CHAP, vni S Y L V A 97 



4. The chesnut being grafted in the wallnut, oak, 

 or beech, (I have been told) will come exceeding 

 fair, and produce incomparable fruit ; for the wallnut, 

 and chesnut in each other, it is probable ; but I have 

 not as yet made a full attempt ; they also speak of 

 inoculating cherries in the chesnut-stock for a later 

 fruit. In the mean time, I wish we did more uni- 

 versally propagate the horse-chesnut, which being 

 easily increas'd from layers, grows into a good stand- 

 ard, and bears a most glorious flower, even in our 

 cold country : This tree (so call'd, for the cure of 

 horses broken-winded, and other cattel of coughs) is 

 now all the mode for the avenues to their countrey 

 palaces in France, as appears by the late Superinten- 

 dent's plantation at Vaux. It was first brought from 

 Constantinople to Vienna, thence into Italy, and so 

 France ; but to us from the Levant more immediately, 

 and flourishes so well, and grows so goodly a tree in 

 competent time, that by this alone, we might have 

 ample encouragement to denizen other strangers 

 amongst us. One inconvenience to which this beau- 

 tiful tree is obnoxious, is that it does not well resist 

 impetuous and stormy winds, without damage. 



5. The chesnut is (next the oak) one of the most 

 sought after by the carpenter and joyner : It hath 

 formerly built a good part of our ancient houses in 

 the city of London, as does yet appear. I had once a 

 very large barn near the city, fram'd intirely of this 

 timber : And certainly they grew not far off; probably 

 in some woods near the town : For in that descript- 

 ion of London, written by Fitz-Stephens, in the 

 reign of Hen. II. he speaks of a very noble and large 

 forest which grew on the Boreal part of it ; proxime 

 (says he) patet foresta ingens, saltus nemorosi ferarum^ 



M 



