NEW DIRECTIONS OF EXPERIENCE TO THE COMMONS COMPLAINT BY THE Encouragement of the Kings most excellent Majesty, as may appear, for the planting of Timber and Firewood. WITH A NEAR ESTIMATION what millions of Acres the kingdom doth contain; what Acres is waste ground, whereon little profit for this purpose will arise. WHAT MILLIONS HATH BEEN Woods, and Bushy grounds, what Acres are Woods, and in how many Acres so much Timber will be contained, as will maintain the Kingdom for all uses for ever. AND HOW AS GREAT STORE OF Firewood may be raised, as may plentifully maintain the Kingdom for all purposes, without loss of ground; so as within thirty years all Spring-woods may be converted to Tillage and Pasture.  
Invented by Arthur Standish.  
Anno Domini. MDCXIII.   

 royal coat of arms 
I R  HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE  
By the King. To all Noblemen, Gentlemen, and other our loving Subjects, to whom it may appertain.  
WHEREAS Arthur Standish (Gentleman) hath taken much pains, and been at great charges in composing and publishing in a book, some projects for the increasing of Woods, the decay whereof in this Realm is universally complained of: And therefore We would be glad that any invention might further the restoring thereof: We have therefore been pleased to give allowance to this Book, and to the Printing thereof. And if the same shall be willingly received of the Gentlemen, and others of ability, who have grounds fitting for his projects, it shall much content Us, doubting not, but that such as shall think good to make use of the Book, will deal worthily with him for his pains. And We are also pleased for the better encouragement of the said Standish, hereby to declare, that Our pleasure is, that no Person or Persons whatsoever, shall Print any of the said Books, but for and to the use of the said Standish, and none others.  
Given under our Signet at Andeuer, the first day of August, in the ninth year of our reign of England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the five and fortieth.  
God save the King.   


New Directions for the planting of Wood, by Arthur Standish.  

WHEREAS It pleased the Kings most Excellent Majesty, forth of his Princely respect, for the better repairing of the ruin of this Kingdom, for the good of every particular person: the public good of the Commonwealth, and the preserving and maintaining of the same for all posterity, to give allowance to the Printing and publishing of the Book, that I presented unto his Majesty, principally concerning the planting and preserving of wood, as hath and doth appear to all men, whereby I am the better animated by his Majesty, and many other good men, to persevere in so needful and more than necessary business, and to apply my whole endeavour, to seek out all possible means that may be found to effect the same: with the least charge & loss of ground, the better to encourage all his loving Subjects thereunto: by means whereof, together with the daily conference that I have with many of the better sort; and oft, for this purpose with Husbandmen, and workmen; who (for the most part) have best experience in this business, being loath to write more than by mine own eyesight I know to be true. Further, seeking to know the opinions and experience of many understanding and good commonwealths men, to several ends; and having conference with some skilful Surveyors of Land, and such as take upon them to know the number of Acres, that are contained in this Kingdom: Thus, observing what I hear or see, tending to any public good, especially for this business, I attain to a near estimation what Acres the Kingdom doth contain, what acres will plentifully supply all wants, and maintain the Kingdom for ever, being planted and preserved, as followeth: and how as great store of Firewood may be raised, being maintained, as may plentifully maintain the Kingdom for all purposes, aswell for the making of iron, and all other metals that the Kingdom doth afford for ever; so far from the loss or hurt to land, as it may rather greatly better and improve it: First, it is generally decreed by all Surveyors, that the whole kingdom containeth nine and twenty millions, five hundred sixty eight thousand acres, or near thereabouts: whereof it is supposed that there is four millions, and all the odd thousands waste, that yieldeth little or no profit at all; and that there hath been within a hundred years last passed, four millions of woods and bushy grounds, that yielded little profit, but wood and bushes, over and above Parks, Forests, and Chases.  
Forth of which twenty nine millions, and the odd thousands, the wastes being deducted, which in effect is five millions, the remainder is five and twenty millions: whereon wood, hath, doth, or would grow, if it were planted and preserved: First, for this purpose, take forth of every thousand acres, forty four acres, enclose and plant the same according to the directions following: Wheresoever it lieth, plant four acres of every forty four in rows, so as there may be contained in a hundred thousand acres, so much timber as will plentifully serve the Kingdom for all uses, every tree to be ten yards distant one from an other one way, and three the other, which can be no loss to such as shall plant, neither for their own uses, nor for such as want ground to plant on; in respect that such as want, must be constrained to buy of such as have to sell, which is so far from the loss of any, as it will be for their greatest profit; for after twenty years the forty acres will yield much more profit, either in corn or grass then the four and forty did before, over and above the benefit of the timber; and in the mean time, little or no loss. The like planting for firewood might be made in rows, as shall appear, but it is altogether needless; for the very hedges, being planted and made as after followeth, will yield Firewood plentifully for all uses, as by experience shall appear, so as within thirty years it may be more than needful to have any Copies or Spring-woods at all, but that all woodland may be converted to Tillage or Pasture, to the particular good of the Owners and Common wealth. Further, showing in particular, what public good may arise thereby. In the mean time, it were very convenient, that the stocking up of woods were prevented, except they were stocked up into rows, for it is generally conceived, that within a very few years, there will be little or no wood left for any use, the stocking & stubbing is so great, notwithstanding the Laws provided, by the worthy King of famous memory Henry the eight, for the preserving of wood; which laws have been from time to time continued, and are still in force, and have been most earnestly called upon by the King's Majesty ever since his coming to this kingdom, especially at every high Court of Parliament, where he hath not only required the continuance thereof, but also most earnestly given it in charge (especially at the last Parliament) that some course might be taken for the planting and preserving of woods, which assuredly (as I have heard) was intended at the last sitting in Parliament, the which cannot be unknown to such as daily stock and stub up woods: neither respecting the displeasure of his Majesty, nor the breach of the Laws in that case provided. In every country wood is daily stubbed up, especially within twenty miles of London, where wood is precious, and too dear for the poorer sort; by means thereof, they are constrained to break hedges, to the great decaying of wood, and to the grievance of every man that hath woods & hedges, and to their great charge, which I find generally complained of, and daily more and more will be complained of: for (say the poor) Though they want victuals, that is too dear for them to get by their honest labour, yet will they not perish for want of fire, so long as it is to be gotten. The best remedy for the same, is, a general Plantation, whereby no one man may feel the loss that some few do, that plant; for as they plant the one day, the poor pluck or cut them up the next day, if not the same night. Which, if all men should be constrained to plant, it would be as it is in Worcester shire with fruit, where the plenty is so great, as the stealing of some few is never miss: Even so would it be by the general planting of wood, and in time be grown so cheap, as the poor would rather choose to buy then steal it.  
