Selected quad for the lemma: water_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
water_n	air_n	body_n	element_n	5,315	5	9.9100	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A67083	Systema agriculturæ, the mystery of husbandry discovered treating of the several new and most advantagious ways of tilling, planting, sowing, manuring, ordering, improving of all sorts of gardens, orchards, meadows, pastures, corn-lands, woods & coppices, as also of fruits, corn, grain, pulse, new-hays, cattle, fowl, beasts, bees, silk-worms, &c. : with an account of the several instruments and engines used in this profession : to which is added Kalendarium rusticum, or, The husbandmans monthly directions, also the prognosticks of dearth, scarcity, plenty, sickness, heat, cold, frost, snow, winds, rain, hail, thunder, &c. and Dictionarium rusticum, or, The interpretation of rustick terms, the whole work being of great use and advantage to all that delight in that most noble practice.	Worlidge, John, fl. 1660-1698.	1675 (1675)	Wing W3599; ESTC R225414	330,040	361

not to another for I observe the Propinquity of the Sea is to be considered every place lying nearer to some one part of the Sea than another and on which Coast the Sea is nearest that Winde more frequently brings Rain to that place than to another where the Sea is more remote Therefore I desire all such that expect any success to their Observations that they quadrate the Rules to the places where they live and not trust to the Observations of other places Windes also are of different qualities according to the several places they either proceed from or pass over as the East-winde is counted propitious neither to Man nor Beast which I judge partly to be from the Fens or moist Countries as Holland the Fens in Yorkshire Lincolnshire Cambridgeshire c. from whence Windes usually proceed and must of necessity prove unwholesome both to Man and Beast except to those that inhabit on the Western Coast for the Winde hath sufficiently purged it self by passing over so much Land as to leave its noxious quality behinde it Also the Northern Windes are more serene with us than the other one cause I suppose is from the quantity of Land in Scotland and England it comes over unto us as is observed in other Countries that from the Continent the coldest and most serene Windes proceed If the Winde turn to the South from any other Coast or remove from the South having been long there it usually brings alteration of weather Windes do produce several and various alterations and effects in the Air in the Water and in the Bodies of Men and Beasts as the South and West-windes are usually more hot and moist and not so clear as the other the North and East are more clear dry and cold When the South-winde blows the Sea is blew and clear but Bacon deventis when the North-winde it is then black and obscure The Eastern-windes usually make our fresh waters much clearer than the West The North-winde is best for sowing of Seed the South for Grafting or Inoculations The South-winde is the worst for the bodies of men it dejecteth the appetite it bringeth Pestilential Diseases increaseth Rheums men are more dull and slow then than at other times Beasts also are not to be exempted from these influences The North-winde makes men more chearful and begets a better appetite to meat yet is injurious to the Cough Ptisick and Gout and any acute Flux The Eastern-winde is drier more biting and deadly The West-winde is moist milde and calm and friendly to all Vegetables The East-winde blowing much in the Spring injureth Fruits by breeding Worms All Windes blowing much cleanse the Air still and quiet Summers being the most unwholesome and subject to Pestilential and Epidemical Diseases If in great Rains the Windes rise or fall it signifies that the Rain will forthwith cease If the Winde vary much in few hours and then be constant to one place it signifies the Winde to continue long in that place If at the beginning of the Winter the South-winde blow and then the North it is like to be a cold Winter but if the North-winde first blow and then the South it will be a warm and milde Winter The blowing of the Windes from several Coasts other concomitant causes concurring are the truest Presignificators of Thunder The blowing of the Windes aloft with a murmuring or hollow noise more than below commonly presageth Rain The blowing or compression of the Windes downwards causing smoak to descend c. more than usual signifies Rain to follow If the Windes blow directly downward and cause a motion Of Whirl-windes on the water several ways or force the dust to arise with the Winde which is repercussed by the Earth if they also inforce the Hay Corn or other things in the Fields up aloft into the Air which denote unto us the crassitude of the Vapours in the Air which by the heat of the Sun do emit such casual blasts for they rarely happen but in the Summer and the day-time yet sometimes when no Cloud is near they signifie Winde and sometimes Rain to succeed other causes concurring or otherwise extream heat But if these Whirl-windes are very great they presage Tempests to be very nigh as Virgil. Omnia Ventorum concurrere praelia vidi Quae gravidam late segetem ab radicibus imis Sublime expulsam eruerunt Immensum Coelo venit agmen aquarum c. This watry Meteor and the greatest Miracle in Nature besides Of the Rainbow its Divine signification being produced of natural causes hath also its natural effects In some Countries more Southward it 's an ordinary Presage of great Tempests at hand but here various weather succeeds according to it 's various appearances and colours It is the lowest of Meteors saith Bacon and when it appears in parts and not whole or conjoyned it produceth Windes and Rain If it appear double or triple it usually presageth Rain If the colours thereof tend more to red than any other colour Winde follows if green or blew predominate then Rain The Audibility of Sounds are certain Prognosticks of the Of noise and stilness in the Air. temper of the Air in a still Evening For if the Air be repleat with moisture over us it depresseth Sounds that they become Audible at a far greater distance than when the Air is free from such moisture or vapours as you may observe in Building the lower and more ponderous the Roof or Floor next you is the farther and plainer may you hear any thing therein which is the true cause of the quick hearing at the whispering-place in Gloucester-Catherdral which is not only from the closeness of the passage as is generally conceived but from the weight and Massiness of the building over it The like I have observed in Rooms covered with Lead Stone c. and in places under large Cisterns of water From whence you may conclude that in such nights or other times that you hear sounds of Bells noises of Water Beasts Birds or any other sounds or noises more plainly than at other times the Air is inclinable to Rain which commonly succeeds The same may be said of Ecchoes as of other noises and Of Ecchoes sounds When it Thunders more than it Lightens it signifies great Of Thunder and Lightning Windes but if it Lighten oftner than it Thunders it signifies great and hasty showres Morning-Thunders signifie Winde Noon-Thunders Rain roaring or distant Thunders signifie Winde but cracking or acute Thunders Windes and Rain According to the Opinion and Rules of others and our own Of the rarity and density of the Air. Observations we have given you the best and most probable indications of the future changes of the Winde Weather c. from the several and usual appearances above either certain or uncertain or accidental Now it remains that we say somewhat in relation to the temper or qualification of the Air it self deducted from its own being more rare

or expanded or more dense or contracted We shall not take any further notice of the nature of the Air in this place than it serves to our present intention which is only to demonstrate unto you that the Air is an absolute Body fluid and transparent and in several particulars like unto the water both being penetrable alike by their several Inhabitants the Fish with an equal facility piercing the waters as Fowls do the Air they are both Nutriments to their several Animals residing in them they both obstruct the Visual Faculty alike as they are more or less dense they are both subject to Expansion or Contraction but the Air more they are both subject to Undulation as they are fluid The Air is also capable to support great burdens as the vast quantities of water that flow over our heads in stormy or rainy weather which according to the rarity and density of the Air do gradatim diffuse themselves upon the Earth as is most evident in the more hot and Southerly Countries where the Air is more hot and thin there Rain falls with that violence as though it were water poured forth when in the more Northerly where the Air is more dense or gross it distils in minute drops as it were cribrated through the thick Air. We also may discern a manifest difference for in the warmer seasons of the year the Air being then most thin the Rain falls in greatest drops and in the colder seasons when the Air is more dense the Rain distils in smaller So that when the waters are above us or that Clouds or Floods of water are in being in the Air we have only to judge whether they incline towards us or that they are for some other place This rarity or density of the Air cannot be judged by the sight for it is usual when the Air it self is most rare then is it most repleat with vapours c. as water the more it is heated the less transparent it becomes Neither can it be judged by its weight as many do imagine and affirm from Fallacious Experiments for the Air is not ponderous in its own proper place no otherwise than water is in the Sea in its proper place although it be asserted by High-flown Philosophers and Learned Pens with whom it is besides our Primary intentions to contend in this place it being enough here to discover to our Country-Reader these mysterious Intricacies of Nature as they would have them esteemed by familiar Examples and Demonstrations For the true discovery of the nature and temper of the Air Of Thermometry or the Weather-glass as to its density or rarity we have not met with a more certain or compleat Invention than the Weather-glass the various and intricate Descriptions whereof we will not insist upon but take our Observations from the most plain and ordinary single Perpendicular-Glass being only as follows Procure at the Glass-house or elsewhere a Globular-glass with a Tube or Pipe thereto proportionable whereof there are many sizes but be sure let not the Head be too big nor the Pipe too long lest there be not rise enough in the Winter or fall enough in the Summer You must also have a small Glass or Vessel at the bottom that may contain water enough to fill the Tube or more Then having fixed them in some Frame