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The English Husbandman

by Gervase Markham · English · Gutenberg #22973 · 391,824 chars · public domain (US)

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Title: The English Husbandman

Author: Gervase Markham


        
Release date: October 12, 2007 [eBook #22973]

Language: English

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22973

Credits: Produced by Louise Pryor, Jonathan Ingram and the Online
        Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net


*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ENGLISH HUSBANDMAN ***




Produced by Louise Pryor, Jonathan Ingram and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net





[Transcriber's note

Spellings are inconsistent, especially the use of ee and ee. Notes of
changes that have been made for obvious misprints, and of other
anomalies, are at the end of this etext.

There are many sidenotes in the original. They are indicated thus:
{SN: }, and have been grouped together at the start of the paragraph
in which they appear.]




  THE
  ENGLISH
  HVSBANDMAN.

       *       *       *       *       *

  _The first Part_:
     CONTAYNING
  the Knowledge of the true Nature
  of euery Soyle within this Kingdome:
  how to Plow it; and the manner of the
  Plough, and other Instruments
  belonging thereto.

  _TOGETHER WITH THE_
  Art of Planting, Grafting, and Gardening
  after our latest and rarest fashion.

  A worke neuer written before by any Author:
  and now newly compiled for the benefit
  of this KINGDOME.

  _By_ G. M.

  _Bramo assai, poco, spero nulla chieggio._

_LONDON:_ Printed by _T. S._ for _Iohn Browne_, and are to be sould at
his shop in Saint _Dunstanes_ Church-yard.

1613.




  TO THE RIGHT
  HONOVRABLE,
  and his singular good Lord,
  the Lord _Clifton_, Baron of
  Layton.


It was a custome (right Honorable, and my most singular good Lord) both
amongst the auntient _Romans_, and also amongst the wise
_Lacedemonians_, that euery idle person should giue an account of the
expence of his howers: Now I that am most idle, and least imployed in
your Familie, present here vnto your Lordships hands an account of the
expence of my idle time, which how well, or ill, it is, your Noble
wisedome must both iudge and correct; onely this I am acertain'd, that
for the generall rules and Maximes of the whole worke, they are most
infallibly true, and perfectly agreeing with our English climate. Now if
your Lordship shall doubt of the true tast of the liquor because it
proceedeth from such a vessell as my selfe, whom you may imagine vtterly
vnseasoned vvith any of these knowledges, beleeue it (my most best Lord)
that for diuers yeeres, wherein I liued most happily, I liued a
Husbandman, amongst Husbandmen of most excellent knowledge; during all
which time I let no obseruation ouer-slip me: for I haue euer from my
Cradle beene naturally giuen to obserue, and albe I haue not that oylie
tongue of ostentation which loueth euer to be babling all, and somewhat
more then it knoweth, drawing from ignorance admiration, and from
wisedome laughter, filling meale-times with much vnprofitable noyse; yet
I thanke my maker I haue a breast which containeth contentment inough
for my selfe, and I hope much benefit for the whole Kingdome; how euer
or whatsoeuer it is, it is all your Lordships, vnder the couert of whose
fauourable protection if it may finde grace it is the vttermost aime
whereunto my wishes aspire, nor shall I feare the malignitie of the
curious, for it is not to them but the honest plaine English Husbandman,
I intend my labours, vvhose defender you haue euer beene, and for whose
Honorable prosperitie both they and I will continually pray.

  _Your honours in all
  seruiceable humblenesse_,

  G. M.




The Epistle to the generall and gentle Reader.


Although (generall reader) the nature of this worst part of this last
age hath conuerted all things to such vildnesse that whatsoeuer is
truely good is now esteemed most vitious, learning being derided,
fortitude drawne into so many definitions that it consisteth in meere
words onely, and although nothing is happy or prosperous, but meere
fashion & ostentation, a tedious fustian-tale at a great mans table,
stuft with bigge words, with out sence, or a mimicke Iester, that can
play three parts in one; the Foole, the Pandar and the Parasit, yet
notwithstanding in this apostate age I haue aduentured to thrust into
the world this booke, which nothing at all belongeth to the silken
scorner, but to the plaine russet honest Husbandman, for whose
particular benefit, and the kingdomes generall profit, I haue with much
paine, care, and industry, passed through the same. Now for the motiues
which first drew me to vndertake the worke, they were diuers: as first,
when I saw one man translate and paraphrase most excellently vpon
_Virgils Georgickes_, a worke onely belonging to the Italian climbe, &
nothing agreeable with ours another translates _Libault & Steuens_, a
worke of infinit excellency, yet onely proper and naturall to the
French, and not to vs: and another takes collections from _Zenophon_, and
others; all forrainers and vtterly vnacquainted with our climbes: when
this I beheld, and saw with what good liking they were entertained of
all men; and that euery man was dumbe to speake any thing of the
_Husbandry_ of our owne kingdome, I could not but imagine it a worke most
acceptable to men, and most profitable to the kingdome, to set downe the
true manner and nature of our right English _Husbandry_, our soyle being
as delicate, apt, and fit for increase as any forraine soyle whatsoeuer,
and as farre out-going other kingdomes in some commoditie, as they vs in
other some. Hence, and from these considerations, I began this worke, of
which I haue here sent thee but a small tast, which if I finde accepted,
according to mine intent, I will not cease (God permitting mee life) to
passe through all manner of English _Husbandry_ and _Huswifery_ whatsoeuer,
without omission of the least scruple that can any way belong to either
of their knowledges. Now gentle reader whereas you may be driuen to some
amazement, at two titles which insue in the booke, namely, a former part
before the first, and the first part, you shall vnderstand that those
first sheetes were detained both from the Stationer and me, till the
booke was almost all printed; and my selfe by extreame sicknesse kept
from ouer-viewing the same, wherefore I must intreate your fauour in
this impression and the rather in as much as there wanteth neither any
of the words or matter whatsoeuer: _Farewell_.

  Thine
  _G. M._




  A
  FORMER PART,
  before the first Part: Being an absolute perfect Introduction into
  all the Rules of true Husbandry; and must first of all be read, or
  the Readers labour will be frustrate.




CHAP. I.

_The Proem of the Author. What a Husbandman is: His Vtilitie and
Necessitie._


It is a common Adage in our English speech, that a man generally seene
in all things can bee particularly perfect or compleate in none: Which
Prouerbe there is no question will both by the curious and enuious be
heauily imposed vpon my backe, because in this, and other workes, I haue
delt with many things of much importance, and such as any one of them
would require a whole liues experience, whereas neither my Birth, my
Education, nor the generall course of my life can promise no
singularitie in any part of those Artes they treate of: but for
suggestions (the liberty whereof the wisedome of Kings could neuer
bridle) let them poison themselues with their owne gall, they shall not
so much as make me looke ouer my shoulder from my labour: onely to the
curteous and well meaning I giue this satisfaction, I am but onely a
publique Notary, who record the most true and infallible experience of
the best knowing Husbands in this land.

Besides, I am not altogether vnseene in these misteries I write of: for
it is well knowne I followed the profession of a Husbandman so long my
selfe, as well might make mee worthy to be a graduate in the vocation:
wherein my simplicitie was not such but I both obserued well those which
were esteemed famous in the profession, and preserued to my selfe those
rules which I found infallible by experience. _Virgill_ was an excellent
Poet, and a seruant, of trusty account, to _Augustus_, whose court and
study-imployments would haue said he should haue little knowledge in
rurall businesse, yet who hath set downe more excellently the manner of
Italian Husbandry then himselfe, being a perfect lanthorne, from whose
light both Italie and other countries haue seene to trace into the true
path of profit and frugallitie? _Steuens_ and _Libault_, two famous
Phisitions, a profession that neuer medleth with the Plough, yet who
hath done more rarely! nay, their workes are vtterly vncontrolable
touching all manner of french Husbandry whatsoeuer; so my selfe although
by profession I am onely a horse-man, it being the predominant outward
vertue I can boast of, yet why may not I, hauing the sence of man, by
the ayde of obseruation and relation, set downe all the rules and
principles of our English Husbandry in as good and as perfect order as
any of the former? there is no doubt but I may and this I dare bouldly
assure vnto all Readers that there is not any rule prescribed through
this whole worke, but hath his authoritie from as good and well
experienced men, in the Art of which the rule treateth, as any this
kingdome can produce: neither haue I beene so hasty, or willing, to
publish this part as men may imagining, for it is well knowne it hath
laine at rest this many yeeres, and onely now at the Instigation of
many of my friends is bolted into the world, to try the censure of wits,
and to giue aide to the ignorant Husbandman. Wherefore to leaue off any
further digression, I will fall to mine intended purpose: and because
the whole scope of my labour hath all his aime and reuerence to the
English Husbandman, I will first shew you what a Husbandman is.

{SN: The definition of a Husbandman.}
A Husbandman is he which with discretion and good order tilleth the
ground in his due seasons, making it fruitfull to bring forth Corne, and
plants, meete for the sustenance of man. This Husbandman is he to whom
God in the scriptures giueth many blessings, for his labours of all
other are most excellent, and therefore to be a Husbandman is to be a
good man; whence the auntients did baptise, and wee euen to this day doe
seriously obserue to call euery Husbandman, both in our ordinary
conference and euery particular salutation, goodman such a one, a title
(if wee rightly obserue it) of more honour and vertuous note, then many
which precede it at feasts and in gaudy places.

{SN: The Vtillitie of the Husbandman.}
A Husbandman is the Maister of the earth, turning sterillitie and
barrainenesse, into fruitfulnesse and increase, whereby all common
wealths are maintained and upheld, it is his labour which giueth bread
to all men and maketh vs forsake the societie of beasts drinking vpon
the water springs, feeding vs with a much more nourishing liquor. The
labour of the Husbandman giueth liberty to all vocations, Arts,
misteries and trades, to follow their seuerall functions, with peace and
industry, for the filling and emptying of his barnes is the increase and
prosperitie of all their labours. To conclude, what can we say in this
world is profitable where Husbandry is wanting, it being the great Nerue
and Sinew which houldeth together all the ioynts of a Monarchie?

{SN: Of the necessitie of a Husbandman.}
Now for the necessitie, the profit inferreth it without any larger
amplification: for if of all things it be most profitable, then of all
things it must needs be most necessary, sith next vnto heauenly things,
profit is the whole aime of our liues in this world: besides it is most
necessary for keeping the earth in order, which else would grow wilde,
and like a wildernesse, brambles and weeds choaking vp better Plants,
and nothing remayning but a Chaos of confusednesse. And thus much of the
Husbandman his vtillity and necessitie.




CHAP. II.

_Of the situation of the Husbandmans house; the necessaries there to
belonging, together with the modell thereof._


Since couerture is the most necessariest thing belonging vnto mans life,
and that it was the first thing that euer man inuented, I thinke it not
amisse first to beginne, before I enter into any other part of
Husbandry, with the Husbandmans house, without which no Husbandry can be
maintained or preserued. And albeit the generall Husbandman must take
such a house as hee can conueniently get, and according to the custome
and abillitie of the soyle wherein he liueth, for many countries are
very much vnprouided of generall matter for well building: some wanting
timber, some stone, some lime, some one thing, some another: yet to that
Husbandman whom God hath enabled with power both of riches and euery
other necessary fit to haue all things in a comely conuenientnesse about
him, if he desire to plant himselfe decently and profitable, I would
then aduise him to chuse for his situation no high hill, or great
promontary (the seate of Princes Courts) where hee may be gazed vpon by
the eye of euery traueller, but some pretty hard knole of constant and
firme earth, rather assending then descending, free from the danger of
water, and being inuironed either with some pretty groues, of tall
young spiers, or else with rowes of greater timber, which besids the
pleasure and profit thereof (hauing wode so neare a mans dore) the
shelter will be most excellent to keepe off the bleaknesse of the sharpe
stormes and tempests in winter, and be an excellent wormestall for
cattell in the summer. This house would be planted, if possible, neare
to some riuer, or fresh running brooke, but by no meanes vpon the verge
of the riuer, nor within the danger of the ouerflow thereof: for the one
is subiect to too much coldnesse and moisture, the other to danger. You
shall plant the face, or forefront, of your house vpon the rising of the
Sunne, that the vigor of his warmth may at no time depart from some part
thereof, but that as he riseth on the oneside so he may set on the
other. You shall place the vpper or best end of your house, as namely,
where your dining Parlor and cheifest roomes are, which euer would haue
their prospect into your garden, to the South, that your buttery,
kitching and other inferiour offices may stand to the North, coldnesse
bringing vnto them a manifold benefit. Now touching the forme, fashion,
or modell of the house, it is impossible almost for any man to prescribe
a certaine forme, the world is so plentifull in inuention and euery mans
minde so much adicted to nouelty and curiouity, yet for as much as it is
most commended by the generall consent of all the auntients, and that
from the modell of that proportion may be contracted and drawne the most
curious formes that are almost at this day extant, I will commend vnto
you that modell which beareth the proportion of the Roman _H._ which as
it is most plaine of all other, and most easie for conuaiance, so if a
man vpon that plaine song, (hauing a great purse) will make descant,
there is no proportion in which he may with best ease show more
curiositie, and therefore for the plaine Husbandmans better
vnderstanding I will here shew him a _facsimile_ (for to adde a scale
were needlesse in this generall worke, all men not being desirous to
build of one bignesse) & this it is:

{Illustration}

Here you behould the modell of a plaine country mans house, without
plaster or imbosture, because it is to be intended that it is as well to
be built of studde and plaster, as of lime and stone, or if timber be
not plentifull it may be built of courser woode, and couered with lime
and haire, yet if a man would bestow cost in this modell, the foure
inward corners of the hall would be conuenient for foure turrets, and
the foure gauell ends, being thrust out with bay windowes might be
formed in any curious manner: and where I place a gate and a plaine
pale, might be either a tarrisse, or a gatehouse: of any fashion
whatsoeuer, besides all those windowes which I make plaine might be made
bay windowes, either with battlements, or without, but the scope of my
booke tendeth onely to the vse of the honest Husbandman, and not to
instruct men of dignitie, who in Architecture are able wonderfully to
controle me; therefore that the Husbandman may know the vse of this
_facsimile_, he shall vnderstand it by this which followeth.

_A._ Signifieth the great hall.

_B._ The dining Parlor for entertainment of strangers.

_C._ An inward closset within the Parlor for the Mistrisses vse, for
necessaries.

_D._ A strangers lodging within the Parlor.

_E._ A staire-case into the roomes ouer the Parlor.

_F._ A staire-case into the Good-mans roomes ouer the Kitchin and
Buttery.

_G._ The Skreene in the hall.

_H._ An inward cellar within the buttery, which may serue for a Larder.

_I._ The Buttery.

_K._ The Kitchin, in whose range may be placed a bruing lead, and
conuenient Ouens, the bruing vessels adioyning.

_L._ The Dairy house for necessary businesse.

_M._ The Milke house.

_N._ A faire sawne pale before the formost court.

_O._ The great gate to ride in at to the hall dore.

_P._ A place where a Pumpe would be placed to serue the offices of the
house.

{Illustration: This figure signifieth the dores of the house.}

{Illustration: This figure signifieth the windowes of the house.}

{Illustration: This figure signifieth the Chimnies of the house.}

Now you shall further vnderstand that on the South side of your house,
you shall plant your Garden and Orchard, as wel for the prospect thereof
to al your best roomes, as also because your house will be a defence
against the Northerne coldnesse, whereby your fruits will much better
prosper. You shall on the West side of your house, within your inward
dairy and kitchin court, fence in a large base court, in the midst
whereof would be a faire large Pond, well ston'd and grauelled in the
bottome, in which your Cattell may drinke, and horses when necessitie
shall vrge be washt: for I doe by no meanes alow washing of horses after
instant labour. Neere to this Pond you shall build your Doue-coate, for
Pigions delight much in the water: and you shall by no meanes make your
Doue-house too high, for Pigions cannot endure a high mount, but you
shall build it moderately, cleane, neate, and close, with water
pentisses to keepe away vermine. On the North side of your base-court
you shall build your Stables, Oxe-house, Cow-house, and Swine-coates,
the dores and windowes opening all to the South. On the South side of
the base-court, you shall builde your Hay-barnes, Corne-barnes,
pullen-houses for Hennes, Capons, Duckes, and Geese, your french Kilne,
and Malting flowres, with such like necessaries: and ouer crosse betwixt
both these sides, you shall build your bound houels, to cary your Pease,
of good and sufficient timber, vnder which you shall place when they are
out of vse your Cartes, Waynes, Tumbrels, Ploughs, Harrowes, and such
like, together with Plough timber, and axletrees: all which would very
carefully be kept from wet, which of all things doth soonest rot and
consume them. And thus much of the Husbandmans house, and the
necessaries there to belonging.




CHAP. III.

_Of the seuerall parts and members of an ordinarie Plough, and of the
ioyning of them together._


If a workeman of any trade, or mistery, cannot giue directions how, and
in what manner, the tooles where with he worketh should be made or
fashioned, doubtlesse hee shall neuer worke well with them, nor know
when they are in temper and when out. And so it fareth with the
Husbandman, for if hee know not how his Plough should be made, nor the
seuerall members of which it consisteth, with the vertue and vse of
euery member, it is impossible that euer hee should make a good furrow,
or turne ouer his ground in Husbandly manner: Therefore that euery
Husbandman may know how a well shaped Plough is made, he shall
vnderstand that the first member thereof, as being the strongest and
most principallest peece of timber belonging to the same, is called the
Plough-beame, being a large long peece of timber much bending, according
to the forme of this figure.

{Illustration}

This beame hath no certaine length nor thicknesse, but is proportioned
according to the ground, for if it be for a clay ground the length is
almost seauen foote, if for any other mixt or lighter earth, then fiue
or sixe foote is long inough.

The second member or part of the Plough, is called the skeath, and is a
peece of woode of two foote and a halfe in length, and of eight inches
in breadth, and two inches in thicknesse: it is driuen extreamly hard
into the Plough-beame, slopewise, so that ioyned they present this
figure.

{Illustration}

The third part is called the Ploughes principall hale, and doth belong
to the left hand being a long bent peece of woode, some what strong in
the midst, and so slender at the vpper end that a man may easily gripe
it, which being fixed with the rest presenteth this figure.

{Illustration}

The fourth part is the Plough head, which must be fixed with the sheath
& the head all at one instant in two seuerall mortisse holes: it is a
flat peece of timber, almost three foote in length if it be for clay
ground, otherwise shorter, of breadth seauen inches, and of thicknesse
too inches and a halfe, which being ioyned to the rest presenteth this
figure.

{Illustration}

The fift part is the Plough spindels, which are two small round pieces
of woode, which coupleth together the hales, as in this figure.

{Illustration}

The sixt part is the right hand hale, through which the other end of the
spindels runne, and is much slenderer then the left hand hale, for it is
put to no force, but is onely a stay and aide to the Plough houlder when
hee cometh to heauy, stiffe, and strong worke, and being ioyned with the
rest presenteth this figure.

{Illustration}

The seauenth part is the Plough-rest, which is a small peece of woode,
which is fixt at one end in the further nicke of the Plough head, and
the other end to the Ploughs right-hand hale, as you may see by this
figure.

{Illustration}

The eight part is called the shelboard, and is a broad board of more
then an inche thicknesse, which couereth all the right side of the
Plough, and is fastned with two strong pinnes of woode through the
sheath, and the right-hand hale, according to this figure.

{Illustration}

The ninth part is the coulture, which is a long peece of Iron, made
sharpe at the neather end, and also sharpe on one side and being for a
stiffe clay it must be straight without bending, which passeth by a
mortisse-hole through the beame, and to this coulture belongeth an Iron
ring, which windeth about the beame and keepeth it in strength from
breaking as may appeare by this figure.

{Illustration}

The tenth part of a compleate Plough, is the share; which is fixed to
the Plough head, and is that which cutteth and turneth vp the earth: if
it be for a mixt earth then it is made without a wing, or with a very
small one, but if it be for a deepe, or stiffe clay, then it is made
with a large wing, or an outward point, like the figure following.

{Illustration}

The eleuenth part of a perfect Plough is called the Plough foote, and is
through a mortisse-hole fastned at the farre end of all the beame with a
wedge or two, so as the Husbandman may at his discretion set it higher
or lower, at his pleasure: the vse of it is to giue the Plough earth, or
put it from the earth, as you please, for the more you driue it
downeward, the more it raiseth the beame from the ground, and maketh the
Irons forsake the earth, and the more you driue it vpward the more it
letteth downe the beame, and so maketh the Irons bite the sorer; the
figure whereof is this.

{Illustration}

Thus haue you all the parts and members of a Plough, and how they be
knit and ioyned together, wherein I would wish you to obserue to make
your Plough-wright euer rather giue your Plough land then put her from
the land, that is, rather leaning towards the earth and biting sore,
then euer slipping out of the ground: for if it haue two much earth the
Husbandman may help it in the houlding, but if it haue too little, then
of necessitie it must make foule worke: but for as much as the error and
amends lye both in the office of the Plough-wright, I will not trouble
the Husbandman with the reformation thereof.

Now you shall vnderstand that there is one other thing belonging to the
Plough, which albe it be no member thereof, yet is it so necessary that
the Husbandman which liueth in durty and stiffe clayes can neuer goe to
Plough without it, and it is called the Aker-staffe, being a pretty
bigge cudgell, of about a yarde in length, with an Iron spud at the end,
according to this figure:

{Illustration}

This Akerstaffe the Husbandman is euer to carry within his Plough, and
when at any time the Irons, shelboard, or Plough, are choaked with durt,
clay, or filth, which will cling about the ould stubble, then with this
Akerstaffe you shall put the same off (your Plough still going) and so
keepe her cleane and smooth that your worke may lye the handsomer; and
this you must euer doe with your right hand: for the Plough choaketh
euer on the shelboard side, and betweene the Irons. And thus much
touching the perfect Plough, and the members thereof.