Also the making of iron and glass, hath been, and is the greatest decay of wood; notwithstanding, iron was never so ill, nor never so dear as it is at this instant, by the half, before so great store was made in this kingdom; & by all likelihood is likely to grow dearer: the reasons why it is so dear, are especially two; the one in respect that wood is so worn out, as many are constrained to give over the making thereof: which want may be supplied by the means following, namely, out of hedges by lop-wood, which will approvedly make as good charcoal for all uses, as any other wood, which may be continued so long as it shall please GOD the Kingdom shall endure: the other is in respect, that before so great store of iron was made in this Kingdom, the Merchants bought Cloth of the Clothiers, which beyond the Seas they exchanged for iron; which was better iron, and better cheap than the English iron: the want of which exchange, together with the transporting of Wool beyond the Seas, the worthy trade of clothing is so decayed, as many poor people that were set on work by the abler sort of Clothiers, are constrained to beg, that before lived well by their labour: Also there are millions of people that live in great fear, that they in a short time may fall into the like necessity, which are the Carpenters, the Shippe-wrights, the Plough and Cart-makers, the joiners, the Cowpers, and the Coach-maker. Whereupon it is generally conceived by all men of judgement, that enter into consideration of the premises, that without a speedy general Planting and Preserving, both of Timber and Firewood be, the Kingdom by no means can be maintained another Age; which with small cost and labour (to willing minds) in good time, may be preserved and maintained, as plentifully as ever heretofore: as shall be proved to the glory of God, content of his Majesty, their own selves, posterity, and Commonwealth.  
Concerning the Planting and Preserving of Timber, all men with whom I have conversed, are of one mind, that a better direction than herein is set down cannot be devised, which is, by planting groves of a Rood, or half a Rood of ground in a Grove, in pasture grounds (or as followeth,) especially in Rows, whereby much more timber may be raised in less ground as shall appear; which being performed, there will be timber enough for all purposes, with the surplusses of Timber that may be planted and preserved in Forests, Chases, Parks, Commons, or common Pasture, and much the better it will continue, if it be so provided, that none shall fallen or otherways make away any tree or trees, but to be enjoined to plant and preserve so many as shall be felled, or otherways made away. Thus may Timber be raised two several ways; the one in Groves, the other in Rows: for Groves, such as have but one hundred acres, and so for such as have more, to enclose for every hundred acres, one several Rood in some corner of a Close, which is already enclosed, for the ing of chrsavages, where half of the Fence is already made, and is to be maintained notwithstanding this device; or rather in the midst of a Close, although the charge be something the more, where the cattle may not only have shadow in Summer, but also shelter in Winter, every way the better. To improve the close and cattle, the plot of ground for this purpose of one rood, would be in length ten pole, in breadth four: in which length there is contained fifty five yards, and in breadth twenty two yards. In which plot of ground there may be planted five rows of trees for Timber, and in every row there must be digged up fourteen plots of a yard square, which should be digged up two several times, between Midsummer and Michaelmas; and again, when the means following are to be set, according to the nature of the soil, and the directions following; every plot to be four yards distant every way one from an other; so there may be contained in a Rood of ground threescore and ten trees. And in every of these plots so digged, there may be set nine, a foot one from another, (either Acorns, Chessenuts, Beech-maste, Keys of Ash, roots or Chips of Elm) being so set, & come up, the ground would be weeded twice, or thrice the first and second year, if occasion serve, and after four or five years, when it may be discerned which of them is likest to be the best trees, there would be but four left, the other would be drawn up and planted elsewhere at the Owners pleasure. And after sixteen or twenty years three of the other may be felled, and made away for some uses; and only one, being the very best, to remain; from which all the leaves would be plucked off by hand within a foot of the top, in the beginning of june, so long as a man can reach them, and afterwards cut off with a knife, or light forest bill, made for that purpose. The reason why I wish the planting of Groves to be in so many severals, is, that when a Grove is felled, it should be all felled: for the felling of trees in woods at several times, hath been a great decay to wood. And further, by experience it may be proved, that seldom good timber groweth of old stocks; by reason whereof, I could wish that trees should rather be stocked up, then felled, that the ground might be planted again. The second way for planting in rows is as hereafter followeth.   

For the planting in Barren, Champain, or Gorssie grounds, either for Timber or Firewood.  
IF in all Champain Countries, where land is barren, and fuel so scant, that they are constrained to burn the straw, and manure, which should be employed to the manuring of land; the want thereof is the utter undoing of many a Husbandman, who tilleth much land, soweth much seed, and reapeth much loss, for want of manure. If therefore (I say) not only of myself, but also in the opinions of many understanding men, inhabiting in such countries, that if some part of their barest grounds that lieth so far from the town whereunto it doth belong, that seldom, or never it is manured: by reason whereof it oft lieth ley, and yieldeth no profit: if for this purpose, there were eleven acres of that land, as it lieth together, and that one acre of the eleven were planted with wood in rows, and after that rate for more or less, according to the number of the Acres that are in the possession of the Lords of Land, and their Tenants in every town; which acre may thus be planted: (first it is to be understood, that a statute acre doth contain in length 220. yards, and in breadth, two and twenty. First make a good Fence, according to the directions following, and then begin at a side of the eleven acres, and measure ten yards in breadth, and in every eleventh yard dig up five and fifty plots of ground of a yard square; and so in every eleventh yard from side to side: Every plot to be three yards between one an other in the rows, over and above the square yard for firewood; for Timber but two yards between the square yards, so as there may be three score and fourteen plots in every row, and so planted and observed, as before is declared. Whereby there may be contained in one acre, one thousand six hundred and odd trees for timber: In four acres of the thousand, six thousand and four score, every tree to grow one from another ten yards one way, and three the other; and for firewood, one thousand one hundred and ten. There may be also contained in one entire acre, one thousand two hundred and ten trees for timber, every one to have four yards of ground to thrive on.  
These Directions may be observed by such as are desirous to plant spacious grounds, so far from the loss of ground, as the ground thereby may be much improved, especially if the ground be barren, by letting it lie ley four or five years after it is planted; which lying will better the ground, so as it may be ploughed between the rows, and sown with corn, and for two or three years have good crops: in which time the plants will be so grown up, as it may be a sheepe-pasture, till the wood be past taking hurt by cattle: in which time the shadow of the trees, and the rotting of leaves, and the manure of the sheep will better the ground, so as it will be good meadow, pasture, or corn ground, at the Owners pleasure, for his best profit. This were a very profitable course to be observed in sheep-walks, on Downs, where hedgewood is scant, as commonly it is in such barren grounds. The best way to enclose, is (if it be in swarthy grounds) to set the aforesaid means as a foote-set of thorns without any ditch, and to raise the Fence of either side by walls of Sods, as is to be seen between Lincoln and the Horse-race, or as commonly sheep pens are made in Downs and Heaths: If no swarth, by a double ditch, and set the means on the top of a bank, being made a yard broad on the top, so as a hedge of a foot high of either side will serve to defend it; and by a like planting in all gorssie grounds, where gorsse groweth so naturally that the Owners of the grounds can by no means destroy it: great store of timber or firewood may be raised, with the other profits, and the soil much improved: for after the trees be past taking hurt by cattle, the gorsse between the rows may be stocked up, so as the ten yards of ground between the rows may be sown with corn, and being limed when it is tilled, the lime, together with the shadow of the trees, will approvedly so destroy the gorsse, as the ground will be recovered to be corn, meadow, or pasture. In like sort, all broomy ground may be improved. Some that have gorssie grounds, have objected, that if their gorsse should be destroyed, they should be damnified thereby, in regard they have no better fuel. To such I have given good satisfaction, that it is not intended, that the gorsse should be destroyed, before the would be passed taking hurt by cattle, when the wood will yield better fuel, and better store.   

How to improve barren ground.  
