THe Illuſtrious and Renowned Lord Bacon, in his Diſcourſe concerning the advancement of Learning, reckons it among the Deficients of Natural Hiſtory, That the Co-operation of Man, with Nature in particulars, hath not been obſerved; and that in thoſe Collections which are made of Agriculture, and other manual Arts, there is commonly a neglect and rejection of Experiments, familiar and vulgar, which yet to the interpretation of Nature, and which I ſhall adde, general profit, do as much, if not more conduce, then Experiments of a higher quality. The ſame noble Perſon, in his partition of Philoſophy, complains of the want of an Inventary of what in any ſubjects by Nature and Art is certainly, and may be undoubtedly wrought. I believe his Lordſhip hath had many of his minde in former, has now, and is likely to have in future ages; for amongſt thoſe few Writings extant on theſe Subjects, ſome prove altogether uſeleſs, as being ſo full of their natural Magick and Romantick Stories, that we know no more what to credit in thoſe Relations, in the Natural, then what in civil Hiſtory we may believe of King Arthur; Guy of Warwick in ours; or of Hector and Priam in the Trojan Story: Others elevated in their Fancies, write in a Language of their own, addreſſing their Diſcourſe to the Sens of Art, ſpeaking rather to amuſe, than inſtruct, and prove like blazing Stars, that diſtract many, and direct few.

Many of thoſe who would write for Univerſal Inſtruction, either know the things that might make up the matter of their Hiſtory, but want the skill to draw up ſuch an Inventary, as his Lordſhip requires, as common Tradeſmen and Artiſans; or elſe indeed are learned enough to draw up the writing, but ſtand aloof from the knowledge of moſt of the particulars therein to be ingroſt; which is the ordinary caſe of us, ſuch of us as have pretenſions to Scholarſhip.

I being neceſſitated by my obligations and reſpect to a Perſon truly Noble, to give ſome account of the particular effects of Man, co-operating with nature, in the matter of our Engliſh Vegetables, as they are improved by Husbandmen and Gardiners, deſire to undertake no more, but to give a ſincere endeavour, That the way of the Artiſt be ſet down, and the effect of Nature thereon; in the firſt of which, I intend my directions ſo plain, as if appointed for the inſtruction of ſome Artiſts rude and untaught Apprentice: and the ſecond's, if not ſo homely, yet as eaſie and evident, being a little diſguſted with any thing intended for the uſe of Philoſophy, when overgarniſhed with Rhetorical Tropes, which like Flowers ſtuck in a Window for whatſoever intended (either cheat or ornament) certainly create a darkneſs in the place. Behemenical, Paracelſian, and ſuch Phraſe as many Alchimiſts uſe, I muſt for the ſame reaſon avoid.

In the drawing up the Inventary, I will ſtudy that it may be true in all parts, and not to mingle, according to the example of Pliny, Weeker, Porta, and many more, both Latine and Engliſh Writers, any falſe relation, without its diſtinguiſhing Character; and if it be not perfect, it ſhall be for want of skill, or preſent remembrance of particulars.

The end of the Artiſt is to Propagate and Improve: To propagate, is to multiply the individuals of each kinde: And to improve, is to bring them, being propagated, to a more then ordinary excellency and goodneſs. The ways of increaſing the particulars of each kinde, are, 1. By Seed, 2. By off-ſet, taken from a Mother-Plant. 3. By laying the Branch of a growing Plant down into the Earth. 4. By bearing up a Soil to it. 5. By Stems ſet without roots. And laſtly, By the various ways of grafting and inſitions.

Concerning all theſe, as likewiſe the preſervation and melioration of things propagated, I ſhall endeavor to enumerate what Plants may be increaſed by each of theſe ways, and to ſhew how the operation in each may be performed, and what the product is that by nature thence ordinarily enſues: Definitions are hopeleſs in this matter, uſeleſs too, and it might be harmful: If I ſhould define Sowing, to be the caſting of Seed into the Earth, in ſuch maner, and at ſuch time, when in the ſurface of the bed the earth would ſo ferment, as might be proper to the explication and further germination of the Seed and increaſe of the Plant, there might a world of controverſies ariſe about the particulars therein contained; and yet all that is there would be uſeleſs, till the particular Plants, and the maner of the operation, and time required to the ſowing of their Seeds be firſt declared: I ſhall therefore wave all ſuch endeavors, and haſten to what may rather prove for uſe than pomp.

