The country-mans recreation, or The art of [brace] planting, graffing, and gardening, [brace] in three books. The first declaring divers waies of planting, and graffing, and the best times of the year, with divers commodities and secrets herein, how to set or plant with the root, and without the root; to sow or set pepins or curnels, with the ordering thereof, also to cleanse your grafts and cions, to help barren and sick trees, to kill worms and vermin, and to preserve and keep fruit; how to plant and proin your vines, and to gather and presse your grape; to cleanse and mosse your trees, to make your cider and perry, with many other secret practises which shall appear in the table following. The second treateth of the hop-garden, with necessary instructions for the making and maintenance thereof, ... with some directions for tabaco. Whereunto is added, The expert gardener, containing divers necessary and rare secrets belonging to that art, ... hereunto is likewise added the Art of angling.

CHAP. V. IT is to be understood that there be many wayes of graf∣fings, whereof here I have onely put four sorts, which be good, both sure and well appoved, and easie to doe, which may very well be used 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 ta∣ken well, which I have (saith he) in the winter begun to graffe, and in the Summer graffed in the Scutchion or shield according to the time, forward or slow; for certaine Trees, specially young fair Cions have enough or more of their sap unto the middle of August, than other some had at Midsum∣mer before.

The way to graffe all soris of Trees.

ANd first of all it is to be noted, that all the sorts of frank Trees, as also wild Trees of nature, may be graffed

with grafts, and in the Scutchion, and both do 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 sort of trees, but trees are 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 upon other Peare-stocks, and Apple on Apple-stocks, Crab or Wilding-stock, the Quince and Medlar on the white Thorne, but most com∣monly they use to graffe one Apple upon another, and both Peares and Quinces they graffe on Hawthorne and Crab-stock. And other kind of fruit called in French Saulfey, they use to graffe on the Willow-stock, the manner thereof •••• hard to doe, which I have not seen, therefore I will let it passe at this present.

The Graffing of Cherryes.

THey graffe the great Cherry, called in French Heaubmi∣ers, upon the Crab-stock, and another long Cherry cal∣led Guiviers, upon the wild or sowre Cherry Tree, and like∣wise one Cherry upon another.

To graffe great Medlars.

THe Misple or Medlar, they may be graffed on other Med∣lars, or on white-thorne, the Quince is graffed on the white or black thorne, and they doe prosper well. I have grafted (saith he) the Quince upon a wild Peare-stock, the which hath taken and borne fruit well and good, but they will not long endure. I believe (saith he) it was because the graff was not able enough to draw the sap from the Peare-stock. Some graffe the Medlar on the Quince, to be great. And it is to be noted, though the stock and the graft be of contrary natures, yet notwithstanding, neither the graff or Scutchion, shall take any part of the nature of the wild stock so grafted, though it be Pear, 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 I have (saith he) pro∣ved the contrary.

Of divers kinds of Graffes.

IT is very true, that one may set a Tree, which shall beare divers sorts of fruits at once, if he be graffed with divers kind of graffes, as the black, white, and green Cherry toge∣ther, and also Apples of other Trees, as Apples and Peares together, and in the Scutchion (ye may graffe) likewise of divers kinds also, as on Peares, Apricocks and Plums toge∣ther, and of others also,

Of graffing of the Figs.

YE may graffe the Fig-tree upon the Peach tree or Apri∣cock, but leave a branch on the stock, and there must be according for the space of yeares, for the one shall change sooner than the other. All trees abovesaid do take very well being graffed one with the other. And I have not known or found of any others: howbeit (saith he) I have curiously sought and proved, because they say one may graffe on Coleworts, or Elmes, the which I think are but Jests.

Of the great Apricock.

THe great Apricock they graffin summer, in the Scutchi∣on or shield, in the sap or bark of the lesser Apricock, and be graffed on Peach-trees, Fig-rees, and principally on Dam∣son 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 graffed on other Service-tres, either on Ap∣ple-trees, Pear or Quince-trees: and I believe this to be 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 meet for that purpose.

Trees which be very fit to be graffed 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, Perciginiers, the Peach-tree do take hardly to be graffed, but in the shield in Sum∣mer, as shall be more largely declared hereafter. As for the Almonds, Perciginiers, 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 stock with branch and fruit, or that doe love the Country, or Ground whereas you intend to plant or graffe them: for better it were to have abundance of fruit▪ than to have very few or none.

