224 



A DISCOURSE 



BOOK nr. Egypt, (Diodorus says in Greece,) where we are told, that the father only 

 ""^"^r"^ ^vas esteemed the sole author of generation, the mother contributing only 

 receptacle and nutrition to the offspring, which legitimated their mixtures 

 as well with their slaves as free-women : and upon this account it was, 

 that even trees bearing fruit, were amongst them reputed males, and the 

 sterile and barren ones females ; and we are not ignorant how learnedly 

 this doctrine has been lately revived by some of our most celebrated 

 physicians. But since the same arguments do not altogether quadrate in 

 trees, where the coition is not so sensible, (whatever they pretend of the 

 Palms,) I am of opinion we might, with more reason, call that the female 

 Avhich bears any eminent fruit, seed, or egg, (from whence animals, as 

 well as trees, not excepting man himself, as the learned Steno, Swammer- 

 dam, and others have, I think, undeniably made out,) and them males 

 which produce none : but sometimes to the rudeness or less asperity of 

 the leaves, bark, and grain, nay their medical operations, may deserve the 

 distinction ; to which Aristotle adds branchiness, less moisture, and quick 

 maturity. Lib. 1. de Plantis. All which seems to be most conspicuous 

 in Plum-trees, Hollies, Ashes, Quinces, Pears, and many other sorts. — 

 But I return to felling. 



When this is performed, you should leave the stools as close to the 

 ground as possible may be, especially if you design a renascency from the 

 roots ; unless you will grub for a total destruction, or the use of that 

 part we have abeady mentioned, so far superior in goodness to what is 

 more remote from the root, and besides the longer you cut and convert 

 the timber, the better for many uses. Some are of opinion, that the 

 seedling Oak should never be cut to improve his bole ; because, say they, 

 it produces a reddish wood, not acceptable to the workman ; and that 

 the tree which grows on the head of his mother does seldom prove good 

 timber : it is observed, indeed, that one foot of timber near the root, 

 (which is the proper kerf, or cutting-place,) is worth three farther off ; 

 though I know divers who think otherwise : and haply, the successor is 

 more apt to be tender than what was cut off to give it place ; but let this 

 be inquired into at leisure. If it be a winter-fell for fuel, prostrate no 

 more in a day than the cattle will eat in two days, I mean of the browse- 

 wood, and when that is done, kid, and set it up on end, to preserve it 

 from rotting. 



