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
England's IMPROVEMENT REVIV'D Digested into SIX BOOKS BY Captain JOHN SMITH In the SAVOY Printed by Tho. Newcomb for the Author An. Dom. 1670. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM L rd VISCOVNT BROVNKER President of the ROYAL SOCIETY My Lord HAving at length finish'd that Discourse of Planting which about six Months since in the first rude Draught I presented to Your Lordship I now take the Confidence from the Incouragement I then had from Your Hand and that unexpected Approbation thereof given me afterward by a worthy and learned Member of Your Society to whom by Your Lordships Order it was Referr'd to make it more Publick under the Patronage of so great a Name I question not but I shall have many Readers who respecting more the Manner then true end of Writing Treatises of this Nature will Cavil at the barrenness of my Expression and Faulting a thing I pretend not to Condemn my Book before they have scarce Examin'd its Contents But as that was very little discouragement to me in the Writing when I sought only to please some few Friends and my Self so will it be less now when I can Retort on those who Carp at Me. This Dedication I beseech Your Lordship therefore to accept of these my Endeavours which I hope being pursu'd will conduce very much to the Publick Advantage and that Profession which therewith I make of being My Lord Your L ps Most Humble Obedient Servant John Smith The Report of Iohn Evelyn Esquire by Order of the Royal Society concerning the Following Discourse Mr. Smith I Have Perus'd your Accurate Treatise Intituled Englands Improvement Reviv'd and find it so Industriously perform'd and in so useful a Method that I cannot but chearfully give it my Approbation I have my self been engaged on the same Argument by Commands from the Royal Society which has now been sometime at the Printers towards a Second Edition and I shall therein not fail to Publish a due Encomium of your Work before it come abroad For though in some particulars we may happen to Treat of the same Subject yet it is without the least prejudice to each other and I am glad to find my own Concepâ—ions Fortified by a Person of so great a Talent and Experience beyond me Cedat ergo in bonum publicum Sayes-Court Feb. 10. 68 J. EVELYN A LETTER from one of the Royal Society to his Friend the Author Worthy Kinsman UPon a second Perusal of your Papers I am very glad to find the Opinion your Friends long since had of their worth and your great Abilities confirm'd by the Approbation of so Learned and Honourable a Person as Mr. Evelyn I knew they could be no longer alone in the Sentence they past than till your self would make your Experience in that main Piece of Husbandry whereof your Book Treates more Publick 'T is a design truely generous and an Improvement every way so advantagious if throughly pursu'd both to the Nation in general and all Gentlemen who have a desire to make their Estates more considerable that you would have done Posterity that I may not say this Age alone an Injury in suppressing your thoughts The next thing I wish to see is your Proposals put into Practice and then the many New Plantations which in every Shire of this Kingdom shall be propagated will be so many standing Monuments of your great Love you bore your Country I am Sir Yours Sam. Woodford Bensted Octob. 23 1669. TO THE READER ABout 5 years since being informed by several Gentlemen Commissioners of the Navy and others that His Majesty having taken into consideration the great Wasts and decay of all Woods and Timber in England especially in His own Forrests was resolved not only to Preserve those young Trees which were left standing but to Plant others for a future supply and being desired by some of the foresaid Gentlemen my Acquaintance to give them an Account what I might Judge would be the Charges to Plant a Thousand Acres of Land with Seed and Sets of Oak Ash Beech and Elme at 5 distances as from one Foot to 4 Perches together with the Manner and Way of Planting I should most approve of in obedience to their Commands I set about the following Work my intent at the first writing was not to have exceeded half a score sheets of Paper and when I had communicated my Thoughts to the Persons who Imploy'd me to have laid them by for my own or the use of any of my Friends who should undertake such a Design but I know not how one sheet produc'd another and at length my Book has sweld to the Bulk you find it for besides that it is such a Piece of Husbandry that I have much delighted in and endevoured to know above 30 years and to effect the same have made many Experiments throughout this Kingdom and in other parts particularly in Ireland where I formerly kept three Ploughs of my own till the Rebellion about 26 years since forc't me thence When I was once enter'd beyond my Commission I took into Consideration all those sorts of Under-Woods that are most proper and most in use as to present advantage and I did it the rather because I had Experienc't they might conveniently be planted among the Timber-Trees till they grow to some considerable bigness what other Improvements thou shalt find take it as thrown into the Bargain I might have spoken here concerning the Firr-Tree useful for Masts Yards of Ships c. but I fear the Clime partly and partly the Soyle in England will not agree with it For although those kind of Trees will live where the Crust or good Earth is but shallow and of reasonable depth as the Beech does yet if they find a deeper Crust they will thrive much better Onely this in the General concerning the Firr if they like the Earth where they shall be Planted and grow as in the more Northern parts an acre planted with them at about 30 years end or growth may be worth 140 pounds but it was neither my business nor much in my mind to Treat of this kind of Timber and therefore as I omitted it in my Book I forbear any further mention of it in this place In the Fifth Book I have taken occasion to Treat of Planting 200 Acres of Land as well for pleasure as profit and though part of that Discourse may cause Merryment in some yet with the Pleasure I have intermingled many good Rules and Observations and I am so well satisfied with the Method I have Propounded in that and the other Books that if any Person of Honour should so imploy me being unable by reason of the great Losses I have sustained to put my own Rules in Practice for my self I doubt not but I should answer his utmost Expectation If it be Objected That this is a Subject which has been handled by several and that so it is impossible but I must if I do well tread in their Steps I can
