CHAP, i S Y L V A 205 



and in the second quarter of the moon, the weather 

 calm and serene. At the beginning, keep them 

 moderately fresh (not over wet) and clean weeded, 

 secured from the rigor of frosts ; the second year of 

 their growth, about the beginning of October, or 

 early Spring, draw them gently out, prune the roots, 

 and dipping them a little in pond-water, transplant 

 them in a warm place or nursery ; 'tis best ranging 

 them in drills, two foot large, and one in depth, each 

 drill three foot distance, and each plant two. And 

 if thus the new earth be somewhat lower than the 

 surface of the rest, 'twill the better receive the rain : 

 Being planted, cut them all within three inches of 

 the ground. Water them not in Winter, but in 

 extream necessity, and when the weather is warm, 

 and then do it in the morning. In this cold season 

 you shall do well to cover the ground with the leaves 

 of trees, straw, or short litter, to keep them warm; and 

 every year you shall give them three dressings or half 

 diggings ; viz. in April, June, and August; this, for the 

 first year, still after rain : The second Spring after 

 transplanting, purge them of all superfluous shoots and 

 scions, reserving only the most towardly for the future 

 stem ; this to be done yearly, as long as they continue 

 in the nursery ; and if of the principal stem so left, 

 the frost mortifie any part, cut it off, and continue 

 this government till they are near six foot high, after 

 which suffer them to spread into heads by discreetly 

 pruning and fashioning them: But if you plant where 

 cattle may endanger them, the stem had need be taller, 

 for they are extreamly liquorish of the leaves. 



4. When now they are about five years growth, 

 you may transplant them without cutting the root 

 (provided you erradicate them with care) only trim- 



