have frequently experimented in orange-trees,
whose fibers are so very obnoxious to rot, if they take in the least
excess of wet: And therefore _Cato_ advises us to take care that we bind
the mould about them, or transfer the roots in baskets, to preserve it
from forsaking them; as now our nursery-men frequently do; by which they
of late are able to furnish our grounds, avenues and gardens in a moment
with trees and other plants, which would else require many years to
appear in such perfection: For this earth being already applied, and
fitted to the overtures and mouths of the fibers, it will require some
time to bring them in appetite again to a new mould, by which to repair
their loss, furnish their stock, and proceed in their wonted oeconomy
without manifest danger and interruption: nor less ought our care to be
in the making, and dressing of the pits and fosses, into which we design
our transplantation, which should be prepar'd and left some time open to
macerating rains, frosts and sun, that may resolve the compacted salt,
(as some will have it) render the earth friable, mix and qualifie it for
aliment, and to be more easily drawn in, and digested by the roots and
analogous stomach of the trees: This, to some degree may be artificially
done, by burning of straw in the newly opened pits, and drenching the
mould with water; especially in over-dry seasons, and by meliorating
barren-ground with sweet and comminuted loetations: Let therefore this be
received as a maxim, never to plant a fruit or forest-tree where there
has lately been an old decay'd one taken up; till the pit be well
ventilated, and furnish'd with fresh mould.

7. The author of the Natural History, _Pliny_, tells us it was a vulgar
tradition, in his time, that no tree should be removed under two years
old, or above three: _Cato_ would have none transplanted less than five
fingers in diameter; but I have shew'd why we are not to attend so long
for such as we raise of seedlings. In the interim, if these directions
appear too busie, or operose, or that the plantation you intend be very
ample, a more compendious method will be the confused sowing of acorns,
&c. in furrows, two foot asunder, covered at three fingers depth, and so
for three years cleansed, and the first winter cover'd with fern,
without any farther culture, unless you transplant them; but, as I
shewed before, in nurseries, they would be cut an inch from the ground,
and then let stand till Marc