UC-NRLF B 3 TDD TMb THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESENTED BY PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. SIR WALTER OF HENLEY TO ARrilLR YOLNG. 1200-1800. GRICULTURAL WRITERS, SIR WALTER OF HENLEY to ARTHUR YOUNG, I 200 — 1800. RKPRODUCTIONS IN FACSIMII.F. AND F.X TKAC TS FROM THRIR ACTUAL WRrriNGS, FNLARGED AND RKVISFD FROM AR TICLFS WHICH IIA\F APPEARED IN "THE FIELD," FROM 1903 to 1907. TO WHICH IS ADDED AX EXHAUSTIVE lillU.K )( ;KAI'n\- DONALD McDonald {Felloiv of the Linnean Society). LONDON; HORACE COX, FIELD" OFFICE, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S RUILDINC.S. 1908. LONDON : PRINTED BY HOKACE COX, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM's BUILDINGS E.C. " Tlic produce of the /iiisba)id man's labours is the only mcrcha)idise ivhicli all the world is ohlioed to deal iu, and it Teas such a co)isideration that induced many early writers to recommend agriculture as the most profitable of all the arts. " War, navigation, and commerce can never dispeople a rvise nation whose agriculture flourishes in full vigour, as industrious natio)!s are the most populous as well as the most virtuous. Industry is the vis matrix of husbandry." Canon Harte, " Es.sa)s on Husbandry." HISTORICAL lATRODlLrioX AGRIcri/lTRF. IS the art of obtaining, from the earth, food for the sustenance of man and his domestic animals, and the perfection of the art is to obtain the i^reatest possible produce at the smallest possible <^xpense. I'pon the importance of the art it is needless to ex|)atiate. for bv it every country is enabled to support in comfort an abundant population. On this its strength as a nation depends, and, by it, an independence is secured. An agricultural country has within itself the necessaries of life, and to maintain these there will never be wanting a host of patriotic men. The origin of the simplest arts of life is involved in the obscurity which envelops the early history of the human race. Before there can be any motives to record events, some considerable progress must have been made in civilisation. When attention is altogether directed to obtaining the means of subsistence, there is little leisure, nor is there any great desire, to communicate the knowledge acquired by experience. Warlike achievements are the first things recorded, and the peaceful labours of the husbandmen are overlooked. It has been often observed that nations are very considerably advanced in civilisation before they •commit to writing, records or memorials of any kind, and that a much greater progression has been made before any notice has been bestowed upon the most simple and necessary of all the arts of practice, in the •employment of the earth for providing the necessaries of life. In tracing the progress of an art from the lives and writings of the inventors and improvers, the practical knowledge is derived which sees the foundation of the system that has been followed, and perceives the difficulties that are to be overcome and the contentions that are to be •encountered in making the least deviation from established usages ; and in this respect learning received advantages from the in\(iUion ot printing, which spread the dominion of knowledge to an immeasurable distance beyond its former limits, and there soon appeared a necessity ol c-oUecting and condensing the widely scattered materials into such limited forms as were easy of manijjulation and distribution. In tin- oldest writings which have been handed down to us it is a curious fact that the common operations of husbandry are mentioned or alluded to in much the same terms in which we should describe them now, and so are many of the implements and also the productions, but they are 2 AGRIC UL ri 'RA L WRITERS. only mentioned incidentally. It required a very advanced state of the arts and of literature to produce in those days a treatise on any one practical subject exclusively, and the simpler and more common the arts the less they are noticed in the early literature of a nation, and there would seem to be no other means of tracing the progress of husbandry than by the manuscripts of the monks who troubled to record the ex- periences of their labours. The science of agriculture is remarkable for the few great names whose discoveries or writings thereon adorn its early history. For an explanation of this fact we must in some measure be contented with the commonplace observation, that its advances, and improvements, were so slow in coming as to be almost imperceptible. The great wonder is that men should have looked upon nature so long and yet have known so little about her. Outiof'some sixty centuries that make up the history of the world as we know it, take away but the last and what a loss to that great science, yet but little valued in its true importance, which explains the growth and structure of all forms of life ? It is claimed that, as the progress of the art altered with every condition at every step, the early literature proved itself useless and was distrusted when every rule laid down was found false on application. Another impediment to agricultural knowledge was found in the conditions of the life of the farmer, always more or less localised or isolated and lacking the salutary influence of that mental attrition caused by the aggregation of numbers in towns. Thus encircled with difficulties requiring, for the attainment of considerable eminence, the union of both practice and experience, we w^ta hardly feel surprised that the few illustrious exceptions to the general rule have appeared at very distant intervals to describe in print the inventions and improvements of their time. In Britain it was not until the end of the eleventh century that the practice of agriculture was honoured with a written notice, so that previously to this time we have no means of tracing the progress of the industry other than by those ancient writers who discoursed upon the subject. The Doomsday Book describes the agricultural aspect of the kingdom at the Norman Conquest as being generally in uninclosed pasturage or co^'ered with vast tracts of forest and un- productive coppice. Much of the otherwise waste land was given over to the monasteries, and it was under the protection afforded by the religious houses, the abbots of which paid more attention to the moral and material welfare of their dependents, that the lands belonging to them were better cultivated and more thickly inhabited than the estates belonging to the- feudal lords (whose whole time seems to have been engaged in fighting), and the earliest improvements in Elnglish husbandry must be ascribed to their skill and industry. In the early part of the eighteenth century, and thence to the present time, a different class of men have engaged in the cultivation of the soiL /.\/-A'f>n('('//(Ky. 3 The arciimulatimi of wealth from llic xast iiuTi-asc and improvement of manufactures and eommcrec th(> belhr (hHiision of information, and lh<- increased pc^pulation hav(> all contributed to this ettett. Indixiduals engaged in the pursuit, whose education and habits recpiircd a larger income foi their indulgence than could be afforded from the profits of a small farm, engaged in the occupation of much larger areas, extending even to over one thousand acres. From none of these facts, however, have arisen any splendid discoveries, for such are not to be made in agriculture ; there never can arise, so far as I can foresee, any Newton or Watt in this art. but these enlightened cultivators have effected and are accomplishing all that modern advantages can be expected to perform. They have occasioned the collision of opinion, they have stimulated the desire for improvement, and the\- have promot'-d the general communication of its requirements. The improvements which were m due time effected to remedy deficiencies, consisted of a series of moves each depending on the other. