CHAP, xii S Y L V A i2i 



CHAPTER XII. 



Of the Sycomor. 



1. The sycomor, or wild fig-tree, (falsly so called) 

 is, our album, acer majus, or broad-leav'd mas, one of 

 the maples, and is much more in reputation for its 

 shade than it deserves ; for the honey-dew leaves, 

 which fall early (like those of the ash) turn to muci- 

 lage and noxious insects, and putrifie with the first 

 moisture of the season ; so as they contaminate and 

 mar our walks ; and are therefore by my consent, to 

 be banish'd from all curious gardens and avenues. 

 'Tis rais'd of the keys in the husk (as soon as ripe) 

 they come up the first Spring ; also by roots and 

 layers, in ground moist, not over-wet or stiff, and to 

 be govern'd as other nursery plants. 



2. There is in Germany a better sort of sycomor 

 than ours, (nor are ours mdigimz) wherewith they 

 make saddle-trees, and divers other things of use ; our 

 own is excellent for trenchers, cart, and plow-timber, 

 being light, tough, and not much inferior to ash it 

 self ; and if the trees be very tall and handsome, are 

 the more tolerable for distant walks especially where 

 other better trees prosper not so well, or where a sud- 

 den shade is expected : Some commend them to 

 thicken copp'ces, especially in parks, as least apt to 

 the spoil of deer, and that it is good fire-wood. This 

 tree being wounded, bleeds a great part of the year ; 

 and the liquor emulating that of the birch, which for 

 hapning to few of the rest (that is, to bleed Winter 

 and Summer) I therefore mention : The sap is sweet 



