OF FOREST-TREES.
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propagation, and that afsays and samples be from time to time sent over,of what other fruits, trees, gums, and vegetables may there be found ;and which I prognostic will at last also incite planters there to thinkof procuring Cinnamon, Cloves , and Nutmeg-trees indeed, from the East-Indies, and what other useful curiosities do not approach our northernBear, and to plant them in Jamaica , and others of the western islands,as a more safe and frugal expedient to humble our emulous neighbours,since there is nothing in their situation, or defect of nature’s benignity,which ought in the least to discourage us. And what if some of thetrees of those countries, especially such as aspire to be timber, and maybe of improvement amongst us, were more frequently brought to uslikewise here in England: Since we daily find how many rare exoticsand strangers, with little care, become endenizoned, and contented tolive amongst us, as may be seen in the Platanus , Constantinople Chesnut,the Greater Glandiferous Ilex, Cork, Nux Vesicaria, (which is an hardwood fit for the turner,) the Styrax, Bead-tree, the famous Lotus,Virginian Acacia, Guaiacum Patavinum, Paliurus, Cyprefs, and sundryothers, which grow already in our gardens, exposed to the weather ; andso doubtlefs would many more. So judiciously observed is that of thelearned author of the History of the Royal Society , part iii. sect, xxviii." That whatever attempts of this nature have succeeded, they have“ redounded to the great advantage of the undertakers. The Orange “ of China being of late brought into Portugal , has drawn a great revenue“ every year from London alone. The Vine of the Rhine , taking root“ in the Canaries, has produced a far more delicious juice, and has made« the rocks and sun-burnt ashes of those islands, one of the richest spots“ of ground in the world. And I will also instance in that which is now" in a good forwardnefs ; Virginia has already given silk for the“ cloathing of our Ring j and it may happen hereafter to give cloaths“ to a great part of Europe , and be a vast treasure to our Kings. If the" silk-worms shall thrive there, of which there seems to be no doubt, the“ profit wall be inexprefsible. We may guefs at it, by considering what“numbers of caravans, and how many great cities in Persia are“ maintained by that manufacture alone, and what mighty customs'“ it yearly brings unto the Sophi’s revenue.” Thus he. To which wCmight add, that not only the China Orange mentioned by the Doctor ,but the whole race of Orange trees, were strangers in Italy , and unknown
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