to provide and how you may be furnished to serve your occasions The ground being in good season and the time of the year answering thereunto you may proceed thus The chief Instruments which are useful for this work of planting is the Plow and Spade the Plow will dispatch the greater quantity of ground in a day but the other will make the best work we shall compute the charges of both in his due place There is no certain rule to be observed in plowing ground in all places alike for according to the nature and climats of Countries where much heat or cold moisture or drought as is the Earth or Air so must the arborist alter his season strong or stiff grounds will require great strength of Cattel also the season must be early in the year in other Countries where the earth is warmer richer and lighter the Plow need not be of that strength which the former ground did require neither will the labour of man or beast be so much And in such Countreys the season may be latter yet nevertheless for all these Observations he that hath much work to do must begin betimes especially if he hath not a sufficient strength of Men and Cattel Now the Plowman ought to be very careful in the plowing of his ground how he shall lay his furrows either high round and close together or low and flat also what depth he shall plow them to raise and gain the greatest store of mould for that is very considerable in planting Trees I shall not give particular directâ—ons or instructions in the Rules of Husbandry as concerning the manner of Plowing Sowing and Harrowing all kind of Earths and Seed and the several wayes of laying the Furrowes as deep or shallow near together or more open and the Reasons of each several way as also the means of improving barren grounds by divers Manures or helpes by fresh Earths as sand on clay and clay on sand with many other mixtures of Earths also Mareling Limeing Stable-Dung Mud out of Ponds and Ditches old Rags and many more sorts as also by grubbing hacking burning of Bate or Devonshireing and the like improving of Meadows and Pasture by draining and watering propagating Plants for Orchards and gardens with the several wayes of grâ—fting and setting slips and succors c. Also sowing setting or planting seeds of all sorts and increasing their production by several wayes of steeping or soking in Brine or other Liquors also Reaping Mowing Hedging Delving Housing and Stacking Corn and Hay The seasons for gathering and preserving or keeping all sorts of grains fruits and seeds with many more particulars for it is not my intent to speak any father of Husbandry then will serve for this our present occasion of Planting The best time to begin Plowing for the planting Timber-trees will be about the latter end of February or the begining of March if the Land require twice Plowing which all Hey or Pasture-grounds do for the swarth must be first broke and torn to pieces with the Harrowes or else cut with Instruments for that purpose called Hacks made of Iron therefore there must be a second plowing which will by raising up new earth increase and make good store of mould again and by this twice plowing the Weeds and grass will be withered and destroyed which are great enemies to young plants as we have formerly declared Now for the manner of Plowing supposing the Land to be very good earth for the purpose intended and free from all Waters lying on the ground other incumbrances with a strong Plow the share being of a good sufficient length and the Culter somewhat bending Throw down your Furrows but if the ground be subject to waters either by springs or floods in much Rain then you shall lay the furrowes more high near and close together and that every one of these Lands lie highest in the midst observing to turn the swarth inwards or downwards unto the Earth that the Roots of the grass and weeds may be scorched and dryed by the Sun and Wind and so withered and destroyed But if you will be at the charges which is the best Husbandry then with the Hackers formerly mentioned you shall hew and cut to pieces all the earth that was plowed up also all Balkes that the Plow had escaped for by this work the weeds and grass will sooner wither and decay and make the mould finer after the hacking you shall take a pair or two of strong Iron Harrowes and with them going over the ground break the Clods smaller In the Month of August you shall begin to Plow over that ground again which formerly you had plowed still observing what quantity of Land you have to plow and your own strength of men and cattel and accordingly you may begin sooner or later At this second plowing let the Furrowes be made deeper and greater then at the first Now if the ground were a stiff Clay or such like then it would require to be hacked again which will thoroughly break the Clods and increase the mould and by making the furrows great and deep raise up more Earth which had been untouched before This work being finâ—shed you may then sow and plant your seed but before you begin it must be considered what part of the Land is most moist and dry also in what part is the best and deepest mould and where it is most shallow and meanest for you must order and dispose of your seed according to their several qualities the Elme will require the best and deepest Mould but beareth no Seedâ— therefore must be planted by Plants or Setts The Oake will require a moist deep Earth but will not thrive if the water lie long on the ground The Ashe will require a more dry kind of Earth and will grow in a shallower Mould The Beech will grow and thrive in a dryer shallow and meaner earth then the Ash And so having considered of these particulars and finding your ground to have these several sorts of Earths you must plant sow or set your seed and plants in that part of the ground where they will best like or thrive But if thâ—re be no difference in the mold or earth then you may mix your Seed and Sowe it together but if you set the seed then there may be a Row of Oake and a row of Ashe and another of Beech or mix all of them in one Row as best pleaseth you and thus may all other seed or sets be sowed or Planted The fittest time or season of the year for sowing or planting this seed for Trees is when it is full ripe and falleth from the Trees which is about the latter end of October But it may be sowed or set in other Moneths if well preserved In sowing of your seed be careful you do not sow too thick for the thinner they are sowed the better they will thrive one foot distance is the nearest they should be sowed or set if the plants
thereof the settling a Staple building of Store-houses the viewing the ground on shore for landing and drying of Nets making and drying of Fish and the building of Block-houses for the security of Trade The manner of the Hollanders fishing for Herring with Busses and other Vessels for Ling and Cod according to the Journal kept thereof is as followeth We set sail from Gravesend the 27th of April 1633 and having Letters from the Earl of Pembroke to Mr. William Dicks of Edinbourg in Scotland we directed our course towards Scotland but by reason of soul weather weâ—e forced into Harwich and set sail from thence the 30 th Ditto the wind not favouring us we came to an Anchor in Yarmouth Road and there going on shore were informed that the Hollanders Busses did drive at Sea for Herrings on that Coast and that from the Holms before Yarmouth to Bookness in Scotland North North-East is 96 Leagues and from Bookness to the South end of Shotland North and by East about 53 Leagues The fifth of May we set sail from Yarmouth and by stress of wind were forced into Scarbrouh and there going on shore were informed of the Hollanders Busses fishing on that Coast and that from Searbrough Northwards towards Catness in 45 Fathom or thereabouts in that fair way is usually the first Summer Herrings caught From Scarbrough we set sail and came to an Anchor before Leith in Scotland the 13 th Ditto where going on shore and from thence to Edinburg delivered my Letters to Mr. William Dicks who was at that time Governor of the Island of Shotland and did receive the Revenue of those Islands Having received my Instructions and Letters from Mr. William Dicks directed to Mr. James Scot who lived at that time in the North parts of the Islands of Shotland and was Agent or Deputy to the said William Dicks We set sail from Leith and came to an Anchor at Casten in the Islands of Orkney the 22 Ditto And because these Islands are very considerable as to the Fishing Trade I cannot pass them by without a brief description thereof which is as followeth The Islands of Orkney are 31 and lye from the North and North-East Point of Scotland the first and Southermost Island is called Elhey but the greatest and chiefest Island of Orkney is called Maland which lieth Southermost from the Point of Catness on the North side of this great Island are the Havens where the Ships come to that Trade in those parts and to the Island called Lewis and the Islands therebouts The Lewis Islands are the Islands on the West of Scotland and those Seas being also very considerable as to the Fishing-Trade I make bold to give account thereof as followeth These Islands lying Westward from Scotland and to the Northward of Ireland are in number 34. There are four great Islands that lie near the main Land but the greatest and chiefest Island is called Lewis which lyeth Northward from the foresaid Islands but the Northermost of all the Islands which lyeth towards the Orkanes about sixteen Leagues from Lewis is called Rona betwixt Rona and Orkney lye some small Islands The Island Lewis lyeth from Shotland South-West or more Westerly about 58 Leagues and from the South end of Lewis to the North-West of Ireland is 27 Leagues In and between these Islands are many very good Sounds and Havens for Ships Lewis with the Islands belonging to it ly South and By-West and South South-West about 29 Leagues I shall farther add to my boldness and give you an account of the Islands of Fero. These Islands lye Northward from the Lewis Islands about 54 Leagues and from Shotland Westerly about 58 Leagues and are in number 22. The Sounds and Havens are many The Southermost great Island is called Sugdro on the North side of this Island are several good Sounds and Havens but the best and chiefest of all the Havens and where all the Trade and Merchandise is is called Tor-Haven which lyeth on the great Island Strone But these Islands being out of my Road I shall return to my former Discourse on the Coast of Orkney and Shotland The South part of Shotland lyeth about 20 Leagues Northward from the Island called Maland but between the Islands of Orkney and Shotland lye two Islands the one called Fair-hill and the other called Fulo these two Islands lye about 10 Leagues one from the other Fulo lyeth North-North-East from Fair-hill The Island Fair-hill lyeth from the North-East point of Orkney about 9 Leagues and the Southermost point of Shotland lyeth from Fair-hill North and By-East about 8 Leagues and from Fulo East and By-South about four Leagues Being informed of the manner of the Hollanders fishing for Herring Ling and Cod with Busses and Dogger-boats in those Seas and the Inhabitants of the Islands manner and way of Fishing we set sail from Casten and came to an Anchor by Sunbroug-head being the South part of Shotland the third of June and going ashore spake with the Good-man of Quandale one of the chief of those parts the said Gentleman with other of the Inhabitants did inform me of their manner of Trading with the Hamburgers and others and