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 firm hard bright Corn not easily to be putrefied but the other being more oily and Sulphureous causeth a dark Spungy Corn soon corruptible And 2. because straw and dung is a part of the same kind corrupted which is always in some measure hurtful to the same species both in Animals 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 Roots of other trees have formerly been corrupted The Remedies for this Accident briefly are these Not to speak of Bees who questionless make most of their Honey from these Honeys or Mildews for they 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 Corn. 2. To sowe early that your Corn may be full Kerned before these Mildews fall I am informed that an Ingenious Knight in Kent did for curiosity sowe Wheat in all months of the year and that the Corn sown 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 sow 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 Corn and to strike off the Mildew before it be inspissated by the Sun This ought especially to be done before Sun-rising two men in an hour will easily run over an Acre the Mildews usually fall like a thick fog or a Misty rain 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 Wheat is an excellent Remedy for the beard shooteth off the dew that it doth not so easily insinuate it selfe into the ear and likewise causeth the ear to shake by the least wind There is a kind of Wheat in Buckinghamshire called Red-straw-Wheat which is much commended it 's a strong-stalked Wheat and doth not soon lodge and therefore excellent for Rank Land where Corn is apt to lodge and consequently to Mildew but I question whether it hath any property against Mildew This I am very confident of that if this Wheat or any other were without the Chaffy husks exposed bare to the Aire as Barley and Rie are Wheat would not be afflicted with Mildew Perhaps such Grain may be found by diligent enquiry I have casually picked out of a Wheat-field some stalks which had two ears on them and though Barley usually hath but 2 ranges in the South of England yet I have seen some sorts with 4 6 and there are many great varieties in grains not yet discovered Truly if any knoweth better ways 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 Countrey-men I will not here set down the divers manners of Graftings and Inoculations which nevertheless 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 Pears 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 Terrestis where at leasure you may read it I will only point briefly at the Deficiencies which I find in this part of Husbandry and the best ways 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 Glocestershire Hereford and Worcester there are many gallant Orchards but in other Countreys they are very rare and thin 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 even from 5 s. per Acre to 5 pound by this means and so proportionally and if I should relate what I have heard by divers concerning the profit of a Cherry-Orchard about Sittenburn in Kent you would hardly believe me yet I have heard it by so many that I believe it to be true Namely that an Orchard of 30 Acres of Cherries produced in one year above 1000 pound but now the Trees are almost all dead it was one of the first Orchards planted in Kent Mr. Cambden reporteth that King Henry the Eighth's Gardiner first began to plant Flemish Cherries in those parts which in his time did spread into 32 other Parishes and were at that time sold at greater rates then now yet I know that 10 or 15 pound an Acre hath been given for Cherries 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 Moss 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 half 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 Vrine and a little Brimstone to destroy the worms it hath some probability of truth for by 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 the splitting the roots I know not what to say Some old Authours affirm this ought to be done because that the roots may as well be hide-bound as other parts of the Tree and not able to attract his nourishment and when the Root is split it will speedily send forth divers small fibrous roots which are the principall Attractors It were good that some would give us an account exact of this Experiment But some will object against Orchards that they spoyl much ground and therefore ought to be planted only in Hedges To this I answer 1. That Plumtrees and Damsius 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 Southern parts of England any Apples or Pears thrive in an Hedge unless a Crab or a Wilden or some Sweeting of little worth How they thrive in Herefordshire 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
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 Chalk for the enriching his lands and also Loam and Sand for his buildings often times fuel for fire c. it will plainly appear that it is necessary for him to know all subterrany things and to be a Petty-Phylosopher 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 natural history of all the Sands Earth Stones Mines Minerals c. which are found in this Island it would not only advance Husbandry but also many other Mechanick Arts and bring great profit to the publick I hope some ingenious man will at length undertake this task for the Lord hath blessed this Island with as great variety as any place that is known as shall in part appear anon and it may be proved by that great variety which is found near the Spaw-waters in Knaresborough as Doctor Dean relateth in his Book called the English Spaw Or the glory of Knaresborough springing from several famous Fountains there adjacent called the Vitriol sulphurous and dropping Wells and also other Mineral waters whose words are these Here is found not onely white and yellow Marle Plaister Oker Rudd Rubrick Freestone 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 pains to labour a little herein Printed at York by Thomas Broad being to be sold in his shop at the lower end of Stone-gate near to Common-Hall Gates 1649. This Letter will not permit me to make a compleat Natural History of the things of this Isle yet I shall relate divers things which may be as hints to set some others to work which I have found in Mr. Cambden and others and shall briefly instruct the Husbandman 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 and also in Ireland cast up Amber-greece which is worth so much Gold with the which not long since a Fisherman of Plymouth greased his boots not knowing what it was sometimes it casteth up Jet and Amber as at Whitbey often times In former times we had Oysters which had very fair great Pearls in them of good worth and at this time some of them are found in Denbighshire Coperas-stone likewise is found along by the Sea-Coasts of Kent Essex Sussex Hampshire out of the which Corporas is made a thing very useful for Dyers Curriers c. Further Sea-weeds are not to be slighted for in Jersey they have no other fuel amongst them and here in England it is burnt to make Kelp 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 Brick thereof called Flanders-Bricks c. Sea-sands in Cornwall do very much enrich their Lands and in Lancashire out of a certain kind of Sand they extract Salt c. 2. Let him take notice of all sorts of Waters which issue forth of the earth differing from the ordinary in Colour Odour Taste for it is well known how advantagious these waters are often-times not only 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 Knaresborough c. Spaw in York-shire and by the Allum-waters in Newenham in Warwick-shire like Milk in taste and colour and are excellent for the Stone and wounds and also it appeareth by the salt Fountains in Worcestershire and Cheshire which furnish all those parts with an excellent fine white salt by the hot Bathes in Summersetshire and the luke-warm waters by Bristol c. At Pitchford in Shropshire is a Fountain 