'2' SYLVA BOOK i 



2. In the mean time, this of the soil, (which I 

 think is a more proper term for composts) or mould 

 rather,- being of greater importance for the raising, 

 planting, and propagation of trees in general, must 

 at no hand be neglected, and is therefore on all 

 occasions mentioned in almost every chapter of our 

 ensuing discourse; I shall therefore not need to 

 assign it any part, when I have affirm'd in general, 

 that most timber-trees grow and prosper well in any 

 tolerable land which will produce corn or rye, and 

 which is not in excess stony ; in which nevertheless 

 there are some trees delight ; or altogether clay, 

 which few, or none do naturally affect ; and yet the 

 oak is seen to prosper in it, for its toughness preferr'd 

 before any other by many workmen, though of all 

 soils the cow-pasture doth certainly exceed, be it for 

 what purpose soever of planting wood. Rather 

 therefore we should take notice how many great 

 wits and ingenious persons, who have leisure and 

 faculty, are in pain for improvements of their heaths 

 and barren Hills, cold and starving places, which 

 causes them to be neglected and despair'd of; whilst 

 they flatter their hopes and vain expectations with 

 fructifying liquors, chymical menstruums, and such 

 vast conceptions ; in the mean time that one may 

 shew them as heathy and hopeless grounds, and barren 

 hills as any in England, that do now bear, or lately 

 have born woods, groves, and copses, which yield 

 the owners more wealth, than the richest and most 

 opulent wheat-lands : and if it be objected that 'tis 

 so long a day before these plantations can afford that 

 gain ; the Brabant Nurseries, and divers home-plant- 

 ations of industrious persons are sufficient to convince 

 the gain-sayer. And when by this husbandry a few 