CHAP. IIII.

_How the Husbandman shall temper his Plough, and make her fit for his
worke._


A Plough is to a Husbandman like an Instrument in the hand of a
Musition, which if it be out of tune can neuer make good Musicke, and so
if the Plough, being out of order, if the Husbandman haue not the
cunning to temper it and set it in the right way, it is impossible that
euer his labour should come to good end.

It is very necessary then that euery good Husbandman know that a Plough
being perfectly well made, the good order or disorder thereof consisteth
in the placing of the Plough-Irons and the Plough-foote. Know then, that
for the placing of the Irons, the share would be set to looke a little
into the ground: and because you shall not bruise, or turne, the point
thereof, you shall knocke it fast vpon the head, either with a crooked
Rams-horne, or else with some piece of soft Ash woode: and you shall
obserue that it stand plaine, flat, and leuell, without wrying or
turning either vpward or downeward: for if it runne not euen vpon the
earth it will neuer make a good furrow, onely as before I said, the
point must looke a little downeward.

Now, for the coulture, you must place it slopewise through the beame, so
as the point of it and the point of the share may as it were touch the
ground at one instant, yet if the coulture point be a little thought the
longer it shall not be amisse: yet for a more certaine direction and to
try whether your Irons stand true I or no, you shall take a string, and
measure from the mortisse-hole through which the coulture passeth, to
the point of the coulture, and so keeping your vpper hand constant lay
the same length to the of point your share, and if one measure serue
them both right, there being no difference betweene them, then the Irons
stand true for their length, otherwise they stand false.

Now your coulture albe it stand true for the length, yet it may stand
either too much to the land, or too much from the land, either of which
is a great errour, and will keepe the Plough from going true: your
coulture therefore shall haue certaine wedges of ould dry Ash woode,
that is to say, one before the coulture on the vpper side the beame, and
another on the land side, or left side, the coulture on the vpper side
the beame also; then you shall haue another wedge behinde the coulture
vnderneath the beame, and one on the furrow side, or right side, the
beame vnderneath also. Now, if your coulture haue too much land, then
you shall driue in your vpper side wedge and ease the contrary: if it
haue too little land, then you shall contrarily driue in your right side
vnder wedge and ease the other: If your coulture stand too forward, then
you shall driue in your vpper wedge which standeth before the coulture;
and if it stand too backward and too neere your share, then you shall
driue in your vnder wedge which standeth behinde the coulture: if your
coulture standeth awry any way, then are either your side wedges too
small, or else not euen and plaine cut, which faults you must amend, and
then all will be perfect. Now, when your Irons are iust and truely
placed, then you shall driue in euery wedge hard and firme, that no
shaking or other straine may loosen them: as for the Plough foote it
also must haue a wedge or two, which when your Plough goeth right and to
your contentment (for the foote will keepe it from sinking or rising)
then you shall also driue them in hard, that the foote may not stirre
from the true place where you did set it. And that these things when a
man commeth into the field may not be to seeke, it is the office of
euery good Husbandman neuer to goe forth with his Plough but to haue his
Hatchet in a socket, fixt to his Plough beame, and a good piece of hard
wedge woode, in case any of your wedges should shake out and be lost.

{SN: Of holding the Plough.}
When your Plough is thus ordered and tempered in good manner, and made
fit for her worke, it then resteth that you know the skill and
aduantages in holding thereof, which indeed are rules of much
diuersitie, for if it be a stiffe, blacke clay which you Plow, then can
you not Plow too deepe, nor make your furrowes too bigge: if it be a
rich hassell ground, and not much binding, then reasonable furrowes,
laid closse, are the best: but if it be any binding, stony, or sandy
ground, then you cannot make your furrowes too small. As touching the
gouerning of your Plough, if you see shee taketh too much land, then you
shall writh your left hand a little to the left side and raise your
Plough rest somewhat from the ground: if shee taketh too little earth,
then you shall raise vp your left hand, and carry your Plough as in a
direct line: If your Plough-Irons forbeare and will not bite on the
earth at all, then it is a signe that you hang too heauy on the Plough
hales, raising the head of the Plough from the ground, which errour you
must amend, and of the two rather raise it vp behind then before, but to
doe neither is best, for the Plough hale is a thing for the hand to
gouerne, and not to make a leaning stocke of: And thus much touching the
tempring of the Plough and making her fit for worke.




CHAP. V.

_The manner of Plowing the rich, stiffe, blacke Clay, his Earings,
Plough, and other Instruments._


Of all soyles in this our kingdome there is none so rich and fruitfull,
if it be well handled and Husbanded, as is that which we call the
stiffe, blacke, Clay, and indeed is more blacker to looke on then any
other soyle, yet some times it will turne vp very blewish, with many
white vaines in it, which is a very speciall note to know his
fruitfulnesse; for that blewish earth mixt with white is nothing else
but very rich Marle, an earth that in Cheshire, Lanckashire, and many
other countries, serueth to Manure and make fat their barrainest land in
such sort that it will beare Corne seauen yeeres together. This blacke
clay as it is the best soyle, well Husbanded, so it is of all soyles the
worst if it be ill Husbanded: for if it loose but one ardor, or
seasenable Plowing, it will not be recouered in foure yeeres after, but
will naturally of it selfe put forth wilde Oates, Thistels, and all
manner of offensiue weedes, as Cockle, Darnell, and such like: his
labour is strong, heauy, and sore, vnto the cattell that tilleth it, but
to the Husbandman is more easie then any other soyle, for this asketh
but foure times Plowing ouer at the most, where diuers other soyles aske
fiue times, and sixe times, as shalbe shewed hereafter. But to come to
the Plowing of this soyle, I hold it meete to beginne with the beginning
of the yeere, which with Husbandmen is at Plow-day, being euer the first
Munday after the Twelft-day, at which time you shall goe forth with your
draught, & begin to plow your Pease-earth, that is, the earth where you
meane to sow your Pease, or Beanes: for I must giue you to vnderstand,
that these Clayes are euer more naturall for Beanes then Pease, not but
that they will beare both alike, only the Husbandman imployeth them more
for Beanes, because pease & fitches wil grow vpon euery soyle, but
Beanes wil grow no where but on the clayes onely. This Pease-earth is
euer where barley grew the yeere before, & hath the stubble yet
remayning thereon. You shal plow this Pease-earth euer vpward, that is,
you shall beginne on the ridge of the land, & turne all your furrowes
vp, one against another, except your lands lye too high (which seldome
can be seene) and then you shall begin at the furrow, & cast downe your
land.

Now, when you haue plowed all your Pease-ground, you shall let it so
lye, till it haue receiued diuers Frosts, some Raine, and then a fayre
season, which betwixt plow-day and Saint _Valentines_ day you shalbe
sure to inioy: and this is called, _The letting of Land lye to baite_:
for without this rest, and these seasons, it is impossible to make these
Clayes harrow, or yeelde any good mould at all. After your Land hath
receiued his kindely baite, then you shall cast in your seede, of
Beanes, or Pease: but in my conceit, an equall mixture of them is the
best seede of all, for if the one faile, the other will be sure to hit:
and when your land is sowne you shall harrow it with a harrow that hath
woodden teeth.

The next Ardor after this, is the sowing of your Barley in your fallow
field: the next is the fallowing of your ground for Barley the next
yeere: the next Ardor is the Summer-stirring of that which you fallowed:
the next is the foyling of that which you Summer-stirde: and the last is
the Winter rigging of that which you foil'd: of all which Ardors, and
the manner of Plowing them, with their seasons, I haue written
sufficiently in the first Chapter of the next part; where I speake of
simple earths vncompounded.

Now whereas I told you before that these clayes were heauy worke for
your Cattell, it is necessary that I shew you how to ease them, and
which way they may draw to their most aduantage, which onely is by
drawing in beare-geares, an inuention the skilfull Husbandman hath found
out, wherein foure horses shall draw as much as sixe, and sixe as eight,
being geard in any other contrary fashion. Now because the name onely
bettereth not your knowledge, you shall heare behould the figure and
manner thereof.

{Illustration}

Now you shall vnderstand the vse of this Figure by the figures therein
contayned, that is to say, the figure

(1) presenteth the plough-cleuisse, which being ioyned to the
plough-beame, extendeth, with a chaine, vnto the first Toastree: and
touching this Cleuisse, you shall vnderstand, that it must be made with
three nickes in the midst thereof, that if the Plough haue too much land
giuen it in the making, that is, if it turne vp too much land, then the
chaine shall be put in the outwardmost nicke to the land side, that is,
the nicke towards your right hand: but if it take too little land, then
it shall be put in the nicke next the furrow, that is, towards the right
hand: but if it goe euen and well, then you shall keepe it in the middle
nicke, which is the iust guide of true proportion. And thus this
Cleuisse is a helpe for the euill making or going of a plough.

(2) Is the hind-most Toastree, that is, a broad piece of Ash woode,
three inches broad, which going crosse the chaine, hath the Swingletrees
fastned vnto it, by which the horses draw. Now you shall vnderstand that
in this Toastree is great helpe and aduantage: for if the two horses
which draw one against the other, be not of equall strength, but that
the one doth ouer-draw the other, then you shall cause that end of the
Toastree by which the weaker horse drawes, to be longer from the chaine
then the other, by at least halfe a foote, and that shall giue the
weaker horse such an aduantage, that his strength shall counterpoyse
with the stronger horse. Now there be some especiall Husbandmen that
finding this disaduantage in the Toastree, and that by the vncertaine
shortening, and lenthening of the Toastree, they haue sometimes more
disaduantaged the strong horse, then giuen helpe to the weake, therefore
they haue inuented another Toastree, with a double chaine, and a round
ring, which is of that excellent perfection in draught, that if a Foale
draw against an olde horse, yet the Foale shall draw no more then the
abilitie of his owne strength, each taking his worke by himselfe, as if
they drew by single chaines. Now because this Toastree is such a notable
Implement both in Plough, Cart, or Waine, and so worthy to be imitated
of all good husbands, I thinke it not amisse to shew you the figure
thereof.

{Illustration: The Toastree with double chaines.}

(3) The Swingletrees, being pieces of Ash wood cut in proportion
afore-shewed, to which the Treates, by which the horses draw, are
fastned with strong loopes.

(4) The Treates by which the horses draw, being strong cords made of the
best Hempe.

(5) The place betweene the Treats, where the horses must stand.

(6) The Hames, which girt the Collers about, to which the other end of
the Treats are fastned, being compassed pieces of wood, eyther cleane
Ash, or cleane Oake.

(7) The round Withes of wood, or broad thongs of leather, to put about
the horses necke, to beare the maine chayne from the ground, that it
trouble not the horses in their going.

(8) The Single-linckes of Iron, which ioyne the Swingle-trees vnto the
Toastrees.

(9) The Belly-bands, which passe vnder the belly of the horse, and are
made fast to both sides of the Treates, keeping them downe, that when
the horse drawes, his coller may not choake him: being made of good
small line or coard.

(10) The Backe-bands, which going ouer the horses backe, and being made
fast to both sides of the Treates, doe hold them, so as when the horses
turne, the Treates doe not fall vnder their feete.

{SN: How many beasts in a plough.}
Thus I haue giuen you the perfect portraiture of a well yoakt Plough,
together with his Implements, and the vse of them, being the best which
hath yet beene found out by any of our skilfullest English Husbandmen,
whose practise hath beene vpon these deepe, stiffe, blacke clayes. Now
you shall vnderstand, that for the number of Cattell to be vsed in these
ploughes, that in fallowing your land, and plowing your Pease-earth,
eight good Cattell are the best number, as being the strongest, and
within the compasse of gouernment, whereas more were but troublesome,
and in all your other Ardors, sixe good beasts are sufficient, yet if it
be so, that eyther want of abilitie, or other necessity vrge, you shall
know that sixe beasts will suffice eyther to fallow, or to plow
Pease-earth, and foure beasts for euery other Ardor or earing: and lesse
then this number is most insufficient, as appeares by daily experience,
when poore men kill their Cattell onely by putting them to ouer-much
labour. And thus much touching the plowing of the blacke clay.




CHAP. VI.

_The manner of plowing the white or gray Clay, his Earings, Plough, and
Instruments._


Now as touching the white or gray clay, you shall vnderstand that it is
of diuers and sundry natures, altering according to his tempers of wet
or drynesse: the wet being more tough, and the dry more brittle: his
mixture and other characters I haue shewed in a former Chapter,
wherefore for his manner of plowing (obseruing my first methode, which
is to beginne with the beginning of the yeere, I meane at Christmas) it
is thus:

{SN: Of sowing of Pease and Beanes.}
If you finde that any of this white or gray clay, lying wet, haue lesse
mixture of stone or chaulke in it, and so consequently be more tough, as
it doth many times fall out, and that vpon such land, that yeere, you
are to sow your Pease and Beanes: for as in the former blacke clay, so
in this gray clay you shall begin with your Pease-earth euer: then
immediately after Plow-day, you shall plow vp such ground as you finde
so tough, in the selfe-same manner as you did plow the blacke clay, and
so let it lye to baite till the frost haue seasoned it, and then sow it
accordingly. But if you haue no such tough land, but that it holdes it
owne proper nature, being so mixt with small stones and chaulke, that it
will breake in reasonable manner, then you shall stay till the latter
end of Ianuary, at what time, if the weather be seasonable, and
inclining to drynesse, you shall beginne to plow your Pease-earth, in
this manner: First, you shall cause your seedes-man to sow the land with
single casts, as was shewed vpon the blacke clay, with this caution,
that the greater your seede is, (that is, the more Beanes you sow) the
greater must be your quantitie: and being sowne, you shall bring your
plough, and beginning at the furrow of the land, you shall plow euery
furrow downeward vpon the Pease and Beanes: which is called sowing of
Pease vnder furrow: and in this manner you shall sow all your Pease and
Beanes, which is cleane contrary to your blacke clay. Besides, whereas
vpon the stiffe clay it is conuenient to take as large furrowes as you
please, vpon this kinde of gray clay you shall take as small furrowes as
is possible. Now the reason for this manner of plowing your Pease-earth,
is, because it is a light kinde of breaking earth, so that should it be
sowne according to the stiffe blacke clay, it would neuer couer your
Pease, but leaue them bare, both to be destroyed by the Fowles of the
ayre, and the bitternesse of the weather. As soone as your Pease and
Beanes are risen a fingers length aboue the earth, then if you finde
that any of your lands doe lye very rough, and that the clods be great,
it shall not be amisse, to take a payre of woodden Harrowes, and harrow
ouer all your rough lands, the benefit whereof is this, that it will
both breake the hard clots, and so giue those Pease leaue to sprout
through the earth, which before lay bound in and drowned, and also lay
your lands smooth and cleane, that the Mowers when they come to mowe
your Pease and Beanes, shall haue better worke, and mowe them with more
ease, and much better to the owners profit. For you must vnderstand that
where you sow Beanes, there it is euer more profit to mowe them with
Sythes, then to reape them with Hookes, and much sooner, and with lesse
charge performed. The limitation of time for this Ardor of earing, is
from the latter end of Ianuary vntill the beginning of March, not
forgetting this rule, that to sow your Pease and Beanes in a shower, so
it be no beating raine is most profitable: because they, as Wheat, take
delight in a fresh and a moyst mould.

{SN: Of sowing of Barley.}
After the beginning of March, you shall beginne to sow your Barley vpon
that ground which the yeere before did lye fallow, and is commonly
called your tilth, or fallow field: and if any part of it consist of
stiffe and tough ground, then you shall, vpon such ground, sow your
Barley vnder furrow, in such manner and fashion as I described vnto you
for the sowing of your stiffe blacke clay: but if it be (as for the most
part these gray and white clayes are) of a much lighter, and as it were,
fussie temper, then you shall first plow your land vpward, cleane and
well, without baukes or stiches: and hauing so plowed it, you shall then
sow it with Barley, that is to say, with double casts, I meane,
bestowing twise so many casts of Barley, as you would doe if you were to
sow it with Pease. And as soone as you haue sowne your Barley, you shall
take a payre of woodden Harrowes, and harrow it as small as is possible:
and this is called sowing aboue furrow.

{SN: Of sowing Oates.}
Now if you haue any land, which eyther through the badnesse of the
soyle, or for want of manure, is more barrayne, and hard to bring forth
then generally the rest of your land is, then you shall not bestow
Barley thereupon, but sow it with Oates, in such manner and fashion as
is appointed for the sowing of Pease, that is to say, if it be stiffe
ground you shall sow it aboue furrow, if it be light ground, then you
shall sow it vnder furrow, knowing this for a rule, that the barraynest
ground will euer beare indifferent Oates, but if the ground haue any
small hart, then it will beare Oates in great abundance: neither neede
you to be very precise for the oft plowing of your ground before you sow
your Oates, because Oates will grow very well if they be sowne vpon
reasonable ground, at the first plowing: whence it comes to passe that
many Husbandmen doe oft sow their Oates where they should sow their
Pease, and in the same manner as they doe sow their Pease, and it is
held for a rule of good husbandry also: because if the ground be held
any thing casuall for Pease, it is better to haue good Oates then
naughty Pease: besides, your Oates are both a necessary graine in the
house, as for Oate-meale, for the pot, for Puddings, and such like, and
also for the stable, for Prouender, and the feeding of all manner of
Poultry. The time for sowing of your Barley and Oates, is from from the
first of March till the first of Aprill, obseruing euer to sow your
Oates first, and your Barley after, for it being onely a Summer graine,
would participate as little as may be with any part of the Winter.

{SN: Of Fallowing.}
{SN: Of sleighting Barley.}
About the middest of Aprill you shall beginne to fallow that part of
your ground, which you entend shall take rest that yeere, and so become
your fallow or tilth-field. And in fallowing this gray or white clay,
you shall obserue all those rules and ceremonies, which are formerly
described for the fallowing of the stiffe blacke clay, knowing that
there is in this worke no difference betweene the blacke clay, and the
gray clay, but both to be plowed after one manner, that is to say, to
haue all the furrowes cast downeward, and the ridges of the lands laid
largely open, and of a good depth, onely the furrowes which you turne
vpon this gray clay must be much smaller and lesse then those which you
turne vpon your stiffe blacke clay, because this earth is more naturally
inclined to binde and cleaue together then that of the blacke clay. The
time for fallowing of this ground, is from the middest of Aprill vntill
the middest of May: at what time you shall perceiue your Barley to
appeare aboue the ground, so that then you shall beginne to sleight and
smooth it: but not with backe Harrowes, as was described for the blacke
clay, because this gray clay being not so fat and rich, but more
inclined to fastnesse and hardnesse, therefore it will not sunder and
breake so easily as the other: wherefore when you will smooth or sleight
this ground, you shall take a round piece of wood, being in compasse
about at least thirty inches, and in length sixe foote, hauing at each
end a strong pinne of Iron, to which making fast two small poales, by
which the horse shall draw, yet in such sort that the round piece of
wood may roule and turne about as the horse drawes it: and with this you
shall roule ouer all your Barley, and by the waight of the round piece
of wood bruise and breake all the hard clots asunder. This is called
amongst Husbandmen a Rouler, and is for this purpose of sleighting and
smoothing of grounds of great vse and profit. Now you shall vnderstand
that you must not at any time sleight or smooth your Corne, but after a
shower of Raine, for if the mould be not a little moistned the rouler
will not haue power to breake it.

Now for as much as this rouler is of so good vse and yet not generally
vsed in this kingdome, I thinke it not amisse to shew you the figure
thereof.

{Illustration: The great Rouler.}

As soone as you haue roulled ouer your Barley, & laid it so smooth as
you can with your rouler, if then you perceiue any hard clots, such as
the rouler cannot breake, then you shal send forth your seruants with
long clotting beetels, made broad and flat, and with them you shall
breake asunder all those hard clots, and so lay your Barley as smooth
and cleane as is possible: the profit whereof you shall both finde in
the multiplying of your Corne and also in the sauing of your sithes
from breaking, at such time as you shall come to mowe your Corne, and
gather in your Haruest.

{SN: Of Summer-stirring.}
{SN: Of weeding.}
{SN: Of stone gathering.}
Your Barley being thus laide smooth, you shall then follow your other
necessary businesses, as preparing of your fewell, and other needements
for houshould, vntill the beginning of Iune, at which time you shall
beginne to Summer-stirre your fallow field, which shalbe done in all
points after the same manner as you did Summer-stirre your blacke Clay,
that is to say, you shall beginne in the ridge of the land, and as when
you fallowed your land you turned your furrowes downeward, so now in
Summer-stirring, you shall turne your furrowes vpward and close the
ridge of you land againe. As soone as this Ardor is finished, or when
the vnseasonablenesse of the weather, as either too much wet, or too
much drynesse shall hinder you from Plowing, you shall then looke into
your Cornefields, that is to say: first into your Wheate and Rye field,
and if there you shall finde any store of weedes, as Thistell, Darnell,
Tare-Cockle, or such like, you shall with weede-hookes, or nippers of
woode, cut, or plucke them vp by the rootes; and also if you finde any
annoyance of stones, which hinders the growth of your Corne, as
generally it happens in this soyle, you shall then cause some Boyes and
Girles, or other waste persons, to gather them vp and lay them in heapes
at the lands ends, to be imployed either about the mending of high wayes
or other occasions, and for this purpose their is a generall custome in
most Villages, that euery houshoulder is bound to send out one seruant
to be imployed about this businesse: whence it comes to passe, that it
is called common worke, as being done at the generall charge of the
whole Parish. After you haue weeded your Wheate and Rye, you shall then
weede your Barley also, which being finished about the midst of Iuly,
you shall then beginne to looke into your medowes and to the preparing
of your Hay haruest.

