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_........... +echon anemotrephes enchos. Il.
l.+{37:1} from a tree so expos'd; and _Didymus_ gives the reason, +Ta
gar en anemo+ (says he) +pleion gymnazomena deudra oterea+ &c. _For that
being continually weather-beaten, they become hardier and tougher_:
Otherwise, that which is wind-shaken, never comes to good; and
therefore, when we speak of the climate, 'tis to be understood of
valleys rather than hills, and in calm places, than exposed, because
they shoot streight and upright. The result of all is, that upon
occasion of special timber, there is a very great and considerable
difference; so as some oaken-timber proves manifestly weaker, more
spungy, and sooner decaying than other. The like may be affirm'd of ash,
and other kinds; and generally speaking, the close-grain'd is the
stoutest, and most perm