452 The Gardener's New Director. 



their fkins, hide-bound, and go off altogether ; and cut 

 tingtiiem down, which is a rennedy for moft hide-bound 

 trees, will do them no fervice; whereas, if they are 

 planted in a good rich mellow loam, they will thrive 

 exceedingly. Some years after they are planted, to en- 

 liven their growth, you fnould dig the ground about 

 them, lay on a little well rotted dung, and fow Turnips 

 and plant Cabbages. I have found this culture add fo 

 much to their (Irength, that in twenty years, after be- 

 ing fo ufed, they have been fit for cutting down, and ap- 

 peared like trees forty years old. 



If, notwithftanding all your care, you perceive that 

 your trees do not grow to your wifh, I have ufed a me- 

 thod, which has had an excellent effefl: upon them ; 

 that is, early in the fpring, whenever you perceive your 

 trees are hide-bound, take a garden knife, and within 

 two feet of the top of the tree to within a foot of the 

 ground, make a large rut with the point of the knife, 

 m a flraight line ; and do the fame likewife upon the op- 

 pcfite fide of the tree. At the rifing of the fap your 

 trees will bleed a little, whereby they will be relieved 

 from their difeafe. I have cured trees of this difeafe 

 which have been ten or twelve years planted where they 

 were to remain ; for bleeding often gives vegetables the 

 fame relief as it does to animal bodies. When they are 

 cut down, there is no tree excells them for making 

 chairs; the way to ufe them for that purpofe is thus: 

 Cut down the trees in O^ober, bark them, and hew 

 them out in what fafliion you think moft proper for 

 your purpofe; lay thefe logs in running water, but not 

 in ponds or ditches, where the water ftagnates ; fecure 

 them from being carried off by the ftream, and let them 

 remain here until the end q{ March ; then take them out 

 of the water, lay them in fome airy place to dry, but 

 rot near a fire; in the fummer after they will work with 

 the carpenter very well, and by the different colours of 

 their veins will appear extremely beautiful. There are 

 !ome perfons who lay tlietn only fix weeks in water, and 

 then take them out foT w^t-^ but you may try both ways, 

 and choofe that which fuits beft. 



The other forts of Elms feldom or never bear feed ; 

 thefe you muft propagate by layers, which is thus per- 

 formed : 



