CHAP. I.

THE Site, or standing of an Orchard, greatly ad­vantages it, that the Sun and free Air may have [...]ower over it, and yet so well defended with Shelter, [...]at Storms and bleak Winds may be in a great Measure [...]ept from the injuring it; and this good Site or standing [...]ill help even a bad Soil.

The best Site I account to be in plain Ground, laying [...]ot so low, as the wet and dampness may too much in­ [...]st it; nor so high as to lye lyable to too much dryness, [...]e injury of Storms, or sharp Air to [...]n [...]p the tender [...]ranches, and Buds; high Grounds are not naturally [...]ertile, and if they be Manured with Dung, the Rains [...] a little time wash down the futness, and leave them [...]or, so that the one part will have overmuch, and [...]e other grow steril for want of it; and it will be [Page 4] convenient it be sheltered with wild Trees round t [...] Verges of a good growth, if possible, that they m [...] break the turbulent Wind, especially the S uth-We [...] and North-West Winds, which are usually violent March, and September, when the Air is free from e [...] tream Heat, or Colds; and a fitter place cannot be ch [...] sen for an Orchard, if it may be done, than on a cu [...] ous Level by a River-side, or some pleasant Brook, [...] too near a Marsh, or Moory Ground, whence frequen [...] Fogs and Mists arise, which hinder the growth of t [...] Plants, and much injure them by ingendering poysono [...] or infectious Air, at certain Seasons.

The Suns long lying on the Trees greatly refresh a [...] enliven them in Winter, as well as Summer; let it [...] therefore so chosen, that it may not be destitute of [...] Morning and Evening Sun at any time when it shin [...] and this appears by such Trees as are placed again [...] Walls, where the refracted Beams give a greater heat make them Blossom, and Leaf very early, and to spre [...] their Branches so Luxurant, that they require very of [...] cutting; or they take up so much Sap, as not only hind [...] the Fruit in growth, but in kindly ripening, as shall more plainly shewed in the Progress of this necessa [...] Work.

CHAP. II.

WHEN you have found a proper and commo [...] ous Site for Planting of Fruit-Trees, then [...] quire into the Nature of the Soil, and though Fru [...] Trees will grow in almost all Soils, yet they will [...] bundantly better thrive in one sort than in another; f [...] Apple, Pear, red and white Plumb, Philberd, Da [...] [Page 5] [...], Bully, Barbery, and the like, require a black, fat, [...]ellow, and clean tempered Soil, wherein they may [...]ther plenty of good Sap.

The Soil may be bettered by digging, breaking and [...]ell melting, being cast up, or laid level, which with [...] little Dung, destroys those Weeds that are Enemies to [...]ants: If the Ground be much over-grown with Weeds, [...] subject to any Incumbrances of the like Nature, than [...]re up the Surface with the Root of them, lay them in [...]aps to dry, with a hollowness underneath like an Oven, [...] Furnace, and when by turning, the Air and Sun have [...]ssed on them, that they are pretty dry, put Fuel a­ [...]ongst them, and burn the Weeds and Earth, then [...]eak the Cumbers, and scatter them with the Ashes o­ [...]r the Ground, and they will prove good Manure; then [...]rinkle a small sprinkling of Sea-cole-ashes, or unslacked [...]me, and when the Rain has pretty well soaked them [...] dig up the Ground, and Trench it with a little Dung, [...]d if it be indifferent good Soil, it will be excellent for [...] Production of Fruit-trees, and if your Orchard be [...]bject to dryness in extream Droughts, it will be very [...]vantagious, if it so lye, that by Sluces you can over­ [...]w it with Water twice in the Summer: and let the [...]ter pass over it twenty four Hours, and then draw it [...]; and fine Grass growing in an Orchard, keeps the [...]ound very moist, but let it not grow thick about the [...]ots of the Trees, lest it breeds Mots, shelter Vermine, [...]in [...]ure them, or they be prejudiced by keeping the heat [...] the Sun from them, for the Sun's coming to the Roots [...]n enlivener of the Tree. It is not proper to dig very [...]r Fruit-trees that are well grown, unless by a careful [...] skilful Hand, for fear of cutting, or wounding the [...]ots that spread in the Ground, which often makes the [...]ees languish, abate of their growth, and yield less Fruit.

The Crust of the Earth tempered with Heat, Cold, [...] Moisture, is a great helper to Trees, for in that [...]y chiefly spread their Roots, especially those parts [...]t mostly suck in, and set up the Sap; and this is in [Page 6] some Soil Eighteen Inches, and in others less; for low the Ground is not so fertile.

CHAP. III.

AS for the quantity of Ground to be employed [...] an Orchard, I account the larger the better, for [...] Trees growing up, fence each other; and if the Verge [...] blasted, the rest are frequently sheltered as well from as the Winds shaking down the Fruit when ripe, [...] hurting the Trees when young, by losening their Ro [...] but the proportion of Ground I cannot limit, beca [...] it must be according to Conveniency, the Planter's A [...] lity, or Pleasure; and in the same Manner I mus [...] general leave the Form to his Discretion, for that wh [...] pleases one, another dislikes; some Round, some Squ [...] some Triangular, others Long; and indeed, Plats [...] Grounds cannot be every where exactly chosen, but [...] must be contrived as they fall out, to the best Adv [...] tage.

As for Fencing, in this you must be diligent, as [...] to preserve your Fruit from Thieves, as Trees fr [...] Spoil, by the breaking in of Cattle, and likewise [...] it may be a good shelter to the young Plants; Sto [...] Walls, where Stone is plenty, may be cheaply rai [...] or those of Brick; but above all, I recommend a g [...] thick and well grown Quickset of white Thorns, [...] thickening Brambles; black Thorn, or dwarf Sh [...] at the bottom, especially where Wall Fruit is not re [...] red; and by skilful Setting, and Continuance, it [...] grow so thick, that it will be a great security, more than Pailes, Railes, or Walls of Earth; and grow [Page 7] high, it may on the top be cut with Shears, in Turfs [...]nd Piramids, and become a pleasant Ornament to the [...]rchard: As for Walks, I shall describe them in that [...]art of this Book, that particularly relates to Gardening; [...]ho' in Orchards, curious green Walks kept short by [...]lowing, and Rowling in Summer, are of good Esteem; [...]nd such may be raised so above the common Surface, [...]hat the Wet may have little influence in staying on [...]hem, even in Winter, after a shower of Rain is past. A [...]ote or large wet Ditch round an Orchard is very ser­ [...]iceable, if it can be conveniently done, and continued with Water: But from these things I proceed to what [...]omes somewhat nearer to my purpose, viz. The get­ [...]ng, ordering, and planting of Sets, &c.

CHAP. IV.

THE best and most usual kind of Sets, are young Plants, which have been brought up in a Nursery, [...]hether of Apples, Pears, Plumbs, or the like, has [...]ing good Roots, for they are more certain than Slips: [...]r such suckers as were taken from the Roots of grown [...]rees; and in removing them, get all the Root [...]ou can out of the Ground, for if a main part of the [...]oot be lost, as some regard it not, then it follows, the Tree cannot thrive so well, though upon the transplant­ [...]ng, some of the Top be taking off; for the Root has a [...]ympathy with the Branches, as to the greatness, [...]r smallness; and when the Sap is straitned, or lessen­ [...]d, then is it that the Tree pines for want of its free [...]urrency and Communication; and when you take up [...]he Root, divest it not, as little as may be, of the Earth [...] grows in; for that, upon the transplanting, will be [Page 8] nourishing to it, till it become better acquainted wi [...] the new Ground. Too much Topping, or Stowing, approve not of, because it very much hinders the growt [...] of the Tree; and when you cut off any Branches, d [...] it upwards, that slanting it may shoot off the Wet, an [...] not any way rive or split; and if Clay, and fine siste [...] Horse Dung, or Cow Dung, were well mixed, and clapped on the Cuts of the Branches, it would be very proper to keep them from the Cold and Wet, till they grow and begin to thrive, unless you intend these Plants fo [...] Grafting, and then you may let the Tops grow till yo [...] cut the Stem for Inoculation, in which you shall here after be instructed, with all that is proper relating to it and set these in Rows by a Line, in such Holes as yo [...] have prepared, laying the Earth then lightly upon them after they are well placed in the Hole; and heap it highe [...] then the Surface, that it may well settle by Degrees, and keep the Tree from the Roots, being much shaken by th [...] Wind; to which end, whilst the Trees are young, yo [...] must also use Stakes, or Poles well fixed in the Ground fastned to the Plants by Hay-bands, and some Moss, o [...] soft thing clapped between, to prevent the fretting tha [...] may accrue by the ratling or shaking of the Wind.

Slips which some use, are not so good by much, to plant, for either many of them miss to take Root, or i [...] they do, the Root being the main Wood, doats and rots i [...] the Ground, when the Tree comes to growth, so that they are but of short continuance, or at least-ways, will bu [...] weakly bare, and those chiefly in Apple-trees; yet a Bur­knot kindly taken from an Apple-Tree, is much better and surer, and this you must cut close at the Roots-end a handful under the Knot, then cut away all the Twigs except the main one, and set it deep in the Ground, tha [...] it may only rise a little above the Surface, and it wil [...] shoot up, and become a good Stock, especially for Grafting on, if you like not the Fruit otherways.

[Page 9]As for large Fruit-trees, there is danger in transplant­ [...]ng them, for many times they do not thrive, by reason [...]f the injury they receive in the Roots; for if some of [...]he lesser Spums take, they generally do not all; so th [...] [...]he Body not having sufficient Nourishment, the Heart [...]rows blackish, or of a yellow colour, and many times [...]ho they bring forth fair Blossoms, they have not strength [...]nough to form their Fruit in the natural Perfection.

