SAMUEL HARTLIB HIS LEGACIE: OR An Enlargement of the Diſcourſe of HUSBANDRY USED IN BRABANT and FLAUNDERS; Wherein are bequeathed to the COMMON-WEALTH of ENGLAND more Outlandiſh and Domeſtick Experiments and Secrets in reference to Univerſall HUSBANDRY.
That our Garners may be full, affording all manner of ſtore, that our Sheep may bring forth thouſands, and ten thouſands in our Streets.
That our Oxen may be ſtrong to labour, — that there be no complaining in our Streets.
Happy is that People that is in ſuch a Caſe: YEA, HAPPY is that People whoſe God is the Lord.
There be many that ſay: Who will ſhew us any Good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy Countenance upon us: ▪
Thou haſt put gladneſſe in my heart, more then in the time, that their Corne and their Wine increaſed.
Entered according to the late Act concerning Printing.
LONDON, Printed by H. Hills, for Richard Wodenothe at the Star under St. Peters Church in Cornhill, 1651.
THe Diſcourſe which I did formerly publiſh concerning the Brabant-Husbandry, was ſomewhat imperfect, nor was the Author thereof then knowne unto me; but ſince I have learned who the Author was, I have alſo lighted upon a more perfect Copy, which I intend to offer to the Publique in a Second Edition; that ſuch as have entertained that firſt offer with liking and acceptance, may finde the benefit of a clearer and fuller ſatisfaction in that which ſhall further be imparted unto them. And to the end that Ingenuity and Induſtry may want no incouragement, in the meane time accept of theſe Enlargements upon the ſame Subject; wherein you will find divers other wayes, and no leſſe (if not more) profitable, then that which was left by Sir RICHARD WESTON (the Author of the Brabant-Husbandry) as a Legacy to his Sonnes: Whoſe Introduction to that Diſcourſe, I have here premiſed to this, to beſpeake thee in his words to his Sonnes, and to gain thy affections more fully to theſe wayes of advantaging both thy ſelfe and the Publique. And I could wiſh, that God would put it in the heart of thoſe Worthies that manage the Publique Truſt, that by their Influence and Authority, theſe and ſuch like Meanes of Induſtry, may not be left wholly to the uncertaine, diſorderly and lazy undertakings of private men, ſo as not to have an eye over them, and over that which in their proceedings doth ſo mainly appeare to be a Publique Concernment. Therefore let us all joine to intreate and petition them, that in order to the Publique and General Welfare of this Common-wealth, theſe two things at leaſt may be thought upon and ſetled.
1. In reſpect of the known unto wardnes of the Major part of the People; who being wonderfully wedded to old cuſtomes, are not eaſily won to any new courſe, though never ſo much to their owne profit, that two or more fit Perſons of approved skill and integrity may be made Publique Stewards or Surveyors; one of the Husbandly, the other of the Woods of this Common-wealth, and impowered to overſee and take care of the preſervation of what is, and by all good improvement to procure and provide for what is wanting to the preſent age: and (except ſome ſuch Expedients be uſed) it is more then likely will be wanting to ſuceeding ages.
2. That according to the uſual cuſtome in Flaunders, a Law may be made of letting & hiring Leaſes upon Improvement; where the manner is, That the Farmer covenanteth on his part, to improve the land to ſuch or ſuch a greater Rent, by an orderly and excellent management of Husbandry, as well as Building. The Landlord on the other ſide covenanteth on his part, at the expiration of the ſaid Leaſe, to give ſo many years purchaſe of the Improvement (according to the agreement) which is 3. or 4. years or ſome times more, or to give out of it ſuch a parcel or moity of Ground. As if land formerly going for 6. 8. an Acre, be upon Improvement worth 10. 8. or 13. 8. 4. d. an Acre. The Landlord is to give 4. or 5. 8. upon every Acre, more or leſſe, according to the agreement. If it pleaſe God to bleſſe theſe Motions, and that accordingly the National Husbandry of this Common-wealth be improved; we may hope through Gods bleſſing to ſee better dayes, and to be able to beare neceſſary and Publique burdens with more eaſe to our ſelves, and benefit to Humane Society then hitherto we could attaine unto. Which more and more to advance, in reference to a Publique and Ʋniverſal Intereſt, as ſubordinate to Higher things; & which though leſſe viſible and ſenſible, are more permanent, and to truly Rational and Spiritual Husbandmen as perceptible, ſhall be the unceſſant prayers and endeavours of
I Have left this ſhort enſuing Treatiſe to you as a Legacy; if I ſhall not live my ſelfe, to ſhew you (what therein is written) by examples, which I know inſtruct far more then precepts; yet precepts from a dying Father, inſtructing of his Children what he hath ſeen and knowne, and received information of from witneſſes free from all exceptions, ſhould make ſuch an impreſſion on them, as at leaſt to beleeve their Father writ what he thought was true; And therefore ſuppoſe thoſe things worthy to be put in practiſe by them, which he himſelf would have done, if it had pleaſed God to have granted him Life and Liberty; Eſpecially ſeeing the matter it ſelf, which is required by him to be done, is in ſhew ſo profitable, and ſo eaſie to be effected, and with ſo little charge, conſidering the great gaine that is propoſed by it, that not any thing can reſtraine a rational man from triall thereof, but not giving credit to the Relator.
The whole Diſcourſe ſhewes you, how to Improve barren and heathy Land, and how to raiſe more then ordinary profit thereof, by ſuch waies and Meanes as are not practiſed in England: but as commonly in ſome parts of Brabant and Flaunders, as the Husbandry of Wheate and Rie is here. By that meanes you may nobly augment your eſtates, and will receive ſo much the more profit and praiſe, by how with more induſtry and diligence you governe your affaires; and will not onely be imitated, but alſo honoured by your Neighbours, when they ſhall ſee your labours proſper ſo farre, as to convert barren and heathy ground left unhusbanded for many ages, into as commodious arable land, with Paſtures and Meadowes, as any be in this Kingdome. And certainly, that man is worthy of praiſe and Honour, who being poſſeſſor of a large and barren Demeaſne, conſtraines it by his labour and induſtry to produce extraordinary fruit; which redounds not onely to his own Particular profit, but alſo to the Publique benefit. Cato ſaith, It is a great ſhame to a man, not to leave his Inheritance greater to his Succeſſors then he received it from his Predeceſſors: and that he deſpiſeth the Liberalities of God, who by Slothfulneſſe loſeth that which his land may bring forth, as not ſeeming willing to reape the fruits which God hath offered him. Nay he threatens the crime of high Treaſon, to thoſe that do not augment their Patrimony ſo much as the Increaſe ſurmounts the Principal. It is a thing much celebrated by Antiquity, and thought the nobleſt way to gather Wealth, for to imploy ones Wit and Money upon his Land, and by that meanes to augment his eſtate. If you obſerve the Common Courſe of things, you will finde that Husbandry is the End, which Men of all eſtates in the world do point at. For to what purpoſe do Souldiers, Scholars, Lawyers, Merchants, and men of all Occupations and Trades, toyle and labour with great affection, but to get Money? and with that money when they have gotten it, but to purchaſe Land? and to what end do they buy that land, but to receive the Fruits of it to live? and how ſhall one receive the fruits of it, but by his own Husbandry or a Farmers? So that it appeares by degrees, that what courſe ſoever a man taketh in this world, at laſt he cometh to Husbandry, which is the moſt Common Occupation amongſt men, the moſt Natural and Holy, being commanded by the mouth of God to our Firſt Fathers. There is Care and Diligence requiſite in Husbandry, as there is in all the Actions of the World; and therefore as a Captain hath a Lieutenant to command his Souldiers in his abſence, or for his eaſe: So muſt you provide ſome able honest man, to whom you will commit the execution of ſuch things, as you your ſelves cannot do without too much labour: whereof you muſt often take an account, and conferre with him (as occaſion ſhall require) about your buſineſſe, that nothing may be left undone for want of Providence. To ſuch a man you muſt give good wages, with intent to advance your own gaine, and take the more eaſe by reaſon of his honeſty and knowledge.
You will finde this Husbandry (after you have once had experience of it) to be very pleaſing to you, and ſo exceeding profitable, that it will make you diligent: For no man of any Art or Science (except an Alchymiſt) ever pretended ſo much gaine any other way, as you ſhall ſee demonſtrated in this enſuing Treatiſe. The Uſerer doubles but his Principall, with Intereſt upon Intereſt in ſeven yeares; but by this little Treatiſe, you ſhall learne how to do more then treble your Principal in one years compaſſe. And you ſhall ſee how an Induſtrious man in Brabant and Flaunders would bring 500. Acres of barren and heathy Land, that was not worth at the moſt above 5. l. a year, to be worth 7000. l. a year, in leſſe time then ſeven years. I know no reaſon, why the like may not be done in England: for we are under as good a Climate as they are; Our heathy Land that is neither Sand nor Loame, is as good a ſoile as their barren ground is. We have not onely Dung to enrich our Land, but alſo Lime and Marle, of which they know not the uſe, where they ſewe their gainfulleſt Commodities mentioned in this enſuing Treatiſe, nor of any other Manure, but onely Dung. In fine, I am certain, there is none of their Commodities but grow in England, as they do in Brabant and Flaunders, but ours are not of the ſame kinde, as theirs, nor put to the ſame uſe. What cannot be vented at home, may as well be vented from hence into Holland, as the like Commodities are from Flaunders thither. I will ſay no more of this Subject in the Preface: onely it remaines to tell you, that you muſt not expect either Eloquence or Method in this enſuing Treatiſe; but a true Story plainly ſet forth in the Laſt Will and Teſtament of your Father, which he would have you execute: but before all things, to be ſure you lay the Foundation of your Husbandry upon the Bleſſings of the Almighty God, continually imploring his divine aide and aſſiſtance in all your labours: for it is God that gives the increaſe: and beleeving this as the Quinteſſence and ſoul of Husbandry, Primum quaerite Regnum Dei; et poſtea haec omnia adjicientur vobis. Theſe things being briefly premiſed, I will leave the rest to this ſhort enſuing Treatiſe, and commit you all with a Fathers Bleſſing to the Protection and Providence of Almighty God.
Thus far Sir RICHARD WESTON'S Introduction to the Diſcourſe of BRABANT-HUSBANDRY; which is ſhortly to be publiſhed in a Second Edition corrected and enlarged.
If any deſire to have the great Clover of Flaunders, or the best ſorts of Hemp and Flax-ſeeds of thoſe parts, or Saint Foine, LaLucerne, Canary-ſeeds, or any ſorts of Seeds of this kinde: Let them enquire at Mr. James Long's Shop at the Barge on Billingsgate; and they ſhall upon timely notice have them procured new, and very good from France or Flaunders at reaſonable Rates.
PAge 11. line 29. for Raith Rape, reade raith (or early-ripe) Rape. p. 22. l. ult: for theſe in Northampton-ſhire. I know. r. theſe. In Northamptonſhire I know &c. p. 41. l. 26. for a hundred hands, r. a thouſand hands. p. 57. l. 17. for Spine, r. Spaine. p. 78. l. 4. for how ill they manage, r. how they till, manage. p. 87. l. 16. for putrifyed r. petrefied p. 93. l. 13. for go tound, as the cauſes of their operations. r. go round, as an horſe in a mill, and endeavour very little to advance or know the cauſes of their operations. p. ead. l. 17. for the is, r. is the. p. ead l. ult. for on, r. our. p. 94. l. 31. for dence, r. pence. p. 99. l. 23 for Maram's works. r. Markam's works. p. 105. l. 20. for mentioned, r. as mentioned. p. ead. l. 29. for avdance, r. advance. p. 126 l. 23. for The Profeſſors of Art and Induſtry preferre their private gain, r. The Profeſſors of Art and Induſtry, beſides their private, aime alſo at a publick good; theſe preferre their private gaine &c.
According to your deſires, I have ſent you what I have obſerved in France, about the ſowing of a ſeed called commonly. Saint Foine, which in Engliſh is as much to ſay as Holy-Hay, by reaſon, as I ſuppoſe of the excellency of it. It's called by Parkinſon in his Herball, where you may ſee a perfect deſcription of it, Onobrychis Vulgaris, or Cockes head; becauſe of its flower, or Medick Fetchling: By ſome it is called Polygala; becauſe it cauſeth cattel to give abundance of milke. The plant moſt like unto it, and commonly known; being frequently ſowne in gardens, is that which is called French Honey-ſuckle, and is a kind of it, though not the ſame. France although it be ſuppoſed, to want the feweſt things of any Province in Europe; yet it hath no ſmall want of Hay, eſpecially about Paris; which hath neceſſitated them to ſowe their dry and barren lands with this ſeed. Their manner of ſowing it, is done moſt commonly thus: When they intend to let their Corne-lands ly; becauſe they be out of heart, and not ſituate in a place convenient for manuring; then they ſowe that land with Oates and theſe ſeeds together about equall parts; the firſt year they only mowe off their Oates, leaving the Saint Foine to take root and ſtrength that year; Yet they may if they pleaſe, when the year is ſeaſonable, mowe it the ſame year it is ſowne; but it's not the beſt way to do ſo: the2 year following they mowe it, and ſo do ſeven years together; the ordinary burthen is obout a loade or a load and a halfe in good years, upon an Arpent, (which is an 100. ſquare Poles or Roddes, every Pole or Rod being 20. foot) which quantity of ground being nigh a 4th. part leſſe than an Engliſh Acre; within a league of Paris, is uſually Rented at 6. or 7. s. After the land hath reſted 7. years; then they uſually break it up, and ſowe it with Corne till it be out of heart, and then ſowe it with Saint Foine as formerly: for it doth not impoveriſh land, as Annuall Plants do; but after ſeven years, the roots of this plant being great and ſweet, as the roots of Licoriſh, do rot, being turned up by the Plough, and enrich the Land. I have ſeen it ſowne in divers places here in England; eſpecially in Cobham-Park in Kent, about 4. miles from Graveſend; where it hath thriven extraordinary well upon dry Chalky bankes, where nothing elſe would grow: and indeed ſuch dry barren land is moſt proper for it as moiſt rich land for the great Trefoile or great Clover-Graſſe (although it will grow indifferently well on all lands) and when the other graſſes and plants are deſtroyed by the parching heat of the Sun; becauſe their roots are ſmall and ſhallow; this flouriſheth very much, having very great root and deepe in the ground, and therefore not eaſily to be exſiccated; As we have obſerved Ononis or Rest-Harrow commonly to do, on dry lands; but if you ſowe this on wet land, the water ſoon corrupts the root of it. This plant without queſtion would much improve many of our barren lands, ſo that they might be mowen every year once, at leaſt 7. years3 together, and yeeld excellent fodder for Cattel, if ſo be that it be rightly managed; otherwiſe it cometh to nothing; as I have ſeen by experience. I therefore councel thoſe who ſowe this, or the great Trefoile or Clover-Graſſe, or any other ſorts of graſſes; that they obſerve theſe Rules.
1. That they do make their ground fine, and kill all ſorts of other graſſes and plants; otherwiſe they being native Engliſh will by no meanes give way to the French ones; eſpecially in this moiſt climate; and therefore they are to be blamed; who with one ploughing ſowe this or other ſeeds; for the graſſe preſently groweth up and choaketh them, and ſo by their negligence, and ill Husbandry, diſcourageth themſelves and others.
2. Let them not be too ſparing of their ſeeds; for the more they ſowe, the cloſer and thicker they will grow, and preſently fully ſtock the ground, that nothing elſe can grow. And further, the ſeeds which come from beyond the Seas, are oftentimes old and much decayed, and therefore the more ſeed is required.
3. Not to expect above 7. years profit by it; for in that time it will decay, and the natural graſſe will prevail over it; for every plant hath his period; ſome in one year; ſome in 2. others in 3. as the common Thistle; and therefore after 7. years, let them either plough the land up, and ſowe it with that ſame ſeed again, or with other Graine as they do in France.
4. Let not ſheepe or other cattel bite them the firſt year, that they may be well rooted; For theſe graſſes are farre ſweeter then the ordinary graſſes; and4 cattel will eat them down, leaving the other; and conſequently diſcourage their growth.
5. The beſt way, if men will be at the charge, is to make their ground very fine, as they do when they are to ſowe Barly, and harrowe it even; and then to howe theſe ſeeds in alone without any other graine, as the Gardiners do Peaſe; yet not at ſo great a diſtance; but let them make the ranges about a foot's breadth one from another, and they ſhall ſee their graſſes flouriſh, as if they were green Peaſe; eſpecially if they draw the howe through them once or twice that ſummer to deſtroy all the weeds and graſſes: And if they do thus, the great Clover and other ſeeds may be mowen even twice the firſt year, as I have experimented in divers ſmall plots of ground.
There is at Paris likewiſe another ſort of fodder, which they call La Lucerne, which is not inferior, but rather preferred before this Saint Foine, for dry and barren grounds; which hath been lately brought thither, and is managed as the former; and truely every day produceth ſome new things, not onely in other Countreys, but alſo in our own. And though I cannot but very much commend theſe plants unto my Countreymen, knowing that they may be beneficial to this Nation; yet I eſpecially recommend unto them a famous kind of graſſe growing in Wilſhire 9. miles from Saliſbury, at Maddington, which may better be called one of the wonders of this Land, then the Hawthorne-tree at Glaſſenbury, which ſuperſtition made ſo famous: for divers of the ſame kind are found elſewhere. You may find this graſſe briefly deſcribed in a Book called Phytologia5 Britannica, (which lately came forth, and ſet down even all the plants which have been found naturally growing in England Gramen Caninum Supinum Longiſſimum, which groweth 9. miles from Saliſbury, Mr. Tuckers at Maddington: where with they fat hogs; and which is 24. foot long, a thing almoſt incredible; yet commonly known to all that Shire. Now without queſtion, if the ſeed of this graſſe, be ſowne in other rich Meadowes, it will yeeld extraordinarily, though perchance not ſo much, as in its proper place. I wonder that thoſe that live there abouts, have not tryed to fertilize their other Meadowes with it: for it is a peculiar ſpecies of graſſe; and though ſome Ingenious men have found about 90. ſpecies of graſſes in this iſland: yet there is none like to this, that can by any meanes be brought to ſuch an height, and ſweetneſſe. And truly I ſuppoſe, that the thorough examination of this graſſe, is a thing of very great importance, for the improvement of Meadowes and Paſtures; and it may excel the great Trefoile, Saint Foine, La Lucerne, or any exotick plant whatſoever. And though I am very unwilling to exceed the bounds of an Epiſtle; yet I cannot but certifie you, wherein the Husbandry of this Nation in other particulars (as I ſuppoſe) is greatly deficient, which I will do as briefly as may be; and likewiſe, how ingenious men may finde Remedies for theſe deficiencies.
Firſt he would do the honeſt and painful Husband-man1. deficiency concerning ploughs and carriages, a very great pleaſure, and bring great profit to this Nation, who could facilitate the going of the Plough and lighten our ordinary Carriages. I wonder, that ſo many excellent Mechanicks, who have6 beaten their braines about the perpetual Motion and other curioſities, that they might find the beſt wayes to eaſe all Motions, ſhould never ſo much as to honour the Plough (which is the moſt neceſſary Inſtrument in the world,) by their labour and ſtudies. I ſuppoſe all know, that it would be an extraordinary benefit to this Countrey, if that 1. or 2. horſes could plough and draw as much as 4. or 6. and further alſo, that there is no ſmall difference in ploughs, and waggons, when there is ſcarce any ſure rule for the making them; and every Countrey, yea almoſt every County, differs not onely in the ploughs; but even in every part. Some with wheels, others without; ſome turning the Rest (as they call it) as in Kent, Picardy and Normandy,) others not; ſome having Coulters of one faſhion, others of another; others as the Dutch, having an Iron wheele or circle for that purpoſe; ſome having their ſheares broad at point; ſome not; ſome being round, as in Kent, others flat; ſometying their horſes by the taile, as in Ireland. So, likewiſe Waggons and Carts differ: ſome uſing 4. wheels, others two onely; ſome carrying timber on 2. wheeles in a Cart, others with 4. wheeles, and a long pole onely between, which is the beſt way; ſome plough with 2. horſes onely, as in Norfolke, and beyond ſeas in France, Italy, where I never ſaw above three horſes in a Plough, and one onely to hold and drive: but in Kent I have ſeen 4. 6. yea 12. horſes and oxen; which variety ſheweth, that the Husband-man, who is ordinarily ignorant in Mechanicks, is even at his wits end in this Inſtrument, which he muſt neceſſarily uſe continually. Surely he ſhould deſerve very well of this Nation,7 and be much honoured by all, that would ſet down exact Rules for the making of this moſt neceſſary, yet contemned Instrument, and for every part thereof: for without queſtion there are as exact Rules to be laid down for this, as for Shipping & other things. And yet in Shipping, how have we within theſe 6. years out-ſtripped our ſelves, & gone beyond all Nations? for which Art ſome deſerve eternal honour. And why may we not in this? I know a Gentleman, who now is beyond ſeas, where he excels even the Hollanders, in their own buſineſſe of draining; who promiſed much in this kind, and I think, he is able to performe it; I could wiſh, he were called on to make good his promiſe. In China, it is ordinary to have waggons to paſſe up and down without horſes or Oxen, with ſailes as ſhips do: & lately in Holland a waggon was framed, which with ordinary ſailes carryed 30. people 60. Engliſh miles in 4. houres. I know ſome excellent ſchollars, who promiſe much by the meanes of Horizontal ſailes (viz.) to have 3. or 4. Ploughs to go together; which ſhall likewiſe both ſowe and harrow. I dare not being ignorant in theſe high ſpeculations, engage my ſelfe to do much thereby; but wiſh theſe Gentlemen, whom I know to be extreamly ingenious, would attempt ſomething, both for the ſatisfying of themſelves and others. There is an ingenious Yeoman of Kent, who hath 2. ploughs faſtened together very finely, by the which he plougheth 2. furrowes at once, one under another; and ſo ſtirreth up the land 12. or 14. inches deep, which in deep land is good. Neare Greenwich there liveth an Honourable Gentleman, who hath excellentCol. Blunt. Corne on barren land, and yet plougheth his8 land with one horſe, when as uſually through Kent, they uſe 4. and 6. Theſe things ſhew that much may be done in this kinde; and I hope ſome in theſe active times, wil undertake and accompliſh this work of ſo great importance.
There is a Book long ſince Printed made by Sir2. Deficiency, about digging of land, Setting and howing in of Corne. Hugh Plattes, (the moſt curious man of his time) called Adams Art revived, wherein is ſhewed the great benefit which would accrew to this Nation, if all land which were fit to be digg'd, were ſo ordered, and their corne ſet. Mr. Gab. Plattes likewiſe hath written much of this kind, and promiſeth that men ſhall reape 100. for one; all charges borne which are very great. That this may be true, he bringeth ſome probable Reaſons, ſuppoſing that leſſe then a peck of Wheat will ſet an Acre. I dare not promiſe ſo much as theſe Gentlemen do, neither can I commend M. Gab. Plattes ſetting Inſtrument: For I know there are many difficulties in it, which he himſelfe could never wade through; but concerning digging and ſetting and howing in of Corne, theſe things I dare maintaine.
1. That it is a deficiency in Husbandry, that it is uſed no more.
2. That one good digging, becauſe it goeth deeper than the Plough, and buryeth all weeds, killeth the graſſes; is as good as three ploughings, and if the Land be mellow, not much more chargeable.
3. That it would imploy many 1000. of people, that a third part of the ſeed might be ſaved. As I have found by experience, that all the weeds and graſſes, might be more eaſily deſtroyed thereby, and the ground better accommodated for other9 crops; and to conclude, the croppe conſiderably greater. Yet thus much I muſt further ſay, concerning ſetting of Graine, That great Beanes are even of neceſſity to be ſet, and that ſmall Beanes in Surrey and other places, are likewiſe ſet with Profit, for the reaſons above mentioned; that to ſet Peaſe (unleſſe Hastevers) Oates, Barley, is a thing even ridiculous: that Wheate although in divers grounds it may be ſet with Profit; yet to Howe it in (as the Gardiners ſpeak) as they do Peaſe, though not at the ſame diſtance, but about a foot the ranges one from another, is better then ſetting, for theſe Reaſons.
1. Becauſe to ſet Corne is an infinite trouble and charge; and if it be not very exactly done, which children neither can nor will do, and theſe muſt be the chiefe ſetters; will be very prejudicious.
2. If wormes, froſt, ill weather, or fowles, deſtroy any part of your ſeed, which they will do; your croppe is much impaired.
3. The ground cannot be ſo well weeded, and the mould raiſed about the roots by the howe. Which 3. inconveniencies are remedied by the other way.
Further I dare affirme, that after the ground is digged or ploughed and harrowed; even it's better to howe Wheate in, then to ſowe it after the common way; becauſe that the weeds may be eaſily deſtroyed by running the howe through it in the Spring, and the mould raiſed about the roots of the Corne, as the Gardiners do with Peaſe, it would ſave much Corne in deare yeares, and for other Reaſons before mentioned. Yea it is not more chargeable; for a10 Gardiner will howe in an Acre for 5. s. and after in the ſpring for leſs money runne it over with a howe, and cut up all the weeds, and raiſe the mould: which charges are not great, and you ſhall ſave above a buſhel of ſeed, which in deare years is more worth then all your charges.
Further 1. s. 6. d. an Acre for the ſowing and harrowing of an Acre in Kent is accounted a reaſonable price; but if any feare charges let him uſe a Drill-Plough. I therefore cannot but commend the howing in of Wheate, as an excellent peece of good Husbandry, whether the ground be digged or ploughed; not onely becauſe it ſaveth much Corne, imployeth much people; and it is not chargeable; but it alſo deſtroyeth all weeds, fitteth grounds for after crops, & cauſeth a greater increaſe, and in my apprehenſion is a good Remedy againſt Smut and Mildew. There is an Ingenious Italian, who wondereth how it cometh to paſſe, that if one ſetteth a Graine of Corne, as Wheate, Barly, &c. it uſually produceth 300. or 400. as I have tryed: yet if you ſowe Wheate after the ordinary way, 6. or 8. for one is accounted a good crop; what becometh of all the Corne, that is ſown, when as the 50th. part, if it do grow, would be ſufficient? For anſwer to this.
