Hoops and Fagots amounts to 90104 pounds 17 shillings Now if we should proceed to another season of felling the increase would overcharge the Markets and bring the Prices for smart hoops down to so low a rate that there will be greater vent and more profit in converting the wood into Firing also by that time the Stocks will begin to decline or decay they being planted at too near a distance But omitting that we shall go on to consider of some other waies to improve the thousand Acres of Land to be planted as aforesaid III. Dist. The next or third Distance therefore formerly mentioned is at 4 foot 6 inches which is the one fourth part of Pearch This is the nearest Distance I would advize to plant Under-woods for the more liberty the roots have to extend themselves the greater nourishment they receive from the earth which doth not only add many years to their time of living but also much expediate and increase their growth whereby they will be enabled to produce a more plentiful Crop for quantity goodness and greatness at the time of cutting then if planted at a nearer distance And because the Oak is of a slower growth than the Chesnut Ash or Withey and is not useful for Hop-poles nor any sort of Hoops but those called smart hoops we shall therefore instead thereof plant the Withey and leave out the Oak This Plot of Land then will take up or require there being but one single seed or plant planted at the distance aforesaid of the Chesnut 854401 seed or plants Of the Ash 854400 seed or plants and of the Withey 854400 plants for this kind of wood is not planted by seed The Total of seed or plants to be set or planted amounts to 2563201. Now it is to be supposed as was said before that all these Plants grow and thrive and then about 11 or 12 years after their planting they may all be felled or cut down And in felling you must be carefull to cut off the Rod or Pole sloping smooth and close leaving the Stem or Body of the Plant about 3 inches above the earth and not more according to former directions Out of the Chesnut may be chosen 600000 Hop-poles of which allowing 5 score to the hundred arise 6000 hundred worth in the place where they are felled if they grow within 4 or 5 miles from any great quantity of ground where there are many hops planted 14 shillings the hundred and amount to 4200 pounds from the Ash and Withey may also be chosen 954000 Poles which arise to 9540 hundred worth where they are felled 12 shillings the hundred and amount to 5724 pound The totall summ for Hop-poles amounts to 9924 pound From the Remainder of the Chesnut which are 254401 Stocks may be chosen 63600 Rods for bark or ryne hoops of the size from 10 to 13 foot long they will make 127200 hoops and counting six score to the hundred arise to 1060 hundred worth to be delivered at London 15 shillings the hundred and amount to 795 pound There may likewise be chosen from the Chesnut 190801 Rods of the size from 6 to 10 foot which will make 381602 hoops worth at the place aforesaid 10 shillings the hundred there being 3180 hundred and 2 Hoops amount to 1590 pound 4 pence The totall summ for both sizes of Chesnut hoops amounts to 2385 pound 4 pence From the Ash and Withey may also be chosen 24800 Rods of the size from 10 to 13 foot which will make 49600 bark hoops which arise by tale to 413 hundred and 40 hoops worth 10 shillings the hundred they amount to 206 pound 13 shillings 4 pence From the Ash and Withy may also be chosen 730000 Rods of the shorter size from 6 to 10 foot they will make 1460000 hoops that is 12166 hundred and 80 hoops and being worth 8 shillings the hundred amount to 4866 pound 13 shillings 4 pence The total summ for Ash and Withey bark hoops-amounts to 5073 pound 6 shillings 8 pence The total summ for all the sorts and sizes of bark hoops amounts to 7458 pound 7 shillings The Shredding and Offal of Hop-poles and Hoops with the rest of the Stuff cut down will make 67280 shred Fagots and allowing five score to the hundred there will be of them 672 hundred and 80 Fagots worth in the Wood 8 shillings the hundred and amount to 269 pound 2 shillings 4 pence 3 farthings Now at this Distance the Land may be sowed with Corn between the Plants for the tearm of 3 or 4 years and not rest but you must be careful that after the 3 or 4 years Crops received the Land be made good again by laying on it great store of Soil or Dung for if you weaken the heart of the Land by often plowing or delving the Plants cannot thrive or grow to raise any profit Also by making the ground poor you will indanger the life of the Plants and thereby lose all your charges It is my opinion that Corn sowed among or between the Plants the first three or four years after planting will much help the thriving and growth of them so that neither Corn or Grass grow nearer the Plants than one foot for if you take a good and early Seed season the Corn will be grown to a great head or height before the coldest of Winter and by that means keep the ground mellow warm and moist and in the Summer will shelter and shade the young tender shoots which the Plants will put forth from the scorching Sun Now the most proper seed for the ground considering the season of the year when the Timber seeds are to be set or sowed is Wheat and because Woodland measure makes a large Acre which contains 920 square yards of Land more than the Statute Acre or Land measure therefore we cannot allow less than 3 Bushels of Wheat to be sowed on every Acre yet because at this Distance the Plants will take up a great part of the Land we shall therefore allow but 2 Bushels to an Acre which comes to 2000 Bushels the encrease thereof may arise to 20000 Bushels yearly during such time the Land is sowed as before mentioned And for that the price of Wheat is very uncertain differing more or less almost every Market day we shall therefore value it to be worth one year with another 5 shillings the Bushel which amounts for the 20000 Bushels to 5000 pound From the yearly Crop of Wheat there will arise 1000 Load of Straw worth 5 shillings the Load and 16000 Bushels of Chaff or Hulls worth 3 pence the Bushel heap and thrust the total summ for Straw and Hulls amounts to 450 pound The totall summ of the whole Improvement at this first felling and three years Crops of Wheat amounts to 34001 pound 9 shillings 4 pence 3 farthings About the same time or tearm of years the last stuff was allowed to grow this Wood may be cut again and every Stock then will yield you 3
from 9 to 13 or 14 foot long These hoops being of the best sort are to be made 5 6 7 inches broad one inch thick on the back or sap edge and about half an inch thick on the other or heart edge they are worth if delivered at London 9 pound the hundred One end or length of the said young trees may make 10 good hoops and 12 trees or ends will make one hundred allowing six score to the hundred Now the remainder of the said trees and the Offal of them which were felled for hoops may be converted to several uses The Chesnut is good Timber for building Houses also for Quarters much used by Joyners and Frame-makers about Stools and Chairs Chests Boxes Bedsteds and such like both the Chesnut and Ash are very good to make Wagons Carts and many other necessaries of Husbandry But it would spend much time in speaking to every particular we shall therefore value the Chesnut and Ash one with the other to be worth 10 shillings the Tree there being 241202 Trees they amount to 120601 pound The Elme and Beech being slow growers will not be in so short a time of a sufficient greatness for extraordinary uses Out of the Beech may be made Fellows Axes and Spokes for Cart-wheels Quarters for Joyners and Building used as the Chesnut also Bowls Trayes Dishes Trenchers and such like The Elme will not be of that greatness to serve about building Ships of any considerable burden but for small Vessels as Hyes Ketches and such like as also Pipes to lay under ground for the conveying of water much used in and about London they may likewise be serviceable to Mill-wrights for making and repairing Water-mills also to other necessary uses may both these sorts of wood be imployed so that they may be worth one with the other six shillings the Tree and there being 241201 Trees and being sold at the price they amount to 72360 pound 6 shillings The total summ for all the foresaid Trees amount to 192961 pound 6 shillings The Trees that were left standing are in number 160801 now if they be carefully proyned and lookt unto about 70 years growth the Ash and Chesnut may be worth 30 shillings the Tree one with the other and there being of them 80401 they amount to 120601 pound 10 shillings The Elm and Beech about that time may grow to be worth 20 shillings the Tree the Elme being of substance to be used about the Hulls and Keels of small Ships also for Naves for Wagons and Cart-wheels many other uses may likewise be made of them The number of both sorts is 80400 Trees and