PREFACE. 
XXV 
tcr's frofts alfo, by expanding the moifture 
contained in the earth, loofen and break 
the clods, fo as to make them give way 
to the fpreading roots of vegetables : 
Swine, Moles, and fome other animals, 
root up and loofen the earth, and fit it 
to receive the feeds of plants. 
The Rev. Mr. Robin fon, ReCfor of 
Oufby in Cumberland, in his Natural 
Hiftory of We ft morel and and Cumber- 
land, part II. page 97, fays, u that birds 
“ are natural planters of all forts ot 
“ wood and trees: they difleminate the 
£t kernels upon the earth, which, like 
“ nurferies, brings them forth till they 
“ grow up to their natural ftrength and 
£C perfection.” He fays, ct About twenty- 
“ live years ago, coming from Rofe- 
££ Caftle early in the morning, I obferved 
££ a great number of Crows very bufy 
££ at their work, upon a declining ground 
££ of a moft'y furface : I went out of 
££ my way on purpofe to view their la- 
££ hour, and I found they were planting 
££ a grove of oaks. The manner of their 
tc planting w r as thus: they firft made lit- 
t£ tie holes in the earth with their bills, 
££ going about and about till the hole 
££ was deep enough, and then they drop- 
££ ped in the acorn, and covered it with 
££ earth and mofs : the young plantation 
£t is now growing up to a thick grove 
££ of Oaks, fit for ufe, and of height for 
<c the Crows to build their nefts in. I 
££ told it to the owner of the ground, 
^ who obferved them to fpring up, and 
£C took care to fecure their growth and 
£t rifing. The fealon was at the latter 
£C end of autumn, when all feeds were 
££ full ripe/’ 
montagnes cn cert dines fatjbns , couvrent les 
plaines , ct enrichijfent I a ter re par le limon 
que lenrs eaax y depofent . Les gelees d’ In- 
ver contribuent aufii a la vegetation ; car y 
cn dilatant rhumidite de la terre, elles re - 
Idcbent les mottes fuffifiamment pour donner 
pajjage aux racincs des vegetaux qui sc ten- 
dent : les Cochons y les VaupeSy et qitelqucs 
autres animauXy fouijjent et remuent la terre y 
et la rendent propre a recevoir les femences 
des plant es . 
M. Robinfoiiy Minijlre d'QuJby , dans la 
province de Cumberland , dity * que £( les oi - 
£C feaux font les planteurs naturels de toute 
“ forte de bois et d'arbres : ils foment les my - 
££ aux fur la terre y qui les fait croitre, comme 
££ des pepinieresy jufqud ce qiiils foient par- 
££ venus a leur crue et a leur perfection natu- 
££ relle. 11 y a, ditdl, environ vingt cinq 
£t anSy que revenant du Chateau de la Roje 
££ du bon mat in , japperqus un grand nombre 
£C de Corneilles fort occupies d I'ouvrage fur 
t£ un ter rein penchant , qui etoit convert de 
£ £ moujfe : je mecartai de mon chemin pour ex - 
££ aminer leur tr avail , et je trouvai qu dies 
££ plant oient une chenaye . Void la manicre 
££ dont dies plantoient: elles comme n^oient par 
££ faire de petits trous en ter re avec leur bec y 
££ en tournant et retour nant tout an tour % juf- 
“ qua ce que le iron jut ajfez profond ; ct alors 
££ dies y laijfoient tomber le gland , et le cou- 
££ vroient de terre et de meufje : cette planta - 
££ tion devient aClucllement un bois epais de 
££ chenes propre s a sen fervir, et ajfez hauls 
££ pour que les Corneilles y puifjhit hdtir leurs 
££ nids . fen avert is le proprietaire duter- 
£t rehiy qui les vit lever , et qui prit Join de les 
££ protiger et d' encourager leur accroijfement. 
£C Cdaarrivaversla fin de Vauiomneyquand 
££ toutes les Jemences font parj'aitcment mures." 
* Dans fon Hift. Nat. de Welhnorland. et de Cumber- 
land, par. II. pa. 97. 
O' 
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