CHAP. XX.] THE FIFTH DAY. 303 



be, that you must then, in that place, drive in two or three 

 rows of oak or elm piles, which should be scorched in the 

 fire, or half burnt, before they be driven into the earth ; for 

 being thus used it preserves them much longer from rotting. 

 And having done so, lay faggots or bavins 1 of smaller wood 

 betwixt them ; and then earth betwixt and above them : and 

 then, having first very well rammed them and the earth, use 

 another pile in like manner as the first were : and note, that 

 the second pile, is to be of or about the height that you 

 intend to make your sluice or flood-gate, or the vent that 

 you intend shall convey the overflowings of your pond, in 

 any flood that shall endanger the breaking of the pond-dam. 



Then he advises that you plant willows or owlers 2 about 

 it, or both : and then cast in bavins in some places not far 

 from the side, and in the most sandy places, for fish both to 

 spawn upon, and to defend them and the young fry from the 

 many fish, and also from vermin, that lie at watch to destroy 

 them ; especially the spawn of the carp and tench, when 

 'tis left to the mercy of ducks or vermin. 



He, and Dubravius, and all others, advise, that you make 

 choice of such a place for your pond, that it may be refreshed 

 with a little rill, or with rain-water running or falling into 

 it ; by which fish are more inclined both to breed, and are 

 also refreshed and fed the better, and do prove to be of a 

 much sweeter and more pleasant taste. 



To which end it is observed, that such pools as be large, 

 and have most gravel, and shallows where fish may sport 

 themselves, do afford fish of the purest taste. And note, that 

 in all pools it is best for fish to have some retiring-place ; 3 



1 Small faggots of light brushwood. Thus Shakspere : 



he ambled up and down 



With shallow jesters, and rash bavin wits 



Soon kindled, and soon burnt. 1 Hen. IV. iii. 2. 



" Owler, derived from the Welsh, Ow, a moan, is a provincial name of the 

 Poplar, particularly of the Aspen, whose leaves, waving one against the 

 other, even when scarcely any wind, make a dreary sound of lamentation. 

 WEIGHT'S Gloss. 



3 A small square pit is best, about three feet deep, dug in the middle of 

 a pond, with four strong stakes driven into the ground, and a cover of wood 

 fastened over. This affords the fish a convenient retreat, and will tear any 

 net cast in to take them. BROWNE. 



