12. _Lentiscus_ (a very beautiful evergreen) refuses not our climate,

protected with a little shelter, amongst other exposed shrubs, by

suckers and layers: It is certainly an extraordinary astringent and

dryer, applicable in the hernia, strangury, and to stop fluxes; closes

and cures wounds, being infus’d in red-wine, is also us’d to tinge hairs

of that colour, to black and brown. Not forgetting the best

tooth-pickers in the world, made of the wood; but above all, the gum for

fastning loose-teeth in the gums; the mastick, gather’d from this

profitable bush in the Island of Scio; beside other uses: And as the

lentisc, so may the

13. Olive be admitted, tho’ it produce no other fruit than the verdure

of the leaf; nor will it kindly breath our air, nor the less tender

_oleaster_, without the indulgent winter-house take them in. But the

14. _Granata_ [_malus punica_] is nothing so nice. There are of this

glorious shrub three sorts, easily enough educated under any warm

shelter, even to the raising hedges of them, nor indeed affects it so

much heat, as plentiful watering: They supported a very severe winter in

my garden, 1663, without any trouble or artifice; and if they present

us their blushing double flowers for the pains of recision and well

pruning, (for they must diligently be purg’d of superfluous wood) it is

recompence enough; tho’ placed in a very benign aspect, they have

sometimes produc’d a pretty small pome: It is a _perdifolia_ in Winter,

and growing abroad, requires no extraordinary rich earth, but that the

mould be loosen’d and eas’d about the root, and hearty compost applied

in Spring and Autumn: Thus cultivated, it will rise to a pretty tree,

tho’ of which there is in nature none so adulterate a shrub: ’Tis best

increas’d by layers, approch and inarching (as they term it) and is said

to marry with laurels, the damson, ash, almond, mulberry, citron, too

many I fear to hold. But after all, they do best being cas’d, the mould

well mixt with rotten hogs-dung, its peculiar delight, and kept to a

single stem, and treated like other plants in the Winter-shelter; they

open the bud and flower, and sometimes with a pretty small fruit; the

juice whereof is cooling; the rest of an astringent quality: The rind

may also supply the gall for making ink, and will tan leather.

15. The syring [lilac] or pipe-tree, so easily propagated by suckers or

layers; the flower of the white (emulating both colour and flavor of the

orange) I am told is made use of by the perfumers; I should not else

have named it among the evergreens; for it loses the leaf, tho’ not its

life, however expos’d in the Winter: There are besides this the purple,

by our botanists call’d the Persian julsamine, which next leads me to

the other jasmines.

16. The jasmine, especially the Spanish larger flower, far exceeding all

the rest, for the agreeable odor and use of the perfumer: The common

white and yellow would flower plentifully in our groves, and climb about

the trees, being as hardy as any of our _periclimena_ and honey-suckles.

How ’tis increas’d by submersion and layers, every gardner skills; and

were it as much employ’d for nose-gays, &c. with us, as it is in Italy

and France, they might make money enough of the flowers; one sorry tree

in Paris, where they abound, has been worth a poor woman near a _pistol_

a year.

There is no small curiosity and address in obtaining the oyl, or essence

(as we call it) of this delicate and evanid flower, which I leave to the

chymist and the ladies who are worthy the secrets.

FOOTNOTES:

{290:1} Cato, Columella, Paladius.

CHAPTER VI.

_Of the Arbutus, Box, Yew, Holly, Pyracanth, Laurel, Bay, &c._

1. The _arbutus_, (by us call’d the strawberry-tree) too much I think

neglected by us; making that a rarity, which grows so common and

naturally in Ireland: It is indeed with some difficulty raised by seeds,

but propagated by layers, if skilfully prun’d, grows to a goodly tree,

patient of our clime, unless the weather be very severe: It may be

contriv’d into most beautiful palisades, is ever verdant: I am told the

tree grows to a huge bulk and height in Mount Athos and other countries:

Virgil reports its inoculation with the nut; and I find Bauhinus

commends the coal for the goldsmiths works; and the poet

Arbutean harrows, and the mystick van.{294:1}

2. _Buxus_, 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 unagreeableness

of its smell: Therefore let us furnish our cold and barren hills and

declivities with this useful shrub, I mean the taller sort; for dwarf

and more tonsile in due place; it will increase abundantly of slips set

in March, and towards Bartholomew-tide, as also of the seeds contain’d

in the cells: These trees rise naturally at Boxley in Kent in abundance,

and in the county of Surrey, giving name to that Chalky Hill (near the

famous Mole or Swallow) whither the ladies, gentlemen and other

water-drinkers from the neighbouring Ebesham-Spaw, often resort during

the heat of Summer to walk, collation and divert themselves in those

_antilex_ natural alleys, and shady recesses, among the box-trees;

without taking any such offence at the smell, which has of late banish’d

it from our groves and gardens; when after all, it is infinitely to be

preferr’d for the bordering of flower-beds, and flat embroideries, to

any sweeter les-lasting shrub whatever, subject after a year or two to

grow dry, sticky and full of gaps; which box is so little obnoxious to,

that, braving all seasons, it needs not to be renew’d for 20 years

together, nor kept in order with the garden-sheers, above once or twice

a year, and immediately upon that, the casting water on it, hinders all

those offensive emissions, which some complain of: But whilst I speak in

favour of this sort of edging, I only recommend the use of the

Dutch-box, (rarely found growing in England) which is a _pumil_ dwarf

kind, with a smaller leaf, and slow of growth, and which needs not be

kept above two inches high, and yet grows so close, that beds bordered

with boards, keep not the earth in better order; beside the pleasantness

of the verdure is incomparable.

One thing more I think fit to add; That it may be convenient once in

four, or five, or six years, to cut off the strings and roots which

straggle into the borders, with a very sharp spade, that they may not

prejudice the flowers, and what else one plants in them.

I need not speak much of the uses of this tree, (growing in time to

considerable stature) so continually sought after for many utensils,

being so hard, close and pondrous as to sink like lead in water, and

therefore of special use for the turner, ingraver, carver,

mathematical-instrument, comb and pipe-makers (_si buxos inflare

juvat_...... Virg.) give great prices 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 thorn) 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

pins for blocks and pullies; pegs for musical instruments; nut-crackers,

weavers-shuttles, hollar-sticks, bump-sticks, and dressers for the

shooe-maker, rulers, rolling-pins, pestles, mall-balls, beetles, topps,

tables, chess-men, screws, 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.{296:1}

3. 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.

The oyl asswages the tooth-ache. But, says Rhodoginus, the honey which

is made at Trevisond in box-trees, (I suppose he means gather’d among

them; for there are few, I believe, if any, so large and hollow as to

lodge and hive them) renders them distracted who eat of it. Lib. XXIII.

cap. 25.