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 scowring others for casting fine metals as Highgate-sand others for the Glasse-men as a sand lately found in Sussex In Scotland there is a sand which containeth a considerable quantity of Gold and in divers Countreys fine Gold aboundeth very much in sands and if we may believe an excellent Dutch Chymist there is scarce any sand without it 4. Let him take notice of the Earth Loams Clayes c. which have divers and necessary uses as first the stiffest Clays as Newcastle 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 Tobacco-pipes Marle of divers colours and stiffness 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 York-shire 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 their ditches and therefore it is truely said that their firing is as it were fish'd out of the water and it 's indifferent good fuel Coals 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 Freestones for building Cobbels and rough hard stones for paving Tomb-stones soft sandy stones commonly called fire-stones because 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 excellent Marble at Snothil in Herefordshire a course Marble near Oxford in Kent also at Purbrick in Dorsetshire Milstones in Auglesey in Flintshire Darbyshire Lime-stones Chalk in very many places for divers uses Allum-stone is found in Anglesey but especially at Gisborrow in York-shire where the Allum works are which serve this Island Lapu Cslaminaris is lately found in Somersetshire 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 Knaresborough Black-lead in Cumberland and no where else in Europe There is a stone in Durham out of which they make salt
can be no question but that instead of the charge of emptying and noysomness of the smell he may have it emptied for nothing and feel the sweet smell of money very gratefull to most men and that in as great quantity or greater than he receiveth for his ordinary Edifices besides that he will shew himself to be a good member of the body politick or Common-wealth wherein he liveth but he must beware that the matter doe lye dry and that no adventitious moysture come to it either from beneath or above which will be somewhat more chargeable in moyst grounds then where the earth is very dry by its own nature And whereas it is as clear as the Sun that the flesh and blood of a beast is five times as good as the dung of a beast and that the skin hair wooll horns and hoofs are ten times as good as the dung and that these things are at the least the third part of the fertility and wealth of the Kingdome and that these things are for the most part lost and cast away for want of general knowledge I could wish that every Housholder in the Kingdom would make use of this Book and let it be common for all his family to read or hear it read to the end that some considerable quantity thereof might be preserved the soot in every ones chimney will pay him again for a Bushel of soot will produce two Bushels of wheat if it be well ordered because it aboundeth much with the vegetable spirit of the world by which all sublunary things doe encrease and multiply And whereas there is much food of all kind spoyled for want of looking as musty Corn mouldy Cheese stinking Flesh and Fish also if any man have any Horses or beasts that dye by accident let all men be pleased to receive instructions in the said book formerly mentioned how to recover some considerable share of their losses and if any one cannot finde out some way or other to benefit himself more or lesse by the reading of the said book besides the good to the publick let him lay the blame no where else but upon the weakness of his own understanding for it will be proved against him that some have advanced their revenues above a thousand pounds per annum by some small part of the skill contained in the said book And if every poor servant cannot get themselves portions of considerable value by reason that their Masters houses afford not store of such materials nor spare room to lay them in then let them get five shillings a year that they may doe in the poorest house in the kingdom yea the poorest beggars that goe from door to door may get more than that so shall they get themselves every year a suit of cloathes if they buy them at the second hand and shew their love to the Common-wealth and perhaps some good minded man seeing their industry may disburse money for the accomplishing of one crop and take it again with interest or without interest out of the first part that is sold and so will the remainder afford them a considerable portion And though that waste paper of all sorts either white or brown written or printed be not very good to make barren land fertile yet it will make good Passeboard the white is worth three farthings a pound and the other an half penny a pound to make brown Passeboard good to cover Bookes and all other things where the colour is hidden in the work and therefore worthy to be reserved for in some houses it is of very considerable value And let all men be pleased to take into serious consideration that as in every century of yeares there doe more people dye than are in the World at any one time so in every century of yeares there is more Wealth lost fondly for want of knowledge in England in the compleat Art of Agriculture then is in the Kingdome at any one time yea though an Inventory were taken and valued at Michaelmass when the whole yeares fruits are engrossed together which summe will double throughout the whole Kingdom especially in the Country to the like Inventory taken at May day when the yeares fruit are almost wasted and little remaining but hopes which are not usually put into Inventories Whereas it will plainly appear to all rational men that I wish well to all in general let them be pleased to accept of one friendly advertisement more Christ saith He that is not with me is against me admitting of no neutrality and I say that whosoever doth not according to his abilitie and opportunity further this blessed worke more or lesse liveth in a destructive way to the Common-wealth or body politick whereof he is a member though an unworthy one A Letter of an experienced Husbandman who hath also brought the Invention of setting of Corn to greater perfection expressing his judgement upon the following Notes Observations Experiences and Improvements SIR YOu have often favoured and honoured me with the like favour of allowing we the perusal of many choice peices and that particularly of Mr. Gabriel Plat's some printed and some as this in Manuscript All which I professe to have liked me very well and none that related to any the parts of Husbandry so well as Mr. Plat's but I must also confâ—sse that if this little piece I herewith return you and with it abundance of hearty thanks for the reading of it be not the best clearely of all I have seen of his yet it at least comes nothing short of the best some mistakes in the computations in the beginning bated Certainly that man had as excellent a genius that way as any that ever lived in this Nation before him and was a most faithfull seeker of his most ingratefull Countries good I never think of the great judgement pure zeale and faithfull intention of that man and withall of his strange sufferings and manner of death but I am struck with amazement that such a man should be suffered to fall down dead in the streets for want of food whose studies tended to no less than the providing and preserving food for whole Nations and that too as with much Skill and Industry so without Pride or Arrogancie towards God or man Sir I can give you no other or better accompt but constant praises Onely this I say that whereas I suppose Mr. Plat's invention for Setting was far better than any thing that preceded yet since it is lost and was not so very perfect neither as you know hath been since invented the world may be supplyed by this that is as to action being satisfied by Mr. Plat's Reasons why it is necessary to have such an expeditious way which as it is really invented so will it be in due time divulged In the mean time and ever I rest The humblest of your obliged Servants C.D. Certain Notes and Observations concerning Setting of Corn and the great benefit thereof Together with several Experiments