made for that purpose heat the Globe of the Glass with a warm Cloth to rarifie the Air within it and then put the end of the Tube into the lower Vessel and it will attract the water more or less as you warmed the Head You may also add numbers on the Glass to shew you the degrees The water you may make blew with Roman-Vitriol boiled or red with Rose-leaves dry and imbibed in fair water wherein a little Oyl of Vitriol or Spirit of Salt is dropt With this water fill the under-Vessel which being rightly placed on the North-side of your house where the Sun rarely or never shineth against it and in a Room where you seldom make fire lest the sudden access of heat or accidental alteration of the Air might impede your Observations The Air included within the Globe or Ball of this Glass doth admit of Dilatation and Contraction equally with the Ambient Air that whensoever the Ambient Air is dilated or expanded either through the heat of the season or before the fall of Rain c. the Air in the Glass is the same and as by its Expansion it requires more room so doth it let the water in the Tube descend gradually and as it is more dense or contracted either through the coldness of the season or the serenity or inclinability to drought of the Ambient Air so also doth the Air within the Glass contract it self into a less compass and sucketh up the water in the Tube gradually as it condenseth or contracteth whence you may at any time exactly know the very degree of Rarity or Density of the Air Ambient by that which is included in the Glass and thereby inform your self what weather is most likely to succeed at any time Be sure to Quadrate or Contemporize your Observations or Numbers of Degrees with the season of the year for that Degree of Rarity that signifies Rain in the Winter may be such a Degree of Density that may signifie fair weather in the Summer The differences betwixt the highest rise and lowest fall in one day in the Summer is much more than in the Winter for you shall have a cold night and very serene Air which contracteth the Air in the Glass into a little Room after which usually succeeds a very hot day which dilateth it very much when in the Winter no such great difference happens in one day Yet in the Winter in several days will the difference be as great as in several Summer-days Although the Air appear serene and cold to your Senses yet trust not to that if the Glass signifie otherwise We shall not give you any sure Rule by which you may judge of the weather but leave it to your own observations that is draw on a paper a certain number of lines as many as you think fit as Musitians draw lines to prick their Tunes on at the end whereof as they place their Key so number your lines according to those numbers that are next unto the top of the water in the Tube of the Glass whether seven eight nine ten eleven twelve c. Over this Scale mark the day of the Month and point of the winde in the Scale make a dot or prick at what line or number the water in the Glass is at and by it the hour of the day and under it the inclination of the weather At night draw a line downright like the Musitians full time or note the next day mark as before until you know and understand the nature of your Glass and the place it stands in and the season of the year so that then you shall be able

at any time to give a probable conjecture of whatsoever is to be known or signified by that Instrument which otherwise you shall hardly do This new-invented Instrument which is termed the Baroscope Of the Baroscope by which the Authors thereof pretend to discover the temper and inclination of the Air from its weight in brief is thus described Seal a Glass-tube Hermettically at the one end fill it almost with Quick silver and invert it resting the open end in a Vessel of Quicksilver then the Quicksilver in the Tube by its weight presseth downwards into the Vessel and so distendeth or streineth the Air which is but little remaining in the Glass that the summity of the Tube is for a small space void of Quicksilver so far as that small portion or remainder of Air is capable of distention which is much more by Quicksilver the most ponderous of Fluid Bodies than by water in the Weather-glass But they pretend that this Column of Quicksilver in the Tube is supported by the weight of the Air Ambient pressing on the stagnant Quicksilver in the Vessel and that as the Air becomes more or less ponderous so doth the Quicksilver in the Tube rise or fall more or less accordingly which if it were true then in case the stagnant Quicksilver were broader in a broader Vessel would the greater quantity of Air press harder upon it and the Quicksilver in the Tube rise higher but it doth not Also if the Quicksilver in the Tube were supported by the pressure or weight of the Air on the stagnant Quicksilver in the Vessel then would not the Quicksilver descend by the making of some small hole on the top of the Tube which we evidently perceive to do Also when the Air is most rare and by consequence less ponderous if any weight thereof should be supposed then will the Column of Quicksilver in the Tube be higher and when the Air is more dense or burdened with moisture then will it be lower The contrary whereof would happen if their Hypothesis were true But most evident it is that as the Ambient Air becomes more or less rare or dense so doth the Air in the Tube contract or dilate it self which is the sole cause of the rise or fall of the Quicksilver Much more might be said herein and also of the Weather-glass or Thermoscope but I hope this may suffice to induct inquisitive and not exact or perfect Artists The full discourse and discovery of the various effects observations and conclusions of these Instruments requiring rather a Tract peculiar and proper for them only There is also another Instrument that may be made more exact for any of the aforesaid observations or intentions and fit for further discoveries but my occasions will not at present give me leave to perfect it SECT II. Of Observations and Prognosticks taken from the Earth and Water If the Earth appear more dry than ordinary or if it greedily Of the Earth drink in Rains lately fallen or Floods suddenly abate it signifies more Rain to follow If the Earth or any moist or Fenny places yield any extraordinary scents or smells it presageth Rain If the Water being formerly very clear change to be dim or Of the Water thick it signifies Rain If Dews lie long in a morning on the Grass c. it signifies fair weather the Air then being more serene and not of an attractive or spungy nature If Dews rise or vanish suddenly and early in the morning it presages Rain If Marble-stones Metals c. appear moist it indicates the inclination of the Air to be moist and subject to Rain But if in a morning a Dew be on the Glass in the window and on the inside it signifies a serene and cool Air and inclinable to drought If the Sea appear very calm with a murmuring noise it signifies Of the Sea winde If on the surface of the Sea you discern white Froth like unto Crowns or Bracelets it signifies winde and the more plainly they appear the greater will the Winde and Tempests be If the waves swell without winds or the Tide rise higher or come ashore more swift than usual it presageth windes SECT III. Of Observations and Prognosticks taken from Beasts It is a thing worthy of admiration and consideration how the Beasts of the Field Fowls of the Air c. should be capable of so great a degree of knowledge and understanding as to foresee the different changes and varieties of seasons and not from common observations as man doth but from a certain instinct of Nature as is most evident Several significations of the change of weather are taken Of Beeves or Kine c. from the different postures of these Beasts as if they lie on their right side or look towards the South or look upwards as though they would snuff up the Air according to the Poet Mollipedesque Boves spectantes lumina Coeli Cicero Naribus humiferum duxere ex Aere Succum Or if they eat more than ordinary or lick their Hoofs all about Convenit instantes praenoscere protinus Imbres Avien Rain follows forthwith If they run to and fro more than ordinary flinging and kicking and extending their Tails Tempests usually follow If the Bull leadeth the Herd and will not suffer any of them to go before him it presageth Winde and Rain If Sheep feed more than ordinary it signifies Rain or if the Of Sheep Rams skip up and down and eat greedily If Kids leap or stand upright or gather together in Flocks or Of Kids Herds and feed near together it presageth Rain If the Ass bray more than ordinary or without any other Of Asses apparent cause it presageth Rain or windes If Dogs howl or dig holes in the earth or scrape at the walls Of Dogs of the house c. more than usual they thereby presage death to some person in that house if sick or at least tempestuous weather to succeed If the hair of dogs smell stronger than usual or their guts tumble and make a noise it presageth Rain or Snow or they tumble up and down The Cat by washing her face and putting her foot over her Of Cats Ear foreshews Rain It hath been anciently observed that before the fall of a house Of Mice and Rats the Mice and Rats have forsaken it The squeeking and skipping up and down of Mice and Rats portend Rain Parvi cum stridunt denique Mures Avien Cum gestire solo cum ludere forte videntur Portendunt crasso consurgere Nubila Coelo Of all Creatures the Swine is most troubled against winde or Of Swine Tempests which makes Countrymen think that only they see the winde They usually shake Straw in their mouths against Rain As Virgil Ore solutus Immundi meminere sues jactare Maniplos If they play much it signifies the same SECT IV. Of Observations and Prognosticks taken from Fowl As Beasts so have Birds a