There is a great controverſie concerning Hartstongue, Maydenhair of divers ſorts, Scolopendrium, Fernes, and other Plants, whoſe property is to have the back of the leaf lined with a brown duſty ſubſtance, whether this be a ſeed, or onely particular mole, and character of Plants of that nature.

I dare not disbelieve this, when perfectly ripe, to be a true ſeed, becauſe divers, very experienced perſons (as Mr. Bobart particularly) affirm, that they have ſeen the ſmall Plants, or Seedlings at a diſtance all round the Mother-plant grow up as is ordinary from ſhed ſeed of other plants, and by Miſcroſcopes, the likeneſſe of this duſt to other ſeeds is apparently ſeen.

Firſt, the moſt naturall time of Sowing is that which Nature it ſelf followes (viz.) when the ſeeds of their own accord fall into the ground.

At this ſeaſon may be ſowen all ſtony ſeeds that can endure the Winter, as Cherries, Plums, Peaches, Apples, Peares, likewiſe all Nuts, Buckthorne, Aſh, Oke, and moſt wild Engliſh Plants, though they may as well be ſowed any time before the Spring.

The ſeed of hot, and ſweet hearbs, as Thyme, Savory, Marjerome of ſome kinds, and other hot hearbs, if they get any reaſonable ſtrength and growth before the froſts, doe well enough; alſo Angelica ſeed, Scurvey-graſſe, and the ſeed of Bears-ears, Aniſeed, Fritellary, Crocus; and, for ought I know, all the reſt of Bulbous-rooted flowers: So Tulips and Anemones thrive beſt, and come ſooneſt, being ſowed after the ſeeds are gathered, or in Autumn: For many October does well, but care muſt be had to keep tender Plants from Froſts and the violence of Winter weather, when they but young from the ſeedlings. If you doubt the nature of any ſeed, divide your quantity, and ſow ſome of it in the Spring, ſome before the Winter.

At this time alſo muſt be ſowed divers Plants, for that by experience 'tis found, that being ſowed in the Spring they will not grow at leaſt not that year: Of this kinde Myrrhis, or ſweet Chervill, and all Rubarbs, which eaſily grow then, but faile being ſowen in the Spring.

The miſtake of the time has made ſome admire, that when they with care had ſowen Angelica ſeeds ſeverall times together, this never grew; on the contrary, the Seed being ſhed would grow in any place, never ſo uncouth or ſtony; nay even carried away by the water, would grow wherever it was lodged in the banks, and that well and luſtily; whereas the reaſon of the difference was in the ſeaſon, for the laborious Artiſt kept the ſeeds till Spring was his hindrance, whereas better inſtructed Nature would have committed them to the earth many months ſooner. 'Tis a true Proverb, properata ſatio ſolet ſaepe decipere, ſera ſemper.

Some ſeeds are ſowen at the breaking of the Froſt, and the very firſt beginning of Spring, and that upon a hot bed, for the greater ſecurity and ſpeed of the Plant to be propagated: So the early Radiſh, the Senſitive Plant, Maracoc, Balm Apples, French Marygolds, Muskmelons, all Cucumbers, African Marygolds, the Marvail of the world, the Indian Creſſe, or yellow Larksheel, Lettices that they may be had early.

The hot Bed is made with horſe-dung laid four, five, or ſix foot high, and of the ſame breadth commonly, increaſing or diminiſhing the quantity of the dung (which uſes to be freſh, as it comes from the ſtable, mingled with ſtale Litter, Hay, &c.) according as you would have the heat greater or leſſe, upon which bed of dung you lay fine mould, five fingers breadth in deepneſſe or thereabouts, compaſſing it round with hay-bands which keep the dung together, and hinder the ſteaming out of the heat by the ſides; then ſtaking it up with ſtakes, and putting bended ſticks in the manner of a very low roofe to hold up tilts that are put to ſecure the Plants, the hot bed is perfectly finiſhed. Thoſe that uſe Capglaſſes, or Caſements made to lye upon a frame over their beds, nevertheleſſe muſt uſe, though not tilts, yet covering with ſtraw, litter, or the like.

Aſparagus and Chervil are beſt ſown in Winter before Chriſtmaſſe, or ſhortly after, and in the beginning of Spring without any hot bed. In February, or afterwards, are ſown Parſnips, Leeks, Onions, Aniſeeds, Carrets, Radiſh, Spinage, Larks-ſpurs, Marygolds, Caerefolium, Corn-ſallet, and with the firſt of theſe the Rounſeval peaſe.