It has been Experimented, that a Bough has been taken from a thriving Tree of a good bigness, and grown to be [...] Tree; the manner thus: Take off the Bark in a round Circle, when the Sap is in it, and make a Mortar of Clay, [...]ine Earth, and a little Dung, and clap on the bare place, [...]o the higness of a Foot-ball, and let it lye till the Sap [...]escends to the Root of the Tree, then cut off the Bough [...]anting on the hither side of the Mortar, next to the Tree, [...]nd immediately put it into good Ground, the Mortar [...]nd all, and cover it up close; Water it sometimes, and [...]f this be done in October, it will take Root, and shoot forth in the Spring; and if these stand, they need not [...]e Grafted on, but will bear good Fruit of their own.

You may Sow the Kernels, or Nuts of Trees in Nur­series, and when they come up, shelter and keep them Warm, and in time they will afford you good Stocks, [...]nd Plants, either to bear of themselves, or to Graft on; [...]hough Suckers taken from the Roots of Trees, grow [...]aster than these, till they get a Head; but above all, beware that Cattle come not into your Plantations, or Nurseries, to destroy them.

You may lay young Scions in the Ground, where many sprout from one Master-top, when cut near the Earth; and by keeping them down with Sods, one end being at liberty, and growing upward, they will be apt [...]o take Root, and so you may have four or five out of one in a little time, and this is called a running Plant. As for the buying of Sets ready Grafted, you may main­ly be deceived in them, as having only anothers Word, what manner of Fruit they are, and so you may be at [Page 10] most Cost and Labour about the worst Trees, besides, hinders the Experience you may gain, in raising and o [...] dering them to the many singular Advantages.

CHAP. V.

WHEN you have made choice of your Sets, t [...] the Ground being ready for Transplanting, th [...] next thing to be considered, is the time this is m [...] Proper to be done in; and this account to be soon aft [...] the Fall of the Leaf, in or about the change of the Moo [...] when the Sap is most quiet, for then it is about turning but upon occasion it may be done all Winter, in op [...] weather, and early in the Spring, when the Buds are ju [...] putting out; though as I have said, the sooner you r [...] move them in Winter it is the better; some indeed [...] remove them before the Sap is at a stand, or about re­turn, that is, in Autumn, before the Leaves are fallin [...] but this I hold not so good; and were it not for the fal [...] of brevity, could give you here many convincing reaso [...] to the contrary.

In setting, make the Holes sufficiently large to [...] ceive the Roots, and more, that they may have n [...] thing at first to contend with, but the tender Mould shake that you have dug out, lightly in, when the Pla [...] is conveniently placed, and in the mean while let an [...] ther move the Plant, that the Earth may fill into th [...] cranies, and settle better about the Root, so press [...] gently down, that the Plant may be well fixed, and [...] a dry Season water it, which being a settlement of th [...] Earth, will make it take the sooner. As for the dist­ance of Trees, you must consider the nature of them [Page 11] as to what greatness in time they may grow, how spread their Branches; as the Apple-tree (or aspire more up­right than the Pear tree) if they be such as you in­tend shall continually stand; for if they too much drop upon one another, or the Boughs are galled by fret­ [...]ing or rubing, then Injury comes thereby, and the un­derling Trees that are overshadowed, will be stunted and spoiled; and therefore according as you conjecture their Growth may be, so place them, and the Sun and free Air coming in among them, will make them thrive the better, and this distance must be as far as you conceive two Trees can spread their Boughs when grown up.

As for the placing them, let Philberts, Damsens, Bulliss, and such like, the lower Trees, stand on the out­side, next the fencing: Your Cherries and choice Plums, for the Sun the sooner to ripen them, may be planted in the openest places; your Apples, Pears, and Quin­ces, in the most substantial place of the Orchard, pos­sessing the best Soil. The Trees of greatest growth may be planted further from the Sun, and those of the lesser, nearer to the S [...]uth, that they may not be a hindrance to one another, but all receive warm alike: As for the War­dens and Winter Pears growing high, they will do very well Northward, because being hard latter Fruit, they ripen leasurely, and the blasts cannot hurt them: As for the Medlers, Services, Pomgranets, Citrons, and such Trees, though they are not often seen in Orchards, yet they are very graceful and pleasant, and must be plant­ed where the Sun has great power, and free from the droping of other Trees: Almond-Trees are hardy, and will bear the Blasts, but not give their Fruit kindly, un­less well sheltered: Set the Wallnut-trees on the highest ground, if it may be without overshadowing others.

CHAP. VI.

THE first thing that will be required, as most ne­cessary for an Orchard, will be Dunging and Wa­tering; for the Fruit-trees, a very few of them being on­ly to be excepted, require these; and herein you must also be careful that you do it in the heat of the Sun, and that your Dung be neither too new nor too old; neither must it be laid close to the foot of the Tree, but a little distance off, that the fatness of the Dung may be drunk in of the Root: Pidgeons-dung, and Hogs-dung do also heal the hurts and wounds of Trees: The water where­with we water them, must not be Fountain water, or Well water, if other may be had; but drawn from some muddy Lake, or standing Pool. Moreover, you must be sure that your Trees stand a good distance asunder, that when they are grown up, they may have room e­nough to spread, and that the small and tender be not hurt of the greater, neither by shaddow nor dropping. The nature also of the Soil, is herein much to be regard­ed: for a Hill requireth to have them stand nearer toge­ther; in windy places you must set them the thicker: you must set your Plants in such a manner that the Tops be not hurt, or bruised, or the Bark, or Rind flawed off; for the Bark being taken away round about it, kill­eth any kind of Tree. You must also have a regard of the shadow, what Trees it helpeth, and what Trees it hurteth. The Wallnut-tree, the Pitch-tree, the Firr-tree, whatsoever they shadow, they injure; the Pine-tree with his shadow likewise destroys young Plants, but they do resist the Wind, and therefore good to inclose Vineyards: The Cypress, his shadow is very small, and spreadeth not far, and therefore it may safely enough grow amongst Vines, and so for many others; the drop­ping [Page 13] of all Trees is naught, but worst of all those, [...]hose Branches grow so that the water cannot readily [...]ss through: For the drops of the Pine, the Oak, and [...]e Martholme, are most hurtful, in whose company [...]ou may also take the Wallnut: Moreover pruning and [...]tting is very good and necessary for Trees, whereby [...]e withered Boughs are cut away, and the unprofitable [...]ranches taken off; but to prune them every Year is [...]ught, though the Vine requireth cutting every year; [...] also the Myrtil, the Pomegrancte and the Cherry, [...]hereby they will sooner yield Fruit; the others must [...] seldomer pruned; Cherry-trees may be pruned in the [...]ll of the Leaf, after the setting of the seven Stars: [...]nd first, they must be well dunged, and as a help a­gainst their hurts, you must cut down the old rotten [...]ranches that grow in the midst, and such as grow [...]ick, and are tangled together, and all the water-boughs, [...]nd unprofitable Branches about them: The old ones are [...] be cut close to the stock, from whence the new Springs [...]ill arise: Scarifying also and Launcing, is very whole­ [...]ome for the Trees, when they are screined with their [...]eafs, and dryness of their Barks; at which time use to [...]unce the Bark with a sharp Knife, cutting it strait [...]own in many places; which, what good it doth, ap­ [...]eareth by the opening of the Rhind, which is straitways [...]lled up with the Body underneath; you must also trim [...]nd dress the Roots of your Trees after this manner; you [...]ust open the ground round about them, that they may [...]e comforted with the warmth of the Sun, and the Rain, [...]utting away all the Roots that run upwards: The Trees [...]at you remove may be marked which way they stood [...]t the first: As Virgil expresses.

[Page 14] Also you must consider well the nature of the Soil, th [...] you remove not out of a dry Ground, into moist, and fr [...] a barren Hill, to a moist Plain, and rather fat, than [...] therwise; The young Plants being thus removed, must [...] the second or third Year be pruned, leaving still about [...]hr [...] or four Branches untouched, so shall they grow the better [...] Thus must you usually do every Year. The old Tree [...] move with the Tops cut off, and the Roots unperishe [...] which must be helped with often Dunging and Watering [...] Apple-trees that Blossom and bear no Fruit, or if it bea [...] they suddenly fall away, you shall remedy it by slitting [...] the Root, and thrusting in of a Stone or wooden Wedge also if you water your Trees with Ʋrine that is old, th [...] helps them very much both for Fruitfulness and pleasan [...] ness of the Fruit; if the Tree decay by reason of the gre [...] heat of the Sun, you must raise the Earth about it, a [...] water the Roots every Night, setting up some defence against the Sun. To cause their Fruit to be quickly Rip [...] you must wet the little Roots with Vinegar and Ʋrine th [...] is old, covering them again with Earth, and often diggin [...] about them. The Ʋrine of Men, if it be kept three or fo [...] Months, doth wonderfully much good to the Plants, and [...] you use it about Vines, or Apple-trees, it doth not on [...] bring you great encrease, but also giveth an excellent Savour, both to the Fruit and Vine: You may also use the M [...] ther of Oil, such as is without Salt, to the same purpose which both must speedily be used in Winter. As Frosts, an [...] Mists also do great harm to Trees, so you must arm you [...] self with a Remedy against them; you must lay up roun [...] about your Orchard, little Faggots made of Stalks o [...] rotten Boughs, or Straw, which, when that the Frosts an [...] Mists arise, may be kindled, the Smoak whereof avoidet [...] the Danger. You must stave also dry Dung amongst you [...] Vines, which when the Frost is great, you may set on Fire [...] the Smoak whereof disperseth the Frost. When you [...] Trees are sick, pour on the Roots the Lees of Wine, mingled with Water, and you may, if you please, so [...] Lupines round about them; the Water also wherein [Page 15] Lupenes have been sod, and poured round about, which is [...]very good for Apple-trees; If your Trees are troubled with Caterpillers or Worms, there are divers Remedies; the [...]uice of Wormwood destroyeth the Caterpillers; the Seeds or Grain that are steeped in the juice of Sengreen, or Housleek, are also excellent Receipts against the Worms: Also Ashes mingled with the Mother of Oil, or the Stale of [...] Ox, mingled with the third part of Vinegar; moreover, [...] Trees that are smoaked with Brimstone, or Lime, are safe from hurtful Vermine: Galbanum likewise burnt up­on the Coals, driveth them away; the Blades also of Gar­lick, the Heads being off, so burnt (as the smoak may pass through the Orchard) doth destroy the Caterpillers; some Soot with the Seeds, and sprinkle them with water.