they amount to 80400 pound The total of all the 4 sorts of Trees amounts to 201001 pound 10 shillings The 3 years Crop of Wheat with the Hulls and Straw according to our former reckoning do come to 16350 pound The total of the whole Improvment by this way of planting at the fourth Distance amounts to 410312 pound sixteen shillings Now all men do not approve of planting Under-woods with or among Timber Trees nor that Trees should grow so near together as in this last planting neither is it convenient that all Woodland should be so planted for at so near a distance they do not only hinder the growth of each other but also take up much land which may otherwise be employed for the benefit of Corn and Cattel and therefore this Distance of one Pearch is too near for great Trees yet in planting Seed or Plants there must be care taken that the distance of them be such that every Tree be not a noyance but a help to his fellows as not to hurt one another by any touch either of bough or root and yet not so far asunder but that they may shroud each other from the cold and winds therefore at this distance you may set your Plants and when they are grown great or come so near as to hurt by any touch then may you cut fell or grubâ—up the middle Tree and you will have the greater profit of the Land either to plow mow or for pasture We shall now proceed and treat only of planting the Oak at one Rod distance Then may be digged or delved a Plot of ground 2 foot square in the middle of the said Plot you are to plant 3 Seed or young Plants a foot distance one from the other and about 2 years after the planting one of the best Plants is to be reserved as a Standil or Storer and the other 2 must be pulled or drawn up and disposed of either to plant other grounds or bestowed on your poor Neighbours if you have not sale for them In this Thousand Acres of Land there will be 160801 square Plots in each of the said Plots is reserved to grow for Timber 1 Oak Plant Now you may plow or delve the ground between the Plants and sow with such Grain as will produce the best Crop yet it must not be plowed above 3 or 4 years for fear of hurting the roots of the young Trees but may be kept for Pasture or Meadow and benefit made many years if that you help the Land by soyling it with good Dung These trees may all grow till the twigs of each tree touch their Neighbour then must you grub up every middle tree which will be the second fourth sixth and so reckoning throughout the whole Wood alwaies observing to leave standing the outmost Row of trees about the ground for several reasons but for brevity sake we shall mention but three First those Trees being accustomed to the cold will the better endure Secondly they generally are the best growing Trees because they have most room therefore receive more nourishment from the earth to encrease their sap and so consequently their growth Thirdly they shelter and succour the inmost Trees from droughth cold and winds and the inmost Trees will shelter them on three sides Now to proceed these middle Trees must not be cut down or felled as we taught before because after the Trees are gone or removed the Land may be plowed and sowed with Corn between the Trees remaining as at the first planting and for many more years therefore they must be very well grubbed or stockt up that the roots may not grow again The number of Trees that are to be stockt up is 79600 This Timber may serve for ordinary building and out of it may be chosen small Ship-Timber also Tree-nails of all lengths and sizes which are commonly used about all Ships There may likewise be made from these Trees Slip-boards which must be of the Butt ends cut off 8 foot long the said boards would be 8. or 9 inches broad and between 2 or 3 inches thick on the sap edge and one inch thick on the other or heart edge These boards are to make hoops by joyning 4 or 5 more or less they are commonly used about the greatest size of Brewing Vessels Such boards are worth delivered at London ten pound the hundred
Devonshiring or Burning those Lands grown over with Bushes Heath Furres Goss or such like Also the way of Improving all the said several sorts of Earths by Lime Marl Mame Dung and many other such like Improvements likewise by Plowing Delving Trenching or Plow-trenching the said Land and sowing seed for Corn or Grass and of several Observations and Directions therein NOw considering that his Majesties Timber and Woods standing and growing will not be a sufficient stock to mantain and keep in repaire the Royal Navy for any long continuance of time to come without a supply by new Planting those wast and vacant places that have no Trees or very few growing I shall humbly offer my Judgment and Experience in this thing and will lend my assistance to the utmost of the ability God hath given me for the Planting and thus improving them And because his Majesties forrests and other Wast Lands do much differ in goodness and largeness and also some of them are better replenished with Timber trees then others and not knowing his Majesties Pleasure Either what forrest or part of the forrest or what quantity of Ground shall be Planted I cannot set down the Proportion But will suppose a Thousand Acres A skilfull Arborist will make choyc of such a soil where he may provide a strong and sufficient fence before he will be at the Charges of Planting In the first place then is to be considered the making the fence about the Plott of Land before mentioned which was a Thousand Acres and although there be many Figures of Land I shall mention but one for it is not my intent to multiply Words We will suppose the thousand acres to be a square piece of Ground The square then of this Plot or parcel of Land is 400 Perch or Pole Land measure the Pole or Perch containing 16 foot and a half in length for although there are divers Opinions risen grounded upon long custom in many places of the length of a Perch yet there is but one true Pearch by Statute appoynted for the Measuring Land which is as before mentioned but for Wood Measure or hedging and diching there is 18 foot allowed to the Pole or Pearch the Reasons are because Under Woods which are thus Measured for sale have in many places sundry gals or void places wherein groweth little or no Wood and to supply these defects the Buyer Claimeth this supply by measure What to make this fence of is the next to be considered and because my great care and indeavours are for the preservation of his Majesties Timber therefore I would not have one tree cut down or felled for this purpose although the Paling thereof would be a sufficient fence but not of a very long continuance all fences therefore commonly are made of Wood Brick Stone or Earth as dry Wals or Ditches or Earth compounded there are other fences as Motes or ditches of Water where the ground is levell and springy or the Water brought from some Spring oâ— River but of all other according to my Iudgement the White thorn Hedg is the best for in 8 or 9 years it will make the best fence both for height to succour the young Timber trees or Plants for trees as also for strength to keep out all Enemies to the said Plants and although the Planting of this Thorn hedge is so well known to all Husbandmen that there will not seem to need many words to Demonstrate it yet because I intend to direct you hereafter to Plant Timber trees the same way I shall take a little the more paines in it I shall not use much curiosity in pleasing every mans fancy in the making this fence as how many Rows of Plants or setting them upright or slope ways or flatt or the distance more or less but shall give you my particular opinion of it Now to begin the work the Ground being viewed Proportioned and measured that is to be Planted We will suppose it as I said before to be a square piece of Land and to contain a Thousand acres the square then is 400 Perch the whole Plot or the 4 squares contain 1600 perch about which is the content of the fence but if the fence be measured by Wood Hedge or Ditch measure allowing 18 foot to the Perch then the one angle or square will contain but 366 Perch 12 foot and the content of the whole fence by the said Wood measure is 1466 Perch 12 foot the fence must be thus made First I would advise the Ditch to be 6 foot wide or broad at Top and 5 foot deep slopewise so that the breadth at the bottom or lower part of the Ditch be but 3 foot or there abouts according as the ground is stiff and binding or hollow light and looss for if it be a light ground the bank must be more sloping or else it will founder and fall into the Ditch again and the repairing thereof will be the increase of Charges In the next place care is to be had in providing Plants wherein you may please to take these observations following First that your Plants be not too great nor too small for there are severall opinions concerning both these sizes The best size according unto my opinion is to have them about