Maison rustique, or The countrey farme· Compyled in the French tongue by Charles Steuens, and Iohn Liebault, Doctors of Physicke. And translated into English by Richard Surflet, practitioner in physicke. Now newly reuiewed, corrected, and augmented, with diuers large additions, out of the works of Serres his Agriculture, Vinet his Maison champestre, French. Albyterio in Spanish, Grilli in Italian; and other authors. And the husbandrie of France, Italie, and Spaine, reconciled and made to agree with ours here in England: by Geruase Markham. The whole contents are in the page following

Of Wood.

CHAP. V.

What is to be considered before a man go about to plant wood.

TO order and cause a new wood to be planted, you must know the ground wherein you would plant any thing, as whether it be fat or leane, whe∣ther it be of a reasonable depth of earth or no: and likewise if it bee subiect to waters; because that some trees by nature lo••e the water, as the aller* 1.1 an dothers of the same nature: and according to the nature and propertie of the ground, you must applie your selfe to fit it with such, as it may nourish most, both for your profit and pleasure.

You must see and set downe first and before all other things, that the ground bee of such goodnesse as is requisite: and you must likewise vnderstand that two of the noblest trees and esteemed worth most siluer, are the oake* 1.2 and the chesnut tree,* 1.3 and that for two principall reasons: the one because they beare such fruits as whereof mixed with a little barley or oates, one may make bread in the time of famine: the other, because it is not in the nature of any tree to afford so good timber as the said two, the oake and chesnut tree do, being either of them considered in its proper qualitie.

The third excellent sort of trees is the elme:* 1.4 and notwithstanding it be inferiour to the other, because it beareth no fruit,* 1.5 and for that the lease thereof is nothing so pleasant, in respect of the leaues of the oake and the chesnut tree: yet ••he tree is worth the hauing, euen for that it may be headded after the manner of willowes, and cut euerie foure yeares to make props and fagots: but the chesnut tree* 1.6 is a great deale better, more neate and fine, and bearing more fruit than other trees which are of its nature: neither doth it stand in need of so good and fat a gr••und as doth the oake, and againe the Caterpillers and such other vermine doe not h••••nt and fall vpon it, as they doe vpon the oake and elme. And further when the locusts come, which is euerie three yeares,* 1.7 as I my selfe haue seene, they eate not the leaues of the chesnut trees, because they find leaues vpon the oakes: for the yeare of the lo∣custs doth hinder some wood more than of a yeares growth, whereas besides that priuiledge, the chesnut tree doth ordinarily grow more in one yere than the oke doth in two.

Yet is the oake accounted the King of the forrest, both in respect of his large∣nesse and hudgenesse, as also for his hardnesse and long indurance; for of all tim∣bers not any is i•• so long lasting, or fit for building either vpon the land or water, as oake is: it is also the most principall timber that may bee either for boordes, plankes, wainscot, or any other ••eeling whatsoeuer, and of all manner of oakes, those are preserued and kept as the best and principall which grow vpon the clay grounds, as being the finest, hardest, ••oundest, and most durable timber: those oakes which grow vpon the sandie grounds being much more brickle, falser hear∣ted, and much lesse able to endure the violence of the weather, or the continuall bea∣ti••g of the wet, when it must necessarily fall vpon the same: whence it comes that the Ship-wright or the Mill-wright euer make choice of the strong clay oake, and the Ioyner of the sand oake, which though it bee lesse durable, yet it is fairest and whitest to looke on. The elme besides the benefit of his head (which is commonly for the fire) is a most excellent timber for the ground worke of any thing, or to be lodged in the ground for any necessarie purpose, especially to make pipes for the conueyance of water; for it is a wood of that infinit toughnesse, that if it lie close

and well hid in the earth, it seldome or neuer consumeth in the same: it is also rare∣ly good to make bow-staues withall, and excepting the yew is the principall best for that purpose: it is no lesse good to make axel-trees either for Wagons, Carts, or Waines, being neither so brickle, nor apt to heate and breake as the ash is: the young plants are good to make beeles for yoakes, by which oxen draw either in waines or ploughes: and lastly, is an excellent tree to plant in alleyes or walkes, or about hou∣ses for shade, bearing a large head like the Cicamore, and fully as round, and as much extended: and the leafe naturally of it selfe being broad, and growing so thicke, that hardly neither the Sunne nor the raine can possibly passe through the same, neither is it tender but very apt to grow, and may be remoued at any time or age, as long as it is portable and meete to be wi••lded by the strength of any one man.

It is very true, that the elme groweth easily and plentifully, after that it hath taken with the ground. And who so would for varietie sake mingle diuers sorts of trees of diuers natures, as maple, beech, aspe, and such other kinds of wood, may do it, but the moe okes and chesnut trees a man groweth, the better he doth.

CHAP. VI.

Of the seating and disposing of a wood for growing of high and great timber trees.

WHo soeuer hath a faire plot of eight or ten acres of ground, and would make it shew faire and beautifull the first yeare, and that by bringing the wood into some shape and commendable forme, with hope of fur∣ther delight & pleasure from the same in time to come, must for the first yere wall it about or else ditch it so well, and plant it with hedges of quickset, as that no cattell may possibly be able to enter thereinto. And if the said plot should come to be ditched, then I am freely contented to vtter my opinion at some other time, con∣cerning the fashion that they are to bee made after, as also how, when they are made they must be planted or set with quickset.

But presuppose that the said square plot is inclosed with a wall, and that the said square hath foure sides, that is to say, two of length and two of bredth, mine aduise is that all the sides of the said wal should be couered and clothed with greenenesse, and with foure sorts of trees, and six foot thicke and large, seeing that nature reioiceth in varietie, that so both the walls may be kept from being seene, and there may be a walk betwixt two greenes.

The said couerts shall bee made according to the good liking of the Lord, as for example, one of the sides if it should so seeme good vnto him, euen the South side with hasell and white hawthorne, because these are the first leaues that doe first put forth in the spring time, as those also wherin the nightingale doth make her neast: another of the sides with barberrie trees, which are beautifull and serue for very ma∣ny vses, spreading themselues in comely sort, when they meet with a good ground: The third side being that whereupon the Sunne beateth at his rising, with ••ame osi∣ers, which may serue in husbandrie, and therewithall also make a faire shew: and the fourth side with yong peare-tree plants, with some white thorne plants amongst, as at the end of euerie foure foote square, which are more greene than any other sorts of trees, and they will bee of vse for to graft many faire grafts vpon, and good store of great medlars.

The alleyes* 1.8 about the said wood must be twelue foot broad, and vpon the edges of all the said alleyes, as well on those that are toward the wall, as on the other, there must be planted elmes euery one foure fadome from another, hauing their heads cut off, and their bodies remaining a seuen foote high or thereabout, to giue some

grace and comlinesse vnto the said alleyes: because that if a man should walke in the fairest place in the world, if there be no sweetnesse to be found in it, it proueth tedi∣ous and irkesome. For this cause, if it please the Lord of the farme to plant along the said alleyes certaine fruit trees,* 1.9 as also wallnut-trees, and those such as may sute euery season of the yeare, he may do it.

Further, it may seeme that all the said trees should be set from foure feet to foure feet, and that by the leuell of a line euery way, aswell to please the sight of the eie, as also for that sometimes men are desirous to make alleyes within the wood, and then if the draughts be straight, it is more easie for to make them.

CHAP. VII.

Of the manner of planting trees in woods of high and tall growth.

IF you purpose to plant these trees well, you must presently make dithes in manner of furrowes, as you are woont to doe in the planting of vines, wherein they must be planted, to the end the earth may feed it selfe in aire, and that it may battle and grow fat, with the raine and snow which shall fall during Winter vpon them vnto the end of December, or vnto the begin∣ning of Ianuarie.

These trenches are not to be made aboue two foot deepe; but they must be well handled in the bottome, and that by laying the good earth vpon one side of the fur∣row, and that which is lesse worth vpon the other, and not to cast it abroad, to the end that if the bottome should proue bad ground, or otherwise to bee ouer deepe, then there might be cast into the said furrow or trench some of that good earth which shal be on the side, to the end that the roots of the tree may not busie themselues in sear∣ching a bad bottome, in steed of stretching forth themselues, in largenesse, and you must so leaue the trenches and furrowes all Winter long, for the receiuing of the rain water when it commeth: and they must be so wide, as that one may turne a yard euery way round within.

