A MOST IMPERATIVE DUTY xxiii 



But, first, it will be requisite to agree upon the species : 

 as what trees are likely to be of greatest use, and the 

 fittest to be cultivated ; and then, to consider of the 

 manner how it may be best effected. Truly, the waste 

 and destruction of our woods has been so universal, 

 that I conceive nothing less than an universal plan- 

 tation of all sorts of trees will supply, and will encounter 

 the defect ; and therefore I shall here adventure to 

 speak something in general of them all ; though I 

 chiefly insist upon the propagation of such only as seem 

 to be the most wanting and serviceable to the end 

 proposed." 



He aptly quotes Virgil, Georgics, II, in his plea for 

 confining himself to useful, i.e. commercial species : 



Sed neque quam multae species, nee nomina quae sint. 

 Est numerus ; neque enim numero comprendere refert : 

 Quern qui scire veUt, Lybici velit sequoris idem 

 Discere, quam multae Zephyro turbentur arense. 



Evelyn is such a charming companion that it is 

 difficult to refrain from accompanying him further in 

 his " Discourse,*' but we have perhaps proceeded far 

 enough to indicate that the objects which caused the 

 Sylva to be penned once again face the nation. Plant- 

 ing has become, for a variety of reasons, differing in de- 

 gree but not in essentials, one of the most imperative 

 duties the nation is called upon to see to. It may be 

 held that this is not the time to preach this crusade. We 

 know that this is the excuse being given. But we also 

 know that the nation is more wide awake in war time, 

 more intent on setting its house in order. Putting 

 off the work is merely to delay the time at which the 

 crops will become ready for the axe. We have not to 

 wait the hundred and more years necessary in Evelyn's 



