The Hartlib Papers

Worthie sir

I should be glad to heare of some proceedings before the Committee for Trade &c: how they goe on with your last proposals or any other. It is according to the judgments of wise & knowing men, That these Proposalls will euer take best, about which things there are some Experiments obvious to sence, & sutable to the capacities of the vulgar, although other things may not only seeme, but be really of greater profit, & advantage: Now amongst all particulers that can be named I verily beleiue there is not any one that will find a more free, & generall consent (both from the more iuditious, & vulgar capacities) then this of Planting fruit-trees, because it falls vnder the Experience of many hundreds of yeares, yea, of divers thousands, even from the beginning: And there being already great profits by it, not only in forraine parts, but even among vs in this Nation, the designe will be but to put men <on> to & perswade them, or command them to take in more profits to what they haue already: & how difficult that is like to be, euerie man may iudg: So that (sir) if you begin with more easy, & more indisputable things first, I am perswaded it it might cleare your way, and make a passage more free for other things afterwards:   And in order therevnto I shall offer a few particulers, and committ them to your judgment, & (if you please) to the judgment of the honorable Committee.

 1:   That seeing the designe is so (without controuersie) advantagious to the Common wealth. A Law may be made That <vpon> every Five pownds per annum of plantable Land, may be planted Tenne Fruittrees of Apple, and Pearetrees, at the least, & so in proportion.

 2: That a time be lymited for that purpose, with a penalty for the necglect.

 3: That some fit persons may be appoynted by the Iustices of the peace to see the worke donne, & preserved from yeare to yeare as is yearely donne for over seeing of the highwayes in every County: And that there may be a sufficient number of Fruit-trees for this purpose, & persons conveniently skilfull to doe the worke, Bookes may be dispersed into every Parish contayning in breife the particuler works necessary to be observed therein: All which may by the blessing and assistance of god, be effected in a few yeares.

 4: That some Wasts & Common grounds (most fit for the purpose) may be inclosed, & the poore (who have any propriety their) may haue their proportions, & that these may be planted and improued for the advantage of all.

[left margin] If the Committee necglect Proposalls in this designe, then I shall wonder what they intend to prosecute, & why they are stiled A Committee for receiving Propositions for advantage of the Common wealth.

 5: That seeing much land is in the hands of Tenants, some for yeares, & some for liues (it may be nere expired) & such will be vnwilling to labour [letter deleted] & be at cost for others where they share not in the profit, That therefore this Law may fauour, & encourage them in this manner. That what cost or paines they are at in planting fruit-trees as aforesaid, on their Landlords grounds, they shall hould the same after the expiration of their Tearmes so long as vntill (in the judgment of two honest sufficient men) they haue receav'd a convenient, & encourageing recompence for such their paines & cost. [left margin: divers particulers more at larg are set downe in the Treatise intitled A designe for plenty & the other: Bread for the Poore.]

Sir I shall humbly committ these things to your wisdome and consideration, desiring (at your leasure) to let me know the result of your thoughts therein, & <to> haue your further assistance. Let vs vse convenient & seasonable meanes & leaue the ysue to god who disposeth of all as pleaseth him, to whom I commend you & all your affaires. resting (Sir)

September 26:               your much engaged servant

  1653                          Ra: Austen.

          To the worshipfull Samuel

             Hartlib Esqr:

              at his house neere

                Charing Crosse

                over against

              Angell Court.

                      these

               London/