The said trees must be planted in December, if it be possible, and that the times be fauorable,* 1.10 as when it freezeth not: for great frosts are great enemies to the good pro∣ceeding of this worke.

You should rather cast to plant trees that are alreadie growne vp, than to deale with the sowing of acornes or chesnuts, because it requireth great care and industrie to make the said seed to grow: and as concerning the seed it selfe, that of the chesnut groweth sooner than that of the acorne. And whenas you go about to sow them, it must be done with leauing a foot distance betwixt one and another with the largest, and in the end of great frosts: because that during the said frosts, the mowles do eate the chesnuts in the ground.

As concerning the planting of trees alreadie growne, they must be taken vp with as many roots as they can possibly, and after they be taken vp, if there by any of their roots broken, to cut the same: and those which are not broken, to cut their ends for to refresh them, the length of three or foure fingers, more or lesse, as the roots may beare it. You must make choice of a young plant, that hath a liuely and cleane barke, not rough and ouergrowne with mosse, a good and handsome root, a straight shanke, and long without scares or frets: and before you plant it, it will bee good to cast into the furrow some good earth, taken from the side of the same trench, to the thicknesse of a finger or two, and vpon that, to set the tree which you are to plant, then couering the rootes with earth, to sway vpon them gently with your hands, that so there may not any aire stay about them, and in filling vp the said furrowes, you must prouide that they haue some sloping of earth, both on the one side and on the other, in maner of a gutter, to the end that if it raine, the raine and moisture may run away the more easily.

And to the end that the planted trees may grow the better, you must lay their longest roots all along the trench, on the one side, and on the other: and if by hap it fall out that there be long ones on euerie side; so as that they cannot easily bee laied along in the furrow, you must inlarge the furrow a little in the place where such roots require it to be enlarged, to the end that the said roots may not touch the firme and fast earth, but may bee buried and wrapt in soft earth that hath beene moued and stirred.

You must likewise cut off by the top of the shanke all the trees which you plant, that is to say, such as you plant to make high and tall tymber trees, or which you mind to set along by the sides of the alleyes, till you haue not left a∣boue the length of fiue or sixe foote to stand out of the earth, to the end that they may the sooner beare a great quantitie of woode: but the trees which you are purposed to plant for lowe and small wood, must bee cut, that there bee not left aboue a foote and a halfe, for it will bee sufficient if they haue the length of foure inches out of the ground: neither is there any danger in mingling chesnut trees with oakes, except a man bee purposed to plant one wood with oakes one∣ly, and another with chesnut trees: and as concerning the thickenesse of the said trees, it needeth no deepe aduice, for they may bee either of the thickenesse of a chesnut, tennise-ball, or some other such like: but rather the care is, that they bee well and newly taken vp, and planted the same day they bee taken vp, or at the farthest the day following.

Neither is it doubtfull, but if they bee of much larger and bigger compasse, as seuen or eight foot in length, (aboue the ground) and twentie inches in compasse: yet they will grow as well and as fast as the younger, especially, the ••lme aboue all other trees: nor would I wish you, if you can get them, to chuse plants of any lesse bignesse. And howbeit that some Woodwards are of opinion, that the ash would bee planted but of a meane length, because say they, looke how m••ch it is aboue the earth, so much it will shoot out in roote vnder the earth, before it begin to pros∣per aboue: yet it is but a false coniecture, and if you intend to haue a faire and a large tree, you must chuse the fairest and largest plants that you can get, and then planting them in a conuenient and due time, and in a fit earth, they will in one Win∣ter recouer that roote which shall preserue them from perishing euer after: againe you must remember that as soone as you haue fixed your plants in the earth, and co∣uered them wel & close, which is a principal care, you must then forthwith couer the top of the head all ouer, and at least halfe a foote downeward with clay and mosse st••sly well tempered together, and if the clay be apt to chap or riue, then you shall mingle a few ashes therewith, and so keepe it closse couered till the new branches spred forth and couer the head all ouer, then when those branches are put out, and are tender, you shall plash and order them at your pleasure, whether it be to make a tree for timber, or for shade, for speciall marke, or for any other deuice whatsoeue.

The wood thus planted, must bee twice laboured and tilled, once in the end of Aprill, and the second time at the end of Iulie, after the fall of some great raine vpon thunder: and if the caterpiller shall fall vpon it within the yeare, it must bee clensed and freed from them.

CHAP. VIII.

Of the time when wood is to be tilled and husbanded.

IT is here to be noted that the chiefe & principall furtherance and com∣fort that can be giuen to trees, either reclaimed or wild, is the labour be∣stowed vpon them in due & conuenient time, for the more they are hus∣banded & tilled, so much the more do they grow and prosper in great∣nesse: wherfore dressing and labour is necessary for young plants* 1.11 of all sorts of trees,

as well small as great, and especially the foure first yeares, they must be husbanded throughly, and plied with two seuerall dressings euery yeare as vines are, that is to say, towards the middest of Aprill, when they begin to put forth their buds, and to∣wards the end of Iune, & this must be done in moist & rainie weather, and not when drying winds or heat doth raigne, because the ground then stirred would do nothing but turn to dust,* 1.12 which would destroie the young springs, and cause them die: againe the said earth dressed at such time doth more easily conueigh the drienesse of the drie earth turned downe, vnto the rootes of the trees, which is very contrarie vnto them; seeing that moisture is the thing that is required for the nourishment of plants: and againe if the ground be moist, it ioineth it selfe close vnto the roots, and lendeth vnto them of his moisture. The other reason is, for that the earth being newly opened, by its lying open, giueth pas••age for the water, raine, or dew, to enter more easily vnto the said roots.

The principall labour to be made about all trees, is to root out all weeds,* 1.13 seeing they are giuen to grow euery where in all grounds, and which, if they be suffered to grow vp, sucke, purloine, and carrie away the sap and substance of the earth in such sort, as that there is not left sufficient vertue and power to nourish the rootes of the late planted trees well and in good order, and this is perceiued by the labour made in dressing of the vine and gardens, the which the more they are husbanded and til∣led, so much the more fruite, and young springs they put forth, and become so much the more beautifull and faire. So it will bee the chiefe worke after you haue planted trees, to cause them to be so dressed in seasons that are moist, and that twice at the least: and that will cause them to grow greater of wood, greater of boughes, and to yeeld double profit.

And if extraordinarily the Sommer proue rainie, so as that your plants become ouergrowne with much weeds, it shall be left to the discretion of the husbandman, if he see that his plants be not cleane, to bestow a third dressing* 1.14 vpon them, to the end that the weeds may not smother the bud, and deuour the substance of the earth: for all plants come of heate and moisture;* 1.15 and if they be suffered to bee intangled with weeds, they will be smothered and in danger to be lost.

CHAP. IX.

That wood diligently dressed and husbanded, doth profit more than that which is not so dressed and husbanded.

I Know that there are many trees which are dayly seene to grow without such great paines taking and industrie, freely receiuing their naturall nourishment without aide or assistance, and that by reason of the fruit∣fulnesse either of the ground, or of the countrie; and yet if some one do so escape, a hundred die for it: and this I say for their sakes, who hauing once planted would be loath to loose their paines, and do conceaue that all or the greatest part doe thriue and prosper: which conceat is notwithstanding like to deceiue them, if they proceed not to dresse and husband them in conuenient sort, after they haue beene well planted, as is aboue declared.

Wherfore I haue applied my selfe to trie the issue of tilling of them according to art and knowledge,* 1.16 as also of leauing them vntilled: and I find that although the tree which groweth in the desert do grow vp sometimes vpon a perfect growth, not∣withstanding it groweth not in so short time, and the greatest part of it dieth: and that which is well tilled and planted, doth grow twice so much, and that not one of ten of them is lost, but that all prosper, of what sort of wild trees soeuer they by.

But some may replie, that labour is chargeable and costeth much, but in as much as it lasteth not alwaies, being to continue not past foure or fiue yeares at the most,

much like vnto the young plant of a vine, it will be found that the cost will not bee great, seeing especially that after such cost, it is freed from any more for euer. For after that wood is once grown vp to such height, as that weeds cannot ouer grow nor ouer∣crow it, (which will be in foure or fiue yeares if it be husbanded) then it smothereth the weeds that grow vnder it, and keepeth away from them both the Sunne and the aire with its shawdow, in such sort as that they die, and are not able to ouershadow or do any hurt vnto the wood.

CHAP. X.

Of remouing, lopping, pruning, and making cleane of wood.

THat your plant may grow the better, it is likewise requisite ••o remoue trees from a high, drie, and bad soile, into another ground that is more moist and fat, if it may be: by this meanes, in finding a better soile, the tree will take more easily: and there is no doubt, but the better the ground is, and the better that the plant is ordered, the sooner it will grow, become bigger, beare greater boughs and leaues rather than lesse, as may be seene in old for∣rests which are situated in fertile and fat countries, or in those which grow in sandie and bad grounds, as in Solonge,* 1.17 where woods continue very small and vntimely.

Woods planted and ordered (as is abouesaid) the first, second, and third yeare, must not bee touched with any edge toole: and yet notwithstanding towards the third and fourth yeares and those that follow, if you perceiue your wood so thicke set and spred, as that it riseth not, neither groweth high as it ought, you may cull out and cut away the small sprigs and little boughes as you shall find them, seeing they are good for nothing, and leaue behind you some three or foure of the principall braunches so stripped of their small twigs as your owne discretion will best direct you. This pruning of them would bee towards the moneth of March, after that the cold is passed and gone, that so the frost may not hurt the boughes that are cut and newly lopped, and you may continue thus to prune them vnto the middeh of April, at what time they begin to bud and put forth, but then it must be done gently, hol∣ding the shanke of the tree fast and firme without mouing or shaking of the rootes▪ And this pruning may be done euery yeare, if you will, and by this meanes, you may cause a new spring of small woods to grow, and to put forth eight or ten branches, fit for to bee plants for high and tall trees, by cutting away the side ones, and leauing three or foure of the fairest branches growing from the foot of the said small wood, so cut downe, according as you shall think good, so that you make choice of such as grow vp high and straight: and if they be not altogether strong enough to hold vp themselues, you may helpe them with some prettie small props and stickes, the better to hold them vp.

CHAP. XI.

Of the manner of sowing acornes for the growing of oakes

ALl sorts of wild trees grow* 1.18 of remoued plants, hauing good rootes, or of branches, or of the seeds and fruits which they beare, and whereby they re∣new themselues. Of the remoued plant, there hath alreadie enough beene said, as that it is more profitable, and of a more speedie and certaine growth: and therefore the sooner able to bestow pastime vpon his master.

The second way to grow trees, is to grow them of branches writhen and buried in the earth, gathered in such sort as that they may put forth roots, and take againe, as Columella hath very well set downe at large: notwithstanding, this way is long in taking root, and putting forth; and not to be practised, but where there are no plants to be come by. Wherefore I will not meddle with it in this place, because it is not done without difficultie and vncertaintie, and for that the pleasure thereof is long be∣before it is reaped: as also for that in this our countrie of France, there are many vn∣derwoods and strong hedges, where are to be gathered very easily, and that in great quantity, plants of all sorts of wild trees.

The third way is to sowe them of seed, as of acornes, beech maste, and of the seed that is in the leaues of elmes, for they bring forth such trees as those whereup∣on they themselues did grow: and such seeds may bee sowne in little furrowes made with a hacke or grubbing axe, and those not aboue foure or fiue fingers deepe, and therein to couer them againe very lightly with broken mould: or else they may bee sowne with the plough, as beanes and all other kinds of graine are: or with a deb∣bell, by which name they call a little sticke of halfe a foot long, and a finger or inch thicke. And of the three waies, the best is to plant or sow the acorne or other seed with the dibble, euerie one halfe a foot from another, or one foot euery one from another, by a straight line, or after the manner vsed in grounds broken vp with the hacke, making a small open place in the earth, and therein putting the acorne in the like distance of halfe a foot all along the furrowe: notwithstanding, it is not needfull to plant them so neere euerie manner of way; for the earth would not bee able to beare so much fruit as would growe, and so it must either be trans∣planted, or else it would proue out of course like a misborne thing. Wherefore you may leaue betwixt euery two furrows and plants, foure, fiue, or sixe foot distance sidewaies: and againe, if all prosper not, the worst and most ill fauouredly growne may be pulled vp.

And euen as small and great wood is to be dressed and husbanded, so also must their seed be ordered, but not after the like sort: for the mattocke would pull vp the seed, and therefore they must be vnderdigd very deftly, and the weeds weeded out all along the furrowes where the seedes are set, to the end that the weeds do not smo∣ther them, and that they doe not blinde them, taking away their aire, Sunne, and substance of the earth, whereof euerie young seede and plant standeth great∣ly in neede, as to bee holpen thereby to gather root and life, which is as yet in them very young and tender. By which meanes, you see that paines and labour taken about acornes and other seedes of trees, causeth them to grow and prosper so, as that they get the better of other plants, which in continuance might ouergrow them: b••t if they remaine as forsaken things without husbanding, they vvill bee choaked vp vvith vveedes, and the greatest part of them die: and those vvhich shall escape, vvill bee but of low growth, and appeare like an vntimely birth, lack∣ing helpe and dressing, except through long continuance of time they preuaile, and then they which planted or sowed, shall not reape any pleasure by them, but their heires onely.

And in all such sorts of planting and sowing of vvild seeds, it is necessarie to fence a place sowed or planted, so vvel and sufficiantly with ditches, hedges, or vvals, as that no beast, horse, or other may enter or get in: as also that thereby the vvood may bee kept from being handled or cut downe by passengers: for if the sprig bee brused or broken, the tree remaineth all parched and readie to drie.

According to this manner of planting of acornes, or chesnuts, they may very vvell and conueniently bee set and planted amongst the plants of trees, and rootes that are planted farre enough off one from another, for so they may haue roome be∣twixt two plants, being distant the quantitie of nine or ten foot, or thereabout, seeing it is meet and conuenient to nourish trees, and to destroie vveedes. By this meanes the acornes and chesnuts, or any other thing planted vvith the dibble, or sowne in furrowes, is dressed amongst the rest, and made to enioy sufficient scope betwixt

two plants, there to take their full growth, vntill they become like high, or very neere with the trees planted or cut, neither do they cost extraordinarily for their dressing, because the whole ground is to be dressed, because of the other plants that are in it. And in as much as it is oftentimes found in countries that there are neither vnder∣woods, woods, bushes, nor hedges whereout any may get a plant growing from roots, I haue thought good to intreat a little of the meanes of making it grow of seed. Like as is woont to bee done with fruit trees, and those which are taken from their nurceries, to bee transplanted into gardens: so may you doe with wilde trees, which after that they are growne to a sufficient thickenesse, and come to beare seede, may be otherwhere either grafted or planted, as you shall wish or desire. For which cause heere shall be put downe a treatise and chapter thereof, seeing the former in∣treateth of the intermingling of seed with plants, for to helpe out the storing of woods which are alwaies to continue.

CHAP. XII.

Of the way to make wild trees grow of seede, to be remoued afterward into some other place.

CErtaine it is (as hath beene said before) that euery tree groweth either of a plant, or of some great fruit, or of a writhen branch: and for that there are many places where one cannot come by plants easily, it is to be at∣tempted to make the said plant to grow of seed, as is practised in the nurceries of tame a••d garden trees, by dressing and dunging some halfe acre of good ground, and then to sow it with such good seed as that the trees beare, whereof you would haue plants.

That is to say, with acornes, if you would store your selfe with oakes: or with chesnuts, if you desue chesnut trees: or with the graine and seed which groweth in elme trees, if you would haue elme plants. The said grains and seeds must be sowne in a fat, fertile, well dunged, and somewhat moist ground, and that reasonably thick, therein couering the said seeds two fingers thicke, and causing them to be well wate∣red afterwards, and couered with bright straw, to the end that this fruit of young trees sprouting out of the seed, bee not eaten and broken by birds: but when they begin to grow, the straw must be taken away, and the weeds growing amongst them weeded out with the hand.

For which cause the quarters wherein the said seeds are to be sowne, must be made long and narrow, that so the weeds may easily be puld vp out of euery place, with∣out treading vpon the quarters, and that the said weeds may be gathered gently, to auoid the doing of hurt vnto the roots of the young trees: and oftentimes they must be watered at night after Sunne set, and in the morning before Sunne rise.