the bigness of an ordinary Mans little finger Secondly that you have them drawn or taken out of the Earth but a day or two before the Planting if with convenience it may Be the same day is better for although it is usuall to have Plants gathered a Week or more before they are Planted yet it is a great Evil and not to be approved of Thirdly in drawing or taking your Plants out of the Earth let not the Bark or Roots be broken or bruised 4ly in trimming or preparing the Plants for Planting my advice is to cut off the top of the Plant above 6 inches from the stem of the Root and let it be cut slope ways with a sharpe Knife clean and handsome but cut not the Roots except there be a superfluous Root that was broken off from some other Root or that is brused broken or part of it dead in such cases you may see the Chack or body of the Plant be clean without shoots And although it hath been and is a custom to cut and trim the Roots yet it is not to be allowed of because every cut is a Wound and the more Wounds the greater danger The Plants being thus Proyned trimmed and fitted for Planting after the first Turf layd with the grassy side downwards and the upper part of the Turf or clod of Earth which was the lower pared plain near one third part of the thickness of the Turf then lay on the Plants in a rank or row containing in distance or the distance between the Plants would be one foot of ground and this Rank or row of Plants to extend to the end of the Angle or square and so of all the Squares In the laying of the Plants
a short small blewish mossey grass the greatest part of these unfruitful Sands are much subject to Heath Furres Brakes and such like Now a great cause of the unfruitfulness of this barren sandy grounds is by reason of the porousness or hollowness of the earth as was said before for although it be well manured with soil or dung yet much rain or wet will wash down the dung lower into the earth than the roots of the Corn or Grass which is the reason of Plow-trenching in sandy Countries Now the manner and way of Plow-trenching having here mentioned it and because we may have occasion further to mention it in our after planting is as followeth First the Plow having cast up the furrow taking a good stitch as they call it in husbandry after the Plow there follows 12 or 14 men with spades who delve or dig a spit or spade deep in the bottom of the furrow where the Plow hath gone which they cast or lay upon the earth or ridge which the Plow first threw up then follows the next turn of the Plow but that which is then cast up is thrown into the Trench the men left to fill it again the men as before still follow the Plow and dig or cast up out of this second furrow another spades depth of sand or earth which they cast on the second ridge of sand that is thrown up by the Plow and so a third and fourth ridge the delvers following the Plow and the Plow them during the dayes work by which you may perceive that the upper earth or sand is buried and the undermost or fresh sand laid uppermost so likewise in delving or more properly trenching the ground is delved two spit deep the second spit or undermost earth is laid upon the first spit or spadeful of earth By this piece of Husbandry it is easily to be understood that this barren sandy ground being hollow loose and light the fatness or substance that should nourish the roots of the grain is by much rain within two years time washed or sunk so deep into the earth that it will not serve for any other season or seed time without more soil or new trenching And as much wet and rain is the cause of unfruitfulness of the hungry hollow barren sands so likewise is drought for the earth being loose and hollow the Sun by his heat doth draw up the moisture and richness of the earth and soil which the Rain doth leave A third sort of simple ground being barren and unfruitful is the Gravel which is mixt with it a hungry earth not much unlike the gritty loose Sand This ground if it lie high and mountainous then the outward face and character will appear as it did in the poor Sand and Clay one cause of its barrenness is from cold the Gravel wanting good earth to warm and nourish that which should grow in it Also because in time of Drought the Sun will scorch and burn up the fruit thereof be it either Corn or Grass c. And if this Gravelly ground lie low then it is subject unto Land-springs which within the Earth wash away that substance and fatness from the Roots of corn and grass that should be their nourishment also much Rain doth likewise wash away the fatness and goodness of the Earth by reason of the roundness and hollow looseness of the stones so that what with the waters within the ground and the Waters above also the heat and scorching of the Sun which doth dry up more easily its moisture this kind of earth must of necessity be unfruitful neither is there any way to improve it but by gathering out the Stones laying store of good Earth and Soil in the room and making draynes to carry away the Water I shall not advise any to begin this piece of Husbandry because the Charges will amount unto so much and better Land may be purchased at a cheaper rate Now as by the outward face and character and by the Clime and Constitution of all simple Grounds doth appear the Richness and Fruitfulness of the one and the poorness and barrenness of the other so likewise by the same Rule there may be judgment given of all Compounded Grounds or mixed Earths as Sand with Gravel or Clay or Loome with Gravel or Sand or other Earths By this which hath been spoken concerning the Nature of Grounds either simple or compound the Husbandman may have true Knowledge to order and dress his Ground and by purging and cleansing the same from those faults that hinder the increase expect a large and ample Crop of Corn or Grass But yet the honest Arborist may be at a loss in Planting of Timber-trees if he go no deeper then the outward face of the Earth for almost every Ditcher can speak by experience in making of a Ditch that the crust or good earth many times doth lie but two or three inches deep and the next Earth proves a hard hungry Gravel about a Spades depth more the next Spades depth or under the Gravel it may be shall rise a cold barren Clay and under that 8 or 10 inches more a good Loome or Sand Also in rich Earths the Crust may lie 17 or 18 inches deep and under that depth a hard Gravel or Rock of Stone Quarry of Slate or such like There being as many faces or characters of good and bad earths under the ground as above or upon the Superficies but this must be tryed by an instrument hereafter mentioned There are other grounds that have no crust or good earth above but either a barren Sand hungry Gravel or cold Clay and such like and yet within twelve inches depth have a very good Earth And that there are several Vaines and sorts of Earths good and bad of all these Qualities he that diggeth Mines and Wells can averr Also That there are several Vaines of good and bad Earth upon the Ground Gardners and Plowmen can testifie There are likewise several sorts of ground that may be good for Corn and Grass or small Fruit-Trees and Bushes yet not good for the Planting of Timber-trees First such Grounds that have a good crust or earth 12 or 14 inches deep and under this good earth a cold wet Gravel being full of Land-springs which is Water running within the Earth and shews it self or is discovered by breaking out or spewing up in many places this and the like are not sound grounds to Plant Timber Trees in because after the Rootes of the Trees have passed downwards deeper then the good Earth the young and tender shootes of the Root that the sap causes every year to spring forth are by reason of the too much moisture and cold water within the earth chilled and benummed so that they have not strength to enter the earth underneath the Water or if they do the Water following also after doth continually hinder them in their growth and keep them from thriving and so consequently the Tree Secondly such
