CHAP, vii S Y L V A 199 



25. Now let us calculate a little at adventure, and 

 much within what is both fasible, and very possible ; 

 and we shall find, that four fruit-trees in each acre 

 throughout England, the product sold but at six-pence 

 the bushel (but where do we now buy them so cheap ?) 

 will be worth a million yearly : What then may we 

 reasonably judge of timber, admit but at the growth 

 of four pence per acre yearly (which is the lowest that 

 can be estimated) it amounting to near half a million? 

 if (as 'tis supposed) there may be five or six and twenty 

 millions of square acres in the kingdom (besides fens, 

 high-ways, rivers, Gfc. not counted) and without 

 reckoning in the mast, or loppings ; which whosoever 

 shall calculate from the annual revenue, the mast only 

 of Westphalia (a small and wretched country in 

 Germany) does yield to that prince, will conclude to 

 be no despicable improvement. 



26. In this poor territory, every farmer does by 

 ancient custom plant so many oaks about his farm, as 

 may suffice to feed his swine : To effect this, they 

 have been so careful, that when of late years the armies 

 infested the poor country, both Imperialists, and Pro- 

 testants ; the only bishoprick of Munster was able to 

 pay one hundred thousand crowns per mensem (which 

 amounts of our money to about 250007. sterling) 

 besides the ordinary entertainment of their own 

 Princes and private families. This being incredible to 

 be practis'd in so extream barren a country, I thought 

 fit to mention, either to encourage, or reproach us : 

 General Melander was wont to say, the good husbandry 

 of their ancestors had left them this stock pro sacra 

 anchord ; considering how the people were afterward 

 reduc'd to live even on their trees, when the soldiers 

 had devoured their hogs ; redeeming themselves from 