{SN: Of foyling.}
Now at such time as either the vnseasonablenesse of the weather, or the
growth of your grasse shall hinder you from following that businesse of
Haruest, you shall then looke into your fallow or tilth field againe,
and whereas before at your Summer-stirring you Plowed your land vpward,
now you shall beginne to foile, that is to say, you shall cast your land
downe againe, and open the ridge: and this Ardor of all other Ardors you
must by no meanes neglect vpon the gray, white clay, because it being
most subiect vnto weede, and the hardest to bring to a fine mould, this
Ardor of all others, doth both consume the one and makes perfect the
other, and the drier season you doe foile your land in, the better it
is, and the more it doth breake and sunder the clots in pieces: for as
in Summer-stirring the greater clots you raise vp, and the rougher your
land lies the better it is, because it is a token of great store of
mould, so when you foile, the more you breake the clots in pieces the
better season will your land take, and the richer it wilbe when the
seede is sowne into it: And the season for the foiling of this soile is
from the midst of Iuly till the midst of September.

{SN: Of Manuring.}
Now albe I haue omitted the Manuring of this land in his due place, as
namely, from the midst of Aprill, till the end of May, yet you shall
vnderstand that of all other things it is not in any wise to be
neglected by the carefull Husbandman, both because the soyle being not
so rich as the blacke Clay, will very hardly bring forth his seede
without Manure, and also because it is for the most part subiect vnto
much wet, and stones, both which are signes of cold and barrainenesse.
Now for those Manures, which are best and most proper for this soile,
you shall vnderstand that all those which I formerlie described for the
blacke Claies, as namely, Oxe or Cowes dung, Horse dung and Sheepes
dung, are also very good for this soile, and to be vsed in the same
manner as is specified in the former Chapter: but if you haue not such
store of this Manure as will serue to compasse your whole land, you
shall then vnderstand, that the blacke mud, or durt which lies in the
bottome of olde ponds, or else standing lakes, is also a very good
manure for this soile, or else straw which is spread in high-wayes, and
so rotted by the great concourse or vse of much trauelling, and after in
the Spring-time shouelled vp in great heapes, is a good manure for this
earth: but if you finde this soile to be subiect to extraordinary wet
and coldnesse, you shall then know that the ashes eyther of wood, coale,
or straw, is a very good manure for it. But aboue all other, and then
which there is no manure more excellent for cold barraine clayes of this
nature, the Pigions dung, or the dung of houshold Pullen, as Capons,
Hennes, Chickens, Turkies, and such like, so there be no Goose-dung
amongst it, is the best of all other: but not to be vsed in such sort as
the other manures, that is to say, to be laid in great heapes vpon the
land, or to be spread from the Cart vpon the land, for neyther is there
such abundance of such manure to be gotten, nor if there were, it would
not be held for good husbandrie to make lauish hauocke of a thing so
precious.

{SN: The vse of Pigion or Pullen-dung.}
You shall then know that for the vse of Pigion or Pullen-dung, it is
thus: you shall first with your hand breake it as small as may be, and
then put it into the Hopper, in such sort as you put your corne when you
sow it: and then looke how you sow your corne, in such sort you shall
sow your Pigion or Pullen-dung: which done, you shall immediately put
your Barley into the same Hopper, and so sow it after the Pigions or
Pullen-dung: by which you are to vnderstand that this kinde of manuring
is to be vsed onely in Seede-time, and at no other season. This manure
is of the same nature that sheepes manure is, and doth last but onely
for one yeere, onely it is much hotter, as being in the greatest
extremitie of heate. Now if it happen that you cannot get any of this
Pigions or Pullen-dung, because it is scarce, and not in euery mans
power, if then you take Lime and sow it vpon your land in such sort as
is before said of the Pigions-dung, and then sow your corne after it,
you shall finde great profit to come thereon, especially in colde wet
soiles, such as for the most part, these gray white clayes are.

{SN: Of sowing Wheate.}
After your land is foild, which worke would be finished by the middest
of September, then you shall beginne to sow your Wheate, Rye, and
Maslin, which in all things must be done as is before set downe for the
blacke clay, the choice of seede, and euery obseruation being all one:
for Wheate not taking delight in a very rich ground, doth prosper best
vpon this indifferent soile. Whence it comes that in these gray white
clayes, you shall for the most part, see more Wheate sowne then any
other Graine whatsoeuer. But as touching your Rye and Maslin, that euer
desires a rich ground and a fine mould, and therefore you shall make
choise of your better earth for that Seede, and also obserue to helpe it
with manure, or else sheepes folding, in such manner as is described in
the former Chapter, where I spake of the sowing of Wheate, Rye, and
Maslin.

{SN: Of winter-ridging.}
As soone as you haue sowne your Wheate, Rye, and Maslin, you shall then
about the latter end of October, beginne to Winter ridge, or set vp your
land for the whole yeere: which you shall doe in all points, as you doe
vpon the blacke clay, without any change or alteration. And the
limitation for this Ardor is, from the latter end of October vntill the
beginning of December, wherein your yeeres worke is made perfect and
compleate.

{SN: Obseruations.}
Now you shall vnderstand, that although I haue in this generall sort
passed ouer the Ardors and seuerall Earings of this white or gray clay,
any of which are in no wise to be neglected: yet there are sundry other
obseruations to be held of the carefull Husbandman, especially in the
laying of his land: as thus, if the soile be of good temper, fruitfull,
drie, and of a well mixed mould, not being subiect to any naturall
spring or casting forth of moisture, but rather through the natiue
warmth drying vp all kinde of fluxes or colde moistures, neyther binding
or strangling the Seede, nor yet holding it in such loosenesse, that it
loose his force of increasing, in this case it is best to lay your
lands flat and leuell, without ridges or furrowes, as is done in many
parts of Cambridge-shire, some parts of Essex, and some parts of
Hartford-shire: but if the clay be fruitfull and of good temper, yet
either by the bordering of great hils, the ouer-flow of small brookes,
or some other casuall meanes it is subiect to much wet or drowning, in
this case you shall lay your lands large and high, with high ridges and
deepe furrowes, as generally you see in Lincolne-shire,
Nottingham-shire, Huntington-shire, and most of the middle Shires in
England. But if the land be barraine, colde, wet, subiect to much
binding, and doth bring forth great store of weedes, then you shall lay
your land in little stiches, that is to say, not aboue three or foure
furrowes at the most together, as is generally seene in Middlesex,
Hartford-shire, Kent and Surrey: for by that meanes neither shall the
land binde and choake the Corne, nor shall the weede so ouer-runne it,
but that the Husbandman may with good ease helpe to strengthen and
clense it, the many furrowes both giuing him many passages, whereby he
may correct those enormities, and also in such sort conuaying away the
water and other moistures, that there cannot be made any land more
fruitfull.

{SN: Of the Plough.}
Now to speake of the Plough which is best and most proper for this gray
or white clay, of which we now speake, you shall vnderstand that it
differeth exceeding much from that of which we spake concerning the
blacke clay: I, and in such sort, that there is but small alliance or
affinitie betweene them: as thus for example:

First, it is not so large and great as that for the blacke clay: for the
head thereof is not aboue twentie inches in length, and not aboue one
inch and a halfe in thicknesse, the maine beame thereof is not aboue
fiue foot long, & the rest is broader by an inch and more then that for
the blacke clay: this Plough also hath but one hale, & that is onely the
left hand Hale: for the Plough-staffe, or Aker-staffe serueth euer in
stead of the right hand Hale, so that the Rough-staues are fixed, the
vpper vnto the shelboard, and the neather vnto the Plough-rest, as for
your better vnderstanding you may perceiue by this figure.

{Illustration: The Plough with one Hale.}

Now you shall vnderstand that the especiall care which is to be held in
the making of this Plough, is, that it be wide and open in the hinder
part, that it may turne and lay the furrowes one vpon another: whereas
if it should be any thing straitned in the hinder part, considering that
this clay naturally is somewhat brittle of it selfe, and that the
furrowes which you plow must of necessitie be very narrow and little, it
were not possible so to lay them, but that they would fall downe backe
againe, and inforce the Plow-man to lose his labour. Also you shall
vnderstand that whereas in the former plough, which is for the blacke
clay, you may turne the shelboard, that is, when the one end is worne,
you may eftsoones turne the other, and make it serue the like season: in
this Plough you must neuer turne the shelboard, because the rising wing
of the Share will so defend it, that it will euer last as long as the
Plough-head, without change or turning.

Now for the Irons belonging vnto this Plough, which is the Share and
Coulture, there is more difference in them then in the Plough: for to
speake first of the Share, whereas the former Share for the blacke clay,
was made broad, plaine, and with a large wing, this Share must be made
narrow, sharpe, and small, with no wing at all, hauing from the vpper
part thereof, close by the shelboard, a certaine rising wing, or broad
piece of Iron, which comming vp and arming that part of the shelboard
which turnes ouer the land, defends the wood from the sharpe mould,
which hauing the mixture of pible stone in it, would otherwise in lesse
then one dayes worke consume the shelboard vnto nothing, forcing the
Plow-man to much trouble and double cost. The fashion of the Share is
presented in this Figure following.

{Illustration: The Share.}

This Share is onely made that it may take a small furrow, and so by
breaking the earth oftner then any other Share, causeth the land to
yeeld a good and plentifull mould, and also keepe it from binding or
choaking the seede when it is cast into it.

Now for the Coulture, it differeth from the former Coulture both in
breadth and thicknesse, but especially in compasse: for whereas the
former Coulture for the blacke clay, was made straight, narrow, and
thicke, this must be compassed like an halfe bent bow: it must be
broader then three fingers, and thinner then halfe an inche, according
to this Figure.

{Illustration: The Coulture.}

Now when these Irons, the Shelboard, and other implements are fixed vnto
the Plough, you shall perceiue that the Plough will carry the proportion
of this Figure following.

{Illustration: The Plough for the gray Clay.}

Hauing thus shewed you the substance, difference, and contraries of
these two Ploughs, which belong to these two seuerall clayes, the blacke
and gray, you shall vnderstand that there is no clay-ground whatsoeuer,
which is without other mixture, but one of these Ploughs will
sufficiently serue to eare and order it: for all clayes are of one of
these tempers.

{SN: The vse and handling.}
Now for the vse and manner of handling or holding this Plough, it
differeth nothing in particular obseruation from the vse and handling
of the Plough formerly described, more then in the largenesse and
smalnesse of the furrowes: for as before I said, whereas the blacke clay
must be raised with a great furrow, and a broad stitch, this gray clay
must be raised with a small furrow, and a narrow stitch: and although
this plough haue nothing but a left hand Hale, yet considering the
Plough-staffe, vpon which the Plow-man resteth his right hand, it is all
one as if he had a right. And indeede, to make your knowledge the more
perfect, you shall know that these gray clayes are generally in their
owne natures so wet, tough, and slimy, and doe so clogge, cleaue, and
choake vp the Plough, that hee which holds it shall haue enough to doe
with his right hand onely to clense and keepe the Plough from choaking,
insomuch that if there were another Hale, yet the Plow-man should haue
no leasure to hold it.

{SN: Of the draught or Teame.}
Now for the Draught or Teame which should draw this Plough, they ought
in all points, as well in strength as tryuing to be the same with those
before shewed for the vse of the blacke clay: as namely, eyther Oxen or
Horse, or Horse and Oxen mixt together, according to the custome of the
soile wherein the Plow-man liues, or his abilitie in prouision,
obseruing euer to keepe his number of beasts for his Plough certaine,
that is to say, for fallowing, and Pease-earth, neuer vnder sixe, and
for all other Ardors foure at the least. And thus much for the plowing
of this gray or white clay.




CHAP. VII.

_The manner of plowing the red-Sand, his Earings, Plough, and Implements._


Next vnto these Clayes, which are soiles simple and vncompound, as being
perfect in their owne natures, without the helpe of other mixtures, I
place the Sand soiles, as being of like qualitie, not borrowing any
thing but from their owne natures, nor breeding any defects more then
their owne naturall imperfections: and of Sands, sith the red Sand is
the best and most fruitfull, therefore it is fit that it take prioritie
of place, and be here first spoken of.

You shall then vnderstand that this red Sand, albeit it is the best of
Sands, yet it is the worst of many soiles, as being of it selfe of such
a hot and drie nature, that it scorcheth the seede, and dryeth vp that
nutriment and fatnesse which should occasion increase: whereby it comes
to passe, that the Barley which growes vpon this red Sand is euer more
yealow, leane and withered, then that which growes vpon the clayes or
other mixt earths. This Sand especially taketh delight in Rye, because
it is a Graine which loues warmth aboue all other, and yet
notwithstanding, if it be well ordered, manured and plowed, it will
bring forth good store of Barley, albeit the Barley be not so good as
Clay-Barley, either for the colour, or for the yeeld, whether it be in
meale or in Malt.

{SN: Of Fallowing.}
Now for the manner of Earing or plowing this redde Sand, it differeth
much from both the former soyles, insomuch that for your better
vnderstanding, I must in many places alter my former methode, yet so
little as may be, because I am loath to alter or clogge the memory of
the Reader: wherefore to pursue my purpose. As soone as Christmas is
ended, that is to say, about the middest of Ianuary, you shall goe with
your Plough into that field where the Haruest before did grow your Rye,
and there you shall in your plowing cast your lands downe-ward, and open
the ridges well, for this yeere it must be your fallow field: for as in
the former soiles, wee did diuide the fields either into three parts,
that is, one for Barley and Wheate, another for Pease, and the third
fallow, which is the best diuision: or into foure parts, that is, one
for Wheate and Rye, another for Barley, a third for Pease, and a fourth
fallow, which is the worst diuision and most toilesome, so in this red
Sand soile, we must euer diuide it into three parts, that is, one for
Barley, another for Rye, and a third fallow. For this Sand-soile being
hot, drie, and light, will neither bring forth good Beanes nor good
Pease, and therefore that Ardor is in this place but onely to be spoke
of by way of discourse in vrgent necessitie.

Wherefore (as before I said) about the middest of Ianuary you shall
beginne to lay fallow that field, where formerly did grow your Rye, the
manner of plowing whereof differeth nothing from the manner of plowing
the clayes before written of, onely that the discretion of the Plow-man
must thus farre forth gouerne him, that in as much as this soile is
lighter, dryer, and of a more loose temper, by so much the more he must
be carefull to make his furrowes lesse, and to lay them the closer
together: & also in as much as this soile, through his naturall warmth
and temperate moisture, is exceeding apt to bring forth much weede,
especially Brakes, Ling, Brambles, and such like, therefore the Plow-man
shall be very carefull to plow all his furrowes very cleane, without
baukes or other impediments by which may be ingendred any of these
inconueniences.

{SN: Of Spring-foyling.}
After you haue thus broke vp and fallowed your fallow or tilth-field,
the limitation of which time is from the middest of Ianuary vntill the
middest of February, you shall then at the middest of February, when the
clay-men begin to sow their Beanes and Pease, goe with your plough into
your other fallow-field, which all the yeere before hath laine fallow
and already receiued at your hands at least foure seuerall Ardors; as
Fallowing, Summer-stirring, Foyling, and Winter-rigging; and there you
shall plow all that field ouer the fift time, which is called the
Spring-foyling: and in this Ardor you shall plow all your lands vpward,
in such sort as when you Winter-ridge it, by which meanes you shall plow
vp all those weedes which haue sprung forth in the Winter season. For
you must vnderstand that in these light, hot, sandy soiles, there is a
continuall spring (though not of good fruits) yet of weeds, quicks, and
other inconueniences: for it is a rule amongst Husbandmen, that warme
soiles are neuer idle, that is, they are euer bringing forth something.

{SN: Of Sowing March-Rye.}
Now the limitation for this Ardor is from the middest of Februarie
vntill the middest of March, at which time you shall, by comparing
former experience with your present iudgement, take into your
consideration the state, goodnesse, and powerfulnesse of your land, I
meane especially of this fallow-field, which hath laine fallow the yeere
before, and hath now receiued fiue Ardors: and if you finde any part of
it, either for want of good ordoring in former times, or for want of
manure in the present yeere, to be growne so leane and out of hart, that
you feare it hath not strength enough to beare Barley, you shall then at
this time, being the middest of March, sow such land with Rye, which of
Husbandmen is called the sowing of March-Rye: and this Rye is to be
sowne and harrowed in such sort as you did sow it vpon the clay soiles,
that is to say, aboue furrow, and not vnder furrow, except the land be
very full of quickes, that is, of Brakes, Ling, Brambles, Dockes, or
such like, and then you shall first with a paire of Iron harrowes, that
is, with harrowes that haue Iron teeth, first of all harrow the land
ouer, and by that meanes teare vp by the rootes all those quickes, and
so bring them from the land: which done, you shall sow the land ouer
with Rye, and then plow it downeward which is vnder furrow: & as soone
as it is plowed, you shall then with a paire of Iron Harrowes harrow it
all ouer so exceedingly, that the mould may be made as fine, and the
land lie as smooth as is possible.

{SN: Of the harrow.}
Now because I haue in the former Chapters spoke of Harrowes and
harrowing, yet haue not deliuered vnto you the shape and proportion
thereof, and because both the woodden harrow and the Iron harrow haue
all one shape, and differ in nothing but the teeth onely, I thinke it
not amisse before I proceede any further to shew you in this Figure the
true shape of a right Harrow.

{Illustration: The Harrow.}

The parts of this Harrow consisteth of buls, staues, and teeth: of buls,
which are broad thicke pieces eyther of well seasoned Willow, or Sallow,
being at least three inches euery way square, into which are fastned the
teeth: of staues, which are round pieces of well seasoned Ash, being
about two inches and a halfe about, which going thorow the buls, holde
the buls firmely in equall distance one from the other: and of teeth,
which are either long pinnes of wood or Iron, being at least fiue
inches in length, which are made fast, and set slope-wise through the
buls.

{SN: The diuersitie of Harrowes.}
Now you shall vnderstand that Harrowes are of two kindes, that is,
single and double: the single Harrow is called of Husbandmen the
Horse-harrow, and is not aboue foure foote square: the double Harrow is
called the Oxe-harrow, and it must be at least seauen foote square, and
the teeth must euer be of Iron. Now whereas I spake of the Horse-harrow
and the Oxe-harrow, it is to be vnderstood that the single Harrow doth
belong to the Horse, because Horses drawing single, doe draw each a
seuerall Harrow by himselfe, albeit in the common vse of harrowing, we
couple two horses euer together, and so make them draw two single
Harrowes: but Oxen not being in good Husbandry to be separated, because
euer two must draw in one yoake, therefore was the double Harrow
deuised, containing in substance and worke as much as two single
Harrowes.

{SN: The vse of Harrowes.}
Now for the vse of Harrowes. The woodden Harrow which is the Harrow with
woodden teeth, is euer to be vsed vpon clay grounds and light grounds,
which through drynesse doth grow loose, and fals to mould of it owne
nature, as most commonly Sand grounds doe also: and the Iron Harrow
which is the Harrow with Iron teeth, is euer to be vsed vpon binding
grounds, such as through drynesse grow so hard that they will not be
sundered, and through wet turne soone to mire and loose durt. Now
whereas there be mingled earths, which neither willingly yeeld to mould,
nor yet bindes so sore, but small industry breaks it, of which earth I
shall speake hereafter, to such grounds the best Husbands vse a mixture,
that is to say, one woodden Harrow, and one Iron Harrow, that the
woodden Harrow turning ouer and loosening the loosest mould, the Iron
Harrow comming after, may breake the stiffer clots, and so consequently
turne all the earth to a fine mould. And thus much for Harrowes.

{SN: Of the sowing of Pulse.}
{SN: Of Pease, Lentles, and Lupines.}
Now to returne to my former purpose touching the tillage of this red
Sand: if (as before I said) you finde any part of your fallow-field too
weake to beare Barley, then is your March-Rye, a graine which will take
vpon a harder earth: but if the ground be too weake either for Barley or
Rye, (for both those Seedes desire some fatnesse of ground) then shall
you spare plowing it at all vntill this time of the yeere, which is
mid-March, and then you shall plow it, and sow it with either the
smallest Pease you can get, or else with our true English Fitches, which
by forraine Authors are called _Lentles_, that is, white Fitches, or
_Lupines_, which are red Fitches: for all these three sorts of Pulse
will grow vpon very barraine soiles, and in their growth doe manure and
make rich the ground: yet your Pease desire some hart of ground, your
_Lentles_, or white Fitches, lesse, and your _Lupines_, or red Fitches,
the least of all, as being apt to grow vpon the barrainest soile: so
likewise your Pease doe manure barraine ground well, your _Lentles_
better and your _Lupines_ the best of all.