Colliflowers and Cabbages in the middle of February, Muskmelons ſomewhat after, or then for a venture. 'Tis obſerv'd by all I have enquired of, that the leſſe of the Winter the Cabbage or Collyflowers feels, the more ſubject 'tis to Caterpillars. In March or April (or according to ſome with us, from the beginning of February; or, if the Froſts breake, any time in January) Carrot, Radiſh, Tobacco, Fennel, Creſſes, Skirrets are ordinarily ſowen.

In April, Marjerome, Baſil, Coleflowers; for by often tranſplanting and care you may have Coleflowers from ſeed, ſowen in the Spring, though it be very far gone even to June or July the ſame yeare, Pincks, Armeriaes, Convolvulus, Kidney-beans, Lupins, Hyſſope, Lavander, Stock-gillyflowers, Thyme, Hemp.

About the latter end of April, Purſlane, Clovegilliflowers, Carnations, Baſil, Roſemary.

Beſides the Examples aforeſaid, I ſhall adde ſome rules ſuch as by Gardiners are uſually obſerved.

This is generall that all ſeeds muſt be covered with the earth, which is done, either by ſowing the ground and turning the ſeed in under the furrow, or by drawing trenches in the ſoyle, and then drawing the earth over them with a hoe, or ſowing the beds ready dreſt, and hacking in the ſeed with the ſame inſtrument, or by harrowing, raking with a rake or drawing buſhes over the ſowed ground to cover the ſeed, or to ſet the ſingle ſeeds with a ſtick, or laſtly to ſow the ground and afterwards to ſift or ſtrow fine mould thereon.

The two laſte wayes are for choice ſeeds when the workeman deſires to looſe none for want of burying the ſowing under furrow is for ſuch ſeeds as muſt endure the winter, the depth of ground being part of their ſecurity againſt the winter colds: nor are all ſeeds of ſtrength to ſhoot their germen through ſo ſo much earth. The ſowing intrenches is uſed for Peaſe, there being thereby ſpaces left between the rowes, of half a yard more or leſſe, to gather them as they ripen, and roome whence to draw mould to the roots, which frequently done, is very advantageous to them. It is likewiſe handſome for Spinach, Endive, Thyme, Savory or other garden herbs to grow in rowes after this manner of ſowing.

Moiſture is abſolutely neceſſary for the growth of all plants, two or three dayes after a great rain is accounted a good ſeaſon; in dry weather two dayes after rain ſay the London Gardiners, agreably to that of Ferrarius, Nec tamen ſimulac magnis imbribus terra permaduit ſeres, ſed tantiſper expectabis, dum pluvius ille mador modice exſiccetur, ne madenti limoſo que in ſolo ſtatutae radices exputreſcant de Fl. cult. l. 3. c. 1. Seeds that are apt to run to a Muſcilage are unfit to endure moiſture upon that account, as elſ where I noted.

I preſcribe nothing concerning the obſervation of the faces of the moone, becauſe I much doubt of any effect therefrom. Neither doe Gardiners that work, nor Authors that write, preſcribe alike rules; but contradict each other in their direction, for the particular obſervation of this Planet, as to any intended production. Nor is it agreeable to my reaſon, that the moones being in the full at the firſt explication of the two diſſimilar leaves, or germination of the plant, ſhould cauſe a double flower, this germination according to this preſent Hiſtory, differing little from other augmentations of the ſame plant, in oppoſite quarters immediately enſuing: ſo that if a full moone be proper, I ſee no reaſon why it may not be effectuall, by vertue of the ſame phaſis the third, as the firſt or the twelveth, as the ſixt day of the ſeedlings augmentation.

The meliorating of ground belongs to the head of Improvement; here I ſhall only obſerve that where ground is very light, as in ſome London and Kentiſh gardens, it is found profitable after ſowing to tread in the ſeed.

Some ſteep all garden ſeed before they ſow them to make the germination the more ſpeedy, but ſeeing there be no better wayes of infuſion than in Farth and Water, why the ſame boſome of a well watered ground ſhould not be moſt fit for this operation I ſee not.

In ſeeds that are long in coming up, the ſeed bed is not to be digged up the firſt winter: For I know diverſe ſeeds that will for a great part of them ly under ground the firſt, year and come up the ſecond: of this Nature is the Aſh-key ſometimes, the Peach, Malecotone and ſome Plums.