Defence against Bees 182 To cure the sting of a Bee id Of the Bees work id The numbers of Bees 183 Of the Bees Enemies id Removing of Bees 184 Feeding of Bees id An Experiment for improving of Bees 185 A singular observation concerning the food of Bees id Of the fruit and profit of Bees id Driving of Bees 186 Exsection or gelding of Combs id Of the generation of Bees 188 The making of Metheglin id 2. Of Silk worms 190 Their Food id Time and manner of Hatching Silk-worms Eggs id Their sicknesses id Their time and manner of feeding 191 Their spinning id Their breeding id The winding of the Silk 192 CHAP. X. Of common and known external Injuries Inconveniencies Enemies and Diseases incident to and usually afflicting the Husbandman in most of the Ways and Methods of Agriculture before treated of And the several Natural and Artificial Remedies proposed and made use of for the prevention and removal of them 193 Sect. 1. From the Heavens or Air id Great heat or drought id Remedies for want of water 195 To make Cisterns to hold water 196 Great Cold and Frost 197 Much Rain 200 High Winds id Thunder and Tempest Hail c. 201 Mildews id Sect. 2. From the Water and Earth 203 Much water offending id Overflowing of the Sea id Land-floods id Standing-waters 204 Stones Shrubs c. 205 Weeds 206 Blights and Smut 207 Sect. 3. From several Beasts 208 Foxes id Otters id Coneys Hares 209 Poll-cats Weasels and Stotes id Moles or Wants id Mice or Rats 210 Sect. 4. From Fowls 211 Kites Hawks c. id Crows Ravens c. id Pigeons 212 Jays 213 Bullfinches id Goldfinches 214 Sparrows c. id Sect. 5. Of Insects and creeping things offending id Frogs and Toads id Snails and Worms id Gnats and Flies 215 Wasps and Hornets id Caterpillars 216 Earwigs id Lice id Ants id To destroy Ant-hills id Snakes and Adders 217 To cure the stinging of Adders or biting of Snakes id Sect. 6. Of some certain Diseases in Animals and Vegetables 217 Of Beasts and Fowl id Of the Murrain 218 Of the Rot in Sheep id An approved Experiment for the cure of the Fashions in Horses and Rot in Sheep 219 Another for the Measles in Swine and also to make them fat id Sect. 7. Of Thieves and ill Neighbours 220 CHAP. XI Of the several sorts of Instruments Tools and Engines incident to this Profession of Agriculture and of some Amendments and profitable Experiments in Building either by Timber Stone Brick or any other way 223 Sect. 1. Of the several sorts of Ploughs id Double-wheeled-Plough 224 Turn-wrest Plough id Single-wheeled-plough id Plain Plough id Double Plough id Another sort of Double Plough id Other sorts of Ploughs 225 Good properties of the Plough id Errors of the Plough id A Turfing Plough id Sect. 2. Of Carts and Waggons 226 New sort of Cart id Waggon with sails 227 Sect. 3. Of several other Instruments used in digging id Of the Trenching-plough id Of Spades id Turfing-spade id Trenching-spade id Common Spades id The How 228 Other Instruments used in digging c. id Sect. 4. Other various Instruments id Sect. 5. Of Amendments and profitable Experiments in Building 229 The scituation of a House 230 Securest and cheapest way of building a House 231 Best Covering for a House 232 Of Tiles Bricks c. id Of building of Stone or Brick-walls 233 Of Mortar id Of Timber 234 Of Mills id CHAP. XII Of Fowling and Fishing 236 Sect. 1. Of Fowling in general id Of Fowling the nature of water-fowl id The haunts of Water-fowl id Sect. 2. Of taking the greater sort of fowl with Nets 237 The form of a Draw-net id Sect. 3. Of the taking small Water-fowl with Nets 238 Sect. 4. Of taking great Fowl with Lime-twigs id Of the divers ways of making Birdlime id Of the several uses of it 139 Of the taking small Fowl with Lime-twigs 240 Sect. 5. Of taking Fowl with Springes id Sect. 6. Of killing Fowl with the Fowling-piece 241 Of the choice of Gunpowder id The way to make shot id Of the Stalking-horse 242 Of the artificial Stalking-horse 243 Artificial Trees id A digression concerning decoy-ponds id Of the taking Wilde-Ducks Eggs 244 Sect. 7. Of taking Land-fowl id The greater sorts of them id Of taking Fowl by day-nets id Of taking Larks by day-nets id Of Stales 245 Another way to take Larks by a Day-net called daring of Larks id To take Birds with the Low-bell id To take Birds with the Trammel only 246 To take Birds by Batt-fowling id To take small Birds with Lime-twigs id To take Fieldfares or Bow-thrushes 247 Sect. 8. Of taking Fowl with Baits id To take Land-fowl with Baits id To take Water-fowl with Baits id Sect. 9. Of taking some sorts of Fowl id To take the Pheasant with Nets id To drive young Pheasants 248 To take Pheasants with Lime-twigs id To perch Pheasants id To take Partridge id To take them with a Trammel-net 249 To take them with a Setting-dog id To drive Partridges id To take them with Bird-lime id To take Woodcocks id To take them in a Cock-road id Of Fishing 250 Sect. 1. Of taking Fish by Nets Pots or Engines id To Fish with Nets id With the Trammel or Sieve id With the Casting-net 251 With the shore-net or pot-net id With Fish-pots id With Wears id With Hawks 252 The way of making a Piscary id A Hawk-net id Sect. 2. Of Angling 253 Observations in Angling id Seasons for Angling 254 Seasons not to Angle in id Sect. 3. Of Angling for Salmon Trout 255 Sect. 4. Of Angling for Pike and Perch id Sect. 5. Of Angling for standing-Water or Pond-fish 256 For the Carp id For the Tench id For the Dace 257 For the Roach id For the Bream id Taking of Eels id By Angle id With Bank-hooks id By Sniggling id By Bobbing 258 Sect. 6. Of Angling for the Barbel Grailing Umber Chevin and Chub id Of Cormorant Fishing 259 CHAP. XIII Kalendarium Rusticum or Monthly Directions for the Husbandman 261 In January 265 February 267 March 269 April 271 May 273 June 275 July 277 August 279 September 281 October 283 November 285 December 287 CHAP. XIV Of the Prognosticks of Dearth or Scarcity Plenty Sickness Heat Cold Frost Snow Winds Rain Hail Thunder c. 289 Sect. 1. Of the different appearances of the Sun Moon Stars Meteors or any other thing in the Air or above us 290 Of the motions colours and appearances of the seven Planets id Of the Sun id Of the Moon 292 Of the other Erraticks or Planets id Of Comets or Blazing-stars 293 Of the shooting of Stars 294 Of the fixed Stars id Of Fire or other casual appearances id Of the Clouds 295 Of Mists and Fogs id Of Winds 296

Of Whirlwinds 297 Of the Rainbow 298 Of Noise and stilness in the Air id Of Thunder and Lightening id Of the rarity and density of the Air id Of the Weatherglass or Thermometry 299 Of the Baroscope 301 Sect. 2. Of Observations and Prognosticks taken from the Earth and Water 302 Of the Earth id Of the Water id Of the Sea id Sect. 3. Of Observations and Prognosticks taken from Beasts 303 Of Beeves or Kine id Of Sheep id Of Kids id Of Asses id Of Dogs id Of Cats id Of Mice and Rats id Of Swine 304 Sect. 4. Of Observations and Prognosticks taken from Fowl id Of Water-fowl id Of Land-fowl id Of the Heron id Of the Kite 305 Of the Crow c. id Of Sparrows id Of the Jay id Of Bats id Of the Owl id Of the Woodlark id Of the Swallow id Of the Cock id Sect. 5. Of Observations and Prognosticks taken from Fishes and Insects id Of Sea-fish id Of Fresh-water Fish id Of Frogs id Of Snakes id Of Ants id Of Bees id Of Gnats Flies and Fleas id Of Spiders 306 Of Chaffers c. id Sect. 6. Promiscuous Observations Prognosticks id Of Trees and Vegetables id Of Fire id Signes of Rain 307 Signes of Snow id CHAP. XV. Dictionarium Rusticum 312 CHAP. I. Of Husbandry and Improvements in general plainly discovering the Nature Reasons and Causes of Improvements and the Growth of Vegetables c. AGriculture hath been not undeservedly esteemed What Agriculture is a Science that principally teacheth us the Nature and divers Properties and Qualities as well of the several Soils Earths and Places as of the several Productions or Creatures whether Vegetable Animal or Mineral that either naturally proceed or are artificially produced from or else maintained by the Earth Agricultura est Scientia docens quae sunt in unoquoque Agro serunda faciunda quae terra maximos perpetuo proventus ferat saith Varro The Judicious and Understanding Husbandman must first consider Of the Subject whereon the Husband man bestows his labor the Subject whereon to spend his Time Cost and Labor viz. the Earth or Ground which we usually term either Meadow Arable Pasture Woodland Orchard or Garden-ground then whether it be more Commodious or Profitable for Meadow for Pasture or for Woods which in most places are naturally produced to the great advantage of the Husbandman or with what particular Species of Grain Pulse Trees Fruits or other Vegetables it is best to Plant or Sowe the same to his greatest benefit And with what Beasts Fowl or other Animals to Stock his Farm or other Lands Also he is to consider the best and most commodious way of Tilling Improving Propagating Planting and Manuring all such Meadows Arable and Pasture Pasture-Lands Woods Orchards and Gardens and the Reasons and Causes of such Improvements All which we shall endeavor to discover to the satisfaction and content of the diligent and laborious Husbandman But before we enter upon the particular Ways and Methods of Agriculture treated of in this ensuing Work we shall endeavor to unvail the secret Mysteries as they are commonly esteemed of the Productions and Increase of Vegetables after a plain and familiar Method not exceeding the Capacity of our Husbandmen whom this Treatise doth principally concern by the true knowledge whereof a gate is opened to Propagate Maturate or Advance the Growth or Worth of any Tree Plant Grain Fruit or Herb to the highest pitch Nature admits of This Globe of Earth that affords unto us the substance not only Of the Universal Spirit or Mercury of our selves but of all other Creatures Sublunary is impregnated with a Spirit most subtile and Ethereal as it were divinioris Aurae particula as the Learned Willis terms it which the Original De Fermentatione or Father of Nature hath placed in this World as the Instrument of Life and Motion of every thing This Spirit is that which incessantly administers unto every Animal its Generation Life Growth and Motion to every Vegetable its Original and Vegetation It is the Vehicle that carrieth with it the Sulphureous and Saline parts whereof the Matter Substance or Body of all Vegetables and Animals are formed or composed It is the Operator or Workman that transmutes by its active heat the Sulphureous and Saline parts of the Earth or Water into those varieties of Objects we daily behold or enjoy according to the different Seed or Matrix wherein it operates It continually perspires through the pores of the Earth carrying with it the Sulphureous and Saline parts the only treasure the Husband-man seeks for as hath been by some Ingenious Artists mechanically proved by receiving the same between the Vernal and Autumnal Equinoxes in an Alembick head where it hath condensed and copiously distilled into the Receiver at that season of the year the Earth then more liberally affording it than in the Winter-season which Spiritual Liquor so received is not a Treasure to be sleighted or neglected carrying with it the only Matter of Vegetables as the same Artists affirmed that having placed the same under a Melon-Glass near some Vegetable it was thereby wholly attracted externally and converted into that Vegetable they concluded also the same to be that Materia Prima quae absque omni sumptu labore molestia reperta est quam in aëre capere te oportet antequam ad terram perveniat c. This Liquor undoubtedly would be of singular Vertue and Effect in advancing and maturating the Growth of the more excellent Flowers or Curiosities being irrigated therewith It is easily obtained and that in great Quantities by such that think not a little time and labor lost to scrutine into the Mysteries of Nature But whether we obtain it singly or simply or not this we know that it is to be received by placing the more natural Receptacles the Seeds and Plants in the Earth which gives it us transmuted into such Forms and Substances as are most desired and necessary Although the Spirit or Mercury be that active and moving Of the Universal Sulphur part and that principally appears in the Generation or Conception of any Vegetable or Animal and is also the first that flies in the separation or dissolution of Bodies yet is it imbecile and defective without that most Excellent Rich and Sulphureous Principle which according to the description of the Learned Willis is De Fermentatione of a little thicker consistence than the Spirit and next unto it the most active for when any mixture or compound is separated the Spirits first fly then follow after the Sulphureous Particles The temperature of every thing so far as to the Heat Consistence and curious Texture thereof doth principally depend on Sulphur from hence every Plant Fruit and Flower receives those infinite varieties of Forms Colours Gusts Odours Signatures and Vertues it is that which is the proper Medium to unite the more