Now for the nature and vse of these graines, the Pease as all Husbandmen
know, are both good for the vse of man in his bread, as are vsed in
Leicester-shire, Lincolne-shire, Nottingham-shire, and many other
Countries: and also for Horses in their Prouender, as is vsed generally
ouer all England: for _Lentles_, or white Fitches, or the _Lupines_
which are redde Fitches, they are both indifferent good in bread for
man, especially if the meale be well scalded before it be knodden (for
otherwise the sauour is exceeding rancke) or else they are a very good
foode being sodden in the manner of Leaps-Pease, especially at Sea, in
long iourneyes where fresh meate is most exceeding scarce: so that
rather then your land should lye idle, and bring forth no profit, I
conclude it best to sow these Pulses, which both bring forth commoditie,
and also out of their owne natures doe manure and inrich your ground,
making it more apt and fit to receiue much better Seede.

For the manner of sowing these three sorts of Pulse: you shall sow them
euer vnder furrow, in such sort as is described for the sowing of Pease
and Beanes vpon the white or gray clay which is of indifferent drinesse
and apt to breake.

{SN: Of Manuring.}
Now the limitation for this Ardor or seede time, is from the middest of
March, till the middest of Aprill: then from the middest of Aprill, till
the middest of May, you shall make your especiall worke, to be onely the
leading forth of your Manure to that field which you did fallow, or lay
tilth that present yeere immediatelie after Christmas, and of which I
first spake in this Chapter. And herein is to be vnderstood, that the
best and principallest Manure for this redde-sand, is the ouldest Manure
of beasts which can be-gotten, which you shall know by the exceeding
blacknesse and rottennesse thereof, being in the cutting both soft and
smooth, all of one substance, as if it were well compact morter, without
any shew of straw or other stuffe which is vnrotted, for this dung is of
all the fattest and coolest, and doth best agree with the nature of this
hot sand. Next to the dung of beasts, is the dung of Horses if it be old
also, otherwise it is somewhat of the hottest, the rubbish of old
houses, or the sweepings of flowres, or the scowrings of old Fish-ponds,
or other standing waters where beasts and horses are vsed to drinke, or
be washt, or wherevnto the water and moisture of dunghills haue recourse
are all good Manures for this redde-sand: as for the Manure of Sheepe
vpon this redde-sand, it is the best of all in such places as you meane
to sow Rie, but not fully so good where you doe intend to sow your
Barley: if it be a cold moist redde-sand (which is seldome found but in
some particular low countries) then it doth not amisse to Manure it most
with Sheepe, or else with Chaulke, Lime, or Ashes, of which you can get
the greatest plentie: if this soile be subiect to much weede and
quickes, as generally it is, then after you haue torne vp the weedes and
quickes with Harrowes, you shall with rakes, rake them together, and
laying them in heapes vpon the land, you shall burne them and then
spreading the ashes they will be a very good Manure, and in short space
destroy the weedes also; likewise if your land be much ouergrowne with
weedes, if when you sheare your Rie you leaue a good long stubble, and
then mowing the stubble burne it vpon the land, it is both a good Manure
and also a good meanes to destroy the weedes.

{SN: Of sowing Barley.}
After your Manure is lead forth and either spread vpon the lands, or set
in great heapes, so as the land may be couered ouer with Manure (for it
is to be obserued that this soile must be throughly Manured) then about
the middest of May, which is the time when this worke should be
finished, you shall repaire with your Plough into the other fallow
field, which was prepared the yeere before for this yeeres Barley, &
there you shall sow it all ouer with Barley aboue furrow, that is to
say, you shall first Plough it, then sow it, and after Harrow it, making
the mould as fine and smooth as may be, which is done with easie labour,
because this sand of it owne nature is as fine as ashes.

{SN: Of Summer-stirring.}
{SN: Of sleighting.}
Now the limitation for this seede time, is from the middest of May, till
the middest of Iune, wherein if any man demand why it should not be
sowne in March and Aprill, according as it is sowne in the former
soiles, I answere, that first this redde-sand cannot be prepared, or
receiue his full season in weather, and earings, before this time of the
yeere, and next that these redde-sands, by how much they are hotter and
drier then the other claies, by so much they may wel stay the longer
before they receiue their seede, because that so much the sooner the
seede doth sprout in them, & also the sooner ripen being kept warmer at
the roote then in any could soile whatsoeuer. As soone as the middest of
Iune approacheth, you shall then beginne to Summer-stirre your fallow
field, and to turne your Manure into your land, in such sort as you did
vpon your clay soiles, for this Ardor of Summer-stirring altereth in no
soile, and this must be done from the middest of Iune, till the middest
of Iuly, for as touching sleighting, clotting, or smoothing of this
Barley field, it is seldome in vse, because the finenesse of the sand
will lay the land smooth inough without sleighting: yet if you finde
that any particular land lieth more rough then the rest, it shall not be
amisse, if with your backe Harrowes you smooth it a little within a day
or two after it is sowne.

{SN: Of Foiling.}
{SN: Of sowing Rye.}
From the middest of Iuly vntill the middest of August, you shall foile
and throw downe your fallow field againe, if your lands lie well and in
good order, but if any of your lands doe lie in the danger of water, or
by vse of Plowing are growne too flat, both which are hinderances to the
growth of Corne, then when you foile your lands you shall Plow them
vpward, and so by that meanes raise the ridges one furrow higher. After
you haue foiled your land, which must be about the middest of August,
then will your Barley be ready to mowe, for these hot soiles haue euer
an earely haruest, which as soone as it is mowne and carried into the
Barne, forthwith you shall with all expedition carry forth such Manure
as you may conueniently spare, and lay it vpon that land from whence you
receiued your Barley, which is most barraine: and if you want cart
Manure, you shall then lay your fould of Sheepe thereupon, and as soone
as it is Manured, you shall immediately Plow both it & the rest, which
Ardor should be finished by the middest of September, and so suffered to
rest vntill the beginning of October, at which time you shall beginne to
sow all that field ouer with Rye in such sort as hath beene spoken of in
former places.

{SN: Obiection.}
Now in as much as the ignorant Husbandman may very easiely imagine that
I reckon vp his labours too thicke, and therein leaue him no leasure for
his necessarie businesses, especially because I appoint him to foile his
land from the middest of Iuly, till the middest of August, which is both
a busie time for his Hay haruest, and also for his Rye shearing.

{SN: Answere.}
To this I make answere, that I write not according to that which poore
men are able (for it were infinit to looke into estates) but according
as euery good Husband ought, presupposing that he which will liue by the
Plough, ought to pursue all things belonging vnto the Plough, and then
he shall finde that there is no day in the yeere, but the Saboth, but it
is necessarie that the Plough be going: yet to reconcile the poore and
the rich together, they shall vnterstand, that when I speake of Plowing
in the time of Haruest, I doe not meane that they should neglect any
part of that principall Worke, which is the true recompence of their
labour: but because whilst the dew is vpon the ground, or when there is
either raine or mizling there is then no time for Haruest Worke, then my
meaning is that the carefull Husbandman shall take those aduantages, and
rising earelier in the mornings, be sure to be at his Plough two howers
before the dew be from the ground, knowing that the getting but of one
hower in the day compasseth a great worke in a month, neither shall hee
neede to feare the ouer toiling of his cattell, sith at that time of the
yeere Grasse being at greatest plenty, strongest and fullest of hart,
Corne scattered almost in euery corner, and the mouth of the beast not
being muzeld in his labour, there is no question but he will indure and
worke more then at any other season.

{SN: Of Winter ridging.}
In the beginning of Nouember, you shall beginne to Winter-ridge your
fallow, or tilth-field, which in all points shalbe done according to the
forme described in the former soiles: for that Ardor of all other neuer
altereth, because it is as it were a defence against the latter spring,
which else would fill the lands full of weedes, and also against the
rigor of Winter, and therefore it doth lay vp the furrow close together,
which taking the season of the frost, winde, and weather makes the mould
ripe, mellow, and light: and the limitation for this Ardor, is from the
beginning of Nouember, vntill the middest of December.

{SN: Of the Plough.}
{SN: Of the coulture.}
Now as touching the Plough which is best and most proper for this
redde-sand, it differeth nothing in shape and composure of members from
that Plough which is described for the blacke Clay, hauing necessarily
two hales, because the ground being loose and light, the Plough will
with great difficulty hold land, but with the least disorder be euer
ready to runne into the furrow, so that a right hand hale is most
necessarie for the houlding of the plough euen, onely the difference of
the two Ploughes consisteth in this, that the plough for this red-sand,
must be much lesse then the plough for the blacke Clay houlding in the
sizes of the timber the due proportion of the plough for the white or
gray clay, or if it be somewhat lesse it is not amisse, as the head
being eighteene inches, the maine beame not aboue foure foote, and
betweene the hinder part of the rest, and the out-most part of the
plough head in the hinder end not aboue eight inches. Now for the
Plough-Irons which doe belong vnto this plough, the Coulture is to be
made circular, in such proportion as the coulture for the gray, or white
clay, and in the placing, or tempering vpon the Plough it is to be set
an inch at least lower then the share, that it may both make way before
the share, and also cut deeper into the land, to make the furrow haue
more easie turning.

{SN: Of the share.}
Now for the share, it differeth in shape from both the former shares,
for it is neither so large nor out-winged, as that for the gray Clay,
for this share is onely made broad to the Plough ward, and small to the
point of the share, with onely a little peake and no wing according to
this figure.

{Illustration: The share.}

{SN: Of the plough-slip.}
These Plough-irons, both coulture and share, must be well steeled and
hardned at the points, because these sandy soiles being full of moisture
and greete, will in short space weare and consume the Irons, to the
great hinderance and cost of the Husbandman, if it be not preuented by
steele and hardning, which notwithstanding will waste also in these
soiles, so that you must at least twise in euery Ardor haue your Irons
to the Smith, and cause him to repaire them both with Iron and steele,
besides these Irons, of coulture and share, you must also haue a long
piece of Iron, which must be iust of the length of the Plough head, and
as broad as the Plough head is thicke, and in thicknesse a quarter of an
inch: and this piece of Iron must be nailed vpon the outside of the
Plough head, next vnto the land, onely to saue the Plough head from
wearing, for when the Plough is worne it can then no longer hould the
land, and this piece of Iron is called of Husbandmen the Plough-slip and
presenteth this figure.

{Illustration: The Plough-slip.}

{SN: Of Plough clouts.}
Ouer and besides this Plough-slip, their are certaine other pieces of
Iron which are made in the fashion of broad thinne plates, and they be
called Plough clouts, and are to be nailed vpon the shelboard, to defend
it from the earth or furrow which it turneth ouer, which in very short
space would weare the woode and put the Husbandman to double charge.

{SN: The houlding of the Plough.}
Thus hauing shewed you the parts, members, and implements, belonging to
this Plough, it rests that I proceede vnto the teame or draught: for to
speake of the vse and handling of this Plough, it is needelesse, because
it is all one with those Ploughes, of which I haue spoken in the former
Chapters, and he which can hould and handle a Plough in stiffe clayes
must needes (except he be exceeding simple) hould a Plough in these
light sands, in as much as the worke is much more easie and the Plough a
great deale lesse chargeable.

{SN: Of the draught.}
Now for the Draught or Teame, they ought to be as in the former Soiles,
Oxen or Horses, yet the number not so great: for foure Beasts are
sufficient to plow any Ardor vpon this soile, nay, three Horses if they
be of reasenable strength will doe as much as sixe vpon either of the
Clay-soiles: asfor their attire or Harnessing, the Beare-geares, before
described, are the best and most proper. And thus much concerning this
red Sand, wherein you are to take this briefe obseruation with you, that
the Graines which are best to be sowne vpon it, are onely Rye, Barley,
small Pease, _Lentles_ and _Lupines_, otherwise called Fitches, and the
graines to which it is aduerse, are Wheat, Beanes and Maslin.




CHAP. VIII.

_The manner of plowing the white Sand, his Earings, Plough, and
Implements._


Next vnto this red Sand, is the white sand, which is much more barraine
then the red Sand, yet by the industry of the Husbandman in plowing, and
by the cost of Manure it is made to beare corne in reasonable plentie.
Now of white Sands there be two kindes, the one a white Sand mixt with a
kinde of Marle, as that in Norffolke, Suffolke, and other such like
places butting vpon the Sea-coast: the other a white Sand with Pible, as
in some parts of Surrey, about Ancaster in Lincolne shire, and about
Salisbury in Wil-shire.

{SN: Of the white Sand with Pible.}
Now for this white Sand with Pible, it is the barrainest, and least
fruitfull in bringing forth, because it hath nothing but a hot dustie
substance in it. For the manner of Earing thereof, it agreeth in all
points with the redde Sand, the Ardors being all one, the Tempers,
Manurings and all other appurtenances: the Seede also which it delights
in is all one with the red Sand, as namely, Rye, Barley, Pease and
Fitches. Wherefore who so shall dwell vpon such a soile, I must referre
him to the former Chapter of the red Sand, and therein he shall finde
sufficient instruction how to behaue himselfe vpon this earth:
remembring that in as much as it is more barraine then the red Sand, by
so much it craueth more care and cost, both in plowing and manuring
thereof, which two labours onely make perfect the ill ground.

{SN: Of the white Sand with Marle.}
Now for the white Sand which hath as it were a certaine mixture, or
nature of Marle in it, you shall vnderstand that albeit vnto the eye it
be more dry and dustie then the red Sand, yet it is fully as rich as the
red Sand: for albe it doe not beare Barley in as great plenty as the red
Sand, yet it beareth Wheate abundantly, which the red Sand seldome or
very hardly bringeth forth.

{SN: Of Fallowing.}
Wherefore to proceede to the Earings or tillage of this white Marly
sand, you shall vnderstand that about the middest of Ianuary is fit time
to beginne to fallow your field which shall be tilth and rest for this
yeere: wherein by the way, before I proceede further, you shall take
this obseruation with you, that whereas in the former soiles I diuided
the fields into three & foure parts, this soile cannot conueniently, if
it be well husbanded, be diuided into any more parts then two, that is
to say, a fallow field, and a Wheat-field: in which Wheate-field if you
haue any land richer then other, you may bestow Barley vpon it, vpon the
second you may bestow Wheat, vpon the third sort of ground Rye, and vpon
the barrainest, Pease or Fitches: and yet all these must be sowne within
one field, because in this white sand, Wheate and Rye will not grow
after Barley or Pease, nor Barley and Pease after Wheate or Rye. Your
fields being then diuided into two parts, that is, one for corne, the
other for rest, you shall as before I said, about the middest of Ianuary
beginne to fallow your Tith-field, which in all obseruations you shall
doe according as is mentioned for the red sand.

{SN: Of sowing Pease.}
About the middest of March, if you haue any barraine or wasted ground
within your fallow field, or if you haue any occasion to breake vp any
new ground, which hath not beene formerly broake vp, in eyther of these
cases you shall sow Pease or Fitches thereupon, and those Pease or
Fitches you shall sow vnder furrow as hath beene before described.

{SN: Of Spring-fallowing.}
About the middest of Aprill you shall plow your fallow-field ouer
againe, in such manner as you plowed when you fallowed it first: and
this is called Spring-fallowing, and is of great benefit because at that
time the weedes and quickes beginning to spring, nay, to flowrish, by
reason that the heate of the climbe puts them forth sooner then in other
soyles, if they should not be plowed vp before they take too strong
roote, they would not onely ouer-runne, but also eate out the hart of
the Land.

{SN: Of sowing Barley.}
About the middest of May you shall beginne to sow your Barley vpon the
richest part of your old fallow-field, which at the Michaelmas before,
when you did sow your Wheate, and Rye, and Maslin, you did reserue for
that purpose: and this Barley you shall sow in such sort as is mentioned
in the former Chapter of the red Sand, in so much that this Ardor being
finished, which is the last part of your Seede-time, your whole field
shall be furnished eyther with Wheate, if it hold a temperate fatnesse,
or with Wheate and Barley, if it be rich and richer, or with Wheate,
Barley and Pulse, if it be rich, poore or extreame barraine: and the
manner of sowing all these seuerall seedes is described in the Chapters
going before.

{SN: Of Summer-stirring.}
About the middest of Iune you shall beginne to Summer-stirre your
fallow-field, in such sort as was spoken of in the former Chapters
concerning the other soiles: for in this Ardor there is no alteration of
methode, but onely in gouernment of the Plough, considering the
heauinesse and lightnesse of the earth. During this Ardor you shall
busily apply your labour in leading forth your Manure, for it may at
great ease be done both at one season, neyther the Plough hindering the
Cart, nor the Cart staying the Plough: for this soile being more light
and easie in worke then any other soile whatsoeuer, doth euer preserue
so many Cattell for other imployment that both workes may goe forward
together, as shall be shewed when wee come to speake of the Plough, and
the Teame which drawes it.

{SN: Of Manuring.}
Now as touching the Manures most fit for this soyle, they be all those
of which we haue formerly written, ashes onely excepted, which being of
an hot nature doe scald the Seede, and detaine it from all
fruitfulnesse, being mixt with this hot soile, so is likewise Lyme, and
the burning of stubble: other Manures are both good and occasion much
fertilitie, as being of a binding and coole nature, and holding together
that loosenesse which in his too much separation taketh all nutriment
from the earth.

{SN: Of Weeding.}
After you haue ledde forth your Manure, and Summer-stird your Land, you
shall then about the beginning of Iulie looke into your Corne-field, and
if you perceiue any Thistles, or any other superfluous weedes to annoy
your Corne, you shall then (as is before said) either cut, or plucke
them vp by the rootes.

{SN: Of Foyling.}
About the middest of August you shall beginne to foile or cast downe
your fallow-field againe, and in that Ardor you shall be very carefull
to plow cleane and leaue no weedes vncut vp: for in these hot soiles if
any weedes be left with the least roote, so that they may knit and bring
forth seede, the annoyance thereof will remaine for at least foure
yeeres after, which is a double fallowing. And to the end that you may
cut vp all such weedes cleane, although both your Share and Coulture
misse them, you shall haue the rest of your Plough in the vnder part
which strokes alongst the earth filled all full of dragges of Iron, that
is, of olde crooked nailes or great tenter-hookes, such as vpon the
putting downe of your right hand when you come neere a weed shall catch
hold thereof and teare it vp by the rootes, as at this day is vsed be
many particular Husbands in this kingdome, whose cares, skils, and
industries are not inferiour to the best whatsoeuer.

{SN: Of Sowing Wheate and Rye.}
{SN: The choise of Seede.}
About the middest of September, you shall beginne to sow your Wheate and
Rye vpon your fallow field, which Graine vpon this soile is to be
reckoned the most principall: and you shall sow it in the same manner
that is described in the former Chapters, wherein your especiallest care
is the choise of your seede: for in this soile your whole-straw Wheate,
nor your great Pollard taketh any delight, neither your Organe, for all
those three must haue a firme and a strong mould: but your
Chilter-wheate, your Flaxen-wheate, your White-pollard, and your
Red-wheate, which are the Wheates which yeeld the purest and finest
meale, (although they grow not in so great abundance) are the seedes
which are most proper and naturall for this soile. As for Rye or Maslin,
according to the goodnesse of the ground so you shall bestow your seede:
for it is a generall rule, that wheresoeuer your Wheate growes, there
will euer Rye grow, but Rye will many times grow where Wheate will not
prosper; and therefore for the sowing of your Rye, it must be according
to the temper of the earth, and the necessitie of your houshold: for
Wheate being a richer graine then Rye, if you be assured that your
ground will beare Wheate well, it is small Husbandrie to sow more Rye or
Maslin then for your house: but if it be too hot for Wheate, and kindly
for Rye, then it is better to haue good Rye, then ill Wheate. Now for
the sowing of your Rye or Maslin in this soile, it differeth nothing
from the former soiles, either in plowing or any other obseruation, that
is to say, it must be plowed aboue furrow: for Rye being the most tender
graine, it can neither abide the waight of earth, nor yet moisture; the
one, as it were, burying, and the other drowning the vigour and strength
of the seede.

{SN: Of Winter-ridging.}
About the beginning of Nouember you shall Winter-ridge your fallow
field, I meane that part which you doe preserue for Barley (for the
other part is furnished with seede) and this Winter-ridging differeth
nothing from the Winter ridging of other soiles, onely you shall a
little more precisely obserue to set vp your lands more straight and
high then in other soiles, both to defend them from wet, which this
soile is much subiect vnto, because commonly some great riuer is neare
it, and also for the preseruing of the strength and goodnesse of the
Manure within the land which by lying open and vnclosed would soone be
washt forth and consumed.

{SN: Of the clensing of lands, or drawing of water-furrowes.}
Now sith I haue here occasion to speake something of the draining of
lands, and the keeping of them from the annoyance of superfluous wet,
whether it be by invndation or otherwise, you shall vnderstand that it
is the especiall office and dutie of euery good Husbandman, not onely in
this soile, but in all other whatsoeuer, to haue a principall respect to
the keeping of his land dry, and to that end hee shall diligently (as
soone as he hath Winter-rigged his land) take a carefull view how his
lands lie, which way the descent goes from whence annoyance or water may
possibly come, and so consequently from those obseruations, with a Spade
or strong Plough, of extraordinary greatnesse, draw certaine deepe
furrowes from descent vnto descent, by which meanes all the water may be
conuayed from his lands, eyther into some common Sewer, Lake, Brooke, or
other maine Riuer: and to this end it is both a rule in the common Lawes
of our Land, and a laudable custome in the Common-wealth of euery Towne,
that for as much as many Townes haue their lands lie in common, that is
to say, mixed neighbour with neighbour, few or none hauing aboue two or
three lands at the most lying together in one place, therefore euery man
shall ioyne, and make their water-furrowes one from another, vntill such
time as the water be conuayed into some common issue, as well hee whose
lands be without all danger, as he that is troubled with the greatest
annoyance, and herein euery one shall beare his particular charge: which
is an Act of great vertue and goodnesse.