1. I ſay, much Corne is ſowne, which nature hath deſtinated for the Hens and Chickens, being without any conſiderable vegetative faculty.
2. Wormes, Froſts, Floods, Crowes, and Larkes, (which every one doth not conſider) do devour not a little.
3, Weeds, as Poppie, May-weed, and the graſſes growing with the Corne, do deſtroy much.
11Laſtly, when Corne is ſo ſowne after the ordinary manner, much is buried in the furrowes; eſpecially if the ground be grazy: much is thrown on heaps in holes, and conſequently ſtarve and choake one another. Moſt of theſe Inconveniencies, are to be remedyed by this way of ſetting, and howing in of Corne.
Gardening, though it be a wonderfull improver of lands, as it plainly appears by this3. Deſiciency concerning Gardening. that they give extraordinary rates for land (viz.) from 40. s. per Acre to 9. pound, and dig and howe and dung their lands, which coſteth very much; Yet I know divers, which by 2. or 3. Acres of land maintaine themſelves and family, and imploy others about their ground; and therefore their ground muſt yield a wonderfull increaſe, or elſe it could not pay charges; yet I ſuppoſe there are many Deficiencies in this calling.
1. Becauſe it is but of few years ſtanding in England, and therefore not deeply rooted. About 50. yeares ago, about which time Ingenuities firſt began to flouriſh in England; This Art of Gardening, began to creepe into England, into Sandwich, and Surrey, Fulham, and other places.
Some old men in Surrey, where it flouriſheth very much at preſent; report, That they knew the firſt Gardiners that came into thoſe parts, to plant Cabages, Colleflowers, and to ſowe Turneps, Carrets, and Parſnips, to ſowe Raith, Kape, Peaſe, all which at that time were great rarities, we having few, or none in England, but what came from Holland and Flaunders. Theſe Gardiners with much ado procured a plot of good ground, and gave no leſſe then12 8. pound per Acre; yet the Gentleman was not content, fearing they would ſpoile his ground; becauſe they did uſe to dig it. So ignorant were we of Gardening in thoſe dayes.
2. Many parts of England are as yet ignorant. Within theſe 20. years, a famous Towne within leſſeGraveſend. then 20. miles of London, had not ſo much as a meſſe of Peaſe but what came from London, where at preſent Gardening flouriſheth much. I could inſtance divers other places, both in the North and Weſt of England, where the name of Gardening, and Howing is ſcarcely knowne, in which places a few Gardiners might have ſaved the lives of many poor people, who have ſtarved theſe dear years.
3. We have not Gardening-ware in that plenty and cheapneſſe (unleſſe perhaps about London) as in Holland and other places, where they not onely feed themſelves with Gardiners ware, but alſo fat their Hogs and Cowes.
4. We have as yet divers things from beyond Seas, which the Gardiners may eaſily raiſe at home, though nothing nigh ſo much as formerly; for in Qu. Eliz. time, we had not onely our Gardiners ware from Holland, but alſo Cherries from Flaunders; Apples from France; Saffron, Licoriſh from Spaine; Hopps from the Low Countreys: And the Frenchman who writes the Treaſure Politick ſaith, that it's one of the great Deficiencies of England, that Hopps will not grow, whereas now it is knowne, that Licoriſh, Saffron, Cherries, Apples, Peares, Hopps, Cabbages of England are the beſt in the world. Notwithſtanding we as yet want many things, as for example: We want Onions, very many coming to England from Flaunders,13 Spaine; Madder for dying cometh from Zurick-Sea by Zealand; we have Red Roſes from France; Anice-ſeeds, Fennell-ſeeds, Cumine, Caraway, Rice from Italy, which without queſtion would grow very well in divers moiſt lands in England; yea Sweet Marjorame, Barly, and Gromwell-ſeed, & Virga Aurea, though they grow in our hedges in England.
Laſtly, Gardening is deficient in this particular: that we have not Nurceries ſufficient in this land, of Apples, Peares, Cherries, Vines, Cheſtnuts, Almonds; but Gentlemen are neceſſitated, to ſend to London many 100. miles for them.
Briefly, for the advancement of this ingenuous calling, I onely deſire, that Induſtrious Gentlemen would be pleaſed to encourage ſome expert workmen into the places where they live, and to let them land at a reaſonable rate, and if they be poor and honeſt, to lend a little ſtock; they will ſoon ſee the benefit that will redound, not onely to themſelves, but alſo to all their neighbours, eſpecially the poor, who are not a little ſuſtained by the Gardiners labours and Ingenuities.
4. Our Husbandry is deficient in this, that we know not how to remedy the infirmities of our growing4. Deficiency in Smut & Mildew. Corne; eſpecially Smut and Mildew, to inſtance in theſe two onely, which oftentimes bring great calamities to theſe Nations: Smut in wet years, Mildewes in dry. Theſe diſtempers in Corne, are not onely in our Countrey; but alſo in other places. A learned Author ſaith, that Smuttyneſſe of corne, which maketh it ſmell like a Red Herring, was notHelmont. knowne in France, till about 1530. at which time the great foule diſeaſe began to break forth, which14 he conceiveth from hence to have ſome original; as alſo the campe-diſeaſe. Mildewes are very great in the Kingdome of Naples, which oft ſtick to the ſithes of thoſe that mowe graſſe and Corne: and (God be thanked) we are not troubled with Locusts, which is a great flying Graſſe-hopper, nor Palmer-wormes, which is a kind of great black Catter-piller, nor with great haile in ſummer, nor with great drought, which ſtifleth the eare in the ſtalke; which Calamities in hot Countreyes, do very oft totally deſtroy the honeſt and patient Husband-man's labours: neither are we troubled with extreame colds, which in New-England and other cold Countreyes, do oft deſtroy the Corne. But to returne to our purpoſe.
And firſt briefly to ſhew you my opinion concerning the Cauſes of Smuttyneſſe. I deſire not to fetch Cauſes a farre off, and to tell you of the ſad Conjunctions of Mars and Saturn (for I think, Quae ſupraenos, belong not to us) when as we have enough at home: This is certain, ethat there are many evident Cauſes of this corruption of Corn.
1. A moiſt ſeaſon about Kerning-time: which moiſture either corrupteth the roots of the Plant, or the nouriſhment of it, or the ſeed in its Embrio: or perhaps in ſome meaſure all theſe.
2. Low, moiſt, foggy ground, for the reaſons above mentioned.
3. Dung'd land. In Vineyards it's obſerved, that dung cauſeth more increaſe in quantity, but leſſe in goodneſſe, ſo that the ill taſte of the dung may eaſily be diſcerned; becauſe wine hath an high taſte, without queſtion the ſame happeneth to other Plants, although it be not ſo eaſily diſcerned for the15 ferment or ill odour of the dung, cannot be over-maſtered by the Plants, as wee ſee alſo in Animals, that corrupt diet cauſeth unfavory taſtes in the fleſh: ſo hogs in New found-land, were they are nouriſhed by fiſh, may by their taſtes be called rather Sea-porpuſſes, then Land-ſwine.
4. The ſowing of Smutty Corne oft produceth Smuttyneſſe; the Son like unto the father; I account Smutty Corne an imperfect or ſick Graine, and ſuppoſe that by a Microſcope the imperfection may be diſcerned.
Laſtly, the ſowing of the ſame ſeed oft on the ſame field, cauſeth Smuttyneſſe; becauſe that nitrous juice, which is convenient for the nouriſhment of the Graine, hath been exhauſted in the precedent years; and therefore it is excellent Husbandry every year to change the ſpecies of Graine, and alſo to buy your Seed-Corne, from places farre diſtant. I am informed of a Gentleman, who did ſowe ſome Wheate which came from Spaine, where the Graine is uſually very hard and flinty, and as it were tranſparent, and farre weightier then ours (as it appeareth by a meaſure at Amſterdam which holdeth about 3. buſhels, and if our Wheat in the Northerne parts weigheth 160. the Southerne Corne weigheth ſometimes 180. 200. 220 :) and had a crop beyond expectation.
The uſuall Cures of Smuttyneſſe, beſides thoſe mentioned before, are theſe.
1. To lime your ground, which warmeth and dryeth the land.
2. To lime your Corne, which is done thus. Firſt ſlack your lime, and then moiſten your Corne or16 lime, and ſtirre them together till your Graine be as big as a ſmall Peaſe. This liming preſerveth Corne likewiſe from birds and wormes, and is found a very good Remedy againſt this diſeaſe: others make a ſtrong ly with common ſalt, and ſteepe their Corne in it all night, and then draw away their ly for further uſe; which ſeldome faileth of its deſired effect. Whether this ſtrong ly doth by its corroſivenes, mortify the weake and imperfect Corne, ſo that it will not grow; Or whether it be a Remedy, to cure the imperfections thereof, is worth the enquiry? I ſuppoſe that this ly doth exſiccate the ſuperfluous humidity, which is the cauſe of this corruption. If Corne be brought into the barne very Smutty, in Kent they uſually thraſh it on dry floores planked with boards; by which meanes, the Smuttyneſſe is beaten away, and ſticketh not to the Graine, onely a little blacknes appeareth about the eye, but if it be thraſhed on a moiſt floore, the blackneſſe ſticketh to the graine, which therefore appeareth darke, and is ſold at a lower rate to the Bakers.
Mildew is without queſtion an unctuous dew, which deſcendeth from above, about Midſommer; it aboundeth in dry years, as Smuttyneſſe in moiſt. I cannot thinke that there is ordinarily any Malignity in this dew, but it produceth its effect by manifeſt cauſes, viz. from an oily viſcous quality which ſtoppeth the pores of the husk wherein the Wheate lyeth, and depriveth it from the Aire, and conſequently from nouriſhment: for the Aire is the life of all things. I have heard and do beleeve, that if you ſtreake any eare of Wheat with oile, it will produce the ſame effect. I am ſorry that I never17 tryed, that I might better underſtand the nature of this ſad calamity; which often undoeth the Induſtrious Husband-man; and cauſeth great ſcarcity in this Iſle. It is to be obſerved further, that Wheat only ſuffereth conſiderable damage by Mildew; becauſe it lyeth in a chaffy husk, which other Graines do not. The Grounds moſt ſubject to Mildew are theſe.
1. Thoſe that are incloſed with trees and high hedges. And truly this is the onely great Inconveniency I find by encloſures.
2. Lowe velleyes. I have ſeen very oft in the ſame field, the bankes fine, bright Corne; and all the lower parts, though greater in ſtraw; yet little worth by reaſon of the Mildew.
3. Dung made of ſtraw, I have obſerved to diſpoſe much to Mildew, and Sheeps-dung to be a kind of Antidote againſt it: as alſo Pigeons-dung; becauſe, as I conceive, theſe, 2. laſt ſorts abound much in Niter, which produceth a firme, hard, bright Corne, not eaſily to be putrefyed; but the other being more oily and Sulphureous cauſeth a darke Spungy Corn, ſoon corruptible. And 2. Becauſe straw is a part of the ſame kind corrupted which is alwayes in ſome meaſure hurtfull to the ſame ſpecies both in Ammals and all Vegetables; and therefore rotten ſticks or the earth proceeding from them, is found hurtful to the roots of trees; and trees will hardly grow, where the Roots of other trees have formerly been corrupted.
The Remedyes for this Accident, briefly are theſe. (Not to ſpeak of Bees, who queſtionleſſe make moſt of their Honey from theſe Honies or Mildews: for they18 gather very little, in compariſon of that which falleth.)
1. The beſt way is to cut down the trees about your ground, and your hedges low, that the wind may ventilate your Corne.
2. To ſowe early; that your Corne may be full Kerned, before theſe Mildewes fall. I am informed,Sir Jo. Culp. that an Ingenious Kt. in Kent, did for curioſity ſowe Wheate in all moneths of the year and that the Corne ſowen in July, did produce ſuch an increaſe, that it is almoſt incredible; and truly I think it a great fault in many places, that they ſowe late, for many reaſons: I am ſure in France, they uſually ſowe before Michaelmas.
3. Some uſe (and with good profit) to draw a line over their Corne, and to ſtrike off the Mildew, before it be inſpiſſated by the Sun; This ought eſpecially to be done before ſun-riſing: 2. men in an hour will eaſily run over an Acre; the Mildewes uſually fall like a thick fog, or a Misty raine; if you go to your Bees, you will ſoon perceive it by their extraordinary labour, very early in the morning.
4. The uſe of a kind of bearded Wheate, is an excellent Remedy: for the beard ſhoveth off the dew, that it doth not ſo eaſily inſinuate it ſelfe into the eare, and likewiſe cauſeth the eare to ſhake by the leaſt wind. There is a kind of Wheate in Buckingham-Shire called Red-straw-Wheate, which is much commended: it's a ſtrong-ſtalked Wheate, and doth not ſoon lodge, and therefore excellent for Rank land, where Corne is apt to lodge, and conſequently to Mildew; but I queſtion whether it hath any property againſt Mildew. This I am very confident19 of, that if this Wheate, or any other, were without the Chaffy huskes expoſed bare to the Aire; as Barly and Rie are, Wheate would not be afflicted with Mildew: Perhaps ſuch Graine may be found by diligent enquiry. I have caſually picked out of a Wheate-field ſome ſtalkes, which have had 2. eares on them: and though Barly uſually hath been 2. ranges; yet I have ſeen ſome ſorts with 4. 6. and there are many great varieties in graines not yet diſcovered. Truly, if any one knoweth better wayes then theſe, how to cure this Malady of Mildew, he is much to blame, if he do not publiſh it for the good of his Countreymen,
I will not here ſet downe the divers manners of5. Deficiency, cocerning the planting of Apples, Peares, Cherties, and Plums. Graftings and Inoculations, which nevertheleſſe is an art abſolutely neceſſary in Planting; for every book of Husbandry doth ſhew it, and every Gardiner can teach it thoſe who are deſirous to learn it; Neither will I ſet down all the ſorts of Apples, Peares, Cherries, Plums, &c. for it would be too tedious a diſcourſe; and Mr. Parkinſon hath already very excellently done it, in his Book called Paradiſus Terreſtris, where at leaſure you may read it. I will onely point briefly at the Deficiencies, which I find in this part of Husbandry, and the beſt wayes to Remedy them.
1. I ſay, that it is a great Deficiency in England, that we have not more Orchards planted. It's true, that in Kent and about London, and alſo in Gloucester-Shire, Herford, and Worcester, there are many gallant Orchards, but in other Countreys, they are very rare, and thinne: but if there were as many more, even in any Countrey, they would be very profitable. I know in Kent, that ſome advance their ground even20 from 5. s. per Acre to 5. pound by this meanes, and if I ſhould relate, what I have heard by divers concerning the profit of a Cherry-Orchard, about Sittenburne in Kent, you would hardly beleeve me; yet I have heard it by ſo many, that I beleeve it to be true: Namely; that an Orchard of 30. Acres of Cherryes, produduced in one year above a 1000. pound, but now the trees are almoſt all dead; it was one of the firſt Orchards planted in Kent. Mr. Cambden reporteth, that the Earle of Leicester's Gardiner in Qu. Eliz. time, firſt began to plant Flemiſh Cherryes in thoſe parts; which in his time did ſpread into 16. other Pariſhes, and were at that time ſold at rgeater rates then now; yet I know that 10. or 15. pound an Acre hath been given for Cherryes, more for Pears, and Apples.
2. There is a great Deficiency in the ordering of Orchards, in that they are not well pruned, but full of Moſſe, Miſletoe, and Suckers, and oftentimes the ground is packed too thick of trees; for they ſhould ſtand at leaſt 20. foot aſunder; neither will ill husbands beſtow dunging, digging, or any other coſt on Orchards, which if they did, might pay halfe their rents in ſome places. One told me for a ſecret, a Compoſition for to make Trees bear much and excellent fruit, which was this: Firſt in an old tree, to ſplit his root; then to apply a Compoſt made of Pigeons-dung lees of wine, or ſtale Ʋrine, and a little Brimſtone, (to deſtroy the wormes,) it hath ſome probability of truth: for experience I know, that a buſhel of Pigeons-dung, hath cauſed a tree to grow and bear, which for divers years before ſtood at a ſtand; but concerning ſplitting the roots, I know21 not what to ſay. Some old Authors affirm this ought to be done; becauſe that the roots may as wel be hide-bound, as other parts of the tree, and not able to attract his nouriſhment, and when the Roote is ſplit, it will ſpeedily ſend forth divers ſmall fibrous roots, which are the principal Attractors. It were good that ſome would give us an exact account of this Experiment. But Some will object againſt Orchards, that they ſpoile much ground, and therefore ought to be planted onely in hedges. To this I anſwer.
1. That Plumtrees and Damſins, may very well be planted in hedges, being ordinarily thorny plants; this is uſed very much in Surrey and Kent, where the Plums uſually pay no ſmall part of their Rent; yet I never ſaw in theſe Southerne parts of England, any Apples or Peares thrive in an Hedge, unleſſe a Crab or a Wilden, or ſome Sweeting of little worth. How they thrive in Hereford-Shire and thoſe places, I know not.
2. The Inconveniences of Orchards, planted at 20. or 30. foot diſtance, is not worth ſpeaking of: for this is the uſuall courſe in Kent, when they plant any ground, they exactly place them in ranke and file, and then plough their lands many years, and ſow them with Corn, till the Orchard beginneth to beare fruite; then they lay them down for paſture, which Paſture is not conſiderably ſoure; but hath this advantage above other Paſtures.
1. That it is ſooner growne by 14. dayes in the ſpring than the Medowes, and therefore very ſerviceable.
2. In Parching Summers here is plenty, when other places have Scarcity
223. They are great ſhelters for Cattel, eſpecially Sheepe, who will in thoſe places, in great ſnowes ſcrape up meate, which in other places they cannot do: and if the paſture were ſoure; yet the loſſe is not great; for it will be a convenient place for the Hogs to run in, who muſt have a place for that purpoſe, where there are no Commons.
4. I ſay, that the Benefits are ſo many by Orchards, that you ought not like an ungrateful man to thruſt them up to the hedge: for they afford curious walkes for pleaſure, food for Cattel, both in the ſpring early, and alſo in the parching Summer, and nipping ſnowy Winter: They affoard fuel for the fire, and alſo ſhades from the heat, phyſick for the ſicke, refreſhment for the ſound, plenty of food for man, and that not of the worſt, and drink alſo even of the beſt, and all this without much labour, care, or coſt, who therefore can juſtly open his mouth againſt them?
3. Deficiency is, that we do not improve many excellent Fruits, which grow amongſt us very well, and that we have as yet many fruits from beyond ſeas, which will grow very well with us. I paſſe by the generall and great ignorance, that is amongſt us, of the variety of Apples, of which there are many ſorts, which have ſome good and peculiar uſes; moſt men contenting themſelves with the knowledge of half a ſcore of the beſt, thinking the vertues of all the reſt are comprehended in them: as alſo of the variety of Pears, which are incredibly many. A Friend of mine neare Graveſend, hath lately collected about 200. ſpecies. I know another in Eſſex (Mr. Ward) who hath nigh the ſame number. I heare of another in Worcerster-Shire, not inferiour to theſe in Northamton-Shire. I23 know one, who hath likewiſe collected very many. So that I dare boldly ſay, there are no leſſe in this Iſland then 500. ſpecies; ſome commended for their early ripeneſſe; ſome for excellent taſtes; ſome for beauty; others for greatnes; ſome for great bearers; others for good Bakers; ſome for long laſters; other for to make Perry, &c. But to our purpoſe: I ſay many rare Fruits are neglected; to Inſtance.
1. in the Small-nut and Filbird, which is not much inferiour to the beſt and ſweeteſt Almonds.
2. The great Damſin or Pruin-Plum, which groweth well and beareth full in England.
3. Almonds, which groweth well and beareth good fruit, as I have ſeen divers buſhels on one tree in my brothers Orchard.
4. Wal-nuts, which is not a fruit to be deſpiſed.
5. Vines, and Mulberries, but of theſe preſently in another place. I might likewiſe add Currants, Raſpeſes, of which excellent drinkes may be made.
6. Quinces, of the which I cannot but tell you that a Gentleman at Prichenell in Eſſex, who had a tree from beyond Sea, hath the beſt in England, and hath made above 30. pound of a ſmall peece of ground planted with them, as I have heard from his own wifes mouth. And therefore it is by reaſon of our ill Husbandry, that we have Quinces from Flaunders, Smalnuts from Spaine, Pruins from France, and alſo Walnuts and Almonds from Italy, and Cheſtnuts (which I had almoſt forgot) from Portugall. And now I cannot but digreſſe a little, to tell you a ſtrange and true ſtory, with my opinion of it. In divers places of Kent, as at and about Graveſend, in the Countrey and elſewhere, very many of the prime Timbers of their old barnes and houſes are of Cheſtnut-wood, and yet24 there is ſcarce a Cheſtnut-tree within 20. miles of that place, and the people altogether ignorant of ſuch trees. This ſheweth that in former times thoſe places did abound with ſuch timber; for people were not ſo fooliſh ſurely in former times, to runne up and down the world, to procure ſuch huge maſtey timbers for barnes and ſuch buildings when as there was plenty of Oakes, and Elmes, at their doors: And further, it ſheweth, that theſe Trees will grow again with us to a great bigneſſe. This putteth into my minde, the ſtory of the moore-logs, which are found in divers places of the North of England, in moores many foot deepe; which logs are long and black, and appeare to be a kinde of Firre, or Pine; and yet in thoſe places, people are altogether ignorant of theſe Trees, the Country not producing any of theſe ſpecies. The firſt ſtory of Kent, which I know to be true, cauſeth me to wonder the leſſe at the latter: for I ſee that a ſpecies of wood, may be deſtroyed, even totally in a place. And
2. I know, that in Virginia and New-England, that Pines and Firres and Cedars, do grow wonderfully thick in ſuch Moores or Swamps, and being light wood, and eaſily wrought, they are continually uſed, while they laſt, for buildings. Further, I ſuppoſe, theſe Moores, are Commons, to the which the poore have uſed to reſort for firing, and how ſoon great woods will be conſumed by them, every one making what havock he pleaſeth, all men know. As concerning their being ſo deepe in the ground, and blackneſſe; I ſuppoſe that when wood, was abundant in thoſe places, every one did cut what they pleas'd, and left what was not for their turnes,25 which being in moiſt places, was ſoon glutted with moiſture, and made ponderous; by which meanes it ſoon buried it ſelfe, as ſhips do, on quickſand, or perhaps the turffe (which hath a peculiar faculty vegetative, for where it is exhauſted, it ſoon groweth againe) in time hath growne over them; the people permitting it, becauſe that wood, once ſobb'd in wet, is of little uſe, as we ſee by Piles on the marſhes-ſide, ſcarce any man vouchſafing to carry them home. The blackneſſe of this wood proceedeth, as I ſuppoſe, from the ſooty fume, or evaporation of the black turffe, which endeavoureth, as all earths do, to reduce all things into it's own nature; which though it be not able fully to accompliſh; yet it introduceth divers diſpoſitions, and qualities, as blackneſſe in the wood. Some ſuppoſe, that theſe moore-logs have laine there ever ſince the flood, with whom I will not contend; ſeeing that any wood, if it be kept from the Aire continually moiſt or dry, will endure even thouſands of yeares without putrefaction.
6. Deficiency, is the Not-improving of our Fruits for the beſt ends and purpoſes. Normandy, whichThe 6. deficiency, concerning not improving our Fruits. produceth but little wine, maketh abundance of Cider and Perry, which they eſtimate equally to wine, if it be made of good fruit. The ordinary Perry is made of Choaky Peares, very juicy, which growe along by the high-way-ſides, which are not to be eaten raw. In Biſcay in Spain, where wine is ſcarce, they make Cider of a certaine ſweet Apple, which hath a little bitternes in it, and is like to our ſnonting, & the Cider is very good. And truly here in England, if we would make Cider and Perry of the beſt ſorts26 of Fruits, which is rarely done, (for we think any fruit good enough for that purpoſe) we might make drinks no wayes inferiour to the French wines, which are uſually ſpoyled before they come over the ſeas to you, their ſpirits ſoon evaporating. There are two wayes of making Cider and Perry: one, by bruiſing and beating them, and then preſently to put them into a veſſel to ferment or worke (as it is uſually called) of themſelves: The other way, is to boile the juice with ſome good ſpices, by which the rawneſſe is taken away, and then to ferment it with ſome yeſt, if it worke not of it ſelf, this is the beſt way: and I have taſted Cider thus made of an excellent delicate taſte. Neither let any complaine of the windineſſe; for it is onely want of uſe: When I had for 2. or 3. years continually drunk wine beyond Sea, the ſtrongeſt beer for 2. or. 3. weekes, was as windy to me, as Cider will be to any; and afterward when I went to Paris, the wine of that place was as troubleſome as Engliſh beer for a little time: how much wine might be ſaved and alſo malt if Engliſh-men did take theſe good courſes, which other Nations do, and conſequently how much advantage would this Iſland reape thereby? If I were an houſe-keeper in the Countrey, I would make excellent Beere, Ale, Cider, Perry, Metheglin, Wine, of our own grapes, and if my Friends would not drink theſe, they ſhould drinke water, or go away a thirſt: I would ſcorne to honour France ſo much as men do uſually; and the Spaniard and Italian ſhould not laugh at us, and ſay that we can as well be without bread, as their wines, Currents &c. Thus may many other excellent drinks bemade out of27 our Fruits: not to ſpeak of thoſe which are made of our Graine, as Barly, Wheate, &c. yet I muſt tell you, that I know an Ingenious man, who can without malting Barly, make a drink not inferiour to wine, and a greater quantity of Aqua-vitae out of them, and with leſſe coſt, then by the ordinary way, by a peculiar fermentation of his own; which time will diſcover. There is another Ingeuious man, who out of Damſins, and other fat and ſweet plums, can make a drinke not inferiour to the beſt wines, and abundance of Aqua-vitae. Many Ladies know how to make Cherry, Raſpes-wines; and Sir Hugh Plattes in his Cloſet for Ladies, diſcloſeth many ſecrets of this kind; as alſo for Conſerves, Marmalades, which are things both delightful and profitable. I have a kinſman, who can even out of black-berries, make a very pleaſant drinke, which curioſity he is unwilling to publiſh. Glauber an excellent Chymiſt hath divers ſecrets of this kind, even to the advancing of Hawes, Hips, Canker-Berries, Slowes, to excellent Aqua-vitae's, drinkes, vinegers, which he himſelfe firſt invented. In Ruſſia in the ſpring-time it's an uſual cuſtome to pierce the barke of the Birch-trees, which at that time will weepe much liquor, and yet like children be little the worſe; this the poor ordinarily drinke for neceſſity,Helmont it's a pleaſant healthful drinke; and alſo the rich men, becauſe it's an excellent preſervative againſt the ſtone.
