearts : it is also thought that it is as effectual as saffron . mother-wort . it hath brownish strong stalks rising two or three foot high , with many leaves cut deep into the very stem , something like the vine-leaf , rough and crumpled , of a sad green colour , but many veins therein ; there are many branches and one stalk , which also yeeld at the tops thereof a purple coloured flower , as small as that of balm , but in the same manner as that of hore-hound , after which come small blackish seeds in great plenty : the bottome of the plant keepeth green many years before the root perisheth . this herb will seldom grow of the seed , therefore it must be set of the slip or sucker , which is taken partly from the root : the time for it is either in the spring or fall , in a border or a bed of good earth , where it will prosper and come to perfection , according to the description . nip . garden nip is much like balm in the leaf , but that they are sharper pointed , whiter and hoary , growing on four square stalks , shoot up to three foot high , with many small branches set thereunto , having smaller leaves than those at the bottome . this herb yeeldeth a strong sent , something sweet like balm ; the flowers grow in large tufs at the tops of each branch , something like that of sparemint , of a whitish purple colour : the root remaineth in the ground like that of the mint , and all the winter some of the nether most leaves keep green : the seed that this herb yeeldeth , is like purslain in all respects , but only it hath one white speck , and that is where it grew to the cod , and at that place it springeth its branch again . of the seed or slip this herb may be propagated ; the seed ( if it hit ) it is long before it comes to perfection , and it is very tickle in gemination , as i have found by experience : the best time for sowing of it ( if you will go to the trouble ) is in the later end of august ; but i think it better to set it of the slip ( if it may be had ) for that way it will prosper very well in any ordinary earth : the time and manner of doing of it , is ( as i told you of balm in the former part of this treatise ) in a bed by it self . orpine . it hath round and brittle stalks with fat and fleshy leaves of a pale green colour ; the flowers are white growing in tufts ; the roots are divers , thick , round tubelous roots , and the branches fade yearly : this herb is set of the root onely in a bed reserved for it self : the time is either in the spring or fall and without any curiosity , being committed to the earth , in its season it will grow and flower as was said . pepperwort . the root sendeth up leaves in shape like the coursemary cut on the edges , carrying the colour of the horse-reddish leaves , it hath a hard small round stalk with many branches like the same , very thinly set with leaves , and at the top of every branch are small white flowers which leaveth a small seed that seldome cometh to perfection ; after the seed falleth the branch dieth , and the root remaineth in the ground , which sendeth up the like again : this root is something like the wild parsnip . the way of propagating of this herb is of the root ; the time for it is in march ; the manner thus ; cut your roots into short pieces of three inches in length , so done ( a bed of earth prepared for that purpose ) then prick in them pieces of roots at half a foot distance , by may they will shoot up with leaves , and by the later end of summer with stalks ( as was said : ) now note that these roots must remain in that place untouched three years , if you would have them at their full vertue , and then they may be took up , and the roots set again . pot-margerum . i imagine it is altogether needlesse to describe it , seeing it is so common an herb ; therefore take the propagating of it by seed and slip , as followeth . first , of the seed : the season for it is either in the latter end of april , or the latter end of august ; the place is in a bed by it self , in a quarter with other sweet herbs , and done in the manner , as i shewed you of basil . secondly , of the slip , that is done at the same seasons , but sometimes not in the same places ; for we set it on border sides to keep them up , where it will spring as well as in a bed , and it will continue alwayes where it is once rooted in bed or border , for it putteth forth side suckers which flourish after the old plant dieth : i think it is but lost labour to write any thing more of it , the herb being so hardy , and so well known . prick-madam . or prick my dame. divers trailing branches upon the ground it hath , composed of a soft substance , not divided into branches or leaves , but all parts alike , which are round prickles like those of the furse , but as big as a goose quill ; if you touch it , a small matter breaketh it , and it is not prickley at all , though it seem so to be ; the colour of it is a blewish green , and beareth a yellow flower in august , and a long seed a little after like that of muscove , but seldom to perfection . this herb is set of the slip in borders sides , either in the spring or the fall , one chase in a border upon the uppermost edge thereof ; for after it is rooted it runneth upon the ground like penny-royal , and taketh root with its branches , therefore it would be kept cut in order by a direct line at the nethermost part of the border , and then it appeareth pretily : it keepeth green all the year and continueth many so . this herb is eaten in sallets in the spring time . purple-grasse . in physicians herbals i cannot finde this herb named or described , therefore i will describe this herb and its vertues . this herb runneth on the ground like clover-grasse , with leaves and stalks of a purple-colour , spotted as it were with blackish bloud , and beareth a flower in july like that of the five leaved grasse , and of the same colour , wherein is small seeds of a brownish colour , which are very light , so that the wind will carry them away ; the topmost branches fade at the latter end of the summer , but the undermost spring up again . the vertues of this herb are for the curing of inward strains , and such as spit bloud , and it is a sovereign remedy for the bloudy-flux ; a great quantity of the juice of it give cattel to drink when they are troubled with the lask , it cureth them ; it 's also used for a pot-herb . now for the ordering of it i will be short ; it is thus : in the spring or the fall get some suckers of this herb , and set in a place that you see convenient for such a purpose ; let it be but well watered at first , it prospereth and continueth alwayes with you in that place , and spreadeth and encreaseth very much . penny-royal . by some orgament , run-ground , and ground-royal ; i hope there is no body but knoweth it by one of these names without any description . this herb is set of the slip only , for it beareth no seed , though it beareth a flower . now note , although this herb be very common , and flourisheth mightily where it is once rooted , yet it is difficult planting of it at the first to have it grow , for if it be planted in dry earth and a dry season , it will not take root without abundance of water : to save this labour , set it in the beginning of march in borders sides , and it will prosper very well , and spring every year after : it requireth no more trouble but cutting off the branches after it hath flowered , and how good the vulgar vertues of this herb are , there are but few but know it . poppy . there are many kinds of them , and in the treatise of flowers i describe what some of them are , so i shall only speak of the white poppy in this place , because it is raised for the physical vertues that are in it . this may be sown in september , and it will prosper very well in any ordinary earth , and will come to flower about the later end of may , and that which is sown in the spring will flower later , and both sowings after they have yeelded the flower , and the seed , both root and branch dieth ; and if you suffer the seed to scatter , it cometh naturally up of it self . rosemary . of this there is gilded rosemary , english rosemary , and spanish rosemary ; the last of these is needless to be propagated , or to be discoursed of . first , for the propagating of our english rosemary , i will speak of that briefly : of seed and slip this herb is raised , and i think i may very well wave the discourse of the raising of it of the seed , seeing the herb is so plentifull , and slips any where may be had where there are any inhabitants . now followeth the manner of setting of it thus : prepare borders of good earth , either round a quarter of herbs , or in strait borders in quarters ; if the earth be barren it must have good store of rotten dung : this observed , lay it into two foot and an half beds or borders , and set three chase of the slips , each chafe eight inches distance , and the slips half a foot asunder ; in setting of them twist the nether end of the slip , and thrust it down so deep that there be but three inches appear above the earth . the time for this is almost betwixt january and may , but that which is set after the middle of march , must be continually watered , or else it will never take root , and that which does by industry , will decay sooner than that which is set in february , and will not endure the winter half so well : we have experience that cold winters will kill rosemary by this last past , as many gardeners about london can witness by wofull experience . lastly , the seasons are to be observed , and the governing of the young plants first ; if february be not temperate then there is no setting of it , but if it be , it is the only time . roman-sage . roman-sage , or the sage-tree : it hath a body like a whipcrap-tree , rising to four foot high , as big as a mans arm , with many branches shooting forth from the sides , with no leaves but upon the top of them onely , which maketh it have a spreading head ; the leaves are of a brown colour , and in handling much like sage , and is made of a round fashion about three fingers in breadth ; the body is of the same colour ; it yeeldeth no seed but a kind of berries , which never cometh to perfection ; this tree keepeth its leaf green all the year . the slips of this tree if they be set in march in a good earth , there is no doubt of its growth , and will come to perfection according to the description ; alwayes provided that they be transplanted having stood on year , so that there may be no want of room and fresh earth . rubarb . rubarb or rewborme , or otherwise called araponick : of these there are divers kinds , which are distinguished into almost as many names , as there is vertues in them , viz. china rubarb , garden patience , or monks rubarb , great round leaved , dock or bastard rubarb , and english rubarb , and as many more : if i should describe them all , it would take up a page or two ; so i will onely give a short description how they may all be known when a man sees them . all sorts of it resemble the burdock in shape before it spindleth to a stalk . now observe , there is difference in