diligence in the penning of this discourse because I beheld the merciless dealing of men one with another upon all advantages for if corn prosper well then the buyers will cause the price to fall twice as much as much as the plenty requireth in equity and on the other side of Corn do fail never so little extraordinary then the sellers will inhaunce the price double at the least to that which a good conscience requireth The sixteenth Experiment shewing how all sublunary substances may be changed one into any another This Experiment may serve as well for pleasure to a man that delighteth in the knowledge of the secrets of nature as for profit to him that delighteth in the gaining of riches and if any man that delighteth in both shall take advantage by these my demonstrations to obtain his desires it shall not displease me When I first entered into these speculations I conceived that surely the God of Nature had endued her with a great desire of changes even as he endued the inferiour creatures with a desire of propagation for else certainly in some age or other there would have been more stability in sublunary things than hath ever been found for what changes hath their been in Monanchies Lierchies Kingdoms Common-wealths great Families Honours Governments Religions c. surely a man cannot but think that Nature taketh great delectation to ring changes upon the bels of Fortune and also in the change of one creature into another so to make varieties aâ— pleasure To proceed according to my accustomed brevity because I wil not increase my book to a greater volume then I intended I will tefer the Reader to the perusal of my former Experiments which doe in a manner containe all together such changes and here I wil onely handle some few of the most difficult and such as are by most men deemed unpossible And my first demonstration shall be to shew how Minerals may be turned into vegetables the second how vegetables may be turned into Minerals the third how animals may be turned into vegetables back again the fourth how those vegetables may be turned into Minerals And in these transmutations I mean not that the whole substance is changed but that a share thereof so much as is apt for the next body into which it is to be turned is really changed even as a man should take a great viol or instrument of Musick and make a little Fiddle thereof no man can deny but that the substance of the Viol is converted into the Fiddle notwithstanding that there is a great number of chips which entered not into the Fiddle Well then I will proceed and devide this sixteenth Experiment into several Experiments for more easie apprehension The first Experiment shewing how Minerals may be turned into vegetables First choose a parcel of Arable land that is somwhat barren and divide it into two equal parts water often the one half thereof with water wherein the oar of Copper hath been long steeped therein and putrified till it be greenish and fattish the like may be done with water wherein English Coperas hath been dissolved which is made of iron then water the other half with common water as often then sow all the land with the same seed and look how much more cometh of the one than of the other the same was produced by the vegetative part of the Minerals The second Expâ—riment shewing how this Corn may be turned into Animals Take a couple of tame of Pidgeons and let them have no other Corn but this and let them breed and multiply in number and then the increase must needs come from the vegetables which had their increase from the Minerals And if you will proceed further you may work these two Experiments in such great quantity that there may be Corn and Pidgeons and other fowle enough to serve a man and a woman without any other food till they have increased their number and then you have part of the said substance converted into reasonable creatures which are the most excellent amongst all Animals The third Experiment shewing how this Animal may be turned into Vegetable again Take a parcel of barren ground as before and bury an Animal in it then take two trees both of one growth and greatnesse and plant one upon the grave the other in the same barren ground and you shall see that the tree growing upon the grave will be greater than the other for that it is nourished with the putrified Animal and so the substance of the Animal is turned into the Vegetable The fourth Experiment shewing how this Vegetable may be turned back into Minerals This wood being put into some particular waters will be turned into stone the like may be done in some Mines and Quarries I have seen both Wood and Fishes turned into Stones and no man can deny but that stones are Minerals and if this be done in very fit water Mine or Quarrie then the Stones may be melted into Iron or other fusible substances and if Iron you may turn part thereof into good Gold by the way prescribed in my book of Minerals And thus you see how this wonder is nothing the secret being discovered and that I doe as it were carry Owles to Athens in the publishing thereof the like may be done by turning Graines into Malt again when they have been brewed by dispersing them into holes where Barley is set so that they will produce as much Barley which being turned into Malt will make as much drinke as before And so may any barren land be turned into fertile land and if any man doubt it he may see a fruitful garden made upon the top of a Turret or Rock though more pleasant than profitable and therefore the Impossibility being taken away let every one trouble himself no further but to find out where it may be done with the greatest facility for it will quit the charge the better to improve grounds near London where hay is at thirty shillings a load in a cheap year than in the Country where it is at six shillings and eight pence a load though the labour and charge be alike There is an old saying that it is better to buy good land than make good land which is true with this distinction viz. It is better for him that is ignorant in Husbandry to buy good land but for him that is skilful it is better to buy barren land so that it lye apt for Improvement for that by this means he may gain as good a revenue for a thousand pound charge and purchase as another shall gain for two thousand pound and I fear not that this discovery will leave no means for men of skil to thrive more than others for I am assured there would needs to be but little barren land in England but through the barrenness of mens wits The last Experiment shewing how weeping land may be drained where there is no level Make a ditch about it then ram