of the Hollanders fishing for Herring on that Coast also of their Dogger-boats that fish only for Ling and Cod. After I had received information from the Inhabitants of the several Islands and the manner of Fishing and Trading there we set sail from thence and came to an Anchor in Bracey-Sound otherwise called Broad-Sound a very gallant Harbour where many Ships may lye Land-lockt for all Winds Having informed my self by the Inhabitants of those parts of the manner of their Trading and Fishing and the Hollanders fishing for Herrings driving on that Coast we set sail from thence and came to an Anchor in Evey-Sound the Northermost Sound in Shotland on the 12 Ditto and there going on shore I continued about 11 or 12 Months and in that time travelling the greatest part of the Island by Sea and Land did thereby better inform my self concerning the manner of Trading and Fishing by the Inhabitants and the Hollanders at Sea The Land of Shotland lyeth North and By-East and South or South and West about 60 Miles But there are many Islands belonging to Shotland which I shall have occasion to mention hereafter That which is most considerable are the Sounds and Harbours On the West-side of the Southward Point of Shotland there is a good Harbour and Sound called St. Magnus and on the East-side near Sunbrough-head is a fair Sand-Bay where there is good Anchoring in ten or twelve Fathom to the Northward of this last Sound there is another Sound called Hambrough-Haven which is a lade-place for the Hamburgers and Scots About 9 or 10 Leagues from the Southward point of Shotland there is a Chanel that runneth through the Land the South-part of the Land divided by the Channel is called Swanberg the other part so divided or the North-part is called Laxford within
this Chanel aforesaid are several Sounds or Harbours but the best and chiefest Sound in Shotland is Brace-sound or Broad-sound as before mentioned out of this Sound the aforesaid Channel doth run Northward On the North-part of Swanberg lieth the high hill of Hanglix from the said Hanglix about 9 Leagues Northwards lie some out-Rocks called the Stars to the Northward of the Stars there is a very good Harbour called Bloom-Sound to the Northward of this last Sound is another good Haven called Huâ—-Sound being the Northernmost or North-East-Sound or Haven belonging to the Island called Ounst There are other Havens or Sounds which lie through the Land between and about that part of Shotland called Laxford and the Island called Jello There are also other Islands and Sounds which for brevity sake I forbear to mention The Merchants which Trade with the Inhabitants of Shotland are Hamburgers Breamers Luberghers Scots and English The chief Inhabitants of the Islands are Scots the meaner or inferior sort are a mixed People of Daâ—es and Scots The Islands of Shotland as I have been informed were given to King James of blessed Memory by the King of Denmark with Queen Ann being part of her Dowry The Commodities of Shotland which the Inhabitants do for the most part Trade withal is Ling and Cod which they take with Hooks and Lines in small Boats called Yalls about the bigness of Gravesend Oats the Ling they sell for 3 d. a piece being a Ling of the largest size and is called a Gild Ling if smaller then we have two for one or three for two and so proportionable The Cod is sold for 2 d. the Gild Cod and is measured as the Ling. I bought of Fisher-men the Inhabitants of the Island called Ounst 11655 Gild Ling and 834 Gild Cod at 3 d. the Gild Ling and 2 d. the Gild Cod which Ling and Cod were taken by the said Fishermen at several times in their small Boats and brought to my Booth or place of abode every morning as they were caught the said Ling and Cod being very good and Merchantable were salted aboard the Ship that landed me and within seven weeks after my landing I sent her for London with the said Fish to the Right Honourable the Earl of Pembrook as by my Books of Account delivered into his hands and left with him may appear There is also other small Fish which the Inhabitants do catch with Angles sitting on the Rocks and in their small Boats with Hooks and Lines in the Sounds and between the Islands and these small fish are very considerable for although they cannot spend them by reason of the multitude they take and have not industry to make use of them for â—ransportation yet the Livers they preserve and with the Livers of the Ling and Cod make Train-oyle but if it were improved as taking them with Nets the Train-oyl I say would amount to a cosiderable sum And if this increase of Trade were carried through the whole Islands it would be a great encouragement to all Merchants Trading into those parts There were several other Merchants in the Island where I did inhabit that bought Ling and Cod of the Fishermen so that the quantity which I sent for England was not above the fifth part taken in that Island with which the whole quantity of fish that was bought by other Merchants throughout the whole Islands of Shotland being added together would amount to a very considerable Sum or Quantity to the lading of many Vessels which might be much more improved and encrease Trading thereby furnishing the Inhabitants with Mony and Commodities In the Islands of Shotland there were Beeves and Sheep sold at a very reasonable rate I bought for my own use and the Victualing the Ship sent to London three Oxen for 3 l. and at another time four Oxen for 5 l. which were fat and about the bigness of the small sort of Cattel we have in England There were also fat Sheep sold for 2 s. and 2 s. 6 d. per sheep there were also other Creatures for food as Conies and Fowl But desiring not to multiply words I forbear to mention them The Fuel or Firing in Shotland is Peat and Turf There may be Salt-pans