CHAP, ii S Y L V A 25 



much larger trunchions, and so tall as cattel may not 

 reach them ; if harder, those which are young, small 

 and more tender ; and if such as produce a knur, or 

 hurry swelling, set that part into the ground, and be 

 sure to make the hole so wide, and point the end of 

 your cutting so smooth, as that in setting, it violate 

 and strip none of the bark ; the other extream may 

 be slanted, and so treading the earth close, and keep- 

 ing it moist, you will seldom fail of success : By 

 the roots also of a thriving, lusty and sappy tree, 

 more may be propagated ; to effect which, early in 

 spring, dig about its foot, and finding such as you 

 may with a little cutting bend upwards, raise them 

 above ground three or four inches, and they will 

 in a short time make shoots, and be fit for transplant- 

 ation ; or in this work you may quite separate them 

 from the mother-roots, and cut them off : By baring 

 likewise the bigger roots discreetly, and hacking 

 them a little, and then covering with fresh Mould 

 matres, and mother-roots ; nepotes^ succors ; traduces, 

 and rooted setts, may be raised in abundance ; which 

 drawing competent roots will soon furnish store of 

 plants ; and this is practicable in elms especially, and 

 all such trees as are apt of themselves to put forth 

 suckers ; but of this more upon occasion 1 hereafter. 

 And now to prevent censure on this tedious and 

 prolix Introduction, I cannot but look on it as the 

 basis and foundation of all the structure, rising from 

 this work and endeavour of mine ; since from station, 

 sowing, continual culture and care, proceed all we 

 really enjoy in the world : Every thing must 

 have birth and beginning, and afterwards by diligence 



1 For the transplanting and removing of full-grown forest-trees, and others. 

 See Cap. III. Sect. 10. 