V. Since the use of bows is laid aside amongst us, the propagation of

the yew-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 forementioned

artists in box, cabinet-makers, inlayers, and for the parquetè-floors,

most gladly employ it; and in Germany they use to wainscot their stoves

with boards of this material: Also for the cogs of mills, posts to be

set in moist grounds, and everlasting axel-trees, there is none to be

compared with it; likewise for the bodies of lutes, theorbo’s, bowles,

wheels, and pins for pullies; yea, and for tankards to drink out of;

whatever Pliny reports concerning its shade, and the stories of the air

about Thasius, the fate of Cativulcus mention’d by Cæsar, and the ill

report which the fruit has vulgarly obtain’d in France, Spain, and

Arcadia: But

How are poor trees traduc’d?{297:1}

5. 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 tried, 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 yew, was some other wood;

and yet I acknowledge that it is esteem’d noxious to cattle when ’tis in

the seeds, or newly sprouting; though I marvel there appear no more such

effects of it, both horses and other cattle being free to brouse on it,

where it naturally grows: But what is very odd (if true) is that which

the late Mr. Aubrey recounts (in his _Miscellanies_) of a gentlewoman

that had long been ill, without any benefit from the physician; who

dream’d, that a friend of hers deceased, told her mother, that if she

gave her daughter a drink of yew pounded, she should recover: She

accordingly gave it her, and she presently died: The mother being almost

distracted for the loss of her daughter, her chambermaid, to comfort

her, said, surely what she gave her was not the occasion of her death,

and that she would adventure on it her self; she did so, and died also:

Whether all this be but a dream, I cannot tell, but it was haply from

these lugubrous effects, that garlands of _taxus_ were usually carried

at funerals, as Statius implies in _Epicedium vernae_: However, to

prevent all funest accidents, I commend the tree only for the usefulness

of the timber, and hortulan ornament. That we find it so universally

planted in our church-yards, was doubtless some symbol of immortality,

the tree being so lasting, and always green: Our bee-masters banish it

from about their apiaries.

One thing more, whilst I am speaking of this tree; it minds me of that

very odd story I find related by Mr. Camden, of a certain amorous

clergy-man, that falling in love with a pretty maid who refus’d his

addresses, cut off her head; which being hung upon a yew-tree ’till it

was rotten, the tree was reputed so sacred, not only whilst the virgin’s

head hung on it, but as long as the tree it self lasted; to which the

people went in pilgrimage, plucking and bearing away branches of it, as

an holy relique, whilst there remain’d any of the trunk left, persuading

themselves, that those small veins and filaments, (resembling hairs

between the bark and the body of the tree) were the hairs of the virgin:

But what is yet stranger, that the resort to this place (then call’d

Houton) (from a despicable village) occasion’d the building of the now

famous town Hallifax, in York-shire, which imports holy-hair: By this,

and the like, may we estimate what a world of impostures, have through

craft and superstition gained the repute of holy-places, abounding with

rich oblations (their _de voto’s_).

Pliny speaks of an old lotus tree in a grove near Rome, which they

call’d _capitale_, upon which the vestals present (as our nuns) were

us’d to hang their hair cut off at their profession: Plin. lib. 16. c.

43. But that is nothing to this.

I may not in the mean time omit what has been said of the true _taxus_

of the ancients, for being a mortiferous plant: Dr. Belluccio, President

of the Medical Garden at Pisa in Tuscany, (where they have this

curiosity) affirms, that when his gardners clip it (as sometimes they

do) they are not able to work above half an hour at a time, it makes

their heads so ake: But the leaves of this tree are more like the fir,

and is very bushy, furnish’d with leaves from the very root, and seeming

rather an hedge than a tree, tho’ it grow very tall.

6. This English yew-tree is easily produc’d of the seeds, wash’d and

cleans’d from their mucilage, then buried and dry’d in sand a little

moist, any time in December, and so kept in some vessel in the house all

Winter, and in some cool shady place abroad all the Summer, sow them the

Spring after: Some bury them in the ground like haws; it will commonly

be the second Winter e’re 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, walks, hedges, &c. in all which works they

succeed marvellous well, and are worth our patience for their perennial

verdure and durableness: I do again name them for hedges, preferable

for beauty, and a stiff defence to any plant I have ever seen, and may

upon that account (without vanity) be said to have been the first which

brought it into fashion, as well for defence, as for a _succedaneum_ to

cypress, whether in hedges, or pyramids, conic-spires, bowls or what

other shapes, adorning the parks or larger avenues, with their lofty

tops 30 foot high, and braving all the efforts of the most rigid Winter,

which cypress cannot weather; I have said how long lasting they are, and

easily to be shap’d and clipp’d; nay cut down, revive: But those which

are much superannuated, and perhaps of many hundred years standing,

perish if so us’d.

7. 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, the late Sir Adam Brown of

Bech-worth-Castle, from Box-hill) might without the least violence to

his imagination, easily fancy himself transported into some new or

enchanted country; for, if any spot of England,

........’Tis here

Eternal Spring, and Summer all the year.{300:1}

Of which I have already spoken in the former section.

8. 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 so spontaneously growing here in this

part of Surrey, that the large vale near my own dwelling, was anciently

call’d Holmes-Dale; famous for the flight of the Danes: The inhabitants

of great antiquity (in their manners, habits, speech) have a proverb,

Holmes-Dale never won; he never shall. It had once a fort, call’d

Homes-Dale Castle: I know not whether it might not be that of Rygate;

but leaving this uncertain, and return to the plant, I have often

wonder’d at our curiosity after foreign plants, and expensive

difficulties, to the neglect of the culture of this vulgar, but

incomparable tree; whether we will propagate it for use 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 arrest.{301:1}

Which makes me wonder why it should be reckon’d among the unfortunate

trees, by Macrobius, _Sat._ lib. III. cap. 20. others among the lucky;

for so it seems they us’d to send branches of it, as well as of oak (the

most fortunate, according to the Gentile theology) with their _strenae_

(new-year’s gifts) begun (as Symachus tells us) by K. Tatius, almost as

old as Rome her self.

But to say no more of these superstitious fopperies, which are many

other about this tree, we still dress up both our churches and houses,

on Christmas and other festival days, with this cheerful green and

rutilant berries.

9. Is there under heaven a more glorious and refreshing object of the

kind, than an impregnable hedge of about four hundred foot in length,

nine foot high, and five in diameter; which I can shew in my now ruin’d

gardens at Say’s-Court, (thanks to the Czar of Moscovy) at any time of

the year, glitt’ring with its arm’d and varnish’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 cattle: There is also of the white-berried, and a golden and

silver, variegated in six or seven differences; which proceeds from no

difference in the species, but accidentally, and _naturae lusu_, as most

such variegations do; since we are taught how to effect it artificially,

namely, by sowing the seeds, and planting in gravelly soil, mixed with

store of chalk, and pressing it hard down; it being certain, that they

return to their native colour when sown in richer mould, and that all

the fibers of the roots recover their natural food.

10. I have already shew’d how it is to be rais’d of the berries, (of

which there is a sort bears them yellow, and propagate their colour)

when they are ready to drop, this only 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 cloath; or else bury them as you do

the yew and hipps; and let our forester receive this for no common

secret, and take notice of the effect: If you will sow them in the

berry, keep them in dry sand till March; 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 have seen hedges, or

if you will, stout walls of holly, 20 foot in height, kept upright, and

the gilded sort budded low, and in 2 or 3 places one above another,

shorn and fashion’d into columns and pilasters, architectonially shap’d,

and at due distance; than which nothing can possibly be more pleasant,

the berry adorning the intercolumniations, with the scarlet festoons and

_encarpa_. Of this noble tree one may 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 cattle

begin to crop them, especially sheep, who are greedy of them when

tender: Stick them into the ground in a moist season, Spring, or early

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. Of these seedlings, and by this culture, I have

rais’d plants and hedges full four foot high in four years: The lustier

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

Dengeness in Kent, they grow naturally amongst the very beach and

pibbles; but if your ground be stiff, loosen it with a little fine

gravel: This rare hedge (the boast of my villa) was planted upon a

burning gravel, expos’d to the meridian sun; for it refuses not almost

any sort of barren ground, hot or cold, and often indicates where coals

are to be dug.

11. 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, double its growth? We stay seven years for a

tolerable quick, it is worth staying it thrice, for this, which has no

competitor.

