OF FOREST-TREES. 



257 



Martias ; that is about the new moon, and first open weather of the CHAP. XX. 



early spring. 



23. It is in France, upon the Loire, where these Eyghts, as we term 

 them, and plantations of Oziers and Withies, are perfectly understood ; 

 aftd both there, and in divers other countries beyond seas, they raise 

 them of seed contained in their juli, or catkins, which they sow in 

 furrows, or shallow trenches, and it springs up like corn in the blade, 

 and comes to be so tender and delicate, that they frequently mow them 

 with a scythe. This we have attempted in England too, even in the 

 place where I live ; but the obstinate and unmerciful weeds did so 

 confound them, that it was impossible to keep them clean with any 

 ordinary industry, and so they were given over : It seems, either weeds 

 gi'ow not so fast in other countries, or that the people, which I rather 

 think, are more patient and laborious. 



Note, — That these juli are not all of them seed-bearers, some are 

 sterile, and wh atever you raise of them will never come to bear ; and 

 therefore by some they are called the male sort, as JMr. Ray, that learned 

 botanist, has observed. The Ozier is of that emolument, that in some 

 places I have heard that twenty pounds has been given for one acre ; ten 

 is in this part an usual price ; and doubtless it is far preferable to the 

 best corn-land, not only for that it needs but once planting, but because 

 it yields a constant crop and revenue to the world's end ; and is there- 

 fore in esteem of knowing persons, valued in purchase accordingly ; 

 considered likewise how easily it is renewed, when a plant now and 

 then fails, by but pricking in a twig of the next at hand, when you visit 

 to cut them. We have in the parish near Greenwich, where I lately 

 dwelt, improved land from less than one pound to near ten pounds the 

 acre : And when we shall reflect upon the infinite quantities of them we 

 yearly bring out of France and Flanders, to supply the extraordinary 

 expense of basket-work, &c. for the fruiterers, lime-burners, gardeners, 

 coopers, packers-up of all sorts of ware, and for general carriage, which 

 seldom last above a journey or two, I greatly admire gentlemen do not 

 more think of employing their moist grounds (especially where tides near 

 fresh rivers are reciprocal) in planting and propagating Oziers. To 

 omit nothing of the culture of this useful Ozier, Pliny would have 

 the place to be prepared by trenching it a foot and a half deep, 



V oiume I. ll 