CHAP. VII.

AS for Grafting, it is accounted the nicest piece of Skill belonging to an Arborist or Gardener; but by good Instruction and Practice becomes easie, and is done with much success: The thing signifies the reform­ing the Fruit of one Tree with that of another, by an artificial transposing or transplanting of a Twig or Scion, a Bud or Leaf, commonly called a Graft, taken from one Tree of the same, or some other kind, and placed or put to, or into another Tree, in one time or manner; and of these there are many kinds, but the chief in use, and most certain, are Grafting, Incising, Packing on, Grafting in the Scutcheon, or Inoculat­ing.

[Page 16]As for Grafting, when you undertake it, you mu [...] have a fine, thin, strong and sharp Saw, made and arme [...] for that purpose, to saw the Plant off even without splitting or jagging the Bark; it may be done a foot abov [...] the Ground, or more, as the Plant is capable of yieldin [...] a sufficiency of Sap, and then smoothed with a ver [...] sharp Knife, let it be done where there is no knot, fo [...] that is best; then stay the stock very steady with yo [...] foot and leg, cleave it gently in the middle, with a fi [...] sharp cleaver, by forcing it down with the stroke o [...] a Mallet, then open it with a Wedge of Wood, Bone o [...] Iron, about six Inches, then having your Graft cut a [...] the great end, in a tapering flatness, the Bark left on, [...] the two thin sides of it, thrust it gently, and let the Bar [...] of the Graft, touch the Bark of the Stock, and come even with it, to the outward side, then take out you [...] Wedge gently, and suffer the stock to close and compre [...] the Graft; and having a fine mixture of Clay and Hors [...] Dung, mould them like a Past, into the form of an Egg then divide it in equal Parts, and with both hands press i [...] equally on the wound of the Graft and Stock, closing i [...] firm together, that it may keep them warm, as also keep out the Air and Wet, till they can unite, and th [...] Bark spread to cover the Wound; and thus, on a pretty large stock, you may place three or four Grafts of vari­ous Fruits; though it is proper they be of one kind, Ap­ples with Apples, Pears with Pears, and the like o [...] others.

CHAP. VIII.

THE best time for grafting and gathering of Grafts, are proper to be known;

As to the first, of the best time for grafting, from the [...]ne of removing your stock, is the next Spring, for at hinders a second repulse of the Sap, and a second [...]ound in the stock; and if your stock be of a sufficient [...]gness, it may take a Graft as thick as your Thumb, [...]at of larger Grafts I approve not, for they seldom stand, [...] reason they require more Sap than the stock (before [...]ey are well united) can afford them. The best time [...] the year I account, if the Weather be open, is the latter [...]d of February, March, and the beginning of April, [...]d about the change of the Moon, when only the Knots [...]d Buds are seen, without any considerable appearance [...]f the Blossoms, or Leaves; Cherries, Apricocks, Pears, [...]uinces, and Plums, may be grafted sooner than the [...]ter Flowers.

The Grafts are proper to be gathered in the middle of [...]ebruary, the Weather being open, or no hard Frost on [...]em: You may do this some time before you graft, or [...] the same day, for at this time of year they will keep [...]esh a considerable while, if layed with the greater ends [...] good Mould. Grafts from elder Trees must be taken other than these of the younger, for they sooner break [...]d Bud.

Take not, when you make choice, of the proudest [...]rigs, unless your Stocks be answerable to their [...]trengths and Growths; nor out of a much warmer and [...]cher Soil than that your Stock grows in, lest the Sap [...]ot agreeing, or springing up fast enough, the cold Weather pine them: if they be long, cut off a little of [Page 18] the top of it, for that else withering, for want of du [...] Nourishment at first, may injure the lower part, an [...] hinder it from sprouting out; take not any from poo [...] unthriving Trees, nor from the Underlings that seem t [...] dwindle in their Growth, even on their own Trees th [...] produced them, but midling ones that prosper, but no [...] too fast.

If the Clay and Dung about your Graft, be cleft [...] dry weather, close it again with some that is mois [...] lest the Emmets get in and spoil your Graft; take it no [...] for a certain sign, that the Graft has well taken, if [...] quickly put forth in the Spring, for that may procee [...] from the Sap it brought with it, more than from a [...] Nourishment of the Stock; nor can it always be determi [...] ed till after the succeeding Spring, whether it will ta [...] well or not; but when you find it has, you may di [...] burthen it of the Clay, that the Sun may come to Nourish it in all parts the better.

CHAP. IX.

ANother way relating to this Mystery, is incising or cutting the Bark of the Bole, Rhind, or Branch, at some bending, or Knee, Shoulder-wise, with two gashes only with a sharp Knife to the Wood; then take sharp ended Wedges to the bigness of your Graft, fla [...] on the one side, agreeing with the Tree, and round o [...] the other side, and with that, being thrust in, raise the Bark, then put in the Graft just fashioned like the Wedge, close it hard with your Hand, and bind about it Clay, and Horse Dung.

[Page 19]For great stocks, you may cleave them cross, and put [...]n a Graft at each corner with little straining them, and close them up with Clay, and Dung, as others; and tho' [...]hey are pretty large, the stock having sap enough to sup­port them, some, or all of them will cut, and growing up faster than on small stocks, will much sooner bear Fruit: And this I have seen tryed on stocks of a good growth, that have borne, had Fruit, and in a few Years the Grafts have shot up, and produceth excellent Fruit.

Packing on, is when you cut sloap-wise, a Twig of the same Magnitude with your Graft, either in, or be­sides the Knot, two Inches long, and make your Graft just agree with the scion, and gashy our Graft, and it, just in the midst of the Wound, length-ways, about a straws breadth deep, and thrust the one into the other, Wound to Wound, so that sap may come to sap, and Bark to Bark, so bind them close with soft strings, and mix Clay and Dung, and cover them over, and this way many times, thrives wonderfully; and this may be done on Branches of Tree, the latter end of Grafting-time, when the sap is risen with good success.

The way of Inoculating is with an Eye or Bud, taken with a pretty large piece of Bark to it, from a thriving Tree, and placed immediately on another Tree, where just the same quantity has been taken off, that it may close with the bare place of the Tree, supplying the Bark that was taken thence, and being bound on with Clay and Dung, strengthened with a little Moss, is in great likelyhood quickly to flourish: This by some, is called Imbuding.

Grafting in Scutcheon is somewhat like unto the for­mer, only differing in this, that you must take an Eye, or Bud, with Leafs (Note, That an Eye is for a scion, and a Bud for Flowers, and Fruit) and place them on another Tree in a Plain, like the Letter H, out with a sharp Knife, and the Bark raise with a Wedge, and then the Eye and Bud must be put in, and so bound up: These I have known to have grown well, but it is some­what a tedious way, and the plainer way of Grafting soonest answers Expectation.

[Page 20]As for the young Grafts, you must be careful to Fenc [...] them about, for the least rudness, or rough handling spoils your Labour, or much impares what you ha [...] done; and this may be done with setting of Roses Gooseberries, or such prickly Trees about them, but no [...] so as to over-shade them, and hinder their growth, a [...] be careful that no Cattle break into your Ground: nay Dogs and Cats, where they are grafted low to the Ground may by running over them, break off the Graft, and s [...] cross you in your Industry: And now from General, [...] proceed to particular Trees, &c.

CHAP. X.

THE Apple is commonly grafted upon the Crab-tree Stocks, or upon the wild Apple-stock, be­ing first planted, and the year after cut off within a foot to the Earth, or more. If your Apple-trees are pestered with Worms, scrape them with a brazen Scra­per, and they will never come again, provided that the place whence you scraped them, be rubbed over with Bullocks Dung: The Urine and Dung of Goats is very good for this purpose, afterwards the Lees of old Wine may be poured upon the Roots of the Trees. The Tree that is sick, or prospereth not, is helped with As­ses Dung, and watering it six days. Apple-trees must be often watered at the setting of the Sun, till the Spring be come, when planted in dry Ground. If you set your Apple-trees too thick, they will never grow well, nor thrive kindly. The Apple declareth its ripe­ness by the blackness of the Kirnels. The Winter Stores are gathered after the fourteenth of September, or there­abouts, according to their Kinds, and not before the [Page 21] Moon be seventeen Days old, in fair Weather, and in the Afternoon: Those that fall from the Trees must be laid by themselves; it is better to pull them, then shake [...]hem, least they be bruised in their falling. The best way to keep them is in fair Lofts, Vaults, or cold pla­ces, with Windows opening towards the North, that [...]hey may receive that Air; the South Wind; must be [...]hut out; they must be laid thin upon Straw, Chaff, or Mats. You must lay every sort by themselves, lest sundry sorts lying together, they should the sooner rot. They are also kept from rotting, if they are laid in Bar­ [...]y, or Wheat. Some, to avoid the hurt of the Frost, [...]se to cover them with wet Linnen Clothes, which be­ [...]ng frozen, the Fruit that lay under them is preserved. Of Apples, besides other Uses, you may with Mills for [...]he purpose, make a curious Drink, called Cyder, and [...] small Drink besides, with Water, and the refuse of the Apples drained; a good Drink to quench and cool the Thirst. A kind of Vinegar also may be made of Crabs, [...]nd sower Apples, called Verjuice, which mashed, and [...]ying in a heap together three or four Days, afterwards put into a Pipe, or Tun, wherewith mingle Spring water, or Rain water, and so suffer them to stand close covered thirty Days, and after taking out what Vinegar the Moisture affords, by drawing off, and let it settle.