And after they be growne three foot high, you must remoue them into some other ground before they take any stronger root, and set them good two foot distant one from another, till they haue got a competent thicknesse, such as is before described, and dresse and clense them from all weeds, and water them in the time of drought. Thus you shall reare plants of all sorts, and of all manner of wild trees, to remoue af∣terward into such places as you will, and such trees will grow very well being trans∣planted, as are of like age and sort: for so the one of them cannot hurt or iniurie another.

This is to be practised in places where no plants of trees can be found in sufficient store: for otherwise in countries furnished with vnderwoods, and woods, there ar•• inough to be found without taking this plant, and tedious protract of time: where∣fore this article will be of vse, where there is neither vnderwood, wood, nor plant to become by in hedges or bushes, and not in this countrie, where there are many to be gotten, and those very good.

CHAP. XIII.

Of the pleasure that commeth of the planting of wilde woods, as also of the profit comming of the same.

AMongst the things required for the making of a place of perfect beautie, Cato in his booke of Husbandrie saith, That it is needfull to haue nine principall things:* 1.19 The first, is a Vine, yeelding great quantitie of vvine: the second, a Garden, full of little riuers: the third, a Willow groue, and Oziar plot: the fourth, a great Riuer: the fifth, a Medow: the sixth, a great champi∣on ground: the seuenth, Coppies of vnderwood: the eight, plentie of Bushes, and a Warren: and the ninth, a forrest of great Trees or Oakes to beare Acornes. Now a∣mongst all these seuerall points of perfect beautie, we may see, that the principall is vvater and vvood: because that hauing vvater, one may easily make Medowes, Gar∣den plots, Oziar yards, and Willow plots all along the vvaters and riuers: and ha∣uing vvoods, one may make Vnderwoods, Warrens, Bushes, and high great trees al∣so, if it be lopt and pruned vnderneath to make it shoot vp and grow on high. And he must not leaue aboue three or foure branches at the most, and then they will be∣come tall and high by and by, because that the root is disburdened of all, the rest of his boughes▪ by hauing them cut downe: in like sort, the ground sendeth all such nourishment vnto these three or foure branches, as it had imployed in the nourish∣ment of many branches of small vvood, and affoordeth growth vnto the straightest and fairest branches, which are left behind to come to perfection: thus in a small time they become tall and great trees, and beare acornes. So, in like manner, there is not that vvood of high and great growth cut downe in good and seasonable time, vvhich putteth not forth small vvood and bushes, if cattell and beasts be carefully, kept out.

Whereupon I will conclude that in planting of woods, there are three things prin∣cipally requisite to the making of a beautifull place,* 1.20 that is to say, little wood, great wood, bushes and a warren: for it is the like reason to plant the one and the other; for of the one the other is made: wherefore in respect of the pleasure, profit, and beauty of the place, it is meet and conuenient to plant woods.

But the chiefe pleasure and pastime which commeth by wild woods, is, that being ioined to your house and champion habitation,* 1.21 (which is the place, where it must be seated or planted) it is pleasant to the sight: for by its diuersity of greenenesse, it maruellously delighteth, and with great contentment recreateth the sight.

The second pleasure or pastime is, that the woods (being neere vnto your lodging) are alwaies full of all sorts of pretie birds, which sing Sommer and Winter all the day long, and most part of the night, as nightingales, and such other like, whereby their songs become ioyfull and delightsome to the eare, and so there is a pleasure and great contentment to the eare euen to them in the house if it be neere vnto.

Another pleasure is, that in the said woods there are alwaies great store of wood coists, popingaies, stares, cranes, and other sorts of birds, which make you pastime to see them flie: and there may also pleasure be reaped in taking of them with little en∣gines, as, with a call, nets, the tonnell, or other such like.

The fourth is, that in the woods there are to bee had conies, hares, squirrels, and other sorts of small beastes pleasant to behold, and of great seruice for prouision of vitaile.

The fifth is, that in hot seasons you may purchase a coole aire within the said woods, as those which will couer and defend you from the iniurie and vexation of the

Sunne, and contrariwise, cooling you, vvhether the heat will or no: and therein you haue also to behold a comfortable greenenesse, both vpon the boughes and ground, vvhich keepeth his grasse greene through the coolenesse and shadow of the trees.

The sixth is, that in Winter being in the said vvoods, you are out of the iniurie and force of the vvinds and great cold, because they breake them off: and further, in these vvoods you are solitarie, and may vse your leasure, in reading, writing or medi∣tating vpon your affaires, vvithout being disquieted or distracted, or drawne to cast your sight abroad ouer any farre distant place or countrey, in as much as the sight can∣not pierce through the boughes or bushes.

Besides the said pleasures,* 1.22 there commeth much profit thereof, as well for the fee∣ding of cattell, and that in the shadow, and with store of grasse at commandement at all times, as also in respect of the Oake mast, Beech mast, Chesnuts, and other fruits vvhich the trees beare, vvhich serue for the fatting of hogges, and are very necessarie for other beasts: and for that also you may, vpon certaine yeares, make fall of your vvoods, to make faggots, fire vvood, stakes to hedge in garden plots, and other in∣closures, as also rods for Vines to runne vpon: and if there be cut downe any Ches∣nut-trees, or Hasels, you may (besides the things alreadie named) make your profit of hoopes and boords for vvine-vessels, in such sort, as that these your vvoods shall not onely doe you pleasure, but profit also, if so be you be so disposed to make your vse of it.

By this meanes you may coniecture, that the ground which is imploied in bearing of vvood,* 1.23 is not any thing inferior in profit vnto others which are imployed in bea∣ring of Corne and Vines.

It is very true, that the commaundement, or vse and profit of it, are longer time in purchasing, and more hardly come by, than that of Corne and Vines, but it recom∣penceth it with the double in the end: for the first charges once defrayed, nature bringeth forth both the greater and the smaller vvood vvithout the helpe of man, and vvithout any labour: vvhich happeneth not in Corne-grounds and Vineyards, seeing they beare not, except they be continually husbanded and tilled. Wherefore, the ground imploied in Beech mast, and vvood, yeeldeth as much profit as any other, and will stand the house in as great stead, seeing it cannot be any way held or inhabi∣ted without vvood.

I haue heere beene the more vvilling to declare and lay downe in briefe the pleasure and profit that commeth of vvoods, to the end, that they which take paines in those courses, may not thinke that they haue lost their time and cost bestowed thereupon, and that they may not be ashamed at the first blow of their trauaile and long attendance, seeing that afterward both the pleasure and the profit doth abide and continue vvithout any further cost, and that vnto them and their po∣steritie.

Wherefore, my counsell and aduise vnto the good husband and master of the fami∣lie, is, that he apply himselfe to such planting of vvoods betimes, that so he may the sooner enioy the pleasures thereof: and that in so doing, he cast them so, as that they may grow as neere vnto his lodging and house where he meaneth to dwell, as possi∣bly may be, for his further both profit and pleasure: for if no good else should come thereof, yet they would serue to breake the raging and blustering vvindes annoying the house, if they be well placed, and so conueniently, as a man may be able to dis∣pose them.

CHAP. XIIII.

A treatise of the nature, properties, and differences of wilde trees, and what ground they delight most in.

SEeing it hath beene deliuered and laid downe here aboue, what time and manner is to be obserued in the planting of all wild trees, and in giuing them such tillage, as may easily, and in short time, procure their growth; it hath seemed good vnto me, to write some little thing of the nature and sorts of trees which are planted and found ordinarily in the vvoods and forrests of France, and to declare briefely what manner of ground they delight in, and in what soile they proue greatest and most profitable: to the end, that the planters of them be not frustrated of their paines and purpose, and that that which requireth a drie and hot soyle, be not planted in a moist and low soyle: as also, that the trees vvhich de∣light in a moist and low countrey, be not planted in mountaines and drie countries: for this falleth out oftentimes to be the cause, that such as bestow their cost in plan∣ting, doe misse of their intent, and that the plant being in a ground cleane contrarie vnto it, doth not come to any profit. For which cause, I will here in a word expresse my mind concerning that point, not with any purpose to describe or comprise all the natures, vertues, and properties of trees, neither yet to speake of all kinds of trees, but onely to describe and declare the places and grounds wherein they prosper and grow most, as also to make knowne the diuersitie that is amongst trees of one and the same sort, and of one and the same name: as which are most fit to be planted, and best for to make shadowes to walke or sit in.

