The manner of raising, ordering, and improving forrest-trees also, how to plant, make and keep woods, walks, avenues, lawns, hedges, &c. : with several figures proper for avenues and walks to end in, and convenient figures for lawns : also rules by M. Cook.

CHAP. XXVII. (Book 27)

Of Raising the Withy, Willowes, Sallow, Oziers. (Book 27)

THE Withy doth best grow on ground that is not very moyst, but yet the moysture must not be far from him; as on the weeping side of a Hill, where some Spring breaks out, or on Banks by Rivers or Ditches sides, or on Banks in your Moorish ground, &c.

The VVillow loves to grow on such like ground; both this and the former are set in such places as the Water-popler is, and of such sets as it is; to make Pollard trees, see the Chapt. before of the Water-popler, and Chap. 6. which teacheth how to set all sorts of Cuttings; Remember to keep them well fenced for two or three years, and to cut off all the side-shoots, which they will be subject to put out below the Head, and thin the head as you see it convenient, leaving not above six or eight for Arms; so doing will make the body of your Tree swell, and lay hold on the Ground the better.

And as for the variety of Kinds of these and the following, I shall not trouble my self to inquire after; for I intend only to shew you how to Raise them, not to describe them, and if you know how to raise some, you may then soon be able to raise them all: But there is one sort more which is called the smelling VVillow, which deserves to be ta∣ken notice of; it shoots a great shoot, bears fine, broad, shining, green Leaves, and will grow on most Grounds that are not too drye. It bears a sweet beautifull Flower, and worthy to be set in Orchards: You that have Rivers run by your Orchards plant some of this, if you have not, yet if your ground be moist, and pretty good, it will grow mightily, and yield Ornament and Profit.

It is easily increased of Cuttings, which if set as is shewed in Chap. 6. will grow every one: Only mind if your Ground have a dry Bot∣tom, then set them on the North side of a wall; beside the Beauty and Smell, the industrious Bees love it much: It is as easily increased as any Sallow, and bears as good a Lop, then endeavour to make it as common. From one small Plant I have Raised some hundreds, and have set several in our VVood-walks at Cashiobury, where they grow well notwithstanding our dry Ground, but they were Rooted before

I set them there: I commend the like Husbandry to the Lovers of Planting: And to those that are Lovers of that busie Martial Creature, for it's an Early Relief to them. It may also be very plentifully in∣creased by Laying, for if it be but covered with ground, it will Root.

Of Sallows there be three common sorts; all of them love a moist Ground, but that with the Round Leaf will grow on Banks, as in Hedges; for if you set them for Stakes they will take root: And though they be no very good Fence, yet they will yield good Profit: The two other grow best on Moorish ground, and there will yield great shoots, they will grow of Cuttings much, and may be increased well by Laying; both which wayes you may thicken your VVoods very much: but then you must keep out Cattel, especially all Deer, for two or three years and above. They may be raised by seed, as the Elm is, some years, for the seed is not all years good with us, no more is the Elm and Line: I have raised many of them of seeds in the downy substance, but they be so easily increased by Cuttings and Lay∣ing, that you need not trouble your self to raise them of seed. It is as profitable a wood for under-wood in Woods, as any you can set in them for Fire, producing strong and great shoots: Therefore, where you stock up Trees in your Woods, set two or three Sallow Trun∣cheons with some other VVood that is subject to run, as Elm, Cherry, Abele, &c. so may you have a thin wood made a thick good wood; or if you have a Ground that is Moorish, and will not yield good Grass, then plant (as is before shewed) of the Water-popler, and it will yield you quick and great Profit.

If you would see more largely of these Sallowes, &c. see Esquire Evelyns 19th Chapt. He tells you, you may graft Figs and Mulberries on them, and that they will thrive exceedingly: The first is true, you may graft on them; but you had best trye the other, for I fear 'tis bor∣rowed from Pliny, &c. but I forbear.

Of Oziers there are several sorts, and are all raised of Truncheons, as the Sallow: They love a moister and more Moorish ground than the Sallow or Willow. The Basket-makers know best the time to fell them, which may be done any time in Winter, they must be kept well fenced from Cattel, and thus I shall conclude of the Aquatick Trees.

Only let me desire all those that have Moorish ground, and such as yields little Profit, (especially where wood is scarce,) but to make use of these sure Directions, and I do engage you a great and certain Profit.