CHAP, vii SYLVA 187 



petent perfection, so very discouraging ; since I am 

 credibly inform'd, that several persons have built of 

 timber (and that of oak) which were acorns within 

 this forty years ; and I find it credibly reported, that 

 even our famous Forest of Dean, hath been utterly 

 wasted no less than three several times, within the 

 space of nine hundred years. The Prince Elector 

 Frederic IV. in the year 1 606 sow'd a part of that 

 most barren heath of Lambertheim, with acorns after 

 plowing, as I have been inform'd : It is now likely 

 to prove a most goodly forest, though all this while 

 miserably neglected by reason of the wars. For the 

 care of planting trees, should indeed be recommended 

 to princes and great persons, who have the fee of 

 the estate ; tenants upon the rack, by reason of the 

 tedious expectation, and jealousie of having their rents 

 enhanc'd, are for the mos't part averse from this hus- 

 bandry ; so that unless the landlord will be at the 

 whole charge of planting and fencing, (without which 

 as good no planting) little is to be expected ; and 

 whatsoever is proposed to them above their usual 

 course, is look'd upon as the whim and fancy of spe- 

 culative persons, which they turn into ridicule when 

 they are applied to action ; and this, (says an ingenious 

 and excellent husband, whose observations have af- 

 forded me no little treasure) might be the reason, 

 why the prime writers of all ages, endeavour'd to 

 involve their discourses with allegories, and aenig- 

 matical terms, to protect them from the contempt 

 and pollution of the vulgar, which has been of some 

 ill consequence in husbandry ; for that very few 

 writers of worth have adventured upon so plain a 

 subject ; though doubtless to any considering person, 

 the most delightful kind of natural philosophy, and 