I know, that there are diuers sorts of trees that grow both in the Easterne, Nor∣therne, and Southerne parts of the vvorld, vvhereof we are almost altogether igno∣rant, and which, in respect of the diuersitie of the regions, doe not grow at all in this climate: and of these I mind not to speake at all, because my purpose is only in briefe to lay downe that which is necessarie to be knowne about the planting of common trees, such as are ordinarily to be found in our owne forrests, and not of strange and forraine ones, the trouble about which would be more than the pleasure. And as for such as are desirous to attaine the perfect knowledge of all manner of trees growing in any part of the world, and their vertues, properties, natures, and seeds, they may see the same at large in Theophrastus, in his fourth booke of the historie of Plants, and in the third booke, vvhere hee particularly entreateth of the kinds of wild and sauage trees: for he particularly runneth through the nature, force, vertue, seed, and manner of planting of euery wild tree, as well those of the East, North, and South, as those of the West: but it shall be sufficient for vs at this time to declare the nature of fiue or six sorts of trees which commonly grow in the countries hereby, and of their kinds, and what ground euery one delighteth in.

Now therefore to begin, there are two sorts of trees in generall: the one is called vvater-trees, or trees delighting to grow in or neere vnto the brinkes of vvaters,* 1.24 in medowes, and in low and watrie places: the other land trees, or trees delighting to grow vpon the firme and solid land, and vvhere the waters by inundations or ouer∣flowings vse not to come. But first we will speake of the trees liuing in or about vvater.

CHAP. XV.

Of the Aller, Poplar, Birch, Willow, and other trees haunting the water.

YOu shall vnderstand, that there are foure or fiue sorts of trees, vvhich of their owne nature grow neere vnto vvaters, and which, except they haue great store of moisture doe hardly prosper or grow at all: of vvhich, a∣mongst the rest, the Aller is one that most coueteth the vvater: for the Aller is of that nature, as that it would be halfe couered in vvater, and at the least, the most part of the rootes must of necessitie be within, and stand lower than the vvater, for otherwise they would not take, insomuch, as that trees of such nature ought to be planted in moist medowes, and neere vnto the brookes running along by the said medowes, or in marshes, for in such grounds they take and grow exceeding vvell. This tree is apt to take in moist places, because it is a vvhite vvood, containing much pith, and putting forth great store of boughes in a short time, by reason of the moistnesse of the vvaters vvherewith it is nourished and fed.

The said Aller trees may be planted two manner of wayes, as namely, either of branches gathered from great Allers, or of liue roots digged vp in most places, to∣gether with the earth, and set againe in the like ground, and that in such sort, as that the halfe of the said roots be lower than the water, and the vpper part couered with earth the depth of one finger: and in the meane time, before they be planted, they must haue all their branches cut off too, within a fingers length of the root, and it will put forth againe many young shoots, after the manner of Hasel trees. You may read more of the Aller tree in the fourth booke.

There is another sort of vvater-wood, which hereabout is commonly called white wood:* 1.25 of this kind, are the Poplar, Birch, and other sorts of wood, which grow close by the water side, and vpon the banks of ditches, springs, and little brookes: and it is a common practise in Italie, to lay their conueyances and pipes to carrie their vvater from riuers throughout their grounds, of those woods. And these kinds of trees may be easily planted of young roots along by the vvater and riuer side, both most conue∣niently and profitably, especially the white Poplar, otherwise called the Aspe tree, whose leaues are apt to shake with euerie small winde. Where rootes cannot be got, there may, in their stead, be taken faire and strong plants, such as are vsed in the planting of Willowes. The Birch doth somewhat resemble the white Poplar in his barke, and the Beech tree in his leafe, but it craueth a colder and moister soile than the Poplar. And this is the cause why it groweth so plentifully in cold countries.

The other sort of vvater-wood is the Willow: vvhich, as wee finde by proofe, groweth nothing well, except it be in a moist and warrie countrie, and neere ioyning to vvaters. The manner of planting of Willowes, is commonly, by setting of Wil∣low plants, and those such as are of a good thicknesse and strength, as namely as great as one may gripe: for looke how much the stronger and thicker they be, so much the moe shoots will they put forth, and so much the stronger. This tree differeth much from the Aller: for the Aller will haue his rootes all within water, but the Willow would stand higher, and spread his roots along into the ground that is wet and moist, and neere vnto water, vvithout hauing his roots altogether in the water: according whereunto, it is continually seene, that Willowes planted vpon causeyes & banks, ha∣uing some ditch of water ioyning thereunto, & that in such sort, as that their roots may reach but to the brinks and edges of the water, proue fairer, taller, and more plentifull than those which grow in waterish medows, because that for the ••••st part their roots stand moist in water. You may read of the Holme tree in the fourth booke.

I say not that Willowes, Allers, Poplars, & such white wood will not grow in high places, notwithstanding that it is their nature to grow neere to water, and doe prosper best in such places: and if they be planted in high places, and farre from vvater, they are hardly nourished, and put forth very little in growth: insomuch, as that a hundred such trees as are planted in waterie countries, vvill yeeld more vvood than a thousand planted in a drie countrey, notwithstanding all the indeuor and husbandrie that can be vsed, yea, and they will perish and die a great deale sooner.

This I say, because it is easie to make them grow, and to husband them in a high or hillie place, by watering and dressing of them in conuenient sort: vvhich labours, as they are not performed without great cost, so if they happen to be neglected, it proueth to be the losse and spoile of the trees: vvhereas if they be planted in some place that is fit for them, and neere vnto vvater, according as their nature requireth, they vvill prosper vvithout the toile or industrie of man vsed therein. Notwithstan∣ding, for as much as the first yeares after they be planted they haue much to doe to shoot and nourish their roots and such branches as are alreadie put forth, it wil be best to free them of all such twigs as they shall put forth the first yeare, to the end they may more easily seed their roots, as also that thereby the force of winds, which would take such hold of offall, may not shake and loosen those which are alreadie fast, for vpon such causes trees doe many times die, be they neuer so well planted.

I know that it is not alwaies required, that such paines should be taken (especially about those which are orderly and conueniently planted) in planting or p••uning of them: notwithstanding, I say thus much for them vvhich goe about the making of close alleyes for walkes and shades, that they may cause them to grow much in a short time, for this they shall effect by planting of them in furrowes, and not one of them perish: and as for their paine and labour, they shall haue the pleasure thereof in shor∣ter time and larger manner.

Herewithall it must be noted,* 1.26 that whensoeuer you set or plant any such trees, you must so doe it, as that it need not a second doing: for if any of them should die, it would be the harder to set others in their places, so as that they would thriue, because the shadow of the other which liue, would cause the same to die, seeing it is vsually seene, that the elder and stronger ones doe oppresse the weaker, keeping them vnder, and causing them to miscarrie. Wherefore the greater care is to be vsed in the first planting of them, and the more paine to be taken with them, seeing the sequele is a thin•• that is so hard to be redressed.

The time to plant Willowes,* 1.27 Allers, Poplars, and other such vvoods, is alwaies found best in the beginning of Februarie, or at the later end of Ianuarie, vvhen the great cold is past, being otherwise apt to hurt such plants as are new set, as hath alrea∣die beene said.

As concerning the properties of these trees thus delighting in watrie grounds: the leaues and flowers of the white Poplar, although they be a little hot, doe notwithstan∣ding make a very cooling ointment called Populeum, good to take away the heat of inflamations, as also the milke out of womens breasts that are newly deliuered.

Birch-tree yeeldeth twigs, which serue to make rods for the punishing of theeues withall, as also to make baskets, little maunds, beesomes, and couerings for earthen bottles. Of the stocke is made charcoale, seruing for the melting of mettall: And of the rinde are made links to giue light in the night season: for to such end doe country people vse them. The iuice of the leaues mixt amongst the runnet of a Calfe, doth keepe cheese from wormes and rottennesse. If you pierce the stock of the Birch-tree, there will come forth a water, which being drunke a long time, is of power to breake the stone of the reines and bladder: being taken in a gargarisme, it drieth the vlcers of the mouth: and being vsed in lotions, it cleanseth and taketh away the filthinesse and infections of the skin.

