OF FOREST-TREES. 221 



sown and harrowed in very accurately ; but in case the mould be clay, cH. XVII. 

 plough it earlier, and let it be sufficiently mellowed with the frosts ; and ' ^'^^ 

 then the third year cut your trees near to the ground with a sharp bill, 

 the moon decreasing. 



shillings and sixpence a bundle of sixty hoops. The Byzantine Nut is distinguished from 

 the other species chiefly by the stipulae, which are very narrow and acute, whereas those 

 of the common nut are oval and obtuse. It differs also in the size of its growth, the 

 Byzantine seldom growing higher than four or five feet, hence it got the name of Drvarf 

 Nut-tree. In other respects it is like our Common Nut-tree ; it flowers at the same time, and 

 the fruit is produced in clusters. Mr. Miller suspects this and the Barcelona Nut to be 

 the same. 



The Filbert, or Corylus sativa frudu ohlongo, is not a distinct species, but only a variety 

 of the Common Nut. This can only be kept true to its kind by suckers, or layers, which 

 last are observed to make the best trees. In order to form stools, some plants of the best 

 kinds should be procured, and the twigs layered from them should be taken off and planted 

 in the nursery. When well rooted, they may be removed into the ground where they are 

 to remain. In some parts of Kent," plantations of Filberts are much attended to. The 

 trees are never permitted to rise above six feet in height, and are regularly pruned and 

 dished out like Gooseberry-bushes. They should stand at the distance of twelve feet, and 

 when full spread the diameter of the cup formed by the branches should be about six feet. 

 The intermediate spaces should be cultivated with beans, turnips, and hoeing crops ; for 

 upon the constant stirring of the ground the vigour of the trees principally depends. I am 

 well informed that a bushel of nuts has been gathered from one tree managed in this 

 manner. In a scarce year. Filberts in the husk are worth twenty-four shillings per 

 bushel ; — a great encouragement for plantations of this species. Hops are sometimes 

 raised between the Filbert-trees, so that the expectations of the planter may be gratified 

 with one and sometimes two crops. 



It is an observation of great antiquity, and well confirmed, that " a good nut year makes 

 a good wheat year." Virgil speaking of the Walnut-tree says. 



Si superant foetus, pariter frumenta sequentur. georg. i. 1. 189. 



I have a peculiar pleasure in laying before the public the following letter, received from 

 a gentleman much conversant in the management of Filbert-trees. " When the Filberts 

 "raised from layers, are eight inches high, there will spring from them several small 

 " branches. Those in the centre must be cut out, in order that the tree may be trained 

 " in the form of a punch-bowl. The branches must not be permitted to exceed six feet 

 "in height, and all kept of an equal length. The trees should be planted at the distance 

 " of four yards from each other, and these, if well trained, will nearly touch in a few years. 

 " It will be necessary to dig well about them every year, and every third year to give them 

 " a good dressing of manure, as also to top the bearing branches early in the spring.— 

 " Carefully remove all suckers and shoots about the roots. A tree thus trained, has been 

 « known to produce two stone of nuts in the husk ; and I am credibly informed, that 

 "4001. has been made of the produce of one acre, sold at thirty shillings per bushel, in the 

 "London market." 



