The country-mans recreation, or the art of planting, graffing, and gardening in three bookes. The first declaring divers wayes of planting, and graffing ... also how to cleanse your grafts and cions, how to helpe barren and sicke trees, how to kill wormes and vermin and to preserve and keepe fruit, how to plant and proyne your vines, and to gather and presse your grape ... how to make your cider and perry ... The second treateth of the hop-garden, with necessary instructions for the making and the maintenance thereof ... Whereunto is added, the expert gardener, containing divers necessary and rare secrets belonging to that art ...

THE COVNTRY-MANS Recreation, or the Art of Plan∣ting, Graffing, and Gardening.

CHAP. I. This Chapter treateth of the setting of Curnels, young Plum-trees, and Peare-trees, of Damsons, and Service-trees.

FOR to make young trees of the Pepins of Apples, Peares, Plums, and Seruice. First, yee must prepare and make a great bed or quarter wel replenished, blend or mixt with good fatte earth, and placed well in the Sunne, and to be well laboured and digged a good time before you doe occupie it: and if ye can by any meanes, let it be digged very deepe the winter before, in blending or mixing it well together with good fatte earth, or else to be mixed almost the halfe with good dung: and so let it rot and ripe together with the earth. And see alwayes that plot bee cleane unto the pressing of Syder, that no wild Cions or Plants doe spring or grow theron. Then in the month of Sep∣tember, December or there-abouts, take of the Pepins, or Pomes of the said fruit at the first pressing out of your licour, before the Curnels be marred or brused: then take out of them and rub a few at once in a cloth, and dry them betwixt your hands, and take so many thereof as you shall thinke good: then make your bed square, faire and plaine, and sow your

seedes thereon, then take and cover them with a rake lightly, or with earth, not putting too much upon them. This done, devide your beds into quadrants or squares, of foure foote broad or thereabout, that when ye list ye may clense them from the one side to the other, without treading theron. Then shall ye cover your Seeds, or Pepins with fine earth, so sifting all over them, that then they may take the deeper and farer roote, and will keepe them the better in Winter following, and if ye list ye may rake them a little all over, so that ye raise not your Pepins aboue the earth.

Another way, how one may take the Pepins at the first comming of the licour or pressing.

VVHich is, ye shall choose the greatest and fairest Cur∣nels or Pepins, and take them forth at the first brusing of your fruit, then dry them with a cloth, and keepe them all the winters vntill St. Andrewes tide: then a little after sow them in good earth, as thin as ye doe Peason, and then rake them over as the other.

How one ought to use his earth to sowe Pepins without dunging.

BVt in this manner of doing (in the Spring) it is not so great need for to raise or digge the earth so deep as that which is dunged in winter: but to devide your quarters, in cove∣ring your Pepins not so much with earth, as those which be sowne with good dung, but when ye haue sowne them, a lit∣tle rake all them over.

How ye ought to take heed of Poultrey for scraping of your beddes or quarters.

AS soone after as your Pepins be sowne vpon your beds or quarters, let this be done one way or other, that is, take good heed that your Hennes doe not scrape your beds or quarters: therefore sticke them all over light and thin with boughes, or thornes, and take good heed also to Swine, and other Cattell.

How to weed or cleanse your Beds and quarters.

AND when the winter is past and gone, and that yee see your Pepins rise and grow, so let them increase the space of one yeere, but see to cleanse weeds, or other things which may hurt them as you shall see cause. And in the Summer when it shall waxe dry, water them well in the evenings.

How one ought to pluck vp the wild Cions,

AND when these wild Cions shall be great, as of the growth of one yeere, ye must then plucke them vp all in Winter following, before they doe begin to spring againe. Then shall yee set them and make of them a wild Orchard as followeth.

CHAP. II. Treateth how one shall set againe the small wild trees, which come of Pepins, when they be first pluckt up.

FOr the Bastard or little wilde Trees incontinent assoone as they be pluckt up, ye must haue of other good earth wel trimmed and dunged and to be well in the Sunne, and well prepared and drest, as it is sayd in the other part before of the Pepins.

How to dung your Bastard or wild young Trees which come of Pepins.

ABout Advent before Christmas, ye must digge and dung well the place whereas ye will set them, and make your square of earth even & plaine, so large as ye shall think good, then set your wild trees so farre one from another as yee thinke meet to be graft, so that they may be set in even rankes and in good order, that when need shall require, ye may re∣moue or renue any of them or any part thereof.

How ye ought in replanting or setting to cut off in the middest the principall great rootes.

IN what part soever ye doe set any Trees, ye must cut off the great maister roote, within a foote of the stocke, and all other bigge rootes, so that ye leaue a foote long thereof, and so let them be set, and make your rankes crosse-wise one from another halfe a foote, or thereabouts, and ye must also see that there be of good dung more deepe and lower then ye doe set your Trees, to comfort the sayd rootes withall.

How you ought to set your Trees in ranke.

YE shall leaue betweene your ranckes, from one rancke to another, one foote, or thereabouts, so that yee may set them with good fat earth all over the rootes.

How to make the space from one ranke to another.

YE shall leave betweene your rankes, from one rancke to another, one foote, or thereabouts, so that ye may passe betweene every ranke for to clense them if need require, and also for to graffe any part or parcell thereof when time shall be meet. But ye must note, in making thus your rankes, ye shall make as many allies as rankes. And if ye thinke it not good to make as many allies, then devide those into quar∣ters of five foot broad, or thereabouts, and make and set foure rankes (in each quarter of the same) one foot from another as ye use to set great Cabbage, and assoone after as ye have set them in rankes and in good order as is aforesaid, then shall ye cut off all the setts even by the ground. But in this doing, see that ye doe not plucke up or loose the earth what is about them: or if you will ye may cut them before ye doe set them in rankes. If ye doe so, see that ye set them in such good or∣der, and even with the earth, as is aforesaid And it shall suffice also to make your rankes as ye shall see cause. And looke that ye furnish the earth all over with good dung, without ming∣ling of it in the earth, nor yet to cover the said Plants withall, but strowed betwixt; and yee must also looke well to the

cleansing of weedes, grasse, or other such things which will be a hurt to the growth of the Plants.

How to water Plants when they waxe dry.

IT shall be good to water them when the time is dry: in the first Yeare. Then when they have put forth of new Ci∣ons, leave no more growing but that Cion which is the principall and fairest, upon every stocke one: all the other cut off hard by the stocke, and ever as they doe grow small twigges about the stocke, ye shall (in the Moneth of March and Aprill) cut them all of hard by the stocke. And if ye then sticke by every Plant a pretty wand, and so bind them with Willow barke, Bryer, or Osiers, it shall profit them much in their groweth. Then after five or sixe yeares groweth, when they be so bigge as your finger, or there abouts, ye may then remove any of them whereas ye will haue them grow and remaine.

How one ought to remove Trees, and to plant them againe

THe manner how ye ought to remoue trees, is shewed in the sixt Chapter following: then about two or three yeares after their removing, ye shall graffe them▪ for then they will be the better rooted. As for the others which ye leaue still in rankes, ye may also graffe them where as they stand, as ye shall see cause good. When ye haue plucked vp the fairest to plant in either places (as is aforesayd) also the manner how to Graffe them, is shewd in the fift Chapter following But after they shall be so graft, in what place soever it be, ye shall not remoue or set them in of her places againe▪ vn••ill the Graffes be well closed vpon the head of the wild stocke.

When the best time is to replant, or remoue.

VVHen the head of the stocke shall be all over closed about the graffes, then ye m••y when ye will trans∣plant and remoue them (at a due time) where they shall con∣tinue,

For with often removing, ye shall doe them great hurt in their rootes, and be in danger to make them dye.

Of negligence and forgetfulnesse.

IF peradventure ye forget (through negligence) and haue let small Cions two or three yeares grow about the rootes of your stocks vnplucked vp, then if you haue so done, ye may well pluck them vp and set them in rankes, as the other of the Pepins. But ye must set the rankes more larger that they may be removed without hurting of each others rootes: and cut off all the small twigges about as need shal require, though they be set or graffed. Order them also in all things as those small Cions of a yeeres growth.

It is not so convenient to Graffe the Service Tree, as to set

VVHereas ye shall see young Service Trees, it shall be most profit in setting them, for if ye doe graffe them, I beleeve ye shall winne nothing thereby.

The best is only to plucke up the young Bastard trees when they are as great as a good walking-staffe: then Proyne or cut off their branches and carry them to set whereas they may be no more removed: and they shall profit more in setting then graffing.

Some trees without graffing bring forth good fruit, and some other being graffed be better to make Syder of.

IT is here to be marked, that though the Pepins be sowne of the pomes of Pares and good Apples, yet ye shall find that some of them doe love the tree whereof they came: and those be right, which have also a smooth barke, and as faire as those which be graffed: the which if yee plant or set them thus growing from the maister root without graffing, they shall bring as good fruit, even like unto the Pepin whereof he first came. But there be other new sorts commonly good to eate, which be as good to make Syder of, as those which shall be graffed for that purpose.

When you list to augment and multiply your trees.

AFter this sort yee may multiply them, being of divers sorts and diversities, as of Peares, or Apples, or such like. Notwithstanding, whensoever ye shall finde a good Tree thus come of the Pepin as is aforesayd, so shall ye use him. But if ye will augment trees of themselves, ye must take Graffes and so graffe them.