set up there and good Salt made to serve all the Fishing Fleet. There are very good Shores for landing and drying of Nets and making and drying Fish There is no Night in the North of Shotland part of two Moneths in the year as June and July In an Island North of Ounst being not inhabited but stockt with wild Cows and Conies I did kill with my Birding piece ten couple of Conies in one night shooting from a little before Sun-set to Sun-rising and it was as light as a Cloudy Winter-day I do not remember any Frost or Snow in Shotland if any it was not of long continuance the coldest weather is by reason of great Winds in the Winter-quarter the wind blowing so violent that no ship dare look on the North-Coast so that the people of those Islands have little commerce with other Nations in that Quarter I can speak by experience being blown down flat to the ground by the violence of the wind was forced to creep on my hands and knees to the next wall and going by the wall got into an house or else must have stayed by the wall till the violence of the Wind were over Sometimes it lasteth half a day and sometimes more There are several Towns in Shotland so called being about eight or ten houses together where they plow and sow corn as Oates which is their chiefest Bread and if my memory do not much deceive me there was good Barley growing in my time But the Land might be much improved if the inhabitatants were industrious they are like unto the idle Irish not improving any thing either by Sea or Land spending that in the Winter which they get in Summer although their Winter might be very profitable unto them if they were laborious and industrious as the Hollanders are The Goods and Commodities that are vendible in Shotland are Hooks and Lines for the taking of Ling and Cod Nets for the taking of Herring Strong-Beer Bisket Wheaten Meal Salt Pease Fruits of all sorts Strong-Water Monmouth-Caps and many other particulars which is not needful at this time to mention The Inhabitants of the Island of Ounst usually have a Bark that they Trade with to Norway where they may buy Timber for Houses ready framed also Deal-Boards Tar Ships Barks and Boats of all sorts and other necessaries for their use With their small Fishing-Boats called Yalls they will Row into the Main about two or three Leagues more or less where the Banks are that they lay their Hook and Lines for Ling and Cod in one of these Boats Rowing with two men and sometimes four according to the largeness of the Boat they do usually bring to Shore every morning that they go to Sea about fifty or sixty Ling and Cod.
Easterlings were Now although there have been many that by way of Argument and for discourse sake would goe about to prove that the Seas are free and Common and ought not to be bounded by any other Laws than their own Shoars and Sands yet the necessity of Order in Mutual Commerce and the safety of Mens Goods and Lives may teach us by the very light of Nature that Laws are as necessary for the government and preservation of such as frequent the Seas as of those that trade on the firm Land And though there be such Persons that dare presume thus to dispose of and at their pleasure dispossess his Majesty of this his undoubted Birthright the Royalties of the Seas which his Ancestors have held beyond all memory yet I hope he will never be unprovided of others to vindicate as much as in them lies by their Lives as well as their Pens that Right of his Crown and maintain those ancient Laws and Customs of his Kingdoms unto which all foreign Princes and Nations have freely submitted as by several Records yet to be seen in the Tower of London will evidently appear And because it is the general disposition of Men to choose rather to i emain in ignorance than to be at charges or by labour and industry to search and find out the truth of things to inform such as are willing at least at anothers cost not to be ignorant and strengthen the knowing they being many and very copious I shall here only give you a Breviat of so many of them as may suffice for this occasion 1. There is to be seen a Record therefore in the Rolls there Concerning Taxes and Tributes imposed upon Ships passing and Fishing upon our Coasts the Ordinance was made in the second yeare of Richard the second by the assent of Parliament 2. And to like purpose is that of Edward the fourth where it is manifestly exprest that the King appointed Wafters to guard the Fishers not only of his own Realm but Forrainers and Strangers that Fish upon his Coasts and that the Wafters tooke a Ratable proportion of Every Ship towards their Cost and Expences securing their Fishing and that these Wafters were to Prohibit all other Wafters whatsoever that presumed to take the Office upon them and to Commit them to Prison 3. Cambden in his description of the North Riding of Yorkshire sayth that the Hollanders in their Fishing for Herrings upon the North Coast of England did first obtain Licence from Scarbrough Castle 4. And all Neighbour Princes upon any such occasion have obteined Licence for their Subjects to Fish in our Seas as in a Truce of War agreed between Henry the 4th and the French King 5. Also during a Treaty between Henry the 6th and the Duchess of Burgundy those of Brabant and Flanders had Liberty of free Fishing granted them 6. And so it was in a another Truce between the said King and the Duchess of Burgundy 7. The like we find in a Truce between Edward the 4th and Francis Duke of Britain 8. Phillip the 2 d King of Spaine in the first year of Queen Mary Obtained Licence for his subjects to Fish upon the North Coasts of Ireland for the terme of 21 Years paying for the same yearly 1000 pounds which was accordingly brought into the Exchequer of Ireland and received by Sir Henry Fitton the then Treasurer