In Carnations you have ſeeds that give admirable Variety from the Orange-tawny Carnation and all his ſtrip't kinds that are double and keepe their tawny in them in any meaſure. The white, Tawny and Carnations darkly ſpotted, Ferrarius commends for producing variety of colours and ſtripes. Kernells of divers Apples and Peares bring variety of kinds, different in taſte, ſmell, colour, and hardneſſe, and are as often promoted to better, as the degenerate to worſt, as I am very credibly informed, by perſons that profeſſe themſelves to have ſeen the experience. The kernells of the Burgundy Pear has brought a noble alteration and produceth a pear farre beyond that excellent kind: Peaches and Malecotones doe ordinarity the like, ſo that by ſeed is thought to be their beſt propagation.

Our Gardiners in chooſing the ſeed of ſtock-Gylli-flowers to make them bring double ſtocks, take their ſeed from ſuch tops as bring fine leaves in their flower, of ecially if it be one ſtrip't; but Mr. P. ſayes thoſe that bear double ſeeds, cannot be diſtinguiſhed from the other, and I have reaſon to beleive him, for ſuch as chuſe their ſeed this way, doe not find that it anſwers their expectation.

For Tulips that are early, or Praecoces, the purple ſays Mr. Parkinſon, I have found to be the beſt, next thereto is the purple with white edges, and ſo likewiſe the red, with yellow edges; but each of them will bring moſt of their own Colours. For the Media's, take thoſe colours that are light, rather white then yellow, and purple, then red, yea white, not yellow, purple, not red: but theſe again to be ſpotted is the beſt, and the more the better; but withall or aboveall, in theſe reſpect the bottome of the flower (which in the precox Tulipa you cannot, becauſe you ſhall find no other ground in them but yellow) for if the flower be white or whitiſh, ſported, or edged and ſtraked, and the bottome blew or purple (which is found in the Holias, and in the Cloath of Silver, this is beyond all other the moſt excellent, and out of queſtion the choiſeſt of an hundred, to beget the greateſt and moſt pleaſant variety, and raritie, and ſo in degree the meaner in beauty you ſow, the leſſer ſhall your ple ſure in varieties be: Beſtow not your time in ſowing red or yellow Tulipa-ſeed, or the diverſe mixtures of them, they will (as I have found by experience) ſeldome be worth your paines. The Serolina being not beautifull, brings forth no ſpeciall varietye: Ferrarius lib. 3, chap. 7. commends the Serolina for ſeed, (but I find he makes but two ſorts; Praecoces and Serolin's) and among them the white, with the black purple, or blew bottomes or Scarlet with skycoloured bottome inclining to purple; for both them will (ſayes he) bring Tulips mark't with varietye and handſomneſſe: But Tulips without a blackiſh bottome are noe good breeders of various coloured flowers.

The two leſſer Spaniſh baſtard Daffodills, the leaves of which are of a whitiſh green colour, one alittle broader then the other, and the flowers pure white, bending down their their heads, that they almoſt touch the Stalk again, give Seed from which ſprings much varietye, few or none keeping either colour or height with their mother plant.

The ſeeds of divers Son breads, by name the Roman Sowbred with round leaves, the Autumnall Ivy leaved Sowbread, ſome flowers-de-lis, and many ſorts of Bears-eares doe the like in produceing admirable variety.

As for Anemones, take't from Mr. P. and our common dayly experience that there is not ſo great variety of double flowers raiſed from the ſeeds of thinne leave'd Anemones as from the broad leaved ones. Of the Latifolias, the double Orange-rawny ſeed being ſowen, yeildeth pretty varietyes, but the purples, or reds, or crimſons, yeild ſmall varietyes, but ſuch as draw neareſt to their originall, although ſome be a little deeper or lighter then others: But the light colours are they that are chief for choice, as white, aſh-colour, bluſh or Carnation, light Orange, Simple, or party-coloured, ſingle (or double if they bear ſeed) which muſt be carefully gathered, and that not before it be fully ripe, which you ſhall know by the head, for when the ſeed with the woollineſſe beginneth a little to riſe of it ſelf at the lower end, then muſt it be quickly gathered, leſt the wind carry it all away, after it is thus carefully gather'd it muſt be layd to dry for a week or more, which then being gently rubbed with a little dry ſand, or earth will cauſe the ſeed to be better ſeparated, although not throughly, from the woolineſs or downe that compaſſeth it.

In the ſeed of the Mervayle-of-the-world, take notice, that if you would have variable flowers, you muſt chuſe out ſuch flowers as be variable while they blow, that you may have their ſeed! for in this plant if the flower be of a ſingle colour, the ſeed will likely bring the ſame.

