A large Letter concerning the Defects and Remedies of English Husbandry, written to Mr. Samuel Hartlib.
ACcording to your desires, I have sent you what I have observed in France, about the sowing of a Seed called commonly, Saint Foine, which in English is as much to say as Holy-Hay, by reason, as I suppose, of the excellency of it. It's called by Parkinson in his Herball, where you may see a perfect description of it, Cnobrychis Vulgaris, or Cocks head; because of its flower, or Medick Fetchling: By some it is called Polygala; because it causeth cattel to give abundance of milk. The plant most like unto it, and commonly known, being frequently sown in Gardens, is that which is called French Honeysuckle, and is a kind of it, though not the same. France although it be supposed, to want the fewest things of any Province in Europe: yet it hath no small want of Hay, especially about Paris; which hath necessitated them to sowe their dry and barren lands with this seed. Their manner of sowing it, is done most commonly thus: When they intend to let their Corn-lands lye, because they be out of heart, and not scituate in a place convenient for manuring, then they sowe that land with Oats, and these Seeds together about equal parts: the first year they onely mowe off their Oats, leaving the Saint Foine to take root and strength that year: Yet they may if they please, when the year is seasonable, mowe it the same year it is sown, but it's not the best way to do so: the year following they mowe it, and so do seven years together; the ordinary burthen is about a load, or a load and a half in good years, upon an Arpent, (which is 100 square Poles or Rods, [Page 2] every Pole or Rod being 20 foot) wuich quantity of ground being nigh a 4th part less then an English Acre; within a league of Paris, is usually Rented at 6 or 7 s. After the land hath rested 7 years; then they usually break it up, and sowe it with corn till it be out of heart, and then sowe it with Saint Foine as formerly: for it doth not impoverish land, as Annual Plants do; but after seven years, the roots of this plant being great and sweet, as the roots of locorish, do rot, being turned up by the Plough, and enrich the land. I have seen it sown in divers places here in England especially in Cobham-Park in Kent, about 4 miles from Gravesend; where it hath thriven extraordinary well upon dry Chalky Banks, where nothing else would grow: and indeed such dry barren land is most proper for it (as moist rich land for the great Trefoile) or great Clover-Grass (although it will grow indifferently well on all lands) and when the other Grasses and Plants are destroyed by the parching heat of the Sun; because their roots are small and shallow; this flourisheth very much, having a very great root, and deep in the ground, and therefore not easily to be exsiccated; As we have observed Ononis or Rest-Harrow commonly to do on dry lands; but if you sowe this on wet land, the water soon corrupts the root of it. This Plant without question would much improve many of our barren lands, so that they might be mowen every year once, at least seven years together, and yield excellent fodder for cattel, if so be that it be rightly managed: otherwise it cometh to nothing, as I have seen by experience. I therefore councel those who sowe this, or the great Trefoile, or Clover-Grass, or any other sort of grasses, that they observe these Rules.
1. That they do make their ground fine, and kill all sorts of other grasses and plants; otherwise they being Native English will by no means give way to the French ones; especially in this moist climate: and therefore they are to be blamed, who with one ploughing sowe this or other seeds; for the grass presently groweth up and choaketh them, and so their negligence, and ill Husbandry discourageth themselves and others.
2. Let them not be too sparing of their seeds; for the more they sowe, the closer and thicker they will grow, and presently [Page 3] fully stock the ground, that nothing else can grow. And further the seeds which come from beyond the Seas, are oftentimes old, and much decayed, and therefore the more seed is required.
3. Not to expect above 7 years profit by it; for in that time it will decay, and the naturall grass will prevail over it; for every plant hath its period: some in one year, some in 2. As Would, Cole, Rape, Wade, &c. Others in 3. as the common Thistle, &c. and therefore after 7 years let them either plough the Land up, and sowe it with that same seed again, or with other Grain as they do in France.
4. Let not sheep or other cattel bite them the first year, that they may be well rooted; for these grasses are far sweeter then the ordinary grasses; and cattel will eat them down, leaving the other; and consequently discourage their growth.
5. The best way, if men will be at the charge, is to make their ground very fine, as they do when they are to sowe Barley, and harrow it even, and then to howe these seeds in alone without any other grain, as the Gardiners do Pease; yet not at so great a distance; but let them make the ranges about a foots breadth one from another, and they shall see their grasses flourish as if they were green Pease, especially if they draw the howe through them once or twice that summer to destroy all the weeds and grasses: And if they do thus, the great Clover and other seeds may be mowen even twice the first year, as I have experimented in divers small plots of ground.
There is at Paris likewise another sort of fodder, which they call La Lucern, which is not inferior, but rather preferred before this Saint Foine, for dry & barren grounds; which hath bin lately brought thither, and is managed as 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 Hawthorntree at Glassenbury, which superstition made so famous: for divers of the same kind are found elsewhere. You may find this [Page 4] 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.
1. Deficieiency concerning Ploughs and Carriages.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 [Page 5] 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.
[Page 6]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, Col. Blunt. 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.
2 Deficiency, about diging of land, Setting and Howing in of corn.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 be mellow, not much more chargeable.
3. That it would imploy many thousand of people, that a third part of the seed might be saved. As I have found by experience, that all the weeds and grasses, might be more easily destroyed thereby, and the ground better accommodated for other crops; and to conclude, the crop considerably greater. [Page 7] Yet thus much I must further say, concerning setting of Grain, That great Beans are even of necessity to be set, and that small Beans in Surrey, and other places, are likewise set with profit, for the reasons above mentioned; that to set Pease (unless Hastevers, and Roncivals) Oats, Barley, is a thing even ridiculous: that Wheat although in divers grounds it may be set with profit: yet to how it in (as the Hardiners speak) as they do Pease, though not at the same distance, but about a foot the ranges one from another, is better then setting for these Reasons.
1. Because to set Corn is an infinite trouble and charge; and if it be not very exactly done, which children neither can nor will do, and these must be the chief setters; will be very prejudicious.
2. If worms, frost, ill weather, or fowls, destroy any part of your seed, which they will do; your crop is much impared.
3. The ground cannot be so well weeded, and the mould raised about the roots by the how. Which 3 inconveniences are remedied by the other way.
Further, I dare affirm, that after the ground is digged or ploughed and harrowed: even it's better to howe Wheat in, then to sowe it after the common way; because that the weeds may be easily destroyed by running the howe through it in the Spring, and the mould raised about the roots of the Corn, as the Gardiners do with Pease, it would save much Corn in dear years, and for other Reasons before mentioned. Yea, it is not more chargeable; for a Gardiner will howe in an Acre for 5 s. and after in the Spring for less money run it over with a howe, and cut up all the weeds, and raise the mould: which charges are not great, and you shall save above a bushel of seed, which in dear years is more worth then all your charges.
Further, 1 s. 6 d. or 2 s. an Acre for the sowing and harrowing of an Acre in Kent, is accounted a reasonable price, and may be saved; but if any fear charges, let him use a Dril-Plough, with one horse, which is commonly known at Fulham, and about London. I therefore cannot but commend the howing in [Page 8] of wheat, as an excellent piece of good Husbandry, whether the ground be digged or ploughed; not only because it saveth much Corn, imployeth much people, and it is not chargeable; but it also destroyeth all weeds, fitteth grounds for after crops and causeth a greater increase, and in my apprehension is a good Remedy against Smut and Mildew. There is an Ingenious Italian, who wondreth how it cometh to pass, that if one setteth a Grain of Corn, as Wheat, Barley, &c. it usually produceth 300 or 400. yea, 1000, 2000, as I have tryed: yet if you sow Wheat after the ordinary way, 6 or 8 for one is accounted a good crop: what becometh of all the Corn that is sown, when as the 50th part, if it do grow, would be sufficient? For answer to this.
1. I say much Corn is sown which nature hath destinated for the Hens and Chickens, being without any considerable vegetative faculty.
2. Worms, Frosts, Floods, Crows and Larks, (which every one doth not consider) do devour not a little.
3. Weeds, as Poppy, May-weed, and the grasses growing with the Corn do destroy much.
Lastly, When Corn is so sown after the ordinary manner, much is buried in the furrows; especially if the ground be grazy: much is thrown on heaps in holes, and consequently starve and choak one another. Most of these Inconveniencies, are to be remedyed by this way of setting and howing in of Corn.
3. Deficiency, concerning Gardening. Gardening, though it be a wonderfull improver of lands, as it plainly appears by this, that they give extraordinary rates for land, (viz.) from 40 s, per Acre to 9 pound, and dig and howe, and dung their lands, which costeth very much; Yet I know divers, which by 2 or 3 Acres of land maintain themselves and family, and imploy other about their ground; and therefore their ground must yeild a wonderfull increase, or else it could not pay charges; yet I suppose there are many Deficiencies in this calling.
1. Because it is but of few years standing in England, & therefore not deeply rooted, nor well understood. About 50 years ago, about which time Ingenuities first began to flourish in [Page 9] England; This Art of Gardening, began to creep into England, into Sandwich, and Surrey, Fulham, and other places.
Some old men in Surrey, where it flourisheth very much at present; report, That they knew the first Gardiners that came into those parts, to plant Cabages, Colleflowers, and to sow Turneps, Carrets, and Parsnips, to sow Raith, (or early ripe) Pease, Rape, all which at that time were great rarities, we having few, or none in England, but what came from Holland, and Flanders. These Gardiners with much ado procured a plot of good ground, and gave no less then 8 pound per Acre; yet the Gentleman was not content, fearing they would spoile his ground, because they did use to dig it. So ignorant were we of Gardening in those days.
2. Many parts of England are as yet wholly ignorant.Gravesend. Within these 20 years, a famous Town within less then 20 miles off London, had not so much as a Mess of Pease, but what came from London, where at present Gardening flourisheth much, I could instance divers other places, both in the North and West of England, where the name of Gardening, and Howing is scarcely known, in which places a few Gardiners might have saved the lives of many poor people, who have starved these dear years.
3. We have not Gardening-ware in that plenty and cheapness (unlesse perhaps about London) as in Holland, and other places, where they not onely feed themselves with Gardiner's ware, but also fat their Hogs and Cows.
4. We have as yet divers things from beyond Seas, which the Gardiners may easily raise at home, though nothing nigh so much as formerly; for in Queen Elizabeths time, we had not onely our Gardiners ware from Holland, but also Cherries from Flaunders; Apples from France; Saffron, Licorish from Spain; Hops from the Low-Countreys: And the Frenchman who writes the Treasure Politick saith, That it's one of the great Deficiencies of England, that Hops will not grow, whereas now it is known, that Licorish, Saffron, Cherries, Apples, Pears, Hops, Cabages of England, are the best in the world. Notwithstanding we as yet want many things: as for example: We want Onnions, very many coming to England from Flaunders, [Page 10] Spain, &c. Madder for dying cometh from Zurick-Sea by Zealand; we have Red Roses from France, Annice-seeds, Fennel-seeds, Cumine, Caraway, Rice from Italy, which without question would grow very well in divers moist lands in England; yea Sweet-Marjoram, Barley, and further, Gromwell-seed, and Virga Aurea, and Would, from the Western Isles, though they grow in our hedges in England.
Lastly, Gardening is deficient in this particular: that we have not Nurceries sufficient in this land of Apples, Pears, Cherries, Vines, Chestnuts, Almonds, &c. but Gentlemen are necessitated to send to London some hundred miles for them.
Briefly, for the advancement of this ingenuous calling, I onely desire, that Industrious Gentlemen would be pleased to encourage some expert workmen into the places where they live, and to let them land at a reasonable rate, and if they be poor and honest, to lend a little stock: they will soon see the benefit that will redound, not only to themselves, but also to all their Neighbours especially the poor, who are not a little sustained by the Gardiners labours and ingenuities.
4. Deficiency in Smut and Mildew.4. Our Husbandry is deficient in this, that we know not how to remedy the infirmities of our growing Corn; especially Smut and Mildew, to instance in these two onely, which oftentimes bring great calamities to these Nations: Smut in wet years, Mildews in dry. These distempers in Corn, are not onely in our Countrey;Helmont. but also in other places. A learned Authour 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 in those parts very hotly, which he conceiveth from hence to have some original; as also the camp-disease. Mildews are very great in the Kingdom of Naples, which oft stick to the sithes of those that mow grass and corn: and (God be thanked) we are not troubled with Locusts, which is a great flying Grass-hopper, nor Palmer-worms, which is a kind of great black Cater-piller, (which I have seen destroying much in New-England) nor with great hail in Summer, nor with great drought, which stifleth the ear in the stalk; which Calamities in hot Countreys, do very [Page 11] oft totally destroy the honest and patient Husbandman's labours: neither are we troubled with extream colds, which in New-England and other cold Countreys, doe oft destroy the Corn. But to return to our purpose.
And first, briefly to shew you my opinion concerning the Causes of Smuttinesse. I desire not to fetch Causes afar off, and to tell you of the sad Conjunctions of Mars and Saturn, (for I think Quae suprae nos, belong not to us) when as we have enough at home: This is certain, that there are many evident causes of this corruption of Corn.
1. A moist season about Kerning-time: which moisture either corrupteth the roots of the Plant, or the nourishment of it, or the seed in its Embrio: or perhaps in some measure all these.
2. Low, moist, foggy ground, for the reasons above mentioned.
3. Dung'd land. In Vineyards it's observed, that dung causeth more increase in quantity, but less in goodness, so that the ill-taste of the dung may easily be discerned; because wine hath an high taste, without question the same happeneth to other Plants, although it be not so easily discerned; for the ferment or ill odour of the dung, cannot be over-mastered by the Plants, as we see also in Animals, that corrupt diet causeth unsavory tasts in the flesh: so hogs in New-found-land, where they are nourished by fish, may by their tasts be called rather Sea-porpusses, then Land-swine.
4. The sowing of Smutty Corn oft produceth Smuttyness; the son like unto the father: I account Smutty Corn an imperfect or sick Grain, and suppose that by a Microscope the imperfection may be discerned.
Lastly, The sowing of the same seed oft on the same field, causeth Smuttyness; because that nitrous juice, which is convenient for the nourishment of the Grain, hath been exhausted in the precedent years; and therefore it is excellent Husbandry every year to change the species of Grain, and also to buy your Seed-Corn, from places far distant. I am informed of a Gentleman, who did sowe some Wheat which came from Spain, where the Grain is usually very hard and flinty, [Page 12] and as it were transparent, and far weightier then ours (as it appeareth by a measure at Amsterdam, which holdeth about 3 bushels, and in our Wheat of the Northern parts weigheth 160, whereas the Southern Corn weigheth somtimes 180, 200, 220.) and had a crop beyond expectation.
The usual Cures of Smuttyness, besides those mentioned before, are these
1. To lime your ground, which warmeth and dryeth the Land.
2. To lime your Corne, which is done thus. First, Slack your lime, and then moisten your Corn or lime, and stir them together, till your Grain be as big as a small Pease. This liming preserveth Corn likewise from birds and worms, and is found a very good Remedy against this disease: others make a strong lye with common salt, and steep their Corn in it all night, and then draw away their lye for further use; which seldom faileth of its desired effect. Whether this strong lye doth by its corrosiveness, mortifie the weak and imperfect Corn, so that it will not grow; Or whether it be a Remedy, to cure the imperfections thereof, is worth the enquiry? I suppose this lye doth exsicoate the superfluous humidity, which is the cause of this corruption. If Corn be brought into the Barn very Smutty, in Kent they usually thresh it on dry floors, planked with boards; by which means, the Smuttyness is beaten away, and sticketh not to the Grain, onely a little blackness appeareth about the eye, but if it be threshed on a moist floor, the blackness sticketh to the Grain, which therefore appeareth dark, and is sold at a lower rate to the Bakers.
Mildew is without question an unctuous dew, which descendeth from above about Midsomer; it aboundeth in dry years, as Smuttynesse in moist. I cannot think that there is ordinarily any Malgnity in this dew, but it produceth its effect by manifest causes, viz. from an oily viscuous quality, which stoppeth the pores of the husk wherein the Wheat lyeth, and depriveth it from the Ayre, and consequently from nourishment: for the Ayre is the life of all things. I have heard, and do believe, that if you streak any ear of Wheat with oyl, [Page 13] it will produce the same effect. I am sorry that I never tryed, that I might better understand the nature of this sad calamity which often undoeth the Industrious Husbandman: and causeth great scarcity in this Isle. It is to be observed further, that Wheat onely suffereth considerable damage by Mildew; because it lyeth in a chaffy husk, which other Grains do not. The Grounds most subject to Mildew, are these.
1. Those that are enclosed with Trees and high Hedges. And truly this is the onely great Inconveniency I find by enclosures.
2. Low Valleys: I have seen very oft in the same field, the banks fine bright Corn; and all the lower parts, though greater in straw; yet little worth by reason of the Mildew.
3. Dung made of straw, I have observed to dispose much to Mildew, and Sheeps dung to be a kind of Antidote against it: as also Pigeons-dung; because, as I conceive, these 2 last sorts abound much in Niter, which produceth a 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, Sir Cheney Culp. 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 [Page 14] 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 Sunrising: 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, 5. Deficiency concerning the planting of Apples, Pears, Cherries, & Plums. 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 [Page 15] 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 Ʋrine, 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, [Page 16] 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 the usual course in Kent, when they plant any ground, they exactly place them in rank and file, and then plough their Lands many years, and sowe them with Corn, till the Orchard beginneth to bear fruit; then they lay them down for pasture, which pasture is not considerably soure; but hath this advantage above other Pastures.
1. That it is sooner grown by 14 dayes in the Spring than the Medows, and therefore very serviceable.
2. In Parching Summers here is plenty, when other places have scarcity.
3. There are great shelters for Cattel, especially sheep, who will in those places, in great Snows scrape up meat, which in other places they cannot do: and if the pasture were sour, yet the loss is not great; for it will be a convenient place for the Hogs to run in, who must have a place for that purpose, where there are no Commons.
[Page 17]4. I say, that the Benefits are so many by Orchards, that you ought not like an ungratefull man to thrust them up to the hedge: for they afford curious walks for pleasure, food for cattel, both in the Spring early, and also in the parching Summer, and nipping snowy Winter: They afford fuel for the fire, and also shades for the heat, physick from the sick, refreshment for the sound, plenty of food for man, and that not of the worst, and dink also even of the best, and all this without much labour, care or cost, who therefore can justly open his mouth against them.
3. Deficiency is, that we do not improve many excellent Fruits, which grow amongst very well, and that we have as yet many fruits from beyond Seas, which will grow very well with us. I passe by the generall and great Ignorance, that is amongst us, of the variety of Apples, of which there are many sorts which have some good and peculiar uses; most men contenting themselves with the knowledge of half a score of the best, thinking the vertues of all the rest are comprehended in them: as also of the variety of Pears, which are incredibly many. A Friend of mine near Gravesend, hath lately collected about 200 species. I know another in Essex, (Mr. Ward) who hath nigh the same number. I hear of another in Worcestershire, not inferiour to these. In Northamtonshire, I know one, who hath likewise collected very many. So that I dare boldly say, there are no less in this Island then 500 species; some commended for their early ripenesse; some for excellent tastes; some for beauty; others for greatness; some for great bearers; others for good Bakers; some for long lasters, others for to make Perry, &c. But to our purpose: I say many rare fruits are neglected: To instance.
1. In the Small-nut or Filberd, which is not much inferiour to the best and sweetest Almonds.
2. The great Damsin or Pruin-plum, which groweth well, and beareth full in England.
3. Almonds, which groweth well and beareth good fruit, as I have seen divers bushels on one Treee in my Brothers Orchard.
[Page 18]4. Walnuts, which is not a fruit to be despised.
5. Vines and Mulberies, but of these presently in another place. I might likewise adde Currants, Raspeses, of which excellent drinks may be made.
6. Quinces, Of the which I cannot but tell you that a Gentleman at Prichenel in Essex, who had a Tree from beyond Sea, hath the best in England, and hath made above 30 pound of a small piece of ground planted with them, as I have heard from his own Wifes mouth. And therefore it is by reason of our ill Husbandry, that we have Quinces from Flaunders, Small-nuts from Spain, Pruins from France, and also Walnuts; and Almonds from Italy, and Chestnuts (which I had almost forgot) from Portugal. And now I cannot but digress a little, to tell you a strange and true story, with my opinion of it. In divers places of Kent, as at and about Gravesend, in the Countrey and elsewhere, very many of the prime Timbers of their old Barns and Houses are of Chestnut-wood, and yet there is scarce a Chestnut-Tree within 20 miles of that place, and the people altogether ignorant of such Trees. This sheweth that in former times those places did abound with such timber; for people were not so foolish surely in former times, to run up and down the World, to procure such huge massey Timbers for Barns and such Buildings when as there was plenty of Oakes and Elmes, at their doors: And further, it sheweth, that these Trees will grow again with us to a great bignesse. This putteth into my mind the Story of the Moorlogs, which are found in divers places of the North of England in Moors many foot deep; which logs are long and black, and appeare to be a kind of Fir or Pine; and yet in those places, people are altogether ignorant of these Trees, the Countrey not producing any of these species. The first Story of Kent, which I know to be true, causeth me to wonder the lesse at the latter: for I see that a species of wood, may be destroyed, even totally in a place. And
2. I know, that in Virginia and New-England, that Pines, and Firs and Cedars, do grow wonderfully thick in such Moors or Swamps, and being light wood, and easily wrought, [Page 19] they are continually used, while they last, for buildings. Further, I suppose these Moors are Commons, to the which the poor have used to resort for siring, and how soon great woods will be consumed by them, every one making what havock he pleaseth, all men know. As concerning their being so deep in the ground, and their blackness; I suppose that when wood was abundant in those places, every one did cut what they pleased, and left what was not for their turns, which being in moist places, was soon glutted with moisture, and made ponderous; by which means it soon buried it self, as Ships do, on Quicksand, or perhaps the Turf (which hath a peculiar faculty vegetative, for where it is exhausted, it soon groweth again) in time hath grown over them; the people permitting it, because that wood, once sobbed in wet, is of little use, as we see by Piles on the Marshes-side, scarce any man vouchsafing to carry them home. The blackness of this wood proceedeth, as I suppose, from the sooty fume, or evaporation of the black turf, (which endeavoreth, as all earths do) to reduce all things into its own nature; which though it be not able fully to accomplish; yet it introduceth divers dispositions, and qualities, as blackness in the Wood. Some suppose, that these Moor-logs have lain there ever since the flood, with whom I will not contend; seeing that any wood, if it be kept from the Aire continually moist or dry, will endure even thousands of years without putrefaction.
6. Deficiency, The 6 deficiency concerning not improving our Fruits. is the Not-improving of our Fruits for the best ends and purposes. Normandy, which produceth but little wine, maketh abundance of Cider, Perry, which they estimate equally to wine, if it be made of good fruit. The ordinary Perry is made of Choaky Pears, very juicy, which grow along by the high-way-sides, which are not to be eaten raw. In Biseay in Spain, where wine is scarce, they make Cider of a certain sweet Apple, which hath a little bitternesse in it, and is like to our snouting, and the Cider is very good. And truly here in England, if we would make Cider and Perry of the best sorts of Fruits, which is rarely done, (for we think any fruit good enough for that purpose) we might make drinks, [Page 20] no wayes inferiour to the French-wines, which are usually spoiled before they come over the Seas to us, their Spirits soon evapourating. There are two wayes of making Cider and Perry: one, by bruising and beating them, and then presently to put them into a vessel to ferment or work (as it is usually called) of themselves: The other way is to boil the juice with some good Spices, by which the rawnesse is taken away, and then to ferment it with some yest, if it work not of it selfe, this is the best way: and I have tasted Cider thus made of an excellent delicate taste. Neither let any complaine of the windinesse; for it is onely want of use: When I had for two or three years continually drunk wine beyond Sea, the strongest Beer for two or three weeks was as windy to me, as Cider will be to any; and afterwards when I went to Paris, the wine of that place was as troublesome as English beer for a little time: how much wine might be saved, and also Malt if English-men did take these good courses, which other Nations do, and consequently how much advantage would this Island reap thereby? If I were an house-keeper in the Country, I would make excellent Beer, Ale, Cider, Perry, Metheglin, and Wine, of our own grapes, and if my Friends would not drinke these, they should drink water, or go away a thirst: I would scorn to honour France so much as men do usually; and the Spaniard and Italian should not laugh at us, and say that we can as well be without Bread, as their Wines, Currants, &c. Thus may many more excellent Drinks be made out of our Fruits: not to speak of those which are made of our Grain, as Barley, Wheat, &c. yet I must tell you, that I know an Ingenious man, who can without malting Barley, make a Drink not inferiour to Wine, and a greater quantity of Aqua-vitae out of them, and with lesse cost, then by the ordinary way, by a peculiar Fermentation of his own; which time will discover. There is another Ingenious man, who out of Damsins and other fat and sweet Plums, can make a Drink not inferiour to the best Wines, and abundance of Aqua-vitae. Many Ladies know how to make Cherry, Raspes-wines; and Sir Hugh Plattes in his Closet for Ladies, discloseth many Secrets of this kind; as also [Page 21] for Conserves, Marmalades, which are things both delightfull and profitable. I have a kinsman, who can even out of Black-berries, make a very pleasant Drink, which curiosity he is unwilling to publish. Glauber an excellent Chymist hath divers secrets of this kind, even to the advancing of Haws, Heps, or Canker-berries, Slows, to excellent Aqua-vitae's, Drinks, Vinegers, which he himself first invented. In Russia in the spring-time, it's an usual custom to pierce the Bark of the Birch-trees, Helmont. which at that time will weep much liquour, and yet like children be little the worse, this the poor ordinarily drink for necessity, it's a pleasant healthful drink; and also the rich men, because it's an excellent Presevative against the stone.
The Means to advance this profitable and pleasant Work are these.
1. To advance Nurceries of all sorts of Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries, which Gentlemen may do for a small matter, and then plant out these Trees, when they are grown great enough. The best and cheapest wayes to raise all Nurcery Wares, is done thus. Plums may be raised either of stones, which when you have eaten the plums, may be presently pricked into the ground, or by slips, which you will find about the old Trees: Apples may be raised from Kernels, (Crab-Kernels are the best) which ought to be preserved in dry sand, till the spring, least they grow mouldy: or Crab-stalke may be fetched out of the woods, and grafted. Some Trees, as Sweetings, Codlings, Quinces, will grow very well of slips. Cherries are very well raised by stones, (the Black-Cherries are the best) which so soon as you have eated them, are to be howen into Beds made very fine, the ranges a foot distant; beware lest you let them heat, and take heed of the Mouse. I have seen Cherry-stones and Apple-kernels grow two foot and a half in one year; and consequently in few years they would be fit to be transplanted. The Art of Grafting, Inoculating a Gentleman will learn in two hours.
2. For the advancing of Ingenuities in this kind, as that making of Vinous-Drinks out of Apples, Plums, &c. I counsel all Ingenious Gentlemen to try divers experiments in these kinds; with these Cautions.
[Page 22]1. That he attempt not great quantities at first, which perchance will be chargeable and troublesome; for by a Gallon he may have as much certainty, as by a Hogshead.
2. Not to be discouraged, if they succeed not well at first dash: for certainly there are many Ingenuities in these fruits which time will discover.
3. Proceed by Fermentation: for every liquour which will ferment, hath a vinous spirit in it, and without Fermentation, even the best fruits will have none.
Lastly, Fermentation is done either in liquido, or humido; and herein consists some Mystery. I have forgot to speak of Apricoks, Peaches, Melicotons, which are fine pleasant fruits, yet very dangerous; and therefore called by the Italians, Mazz-francese, that is, Kill-Frenchman; and wish Ladies, and others to take heed of surfeiting by these.
I cannot without much tediousnesse, relate the divers sorts of Vines, The 7 deficiency concerning Vines. which are even infinite; Rome baving in it usually, 40 or 50 sorts of Vines; and all very good: Other places of Italy, Spain, France, have also great varieties; I therefore passe them by, as also the manner of managing them, because it is described in the Countrey-Farm, and also by Bonovil a Frenchman, who at the Command of King James, wrote a short Treatise of Vines and Silkworms, for the instruction of the Plantations of Virginia. I shall only according to my Method shew you the Deficiencies amongst us in this particular Plant, and the best Remedies for it.
And first, although I think that the Vine is the great blessing of God, which Hot Countreys especially enjoy, as temperate Countreys doe Milke, Butter, Cheese, in abundance, and the coldest and Barrenest Fowl, and Fish, in an incredible number; God of his goodnesse distributing some peculiar blessings to every Countrey: Notwithstanding I dare say, it's probable, that Vineyards have formerly flourished in England, and that we are to blame, that so little is attempted to revive them again. There are many places in Kent called by the names of Vineyards, and the grounds of such a Nature, that it seemeth probable they have been such. I hear further by [Page 23] divers people of credit, that by Records it appeareth, that the Tythes of wine in Glocestershire, was in divers Parishes considerably great; and remaining about 300 years in their possession & Mr. Cambden writes so much; as also William of Malmesbury who lived 600 years since. But at length Gascony coming into the hands of the English, from whence cometh the most of the strong French Wine, call'd Highc-Country-wine, and customs being small, wine was imported into England from thence, better and cheaper then we could make it, and it was thought convenient to discourage Vineyards here, that the greater trade might be driven with Gascoine, and many ships might find imployment thereby.
Some Astrologers have conceited, that the Earth being grown older, and therefore colder hath caused the Sun to descend many thousand miles lower to warm and cherish it, and one Argument which they bring for this opinion is, that Vines and Silkworms are found in those Countreys, wherein former times they were unknown: But if these fond men had considered the good Husbandry in these times, with the blessing of God on it, they had not run into such foolish imaginations. This is true indeed, that the Roman Souldiers, who had Alsatia given them to live in, which is one of the best and most Southern places of Germany, mutined, because they thought it so cold, that Vines would not grow there, & that therefore they should be deprived of that delectable liquour; whereas we find at this present day Vines flourishing many hundred miles more toward the North, both in France, Lorain, &c. and Germany; and that they are crept down even to the Latitude of England for the Rhenish-wines grew within a degree of the West-Southern places of this Isle, and Paris is not two degrees South of us, yet Vines grow threescore miles on this side Paris, as by Beaumont, Beauvats, &c. by the way of Picardy near 20 leagues; as also by the way of Pontoyse through Normandy, at Artes, 35 leagues from Paris, and 5 from Diep; yea the Vines of these places are the most delicate; for what wine is preferred before the Neat Rhenish for Ladies, and at Table; and truely in my opinion, though I have travelled twice through France; yet no wine [Page 24] pleased me like Vin D'ache, and of Paris especially about Rueill, which is a very fine brisk wine, and not fuming up to the head, and Inebriating as other wines: I say therefore that it is very probable, that if Vines have stept out of Italy into Alsatia, from them to these places, which are even as far North as England, and yet the Wines there are the most delicate, that they are not limited and bound there. For an hundred miles more or lesse causeth little alteration in heat or cold, and some advantages which we have will supply that defect. But not to insist too long on probabilities, I say, that here in England some Ingenious Gentlemen usually make wine very good, long lasting, without extraordinary labour and costs. To instance in one, who in Great Chart, in the Wilde of Kent, a place very moist and cold,Sir Peter Ricard. yearly maketh 6 or 8 Hogsheads, which is very much commended by divers who have tasted it, and he hath kept some of it two years, as he himselfe told me,Captain Tucker. and hath been very good: Others likewise in Kent doe the same: and lately in Surrey a Gentlewoman told me, that they having many Grapes, which they could not well tell how to dispose of, she, to play the good House-wife, stampt them to make verjuice; but two months after drawing it forth, they found it very fine brisk-wine, clear like Rock-water, and in many other places such experiments have been made. I therefore desire Ingenious men to endeavour the raising of so necessary and pleasant a commodity: especially when French-Wine is so dear here, and I suppose is likely to be dearer; I question not, but they shall find good profit and pleasure in so doing, and that the State will give all encouragements to them: and if the French Wine pay Excize and Customs, and the Wines here be toll-free, they will be able to afford them far cheaper, then the French can theirs, and supply the whole Isle, if they proceed according to these Rules.
1. To choose the best sorts of Grapes, which are most proper for this Isle, and though there are many sorts of Grapes amongst Gardiners, yet I commend four sorts especially to them; and I desire that they be very carefull in this particular: for it is the foundation of the work; if you fail in this, you [Page 25] fail in all; for I know that Burdeaux-Vines, which bear very great Grapes, make verjuice onely at Paris, and that the tender Orleans-Vine doth not thrive there.
The first sort is the Parsely Vine, or Canada-grape; because it first came from those parts, where it grows naturally; and though the Countrey be intolerably cold; yet even in the woods without manuring, it so far ripeneth his fruits, that the Jesuits make wine of it for their Mass; and Racineè (which is the Juice of the Grape newly exprest, and boiled to a Syrupe, and is very sweet and pleasant) for their Lent-provision, as you may read in their Relations: and this Vine seemeth to be made for these Northern Countreys, because it hath its leaves very small and jagged, as if it were on purpose to let in the Sun, and it ripeneth sooner then other Grapes, as I have observed in Oxford-Graden.
2. Sort of Vine is the Rhenish-Grape; for it groweth in a temperate Countrey, not much hotter in the Summer then England; and the wine is excellent as all know.
3. Sort is the Paris-grape; which is much like the temper of England, onely a little hotter in Summer: this Grape beareth a small bunch close set together, very hardly to endure frosts, and other inconveniences, and is soon ripe; so that the Vintage of Paris, is sooner ended then that of Orleans or Burdeaux; and though it be not so delicate to the taste, as some other Grapes: yet it maketh an excellent brisk wine.
4. Sort is the small Muskadell; which is a very fine pleasant Grape, both to eat, and to make wine. In Italy it usually groweth against their houses walls, and of this they make a small pleasant wine, a Month or two before the ordinary Vintage. It is a tender plant in respect of the other Vines in the fields: these Vines I know are the most convenient for this Isle; because they bear small bunches, and Grapes soon ripen, and are hardy to endure frosts and ill weather.
2. To choose convenient places. For this end, I counsel them, First, to plant Vines on the South-side of their dwelling Houses, Barns, Stables, and Out-houses. The Gentleman of [Page 26] Kent, whom I mentioned before, useth this course: and to keep the Vines from hurting his tiles, and that the wind may not wrong his Vines, he hath a frame made of poles, or any kind of wood, about a foot from the tiles, to the which he tyeth the Vines; by this means his Vines having the reflection of the yard, sides of the houses, and tiles do ripen very well, and bear much; so that one old Vine, hath produced nigh a Hogshead of wine in one year: and I wish all to take this course; which is neither chargeable, nor troublesom, but very pleasant; and if all in this Island would do thus, it's incredible, what abundance of wine might be made, even by this petty way.
2. If that any Gentleman will be at the charge of making a Vineyard, let him choose a fine sandy warm hill, open to the South-East, rather then to the South-West: for though the South-West seemeth to be hotter; yet the South-East ripeneth better, as I have seen in Oxford Garden; because the South-East is sooner warm'd by the Sun in the morning; and the South-West winds, are the winds which blow most frequently, and bring raine, which refrigerate the plants: and such a place is very requisite; for in other places Vines do not thrive, even in France: for if you travel betwixt Paris and Orleans, which is above 30 leagues, yet you shall scarcely see a Vineyard, because it is a plain Champion-Countrey. So likewise betwixt Fontarabia to Burdeaux, in the Southern parts of France, for an hundred miles together; because the Land is generally a barren sandy Plain, where only Heath abounds, and Pine-trees, out of which they make Turpentine and Rozen, by wounding of them; and Tar and Pitch, by the burning of them: and if any find such a fine warm hill, and do dung and fence it well, he hath a greater advantage of most of the Vineyards of France by this conveniency, than they have of our Isle, by being an hundred miles more South; for most of their Vineyards are in large fields not enclosed, on land that is stony, and but indifferently warm. But some will say, that wet weather destroyes us. It's true, that the wet will destroy all things; Sheep, Corn, &c. yet no man will say, [Page 27] that therefore England will not produce and nourish these Creatures; and if extraordinary wet years come, they spoil even the Vines in France: but take ordinary years and our moisture is not so great, (though some abuse us, and call England Matula Coeli) but the Vines, especially those I have mentioned before, will come to such perfection as to make good wine: and if extraordinary rains fall: yet we may help the immaturity by Ingenuity, as I shall tell you anon: or at worst make vineger or verjuice, which will pay costs.
Further these advantages we have of France.
1. This Isle is not subject to nipping frosts in May, as France is; because we are in an Isle, where the Aire is more gross then in the Continent; and therefore not so piercing and sharp, as it plainly appeareth by our winters, which are not so sharp as in Padua in Italy: neither are we subject to such storms of hail in Summer, which are very frequent in hot Countreys, and for many miles together do spoil their Vines, so that they cannot make wine of the Grapes; for those Grapes which are touched by the hail, have a Sulphureous and a very unpleasant taste, and onely fit to make Aqua-vitae. Further, Sometimes in France, cask for their wines is so dear, that a tun of wine may be had for a tun of cask: and the custome and excize which is laid on wines here, is as much again as the poor Vigueron in France expects for his wine. Not to speak of the ill managing of their Vines, especially about Paris, where poor men usually hire an Acre or 2 of Vines, which they manage at their spare hours, and most commonly pack in so many plants of Vines on their ground, for to have the greater increase, that the ground and Vines are so shaded by one another, that I have wondered, that the Sun could dart in his beams to mature them; and therefore I cannot but affirm again, that we may make abundance of wine here with profit, the charges of an Acre of Vineyard not being so great as of Hops: an hundred sets well rooted, at Paris cost usually but 4 or 6 Sous or pence, where I have bought many: 2000 will plant an Acre very well: 50 s. a year is the ordinary rate for the three diggings with their crooked Instrument called Hoyau, and [Page 28] the increase usually four tuns for an Acre, which will be profit enough: and though I refer all to Bonovil, and others, who have written of the managing of Vines; yet I counsel to get a Vigneron from France, where there are plenty, and at cheaper rates than ordinary servants here, and who will be serviceable also for Gardening.
2. I will briefly tell what I have seen. In Italy through all Lombardy, which is for the most part plain and Champian, their Vines grow in their Hedges on Walnut-trees, for the most part: in which fields, they speak of three Harvests yearly, viz.
1. Winter-Corn, which is reaped in June, &c.
2. Vines and Walnuts, which are gathered in September.
3. Their Summer-Grains as Millet, Panicle, Chiches, Vetches, &c. Buck-wheat, Frumentone, or that which we call Virginia-Wheat, Turneps, which they sowe in July, when their Winter-Corn is cut and reaped, they reap in October. In France, their Vines grow three manner of wayes; In Prove [...]e they cut the Vine about two foot high, and make it strong and stubbed, like as we do our Osiers; which stock beareth up the branches without a prop.
2. About Orleans, and where they are more curious, they make frames for them to run along.
3. About Paris they tye them to short poles, as we do hops to long ones. In France they usually make trenches, or small ditches, about three or four foot from one another, and therein plant their Vines, about one foot and an half deep, which is a good way, and very much to be commended; but if we here in England, plant Vines as we do hops, 4 or 5 foot distant, it will do very well, but let them not be packt together too thick, as they do in France in many places, lest they too much shade the ground, and one another. In Italy when they tread their grapes with their feet in a Cart, they pour the juice into a great Vessel or Fat, and put to it all their husks and stones which they call Graspe, and let them ferment, or (as we say) work together 12 or 14 days, and usually they put one third of water to it, this maketh a wine less furious, Garbo or rough, and therefore a good [Page 29] stomack wine; but it spoileth the colour, and taketh away the pleasant brisk taste. In France so soon as they have pressed out their liquour with their feet, they put it in hogsheads, and after in their Presse squeeze out what they can, out of the Graspe; which seemeth to fill up their Hogsheads while they work, which is usually three or four dayes, and then stop them close: this is also the way used in Germany, and is the best, for it maketh a fine Gentile wine with a curious colour. In Germany, when their Grapes are green, they make fire in their Sellars in Stoves, by the which means, their wines work extraordinarily, and do digest themselves the better: This course we must also take here in England some years; for it helpeth the rawnesse of all liquours very much. There is an Ingenious Dutchman, who hath a Secret, which as yet he will not reveal, how to help Maturation by a Compost applyed to the roots: The Compost which I have spoken of before, made of Brimstone: Pigeons-dung is very excellent for that purpose, Glauber. as also L [...]es of wine, blood, lime used with moderation. He also knoweth how to make sour Grapes produce good wine; I suppose his way to be this. First, all juice of Grapes newly expressed is sweet, and which may by it selfe alone be made into a sweet syrup, by boiling, which the French call Racineè. Further in the Evaporation of liquors, which have not fermented or wrought, the watery part goeth away first.
3. Fermentation giveth a vinous taste, and maketh a liquour full of spirits.
You may then easily guess at the way, and perhaps he may adde also sugar and spices, as the Vintuers do when they make Hippocras. I know a Gentleman, who hath made excellent wine of Raisins well boiled in water, and afterward fermented by it self, or with Barm, it's called usually Meade. I likewise know, that all sweet and fatty Juices will make sine vinous liquours, as Damsins, if they be wrought or fermented ingeniously: but whosoever goeth about such experiments, let him not think that any thing is good enough for these purposes; but let him use the best he can get: for of naughty corrupt things, who can expect that which is excellent and delicate.
[Page 30] The eight Deficiency concerning Hemp and Flax.The Deficiency of us in this kind is so obvious, that all the world takes notice of it, and it is (next the neglect of fishing) the greatest shame to this Nation: for all know that we have as good land for these seeds, as any can be found in Europe; and that the sowing of them requireth neither more labour, cost, or skill, then other seeds. And further that the Materials made from these are extreamly necessary: for how miserable should we be without Linnen, Canvases, Cordage, Nets? How can we put our ships to Sea, which are the bulwarks of this Isle? And yet we are necessitated to have these Commodities from those who would destroy (I will not say the Nation, but I may boldly say) our Shipping, and Trade. I hope that this will more seriously be considered by those at the Helme of our State. I will freely and plainly relate, how this Deficiency may easily be remedied according to my judgment.
1. To compel by a Law, that all Farmers, who plough and sow 50 or 100 Acres of Land, should sow half an Acre, or an Acre of Hemp or Flax. or to pay 5 s. or 10 s. to the poor of the Parish where they live, or some Law to this purpose; for there is no man but hath land fit for one of these; Hemp desiring a stiff, deep, rich land, Flax that which is light.
For there is so much irrationality in some professions, that they must be forced even like Bruits to understand their own good· In King Edward the sixth days something was enacted to this purpose, as I am informed. In Henry the eighth days, there was a Law enacted that every man should sow his lands, and that no man should enclose his lands, lest he should turn it to Pasture; for we have had great dearth in England through the neglect of Tillage; which Laws even as yet stand in force; yet there is not, nor needeth there be any force to compel men to till and sow their lands; for they have at length found the sweetnesse, and willingly go about it for their own profits sake, and now we suppose (and not without cause) that Enclosing is an Improvement: and so concerning Hemp and Flax; I say, if they were once accustomed to sow them, they would never leave it, as I see Farmers do in East-Kent; [Page 31] scarce a man but he will have a considerable plot of ground for Hemp, and about London far greater quantities of Flax is sown then formerly.
2. It were convenient, that every Parish through the Nation should have a stock to set their poor to work, that the young children and women might not run up and down idle, and begging or stealing (as they do in the Country) of Apples, Pease, Wood, Hedges, and so by little and little, are trained up for the Gallows.
3. That a severe Law should be enacted against those who run up and down and will not work: for if all know, that they may have work at home, and earn more within doors honestly, then by running roguing up and down, why should they not compel them to it? And though some may think the Parishes will lose much by this way; because that the stock wrought will not be put off, but with losse, as perhaps 10 l. will be brought to 8 l. yet let them consider how much they shal save at their doors, how many inconveniences they are freed from; their hedges in the Countrey shall not be pulled, their fruits stoln, nor their Corn purloined; and further, that the poor will be trained up to work, and therefore fit for any service: yea and in their youth, learn a calling by the which they may get an honest livelyhood; and I dare say, their Assessements for the poor, would not be so frequent, nor the poor so numerous: and the benefit which redounds to the Nation, would be very great.
4. The charitable deeds of our forefathers, ought to be enquired after, that they be not misplaced, as usually they are, but be really bestowed for the good of the poor, that are laborious, (as in London is begun) and if there be any that will not work, take Saint Pauls rule, who best knew what was best for them. I dare not advise to take it in part of Commons, Fens, &c. and to improve them for this use, lest I should too much provoke the rude mercilesse multitude. But to return to my discourse. I say, that sowing Hemp and Flax, will be very beneficial.
1. To the Owners of Land: for men usually give in divers [Page 32] places 3 l. per Acre, to sow Hemp and Flax (as I have seen at Maidstone in Kent, which is the only place, I know in England where thread is made: and though nigh an hundred bands are imployed about it; yet they make not enough for this Nation) and yet get good profit. How advantageous will this be to those who have drained the Fens, where questionlesse Hemp will flourish, and exsiccate the ground: for Hemp desireth stiff moist land, as Flax light and dry) and likewise to those in the North of England, where land is very cheap? I hope in a little time Ireland will furnish us with these commodities, if we be idle; for there land is very cheap, and those seeds need no ininclosure; for Cattle will not touch them, except Dear, neither doth it fear the plunderer, either in the field or barn.
2. It's profitable to the sower. I know that they usually value an Acre at 10 or 12 l. which costeth them usually but half the money. Whether there be Flax that will yeild 30 or 40 l. per Acre as some report, I know not.
3. To the place where it is sown; because it sets many poor to work. I wish it were encouraged more in the North than it is; because there are many poor, who could willingly take pains, and though spinning of linnen be but a poor work; yet it is light, and may be called Womens recreation, (and in France and Spain, the best Citizens Wives think it no disgrace to go about spinning with their Rocks) and though in some part the poor think it nothing to earn 4 or 6 d per day, and will as soon stand with their hands in their pockets, as work cheap; yet in the North they account it well to earn 3 d. or 4 d. by spinning, which they may do.
Lastly, It would be very beneficial to this Nation, and save many thousand pounds, I may say 100 thousands, which are expected either in cash, or good commodities; and we should not be beholding to Holland for fine linnen and Cordage, nor to France for Poldavices, Locrams, Canvases, Nets, nor to Flanders for thread: but might be supplyed abundantly with these necessary commodities even at our own doors.
There is no small Deficiency in dunging and manuring lands, both because all that manner of manuring and amending lands, [Page 33] is not known to every one,9. Deficiency, concerning dunging and manuring Lands. and also that they do not imploy all they know to the best use. I will therefore set down most of the wayes I have seen here in England and beyond Seas, by which Land is improved, and the best wayes to use the same.
1. To begin with Chalk, which is as old a way as Julius Casars time, as he himself reporteth in his Commentaries. Chalk is of two sort.
1. A hard, strong, dry Chalk, with which in Kent they make walls, burn lime, and make whiting for houses.
2. Kind is a small unctuous Chalk: this is the Chalk for land, the other helpeth little; onely it maketh the Plough go easier in stiffe lands: broomy land is accounted the best land for Chalke and Lime, but it helpeth other lands also; especially if you Chalke your ground, and let it lye a year or two, which is the way used in Kent; that it may be matured and shattered by the Sun and rain, otherwise if it be turned in presently, it is apt to lye in great clods, as I have seen it twenty years after. Chalk also sweetneth pasture, but doth not much increase it, and killeth rushes and broom.
2. Lime, which is made of divers forts of stones, is an excellent thing for most Lands, and produceth a most pure grain: 160 bushels is usually laid on an Acre, but I suppose that if men did lay but half the dung on the ground, as they usually do, as also Lime and Chalke, and Dung and Lime it oftener, it would be better Husbandry: for much dung causeth much weeds, and causeth Corn to lodge; and too much Chalk doth too much force the land, so that after some good crops, it lyeth barren many years. It's good Husbandry likewise to lay down lands before they be too much out of heart; for they will sooner recover: otherwise not.
3. Ordinary Dung, which every one knoweth; but let it not be exposed to the Sun too much, nor let it lye in an high place: for the rain will waste away it's fatness. It's observable, that earth the more it is exposed to the Sun, it's the better; as we see that land is much bettered by oft ploughings: for the Sun [Page 34] and dew engender a nitrous fatnesse, which is the cause of fertility; but dung is exhausted by the Sun, as it appeareth by the folding of sheep, which profit little, if it be not presently turned in; therefore a Shepherd, if his time would permit, should turn up the ground with an How for to sow Turneps, as Gardiners do for to sow. I have seen Ordinary Dung on dry lands in dry years to do hurt, and it oft causeth weeds and trumpery to grow.
