JUNIPER. 215 



nine inches in diameter, that was taken from a remarkably 

 large tree, which grew at the top of one of the highest 

 mountains in Switzerland. It has been said, that a coal 

 of juniper-wood, covered with ashes of the same kind, 

 will keep on fire a whole year. David alludes to the heat 

 of these coals as a punishment to the false tongue : 

 " Sharp arrows of the mighty with coals of juniper." 

 Psalm cxx. 4. 



The juniper is propagated by sowing the seed as soon as 

 ripe, on ground that has not been dunged ; and the plants 

 will grow in any soil, however dry or damp, but like other 

 plants they resist the frost best in dry situations. If the 

 under-branches are kept pruned, they will form trees of a 

 considerable size in a few years, but they should not be 

 pruned too much at any one time, particularly in the 

 spring, as they are apt to discharge their resinous juice, 

 which renders them weak and unhealthy. October is the 

 best time for transplanting these shrubs, as well as for the 

 pruning of them. 



