The Hartlib Papers

Worthy sir

I am very glad you are so well recovered of your sicknesse and weakenesse; I hope the Lord will make you further instrumentall for the publique good: I giue you thanks for your vnwearied endeavours about the Designe of Planting, wherein so many are concerned: it may please the Lord at length to open the vnderstandings of men, to apprehend the many & great advantages, that may so easily, & so soone (through the blessing of god) be obtayned, by all sorts of persons: And also to act somewhat according to those convictions: It will be the more strang if they should not, seeing the designe carries meate in its mouth; much profit at hand even in a few yeares, & that with very little, & even inconsiderable charges, in comparison of the advantages: espetially if wee consider withall, the necessity that lyes vpon vs to be actiue in such a worke, not only in regard of the great scarcity of Fuell in many places, but also of Timber for building, what shall our successours doe for Timber to build ships for defence of the Nation, if there be noe planting, wee all know, & acknowledg how it hath beene destroyed of late, but what preparation is there for a future supply:

In consideration hereof I haue set my thoughts the more vpon this peece of husbandry also, the planting of all sorts of wood; which I haue likewise practised many yeares agoe, although not so much as for Fruit-trees: And the Rules in planting <fruit-trees include> Oke, Ash, Elme &c: And I haue composed alredy a peece of worke thereabout, to be added to my Treatise of Fruit-trees, which I intend (god willing) to Reprint shortly, with other additions, & Experiments: for Mr Robinson hath put off the impression of 12 hundred, saue only about halfe a score as he told me: I haue herewith sent you the Title, as you may see enlarged in divers particulers: Now, if any thing can be effected for the putting men vpon this profitable, & even necessary worke, a greatter number must be printed then otherwise needs: Concerning Mr Harmers seeing my Nursseryes, I apprehend not how it will haue an influence for effecting of the designe; for that if men approue of it, & act any thing in it, to set it on foote, it must be vpon the knowledg, & apprehension of the goodnesse & profitablenesse of it, as knowne, & vnderstood from long experience of former ages, in severall Countrys of the Nation, And as for my particuler knowledg, & insight therein,

Mr Robinson is now in London, if you desire to send to him Mr Royston in Ivy lane knowes where he lodges: it seems by his letter hee hath put off 12 of the one sort, & 7 of the other; <of your booke> but seeing Mr Harmer cannot receiue it of him the money at 4^d apeece, I thought good to lay it downe, & shall receiue it againe of Mr Robinson. 6^s-4^d. Your sonne informs me that hee hath put my businesse I left in his hand into a probable course, I desire hee will be pleasd to prosecute it, I hope so iust a debt will not be lost.   I pray Sir please to consider of my Petition herein-closed, which Mr Harmour thought fit to be transcribed, conceiving it might be convenient to print a few Copies 20: or 30: to be given to some who might be instrumentall in promoting of the worke: I desire your advice herein, what you iudg best: I shall not be vnwilling to be at some more charg, after all the rest, in furthering of the designe, though it be not compassed in my daies.

There is also 3 or 4 particuler Rules which I iudg meete to be observed in this worke: I desire you would add, or rectifie the same, & also the particulers of the Petition. I am perswaded if the Lord Fleetwood were but possessed with these things something would be done: & if it shall not be thought meete vpon a more publique accompt, yet as to myselfe in particuler, which would (I'm sure haue a good influence vpon the publique.

I shall leaue the rest to Mr Harmour, so commend you to the Lord praying for your health, & welfare:

Oxon: March 6^t            Your ingaged freind & servant

   1655.                        Ra: Austen.

I thought verily to haue transcribed the ( new Title of my Booke, to haue sent herein & forgot it, vntill now I am come away from my house, & cannot doe it exactly without my Booke: but the maine of the addition is about planting fruit in the feilds, & hedges, & of Vineyards: & also of Planting of planting for Timber, fuell &c.

       For the worshipfull Samuel

        Hartlib Esqr: at

           his house over against

              Angell Court

                  neere

              Charingcrosse

                      London