there 9. And the King of France as others of his Predecessors by speciall Licence only of the King of England Fisheth upon our Coasts near Rye with a sett and Limited Number of small Boats and that only for Provision for his own Houshould 10. All States and Princes doe generally give Laws to pass and fish in the Seas Coasting upon their own Territories and also Impose Taxes and Tributes for their own Profit and Commodity 11. The Emperour of Russia compelleth all Fishermen within his Seas though it be many Leagues from the Maine to pay him Tribute 12. In the Seas and Islands under the King of Sweden they pay Taxes to him 13. The King of Denmark at his Wardhouse in the sound hath for every Licence a Doller and for the Seale and Rose a Noble of every Ship and for every Last of Herrings being 12. Barrels a Doller 14. The Duke of Medina Sidonia in Spain hath his greatest Revenues out of the Taxes lay'd on Fishermen 15. All Princes of Italy bordering upon the Seas Receive a proportion of like benifit 16. And the Hollanders themselves Impose Taxes on the Fish taken by their Fishermen in our Seas But I shall keep my self neare home and within the Soveraignty of our own Seas which our Antient Monarchs of Britain even from the first Memory that we can have of them were always most carefull to preserve for First the Antient Britains admitted very few or no strangers at all into their Service at Sea least turning Renegadoes they might upon occasion lay them open to the Incursions of their Neighbours the Gaules by discovering to them the manner of their Shipping which they kept as a very great secret and therefore when Julius Caesar came with an intention first of all to invade this Island Gaul though very near and in sight of it could not supply him with any that could give him a certaine Intelligence of the Place or which way unless in Vessels of his own or a few passage Boats used by Traders to get thether But these were Countermanded by a great Strength at Sea which the Britains were Masters of Shipps of a good Bulk and serviceable in that Age for fight which they continually employed to Round the Island and scoure the seas which course the Romans after they once came to be setled in the Isle put in practice and after something a better method finding here such Timber as they could not be provided with for that use in any other part of their Empire After the Romans Edgar King of the Saxons continually kept in readiness a Navy of 400 Ships which being divided into 4 severall fleets did every year after Easter take their Course to the 4 quarters of England where they remained to Guard and scower the Seas until the Winter following After Edgar then Etheldred for defence of the British Seas and Kingdom caused of every 310 hides of Land a Ship to be built which all meeting at Sandwich made the greatest Navy that ever this Kingdom set forth to Sea After him Canutus the Dane Maintained a mighty Fleet of Ships for the safety of the Seas and Kingdome and so the succeeding Kings to William the Conqueror I might instance in severall of our Kings of later Ages who to maintain the Rights and Priviledges of the Seas have set forth Mighty Fleets and by force kept off the Hollanders and other Nations till they by the increase of their Shipping have grown to that greatness both in Riches and strength that they think they may doe any thing and for some time have usurpt that right which undoubtedly
belongs to his Sacred Majesty I might here enter upon the praise of the great use of Shipping and the farr greater advantage that comes to a Nation thereby of what importance it is to any People both for encrease of their Riches and Wealth Maintainance of their Peace and to make them formidable to those that are round about them But I shall forbear only thus much it cannot but be infinitely more to us of this Island then to any other Nation in Europe Nature haveing given us the Sea for our bounds which we can neither Pass nor Defend but by the Convenience of Shipping Adding to this the great love his Majesty hath to Navigation and his promoting all kind of Industry that may conduce to the securing of this Nation from all assaults that way there is none of his Loyall Subjects but think themselves bound as much as their Talent and Capacity will amount to some one way some another to advance so Noble a Design For my own part till an opportunitie offers of serving his Majesty upon that Element abroad I shall indeavour what lies in my power for preparing something in order to it upon the Land at home and shall hence take the occasion to Discourse of that great foundation of all Shipping Tymber chiefly the Oak None therefore can be ignorant of the great Wasts committed in this Nation of all sorts of Timber and especially of this which in the space of 100 years but much more within these 30 years so that his Majesty's Forrests that have most abounded with the best Materials in the World for Shipping are very much impoverished and Decayed Partly therefore upon the Reasons before mentioned as a good Subject and partly out of my duty having had Imployment as a sworn Officer in one of his Majesties Forrests and at present dwelling on the Borders thereof and thereby better able to see and judge the Wasts that have been Committed In Order to the preserving and increasing of this so necessary a Materiall I Humbly Propose First That there be speciall care taken for the Preservation of all such Timber as shall yet be found standing and Growing 2. That there be provision made for the Planting of young Timber Trees in such wast places of the Kingdom as are capable to produce them 3. That no Person whether of the Nobility or private Gentlemen be permitted to Cut down Grub or stock up any Timber Trees or Woods of Timber under full growth or at the growth of 9 foot in the girt or Compass which is 3 foot Diameter For in the Parish where I dwell there hath been 5 several falls of Timber Trees the most of them Oaks sould by private Gentlemen within this 7 years whereof the greatest grown Oak was not above 12 Inches at the Lower or Butt End if hewed by square but the most part of them not above 8. 