CHAP, ii S Y L V A 13 



herbacious offspring, than in foresters, which require 

 only diligent weeding and frequent cleansing, till 

 they are able to shift for themselves ; and as their 

 vessels enlarge and introsume more copious nourish- 

 ment, often starve their neighbours. Thus much 

 for the nursery and Conseminea Sifoa. 



2. Having therefore made choice of such seeds as 

 you would sow, by taking, and gathering them in 

 their just season ; that is, when dropping ripe ; and 

 (as has been said) from fair thriving trees ; and 

 found out some fit place of ground, well fenced, 

 respecting the south-east, rather than the full south, 

 and well protected from the north and west ; 



1 He that for wood his field would sow, 

 Must clear it of the shrubs that grow ; 

 Cut brambles up, and the fern mow. 



This done, let it be broken up the winter before 

 you sow, to mellow it ; especially if it be a clay, and 

 then the furrow would be made deeper ; or so, at 

 least, as you would prepare it for wheat : Or you 

 may trench it with the spade, by which means it 

 will the easier be cleansed of whatsoever may obstruct 

 the putting forth, and insinuating of the tender 

 roots : Then, having given it a second stirring, 

 immediately before you sow ; cast, and dispose it 

 into rills, or small narrow trenches, of four or five 

 inches deep, and in even lines, at two foot interval, 

 for the more commodious runcation, hawing, and 

 dressing the trees : Into these furrows (about the 

 new or increasing moon) throw your oak, beach, 



1 Qui serere ingenuum volet agrum, 

 Liberat prius arva fruticibus ; 

 Falce rubos, filicemque resecat. Boeth. 1. 2. Met. 