THE best remedy for barren grounds, either for sandy or clay, for fruit-trees, or any kind of wood, to make them grow speedily, & without moss, is for sandy land, to make a hole, so big, as it will hold the quantity of three bushels of good earth, and a bushel of unslecked lime; then put into the hole a third part of the lime, and upon that lime, lay a third part of the earth, and upon that earth, another part of the lime, and upon that lime a third part of earth, and so the rest: and in like sort sand and lime for clay land, and so lay more or less, as occasion serveth. Thus mingle them together, and let it lie a quarter of a year before it is to be used; and when you remove a young tree, or set a stock to graff on, lay under, and about the root a bushel of the lime and earth well mingled together, and power thereon a pail full of water, which water will wash the earth close to every root. And to any kind of Peach or Plumbstone half a peck; and for Chessenuts, Acorns, or any other kind of seeds of wood, use this mingled earth in discretion, and approvedly thus being used, they will grow more in one year then in any other ground in two, though the soil be good: and it is a special good manuring for corn, the nature of lime is to make clay-land lighter, and sand-land stiffer, as partly may appear in buildings, that lime and sand do make mortar, when it is dry, as hard as stones.   

For the planting of Timber-trees, or Firewood, in Forests, Chases, Parks, Commons, and common Pastures.  
EXperience hath, and may teach all men to know, for it is to be seen with the eyes of all men, that in all ages, bushes have been, are, and will be (if they be preserved) in all grounds, the mother and nurse of trees, so that all men may take notice thereby, that by the digging up of a hole a foot square, and three or four fingers deep, in the midst of any tuft of bushes, gorsse, furs, or whins, as some term them, or in hollinbushes, and therein to set 3. of the mast of oak, chessenuts, beech, keys of ash, the roots, or chips of elm, or rather roots or sykamore seeds which will grow as fast as any other wood, the body good for little, but for to make trenchers, or drinking-cups, and for those uses, better than any other wood growing in this kingdom, as before is set down: any of these, according to the nature of the soil, wherein these are to be planted: out of which three it is not to be doubted, but one of them at the least, will grow and prosper, the bushes being preserved about them, till the plants be past taking hurt by cattle. This may be performed with a small charge, for a man may set a hundred in a day at the least, by experience I speak it, which can not cost above twelve pence (a thousand for ten shillings.)  
Many there are that like well of this planting of wood, and many do observe it, that before were desirous to raise wood, by taking up of young trees where they did grow and prosper; which are weary of that kind of planting, by reason that for the most part, half of them do not grow, which moveth many to observe these directions: And some there are that say they like these directions well; but say they, it is against the nature of this Age to tarry so long for profit. To which I answer, That if the Ancestors of noblemen, gentlemen, and others, had had so little respect to their posterity, as we have in this Age; there are some noblemen, and many others, that would have been constrained to have sold a great part of the land their Ancestors left them, to supply the wants which they have supplied by their woods; and it will fall so out ere it be long, that such must sell land, for wood their Ancestors will leave them none to sell: And to content such, and all others, I have added by experience directions for this present Age, as followeth towards the latter end of this Book.   

For the planting of Firewood about Parks.  
HOw all Parks may be fenced by firewood, so as after ten or twelve years it will be stronger than any pale; and after forty years stronger than any wall, and longer lasting by many degrees: and being once made, never to be made again, with the charge and profit that may arise thereby. Say for this purpose, that there is a park to be fenced of four miles pale-walke, which miles contain in length thirty two furlongs of Statute-measure, every furlong containeth forty poles, every pole five yards and a half: Admit there were no ditch at all about the pale, nor wood (as commonly there is) and that all were to be ditched and fenced anew, with a ditch of five foot wide at the top, a foot and a half broad in the bottom, and three foot deep, and that this ditch, with the getting and setting of the means aforesaid, for the planting of timber, should cost twelve pence a pole; the total of the charge three score and three pounds at the most: for it is certain, that much of this may be saved: for in many places the ditch cannot be so chargeable; for about many parks in some places, there need no ditch at all, and in some places, a less ditch will serve. Neither can the hedging be chargeable in two respects; the one, by reason that about many Parks, there are many thorns growing, which being felled to make the fence once, will afterwards so grow up, as they will defend the wood so set without any further charge; and about many parks there is as much wood growing as will defray the charge: so as to some the effecting of this business, will be little or no charge at all. The earth of this new ditch must be cast to the pale-ward, so as the bank may be a yard broad on the top: fence there needeth none, but long bushes so put between the pales above the rails, as they may reach and hang over the bank into the ditch.  
This being done, for such soils as by experience mast and Seeds will best like of, as may best appear by the wood thereon growing, the Mast would be gathered as it falleth from the tree, and not beaten down before it be ripe. The Ash keys may be gathered about Alhollontide: being thus gotten and gathered in, they would be kept neither too wet nor too dry, till they be set, according to the directions following. The roots of Elm are to be gotten by bearing old Elms at the root, between Alhollontide and Candlemas, when the sap of trees is in the roots, from whence there may be taken, without hurt to the Elm, many young roots of the bigness of a little finger, and a foot long. And as of Elm, so of Wiche, being a wood as apt to grow speedily as any other, which are to be cut from the old roots. These young roots would be set as a foot-set of thorns within a foot of the pale, so as the thorns may hang over them; set in the ground, and one inch out of the ground: so likewise in the sides of banks, as quicksets, they are to be set in 2. rows, 3. fingers broad between the rows, and so set as they may not stand directly one against another. The mast and seeds would also be so set in two rows, three fingers between every row, three fingers deep, and four in a foot in either row. The boughs of Elm, Willows, or Sallow, would be lopped from the trees between mid-March and the midst of April, when the sap is in them, and before the leaves put forth; they would be of three or four years growth, of the freshest, sappiest, and knottiew. Thus being lopped from the trees, they would be cut in length of a foot long, colt-footed at either end, the boughs and twigs being cut off close to the body: they would be laid in trenches in two rows, three fingers deep, with the knotty side upward, and three fingers between the rows a hand breadth one from an other, and covered with earth, which is neither weedy nor grassy. These boughs would be laid the same day that they are lopped, or the next day after at the farthest, or set in the ground as sets a foot deep.  
This being done, they will within six or seven years be grown so high, as the plants may be bended, and laid as a plashed hedge, but not cut at the roots: the reason is, that being so young the plants will easily bend, which way a man will have them, and when they are to be laid, the row that is to be laid, would be shred close to the body, and topped so high as when they are laid, the top may lie seven foot wide from the root, and so high as a beast may not reach the tops: And when the row is in laying, if they grow thicker than a foot asunder, some may be cut up for bindings, to bind them down that are laid, for thicker than a foot asunder is needless for them to be laid. The other row would be yearly shred, and kept with small tops, the lesser to hurt the Fence so laid, and some of them are to be bound into the fence so laid, to stand three or four years for stakes, so as those that are thus bound down after two or three years, will continue so, and lie as rails; and if cattle be kept from the browsing of them but a year: the boughs will spring forth of the knots, so as the Fence will be both thick and strong, and much the stronger, by the help of the other row, which after the fence of itself is grown strong, may be felled and employed to other uses. This in common reason (as I said before) cannot but in ten or twelve years be a stronger Fence than any pale, and in a short time stronger than any wall, and longer lasting, without further charge. And this for experience, in part, may be seen in all woodland countries, especially in Fences about Woods, where it is to be seen, that for want of thorns in many places all kind of woods are plashed, and thus laid, which in some places have lain so long, as they are grown so great, that they are incorporated one into another; notwithstanding liketh very well, and yieldeth much firewood by lopping off the tops and boughs that are grown forth of them so lying.  