can keep Crows and other Birds from eating them there being many thousand Acres of Land in England planted for the same purpose Cherry Tarts may become a Gentlemans Table dried Cherries also preserved are very wholesome and usefull to be kept all the year in a Family the ordinary way of eating them I need not tell you but the best way is from the trees The Vses Physical Cherries as they are of different tasts so they are of divers qualities the tart and sowre are pleasing to a hot stomach procuring appetite to meat and help to cut tough flegme and gross humors but when these are dried they are more binding the belly than when they are fresh being cooling in hot Diseases and welcom to the stomach and provoke Urin The sweet Cherries pass through the stomach and belly more speedily but are of little nourishment The black Cherries bruised with the Stones and distilled the water thereof is much used to break the Stone expel Gravel and break the Wind The Gum of the Cherry-tree dissolved in Wine is good for a Cold Cough and Hoarseness of the throat mendeth the Colour in the face sharpeneth the Eye-sight provoketh Appetite and helpeth to break and expel the Stone The Winter-Cherry is of great use in Physick the distilled Water of the Fruit or the Leaves together with them or the Berries green or dry distilled with a little Milk and drunk morning and evening with a little Sugar which by drawing down the Urin provoke it to be avoided plentifully when it is stopped or grown hot sharp and painfull in the passage it is good also to expel the Stone and Gravel out of the Reins Kidnies and Bladder helping to dissolve the Stone and avoiding it by Greet or Gravel sent forth into the Urin It also helpeth much to cleanse inward Imposthumes or Ulcers in the Reins or Bladder or in those that void a bloody or foul Urin. I shall here add another Receit or Medicin helpful for the Urin and Stone A Receit for the Vrin and Stone Take 3 or 4 good handful of Berries or Winter-Cherries either green and fresh or dryed and having bruised them put them into so many Gallons of Beer or Ale when it is new tunned up this Drink taken daily doth ease the pains and expel Urin and the Stone and to cause the Stone not to ingender The Apple-tree THere is unspeakable Pleasure and infinite Commodity in an Orchard beside the use of the Fruit in House-keeping there is much profit made by Cyder and Perry also Apples and Pears are vendible in all Markets The Fruit or Apples of an Acre of Land may be worth 40 pound one years Crop or Gathering and the better to inform your judgment we shall suppose or allow but 40 Trees to be planted in one Acre of Land and about 50 or 60 years after the first planting if the Plants like the ground and by dressing and proyning they well thrive each tree one with the other may bear or yield 10 bushel of Apples for there are Apple-trees that have yielded 20 bushels each tree at one season or time of gathering then the Profit of 40 trees or one Acre of Land thus planted amounts by the year to 40 pound The Uses Physical Apples have sundry tasts and thereby they may be distinguished in the general they are cold and windy the best sorts before they be throughly ripe are to be avoided then to be roasted or scalded is the best way to take them and a little Spice or Carrowey seed cast upon them and taken after meat do strengthen both Stomach and Bowels especially in those that loath or hardly digest their meat Those that are sowr and harsh used in that manner are fittest Sweet Apples loosen the Belly and drive forth wormes Sowr Apples stop the Belly and provoke Urin Pippin and Pearmain help to dissolve Melancholly humours anâ— to procure Mirth and therefore fittest for Confectio Alkermes Syrupus de Pomis all Apples loosen the Belly and pleasure the Stomach by their coolness the Distilled water of good and sound Apples is of special good use to procure Mirth and expel Melancholly A rotten Apple applyed to eyes blood-shotten or enflamed with heat or that are black and blue about them by any stroke or fall and bound to all day and night helpeth them quickly The Juice of Crabs either Verjuice or Cyder is of singular good use in the heat and fainting of the stomach and against Casting to make a Posset with or to take some of it alone by it self The Juice of Crabs or Cyder applyed with wet cloaths therein to scabbed or burnt places cooleth healeth and draweth forth the fire The Ointment called Pomatum if sweet and well made helpeth the Chops in the lips or hands and maketh smooth and supple the rough skin of the hands or face parched with wind or other accidents The Pear-tree PEars are very usefull in a Family either baked rosted or dryed also they will sell at Market better than any other Fruit and if the Gardner have the right art in making Perry it will turn to a considerable profit Uses Physical Pears boyled with a little Honey helpeth much the oppressed stomach as all sorts of them do some more some less All the sweet or lushious sorts whether manured or wild do help to move the Belly downward those that are harsh and sowr do on the contrary bind the Belly as much those that are moist do in some sort cool but the harsh or wild sorts much more and are very good in repelling Medicines as if the wild sorts be boyled with Mushroms it maketh them the less dangerous the harsher sort of Pears do most cool and bind serving well to be bound to green Wounds to cool and stay the blood and heal up the Wound without further trouble or inflammation The Vine GRapes are vendible in Markets and usefull in Housekeeping the Profit being well known to those that make Wines of them Vses Physical The droppings of the Vine when it is cut in the Spring being boyled into a Syrup with Sugar and taken inwardly is excellent to stay Womens Longings after every thing they see which is a Disease many Women with child are subject to the Decoction of Vine leaves in White-wine do the like the Ashes of the burnt branches will make teeth as white as snow if you do but every morning rub them with it the leaves being boyled make a good Lotion for sore Mouthes and being boyled with Barly Meal into a Poultis it cools inflammations of wounds The Plum-tree AS there is great diversity of the kinds so is there in the operation of Plums and are like Women some better some worse the moist and waterish do soonest corrupt in the stomach but the firm do nourish more and offend less Apricocks Peaches and such like Plums may well become a Gentlemans Table also these and several other sorts being preserved and Syrup made of them are very useful in a
in the ground must be observed these 3 Rules First let the Plants be layed slopeing or slope ways that the top or head of the Plant may lye 4 or 5 Inches higher than the Root or the level of the lay of Earth Secondly let not the top or head of the Plant lye above 2 Inches out of the Earth Thirdly let the slope side that was cut lye downewards or side ways that the wounded place may have the benefit of the Sun as also that the Water may not rest upon it for in Winter the Water being frozen on the place cut will be a great annoyance unto it and much Rain often dropping on the wound may penetrate the Pith and causing hollowness may much endanger them After the first Rank Row or Chess of the Thorn Plants laid or planted as aforesaid then there must be of the best earth laid on the roots of the said Plants to the quantity of 6 or 7 inches deep then a spadeful or spades depth of such earth as the ditch will afford or else another turff on the good earth this being performed and the ground prepared as was formerly directed then lay another row of Plants of the same distance as the first yet not over against them but over against the middle space between the first Plants Order this second Row of Plants as the first and because the Bank will be great there being much earth to be cast out of the ditch there may be another Row or Chess of Plants laid above the second over against the middle distance between the second Row still observing the distance of earth between and above the Plants as you did in the first and the second Rows then cast or lay some of the best earth the Ditch will afford as aforesaid on the roots of this third and last Row This done cast up all the earth out of the Ditch on the last earth making the bank firm by clapping or beating the earth close with the Spade Upon this bank must be made a dead Hedge so called because it is made of dead wood as Bushes or Frith which is all sorts of small wood that are not Thorns This Hedge is to shrowd or shelter the young Plants as also to keep and preserve the Banck from being trodden upon and thrown down by Cattel Now in planting this and all such like Fences observe this rule mix not your white Thorn with any other Plant for although it be and hath been a general Custom in England to have several sorts of wood growing in Hedge-rows yet it is my opinion that they were not so planted at first but that this Island antiently being for the greatest part overgrown with Woods of all sorts which of late years have been otherwise improved and converted into Pasture and Tillage The Improvers in the making the several Boundaries or Inclosures troubled not themselves to do them all anew of any one kind of stuff but in their grubbing where they stood convenient for such use left remaining not only the stems and roots of trees but several whole trees young and old which by their lopping or topping might serve for necessary Reparations particularly Hedgeboot and Plowboot when occasion should serve little valuing the substantialness of their Fences for the future so they would serve the present necessity for I did never yet see a sufficient strong Fence of White thorn which is the best of all if thus planted by it self where there were trees or any other kind of Plants growing or