The ſeed is conſidered either as allready made, or as it is under the hands of Nature, imperfect, yet in the way to be made.

In it made, there are conſiderable, firſt, the Coates and cotton that cover it about, and preſerve it from injuries; ſecondly, the eſſentiall and proper parts of the ſeed it ſelf.

Many ſeeds have two Coates above the Cotton, and one thinne one under, next inveſting the ſeed, ſuch are Sicamores.

All ſeeds that I know have within their Covers actually a Neb, which anſwers to a roote, which is joyned to leaves more or leſſe in number: betwixt the ſtalks of, or amidſt theſe leaves there is a bud, eye or Germen, juſt oppoſite to the Neb, or initiall Roote, but by reaſon of its ſmallneſſe it is ſcarce diſcernable in many ſeeds till it begins to ſpring.

Beanes, Peaſe, Kidney-beanes, Lupined, have this peculiarity, that the grain being clert, each half is as one of theſe diſſimular leaves, which is uſually contained in every ſeed, and between theſe thick leaves are contayned other ſimilar leaves, or ſuch as differ but in growth o • bigneſſe from the true leaves of the Plant. 'Tis to be obſerved in all theſe great ſeeds, that though the pulſe, or thick part of the grain periſh, yet if the Neb and ſmal leaves are entire, the ſeed may proſper; as I have ſeen Feild-beanes that have been eaten through with wormes, prove good thriveing ſeed. But tis reported, that Piſmires have learned the wit to ſpoyl the ſeed from growing in their ſtore-houſes, by biting off the very Neb before they repoſe the grain.

The growth of the plant from the ſeed is thus by convenient moyſture and heat, the Neb ſtricks through the Covers, and goes directly down, if not impeded, in earth or water, 〈◊〉 convenient way, ordinarily, two or three inches, in which time the leaves either rowled up, or otherwiſe incloſed, break their bonds, and expl … te themſelves 〈◊〉 being lifted commonly a litle higher by the growth of the ſtalk, or lengthned Neb and you may obſerve, that the growth above ground, at the firſt motion upward, is nothing proportionable to the motion downward. After the root is well made and faſtned betwixt the leaves that were, actually contained in the ſeed, there ariſes into more plain ſight and appearance, that litle • ermen before, in many plants ſcarce-ſeen, like to that bud, which is left on plants in winter, which ſpringing, brings forth the true leaves and Branche, of the plant ſowen.

If I am enquired of, whether each ſeed has a compleat eſſence and diſtinct form of its own. Nay further, whether it be a true and perfect plant? I muſt ſay that I have found it ſo to be, even more than an egge, a liveing thing, and immediately nouriſhable It has root to grow, body to bear the port of the plant, Bark to direct the Sap into all its parts, and germen or bud to ſecure the meanes of future growth, and to boote leaves, which is all and ſomewhat more than in the winter the ſturdieſt Oke can boaſt of.

It has been accounted an Intereſt in Philoſophy heretofore, and that in our Schooles, that ſeed ſhould not be eſteemed an actual and formal plant, becauſe of divers abſurdities, that if ſeed were animall, would happen in their Schoole doctrine; as that there would be pluralities of formes in the ſame trees; The Soule might be diviſible into parts; The ſame thing might be agent and patient; Nay ſome have ſaid, that it may be of dangerous conſequence in Divinity, if it were granted, that ſeeds had the actuall formes and eſſence of that thing whoſe Seeds they were.

I am glad tis noe Hereſy now, to appeale to ſenſe from a Doctors opinion, and that I may freely in this matter require, to be tryed by my garden, though it be againſt the ſentence and Judgment of the Doctors Conimbra, Suarez, Ruvio, Pererius, Bonamicue, Fonſeca; and that we begin to lay aſide the fear, that from a certain truth, ill conſequences may ariſe: That Canon will certainly hold longe • t which is beſt built in the bottome.

It is conceived by ſome that the immediate cauſe of the Growth of the ſeed, is the Spirit working upon the Salt and Sulphur, Earth and other conſtituent parts or Elements of the Seed: For the Spirit is ſuppoſed to be made Volatile by the heat of the earth and water, which in Spring and Autumne, (the cheife times of germination) is of a proper temperature for formentation; and then the ſpirit being ſo Volatized, and riſeing up and expanding it ſelf every way augments the whole plant, and diſtends the ſides of the ſeed, whereby the growth of the ſeed plant is effected.

But how it comes to paſſe, that the conveiance of theſe expanded particles is ordered to proceed, according to the lineaments of each Vegetable, noe perſon to my knowledge has yet made any conceit; and it being beyond any ocular diſcovery of the moſt acute Searchers, to finde out the Conduits or Trunckes ſerving to ſo intricate a carriage, and how it comes to paſſe, that a ſeed firſt, has its Neb thruſt downe without dilatation of the ſides, and then, how the upper part of the Neb or germen orderly frames the Vegetable above ground in ſo trim a body, rather then a confuſed maſſe, I take it not for any part of my taske to enquire.

I ſhall likewiſe leave it to the imaginations of Philoſophers to determine, whether upon the diſtention made, it be by an elective faculty in the Seedling, filled up with ſimilar parts drawn from the Earth, and ſo by Nature originally fitted ſpecifically for that plant: or whether there being a continual motion of particles from the earth, preſſing upon the plant, thoſe only get entrance whoſe ſhapes and figures are ſuch, as correſpond to the pores in the young Vegetable; which meeting in the body of the plant with its conſtituent parts in nature not unlike themſelves, they eaſily are joyned thereto, and ſo cauſe an augmentation in the whole: or whether diſſimilar parts, either to fill up the Vacuum made by diſtention, or for other reaſons, got up into the plant, doe obtain there a change of nature, and from the form, Soul, Archeus, or other principle, are altered from their firſt being, into a likeneſſe of nature with the Seedling, and become homogeneous to it; Theſe are Queſtions, in the determination of which, till I am better informed, I deſire to take no ſide.

The plants that are uſually propagated this way, are Vines, Woodbines, Jaſmines, Mulberies, Savin: Evergreen privet in Woods all ſorts of Willoves and Sallowes to fill up bare places Carnations, Gilliflowers, roſes, Horſ-cheſnut and all thoſe plants that will grow by Cuttings will this way grow with much more eaſe, by care and good watering gardiners doe apply this way with profit to ſuch plants as cannot well by any other meanes be encreaſed for want of ſeeds and offsets, and by reaſon of the repugnancy of their nature to grow either by cuttings or inſition.

The moſt uſuall flower to be laid in Gardens, is the Gilliflower which every Gardiner here uſes, and is thus performed; Take thoſe ſlips yon intend to lay, and cut the ſtalk juſt under that joynt of the ſlip, which is next the roote or middle ſtem, or under the 2d joynt half way through the ſtalk: then ſlit it upward to the next joynt from that under which you made your firſt inciſion, and put the top of a Carnation-leafe, or any other thing to hold open the ſlit, (though that be not altogether ſo needfull, for the cut being made on the lower ſide, and the Slip being towards the root bent down gently, as the manner is and the top of the ſlip raiſed with mould, the ſlip will be open of its own accord and remain ſo if you place it well) at the firſt ſome peg down the middle of the ſlip with ſticks, that it may not riſe from the poſiture in which tis firſt lay'd, you muſt remember to put good earth, enough to mould up yout new Nurſery, and to water it upon all occaſions, and then in 7 or 8 weekes you may expect Rootes.

1. To Laying, tis proſitable if not neceſſary, that you (in the ſeaſon of doeing this operation) cut the thing you lay, much in the manner you cut Gillyflowers, in laying them, unleſſe in ſome plants that take any way as Vines, and 'tis ſo much the better if in Roſes and other Layers of a woody ſubſtance, with an Awie you prick the ſtock at the place laid, as it is done in propagation by Circumpoſition.

2. Another Requiſite is, that dureing the time of drought they be continually watered, and kept moiſt, otherwiſe they will make no exact roots perchance only a kind of knob or button full of freſh ſap upon the tongue of the cut in the branch layd down, yet I have found theſe branches cut off with watering in the ſummer to grow well enough after their tranſplantation.

3. The ſeaſons moſt fit for this operation, is, in the beginning of the ſpring or declenſion of the torrid heat of ſummer, that they may enjoy the moiſtneſſe of ſuch ſeaſons moſt proper for the enticeing forth of roots, and moſt ſafe from exceſſive hear or cold.

Circumpoſition is a kind of laying, the difference is, that in this the mould is born up to the bough which is to be taken off: in laying the bough is to be depreſſed into the mould. Wee uſe this moſt in Apples afrer this manner, firſt break the bough a little above the place where tis ſeparated from the main ſtock or arm, ſo that the hat or other Veſſell that holds up the Mould to the inciſion or diſbarked place may reſt upon the ſtock, then ſlit an hat, an old boot, or take any ſtrong peice of old courſe cloath, tying or ſowing it ſo ſtrongly that it may be able to hold up the mould to the inciſion, ſometime before you fill this cap with mould, remember with an awle or point of a penknife, to bore two rowes of holes upon the upſide of the cut about half an inch or more, one from another, then fill it with good mould, or ſuch as is agreeable to the tree you work upon, and in the heat of ſummer, water it now and then, The time of this operation is not in the ſummer, as Mr. P. ſuppoſes (which miſtake was ſufficient cauſe why he ſhould not like the experiment) but in the ſpring before the ſap riſes, particularly in Febr. or the beginning of March.

Such plants are propagable this way that might take by laying, but that the branches are too farre riſen from the ground to be laid along therein; and therefore it becomes neceſſary, ſince they cannot ſtoope to the earth, that the earth ſhould be lifted up to them.

This is a generall rule for grafting, Inoculation, Ablactation, and conjunction by penetration, or any ſuch way of propagation, that the Cyon or thing implanted be of like nature to the ſtock, to tell what neerneſſe in every kind is enough, is matter of great Art; 'Tis known that Plums will not grow upon Cherries, nor Peares upon Apples for many years, though for a while they may proſper.

I find that divers plants will take by enarching or Ablactation, that will not take by grafting; ſo Grapes, as the early red upon the great Fox-Grape; Apricots alſo and Peaches, which being ſecured upon their own ſtocks, will admit implantation unto another alſo, and take unto it, which by grafting I could never bring them to.

The ſtrangeſt conjunctions that we obſerve to agree, are the Whitethorn with the Pear, Quinces with the Pear, the Pear with the Quinces, the Medlar with the Whitethorn, the Apricots with Plums that are of full ſap, and ſometimes upon hard ſcurvy Plums, moſt uſe the White-Pear-Plums for that purpoſe; I find not but ſome other are as good (viz) the Primordian, Muſcle, Violet. And it is true, that all roſes cement and continue well upon bryers, as on the ſweet-bryer, dogroſe, I have Cherryes that grow upon Plum-ſtocks which is Sir Hugh Plat's experiment from Mr. Hill. p. 113. and Currans upon Gooſeberries: what duration they may be of I expect to learn. I am not convinced by experience that Pears upon White-thorn are worſe in their fruit but if ſo I ſhall preferre Apple-kernells before Crabs for a Nurſery. I have taſted very excellent Katherine Pears without ſtone or hardneſſe, that came from a Thorn-ſtock: nor were they ſmaller or harder (which Mr. Taverner aſſerts) then ordinary fruit upon the proper ſtock, however I adviſe that ſuch as ſhall for want of Pear, uſe Thorn-ſtocks, that they graft very low, for otherwiſe the Thorn not growing proportionably to the graft, will cauſe the graft to decay, being never able to grow thereon, unto the bigneſs uſuall in Pear trees.

There are almoſt infinite ſtoryes of ſtrange conjunctions which urge earneſtly for credit, ſome of inciſions made upon animall bodyes: The Lord of Piereſch had a preſent made him of a Plum-tree branch which bore bloſſomes and leaves, which ſprang from a thorn that grew in the breaſt of a Shepheard, this Shepheard having got this Thorn by falling upon a plumtree. Raw ſilk has grown on the eye brow of a Lady, mentioned by Borellus, obſerv. 10 cent. 1. being drawn through the fleſh to ſtitch up the lips of a wound there, and the growth was ſo conſiderable that it required frequent cutting; and there was a Spaniard lately had a bramble that grew out of his belly. The improvement that from theſe and the like ſtoryes, the Author in the cited place propoſes, is, That with the bliſtering plaiſter the bodyes of divers beaſts be excoriated and planted anew with ſilke, woole, or the like, where it may likely grow to the great advantage of the owners. When this has well ſucceeded, I ſhall propoſe another raritie from the firſt ſtory (viz) That ſuch who live about Glaſſenbury plant upon them ſelves ſome of that famed thorn that beares leaves on Chriſtmas day; for if the button moulds, according to the ſtory, made from the wood, kept their time of blowing upon the doublet, through the ſilke of the button, doubtleſſe the plant grafted upon the fleſh may grow through the very doublet too. Or in the mean time I ſhall wage on the ſucceſſe of my improvment, aſmuch as the obſervator ſhall doe on his.