Of the manner and changing of the fruit of the Pepin-tree.

VVHensoever ye doe replant or change your Pepin trees from place to place, in so removing often the stocke, the fruit thereof shall also change; but fruit which doth come of graffing, doth alwayes keepe the forme and nature of the tree whereof he is taken: for as I have said, as often as the Pepin trees be removed to a better ground, the fruit thereof shall be so much amended.

How one ought to make good Syder.

HEre is to be noted, if ye will make good Syder of what fruit soever it be, bearing Peares or Apples, but specially of good Apples, and wild fruit, have alwayes a re∣gard unto the ryping thereof, so gathered dry, then put them in dry places, on boardes in heapes, covered with dry straw, and whensoever ye will make Syder thereof, choose out all those which are blacke brused, and rotten Apples, and throw them away, then take and use the rest for Syder: But here to give you understanding, doe not as they doe in the Country of Mentz, which do put their fruit gathered, into the middest of their Garden, in the raine and mistings, upon the ba••e earth, which will make them to leese their force and vertue, and doth make them also withered and rough, and lightly a man shall never make good Syder that shall never come to any purpose or good profit thereof.

To make an Orchard in few Yeares.

SOme doe take yong straight slippes, which doe grow from the rootes, or of the sides of the Apple Trees, about Mi∣chaelmasse,

and doe so plant or set them (with Otes) in good ground, whereas they shall not be removed, and so graffe (be∣ing well rooted) thereon. Othersome doe take and set them in the Spring time, after Christmas, in likewise, and doe graffe thereon when they be well rooted: and both doe spring well. And this manner of way is counted to have an Orchard the soonest. But these Trees will not endure past twenty or thirty yeeres.

CHAP. III. Is of setting Trees of Nuttes.

How one ought to set Trees which come of Nuttes.

FOr to set trees which come of Nuttes: when ye have eaten the fruit, looke that ye keepe the Stones and Cur∣nels thereof, then let them be dryed in the wind, with∣out the vehemency of the Sunne, to reserve them in a boxe and use them as before.

Of the time when yee ought to Plant or Set them.

YE shall plant or set them in the beginning of Winter, or afore Michaelmasse, whereby they may the sooner spring out of the earth. But this manner of setting is dangerous: for the Winter then comming in, and they being young and ten∣der in comming vp, the cold will kill them. Therefore it shall be best to stay and reserue them till after winter. And then before ye doe set them, ye shall soke or steepe them in Milke, or in Milke and water, so long till they doe stincke therein: then shall yee dry them and set them in good earth, in the change or increase of the Moone, with the small end vp∣ward, foure fingers deepe, ihen put some sticke thereby to marke the place.

For to set them in the Spring time.

IF ye will plant or set your Nuttes in the Spring time, where yee will haue them still to remaine and not to be

remooved, the best and most easie way is, to set in every such place (as ye thinke good) three or foure Nuttes nigh together, and when they doe all spring vp, leaue none stan∣ding but the fairest.

Of the Dunging and deepe digging thereof.

ALso whereas ye shall thinke good, ye may plant or set all your Nuttes in one square or quarter together in good earth and dung, in such place and time as they vse to plant. But see that it be well dunged, and also digged good and deep and to be well medled with good dung throughout, then set your Nuttes three fingers deepe in the earth, and halfe a foot one from another: yee shall water them often in the Summer when there is dry weather, and see to weed them, and digge it as ye shall see need.

Of Nuttes and Stones like to the Trees they came of.

IT is here to be noted, that certaine kind of Nuttes and Cur∣nels which doe loue the Trees whereof the fruit is like vnto the Tree they came of, when they be planted in good ground, and set well in the Sunne, which be, the Walnuts, Chesnuts, all kind of Peaches, Figges, Almonds and Apri∣cocks all these doe loue the Trees they came of.

Of Planting the said Nuttes in good earth, and in the Sunne.

ALL the said Trees doe bring as good fruit of the said Nuttes, if they be well planted, and set in good earth, and well in the Sunne, as the fruit and Trees they first came of.

Why fruit shall not have so good savour.

FOr if ye plant good Nuttes, good Peaches, or Figs in a Garden full of shadow, the which hath afore loved the Sun, as the Vine doth, for lacke thereof their fruit shall not h••ve so good savour, although it be all of one fruit: and likewise so it is with all other fruit and Trees, for the goodnesse of the

earth, and the faire Sunne doth preserve them much.

For to set the Pine-trees.

FOr to set the Pine-tree, ye must see or plant them of Nuts, in March, or about the shoote of the sappe, not lightly after, ye must also set them where they may not be removed after, in holes well digged, and well Dunged, not to be trans∣planted or removed againe, for very hardly they will shoote forth Cions, being removed, specially if ye hurt the maister roote thereof.

For to set Cherry-trees.

FOr to set sowre Cherries which doe grow commonly in gardens, ye shall understand they may well grow of stones, but better it shall be to take off the small Cions which doe come from the great rootes: then plant them, and sooner shall they grow then the stones, and those Cions must be set when they are small, young and tender: as of two, or three yeares groweth, for when they are great, they profit not so well: and when ye set them, ye must see to cut off all the boughes.

Trees of bastard and wild Nuts.

THere be other sorts of Nuttes, although they be well set in good ground, and also in the Sunne, yet will they not bring halfe so good fruit as the other, nor commonly like unto those Nuttes they came of, but to be a bastard wild sowre fruit, which is the Filberd, small Nuts, of Plums, of Cherries, and he great Apricocks: therefore if ye will have them good fruit, ye must set them in manner and forme following.

How to set Filberds or Hasell-trees.

FOr to set Filbirds or Hasels, and to have them good, take the small wands that grow out from the roote of the Fil∣bird or Hasell-tree, (with short hary twigs) and set them, and they shall bring as good fruit as the Tree they came of: ••t shall not be needfull to proin, or cut off the branches there∣of when ye set them, if they be not great, but those that ye

doe set, let them be but of two or three yeares growth, and if ye shall see those Cions which ye have planted, not to be faire and good, or doe grow and prosper not well, then in the Spring time, cut them off hard by the roote, that other small Cions may grow thereof.

To set Damsons or Plum-trees.

IN setting Damsons or Plum-trees, which fruit ye would have like to the Trees they came of: if the said Trees be not grafted before, ye shall take onely the Cions that grow from the roote of the old stocke, which groweth with small twigs, and plant or set them: and their fruit shall be like unto the Trees they were taken of.

To take Plum Graffes, and graffe them on other Plum-trees.

ANd if your Plum-trees be grafted already, and have the like fruit that you desire, ye may take your graffes there∣of, and Graffe them on your Plum-trees, and the fruit that shall come thereof, shall be as good as the fruit of the Cion, which is taken from the roote, because they are much of like effect.

To set all sorts of Cherries.

TO set all sorts of great Cherries, and others: ye must have the Graffes of the same Trees, and graffe them on other Cherrie trees, although they be of sowre fruit, and when they are so graffed, they will be as good as the fruit of the Tree whereof the graffe was taken: for the stones are good, but to set to make wild Cions, or Plants to graffe on.

The manner how one may order both Plum-trees, and Cherrie-trees.

FOr so much as these are two kind of Trees, that is, to understand, the Cherry, and the Plum-tree, for when they be so grafted, their Rootes be not so good, nor so free as the Branches above, wherefore the Cions that doe

come from the rootes, shall not make so good and franke trees of. It is therefore to be vnderstood, how this manner and sort is to make franke trees, that may put forth good Cions in time to come, which is; when they be great and good, then if ye will take those Cions, or young springs from the rootes, ye may make good trees thereof, and then it shall not need to graffe them any more after: but to augment one by the o∣ther, as ye doe the Cions from the roote of the Nut, as is a∣foresaid, and ye shall doe as followeth.

How to graft Plum-trees and Cherry-trees.

YE may well graffe Plum-trees and great Cherry-trees, in such good order as ye list to haue them, and as hereafter shall be declared in the fifth Chapter following: for these would be graffed while they are yong and small, and also graft in the ground, for thereby one may dresse and trim them the better, and put but one graffe in each stock of the same. Cleave not the heart, but a little on the one side, nor yet deep or long open.

How you must proine or cut your Trees.

FOr when your graffes be well taken on the stock, and that the graffes doe put forth faire and long, about one yeares growth, ye must proine, or cut the branch off commonly in Winter, (when they proine their Vines) a foote lower, to make them spred the better: then shall ye mingle all through with good fat earth, the which will draw the better to the place, which ye have so proined or cut.

The convenientest way to cleanse and proine, or dresse the rootes of Trees.

ANd for the better cleansing and proining Trees beneath, is thus: ye shall take away all the weeds, and graft about the Rootes, then shall ye digge them so round about, as ye would seeme to plucke them up, and shall make them halfe bare, then shall ye enlarge the earth about the Rootes, and whereas ye shall see them grow faire and long, place or couch

them in the said hole and earth againe: then shall ye put the cut end of the Tree where it is graft, somewhat more lower then his roots were, whereby his Cions so grafted, shall spring so much the better.

When the Stockes is greater then the Graffes.

