CHAP, iv S Y L V A 65 



of the bark on) scattered in hewing of their timber ; 

 the error proceeding from this, that after an elm-tree 

 has been fell'd, the numerous suckers which shoot 

 from the remainders of the latent roots, seem to be 

 produced from this dispersion of the chips: Let this yet 

 be more accurately examined; for I pronounce nothing 

 magisterially, since it is so confidently reported. 



4. I have known stakes sharpned at the ends for 

 other purposes, take root familiarly in moist grounds, 

 and become trees ; and divers have essay'd with 

 extraordinary success the trunchions of the boughs 

 and arms of elms cut to the scantling of a man's 

 arm, about an ell in length. These must be chopp'd 

 on each side opposite, and laid into trenches about 

 half a foot deep, covered about two or three fingers 

 deep with good mould. The season for this work 

 is towards the exit of January, or early in February, 

 if the frosts impede not ; and after the first year, you 

 may cut, or saw the trunchions off in as many places 

 as you find cause, and as the shoots and rooted 

 sprouts will direct you for transplantation. Another 

 expedient for the propagation of elms is this : Let 

 trenches be sunk at a good distance (viz. twenty or 

 thirty yards) from such trees as stand in hedge-rows, 

 and in such order as you desire your elms should 

 grow ; where these gutters are, many young elms 

 will spring from the small roots of the adjoining 

 trees. Divide (after one year) the shoots from their 

 mother-roots (which you may dextrously do with a 

 sharp spade) and these transplanted, will prove good 

 trees without any damage to their progenitors. Or 

 do thus, lop a young elm, the lop being about three 

 years growth, do it in the latter end of March, when 

 the sap begins to creep up into the boughs, and the 