Of Trees whereon to choose your graffes.

OF such Trees as ye will gather your Gr••ffes to graffe with, ye must take them at the ends of the principall branches, which be also fairest 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 b•• 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 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 do spring from the stock 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 Trees for Graffes.

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

How to keep Graffes a long time.

YE may keep grafts a long time good, as from Alhallon∣tide (so that the leaves be fallen) unto the time of grafting if that they be well covered in the earth half a foot deep ther∣in, and so that none of them doe appear without the earth.

How to keep Graffes before they are budded.

ALso do 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 grafts. It shall be good to keep grafts in the earth before they begin to bud, when that ye will graft betwixt the bark 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 stock) 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 January and February, untill

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

When it is good graffing the wild stock.

In the Spring time it is good Graffing of wild stocks, (which be great) betwixt the bark and the tree, such stocks as are of later spring, and kept in the earth before, The Damson or Plum-tree tarrieth longest to be graffed: for they doe not shew or put forth sapp, as soon as others.

Mark if the Tree be forward or not.

ALso consider you alwayes, whether the Tree be forward or not, to be graffed soon or laterward, 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.

Whensoever ye go to Graffing, see ye be furnished with grafts, clay and mosse, cloths or barks of Sallow to bind likewise withall. Also ye must have a small Saw, and a sharp knife, to cleave and cut Graffes withall. But it wers much better, if ye should cut your Graffes with a great Pen-knife, or some other like sharp knife, having a small wedge of hard wood, or of Iron, with a hooked knife, and also a small mallet. And your wild stocks must be well rooted be∣fore ye do graffe them: and be not so quick to deceive your selves, as those which do graffe and plant all at one time, yet they shall not profit so well: for where the wild stock hath not substance in himself, much lesse to give unto the other grafts: for when a man thinks sometime to forward himself, he doth hinder himselfe.

Of Graffes not prospering the first year.

Ye shall understand, that very hardly your Graffes shall prosper after, if they do not profit or prosper well in the first year, for whensoever (in the first year) they profit well,

it were better to graffe them somewhat lower, than to let them so remain 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 body of the stock beneath, and before ye begin to cleave your stock, dresse and cut your graffes somewhat thick and ready, then cleave your stock, and as the cleft is small or great (if need be) pare it smooth within, then cut your inci∣sion of your graffes accordingly, and set them in the cleft, as even and as close as possible you can:

How to trim your Graffes.

ALso ye may graffe your Graffes full as long as two or three trunchions or cut-graffes, which ye may likewise graffe withall very well, and will be as those which doe come of old wood, and oftentimes better, than 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 off with the old wood, and choose a better and fair place at some other eye in the same graffe, and to make your incision thereunder as aforsaid, and cut your graffs in making the incision on the one side narrow, and on the o∣ther side broad, and the inner side thinn, and the outside thick, because the outside of your graff must joyn within the cleft, with the sappe of Barke of the wild, and it shall so be s••t 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 clean pared be∣fore, and then set fast thereon.

How to cut graffes for Cherries and Plums.

IT is not much requisite in the helme Cherry, for to joyn the Graffes in the stock wholly throughout, as it is in

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

Note also.

ANd yet if the said incision be straighter and closer on the one side than it is on the other side, pare it where it is most meet, 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 Bark rise not.

IN all kind of cutting your gr••ffes, take heed to the bark of your graffes, that it doe not rise from the wood on no side thereof, and specially on the outside, therefore ye shall leave it thicker than the inner side: Also ye must take heed when as the stocks doe wreath in cleaving, that ye may joyn the graffe therein accordingly: The best remedy ther••fore is, to cut it smooth within, that the graffe may joyn the better: ye shall also for the greatest stocks make choice of the great∣est Graffes.

How to cut your Stock.

HOw much the more your stock is thin and slender, so much more ye ought to cut him lower, and if your stock be as great as your finger, or thereabouts, ye may cut him a foot or half a foot from the earth, and dig him about; and dung him with Goats dung, to help withall, and graffe him but with one graffe or Cion.

If the wild Stock be great and slender.

IF your wild stock be great, or as big as a good, staffe ye shall cut him round off, a foot or there-abouts above the

earth; then set in two good graffs in the head or cleft there∣of

Trees as great as ones Arme.