mixed with them for trees will not admit of any kind of thorns to grow up with them and if there be so great an enmity between thorns themselves that the white and black will not thrive together as if they naturally bore an antipathy to each other for their colours sake we shall not so much wonder if we more sensibly perceive it when they are intermingled with other kinds and that the white and black thorn do thus disagree hath been my observation for a long time in several Hedge-rows where at first they were joyned but when they came to grow up the white hath so over-mastered the other that they have â—uite decayed and leaving a gap in the place where they formely grew have rendred the Hedge thin full of bracks and insufficient Thus have you my Judgment for the making of a good serviceable and profitable Fence for within 10 or 11 years after the first planting the thorns will be grown to that height and bigness that cutting them close near the ground with part of the offal or stuff may be made a sufficient dead Hedge as before mentioned on the bank of the ditch to shrowd the second growth of the Thorns and Under-woods it being supposed the young Timber-trees will by that time be grown to the height and greatness they will not want the Hedge to shelter them This first cutting of the thorn Hedge will cause the next growth to come more thick and make the Fence much more strong than before the overplus of the offal which will be considerable may be made into Brush Fagots good for Brewing Baking or be sold or used to make or mend other Fences Now the second cutting of the quick or thorn Hedge aforesaid you may begin sooner than the first as within 8 or 9 years if the Quick-sets or Plants do well thrive which they will the better do if you observe these rules following First let the Plants be well weeded the first second and third years after planting Secondly observe that they all grow alike and where they fail plant new plants in the vacant places which must be done betimes before the other plants grow too big for in digging or opening the ground to set or put in the new plants you may cut break or bruise the roots of the old which is hurtful or the roots of the old being grown great and entred deep into the ground will so draw the moisture of the earth to them downwards below the reach of the roots of new younger plants that they will thereby be in danger to be starved or by over topping them besides the keeping away the benefit of the Sun from them they will be subject to drop continually upon their cut or wound and so quite destroy them as for the planting of several sorts of wood in Hedg-rows it is only for the benefit of the lops and shreading of the said trees and regarding not the strength and goodness of the Fence for although by plashing the boughes of trees laying them along the hedge or on the bank of the ditch Deer and Horse or such like Cattel may be kept from leaping over yet it is very weak to keep out Swine or smaller Cattel from creeping under First because those boughes cannot be laid very close and secondly they have not prickles or thorns whereby they may be a guard against such an enemy And whereas it is the opinion of many men that planting trees in Hedge-rows doth
or nearest distance of ground between the plants is only proper for the setting and sowing seed for Transplanting other Lands or plots of ground which must be performed by drawing the middle or inmost plants leaving the remainder thinner or at a greater distance And this work would be done at 2 or 3 years growth at the farthest before the Roots touch or are too much intangled The next distance in planting is three foot or one yard then have you in this Acre of ground containing 160 pearch 4840 square yards and the same number of seeds or plants must be provided as there are yards which if Acorns come to in measure three pecks 40 Acorns but thâ—s distance is too near by one foot however we shall improve the ground to best advantage thus suppose there be planted 4800 Ashen Keyes or plants and 40 Acorns or Oaken plants the Oaken plants to be planted at 33 â—oot distance and that they all grow and thrive The Ashe may be cut at ten years growth and sold for Hopâ—poles worth 10 or 12 shillings the hundred to be delivered in the Wood or place where they were cut then there will be 4800 poles which is 48 hundred and at 10 shillings the hundred they come to 24 pounds but if sould for 12 shillings the hundred it amounteth unto 28 pounds sixteen shillings which is a sufficient allowance for one Acre of Land before only worth 20 shillings yearly Rent and will sufficiently defray all the charges in fencing and planting The Oakes are to grow for Timber-trees which within a hundred years will pay double the Purchase of the Land The next or second growth of these Ashen stocks may be cut at 9 years and if they all thrive the Sap will put forth four or five shoots out of every stock and from each stock may be chosen two Hop-poles then there will be 9600 Poles in the Acre of ground besides the Offal Wood the Poles being sould at the lowest price aforesaid amount unto 48 pounds but if sould for 12 shillings the hundred then they will amount to 57 pounds 12 shillings A third felling or cutting of this Ashen-Wood may be at eight years end and then the shoots wâ—ll be so increased that you may cut three or four Poles from every stem or stock we shall reckon of the least number which is three then have you from the 4800 Ashen Plants 14400 Poles which cometh unto at 10 shillings the hundred 72 pounds but at twelve shillings the hundred 86 pounds eight shillings besides that which is made of the Offal Wood. This is a gallant improvement if there were vent for many Acres of Land to be thus Planted Now by the next time of felling or cutting the Oaken plants will be grown to handsome Trees But it is to be observed that as the Oakes grow in greatness they will hinder the thriving and growing of the Ash which is now become under-Wood and the Rootes of the Ashe wâ—nding and twisting about the Roots of the Oakes will much hinder their growth and this is the evil of Planting at two near a distance A third distance in Planting Timber-trees is one Perch at this distance there may be made use of the Ground that lies between either for Corn or Grass And if you intend to sow Corne after the Land is Plowed Sowed and Harrowed you may set the Seed or Plants for Trees thus At the distance before mentioned plant four Seed or Plants four foot distance from each other in a square then either about the square-piece of ground or about every seed or plant you must set up several sticks that the Mower or Reaper at the time of harvest do not cut off break or bruise the young Plants also that the plants may be weeded and the ground kept plain about them Now if you will not sow the ground but keep it for Hay then there must be digged at the distance aforesaid a Plot of ground four foot square and in that Plot set or plant four seed or Plants as aforesaid at each corner one you may let all these plants grow nine or ten yeares and about that time you may thus dispose of them at your pleasure first leave one of the best growing Plants in each Plot to be a Timber-tree then cut down the other three and preserve the stocks for under-wood as before mentioned or grub them up that the Timber-trees may the better thrive or if you approve not of their so long growing together you may draw or pull up three of the four plants at three years growth and plant them in other grounds At this distance and way of planting there will be planted in one Acre of ground 640 plants Now all these plants that you appoint for Hop-poles must be such as are most capable to produce those poles for Oake Elme and Beech are not of use for poles the reasons shall be given when we speak of planting Coppice or Groves for under-wood Now of these 640 plants we will suppose 600 of them to be Ash and 40 Oakes these Oakes to be planted at 33 foot distance and to grow for Timber-trees at 9 or 10 years growth the Ashes may be cut down then have you 600 poles worth 12 shillings the hundred and comes to 3 pounds 12 shillings but at fourteen shillings the hundred is four pounds four shillings The stocks of these Ashes will live longer and thrive better also produce larger and more poles then if planted at the last distance mentioned because they have more ground to feed them and the hindrance by touch of the Root will not be much prejudice for many years by which meanes at the second season for cutting you may have 1200 good Hop-poles worth in the Wood or place of cutting fourteen shillings the hundred which do come to 8 pounds 8 shillings but at the next or third season of cutting the said Ashen stocks may produce 3600 which being sold for 14 shillings the hundred amounts to 25 pounds 4 shillings Now although the profit of this Acre by Poles doth not amount unto so much as the last planted at three foot distance yet it is made up another way First we have in this last Acre the benefit of the ground for Corn and Grass Secondly the Trees and Under-wood will thrive better and grow greater in a shorter time than the other more might be said but this at present may suffice And if you do not esteem of or like the way of planting for Hop-poles or Under-wood thus amongst the Timber-trees but would have the benefit of the ground only for Corn and Grass then you cannot plant at a nearer distance than two Perch which is 11 yards and because all grounds have not depth of earth alike for the crust in some places will be 15 or 16 inches deep and in other places of the same ground but 5 or 6 inches and yet good earth a greater depth Therefore my advice in planting all Grounds at any great