{SN: Of the Plough.}
Now for the Plough which is to plow this white sand it doth differ
nothing in size, proportion, and vse of handling from the Plough
described for the red Sand, onely it hath one addition more, that is to
say, at the further end of the maine Beame of the Plough, where you
fixe your Plough-foote, there you shall place a little paire of round
wheeles, which bearing the Beame vpon a loose mouing Axletree, being
iust the length of two furrows and no more, doth so certainly guide the
Plough in his true furrow that it can neither lose the land by swaruing
(as in these light soiles euery Plough is apt to doe) nor take too much
land, eyther by the greedinesse of the plough or sharpnesse of the
Irons, neither can it drownd through the easie lightnesse of the earth,
nor runne too shallow through the fussinesse of the mould, but the
wheeles being made of a true proportion, which should not be aboue
twelue inches from the centre, the Plough with a reasonable hand of
gouernment shall runne in a direct and euen furrow: the proportion of
which Plough is contained in this Figure.

{Illustration: The Plough with Wheeles.}

This plough of all others I hold to be most ancient, and as being the
modell of the first inuention, and at this day is preserued both in
France, Germany, & Italy, and no other proportion of Ploughes knowne,
both as we perceiue by our experience in seeing them plow, & also by
reading of their writings: for neither in _Virgil_, _Columella_,
_Xenophon_, nor any olde Writer: nor in _Heresbachius_, _Steuens_, nor
_Libault_, being later Writers, finde wee any other Plough bequeathed
vnto our memories. Yet it is most certaine, that in many of our English
soiles, this Plough is of little profit, as we finde by daily experience
both in our clayes, and many of our mixt earths: for in truth this
Plough is but onely for light, sandy, or grauelly soiles, as for the
most part these forraine Countries are, especially about the sea-coast,
or the borders of great Cities, from whence these Writers most generally
tooke the presidents for their writings.

{SN: Of the plough-Irons.}
Now for the parts of this Plough, it consisteth of the same members
which the former Ploughs doe, onely that in stead of the Plough-foote it
hath a paire of wheeles. It hath also but one Hale, in such sort as the
Plough for the gray or white clay. The beame also of this Plough is much
more straight then the former, by which meanes the Skeath is not full so
long. The Irons belonging vnto this Plough are of the fashion of the
former Irons, onely they be somewhat lesse, that is to say, the Coulture
is not so long, neyther so full bent as that for the red Sand, nor so
straight as that for the blacke clay, but as it were holding a meane
betweene both: so likewise the Share is not fully so broad as that for
the red sand, nor so narrow as that for the gray clay, but holds as it
were a middle size betweene both, somewhat leaning in proportion to the
shape of that for the blacke clay. As for the Plough-slip,
Plough-clouts, and other implements which are to defend the wood from
the hardnesse of the earth, they are the same, and in the same wise to
be vsed as those for the red Sand.

{SN: Of the draught.}
Now for the Draught or Teame which drawes this Plough, they are as in
all other Draughts, Oxen or Horses, but for the number thereof they
differ much from those which are formerly written of: for you shall
vnderstand that in this white sandy soile, which is of all soiles the
lightest, eyther two good Horses, or two good Oxen are a number
sufficient to plow any Ardor vpon this soile whatsoeuer, as by daily
experience we may see in those countries whose soile consists of this
white light Sand, of which wee haue now written: neyther shall the
Plow-man vpon this soile neede any person to driue or order his Plough
more then himselfe: for the soile being so light and easie to cut, the
Plough so nimble, and the Cattell so few and so neare him, hauing euer
his right hand at libertie (because his plough hath but onely a left
hand Hale) he hath liberty euer to carry a goade or whip in his right
hand, to quicken and set forward his Cattell, and also a line which
being fastned to the heads of the Beasts, hee may with it euer when hee
comes to the lands end, stop them and turne them vpon which hand he
pleases. And thus much for the tillage and ordering of this white Sand.




CHAP. IX.

_The manner of plowing the Grauell with Pible stones, or the Grauell with
Flint, their Earings, Plough, and implements._


Hauing in the plainest manner I can written sufficiently already of the
foure simple and vncompounded soiles, to wit, two Clayes, blacke and
gray, and two Sands, red and white, it now rests that I also giue you
some perfect touch or taste of the mixt or compounded soiles, as namely,
the grauell which is a kinde of hard sand, clay and stone mixt together:
and of Grauels there be two kindes, that is to say, one that is mixt
with little small Pible stones, as in many parts of Middlesex, Kent, and
Surry: and the Grauell mixt with broad Flints, as in many parts of
Hartford-shire, Essex, and sundry such places. These Grauels are both,
in generall, subiect to much barrainnesse, especially if they be
accompanied with any extraordinary moisture, yet with the good labour of
plowing, and with the cost of much Manure, they are brought to
reasonable fruitfulnesse, where it comes to passe that the Plow-man
which is master of such a soile, if either he liue not neare some Citie
or Market-towne, where great store of Manure, by the concourse of
people, is daily bred, and so consequently is very cheape, or else haue
not in his owne store and breede, meanes to raise good store of Manure,
hee shall seldome thriue and prosper thereupon. Now although in these
grauell soiles there is a diuersity of mixture, as the one mingled with
small Pibles, which indeede is the worst mixture, the other with broad
Flints, which is the better signe of fruitfulnesse: yet in their order
of tillage or Earings, in their weeding and cleansing, and in all other
ardors and obseruations, they differ nothing at all, the beginning and
ending of each seuerall worke being all one.

Now for the manner of worke belonging vnto these two soiles, it altereth
in no respect nor obseruation eyther in Plough, plowing, manuring,
weeding, or any other thing whatsoeuer, from that of the white sand, the
same times of the yeere, the same Seedes, and the same Earings being
euer to be obserued, wherefore it shall be needlesse to write so amply
of these soiles as of the former, because being all one with the white
Sand, without alteration, it were but to write one thing twice, and
therefore I referre the Reader to the former Chapter, and also the
Husbandman that shall liue vpon either of these soiles, onely with these
few caueats: First, that for the laying his lands, hee shall lay them in
little small stitches, that is, not hauing aboue foure furrowes laid
together, as it were for one land, in such sort as you see in
Hartford-shire, Essex, Middlesex, Kent and Surry: for this soile being
for the most part subiect to much moisture and hardnesse, if it should
be laid in great lands, according to the manner of the North parts, it
would ouer-burden, choake and confound the seed which is throwne into
it. Secondly, you shall not goe about to gather off the stones which
seeme as it were to couer the lands, both because the labour is infinite
and impossible, as also because those stones are of good vse, and as it
were a certaine Manuring and helpe vnto the ground: for the nature of
this Grauell being colde and moist, these stones doe in the winter time,
defend and keepe the sharpnesse of the Frosts and bleake windes from
killing the heart or roote of the seedes, and also in the Summer it
defends the scorching heate of the Sunne from parching and drying vp the
Seede, which in this grauelly soile doth not lie so well couered, as in
other soyles, especially if this kinde of earth be inuironed with any
great hils (as most commonly it is) the reflection whereof makes the
heate much more violent. And lastly, to obserue that there is no manure
better or more kindly for this kinde of earth then Chaulke, white Marle,
or Lyme: for all other matters whatsoeuer the former Chapter of the
white Sand, will giue you sufficient instructions.




CHAP. X.

_The manner of plowing the blacke Clay mixt with red Sand, and the white
Clay mixt with white Sand, their Earings, Plough and Implements._


Next to these grauelly soiles, there be also two other compounded
earths, as namely, the blacke Clay mixt with red Sand, and the white
Clay mixt with white sand, which albe they differ in composition of
mould, yet they hold one nature in their Tillage and Husbandry:
wherefore first to speake of the blacke Clay mixt with red Sand, which
(as before I said) is called of Husbandmen an hassell earth, you shall
vnderstand that it is a very rich and good soile, very fruitfull both
for Corne and Grasse: for Corne, being apt to beare any seede
whatsoeuer: and for Grasse, as naturally putting it forth very earely in
the yeere, by which your Cattell shall get reliefe sooner then in other
soiles of colder nature: for both the blacke and white claies doe
seldome flowrish with any store of Grasse before Iune, which is the
time of wood-seare, and this soile will boast of some plenty about the
beginning of Aprill at the furthest: but for Grasse we shall speake in
his proper place.

{SN: Of fallowing.}
Now for his tillage it is thus: you shall about the middest of Ianuary,
beginne to fallow that field which you intend that yeere shall lye at
rest or tilth, and you shall fallow it in such sort as is specified in
the Chapter of the blacke clay: onely you shall raise small furrowes and
Plow the land cleane, being sure to open and cast the land downeward if
the land lie high and round, otherwise you shall neuer at any time cast
the land downe but ridge it vp, that is to say, when you fallow it, you
shall cast the first furrow downeward, and so likewise the second, which
two furrowes being cleane ploughed, will lay the land open inough, that
is, there wilbe no part of the ridge vnploughed: which done, by changing
your hand and the gate of your Plough, you shall plough those furrowes
backe againe and lay them vpward, and so plough the whole land vpward,
also laying it round and high: the reason for this manner of plowing
being this, that for as much as this land being mixt of clay and sand,
must needes be a sore binding land, therefore if it should be laid flat,
if any great raine or wet should fall, and a present drought follow it,
neither should you possibly force your Plough to enter into it and
breake it, or being broken should you get so much mould as to couer your
Corne and giue the seede comfort, whereas vpon the contrary part, if it
be laid high and vpright, it must necessarily be laid hollow and light,
in so much that you may both Plough it at your pleasure, and also beget
so perfect a mould as any other soile whatsoeuer, both because the wet
hath liberty to auoide through the hollownesse, and also because the
Sunne and weather hath power to enter and season it, wherefore in
conclusion you shall fallow this field downeward if it lye high and
vpright, otherwise you shall fallow it vpward as the meanes to bring it
to the best Ardor.

Now for this fallow field it must euer be made where the yeere before
you did reape your Pease, in case you haue but three fields, or where
you did reape your Wheate, Rye, and Maslin, in case you haue foure
fields, according to the manner of the blacke clay.

{SN: Of sowing Pease.}
About the middest of February, which is within a day or two of Saint
_Valentines_ day, if the season be any thing constant in fairenesse and
drinesse, you shall then beginne to sow your Pease, for you must
vnderstand that albeit this soile will beare Beanes, yet they are
nothing so naturall for it as Pease, both because they are an hungry
seede and doe much impaire and wast the ground, and also because they
prosper best in a fat, loose, and tough earth, which is contrary to this
hard and drie soile: but especially if you haue foure fields, you shall
forbeare to sow any Beanes at all, least you loose two commodities, that
is, both quantitie of graine (because Beanes are not so long and
fruitfull vpon this earth, as vpon the clayes) and the Manuring of your
ground, which Pease out of their owne natures doe, both by the
smoothering of the ground and their owne fatnesse, when your Beanes doe
pill and sucke the hart out of the earth.

Now for the manner of sowing your Pease, you shall sow them aboue
furrow, that is, first plough the land vpward, then immediately sow your
Pease, and instantly after Harrow them, the Plough, the Seedes-man, and
the Harrower, by due course, following each other, and so likewise you
may sow Oates vpon this soile.

{SN: Of sowing Barley.}
About the middest of March, which is almost a fortnight before our Lady
day, you shall beginne to sow your Barley, which Barley you shall sow
neither vnder-furrow nor aboue, but after this order: first, you shall
plow your land downeward, beginning at the furrow and so assending
vpward to the ridge of the land, which as soone as you haue opened, you
shall then by pulling the plough out of the earth, and laying the
shelboard crosse the ridge, you shall fill the ridge in againe with the
same mould which you plowed vp: this done, your seedes-man shall bring
his Barley and sow the land aboue furrow: after the land is sowne, you
shall then Harrow it as small as may be, first with a paire of woodden
Harrowes, and after with a paire of Iron Harrowes, or else with a double
Oxe Harrow, for this earth being somewhat hard and much binding, will
aske great care and dilligence in breaking.

{SN: Of sleighting.}
After your Barley is sowne, you shall about the latter end of Aprill
beginne to smooth and sleight your land, both with the backe Harrowes
and with the rouler, and looke what clots they faile to breake, you
shall with clotting beetles beate them asunder, making your mould as
fine and laying your land as smooth as is possible.

{SN: Of Summer-stirring.}
About the middest of May, you shall, if any wet fall, beginne to
Summer-stirre your land, or if no wet fall, you shall doe your indeauour
to Summer-stirre your land, rather aduenturing to breake two ploughes,
then to loose one day in that labour, knowing this, that one land
Summer-stird in a dry season, is better then three Summer-stird in a wet
or moist weather, both because it giues the earth a better temper, and
kils the weedes with more assurednesse, and as I speake of
Summer-stirring, so I speake of all other Ardors, that the drier they
are done the better they are euer done: and in this season you shall
also gather the stones from your ground.

{SN: Obiection.}
Now it may be obiected, that if it be best to plough in drie seasons, it
is then best to fallow also in a dry season, and by that meanes not to
beginne to fallow vntill the beginning of May, as is prescribed for the
blacke clay, and so to deferre the Summer-stirring till the next month
after, sith of necessitie Ianuary must either be wet or else vnkindely.

{SN: Answere.}
To this I make answere, that most true it is, that the land which is
last fallowed is euer the best and most fruitfull, yet this mixt earth
which is compound of sand and clay, is such a binding earth, that if it
be not taken and fallowed in a moist-time of the yeere, as namely, in
Ianuary or February, but suffered to lye till May, at which time the
drought hath so entered into him, that the greatest part of his moisture
is decaied, then I say, the nature of the ground is such and so hard,
that it wilbe impossible to make any plough enter into it, so that you
shall not onely aduenture the losse of that speciall Ardor, but also of
all the rest which should follow after, and so consequently loose the
profit of your land: where contrary wise if you fallow it at the
beginning of the yeere, as in Ianuary, and February, albe they be wet,
yet shall you lay vp your furrowes and make the earth more loose, by
which meanes you shall compasse all the other Earings which belong to
your soile: for to speake briefely, late fallowing belongs vnto claies,
which by drought are made loose and light, and earely fallowings vnto
mixt soiles, such as these which by drinesse doe ingender and binde
close together.

{SN: Of weeding.}
About the middest of Iune, you shall beginne to weede your Corne, in
such sort as hath beene before described in the former Chapters: and
although this soile naturally of it selfe (if it haue receiued his whole
Ardor in due seasons, and haue beene Ploughed cleane, according to the
office of a good Husband) doth neither put forth Thistle or other weede,
yet if it want either the one or the other, it is certaine that it puts
them forth in great abundance, for by Thistles and weedes, vpon this
soile, is euer knowne the goodnesse and dilligence of the Husbandman.

{SN: Of Foiling.}
About the middest of Iuly, you shall beginne to foile your land, in such
sort also as hath beene mentioned in the former Chapters, onely with
this obseruation that if any of your lands lie flat, you shall then, in
your foiling, plough those lands vpward and not downeward, holding your
first precept that in this soile, your lands must lie high, light, and
hollow, which if you see they doe, then you may if you please in your
foiling cast them downeward, because at Winter ridging you may set them
vp againe.

{SN: Of Manuring.}
Now for as much as in this Chapter I haue hitherto omitted to speake of
Manuring this soile, you shall vnderstand that it is not because I hold
it so rich that it needeth no Manure, but because I know there is
nothing more needfull vnto it then Manure, in so much that I wish not
the Husbandman of this ground to binde himselfe vnto any one particular
season of the yeere for the leading forth of his Manure, but to bestow
all his leasurable houres and rest from other workes onely vpon this
labor, euen through the circuit of the whole yeere, knowing this most
precisely, that at what time of the yeere so euer you shall lay Manure
vpon this earth it will returne much profit.

As for the choise of Manures vpon this soile they are all those
whatsoeuer, of which I haue formerly intreated in any of the other
Chapters, no Manure whatsoeuer comming amisse to this ground: prouided
that the Husbandman haue this respect to lay vpon his moystest and
coldest ground his hottest Manures, and vpon his hottest and driest
earth his coolest and moistest Manures: the hot Manures being
Sheepes-dung, Pigions-dung, Pullen-dung, Lyme, Ashes, and such like: the
coole being Oxe-dung, Horse-dung, the scowrings of Ponds, Marle, and
such like.

{SN: Of Winter-ridging.}
About the middest of September you shall beginne to Winter-ridge your
Land, which in all points you shall doe according as is mentioned in the
former Chapters of the Clayes: for in this Ardor there is neuer any
difference, onely this one small obseruation, that you may aduenture to
Winter-ridge this mixt earth sooner then any other: for many of our best
English Husbandmen which liue vpon this soile doe hold this opinion,
that if it be Winter-ridged so earely in the yeere, that through the
vertue of the latter spring it put forth a certaine greene weede like
mosse, bring short and soft, that the land is so much the better
therefore, being as they imagine both fed and comforted by such a
slender expression which doth not take from the land any hart, but like
a warme couering doth ripen and make mellow the mould, and this cannot
be effected but onely by earely Winter-ridging.

{SN: Of Sowing of Wheate, Rye, and Maslin.}
At the end of September you shall beginne to sow your Wheate, Rye, and
Maslin, all which Graines are very naturall, good, and profitable vpon
this soile, and are to be sowne after the same manner, and with the same
obseruations which are specified in the former Chapter of the blacke
clay, that is to say, the Wheate vnder furrow, and vnharrowed, the Rye
and Maslin aboue furrow, and well harrowed. And herein is also to be
remembred all those precepts mentioned in the Chapter of the blacke
Clay, touching the diuision of the fields, that is to say, if you haue
three fields, you shall then sow your Wheate, Rye and Maslin in your
fallow-field, and so saue both the Foyling and double manuring of so
much earth: but if you haue foure fields, then you shall sow those
graines vpon that land from whence the same yeere you did reape your
Pease; your Wheate hauing no other Manure then that which came by the
Pease, your Rye hauing, if possible, eyther Manure from the Cart, or
from the Folde, in such sort as hath beene shewed in the Chapter of the
blacke Clay, and this of Husbandmen is called Inam-wheate or Inam-rye,
that is, white-corne sowne after white-corne, as Barley after Barley, or
hard-corne after hard-corne, which is wheate after Pease.

{SN: Of the plough.}
Now for the Plough which is most proper for this soile it is to be made
of a middle size betwixt that for the blacke Clay, and that for the red
Sand, being not all out so bigge and vnwieldy as the first, nor so
slender and nimble as the latter, but taking a middle proportion from
them both, you shall make your Plough of a competent fitnesse.

{SN: Of the plough-Irons.}
As for the Irons, the Share must be of the same proportion that the
Share for the red Sand is, yet a little thought bigger, and the Coulture
of the fashion of that Coulture, onely not full so much bent, but
all-out as sharpe and as long: and these Irons must be euer well
maintained with steele, for this mixt earth is euer the hardest, and
weareth both the Plough and Irons soonest, and therefore it is agreed
by all Husbandmen that this Plough must not at any time want his
Plough-slip, except at the first going of the Plough you shall finde
that it hath too much land, that is to say, by the crosse setting on of
the beame, that it runneth too greedily into the land, which to helpe,
you shall let your Plough goe without a plough-slip, till the
plough-head be so much worne, that it take no more but an ordinary
furrow, and then you shall set on your Plough-slips and Plough clouts
also: but I write this in case there be imperfection in the Plough,
which if it be otherwise, then this obseruation is needlesse.

{SN: Of the Teame.}
Now for the Teame or Draught which shall draw this Plough, they are as
the former, Oxen or Horses, and their number the same that is prescribed
for the blacke Clay, as namely, eight or sixe Beasts for Pease-earth,
for Fallowing, and Summer-stirring, and sixe or foure for all other
Ardors: for you must vnderstand that this mixt and binding soile,
through his hardnesse, and glutenous holding together, is as hard to
plow as any clay-soile whatsoeuer, and in some speciall seasons more by
many degrees.

{SN: Of the white clay with white Sand.}
Now for the white clay mixt with white sand, it is an earth much more
barraine, then this former mixt earth, and bringeth forth nothing
without much care, diligence, and good order: yet, for his manner of
Earings, in their true natures euery way doe differ nothing from the
Earings of this blacke clay and red Sand, onely the Seede which must be
sowne vpon this soile differeth from the former: for vpon this soile in
stead of Barley you must sow most Oates, as a Graine which will take
much strength from little fertilitie: and in stead of Rye you shall sow
more Wheate and more Pease, or in stead of Pease then you shall sow
Fitches of eyther kinde which you please, and the increase will be
(though not in abundance, yet) so sufficient as shall well quit the
Plow-mans labour.