4. That all Owners of Woods be injoyned at the time and season of their Cutting or felling the Under Woods to leave standing and growing 20 of the best thriving young Trees in each or every acre of Wood so cut or felled if there be not so many already standing and Growing at the time of Cutting and those to be preserved until they be of growth as aforesaid for all Woods have Univesally Received a Mortal Blow within the space of 30 years notwithstanding there is a statute for the Preservation and Maintainance of the same Made the 35 Henry 8 and the 1. Elizabeth That at every fall of Timber there should be 12 storers or standils left and growing upon an acre or every acre of Land so felled Now if the King and Kingdom were so sensible of the want of Timber in those daies being 116 years since much more may we now therefore it is a thing to be regarded and of great Concernment for the abuses of Woods are Infinite and intollerable notwithstanding the words of the Statute Indeed I have seen in many places at the falls where they have lest the number of Standils and more But instead of them have cut down those that were Reserved before and at the next fall even they escaped not only a new race of young standils were left againe in their steads to answer the bare word of the Statute and not the true meaning of it which by this shift is very much abused therefore if Provision be not made to prevent that and to put the true intention of the Statute in more force there can be no encrease of Timber trees expected 5. Sith Timber and timber Trees by due observation are found to decay very fast it behoveth every good husband not only to Maintain and preserve such trees as remain and so by the Statute to be set out but voluntarily to Plant more and because there is such a universal inclination to hurle down it were expedient that since Wit and Providence will not Authority should Constrain some men as well Lords as Tenants to Plant set or sowe with Acorns Ashen-keyes Beechmast c. For every hundred Acres of Land one acre Or to Plant the said Acre with sets or Plants and to preserve and keep the same until they come to full growth as aforesaid Now although in former Ages when England was overgrowne with Woods The Felling Grubbing of Stocing up of Trees did prove a great benefit to the Nation by making room for Men Corn and Cattle Yet moderation is now more necessary for the too much overthrowing of Timber-trees and stocking up Woods hath brought a great scarcity of that Necessary Commodity and if for the over-greedy use and advantage though but small at the present there be no regard of future occasions there will follow Extream want for there are many necessaries which without Fireing are of little use and Corn will require Mils to grinde if all were Meddow and Pasture the Life of Cattle then Arable Land the Life of Men were dead when for one commodities sake another is abandon'd by some private men less expedient for the Publick Weale it must of Necessity be destructive and much it is to be lamented that the Devastation of Woods threatens a grievous weakening to this Kingdome such a pestilent heat issueth out of the many forges and furnaces for the making of Iron as hath Devoured many Famous Woods and by credible report there hath been lately in Sussex above 130. Hammers and Furnaces for Iron the hammers and furnaces spending each of them in every 24. hours three or 4 loade of Charcole more or less which in a yeare amounteth unto an infinite quantitie but because for lack of Water in the summer to blow their Bellowes all of them cannot worke the whole year we cannot give an account so Exactly yet a probable Estimate we may make how many load of Coale all the said Hammers and Furnaces may expend in one yeare and to that end We shall suppose that one time with another they may all worke two third parts of the year which is
be divided into 16 parts by 15 brass Rings such as are used about Curtains the said Rings to hang loose in that part of the wyer that joyns the links together this performed the distance between the Rings will be one fourth of a pearch which is of Land measure 4 foot 1â— inch but of Wood measure 4 foot 6 inches At each end of this Chain would be an iron wyer Ring 2 or 3 times the compass of the brass Rings With this Chain all seed or plants which are to be set at one pearch two pearch three pearch four pearch half a pearch and one fourth part of a pearch distance may be orderly and speedily set or planted and that you may readily distinguish between the parts of the Chain at the one fourth part of a pearch must be a single Ring at the half of the pearch 2 Rings at one pearch distance 3 Rings and at the middle of the Chain which is a Pearch 4 Rings but to plant at these distances you may also make use of a streight Pole containing one pearch in length and divided into four parts The second Chain must be divided into yards and feet by brass Rings as in the first Chain it will require 65 Rings being the distance of feet and at every third foot beginning at one end of the Chain add one Ring more there will then be two Rings which is the distance of yards this being finished the single Rings distinguish the feet and the double the yards the Chain containing in length 66 foot and 22 yards but if wood measure then the length of the Chain will be 72 foot and 24 yards with these two Chains you may plant Seed and Sets at all the distances mentioned in the