48 ORMISTOUN^S LETTERS 



with all kinds of stuff that is wanting between the middle and 

 East Enclosure and fill up that above the long Meadow as 

 I told you. All the earth about the roots of the Wall trees 

 should be taken out and the roots left bare. That earth if 

 laid in heaps will be good in time for other uses. But at 

 present let planting the tall trees be your chief business and 

 pray forward that. Don't forget what are wanting south of 

 the Garden of the east side and also where room among the 

 old firs there. Laborers should not have the same Wages 

 after Michaelmas as in long days. Dont get triflers and 

 keep the men to work. Be careful in this otherwise they 1 

 run away with money for little work, as good for nothing 

 Laborers or even the best if not checked will do. You know 

 I have frequently complained of triflers and all being Idle 

 and that you take excuses not at all sufficient, for their making 

 little advance. Be sharper upon them and dont let me be 

 abused as I am sure I shall be if you are not. It will be the 

 best way to fix all the large trees first and when all are done 

 to go over them again, tread down the earth, and then fill up 

 and again tread the earth about the roots. Get one man to 

 work with you for a fortnight to help at the planting of the 

 tall trees or in taking up trees enlarging of holes and the like, 

 but I do desire that you will plant all yourself and suffer none 

 to be planted that you do not hold and see the earth put about 

 the roots with a Man''s hand to stretch out and keep the roots 

 clear of other to a nicety, being sure they have full room 

 in the pit and that fine earth is put close to every root. When 

 you have seen every root carefully covered another man may 

 follow you to fill in more earth. This care, if taken up right, 

 I hope will save a great deal of supplying next year. As for 

 the Wood, Nursery and Hedges they may be done at leisure 

 as you and your own men can overtake them ; as also the going 

 round and finishing all the tall trees. Give me a Journal of 

 what you do every day, the number of trees, the kinds, and 

 where planted or what other business is done, that I may know 

 as if as near you as I was last year. You '1 remember to take 

 off Elm and other plants from Mothers that are rooted,^ Cover 



^ It is the shoots and not the mothers or parents that have taken root. 