The meanes to advance this profitable and pleaſant worke, are theſe.
1. To advance Nurceries of all ſorts of Peares, Apples, Plums, Cherries, which Gentlemen may do for a ſmal matter, and then plant out theſe trees, when28 they are growne great enough. The beſt and cheapeſt wayes to raiſe all Nurcery wares is done thus. Plums may be raiſed either of ſtones, which when you have eaten the plums, may be preſently pricked into the ground, or by Slips, which you will find about the old trees. Apples may be raiſed from Kernels (Crab kernels are the beſt) which ought to be preſerved in dry ſand, till the ſpring, leaſt they grow mouldy: or Crab-ſtalke may be fetched out of the woods, and grafted. Some Trees as Sweetings, Codlings, Quinces, will grow very well of ſlips. Cherries are very well raiſed by ſtones, (the Black-Cherries are the beſt) which ſo ſoone as you have eaten them, are to be howen into Beds made very fine, the ranges a foot diſtant; beware leaſt you let them heate, and take heed of the mouſe. I have ſeen Cherry-ſtones and Apple-Kernels grow 2. foot and a half in one yeare; and conſequently in few years they would be fit to be tranſplanted. The Art of Grafting, Inoculating a Gentleman will learne in two houres.
2. For the advancing of Ingenuities in this kind, as that making of Vinous-Drinks, out of Apples, Plums &c. I counſel all Ingenious Gentlemen to try divers experiments in theſe kinds; with theſe Cautions.
1. That he attempt not great quantities at firſt, which perchance will be chargeable and troubleſome; for by a gallon he may have as much certainly, as by a hogſhead.
2. Not to be diſcouraged, if they ſucceed not well at firſt daſh: for certainly there are many Ingenuities in theſe fruits, which time will diſcover.
3. Proceed by fermentation: for every liquour which will ferment, hath a vinous ſpirit in it, & without29 fermentation even the beſt fruits will have none.
Laſtly, fermentation is done either in liquido, or humido; and herein conſiſts ſome Myſtery. I have forgot to ſpeake of Apricocks, Peaches, Melicotores, which are fine pleaſant fruits, yet very dangerous; and therefore called by the Italians, Mazzofranceſe, that is, Kill-Frenchman; and wiſh Ladies, and others to take heed of ſurfeiting by theſe and ſome other dangerous plums.
I cannot without much tediouſneſſe, relate the diverſe ſorts of Vines, which are even Infinite;The 7. deficiency, concerning Vines. Rome having in it uſually, 40. or 50. ſorts of Vines, and all very good: Other places of Italy, Spaine, and France, have alſo great varieties; I therefore paſſe them by, as alſo the manner of managing of them; becauſe it is deſcribed in the Countrey-Farme, and alſo by Bonovil a Frenchman, who at the command of King James wrote a ſhort treatiſe of Vines and Silk-wormes, for the inſtruction of the plantations of Virginia. I ſhall onely according to my method ſhew you the Deficiencies amongſt us in this particular plant, and the beſt Remedies for it.
And firſt, although I thinke that the wine is the great bleſſing of God, which Hot Countreys eſpecially enjoy, as temperate Countryes do Milke, Butter, Cheeſe in abundance, and the coldeſt and Barrenneſt Fowle, & Fiſh in an incredible number; God of his goodnes diſtributing ſome peculiar bleſſings to every Countrey; Notwithſtanding I dare ſay, it's probable, that Vineyards have formerly flouriſhed in England, & that we are to blame, that ſo little is attempted to revive them againe. There are many places in Kent called by the names of Vineyards, and the ground's of ſuch a30 Nature, that it ſeemeth probable, they have been ſuch. I heare further by divers, people of credit, that by records it appeareth, that the tithes of wine in Glocesterſhire was in divers Pariſhes conſiderably great; but at length Gaſcony coming into the hands of the Engliſh, from whence cometh the moſt of the ſtrong French wine, call'd high-Countrey-wine, and cuſtomes being ſmall, wine was imported into England from thence, better and cheaper then we could make it, and it was thought convenient to diſcourage Vineyards here, that the greater trade might be driven with Gaſcoine, and many ſhips might finde imployment thereby.
Some fond Aſtrologers have conceited, that the earth being growne older and therefore colder, hath cauſed the ſun to deſcende many degrees lower to warme and Cheriſh it, and one argument which they bring for this opinion is, that Vines and Silke-wormes are found in thoſe Countreyes, wherein former times they were unknowne: But if theſe fond men, had conſidered the good Husbandry in theſe times, with the bleſſing of God on it, they had not run into ſuch fooliſh imaginations. This is true indeed, that the Roman ſouldiers, who had Alſatia given them to live in, which is one of the beſt and moſt Southerne places of Germany, mutined; becauſe they thought it ſo cold, that Vines would not grow there, and that therefore they ſhould be deprived of that delectable liquor; whereas we find at this preſent day Vines flouriſhing many hundred miles more towards the North, both in France, Loraine, and Germany; and that they are crept down even to the latitude of England; for the Reniſh-wines grew within a degree31 of the Weſt-Southern places of this Iſle, & Paris is not 2. degrees South of us, yet Vines grow three ſcore miles on this ſide Paris, at Beaumont; yea the Vines of theſe places are the moſt delicate; for what wine is preferred before the neat Reniſh for Ladies, and at table; and truly in my opinion, though I have travelled twice through France; yet no wine pleaſed me like Vin D'ache & of Paris; eſpecially about Rueill, which is a very fine brisk wine, & not fuming up to the head, and Inebriating as other wines: I ſay therefore that it is very probable, that if Vines have ſtept out of Italy into Alſatia, from them to theſe places, which are even as farre North as England, and yet the wines there are the moſt delicate, that they are not limited and bounded there. For a 100. miles more or leſſe cauſeth little alteration in heat or cold, and ſome advantages which we have will ſupply that defect. But not to inſiſt too long on probabilities, Iſay, that herein England ſome Ingenious Gentlemen uſually make wine very good, long laſting, without extraordinary labour & coſt ▪ s. To inſtance in one, who in great Chart in the Wilde of Kent, a place very moiſt and cold, yearly maketh 6. or 8. hogs-heads, which is very much commended by divers who have taſted it, and he hath kept ſome of it 2. yeares, as heSir Peter Ricard. himſelfe told me, and it hath been very good; Others likewiſe in Kent do the ſame: and lately in Surrey a Gentle-woman told me, that they having many grapes, which they could not well tell how to diſpoſe off, ſhe, to play the good Houſe-wife, ſtampt them to make verjuice; but 2. moneths after drawing it forth, they found it very fine brisk wine, cleere like Rock-water, and in many other places ſuch experiments have been made. I therefore deſire Ingenious32 men to endeavour the raiſing of ſo neceſſary & pleaſant a commodity; eſpecially when French Wine is ſo deare here, and I ſuppoſe is likely to be dearer, I queſtion not, but they ſhall finde good profit & pleaſure in ſo doing, and that the State will give all encouragements to them: and if the French Wine pay excize and cuſtomes, and the Wines here be toll-free, they will be able to affoard them far cheaper, than the French can theirs, and ſupply the whole Iſle, if they proceede according to theſe Rules.
1. To chooſe the beſt ſorts of grapes, which are moſt proper for this Iſle, and though there are many ſorts of grapes amongſt Gardiners; yet I commend 4. ſorts eſpecially to them; and I deſire that they be very careful in this particular: for it is the foundation of the worke; if you faile in this, you faile in all; for I know that Burdeaux-Vines which beare very great grapes, make verjuice onely at Paris, and that the tender Orleans-Vine doth not thrive there.
The firſt ſort is the Parſely Vine or Canada-grape; becauſe it firſt came from thoſe parts, where it growes naturally; and though the Countrey be intolerably cold; yet even in the woods without manuring, it ſo farre ripeneth his fruits, that the Jeſuits make wine of it for their maſſe; & Racineè (which is the Juice of the grape newly expreſt, and boiled to a Syrupe, and is very ſweet and pleaſant) for their Lent-proviſion, as you may reade in their Relations: and this Vine ſeemeth to be made for theſe Northerne Countreyes, becauſe it hath it's leaves very ſmall and jaggy, as if it were on purpoſe to let in the ſun, and it ripeneth ſooner than other grapes, as I have obſerved in Oxford-Graden.
332. Sort of Vine is the Rheniſh-grape; for it groweth in a temperate Countrey, not much hotter in ſummer then England; and the wine is excellent as all know.
3. Sort is the Paris-grape; which is much like the temper of England, onely a little hotter in ſummer: this grape beareth a ſmall bunch cloſe ſet together, very hardy to endure frosts and other inconveniencies, and is ſoone ripe; ſo that the vintage of Paris, is ſooner ended then that of Orleans or Burdeaux; and though it be not ſo delicate to the taſte, as ſome other grapes; yet it maketh an excellent brisk wine.
4. Sort is the ſmall muskadell; which is a very fine pleaſant grape, both to eat and to make wine. In Italy it uſually groweth againſt their houſes walls, and of this they make a ſmall pleaſant wine, a moneth or 2. before the ordinary Vintage. It is a tender plant in reſpect of the other Vines in the fields: theſe Vines I know are the moſt convenient for this Iſle; becauſe they beare ſmall bunches, and grapes ſoon ripen, and are hardy to endure froſts and ill weather.
2. To chooſe convenient places. For this end I councell them, Firſt to plant Vines on the Southſide of their dwelling-houſes, Barnes, Stables, and Outhouſes. The Gentleman of Kent, whome I mentioned before, uſeth this courſe: and to keepe the Vines from hurting his tiles, and that the winde may not wrong his Vines, he hath a frame made of poles or any kinde of wood, about a foot from the tiles, to the which he tyeth the Vines; by this meanes his Vines having the reflection of the yard, ſides of the houſes and tiles, do ripen very well, and beare much; ſo34 that one old Vine, hath produced nigh a hogshead of wine in one year: and I wiſh all to take this courſe; which is neither chargeable, nor troubleſome, but very pleaſant; and if all in this Iſland would do thus, it's incredible, what abundance of wine might be made, even by this petty way.
2. If that any Gentleman will be at the charge of making a Vineyard, let him chooſe a fine ſandy warm hill, open to the South-Eaſt rather than to the South-Weſt: for though the South-West ſeemeth to be hotter; yet the South-East ripeneth better, as I have ſeen in Oxford-Garden; becauſe the South-Eaſt is ſooner warmed by the Sun in the morning; and the South-West winds, are the winds which blow moſt frequently, and bring raine, which refrigerate the plants: and ſuch a place is very requiſite; for in other places Vines do not thrive, even in France: for if you travel betwixt Paris and Orleans, which is above 30. leagues, yet you ſhall ſcarcely ſee a Vineyard, becauſe it is a plaine Champion-Countrey. So likewiſe betwixt Fontarabia to Burdeaux, in the Southerne parts of France, for an 100. miles together; becauſe the land is generally a barren ſandy plaine, where onely Heath abounds and Pine-trees, out of which they make Turpentine and Rozen, by wounding of them; and Tarre and Pitch, by the burning of them: and if any finde ſuch a fine warme hill, and do dung and fence it well, he hath a greater advantage of moſt of the Vineyards of France by this conveniency, than they have of our Iſle, by being a hundred miles more South; for moſt of their Vineyards are in large fields not encloſed, on land that is ſtony, and but indifferently warme. But ſome will ſay,35 that the wet weather deſtroyes us. It's true, that the wet will deſtroy all things; Sheepe, Corne, &c. yet no man will ſay, that therefore England will not produce and nouriſh theſe Creatures; and if extraordinary wet years come, they ſpoile even the Vines in France: but take ordinary years and our moiſture is not ſo great, (though ſome abuſe us, and call England, matula Coeli) but the Vines, eſpecially thoſe I have mentioned before, will come to ſuch perfection as to make good wine: and if extraordinary raines fall; yet we may helpe the immaturity by Ingenuity, as I ſhall tell you anon: or at worſt make vineger or verjuice, which will pay coſts.
Further theſe advantages we have of France.
1. This Iſle is not ſubject to nipping froſts in May as France is; becauſe we are in an Iſle, where the Air is more groſſe than in the Continent; and therefore not ſo piercing and ſharpe, as it plainly appeareth by our winters, which are not ſo ſharpe as in Padua in Italy: neither are we ſubject to ſuch ſtormes of haile in ſummer, which are very frequent in hot Countreys, and for many miles together do ſpoile their Vines, ſo that they cannot make wine of the grapes: for thoſe grapes which are touched by the haile, have a Sulphurious and a very unpleaſant taſte, and onely fit to make Aqua-vitae. Further ſometimes in France, caske for their wines is ſo deare, that a tun of wine may be had for a tun of caske: and the custome and excize which is laide on wines here, is as much againe as the poore Vigneron in France expects for his wine. Not to ſpeak of the ill managing of their Vines, eſpecially about Paris, where poor36 men uſually hire an Acre or 2. of Vines, which they manage at their ſpare houres, and moſt commonly packe in ſo many plants on their ground, for to have the greater increaſe, that the ground and Vines are ſo ſhaded by one another, that I have wondered, that the Sun could dart in his beames to mature them; and therefore I cannot but affirme again, that we may make abundance of wine here with profit, the charges of an Acre of Vineyard, not being ſo great as of Hops: an hundred ſets well rooted, at Paris coſt uſually but 4. or 6. ſous or pence, where I have bought many: 2000. will plant an Acre very well, 50. s. a year is the ordinary rate for the 3. diggings with their crooked Inſtrument called Aventage, and the increaſe uſually 4. tuns for an Acre, which will be profit enough: and though I referre all to Bonovil and others, who have written of the managing of Vines; yet I councell to get a Vigneron from France, where there are plenty, and at cheaper rates then ordinary ſervants here, and who will be ſerviceable alſo for Gardening.
2. I will briefly tell, what I have ſeen. In Italy through all Lombardy which is for the moſt part plaine and Champion, their Vines grow in their hedges on Walnut-trees, for the moſt part: in which fields, they ſpeake of 3. harveſts yearly viz.
1. Winter-Corne, which is reaped in June &c.
2. Vines and Walnuts, which are gathered in September.
3. Their ſummer-graines, as Millet, Panicle, Chiches, Vetches &c. Buck-wheate, Frumentone, or that which we call Virginia-Wheate, Turneps, which they ſowe in July when their Winter-corne is cut & reaped, they37 reape in October. In France, their Vines grow 3. manner of wayes; in Provence they cut the Vine about 2. foot high, and make it ſtrong and ſtubbed, like as we do our Oſiers; which ſtock beareth up the branches without a prop.
2. about Orleans, and where they are more curious, they make frames for them to run along.
3. About Paris they ty them to ſhort poles, as we do hops. In France they uſually make trenches, or ſmall ditches, about 3. or 4. foot from one another, and therein plant their Vines, about one and a half deepe, which is a good way, and very much to be commended; but if we here in England, plant Vines as we do Hops, it will do very well, but let them not be packt together too thick, as they do in France in many places, leaſt they too much ſhade the ground, and one another. In Italy when they tread their grapes with their feet in a cart, they powre the juice into a great veſſel or Fat, and put to it all their husks and ſtones which they call graſpe, and let them ferment, or (as we ſay) worke together 12. or 14. dayes, and uſually they put 1. third of water to it, this maketh a wine leſſe furious, Garbo or rough, and therefore a good ſtomack-wine; but it ſpoileth the colour, and taketh away the pleaſant brisk taſte. In France ſo ſoon as they have preſſed out their liquor with their feet, they put it in hogsheads, and after in their preſſe ſqueaſe out what they can, out of the graſpe; which ſerveth to fill up their hogsheads while they worke, which is uſually 3. or 4. dayes, and then ſtop them cloſe: this is alſo the way uſed in Germany, and is the beſt, for it maketh a fine gentile wine with a curious colour. 38In Germany, when their grapes are green, they make fire in their ſellars in ſtoves, by the which meanes, their wines worke extraordinarily, & do digeſt themſelves the better: This courſe we muſt alſo take here in England ſome years; for it helpeth the rawnes of all liquors very much. There is an Ingenious Dutchman, who hath a ſecret, which as yet he will not reveale, how to helpe maturation by a compoſt applyed to the roots: The compoſt which I have ſpoken of before, made of brimſtone: pigeons-dung, is very excellent for that purpoſe, as alſo lees of wine, blood,Glauber. lime uſed with moderation. He alſo knoweth how to make ſoure grapes produce good wine; I ſuppoſe his way to be this, all juice of grapes newly expreſſed is ſweet, and which may by it ſelfe alone be made into a ſweet ſyrupe, which the French call Racineè: further in the Evaporation of liquors, which have not fermented or wrought, the watery part goeth away firſt.
3. Fermentation giveth a vinous taſte, and maketh a liquor full of ſpirits.
You may then eaſily gueſſe at the way, and perhaps he may add alſo ſome ſugar and ſpices, as the Vintners do when they make Hippocras. I know a Gentleman, who hath made excellent wine of raiſins well boil'd in water, and afterward fermented by it ſelfe, or with barme, its called uſually Medea. I likewiſe know, that all ſweet and fatty Juices will make fine vinous Liquors, as Damſins, if they be wrought or fermented ingeniouſly: but whoſoever goeth about ſuch experiments, let him not think that any thing is good enough for theſe purpoſes: but let him uſe the beſt he can get: for of naughty corrupt things,39 who can expect that which is excellent and delicate.
The Deficiency of us in this kind is ſo obvious, that all the world takes notice of it, and it is (next the8. Deficiency concerning Hemp & Flox. neglect of fiſhing) the greateſt ſhame to this Nation; for all know that we have as good land for theſe ſeeds as any can be found in Europe. and that the ſowing of them requireth neither more labour, coſt or skill than other ſeeds. And further that the materials made from theſe are extreamly neceſſary: for how miſerable ſhould we be without Linnen, Canvaſes, Cordage, Nets? how can we put our Ships to Sea, which are the bulwarks of this Iſle? And yet we are neceſſitated to have theſe Commodities, from thoſe who would deſtroy (I will not ſay the Nation, but I may boldly ſay) our Shipping, and Trade. I hope that this will more ſeriouſly be conſidered by thoſe at the Helme of our State. I will freely and plainly relate, how this Deficiency may eaſily be Remedyed, according to my judgement.
1. To compell by a law, that all Farmers, who plough and ſowe 50. or 100. Acres of land, ſhould ſowe halfe an Acre or an Acre of Hempe or Flax, or to pay 5. s. or 10. s. to the poore of the Pariſh where they live, or ſome law to this purpoſe; for there is no man but hath land fit for one of theſe, Hempe deſiring, a ſtiffe land, Flax that which is light.
For there is ſo much irrationality in ſome profeſſions that they muſt be forced even like brutes to underſtand their own good. In King Edward the 6. dayes ſomething was enacted to this purpoſe, as I am informed. In Henry 8. dayes, there was a law enacted that every man ſhould ſowe his lands, and that no man ſhould encloſe his lands, leaſt he ſhould40 turne it to Paſture; for we have had great dearth in England through the neglect of Tillage, which lawes even as yet ſtand in force; yet there is, nor needeth there be any force to compell men to till and ſowe their lands; for they have at length found the ſweetneſſe, and willingly go about it for their own profits ſake, and now we ſuppoſe (and not without cauſe) that Encloſing is an Improvement: and ſo concerning Hempe and Flaxe, I ſay, if they were once accuſtomed to ſowe them, they would never leave it, as I ſee Farmers do in Eaſt-Kent; ſcarce a man but he will have a conſiderable plot of ground for Hempe, and about London far greater quantities of Flax is ſown then formerly.
2. It were convenient, that every Pariſh through the Nation ſhould have a ſtocke for to ſet their poor to worke, that the young children and women might not run up and down idle, and begging or ſtealing (as they do in the Countrey) of Apples, Peaſe, Wood, Hedges, and ſo by little and little, are trained up for the Gallowes.
3. That a ſevere law ſhould be enacted againſt thoſe who run up and downe and will not worke: for if all know, that they may have worke at home, and earne more within doores honeſtly, then by running rogueing up and downe, why ſhould they not compell them to it? and though ſome may think the Pariſhes will loſe much by this way; becauſe that the ſtock wrought will not be put off, but with loſſe, as perhaps 10. l. will be brought to 8. l. yet let them conſider how much they ſhall ſave at their doors, how many inconveniences they are freed from; their hedges in the Countrey ſhall not be41 pulled, their fruits ſtolne, nor their Corne purloined; and further, that the poor will be trained up to worke, and therefore fit for any ſervice: yea and in their youth learne a calling by the which they may get an honeſt lively hood; and I dare ſay, their Aſſeſſements for the poor, would not be ſo frequent, nor the poor ſo numerous: and the benefit which redownds to the Nation, would be very great.
4. The charitable deeds of our fore-fathers, ought to be enquired after, that they be not miſplaced, as uſually they are, but be really beſtowed for the good of the poore, that are laborious (as in London is begun) and if there be any that will not worke, take Saint Pauls rule, who beſt knew what was beſt for them. I dare not adviſe to take in part of Commons, Fens, &c. and to improve them for this uſe, leaſt I ſhould too much provoke the rude mercileſſe multitude. But to returne to my diſcourſe. I ſay, that ſowing Hempe and Flax, will be very beneficial.
1. To the Owners of land: for men uſually give in divers places 3. l. per Acre, to ſowe Hempe and Flax (as I have ſeen at Maidſtone in Kent, which is the onely place, I know in England, where thread is made: and though nigh a hundred hands are imployed about it; yet they make not enough for this Nation,) and yet get good profit. How advantageous will this be to thoſe who have drained the Fens, where queſtionleſs Hempe will flouriſh, and exſiccate the ground, (for Hempe deſireth ſtiffe moiſt land, as Flax light and dry,) and like wiſe to thoſe in the North of England, where land is very cheape? I hope42 in a little time Ireland will furniſh us with theſe commodities, if we be idle; for there land is very cheap, and thoſe ſeeds need no incloſure; for cattel will not touch them, neither doth it feare the plunderer either in the field or barne.
2. It's profitable to the ſower. I know that they uſually value an Acre at 10. or 12. l. which coſteth them uſually but halfe the money. Whether there be Flax, that will yield 30. or 40. l. per Acre as ſome report, I know not.
3. To the place where it is ſowne; becauſe it ſets many poore to worke. I wiſh it were encouraged more in the North than it is; becauſe there be many poore, who could willingly take paines: and though ſpinning of linnen be but a poor worke; yet it is light, and may be called Womens recreation, (and in France and Spaine the beſt Citizens wives think it no diſgrace to go about ſpinning with their Rocks) and though in ſome part the poore think it nothing to earne 4. or 6. d. per day, and will as ſoon ſtand with their hands in their pockets, as worke cheape; yet in the North they account it well to earne 3. d. or 4. d. by ſpinning, which they may do.
Laſtly, it would be very beneficial to this Nation, and ſave many thouſand pounds, I may ſay 100. thouſands, which are expected, either in caſh or good Commodities; and we ſhould not be beholding to Holland for fine linnen and Cordage, nor to France for Poldavices, Locrams, Canvaces, nets, nor to Flaunders for thread; but might be ſupplyed abundantly with theſe neceſſary Commodities even at our own doors.
There is no ſmall Deficiency in dunging and manuring43 lands, both becauſe that all manner of manuring9. Deficiency, concerning Dunging, and Manuring Lands. and amending lands, is not known to every one, and alſo that they do not imploy all they know to the beſt uſe. I will therefore ſet downe moſt of the wayes I have ſeen here in England, and beyond Seas, by which land is improved, and the beſt wayes to uſe the ſame.
1. To begin with Chalke, which is as old a way as Julius Ceſars time, as he himſelfe reporteth in his Commentaries. Chalke is of 2. ſorts.
1. A hard, ſtrong, dry Chalke, with which in Kent they make walls, burn lime &c.
2. Kind is a ſmall unctuous Chalke: this is the Chalke for land, the other helpeth little; onely it maketh the plough go eaſier in ſtiffe lands: broomy land is accounted the beſt land for Chalke and lime, but it helpeth other lands alſo; eſpecially, if you Chalke your ground, and let it ly a year or 2. which is the way uſed in Kent; that it may be matured and ſhattered by the ſun and raine, otherwiſe if it be turned in preſently, it is apt to ly in great clods, as I have ſeen it 20. years after. Chalke alſo ſweetneth paſture, but doth not much increaſe it, and killeth ruſhes and broome.
2. Lime, which is made of divers ſorts of stones, is an excellent thing for moſt Lands, and produceth a moſt pure graine: 160. buſhels is uſually laid on an Acre, but I ſuppoſe that if men did lay but halfe the dung on the ground, as they uſually do, as alſo lime and Chalke, and dung and lime it oftener, it would be better Husbandry: for much dung cauſeth much weeds, and cauſeth Corn to lodge; and too much Chalke doth too much force the land, ſo that after44 ſome good crops, it lyeth barren many yeares. It's good Husbandry likewiſe to lay down lands before they be too much out of heart; for they will ſoone recover; otherwiſe not.
3. Ordinary Dung, which every one knoweth; but let it not be expoſed to the Sun too much, nor let it ly in an high place; for the raine will waſte away it's fatneſſe. It's obſerveable, that earth the more it is expoſed to the Sun, it's the better, as we ſee that land is much bettered by oft ploughings: for the Sun and dew engender a nitrous fatneſſe, which is the cauſe of fertility; but dung is exhauſted by the Sun, as it appeareth by the foldings of Sheepe, which profit little, if it be not preſently turned in; therefore a Shepherd if his time would permit, ſhould turne up the ground with an howe for to ſowe Turneps, as Gardiners do. I have ſeen Ordinary Dung on dry lands in dry years to do hurt, and it oft cauſeth weeds and trumpery to grow.