kinds , as it differs in colours and stature , but little in form , viz. the china rubarb hath many green leaves near two foot in breadth , and not much longer , rising upon a foot stalk from the root , which are of a red colour ; after this springeth the stock with lesser leaves on it , growing to a yard high , and beareth white stringey flowers , all in a cluster like that of the dock , and yeeldeth a three square seed , of a dark brown colour , as big as a small pea , something glistering to the eye . the time that it flowereth is in june , and the seed is ripe in july ; the branches perish at the coming on of winter , and the root remaineth and sendeth forth the like branches again . monks rubarb groweth up with large stalks , with somewhat broader and longer green leaves , not dented at all : the stalks being divided into a great many small branches , which bear reddish flowers , and three square seed like unto the other : the root is long and yellow like unto the wild docks , but a little redder , and much bigger . bastard rubarb hath yellowish green leaves rising from the root on long brownish foot stalks , among which riseth up pretty big stalks about two foot and an half high , and at the top thereof standeth long brownish flowers , wherein is hard three square seed much like that amongst rubarb , though not so big , yet the root groweth something greater . let this serve for a description , so i will proceed to the propagating of it , and that in particular . first , china rubarb which physicians make such division in names , and quoil about the nature of it ; so that they say , it is unpossible to produce any plants in our english clymate , to be so vertuous , as that which comes out of its naturall countrey : but i will not dispute this , but prosecute the raising of it as briefly as may be . the season fit for the sowing of it is in the beginning of april ; the place must be where it may have the benefit of the sunne , and a shelter from the cold , the earth as loose , and as fat as may be ; such a place provided , cast it up into a bed , and prick in the seeds half an inch deep ; so done , let the bed be sheltered with a mat at nights , and in three weeks space the seed will come up by the latter end of may ; the plants need not be covered till the next winter following , and then it must be sheltered likewise , and in the spring following it would be transplanted into a like earth , and that summer some of it will spindle to seed , and the third year it cometh to its full growth ; the fifth year it hath its whole vertue ; the vertue is in the root chiefly , and then it is taken up . monks rubarb , and bastard rubarb , may be raised of the seed at that time as i told you of the china rubarb , with lesse curiosity and trouble , especially the bastard rubarb . true it is , i should insist upon some particulars further in the ordering of this , but that i have been something large in the information , so that i cannot permit any more time about it , but must speak something of others . spare-mint . of mint there are many sorts , as mackarel mint , horse-mint , white mint , and wild mint , these i wave . of spare-mints there are two sorts , that is , smooth mint , and crudled mint , or crumpled mint . the way of propagating of them both , is of the root , and in this manner , for the saving of labour , and the surenesse of the work for to have the roots to grow , that is thus ; when you have prepared a bed or a border where you have a desire they shall grow , then make three or four drils in the bed with a planting hoe , then lay your roots into those drils with the spire end upward ; so done , fill up the drils again with the head of your rake ; let this be done either in march or september , and those roots will spring without any further care , and never leave you nor forsake you . saffren . if you please to look into the alphabetical table , there is crokus named , and in the page saffron-crokus exprest ; now what is to be understood by this is , that saffron-crokus , or crokus , differeth not in shape from this , but in colours , as blew crokus and yellow , which are sometimes called saffron-crokus , because they differ not in form , but in vertue . this saffron which i here prescribe is planted only for its vertue and profit , which it returneth to the planter thereof , as in cambridgeshire and saffronwalden , where they plant many achers thereof . now i 'll speak a word or two in reference to the planting of it . this herb or flower is planted of the sucker from the root , for it never beareth seed : the time that it is chiefly planted in is presently after its flowering , which is in april ; the manner is without any difficulty ; for if the root be committed to the earth it will grow so , therefore there needeth nothing , but to set every plant decently in order , so that every plant may have its proportion of ground which would be four inches . lastly , observe that in the gathering of the saffron that you must be carefull to see to it every morning , for the saffron cometh up in the middle of the flower like horns as it were , and the sunne causeth them to perish two or three dayes , therefore it is that i counsell you to be watchfull over it . sage . i discovered roman sage to you , or the sage-tree . this herb is the common english sage , and of that there is red and green ; a man would think that it were a needless thing to write any thing of the propagating of it , seeing every one can say , set sage in may and it will never decay , truly that is a long day , but if that were true , the last winter would not have killed the most of the sage about london . but so set sage in the beginning of may in good earth , cast into beds of half a foot high , and two foot and an half broad , setting three chase in each bed of slips , each slip half a foot asunder , watering of it well at the first planting , till it hath taken root , and then this sage set in may , may not for six or seven yeares decay . summer-savoury . so called , because it perisheth so soon as the winter approacheth . this herb is raised of the seed only ; the season for it is in the later end of april , after this manner : prepare a bed of earth in a quarter amongst the other sweet herbs , and the bed being finely raked , then cast the seed thereon , then get some fine mould well ridled , and cast thinly thereon , so that it cover the seed not above half an inch thick , yet i know some ideots have written , that they should be covered three inches thick , and in so doing you had as good cover it three yards thick for any expectation of the growth of the seed . to be short , the seed sown ( as i told you ) will come up in a weeks space , and covereth the bed suddenly , and needeth no replanting , or any more trouble , but only cleansing from weeds . setterwort . or black eleyvert : it is known of a stinking smell , it is much like the bears foot , it hath winged leaves , and runneth up with stalks like parsnips , and beareth the seed in like manner , the root lieth in a clumper as big as a bushell ; if it have stood long , the root of this herb yeeldeth such a strong stinking smell , so that a man in the digging of it up will be even sick with it , so that of all herbs or roots of herbs there is none that yeeldeth so noisome a savour : of this root this plant doth encrease , and if any part of it be set in any kind of digged earth , it will grow without any further trouble , and spring every year after , but observe the time , and that may be at any time but when the branch flourisheth , and he that will not observe this , and bestow this small pains to have this vertuous herb in his garden , if he have cattell , he is a very unwise man , if he did but know what diseases it doth prevent in cattell . stone-crop . this is not unlike prick-madam in any thing but that it is smaller , with divers trailing branches upon the ground , set with fat roundish blewish green sprouts pointed at the ends , it beareth a flower which standeth somewhat loosely , not composed together but stands stragling , this herb also keepeth green all the year . of the slip it is propagated by setting it in dry banks , on stone-wals , and mud-wals , for there it delighteth most to grow , and will shift for it self whereever it be planted , for it neither careth for heat nor cold , but abideth its place alwaies without any alteration , this herb is good in sallets and for physicall uses . shalot . or spanish garlick : it hath heads in the ground like garlick though not so big , it runs up with blades like that of chives , but a great deal bigger and longer , there is never any appearance of any flower or seed , but continueth according as i described it , the sent of it is strong , being eaten it never offendeth the breath . by this short description you may know it as well as if i had filled up a page with it . this herb or root is propagated by the off-set or sucker , setting of them in march in beds of ordinary earth , prickt in each root at a hands breadth asunder just within the earth , this done , by the next michaelmas following each root will encrease to be ten , then they ought to be taken up and kept in a chamber all the winter till the next march , and then set again in manner as was said . sweet-maudlin . i hope i may spare the pains to write a description of an herb that is so common , so only take the nature of it , and that is , it beareth a seed which is something downy , wherein i can see little or no perfection , or any kind of spirit that may tend to growth , yet seedsmen do sell it upon that account and unexperience , men by it thinking to raise the herb of it , but they are mistaken , it is the slip and the slip only that it is encreased by , and that is done in the spring time in this manner ; having gotten slips , then prepare a bed , and set them therein with a diber so thick as they may cover the bed when it cometh to spread , and that will be in a short time after . i need not to give any farther observations , only remember to clip off the branches when it begins to put forth its flower , so that will renew its nature , and make it to look the more beautifull , and continue the longer . seurvy-grass . many thick leaves round and green it hath , smooth on the edges ; these leaves are sometimes springing from the root upon stems , and others upon stalks spreading upon the ground , never rising above a foot in heighth , and the tops spread with white flowers , and after they fade cometh bags wherein is contained small seeds . this herb is sown of the seed only , the best season for it is in the latter end of august , it mattereth not what earth it be so it be fine , dry and clear from rubbidge , and have some shelter , it will grow up and prosper very well the winter following , and it will be the first sallet-herb in the spring , by may it cometh to flower , and yeeldeth not its seed in a good while after . sweet-fern . it hath roots that remain in the ground like those of spare-mint , spreading and encreasing , which sendeth up sprouts crumpled at the first of a pale green colour , and after it brancheth