12. And yet there is an expedient to effect it more insensibly, by

planting it with the quick: Let every fifth or sixth 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 less applauded, by laying along well-rooted sets (a

yard or more in length) and stripping off the leaves and branches,

letting only something of the tops appear: These, cover’d with a

competent depth of earth, will send forth innumerable suckers, which

will suddenly advance into an hedge; and grows as well under the shade

as sun, provided you keep them weeded, and now and then loosen the

earth; towards which, if thro’ extream neglect, or other accident, it

grow thin, being close cut down, it will fill and become stronger and

thicker than ever.

Of this stately shrub (as some reckon it) there is lately found an

holly, whose leaves are as thorny and bristly, not only at the edges,

but all over, as an hedge-hog, which it may properly be call’d; and I

think was first brought by Mr. London out of France.

13. The timber of the holly (besides that it is the whitest of all hard

woods, and therefore us’d by the inlayer, 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, flails, riding rods the best, and

carters-whips; bowles, shivers, and pins for blocks: Also it excels for

door-bars and bolts; and as of the elm, so of this especially, they made

even hinges and hooks to serve instead of iron, sinking in the water

like it; and of the bark is compos’d our bird-lime thus:

14. Pill a good quantity of the bark about Midsummer, fill a vessel with

it, and put to it spring-water; then boil it, till the gray and white

bark rise from the green, which will require near twelve hours boiling;

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 cool

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 near a fortnight, by which time ’twill 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, scumming 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 oyl 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 oyl of petroleum, as you do of grease, and no

cold whatever will congeal it. The Italians make their _vischio_ of the

berries of the misselto of trees, (and indeed it is from this it is said

of the thrush, _exitium suum cacat_, that bird being so exceeding

devourers of them) treated much after the same manner; but then they mix

it with nut-oyl, an ounce to a pound of lime, and taking it from the

fire, add half an ounce of turpentine, which qualifies it also for the

water. Great quantities of bird-lime are 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, which will resist the water, but is of an

ill scent. I have been told that the _cortex_ of our _lantana_, 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 superior

leaves of holly-trees, dry’d to a fine powder, and drunk in white-wine,

are prevalent against the stone, and cure fluxes; and a dozen of the

mature berries, being swallow’d, purge phlegm without danger. To which

the learned Mr. Ray (in _Append. Plant. Angl._) adds a _zythogalum_, or

posset made of milk and beer, in which is boil’d some of the most

pointed leaves, for asswaging the torment of the collic, when nothing

else has prevailed. And now I might have here planted the

15. _Pyracantha_, both for its perpetual verdure, if the fences had not

already challeng’d it, chap. 20. lib. I.

16. The _lauro-cerasus_ on cherry-bay, which by the use we commonly put

it to, seems as if it had been only destin’d for hedges, and to cover

bare walls: Being planted upright, and kept to the standard, by cutting

away the collateral branches, and maintaining one stem, 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.

17. Pity it is they are so abus’d in the hedges, where the lower

branches growing sticky 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

shoot, which is best, and soon would furnish the places. In a word; as

to the pruning of evergreen-hedges, there is no small skill and address

to be us’d, in forming and trimming them for beauty and stability; by

leaving the lower parts next the ground broader (two foot were

sufficient for the thickness of the tallest hedge) than the tops,

gradually, so as not much to exceed a foot breadth at the upmost verge,

(as architects diminish walls of stone and brick from the foundation)

for they will else be apt to bend and swagg, especially laden with

Winter-snows or ice; grow too thick, heat, wither, and foul within, dry

and sticky especially; when it were more than time they were cut close

to earth, for a fresh and verdant Spring; and this method is to be

practis’d in all hedges whatsoever.

18. 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: This I had from an ocular testimony, who was

more than somewhat doubtful of such alliances; though something like it

in Palladius speaks it not so impossible;

A cherry graft on laurel-stock does stain

The virgin fruit in a deep double grain.{308:1}

19. They are rais’d of the seeds or berries with extraordinary facility,

or propagated by layers, _taleae_, and cuttings, set about the latter

end of August, or earlier at St. James-tide, where-ever there is shade

and moisture. Besides that of the wood, the leaves of this laurel boil’d

in milk, impart a very grateful tast of the almond; and of the berry (or

cherries rather, of which poultrey generally feed on) is made a wine, to

some not unpleasant: I find little concerning the uses of this tree; of

the wood are said to be made the best plow-handles. Now that this rare

tree was first brought from Civita Vecchia into England, by the Countess

of Arundel, wife to that illustrious patron of arts and antiquities,

Thomas Earl of Arundel and Surrey, Great Great Grand-Father to his Grace

the present Duke of Norfolk, whom I left sick at Padoa, where he died;

highly displeased at his grand-son Philip’s putting on the friars-frock,

tho’ afterwards the purple, when Cardinal of Norfolk: After all, I

cannot easily assent to the tradition, tho’ I had it from a noble hand:

I rather think it might first be brought out of some more northerly

clime, the nature of the tree so delighting and flourishing in the shady

and colder exposures, and abhorrence of heat.

To crown this chapter then, tho’ in the last place, (for so _finis

coronat opus_) we reserve the bay tree.

20. Bays, [_laurus vulgaris_]. The learned Isaac Vossius and

etymologists are wonderfully curious, in their conjecture concerning its

derivation; (_a laude_ says Issidor,) and from the ingenious poet, we

learn how it became sacred to Apollo, the patron of the wits, and ever

since the meed of conquerors and heroic persons. But leaving fiction, we

pass to the culture of this noble and fragrant tree, propagated both by

their seeds, roots, suckers or layers: They (namely, the berries) should

be gather’d dropping-ripe: Pliny has a particular process for the

ordering of them, not to be rejected, which is to gather them 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 glutinous berries; then sow them in rich ground 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, kept in sand till the

Spring, without any farther preparation; only 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 to make you

despair, for many of them will recover beyond expectation; nay, tho’

quite cut down, they repullulate and produce young suckers: Such as are

rais’d of berries, may at 3 years growth be transplanted; which let

alone too long, are difficult to take.

21. This aromatic tree greatly loves the mothers shade, (under which

nothing else will prosper) 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 make

walking-staves, strait, strong and light, for old gentlemen; and are fit

also both for arbour and palisade-work, so the gardener understand when

to prune and keep it from growing too woody. And here I cannot but take

notice of those beautiful case-standards, which of late you have had out

of Flanders, &c. with stems so even and upright; heads so round, full,

and flourishing, as seem to exceed all the topiary ornaments of the

garden; that one tree of them has been sold for more than twenty pounds;

tho’ now the mystery reveal’d, the price be much abated: And doubtless

as good might be rais’d here, (without sending beyond-sea for them)

were our gardeners as industrious to cultivate and shape them: Some

there are, who imagine them of another species than our ordinary bay,

but erroneously. I wonder we plant not whole groves of them, and abroad;

they being hardy enough, grow upright, and would make a noble

_daphneon_. The berries are emollient, soveraign in affections of the

nerves, collics, gargarisms, baths, salves, and perfumes: Bay-leaves

dryed in a fire-pan, and reduc’d to a fine powder, as much as will cover

half a crown, being drank in wine, seldom fail of curing an ague. And

some have us’d the leaves instead of cloves, imparting its relish in

sauce, especially of fish; and the very dry sticks of the tree, strew’d

over with a little powder or dust of sulphur, and vehemently rub’d

against one another, will immediately take fire; as will likewise the

wood of an old ivy; nay, without any intentive addition, by friction

only.