VVHen as the tree waxeth, and swelleth greater beneath the Graffing, then above; then shall ye cleave the roots beneath and wreath them round, and so cover them againe: But see ye breake no root thereof, so will he come to perfecti∣on. But most m••n doe use this way: if the Stocke waxe grea∣ter then the Graffes, they doe slit downe the barke of the Graffes above, in two or three parts, or as they shall see cause thereof: and so likewise, if the Graffes waxe greater above then the stocke, ye shall slit downe the stock accordingly, with the edge of a sharpe knife. This may well be done at any time in March, Aprill, and May, in the increase of the Moon, and not lightly after.

The Remedy when any Bough or Member of a Tree is broken.

IF ye shall chance to have Boughes, or Members of Trees broken, the best remedy shall be, to place those Boughes or Members right soone againe, (then shall ye comfort the roots with good new earth) and bind fast those broken boughes or members, both above and beneath, and so let them remaine unto another yeare, untill they may close and put forth new Cions.

When a Member or Bough is broken how to proyne them.

VVHereas ye shall see under or above superfluous boughs, ye may cut or proine off, (as ye shall see cause) all such boughes hard by the Tree, at a due time, in the winter follow∣ing. But leave all the principall branches, and whereas any are broken, let them be cut off beneath, or else by the ground, and cast them away: thus must ye doe yeerely, or as ye shall

see cause, if ye will keepe your Trees well and faire.

How one ought to enlarge the hole about the Tree rootes.

IN proyning your Trees, if there be many rootes, ye must enlarge them in the hole, and so to wreath them as it is a∣foresaid, and to use them without breaking, then cover them againe with good fat earth, which ye shall mingle in the said hole, and it shall be best to be digged all over a little before, and see that no branch or roote be left uncovered, and when you have thus dressed your Trees, if any roote shall put forth, or spring hereafter out of the said holes, in growing, ye may so proine them as ye shall see cause, in letting them so remaine two or three yeares after, unto such time as the said Graffes be sprung up and well branched.

How to set small Staves by, to strengthen your Cions.

TO avoid danger, ye shall set or sticke small staves about your Cions, for feare of breaking, and then after three or foure yeares, when they be well branched: ye may then set or plant them in good earth, (at the beginning of Winter) but see that ye cut off all their small branches hard by the stocke, then ye may plant them where ye thinke good, so as they may remaine.

In taking vp Trees, note.

YE may well leave the maister roote in the hole (when ye digge him up) if the removed place be good for him, cut of the master rootes by the stub, but pare not off all the small rootes, and so plant him, and he shall profite more thus, then others with all their maister rootes. When as Trees be great, they must be disbranched, or boughes cut off, before they be set againe, or else they will hardly prosper. If the Trees be great, having great branches or boughes, when ye shall digge them up, ye must disbranch them afore ye set them againe, for when Trees shall be thus proined, they shall bring great

Cions from their Rootes, which shall be franke and good to replant, or set in other places, and shall have also good bran∣ches and rootes, so that after it shall not need to graffe them any more, but shall continue one after another to be free and good.

How to couch the Rootes when they are proyned.

IN setting your Trees againe, if ye will dresse the rootes of such as ye have proined, or cut off the branches before, ye shall leave all such small rootes which grow on the great roote, and ye shall so place those rootes in replanting againe, not deepe in the earth so that they may soone grow, and put forth Cions: which being well used, ye may have fruit so good as the other afore-mentioned, being of three or foure yeares growth, as before is declared.

What Trees to proyne.

THis way of proyning is more harder for the great Chery (called Healmier) then for the Plum-tree. Also it is very requisite and meet for those Cions or Trees, which be graft on the wild sowre Cherry-tree, to be proined also, for divers and sundry causes.

Why the sower Chery dureth not so long as the Healmier or great Cherry.

THe wild and sower Cherry, of his owne nature will not so long time indure, (as the great Healme Cherry) nei∣ther can have sufficient sappe to nourish the Graffes, as the great Healme Chery is graft; therefore when ye have proined the branches beneath, and the rootes also, so that ye leave rootes sufficient to nourish the Tree, then set him.

If ye cut not off the under rootes, the Tree will profite more easier, and also lighter to be knowne, when they put forth Cions, from the roote of the same, the which ye may take hereafter.

To graffe one great Cherry upon another.

YE must have respect unto the Healme Cherrie, which is Graft on the wild Gomire (which is another kind of great Cherrie) and whether you doe proine them or not, it is not materiall: for they dure a long time. But ye must see to take away the Cions, that doe grow from the root of the wild Go∣mire, or wild Plum-tree: because they are of nature wild, and doe draw the sappe from the said Tree.

Of deepe Setting or shallow.

TO set your Stocks or Trees somewhat deeper on the high grounds, then in the Vallies; because the Sunne in Sum∣mer shall not dry the roote: and in the low ground more shallow, because the water in Winter shall not drowne or annoy the Rootes. Some doe marke the stocke in taking it up, and to set him againe the same way, because he will not alter his nature: so likewise the Graffes in Graffing.

CHAP. IV. This Chapter doth shew how to set other Trees which come of wild Cions, pricked in the earth without rootes: and also of proining the meaner Cions.

Trees take roote prickt of Branches.

THere be certaine which take roote, being pricked of Branches proined of other Trees, which be, the Mulberrie, the Fig-Tree, the Quince-Tree, the Seruice-tree, the Pomgranad-tree, the Apple-tree, the Damson-tree, and divers sorts of other Plumtrees, as the Plum-tree of Paradice, &c.

How one ought to set them.

FOr to set these sorts of Trees, ye must cut off the Cions, twigges, or boughes, betwixt Alhallontide and Christmas,

not lightly after. Ye shall choose them which be as great as a little staffe or more, and looke whereas ye can find them, faire, smooth, and straight, and full of sappe withall, growing of young trees, as of the age of three or foure yeares growth or thereabouts, and looke that ye take them so from the Tree with a broad Chizell, that ye breake not or loose any part of the barke thereof, more then halfe a foote beneath, neither of one side or other: then proine or cut off the branches, and pricke them one foote deepe in the earth, well digged and or∣dered before.

How to bind them that be Weake.

TH••se Plants which be slender, ye must proyne or cut off the branches, then bind them to some stake or such like to be set in good earth, and well mingled with good dung, and also to be well and deepely digged, and to be set in a moyst place, or else to be well watred in Summer.

How one ought to digge the Earth for to set them in.

ANd when that ye would set them in the earth, ye must first prepare to digge it, and dung it well throughout a large foote deepe in the earth. And when as ye will set them every one in his place made (before) with a crow of Iron, and for to make them take roote the better, ye shall put with your Plants, watred Otes, or Barley, and so ye shall let them grow the space of three or foure yeares, or when they shall be well branched, then ye may remove them, and if ye breake off the old stubby roote and set them lower, they will last a long time the more. If some of those Plants doe chance to put forth Cions from the roote, and being so rooted, ye must plucke them up though they be tender, and set them in other places:

Of Cions without Rootes.

IF that the said Plants have Cions without any Rootes, but which come from the tree roote beneath, then cut them not

of till they be of two or three yeares growth, by that time they will gather rootes to be replanted in other places.

To Plant the Fig-tree.

THe said Plants taken of Fig-trees graffed, be the best. Ye may likewise take other sorts of Fig-trees, and graffe one upon the other, for like as upon the wild Trees doe come the Pepins, even so the Figge, but not so soone to prosper and grow.

How to set Quinces.

LIkewise the nature of Quinces, is to spring, if they be pric∣ked (as aforesaid) in the earth, but sometimes J have graf∣ted with great difficulty, saith mine Author, upon a white Thorne, and it hath taken and borne fruit to looke on, faire, but in tast more weaker then the other.

The way to set Mulberries.

THere is also another way to set Mulberries as followeth, which is, if you doe cut in Winter certaine great Mulberry boughes or stockes asunder in the body (with a Saw) in tron∣cheons a foote long or more, then ye shall make a great furrow in good earth well and deepe, so that ye may cover well again your Troncheons, in setting them an end halfe a foote one from another, then cover them againe, that the earth may be above those ends, three or foure fingers high, so let them re∣maine, and water them in Summer, if need be sometimes, and cleanse them from all hurtfull weeds and rootes.

Note one of the same.

THat then within a space of time after, the said tronchions will put forth Cions, the which when they be somewhat sprigged, having two or three small twigs, then ye may trans∣plant or remove them where ye list, but leave your tron∣cheons still in the earth, for they will put forth many moti∣ons, the which if they shall have scanty of roote, then dung your troncheons within with good earth, and likewise above also, and they shall doe well.

The time meet to cut Cions.

VNderstand also, that all trees the which commonly doe put forth Cions, if ye cut them in Winter, they will put forth and spring more aboundantly, for then they be all good to Set and Plant.

To set Bush-trees, or Gooseberries, or small Raisons.

THere be many other kind of Bush-trees, which will grow of Cions pricked in the ground, as the Gooseberry-tree, the small Raison-tree, the Barberry-tree, the Blacke Thorne-tree, these with many others to be planted in Winter, will grow without rootes: ye must also proine them and they will take well enough, so likewise ye may pricke, in March, of Oziers in moyst grounds, and they will grow, and serve to many purposes for your Garden.

CHAP. V. Treateth of foure manner of Graffings.

