92 A DISCOURSE 



BOOK^I. bottom ; so as where we find this tree to prosper, the indication of a fruit- 

 ful and excellent soil is certain, even by the token of this natural augury- 

 only : thus by the plantation of this tree and some others, we have the 

 advantage of profit raised from the pregnancy, substance, and depth 

 of our land ; whilst by the grass and corn (whose roots are but a few 

 inches deep) we have the benefit of the crust only. 



" go in pairs, one makes the holes, and the other sets and treads the plants fast, which 

 *' work they commonly do by turns. In making of the holes we always take care to throw 

 " out all the bad soil that comes from the bottom ; if the planting be on the side of a hill, 

 " we lay the bad soil on the lower side of the hole, so as to form a kind of basin : for 

 " without this care our plants would lose the advantage of such rains as fall hastily. — 

 " We at all times make the holes sufficiently large, which is done with great ease after 

 " our deep ploughing. 



" Before we set the plant, we throw a few spadefuls of the top soil into the hole, setting 

 "the plant thereon with its top rather inclining to the west; then fill up the hole with 

 *' the best top soil, taking care that it closes well with the roots, leaving no part hollow, 

 " When the hole is well filled up, one of the planters treads and fastens the tree firmly 

 " with his feet, while his partner proceeds to make the next hole. 



" The fastening a tree well is a material article in planting ; for if it once becomes 

 " loose, the continual motion which the wind occasions, is sure to destroy the fibi'es as fast 

 " as they are produced, which must end in the destruction of the plant, if not prevented. 

 " It is to guard against this inconveniency that we take off so much of the top, as has been 

 " described in the article of pruning. 



" We plant about three or four hundred Birches of the large size on an acre, and nearly 

 " the same number of the first-sized Oaks ; we also plant here and there a Beech, Larch, 

 " Spanish Chestnut, &c. exclusive of the patches of' the said sorts of trees before planted.— 

 "We then proceed to plant plentifully of the second and lesser-sized Oaks; and last 

 " of all a great number of the small Birches, which are procured from the woods at about 

 " three shillings or three shillings and sixpence per thousand : These we remove 

 "to the succeeding plantations after the term of five or six years. Of the several 

 ♦'sizes of the different kinds of trees, we generally plant upwards of two thousand plants 

 " upon an acre of land, all in an irregular manner. 



" After the planting is finished we then sow the acorns, provided it be a season that 

 " they can be had,) all over the plantation, except amongst the Beech, Larch, &c. in the 

 "aforesaid patches. Great care should be taken to preserve the acorns intended for this 

 "purpose, as they are very subject to sprout, especially soon after gathering; the best 

 "method is to lay them thin in a dry airy place, and give them frequent turnmgs. — 

 " We sow these acorns in short drills of about a foot in length, which work is done very 

 " readily by two men, one with the acorns, the other with a hoe for the purpose of makmg 

 " drills and covering the seed. 



"We are of opinion that the plants produced from these acorns will at last make 

 "the best trees; however, I will not pretend to say how that may be, as the Oaks 