4. Marle, It's of divers kinds: some stony, some soft, some white, some yellowish, but most commonly blew. It's in most places in England, but not known by all: the best marks to know it, is to expose it to the Aire, and to see if the Sun or Rain cause it to shatter, and break in square pieces like dice, and if it be unctuous, or rather to take a load or two, and lay it on the midst of your fields, and to try how it mendeth your lands. It's excellent for Corn and Pasture, especially on dry lands. In Essex the scouring of their ditches they call Marle, because it looketh blew like it, it helpeth their lands well.
5. Snaggreet: which is a kind of earth taken out of the Rivers, full of small shels. It helpeth the barren lands in divers parts of Surrey. I believe it's found in all Rivers; It were well, if in other parts of England, they did take notice of it.
6. Owse out of Marsh ditches, hath been found very good for white Chalky land: as also Sea-mud and Sea-Owse is used in divers parts of Kent and Sussex.
7. Sea-weeds of all sorts rotted.
8. Mr. Carew in his Survey of Cornwall relateth, that they use a fat Sea-sand, which they carry up many mises in sacks, and by this they have very much improved their barren lands. It were worth the while to try all manner of Sea-sands: for I suppose, that in other places they have a like fertilizing fatnesse.
9. Folding of Sheep, especially after the Flaunders manner, (viz.) under a covert, in which earth is strawed about 6 inches thick, on which they set divers nights: then more earth must be brought and strawed 6 inches thick, and the Sheep [Page 35] folded on it, and thus they do continually Winter and Summer. I suppose a shepheard, with one horse, will do it at his spare hours, and indeed sooner then remove his fold; and this folding is to be continued, especially in Winter, and doth the sheep good; because they lye warm and dry: and truly if I am not mistaken, by this means we may make our sheep to enrich all the barren dry lands of England.
10. Ashes of any kind, Sea-cole-ashes with Horse-dung, the Gardiners of London much commend for divers uses. It's great pitty, that so many thousand loads are thrown into wast places, and do no good.
11. Soot is also very good, being sprinkled on ground, but it's too dear, if it be of wood: for it's worth 16 d or 2 s a bushel.
12. Pigeons or Hens-dung is incomparable: one load is worth 10 loads of other dung, & therefore it's usually sown on Wheat, that lyeth afar off, and not easie to be helped: it's extraordinary likewise on a Hop-Garden.
13. Mault-dust is exceedingly good in Corn-land: blood for trees; also shavings of horns, which are carried many miles from London for this purpose, as also the dust of mault.
14. Some commend very much the sweeping of a ship of salt, or drossy salt and brine: it's very probable; because it killeth the worms, and all fertility proceedeth from salt. At Nantwich, they use the dross or refuse of salt for their Meadows with very good success.
15. I have seen in France, poor men cut up Heath, and the Turf of the ground, and lay them on an heap, to make mould for their barren lands. Brakes laid in a moist place, and rotted, are used much for Hop-Grounds, and generally all things that will rot, if they were stones, would make dung.
16. In New-England they fish their ground, which is done thus: In the spring about April, there cometh up a fish to the fresh Rivers, called an Alewife; because of its great belly: and is a kind of Shade, full of bones; these are caught in wiers, and sold very cheap to the Planters, who usually put one or two cut in pieces into the hill where their Corn [Page 36] is planted, called Virginia-Wheat, for they plant it in hills, 5 Grains in an hill, almost as we plant Hops, (in May, or June: for it will not endure Frosts) and at that distance; it causeth fertility extraordinary for two years, especially the first: for they have had fifty or sixty bushels on an Acre, and yet plough not their Land, and in the same Hills doe plant the same Corn for many years together, and have good Crops: besides abundance of Pompions, and French or Kidney beans. In the North parts of New-England, where the fisher men live, they usually fish their Ground with Cods-heads; which if they were in England would be better imployed I suppose that when sprats be cheap, men might mend their Hop-grounds with them, and it would quit cost: but the dogs will be apt to scrape them up, as they do in New-England, unless one of their legs be tyed up.
17. Ʋrine. In Holland they as carefully preserve the Cowes Ʋrine, as the Dung to enrich their land: old Ʋrine is excellent for the Roots of Trees. Columella in his Book of Husbandry, saith, that he is an ill Husband that doth not make ten loads of dung for every great beast in his yard, and as much for every one in his house, and one load for small Beasts as Hogs. This is strange Husbandry to us: and I believe there are many ill Husbands by this account. I know a woman who liveth five miles South of Canterbury, who saveth in a paile all the droppings of the Houses, I mean the Ʋrine, and when the paile is full, sprinkleth it on her Meadow, which causeth the grass at first to look yellow, but after a little time it grows wonderfully, that many of her Neighbours wondred at it, and were like to accuse her of Witchcraft.
18. Woollen-rags, which Hartfort-shire men use much, and Oxford-shire, and many other places: they do very well in thin Chalky Land in Kent for two or three years. It's a fault in many places, that they neglect these, as also Linnen rags, or Ropes-ends, of the which white and brown paper is made; for it's strange that we have not Linnen-rags enough for paper, as other Nations have; but must have it from Italy, France, and Holland.
[Page 37]19. Denshyring (so called in Kent, Mr. Cābden. where I onely have seen it used, though by the word it should come from Denbighshire,) is the cutting up of all the Turffe of a Meadow, with an instrument sharp on both sides, which a man with violence thrusts before him, and then lay the Turff on heaps, and when it is dry they burn it, and spread it on the ground The Charge is usually four Nobles, which the goodnesse of a Crop or two repayeth.
20. Mixture of Lands. Columella an old Writer saith, that his Grandfather used to carry sand on clay, and on the contrary to bring clay on sandy grounds, and with good success,Natural History, the Lord Bacon thinking much good may be done thereby; for if Chalk be good for loamy land, why should not loam be good for Chalky banks?
21. I may adde Enclosure as an Improvement of land: not onely because that men, when their grounds are enclosed, may imploy them as they please; but because it giveth warmth, and consequently fertility. There is one in London, who promised to mend lands much by warmth onely, and we see that if some few sticks lye together, and give a place warmth, how speedily that grasse will grow.
22. Steeping of Grains. The Ancients used to steep Beans in salt-water: and in Kent it's usuall to steep Barley, when they sow late, that it may grow the faster; and also to take away the soil: for wild Oats, Cockle, and all save Drake will swim: as also much of the light Corn, which to take away is very good. If you put Pigeons-dung into the water, and let it steep all night, it may be as it were half a dunging: take heed of steeping Pease too long; for I have seen them sprout in three or four hours.
23. Is the sowing of Course and cheap Grain, and when they are grown to plough them in. For this purpose the Ancients did use LƲPINES, a Plant well known to our Gardiners: and in Kent sometimes Tares are sowen, which when the Cattel have eaten a little of the tops, they turn them in, with very good Improvement for their ground.
[Page 38]Lastly, To conclude, I may adde as a main Deficiency, that though we by experience find that all the foresaid Materials, and divers others, as oft-tilling, Husbandry, seasons, &c. change of Seed and Land, resting of Lands, fencing, &c. do cause Fertility: yet we are very ignorant of the true causes of Fertility, and know not what Chalk, Ashes, Dung, Marle, Water, Air, Earth, Sun, &c. do contribute: whether something Essential, or Accidental; Material, or Immaterial; Corporal, or Spiritual; Principal, or Instrumental; Visible, or Invisible? whether Saline, Sulphureous, or Mercurial; or Watry, Earthy, Fiery, Acreal? or whether all things are nourished by Vapours, Fumes, Atoms, Effluvia? or by Salt, as Urine, Embrionate, or Non specificate? or by Ferments, Odours, Acidities? or from a Chaos, or inconfused, indigested, and unspecificated lump? or from a Spermatick, dampish Vapour, which ascendeth from the Centre of the Earth, or from the Influence of Heaven? or from Water onely impregnated, corrupted, or fermented? or whether the Earth, by reason of the Divine Benediction hath an Infinite, multiplicative Vertue, as Fire, and the Seeds of all things have? or whether the multiplicity of Opinions of learned Philosophers, (as Aristotle, Rupesc. Sendivog. Norton, Helmont, Des Cartes, Digby, White, Plat, Gla uber,) concerning this Subject sheweth the great difficulty of this Question, which they at leasure may peruse. I for my part pare not venture on this vast Ocean in my small Bark, lest I be swallowed up; yet if an opportunity presents, shall 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.
[Page 39]I will not deny, but that we have good Husbands, 10. Deficiency cō cerning the Non-Improvement of our Meadows. 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, [Page 40] 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 [Page 41] 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,11. Deficiency concerning waste Lands. 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 yet more are to be taken in there, and in other places. Rumseymarsh [Page 42] in Kent, consisting of 45000 Acres and upwards, (as Cambden relateth) is of some antiquity where the Land is usually set 30 s. per Acre, and yet 1 d. per week constantly is payd, through the whole levil, for the maintenance of the wall, and now and then two-pence, whereas ordinary salts are accounted deare at five shillings or six shillings per Acre; so that the improvement is very considerable: the same I may say of Fens, especially that great Fen of Lincolnshire, Cambridg, Huntingdon, consisting as I am informed of 380000 Acres, which is now almost recovered; and a friend of mine told me very lately, that he had profered a Mark per Acre, for 900 Acres together, to sowe Rape on, which formerly was scarcely valued at twelve pence per Acre; very great therefore is the improvement by draining of lands, and our negligence very great, that they have been wast so long, and as yet so continue in divers places: for the improving of a Kingdom is better than the conquering of a new one.
2. I see likewise no small faults in this land, by having so many Chases and Forrests, where Brambl [...]s, Brakes, Furzes doe grow, when as these trumperies might be cut up, and pot-ashes made of them; and the ground imployed profitably for Corn or Pasture. I know a Forrest by Brill in Buckinghamshire taken in, and the land is usually let being now well enclosed, for 4 or 5 Nobles per Acre. In Lancashire also, as about Lerpoole, and elsewhere I have seen Commons little worth, advanced to a great price by Marling, &c.
3. Sort of waste-land, is dry hea [...]hy Commons, I know that poor people will cry out against me, because I call these wastelands; but it's no matter: I desire Ingenious Gentlemen seriously to consider, whether or no these lands might not be improved very much by the Husbandry of Flaunders, (viz.) by sowing Flax, Turneps, great Clover-grass, if that Manure be made by folding Sheep after the Flaunders way to keep it in heart?
2. Whether the Rottennesse and Scabbinesse of Sheep, Murrein of Cattel, Diseases of Horses, and in general all diseases [Page 43] of Cattel doe not especially proceed from Commons?
3. If the rich men, who are able to keep great stocks, are not great Gainers by them?
4. Whether Commons do not rather make poor, by causing idlenesse, than maintain them; and such poor, who are trained up rather for the Gallows or beggery, then for the Common-wealths service?
5. How it cometh to pass, that there are fewest poor, where there fewest Commons, as in Kent, where there is scarce six Commons in the County of a considerable greatnesse?
6. How many do they see enriched by the Commons; and if their Cattel be not usualy swept away by the Rot, or starved in some hard Winters?
7. If that poor men might not imploy two Acres enclosed to more advantage; then twice as much in a Common?
And Lastly, If that all Commons were enclosed, and part given to the Inhabitants, and part rented out, for a stock to set all the poor on work in every County; I determine nothing in this kind: but leave the determination for wiser heads.
4. Parks. Although I cannot but reckon Parks amongst Lands, which are not improved to the full; but perceive considerable waste by them, by brak [...]s, bushes, brambles, &c. growing in divers places, and therefore wish there were fewer in this Island; yet I am not so great an enemy to them, as most are for there are very great Uses of them. As,
1. For the bringing up of young Cattel.
2. For the maintaining of Timber, so that if any have occasion to use a good piece of Timber either for a Mil-port, or a Keel of a Ship, or other specil uses, whither can they go but to a Park?
3. The Skins of the Deer are very usefull, and their fl [...]sh excellent Fo [...]d. Not to speak of the Medicinal Ʋses, nor of Acorns for Hogs, &c. But some will object that the Plough never goeth there. To the which I answer, It's no matter: For I cannot but say as Fortescue Chancellor to Henry 6. doth, [Page 44] That God hath given us such a fruitful land, that without labour we have plenty:Preheminence of English Laws. whereas France must dig and delve for what they have. And I suppose, that I could maintaine two things which are thought great Paradoxes, (viz.) that it were no losse to this Island, if that we should not plough at all, if so be that we could certainly have Corn at a reasonable rate, and likewise vent for all our Manufactures of Wool.
1. Because that the Commodities from Cattel are far more stable then Corn: for Cloths, Stuffs, Stockins, Butter, Cheese, Hides, Leather, Skins, Wool, Tallow, are certaine even every where: Corne scarcely in any place, constantly in none.
2. Pasture imployeth more hands, which is the second Paradox: and therefore Pasture doth not depopulate, as it is commonly said: for Normandy and Picardy in France, where there are Pastures in a good measure, are as populous as any part of France; and I am certaine, that Holland, Friezeland, Zealand, Flaunders, and Lombardy, which rely altogether on Pastures, are the most populous places in Europe. But some will object and say, that a shepherd and a dog formerly hath destroyed divers Villages. To this I answer, that we well know what a shepherd and a dog can do, (viz) look to two or three hundred sheep at the most, and that two or three hundred Acres will maintain them, or the land is extreamly barren; and that these two or three hundred Acres being barren, will scarcely maintain a Plough, (which is but one man and two boyes,) with the horses: and that the mowing, reaping, and threshing of this Corne, and other Work about, will scarcely maintaine three more with work through the whole year. But how many people may be imployed by the Wool of two or three hundred Sheep, in Picking, Sorting, Carding, Spinning, Weaving, Dying, Fulling, Knitting, I leave to others to calculate. And further if the Pastures be rich Meadows, and go on dai [...]ing, I suppose all know, that an hundred Acres of such land imployeth more hands then 100 Acres of the best Corr-Land in England, and produceth likewise [Page 45] better exportable Commodities. And further, if I should grant, that formerly the shepherd and his dog did depopulate, that I may not condemn the wisdom of former Ages; yet I will deny, that it doth so now: for formerly we were so unwise, as to send over our Wool to Antwerp, and other places, where they were Manufactured; by which means one pound oft brought ten unwrought to them; but we set now our own poor to work, and so save the depopulation. Yet I say, it's convenient to encourage the Plough; because that we cannot have a certainty of Corn, and carriage is dear both by sea and land, especially into the Inland-Countreys, and our Commodities by Wool do cloy the Merchants.
5. Rushy-lands. Blith telleth us good Remedies for these Inconveniences, (viz.) making deep trenches, oft-mowings, Chalking, Liming, Dunging and Ploughing. I know where hungry guests Horses soon make an end of them.
6. Furze, Broom, Heath, these can hardly be so destroyed, but at length they will up again; for God hath given a peculiar propriety to every kind of earth, to produce some peculiar kinds of Plants, which it will observe even to the Worlds end, unlesse by Dung, Marle, Chalk, you alter even the very nature of the earth. In Gallitia in Spaine, where such barren lands do very much abound, they do thus: first, they grub them up as clean as they can; of the greater Roots and Branches they make fire-wood; the smaller sticks are either imployed in fencing, or else are burnt on the ground; afterwards the Land being ploughed twice at least, they sowe Wheat, and usually the Crop is great, which the Land-lord and Tenant divide according to a compact; then the ground resteth, and in three or four years, the Furze or Brooms will recover their former growth, which the painfull Husbandman grubbeth, and doeth with it as formerly. I set this down, that you may see how laborious the Spaniard is in some places, the poverty of the Countrey compelling him to it.
7. There are other Inconveniences in the Land, besides weeds [Page 46] and trumpery (viz.) Ill Tenures, as Copy-hold, Knight-service, &c. so that the Possessour cannot cut any Timber down, without consent of the Lord; and when he dyes must pay one or two years rent, perhaps more; because there is no certaine Fine, but is at the Land-Lords mercy. But these are not in the power of the poor Husbandman to remedy; I therefore passe them by: yet hope that in little time we shall see these Inconveniences remedied: because they much discourage Improvements, and are (as I suppose) Badges of our Norman slavery.
To conclude, It seemeth to me very reasonable, and it will be a great encouragement to laborious men, to improve their barren lands, if that they should have recompence for what they have done, according as indifferent men should judg, when they leave it, as is the custome in Flaunders.
12. Deficiency, in Woods.I have likewise observed some Defici [...]ncies in Woods, which I shall briefly declare, with the best way to remedy the same.
1. It's a great fault, that generally through the Island the Woods are destroyed; so that we are in many places very much necessitated both for fuel, and also for timber for building, and other uses; so that if we had Coals from Newcastle, and Boards from Norwey, Clap-boards, Barrel-staves, Wainscot, and Pipe-staves, from Prussia, we should be brought to great extremity: and many Mechanicks would be necessitated to leave their callings.
2. Deficiency, is that our Woods are not ordered as they should be; but though Woods should be especially preserved for timber, for building and shipping; yet at this time it's very rare to see a good Timber-tree in a Wood.
3. That many of our Woods are very thin, and not replenished with such sorts of Woods, as are convenient for the place.
4. That we sell continually, and never plant or take care for posterity.
These Deficiencies may be thus Remedyed.
1. To put in execution the Statutes against grubbing of Woods, which are sufficiently severe. It's well known, we have good [Page 47] Laws; but it's better known, they are not executed. In the Wilde of Kent, and Sussex, which lies far from the Rivers and Sea, and formerly have been nothing but Woods, liberty is granted for men to grub what they please; for they cannot want firing for themselves, and they are so seated, that neither fire-wood, nor timber can be transported elsewhere. I know a Gentleman who proffered there good Oak-timber at 6 s. 8 d. per tun▪ and the Land in those parts in general is very good. About Tunbridge there is Land which formerly was Wood, is now let for 30 s. par Acre; so that to keep such lands for Wood, would be both losse to the owner, and to the Island: But in other parts of the Island it is otherwise, and men are much to be blamed for destroying both timber and fuel. I have seen at Shooters-hill near London, some Woods stubbed up which were good ground for Wood, but now are nothing but furze, which is a great losse both to the owner, and to tbe Countrey. For the Land is made worse then it was formerly. I conceive there are Lands, which are as naturally ordained for Woods, viz. Mountainous, Craggy, uneven-land, as small hills for [...]he Vines and Olives; plain lands for Corn; and low moist lands for Pasture: which lands if they be stubbed, do much prejudice the Common-wealth.
2. That all Woods should have such a Number of Timber-trees per Acre, according to the Statute. There is a good Law for that purpose, but men delude both themselves and the law, that they every Felling cut down the standers, which they left the felling before, lest perchance they should grow to be Timber, and leave twelve small Standers, that they might seem to fulfil in some measure the Statute; but it's a meer falacy; and causeth the Statute to fail of it's principal end, which is to preserve Timber.
3. The best Remedy against thinnesse of Woods, is to plash them and spread them abroad, and cover them partly in the ground, as every Countrey-man can direct; by this means the Wood will soon grow rough and thick. It's good Husbandry likewise to fill your Woods with swift growers, as [Page 48] Ashes, Sallow, Willow, Aspe, which are also good for Hoppoles, Hoops. Sycamore is also a swift grower. In Flaunders they have a kind of Poplar, called by them Abell-tree, which speedily groweth to be timber.
4. That some Law be made, that they which fell, should also plant or sowe. In Bis [...]ay there is a Law, if that any cut down a Timber-tree, he must plant three for it, which law is put into execution with severity, otherwise they would soon be undone; for the Countrey is very mountainous and barren, and dependeth wholly on Iron Mines, and on Shipping: their Woods are not copsed there, but onely Pollards, which they lop when occasion serveth. I know one, who was bound by his Land-Lord to plant so many Trees yearly, which according he did, but alwayes in such places that they might not grow. In France, near to the Borders of Spain, they sowe Ashkey, which when they grow to such a greatnesse, that they may be slit into four quarters, and big enough to make Pikes, then they cut them down; and I have seen divers Acres together thus planted: hence come the excellent Pikes, called Spanish-Pikes. Some Gentlemen have sown Ac [...]rus, and it's a good way to increase Woods. Though the time is long, I doubt not but every one knoweth, that it's excellent to plant Willows along the waters side; and Ashes nigh their houses for firing: for they are good pieces of Husbandry; and it's pity that it's not more put in practise. There is a Gentleman in Essex, who hath planted so many Willows, that he may lop 2000 every year: if others were as Ingenious, we should not want fire-wood; Osiers planted in low Morish grounds, do advance land from 5 s. per Acre, to 40 s. 50 s. 3 l. and upward; it's much used Westward of London: these Osiers are of great use to Basket-makers. There is a sort of small Osier or Willow at Saint Omars in Flaunders, which groweth on Islands which float up and downe; it's far lesse than that which the Western men call, Eights, with this they make their curious fine Baskets: this plant is worth the procuring, being so nigh: John Tredeseat hath some plants of it. There [Page 49] is a Flant likewise in England called the sweet Willows; it's not onely good for shade and firing; but as I am informed, the leaves do not soure the grasse, but that the Cattel will eat them sooner then Hay: if this be so, it may be of singular use for Meadows.
5. That those things which mightily destroy Woods, may be restrained, as Iron-works are; therefore the State hath very well done to pull down divers Iron-works in the Forrest of De [...]n, that the Timber might be preserved for Shipping, which is accounted the toughest in England: and when it is dry as hard as Iron, the Common-people did use to say, that in Queen Elizabeth's dayes the Spaniard sent an Ambassadour purposely to get this wood destroyed: how true this is I know not; but without question it's admirable Wood for Shipping, and generally our English Oake is the best in the World for Shipping; because it's of a great Graine, and therefore strong: but the Oaks of other Countreys have a finer grain, and more fit for Wainscot; and in this kind our Forefathers have been very provident; for we have an Act of long standing, prohibiting Iron-works within twenty miles of London, and within three miles of the River of Thames: thou you may find Iron-stone in divers places, as in the great gravel-pit at Woolwhich. There are some Ingenious men, who lately have got a Patent for making Iron with Sea-ceal [...]e. I hope they will accomplish their desires, for it would wonderfully advance this Island, and save Wood. There are two faults in Sea-coal, in respect of melting Iron-oare.
1. That it is apt to bake together, or cake.
2. It hath a sulphureous fume in it, which is an enemy to Metal, and consumeth it as we see by our Iron-Bars in Windows at London; so that the Metallaine Nature of the Iron-stone is much wasted by it, and that which remaineth is very brittle, and will be Could-shire. I know t [...]at by the mixture of Coal beaten with loam, and throughly dryed, one (if not both of these Inconveni [...]nces) may be taken away. In the Duke of Cleveland's Countrey, they use halfe Turffe, half [Page 44] [...] [Page 45] [...] [Page 46] [...] [Page 47] [...] [Page 48] [...] [Page 49] [...] [Page 50] Charcoal. There is a way by making a kind of Barter with Loam, Ʋrine, &c. which will cause Charcoal to last very long, as I am informed: but these discourses belong to another place.
13. Deficiency of Bees.It's a great Deficiency here in England without question, that we have no more Bees, considering that they are neither chargeable, requiring only a few straws for an house, nor troublesome: and this Island may maintain ten times as many: for though a place may be overstocked with these Animals, as with the greater; yet I know no part of this Land, that is so: and I know divers places which would maintaine many hundred Hives, yet scarce one to be seen.
2. Our Honey is the best in the World, and Wax a stable Commodity. Further we know, that cold Countreys, not comparable to ours, as Muscovia, have far greater quantity then we have; so that it's incredible what quantity is found in the Woods, if the story of tho man be true, who fell up even to the ears in Honey, and had there perished, had not a Bear, on which he caught hold, pulled him out. Now I have enquired, how it cometh to passe that there is so great store of Honey in Muscovia, considering the Winters are extream cold, and also very long: and I am credibly informed that first, the Spring when it beginneth, cometh extraordinary fast, that the dayes are very long, and the Summers far dryer then ours here in England, so that the Bees are not hindered by continual showers; as they are some years here in this Isle: And lastly, that the Countrey aboundeth much with Firs, and Pine-trees: which the Inhabitants usually cut, that the Gum, Rosinous, or Turpentine substance may sweat forth, to which places the Bees do come, and presently fill themselves, and return laden: and perhaps for these very reasons, Bees thrive very much in New-England.
2. We are Deficient in the ordering of them. Not to speak of the negligence of particular men, which is very frequent: nor to write a general story of the ordering of them, because it requireth much paper: and Mr. Leveret, and Butler; [Page 51] especially the latter, hath written so exactly, and upon his own experience that little can be added to it: onely in a point or two I differ from him; of the which I will speak briefly.
1. That we must take and destroy all the Bees for their Honey, and not drive them, as they do in Italy once or twice yearly.
2. That if a Swarme be poor with little Honey, that that Swarme ought to be taken, because it is poor; so that the rich stocks are destroyed, because they be rich, and the poor Swarmes, because they be poor: so that be they rich or be they poor, they must be destroyed. An Italian reporteth, that in the City of Askaly, there was a Law made, that none should destroy a Swarme of Bees, unlesse he had a just cause; accounting it a part of extream injustice and cruelty, to take away without cause, both the goods and lives of such good and faithfull servants. I am credibly informed, that an English Gentleman beyond the Seas, getteth many an hundred pound yearly, by keeping Bees after a new and Ingenious Manner, which is thus. He hath a room made very warm and close; yet with Glasse-windows, which he can open at his pleasure, to let the Bees fly abroad when he pleaseth, where he keepeth his Bees, and feedeth them all Winter; with a sweet Composition made of Molossoes, Flowers, sweet Wine, Milk, Raisins, &c. (for with such things as these, they usually feed Bees in Italy) and often times in Summer, when the weather is rainy, windy, or so disposed, that the Bees cannot conveniently go abroad, he feedeth them at home with divers sweet things, and gathereth divers flowers, and layeth them amongst them, and sticketh up many fresh boughs in divers places of his Rooms, that in swarming-time, they may settle on them; by these means he preserveth all his Swarms, and gathereth an incredible quantity of Honey and wax; and truly this way seemeth to be very profitable: for,
1. We know the Bees, (even as we say of the Aunts) will work continually, even night and day, Winter and Summer, [Page 52] if that they were not hindered by darknesse, cold, and moisture.
2. That Bees do not only make Honey, (for I suppose, that they have a peculiar propriety of making Honey, as the Silk-worms Silk) out of Mildews or Honey, but also out of all sweet things, as Sugar, Molossoes, &c.
3. That many sweet things may be had far cheaper then Honey; which (I suppose) the Bees will transmute into perfect Honey. This way, I conceive, would be very advantageous to us in England, for the preserving of late swarms, and also for the enriching of old stocks, so that we need not destroy them, but might drive them from hive to hive, and set them to work again; and truly I think there is no place in the World so convenient for this purpose as England; because that though our Winters be long, yet they are not very cold; but Bees would be stirring in them: and further our Summers are so subject to winds and rains, that many times there is scarce a fine day in a whole Week: and further Molossoes, Refuse-Sugar, Sweet-Woort, Milk, &c. may be had at reasonable rates.
I hope ere long to give an exact account of this experiment, and desire those who have any Ingenuities in this kind, freely to communicate them. I have not observed many things more of importance concerning Bees in my travels; onely in Italy they make their Hives of thin boards, square in two ar three partitions, standing either above one another, or very close side to side, by the which means, they can the better borrow part of their honey when they please. In Germany their hives are made of straw, to the which they have a summer-door, as they call it, which is nigh the top of the Hive, that the Bees when they are laden, may the more easily enter and discharge themselves of their burthens.
3. We are to blame, that we do not imploy our Honeys in making Metheglin: It's true, that in Herefordshire and Wales, there is some quantity of this liquor made; but for want of good cookery it's of little worth; but usually of a browne [Page 53] colour, of an unpleasant taste: and as I suppose commonly made of the refuse honey, wax, dead Bees, and such stuffe, as they ordinarily make it else-where: for the good house-wife thinks any thing good enough for this purpose; and that it is pity to spoyl good Honey by making Mead: but I know that if one take pure neat Honey, and ingeniously clarifie and scum and boyl it, a liquour may be made not inferiour to the best Sack, Muskadine, &c. in colour like to Rock-water, without ill odour or savour; so that some curious Pallats have called it Vin-Greco, rich and racy Canary, not knowing what name to give it for it's excellency. This would bring very great Profit, not onely to the Publique, by saving many a thousand pound disbursed for Wines through all the world; but would be very advantageous to private families, who use to entertain their friends very nobly, Wines being at present intolerably dear and naught; I hope therefore ere long to see it put in execution. An excellent drink not much unlike this may be made of Sugar, Molossoes, Raisins, &c. of the which I have already spoken, yet think it fit to put you in mind of it again.
It's a great Deficiency here in England, 14. Deficiency, concerning Silk-worms. that we do not keep Silk-wormes (which in Italy are called Cavalieri) for to make Silke. I know that is a great Paradox to many, but I hope by this short discourse to make this truth to appear plainly: The first original of Silk-wormes by what I read in Histories is from Persia, where in infinite numbers they are still maintained; and the greatest profits of that great Monarch do arise from hence: China also aboundeth very much with Silke. In Virginia also the Silk-worms are found wilde amongst the Mulberry-woods, and perhaps might be managed with great profit in those Plantations, if hands were not so scarce and dear. I suppose this Silk-worme of Virginia is produced by the corruption of the Mulberry-tree, as Cochinneal, from Ficus Indica, or Indian-figtree: for some ingenious & curious men who have strictly observed the generation of Insects, do find that every Plant hath an Insect which groweth [Page 54] out of its corruption, (as divers sorts of lice from Animals) and that these Insects do usually feed on that Plant, out of which they were made, as Lice on the same Animals from whence they were engendred. I know a Gentleman here in London, who hath three or four hundred Insects, and can give a very good account of their original feedings.Master Marshal. And also Mr. Moriney in Paris, hath a large Book of the same subject. But to return to our purpose: I say that we had Silkworms first from Persia. In Justinian's time about 1000 or 1100 years ago, some Monks presented a few to him at Constantinople; where in his time they began to plant Mulberies: from thence it came to Italy, about three or four hundred years since: for the Auncient Writers of Husbandry, as Cato, Pallad, Columell, do not so much as mention these creatures: and at length these have passed over the Mountains into France within an hundred years; where they flourish so much, that if we will believe our own Authours, they bring greater profit then the Wine and Corn of that large Countrey. But be it so or no, I know that France hath Silk enough to maintain their excesse of apparel, and to export Plushes, Velvets, &c. Now then if that these worms can thrive, not onely in the parched Persia, but also in Greece, Italy, yea in France; which differeth not much from the temper of England; why should we think, that they are confined to that place, and must move no further Northward? for they have come many an hundred miles towards the North, why not one hundred or two more? And further we see that Mulberries, which is their food, thrive here as well as in any place. But some will object, that our Air is too cold and moist. To which I answer.
1. That those who write of Silkworms, say, that you must take heed, that you make not the place too hot: for too much heat may destroy; and therefore that you must set the windows open to let in the cold Aire.
2. We know, that Moistnesse of Aire rather increaseth Insects, and nourisheth them. Indeed if Moisture hurteth, it's because that it too much corrupteth their food, and [Page 55] causeth a flux amongst them: but this is easily prevented, as I shall shew you anon. But to be short, it is not onely my opinion that Silkworms will thrive here, but the solid judgement of King James, and his Council, confirmeth the same: as you may see by his letter to the Deputy-Lievtenants of every County; wherein also many weighty reasons are contained to convince men of the same, which Letter followeth anon, with the Instructions for the increase and planting of Mulberry-Trees. Printed by Eliaz. Edgar, in the year 1609.
Lastly, We find by experience, that Silk-worms will thrive here, and therefore the matter is out of question: for divers Ladies, Gentlewomen, Scholars, Citizens, &c. have nursed up divers worms to perfection, though they have had little skill in the managing of them; and likewise not such accommodations as are necessary for them; and more would they have done, if they could have had Mulberry-leaves. I am informed that one near Charing-Crosse maketh a good living by them: as also another by Ratliff-Crosse; yea, even in Cheshire at Duckenfield they thrive & prosper. And therfore if we can bring up 100, why not 1000, yea, 100000, if we had food for them? Truly, I know no reason to the contrary, neither could I ever find one that could speak any thing to the purpose against the businesse. And further I must tell you, that the ordering of this worme is very easie, none need to be bound Prentise to the trade; the special businesse is to be carefull in feeding them, and keeping them sweet; which things children use to do. He that would learn this Art exactly, let him read Boneil [...] ▪ but because that the Book is in French, I will give you a few Rules.
First, Endeavour to get store of Mulberry-trees, which are of two sorts, the white and the black. The white groweth greatest, and hath a fine leafe, and sweetest, and therefore fittest for the young worms. This is easily propagated by Slips, as Quinces, Codlings. The Black-Mulberry is difficultly propagated by Slips; but must be raised from Seeds, sown either at Michaelmas, when the Mulberries are eaten: or kept in dry sand till the Spring; and then sowe or howe them in, as [Page 56] other seeds and stones, and must be diligently weeded. This groweth not to be so great a Tree as the former: the leaves are rougher and harsher, and fittest for the greater worms. When they are strong and ready to spin, when your Trees are grown to a good bignesse, you may plant them forth, as is usually done for Walks or Orchards, or in waste places, as they do in Italy, (for the Fruit is little worth, only the Leaves are usefull,) where I have seen the Trees as bare of leaves at Mid-summer as at Mid-winter. There are two sorts of Silk-worms, the Spanish and Calabrian. The Spanish is the smaller and more tender, and maketh a finer silk. The Calabrian is greater and more hardy, and maketh more Silk, but coarser. This sort seemeth to be the best for this Countrey. When the Mulberry-trees begin to bud, take the egs of your Silk-wormes, and lay them on a piece of stuffe or Say, (some use to Bathe them first in warme Malmsy, and say that it maketh them stronger,) and carry them about you in the day in a Box, in the night lay them under your Bed, or in a warme Oven, till the wormes begin to come forth, then lay a piece of paper of the widenesse of the Pox, cut full of holes on them, and on the paper lay Mulberry-leaves, and as fast as they hatch they will crawle forth, and stick to the Mulberry-leaves; which remove into other Boxes, till all be hatched: then when they past their second sicknesse, feed them on shelves two foot broad, and eighteen inches one from another: the Roome where you keepe your Wormes, must neither be a low place, nor nigh the tiles; but a middle Roome, warme and dry, yet sometimes a little cold Aire is good.
Take heed of Rats and Mice, as also of Hens, Robinred-brests, Sparrows, and other birds; for they will eat them.
They have four Sicknesses, the first twelve dayes after they are hatched; and from that time at the end of every eight days: their sicknesse lasteth two or three dayes, and then they are to be fed but very little.
The whole time that the wormes do feed, is about nine [Page 57] weeks: feed them twice daily at least: at the first when they are small, give them a few leaves; and as they grow greater, more, and feed them oftner. Let your leaves be dry and well aired upon a Table or Cloth before you give them; and gather not your leaves, till the dew be off; and in dry seasons, if you can possibly, you may keep your leaves gathered three or four dayes, or longer.
Keep your shelves and boxes very clean: but take heed you touch not your wormes with your hands, when you remove them; but move them not when they are sick.
In cold moist weather, set a Pan of Coals in the Room, and burn a little Benjamin, Juniper, &c. especially when they are young, (viz.) the first five weeks; but afterwards, unlesse it be extraordinary cold, give them Air, and keep them not too hot, and let the Room be well sented with Herbs.
Let not your Wormes be too thick on the shelves: if any dye or be sick, speedily remove them, lest they infect the rest.
As soon as by the clear Ambour-colour of your wormes, you perceive that they would spin; make Arches betwixt your shelves, with heath made clean, branches of Rosemary, Lavender, &c. where the Worms will fasten themselves, and make their bottoms in two or three dayes, and about twelve or fourteen days after will come forth; before which time, you must take away the bottome which you will use for Silk, and kill the worm within, by laying the bottoms in the sun two or three days, or in an hot Oven.
The Bottom which you will keep for seed, lay in a warme place, till the worms come forth; which put on some pieces of old Say, Grogran, Velvet, made fast to some wall: there they will engender, and the Male having spent himself falleth down and dyeth; so the Female, when she hath laid her egs, which egs when they are gray, you may gently take them off with a knife, and keep them in a piece of Say in a dry place, till hatching time come.
The winding of the Silk off the bottome requireth a peculiar wheel, which an Artificer must make: one pound and [Page 58] two ounces of the bottom yieldeth from one ounce to three of Silk.
An ounce of Spanish seed yieldeth ordinarily six, eight, or ten pound of Silk, and the worms will eat 250. li. of leaves: the Calabrian-worms being greater, do eat nigh 300. weight, and yeild eleven or twelve pound of Silk.
To conclude, I desire all men seriously to consider, what advantage this business will bring to this Island, if it be brought to perfection. Truly I know nothing doth hinder the want of Mulberry-trees, which will in little space come to a considerable greatnesse. And though I commend those who endeavour to advance this work in Plantations, and prefer it before Tobacco; yet I know that it cannot be for want of hands; whereas in England we have plenty of women, children, old folks, lame, decrepit, &c. who are fit to be overseers of this work. And I wonder Gentlemen do not go about a thing so pleasant and profitable, (for three, four, or five at most, will attend as many wormes as will make forty or fifty pound worth of Silk in two or three months) and the worms eat only leaves, which are of no value: neither is there any considerable trouble about the worms, unlesse it be the 12 or 15 last days. I hope if that particular men will not endeavour to advance this work for their private profit, yet the States will for the Publique Good, it being the best way I know to set all the poor Children, Widows, old and same people on work, and likewise will save this Nation many an hundred thousand pounds per annum. And further, the way to accomplish this work may be done without grievance to the Subiect, (viz.) to command every one to plant or sow so many Mulberry-seeds, which may easily he procured from beyond Seas, &c. But I leave States-matters to States-men, I am none.
A Copy of King James's Letter to the Lords Lieutetenants of the several Shires of England, for the increasing of Mulberry-Trees, and the breeding of Silk-Worms, for the making of Silk in England.
JAMES REX.
Right-Trusty and Wel-beloved, we greet you well.
IT is a principal part of that Christian care, which appertaineth to Soveraignty, to endeavour by all means possible, as well to beget, as to increase among their people the knowledge and practise of all Arts and Trades, whereby they may be both weaned from idlenesse, and the enormities thereof, which are infinite, and exercised in such industries and labours as are accompanied with evident hopes, not onely of preserving people from the shame and grief of penury; but also raising and increasing them in wealth and abundance, the Scope which every free-born spirit aimeth at, not in regard of himself onely, and the ease which a plentiful estate bringeth to every one in his particular, but also in regard of the honour of their Native Countrey, whose commendations is no way more set forth then in the peoples Activenesse and Industry. The consideration whereof, having of late occupied our mind, who alwayes esteem our peoples good, our necessary contemplations: We have conceived as well by the discourse of our own reason, as by information gathered from others, that [Page 60] the making of Silk, might as well be effected here, as it is in the Kingdom of France, where the same hath of late years been put in practise. For neither is the climate of this Isle so far distinct or different in condition from that Countrey; especially from the hither parts thereto, but that it is to be hoped, that those things which by industry prosper there, may by like industry used here, have like successe, and many private persons who for their pleasure have bred of those worms, have found no experience to the contrary, but that they may be nourished and maintained here, if provision were made for planting of Mulberry-trees, whose leaves are the food of the worms. And therefore we have thought good thereby to let you understand, that although in suffering this invention to take place, we do shew our selves somewhat an adversary to our profit, which is the matter of our customs for silk brought from beyond the Seas, will receive some dimunition: Neverthelesse, when there is question of so great and publick utility, to come to our Kingdom and Subjects in general; and whereby (besides multitudes of people of both Sexes and all Ages) such as in regard of impotency are unfit for other labour, may be set on work, comforted, and relieved; we are content that our private benefit shall give way to the publick; and therefore being perswaded that no well-affected Subject will refuse to put his helping hand to such a work as can have no other private end in us, but the desire of the welfare of our people, we have thought good in this Form onely to require you (as a Person of greatest Authority in that County, and from whom the generality [Page 61] may receive notice of our pleasure with more conveniency then otherwise) to take occasion either at the Quarter-Sessions, or at some other publick place of meeting, to perswade and require such as are of ability, (without descending to trouble the poor, for whom we seek to provide) to buy and distribute in that County, the number of ten thousand Mulberry-plants, which shall be delivered unto them at our City of, &c. at the rate of three farthings the plant; or at 6 s. the hundred, containing five score plants. And because the buying of the said plants at this rate may at the first seem chargeable to our said Subjects, (whom we would be loth to burthen) we have taken order that in March or April next, there shall be delivered at the said place a good quantity of Mulberry-seeds, there to be sold to such as will buy them; by means whereof the said plants will be delivered at a smaller rate then they can be afforded being carried from hence: having resolved also in the mean time, that there shall be published in print a plain Instruction and Direction, both for the increasing of the said Mulberry-trees, the breeding of the Silk-worms, and all other things needfull to be understood, for the perfecting of a work every way so commendable and profitable, as well to the planter, as to those that shall use the trade. Having now made known unto you the Motives as they stand with the publick good wherein every man is interested; because we know how much the example of our own Deputy Lieutenants and Justices will further this cause; if you and other your neighbours will be content to take some good quantities hereof, to distribute [Page 62] upon your own lands, we are content to acknowledge thus much more in this direction of ours; that all things of this nature tending to Plantation, increase of science, and works of industry, are things so naturally pleasing to our own disposition, as we shall take it for an argument of extraordinary affection towards our person; besides, the judgement we shall make of the good dispositions in all those that shall expresse in any kind their ready minds to further the same; and shall esteem that in furthering the same, they seek to further our honour and contentment (having seen in few years past, that our Brother the French King, hath since his coming to the Crown, both begun and brought to perfection the making of Silks in his Countrey, where he hath won to himself honour, and to his Subjects a marvellous increase of wealth) would account it no little happinesse to us, if the same work which we begun among our people, with no lesse zeal to their good, (then any Prince can have to the good of theirs) might in our time produce the fruits which there it hath done: whereof we nothing doubt, if ours will be found as tractable and apt to further their own good, now the way is shewed them by us their Soveraign, as those of France have been to conform themselves to the direction of their King. Given under our Signet at our Pallace of Westminster, the sixteenth of November, in the sixth year of England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the two and fortieth.
Instructions for the increase and planting of Mulberry-trees. What ground is fit for the Mulberry-seeds, how the same is to be ordered, and in what sort the seeds are to be sowed therein.
THe ground which ought to be appointed for this purpose, besides the natural goodnesse of it, must be reasonably well dunged, and withal so scituated, as that the heat of the Sun may cherish it, and the nipping blasts of either the North winde or the East, may not annoy it: the choice thereof thus made; that the seeds may the better prosper, and come up after they be sown, you shall dig it two foot deep, breaking the clods as small as may be, and afterward you shall divide the same into several Beds of not above five foot in breadth, so that you shall not need to endanger the plants by treading upon them, when either you water or weed them.
The Mulberry-seeds you shall lay in water for the space of 22 hours, and after that you shall dry them again half dry, or somewhat more, that when you sow them they may not cleave together: Thus done, you must cast them upon the foresaid Beds, not altogether so thick as you use to do other Garden-seeds, and then cover them with some fine earth (past through a Sive) about half an inch thick. In dry weather you shall water them every two days at the furthest, as likewise the plants that shall come of them: and keep them as clean from weeds as possibly you can.
The time in which you ought to sow them for your best advantage, is either in March, April, or May, when frosts are either altogether past, or at the least not so sharp, or of so long continuance, as to endanger their up-spring.
There is yet another way to sow them, and that is as followeth: you shall (being directed by a straight line) make certain [Page 64] furrows in the Beds above mentioned of some four fingers deep, and about a foot in distance the one from the other: After this, you shall open the earth with your hands, on either side of the aforesaid furrows, some two fingers from the bottom, and where you have so opened it, shall you sowe your seeds; and then cover them half a finger thick with the earth which you opened.
When the Plants that are sprung up of the Seeds, are to be removed, and how they are to be planted the first time.
IN the months of September, October, November, December, March, or April, the next year after the Seeds are sown, you may remove their plants, (or in the month of January, if it be not in frosty weather) and set them in the like Beds as before, and about one foot the one from the other, but first you must cut off their roots, about eight inches in length, and their tops about half a foot above the roots, more or lesse, according to the strength of the said plants; for the weaker they be the less tops you shall leave them. In this sort you may suffer them to remain (weeding & watering them as need shal require) till they be grown 6 foot in length above their roots, whereunto when once they have attained, you may cut their tops, and suffer them to spread, alwayes having a care to take away the many branches or succours, that may any way hinder their growth, until they be come to their full length of 6 foot, as aforesaid.
When, and how the Plants are to be removed the second time, and in what manner they are to be planted where they shall remain.
IN the months aforesaid, (according as your plants are waxen strong,) you may remove them either into the hedges of your fields, or into any other grounds. If in hedges, you must set them sixteen foot the one from the other, if in other ground, intending to make a Wood of them eighteen foot at the the least. But a month before you do remove them, you must make the holes (wherein you purpose to set them) about [Page 65] four foot in breadth, and so deep as that their roots may be well covered, and some halfe a foot of loose earth left under them, having alwayes a special care so to place them, that they may receive the benefit of the Sun, and not to be shadowed or overspread by any neighbouring trees.
When, and how the Eggs of the Silk-worms are to be hatched, and how to order the Worms that shall come of them.
WHen the leaves of Mulberry-trees begin a little to bud forth, take the Eggs of your Silk-worms, and lay them in a piece of Say, or such like stuff, and in the day time carry them in some warm place about you, in a little safe box, but in the night either lay them in your bed, or between two warm pillows, until such time as the Worms begin to come forth: then take a piece of paper of the widenesse of the said box, and having cut it full of small holes, lay it within the same upon the eggs, and upon that again some few Mulberry-leaves, to which the Worms as they are hatched, will continually come. These leaves with the Worms upon them, you must still remove into other boxes, laying fresh leaves as well on those that are removed as on the paper where the eggs are; and this is the course which must be duly kept and observed, until such times as all the Worms be come forth of their shels, still keeping their boxes warm, as aforesaid; but no longer about you, but until the Worms begin to come forth, out of which boxes you may safely take them, when once they have past their second sicknesse, and feed them upon shelves of two two foot in breadth, and eighteen inches one above the other.
The said shelves are not to be placed in any ground-room, nor yet next unto the tiles, but in some middle room of your house which openeth upon the North and South, that you may the more conveniently give them either heat or aire, according as the time and season shall require. Besides, you must not make them close unto the Wals, but so as you may passe [Page 66] about them the better to look unto the Worms, and keep them from Rats and Mice, which otherwise might devour them. You must observe the times of their coming forth, and keep every one or two dayes hatching by themselves, that you may the better understand their several sicknesses or sleepings, which are four in the time of their feeding. The first commonly some twelve days after they are hatched, and from that time at the end of every eight days, according to the weather, and their good or ill usage, during which time of every sicknesse, which lasteth two or three dayes, you must feed them but very little, as onely to relieve such of them, as shall have past their sickness before the rest, and those that shall not fall into their sicknesse so soon.
The whole time that the Worms do feed, is about nine weeks, whereof until they come unto their first sicknesse, give them young Mulberry-leaves twice every day, but few at a time, from thence until their second sicknesse, twice every day in greater quantity; and so from their second to their third sicknesse, increasing the quantity of the leaves, according as you perceive the Worms to grow in strength, and clear of sicknesse: from the third until their fourth sicknesse, you may give them leaves thrice every day, and the fourth being past, you may let them have so many as they will eat, alwayes having a care that you give them none▪ but such as are dry, and well aired upon a Table or Cloth, before they be laid upon them, and withal gathered so near as may be; at such times as either the Sun or Wind hath cleared them of the dew that falleth upon them.