CHAP. XI.

THE Pear challengeth the next Place, and is on [...] of the chiefest Beauties of the Orchard. Th [...] Apple-Tree, spreadeth in broad Branches; but the Pear tree riseth in hight, and delighteth in a rich and moi [...] Ground: it doth grow of the Kernel, and of th [...] Scion, but it is a great while before it doth come un [...] any Perfection; and when it is grown, it degenerate [...] from them its old good Nature; and therefore it is be [...] ter to take the wild Plants and set them in your Groun [...] in November, and when that they are well rooted, yo [...] may graft upon them. It is said, that in some Cou [...] tries, it is so prospereth with often digging, and muc [...] Moisture, that it never looseth its Flower: You shall d [...] it a great deal of Good, if every other Year you bestow some Dung upon it. Ox Dung is thought to mak [...] great and massy Pears; some put too a little Ashes t [...] make their taste the pleasanter. They are not onl [...] planted of the Roots, but also of the very little Twig [...] being pluckt, will grow. If you will set young Plants let them be three Years old, or at least two Years old before you set them. Some again take the fairest Branche [...] they find upon the Tree, and set them, as has been directed. The time of Grafting the Pear, is March an [...] April. Pliny saith, That you may graft it when the Blossom is on it, which I myself have have tryed, and foun [...] true. It is grafted upon the Quince, the Pumgrane [...] the Almond, the Apple and the Mulbery-tree: If yo [...] graft it on the Mulbery-tree; your Pear shall be red and if you would have the Fruit pleasant, and the Tre [...] fruitful, you must bore a Hole through the Stock clos [...] by the Ground, and driving in an Oaken, or a Beeche [...] Pin, cover it up with Earth; if the Tree prosper not [Page 23] wash the Roots, and water them with the Lees of old Wine, fifteen Days, so shall it bare the better, and plea­ [...]anter Fruit. It shall never be hurt with Worms, if when you plant it, you anoint it with the Gaul of an Ox: [...]f the Tree (whose Roots have been cut) seem not to [...]rosper, Paludius his Remedy is to pierce the Root thro', [...]nd to drive in a Pin, made either of Oak, or Plum-tree. [...]f your Pears are stony, or choak Pears, dig up the Earth [...]rom the Roots, cleanse them of Stones, and fift in good [...]ew Mould again into the place: Let your Pear-trees [...]and thirty Foot asunder, or little less; your Apple- [...]rees (as I have said) further. You may make use of [...]everal ways to keep your Pears, some dip the Stalks in [...]oyling Pitch, and do afterwards hang them up: others keep them in new boyled Wine, or else in a close Vessel; others in Sand; and some again, covered with Wheat, [...]r Chaff; some are of Opinion, that there is no kind Fruit but may be preserved in Honey; of Pears there is Drink, and Sauce made, the Drink is Perry, made as Cyder, of a most delicious Taste, the Juyce being pressed [...]ut with the Press, &c. In other Countries to have a pretty Dish made of Pears, for their Religious Fasts, called Castimoniale.

CHAP. XII.

NEXT in order, after Apples and Pears, cometh the Quince; they are planted after the same man­ner that Pears and Apples are: Some affirm that the sets that have been set in March, or in February, have taken such Root, as that they have born Fruit the Year after. They grow well in cold and moist Countries, in plain and silly Grounds, in hot and dry Countries you must [Page 24] set them in October. Many set them with the tops a [...] the set, but neither of them both is very good; and b [...] ing set of Scions they soon degenerate. They are be [...] ter grafted in the Stock than in the Bark; and that [...] February or March, they receive into their Stocks, t [...] Grafts (in a sort) of all manner of Trees; the Pomgi [...] net, the Seruise, all the kinds of Apples, and make t [...] Fruit the better. The Quince Tree must be set in th [...] order, that in the shaking of the Wind they drop not o [...] upon another. When it is young or newly plant [...] it is helped with Dung, or better with Ashes; th [...] must be watered as often as the Season is very dry, a [...] digged about continually; in hot Countries, in Octob [...] or November; in cold Countries, in February, or Marc [...] for if you do not often dig about them, they will eith [...] be barren, or bear naughty Fruit; they must be prun [...] cut, and rid of all Superfluities. If the Tree be si [...] and do not prosper well, the root must be watered w [...] the Mother of Oil, mingled with the like quantity of W [...] ter, or unslack'd Lime mingled with Chalk; or Rosi [...] or Tar must be poured upon the Roots; You must gath [...] them in a fair Day, being sound and unspotted, and ve [...] ripe, and in the Wane of the Moon. They are best ke [...] coffened betwixt two hollow Tiles, well closed on eve [...] side with Clay: Some lay them only in dry Places, whe [...] no wind cometh; others heap them in Chaff and Whea [...] some in Wine, which maketh the Wine more pleasan [...] lay them not near any other Fruit, because, with [...] Air, they will corrupt them. There is also made a ki [...] of Wine of Quinces, (being beaten and pressed) and little Honey with Oil put into it; there is also made [...] them a precious Conserve, and Marmalade, red a [...] white, being congealed with long Seething, and boyl [...] with Sugar, Wine, and Spices.

CHAP. XIII.

THE Medler is accounted to be of the Number of Apple-trees, and Pear-trees: It is Planted in the [...]e Manner as the Quince is: It delighteth in hot Pla­ [...], but well watered, it will do well enough: It is [...]anted of the Scion, in March or November, in a well [...]nged Ground, and mellow, so that both the Ends be [...]bbed over with Dung. It is also set of a Stone, but [...]en it is very long before it cometh to any Thing: It excellently well Grafted in the white Thorn, the Pear, the Apple. The Medlers that you mean to keep, you [...]ust gather before they are Ripe; and being suffered to [...]ow so upon the Tree, they last a great part of the [...]inter: They are preserved in sodden Wine, and Vi­ [...]gar, and Water. Of the Wood of the wild Medler, [...] use to make Spokes for Wheels of Carts, and the [...]wigs of them serve for Carters Whips. Next to the [...]edler, for Neighbourhood sake, I must speak of the [...]rvice, it is a high Tree, with a round Berry, fashioned [...]e an Egg; this Fruit grows in Clusters, as the Grape [...]th: The wild is better than the Garden Fruit to Graft [...]. It delighteth in cold Places, and if you Plant it in [...] Ground, it will wax Barren. It hath no Prickles as [...]e Medler hath, it groweth of the Stone, the Set, the [...]ot, or the Scion, and prospereth in a cold wet Soil: [...]s Planted in February and in March in cold Countries, [...]d in hot in October and November. It is Grafted either its own Stalk, or on the Quince, or Haw-thorn, either the Stock or the Bark.

CHAP. XIV.

AMongst the strange Fruit, there is none of them co [...] parable to the Pomegranate: The tree is not Hi [...] the Leaf Narrow, and of a very pleasant Green, the Flo [...] er Purple, long like a Coffin; the Apple that is comp [...] ed with a thicker Rind, is full of Grains within [...] Pomegranate is sweet and sower. This Tree only, the Fig and the Vine, the Body being cloven, dieth n [...] the Branches are full of Prickles as the Gorst is: It low both a hot Ground, and a warm Air, and liketh not [...] tery Places. In some hot Countries it groweth wild in [...] Bushes: It is planted in the Spring-time, the Roots be [...] watered with Hogs-dung and Stale. It is Grafted up [...] its own Stock, and also upon other Trees; and likew [...] upon the Scion that grows from the Roots of the Tree. And tho' it may be planted sundry Ways, yet best Way is a Cubit in length, smoothed with your Kn [...] at both Ends, and slope-wise in the Ground, with h [...] its Ends well smothered with Hogs-dung and Stale. [...] much delighteth in the Myrtle, insomuch as the Ro [...] will meet, and entangle together with delight. T [...] Fruit will grow, without Kernels, if Grafted in the V [...] the Peth being taken out, and the Set covered w [...] Earth, and (when it hath taken) let it in the Spring pruned. You shall have them keep a long while, if t [...] be first dipped in scalding Water, and then taken [...] quickly, laid in dry Sand, or else in some Heap [...] Wheat in the Shadow, till they be wrinkled; or els [...] covered with Chaff, as that they touch not the one or [...] other.

CHAP. XV.