CHAP. XVI.

Of Ashes, Elmes, and Maple-trees.

THe Ash doth naturally craue a low and waterish countrey,* 1.28 and therefore doth grow more plentifully in such places than in high grounds: and therefore, for the most part, they must be planted in such low and wa∣terie grounds, though not altogether so low and waterie as the Willow, Poplar, and Aller doe craue: howbeit notwithstanding they may be planted in in∣different grounds, and Elmes will grow well therein. Their proper nature is to de∣light in moist valleyes, for therein they prosper well, and grow vp to a great height, with straitnesse and beautifulnesse of Timber: Notwithstanding, this is a common vvood, vvhich may be planted in all sorts of grounds, howsoeuer that it like better in fat and moist grounds, than in those which are but indifferent: but they much di∣slike the drie, rough, stiffe, and grauellie grounds, if they be not mingled with moi∣sture. The auncient Woodwards vsed to plant them most in hedge-rowes, and on the tops of great bankes or ditches, where they might haue drie standing, yet be con∣tinually fed at the root with a little moisture: vvhich sure was a very good and hus∣bandly manner of planting the Ash, neither shall you at any time see it prosper bet∣ter, than when it is planted in such places. It is naturally of it selfe •• little more ten∣der than other wild trees, and desireth a more gentle and loose mould, which maketh them prosper the best in mixt hasell grounds, or in moist sandie ground: yet if they doe take in clay grounds, as doubtlesse with a verie little care they will doe, one Ash so growing, is better, tougher, and more seruiceable than any three which are taken from the sandie or mixed earths. It is a timber of no lesse precious vse than any other whatsoeuer: for of it are made all your best Pykes, Byll-shafts, Halberd-shafts, and diuers other engines for the vvarres: of it also is made all manner of Plow and Cart∣timber vvhatsoeuer, as Beames, Heads, Skeathes, Hales, Spyndles, Shelboords, Cart or Wayne bodies, rings for Wheeles, Naues, Harrow-buls, Harrow-teeth, Axle-trees, and any other instrument or engine vvhich desireth a firme, gentle yet a verie tough vvood: a timber that must bend before it breake, and not by any meanes be too ex∣treame portable or heauie in the carriage, but both light for the hand of him that shall vse it, and also strong ynough to endure the stresse or labour it shall be put vnto; also it must be gentle and soft to cut: all which the Ash is, more than any other tree whatsoeuer.

There are three sorts of Elmes:* 1.29 The one is, of those vvhich haue a small lit∣tle leafe, and a blacke stalke: The second hath a large leafe, and a reasonable vvhite stalke: The third of them hath a verie large leafe, and the stalke as it vvere all vvhite. Those vvhich are to be chosen for planting, are those two la∣ter, for they are of greater growth, and are vvoont to prosper better: besides that, they are fairer, and put foorth moe boughes, making thereby a greater shadow.

Of these three sorts, there are both males and females:* 1.30 vvee call those fe∣males, vvhich beare most fruit, and the thicker seede; and the males vvee call those vvhich are lesser, and beare their fruit of seede, in the middest of the leaues, and that in such sort, as that they seeme to beare neyther fruit nor seede. And for this cause there are manie that vvrite of Husbandrie, affirming the said tree to beare no fruit or seede, and that it groweth either of a plant or shoot. And of this opinion vvas Trem••lius. Notwithstanding, it is certaine, that euerie leafe beareth his fruit contained within the middest thereof, and thereof vvill Elmes grow, being sowne in due time. And of this opinion is Columella;* 1.31 and expe∣rience it selfe doth shew the same: hee making two differing sorts of Elmes, cal∣ling the one sort, the fairest and tallest Elmes of Fraunce: and the other sort,

Italian Elmes. And as concerning those fairest Elmes, if they be to be found, they must be planted, because they grow vp the sooner that way, and put forth much lar∣ger boughes. Theophrastus* 1.32 and some other vvriters doe make them lesse differing, according to the countrey wherein they grow. I haue beene the more willing to de∣scribe them according to their kind of leafe and vvood, that you may the more easily know them. I would haue you to looke backe into the fourth booke, and there you shall find their natures and vertues more at large described. The soiles in which they most of all delight, is a verie stiffe clay: and the principall vse of them, ouer and aboue the making of Bow-staues formerly mentioned, is the making of naues for vvaggons or cart-vvheeles, for vvhich they are more excellent than any other vvood vvhatsoeuer; and the more knottie and twound they are, a great deale the ••itter they are for that purpose: so, that as the cleane growne, smooth, and euen Elme serues for other purposes, so the knottie, vneuen, and most crooked Elme will serue for this.

Amongst these sorts of trees wee may place the Maple-trees (called of the Latines Ac••res) because in their nature they somewhat resemble the Elme: They craue the like ground, namely, a fat and moist ground: they grow (as the Elmes doe) in all ara∣ble grounds: they put forth in a short time great branches, and but little greene∣nes••e. This tree hath a verie white bodie, beareth small leaues like the leaues of three-leaued grasse, and doth not breed or gather any great store of vermine. It naturally groweth short•• crooked, rugged, and beareth seldome any great length of timber: yet where it groweth otherwise, the timber is verie firme, white, close, and durable. It serueth for diners excellent and good purposes: as namely, it is the best of all o∣ther, by reason of the wonderfull whitenesse thereof, for all manner of inlaid works, vvhich Ioyners vse: also it is excellent for all manner of Turners vvare: as for the making of trenchers, dishes, bowles, sewing kniues, and other implements for the Table, prouided, it be euermore of at least a yeare or more seasoning: for if it be wrought greene, it will warpe, ryue, and be indeed for no purpose. Many vse to season it in a drie house, but then it asketh a longer time, and the sappe will be much longer in consuming: but the best way is to let it lye abroad all the first Winter, and take all wet which falls, for that will driue the naturall wet of the sappe soonest out of it, and then house it the Summer following, and then after you may safely worke it at your pleasure.

The Ash is contrarily inclined:* 1.33 for thereon breedeth oftentimes such aboun∣dance of vermine, as that thereby all their leaues are eaten and bored verie full of little holes. Of this sort of Trees, as well Elmes, as Ashes and Maples, the best are those vvhich grow the soonest, and spread out the largest boughes in a short time.

As concerning the properties of these three kinds of Trees,* 1.34 wee haue spoken in the third booke, in the Chapter of Balmes, how there is made a singular balme of the little fruit that is found inclosed in the leaues of one of the sorts of Elmes. Furthermore, the vvater vvhich is found inclosed in this little fruit, maketh the face neat and shining, if it be vvashed therewith: againe, double linnen clothes being vvet in this iuice or vvater, and applyed vnto children vvhich are bursten, becommeth a singular remedie for them. The same iuice also put into a glasse-bottle, and buried in the earth, or dung, for the space of fiue and twentie daies, being well stopped, and hauing the bo••tome set vpon a heape of salt, proueth sin∣gular good to cure greene vvounds, if they be dressed vvith tents steeped in the said iuice.

The Maple-tree in this countrey amongst other things is had in request,* 1.35 because of the boughes thereof there are made Bowes, and that because they are stiffe and hard to bend.

The Ash-tree hath a singular vertue against the venime of Serpents: for it is such an enemie, and so contrarie vnto them, as that they dare not draw neere or ap∣proach vnto the shadow thereof: and againe, as hath beene proued of many, if you

make (as it were) a circle of the leaues or boughes of the Ash-tree, and put within the same a Serpent by the one side thereof, and a burning fire on the other side, the Adder will rather aduenture to passe through the fire, than ouer the Ash-tree leaues. For this cause Nature, as one carefull of the good of mankind, hath prouided, that the Ash should flourish before that Adders and Vipers doe vse to come out of their holes in the Spring time: as also, that it should not fall his leaues in Autumne, till they haue ta∣ken vp their Winter resting place. Wherefore, if it happen, that any Horse, Cow, or other beasts of the Farmers should be bitten by some serpent or other venimous beasts, there cannot be found a more soueraigne remedie, than to stampe the tenderest leaues that are to be found vpon the Ash, & straining out the iuice, to giue it the beast to drink, and afterward to lay vpon the grieued part the dr••sse of the stamped leaues: this is likewise a good remedie for men that are bitten of any Adder or Viper. The decoction of the rinde of the Ash-tree taken, is singular good to open the obstructi∣ons of the Spleene, and to draw out great store of water from such as haue the Drop∣sie, as also to make fat folks leane. Also the keyes of the Ash, or that which is the seed thereof, is of most singular vse amongst Painters, and being ground, maketh him di∣uers pretie and most vsefull colours. The Ash is onely an enemie vnto corne, and will not suffer any to grow by any meanes within the compasse of the shadow thereof: and therefore it should as seldome as might be, be planted in corne-fields, except you leaue such large space of greeneswarth betwixt it and the corne-lands, that no part of the shadow may extend to the same.

