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. II. (Book 2)

How to observe and know the Nature of Seeds, so as the better to raise them. (Book 2)

I Ever observed the shape, taste, skin or shell, that my Keyes, Nuts, Stones, Kernels, or Seeds had; and if I found by their shape, they were pory, and by feeling spongy, tasting little or very mild; I then did conclude to sowe these sorts of Seeds as soon as they were ripe, or as soon at least as I received them; which if they were kept but a little af∣ter the time of their being ripe, I then expected but little success of those Seeds. To give you a taste of this Novelty, observe but these few among many more, that is, the Elm, Sallow, Popler, &c. and Angelico, Paspere, or Garden Samphire, Scosanara, &c.

I know 'tis a Tradition, that the Elm and Sallow have no seeds: Then how could I raise several of them of Seeds, as I have done? But if you will not believe me, I pray you ask the Earl of Essex, or several others therefore.

Be gone Tradition, never more appear, Out of the Kallendar before next year.

Truth with Experience through this Nation Shall Sainted be by a right Observation. Leave room Astrologers for Truth, and see You write it next year in your Diary.

Now those Seeds that are of Taste mild, Skin or Shell close, you may keep them till the Spring approach, and longer, if temperately dryed; and dry, keep as your Acorns, and your Chesnuts, &c. but the Spring after they be gathered is a sure season to sow them, therefore deferre no longer.

But as for your Seeds that are of a hot or bitter taste, or have close skins or shells, you may keep them till the Autumn following after they be gathered, if occasion be, if they be ripe gathered and dry kept, so the fleshy part be clean taken off when that is ripe: Though I know an in∣genious person did hold, that to sow them with their flesh on, (as Peaches or Cherries,) they would grow as well, as he said; but that was his mistake: For the fleshy part was ordained by the Almighty for the use of Man, Beasts or Birds, and tends nothing to the growth of the Seed or Stone, but rather to its dissolution, by stupefying it, as I have tryed by sowing the Kernels of rotten Pears and Apples, which would not grow though but a little time rotten. There be many Stones, Keyes and Seeds which be of a hot and bitter taste, as your Ash, Peaches, Almonds, the Mizerion, Mustard-seed, &c. yet though I say they may be kept long, yet I advise you not to neglect your season; for many of these Seeds and others will lie near two years in the Ground before they come up: if you sowe them in October, it will be the Spring come Twelve-months before they come up; and if you sow them Early in the Spring, they then will come up the next Spring.

Another way whereby you may know Seed of this Nature, is, by their long hanging on the trees: for there, Nature finding it self strong, taketh the less care to seek out early to preserve its kind, and also Almighty God hath made these very usefull for the Creatures in this world, there∣fore hath ordered it thus by his Divine Providence. The Ash, Holly, &c. hang long on the tree, and lie long in the ground, the Elm, Sallow, Syca∣more, fall soon, and come up soon.