And as in this, so in other things, by experience I writ of that which mine eyes have seen in many places for two or three poles together, where there have been five or six heads growing out of one tree so laid. And for the better proof hereof, I have also seen, as I have road by the way, in an Orchard (in little Waltham in Essex, four miles at the most from Chelmsford,) an Apple tree that was blown down many years since, which lieth close to the ground, the root having some small hold in the ground, which hath put forth of the body so lying, five trees at the least, which are so nourished as they bear fruit. I have also seen in a town within two miles of Stone in Stafford shire, in a ground of master Ratliffes, a Peartree that was likewise blown down, bigger than a fathom about, that stood in a hedge, which tree lieth a yard from the ground, being stayed so by two boughs that stick in the ground, which hath so taken root, as thereby, with the help especially of some part of the root, that it hath also put forth, and nourisheth five trees as big as the calf of a man's leg, which grow a yard one from another; whereby it may the better appear, that this kind of Fencing may be performed, not only with wood, but also with Apple and Peartrees, if need required, with such as like thereof, to the good of themselves and commonwealth.  
Another kind of fencing there is, that many do like better of, than the laying of the wood, as is aforesaid, which by experience may be performed by letting the plants grow, and never to lay them, but yearly to shred the twigs of the one row, that after is to be felled, so as they may be kept with small tops, the less to hurt those that are to remain for the Fence, which row that is to stand for the Fence, would be topped at sixteen or twenty years growth, fifteen or sixteen foot high from the ground, and again after eight years, and then for the better increasing of firewood they would be so lopped, as there may be as well three heads of a tree, as one, and every head to yield as much wood, as if there were but one head of the tree: if when the workman doth top a tree, he would top it where the tree putteth forth most boughs, within three inches above the knottiest place of the tree, not too flat, as many workmen do, but sloping, the less to take water for the rotting of the tree: at which second lopping, all the boughs would be lopped off close to the head of the tree, but only three of the greatest; the one that groweth directly up, to be topped half a yard above the head of a tree; the other two would be of those that grow outward, from either side of the tree from the rowe-ward, the less to hurt the row by dropping: which two would be lopped four foot off from the body of the tree, by which means, as well from this, as from the other kind of fencing, there may be lopped from a Park of four miles pale, yearly, after one and twenty years, two furlongs of sixteen years growing; and as in every pole there was sixteen let to grow, so there are sixteen to be yearly lopped, which being husbanded, as aforesaid, would yield eight and forty heads, whereas if they should have but one head a piece (as they have three) could not yield less than three loads of wood in a pole of sixteen years growing; worth to be sold two shillings six pence the load, ariseth to ten pounds a year. The timber for paling and workmanship yearly saved, which can not be less worth than six pounds, (which timber is more than needful to he saved) besides the profit of the browse for Decree) mast for hogs, and bark for the tanning of leather, which would arise to be much worth, if the wood might grow until it be twenty or four and twenty years old, which then would also yield many good sparres for the building of outhouses and cottages, with good store of work for poor labouring men, by lopping and faggoting the wood. This direction were very profitable to be used about spring-woods when they fell their wood, and make their hedges, so as it may be made once for ever to great profit. What reason any man hath to omit this, I leave to be censured by the discreet Reader.   

For the increase of Firewood, by the Lopping of trees.  
FOr the better increasing of wood by lopping of trees, experience will teach all men to know, that will observe it, as he rideth on the way in every Country, especially in Cheshire, near unto the Wiches, (where salt is made, and much wood is spent by the boiling thereof,) that every tree will as well yield five or six heads, as one, if workmen, when they lop trees, would observe the directions before set down, for the topping and lopping of trees about parks, and in hedges.  
For the increasing of firewood in hedgerows, between decayed trees, the best remedy is, that when such trees decay, and have lop-wood on them, of the age of ten or twelve years, within a week of the first day of August, or within a week after, when the sap is in the tops of the trees, to set a discreet workman into the trees, and there with a sharp knife to cut off close to the head of the trees, all the bark a hand broad that groweth upon the principal boughs that be likest to make trees, so clean that he leaveth not the breadth of a hair, but rather cut part of the wood then leave any of the bark: This being done, presently get good clay, and let one work it to the breadth and thickness of a tile, and so long, or longer, as it may well lap about the bough so pared, then lay thereon some fat earth two or three fingers thick, and lay the same clay and earth upon the bark of the bough next to the plot so pared; and with moss and bands bind these same on, like unto a graff, and so let it rest, and about Alhollontide, then make holes in the ground where you would have them to grow, and presently saw off with a handsaw the boughs so clayed, between the clay and the plot so pared, and so do it as the earth be not shaken off, carry them, and set them half a yard deep, fill up the holes with limed earth half a yard broad about the plant and tread it well; if the ground be barren, make the holes so much the wider, and fill them: Being so set, stake them, and bind them as other Sets, and assuredly they will grow and prosper better than other Sets, or transplanted trees: If they be set between trees, lop the old trees before you set them, that they be not overtopped, nor dropped by them: these being either elm, willow, or sallow. As for other wood, I have seen no experience (but of some boughs of Apple and Peartrees, which being thus used, have borne fruit the same year they were set,) I can find no reason to the contrary, but that other woods may grow and prosper as well as these. This is the most speedy way to beget woods.  
All these Directions being observed, there may be in good time, more timber, firewood, corn and cattles contained in this kingdom, then hath been at any time these threescore years, and yet no woods at all: so that the soil of all woods in time may be converted to tillage, meadow, or pasture, to the profit of the King's majesty, all Posterity, and the Commonwealth. The kingdom thereby may be the better defended from foreign enemies by the Navigation, the banks of the Seas, and ebbing and flowing rivers defended, stays maintained; all which cannot be maintained but by wood, without which defence a great part of the kingdom is in danger to be overflowen and ruinated: some proofs thereof were to be seen this year one thousand six hundred and thirteen, near Blackewall, where was a Breach that hath and will cost two thousand pounds to recover it: And this winter, to the utter undoing of many an able man, in many places of this kingdom: the charge of stays and banks in many ebbing and flowing rivers, is chargeable to many, especially in the river of Owes, where the maintaining of stays and banks costeth the Bishop of Durham at the least a hundred marks a year, and is very chargeable to sir Thomas Mettam; and all that have grounds there, that are charged thereby, according to the proportion of their grounds. The decay of these banks may in one tide drown much land, and many towns: which the observing of these directions, & some other following, will prevent.  
The wood that may be raised about parks, and the hedges within this kingdom, would raise many profits to the commonwealth, as the making of iron, and all other kind of metals which the kingdom affordeth, together with the burning of lime for the manuring of land, and buildings, and burning of brick and tile for building, with many other profits to the kingdom.   

For the increasing of wood in the Springs of wood.  