Book Now if you will not be at the charges to provide Chains then may you make use of small Cords or Lines and instead of Rings there may be knots with several coloured raggs at all the distances before mentioned and if these Chains or Lines be not of a sufficient length to dispatch much work then may you lengthen them according to your use or pleasure ENGLAND'S IMPROVEMENT REVIVED THE FOURTH BOOK The Argument You have Directions to plant a thousand Acres of Land Woodland measure 18 foot to the Pearch with Seed and Sets for Timber-trees and Vnderwoods at the several distances before mentioned and that is from one foot to four Pearch Also here is set down the particular and total accounts of the Charges and Profit of planting the said Land by plowing or delving and sowing or setting the same with Seed or Sets As also of converting the said Woods to several uses VVE have formerly discoursed of the knowledge of several sorts of Land by their Characters and Constitutions also of the Clime or Continent wherein they lie and how you shall make choice of Land for planting Trees the choice of seed and plants the seasons for plowing sowing and setting transplanting trees of great growth with the several Distances of ground between the Plants and the Improvement of one Acre of Land several wayes and to plant with Seed and Sets for Timber-trees and Under-woods therefore shall not trouble you with repetitions but proceed Suppose therefore the thousand Acres of Land before mentioned to be totally planted extending to the outmost bounds as it was measured without the Fence it contains 160000 pearch at 18 foot to the pearch In the planting this ground we shall mention only 5 several distances between the Plants I. Dist. The first and nearest shall be one foot at this distance you are only to plant seed for the procuring Plants to transplant other Lands we shall suppose this thousand Acres also to be a strong rich earth and every way qualified for the planting all sorts of Timber-trees This Plot of Land then contains 400 pearch square or 7200 foot but will require 7201 Rows of seed or plants and the whole ground will take up 51854401 single seed or plants Now if you will plant at this distance with seed for present use and profit my advice is to plant only these three sorts that is to say the Oak seed which is Acorns the Ash-tree seed called Ashen Keys the Chesnut-tree seed or Chesnuts There being an equal number or quantity of the three several sorts of Seed set or planted the Land will take up of Acorns 17284800 of Ashen-keyes 17284800 of Chesnuts 17284801. Now supposing that all these seeds grow and thrive about three years after the planting they will be of a sufficient growth to be transplanted The Oak and Ash Plants may yield 18 pence the hundred there being 345696 hundred allowing five score to the hundred which amounts to 25927 pound 4 shillings of Chesnut Plants there will be 172848 hundred and 1 Plant and they may be worth two shillings and six pence the hundred and will amount to 21606 pounds 1 farthing The total summ that all the Plants amount to is 47533 pound 4 shillings 1 farthing A good improvement if there were Markets or vent for so many II. Dist. But if at three foot distance you will reserve one of these Plants to grow for Under-woods and that you leave them equally mixed as they were planted then there will be for sale or to be sold of Oak and Ash 30726400 single Plants or 307164 hundred and at 18 pence the hundred amount to 23044 pound 16 shillings of Chesnut 153632 hundred of Plants at two shillings six pence the hundred come to 19204 pound The total summ for all these Plants amounts to 42248 pound 16 shillings the remainder or the Rods or Plants reserved are 5764801 which about eight or nine years after from the time they were planted you may fell or cut down and convert them to their several uses thus the number of Chesnut Plants is 1921601 the number of Oak Plants is 1921600 the number of Ash Plants is 1921601. From the Chesnut Plants may be chosen 214234 Rods of the size from 12 to 16 foot in length for smart hoops commonly used about wet and dry Cask of all sorts and each Rod being carefully slit will make two Hoops worth if delivered at London six shillings the hundred allowing six score to the hundred then there will be 428468 single hoops and being reckoned by the hundred they come to 3570 hundred 68 hoops and amounts at six shillings the hundred to 1079 pound 3 shillings 4 pence half-penny There may also from the Chesnut Plants be gathered 1400566 Rods of the size from 6 to 12 foot long which will make 2801132 single hoops and they arise to 23342 hundred and 92 hoops worth if delivered as aforesaid 4 shillings the hundred they amount to 4668 pound 11 shillings 3 farthings the total sum for the Chesnut hoops amount to 5739 pound 14 shillings 5 pence one farthing Out of the Oak and Ash containing 3843200 Plants may be chosen 403700 Rods of the longer size from 12 to 16 foot which may make being carefully slit as aforesaid
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