fruitful All dungings are the Deputies and Loadstones of this Sal Natura and by them ground may be recovered amended and imreproved Another Letter on the same Subject J Have read the Book of Husbandry thorow being very much delighted with the many profitable ingenious and promising Inventions specified therein I wishing that I were a Farmer in the Country to play the practical Philosopher I remember in Cambridge being a youth I was wont to maintain that he was no Natural Philosopher that could not advance his Tillage order his cattel fishing fowling affairs with more dexterity and to greater profit then another man that pretends no skill in Physick This I speak from what I have read somewhere in Ramus who referred all Arts to profitable use in mans life abhoring the vain ostentations of the sophisticated Universities The mention which is made of Experiments of fructification by Salt confirmes me in an opinion that the Sea is as the heart of the World whence the waters run by low and secret waies into the earth as by Arteries carrying the vitality of Salt into the body of the whole earth wherewith it hath lost its mettal and vigour and is become fresh it returnes again by the Rivers as by veins into the Sea to receive a new fructifying and quickning tincture by the way serving to allay the indispositions that Animals finde in themselves by the over-activity of Salt which we call quenching of thirst c. I have long thought of this being moved thereunto at first by considering the like motion of blood in the Microcosine as here the heart resembles the Sea the motion of the blood the ebbing and flowing and circular motion of the Sea waters for the blood being salted in the heart and spirited with subtle Nitre or Gunpowder it by the Arteries in a more secret passage like that of the Sea waters into the earth is distributed through the body where having spent its vigour and metal it by the high and visible way of the veins lying on the surface of our earth is returned to the heart again to be fresh pickled I doubted of the truth of this till I read your book because I remembred that I had read of sowing the ground with salt in the Israelitish wars which I had heard interpreted to make it barren and because I have heard the old women say it will make hearbs dye to have urine to fall upon them How the Controversie about Helmont's Assertions mentioned in the fourth Deficiencie of the Legacy of Husbandry may be reconciled IN your Legacy Deficiencie 4. I finde these words A learned Author Helmot saith that smuttiness of Corn which maketh it smell like a red herring was not known in France till about 1530. At which time the great foul disease began to break forth which he conceiveth from hence to have some original as also the Camp-disease To this your friend at Paris in his letter dated July 22. 1651. replies thus The foul disease had its original full 36 years sooner than Helmot saies viz. in the year 1494. and nothing could be advanced more absurd or ridiculous in the judgement of all sound Physicians than to attribute the original of that disease in any wise to smutty Corn as he doth This difference had been prevented if both your friends had not written without book The place in Helmonts writings is not quoted by the former man nor doth the latter seem to have looked for it You shall finde the passage in Helmonts book called Tumulus pestis in the fourth chapter whose title is Peregrina lues nova there you may finde these words Notatur autem annus 1424 Parth noplicobsidio aetas luis ejusque prima nativitas Here the Printer was negligent as appears by that which follows a great way after in the same chapter Lues saith he ista primùm visa legitur in obsidione Neapolis Anno 1494. Then follows a long discourse wherein he seems to approve the opinion of one that suspected that it was bred by some villain that at the siege of Naples buggered a Mare for that Helmont means by jumeâ—tum imitating the French word jument infested with the farcin or as our Farriers call it the fashions And saith he Non credam facilè unquam antea ejusmodi peccatum in talibus terminis ab origine mundi commissum estque morbus ille Farcin lui venereae similis equinae naturae affinis ac familiaris After this He mout proceeds in the order of time Anno 1540. sub Paulo III. circa Autumnum in Apulia proâ—e Tarentum prima apparuit Tarantula Araneae simile c. Anno 1550. in Augusto Galli primum viderunt Triticum quod vocant roratum sive mellitum in aristae adhuc viridi halecem fumatam odore referens in matura verò nihil nisi faesidum pulverem atrum popularium utinam non morborum plurium causam Anno 1556. nostris oris maritimis he means Flanders Zealand Holland primum apparuit scorbutum veteribus ignotum By all which it is manifest that Helmont hath written nothing contrary to your latter friends assertions and that your former friend in writing that passage trusted more to his memory than it deserved An Observation touching planting of Trees in the Fenns J Received your Legacy of Husbandry though do not yet suppose you dead but rather your own Executor distributing your good things in your life time whilest others are like Swine good for nothing untill dead I have perused the book and cannot but wonder that in your constant residence in London you can see so far into the Country One part I have pitched on and that is the Plantation of a Mulberry Garden for the feeding of Silk-worms and having some already I shall indeavour their increase as much as may be I hope S. R. Weston will comply with your desires and also all others whose abilities shall be accompanied with good affections and a will for to promote all usefull arts and sciences Touching Planting of Trees being lately in the Fens about Whittelsey I observed a kind of Husbandry of planting of Willows by sets upon ridges which in those vast and vacant grounds being alwaies very moist doth soon produce an incredible profit and increase of fire-wood and Timber for many Country uses and doth improve as fast as your Lime-trees As I meet with other things I shal acquaint you with them More Observations concerning Fruit-trees and the great benefit of Furzes for keeping Mice and Rats out of Barn-floors or other rooms as likewise Reeks of Corn and Cheese-racks J Had not untill now conveniency to give you a further accompt of the Sussex Gentleman improving of his fruit-trees my friend will repair unto him and take as he promiseth the particulars from himself and I may then impart it more satisfyingly yet at the present he relateth that he gathereth all the Sult that remaineth in the Channel that conveigheth water to his Meadows and layeth it on heaps
the former and truly every day produceth some new things not only in other Countreys but also in our own And though I cannot but very much commend these plants unto my Countrymen knowing that they may be beneficial to this Nation yet I especially recommend unto them a famous kind of grass growing in Wiltshire 9 miles from Salisbury at Maddington which may better be called one of the wonders of this land then the Hawthorn-tree at Glassenbury which superstition made so famous for divers of the same kind are found elsewhere You may find this grass briefly described in a Book called Phytologia Britannica which lately came forth and sets down even all the plants which have been found naturally growing in England Gramen Caninum Supinum Longissimum which groweth 9 miles from Salisbury at Mr. Tuckers at Madington wherewith 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 grass be sown in other rich Meadows it will yeild extraordinarily though perchance not so much as in its proper place I wonder that those that live thereabouts have not tryed to fertilize their other Meadows with it for it is a peculiar species of grass and though some ingenious men have sound about 90 species of grasses in this Island yet there is none like to this that can by any means be brought to such an height and sweetness And truly I suppose that the through examination of this grass is a thing of very great importance for the improvement of Meadows and Pastures and it may excel the Great Trefoile Saint Foine La-Lucern 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 find Remedies for these deficiencies First He would do the honest and painfull Husbandman 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 brains about the perpetuall Motion and other curiosities that they might find the best wayes to ease all Motions should never so much as 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 of 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 wheel or circle for that purpose some having their shears broad at point some not some being round as in Kent others flat some tying their horses by the tail as in Ireland So likewise Waggons and Carts differ some using 4 wheels others 2 only some carrying timber on 2 wheels in a Cart others with 4 wheels and a long pole only between which is the best way some plough