268 A DISCOURSE 



^" spring, rub off some of the collateral buds to check the exuberancy 

 of sap in the branches, till the roots be well established. 



Plant no more than you will fence, for that neglected, tree-culture 

 comes to nothing ; therefore all young-set trees should be defended from 

 the winds and sun, especially the east and north, till their roots are fixed, 

 tliat is, till you perceive them shoot ; and the not exactly observing 

 of this article, is the cause of the perishing of the most tender planta- 

 tions ; for it is the invasion of these two assailants which does more 

 mischief to our new-set and less hardy trees, than the most severe and 

 durable frosts of a whole winter. And here let me add this caution 

 again, that, in planting of trees of stature for avenues or shades, you 

 set them at such distance as they be not in reach of the mansion-house, 

 in case of being blown down by the winds, for reasons sufficiently ob- 

 vious. See Hist, of the Storm, Nov. 26, 1703 ^. 



The properest soil, and most natural, apply to distinct species : 72ec 

 vero terrcs ferre omnes omnia possunt. Yet we find by experience, that 

 most of our forest-trees grow well enough in the coarsest lands, provided 

 there be a competent depth of mould ; for albeit, most of our v/ild 

 plants covet to run just under the surface, yet, where there is not suf- 

 ficient depth to cool them, and entertain the moisture and influences, 

 they are neither lasting nor prosperous. 



Wood well planted, wiU grow in moorish, boggy, heathy, and the 

 stoniest grounds ; only the white and blue clay, which is commonly the 

 best pastiue, is the worst for wood ; and such good timber as we find in 

 any of these, Oaks excepted, is of an excessive age, requiring thrice the 

 time to arrive at their stature. 



If the season require it, all new plantations are to be plied with water- 

 ings, which is better poured into a circle at some distance from the 

 roots, which should continually be bared of grass ; and if the water be 

 rich, or impregnated, the shoots will soon discover it ; for the liquor. 



^ In the fourth book of this volume, Mr. Evelyn has given a short account of this dread- 

 ful storm ; and as it was one of the most sweeping tempests that ever visited this island, 

 I have, in a note, given a more circumstantial account of it, from an annual sermon 

 preached by the Rev. Mr. Winter, to commemorate that awful day. 



