CHAP, xiii S YL V A 123 



better success) by the suckers and plants, which are 

 treated after the same method, and in as great abund- 

 ance as the elm, like to which it should be cultivated. 

 You may know whether the seeds be prolific, by 

 searching the husk ; if biting, or cutting it in sunder 

 it be full and white, and not husky, as sometimes we 

 find the foreigners : Be sure to collect your seed in 

 dry weather, airing it in an open room, and reserving 

 it in sand, (as has been taught) till mid-February, 

 when you may sow it in pretty strong, fresh and 

 loamy mould, kept shaded, and moist as the season 

 requires, and clear of weeds, and at the period of two 

 years, plant them out, dress'd and prun'd as discretion 

 shall advise. But not only by the suckers and layers, 

 at the roots, but even by branches lopp'd from the 

 head, may this tree be propagated ; and peeling off a 

 little of the bark, at a competent distance from the 

 stem or arms, and covering it with loam mingled 

 with rich earth, they will shoot their fibers, and may 

 be seasonably separated : But to facilitate this and the 

 like attempts, it is advisable to apply a ligature above 

 the place, when the sap is ascending, or beneath it, 

 when it (as they say vulgarly) descends. From June 

 to November you may lay them ; the scrubs and less 

 erect, do excellently to thicken copp'ces, and will 

 yield lusty shoots, and useful fire-wood. 



2. The lime-tree affects a rich feeding loamy 

 soil ; in such ground their growth will be most for 

 speed and spreading. They may be planted as big 

 as ones leg ; their heads topp'd at about six or eight 

 foot bole ; thus it will becone (of all other) the most 

 proper, and beautiful for walks, as producing an 

 upright body, smooth and even bark, ample leaf, 

 sweet blossom, the delight of bees, and a goodly shade 



