That famous _Answer_ alone which the _Persian Monarch_ gave to _Lysander_, will sufficiently justifie that which I have said; besides what we might add, out of the _Writings_ and _Examples_ of the rest: But since _these_ may suffice after due reproofs of the late impolitique _Wast_, and universal _sloth_ amongst us; we should now turn our _Indignation_ into _Prayers_, and address our selves to our better-natur’d _Countrymen_;{lxxviii:1} that such _Woods_ as do yet remain intire, might be carefully _preserved_, and such as are _destroy’d_, sedulously _repaired_: It is what all Persons who are _Owners_ of _Land_ may contribute to, and with infinite _delight_, as well as _profit_, who are touch’d with that laudable _Ambition_ of imitating their Illustrious _Ancestors_, and of worthily serving their _Generation_. To these my earnest and humble _Advice_ should be, That at their very first coming to their _Estates_, and as soon as they get _Children_, they would seriously think of _this Work_ of _Propagation_ also: For I observe there is no part of _Husbandry_, which Men commonly more _fail_ in, _neglect_, and have cause to _repent_ of, than that they did not begin _Planting betimes_, without which, they can expect neither _Fruit_, _Ornament_, or _Delight_ from their _Labours_: Men seldom plant _Trees_ till they begin to be _Wise_, that is, till they grow _Old_, and find by _Experience_ the _Prudence_ and _Necessity_ of it. When _Ulysses_, after a ten-years Absence, was return’d from _Troy_, and coming home, found his aged _Father_ in the Field planting of _Trees_, He asked him, why (being now so far advanc’d in Years) he would put himself to the Fatigue and Labour of Planting, _that_ which he was never likely to enjoy the Fruits of? The good old Man (taking him for a Stranger) gently reply’d; _I plant_ (says he) _against my Son_ Ulysses _comes home_. The _Application_ is Obvious and Instructive for both _Old_ and _Young_. And we have a more modern Instance, almost alike that of the good old _Laertes_. Here then upon the Complaint of learned Persons and great Travellers, deploring the loss of many rare and precious Things, _Trees_ and _Plants_, especially instancing the _Balsam_-Tree of _Gilead_ (now almost, if not altogether failing, and no more to be found where it grew in great plenty.) He applys himself to young _Eperous_, to consider it seriously, and to fall a planting while time is before them, with this incouraging Exclamation, _Agite, ô Adolescentes, & antequam canities vobis obrepat, stirpes jam alueritis, quae vobis cum insigni utilitate, delectationem etiam adferent: Nam quemadmodum canities temporis successu, vobis insciis, sensim obrepit: Sic natura vobis inserviens educabit quod telluri vestrae concredetis, modo prima initia illi dederitis_, &c. Pet. Bellonius _De neglecta stirpium Cultura_. Problema ix.