5 



OF FOREST-TREES. 285 



CHAP. VII. 



The Paraenesis and Conclusion, containing some Encouragements and 

 Proposals for the Planting and Improvement of his Majesty's Forests, 

 and other Amoenities for Shade and Ornament 



SmcE our forests are undoubtedly the greatest magazines of the CHAP.vii. 

 wealth and glory of this nation, and our Oaks the truest oracles of its ""-^"v-^ 

 perpetuity and happiness, as being the only support of that navigation 

 which makes us feared abroad, and flourish at home ; it has been 

 strangely wondered at by some good patriots, how it comes to pass, that 

 many gentlemen have frequently repaired, or gained a sudden fortune, 

 with ploughing part of their parks, and setting out their fat grounds to 

 gardeners, &c. and very wild woodland parcels (as may be instanced in 

 several places) to dressers of hop-yards, &c. while the royal portion lies 

 folded up in a napkin, uncultivated and neglected, especially those 

 great and ample forests ; where, though ploughing and sowing have 

 been forbidden, a royal command and design may well dispense with it, 

 and the breaking up of those intervals advance the growth of the trees 

 to an incredible improvement. 



It is, therefore, insisted on, that there is not a cheaper, easier, or more 

 prompt expedient to advance ship-timber, than to solicit, that in all his 

 majesty's forests, woods, and parks, the spreading Oak, &c. (which we 

 have formerly described,) be cherished, by ploughing and sowing barley, 

 rye, &c. (with due supply of culture and soil between them,) as far as 

 may, without danger of the plough-share, be broken up. But this is only 

 where these trees are arrived to some magnitude, and stand at competent 

 distances, a hundred or fifty yards, (for their roots derive relief far be- 

 yond the reach of any boughs,) as do the Walnut-trees in Burgundy, 

 which stand in their best ploughed lands. 



But, that we may particularize in his majesty's forests of Dean, 

 Sherewood, Enfield-chase, he. and in some sort gratify the queries of 



"» This Chapter should constitute part of the political catechism of all statesmen. 

 Volume II. O O 



