The manner of raising, ordering, and improving forrest-trees also, how to plant, make and keep woods, walks, avenues, lawns, hedges, &c. : with several figures proper for avenues and walks to end in, and convenient figures for lawns : also rules by M. Cook.

TO HIS EXCELLENCY Arthur Capell, Lord Lieutenant and General Governour of the Kingdom of IRELAND, Earl of Essex, Vicount Maldon, Lord Capell, Baron of Hadham, Lord Lieu∣tenant of Hartfordshire, and one of the King's most Honourable Privy Council, &c.

May it please your Excellency,

DID I not very well know your great Understanding in, and Love to the Subject of the ensuing Discourse, I durst

not assume the Boldness to implore your Honours Patronage of it; But being well assured, that you have not been onely a Spectator, but an Actor in most of what is treated of in the ensuing Lines; for, to your Eternal Prayse be it spoken, there is many a fine Tree which you have Nursed up from Seeds sown by your own hands, and many thousands more which you have commanded me to raise.

Therefore, my Lord, I humbly crave your Pardon for the Presumption and Imperfection of the Pen-man; and though your Excellency knows full well how to prune young Trees, yet I hope you will pass by the impertinent and superfluous Lines in this my Plantation; which, though I have endeavoured to keep as well pruned from Errors, and as clean from Weeds as I could, yet 'tis possible there may be some things in it, which

some may term as ill: But to You all things in it are so well known, that I hope both it and I shall find such shelter and support by your favourable Aspect, as that we need not to fear the Storms of the ignorant or negligent Planters.

And my Lord, since the Art of Raising and Improving of Trees, hath ever been esteemed amongst the truly Noble, Wise, Ingenious and most refined Spirits of the World from Age to Age, and chiefly maintained and practised by them; and since this Property is Naturally inherent in You, (you being not onely a great Lover of this Art, but also most skilfull in it) I humbly presume to Dedicate these my Observations to your Lordship; not being ignorant, that he who is most know∣ing in any thing, is the best able to judge of the same; and that this my Opinion, of your Honours Ability and Prompti∣tude in promoting the Planting and Im∣proving

of Forrest-trees, is surely ground∣ed, the Large Plantation you have made will abundantly testifie. But I humbly beg your Lordships Pardon for this Pre∣sumption, not without hopes that my good Meaning may obtain it; and since my good Wishes and the best of my Ser∣vices is all I can contribute to You, these shall never be wanting from

My LORD,

Your Excellencies most Humble and most Obedient Servant to serve You whilest I bear the Name of

Moses Cook.