4. Marle. It's of divers kinds: ſome ſtony, ſome ſoft, ſome white, ſome yellewiſh, but moſt commonly blew. It's in moſt places in England, but not knowne by all: the beſt markes to know it, is to expoſe it to the Aire, and to ſee if the Sun or Rain cauſe it to ſhatter, and if it be unctuous, or rather to take a load or 2. and lay it on the midſt of your fields, and to try how it mendeth your lands. It's excellent for Corne, and Pasture; eſpecially on dry lands. In Eſſex the ſcourings of their ditches they call Marle, becauſe it looketh blew like it, it helpeth their lands well,
5. Snaggreet: which is a kind of earth taken out of the Rivers, full of ſmall ſhels. It helpeth the barren45 lands in divers parts of Surrey. I beleeve it's found in all Rivers; It were well, if in other parts of England, they did take notice of it.
6. Owſe out of marſh ditches, hath been found very good for white Chalky land: as alſo Sea-mud & Sea-Owſe is uſed in divers parts of Kent, and Suſſex.
7. Sea-weeds.
8. Mr. Carew in his Survey of Cornwall relateth, that they uſe a fat Sea-ſand, which they carry up many miles in ſacks, and by this they have very much improved their barren lands. It were worth the while to try all manner of Sea-ſands: for I ſuppoſe, that in other places they have a like fertilizing fatneſſe.
9. Folding of Sheepe, eſpecially after the Flaunders manner, (viz.) under a covert, in which earth is ſtrewed about 6. inches thick, on which they ſet divers nights: then more earth muſt be brought and ſtrewed 6. inches thick, and the Sheepe folded on it, and thus they do continually Winter and Summer. I ſuppoſe a ſhepherd, with one horſe will do it at his ſpare houres, and indeed ſooner then remove his fold; and this folding is to be continued, eſpecially in Winter, and doth the Sheepe good; becauſe they ly warme and dry: and truly if I am not miſtaken, by this meanes we may make our Sheepe to enrich all the barren dry lands of England.
10. Aſhes of any kind. Seacoale-aſhes with horſedung the Gardiners of London much commend for divers uſes. It's great pitty, that ſo many thouſand loads are throwne into waſte places, and do no good.
11. Soote is alſo very good, being ſprinkled on ground ▪ but it's too deer, if it be of wood; for it's worth 16. d. or 2. s. a buſhel.
4612. Pigeons or Hens-dung is incomparable: one load is worth 10. loads of other dung, & therefore it's uſually ſowne on Wheate, that lyeth a far off, and not eaſy to be helped: it's extraordinary likewiſe on a Hop-garden.
13. Malt-duſt is exceedingly good in Corne-land: blood for trees; alſo ſhavings of hornes.
14. Some commend very much the ſweeping of a Ship of Salt, or droſſey ſalt and brine: it's very probable; becauſe it killeth the wormes, and all fertility proceedeth from ſalt.
15. I have ſeen in France, poore men cut up Heath and the Turffe of the ground, and lay them on an heape, to make mould for their barren lands. Brakes laid in a moiſt place, and rotted, are uſed much for Hop-grounds, and generally all things that will rot, if they were ſtones, would make dung.
16. In New-England they fiſh their ground, which is done thus: In the ſpring about April, there cometh up a fiſh to the freſh Rivers, called an Alewife; becauſe of it's great belly: and is a kind of ſhade, full of bones; theſe are caught in wiers, and ſold very cheape to the planters, who uſually put one or two cut in peeces into the hill where their Corne is planted, called Virginia-Wheate, for they plant it in hills, 5. graines in an hill, almoſt as we plant Hops (in May, or June; for it will not endure froſts) and at that diſtance; it cauſeth fertility extraodinary for two years, eſpecially the firſt: for they have had 50. or 60. buſhels on an Acre, and yet plough not their land, and in the ſame hills do plant the ſame Corne for many years together, and have good crops: beſides abundance of Pumpions and47 French or Kidney beanes. In the North parts of New-England, where the fiſher-men live, they uſually fiſh their ground with Cods-heads; which if they were in England would be better imployed. I ſuppoſe that when ſprats be cheap, men might mend their Hop-grounds with them, and it would quit coſt: but the dogs will be apt to ſcrape them up, as they do in New-England, unles one of their legs be tyed up.
17. Ʋrine. In Holland they as carefully preſerve the Cowes urine, as the dung to enrich their land: old urine is excellent for the Roots of trees. Columella in his book of Husbandry, ſaith, that he is an ill husband that doth not make 10. loads of dung for every great beaſt in his yard, and as much for every one in the houſe, and one load for ſmall beaſts as hogs. This is ſtrange husbandry to us: and I beleeve there are many ill husbands by this account. I know a woman who liveth 5. miles South of Canterbury, who ſaveth in a paile, all the droppings of the houſes, I meane the urine, and when the paile is full, ſprinckleth it on her Meadow, which cauſeth the graſſe at firſt to look yellow, but after a little time, it growes wonderfully, that many of her neighbours wondered at it, and were like to accuſe her of witch-craft.
18. Woollen raggs, which Harford-ſhire-men uſe much, and Oxford-ſhire, and many other places: they do very well in thinne Chalky land in Kent for 2. or 3. yeares. It's a fault in many places, that they neglect theſe, as alſo Linnen-raggs, or Ropes-ends, of the which white and browne paper is made; for it's ſtrange that we have not Linnen-raggs enough for paper, as other Nations have; but muſt have it from Italy, France, and Holland.
4819. Denſhyring, (ſo called in Kent, where I onely have ſeen it uſed, though by the word it ſhould come from Denbigh-ſhire,) is the cutting up of all theMr. Cambden. turffe of a Meadow, with an inſtrument ſharpe on both ſides, which a man with violence thruſts before him, and then they lay the turffe on heapes, and when it's dry, they burne it, and ſpread it on the ground. The charge is uſually 4. Nobles, which the goodneſſe of a crop or 2. repayeth.
20. Mixture of lands. Colum. an old writer ſaith, that his Grand father uſed to carry ſand on clay, and on the contrary to bring clay on ſandy grounds, and with good ſucceſſe, the Lord Bacon thinking muchNatur. Hiſtor. good may be done thereby; for if Chalke be good for loamy land, why ſhould not loame be good for Chalky bankes?
21. I may add Encloſure as an Improvement of land: not onely becauſe that men, when their grounds are encloſed, may imploy them as they pleaſe; but becauſe it giveth warmth and conſequently fertility. There is one in London, who promiſed to mend lands much by warmth onely, and we ſee that if ſome few ſtickes ly together, & give a place warmth, how ſpeedily that graſſe will grow.
22. Steeping of Graines. The Auncients uſed to ſteep Beanes in ſalt-water: and in Kent it's uſual to ſteep Barly, when they ſowe late, that it may grow the faſter; and alſo to take away the ſoile: for wild Oates, Cockle, and all ſave Drake will ſwimme; as alſo much of the light Corne, which to take away is very good. If you put Pigeons-dung into the water, and let it ſteep all night, it may be as it were halfe a dunging: take heed of ſteeping Peaſe too long; for49 I have ſeen them ſproute in three or four houres.
23. Is the ſowing of Courſe and cheape Graine, and when they are growne to plough them in. For this purpoſe the Auncients did uſe LƲPINES, a plant well knowne to our Gardiners: and in Kent ſometimes Tares are ſowen, which when the cattel have eaten a little of the tops, they turne them in, with very good Improvement for their ground.
I will not deny, but that we have good Husbands,10. Deficiency, concerning the not Improvement of our Meadowes. who dung and Marle their Meadowes and Paſtureland, and throw downe all Mole and Ant-hills, and with their ſpud-ſtaffe, cut up all thiſtles and weeds, and that they likewiſe ſtraw aſhes on their grounds to kill the Moſſe; and ſalt for the wormes, and they do very well, but yet there are many who are negligent in theſe particulars, for the which they are blame-worthy, but the Deficiencies, of which I intend to ſpeak of, are theſe following. Cato, one of the wiſeſt of the Romans, ſaith, that Pratum eſt quaſi paratum; alwayes ready, and prepared; and preferreth Meadowes before the Olive-Gardens, (although the Spaniards bequeath Olive-trees to their children, as we do cotages) or Vines or Corne; becauſe Meadowes bring in a certaine profit, without labour and paines: but the other requireth much coſt and paines, and are ſubject to Froſts, Mildew, Haile, Locusts: to the which for the honour of Meadowes, I may add, that the ſtock of Meadowes, is of greater value, and the Commodities which ariſe from them, are divers and of greater value, than Corne, as Butter, Cheeſe, Tallow, Hides, Beef, Wooll; and therefore I may conclude, that England abounding in Paſtures more than other Countries, is therefore richer; and I know (what others think I care not) that in France Acre for50 Acre is not comperable to it, Farteſcue Chancelor of England, ſaith, that we get more in England by ſtanding ſtill then the French by working: but to ſpeak of the Deficiencies amongſt us.
1. We are to blame, that we have neglected the great Clover-graſſe, Saint Foine, Lucerne.
2. That we do not float our lands, as they do in Lombardy, where they mowe their lands 3. or 4. times yearly, which conſiſt of the great Clovergraſſe. Here are the excellent Parmiſane-cheeſes made, and indeed theſe Paſtures far exceed any other places in Italy, yea in Europe. We here in England have great opportunities by brooks & Rivers in all places to do ſo, but we are negligent; yet we might hereby double if not trebble our profits, kill all ruſhes &c. But he that deſireth to know the manner how to do this, and that profit, that will ariſe thereby, let him reade Mr. Blithes Booke of Husbandry, lately printed.
3. That when we lay down land for Meadow or Pasture, we do not ſowe them with the ſeeds of fine ſweet graſſe, Trefoiles, and other excellent herbes. Concerning this you may reade a large Treatiſe of the Countrey-Farmer; for if the land be rich, it will put forth weeds and trumpery, and perhaps a kind of ſoure graſſe little worth, if it be poore, ye ſhall have thiſtles, May-weed and little or no graſſe, for a yeare or 2. I know a Gentleman, who at my entreaty, ſowed with his Oates the bottome of his Hay-mowe, and though his land were worne out of heart, and naturally poore; yet he had that year not onely a crop of Oates; but he might if it had pleaſed him, have mowen his graſſe alſo, but51 he ſpared it, which was well done, till the next year, that it might make a turffe and grow ſtronger. By this Husbandry lands might be well improved, eſpecially if men did conſider the diverſity of graſſes, which are 90. ſorts, and 23. of Trefoile: I know a place in Kent, which is a white Chalky downe, which ground is ſometimes ſowen with Corne a year or 2. and then it reſteth as long or longer: when it is laid down it maintaineth many great Sheepe and very luſty, ſo that they are even fit for the Butcher; and yet there doth ſcarce appeare any thing that they can eate, which bath cauſed divers to wonder, as if they had lived on Chalke-ſtones: but I more ſeriouſly conſidering the matter, throughly viewed the ground, and perceived that the ground naturally produceth a ſmall Trefoile, which it ſeemeth is very ſweet and pleaſant, it's commonly called Trifolium luteum, or Lupilinum, that is, yellow or Hop-Trefoile: and I am perſwaded, if that the ſeed of this Trefoile were preſerved, and ſowen with dates, when they intend to lay it downe, it would very much advance the Paſture of that place; therefore I deſire all Ingenious men, ſeriouſly to conſider, the nature of the Trefoiles, which are the ſweeteſt of graſſes, and to obſerve on what grounds they naturally grow: and alſo the nature of other graſſes, which (as I have ſaid before) are no leſſe then 90. ſorts, naturally growing in this Iſle; ſome on watry places, ſome on dry, ſome on clay, others on ſand, Chalk &c. ſome on fruitful places, others in barren; by the which meanes I ſuppoſe a ſolid foundation might be laid, for the advancing the Paſture-lands of all ſorts, through this Iſland: for I know52 ſome plants, as the Orchis call'd Bee-flower &c. which will thrive better on the Chalky barren bankes, than in any garden, though the mould be never ſo rich and delicate, and the Gardiner very diligent in cheriſhing of it: and why may not the ſame propriety be in graſſes? for we ſee diverſe benty graſſes to thrive, eſpecially on barren places, where ſcarce any thing elſe will grow. J muſt againe and againe deſire all men to take notice of the wonderful graſſe which groweth neare Salisbury, and deſire them to try it on their Rich Meadowes.
It's a common ſaying, that there are more waste lands in England, in theſe particulars, than in all11. Deficiency, concerning waſte Lands. Europe beſides, conſidering the quantity of land. I dare not ſay this is true; but hope if it be ſo, that it will be mended. For of late much hath been done for the advancement of theſe kinds of land; yet there are as yet great Deſiciencies. In the times of Papiſtry, all in this Iſland were either Souldiers or Scholars; Scholars, by reaſon of the great honours, priviledges, and profits, (the third part of the Kingdome belonging to them) and Souldiers, becauſe of the many and great warres with France, Scotland, Ireland, Wales. And in thoſe times Gentlemen thought it an honour to be careleſſe, and to have houſes, furniture, diet, exerciſes, apparell, &c. yea all things at home and abroad, Souldier-like: Muſick, Pictures, Perfumes, Sauces (unleſſe good ſtomacks) were counted, perhaps unjuſtly, too effeminate. In Qu. Elizabeth's dayes Ingenuities, Curioſities, and Good Husbandry began to take place, and then Salt Marſhes began to be fenced from the Seas; and yet many were neglected, even to our dayes, as Hollhaven in53 Eſſex, Axtel-holme Iſle in York-ſhire: many 1000. of Acres have lately been gained from the Sea in Lincolne-ſhire, and as yet more are to be taken in there, and in other places. Rumſey-marſh in Kent, conſiſting of 45000. Acres and upwards, (as Cambden relateth) is of ſome antiquity, where the land is uſually let for 30. s. per Acre, and yet 1. d. per week conſtantly is pay'd, through the whole levil, for the maintenance of the wall, and now and then 2. d. whereas ordinary ſalts are accounted dear at 5. s. or 6. s. per Acre; ſo that the improvement is very conſiderable: the ſame I may ſay of Fens, eſpecially that great Fen of Lincolne-ſhire, Cambridge, Hungtingdon conſiſting as I am Informed of 380000. Acres, which is now almoſt recovered; and a friend of mine told me very lately, that he had proffered a marke per Acre; for 900. Acres together, to ſowe Rape on, which formerly was ſcarcely valued at 12. d. per Acre; very great therefore is the improvement of draining of lands, and our negligence very great, that they have been waſte ſo long, and as yet ſo continue in divers places: for the improving of a Kingdome is better than the conquering a new one.
2. I ſee likewiſe no ſmall faults in this land, by having ſo many Chaſes and Forreſts, where brambles, brakes, furzes do grow, when as theſe trumperies might be cut up, and pot-aſhes made of them; and the ground imployed profitably for Corne, or Pasture. I know a Forreſt by Brill in Buckingham-ſhire taken in, and the land is uſually let being now well encloſed, for 4. or 5. Nobles per Acre.
3. Sort of waſte-land, is dry heathy Commons. I54 know that poore people will cry out againſt me, becauſe I call theſe waſte-lands; but its no matter: I deſire Ingenious Gentlemen ſeriouſly to conſider, whether or no theſe lands might not be improved very much by the Husbandry of Flaunders, (viz.) by ſowing Flax, Turneps, great Clover-Graſſe, if that Manure be made by folding Sbeepe after the Flaunders way, to keepe it in heart?
2. Whether the Rottenneſſe and Scabbineſſe of Sheepe, Murrein of Cattel, Diſeaſes of horſes, and in general all diſeaſes of Cattel do not eſpecially proceed from Commons?
3. If the rich men, who are able to keepe great ſtockes, are not great gainers by them?
4. Whether Commons do not rather make poore, by cauſing idleneſſe, than maintaine them; and ſuch poor, who are trained up rather for the Gallowes or beggery, than for the Common-wealths ſervice?
5. How it cometh to paſſe, that there are feweſt poore, where there are feweſt Commons, as in Kent, where there is ſcarce 6. Commons in the County of a conſiderable greatneſſe?
6. How many do they ſee enriched by the Commons; & if their Cattel be not uſually ſwept away by the Rot, or ſtarved in ſome hard winters?
7. If that poore men might not imploy 2. Acres encloſed to more advantage; than twice as much in a Common?
And Laſtly, if that all Commons were encloſed, and part given to the Inhabitants, and part rented out, for a ſtock to ſet all the poore on worke in every County; I determine nothing in this kind: but leave the determination for wiſer heads.
554. Parkes. Although I cannot but reckon Parks amongſt lands, which are not Improved to the full; but perceive conſiderable waſte by them, by brakes, buſhes, brambles &c. growing in divers places, and therefore wiſh there were fewer in this Iſland; yet I am not ſo great an enemy to them, as moſt are: for there are very great Uſes of them, as.
1. For the bringing up of young cattel.
2. For the maintaining of Timber, ſo that if any have occaſion, to uſe a good peece of Timber either for a Mill-poſt, or a Keele of a Ship, or other ſpecial uſes, whither can they go but to a Parke?
3. The skins of the Deere are very uſefull, and their fleſh excellent Food. Not to ſpeak of the Medicinal Ʋſes, nor of Acornes for hogs &c. But ſome will object, that the plough never goeth there. To the which I anſwer, Its no matter: for I cannot butPreemminence of Engliſh laws. ſay as Forteſcue Chancellor to Henry 6. doth, That God hath given us, ſuch a fruitful land, that without labour we have plenty; whereas France muſt digge and delve for what they have. And I ſuppoſe, that I could maintaine 2. things which are thought great Paradoxes, (viz.) that it were no loſſe to this Iſland, if that we ſhould not plough at all, if ſo be that we could certainly have Corne at a reaſonable rate, and likewiſe vent for all our Manufactures of Wooll.
1. Becauſe that the Commodities from Cattel, are far more ſtable than Corne: for, Cloth, Stuffes, Stockins, Butter, Cheeſe, Hides, Shoes, Tallow, are certain even every where: Corne ſcarcely in any place, conſtantly in none.
2. Pasture imployeth more hands, which is the ſecond Paradox; and therefore Paſture doth not depopulate,56 as it is commonly ſaid: for Normandy and Picardy in France, where there are Paſtures in a good meaſure, are as populous as any part of France; and I am certaine that Holland, Frizeland, Zealand, Flaunders and Lombardy, which rely altogether on Paſtures are the moſt populous places in Europe. But ſome will object and ſay, that a ſhepherd and a dog formerly hath deſtroyed divers villages. To this I anſwer, that we well know what a ſhepherd and a dog can do, (viz.) looke to two or 300. ſheepe at the moſt, and that 2. or 300. Acres will maintaine them, or the land is extreamly barren; and that theſe 2. or 300. Acres being barren, will ſcarcely maintaine a plough (which is but one man and 2. boyes,) with the horſes: and that the mowing, reaping, and threſhing of this Corne, and other worke about, will ſcarcely maintaine 3. more with worke through the whole yeare. But how many people may be imployed, by the Wooll of 2. or 300. Sheepe, in Picking, Sorting, Carding, Spinning, Weaving, Dying, Fulling, Knitting, I leave to others to calculate. And further, if the Paſtures be rich Meadowes, and go on dairing, I ſuppoſe all know, that 100. Acres of ſuch land imployeth more hands than 100. Acres of the beſt Corne-Land in England, and produceth likewiſe better exportable Commodities. And further, if I ſhould grant, that formerly the ſhepherd and his dog did depopulate; yet I will deny, that it doth ſo now: for formerly we were ſo unwiſe, as to ſend over our Wooll to Antwerpe and other places, where they were Manufactured; by which meanes 1. pound oft brought 10. unwrought to them; but we ſet now our own poore to work, and ſo ſave the depopulation. 57Yet I ſay, it's convenient to encourage the plough; becauſe that we cannot have a certainty of Corne, and carriage is dear, both by ſea and land, eſpecially into the Inland-Countreyes; and our Commodities by Wooll do cloy the Merchants.
5. Ruſhy lands. Blith telleth us, good Remedies for theſe Inconveniencies, (viz.) making deep-trenches, oft mowings, Chalking, Liming, Dunging, Ploughing. I know where hungry gueſts Horſes ſoone make an end of them.
6. Furze, broome, heath, theſe can hardly be ſo deſtroyed, but at length they will up againe; for God hath given a peculiar propriety to every kinde of earth, to produce ſome peculiar kinds of Plants, which it will obſerve even to the worlds end, unles by Dung, Marle, Chalke, you alter even the very Nature of the earth. In Gallitia in Spine, where ſuch barren lands do very much abound, they do thus: firſt they grub them up as cleane as they can; of the greater Rootes and branches they make fire-wood; the ſmaller ſtickes are either imployed in fencing, or elſe are burnt on the ground; afterwards the land being ploughed twice at leaſt, they ſowe Wheat, and uſually the crop is great, which the Landlord and Tenant devide according to a compact; then the ground reſteth, and in 3. or 4. years, the Furze or broome will recover their former growth, which the paineful Husband-man grubbeth, and doeth with it as formerly. I ſet this downe that you may ſee how laborious the Spaniard is in ſome places, the poverty of the countrey compelling him to it.
7. There are other Inconveniencies in land, beſides weeds and trumpery (viz.) Ill tenures, as coppyhold,58 Knight-ſervice, &c. ſo that the Poſſeſſor cannot cut any Timber downe, without conſent of the Lord; & when he dyes muſt pay one or 2. years rent. But theſe are not in the power of the poor Husband-man to remedy; I therefore paſſe them by: yet hope that in little time, we ſhall ſee theſe Inconveniencies remedied; becauſe they much diſcourage Improvements and are (as I ſuppoſe) badges of our Norman ſlavery.
To conclude, it ſeemeth to me very reaſonable, and it will be a great encouragement to laborious men, to improve their barren lands, if that they ſhould have recompence for what they have done, according as indifferent men ſhould judge, when they leave it, as is the cuſtome in Flaunders.
I have likewiſe obſerved ſome Deficiencies in Woods, which I ſhall briefly declare, with the beſt12. Deficiency, in Woods. way to Remedy the ſame.
1. It's a great, fault that generally through the Iſland the Woods are deſtroyed; ſo that we are in many places very much neceſſitated both for fuel, & alſo for timber for building and other uſes; ſo that if we had not Coales from New-caſtle, and Boards from Norwey, Plough-ſtaves & pipe-staves from Pruſſia, we ſhould be brought to great extreamity: and many Mechanickes would be neceſſitated to leave their callings.
2. Deficiency, is that our Woods are not ordered as they ſhould be; but though Woods are eſpecially preſerved for timber, for building and Shipping; yet at this time it's very rare to ſee a good Timber-tree in a Wood.
3. That many of our Woods, are very thinne, and not repleniſhed with ſuch ſorts of Wood, as are convenient for the place.
594. That we fell continually, and never plant or take care for poſterity.
Theſe Deficiencies may be thus Remedyed.
1. To put in execution the Statutes againſt grubbing of Woods, which are ſufficiently ſevere. It's well knowne, we have good lawes; but it's better knowne, they are not executed. In the Wilde of Kent and Suſſex, which lies far from the Rivers and Sea, and formerly have been nothing but Woods, liberty is granted for men to grub what they pleaſe; for they cannot want firing for themſelves, and they are ſo ſeated, that neither firewood, nor timber can be tranſported elſewhere. I know a Gentleman who proffered there good Oake-timber at 6. s. 8. d. per tun, and the land in thoſe parts in general is very good. About Tunbridge there is land which formerly was Wood, is now let for 30. s. per Acre; ſo that to keepe ſuch lands for Wood, would be both loſſe to the owner and to the Iſland: But in other parts of the Iſland it is otherwiſe, and men are much to be blamed for deſtroying both timber and fuel. I have ſeen at Shooters-hill near London, ſome Woods ſtubbed up which were good ground for Wood, but now are nothing but furze, which is a great loſſe, both to the owner and to the Countrey: For the land is made worſe then it was formerly. I conceive there are lands, which are as naturally ordained for Woods, viz. Mountainous, Craggy, uneven land, as ſmall hills for the Vines and Olives; plaine lands for Corne; and low moist lands for Paſture: which lands if they be ſtubbed, do much prejudice the Common-wealth.
2. That all Woods ſhould have ſuch a Number of60 Timber-trees per Acre, according to the Statute. There is a good law for that purpoſe, but men delude both themſelves and the law, that they every felling cut downe the ſtanders which they left the felling before, leaſt perchance they ſhould grow to be Timber, and leave 12. ſmall ſtanders, that they might ſeeme to fulfill in ſome meaſure the Statute; but it's a meere fallacy, and cauſeth the Statute to faile of it's principal end, which is to preſerve Timber.
3. The beſt Remedy againſt thinneſſe of woods, is to plaſh them and ſpread them abroad, and cover them partly in the ground, as every Countreyman can direct; by this meanes the wood will ſoone grow rough and thick. It's good Husbandry likewiſe to fill your woods with ſwift growers, as Aſhes, Sallow, Willow, Aſpe, which are alſo good for Hop-poles, Hoopes ▪ Sycamore is alſo a ſwift grower. In Flaunders, they have a kinde of Salix, called by them Abell-tree, which ſpeedily groweth to be timber.
