PLANT FOR POSTERITY xv 



of the writings and examples of the rest : But since 

 these may suffice, after due reproofs of the late impolitic 

 waste and universal sloth amongst us, we should now 

 turn our indignation into prayers, and address our- 

 selves to our better-natured countrymen, that such 

 woods, as do yet remain entire, might be carefully 

 preserved, and such as are destroyed, sedulously 

 repaired : It is what all persons who are owners of 

 land may contribute to, and with infinite delight, as 

 well as profit, who are touched with that laudable 

 ambition of imitating their illustrious ancestors, and 

 of worthily serving their generation. To these my 

 earnest and humble advice should be, That at their 

 very first coming to their Estates, and as soon as they 

 get children, they should seriously think of this work 

 of propagation also ; for I observe there is no part of 

 husbandry which men more commonly fail in, neglect, 

 and have cause to repent of, than that they did not 

 begin planting betimes, without which they can expect 

 neither fruit, ornament, or delight, for their labours. 

 Men seldom plant trees till they begin to be wise, that 

 is, till they grow old, and find, by expeiience, the 

 prudence and necessity of it. When Ulysses, after a 

 ten years' absence, was returned from Troy, and 

 coming home, found his aged father in the field planting 

 of trees, he asked him, * Why, being now so far advanced 

 in years, he would put himself to the fatigue and 

 labour of planting that, of which he was never likely 

 to enjoy the fruits ? ' The good old man, taking him 

 for a stranger, gently replied : * I plant against my 

 son, Ulysses comes home.' The application is obvious 

 and instructive for both old and young." 



It is curious how public duties and necessities repeat 

 themselves throughout the centuries. For surely 

 there never was a period in our history when the 



