THE CULTURE OF PLANTS 



yours for your pains) ; if you plant in gravelly, or 

 dry sandy ground, mix it with clay and turf e a large 

 distance round about the roots ; or, if in stiff and 

 moist clayes, trench eight or nine foot on each side 

 round the compass of the roots, adding small gravel, 

 fat sand, &c., and plant ebb. But enough of this in 

 the last chapter. 



The silver fir is so ordered: only it is tender 

 while young and subject to blasting. 



The pitch-tree (as common firre) is a hardie tree, 

 and no wonder; seeing, as I am informed, it growes 

 by nature plentifully in Norraway. 



The yew is also a hardie tree, and only requires 

 some defence while young ; their berries ripe in 

 November : rub off the flesh or clammy substance, 

 and lay them to dry a little, (but not by the fire), 

 then box them stratum super stratum of earth and 

 seed, placing them in the shade till the spring come 

 twelve moneths ; at which time sow them, and then 

 they spring. It affects a good soil, not stiff. 



The holly is to be used as yew, for they ly as long ; 

 it's the most proper for hedges of all plants in the 

 world. Next thereunto is the hawthorne, (tho' not 

 a green), whose seed ripes in October, and is to be 

 used as holly; for it riseth not till spring come 



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