distance is first to delve a Plot of land 4 foot square and let the 4 angle points or corners of the square lie North-east North-west South-east and South-west that the Plants which are to be parted in those Plots may have the benefit of the Sun all the day this performed then cast up a small trench or ditch a foot deep if there be so much good earth and 18 inches wide let all this earth be evenly laid on the Plot delved the Clods hackt or cut small and the grass and weeds gathered or weeded out this done set or plant one seed or plant about a foot from each point or corner of the square Plot and in the middle one then you will have 5 Seeds or Plants in this Quadrat Now at every 30 foot distance throughout the acre of Land delve or cast up such a Plot of ground so you will have 40 quadrats or square plots in the whole and leave a sufficient distance of land between the outmost Rows and the Fence The Seed or Sets planted in the whole ground are 200 which may all grow 3 or 4 years then leaving one of the best Plants of what kind of Timber-trees you please pull or craw up all the rest which you may either sell give away or plan in other grounds the remainder will be 40. By this way or manner of planting you may make as much benefit of the Acre of Land within a small matter as if there were not a Tree growing in it and these 40 Timber-trees being all Oaks within a hundred and fifty years may be worth 200 pounds which is a good improvement requiring no more charges than the first planting and not losing any benefit of the land And if this quadrat or square figure doth not like you there may be digged or delved so many Plots of ground as aforesaid round or circular and the ditch cast up as about the squares then plant or set the four Seeds or Plants equally about the Circle and one in the middle the four Seeds or Plants pointing to the four quarters of the Wind as hath been directed The reason of this way of planting is to increase the mould or earth for the Plants to put forth their shoots in also the being inclosed will preserve them from danger in time of Harvest you may set Beans in these plots of ground but not too near the Plants and if you sow seed of the Furrs-bush about the edges of the bank The Furres will keep the Plants warm in the Winter and preserve them from being hurt by Cattel and as the Plants or Trees increase the Furrs will decrease or after the Plants are grown up out of the reach of Cattel the Furrs may be cuâ— and so destroyed if the rightâ— season of the year be observed Now there is another way of planting not inferior to any of these formerly spoken of We shall consider of the Acre of Land in length and breadth to be 40 perch long and 4 perch broad the just content of an Acre at 16 foot and an half to the pole or perch The Plants to be provided for the planting this ground may be of all the sorts of Timber-trees formerly mentioned they should be about the size of the Thorn plants yet something greater but not bigger than an ordinary mans finger The Plants being provided you may begin to work thus on the North North-east or North-west side of this Acre of Land make a Ditch 3 foot wide and 18 inches deep the said Ditch to extend to the farther ends of the plot which is 40 Rod After the first Turf is laid with the swarth or grass side downwards the upper side pared chopped and made even and that the Plants are cut and trimmed lay them on as you were directed in planting the Thorne hedge only observing to leave the trunk or body of these plants one inch longer than those of the thorns Also the distance of ground between these plants must be 3 foot After the Plants are laid in an even rank or row with the slope or cut side downwards or sidewayes towards the South and the head of the Plants lying at least 7 or 8 inches higher than the roots then cast or throw up good store of the best earth on the roots afterwards all the earth which you cleanse out of the Ditch spreading it all over the Plants plain and even This bank is not to lye high as that of the Thorns but level as other grounds There is in this row or bank 220 Plants now allowing 4 foot of ground that the first Plants and earth cast up as aforesaid doth cover The second Ditch must be begun five foot distance from the head of the first bank which is 8 foot from the beginning of the first Ditch This second Ditch or Row of Plants will fall behind the first and must be made and planted every way as the first and after the second a third and so continue keeping the same distance till all the Plot be planted Then have you in the Acre of Ground 8 Rows and 1760 Plants The Trees that are thus planted will thrive and grow wonderfully between the Ditches and Banks you may delve and sow or set Beans Pease or any other grain or corn This Acre of ground may be improved by planting for Timber-trees and under-Woods for Hop-poles as you have been formerly directed So much may serve for the improvement of one single Acre which being too little a Plot to take up the whole industry of a Man or my designe I shall now take in a greater quantity of land and proceed to a thousand Acres which I at first intended The thousand Acres then doth contain by the Rod Pole or Pearch at 16 foot and a half to the Pole 160000 which is in yards 4840000 and doth amount unto in feet or by the foâ—t 43560000 Now according to every one of these three Numbers only considering the distance between the Fence and outmost row of Plants as before mentioned must the quantity of seed be provided because you shall not be put to the trouble in counting how many of these seeds a Bushel by measure may contain I shall give a particular account thereof which take as followeth The first number the distance being Perches will require 160000 acorns which amounts to by measure according to the former Rule in the one Acre given 25 Bushels The second number according to the distance of yards will require 4840000 acorns which comes to by measure 756 Bushels one Peck The third or last number being feet will require 43560000 acorns which will come to by measure 6806 Bushel one Peck As for the other seed which are Ashen keyes and Beechen Mast they may be also measured by the Bushel as the Acorns first counting how many of each will go or will be contained in one pint or gallon Having considered and computed what the charges both of seed and Plants will amount unto by knowing what quantity
