t 



184 



A DISCOURSE 



BOOK I. attempt, if some would inquire out, and try the planting of such sorts 

 as are not indigenous amongst us ; as is especially the German Aier, 

 and that of Virginia, not yet cultivated here, but an excellent tree : And 

 if this were extended likewise to other timber and exotic trees, it would 

 prove of extraordinary benefit and ornament to the public, and were 

 worthy even of the Royal care. They are all produced of seeds contained 



curious part of the wood, the extravagance of purchasers was incredible. We read of a table 

 made of the Bruscum, which cost ten hundred thousand sesterces, and of another that cost 

 upwards of fifteen hundred thousand. The Maple is seldom planted in such quantities 

 together as to form woods ; but where they appear in plantations, they are generally cut 

 down for underwood ; for which purpose they answer extremely well, as they shoot away 

 from their stools very fast, and make tolerable fuel. The largest trees are generally found 

 in hedge-rows, where they are occasionally to be met with all over the kingdom. The 

 timber is used for several curious purposes, such as musical instruments, inlayings, &c. — 

 For turnery ware it is superior to most other woods. The flower-buds of the Maple begin 

 to open about the sixth of April, and the leaves are out about the eighteenth. The flowers 

 are in full blow about the eleventh of May, and the seeds are ripe in the autumn. If a 

 quantity of these trees are wanted, they may be raised in the same manner as the Sycamore, 

 and managed accordingly. 



3. ACER CnegvndoJ foliis compositis, floribus racemosis. Lin. Sp. PI. 1497. Acer 

 maximum, foliis trifidis et quinquefidis, Virginianum. Pluk. Aim. Virginian ash-leaved 



MAPLE. 



This is a quick grower, and becomes a large timber-tree. It is admirably adapted to cause 

 a beautiful variety in our woods, though it is not proper to be planted in exposed places, 

 the branches being subject to split when attacked by violent winds. The leaves are of a pale 

 green colour, moderately large, and fall off pretty early in the autumn. The timber 

 is extremely useful for turners ; and like the Norway Maple, serves all the purposes of the 

 Sycamore. It is propagated by the keys, which this tree, though a native of Virginia, 

 perfects in our country. It is also propagated by layers, or by planting the cuttings, in a 

 moist situation, in the autumn. 



4. ACER (PLATANOiDKS ) foliis quinquelobis acuminatis acute dentatis glabris, floribus 

 corymbosis. Lin. Sp. PI. I4961. The norjvay maple, with plane-tree leaves. 



This Maple will grow to a large timber'tree, and therefore should be raised to increase the 

 variety in our plantations. The leaves are of a shining green colour, look beautiful 

 all summer, and die to a golden yellow in the autumn. This tree perfects its seeds with 

 us ; so that it may be raised in the same manner as the Sycamore, from the keys. It may 

 also be propagated by layers and by cuttings ; which, if planted in a moist soil in autumn, 

 will grow. These should be ordered in the nursery-way, as was before directed, and 

 managed till they are of a sufficient size to be planted out for good. These trees being 

 scarce, have been hitherto seldom planted, unless in wilderness-quarters for ornament. — 

 But as it is a very quick grower, arrives at a great bulk, and answers all the purposes of the 

 Sycamore, the raising it, even for this use, as well as for ornament and variety, should 



