16 SYLVA BOOK i 



prefer before the barrels and tumbral way. Rain, 

 river or pond-waters reserved in tubs or cisterns 

 simple, or inrich'd, and abroad in the sun, should 

 be frequently stirred, and kept from stagnation. 



4. Your plants beginning now to peep, should be 

 earthed up, and comforted a little ; especially, after 

 breaking of the greater frosts, and when the swelling 

 mould is apt to spue them forth ; but when they are 

 about an inch above ground, you may in a moist 

 season, draw them up where they are too thick, and 

 set them immediately in other lines, or beds prepar'd 

 for them ; or you may plant them in double fosses, 

 where they may abide for good and all, and to 

 remain till they are of a competent stature to be 

 transplanted ; where they should be set at such 

 distances as their several kinds require ; but if you 

 draw them only for the thinning of your seminary, 

 prick them into some empty beds (or a Plantarium 

 purposely design 'd) at one foot interval, leaving the 

 rest at two or three. 



5. When your seedlings have stood thus till June, 

 bestow a slight digging upon them, and scatter a 

 little mungy, half -rotten litter, fern, bean-hame, or 

 old leaves among them, to preserve the roots from 

 scorching, and to entertain the moisture; and then in 

 March following (by which time it will be quite 

 consum'd, and very mellow) you shall chop it all 

 into the earth, and mingle it together : Continue 

 this process for two or three years successively ; for 

 till then, the substance of the kernel will hardly be 

 spent in the plant, which is of main import ; but then 

 (and that the stature of your young imps invite) you 

 may plant them forth, carefully taking up their roots, 

 and cutting the stem within an inch of the ground 



