OF FOREST-TREES. 



305 



timber was a revenue coming on whilst the owners were asleep,) com- cHAP. 

 manded his servants immediately to plant in his lands, which were '"-^'^ 

 ample, Oaks, Ashes, and other profitable and marketable trees, to the 

 number of an hundred thousand ; as undoubtedly calculating, that each 

 of those trees might be worth twenty-pence, before his daughter became 

 marriageable, which would amount to 100,000 francs, (near ten thousand 

 pounds sterling,) and this he intended to be given with his daughter for 

 a portion. This was good philosophy, and such as I am assured was fre- 

 quently practised in Flanders, upon the very same account : let us see it 

 once take effect amongst our many slothful gentry, who have certainly as 

 large demesnes, and yet are so deficient in that decent point of timely 

 providing for their numerous children : and those who have none, let 

 them the rather plant: trees and vegetables have perpetuated some 

 names longer and better than a pedigree of a numerous offspring, as I have 

 already shewed ; and it were a pledge of a noble mind, to oblige the fu- 

 ture age by our particular industry, and by a long lasting train, with the 

 living work of our own hands. But I now proceed to more general 

 concerns in order to the queries ; and first to the proportion. 



It were just, and infinitely befitting the miserable needs of the whole 

 nation, that every twenty acres of pasture made an allowance for half an 

 acre of timber ; the ground dug about Christmas, casting the grassy side 

 downwards till June ; then dug again, and about November stirred 

 afresh, and sown with mast, or planted in a clump, well preserved and 

 fenced for fourteen or fifteen years, unless that sheep might haply graze 

 about four or five years : and where the young trees stand too thick, 

 there to draw and transplant them into the hedge-rows, which would 

 also prove excellent shelter for the cattle ; this husbandry would more 

 especially become Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Cornwall, and such 

 other of our counties as are the most naked of timber, fuel, &c. and un- 

 provided of covert ; for it is rightly observed, that the most fruitful 

 places least abound in wood, and do the most stand in need of it : 



1. 



Example by Leicestershire ; 



What soil can be better than that. 

 For any thing heart can desire ? 



And yet doth it want ye see what ; 

 Mast, covert, close pasture, and wood. 



And other things needful, as good. 



