THE SCOTS GARDENER 



top them a little with a sharp knife, except aspar- 

 gus. Also cut their heads, except greens, and tops 

 of forrest trees ordain'd for timber ; but the side- 

 boughes most, that the head may be proportion'd 

 to the root. 



Plant no trees deep, (albeit some deeper than 

 others); when their roots run near the surface, 

 there they receive the beneficial influence of the 

 sun and showres, which make vegetables fair and 

 fruitful. 



Lay litter, or any like, above ground, the compass 

 of their roots, especially the first year of planting : 

 and indeed, all plants require some shelter and 

 shade with moisture when first planted, till they 

 get rooting and strength. 



Cut the leaves and stalks of flowers and herbes, 

 when they are past flower or have yielded seed, nor 

 at any tyme suffer too many ; rather purge them in 

 tyme. Suffer no more branches, flowers, or fruits, 

 on any tree or plant than the root can nourish per- 

 fectly. 



Neither plant or sow every year the same plants 

 on the same ridge or bed, for it improves them to 

 be changed ; see more fully planting, pruning, pre- 

 serving, &c. in their respective places following. 



78 



