118 SYLVA FLORIFERA. 



having planted it in the earth, there instantly 

 sprang up a majestic tree, covered with fruit 

 and flowers of every kind. We presume that 

 the^Eneid was read before this dream was told. 

 Miraculous days having passed away before 

 the formation of our shrubbery commenced, 

 let us attend to nature, and see where she 

 advises us to plant this Daphne of the Greeks, 

 and Laurus of the Romans, which furnished 

 the Delphic wreath, and graced the head of 

 triumphant heroes ; guarded the gate of the 

 Csesars, and formed the Pontifex maximus to 

 be placed on the houses of the sick. Observ- 

 ations instruct us to place this tree in situa- 

 tions where it is sheltered from north and 

 north-east winds, which affect its beauty, and 

 often its growth. We notice that it thrives 

 under the very wings of larger trees, where it 

 is difficult to make other shrubs prosper, and 

 which is of importance in our plantations. 

 A warm, dry, sandy, or gravelly soil is recom- 

 mended for this tree; but we have noticed 

 that it thrives well in a rich loam ; for the 

 handsomest bay-tree that we have seen, was 

 planted in such soil, by a lady at Tarring, 

 in Sussex, on her wedding-day ; which had 

 sent up its spiral top higher than her dwelling, 

 in less than twenty years ; affording ample 

 shade to her playful and numerous offspring. 



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