IT is to be understood that there be many wayes of Graffings, whereof I have here only put foure sorts, the which be good, both sure and well proved, and easie to doe, the which ye may use well in two parts of the yeare and more, for I have (saith he) graffed in our house, in e∣very moneth, except October and November, and they have taken well, which J have (saith he) in the Winter begun to graffe, and in the Summer grafted in the Scutchine or shield ac∣cording to the time, forward or slow; for certaine Trees, spe∣cially young faire Cions have enough or more of their sappe unto the middle of August, then other some had at Midsom∣mer before.

The first way to graffe all sorts of Trees.

ANd first of all it is to be noted, that all sorts of francke Trees, as also wild Trees of nature, may be grafted

with grafts, and in the Scutchion, and both doe well take, but specially those Trees which be of like nature: therefore it is better so to graffe. Howbeit they may well grow and take of other sorts of trees, but certaine trees be not so good, nor will prosper so well in the end.

How to graffe Apple-trees, Peare-trees, Quince-trees, and Medlar-trees.

THey graffe the Peare-graffe, on other Peare-stockes, and Apple, upon Apple stocke, Crab or Wilding stocke, the Quince and Medlar, upon the white Thorne, but most com∣monly they use to graft one Apple upon another; and both Peares and Quinces, they graft on Hawthorne and Crab-stocke. And other kind of fruit called in French Saulfey, they use to graft on the Willow stocke, the manner thereof is hard to doe, which I have not seene, therefore J will let it passe at this present.

The Graffing of great Cherries.

THey graffe the great Cherry, called in French Heaulmi∣ers, upon the Crabbe Stocke, and another long Cherry called Guiniers, upon the wild or sowre Cherry-tree, and like∣wise one Cherry upon another.

To graffe Medlars.

THe Misple or Medlar, they may be grafted on other Med∣lars, or on white Thorne, the Quince is grafted on the white or blacke Thorne, and they doe prosper well. I have grafted (saith he) the Quince upon a wild Peare Stocke, and it hath taken and borne fruit well and good, but they will not long endure. I beleeve (saith he) it was because the graft was not able enough to draw the sap from the Peare stocke. Some graft the Medlar on the Quince, to be great. And it is to be noted, although the Stocke and the Graft be of contrary na∣tures: yet notwithstanding, neither the Graft nor Scut∣chion, shall take any part of the nature of the wild stocke so grafted, though it be Peare, Apple, or Quince, which is con∣trary

against many which have written, that if ye graft the Medlar upon the Quince-tree, they shall be without stones, which is abusive and mockery. For J have (saith he) proved the contrary my selfe.

Of divers kind of Graffes.

IT is very true, that one may set a Tree, which shall beare divers sorts of fruit at once, if he be grafted with divers kind of grafts, as the blacke, white, and greene Cherry, toge∣gether, and also Apples of other Trees, as Apples and Peares together, and in the Scutchion (ye may graft) likewise of divers kinds also, as on Peares, Apricocks, and Plums toge∣ther, and of others also.

Of the graffing of the Figge.

YE may graft the Fig-tree upon the Peach tree or Apricock, but leave a branch on the stocke, and there must be accor∣ding for the space of yeares, for the one shall change sooner then the other. All Trees abovesaid, doe take very well being grafted one with the other. And I have not knowne, or found of any others; howbeit (saith he) I have curiously sought and proved, because they say one may graft on Coleworts or on Elmes, the which I thinke are but Iests.

Of the great Apricocke.

THe great Apricocke they graft in Summer, in the Scut∣chion or Shield, in the sappe or bark of the lesser Apricock, and be grafted on Peach-trees, Fig-trees, and principally on Damson or Plum trees, for there they will prosper the better,

Of the Service-trees.

OF the Service tree, they say and write, that they may hardly be grafted on other Service-trees, either on Ap∣ple-trees, Peare, or Quince-trees: and I beleeve this to bee very hard to doe, for I have tryed (saith he) and they would not prove.

The Setting of Service-trees.

THerefore it is much better to set them of Curnels, as it is aforesaid, as also in the second Chapter of planting of Ci∣ons, or other great Trees, which must be cut in Winter, as such as shall be most meete for that purpose.

Trees which be very hard to be grafted in the Shield or Scutchion.

ALL other manner of Trees aforesaid, doe take very well to be graffed with Cions, and also in the Shield, except Apricocks on Peaches, Almonds, Percigniers, the Peach-tree doe take hardly to be graffed, but in the shield in Summer, as shall be more largely hereafter declared. As for the Al∣mond, Percigniers and Peaches, ye may better set them of Curnels and Nuts, whereby they shall the sooner come to perfection to be graffed.

How a man ought to consider those Trees, which be commonly charged with fruit.

YE shall understand, that in the beginning of graffing, ye must consider what sorts of Trees, doe most charge the stocke with branch and fruit, or that doe love the Country or Ground whereas you intend to plant or graffe them: for bet∣ter it were to have abundance of fruit, then to have very few or none.

Of Trees whereon to choose your Graffes.

OF such Trees as ye will gather your Graffes to graffe with, ye must take them at the ends of the principall Branches, which be also faire and greatest of Sappe, having two or three fingers length of the old wood, with the new, and those Cions which eyes somewhat nigh together, are the best; for those which be long, are farre one from another, and not so good to bring fruit.

The Cions towards the East are best.

YE shall understand, that those Cions which doe grow on the East, or Orient part of the Tree, are best: ye must not

lightly gather of the evill and slender graffes which grow in the middest of the Trees, nor any graffes which doe grow within on the branches, or that doe spring from the stocke of the Tree, nor yet graftes which be on very old Trees, for thereby ye shall not lightly profit to any purpose.

To chuse your Tree for Graffes.

ANd when the Trees whereas you intend to gather your graftes, be small and yong, as of five or sixe years growth, doe not take of the highest grafts thereof, nor the greatest, ex∣cept it be of a small Tree of two or three yeares, the which commonly hath too much of toppe or wood, otherwise not, for you shall but marre your graffing.

How to keepe Graffes a long time.

YE may keepe graftes a long time good, as from Alhallon∣tide (so that the leaves be fallen) unto the time of graffing, if that they be well covered in the earth halfe a foot deep ther∣in, and so that none of them doe appeare without the earth.

How to keepe Graffes before they are budded.

ALso doe not gather them, except ye have great need, un∣till Christmas or there-abouts, and put them not in the ground nigh any walles for feare of Moles, Mice, and water, marring the place and graftes. It shall be good to keepe graftes in the earth before they begin to bud, when that ye will graft betwixt the barke and the Tree, and when the Trees begin to enter into their sappe.

How one ought to begin to Graffe.

ALso ye must begin to graft (in cleaving the stocke) at Christmas, or before, according to the coldnesse of the time, and principally the Healme or great Cherry, Peares, Wardens, or forward fruit of Apples: and for Medlars it is good to tarry untill the end of Ianuary and February, untill

March, or untill such time as ye shall see Trees begin to bud or spring.

When it is good Graffing the wild Stockes.

IN the Spring time it is good Graffing of wild Stockes, (which be great) betwixt the barke and the tree, such stocks as are to be of later Spring, and kept in the earth before. The Damson or Plum tarrieth longest to be grafted: for they doe not shew or put forth sappe, as soone as the other.

Marke if the Tree be forward or not.

ALso consider you alwayes, whether the Tree be forward or not, or to be grafted soone or lateward, and to give him also a graffe of the like hast or slownesse: even so ye must marke the time, whether it be slow or forward.

When one will graffe, what necessaries he ought to be furnished withall.

VVHensoever ye goe to graffing, see ye be first furnished with grafts, clay and mosse, clothes or barkes of sallow to bind likewise withall. Also ye must have a small Saw, and a sharpe knife, to cleave and cut Graffes withall. But it were much better if ye should cut your grafts with a great Penknife or some other like sharpe knife, having also a small wedge of hard wood, or of Iron, with a hooked knife, and also a small Mallet. And your wild stockes must be well rooted before ye do graffe them: and be not so quick to deceive your selves, as those which doe graffe and plant all at one time, yet they shall not profit so well, for where the wild stock hath not substance in himselfe, much lesse to give unto the other grafts, for when a man thinkes sometimes to forward him∣selfe, he doth hinder himselfe.

Of Graffes not prospering the first yeare.

YE shall understand, that very hardly your Graffes shall prosper after, if they doe not profit or prosper well in the first yeare, for whensoever (in the first yeare) they profit well,

it were better to graft them somewhat lower then to let them so remaine and grow.

For to graffe well and sound.

ANd for the best understanding of Graffing in the cleft, ye shall first cut away all the small Cions about the bo∣dy of the stocke beneath, and before ye begin to cleave your stocke, dresse and cut your graffes somewhat thick and ready, then cleave your stocke, and as the cleft is small or great (if need be) part it smooth within, then cut your incision of your grafts accordingly, and set them in the clefts as even and as close as ye can possible.

How to trim your Graffes.

ALso ye may graft your Graffes full as long as two or three trunchions or cut Grafts, which ye may likewise graffe withall very well, and will be as good as those which doe come of old wood, and often times better, as to graffe a bough, for often it so happeneth, a man shall find of Oylets or eyes hard by the old slender wood, yet better it were to cut them of with the old wood, and choose a better and faire place at some other eye in the same Graffe, and to make your incisi∣on there under, as aforesaid, and cut your grafts in making the incision on the one side narrow, and on the other side broad, and the inner-side thin, and the out-side thicke, because the out-side (of your Graffe) must joyne within the cleft, with the Sappe of barke of the wild Stocke, and it shall so be set in. See also that ye cut it smooth as your clefts are in the Stock••, in joyning at every place both even and close, and especially the joynts or corners of the graffes on the head of the stocke, which must be well and cleane pared before, and then set fast thereon.