21. Amongst other things, it has of old been observ’d that the bay is

ominous of some funest accident, if that be so accounted which Suetonius

(in _Galba_) affirms to have happen’d before the death of the monster

Nero, when these trees generally wither’d to the very roots in a very

mild winter: And much later, that in the year 1629, when at Padoa,

preceding a great pestilence, almost all the bay-trees about that famous

University grew sick and perish’d: _Certo quasi praesagio_ (says my

author) _Apollinem musaque subsequenti anno urbe illa bonarum literarum

domicilio excessuras_. --But that this was extraordinary, we are told

the emperor Claudius upon occasion of a raging pestilence, was by his

physicians advis’d to remove his court to Laurentium, the aromatick

emissions of that tree being in such reputation for clearing the air,

and resisting contagion; upon which account I question not but Pliny

(the nephew) was so frequently at his beloved Laurentium, so near the

city. Besides, for their vertue against lightning, which Tiberius so

exceedingly dreaded, that when it came with thunder, he would creep

under his bed to avoid it, and shaded his head with the boughs. The

story of the branch in the bill of the white-hen, let fall into the lap

of Livia Drusilla, being planted, prosper’d so floridly, as made it

reputed so sacred, as to use it for impaling the heads of the triumphing

emperors, and to adorn the _limina_ of the temples and royal palace of

the great Pontiff; and thence call’d _janitrices Caesarum_:

_Cum tandem apposita velantur limina lauro,

Cingit & Augustas arbor opaca fores!

Num quia perpetuos meruerunt ista triumphos?_

As still at present in Rome and other cities, they use to trim up their

churches and monastries on solemn festivals, when there is station and

indulgences granted in honour of the saint or patron; as also on

occasion of signal victories, and other joyful tidings; and those

garlands made up with hobby-horse tinsel, make a glitterring show, and

rattling noise when the air moves them.

With the leaves of laurel, they made up their dispatches and letters,

_laureis involutae_, wrapt in bay-leaves, which they sent to the senate

from the victorious general: The spears, lances and _fasces_, nay, tents

and ships, &c. were all dress’d up with laurels; and in triumph every

common-soldier carryed a sprig in their hand, as we may see in the

ancient and best _bass-relievo_ of the ancients, as of virtue to purge

them from blood and slaughter. And now after all this, might one

conjecture by a mere inspection of those several sculps, statues, and

medals yet exstant, representing the heads of emperors, poets, &c. the

wreaths and coronets seem to be compos’d of a more flexible and

compliant species than the common bay, and more applicable to the brows,

except where the ends and stalks of the tender branch were tyed together

with a _lemnisc_ or ribbon. And there be yet{313:1} who contend for the

Alexandrian laurel, and the _tinus_ as more ductile; but without any

good evidence. Pliny I find says nothing of this question, naming only

the Cyprian and Delphic; besides, the figure, colour of the rind and

leaf, crackling in the fire, which it impugns, (as ’tis said it does

lightning) gives plainly the honour of it to the common bay. We say

nothing of its sacred use in the Gentile lustration, purgation, and

several other attributes. To conclude;

From laurel{313:3} 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.{313:2}

I have now finish’d my planting: A word or two concerning their

preservation, and the cure of their infirmities, expect in the following

chapter.

FOOTNOTES:

{294:1}

Arbuteæ crates, & mystica vannus Iacchi.

_Georg. 1._

{296:1}

............Non ultima belli

Arma puellaris; laqueos hæc nectit amantûm,

Et venatricis disponit retia formæ.

_Couleii_ pl. l. 6.

{297:1}

Quàm multa arboribus tribuuntur crimina falsa?

{300:1}

Hic ver perpetuum, atque alienis mensibus æstas.

{301:1}

.....Mala furta hominum densis mucronibus arcens

Securum defendit inexpugnabilis hortum;

Exornatque simul, toto spectabilis anno,

Et numero, & viridi foliorum luce nitentûm.

_Couleii Pl. l. 6._

{308:1}

Inseritur lauro cerasus, partuque coacto

Tingit adoptivus virginis ora pudor.

{313:1} Carol. _Avanti_ not. in cornan. Bapt. Fiera.

{313:2}

Tu sacros Phoebi tripodas, tu sidera sentis,

Et casus aperis rerum praesaga futuros.

Te juvat armorum strepitus, clangorque tubarum;

Perque acies medias, saevique pericula belli,

Accendis bellantûm animos; te Cynthius ipse,

Te Musae, vatesque sacri optavère coronam:

Ipsa suis virtus te spem proponit alumnis,

Tantùm servatus valuit pudor, & bona fama.

Rapinus.

{313:3} _Daphnephagi_ were such as after eating the leaves of the bay,

became inspir’d.

CHAPTER VII.

_Of the infirmities of trees, &c._

So many are the infirmities and sicknesses of trees, and indeed of the

whole family of vegetables, that it were almost impossible to enumerate

and make a just catalogue of them; and as difficult to such infallible

cures and remedies as could be desired; the effects arising from so

many, and such different causes: Whenever therefore our trees and plants

fail and come short of the fruit and productions we expect of them, (if

the fault be not in our want of care) it is certainly to be attributed

to those infirmities, to which all elementary things are obnoxious,

either from the nature of the things themselves, and in themselves, or

from some outward injury, not only through their being unskilfully

cultivated by men, and expos’d to hurtful beasts, but subject to be

prey’d upon and ruin’d by the most minute and despicable insect, besides

other casualties and accidents innumerable, 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; stony and rocky

grounds, ivy, and all climbers, weeds, suckers, fern, wet, mice, moles,

winds, &c. to these may be added siderations, pestiferous air, fogs,

excessive heat, sulphurous and arsenic smoak, and vapours, and other

plagues, tumours, distortions, lacrymations, _tophi_, gouts, carbuncles,

ulcers, 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: In

a word, whatsoever is exitial to men, is so to trees; for the aversion

of which, they had of old recourse to the _robigalia_ and other Gentile

ceremonies: but no longer abus’d by charmers and superstitious

fopperies, we have in this chapter endeavoured to set down and prescribe

the best and most approved remedies hitherto found out, as well natural

as artificial.

And first, 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.

And here mentioning shade and dripping, though I cannot properly speak

of them as infirmities of trees, they are certainly the causes of their

unthriving till remov’d; such as that of the oak and mast-holme,

wall-nut, pine and fir, &c. the thickness of the leaves intercepting the

sun and rain; whilst that of other trees good, as the elm, and several

other.

2. 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.

Here note, that fruit graffed upon suckers, are more dispos’d to

produce suckers, than such as are propagated upon good stocks.

3. 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 (as also it

does nettles) in a year or two, (but most infallibly, by being eaten

down at its spring, by Scotch-sheep) beyond the vulgar way of mowing, or

burning, which rather encreases, than diminishes it.

4. 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, or a

cerecloth, till a new bark succeed. But not only the wet, which is to be

diverted by trenching the ground, is exitial to many trees, but their

repletion of too abundant nourishment; and therefore sometimes there may

be as much occasion to use the lancet, as phlebotomy and venaesection to

animals; especially if the hypothesis hold, of the superfluous

moisture’s descent into the roots, to be re-concocted; but where, in

case it be more copious than{316:1} can be there elaborated, it turns to

corruption, and sends up a tainted juice, which perverts the whole habit

of the tree: In this exigence therefore, it were perhaps more

counsellable to draw it out by a deep incision, and to depend upon a new

supply, than upon confidence of correcting this evil quality, by other

medications, to let it perish. Other causes of their sickness (not

always taken notice of) proceed from too liberal refreshments and

over-watering in dry and scorching seasons; especially in nurseries:

The water should therefore be fitly qualify’d, neither brackish, bitter,

stagnat, or putrid, sower, acrimonious, vitriolic, arenous and gravelly,

churlish, harsh and lean; (I mention them promiscuously) and whatever

vicious quality they are perceptibly tinctur’d and impregnate with,

being by no means proper drink for plants: Wherefore a very critical

examen of this so necessary an element (the very principle, as some

think, and only nutriment of vegetables){317:1} is highly to be

regarded, together with more than ordinary skill how to apply it: In

order to which, the constitution and texture of plants and trees are

philosophically to be consider’d; some affecting macerations with dung

and other mixtures (which I should not much commend) others quite

contrary, the quick and running spring, dangerous enough, and worse than

snow-water, which is not in some cases to be rejected: Generally

therefore that were to be chosen, which passing silently through ponds

and other receptacles, exposed to the sun and air, nearest approaching

to that of rain, dropping from the uberous cloud, is certainly the most

natural and nursing: As to the quantity, some plants require plentiful

watering, others, rather often, than all at once; all of them sucking it

in by the root for the most part, which are their mouths, and carry it

thence through all the canales, organs and members of the whole

vegetable body, digested and qualified so as to maintain and supply

their being and growth, for the producing of whatever they afford for

the use of man, and other living creatures.