Volatile Mercury or Spirit to the more fixed Salt Spiritus Mediante Anima cum corpore conjungitur ligatur fit unum cum eis say the Philosophers This Sulphur or oyly part is easily separated and distinguish'd in Vegetables by the more curious it ariseth out of the earth with the aforesaid Mercury or Aqueous Spirit though not at the first discernable yet in every Plant more and more maturated and augmented by the Suns influence as the Seed or Matrix is more or less inclined to this Principle This is also that which gives to our hot and stinking Dungs Soils or Manures the Oleaginous pinguidity and Fertility and which begets that fiery heat which is in Vegetables as Hay Corn c. laid on heaps not throughly dry Not only the Duration of Individuals but also the Propagation Of the Universal Salt Willis de fermentatione of the Species dependeth much on the Principle of Salt for the Growth of Minerals the Fertility of Land the Vegetation or Growth of Plants and chiefly the fruitful Foetation and Progeny of Animals have their Original from their Saline Seed This Salt obscurely passeth with the Mercurial Spirit and the Sulphur and is associated therewith where ever that passes and where it finds a convenient Receptable Seed or Matrix it is more fixed than either the Sulphur or Spirit The Salt is that which gives to every Creature a Substance or Body without which neither the Spirit nor Sulphur could be reduced or coagulated into any Form It is in every thing Sal autem reperitur in rebus omnibus It is volatile when carried in the wings of the Spirit and Sulphur by the natural Fire or Motion But afterwards it is more fixed when separated from the Spirit or Mercury and Sulphur by artificial Fire as appears in the ashes or Caput Mortuum of all Vegetables Animals or Minerals distilled or burnt much also of the Sulphureous or Mercurial parts are coagulated by or transmuted into the Saline by natural or artificial Heat or Warmth as is evident in the Sea the nearer it is to the Equinoctial Line and the more it receives of the Perpendicular or direct Beams of the Sun the greater quantity of Salt it contains not only by the exhalation of the Aqueous or Phlegmatick parts but the Maturation Transmutation or Fixation of the more Volatile Spiritual and Sulphureous parts into the more Saline or fixed For in those hotter Climates the Land it self also is more Fertile through the abounding quantity of this Vegetating Salt as appears by the great plenty of Nitre or Sal terrae found in the hotter Climates lying on the Surface of the Earth in the morning like a hoary Frost when the Regions nearer the Poles having not those natural advantages of the Sun-beams in so high a degree are not so Fertile nor abound so much with Salt the most principal cause of Fertility But we will leave these Philosophical Principles as they are simply Of the true matter of Vegetables and apart very necessary to be known by those that Operate in the more-Secret Mystical and Mechanick Indagations of Nature and discourse only of that Universal Spirit or Vapor which daily and every moment perspires and proceeds out of every part of the Earth and is in every thing containing in it self the Spirit or Mercury the Sulphur and the Salt in one body united and without Art indivisible yet some one Part or Principle abounding more or less in every thing as the Water containeth more of the Spiritual or Aqueous part several Fruits Plants Flowers and Soils more of the Sulphureous and Barks of Trees Blood of Animals and several Minerals more of the Saline And wheresoever these Principles are most equally tempered or mixed there is most of Fertility as is evident in the several Natures Tempers and Qualities of Places for the Production or Propagation of Vegetables and wheresoever any or either of these Principles do over-much abound Vegetables are not produced as Waters or any other Liquors or Spirits are not Where Water or Spirits abound Fertile in themselves as to Vegetation unless they are either conjoyned with some other Substance or Matter or the more Phlegmatick parts evaporated and the remaining part maturated by the Sun or Air into an augmentation of the other Principles then is it capable of yielding naturally some sort of Vegetables For although several Plants set in Water only do emit fibrous roots and flourish therein for a time yet is it meerly an attraction of the most Saline and Sulphureous parts or Principles to its own relief as is evident by its better thriving if the Water be often changed At best this nourishment is but weak having so little of the Sulphur and Salt as the Withy Poplar and other Aquatick Plants demonstrate Therefore out of any sort of Waters only it is in vain to attempt any material or effectual increase of Vegetables other than that are naturally Aquatick because they contain a superaboundant Spirit or Moisture Therefore vain is the new received Opinion that Trees and other Vegetables and also other Minerals proceed from Water only But our Spiritus Mundi or Materia propinqua Vegetabilium although it appear in a Liquid form yet it contains actually an equal proportion of the three Principles And the more any Substance or Matter is impregnated or irrigated therewith the more prone or apt it is to Vegetation as Rain-water being animated with it by the continual Exhalations or Fumes ascending from the Earth and by it coagulated and detained is more prone to Vegetation than any other Waters as you may perceive by Plants watered therewith and by its sudden Generation of Animals and Vegetables in the Spring-time then the Earth more copiously breathing forth that Spiritus Mundi which returned again doth by the vivifying heat of the Sun easily transcend into another Species How soon will Horse-hairs receive life lying in Rain-water but a few days in the heat of the Sun in the Spring-time whereof I have seen many in the High-ways after Rain in the Month of May very nimble and quick that had not yet lost their shape of a Horse-hair This is worthy our further enquiry to what Period this may be advanced it may also serve as an Index to point at several other Excellent Discoveries Neither is the more Sulphureous part or Principle of it self capable Where Fumes or Sulphur abounds of yielding Vegetables being of too hot and pinguid a Nature as the Dung of Animals and especially of Volatiles that eject no Urine whereby the more fiery and Sulphureous part of the others is diluted containing much of that pinguidity produce no Vegetables of it self unless commixed or allayed with some other Matter abounding with the other Principles or that it loose it s too fiery or destructive Nature by being exposed to the Sun or Air untill it be evaporated then will it emit several Vegetables Of the like Nature also are the flesh and bones

of Animals yielding a very rich Compost though of themselves through over-much heat and pinguidity sterile The Saline or more fixed Principle which is esteemed by most Where Salt abounds Authors the only thing conducing to Fertility yet is of its self or in an over-bounding quantity the most barren and unfruitful It is prescribed as a sure way to destroy Weeds Vegetables by watering the place with Brine or Salt-water yet what more fruitful being moderately commixed with other Materials of another nature than Salt But observe that Salts extracted out of the Earth or from Vegetables or Animals are much more Fertile than those of the Sea containing in them more of the Vegetative Power or Principles and are therefore much to be preferred Glauber makes it the highest improvement for the Land and for Continuatio Miraculi Mundi Trees also affirming that by it you may enrich the most barren Sands beyond what can be performed by any other Soils or Manures in case it be deprived of its Corrosive Qualities for then will it naturally attract the other Principles continually breathing out of the Earth and in the Air and immediately qualifie it self for Vegetation as I observed in a parcel of Field-Land of about three Acres denshired or burn-beaten in a very hot and dry Spring of it self naturally barren and after the burning and spreading the ashes wherein was the Fertile Salt deprived of its Corrosive sterile quality the Land was plowed very shallow and Barly sown therein about the beginning of May in the very ashes as it were no Rain falling from the very beginning of cutting the Turf yet in thirty and six hours was the Barley shot forth and the Ground coloured green therewith this Salt attracting and condensing the ever-breathing Spirit The like you may observe in Walls and Buildings where several sorts of Vegetables yea trees of a great bigness will thrive and prosper remote from the Earth and without any other nourishment than what that Fertile Salt attracts and condenses as before which it could not have done had it not been purged of its Corrosive and Sterile Nature by Fire when it was made into Lime For all Chymists know that no Salts more easily dissolve per deliquum than those that are most calcined The Salt also of the Sea is not without its Fertile Nature being ordered with Judgment and Discretion as we see evidently that the Salt Marshes out of which the Sea is drain'd excel in Fertility and many places being irrigated with the Sea-Water yield a notable increase Corn also therewith imbibed hath been much advanced as appeared in the President of the Country-man that casually let his Seed-Corn fall into the Salt-Water And in the Isle of Wight it is observed that Corn flourisheth on the very Rocks that are bedewed with the Salt-water by the Blasts of the Southern Winds The shells of fish being as it were only Salt coagulated have proved an excellent Manure for barren Lands after they have lain a competent time to dissolve From what hath been before observed we may conclude that Equal commixture of Principles the highest Fertility and Improvements