BUt when your stock is as great as your arme, ye shall saw him cl••an off and round, three or four foot, or therea∣abouts from the earth, for to defend him, and set in the head three graffes, two in the cleft, and one betwixt the bark and the Tree, on that side which ye have most space.

Great Trees as big as your Leg.

IF the stock be as big as your legge, or thereabouts, ye shall saw him f••ir and clean off, four or five foot high from the earth, and cleave him acrosse (if ye will) and set in four graffes in the clefts thereof, or else one cleft onely, and set two graffes in both the sides thereof, and other two graffes betwixt the bark and the Tree.

When the Graffes be pinched with the Stock.

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

How ye ought to cleave your Stock.

WHensoev••r you shall cleave your wild Stocks, take h••ed that ye cleave them not in the midst of the heart or pith, but a little on that si••e, which ye shall think good.

How to graffe the branch of great Trees.

IF ye would graft Trees, as big as your thigh, or bigger, it were much better to graffe onely the branch••s thereof, than the stock or body, for the stock will ••ot before the graffes 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 four years after they will bring fair young Cions againe, and then it shall be best to graffe them, and cut off all the su∣perfluous and ill branches thereof,

How ye ought to bind your Graffes throughout for fear of windss

ANd when your graffes shall be grown, ye must binde them for feare of shaking of the wind, and if the Tree be free and good of himself, let the Cions grow still, and ye may graffe any part or branch ye will in the cleft, or betwixt the bark a••d the Tree, or in the Scutchion, if your bark be fair and loose.

To set many graffes in one cleft.

EVer when ye wi••l put many graffes in one cleft, see that one incision of your graffe 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 than the other, and that these graffes be all of one length: it shall suffice also if they have three eyes on each graffe without the joynt thereof.

How to saw your stock before you leave him.

IN sawing your stock, 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 knock 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 graffes, but not so wide, then holding in one hand your graffe, and in the other hand your stock, set your graffe in close bark to bark, & let your wedge be greater above at the head, that ye may knock him out fair and easily again.

If the Stock cleave too much, or the bark doe open.

IF the Stock doe cleave too much, or open the bark with the wood too low, then softly open your stock with your wedge, and see if the incision of your graffe be meet, and just, according to the cleft, if not, make it untill it be meet, or else saw him off lower,

How Graffes never lightly take.

ABove all things you must consider the meeting of the two saps, betwixt the graffe and the wild stock, which must be set in just one with another: for ye shall understand, if they doe not joyn, and the one delight with the other, being even set, they shall never take together, for there is nothing onely to joyn their increase, but the sap, recoun∣ting the one against the other.

How to set the Graffes right in the cleft.

WHen the bark of the Stock is more thick than the graff, ye must take good heed in setting of the graffe in the cleft, to the end that his sappe may joyn right with the sap of the stock on the in-side, and ye ought likewise to consider of the sappe of the stock, if he doe surmount the graffes in the out-sides of the cleft too much or not.

Of setting in the Graffes.

ALso ye must take good heed, that the graffes be well and clean set in, and joyn close upon the head of the stock. Likewise then the incision, which is set in the cleft, do joyn very well within on both sides, not to joyn so even, but sometimes it may do service, when as the graffes doe draw too much from the Stock, or the stock also on the graffes doe put forth.

Note also.

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

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

How you ought to draw out your wedge.

VVHen your graffes shall be well joyned with your stock, draw your wedge fair and so••tly forth, for fear o•• dis••lacing your graffes, ye may leave within the cleft a small wedge of such green wood as is aforesaid, and ye shall cut it off close by the head of your stock, and so cover it with a barke as followeth.

To cover your clefts on the head.

VVHen your wedge is dr••wn forth, put a green pill of the thick bark of Willow, Crab or Apple, upon the clefts of the stock, that nothing m••y fall between: then cover all about the clefts on the stock head, two fingers thick with good clay, or nigh about that thicknesse, that no Wind or Rain may enter, then cover it round with moss, and then wreath it over with clothes, pills of Willow, Bryar, or Oziars, or such like, then bind them fast, and stick cer∣tain long pricks on the graffes head amongst the Cions, to keep off the Crows, Jayes, or such like.