THE Outlandish Citron is here very carefully planted: This Tree doth always bear Fruit, some falling, [...]ome ripe, and some springing: Nature shewing in them [...] wonderful Fertillity. There are several Kinds of them [...]rom whence they have several Names: I shall only name [...]wo Sorts of them; those that are long fashioned like an [...]gg, if they be yellow, are called Citrons; if they be [...]reen, Limons, the Leaf is like the Bay-leaf, saving that [...]here grows Prickles amongst them: The Fruit of them [...] yellow, wrinkled without, sweet in Smell, and sower [...] Taste; the Kernels like the Kernels of a Pear. The [...]ree is planted four manner of Ways; of the Kernel, of [...]e Scion, of the Branch, and of the Stock: If you will [...]t the Kernel, you must dig the Earth two Foot every [...]ay, and mingle it with Ashes: You must make short [...]eds, that they may be watered with Gutters on every side. [...] these Beds you must open the Earth with your Hand, a [...]ands breadth, and set three Kernels together, with the [...]op downwards; and being cover'd, water them every [...]ay; and when they spring, set them diligently in good [...]ellow Furrows, and water them every 4 or 5 Day: And [...]hen they begin to grow, remove them again in the Spring­ [...]me, to a gentle and moist Ground, for it delighteth much [...] wet: If you set the Branch, you must not set it above a [...]oot and a half in the Ground, lest it rot. He that doth [...]tend to cherish this Tree, let him be sure to defend it [...]om the North, and set it towards the South, and in the [...]n; in the Winter it Frails and Baskets. This Tree de­ [...]ghteth to be continually digged about. They are grafted [...] hot Places in April, in cold Countries in May, not un­ [...]er the Bark, but cleaving to the Stock, near the Root: [...]hey may be grafted both on the Pear and Mulberry; [Page 28] But when they are Grafted they must be fenced, eith [...] with a Weather-basket, or some earthen Vessel. S [...] as you mean to keep, and must be gathered in the Nig [...] the Moon being down, and gathered with Branches [...] all, as they hang. When the Fruit burdeneth the T [...] you must pull them off, and leave but few on it, whi [...] will be the pleasanter and the kinder Fruit. If wh [...] they are Young and Little, they are put into Earth Vessels, or Glass, they will grow according to the P [...] portion thereof: So that you may have them fashion [...] either like a Man or Beast, according to your Fancy, [...] you must so order your Moulds that the Air may co [...] to them. They are highly esteemed of by great Perse [...]

CHAP. XVI.

THE Mulberry of all other Trees, is accounted [...] surest bearer, because it never blossometh til [...] cold Weather be past: So that whensoever you see [...] Mulberry begin to spring, you may be sure the cold W [...] ther is at an end: Yet is Ripe with the first, and budd [...] out its Leafs: They dye the Hands (as Pliny saith) w [...] the juice of the Ripe Berry, and wash it off with the gr [...] Berry: It changeth his Colour thrice, (as Ovid allude [...] his Tragical History of Pyramus and Thisbe) first Wh [...] then Red, and lastly Black: It loveth hot Places and G [...] velly, and delights in Digging and Dunging, but not W [...] tering: It's Root must be opened about October, and [...] Lees of Wine pour'd upon 'em: It is set of the Stones, [...] then it often grows to the Wild: The best planting is [...] Scion, and the Tops a Foot and a half long, smooth [...] both Ends, and rubbed over with Dung. The Place wh [...] you set your Sets, cover with Ashes mingled with Ea [...] but cover it not above four Fingers thick, I wo [...] [Page 29] [...]ve you to set it in March, and to remove it in October [...] November. It is Grafted in the Beech, or the White [...]oplar, either by Grafting in the Stocks, or Inoculation; [...]d so shall the Berries be White It is Grafted also in [...]g and Elm, which in old Time they would not suffer for [...]ar of Corrupting. Of the Mulberry is made a very noble [...]edicine for the Stomach, and for the Gout; they will [...]ngest indure kept in Glasses; the Leafs do serve to feed [...]lk-worms withal, whereof some make a very great gain.

The Cornel is a ruddy coloured Fruit, like a Cherry. [...]his Tree is thought never to exceed twelve Cubits in [...]eight; the Body is sound and thick like Horn; the [...]eaf is like an Almond-leaf, but fatter; the Flower and [...]e Fruit is like the Olive, with many Berries hanging up­ [...] a Stalk, first white, and after red; the Juice of the [...]pe Berries is of a bloody Colour. It loveth both high [...]round and Vallies, and prospereth both in moist Ground [...]d dry: It groweth both of the slip, and of the Seed. [...]ou must be careful that you Plant it not near to your Bees.

The Bay is a most grateful Tree, which chiefly gar­ [...]sheth the House, and useth to stand at the Entrance. [...]to maketh two Kinds thereof, the Delphick and the [...]press; the Delphick equally coloured and greener, with [...]eat Berries, in Colour betwixt green and red, where­ [...]th the Conquerors at Delphos were us'd to be Crown­ [...]. The Cypress-Bay hath a shorter Leaf, and a darker [...]een, gathered (as it were) round about the Edges, [...]hich some (as Pliny saith) suppose to be a wild Kind: [...] groweth always green, and beareth Berries; he shoot, [...] out his Branches from the Side, and therefore wax­ [...] soon old and rotten: It doth not very well always [...]th cold Ground, being hot of Nature: It is planted di­ [...]rs Ways. The Berries being dry'd with the North Wind, [...]e gathered and lay'd abroad very thin, lest they cluster [...]gether; afterwards being wet with Ʋrine they are set [...] Furrows a handful deep, and very near together: In [...]arch they are also planted of the slip, you must set [...]em not passing nine Foot asunder: But so they grow [Page 30] out of Kind. Some think that they may be Grafted [...] another, as also upon the Seruise and Ash. The B [...] ries are to be gathered about the beginning of Decembe [...] and to be set in the beginning of March.

CHAP. XVII.

NUt-trees are commonly planted of the Nut, as [...] other Shell-Fruits are. Of all Nuts the Almo [...] is esteemed to be the worthiest; they are set in Februa [...] and prosper in a clear and hot Ground, in a fat and mo [...] Ground they will grow Barren; they chiefly set such [...] are Crooked, and the young Plants: They are set bo [...] of the Slips, of the Root, and of the Kernel. The N [...] that you intend to set, must be laid a Day before in s [...] Dung: Others steep them in Water sod with Hone [...] letting them lie therein but only one Night, lest [...] sharpness of the Honey spoil the Plant. The Tops a [...] the sharp Ends you must set downward, for from the [...] cometh the Root; the Edge stands towards the Nort [...] You must set three of them in a Triangle, a Hand [...] one from the other; they must be water'd every [...] Days, till they grow to be great; it is also planted w [...] the Branches, taken from the midst of the Tree. T [...] Philbert is Grafted not near the Top of the Stock, [...] about the midst, upon the Bows that grow out. T [...] Tree doth soon bear Fruit, and flowereth before [...] others, in January or February. Virgil accounts it fo [...] Prognosticator of the Plenty of Corn:

[Page 31] [...]he bitter ones (which are the Wholesomer) are made [...]weet, if round about the Tree, four Fingers from the [...]oot, you make a little Trench, by which he shall sweat [...]ut its Bitterness: or else, if you open the Roots, and our therein either Ʋrine, or Hogs Dung; But no Tree [...]oweth sooner out of Kind, and therefore you must of­ [...]n remove it, or else you must Graft when it is great.

CHAP. XVIII.

WAll-nuts are to be set in the Ground the Seam downward, about the beginning of March; Some [...]ink that they will grow as the Philbert doth, either [...] the Slip, or the Root: It groweth well, and liketh [...] cold and dry Place better than a hot; the Nut that you [...]ean to set, will grow the better, if you suffer it to lie our or five Days before in the Urine of a Boy, [...]nd will also prosper the better if it be often removed: [...]hose Nuts (as it is thought) prosper best, that are let [...]ll by the Crows, and other Birds. If you pierce the [...]ree thro' with an Augur [...], and fill up the Place again [...]ith a Pin of Elm, the Tree shall lose his knotty hard­ [...]ess; neither will he lose his Fruit, if you hang by, ei­ [...]her Mallet, or a piece of Scarlet, from a Dunghill. Wall-nut-trees are properly planted round about on [...]he out-side of an Orchard, because their Shadows are [...]reat, and unwholesome, besides the mischief they do [...]ith their dropping. They suck a great deal of good [...]uice from the Ground: For they are mighty high and [...]all Trees of growth, so as some of them are two [...]r three Fathom about; they take up a great deal of [...]oom with their standing, and beguile the other Trees [...]f their Substance; besides there are certain Trees that [...]hey agree not well withal, and therefore they are set [Page 32] on the outside of an Orchard, as Standards to defe [...] their fellows from tempestuous Weather.

Amongst Nuts is also to be accounted the comm [...] Hazelnuts, a Kind whereof is the Philbert; they a [...] Planted after the manner of the Garden Hazelnut; th [...] delight in clay and waterish Grounds, and upon th [...] highest Ground, being very able to abide the Cold.

CHAP. XIX.

AMongst the Nuts also the Chesnut challengeth [...] Place, tho' he be rather to be reckoned among [...] Maites, from whence he is called the Nut or Mast [...] Jupiter. This Tree delighteth to grow on Uplands, i [...] cold Countries: It hateth Waters, and desireth a cle [...] and a good Mould: It misliketh not a moist grave [...] Ground, and prospereth in a Shadowy or Northerly Ban [...] it hateth a stiff and red clay Ground: It is Planted bo [...] of the Nut, than of the Set; otherwise the safer w [...] were the Set, whch in 2 Years beareth Fruit. It i [...] Planted when the Sun is in the Aequinoctial, both of th [...] Scion, the Set, the Branch, and Root, as the Olive i [...] The Chesnut that you mean for to Sow, must be ver [...] fair and ripe; the newer they are, the better they grow [...] you must set them with the sharp end upwards, and [...] Foot asunder. The Furrow must be a shaftman deep This Tree being felled after 5 Years, will prosper lik [...] the Willow: And being cut out in Stays, it will last ti [...] the next fe [...]ling. The Chesnut may be Grafted on th [...] Walnut, the Beech, and the Oak: It hath been obse [...] ved, that where they grow two and two together, they prosper the better.

The Pine is planted not much unlike to the Almon [...] the Kernels of the Keit-clocks being set as the Almon [...] [Page 33] [...]; they are gathered in July, before the cunicular Winds, and before the Nuts, the Husks being broken, [...]ll out. The best Time of Sowing them, Paladin reckons [...]o be October and November. This Tree is thought to [...]e a Nourisher of all that is sown under it.