How to cut Graffes for Cherries and Plums.

IT is not much requisite in the Healme Cherry, for to joyne the Grafts (in the stocke) wholly throughout, as it is in

others, or to cut the grafts of great Cherries, Damsons, or Plums, so thinne and plaine as ye may other graffes, for these sorts have a more greater sappe or pithe within, the which ye must alwayes take heed in cutting it too nigh on the one side or on the other, but at the end thereof chiefly, to be thinne cut and flat.

Note also.

ANd yet if the said incision be more straighter and closer on the one side then on the other side, part it where it is most meete, and where it is too straight open it with a wedge of Iron, and put in a wedge of the same wood above in the cleft, and thus may ye moderate your graffes as ye shall see cause.

How in graffing to take heed that the Barke doe not rise.

IN all kind of cutting your Graffes, take heed to the barke of your grafts, that it doe not rise (from the wood) on no side thereof, and specially on the out side, therefore ye shall leave it more thicker then the inner-side: Also ye must take heed when as the stocks doe wreath in cleaving, that ye may joyne the graffe therein accordingly: the best remedy therefore is to cut it smooth within, that the graffe may joyne the better: ye shall also unto the most greatest Stockes, choose for them the most greatest Graffes.

How to cut your Stocke.

HOw much the more your stocke is thinne and slender, so much more ye ought to cut him lower, and if your stock be as great as your finger, or there-abouts, ye may cut him a foote or halfe a foote from the earth, and dig him about, and dung him with Goates dung, to helpe him withall, and graft him but with one Graffe or Cion.

If the wild Stocke be great and slender.

IF your wild Stocke be great, or as big as a good staffe, ye shall cut him round of, a foote or there-abouts above the

earth, then set in two good graffes in the head or cleft thereof.

Trees as great as ones Arme.

BUt when your Stocke is as great as your arme, ye shall saw him cleane off and round, three or foure foote, or there abouts from the earth, for to defend him, and set in the head three graffes, two in the cleft, and one betwixt the barke and the Tree, on that side which ye have most space.

Great Trees as bigge as your Leg.

IF the Stocke be as bigge as your legge, or there-abouts, ye shall saw him faire and cleane of, foure or five foote high from the earth, and cleave him a crosse (if ye will) and set in foure grafts in the clefts thereof, or else one cleft onely, and set two grafts in both the sides thereof, and other two grafts betwixt the barke and the Tree.

When the Graffes be pinched with the Stocke.

YE must for the better understanding, marke to graffe be∣twixt the Barke and the Tree, for when the sappe is full in the wood of wild Stocks being great, then they doe common∣ly pinch or wring the grafts too sore, if ye doe not put a small wedge of greene wood in the cleft thereof, to helpe them withall against such danger.

How ye ought to cleave your Stockes.

VVHensoever ye shall cleave your wild Stocks, take heed that ye cleave them not in the middest of the heart or pith, but a little on the one side, which ye shall thinke good.

How to graffe the branch of great Trees.

IF ye would graft great Trees, as great as your thigh, or grea∣ter, it were much better to graft onely the branches thereof, then the stocke or body, for the stocke will rot before the grafts shall cover the head.

How to cut Branches old and great.

BUt if the Branches be too rude, and without order (the best shall be) to cut them all off, and within three or foure yeares after they will bring faire young Cions againe, and then it shall be best to graft them, and cut off all the superflu∣ous and ill branches thereof.

How ye ought to bind your Graffes throughout for feare of Winds.

ANd when your grafts shall be growne, ye must bind them, for feare of shaking of the wind, and if the Tree be free and good of himselfe, let the Cions grow still, and ye may graft any part or branch ye will in the cleft, or betwixt the barke and the Tree, or in the Scutchion, and if your barke be faire and loose.

To set many Graffes in one cleft.

EVer when ye will put many grafts in one cleft, see that one incision (of your Graft) be as large as the other, not to be put into the cleft so slightly and rashly, and that one side thereof be not more open then the other, and that these Grafts be all of one length: it shall suffice also if they have three eyes on each graft without the joynt thereof.

How to saw your stocke before you leave him.

IN sawing your stocke, see that you teare not the barke a∣bout the head thereof, then cleave his head with a long sharpe knife, or such like, and knocke your wedge in the middest thereof, (then pare him on the head round about) and knock your wedge in so deep till it open meet for your grafts but not so wide, then holding in one hand your graft and in the other hand your Stocke, set your Graft in close, barke to barke, and let your wedge be great above at the head, that ye may knocke him out faire and easily againe,

If the Stocke cleave too much, or the barke doe open.

IF the Stocke doe cleaue too much, or open the barke with the wood too low, then softly open your stocke with your wedge, and see if your incision of your Graft, be all meete, and just, according to the cleft, if not, make it untill it be meete, or else saw him off lower.

How Graffes never lightly take.

ABove all things ye must consider the meeting of the two saps, betwixt the graft and the wild stocke, which must be set in just one with another: for ye shall understand, if they doe not joyne, and the one delight with the other, being even set, they shall never take together, for there is nothing onely to joyne their increase, but the Sappe, recounting the one against the other.

How to set the Graffes right in the cleft.

VVHen the barke of the Stocke, is more thicker then the graft, ye must take good heed, of the setting it in of the graft in the cleft, to the end that his sappe may joyne right with the sap of the stocke, on the in-side, and ye ought like∣wise to consider of the sappe of the stocke, if he doe surmount the grafts in the out-sides of the cleft too much or not.

Of setting in the Graffes.

ALso ye must take good heed, that the grafts be well and cleane set in, and joyne close upon the head of the stock. Likewise then the incision which is set in the cleft, doe joyne very well within on both sides, not to joyne so even, but some times it may doe service, when as the Grafts doe draw too much from the Stocke, or the stocke also on the Grafts doe put forth.

Note also.

ANd therefore, when the stock is rightly cloven, there is no danger in cutting the incision of the graft, but a lit∣tle

straight rebated to the end thereof, that the sappe may joyn one with the other, the better and closer together.

How ye ought to draw out your wedge.

VVHen your Graffes shall be well joyned with your stocke, draw your wedge faire and softly forth, for feare of displacing your graffes, ye may leave within the cleft a small wedge of such greene wood as is aforesaid, and ye shall cut it of close by the head of your stocke, and so cover it with a barke as followeth.

To cover your clefts on the head.

VVHen your wedge is drawne forth, put a greene pill of thicke barke of Willow, Crab, or Apple, upon your clefts of the stocke, that nothing may fall betweene: then cover all about the clefts on the stocke head, two fin∣gers thicke with good clay, or nigh about that thicknesse, that no Wind nor Raine may enter. Then cover it round with good Mosse, and then wreath it over with clothes, or pilles of Willow, Bryar, or Oziars, or such like, then bind them fast, and sticke certaine long prickes on the grafts head amongst your Cions, to defend the Crowes, Iayes, or such like.

How ye ought to see to the binding of your Graffes.

BUt alwayes take good heed to the binding of your heads, that they waxe slacke, or shagge, neither on the one side or other, but remaines fast upon the clay, which clay remaines fast (likewise on the stocke head) under the binding thereof, wherefore the said clay must be moderated in such sort as fol∣loweth.

How ye ought to temper your Clay.

THe best way is therefore, to try your clay betwixt your hands, for stones and such like, and so to temper it as ye shall thinke good, if so it require of moystnesse or drinesse and to temper it with the haire of beastes: for when it dryeth, it

holdeth not (otherwise) so well on the stocke, or if ye knead of Mosse therewith, or mingle Hay thin therewith: some doe judge that the Mosse doth make the trees mossie. But I thinke (saith he) that commeth of the disposition of places.

To bush your graffe heades.

VVHen ye shall bind or wrap your Graffe heades with band, take small Thornes, and bind them within, for to defend your Graffes from Kites, or Crowes, or other danger of other Fowles, or pricke of sharpe white stickes thereon.

The second way to graffe high Branches on Trees.

THe second manner to Graffe, is strange enough to many: This kind of Graffing is on the tops of branches of Trees, which thing to make them grow lightly, is not so soone obtained: wheresoever they be grafted, they doe onely require a faire young wood, a great Cion or twig, growing highest in the Tree top, which Cions ye shall choose to graffe on, of ma∣ny sorts of fruits if ye will, or as ye shall thinke good, which order followeth.

TAke grafts of other sorts of Trees, which ye would graffe in the top thereof, then mount to the top of the tree which ye would graft, and cut off the tops of all such branches, or as many as ye would graft on, and if they be greater then the grafts, which ye would graft, ye shall cut and graft them lower as ye doe the small wild stocke aforesaid. But if the Cions that you cut be as great as your graft that you graft on, ye shall cut them lower betwixt the old wood and the new, or a little more higher, or lower: then cleave a little, and choose your grafts in the like sort, which ye would plant, whereof ye shall make the incision short, with the barke on both sides a like, and as thicke on the one side as the other, and set so just in the cleft, that the barke may be even and close, aswell above as be∣neath, on the one side as the other, and so bind him as is afore∣said.

