324 S Y L V A BOOK ii 



over-powerful winds, when young, and perhaps, by 

 subtil lightnings, by which the strongest oaks (and 

 other the most robust trees) are fain to submit, and 

 will be twisted like a rope of hemp, and therefore of 

 old not us'd to kindle the sacrifice. The same injury 

 trees likewise often suffer by rigorous and piercing 

 colds and frosts ; such as in the year 1683, rived 

 many stately timber-trees from head to foot ; which 

 as the weather grew milder, clos'd again, so as hardly 

 to be discern'd ; but were found at the felling miser- 

 ably shatter'd, and good for little : The best prevent- 

 ion is shelter, choice of place for the plantation, fre- 

 quent shreading, whilst they are yet in their youth. 

 Wind-shaken is also discover'd by certain ribs, boils 

 and swellings on the bark, beginning at the foot of 

 the stem, and body of the tree, to the boughs. But 

 against such frosts and fire from heaven there is no 

 charm. 



1 2. Cankers, of all other diseases the most pernic- 

 ious, corroding and eating to the heart, and difficult 

 to cure, whether (caused by some stroak, or galling, 

 or by hot and burning land) are to be cut out to the 

 quick, the scars emplastred with tar mingled with 

 oyl, and over that, a thin spreading of loam ; or else 

 with clay and horse-dung ; but best with hogs-dung 

 alone, bound to it in a rag ; or by laying wood-ashes, 

 nettles, or fern to the roots, Gfc. You will know if 

 the cure be effected, by the colour of the wounds 

 growing fresh and green, and not reddish : But if the 

 gangreen be within, it must be cured by nitrous, 

 sulphureous and drying applications, and by no means, 

 by any thing of an unctious nature, which is exitial 

 to trees : Tar, as was said, only excepted, which I 

 have experimentally known to preserve trees from the 