out into jagged leaves as it were , of a darker green colour than the former , something like that of sweet sisly , these grow not but to a small heighth , and never yeeldeth either flower or seed ; this herb yeeldeth as pleasant a sent as basill , the branches dye at the coming of the winters cold breath , and the root sendeth up the like again the next spring ; this herb is frequent in gardens in barkshire . of the root only this herb is propagated , by setting of it in ordinary earth at its first springing , which is in the beginning of april ; now i advise you to plant it in an out-border , because it spreadeth mightily where it is planted , so by that means it will not run amongst other herbs that are placed in quarters . sweet-covey . or muscovey , is an herb that where once it is sown there it continueth , by the reason of the scattering of its seed which springeth up again . i need not describe it nor speak any thing more of the nature of it it is so well known , for where it hath gotten any interest it will hardly be destroyed if you desire it . sweet-marjorum . there are two sorts , and that is winter sweet-marjorum and summer sweet-marjorum : first for the summer sweet-marjorum , that is sown of the seed in the latter end of april , in beds of good mould finely delved and evenly raked , and the seed cast with an even hand upon it , then rake it not but cover it thinly with mould , as i told you in the sowing of basill ; this needeth no further care but watering and weeding , and at the coming of the frost it withereth . winter sweet-marjorum is sown at the same time and in the same manner , and it continueth green all the winter following , and it is for the same use and vertue as the other is , and a great deal more in estimation , because it can be had when the other is not . sweet-oak . is an herb which perisheth yearly , and leaveth a seed which is as small as the rose-campion seed . i cannot stand to describe every part of this herb , nor cannot speak of every particular in the observation of propagating of it , for i have already gone as far as my bounds , so i will only acquaint you with this , that is , you may sow it when you have sowed the seed of the herb before-mentioned , in the same manner , and preserve it with the same care . taragan . i suppose it is well known , so a description is unneedfull . this herb is also sown at the same time and season as the former , but the seed is more difficulter to take in the gemination , but in the fructition much harder : this herb may be set of the off-set ; but seeing that it is of no long continuance , and of no great vertue but only for it s sent , therefore i shall not dispence with the labour to set down every particular way for it . time. it is not to be questioned but that the generality of men and women do know this herb , and how and when it may be planted to grow ; but yet let me put you in mind of a decent form in each particular , in the propagating of it by seed and slip . first , there is two seasons for it , the one is in mid - april , and the other at the latter end of august , that which you sow or set in april , especially that which is sown , will not come to flower that summer , and ought not to be cut till the latter end thereof , because it should spread the ground and keep the sun from scorching of it , at the latter end of the next summer following it will come to flower and seed . secondly , for sowing or setting of it in august , i hold this the best season , for it will endure the winter , and will have taken good root against the summer , and be fit to be cut for the severall uses when the other is sown ; now observe that this be sown and set in a decent manner , and i shall spare the ink and paper to set it down , but see as hysop is done so is this . the last thing that is to be taken notice of is , that it be kept clipt , so that it bring forth neither flower nor seed , for if it does it will not continue half so long , and this you may know to be true by the garden knots that are sown or planted with it , and that being clipt alwayes to make it show pleasant , continueth fresh seven or eight years , when that which is sown in beds and let run to seed continueth not above half so long . tansie . the double kind is planted in gardens for its vulgar and physicall uses , the place would be in some reversion or out-part of a garden , for it spreadeth very much where it is planted , and abideth there alwayes only losing of its branches every winter . i pray you excuse me for writing any directions for the planting of it , it being such a vulgar hardy herb it is needlesse . v. laren . of it there is two sorts in form and colour of flowers , and that is the purple valaren and the blew valaren , they differ in seed as well as in colour , yet they differ not so much in stature and growth but that one description will serve them both . it hath leaves round and of a dark green , smooth on the edges and all parts else , many of them set on upon one stem much like that of box , these are set all upon stalks , and the bigger of them are springing as it were from the root , and spreading on the ground , the stalk riseth to three foot high , and on the top are many flowers set one above another of a blewish or a purple colour , glistering as it were , the time it begins to flower is at the latter end of june , and so continueth till after michaelmas , this causeth some seed to be ripe when flowers are rich in the branch , the nether most part of this herb keepeth green all the year , and continueth many before it dyeth . now for the raising of it my words must be few , that is , this herb may be sown of the seed , or set of the slip in the latter end of march or in august , in a bed by it self in the usual manner of sowing and planting of others , and it will prosper according to the description . wormwood . of this there be three sorts , viz. sea wormwood , field wormwood , and roman wormwood , and the last of these is onely cultivated in gardens for its cordiall and physicall uses . this herb is set of the slip or sown of the seed ; but the sowing of the seed i shall wave , because nature doth it better than i can teach you ; the slip is set in the spring time , which is taken from the head of the root , it prospereth well in any earth being something shaded . winter-savoury . this is the last herb in the physical garden , as it fals out in the alphabetical order , though the vertues are the best of all others for vulgar uses . of winter-savoury there is three sorts in form of leaves , and only one in nature and vertue . i will now give some directions for the propagating of this herb , though most men know it , yet it may serve to put them in mind of that which they know , in mid - april , and the later end of august either of these seasons the seed of this herb is sown , and the slip is set ; i shall not trouble you with the manner , but as hysop was sown in like manner is this ; so done it prospereth very well . the physical garden as it treateth of trees . a short description or direction for the propagating of each tree which is fruitfull and physical , usually planted in a fruitfull or physical garden . barberry . i will be as short on this and all the rest as possibly may be , so that i may but give an information . the plain way of propagating of each tree as this , is of the sucker , which springeth partly from the root , and being taken away in september , and set in the nursery , where suckers , slips and seedlings are set , and after they have taken root they may be transplanted into the quarters of the garden in uniform order where they are to remain . currants . currants are generally white , black and red , but yet each of these sorts differ in greatness as well as in goodness , according to the care as is used about them , in the raising of them from suckers to fruitfull trees ; the thing is plain , yet there are mistakes many times in it , therefore i would willingly give my evidence in it to insist upon it presently after michaelmas take your suckers from your currant trees , and if you have not ground ready for them to transplant them where they should alwayes grow , then plant them in a piece of ground by themselves at a foot distance , which may be fitly called a nursery , let them stand there while that time twelve moneth , then plant them into the middle of strawberry beds at a yard distance , each tree bound to a stake , so that the wind may not break them , and put them out of uniform order . lastly observe , let these suckers be taken yearly from the roots of the old bearers , or otherwise they hinder them from being fruitfull , they must be pruned also , which is to cut away the superfluous branches which run above the rest and never bear fruit . gooseberries . are distinguished into many sorts , usually thus , dutch and english ; first with the dutch , there is white and red , which are the worthiest of all other both to the pallate and the eye : of the english kinds there are white and red also , and many others , but i will only name these , that is , the long yellow and the round yellow , the amber and the christall , the nepture and the wild , all these are set of the sucker , as i told you of currants in like manner , and transplanted into like places . many arguments of curiosity i could raise in the propagating of them , which would appear to men of experience to be needlesse , my self being sensible of the same i passe that , and only desire you to remember to prune them , so that the fruit may be the larger , and the trees renew their nature and appear the more pleasanter . mulberries . are white , red and black , these trees seldome send forth any sucker neither are they to be grafted upon other stocks to advance the fruit , but the way is to get young sprouts from the body , and to set them in good earth in september or thereabouts , so that they may take root , and at two or three years end to be replanted into certain places where they may remain , so done it is without question but these slips or cuttings will come to be trees , and bring forth fruit according to its mother . quinces . are supposed to be of divers kinds by reason that they yeeld contrary fruits in vertue and in shape ; i shall not end the controversic here by any arguments , but shall refer you to a book of mine which is coming forth entituled the gardeners rule , at the latter end of which is a treatise of fruit-trees , wherein you shall find , that all old errors and unpracticall conceits are clearly reconciled by reason and argument ; so i shall not speak any farther of the propagating of them here , for then it would be double labour . i name this plant here , because properly it belongeth to a garden and not to an orchard , and more especially to the physicall or fruitfull garden . rasberries . of these there are red and white , which are greater and lesser , fruitfull and unfruitfull , according to the soyl , air , and ordering that they have . upon these words i could draw as many arguments as would fill up a sheet of paper , but that is not my intent in this or any other part of this book , for it would be little pleasing and less profitable . rasberries are set of the slips or suckers which it sends from the roots , which spreadeth in the ground , these being drawn up in september out of beds where they stand too thick , so taken up then pruned , which is to cut off the slips or suckers above the root at a foot and a half in length , and so much of the root that it be not too cumbersome ; having beds of earth prepared of three foot a breadth , then prick in three chase of these plants at nine inches distance , very few of these will bear any fruit the next summer , but the second summer is that which bringeth the greatest encrease if the year be fruitfull . lastly to be short , rasberries must be pruned every year , for some alwayes dye , and the other spring up where they have been long planted . roses . omitting those that i spoke of in the garden of pleasure , the rest are these , the rose of monday , the damask rose , the red rose , and the white rose , and some tell me of a monethly rose , but i was never satisfied whether there is such a one yea or no neither by experience nor theoditary , therefore i must wave it and speak of the rest . of the rose of monday ; this rose is in all parts like the damask rose , only the colour maketh the difference , for this rose is damask and red striped , the propagating of it is by slip or inoculation : if you are not experienced in inoculation , then be pleased to turn back to the place where it treateth of the province rose , and there is a guide set down for it , and for the directions for setting the slip , i hope i may omit the pains for to set it down , for a wise man may well understand one thing by another . now for the ordering of the damask rose , i will give a few plain directions . first , if you have them already and would willingly encrease them , in the beginning of february , cut off all the young sprouts as come from the body , and pluck up all such as shoot from the root , then cut them all at a foot in length ; now in the planting of these slips i shall omit that curiosity of casting up of beds for them , as i and others have done , so i will give you an easie and a profitable way , which is to lay a piece of ground levell well raked , then set in those said slips in that ground by a direct line at fifteen inches asunder , a moneth after , you may cast some turnip-seed upon that ground , and it will not be only profitable for the table , but also shadow the face of the ground , and keep it from being too dry . secondly , these slips thus planted will have taken root by that time twelve moneth , and be grown to a greater stature , and may be transplanted into borders round quarters of herbe , or else a whole quarter or quarters of them , and strawberries cast into beds , so that the strawberries may grow under the roses , and the rose-trees to stand at three foot distance one way and five foot the other , that the strawberry beds may be three foot broad and two foot paths between , and the rose-trees supported with stakes . thirdly , roses may be raised of the seed , but this rose with more case than any of the rest , many authors have set down certain wayes for it which are contrary to reason ; if i thought that any man were so undiscreet to put it in practice , i would lay down some arguments for to prevent such errors . next for the propagating of the red rose , which is by cuttings of the youngest shoots from the oldest standers , which cuttings ought to be a foot long , and if they be lesse they may grow very well ; before i show you how to set them , prepare borders of two foot and a half in breadth , and paths of two foot between ; the beds being laid a foot high , then set a line upon the border , so that there may be three rows of slips set in the border proportionably , then prick in the cuttings by the line side eight inches one from another , and so deep that one half be in the ground and the other above , let them stand slope-wayes in this bed or border , they may alwayes remain , for they are not to be removed without great hinderance of the bearing of them . lastly , some directions for the causing of roses to flower plentifully , that is to cut them with a pair of shears the first full moon after christmas day ; what is to be observed in cutting is , that such sprouts that were of the last years growth , be cut off at the heighth of the old bearers ; whereunto i adde , that if roses be planted in wet ground , that they will never flower plentifully , therefore observe to set them in the dryest soyl . savin-tree . i suppose though it be not common in every garden , yet the strange and admirable vertues that it hath makes it common in every ones mouth , so i will only speak of the nature and the raising of the plant : first it requireth a place which is somewhat shady , as most plants do that are of a hot nature , and keepeth green all the year ; further observe , this tree yeeldeth no seed neither , it seldome or never sendeth any sucker from the root , therefore it is only propagated of the slip which is taken from the branches , the time for doing of this is at the beginning of the winter , the place would be as i told you its nature requireth , in a shady place in an extraordinary good mould , and if it were helpt with pigeons dung , it would be much the better for to cause the slips to take root the sooner : now note , that these plants would be planted at such a distance , as that they might have room to grow when they are great , for they care the least for moving of any other plant whatsoever . strawberry-tree . this tree should have been placed in my garden of pleasure , i hope you will place it in yours for the rarities and preheminency belonging to it , and it being but a stranger in england , i will describe it in few words so that it may be known . this plant riseth near to five yards in heighth , spreading with many branches toward the top , which maketh it to stand in a stately form , the leaves of this tree are green as the bay-trees , and keep so all the year , they are also of the same shape though not half so big , the ribs of them are something reddish , and the bark of the body of the tree is of a reddish green colour something rough and dented , the middle of the tree as to say amongst the branches are bare and without sprouts or leaves , at the top springeth berries upon stalks , when they are ripe they are absolutely like strawberries , and may be eaten though not half so good , yet they are usually eaten . there is no way that i could find of propagating of this tree , but by slips taken from the branches and set in good mould , to the end that they may take root and become trees , but most of them thus done seldome take root . there is another way which is more certain , and that is to make a branch as it groweth upon the tree to pass thorow a pot which hath a hole in the bottome of it , and then to fill the pot full of earth , and that will cause it to take root as it groweth on the tree , and then it may be cut off and planted in that place where it should remain . the end of the physicall garden . the gardeners practice in the kitchin garden , how to advance the nature and growth of herbs , roots , and pulse contained therein . i have not leisure to insist upon every particular at this time , but if it please god to permit me life i shall give these rules and directions for the propagating of those plants mentioned in the alphabeticall table belonging to the kitchin garden , thus : propagation , . the season fit for sowing or planting . . the time and place fit for it . . how to order the ground . . the quantity and the quality of seed . . the knowledge of replanting of seedlings . . the art in slips , suckers and roots . . how to prune , cleanse , and dress plants . experiments , . the preservation of plants from hurtfull distempers . . to produce them early or late . . how to alter sent and colour . . the art of transforming plants . so only take these short observations upon these plants as followeth in this treatise , viz. artichokes . by their distinct kinds , form and vertue , are called thus ; the protector head , the rabits head and the dogs head ; or otherwise , red , white , and brown artichokes ; the red and the brown are propagated by art and care to a huge greatness in reference to those that are and grow naturally . the way of propagating of artichokes is of the slip in an extraordinary rich soyl , not as it is naturally rich but improved with dung , for they delight in any stiff clayey ground so that it hath but dung enough . secondly , the time and manner of setting of them is thus , when the ground is digged and laid levell or even , then set the slips in half a foot deep by a line , so that they stand two foot and a half asunder : the season that is best for it some suppose it to be in september , but experience tells us , that the last winter most or all of those slips thus set were killed , therefore i think it best to set them in march , in that manner as aforesaid . thirdly , the preservation of them from perishing in the winter , is to shelter them from frost and snow , and that is done by trenching of them and laying of new dung about them which will not freez , but will keep the plant from the frost . sparrow-grass . if i should enter upon an historicall discourse of this herb i should never have done , i will only acquaint you that this herb is raised of the seed , and usually after this manner ; they prepare beds of good earth of three foot a breadth , and two foot path between in breadth likewise , then cast in the seed thinly thereon , this is done in the latter end of march ; the next september they transplant these plants , the seedlings into beds of the same breadth of extraordinary rich sandy ground , the next summer following it spindleth into small spindles which are worth little , but the third spring after its sowing riseth good sparrow-grass : now note , that every september rotten dung must be laid upon the beds , and in the beginning of march to be raked off , and the ground loosened with a forkabout the plant , for if they should do it with a spade it would cut the roots . the way of producing of it early is done by raising of it upon hot beds ; i will permit a little time to show you how and when , in the latter end of february make a hot bed of horse-dung , of three foot high and three foot broad , and of a length according to your sparrow-grass you intend to sow ; the bed thus made , then lay-fine mould atop of it so that it may raise it two inches higher , so done take up the oldest sparrow-grass roots that you have , that are like to decay where they stand , and lay them one by one as thick as you can upon this hot bed , lay as much more earth upon the roots as is under them , cover the bed with some litter , the fourth day the roots will sprout up young sparrow-grass , by reason of the heat of the dung , and the steme being kept in with the litter which causeth this hasty growth : now observe , that when these sprouts are thus shot up , the litter must be took away , and pent-houses of rods made over the beds , whereon you shall lay mats to preserve them from the frost and cold ; remember to give the bed air once a day if the weather be seasonable : so done you may pull good sparrow-grass from the bed at the fortnights end . beets . both red and white are for generall and kitchin uses , they are raised of the seed , and you may sow it when you please and it will come up , but it is when it please , and that is at its naturall season : you may also sow it in any ordinary earth and it will grow , but the better the earth is , the better is the herb and yeeldeth the greater encrease also ; the root will grow to a huge bigness , which is for many uses , especially the root of the red beet . now i advise you to sow beet seed in speciall rank ground in the beginning of september , and by the latter end thereof it is very probable that some of the seed will be come up , and the rest will not appear till the next spring following : the next summer they will run to seed if you suffer them , and after they have yeelded their seed three times the root and branch dieth , yet where they are once sown , by reason of scattering of the seed , they will not leave your garden . cucumbers . are long and short , the long are counted the best both for salleting and pickleing : the raising of them is both alike , all the art that i shall endeavour to lay down in few words here is , the raising of them timely for salleting , for those that come late in the summer are only used for gerkings : to insist upon the raising of them early , about the middle of march , make beds of new horse-dung of two foot and a half high , and near that breadth , then make a band of straw or hay and pin it upon the uppermost part thereof , then lay some fine ridled mould atop near three fingers thick , then cover this bed with some litter or straw , and make a pent-house over it as i told you of the sparrow-grass bed , whereon must lye mats , then steep your cucumber-seed in milk and suet for four and twenty hours , by that time the bed will be hot , then prick in your seeds at two fingers distance upon the bed , and lay on the litter again ; be carefull afterward for once or twice a day to see that the bed be not too hot , for then it will force gemination too soon and the plants will never hold it : now observe , that if the seed appeareth before the third day , then that bed is too hot and too hasty a gemination , but if they appear not before the fourth or fifth day , then those plants are like to come to good , if they be carefully looked after for the future , and that is to set glasses over them all night and in boisterous dayes till towards the middle of april , then transplant them from that bed , into holes or trenches wherein is laid new horse-dung , and pigeons-dung if it may be had , with four inches of good mould atop of it , then set four cucumber plants in the compass of a musmillion-glass , and with a glass over each four plants ; let these plants be watered with such water as hath stood in the sun , wherein hath been steeped horse-dung ; by these directions , if you had any knowledge or insight in it before , you may have cucumbers fit for a sallet by mid - may if the spring be any thing favourable , and that is counted great rarities . the second and the ordinary way of raising cucumbers for sallet to have them about mid-summer , is to raise them in mid - april upon a hot bed , not so hot as the former , only covered with mats , and the first week in may transplanted into holes , as was said before : you need not go to the charge to cover them with glasses , for any thing else will serve that will only keep the frost from them anights ; let these be watered as the former every evening or every other evening if it rain not , i cannot stay to treat upon every particular . lastly , the ready way of planting or sowing of cucumber-seed is , to prepare holes which will hold a wheelbarrow of good rotten dung or more , let each hole be four foot asunder , and earth atop of the dung , and then half a score seeds pricked in each hole , but if four of them come up it is enough , and what more cometh up , pull them away or else they will hinder one another and come to nothing : note that the time of sowing is about may day , let these be well watered the summer following and gelded , and by august their fruit will come to perfection . colliflowers . they are raised of the seed , and i shall spare a great deal of labour in setting down the directions for it , if you please to look back how beds are made for cucumbers , in the same manner and at the same time so make for these , and they are governed up alike , only these are without glasses : at the middle of may transplant them into rich and forward ground , setting each plant two foot and a half distance , watering of them well at the first planting , and by the latter end of july they will come to flower so that you may have a dish of them . the second season of the sowing of colliflower-seed , is in the beginning of september , in beds of very good mould ; being sown there and come up , at a moneths end transplant them into another bed of three abreadth , setting each plant at a hands breadth asunder in ranges by a line , then make a shelter over them with sticks and mats , to shelter the plants from the frosty nights the winter following , the next spring transplant them in like manner as i told you of the other , and by mid-summer or soon after they will come to flower . cabidges . mistake me not , i mean the propagating of cabidge-seed to be cabidges again , which oftentimes through negligence and ignorance turn or come to be cail or colworts : but i cannot stay to reckon up colworts and cabidges , how many sorts there are , and what a great commodity it is , especially amongst the plow-men , but i shall proceed with all the brevity as may be possible , what is to be observed in the sowing and governing of the seed that it degenerate not . first of all observe the season , that is , if you sow seed for winter plants to be planted out of the spring , do it at the latter end of august , in a light earth , the moon being at the full , five or six weeks after transplant them into another earth , laying or setting them at half a foot distance , to the end that each plant may have its proportion of ground and be restrained of its high growth ; at the latter end of february , and in march at the full moon , these may be planted into quarters of earth , where they may stand at a yard distance : now note , the best ground for these to be planted in , is the strongest clay or mawm earth , that is , with this provisoe , that there be abundance of dung under it ; these cabidges must be kept whole with earth about the stalks as the weeds rise , and the under leaves stripped off to cause the cabidges to grow the greater . lastly , you may sow this seed in march for winter colworts , for they may be transplanted about the latter end of may , or in the beginning of june , in manner as aforesaid . i cannot go farther , i have spoken more than i intended . carrots . i shall only give three directions for the propagating of them , which vulgar people are not acquainted with though they may sow of them yearly ; the first is the earth that the seed is committed to , that it be of a like nature and not wet when it is delved ; also observe that the moon be of the first quarter , the time of the year is even from the beginning of march till may. secondly , observe the quantity of seed that you sow it not too thick ; and for a better help thereunto , consider your quantity of ground , and then note , that three pound of seed soweth an acre , and so proportionably sow your own . thirdly , that you let them not grow too thick , for then they will be very small and worth nothing : the best way to prevent this , is to hoe them as our london gardeners do , so that each carrot stand ten inches one from another , or thereabout . corn-sallet . whether any countrey men know it yea or no , i shall not dispence with the time to describe it ; but sow it in your garden in the beginning of september , in a good earth , the seed being sound and new , i dare promise you that it will grow and come to be cut by the next march for sallets , and by the latter end of april it cometh to flower , and in june the seed is ripe , which if you save it you may sow it again ; or if you let it scatter of it self , sometimes it will grow naturally . goards . as they are known to be in distinct forms , and something in nature , so they bear their names according to the country from whence they are brought , that is , the italian goard , the lowland goard , and the cocker goard ; if i am mistaken in the names , i am not mistaken in the properties , and the form ; for there is one sort which is nigh a yard long , and sometimes as big as the lowermost part of a mans thigh , with that end which is farthest from the stalk , and so it cometh lesse and lesse by degrees . another sort is long , and both ends alike for matter of bigness ; the other is bigger and shorter ; all these grow in like manner as pumpkins do , as for stalk and shels , and they say , the leaves differ not much . now for the raising of them ( if you have a desire ) i will give you my directions , as far as i have observed by others , viz. at the same time as they set cucumber-seed , in the same manner they do the goard-seed , and what they require afterward i cannot affirm it to you ; but it is said , they are as easily raised as cucumbers : the stalk and root perisheth yearly , as they do . indian suckory . it is so well known i need not write any thing of its use and virtues , but for the nature of it , it is very probable i have observed more of it than those that have cultevated it longer than i have done , and in my observation i have found it to be of a strong nature ; so that if you commit it to the earth in the spring or autumn , it needeth no farther care , but being cleansed from weeds , so it will continue till it hath yeelded its seed three times , and then root and branch dieth . english-beans . or great garden beans ; i name them here , because they are usually set in gardens , though sometimes in fields : in which place soever you plant them in , i find but one objection , and that is , some plant them here and there , according to their fancy , and not by a direct line ; the errour is this , those that are set at random and not by a line , they have not their proportion of ground , nor can you cleanse them , hoe them , or gather them , without great injury in breaking of them down ; therefore learn of the gardeners and husbandmen about london , for if they plant twenty acres together , it is all set in rows by a line , each row some eighteen inches difference one from another , and the beans the other way , some six . french-beans . they are much like the former , but something thinner , and of a tenderer nature ; they are ripe something sooner , and require an hotter soil , these may be set in the same manner as i described before of the english-beans . let that suffice . jerusalem-artichoaks . the property of this plant is so that nothing is usefull , but the root , and it remainet hin the ground , some as big as a hens egg , some bigger , some less , and of divers shapes , some long , some round , some crumpled and all full of dents , and of a reddish colour , from which riseth a stalk near eight foot high , resembling that of the flower of the sun , though not so big a stalk . this stalk perisheth yearly , the root continueth in the ground , as was said . of the root these artichoaks ( so called ) are propagated , either by cutting of the great ones into small pieces , or else setting the little roots ( descending from the mother ) in beds of earth by themselves , in march without any difficulty , for they are very hardy and will grow in any place , but they prosper best in a light mould . now note , that once a year these roots may be taken up , and the great ones reserved for to be eaten , and the little ones set again . kidney-beans . my countrey men i suppose call them french-beans , like ideots ; for why , names that are given things which are newly found out , are given them , according to what they resemble , and it is so that this bean resembleth a kidney , and therefore it is fitly called a kidney-bean ; let that passe . there is red , white , purple , and speckled of them ; but the nature of them is one , and my directions for the planting of them shall be one , and that briefly . in the latter end of april provide a hot natured ground ; if it be something sandy it is the better , so that it be but well holpen with rotten muck the year before ; when the ground is digged , they may be either planted or set in ranges by a line at eighteen inches distance ; those that go to the trouble to set them , usually take the pains to stick sticks for them to run up upon , to the end to keep them from the ground for to save their fruit , and to cause it to ripen the sooner ; those that plant them in drils , take no farther care but only hoing the ground , being hot and dry they ripen very well , and bring good increase . lettice . many sorts there be , but of all others the french lettice is the best ; but that being sown in england , it doth often degenerate from its own nature , because it findeth not the air and the earth so temperate here , as in its own countrey ; therefore if it be raised here , it must be done with care and judgment ; and as for our ordinary english lettice , it may be it would appear as light as vanity to the vulgar sort of people , to give any directions for the raising and governing of them , although there is matter of consequence in the work , yet i shall wave it , and only put you in mind , that you may sow lettice any moneth , from the latter end of february to the latter end of september : yet take notice , that those which be sown in the middle of the summer ought to be watered , and those that are sowed in september for salletting early in the spring , would be covered with straw , or sown under a warm pale that might shelter it from the sharp winds . lastly , if you have a desire to save seed of lettice , let it be of such as was sown in september , let them not be cut or medled with , till the seed be full ripe in it , and that will be in july . leeks . a short account may very well serve for the raising and governing of this herb or root , and so it shall be . leeks are sown in the beginning of march in a rich soil , for that it delighteth in much , in which place they may remain all the summer following , and in september be transplanted into a rich soyl , laying of them in rows at half afoot asunder , as the ground was digged : the end of removing of them , is to cause them to grow the bigger , and so the next lent those leeks are drawn up by the roots for their uses ; and if you have any desire to let them stand for seed , that is a fit place . millions . millions or musmillions be these , the black million , the white million , great roman millions , water millions , and many more , a man may raise and bring them up to be bigger than ones fist , but never come to be ripe or to any perfection , so i shall wave them and speak of our ordinary green musmillions which are raised in england , and come to perfection . and about these musmillions here is such a deal of charge , care , quoil and trouble , such a multitude of arguments , and such abundance of vain conceits , so that if i could have made an almanack of my pate , and set down all that i have heard of them , it would be a sufficient subject of it self ; or otherwise if i should set down all that i have known to be put in practice , i believe that twenty pages would not contain it , so i shall passe it having no time nor liberty , neither desire to insist upon it for the present ; but in the future i hope i shall : so only take these few experiments , whereby i have raised musmillions , and sometimes mist , as the proudest , and the greatest conceitedst man hath done , which hath been actual in this thing . the first thing considerable in the propagating of millions is the season , and thereabout men differ in their judgments ; for some would have them raised at the latter end of february , or at the beginning of march , some at the beginning of april , and others not till the latter end thereof ▪ this hath been put in practice , and every one of them have had good success at one time , and bad at another . now my experience and my judgement is this , that is , it is best to raise them at the latter end of march , or about the beginning of april . the wayes for it are various and strange , and one mans judgment differeth from another , in this more than any other thing which is practical in a garden . i cannot stand to dispute , but take my following experience for your directions . at that time as i told it is best to raise them , then make a hot bed of hors dung , in manner ( as i told you ) for cucumbers , but let it be something higher , and something thicker , at the top thereof if you lay some bran it would be much the better ; so done , get the finest earth that may be , and cover the bed with it two inches thick or more , supporting of it from tumbling down ( as i told you of the cucumber beds ) then get your glasses , and see how many of them will stand conveniently upon the bed , then clap them down , the rim of them makes a mark , within that circle put a dozen or more of seeds , after the bed hath stood a day and been covered with litter , and in the meantime the seeds being steeped in milk , then set the glasses over them , lay litter between them , and over them , and round the bed , and mats upon bended poles over that , be watchfull the second and third day that the bed be not too hot , and if it be , then take away the litter from the sides , and make holes also in the sides to let out the steem , and when it is qualified that it be not over-hot , then lay the litter there again , about the fourth day , if it be so ordered , the seed cometh up , which if it come up sooner it seldom holdeth , and if it lieth much longer it seldom cometh up at all ; but i will passe that the seed come up ( as was said ) give the plants a little air once a day , not by taking of the glasses clean away , but by lifting up of one side of them for an hour or two , or such a matter , which will give them a green colour , and stay them for spending of their spirits . secondly , after the plants have been a fortnight sprung up , it is very probable that they may seem to decay or stand at a stay , the reason is , because they want that supply of heat which the bed did afford to them before , because it hath stood long , and the heat is qualified ; the cure is to get new hors-dung and litter one amongst another , and lay very thick against the sides of the bed , then under every glasse thrust down a small stick to the bottom of the bed , the use of it is to let up the heat and steem which is at the bottom , and that which the new laid dung and litter have infused in up , at those holes into the glasses , which doth warm , moisten and revive the plants . thirdly , the plants having stood here a moneth , and preserved with this care , then prepare beds or ridges to transplant them in , as followeth . first , let the place be extraordinary warm , sheltered from all winds ; then make your beds thus ; get hay and litter , and make a trench some half a foot deep and a yard wide , then lay the litter or hay therein , so that it may be half a foot thick ; this done , get new hors-dung , so much of it , that it may raise it two foot in height above the litter ridg fashion ; that done , get sticks of a yard long or thereabouts , as big as a walking cudgel , drive them into the middle of the bed at a yard distance , so low that there be but a hands breadth appear above the dung ; this observed , cast the earth that licth by against the sides of the bed , then riddle fine mould , and lay it atop at a hands breadth in thickness , lay a little straw thinly upon this bed , and the next evening after transplant your million plants four and four together thereon , and observe that they be set round those sticks , as i told you of , and a glass over each parcel of plants , upon your glasses lay straw or mats made a-purpose . fourthly , the plants thus planted out , they are there to remain , and not to be stirred any more ; and in this , especially in the governing of them afterwards , you are to consider three things ; the first is , that they have air once a day , and covered again at nights ; let not the glasses be took quite away , but be moved up on one side , while such time as the million vines grow too great for the glass , then you may take them away in some part of the day , and set them over the fruit in the night . secondly , watering is not the least thing to be considered in it , both as for the time , manner , and for the substance of it ; the best time to do it in , is in the morning soon after the suns approaching ; the manner of it is not to pour it all over the plant with a watering pot , as some do , but to put it in a hole , or holes by the root , so that it may soak leisurely carrying an earthly substance with it ; the water also must have the substance of pigeons-dung , and hors-dung in it , and standing in tubs in the ground , so that the sun may have power upon it to qualifie the coolness of it , and to clarifie that unnatural property that it hath in it for the advancing of such a pulse as millions , that delight only in heat and moisture . the third is , that they be gelded , and that is to nip off the leaves and fruit that spring very thick leaving but half as much as nature commonly putteth forth upon every vine ; the end that this is done for , is to cause the fruit to come to perfection the sooner which remaineth , and also to have it the larger and ripe the sooner . these are the ordinary wayes of raising musmillions , or as i may more fitly say , the principle things to be observed , yet there remains in each principle many particulars , which when time shall serve i shall treat of at large : in the mean space take these plain and serious truths , as you shall find them if they be put in practice . onions . i may not stand to