100 



A DISCOURSE 



BOOK I. I had removed to a northern dripping shade. I have seen (writes a 

 "^1^^ worthy friend to me on this occasion) whole hedge-rows of apples and 

 pears that quite perished after their shelter was removed ; the good hus- 

 bands expected the contrary, and that the fruit should improve, as freed 

 from the predations of the hedge ; but use and custom made that shelter 

 necessary, and therefore, saith he, a stock for a time is the weaker, 

 taken out of a thicket, if it be not well protected from all sudden and 

 fierce invasions, either of crude air or winds. Nor let any be deterred, 

 if, being to remove many trees, he shall esteem it too consumptive of 

 time ; for, with a brush dipped in any white colour, or ochre, a thousand 

 may be speedily marked as they stand ; and that once done, the diffi- 

 culty is over. I have been the larger upon these two remarks, because I 

 find them so material, and yet so much neglected 



8. There are other rules concerning the situation of trees ; the former 

 author commending the north-east wind, both for the flourishing of the 

 tree, and advantage of the timber ; but, to my observation, they thrive 

 the best in those parts of our climate where those sharp winds do rather 

 flanker than blow fully upon our plantations ; and there are as well other 

 circumstances to be considered, as they respect rivers, and marshes 

 obnoxious to unwholesome and poisonous fogs, hills, and seas, which 

 expose them to the weather, and those Sylvifragi venti, our cruel and 

 tedious western winds ; all which I leave to observation, because these 

 accidents do so universally govern, that it is not easy to determine 

 farther, than that the timber is commonly better qualified which hath 

 endured the colder aspects without these prejudices. And hence it is 

 that Seneca observes, wood most exposed to the winds to be the most 

 strong and solid ; and that therefore Chiron made Achilles's spear of a 

 mountain tree, and of those the best, which grow thin, not much shel- 

 tered from the north. Again, Theophrastus seems to have special regard 

 to places, exemplifying in many of Greece, which exceed others for good 



* When it is judged necessary to transplant trees of a large size, Mr. Evelyn's advice 

 seems highly to be commended, though Mr. Miller treats it as chimerical. With smaller 

 trees the caution is unnecessary. 



y From Pelion's cloudy top an Ash entire 

 Old Chiron fell'd, and shap'd it for his sire. 



POPE. 



