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. XXX.

General Rules for planting Forrest-trees in Avenues, Walks, or Orchards, as in a Natural Ground.

FIrst as to the Ground, your Ground that hath been fed for many years, Winter and Summer, as your common Pasture-ground, or the like, such Ground (if it be any thing good) is the Best: The next is your Meadow-ground; and then your plowed Land, if your Land be of Soyl alike. Thus I preferre them. Several Reasons might be given for this, but I shall instance onely in these few:

As namely, your Ground that is constantly fed, hath likewise con∣stantly a supply of Cattels Dung and Urine, with the variety of Kinds, which addes much to the strength of the ground: and likewise your Pasture-ground, though it abound with great variety of Herbs or Grass, according to the Nature of the Ground, as also your Meadow-ground doth; yet your Pasture-ground hath not only a constant supply of Soyl by one sort of Cattel or other, but the Grass which growes on it, doth seldom run to flower or seed; which when they doe, they draw forth much more of the Salt or Spirit or strength of the Earth, as we find the Herbs or Grass on Meadow-grounds most commonly doe. Therefore I judge your Commons the best; and both common Field Ground and Meadow better than constant plowed Land; for that being kept with plowing to prevent what naturally it would produce, this makes the Ground the Better; for 'tis certain, that where your Houses stand, or High-wayes are, there the Earth is full of Salt and Spirit, or the Life of Plants; not only because there is often some Assistance of Soyl, which I confess makes it much Richer, but also because it cannot pro∣duce those Plants which naturally it would, were it not Restrained; For still it receives a constant supply from Nature, and as the Holy Scripture saith, the Almighty causeth the Sun to shine on the Ʋnjust as well as the Just, so also hath the foresaid Earth the secret Influence of

the Heavens, as well as any other, unless Accidentally prevented; but this by the way.

Now as for your plowed Land, 'tis granted to be much better for plowing; but this being sowen with Annual Grain, very much draw∣eth out the strength of the Earth; for I judge that your Annuals are much more drawing Plants than those which will last several years, it being in my Judgement with your Annual Plants, as it is with a man which hireth a House for a Year, when his year is out, he knowing he must remove, cleareth the House, especially of his own; when as your Durable Vegetable, (like a man whose house is his own) is fa∣vourable to its situation, having a kind of secret Knowledge (as I may say) that there they and theirs may continue many years.

If this be understood, I hope you then will say with me, that your common Pasture is best to plant on; next to that, Meadow, then plowed Land; that is, if all three be of equal goodness and soyl.