multiply words where necessity requires not ; i suppose that onions are so well known that there are few people that need any directions for the vulgar way of raising of them , yet there is matter of consequence to be observed in the raising of them for profit and greatness , and in that particular i will speak a word or two . for the first , consider the quantity of seed , and the quality of the ground , if it be stiff it requireth the more seed , and to be sown the sooner ; if it be light , the latter and the lesser quantity of seed will serve : to guide you the better therein , ten pound soweth an acre for large onions , which are to be hoed with hoes of three inches in breadth , so that every onion may have six inches compass to grow in : the season for sowing of them in , is the first full moon in march ; another season is to sow them the first full moon in august , so that they may be scalions by the next easter , but they never serve for dry onions . purslane . i may say of this as culpepper saith of saffron in the english physician , pag. . it is well known , saith he , generally where it groweth : now i say of purslane , if you know it not already , and would willingly have it , then purchase the seed , and you shall obtain your desire , by ordering of it , as followeth : at may day , or a little before , make a bed of dung a foot high , of a yard in breadth , as long or as short as you please , according to the quantity as you would have of them : get then some riddled mould , and lay thereon near half an inch in thickness ; so done , cast the seed therin with a little mould upon it , so that it doth no more than cover it ; if the season be dry after it , then water it , the seventh day it usually comes up , and after that it must be continually watered every evening , and by june it will be fit to be cut ; these directions will well serve if they be duly observed , for the raising of it in its naturall season for salletting : but for the producing of it early or late , and for planting of it for pickling , i shall passe at this time . parsley . parsley is sown of the seed in march , it delighteth in a rich ground , and continueth even the longest of all seeds before any of it cometh up , but after it hath gotten above the ground , it prospereth so , that the more you cut it the better it groweth ; the second spring after it is sown it runneth to seed , and after that it usually dieth . parsnips . to speak any thing for the sowing and governing of a small quantity , it would be altogether needlesse , seeing hardly any countrey man is without them in his garden . for the ordering of a great quantity , take it in short thus , viz. four pound of seed soweth an acre , then guide the quantity of seed by your ground at this rate . now the manner of sowing of it is severall , for some sow the ground before they dig it , if it be light and sandy , but that i do not approve of : the best way is to sow it after the ground is digged , when it lieth as rough as may be possible , then the seed may be covered the better : if the ground be stiff and wet , then lay it as smooth as you can before it is sown . lastly , to cleanse these parsnips from weeds after they be come up , it is better to do it with a hoe than to weed it by womens hands , for when they are hoed it taketh away the parsnips where they be too thick , which doth as much hurt as weeds , considering they have not room to grow one by another , it also looseneth the earth , when weeders would beat it down , and make it the harder ; and that which is more , an acre of parsnips will be hoed three times for the price that it will be weeded once . peas of all sorts . which are usually planted are these , the hasting spur and the ordinary hasting , the sugar peas , the blew rousewell and the grey rousewell , the sanddige peas , and the bunch peas : for to treat of all these in particular is needless as to the manner : the times of planting of them differ , to have them early or late ; to have forward peas , plant them at alhollentide or before in this manner ; when the ground is digged then hoe up ridges at two foot distance , and in the tops of those ridges make drills with one corner of your hoe , therein cast the peas in pretty thick , because the winter following the cold , mice and worms will be apt to destroy them : the reason why i counsell you to sow them on the tops of such ridges is , because they should lye dry and warm , for all kind of forward peas delight in hot and dry soyl . lastly , take notice , that peas must be hone betwixt the chases the first time , and the second time the earth and weeds must be raised up about them with the hoe : there is much more belongeth to the planting of peas for the guiding of great quantities for profit , which i am very well acquainted with , but too much engaged to treat of now . potatoes . they are not known in the south parts of england , yet in the north parts they are planted in poor and rich mens gardens , for the goodness that they yeeld to their tables in the winter when no other roots are to be had ; in ireland they are so generall and so common , that i never saw any man that had land and habitation there but that he had store of potatoes for his use , and those which plant them for profit have twenty or thirty acres of them , more or less according to their abilities . it were needless for me to set down the order of planting of them , seeing it is not generally to be put in practice , for i have not seen of them but in those places which i named , and it were vanity for me to give them directions . pumpkins . are known of most countrey people , and i may say that there are few of them but would have great and sound pumpkins if they took this advice ; about may day or a little before , make a bed of cow dung and swines-dung , of a foot high and three or four foot in breadth , and as long as you please , lay thereon so much earth as will raise it an inch higher , then prick in your seeds afoot one from another , so that they may have room to grow , then lay a little chaff atop of the bed for keeping of the ground and the plants moist , and when the plants are come up , water them with such water as standeth by a dunghill once or twice a week , this done i hope by michaelmas that you will have pumpkins as big as a kilderkin of beer , and being baked and well buttered is good chear . radish if i should enter upon every particular of what belongeth to the raising of radish , to have them young and good nine moneths in the year , it would take up a large discourse , which i will pass , for i hope you are well acquainted with the manner , so i will only put you in mind of the seasons : first to have them early , sow them in the latter end of february , if frost and snow hinder not it will prosper , and you may have good radishes by the latter end of april if the ground be rich and forward , so they maybe sown every moneth after till july , for the having of them fresh and young one under another : another season is to sow them in september for to have them in march. let so much suffice . spinage . smooth and prickly , are both so well known i need but name it : this herb may be sown in as many seasons as i told you of the radish , and it will prosper very well in good earth , it would be often cut after it is come up , else it runneth to seed presently if it be sown in the spring time ; but it is much better to sow it in september , for then it is checkt of its high growth , and isready to be eaten in sallets when others are a sowing . skarots . it may be they have some other name , and if i am not mistaken , gravous marcom calls them creases , in his book entituled the whole art of husbandry . if you know them not by neither of these names , you may know them by this , they have roots resembling parsnips , many of them upon one head and as big as a mans middle finger ; the branches that spring from it are much like those of creases , running upto two foot high or more , whereon the tops groweth tufts of small brown seed something longish : of the seed or the slip skarots are raised , of the seed it is difficult , and long before it cometh to perfection , therefore i shall not trouble you with the manner of it : to set them of the slip , it is done in march , and placed in an extraordinary rich ground : first know what the slip is that is taken from the head of the root , where many of them are set together upon white strings as it were , and set in such ground and such times as i told you , at a foot distance , each plant being kept hoed afterward , at two years end they may be taken up in great roots and reserved to be eaten , for they are the best of all others either boyled or baked in pies , the slips or suckers may be set again . sorrell . the garden kind is for many kitchin uses , it is sown in the spring time in any ordinary earth , and it will prosper very well without any further care : i only name it because i would not have the kitchin garden without it . small suckory . this differeth not much from the indian-suckory , but that it is much smaller , and not so sharp-pointed leaves , and the tast is not so bitter . i shall wave the manner of the ordering of it , because that discourse of indian-suckory may very well serve for this . turnips . be white and yellow , the ordering of them is one : the seasons for sowing of them in , is in march , april and june , those that are sown in the two first moneths , require a hot , sandy and a light ground , those that are sown in june desireth a stiff clayey ground rather than a ight : now all that is to be observed in the doing of this is , that the ground be not over-seeded ; the just proportion that good ground will have of good seed , is after the rate of three pound in an acre , and they must be hoed with a six inch hoe after they have sprung up to a reasonable heighth , three hoings serves for one crop sufficiently . tongue-grass . or pepper-grass , i think others call it smallage , it is something like parsly at its first springing , but of a lighter green colour , afterward it shooteth up with many small stalks , and the tops thereof be set with many white flowers , which leaves store of red seed , which if it be suffered to scatter cometh up naturally ; this herb when it is young is used in fallets and hath a mighty hot biting taste : for the raising of it , you need but commit it to the earth , and it groweth , and flowereth , and seedeth , and as the seed falleth it springeth again of it self without any more trouble . now i have done here with the nature of plants and their propagation by seed . the conclusion . i shall ( as it fits the work and the place ) conclude my treatise upon the working of nature and the propagation of the seed royall . in the workings of nature ( as god hath created and decreed it to stand ) man is in respect of properties and motions no less than a little world , i may not write down those properties and motions , for if i did then my conclusion would be larger than my book ; but to be short , i find that if a man could rightly know himself he might comprehend all things else in the