176 



A DISCOURSE 



BOOK III. tresses, before the present trimming them up so high ; especially, since 

 ^-^^^^r"^^ J fear the remedy comes too late to save their decay, (could it have been 

 avoided,) if the amputations of such overgrown parts as have been cut 

 off, should not rather accelerate it, by exposing their large and many 

 wounds to the injuries of the weather, which will endanger the rotting 

 of them, beyond all that can be applied by tar, or otherwise, to protect 

 them. I do rather conceive their infirmities to proceed from what has 

 not long since been abated of their large spreading branches, to accom- 

 modate with the mall ; as any one may conjecture by the great impression 

 which the wet has abeady made in those incurable scars, that being now 

 multiplied, must needs the sooner impair them ; the roots having like- 

 wise infinitely suffered by many disturbances about them. In all events, 

 this walk might have enjoyed its goodly canopy, with all their branchy 

 furniture, for so many ages to come, for it is hardly one since first they 

 were planted : but this defect is providently and nobly supplied by their 

 successors the Lime-trees, which will sooner accomplish their perfection, 

 by taking away the Chestnut-trees, which will else do them prejudice. 



But it is now, and never till now, that those walks and ranks of trees, 

 and other royal amenities, are sure to prosper, whilst they are entirely 

 under the care and culture of the most industrious and knowing Mr. 

 Wise, to whom, and to his partner Mr. Loudon, I not only acknowledge 

 myself particularly obliged, but the whole nation, for what they have 

 contributed to the sweetest, most useful, and most innocent diversions 

 of life, gardens, and plantations. 



One should be cautious in heading timber-trees, especially the pithy, 

 unless where they grow very crooked ; in which case, abate the head 

 with an upward slope, and cherish a leading shoot. The Beech is very 

 tender of its head. 



It is by the discreet leaving the side-boughs in convenient places, 

 sparing the smaller, and taking away the bigger, that you may advance 

 a tree to what determined height you desire : thus, bring up the leader, 

 and when you would have that spread and break out, cut off all the 

 side-boughs, and especially at Midsummer, if you espy them breaking 

 out. Young trees may every year be pruned, and as they grow older at 



