1 8 S Y L V A BOOK i 



roots, as where are no impediments), the worthy 

 Mr. Brotherton (whom we shall have occasion to 

 mention more than once in this treatise) speaking of 

 the increase and improvement of roots, tells us of a 

 large pinaster, 2 foot and J diameter, and about 

 60 foot in height, the lowest boughs being 30 foot 

 above the ground, which did spread and flourish on 

 all sides alike, though it had no root at all towards 

 three quarters of its situation, and but one quarter 

 only, into which it expanded its roots so far as to 70 

 and 80 foot from the body of the tree : The reason 

 was, its being planted just within the square-angle of 

 the corner of a deep, thick and strong stone-wall, 

 which was a kind wharfing against a river running by 

 it, and so could have nourishment but from one 

 quarter. And this I likewise might confirm of two 

 elms, planted by me about 35 years since; which 

 being little bigger than walking-staves, and set on the 

 very brink of a ditch or narrow channel (not always 

 full of water) wharfed with a wall of a brick and 

 half in thickness, (to keep the bank from falling in) 

 are since grown to goodly and equally spreading trees 

 of near two foot diameter, solid timber, and of stature 

 proportionable. The difference between this, and 

 that of the pine, being their having one quarter 

 more of mould for the roots to spread in ; but which 

 is not at all discover'd by the exuberence of the 

 branches in either part. But to return to planting, 

 where are no such obstacles. 



6. Theophrastus in his Third Book de Causis^ c. 7. 

 gives us great caution in planting, to preserve the 

 roots, and especially the earth adhering to the smallest 

 fibrills, which should by no means be shaken off, as 

 most of our gardeners do to trim and quicken them, 