4. That ſome law be made, that they which fell, ſhould alſo plant or ſowe. In Biſcay there is a law, if that any cut downe a Timber-tree, he muſt plant 3. for it, which law is put into execution with ſeverity: otherwiſe they would ſoon be undone; for the Countrey is very mountainous and barren, and dependeth wholly on Iron Mines, and on Sbipping: their Woods are not copſed there, but onely Pollards, which they lop when occaſion ſerveth. I know one, who was bound by his Land-Lord to plant ſo many trees yearly, which according he did, but alwayes in ſuch places that they might not grow. In France, neare to the borders of Spaine, they ſowe Aſhkey, which when they grow to ſuch a greatneſſe, that they may be61 ſlit into 4 quarters, & big enough to make Pikes, then they cut them downe; & I have ſeen divers Acres together thus planted: hence come the excellent Pikes, called Spaniſh-Pikes. Some Gentlemen have ſowen Acornes, & it's a good way to encreaſe Woods. Though the time is long, I doubt not but every one knoweth, that it's excellent to plant Willowes along the waters ſide, and Aſhe ▪ s nigh their houſes for firing: for they are good peeces of Husbandry; and it's pitty that it's not more put in practice. There is a Gentleman in Eſſex who hath planted ſo many Willowes, that he may lop•000. every year: if others were as Ingenious, we ſhould not want fire-wood; Oſiers planted in low moriſh grounds do advance land from 5. s. per Acre to 40. s. 50. s. 3. l. and upward; it's much uſed Weſtward of London: theſe Oſiers are of great uſe to Basket-makers. There is a ſort of ſmall Oſier or willow at Saint Omars in Flaunders, which groweth on Iſlands which floate up and downe; its farre leſſe then that which the Weſterne men call, Eights, with this they make their curious fine Baskets: this plant is worth the procuring, being ſo nigh: John Tredeſcat hath ſome plants of it. There is a plant likewiſe in England, called, the ſweete Willowes; it's not onely good for ſhade and firing; but as I am informed, the leaves do not ſoure the graſſe, but that the cattel will eat them ſooner than Hay: if this be ſo, it may be of ſingular uſe for Meadowes.
5. That thoſe things which mightily deſtroy Woods, may be reſtrained, as Iron-workes are; therefore the State hath very well done to pull downe divers Iron-workes in the Forreſt of Deane, that the Timber might be preſerved for Shipping, which is accounted the tougheſt in England: and when it is dry62 as hard as Iron, the Common-people did uſe to ſay, that in Q. Eliz. days the Spaniard ſent an Ambaſſador purpoſely to get this Wood deſtroyed: how true this is I know not; but without queſtion it's admirable Wood for Shipping, and generally our Engliſh Oake is the beſt in the world for Shipping; becauſe it's of a great graine, and therefore ſtrong: but the Oakes of other Countreyes have a finer grain, and more fit for Wainſcot; and in this kinde our Forefathers have been very provident; for we have an Act of long ſtanding, prohibiting Iron-workes within 20. miles of London, and within 3. miles of the River of Thames: though you may finde Iron-stone in divers places, as in the great gravil-pit at Woolwhich. There are ſome Ingenious men, who lately have got a Patent for making Iron with Sea-coale: I hope they will accompliſh their deſires; for it would wonderfully advance this Iſland, and ſave Wood. There are 2. faults in Sea-coale, in reſpect of melting Iron-oare:
1. That it is apt to bake together, or cake.
2. It hath a ſulphurious fumein it, which is an enemy to Metal, and conſumeth it as we ſee by our Iron-Bars in Windowes at London; ſo that the Metalline nature of the Iron-ſtone is much waſted by it, and that which remaineth is very brittle, and will be Could-ſhire. I know that by the mixture of Coale beaten with loame and throughly dryed, one (if not both of theſe Inconveniencies) may be taken away. In the Duke of Cleveland's Countrey they uſe halfe Turffe, halfe Charcoale. There is a way by making a kinde of Barter with Loame, Ʋrine &c. which will cauſe Charcoale to laſt very long, as I am informed:63 but theſe diſcourſes belong to another place.
It's a great Deficiency here in England without13. Deficiency, of Bees. queſtion, that we have no more Bees, conſidering that they are neither chargeable, requiring onely a few ſtrawes for an houſe, nor troubleſome: and this Iſland may maintaine ten times as many: for though a place may be over-ſtocked with theſe Animals, as with the greater; yet I know no part of this land, that is ſo: and I know divers places which would maintaine many 100 hives, yet ſcarce one to be ſeen.
2. Our Honey is the beſt in the world, and Wax a ſtaple Commodity. Further we know, that cold Countreyes, not comparable to ours as Moſcovia, have farre greater quantity than we have; ſo that it's incredible what quantity is found in the Woods, if the ſtory of the man be true, who fell up even to the eares in Honey, and had there periſhed, had not a Beare, on which he caught hold, pulled him out. Now I have enquired, how it cometh to paſſe that there is ſo great ſtore of Honey in Moſcovia; conſidering the Winters are extreame cold, and alſo very long: and I am credibly informed that firſt, the ſpring when it beginneth, cometh extraordinary faſt, that the dayes are very long, and the Summers farre dryer then ours here in England, ſo that the Bees are not hindred by continual ſhowers; as they are ſome yeares here in this Iſle: and laſtly, that the Countrey aboundeth much with Firs, and Pine-trees, which the Inhabitants uſually cut, that the Gumme, Roſinous or Turpentine ſubſtance may ſweate forth, to which places the Bees do come, and preſently fill themſelves, and returne laden: and perhaps for theſe very reaſons, Bees thrive very much in New-England.
642. We are Deficient in the ordering of them. Not to ſpeake of the negligence of particular men, which is very frequent: nor to write a general ſtory of the ordering of them; becauſe it requireth much paper: and Mr. Leveret and Butler; eſpecially the latter, hath written ſo exactly, and upon his owne experience, that little can be added to it: onely in a point or 2. I differ from him; of the which I will ſpeak briefly.
1. That we muſt take and deſtroy all the Bees for their Honey, and not drive them, as they do in Italy once or twice yearly.
2. That if a ſwarme be poore, with little Honey, that that ſwarme ought to be taken; becauſe it is poore; ſo that the rich ſtockes are deſtroyed, becauſe they be rich, and the poore ſwarmes, becauſe they be poore: ſo that be they rich, or be the poore, they muſt be deſtroyed. An Italian reporteth, that in the City of Askaly, there was a law made, that none ſhould deſtroy a ſwarme of Bees, unleſſe he had a juſt cauſe; accounting it a part of extreame injuſtice and cruelty, to take away without cauſe, both the goods and lives of ſuch good and faithful ſervants. I am credibly informed, that an Engliſh Gentleman beyond the Seas, getteth many 100. l. yearly, by keeping Bees after a new and Ingenious Manner, which is thus. He hath a roome made very warme and cloſe; yet with glaſſe-windowes, which he can open at his pleaſure, to let the Bees fly abroad when he pleaſeth, where he keepeth his Bees, and feedeth them all winter with a ſweete compoſition made of Moleſſoes, Flowers, ſweete Wine, Milke, Raiſins, &c. (for with ſuch things as theſe, they uſually65 feed the Bees in Italy) and oftentimes in ſummer, when the weather is rainy, windy, or ſo diſpoſed, that the Bees cannot conveniently go abroad, he feedeth them at home, with divers ſweet things, and gathereth divers flowers, and layeth them amongſt them, and ſticketh up many freſh boughes in divers places of his Roomes, that in ſwarmingtime, they may ſettle on them; by theſe meanes he preſerveth all his ſwarmes, and gathereth an incredible quantity of Honey and wax; and truly this way ſeemeth to me very probable: for
1. We know the Bees, (even as we ſay of the Aunts) will worke continually, even night and day; winter and ſummer, if that they were not hindred by darkeneſſe, cold, and moiſture.
2. That Bees do not onely make Honey, (for I ſuppoſe, that they have a peculiar propriety of making Honey, as the Silk-wormes Silk) out of Mildewes or Honey, but alſo out of all ſweet things, as Sugar, Moloſſoes &c.
3. That many ſweet things may be had, far cheaper than Honey; which (I ſuppoſe) the Bees will tranſmute into perfect Honey. This way, I conceive, would be very advantageous to us in England, for the preſerving of late ſwarmes, and alſo for the enriching of old stocks, ſo that we need not deſtroy them, but might drive them from hive to hive, and ſet them to worke againe; and truly I think there is no place in the world ſo convenient for this purpoſe as England; becauſe that though our Winters be long, yet they are not very cold; but Bees would be ſtirring in them: and further our Summers are ſo ſubject to winds and raines, that many times68 there is ſcarce a fine day in a whole weeke: and Further Moloſſoes, Refuſe Sugar, Sweete Wort, Milke, &c. may be had at reaſonable rates.
I hope ere long to give an exact account of this experiment, and deſire thoſe who have any Ingenuities in this kind, freely to communicate them. I have not obſerved many things more of importance concerning Bees, in my travels; onely in Italy they make their hives of thinne boards, ſquare, in 2. or 3. partitions, ſtanding either above one another, or very cloſe ſide to ſide, by the which meanes, they can the better borrow part of their honey when they pleaſe. In Germany their hives are made of ſtraw, to the which they have a ſummer-doore, as they call it, which is nigh the top of the Hive, that the Bees when they are laden, may the more eaſily enter and diſcharge themſelves of their burthens.
3. We are to blame, that we do not imploy our Honeys in making Metheglim: It's true that in Hereford-ſhire and Wales, there is ſome quantity of this liquor made; but for want of good cookery it's of little worth; but uſually of a browne colour, of an unpleaſant taſte: and as I ſuppoſe commonly made of the refuſe honey, wax, dead Bees, and ſuch ſtuffe, as they ordinarily make it elſewhere: for the good houſe-wife thinkes any thing good enough for this purpoſe; and that it is pitty to ſpoyle good Honey by making Meade: but I know that if one take pure neate honey, and ingeniouſly clarify and ſcum and boile it, a liquor may be made not inferiour to the beſt Sack, Muskadine, &c. in colour like to rock-water, without ill odour or ſavour; ſo that ſome curious Pallates have called it69 Vin Greco, rich and racy Canary, not knowing what name to give it, for its excellency: This would bring very great Profit, not onely to the Publique by ſaving many 1000. l. disburſed for Wines through all the world, but would be very advantageous to private families, who uſe to entertaine their friends very Nobly, Wines being at preſent intolerably dear and naught; I hope therefore ere long to ſee it put in execution. An excellent drinke not much unlike this may be made of Sugar, Moloſſoes, Raiſins &c. of the which I have already ſpoken, yet think it fit to put you in minde of it againe.
It's a great Deficiency here in England, that we do14. Deficiency, concerning Silk-wormes. not keepe Silke-wormes (which in Italy are called Cavalieri,) for to make Silke. I know that is a great Paradox to many, but I hope by this ſhort diſcourſe to make this truth to appeare plainly: The firſt original of Silke-wormes, by what I reade in Hiſtories, is from Perſia, where in infinite numbers they are ſtill maintained; & the greateſt profits of that great Monarch do ariſe from hence: China alſo aboundeth very much with Silke. In Virginia alſo the Silke-wormes are found wild amongſt the Mulberry-woods, & perhaps might be managed with great profit in thoſe plantations if Land were not ſo ſcarce and deare. I ſuppoſe this Silke-worme of Virginia is produced by the corruption of the Mulberry-tree, as Cochinneale, from ficus Indica or Indian figiree: for ſome Ingenious and curious men who have ſtrictly obſerved the generation of Inſects, do finde that every plant hath an Inſect which groweth out of its corruption, (as divers ſorts of lice from Animals, and that theſe Inſects do uſually feed on that plant, out of which they were68 made, as Lice on the ſame Animals from whence they were engendred. I know a Gentleman here in London, who hath 3. or 400. Inſects, and can give a veryMr. Marſhal. good account of their original feedings. And alſo Mr. Moriney in Paris, hath a large book of the ſame ſubject. But to returne to our purpoſe: I ſay that we had Silke-wormes firſt from Perſia. In Juſtinian's time about 1000. or 1100. years ago, ſome Monkes preſented a few to him at Constantinople; where in his time they began to plant Mulberries: from thence it came to Italy, about 3. or 400. years ſince: for the Auncient Writers of Husbandry, as Cato, Pallad, Columell, do not ſo much as mention theſe creatures: and at length theſe have paſſed over the Mountains into France within an 100. years; where they flouriſh ſo much, that if we will beleeve their own Authors, they bring greater profit than the Wine and Corne of that large Countrey. I know that France hath Silke enough to maintaine their exceſſe of apparell, and to export Pluſhes, Velvets, &c. Now then if that theſe wormes can thrive, not onely in the parched Perſia; but alſo in Greece, Italy, yea in France; which differeth not much from the temper of England; why ſhould we think, that they are confined to that place, & muſt move no farther North-ward? for they have come many 100. miles toward the North, why not one 100. or 2. more? & further we ſee that Mulberries, which is their food, thrive here as well as in anyplace. But ſome will object that our Aire is too cold and moiſt. To which I anſwer.
1. That thoſe who write of Silk-wormes, ſay, that you muſt take heed, that you make not the place too hot: for too much heate may deſtroy; and therefore69 that you muſt ſet the windowes open to let in the cold aire.
2. We know, that moiſtneſſe of aire rather encreaſeth ſuch Inſects, and nouriſheth them. Indeed if moiſture hurteth, it's becauſe that it too much corrupteth their food, and cauſeth a flux amongſt them: but this eaſily is prevented, as I ſhall ſhew you anon. But to be ſhort, it is not onely my opinion that Silke-wormes will thrive here; but the ſolide judgement of King James and his Councel confirmeth the ſame: as you may ſee by his letter to the Deputy-Lieutenants of every County; wherein alſo many weighty reaſons are conteined to convince men of the ſame; which letter followeth anon.
Laſtly, we finde by experience, that Silke-wormes will thrive here, and therefore the matter is out of queſtion: for divers Ladies, Gentlewomen, Scholars, Citizens, &c. have Nurſed up divers wormes to perfection, though they have had little skill in the managing of them; and likewiſe not ſuch accommodations as are neceſſary for them; and more would they have done, if they could have had Mulberry-leaves. I am informed that one neare Charing-Croſſe maketh a good living by them: as alſo another by Ratliffe-Croſſe; and therefore if we can bring up an 100. why not a 1000. yea, 100000. if we had food for them? Truly, I know no reaſon to the contrary, neither could I ever finde one that could ſpeak any thing to the purpoſe againſt the buſines. And further I muſt tell you, that the ordering of this worme is very eaſie, none need to be bound prentize to the trade; the ſpeciall buſineſſe is to be carefull in feeding them, and keeping them ſweete; which72 things children uſe to do. He that would learne this Art exactly let him read Boneil, or an Author W. S. Printed 1609. about Mulberries, and ſold in Paul's Church-yard, by Eleaz ▪ Edgar; but becauſe that the books are out of print, I will give you a few Rules.
Firſt endeavour to get ſtore of Mulberry-trees, which are of 2. ſorts the white and the black. The white groweth greateſt, and hath a fine leafe, and ſweeteſt, and therefore fitteſt for the young wormes. This is eaſily propagated by Slips, as Quinces, Codlings. The Black Mulberry is difficultly propagated by Slips; but muſt be raiſed from ſeeds, ſowen either at Michaelmas, when the Mulberries are eaten: or kept in dry ſand till the ſpring; and then ſowe or howe them in, as other ſeeds and ſtones, and muſt be diligently weeded. This groweth not to be ſo great a tree as the former: the leaves are rougher and harſher, and fitteſt for the wormes. When they are ſtrong and ready to ſpin, when your trees are grown to a good bigneſſe, you may plant them forth, as is uſually don for Walks or Orchards, or in waſte places, as they do in Italy, (for the Fruit is little worth, onely the Leaves are usefull,) where I have ſeen the trees as bare of leaves at Midſummer as at Midwinter. There are 2. ſorts of Silke-wormes, the Spaniſh, and Calabrian. The Spaniſh is the ſmaller and more tender, and maketh a finer ſilke. The Calabrian is greater and more hardy, and maketh more Silke, but courſer. This ſort ſeemeth to be the beſt for this Countrey. When the Mulberry-trees begin to bud, take the egs of your Silke-wormes, and lay them on a peece of ſtuffe or ſay, (ſome uſe to Bathe them firſt in warme Malmſy, and ſay that it maketh them ſtronger,) and carry73 them about you in the day in a Box, in the night lay them under your Bed, or in a warme Oven, till the wormes begin to come forth, then lay a peece of paper of the wideneſſe of the box, cut full of holes, on them, and on the paper lay Mulberry-leaves, and as faſt as they hatch they will crawle forth, and ſtick to the Mulberry-leaves; which remove into other boxes, till all be hatched: then when they have paſt their ſecond ſickneſſe, feed them on ſhelves 2. foot broad and 18. inches one from another: the Roome where you keepe your Wormes, muſt neither be a low place, nor nigh the tiles; but a midle Roome, warme and dry, yet ſometimes a little cold aire is good.
Take heed of Rats and Mice, as alſo of Hens, Robinred-breſts; Sparrows, and other birds; for they will eate them.
They have 4. Sickneſſes, the firſt 12. dayes after they are hatched; and from that time at the end of every 8. dayes: their ſickneſſe laſteth 2. or 3. dayes, and then they are to be fed but very little.
The whole time that the wormes do feed, is about 9. weekes: feed them twice dayly at leaſt: at the firſt when they are ſmall, give them a few leaves; and as they grow greater, more, and feed them oftner. Let your leaves be dry and well aired upon a Table or cloth before you give them; and gather not your leaves, till the dew be off; and in dry ſeaſons if you can poſſibly, you may keepe your leaves gathered 3. or 4. dayes or longer.
Keepe your ſhelves and boxes very cleane: but take heed you touch not your wormes with your hands, when you remove them; but move them not when they are ſick.
72In cold moiſt weather, ſet a Pan of Coales in the Roome, and burne a little Benjamin, Juniper, &c. eſpecially when they are young, (viz.) the firſt 5. weekes; but afterwards, unleſſe it be extraordinary cold, give them Aire, and keepe them not too hot, and let the Roome be well ſented with Herbes.
Let not your Wormes be too thick on the ſhelves: if any dy or be ſick, ſpeedily remove them, leaſt they infect the reſt.
As ſoone as by the cleare Amber-colour of your wormes, you perceive that they would ſpin; make Arches betwixt your ſhelves, with heath made clean, branches of Roſemary, Lavender &c. where the wormes will faſten themſelves, and make their bottomes in 2. or 3. dayes, and about 12. or 14. dayes after, will come forth: before which time, you muſt take away the bottome, which you will uſe for Silke, and kill the worme within, by laying the bottomes in the ſun 2. or 3. dayes, or in an hot Oven.
The bottome which you will keepe for ſeede, lay in a warme place, till the wormes come forth; which put on ſome peeces of old ſay, Grogran, Velvet, made faſt to ſome wall: there they will engender, and the Male having ſpent himſelfe falleth downe and dyeth; ſo the Female, when ſhe hath laid her egs, which egs when they are gray, you may gently take them off with a knife, and keepe them in a peece of Say in a dry place, till hatching-time come.
The winding of the Silke off the bottome requireth a peculiar wheele, which an Artificer muſt make: 1. l. and 2. ounces of the bottome yeeldeth from 1. ounce to 3. of Silke.
An ounce of Spaniſh ſeed yeeldeth ordinarily 8. or. 7310. l. of Silk, and the wormes will eat 250. l. of leaves: the Calabrian wormes being greater, do eat nigh 300. weight, and yeeld 11. or 12. l. of Silke.
To conclude, I deſire all men ſeriouſly to conſider, what Advantage this buſineſſe will bring to this Iſland, if it be brought to perfection. Truly I know nothing doth hinder but want of Mulberry-trees, which will in little ſpace come to a conſiderable greatneſſe. And though I commend thoſe, who endeavour to advance this worke in Plantations, and prefer it before Tobacco; yet I know that it cannot be for want of hands; whereas here in England we have plenty of women, children, old folkes, lame, decrepite, &c. who are fit to be overſeers of this worke. And I wonder Gentlemen do not go obout a thing ſo pleaſant and profitable, (for 3 4. or 5. at the moſt will attend as many wormes, as will make 40. or 50. l. worth of Silke in 2. or 3. moneths) and the wormes eate only leaves, which are of no value: neither is there any conſiderable trouble about the wormes unleſſe it be the 12. or 15. laſt dayes. I hope, if that particular men will not endeavour to advance this worke, for their private profit; yet the State will for the Publique Good; it being the beſt way I know, to ſet all the poor children, Widowes, old and lame people on worke: and likewiſe will ſave this Nation many 100. thouſand pounds per annum. And further, the way to accompliſh this work may be done without grievance to the Subject, (viz.) to command every one to plant or ſowe ſo many Mulberry-ſeeds which may eaſily be procured from beyond Seas &c. But I leave States-matters to States-men, I am none.
IT is a principal part of that Chriſtian care, which appertaineth to Soveraignty, to endeavour by all meanes poſſible, as well to beget, as to increaſe among their people the knowledge and practice of all Artes and Trades, whereby they may be both weaned from idleneſſe and the enormities thereof, which are infinite, and exerciſed in ſuch induſtries and labours as are accompanied with evident hopes, not onely of preſerving people from the ſhame and griefe of penury; but alſo raiſing and increaſing them in wealth and aboundance, The Scope which every freeborne ſpirit aimeth at, not in regard of himſelfe onely, and the eaſe which a plentiful eſtate bringeth to every one in his particular: but alſo in regard of the honour of their Native Countrey, whoſe commendations is no way more ſet forth then in the people's activeneſſe and induſtry. The conſideration whereof having of late occupied our minde, who alwayes eſteeme our people's good our neceſſary75 contemplations: We have conceived as well by the diſcourſe of our own reaſon, as by information gathered from others, that the making of Silke might as well be affected here, as it is in the Kingdome of France, where the ſame hath of late years been put in practice. For neither is the Climate of this Iſle ſo far diſtinct or different in condition from that Countrey; eſpecially from the hither parts thereof, but that it is to be hoped, that thoſe things which by induſtry proſper there, may by like induſtry uſed here have like ſucceſſe ▪ and many private perſons who for their pleaſure have bred of thoſe wormes, have found no experience to the contrary, but that they may be nouriſhed and maintained here, if proviſion were made for planting of Mulberry-trees, whoſe leaves are the food of the wormes. And therefore we have thought good thereby to let you underſtand, that although in ſuffering this Invention to take place, we do ſhew our ſelves ſome what an Adverſary to our profit, which in the matter of our cuſtomes for Silke brought from beyond the Seas, will receive ſome diminution: Nevertheleſſe, when there is queſtion of ſo great and Publique Ʋtility, to come to our Kingdome and Subjects in general; and whereby (beſides multitudes of people of both Sexes and all Ages) ſuch as in regard of impotency are unfit for other labour, may be ſet on worke, comforted and releeved; we are content that our Private Benefit ſhall give way to the Publique; and therefore being perſwaded, that no well-affected Subject will refuſe to put his helping hand to ſuch a worke as can have no other private end, in us, but the deſire of the wellfare of our people,76 we have thought good in this forme onely to require you (as a perſon of greateſt authority within that County,) and from whom the generality may receive notice of our pleaſure (with more conveniency then otherwiſe) to take occaſion either at the Quarter-Seſſions, or at ſome other publique place of ineeting, to perſwade and require ſuch as are of abil•ty, (without deſcending to trouble the poore, for whom we ſeeke to provide) to buy and diſtribute in that County, the number of ten thouſand Mulberry plants, which ſhall bedelivered unto them at our City of &c. at the rate of 3. farthings the plant; or at 6. s. the hundred, containing five ſcore plants. And becauſe the buying of the ſaid plants at this rate may at the firſt ſeeme chargeable to our ſaid Subjests, (whom we would be loath to burthen) we have taken order that in March or Aprill next, there ſhall be delivered at the ſaid place a good quantity of Mulberry-ſeeds, there to be ſold to ſuch as will buy them; By meanes where of the ſaid plants will be delivered at a ſmaller rate then they can be affoarded being carried from hence: having reſolved alſo in the meane time, that there ſhall be publiſhed in print a plaine Instruction and Direction, both for the increaſing of the ſaid Mulberry-trees, the breeding of the Silke-wormes, and all other things needful to be underſtood, for the perfecting of a worke every way ſo commendable and profitable, as well to the planter, as to thoſe that ſhall uſe the Trade. Having now made knowne unto you the motives, as they ſtand with the Publique Good, wherein every man is intereſſed; becauſe we know how much the example of our owne Deputy-Leintenants77 and Juſtices will further this cauſe, if you and other your neighbours will be content to take ſome good quantities hereof, to diſtribute upon your owne lands: we are content to acknowledge thus much more in this Direction of ours, that all things of this nature tending to plantations, increaſe of ſcience, and workes of induſtry, are things ſo naturally pleaſing to our own diſpoſition, as we ſhall take it for an argument of extraordinary affection towards our perſon: Beſides, the judgement we ſhall make of the good diſpoſitions in all thoſe that ſhall expres in any kinde their ready minds, to further the ſame: And ſhall eſteeme, that in furthering the ſame, they ſeeke to further our honour and contentment; who (having ſeene in few years ſpace paſt, that our Brother the French King, hath ſince his coming to that Crowne, both begun and brought to perfection the making of Silkes in his Countrey, where he hath wonne to himſelfe honour, and to his Subjects a marvellous increaſe of wealth) would account it no little happineſſe to us, if the ſame worke which we begun among our people, with no leſſe zeale to their good, (then any Prince can have to the good of theirs) might in our time produce the fruits which there it hath done: whereof we nothing doubt, if ours will be found as tractable and apt to further their owne good, now the way is ſhewed them by us their Soveraigne, as thoſe of France have been to conforme themſelves to the Directions of their King.
Given under our Signet at our Pallace of Weſtminster, the ſixteenth of November, in the ſixt year of England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the two and fourtieth.
15. Deficiency, is the Ignorance of the Husbandry of other15. Deficiency, concerning the Ignorance of the Husbandry of other places. places (viz.) what ſeeds, what Fruits, what Graſſes they uſe; what Ploughes, Harrowes, Gardening-tooles they have; how ill they manage and improve their lands; what cattel they have; how they feed and fatten them; and how they improve their Commodities &c.
