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As touching the reasons for this design, they are very many, whereof I onely propound some for satis∣faction to all men.
[ 1] First, the wholesomenesse of these fruits are such as may challenge every mans estimation of them, and diligence to obtein them. Apples are good for hot sto∣macks, for all inflammations, tempering melancholy humours; good for diverse diseases, as the Strangu∣ry,
Plurisie, &c. Peares are cold, and binding, good for hot swellings, do help the lask and bloody flux, and being made into drink, do warm the stomack, and cause good digestion. The Walnut is an ingredient in Antidotes against the plague, and biting of venomous beasts; whose kernels made into a milke cooleth and comforteth the languishing sick body. So Quinces do strengthen the stomack, stay vomiting, and stop the flux; and are good for many other things.
[ 2] The benefits, which from such a generall Plantation will arise to this Nation, is very much. As,
[ 1] First, by this means there may be a great Improve∣ment of Land without any losse of other fruits, which it usually yieldeth, as of Grasse, Corn of all sorts, or any other thing: and so men may receive a double gain; first, of those fruits upon the ground; and secondly, of such fruits as growing upon the trees, the land beareth as it were by the by.
[ 2] There will be a great plenty of wholesome food ad∣ded where little or none of that Nature was before; for besides every family may have of these fruits e∣nough for all uses in food; so also may thereby be ob∣teined a good and wholesome drink from the juice of the Apples, and Peares, as in the Counties of Worce∣ster and Glocester is very exemplary in that particular, to their profit and plenty.
[ 3] By this means much Corn, (especially of Barley) may be saved (which is spent out in Malt) and may serve for food in the time of want; and other Corn by that means become more reasonable in prices.
[ 4] And likewise much expense in Wines may by rea∣son of the Perry and Syder, which in all parts may be made, be spared: and which kinde of drink (being once
accustomed) will be as proper and wholsome for our English bodies, as French wines, if not more.
[ 1] [ 3] A generall Plantation (as aforesaid) will make won∣derfull plenty, as may be gathered by a supposition probable as this: Suppose 20 trees of Apples and Peares be planted, and well fenced upon a tenement of 5 li. per annum, once in seven years they may (by Gods blessing) bring forth halfe a bushel of good fruit apiece; and in 10 years a bushel a tree; in 13 years two bushels, and so forth; what a plenty will this make in so small an Occupation?
[ 2] And besides it will yield great plenty, yea abun∣dance to the poor, who shall yearly receive from the common Plantations of the Commons and Wastes so much good fruit, as that they cannot be destitute all the year. And if to buy; yet in such a generall Plan∣tation, good fruit will not cost above 4 d. or 6 d. the bushel, which now will cost 12 d. or 16 d. if not more in many places, which kinde of provisions the poor preferre before better food, as the story goeth.
The poor mans childe invited was to dine With flesh of Oxen, sheep, and fatted swine, (Far better chear then he at home could finde) And yet this childe to stay had little minde. You have (quoth he) no Apple, froise nor pie, Stew'd Pears, with bread and milk, & Walnuts by.
[ 4] This generall Plantation is very requisite, seeing so many places are wholly destitute of all fruit, and yet both the ground and Clymate throughout this whole Island able and apt to yield of fruit great plenty. Cambden saith, that they are whining and slothfull
husbandmen, who complain of the barrennesse of the earth in England; and doth confidently affirm, that it proceedeth rather of the inhabitants idlenesse then a∣ny distemper, and indisposition of the air, that this our England affords no wine: and that it hath heretofore had Vineyards which yielded wine well nigh as good in taste and smell as the French wine; and indeed so are many places unto this day in our land called Vine∣yards; as at Elie in Cambridgeshire; of which re∣maines upon Record these old Rimes.
Quatuor sunt Eliae, lanterna, capella Mariae, Et Molendinum, nec non dans Vinea vinum.
In English thus.
Four things of Elie Town much spoken are, The leaden lanthorn, Maries Chappel rare, The mighty Mill-hill in the Minster-field, And fruitfull Vineyards, which sweet wine do yield.
[ 5] And if our England be so able and apt for wine, much more is it able and apt for these ordinary and wholesome fruits.
Besides, such an Universall Plantation will both yield great store of fuel to burn, and wood for many occa∣sions (the Apple, Peare and Walnut-trees, being all of them good Joyners timber) fit to make chaires, stools, tables, and many other house-Utensils) and al∣so it will much warm the Countrey by so many thou∣sands of trees planted in open and waste grounds to the great comfort both of man and beast.
[ 6] And as concerning this work, it is very feasable and easie, the banks, and quickrowes may be set, as well with good fruit-trees at a convenient distance, as with thorn, hasel, harbow, or brier: besides, how ma∣ny usefull stocks of crab and wilding are to be taken from the roots of such as grow in rowes, and to be found in woods, which being transplanted and grafted will be as good fruit-trees, and last longer then such as are reared up from seeds or kernels?
[ 7] The delight and pleasure, which by this will arise, will not be small in a little while; when one may be∣hold the waste and wilde places all abounding with fruitfull trees (like the Garden of God) keeping their order, and distance: each one offering the weary tra∣veller some little collation to quench his thirst, and re∣fresh his spirits; inviting him to rest under their sha∣dow, and to taste of their delicates, and to spare his purse; which is a benefit well known in the Western Counties of this our England.
[ 8] To these might be added the benefit of the Walnut for oil; the delight and comfort of all these for con∣serves and preserves, both for sicknesse and health: and their use in a Famine, when all other fruits of the earth do fail; whereof the Nation of France hath had good triall, who had starved in some Famines, had it not been for their Chesnuts, Walnuts, Apples, and Pears, these being far better food in a famine then asses heads, doves dung, or old leather, which some have been constrained to eat to preserve life; yea sometimes the flesh of dead men, and their own children.
Gerard. Herb.
In which Coun¦treys the very Hogs feeding upon the fal∣lings, make choice of fruit, and first taste, eating up the pleasant fruit, leaving the o∣ther, there is such abun∣dance.
Gerards Herb.
Cambden. Brit.
Camb. ex will. Malmesbur.
And at Brom∣well Abbey in Norfolk.
2 Kings 6. Miseries of Germany.