Jobn iBvelvn 303 



ornament and a blessing in another ; but we 

 shall not need go so far for this, since both beech 

 and birch are almost as great strangers in many 

 parts of this nation, particularly Northampton 

 and Oxfordshire. Mr. Cook says much in 

 praise of juniper hedges, especially for the 

 more elegant enclosures. 



BROOM. 



Genista scoparia. Broom. This is another 

 improvement for barren grounds, and saver 

 of more substantial fuel. It may be sown 

 English, or (what is more sweet and beautiful) 

 Spanish, with equal success. In the western 

 parts of France, and with us in Cornwall, it 

 grows to an incredible height (however our 

 poet gives it the epithet of humilis), and so it 

 seems they had it of old, as appears by Gratius' 

 genista altinates^ with which, as he affirms, 

 they used to make staves for their spears and 

 hunting darts. The seeds of broom vomit and 

 purge, whilst the buds and flowers, being pic- 

 kled, are very grateful. 



Sambucus. The elder. This makes a con- 

 siderable fence, if set of reasonably lusty 

 truncheons, much like the willow, and (as I 