CHAP. XVII.

Of Chesnut-trees.

THe Chesnut-tree is a strong and mightie tree, much like vnto the Oake. It is a fast wood, and good to build withall, as also to vnderprop Vines, and make other workes, which are made of Oake. It groweth of the seed of the Chesnut, which is sowne after the manner of the Acorne, and so it groweth and putteth forth his shoots both sooner and more effectually, and ta∣keth commonly in all grounds, yea euen in the sandie or grauellie grounds: but yet it shunneth the grounds that lie open to the pearching heat of the Sun, affecting alto∣gether the little hils and mountaines that are cold and lie vpon the North. The seed or fruit thereof (called the Chesnut) is sometimes spoyled, and that after the same manner that the Acorne is, as by too much drinesse, vvhich maketh it that it cannot bud or blossome: or by too great store of vvater, putrifying both the Chesnut and Acorne, before it can spring out of the earth: or else by cattell, moules, field-mice, and such sorts of vermine, which eat or wound the Chesnut & Acorne within the ground. The nature of the young plants of Chesnut-trees and Oakes are much alike, and the manner of dressing them also: and if you would haue them to put forth store of boughes, you must cut them after they haue beene planted three or foure yeares, and not before, and that in the beginning of the Spring time, for so you shall make them put forth twice as much: and yet it is not without danger to vse any edge-toole in cut∣ting them, for thereby they oftentimes die. So then, if there put forth any branches or sprigs along the stem, in the first, second, or third yeare, you may at the beginning of such their putting forth crop them off, and breake them away with your hand whiles they are young and tender, and not to take any knife vnto them, and then you shall doe best.

CHAP. XVIII.

Of the Oake and the differences thereof, Hornebeame, Beech, Linden tree, and others.

YOu shall vnderstand that the oake is a tree bearing most fruit, and affoor∣ding the most commoditie of any tree in France. And for this cause it hath been accustomed to preserue and keepe store of these kinds of trees in old woods and forests,* 1.36 as being most necessarie and profitable. Some do make three sorts of this kind of tree, and of euery sort a male and a female: for notwithstanding that the common people call them all by the common name of oke, yet the Latins attribute to euery sort his seueral and proper name, calling one sort thereof Robur, another Quercus, and the third Ilex.

The first of these sorts is a kind of oake which is very thicke and strong, hauing a bodie that is very thicke below, and full of knots, and very mightie, hauing great roots, and spreading far and wide in the ground: and at the top of the bodie or bole which is but short, it beareth many and great quantitie of boughes that are also thick, spread abroad and long, taking great roome: and for that cause are planted the one from the other a great distance, that so they may haue roome for their boughs to spread. The wood growing vpon this sort of okes is fitter to make fire wood of, than timber to build withal, because it hath but a short bole, and riseth not vp to any great height and squarenesse, hauing his boughes therewithall crooked and writhen. There are many forrests to be seene, wherein this kind of oakes doth grow, as namely those whose oakes are thicke and short, standing far a sunder, and yet spreading on a great breadth aboue.

The other sort of oakes hath both a reasonable thicke and long bodie, as namely of the height of foure or fiue good fadomes, as also foure or fiue reasonable tail and straight boughes growing thereupon, but nor spread forth into any great breadth, as neither the bodie is so well couered and shadowed therewith as the former. And this sort of oakes is good for beames of houses, and great peeces of timber, to be put in buildings, as also for to saw and clea••e, because it is not knottie and hard as the for∣mer. And of th••s sort there are to be seene many forrests planted in France, and they are more thicke and closer growne with timber, than the others which I am about to speake of, because the boughes of these doe rise more straight vp, and take not vp so much roome.

The third sort of oakes hath a small bodie, but very straight, and growing to the height of seuen or eight fadomes without any boughes, and at the top of their said bodies, bearing, but s••al store of boughes and wood, in such sort, as that all the wood is in the bole, seeming to bee onely a nosegay at the top. And this kind of wood standeth very neere the foot one of another, rising vp equally and alike vnto a great height and greatnesse, and the forrests furnished with this kind, are very profitable to make all sorts of buildings, whe••her it be to make the ioyces thereof, or any of the other sorts of long and middle timber, as those required for for walls or roofes. And of this kind of wood there are many forrests in this countrie.

All these three sorts of wood do beare a great leafe, and that euery one like vnto another, saue that they are some of them large and great, some but indifferent and the third sort small and little. Againe, they beare some of them acornes that are more long and thicke, othersome, acornes that are more thicke and short, and againe other some of them, acornes that are smaller and longer.

Furthermore, there is not any of these three sorts which consisteth not of male and female.* 1.37 The female is commonly called that (as Theophrastus* 1.38 saith) which beareth the most and strongest fruit: whereupon it followeth, that if those are to bee cal∣led the females which do beare most store of fruit; wee must needs call those males,

which beare least fruit. When they beare fruit, or when they beare none, the barren are called the males,* 1.39 and the fruitfull the females. Theophrastus putteth another diffe∣rence betwixt those which are fruitlesse: but I meane not to write any thing thereof at this present, purposing to be briefe, & to referre such as are desirous to see the same, to Theophrastus his third booke of the historie of Plants, vnder the title of the Oake: as also in like manner for all other sorts of trees, vvhich I spare to speake of, that so I may not exceed my former purpose and intent.

All these sorts of Oakes are of great continuance and length of life, insomuch, as that some allot vnto them to liue three hundred yeares:* 1.40 that is to say, one hundred to grow, one hundred to stand at a stay, and one hundred to decline and fal away: which may easily be seene in the old and auncient forrests.

And whereas the Oake is long in comming to his growth, and long in dying, it is no maruell, if the Elme, the Ash, the Maple, and other vvoods, set in the like and no better ground, doe put forth their boughes and branches more speedily and mightily than the Oake: for the nature of those trees is to grow vp soone to their p••••fection, and so to die and fade soone; and the nature of the Oake is to grow by leisure, to flou∣rish a long time, and to be long before it die. Now Nature will not be ouer-chased: as may be seene in a horse,* 1.41 which commeth to his growth in fiue yeares, and man not before he be fiue and twentie; and so the whole continuance of the one is more dura∣ble than that of the other. This I speake in respect of such, as by and by looke to haue vvood to become growne according as they can wish: giuing them to know, that to answere their hastie desire, it will be best for them to plant Ashes, Elmes, and Maple onely, seeing they are giuen to spring mightily, and in a short time, putting forth more boughes in sixe yeares, than the Oake in tenne. Whereas they which de∣sire to haue a more pleasant, profitable, and durable vvood, though it be longer in comming to perfection, must plant Oakes, Chesnut-trees, Horne-beames, and Beech-trees, for they are reasonably long in growing, and of like durablenesse, and put forth but small store of shoots, like as the Oake, in such sort, as that they become trees of one and the same sort and growth, and to be planted after one manner, and at one time, as hath been said before. It is very true, that the Oake delighteth in a fat, good, and drie ground, euen as the Horne-beame and Beech-tree doe: notwithstanding, the Horne-beame and Beech will grow more easily in a stonie ground or countrey, although that euery sort of trees whatsoeuer be giuen to grow the better, by how much the ground is better wherein they are planted. But some doe naturally delight in and craue a good ground, as for example the Oake, if you would haue it to prosper well: for and if you plant it in an indifferent ground, it will prosper but indifferently: and if it be set in a hard and barren soile, it hardly prospereth, and doth nothing but burne away with the heat of the Sunne: and yet Horne-beames and Beeches doe grow in grounds that are but indifferent: yea, they may be seene to prosper well in hard and stonie grounds.