CHAP. XX.

THE Cherry-tree is easy to be planted; if the Stones be but cast abroad, they will grow with [...]reat increase: Such is their forwardness in growing, [...]hat the Stays or Supporters of Vines, that are made of [...]herry-tree, are commonly seen to grow to be Trees. They are grafted upon the Plumb-tree, upon his own [...]tock, upon the Palm-tree, and on the Abricot, but [...]est upon the wild Cherry; it joyeth in being Grafted, [...]nd bearing better Fruit. If you Graft them upon the [...]ine, your Tree shall bear in the Spring; the Time of Grafting is either when there is no Gum upon them, [...]r when the Gum has left running. Remove the wild [...]lant either in October or November, and the first of Ja­ [...]uary or February, when it hath taken Root, it may be Grafted upon. You may Graft it on the Stock; but often it prospereth better being Grafted betwixt the Bark and the Wood. It delighteth to be set in deep [...]renches to have Room enough, and to be often digged [...]bout. It loveth to have the withered Boughs conti­ [...]ually cut away: It groweth best in cold Places, and [...]o hateth Dung, that if it be laid about them, they grow [...]o be wild: It is also planted of the Slips; and some [...]ay it will bear its Fruits without Stones, if in the set­ [...]ing of the Set you turned the upper End downward. There are sundry Kinds of Cherries; some that are redde [...] [...]han the rest; others as black as a Cole. Pliny saith, That [...]n the Banks of Rhine, there grows a Cherry, of Colour, [Page 34] betwixt black, red and green, like Juniper-Berries, wh [...] they are almost ripe: For the several invented Names [...] them, as Duke, Heart, &c. for more brevity, I shall pa [...] them by at this time, and say something of them herea [...] ter. The small Cherries are esteemed, that grow up [...] a Bush with short Stalks, round Fruit, and very re [...] soft and full of Liquor. They will bear very early [...] you lay Lime about them: It is good to gather them o [...] ten, that those which you leave may grow the greate [...] There are also found a kind of Cherries growing wi [...] in the Woods, and Hedge-rows, (and may be well Plan [...] ed in Gardens, and much improved) with little Berrie [...] some red, some altogether black.

CHAP. XXI.

PLumb-trees are Planted from the Middle of W [...] ter, to the Ides of February; but if you set t [...] Stones soon after the Fall of the Leaf, let it be done [...] November, in a good and mellow Ground, two Handf [...] deep; they may be also set in February, but then th [...] must be steeped in Lye three Days, that they may t [...] sooner spring; they are also Planted from the young S [...] that grow from the Body of the Tree, either in Januar [...] or the beginning of February, the Roots being well c [...] vered with Dung; they prosper best in a rich and mo [...] Ground, and in a cold Country, they are Grafted t [...] wards the End of March, and are better in a clov [...] Stock than the Bark, or else in January, before th [...] Gum begin to drop out; it is Grafted upon his ow [...] Stock, the Peach and the Almond. There are s [...] veral Sorts of Plumbs, whereof the Damsen is not th [...] least esteemed, joying in a dry Ground, and in a h [...] Country; it is Grafted as the other Plumbs are. Ther [...] are divers coloured Plumbs, white, black, purple, an [...] [Page 35] red, Wheat-plumbs, and Horse-plumbs; the Finger-plumbs are most commended, bearing near the Length of a Man's Finger, and blue in Colour, but later. The Damsens may be dryed in the Sun upon Lattises, Leads, or in an Oven; some do dip them before, either in Sea­water, or in Brine, and after dry them.

CHAP. XXII.

OF Peach-trees there are four Kinds; but the chiefest are the Duraces, and the Apricots: In November, in hot Countries, and in others in January, the Stones are to be set two Foot asunder in well dressed Grounds, that when the young Trees are sprung up, they may be removed; but in the setting you must set the sharp end downwards, and let them stand two or three Fingers in the Ground: Wheresoever they grow, they rejoyce in watery Grounds, which Ground if you want, look that you water them well, so shall you have great Store of Fruit. Some would have them set in hot Countries, and sandy Ground, whereby they say that their Fruit will longer endure; the better will also the Fruit be, if as soon as you have eaten them, you set the Stone, with some part of the Fruit cleaving to it: It is Grafted either on himself, Almond, or the Plumb-tree. The Apples of Armenia, or Abricot, do far excel the Peach; used as a great dainty amongst the Nobility and Gentry, and much desired of the Sick: They are best Grafted in the Plumb, as the Peach in the Almond-tree: The fairest Grafts that grow next to the body of the Tree, are to be chosen and grafted in Jan. or Feb. in cold Countries, and in November, in hot; for if you take those that grow in the Top, they will either not grow, or if they grow, not long endure. You may inoculate or im­bud [Page 36] them in April or May, the Stock being cut out aloft and many young Buds set in; neither must you suffe [...] them to stand very far from the other, that they may the better defend themselves from the heat of the Sun. The Frenchmen and our Gardeners also, do Graft the Abricot, taking a Graft, (not full a Finger long) o [...] the Bud that is well shot out, with a little of the Rin [...] cut off, and slitting the Rind of a Plum-tree cross­wise, they set them in, binding them strongly about with Hemp or Tow. Some do hold they will be red if they be either Grafted in the Plumb-tree, or have Roses se [...] underneath them; they will be figured, or written in▪ if seven Days after that you have set the Stone, when i [...] begins to open, you take out the Kernel, and with Vermillion, or any other Colour, you may Counterfei [...] what you will; after the Stone is closed up about it, and covered with Clay, or Hogs-dung, you set it in the Ground Again, you shall have them with Stones, if you pierce the Tree thro', and fill it up with a Pin of Willow, o [...] Cornet-tree, the Pith being had out; but these Things [...] will not certify as Truth, but leave them to Experiment, as not having tryed them; The Roots of the Tree mus [...] be cut and dressed in the Fall of the Leaf, and dunged with its own Leaves; you should also at this Time prune them, and rid them of all rotten and dead Boughs. I [...] the Tree prosper not, pour upon the Roots the Lees o [...] old Wine mingled with Water. Against the Heat of the Sun, heap up the Earth about them, water them in the Evening, and shadow them as well as you may. Against the Frosts, lay on Dung enough, or the Lees of Wine mingled with Water; or Water wherein Beans have been sodden: if it be hurt with Worms, or such Ver [...] mine, pour on it the Urine of Oxen mixed with a third part of Vinegar.

CHAP. XXIII.

THE Date-tree, it groweth in a mild gravelly Ground, and delighteth in a watery Soil; and tho' it de­ [...]res to have Water all the Year long, yet in a dry Year [...] bears the better; therefore some think that Dung is [...]urtful unto it. About the River Nilus, and in the East [...]arts, it groweth Plenteously, where they use to make [...]oth Wine and Bread of it: This Tree in Europe (for [...]he most part) is Barren, tho' for Novelty sake it hath [...]een Planted of many, as an Adorment to an Or­ [...]hard. The Stones of Dates are to be Planted in Tren­ [...]hes of a Cubit in Depth and Breadth, the Trench fill'd [...]p with any Manner of Dung, except Goats Dung; then [...] the midst of the Heap set your Stones so as the sharper [...]art stand upward; others would have it stand towards [...]he East: And after, when first they have sprinkled [...]hereon a little Salt, they cover them with Earth, well [...]ingled with Dung; and every Day while it Springeth, [...]hey water it; some remove it after a Year's growth, [...]ho' some let it grow till it be great. Moreover, because [...] delighteth in Salt Ground, the Roots must be dress­ [...]d every Year, and Salt thrown upon them; and so will [...] quickly grow to be a great Tree. The Sets are not [...]resently to be put into the Ground, but first to set in [...]arthern Pots; and when they have taken Root, to be [...]emoved Date-trees have such a Delight one in the other, [...]hat they bend themselves to touch together; and if they [...]row alone, they wax Barren. They are planted (as Pliny saith) of the Branches, two Cubits long, growing [...]rom the Top of the Tree; also of the slips and slivers. The same Author affirmeth, that about Babylon, the very [...]eaf (if it be set) groweth.

CHAP. XXIV.

THE Vine among these is accounted the Queen, pro­ving delicious Clusters, as are not only pleasant to [...]he Taste, but reviving to the Spirits, and healthful to the [...]ody; and it has been more cherished in England, than at [...]resent; many spacious Grounds, tho' now turned into Grass or Cornfields, retaining yet the Name of Vineyards; [...]s that on the backside the Church of Camberwel in Surry, [...]nd many others, from the Vines that have been former­ [...]y Planted there, tho' now totally Eradicated; and no [...]oubt, store of Wines, by well Planting, Manuring, Dres­ [...]ing, and other good Management of Vines, might be [...]ill produced, equally to that brought out of France and Germony; but my purpose is now to speak of Wall-vines.

The Vine is best propagated by Layers of a good bear­ [...]ng Vine, bent and layed in the Earth, staked in about 4 or 5 Inches, with good Mould and Turf upon it, and a­ [...]out half a Yard rising upright, which may be support­ [...]d by a Stick stuck in the Ground, and it will take Root, which being cut short, and set about the beginning of March, will grow very well; but ever observe to set [...]hem to a Wall, Pales, or Houses side, &c. where the Morning, Noon, or Evening Sun, or all of them may [...]ave full Power; for without the Influence of the Sun this Tree beareth not to any purpose, bringing forth small Grapes, which seldom ripen; for the Season advancing, [...]he nipping Frosts come on them, and wither them before [...]hey can do it. Some Eminent Gardeners allow it may [...]e Grafted on the Cherry-tree, or Elm, of these there are many Kinds, but the best Bearer in our Climate, is the Parsly Vine, bringing abundace of Fruit, with good Ma­ [...]agement, to Perfection. The Fox grape is a fair and [...]rge Fruit, bearing pretty well: The Rhenish-grape, [Page 42] Paris Grape, and small Muscadel, are pretty well suite to our Clime. The Currant Grape is the earliest a [...] sweetest, though they are but small.

