254 



A DISCOURSE 



ROOK I. hardy than even Willows and Oziers ; of which Columella takes as much 

 -'^'^y^-^ care as of Vines themselves. But it is cheaper to supply the vacuity of 

 accidental decays by a new plantation, than to be at the charge of 

 digging about them three times a-year, as that author advises, seeing 

 some of them will decay whatever care be used. 



12. Sallows may also be propagated like Vines, by courbingand bow- 

 ing them in arches, and covering some of their parts with mould, &:c. 

 also by cuttings and layers, and some years by the seeds likewise. 



13. For settlings, those are to be preferred which grow nearest to the 

 stock, and so (consequently) those worst which most approach the top. 

 They should be planted in the first fair and pleasant weather in February, 

 before they begin to bud : we about London begin at the latter end of 

 December. They may be cut in spring for fuel, but best in autumn for 

 use ; but in this work (as of Poplar) leave a twig or two, which being 

 twisted arch-wise, will produce plentiful sprouts, and suddenly furnish a 

 head. 



14. If in our copses every fourth set were a Sallow, amongst the rest of 

 varieties, the profit would recompense the care ; therefore where in woods 

 you grub up trees, thrust in truncheons of Sallows, or some aquatic kind. 

 In a word, an acre or two furnished with this tree, would prove of great 

 benefit to the planter. 



I 



15. The swift-growing Sallow is not so tough and hardy for some uses 

 as the slower, which makes stocks for gardeners' spades ; but it is proper 

 for rakes, pikes, mops, &c. Sallow-coal is the soonest consumed, but of 

 all others the most easy and accommodate for painters' scriblets to design 

 their work, and first sketches on paper, &c. as being fine, and apt to slit 

 into pencils. Of the Sallow, (as of the Lime-tree,) are made the shoe- 

 makers' carving or cutting- boards, as best to preserve the edge of their 

 knives, for its equal softness every way* 



16. Oziers, or the aquatic and lesser Salix, are of innumerable kinds, 

 commonly distinguished from Sallows, as Sallows are from Withies, being 

 so much smaller than the Sallows, and shorter lived, and requiring more 



