118 A DISCOURSE 



BOOK 11. tliem to diink of one of the most wholesome and excellent beverages in 

 --^V^^ the world. 



Old Gerard did long since allege us an example worthy to be pur- 

 sued : " I have seen," saith he, (speaking of Apple-trees, lib. iii. cap. ci.) 

 " in the pastures and hedge-rows about the grounds of a worshipful gen- 

 " tleman, dwelling two miles from Hereford, called INIr. Roger Bodnome, 

 " so many trees of all sorts, that the servants di-ink, for the most part, no 

 " other drink but that which is' made of apples : the quantity is such, 

 " that by the report of the gentleman himself, the parson hath for tithe 

 " many hogsheads of cider ; the hogs are fed with the fallings of them, 

 " which are so many, that they make choice of those apples they do eat, 

 " and will not taste of any but of the best. An example, doubtless, to be 

 " followed of gentlemen that have land and living : hut JEnvij saith, the 

 " poor will break down our hedges, and we shall have the least part of 

 " the fruit. But forward ; in the name of God, graff, set, plant, and 

 " nourish up trees in every corner of your ground ; the labour is small, 

 "the cost is nothing, the commodity is great ; yourselves shaU have 

 " plenty, the poor shall have somewhat in time of want, to relieve their 

 " necessity, and God shall reward your good minds and diligence." 

 Thus far honest Gerard. And in truth, with how small a charge and in- 

 finite pleasure this were to be effected, every one that is patron of a little 

 nursery can easily calculate : for, by this expedient, many thousands of 

 acres, sowed now yearly with barley, might be ctdtivated for wheat, or 

 converted into pasture, to the increase of corn and cattle. Besides, the 

 timber which the Pear-tree, Black Cherry, and many thorny Plums 

 (which are best for grain, colour, and gloss) afford, is comparable, for 

 divers curious uses, with any we have enumerated. The Black Cherry 

 wood grows sometimes to that bulk as is fit to make stools with, cabinets, 

 tables, especially the redder sort, which wiU polish well, also pipes and 

 musical instruments ; the very bark is employed for bee-hives. I would 

 farther recommend the more frequent planting and propagation of Fir, 

 Pine-trees, and some other beneficial materials, both for ornament and 

 profit ; especially since we find by experience tliey thrive so well where 

 they are cultivated for ciu'iosity only. 



I have now finished my planting. A word or two concerning the pre- 

 servation of the trees, and the cure of their infkmities, expect in the 

 next chapter. 



