22 A DISCOURSE 



ROOK ir. against the stone, rheum, phthisic, dropsy, jaundice, inward imposthumes, 

 ""^^^^^"^ nay, palsy, gout, and the plague itself. Of the extracted oil, with that 

 of nuts, is made an excellent good varnish for pictures, wood-work, and 

 to preserve polished iron from the rust. The gum is good to rub on parch- 

 ment, or paper, to make it bear ink : And the coals, which are made 

 of the wood, endure the longest of any ; so as live embers, after being a 

 year covered, have been found in the ashes. See St, Hierom ad Fabiolam, 

 upon the expression Kedar, Psal. cxx. 4. If it arrive to full growth, 

 spits and spoons, imparting a grateful relish, and very wholesome where 

 they are used, are made of this wood, being well di-ied and seasoned : 

 And the very chips render a wholesome perfume within doors, as do the 

 dusty blossoms in spring without ; for which purpose the wood should 

 be cut about May, and the rasm'es well dried, 



4. And since we now mention pepper, it is by the most prudent and 

 princely care of his late JNIajesty Charles II. that I am assured of a late 

 solemn act of council, enjoining the preserving of that incomparable 

 spice, which comes to us from Jamaica under that denomination, though 

 in truth it be a mixture of so miany aromatics in one, that it might 

 as well have been called allspice, holding a near alliance to cinnamon, 

 nutmeg, and mace. And that there is not only prohibited the 

 destruction of these trees, (for it seems some prodigals used to cut them 

 down for the more easy gathering,) but order taken likewise for their 



the seeds are sown, the plants will come up soonei*;, and they will have more time to 

 strengthen before winter. 



All the other sorts are hardy enough to live in the open air, so are very well worth pro- 

 pagating, as they will add to the variety of evergreen plantations ; some of the sorts will 

 rise to a very considerable height, so may prove to be useful timber, and may be adapted 

 to such soils as will not suit many other trees. 



The common Savin may be increased by slips, which, if planted almost at any time, 

 or any how, will grow. The upright Savin also is to be increased by slips planted in moist 

 weather, in August, and kept shaded and watered in dry weather afterwards. This is the 

 best way of treating cuttings of the Upright Savin, though they will often grow if planted 

 at any time, either in winter or summer. The striped Savin also is to be increased this 

 way ! though care must be always used to take olF those branches that are most beautifully 

 variegated, and such as are entirely of a cream-colour ; and this is the only method of con- 

 tinuing it in its variegated beauty. The Savin is also to be raised by berries; and by these 

 the most upright and best plants are produced. 