For the feeding of Worms you need observe no other order then this, lay the Mulberry-leaves upon them, and every two or three dayes remove them, and make clean their boxes, or shelves, unlesse in times of their sicknesse, for then they are not to be touched: the leaves which you take from them when you give them fresh to feed upon, you must lay in some convenient place, and upon them a few new leaves, to which the Worms that lay hidden in the cold, will come, and then you may passe them with the said new leaves to the rest of the [Page 67] Worms: And now lest any thing should be omitted, which serves to perfect the discovery of so excellent a benefit, I will advise you to be very diligent in keeping clean their Boxes, or shelves, as being a special means whereby to preserve them; wherefore when you intend to do it, you shall remove them together with the uppermost leaves whereon they lie, unto other boxes or shelves, for with your hands you may not touch them, till they have throughly undergone their third sickness, and then may you passe them gently with clean hands, without doing them any harm: provided that the party that cometh near them smell not of Garlick, Onions, or the like. The first five weeks of their age you must be very carefull to keep them warm, and in time of rain or cold weather, to set in the room where they remain, a pan with coals burning in it, now and then some Juniper, Benjamin, and such like, that yeildeth sweet smells. But afterwards unlesse in time of extraordinary cold, give them air, and take heed of keeping them too hot, being alwayes mindfull to store the room with herbs and flowers which are delightful and pleasing to the smell. As the worms increase in bignesse, you shall disperse them abroad upon more boards or shelves, and not suffer them to lie too thick together, and if you find any of them broken, or of a yellow glistering colour inclining to sicknesse, cast them away, lest they infect the rest, and sort such as are not sick, the greatest and strongest by themselves, for so the lesser will prosper the better.
When and how to make fit rooms for the worms to work their bottoms of silk in, and in what sort the said bottoms are to be used.
AS soon as by the clear amber-coloured bodies of your worms, you shall perceive them ready to give their silk, you must (with Heath made very clean, or with the branches of Rosemary, the stalks of Lavender, or such like) make Arches between the foresaid shelves.
Upon the branches and sprigs whereof, the worms will fasten themselves, and make their bottoms, which in fourteen [Page 68] dayes after the worm beginneth to work them, you may take away; and those which you are minded to use for the best silk, you must either presently wind, or kill the worms which are within them, by laying the said bottoms two or three days in the Sun, or in some Oven after the bread baked therein is taken out, and the fiercenesse of the heat is alaid. The other bottoms which you intend to keep for seed, you must lay in some convenient warm place, untill the Worms come forth, which is commonly some sixteen or twenty dayes from the beginning of their work: and as they do come forth you must put them together upon some piece of old Say; Grogeran, the backside of old Velvet, or the like, made fast against some wall, or hangings in your house.
There they will ingender, and the Male having spent himself, falleth down, and in short time after dieth, as also doth the Female when she hath laid her eggs, which eggs, when you perceive them upon the Say, or Grogeran, &c. to be of a grayish colour, you may take them off gently with a knife, and baving put them in a piece of Say, or such like, keep them in a covered box amongst your woollen cloaths, or the like, till the year following: But not in any moist room, for it is hurtful for them, neither where there is too much heat, lest the worms should be hatched before you can have any food for them.
The making of a Wheel, as likewise the way to winde the said silk from the bottoms, can hardly be set down so plainly, as to be rightly understood: Wherefore when time shall serve, there shall be sent into every County of this Kingdom, a wheel ready made, and a man that shall instruct all such as are desirous to learn the use thereof:15. Deficiency, concerning the Husbandry of other places. Till when, I shill commend these brief instructions to be carefully considered of all such as are willing either to benefit themselves, or their Countrey, that being skilful in the Contemplation, they may the readier, and with lesse errour apply themselves to Action, which painful industry, with Gods assistance, will quickly perfect.
15. Deficiency is the ignorance of the Husbandry of other places, (viz.) what seeds, what fruits, what grasses they use, [Page 69] what Ploughs, Harrows, Gardening-tools they have; how still they mannage and improve their lands; what cattel they have, how they feed and fatten them, and how they improve their commodities, &c.
For there is no Countrey where they are such ill Husbandmen, but in some particular or other they excel: as we see even in the several Counties of this Island, every County hath something or other wherein they out-strip their Neighbours. And that much profit may arise from hence in this Nation, is manifested by that excellent Treatise, which is published by you concerning the Husbandry of Flanders; wherein are briefly set down divers particulars very useful for us here in England, and formerly unknown. And without question, Franco, Spain, Italy, Holland, Poland, Germany, &c. have many excellent things both for Husbandry, Physick, Mechanicks, worth the manifesting and very beneficial to us: so likewise there are divers things in our Plantations worth the taking notice of in Husbandry. To passe by the Southern Plantations, as Barbadoes, Antego, Saint Croix, Christopher, Mevis, Monforate, where the commodities are onely Cotten-wools, Sugars, Gingers, Indicoes, which our cold climate will not produce; and also Tobacco which groweth also with us, about Norwich, and elsewhere: We will onely fall upon our Northern Plantations, Virginia, New-England, and instance in a few things. Why may not the Silk-grass of Virginia, the Salsaperilla, Sassarfas, Rattl [...]snake-weed (which is an excellent cordial) be beneficial to us, as also their Cedars, Pines, Plumtrees, Cherries, great Strawberries, and their Locusts, (which is a prickly plant, a swift grower, and therefore excellent for hedges) be useful to us? So for New-England, why should we think that the Indian corn, the March wheat, that excellent Rie, the Pease (which never are eaten with magots,) the French, or Kidney-Beans, the Pumpions, Squashnes, Water-mellons, Musk-mellons, Hurtleberries, wild Hemp, Fir, &c. of those parts are altogether useless for us? as also the Crāberries, (which are so called by the Indians, but by the English, Bearberries, because it is thought the Bears eat them in winter; or Barberries, by reason of their fine acid tast like Barberries,) [Page 70] which is a fruit as big & as red as a Cherry, ripe only in the Winter, and growing close to the ground in bogs, where nothing else will grow? They are accounted very good against the Scurvy, and very pleasant in Tarts. I know not a more excellent and healthfuller fruit.
But some will object, that they will not grow here with us, our fore-fathers never used them. To these I reply, and ask them how they know? have they tryed? Idlenesse never wants an excuse; and why might not our fore-fathers upon the same ground, have held their hands in their pockets, and have said, that Wheat and Barley would not have grown amongst us? and why should not they have been discouraged from planting Cherries, Hops, Liquorice, Potatoes, Apricocks, Peaches, Melicotones, and from sowing Rape-seeds, Colliflowers, Great Clover, Canary-seeds, &c. and many more of this kind? and yet we know, that most of these have been brought to perfection, even in our days: for there is a vicissitude in all things, and as many things are lost which were known to our fore-fathers, as the Purple colour, &c. as you may read in Pancirol: so many things are found out by us, altogether unknown to them, and some things will be left for our posterities. For example, not to speak of Gun-powder and Printing, nor of the New-world and the wonders there, which notwithstanding are but of a few hundred years standing: I say twenty Ingenuities have been found even in our days, as Watches, Clocks, Way-wisers, Chains for Fleas, divers Mathematical Instruments, Short-writing, Microscopes, by the which even the smallest things may be discerned, as the eggs, eyes, legs, and hair of a Mite in a Cheese: Likewise the Selenoscope, which discovereth mountains in the Moon, divers Stars, and new Planets, never seen till our days. But to return to our purpose, I say that in Husbandry it is even so; for the Ancients used divers plants which we know not; as the Cytisus-tree, so much commended for Cattel; as also their Medick-fodder, which Colum saith endureth ten years, and may be mowen the four first years, seven times in a year, and one Acre he esteemeth enough for three horses. This fodder likewise is accounted very [Page 71] sweet and healthful, whereas the plants which are usually called Medicats with us, are annual plants, and have no such rare proprieties. So we are ignorant what their Far or fine Bread Corn was, what their Lupine, Spury, and an hundred of this kind, as you may read in Mathiol. on Dioscorides: so on the contrary, infinite are the Plants which we have, and they knew not, as well appeareth by their small and our large Herbals: and daily new Plants are discovered, useful for Husbandry, Mechanicks and Physick; and therefore let no man be discouraged from prosecuting new and laudable ingenuities. And I desire Ingenious Gentlemen and Merchants, who travel beyond Sea, to take notice of the Husbandry of those parts (viz) what grains they sow? at what times and seasons? on what lands? how they plough their lands? how they dung and improve them? what Cattel they use? and the commodities thereby? also what books are written of Husbandry, and such like? and I intreat them earnestly, not to think these things too low for them, and out of their callings; nay, I desire them to count nothing trivial in this kind, which may be profitable to their Countrey, and advance knowledge. And truely, I should thank any Merchant that could inform me in some trivial and ordinary things done beyond Sea, (viz.) how they make Caviare out of Sturgeons Rows? in Muscovia, how they boyl and pickle their Sturgeon, (which we English in New-England cannot as yet do handsomly?) how the Bolog [...]ia Sausages are made? how they ferment their Bread without Yest? of what materials divers sorts of Baskets, Brooms, Frails are made? what seed Grout or Grutze is made of? and also how to make the Parmisane Cheeses of Italy, which are usually sold here for 2 s. or 2 s. 6 d. per pound; or the Angelots of France, which are accounted better Cheeses then any made in England; as also the Holland Cheeses, which are far better then our ordinary Cheeses, and yet these sorts of Cheeses are made not of Mares milk, as some think, but from the Cows, and our Pastures are not inferiour to theirs, &c.
2. I desire ingenious men to send home whatsoever they have rare of all sorts; as first, Animals, the fine-woolled sheep [Page 72] of Spain, Barbary Horses, Spanish Jennets, &c. and so likewise all sorts of Vegetables, not growing with us, as Pannick, Millet, Rice, which groweth in the Fenny places of Millan, and France; and why may it not grow in our Fens, and the best sorts of Grains or Fruits in use amongst them? perhaps there is Wheat that is not subject to Smut or Mildew; perhaps other seeds will give double increase, as Flax, Oats, Pease; and divers other things of importance there are beyond Sea, which may be useful to us; as the Askeys, the Cork, Acorns, the Scarlet-Oak, sweet-Annise, which groweth abundantly in Millan, Fennel, &c. Tilia or Linder-tree for bast Ropes, &c. Spruce Pines for Masts and Boards, seeing that they are swift growers, and many will stand in a small piece of ground: they have formerly grown here, and some few do flourish in our Gardens, and in Scotland. I suppose that this ought seriously to be considered: for although we have plenty of Oaks, yet what will it profit for Shipping without Masts? and how difficult it is to get great Masts above 22 inches diameter, is very well known. Many things I might add of this kind, but for brevities sake I refer you to Master John Tredescan, who hath taken great pains herein, and daily raiseth new and curious things.
3. Consider that these new Ingenuities may be profitable, no onely to the Publick, but also to Private men: as we see by those who first planted Cherries, Hops, Liquorice, Saffron, and first sowed Rape-seeds, Colliflowers, Woad, Would, Early Pease, Assparagus, Melons, Tulips, Gilliflowers, &c. and why may we not find some things beneficial to us also?16. Deficiency, of the ignorance of things taken from the earth and waters of this Island.
16. Deficiency is the ignorance of those things which are taken from the Earth and Waters of this Island.
Although it may seem to many that these things do little concern the Husbandman, who usually is not a Naturalist, but onely endeavoureth to know 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 [Page 73] 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 [Page 74] 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 [Page 75] 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: [Page 76] 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; Diamonds are found about Bristol and Cornwall very large, but soft: There is a stone near Beaver Castle like a Star. In York-shire another like a Serpent petrefied: and also other stones round like bullets, which being broken have as it were a Serpent in them without an head, &c.
6. Of all Minerals and Metals, Iron-stone is found almost in every County, and is profitable where Wood is plentiful: the best is found in Laneashire, one load and an half making a Tun of Iron: it hath been transported into Ireland, to mix with poor Mine. In Richard the seconds time a Copper-Mine was found in Wenlock in Shrepshire, but exhausted: in Queen Elizabeth's dayes one was found at Keswick in Cumberland: and ately in Staffordshire, York-shire, and near Barstable in Devonshire: on which some Gentlemen intend speedily to work: Lead is found in Durham, Wales, and Devonshire; Brimstone in York-shire and Wales, Antimony in Staffordshire: a silver Mine in Cardiganshire: a gold Mine was discovered in Scotland in King James his time: and many rich Mines might be discovered in England, if that the Kings Prerogative (which was to take all Royal Mines to himself, (viz.) Silver, Gold, & Copper,) were so cerainly abolished, that they which should find these Metals in their own Lands, might safely dig them. But some wil object & say, that many things are of little worth and profit. To these I answer, that God hath made nothing in vain, every thing hath his peculiar use, and though some things seem to be of little worth and contemptible, as Sand, Loam, Chalk; yet it hath pleased the wise Creatour to make these things very necessary for mans comfortable subsistence, which they that want these things can testifie. As for example, in New-England, where there is no Chalk nor Lime-stone, they are compelled to burn Oyster-shels, Cockles, to make Lime; or else they could hardly build any houses. The like I may say of Sand and Loam in divers places, where they are wanting.
2. I say that most of those things I have spoken of, are very profitable in one place or other. To instance in some of the [Page 77] meaner sort, at London Brickmen give 50 li. per Acre, onely for Loam to make Bricks, and pay 3 li. per Acre, of yearly Rent, and are to leave the Land worth the same yearly Rent; likewise I know a Chalk-cliff in Kent not two Acres of ground, valued at many an hundred pound, and that one Colum of Chalk which is ten foot square, is valued at forty or fifty pound at 8 d. per load. The Oker Mines of Oxford and Glocestershire are of great value, and so would others of that kind, if they could be found; so is the Black-lead Mine. Also the pits of Clay, Marle, Coale, Turffe, &c. And therefore I desire all Country men to endeavour to know all sorts of Stones, Clays, Earths, Oares, and to teach their Children the use of them, that they may know that this sand is for building, this Loam is for Bricks, this Clay for Pots, this Marle for Corn-land: and if that they shall find any Stones, Earths, which they know not, that they would lay them up, till that they meet with some ingenious man, that can inform them. The richest Mines of the world have been found out by these means, if we will believe Histories. And this I am sure of, that by this means they may much advance their knowledge, and be more profitable to the Publique, their Neighbours, and also to themselves.
17. Deficiency, is the ignorance of the Vegetables of this Island, 17. Deficiency, of the Vegetables of this Island and their Vertues & Ʋses. and their Vertues and Ʋses.
And the first Deficiency that I take notice of, is the ignorance of the ordinary seeds which are commonly sown amongst us: for usually the Countrey-man contenteth himself with one or two sorts, and knoweth no more, when as there are very great varieties; some of which agree with one sort of ground, some with another: As for example, there are very many sorts of Wheats, some called White Wheat, some Red Wheat, some Bearded; (which, as I have said before, is not so subject to Mildews as others) others not: some sorts with two rows, others with four, and six: some with one ear on a stalk, others with double ears, or two on the same stalk; Red-stalk Wheat of Buckinghamshire, Winter Wheat, Summer Wheat, which is sown abundantly in New-England, in April and May, [Page 78] and reaped ordinarily in three months; and many sorts more. Not to trouble my discourse with Spelt, Zea, Tiphine-Wheat, or Olew, Far, Sil [...]go, Alica, which were used amongst the Ancients; but now unknown not onely to the Countrey-man, but even to the learnedest Botanicks: so I may say that the ordinary Yeoman is ignorant of the diversities of Barley's, for there is not onely the ordinary Barley, but big sprat-Barley, which hath lately been sown in Kent with good profit; also Winter-Barley sowen in Winter, Barley with four, six rows, naked Barley, which require divers dispositions in Land: some delighting in finer, others in stiffer grounds. So there is also Winter and Summer-Rie, and twenty sorts of Pease, the ordinary Schew, the Raith or Early-ripe Pease, the Roncivals, Hastivers, Hotarses, Gray-Pease, Green-Pease, Pease without skins, Sugar-Pease, whose shels are sweeter then the Pease it self, and have been within these ten years plentifully sowen in Lincoln-shire with profit; also Fulham, Sandwich-Pease, &c. which require divers sorts of lands and seasons: so also there are divers sorts of Oats, white, black, naked, which in New-England serveth well for Oatmel without grinding, being beaten as they come out of the Barn; Scotch, Poland, &c. Also Buck-wheat, Lentiles; divers sorts of Tares, of Hemp and Flax, altogether unknown to most Countrey-men, but I hope that hereafter they will be more inquisitive after them: for divers of them may be of good use on their lands.
2. Deficiency in this kind is, that they are ignorant of the Plants and Grasses which naturally grow amongst us, and their Uses, which likewise were made for to be food for Cattel, and also for the service of man. This ignorance causeth them to admire, and to esteem even as miraculous, ordinary and trivial things; as for example, how it cometh to passe, that in one Meadow an Horse thriveth very much and speedily, and yet a Bullock will not in that place; and contrariwise in a Meadow close by the former, the Bullock will thrive, and the Horse not: so also how it cometh to pass that Conies and Sheep will thrive well, where there is scarcely any pasture, and yet come to nothing on Commons, where there is a greater quantity of pasture; [Page 79] which proceedeth from this cause, that some kind of Plants are more agreeing and sweeter to one sort of Cattel then to another, and every Beast almost hath some Plant or other which they love exceedingly. I suppose, that the observances of this kind, might be very useful in Husbandry. These Deficienci [...]s I will draw to three Heads.
1. I say, that divers Plants (not to speak of Fruits, because we have already spoken of them) that grow naturally in our Island, may be very serviceable to the Husbandman, both for his Pastures and Corn-lands. To instance in some few: we see that divers sorts of wild Vetches, Chiches, Tares, &c. grow wild in divers places which though they bear not so great and large crops, as some others already used; yet who knoweth what they would do, if they were manured as other grains, and in land proper for them: for we see that the transplanting of plants into gardens, doth very much meliorate or better them; and without doubt all those grains, which are in use with us, were at first picked out of the fields and woods; and by ingenious men found useful for man and beast, and of late divers have been found not known to our fore-fathers, as Saint Foin, Lucern; and why may not we find divers Grasses, Vetches, Medicaes, Wild Pease, &c. which as yet are scarce taken notice of.
2. There grow divers sorts of wild Pease, but to speak of two only.
1. Sort which groweth on the stony Beaches of the Sea, where there is little or no earth, the roots are many foot deep in the ground. In Queen Maries dayes in a dearth, the poor people gathered divers sacks full of them, and they were no small relief to them, who hath tried whether they would thrive better on better land?
2. Sort groweth on dry barren land, and is commonly called the everlasting Pease; which continually groweth out of the same root. In Gardens I have seen it grow ten years together, and larger at the ten years end, then at the first. I have also seen it flourish on barren grounds, where Oats were burned away: who knoweth but these and other Plants may be [Page 80] serviceable, if not for man, at least for beasts or pigeons: for in New-England the great flights of Pigeons are much maintained by these, I am sure it were good to make experiments of these and divers others.
2. Head, is the Ignorance of the Mechanical uses of Herbs and Trees; for even for these uses most Plants have some peculiar propriety. To instance in a few, We know that Elm is for Wheels; and the best wood to make Herrings red, Oak is for Shipwright, Joyner, Tanner; Horn-Beams, Beech, for Milwright; Line-tree for Bass-ropes; old Elder without pitch is very tough and fit for Cogs of Wheels, Tooth-Pickers; Pear-tree for Mathematical instruments and ingravers, &c. Osiers for baskets; Walnut for Gunstocks; Asp for Hoops, Box, Ash for an hundred uses; and much more might be spoken of this kind, if time would permit. So likewise divers Plants are for Painters, as you may see in Battees experiments: some for the Dyers, but as yet we know but four, (viz. Woad, Would, Green-wood, and Madder) amongst 1200 Plants and upward; which grow wild with us. I could wish some ingenious man would take the paines to search out the Mechanical uses of Plants; surely it were a good way to advance Mechanicks, who in their callings usually go round; as horses in a mill, and endeavour very little to advance or know the causes of their operations. I know a Gentleman, who promiseth some things in this kind, and I hope will be as good as his word.
3. Head, is the ignorance of the Physical uses of the Plants for though many hundred Plants doe grow amongst us: yet but few of them are used Physically: whereas there is scarce any one but may be useful in this kind. And truely in my opinion it is a great fault that we so much admire those things, that are far fetched, and dear bought; when as often-times they are gathered in unseasonable times, and corrupted by long voyages by Sea, counterfeited by Merchants; yea we have very oft quid pro quo, and rank poysons, and neglect those medicines which God hath given us here at home. I am credibly informed that in former times, Virga aurea was in great use with us, and usually sold for eight pence per ounce, and [Page 81] brought from France: but so soon as it was found growing plentifully in our hedges, it was cast forth of the Apothecaries shops, as of little vertue. And though some will object that our Plants have little vertue: I say it's false; for God hath tempered them for our complections: and we see very oft that one simple medicine doth more good then the great compositions of the Ancients, which are rather ad pompam, then for health, and seem to savour somewhat of the Mountebank, because Opium is alwayes an ingredient. And further we see that where any Endemical or National disease reigneth, there God hath also planted a specifique for it: As the Cochleare, or the Scurvy-grasse for the Scurvy; in the Baltick Sea, where it is very frequent, and also in Holland, England. So in the West-Indies, (from whence the great Pox first came, and where it reigneth very much, that not onely man but other Creatures are infected with it, so that even Dogs die of that disease in our Northern Plantations, perhaps catching this infection, by mingling with Indian Dogs) there grow the specifiques for this Disease, as Gujacum, Salsaperilla, Sassafras, and the Salvages, do easily cure these distempers. Further we see, that even the irrational creatures can find not only meat, but also medicines for themselves; as the Dog, Couch-grass for a vomit: the Dove, Vervein; the Weasel, Rue; the Swallow, Celandine, the Toad Plantine; and where is our reason that we cannot?
I therefore desire all Country people, to endeavour to know these Plants which grow at their doors: (for God hath not planted them there for no purpose; for he doth nothing in vain) and to collect together the plain simple Medicaments of their Grandame; by this means they may save many a forty pence: I mean preserve themselves and Families, and Neighbours, in good health with little charge. Some small Treatises have of late been written, to shew the use of our Plants in Physick; and I hope ingenious men will daily more and more communicate the secrets of this kind, which they have in their hands for the Publique good.
They that write of four-footed beasts, do reckon about an hundred and twenty species of them half of them are scarcely [Page 82] known amongst us.18. Deficiency, cōcerning Animals. I do suppose therefore, that divers species are wanting, which may be useful. To instance in some: And
1. To begin with the Elephant, the greatest, wisest, and longest lived of all Beasts: which abound very much in the Eastern parts of the world; as China, India, and are accounted very serviceable, both for the Warres, and for carriage, (fifteen men usually riding on his back together) they are not chargeable to keep; why may they not be of use even here, when I am credibly informed, an Elephant lived divers years here in a a Park? so that they can endure the coldnesse of this Climate.
2. The Buffle, which is as big as an Ox, and serviceable both for the Plough, and for their Milk: their skins make the best buffe, they will fare very hard and live in Fens and Bogs, where nothing else can. In the Duke of Fl [...]rences Countrey near Pisa, are many of them.
3. The honest and patient Asse, which was very much used in the old time for carriage, (as the Horse for War, and the Ox for the Plough,) and in many Countreys at this time; they will eat Thistles, and live even with nothing. They may save poor men (who are not able to keep an Horse, because he is a great feeder,) much labour.
4. Mules, which is a very strong and proud beast, and will carry far more then an Horse, and are more sure footed. I suppose, that they might be serviceable to the Carriers here, as they are beyond the Seas. In Ireland before the War, a Gentleman G. R. had divers, even in the North, and found them serviceable. Five Camels, which will carry great burthens: their hair is the ground of Mo-hair. Six Dromedaries, which go swiftly, &c. Seven Black Foxes, may be profitable; whose skins have been sold from 20 l. per skin, to 90 l. I might adde divers more of this kind: as Musk-Cats, Sables, Martines, Minkes, Musk-Squash, Guiney-Pigs, and a sort of Cony, which some few have in Hampshire, whose Fur is worth 2 s. 6 d. or 3 s. per skin, being little inferiour to Beave [...], &c. but for brevities sake I passe them over: as also divers sorts of Fowls, of [Page 83] good use; as a kind of Duck with a crooked bill, which layeth constantly as Hens do, as also Hawks of divers sorts of good value, which perhaps the Countrey-man loveth not; because they are enemies to his Poultry.
2. Deficiency is, That we doe not endeavour to advance the best kinds of the Cattel, which are amongst us. And
1. To begin with Horses. The French-man that writeth a Book called, the Treasure-Polick, saith, that in England in Queen Elizabeth's days, we had not above three or four thousand Horse worth any thing for the War, and those onely in Noble-mens stables, which thing perhaps did the more encourage the Spaniard to invade us; but at this time we are known to have very many thousand of Horse not inferiour to the best in the world: yet I suppose, that we might much meliorate our breed by Spanish Jenneti, Barbary, &c. And we are not so careful to encrease good horses as we should be.
2. We are too negligent in our Kine, that we advance not the best species: for some sorts give abundance of milk, and better then others: some sorts are larger, more hardy, and will sooner fat, &c. Lancashire, and some few Northern Counties, are the onely places where they are a little careful in these particulars.
3. We are not curious in procuring the best sorts of sheep, for greatnesse, soundnesse, and fine wool. I wonder that some Sheep-masters have not procured of those exceeding fine-wooled sheep of Spain; whose wool costeth the Merchant nigh 10 s. per pound, before it is exported: I suppose that it would for a time mend our wool, if not continue so for ever: for these sheep were first carried forth out of England, if we may believe stories, Spain not affording such sheep before. Dutch-sheep are reported to have two or three Lambs ordinarily. Turky-sheep are very great, with great tails; but their wool is very course, not onely because of their course feeding; but also because in hot Countreys, they ordinarily mingle with Goats, and therefore in Venice ordinary Porters will scarce eat any Mutton. And here I cannot but relate, that all strangers very much wonder at two things in our sheep, (not to speak of the fineness of wool.) And
[Page 84]1. That our sheep if they be sound, seldome or never drink, even in Summer; though they go on the driest Chalky lands: as it plainly appeareth in Kent, where there is scarce water for the great Cattel, which proceedeth from the moisture of our air, and abundance of rain and dews.
2. That our sheep do not follow their shepheards as they do in all other Countries: for the shepheard goeth before, and the sheep follow like to a pack of dogs, this disobedience of our sheep doth not happen to us, as Papists Priests tell their simple flocks; because we have left their great shepheard the Pope; but because we let our sheep range night and day in our fields without a shepheard; which other Countries dare not for fear of Wolves, and other ravenous beasts, but are compelled to guard them all day with great dogs, and to bring them home at night, or to watch them in their folds.
3. Deficiency in this kind, is the neglect of Fish-ponds, which are very profitable: for Fish usually live by such worms and flies as are ingendred in the ponds, and require no charge. Concerning the ordering of them, and profit of them, read Master Dubravin's Book of Fish-ponds translated out of Latin into English. And another short Treatise called, Certain experiments concerning Fish, practised by John Taverner Gentleman, and by him published for the benefit of others. And surely it would be a great benefit to this Island if we had Fish at reasonable rates. I cannot therefore passe by two extream abuses, which exceedingly destroy Fish, and are in no wise to be permitted.
1. That divers poor men keep many Swine, and in nets, or otherwise catch many bushels of the young fry of Fish, and feed their Swine with them.
2. That the Fisher-men in the River have the Meashes of their nets so straight, that they take many sorts of Fish, when they are too small, and so destroy the young fry. I hope these abuses will be reformed with all severity. To this Head I may adde Decoys, which are very frequent in Holland, and profitable, but very rare with us in England: yet it may be very profitable and delightful.
4. Deficiency, is the ignorance of the Insects of this Island. [Page 85] And though it may seem ridiculous to many, to affirm that Magots, Butterflies, should be of any importance; yet I desire them to consider, that we have our Honey, the sweetest of foods from Bees, which are Cattel of this kind: also our Silks, Sattins, Plushes, and bravery from the poor Silk-worm, which may be called a Magot, Caterpillar, or Butter-fly, &c. the richest of our colours from the Cocheneile, which is one of this sort Gumlac is made by Ants, some are used for food, as Locusts, &c. as you may read in Musset's Book de Insectis. Many of these likewise are used in Physick, as Cantharides, Wood-sowes, Lice, &c. Some think, that Medicines transcending even in the Chymists, may be had out of these; for every Plant, which hath a Medicinal vertue, is also sublimed up into this living Quintessence: and therefore I commend divers ingenious men, as Mr. Marshal and others, who have collected many hundred sorts of these; and I hope they will communicate ere long their experiments to the world.
19. Deficiency concerning divers things necessary for the good of Cattel. 19. Deficiency, cōcerning divers things necessary for the good of Cattel.
1. That we are ignorant of divers Diseases of Cattel and their Cures. Not to run over all the diseases of Cattel and their Cures, which would be too long, and you may read them in Master Markam's works, the Countrey-Farmer, and others. I will instance only in two, which some years sweep away Cattel, as the Plague doth men, (viz.) the Murrein amongst great Cattel, and the Rot amongst Sheep. And though divers have wrot concerning the Cures of these Diseases; yet we doe not find that effect which we desire: and therefore I hope some will attempt to supply this Deficiency, and write a good Treatise about the Diseases of Cattel. Of these two Diseases, I shall briefly declare my mind: And
1. Of the Murrein, which proceedeth from an inflamation of the blood, and causeth a swelling in the throat, which in little time suffocateth the Cattel. The especial Causes of this Disease, are a hot and dry season of the year; which dryeth up the waters, or at least doth so putrify them, that they are unwholsome; and also the letting of Carrion lie unburied. This [Page 86] Disease is thought to be infectious; but perhaps it may proceed from one common cause, as the rottennesse of sheep. The best way to keep your Cattel from this Disease, is to let them stand in cool places in Summer, and to have abundance of good water, and speedily to bury all Carrion: and if any of your Cattel be infected, speedily to let them blood, and to give them a good Drench, &c. By these means divers have preserved their Cattel, when their Neighbours have perished.
2. Concerning the Rot of Sheep, not to speak of the Peltrot, or sheep that are starved; but of the ordinary rot, called by some the white rot, and is a kind of dropsie, their bellies are full of water, and their liver discoloured. I have seen out of the livers of sheep tending to rottennesse, living Creatures, leaping like small Flounders; which without question in little tune will destroy the liver, and consequently produce an indisposition not unlike to the Rot. The common people say, that these worms are caused by the over-heatings of sheep, and that Rottennesse proceedeth from a Plant called Cotyledon, or Marsh-Penny-wort, which is of a very sharp tast, and therefore not likely that sheep will eat it; but it may be a signe of wet rotten land, as broom is of sound and dry land. This is certain that in wet moist years, sheep dye very much of the Rot; and in dry years on the same ground, they hold sound: and yet I have heard that in Ireland, which is far moisture then England, rottennesse of sheep is not known so much. It were therefore well worth the labour of an ingenious man to inquire into the causes of these indispositions in sheep.
The means, which have been found very effectual for the curing of these Diseases, are these: first, to drive your sheep up to dry Lands, or to keep them in the fold, till the dew be off the grass, or to feed them some days with fine dry hay, especially of salt Meadow, or to put them into salt Marshes: for in those places sheep never rot, or to drive them to some salt River, and there to wash them, and make them drink of the water, this will kill the scab, and also the ticks, and fasten the wool: but if you have not the conveniences before said, then rub their teeth with salt, or rather make a strong pickle with [Page 87] salt and water, and force them to drink thereof. Some dry pitch in an Oven, and adde to the pickle, and have found very good success: for these Medicines do exsiccate the superfluous humidities, open obstructions, and kill worms. Some commend the Antimonial Cup, as a Catholick Medicine against all diseases of cattel.
3. We are ignorant of divers ingenuities, concerning feeding and fatting of cattel and other creatures. To instance in some; And
1. Of the Horse, who is a great feeder. In Kent and Hartsortshire they usually cut all their Oats and Pease small, and give them with their [...]haff; by this means the Horses sooner fill themselves, and eat all the straw up: some put the Horse-meat into a bag, and so order it that a little only lyeth in the Manger; which when that is eaten up, more falleth down, and not before; by this way Horses do not blow their meat, nor throw it out of the manger with their Noses. A further good piece of Husbandry they use, which is this, when their Horses are well fed at night, they fill the Rack with Wheat or Barley-straw, and so leave them; the Horse perceiving that that which is in the Rack is not very pleasant, lyeth down and taketh his rest, which is as good to him as his meat: if he rise in the night, and fall to the rack and manger, as he usually doth, and findeth nothing but straw, he sleepeth till the morning; but if it be Hay, Tares, or Pease, the Jade will pull it all down, and spoil it, and and likewise will be hindered from his rest; by the which double damage doth insue. Currying and dressing of horses ought not to be forgot, it is half as good as their meat. Brimstone and Elecampane roots are the especial ingredients for this Physick. For Worms and Surfet are the two commonest Diseases.
2. Of the feeding and fatting of Cows. We usuall feed cattel with straw in racks in the yard, or turn them to the fields, and there let them feed as much and how they please; which hath many inconveniences: as first, Cattel spoil as much with their heels as they eat, especially if the ground be moist, or if the fliebe very troublesome and they blow & stench, & tumble much, and if the flie be busie, they run up and down, and over-heat themselves, [Page 88] and fat very little, so that often-times in June or July they fatten as little as at Christmas, and most of their dung is lost by these means, &c. But in Holland they do thus: They keep their Cattel housed Winter and Summer; for the Winter provision, they lay in not only hay, but also grains, (which they buy in Summer, and bury in the ground:) and also Rape-seed, and Lin-seed cakes, and sow Turneps, not only for themselves, but their Cows also; with the which Turneps being sliced, and their tops, and Rape-seed cakes, and Grains, &c. they make Meshes for their Cows, and give it them warm; which the Cows will slop up like Hogs, and by this means they give very much milk. In the Summer time they mow the great Clover-grasse, and give it them in racks; so that their Cattel are not troubled with the pinching frosts, nor rains, nor with the parching Sun in Summer, neither with the Flie, nor do they over-heat themselves or spoil half so much meat; and are always as fat as their Masters, or Bacon-hogs. The Dung and Urine they charily preserve, and thereby keep their Meadows of Clover-grass, (which are constantly mowen twice or thrice yearly) in good heart: and indeed cattel ought not to go amongst Clover-grass, because it usually groweth with long Haum (as they call it) like Pease, which if it be broken will not thrive. In Bermudas they have a peculiar way of fattening their cattel, not used any where else that I know, which is with Green-Fennel, that groweth in that Island plentifully.
There is a Plant in Essex called Myrchis or Cow-pursley; which groweth fast and early in the Spring, which they give their cattel at the beginning of the year, and they eat it well.
It is an ill custom that is used almost every where, to let hogs lie in their dirt and dung, when they are fattening; for all creatures generally do hate and abhor their own dung: and an hog i [...] cleanliest of all creatures, and will never dung nor stale in his stie, if he can get forth, which other creatures will: and though he tumble in the dirt in Summer; yet that is partly to cool himself, and partly to kill his lice, for when the dirt is dry, he rubbeth it off, and destroyeth the lice thereby.
[Page 89]Sir Hugh Platts in his writings setteth down divers ingenious ways of fattening Poultry, &c. and more may be found out daily. The Jews have a peculiar way of fattening Geese, with Milk, Figs, Raisins, and other sweet things, by which they make the liver of an extraordinary greatnesse, and is a dish much valued by them, as it was also among the old Romans.
In Moor-fields, there is one that keepeth many hundreds of Conies with grains and bran: and some others who keep the great laying Ducks, with these things and blood, to their great advantage. I have seen a Book translated out of French, which teacheth how to gain divers hundred pounds per annum, by fifty pound stock in Hens. I suppose about London where Eggs are so dear, great profit might be made by them. Turkeys might be kept with good profit, where there are many Meadows as in Suffolk. In Barkshire many keep tame Pheasants, and have gained well thereby.
3. We do not know how to improve the Commodities proceeding from Cattel to the highest: as for example our ordinary butter might be better sented and tasted: some Ladies have fine ingenuities in this kind. We cannot make Cheese comparable to the Parmisan, nor so good as the Angelots of France, our ordinary Cheese is not comparable to the Holland Cheeses, where also divers sorts of Cheeses are made of divers colours: but I cannot much commend their green Cheeses, which are made of that colour by Sheeps-dung, &c. 20. Deficiency, Of the want of divers things which are necessary for the accomplishment of Agriculture. but I hope in short time our good Hous-wifes will scorn that any shall excel them.
20. D [...]ficiency, Is the want of divers things, which are necessary for the accomplishment of Agriculture—As
1. That we have not a Systema, or compleat Book of all the parts of Agriculture. Till the latter end of Queen Elizabeths days, I suppose that there was scarce a book wrote of this subject; I never saw or heard of any. About that time: Tusser made his verses, and Scot wrote about an Hop-garden, Gougè translated some things. Lately divers small Treatises have been made by divers, as Sir Hugh Platts, Gab, Platts, Mark [...]am, Blith, and Butler, who do well in divers things; but their [Page 90] books cannot be called compleat books, as you may perceive by divers particular things; not so much as mentioned by them. The Countrey-Farmer translated out of French is enough, if not more then enough; but it is no ways framed, or squared for us here in England: and I fear the first Authors went on probabilities and hear-says, rather then experience. I hope some ingenious man will be encouraged to undertake a work so necessary and commendable.
2. Deficiency, is, That Gentlemen try so few experiments, for the advance of this honest and laborious calling; when as many experiments might be made for a small matter; for half a Pole square, will give as certain a demonstration, as an Acre; and a Pottle, as an Hogshead. I hope in time there will be erected a Colledge of Experiments, not only for this, but also other Mechanical Arts.
3. Deficiency, is, That Gentlemen and Farmers do not meet and communicate secrets in this kind, but keep what they have experimented themselves, or known from others; as Sybils leaves: I mean as rare secrets, not to be communicated. I hope that we shal see a more cōmunicative spirit amongst us ere long. And Sir, I cannot but desire you, if you have any things more in your hands of Gabriel Platts, or any mens else, that you would with speed publish them.
4. Deficiency, is, That we want a place to the which men may resort for to find such ingenious men, as may be serviceable for their ends and purposes; and also know where to find such seeds and plants as they desire, as the great Clove-grass, Saint Foi [...], La. Lucern, &c.
5. Deficiency, is, That men do usually covet great quantities of land, yet cannot manage a little well. There were amongst the ancient Romans some appointed to see that men did till their lands as they should do; and if they did not, to punish them as enemies to the Publique; perhaps such a law might not be amiss with us: for without question the Publique suffereth much, by private mens negligences; I therefore wish men to take Columel's Counsel; which is, Laudato in gentia Rura, Exiguum Colito. For Melior est [...]ulta exiguitas, &c. as [Page 91] another saith, or as we say in English, A little Farm well tilled is to be preferred: for then we should not see so much wast land, but more industry, greater crops, and more people imployed, then are at this present, to the great profit of the Commonwealth. I know a Gentleman, who yearly letting more and more of that land he used to keep in his hands, yet confesseth his Barns are fuller, because he more diligently manageth what remaineth. 6. I will adde that either through the negligence or ignorance of most men, the enemies of the laborious Husbandmen are not destroyed: viz. Crows, Rooks, which pluck up in light land presently after the Corn speareth, much Corn, and also devour much Corn when ripe: these are destroyed either by shooting, or by breaking their eggs in the Spring, or at least may be scared with a little smoak, or with a few feathers. Larks also do much hurt, which may be taken in snares, or by day-nets, Low-belling, &c.
What Corn is in the barn, and also in the field, Mice and Rats oft-times destroy much, which are easily destroyed either by Weasils, which are far better then Cats (though somewhat mischievous to eggs and poultry) for two of them will speedily clear a Ship, though troubled with many hundreds; and therefore I know divers Masters of Ships very inquisitive for them, proffering five shillings for one with many thanks, so that it would be very beneficial both to Ships, and also to those, who would take the pains to breed them tame, as many do in Ireland for their pleasure; Rats also may well be destroyed by Rats-bane, which is white Arsenick, or with Sublimate and Butter. But these things will hardly be procured from the Apothecaries, because they are somewhat dangerous: therefore Gardiners do use very much Nux vomica, which may be had every where, with a little butter, but take heed of the Dogs. Moals likewise do much hurt both to Corn and Pasture, and are too much neglected, though they may easily be destroyed, either with a Moal-spade, or by finding their Nests in March, which usually are in some extraordinary hills, or else by putting a deep pot [...] the earth where they run a clicketting in the Spring, or by a Moal-trap which the Gardiners frequently use [Page 92] about London, &c. Also it were good to destroy the Birds, called Tom-tits, which are great enemies to Bees and fruit, Sparrows, Finches, Snayl, Warms, &c.
7. I cannot but adde to this place the failings in divers particulars in respect of some particular places, viz. the planting of Saffron, which is very well performed in some parts of Essex, Cambridge, &c. yet altogether unknown in Kent, though there are Lands both white and red, (as they call them) with plenty of dung very proper for that purpose, and yet this commodity is excellent; and further I can adde as a Deficiency that I have never seen nor heard of any thing written on this Subject to any purpose.
2. The planting of Hops, (concerning which Scot in Queen Elizabeths days wrote an excellent Treatise, to the which little or nothing hath been added, though the best part of an hundred years are since past, and much experienced in this kind amongst us,) for though many fine Gardens have been planted in the Southern parts, yet the Northern are deficient, so that often-times we are necessitated to have great quantities from Flaunders.
3. Liquorice is much planted about Pomfract in York-shire, and about London, but little that I hear of else-where, so that we are sometimes beholding to Spain for it.
4. Would is sown in divers parts of Kent, not much in other places, therefore we are oft beholding to the Western Isles for it.
21. Deficiency, that because of our sins we have not the blessing of God upon our labours.5. Wade, which is abundantly sown about Coventry, and yet in Kent thought to be a forraign Commodity, this is of excellent use, and deserveth to be sown every where. I might here also adde Madder, which is very necessary, and scarcely sown any where; as also Canary-seeds, Carnways, which are abundantly sown about Sandwich and Deal, in Kent, also Rape, Cole-seeds, &c. whose oyl is of great use, also of Fruit-trees, Gardening, Hemp, Flax: but of these I have largely discoursed before.
21. Deficiency, is, by reason of our sins we have not the blessing of the Lord upon our labours.
[Page 93]And this the reason, that although the Husbandman hath been laborious and diligent in his calling these last years; yet our Crops have been thin, his Cattel swept away, and scarcity and famine hath siezed on all parts of this Land; and if we had not been supplyed from abroad, we had quite devoured all the creatures of this Island for our sustenance, and yet we could not be satisfied, but must have devoured one another. And therefore to conclude, though I desire the Husbandman to be diligent and laborious in his calling, yet I counsel him to break off his sins by Repentance, to have his eye towards him who is the Giver of every good thing, and to pray daily to him for his blessings, who giveth freely to them that ask, and upbraideth not. And although all callings ought to look up to him that is on high, yet the Countrey-man especially; for he hath a more immediate dependance on him then any other: for if the Lord with-hold his fat dew from Heaven, or the former or latter Rain, it is in vain that the Husbandman rise up early, and go to bed late, and eat the bread of carefulness: for we know, that it is the Lord that maketh barren places fruitful, and he likewise that turneth fruitful Lands into barrenness, (as the Land of Canaan, which was very fru [...]tful even in the time of the Canaanites, but now a barren desart) and therefore, I again desire the Countrey-man to walk as it becometh a Christian, in all Sobriety, Righteousness and Godliness: not to trust, or put his confidence in his own labours, and good Husbandry; but on the Lord that hath made all things: for though even Paul himself doth plant, and Apollo doth water; yet it is only the Lord that giveth increase and plenty, which he will not deny to those that fear him; for they shall want nothing that is good.
Lastly, for a Corollary, I will adde, (though it doth not so much concern the Husbandman, as those of greater Power and Authority) That it is a great Deficiency in England, that we do not magazine or store up Corn, when the Lord sendeth us plenty, and therefore at cheap rates (as Joseph did in Egypt against dear years) for then the Grain is purest & the perfectest, without Smut, Mildew, Shrankness, or other imperfections, and is the best for long preservation: this is much used in Poland, [Page 94] Dantrigk, Italy, Holland, &c. and is found of wonderful importance. By this means Holland which soweth little or no Corn, seldome or never feeleth a famine, though it be incredibly populous: and for want of this good policy, England which many years aboundeth with Corn, is sore bitten therewith, as is manifest in these last years, in which had not our Neighbours wisely and politickly provided for us, we should have famished and devoured one another.
Further, This storing of Corn will save vast Sums of money which in dear years are exported for bread: and also well ballance the price of Corn, so that the honest Husbandman needs not murmure and be discouraged, because that the price is low, and Markets scant in plentiful years, (because then the Magazins are to be restored) nor the Artizans be famished by the excessive rate of bread in dear years, for then the Magazines are to be exhausted. The best way for the wise carrying on of this businesse, the Politicians must lay forth, but that belongs not to our calling. Yet I shall here as I have done in former things, g [...] some general hints, and leave the rest to those who are wiser.
And first, The City of London, (which is the mouth of the Island, and as I am credibly informed by Meal-men, spendeth about 5000 Quarters of Wheat weekly, and I suppose it cannot do lesse, considering there cannot be lesse then 600000 people therein, and about, viz. at least an hundred thousand in the 97 Parishes within the Walls, and four times as many without the Walls as appeareth by the Bills of Mortality, and at least an hundred thousand strangers of all sorts which proportion is lesse then four l. of bread the week for one) this place ought (I say) to have a considerable Magazine for three or six months, something hath been done in this kind by our fore-fathers, as appeareth by the particular store-houses of the private Companies, which store-houses ought to be augmented in number, as the Companies yearly are, and also the Quantity of Grain, because the City daily grows more populous.
2. I would have the Inhabitants of other great Cities and [Page 95] Corporations, as York, Bristol, Norwich, &c. to be numbred, and a like proportion of Corn to be stored up for them, as in London perhaps in divers places, men considering the low value of money, may be intreated to lend a considerable Sum for this good businesse, if not, I know it is easie to command them.
3. I would have all Market Towns, and all Hundreds likewise, to have their proportion stored up, and faithfully guarded. Neither let any be terrified, as if it would be extreamly chargeable. For first, Now money is low, trade little, and also the Corn which in cheap years is oft sold for 2 s. 6 d. 3 s. or 3 s. 6 d. will commonly, in lesse then seven years, be sold for 5, 6, 7 s. per bushel, which will abundantly satisfie for Loan, Storage, and other charges & losses; but if that it shall be somwhat chargeable, yet consider the profits that will redound to the Farmer, that he be not discouraged, and also to the Artificer, and poor Labourer, that he be not starved; yea, to the whole people, that we may not be necessitated to devour one another, especially seeing War begin to threaten on every side. And the Magazines of Corn beyond Seas, viz. France and Poland are like to be locked up from us: yea, though peace should be ratified with all Nations, yet even those Nations themselves may want, and if not, yet vast Sums of Gold and Silver must be exhausted for bread, &c. But the further Consideration of these things I leave to them at the Helme of the State.
And thus Sir, I have written to you very largely my thoughts concerning the Husbandry of this Island, and partly what I have seen in many travels. Good Sir, be not offended at my long and impertinent stories, my rude language, and unmethodical discourse. It was, if not to satisfie; yet somewhat to gratifie the universal goodnesse of your spirit, and care of the publick, which God hath enriched you withal. And these are only my first thoughts, which in hast I have hudled up together. I hope (if the Lord will send me life and health) my second thoughts shall be better: But whatsoever I have done, pray look on it, as coming from one who is desirous to serve you, and to advance the Publick Good, according to the Talent the [Page 96] Lord hath given him. Thus I commit you to the Protection of the Almighty: And rest
SIR, Your faithful Friend, and Servant ROB. CHILD.
Anno, 1651.
Dr. Arnold Boati's, Annotations upon the Legacy of HUSBANDRY.
Paris the first of July, 1651.
I Give you most hearty thanks for your Work of Husbandry, the which having perused instantly, à capite ad calcem. I find it a most excellent piece both for the improvement of Husbandry, and of the other Commodities of the Countrey, as likewise for the Natural History of England, and have learned many particulars by it, which before were unknown to me. But I remember to have heard of a Dutch Merchant in Dublin, that the Dutch used to fetch their Black-lead out of Wales; whereas you say it is found in Cumberland, and no where else in Christendom. I pray you to let me understand, whether you have any particular knowledge of that Mine, of the nature and properties of that Material, whether it serveth for any other uses, then to make pens of, and to neale earthen vessels withall, and how for this use Potters do prepare and apply it▪
Paris, the 12 of July, 1651.