Great care for the improving of the Vine must be Prune it before the Sap rises, viz. in March, and na [...] them up conveniently, with a Slip of old Bud, or so [...] Leather, that the Branches may spread conveniently t [...] the Sun, and the warm breathing of the South and Western Wind; and lay a little Horse-dung lightly abou [...] the Root, in the Spring, that it may soak in and fart [...] the Root, which must be set out from the Wall a pre [...] distance, that it may have Room enough to spread i [...] without Opposition.

Some pluck off most of the Leaves when the Cluste [...] are well knit, but this, in my Opinion and Experienc [...] rather hinders than advantages their growth, and so [...] Ripening; for the cool Blasts are often abroad in Summer than the hot ones, and they chill and hinder th [...] product, so that it has been seen, that the Grapes sheltered with Leaves, have been kept the warmer by thei [...] sooner Ripening. If the Vine stands against damp Wall [...] the wetness perishes the Clusters that touch it, or th [...] moist heatings musty them; and if you see one in an [...] Cluster perished, take it away, lest it infect the rest.

There is, of those Grapes that come not to such [...] ripeness as Wine may be made of them, a curious Vine­gar nevertheless to be pressed from them. They are also very good Sauce, pickled in Water, Salt, and a lit­tle Vinegar boild together. The same way you may al­so pickle Barberries, Gooseberries, Quinces, and gree [...] Plumbs, that they, with a renewal of Pickle, keep th [...] Year about.

CHAP. XXV.

THE Skilful dressing and pruning Fruit-trees, is one main matter to keep 'em from sundry ill Convenien­cies [Page 46] and disorders, they would be otherwise subject [...] and to preserve them in a good Growth, and to br [...] forth a good Fruit, better and more seasonably; and th [...] consists in Pruning, or cutting away the superfluo [...] Boughs, Branches, and Suckers that waste and destr [...] the Sap unprofitable, hindering the bearing Branch [...] from perfecting the Growth of the Fruit, and seaso [...] ably ripening it; this must be done before Sap rise as in January, February, or the beginning of March; a [...] you must in this case, distinguish the bearing from [...] Leaf-buds; and the bearing ones are known by the [...] being more turgid than the other, fuller and more swe [...] ling. In this Work cut off all the Shoots of August, [...] less the Nakedness of the Tree require you to hold yo [...] Hand; what you Prune from the rest, cut off slant [...] above the Bud, with a sharp Knife, leaving no Rags.

Those Buds in Wall-fruits that put forth between th [...] Stem and the Wall, or opposite to them, rub off as so [...] as they appear, sparing only the colateral Branches.

Keep your Wall and Palisadoe-trees from too hig [...] mounting hastily, so that they may spread, and the be [...] form themselves beautiful, like a Fan close to the Groun [...]

Take the Water-boughs away, which are those on th [...] Standards that are shaded, and dropt upon, remaini [...] smooth and naked without Buds; cut of the unbearin [...] Branches of Wall-fruit-trees smooth and slanting. A [...] for the tender Wall-fruit, the proper Time to Prun [...] them is in February, and the beginning of March.

Where Branches are intangled and thick, that the [...] gall one another, or exclude the free Entrance of the S [...] and Air, thin that Place at Discretion: Trim and N [...] your Wall-fruit and Espallers.

When you find any Moss on the Branches, or at th [...] Roots of the Trees, take it off with a Wooden or Ho [...] Scraper, and rub the Place smooth with a Woollen Clo [...] dipped in Water, wherein Ashes have been well steeped and it will not incumber those Places, at least for a lo [...] Time, and see what Thrive best; open the Roots a lit [...]le [Page 47] of those that seem to drop, and put good Dung or Manure to them, and cover it up with light Earth.

Keep your Trees from mounting too high, if you [...]ould have them good Bearers; for the nearer the Branches are to the Root, the Sap has the more Influence [...]o encrease the Blossoms the stronger to knit them, and [...]nlarge the Fruit: And the moderate height of all spread­ [...]ng Standard-trees, should be something above two Yards [...]yond a Man's reach; and if the middle Branches are [...]piring more than the other, keep them down by Cut­ [...]ing and Pruning, that the Tree may the better spread; [...]nd so they will be smooth-rined, healthful, and long [...]asting Trees, growing low, and consequently safe from [...]he injury of Winds; and by spreading broad, yield much Fruit, not over-shadowing each other, or dropping much upon each others Boughs; and the Bole, by reason [...]f its shortness, will take much Sap, consume little itself, [...]nd so yield a great deal to the better producing the Fruit: For if the Tree aspire, the Sap takes its course so swiftly [...]p, that it has little Intercourse with the lower Boughs; so that they bear but little Fruit.

If you [...]op old Trees, and cut off great Arms, do it close to the Tree, and leave no Snags; then make a Plaister of Tar, Tallow, and a little Pitch, on a course Cloth, and clap it to the Wound, to keep off the cold [...]nd wet, till the Bark recover the Strength: If it be Bark-peel'd, make a Searcloth of Butter, Honey, and Wax, and lay on it, as a good Remedy to recover the Bark, by the other Bark growing and closing up the nak­ed Place.

To effect this, you must be provided with a hand­some light Ladder, a little sharp and well-armed Saw, [...] little sharp Hatchet, a broad-mouth Chizzle, a Mallet, [...]nd a strong and sharp Cleaver, with a Notch (and which is most necessary among young and little Trees) [...] great-hafted and sharp Knife, with a convenient Stool, Pruning-hook, and a Paring Chizzle to smooth the out Places.

CHAP. XXVI.

WHERE large Trees grow in an Orchard, there th [...] Ground requires every 4 or 5 Years to be we [...] Soiled; for those great Bodies draw a great deal of Mo [...] sture, and consequently the best heart of the Ground And if it be not supply'd the Trees must pine, and w [...] want much of their Fruit. But do not overstock th [...] Root with Dung; rather lay it somewhat near, and [...] Rain wash and soak it to the Roots, especially of you [...] Trees; for too much Dung breeds rankness, and much hurts 'em, especially Apple-trees; according to th [...] Verse.

As for the Diseeses and Hurts in Trees, they are m [...] ny; which I shall enumerate in their Order.

If the Trees be greatly subject to Moss, you must co [...] sider what may be the principal cause of it, whether by the over coldness of the Ground, as in a wet clayey Soil or the Barrenness of the Earth naturally.

If coldness, thro' moisture, be the true Cause, the [...] consider how to lay it dryer, by trenching the Ground [...] or if it be Clay-ground, then bring in some warm So [...] to mix with it, as, Ashes, Sand, Sheeps-dung, the Dun [...] of Dove-houses, or Poultry, and the like; and if the So [...] be too Barren, mix it with good fat Soil, especially ne [...] and at the Roots of the Trees; and Moss the Trees we [...] of what is already upon them.

2. Another hindrance of the growth of Fruit-trees, [...] their being Bark-bound, which is known by their pinin [...] [Page 49] [...]en in fertile Ground: This happens when there is but [...]ull and slow Passage up of the Sap, and in small quan­ [...]. Upon this, cut off some of the Superfluous Bran­ [...]es, and score the rest that are any thing great, also the [...]le of the Tree, and the Root, with a sharp Knife, [...]en to the hard Wood, and it will open as if loosened [...]om Bondage, and another Rind will grow, and fill up [...] Space to a good Wideness, according to the bulk of [...] Tree, and still grow with it: So that it will seem rejoyce for his Deliverance, and flourish a great deal [...]uer than before. This is proper to be done in the [...]ring, when the Sap is arising.

3. The Cankar, of which I have hinted before, is a very [...]eat Enemy to Trees, natural to some, accidental to others, [...] Bruises, &c. this hurts many, and utterly spoils some. The Remedy is to cut it out, if it be upon the great [...]ough or Body of the Tree, then a mixture of Horse­ [...]ng and Clay, and cut off the small Branches that are [...]ad, or decaying, and lay the Mixture aforesaid on the [...]ace tainted, binding it on with Rushes, Flags, or soft [...]nds of Hay or Straw; then lay Sea-Cole, or Wood- [...]shes, the Ashes of Fern or Nettles, or the like, to the [...]oots: But if this be a natural Vice, and the Trees grow [...] Gravelly Ground; it will not easily be remedied [...]ithout mending the Soil.

4. In the Spring-time Catterpillars breed, and are a [...]eat pest to Fruit-trees, by destroying the Buds and Blos­ [...]ms, especially in a dry Season, if the Frosts come not to [...]ke'em off; which if they do, they likewise commit much [...]jury by nipping the early Fruit, and rendring it abortive. To destroy these, take wet Hay and Straw, place [...]em when the Wind breaths a moderate fresh Gale, so [...]at being fired with with dry Stuff laid under them, the [...]oke may go among the Trees, for being carried under, will arise in the Boughs: Sprinkle on this, Pitch, Ro­ [...], and Brimstone, and the smothering will make them [...]op off, and dye.

5. Earwigs are another Pest, tho' not so dangerous a [...] former.

[Page 50]To take and destroy these, lay small Kexes at the Ro [...] of your Trees, sprinkled with Water, wherein a little [...] ney has been boiled, and break them in short Pieces, t [...] many of the Hollownessess may be open, and it will dr [...] them from the Tree; and when they have licked up [...] sweet Water; they will crowd themselves for shelter in [...] the hollow Kexes; when you perceive this, you may b [...] them, and so by degrees disincumber your Orchard of e [...]

