4 S Y L V A BOOK i 



due repose, but lie some time fallow to receive the 

 influence of heaven, according to good husbandry. 

 But I shall say no more of these particulars at this 

 time, because the rest is sprinkl'd over this whole 

 work in their due places ; wherefore we hasten to 

 the following title ; namely, the choice and ordering 

 of the seeds. 



3. Chuse your seed of that which is perfectly 

 mature, ponderous and sound ; commonly that which 

 is easily shaken from the boughs, or gathered about 

 November, immediately upon its spontaneous fall, or 

 taken from the tops and summities of the fairest and 

 soundest trees, is best, and does (for the most part) 

 direct to the proper season of interring, Gfc. according 

 to institution. 



1 Nature herself who all created first, 

 Invented sowing, and the wild plants nurs't : 

 When mast and berries from the trees did drop, 

 Succeeded under by a numerous crop. 



Yet this is to be consider'd, that if the place you 

 sow in be too cold for an autumnal semination, your 

 acorns, mast, and other seeds may be prepared for the 

 vernal by being barrel'd, or potted up in moist sand, 

 or earth stratum s.s. during the winter ; at the 

 expiration whereof you will find them sprouted ; and 

 being committed to the earth, with a tender hand, 

 as apt to take as if they had been sown with the 

 most early ; nay, with great advantage : By this 

 means too, they have escaped the vermine, (which 



1 Nam specimen sationis, & infitionis origo 

 Ipsa fuit rerum primum natura creatrix : 

 Arboribus quoniam baccae, glandesque caducae 

 Tempestiva dabant pullorum examina subter, &c. 



Lucret. 1. 5. 