J was hugely taken with the large Epistle in your Legacy upon the first reading of it, and am more now upon the second, which maketh me sorry, that the Authour should give any advantage to carping wits; as he doth here and there in some of the Parerga; upon which I shall freely give you my sense, that being communicated to him, he may mend them in the next Edition, if so he see it fitting: What he saith out of Helmont. page 13. The smuttinesse of Corn, and the soul disease to have begun in France, together about 1530. and the latter to have had some original from the former. To say nothing of the small credit of that Authour, even in things subject to his own knowledge and experience, I being able to convince him of most palpable lies out of his own writings, a more credible Author then he should not be alleadged, much lesse heeded; if opposite to so notorious a truth; as that of the foul disease, it's original in France, as well as in Italy and Spain; full 36 years sooner then Helmont sayes, viz. in the year 1494. and nothing could be advanced more absurd or ridiculous in the judgment of all sound Physicians, then to attribute the original of that disease in any wise to smutty Corn, as he doth. The imperfection of smutty corn, consisteth altogether in a similar distemper, and that of the more spirituous part, consequently not at all subject to the eyes and so not to be found out by Microscope, to the contrary of what our Authour supposeth, page. 15. The corn sown in July, produced such an increase, page 18. I cannot imagine, how Corn sown in Summer can come to good, or what humane wit or skill can hinder it from running up; and spending it self, before the coming in of Winter. His Philosophy of the blacknesse of the Moor-loghs, as communicated by the blacknesse of the earth or turff, page 25. is no wayes receivable. I find him too credulous, page 27. to Glaub [...]r, and others, about those Mountebank boastings of brewing without malt, and of drawing great store of Aqua-vitae out of the imaginary Beer; and other unfit materials. The opinion [Page 120] of the Suns descending lower, page 30. although justly, as I hold it rejected by Moestlinus, Longomontanus, Keplerus, Morinus, Bullialdus, quibus omnibus praeit Ptolomaeus, ought not to be spoke of so contemptuously, seeing that one of the greatest Astronomers that ever was (viz.) Copernicus did first advance it, & Reinholdus, another most famous Artist approve of it, and he having made the lowest descent of the Sun but of 35 minutes, which is but a little more then half a degree; I know no [...] what makes our Authour speak of the Suns descending many degrees lower. It is true, that those 35 minutes amount to many thousands of miles, which expression therefore would be both more pertinent, and more sutable to the vulgar capacity of most Readers, then that of minutes or degrees; This is what I have observed till page 30. further then which I am not yet come: And forasmuch as I have never an English Dictionary here, I would be glad of the Exposition of some English words not so well understood by me, as howing (so oft spoke of) and the How; Wheats-lodging, page 18. Cankerberries, page 27. and the difference betwixt Haws and Hips; page eadem, I having ever taken them to signifie the same thing. I do not know neither, what are the piles on Marshes sides, page 25. and am ignorant of the History of Glassenburies Hauthorne, mentioned page 4. about which I would willingly receive some light.
Paris, the 19 of August.
AN English Gentleman, who many years hath lived, and been a House-keeper in Devonshire, as he was yesterdy reading your Legacy at my house, having lighted on that passage, page. 26. about the making of Cyder, told me, that the second way there mentioned is not a making of Cyder, but a certain preparation of it already made, usuall also in wines and other liquors, especially those that are to be transferred a great way by Sea; and as for the first, that he never saw it practised in Devonshire, where Cyder is very common; and where himself usually made forty Hogsheads every year; but that the [Page 121] way of making Cyder in that Countrey used by all men is this; Having reduced their Apples into Mash, by turning upon them a kind of a Milstone set edge-wayes in a wooden trough, they presently carry them to a wooden presse of that bignesse: as in one hour they will presse out two Hogsheads of Juice: the which having let stand a day or two, and having taken off the black scum that ariseth in that time, they tun it, and in the Barrels it continueth to work some dayes longer, just as Beer useth to do. He told me divers other particulars about Cyder, partly of his own, and partly of that Countreys common observations, the which I forbear to relate, because I believe that Markham hath spoke of them.
Paris the 16 of September 1651.
SEing by your last, you desire the continuation of my Annotations upon your Legacy, I must tell you that I believe your friend hath not been well informed, page 23. about the Countreys there named by him; for the sending of Walnuts, Quinces, and Chestnuts into England, and that it will be found upon better enquiry, that these commodities do come into England, if not solely, yet abundantly: the first from Holland, the second from Zealand, and the third from France; and as for small nuts, except he speak of some exquisite kind of them, I know not why one should run so far as Spain for them, seeing that Ireland aboundeth in them above all Countreys in the world, page 27. I know an ingenious man, who can without malting, &c. If you and your friend will be ruled by me, you shall not take this upon Glaubers bare word, nor any of those other magnificent promises; which he maketh in that boasting Catalogue▪ till he have made them good by the effect, lest the similitude of the Prophet Esay 29.8. be verified in us, page 28. Grafting, Inoculating, &c. a Gentleman will learn in two h [...]urs, to learn it to some purpose will require more then so many dayes, if not weeks, expertus loquor: page 30. We find Vines flourishing many hundred mil [...]s more towards the North [than Alsace] both in France, Loram, and Germany: If for many [Page 122] hundreds, he had said one hundred miles, he might perhaps have made that good, and yet not that neither in all the three Countreys here named, I am sure not near it in Lorain, and very hardly in France: page 31. Vines grow sixty miles on this side Paris at Beaumont; Beaumont is but eight leagues, or sixteen English miles North from Paris and Beauvais, (which and Beaumont is the most Northern part of France, where any Vines grow) is but twice as far, being distant sixteen leagues from Paris. Ibid. These places which are even as far North as England, nothing near none of them; page 36. linea 3. pack in so many plants, &c. I have seen most of the Vineyards about Paris for many miles round, and never saw any such thing, very few having any thing in them but Vines, and where any thing else was, I saw onely a few Peach-trees here and there, too far asunder to do any great harm to the Vines or Ground; 37. To short poles, as we do hops, out of one Hop-pole you may make three Vine-poles. As for length; wherefore they should not be so yoked together: ibid. In France, so soon as they have pressed out their liquor with their feet [pressing with feet is not used in all parts of France, and utterly unknown in these Northern parts of it,] they put it into Hogsheads not at all till it have wrought first in Keeves: 39. from these who would destroy, &c. I could wish that bitter and exasperating expression in the behalf of my Countrey-men might be spared. ‘If I would make Observations upon those passages, which have something of good and excellent in them, as well as upon them, where I conceive something is to be mended, I should never have done, the Book being full of them from one end to another; yet I cannot let passe with silence those words, page 44.’ The Sun and Dew ingender a nitrons fatnesse, they pointing at the unfolding of one of the greatest Mysteries in Nature, unknown to most of them if not to all; who professedly do deal in the inquiries of that noble Science; but to speak of this to the full were not the work of a Scholion, but of a whole Treatise, concerning the Improvement of Land by Sea sand; of which page 45. you will find a confirmation of that in Irelands Natural History, and it is very much used in Devonshire, [Page 123] with admirable successe, not onely equal to, but even beyond Lime it selfe, as I have been told by that Gentleman, whose Observations concerning Cyder I gave you formerly; page 46. All fertility proceedeth from salt, addendum. Made unctuous or oily, and spirituous, id est uno verbo nitrous, nam sale mero nihil magis inimicum faecuudirati; 47. In Holland they are carefully preserve the Cows urine, as their Dung to enrich their land, they preserve it no otherwise then is done in al other Countreys; viz. mixed with the Dung, and joyntly with it carried out to the Dunghill, ibid. we must have it, [paper] from Italy, France, and Holland; I believe Italy sendeth out little paper, either to England, or to any other Countrey, and as for Holland; it hath none to send, but what it selfe getteth from abroad, there being none at all made there, (viz.) In Holland properly so called, nor in any of the other Provinces that I know of, but onely some in the Velaw, a part of Gelderlant, and in England there is good store made, both towards Oxford, and in some other places, though not enough for to serve the Nation.
Paris, the 2 [...]. of October, 1651.
HAving continued to read on in your Legacy from page 48. where I left with my last Annotations, I find nothing that needeth any Animadversions, but these few following things, page 60. a kind of Salix called by them Abel-tree, the Tree called an Abel in Dutch is no way a kind of Salix, but is I'opulus alba; Ibidem, If we believe their own Authours, &c. I know not who those Authours are, but I am sure that who ever hath said so, hath said most untrue; for the profit that ariseth to France by Silk, cannot in the least part come in competition with that of Corne and Wine. Ibid. In France, which differeth not much from the temper of England; Silk is a stranger to those parts of France that agree with Englands temper; 69. I could wish those words, linea 3 & 4. we know nourisheth them, to be left out, as devoid of all truth, if applyed to the [...]nsect in question: page 70. linea 2. Let him read Boneil, [Page 124] adde Andream Libavium, qui peculiari Tractatu inserto parti secundae Singularium: fusè ac diligenter admodum omnia ad Bombyces spectantia pertractavit: militer (que) Olivier de Serres libro 50 Theatri Agriculturae. Among the things which page 70. he thinketh might be transplanted profitably into England, I could wish the omission of the three first, (viz.) Sassafras, Sarsaparilla, and Snake-weed, the which I greatly doubt would hardly be made to grow there at all with any industry, but sure I am, never to any purpose: and the same I believe about their Cedars and Pines. Medica veterum is without all peradventure the Plant now known under the name of Lucerna; wherefore it ought not to be ranked as it is, page 80. amongst the Plants now unknown; Quid esset lupinus veterum, nemo unquam Herbariorum quod sciam dubitavit quare omittenda ejus mentio inter herbas controversas, page 80. Page 81. What seed, grout, or grutz, is made of the same seed, and in the same manner, as that which in English is called Groats, (viz.) of Oats and of Barley; of those three sorts of Cheeses which he reckons up, page 81. onely the second and third are made of Cows milk, and therefore his expression is too general, and what he sayes there, which are far better then our ordinary Cheeses, is true indeed; but as true it is, that they are far better then their ordinary Cheeses: and as true likewise, that the best of those Cheeses are no better, nor so good by far as some English Cheeses. Verbi gratia Chedder-Cheeses. He is much mistaken, if he believeth that all those things reckoned up. page 82. will grow in England, at least to any purpose, especially Rice, Cork, Scarlet-Oak, and that Sentence of Virgil; Ʋt quid quaque ferat regio, quid quaeque recuset. Justly termed an Oracle by Pliny, doth not depend wholly (as our Authour seemeth to take for granted) on the Climate, and the latitude of Regions, for were it so, Dictamnus, Laser, Cinamonum, Balsamum, Myrrha, Camphora, Stirax, Mastick, Beujovin, Caryophylli, Nux-Muschata; and an infinite number of other Plants would not be, and from all time have been confined to such Territories as they are; all the Industry of man, and the power and wealth of greatest Princes never having been able to make them grow; [Page 125] at least not to make them fructifie out of their native Soils: wonder also to find Linder-trees named in the Catalogue of Plants, which he would have denizon'd in England, seeing tha [...] great store of them and very good by ones have been growing in several parts of the Land, many years since even in & about London, as at Exeter-house, Wimbleton-house, &c. and there besides Sherewood-Forrest in Nottinghamshire, aboundeth in them naturally.
Paris, the 18. of November, 1651.
I Come now to your Legacy, whereon these words, page 84. It casteth up Jet and Amber, I must tell you that as it is most certain, that of Jet, good store is found on some part of the shore of York-shire, so I dare say that upon inquiry it will appear, that never any Amber or Succinum was cast up there by the Sea; that being a commodity so peculiar to Spruce or Prussia, as the Sea was never known to render it in any other Countrey of the world whatsoever, page 85. At Dover they make brick of Sea-owse, a thing very incredible to me. In Cumberland, out of a certain kind of sand they extract salt; It were worth the while to tell in a few words at least, how they proceed in the doing thereof; Not onely notice should be taken by the Husbandman, or Countrey-Gentleman of the different colour, odour and tast of waters, as our Authour wisheth them to do, [...]adem, page 85. but also and much more (as a thing of a much greater and more particular concernment to them) of the wonderful and vast difference of waters (in which none of those three qualities is notably to be discerned) for the several uses of ordinary house-keeping of Husbandry, and of several Manufactures, page 86. If we may believe Glauber, there is scarce any sand without gold; I am very sure that whosoever believeth him herein, as in many other things, will find himself very fouly deceived; Ibidem, save what is taken out of their Ditches. For the word Ditches no wayes proper here, should be substituted Bogs, Fens, or Moors; It is indifferent good fuel, yea, many sorts of them are most excellent [Page 126] fuel. An English-man speaking of turffe, should not name Holland only, but Scotland and Ireland, in which two Countreys turff [...] is of very great and general use, page 87. There is a stone in Durham, out of which they make salt. I would we were told the manner hereof; Ibidem, Lead is found in Durham-wall: I would fain know what Durham-wall is, whether a Town or Countrey, and in what part of England, and why Derb [...] shi [...]e, where those famous Lead Mines are, is not at all named here, page 94. Opium is always an ingredient, this is too generally spoken, page 95. I am not well satisfied with what he sayes of transplanting Elephants into England, and making them of common use there, for many reasons; and I believe it would prove as hard a task to people in England, with any considerable store of Black Foxes, Musk-Cats, and some other of those Animals named, page 96. in these words.
Paris, the second of December, 1651.
THe conceit I find in your Legacy, page 99. Of the medicinal virtues of the plants being sublimed into the Insects bred out of them, is altogether destitute of truth, as very easily and practically may be demonstrated, page 101. That in Ireland rottennesse of sheep is not known; It is too well known there, and even in my time, I have seen great mortalities of sheep caused thereby. Page 103. In Holland they keep their Cattel housed winter and summer: I never knew any Cattle housed in Summer in my Countrey, but all about Paris that is very ordinary: Ibidem, they bury the grains in the ground; they keep them indeed in the ground; but in that manner as cannot well be called burying; for they dig holes a mans length deep and square, cemented not onely in the bottom, but on all the four sides, with a wooden shut at the top, and there they keep their Grains, not lying loosly; but rammed as close as may be; Rapefeed-Cakes, Ibidem, he should have added Linseed-Cakes: Ibidem, Turnips; I never knew them given to Cows in Holland, but at R [...]ven, it is an usual thing to feed Cows therewith, and they do thrive wonderfully therewith, as I am told [Page 127] by an English Lady of my acquaintance, an excellent Housewife, who hath lived a great while in that City, eadem pagina, 103. which are constantly mowed twice or thrice yearly. I never in Holland saw or heard of any Meadows mowen more then once a year: The Paradox held forth. Initio pagine, 104. of the cleanlinesse of Hogs, and their not loving Dirt: I believe not at all to be consonant to truth; especially in the second particular. Ibidem, (the Jews have a peculiar way) after those words, I could wish to be inserted; (which also anciently was most common among the Romans) For the liver of the Goose augmented to an excessive bignesse by a peculiar kind of cramming, was one of the greatest dainties of the Romans, as may be seen in Pliny, lib. 10. cap. 22. and the Authours there alleadged by the Scholiast.
Paris, the 16 of December, 1651.
JNstead of going on for to make an end of my Annotations upon your Legacy, to the end whereof I am well near come; I shall at this time step back for to tell you that one of Purcha [...] his Pilgrims having given us most amply and distinctly the whole manner of making the Caveare, as may be seen in his second T [...]me, page 1420. your friend will do well to leave that out of the Catalogue of those things, which page 81. he desireth to be informed of, by the travels of any Merchant of Gentleman: as likewise give you at large a Relation made to me within these few dayes by a brave English Lady, and an excellent House-wife, greatly confirming and illustrating the practise of feeding Cows with Turnips; of which page 103. she telleth me, that at Roven (where she hath lived a good while) and in all the Countrey round about it, they seed their Cattel usually in this manner. Of Turnips (not of the best, but refuse ones, such as being worm-eaten, or otherwise faulty, are not good for mans meat) they boyl a great many in a great Kettle, whole as they are, with their leaves on their tops; till they be tender, adding thereto good store of bran; (of Wheat only, because that, that of Rye, is scowring, and so not proper [Page 128] for them) and afterwards of the Cakes of Rape-seed, or Linseed; which cakes having a singular faculty of fatting Cattel, they put much lesse of them into the Mesh for Mich-Cowes, (for fear of spoiling their Milk) then for other kind: of this they give them twice a day, so as it maketh the greatest part of their feeding, much more then the hay, which they give them betwixt whiles: and thus they feed them onely in Wintertime, because that all the Summer long they keep them abroad at Grasse: Whether this be used in Holland, as your friend saith, I cannot tell of my own knowledge; having never there seen it, nor heard of it: but in France it is of very old standing, as appeareth by these words of Columella, lib. 2. cap. 10. Rapa non homines solum, verum etiam boves pascunt, praecipuè in Gallia, ubi Hyberna cibaria praedictis pecudibus, id olus praebet. De-serres doth also speak of it, but very shortly, and onely mentioning it in a word or two. lib. 4. cap. 9.
Paris, the 6. of January, 1652.
IN the 104th. page of your Legacy, where I left with my last Annotations, I find these words: In Barkshire many keep tam [...] Pheasants, and have gained well thereby: The which having communicated to a brave English Lady here, a great friend of mine, who hath been a great House-keeper in England, and is a most excellent House-wife; she tells me that at a Countrey-house of hers, not far from Chelsey, she had always great store of them; insomuch as she hath hatched to the number of 200 in one Spring: whereof though many died, yet far and far the greatest part would come to perfection. That of people of quality, she never knew any but here self who kept any; but that there is abundance in the parts near London, who keep them for to make profit of them, and sell them to the Poulterers, that there is nothing more easie to bring up, and to keep, then Pheasants; when they are once past the first Month: for till then, they must be kept onely with Aunts eggs, and feed on nothing else; of which one would think it a hard matter to get so many, but there are fellows in England, who for a [Page 129] little money will get one as many as one can desire: the first month being past, they are kept afterwards with Oats onely, requiring nothing else: but as they love to be kept in Grassie fields: so one must change them somwhat ost to fresh grounds, because they taint the grasse and the ground in the same manner, as Geese do, and for to keep them in, my Lady used to have some parcels of ground, where they were kept inclosed with lats.
Paris the 13. of January 1652.
YOu shall have now the Conclusion of my Annotations upon your Legacy according to your desire.
In the bottom of page 104. your friend speaketh, as if the excellency of Butter and Cheese depended onely on the handling of it, and that Cheese like to Parmesan and Holland Cheese, might be made in England, if the same industry were used there, as in those Countreys which is nothing so: For though Art and Industry can do very much in this particular, as in most others, whereof I have seen most remarkable examples both in England and Ireland, yet there is something in the particular nature of different waters and different Soils, and of the food for Cattel thereon growing: and consequently in that Cattels milk, and in the Butter and Cheese made thereof, which no Art nor humane skill can supply or imitate, no more then the same kind of Beer can be brewed in all places, or the same kind of Wine be made to grow on all grounds. And this is most manifest hereby, that in Holland it selfe there are made several sorts of Cheeses hugely different among themselves; which difference is most remarkable in those two excellent sorts, (viz) the Edam-Cheese (being that kind which is so much transported into forraign Countrys, & every where known by the general Name of Holland-Cheese) & the Stolk-cheese. And if it should be thought, that that diversity proceedeth frō the different makings of cheese, used in the several parts of that country; I can assure you, that if you make Edam & Stolk Boors exchange their habi [...]atlons, and keep all their own fashions, each of them shall make Cheeses, not such as they were wont to make [Page 130] at home, but as used to be made in the places to which they are come. The like may be said of the green cheeses, made in Holland Sheeps milk, especially those of Gravesand, Tessel, and Grind; all three most excellent ones; and yet extreamly differing among themselves. And not to go for examples of this, further then England it self; It were against all reason and experience to think that, that notable difference betwixt Suffolke and Cheshire-Cheeses, commeth onely from the different way of making it. Another thing which I find fault withall in the same Discourse, is, that the Authour nameth the French Angolots among the excellent sorts of Cheese; whereas they are nothing so, neither in their qualities, nor in their price, they being sold for two Sols a piece, whereas they use to weigh half a pound. I do likewise mislike, that he for to instance in the best kinds of Cheese; he fetcheth Parmesans and Holland-Cheeses from abroad, without taking notice; that at home in several parts of the Land, and particularly in Mountgomeryshire, Cheese is made equal to the best of these kinds; and at Chedder in Wiltshire, that which in my judgement is far to he preferred before them, and to any other Cheese in the world. Page 105. I cannot brook that he complaineth England hath but a Systema, or a compleat Book of all the parts of Agriculture; and reckoneth Markham among them, who have writ onely divers small Treatises of it: whereas Markham hath comprehended in his works whatever belongeth to any part of Husbandry, and Housewifery too; with very few and small omissions; such as in no wise can rob him of the name of a general writers; his works also having that excellency, that they are altogether squared for England, and go on experience, rather then on probabilities, and hear-says; to the contrary of what our Authour seemed to tax in him, as well as in other writers of that kind; which maketh me suspect, that either he hath not at all been conversant in Mankham's writings; or that in reading of him he hath been strangely forejudged, he being in my opinion, one of the most excellent of his kind; and in many particulars to be preferred before the most excellent of them all. It is true what is said page 106. [Page 131] There were among the Ancient Romans some appointed to see that men did tell their Land as they should; but that which follows: And if they did not, to punish them as Enemies to the Publique; is too hyperbolically spoken, there being a vast difference betwixt punishing one as an enemy to the Publique, and a simple fining of him, which was all the punishment inflicted for that fault, as you may see in the twelfth Chapter of Aulus Gellius his fourth Book. In these words, page 107. He that turneth fruitful lands into barrennesse, as the Land of Canaan, very fruitful heretofore, but now a barren Desart. Our Authour says nothing, but what is common in the mouth and pens almost of every body, and yet the truth thereof is very questionable, as an observant Reader will easily find by the exactest and latest writers of that Countrey, among whom Eng. Royer is to be placed in the very first rank. By the way of addition to what heretofore I have told you upon that passage of your Legacy, which speaks of tame Pheasants, be pleased to take notice what I was told this week by an English Gentleman, viz. that many years since he hath known tame Pheasants kept in several parts of Buckinghamshire, especially in a Village a little beyond Wickham, where the people keep abundance; for to sell them off to the Poulterers of London. And at the same time an English Merchant told me, that above 25 years ago, he knew some kept at Middleberg in Zealand, and that Mr. William Courtine, the Brother of Sir William Courtine, had above a dozen pair of them. The same person also assured me from his own experience, that the Inhabitants of the Island. Chios keep huge numbers of tame Partridges, the which flying abroad most part of the day, do not fail to return every night each one to his own home, and likewise as oft as they are called by their Keepers, if they be any where within hearing of them. And he assured me, that they do this not onely in the places they are used to, but any where, insomuch that if any man carry his Partridges twenty or thirty miles from his dwelling, and then letting them out of the basket, in which he hath brought them, throw stones among them, expresly for to scatter them, so as all of them do run or fly several wayes, they [Page 132] will all come to him, as soon as he calleth them, and let themselves be taken up by him, the one after the other. And thus I make an end, having nothing to say to any thing contained in the following pages of your Legacy; the re-printing whereof with those alterations and amendments I have hinted to you, I do most earnestly wish for, it being indeed a most excellent piece; and from the beginning to the end fraught with most excellent observations and experiments.
An Answer to the Animadversor on the Letter to Mr. Samuel Hartlib of Husbandry.
TO begin with the first, which is about Blacklead, and so to take them in order.
First, I affirm, and truely that Blacklead is found in Cumberland, and not in any other place of England, yea not in Europe that I can hear of, though I have diligently enquired concerning it. To prove this, you may read Master Cambden in his description of Cumberland, where he is much troubled to find what name the Ancients gave it, vtr. Pignitica, and divers other names hardly understood.
And 2. I know that out of England it is exported to Holland, Germany, France, Spain, and other parts of Europe, and and sold at a considerable rate per tun.
And 3. Little mention is there of this among the late writers, as Agricola, Kent-man, Boot de Boot, or Cysalpinus, unlesse it be what he calls Creta nigra, but because the Animadversor desireth further knowledge of this material, I shall briefly relate what I know of it.
This Mine of Blacklead in Cumberland (as I am well informed) is in the hand of some few men, as Master Bolton and Master Bret, who live in Cornhil nigh the Exchange, and sell Colours, who once in seven years dig as much as they think convenient to serve, not to glut the Market, and then close the Mine up again: I suppose the Dutch Merchant, and consequently the Animadversor were mistaken, either through the [Page 133] similitude it hath to some kind of Slate, which colours the hands blackish, as the black Irish Slate, used much for bruises, and of which kinds I have observed, also divers sorts in New-England, as in Prudence-Isle, and elsewhere, but the blacknesse of the Slate hath not that glittering as the black-lead, or else from the Ambiguity of the word Black-lead, which is not onely taken for this material, (which whether it be to be referred to Terra, Creta, Lapides, &c. I will not here dispute) but also for that sort of Lead, over which the Dutch call glack or glittering (as the Black-lead) much used by the Potters for nealing (as the Animadversor call it) or rather for leading their pots, which is abundantly found in some parts of Wales, and is fusible in the Potters fire, which the other black-lead is not, neither doth it naturally contain any fusible Mettal or Mineral, as I have proved: I think it likewise not amiss to certifie that in New-England this Material is found in divers places; as at Nashaway about forty miles from Boston, as also on Pequat River about eighty miles from Boston: this last was given from the Court of Boston to a friend of yours and mine, viz. Mr. John Winthrop, this Gentleman sent divers pieces thereof to me, that I might enquire of some Dutch Merchants what price it bare in Holland, and how much might be vendible, which accordingly I did, and also shewed it to the two Gentlemen above named, who were very inquisitive where I had it, and how much might be procured thereof, and desired that I would leave one of the greater pieces with them, that they might try it which I did; and the next morning enquiring again what they said to my black lead; they told me it was nothing worth, because it would not endure the Saw, they hoping, as I after found to have had enough for to have furnished Europe with black Combs, which are very rare and dear, a small one usually sold at twenty or thirty shillings: My friend Mr. W. hoped that this material had been Plumbago Cisalpini, which he also calleth Mater Argenti. But I suppose in this particular he was mistaken▪ yet upon Examination we found pure silver amongst it, which by calculation might amount to 15 l. per tun, though the black lead sent me, was found onely on [Page 134] the surface of the earth: I am the longer on this discourse, because this material hath been little considered as yet by learned men that I can find, and also because my friend would be glad to have some ingenious men to joyn with him in a Work, which hath very great probabilities of very great profit to the undertakers.
The common uses of black-lead, are first to make black-lead pens for Mathematicians, &c. 2. For Painters and Limners. 3. For those that work in Copper to make their hammer go glib. And lastly, if any great pieces be found, which is rare in Cumberland Mine, to make Combes of them, because they discolour gray hairs, and make black hair of a Ravenlike, or glittering blacknesse, much desired in Italy, Spain, &c. But I cannot believe that the Potters use it for nealing their pots (as the Animadversor saith) because it is altogether infusible.
To the second Letter of the Animadversor.
FIrst, I see the Animadversor is offended, though I hope without just cause, that I quote Glauber and Helmont, as men of learning and credit. I know that learned Writers scorn to quote Neotericks, but I hope without offence I may, because I only meddle with the plough, a rude and poor instrument, and Agriculture is commonly thought to require little learning or judgement, and being unlearned my self will not follow the Customes of those whom the World count profound and judicious.
2. The Authours above mentioned are in good repute with divers whom I suppose learned.
3. They have laboured and experimented much, as all men know, to find out the truth, and to advance the Commonwealth of learning: Some imperfections I impute to humane frailties, old age, &c. And I should be glad to see a solid answer to Helmont, who hath thrown down both Aristotles Philosophy, and Galen [...] Physick; and as yet I have not seen any man who hath in any measure vindicated their old Masters. [Page 135] Further, I should rejoyce to see an experimental Philosopher confute Glaubers Experiments by experience; till this be done, I cannot but account them ingenious men, and well deserving of the Commonwealth of Learning; and I cannot but account it robbery, or at least great ingratitude, to take any thing out of a learned Authour, and not to acknowledge it, but to the particular Exceptions.
The Army disease (saith Helmont) came into France, as also smutting of Corn, 1530. And the first seemeth to have proceeded from the latter; also at this time the Pox raged, which might also have some augmentation from this corruption of Corn. Although it never was my intention to defend other mens paradoxes, yet I cannot but so far defend him, as to shew that what is here spoken, hath considerable probabilities for truth.
And first, That the Smuttiness of Corn, and the Army disease came both together in France; I am much mistaken, if the French History do not report the same, and the Animadversor seemeth to grant it. As for the Pox it broke forth violently at Naples, 1594. in the French Army, as Helmont and Historians affirm; and was even then in some measure dispersed in Franse, but after this smuttiness of Corn, it might exceedingly more abound. As the Plague in London oftentimes lurks in divers corners many years, but breaketh not forth violently usually, but after scarcity; by the which the humors of the body are more corrupted by ill dyet: But be it this or no, I will not further dispute; but will affirm thus much, that it is not an absurd and foolish conjecture, to say that the Army my disease might proceed from smuttiness of Corn, they both invading France at the same time; but the most probable I have yet seen, especially if that other part be added, viz. The bodye corrupted with the pox; for I have oft seen in Italy an ordinary [...]eaver in such bodyes to be at length not much unlike the fore-mentioned disease, (and this is that Helmont especially drives at in his Book de peste, where he mentioneth only the Pox by the by:) and who knows not that the corruptions of the aliments somtimes produce even the plague, [Page 136] and I think that the corruption of the best aliments, as bread, and which are in most use with us, causeth the worst Epidemical diseases; to the which Hippocrates seemeth to allude, where he saith, Corruptio panis pessima; and it is also too well known, that we who have within these few score of years, altered very much our dyet and customes, as by bringing in of hops into our drink.
2. Using abundance of Sack, which in Queen Elizabeths dayes was sold in the Apothecaries shops.
3. By using of Sugar, Currants, and other sweet things abundantly.
4. By taking Tobacco in smoak.
5. By using Sea-coals abundantly in London, and through the Countrey.
6. By using frequently Dyet-drinks, Purgations, Vomits, Blood-letting, Issues, which were scarcely known to our forefathers.
7. I may adde the living altogether on flesh, which in the times of Popery, we did not: I say have caused not onely great alterations in our wills and dispositions, but also in respect of health and sicknesse. Some sicknesse not being known now, which formerly did much annoy, as the sweating sicknesse in Hen. 7. and before, as also the leprosie which Mr. Cambden thinks came from Egypt, where it abounds very much, Christians getting something for their holy voyaging; but Physicians say it came from eating of fish; for where most fish was eaten, there it most abounded; and eating of fish being left; that noysome disease (God be thanked) is even totally unknown, and all Hospitals for them dissolved: and on the contrary, many diseases assaulting us, some totally unknown, as the Rickets; others not so much known, as the Stone, Gout, Consumptions, Ptysick, Fluores Muliebres: and here I will briefly according to my Countrey-Philosophy tell you how these new diseases are caused: and first from the Hop, Sack, Spices, I suppose the Gravel, Stone, Gout; from Sugar and Currants, and sweet things, which spoil the stomack, and make the body tender, soft, custard-like, easily melted into fluxes, [Page 137] proceed Fluores Muliebres, abortion, and a foundation for the Rickets, and other indisposition in children, ex parte matris. From Tobacco (which is a kind of poyson contrary to our natures, as it appears by the first taking, causing Vomits, Faintings, cold sweats, though use afterwards mitigates these Symptonies, as the Turks by use take abundance of Opium, as much I may say, in one day, as will kill twenty English men: likewise it taketh away the appetite, not by real satiating, but by its Narcotickness deluding nature) since followes the abating of the strength, and vigour of the body, the dulling and minishing of the Spirit, and consequently the dulnesse and paucity of spirits in children, which as the learned Physicians hold, is the special cause of the Rickets, ex parte viri: Sea-coal causeth consumption, Ptysicks, and the indisposition of the lungs, not onely by the suffocating by abundance of smoak, but also by virulency: for all subterrany fewel hath a kind of virulent or arsenical smoak, which as it speedily destroyes those that dig in Mines, so doth it by little and little those who use them here above: therefore these diseases most afflict about London, where the iron Casements, and all iron things are soon consumed by the smoak thereof, and lesse in pure clear air, where this fire is not used. The great and frequent use of purgations (which are smaller poysons, for they extract the good humors as well as the bad, as most Physicians confesse) and Bloodletting do cause that infirm, weak, & feminine disposition in many natures. And to these causes above-mentioned, adde Idlenesse, Gluttony, Drunkennesse, not much known till Queen Elizabeth: for then the first Statute was made against Drunkennesse, the Pest of Whoring, and the consequences thereof, as general causes of all indisposition above-said, and of hundreds more, and to conclude of shortnesse of life.
In Fryer Bacon's time, which was above 400 years ago, Countreymen lived strong and lusty, even to seven score, eight score, as he reports in his Book De Pet. Artis, & Naturae: Now how rare is an old man of an hundred years, not because the World decays, as Master Hakewell learnedly shews, but we by reason of our folly, live not our half our dayes. But I [Page 138] desire pardon for this long digression, it being onely to shew that the alteration of dyet causeth many diseases, and the corruption thereof many Epidemical indispositions, and that to say Smuttinesse of Corn produced the Army Disease, is not so absurd as the Animadversor would have it. As for the Pox, which Helmont doth but lightly touch, I will not long discourse, whether it proceeded from eating mans flesh at Naples, (as Lord Bacon and others seem to affirm) or from the Indyes, which is most likely; but how it first came amongst them, is very difficult to know, its most probable from their base corrupt dyet, eating mans flesh, not using salt, or any thing of high tast, as I have observed amōgst the Indiās of New England, where i [...] abounds, or perhaps from Bestialitys: But I may before I am aware engage my self in that hard Question concerning Contagion, which I acknowledge is too hard for me, as also the cause of the extream multiplication of poysons. He that can tell me how Ferments operate, or how water contracts a mustiness, of wounderful extension, and like fire infinitely multiplyable; Erit mihi Magnus Apollo.
Animadversor. Smutty Corn is a similar distemper, and therefore not visible by the Microscope, &c.
IF by Similar Distemper, the Animadversor mean, as I suppose he doth, total corruption, then he is mistaken in the English word. For the total corruption of Wheat into Smuttinesse, which being broken, flies into black dust, we call smutty bags, and these have lost their specifique and vegetative vertue, so that they will not grow, as I have tried divers times: but what we may call smutty wheat, is only a partial corruption, and may partly be seen by the eye, the wheat being dark and black, especially about the eye; its also spungy, soft, hollow, light: I say that perhaps the imperfection of this grain, whether it be external, as some erosion Canker, or some more inward indisposition may by the Microscope be perceived, for by it (as I have seen) strange inequalities, roughnesse, and as it were veins dissemmated throw the body of the seeds are [Page 139] plainly discerned, which the eye cannot: and further by experience I know, that the vegetative vertue of the seed lyeth in that part which we call the eyes. For I have cut divers grains in the middest, and sown them, and that halfe which had the eye with it unhurt, grew as well as if it had been a whole Corn, the other part not; so that I had above two thousand encrease for one half of a grain, and very excellent Corn, in some ears an hundred grains, in many ninety: This causeth me to question that which I have oft heard amongst Countrey men that Pease eaten by Magots will grow, but produce Magots: for if the eye be whole, the difference will be found nothing betwixt these and others.
Animadversor. Corn sown in Summer, viz. July, will not come to good.
NOt only my friends experience, but also mine own doth manifest the contrary: and I question not, but his own experience, if he please to try, will shew the contrary. For Corn sown in July will not run to an ear till the next year, though it be warm Land, and if it should begin to spindle, (as the Husbandmen call it) it is very easie by mowing or feeding it down with Cattel to prevent it: and here I think it not amiss to relate what Alex. Guagnini reports of Poland in this kind. They begin to sow Rye the fifth of August, (which I suppose is twenty dayes before ours) and end about the latter end of the same month, or else they have no crop to speak of, also there is a new way used in Lands newly burnt thus: With two parts of Barley they sow one part of Rye; the Barley is reaped the same year, the Rye or Wheat groweth little till the Barley is off, then it will grow thick like grasse all the winter, and next year it is reaped: it groweth so thick that an horse [...]an scarce get through it, out of one grain come thirty or forty ears a man on horseback can scarce look over it, and the Farmer reapeth an hundred for one: by this you may see that what I say is not onely true, but also much practised, and that with incredible profit, and to me the reasons are manifest: [Page 140] for the advantages of early sowing are these.
First, The lesser quantity of Seed is necessary.
Secondly, The Corn is well grown, and strong before the Winter, and therefore more able to endure the nipping frosts, which oft killeth Corn newly come up.
Thirdly, It getteth advantage in the Spring of weeds, grass, wild oats, &c. which choak much Corn, the ground being stocked with Corn so that there is no room for them to grow. I know one who having his ground over-run with weeds and wild-oats, by sowing Rye early, had very good and clear corn. But some will object, that the strength of the Corn and Ground is exhausted thereby.
To these I answer, First, They do not consider the even infinite power of living creatures, who will infinitely increase, if nourishment fail not, as fire will, if wood be laid to it, and that without wearisomnesse, by vertue (as I suppose) of the divine Benediction in them.
2. They are ignorant of the Causes of fertility; for I suppose that straw or blade exhausteth ground no more then the boughes and leaves of Trees do, which we see is little or nothing in wood continually lopt: but to know the true cause of fertility, I account difficult, yet shall briefly declare some thoughts of mine concerning it in another place.
Animadversor. His Philosophy concerning Moor-logs no wayes receivable.
JN Moorish places two sorts of wood are found, One very black like Ebony, and it is a kind of Oak: Another sort lesse black or dusky, and is a kind of Pine or Fir. In the North of England I have seen it sold publickly, being slit in small pieces to light Tobacco: it's not unlike the wood which in New-England is called Candle-wood or Pitch-pine. Concerning the blacknesse of these woods I say, that it proceedeth from the turfy earth, wherein these Trees lye; which earths, and all other earths (as I suppose) and subterrany things in their proper places hath an innate power to transmute other extraneous [Page 141] things into their own nature: many examples of this hind we see in nature: to instance onely in putrifying spirits or juces which transmute not onely wood, but also shels, bones, mettals, into their strong nature without destroying the external form: so (I say) this earth endeavoureth to alter or change these Trees into it's turfy nature; and I suppose it hath already changed, as I suppose, the smaller boughs into it's nature, and introduced some indispositions into the greater wood: for this earth hath a peculiar and more manifest faculty of multiplying, then other earths have: for when it is exhausted it groweth again, as I have heard of divers worthy of credit, if so be the water be kept on it all winter, and permitted to run forth in the Spring, which good Husbandry I have seen practised in divers places; and further every one observeth, that it presently stops the Channels and Ditches which are cut through this kind of earth: and therefore from the Vapours, Fumes, or Effluvia, call them what you will; for I think all multiplicative Acts to proceed from such spiritual things, and not from bodies; and of this earth, doth this alteration or blacknesse of the wood proceed, as in putrification is seen, and not as in putrifaction: for the wood is strong, firm, and oft used for boards and building: as to explain my self, Smoak will discolour any thing that is long hung up in it, but in this there is a vital, active, multiplicative Energy, which worketh not by putrifaction, which in smoak is wanting: that the Pine is not so soon changed as the Oak, it is because it is of a more resinous or oyl nature, Pitch, Rosin, and Turpentine, being made out of such Trees, and therefore it is not so easily penetrated: This is in briefe my Philosophy concerning Moonlog, if I am in an errour, I will thank him that shall shew me the truth.
Animadversor. Too credulous to Glauber, who will make Beer without malting, &c. Aqua-vitae, &c. out of Haws, Cankerberries, &c.
TO which I answer, That Beer may be made of Wheat, Barley, Pease, &c. unmalted, I question not; for it is [Page 142] ordinay to adde Wheat ground, or Beans with Malt to make the Beer stronger, and with good successe. Also Cromer in his Description of Poland saith, that they oft make Beer of Wheat ground, &c. yea I know that Potatoes maketh excellent drink in Barbadoes; also in New-England the stalks of Virginian wheat, as it is usually called. Squashes or Gourds, Pumpions boyled make considerable drink; Parsnips make that which is accounted rare; therefore much more the Grains above mentioned: But the great question is, Whether Wheat, Barley, &c. malted or unmalted will make most and best Beer, or Aqua-vitae. Glauber affirms he knows how to make more of Corn unmalted then malted, which though I will not positively maintain; yet I suppose that I can make it appear, that it is not onely possible, but probable it is so by divers Arguments, besides Glaubers testimony: for,
First, An ingenious Chymist of my acquaintance, altogether unacquainted with Glauber and his writings, hath affirmed to me, that he hath oft experimented it, and hath proffered wagers even to Brewers concerning this.De La. Nature de Plants. 593. Also De La Brosse Physician to the King of France, and Keeper of the Royal Garden at Paris, affirmeth, that out of twenty of Wheat fermented his way, he can draw forth no lesse then three pints, and a Chopin of excellent Aqua-vitae, which is above three English pottles; more by far then any will undertake to draw out of the like quantity of Wheat maulted: and further it is without question, that some of the vertue of the Barley is drawn away by steeping in water, for oft the water at the bottom is very red: and also by the sprouting, for that usually is dryed up, and goes away into dust, onely used for the enriching of Corn Lands, and further the difference between the weight of Barley and Mault is very considerable, Mault being lighter then Barley, as I have tryed by a fourth part, or thereabout, which is certainly a diminution of the flower or strength, for the husk is the same in both. Further, what good this fermenting or maulting doth further then to soften the Grain, and make it spungy, so that the liquor may more easily penetrate, and liquefie the flower or nutritive part thereof into a sweet [Page 143] juice, which juice after by fermentation or working doth more seperate it selfe from the grosser parts, and so at length pleasant drinks, and Aqua-vitae is made thereof, which things I suppose may as well, if not better be accomplished by other wayes of fermentation, and all the vertue of the Grain preserved: But enough of this Paradox.
2. I suppose that all who have the least skill in distillations now, that if any liquour will ferment, it will produce an Aqua-vitae, yea and that Spirits or Aqua-vites may be drawn in some measure even out of Roses, Violets, Cold Plants; why then is it so observed to say that Aqua-vitae may be drawn from Hawks and Hips, &c. For though they are fruits of unpleasant tasts, yet we know that even the roughest and harshest Pears will make Perry not inferiour to the best, and in Normandy such a kind of Pear is in greatest use: and further (though I will not affirm, that the Aqua-vitae of any thing may be made as good as that of Wine, &c. as a late French Writer doth) yet I say that ingenuity will advance much in this kind, and cannot but once again exhort men to try what may be had out of such common and trivial things as Haws, Hips, Black-berries, &c.
Animadversor. Fond opinion of Astrologers.
FIrst, I name none in particular. 2. The worst word I use is fond, which is not alwayes taken in the worst sence, and then at worst it is but a diminution of folly, and may onely be applyed to that particular wherein they erre, but because it offendeth, I desire that hereafter it may be expunged, as also [degrees] to be changed into a thousand miles.
Howe, is an instrument well known about London, and in all Plantations, with which they cut off weeds. I suppose it comes from the French word Hoyan, which instrument is used about their Vines.
Wheat is said to lodge when through ranknesse it falleth, and lyeth on the ground. Hips are not Haws, but rather what grows or Eglantine, Rosa Canina, Piles are pieces of Timber [Page 144] driven into the ground to break the violence of the Seas and Rivers.
Glassenbury thorne is called of Parkinson, Spina acuta bistora Britanica, because it usually blassometh at Christmas, (as also Walnut-tree in New-Forrest in Wiltshire) and after in May, as other thorns. Simple people call it Joseph of Arimathea's staffe, and repute it among the wonders of England, but it's found growing elsewhere.
To the third Letter of Animadversions concerning Cyder.
I say in my former discourse, and truly, that there are two wayes of making Cyder.
First, After the juice of the fruit is expressed, presently to put it into Barrels, and there to let it work as Beer usually doth, and that there is not any necessity to put it first into Caves or great Tubs to work in, and thus I have oft seen it made in Kent, and very good.
The second way, which I especially commend, is to boyle the juice sometime over the fire gently either by it self alone, or with some good spices, and then to make it work with some barm or yest, as Beer doth, and afterwards to barrel it, and bottle it up; and this truly I conceive to be the best way for many reasons; and I suppose the West-Countrey Gentleman, whom the Animadversor quoteth, consenteth to this way; for he acknowledgeth that by boyling it may be kept longer, and that is fitter for long Sea-voyages, and consequently better; for boyling purifieth, disgesteth, and taketh away windinesse, and crudities, as we daily see in boyling of Beer, and Ale especially if it be with spices: Now this boyling ought to be before the working or fermenting; for then the watry part flyeth away first, and there is not any considerable decay of the Spirits: but if Cyder be boyled after it hath wrought (as we call it) then the Spirit. Aqua-vitae, or life of the liquour first flyes away, as it is well known even to all Aquavitae Distillers and nothing remaineth but a dead, flat, unpleasant liquour, [Page 145] nauseous to the stomack, and also narcotick and very in-ebriating, as I have found by experience: for on a time distilling a strong red wine, called Tont, that I might have a fine spirit for a peculiar use; I received what remained in glass bottles well stopt for some other occasions. But a servant-maid of my brothers, supposing it had been that good wine she saw me bring into my Chamber, was so bold as to drink two or three spoonfuls, which caused her to be extreamly sottishly drunk: her Mistress seeing her in that case, examined her what she ailed, she truely told her, that she had onely tasted a little (and truely it was but a little) of that wine I had in my Chamber; her Mistress presently came to me with open mouth, fearing her maid had been poysoned; but when I had told them the whole truth, the fear was turned into laughter and amazement; and then I remembred what formerly I had read in De la Brosse, his History naturall, concerning the in-ebriating vertue of the slegm of wime, which Doctor French likewise hath published in English in his Book of Chymistry.
To the fourth Letter of the Animadversor.
FIrst, I answer, that I am not mistaken; for I certainly know, that we have Quinces from Flaunders, Chestnuts from Portugal, Walnuts from France in considerable quantities. I deny not but that they may also come from other parts; but if Walnuts come from Holland, as the Animadversor saith, I am sure that they grow not there, &c. Further I affirm, and truely, that small nuts are oft brought of Spain in abundance, and it is well known to all, which nut is very small, but it hath a very thin shel, and a fine taste a filbert: I grant also that some years Ireland in the woody parts thereof hath plenty of small nuts, but these nuts have thicker shels, and have not that sweet taste that the Spanish have, yet in Ʋlster, where woods do abound, I never knew them cheaper then in Kent. Neither can Ireland supply the World, nay, not England with these nuts; for the greater part thereof is extreamly destitute of woods.
Concerning brewing without multing Corn, I have already spoken, and I hope shown probabilities, that it is not onely feasible, but also to be done with profit.
Animadversor. Grafting, Inoculating, &c. cannot be learned in two hours.
I answer, That the Rules for grafting and inoculating are so easie, the instruments so few and common, that I suppose a less time may suffice; and I know divers who can both graft, and inoculate excellently, and yet have obtained this Art, only by beholding a Gardiner grafting and inoculating, & that but a little while: but I confess that to be excellent in this Art, as in all other handy-crafts, there is required a convenient time, continual use, and a promp and ready hand, which every man hath not.
Animadversor. Vines flourish not many hundred miles North of Alsatia, in France, Lorayn, Germany.
Answer, That it is so in Germany, (when Vines flourish not onely in Silesia and the Palatinate, but also in Brandenb [...]g, and also in Prussia, as Cromer reports) will plainly appear, as also in France, where Vines grow very far North in Picardy, and Champeigne: so likewise in Lorayn, and in those places betwixt France and Germany, (not to speak of the excellent wine in Arbois in the free County) Vines flourish even in Liegh, also about Lovayn, which are very far North many hundred miles from Alsatia.
Animadversor. Vines grow not sixty miles North of Paris.
