74 



A DISCOURSE 



is good advice to cover it vi^itli mould as soon as possible, before the sun 

 has over-dried it, for the reason before hinted " ; and by this early ap- 

 plication, you will find all that is stiff and any v^ays contumacious, sub- 

 dued and perfectly prepared before you turn it in. If you would meliorate 

 ground for fruit-trees of the orchard, or roots and esculents of the olitory 

 garden, be cautious that the hotter dungs approach not immediately to 

 their stems or roots, without such a circumposition of natural mould as 

 we have commended. But this is a note for such as think fit to use the 

 soil steaming as it comes from the heap ; but, if it be prepared as we have 

 shewed, there is no danger even of immediate contact. And the same is 

 to be observed in ablaqueation, where we find cause to bare the roots 

 of trees, and expose them to the air for fresh influence, or to abate 

 exuberances ; and that the cavity be not filled all at once, (when we con- 

 ceive the roots have been sufficiently aired,) but gradually from month to 

 month, as from October till the beginning of JNIarch ; and, upon other 

 occasions, leaving the surface rough, rather than too compt and ex- 

 quisitely trimmed, if only you dig your ground, which once in two or 

 three years, four or five (as you perceive your trees require culture) is 

 advisable, and then to mingle the earth with a thorough-soiling, and 

 refresh it with the impregnate water of your cistern, will exceedingly 

 recover a worn-out plantation. This irrigation may also be yearly 

 given to the roots of your fruit-trees about June and July ; and the 

 spreading of a little good soil upon the surface, and rough chopping it 

 in with the spade before winter, is good husbandry, for it draws the 

 roots upwards, the shallow running of which is of so great importance. 

 But of this already. 



And thus having shewed how to prepare, ripen, separate, and apply 

 the several composts, (which, for distinction sake, we call the dry mix- 

 ture,) I am next to describe the liquid, in many particulars not much 

 differing from the former process. 



Betwixt east and north erect a pergola, or shed, so contrived with a 

 cover, as to exclude or admit, the rain, snow, and weather at pleasure ; 



^ In this manner plenty of rich compost may be raised. Some people bed the ground, 

 on which sheep are folded, with sand, which enables them to remove the rich manure to 

 any distant place at pleasure. 