WHereas in springs I find many waste places grown over with grass, by reason whereof, men covet to put in Calves and Horses, which are great spoils to woods. The only way to furnish such places, especially in barren grounds, which may best be spared for wood, until such time that the other woods be grown up, is either when the Spring is five or six years grown, or when it is felled, to dig up certain square yards, according to the spaciousness of the ground, three yards between every plot, and therein to set, or lay in trenches the aforesaid means, as is before set down; and when they are grown up five or six years to plash them close by the ground, and lay them in Trenches every way from the root three fingers deep, and to cover them with earth, and so of all other wood that groweth of old roots, so as there may not be a waste place nor any thorns left to grow, but proving wood.  
As for other grounds that are worth twenty shillings an Acre yearly, (which is too good for wood to grow on) but that the decay of wood is too great, I could wish that it were stocked into rows, either for timber, or to top and lop it for firewood.  
And whereas it is required by the law, that there should be a certain number of trees preserved for timber, which is by few men performed, the reason is, that the dropping and shadow of them will destroy the under-wood, which is most true: my advice is, that rather the number of timber-trees might be preserved in some corner of the Spring, where they may be preserved from many dangers which they are subject to, as they are left in the Springs.   

Concerning the planting of wood in hedges already made with thorns.  
SOme do object, that the planting of wood in them will so destroy the thorns by the dropping and overshadowing of them, as there will be no good fence kept. To such I answer, that if they would the next year after that they cause a hedge to be plashed, & the ditch thereunto belonging scoured, and some small quantity of the earth cast up to the roots of the hedge; for too much earth so cast to the roots of the hedge decay the hedge, and that they would set in the same earth such means as is before set down, and so use them, they might at any time after twenty years, have both good store of wood and thorns, and also have a stronger fence than any thorns can make. The charge of the setting and getting of the means in common reason can no way cost two shillings a furlong, for two men will set at the least two furlongs a day, the one man to make holes to set them in, and the other to put in the means, and cover it. The profit that may arise thereby is before set down for the profit of parks.   

Concerning such as hereafter may enclose.  
IS to enclose with the aforesaid means, and not with thorns, whereby with less charge & labour they may raise a fence stronger and longer lasting, with greater profit, by the setting of the aforesaid means, on the top of the banks, as is set down for Parks, which (by experience) will grow more speedily than thorns, and make a better fence, (as is proved) that will with a good Gate, Locke, and Key, keep all cattle safe from stealing, and from breaking into any other grounds than the owner would have them, safe from trespassing to his neighbour, or his neighbours to him; whereby much corn may be saved, trespassing prevented (which too often raiseth envy, and suits in Law.) The browse of the wood in winter will greatly relieve cattle, and save fodder: And being wood that will yield mast, the mast will be very beneficial to the particular Owner, and Commonwealth.   

Directions for such as are desirous to stock up woods, for the improving of the Soil.  
BY converting of the same to corn, meadow, or pasture, & to have as much, or rather more profit by the woods, than they had before; is, first, to leave a yard in breadth round about the sides, for the maintaining of the fence, which may be made once for all, by observing the aforesaid directions: Then begin at a side next to the wood so left, and stock up all the wood whatsoever, so as the ground may be ploughed ten yards in breadth, and in the eleventh yard stock up all but fifty five of the best trees, which trees would (as near as may be) be so left, that they may grow four yards distant one from another, from end to end, as trees planted in an orchard: and so stock up from side to side, and from end to end, leaving the like distance, so as there may be ten yard's distance one way, and four an other from tree to tree: by which means, in every two rows, there may be left an hundred and ten trees out of every Acre, how great or little soever the ground be: which being topped, and after twelve years lopped, with many heads (as they may be by the directions already set down, or rather for a greater profit, left unlopped till the wood be of twenty years growth) the profit thereof, by the greatness of the wood, and the bark, with the profit of the wood that may arise about the fence (being made as before is directed) will far exceed the profit of the under-wood growing of all the ground before.  
But as the case standeth, and as is more like to stand, by the want of timber, if all the trees were left for timber, and never topped nor lopped, would, in time, arise to the greater profit; especially if they were every third year shred in March, when the sap is rising up, and the wood worth the shreadding, which sap would so grow, as it would cover the knots, by which means the trees will grow taper-like, with so small tops, as the ground between the rows may be ploughed three years, and may be laid to grass for nine years; so may you have from time to time three years good corn, and nine years good grass, and never to decay the land, but rather to improve it. The trees being thus kept with small tops, can neither hurt corn or grass, by dropping or shadow.  
Some do object and say, that if all Spring-woods were so stocked, how should hurdles be gotten for the folding of sheep? To which I answer with experience, where wood is not lopped too young, some of the greatest boughs being lopped and barked, and then laid in water a month, they will be so rated, and grow so hard, as worms can no way hurt them: and being so used, will make far better and stronger hurdles, than any young rods whatsoever, as may appear in many Countries of this kingdom where wood is so scant, as they are of necessity constrained to use willow boughs for spars and laths for many houses, and to use them about ploughs, carts, and harrows.  
Others do object, that the grass in such woody grounds will be so sour as cattle will not like of it. To that I answer, that if the rows be planted East and West, or so stocked, as the ground between the rows may have the morning, noon and evening Sun, the pasture will be as sweet as any other: the corn will as well like of it as of any other ground, and will as well dry when it is cut, or if the cattle be put into such grounds before they taste of a sweeter grass, they will like as well of that grass as of any other. And for the better proof thereof: Who ever saw grass lost for the eating, in any forest, chase or park, where trees grow thick, notwithstanding the cattle in such grounds, (if they be not eaten too bare) like very well, by reason of the shadow in Summer, and shelter in Winter.  
A further experience may be taken, to encourage all men hereunto, from about thousands of towns in this kingdom, where are to be seen little closes, of two, three, four or five acres of ground, as have so much timber or firewood growing about them, as if it were at this instant to be sold, would give more money than the feesimple of the land. Whereupon it followeth, very fittingly for this purpose, to show what good may arise to the particular owners of ground, by observing these directions set down in sundry places for these purposes, and how the kingdom may be improved, only by wood planted about Parks, and in Hedges made, and hereafter to be made of wood, so far from the loss of any, as it may be to the general good of all men, even to the very poorest, whose relief I greatly desire.  
And for my further experience, I saw about Christmas last, a close of sandy Land of four Acres, taken in the midst of a field belonging to Downam in Norfolk, about forty years ago, and set round about when it was taken in, with young sets, (as it was confessed to me by the Owner thereof) of Ash, roots of Elm, and Thorns, and the most part of the stakes of the Hedge, were of Willow and Sallow, which Stakes and Sets of Wood did so take root, as upon my credit there is growing about the said close five hundred fifty and odd trees, of the aforesaid wood, whereof the Owner confessed unto me that he did every year lop five and fifty of ten years growing, the which wood he could yearly sell for forty shillings, and the four Acres of ground he could not let for above six and twenty shillings and eight pence yearly: So that I do find by experience, that the most sure way to perform this planting, is to make nurseries, which may be kept from Mice by traps.  