The pits are in good season opened, and all the said trees more conueniently planted, in the moneth of Februarie, when the strength of Winter it well broken, as alwaies hath beene said.

The Horne-beame••tree* 1.42 (called of the Latines Carpinus) groweth in the same ground, and after the same fashion, that th•• Maple doth. The vvood of this tree hath in times past beene vsed to helue husbandmens tooles, and to make yokes for Oxen: but now it is made matter for the fire, being a wood that hath least moisture, but more drinesse, and which maketh the b••st coale. Which proceedeth not from the natu∣rall defect of the Tree, but from the ill husbanding and planting of the same, vvhen either it is not regarded at the first shooting vp, or is cropped by cattell vvhen it is tender, or else planted in a stiffe-binding earth, in vvhich it ioyeth not at all, any of vvhich makes it grow crooked, knottie, and vvithout forme, and so consequently of small vse: but being planted on good ground, vvhose mould is loose and yeelding, and husbanded and defended from other annoyances, it vvill shoot forth straight and vpright, and beare a verie smooth and most delicate timber:

which timber is of great price and estimation amongst Fletchers, for it maketh the strongest and best arrow of any wood whatsoeuer, and is preferred farre before either birch or brasill, as being of an indifferent and true poise, neither so light as the one, nor so heauie as the other.

The beech* 1.43 (called of the Latines Fagus) as it resembleth the hornebeame verie neere, so it craueth the like soile and dressing for the making of it to thriue and grow well: it is true, that therefore it is worthie to bee had in request, because it bringeth ••orth its fruit which is called beech-mast, and that of no lesse profit than the acorne, at the least the squirrells, turtle doues, cranes, and such other birds doe fat themselues thereupon. The men of auncient time did make their wine vessels, fats, and drinking vessell of the rind of this tree.

It prospereth exceedingly well in grounds that are full of pyble, flint, and other small stones, whether mixt with sand or clay it mattereth not, prouided that the mould bee not too much tough and binding, neither exceeding hard and rockie, but apt to breake and yeeld to the roote, which by reason of the greatnesse of the boale or bodie of the tree, which may euer compaire with the oake, ought to haue both a strong and a deep hold. The timber of the beech is good for boards or planks, or for any Io••••ers ware, as bed-steeds, tables, stooles, chaires, cubbords, chests, or any other thing, except wainscot, or ••eeling, which by reason of the softnesse of the timber, it is not so much allowed therefore: it is also very good for Turners ware, and especially, for great washing bowles, traies, and such like, or any other houshold necessarie, which desireth a plaine smooth wood, which is gentle to cut, and delicate for the eie to looke on.

The linden tree* 1.44 groweth very well in hillie and high mounted places, so that they bee notwithstanding moist and somewhat waterish: the wood thereof is fit to make coffers and boxes: and the rinde to make cradles or baskets to lay young chil∣dren in.

The corke-tree* 1.45 craueth the like soile with the ash and oake: it is no where to be found in all the forrests of France, but in great store in the countrie of Bearne and Foix. This is a thing worth the noting in this tree, namely, that it may haue its barke pilled off without doing of any iniurie vnto the same: and this is ordinarily imploied about the making of hiues for bees, and for the soles of slipper and panto••••es, vsually worne during the cold time of Winter.

The yew-tree (which the Latines call Taxus) is very common in our forrests:* 1.46 it groweth well vpon mountaines or rockes. The wood thereof is good to make cof∣fers, foote-stooles, bowes, arrowes, darts, and other such like stately Ioyners works of, because it hath diuers veines, and is not subiect to be eaten of wormes. Some there are which report, that it is deadly either to eate or sleepe vnder the shadow of it, and that if a man eate of the fruit thereof, it casteth him into an ague and bloudie ••luxe.

And seeing I haue resolued to be briefe, and not to passe beyond my bounds, it shall be sufficient to haue made this short rehearsall, commending such as are desi∣rous to see further into this skill and knowledge, to such bookes of husbandrie as throughly intreat of all the parts of the same, seeing they are to be had euery where, and seeing that in them such things are to be attained to the ••ull, as I for breuitie sake haue omitted and left vnt••ucht.

As concerning the vertues and properties of the foresaid trees, the oake hath ma∣ny things, and those of great commendation. The leaues, his nuts (which are called gals) his messeltoe (as being called the messeltoe of the oke.) The tender leaues ther∣of which are but as yet budding and putting forth may be distilled, and the water thereof is singular against the fluxes of the liuer, to breake the stone,* 1.47 and to stay the whites of women.* 1.48 The greater sort of gals or apples haue this propertie in them, namely to presage* 1.49 and foretell three things, that is to say, war, dearth, pestilence: for if you open them which are whole, you shall find therein either a little ••lie, or a little spider, or a little worme: if the flie flie away, it betokeneth that there will be warre:

if the little worme doe creepe, it is a signe of dearth that yeare: and if the spider doe run to and fro, it prognosticateth an infinite number of pestilent diseases. The oake apples dried and made into pouder, do speedily stay all manner of flux in the bellie. The misseltoe of the oake taken inwardly, doth greatly asswage the torments of such as are taken with the falling sicknesse.* 1.50

The beech-tree is much vsed to make baskets and maunds of for to gather grapes in. And hereof likewise men in old time were woont to make vessels to sacrifice vnto their gods. The leaues of the beech-tree chawed, do heale the chaps of the lips,* 1.51 and the frettings of the gums. The fruit of the beech-tree, which is called beech-mast, dri∣ed and made into ashes, being mixt with liniments, is of great force and power against the stone* 1.52 and grauell.* 1.53

Notes

• * 1.1

  The aller.
• * 1.2

  The oake.
• * 1.3

  The chesnut tree.
• * 1.4

  The elme.
• * 1.5

  E••me•• are bar∣ren an•• b••are no fruit.
• * 1.6

  Chesnut trees.
• * 1.7

  Locusts euery three yeares.
• * 1.8

  Alleyes.
• * 1.9

  Fruit-trees▪
• * 1.10

  The time to plant trees.
• * 1.11

  That dressing of the earth is ne∣cessar•••• for yong plants.
• * 1.12

  Such dressing of the earth in d••y weather in not good.
• * 1.13

  To pull vp weedes by the roote.
• * 1.14

  The third dres∣sing of trees.
• * 1.15

  The growth of plants commeth by heate and moisture.
• * 1.16

  The experience of dressing trees and of letting of them go vn∣dresse.
• * 1.17

  Wood of So∣longe.
• * 1.18

  Whereof wild trees 〈◊〉〈◊〉 grow.
• * 1.19

  Nine things re∣qu••site for the ma••ing of a beautifull place
• * 1.20

  Woods haue in t••••m three commodities.
• * 1.21

  The pleasures and past••mes that the wild woods a••••ord.
• * 1.22

  The profit of woods.
• * 1.23

  The profit of ground imploi∣ed about the bearing of wood.
• * 1.24

  Trees louing to liue neere the water.
• * 1.25

  White wood.
• * 1.26

  Trees must be well and surely planted at the first.
• * 1.27

  The time to plant Willowes, Allers, &c.
• * 1.28

  Ash-〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.29

  Elmes of three sorts.
• * 1.30

  Male and fe∣male Elmes.
• * 1.31

  Columella.
• * 1.32

  Theophr••stus.
• * 1.33

  The Ash.
• * 1.34

  The vertues of the Elme.
• * 1.35

  Shooting ••owes.
• * 1.36

  The different names of the okes are Robur, Quercus, Ilex.
• * 1.37

  The male and female of oakes.
• * 1.38

  Theophrastus.
• * 1.39

  The barren is called the male, and the fruitfull the female.
• * 1.40

  That the life of an Oake contai∣neth 100 yeares of growth, 100. yeares of stan∣ding in a s••ay, and 100. to pe∣r••sh and die in.
• * 1.41

  The horse at his full growth at fiue, and a man a•• fiue and twentie.
• * 1.42

  Horne-beame.
• * 1.43

  Beech▪
• * 1.44

  The linden tree
• * 1.45

  The corke-tree.
• * 1.46

  The yew-tree.
• * 1.47

  T••e stone.
• * 1.48

  The whites o•• wom••n.
• * 1.49

  presages.
• * 1.50

  Falling sicknes.
• * 1.51

  Chaps of the lips.
• * 1.52

  The stone.
• * 1.53

  The grauell.