or 4 Poles or Rods because these Stocks are almost twice the age of those which were cut for smart hoops and therefore by consequence are greater and have more abundance of sap Eight or nine years after the second Felling you may receive a third Crop which if well husbanded will yield or return into your Purse above three times so much as the first did 4. Cut. Now at the next or fourth Cutting which may be about eight or nine years after the last the Stocks being grown great and full and in pride of sap you will find 10 11 or 12 Shoots on each Stock we shall reckon upon 10 then there will be in the whole ground 25632010 Shoots or Rods. And because the Chesnut is of more worth than either of the other we shall therefore substract and count the value of them particularly The number of Chesnut amounts to 8544010 Shoots or Rods. We shall suppose that each or every Stock one with the other will afford us two very good Hop-poles there will then be of them 1708802 which arise to 17088 hundred and 2 Poles and are worth at 14 shillings the hundred 11961 pound 12 shillings 3 pence farthing We shall also take from the Ash and Withy of each Stock 2 Poles which will make 3417600 single Poles or reckoned by the hundred 34176 hundred worth at 12 shillings the hundred 20â—05 pounds 12 shillings The totall summ for Hop-poles amounts to 32467 pound 4 shillings 3 pence farthing From each Stock of Chesnut which are 854401 there may be taken 2 Rods for Bark hoops of the longer size formerly mentioned they will amount to 1708802 Rods and make 3417604 hoops which allowing six score to the hundred will be found to be 28480 hundred and 4 hoops worth at 15 shillings the hundred 21360 pound 6 pence Of the said Chesnut Stocks may be taken 3 Rods from each Stock of the shorter size from 6 to 10 foot long and of them there will be 2563203 Rods they will make 5126406 hoops that is 42720 hundred and 6 hoops worth at 10 shillings the hundred 21360 pound 6 pence The totall summ for Chesnut hoops amounts to 42720 pound 1 shilling From each Stock of the Ash and Withey may likewise be taken 2 Rods of the longer size from 10 to 13 foot viz. from the whole Plantation 3417600 Rods which will make 6835200 single hoops or accounted by the hundred 56960 hundred worth at 10 shillings the hundred 28480 pound From the said Ash and Withey may also be chosen from each Stock 2 Rods of the shorter size and there will be found of that size 3417600 Rods which will make 6835200 hoops arising to 56960 hundred and worth at 8 shillings the hundred 22784 pound The Total for Ash and Withey Bark-hoops amounts to 51264 pound The totall summ for all the sorts and sizes of Bark-hoops amount to 93984 pound 1 shilling Of the Remainder of Shoots or Rods which are 9398403 and the Shredding of the 16233607 Hop-poles Hoops there may be made 2000000 of shred Fagots 4 foot long worth in the place where they are cut 8 shillings the hundred and counting 5 score to the hundred they arise to 20000 hundred which amounts to 8000 pound Of the other Offal or remainder of stuff may be made 264800 Brush Fagots worth in the Wood 6 shillings the hundred and there being of them 2648 hundred they amount to 794 pound 8 shillings The totall Improvement by Hop-poles Bark-hoops and Fagots at the fourth Felling amounts to 135245 pound 13 shilshillings 3 pence farthing Now because in some Countries there may be good Land for planting these sorts of Wood which yet being far remote from Markets have no vent for the Production as Hop-poles Hoops c. And the transportation being so chargeable that like many good staple and vendible Commodities in other parts of the World for want of that convenience they happen to be but of little profit to the Owners We shall therefore count what the profit of Woods planted in this Thousand Acres will be converting it only to Firing and other Necessaries useful in all Countries for Timber and Under-woods are so generally wasted and destroyed every where especially in this Nation that it is hard to judge where there is no want 5. Fell. At the next or fith Felling of this great Wood which because we would have it grow to a good scantling or substance may be about 14 years after the last Cutting the stocks being by that time more increased and the sap having put forth at least 15 or 16 Shoots using our former method we shall take the least number then there will be by reason of the increase from the 2563201 Stocks 38448015 Shoots or young Trees cut down out of which number there may be made choice of 200000 of the greater and streightest the lower or but end of which being cut off from 8 to 11 or 12 foot long there may be made 2 white hoops from each end containing about 3 inches broad in thickness 3 quarters of an inch on the back or sap edge a quarter of an inch on the heart edge commonly called Bastard hoops the number of them will be 400000 which arise to 333 hundred and 40 hoops they will be worth 500 pound From the said Butt ends may likewise be made 333 hundred and 40 hoops of the narrower size about 2 inches broad which may be worth 20 shillings the hundred and amount to 333 pound 6 shillings 8 pence There may also be chosen from the wood felled 500000 Butt ends of a shorter size from 5 to 8 foot of the breadth and thickness of the former each end will make of both sorts 4 hoops the number then is 2000000 these are worth both sizes one with the other 10 shillings the hundred and there being 16666 hundred and 80 hoops of them they amount to 8333 pound six shillings 8 pence The total summ for White hoops amounts to 9166 pound 13 shillings 4 pence Out of this Fall of wood may also be chosen from each stock of the Chesnut 2 Rods which will make Bark hoops of all the sizes from 6 to 13 foot then there will be made of the 1708802 Rods 28480 hundred and 4 hoops they being most of the longest size and all of the best sort of Bark hoops are worth one with the other 13 shillings the hundred which amouts to 18512 pound 5 pence The Ash and Withey may likewise yield from each Stock 4 hopes of the size aforesaid there will then be of them 56960 hundred hoops worth 8 shillings the hundred and amounts to 22784 pound The total summ for all sort of hoops amounts to 50462 pound 13 shillings 9 pence These White and Bark hoops are commonly used by Country Coopers about small brewing Vessels also for hooping all sorts of set work As for those best sorts of White hoops that are five or six inches broad and worth nine or ten pound the hundred they are made
