OF FOREST-TREES.

251

at the tops, a competent way beneath, to prevent their sicknels down- chap. iv.wards, which will else certainly ensue; whereas by this means even dyingtrees may be preserved many years to good emolument, though they neveradvance taller; and being thus frequently shred, they will produce morethan if suffered to stand and decay: This is a profitable note for such ashave old, doating, or any ways infirm wood. In other fellings, some advisenever to commence the disbranching from the top; for though the in-cumbency of the very boughs upon the next, cause them to fall off theeasier, yet it endangers the splicing of the next, which is very prejudicial,and therefore advise the beginning at the nearest. And in cutting for fuel,you may, as at the top, so at the sides, cut a foot or more from the body;but never when you shred timber-trees. We have said how dangerous it isto cut for fire-wood when the sap is up; it is a mark of improvident hus-bands ; besides, it will never burn well, though abundance be congested.

Lastly, remember that the east and north winds are unkind to the suc-ceeding shoots.

Thus we have endeavoured to prescribe the best directions we could;learn concerning this necefsary subject. And in this penury of that dearcommodity, and to incite all ingenious persons, studious of the benefit oftheir country, to think of ways how our woods may be preserved,,, by allmanner of arts which may prolong the lasting of our fuel, I would give thebest encouragements. Those that shall seriously consider the intolerablemisery of the poor Cauchi, (the then inhabitants of the Low Countries,)described by Pliny , lib. xvi. cap. i. (how opulent soever their late industryhas rendered them) for want only of wood for fuel, will have reason todeplore the excefsive decay of our former store of that useful commodity;and by what shifts our neighbours, the Hollanders,, do yet repair that de- * j„ man ,,feet, be invited to exercise their ingenuity: The procefs of which is cast- i )laccs Oiiereing the die, or square of the turf, in four equal quarters; and to build poVVeopie^them soup, (as our brickmakers do their crude ware,) that they may have 1 oni

the free intercourse of the air till they are dry. See Quicciardius,. in his the ways andDescription of Holland, or Du Cange ’s Glofsary,, verbo Turba. Rut paths wherebesides the dung of beasts*, and the peat and turf (which We may fi a d and tread, andin our ouzy lands and heathy commons) for their chimneys,, they make lhei ! clapuse of stoves, both portable and standing; and truly the more frequent tdl'itbedn •use of those inventions in our great wasting cities, (as the custom is but that ot

. . £ i . ho£s is very,

through 3,11 Germany, ) as also or those new and. excellent, ovens invented noisome*