creation , yea the creator himself ; all wise men witness this truth against such as are atheists either in opinion or practice , who hold such a sleepy-headed conceit , that the creation was from eternity , and that all things comes from the course of nature . for the first of these , the scriptures make known to the weakness of our capacity how it was created , but they that are atheists believe not the bible , then let them learn how to confute or confirm these observations following . canst thou behold any building or artificial work so rare , but presently conclude that the band of an artificer was there ? canst thou see the earth so great , the firmament so wide , the ocean seas how they ebb and flow by time and tide ? but presently in thy faithless heart confess and say , that this great work was undone on one day ; till one by wisdom , glory , power and strength formed the heavens , and the earth at the length , and by his wisdom and love created each living creature , he is the true god , or the principal of nature : and so canst thou change the nature of the cornation-seed into a hurtfull , stinking hemlock weed ? then herein gods laws thou maist plainly see , that his work must be acknowledg'd in each herb , flower and tree : thus god that was and is , by his creation we him know ; and man that was his work him still doth show . secondly , they say , that all things come by the course of nature : true , but by whom had nature its beginning ? i answered you that before ; yet to know this better , look on the greatest oak-tree , and on the acorn , such as the acorn is , so was once the oak , and how an acorn did contract the substance of the earth into its nature to bring it into so great a growth man knoweth not , but man knows it is so : so by the beginning of the nature of one plant and the perfection thereof , i easily conceive the whole universal world had a beginning by a higher principle than man , which is god. thirdly , they cannot be convinc'd what keepeth nature still awork : to understand this consider , when once the simple atheists eyes first saw the witty inventions of man in making of clocks and engines , thou couldst not tell the cause of their going , till thou wast shewed the weights that went in a privy place by opening of the door unto thee , then thou diddest understand the cause : so it would be with thee , if the god of wisdom would draw the curtains of the skies , then the door would be opened where thou maist plainly see gods weight of eternal glory , which setteth the whole course of nature awork : thus wise men discern one thing by another : then thou dull spirited man , humble thy self for thy lack of wisdom and reason , and for thy too much ignorance , and lay thy mouth in the very dust . and this bringeth me to my last reason , viz. the propagation of the seed-royal . i know all sensible and unsensible creatures doth increase by that seed which is in it self : now the seed-royal is mans seed only , by reason of that union which is in election to be partaker of with the godhead : but first understand , there is a natural body , and there is a spiritual body , which maketh but one man , they being united together , for the spiritual body must dwell in the natural body , then it is fit the spirit should rule nature its dwelling place : but on the contrary , the natural body keepeth the spiritual a prisoner in one corner of the house , for fear he should bring him to the study and obedience of heavenly principles , then he should be took off the caring and coveting for the corrupt things of this life , then satans kingdom would be destroyed . there is also a natural seed , and a spiritual ; the seed of the body is that which nature breedeth in the secret members , and it is propagated by the sowing of it in the secret womb of its mother the flesh , and when it entereth into the troublesom world , it is nursed up with the fruits of its mother nature : now the seed of the spirit is that which is given a man to improve in the mind , and it is bred in the soul and understanding , and it is propagated by the sowing of it in the treasure of the heart , and nursed up with the fruits of its mother the church , then a man must fence it with faith , plant it with reason , dressing of it with diligence , watering of it with grace , watching of it with patience , sheltering of it with care , weeding of it with the sword of the spirit , protecting of it with prayer , looking for the increase thereof with a lively hope ; this done , the seed of the spirit will grow up and bring forth fruit to perfection , then he might gather it with the hand of truth , dispose of it with the eye of charity , set forth the goodnesse of it with the tongue of praise ; this mans person is cloathed with righteousness and adorned with holiness , his heart is full of wisdom , his lips utter knowledge , his ears encline to understanding , his desires and his deserts are the fullness of love , his feet walketh in the way of peace , and at his end he shall be translated into the heaven of heavens , before the blessed and beatifical sight of the glorious trinity , and there receive an immortal crown , with power to rule in unity and love , and to rest with saints and angels in joy and glory to all eternity . finis . the alphabetical table of all the plants in the foregoing treatise , being the garden of pleasure . flowers . a amorantus , p. anstartium indecom , angulshenelus , african , b bachelors-buttons , bee-flower , ib. balm of christ , bears-ears , bell flowers , ib. c caterpillars , crows-foot , crokus , cranes-bill , cullenbines , crown-imperial , ib. corn-flag , cornation-gilliflowers , , to clove gilliflowers , couslips , d dayses , ib. daffodillies , dragons-claws , e emrose , everlasting-pea , everlasting life , f flower-deluce , , , flower of the sun , french-marigold , ib french-pinks , foxes-glove , g globe-flower , green couslips , ib. h holly-hock . hearbit , humble-plant , hearts-ease , i jerusalem-couslips , indian-wheat , ib. l lillies , , larks-heel , london-pride , lupins , ib. ladies-thistle , love in idle , ib. ladies-liveries . ladies-smocks , ib. m marmadel deparve , muscabions , monks-hood , marle-flower , ib. n nurssusus , o oxslips , ib. oak of paris , ib. p pionies , primrose-tree , ib. princes-feathers , poppies , pinks , purple-primrose , pawmers , ib. q queens-gilliflower , r rose-campions , ib. rose-rubee , rocket-flower , ib. s stock-gilliflowers , , snap-dragons , sweet-williams , scarlet-beans , ib. snails , snow-drops , ib. start up and kiss me , sensitive plant , t tvlips , , to thrift . turkey-caps , ib. v violets , w wall-gilliflowers , ib. the table of the trees . a apricock , almonds , ib. b bay-tree , box , ib. c ciprus . ib. creeping-vine . f fig-tree , figs of india , ib. filleroy , g gesamits , ib. h holiander , horn-fig-tree ; ib. l laurel , lowary , ib. lowrex , ib. lorestinus , lignae vitae , ib. m mirtil-trees , o orangr-trees , ib. p pomgraenate-tree , peach-trees , ib. perriwinkle , ib. s sweet-bryar , t tamarus , ib. the gillierose , ib. the province-rose , the cinamon-rose , ib. v vines , , an alphabetical table of all the plants in the foregoing treatise , being the physical and fruitfull garden . herbs . a angelica , alieompane , alexander , ib. annis , all-hail , ib. b bares-britch , ib. balm , basyl , ib. blessed-thistle , ib : bares-foot , buglos , ib. burridge , blood-wort , ib. burnat , ib. betony . c camomil , ib. comfrey , ib. cives , cammel-beg , ib. chervil , ib. carrawayes , clary , ib. ceursemary , ib. cummin , coriander , ib. celandine , ib. d dragons , dill , ib. e evat , ib. f fetherfew , fennel , ib. french-honey-suckles , ib. french-mallows , g gromwell , ib. gladin , gooses-tongue , ib. garmander , ib. garlick , h horse-redish , ib. herb-grasse , ib. horehound , hyssop , ib. housleek . i jerusalem-sage , ib. k kings-mallows , kapons-tails , ib. l lovage , liquorish , ib. lavender-cotton , lavender-spike , lavender-slip , ib. lemon-time , ib. m mallows , march , ib. madrath , marygolds , mother-wort , ib. n nip , o orpin , ib. p pepper-wort , ib. pot-margerum , prick-madam , ib. purple-grasse , penny-royal , poppey , ib. r rosemary , ib. roman-sage , rubarb , s sparemint , saffron , sage , summer savoury , ib. setterwort , ib. stone-crop , shalot , ib. sweet maudlin , scurvy-grass , ib. sweet fern , ib. sweet-covey , sweet margerum , ib. sweet oak . t taragon , ib. time , ib. tansie , v valaren , w wormwood , winter-savoury , ib. the table of trees . b barberry , c cvrrants , ib. g goosberries , m mvlberries , ib. q quinces , r rasberries , ib. roses , s savin-tree , strawberry-tree , the alphabetical table of all the herbs , roots and pulse contained in the kitchin garden . a artichoaks , b beets , c cowcumbers , colliflowers , cabidges , carrors , ib. corn-sallet , e english beans , f french beans , ib. g goards , i indian suceory , ib. jerusalem artichoaks , ib. k kidney beans . l lettice , leeks . m millions , ib. , o onions , p pvrslin , ib. parsley , parsnips , ib. peas of all sorts , potatoes , ib. pumpkins , r radish , ib. s sparrow-grasse , spinage , ib. skarots , sorrel , ib. small suckory , ib. t tvrnips , ib. tongue-grasse . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e a cunning invention . descrip . ordering . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . of kinds . names . sowing . season . of slips . colour . grafting . of sent. divers wayes for the preservation of gilli . flowers . various things . continuanee . nature . the last experiment . propagating . seasons of great force the worthiness of them . reasons why . ordering . descrip . planting . of sorts . sowing . another season . . of planing . of place . experiments . . . 〈…〉 names . descrip . sowing . . descrip . setting . planting . the dignity . seed . of flowering at certain seasons . of planting . the time . the place how. alterations . experiments . . descrip . of raising . time. descrip . descrip . divers kinds . sowing . . . of the name . descrip . care in propagation . . . preservation . the nature . descrip . planting . preservation . another sort of wall. flowers . descrip . descrip . descrip . raising . reasons . planting . a question . answer . of alteration . other sorts . observations . industry . nature . sowing . descrip . ordering . the names and kinds . of planting . observations . descrip . descrip . sowing . descrip . descrip . planting . various descriptions . descrip . sowing . . raising . descrip . descrip . planting . of planting . of kinds . sowing . transplanting . experiments . kinds . preparetions . . easie way of slips . planting . descrip . ordering . descrip nature . ordering . descrip . of raising . double sorts . of nature . the art of doubling . natures fancy . descrip . propagation . the increase . profit . descrit . descrip . of names . colour . suckers . colour altered . disputes of nature . grafting of seed . removing ofsent . crossing of nature . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . notes for div a -e descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip . descrip .