[Sylva, Vol. 1 (of 2) by John Evelyn]@TWC D-Link bookSylva, Vol. 1 (of 2) CHAPTER III 5/30
And these observations may serve to discover many accidental varieties in other trees, without nicer distinctions; such as are fetch'd from profess'd botanists; who make it not so much their study, to plant and propagate trees, as to skill in their medicinal virtues, and other uses; always excepting our learned countryman, Mr.Ray, whose incomparable work omits nothing useful or desirable on this subject; wanting only the accomplishments of well-design'd sculps.
There is likewise a kind of _hemeris_ or dwarf-oak (like the _robur_ VII.
_clusii_) frequent in New-England; and the white one of _Virginia_, a most stately tree, which (bearing acorns) might easily be propagated here, if it were worth the while. 3.
I shall not need to repeat what has already been said Cap.
2. concerning the raising of this tree from the acorn; they will also endure the laying, but never to advantage of bulk or stature: It is in the mean time the propagation of these large spreading oaks, which is especially recommended for the excellency of the timber, and that his Majesties forests were well and plentifully stor'd with them; because they require room, and space to amplifie and expand themselves, and would therefore be planted at more remote distances, and free from all encumbrances: And this upon consideration how slowly a full-grown oak mounts upwards, and how speedily they spread, and dilate themselves to all quarters, by dressing and due culture; so as above forty years advance is to be gain'd by this only industry: And, if thus his Majesties forests and chases were stor'd, _viz._ with this spreading tree at handsom intervals, by which grazing might be improv'd for the feeding of deer and cattel under them, (for such was the old _Saltus_) benignly visited with the gleams of the sun, and adorn'd with the distant land-skips appearing through the glades, and frequent vallies; (..............................betwixt Whose rows the azure sky is seen immix'd, With hillocks, vales, and fields, as now we see Distinguish'd in a sweet variety; Such places which wild apple-trees throughout Adorn, and happy shrubs grow all about,){35:1} As the poet describes his olive-groves, nothing could be more ravishing; for so we might also sprinkle fruit-trees amongst them (of which hereafter) for cyder, and many singular uses, and should find such goodly plantations the boast of our rangers, and forests infinitely preferable to any thing we have yet beheld, rude, and neglected as they are: I say, when his Majesty shall proceed (as he hath design'd) to animate this laudable pride into fashion, forests and woods (as well as fields and inclosures) will present us with another face than now they do.
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