For there is no Countrey, where they are ſuch ill Husband-men, but in ſome particular or other they excell: as we ſee even in the ſeveral Counties of this Iſland, every County hath ſomething or other, wherein they out-ſtrip their Neighbours. And that much profit may ariſe from hence in this Nation, is manifeſt by that excellent Treatiſe which is publiſhed by you concerning the Husbandry of Flaunders; wherein briefly are ſet down divers particulars very uſefull for us here in England, and formerly unknowne. And without queſtion France, Spaine, Italy, Holland, Poland, Germany, &c. have many excellent things both for Husbandry, Phyſick, Mechanicks, worth the manifeſting, and very beneficial to us: ſo likewiſe there are divers things in our plantations worth the taking notice of, in Husbandry. To paſſe by the Southerne Plantations, as Barbadoes, Antego, Saint Croix Chriſtopher, Mevis, Monferate, where the Commodities are onely Cotten-woolls, Sugars, Gingers, Indicoes, which our cold Climate will not produce; and alſo Tobacco, which groweth alſo with us, about Norwich and elſewhere. We will onely ſaile upon our Northerne Plantations, Virginia, New-England, and inſtance in a few things. Why may not the Silke-graſſe of Virginia, the Salſaperilla, Saſſafras, Rattleſnake-weed (which is an excellent Cordial)79 be beneficial to us, as alſo their Cedars, Pines, Plum-trees, Cherries, great Strawberries, and their Locusts (which is a prickly plant, a ſwift grower, and therefore excellent for Hedges) be uſeful to us? So for New-England, why ſhould we thinke, that the Indian Corne, the Marſh-wheate, that excellent Rie, the Peaſe, (which never are eaten with magots) the French or Kidney Beanes, the Pumpions, Squaſhes, Water-Mellons, Musk-Mellons, Hurtleberries, wilde Hemp, Fir &c. of thoſe parts, are altogether uſeleſſe for us? as alſo the Cramberries, (which are ſo called by the Indians, but by the Engliſh, Beare-Berries; becauſe it's thought the Beares eat them in winter, or Bar-Berries; by reaſon of their fine acid taſte like Bar-Berries) which is a fruite as big and as red as a Cherry, ripe onely in the winter, and growing cloſe to the ground in bogs, where nothing elſe will grow? They are accounted very good againſt the Scurvy, and very pleaſant in Tarts. I know not a more excellent and healthfuller fruit.
But ſome will object, that they will not grow here with us, for your forefathers never uſed them. To theſe I reply, and aske them, how they know? have they tryed? Idleneſſe never wants an excuſe; and why might not our forefathers upon the ſame ground, have held their hands in their pockets, and have ſaid, that Wheate, Barly, would not have grown amongſt us? and why ſhould not they have beene diſcouraged from planting Cherries, Hops, Licoriſh, Potatoes, Apricockes, Peaches, Melicotones, and from ſowing Rape-ſeeds, Colliflowers, great Clover, Canary-ſeeds &c. and many more of this kinde? and yet we know, that moſt of theſe have beene brought to80 perfection, even in our dayes: for there is a Viciſſitude in all things, and as many things are loſt, which were knowne to our forefathers, as well the Purple colour, &c. as you may read in Pancivoll: ſo many things are found out by us, altogether unknowne to them, and ſome things will be left for our poſterities: for example, not to ſpeak of Gun-powder and Printing, nor of the New-world and the wonders there, which notwithſtanding are but of a few 100 years ſtanding: I ſay 20. Ingenuities have been found even in our dayes, as Watches, Clocks, Way-wiſers, Chaines for Fleas, divers Mathematicall Inſtruments, Short-writing, Microſcopes, by the which even the ſmalleſt things may be diſcerned, as the egs, eyes, legs, and haire of a Mite in a Cheeſe: likewiſe the Seleno-ſcope, which diſcovereth Mountaines in the Moone, divers ſtars, and new planets, never ſeene till our dayes. But to returne to our purpoſe, I ſay that in Husbandry it is even ſo. For the Auntients uſed divers plants which we know not; as the Cytiſus-tree, ſo much commended for Cattel; as alſo their Medick fodder, which Colum. ſaith, endureth 10. years, and may be mowen 4. yeares, 7. times in a yeare: & one Acre he eſteemeth enough for 3. horſes. This fodder likewiſe is accounted very ſweete and healthful, whereas the plants which are uſually called Medicaes with us, are Annual plants, and have no ſuch rare proprieties. So we are ignorant what graine their Far, or fine Bread Corne was, what their Lupine, Spury, and a 100. of this kinde, as you may reade in Matthiol. or Dioſcorides: ſo on the contrary, infinite are the Plants which we have, and they knew not; as well appeareth by their ſmall81 and our large Herballs; and dayly new Plants are diſcovered, uſeful for Husbandry, Mechanichs and Phyſick, and therefore let no man be diſcouraged, from proſecuting new and laudable Ingenuities. And I deſire Ingenious Gentlemen and Merchants, who travel beyond Sea, to take notice of the Husbandry of thoſe parts (viz.) what graines they ſowe? at what time and ſeaſons? on what lands? how they plough their lands? how they dung and improve them? what cattel they uſe, and the Commodities thereby? Alſo what bookes are written of Husbandry, and ſuch like? And I intreate them earneſtly, not to thinke theſe things too low for them, and out of their callings: nay I deſire them to count nothing triviall in this kinde, which may be profitable to their Countrey, and advance knowledge. And truly, I ſhould thanke any Merchant that could informe me in ſome triviall and ordinary things done beyond Sea, (viz.) how they make Caviare out of Sturgeons Rowes? in Moſcovia, how they boile and pickle their Sturgeon, (which we Engliſh in New-England cannot as yet do handſomely)? how the Bolognia Sauſages are made? how they ferment their bread without yeſt? of what materials divers ſorts of Baskets, Broomes, Frailes are made? What ſeed Groute or Grutze is made of? and alſo how to make the Parmiſane Cheeſes of Italy, which are uſually ſold here for 2. s. or 2. s. 6. d. per pound? or the Angelots of France, which are accounted better Cheeſes than any made in England? as alſo the Holland Cheeſes, which are far better then our ordinary Cheeſes; and yet theſe ſorts of Cheeſes are made not of Mares milke, as ſome think, but from the Cowes; and our Paſtures are not inferiour to theirs &c.
822. I deſire Ingenious men to ſend home whatſoever they find rare of all ſorts; as firſt Animals, the finewoolled Sheep of Spain, Barbary Horſes, Spaniſh Sonnets &c. and ſo likewiſe all ſorts of Vegetables not growing with us, as Pannick, Millet, Rice which groweth in the Fenny places of Milan; and why may it not grow in our Fens? and the beſt ſorts of Graines or Fruits in uſe amongſt us? perhaps there is Wheat that is not ſubject to Smut or Mildew; perhaps other ſeeds will give double increaſe, as Flax, Oates, Peaſe; and divers other things of Importance there are beyond Sea, which may be uſeful to us; as the Askeys, the Corke, Acornes, the ſcarlet Oake, ſweete Anniſe, which groweth abundantly in Milan, Fenel &c. Tilia or Linder-tree for baſſe Ropes &c. Spruce, Pines for maſts and Boards, ſeeing that they are ſwift growers, and many will ſtand in a ſmall peece of ground: they have formerly growne here, and ſome few do flouriſh in our Gardens and in Scotland. I ſuppoſe that this ought ſeriouſly to be conſidered: for although we have plenty of Oakes, yet what will it profit for Shipping without Maſts? and how difficult it is to get great Maſts above 22. inches diameter, is very well known. Many things I might add of this kind, but for brevities ſake I reforre you to Mr. John Tredeſcan, who hath taken great paines herein, and dayly raiſeth new and curious things.
3. Conſider that theſe new Ingenuities may be profitable, not onely to the Publique, but alſo to private men; as we ſee by thoſe, who firſt planted Cherries, Hops, Licoriſh, Saffron, and firſt ſowed Rape-ſeeds, Colliflowers, Woad, Would, Early Peaſe, Aſſparagus, Melons, Tulips, Gilliflowers, &c. and83 why may not we finde ſome things beneficiall to us alſo?
16. Deficiency, is the Ignorance of thoſe things, which16. Deficiency, of the Ignorance of things taken from the Earth & Waters of this Iſland. are taken from the earth and waters of this Iſland.
Although it may ſeeme to many that theſe things do little concerne the Husband-man, who uſually is not a Naturaliſt, but onely endeavoureth to knowe his own grounds and the ſeeds proper for it, and ſeldome pierceth into the bowels of the earth: yet if we conſider, that out of the earth he hath Marle, Lime, Stone, Chalke, for the enriching his lands; and alſo Loame and ſand for his buildings; oftentimes fuel for fire &c. it will plainly appear, that it is neceſſary for him to know even all Subterrany things, and to be a petty Philoſopher, and that the knowledge of theſe things will be very beneficial for him. And here I cannot but take notice of a great Deficiency amongſt us, (viz.) that we have not the Naturall Hiſtory of all the Sands, Earth, Stones, Mines, Minerals, Metals, &c. which are found in this Iſland: It would not onely advance Husbandry; but alſo many other Mechanic•…Arts, and bring great profit to the Publique. I hope ſome Ingenious man will at length undertake this taske: For the Lord hath bleſſed this Iſland, with as great variety as any place that is knowne, as ſhall in part appear anon: and it may be proved by that great variety which is found near the Spaw-waters in Knares-borough, as Doctor Deane relateth in his Booke called the Engliſh Spaw: Or the glory of Knares-borough, ſpringing from ſeveral famous Fountains there adjacent (called the Vitriol, ſulphurous & dropping well) sand alſo other Mineral Waters: Whoſe words are theſe: Here is found not onely white and yellow84 Marle, Plaiſter, Oker, Rudd, Rubrick, Free-ſtone, an hard Greet-ſtone, a ſoft Reddiſh ſtone, Iron-ſtone, Brimſtone, Vitriol, Niter, Allum, Lead, and Copper: (and without doubt divers mixtures of theſe) but alſo many other Minerals might (perhaps) be found out by the diligent ſearch and induſtry of thoſe who would take paines to labour a little herein.
This letter will not permit me to make a compleat Naturall Hiſtory of the things of this Iſle; yet I ſhall relate divers things which may be as hints, to ſet ſome others to worke, which I have found in Mr. Cambden and others: and ſhall briefly Inſtruct the Husband-man what he ought to take notice of, for his own and others good. And firſt, if he live nigh the Sea; let him take notice of thoſe things the Sea caſteth up: for it hath even with us, caſt up Ambergreaſe, which is worth ſo much Gold; with the which not long ſince a fiſherman of Plymouth greaſed his bootes, not knowing what it was: ſometimes it caſteth up Jet and Amber, as at Whitbey oftentimes. In former times we had Oyſters, which had very faire great pearles in them, of good worth; and at this time ſome of them are found in Denbigh-ſhire; Copperas-ſtone likewiſe is found along by the ſea-coaſts of Kent, Eſſex, Suſſex, Hampſhire, out of the which Copperas is made; a thing very uſeful for Dyers, Curriers, &c. further Sea-weeds are not to be ſleighted; for in Jerſey they have no other fuel amongſt them; and here85 in England it is burnt to make Kelpe for Glaſſemen, and is alſo very good manure for divers lands; alſo Sea-owſe is not onely good to lay on land, but at Dover, and other places, the inhabitants make bricke thereof, called Flaunders-brickes &c. Sea-ſands in Cornwall do very much enrich their lands; and in Cumber-land out of a certaine kind of ſand they extract ſalt &c.
2. Let him take notice of all ſorts of Waters, which iſſue forth of the earth differring from the ordinary, in Colour, Odour, Taſte: for it is well knowne, how advantageous theſe waters are; oftentimes not onely to particular men, but alſo to the Countrey about; yea to the whole Iſland, as appeareth by the waters of Tunbridge in Kent, and of Epſham in Surrey, Knares-borough-Spaw in Torke-ſhire, and by the Allum-waters in Newenham in Warwick-ſhire, like milke in taſte and colour, and are excellent for the Stone and Wounds: and alſo it appeareth by the Salt-fountaines in Worceſter-ſhire and Cheſhire, which furniſh all thoſe parts, with an excellent fine white ſalt: by the hot Bathes in Summerſet-ſhire, and the luke-warme waters by Briſtol &c. At Pitchford in Shropſhire, is a fountaine which caſteth forth liquid Bitumen which the people uſe for Pitch &c.
3. Let him not deſpiſe the ſorts of Sands, which he findeth: for ſome ſands are for buildings, as the rough ſorts; others for ſcouring; others for caſting fine metals, as Highgate-ſand, others for the Glaſſemen, as a ſand lately found in Suſſex. In Scotland there is a ſand, which containeth a conſiderable quantity of Gold: and in divers Countreyes fine Gold aboundeth very much in ſands; and if we may beleeve an excellent86 Dutch Chymiſt, there is ſcarce any ſand without it. •lauler.
4. Let him take notice of the Earth, Loames, Clayes &c. which have divers and neceſſary uſes: as firſt, the ſtiffeſt Clayes, as New-Caſtle, and Nonſuch, are for the Glaſſemens pots, for Crucibles, melting-pots: the leſſe ſtiffe for ordinary Earthen wares, Brewers, Tiles, Bricks, &c. white Clay is for Tobbacco-pipes: Marle of divers Colours and ſtiffneſſe is excellent for Husband-men: Fullers earth is found in Kent, Surrey, and lately in divers other places, for the great benefit of the Clothier: Rub and Rubrick in Yorkeſhire, as alſo divers other in Oxford and Glocesterſhire excellent for Painters &c. Turffe for firing may be found in moſt parts of this Iſle, if people were Induſtrious: neceſſity now and then compelleth them to be Inquiſitive; as it did lately at Oxford, and Kent, where it is found in good quantity. In Holland they have little fuel, ſave what is taken out of theit ditches; and therefore it is truly ſaid, that their firing, is as it were fiſh'd out of the water, and it's indifferent good fuell: Coales are found in very many places, yet divers places are in great want of them.
5. Let him take notice of the ſeveral stones found in this Iſle, as of Free-ſtones for building; Cobbels and rough hard ſtones for Paving, Toombe-ſtones; ſoft ſandy stones commonly called fire-stones, becauſe that they will endure ſtrong fires, and therefore fit for Iron furnaces; and this propriety theſe ſoft ſtones have, that when they are white hot, a steele Inſtrument will ſcarce touch them to hurt them: Alabaſter is found at Burton on the Trent, and in Staffordſhire and at Titbury-Caſtle: xcellent Marble at Snothill in Hereford-ſhire:87 a courſe Marble neare Oxford, in Kent, alſo at Purhick in Dorſetſhire: Millstones in Angleſey, in Flintſhire, Darby ſhire, Lime-ſtones: Chalk in very many places, for divers uſes: Allum-stone is found in Angleſey, but eſpecially at Gisborrow in Yorkeſhire, where the Allum-workes are, which ſerve this Iſland: Lapis Calaminaris is lately found in Summerſet-ſhire, by the which Copper is made Braſſe: Manganeſe for thoſe that make white Glaſſe, lately found in the North: the beſt Emery for poliſhing Iron in Jerſey: Plaiſter at Knares-borough: Black-leade in Cumberland, and no where elſe in Europe: There is a ſtone in Durham out of which they make Salt: Diamonds are found about Briſtole and Cornwall, very large, but ſoft: There is a ſtone neare Beaver-Castle like a Starre. In Yorkeſhire another like a Serpent Putrefied: and alſo other ſtones round like bullets, which being broken, have as it were a ſerpent in them without an head &c.
6. Of all Minerals and Metals Iron-stone is found almoſt in every County, and is profitable where wood is plentiful ▪ the beſt is found in Lancaſhire, one loade and a half making a tun of Iron: it hath been tranſported into Ireland to mix with poore Mine. In Richard the 2. time a Copper Mine was found in Wenlock in Shropſhire, but exhauſted: in Queen Eliz. dayes one was found at Keſwick in Cumberland: and lately in Staffordſhire, Yorkeſhire, and neare Barstable in Devonſhire, one which ſome Gentlemen intend ſpeedily to worke: Leade is found in Durham-wall and Devonſhire: Brimſtone in Yorkeſhire and Wales, Antymony in Staffordſhire: a Silver Mine in Cardiganſhire: a Gold Mine was diſcovered in Scotland in King James his time: and many rich Mines, might be88 diſcovered in England, if that the King's prorogative (which was to take all Royall Mines to himſelfe, (viz.) Silver, Gold and Copper) were ſo certainly aboliſhed, that they which ſhould find theſe Metals in their owne lands, might ſafely digge them. But ſome will object and ſay, that many things are of little worth and profit. To theſe I Anſwer, that God hath made nothing in vaine: every thing hath his peculiar uſe, and though ſome things ſeem to be of little worth and contemptible, as Sand, Loame, Chalke; yet it hath pleaſed the wiſe Creator to make theſe things very neceſſary for mans comfortable ſubſiſtance, which they that want theſe things can teſtify: As for example in New-England, where there is no Chalke nor Lime-stone, they are compelled, to burne Oyster ſhells, Cocles, to make Lime; or elſe they could hardly build any houſes. The like I may ſay of Sand and Loame in divers places, where they are wanting.
2. I ſay that moſt of thoſe things I have ſpoken of, are very profitable in one place or other. To inſtance in ſome of the meaner ſort; at London Brick-men give 50. l. per Acre, onely for loame to make brickes, and pay 3. l. per Acre, of yearly Rent, and are to leave the land worth the ſame yearly Rent; likewiſe I know a Chalke-cliffe in Kent not 2. Acres of ground, valued at many 100. l. and that one Colume of Chalke which is 10. foot ſquare, is valued at 40 or 50 l. at 8. d. per loade: The Oker Mines of Oxford and Gloceſter-ſhire are of great value: and ſo would others of that kind, if they could be found; ſo is the Black-leade Mine. Alſo the pits of Clay, Marle, Coale, Turffe &c. And therefore I deſire all89 Countrey-men to endeavour to know all ſorts of Stones, Clayes, Earths, Oares, and to teach their children the uſe of them, that they may know that this ſand is for building, this loame for brickes, this clay for pots, this Marle for Corn-land: and if that they ſhall finde any Stones, Earths, which they know not, that they would lay them up, till that they meet with ſome ingenious man, that can informe them. The richeſt Mines of the world, have been found out by theſe meanes, if we will beleeve Hiſtories. And this I am ſure of, that by this meanes, they may much advance their knowledge, and be more profitable to the Publique, their Neighbours, and alſo to themſelves.
17. Deficiency, is the Ignorance of the Vegetables of17. Deficiency, of the Vegetables of this Iſland, & their Vertues and Ʋſes. this Iſland, and their Vertues and Ʋſes.
And the firſt Deficiency that I take notice of, is the Ignorance of the ordinary ſeeds which are commonly ſowen amongſt us: for uſually the Countrey-man contenteth himſelfe with one or two ſorts, and knoweth no more, when as there are very great varieties; ſome of which agree with one ſort of ground, ſome with another: as for example, there are very many ſorts of Wheates, ſome called White Wheate, ſome Red Wheate, ſome Bearded, (which, as I have ſaid before, is not ſo ſubject to Mildewes, as others) others not: ſome ſorts with 2. rowes, others with 4. and 6. ſome with one eare on a ſtalke, others with double eares, or two on the ſame ſtalke; Redſtalke-wheate of Buckinghamſhire, Winter-Wheat, Summer-Wheate, which is ſowen abundantly in New-England, in Aprill and May, and reaped ordinarily90 in 3. moneths; and many ſorts more. Not to trouble my diſcourſe with Spelt, Zea, Tiphine-Wheate, or Olew, Far, Siligo, Alica, which were uſed amongſt the Auntients; but now unknowne not onely to the Countrey-man, but even to the learned-eſt Botanicks: ſo I may ſay that the ordinary Yeoman is ignorant of the diverſities of Barleys, for there is not onely the ordinary Barly, but alſo Big, Sprat-Barly, which hath lately been ſowen in Kent with good profit; alſo Winter Barly ſowen in winter, Barly with 4. 6. rowes, naked Barly, which require divers diſpoſitions of land: ſome delighting in finer, others in ſtiffer grounds. So there is alſo Winter and Summer-Rie, and 20. ſorts of Peaſe, the ordinary ſ•chew, the raith or Early-ripe Peaſe, the Roncivals, Haſtivers, Hotarſes, Gray-Peaſe, Green-Peaſe, Peaſe without Skins, Sugar-Peaſe, whoſe ſhels are ſweeter then the Peaſe it ſelfe, and have beene within theſe 10. years plentifully ſowen in Lincolne-ſhire with profit; alſo Fulham, Sandwich-Peaſe, &c. which require divers ſorts of land and ſeaſons: ſo alſo there are divers ſorts of Oates, White, black, naked, which in New-England ſerveth well for Oatemeal without grinding, being beaten as they come out of the barne; Scotch, Poland, &c. Alſo Buckwheate, Lentiles: divers ſorts of Tares, of Hempe and Flax, altogether unknowne to moſt Countrey-men: but I hope that hereafter they will be more inquiſitive after them: for divers of them may be of good uſe on their lands.
2. Deficiency in this kinde, is, that they are ignonorant of the Plants and Graſſes which naturally grow amongſt us, and their Ʋſes, which likewiſe were made for to be food for Cattel, and alſo for91 the ſervice of man. This ignorance cauſeth them to admire and to eſteem even as miraculous, ordinary and triviall things; as for example, how it cometh to paſſe that in one Meadow an Horſe thriveth very much and ſpeedily, and yet a Bullocke will not in that place: and contrariwiſe in a Meadow cloſe by the former, the Bullock will thrive, and the Horſe not: ſo alſo how it cometh to paſſe that Conyes and Sheepe will thrive well, where there is ſcarcely any Paſture, and yet come to nothing on Commons, where there is a greater quantity of Paſture; which proceedeth from this cauſe, that ſomekinde of Plants are more agreeing and ſweeter to one ſort of Cattel then to another, and every beaſt almoſt hath ſome Plant or other, which they love exceedingly. I ſuppoſe, that the obſervances of this kinde, might be very uſeful in Husbandry. Theſe Deficiencies I will draw to 3. heads.
1. I ſay that divers Plants (not to ſpeak of Fruits, becauſe we have already ſpoken of them) that grow naturally in our Iſland, may be very ſerviceable to the Husbandman, both for his Paſtures & Corne-lands. To inſtance in ſome few: we ſee that divers ſorts of wild Vetches, Chiches, Tares, &c. grow wild in divers places, which though they beare not ſo great and large crops, as ſome others already uſed; yet who knoweth what they would do, if they were manured as other graines, and in land proper for them: for we ſee that the tranſplanting of Plants into Gardens, doth very much meliorate or better them; and without doubt all thoſe graines, which are in uſe with us, were at firſt picked out of the field and woods; and by Ingenious men found uſeful for man or beaſt; and of late divers have been found, not92 knowne to our Forefathers, as Saint Foine, Lucerne; and why may not we finde divers Graſſes, Vetches, Medicaes, Wild Peaſe, &c. which as yet are ſcarce taken notice of?
2. There grow divers ſorts of wilde Peaſe, but to ſpeak of 2. onely.
1. Sort which groweth on the ſtony beaches of the Sea, where there is little or no earth, the rootes are many foot deepe in the ground. In Queene Maries dayes in a dearth, the poor people gathered divers ſackes full of them, and they were no ſmall reliefe to them: who hath tryed, whether they would thrive better on better land?
2. ſort groweth on dry barren land, and is commonly called the everlasting Peaſe; which continually groweth out of the ſame roote. In Gardens I have ſeene it grow 10. yeares together, and larger at the 10. years end, then at the firſt. I have alſo ſeen it flouriſh on barren grounds, where Oates were burnt away: who knoweth but theſe and other Plants may be ſerviceable, if not for man at leaſt to beaſts, or Pigeons? for in New-England, the great flights of Pigeons are much maintained by theſe; I am ſure it were good to make experiments on theſe, and divers others.
2. Head, is the Ignorance of the Mechanical Ʋſes of Herbs and Trees; for even for theſe Ʋſes moſt Plants have ſome peculiar propriety. To inſtance in a few. We know that Elme is for Wheels; and the beſt wood for to make Herrings red, Oake is for the Shipwright, Joyner, Tanner; Horne-beames Beech, for the Millwright; Line-tree for baſe ropes, Old Elder without pith is very tough & fit for Cogs of wheeles, Tooth Pickers; Pear-tree93 for Mathematicall Inſtruments and Engravers &c. Oſiers for Baskets; Walnut for Gunſtockes; Aſpe for Hoopes; Box, Aſh for a 100. uſes; and much more might be ſpoken of this kind, if time would permit. So likewiſe divers Plants are for Painters, as you may ſee in Batte's Experiments: ſome for the Dyers, but as yet we know but 4. (viz. Woade, Would, Green-wood, and Madder) amongſt 1200. plants and upward, which grow wilde with us. I could wiſh ſome Ingenious man would take the paines to ſearch out the Mechanicall Ʋſes of Plants; ſurely it were a good way to advance Mechanickes, who in their callings uſually go round, as the cauſes of their operations. I know a Gentleman, who promiſeth ſome things in this kinde, and I hope will be as good as his word.
3. Head, the is ignorance of the Phyſioal Ʋſes of Plants: for though very many 100. Plants do grow amongſt us; yet but few of them are uſed Phyſically: wheras there is ſcarce any one, but may be uſeful in this kind. And truly in my opinion it is a great fault, that we ſo much admire thoſe things, that are far fetcht and deere bought; when as oft-times they are gathered in unſeaſonable times, and corrupted by long voyages by ſea, counterfeited by Merchants; yea we have very oft Quid pro quo, and ranke poyſons, and do neglect thoſe Medicines which God hath given us here at home. I am credibly informed, that in former times, Virga Aurea was in great uſe with us, and uſually ſold for 8. d. per ounce, and brought from France: but ſo ſoone as it was found growing plentifully in our hedges, it was caſt forth of the Apothecaries ſhops, as of little vertue. And though ſome will object, that our Plants have little vertue: I ſay it's falſe; for God hath tempered them for on Complexions:94 and we ſee that very oft one ſimple Medicine doth more good then the great Compoſitions of the Auncients, which are rather ad pompam then for health, and ſeeme to ſavour ſomewhat of the Mountebanke; becauſe Opium is alwayes an ingredient. And further we ſee, that where any Endemicall or National diſeaſe reigneth, there God hath alſo planted a ſpecifique for it: As the Cochleare or Scurvy-graſſe for the Scurvy, in the Balticke Sea, where it is very frequent, and alſo in Holland, England. So in the Weſt-Indies, (from whence the great Pox firſt came, and where it reigneth very much, that not onely man, but other Creatures are infected with it, ſo that even Dogs dye of that diſeaſe in our Northerne Plantations, perhaps catching this infection, by mingling with Indian dogs,) there grow the ſpecifiques for this diſeaſe, as Gujacum, Saſſaperilla, Saſſafras, and the Salvages do eaſily cure theſe diſtemper. Further we ſee, that even the Irrational Creatures, can finde not onely meate, but alſo Medicines for themſelves; as the Dog, Couchgraſſe for a vomit: the Dove, Vervein; the Weaſell, Rue; the Swallow, Celandine; the Toade Plantine; and where is our reaſon, that we cannot?