It shall suffice that every graft have an oylet, or eye, or two at the most, without the joynt, for to leave them too long it shall not be good, and ye must dresse it with Clay and Mosse, and bind it as it is aforesaid. And likewise ye may graffe these, as ye doe the little wild Stocks, which should be as great as your Graffes, and to graft them, as ye doe those with Sappe like on both sides, but then you must graffe them in the earth, as three fingers of, or there-abouts.

The manner of Graffing, is of Graffes which may be set betwixt the Barke and the Tree.

To graffe betwixt the Barke and the Tree.

THis manner of graffing is good, when Trees do begin to enter into their Sap, which is, about the end of Februa∣ry unto the end of Aprill, and specially on great wild stockes which be hard to cleave, ye may set in foure or five grafts in the head thereof, which grafts ought to be gathered afore, and kept close in the earth till then, for by that time aforesaid, ye shall scantly find a Tree, but that he doth put forth or bud, as the Apple called Capendu, or such like.

Ye must therefore saw these wild stockes more charily, and more higher, so they be great, and then cut the Graffes, which ye would set together, so as you would set them up∣on the wild stocke that is cleft, as is afore rehearsed. And the incision of your grafts must not be so long, nor so thick, and the barke a little at the end thereof must be taken away, and made in manner as a Launcet of Iron, and as thicke on the one side as the other.

How to dresse the head, to place the graffes betwixt the Barke and the Tree.

ANd when your grafts be ready cut, then shall ye clense the head of your stocke, and pare it with a sharpe knife round about the barke thereof, to the end your grafts may

joyne the better thereon, then by and by take a sharp pen-knife, or other sharpe pointed knife, and thrust it downe be∣twixt the barke and the stock, so long as the incision of your graffes be, then put your graffes softly downe therein to the hard joynt, and see that it doe sit close upon the stocke head.

How to cover the head of your stocke.

VVHen as ye haue set in your graffes, ye must then cover it well about with good tough Clay and Mosse, as is sayd of the others, and then ye must incontinent enuiron or compasse your head with small thorny bushes, and bind them fast thereon all about, for feare of great Birds, and likewise the wind.

Of the manner and graffing in the Shield or Scutchion.

THe fourth manner to graffe, which is the last, is to graffe in the Scutchion, in the sap, in Sommer, from about the end of the moneth of May vntill August, when as trees be yet strong in sap and leaves, for otherwayes it cannot be done; the best time is in Iune and Iuly, some yeares when the time is very dry, and that some trees doe hold their sappe very long; therefore ye must tary till it returne.

For to graffe in Summer so long as the trees be full leaved.

FOr to begin this manner of graffing well, ye must in Sum∣mer when the trees be almost full of sappe, and when they haue sprung forth of new shootes being somewhat hardened, then shall ye take a branch thereof in the top of the tree, the which ye will ha••e grafted, and choose the highest and the principallest branches, without cutting it from the old wood, and choose thereof the principallest oylet or eye, or budding place, of each branch one, with which oylet or eye, ye shall begin to graft as followeth.

The big Cions are best to graffe.

CHiefly ye must understand, that the smallest and naughty oylets or buds of the said Cions be not so good to graffe; therefore choose the greatest and best you can find, first cut of the leafe hard by the oylet, then ye shall trench or cut the length of a barley corne beneath the oylet round about the barke, hard to the wood, and so likewise above: then with a sharpe point of a knife, slit it downe halfe an inch beside the oylet or bud, and with the point of a sharpe knife softly raise the said Shield or Scutchion round about, with the oylet in the middest, and all the sap belonging thereunto.

How to take of the Shield from the wood.

ANd for the better raising the said Shield or Scutchion from the wood, after that ye have cut him round about, and then slit him down, without cutting any part of the wood within, ye must then raise the side next you that is slit, and then take the same Shield betwixt your finger and thum, and plucke or raise it softly of, without breaking or brusing any part thereof, and in the opening or plucking it off, hold it with your finger hard to the wood, to the end the sap of the oylet may remaine in the Shield, for if it goe off (in plucking it) from the barkes, and sticke to the wood, your Scutchions is nothing worth.

To know your Scutchion or Shield when he is good or bad.

ANd for the more easier understanding, if it be good or bad, when it is taken from the wood, looke within the said shield, and if ye shall see it cracke, or open within, then it is of no value, for the chiefe Sappe doth yet remaine behind with the wood, which should be in the ••hield, and therefore ye must choose and cut another Shield, which must be good and sound as aforesaid, and when your Scutchion shall be well taken of from the wood, then hold it dry by the oylet or eye betwix your lips, untill ye have cut and taken of the barke from tht

other Cion or branch, and set him in that place, and looke that ye doe not foule or wet it in your mouth.

Of young Trees to graffe on.

BUt ye must graffe on such Trees, as be from the bignesse of your little finger, unto as great as your arme, having their barke thin and slender, for great Trees commonly have their barke hard and thicke, which ye cannot well graffe this way, except they have some branches with a thinne smooth barke, meet for this way to be done.

How to set or place your Shield.

YE must quickly cut of round the barke of the Tree that ye will graffe on, a little more longer then the Shield that ye set on, because it may joyne the sooner and easier, but take heed that in cutting of barke, ye cut not the wood within.

Note also.

AFter the incision once done, ye must then cover both the sides or ends well and softly withall, with a little bone or horne, made in manner like a thinne skinne, which ye shall lay it all over the joynts or closings of the said shield, some∣what longer and larger, but take heed for hurting or crush∣ing the barke thereof.

How to lift up the barke and te set your Shield on.

THis done take your Shield or Scutchion, by the oylet or eye that he hath, and open him faire and softly by the two sides, and put them straight way on the other tree, whereas the barke is taken off, and joyne him close barke to barke thereon, then plaine it softly above, and at both the ends with the thinne bone, and that they joyne above and beneath barke to barke, so that he may feed well the branch of that Tree.

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moist place, the which then it were best for to tarry untill Ia∣nuary, or February, to plant in the Frost is not good.

To Plant or Set towards the South, or Sunny place is best.

AFore you doe plucke up your trees for to plant them, if ye will marke the South-side of each tree, that when ye shall replant them, ye may set them againe as they stood before, which is the best way as some doe say. And if ye keepe them a certaine time, after they be taken out of the Earth, before ye replant them againe, they will rather recover there in the earth, so they be not wet with Raine, nor otherwise, for that shall be more contrary to them then the great Heate or Drought.

How to cut the Branches of Trees before they be Set.

VVHensoever ye shall set or replant your Trees, first ye must cut of the boughes, and specially those which are great branches, in such sort that ye shall leave the small twigs or sprigs, on the stockes of your branch, which must be but a shaftment long, or somewhat more, or lesse according as the Tree shall require, which ye doe set.

Apple-trees commonly must be disbranched before they be replanted or set.

ANd chiefly the Apple Trees, being Graffed ot not Graf∣fed, doe require to be disbranched before they be set a∣gaine, for they shall prosper thereby, much the better: the o∣ther sorts of Trees may well passe unbranched, if they have not too great or large branches, and therefore it shall be good to transplant or set, as soone after as the graffes are closed, on the head of the wild Stocke, as for small Trees which have but one Cion or twig, it needs not to cut them above, when they be replanted or removed.

All wild Stockes must be disbranched when they are replanted or set.

ALL wild ttees or stockes, which ye thinke for to graffe on ye must first cut off all their Branches before ye set them againe: also it shall he good, alwayes to take heed in replan∣ting your Trees, that ye doe set them again, in as good or bet∣ter Earth, then they were in before, and so every Tree, accor∣ding as his nature doth require.

What Trees love the faire Sunne, what Trees the cold Ayre.

COmmonly the most part of Trees, doe love the Sunne at Noone, and yet the South Wind (or vent d'aval) is very contrary against their nature, and specially the Almond-tree, the Apricocke, the Mulberry-tree, the Fig-tree, and the Pom∣granade-tree. Certaine other Trees there be which love cold Ayre, as these: the Chesnut-tree, the wild and eager Cherry-tree, the Quince-tree, and the Damson or Plum-tree, the Wal∣nut loveth cold Ayre, and a stony white ground. Peare-trees love not greatly plaine places, they prosper well enough in places closed with walles, or high Hedges, and specially the Peare called bon Christien.

Of many sorts and manner of Trees following their nature.

THe Damson or Plum-tree doth love a cold fat earth, and clay withall, the (Healme) great Cherry doth love to be, set or planted upon Clay. The Pine-tree loveth light earth▪ stony and sandy. The Medlar commeth well enough in all kind of grounds, and doth not hinder his fruit, to be in the shadow and moist places. Hasell-nut-trees love the place to be cold, leane, moist and sandy. Ye shall understand, that every kind of fruitfull Tree doth love, and is more fruitfull in one place then another, as according unto their nature. Neverthe∣lesse, yet we ought to nourish them (all that we may) in the place where we set them in, in taking them from the place and

ground they were in. And ye must also consider when one doth plant them of the great and largest kind of Trees, that every kind of Tree may prosper and grow, and it is to be con∣sidered also, if the Trees have commonly grown afore so large in the ground or not, for in good earth the Trees may well prosper and grow, having a good space one from another, more then if the ground were leane and naught.

How to place or set Trees at large.