5. The bark-bound are to be released by drawing your knife rind-deep

from the root, as far as you can conveniently, drawing your knife from

the top downwards half-way, and at a small distance, from the bottom

upwards, the other half; this, in more places, as the bulk of the stem

requires; and if crooked, cut deep, and frequent in the ham; 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: If

(as sometimes also) it proceed from the baking of the earth about the

stem, lighten, and stir it.

6. The _teredo_, _cossi_, and other worms, lying between the body and

the bark, (which it separates) 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, the wound covered with loam; or let the

dry-part of the wood (bark and all) be cut: applying only a wash of piss

and vinegar twice or thrice a week during a month: The best means to

find out their quarters, is to follow the wood-pecker, and other birds,

often pitching upon the stem (as you may observe them) and knocking with

their bills, give notice that the tree is infected, at least, between

the bark. But there are divers kinds of these ξυλόφαγοι of which the

τερηδὼν or _tarmes_ we have mentioned, will sometimes make such a

noise in a tree, as to awaken a sleeping man: The more rugous are the

_cossi_, of old had in _deliciis_ amongst the epicures, who us’d to

fatten them in flower; and this, (as Tertullian, and S. Hierom tells us)

was the chief food of the _hierophantae Cereris_; as they are at this

day a great _regalo_ in Japan: In the mean time, experience has taught

us, that _millipedes_ wood-lice (to be plentifully found under old

timber-logs, being dry’d and reduc’d to powder, and taken in drink) are

an admirable specific against the jaundies, scorbut, &c. to purifie the

blood, and clarifie the sight.

There is a pestilent green-worm which hides it self in the earth, and

gets into pots and cases, eating our seedlings, and gnawing the very

roots, which should be searched out: And now we mention roots,

over-grown toads will sometimes nestle at the roots of trees, when they

make a cavern, which they infect with a poysonous vapour, of which the

leaves famish’d and flagging give notice, and the enemy dug out with the

spade: But this chiefly concerns the gardners mural fruit-trees; though

I question not but that even our forest-trees suffer by such pernicious

vapours, rats, and other stinking vermine making their nests within

them. But of all these, let our industrious planter, (especially the

learned favourers of the most refined parts of horticulture) consult the

Discourses and experiments of _Sign._ Fran. Redi, Malphigius, Levenhock,

Swamerdam, &c. with our own learned Doctors, Lyster, Sloane, Hook, (and

other sagacious naturalists) to shew, that none of these diseases and

infirmities in plants proceed from any pure accidental, but real cause;

_flatus_, venemous liquor, and infections: Which some, even of the

minutest animals, are provided with instruments to pierce the very solid

substances of trees and plants, and infuse their pestiferous taint;

where likewise they leave their eggs, boaring those nestling places with

a certain _terebra_, where we find those innumerable perforations which

we call worm-eaten; the wider _latebrae_ are made by _erucae_,

caterpillars, ants, and bigger insects, raising morbid tumors and

excrescences, and preying upon the fruit, as well as on the leaves, buds

and flowers, so soon as their eggs are hatch’d, when they creep out of

their little caverns in armies, like the Egyptian locusts, invading all

that’s green, and tender rudiments first, and then attacking the

tougher and solider parts of vegetables: To those learned persons above,

we may not forget the late worthy and pious Mr. Ray, where in the second

part of his treatise, of the _Wisdom of God in the Creation_, we have a

brief, but ingenious account of what concerns this subject, together

with what is added about spontaneous productions of these despicable

animals, to which I refer the curious.

Trees (especially fruit-bearers) are infested with the measels, by being

burned and scorched with the sun in great droughts: To this commonly

succeeds lousiness, which is cur’d by boring an hole into the principal

root, and pouring in a quantity of brandy, stopping the orifice up with

a pin of the same wood.

Crooked trees are reform’d by taking off or topping the præponderers,

whilst charg’d with leaves, or woody and hanging counterpoises.

Excorticated and bark-bared trees, may be preserved by nourishing up a

shoot from the foot, or below the stripped place, and inserting it into

a slit above the wounded part; to be done in the Spring, and secur’d

from air, as you treat a graff: This I have out of the very industrious

Mr. Cook, p. 48. But Dr. Merret brought us in this relation to the Royal

Society, that making a square section of the rinds of ash, and sycomore

(March 1664,) whereof three sides were cut, and one not, the success

was, that the whole bark did unite, being bound with pack-thread,

leaving only a scar: But being separated intirely from the tree, namely

several parts of the bark, and at various depths, leaving on some part

of the bark, others cut to the very wood it self, being tied on as the

former, a new rind succeeded in their place; but what was cover’d over

beyond the places of incision with diachylon plaister, and also bound

as the rest, did within the space of three weeks, unite to the tree,

tho’ with some shriveling and scar: The same experiment try’d about

Michaelmas, and in the Winter, came to nothing: Where some branches were

decorticated quite round, without any union, a withering of the branch

beyond the incision, ensu’d: Also a twig separated from a branch, with a

sloping cut, and fastn’d to it again in the same posture, bound and

cover’d with the former plaister, wither’d in three days time: Among

other easie remedies, a cere-cloth of fresh-butter and hony, apply’d

whilst the wound is green, (especially in Summer) and bound about with a

thrum-rope of moist hay, and rubb’d with cow-dung has healed many: But

for rare and more tender trees, after pruning, take purely refined

tallow, mingled and well harden’d with a little loamy earth, and

horse-dung newly made.

Dr. Plot speaks of an elm growing near the bowling-green at

Magdalen-College, quite round disbark’d almost for a yard near the

ground, which yet flourishes exceedingly; upon which he dilates into an

accurate discourse, how it should possibly be; all trees being held to

receive their nutrition between the wood and the bark, and to perish

upon their separation; this tree being likewise hollow as a drum, and

its outmost surface (where decorticated) dry, and dead. The solution of

this phaenomenon (and to all appearance, from the verdant head) could

not have been more philosophically resolv’d, than by the hypothesis

there produc’d by the Doctor, who assures me, he was yet deliberating

whether the tree being hollow, it might not possibly proceed from some

other latent cause, as afterwards he discover’d when having obtain’d

permission to open the body of it, he found another elm, letting down

its stem all the length of this empty case, and striking root when it

came to the earth, from whence it deriv’d nourishment, maintains a

flourishing top, and has (till now) pass’d for a little miracle, as it

still may do for a thing extraordinary, and rare enough; considering not

only its passage, and how it should come there, unless haply some of the

_samera_, or seed of the old tree (when pregnant) should have luckily

fallen down within the hollow pipe, or (as might be conjectur’d) from

some sucker springing of a juicy root: But the strange incorporating of

the superior part of the bole, with the old hollow tree which embraces

it, not by any perceptible roots, but as if it were but one body with

it, whilst the rest of the vaginated stem touches no other part of the

whole cavity, till it comes to the ground, is surprizing. This being

besides very extraordinary, that a tree, which naturally grows taper as

it approaches the top, should swell, and become bigger there than it is

below. But this the Doctor will himself render a more minute account of

in the next impression of that excellent piece of his; nor had I

anticipated it on this occasion, but to let the world know (in the mean

time) how ingenuously ready he is to acknowlege the mistake, as he has

been successful in discovering it.