with 2 horses only as in Norfolk and beyond Seas in France Italy where I never saw above 3 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 Husbandman 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 and other things And yet in Shipping how have we within these 6 years out-stripped our selves and 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 promiseth much in this kind and I think he is able to perform it I could wish he were called on to make good his promise In China it is ordinary to have waggons to pass up and down without horses or oxen with Sails as Ships do and lately in Holland a waggon was framed which with ordinary Sails carried 30 people 60 English miles in 4 hours I know some excellent Scholars who promise much by the means of Horizontal sails viz to have 3 or 4 Ploughs together which shall likewise both sowe and harrow without horses or oxen I dare not being ignorant in these high speculations engage my self 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 two ploughs fastened together very finely by the which he plougheth two furrows at once one under another and so stirreth up the land 12 or 14 inches deep which in deep land is good Near Greenwich there liveth an Honourable Gentleman who hath excellent Corn 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 kind and I hope some in these active times will undertake and accomplish this work of so great importance There is a Book long since printed made by Sir Hugh Plattes the most curious man of his time called Adams Art revived wherein is shewed the great benefit which would accrue to this Nation if all land which were sit to be digg'd were so ordered and their corn set Mr. Gab. Plattes likewise hath written much of this kind and promiseth that men shall reap 100 for one all charges born which are very great That this may be true he bringeth some probable Reasons supposing that less then a peck of Wheat will set an Acre I dare not promise so much as these Gentlemen do neither can I commend Mr. Gab. Plattes setting Instrument For I know there are many difficulties in it which he himself could never wade through but concerning digging and setting and howing in of corn these things I dare maintain 1. That it is a deficiency in Husbandry that it is used no more 2. That one good digging because it goeth deeper then the Plough and buryeth all weeds killeth the grasses is as good as three Ploughings and if the land
venture to give some hints that some more able Pen may engage in this difficult Question which strikes at the Root of Nature and may unlock some of her choycest treasures The Lord Bacon hath gathered stubble as he ingeniously and truly affirms for the bricks of this foundation but as yet I have not seen so much as a solid foundation plainly laid by any on which an ingenious man might venture to raise a noble Fabrick I acknowledge the burthen too heavy for my shoulders I will not deny but that we have good Husbands who dung and Marle their Meadows and Pasture-land and throw down 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 doe 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 Meadows before the Olive-Gardens although the Spaniards bequeath Olive-trees to their children as we do cottages or Vines or Corn because Meadows bring in a certain profit without labour and pains But the other requireth much cost and paines and are subject to Frosts Mildew Haile Locusts to the which for the honour of Meadows I may adde that the stock of Meadows is of greater value and the Commodities which arise from them are divers and of greater value then Corn as Butter Cheese Tollow Hides Beef Wool and therefore I may conclude that England abounding in Pastures more then other Countreys is therefore richer and I know what others think I care not that France Acre for Acre is not comparable to it Fortescue Chancelour 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-grass Saint Foine Lucerne 2. That we do not float our lands as they do in Lumbard where they mowe their Lands three or four times yearly which consist of the great Clover-grass 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 and Rivers in all places to do so but we are negligent yet we might hereby double if not treble 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 read Mr. Blithes Book of Husbandry lately printed 3. That when we lay downe Land for Meadow or Pasture we doe not sowe them with the Seeds of fine sweet grasse Trefoils and other excellent herbs Concerning this you may read 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 poor ye shall have thistles May-weed and little or no grasse for a year or two I know a Gentleman who at my entreaty sowed with his Oats the bottome of his Hay-mow and though his Land were worne out of heart and naturally poor yet he had that year not onely a Crop of Oats 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 ninety sorts and three and twenty of Trefoil I know a place in Kent which is a white Chalky Down which ground is sometimes sown with Corn a year or two and then it resteth as long or longer when it is laid down it maintaineth many great Sheep and very lusty so that they are even fit for the Butcher and yet there doth scarce appear any thing that they can eat which hath caused divers to wonder as if they had lived on Chalk-stones but I more seriously considering the matter throughly viewed the ground and perceived that the ground naturally produceth a small Trefoil which it seemeth is very sweet and pleasant it 's commonly called Trifolium luteum or Lupilinum that is yellow or Hop-Trefoil and I am perswaded if that the Seed of this Trefoil were preserved and sowne with Oates when they intend to lay it down it would very much advance the Pasture of that place therefore I desire all Ingenious men seriously to consider the nature of the Trefoils 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 less then ninety 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 means I suppose a solid foundation might be laid for the advancing of Pasture-lands of all sorts through this Island for I know some plants as the Orchis call'd Bee-flower c. which will thrive better on the Chalky barren banks then 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 beuty grasses to thrive espcially on barren places where scarce any thing else will grow I must again and again desire all men to take notice of the wonderfull grass which groweth near Salisbury and desire them to try it on their rich Meadows It 's a common saying that there are more waste lands in England in many particulars then in all 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 yer great Deficiencies 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 Kingdom belonging to them and Souldiers because of the many and great Wars with France Scotland Ireland Wales And in those times Gentlemen thought it an honour to be carelesse and to have Houses Furniture Diet Exercises Apparel c. yea all things at home and abroad Souldier-like Musick Pictures Perfumes Sawces unlesse good stomacks were counted perhaps unjustly too effeminate In Queen 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 Holhaven in Essex Axtel-holme Isle nigh York-shire many 1000 of Acres have lately been gained from the Sea in Lincolne-shire and as