of greater grown Timber than these Woods will afford at so few years But we shall have occasion to speak of them hereafter and therefore forbear further mentioning of them in this place There remaineth to be felled or cut down besides or more then those used about hoops 32621613 Shoots or young Trees Out of them may be chosen from each Stock 12 single Billets or so many as contain 12 notches for according to the Statute every Billet should be 3 foot long and 7 inches and a half in compass and if the stick be great to bear 2 notches the compass must be 10 inches and if 3 notches then the compass must be 14 inches and so increasing as the Billets are in greatness The number of Billets chosen is 30758412 there goeth to one Load of these 500 notches or single Billets then there will be 61516 Load three quarters and 37 single Billets worth in the Wood or place of felling ten shilling the Load which amounts to 30758 pound 8 shillings and 1 penny 3 farthings There may also be made from each Stock 6 Ostra Fagots which would be 3 foot long and in compass 24 inches they ought to be round and not flat for so they are much less though all one compass Of these Fagots there will be 15379206 and counting five score to the hundred they arise to 153792 hundred and 6 Fagots worth in the place where they are made 5 shillings the hundred in the whole 38448 pound 3 pence half penny From the remainder of Shoots and the offal of the Hoops and Billets may be made 2000000 of shread Fagots 4 foot long worth 8 shillings the hundred there being 20000 hundred amounts to 8000 pound from the Offal of the shread Fagots and the other Brush stuff may be made 225400 Bavins or Brush Fagots worth 6 shillings the hundred and there being 2254 hundred of them their summ amounts to 676 pound 4 shillings The total Improvement at this fifth season of felling amounts to 126992 pound 10 shillings 2 pence farthing At all the after Fellings the growth of this Wood will be every time greater and the Shoots more in number than the last for these Stocks will grow and thrive above an hundred years Now at the next or seventh season of felling the Product of this Wood being converted to the best advantage may return or be worth 200000 pound Let no man think this to be strange for when Seed or Plants are planted at such a distance as the roots may have room and liberty to spread and enlarge themselves and that the Shoots or young growth have Air and Sun also all incumbrances removed and taken away such Underwoods or Woodland shall be of more worth by the Acre than 12 Acres of ordinary Copices Groves or Vnder-woods therefore I have not set too high a rate on the Stuff or worth of Wood prized as aforesaid neither counted the utmost Production or Increase of growth We have many examples in Fruits and Herbs that are planted in Orchards and Gardens how far they exceed others of the same kind both in laregness and goodness as well as in tast smell colour c. that grow wild so called because they proceed from the earth without the help of Man Now although Nature is before and to be laid as a foundation to Arts yet Nature is the better perfected by Art because Art doth nothing but by the strength of Nature and to confirm your faith we shall give an account what this Land amounts to by the year for each or every Acre You are to take notice the Wood is allotted to grow 14 years the profit then made when those years are expired amounts to 200000 pound which is 14 pound 5 shillings 8 pence half penny yearly profit for eve-Acre of the thousand Acres In Holland there is Land hath been sowed with Flax seed and the Crop thereof hath been worth fifty pound the Acre but we shall come nearer home There is Land in England sowed with Wheat that has yielded at Harvest 2 Load upon an Acre which is 80 Bushels Now this Wheat if sold at the price Markets have given for 3 or 4 years past which was 8 shillings the Bushell then the profit of the Acre by the year comes to 32 pound which is above double the profit of the Woodland Suppose this Corn-Land yield but the one half of the former Increase which is 40 Bushels of Wheat upon one Acre then it comes to 16 pound Again if the Land should yield the first Increase and Wheat sold for 4 shillings the bushel for commonly great Crops or a plentiful Harvest cause low Markets yet then this Acre of Land is worth 16 pound yearly This may be sufficient to satisfie any reasonable man We shall return to our Work Now because it is a general Custome in England at the felling of under-Woods to reserve young Eats or Standils to grow for Timber-Trees therefore in such Woods you are not to leave them at a nearer distance than 4 Pearch which is 72 foot for if you leave them nearer the said Trees will destroy and much hinder the growth and thriving of the under-Woods as hath been formerly declared Thus much may serve to have here spoken for the first second and third Distance of ground between Plants also planting under-woods IV. Dist. The next or fourth Distance is one Pearch or 18 foot At this distance there may be digged or delved a Plot of ground either square or round the quantity to contain 4 foot square or 16 foot of ground At each point or corner or in the middle of the square sides must a Seed or Plant be planted either of Chesnut Ash Beech or Elme and if you plant of all these kinds an equal number there will then be 160801 square Plots and 160801 Plants of each kind which amount in the whole ground to 643204 plants these may all grow 30 or 40 years more or less time as there may be use for them or so long as every Man may please who shall be the Owner At so near a distance the Trees will not grow great in body as when they have more room but streight slender and tall also they will have very few and small boughs grow on the insides that are opposite each to other To make these Trees grow in bulk or greatness when they are grown to that heighth which is best for your occasions then nip or cut off their heads or tops Now about 30 years after planting the three fourth parts of these Trees would be grubbed or cut down that the remainder reserved for greater Timber may have the more room air and sun on all parts And in felling the former distance must be observed between them that are left standing those Trees that are felled may be converted to their several uses as followeth The Butt or lower end of the streightest Ash and Chesnuts that are best to slit must be made choice of for white hoops the size