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

BUt all way••s take good heed to the binding of your heads that they wax slack or shaggie, neither on the one side or one the other, but remain fast upon the clay, the clay to re∣maine fast likewise on ••he stock h••ad under the binding thereof, wherefore the said clay must be moderated in such sort as followeth.

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 think good, as it shall ••equire moistnesse or driness, and to temper it with the hair of beasts (for when it drieth, it holdeth not so well on the stock,) or knead Mosse there∣with,

or mingle Hay thin therewith: Some conceit that the Mosse doth make the Trees mossie. But I rather suppose it is occasioned by the disposition of the place.

To bush your graffe heads.

VVHen ye shall bind or wrap your graffe heads with you band, take small Thornes and bind them with∣in for to defend your Graffes from Kites, or Crows, or o∣ther danger of other Fowles, or prick sharp white stickes thereon.

The second way to graffe high Branches on Trees.

THe second manner to graffe, is strange enough unto 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: certaine it is, that wheresoever they be graffed, they doe onely require a faire young wood, as also a great Cion or twig, growing highest on the top of the Tree, which Cions ye shall choose to graffe on of many sorts of Fruits, if ye will, or as ye shall think good, which order followeth.

TAke graffs of other sorts of trees, which ye would graff in the top thereof, then mount to the top of the tree which you would graff, and cut off the tops of all such branches, or as many as ye would graffe on, and if they be greater than the graffes which ye would graffe, ye shall cut and graffe them lower as ye doe the small wild stock afore∣said. But if the Cions that ye cut be as big as your graffe you graffe on, ye shall cut them lower betwixt the old wood and the new, or a little higher or lower: then cleave a little, and choose your graffes in like sort which you would plant, whereof you shall make your incision short, with the barke on both sides alike, and to be as thick on the one side as it is on the other, and also set so just in cleft, that the bark may be even and close, aswel above as beneath, on the one side as the other, and so bind them 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 as it is aforesaid. And likewise ye may graffe these, as ye doe little wild Stocks, which should be as big as your graffes, and to graffe them, as you doe those with sap like on both sides, but then you must graffe them in the, earth, three fingers of, or thereabouts.

The manner of Graffing, is of Graffes which may be set between the Bark and the Tree

To graffe betwixt the bark and the Tree.

THis manner of graffing is good, when Trees doe begin to enter into their sap, which is about the end of Febru∣ry unto the end of April, and specially on great wild stockes, which be hard to cleave, ye may set in four or five graffes in the head thereof, which graffes ought to be gathered afore, and kept close in the earth till then, for by that time afore∣said, ye shall 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 stocks more charily, and more high, so they be great, and then cut the Graffes, which ye would set together, so as you would set them up∣on the wild stock that is cleft, as is before rehearsed. And the incision of your graffs must not be so long and so thick, and the bark a little at the end thereof must be taken away, and made in a manner as a Launcet of Iron, and as thick on the one side as the other.

How to dresse the head to place the Graffes betwixt the Bark and the Tree.

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

joyn the better thereon, then take a sharp penknife, or other sharp pointed knife, and thrust it down betwixt the barke and the stock, so long as the incision of graffes be, then put your graffes softly downe therein to the hard joynt, and see that it doe sit close upon the stock head.

How to cover the head of your stock.

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

Of the manner and graffing in the Shield or Scutchion.

THe fourth manne•• to graffe, which is the last, is to graffe in the Scutchion in the sap in Summer, from the end of the moneth of May until August, when as Trees be yet strong in sap and leaves, for otherwise it cannot be done; the best time is in June and July, some yeares when the time is very dry, and that some Trees do hold their sap very long; there∣fore 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 the Summer, when the Trees be almost full of sap, and when they have sprung forth new shoots being somewhat hard∣ned, then shall ye take a branch thereof in the top of the tree, which ye will have graffed, and choose the highest and prin∣cipallest 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 graffe as followeth.

The big Cions are best to graffe.

CHiefly ye must know that the smallest & worst oylets, or buds of the said Cions be not so good to graffe: there∣fore choose the greatest and the best you can find, first cut off the leaf hard by the oylet, then trench or cut the length of a barley corn beneath the oylet round about the barke, hard to the wood, and likewise above: then with a sharp point of a knife, slit it down halfe an inch beside the oylet, or bud, and with the point of a sharp knife softly raise the said Shield or Scutchion round about, with the oylet in in the middest, and all the sap belonging thereunto.