are to be advanced and made from the most equal Commixture of the aforesaid several Principles or of such Waters Soils Dungs Salts Manures or Composts that more or less abound with either of them having regard unto the nature of such Vegetable whose propagation or advancement you intend Some delighting in a more Hot or Cold Moist or Dry Fat or Barren than others And next unto that from due Preservation Reception and right disposing and ordering of that Spiritus Mundi every where found and to be attained without Cost and as well by the poor as rich It continually breaths from the Earth as we noted before and is diffused in the Air and lost unless we place convenient Receptacles to receive it as by Planting of Trees and sowing of Pulses Grain or Seed Out of what think you should these things be formed or made Out of rain-Rain-water is the common Answer or Opinion But we experimentally finde that this Vniversal Subject gives to every Plant its Essence or Substance although assisted by Rain or Water both in its nourishment and condensation We see how great a Tree is raised out of a small Plat of Ground by its sending forth of its Roots to receive its nourishment penetrating into the smallest Crannies and Joynts between the Stones and Rocks where it finds the greatest plenty of its proper food We constantly perceive and finde that Vegetables having once emitted their fibrous Roots vegetate and increase only from the assistance of this our Vniversal Subject when the Earth wherein it stands is of it self dry and not capable to yield that constant supply of Moisture the Plant daily requires Although we must confess that Rain or other Water accelerates its Growth having in it a Portion of that Spiritus Mundi also better qualifies the Earth for its perspiration That this Subject is the very Essence of Vegetables and that from it they receive their Substance and not from water only is evident in such places where Vegetables are not permitted to grow and where it cannot vapor away nor is exhaled by the Sun nor Air as Underbuildings Barns Stables Pigeon-houses c. where it condenses into Nitre or Salt-Petre the only fruitful Salt though improperly so called containing so equal and proportionable a quantity of the Principles of Nature wholly Volatile only condensed in defect of a due recipient not generated as some fondly conceive from any casual Moisture as Urine in Stables c. though augmented thereby but meerly from the Spiritus Mundi Lands resting from the Plough or Spade are much enriched only by the encrease of this Subject and ordinary way of Improvement Lands defended from the violent heat of the Sun and from the sweeping cleansing and exsiccating Air or Winds grow more Fertile not so much from the warmth it receives as from the preservation of that Fertile Subject from being wasted as we evidently see it to be in all open Champion Lands when part of the very same Species of Land being inclosed with tall and defensive Hedges or Planted with Woods are much more Fertile than the other yea we plainly perceive that under the Covert of a Bush Bough or such like any Vegetable will thrive and prosper better than on the naked Plain Where is there more barren dry and hungry Land than on the Plains and Waste Lands and yet but on the other side of the hedges Fertile either by Inclosure or Planted with Woods an evident and sufficient demonstration of the high Improvements that may be made by Inclosure only Also Land hath been found to be extraordinary Fertile under Stones Logs of Wood c. only by the condensation and preservation of that Vniversal Subject as appears by the flourishing Corn in the most stony Grounds where it hath been observed that the Stones taken away Corn hath not

fails than in the Champion Country wet Summers being not so frequent as dry the Vales and Enclosures also being by far the greater Support of our English Granary than the Open Champion and the Hills which yields us 't is true the greater part of our Drink-corn delighting in the more hungry Soil and proves a good Supply in a wet Summer for the other CHAP. III. Of Meadow and Pasture Lands and the several ways of their Improvements either by watring or drowning or by sowing or propagating several sorts of extraordinary Grasses or Hays c. MEadow and Pasture Lands are of so considerable use and advantage to the Husbandman that they are by some preferred above Arable in respect of the advantage they bring annually into his Coffers with so little Toil Expence and Hazard far exceeding in value the Corn Lands and of principal use for the Encrease and Maintenance of his Gattle his better food and the chiefest strength he hath for the Tilling and Improving his other Lands Meadow and Pasture Lands are generally of two sorts Wet or Dry the Wet Meadows are such that the Water overflows or drowns at some times of the year under which term we shall comprehend all such Meadows or other Lands that are artificially watred or over-flown or that are under that capacity of Improvement The Dry Meadows or Pastures are such that are not over-flown or watered by any River or Stream under which we shall comprehend all such Inclosures or Severals that lie warm and in a fertile Soil yielding an annual burthen of Hay or Grass or that are capable of Improvement by sowing or propagating of new Grasses Hays c. or other ways of Improvement SECT I. Of the Watring of Meadows Of Wet Meadows or Land under that capacity of being over-flown or watred there are several sorts First Such Meadows that lie generally flat on the Banks of great Rivers and are subject to the over-flowing of such Rivers in times of Land-floods only Secondly Such Meadows that lie near to lesser River or Streams and are capable of being drowned or watered by diverting such River or some part thereof out of its natural Current over the same Thirdly Such Meadows or Lands that lie above the level of the Water and yet are capable of Improvement by raising the Water by some artificial ways or means over them All which sort of Meadows or Lands under those capacities are very much improved by the Water over-flowing them as every Country and place can sufficiently evidence and testifie Humida Majores herbas alit Virgil. Neither is there scarcely any Kingdom or Country in the World where this is not esteemed an excellent Improvement How could Egypt subsist unless Nilus did annually Fertilize its Banks by its Inundation Several other Potent and wealthy Countries there are in those African and Asian Territories whose richest and most Fertile Lands are maintained in their Fertility by the Sediment of the over-flowing Waters Huc summis liquuntur rupibus Amnes Virgil. Felicemque trahunt limum But these are Natural yet are not some Countries without their Artificial ways of advancing this ponderous Element to a very considerable Improvement as Persia Italy c. abound with most ingenious ways for the raising of the water as well for their Meadows as other necessary uses On the Banks and Borders of our great Rivers and Currents are Of Meadows watred by Floods the most and richest Meadows consisting generally of a very good fat Soil as it were composed of the very Sediment of the Water overflowing the same after great and hasty Rains such Meadows are capable of very little Improvement especially those that border on the greater Rivers as Thames Severn Trent Ouse c. uncapable of obstruction at the pleasure of the Husbandman Yet where such Meadows lying on the borders of great Rivers are of a dry and hungry Soil and not frequently overflowed by Land-floods may Artificial Works be made use of for the raising the water over the same to a very considerable advantage whereof more hereafter in this Chapter Other Meadows there are and those the most general in England Of Meadows watered by diversion of Rivers c. that border on the lesser Rivers Streams c. and in many places are overflown or drowned by diverting the Water out of its natural and usual Current over them This is of late become one of the most universal and advantageous Improvements in England within these few years and yet not comparable to what it might be advanced unto in case these several Obstructions were removed that impede this most noble and profitable Improvement First The several Interests that are in Lands bordering on Rivers Hinderances to drowning hinder very much this Improvement because the Water cannot be brought over several quantities of Land under this capacity but through the Lands of ignorant and cross Neighbours who will not consent thereunto although for their own advantage also under unreasonable terms and some will not at all others are not by the Law capacitated for such consent as we noted before concerning Enclosures Secondly That great and pernicious impediment to this Improvement Mills standing on so many fruitful Streams prohibiting the Laborious and Ingenious Husbandman to receive the benefit and advantage of such Streams and Rivers carrying in their bowels so much Wealth into the Ocean when the Mills themselves yield not a tenth of the profit to the Owners that they hinder to their Neighbours and their work may as well be performed by the Wind as by the Water or at least the Water improved to a better advantage by facilitating the Motion of the Mill whereof more hereafter Thirdly Another grand Impediment is the Ignorance of the Countrey-men who in many places are not capable of apprehending neither the Improvement nor the cause thereof But because some certain Neighbours of theirs had their Land overflown a long time and was little the better therefore will they not undergo that charge to so little purpose or because they are commonly possessed with a foolish opinion that the Water leaves all its fatness on the Ground it flows over and therefore will not advantage the next which is most untrue for I have seen Meadows successively drowned with the same Water to almost an equal Improvement for many miles together It is true the Water leaves its fatness it hath washed from the Hills and High-ways in the time of great Rains but we finde by daily experience that Meadows are fertilized by overflowing as well in frosty clear and dry weather as in rainy and that to a very considerable Improvement And also by the most clear and transparent Streams are improved ordinary Lands that they become most fertile Meadows Fourthly From a greedy and covetous Principle they suffer the Grass to stand so long on the watered Meadows that it is much discoloured and grown so hawmy and neither so toothsom nor wholesome as that on unwatered Meadows

