r O R E S T - T R E E S. 211 



can pofTibly be computed, be not clofer than an inch to each 

 other ; let the feeds be foundly clap'd into the earth with the 

 back of a fpade, draw the foil back again you had puflied off^ and 

 add to that covering, from the alleys, to the depth of half an inch 

 only ; for no plant is more delicate, when rihng, than the Thorn, 

 or more readily fmothered by too deep a covering.. 



Thus managed, the Thorns will all appear the feafon of fow- 

 ing, which is properly faving one half of tlieir berries, and pro- 

 curiny an equal crop of ftrong plants. 



The fucceeding fpring, draw out all the largeft plants where 

 too thick ; fliorten their roots, cut offfo much of their tops as to 

 leave them about two inches above ground when planted, and 

 lay them (bur beware of dibbling) in lines a foot afunder and 

 four inches diftant in the line, to remain two years. 



At the fame time, I have diredled Thorns to be fown on beds 

 in the common way, though much thinner. Senfible that I £hall 

 not prevail on many gardeners at once to relinquifh thefe pre- 

 judices that cuflom has confirmed, yet fome I have the happi- 

 nefs to know of more liberal fentiments, and who want no more 

 than a reafonable hint to try any experiment that has a feeming 

 tendency to promote, by a better culture, the growth of our 

 hedges and Foreft-trees : To thefe therefore, and to fuch as are 

 not ftraitened for ground, I, from the moft folid. foundation, ad- 

 vife the follov/ing pradlice : 



Sow the berries thin, or rather drop them in drills, made 

 either with your fingers, or with a very fmall hoe, at eight inches 



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