Deer, 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 than to anoint that part which is within their reach,

with _stercus humanum_, tempered with a little water, or urine, and

lightly brushed on; this renewed after every great rain: But a cleanlier

than this, and yet which conies, and even cattle most abhor, is to

water, or sprinkle them with tanners liquor, _viz._ that, which they use

for dressing their hides; or to wash with slak’d lime and water,

altogether as expedient: Also to tye thumb-bands of hay and straw round

them as far as they can reach.

8. Moss, (which is an adnascent plant) 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; or by setting it on

fire with a wisp of straw, about the end of December, if the season be

dry, as they practise it in Stafford-shire; but the most infallible art

of emuscation, is taking away the cause, (which is superfluous moisture

in clayie and spewing grounds) by dressing with lime.

9. Ivy is destroy’d by digging 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 sudden exposure to the unaccustom’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. Misselto, 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.

10. The bodies of trees are visited with canker, hollowness, hornets,

earwigs, snails, &c.

11. 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,

by which the strongest oaks (and other the most robust trees) are fain

to submit, and will be twisted like a rope of hemp, and therefore of old

not us’d to kindle the sacrifice. The same injury trees likewise often

suffer by rigorous and piercing colds and frosts; such as in the year

1683, rived many stately timber-trees from head to foot; which as the

weather grew milder, clos’d again, so as hardly to be discern’d; but

were found at the felling miserably shatter’d, and good for little: The

best prevention is shelter, choice of place for the plantation, frequent

shreading, whilst they are yet in their youth. Wind-shaken is also

discover’d by certain ribs, boils and swellings on the bark, beginning

at the foot of the stem, and body of the tree, to the boughs. But

against such frosts and fire from heaven there is no charm.

12. Cankers, of all other diseases the most pernicious, corroding and

eating to the heart, and difficult to cure, whether (caused by some

stroak, or galling, or by hot and burning land) are to be cut out to the

quick, the scars emplastred with tar mingled with oyl, 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. You will know if the cure be effected, by the

colour of the wounds growing fresh and green, and not reddish: 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, only excepted,

which I have experimentally known to preserve trees from the envenom’d

teeth of goats, and other injuries; the entire stem smear’d over,

without the least prejudice, to my no small admiration: But for over-hot

and torrid land, you must sadden the mould about the root with pond-mud,

and neats-dung; and by graffing fruit trees on stocks rais’d in the same

mould, as being more homogeneous.

13. 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, or any other part or arms, in which

the rain getting in, is conducted to the very heart of the stem and body

of the tree, which it soon rots: In this case, if there be sufficient

sound wood, cut it to the quick, and close to the body cap the hollow

part with a tarpaulin, or fill it with good stiff loam, horse-dung and

fine hay mingled, or with well-temper’d mortar, covering it with a piece

of tarpaulin: This is one of the worst of evils, and to which the elm is

most obnoxious. Old broken boughs, if very great, are to be cut off at

some distance from the body, but the smaller, close.

14. Hornets and wasps, &c. by breeding in the hollowness of trees, not

only infect them, but will peel them round to the very timber, as if

cattle had unbark’d them, as I observed in some goodly ashes at

Casioberry (near the garden of that late noble Lord, and lover of

planting, the Earl of Essex), and are therefore to be destroy’d, by

stopping up their entrances with tar and goose-dung, or by conveying the

fumes of brimstome into their cells: _Cantharides_ attack the ash above

all other bobs of the betle kind: Chafers, &c. are to be shaken down and

crush’d, and when they come in armies, (as sometimes in extraordinary

droughts) they are to be driven away or destroy’d with smoaks; which

also kills gnats and flies of all sorts: Note, that the rose-bug never,

or very seldom, attacks any other tree, whilst that sweet bush is in

flower: Whole fields have been freed from worms by the reek and smoak of

ox-dung wrapt in mungy straw, well soak’d with strong lie.

15. Earwigs and snails do seldom infest forest-trees, but those which

are fruit-bearers; and are destroy’d by setting boards or tiles against

the walls, or the placing of neat-hoofs, or any hollow thing upon small

stakes; also by enticing them into sweet waters, and by picking the

snails off betimes in the morning, and rainy evenings; I advise you

visit your cypress-trees on the first rains in April; you shall

sometimes find them cover’d with young snails no bigger than small

pease: Lastly, branches, buds and leaves extreamly suffer from the

blasts, jaundies, and catterpillars, locusts, rooks, &c. Note, that you

should visit the boards, tiles and hoofs which you set for the retreat

of those insects, &c. in the heat of the day, to shake them out, and

kill them.

16. The blasted parts of trees (and so should gum) 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 fly-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.

17. The moles do much hurt, by making hollow passages, which grow

musty, but they may be taken in traps, and kill’d, as every woodman

knows: It is certain that they are driven from their haunts by garlick

for a time, and other heady smells, buried in their passages.

18. Mice, rats, 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 oats; also with bane, powder of

orpiment in milk, and aconites mix’d with butter: _Cop’ras_ or

green-glass broken with honey: Morsels of sponge chopp’d small and fry’d

in lard, &c. are very fit baits to destroy these nimble creatures, which

else soon will ruin a semination of nuts, acorns and other kernels in a

night or two, and rob the largest beds of a nursery, carrying them away

by thousands to their cavernous magazines, to serve them all the Winter:

I have been told, that hop-branches stuck about trees, preserve them

from these theivish creatures.

19. Destroy pismires with scalding water, and disturbing their hills, or

rubbing the stem with cow-dung, or a decoction of _tithymale_, 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; also by laying soot, sea-coal, or

saw-dust, or refuse tobacco where they haunt, often renew’d, especially

after rain; for becoming moist, the dust and powder harden, and then

they march over it.

20. 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 bruis’d, or the juice of

rue, decoctions of _colloquintida_, hemp-seed, worm-wood, tobacca,

wall-nut-shells, when green, with the leaves of sage, urine and ashes,

and the like aspersions. Take of two or three of the ingredients, of

each an handful in two pails of water; make them boil in it half an

hour, then strain the liquor, and sprinkle it on the trees infected with

caterpillars, the black-flea, &c. in two or three times it will clear

them, and should be us’d about the time of blossoming. Another, is to

choak and dry them with smoak of _galbanum_, shoo-soals, hair; and some

affirm that planting the pionie near them, is a certain remedy; but

there is no remedy so facile, as the burning them off with small wisps

of dry straw, which in a moment rids you.

21. Rooks do in time, by pinching off the buds and tops of trees for

their nests, cause many trees and groves to decay: Their dung propagates

nettles and choaks young seedlings: They are to be shot, and their nests

demolish’d. The bullfinch and titmouse also eat off and spoil the buds

of fruit-trees; prevented by clappers, or caught in the wyre mouse-trap

with teeth, and baited with a piece of rusty bacon, also with

lime-twigs. But if cattle break in before the time, _conclamatum est_,

especially goats, whose mouths and breath is poison to trees; they never

thrive well after; and Varro affirms, if they but lick the olive-tree,

they become immediately barren. And now we have mention’d barrenness, we

do not reckon trees to be sterile, which do not yield a fruitful burden

constantly every year (as juniper and some annotines do) no more than of

pregnant women: Whilst that is to be accounted a fruitful tree which

yields its product every second or third year, as the oak and most

forresters do; no more may we conclude that any tree or vegetable are

destitute of seeds, because we see them not so perspicuously with our

naked eyes, by reason of their exility, as with the nicest examination

of the microscope.