the following Process highly applauded by the Owners thereof promising wonderful Productions from it which is thus Take half a Bushel of Sheeps-dung and put upon it twenty quarts of Spring-water set it on the fire till it be luke-warm but not boyling and so rub with your hand all the Sheeps-dung by little and little till it be dissolved in the water then let it stand twelve hours after which strain the water through a course Cloth with a hard Compression this water keep for use Then take of Bay-salt and dissolve it in luke-warm water which water filter and evaporate in an earthen Vessel over the Fire of this congealed Salt after the waters Evaporation take two good handfuls likewise do the same with Salt-petre dissolve it in water filter the water and evaporate it then take of the remaining congealed Salt-petre one good handful and let both those Salts dissolve in the fore-mentioned Liquor of Sheeps-dung making it again milk-warm when all the Salts are therein well dissolved put into that prepared Liquor eight Gallons of Corn or other Seed and let it steep therein thirty or thirty six hours then take it and put it into a Sieve and drain the water into another Vessel which water may be used again in like manner when the water is all drained away take the Corn or other Seed and dry it in some Upper-loft exposed to the Air not to the Sun and being almost dry scatter or sowe it in half proportion N. B. that the Sheeps-dung dregs being dried must be calcined and the Salt thereof drawn in luke-warm water which being filtred and evaporated the remaining Salt thereof is to be dissolved with the other Salts in the Sheeps-dung water I have here given you this Process gratis which hath been valued and contracted for at a high rate the Owners promising a very great Increase to succeed The Process appears to be made not by such that are experienced in Rural Affairs for you will finde it difficult to strain your Sheeps-dung water dissolved in those proportions for the Sheeps-dung wholly dissolves which doth so thicken the water and convert it into a mucilage that all goes where the water goes if rightly done and that which is more strange the Grain will not only imbibe the water so animated but the very substance of the Dung also if rightly ordered which is an Argument sufficient of the melioration of the Grain insomuch that no dregs or remainder of the Sheeps-dung was lost save only a few undissolved treddles As for the Salts I think little good is to be expected from them and therefore hold those troublesom preparations of them needless only the Salt of the Dung must needs be good because it is that Vegetative Salt or Vniversal Subject whereof we discoursed before only it is far fetched and dear bought as good may be had at a far easier rate for this purpose Nevertheless common Sea-salt hath been much cried up by some for an Improver of the Seed and an Example produced of a silly Jewel-house of Art and Nature Swain who passing over an Arm of the Sea with his Seed-corn in a Sack which by mischance at his landing fell into the water and so his Corn being left there till the next low water became somewhat brackish yet out of necessity did the man bestow the same Wheat upon his ploughed Grounds and at the Harvest he reaped a Crop of good Wheat such as in that year not any of his Neighbors had the like Doubtless infusion of the Corn or Seed in any of the aforesaid materials is some advantage to it or in the Lees of Wine Ale Beer Perry Syder or else in Beef-broth and the Brine of Poudering-tubs as is by some advised Also some affirm that Corn spritted a little as they use to do for Mault and then sown came up speedily and got the predomination of the Weeds at first and so kept the same that there was produced a far greater increase than ordinary which is a sufficient convincing Argument that if common water produce so manifest an Improvement that then a better Liquor may much more Because the Corn also will seem troublesom to sowe being wet it is prescribed either to let it dry a day or two on a Floor or else to sift slackened Lime thereon which is to be preferred because it preserves the Corn from Vermine Smutt c. I find also another compounded Liquor to have been commended Hartlib 's Legacie and experimented for the steeping of Grain therein which is thus Pour into quick and unslaked Lime as much Water as sufficeth to make it swim four inches above the Water and unto ten pound of the said water poured off mix one pound of Aqua Vitae and in that Liquor steep or soak wheat or Corn twenty four hours which being dried in the Sun or in the Air steep again in the said Liquor twenty four hours more and do it likewise the third time afterward sowe them at great distances the one from the other about the distance of a foot between each Grain so one Grain will produce thirty thirty six thirty eight forty two fifty two Ears and those very fruitful with a tall Stalk equalling the stature of a man in height This seems to be a most rational Process for this purpose and on this and the like ways of maceration or fermentation of the Seed depends those several Experiments where the Corn or Seed hath yielded so prodigious an Increase as that one grain of Wheat should yield a hundred and fourteen Ears and in them six thousand Grains but in case it generally hold to be but a quarter of the number it is beyond what any other way of Husbandry can perform CHAP. V. Of the Manuring Dunging and Soyling of Lands HAving discoursed of Meadows Pastures and Arable Lands and of the great Advantages and Benefits that are raised out of them and of the several ways of Improving Meadows by drowning or watering and of Pastures and Arable Lands by Inclosure by sowing and propagating New Hays Grasses and the best sorts of Corn Pulse and other Seeds and by the best way of Tilling and Ordering the same Now it will be necessary to say a little concerning this most general way of Improvement by Manuring Dunging and Soyling of Land under which terms we comprehend all the several ways of tempering altering renewing or adding unto the Land or applying any subject whatsoever thereunto for its Improvement and Advantage SECT I. Of the Burning of Land The Burning of Land or any other operation on it by Fire seems to be the greatest though not most universal advance to most of our barren poor and hungry Lands as well dry as wet the Burning of the Ground it self seems to be of very Ancient use as appears by Virgil Saepe etiam steriles incendere profuit agros And burning of Wood and other Combustible Materials on Gages Survey of the West-Indies Sylva Land is practised amongst

clay-ground that a Tun of Timber could not be thence haled unless in the dry and Summer-season but that the Wheels would sink in the Clay to the Axle-tree They will also grow though but slowly on the high stony and barren Hills The Acorns or Oaken-Mast being sown in your Nursery after Propagation they are full ripe and before they are withered which will quickly be if they lie open in the Air will the next Spring yield you plenty of young Plants which you may order and transplant as hereafter in the Nursery you shall have Directions Or for expedition-sake you may have young Sets drawn by those that seek the Woods for Quick-sets in such places where Acorns have spontaneously grown and been sheltered from Cattle till they are fit for a remove but these prove generally crooked and ill-shaped and so are to be cut near to the ground when you plant them by which means they will emit another shoot more streight Oaks also prosper very well in Coppices being felled as other Under-woods are It is reported that a Lady in Northamptonshire sowed Acorns and lived to cut the Trees produced from them twice in two and twenty years and both as well grown as most are in sixteen or eighteen Also that Acorns set in Hedge-rows have in thirty years born a Stem of a Foot Diameter The several uses of Oaken Timber for Buildings and other Mechanick Use uses is so universally known that it is but needless to enumerate them To abide all seasons of the weather there is no Wood comparable unto it as for Pales Shingles Posts Rails Boards c. For Water-works also it is second to none especially where it lies obvious to the Air as well as the Water there is no Wood like it For Fewel either as it is or made into Cha●coal there is no Wood equals it The Bark also for the Tanner and Dyer exceeds all other Barks the very Saw-dust and ashes also of the Oak challenge a preference the Mast exceeds any other Mast of the Forrest-trees and is of great use to the Husbandman in fatting Swine for in the Forrests and great Woods many herds of Swine are very well fatted in such years that the Oak yields plenty of Mast and that Bacon so fed especially if the Swine are kept up with Pease some time after is the most delicious meat for the Hams we have from Westphalia and other parts of Germany under that name are of those Swine that feed on this Mast for their exercise they of necessity use in searching for these Acorns as well as the natural sweetness of the Fruit it self very much meliorateth the flesh of these Animals as it doth of Deer Hares Conies Pheasants Ducks and many others the flesh of them that are wild being by much to be preferred to the tame The young Boughs of the lopped Oak in the Spring-time are of equal use to the Tanner as is the Bark of this Tree as hath been found by the experience of many Tanners of this Nation within these few years The Elm is one of the most easie Trees to propagate and delighting The Elm. in most sorts of ground except only Land very dry hot and parching shallow Land near Chalk or Gravel on the tops of Hills it thrives not well yet it will grow almost in any place But the places it principally delights in is the level light and loose Land so that it be moist on the Banks of such level and fertile grounds whether they be of Gravel Earth or Chalk the Elm prospers well About the beginning of March fall the seeds of the Elm which Propagation being sown in your Nursery will yield you Plants But the care and trouble thereof is superfluous seeing there are newer and more expeditious and advantageous ways known viz. by the Suckers Which are produced in great plenty from the roots of the Elm and may be transplanted into any places where the Elms grow great plenty of these Suckers will yearly shoot out of the Earth if Cattle be kept from them or if any Elm be felled the old Roots will yield plenty of Suckers or if the old Roots be chopped or slit and slightly covered with light mould they will send forth plenty of Suckers all which may be slipped off and transplanted even unto any bigness there being no Tree more easily transplanted and with good success than the Elm observing these Cautions that if you remove them very young that you cut not off the top because it is sappy and the wet will be apt to get in and decay the Plant being weakened by his removal but the greater you must be sure to disbranch leaving only the stem some cover also the head of such Elm so cut off with a mixture of Clay and Horse-dung I have been very credibly informed that a certain Gentleman in the North-Country having a desire to raise suddenly a Plump or Grove of Trees about his Mansion-house there being a great scarcity of Wood in that place