Bushel they come to 810 pound 4 shillings 6 pence Now if you sow the Land with the same seed then there must be 2 Bushels allowed for every Acre more than there was for setting and the quantity to be is 10102 Bushels 1 Peck and 1 Acorn they amount to 1010 pound 4 shillings 6 pence The Charges for setting the Acorns being formerly allowed at 4 shillings the Acre come to 200 pound The Charges for weeding the Plants being also allowed at 10 shillings the Acre come to 500 pound The total Charge for Seed also plowing hacking harrowing setting and weeding amounts to 2210 pound 4 shillings 6 pence The total Charge for seed also plowing hacking harrowing sowing and weeding amounts to 2210 pound 4 shillings 6 pence But if the Land be planted by setting Ashen Keys of this seed there go 96000 into one Bushel and will cost 12 pence the Bushel and the Land will take up 540 Bushel 1 Gallon 1 pint and a half and 151 single seeds amounting to 27 pound 7 farthings The Charges for plowing sowing setting and weeding is the same allowed for the Acorns The total Charge for seed also plowing hacking setting harrowing and weeding amounts to 1327 pound 7 farthings And if you sow the Land with Ashen Keys there must be half a Bushel allowed for every Acre more than was for setting the quantity to be provided comes to 1040 bushels 9 pints a half and 151 single seed and they come to 52 pound 7 farthings The total for seed also plowing hacking harrowing and weeding amounts to 1152 pound 7 farthings This Land to be planted with Chesnuts will take up 51854401 single Nuts and they will cost 2 pence the hundred there being 518544 hundred and 1 Nut come to 4321 pound 4 shillings But if the Land be sowed with the said Nuts then every Acre will require 1500 more than was allowed for setting The whole number will arise to 533544 and one single Nut and at 2 pence the hundred do amount to 4446 pound 4 shillings The total Charge for setting or planting a thousand Acres of Land at a foot distance with Chesnuts amounts to 5721 pound 4 shillings The total Charge of Land to be sowed with the said seed comes to 5646 pound 4 shillings To plant by setting a thousand Acres at a foot distance with Beech seed called Beech Mast there going 76800 single seed into one Bushel the Land will take up 675 bushels 6 quarts and 1 seed and at 3 shillings the bushel according to a former allowance they amount to 101 pound 5 shillings 6 pence 3 farthings If the Land be sowed with the said seed then there should be 2 pecks allowed for every Acre more than was for setting and the total number will arise to 1175 bushels 6 quarts and 1 seed which at 3 shillings the bushel comes to 176 pound 5 shillings 6 pence 3 farthings The total Charge of the Land to be set with Beech-mast amounts to 1501 pound 5 shillings 3 farthings The total Charge of the Beech seed to be sowed on the said Land amounts to 1376 pound 5 shillings 3 farthings All sorts or kind of trees the charges for planting them by seed may be computed according to the rules we have set down Now if any man will be so indiscreet as to plant at this distance with Sets the thousand Acres will then take up 51854401 single Sets or Plants I cannot give you an exact account what they may cost by the hundred because several Countries have different Prices according to the goodness plenty or scarcity of them for in some places good Plants of Oak Ash Beech and Elme are sold for 12 pence the hundred and in other Countries such Sets are worth 18 pence or 2 shillings the hundred to have them no greater than a mans little finger we shall estimate them at 18 pence the hundred and there being 518544 hundred that the Land will take up the same amount to 38890 pound 16 shillings The Setting these Plants is worth 10 shillings the Acre and comes to 500 pound The Weeding of them is worth 10 shillings the Acre which likewise comes to 500 pound The total Charge for Plants also Plowing Hacking Harrowing Setting and Weeding amounts to 40590 pound 16 shillings But if you will plant with Chesnut Sets these Plants may cost 2 shillings 6 pence the hundred there being 518544 hundred and 1 Plant and they come to 64768 pound 1 farthing The total Charge for Chesnut Plants also Plowing Hacking Harrowing and Weeding amounts to 66468 pound 1 farthing We shall not here set down Wages or Sallary allowed the Keeper or Dresser of this great Wood but shall leave the same to the will of the Owner thereof He that undertaketh this so great a Charge ought to be an honest laborious and industrious Person Thus have we considered and given a true Account of all the Charges needfull for plowing sowing and planting Seed or Sets at one foot distance By these total sums you may take notice that it is cheaper to plant with Seeds than Sets also the great charge to plant at so near a distance as one foot which is only in use for Nurseries and transplanting other grounds as hath been said The Second Distance IN the next place we shall consider of the Charges for plowing and planting at 3 foot distance for you are to take notice that we allow not of the sowing of any kind of seed above or more than one foot distance a thousand Acres of Land then allowing 18 foot to the Pearch Woodland measure contains 5760000 square yards and will take up there being 3 Seeds set or planted a foot wide from each other triangular and at the end of each or every yard distance as hath been directed if Acorns 17294403 or 2702 bushels one peck and 3 acorns and at the price formerly allowed which is 2 shillings the bushel they come to 270 pound 4 shillings 6 pence The setting the seed at this distance and the Land harrowed is worth 2 shillings 6 pence the Acre and come to 125 pound The weeding one foot round and between the Plants at 7 shillings the Acre comes to 350 pound The Total for seed also plowing and all other charges amounts to 1445 pound 4 shillings 6 pence If you set or plant Ashen-keys the Land will take up of that seed 180 bushels 9 pints a half and 153 single seed which at 12 pence the bushel come to 9 pound 3 half pence The Charges of setting and weeding is the same with the Acorns and do come to 475 pound The total Charge to plant with the seed of Ash amounts to 1184 pound 3 half pence And if you plant Beech-mast the Land will take up of that seed 225 bushels 6 quarts and 3 seed which amounts to 33 pound 15 shillings 6 pence 3 farthings The total Charge to plant with seed of Beech amounts to 1208 pound 15 shillings 6 pence 3 farthings To plant the said Land with Chesnuts