all the 5 sorts of Sets equally planted and Wheat sowed between them For Delving and Plowing the Land 625 18 0 ¼ For 129284 of Oak Ash Beech and Elm single Plants 096 19 2 For 32320 Chesnut Plants 040 08 0 For Planting and Weeding all the said Sets 100 00 0 For Seed-Wheat 740 16 3 For Weeding the said Wheat and all Charges into the Barn 411 15 4 For Thrashing the said Wheat and all Charges to the Markets 555 11 3 The total Charge amounts to 2571 08 0 ¼ Now if you plant a thousand Acres of Land with single Sets at the last distance before mentioned that is to say 36 foot space of ground left between each single Plant and 2 foot square of land delved for each Plant to grow in The Accounts are as followeth An Account of Charges the Land planted with single Sets either of Oak Ash Beech or Elm and sowed with Wheat  li. s. d. For Delving 498 square pearch 3 quarters and 9 foot of Land 0008 06 03 For Plowing 996 Acres ¾ 21 pearch and 72 foot of Land 0598 02 06 For 40401 single Sets either of Oak Ash Beech or Elm 0020 04 00 For Planting and Weeding the said Plants at 10 d. the acre 0041 13 04 For Seed-Wheat and all Charges bringing it into the Barn 1152 11 07 For Thrashing the said Wheat and all Charges to the Markets 0555 11 03 The total Charge amounts to 2376 08 11 An Account of Charges the Land planted with Chesnut Sets For Delving Plowing Sowing Hacking and Harrowing 0606 08 09 For 40401 single Plants of Chesnut at 2 s. 6 d. the hundred 0050 10 00 ¼ For Planting and Weeding the said Sets 0041 13 04 For Seed-Wheat also Weeding the Wheat and all Charges into the Barn 1152 11 07 For Thrashing and all Charges to the Markets 0555 11 03 The total Charge amounts to 2406 14 11 ¼ An Account of Charges all the 5 sorts of Sets equally planted and Wheat sowed on the said Land  li. s. d. For Delving and Plowing the Land 0606 08 9 For 323 hundred and 20 single Sets of Oak Ash Beech and Elm 0024 04 9 ½ For 80 hundred and 81 single Sets of Chesnut 0010 02 0 ¼ For Planting and Weeding the said Sets at 10 d. the acre 0041 13 4 For Seed-Wheat 0740 16 3 For Weeding the said Wheat and all Charges bringing it into the Barn 0411 15 4 For Thrashing the said Wheat and all Charges to the Markets 0555 11 3 The total Charge amounts to 2390 11 8 ¾ It may be objected that on those Lands where there is planted the least number of Sets there ought to be a greater quantity of Corn sowed than where the Plants are set thicker and consequently a greater Crop or Increase of Wheat expected also an account given thereof which is not performed or mentioned in the accounts For answer we say That on those Lands where Corn is ordered to be sowed there is but one Plant allowed to grow for Timber and at the ends of each or every Distance of Land proportioned between the Plants All the rest are appointed for planting other Lands and to be pulled or drawn up at or about three years after the first planting Secondly in that short time or term of years the Plants will be but of small growth therefore not much prejudice or hinder the growth of Corn neither will the Corn hurt them if ordered as has been directed Thirdly the difference is so small that I shall not blot paper by taking notice thereof and to answer every Objection nice Scruple or Question is more fit for such that delight rather in Disputation than Improvement we shall therefore proceed and according to our former custome give you the Totals of the several Accounts mentioned by planting at this fifth or last Distance and they are as followeth The Totals of several Accounts for Seed of Trees planted and the said Land sowed with Wheat  l. s. d. Chesnuts the Total amounts to 2422 10 02 ¼ Acorns the Total amounts to 2411 11 04 ¼ Beech-seed the Total amounts to 2409 07 02 ½ Ash-seed the Total amounts to 2409 02 06 All the 4 sorts of Seed equally planted the Total amounts to 2413 02 09 ¾ The Totals of 4 Sets planted in each Plot of Land Oak Ash Beech or Elm the Total amounts to 2555 04 10 ¼ Chesnut Sets the Total amounts to 2636 00 11 ¼ All the 5 sorts of Sets equally planted the Total amounts to 2571 08 00 ¼ The Totals of one single Set planted in each Plot of Land and Wheat sowed between the Plants Oak Ash Beech or Elm the Total amounts to 2376 08 11 Chesnut Sets the Total amounts to 2406 14 11 ¼ All the 5 sorts of Sets equally planted the Total amounts to 2390 11 08 ¾ We have not set down in all the Distance every particular Account of Charges or Expence being unwilling to repeat the same thing over and over again but refer the Reader to the Account stated in the third Distance and Planting for Under-woods All that hath been spoken of Planting Also the Accounts of Charges and Profit are to be Understood as meant of the whole Land or Utmost of the Plot containing a thousand Acres the square whereof is 400 pearch We might also here give an account of the Charges and Profit that may arise by Planting the said Land inclosed with the Fence before mentioned the ground allowed for breadth of the Ditch and the Bank or earth cast out for the thorns to grow in was 9 foot which is half a pearch then the square of the Land within the Fence to be planted contains 399 pearch and ariseth in the whole Plot by the acre to 995 acres one perch The loss of land by reason of the Fence or the Land taken up by the Fence being 4 acres 3 quarters and 39 pearch Now the way and manner how this Plot or quantity of Land is to be planted we have already declared and by the computation of one single Acre and a thousand Acres which I have demonstrated at large may be known the Charges and Profit arising by planting 5 10 100 10000 or any number of Acres whatsoever I should here have concluded this most delightful Subject of Profit acceptable if not to all yet to the greatest part of the World notwithstanding to follow the advice of the Poet who is willing that Pleasure also have a share in all discourses of this Nature and to render my labour if possible agreable to such o're whom the first has no influence unless accompanied with the latter I shall endeavour by joyning both here to make the Desart you have already past only appear as a rugged Entrance into the Pleasant Land and by the Delights which I have reserved in my Garden of Pleasure hope to make you forget all the troubles and unevenness of your former passage ENGLAND'S IMPROVEMENT REVIVED THE FIFTH BOOK The Argument In this Book are Directions
