60 ORMISTOUN'S LETTERS 



changed to the liking of the Vermin we fear, and several with 

 different bates set round the beds and all contrivances studied 

 for destroying of Moles and Mice. But notwithstanding all care, 

 if we lose some of our plants those saved will be much better, 

 and this not only the first season but afterwards, as once 

 stunted, the frame of their very roots are small and poor. I 

 hope you have sued up the Nurseries in Winter for winter 

 sneding makes clean bodies. Not being able to overtake all 

 obliges me to send ^ sometimes in Summer, but not by choice, 

 for when a Branch is cut off in Summer or when the sap is in 

 motion five or six burst out, but when done before frosts go, 

 the frosts deadens the part before the sap rises. Sneding in 

 Summer does service in hindering branches to overtop or spoil 

 other or to leave less work for Winter, and in case of Bark, 

 can only be done then. But by right they should all be gone 

 over again and the small put out after Summers sneding should 

 be taken off the beginning of Winter, to clean the body of the 

 Tree. Where want Trees, Hollies, Thorns or the like to brush ^ 

 out, May is the best time. If I can get the Upper Wood sued 

 now tho' I wish it could have been done sooner and come in 

 Ocf to the Haining as I wish to do, I '11 clean up the tall trees 

 of west end near to the Church which were sned in Summer 

 three years ago and are all brushed^ out to the prejudice of 

 their tops. If the frost has not killed the fruit buds this may 

 prove a good Wall fruit year as it is so late. Crop the Hay 

 yard with what coarse Crop you think will sell best. If I live 

 I design to take up the gravel Walk and put good soil in to 

 make the Wall for fruit of the best kinds that require a good 

 wall and lay that whole Lower Garden in one plot of Grass. 

 Look at all the tall trees planted this year and last, and earth 

 them up where wanted to fasten them well in the ground. 

 Water the beds the Barren Seeds are sown in if you have not 

 rains soon and whenever dry you must repeat this till they 

 come away. They '1 want such help to bring them well away. 

 Water the Mulberries sometimes and lay straw or some such 

 thing round to save from frosty nights now and drought after- 

 wards. Take care in Watering the Seed Beds that you may 



^ Send is a slip for sned. '^ Make a growth of shoots round the base. 



