26 S Y L V A BOOK i 



and prudent care, form'd and brought to shape and 

 perfection : Nor is it enough to cast seeds into the 

 ground, and leave them there, as the Ostrich does 

 her eggs in the Lybian sands, without minding them 

 more, (because Nature has depriv'd her of understand- 

 ing) ; but great diligence is to be us'd in governing 

 them ; not only till they spring up, but till they are 

 arriv'd to some stature fit for transplantation, and to be 

 sent broad ; after the same method that our children 

 should be educated, and taken care of from their 

 birth and cradle ; and afterwards, whilst they are 

 under Padagogues and discipline, (for the forming of 

 their manners and persons) that they contract no ill 

 habits, and take such plys as are so difficult to rectifie 

 and smooth again without the greatest industry. For 

 prevention of this in our seminary, the like care is 

 requisite ; whilst the young imps and seedlings are 

 yet tender and flexible, and require not only different 

 nourishment and protection from too much cold, 

 heat, and other injuries ; but due and skilful manage- 

 ment, in dressing, redressing and pruning, as they 

 grow capable of being brought into shape, and of 

 hopeful expectation, when time has rendered them fit 

 for the use and service requir'd, according to their 

 kinds. He therefore that undertakes the nursery, 

 should be knowing not only in the choice of the 

 seeds, where, when, and how to sow them ; but 

 to know what time of gestation they require in the 

 womb of their mother-earth, before parturition ; 

 that so he may not be surprized with her delivering 

 some of them sooner, or later than he expects them ; 

 for some will lye two, nay, three year, e'er they peep ; 

 most others one, and some a quarter, or a month or 

 two ; whilst the tardy and less forward so tire the 