And that the simplest may the better understand it, admit for this purpose, that a man have six score Acres of ground in his own occupation, and that it were equally divided into twelve Closes, and that but half the Fences about those twelve Closes did belong unto them, by reason that they are joining to other men's Closes, (as commonly all enclosed grounds are) there remaineth to every of those Closes, an end, and a side, at the least, of the Fence, which contain two furlongs, which is fourscore poles to a Close; all which hedges being planted, according to the directions set down for hedges, there will arise about these twelve Closes four and twenty furlongs, whereby the Owner of those Closes, may after thirty years, lop yearly the wood about one Close, being two furlongs, or one furlong of four and twenty years growth; which is the greater profit by much, by reason that the wood being grown so great, it would yield sparres for the building of barns, stables, cottages, and such like straw-thatched houses, with good store of Bark for the tanning of leather, with a greater plenty of mast, then being lopped younger, it would yield, with many other profits to the Owner thereof, and to the good of the Commonwealth.  
The Mast that may arise by this general planting, will save more corn (in those years that it taketh) than the wit of man can imagine it to be worth. A late experience thereof may be taken from the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and eleven, by the Mast that the small quantity of wood that is left, yielded that year: which mast fed so many hogs that year, as it greatly eased the prizes of corn, and other victuals. For the better proof thereof, it is certain, upon confident report of several honest men, that there was saved (by Mast) in some one town in Leicestershire, forty quarters of beans and pease; and in some towns more, and in some less: which hogs were driven into Shropshire to mast, which in former Ages was a common course, before woods were destroyed, for the champain Countries, to feed their hogs in woodland countries: In which times the Officers of Noblemen and Gentlemen took twenty or thirty pounds a year, for the feeding of hogs in a Park, or in a Wood, which hardly now take five pounds; and in many Parks or Woods, not one penny, the woods are so made away.  
So (to conclude) he that observeth the aforesaid directions about the twelve Closes, may yearly lop eight score load of wood, of twelve years growing, worth to be sold at two shillings six pence the load, twenty pounds, and much more, if the closes be less. Whereby it appeareth, that all Grounds enclosed, and that hereafter may be enclosed, may be improved three shillings and four pence an Acre yearly.    

A second Direction, for the present increasing of Firewood, agreeable to the nature of this Age, 1613. February 1.  
HEaring daily, shalt this more than necessary business is much desired to be effected, the subjects thereof much commended, and the daily destruction of woods greatly complained of. In respect that so many, contrary to the Law for preserving of wood, and his majesties earnest and daily dersire for the planting and preserving thereof, notwithstanding do so stock up, and other ways destroy woods, as it is generally feared by many good men, that in short time, there will be neither timber nor firewood left for any use. And finding one of the greatest hindrances to this business, to be the nature of this Age, that men may not endure to tarry so long for profit, till timber may be raised: in regard thereof, still hoping that I am animated by God, who is the Author of all things that good is, and as it doth appear by the Kings most excellent Majesty, and induced by many good men by several means, I have by diligent observing what I hear, and the experience that I daily see (and is to be seen, by as many as will be mindful thereof) I have herein set down such profitable directions, as already hath moved some, and I hope hereafter will move all men to the observing of them, both for timber and firewood.  
In respect that it will appear, that there is not many devices to improve grounds, to so present and continual profit clear, all charges defrayed, and for the better understanding thereof, as before, so here; I do give further knowledge to all men for this purpose, that there is contained in a Statute Acre of land 4840. square yards of ground, the length thereof 220. yards, the breadth 22. which is 66. foot, admit for this purpose, and after that rate for more or less, as men are disposed, either for their own use, or for sale, that a man would enclose eight Acres of earable fieldland (or plant in a close of eight Acres already enclosed) the land being of the yearly value of five shillings an Acre, or not above a noble, where the soil is two foot deep or less, or of any commons, heaths or downs. First, to the principal point (without the which, and for want thereof, many good beginnings end in nothing) this ground must be first ditched on either side before Allhollantide, with a ditch two yards broad at the top, a yard and half deep, and a foot broad, or less in the bottom, which ditch sides and ends will take something more than the third part of an Acre. The side ditches being made as afore, begin and measure from the edge of the ditch in the inside of the close twelve foot in breadth into the close-ward, and blow up two furrows along from end to end by the earth, cast forth of the ditch as straight as may be, one, one way, the other, the other way, (plough clean, but not deep) still blow up two surrowes, and leave two foot unplowed, till it be so ploughed within two and twenty yards of the other side, and so leave that two and twenty yards to plant the means for to raise timber, if the Owner please, if not, blow on till all be ploughed to the earth, cast forth of the other ditch, and at Candlemas blow in the two furrows again very deep, so as they may lie as little ridges full two foot broad on the top, and two foot between every ridge, then presently ditch up the ends as the sides, and leave one gate-stead for carts or wanes, to pass into the woods, and between Michaelmas and Allhollantide, when Acorns, Chestnuts, and Beech-maste is ripe, gather them as they fall from the trees, for being beaten down before, they cannot so well grow and prosper; and it is one special cause where many is sown or set, and so few come to perfection, if the soil be best for Elm, than the chips or roots of Elm, but specially the roots, being set as quick for timber, but not for under-wood.  
These masts must be got and kept dry in tubs in the ground, with some very dry sand so put among them, as some sand may be between every of them, some do make holes in dry ground, and keep them therein, being well covered, to keep them dry, and so keep them till mid-March, that corn is in sowing in the fields, and the mice returned to fields (which mice this year, by experience, I find to be the greatest enemy to the increasing of wood that is, for this year they have eaten Acorns that were leapt in hair and tar) and then set, sow, and use them, according to the directions.  
The Ash-keyes and Sekamore seeds, may be pulled or beaten down when they are ripe & dry, and kept on heaps on boarded floors, they must be turned over sometimes, else they will mould, and in like sort sow them in March, and begin and sow them all over the earth, cast forth of the ditch, round about the close, and all over every ridge, as thick as beans, and harrow them in, or rather cover them with an yron-toothed rake.  
And further, to furnish up the rows so ploughed, and the banks, there must be also got immediately after the Lady day, or before, as the Spring time falleth forth, so as they may be set before the leaves put forth, when the most sap is in them fifteen score willow or sallow sets of ten foot long of the freshest and greenest, which must be carefully carried for bruising of the bark, forth of every set of that length there may be cut six sets of half a yard long, cut colt-footed at both ends, which must be set in the midst of the ridges, where the Ash keys are sown two yards asunder one from an other, from end to end, fourteen inches deep, and four inches above ground. The holes wherein they are to be set, must be made with a spade, full fourteen inches deep, two foot wide, the sets being put into the holes so deep, the less earth must be put in, but neither stones nor grass, and trodden close to the sets, being thus set, how can they in common reason fail but grow? for every dew that falleth will nourish them, and keep them so moist, as they will grow more in two years, than an ordinary long set will do in three, and the Ash-keyes will grow so thick, as they will keep the ground continually moist. There must be also set in like sort two rows of willow and sallow between the edge of the ditch, and the first ridge, the one four foot off the first ridge, the other four foot off that, and so on the other bank of the other side, if it be not planted for timber, by which means there may be contained sixteen rows in every acre, and in every row a hundred and ten willow and sallow plants, which in june after they be 3 years old, all the under boughs must be cut away, and only four left of every root of the straightest and tallest, the under-boughes will be springs and rods for Thechars, and the worst good fuel for baking and brewing, which will be more worth than the labour.  
