LITEKATUUK OF SCOTTISH AEBORICULTUEE. 221 



In 1675, we find the next work of importance published in an 

 octavo volume of much curious information by the gardener to the 

 Earl of Essex, Moses Cook by name. He styled his book " The 

 Manual of Raising, Ordering, and Improving Forest Trees." In this 

 interesting relic of bygone times are given, with great clearness and 

 precision, directions how to plant, make, and keep woods, walks, 

 avenues, lawns, hedges, &c. ; and there are also given rules and tables 

 showing how the forester may acquire the art of measuring super- 

 ficial figures, divide woods or lands, and measure timber. This 

 quaint old gardener remarks, that " it has been and is observed that 

 those who are wasters and wilful spoilers of trees and plants, with- 

 out just reason so to do, have seldom prospered in this world." He 

 carefully inculcates upon his readers the due conservation of trees, 

 narrating those specially useful for different purposes in planting ; 

 and he proceeds to warn his readers against many of the " rocks " or 

 errors then prevalent both in regard to sowing, grafting, " watering 

 with coloured water," " boring holes in trees, and putting honey or 

 other sweet things into them, to make them bear more and sweeter 

 fruits," or believing " that the sap of trees at the approach of winter 

 falleth from the head into the root." Eules are laid down for prun- 

 ing forest trees, and all the arguments used by Cook, are derived 

 from his own personal observations and experience of actual results 

 arising from the various modes of treatment he adopted. This 

 worthy father of the planting art strongly urges the proper prepara- 

 tion of the ground intended for plantations. "A thing once well 

 done is twice done," says he ; so those about to plant are advised 

 " not to bury their plants in a hole like a dead dog. as too many 

 do," but to give them " good and fresh lodgings suitable to their 

 quality, and good attendance also, to preserve them from their 

 enemies till they be able to encounter with them ; they that will 

 not do this, let them never resolve to plant trees." His descriptions 

 of the various modes of procedure in sowing and planting the dil- 

 ferent varieties of forest trees are thoroughly practical, and the book 

 is altogether a complete hand-book of the time in which it was writ- 

 ten, and by one who has evidently been an enthusiast in his pro- 

 fession, and under the supervision of an employer who was no less 

 skilled in tree-culture, and such kindred subjects, than the author 

 was himself, and from whom, probably, Cook derived many of the 

 hints given in the volume. He had evidently read and studied 

 Evelyn, published eleven years previously, in whose praises he is 

 loud, and whose theories he unreservedly endorses. 



