156 SYLVA BOOK i 



their alders, and other trees ; of which see Cap. HI. 

 Book in. But there is yet another way of planting 

 alders after the Jersey manner, and as I receiv'd it 

 from a most ingenious gentleman of that country, 

 which is, by taking trunchions of two or three foot 

 long, at the beginning of Winter, and to bind them 

 in faggots, and place the ends of them in water 'till 

 towards the Spring, by which season they will have 

 contracted a swelling spire, or knurr about that part, 

 which being set, does (like the gennet-moil apple- 

 tree) never fail of growing and striking root. There 

 is a black sort more affected to woods, and drier 

 grounds ; and bears a black berry, not so frequently 

 found ; yet growing somewhere about Hampsted, as 

 the learned Dr. Tan. Robinson observes. 



2. There are a sort of husbands who take excessive 

 pains in stubbing up their alders, where-ever they 

 meet them in the boggie places of their grounds, 

 with the same indignation as one would extirpate the 

 most pernicious of weeds ; and when they have finish- 

 ed, know not how to convert their best lands to more 

 profit than this (seeming despicable) plant might lead 

 them to, were it rightly understood. Besides, the 

 shadow of this tree, does feed and nourish the very 

 grass which grows under it ; and being set, and well 

 plashed, is an excellent defence to the banks of rivers ; 

 so as I wonder it is not more practis'd about the 

 Thames, to fortifie, and prevent the mouldring of the 

 walls, and the violent weather they are exposed to. 



3. You may cut aquatic-trees every third or fourth 

 year, and some more frequently, as I shall shew you 

 hereafter. They should also be abated within half a 

 foot of the principal head, to prevent the perishing 

 of the main stock ; and besides, to accelerate their 



