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 should 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 be 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 hope 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 manuring lands both because that all manner of manuring 9. 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
but mean and rude and Mr. Wheeler's way much more Ingenious 5. 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 Vbaldus 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 deriding 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 SIR Your's Quere's sent into France about the Seed called La Lucerne 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 The Answer to the Quere's from Paris 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 More Quere's concerning Lucerne 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 Another Answer from Paris 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 excessive 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 last Answer concerning Lucerne 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 the 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 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 Hay on 't will keep good two or three years and one Acre is sufficient to keep three Horses all the year long A Post-script to the last Answer concerning the Lucerne SIR 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 fat 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 NOTE 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
briefly as may be and likewise how ingenious men may finde Remedies for these deficiencies First he would do the honest and painful Husband-man 1. 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 have 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 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 excellent Col. Blunt Corne on barren land and yet plougheth his 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 Sir 2. 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 other 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
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 I 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 yet 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 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 which The 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 sorts 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
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 19. 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 the Mr. 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 much Natur. 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 for 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 LVPINES 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 Pasture-land 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 for 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 Clover-grasse 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 but 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
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 small 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. 2. I desire Ingenious men to send home whatsoever they find rare of all sorts as first Animals the fine-woolled 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. and why may not we finde some things beneficiall to us also 16. Deficiency is the Ignorance of those things which 16. 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 Mechanicâ—… 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 yellow 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 Printed at Yorke by Tho. Broad being to be sold in his shop at the lower end of stone gate neare to Common-Hall-Gates 1649. 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