{SN: Of Manuring.}
Now for the Manuring of this ground, you shall vnderstand that Marle is
the chiefest: for neyther will any man suppose that this hard soile
should bring vp cattell sufficient to manure it, nor if it would, yet
that Manure were not so good: for a barraine clay being mixt with a most
barraine sand, it must consequently follow that the soile must be of all
the barenest, insomuch that to giue perfect strength and life vnto it,
there is nothing better then Marle, which being a fat and strong clay,
once incorporated within these weake moulds, it must needes giue them
the best nourishment, loosening the binding substance, and binding that
weaknesse which occasioneth the barrainnesse: but of this Marle I shall
haue more occasion to speake hereafter in a particular Chapter, onely
thus much I must let you vnderstand, that this soile, albe it be not
within any degree of praise for the bringing forth of Corne, yet it is
very apt and fruitfull for the breeding of grasse, insomuch that it will
beare you corne for at least nine yeeres together (without the vse of
any fallow or Tilth-field) if it be well marled, and immediately after
it will beare you very good breeding grasse, or else reasonable Medow
for as many yeeres after, as by daily experience we see in the Countries
of Lancaster and Chester. So that the consequence being considered, this
ground is not but to be held indifferent fruitfull: for whereas other
soiles afore shewed (which beare abundance of Graine) are bound to be
manured once in three yeeres, this soile, albe it beare neither so rich
graine, nor so much plenty, yet it needes marling not aboue once in
sixteene or eighteene yeeres: and albe Marle be a Manure of the greatest
cost, yet the profit by continuance is so equall that the labour is
neuer spent without his reward, as shall more largely appeare hereafter.

{SN: Of the Plough.}
As touching the Plough, it is the same which is mentioned in the other
soile of the blacke Clay, and red Sand, altering nothing eyther in
quantitie of timber, or strength of Irons: so that to make any large
description thereof, is but to double my former discourses, and make my
writings tedious.

For to conclude briefely, these two soiles differ onely but in fatnesse
and strength of nature, not in Earing, or plowing, so that the labours
of tillage being equall there is not any alteration more then the true
diligence of much manuring, which will breede an affinitie or alyance
betwixt both these soiles. And thus much for this blacke Clay and red
Sand, or white Clay and white Sand.




{Illustration}

  THE
  FIRST PART
  OF THE ENGLISH
  Husbandman:
  Contayning, the manner of plowing and Manuring all sorts of Soyles,
  together with the manner of planting and setting of Corne.




CHAP. I.

_Of the manner of plowing all simple Earths, which are vncompounded._


That many famous and learned men, both in Fraunce, Spaine, Italy and
Germany, haue spent all their best time in shewing vnto the world the
excellencie of their experiences, in this onely renowned Arte of
Husbandry, their large and learned Volumes, most excellently written, in
that kinde, are witnesses: from whence we by translations haue gotten
some contentment, though but small profit; because those forraine
clymates, differing much from ours, both in nature of earth, and temper
of Ayre, the rules and obseruations belonging vnto them can be little
auailable to vs, more then to know what is done in such parts, a thing
more appertaining to our conference then practise. But now, that other
kingdomes may see though wee write lesse yet wee know as much as
belongeth to the office of the English Husbandman, I, though the meanest
of many millions, haue vndertaken to deliuer vnto the world all the true
rudiments, obseruations and knowledges what soeuer, which hath any
affinitie or alliance with English Husbandry. And for as much as the
best and principallest part of Husbandry consisteth in the plowing and
earring of the ground (for in that onely _Adam_ began his first labours)
I thinke it not vnmeete, first to treate of that subiect, proceeding so
from braunch to braunch, till I haue giuen euery one sufficient
knowledge.

To speake then first of the Tilling of Grounds. You shall well
vnderstand, that it is the office of euery good Husbandman before he put
his plough into the earth, truly to consider the nature of his Grounds,
and which is of which quallitie and temper. To proceede then to our
purpose; all soyles what soeuer, in this our kingdome of England, are
reduced into two kindes onely, that is to say, Simple or Compound.
Simple, are those which haue no mixture with others of a contrary
quallitie, as are your stiffe clayes, or your loose sands: your stiffe
clayes are likewise diuers, as a blacke clay, a blew clay, and a clay
like vnto Marble. Your sands are also diuers, as a red sand, a white
sand, a yellow sand, and a sand like vnto dust. Your mixt earths are
where any of these clayes and sands are equally or vnindifferently mixed
together, as shalbe at large declared hereafter. Now as touching the
tilling of your simple clayes, it is to be noted, that the blacke clay,
of all earth, is the most fruitfull, and demandeth from the Husbandman
the least toyle, yet bringeth forth his increase in the greatest
abundance: it will well and sufficiently bring forth three crops, eare
it desire rest: namely, the first of Barly, the second of Pease, and the
third of Wheate: It doth not desire much Manure, for it is naturally of
it selfe so fat, rich, and fruitfull, that if you adde strength vnto his
strength, by heaping Manure or Compasse thereupon, you make it either
blast, and mildew the Corne that growes, with the too much fatnesse of
the earth, or else through his extreame rankenesse, to bring it vp in
such abundance that it is not able to stand vpright when it is shot vp,
but falling downe flat to the ground, and the eares of Corne smothering
one another, they bring forth nothing but light Corne, like an emptie
huske, without a kirnell. The best Manure or Compasse therefore that you
can giue such ground, is then to plow it in orderly and dew seasons, as
thus: you shall begin to fallow, or breake vp this soyle, at the
beginning of May, at which time you shall plow it deepe, & take vp a
large furrow, and if your Lands lye any thing flat, it shalbe meete that
you begin on the ridge of the land, and turne all your furrowes vpward,
but if your Lands lye high and vpright, then shall you begin in the
furrow and turne all your furrowes downeward, which is called of
Husbandmen, the casting downe of Land. This first plowing of ground, or
as Husbandmen tearme it, the first ardor, is called fallowing: the
second ardor, which we call stirring of ground, or sommer stirring, you
shall begin in Iuly, which is of great consequence, for by meanes of it
you shall kill all manner of weedes and thistells that would annoy your
Land. In this ardor you must oft obserue that if when you fallowed you
did set vp your Land, then now when you stirre you must cast downe your
Land, and so contrarily, if before you did cast downe, then now you must
set vp: your third ardor, which is called of Husbandmen, winter
ridgeing, or setting vp Land for the whole yeere, you shall begin at the
latter end of September, and you must euer obserue that in this third
ardor you doe alwaies ridge vp your Land, that is to say, you most turne
euery furrow vpward and lay them as close together as may be, for
should you doe otherwise, that is to say, either lay them flat or
loosely, the winter season would so beat and bake them together, that
when you should sow your seede you would hardly get your plough into the
ground.

Now your fourth and last ardor, which must be when you sow your seede,
you shall begin euer about the midst of March, at least one weeke before
our Ladies day, commonly called the Annunciation of _Mary_, and this
ardor you shall euer plow downeward, laying your ridges very well open,
and you shall euer obserue in this ardor, first to sow your seede, and
then after to plow your ground, turning your seede into the earth, which
is called of Husbandmen, sowing vnderfurrow: as soone as your ground is
plowed you shall harrow it with an harrow whose teeth are all of wood,
for these simple earths are of easie temper and will of themselues fall
to dust, then after you haue thus sowne your ground, if then there
remaine any clots or lumpes of earth vnbroken, you shall let them rest
till after the next shower of raine, at which time you shall either with
a heauie rouler, or the backside of your harrowes, runne ouer your
Lands, which is called the sleighting of ground, and it will not onely
breake such clots to dust, but also lay your Land plaine and smoth,
leauing no impediment to hinder the Corne from sprouting and comming
forth. In this same ordor as you are appointed for this blacke clay, in
this same manner you shall ordor both your blew clay & your clay which
is like vnto marble. Now as touching the plough which is fittest for
these clayes, it must be large and strong, the beame long and well
bending, the head thicke and large, the skeeth broad, strong, and well
sloaping, the share with a very large wing, craueing much earth, and the
coulter long, thicke and very straight.

Now touching those lands which are simple and vncompounded, you shall
vnderstand that euery good Husbandman must begin his first ardor (which
is to fallow them) at the beginning of Ianuary, hee must sooner stirre
them, which is the second ardor, at the latter end of Aprill, he shall
cast them downe againe, which is called foyling of Land, at the
beginning of Iuly, which is the third ardor, and wherein is to be noted,
that how soeuer all other ardors are plowed, yet this must euer be cast
downward: the fourth ardor, which is winter-stirring or winter-ridgeing,
must euer begin at the end of September, and the fift and last ardor
must be performed when you sow your ground, which would be at the
middest of May, at the soonest, and if your leasure and abilitie will
giue you leaue, if you turne ouer your ground againe in Ianuary, it will
be much better, for these sands can neuer haue too much plowing, nor too
much Manure, and therefore for them both, you shall apply them so oft as
your leasure will conueniently serue, making no spare when either the
way or opportunitie will giue you leaue. Now for as much as all sands,
being of a hot nature, are the fittest to bring foorth Rye, which is a
graine delighting in drynesse onely, you shall vnderstand, that then you
shall not need to plow your ground aboue foure times ouer, that is, you
shall fallow, sommer stirre, foyle, and in September sow your Corne: and
as these ardors serue the red sand, so are they sufficient for your
white sand, and your yealow sand also. As touching the ploughes fit for
these light earths, they would be little and strong, hauing a short
slender beame and a crooked; a narrow and thinne head, a slender skeeth,
a share without a wing, a coulter thinne and very crooked, and a paire
of hales much bending forward towards the man; and with this manner of
plough you may plow diuers mixt and compounded earths, as the blacke
clay and red sand, or the red sand and white grauell: and thus much as
touching earths that are simple and vncompounded.




CHAP. II.

_Of the manner of plowing the blacke clay mixt with white sand, and the
white clay mixt with red sand: their Earrings, Plough, and Implements._


As touching the mixture of these two seuerall soyles, that is to say,
the blacke clay with white sand, and the white clay with red sand, they
differ not in the nature of plowing, sowing, or in Manuring, from the
soyle which is mixt of a blacke clay and red sand, of which I haue
sufficiently intreated before: onely thus much you shall vnderstand,
that the blacke clay mixt with white sand is so much better and richer
then the white clay mixt with red sand, by as much as the blacke clay is
better then the white clay: and although some Husbandmen in our Land,
hould them to be both of one temper and goodnesse, reasoning thus, that
by how much the blacke clay is better then the white, by so much the red
sand is better then the white sand, so that what the mixture of the one
addeth, the mixture of the other taketh away, and so maketh them all one
in fruitfulnesse and goodnesse: but in our common experience it doth not
so fall out, for wee finde that the blacke clay mixt with white sand, if
it be ordered in the forme of good Husbandry, that is to say, be plowed
ouer at least foure times, before it come to be sowne, and that it be
Manured and compassed in Husbandly fashion, which is to allow at least
eight waine-load to an Aker, that if then vpon such Land you shall sow
either Organe Wheat (in the south parts called red Wheat) or flaxen, or
white Pollard Wheat, that such Wheat will often mildew, and turne as
blacke as soote, which onely showeth too much richnesse and fatnesse in
the earth, which the white clay mixt with red sand hath neuer beene
seene to doe, especially so long as it is vsed in any Husbandly
fashion, neither will the white clay mixt with red sand indure to be
deuided into foure fields, that is to say, to beare three seuerall
crops, one after another, as namely, Barly, Pease, and Wheat, without
rest, which the blacke clay mixt with white sand many times doth, and
thereby againe showeth his better fruitfulnesse: neuerthelesse, in
generalitie I would not wish any good Husbandman, and especially such as
haue much tillage, to deuide either of these soyles into any more then
three fields, both because hee shall ease himselfe and his Cattell of
much toyle, shall not at any time loose the best seasons for his best
workes, and make his commodities, and fruit of his hands labours, by
many degrees more certaine.

You shall also vnderstand, that both these soyles are very much binding,
especially the white clay with red sand, both because the clay,
proceeding from a chaukie and limie substance, and not hauing in it much
fatnesse or fertillitie (which occasioneth seperation) being mixt with
the red sand, which is of a much more hardnesse and aptnesse to knit
together, with such tough matter, it must necessarilie binde and cleaue
together, and so likewise the blacke clay, from whence most naturally
proceedeth your best limestone, being mixt with white sand, doth also
binde together and stifle the seede, if it be not preuented by good
Husbandry.

You shall therefore in the plowing and earring of these two soyles,
obserue two especiall notes; the first, that by no meanes you plow it in
the wet, that is, in any great glut of raine: for if you either lay it
vp, or cast it downe, when it is more like morter then earth, if then
any sunshine, or faire weather, doe immediately follow vpon it, it will
so drie and bake it, that if it be sowne, neither will the seede haue
strength to sprout thorrow it, nor being in any of your other summer
ardors, shall you by any meanes make your plough enter into it againe,
when the season falleth for other plowing. The second, that you haue
great care you lay your Land high and round, that the furrowes, as it
were standing vpright one by another, or lying light and hollow, one
vpon another, you may with more ease, at any time, enter in your plough,
and turne your moulde which way you please, either in the heate of
Sommer, or any other time of the yeere whatsoeuer.

Now as touching the plough, which is most best and proper for these
soyles, it would be the same in sise which is formerly directed for the
red sand, onely the Irons must be altered, for the Coulter would be more
long, sharpe, and bending, and the share so narrow, sharpe, and small as
can conueniently be made, according as is formerly expressed, that not
hauing power to take vp any broad furrow, the furrowes by reason of
there slendernesse may lye many, and those many both hollow, light and
at any time easily to be broken.

As for the Teame which is best to worke in this soyle, they may be
either Horses or Oxen, or Oxen and Horse mixt together, according to the
Husbandmans abillitie, but if hee be a Lord of his owne pleasure and may
commaund, and haue euery thing which is most apt and proper, then in
these two soyles, I preferre the Teame of Horses single, rather then
Oxen, especially in any winter or moist ardor, because they doe not
tread and foyle the ground making it mirie and durtie as the Oxe doth,
but going all in one furrow, doe keepe the Land in his constant
firmenesse.

As touching the clotting, sleighting, weeding, and dressing of these two
soyles, they differ in nothing from the former mixt earths, but desire
all one manner of dilligence: and thus much for these two soyles the
blacke clay mixt with white sand, and the white clay with white red
sand.




CHAP. III.

_A comparison of all the former soyles together, and most especiall notes
for giuing the ignorant Husbandman perfect vnderstanding, of what is
written before._


The reason why I haue thus at large discoursed of euery seuerall soyle,
both simple and compounded, is to show vnto the industrious Husbandman,
the perfect and true reason of the generall alteration of our workes in
Husbandry, through this our Realme of England: for if all our Land, as
it is one kingdome, were likewise of one composition, mixture, and
goodnesse, it were then exceeding preposterous to see those diuersities,
alterations, I, and euen contrary manners of proceedings in Husbandry,
which are daily and hourely vsed: but euery man in his owne worke knowes
the alteration of clymates. Yet for so much as this labour of Husbandry,
consisteth not for the most part in the knowing and vnderstanding
breast, but in the rude, simple, and ignorant Clowne, who onely knoweth
how to doe his labour, but cannot giue a reason why he doth such labour,
more then the instruction of his parents, or the custome of the
Countrie, where it comes to passe (and I haue many times seene the same
to mine admiration) that the skillfullest Clowne which is bred in the
clay soyles, when hee hath beene brought to the sandy ground, hee could
neither hould the plough, temper the plough, nor tell which way in good
order to driue the Cattell, the heauinesse of the one labour being so
contrary to the lightnesse of the other, that not hauing a temperance,
or vnderstanding in his hands, hee hath beene put euen vnto his wittes
ends; therefore I thinke it conuenient, in this place, by a slight
comparison of soyles together, to giue the simplest Husbandman such
direct & plaine rules that he shall with out the study of his braines,
attaine to absolute knowledge of euery seuerall mixture of earth: and
albeit hee shall not be able distinctly to say at the first that it is
compounded of such and such earths, yet hee shall be very able to
deliuer the true reason and manner how such ground (of what nature
soeuer) shall be Husbanded and tilled.

Therefore to begin the Husbandman, is to vnderstand, that generally
there are but two soyles for him to regard, for in them consisteth the
whole Arte of Husbandry: as namely, the open and loose earth, and the
close and fast binding earth, and these two soyles being meare opposites
and contraries, most necessarily require in the Husbandman a double
vnderstanding, for there is no soyle, of what simplicitie or mixture
soeuer it be, but it is either loose or fast.

Now to giue you my meaning of these two words, _loose_ and _fast_, it
is, that euery soyle which vpon parching and dry weather, euen when the
Sunne beames scorcheth, and as it were baketh the earth, if then the
ground vpon such exceeding drought doe moulder and fall to dust, so that
whereas before when it did retaine moisture it was heauie, tough, and
not to be seperated, now hauing lost that glewinesse it is light, loose,
and euen with a mans foote to be spurnd to ashes, all such grounds are
tearmed loose and open grounds, because at no time they doe binde in or
imprison the seede (the frost time onely excepted, which is by
accidence, and not from the nature of the soyle:) and all such grounds
as in their moisture or after the fall of any sodaine raine are soft,
plyable, light, and easie to be wrought, but after when they come to
loose that moistnesse and that the powerfulnesse of the Sunne hath as it
were drid vp their veynes, if then such earths become hard, firme, and
not to be seperated, then are those soyles tearmed fast and binding
soyles, for if there ardors be not taken in their due times, and their
seede cast into them in perfect and due seasons, neither is it possible
for the Plowman to plow them, nor for the seede to sprout through, the
earth being so fastned and as it were stone-like fixt together. Now
sithence that all soyles are drawne into these two heads, fastnes, and
loosenesse, and to them is annexed the diuersitie of all tillage, I will
now show the simple Husbandman which earths be loose, and which fast,
and how without curiositie to know and to distinguish them.

Breifely, all soyles that are simple and of themselues vncompounded, as
namely, all claies, as blacke, white, gray, or blew, and all sands, as
either red, white, or blacke, are open and loose soyles: the claies
because the body and substance of them being held together by moistnes,
that moisture being dryed vp, their strength and stifnesse decayeth, and
sands by reason of their naturall lightnesse, which wanting a more moist
and fixt body to be ioyned with them doe loose all strength of binding
or holding together. Now all mixt or compound earths (except the
compositions of one and the same kinds, as clay with clay, or sand with
sand) are euer fast and binding earths: for betwixt sand and clay, or
clay & grauell, is such an affinitie, that when they be mixt together
the sand doth giue to the clay such hardnesse and drynesse, and the clay
to the sand such moisture and coldnesse, that being fixt together they
make one hard body, which through the warmth of the Sunne bindeth and
cleaueth together. But if it be so that the ignorance of the Husbandman
cannot either through the subtiltie of his eye sight, or the
obseruations gathered from his experience, distinguish of these soyles,
and the rather, sith many soyles are so indifferently mixt, and the
colour so very perfect, that euen skill it selfe may be deceiued: as
first to speake of what mixture some soyles consist, yet for as much as
it is sufficient for the Husbandman to know which is loose and which is
binding, hee shall onely when he is perplext with these differences, vse
this experiment, hee shall take a good lumpe of that earth whose
temperature hee would know, and working it with water and his wet
hands, like a peece of past, he shall then as it were make a cake
thereof, and laying it before an hot fire, there let it lye, till all
the moisture be dried & backt out of it, then taking it into your hands
and breaking it in peeces, if betweene your fingers it moulder and fall
into a small dust, then be assured it is a loose, simple, and
vncompounded earth, but if it breake hard and firme, like a stone, and
when you crumble it betweene your fingers it be rough, greetie, and
shining, then be assured it is a compounded fast-binding earth, and is
compounded of clay and sand, and if in the baking it doe turne red or
redish, it is compounded of a gray clay and red sand, but if it be
browne or blewish, then it is a blacke clay & white sand, but if when
you breake it you finde therein many small pibles, then the mixture is
clay and grauell. Now there be some mixt soyles, after they are thus
bak't, although they be hard and binding, yet they will not be so
exceeding hard and stone-like as other soyles will be, and that is where
the mixture is vnequall, as where the clay is more then the sand, or the
sand more then the clay.

When you haue by this experiment found out the nature of your earth, and
can tell whether it be simple or compounded, you shall then looke to the
fruitfulnesse thereof, which generally you shall thus distinguish.
First, that clayes, simple and of themselues vncompounded, are of all
the most fruitfull, of which, blacke is the best, that next to clayes,
your mixt earths are most fertill, and the mixture of the blacke clay
and red sand, called a hasell earth, is the best, and that your sands
are of all soyles most barraine, of which the red sand for profit hath
euer the preheminence.

Now for the generall tillage and vse of these grounds, you shall
vnderstand that the simple and vncompounded grounds, being loose and
open (if they lye free from the danger of water) the Lands may be layd
the flattest and greatest, the furrowes turned vp the largest and
closest, and the plough and plough-Irons, most large and massie, onely
those for the sandy grounds must be more slender then those for the
clayes and much more nimble, as hath beene showed before. Now for the
mixt earths, you shall lay your Lands high, round, and little, set your
furrowes vpright, open, and so small as is possible, and make your
plough and plow Irons most nimble and slender, according to the manner
before specified: and thus I conclude, that hee which knoweth the loose
earth and the binding earth, can either helpe or abate the strength of
the earth, as is needfull, and knowes how to sorte his ploughes to each
temper, knowes the ground and substance of all tillage.




CHAP. IIII.

_Of the planting or setting of Corne, and the profit thereof._


Not that I am conceited, or carried away with any nouelty or strange
practise, vnusually practised in this kingdome, or that I will ascribe
vnto my selfe to giue any iudiciall approbation or allowance to things
mearely vnfrequented, doe I publish, within my booke, this relation of
the setting of Corne, but onely because I would not haue our English
Husbandman to be ignorant of any skill or obscure faculty which is
either proper to his profession, or agreeable with the fertillitie and
nature of our clymates, and the rather, since some few yeeres agoe, this
(as it then appeared secret) being with much admiration bruted through
the kingdome, in so much that according to our weake accustomed
dispositions (which euer loues strange things best) it was held so
worthy, both for generall profit and perticular ease, that very fein
(except the discreet) but did not alone put it in practise, but did euen
ground strong beleifes to raise to themselues great common-wealthes by
the profits thereof; some not onely holding insufficient arguments, in
great places, of the invtilitie of the plough, but euen vtterly
contemning the poore cart Iade, as a creature of no necessitie, so that
Poulters and Carriers, were in good hope to buy Horse-flesh as they
bought egges, at least fiue for a penie; but it hath proued otherwise,
and the Husbandman as yet cannot loose the Horses seruice. But to
proceede to the manner of setting or planting of Corne, it is in this
manner.