it is probable he did use all possible means 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. ears those ears contained one with the other at the least thirty single Corns which 2400. That besides that Wheat is no whit inferiour to Barley but rather more inclined to its proper nature to branch and spread it is also allowed as long time again to grow and therefore may better spread to many â—ars then Barly That my ears of Barley rated at thirty 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 Wheat ears rated at 52. And the seeming great difference between 2400 and 6000. when looked into will prove not to be in the number of ears which differ no more then as fourteen to ten but in the nature of the Grains there being universally as many more in an ear of Wheat as in an ear of Barley That if as it is most like he in France did only 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 affirm in all possible humble reverence and submission to Gods good pleasure power and providence that when I shall make use of good Seed rightly prepared good Land in right condition and all other helps which I know and can use I shall not doubt for smaller numbers of the same Grain viz. Wheat to produce 200 or 300 ears and in them 10000. 12000. or 15000. Corns and somewhat like that for whole fields together and that here in England howsoever let us alwayes remember to give all possible praise to God whose blessing only makes rich SIR I am your faithful Friend and Servant C. D. Another Letter from Paris discovering the Secret of the fore-named French Husbandry SIR I 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 wayes of making Corn multiply so prodigiously The Parisian Experimenter of Corns 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 himselfe and to have seen the experience of it very fully in the year 1649. not in any great quantity but in a Garden onely for trials sake Pour into quick oâ— unslack't Lime as much water as sufficeth to make it swim four inches above the water and unto 10 l. of the said water poured off mix one pound of Aqua vitae and in that liquour steep or soak Wheat or Corn 24. hours which being dried in the Sun or in the Air steep again in the said liquour 24 hours more and do it likewise the third time Afterward sow them at great distances the one from the other about the distance of a foot between each grain So one Grain will produce 30.36.38.42.52 ears and those very fruitful with a tall stalk equalling the stature of a man in height Another Extract of a Letter from the Low-Countries SIR THese are to give you special thanks for communication of the Parisian Experimentors Secret Water if he means cold water poured into quick and unslackt Lime cannot work much in one hour upon the Lime but if it be boyled with it and that the water be poured alwayes a fresh upon the Lime then it will come to be strong at last that an Egge may swim in it as I learn'd by tradition from Doctor Hartmannus but could never make any trial 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 those cases The often macerating or steeping and drying of Grains I like very well I have only according to Master Gab. Platts direction steeped them 24. hours â—n turned or tainted Rain-water and Cow-dung and afterwards sown them thus wet which on sandy grounds hath produced such goodly Corn as if it had been very good Land Some here use Salt-Peter which also doth much good but is found likewise in Sheeps-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 Worlds 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 adde for the present but that the Gâ—nius of this Age is very much bent to advance Husbandry and that in all Countries I hear there are found Gentlemen that study professedly these improvements more then in former time I rest alwayes SIR Yours c. Another Letter expressing the reasons why the Experiment of the Barley-Corn thinks it not fit or expedient to part with his secret as yet for a more common use SIR J Find daily more and more that it is too true that most men love money that they even worship it in their hearts as the only Summum Bonâ—m I need not go far for proof since they have brought one to my hand That having so fair just offers made in order to the Corn-business as I have presented to them by your hands will by no means though so very much to their own profit and the Publick 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 them by any of the common means by which men grow rich daily Surely the commodities cannot be lesse then equal The most wise and vertuous men that ever lived have preferred Art Industry and Ingenuity far 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 Cordial Mony is counted and enjoyed by a thousand thousands Art and Industry but a few And things of excellent use are accounted Jewels especially when rare and scarce The Professors of Art and Industry besides their private aim also at a Publick Good these prefer their private gain too often before the
and Improvements imparted by Gabriel Plats to Mr. Hartlib FOur hundred graines of chosen Wheat doe weigh three quarters of an ounce which is three ounces for a perch and so a hundred and sixty perches must have four hundred and eighty ounces which is in weight thirty pound and in measure half a bushel and two pints If this half bushel being set upon an Acre shall enrease but an hundred for one which is the least encrease of set Corn that ever was known then there will be about 11 quarters upon that Acre And that several sorts of Wheat doe differ at least 11. pound in a bushel in weight and also in the number of grains so that it is impossible to make this accompt absolutely and exactly perfect But yet it appeareth clear that there is above forescore pounds in the two hundred pounds saved in the seed Corn in setting more than by sowing the common way and also that there is above forescore pounds in the hundred pound saved in workmens wages by this new device of setting and also it shall appear that there is above forescore pounds in the hundred pound saved in the Compost by dispersing it by my new Invention in such manner that it shall all lye within the attractive virtue of the seed Corn. Also it shall appear that the Corn upon every Acre being set by my direction shall yeeld a full third part increase more than if it were sown the common way which said third part shall bear all the charges whatsoever both rent and other expences so that by this new way of Husbandry there will be as much Corn gained clear upon every Acre of ground in England as formerly the said land did yeeld one year with another The seed wheat for the setting of an acre is worth half a crown at five shillings a bushel the workmens wages for seting is six shillings the compost costeth little more than the ordinary charges of spreading the dung by the ordinary way of ploughing c. Also it appeareth clear that the gains of one Acre will do a great deal more than to pay for the several Engins which notwithstanding being well trimmed will endure and be serviceable for the space of an hundred years And if any man doubt of it let him cast up the charges of my work more punctually and also the charges of the common way and he shall finde that there is more cleare gains by my way by ten Acres then by thirty done the common way in which accompt I will not be my own carver but will refer my self to the accompt in a little book which I met withall lately though it was printed Anno Dom. 1601. when setting of Wheat was in great practise but afterwards when the price of Wheat grew cheap and Labourers wages grew dear the practise ceased for want of an expeditious way A comparison between Ploughing and Sowing of three Acrees of Land after the old fashion and Ploughing and Setting of one Acre after the manner declared in the book printed Anno Dom. 1601. by Mr. Maxey Gentleman a great practizer in those daies in the art of setting of Corn. And first for the charge The Rent of three Acrees in most places is worth some five shillings an acre the land according to the use of the Common fields doth lye fumer fallow the first year and beareth Corn the other so the Farmer payeth the yeares rent before he hath his crop which rent cometh to thirty shillings The ploughing of these if it be well done and as most grounds require every Acre four times which is twelve plowings at two shillings every time cometh to four and twenty shillings the dunging of these three acres with some twelve or fourteen loads upon every Acre and is for three acres some forty loads at six pence a load spread upon the land amounteth to twenty shillings The seed that