set down how to plant 200 Acres of Land at well for Pleasure as Profit wherein there shall be pleasant Walks with Timber-trees and Groves of Vnder-woods and several Orchards and Gardens with Fruit Flowers and Herbs both for Food and Physick variety of Fowl Bees Silk-worms Bucks Does Hares and other Creatures of several kinds And a short account of the Charges and Profit of keeping a thousand Doe-Conies in Hutches the profit amounting to 450 pounds per annum Also Fish-ponds and Streams of water stored with many kinds of Fish and stocked with Decoy-Ducks And the Vse and Vertues of all the Plants growing in this Garden of Pleasure THe Figure of this Garden or profitable and delightfull Place is a Quadrat the 4 Angles or square sides lying South-east North-west South-west and North-east the length of one side or Angle containing 178 Perch 15 foot 11 inches The whole Plot is to be inclosed with a Ditch and Quick hedge of White-thorn as hath been directed to fence in the great Wood In the middle of this Garden containing 200 Acres Woodland Measure that is 18 foot to the Perch in length shall be erected a convenient Dwelling-house and other usefull Buildings for Corn and Cattel the Front of the said House to stand South-east and the Scite thereof to be inclosed for Yards Gardens and Orchards we allow to take up 20 Acres On the North-east side of this our Garden and 36 foot from the Fence or outmost bounds is to be planted to Row of Oaks extending to the ends of the said Angles or square Sides but observing to keep the same distance of 36 foot from the Fence of the other Angles or North-west and South-east Sides This first Row of Oak being set or planted allowing 21 foot of land between each Plant there is to be planted another or second Row of Oaks 36 foot distance from the first and keeping the distance of 21 foot between every Plant in the said Row This performed then 36 foot from the last Row of Oaks is to be planted 2 Rows of Chesnut Plants all of them keeping the same distance one from the other as the Oaks and 36 foot from the last Row of Chesnuts must be planted 2 Rows of Beech Plants also 36 foot from the last outmost Row of Beech may be planted 2 Rows of Walnut Plants the said Beech and Walnuts are to be planted at the same distance as was the Chesnuts 4 pearch or 72 foot from the last Row of Walnuts you may plant a Grove or Thicket of White Thorn the breadth to be one pearch and the length extending as far as the Walnuts From the Thorns the space of land between being 9 foot is to be planted a Coppice or Thicket of Ash and Withey Sets equally mixed the breadth of the said Plot of Ash and Withey Plants must be 4 pearch and the length 81 foot shorter at each end then the Thorn Thicket Half a pearch or 9 foot from the Ash Coppice shall be planted 4 pearch of Land in breadth with Hazel-nut Sets and the length to be the same as that of the Ash. Leaving 1 pearch or 18 foot space of ground from the Hazel Coppice there must be planted the breadth of 4 pearch in breadth with Rasberry Blackberry Barberry Goosberry and Currant Bushes All these are to be planted equally in several Beds and the edges of the said Beds planted with Strawberries The whole Plot being planted and equally mixed with all the several sorts and colours of Berries with convenient Walks between each Bed and containing the same length with the Nut-wood One pearch distant from the said Plot of Berries is to be planted the same length and breadth of land with Philberd Nut Sets Keeping the distance of 9 foot from the last Plot planted the next to be planted are Withey and Ash Sets the length and breadth of the said Plot to be the same as was last planted with Philberds Now as an Architect will lay a good foundation before he build we have advised first to plant and as the first Plot planted of this our Grove was a Thorn Thicket so likewise must the last or that opposite to the first and also both ends of this entire Inclosure observing to keep the distances with length and breadth of this last Thicket as that first planted and also the Thorns planted at the two ends of the Grove must be of the same breadth and joyn to the ends of the first and last Thorns planted About the middle of the last or South-west side of the Grove and opposite to the Dwelling-house must be left unplanted a space of Land or Ground on which to build or set up a fair Gate for entrance into the Wood or Grove aforesaid also there must be left unplanted 72 foot of Land in breadth beginning at the said Gate or middle of the Thorn Thicket and extending overthwart or cross dividing the Grove which will make a Pleasant Walk there being erected a Fountain in the middle of the said Walk whose streams dividing the Grove into 4 parts will be of great use for the refreshing all things as well Vegetatives and Sensitives as Rationals and at each end of the said Walk is to be planted a Mulberry-tree These Directions being observed and performed on the South-west side of the House is to be planted the same quantity of Land with all the several sorts of Plants aforementioned keeping the same distance of 36 foot from the Fence and likewise the same distance of Plants according to the manner and way of the first or North-east part of the Land planted These two Groves and Timber-trees in them are not planted only for Pleasant Walkes but Harbor and feeding places for wild Peacocks Turkies Pheasants Blackbirds Thrushes Felfares and all other useful Birds that live on such food as there grows The Land disposed of as to the scite of the House Groves and Woods planted for Timber-trees arises to 120 Acres and a half out of the remainder of Land which is 80 Acres on the North-east side of the Dwelling-House and flanking the North point of the Kitchin Garden and about the middle distance of Land between the said point and South-west side of the North-east Grove shall be inclosed a square Plot of Land containing 10 Acres with a Mote or Water-course 18 foot broad About the middle of the ground thus inclosed shall be built a Shed or low rooft House 4 square answering the Figure of the Land inclosed the walls or sides of the said Shed should be 7 foot high built with brick The length of every square side must be 80 foot and the breadth 10 foot between the walls within the House then the 4 square sides or whole House contains 320 foot round and the Plot of ground or Yard within the House allowing 18 inches for the thickness of the Wall will contain 54 foot square Within this House we shall place 240 Conie-Hutches or Boxes each of them containing 5 Rooms one