I therefore deſire all Countrey-people, to endeavour to know theſe Plants which grow at their doores: (for God hath not planted them there for no purpoſe; for he doth nothing in vaine,) and to collect together the plain ſimple Medicaments of their Grandame; by this meanes they may ſave many a 40. dence: I meane preſerve themſelves and families, and Neighbours, in good health Some ſmall Treatiſes have of late been written, to ſhew the Ʋſe of95 our Plants, in Phyſicke; and I hope Ingenious men will dayly more and more communicate the Secrets of this kinde, which they have in their hands, for the Publique Good.
They that write of 4 footed beaſts, do reckon about18. Deficiency, concerning Animals. 120. ſpecies of them: halfe of them are ſcarcely knowne amongſt us. I do ſuppoſe therefore, that divers ſpecies are wanting, which may be uſefull. To inſtance in ſome: And
1. To begin with the Elephant, the greateſt, wiſeſt, and longeſt-lived of all beaſts: which abound very much in the Eaſterne parts of the world; as China, India: and are accounted very ſerviceable, both for the warres, and for carriage (15. men uſually riding on his backe together,) they are not chargeable to keepe; why may they not be of uſe even here, when I am credibly informed, an Elephant lived divers years here in a Parke? ſo that they can endure the coldneſſe of this Climate.
2. The Buffle, which is as big as an Ox, and ſerviceable both for the plough, and for their milke: their skins make the beſt buffe, they will fare very hard, and live in Fens and bogs, where nothing elſe can. In the Duke of Floernce's Countrey neare Piſa, are many of them.
3. The honeſt and patient Aſſe, which was very much uſed in the old time for carriage, (as the Horſe for the warre, and the Oxe for the plough,) and in many Countreyes at this time, they will eate thiſtles, and live even with nothing. They may ſave poore men (who are not able to keepe an Horſe, becauſe he is a great feeder,) much labour.
4. Mules, which is a very ſtrong and proud beaſt,96 and will carry far more then an Horſe, and are more ſure-footed. I ſuppoſe, that they might be ſerviceable to the Carriers here, as they are beyond the Seas.
5. Black Foxes, may be profitable; whoſe skins have been fold from 20. l. per skin to 90. l. I might add divers more of this kind: as Muske-cats, Sables, Martines, Minkes, Musk Squaſh, Guiney-pigs, and a ſort of Cony, which ſome few have in Hamp-ſhire, whoſe Furr is worth 2. s. 6. s. or 3. s. per skin, being little inferiour to Beaver, &c. but for brevities ſake I paſſe them over: as alſo divers ſorts of Fowles, of good uſe; as a kind of Ducke with a Crooked bill, which layeth conſtantly as Hens do, as alſo Hawkes of diver; ſorts, of good value, which perhaps the Countreyman loveth not; becauſe they are enemies to his Poultry.
2. Deficiency, is that we do not endeavour to advance the beſt kinds of theſe Cattel, which are amongſt us. And
1. To begin with Horſes. The French-man that writeth a booke called the Treaſure Politick, ſaith, that in England in Qu. Eliz. dayes, we had not above 3. or 4000. Horſe worth any thing for the war, & thoſe onely in Noblemens ſtables; which thing perhaps did the more encourage the Spaniard to invade us: but at this time we are known to have very many 1000. of Horſe, not inferiour to the beſt in the world: yet I ſuppoſe, that we might much meliorate our breed by Spaniſh Jennets, Barbary, &c. And we are not ſo careful to encreaſe good Horſes, as we ſhould be.
2. We are too negligent in our Kine, that we advance not the beſt ſpecies: for ſome ſorts give abundance of milke, and better then others: ſome ſorts97 are larger, more hardy, and will ſooner fat, &c. Lancaſhire and ſome few Northerne Counties, are the onely places, where they are a little careful in theſe particulars.
3. We are not curious in procuring the beſt ſorts of Sheepe, for greatneſſe, foundneſſe, and fine wooll. I wonder that ſome of our Sheep-masters have not procured of thoſe exceeding fine-woolled Sheepe of Spaine; whoſe wooll coſteth the Merchant nigh 10. s. per pound, before it is exported: I ſuppoſe, that it would for a time mend our wooll, if not continue ſo for ever: for theſe Sheep were firſt carryed forth out of England, if we may beleeve ſtories, Spaine not affoarding ſuch Sheepe before. Dutch Sheepe are reported to have 2. or 3. Lambes ordinarily. Dutch Sheepe are very great with greate tales; but their wooll is very courſe, not onely becauſe of their courſe feeding; but alſo becauſe in hot Countries, they ordinarily mingle with Goats; and therefore in Venice ordinary Porters will ſcarcely eate any Mutton. And here I cannot but relate, that all ſtrangers very much wonder at 2. things in our Sheepe, (not to ſpeak of the fineneſſe of wooll.) And
1. That our Sheepe if they be ſound, ſeldome or never drink, even in Summer; though they go on the dryeſt Chalky lands: as it plainly appeareth in Kent, where there is ſcarce water for the great cattel; which proceedeth from the moiſture of our aire, and abundance of Raines and dewes.
2. That our Sheepe do not follow their ſhepherds, as they do in all other Countries: for the ſhepherd goeth before, and the Sheepe follow like to a pack of dogs; this diſobedience of our Sheepe, doth not happen to98 us, as Papist-Prieſts tell their ſimple flocks; becauſe we have left their great ſhepherd the Pope; but becauſe we let our Sheep range night and day in our fields without a ſhepherd; which other Countries dare not for feare of Wolves and other ravenous beaſts, but are compelled to guard them all day with great dogs, and to bring them home at night, or to watch them in their folds.
3. Deficiency in this kind, is the neglect of Fiſh-ponds, which are very profitable: for Fiſh uſually live by ſuch wormes and flies as are engendred in the ponds, and require no charge. Concerning the ordering of them, and the profit of them, Read Mr. Vaughans Golden Grove. And ſurely it would be a great benefit to this Iſland, if we had Fiſh at reaſonable rates. I cannot therefore paſſe by two extreame Abuſes, which exceedingly deſtroy Fiſh, and are in no wiſe to be permitted.
1. That divers poore men keepe many Swine, and in nets, or otherwiſe catch many buſhels of the young fry of Fiſh, and feed their Swine with them.
2. That the Fiſher-men in the River have the meaſhes of their nets ſo ſtraight, that they take many ſorts of Fiſh when they are too ſmall, and do deſtroy farre more Fiſh then they take. I hope theſe Abuſes will be reformed with all ſeverity. To this head I may add Decoyes, which are very frequent in Holland, and profitable; but very rare with us in England: yet may be very profitable and delightful.
4. Dificiency, is the Ignorance of the Inſects of this Iſland. And though it may ſeeme ridiculous to many, to affirme that Magots, butterflies, ſhould be of any importance; yet I deſire them to conſider, that we99 have our Honey, the ſweeteſt of foods from Bees, which are cattel of this kinde: alſo all our Silkes, Sattins, Pluſhes, and bravery from the poore Silke-worme, which may be called a Magot, Caterpillar, or Butter-flie &c. the richeſt of our Colours from the Cocheneile, which is one of this ſort. Gum-lac is made by Aunts, ſome are uſed for food, as Locuſts, &c. as you may reade in Muſſet's Book de Inſectis. Many of theſe likewiſe are uſed in Phyſick, as Cantharides, Wood-ſowes, Lice, &c. Some think, that Medicines tranſcending even the Chymiſts, may be had out of theſe; for every Plant, which hath a Medicinal vertue, is alſo ſublimed up into this living Quinteſſence: & therefore I commend divers ingenious men, as Mr. Marſhal and others, who have collected many hundred ſorts of theſe; and I hope they will communicate ere long their experiments to the world.
19. Deficiency concerning divers things neceſſary for the19. Defiency, concerning divers things neceſſary for the good of Cattel. good of Cattel.
1. That we are ignorant of the divers Diſeaſes of Cattel & their Cures. Not to run over all the Diſeaſes of Cattel and their Cures, which would be too long, and you may read them in Mr. Marram's workes, The Countrey-Farmer, and others. I will inſtance onely in two, which ſome years ſweepe away Cattel, as the Plague doth men, (viz.) the Murreine amongſt Great Cattel, and the Rot amongſt Sheep. And though divers have wrote concerning the Cures of theſe Diſeaſes; yet we do not finde that effect which we deſire: and therefore I hope ſome will attempt to ſupply this Deficiency, and write a good Treatiſe about the Diſeaſes of Cattel. Of theſe 2. Diſeaſes, I ſhall briefly declare my minde: And
1. Of the Murreine, which proceedeth from an100 Inflammation of the blood, and cauſeth a ſwelling in the throate, which in little time ſuffocateth the cattel. The eſpecial Cauſes of this Diſeaſe, are an hot and dry ſeaſon of the year; which dryeth up the waters, or at leaſt doth ſo putrefie them, that they are unwholeſome: and alſo the letting of Carrionly unburied. This Diſeaſe is thought to be infectious; but perhaps it may proceede from one Common Cauſe, as the Rottenneſſe of Sheepe. The beſt way to keepe your cattel from this Diſeaſe, is to let them ſtand in coole places in Summer, and to have abundance of good water, and ſpeedily to bury all Carion: and if any of your Cattel be infected, ſpeedily to let them bloud, and to give them a good drench &c. by theſe Meanes divers have preſerved their cattel; when their Neighbours have periſhed.
2. Concerning the Rot of Sheepe: not to ſpeake of the Pelt-Rot, or Sheepe that are ſtarved; but of the Ordinary Rot, called by ſome the White Rot; and is a kinde of Dropſey: their bellies are full of water and their liver diſcoloured. I have ſeen out of the livers of Sheepe tending to Rottenneſſe, living creatures leaping like ſmall Flounders: which without queſtion in little time will deſtroy the liver, and conſequently produce an indiſpoſition not unlike to the Rot. The common people ſay, that theſe wormes are cauſed by the over-heatings of Sheepe, and that Rottenneſſe proceedeth from a plant called Cotyledon, or Marſh-Penny-wort, which is of a very ſharpe taſte, and therefore not likely that Sheepe will eate it; but it may be a ſigne of wet rotten land, as broome is of ſound and dry land. This is certaine, that in wet moiſt years,101 Sheepe dy very much of the Rot; and in dry years on the ſame ground, they hold ſound: and yet I have heard that in Ireland, which is farre moiſter then England, Rottenneſſe of Sheepe is not known. It were therefore well worth the labour of an Ingenious man, to inquire into the Cauſes of theſe Indiſpoſitions in Sheepe.
The Meanes, which have been found very effectual for the curing theſe Diſeaſes, are theſe: firſt, to drive your ſheepe up to dry lands, or to keepe them in the fold, till the dew be off the graſſe, or to feed them ſome dayes with fine dry hay, eſpecially of Salt Meadow, or to put them into Salt-Marſhes; for in thoſe places Sheepe never Rot, or to drive them to ſome ſalt River, and there to waſh them, and make them drink of the water, this will kil the Scab; and alſo the tickes, and faſten the wooll; but if you have not the conveniencies before ſaid; then Rub their teeth with ſalt, or rather make a ſtrong pickle with ſalt and water, and force them to drinke thereof. Some dry pitch in an oven, and add to the pickle, and have found very good ſucceſſe: for theſe Medicines do exſiccate the ſuperfluous humidities, open obſtructions, and kill wormes. Some commend the Antimoniall Cup, as a Catholick Medicine againſt all Diſeaſes of Cattel.
2. We are Ignorant of divers Ingenuities, concerning feeding and fatting of Cattel and other creatures. To inſtance in ſome: And
1. Of the Horſe who is a great feeder. In Kent and Hartford-ſhire they uſually cut all their Oates and Peaſe ſmall, and give them with their Chaffe; by this meanes the Horſes ſooner fill themſelves, and eate102 all the ſtraw up: ſome put this Horſemeat into a bag, and ſo order it that a little only lyeth in the Manger; which when that is eaten up, more falleth down, and not before; by this way Horſes do not blow their meate, nor throw it out of the Manger with their noſes. A further good peece of Husbandry they uſe, which is this, when their Horſes are well fed at night, they fill the rack with Wheate or Barly-ſtraw, and ſo leave them; the Horſe perceiving that that which is in the rack is not very pleaſant, lyeth down and taketh his reſt, which is as good to him as his meate: if he riſe in the night, and fall to the rack and Manger, as he uſually doth, and findeth nothing but ſtraw, he ſleepeth till the morning; but if it be Hay, Tares, or Peaſe, the Jade will pull it all down and ſpoile it, and likewiſe will be hindred from his reſt; by the which double damage doth enſue. Currying and dreſſing of Horſes ought not to be forgot, it is halfe as good as their meate. Brimſtone and Elecampane rootes are the eſpeciall Ingredients for this Phyſick.
2. Of the feeding and fatting of Cowes. We uſually feed Cattel with straw in rackes in the yard, or turne them to the fields, and there let them feed as much; and how they pleaſe; which hath many Inconveniencies: as firſt, cattel ſpoile as much with their heeles as they eate, eſpecially if the ground be moiſt, or if the flie be very troubleſome, and they blow and ſtench and tumble much, and if the flie be buſie, they run up and downe, and over-heate themſelves, and fat very little; ſo that oftentimes in June or July they fatten as little as at Chriſtmas, and moſt of their dung is loſt by theſe meanes &c. But103 in Holland they do thus: They keepe their cattel houſed Winter and Summer; for the Winter-proviſion, they lay in not only hay, but alſo graines, (which they buy in the Summer, and bury in the ground:) and alſo Rape-ſeed Cakes, and ſowe Turnips, not onely for themſelves, but their Cowes alſo; with the which Turnips being ſliced, and their tops, and Rape-Cakes, and graines &c. they make Meſhes for their Cowes, and give it them warme; which the Cowes will ſlop up like Hogs, and by this meanes, they give very much Milke. In the Summer-time, they mowe the great Clover-graſſe, and give it them in ra•kes; ſo that their cattel are not troubled with the pinching froſts, nor rains, nor with the parching Sun in Summer, neither with the flie, nor do they over-heate themſelves or ſpoile halfe ſo much meate; and are alwayes as fat as their Maſters, or Bacon-hogs. The Dung and Ʋrine they charily preſerve, and thereby keepe their Meadowes of Clover-graſſe (which are conſtantly mowen twice or thrice yearly) in good heart: & indeed cattel ought not to go amongſt Clover-graſſe, becauſe it uſually groweth with long Haume (as they call it) like Peaſe, which if it be broken will not thrive. In Barmudaes they have a peculiar way of fattening their cattel, not uſed any where elſe that I know, which is with Greene Fennell, that groweth in that Iſland plentifully.
There is a plant in Eſſex called Myrchis, or Cowpurſley, which groweth faſt and early in the ſpring, which they give their cattel at the beginning of the yeare, and they eate it well.
It is an ill cuſtome that is uſed almoſt every where, to let Hogs ly in their Dirt and Dung, when they104 are fattening; for all creatures Generally do hate and abhorre their owne Dung: and an Hog is the cleanlieſt of all creatures, and will never dung nor ſtale in his Sty, if he can get forth, which other creatures will: and though he tumble in the dirt in Summer; yet that is partly to coole himſelfe, and partly to kill his Lice, for when the dirt is dry, he rubbeth it off and deſtroyeth the Lice thereby.
Sir Hugh Plattes in his writings ſetteth down divers Ingenious wayes, of Fattening Poultry &c. and more may be found out dayly. The Jewes have a peculiar way of fattening Geeſe, with Milke, Figs, Raiſins, and other ſweete things; by the which they make the liver of an extraordinary greatneſſe, and is a diſh much valued by them.
In Moore-fields there is one that keepeth many 100. of Conyes, with graines and branne: and ſome others who keepe the great laying Duckes, with theſe things and bloud, to their great advantage. I have ſeene a Booke tranſlated out of French, which teacheth how to gaine divers 100. l. per annum. by 50. l. ſtock in Hens. I ſuppoſe that about London, where eggs are ſo deere, great profit might be made by them. Turkeyes may be kept with good profit, where there are many Meadowes, as in Soffolke. In Barke-ſhire many keepe tame Pheaſants, and have gained well thereby.
3. We do not know how to improve the Commodities proceeding from Cattel to the higheſt: as for example, our ordinary Eutter might be better ſented and tasted: ſome Ladies have fine Ingenuities in this kinde. We cannot make Cheeſe comparable to the Parmiſan, nor ſo good as the Angelots of France:105 our ordinary Cheeſe is not comparable to the Holland Cheeſes, where alſo divers ſorts of Cheeſes are made of divers Colours: but I cannot much commend their Green Cheeſes, which are made of that Colour by Sheepes-dung &c. but I hope that in little time, our good Houſewives will ſcorn that any ſhall excel them.
20. Deficiency, is The want of divers things, which20 Deficiency, Of the want of divers things, which are neceſſary for the accompliſhment of Agricuture. are neceſſary for the accompliſhment of Agriculture — As
1. That we have not a Systema or compleat Book of all the parts of Agriculture. Till the latter end of Qu. Eliz. dayes, I ſuppoſe that there was ſcarce a booke wrote of this ſubject; I never ſaw or heard of any. About that time: Tuſſer made his verſes, and Scot wrote about a Hop-garden, Gouge tranſlated ſome things. Lately divers ſmall Treatiſes have been made by divers, as Sir Hugh Plattes, Gab. Plattes, Markham, Blith and Butler, who do well in divers things; but their bookes cannot be called compleat Bookes, as you may perceive by divers particular things, not ſo much mentioned by them. The Countrey Farmer tranſlated out of French is enough, if not more than enough; but it's no waies framed, or ſquared for us here in England: and I feare, the firſt Authors went on probabilities and hearſaies rather then experience. I hope ſome Ingenious man will be encouraged, to undertake a work ſo neceſſary and commendable.
2. Deficiency is, that Gentlemen try ſo few Experiments for the avdance of this honeſt and Laborious Calling; when as many Experiments might be made for a ſmall matter: for halfe a Pole ſquare, will give as certain a demonſtration, as an Acre; and a Pottle as a Hogſhead. I hope in time there will be erected a106 Colledge of Experiments, not only for this, but alſo all other Mechanicall Arts.
3. Deficiency is, That Gentlemen and Farmers do not meet and communicate ſecrets in this kind, but keep what they have experimented themſelves or known from others, as Sybils leaves, I mean as rare ſecrets not to be communicated. I hope that we ſhall ſee a more Communicative ſpirit amongſt us ere long. And Sir, I cannot but deſire you, if you have any things more in your hands of Gabriel Platte's, or any mens elſe, that you would with ſpeed publiſh them.
4. Deficiency is, That we want a Place, to the which men may reſort for to find ſuch Ingenious men, as may be ſerviceable for their ends and purpoſes; and alſo know where to find ſuch ſeeds, and plants, as they deſire, as the great Clover-graſſe, Saint Foine, La Lucerne, &c.
5. Deficiency, That men do uſually covet great quantities of Land; yet cannot mannage a little well. There were amongſt the Auncient Romans ſome appointed to ſee that men did till their Lands as they ſhould do, and if they did not, to puniſh them as Enemies to the Publique; perhaps ſuch a law might not be amiſſe with us: for without queſtion the Publique ſuffereth much, by private mens negligences; I therefore wiſh men to take Columell's Councell; which is, Laudato ingentia Rura, Exiguum Colito. For melior eſt culta exiguitas &c. as another ſaith, or as we ſay in Engliſh, A little Farme well tilled, is to be preferred: for then we ſhould not ſee ſo much waſte Land, but more Induſtry, greater Crops, and more people imployed, then are at this preſent, to the great profit of the Common-Wealth.
10721. Deficiency is, That by reaſon of our ſins we have21 Deficiency, That becauſe of our ſins we ha•…not the bleſſin of God upon our Labours. not the bleſſing of the Lord upon our Labours.
And this is the reaſon, that although the Husband-man hath been laborious and diligent in his calling theſe laſt years; yet our Crops have been thin, his Cattel ſwept away, & ſcarcity & famine hath ſeaſed on all parts of this Land; and if we had not been ſupplyed from abroad, we had quite devoured all the creatures of the Iſland, for our ſuſtenance, and yet we could not have been ſatisfyed, but muſt have devoured one another. And therefore to conclude; though I deſire the Husbandman to be diligent and laborious in his calling, yet I councell him to break off his ſins by Repentance, to have his eyes towards him, who is the Giver of every good thing, and to pray daily to him for his bleſſings, who giveth freely to them that aske, and upbraideth not. And although all callings ought to look up to him that is on high; yet the Countrey-man eſpecially; for he hath a more immediate dependance on him then any other: for if the Lord withold his fat dew of Heaven, or the former or latter Rain, it is in vain that the Huſhandman riſe up earely, and goe to bed late, and eate the bread of carefulneſſe: for we know, that it is the Lord that maketh barren places fruitful, and he likewiſe that turneth fruitful Lands into barrenneſſe, (as the Land of Canaan, which was very fruitful even in the time of the Canaanites, but now a barren deſert) and therefore, I again deſire the Countrey-man to walk as it becometh a Chriſtian, in all Sobriety, Righteouſneſſe and Godlyneſſe: not to truſt to his confidence, in his own labours, and good Huſbandry; but on the Lord that hath made all things: for though even Paul himſelfe108 doth plant and Apollo doth water; yet it is only the Lord that giveth encreaſe and plenty, which he will not deny to thoſe that fear him: for they ſhall want nothing that is good.
And thus Sir, I have written to you very largely my thoughts concerning the Husbandry of this Iſland, and partly what I have ſeen in many travels. Good Sir, be not offended at my long and impertinent ſtories, my rude language and unmethodical diſcourſe. It was, if not to ſatisfy; yet ſomewhat to gratify the univerſal goodneſſe of your ſpirit, and care of the Publique, which God hath enriched you withall. And theſe are onely my firſt thoughts, which in haſte I have hudled up together. I hope (if the Lord ſend life and health) my Second thoughts ſhall be better: But whatſoever I have done, pray look on it, as comming from one who is deſirous to ſerve you, and to advance the Publique Good, according to the talent the Lord hath given him. Thus I commit you to the protection of the Almighty: And reſt
The ſeverall things obſerved and ſet down during my ſtay in the Countrey, are theſe.
1. I learned the whole way and Art, of making and ordering of Woad, viz. the time when they ſowe it, when firſt they weed it, and cut it. I ſaw the manner of their gathering it, grinding, balling, drying it, and after ſweating and curing it. Informing my ſelf of the whole charge and profit of it: Have made divers Annotations on it: And taken order for ſome ſeed to be ſent to me, for other more Compendious and Profitable tryals, anſwerable to the Nature and Philoſophy of it.
2. This and ſome other things gave me occaſion to make the beſt inquiry I could, of Houſe-wives and of Fowlers, for all ſorts of dying weeds, and herbs, uſed in the dying of wooll, or of nets, which I have carefully collected to improve to a more then ordinary uſe; ſome being very remarkable.
3. Among other Generall Inquiries and Adventures, I heard of one at Ware, that charr'd Sea-coale; procured an errand and Commendations thither; went, was civilly uſed; and ſatisfyed in the truth and manner of the thing, and found the Gentleman who was the firſt Author of it, to be one Aires, now dead, an Ingenious man, a great Malſter, made much profit of it: It drying Malt as ſweet, as if the Sunne it ſelf did it: Is cheaper then either Wood, or Straw; and may be many other waies applyed.
4. I went into the Iſle of Ely, to ſee one of the Holland-mills, for dreyning; though ſet up there and kept by certain Frenchmen. The Invention ſeemed to me but mean and rude, and Mr. Wheeler's way much more Ingenious.
1105. I ſaw at Wickleſen the manner of your Holland Sluces. The ruines alſo of a Cochlea, for the emptying and dreining of water, of which Ʋbaldus hath writ a whole Treatiſe. Likewiſe a petty kinde of Pinnace with ordinance, ſomewhat like a cloſe Litter, but Flat-bottom'd; which rowed with wheeles inſtead of Oares, imployed it ſeemes formerly with admirable ſucceſſe, for the taking in of Crowland, and which gave me a proofe of what I for many years have thought poſſible, and of very great uſe and ſervice, and ſtill think it of unknowne value, if it were skillfully indeed framed, and applyed as it might be.
6. The Lord F. W. aſſured me of a Gentleman in Norfolke, that made above 10000. l. ſterl. of a peece of ground, not 40. yards ſquare, and yet there was neither Mineral or Metall in it. He after told me, it was onely a ſort of fine Clay, for the making a choiſe ſort of earthen ware; which ſome that knew it, ſeeing him dig up, diſcovered the value of it, and ſending it into Holland, received ſo much money for it: it's a ſtory not to be deſpiſed.
7. His Lordſhip told me the way of making of Spunke or Touch-wood.
8. Mr. H. His Lordſhip's Bailiff, ſhewed me a ſmall plat of ground, ſcarce an Acre and halfe, wherein he aſſured me, he had in one yeare 21. hundred of Hops; and falling out then to be ſcarce in other places, he made of that ſmall parcel of ground 9. ſcore l.
9. At Milton, I ſaw a Spring, that might have been made big enough to ſerve a large Towne; which my Friend Wheeler had newly diſcovered, and broke up; every man oppoſing him in it, and deriding111 his confidence, till he made it appear, and aſhamed them. Hereupon he gave me ſeveral marks of knowing and finding out Springs under ground.
10 From Springs we converted our diſcourſe to Pipes, for the carrying along of water under ground to any Houſe, or Towne; wherein he imparted ſome ſecrets to me, both of the fitteſt Wood and Trees for Pipes, and preſerving them whole ages from corruption, by wayes extreamly rational and not hitherto obſerved or found out by any.
11. This drew on ſome Diſcourſe of Woods, their Differences and ſeveral Applications: in which he told me many ſingular Obſervations.