Answer, That by the way of Beaumont and Beauvois, I I have seen them flourish nigh twenty leagues from Paris, and that they may flourish more North, divers think, and blame either the negligence or ignorance of the Inhabitants. Moreover by the way of Pontois, through Normandy, Vines do flourish even so far North as Arles, 35 leagues from Paris, and within five leagues of Diepe; and I think if the Soil of Normandy were warm land, they might flourish further North, but Normandy is a stiff, chalky land, very improper. Rhemes also is above twenty leagues, N. E. of Paris hath abundance [Page 147] of vines and is accounted the staple of wines in those parts: Therefore it will plainly appear vines to flourish sixty miles North of Paris, and consequently little from the latitude of some parts of England, viz the South-West part of England; and therefore I cannot but again desire ingenious Gentlemen to endeavour the planting of vines with us, especially those four sorts I have formerly mentioned, (according to that way that Captain Tuck an ingenious Gentleman of great Chart in Kent doth) and that Vines will prosper, is not only probable for the reasons aforesaid, but also because the vines flourish also naturally in Canada a very cold place, and also Mr.page 71. Cambden reporteth that many hundred years since, that vines did very much flourish in Brit [...]ain, and of latter years at Ely in Cambridgshire, at Ley in Ess [...]x, as it appears in Dooms Book were six. Arpens of Vines, and it yeilded twenty Modes of wine; also he accuseth us of negligence and sloth, that there are not Vineyards in England at present; Also William of Malmsbury, who lived before William the Conquerour, speaketh of the Wine of England, Cā. 35·7 and saith it is little inferiour to the French, not having such an unpleasant tartness, but not long after William, and his Sons reign, Gascony fell to the English, and so remained three hundred years, which might be the true cause of the ruine of vineyard [...]. Yet at this day I know divers Gentlemen in Kent, who make some Hogsheads of good wine most years, and every year plant more. I hope this business will be prosecuted more generally through this Land, seeing it will conduce very much to the profit, pleasure, and honour of this fortunate Isle.
Animadversor. Pack in so many Plants about Paris, &c.
I mean not of different Species, but of the Plants of vines, as many well appear by the following words; viz. That they may have greater encrease, &c. And I question not, but that the Animadversor hath observed the same fault; for the vineyards about Paris have usually twice the number of vine-plants on their ground as are necessary; and farther it is certain, that if the Vines were thinner, the Wine [Page 148] would be better, because the Vines do shade one another.
Animadversor. To short Poles as we do Hops, &c.
It is well known that we tye not Hops to short poles, but to long ones; and therefore I compare the Vine and Hop together in this respect only, that both want poles to uphold them; but because that the sense is not clear to all, in the next Impression a word or two should be added: viz. Hops to long ones.
Animadversor. Pressing with the feet not frown in the Northern parts of France, &c.
I lived in Charanton two leagus from Paris, a whole Vintage, purposely to see how wine was made in France, and never saw any other way used there; only the husks at the conclusion use to be brought to the great Presse, out of which they expresse some small quantity of wine, and therewith usually fill their Hogsheads, which usually waste in the working: and further in Italy, I never saw any other way used. Moreover, to tread out wine with the feet, is, as I suppose, an old custome, and no disparagement to the wine; for we know that most of the Bakers bread in England is kneaded with the feet, and yet none are offended at it: Neither did I ever see it work in Caves or great Vessels (unlesse for 24 hours) as is ordinarily in Lombardy, in Italy, by eight, ten, or twelve dayes, but presently in France they put it into Hogsheads, and there let it work, keeping them alwayes full, that the scum of froath may go forth. Neither do I see any considerable inconvenience by doing thus, onely a greater quantity of grosse lees will be at the bottom of the wine; but if wine shall any time work in great tubs with the husks of the Grapes, it will lose its colour, grow Garbo, or rough, flattish, &c.
Animadversor. That would destroy.] A bitter word against my Countrey-men, &c.
I particularize no Nation, and we have the aforesaid Commodities from divers Countreys. viz. Poland, France, Germany, [Page 149] Holland, Flanders. I am sorry that the Animadversor did so unhappily apply it to his own Country, and that against my will I am a true Prophet. But whatsoever is bitter I disallow, and wish it expunged; for I protest against it, and really did wonder to see it in my discourse, hating tartnesse in writings. I hope my pen shall slip so no more, yet I should be glad if the State would seriously consider what extream inconveniencies may fall on this Nation through want of Hemp and Flax, and how easie it is to have sufficient for our selves; as I have shewed in my former discourse.
Animadversor. Nothing more hurtful to fruitfulness, then common salt, &c. Niter the only fructifying salt, &c.
Though I consent with the Animadversor, that to speak plainly, so as the Countrey-man may understand me; I say that Niter is the specal cause of fruitfulness, yet I cannot deny Salt to be the greatest enemy to it. For first about Nantwich, where much salt is made by boyling salt-water, the refuse salt doth very much improve their Meadows; and Palissy a French Author doth likewise affirm, that salt doth cause divers places about Rochel to be very fruitful; also Sea-sand, as I suppose, hath its fruitfulnesse from the salt in it: Likewise the salt of ashes, &c. seemeth to me to have as much, if not more affinity to common salt as to Niter, as appears by its Cubick form; yet they do much fertilize both Corn and Pasture: Further, the Lord Bacon, whose authority is of good credit with us, attributeth fertility to salt. As also Markham, whom the Animadversor approveth of as an experienced Husbandman, who prescribeth common salt alwayes to be mixed with his Grain for the obtaining of incredible Crops. Indeed, I grant, that if too great a quantity be used through the corrosivenesse thereof, it causeth barrenness; but the like we may say of Lime, Soot, Ashes, &c. yea of Niter it self; for I know by experience, that under great Pigeon-houses, Walnut-trees, as Vines, Peaches, &c. will not prosper; and I know no other cause then this, That too great a quantity of Pigeons [Page 150] dung doth fall down from the Roofe of the house, and so the Trees are destroyed.
Animadversor. They in Holland preserve their Dung and Ʋrine, no otherwise then else-where, &c.
They are far more careful then we are in England: so that the Sun may not exhaust the vertue, nor the rain wash away the strength thereof, which I note as a good kind of Husbandry, both to be commended and imitated.
Animadversor. Italy sendeth forth little paper, as also Holland, &c.
The finest paper we have in England, comes from Genoa and Venice, yet not so much from the latter place as formerly, since the plague there 1630. Much of this paper is gilded with Gold on the edges. Holland ships not onely furnish us with a thick strong white paper, which is commonly called Dutch paper, but also abundantly with a strong brown paper much desired by the Grocers. (Although at present, lesse is imported because we have many Paper-mils lately erected) but whither this be made in Holland, Friezland, in Germany, or elsewhere, I dispute not.
The fifth Letter of the Animadversor.
The Abel Tree is a Popular, not a Salix.
I Thank the Animadversor for reforming my errour; for I was informed that it was a kind of Sallow, but it seemeth it is a kind of Popular or Aspe; and so at length by enquiry I have found it named by Parkinson in his Herbal.
Animadversor. The profit of Silk is not so great as of Corn and Wine to France.
I do not positively affirm it, but onely report it upon the credit of a late French Writer, whose name I at present remember [Page 151] not, and I am also far from my Library, that I cannot turn to him: It indeed seemeth to me likewise very probable, for I know that Corn and Wine are heavy, bulky commodities, of low rate, Wine sometimes being not much more worth then the Barrel, and Corn scarce a Merchandable commodity in any place, yea France it selfe sometimes wants it: so that a little Silk will ballance these two, and France as it is well known hath not onely sufficient for it selfe, but many Plushes, Velvets, and other Manufactures of Silk, were in a considerable quantity exported for England till the late prohibition; and why may not Silk do that in France, it doth in Italy. Yea that which all will grant Flax doth for Linnen, Canvases, &c. and are of greater value.
Animadversor. Silk is a stranger to the parts that are nigh Englands Temper.
King James, and his learned Councel in their Letter to the Deputy Lieutenants affirm the contrary, and bring this as an Argument to encourage the people to set upon this work.
Secondly, Much Silk is made at Tours, (yea I am informed that that populous Town doth even totally subsist by it) which place is not very much different from Englands temper, being not much above two degrees from the South of England: and I say again, if Silk-worms are come even out of Persia, China, and those very hot Countreys, as far as the heart of France, which is very temperate▪ and yet these Worms thrive very well there; why may they not come a little farther, and why do we not strive to advance them here as well as France? yea we find by experience, that some few Gentlewomen have bred divers up for their pleasure, even as far North as Duckenfield in Cheshire, where some quantity of Silk hath been made, yet this place is nigh as far North of some places of England. As they of Tours. Moreover, a Lady (Virginia F.) as I have lately seen in print, hath hatched worms in England, and then turned them forth to the Mulberry-trees, exposed to the cold and moysture of the Air, and yet they have done well, yea [Page 152] better then those within doors. These and other reasons do so far convince me, that I cannot but again and again desire ingenious men to proceed in this rich and pleasant work.
Animadversor. Moysture is no way nourishing to these Worms,
First, I say in general, that heat and moisture are the two great Causes of Insects; where these abound, Insects abound, where one of these are wanting there are but few engendered, And why should we exempt these from the common generation of Insects? and consequently if ingendered by these, nourished by these according to the old Axiome, Ex iis nutrimur, ex quibus constamus.
And 2. We know that the damp, moist Woods of Virginia do breed Silk-worms of an incredible bignesse, surpassing the Spanish and Italian. And likewise that a Lady in England (as I have it from a friend whom I dare believe) turning the Silk-worms not long after they were hatched into the Mulberry-trees, by experience found, that they prospered better then those that were kept dry within dore:Sir Ja. Craig. yea in Ireland in the County of Cavan in Ʋlster [the moistest of all places] a Gentleman kept divers Silk-worms, which prospered very well, and therefore I cannot think moisture, as moisture, any considerable enemy to them; for of it self it hath little activity, and if these worms shall not thrive in any place, I will rather attribute it to cold which is known to be an active quality, and the great destroyer of all Insects; for we see in England that moist Summers do increase Flies, Gnats, Butter-flies, &c. and it is the cold winds and frosts that destroy them; yet I will grant that moisture accidentally hurts, viz. as it introduceth too much frigidity, or if it be too much in their meat, it may cause fluxes, rottings, &c. as it doth to Conies, Guiny-pigs, &c. As for Bonveil who hath writ of Silk-worms, I have both read him, and commend him; Libavius also I have, and even all his many Volums: but in my opinion he hath written Multa, sed non Multum.
Animadversor. Sassafras, Sarsaparilla, and Snake-weed, I am sure will not grow to purpose.
First, why not? I am sure that Sassafras groweth in the Northern Plantations of New-England, even as far North as Sacho ▪ where the Snow usually lyeth five moneths, and the Winter extream bitter in respect of England: and further this Sassafras is not a small plant or shrub easily nipt with the frost, but a great Tree, so that boards of ten inches Diameter have been made thereof; and further, where it once groweth, hardly to be destroyed: so that it much annoyeth the Corn by its young shoots, and the Mower in Harvest more then any other Tree that I heard of in that Countrey. I was informed that the Native Indians of the place, when they lose themselves in the Woods, presently run to these small shoots, and thereby know which is North and South. Indeed I have observed that one side is more speckled then another, and perhaps other small shoots of plants are so, but not as yet observed (for ought I know) of any. This Plant is not sufficiently described by Gerrard, Johnson, Parkinson, or any that yet I have seen.
For first, They speak not of any flowers, and yet it hath fair, white, large flowers, almost as big as Rosa Canina, but I perceived little smell in them, though all other parts of this Plant, as leaves, bark, wood, and root especially, are very odorifero [...]s.
Secondly, They mention not the seeds which are about the bigness of Bay-berries, many of which I sent out of New-England, some of which grew in York-Garden at London, but through mishap perished.
Thirdly, This tree is not alwayes green, as Parkinson, Johnson. saith, but in New-England casteth its leaves. Perhaps in Florida it may perpetually be green; for I know that in New-England the wild-Bays (which is like our common bays in smell and leaves) casteth its leaf in Winter, as also a kind of [...]ir about Casho-bay, (out of which is extracted a very odoriferous gum) and others in like manner, &c. In New-England [Page 154] divers in the beginning of their plantations, used this Plant in their Beer, hoping that it would have served both for mault and spice, but it deceived their expectations. For in my apprehension it giveth a taste not pleasant, and also they that accustomed themselves to this drink, especially in the Summer found themselves faint and weak, not able to endure labour.
Animadversor 2. Sarsaperilla will not thrive in England, &c.
First, Smilax (to which this is referred) is two-fold.
1. Aspera, which is not found as yet with us.
2. Levis, or Convolvulus, this groweth naturally wild with us, whose leaves though they differ much from the former, yet the root is very like, as I have seen them compared together; and further the vertues also; as I have been credibly informed by divers ingenious Apothecaries.
2. This Smilax aspera is found not only in Peru, &c. But also in Virginia (as I am informed by divers) which is a Countrey whose Winters are far more piercing then in England.
3. In New-England I have seen a Plant with good success used for Sarsaperilla, which is a plant about one foot and an half high with an upright stalk, with some few leaves at the top; I at first sight, thought it the plant called Herba Gerardi, but the root is very like the Sarsaparil, commonly used with the pithyness, which maketh me to think that there are divers species of these Smilaxes; some of which may well thrive and prosper in England, especially those that grow in New-England and Virginia, but concerning this plant and divers others, which grow in New-England, I cannot give you that account I desire, because my seeds and papers unhappily miscarried.
Animadversor 3. Rattle-snake Grasse will not thrive, &c.
Parkinson, an able Botanick, saith it flourisheth with us in June and July, and therefore what should hinder it from thriving to the purpose?
[Page 155]2. Virginia (as I said before) hath sharper Winters then England, and yet there it groweth abundantly in the Woods without cultivation, why not with us therefore by good managing and art? When I was in New-England I was acquainted with an ancient Gentleman, who also was a Scholer, and had lived ten years in Virginia, who certified me that there were two sorts of Rattle-snake-weeds, the greater, and the less. That which he called the greater I casually had in my hand, it was a bulbous plant, about the bignesse of a Pigeons egge, and [...]ilky in the root, it grew in the water, and the leaves like Pistolochia: he told me that this was accounted the best; the second is called the lesse; and according to Parkinsons description the leaves are like the former, but the root is fibrous, and this is that which is commonly brought for England; and for my part I suppose, and upon good grounds, that not only the former, but also the latter will thrive with us. I have oft desired many of my friends and acquaintance to send me this plant, and divers others which grow even at their doors, but could never prevail so far with them, and have far greater hope of the flourishing of this wild plant, that of Tobacco, (either of that which in New-England is called Poak, much differing from the Virginian, or of that other commonly used and sown in Virginia) for they grow not naturally in these places, and yet Tobacco so flourisheth in England, that it pleaseth the State to take notice of it, and by an Act to prohibit it. And though I cannot deny but God hath given his peculiar blessings to every Countrey: yet it doth not hence follow, that nothing which groweth in an hot Countrey will thrive in these more Northern Climates; for most of our curious plants, as Apricocks, Peaches, &c. Flac. Pernvianus, Juca, &c. came at first from hot Countreys, yet thrive well with us: yea true, Rhenbarb: (if we will believe Parkinson) which formerly hath only grown in the East-Indyes, groweth abundantly with us. This I am sure, if it be not the same, it is very like in vertue: and daily we find that things brought out of a hot Countrey do flourish with us, as lately the great Spanish Cane (much used by Weavers and Vintners.) Master John [Page 156] Tradeskin brought from the Western-Isle, and it flourisheth well in his Garden, and groweth great and tall.
Animadversor. So of Pines and Cedars, &c.
I wonder that the Animadversor should question the growth of Pines in England, seeing they grow commonly in the Plain of Poland, as Cromer saith, and the Pitch-tree is a kind of Pine growing even in the coldest places. In New-England I have seen Pines above four foot Diameter, and the length accordingly, even in the most Northern places. Further, these commonly grow in the Gardens about London: so concerning Cedars, they grow of a very great heighth and bignesse in the Northern parts of New-England, where show lyeth five or six months, and therefore I do not any wayes question their growing with us: and do again note that the neglect of these as also of the Fir-tree, is a great deficiency in England; and to what a straight our State might now be driven for Masts, did not New-England furnish us? as also for Pitch and Tar, is well known. And yet these Trees will grow in very barren land, and are sweet growers. Yea, as it appears by our Mosses they have formerly grown in, England. Further, many will stand in a little ground, so that I dare boldly aver, that one thousand Acres planted with these Trees would in forty years serve this Isle with Masts for ever, and help us to great quantities of Pitch and Tar; for where these Trees once take, they are very hardly destroyed, as I have observed in New-England, where on an Isle every year in Summer, the Planters spent a day or two to cut them down, that the place might pasture the better for their young Cattle, but these Trees did presently grow again, so that they gave over their intentions, seeing their labour fruitless: but whether or no these Cedars (which are both white and red) of New-England and Barmudaes ▪ be the same with those of Libanus, which are Coniferae, I will not dispute, or whether they be a kind of Juniper, as Parkinson saith; so far as I have observed the leaves of the smaller shrubs are rough and prickly, and the berries not only the Junipers.
Animadversor. Lucerna is without doubt Medica veterum, and well known.
I much question it, for first Johnson, and Gerrard, and Parkinson, our best Herbalists do rather think Medica veterum to be Saint Foin.
2. Though I have had above twelve sorts of Medicaies, yet they are all Annual, and our Herbalists do not mention any other Medicaies; But be it so, as the Animadversor saith, yet neither the Plant Lucerna, not so much as the name was known to us, til I mentioned it in my Letters to M. Hartlib, neither did ever any sow it in their fields, as the Ancient have done.
Animadversor. Lupines known to all, &c.
I grant that amongst our Gardiners are divers sorts of Lupines, great and small with blew and yellow flowers; which as I suppose may differ as our Pease and Tares, and therefore require divers sorts of land; but I say that these Lupines are totally unknown to the Husbandman, and never used for that end, the ancient Romans used them, viz. to fertilize their land, as in Kent some use tares. In New-England I found the small blew Lupine growing naturally on a dry white sandy Plain, and therefore think that that sort is more natural for the end above mentioned, then the great Lupine, I hope in little time to experiment something in this kind.
Animadversor. Grout is made of Barley or Oats, &c.
I know that we have a great kind of Oatmeal, which we call Grots, but this Grout which I mean, is a small round thing, it cometh over to us in Holland ships, and I suppose it a kind of Millet or Panick, but wonder how it comes to Holland, because those Grains grow not there; but if it be made of Oats or Barly, the way to make it so round & smal is unknown to us: I read in Parkinson of a kind of Rice sown in Germany, [Page 158] perhaps it may be of that kind; for I have found, as I suppose, some of the grains unhusked, which to me seemed to be like very small rice, I would willingly know the truth of this, whether I be mistaken or not.
Animadversor. The two last sorts made only of Cows milk.
I suppose he meaneth Angelots and Holland Cheeses, and that Parmisans are made of other milk then Cowes milk. If so, that Animadversor, I dare say, is mistaken; for I have enquired concerning Parmisans, even to Lodi in Millan, where the best are supposed to be made, and yet never heard any affirm that any milk besides Cows milk was an Ingredient to them: and further all the Lands in those parts are very improper for sheep, the Countrey being a low flat Countrey, which they float three or four times every year, and by that means do mow as often; neither did I see any considerable flocks of sheep. As for Mares milk that is improper for cheese, though many good House-wives in England think, that the strength and strong savour of Holland Cheese proceeds from hence, but as I have formerly touched, falsely: perhaps there are some in other places, who to excuse either their negligence or ignorance, report the same of Parmisans, but they are deceived: As concerning Angelots and Parmisans, I must say (though I am unwilling to disparage our English Houswifery, further then is right) that to my apprehension the Angelots of France, which are made in great abundance, are better far then our Chester Cheeses, and also our Banbury; as for our Chedder Cheeses which are made onely in two or three parishes in their number so small that they are seldom seen, but at some Noble-mans table, or rich Vintners Sellars, that they are even nothing considering the great quantity of Cheese which is made in this Isle. Neither do I think they transcend the Parmisan or some Angelots, but I leave this Controversie to every ones palate; that being very excellent to one, which is very little worth to another: and I can truly affirm, that it is a great deficiency even through the whole Isle, if these Cheddar [Page 159] Cheeses be so good that there are so few made, the Pastures in that Country not exceeding other Counties in England; nor breed of Cattel better. Neither is the price of Angelots at two Sous for half a pound, a vile price (as the Animadversor saith) considering the Cheeses are usually sold green; further I have seen some few Angelots made in England after the French manner by some curious Ladies of transcendent goodnesse, according to mine and divers other palats; and I suppose, that other ordinary Housewives might make the same, if they knew the Art.
Animad. The Animadversor seemeth to taxe me, that I account the difference of Climates and of Soils the onely causes, why some places produce such and such plants abundantly, other places not, (if I mistake him not) concerning which I shal briefly and plainly declare my mind: and do affirm that,I think, where the Climate is the same, and the temper of the Soil equal, in such places all plants will equally thrive, but if the Climates vary either in heat or cold moisture or drinesse; or the Soil in fruitfulness, barrenness, or in moysture, driness, or in stifness, lightness, sandyness, clayishness, or in such circumstantials, then is there also a variation in the well or ill thriving of plants: and further I suppose that whatsoever plants thrive in one hot Countrey, they will also thrive in another, if there concur the like moysture and soil (the same cultivation being supposed) this plainly appears in Oranges, Lemmons, (which the Spaniards have planted through all the West-In [...]lyes) Olives, Vines, &c. And on the other side, what thriveth in one cold Countrey, (caeteris paribus) thrives in all others, as it appeareth in Norway, Poland, New-England, Russia, New-found-l [...]nd, where Firres, Pines, Pitch trees, &c. grow abundantly, and so what thrives in our temperate clime, thrives in all, as is manifestly seen in Apples, Peares, Cherries, Wheat, Barley, and almost in all Grains and Seeds in Botanick Gardens. And I can see no other cause worth the speaking of, but the afore-mentioned. Yet I grant that hot Countries have their peculiar plants, which will very hardly thrive in cold Countries, because of the nipping frost, yet [Page 160] the frost being rebated they will thrive well; and by this means I have seen six miles from London in Surrey Orange trees flourishing and growing even to the greatnesse of Trees in that kind in Italy, with ripe fruit continually on them, also with blossoms, &c. Likewise cold Countries have their peculiar fruits and plants, which cannot endure the scorching heat of the Sun, and therefore the Herb called Lanchitis, and others which grow abundantly in cold Countries, and in the Royal Garden at Paris, as difficulty preserved in Mompelier Garden, as Oranges, Olives, &c. are preserved in the cold Countries.De la Brosse. As for occult proprieties of the earth, for Sympathyes and Antipathies, secret influences of Planets benigne aspect, &c. I understand them not, but dare boldly affirm, if I have a convenient Clime, and a Soil correspondent to the nature of the Plant, to cause any plant to thrive and prosper; and this we see by experience, that if Rye, &c. be sown in a dry sandy ground, whether in Poland, England, New-England, which are many thousand miles distant, yet it will thrive and prosper, & sic de ceteris.— As for Astrology, to the which all in these dayes are too prone, even Gardiners and Husbandmen, will be talking of the dark of the Moon, and of the increase and decrease of the Solar and Lunar Ecclipses; and accordingly dispose of their seasons, of times to their great damage; for I my self even by experience have found folly in these things, for things sown in the great Ecclipses both of the Sun and Moon, have thriven as well as other things: in the decrease as well as in the increase, and therefore wish all men to sow their seeds when the season appointed is come, without such vain observations: For this Art for what I can perceive, is no way demonstrable à priori; for who can prove 12 Signes, Fiery, Watery, Domus Planetarum, Dignitates, &c. which are the main pillars of this Art: and à posteriori, by calculations it is made more uncertain, for though much is undertaken by divers, yet little is effected, many untruths for one truth, and little prognosticated, but what a prudent man without advising with the Stars may foresee. In brief, I will declare my rude thoughts, which perhaps will at length be [Page 161] found truths, for light breaketh forth a pace: In the beginning the wise Creator made two great Lights for the use of this Sphere of the World, the Sun, and Moon; the Sun to enlighten and to warm, and refresh all things, and to rule the day; the Moon to rule the night, and to be for the distinguishing of times and seasons; the Sun being the Center imparts his light to the Earth and Moon, also to Venus and Mercury, (for they are found by the Selnescope to increase and decrease as the Moon doth) and also it is probable to Mars, and Jupiter, and Saturn, and scarce further; for the power of all created things are finite, as the Moon being nighest reflects its light on us, so its probable that the Earth illuminates the Moon. Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, have their Lunars or small Stars moving about them, which have lately been discovered (the Ancient knew not thereof) which its probable are for the distinguishing of times and seasons for the Inhabitants of those parts. Those which we call the fixt Stars are very great, many of which because of their great distance cannot be discovered but by the Glass called the Telescope, and therefore surely have little operation upon us who are in another Sphere, so far distant from them, and amongst these its probable some are Solar bodies, because of their twinckling, others terrestrial, which are replenished with creatures endued with life, by the fountain of life, which creatures do, as the creatures in this earth continually set forth the infinite Greatnesse, Glory, Mercy, and Goodnesse of the Creator;Cusan Hill. Brum. and these words are even infinite, for the infinite Creator hath made an infinite Work worthy of so great a Workman, transcending the narrow capacity of frail mans intellect, and if things be thus, Astrology is vain, &c. but I wonder some will say, toto Coelo, but its no matter: ad propositum.
Animadversor. He is much mistaken if he think that those things reckoned up page 82. will prosper in England, especially Ryce, Cork, Scarlet, Oak.
I answer, Perhaps not much mistaken; things far improbable [Page 162] have succeeded; and again I aver that I believe they will, and shall believe so, till experience prove the contrary. And first for Rice, which first came from Babylon, and the East-Indyes, and is in those places their usual bread, where they have usually two or three Crops every year, yet we see it can condiscend now to grow in the North parts of Italy in Lombardy; yea it hath stept over the Mountains, and is come even as far as Tours, which is in the midst of France, where it growth and especially delighteth in moist morish grounds; also if may believe Parkinson a good and painfull Botanick, either Rice, or some thing so like Rice, that he puts it in the same Chapter with it, grows in Germany, and therefore I question not but we in England might have one good Crop of this Grain in our Morish Land yearly; for the reasons that this will thrive with us, to me are more strong then that Coriander, Sweet-fennel, Caraway, Canary-grass, the Great-Cane,&c. will thrive, and yet these of late begin to flourish with us very well.
Cork-tree. I very little question the growth of this. For first these trees grow abundantly in Biscay, a Countrey far colder then England, where the Summers also scarcely mature the grapes: Likewise they grow in the North of New-England at Parcato-way. Further that Tree is a great hardy bearing Acorns, and leaves like to an Oak, that one may easily be deceived by it, and mistake it for the common Oak.
Scarlet Oak, I hope, I shall make it very probable, that even this also may flourish in our Isle: In Latine it is called Ilex, of which there are divers sorts. Some greater, some less, some more, some less beautiful: the greater sort which indeed beareth little of the Chermes groweth very well in England to a great Tree, and beareth Acorns, one of which I have seen at Whitehall-Gate.
2. Master Parkinson reporteth that in New-England and Virginia, &c. The smaller Ilex (which is fruitful of Chermes, if it be cultivated) groweth naturally.
3. This Scarlet Oak groweth not onely in Languedock, and [Page 163] the hotter parts of France, but I have seen it also in Paris royal Garden grow without much art or industry.
4. Divers Plants though at first they difficultly thrive, yet when they are habituated to the Countrey, and to cast their seed there, thrive well: Thus I have observed that Virginia Wheat at first difficultly thrived in New-England, but the seed that matured there the next year, flourished very well: the same I observed of Wheat brought from England, of water Melon seed brought from the Western Islands: the like I observe in Ireland of Oats and Barley sown before December, the Winter kills much, but what endureth and ripeneth, is hardened for the next Winter, and flourisheth, &c.
5. There may perhaps other Species be found of this Scarlet Oak, more proper for our Climate, and I remember that on the barren plains in New-England I have seen growing even every where a small Oak, seldom above two foot high, yet laden with small Acorns, which are indifferent good to be eaten, and are the special food for the wild Turkeys in Winter, the leaves differ little from the common Oak but are smaller: some of these small Oaks being cut up nigh to a Damme made to turn a small river for the iron works, I perceived that out of the young twigs (which I never before perceived in the old branches) many excrescences did break forth, sticking close to the bark, flattish, reddish, set in order like buttons on a Dublet, the lower-most biggest, and so by little and little less and less, the bigger sort bigger then Vetches. These excrescences likewise grew on every twig double, one range opposite to another: I, in September when the leaves where fallen, for sooner I did not perceive them, gathered about a pint, hoping that this Oak might be of the same nature with the Scarlet Oak, though much differing in leaves: but my mishap. I lost my berries, and never since could obtain more: For these reason; therefore I believe, and I hope others will so far, as to endeavour by experience to find out whether the Scarlet Oak which is a considerable Plant, will thrive amongst us.
Animadversor. I wonder Linden-trees, &c.
[Page 164] Linden-trees are not mentioned as not growing in England, for I know that they grow in many places, and in Cobham Park in Kent they make the statelyest Walk I ever beheld, but Gentlemen only plant them for pleasure. Whereas in other places they make Basse Roap of the Bark, &c. which is no where done in England that I can hear of.
6 Letter. Amber onely found in Prussia.
THis will upon strict enquiry be found otherwise, for many report Amber to be found also in considerable quantity in Pomerland. Cromer also in his discription of Poland saith it is found in divers Lakes with them, especially at Piscia; also that in other places they usually dig it up; also Master Cambden an approved Author for England saith in his description of Norfolk; and also Jet and Amber, which (saith he) I willingly omit, seeing that there is great store of these things elsewhere along the Coast. Also that Jet or black Amber is cast up at Whitbey in Yorkshire: Further I have seen long pices of a yellow transparent Stone, or Amber found in a Fountain nigh Lake Neagh, about six miles from Antrims which the Irish say (though vainly) that it is found only there on May-day, and doe use it superstitiously about divers things.
Animadversor. Sea-Owse will not make Brick, &c.
I have seen Sea-Owse or Mud do it at Dover; also in New-England, and it it a common practise, and if I am not misinformed that sort of Brick, which in London is called Flandersbrick much used, for scowring brasse, &c. is made of the same Material.
Animadversor. Salt out of a Sand, &c.
Master Cambden reports it to be at Wyre-water in Lancashire, page 753. where you may read it more at large, and also [Page 165] the same Author reports that at Butterley in Durham, there are saltish stones which serve the people for their use, pag. 734.
Animadversor. Not only the Odour, Tast, and Colour of Waters to be regarded, but other things of greater importance.
I for my part know not how Countrey-men should discern such transcendent virtues in waters, otherwise then by, these wayes. I know ingeninus men may make separations by putrifactions, distillations, &c. And further I suppose that water is of it selfe most Homogeneus, (Let Faber speak what he please in his Flydrographo) and that all the differences betwixt waters is accidental: viz. by the mixture of some vapours, Fumes or Saline nature, which it receiveth by its long course throw divers Earths, Clays, Sands, Salts, Minerals, Metals, Stones, &c. and further that this mixture is most commonly perceived by our senses, viz. by Colour, Taste, Odour, and would be much more perceived by us, if we did drink water continually. For the use of things of high taste, causeth us that we cannot distinguish things of lower gusts. For I have known some who could strangely distinguish waters by their tast; and further in England I know no water of any considerable vertue, but an ordinary palate may distinguish it from the common waters, and usually they are discoloured, and have some peculiar odour: As for the Mechanical uses of waters, why some are fit for Brewing, Washing, others not. I suppose the reason is plain enough, but that Flatters cannot make good Hats, because the water is not good enough for them: or the Dary-maid make good Butter or Cheese, &c. I think these are but excuses by the which they usually cloak their ignorance or knavery.
Animadversor. I am sure that whosoever shall believe Glanberus, viz that in all sand almost Gold is found, &c.
The Animadversor may think what he please, but I for my part (as I have formerly said) think Glanberus very ingenious, and a man of excellent experimental knowledge, and a man [Page 166] of excellent experimental knowledge, and therefore am easily induced to believe it, considering that Gold is not only found in the parched sands of Africa, India, &c. but it hath been also found in many Rivers of Europe, as Tagus, Po, &c. yea in Scotland, Gold is found amongst their sands in divers places, some of which I have seen, and know two ingenious men who intended to have set up a Mercury Mill (as they called it) for the separation thereof, had not the troubles of these times prevented: Golden sands are also found in Ireland in Ʋlster, if the Author of the Natural History of Ireland speak truth.
Animadversor. Little fewel, save out of Ditches. Ditches an improper word.
I suppose it not much improper, for I never saw either in England, Ireland, or elsewhere; fire as it were fisht out of the water, I mean that any place is so saving of their Land, and so industrious in sowing their Graffs and Ditches to get fewel as in that Countrey, which I note rather as a point of good husbandry to be mistated then to be discommended, yet I cannot call Turf more then indifferent good fewel, and really must say, it is inferiour both to Coal and Wood.
Animadversor. Durham-Wall, &c.
It is misprinted for Durham-Walls, &c. These places being sufficient for my purpose, I know twenty places more may be added. The expression concerning Opium and Opiates; I suppose very little too large.
Animadversor. Elephants cannot be of use.
Master Cambden saith in his Description of Essex that the Romans brought over Elephants to England, whose bones being found, have astonished many (perhaps the bone at Aldermanbury is one of them) also in our dayes an Elephant lived many years in England, therefore to me its probable they may be as serviceable to us, as to other places.
Animadversor. An hard task to people with black Fox, &c.
I suppose the Animadversor means to cause them to encrease with us, but I think the contrary: for black Foxes are found in Ireland, New-England, Russia, and indeed in all cold Countries, therefore I see not why they should not multiply. Musk-Cats likewise divers have kept in London, and with good profit, &c.
7 Letter. All Plants sublimed into Insects are not medicinable, &c.
J Do not positively affirm it, yet I know it is the opinion of sonie not to be despised; further that some have very considerable medicinable vertues, it is well known, and I have instanced in divers, and I suppose that as yet it is altogether unknown whether others have or not.
Animadversor. Rottenness of Sheep known in Ireland, &c.
Rottennesse of Sheep is some times in Spain, but not so much known as in England, though the Countrey be moister; the reasons now I well know, for they have not so many base wet Commons as in England, and the great Sheep-Masters usually chuse their Sheeps-Walks, or Pastures, on high dry Lands, &c.
Animadv. In Holland Cattle not housed in Summer, &c.
Holland with us is usually taken for the 17 Provinces, or at least for the united ones, and that Cattel are housed there as well as at Paris, you may read at large in Flanders husbandry, as also how they give their Cattel Turnips, and that they mow their Medows twice or thrice yearly, which the Animadversor denyeth. How the Hollanders do hoard up or bury grains, for that word is proper enough for any thing that is covered in the ground, the Animadversor largely describeth, and I hope it will be practised about London, where in the Summer time they are little worth.
Animadversor. Hogs are not cleanly but love dort, &c.
If Hogs love dirt, then why do they not wallow it in Winter as well as in Summer, but it is well known that in Winter hogs must lye warm and dry in clean straw, or they will not thrive, and why is it a greater disparagement to hogs in the Summer to lye in mire, that thereby they may cool themselves, take away their sweat, and destroy their lice by rubbing when the dirt is dry, then for other cattel to stand and wallow in muddy waters, or for Poultry to dust themselves? And further an Hog much abominateth his own dung, and therefore will never dung nor pisse in his Sty, if the door be open, in which particular he excels even all creatures, and therefore the Paradox of the Hogs cleanlinesse may be found true.
As concerning the extraordinary bignesse of Goose livers, it is in Italy amongst the Jews, where I have eaten of them, highly esteemed, but at present not much in credit amongst the Italians, and to my Palate it is not so excellent a dainty.
8. Letter. Animad. Purchase in his second Tome, sets down the making of Caveare, &c.
I Am certain that Purchase himselfe, never saw the making of Caveare, nor the Merchant perhaps that wrote it, and therefore I must question the Process, and know that in New-England where there are abundance of Sturgeon, whose rows are ordinarily accounted the Material of it, yet never any ever so much as attempted to make it, though divers Fishmongers were there, and attempted to pickle Sturgeon, though with ill success; for in the ship in which I returned from New-England, many Scores of Cags of Sturgeon were sent to London, which were all naught, and cried about the Strees, under the notion of Holy Sturgeon: perhaps if Purchases way were known, it might encourage some to attempt the making of it. If I had Purchase by me, I would write it forth and publish it: at present his Works are rare and dear.
[Page 169]The Animadversor doth very well describe the manner of feeding Cows with Turnips, p. 113. I hope our Gardiners will take notice of it, and practise it, for it may be much for their profit, and for the advantage of many poor people.
9. Letter.
J Wish also that the breeding of Pheasants, as the Animadversor sets down were better known, for many poor might get good living thereby, as divers do in Bark-shire, and about London: I know also other Noble men, who keep many of these fowls; as also a poor man in Ireland, who hath a Pheasant, Cock, and Hen, which run amongst his Poultry, his Cocks tail of a very great length, which live very well, and lay eggs as other fowls without further trouble, and I question not, but others might be made tame also in England.
10. Letter.
COncerning Cheese I have already declared my mind: viz. that Parmisans and Angelots which are commonly made in France and Italy, are far beyond our Chester, or what we commonly make in England.
2. Our Cheddar Cheeses are seldom seen, unlesse at some Nobles mans table, &c. and yet I doe not think they excel Parmisans; but whither my Palate be a true judge or not; I am sure it may be noted as a great deficiency that so little excellent Cheese is made with us, seeing so much is made elwhere. The cause of this deficiency the Animadversor referreth to the Water as appeareth by his examples. But I, and I suppose more truely to the good skill and clean handling of the Dairy Maid, and also to the difference of pastures; for that good or bad Houswifery maketh or marreth Cheese is very well known, as also that difference of pastures in respect of sweetnesse and sowrnesse, much or little, fresh or stale, &c. causeth also great difference, not onely in the quantity, but also in the quality of Butter and Cheese. But that the difference [Page 170] of water doth cause those alterations. I very much question, for I know that in Kent, whether the Cows drink puddle or pond-water, or clean spring, or fresh or brackish, (which in some place they oft do) yet the butter and Cheese are the same, if the Pastures be alike. But if Pastures vary, these vary, and so likewise I may say of the Housewife▪ I know a Farm within a mile of Gravesend, where the Cattel alwayes drink at one common pond in the Yard, if they graze on one side of the house, the Butter is yellow, sweet, and good, and Cheese also; but if on the other, the Butter is white, sowrish, and Cheese naught, and yet there is little difference in the pastures to a vulgar eye, which hath caused the good. Wife to report it as a wounderful strange thing, whereas the cause is manifest, for the one side hath much Trefoil, and lyes on the Chalk; the other side is a gravel, and produceth usually Gramen, Caninum, or Couch-grass: so we find in sheep which drink not, yet both their wool and flesh vary very much in respect of pastures. And I suppose that if the pastures mentioned in Holland by the Animadversor, were wel viewd by a judicious man, the like difference might be found, for as I suppose the Waters in Holland differ little, the Countrey lying for the most part in one even flatness without Minerals or Metals, the Country in Winter over-flown with rain-water, in the Summer time most of their waters brackish: But if it be otherwise, I should be very glad to have some further light, and desire ingenious men not to build upon vulgar report, for I know they are apt to make Molchils Mountames, &c. in the Interim I shall acquiesce in my own opinion.
Animadversor. England hath a perfect Systeme of Husbandry, viz. Markham.
He speaketh more of Markham than ever I heard before, or as yet have seen. In general he is accounted little more than a Translator, unless about Cattle; and yet I cannot but in that question his skill: Considering how grosly he mistaketh the names of Plants: The works which I have seen of his are, first, the great book translated out of French, which whether well or ill done, I will not declare; but I am sure our Husbandmen [Page 171] in England profit little by it. Secondly, I have seen five several bookes bound up together, two or three of which he acknowledgeth to be anothers, as The Improvement of the Wild of Kent, also his Houswifery he acknowledgeth to have had from a Countess, also part of his Farewell is borrowed, and what he owneth, if I have seen all, are very short in many particulars, as it will easily appear by my former discourse, and Blithes book of Husbandry lately augmented and printed: Yea, if I understand any thing, he setteth down many gross untruths, which every Countryman will contradict, viz. That Flax is ripe after Hemp; That Corn sleept in Brine encreaseth fivefold more than ordinarily; That Lupin must be steeped, when they were never sown in England:Farewel to Husb. He wisheth Husbandmen to let long Grass grow amongst their Corn; for (saith he) it keepeth it warm: Fullers earth as profitable as Marle: A sack, or a sack and a half of Rags for an Acre: Corn reapt in the wane nought: Hops not to be planted in too rich a ground: One Teame in one day to plough in stiffe land two Acres and a half, in light, four: Also one to man to mow two Acres of Grass in a day; to reap and bind five rood of Wheat; of Fetches and Pease two Acres: Also one man to dig rake and level one rood the day, &c. And such like which cannot be done: But I have said, and doe confirme it again, that he hath done well in divers things, and is to be commanded for his industry.
Animadversor. The Romane Law was onely for sining, &c.
My expression doth not necessarily conclude that ill husbandry is Crimen Les [...] Majestatis, or Treason, but that the punishment was inflicted on them because the publick received damage by their ill husbandry, being averse or contrary to the common good.
Animadversor. Holy Land not barren, Royer.
Our Sands reporteth it such, and so it is commonly voted; but whether through a peculiar curse of God, or for want of Cultivation, for we know that many hils would be very excellent for Vines and Olives, which notwithstanding are [Page 172] little worth for Corn or Pasture, &c. I will not here dispute.
Concerning Fish-ponds, Angling, &c. I could wish we had a good Treatise in English: Vaughan was commended to me for them, but I have not read him, and therefore will not speak much for him, &c.
Thus at length I have run over all, if any thing be impertinent, as I fear divers things are, I desire you to expunge it.
An Observation concerning a Fish-Calender imparted from Zurich 11. Nov. 1654.
There is an exact Fish-Calender printed in the Low-Country, but whether it be reprinted every year I cannot tell. I was enquiring here whether they had no such curiosity: One told me that there is a Catalogue extant of all the sorts of Fish ever taken in their Lake, or Sea, as they call it. When I asked whether their seasons were not added, he could not tell: But said, that in their Stat-house they have the twelve Months painted, and that under every Month are expressed in picture, without any names set by them, the several sorts of Fish fit to be then eaten. I have not since had leisure to go see those pictures. If any think this a needless, or an Epicurean Curiosity, let them read Doctor B [...]ates Natural History of Ireland; where he imputes the Irish Leprosie to their brutish eating of Salmons, when the very eye would have made them know they were unwholsom. But, saith he, the English having discovered it, did under a penalty forbid the selling or taking of Salmons at that time of the yeare: whereupon in a few years after, it was as rare to finde a Leper in Ireland as in any other Country.
A Copy of the Letter wherein the following Discourse entituled Mercurius Laetisicans was sent enclosed to Mr. Samuel Hartlib.
YOur cordial love to the kingdoms good being so clearly expressed to the world, not onely by your pen, but also by your constant practise in promoting of all good designes which tend to the general good of the Commonwealth, hath emboldened me to send you this enclosed Copy, desiring that you will be pleased to take care that it may be forthwith printed and published, together with this Letter: Neither need you fear any dishonour by promoting of this laudable design: for I have shewed the Copy to the Learned as well as the unlearned, to the rich as well as the poor, and all approve of it, and desire to have it as soon as it shall be published: They think it is a fine experiment to make good bread of an old shooe: And though they differ in opinion concerning other affairs, yet they all love to eat bread with one consent; and if they shall agree to practise according to their profession, which is to doe their best endeavours to further the good of the publick, then certainly the cards will turn, and we shall win our money again by concord, which we have lost by discord, yea and twice as much more. And though many of these things which I would have to be put to the best uses, seem to be trivial, that is for want of understanding in the Readers; for in Genoa as I have been credibly informed, it is an usual practise to buy barren land for little or nothing, and to carry good earth to it, and cover it so deep, as a spade or a plough may work upon it; but this practise would never counter vail the first charge, unless they did usually practise another strange work, which is so common there, that if an horse or a beast doe dung in any street, or high-way, it is a marvel if some boy or girle doe not take it up, before it he cold, so carefull are they that the fertility of the Kingdom should not be diminished: And though these boyes and girles get nothing but sinnes and [Page 174] points, or some other trifles, yet in the general the whole Countrey is made rich and plentifull: Even as we see in a Bee-hive, though every Bee bring but a drop of honey at a time, yet it maketh up a weighty mass, and many of those masses put together do make up the great masse, which I have seen at Sturbridge Fayre, which is able to amaz a man that beholdeth it.
When this Book is published, then I desire you to think of the best way you can possibly imagine, that all the Inhabitants of the whole kingdom may have knowledge of it generally; for knowledge that concerneth the publick good, ought not to be concealed in the breasts of a few. As for the large Book to which this little one hath relation, there is no thinking of publishing of it, till we have obtained a Committee to examine witnesses, and to print their Depositions in it; for Projectors have cast so many bitter things into the publick Fountain, whereof all have drunk, and their minds are so poysoned, that that there is no other way to unpoyson them, but to win their belief and willingness to practise, but such depositions of Gentlemen of quality, which know, the same as well as I my self, and some of them have taught me, and I have taught others several Secrets, and some few I know my self still, and no man else in the Kingdom, for ought that can be proved; all which reserved Knowledge in particular breasts, is against the Wealth of the Publick, and therefore ought to be made common to all, or else this Design cannot prosper, nor the Kingdom flourish according to my desire. As for your particular Encouragement I need say no more, but that by furthering of this friendly Advertisement, and the perfecting of the Books to which it belongeth, you shall become a Further of the most Charitable Design that is now on foot in England, besides the great and manifold Benefit that shall redound thereby to the Commonwealth: For I dare undertake that by the right Improvement of the several Directions and Experiments that shall be discovered, you shall undoubtedly cause more naked to be cloathed, more hungry to be fed, more poor Virgins to be preferred in marriage, than Suttons hospital, the Savoy, or all the Hospitals, or Liberal Gifts in England have ever performed. So I rest,
Westminster this 14, of May. 1644.
Your Bounden Servant, Gabriel Plattes.
Mercurius Laetisicans.
WHen I perused the several Mercuries which goe abroad, to wit, Mercurius Civicus, Merc. Aulicus, Merc. Britanicus, Merc. Coelicus, Merc. Veridicus, Merc. Vapulans, &c. I was sorry that so much Wit, Labour, and Study should be so slighted, and produce no better effect; for I have seen them before they were a week old to be carelesly hurled up and down, and sometimes torn in peeces to light Tobacco, and other uses not sit to be named. Whereupon I resolved to try a Conclusion, to write a Mercurie that no man should so abuse, but he that is an enemy to himself and to the Common-wealth. And therefore I have ordered the matter so, that no man in the Kingdome, which hath so much learning as to read it, or so much understanding as to hear it read with attention, but he may learn to gain a thousand times the price of it to himself, besides the general good to the Publick. But before I tell my Readers what lasting and particular Benefit they are to expect, if they will follow those Directions which shall be given them by the following Discourse: Let all men that love themselves, or [...]he Common-wealth, and Posterity, take special notice of a certain Book of Husbandry, intituled, The Treasure Ho [...]se of Nature unlocked, and s [...]t wide open to the world, &c. where they may plainly see, that as God is infinite, and men are infinite by propagation, so the fruits of the Earth for their food, and cloathing are infinite, if men will consent to put to their helping hands to this commendable Design.
The summe of the Book consisteth in shewing how this Kingdom may maintain double the number of people which it doth now, and in farre greater plenty: Containing many rare Secrets for the Wealth of Men, and such as will seem so strange, and incredible to most men, that they will be likely to slight it, to the great prejudice of the Common-wealth.
Whereupon I am resolved to wait the Lord of Heaven and [Page 176] Earths leasure, till such time as he shall be graciously pleased to afford so much leasure to the high and honourable Court of Parliament to hear such Witnesses as I shall produce, to the end that the Depositions being printed in the same Book, every Subject in the Kingdome, as well in great Cities and Towns Corporate, as in the Country may be satisfied concerning the truth thereof, and so be more apt to yeeld unanimous consent, which is all that is wanting for the full accomplishment of this laudable work.