away without cutting the Roots of the Tree or Plant which will both hurt the Tree and do little or no good unto the Plant such as are grown out of the Tawes may be taken away and inlarged as you please with the Tawes and not hurt the Tree these Suckers are the best and will soonest become great Trees Slips are in use for want of other Sets but are the worst of all that have been mentioned because they have but little Root and that which is Receiving a main wound will in short time destroy the Tree for although it may grow 60 or 80 years yet it cannot well thrive for the Roots will be so weak that the Sap will be unable to put forth new of any strength unless in a long time and every wind will indanger it by loosning the Roots or else it will be soon nipt with frost or drought these Slips are also Suckers growing out of the lower part of the Tree To apply all that hath been said of plants and sets There is not one point more to be regarded then the choice of those that are good the ground being well plowed hackt and harrowed according to former directions The best time to transplant or remove younger Trees is at or suddenly after the fall of the Leafe about the Change of the Moon supposing at that time the Sap to be most quiet The fall of the Leafe is a Rule in all Countreys though there be difference in its happening as to the time of the year as also in the time that is to be accounted before and after it In setting your sets or plants see that you have a special care not to go lower then the Crust of the earth you may not fear to set them as deep as that will well allow What is meant by Crust of the Earth hath been formerly declared where the Crust is shallow there it must be helped by adding good Earth otherwise such grounds or that part of the ground inclosed will not be fit to plant in for in the Crust or good Earth the Plants first shoot forth their Roots and thence draw their Sap which doth increase and strengthen them to enter and pierce farther into the Earth Again in setting let the mold be small and moist also shake the Plant easily too and fro that the earth may run among the Roots and Tawes then put it close a little treading it with your foot to keep out the Air which is very hurtful after the plants are set if no Rain falls they should be watered now and then which would make the Earth yeild sap and nourishment and cause the Roots to grow and spread abundantly Puddle-water would performe the Work excellently were it not chargeable All Parched and dry grounds that will not keep moisture are very hurtful for young Plants because every Plant hath a Body Pithy and porous that the nourishing faculty of the earth may enter and pass through and feed all the partes but dry earth cannot pass through the Tawes and pores of a plant therefore the moisture of the earth only nourisheth There are several Opinions about removing Trees and plants most of them argued from the Rising Descending and pride of sap some at the removing will mark the North-side and have the same set so again Others there are that yet do it as happily observing no such Rule at all There are some that are of opinion It is best to remove Trees and plants before the Fall of the Leafe and say That the Sap descending will make speedy Roots Again there are others that say It is good to remove in the begining of Summer And a last sort that strongly affirm It is not good to Remove till after the Fall Several Countries have several Customes and Fashions answerable to the place wherein they live we shall therefore leave every one to their own opinion Yet it is not wisdom for a man to bind himself more strictly to that or this Custom then Reason shall be his warrant Now we have good experience that it is dangerous to remove when the Sap is not quiet by Trees that are removed in the Summer for they seldome live long or if they do live they thrive not for the life of the youngest plant shall scarcely be saved if removed in the pride of Sap for every remove gives a main check to the stirring sap staying the course thereof in the Body of the plant For as the blood in a Man is alwayes in motion and circulating although there be several kinds of that motion as sometimes very slow coole and quiet other times much stirring and very hot by reason of its swiftness Now if the blood which is the life alters the usual course diseases follow And if it be stopt it soon grows cold and if universally cold Death follows So likewise Sap is the blood of the plant and every removing in the pride of sap is a great stay or stoppage unto it like blood-letting in the midst of summer which is very dangerous and never used but in extremity and often-times proves mortal As it hath been said That drought and cold are great enemies to Trees and plants by staying of the sap Therefore in those Countries that lie farthest from the sun and that are subject to cold Winds the sap doth not rise nor is in pride so soon as in other Countrys that lie more warme and moist Also in those Countries that lie nearest to the Sun the sap doth rise and is in pride sooner then in any of the former but doth not continue long because of the excessive heate by this you see that one Country Climate or Continent is not a rule for others to go by And as heate cold moist and dry alter in several Countreys so they do likewise in any one of them for as is the season of the year either hot cold dry or moist so also the sap riseth and is in pride earlier or later by that occasion in the same Country There are many Men of opinion That the sap lies still all the Winter in the Roots of Trees and that towards the Spring it begins to stir and after makes its appearance by Leaves and Fruit or seed all the summer Also that the sap riseth and passeth upwards only between the barke and Wood with several more Opinions But because it is not my design to Resolve Questions I forbear to mention any more at this time The Sap as it is the Blood and Life of the Tree hath the Spirit of Seed included therein and because every body being composed of vapours is moved towards a greater Company of its Conaturals that vapour coming forth when the Seed is warmed tends upwards But because the matter of the Seed is fat and glutinous the vapour being infolded therein carries it upwards with it and a part thereof being turned into the nourishment of the Plant or Tree as covering of Wounds putting forth of Buds and the growth of the Tree the
easily to be discerned therefore their age is not certainly known but from the time they were first set or planâ—ed or if you plant with slips or suckers you must reckon from the time the sap first put forth shoots for if you transplant trees and there being in the bark knots or boyls they may be of great age and yet small of growth as knotted Cattel being starved at first yet may live possibly but not thrive Now if you cannot know the age of the trees you are to remove then let your choice be of such as are streight smooth and whose bark is well coloured without knots or boyls Secondly let the roots carry proportion with the body and boughs that is round and spreading every way Thirdly let not the bole or body of the tree be above 8 or 10 inches about if possible for this size or greatness will endanger life and growth but the hazard will be much more if they are of greater bulk because they must needs be tainted with deadly wounds either in the roots or top or both and after that are seldom or never good This evil in removing may be discerned within few years by the tree bearing a small hungry leaf also by the blackness of boughs and bark Again another danger in removing trees of such an age and greatness is that if they be not very well staked the winds by often shaking the body will loosen the roots and break the young Taws or Fibres which are not only the mouth as it were of the Root whereby it sucks and draws the moisture or nourishment from the earth but are as strings or tyes growing farther into the earth fastning the roots and so the Tree and these being broken will much hinder the thriving if not endanger the life of such Trees Therefore all such great Plants or young Trees transplanted