12. After this, I ſaw at Milton an Excellent Modell of a Garden, Orchard and Walkes; and being further curious, my Friend related a Witty Invention he once put in Practiſe, to plant an Orchard in a Mooriſh place, where never grew a Tree.
13. I caſually met with one Boughton, a moſt ſingular rare man, in carving or cutting out Figures in ſmall or in great of Stone; and for that reaſon ſervant in ordinary to the late King: Who acquainted me of many excellent Ingenious men, and promiſed to ſeek me at my lodging.
14. Being in Camebridge-ſhire, I examined more particularly the Husbandry, planting, ordering and curing of Saffron.
Some other things came in my way, not without notice: But theſe are the chief. My own Improvements, and comments upon all which, I ſhall more at large give you, when we meet together; being alwayes
WHen one N. N. was laſt in France, being in diſcourſe with Doctor D. concerning Saint Foine, he was then told by Doctor D. that (for the Improvement of barren grounds) there was (in thoſe parts of France about Paris) another ſeed that did farre excell that of Saint Foine, and that the name of that more excellent ſeed was La Lucerne. I am deſired by a friend of mine (to whome N. N. related this paſſage of Doctor D.) that by your kindneſſe he may be ſpoken to of this La Lucerne: and his direction's deſired, where the ſaid ſeed is to be had? for what price? how much is uſually ſowed upon an Engliſh Acre? what time of yeare it is ſowen? whether it be ſowen alone; or with any other ordinary Corne? and with what Corne? and with what kinde of land it beſt agrees with? and finally what other particulars he can direct more then is here ſet downe?
I Have been with Doctor D. about Lucerne, who tells me that it groweth beſt in wettiſh grounds, that the beſt time of ſowing it in England will be in February at the ſame time that Oates are ſowne, with the which alſo it may be ſowen, but beſt alone; that to the ſowing of an Arpent, which is much what the ſame with an Engliſh Acre, there will go 12, or 15. l. of the Seed, the which uſeth to be ſold here at 8. or 9. ſols the pound.
I Deſire further to know, what kind of wet grounds are beſt for it? whether Mooriſh or clay? whether Poore or Rich? whether it muſt be ſowen yearly? or whether it will continue over a year in the ground? and if more then a year, then how many years it will continue without being new ſowen? whether it be onely good for Meadowes, or for Pasture? and if for Paſture, then whether the Sheepe or Cattel be ſuffered to go upon it? or whether it be carried off greene as the Clover-graſſe is in Flaunders?
Laſtly, for what Cattel it is moſt proper?
I Thought to have ſent you 9. l. of the ſeed of Lucerne for the ſowing of three Acres, Doctor D. having told me, as heretofore I told you, that 3. l. would ſowe an Arpent or Acre; But as I was going about it, I met with a Gentleman an acquaintance of mine, who ſome yeares ſince (but unknowne to me hitherto) hath had ſome Acres of Meadow of Lucerne upon his Ground, to whom having caſually ſpoke of my buſineſſe, and told him all that Doctor D. had told me about the Lucerne; he anſwered me, that Doctor D. was moſt groſly miſtaken in the quantity of the Seed required for the ſowing of an Acre; and that it would not take up 3. l. but two whole ſacks, each ſack containing the full loade of a ſtrong Porter; after which rate the quantity of Seed for the ſowing of 3. Acres would fill a great dry-fat, the ſending whereof by land would come to exceſſive114 great charges, and therefore neceſſarily to be ſent by Sea in my opinion. You will be pleaſed to impart theſe things to your Friend, and to let me know his finall reſolution upon them, the which ſhall be faithfully accompliſhed by me; and in the meane while I will get him a perfect and full Anſwer upon all his Quere's, not from Doctor D. (whom I dare truſt no more in this buſineſſe, having found him guilty of ſuch groſſe miſtakes about it) but from that other Gentleman, who told me he could himſelf reſolve moſt of thoſe Queſtions; but that for to be the ſurer, he thought it beſt to conferre firſt with his Farmer about it. You make Apologies for putting me upon theſe Inquiries; but I pray you to believe, that at any time I ſhall moſt readily and cheerfully perform any ſervice that ſhall lie in my power, for you or any of your Friends for your ſake. And I were very unreaſonable, to think troubleſome any thing that you require of me, when as continually I put you to ſo much trouble my ſelfe.
THe information about the Lucerne that I have got from my Friend, being a very particular one, and containing a very full Anſwer to all the Questions propounded by your Friend; is ſuch as followeth: It requireth a rich ground, but ſomewhat looſe and light, ſo as a ſtiffe Clay, and ſuch other tough grounds are no waies fit for it; The ground muſt not be over-dry nor over-moiſt, but in a mean; yet ſomewhat more inclining to moiſture, then to the contrary. It muſt be ploughed three times; the115 firſt time in October, and the ſecond and third, towards the Spring. Naturally it doth not love Dung, and cometh much better in a ground that is ſufficiently rich of it ſelf, then that which hath been inriched by Dunging; and where Dung is made uſe of, it muſt be very ſtale and well rotten, and long before the ſowing-time. It cannot endure the cold, and therefore muſt not be ſowen till the cold weather, and all the danger of it, be quite paſt, viz. about the beginning or midſt of Aprill. The Quantity of the Seed, is the Sixth part of Corne, that the ſame ground would require: ſo as only one Buſhell of Lucerne is to be ſowen on that ſpace of ground, which would require ſix Buſhells of Corne. It muſt be carefully weeded, eſpecially in the beginning. And to the end that it may take the more firm root, ſome Oates muſt be mixed with it, but in a very ſmall proportion. It is to be cut as ſoon as it beginneth to flower, which in the hot Countries (Provence, Languedock, and Spaine) it doth five or ſix times, and ſome years ſeven and eight times in a Summer: but in this Climate it uſeth to be cut but twice a year, about the end of June, and about the end of September: Being cut, it muſt be turned very oft, that it may dry the ſooner, and be carried off the ground the ſooneſt that may be; and it muſt be kept in cloſe barnes, being too tender for to be kept in reeks, open to the aire, as other Hay. It is good for all kind of Cattel, Kine, Sheep, Goats, and as well for the young ones (Calves, Lambs, Kids) as for the others; but above all it agreeth beſt with Horſes. It is much more feeding then any other Hay: inſomuch as any lean beaſts will ſoon grow fat with it; and to Milch-beaſts,116 it procureth abundance of milke: but it muſt never be given alone, eſpecially to beaſts that have not been long uſed to it: but muſt ever be mixed with Straw, or with ſome other Hay: for otherwiſe it over-heateth them, and filleth them too much with bloud; and that ſo ſuddenly, as it greatly indangereth their health, and their life too; which it doth principally to Kine: to whom it is more dangerous, if too plentifully given, then to any other Cattel. After the laſt cutting, you may let your Cattell graze on your Lucerne-fields, and that all Winter long, untill the beginning or middle of March. Of once ſowing you will have your Meadow continue good for 10. or 12. years, and until 15. and afterwards too, it will ſtill continue to bear; but the hearb will then notably decay in goodneſſe. Wherefore it is beſt to turn in then to ſome other uſe. Kine muſt never eate of this hearb green; but onely dryed, and that moderately too, as hath been ſaid. But Horſes eating their fill of it green in the Spring, are purged thereby, and grow fat by it in 8. or 10. daies time: If one deſire to have of the Grain, one may let ſuch a proportion of the Meadow, as one will, grow up to ſeed, after the ſecond cutting, any year except the firſt only: and when the ſeed is ripe; the tops of the hearb, with the coddes wherein the ſeed is incloſed, muſt be cut in a dewie morning, and put into ſheets, for fear of looſing the ſeed, and muſt be beate out with Flails upon the ſame, when that it is well dryed: and afterwards the remaining part of the hearb muſt be mowen cloſe to the ground; after which it continueth to ſprout out again after the uſual manner. The Hay117 on't will keep good two or three years; and one Acre is ſufficient to keep three Horſes all the year long.
THe Gentleman, who had given me the Note about the Lucerne, hath told me ſince two particulars more, which he had forgot to put into it: The one, that not onely to other Cattel, but even to Horſes, with whom that Hay agreeth beſt, of all other beaſts: it is not to be given but in Winter; becauſe that in the Summer it would too much heate their bloud: And the other, That this Hay muſt be perfectly well dri'd, before it be carried off the ground; and to that end turned very often: becauſe that being put up with any the leaſt moiſture, it will quite ſpoile much more then any other Hay. Now theſe, and all the other particulars, which I have had from that Gentleman, have been confirmed to me by many others. And yet within theſe 2. or 3. days I met with a Phyſitian of Rochell, who aſſuring me that the Lucerne was very common in his Countrey, made me a relation of it agreeing with the former, only in theſe three points, viz. That of once ſowing it will continue 10 or 12. years; That it is cut twice a year, ſerving afterwards for Paſture all Winter; And that it wonderfully fatteneth all kind of Cattel; but very much different from it in all the others, and in ſome of them point-blank contrary to it. For he ſaith, that it is to be ſowen in the beginning of March; that it deſireth a temperate ground, but rather dry then wet, and no waies fat118 nor clayiſh, but ſtony and gravily; that it need not be mixed with any other Hay, but may be given alone, and all the year long; in Summer aſwell as in Winter; not only to Horſes, but to Cowes and other Cattel. He added, that the proportion of the ſeed, is the charge of a Porter for four Arpents or French Acres. Which particulars I thought good to impart unto you; that your Friend comparing them with the other's, might make his beſt profit of them; and this Rochellois; (or Rocheller) who hath lived 3. or 4. years in England, thinks that the Lucerne will come admirably well in that Countrey.
THe meaning of theſe Words — The quantity of the Seed is the ſixth part of Corne that the ſame ground would require — is this, That whatever quantity of Wheat or Barly an Acre of ground would require of the ſeed of Lucerne, you muſt take but the ſixth part of that quantity of ſeed of Lucerne; ſo as that ground which for its ſowing requireth ſix buſhells of Corne, doth require but one buſhel of Lucerne-ſeed.
An Arpent de terre (which how much it is in Engliſh meaſure COTGRAVE'S Dictionarie will perfectly tell you) requireth 10. l. of that ſeed, as ſeveral Grain-ſellers (of whome I went to enquire for it) have unanimouſly told me: the ſeed being exceeding ſmall, and to be ſowen wonderfully thinly. As for Saint Foine or Holy Hay, I have ſeen it grow here about Paris in ſeveral places, in rich fat grounds, and thoſe both high and dry, and others low and119 Marſhy. It is cut but once a year, much-what about the ſame time of other Hay, and a great deal of the ſeed of it is required for ſowing the ground with it. But being once ſown, it laſteth 10. or 12. years, as well as Medica or Lucerne, wherewith alſo it correſpondeth altogether in its Vertues and Ʋſes.
I deſire your acceptance of this ſmall preſent, may be according to the reall worth of the thing; not as at firſt ſight it may appear to be (viz.) ſtraw or ſtubble. This is I aſſure you, no other then the true and reall Experiment of what by the bleſſing of God the native fertility of our Engliſh ground, rightly huſbanded, will bring forth: nay I can upon moſt probable grounds affirm, that had I uſed all the Art and Care which I could and might have done (had I not been otherwiſe taken off) it could hardly have failed to have been double, treble, or quadruple to what it is. And it is alſo moſt true, that any reaſonable good ground well mannaged may yield one, ten, a hundred, &c. Acres, in which there ſhall be very many ſuperior to the biggeſt root of theſe, and hardly one inferior to the beſt, but one; by which account it will eaſily appear, how much beyond the old way, this is the increaſe, there being between two and five quarters on the Acre; and the product of this way will be rarely under 10. quarters, not rarely 16. or 20. and the ſame for moſt graines; yet will this dull age as to goodneſſe not believe it120 without ſome teſtimony, and perhaps ſcarce ſuffer themſelves to be convinc'd by this ſo eminent an Experiment; wherein it plainly appears, That out of one fingle Barly-Corne is ſprung about 80. Ears, of which near 60. had, ſome 38. ſome 36. 34. 32. 30. and hardly any leſſe then 38. which in all is above 2000. for one: And truely, the charges to be beſtowed on a Acre of this ſort is no way double to the common way. Accept it therefore, and reſerve it as a real Rarity, and a jewell onely fit for a Publique and Pious Spirit, as yours is: till I ſhall by Gods aſſiſtance be able next yeare to produce you more abundant examples of God's wonderfull power and bounty that offers, and man's ingratitude that neglects, or refuſes ſuch honeſt meanes, of the trueſt and moſt juſtly gotten humane wealth, honour, and happineſſe.
J am much obliged unto you for ſending me the Diſcourſe of the Braband-Husbandry, which I have121 peruſed. Not long ago I was told of certaine Men which would faine have morgaged ſome thouſand Acres of Heathy grounds which lay here and there as Commons. But the late Prince of Orange by the advice of his Councel durſt not entertain any ſuch Propoſitions, the Lands belonging to the Communalty. On the other hand the Ʋndertakers would not be contented with leſſe for imparting of their Secret. It appears unto me by all circumſtances, that it was the ſame deſigne of Husbandry with your's, the parties (if I remember well) being Engliſhmen. From Paris I am advertiſed (for certain) of one, who did laſt year (1649.) ferment one Grain of Wheat, which this year hath produced him 114. Eares and within them 6000. Graines, which is more then 80. Eares, and 600. Graines of your Engliſh Friend's. This year (1650.) he hath a great many fermented and ſowen.
J Have received from you a Relation of a very great and wonderful Production or Increaſe, which your Friend at Amsterdam relates to be done in France. I am farre from leſſening the admirable greatneſſe of that perſon's skill and ſucceſſe. Only ſince I find my ſelfe taken notice of by the ſame party, and the Experiment I made the laſt year of Barly weighed in the ſcales with this, and found too light; I ſhall take leave to ſay, that (beſides all difference that is or may be conceived to be, betwixt the Soyles; that of France hath a manifeſt advantage in the elevation122 and powerful operation of the Sun.) That it is probable he did uſe all poſſible Meanes both to the Ground and Seed to make them both fruitful, which I did not at all; but quite contrarily I choſe the worſt ſeed I could procure, and my ground was as barren as any whatſoever in the parts adjacent. I added nothing to either; all I did was after the blade was ſprung up. And whereas your Friend mentions 600. out of 80. eares, thoſe ears contained, one with the other at the leaſt 30. ſingle cornes, which is 2400. That beſides that, Wheate is no whit inferior to Barly, but rather more inclined of its proper nature to branch and ſpread. It is alſo allowed as long time againe to grow, and therefore may better ſpread to many ears then Barly. That my eares of Barly rated at 30. one with the other, (which they were at leaſt, ſome having 38. a thing I ſuppoſe rarely (if ever) ſeen in England before) are full as high as his Wheate-eares rated at 52. And the ſeeming great difference between 2400. and 6000. when looked into, will prove not to be in the number of eares, which differ no more then as 14. to 10. but in the nature of the Graines, there being univerſally as many more in an eare of Wheate as in an eare of Barly. That if (as it is moſt like) he in France did onely try concluſions, to what height nature might poſſibly be ſcrued by Art, and that what is here related, was the effect of that trial; that holds not compariſon with mine, which is generally practicable, without any conſiderable expence of time or ſtock more then in the common-way. Laſtly I affirme, in all poſſible humble reference and ſubmiſſion to God's good pleaſure, power and providence; that when I ſhall make uſe of good Seed123 rightly prepared, good Land in right condition, & all other helps which I know & can uſe; I ſhall not doubt for ſmaller numbers of the ſame graine (viz.) Wheate to produce 200. or 300. eares, and in them 10000. 12000. or 15000. cornes, (and ſomewhat like that, for whole fields together, and that here in England,) howſoever let us alwaies remember to give all poſſible praiſe to God, whoſe bleſſing onely makes rich.
J Do with much impatience deſire the Treatiſe or Diſcourſe publiſhed by you about the Braband-Husbandry, and do very much admire the induſtry of that Engliſh Gentleman your Friend, who hath found out the waies of making Corne multiply ſo prodigiouſly. The Pariſian Experimenter of Corn's multiplication I know not: but a Friend of mine very well acquainted with him, aſſureth me to have had the following Deſcription of his Secret from himſelf; and to have ſeen the experience of it very fully in the year 1649. not in any great quantity, but in a Garden, only for trials ſake.
124Pour into quick or unſlak't Lime as much Water as ſufficeth to make it ſwim four inches above the Water; And unto ten pounds of the ſaid Water poured off, mix one pound of Aqua-vitae, and in that liquor ſteep or ſoake Wheate (or Corn) twenty four houres: which being dryed in the Sun or in the aire, ſteepe again in the ſaid liquor 24. houres more, and do it likewiſe the third time: Afterward ſowe them at great diſtances the one from the other, about the diſtance of a foot between each graine. So one graine will produce 30. 36. 38. 42. 52. eares, and thoſe very fruitful, with a tall ſtalk, equalling the ſtature of a man in height.
THeſe are to give you ſpecial thankes for communication of the Pariſian Experimenter's Secret. Water (if he meanes Cold water) poured into quick or unſlak't Lime cannot work much in one hour upon the Lime; but if it be boiled with it, and that the water be poured alwaies afreſh upon the Lime, then it will come to be ſo ſtrong at laſt that an egge may ſwimme in it, as I learn'd by tradition from Doctor Hartmannus, but could never make any tryal of it for want of unſlackt Lime in the place where I live. This perhaps may be yet better; but Experience goes beyond Reaſon in theſe caſes. The often macerating or ſteeping, and drying of graines I like very well. I have only according to Mr. Gabriel Platt's directions ſteeped them 24. hours in turned or tained Raine-water and Cow-dung, and afterwards ſowen125 them thus wet; which on Sandy grounds hath produced ſuch goodly corne, as if it had been very good Land. Some here uſe Salt-Peter, which alſo doth much good; but is found likewiſe in Sheepes-dung, as may appear by its fertility. I have loſt the Book of Husbandry of Mr. Plats, which was called, A Diſcovery of Infinite Treaſure hidden ſince the world's beginning; Whereunto all men of what degree ſoever are friendly invited to be ſharers with the Diſcoverer. For having lent the ſame to a Friend, that it might be tranſlated into High-Dutch, I could never ſee it again. I am told it is out of print. But if you could help me to another, you would do me a pleaſure. I have nothing to add for the preſent, but that the Genius of this Age is very much bent to advance Husbandry; & that in all Countries I hear there are found Gentlemen; that ſtudy profeſſedly theſe Improvements more then in former times. I reſt alwaies
I Find dayly more and more, that it is too true, that moſt men love money, that they even worſhip126 it in their hearts, as the onely Summum Bonum. I need not go farre for a proofe, ſince they have brought one to my hand. That (having ſo faire and juſt offers made, in order to the Corne-buſineſs; as I have preſented to them by your hands,) will by no meanes (though ſo very much to their own profit and the Publique Good) part with their monies; and yet ſtick not to demand (in effect) the diſcovery from me of that talent of knowledge, which God hath made mine by his free gift; as the reward of my Induſtry, and faithful love to my native Countrey; (An Eſtate, if I miſtake not better gotten then by any of the common meanes; by which men grow rich dayly.) Surely the commodities cannot be leſſe then equal. The moſt wiſe and vertuous men that ever lived, have preferred Art, Induſtry and Ingenuity farre before money. Money (eſpecially the Abuſe of it) is become the very Poyſon of the world, againſt which Art and Induſtry is an Antidote or Cordiall. Money is counted and enjoyed by thouſand thouſands, Art and Industry but by a few. And things of excellent uſe are accounted Jewels, eſpecially when rare and ſcarce. The Profeſſors of Art and Induſtry preferre their private gaine (too often) before the being and well being of the whole world; nay of their own ſould. Theſe are ever ready to part with unvaluable treaſures upon eaſie conditions: Thoſe will not upon any conditions whatſoever (but ſuch as pleaſe themſelves, or are full of oppreſſion) part with their monies (no not to ſave a Brother's, or hardly a Father's, or a Child's life.) And finally, if they judge it improvidence to part with a little of their eſtates, onely for a time, to returne127 againe to them ſhortly, like Noah's Dove with an Olive-branch, a double branch of Peace and Proſperity: I deſire to be excuſ'd, if I upon better grounds, hold it prophane to ſell a better right then a birth-right for leſſe then a meſſe of pottage; even for juſt nothing, and for ever. I can never forget the exceeding great Ingenuity to the world, ſhewed & given by Mr. Gabriel Platt'es, as will more fully appeare, when you ſhall have printed thoſe writings of his which he left to your truſt & cuſtody) & the world's baſe Ingratitude, that let ſuch a man fall downe dead in the ſtreet for want of food, without a ſhirt to his back; none (but your ſelfe that want not an enlarged heart, but a fuller hand to ſupply the world's defects) being found with ſome few others, to adminiſter any reliefe to a man of ſo great merit. In a word, that God that hath forbid to muzle the Ox that treads out the fodder, hath appointed every man to uſe his bleſſings (next to his Glory) for the providing for and preſervation of his family, which he that can do and doth not, is worſe then an Infidel. I dare not give away this meanes of obteining outward bleſſings to my ſelfe and family, till I have found a way to make it inſtrumental to that end; and that end once effectually attained to, I dare not deny God's mercy and bounty to me, nor longer reſtrain the Publique Ʋſe of this univerſal good: I remaine
FIrſt take your Wheate, pour the ſame into a tub of Water, and ſtir it about; take off all the Corn that ſwimmeth on the Water, and pour the reſt upon a floor, letting the Water run off. Then make a ſtrong brine of Bay-Salt, and pour ſome of the brine on the Corne upon the floore; and take to halfe a quarter of Corne, halfe a peck of Salt, and ſtrow it on the Corne, and ſtir and mix it continually, as you pour thereon the brine, and ſtrow the Salt thereon, untill the Corne be all wet and overſtrowed with Salt.
Then take to a halfe Quarter of Corne, halfe a buſhell of Ʋnſlak't Lime, and ſtrow that likewiſe over the Corne, mingling it well together; which done, you may ſowe the ſame the next day. The brine muſt be cold when you pour it on the Corne, and you muſt prepare no more Wheate, then you intend next day to ſowe.
A Meadow yields 6. times more Hay, when it is turned up with a plough, and ſowen thick with aſhes burn't out of the ſubſtance thereof, but the rain muſt fall firſt. Afterwards ſowe your Meadow with the ſeed of Trefoile, and plough and harrow them in. The firſt graſſe which groweth thereon, let it be very ripe, that the ſeed may fall off it ſelfe; then let ſome129 go over it, and with rakes ſtir it, that it fall out. Afterwards let it be mowen off, and carried to a certaine place where it may be dryed, ſo the Graſſe will grow preſently againe, and may be mowen again in three weekes.
BReake the Ruſhy ground, and rake the rootes and the ruſhes together, and burne them or carry them away, Then ſpread upon that ground, Turffeaſhes, or Pigeons-Dung, Chalke or Lime, according to your ground. Try of every one of theſe upon a little plot of your ground: you may uſe other Aſhes, Marle, or Dung for experiments: and that which you finde doth kill the Ruſhes and other Weeds beſt, uſe it: you are to make gutters or draines to carry away the water from the ground: you may deſtroy Ruſhes or Ferne, if you will; but cut or mowe them downe in the beginning of June, and ſo uſe to do it 2. or 3. yeares together at that time.
IN the ſeaſon when they are full ripe on the trees, a few dayes before they would fall, as neare as can be gueſſed, let them be gathered or beaten off; and in the green huske, or without it, put them into good ordinary earth in a barrel or basket: So let them continue untill the beginning of March following: as ſoone as that moneth begins, get as much warme Milke from the Cowes as will ſteepe them 24. hours: after they are ſteeped, ſet them in ground130 well digged, and judged natural for ſuch fruit, with their little end, or their prickled ſharpe end upwards, about 3. or 4. inches deepe in the earth, and not one of 28. will faile, as hath appeared by experience. This may make dry Walnuts alſo prove trees: the Nuts uſed as above ſaid, as farre as may be, ſet them neare one foot a-ſunder, and in a right line to weed them. The Walnut breeds good Timber, good ſhadow, good ſmell, good fruit. At 4. yeares growth tranſplant them.
THey are firſt planted from any even the leaſt part of the Roote of the ſame Tree: you muſt divide the root, by ſlipping each part from the other, and not by cutting it in ſunder: you may take thoſe parts from thoſe trees whileſt they grow, and without danger to them, rob them of all the ſmall ſprigs of the roote, and leave only the Master-Roots; but the moſt uſual way is to multiply them, when they are tranſplanted; which time is at their growth of 5. yeares: their ſeaſon is in March. They are firſt planted in the way of a Nurſery, in looſe earth, moiſt and ſandy, or inclining to it: their diſtance is 10. inches, one from another (the earth being firſt prepared as for a Garden): you are to make holes with a ſtick, the depth of the length of the part you have to ſet ſetting him ſo that you may onely ſee a part of it above ground, the earth being cloſed about131 them; they are to be kept weeded as any other plants. The ſecond yeare in February you are to prune off all from the Maſter or Middle ſhoote, and ſo to the 3. and 4. yeare: the 5. you may tranſplant them, ſo as they like the ground of their Nurſery. Their uſual diſtance one from another is 10. foot: you may drive a ſtake with them when you tranſplant them, to ſecure them ſtiffe againſt the winde; for that they will grow very tall in thoſe years, and ſo be much expoſed to the winds. They may without much prejudice (to Corne) be planted in the furrowes where it growes; ſo as the ground be moiſt, and you keepe them well pruned, and leave onely a buſh at the top of the tree. No ſtiffe Clay grounds will admit them to thrive, they will grow in moiſt Clay ground, but onely in height, and will not burniſh for want of roome to extend their roots. This tree if he likes his ground; will be at full growth in 20. years. He is valued in Flaunders after 7. years growth, worth every year 12. d. until his time be up. He growes very ſtraight without boughes, onely a buſh on the top, and ſo exceedingly well becomes a Walke. This Timber is uncomparable for all ſorts of wooden veſſels, eſpecially Traies; Butchers-Traies cannot well be made without it, it being ſo exceeding light and tough. Some years ago there were ten thouſand at once ſent over into England, and tranſplanted into many Counties. Mr. Walker at Saint James can give the beſt account of them to all ſuch as deſire further to be directed in this particular.
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