And I wish no man to think that this is a device to exhaust his purse; for the truth is, I wrote the same for no other cause, but because I saw that all those Books which were formerly written upon this subject, were written by men which had not attained to any considerable Perfection in the Knowledge of Nature, and such as had but a glimmering light of such great Secrets, as Nature hath heretofore locked up in her Storehouse, and so were ignorant in the fundamental points and causes of Vegetation and Multiplication. Whereupon I concluded that the Teachers and the Teached were nothing else but the blind leading of the blind, by which we all fell into the ditch: I mean, we lived in want and misery, when we might might more easily have lived in plenty and prosperity.
As for the particular way whereby this wonderful Improvement may be brought to passe, here is no room in these few leaves: therefore I will only shew how every one in the Kingdom, as well in great Cities as in the Country Towns may be an helper in this happy work, and raise some considerable gain to himself, and that great Cities which in former times devoured the fatness of the whole Kingdom, may yeeld a considerable retribution yearly without any mans prejudice, so that tht fertility of the Countrey needs not be so much diminished as in former times.
And therefore every one is desired to take this one thing into consideration, that as any parcel of good land, being kept in Pasture, and having the dung which it breedeth spent upon it, doth continue fertile for ever, without any other addition, so the excrements and materials which any family produceth [Page 177] being wel contrived, will produce yearly as much bread and drink as that family spendeth for ever.
But the better to stir up all poor maid-servants to put their helping hand, let them be pleased to understand, that I taught a poor woman to get three pounds a year, which she hath continued many years without any considerable labour, or neglecting her other occasions, and thus she practised.
When she washed, and swept rooms at her neighbours houses, instead of casting many materials to the common dunghil, she took them home with her at night, and laid them in a corner, and once a year she sold them for above three pound. Besides she laid aside every year as many linnen rags as yeelded her forty shillings, and her labour, in receiving her five pounds from the Bargeman, or thereabout every year, was a most as much as all her other labour, I mean extraordinary labour.
If young poor Maid-servants will imitate her industry, I will tell them the whole Secret, to the intent that besides the benefit to the publick, every one may get her self a considerable portion; and to the end that many may be industrious in this laudable way, and that many thousands may remember me in their good wishes, I will first speak a good word for them to all generations to come, to wit, that such an one, which by her wit, industry, and providence getteth her self a portion of twenty or forty pounds (which she may easily doe in a certain number of years, not very many) deserveth as good a marriage as one that hath an hundred pounds given her by her parents and friends.
And to the end that this may not seem to be a ridiculous relation, I will shew the reasons of it, and also the experience, and lastly declare the several materials which I taught her to reserve.
As for the reasons, they are thus discovered, viz. the vegetable spirit of the world, by which all things do encrease and multiply, is sometimes cloathed with a gross and earthly foeculencie, as in dung, and more in some dung than in other: somtimes it is more purified from its earthly foeculency, and then [Page 178] it is far more effectual, as we see by experience in London, that a load of shavings of horn is sold for shillings, or three pound a load, wollen rags is sold for thirty or forty shillings, when as a load of common dung is sold for a penny, and many times for nothing but carriage away.
Now I proceed to declare the several materials which I taught her to reserve: As for the linnen rags, she reserved those before I knew her, and sold them yearly to the Paper-Mils; and I seeing her industry, thought it a good deed to advise her to reserve all the shreads and rags of woollen cloath as well old as new, all the shreads and pieces of leather of all kinds as well old as new; all the horns and hoofs of beasts of beasts of all kinds, whether shaven or not, that came in her way; all the hair either in Barbers shops or Tanners yards, or at the houses of Butchers and Cooks, where they scalde many hogs and pigs, and fondly cast away the hair; and to take up all the old shooes and peeces of leather which happened in her way, as she went about her ordinary occasions, and to work as often as she could, at the houses of Taylors, Shoomakers, Sadlers, &c.
For I have found by experience, that a load of the best common dung will not produce corn worth above twenty shillings at three crops, unlesse corn be very dear, and if it be far carried, then the labour, rent, and seed, will consume the gains, whereas a load of any of these materials formerly mentioned, will produce Wheat and other corn worth above ten pound, though the price be reasonable.
These things being well considered, there is a great reason why these materials should not be fondly cast away to the common dunghill in great Cities, or other places, whereas the greatest part thereof is utterly lost; and though some of them goe to the dunghill, yet they serve onely to enrich land which lieth near to great Cities, where there is no need of them, whereas being reserved by themselves, they will quit the cost to be carried twenty or thirty miles, and so make land fertile, which beareth not halfe the quantitie for want of dung.
[Page 179]And whereas I have found by experience, that a load of any manner of seeds whatsoever, doth contain as much of the vegetable spirit of the world, as ten loads of common dung, I could wish, that all such young men-servants, as have no Stocks nor Trades, should get them services in great Innes, or to be Bayliffs of Husbandry to great men, and to reserve all the hay seeds that come within their reach, and all the soot that is swept down out of the chimneys, that they can get, and once in a year to get so much blood at any Butchers, or Poulterers houses as will make them into a paste, and then to adde so much Cow-dung dryed to them, as being tempered with urine, will be sufficient to make the whole masse apt to be formed into the form of bricks, loaves, or cheeses, and then they are to be layd up in a dry place till they be throughly rotten, and that a small quantity thereof being made into powder will not produce any thing suddenly, being spread in a garden or other open place where the rain may fall upon it, without the help of new seed, and then though their common dung will yeeld no price at all in that place, but rather they are forced to pay money to have it carryed away, yet this will give them a large price, after that the virtue thereof is known.
And if any such men-servants have meanes to farm certain Acres of barren land, which lieth so remote from dung, that the annual rent thereof is little, then by setting of Wheat, or other Grain, by my directions in my book formerly mentioned, they may make one quarter, or one pounds worth of corn, to yeeld forty quarters, or forty pounds worth of corn in lesse time than one year, and as much over and above as shall pay all charges and workmen nobly, and also as much rent as any ordinary Farmer can afford to give yearly for it, by which means he may in a few yeares get a considerable Stock, and be as likely to thrive as he that hath twice so much given him by his parents or friends. And I could wish all such men to marry with such women as by their wit, industry, and providence have gotten themselves portions by my directions in this l [...]ttle Book; and let others which have portions given [Page 180] do the like, and try conclusions whether of them thriveth better.
If [...]ny one should be seen to cast away good bread, when so many poor people want it, then all the world would cry shame upon him; but why should not the casting away of any of these materials fondly be reputed a more heynous sin, when as they will produce divers times their weight of as good bread as any Prince eateth.
I have seen by experience that Salt-peter is the most rich compost in the world to multiply Corn, and I have seen fifty pounds worth of Salt-peter extracted out of a vault at Dowgate, not very spacious, which was formerly an house of office, and not emptied till the matter was throughly rotten, why may not the same thing be done by Art which was formerly done by Nature and Accident? I have been credibly informed, that such a work is ordinarily done in the Kingdome of China, and also at the City of Paris in France, and I see no reason why English men should not have as much wit they.
If any man hath convenient room to build two houses of office, and to close up the one whilst he useth the other, then there 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 [Page 181] 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 [Page 182] 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.
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 conf [...]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: [Page 184] 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 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.
[Page 185]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 [Page 186] 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 [Page 187] 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 [...]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 of the failing of Corn in the Common fields he sold it for forty shillings a quarter, which came to twelve hundred pounds with the rent and all, so that he gained above a thousand pound clear by his twenty Acres of Barley: Yet I would wish no man to take in hand so hazardous a work again, but rather to 2aim at a meane in fertilizing of his land, which is the surest way one year with another; for if he make his land too extream fertile, then it is ten to one he shall have nothing but straw, and some light corn, which is good for little use, but onely for Poultry; and if on the other side he take so much are able land, that he is not able to enrich it so that every Acre [Page 188] may bear in a reasonable year five quarters by sowing the common way, or thereabouts, and a eleven quarters and a half, or thereabouts, by setting, then let him cast up his accompts justly, and he shall find himself to be no good friend to himself, nor yet to the Common-wealth, for he might have gained more by laying his Compost upon half so much land, and by setting it orderly, than by the whole, so that he himself and the Common-wealth is deprived of that benefit of the herbage of that land which he did unadvisedly and above his ability to enrich, keep in tillage to his own loss and great damage.
Certain Experiments and Improvements for the inriching of Land, by my new Invention or Engine, which disperseth the Compost in such manner, that it falleth all within the reach of the attractive virtue of the Corn.
The first Experiment or Improvement.
It is found by experience, that where dung hath been layd upon heaps upon fallowed land, and hath layen unspread for a moneth or six weeks, and withall some store of rain hath faln to carry down the Chilus or juice of the dung into the earth there, though the dung was all removed in the spreading from the place where the heap lay, yet there grew more corn in a yard square of that ground so fatned with the chilus or juice of the dung than in three yards square, where the dung was dispersed in the rest of the land.
By this we may observe that Dung doth not enrich ground till it be putrified and turned into chilus, or aqua pinguis, or aqua viscosa, and also that Compost of land whatsoever is to be turned into such a nature and property before it can produce great encrease in the present crop.
Wherefore the best Husbandry is to prepare Earth and Compost in such manner, that the nutritive virtue thereof may assimilated into the corn and fruits in the first year, or else the Husbandman layeth out his stock and charges long before hand, and is deprived of great part of the benefit thereof, by reason that the rain and land-flouds doe carry away a great [Page 199] share of the chilus or juice of such dung as falleth out of the reach of the attractive virtue of the seed or plant; and if any man doubt of it, let him fill all the holes (when he hath set an Acre of Corn) with such fat earth, and he shall find his encrease doubled upon common barren field land; and contrariwise, let him fill the holes with common dung, and he shall finde no such success.
But some will say that this is a pedling business, and an endless work; to which I answer, That so it is indeed, to those which know not the use of my new Invention, or Engine, but that being known, is the most profitablest work in the world, for a man may fill 400. holes in the twinckling of an eye, and may order a whole Acre in like manner, with a very little charges more than the spreading of the dung doth usually cost. Therefore now I will proceed to shew how divers fertile earths may be prepared wherewith the holes may be filled, and so consequently the encrease may be doubled, and this practise will be excellent in such places where the charge of carriage costeth much, by reason of the great distance of the place from the Compost; for I find, that though divers imbibitions of the seed with apt liquors doe produce a good improvement, yet it is not a practise comparable to this; for if a Farmer have twenty acres of Arable land, and have dung but for fifteen Acres, and shall yet have a good crop, by means of a good imbbiition, yet is not this knowledge sufficient for a Husbandman, upon whose skil the happiness of himself, and the whole Common-wealth dependeth: For by this way he may enrich his Arable land at pleasure, be it never so barren, nor never so much remote from his Compost; for on the one side, if the filling of the holes be not sufficient, he may heap them, as hops are usually heaped, with fertile earth and dung; and on the other side, if the earth be too rich, so that it will make the Corn too rank, then he may half fill the holes, or less and then fill them up with a Rake with their own proper earth, or he may make his earth so rich, that he may mingle with it twice the quantity of the field earth before he disperse it; by which means he may save a great deale in the [Page 190] charge of the carriage of his Compost where the fields are far distant.
The second Experiment or Improvement, wherein is shewed how a rich Compost may be made in form of earth fit to fill up the holes when the Corn is set.
Let an Acre, or more, or lesse of good Areable earth, neither clay nor sand, but indifferently well mixed, be chosen in some apt place, where dung is plentifull and cheap, then cover it with dung a foot thick, or thereabouts, and then you may be at choice whether you will at six Moneths end shovel off all the dung, and carry the fat earth to be used as in the former Experiment, or else to plough it four or five times, all together in a years space, and then carry all to be used as in the former Experiment; either of these waies will serve; for one Acre of earth thus made fertile, will make an hundred Acres fertile, and to yeeld a good crop, yea even as you desire: so you may fertilize by the means prescribed in the first Experiment; and this same work may be done in a little garden plot, in Cities, Corporations, or Villages, where a bed of good earth may be enriched at pleasure, with all liquors thrown upon it, which contain any fatnesse or saltnesse, as urine, beef-broth, soapsuds, blood, brine of powdering tubs, kitchin-wash, fish-water, lees of all wine, bear, perrey, cider, or whatsoever is good for hogs, the same will yeeld an excellent virtue to this earth, and if a cover were set over it to keep it dry for a years space, you might enrich it so, that you might carry it twenty miles, and yet find more gains by it than by a common dung that lyeth but a mile off, and any Husbandman that dwelleth within a few miles of any City, make a rich benefit by bringing certain loads of Areable earth yearly into Cities, and by giving a bushel or two of wheat to certaine Housholders of his acquaintance, for the enriching of it as aforesaid.
The third Experiment, or Improvement, where is shewed how a rich Compost may be made in form of earth, near to the Sea, which may be carried many miles.
You must understand that this Compost is profitable onely for such ground where bay-salt is apt to cause fructification, or sea-sand, as in divers places in Cornwall, where they carry it on horse back divers miles, and find that it maketh a very excellent Improvement: Well, thus may you work, and make as rich a Compost as any can be in the world for ground of that nature, Let a place be chosen where there is an Acre of kindly earth, where it may be floated at every spring-tide, and afterward the water dryed away by the heat of the Sun, and then ploughed and served so many times, till it be as fertile as you please.
The like may be done by watering the earth with sea-water, and by ploughing it with scoopes all summer, or till it be as fertile as you please; and in some parts of England the sea water may be let into the land many miles, for the purpose aforesaid.
The like may be done by mingling earth with Malt dust, Pigeons dung, or any other Compost, which is found to doe much good with a small quantity, as Malt and other Corn spoyled by any accident, may be ground into Meal, and mingled with earth, or putrified with the earth, a whole yeare unground, till it be turned into earth. Also Lime and dung, or combustible earth mixed together, or all three ploughed divers times, for a year, till they be turned into earth, is a rich Compost.
If you can find out the true adaptation of this, and of all my other Composts, then you may save forescore pounds in the hundred pounds in the fertilizing of any Arable land in England, and also you may afford to carry your Compost to places and barren grounds far distant, which now admit of no improvement within charge, by reason of their great distance of place.
And if the distance be very far, then you may try with Bay-salt, Saltpeter, Soap dissolved in hot water, or any other [Page 192] substance which enricheth Arable land exceedingly; and when you have hit the mark, then you may bring these substances twenty, thirty, or forty miles, and yet you fertilize your Arable land by my new Invention cheaper than with common dung, though it were to be had within a mile of the place, if you enrich the earth with these Liquors or Salts dissolved, and so make use of my Engine for the filling of the holes when the Corn is set.
The fourth Experimene or Improvement, wherein is shewed how a rich Compost may be made in form of earth for the purpose aforesaid, which may also be converted into Salt-peter.
It is found by experience, that where the Salt-peter men do find an old house of Office in a dry vault, where no moysture doth annoy it, there they get their best Liquors. Also it is found by experience, that Horse-dung, being putrified, and turned into earth in a dry place, doth likewise yeeld much Salt-peter: Also it is found by good experience, that Clay walls, made of some kind of Clay, doe yeeld great store of Salt-peter, which may be seen in Oxford-shire and divers other places, where Pidgeons resort to the clay walls, and thereby give intelligence to the Salt-peter men to steep the same, who many times finde the liquors so rich, that they will steepe many pearches in length of such walls, though they make up the walls again at their own charges, according to the Law.
By all these Experiments joyned together, it seemeth that a rich Compost either for Land, or for Salt-peter may be made as followeth.
First let an little frame of an house about four foot high be framed in every mans backside, as well in Cities as Countrey Towns, and let there be nothing but studs, and those very thin, and let it be length and bigness of a S [...]wpit, or grave, or greater, or lesser at pleasure.
Then build a little house of Office over it, which be broader than it, to keep it from rain and moysture. Then make up the walls about a foot thick, with this composition of earth [Page 193] following, and in less than a eleven years, all the walls and ordure will yeeld either good store of Saltpeter, or a rich earth for Compost worth twenty shillings a load at the least for the fertilizing of land: If every houshold have two of these houses, he shall never have more trouble but to make use of one while the other doth ripen.
The walls must be made of horse dung, and so much clay as will temper it, and the lesse the better, so that it will hold together. The Clay must not be of the nature of Brewers clay, I mean such as will stop water, of the Mawmy clay in Oxfordshire, and many other places, which is partly of the nature of Marle, and will break it self, which lying abroad in winter like unto Marle, or Lime, whereby it is discovered to contain much salt in its composition, which if it be well chosen: will wonderfully adde to the richnesse of the earth, when it is putrified fox both uses, to wit, for Compost or Salt-peter at pleasure.
If this work were well put into practise, the very ordure of every family might be so improved by my new invention, that it would produce as much Corn again as was spent in the sayd house in the former yeares; besides that barren land, and far distant from other Compost, might this way be made fertile.
And for the poorer sort, whom the charge may be made considerable for the building of the houses, they may lay a load or two of good earth, like a bed in a garden, and cover it from rain, and with a moveable stoole or seat make this earth as rich as the other.
But in all works where Salt-peter is expected, you must make a little ditch about the earth which shall produce it, or else the least moysture will draw away the Salt-peter, even as the Salt-peter men doe with their Tubs. And if any man would take in hand to build such houses of Office, in, or near to any Market-place, School Colledge, or other place where there is a great confluence of people, he might gain soundly by it, and also doe a pleasure to the Common-wealth. And let no man doubt of this relation, for if the Compost be apt [Page 194] for the land and seed, it is marvellous to see the increase thereof: I had the last summer 18. for one upon a tryall, which I made with Beere Barly, which doe call Barly, which some doe call Barly big; it hath four square eares, and I did nothing to it, but steeped in blood for one night, and then set it at a eleven 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.
[Page 195]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 [Page 196] 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.
[Page 197]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 Brewers clay, and will stop water by laying a good thick leere thereof under your bricks, or other pavement in the bottom of your vault or well, and also running in a course of the same clay, betwixt the wall of the vault and the earth.
And as for water for your cattle, it is a common practise in the West Country, to make ponds to hold water for all the year by bottoming of them with clay in this manner, viz. First choose a place where some higher ground will yeeld water alwaies, when there is any store of rain, then make your pond as great as you please, then ram the bottom a foot thick with clay, or thereabouts, then make another such leere of clay, and lastly another pavement; this being well done, it will endure for ever, and will hold water every year better than other, by reason of some fat Missage, which the water will let sink.
The seventh Experimene, wherein is shewed how Sellers, that are annoyed with Water-springs way be remedied.
I have seen a Sellar made with Sheet-lead, and a floore of baords layd upon Treasens or Joysts of Timber, to keep the Lead from injuries in the floore, which will endure for many Ages; but this is too costly for Farmers; as for their help therein, I have seen a Sellar that sometimes would be filled [Page 198] with water a yard deep, thus cured, viz. First to make two little vaults with bricks layd without mortar, to each corner of the sellar, and to vent the water into four pits, or little wels made without the sellar, then make some few lesser vaults from all places of the sellar into those first vaults; then ram down a good thick leere of good clay upon the top of the bricks, and then to pave the sellar, and the weight of this clay and bricks, and pavement will presse down the water, and make it vent it self into the four pits, or wells, which must be layd with bricks without mortar, and then the pits will never be fuller than the top of the Spring, but will vent away the superfluous water continually, and keep the sellar alwaies dry; but if the clay and pavement be not heavy enough to presse the water up into the pit, then the floor of the sellar will rise up, and tetter and swim like a bog-mire; and if it be heavy enough, then the cure is substantially performed for ever: If any moysture come in at the sides of the sellar, let them be rammed with clay, as in the former Experiment for vaults. By this Experiment sellars may be made in any low grounds whatsoever, and every one knoweth that drink kept coole in summer is twice as good to quench thirst as warm drink, therefore I need not use more perswasions to men, to make use of this so cheap, so easie, and so certain an Experiment.
The eighth Experiment, wherein is shewed how the rot in Sheep may be cured.
Although I have shewed in the Chapter of the Sheep how this disease may be infallibly prevented, yet in regard that sometimes through negligence of Servants, and sometimes through want of sound grounds to remove them to, at such times as I have prescribed, this disease will happen in your flocks, I will shew a certain cure, although somewhat costly, and when I have done I will shew you the charge how it may be regained with great advantage: Well then, a little after Midsummer, if the Months of May and June have proved very moyst and rainy (for else you need not to trouble your selves at all) then take a view of your sheep somewhat seriously; [Page 199] if you find by the colour of their eyes, that they have caught that disease, then thus you must proceed. You must have a large barn or sheep-coat, set about with wooden troughs, and therein feed them with Oats a day or two, then steal in some Bay-salt small stamped, and after that some greater quantity, till such time as they begin to distast it: then give them clean Oates another day or two, and afterward serve them with salt as before, and this course being followed untill their eyes have recovered their natural colour, then is the cure performed. This may be done in a Corrt-yard, or in another place, where an house cannot be had; but then you cannot so well recover your charges again, which must be done after this manner, viz you must lay in the house all over good Arable earth for Wheat, and once in three or four daies le [...] it be turned with a Spade or with a Plough, if both the ends of the house can be opened; and this earth when the sheep are cured must be layd upon a heap for a year or thereabout, where it may be dry untill the dung be throughly rotten, and turned into earth: this earth may be dispersed by my Engine to fill up the holes where the Wheat is new set, and so it will produce an increase of four times as much Wheat as you spent in Oates, which will pay for all your Salt and other charges.
There is a cause why Sheep that are folded doe rot more violently than those which are not folded, though they feed upon the same grounds, for that they are more hungry many times by being restrained of their free liberty to feed at pleasure, they doe devour the rawish, sowrish, and hurtfull grasse with more greedinesse, and are lesse prone to be nice in their diet, and to refuse that sort which is most pleasing to their nature, therefore it seemeth to be a good way to let them goe at liberty in the Months of May and June in such yeares as those Moneths of May and June prove very moyst and rainy; for it is lesse trouble and charge to prevent a disease than to cure it afterwards.
I have known divers men that have drenched their Sheep every year divers times, and thereby have saved them ve [...]y [Page 199] well, but those men not knowing what years were dangerous, were more troubled than they needed; for sometimes three or four years come together, where there is no need at all to make use either of cure or prevention.
The ninth Experiment, wherein is shewed how Corn may be preserved in cheap years without corruption, so that it may supply the dearth when it cometh.
It is sound by experience, that when three or four yeares comes together wherein Corn prospereth well, then it becometh so cheap that the poor Farmer is undone: Again, if the unreasonableness of the weather crosse it a year or two, then it becometh so dear that the poor people are half starved. To remedy this inconvenience I know no better way than to instruct Corn-hoarders, who though they usually be none of the best Common-wealths men, yet they doe sometimes prevent the Dearth, that it is not so violent as else it would be.
Well then, thus may we doe, make a boarded floor about a yard or two high, and as broad and as long as ye please; then set ledges about it, so that no Mice nor Rats can climb up: then in Harvest make a Rick of Corn upon it, which may be kept three or four years without losse or trouble. If when Winter is past Corn be very cheap, then would I have all the richest Farmers, who are able to forbear their money, to thrash up the most part of their other Corn, and to take down the foresaid Rick, and to make it up again with a leere of thrashed Corn, with chaffe and all together, by which meanes he may lay up a wonderfull great quantity in a little room, and have his Straw for his present use, and withall the poorer sort of Farmers may have a better sale for their Corn to pay their rents withall.
And as for Cities and Corporate Towns, I would have all Housholders of good ability to keep a yeares provision of Corn before hand, and not to spend it till time of dearth, by which means the dearth will not be so grievous when it cometh, and also the cheapnesse in time of plenty will not so much [...]rejudice the poor Farmer.
[Page 201]And for the preservation of this Bread-corn, he may lay it up in a Garner four or five foot thick, and it will keep sweet a long time without stirring: If he mingle therewith some Flint stones, Pibbles, old Iron: peeces of Iron taken out of the Kiln, which never took rain since their burning, one bushel of any of these mingled with twenty bushels of Wheat, Rie, Mastline, or any other Bread-corn, will keep it from heating, and if it heat not it cannot corrupt: As for Malt, it will keep two or three years upon a great heap without stirring or trouble if it be well dryed at the first: And if the price expected come not soon enough, it is good to change this old store sometimes, and to lay up new in the room, and never to diminish the stock till it will yeeld double price at least.
I have known Barly at six pence the bushel in Northampton Market, and at five shillings a bushel in the same place within a year also: I have known Wheat at three shillings and six pence in London, and at fifteen shillings the bushel within a year following; and Histories of good credit declare greater changes than these in former Ages; so that me-thinks that it were well if Rich men when they dye were strongly exhorted and perswaded to give some number of quarters of Corn to be preserved for the publick store against such miserable times of dearth and famine.
A friend of mine propounded to the City of London to shew them a way how they might keep a thousand quarters of Corn in such a floor where now they can keep a hundred, by mingling Corn with great Beans, exceeding hard dryed on a kiln, which may be separated easily with a wire Trie, and are as profitable as the Wheat, and that they should be eased of the charges of turning Corn in the store-houses.
This Gentleman had learned the experience by long traveling into far Countries, who when the City were not forward to gratifie him for his paines and good will, told me how it was to be done, which here I will divulge for the benefit of posterity.
In hot Countries the use is in some places to put Corn in [...] Vaults to keep it cool from putrifaction: but this is not found [Page 202] to be a good experiment for these cold Countries. In Egypt I have credibly heard, that the Store-houses which Joseph erected had no covers; but how it was so long preserved I cannot learn nor conceive, unlesse those Countries being hot and dry, having no rain at all, doe ripen the Corn so well, and free it from moysture, that it is not apt to putrifie, though it lye sub dio, which seemed to be possible, for that Malt well dryed will keep two or three years without stirring; and also Corn in Russia (where for want of maturation, they are 2forced to dry it in stoves) which will keep a long time: but howsoever it is certain, that these former directions being observed in England, the extream cheapnesse in time of plenty may be remedyed whereby poor Farmers may not be so greatly damnified, and also the extream dearnesse in time of scarcity may be mitigated, whereby the poor buyers of Corn supply the rest, which I wish may be practised with all possible diligence, especially in time of dearth, which will save such a wonderful quantity of Corn for present relief, as [...] he Store-houses in any Kingdom could never preserve the [...]e in all Ages heretofore.
It is found by experience, that when there is but a little Corn too much to sell in a Market, there the price falleth too extreamly: Also if there be never so little a quantity too small to serve, then the price is enhansed too much in all conscience: For the remedy of which two inconveniences, being so great, all courses seem to be taken, which may possibly be devised.
The tenth Experiment, wherein is shewed the natural cause why the changing of Seed corn produceth an improvement; also certain wayes for the melioration of Seeds and Fruits.
It is found by experience, that if Seed-wheat be brought from barren, and stony land, and sown upon rich clay ground, it prospereth wonderfully, the cause is double: First the Corn that groweth upon a barren land, is more plump and full than that which groweth upon very rich land, and therefore hath [Page 203] more force to encrease. Secondly, the Corn that growth upon stony land hath attracted plentifully the Juter, or petrifying saltish nature, which falling into another earth, where that substance is wanting, standeth in stead not onely of seed, but also of compost.
The like might be shewed in many other works of this kind, but I wish that this may serve to give light to the rest: As for the meliorating of Seeds and Fruits, the former experience sheweth the way; for there is in every compounded substance in the world a double kind of fatness or sulphur, the one [...]s apt to putrifie the other, not so apt, but endureth longer without putrifaction: this may be seen in Cabbages, and other Garden fruits, growing near great Cities where dung is plentiful, which if they be boyled in water, and the water kept a little time, it will stink sooner than that wherein the like stuffe hath been boyled which growed in grounds more barren.
Whereby it appeareth that the extream fatting of ground with dung doth in some sort adulterate the seeds and fruits, and pisorate their quality, and contrariwise the sowing the same in more barren earth, doth meliorate the quality of the same.
Therefore the best way is to sow, set, or plant seeds in barren land, for seeds onely; for by that meanes they will get a greater melioration in their quality when they are intended for seed than the posoration can be in the sowing them in earth much enriched with dung; for in all rich dunged earth the attractive virtue of the seed draweth much of the fatness, which is not much putrified, whereby it declineth from its former virtue and goodnesse. The one of these fatnesses is gratefull to humane nature, the other is offensive for the avoyding of which inconvenience I know none better than to let the dung be fully putrified, and turned into earth without stnking, before it be mingled with the Corn or Seeds.
And this may be done by my former Inventions, in such sort that there may be above forescore pounds in the hundred saved [Page 204] in the Compost of all the Arable land in England. There are three causes why people in the Country live longer, and have better health than those that live in great Cities: The first is, the aire is more pure and wholsome: The second is their food doth not abound so much with the fatness and sulphur, which is apt to putrifaction, and to contaminate the blood: The third is their much exercise doth evacuate that part of their nutriment which is ungrateful to humane nature.
The contrary to all these is in great Cities, where the aire, dyet, and exercise are so much different, the effect doth shew the cause very clear, so that there need no other or further philosophation concerning the same.
If any man doubt whether vegetables draw the corruptible or stinking sulphur, or fatness which lyeth within the reach of their attractive virtue, let him behold the places, where beasts have lately dunged in Pastures, and he shall finde that there the grasse is more sowre and gistastfull to the Beasts and Cattle.
The eleventh [...] Experiment, wherein is shewed how rich Compost may be made in great Cities of things formerly cast away.
The water wherein Fishmongers water their Fish, being made as salt as it will bear with the foul salt in the sweeping of ships, salt Lime, great Larders, and other such places, being boyled in Butchers slaughter-houses when their beasts are to be killed, and the blood let run warm unto it, being likewise hot, it will not clodder, but will be admirable good liquor to imbibe good Wheat earth, whereby it may be made the richest Compost in the world to fill the holes where Wheat or Barley is set, for that one bushel of this earth is sufficient to be mingled with three or four bushels of the earth of the land it self, by which means great charge is saved in the carriage it selfe, by reason that a little quantity will work a great effect. Saltpeter for some grounds is more apt and cheaper, though the price be greater; for a little quantity will work [Page 205] a great effect, especially where the land is hot and dry by nature.
Saw-dust is excellent to mingle with earth to fill the holes where Corn is set in strong binding clay ground. Also shavings of horn, hoofs of all beasts, hair of beasts, woollen rags chapped small are admirable. Shavings of horn are now usually sold in London for three shillings and six pence a sack for the same purpose: also woollen rags for two shillings a sack: As for hoofs of beasts, hair, and Tanners horns, may be putrified in good Arable wheat earth, being kept dry from rain, and then the earth, and all together is the richest Compost in the world to be used for the filling of the holes where Wheat is set: Also all other composts whatsoever mentioned in this book are the most wholsomest for mans body, and most effectual for producing of great encrease if they be thus ordered.
The twelfth Experiment, wherein is shewed how any Kingdom may live in great prosperity with half the trouble and charge which now they sustain, and yet live in adversity.
It is found by experience, that where there is a good Council of War, there the kingdom is well defended; and where there is good regularity in Divinity, there the soul is preserved from sickness: Why should it not be so for the state temporal, if a council of Husbandry was erected whereupon the happiness of all kingdoms doth depend? Surely if a certain number of the best experienced men were deputed for this purpose, who might regulate the rest, it would produce a great perfection in that knowledge, which as it is the most ancient of all Sciences, so it is the most excellent and honourable, for that by it all Princes live, and no Inferiour person can possibly live without it.
The Plebeans are like those in Ireland who will not lay aside their old custom, to draw their horses by the tayls, though an Act be made against it, nor lay aside the burning their Corn in the straw to save the labour of thrashing, though their houses lye unthatched. I have known some Parsons in Parishes which have been skilful in Agriculture, and have been [Page 206] excellent Improvers of land, and some that were good physitians, and have done much good in their Country that way. I have also known some Landlords qualified with the same skils, and certainly if all were so, it would conduce greatly to the prosperity of a Kingdome, for the greatest profit would redound to those two sorts of men, yet may the marter be easily ordered so that the rest might live in twice as much prosperity as now they do, and though they were doubled in number: for I have known many men to live better with 30. acres of land than others have done with an hundred of acres; and if need require I can shew where one acre of land hath been worth two hundred pound per an ▪ by being planted with Mellons, and a whole family have lived well upon it, and gathered riches. If the course of Husbandry were regulated in this manner, viz. That no man should occupy any land in Pasture whose fertility may perpetually be encreased by the means of water, though the hay growing thereupon were totally spent, to produce dung for the fertilizing of high grounds: Also that no man should occupy any land in Tillage, whose fertility may be perpetually increased in Pasture by having the same dung spent upon them which they yeeld naturally: Also that no man should Till any other land but such high and barren land as is not able to fertilize it selfe, and should make use of my several Inventions for the enriching of the same. Then would there be left but little barren land in England in a short space, whereby all the premises in this twelfth Experiment might be easily performed.
A friend of mine did search divers Register books in several Parishes in England, he also searched the Parsons bookes of Tythes, and found that where Arable land as turned into Pasture there were fewer Christnings, and many more tyth Lambs and tyth Calves, whereby he discovered a kinde of Witchcraft, which is to turn men into beasts. To dissolve this Witchcraft there is no other way, but to goe the contrary way; and whereas the Landlord found more gain in the increasing of sheep and beasts than formerly he found in the increasing of people, to shew a way how more gain may accrew [Page 207] to the Landlord by the increase of people than formerly he found in the increase of beasts; and surely this is no hard task; for if the peoples employments be well regulated, there will come more profit a great deal than by beasts. And if there be any doubt whether people may be had to improve the land, and to produce greater profit than beasts can doe, let but things be so ordered that the Plebeans may have such good employments whereby they may maintain a married estate plentifully, and it will be found by a short experience, there will be no want of servants. By this means the Parsons may double their tyths, the Landlord may double his rents, and the common people, though doubled in number, may live twice as well as they did before, and Princes and Statesmen shall not have half the trouble which they had before; for want and necessity is found to produce grudgings and discontentments: These have produced Rebellions and Insurrections, all which have caused Princes for to lose their kingdoms many times, and turned the state of Countries topsey turvey. Besides that the lives of men would be lengthened, as in former Ages by their good and wholsom diet; for there can be no other cause in nature, why men should be now of lesser stature, and enjoy worse health, and dye sooner than in former Ages; but these few, viz. First men are much imployed with worldly cares and difficulty for living in populous Countries, which might easily be remedied by the means aforesaid. Secondly, the Corn (which should be the preserver of other meats from too sudden corruption in the bodies of men, before the chilus hath performed all his several offices) is now adultera [...]ed and contaminated much by mixing the dung with the corn before the corruptible part thereof be consumed, and so the corn helped to contaminate the blood which should preserve it, and would do it powerfully, if my new Invention were generally put into practise. Thirdly, in populous Countries where there is difficulty of living, the pure law of nature is not observed in Marriages and married estates, but other respects doth sway overmuch, which causeth defects in many generations. But to return to my main subject, I am now about [Page 208] a way to experiment, to meliorate any Corn, Pulse, Seed, Kernel, Fruit, &c. and doubt not but to bring it to passe in such sort that the pleasantness of the tast, the wholsomness of the smel, and the ability to keep other meats from sudden corruption in mans body, will invite great men in general to make use of the same, and to give good prices, so that a Farmer may maintain his family well, and grow rich too by the planting of 1 Acre of land yearly: For upon my certain knowledge, there are fondly cast away in every family in England, as well in great Cities, as Country-towns, so many things as being used according to my direction, would produce such an increase of corn yearly as would serve for the maintenance of the said family, and would be more wholsom for the body of man than the greater part of corn which now usually groweth in England, yea though this Compost should be used in the more barren sort of land: So that now the question is not whether this Land, and so consequently other Kingdoms may live in worldly happiness and prosperity for ever hereafter, but whether they will do so or not; for if they be willing, they wil shew the same by their actions, and then I am sure there is no doubt to be made of the possibility thereof: Whereby an Ʋtopia may be had really, without any fiction at all.
If order were given that every Over-seer of the poor in their Parishes, only one day in the year in the practise of some of these new Inventions, as setting of Wheat, of compounding of Composts in great Cities, fit to be carried many miles, then they would be expert against a year of dearth and famine, so that they might be employed in that work, whereby a wonderfull quantity of corn might be saved for the present relief of the Land, which else must needs be imported from other Kingdomes, for which the wealth of this Land must needs be exhausted.
The thirteenth Experiment, wherein is shewed how timber for buildings, and wood for houshold-stuffe may be provided in short space.
It is found by experience, that a Chesnut will grow in ten [Page 209] or twelve yeares into a fair tree, able to be the Master-post of a fair building, and then there is no question but that it may be provided into lesser parts, for studds and spars. It is also found that a Walnut will grow in the like time into a tree able to make little tables, boxes, stools and chests, very beautiful and sit for use to adorn the house.
Whereby any younger brother that will shew so much frugality and providence as to obtain leave of his father to plant a certain number of such trees in some convenient place in his fathers lands in his minority while he is a School-boy, he may not onely have wood to build him an house, and to furnish it against his occasion, but also he may win so much credit by his industry and diligence, that as for my part, if I had a daughter to marry, I would sooner match her with him, though I purchase him land to set his house upon, than with his elder brother if he wanted those gifts and qualities, though he were able to make a good Joynture.
For I have seen by experience, that a present estate, either real or personal, is not to be compared to the quality of thriving, which any man else may likewise see by experience, that sometimes, yea many times, a Farmer being industrious, intelligent, and provident, though he pay a good round rent, liveth better than a Freeholder which is owner of much freeland.
The fourteenth Experiment, wherein is shewed divers waies concerning Fruit-trees.
It is found by experience, that if the kernel of a Pear or Apple be set and not grafted, but be let grow to a great tree, then it will not bear fruit till forty or fifty yeares, as a great number of other trees of the same kind.
It is likewise found by experience, that a Siens taken from a tree that is fruitfull, and also from the most fruitful bough of that tree, and being grafted into a young stock of the same kind, as that before mentioned, will bear fruit in a quarter of the time which the other did, the cause can be no other but that nature hath ordained a certain time for propagation in all things, but yet the said time was accelerated in the grassed [Page 210] tree, by Art helping Nature, but in the other tree time was left to natures free determination.
So that every one may make choice of these two wayes at pleasure; and if he aim at his present profit, then graffing is his present way and best; but if he aim at the profit of his posterity, then it is best not to graft at all.
And by this means he may change the tasts of fruits at pleasure, which by graffing he cannot doe; for it is found by experience, that if three kernels of several sorts be put into the cave of a Bean-stalk cut half an inch long above a knot, and so set it will bear a fruit contrary in colour, tast, and form, contrary to any one of them: Also by this means he may exalt the nature and excellencie thereof at pleasure, if about the root thereof he make three or four little holes in the earth, and now and then with a little Fennel and a spoon he put into the holes a little of the best new wort, wherein hath been boiled a little Cinamon, Cloves, Mace, Sugar, or any other substance of excellent tast and odour.
For as it is found by experience, that any evil neutriment doth spoil, yea & sometimes poison the thing nourished, so any excellent nutriment doth wonderfully advance the goodnesse and excellency thereof. And after that these trees are come to age of maturity to be fruitful; then the Siens taken thence will be perpetual, and able to fill the whole Country with fruits of the same kind, and by such means as these there is no question but all these varieties of excellent fruits were obtained in former times; for it cannot be thought but that at the first, when there was none but wild fruits, there could neither be such varieties, nor yet fruits of such excellency.
I have now some tryals in hand with some pulse, fruits, and garden stuffe to meliorate them in this manner, and doe not doubt of the success.
The fifteenth Observation and Experiment, shewing how it may be ordered that Corn shall never be exceeding cheap to the great prejudice of the Farmer, nor exceeding dear to the grievance of the buyer.
It is found by experience that when Barley is at two shillings [Page 211] the bushel, or under, then an Acre, and so twenty Acres of land may be manured with Malt more cheap than with dung, if it he worth six pence a load, and to be carried half a mile, and this is true if after the common manner the Malt be sowed amongst the Wheat, as they use to doe with Pidgeons dung: Malt dust, rags, shavings of horn, salt-peter, bay-salt, or any other thing which is potent and effectual for multiplication. Now let every man judge of how great consequence this Experiment will be, if by my new Invention the Malt be dispersed into the holes where the Wheat is set, so that it all lye within the attractive virtue of the Corn, for then none will be lost, and by this means an acre of land may be manured with so much Corn as is usually cast away by the accustomed manner of sowing more than by setting.
And the reason why Malt is so much better than Corn, is because that by drying upon the kiln the vegetative spirit is killed, and by the Malting the nutritive virtue is opened and advanced, and it mattereth not of what Corn the Malt is made, as of Barly, Pease, Beans, Oats, Fetches, or Buck-wheat, or whatsoever is cheapest; for by this means it is converted into the substance of the Wheat together with the benefit of the multiplication, neither is it material whether the Mast be ground or not, especially for Wheat, or any Corn sown before winter, for that in due time it will be dissolved and putrified, so that by little and little it may be assimilated.
I have found by experience, that when I have taken the great piked Wheat, my increase hath been doubled more than with the smaller sort, the reason can be no other, but that such Wheat is both Seed and Compost. I have also put into every hole with the Wheat seven or eight Malt-cornes, and then increase was four or five, yea sixe times more increased than before, and this seven or eight Malt-corns being so dispersed by my Engine into every hole is quickly done, and amounteth to no more Corn than is usually cast away in sowing more than is needful in setting.
Now the use to be made of this Experience for the prevention of cheapnesse, is to make a great use thereof in time of [Page 212] exceeding plenty, and to keep much dung in store for another year; this with the practise of ingrossing and hoarding up of Corn, taught before, will prevent immoderate cheapness, and preserve many an honest poor Farmer from poverty.
And howsoever I shall not be free from the aspersion of the ignorant Plebeans for this my attempt, yet I regard them not, being devoted to the universal benefit of all, and let them be pleased to understand that every cheap year is but a forerunner of a dear one, unless that this course be taken, by reason that much Corn ground is usually upon such occasions turned into Pasture, when as the Farmers find more gain in converting the fruits of the earth into Beef, Mutton, Butter, Cheese, &c. then by turning them into Corn.
And let them be pleased also to take notice of the Statute made in the reign of King James of happy memory, which alloweth Engrossers to hoard up Corn for no other purpose but this, which Statute I wish all men, that can spare their money, to take notice, and to maste use of the same for their own advantage, as wel as for the publick benefit, and let them not doubt of their gain, which must needs prove certain howsoever, yea though nature should divers years together prove a loving Nurse, and not play the Step-mother by administring too much rain or too much drought, or too little of either, which is sometimes seen three or four years together, though very seldom, and if it happen so, yet by turning the Arable land into Grasse, it hath alwaies come to passe, as I have diligently observed for many years, that the price of Corn hath been doubled at the least.
Now that I have done with the preventions of cheapnesse, I will proceed to the preventions of dearth, which may be partly done by the storing of Corn, and partly by my new Invention for the expeditious setting of Corn, which is so easie and quick for dispatch, that he that hath an ordinary plowland, viz. sixty acres in Tillage may set it all in due time, and pay his charges with the fourth part of the money, which he may sell his corn for presently, besides the increase of the succeeding crop, which wil be a third part more at least, and will come in a good time; for it is never seen, that corn is very cheap, the next year after a dear.
[Page 213]And by this meanes a good Farmer may sow twenty quarters in his seed corn, which is worth twice as much mony as it is other yeares, and how much corn will be thus sowed in the whole kingdom, I lean to the estimation of all men, and suppose that they will confess that if every Farmer keep these Engine; ready for such times, howsoever they make not so great use thereof in time of exceeding cheapness, that it may well be called store-corn, and is more effectual, and preserveth greater abundance of Corn for the prevention of dearth, then all the store-houses that ever were in the world.
I have taken the more pains and 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, Commonwealths, 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 a [...] pleasure.
[Page 214]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 Exp [...]riment, shewing how this Corn may be turned into Animals.
Take a couple of tame of Pidgeons, and let them have no [Page 215] 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 [Page 216] 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 the ditch full of tough clay to keep out rain-water, then make a pond in the nether part of it, into which make drains under the ground, as is taught in the Experiment; then raise the water by an engine or water-work of the most fit sort for that place and purpose. This work will quit the charge very well near London, or in any place where hay and grasse is at a good price.
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 [Page 222] 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 jume [...]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; est (que) 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 pro [...]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.
[Page 223] 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 in or near his Orchard, and then taking all earth he may conveniently from his fruit trees root, he putteth this Sult unto them, and this every two years, and that he hath thus recovered old decaying Trees, and such as had scarce bark or any life left in them, and that his other Trees have shot forth and fructified double and treble to what they did before. For the Devonshire Gent. I am hopelesse of seeing him again, but his relation concerning Furzes, was to this effect. That they valued them much in Devon, and sowed their seed for hedges to shelter their Cattel, and for Fuel and that they found them very profitable for fruit-trees being young, to hang about their bodies neer the ground to defend them from Hares (which usually bawk young Trees) sheep and winds; and that the (dressis) as he called the dust of them, doth marvellously hearten the earth in which they grow if laid upon the ground onely round about them, and that they value that dust for that use above any horse dung. They are of excellent use to keep Mice out of Barn-floors, for being laied under the Corn, Mice and Rats avoid touching the floors. So Reeks of Corn, that stand from the ground upon [Page 225] piles of Wood and Cheese-racks that have Furzes bound in the way where the vermin might creep, are sufficiently secured. The Lady D. told me that at Islington being annoied with Rats, she was advised to take Furzes, and place them in the passages and holes where Rats entred her rooms, and that she was fully cleared of them by that means. Thus contemp [...]ible things are of precious use, by the order of him, that made nothing in vain.
An Estimate made some years ago, of the great destruction of Corn by the multitude of Pidgeon-houses.
An Estimate of the great quantity of Corn that Pidgeons do eat spoil and destroy in the County of Cambridg, and probata for every shire of England the one with the other, as by due inquiry may be made appear as followeth, viz.
1. THat there are in the County of Cambridge 163 Parishes, and in every Parish one with another 3 Dove-houses, every house hath in it at least one with another 200 holes, which are bred in, and in every hole a pair of Pidgeons, which breed, besides those that have no mates, which breed not, of whose number no notice is taken, which devour, eat, and spoil much Corn also.
2. That it hath and may be proved that a Pidgeon hath had at one time in her Crop, 1000 Wheat Corns, which is about a pint, a Pidgeon doth feed thrice a day, then conceive what every Pidgeon doth spoil, eat, and devour in a year, but to come to a far lesse scantling, that a Pidgeon doth eat but half a pint a day, besides that he spoileth, by the space [Page 226] of six weeks in the harvest time onely, besides that he beateth much down and spoil, in beating down the standing Corn that amounteth unto at least at the rates aforesaid, for every Pidgeon house the one with the other 39 Combs, and 6 pecks one sort of Corn & grain with another, the which tother at 10 s. the Comb, comes unto 19 l. 13 s. 9 d. but let it be granted (as true it is) that every Pidgeon house eateth, besides that he otherwise spoileth, to the value of 20 l. worth by the space of six weeks as aforesaid, and the number of Parishes in the whole Nation, being 9533. as Whites Almanack said, besides Londen, and so rate every shire with the County of Cambridge, at 3 Dove-houses for every Parish, the one with the other; for in some Parishes there be farre more, at which rate the whole Kingdom amounteth unto 28599. devouring Dove-houses, the which at the several rates aforesaid commeth unto 571980 l. damage to the whole Kingdom, in six weeks space onely, but it is conceived they haue nine weeks in the harvest to eat and spoil, in which it may amount to half as much more; besides that they devour at seeds, and other times in their several waies.
3. That the multitude of Dove-houses are winked at, and are suffered to stand in many places for the ingendring of Peter, where some of the Owners thereof not sowing any Corn at all, and some other having but a little Land with Corn of their own inheritance. And moreover, the profit of any Dove house, is not worth to the Owner thereof, the 40. part of that which the Pidgeons devour onely in six weeks space, besides what they beat out and spoil.
4. That the damage then in what the Pidgeons eat, devour, and spoil in the whole Kingdom in six weeks space, at the rates aforesaid, amounteth unto One Million, seven hundred, and seventeen thousand nine hundred and forty pound at the least.
