OF FOREST-TREES. 



95 



Both this way, and by setting them apart, which I most commend, I have 

 raised multitudes, and that in the berries, kept in sand till the spring, 

 without any farther preparation ; only for the first two years they should 

 be defended from the piercing winds, which frequently destroy them ; 

 and yet the scorching of their tender leaves ought not to make you de- 

 spair, for many of them will recover beyond expectation ; nay, though 

 quite cut down, they repuUulate, and produce young suckers. Such as 

 are raised of berries may at three years' growth be transplanted ; which 

 let alone too long, are difficult to take. 



This aromatic tree greatly loves the mother's shade, (under which no- 

 thing else will prosper,) yet thrives best in our hottest gravel, having 

 once passed those first difficulties : age, and culture about the roots, 

 wonderfully augment its growth ; so as I have seen trees of them near 

 thirty feet high, and almost two feet diameter. They make walking- 

 staves, straight, strong, and light, for old gentlemen ; and are fit also botli 

 for arbour and palisade work, so the gardener understands when to prune 

 and keep them from growing too woody. And here I cannot but take 

 notice of those beautiful case-standards, which of late you have had out 

 of Flanders, &c. with stems so even and upright, heads so round, fuU, 

 and flourishing, as seem to exceed all the topiary ornaments of the garden, 

 that one tree of them has been sold for more than twenty pounds; though 

 now, the mystery revealed, the price be much abated ; and, doubtless, as 

 good might be raised here, (without sending beyond sea for them,) were 



the flames : Laurus manifesto abdicat ignes crepitu et quadam detestatione ;" and this was 

 esteemed a good omen : 



Laurus ubi bona signa dedit, gaudete coloni, 

 Distendet spicis horrea plena Ceres. tib. 



Chaucer, in his tale of the Flower and the Leaf, gives us a fine description of some of the 

 most remarkable properties of this tree : 



The Laurel is the sign of labour croWn'd, 



Which bears the bitter blast, nor shaken falls to ground: 



From winter winds it suffers no decay. 



For ever fresh and fair, and ev'ry month is May ; 



Ev'n when the vital sap retreats below, 



Ev'n when the hoary head is hid in snow ; 



The life is in the leaf, and still between 



The fits of falling snow, appears the streaky green- i)tiYi)i}fi 



N2 