The number of willow and sallow poles, being four of every root, is seven thousand and forty, and when the Ash and Sekamores are three years old, they must be all drawn up, and only ten of the Ashes left to grow a foot from every willow or sallow, a foot asunder one from an other every way in the rows, and at the ends and sides all must be drawn up, and only three rows left to grow upon a foot and a half of ground upon the ditch banks, round about the close for a fence, half a foot off the hedge of the bank, and half a foot asunder one from another every way, not so close as they may grow directly one against an other, but so as they may fulfil the open places of each other in the rows, and as they grow great, that one row may be the fence, the other rows may be felled in june, so as they may grow no more, and those that do remain for the fence must be topped when they are grown so high as the bodies may be five yards high from the ground, and so to stand as pales, which will be as strong a fence as any wall, being thus topped, they would be lopped after five years growth, before the wood be too high for shaking them lose at the roots by wind, and afterwards at every ten years, being lopped, as before is directed, will yield every ten years, at the least, three load of wood of a pole. The young Ashes and Sekamores that are to be drawn up, must be drawn in the new of the moon, the wind being South or West, and presently set, the tops of the Ashes being cut off as quick, and set in the bottom of thorn hedges, half a foot asunder, which being defended by the thorns, will be in a few years a very profitable and an everlasting fence, or being set under bushes that may defend them, will soon grow to be trees; or being set as quick where men do enclose, will sooner be a fence then thorns, and raise more profit by many degrees, as doth appear, and more easily may be conceived.  
The number of the ash poles in seven acres is seventeen thousand and six hundred, the total of all the poles contained in one acre, is four and twenty thousand six hundred and forty, rated at six pence the score, when they are seven years old, arise to thirty pounds, sixteen shillings an acre every seven years, at the least (over and above the wood that will arise about the fence, every willow and sallow set was worth a penny forty years since, and three poles will make two better faggots than ever were sold in London for pence a piece these fifty years, the tops of the poles will make good bavins, more worth than all the workmanship, and by other means there may be more made.  
This wood must be all felled and carried off the ground before the end of March, for hindering the Spring. The eight acre may be all ploughed from end to end into one land, leaving a yard of either side, one from the ditch, the other from the last ridge of that side, then begin at either side of that acre, a yard off that end, where the gate is not to be set, and set a yard, as before is directed for timber, and so set from end to end, and from side to side all that acre, always leaving one yard every way, and set an other, by which means there may be raised in that one acre twelve hundred and ten trees for timber, every tree to have four yards of ground to grow on: if they grow too thick, it is easier to take some away, then to put more to, which being kept (as before) will grow clean without knots taper-like, with so small tops, as if they should grow in rows, they will never hurt wood or corn by shadow or dropping.  
And if the owner of the ground list to raise more Ash plants, all the whole close may be ploughed and sown with keys or other means, and raked in. Many there are that desire to raise wood by a very unprofitable course, by removing young trees from the ground where they grow and prosper, and sets them again where 10 of 20 never grow: the special reasons, are in respect that they are either removed unto a worse soil, or too long unset after they are taken up, or not set with the same side to the Sun that was before, or not being taken up in due time, about the midst of September, before the sap be returned to the root (for as trees grow upward in Summer, so do trees grow in the roots in winter) or not liking, grow hidebound; the help to that is, to slit them from top to root four slitts in the bark, in April, the wind being west or south) or set deeper than before, or not maintained with stakes and bushes, to preserve them from wind and cattle, or being when they are new set, stolen or shaken lose at the roots, by the poor that intent to steal them; And many there be that are very desirous to plant, and some that would preserve that which is planted, are discouraged by the poor that do cut it forth of the springs, break their hedges, and every way spoil & steal; whereupon ariseth a great grievance between such as have wood, and the poor: the one will have it, (as they say) although they die for it; the other will destroy it, though they and their posterity repent it: the only remedy is, a general plantation.  
If the whole kingdom were to be enclosed, by the sowing of these grounds all over with the aforesaid mast and seeds of wood (but not of sykamore, for they will not prove so well after they are cut, as other wood) they must be set with the tops) there would be sets enough soon gotten, to enclose all; and if a third part of all the ground enclosed, and hereafter to be enclosed, were continually kept in tillage, it would be the greatest benefit to the King and kingdom that can be devised, there would be more corn, bieves, muttons, butter and cheese, by many degrees, than there is, and much more work for labouring men: and for firewood, timber, and corn, we should exceed all Nations; some scantling may be taken thereof in every county of this kingdom, where the barest grounds enclosed do (in profit) far exceed the best valleys; the people much the richer, and abler of body to serve their Prince, and defend their country, and the kingdom securer from invasion then champain countries: The Ash and Sykamore sets that may be raised forth of every Acre, will pay for the willow and sallow sets.  
If any would plant low grounds, the willow and sallow sets must be so long, as the water may seldom or not at all stand over the heads of the sets; in such grounds they may be set but a yard asunder, so as there may be raised four thousand eight hundred and forty plants, but not any otherwood: if the under-boughes, (as before) be cut away, and only four left at the first felling: afterwards, as the roots grow broader, there may be more left. The taking away of the under-boughes will greatly improve the rest. And whereas some make doubt, that willow and sallow will not grow upon dry ground, or on any soil. Believe it, I writ no untruth, nor no more than I have seen, and know to be true: and to make some proof thereof, Master Thomas Spencer of Clardon in Warwickshire, a man known to many, showed me about Bartholomewtide, in the year of our Lord, one thousand six hundred and twelve, being the driest spring that year that was of many years before, or since, many hundreds of sallow or willow sets, that he had caused to be set the same year, which sets are not above a foot long above ground, set in bare, dry, gravelly, hungry ground; notwithstanding the dryness of the year, there were very few that took not; and the rest had so taken root, as they put forth at the roots, by the moistness of the dews, but not at the tops: and he himself told me in Candlemas Term, one thousand six hundred and thirteen, when this Book was in Printing, that they took at the ground, and prospered well: he further told me, that of his own knowledge, the seed of willow would grow. And it hath been reported to me by men of good worth, that the chips of willow will grow; which I do the better believe; for I have often seen the chips of poplar, asp, and awbell grow, so as they would not be destroyed but by plucking them up by the roots; for of all wood, cattle will least browse of those woods. And further, that willow and sallow will grow on any ground, having two foot soil, it is to be seen by as many as will observe it, that in all chalky, flinty, sandy, or any other dry ground, they will grow from hedge-stakes. And I have seen, and it is to be seen, as great sallow and willow trees come of stakes, as may be seen in any low grounds, both sounder and longer lasting by many degrees, for all will put forth so near the ground, as I do write, and in woods on the driest ground that is; there is no wood comparable to those woods in growth, but Ash: for chips of Elm, I have seen many trees of them. And for the better proof thereof, sir Thomas Tresham of Newton in Northamptonshire showed me the last Summer, at the least a dozen trees, that of his own knowledge came of chips. And about Michaelmas last, it pleased the Earl of Kent to invite me to dine with him in Bedford, where there was at least seven or eight Knights and Esquires at the Table, some of which doubted of the growing of the chips of Elm; whereunto master Lee a justice of Peace, dwelling within half a mile of Bedford affirmed, saying, they would grow; for he caused an Elm to be felled at the Spring of the year, and to be carried to his house, into a yard where no cattle came, and where the Elm was squared, and the chips clean raked off: notwithstanding, many of the smallest that remained, sprung up as thick as hempseed