6. Ants or Emmets much injure Fruit, especially Wa [...] fruit: To destroy them therefore, find out their [...] or chief Haunts, and opening the Top, pour scaldi [...] Water wherein Burdocks have been boiled; or if you ca [...] not find their Haunts, anoint about a Foot next the Ro [...] with Tar or Oyl of Turpentine, and they will not atten [...] to ascend the Tree, or if they do, they will be taken, a [...] stick fast in the gluttenous matter. But some may h [...] object, as for Wall-fruit, they may run up the Wall, a [...] escape it: This I own; but then in such a Case, it ma [...] be prevented, by drawing a Line of the same matter [...] on the Wall, from one end to the other.

7. Shell snails much annoy Wall-fruit: To reme [...] that, take slacked Lime, and strew along on the Ba [...] and dust it on the Leaves and Branches, and where [...] Snail touches it, he will fret and slime to Death: T [...] is effectual likewise to Snails without Shells.

8. Wasps are mischievous when the Fruit begins ripen; and therefore, if you find any Nests of them your Orchard or Gardens, the best way is to destroy the by pouring in hot Water wherein Hemlock as been bo [...] ed; or you may hang Pots with Honey mingled with W [...] ter; drub also the insides of the Pots with Honey, a [...] they having tasted it, repairing further to drink of t [...] Water will drown themselves in great Multitudes.

9. Birds are great destroyers of choice early Fruit, also in the Spring the Buds; espcially the Bulfinch, T [...] mouse, and the like of those of Cherries, Plumbs, Apric [...] &c. these may be taken by Lime-twigs placed in [...] Trees, and then by hanging up dead ones by the He [...] [Page 51] [...] the Trees, the other will be scared away: Also two [...] three Rattle-mills, set up in the Orchard, turned by [...] Wind, will affright them.

10. Winds and nipping Frosts in the Spring, together [...]th Blasts, are Enemies to Fruit-trees: The best way [...] prevent these, is to keep smoking Fires among the [...]anding Trees, and cover the Wall-fruit with bass Mats.

CHAP. XXVII.

TO serve yourself with a sufficient Number of Stocks to Graft on, or Inoculate the several Fruits you in­ [...]end to Propagate and Advance, prepare a Bed of Earth [...]ell dressed from Weeds, proportionable to the Stones or [...]eds you intend to set or sow to raise Stock from: Let [...]em be cover'd with small crumbled light Earth, that [...] the tender puttings forth may the better get thro' it, [...]nd mix with the Earth a moderate sprinkling of Dung, [...] keep it the warmer in Winter. As for the Stones, set [...]hem in Rows, with the sharp end downwards, about the [...]iddle, or latter End of October, the Weather being open, [...]d cover the Beds against the Cold with Straw that has [...]een the Litter of a Stable; which in April, the Weather [...]eing a little warm, remove; and in May, if they pro­ [...]per, they will come up; then keep them clean from Weeds, and thin them by plucking up the Underlings [...]here they grow too thick, that the others may thrive [...]e better; and the third Summer you may mark out in [...]eaving time what you design to remove, and then in the [...]inter following remove them to such Places as you intend [...] Graft or Inoculate on them, or to other Beds, larger, [...]here they may have more room to grow, till such Time [...] your Occasions require their removal to the Place where [...]ou would have them fix'd as Stocks for Grafts.

As for the Seeds of Pears, Apples, and other Fruit not [...]earing Stones, take them out when they Rattle in the [...]ore upon shaking the Fruit, or when the Apple is cut; [Page 52] lay them not by, but instantly sow them very thin, dropping them one by one, in little Rills or Furrows; co [...] them over with fine Mould, and use them in all other r [...] spects as the former. These seed Plants may be likewis [...] set with a setting-stick, and if they are removed whe [...] they are come pretty well up, it will be the better fo [...] their getting good Roots, else they will be apt to shoo [...] one Root only downward, and not spread. Crab stocks and Apple-stocks thus raised, furnish an Orchard bette [...] than those that are taken wild: Trees grafted on the O [...] not moile, or Cyder-stock, preserve better the Gust of th [...] Apple than any other, but on the Crab-stock this is of lo [...] ger lasting, imparting more Juice, of a tart Relish, and s [...] by many preferred before most sort of Apples: However the wild Stock does enliven the dull and phlegmati [...] Apple, and the Stock of the Genetmoile sweetens and improves the Pippin, &c. and abates the tart Taste of othe [...]

The same Rules may be observ'd in Stocks to graft, Pears Plumbs, Cherries, Apricots, and the like upon; and the mo [...] acid the Stock, the more Life it gives to the Fruit [...] the Graft, as the Black-cherry, and the Cherry-tree is th [...] most approved Stock for the delicious Cherry.

Tho' the Fruit generally takes after the Graft, yet it somewhat altered by the Stock, for the better or wor [...] according to its Kind; therefore for your Seminary a [...] Nursery, chuse a place of Ground that may be of an i [...] different Nature, not too Sterile, nor over-much enriched with Dung, it lying warm, with light Mould, th [...] the Stocks may the better thrive.

If you are desirous to raise Dwarfs, trell them: I [...] the Stocks whereon you graft them for Apples, be of th [...] Paradise Apple, of the Quince, for the Pear of the M [...] rello or common English Cheeries for Cherries; and [...] they will be more fit, if you so design them for Wa [...] Trees or Standards, being kept low, as now the use is [...] many good Orchards.

If you would be furnished with good Quince-stoc [...] for your Nursery, the speediest way is to cut down an o [...] [Page 53] Quince-tree in March, about 2 Inches from the Ground, [...]d there will a young number of Suckers arise from the [...]ot, which being taken off, with some of the Root sli­ced with them, and moist Earth about them, as much as may be, are easily planted, and in a little Time will be [...]it to be grafted on for Pears, and raise a good Encrease, and this way also Plumb stocks may be raised, and you may be abundantly furnished of your own, without be­ [...]g beholden to others.

CHAP. XXVIII.

I Hold it (tho' upon necessity or Emergency it may be done at other Seasons) the best Time to transplant Trees, is the Autumnal Quarter, especiallly those that [...]ose their Leaves, and are naked all Winter, whether they [...]re young Stocks of new grafted Trees, or of longer [...]tanding; and it is a good Time to do it, when you per­ceive they have done growing in the Branch (which may [...]e known) or Ends of the Branches of the Tops; if [...]hey be closed and shut up, they may be removed with­ [...]ut Danger, tho' in August, but September is a general proper Time, and also in October.

In taking up Plants, great Care and Skill is required [...]y the Remover: See the spreading Roots be left on, [...]ho' you must, according as the Root is, take of so much [...] the Earth may come conveniently to close about the [...]est, and fasten on it every way, that taking good hold, [...] may spread the better; and in removal you will ob­ [...]erve the younger Trees thrive better than the elder, and [...]any Times on an equal Soil over take them in Growth [...]pon a remove of one and the same Time.

[Page 54]Plant not too deep, for the over-turf, is always riche [...] than the next Mould; and in very moist Ground Pl [...] the nearer the Surface, that the Roots spreading m [...] avoid the Spume; for planting too deep in any Ground much injures the growth of the Tree, by reason the hea [...] of the Sun cannot penetrate the Earth to its Root, there by to enliven it, and shooting mostly downward it such in cold damp Spume, which digests not into good Sap [...] whereby the Tree is enfeebled, and not of force to brin [...] forth its Fruit in Proportion; and many Times, in th [...] depth the Roots meet with Chalk or Gravel, whi [...] hinder their Progress.

In transplanting young Trees, as you leave not on [...] the Roots, so neither must all the Branches, takin [...] away the Tops of the Branches of Apples and Pears, b [...] not of Plumbs, Cherries, or Walnuts. It is no smal [...] Check to Plants to be removed out of a warm Soil in a cold one, nor transplant Trees out of a lean Groun [...] into a very fat Soil; for the sudden Alteration will [...] near to destroy them, or much hinder them from prospering; and therefore tho' the Ground must necessarily b [...] better, yet it must be by such Degrees as may be agreeable with the Tree transplanted.

Many plant Fruit-trees unfit for the Country or So [...] wherein they plant them, and their Care is, to ch [...] Grafts of the first Kind, and the fairest plants to loo [...] upon, not considering by the way, that such kinds wi [...] prosper and bear Fruit well in those Climates and place [...] where they plant them: And hence it often is, that man [...] who have fair and goodly Fruit-trees, have little Fr [...] from them.

It is an excellent Rule, to chuse those kinds of Frui [...] which yourself or others find by many Years Expe [...] ce, to be good bearing Trees in those parts nearest [...] your Orchard, altho' the Fruit be not altogether so goo [...] as some others at greater Distance.

There is another Error in desiring the largest and fa [...] est plants, expecting such Trees will soonest impro [...] [Page 55] and yield Encrease; whereas great plants, many of them [...]e, and others, unless rather by Chance than any war­ [...]anted Certainty, live very poorly, whilst smaller plants, well removed, live generally, and often thrive more in two or three Years, than the great ones in six or seven; for the removing great plants is to Nature a very great Check, such as many Times it is not able to recover.

Another Error is, that some unskilful Gardener break [...]f the Buds upon the Stocks grafted on, before the Grafts put forth, insinuating it will receive the more Sap, when those Wounds indeed put a check to the Saps rising, and are more properly taken away when the Graft is united to the Bark of the Stock, and has gathered strength from the Sap, putting out Leaves and small Branches. And some there are, that graft young plants coming of Stones or Seeds where they were sowed or planted, without removing; which is not at all so pro­per for Growth.