22. 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 infirm. 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 storm; you

be not over-hasty to carry him away, or despair of him; (nor is it of

any ominous concern at all, but the contrary) _fausti ominis_, as Pliny

says; and gives many illustrious instances: And as to other strange and

unusual events following the accidental subversion of trees; concerning

omens; and that some are portentous, others fortunate, of which

see{329:1} Pierius, speaking of a garden of the Duke of Tuscany,

belonging to a palace of his at Rome, a little before the death of Pope

Leo; and before this, about the time of our country-man, Pope Adrian the

IVth. First then, let me perswade you to pole him close, and so let him

lie some time; for by this means, many vast trees have rais’d themselves

by the vigour only 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, l. 5. c. 19. of

that huge _platanus_, which rose in one night in his observation; which

puts me in mind of what I remember the very learned critic Palmerius

affirms of an oak, subverted by a late tempest near Breda, (where this

old soldier militated under Prince Maurice, at the town when besieg’d by

the famous Marq. Spinola) which tree, after it had lain prostrate about

2 months, (the side-branches par’d off) rose up of it self, and

flourish’d as well as ever. Which event was thought so extraordinary,

that the people reserved sprigs and boughs of it, as sacred reliques;

and this he affirms to have seen himself. I take the more notice of

these accidents, that none who have trees blown down, where it may cause

a deform’d gap in some avenue near their seats, may not altogether

despair of their resurrection, with patience and timely freeing them.

And the like to this I find happen’d in more than one tree near Bononia

in Italy, _anno_ 1657. when of late a turbulent gust had almost quite

eradicated 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.{330:1} What

says the naturalist? _Prostratas restitui plerumque, & quadam terrae

cicatrice reviviscere, vulgare est_: ’Tis familiar (says Pliny) in the

_platanus_, which are very obnoxious to the winds, by reason of the

thickness 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. 16. c. 31. But we have farther

instances than these, and so very lately as that dreadful storm

happening 26 Nov. 1703, when after so many thousand oaks, and other

timber-trees were quite subverted, a most famous and monstrous, oak

growing at Epping in Essex, (blown down) raised it self, and withstood

that hurricane. 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 commend this secret as

the most approv’d.

23. Let common yellow sulphur be put into a cucurbit-glass, 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, either 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 St. 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-oyl, 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

varnish; but above all, is commended oyl of cedar, or that of juniper;

whilst oyl of spike does the cure as effectual as any.

But after all these sweeping plagues and destructions inflicted on

trees, (braving all humane remedies) such frosts as not many

years{332:1} since hap’ned, left such marks of their deadly effects, not

sparing the goodliest and most flourishing trees, timber, and other of

the stoutest kind; as some ages will hardly repair: Nay, ’twas observ’d,

that the oak in particular (counted the most valiant and sturdy of the

whole forest) was more prejudic’d with this excessive cold, and the

drowth of the year ensuing, than any of the most nice and tender

constitution: Always here excepting (as to a universal _strages_) the

hurricane of Sept. 1703, which begins the epocha of the calamities,

which have since follow’d, not only by the late tempest about

August{332:2} last, but by that surprizing blast, accompany’d doubtless

with a fiery spirit, which smote the most flourishing foresters and

fruit trees, burning their buds and leaves to dust and powder, not

sparing the very fruit. This being done in a moment, must be look’d upon

as a plague not to be prevented: In the mean time, that the malignity

proceed no farther, it may be advisable to cut, and top the summities of

such tender mural trees, rare shrubs, &c. as have most suffer’d, and

are within reach, rubbing off the scorchings in order to new spring.

There was in my remembrance, certain prayers, litanies and collects,

solemnly us’d by the parish-minister in the field, at the limits of

their perambulations on the Rogation-days; from an ancient and laudable

custom of above 1000 years, introduc’d by Avitus the pious bishop of

Vienna, in a great dearth, unseasonable weather, and other calamities,

(however in tract of time abus’d by many gross superstitions and

insignificant rites, in imitation of the pagan _robigalia_) upon which

days, (about the Ascension, and beginning of Spring especially) prayers

were made, as well deprecatory of epidemical evils, (amongst which

blasts and smut of corn were none of the least) as supplications for

propitious seasons, and blessings on the fruits of the earth. Whether

there was any peculiar _Office_, (besides those for Ember-weeks)

appointed, I do not know: But the pious and learned bishop of

Winchester, [Andrews] has in his _Devotions_, left us a prayer so

apposite and comprehensive for these emergencies, that I cannot forbear

the recital.

Remember, O Lord, to renew the year with thy goodness, and the season

with a promising temper: For the eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord:

Thou givest them meat; thou openest thy hand, and fillest all things

living with thy bounty. Vouchsafe therefore, O Lord, the blessings of

the heavens, and the dews from above: The blessings of the springs, and

the deep from beneath: The returns of the sun, the conjunctions of the

moon: The benefit of the rising mountains, and the lasting hills: The

fullness of the earth, and all that breed therein.

A fruitful season,

Temperate air,

Plenty of corn,

Abundance of fruits,

Health of body, and

Peaceable times,

Good, and wise government,

Prudent counsels,

Just laws,

Righteous judgments,

Loyal obedience,

Due execution of justice,

Sufficient store for life,

Happy births,

Good, and fair plenty,

Breeding and institution of children:

That our sons may grow up as the young plants, and our daughters may be

as the polished corners of the Temple: That our garners may be full and

plenteous with all manner of store: That our sheep may bring forth

thousands: That our oxen may be strong to labour: That there be no

decay; no leading into captivity; no complaining in our streets: But

that every man may sit under his own vine, and under his own fig-tree,

in thankfulness to thee; sobriety and charity to his neighbour; and in

whatsoever other estate, thou wilt have him, therewith to be contented:

And this for Jesus Christ his sake, to whom be glory for ever, Amen.

24. Thus hitherto I have spoken of trees, their kinds, and propagation

in particular; with such prescriptions for the cure and healing their

infirmities, as from long and late experience have been found most

effectual. Now a word or two concerning the laws relating to

forest-trees, casting such other 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 the royal forests, and other timber-trees,

for the honour, security, and benefit of the whole kingdom; with an

historical account of standing-groves, which will be the subject of the

next books.

FOOTNOTES:

{316:1} See Cap. 3 lib. 3 sect. 25.

{317:1} See Cap. 2 Book 1.

{329:1} _Hierog._ l. 50.

{330:1} See cap. 4. lib. 2. of a cypress.

{332:1} 1683.

{332:2} 1705.

* * * * *

* * * *

* * * * *

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

The spelling and punctuation in the original are idiosyncratic and

inconsistent. A few clear typographical errors have been corrected,

and are noted below.

Citations have not been checked for correctness; errors that came to

the transcriber’s attention are noted below. Citation references do not

always follow a standard format.

Modern conventions are not used for parentheses (). In particular, nested

parentheses are opened many times, but closed only once, or vice versa.

The arabic numeral 1 and the roman numeral I are indistinguishable

in the original. It has not always been possible to tell unambiguously

which was meant.

Many footnote markers are midway between two words in the original.

They have been left like that in this transcription. The markers for

many footnotes giving the source of poetry quotations are at the

beginning of the relevant quotation in the original. They have been

moved to the end of the quotation for ease of presentation.

CORRECTIONS and NOTES

Table of Contents

“Holly, Pyracinth,” changed to “Holly, Pyracanth,” on page vi

Volume II (books III and IV), whose contents are listed on page vii,

is not included in this etext.