on a land: and other proofs I could make, if occasion served: as for the roots or boughs, I have heard no doubt made of them, neither can any make doubt of the growing of the mast or seeds of any other wood. And for any wood to grow so thick, it is less to be doubted, for in Cambridgeshire, where most springs of Elm are, it is to be seen, that after the underlings be cut away, they grow as thick as I writ of, where they are left so thick, as for Ash or any other seeds of wood, it will (for so few or more years) grow so thick: And I have seen many Groves of Ash that have been set, that after many years have taken hold, and grown so thick. The last Summer, about Michaelmas, it pleased sir Walter Montague to show me a Grove by his house, within five miles of Northampton, which he had caused to be set not much thinner; in which Grove he had caused some to be felled that liked not, which forth of the roots of such as were felled, there were young Ashes sprung up, of a yard and three quarters high, of one years growth. And I have seen the like in many places: the only way to make young trees after they are removed, to grow more in one year, then after they are moved, in three, is to fell them by the ground, after two years, when they have taken root. If any shall ask why wood doth not prove so well by many degrees: In all springs of wood, I answer, there are two reasons at the least why it doth not, the one is, no wood groweth so speedily, by the half, as these woods; but the special reason is the Springs, are not ordered, they are fuller of hazel, maple-bushes, and other wood that riseth to small proof, and so thick of underlings, as the other can not generally prosper, but some few that get up and choke all the rest. Neither is the sixth part of any springs that I see furnished with such proving wood. And for further proof for timber, one master Skipwith in Norfolk, within three miles of Downane showed me a Grove, planted by his father, of four and thirty years growth, of Oaks and ash, grown so tall, as Herons have bred in them these three years past: which trees grow not above two yards one from another, some planted by acorns, and Ashe-keyes, and some by young sets, cut and used as quick: some difference there is of their growth, the sets are the taller, but little the bigger. All these kinds of planting, by common reason and experience cannot be denied, nor the profit thereof: by reason thereof it may appear, that whereas there is contained in this kingdom five and twenty millions of Acres whereupon wood will grow and prosper, over and above the waste whereon wood will not prove, if it were planted, as on stony hills, great moorish, linggy moors and mosses, waters and watery moorish fens and highways: forth of which five and twenty millions take but one hundred thousand acres, and divide it into ten thousand parts, it will yield to every parish in this Kingdom, if there were ten thousand (as there is not) two thousand five hundred acres; take forth of the two thousand five hundred, but one hundred and ten Acres, and plant ten Acres thereof in rows, as before is directed, and there may be raised in ten Acres of the hundred and ten, four and twenty thousand two hundred trees for timber, two yards between every one of them one way, and ten the other, to furnish every parish, and the ground thereby much improved, and within thirty years the fences of all grounds, being made, as before, will yield such store of firewood, as there will be no need of the aforesaid plantation, for firewood, or any other springs, but all may be stocked up and converted to tillage and pasture. For the better effecting of this business, it is thought convenient, that an Act might pass, that it may be lawful for all men to enclose, ground for this plantation in common fields, and many towns may be furnished by their commons.  
So as if coals should decay near the coasts (as they do too fast in many places within the Land) which as yet is no more feared, than the want of wood was generally feared through the whole Kingdom, specially in London, Cambridge and Oxford, forty years ago, when the poorest sort scorned to eat a piece of meat roasted with sea-coals, which now the best Magistrates are constrained to do. If a man in that time should have foretold this want of wood, that now the whole Kingdom is come to, it would have been holden a thing unpossible, the plenty of wood was then so great, and so good means to continue the same: with much more reason may it now be feared, that in the like time coals may be more decayed, considering the abundance that is spent of them, not only in this Realm, but in other Nations, and no means to increase them: for by experience it is generally known, that after they be once got, they never more grow or increase.  
And briefly to show the premises, first, that one thousand two hundred and ten trees may be planted for timber in one acre, and every tree to have four yards of ground to grow on, it is not to be doubted, for there is to be seen in every county some groves that have been planted by the plough, and some by hand within three score years, that grow as thick both of Oak and Ash, and naturally groves of Elm and Which trees.  
And that timber trees will grow and thrive well in rows, being two yards asunder one way, and ten the other, it is also to be seen in every county about many closes, and on all soils, either Oak, ash, Beech, or Elm that do grow, specially in towns, by the highways sides, trees that are a hundred or two hundred years old, planted or preserved, when wood was not of the worth that it is in this instant, which in this age is thought unpossible to be so raised: nay, which is more strange, as great husbands as we think ourselves, it is apparent in every town, men choose rather to make dead hedges every year, then to plant, as they may do by wood, and make a fence for hundreds of years, as may appear by the wood already growing in such fences, which will yield yearly profit, and prevent the great complaints that are daily made of the poor for the breaking of hedges. And that all fences may be made of trees only, it is evident, especially about woods, where in the hedges there is want of thorns, they plash wood, which hath lain, in common reason, as it doth appear by the greatness of the trees, at the least, a hundred years, and grown so close as no man can see between the trees, being plashed, and for the most part, laid so low as beasts browse off the tops, much more will they last many more years, being laid, and not cut at the roots to receive water, the tops being laid so high as cattle cannot reach them, or being unlayed, may grow upright, to stand as pales, which may be lopped for firewood, and browse for Deer or cattle. Thus much for fences of Parks and other enclosed grounds, and that this kind of firewood may be planted so thick and prove so well, it may appear in all copies, or springs of wood, that on Ash or Sallow roots they grow thicker than I proportion; and all men know that willow and sallow is inferior to no wood in growth, especially being planted so near the ground. The reason why all spring woods make not such proof, is, that some springs stand, for the most part, of beech, some with oak, some with hornebeane, and many with maple, hazel and thorns, all which are no proving wood for fire. I never met with any but they approve, that Ash, Sallow, or Willow, doth grow more in one year, than any of the aforesaid woods will grow in two: and Elm and Which is not much inferior to the Ash in growth; so it is apparent, that if all men would furnish their springs with those kinds of wood, and cut away all the underlings at 3 years growth, when the wood will be worth the labour, no man would stock or grub up woods, as they do, except it were into rows; and that all those kinds of woods will grow and prosper being preserved and maintained, no man will make doubt, in regard that both reason & experience makes proof thereof, and where those kinds of wood grow not so thick; approvedly some being plashed from the roots of them that grow, being shred, and a little of the tops cut off, and laid three fingers deep in trenches, and covered with earth, will grow and prosper. And that every bush will breed a tree (the means being set rather of a young plant that may be raised by nurseries, then by the other means before set down, in regard that I find all kind of mast subject to mice and other vermin. It is apparent in all forests, chases, parks, and commons, enclosed grounds, hedges and highways sides, by the bushes that grow about many trees, both old and young; and many there be that confess all this to be true by experience, that little observe their own experience. Thus by his majesties favour and bounty, together with the bounty and good instructions that I received from the worthy commonwealths men: I hold myself bound in conscience, not only to seek all experience that may tend to this business, but likewise to put all men in mind thereof, to the end that if Sea-coles shall decay, good take-heed come not too late.  
The Premises considered, it is generally hoped, that some good course will be taken, to prevent so great an inconvenience. Thus with an honest intention, for the public good of this kingdom, the content of his Majesty, and all good men, I conclude, leaving the success to GOD, who is the director of men's hearts to all good offices.   
FINIS.