are only useful for ornament as Walks and such like or Pollards so called because of the often poling or lopping of their heads and usually grow in Hedge-rows or else in Copices or other wast places for of such trees the tops may be cut off at pleasure and the bole or body left at such a height as may be convenient for the place and use of the said trees Although these trees may not grow to become good Timber yet they may live bearing arms and boughs useful for Plowboot Houseboot and Fireing many hundred years And were it not for charges you may for these and such like uses transplan or remove greater Trees than those last spoken of the way and customâ— is to take up the whole Roots with the earth about them and so set or plant them where there is a deep and good mould for the roots and earth will so ballance the body and top that not any of the boughs will require to be cut off only such as are useless which would be proyned betimes And although trees of such growth and greatness be removed they may thrive and grow for Timber Trees if the wast boughs be carefully taken off and the wounds not too great but recoverable Many more Observations may be added but these may suffice Now in the planting or transplanting those trees formerly mentioned there ought to be greater care taken than in younger Plants for there is greater danger also the growing and thriving of them is more uncertain therefore we shall repeat over again some of our former Directions First let the trench or hole you dig to set the Trees in be so large every way that the roots may lie at length and not be bruised or broken by bending or forcing into the place Secondly set such trees in the deepest earth or crust and so deep as the good earth reacheth to prevent shaking by winds also let the slope side of the wound be towards the South As for those fond opinions of several men that the roots of trees only grow and thrive in the crust of the earth as their Element it is not denyed that the Earth is the Element for the roots of all Trees and Plants as the Water for Fish but as Waters have several distinct tasts smells colours and operations also several kind of Fish haunt delight and thrive in those several Waters as some in salt Seas others in fresh Rivers others in muddy Pools or Ponds as the Carp Bream Chevin and others in shallow running gravelly streams as Trout Roch Dace c. others in mud and holes in the earth as Eels Crawfish c. others in Stony bottoms under the water as Lobsters Oisters Crabs c. So likewise the Earth hath several distinct tasts colours smels and operations and also several kinds of Creatures living therein And the Roots of Trees and Plants thrive and delight to grow in those several sorts of earth and not only the Roots of several Trees but of one and the same Tree We do acknowledge that those Roots which grow in the Crust of the Earth most nourish the Tree by producing the greatest quantity of sap and yet there are other Roots also that grow downwards beneath the crust or good earth through the several earths and are for special use as tyes and stayes to keep it up by binding it fast unto the ground as was said before and likewise to nourish and feed both body and boughs Also those Roots that run in the crust put forth other Roots downwards deeper into the earth for were it not so those great and mighty Trees that lift up their heads high into the Air could not stand Thirdly let the earth be moist and mellow that so falling between the Roots it may the better hold them Fourthly in setting be sure you shake the Tree easily that the earth may fall and be dispersed every where among the Roots and often treading it as you cast it on the Roots gently with one of your feet holding the Tree upright with your hand leaving no hollowness or vacant place for the wind to get in which is very hurtful Fifthly let not your Plant or Tree be bound or tied to any Stake or lean against any hold but about every Tree set four Stakes let two of them be set deep into the ground the other two upon or very little within the earth that they may not reach the Roots of the trees the 4 Stakes may stand seven or eight inches from the body of the tree and would be four or five foot high above the ground also braced above and below about a foot from the top and bottom with braces to keep or joyn them fast each to other but if the Plants or young Trees be in danger of being barked by any Cattel as Deer Goats Hares Connies or any other then you must board it between the Stakes or add more Stakes setting them close to the ground but not drive them in about the body of the Tree above and below over against the braces there must be wound a good Wisp Role or Rope of Hay containing in thickness
although for Mans sins the Earth was cursed to bring briers and thorns yet we do not read that the lives of Vegetives were therefore shortned but that every Plant according to the spirit of the species by the good will and providence of God lives to the time first appointed at the Creation If Man had not sinned he had not been subject to mortality it is therefore resolved upon good reason that Trees may live during the world or untill the dissolution of all things here below not coming under Mans transgression for if Man whose body is nothing in a manner but tender rottenness hath lived above 900 years much more may the Oak live many thousand But secondly in all ancient History we read that the greatest part of England was much over-grown with Woods and it is well known that these Woods have been cut down and destroyed in all Ages and are wasting to this day But we do not read of planting any except in these latter dayes by Gentlemen for their private occasions His Majesties Forrests which are the ancient Woods and Woodland in England have not been planted nor ever were by Man neither do we find that the oldest trees die and young grow up in their room nor that decayed trees are cut down except some few for Firing but the best and soundest trees as hath been said before or that such old like decayed trees are the oldest trees and are so decayed by reason of age but chiefly by being often lopped shredded chipt and cut either boughs or roots or by other accidents as being overwhelmed and oppressed by bushes or other trees growing too near them or otherlike which may shorten the life of the soundest trees besides other incumbrances under ground as Land-springs Water-courses Rocks of Stone or Slate which they meet with in their subterranous passage Thirdly there are trees which are and have been ancient Boundary trees or Land-marks many hundred years which now are and have been by the memory of the oldest men living growing like trees Fourthly it hath been my observation in travelling abroad that great Woods or Woods of great Timber-trees have been so environed with Bogs or moorish ground that not any Engin Cart or Wagon could pass neither hath it been known that any of those great trees have been felled or cut down Other Woods I have seen containing many miles very rocky and they so high and rugged that not any Cart or Wagon could pass in many places and yet both these grounds abounding with trees of great bulk also other parts of the Country have been generally full of Wood and Timber-trees and not much peopled nor ever was Neither is there any Cart Wagon or other Engin thereabout in use to convey away Timber And the Wood and Timber generally used is young trees with which they build their Cabbins Booths or Houses being but of one story framed in the Woods and drawn to the places where they make use of them being made fast on both sides of a horse or else carried on mens backs I have travelled through a great part of these Woods and as I well remember the greatest part or quantity of the dead trees I then saw were such as the wind blew down many of them lying rotting on the ground for want of use the Country being full and others that were standing but dead I found were for the most part young trees which did either grow out of the roots of greater trees or from seed falling in long grass and so growing altogether hindred the growth of each other and shortned their lives I do not know any History that mentions either the planting felling or cutting any of these Woods nor the oldest man then living in those parts could inform me Fifthly of my own knowledge in Lancashire Shropshire and other parts there are many Firre-trees taken out of the ground some of them 2 or 3 yards within the ground and by all probability they have lien there ever since the Flood for no History nor any Lease Conveyance or Deed in writing doth mention any such trees growing in those parts also they are found near the sea in moorish places which is not a proper place for the Firr to grow in there have been many years since and of late several discoveries of the said trees being found whole Bodies and Roots and the Timber very sound Now if such trees have dured found so long after