OF FOREST-TREES. 



255 



constant moisture, yet should be planted in rather a dryish ground, than CHAP. XX. 

 over moist and spewing, which we frequently cut trenches to avert. It ^-•^"Y'V/ 

 likewise yields more limber and flexible twigs for baskets, flaskets, ham- 

 pers, cages, lattices, cradles, &c. It is of excellent use for the bodies of 

 coaches and waggons, being light, durable, and neat, as it may be wrought 

 and covered. It is good for chairs, hurdles, stays, bands, the stronger 

 for being contused and wreathed ; likewise for fish- weirs, and to support 

 the banks of impetuous rivers : In fine, for all wicker and twiggy works ; 



Viminibus Salices Virg. 



17. But these sorts of Oziers should be cut in the new shoot ; for if they 

 stand longer they become more inflexible : Cut them close to the head, a 

 foot or so above the earth, about the beginning of October, unless you 

 will attend till the cold be past, which is better ; and yet we about Lon- 

 don cut them in the most piercing seasons, and plant them also till 

 Candlemas, which those who do not observe, we judge ill husbands, as 

 I learn from a very experienced basket-maker ; and in the decrease, for 

 the benefit of the workman, though not altogether for that of the stock, 

 and succeeding shoot. A¥hen they are cut, make them up into bundles, 

 and give them shelter ; but such as are for white work, as they call it, 

 being thus fagotted and made up in bolts, as their term is, severing each 

 sort by themselves, should be set in water, the ends dipped ; and indeed 

 all peeled wares of the vimineous kind are not otherwise preserved from 

 the worm ; but for black and luipeeled, shelter them under covert only, 

 or in some vault or cellar, to keep them fresh, sprinkling them now and 

 then in excessive hot weather : The peelings of the former, or rather the 

 splicings, are for the use of the gardener and cooper. 



18. We have in England these three vulgar sorts; one of little worthy 

 being brittle, and very much resembling the fore-mentioned Sallow, with 

 reddish twigs, and more greenish and rounder leaves : Another kind there 

 is, called Perch, of limber and green twigs, having a very slender leaf. 

 The third sort is totally like the second, only the twigs are not altogether 

 so green, but yellowish, and near the Popinjay : This is the very best for 

 use, being tough and hardy. But the most usual names b}'' which basket- 

 makers call them about London, and which are all of different species, 

 therefore to be planted separately, are, the Hard Gelster, the Horse 



