CENTURY V. 



countries where they have hotter sun, they raise 

 them upon elms and trees ; but I conceive, that if 

 the French manner of planting low were brought in 

 use there, their wines would be stronger and sweeter. 

 But it is more chargeable in respect of the props. 

 It were good to try whether a tree grafted some 

 what near the ground, and the lower boughs only 

 maintained, and the higher continually pruned off, 

 would not make a larger fruit. 



433. To have fruit in greater plenty, the way is 

 to graft not only upon young stocks, but upon 

 divers boughs of an old tree; for they will bear 

 great numbers of fruit : whereas if you graft but 

 upon one stock the tree can bear but few. 



434. The digging yearly about the roots of trees, 

 which is a great means both to the acceleration and 

 melioration of fruits, is practised in nothing but in 

 vines : which if it were transferred unto other trees 

 and shrubs, as roses, &c. I conceive would advance 

 them likewise. 



435. It hath been known, that a fruit-tree hath 

 been blown up almost by the roots, and set up again, 

 and the next year bear exceedingly. The cause 

 this was nothing but the loosening of the earth, 

 which comforteth any tree, and is fit to be practised 

 more than it is in fruit-trees : for trees cannot be so 

 fitly removed into new grounds, as flowers and herbs 

 may. 



436. To revive an old tree, the digging of it 

 about the roots, and applying new mould to the 

 roots, is the way. We see also that draught-oxen 