will sow it is usually two bushels and an half of Wheat or Rye for every acre which is a eleven bushels and an half at four shillings the bushel cometh to thirty shillings The Weeding and Reaping and other charges in two years though uncertain yet for example ten shillings thus two yeares rent and charges cometh to five pound fourteen shillings The usual encrease in the common fields barren lands have so little help with dung is but two quarters upon an acre but allow twenty bushels to stop a wranglers mouth which is for three acres seven quarters and a half rated at four shillings a bushel thirty two shillings the quarter cometh to twelve pound out of which if you take the charge aforesaid there remaineth to the Farmer for his stock six pound six shillings and so for every one of those acres allowing so good encrease and so good a price the profit two and forty shillings And you shall understand that notwithstanding their accompts and mine own of seven or eight quarters upon an Acre and also of Sir Hugh Plats accompt of fifteen twenty five and twenty or thirty quarters upon an acre yet all these accompts may be true for you may learn by my book so to fertilize your land that it may bring thirty quarters upon an acre in such years when the Months of May June and July prove exceeding hot and dry which I would advise no man to trust to in regard that these three Moneths scarce prove so once in a eleven years in these Insulary Countries which are subject greatly to the change of weather and if these Months prove moyst and rainy then all ground that is so mightily enriched will be spoyled with rankness and therefore the safest way is to order your Compost so that an Acre may bear 11. quarters one year with another And though I have known that an Acre of Barley hath â—orr by accident thirty quarters and that the same thirty quarters were worth the same year threescore pounds yet the adventure was so dangerous that I would advise no man to attempt the like And thus a friend of mine proceeded viz. he ploughed up at Michaelmass twenty Acres of very fertile and rank green sword ground and afterward cross ploughed it and harrowed it three or four times to kill the grass and also to mingle the fat earth with the lean then he sowed it about the begining of March with Barley before the vehement drought came had cover'd the ground so full that it was as if it were even turfed with the Corn so that afterwards the violent heat and drought which spoyled the thin and barren Corn in the Common fields did cause this Corn to have but a short straw yet the rich earth put forth a large ear and very exceeding thick and also the corn was plump and round which had the weather happened to be moyst and rainy then there would have been almost nothing but straw but so it came to pass that he had thirty quarters upon every Acre which was upon the twenty Acres six hundred quarters and by reason
inches depth and six inches distance and it yeelded more than twice as much as other Corn of the same kind being not steeped at all in any thing and being set at the same depth and distance and in the same ground on purpose to see the difference The fifth Experiment or Improvement wherein is shewed how the difference of the nature of land may be found out thereby to fit it with an apt Compost It is found by experience that where vegetables dumb as Ferne Whinnes Broom and the like have long grown and dyed upon the ground and have continued in this course of husbandry or rather ill husbandry for many years there the earth doth abound with the vegetable salt or juice for the cure whereof it is likewise found by experience that Lime Bay-salt and Ashes and Pidgeons dung and such like things of hot and binding nature doe poyson it and decrease the fertility It is likewise found by experience that in such grounds which have been long occupied in good Husbandry there dung is the best Compost in the world the cause is for that by long continuance in such husbandry the nature of the land is quite changed by the yearly carving of the Corn Hay or other crops whereby the vegetable salt or juice is diminished and contrariwise the hot and binding nature doth predominate which require for cure salt-peter dung blood and such things wherein the vegetable salt or juice predominateth The middle of these natures of ground require Sheeps dung as of all other most temperate being neither so hot and dry as Lime Bay-salt Ashes or Pidgeons dung nor so cold and moyst as the dung of beasts in the room whereof Lime putrified with dung or more earth as aforesaid may supply the want thereof very exceedingly The use of these Observations and Experiences may teach us that all books heretofore written for this purpose are frivolous for they prescribe such a Compost for such an earth of such a colour or of such a mixture as sand clay hasel earth white clay red clay white sand red sand black sand c. whereas it is found by good experience that where Lime was the most excellent Compost in the world about a hundred yeares agoe there about fifty yeares agoe they were forced to change their Compost and to lay upon the same ground half Lime and half Dung and now the same ground requires the Dung onely or else it will yeeld no Corn for Lime poysoneth it yet is not the colour or quality of the same ground in outward visibility to the eyes corporal but by the intellectual eyes beholden of all men of good understanding Therefore that all men may obtain their desire in this worke my counsel is that the more skilful men if they take in hand to improve twenty Acres or more or lesse of such land which they have not formerly tryed fully that they goe the best known way with nineteen Acres the first year or two and make divers several tryals in the odde Acres till they have hit the mark punctually And as for the more unskilfull my counsel is that they doe make divers several trials in the odde Acre the first year and let the other be used as aforetime till by experience they have learned to improve all the best way By this meanes many notable Improvements may be found out of inestimable benefit both to the Farmer Parson and Landlord and also to the whole Common-wealth plenty without any sensible or considerable losse to the undertaker And for the better instruction then is contained in any book formerly printed or written of this subject for the Adaptation of Compost let this suffice for brevitie viz. where the earth is subject in the heat of summer to chap much if it be clay or to burn much if it be sand there if you apply Lime Salt Ashes or Pidgeons dung or any thing of like hot and dry nature there you poyson it Also where the earth is not apt to chap or burn in the heat of summer there it you apply any other thing except Lime Salt Ashes or Pidgeon dung or other things of hot and dry nature there you poyson that also for as it is a foolish thing for a Cook to put more salt into the pot when the pottage were too salt before so is it as fond a trick in Husbandry to adde a Compost to land wherein that quality predominateth which doth also predominate in the land for Corn and Seeds are as nice in their diet and nutriment as any Lady in the world and will not prosper nor draw the nourishment if it be never so little distastful and this is the cause why so many times so little a quantity of Compost doth work such wonderful effects by the exquisite adaptation to the land or seed Men might easily find out an apt Compost for such land as hath been Devonshired and hath spent its fertility which it will do in three years and then it is reputed nothing worth I assure my self that Lime and combustible earth putrified together will doe the feat yea and that with a small quantity if it be dispersed by my Invention The sixth Experiment or Improvement wherein is shewed how Farm-houses Mannors or Towns may be builded upon high grounds and plentifully furnished with water It is found by experience that in some places Townes are builded upon