CHAP, in S Y L V A 49 



timber, cut not off their heads at all, nor be too busie 

 with lopping : But if you desire shade and fuel, or 

 bearing of mast alone, lop off their tops, sear, and 

 unthriving branches only : If you intend an outright 

 felling, expect till November ; for this prcemature 

 cutting down of trees before the sap is perfectly at 

 rest, will be to your exceeding prejudice, by reason 

 of the worm, which will certainly breed in timber 

 which is felled before that period : But in case you 

 cut only for the chimney, you need not be so punct- 

 ual as to the time ; yet for the benefit of what you 

 let stand, observe the moon's increase if you please. 

 The reason of these differences, is ; because this is 

 the best season for the growth of the tree which 

 you do not fell, the other for the durableness of the 

 timber which you do : Now that which is to be 

 burnt is not so material for lasting, as the growth of 

 the tree is considerable for the timber : But of these 

 particulars more at large in cap. 3. book m. 



14. The very stumps of oak, especially that part 

 which is dry, and above ground, being well grubb'd, 

 is many times worth the pains and charge, for sundry 

 rare and hard works ; and where timber is dear. I 

 could name some who abandoning this to workmen 

 for their pains only, when they perceiv'd the great 

 advantage, repented of their bargain, and undertaking 

 it themselves, were gainers above half : I wish only 

 for the expedition of this knotty work, some effectual 

 engine were devised; such as I have been told a worthy 

 person of this nation made use of, by which he was 

 able with one man, to perform more than with 

 twelve oxen ; and surely, there might be much done 

 by fastning of iron-hooks and fangs about one root, 

 to extract another ; the hook chain'd to some port- 



G 



