MS 



A DISCOURSE 



hollow substance, the least diminution, or bruise, will greatly endanger 

 the killing : But see here what we have said of the Chestnut. I have 

 been told, that the very tops and palish-buds of this tree, when it first 

 sprouts, though as late as April, will take hold of the ground, and grow 

 to an incredible improvement ; but first they steep them in milk and 

 saffron : however this attempt did not succeed with us, yet it may be 

 propagated by a branch slipped off with some of the old wood, and set 

 in February. An industrious and very experienced husbandman told 

 me, that if they be transplanted as big as one's middle, it may be done 

 safer than when younger : I do only report it. What they hint of putting 

 a tile-shard under the nuts when first set, to divaricate and spread the 

 roots, (which are otherwise apt to penetrate very deep,) 1 like well enough. 

 It is certain they will receive their own cions being graffed, and that it 

 does improve the fruit. The best compost is the strewing of ashes at the 

 foot of tlie trees ; the salt whereof being washed into the earth, is the best 

 dressing, whilst the juice of the fallen leaves, though it kill the worm, is 

 noxious to the root. This tree does not refuse to thrive even among 

 others, and in great woods, provided you shrip up the collateral arms. 



2. The Walnut delights in a dry, sound, and rich land, especially if it 

 incline to a feeding chalk or marl ; and where it may be protected from 

 the cold, (though it affects cold rather than extreme heat,) as in great pits, 

 valleys, and highway sides ; also in stony-grounds^ if loamy, and on hills, 

 especially chalky ; likewise in corn-fields. Thus, Burgundy abounds with 

 them, wh ere they stand in the midst of goodly wheat-lands, at sixty and an 

 hundred feet distance, and so far are they from hurting the crop, that they 

 are looked upon as great preservers by keeping the ground warm, nor do 

 the roots hinder the plough. Whenever they fell a tree, which is only 

 the old and decayed, they always plant a young one near it ; and in 

 several places betwixt Hanau and Frankfort in Germany, no young 

 farmer whatsoever is permitted to marry a wife, till he bring proof that 

 he hath planted, and is a father of such a stated number of Walnut-trees ; 

 and the law is inviolably observed to this day, for the extraordinary 

 benefit which this tree affords the inhabitants. In truth, were this timber 

 in greater plenty amongst us, we should have far better utensils of all 

 sorts for our houses, as chairs, stools, bedsteads, tables, wainscot, cabi- 

 nets, &c. instead of the more vulgar Beech, subject to the worm, weak 

 and unsightly ; but which, to counterfeit, and deceive the unwary, they 



BOOK I. 



