The gentlemans recreation in two parts : the first being an encyclopedy of the arts and sciences ... the second part treats of horsmanship, hawking, hunting, fowling, fishing, and agriculture : with a short treatise of cock-fighting ... : all which are collected from the most authentick authors, and the many gross errors therein corrected, with great enlargements ... : and for the better explanation thereof, great variety of useful sculptures, as nets, traps, engines, &c. are added for the taking of beasts, fowl and fish : not hitherto published by any : the whole illustrated with about an hundred ornamental and useful sculptures engraven in copper, relating to the several subjects.

Of TREES for FENCING.

FEncing and enclosing of Ground being of such great benefit as already hath been dis∣coursed, it will be necessary to treat of such Trees as are requisite for the same, with Directions how to raise, and order them; and first of the White-Thorn.

The WHITE-THORN is esteemed the best for Fencing, being a strong and durable Hedge; 'tis to be raised from Plants, or by sowing the Haws in Beds dug and prepared, as before dire∣cted, and from thence (when sprung up) to be Transplanted, which is the surest and best way; for the Garden-Quick (being that which is sowen) is esteemed far before the Plants drawn up in Hedg-rows and Fields, and will thrive much be∣ter, as being young and not stunted. The best way to set your Quick sets is on the flat, the Ground being well dug and finely ordered, and let the Bor∣dure consist of three Rows, and your Sets plan∣ted at about nine Inches distance, which will make a stout Hedge; If you are not well sto∣red with Quick sets, two Rows may serve. Be sure to keep the Bordure clean weeded, and ho∣ed, which is a great furtherance to their grow∣ing; otherwise they will be choaked up. After two Seasons you may cut them, which will cause them to shoot out the better, and thicker; and if the Season is dry, forget not to water them, which is a great preserver. And lastly provision, must be made to preserve them from the Injuries of Cattle, by raising Fences on each side, if it so requires. The common way to plant Quick is on the Bank, and a Hedge on the Top, which is not so good, for these reasons; First, being on the dry Bank the Sun hath more power, and so siccicates the Earth, that there is not that Mois∣ture to nourish the Quick, as that planted on the Flat. Secondly, The Bank being shelving, that Rain in the Summer Season that should refresh it, falleth away into the Ditch; and Thirdly, In the Winter Season, which generally is wet, the Drippings that fall from the Hedge planted on the Top of the Bank, do kill it; And these are the Reasons why there is so many Gawls in those Hedges, which are not to be seen in those planted on the Flat.

The BLACK-THORN is a good Fence, and raised as the White-Thorn.

The HOLLY, for sight, ornament and de∣fence,

is by many preferred; before the White-Thorn, being always green, and so thick that it is not to be seen through; the only fault is, 'tis very slow in growing. It is raised of the Ber∣ries, and of Sets, as the White-Thorn; but the Sets are more difficult to grow, unless they are planted late in the Spring, and well watered.

The PYRACANTHA is an excellent Fence, having strong prickly Branches, and the Leaves are always green. It is quick of growth, and [ 10] easie to be raised, either from the bright Coralline-Berries, which hang most part of the Winter on the Trees, or from Suckers or Slips. The Ber∣ries lye in the Ground as long as those of the White-Thorn.

The ELDER makes a good Fence for a Shelter, but not for Security, as not being so thick: the Cuttings set will grow, being kept wa∣tered.

The FVRZES, called Devonshire Furzes, [ 20] make a stout Fence, and so strong, that nothing can enter it. The best way for raising this Fence, is to dig the Ground where you intend your Fence, and sow the Seed in Rows, made with a Rill-Plough, or with a Hoe; three or four Rows are sufficient. This will grow upon a dry Bank, and be far better than any dead Hedge.

If you have any barren Ground, not worth Plowing and Sowing, it is good Improvement to Plow and Sow it with Furz-seed for Fewelling, [ 30] as for Brewing, Baking, or the like uses.

All these sorts of Hedges are to be ordered and kept, as before directed for the White-Thorn.