S2 ORMISTOUN'S LETTERS 



branches you leave to check their running too long and 

 carrying too much sap to them and hinder its running up. 

 This will draw the Sap up and not intercept it all or too 

 much of it, but dont let too much weight of top be just at Top 

 for fear of Winds. If one shall suffer by winds before winter 

 makes them tough and thickens the juices, you know the noise 

 will be made. Leave the Branches of West or South West 

 sides and thin the tops most of East sides. Let Alex^ Cokb: 

 observe this also in the young AVoods. 

 Hampstead, S'^ June 1735. 



IX 



Charles, — Tell Alex^. Wight the last I had from him was 

 of S8*^ Jany. and I have wrote to him and also to John 

 Christie of several things to which I have had no answer. I 

 fancy I have tired them both, and I am not surprised at it 

 having wrote so much to both. 



Does ever Mr. Hepburn come to Orm: now ; I never hear 

 from him. Don't say any thing of this to him, but let me know 

 when he does come, and if he looks at any thing and what he 

 does or says. 



I am promised some Portugal Onion Seed which I am assured 

 is good. I believe it will be nearly a month hence before I can 

 get it to you, and as that will be late, I don't know if you 

 may not keep some of it till next year, but do in that as you 

 think best. I think at least you may prepare a little bed at 

 the house and another at the Town, and sow some at each 

 place this season tho' late. You know they require good 

 ground and well wrought espicially if heavy ground, so dung 

 each and work it well now, and work it again when to be sown. 

 A little pidgeon dung mixed with Ashes laid thin a top now 

 and let lie till the Seed comes, and then the surface pricked 

 over before sowing about 3 inches deep to mix the dressing 

 with the earth I believe will do well. It will add to it if the 

 beds are dunged now with fresh dung but deep enough not to 



^ Probably written about the same time as No. VIII., 3rd June 173S; 

 which see for ' nor a line from Alex^ Wight for a long time, ' and below, in this 

 letter, 'as that will be late' ('a month hence'), and compare the reference to 

 * my Brothers ' with p. 20. 