{SN: Of setting Wheate.}
Hauing chosen out an aker of good Corne ground, you shall at the
beginning of March, appoint at least sixe diggers or laborers with
spades to digge vp the earth gardenwise, at least a foote and three
inches deepe (which is a large spades graft) and being so digged vp, to
rest till Iune, and then to digge it ouer againe, and in the digging to
trench it and Manure it, as for a garden mould, bestowing at least
sixteene Waine-load of Horse or Oxe Manure vpon the aker, and the Manure
to be well couered within the earth, then so to let it rest vntill the
beginning of October, which being the time for the setting, you shall
then digge it vp the third time, and with rakes and beetells breake the
moulde somewhat small, then shall you take a board of sixe foot square,
which shalbe bored full of large wimble holes, each hole standing in
good order, iust sixe inches one from another, then laying the board
vpon the new digged ground, you shall with a stick, made for the
purpose, through euery hole in the board, make a hole into the ground,
at least fore inches deepe, and then into euery such hole you shall drop
a Corne of Wheate, and so remouing the board from place to place, goe
all ouer the ground that you haue digged, and so set each seuerall Corne
sixe inches one from another, and then with a rake you shall rake ouer
and couer all the holes with earth, in such sort that they may not be
discerned. And herein you are to obserue by the way that a quarte of
Wheate will set your aker: which Wheate is not to be taken as it falles
out by chance when you buy it in the market, but especially culd and
pickt out of the eare, being neither the vppermost Cornes which grow in
the toppes of the eares, nor the lowest, which grow at the setting on of
the stalke, both which, most commonly are light and of small substance,
but those which are in the midst, and are the greatest, fullest, and
roundest.

{SN: Of setting Barly, or Pease.}
Now in the selfe-same sort as you dresse your ground for your Wheate, in
the selfe same manner you shall dresse your ground for Barly, onely the
first time you digge it shalbe after the beginning of May, the second
time and the Manuring about the midst of October, wherein you shall note
that to your aker of Barly earth, you shall alow at least foure and
twentie Waine-load of Manure, and the last time of your digging and
setting shalbe at the beginning of Aprill.

Now for the dressing of your earth for the setting of Pease, it is in
all things answerable to that for Barly, onely you may saue the one
halfe of your Manure, because a dosen Waine-load is sufficient, and the
time for setting them, or any other pulse, is euer about the midst of
February.

{SN: Of the profit of setting Corne.}
Now for the profit which issueth from this practise of setting of Corne,
I must needs confesse, if I shall speake simply of the thing, that is,
how many foulds it doubleth and increaseth, surely it is both great and
wonderfull: and whereas ingenerall it is reputed that an aker of set
Corne yeeldeth as much profit as nine akers of sowne Corne, for mine
owne part I haue seene a much greater increase, if euery Corne set in an
aker should bring forth so much as I haue seene to proceede from some
three or foure Cornes set in a garden, but I feare me the generalitie
will neuer hould with the particular: how euer, it is most certaine that
earth in this sort trimmed and inriched, and Corne in this sort set and
preserued, yeeldeth at least twelue-fold more commoditie then that which
by mans hand is confusedly throwne into the ground from the Hopper:
whence it hath come to passe that those which by a few Cornes in their
gardens thus set, seeing the innumerable increase, haue concluded a
publique profit to arise thereby to the whole kingdome, not looking to
the intricacie, trouble, and casualtie, which attends it, being such and
so insupportable that almost no Husbandman is able to vndergoe it: to
which we need no better testimony then the example of those which hauing
out of meare couetousnesse and lucre of gaine, followed it with all
greedinesse, seeing the mischiefes and inconueniences which hath
incountred their workes, haue euen desisted, and forgotten that euer
there was any such practise, and yet for mine owne part I will not so
vtterly condemne it, that I will depriue it of all vse, but rather leaue
it to the discretion of iudgement, and for my selfe, onely hould this
opinion, that though it may very wel be spared from the generall vse of
Wheat and Barly in this kingdome, yet for hastie-Pease, French Beanes,
and such like pulse, it is of necessary imployment, both in rich and
poore mens gardens. And thus much for the setting of Corne.




CHAP. V.

_Of the choice of seede-Corne, and which is best for which soyle._


Hauing thus showed vnto you the seuerall soyles and temperatures of our
English land, together with the order of Manuring, dressing and tillage
of the same, I thinke it meete (although I haue in generall writ
something already touching the seede belonging to euery seuerall earth)
now to proceede to a particular election and choice of seede-Corne, in
which there is great care and diligence to be vsed: for as in Men,
Beasts, Fowle, & euery mouing thing, there is great care taken for the
choice of the breeders, because the creatures bred doe so much
participate of the parents that for the most part they are seene not
onely to carry away their outward figures and semblances, but euen their
naturall conditions and inclinations, good issuing from good, and euill
from euill: so in the choise of seede-Corne, if their be any neglect or
carelessenesse, the crop issuing of such corrupt seede must of force
bring forth a more corrupt haruest, by as much as it exceedeth in the
multiplication.

{SN: The choise of seede Wheate.}
To proceede therefore to the choise of seede-Corne, I will begin with
Wheate, of which there are diuers kindes, as your whole straw Wheate,
the great browne Pollard, the white Pollard, the Organe or red Wheate,
the flaxen Wheate, and the chilter Wheate. Your whole straw Wheate, and
browne Pollard, are knowne, the first, by his straw, which is full of
pith, and hath in it no hollownesse (whence it comes that Husbandmen
esteeme it so much for their thacking, allowing it to be as good and
durable as reede:) the latter is knowne by his eare, which is great,
white, and smooth, without anes or beard vpon it: in the hand they are
both much like one to another, being of all Wheates the biggest,
roundest and fullest: they be somewhat of a high colour, and haue vpon
them a very thicke huske, which making the meale somewhat browne causeth
the Baker not all together to esteeme them for his purest manchet, yet
the yeeld of flower which cometh from them is as great and greater then
any other Wheate whatsoeuer. These two sortes of Wheate are to be sowne
vpon the fallow field, as crauing the greatest strength and fatnesse of
ground, whence it comes that they are most commonly seene to grow vpon
the richest and stiffest blacke clayes, being a graine of that strength
that they will seldome or neuer mildew or turne blacke, as the other
sortes of Wheate will doe, if the strength of the ground be not abated
before they be throwne into the earth. Now for the choise of these two
Wheates, if you be compelled to buy them in the market, you must regard
that you buy that which is the cleanest and fairest, being vtterly
without any weedes, as darnell, cockell, tares or any other foulnesse
whatsoeuer: you shall looke that the Wheate, as neare as may be, hould
all of one bignesse and all of one colour, for to beholde it contrary,
that is to say, to see some great Cornes, some little, some high
coloured, some pale, so that in their mixture they resemble changeable
taffata, is an apparant signe that the Corne is not of one kinde but
mixt or blended, as being partly whole-straw, partly Pollard, partly
Organe, and partly Chelter. For the flaxen, it is naturally so white
that it cannot be mixt but it may easily be discerned, and these mixt
seedes are neuer good, either for the ground or the vse of man. Againe
you shall carefully looke that neither this kinde of Wheate, nor any
other that you buy for seede be blacke at the ends, for that is a signe
that the graine comming from too rich a soyle was mildewed, and then it
will neuer be fruitfull or proue good seede, as also you shall take care
that it be not too white at the ends, showing the Corne to be as it were
of two colours, for that is a signe that the Wheate was washt and dried
againe, which vtterly confoundeth the strength of the Corne and takes
from it all abilitie of bringing forth any great encrease. Now if it be
so that you haue a crop of Wheate of your owne, so that you haue no need
of the market, you shall then picke out of your choisest sheafes, and
vpon a cleane floare gently bat them with a flaile, and not thresh them
cleane, for that Corne which is greatest, fullest, and ripest, will
first flie out of the eare, and when you haue so batted a competent
quantitie you shall then winnow it and dresse it cleane, both by the
helpe of a strong winde and open siues, and so make it fit for your
seede.

I haue seene some Husbands (and truely I haue accounted them both good
and carefull) that haue before Wheate seede time both themselues, wiues,
children, and seruants at times of best leasure, out of a great Wheate
mow or bay, to gleane or pull out of the sheafes, eare by eare, the most
principall eares, and knitting them vp in small bundells to bat them and
make their seede thereof, and questionlesse it is the best seede of all
other: for you shall be sure that therein can be nothing but the
cleanest and the best of the Corne, without any weedes or foulnesse,
which can hardly be when a man thresheth the whole sheafe, and although
some men may thinke that this labour is great and troblesome, especially
such as sowe great quantities of Wheate, yet let them thus farre
encourage themselues, that if they doe the first yeere but gleane a
bushell or two (which is nothing amongst a few persons) and sowe it vp
on good Land, the encrease of it will the next yeere goe farre in the
sowing the whole crop: for when I doe speake of this picking of Wheate,
eare by eare, I doe not intend the picking of many quarters, but of so
much as the increase thereof may amount to some quarter.

Now there is also another regarde to be had (as auailable as any of the
former) in chusing of your seede Wheate, and that is to respect the
soyle from whence you take your seede, and the soyle into which you put
it, as thus.

If the ground whereon you meane to sowe your Wheat be a rich, blacke,
clay, stiffe and full of fertillitie, you shall then (as neare as you
can) chuse your seede from the barrainest mixt earth you can finde (so
the Wheate be whole-straw or Pollard) as from a clay and grauell, or a
clay and white sand, that your seede comming from a much more barraine
earth then that wherein you put it, the strength may be as it were
redoubled, and the encrease consequently amount to a higher quantitie,
as we finde it proueth in our daylie experience; but if these barraine
soyles doe not afforde you seede to your contentment, it shall not then
be amisse (you sowing your Wheate vpon fallow or tilth ground) if you
take your seede-Wheate either from an earth of like nature to your owne,
or from any mixt earth, so that such seede come from the niams, that is,
that it hath beene sowne after Pease, as being the third crop of the
Land, and not from the fallow or tilth ground, for it is a maxiome
amongst the best Husbands (though somewhat proposterous to common sence)
bring to your rich ground seede from the barraine, and to the barraine
seede from the rich, their reason (taken from their experience) being
this, that the seede (as before I said) which prospereth vpon a leane
ground being put into a rich, doth out of that superfluitie of warmth,
strength and fatnesse, double his increase; and the seede which commeth
from the fat ground being put into the leane, hauing all the vigour,
fulnesse and iuyce of fertilnes, doth not onely defend it selfe against
the hungrinesse of the ground but brings forth increase contrary to
expectation; whence proceedeth this generall custome of good Husbands in
this Land, that those which dwell in the barraine woode Lands, heathes
and high mountaine countries of this kingdome, euer (as neere as they
can) seeke out their seede in the fruitfull low vales, and very gardens
of the earth, & so likewise those in the vales take some helpes also
from the mountaines.

Now for your other sortes of Wheate, that is to say, the white Pollard
and the Organe, they are graines nothing so great, full, and large, as
the whole straw, or browne Pollard, but small, bright, and very thinly
huskt: your Organe is very red, your Pollard somewhat pale: these two
sorts of Wheate are best to be sowne vpon the third or fourth field,
that is to say, after your Pease, for they can by no meanes endure an
ouer rich ground, as being tender and apt to sprout with small moisture,
but to mildew and choake with too much fatnesse, the soyles most apt for
them are mixt earths, especially the blacke clay and red sand, or white
clay and red sand, for as touching other mixtures of grounds, they are
for the most part so barraine, that they will but hardly bring forth
Wheate vpon their fallow field, and then much worse vpon a fourth field.
Now for any other particular choise of these two seedes, they are the
same which I shewed in the whole straw, and great Pollard. As for the
flaxen Wheate, and chilter Wheate, the first, is a very white Wheate
both inward and outward, the other a pale red or deepe yellow: they are
the least of all sorts of Wheate, yet of much more hardnes and
toughnesse in sprouting, then either the Organe or white Pollard, and
therefore desire somewhat a more richer soyle, and to that end they are
for the most part sowne vpon fallow fields, in mixt earths, of what
natures or barrainenesse soeuer, as is to be seene most generally ouer
all the South parts of this Realme: and although vncompounded sands out
of their owne natures, doe hardly bring forth any Wheate, yet vpon some
of the best sands and vpon the flintie grauels, I haue seene these two
Wheates grow in good abundance, but being seldome it is not so much to
be respected.

{SN: The choise of seede Rye.}
After your Wheate you shall make choise of your Rie, of which there is
not diuers kindes although it carrie diuers complections, as some
blackish, browne, great, full and long as that which for the most part
growes vpon the red sand, or red clay, which is three parts red sand
mixt with blacke clay, and is the best Rie: the other a pale gray Rie,
short, small, and hungry, as that which growes vpon the white sand, or
white clay and white sand, and is the worst Rie. Now you shall
vnderstand that your sand grounds are your onely naturall grounds for
Rie, as being indeede not principally apt for any other graine,
therefore when you chuse your Rie for seede, you shall chuse that which
is brownest, full, bould, and longest, you shall haue great care that it
be free from weedes or filth, sith your sand grounds, out of their owne
naturall heat, doth put forth such store of naughtie weeds, that except
a man be extraordinarily carefull, both in the choise and dressing of
his Rie, he may easily be deceiued and poyson his ground with those
weedes, which with great difficultie are after rooted out againe. Now
for your seedes to each soyle, it is euer best to sow your best sand-Rie
vpon your best clay ground, and your best clay-Rie vpon your best sand
ground, obseruing euer this generall principle, not onely in Rie, but
euen in Wheat, Barly, Pease and other graine of account, that is, euer
once in three yeeres, to change all your seede, which you shall finde
both to augment your encrease and to returne you double profit.

{SN: The choise of seede-Barly.}
Now for the choise of your seede-Barly, you shall vnderstand, that for
as much as it is a graine of the greatest vse, & most tendernesse,
therefore there is the greatest diligence to be vsed in the election
thereof. Know then that of Barly there be diuers sorts, as namely, that
which wee call our common Barly, being long eares with two rankes of
Corne, narrow, close, and vpright: another called spike or
batteldore-Barly, being a large eare with two rankes of Corne, broad,
flat, and in fashion of a batteldore: and the third called beane-Barly,
or Barly big, being a large foure-square eare, like vnto an eare of
Wheate.

Of these three Barlyes the first is most in vse, as being most apt and
proper to euery soyle, whether it be fruitfull or barraine, in this our
kingdome, but they haue all one shape, colour and forme, except the
soyle alter them, onely the spike-Barly is most large and plentifull,
the common Barly hardest and aptest to grow, and the beane-Barly least,
palest, & tenderest, so that with vs it is more commonly seene in
gardens then in fields, although in other Countries, as in Fraunce,
Ireland, and such like, they sowe no other Barly at all, but with vs it
is of no such generall estimation, and therefore I will neither giue it
precedencie nor speake of it, otherwise then to referre it to the
discreation of him who takes delight in many practises: but for the
common Barly, or spike-Barly, which our experience findes to be
excellent and of great vse, I will knit them in one, and write, my full
opinion of them, for their choise in our seede. You shall know then that
when you goe into the market to chuse Barly for your seede, you shall to
your best power elect that which is whitest, fullest, and roundest,
being as the ploughman calles it, a full bunting Corne, like the nebbe
or beake of a Bunting, you shall obserue that it be all of one Corne,
and not mingled, that is, clay Barly, and sand Barly together, which you
shall distinguish by these differences: the clay Barly is of a palish,
white, yellow colour; smoth, full, large, and round, and the sand Barly
is of a deepe yellow, browne at the neather end, long, slender, and as
it were, withered, and in generall no sand Barly is principall good for
seede: but if the Barly be somewhat of a high colour, and browne at the
neather end, yet notwithstanding is very full, bould, and bigge, then it
is a signe that such Barly comes not from the sand, but rather from an
ouer fat soyle, sith the fatnesse of the earth doth euer alter the
complection of the Barly; for the whiter Barly euer the leaner soyle,
and better seede: you shall also obserue, that there be not in it any
light Corne, which is a kinde of hungry graine without substance, which
although it filleth the seeds-mans hand, yet it deceiueth the ground,
and this light Corne will commonly be amongst the best Barly: for where
the ground is so rich that it bringeth forth the Barly too rankely,
there the Corne, wanting power to stand vpon roote, falleth to the
ground, and so robde of kindly ripening, bringeth forth much light and
insufficient graine. Next this, you shall take care that in your
seede-Barly there be not any Oates, for although they be in this case
amongst Husbandmen accounted the best of weede, yet are they such a
disgrace, that euery good Husband will most diligently eschew them, and
for that cause onely will our most industrious Husbands bestow the
tedious labour of gleaning their Barly, eare by eare, by which
gleanings, in a yeere, or two, they will compasse their whole seede,
which must infallibly be without either Oates or any weede whatsoeuer:
and although some grounds, especially your richest blacke clayes, will
out of the abundance of their fruitfulnesse (as not induring to be Idle)
bring forth naturally a certaine kinde of wilde Oates, which makes some
ignorant Husbands lesse carefull of their seede, as supposing that those
wilde ones are a poisoning to their graine, but they are infinetly
deceiued: for such wilde Oates, wheresoeuer they be, doe shake and fall
away long before the Barly be ready, so that the Husbandman doth carry
of them nothing into the Barne, but the straw onely. Next Oates, you
must be carefull that there be in your Barly no other foule weede: for
whatsoeuer you sow, you must looke for the increase of the like nature,
and therefore as before I said in the Wheate, so in the Barly, I would
wish euery good Husband to imploy some time in gleaning out of his Mow
the principall eares of Barly, which being batted, drest, and sowne, by
it selfe, albeit no great quantitie at the first, yet in time it may
extend to make his whole seede perfect, and then hee shall finde his
profit both in the market, where hee shall (for euery vse) sell with the
deerest, and in his owne house where he shall finde his yeeld redoubled.

Now for fitting of seuerall seedes to seuerall soyles, you shall
obserue, that the best seede-Barly for your clay field, is ninam Barly,
sowne vpon the clay field, that is to say, Barly which is sowne where
Barly last grew, or a second crop of Barly: for the ground hauing his
pride abated in the first croppe, the second, though it be nothing neere
so much in quantitie, yet that Corne which it doth bring forth is most
pure, most white, most full, and the best of all seedes whatsoeuer, and
as in case of this soyle, so in all other like soyles which doe hould
that strength or fruitfulnesse in them that they are either able of
themselues, or with some helpe of Manure in the latter end of the yeere,
to bring forth two croppes of Barly, one after the other: but if either
your soyle deny you this strength, or the distance of place bereaue you
of the commoditie thereof, then you shall vnderstand that Barly from a
hasell ground is the best seede, for the clay ground, and Barly from the
clay ground is the best seede, not onely for the hasell earth, but euen
for all mixt earths whatsoeuer, and the Barly which proceedes from the
mixt earths is the best seede for all simple and vncompounded sands or
grauells, as wee finde, both by their increasings and dayly experience.

{SN: The choise of seede-Beanes, Pease, and Pulse.}
Now for the choise of seede-Beanes, Pease, or other Pulse, the scruple
is nothing neere so great as of other seedes, because euery one that
knowes any graine, can distinguish them when hee sees them: besides they
are of that massie waight, and so well able to indure the strength of
the winde, that they are easie to be seuered from any weede or filth
whatsoeuer: it resteth therefore that I onely giue you instruction how
to imploy them.

You shall vnderstand therefore, that if your soyle be a stiffe, blacke,
rich, clay, that then your best seede is cleane Beanes, or at the least
three partes Beanes, and but one part Pease: if it be a gray, or white
clay, then Beanes and Pease equally mixt together: if the best mixt
earths, as a blacke clay and red sand, blacke clay and white sand, or
white clay and red sand, then your seede must be cleane Pease onely: if
it be white clay and white sand, blacke clay and blacke sand, then your
seede must be Pease and Fitches mixt together: but if it be grauell or
sand simple, or grauell and sand compounded, then your seede must be
either cleane Fitches, cleane Bucke, or cleane Tares, or else Fitches,
Bucke and Tares mixt together.

{SN: The choise of seede-Oates.}
Now to conclude with the choise of your Oates. You shall vnderstand that
there be diuers kindes of them, as namely, the great long white Oate,
the great long blacke Oate, the cut Oate, and the skegge: the two first
of these are knowne by their greatnesse and colours, for they are long,
full, bigge, and smooth, and are fittest to be sowne vpon the best of
barraine grounds, for sith Oates are the worst of graine, I will giue
them no other prioritie of place. The next of these, which is the cut
Oate, it is of a pale yealow colour, short, smooth, and thicke, the
increase of them is very great, and they are the fittest to be sowne
vpon the worst of best grounds, for most commonly where you see them,
you shall also see both good Wheate, good Barly, and good Beanes and
Pease also. Now for the skegge Oate, it is a little, small, hungry,
leane Oate, with a beard at the small end like a wilde Oate, and is good
for small vse more then Pullen onely: it is a seede meete for the
barrainest and worst earth, as fit to grow but there where nothing of
better profit will grow. And thus much for those seedes which are apt
and in vse in our English soyles: wherein if any man imagine me guiltie
of errour, in that I haue omitted particularly to speake of the seede of
blend-Corne, or Masline, which is Wheate and Rye mixt together, I
answere him, that sith I haue shewed him how to chuse both the best
Wheate and the best Rye, it is an easie matter to mixe them according to
his owne discretion.