5. But if it may be proved, that they eat and devour by the space of nine weeks as aforesaid, then it will amount to the sum of Two Millions, five hundred, seventy three thousand, nine hundred and ten pounds damage to the Kingdom [Page 227] in that space, which is more than all the Pidgeons and Peter made in the Kingdom is forty times worth.
6. That if it may be computed how many poor people of six persons in a Family at a bushel a week for every family, that which the Pidgeons doe eat and destroy in the space aforesaid will maintain so many thousand families for nine weeks space, which is a thing worthy to be thought upon and reformed by the Parliament.
7. That in some Towns where there are not above fifty or sixty Families, there are ten or twelve Dove-houses, and the best owners thereof except Lords of the Mannors, have not above forty or threescore acres of ploughed land in the Town; besides that, it will be proved, that in some Parishes there are two or three Dove-houses, where is not one Acre of ploughed land in these Parishes.
8. That Judge Crook at an Assize time was of opinion, that it was neither fitting nor lawfull for any man to have a Dove-house when so many poor people and their families may be maintained with the Corn that the Doves doe eat, spoyl, and devour.
Another Estimate by way of confirmation of destructive Pidgeon-houses.
PIdgeons can fly farre for the filling of their crops and return the same night, so long as Pidgeons can get Corn they will eat little lesse
They begin to eat Corn about the end of J [...]ly, at which time the Corn (which is before hand sprung up in the ear, and that ear pretty well filled) begins to ripen or turn colour, and they hardly want Corn till the end of Barly seeding, which is about May day, which in all amounts to two hundred and eighty daies or thereabouts, the rest of the time they live on benting, &c.
There are in England and Wales at least 24000 Dove-houses, [Page 228] and there cannot be lesse than 500 pair of old Pidgeons in each house one with the other, which amounts to 2000000 of pairs.
(To speak very modestly) each pair of old Pidgeons (with what they carry home to their young in their seasons) do eat one pint a day, which is in a year for every pair above four bushels, and for all above 6000000 of Quarters of all sorts, worth one with the other twenty shillings a Quarter. Thus much they devour certain, out of what we have and know; but if we should goe about to reckon what might have come of those corns they eat at seed time (being doubtlesse the best and largest grains of all, and more like to come to good than those they leave) which cannot be accompted lesse than 4000000, since seed time is twice as long as harvest, and should we suppose but one ear to have come of one grain, and that ear one grain with another to have yeelded but sixteen single corns, it would seem strange to hear talk of 64000000 of Quarters (and consequently of pounds as aforesaid) to be prevented thus yearly, that it may seem we might have, but have not, by our own wilfull preserving and multiplying so great an enemy in our very bosoms; besides the incredible hurt they doe yearly in unthatching, and so spoyling of whole ricks, and beating out and down many thousand acres at harvest.
A kind of Universal Medicine, or the virtues of Chewed Bread.
GOD is very often pleased to manifest his great power by such means as are in themselves, or at least we esteem them for such, the most common, weak, unlikely, or contemptible. And of this sort is that kind of Medecine I told you of, which I have very often experimented for curing my self and others of divers and several wounds, aches, bruised ulcers, and other hurt and sorances, for confirmation [Page 229] of this truth give me leave to report unto you some particular experiments which I my self have made from my own self.
I was once (passing the Irish Seas in a vessel that was ballast with coale, and by a violent storm, and a great leak almost suffering shipwrack, my body being made much more lyable to receive the malignant quality of a damp, or infectious vapour arising from the wet coal by being first much sea-sick, and immediately fasting about four daies and five nights) taken with a great swelling, and that fallen, and nothing to be seen, there followed the greatest torment by way of ach, that (I thank God) I ever felt to this day; which pain (notwithstanding many salves and medicines, prescribed by some that pretended much skill, lasted, nay encreased for at least three weeks space. At last I resolved, and did lay to this easie Poultesse (viz.) White Bread Chewed in my own mouth to a kinde of pap or soft paste: I chewed so much as bound both my feet about of all sides; I went to bed, and fell fast asleep for two or three houres (which I had not done in all the time before.) The next morning when I waked, my pain was gone: And (I thank God) I was never troubled with it since.
Another time being struck with a (new shod) ston'd horse, just on the shin-bone, my legge swel'd so that my boot was fain to be cut off: I layd this to it when I went to bed, and next day the pain was gone, yet to this day there is the mark.
Divers green wounds I have cured with it.
My hand was bitten through by a mad dog, I sayd this only to it, and healed it in three or four daies.
I have by applying this six times so mollified a Corn upon my toe, that I after took it out core and root and all, and never any more grew in the place.
I took once a very great cold, which swel'd all my throat on both sides under the chin, and broke into a foul sorance like the Kings Evill. I applyed this, and took it away in two or three dayes.
[Page 230]For many years together I was troubled with an old pain in my shoulder, caused by some strein the pain was not alwaies but onely when I did suddenly and violently lift up my arm as to strike or through a stone or the like, by applying this I took it away.
And lastly since you commanded me to give you this accompt, as I was with a great hook pruning a tree in my Orchard, I struck the point of it by mischance into the nail of my Thumb, above a quarter of an inch almost through, and in two or three renuings of this salve (God be praised) 'tis very well.
And least it should be said or conceived that this Medicine would cure none but my self, I have also experimented it upon divers others; for example, Once I applied it to a mans leg that was so swelled and putrified, that he had divers great and deep holes therein, and all over nothing but most filthy rottennesse, it was conceived to be a Gangrean howsoever under God this cured it.
Once I applied it to my servant, that was run into the very joynt of the knee with a rusty Rapier, and for want of looking to it, did fester exceedingly; insomuch that the Chyrurgians spoke of cutting it off, howsoever under God it did cure him, although he did come at his wife in the time of the cure.
Once a Maid of my Sisters received a very violent blow with the handle of a double draw well, it was black and blew (as they call it) from the Elbow to the Shoulder, for it hit her upon the Brawn of the Arm, yet under God, I cured her in a day or two with this onely.
My wife had the end of her Thumb sorely bruised or broken, between the Wheel and the Nut of my Engine, as it was in swift and strong motion, and applying nothing but this, she was well in a small time (God be praised.)
Cum multis alijs.
The quality of it is (slowly but certainly) to stench blood, to ease pain, to draw out any poison or a thorn, and to heal up and make sound the place grieved.
[Page 231]But some men by intemperance, or evil constitution of body, are harder to heal then others.
If you lay it to any sound place it works nothing. This I testifie for truth upon my own knowledge.
The Scotch way of Brewing their strongest and best ALE.
1. THey first boil the water, and scum it till it be very clear, and then
2. They put that water to the Malt, allowing eight gallons of water to every bushel of Malt, which done:
3. They stir it very wel for the space of one whole hour together, at the end of which:
4. They cover it very close with cloaths, and let it stand so for two hours; and then:
5. They let the Wort run out from the Malt.
6. When the Wort is all run out, they boil it for two whole hours together, and take of the scum very clean; which being done:
7. They put it into Coolers, and when it is well cooled it will rope like oyl, and then:
8. They put it into a Tub, and put their yest to it, but if they want yest they take a green Birchen rod, and wreath it, and so put it into the Wort, and it will make it work as well as yest will; having done so:
9. They let it work very well before they Tun it, and afterwards when it hath done working in the vessel, they stop it very close with salt and clay, and so ordered it will last seven yeers; but because with long standing it doth wast, they in the heat of Summer, do fill it up with new ale, which will both make it work, and quicken it.
How to make Wine out of Corn.
TAke your Alewort as it is fit to barrel up, put it into a vessel that will contain about twice as much, and into it put of good Honey despumed to every Gallon of Ale a pound and a half and of good Yest as much as will serve to set it on work. Cover then the bung (not close) and the vessel lay over with clothes, and once a day for about a quarter of an hour stir it well, and be sure you stir all the Honey and Yest well, when you put it in, so it will work well for several daies together; and when it hath done working almost, renew the working with new Yest, quickned with a small quantity of fine (i. e.) the fine flour that is in grinding Malt) Malt dust, this doe three times, and at last before the working be quite over stop the bung, leaving onely a quill hole for about two dayes, then stop it close, and let it stand coole in a cellar; in two Months, it takes the natural taste and smel of Wine, and will keep accordingly.
Another Processe to make Wine of Corn.
TAke good Malt ground, as it is to be brewed, put to it as much water as the vessel will hold, when it is full of Malt; adde Yest to it equally in every part, and let it work what it will in a barrel the bung open. Then take to each Gallon of the matter half a pound of good Honey, dissolve it in warm water, and put it in warm, and more Yest: Let it the second time work with not a fourth of the vent it had at first; and when the working is almost abated, take half as much Honey more, and dissolve it and warm it, and [Page 233] let it work by putting in Yest the third time, onely a peg-hole open; and when this third Fermentation ceaseth, let it stand open about six houres, to let out the wild spirit, then stop it up close, and in four Months it will be clear and fine, which then may be racked from the Lees, for all but the husk of the grain will be liquor, and this Wine is not inferiour in taste and goodnesse to the richest Canaries.
Because it is hard to hit right upon the knack at first, and few processes of this nature perfectly understood without a few tryals, it's advised, that these Experiments be made in many and little vessels (for that's much the safer way) till we are Masters of the Mechanick of them.
Some Animadversions upon the foregoing Process of making Wine of Corn.
J See no defect in this Processe, if by thrice fermenting the tast of the hony will be taken away. It is no matter what quantities of Water and Yest you use, provided there be Yest enough to make it work, which every Brewer knowes, and experience will easily shew it: And for your Water, you may take as much as will make it either strong or small, as you desire it; for the quantity of water will no way spoyle the businesse. But I am not of their mind who think it may best be brewed in small vessels, for they are not fit for the purpose. For my part I would never try it in a lesse vessel than a barrel, for experience shews that drink will work best in great vessels. Glanber knows how to precipitate Raisins and Honey so as to take away the tast of them, and to make the liquor tast like Wine, but I could never get it from him; yet I guesse he doth it with Tartar, or Lees of Wine.
Glauberus's Promise or Undertaking for making Wine out of Corn.
OUr friend Glauber is desirous once again to draw unto us, he is at present with his family at Franckfort, being minded to come down again into Holland, desiring my advice herein, and to hold some discourse with me, being also to come with the first opportunity in his own person to the Elector of Colen. He doth fully apprehend, that it can no longer faile him, but that he shall obtain in a short space of time a good summe of money for the support of his family, in regard he hath a great and weighty peece of businesse in hand, which proceedeth out of Corn, and is affirmed to have such a property, that it will be acceptable to the whole world, so as thereby a quarter of Corn shall be advanced to a great value. He is intended shortly to put forth a small Treatise, being an Explication upon his Miraculum mundi, wherein he will endeavour to reveal some of the chiefest matters therein contained to those that desire it, and to demonstrate it to their sight. And he doubts not but that many great Lords and Princes will strive accordingly to bring profit and advantage to their co [...]ntries as being a work of great importance. Now the reason why he will communicate is this, because that it is endeavoured after already by false pretenders, and that much mischief may easily be effected by it, neither can it much longer be kept secret, together with the Communication of the Corn and Wine Traffique.
He will make Wine out of Corn, which in all respects shall be answerable unto the natural wine. He hath likewise such a compendious way of melting the Sun and Moon, Earth or Mines, which will be necessary and acceptable unto the whole world, whereby he is in hope not only to raise a good summe of money, but also to procure an immortal fame to his posterity, for they are unheard of things, profitable and necessary [Page 235] for the whole world to know. These are all his own formalia dated the 6th. of October at Franck-fort. The aforesaid Treatise shall speedily be translated into Latine, whereby it may be transported into forraign parts.
An Advertisement concerning the Mystery of making Wine according to Glaubers undertaking.
ALL ingenious and industrious experiments that desire further satisfaction in this matter, till Glauber shal have performed his promises, relating to his Corn-wine undertakings, are faithfully advised to study and practise the several hints and directions, which are given in a Treatise, called The Reformed Commonwealth of Bees. Printed in the yeer 1655. and is to be sold by Giles Calvert at the Black Spread-Eagle at the West end of Pauls.
How a Meadow about the end of May or beginning of June, before the Seeds of Grasse are ripe, may be used.
Ll [...]t Weeders (hired by the day) cut of the heads of all sorts of Grasse, but such as of which the seed is desired. This being done, the Meadow will be ready to cut before the grasse that hath lost its head can put forth 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.
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 [Page 237] 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.
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 [Page 239] 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.
UNderstanding by Mr. Ʋnderhil, 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 [Page 240] 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 Acres did yeeld me in one year, which was the last year fourscore pound.
A Letter from Upton 11 April, 1653. Concerning the Husbandry of clover-seed.
UNtill now I could not be so throughly informed (by the party that writes the inclosed) what he hath found (in his several ways of practise) to be the best way and time for sowing this Clover-grass seed, and how, and where I might be furnisht with the best and best cheap, which hath retarded this my thankfull answer to your kind Letter, Mr. W. shewed me some that he sowed last year thin, amongst other good English hay dust, upon bare rubbish earth (in North-hampton, where he had demolished some of the Bulwarks:) Which now is throughly covered and hath a full fresh bite of very rich green sward thus early; but I find the Clover-grasse seed would have Corn thicker, but that the other English ordinary hay-dust (being as he thinks more natural for our climate) doth choke the other, wherein I differ in opinion with him; for it's apparently higher and ranker, and over-spreads the other much. This Clover-seed was of his own growing, in a little piece of ground in his Orchard very good, which he mowed twice the last year, viz. about Midsummer, and about a fortnight after St. James that being sowed on the 6th. of April last before, and yet he did not cut it untill it afforded seed both cuttings, and he beleeves the last cutting afforded rather more and better then the first, and that little (sowed of it self) is long enough (but that it is not ripe enough) to be mowed now. He beleeves the [Page 241] seed that is of his own, that comes of the Dutch seed, is altogether as good if not better then the Dutch seed, Mr. R. sowed some Dutch seed last yeer there, some in his garden, and about an acre or two with barley, upon a red sandy ground in his close by his garden, that was worn out of heart with bearing too many crops of Corn, and I viewed them both last week, and I found that sowed in his Garden to be throughly swarded, and was (as they told me) mowed the last year, and is now again in as forward a condition as Mr. W. sowed in his Garden: But that sowed with Barley is scarce so forward, as Mr. W. sowed with ordinary hay seed as aforesaid, and it comes not much thicker, and is in greater danger to be eaten out with Scutch grass, that such kind of ground (worn out of heart:) is apt to breed, so that upon consideration of the whole matter, I think the best way for me would be to sow it alone without Barley, in the beginning of this moneth, which cannot now be done this year, unlesse I had been provided of seed earlier; besides Mr. W. saith it will be hard to get good seed so late, especially new seed which is best to be had at Candlemas, and much cheaper then now, for he saith (when he was at London, which was a little before I was with you) new seed was risen from 8 d. the pound to 1 s. and before he came out of Town dearer; but when new was at 1 s. they offered him old seed for 6 d. and he is confident it may be had at half the price of new at any time. I send you in Mr. W's. Letter, some of the best kind of new seed, by which sample (if you be not skild) you may know old from new.
Sir Richard Westons more special directions for the best ordering of Clover-grasse.
CLover-grass Seed thrives best when you sow it in the worst and barrennest ground. Such as our worst heath ground is in England.
The ground is thus to be prepared for the Seed.
First pare off the heath; then make the paring into little hils; you may put to one hill as much paring as comes off from a Rod or Pole of ground, which is the square of sixteen feet and a half.
The hils being sufficiently made and prepared (as they doe in Devonshiring as we call it) are to be fir'd and burnt into ashes. And unto the ashes of every hill you must put a peck of unslaked Lime; the Lime is to be covered over with the ashes, and so to stand till rain comes and slakes the Lime. After that mingle your ashes and lime together, and so spread it over your land.
This done; either against, or shortly after rain, plough and sow; ploughing not above four inches deep and not in furrows, but as plain as you can, and to make yet plainer, harrow afterwards, and with bushes under your harrows.
The ground being thus prepar'd you may sow your seeds. An Acre of ground will take about ten pounds of your Clover grasse-seed, which is in measure somewhat more than half a peck. The chief seasons of sowing it are April or the latter end of March.
About the first of June it will be ready to be cut. It yeelds most excellent hay. The time of cutting it will be more exactly known, by observing when it begins to knot: For that is the time: And ere the year be done, it will yeeld you three of those crops, all of them very good hay; and after you have thus cut it the third time, you may then feed the [Page 243] ground with Cattel, all the Winter as you do other ground.
But if you intend to preserve Seed, then must you expect but two crops that year, and you must cut the first according to the foresaid directions. But the second growth must be let stand, till the Seed of it be come to a full and dead ripenesse, and then must you cut it, and thresh the tops, and so preserve the Seed, you shall have at the least five bushels of Seed from every Acre.
This Seed thus threshed off, there will be left long stalks, these your Cattel will eat; but when they grow old and hard you are to boil those stalks, and make a mash of them, and it will be very nourishing, either for hogs or any thing that will eat thereof.
After the second cutting for seed, you must cut it that year no more; but as it springs again, feed it with Cattel. One Acre of it will feed you as many Cows, as six ordinary Acres, and you will find your Milk much richer; which induces some not to cut it at all, but onely to graze it for their Dayry.
Being once sowed, it will last five years, and then being ploughed, it will yeeld three or four years together, rich crops of Wheat, and after that a crop of Oats.
And as the Oats begin to come up, then sow it with the Clover-seed (which is in it self excellent Manure) for that you need not bestow any new dressing upon the ground, and by that time you have cut your Oats, you will find a delicate grasse grown up underneath, upon which if you please, you may graze with Cattel or horse all that year after, and the next year take your crops as before at pleasure.
Some Doubts and Queres concerning the aforesaid directions propounded in a Letter from Dublin.
I Have dispersed that Paper (of Sir Ri. Westons Directions) you did me the favour to send me about the Husbandry of Clover, and I am to return you humble thanks for it, though there doth remain a very matterial scruple about it, which is:
That if they sow it with the Barley or Oats, it must needs spring up and be ripe before the Barley, and consequently at the mowing of the Barley will either be mixt with it, so as not well to be separated, or must be trodden down and spoiled by it.
This I being not able to answer must intreat you to take a little pains to satisfie me, and to communicate what you have experimentally been informed concerning it.
I am to solicite you also in the name of some young Husbandmen and other Improvers here, to procure them a parcel of choice, good, new and excellent Clover-seed, who are resolved according as this takes, so to follow that Husbandry. As therefore the good successe of this, will much incourage our young Undertakers, so if this Seed should prove bad and not thrive, it would as much discountenance all our new Projectors.
The Doubts and Queres in the Letter from Dublin resolved.
IN Answer to the Questions you [...] make concerning the sowing of Clover with other Corn, I can say that onely, which my experience hath taught me, viz. That Polish Oats are the best Corn to be sown with Clover about the middle of April, two bushels and a half, or three bushels of Oats will be enough, which yeelding a middle crop of Oats at harvest will shadow the Clover from the heat of the Sun, and leave the Clover (at the time of mowing) 2 or 3 inches high and no more, which will be a notable pasture in September or October following, and will (according to my experience) Winter 2 or 3 Sheep of an Acre. For the profit of the second Summer, and so forward. A Kentish-man (by name Sir Thomas Payton) gave me this relation of his own experience, viz. That (by cutting of it and feeding of Cattel in racks under a tolle of trees) six Acres did maintain between the middle of April, and the middle of October, that is half a year) 13 Cows, 10 Oxen, 3 Horses, and 26 Hogs, which a [...] 12 d. a week for the Bullock or Horse, and 2 d. for a Hog, comes to above 30 s. a week, which is 40 l. for the 26 weeks, which is not lesse then 20 Nobles for the Summer profit of an acre, besides what it yeelds in the Winter, which is also considerable.
Sir Rich. Weston, applies this Husbandry to the improvement of barren ground, but my experience and judgement are, that the best improvement is upon the best ground, nor is 10 s. or 15 s. an acre considerable to the certainty which rich land gives to an improvement that is so great in it self. The common practise also imploies this Husbandry by way of mowing of the Land; but my opinion is, and practise shall be to pasture it, which (instead of impoverishing the ground, as mowing by experience doth) will much better the ground [Page 246] by the abundance of stock which is continually kept upon it, upon the same reason, as foddering of land doth.
Note also that the Clovergrasse is most excellent food for Bees.
An Answer to more Queres concerning the Husbandry of Clover-grasse.
Q. THe quality of the ground Clover-grasse delights in?
A. Any light sandy or hazel-mould-land, is best to bear Clover, and though barren land wil bear it, yet fresh and rich ground doth by experience return best profit.
Q. The manner of preparing the ground?
A. There cannot be too much cost in preparing the ground, and making it free from all manner of other grass.
Q. The season and manner of sowing the seed?
A. Clover is usually sown with Barly, Polish Oats, sometimes with Flax, or with any seeds that are sown in April. The best manner of sowing that I have been able to learn, is to mix it by quarters of pounds or lesse quantities, with such proportions of sand, as when all the parcels are put together, they may make two bushels and a half or tbree bushels, or any such proportion as fits an ordinary sowers hand, and thus it may be sown (like any other Corn) with a full hand, some (at the first) did use to sow 4 or 5 pounds upon an Acre, others have used to sow 10 pounds, and I shall (next Spring) sow more. It is usually about the spring-time, sold in London, for 12 or 14d. the pound, but by the help of some Belgick Merchant, it may be had, thence for 6 d. the pound, or perhaps for lesse.
Q. The best use of it for Cattel?
A. The best way (that I can learn) of feeding Cattel with it, is to cut it and to give it them in the Racks, within some little grown or shady places, and a proportion of swine will grow very fat with what falls from the Racks. In this manner (as I am credibly informed) 6 acres did feed all this summer time, more Oxen, Milch-cows, Horses, and Hogs [Page 247] then (not being my own experience) I am willing to name.
Q. The way of saving or getting it out?
A. To this my experience reaches not, but in this I am fully satisfied; that our own seed is best and freest from cousenage. It lasts three or four, or more years in the ground, according as the ground is good, and (at first) well peopled with it: This is all that my experiences reacheth unto concerning Clover.
Concerning the Threshing of Clover-seed.
THe Clover-Seed, is a Seed very difficult to thrash; They Must bee good Thrashers that can Thrash six Gallons in a day. The way used by a great Husbandman of Clover in Kent, is, first to Thrash off the heads which easily part, which being seperated from the Straw, he used to Thrash over again until it seem all as chass or dust, which after he winnowed with a Fan as long as the dust flyeth out. Amongst the dust there wil remain some small heads unbroken, which he separated or Thrasht over again as before. I hope it will be no offence to give this publike notice that one Mr. Stoughton, a Gentleman that lives in Norfolk, hath for many years since used the Husbandry of Clover-Grass, and hath an easie way by the help of a kind of Mil, to Shell the Husk from the Seed, whereby his Seed will not stand him in 2d. per Pound.
An Extract of a Letter written from Dublin, May 16. 1654. concerning the Husbandry of Clover in Ireland.
I Was at the charge for sending for a hundred weight of Clover-grasse seed, on purpose to incourage the chief of our friends here, to undertake the Husbandry of it, and when it came I sowed some in my own ground, some I sent to Col. J. some to Col. H. some to Capt. V. and to other Collonels and Officers of the Army. Lately I furnished some of it to two Gentlemen in the Country, that were excellent Husbandmen. And thus I dispersed it, giving away some parcels, and selling some other, and sowing the most part of it with others in Partnership. But though I vsed that care, I did it to procure good seed, and though I am as confident of Mr. M. my friends care, who had it where you directed him, and staid for it, while the Merchant told him he had new come over. Yet none of all these parcels I speak of, so much as came up, save one handfull of it which sowed in my garden. And my friends here have sufficiently abused me for it. Pray Sir present my humble service to honest Sir C. Culpepper, when you write to him, and my thanks for his so free communications of his Clover-grasses husbandry.
An Answer to the foregoing extract concerning the miscarriage of the Husbandry of Clover in Ireland.
I Am sorry the Hushandry of Clover, hath received such a blast in Ireland, in its first essay, having observed how much more men are (ordinarily) ready, to judge of things, by the successe of some one trial ill made, then to take the pains to weigh, and consider in which of the particulars which belong (more or fewer) to every action, there may have been some failing.
[Page 249]One of the most ordinary wayes of failing, which I have observed in this Husbandry is in the Seed, which comes to us sometimes two yeares old, old, and very seldome other then what is mixed, and this I know by dear experience of my own heretofore, and of a very neer friends this last Spring.
A second consideration, is the ground, which (for a general Rule) ought to be light and tending rather to the sand then clay.
A third but very considerable Observation is, that the season be very clear and free of all other grasse, or roots, and as fi [...]e worked, as if it were for a garden, which is a circumstance not more necessary, then it is little observed.
A fourth Consideration (though not so general) if the drought of the Fumer, which hath (as I hear) spoiled much Clover this spring, and not lesse (I fear) then 20. acres of mine, if the ground have not helped me by its being proper and good. But if these particulars be well observed, I can (from my own and others experience) assure you, that it will (upon an easie account) double and treble the profit or rent of the Land; and that an acre (if managed by the Owner) will yeeld as much (to all intents) as 5 l. worth of other pasture. The greatest fault which I find in this Husbandry is, that if the ground be stil cut or mowed, it will like Corn, impoverish the ground; for no man can eat his cake, and yet still have it; to prevent this great inconvenience, and to turn it to an advantage, my self intends to try how it will thrive, and what return it will make, being pastured. I have known already the experience of some who have this spring, (before there was any pasture elsewhere) kept 8 Sheep of an acre, which is double the proportion, which the best land in Rumney Marsh will bear; if this, upon trial, prove well, I cannot but think, that this way of pasturing of Clover, will be a kind of foddering of the land, and [...]ather improve then impair it.
An Extract of another Letter in reference to the fore-going Answer.
PRay thank Sir C. C. heartily, for his accurate Animadversions upon Clovergrasse; upon consideration of which I am pretty well satisfied. We failed in the point of Husbandry and ordering the Land, sowing it somewhat rudely as is done with other grain. But though this was the failer, the discredit falls upon the Climate, so quickly are mens patiences tired, and so easily are their judgements abused, as Sir Ch. very well observes, being ready to suspect and accuse any thing, rather then our own error.
More Extracts of Letters concerning French Seeds, of St. Foine, and Lucerne, Paris 23. Novemb. 1652.
THe name of St. Foine is in some parts of France communicated to Lucern, although the generality thereof have appropriated the same to another kind of fodder, extreamly differing from it all manner of ways, viz. the Onobrychis Antiquorum, wherewith Medica, (that is the true Latine name of Lucern) hath nothing common. When I find an opportunity, I shall send you some of the seed of each, according to their usual denominations here, the sight whereof and much more its planting, will soon convince all contradictors.
Paris, Decemb. 21. 165 [...].
I have delaied the sending of the seeds of St-Foin and Lucern, because I thought they were desired for sowing, to see [Page 251] what herbs they would produce, for which end they would have come time enough two or three moneths hence. But seeing that the sight of themselves is desired, you shall have them out of hand.
More of Lucern, Paris, March 22. 1653.
DR. H. told me, that a Merchant who dealeth much in Oranges, Lemmons, and other Provence Wares, had told him, that within a few days he expected 10 or 12. mules loaden with those commodities, among which there would be good store of Lucern seed, and that of 3 several sorts, for so many there is, which I never knew before, and Dr. H. shewed me Paterns of every one of them, having got them of the said Merchant. Therefore I wished him to send unto Sir C. not 25 l. of any one of them, we not knowing, nor able to learn here, which is the best sort, but 5 or 6 lib. of every sort, the which Sir C. having sown all, and seen them grow, he may consider which he liketh best, and have of that as much as he pleaseth the next year.
The Answer.
Of the 3 sorts of Lucern, mentioned in Dr. B. Letter of March 22. 1653. my desire is, to have of each sort, as much as will plentifully sow an English Acre, and rather more than lesse. I shall under correction of better experience, write my own apprehensions, concerning the quantity that serves for an Acre, viz. That of that Lucern seed, of which I received formerly a sample, 15 lib. if good, will sow an acre of the other 2. sorts of seeds, if bigger there must be so much more, if they be lesser seeds, there must be so much lesse or fewer pounds of each Kind. This still supposed, that the seeds be naked, and not, like St-Foin, closed in a cod; for in that case, there ought another consideration to be had of it.
More Queries about Lucerne, and the Seed called Esparcet.
I Am well acquainted with the Saint-Foyne Seed, which you received from Paris; but as for the Lucerne seed, I doe upon sight of it conceive it to be no other than the Clover seed, that is commonly procured here from Flanders, being meliorated in France only by growing nearer the Sun. And therefore I heartily wish, that you friend could certifie you of his certain knowledge of the Flanders Clover-seed, and of the different natures (if any) of those two seeds. But howsoever it prove, I should be very glad if by your friends kindnesse I might by the first of April, or before, receive twenty pound weight of the Lucerne seed, such as is good, and of the last years growth.
There is another French seed called Esparcet, and mentioned (by the Author of Theatre d' Agriculture) to grow usually about Die in Da [...]lphine. I cannot conceive but that a seed of that excellency cannot, but (since that Authors writing) have spread it self the nearer to Paris.
If by your Friends favour I could have his knowledge of that seed, a pattern of it, and (if it be to be had) ten or fifteen pound weight of it by, or before April, you would much oblige me.
The Answer.
AS to the Qu. of Sir Ch. C. I know not the Flanders Clover, nor the seed of it, and so can tell nothing of its agreement or disagreement with Lucerne, whereof I will send the desired quantity, if it may be had, whereof I make some doubt; for some weeks since, to my knowledge, there was but one shop in Town that had any, which was the cause [Page 253] that the price was doubled, and from eight sols come to sixteen; and I doubt not but it hath been enhaunced since, if any one be left.
As for the Esparced, I could never yet meet with any here who could tell me what it was, it being long since that I have enquired after it for mine own curiosity, finding it spoke of in the Theatre d' Agriculture. But if I be not hugely mistaken, it is the self-same with that which in these parts is known under the name of Saint-Foin, and whereof I sent you the seed lately with that of Luc [...]rne.
P. S.
What I told you out of my conjecture, that Esparced is the same with Saint-Foin, that I can now give you for a certain truth, Dr. H. having found it so by his Enquiries.
The differences between Esparcet, and the other French Seeds.
SErres in his Theatre d' Agriculture, hath a Chapter by it self concerning Saint-Foine, which (by the tenor of that Chapter) he seems to me to intimate to be the same with Lucerne. In the very next Chapter to that of Saint-Foine, he treats of this Esparcet in question, and by comparing of both Chapters there will be found these differences: Saint-Foine requires the best sort of ground, and is tender; but Esparcet is a very hearty hearb, and grows very well in barren ground. Saint-Foine, by Serres, is mowable five or six times a year; but for Esparcet it will be mowed but thrice a year. Saint-Foine endures in the ground (upon once sowing) twelve or fifteen years; but Esparcet (by the next Chap.) endures but four years. Saint-Foin grows ordinarily in Languedoc, Provence, Dauphine, the Principality of Aurange, and in the region about those Provinces; but Esparcet is reported to grow only about Die in Dauphine.
[Page 254]These several differences mentioned by Serres make me conceive that the seeds are not the same, and that if Esparcet, upon enquiry cannot be found at Die, it is lost either in deed, or at least in name since the time that Serres lived, which yet, of a thing so profitable, and once in practice, is hard to apprehend.
The last Advertisements concerning Esparcet, and the other French Seeds.
I Have sent to Calis by the Chassemarais a sack of Saint-Foine, containing two English bushels; and in the sack I have put three small canvas bags of three sorts of Lucorne, of Holland, of Flanders, and of Paris, but two pounds onely of each sort, because I fear they are too old, and will not grow, and therefore I send them rather out of curiosity than otherwise, the price being not great. The new Lucerne seeds of Provence and Dauphine are not yet arrived, but daily expected, and so have been these three weeks. If they come time enough to be sent so as that they may be in England by the time your friend appoints, I will not faile to send what he demandeth. As for Esparcet, whereof Serres makes mention, and which Dalechamp saith is called Sparsse at Die in Dauphine, who puts both the description and the figure of it in the words Polygala and Onobrychis, I have enquired particularly of it, and they write to us from Die, that they have such a grasse, but that 'tis mixed with divers other sorts of grasse in their Saint-Foine, and that there be no particular seeds to be had of it alone. And I perceive by Renard the famous Gardener of the Kings Garden of Simples, that of those sorts of grasse specified in Dalechamp, under several names and figures, as Lucerne, Hedisaron, Polygala, Onobrychis, are all but several parts of Medica or Saint-Foine, and that their seeds are not to be found distinctly [Page 255] separate one from another. If any man would be so curious, he might sow them all together, as they are to be had under the titles of Lucerne or Tresle, and gather the seeds of them distinctly according as he shall find their divers shapes correspondent to their several figures in Dalechamps or Clusius.
A Letter of Dr. J. S. relating the Husbandry of the French Tares or Fetches.
IN my voyage from Paris to Roan, I observed divers fields, as I thought, of the hearb called Aphaca vicia, or Tares and Fetches, and in them horses feeding, but not at random, being by the means of a rope allotted onely a certain space some four yards about; and this space was thought sufficient for one horse in one day. But being in the Coach in company with a Gentleman of the Country, who understood something in Husbandry, I made these following Enquiries.
1. What it was called?
A. Was, La Romagne.
2. If every year sown?
A. It was, but if it was not, it would not cease to come▪ though not in such abundance.
3. How often mowen?
A. Not but once, not that it might not be oftner moven, but because being green, and so eaten off the field, the cattel fatned on it, they were willing it should be so to spare their hay. He said likewise, that it was of so quick growth, that one furrow but of a competent length, was sufficient, and more for one horse all grasse time over, which he accounted from April to the latter end of August, and then being spared for a time, it might be mown and kept dry, and given in the Winter to Horse, Oxen, and Sheep, either alone [Page 256] or mixed with other fodder. I asked how that a horse eating on one furrow alwaies could be ever a fresh supplied. He said, that every day he was to be carefully changed, and that beginning at one end of the furrow, and so going on to its middle; then he was to be shifted to the other end of the furrow, and in like manner to proceed till he come where he had left before, and by that time the first end, where he first begun, would be sufficiently grown, and so as he had eaten it before gradatim, so he found it again growing gradatim, and so good pasture again. Moreover I inquired, what difference he made of the profit the Lucerne brought (for he knew it well) and that of La Romagna? He answered, that the Lucerne certainly went beyond this, but that they used the one and the other, according to the nature of their ground, besides that that ground, which was allotted to the Lucerne, should be for many years; for once having got root, it was not so easily eradicate, and so not fit for any other use, but that the field of La Romagna might be changed, according to pleasure, besides the ground which was fit or La Lucerne, was not for La Romayne, & è contrà ▪ For Lucern required more humide places, and La Romagne more dry.
This is the substance of what I remember passed betwixt that Gentleman and me, which how true it is I dare not promise because having it, but from one hand, and that a stranger to me; but thus much I remember, that some York-shire men in the Army in England, were more glad to find a field of Fetches to feed their horses on, then if they had found both Hay and Oats, and that they have often to my seeing left excellent grass to seek after these Fetches.
Sir, I think it will not be amisse in the further inquiry of this, to see the affinity between the Vicia or Aphaca, the Lens, and the Ervum, for all of them according to Dioscor. have that fatning quality, and truly I cannot well tell, which of these certainly is La Romayn, though I incline to think that it is the Vicia or Aphaca; for being in a Coach, I was too negligent to go out and remark it more narrowly, but may be [Page 257] easily known of any whom you may inquire of. Thus I pray God to blesse you in all your noble indeavours, and so I shall continue to pray,
Sir,
Your most devoted to serve you.
An Observation upon the Husbandry of the French Tares or Fetches.
THe Forther herb, about which you have communicated unto me, Dr. S. notable observation, is certainly the Vicia or Fetches, the which I have seen cultivated in divers parts of France and of Holland. But it was never my luck yet, to learn any particulars about the properties and use thereof. If I do at any time hereafter, you shall be sure to hear of it. Having written thus far, I am told by divers, that the Vicia or fetches are sown for to give the dried grain of it to horses, in the same manner as Beans, but that they never knew the green herbs to be used for them, or any other cattel in the nature of fodder.
Another Letter relating the Braband Husbandry of Spurry-seed.
THe Spurry-seed which you have gotten out of the Low-Countries, grew no doubt in light ground. And accordingly, if it were mine, it should again be sowen in the lightest ground I had. Though for trials sake I might perhaps bestow a handfull or two upon every sort of ground neer me.
The times of sowing it are twice in a Summer. The first time is not very early. I should not adventure to sow Dutch seed in England before the middle of May; least, being a stranger, it should take it unkindly to meet with cold May mornings, and discourage me. In June and July it will be in flower; and in August the seed is usually ripe.
The second time of sowing is after Rie-harvest; when the Brabant-husbandman presently ploughs up his ground and [Page 258] sows it with Spurry-seed, that it may grow up and serve his Kine, after all late-grasse, and Rowens be eaten up, even till New-years day. So that this latter sowing yeelds no seed, but is eaten up green; and the provision for seed is made by the former sowing.
It will be good in this first triall, to sow it in several parts of the same ground in different proportions, and to mark which thrives best: As also in the same ground, and with the same proportion of seed, to try what difference of increase there is, between the seed newly thresht out and thrown into new ploughed ground, and that seed which is at the same time a year old.
It is ordinary in Brabant to sell away their May-butter, and to make their Winter-provision for themselves, and their more knowing customers, in the end of the year. For many of them prefer Spurry-seed before May-butter. I suppose the principal reason is, because it is not so apt to grow rank with that Summer heat, which May-butter must indure in June, July and August.
I have known some Brabant Husbandmen sow Tolls, that is, small round Turneps among their Spurry, in the latter seed-time, as being also good to increase the milk in their Kine.
Some Brabant women give Spurry to their Hens, that will catch it from one another, as they do Chick-weed. They beleeve that it makes them lay the more Eggs.
Spurry is by some esteemed a sure remedy for a cut or green wound, if it be bruised green and layed to the cut, &c. In Latine its called Spergula.
The Description of the Hop Clover, or Trefoil, in English Three Leaved Grasse.
THis Three Leaved Grasse will grow half a yard in length or more, and at every two Inches, it hath a knot with Leaves and a Bunch of Seed, which is black, almost like Onion Seed; both the Grasse and the Hay made thereof, is finer and sweeter then the great Clover. It will grow in any Ground, and being once planted, it will shed so much Seed, that it need never be planted again. Jt may be sowen with Corn, or without, as they do the great Clover; or being sprinkled in Meadows, it will exceedingly mend [Page 260] the Hay, both in burthen and goodnesse.
Such as are desirous to buy any of this Three Leaved Grasse, or Lucern, Spurry, Clover-grasse and Sinkfoile Seeds, what quantity they please may have them at Thomas Brown's Shop at the Red Lyon in Soper-lane, where they may likewise see some of the Hay made of this three Leaved Grasse.
Of the long English grass in Wiltshire.
THe long grasse in Wiltshire mentioned in the Legacy, is occasioned by reason of a spacious Sheep-Common adjoyning. For that every hasty shower washeth off the Soil of the Common, and bringeth it into a little Meadow beneath, which maketh it incredibly fruitfull.
Some Physical uses of Milk, and of curing the Black Jaundies, &c.
I Thought to have imparted unto you the Secret how to preserve Milk from sowring, but I must refer it to a person of singular Honour, Piety, and Experimental learning, who had made some trial of it, but hath not yet fully satisfied his minde about it. When that is done, I know you will have it before any other, the Gentleman being wholly devoted not onely by this, but many other very Noble and useful Experiments, to promote the good of Mankind.
As for Doctor Ziegler's Germane Book, written purposely on the subject of Milk, when I visited him at Zurich he shewed it me, not fair written for the Press. It will not be great, unless he resolve to an much of his own experience. For he tells mee, that being miserably infected with the Black-Jaundies in Prussia, and having been purged by the Physicians of that Country, with above 30 several sorts of purgations, even the most viblent that they could think of, he found himself never the better. Whereupon he resolved to take no more of their counsel, but to try some conclusions of his own. And with the sole use of Milk he was perfectly cured. Besides he tells me that he hath several times, finding himself in some indisposition, prevented the returning of some hereditary diseases in himself, by abstaining from all manner of meat and drink, and living upon meer Milk, sometime; for fourteen days together. And I remember heretofore I have heard him say, that Milk is hurtfull with other meats, but alone it is of unknown vertue. How much of this and the like, he will say in his Book, I know not. Some other things he said at the same time, which I meant to have added here, but I must defer them at present.
Observations concerning Oyles.
I Gave Dr. Zeigler occasion to shew me Balsamum Samaritanum, as he called it. He seemed to say, that Paeracelsus first gave it that name, in memory of the Samaritan in the Parable, Luke 10.33. For this Balsam, he said, was made of meer Oyl and Wine boyled together, without any other ingredient. But, said he, whosoever shall goe about to boyl them together shall find it troublesom, if he never saw any practice of that kind before. I told him, that some Atheistical heads say, that Luke might be a good Physician, but he was but a bad Chirurgion, if he knew not that Oyl must not be put into wounds. The Doctor answered, that the Objectors were no great Chirurgions, if they did not know, that Oyl was hurtful onely in those wounds that reached to some bone; for then the Oyl would make the bones cariosa. But said he, if such a thing happen, caries ossium may be cured by Chymical salts.
From this I gave him occasion to speak further concerning Oyl. He told me, that when he was in Italy, he understood that some families there were wont to preserve Oyl from Generation to Geneaation, and to divide it equally amongst the children, or neerest kinsmen of the deceased. He had spoken with one Italian Gentleman, that said hee had about two ounces of Oyl that was three hundred yeares old.
I asked him, what serious use there was of such old Oyl, besides the vanity of boasting of such Antiquities? He said, that new Oyl hath a saltnesse in it, which makes it unsit for many uses; but time destroyes that saltnesse, and makes it able to perform such offects as some of the Antients have reported of it. They say, that divers who were esteemed dead, have been annointed with old Oyl in the five principal pulse-places, and revived. And, said he, I am apt to think that the Extreme Unction, now adaies applyed to men at the last gasp, had its first rise from that Experiment; for I would thank any man that could tell me what kinde of Oyl it was [Page 263] that is mentioned James 5.14. An Apothechary of Padua proffered to sell me Oyl, which he said was fifty years old: but I bought none of him, partly for the greatnesse of the price that he demanded, and partly for the uncertainty whether it were indeed so old as he pretended.
How to make better Butter than ordinary without setting the Milk for Cream.
THe Milk so soon as it is come from the Cow must be strained, then churned as usually Cream is done. Also the Cheese made of the Buttor-milk wil be better than the best two meal Cheeses that you ever did eat. And one pound of this Butter shal be worth a pound and a half of your best Butter which is made of Cream. Probatum by a Gentlewoman, a great Huswise, dwelling in the Isle of Ely.
Of Chedder Cheeses where they are made?
THe Legacy of Husbandry mentioneth the best Cheese to be made at Chedder ▪ in Wiltshire; I suppose it may be a mistake, except there be two Chedders. For Chedder is a place in Sommertshire, between Mendip hils and Axbridge. I suppose it is bet one Parish, or not much more, and that a great part of it is a Moor called Chedder Moor. I have been at Mendip Hils and seen this Chedder lying much lower, & was told that the best Cheese in Engl. was made there, and that it was sold there at six pence a pound, that usually they made great Cheeses, from twenty pound to a hunnred and twenty pound in weight, and that it was usual when one made a Cheese to borrow all the Milk of his neighbours about him, and that some did borrow as much milk in one day as they were a month in paying back again.
Objections answered against Propositions of Improvement by Agriculture, and other the Branches of good Husbandry.
THat if this Art, Trade, or Profession of Husbandry were indeed so beneficial, so profitable as many pretend, why then are there not more Rich men of that sort? And why doe so many Farmers or Tenants in this Nation live so poorly and beggarly that they seem rather the Landlords slaves or servants then tenants, since all they get, saving their own very mean subsistence, goes to the paying of their rent?
To this it's answered: First, that that the position is in its self a mistake, there being more that mannage these rural affairs Rich, than of any sort of people or profession in the Nation besides by far.
Secondly: It's affirmed, that the most noble Families in the Nation have been either raised or upheld by the Plough, &c. For it is observable, that nothing more enables a Person or Nation than Hospitality; this, for all that, becomes the bain, the destruction of many great Families, when the bountifull hand is alone, but when the one is as industrious by these very wayes of good Husbandry, to provide or bring in as the other is to give or let out, that man onely is the good Houskeeper, that man onely is the constant Friend to the poor and his neighbours, that man only is the wise. Bee, that knows how to gather, and give the honey without defacing the fair flower of his estate, which he alwaies leaves to his posterity well encreased, whereas the other seldome dies undestroyed.
Thirdly: It's affirmed, that there are at this time very many Grasiers, Sheep-masters, and Corn-masters in this Na [...]ion of very vast estates, and those accrued in their own times by their own endeavours in these waies of good husbandry.
Fourthly: Suppose it were not so, as it's granted in the [Page 265] more common and general account it is not, yet the fault is not in the Profession but in the Practice and Persons? for the more common, mean, and vulgar sort of Tenants or Husbandmen improperly so called, have onely some general, rude, imperfect, and (in many cases) much irrational Rules, or Customes rather, which their as ignorant Fore-fathers left them, from which they can no more be weaned than a dull sturdy Asse can be gotten to mend his pace. And they are generally so averse to all new practises, that it is found meerly impossible to infuse any such thing into their heads or hands by any other means more than one manifest example, and that under their noses too.
Amongst their irrational Customes, I reckon that of bandying with the Lord, though never so just and ingenuous, about inclosing their Commons (the Freeholder and Coppyholder I mean) chusing rather to keep three starved Sheep than one good Milch-cow, which the same land inclosed would in all probability doe.
Also their opening their fields at Lammas, or some other certain time, which as some years proceed, causes the losse of much Corn; not to them onely but to the Common-wealth, since if any man have (by an un-foreseen, or not to be remedied cause) his Corn out later a little, he is forced to fetch it in ripe or unripe, wet, or dry, lest the known greedinesse of the neighborhood put in their Cattle, and eat it up before his face.
Also their old P [...]overb (in in it self wise and good, but as they understand and use it, most prejudicial) A little land wel tilled. For though it be an undoubted truth that one Acre worth twenty pound, all charges defrayed, is better than three or four worth five pound all charges defrayed; yet it is as true, that if my necessary expences require threescore pounds per annum, and I hold threescore Acres, worth twenty pound each clear, I have gained no more but my bare subsistence, and have nothing to lay up for posterity, no nor to stop a gap with (which yet often happens) and being not stopt, makes others stoop to beggary, whereas had I ventured (as they will needs call it) upon an hundred and twenty [Page 266] Acres, I had had threescore pounds to stop gaps, and lay up for posterity; and farther if this should be rightly cast up by a rule of Progression, it would easily appear, that threescore pound driven on again, and each year augmented, would in a mans life rise to a plentifull fortune for his posterity, and after a while afford him some better way, or rate of subsistence also. What should a man say but conclude with the Proverb, He that is born under a three penny Planet shall never be worth a groat.
If it be answered, that much Land is barren, or uncertain; and the more one deals with, if the year proceeds evil, the greater his losse, the more certain and desperate his undoing. 'Tis answered, That to a good Husband this so rarely happens, and he by the meanes aforesaid, and other good waies, is so prepared, that it perhaps may hinder his going forward for that year, but shall not pluck him back at all.
And here also is the stubbornnesse of these mens natures discovered, that when most rational approved good Inventions or Wayes to make their barren or uncertain land bear good crops to prevent or cure the Rot amongst their Sheep, or Murrain amongst their cattle, they utterly refuse the motion, deride the Movers and Inventers, and (as much as in them lies) endeavour to retard or poyson the practise, lest their fordid ignorance and wicked envy should be theteby discovered or prevented.
Certainly he that (having any considerable stock to begin with) doth first carefully inform himself, and consider what, where and how to proceed; and shall do so cheerfully, and throw himself upon Gods abundant power, wisdom, mercy, and providence for the successe, cannot fail to be as rich as a good man will desire to be; and he that withstands or refuses so to doe, I can liken him to nothing more properly than to the dog in the manger, that eats not hay himself, nor lets the horse that would.
