The accomplisht ladys delight in preserving, physick and cookery.

3. Their Diseases and Cures.

Trees, like Mortals, are subject to many Distempers, which sometimes prove Deadly and Epidemical: But, as to Trees, the Distempers they are incident to, are chiefly caused by Earth-Worms, Canker, Gum, Robines, Emmets, Green Fle••s, Garden-Mice, Laires, Ear-Wiggs, Caterpillars, Snails, &c. The first whereof lye at the Roots, and gnaw so violently the Stem, that some∣times a Tree Sickens and Dyes immediately. Now to prevent and Cure this Disease, you must be sure (so soon as you perceive the Plant to droop) to uncover the foot thereof, shorten the gnaw'd Roots thereof,

search for, and pick carefully all the Worms out, and lay fresh wholesom Mold thereto; which will in a little time help.— But if your Tree hath a Canker, draw your Knife, and with the point thereof, cut it out clearly, and clap immediately some Cow-Dung or Hogs-Dung, and wrap it round with a Rag, and the Skin or Rhind will grow again. — If Gum hath fastned to the Bud, Graft, or Stem of your Trees, it is incurable; but if 'tis only fix'd on the Branch, the Cure may be effected, by cutting it off 2 or 3 In∣ches below the aggrieved part. — As for Caterpillers, Emmets, Robines, &c. they must be pick'd and carefully brushed off. But if your Tree sickens by reason it's Branches are too heavy, give it ease, by lowering the Top-branches, or those disorderly ones in the middle, and it will again produce fine shoots. Finally, the only way to prevent 'em from being gnaw'd or woun∣ded, by Garden-Mice, and Rats, is to set Traps and Snares to catch 'em.