CHAP. VI.

_Of the time of Haruest and the gathering in of Corne._


{SN: The getting in of Masline.}
{SN: The getting in of Wheate.}
Next vnto plowing, it is necessary that I place Reaping, sith it is the
end, hope, and perfection of the labour, and both the merit and
incouragement which maketh the toyle both light and portable: then to
proceede vnto the time of Haruest. You shall vnderstand that it is
requisite for euery good Husband about the latter end of Iuly, if the
soyle wherein he liueth be of any hot temper, or about the beginning of
August, if it be of temperate warmth, with all dilligence constantly to
beholde his Rye, which of all graines is the first that ripeneth, and if
he shall perceiue that the hull of the eare beginneth to open, and that
the blacke toppes of the Corne doth appeare, he may then be assured that
the Corne is fully ripe, and ready for the Sickle, so that instantly he
shall prouide his Reapers, according to the quantitie of his graine: for
if hee shall neglect his Rye but one day more then is fit, it is such a
hasty graine, that it will shale forth of the huske to the ground, to
the great losse of the Husbandman. When hee hath prouided his shearers,
which he shall be carefull to haue very good, he shall then looke that
neither out of their wantonnesse nor emulation, they striue which shall
goe fastest, or ridd most ground, for from thence proceedeth many errors
in their worke, as namely, scattering, and leauing the Corne vncut
behind them, the cutting the heads of the Corne off so that they are not
possible to be gathered, and many such like incommodities, but let them
goe soberly and constantly, and sheare the Rye at least fourteene inches
aboue the ground. Then he must looke that the gatherers which follow the
Reapers doe also gather cleane, & the binders binde the Sheafes fast
from breaking, then if you finde that the bottomes of the Sheafes be
full of greenes, or weedes, it shall not be amisse to let the Sheafes
lye one from another for a day, that those greenes may wither, but if
you feare any Raine or foule weather, which is the onely thing which
maketh Rye shale, then you shall set it vp in Shockes, each Shocke
containing at least seauen Sheafes, in this manner: first, you shall
place foure Sheafes vpright close together, and the eares vpwards, then
you shall take other three Sheafes and opening them and turning the
eares downeward couer the other foure Sheafes that stoode vpwards, and
so let them stand, vntill you may with good conueniencie lead them home,
which would be done without any protraction. Next after your cleane Rye,
you shall in the selfe-same sort reape your blend-Corne, or Masline: and
albeit your Wheate will not be fully so ripe as your Rye, yet you shall
not stay your labour, being well assured that your Rye is ready, because
Wheate will harden of it selfe after it is shorne, with lying onely.
After you haue got in your Rye and blend-Corne, you shall then looke
vnto your cleane Wheate, and taking heare and there an eare thereof,
rubbe them in your hand, and if you finde that the Corne hath all
perfection saue a little hardning onely, you shall then forthwith set
your Reapers vnto it, who shall sheare it in all things as they did
sheare your Rye, onely they shall not put it in Shockes for a day or
more, but let the Sheafes lye single, that the winde and Sunne may both
wither the greenes, and harden the Corne: which done, you shall put the
Sheafes into great Shockes, that is to say, at least twelue or
foureteene Sheafes in a Shocke, the one halfe standing close together
with the eares vpward, the other halfe lying crosse ouerthwart those
eares, and their eares downeward, and in this sort you shall let your
Wheate stand for at least two dayes before you lead it.

Now it is a custome in many Countries of this kingdome, not to sheare
their Wheate, but to mow it, but in my conceit and in generall
experience, it is not so good: for it both maketh the Wheate foule, and
full of weede, and filleth vp a great place with little commoditie, as
for the vse of thacking, which is the onely reason of such disorderly
cutting, there is neither the straw that is shorne, nor the stubble
which is left behinde, but are both of sufficiencie inough for such an
imployment, if it passe through the hands of a workman, as we see in
dayly experience.

{SN: The getting in of Barly.}
Next to your Wheate, you shall haue regard to your Barly, for it
sodainely ripeneth, and must be cut downe assoone as you perceiue the
straw is turned white, to the bottome, and the eares bended downe to the
groundward. Your Barly you shall not sheare, although it is a fashion in
some Country, both because it is painefull and profitlesse, but you
shall Mowe it close to the ground, and although in generall it be the
custome of our kingdome, after your Barly is mowen and hath lyne a day
or two in swathe, then with rackes to racke it together, and make it
into great cockes, and so to leade it to the Barne, yet I am of this
opinion that if your Barly be good and cleane without thistles or
weedes, that if then to euery sitheman, or Mower you alot two followers,
that is to say, a gatherer, who with a little short rake and a small
hooke shall gather the Corne together, and a binder, who shall make
bands and binde vp the Barly in smale Sheafes, that questionlesse you
shall finde much more profit thereby: and although some thinke the
labour troublesome and great, yet for mine owne part, I haue seene very
great croppes inned in this manner, and haue seene two women, that with
great ease, haue followed and bound after a most principall Mower, which
made me vnderstand that the toyle was not so great as mine imagination;
and the profit ten-fold greater then the labour: but if your Corne be
ill Husbanded, and full of thistles, weedes, and all filthinesse, then
this practise is to be spared, and the loose cocking vp of your Corne is
much better. Assoone as you haue cleansed any Land of Barly, you shall
then immediatly cause one with a great long rake, of at least thirtie
teeth, being in a sling bound bauticke-wise crosse his body, to draw it
from one end of the Land to the other, all ouer the Land, that he may
thereby gather vp all the loose Corne which is scattered, and carry it
where your other Corne standeth, obseruing euer, as your cheifest rule,
that by no meanes you neither leade Barly, nor any other graine
whatsoeuer, when it is wet, no although it be but moistned with the dew
onely: for the least dankishnesse, more then the sweate which it
naturally taketh, will soone cause it to putrifie.

{SN: The getting in of Oates.}
Now for the gathering in of your Oates, they be a graine of such
incertaintie, ripening euer according to the weather, & not after any
setled or naturall course, that you are to looke to no constant season,
but to take them vpon the first show of ripenesse, and that with such
diligence that you must rather take them before, then after they be
ripe, because if they tarry but halfe a day too long, they will shed
vpon the ground, & you shal loose your whole profit. The time then
fittest to cut your Oates is, assoone as they be somewhat more then
halfe changed, but not altogether changed, that is, when they are more
then two parts white, and yet the greene not vtterly extinguished, the
best cutting of them is to mow them (albeit I haue seene them shorne in
some places) & being mowen to let them dry and ripen in the swathe, as
naturally they will doe, and then if you bind them vp in Sheafes, as you
should binde your Barly, it is best: for to carry them in the loose
cocke, as many doe, is great losse and hindrance of profit.

{SN: The getting in of Pulse.}
After you haue got in your white Corne, you shall then looke vnto your
Pulse, as Beanes, Pease, Fitches, and such like, which you shall know to
be ready by the blacknesse of the straw: for it is a rule, whensoeuer
the straw turnes, the Pulse is ripe. If then it be cleane Beanes, or
Beanes and Pease mixt, you shall mowe them, and being cleane Beanes rake
them into heapes, and so make them vp into cockes, but if they be mixt
you shall with hookes fould the Beanes into the Pease, and make little
round reapes thereof, which after they haue beene turned and dryed, you
may put twenty reapes together, and thereof make a cocke, and so lead
them, and stacke them: but if they be cleane Pease, or Pease and
Fitches, then you shall not mowe them, but with long hookes cut them
from the ground, which is called Reaping, and so foulding them together
into small reapes, as you did your Pease and Beanes, let them be turned
and dryed, and so cocked, and carried either to the Barne, stacke, or
houell.

Now hauing thus brought in, and finished your Haruest, you shall then
immediately mowe vp the stubble, both of your Wheate, Rye, and Masline,
and with all expedition there-with thacke, and couer from Raine and
weather, all such graine as for want of house-roome, you are compeld to
lay abroad, either in stacke, or vpon houell: but if no such necessitie
be, and that you haue not other more necessary imployment for your
stubble, it shall be no part of ill Husbandry to let the stubble rot
vpon the Land, which will be a reasonable Manuring or fatting of the
earth.

Now hauing brought your Corne into the Barne, it is a lesson needlesse
to giue any certaine rules how to spend or vtter it forth, sith euery
man must be ruled according to his affaires, and necessitie, yet sith in
mine owne experience I haue taken certaine setled rules from those who
haue made themselues great estates by a most formall and strickt course
in their Husbandry, I thinke it not amisse to show you what I haue noted
from them, touching the vtterance and expence of their graine: first,
for your expence in your house, it is meete that you haue euer so much
of euery seuerall sort of graine thresht, as shall from time to time
maintaine your family: then for that which you intend shall returne to
particular profit, you shall from a fortnight before Michaelmas, till a
fortnight after, thresh vp all such Wheate, Rye, & Masline, as you
intend to sell for seede, which must be winnowed, fand, and drest so
cleane as is possible, for at that time it will giue the greatest price;
but as soone as seede-time is past, you shall then thresh no more of
those graines till it be neare Midsummer, but begin to thresh vp all
such Barly as you intend to conuert and make into Malt, and so from
Michaelmas till Candlemas, apply nothing but Malting, for in that time
graine is euer the cheapest, because euery Barne being full, some must
sell for the payment of rents, some must sell to pay seruants wages, and
some for their Christmas prouisions: in which time Corne abating and
growing scarse, the price of necessitie must afterwards rise: at
Candlemas you shall begin to thresh all those Pease which you intend to
sell for seede, because the time being then, and euery man, out of
necessitie, inforced to make his prouision, it cannot be but they must
needes passe at a good price and reckoning.

After Pease seede-time, you shall then thresh vp all that Barly which
you meane to sell for seede, which euer is at the dearest reckoning of
any graine whatsoeuer, especially if it be principally good and cleane.
After your seede-Barly is sould, you may then thresh vp all such Wheate,
Rye, and Masline, as you intend to sell: for it euer giueth the greatest
price from the latter end of May vntill the beginning of September. In
September you shall begin to sell your Malt, which being old and hauing
lyne ripening the most part of the yeere, must now at the latter end of
the yeere, when all old store is spent, and the new cannot be come to
any perfection, be most deare, and of the greatest estimation: and thus
being a man of substance in the world, and able to put euery thing to
the best vse, you may by these vsuall obseruations, and the helpe of a
better iudgement, imploy the fruits of your labours to the best profit,
and sell euery thing at the highest price, except you take vpon you to
giue day and sell vpon trust, which if you doe, you may then sell at
what vnconscionable reckoning you will, which because such vnnaturall
exactions neither agree with charitie, nor humanitie, I will forbeare to
giue rules for the same, and referre euery man that is desirous of such
knowledge, to the examples of the world, wherein he shall finde
presidents inough for such euill customes. And thus much for the first
part of this worke, which containeth the manner of Plowing and tillage
onely.




  THE SECOND PART
  OF THE FIRST BOOKE OF
  the English Husbandman,
  Contayning the Art of Planting, Grafting and Gardening, either for
  pleasure or profit; together with the vse and ordering of Woodes.




CHAP. I.

_Of the Scyte, Modell, Squares, and Fashion of a perfect Orchard._


Although many authors which I haue read, both in Italian, French, and
Dutch, doe make a diuersitie and distinguishment of Orchardes, as
namely, one for profit, which they fashion rudely and without forme, the
other for delight, which they make comely, decent, and with all good
proportion, deuiding the quarters into squares, making the alleyes of a
constant breadth, and planting the fruit-trees in arteficiall rowes: yet
for as much as the comelinesse and well contriuing of the ground, doth
nothing abate, but rather increase the commoditie, I will therefore
ioyne them both together, and make them onely but one Orchard. Now for
the scyte and placing of this Orchard, I haue in the modell of my
Country house, or Husbandmans Farme, shewed you where if it be possible
it should stand, and both what Sunne & ayre it should lye open vpon: but
if the scyte or ground-plot of your house will not giue you leaue to
place your Orchard according to your wish, you shall then be content to
make a vertue of necessitie, and plant it in such a place as is most
conuenient, and nearest alyed to that forme before prescribed.

{Illustration}

Now when you haue found out a perfect ground-plot, you shall then cast
it into a great large square, which you shall fence in either with a
stone or bricke wall, high, strong pale, or great ditch with a
quicke-set hedge, but the wall is best and most durable, and that wall
would haue vpon the inside within twelue or fourteene foote on of
another, Iames or outshoots of stone or bricke, betweene which you may
plant and plash those fruit-trees which are of greatest tendernesse, the
South and West Sunne hauing power to shine vpon them.

When you haue thus fenc'st in this great square, you shall then cast
foure large alleyes, at least fourteene foote broad, from the wall round
about, and so likewise two other alleyes of like breadth, directly
crosse ouerthwart the ground-plot, which will deuide the great square
into foure lesser squares, according to the figure before set downe.

The figure 1. sheweth the alleyes which both compasse about, and also
crosse ouer the ground-plot, and the figure 2. sheweth the foure
quarters where the fruit-trees are to be planted.

Now if either the true nature and largnesse of the ground be sufficient,
or your owne abilitie of pursse so great that you may compasse your
desires in these earthly pleasures, it shall not be amisse, but a matter
of great state, to make your ground-plot full as bigge againe, that is
to say, to containe eight large quarters, the first foure being made of
an euen leuell, the other foure being raysed at least eight foote higher
then the first, with conuenient stayres of state for ascending to the
same, to be likewise vpon another euen leuell of like forme, and if in
the center of the alleyes, being the mid-point betweene the squares,
might be placed any quaint fountaines or any other antique standard, the
platforme would be more excellent and if vpon the ascent from one leuell
to another there might be built some curious and arteficiall banquetting
house, it would giue luster to the Orchard.

Now for the planting and furnishing of these quarters: you shall
vnderstand that if your Orchard containe but foure quarters, then the
first shalbe planted with Apple-trees of all sorts, the second with
Peares and Wardens of all sorts, the third with Quinces & Chesnutes, the
fourth with Medlars & seruices. Against the North side of your Orchard
wall against which the South sunne reflects, you shall plant the
Abricot, Verdochio, Peach, and Damaske-plumbe: against the East side of
the wall, the whit Muskadine Grape, the Pescod-plumbe, and the
Emperiall-plumbe: against the West side the grafted Cherries, and the
Oliue-tree: and against the South side the Almond, & Figge tree. Round
about the skirts of euery other outward or inward alley, you shall
plant, the Wheate-plumbe, both yealow & redde, the Rye-plumbe, the
Damson, the Horse-clog, Bulleys of all kindes, ordinary french Cherryes,
Filberts, and Nuts of all sorts, together with the Prune-plumbe, and
other such like stone fruits. But if your Orchard be of state and
prospect, so that it containe eight quarters or more (according to the
limitation of the earth) then you shall in euery seuerall quarter plant
a seuerall fruit, as Apple-trees in one quarter, Peares in another,
Quinces in another, Wardens in another, and so forth of the rest. Also
you shall obserue in planting your Apples, Peares, and Plumbes, that you
plant your summer or early fruit by themselues, and the Winter or long
lasting fruit by themselues. Of Apples, your Ienitings, Wibourns,
Pomederoy, and Queene-Apples are reckoned the best earely fruits,
although their be diuers others, and the Pippin, Peare-maine,
Apple-Iohn, and Russetting, your best Winter and long lasting fruit,
though there be a world of other: for the tastes of Apples are infinite,
according to there composition and mixture in grafting. Of Peares your
golden Peare, your Katherine-Peare, your Lording, and such like, are the
first, and your stone-Peare, Warden-Peare, and choake-Peare, those which
indure longest. And of Plumbes the rye-plumbe is first, your
Wheate-plumbe next, and all the other sorts of plumbes ripen all most
together in one season, if they haue equall warmth, and be all of like
comfortable standing.

{Illustration}

Now for the orderly placing of your trees, you shall vnderstand that
your Plumbe-trees (which are as it were a fence or guard about your
great quarters) would be placed in rowes one by one, aboue fiue foote
distance one from another, round about each skirt of euery alley: your
Apple-trees & other greater fruit which are to be planted in the
quarters, would be placed in such arteficiall rowes that which way
soeuer a man shall cast his eyes yet hee shall see the trees euery way
stand in rowes, making squares, alleyes, and deuisions, according to a
mans imagination, according to the figure before, which I would haue
you suppose to be one quarter in an Orchard, and by it you may easily
compound the rest: wherein you shall vnderstand that the lesser prickes
doe figure your Plumbe-trees, & the greater prickes your Apple trees,
and such other large fruit.

Now you shall vnderstand that euery one of these great trees which
furnish the maine quarter, shall stand in a direct line, iust twelue
foote one from another, which is a space altogether sufficient inough
for there spreading, without waterdropping or annoying one another;
prouided that the Fruiterer, according to his duty, be carefull to
preserue the trees vpright and to vnderprope them when by the violence
of the winde they shall swarue any way. Vpon the ascent or rising from
one leuell to another, you may plant the Barberry-trees, Feberries, and
Raspberries, of all sorts, which being spreading, thorny and sharpe
trees, take great delight to grow thicke and close together, by which
meanes often times they make a kinde of wall, hedge, or fencing, where
they stand.

Hauing thus shewed you the ground-plot and proportion of your Orchard,
with the seuerall deuisions, ascents, and squares, that should be
contained therein, and the fruits which are to furnish euery such square
and deuision, and their orderly placing, it now rests that you
vnderstand that this Orchard-plot, so neare as you can bring it to
passe, doe stand most open and plaine, vpon the South and West sunne,
and most defended from the East and North windes and bitternesse, which
being obserued your plot is then perfect and absolute.

Now forasmuch as where nature, fruitfulnesse, and situation doe take
from a man more then the halfe part of his industrie, and by a direct
and easie way doth lead him to that perfection which others cannot
attaine to without infinit labour and trauell: and whereas it is nothing
so commendable to maintaine beautie, as to make deformitie beautifull, I
will speake something of the framing of Orchard-plots there where both
nature, the situation, and barrainnesse, doe vtterly deny the enioying
of any such commoditie, as where the ground is vneuen, stonie, sandy, or
in his lownesse subiect to the ouerflow of waters, all being apparant
enemies to these places of pleasure and delight. First, for the
vneuennesse of the ground, if that be his vttermost imperfection, you
shall first not onely take a note with your eye, but also place a marke
vpon the best ascent of the ground to which the leuell is fittest to be
drawne, and then plowing the ground all ouer with a great common plough,
by casting the furrowes downward, seeke to fill in and couer the lesser
hollownesses of the ground, that their may not any thing appeare but the
maine great hollowes, which with other earth which is free from stones,
grauell, or such like euils, you shall fill vp and make leuell with that
part where your marke standeth, and being so leuelled, forthwith draw
the plot of your Orchard: but if the ground be not onely vneuen but also
barraine, you shall then to euery loade of earth you carry to the
leuelling adde a loade of Manure, either Oxe Manure, or Horse Manure,
the rubbish of houses, or the clensings of olde ditches, or standing
pooles, and the earth will soone become fertill and perfect; but if the
ground be stonie, that is, full of great stones, as it is in Darbishire
about the Peake or East Mores, for small pibbles or small lime-stones
are not very much hurtfull, then you shall cause such stones to be digd
vp, and fill vp the places where they lay either with marle, or other
rich earth, which after it hath beene setled for a yeere or two you
shall then plough, and leuell it, and so frame forth the plot of your
Orchard. If the ground be onely a barraine sand, so that it wanteth
strength either to maintaine or bring forth, you shall then first digge
that earth into great trenches, at least foure foote deepe, and filling
them vp with Oxe Manure, mixe it with the sand, that it may change some
part of the colour thereof and then leuelling it fashion out your
Orchard. But lastly, and which is of all situations the worst, if you
haue no ground to plant your Orchard vpon, but such as either through
the neighbourhood of riuers, descent of Mountaines, or the earths owne
naturall quallitie in casting and vomiting out water and moysture, is
subiect to some small ouerflowes of water, by which you cannot attaine
to the pleasure you seeke, because fruit-trees can neuer indure the
corruption of waters, you shall then in the dryest season of the yeere,
after you haue marked out that square or quantitie of ground which you
intend for your Orchard, you shall then cast therein sundry ditches, at
least sixteene foote broad, and nine foote deepe, and not aboue twelue
foote betwixt ditch and ditch, vpon which reserued earth casting the
earth that you digged vp, you shall raise the banckes at least seauen
foote high of firme earth, and keepe in the top the full breadth of
twelue foote, with in a foote or little more: and in the casting vp of
these bankes you shall cause the earth to be beaten with maules and
broad beetels that it may lye firme, fast, and leuell, and after these
bankes haue rested a yeere or more, and are sufficiently setled, you may
then at the neather end of the banke, neare to the verge of the water
plant store of Osyers, which will be a good defence to the banke, and
vpon the top and highest part of the banke you shall plant your Orchard
and fruit-trees, so that when any inundation of water shall happen, the
ditches shalbe able inough to receiue it; or else making a passage from
your Orchard into some other sewer, the water exceeding his limits may
haue a free current or passage: besides the

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