death much longer might they have lived if they had had the benefit of the earths moisture in their Roots only There may be several reasons for that which hath been said of the Firre-trees I shall but mention one At the Deluge the Waters continuing many Moneths on the earth did much soften and mellow the ground and at the time appointed by the Command of God the waters were returned into their Channels by a strong wind as in Gen. 8. verse 1. which said wind after the waters were something asswaged did blow down several trees The Firre being tall and the Roots running shallow within the earth were the sooner blown down and left floting on the water by reason of their porousness and lightness Now when the Waters were totally asswaged where the last winds left them there those trees sunk into the Mud and every Tyde from the Sea casting up earth or sand did cover them and the Sea in after time falling off or leaving those shores that earth became dry and produced grass moss weeds and such like which did grow over and hide those trees untill such time that this Kingdom became more peopled and then these trees were discovered as aforesaid Many more proofs there are which much strengthens my belief in that which hath been said concerning the age of an Oak But thus have we in a plain way and experimental given helps and directions for the planting Timber trees many more observations might have been added in the choice of seed and plants the several wayes of planting plowing delving sowing and setting the different wayes of dressing and proyning also the several sorts of Timber trees besides those before mentioned all sort of Underwoods with their names and characters But they being out of my Road at this time I shall keep to my business and in the next place give an account of the charges and profit in planting a thousand Acres of Land Now the best Figure for this Plot of Land for profit and pleasure is a Quadrat or four square of equal angle because it encloseth a greater quantity of Land with less charges then you can do in any other Figure also the Plants may be planted uniformly and in order To perform this there must be provided two Chains made of Wyer each of them containing 22 yards which is 4 pearch the breadth of an acre of Land as it is usually measured for 40 pearch long and 4 broad is an Acre but if Woodland measure then the Chains must be 24 yards in length one of the said Chains must
or go to sea the Captain Merchant or any of the Company may hire of these Pigeons one two or three or as many as they may have occasion for according to their Voyage and in the Ship there is a Room built to keep them Now in the Voyage at sea if the Ship encounter an Enemy or that by ill weather they are forced ashore on rock or sand or spend a Mast or have split a sail or if any business be forgot that should or may be done and such like then they or either of them writing their will or mind in fine paper provided for the same purpose and making it up as a Letter do tye it about the body of the Pigeon under the Wings and turn her out of the Ship now by nature these Birds being very strong of flight immediately make homewards from whence they came and he that keeps them taking an account in his book what colour and the number are delivered to every Ship does often search his Dove-house and the Letters he finds about any of them are speedily sent or delivered according to directions Now the reasons why we stock our Dove house with these kind of Pigeons is first because they have a greater and more plum round body than our English Dove-house Pigeons Secondly they are stronger and quicker of flight therefore will get their food if to be had in England Thirdly they are more shy and subtle and will eschew and free themselves from Snares Nets and Guns But many men object against Pigeons and say they are great devourers of Corn Our Answer is that in Bedfordshire Cambridgeshire Northamptonshire and many other Countries where is the greatest Flights of Pigeons there they have the greatest Crops of Corn Secondly Pigeons do not feed on Corn covered except part of it be visible And though it be the opinion of most Husbandmen for want of better Judgment that Corn lying on the ground will take root grow and thrive as that under ground which if so then why do most Corn Countries excepting Clays Marle or other stiff grounds sow their seed under furrow or before the Plow covering the seed by the Plow as aforesaid it is not only to prevent Vermin from devouring and carrying the Corn away which is very good husbandry but also they have experience that if the seedâ—ly above ground and not well covered although it may grow to blade stem and ear yet shall not kernel or produce seed for in great drought the Sun will not only scorch the Seed Stem and all above ground but also draw up the moistness of the earth deeper than such roots can extend themselves because the seed lying above or very shallow under the earth is subject to all weathers Much rain will be hurtful by washing the fatness and good of the earth deeper into the ground than the roots will reach unto and now by reason of the foresaid accidents the spirit of the seed is so much weakned that it cannot prosper as the other Seed The great enemies to new sown Corn are Field Rats and Mice and Rooks for they will not only devour and carry away all above ground in sight but scrape and dig after that which is covered and when the Corn appears in blade then both Rooks Stares Larks and such like will follow the blade to the root and so stock up and spoil many Acres therefore when these Vermin are destroyed we shall likewise destroy our Pigeons if before that time the Judgment of their Enemies be not convinced And whereas Rooks Crows and Pâ—geons may do much hurt when Corn is ripe at or before Harvest yet the Charges of one Man with a Gun charged only with powder may keep a thousand Acres untill out of danger I shall add one thing more in the behalf of Pigeons they are not only a necessary wholsome food but ready at all times to be served in at a Gentlemans Table And the Dung that comes from them is a very rich Soil which being sowed on Land before or immediately after the seed will pâ—oduce a greater quantity of Corn over and above what the Land would have brought forth without it beside what may have been devoured by the said Pigeons so that that Corn which lies loose on the ground as a prey unto all Fowl I do not count wasted if devoured by Pigeons We have now disposed of 140 Acres of Land there does remain 60 Acres Out of the said remaining Land 40 Acres shall be made choice of for Pasture which will make of Statute or Land measure 40 acres a quarter 16 perch and 196 foot This Pasture Land shall be made into 4 Inclosures each of them containing 10 Acres and the odd measure In these Grounds shall be kept 20 of the largest and best sort of Northern Milch Cows one of the least of which shall give 2 Gallons of Milk at one Meal or 4 Gallons every day and they shall be shifted or changed into fresh Pasture every week The Remainder of the 60 Acres which is 20 Acres 18 perch and 48 foot shall be made or inclosed into 2 severals and they shall be plowed and sowed with Corn Each of these Fields will contain about 10 Acres and the odd measure Statute measure and because the Land is a strong rich earth there shall be sowed only Wheat and Pease except some change of other seed for convenience which Corn may be continued or sowed 6 years together and not let the Land rest that is two years with Wheat the third year with Pease the fourth with Wheat again the fifth with Pease and the sixth with Wheat And because the greatness or rankness of the Stuble will hinder the Plow the second seed season you may burn it standing on the ground or clear the Land of it otherwise The seventh year being the year of Jubily according to the Command of the great Husbandman our Eternal God the Land must rest and in that time there may be a sufficient Stock of Soil or Dung provided to inrich the Land again And the Land being sowed again the eighth year may so continue from time to time many hundred years Now although our Rules and Directions are very sound and certain yet we doubt not but to meet with many enemies as some there are would quarrel with the Sun for his heat and brightness others with the Moon for being dark and cold I have not erected or drest out this little Theatre of Nature for Disputation but for Speculation and Contemplation and if for my sincere endeavours to satisfie curious expectation you will but lend me your acceptance I will take the confidence to lead you through this pleasant Land Garden or Paradise and give you a view of every part thereof At the first Entrance on the South-east side and opposite unto the Dwelling-house you may behold a convenient Gate-house wherein dwels the Woodward passing through this Gate you may walk between 2 Rowes of Service-trees through the first