CHAP, ix SYLVA 103 



improve their fruit. The best compost is the strew- 

 ing of ashes at the foot of the trees, the salt whereof 

 being washed into the earth, is the best dressing, 

 whilst the juice of the fallen leaves, though it kill the 

 worm, is noxious to the root. This tree does not 

 refuse to thrive even among others, and in great woods, 

 provided you shrip up the collateral arms. 



2. The walnut delights in a dry, sound and rich 

 land ; especially if it incline to a feeding chalk, or 

 marie ; and where it may be protected from the cold 

 (though it affect cold rather than extream heat) as in 

 great pits, valleys and high-way sides ; also in stony- 

 grounds, if loamy, and on hills, especially chalky ; 

 likewise in corn-fields : Thus Burgundy abounds with 

 them, where they stand in the midst of goodly wheat- 

 lands, at sixty, and an hundred foot distance ; and it 

 is so far from hurting the crop, that they look on 

 them as a great preserver, by keeping the grounds 

 warm ; nor do the roots hinder the plow. Whenever 

 they fell a tree (which is only the old and decayed) 

 they always plant a young one near him ; and in 

 several places twixt Hanaw and Francfort in Germany, 

 no young farmer whatsoever is permitted to marry a 

 wife, till he bring proof that he hath planted, and is 

 a father of such a stated number of walnut-trees, as 

 the law is inviolably observed to this day, for the 

 extraordinary benefit which this tree affords the in- 

 habitants : And in truth, were this timber in greater 

 plenty amongst us, we should have far better utensils 

 of all sorts for our houses, as chairs, stools, bedsteads, 

 tables, wainscot, cabinets, 6?c. instead of the more 

 vulgar beech, subject to the worm, weak, and 

 unsightly ; but which to counterfeit, and deceive the 

 unwary, they wash over with a decoction made of 



