THE CULTURE OF PLANTS 



a fork (not wounding the roots) and put in its place 

 some rich and well consum'd soil, watering on all 

 occasions with water wherein neat's-manure is 

 steeped, not touching the leaves or stem therewith, 

 whereof be sparing while they remain in the house, 

 except after long frosts, in whose extremity is used 

 a little charcoal, free of smoak, sunk a little in the 

 floor ; and in warme dayes, free of frosts and fogs, 

 acquaint them with the air, but shut them close up 

 at night again ; and, when you may venture, expose 

 them to the free air ; yet even then set them a week 

 in the shade, having first brushed them from dust, 

 &c. For my part, I had rather be in the woods, parks, 

 orchards, kitchen-garden, or fields, measuring, 

 planting, and improving the ground to the best ad- 

 vantage. However, I will here take a little turne 

 among the flowers. 



Of fibrous rooted flowers, 



July-flowers are the best, and are increased by 

 off-sets, layers, slips and seeds. A light loamy 

 earth well mixt with rotted soil of cows and sheep 

 a year before-hand is most proper for them. 



Albeit I have raised many double, by seed of my 

 own reaping, yet the surest way to preserve the best, 

 is by laying, because seedlings are apt to dy after 



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