obtained a parcel of Elm-trees lops and tops and made Trenches or Ditches in the Earth and cut his Elm-branches c. into several lengths of six eight ten or twenty feet in length as with best conveniencie he could and buried them singly in the Trenches so digged and covered them wholly from the one end to the other leaving only a hole open about the middle of the interred branch or if it were a long piece then two open places might be left out of which places did spring forth several shoots the first year of a very great length the Winter succeeding he took these branches or shoots all save only the fairest and which was most probable and likely to thrive and so filled up the hole about it by which means they grew to a prodigious height in a few years that his habitation was compleatly adorned with living aspiring products of his ingenious attempt Note that the true time of this Sepulture is when the sap is full in the Tree when the Leaves are newly sprung for then the great quantity of the sap that is in the whole branch forceth it self into those shoots or Cions that then have found a passage also for the succeeding yeers the whole Tree in the Earth becomes a main principal nourishing Root to the nimble growing Tree For it is evident that if an Elm be felled in the Spring-time when the sap is up that then the Tree lying on the ground will spend much of its sap in small shoots in every part of it Much rather if such Tree were buried in a good moist Soil with only one part thereof open to the Air from which part you expect a flourishing shoot to proceed Some have with good success buried such Elm-branches about the end of January or beginning of March but if the Land be not over-dry the later is better If the Elm be felled between November and February it will Use be all Spine or Heart or very little sap

destructive Frosts and also by covering whole Beds therewith preserves the Plants or Roots therein Also Straw Hawm Fern or suchlike dry Vagetable will defend any thing from the Frosts although the Litter be to be preferred But such things that are not to be touched or suppressed as Coleflower-plants Gilliflower-slips c. the placing of Sticks like some Booth or suchlike over them and covering them with a Mat or Canvas or suchlike doth very much defend them giving them Sun and Air in temperate days makes them the more hardy and preserves their colour Furze where it may conveniently be had is a very excellent shelter and defence against Cold being laid about Trees or over Plants of what kinde soever It breaks the violence of Winde and Frost beyond any thing else lying hollow of it self doth not that injury to Plants that other things do without support and proves many times better than a supported shelter Preserving them also from Rain unless as much as is sufficient to nourish them is a good prevention of Frosts for the Frost injureth no Plant so much as that which stands wet as I have often observed that Cyprus-trees and Rosemary standing on very dry ground have endured the greatest Frosts when others have perished by the same Frosts standing in moist ground although more in the shelter Also the most pernicious Frosts to Fruits succeed Rainy days a dry Frost rarely hurts Fruit. Gilliflowers and several other Flowers and Plants receive their greatest injury from wet which if kept dry endure severe colds the better Hot-Beds are much in use for the propagating of Seeds in the Spring c. which when they are covered prove secure remedies Conservatories wherein to remove your tender Plants in the Winter are a usual prevention of cold some whereof are made by some degrees warmer than others are suitable to the several natures of the Plants to be preserved But the compleatest Conservatories are large leaves of boards to open and shut at pleasure over your Orange or other Fruit-trees closely pruned against a Wall or Pale and planted either against your Chimney where you always keep a good fire or against some Stove made on purpose Aprecocks so planted against an ordinary wall with such doors must needs avail much in the Spring-time to defend the young and tender Fruit from the sharp Frosts and is a much more practicable and surer way than the bowing the branches into Tubs as some advise Others hang Cloaths or Mats over the Trees in frosty nights but these are troublesome It is evident that part of the same Tree being under some shelter from the Rain will bear plenty of Fruit when other part of the same Tree being open to the Rain bears but little in cold and destructive Springs though alike obvious to the cold and winde Therefore endeavour to preserve your tender Wall-fruits from the wet and you may the less fear the winde and cold To lay open the roots of Trees in the Spring to keep them backwards from springing is a very proper prevention against the Frosts in Apples Pears c. for we finde a forward Spring that excites the early Fruit too soon proves very injurious to it in case any Frosts succeed The freezing of water also proves sometime an injury to the Husbandman either by hindering his Cattle from drink or by destroying Fish that are confined in a small Pond so frozen To prevent the latter if you can let there be some constant fall of water into it though never so small which will always keep a vent open sufficient to preserve the Fish who can as ill live without Air as Terrestrial Creatures can without water Any constant motion prevents a total Congelation If you lay a good quantity of Pease-hawm in the water that part may lie above and part under the water it is observed that the water freezes not within the Hawm by reason of its close and warm lying together which will prevent the death of Fish as well as breaking of the Ice Fruit when it is gathered into the house is subject to be spoiled by Frosts therefore be careful to lay it in dry Rooms either seeled thatched or boarded for in frosty weather the condensed Air which is most in such Rooms adhering to the Fruit freezeth and destroyeth it which is usually prevented covering them with Straw c. but best of all by placing a Vessel of water near them which being of a colder nature than the Fruit attracts the moist Air to its self to the preservation of the Fruit even to admiration Great Rains prove injurious to such Lands that are of themselves Much Rain moist enough for the remedy whereof and to prevent such injuries see more in the next Section In such Lands that lie at the bottoms or foot of Hills where the great falls of Rain do annoy the Corn or Grass care is to be taken for the conveying away of the water by Channels or Passages made for that purpose In the time of Harvest the greatest Enemy the Husbandman usually finds is Rain against which the best remedy is Expedition To make Hay whilest the Sun shines It is a grand neglect that there are not some kinde of Artificial shelters made in Lands remote from our dwellings for the speedy conveyance of Corn into shelter in dripping Harvests and there to remain till fair Weather and leisure will admit of a more safe carriage Worthy of commendation is the practise used in Sommersetshire c. where they lay their Wheat-sheaves in very large shocks or heaps in the Fields and so place them that they will abide any wet for a long time when on the contrary in Wiltshire and other more Southernly Counties they leave all to the good or bad weather though far remote from Barns sometimes to their very great detriment so naturally slothful and ignorant are some people and naturally ingenious and industrious are other Where their Lands lie two or three miles from their Barns as in some places in Champion Countries they do the covered Reek-staval much in use Westward must needs prove of great advantage in wet or dry Harvests to save long draughts at so busie a time Where Lands lie at a far distance the one from the other several Barns built as the Land requireth are very convenient for the more speedy housing of the Corn for the better preserving of it the more easie thrashing it out the more convenient fothering of the Cattle with the Straw and for the cheaper disposing of the soil for the improvement of the Land where on the contrary one great Barn cannot lie near to every part of a large Farm nor can Corn be so well preserved in it nor with so much advantage disposed into Mows nor thrashed nor the fother nor soil so easily dispersed High-winds prove very pernicious and injurious to the Husbandman High Winds in several respects to his Buildings Fruits Trees Hops Corn c. as many in the

Fin like a knife turned up by the side of the Spade and sometimes on both sides to divide the Clay or moist Earth and cut the small Roots that it come clean away The ordinary Spade is made several ways but the most commendable Common spades are the lightest and thinnest wrought not wanting their due strength the cleaner they are kept the better they work The How is an Instrument of very great use and it is great pity The How it 's no more used If the spare-times of the year except when the Earth is frozen were but made use of to How the several creeks corners and patches of your Land it would undoubtedly prove a very great Improvement More hereof in their proper Chap. 4. places Besides the Spade and How and their kinds there are several Other Instruments used in Digging c. other Instruments used by the Husbandman for the grubbing and raising of Trees both great and small and Bushes Brakes c. and for the making holes and passages in hard and stony Lands for several occasions and for the loading and spreading of Dung Earth c. As Mattocks Pick-axes or Grubbing-axes and also the great Instrument described by Mr. Platt for the quick riddance of Shrubs Broom and suchlike mentioned before Chap. 10. The Iron-crow or Iron-bar are not to be wanting Also Shovels the Dung-fork Mole-spades or Paddle-staffs you will sometimes have occasion for SECT IV. Other various Instruments He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing is an old and true Proverb Therefore it behoves our Husbandman that intends to thrive to possess or furnish himself with all things necessary and of present necessity for his Occupation that he may not put himself to the trouble of borrowing nor the damage he is likely to sustain for want of nor the scorn or disgrace of being denied any thing he wants That you may not be forgetful of any or at least of the most useful and necessary Instruments besides the fore-mentioned I will enumerate such as come into my minde and advise you to add what you finde deficient and let them be all placed in their proper places according to Xenophon's advice Supellex Instrumenta varia Rustica suo quaeque loco ordine disposita in promptu sint quoties vel promenda vel requisita seponenda sunt Belonging to the Arable and Field-land are Harrows Drags Forks Sickles Reap-hooks Weed-hooks Pitchforks Rakes Plough-staff and Beetle Sleds Roller Mold-spears and Traps Cradle-sythes Seed-lip