10 Acre Close of Cow-pasture to the Orchard or Cherry-garden Gate from this last Gate you shall be directed by 2 Rowes of Mulberry-trees vnto the Garden Gate On both sides joyning unto the said Gate is to be built a brick Wall 9 foot high which wall shall extend to the breadth of the Cherry Orchard and so reach to the Court-yard Wall and inclose the Garden The Cherry Orchard is 20 Perch square but not any of the trees to grow nearer then 18 yards of the Mulberry-trees that there may be full view of the Dwelling House The Apple-Orchard flanks the Cherry-Orchard and Flower-Garden on both sides and reaches to the Court-Yard Wall This ground is planted with the best sort of Fruit as Apples and Pears also Syder-Apples as Red-streaks and others and inclosed with a White-thorn Hedge Round the said Fence on the out-side runs a small Brook or Water-stream 9 foot broad which encompasses the whole scite of the House and is stored with Trouts Gudgeons and others the best sort of small Fish On the 4 Corners of the Orchard are raised 4 Mounts each of them 15 foot high and the way which goes to the top is round the Mount ascending the outside of the Walks is planted with several sorts of Plum-trees which shall be kept by pruning to grow not above 6 foot high The Ladies gathering of these Plums may ascend to the top of the Mounts with ease and pleasure whereby they shall be received into green Arbors planted with White-thorn which by often cutting or clipping growes so close and thick that neither wind sun nor aire will be offensive to them Round these Arbors in the inside are Oken Seats and Tables of Marble in the middle Entering the Garden of Flowers which Garden also is 20 Perch square you may behold on the North-east side a Vine-yard or Plot of ground answering the length of that side of the Garden planted with Vine Sets of the best sort of Grapes that will thrive there and that they may the better grow and ripen not only the earth is made by soil very rich but a Frame made of the heart of Oak Checker-work the length of the said Frame is 20 perch which is the length of the North-east side of the Garden but in breadth not above 9 foot This Frame is to stand on feet the lower side or the outmost legs to be not above 12 inches high from the ground and the other or highest side about 8 foot The outmost or shortest legs must stand 5 foot from the Wall and the innermost or longest about one foot The whole Frame must stand sloping and the upper side lean on the Wall Now the Vine Sets are planted all along against and before the lower part of the Frame and do spread and grow equally all over the Frame and not farther On the South-west side of the Garden and round the other Quarters excepting where the Vines are planted and about 2 foot distant from the Wall is comely to behold several Trees growing with the best sorts of Wall-fruit which by dressing or proyning are made to grow broad and bear the same figure as if they were fastned to the wall but to support them from being shaken by winds they have Frames made round the body and so reach to the boles or first armes of the Tree and about the body and armes are made great wisps of Hay and so that resting on the Frames on all sides they are kept from any harm by winds as we have said before in transplanting Trees for Timber These Fruit-trees will receive the heat and reflection of the sun from the wall to ripen the fruit better than if they were nailed thereunto also such Trees will live ten times the age and bear laâ—ger and better fruit than those planted close and fastned to the wall for such Trees as are faâ—tned to any wall are subject to many annoyances as bark-bound bark-bruised or peeled Cankers and many other evils and besides these Diseases there is but one side of the Tree hath the benefit of Air and Sun therefore they cannot long live or thrive On the North-east and South-west corners or sides of the Garden ranging even with the Dwelling-house you may behold in each Place a hansome built House one of them is the Master of the Gardens Study and the other a private Retiring-place for his Lady Opposite and not far from the 4 Corners of the Garden will appear 4 Oval Grass-Plots handsomely kept in the middle of each Plot a Wainscote Seat 6 foot in length covered over with 4 several kinds of Plants as Ever-green and Privet Holly Ivy and Cypress growing on the back side and by proyning brought into the form of an open Arbor and each Arbor covered over with one kind of Plants Now between these comely green Plots there will appear to your view 4 several Knots wherein grow all sorts of the best Flowers and because there are as many sorts or figures of Knots as Gardners have Inventions the Knots here made choice of although old figures yet such as are comely in this Garden and they are thus placed the Trefoul opposite to the Crossbow and the Oval Knot to the Fret In the middle of the Garden is to be seen a comely Maze well framed and planted with a Hedge of several sorts of the best kind of Berries the said Hedge is not allowed to grow above 5 foot high â— and in the middle of this Maze doth appear a Fountain built with Marble whose Chrystal streams are very serviceable in several Rooms of the House being conveyed in Pipes under ground On the top of this Fountain you may behold an artificial Sun-Dyall made so plain that the time or hour of day may be discerned by good eyes without entering into the Maze Round the Garden-wall and the Oval green Plots the square Flower-Knots before the Wall-fruit and round without the Maze you may walk in very comely large Walks made of fine sifted Gravel and Sand well mixed from thence we shall lead you through the Dwelling-house into a comely Court Yard and through that into a Common Yard being very large and spacious in which Yard is built several usefull Houses with Barn and Stable This Yard is so curiously paved with large pible stones and kept so clean and neat that neither straw stick nor loose stone shall be seen to lie therein We shall not detain you longer here but direct you into the Garden of Herbs and Roots not only for Food but Physick This Plot of land lyeth behind the great Yard and is in length from the Garden Gate to the farther end of the whole Plot 30 perch and in breadth 20 The Fence is of VVhite-thorn and the VVater running round as was said before In the middle of this great Plot which contains two Gardens is a handsome Bowling-green 60 yards square and at each corner of the said Green is a Seat made of Oak in the form of an open