high grounds where Springs or Wels are easily had and there a thousand Acres of land near to the Town are made worth a thousand pounds in the year and that a mile off a thousand Acres of the same land for want of Improvement are not worth above a thousand shillings so that there is lost to the Owners and to the Common-wealth nine hundred and fifty pounds yearly For the prevention of which loss let every Farmer have a Court paved like a Tennis-court and let the Barns Stables and other Edifices be so builded that all the Rain-water that they yeeld may run into the said Court and from thence into a vault or well out of which it may be pumped up or run into your kitchins or other houses of Office which rain water will keep sweet in the close vault and will serve for all uses whatsoever This is commonly practised in Spain where they have no other water throughout the whole year for all uses and their Gentlemen do chuse to build upon high grounds for the benefit of the goodness of the air which is more wholsome in all Countries in the Mountains than in the Vallies Also in Venice and Amsterdam and in other places where other waters are usually brackish they keep rain water in Sellars for all uses Also it is found by experience in Rumney Marshes that they use to gather rain water from Churches and other Edifices and never have so good and wholsom drink as when they brew with such water And where Tarris is wanting there you may make use of good clay which is of the nature of
new and by this means the hay of this Meadow being threshed at time of the year before it be foddered out will both be sweeter to the Cattel and yeeld onely the seed that is desired How much Ground in England may be cured that through the predomination of some quality in excesse will not sward again or gather a good head of grass for the first 3 4 5 6 or 7 years when laid down after Ploughing THe exact cure is too tedious here to set down since it may be occasioned by the sterility and that must first be helped by soyl or the like but for one general cure you shall onely procure hay-seeds which did grow on ground of the like kind but riclier as upland to upland lowland to lowland c. and therewith sow your ground hot furrough and in a wet season in the full moon in January or February the same Winter you lay it down and suffer nothing to bite there till about the end of August after and in the mean time rowl it often and seasonably and then mow it and your cost shall be neer repayd and the ground restored A Letter of a very ingenious Gentleman Mr. R. H. concerning the Husbandry of Clover-grass SIR I Have not been insensible of the obligation which a former promise laid upon me which was to give you an account of the proceed and profit which I made of a small quantity of ground by Clover grasse which I could not compleat much sooner in regard that it is not long since I sold the last of my seed so that unlesse I should have set a suppository value upon part of it I could not draw the account to a perfect head till then for every thing tantum valet quantum vendi potest and prizes of all commodities ebbe and flow I will not injure this Husbandry so much as to have you think that it can receive a true character from my experiment for I must not be ashamed to own many errors committed therein which were the effects of my general unskilfulnesse in Georgick and was not easie to be prevented where there were no practical guides extant nor any vestigia's thereof to be found but what were tracked and discovered by the book thereof first published by you and you well know the difficulty of putting Theory wel in practice I have heard of some in England that have made almost an incredible profit of it much more then I have been sensible of but yet I find the improvement so considerable that I am much incouraged to proceed in it the particulars are as followeth The ground I planted contained little above two acres I sowed 15 pound of seed upon an acre the charge I was at all manner of waies was five pound which was more then repaid by that Summers crop of Barley The next year the 28. of May I mowed the Clover there was two loads upon it for which I refused five pounds The next crop I let stand for seed which was ripe in August following when I cut it and had three very great loads which I reckon at nine pound as that yeer went I had 300 l. of seed some of which I sold for 16 d. the pound some more the whole profit of that year I cast to be 30 l. besides the after pasture This last year in regard of the great and unusual unseasonablenesse of it doth not equal the former profit but take it at the worst as far as I have gone it is a great improvement and though you were not the parent of this husbandry yet you were the hand that did obstetricate and gave it birth which else had been strangled in a private hand and the publick never known this benefit for which it is your debtor and as a limb thereof Your Friend and Servant R. H. Another Letter shewing the great benefit arising by Clover-grass to the Commonwealth in general Worthy Sir UPon Mr. Crutendens narrative to me of the wonderfull successe God gave him in the Clover-grass which he sowed I desired him for your incouragement in such publick indeavours to give me under his hand a gratefull testimony thereof unto you from whose love and pains he took his directions which he as readily did as I do here willingly tender it unto you The Gentlemans eminent piety and good husbandry are so well known in Kent near Tunbridge that they command beleef and I think there are none that observe him in both or either but they become his imitators or enviers For mine own part from what he affirms and also many others in the family agreeing therein with him and from what I saw with my own eyes I am perswaded that the extraordinary improvement of Land by the use of the said Seed is so very incouraging to the general use of it that through Gods blessing within a few years the land or ground belonging to this Commonwealth will maintain double the number of Cattle then now it doth to your great profit in particular if the Nation were thankfull and to the inriching of the Commonwealth in general by the transportation of quick ware into forraign parts though now prohibited The which blessing of God upon your unwearied labours in this kind and upon the industry of the Husbandman especially upon the labours of the spiritual Vinedressers the Godly Ministers of England that so the inhabitants thereof may have plenty here and glory hereafter he most heartily prays who is Sir Your very loving friend and humble Servant T. U. June 2 1652. Mr. Crutendens Letter and Certificate Noble Sir UNderstanding by Mr. Vnderhil that you were desirous to speak with me I was much taken with it that Providence should so much favour my wished desires I have received direction from you concerning your own Observations for this Husbandry in Brabant and the adjacent parts for which I have as truly as I could ingeniously observed and past by the practise of the Dutch-men which are in the County of Kent wherein they differ very much from you yet with much thankfulnesse I am able by the mercies of God to give you as profitable an account as any Dutchman in England that hath varied from your rule that as yet I ever heard of The particulars I will give you an account of whensoever you please to command me to wait on you which is cordially desired by him which hath trod some steps of your instructions and gratefully resteth your servant to be commanded The Certificate Iune 2. 1652. I sowed 4 acres on which I sowed 40 l. of seed according to your directions the Lord did send me from it 20 Bushels of Seed and 12 loads of hay at twice mowing the first crop I mowed was the 19 day of May last and do find that one load of Clover hay is worth two loads of the best of our other hay and for the after pasture it was three times better then any ground I had I am sure to speak within compasse my four