To the Barn and Stable Flails Ladders Winnowing-fan Measures for Corn. Sieves and Rudders Brooms Sacks Skeps or Scuttles Bins Pails Curry-combs Main-combs Whips Goads Harneys for Horses and Yokes for Oxen. Pannels Wanteys Pack-saddles Sussingles Cart-lines Skrein for Corn. To Meadows and Pastures Sythes Rakes Pitchforks and Prongs Fetters and Clogs and Shackles Cutting-Spade for Hay-reeks Horse-locks Other necessary Instruments Hand-barrows Wheel-barrows Dibbles Hammer and Nails Pincers Sissers Bridle and Saddle Nail-piercers or Gimlets Hedging-hooks and Bills Garden-sheers A Grindstone Whetstones Hatchets and Axes Sawes Beetle and Wedges Leavers Shears for Sheep Trowels for House and Garden Hod and Tray. Hog-yokes and Rings Marks for Beasts and Utensils Scales and Weights An Aul and every other thing necessary SECT V. Of Amendments and Profitable Experiments in Building As the Manners and Customs of Men are in every Age refined and tend more and more to Purity and Perfection in these Northern and formerly-rude and salvage Countries or rather grow more exact and imitate the other more Southerly and first civilized parts in Language Manners Arts and Sciences so do they also endeavour to reform their most gross undigested and ill-contrived Structures and Edifices not only in Cities and Towns but in their Country-Villages also that we now compare some of our Cities and Towns with most of theirs and even excel them in several and that not a few of our most suavious and delectable Rural Seats as well for their Magnificent Regular and Artificial Structures and most Ingenious contrivances as in their most salubrious convenient and pleasant Scituations And for the future were but the Rules of Architecture duly observed and those new and compleat Methods and Models contrived for Building and the Scituations of places according to the best judgments taken notice of in such Buildings that may hereafter be raised either de Novo or in the restoring or reedifying of our ancient and decayed Seats in our Country-Villages our England in a few Ages would appear a Kingdom beset and adorned in every part with curious and admirable Habitations possessed with Noble and Ingenious Inhabitants and would at large represent to the view of all what Middlesex it's Epitome now doth and would contract the envy of other Nations as the Land of Canaan formerly did Therefore let me advise all such that are willing or necessitated to Build that they sit down and consider of the manner and Method of Building as well as of the charge and expence and that they will make choise of such Surveyors and Workmen that understand what they go about and not be guided or perswaded by such that are wedded to an old deformed Custom who will in no wise consent to a more compleat way although it be much more Beautiful and Regular and also with less materials and cheaper and more convenient than the other for no other reason but that it is a Novel and not as our Forefathers did before us yet perhaps are willing to bestow expence enough upon it in inriching it although but with little skill or Art But I suppose it is better to erect that which will be pleasing to and content both Wise-men and Fools then that though done by the same cost and expence which will only please Fools This is a digression from our intended design and here inserted only to perswade such that intend any store of Building to make use of such Authors and persons that understand that Art which in this place we do not undertake to teach only shall give the Husbandman a few general Rules and Directions that I have casually met withal about the scituation and building of a plain Country-seat and the building of Walls Barns Mills c. Praedium Rusticum bonum Coelum habeat c. Let your Country-house have a good Air and not open to Tempests The scituation of a House seated in a good Soil let it therein excel if you can let it stand under a hill and behold the South in a healthy place let there be no want of Workmen or Labourers let there be good water and let it stand near some City or Market-Town or the Sea or some Navigable River or have a good Road or way from it Thus Cato advises Little more can be said but that Woods also as well as water may be near it they being the principal things that adorn a Country Habitation But if you cannot conveniently seat your House amongst the Trees yet are there few

certain fore-sight of the change of Of Water-fowl weather and alteration of the seasons and especially Water-fowl which if they fly or gather together in great flights and from the Sea or great waters hasten to the banks or shore and there sport themselves it denotes windes more especially if in the morning If the Breast-bone of a Duck be red it signifies a long Winter if white the contrary Ducks and Geese c. picking their wings washing themselves much or Cackling much signifies Rain Also Sea-fowl seeking after fresh waters signifie an open or wet season Jam varias Pelagi volucres quae Virgil. Dulcibus in stagnis rimantur c. If they betake themselves to great waters it presageth cold if Water-fowl forsake the water it signifies that Winter is at hand If Land-fowl gather towards the water and shake their wings Of Land-fowl making noises and washing themselves it portendeth Tempests at hand If small Birds gather together in Flocks it signifies cold and hard weather at hand If Birds seek shelter in Barns or houses more than usual it presages cold and hard weather If Birds fly hastily to their Nests and forsake their meat it foresheweth Tempests If in frosty weather Birds seek obscure places and seem dull and heavy it signifieth a sudden Thaw The early appearance of Field-fares or other forreign Winter-fowl presageth a hard Winter Rooks Owls Jays or suchlike wilde Fowl frequenting a Town more than usual presage Mortality or Sickness to that place If the Heron soar high seemingly even to the Clouds it signifies Of the Heron. winde If the Heron stand melancholy on the Banks it signifies Rain If the Heron cry in the night as she flies it presageth Winde If the Kite soar high it signifies fair weather Of the Kite If they make more than ordinary noise or crying for Prey it presageth Rain If the Crow hath any interruption in her Note like the Hiccough Of the Crow or Croak with a kinde of swallowing it signifieth Winds and Rain Rooks or Crows gathering together in Flocks and forsaking their Meat signifie Rain The Raven or Crow Creeking clear and reiterating her Note signifies fair weather If Sparrows chirp earlier or more than usual it signifies Of Sparrows Winde and Rain If Jays gather together in Flocks it signifies Rain and tempestuous Of the Jay weather If Bats fly abroad after Sun-set it signifies fair weather Of Bats If Owls whoop at night it signifies fair weather Of the Owl The early singing of the Wood-lark signifies Rain Of the Wood-lark Of the Swallow If the Swallow fly low and near the waters it presageth Rain The coming of the Swallow is a true presage of the Spring If Cocks crow more than ordinary especially in the Evening Of the Cock. or if Poultry go early to Roost it signifies Rain SECT V. Of Observations and Prognosticks from Fishes and Insects If Porpises or other Sea-fish leap in a calm it signifies Winde Of Sea-Fish and Rain If great numbers of the Fry of Fish are generated in Lakes Of Fresh-water Fish or Ditches where Fish rarely come it presageth great scarcity of Corn or death of Cattle If Fish leap more than ordinary in Ponds or Rivers it presageth Windes and Rain Great quantities of Frogs small or great appearing at unusual Of Frogs times and in unusual places presage great Dearth of Corn or great Sicknesses to follow in that place where they appear The Croaking of Frogs more than usual in the Evening signifies Rain The early appearing of Snakes signifies a dry Spring and a Of Snakes hot Summer If they play much in the water it signifies Rain If the Ant brings forth her Eggs it presageth Rain Of Ants. If Bees fly not far but hover about home it presageth Rain Of Bees or if they make more haste home than ordinary a Storm is at hand If Gnats Flies or Fleas bite more keenly than at other times Of Gnats Flies and Fleas it signifies Rain If Gnats or Flies swarm or gather together in multitudes before Sun-set it presageth fair weather Swarms of Gnats or Flies in the morning signifie Rain If greater numbers of them appear more than ordinary it signifieth Sickness or Mortality to Man or Beast and also scarcity of Corn and Fruits The early appearance of these or any other Insects in the Spring presageth a hot and sickly Summer If the Spiders undo their Webs Tempests follow Of Spiders Si solvit Aranea casses Avien Mox tempestates nubila tetra cientur If Spiders fall from their Webs or from the walls it signifies Rain If strings like Spiders Webs appear in the Air it signifieth Winde If Spiders spin and weave their Nets much it presageth Winde The great appearances of Chaffers or other Insects although Chaffers c. they denote a present time of Plenty yet are they Omens of a future time of Scarcity and if in very great numbers of Mortality and Sickness to Man and Beast SECT VI. Promiscuous Observations and Prognosticks Leaves of Trees and Chaff playing or moving without any Of Trees and Vegetables sensible Gale or Breath of Winde and the Down or Wooll of Thistles and other Plants flying in the Air and Feathers dancing on the water presage Winde and sometimes Rain If the Herb Trefoyl close its leaves it foreshews Rain If the Oak bear much Mast it foreshews a long and hard Winter If Oak-apples ingender or breed Flies it is said to presage Plenty but if Spiders Scarcity If Trees bear but little Fruit it usually presageth Plenty and if much Scarcity But this Rule is not always certain If the Broom be full of Flowers it usually signifies Plenty The sudden growth of Mushrooms presageth Rain Et si nocturnis ardentibus undique testis Avienus Concrescunt fungi protinus Imbres If Coals of Fire shine very clear it presageth Winde Of Fire If the Fire in Chimneys burn whiter than usual and with a murmuring noise it denoteth Tempests If the Flame wave to and fro it signifieth Winde The same doth the Flame of a Candle Si flammis emicet ignis Avienus Effluus aut lucis substantia langueat ultro Protinus Imbres If Bunches like Mushrooms grow on the wick of the Candle or Lamp it presageth Rain If fire shine much or scald or burn more than ordinary it presageth cold the contrary denoteth the contrary If Wood crackle or breath more than usual in the fire it signifieth winde If Flame cast forth many sparkles it signifies the same If the Oyl in the Lamps sparkle it signifies Rain If Ashes coagulate or grow in lumps it signifies the same If the Fire in cold weather burn violently and make a noise like the treading of Snow it usually presageth Snow If Salt become moist it signifies Rain The same if the Rain Signs of Rain raise bubbles as it falls or if the