How to take off 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 a∣bout, then slit him down, without cutting any part of the wood within, you must then raise the side next you that is slit and then take the same Shield betwixt your finger & thumb, and pluck or raise it softly off, without breaking or bruising any part thereof, and in the opening or plucking it off, hold it with your finger hard to the wood, that the sap of the oylet may remain in the Shield, for if it goe off in plucking it from the barke, and stick to the wood, your Scutchions are nothing worth.

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

ANd for the more easie understanding whether it be good or bad when it is taken from the wood, look within the said shield, and if ye shall see it crack or open within, then it is of no value, for the chief Sap doth yet remain behind with the wood which should be in the shield; 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 off from the wood, then hold it dry by the oylet or eye betwixt your lips, till you have taken off the barke

from the other Cion or branch, and set him in that place, and see that ye doe not foul 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 bark thin and slender, for great Trees commonly have their bark hard and thick, which ye cannot well graffe this way, except they have some branches with a thin smooth bark, meet for this way to be done.

How to set or place your Shield.

Ye must quickly cut off round the bark of the Tree that ye will graffe on, a little longer than the Shield that ye set on, because it may joyne the sooner and easier, but take heed that in cutting the bark 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 with a little bone or horne made in manner like a thin skin, which ye shall lay all over the joynts or closings of the said Shield, somewhat longer and larger, but take heed ye hurt not or crush the bark thereof.

How to lift up the bark and to set your Shield on.

THis done, take your Shield or Scutchion by the oylet or eye that he hath, and open him fair and softly by the two sides, and put them straight way one the other Tree, where∣as the barke is taken off, and joyn 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 be∣neath barke to barke, so that he may feed well the branch of that Tree.

How to bind your Shield.

THis done, ye must have a wreath of good Hempe, to bind the said shield on his place; the manner to bind it is this, ye shall make a wreath of Hemp together, as great as a Gose-quill, or thereabouts, or according to the bignesse or smallnes of your Tree; then take your Hemp in the middest; that the one half may serve for the upper half of the shield, in winding and crossing with the Hemp, the said shield on the branch of the tree, but see you bind it not too straight, for it shall let him from taking or springing, and likewise their sap cannot easily come or passe from the one to the other and see also that wet come not to your shield, nor likewise the Hemp that ye bind it withall. Ye shall begin to bind your Scutchion first behind in the middest of your shield, in com∣ing stil lower and lower, and so recover under the oylet and tail of your shield, binding it nigh together, without reco∣vering of the said oylet, then ye shall return again upward, in binding it backward to the middest where ye began. Then take the other part of the Hemp, and bind so likewise the up∣per part of your shield, & increase your Hemp as ye shal need, and so return ag••in backward, and ye shall bind it so, till the fruits or clefts be covered (both above and beneath) with your said Hemp, except the oylet and the tail, the which ye must not cover, for that tail will shed apart, if the Shield do take.

On one tree you may graffe, or put two or three Shields.

YE may very well if ye will, on every tree graffe two or three shields, but see that one be not right against ano∣ther, nor yet of the one side of the Tree, let your shields so remain bound on the Trees, one moneth or more after they be graffed, and the greater the Tree is, the longer to remain, and the smaller, the lesser time.

The time to unbind your Shield.

ANd then after one moneth, or six wkeks past, ye must unbind the Shield, or at the least cut the Hemp behind the Tree, and let it so remain until the Winter next following, and then about the moneth of March or April, if ye will, or when ye shall see the sap of the Shield put forth, then cut the branch above the Shield, three fingers all about all off.

How to cut and govern the Branches graffed on the Tree.

THen in the next year after that the Cions shall be well strengthened, and when they do begin to spring, then shall ye cut them all hard off about the Shield above, for if ye had cut them so nigh in the first year, when they begin first to spring or but, it should greatly hinder them against their increase of growing: also when those Cions shall put forth a fair Wood, ye must bind and stay them in the midst, fair and gently with small wands, or such like, that the wind and weather hurt them not. And after this manner of graffing, is practised in the Shield or Scutchion, which way ye may easi∣ly graffe the white Rose on the Red: and likewise ye may have Roses of ••ivers colours and sorts upon one branch or Root, This I thought sufficient and meet do declare, of this kind of graffing at this present.