IN this thing ye shall consider, ye must give a competent space, from one Tree to another, when as ye make the holes to set them in, not nigh, nor the one tree touch another. For a good Tree planted, or set well at large, it profiteth often∣times more of fruit then three or foure Trees, set too nigh together. The most greatest and largest Trees commonly are Walnuts and Chesnuts, if ye plant them severally in ranke, as they doe commonly grow upon high wayes, besides hedges and Fields, they must be set xxxv. foote asunder, one from ano∣ther, or there-abouts, but if ye will plant many rankes in one place together, ye must set them the space of xiv. foot one from another, or thereabouts, and so farre ye must set your rankes one from another. For the Peare-trees and Apple-trees, and of other sorts of Trees, which may be set of this largenesse one from the other, if ye doe plant onely in rankes by hedges in the Fields, or otherwise, it shall be sufficient of xx. foote from another. But if ye will set two rankes upon the sides of your great Allies in Gardens, which be of tenne or twelve foote broad, it shall be then best to give them more space, the one from the other in each ranke, as about xxv. foote, also ye must not set your Trees right one against the other, but en∣termedling or betweene every space, as they may best grow at large, that if need be, ye may plant of other smaller Trees be∣tweene, but see that ye set them not too thicke. If ye list to set or plant all your Trees of one bignesse, as of young Trees like rods, being Peare-trees, or Apple-trees, they must be set a good space one from another, as of twenty or thirty foote in

square, as to say, from one ranke to another. For to plant or set of smaller trees, as Plum-trees, and Apple-trees, of the like bignesse, it shall be sufficient for them foureteene or fifteene foote space in quarters. But if ye will plant or set two tankes in your Allies in Gardens, ye must devise for to proportion it after the largenesse of your said Allies. For to plant or set ea∣ger or sower Cherry-trees, this space shall be sufficient e∣nough the one from the other, that is, of x. or xii. foote, and therefore if you make of great or large Allies in your Gar∣den, as of x. foote wide, or thereabouts, they shall come well to passe, and shall be sufficient to plant your trees, of ix. or x. foot space and for the other lesser sorts of trees, as of Quince-trees, Fig-trees, Nut-trees, and such like, which be not com∣monly planted, but in one ranke together.

Ordering your Trees.

VVHen that ye plant or set rankes, or every kind of trees together, ye shall set or plant the most smallest towards the Sun, and the greatest in the shade, that they may not annoy or hurt the small, nor the small the great. Also whensoever ye will plant or set of Peare-trees, and Plumtrees, (in any place) the one with another, better it were to set the Plum-trees next the Sunne, for the Peares will dure better in the shade. Also ye must understand, when ye set or plant any rankes of trees together, ye must have more space betwixt your rankes and trees, (then when ye set but one ranke) that they may have roome sufficient on every side.

Ye shall also scarcely set or plant Peare-trees, or Apple-trees, or other great Trees, upon dead or mossie Barren ground unstirred; for they increase (thereon) to no purpose. But other lesser Trees very well may grow, as Plum trees, and such like: now when all the said things above be conside∣red, ye shall make your holes according to the space that shall be required of every Tree that ye shall plant or set, and also the place meete for the same, so much as ye may convenient, ye shall make your holes large enough, for ye must suppose

the tree ye doe set, hath not the halfe of his rootes he shall have hereafter; therefore ye must helpe him and give him of good fat earth, (or dung) all about the roots when as ye plant him. And if any of the same rootes be too long and brused or hurt, ye shall cut them cleane off a slope-wise, so that the up∣per side (of each roote) so cut, may be longest in setting, and for the small Rootes which come forth all about thereof, ye may not cut them off as the great rootes.

How ye ought to enlarge the holes for your Trees when ye Plant them.

FOr when as ye set the Trees in the holes, ye must then en∣large the rootes in placing them, and see that they take all downe-wards, without turning any rootes the end upward, and ye must not plant or set them too deepe in the earth, but as ye shall see cause. It shall be sufficient for them to be plan∣ted or set (halfe a foote, or there-abouts) in the earth, so that the earth be above all the rootes halfe a foote or more, if the place be not very burning and stony.

Of Dung and good Earth, for your Plants and Trees.

ANd when as ye would replant or set, ye must have of good fat Earth or Dung, well mingled with a part of the same earth whereas ye tooke your plants out of, with all the upper crests of the earth, as thicke as ye can have it: the said earth which ye shall put about the rootes, must not be put too nigh the roots, for doubt of the dung being laid too nigh, which will put the said rootes in a heate, but let it be well mingled with the other earth, and well tempered in the holes, and the smallest and slenderest Cions that turnes up among those Rootes, ye may plant there very well.

If ye have wormes amongst the Earth of your Rootes.

IF there be wormes in the fat Earth or Dung, that ye put about your roots, ye must mingle it well also with the dung

of Oxen or Kine, or slekt Sope-ashes about the Roote, which will make the wormes to dye, for otherwise they will hurt greatly the Rootes.

To digge well the earth about the Tree Rootes.

ALso ye must digge well the earth, principally all round over the rootes, and more oftner if they be dry, then if they be wet, ye must not plant or set Trees when it raineth, nor the earth to be very moyst about the rootes. The Trees that be planted or set in Vallies, commonly prosper well by Drought, and when it raineth, they that be on the Hills are better by watering with drops, then others, but if the place or ground be moist of nature, ye must plant or set your Trees not so deepe thereon.

The nature of Places.

ON high and dry places, ye must plant or set your Trees a little more deeper, then in the Vallies, and ye must not fill the holes in high places, so full as the other, to the end that the Raine may better moysten them.

Of good Earth.

VNderstand also, that of good earth, commonly commeth good fruit, but in certaine places (if they might be suf∣fered to grow) they would season the Tree the better. Other∣wise they shall not come to proofe, nor yet have a good tast.

With what ye ought to bind your Trees.

VVHensoever your Trees shall be replanted or set, ye must knocke by the roote, a stake, and bind your Trees thereto for feare of the wind: and when they doe spring ye shall dresse them and bind them with bands that may not breake, which bands may be of strong soft hearbes, as Bul∣rushes or such like, or of old linnen clouts, if the other be not strong enough, or else ye may bind them with Oziers, or such like, for feare of fretting or hurting your Trees.

CHAP. VII. Of medicining and keeping the Trees when they are planted.

The first councell is, when your Trees be but Plants, in dry weather, they must be watered.

THe young trees which be newly Planted, must some∣times (in Summer) be watred when the time waxeth dry, at the least the first yeare after they be planted or set. But as for the greater trees which are well taken and rooted a good time, ye must dig them all over the rootes after Alhallontide, and uncover them foure or five foote com∣passe about the roofe of the tree: and let them so lye uncove∣red untill the latter end of Winter. And if ye doe, then mingle about each tree of good fat earth or dung, to heate and com∣fort the earth withall, it shall be good.

With what Dung, ye ought to Dung your Trees.

ANd principally unto Mossie trees, dung them with Hogs dung mingled with other earth of the same ground, and let the dung of Oxen be next about the roots, and ye shall also abate the Mosse of the Trees with a great knife of wood, or such like, so that ye hurt not the barke thereof.

When ye ought to uncover your Trees in Summer.

IN the time of Summer, when the earth is scantly halfe moist, it shall be good to digge at the foote of the Trees, all about on the roote, such as not have beene uncovered in the Winter before, and to mingle it with good fat earth: and so fill it againe, and they shall doe well.

When ye ought to cut or proyne your Trees.

ANd if there be in your Trees certaine Branches of super∣fluous wood, that ye will cut off, tarry untill the time of the entring in of the Sappe, that is, when they begin to bud, as in March and Aprill: Then cut off as ye shall see cause, all such superfluous Branches hard by the Tree, that thereby the other Branches may prosper the better, for then they shall sooner close their sappe upon the cut places then in the Win∣ter, which should not doe so well to cut them, as certaine doe teach, which have not good experience. But for so much as in this time the Trees be entring into the Sappe, as is aforesaid. Take heed therefore in cutting then off your great Branches hastily, that through their great waight, they doe not cleave or separate the Barke from the Tree, in any part thereof.

How to cut your great Branches, and when.

ANd for the better remedy: first you shall cut the same great Branches, halfe a foote from the tree, and after to saw the rest cleane hard by the body of the Tree, then with a broad Chizell, cut all cleane, and smooth upon that place, then cover it with Oxe Dung. Ye may also cut them well in Win∣ter so that ye leave the trunke or branch somewhat longer, so as ye may dresse and cut them againe in March and Aprill, as is before mentioned.

How ye ought to leave these great Branches cut.

OTher things here are to be shewed, of certaine grafts and old Trees onely, which in cutting the great branches thereof truncheon-wise, doe renue againe, as Walnuts, Mul∣berry-trees, Plum-trees, Cherry-trees, with others, which ye must disbranch the boughes thereof, even after Alhallontide, or as soone as their leaves be fallen off, and likewise before they begin to enter into Sappe.

Of Trees having great Branches.

THe said great Branches, when ye shall disbranch them ye shall so cut them off in such Truncheons, to lengthen the Trees, that the one may be longer then the other, that when the Cions be growne good and long thereon, ye may graffe on them againe as ye shall see cause, according as every arme shall require.

Of barrennesse of trees, the time of cutting all bran∣ches, and of uncovering the Rootes.