I am sure that the most rich men the Scripture tels us of, were of this sort (that were instrumental to their own greatnesse, [Page 267] and not born so) witnesse the histories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Lot, Job good men, or of Nabal, or the Rich man in the Gospel, that hath his barns full, and goods laid up for many years.
And prophane story tell the same, that Jupiter for his invention and practice in husbandry, was honoured as a God; that Cyrus and Tamberlane were Sheepherds, &c.
An approved Experiment for the cure of the Fashions in Horses, and the Rot in Sheep.
A Gentleman of note an Englishman had a strange felicitie in curing of Horses of the most desperate diseases, as also Sheep strangely, suddenly and perfectly, by which he was much enriched and admired.
And it was with no other thing, but the use of the Antimony-cup steeped in Ale with a little spice they call Grains, and a little Sugar, of which he would give them onely such a quantity as would not much weaken them, and so give it two or three times, with perhaps a day or two dayes intermission. To horses he would administer half a pint at a time; to Sheep not above two or three, or at most foure Ounces; by which he hath in a short time cured the Fashions in horses and the rot in sheep. Indeed Antimony is so great a restorer of the Liver, or so great a purifier or refiner of the masse of blood, that I my self have known many recovered of the Dropsie, and other desperate diseases by the use of it. The same Gentleman used also the same infusion to wash all sores that were broken out upon them, which also conduced much to the healing them. He used it also to Swine.
Note. The Antimony-cup is no other than a pure ordinary Regulus Antimonii, cast into the form of a Cup hath no other virtues nor effects, then the foresaid Regulus: For this Regulus lying in any liquor doth the same which the Cupholding liquor in all respects. So much of this Regulus [Page 268] as may serve your turn may be bought for two shillings, or half a crown.
Another approved Experiment for fatting of Hogs, and preserving or curing of them from Meazeals or other Diseases.
IF a Hog that is to be fatted, have half a dram of crude Antimony given him in his meat three dayes before he be put up to fat, it will make him have a good stomack to his meat, and therefore he will soon be fat, and it will likewise cure him of all foulnesse of his Liver, and of the Meazels, which are very frequent in Hogs. The same is as soveraign for any other beasts.
Another excellent Remedy against the Rot, and other diseases in Sheep and Horses.
TAke Serpents, or (which is better) Vipers, cut their heads and tayls off, and dry the rest to powder. Mingle this powder with salt, and give a few grains of it so mingled now and then to your Horses and Sheep; it is good against most diseases in them, and chiefly against the fat Rot.
Whether a good Lime may be made of Pibble and other Stones, whereby Land may be dunged and enriched.
YOu say your great friend the Doctor in Chymical Physick hath a way not onely to turn the ordinary Limestones into Lime whereby Land may be dunged and enriched, but also Peble and all other stones into Lime at an easie charge, and so every Country that hath not the natural [Page 269] Lime-stone may have it now out of other stone, and so save carriage.
To this I answer.
A. 1. What Glauber hath written in his first Part Operis Mineralis of Peble or Flint-stones is to shew how to extract out of them not quick or unslackt Lime but Gold, and that by the mediation of spirit of Salt, which must be made first good cheap, and in abundance. What your Doctor undertakes must be left to tryal whether it will succeed or not.
A. 2. I believe the Doctor, who pretends to make Lime of Peble may make his undertaking good, seeing that in Holland, in Italy, and in many parts of the East-Indies, they make it of the shels of Oysters, and of all kinds of Shel-fish, and that ex silice ipso (out of Peble it self) Lime hath been made many Ages since, as Pliny and Agricola tell us. But I know not whether the Doctor be aware of the inconvenients which the Flint-Lime is subject unto, viz. that it is nothing so good as other Lime, and that in the burning of it, great part of the Flint, instead of being converted into Lime, turneth into a kind of glassie slack.
The manner of Planting Timber-trees in Cornwel.
I Have observed a sort of Husbandry in Cornwall, which I like exceedingly. Namely, that upon their Mounds or Fences (which are high and thick banks almost like Fortifications) they doe set or sow Oak, or some other wood, which thriveth so well, that I have seen the Wood growing upon one fence, that parted two Closes to be worth four or five pound. This kinde of Fence doth much preserve the Land from Malignant Aires, and is withall more than three times profitable beyond what that same Land the bank stands on would yeeld, if the banks were taken away. The best reason to be given for the well growing of this wood, is the mixture of earth and great stones, whereof the bank is [Page 270] made, amongst which the Roots take so firm hold, that no violence of weather can hurt them, and by the same reason the roots are safe from the prejudice which other Trees receive by the suddain and unnatural suffering by heat, cold, moysture, or drought.
How to hasten the growth of Timber-trees.
WHen any young Trees, as Oak, Birch, Elm, Ash, &c. (but Ash especially) are in their bodies about two inches diameter, which they (oftimes) be at three or four years growth, then if you take a peece of an old coat of Male, or some like Net of small wyre, and holding it in your palm, rub it pretty hard (so as you tear not the bark) up and down the body of the Tree, twice every year, you shall find that Tree far to outstrip his fellows of the same age and kind. If you ask the reason, let the example of friction or seasonable rubbing or dressing in a horse or other cattle be considered, which sooner be fat and fair, and that with lesse provender than the like horse ill kept.
Note. That one man may well look to three thousand, and do much other businesse, which is not above an half penny a year a peece, but the Tree shall be better'd in its growth at least rwo pence a year.
As for those kind of Trees called Flanders Ashes, whereof some young ones were sent for, and planted in the drained Fens of Lincolnshire by Dutchmen, I have it onely by relation, but from able men, that the charge was three shillings a Tree, and that they grew so fast, that at three years growth they were worth twenty shillings a peece for Timber. Doctor H. spake of an Apple called the Gennet-moyle, that makes the best Cyder, that every slip of the Tree will grow; that the Trees are great bearers, and the slips will grow to bear fruit in three years.
Of Turky-Beans to be more frequently planted.
THere is a sort of Beans (which grows in many parts of England, namely in the Isle of Exholm in Lincolnshire) that are called Turky-beans, very large and yeelding a great increase, to be eaten with a little butter and vineager (after they are boyled) shels and all, they are ripe about July, or later if you please, and will come seasonably to succeed our Hasting-pease, and if more frequently planted might be afforded cheap.
A Friendly Advice how a hundred and and fifty pound may be improved by Husbandry to yeeld a farre greater increase than if the said summe were imployed in a way of Usury upon Usury.
IN answer to your Question (viz.) how a Friend of yours might dispose of a hundred and fifty pound (or any other summe) to the best advantage, I humbly tender you my opinion (thus) that summe may be turned and returned continually to no small advantage very many wayes, I will onely instance four (viz.) by Sowing or Ploughing of Corn, Flax, Rape, or by breeding or feeding of cattle, any of these will (almost) double the summe every year. For example, a hundred and fifty pound will plant (I mean in the most excellent way, and consider also the dearnesse of the present time) about forty Acres with Wheat, which (by the ordinary blessing of God) cannot be lesse worth than eight pound one Acre with another, which in all amounts to three hundred and twenty pound; which again the next year according to the like account will advance it self to six hundred and forty pounds, that is to say, it will plant eighty Acres worth eight pound a peice at Harvest. And from thence forward, [Page 272] if you deduct one hundred pounds yearly, for an increase of present maintainance. Yet your stock will increase far more than by Interest upon Interest, which is also nothing so just or ingenious a way of getting. And if you say your friend is not a man addicted to, or experienced in these wayes of Husbandry, or of such employments otherwise, as will not allow him to act in this way himself, give me leave to say he may doe it, by the assistance of some faithfull friend (which is not impossible for you to find, or make by those abundant obligations you use to lay upon all men) such a friend as is skilful and active in these most pleasant and honest wayes. To turn the same stock in Cattle will amount to near the same profit, but either of the other (viz.) to sow Flax or Rape, will be yet much more profitable, and increase your present Revenue and Stock also faster.
Sir, I humbly advise your Friend to take some one of these wayes by the help of such a Friend, which shall never want the best furtherance I can give it, which is my earnest prayers for an extraordinary blessing upon such honest endeavours, which will in a few years (and that in a way most pleasing to God, and approved of good men) make a very competent provision for himself, and his living, and leave a considerable estate to those that succeed.
Another friendly and more particular Advice how by a good husbandry of Rape-seed to raise an Estate, or provide Portions for Children.
A Last of Rape-seed is ten Quarters or eighty Bushels, and three shillings is the ordinary price of a bushel.
One Acre is sowed with half a peck sufficiently, and will yeeld replanted, according to the goodnesse of the ground and seasonablenesse of the year The season when to begin this work is presently after Midsummer., 40 l. 30 l. 20 l. and at the least 10 l. per acre.
The whole charge to sow an Acre, and all things thereto [Page 273] belonging first and last will stand in three pound Rent and all (for the Rot amongst the Sheep, and Murrain amongst Cattle, must needs make Land cheaper.)
If therefore there were found a hundred men of indifferent quality, that would disburse each man tea pound sterling,Note: If 100 men be not found that will undertake or engage, fewer wil serve, so they either engage 20 l. or 30 l. for 2 or 3 children, or at least for the first or second year allow the Steward more than is here accompted. and commit all their stocks into one hand to be managed by that person (as one that is known to be skilful, and so able to undertake and pass through the work) for the raising of a portion for their child, or children respectively, they would finde this advantage thereby (viz.) They should onely spare the said ten pound for the two first years and no more, at the end whereof it should be returned, and so they have given that child no other portion point-blank more than the use of ten pound for two yeares, which is but two and thirty shillings.
2. They should be at no charge to keep or maintain the same child save onely the first two years, for at the end of the third year they should receive competent maintenance for the same year, and so continue, or increase the same so long as the grand stock is suffered to lye in the Stewards hands, which is to be understood that during the first seaven yeares the Steward cannot give it up but by consent of the owner, but after that he may ease himself of the burthen when it grows too heavy, as he shall see cause.
3. He will have a most plentifull provision for his childe, without any trouble to himself, or at all diverting his intentions, by only allowing the Steward one tenth part from time to time, as the reward of his care, skil, paines, and expence of his time, which must be chiefly dedicated to this service.
And here I present it more lively to your view in the following Table.
[Page 274]
| Years. | Acres. | Charge. | Increase. |
| 1 | 3 | 9 | 30 |
| 2 | 6 | 18 | 60 |
| 3 | 9 | 27 | 90 |
| 4 | 18 | 54 | 180 |
| 5 | 42 | 126 | 420 |
| 6 | 102 | 306 | 1020 |
| 7 | 291 | 582 | 2910 |
| For all | 29100 | 58200 | 291000 |
| Deductions for the Poor. | Maintainance of your child. | Return of your first summe. | Remains. |
| 3 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
| 6 | 14 | 10 | 30 |
| 9 | 21 | 00 | 60 |
| 18 | 22 | 00 | 140 |
| 42 | 38 | 00 | 340 |
| 102 | 48 | 00 | 970 |
| 291 | 59 | 00 | 2560 |
| 29100 | 5900 | 00 | 256000 |
By this time you may perceive that the Steward did the last year manage 29100 Acres, which is full enough, and therefore he cannot well goe further this way.
By this time you may perceive, that every Engager hath benefited the poor 471 l. and by all together, the poor are relieved with 47100 l. A blessed deed it is, and your reward follows it close at the heels, for all your children are made richer by 256000 l. and every particular child hath a portion raised of 2560 l. and all parties are well contented, since your Steward also must acknowledge himself well payd: Insomuch that if any his good Masters shall desire to have all, o [...] part of the said stocks longer to remain in his hands for a farther improvement; he will surely be willing to advance them in other waies to the best advantage: And by this means also some thousands of working poor are provided for.
A Scale of the Charges of the Table formerly presented, with the Scale of some other Tables to demonstrate that advantageous Proposition.
WHereas in the paper I presented to you yesterday, I have in a Table been bold to set down what I know to be very true, and as certain as most ordinary humane affairs, yet in regard I know also that the spirits of too many men (in this Age especially) are not only backward to attempt or incourage good actions, but are even ready to catch hold of any critical argument whereby they suppose they can blast an honest, rational, and advantageous Proposition, I thought it necessary to prevent all disputes of that nature by adding the following Table, and the Scales of Charge, by which either that or this is to be measured: And first the Scale of the Table formerly presented.
- Rent for one Acre
- 00.13.04
- Seed half a peck
- 00.00.06
- First ploughing
- 00.02.06
- Burning
- 00.05.00
- Seed ploughing
- 00.03.04
- Replanting and taking up
- 00.16.00
- Re-ploughing
- 00.03.04
- Cutting and thrashing
- 00.13.00
- Fencing
- 00.07.00
-
- 03.00.00
The Scale of the second table, the charge of one Acre.
- Rent
- 00.13.04
- Seed half a peck
- 00.00.06
- First ploughing
- 00.02.06
- Burning
- 00.05.00
- Seed ploughing
- 00.03.04
- Cutting and Thrashing
- 00.12.04
- Fencing
- 00.03.00
-
- 02.00.00
The second table now presented, accompting but five pound per Acre the Crop.| Years. | Acres. | Increase. |
| 1 | 4 & a half | 22 l. 10 s. |
| 2 | 10 | 50 |
| 3 | 18 | 60 |
| 4 | 36 | 210 |
| 5 | 81 | 405 |
| 6 | 155 | 775 |
| 7 | 304 | 1220 |
| Deducted for the Poor. | Maintainance | Remainder. |
| 00 | 00 | 22 l. 10 s. |
| 00 | 00 | 40 and the 10 l. payd |
| 09 | 10 | 80 |
| 21 | 19 | 180 |
| 40 | 20 | 345 |
| 77 | 23 | 675 |
| 122 | 28 | 1070 |
| 26000 | 10000 | 347000 |
[Page 277]By this it appears that (valuing the Crop but at 5 l. per Acre, which no man can except against) each man will have his 10 l. repayed at the end of the second year, and will out of onely 16 s. stock raise for his child a portion of 1000 l. and upwards, and for the relief of the Poor about 260 l and for the present maintainance of his child (after the two first, and until the end of the seventh, 100 l.
And if men would but be sensible how certain (or at least probable) it is that the first scale of charge will produce the return of 10 l. per acre, per annum, then men need venture their 10 l. but till the end of the first year onely, when it should be returned, and yet their stock run up to the proportion discovered in the next Table, and also both the poor and their children receive good maintenance the second Year.
The Third Table, valuing the crop at 10 l. per Acre.| Years. | Acres. | Increase. |
| 1 | 3 | 30 |
| 2 | 6 | 26 |
| 3 | 12 | 100 |
| 4 | 27 | 270 |
| 5 | 43 | 430 |
| 6 | 111 | 1110 |
| 7 | 294 | 2940 |
| Deducted for the Poor. | For the Child. | Remains. |
| 0 | 00 | 20. And the 10 l. Returned. |
| 6 | 14 | 40 |
| 12 | 18 | 90 |
| 27 | 13 | 240 |
| 43 | 17 | 370 |
| 111 | 19 | 980 |
| 294 | 26 | 2620 |
| 49300 | 10700 | |
[Page 278]By this it appears, that by onely sparing 10 l. and that but for one year, you have purchased or provided for your Child as his Portion or Estate 2620 l. and for his present maintenance (after the first year, that is to say, for the other six by unequal proportions) 107 l. and the Poor are bettered by all this in the seven yeares by 493 l. from every particular Interest, and by the whole Stewardship, or hundred persons or stocks by 49300 l. And all this is done in seven years, which any man may reasonably hope (by the blessing of God) that he may live to see it effected.
If any man ask why this great advance here held forth is not followed hardly by any one man living? The answer is not far off (viz.) Few men do understand these wayes, fewer will give themselves leave to cast up their accompts for the future, or take care to put their endeavours for gain into so honest a method: For indeed (in a manner) all men are from their youth brought up either in idlenesse and vanity, and by that meanes are utterly carelesse of all wayes to thrive, and of the honestest most; or if they be brought up to businesse, they are so sixt before they come to a ripe understanding (such as is able to distinguish and choose) that they neither will, nor well can winde themselves out of their present Imployment or former Engagements. And indeed men are too generally possest with a too sturdy dislike of any thing how excellent soever, that is out of their common path, and by so much their dislike thereto also increased by how much those courses propounded incline more to virtue.
But if all such dispersed spoaks and vallies were fixed in one Center (viz.) a faithfull, carefull, skilfull Steward) it might make such a wheele as would be ever turning round in the right atchievement of an (even almost) infinite and endlesse prosperity.
A Proposition concerning Rape-seed, wherein the charge is set down with the most, the return with the least, but both in the common way.
- ONe Acre of Marsh land fit for Rape
- l. s. d.
- may be taken for
- 00.13.04.
- May be ploughed the first time for
- 00.03.04.
- May be burned for
- 00.06.08
- Will be sowed with half a peck of seed worth
- 00.00.09
- May be ploughed the second time for feeding for
- 00.04.08
- May be fenced for
- 00.04.03
- May be reaped for
- 00.10.00
- May be thrashed for
- 00.07.00
- The whole charge of an Acre is
- 02.10.00
If God please to send but the ordinary blessing upon this, there cannot be lesse than five Quarters; but it is not unusual to have six, seven, eight, nine, or sometimes ten Quarters upon one Acre.
- One Quarter of good Rape seed is worth alwaies, and at least four and twenty shillings, and so the least return of one Acre, five Quarters is worth
- l. s. d. 06.00.00
- The Straw may be worth, though it be but to burn,
- 00.03.04
- The whole profit is
- 06.03.04
- From this deduct the charge
- 02.10.00
- There remains as clearly gained
- 03.13.04
- Whosoever engages twelve pound, gains
- 14.13.04
- Whosoever engages four and twenty, gains
- 29.06.08
- Whosoever engages thirty, gains
- 36.13.04
- Whosoever engages threescore, gains
- 73.06.08
- Whosoever engages a hundred, gains
- 124.13.04
It appears that he that engageth deepest hath the advantage, and that all mens moneys is more than doubled, and [Page 280] all this in the common way, which I shall endeavour to make much better by the blessing of God.
If any ask why an Engagement of twelve pound in stead of ten is desired, it is for the reward or subsistance of the Steward of the work, who after the first year, and when engagements are become deeper will accept one tenth part in the beginning of each year, of the stock for his charges and pains, and at the end of the year one tenth part of the Increase for the reward of his care and skill, or come to a certainty of profit to the Engager, and himself have no other reward but the over plus when they are satisfied, be it more or lesse, as God shall blesse his endeavours. If any man doubt of the truth of this, let him resolve himself by a free and ingenious enquiry of such as have dealt in this commodity.
A Proposition for sowing of Hemp, whereby also a way is shown to set most of the present Poor to work without prejudice or oppression, or altering any Law already established.
FOr the more general sorts of Poor, I humbly conceive that what followeth may be a good way, and open to them a door of subsistence, without wrong or losse either of wealth or freedom to any subject of England, since in it all things are to be done in love and order; the Rich invited by the Profit, and the poor comming in as to a safe harbour, where he may rest secure under the Lee of this opportunity from the dangerous working of those many and strong tentations their poverty is accompanied with, and from the danger of the severe prosecution of the known Laws against Idlenesse, which will become altogether good, if all pretence or excuse be thus taken away, and the person once taken notice of, be uncapable of any second forbearance.
[Page 281]I say then that sowing Hemp is the most certain way, how with gaines to all parts many hands may be set to work, but if any man think Flax better, he may use it; yet I must tell you that Flax (as sometimes it turnes to greater profit than Hemp, so it) is not so certain; and after Flax the ground is not so right for Corn as after Hemp, which indeed prepares land excellently for Corn; but the chief reason is, that the persons to be employed are more likely to do good (at first especially) on Hemp than Flax, the other being the more choice and difficult work, in all points requiring more care and skil, and the vent for Flax also is nothing so ready as that of Hemp, the uses being not so many, nor so great, and we may equal the works of other Nations in Hemp, not presently in Flax.
If there will appear a hundred honest, able, worthy Englishmen, that will engage each man six thousand pound to set forward this good work (or if not just so, yet more men and lesse stocks amounting to that proportion (viz.) of stock engaged in all six hundred thousand pound; I shall onely hold forth the private and publique Advantages, and may boldly promise them, besides Gods blessing, and their Countries love, together with the conveniency of taking the most safe course (one of them at least) that can be imagined in these times.
The six hundred thousand pound, will sow about threescore thousand Acres, and defray all charges first and last till the Hemp he converted into Cordage, Cloth, &c. and fit for sale. That is, ten pound for an Acre, and each Acre will set above two hundred persons to work for one day; the whole will set above forty thousand to work all the year. Every Acre well managed will yeeld at least twenty bushels of seed, which at two shillings the bushel, is forty shillings the Acre, or a hundred and twenty thousand pound for the whole, and each Acre so managed may yeeld at least five hundred and sixty pound of Cloth or Cordage, worth one with another five pence the pound, in all for one Acre sixteen pound sterling, and in all for the grand stock nine hundred and sixty [Page 282] thousand pound sterling; by which, three hundred and sixty thousand pound is gained, that is, about fourteen shillings in the pound gained yearly. And for two years after, the same ground will bear most excellent Wheat, Rye, or Barley, all charges payed to the value of four Quarters of Barley on an Acre, worth one time with another twenty shillings a Quarter, al a hundred and twenty thousand Quarters, and so also a hundred and twenty thousand pound yearly.
Thus shall forty thousand Poor be kept constantly at work all the year, and the Commonwealth eased of that burthen, and advantaged besides a hundred and fifty thousand Quarters of Hemp-seed, a hundred and fity thousand tun of Cloth and Cordage, and above a hundred and twenty thousand Quarters of good Corn; and the Undertakers amongst them shall gain clearly three hundred and sixty thousand pound sterling yearly. This is set down purposely, the Charge with the most, and the Return with the least. And if the number of so many Rich men cannot be found to engage for any of these sums, more persons, and lesse engagements may begin the work.
An Answer to five Queres or Objections against the Proposition for setting the Poor to work upon Hemp growing, or to be growing in England.
Qu. 1. WHether those in France, &c. practising this way, do make the Gaines here supposed, all Casualties considered?
Answ. Whether they in France, &c. doe make so great, or greater profit, I cannot tell, as having never been there to see, but 'tis probable they doe equal this, if their ground be equal, (as some will have it) superiour to ours in fertility, and fitnesse for this weed.
Qu. 2. Whether we can spare the land here in England? or whether it is not already imployed to more benefit?
Answ. To this I can better answer, as the thing I pretty [Page 283] well know, that the Land may not onely be spared, but will otherwise very much enrich us, and advance our plenty of Corn, and this is declared in the Proposition, and the Question therefore not so pertinent: Yet for a farther Answer, I affi [...]m, that there is demonstratively in England and Wales above 4000000 of Acres for Tillage, and you finde but forty thousand Acres to be used yearly for the sowing of Hemp, which is but the hundereth part, and it is there promised, that in the two or three succeeding years wherein the same land shall be sowed with Corn, amends shall be fully made for the missing of that yeares crop, and more by the goodnesse of those that follow.
The last part of this Quere is soon answered; for it is generally known, that an Acre of Corn (taking one time, place, grain with another throughout) is hardly worth forty shillings, whereas a reasonable Acre of Hemp is worth (standing four pound, some five pound, some six pound, and very many more. And then the Acre of Corn is worth no more than it shews for, whereas the Hemp (to the Commonwealth as well as the particular owner) is of far greater value, if we consider that one Acre of Hemp well wrought up may be worth above a hundred pound, but then the charge may amount to the better half indeed.
Qu. 3. Whether by the inexperience of the people of this Land, other Nations will not very much under-sell us?
Answ. I could as well have propounded Flax as Hemp, since in many cases and places it is more usefull and profitable, but [...] onely name it in the Proposition, and if you observe the reason there given for so doing, you will find much of this Question answered or prevented. But how far other Nations may under-sell us, or we them, I leave to the judgment of those that are more Merchant-like, to which I lay no claim, but (at most) to be one that would fain be a good Inland Husband, a Lover of my Country, and a faithful seeker of her Peace & Prosperity by all just and lawful means. Yet thus much I can say to the point, that to my knowledge many hundreds (I think I may say thousands) of Acres are [Page 284] with great advantage to the possessors imployed in this way, namely in the Isle of Axholm, and other the parts of Lincolush. &c. which place is more populous than any part of England that I know, and yet few or no Beggars. And I have a little lookt into the prizes, yet I find not English hemp differ much in price from that which is imported; it seems to me that necessity rather (as not having enough at home) causes such importing. I have seen a Hull Merchant stand upon three pence a pound for raw Hemp, when the same day English Hemp, that was adjudged every whit as good, was sold for two pence half penny. I have also known Hemp fetched by Waggon from Bourn in Lincolnshire, to Glocester upon the River of Severn. And our Experience, certainly we may blush to say we have not sufficient skill to make Cordage, or such kinds of coarse cloath as the Proposition intends; namely, such as is commonly used to make Sheets, Table-cloathes, Towels, Napkins, and the coarser sorts of Shirting, or the like: As for the finer sorts, we may work our selves into the kill and practice of making such by degrees, and at more leasure.
Qu. 4. Whether when we make so much Linnen Cordage as here, we shall have so good vent for our Native commodities for which Cordage, Hemp, &c. is returned?
Answ. As I said, I pretend not to judge of Merchants affairs, yet I have not heard of any of our native commodities which are vented for Hemp, or Cordage or the like, which will not be acceptable to the same or other Countries for the return of as good commodities. Once I am sure that those commodities are onely (or at least most) fit to import which we cannot so well make native to us, as Spices, Wines, Drugs Medicinal, Silkes, &c. And I suppose it cannot be unhappy, or unfit for us to make as many our own as by good meanes we can, especially, Hemp, Cordare, &c. since we cannot be without them, and are not sure alwaies to hold fair correspondence with those Nations from whom we have them, the chief strength of England principally consisting in Shipping, 'tis but a coarse policy to have our Cordage, &c. to keep.
[Page 285]Qu. 5. Who will advance so great a summe in unsetled times upon a New Trade, having in it the afore-mentioned (and perhaps more) difficulties?
Answ. If you please to observe my Proposition, you will find, I say onely if such men may be found, I promise not to find them, but if they will finde themselves I hold forth to them the sweet invitation of a greater advantage than, I beleeve they can otherwise obtain by direct and good means: And then adde to that the double and treble service or good they shall (all under one) do tax for their Christian Brethren and native Country. And if this will not this will not invite, cannot perswade them, yet me-thinks we should rather take occasion to bewaile our own, theirs, and the Commonwealths misery and aversnesse from all goodnesse. As for the troublesomnesse of the times, I can but put you in mind of that part of the Proposition that assures this to be one of the most safe and likely waies to save a mans estate, where if it be not fully enough explained, I refer you to your own better judgement to find and propound what you think best.
And now whosoever raised these Objections, did well, if he did it for the right end (viz.) to illustrate the Proposition, that so it might be made more clear and acceptable. But its too common to object as an enemy, not to demonstrate, but destroy designes in themselves not evill, at least well intended.
A new Husbandry, or Improvement of Rape-seed.
IN the way of a Merchant I doe not certainly know, but can guesse how to dispose of great quantities of Rape-seed, but for Hemp seed I confesse I am ignorant how to vent any such great quantities; but if I may be shewed a way to vent either, particularly the last, I may possibly propound a way to produce a much greater encerease than is usually had of either, as namely, whereas it is now the usual custome to sow Rape-seed in low lands, and Fenny, Moorish Countries, where it is lyable to the breakings in of the Sea, or overflow of [Page 286] Land-floods, I can as well, and with as much hope of a plentifull return and encrease, sow it in any good upland not lyable to such casualties, and for the profit more certain, which at present is in the aforesaid Lowlands when it scapes those floods, valued at five pound per Acre. I say I can propound a way how each Acre of such rich Upland shall yeeld at least a Last or ten Quarters, or eighty Bushels, which at but three shillings a Bushel, the cheapest rate, is twelve pound sterling, and for extraordinary charge I will deduct forty shillings more than the common way requires per Acre, so that one Acre shall be as good as two now and fixt, that is, the profit much more certain.
And for Hemp, I say, that whereas an Acre of good Hemp may now be sold standing for about six pound, and the very best under ten, seed and all. I can propound a way, by taking of which, each Acre shall be worth, all charges defray'd, at least six pound, thirteen shillings, four pence for the tew onely, and at least six p [...]nd, thirteen shillings and four pence more for the seed; and both these productions are made by the careful and skilfull replanting of the hearbs, and choice and manage of the grounds.
A Passage taken out of a tract against the high rate of Usury; presented to the high Court of Parliament, Anno Domini 1623. In which the Use for Money was brought down from ten to eight in the Hundred. And now humbly recommended to a further Publique Consideration, as a special Means for Advancement of the National Husbandry of this Commonwealth.
IT hath been the wisdom and care of former Parliament to provide for the preservation of Wood and Timber; for which there is nothing more available than the calling down [Page 287] of the high rate of Usury; for as the rate of Money now goeth, no man can let his Timber stand, nor his Wood grow to such years growth as is best for the Commonwealth, but it will be very losse-full to him. The stock of the Woods after they are worth forty or fifty the shillings the Acre, growing faster at ten in the hundred than the Woods themselves doe. And for Shipping which is the strength and safety of this land, I have heard divers Merchants of good credit say, that if they would build a Ship, and let it to any other to employ, they cannot make of their Mony that way, counting all charges, tear and wear, above ten or twelve in the hundred, which can be no gainful Trade without hazard, Money it self going at ten in the hundred. But in the Low-Countries where Mony goeth at six, the building of Ships, and hiring them to others, is a gainfull Trade, and so the stock of Rich men, and the industry of beginners are well joyned for the publike.
And yet that which is above all the rest, the greatest sin against the Land is, that it makes the Land it self of small value, nearer the rate of new found Lands than of any other Countrey, where Laws, Government, and Peace have so long flourished: For the high rate of Usury makes Land sell so cheap, and the cheap sale of Land is the cause why men seek no more by industry and cost to improve them; and this is plain both by example and demonstration; for we see in other Countries, where the use of Money is of a low rate, Lands are generally sold for 30, 40, in some for 50 years purchase. And we know by the rule of bargaining, that if the rate of use were not greater here than in other Countries, Lands were then as good a pennyworth, at twenty years purchase as they are now at sixteen: For Lands being the best assurance, and securest inheritance, will bear a rate above Money. Now if Lands were at thirty yeares purchase, or near it, there were no so cheap purchase, as the amendment of ou [...] own Lands; for it would be much cheaper to make one Acre of Land, now worth five shillings by the year, to be worth ten shillings, or being worth ten, to be worth [Page 288] twenty shillings; and so in proportion, then to purchase another acre worth five or ten shillings. And in every acre thus purchased to the owner by the amendment of his own, there were another purchased to the Commonwealth. And it is the blessing of God to this Land, that there are few places of it to which he hath not given means by reasonable cost and industry, greatly to amend it, in many to double the value, so as in time, if for their own good, mens industry were compelled that way, the riches and commodities of this Land would neer be doubled: Then would all the wet-lands in this Kingdome soon be drained, the barren lands mended by Matle, Sleech, Lime, Chalk, Sea-sand, and other means, which for their profit mens industry would find out. We see with how great industry and charge our neighbours the Dutch do drain and maintain their Lands against the Sea which floweth higher above them than it doth above the lowest parts of our drowned lands. I will admit a great deal to their industry, but I should very unwillingly grant that they are so much more ingenious and industrious than we, as that all the odds were therein. Certainly the main cause of it is, that with us money is dear and land cheap; with them lands dear and money cheap; and consequently the improvement of their lands at so great a charge with them, is gainfull to the owners, which with us would be losse-full; for Usuring going at ten in the hundred, if a man borrow five pounds, and bestow it on an Acre of ground, the amendment stands him in ten shillings a year, and being amended the Land is not worth above fifteen years purchase: But if the use of money went at no more than at other places, then five pound bestowed upon an Acre of ground, would stand a man in but five or six shillings a year, and the acre of land so amended would be worth, as hath been shewed, six and twenty or thirty yeares purchase. Whereby it appeareth, that as the rate of Use now goeth no man (but where the land lyeth extraordinarily happy for it) can amend his Land but to his own losse; whereas if money were let as it is in other Countries, he might bestow more than double as much as now he may, and [Page 289] yet be a great gainer thereby; and consequently, as was before remembred, should to his own benefit purchase land to the Common-wealth.
Neither would such purchase of Land to the Common-wealth be the benefit to the landed men onely, the benefit would be as much to the poor Labourers of the Land: For now when Corn and other fruits of the land which grow by labour are cheap, the Plough and Mattock are cast into the hedge, there is little work for poor men, and that at a low rate, whereas if the mendment of their own lands were the cheapest purchase to the owner; if there were many more people than there are, they should be readily set a work at better rates than now they are, and none that had their health and limbs could be poor, but by their extreamest lazinesse.
A Bank of Lands; or, an Improvement of Lands, never thought on in former Ages: Begun to be presented upon most rationable and demonstrable grounds by Mr. William Potter (a Gentleman of great deserts, and of a most Publique Spirit) which being more fully cleared in all its Particulars, and established by publique Authority, may become a standing and setled Meanes to enrich the whole Nation, and also to remove Taxes, and other publique Burdens.
THrough the long continuance of the Wars, Trade hath been interrupted, great losses sustained at sea, the people constrained to live upon the main stock, mens credits ruined, many debts (otherwise good) lost, both friends and enemies plundered or sequestred, and Taxes, &c. unavoydably continued, whereby the Nation is now in a very low condition.
There is a great necessity that this Epidemical disease of [Page 290] ruin in mens estates should be cured; for hereby,
1. The Rich, that should support others, are diminished in number, and weakned in means, and the Poor that should be upheld, are increased both in number and necessities.
2. If the removing of Burdens be necessary, the removing of Poverty (without which the rest are, in effect, no burdens) is more necessary.
3. The Trade, Manufacture, Shipping, Strength, Repute and flourishing estate of the Nation, depends as the meanes upon the Riches thereof.
4. The servility of a low condition, deprives men of much leisure and freedom in attending higher things.
This burden may be removed by encouraging such employments and undertakings as tend to increase the estates of some without impoverishing others; for whatsoever takes from one mans estate as much as it adds to another, doth not inrich the Nation.
The capacity of inriching this Nation, is in a sort infinite.
1. By making it the Scale of Trade to other people, which consists in buying the commodities of other Countries, working them here, and selling them again in forraign parts: Whereby if England were a City upon a Rock (and held no land of their own) they might be maintained comfortably. Witnesse Holland.
2. By Plantations throughout the world, which tends to lessen our charge, and increase our means, by the returnes of commodities out of the industry of those that otherwise must be maintained for nothing.
3. By the Fishing-trade, wherein the Sea affords a vast Treasure, without demanding any rent for it, all which three last particulars would yeeld a kind of infinite of increase, if there were no want of stock to employ therein.
4. By improving our present Possessions: For,
1. Almost all the Land in England might be made to yeeld much more encrease, if men had money to imploy in manuring the same.
[Page 291]2. Divers Husbandmen want wherewith to stock their ground, whereby (perhaps) the Nation suffers more than many times by much unseasonable weather.
3. A great part of Ireland lyes at present waste, which (without great stock to plant) is like so to continue.
4. There are great quantities of oazie grounds about the Sea-coast and other Fens and waste grounds; besides Forrests and Commons, which drained and improved might equalize in value some two or three Counties in England.
5. There are many Mines in England, Ireland, and Scotland, which being wrought would much increase our Exportation and imployment for poor men.
To set all these Wheels a going, two things are necessary, viz. that the people may know where to be furnished with stock at low interest, and that a sufficient quantity of currant money be disperced amongst them.
And indeed the great Remora is, that the people are generally voyd of stock, whereby it is impossible they should deal either in the Forraign Trade, Fishing, Plantations, or Improving their own possessions, by reason whereof both poor and rich are deprived of imployment, and forced to live chiefly upon the Principal, to the greater increase of their poverty and ruin.
Whereas if they knew where to obtain such stock at low Interest, it would both enable them to prosecute the aforesaid ends, and also make way for the more speedy vent of commodities in other Nations; for greatnesse of stock at low Interest, would enable the English Merchants to deal for much, and thereby to buy cheap, work cheap, and sel for lesse profit in the pound (and also to procure their commodities at the best hand, viz. at the places of their growth in their proper season) whereby out-trading and underselling other Nations, they obtain the pre-emption of sale, and so cannot fail of vent abroad.
Also great stock at low Interest would enable Merchants to raise the price of our own native commodities in Forraign parts, by keeping them for a good Market, which helps [Page 292] much towards the enriching of a Nation.
Again if there were great quantity of money disperced amongst the people of this land, there would not wantvent of commodities amongst themselves.
For in this case every man to improve his stock would be laying out that mony in commodities, & those that receive it would be laying it out again upon others, and those upon others, and so on, which would beget a constant return, or quick vent for commodities proportionable to the quantity of money so perpetually revolving amongst them.
Now if (through plenty of mony amongst the people) there were as much vent for commodity as the earth could by industry be made to afford, men would not spare either the Sea or the Land, but the one by the Fishing Trade, the other by Husbandry and all ingenious wayes of Improvement here in England; by planting in Ireland, and other new Plantations throughout the whole Globe, would bestow all their skill and diligence to multiply commodity and livelyhood to the imployment of innumerable poor, and all other men whatsoever, and the abundant increase of our Shipping and Dominion on the Sea, and thereby the strength, renown, and flourishing estate of the Nation.
And not onely so, but if there were such vent here in England, even Forraign Nations would dispatch their commodities hither as to the quickest Market, and by meeting here (as in a center) might furnish each other with returns, so as England would become as it were a general Market or Faire to other Nations, to the great enriching thereof; whereby the Frontier Towns upon the Sea-coast, by reason of Trade would grow populous and strong for the defence of the Nation.
Also quicknesse of returns here in England would expedite returns abroad; for quick returns makes a small stock equivalent to a great stock with slow returns, and therefore if the Merchants of England could vent all sorts of commodities here as fast as they could possibly procure them, it would inable them to deal for much, and consequently to buy much [Page 293] cheap, work cheap, and sell for lesse profit in the pound as before. So as in this case there would not want vent for commodities, either at home, by reason of the plenty of mony here, or abroad by reason of our own out-trading other Nations, through the greatnesse of our stock, and quicknesse of returns.
Also if men (through plenty of Coyn revolving amongst them) could meet with ready money for all commodities as fast as they could be made fit for sale, no man for the future would deal for time, the rather for that the forbearance of Debts in a time of quick trade would be great losse.
This would remove all those Inconveniencies which are incident to the ordinary way of Trading upon credit, viz.
- 1. The imprisonment of mens persons for debt.
- 2. Innumerable suits of Law about such debts.
- 3. Much trouble in keeping Accompts.
- 4. Great losses by mens trusting those that fail.
- 5. Cousenage in those who (concealing their estates) compound with their Creditors.
- 6. Underselling the Market for procuring money to pay debts.
- 7. Hard bargains by taking up ware upon trust.
- 8. Disabling men from managing their Trade, and taking the advantage of the Market, their stock being in other mens hands.
This necessity of plenty of Coyn amongst a people, is the reason why States makes Laws against the Exportation thereof, and many times pitch upon some Staple commodities which they will not exchange with other Nations but for returns in Bullion.
So much money in specie as were necessary to furnish the people with the aforesaid stock at low Interest, and such plenty of Coyn as is already mentioned, is impossible to be had, and if it could be obtained by returnes from other Nations, yet we must part with our own commodities for it, which we cannot spare in such great quantities. Whereas upon serious consideration it will be found, that Credit grounded [Page 294] upon the best security is the same thing with Money, and may be had in very great abundance, without parting with any commodity for it.
That such Credit is as good as Money will appear if it be observed that Money it self is nothing else but a kind of securitie which men receive upon parting with their commodities, as a ground of hope or assurance that they shall be repayed in some other commoditie: since no man would sell any commoditie for the best money, but in hopes thereby to procure some other commodity or necessary.
True it is that Coyn which hath no intrinsical value, as they call it (viz. Money of Brasse, Copper, &c.) though whilst it runs currant the owner may obtain commodity for it, yet when the use of it is prohibited (no man being engaged to make it good) he suffers losse. Which if he had security in Lands of sufficient value would be prevented, whereby it appeares, that security answers to the intrinsick value of Coyn.
That such Credit is as good as Money, is also evident upon this ground, That Money if it were a better security than it is, yet it serveth onely to supply the interval of time between the selling of one commodity, and the buying of another: Now the best assurances in Land are a security sufficient for the supplying of that intervall: Especially considering that mens estates are generally either in land or commodities. And in land (though more certain than commodity) yet if absolutely purchased there may be losse by its decrease in value, but if accepted onely as in Morgage, that hazard is prevented, and so becomes the most certain security on earth, and therefore must needs be sufficient to supply the short interval betwixt the selling of land or commodity and the buying thereof.
Upon this ground that Security is in effect the same thing with Money, it is, that in divers places of the world it runs currant in stead of Money.
Thus Bills in Flanders obliging the Debtor to pay money [Page 295] at a certain time, are acccepted by those who esteem of the man as able and sufficient, whereby such Bills doe usually passe from one hand to another, untill they become payable.
Thus in Venice, Leighorn, and Amsterdam, the security (commonly called Credit, grounded upon the depositions of money in bank, runs currant, and though the owners may have mony if they please, yet they chuse rather to deale by credit; whereby it appeares that it is neither unpossible, strange, nor unpracticeable, for security to be made to supply the place of mony.
This is best effected by the way of Banks.
Banks, as they are now practiced, are nothing else in effect but places where men pawn or deposite their moneys for obtaining currant credit, as that which they may keep with lesse danger, and assign to another with lesse trouble.
If any man who hath credit in Bank demands the money, it is payd him; but as some men demand money out of the Bank, so others when they are to receive money, doe cause it to be payd into the Bank, whereby to ease themselves of the trouble of receiving, keeping, and paying it.
Hence it is that the Bankers are alwaies receiving mony of some, as well as paying it to others; so as those who from time to time demand any money, are usually payd by those who bring it in, and the rest of the money lyes dead in bank, or else that Bank hath no credit; for look how much credit runs currant, so much mon [...]y doth or should lye dead in bank, as a pawn for mak [...]ng good theeof.
Now seeing such money lyes dead in bank, and serveth for no other purpose, but as a pawn or ground of security; for making good the credit that runs currant in stead thereof, there is no doubt to be made but that lands being morgaged to a Bank, would serve as well and better for such a pawn, which cannot be removed or made away by force or fraud, as great summes of money lying long in one place may; neither is any temptation to an enemy, as Banks of money are; witnesse the late attempt of the Prince of Orange.
[Page 296]If any should here expect a more full opening of the nature of such Banks of security, and other circumstances relating to the practice thereof, it is not my scope to insist thereon at present, least the discourse might become too large for men of businesse: It may suffice in the mean time that the thing it self plainly appeares to be practiceable, there being nothing in it but what is dayly acted amongst men: For,
1. The raising of Credit upon the security of Lands, is no new thing.
2. The making use of Credit in Bank, instead of mony, and transferring of such credit from one man to another in books kept for that purpose, is also practised in the aforesaid Banks. Now put those two together, and you have the whole of what is here propounded.
I shall therefore in the generall put a case.
Suppose any company of men should proffer to lend this State two or three hundred millions of mony gra [...]is, let us consider what they would do therewith.
They could not imploy it with safety any otherwise, th [...] by sending it forth to the people upon sufficient security at a reasonable Interest, because it is but lent to them, and therefore must be restored.
2. It may be they would resolve also to raise Banks therewith, whereby the credit grounded upon such mony, might run currant amongst the people, rather than the mony it self, which is not so fit for daily use, in great summes, in respect of the trouble of telling and re-telling, the losse in clipped and counterfeit mony, the hazard which men sustain in keeping much mony by them, the trouble of carrying great sums from house to house, and the danger from conveighing it in specie from one Town to another, whereas dealing in such credit (as to all great summes) would prevent Highway-theeves, who if they have nothing but goods to seize upon in the road, cannot goe long undiscovered, nor can advance any thing thereupon worth their attendance, which would totally discourage them from following that lewd kinde of life, and thereby free the Highwayes of such Vermine.
[Page 297]Credit also is better amongst the people than money, in these two respects: First it cannot be transported to other Nations. Secondly, it will not be hoarded up, as mony many times is to the great hinderance of Trade: for that money which is of least esteem amongst the people, if it be of real value in it self, is most for their good, because every man striving to post it off from himself, doth thereby quicken returns of Trade.
Now suppose that (upon these manifold considerations) such Banks should be erected, and it should thereupon come to passe, that this mony thus lent to the Commonwealth, should lye dead in Bank, and the people should make use of their Credit in stead thereof (as they do I say in other places) I demand then to what purpose this mony serveth?
If it be said it lyes for a pawn to secure the Credit that runs currant in stead thereof:
I answer, the Land which was taken for security, when the money was lent to the people, is a sufficient pawn to make good such credit: If not, then the money which was lent upon that security, which fails, is lost; but if the security hold good it is the same with money: And therefore if the State might venture to lend the money it self upon the best security, the people may even as well venture to take such security it self for money.
Hereupon there is no doubt but the State (in order to their own security) would restore this money to the owners, and proceed without it, as being, first, altogether superfluous; secondly, a great temptation to an Enemy; thirdly, subject in processe of time to the fraud of Officers, and sudden commotions of several parties and factio [...]s if it lye dead in Bank: And if it goe abroad, then not so sit for daily use of Credit in the manifold respects already mentioned: And if they thus proceed without the said mony they doe the same thing which is here proposed.
The premises considered, to dispute against the aforesaid Banks grounded upon security, is the same thing, as to oppose the accepting of the aforesaid mony in specie, if it were to be lent this Nation gratis.
[Page 298]This being so, if any should ask whether the State would refuse the free loan of so much ready mony? I answer (confidently) No.
1. Because by the lending thereof to the people upon Interest, a Revenue may be raised to free them from publique taxes and burdens.
2. Interest might be brought to a low rate for the incouragement of Trade, and without any compulsive Law.
3. The filling of the land with so exceeding great a quantity of money, would by the revolution thereof quicken Trade in the highest degree.
4. It would be a means to furnish the people with abundance of stock to employ in the Forraign Trade, Fishing, Plantations, improving their own Lands, drowned and wasted grounds, Mines, &c. in all the three Nations.
5. By such fall of Interest, Land would rise much in price, which (besides the help of sufficient stock and quick vent) would much incourage the improvement thereof.
6. Many publique Grievances and Burdens would be prevented thereby (as is already for the most part observed) viz. oppression amongst Broakers and Extortioners; the trouble, charge, and hazard in returns of moneys, Highway-theeves, imprisonment for debt, innumerable law-suits, losses by failers, underselling the Market, enhancing forraign commodities, and debasing the value of our own: And in brief, that great Burden of all Burdens, namely, extream Poverty, with divers other particulars, which I shall not further repeat.
Now considering our present great extremities for want of stock and mony, who that loves his Country, would be against the accepting of such an immense Treasure of good and currant Coyn, if it were proffered this Nation gratis; and yet it plainly appeares by the premises, that all this Treasure lyes within our own reach, in that kind of Bullion, which is better than mony in specie, and wants nothing but the meer stamp of Authority to make it currant; and hath this further advantage in it, that it may be made use of to the worlds end, without fearing it should ever be demanded, which so much mony [...]ent; gratis, cannot.
[Page 299]To conclude therefore, it plainly appears that the way to remove Poverty, Taxes, and most publique Grievances, and to make this Nation abound in Wealth, Trade, Cities, Shipping, People, and Renown, is (according to means) neither unpracticeable, nor difficult, except we renounce all humane prudence; and with the Sluggard in the Proverbs, create difficulties to our selves, where God hath made none.
If therefore the Proposition in general be thought worthy of regard, it is humbly desired that Commissioners might be appointed to hear and debate such considerations as relate thereunto, with that seriousnesse as a thing of this moment will require; for upon the meer reading of things, men start many scruples (through misapprehension) which have no ground but their own mistakes; whereby many good Proposals suffer great prejudice, which upon solemn debates would easily detected and prevented.
By this means these Propositions have been already clogged by divers that have heard thereof, at the second and third hand, with several false Imputations and groundlesse Jealousies; all which if those that are concerned, will please to make it their businesse to be satisfied, will, I hope, be fully be cleared.
Thus far of the Bank of Lands at the present.