198 SYLVA BOOK m 



in the most flinty soils. And it is truly from these 

 indications, more than from any other whatsoever, 

 that a broken and decaying farmer is to be distinguished 

 from a substantial free-holder, the very trees speaking 

 the condition of the master : Let not then the Royal 

 patrimony bear a bankrupt's reproach : But to descend 

 yet lower ; 



24. Had every acre but three or four trees, and as 

 many of fruit in it as would a little adorn the hedge- 

 rows, the improvement would be of fair advantage in 

 a few years; for it is a shame that turnip-planters should 

 demolish and undoe hedge-rows near London, where 

 the mounds and fences are stripped naked, to give sun 

 to a few miserable roots, which would thrive altogether 

 as well under them, being skilfully prun'd and lopp'd : 

 Our gardeners will not believe me, but I know it to 

 be true, tho Pliny had not affirmed it : As for elms 

 (saith he) their shade is so gentle and benign, that it 

 nourishes whatsoever grows under it : And (lib. 17. 

 c. 22.) it is his opinion of all other trees (very few 

 excepted) provided their branches be par'daway, which 

 being discreetly done, improves the timber, as we 

 have already shewed. 



Indeed where elms are planted either about very 

 small crofts or avenues referv'd for pasture, the roots 

 are apt to spring up and annoy the grass : But I speak 

 of the larger field, and even in the former, that part 

 of the root which spreads into the field, may (as I 

 have shewn) be hinder'd from infecting it, by cutting 

 away those fibers which run into the field, without any 

 impeachment to the growth of the trees ; of which I 

 have some whose roots are cut off very near the main 

 stems at one side, thriving almost altogether as well 

 as those which have their roots entire. 



