And here I cannot but applaud the worthy industry of old Sir Harbotle Grimstone, who (I am told) from a very small nursery of acorns, which he sow'd in the neglected corners of his ground, did draw forth such numbers of oaks of competent growth; as being planted about his fields in even, and uniform rows, about one hundred foot from the hedges; bush'd, and well water'd till they had sufficiently fix'd themselves, did wonderfully improve both the beauty, and the value of his demeasnes.

But I proceed.
4.

Both these kinds would be taken up very young, and transplanted about October; some yet for these hardy, and late springing trees, defer it till the winter be well over; but the earth had need be moist; and though they will grow tolerably in most grounds, yet do they generally affect the sound, black, deep, and fast mould, rather warm than over-wet and cold, and a little rising; for this produces the firmest timber; though my L.Bacon prefers that which grows in the moister grounds for ship-timber, as the most tough, and less subject to rift.

But let us hear Pliny: This is a general rule, saith he; "What trees soever they be which grow tolerably, either on hills, or valleys, arise to greater stature, and spread more amply in the lower ground: But the timber is far better, and of a finer grain, which grows upon the mountains, excepting only apple and pear-trees." And in the 39 cap.
lib.16.

"The timber of those trees which grow in moist and shady places is not so good as that which comes from a more expos'd situation, nor is it so close, substantial and durable": Upon which he much prefers the timber growing in _Tuscany_, before that towards the _Venetian_ side, and upper part of the _Gulph_: And that timber so grown, was in greatest esteem long before Pliny, we have the Spear of _Agamemnon_...........