TO HIS GARDENER 9 



long they had stood since transplanted, that I might have 

 guesM the better what we have for planting out in the Wood 

 or other places next winter, for what have been transplanted 

 this winter won't be for planting out next, and I fear we shall 

 be very bare of nurserys for planting out for thickening the 

 Wood or other uses. 



I think Alex'' Wight's wood is only to be hain'd 15 years 

 from cutting, so it must be all planted well up the first year, 

 and we must take care in right planting of itt and that the 

 trees be thriving and good, that in 15 years they may be out 

 of danger from Cattle, Since I can't keep them longer out of 

 itt. Such things must be thought of in time. I believe it is 

 now about 15 years since the Swineward was cutt^ — pi'^y let 

 me know how the planted trees in it are and if they are out of 

 danger from being spoilt by Cattle. Not that I think of 

 turning Cattle into itt, but to guess from it how it may be 

 where the time is settled by Alex"^'^ Lease. I wish Capt" 

 Mathie's Ship may gett^ in time for getting Norraway or Swedish 

 fir Seed. Itt is odd that in ane article in the news papers 

 dated Leith 23 Jany. it is said that the Glasgow Packett was 

 arriv'd. This is the name of the Ship my Seeds and first trees 

 were in, and yett neither Alex*" Wight nor you seam to 

 know. 



If you have as drie weather as we, it will require . . . well 

 soak'd with watter at first planting ... and also wattering 

 well sometimes afterwards in fresh weather if drie. I told you 

 how I would have the young Elms planted in furrows for 

 receiving and throwing the watter into their roots. Look over 

 the Nurserys again and send me ace* what trees you think 

 you '1 have of 2 feet and above for planting out in the Wood 

 or otherways, next Winter, for a year (particularly in the 

 wood) must not be lost for the reason I gave you, and in so far 

 as our own Nurserys fall short, we must in time look out for 

 good thriving trees of from 2 to three f* for the Wood. Oaks 

 and Ashes of that size and firs of a proper size to keep out of 



^ Hence in 1719 there was grown timber here. Other cases of early planting 

 re: Tyningham, 1705; Penicuik, 1710; Monymusk, 1716 ; Arniston, 1726; 



are 



Prestonfield, 1727. 

 2 Arrive. Father and son are referred to on p. 5. 



