io6 SYLVA BOOK in 



ends, viz, sides and ends outward ; the third thwart 

 the other on the side, and so the rest, till all are placed, 

 spending the up-most first. 



Thus we have endeavoured to prescribe the best 

 directions we could learn concerning this necessary 

 subject. And in this penury of that dear commodity, 

 and to incite all ingenious persons, studious of the bene- 

 fit of their country, to think of ways how our woods 

 may be preserved, by all manner of arts which may 

 prolong the lasting of our fuel, I would give the best 

 encouragements. Those that shall seriously consider 

 the intolerable misery of the poor Chauci (the then 

 inhabitants of the Low-Countries) described by Pliny, 

 lib. 1 6. cap. i. (how opulent soever their late industry 

 has render'd them) for want only of wood for fuel, 

 will have reason to deplore the excessive decay of our 

 former store of that useful commodity ; and by what 

 shifts our neighbours the Hollanders, do yet repair 

 that defect, be invited to exercise their ingenuity : 

 The process of which is casting the die or square of 

 the turf in 4 equal quarters ; and to build them so up, 

 (as our brick-makers do their crude ware) that they 

 may have the free intercourse of the air till they are 

 dry : See Quicciardius in his description of Holland, 

 or du Cange's Glossary ', ^erbo Turba : But besides the * 

 dung of beasts, and the peat and turf (which we may 

 find in our ouzy lands and heathy commons) for their 

 chimneys, cowsheads, GPc. they make use of stoves 

 both portable and standing ; and truly the more fre- 

 quent use of those inventions in our great wasting 

 cities (as the custom is through all Germany) as also 



1 In many places (where fuel is scarce) poor people spread fern and straw in 

 the ways and paths where cattle dung and tread, and then clap it against a wall till 

 it be dry : But that of hogs is very noysome. 