The time of grafting, poſſibly is any time of the winter; I have ſeen Apples grafted in November, & at Chriſtmas, and yet thrive very well; but the beſt time is, that which immediately precedes the ſpring: if poſſible let the Cyons be gathered before the trees ſhoot their buds though ſome will grow now and then, notwithſtanding they be ſprouted, 'Tis no matter though the ſtocks are budded; I have at Eaſter grafted above an hundred Apples and Pears without any fail.

The beſt way to keep grafts a long time, eſpecially in pretty hot ſpring weather, is to wrap them all in wet moſſe, or cover them with earth.

Lute is made with horſe-dung & ſtiff clay well mix'd together; Mr. Auſtin adviſes, that in ſhoulder-grafting the Cyon may be put upon the Weſt or Southſide of the ſtock, becauſe if ſo, thoſe winds which are moſt dangerous cannot ſo ſoon break off the grafts as on the other ſides.

If you would have a ſpreading tree, put in a long Cyon; if a ſtraight tree, put on a ſhort one, or let but one bud thrive.

Good bearing trees are made from Cyons of the like fruitfullneſſe. Unbind grafts when they have ſhot great ſhoots, that the binding eat not into the tree, ſtrengthen thoſe that are weak with a ſtick tyed above and below the grafted place, like Splinters to a broken bone, till the cementation be made and confirmed.

If you would have ſtore of any fruit quickly, cut off the head of an old ſtock, and graft thereon.

To Trees that bear great heads, and are of a faſt and binding bark, ſuch as Cherrie trees, ſome hard Apples, and other kinds of great fruit-bearing, and other plants, it is eſteemed neceſſary by ſome to put in more grafts than one, leaſt the ſap finding not way enough, the tree receive a check and periſh by the diſappointment of the ſap. However this reaſon may hold, certainly 'tis prudence to put in more Cyons than one in ſuch trees, leaſt that one failing, the ſtock likewiſe dye, being bark-bound and not able to put out a germen.

Cyons are beſt choſen from the faireſt, ſtrongeſt, not under-ſhoots or ſuckers, which will be long ere they bear fruit, which is contrary to the intention of grafting; the prime uſe of which I beleive rather to be the expediting, than the improvement of fruit.

'Tis prov'd by experience, that there is every year a new coat of Wood made to every thriving Tree, by appoſition of ſap hardned into a thin Board (as I may call it) inſomuch that I have known divers Woodmen, that would boldly aſſert the determinate number of years, that any Oke, or other Wood, has thrived in, by the number of thoſe ſeveral diſtinct Rings of Wood that are to be counted from the middle or center of the Tree, to the outſide of it, it being credited, and that I think with reaſon, that every one of theſe Rings aroſe from the appoſed and hardned ſap of every ſeveral year.

Now in grafting upon a frim ſtock, it comes to paſs, that the ſap of the ſtock is appoſed to the body of the Cyon, and ſo incloſeth the Cyon with the laſt coat of the whole Tree, that there is, as it were, one and the ſame paſt of new Wood, that doth cloſely encompaſs the whole, both Stock and Cyon, which when harden'd, grows to be ſtrong, and of the ſame uſe that ſplinters are to a broken Bone; and Gardners wiſely provide for the ſtrengthning of the compagination of the Cyon and Stock, until this ſap be incruſted to a hardneſs; when the firſt year of their grafting, they do not onely binde up the Cyon to the Stock, but uſe ſplinters of old Wood, that neither the winde, or other accidents, may diſlocate what with Art was joyned together. This firſt, for the maner of conjunction and faſtning of the Woods: Nor do I make any difference between Grafting and Inoculation, becauſe I am perſwaded, that as there is in every Seed an actual Plant, ſo there is in every Bud an actual Bough, and that a Cyon and a Bud differ but as a greater and leſſet branch.

But how the ſap of the Stock; ſuppoſe White Thorn can ſerve to make the Wood, Bark, Leaves, and Fruit of its Cyon, ſuppoſe a Pear, is a difficult queſtion: For grant there be an elective attraction of ſap from the earth; yet how ſhall a white Thorn chooſe that which is fit for a Pear? My thoughts are, that for thoſe who maintain election of ſimilar parts, it were beſt to ſuppoſe a great likeneſs in all Grafts and Stocks, as to their inward nature and parts, though not outward figuration; and there being this likeneſs in the ſubſtance, it will not be hard to conclude, that the Cyon, by altering the poſition of the ſame ſubſtantial parts, may make to the ſight, ſmell, touch, taſte, a thing of another faſhion.