CHAP, vii SYLVA 165 



good (if well executed) Act to save our standards, 

 and bordering trees from the ax of the neighbourhood: 

 And who would not preserve timber, when within 

 so few years the price is almost quadrupl'd ? I assure 

 you standards of twenty, thirty, or forty years growth, 

 are of a long day for the concernments of a nation. 



14. And though we have in our general Chapter 

 of Copp'ces, declar'd what by our laws, and common 

 usage is expected at every fell (and which is indeed 

 most requisite, till our store be otherwise supply'd) 

 yet might much even of that rigor be abated, by no 

 unfrugal permissions to take down more of the 

 standards for the benefit of the under-woods (especially 

 where, by over-dropping and shade they interrupt the 

 kindly dews, rains, and influences which nourish them) 

 provided that there were a proportionable number of 

 timber-trees duly and throughly planted and preserved 

 in the hedge-rows and bordures of our grounds ; in 

 which case, even the total clearing of some copp'ces 

 would be to their great advance, as by sad experience 

 has been taught some good husbands, whose necess- 

 ities sometimes forced them to violate their standards, 

 and more grown trees during the late tyranny. 



15. Nor will it be here unseasonable to advise, 

 that where trees are manifestly perceived to decay, 

 they be marked out for the ax, that so the younger 

 may come on for a supply ; especially, where they 

 are chiefly elms ; because their successors hasten to 

 their height and perfection in a competent time ; 

 but beginning once to grow sick of age, or other 

 infirmity, suddenly impair, and lose much of their 

 value yearly : besides, that the increase of this, and 

 other speedy timber, would spare the more oak for 

 navigation, and the sturdier uses. 