SOmetimes a man hath certaine old Trees, which be almost spent, as of the Peare-trees, and Plum-trees, and other great Trees, the which beare scant of fruit: but when as ye shall see some Branches well charged therewith, then ye ought to cut off all the other ill Branches and Boughes, to the end that those that remaine, may have the more Sap, to nourish their fruit, and also to uncover their rootes after Alhallontide, and to cleave the most greatest rootes thereof (a foote from the trunke) and put into the said clefts, a thin state of hard stone, there let it remaine, to the end that the humour of the Tree may enter out thereby, and at the end of Winter, ye shall cover him againe, with as good fat earth as ye can get, and let the stone alone.

Trees which ye must helpe, or plucke up by the Rootes.

ALL sorts of Trees which spring Cions from the Rootes, as Plum-trees, all kind of Cherry-trees, and small Nut-trees, ye must helpe in plucking their Cions from their roots in Winter, as soone as conveniently ye can, after the leafe is fallen. For they doe greatly plucke downe and weaken the said trees, in drawing to them the substance of the earth.

What doth make a good Nut.

BUt chiefly to plant these Cions, the best way is to let them grow, and be nourished two or three years from the

roote, and then to transplant them, or set them in the Winter, as is aforesaid. The Cions which be taken from the foote of the Hasell-trees, make good Nuts, and to be of much strength and vertue, when they are not suffered to grow too long from the Roote, or foote aforesaid.

Trees eaten with Beasts must be graffed againe.

VVHen certaine graffes being well in Sappe, of three or foure yeares or thereabouts, be broken or greatly endamaged with beasts, which have broked thereof, it shall lit∣tle profit to leave those Graffes so, but it were better to cut them, and to graffe them higher, or lower then they were be∣fore. For the Graffes shall take as well upon the new as old Cion being graffed, as on the wild stocke: But it shall not so soone close: as upon the wild stocke-head.

How your wild Stockes ought not hastily to be removed.

IN the beginning when ye have graffed your Graffes on the wild Stocke, doe not then hastily plucke up those Cions or wild stockes so graffed, untill ye shall see the graffes put forth a new sheute, the which remaining still ye may graffe there∣on againe, so that your graffes in hasty removing, may chance to dye.

When ye cut off the naughty Cions from the Wood.

VVHen your Graffes on the stockes shall put forth of new wood, or a new sheute, as of two or three foot long, and if they put forth also of other small superfluous Cions (a∣bout the said members or branches that ye would nourish) cut off all such ill Cions, hard by the head, in the same yeare they are graffed in, but not so long as the wood is in Sappe, till the Winter after.

How sometimes to cut the principall Members.

ALso it is good to cut some of the principall Members or Branches in the first Yeare, if they have too many, and then againe, within two or three yeares after, when they shall be well sprung up, and the graffes well closed on the head of the stocke: ye may trimme and dresse them againe, in taking away the superfluous branches, if any there remaine, for it is sufficient enough to nourish a young Tree, to leave him one principall Member on the head, so that he may be one of those, that hath beene grafted on the Tree before, yea, and the Tree shall be fairer and better in the end, then if he had two or three branches, or precidence at the foote. But if the Tree have beene graffed with many great Cions, then you must leave him more largely, according as ye shall see cause or need to recover the clefts on the head of the said graffe or stocke.

How to guide and governe the said Trees.

VVHen that your Trees doe begin to spring, ye must order and see to them well, the space of three or foure yeares or more, untill they be well and strongly grown, in helping them above, in cutting the small twigs, and super∣fluous wood, untill they be so high without branches, as a man, or more if it may be, and then see to them well, in placing the principall branches if need be, with forkes or wands prickt right, and well about them at the foot, and to proine them, so that one branch doe not approach too nigh the other, nor yet fret the one the other, when as they doe enlarge and grow, and ye must also cut off certaine branches in the Tree, where as they are too thicke.

A kind of Sicknesse in Trees.

LIkewise when certaine Trees are sicke of the Gall, which is a kind of Sicknesse that doth eate the Barke, therefore ye must cut it, and take out all the same infection with a

little Chizell, or such like thing. This must be done at the end of Winter, then put on that infected place of Oxe Dung, or Hogs Dung and bind it fast thereon with Cloutes, and wrap it with Oziers, so let it remaine a long time, till it shall reco∣ver againe.

Trees which have Wormes in the Barke.

OF Trees which have Wormes within their Barkes, is where as ye shall see a swelling or rising therein, there∣fore ye must cut or cleave the said barke unto the wood, to the end the humour may also distill out thereat, and with a little hooke ye must plucke or draw out the said wormes, withall the rotten wood ye can see, then shall ye put upon the said place, a Plaister made of Oxe Dung, or Hogs Dung, mingled and beaten with Sage, and a little of unsleckt Lime, then let it be all well boild together, and wrap it on a cloth, and bind it fast and close thereon so long as it will hold. The Lees of Wine shed or powred upon the Rootes of Trees (the which be somewhat sicke through the coldnesse of the Earth) which Lees doth them much good.

Snayles, Ants, and Wormes, doth marre Trees.

ALso ye must take heed of all manner of young trees, and specially of those graffes, the which many Wormes and Flyes, doe endamage and hurt in the time of Summer, those are the Snailes, the Pismires, or Ants: the field Snaile, which hurteth also all other sorts of Trees that be great, principally in the time that the Cuckow doth sing, and betwixt Aprill and Midsommer, while they be tender. There be little Beasts called Sowes, which have many Legs, and some of them be gray, some black, and some hath a long sharpe snowt, which be very noysome, and great hurters of young Graffes, and other young Trees also, for they cut them off in eating the tender top (of the young Cions) as long as ones finger.

How ye ought to take the said Wormes.

FOr to take them well, ye must take heed and watch in the heate of the day (your young Trees) and where ye shall see any, put your hand softly underneath, without shaking the tree, for they will suddainly fal when one thinkes to take them: therefore so soone as you can (that they flye not away nor fall) take them (quickly on the Cion) with your other hand.

To keepe Ants from young Trees.

FOr to keepe the yong Trees from Snails and Ants, it shall be good to take Ashes, and to mingle unsleckt Lime, beaten in powder therewith, then lay it all about the root of the tree, and when it raineth, they shall be beaten downe into the Ashes and dye: but ye must renew your Ashes after every Raine from time to time: also to keepe them moyst, ye must put cer∣taine small Vessels full of water, at the foote of your said Trees, and also the Lees of Wine, to be spred on the ground there all abouts. For the best destroying of the small Snailes on Trees, ye must take good heed in the Spring time before the Trees be leaved, then if ye shall see as it were small warts, knobs or branches on the Trees, the same will be Snailes. Provide to take them away faire and softly, before they be full closed, and take heed that ye hurt not the wood or barke of the said Tree, as little as ye can, then burne those Branches on the Earth, and all to tread them under your feet, and then if any doe remaine or renew, looke in the heate of the day, and if ye can see any, which will commonly be on the clefts or forkes of the Branches, and also upon the branches lying like tostes or Troopes together, then wrap your hands all over with old clothes, and bind of leaves beneath them, and a∣bove them, and with your two hands rub them downe there∣in, and straight way fire it, if ye doe not quickly with dili∣gence they will fall, and if they fall on the Earth, ye cannot lightly kill them, but they will renew againe: these kind of Wormes are noysome Flyes which be very strange, there∣fore take heed that they doe not cast a certaine rednesse on

your face and body, for where as they be many of them, they be dangerous: it is strange to tell of these kind of Wormes, if ye come under or among the Trees whereas be many, they will cast your face and hands, your covered body (as your necke, breast, and armes) full of small spots, some red, some blacke, some blewish, which will so tingle and trouble you like Nettles, sometimes for a day, or a day and a night after: they be most on Plum-trees, and Apple-trees, nigh unto moist places, and ill ayres: yet neverthelesse, by the grace of God there is no danger, that I understand, to be taken by them. Ye shall understand, that if it be in the evening, or in the mor∣ning, when it raineth, they will remaine about the graffing place of the Tree, therefore it will be hard to find them, be∣cause they are so small: Moreover, if such branches doe re∣maine in the upper part of the boughes all under, then with a wispe on a Poles end, set fire on all, and burne them.

A Note in Spring time of Fumigations.

HEre is to be understood and noted, that in the Spring time onely, when trees doe begin to put forth leaves and Blos∣somes, ye must then alwayes take heed unto them, for to de∣fend them from the Frost, if there come any, with Fumigati∣ons or smokes, made on the windy side of your Orchards, or under your Trees, with straw, Hay, dry Chaffe, dry Oxe dung, of Saw dust dryed in an Oven, of Tanners Oxe dryed likewise, of galbanum, of old shooes, thatch of Houses, of haire and such like, one of these to be blend with another: all these be good against the Frost in the Spring time, and specially good against the East wind, which breedeth (as some say) the Caterpiller worme.

To defend the Caterpiller.

ANd some doe defend their Trees from the Caterpiller when the blossoming time is dryed (if there be no Frost) by casting of Water, or salt Water, every second or

third day upon their Trees, (with Instruments for the same, as with Squires of Wood or Brasse or such like) for in keeping of them moist, the Caterpiller cannot breed thereon; this ex∣perience have J knowne proved of late to be good. For to conclude, he that will Set or Plant Trees, must not passe for any paines, but have a pleasure and delight therein, in re∣membring the great profit that commeth thereby: Against scarcenesse of Corne, fruit is a good stay for the Poore, and often it hath beene seene, one Aker of Orchard ground, worth foure Akers of Wheat Ground.

FJNJS.