Introduction §I

“Newton in mathamatical” changed to “Newton in mathematical” on page ix

“Secretary of the Admirality” changed to

“Secretary of the Admiralty” on page xv

Introduction §III

“he was bled of the physican” changed to

“he was bled of the physician” on page xxvii

Introduction §V

“these numerous parishes),’ ” changed to

“these numerous parishes’), ” on page xxxix

“commerial work controlled by the Council of Plantations” changed to

“commercial work controlled by the Council of Plantations” on page xlv

Introduction §VI

“In May 1904” changed to “In May 1694” on page li

“During the course of his long and distinguised life” changed to

“During the course of his long and distinguished life” on page liii.

Introduction §VIII

“_Quarterly Review_ aricles was connected” changed to

“_Quarterly Review_ articles was connected” on page lxv

“a royal proclamamation” changed to

“a royal proclamation” on page lxvi

Title page of 4th edition

“_Richard Cbiswell_ in St. _Paul’s_ Churchyard” changed to

“_Richard Chiswell_ in St. _Paul’s_ Churchyard” on page lxxiii

To the King

“_Monarchs_ of this _Nation, since_” changed to

“_Monarchs_ of this _Nation_, since” on page lxxv

Footnotes lxxx:2 and lxxx:3

In the original, the marker for footnote 2 on page lxxx was by

“not the Majesty of a _Consul_”, but the text of footnote 3 clearly

belongs to this marker. It has been assumed that footnote 2 actually

belongs to the latin quotation ending “nec ullius acuminis

Rusticationem.”

Footnote lxxxiii:1

The marker for this footnote is missing in the original. The footnote

refers to the latin quotation ending “neque Discipulos cognovi.”

To the Reader

“their scatter’d _Phœnomena_” changed to

“their scatter’d _Phænomena_” on page lxxxviii

“_Ptolemœan Hypotheses_” changed to

“_Ptolemæan Hypotheses_” on page lxxxix

“on which to lay the stress,;” changed to

“on which to lay the stress;” on page lxxxix

“Φιλοσοφίας έπιθυμεῖς; παρασκευάζου αύτόθεν” changed to

“Φιλοσοφίας ἐπιθυμεῖς‧ παρασκευάζου αὐτόθεν” on page xcvii

“Parts thoughout this _Discourse_” changed to

“Parts throughout this _Discourse_” on page xcviii

The Garden

Stanza beginning “Where does the Wisdom and the Power Divine” was

numbered 6 in the original on page cxiv. This has been corrected to 9,

as it comes between 8 and 10.

Book I

Chapter I §1

“I have long since publih’d an ample account” changed to

“I have long since publish’d an ample account” on page 1

Footnote 9:1

“Fumefugium” changed to “Fumifugium”

Chapter II §1

“Columella, 1. 3. c. 5.” changed to “Columella, l. 3. c. 5.” on page 12

Footnote 14:1

The latin quotation starting “Proinde nemus sparsa” is not marked as a

footnote in the original, but clearly belongs to footnote marker 1 on

page 14.

Chapter II §2

“which washes and drives away the mould” changed to

“(which washes and drives away the mould” on page 15

Chapter II §7

“noble person has affur’d me” changed to

“noble person has assur’d me” on page 23

Chapter II §9

“And these _terrœ-filii_, are” changed to

“And these _terræ-filii_, are” on page 28

“The _glandiferœ_, oaks and ilex’s yield acorns” changed to

“The _glandiferæ_, oaks and ilex’s yield acorns” on page 29

œ ligatures changed to æ on page 29 in

“are the _nuciferæ_, &c. to the _coniferæ_, _resiniferæ_, _squammiferæ_,

&c. belong the whole tribe of cedars, firs, pines, &c. apples, pears,

quinces, and several other _edulæ_ fruits; peaches, abricots, plums, &c.

are reduc’d to the _pomiferæ_: The _bacciferæ_, are such as produce

kernels, sorbs, cherries, holley, bays, laurell, yew, juniper, elder,

&c. and all the berry-bearers. The _genistæ_ in general, and such as

bear their seeds in cods, come under the tribe of _siliquosæ_:”

“are such at bed their seeds” changed to

“are such as bed their seeds” on page 30

Chapter III §1

“φυλλινὸν ϛὲφανον” changed to “φυλλινὸν ϛέφανον” on page 31

Chapter III §2

“Φὰγος” changed to “Φάγος” on page 32

Chapter III §4

“Τὰ γὰρ ὲν ὰνέμῳ” changed to “Τὰ γὰρ ἐν ἀνέμῳ” and

“πλεῖον γυμναζόμευα δέὑδρα οτερέα” changed to

“πλεῖον γυμναζόμενα δένδρα οτερέα” on page 37.

Footnote 41:2

There are two markers for footnote 1 on page 41. The second marker

is clearly intended to mark footnote 2.

Chapter III §7

The citation in Footnote 42:1 is to book 1 of the Georgics, but the

quotation in question is actually from book 2.

Footnote 62:1

There is no marker for this footnote in the original. It has been

assumed that it belongs to “all those other forms that philosophers

have enumerated.”

Chapter VI §2

“none to be deceived,” changed to “none to be deceived.” on page 84

Chapter IX §2

“It is certain, that the _mensæ nucinœ_” changed to

“It is certain, that the _mensæ nucinæ_” on page 104.

Chapter XIII §1

“διαφέρουσι δὲ τῇ μρρφῇ τῇ ὅλῃ” changed to

“διαφέρουσι δὲ τῇ μορφῇ τῇ ὅλῃ” on page 122

Chapter XIII §2

“thus it will becone (of all other)” changed to

“thus it will become (of all other)” on page 123

Footnote 127:1

“_Couleii_, 1. 6, Pl” changed to

“_Couleii_, l. 6, Pl.”

Chapter XIV §1

“in abudance by every set or slip” changed to

“in abundance by every set or slip” on page 128

Chapter XIV §8

œ ligatures changed to æ on page 133 in

“Vitruvius _l. de Materia Cædenda_, reckons it among the

building-timbers, _quæ maxime in ædificiis sunt idoneæ_.”

Footnote 142:2

There is no marker for this footnote in the original. It has been

assumed that it belongs to “one who has lately publish’d an account

of Sweden.”

Footnote 144:1

œ ligatures changed to æ in

“Aditus novus ad occultas sympathiæ & antipathiæ causas inveniendas,

per principia philosophiæ naturalis”

Chapter XVII §10

“friend of mine affur’d me” changed to

“friend of mine assur’d me” on page 154

Footnote 177:2

“Coulcii” changed to “Couleii”

Book II

Footnote 243:1

“άπελἐκητα” changed to “ἀπελέκητα” and

“others _ligna undulata_” changed to “others _ligna undulata_.”

Chapter II §12

“10. pine, 11, oak,” changed to “10. pine, 11. oak,” on page 244

Chapter IV §1

“Thoug has to the idol” changed to “Though as to the idol” on page 258

Chapter IV §14

“plantation it self call’d _dos filiœ_” changed to

“plantation it self call’d _dos filiæ_” on page 273

Footnote 276:1

There is no marker for this footnote in the original. It has been

assumed that it belongs to “though others think it too heavy.”

Footnote 296:1

“_Couleii_ pl. 1. 6.” changed to “_Couleii_ pl. l. 6.”

Chapter VI §8

“Holmes-Dale never won; ne never shall” changed to

“Holmes-Dale never won; he never shall” on page 301

Chapter VII §2

“with - sharp spade dexterously separated from the mothera roots”

changed to

“with a sharp spade dexterously separated from the mother-roots”

on page 315

Chapter VII §6

“in great drougths” changed to “in great droughts” on page 320

Chapter VII §18

“amost level with the surface of the ground” changed to

“almost level with the surface of the ground” on page 327