A Designe for plentie, by an universall planting of fruit-trees: tendred by some wel-wishers to the publick.

Instructions concerning Removings, or Transplantations.

[ 1] When your wilde Sets and Stocks are fit for trans∣planting, it is best to remove them before they be grafted, so they will be in lesse danger to die; and the cutting of the tops of the wilde Sets will be no hinder∣ance either to growth or grafting.

[ 2] The best time to transplant these trees, is September and October (with their leaf upon their head,) because the winter will both close and consolidate the earth about the roots, and also the remainder of sap in the trees descending into the roots will fasten them the better, and prepare their growth in the Spring the su∣rer: November, December, and January may serve, but are nothing so good as the other moneths.

[ 3] In all removings have speciall care to prune both the root and head, remembring this, that it is farre better to have a large root and little top, then to have a great top and a little root, which seldom comes to good. A great many roots may endure a good large top, but a few roots would have a little top.

[ 4] Where the soil is very good, it will be sufficient to dig a hole four times as big as the root, which let it be digged about Mid-summer, or as soon after as you can for the crop growing thereupon. First pare off the uppermost part thereof, laying grasse to grasse, or stub∣ble

to stubble, and upon that on the one side of the hole lay the best earth (which will be the first speete, or spade) and the rest by it self on the other side of the hole, and so let that lie open to Sun and air, till you transplant the trees; then set your tree in the best earth first, being well broken and mouldred, laying out the roots in their severall proportion set not your tree too deep, after that put in the worst earth upper∣most, carefully closing the earth alwayes about the roots. You may lay some dung upon the uppermost face of the hole after all, if you please.

[ 5] In light and sandy ground, and shallow soil, dig your hole, and prepare it as aforesaid; but you must re∣member to dig it much deeper, three or four foot deep, & when you set your trees fill that up with good moist earth within a foot and half of the uppermost ground: then setting in the tree, take slur of some sink or hog-yard, or mud of some pond, (or for want of these make poy, with good earth and water) and pour it amongst the roots, drawing them forth each in his way, and so fill that up with good earth: this will never fail expectation in the growth of young trees; onely remember that in sandy ground trees must be set deeper then in moist and good earth.

[ 6] In moist and wet grounds it is good to dig a hole, and prepare that as followeth: when you are to set your tree, dig a hole four foot over and two foot deep, and then lay a faggot of wood close bound in the bottom, well troden down, fill up the hole again with the best earth, then set your trees upon the plain ground on the top, raising an hill of earth round about the root, which may cover it well from heat and cold, it will like exceedingly.

[ 7] When the trees are transplanted into light or sandy ground, if the Spring or Summer following prove drie, they must be watered very well, but very seldom. The water would be taken out of some standing pit (which is better then spring, or well-water) or else mixed with cow-dung (which maketh a laxative and lusty water for young trees) and when they are wa∣tered, cover their roots with old straw, or hatch, put∣ting it by in rainy weather, for fear of mice harbour∣ing in it.

[ 8] In the ttansplantation of Walnuts be very careful to preserve the top-root; for if that be perished, the tree will not thrive, if not die.

[ 9] The Apple-tree loves to grow best in rich soil, but indifferently in any.

The Peare best in a sandie, and light soile.

The Qvince in a moist ground, and fat.

The Walnut-tree in a clayish or mixt soile.

[ 10] Note that the Medler, and Service-trees may be planted in sandie, and gravelie ground, and will grow in places, where other trees will not thrive. And these fruits are both wholesome and pleasant.

[ 11] When the Trees are transplanted and set, they must be wel fenced and stayed against the shaking of winds both for their preservation and steady growing: Thorns pricked into the ground, and bound about the Tree with a withe, and a stake set fast into the ground to stay them is used by some; three stakes set in a tri∣angle about the Tree with crosse bars nailed from stake to stake; by others, stakes driven aslope into the ground two wayes, and well fastened to the Tree with hay-bands, and fenced, others use: and some having

fenced their Trees with a triangle (as is aforesaid) use to cut off the head of their Tree wholly, leaving as a staffe, which after will both grow strong against windes, and put forth a gallant head in few years: onely it is to be remembred that, that fencing and staying of your Trees is best, which is most secure, least subject to grate your Trees, and longest lasting.