compass answerable to the heigth will be a good size for most grounds neither must the hills be made piked or sharp on the top nor yet too flat and so retain or hold any rain or wet which shall fall upon it but you shall keep a due middle proportion convenient for the Plants and Poles Now these hills are not to be made intirely all of one Mould but there may be mixed with the natural earth Sope-ashes and the earth which lyeth under Dunghils or very old rotten Dung. These three bodies being equally mixed the hills are to be placed in an orderly manner making Allies between them about 4 foot broad and these hills must not stand all directly behind each other but the first Row being made the next must be placed over against the middle distance between the first Row of hills and so the third over against the second and the fourth over against the middle distance of the third Row and so forward till both the Acres be planted that the Sun may give comfort to every Plant and the best time to begin this Work is about October This being performed you shall then pare or hack up all the green swarth through all the alleys between the hills about 2 or 3 inches thick and with the said swarth so pared up cover all the hills almost to the top turning the green swarth next unto the earth of the hills so as it may rot then when the Alleys aâ—e thus clensed of the swarth take good store of Fern and lay the same of a good thickness quite through all the Alleys and round the sides of the hills and the said Fern having all the Winter to rot will not only be a comfort to the hills and much preserve the Plants from many evils but also kill both grass and weeds and being shovelled up together with the earth in the Spring will be a good Manure to replenish the hills and make them prosper exceedingly also will save much charges in providing other Manure Now the hills being thus prepared in October next following you may open the hills in the tops and set in every hill 4 Hop Plants and they must be set deep in the earth and covered all over at least 3 inches thick and if with the earth which covereth the Plants you mix Ox blood and lime it will not only give great comfort and nourishment to the Plants but defend and save the Roots from Worms other Vermin and Weeds In the following Spring about April finding the small Cyons which will issue or grow from the roots of the Plants you shall thâ—n set up the Poles which would be long and streight either of Ash Chesnut Withey or Alder-wood And in putting these Poles into the earth there ought to be care taken that they do not bruise or hurt the Hop-roots Secondly the said Poles must be put a good depth in the earth that the wind do not blow them down Thirdly your care must be to place the Poles round the hills at a good distance that one Pole may not shadow the other but so stand that every Plant may have benefit of the Sun The number of Poles that every hill will take up or require must be answerable to the Cyons which grow or issue from the Plants allowing to every Pole one or two Cyons and if the Plants will thrive then every hill will take up or require 4 Poles and not above These Cyons when the hills are poled must be twined about the several Poles with the Sun and loosely tyed to the said Poles and if the Plants put forth more Cyons then the number allowed for each Pole then the rest or overplus must be cut off close to the Stock of the Roots and if any Cyons do grow afterwards they must be pulled away thâ—t they may not run up the Poles Now although the Fern and Soap-Ashes formerly mentioned will by killing and destroying all manner of Weeds save much charges in weeding the Garden yet if any Weeds do grow they must be carefully pulled up especially from the Plants or hoed and with the earth laid up round the hills and that the Sun may destroy the Weeds and the earth be a comfort to the Stocks or Plants We shall now return again into the great Yard and view the Malt-house wherein is built an Artificial Kiln on which to dry the Hops Malt or other corn with any kind of Fuel or Firing and give no evil taste or smel either to the Hops or Malt. Here you may also see many other necessary Houses as to Brew Bake the Dairy-house and several other usefull Houses for keeping Pheasants Partridges and other Fowl to be spent in the Family or sold at Markets but time will not admit of a longer stay in this place If you please to walk through the Court Yard on the North east side 2 Rows of Chesnut and Walnut-trees equally mixed will direct you to the bounds of the Cony-Warren where there will be a Draw-bridge let down by which you may pass over the water and behold those profitable Creatures so little esteemed by most people Round the Warren and neer the Water are several small Hutches made of boards for the Spruce Ducks to lay their Eggs in Passing over the Mote again and walking through the pleasant Cow-pasture on the North-east of the Warren a Gate will be opened to receive you into the Grove and being entered a large Walk will lead you to a Fountain in the middle of the said Grove From thence issue 4 streams of water On both sides of this large Walk are several pleasant smaller Walks but of a greater length where you may chance to see many Pheasants running and if it be the season of the year you may delight your self with those several sorts of Nuts and Berries there growing Walking through the second Gate scituate at the North-east end of the large middle Walk you will enter into the great Wood of Timber-trees where may be seen 2 Herd of Deer containing 20 Brace of Bucks and Does 3 Brace of Roe Deer and two Brace of Harts and Hinds all the Male Dear are gelt except those that serve the Rut And if you carefully look up into the Trees you may chance to see several wild Peacocks and Turkies at perch and on the ground a brace or two of Haâ—es at squot Also in this Wood is kept a lease of bastard Barbary breeding Mares and a brace of handsom Geldings for present use and in the Stable a comely bastard Barbary Stone-horse to be a Stallion for the Mares And if it be the season of the year and day you may see 50 good Swine feeding on the Mast that fall from the trees there being a Swineherd tending on them On the South-west side of the Dwelâ—ing-House is also a Wood of Timber trees and a Grove inclosed containing the same number of Plants and Trees and the same quantity of Land planted as that on the North-east side Between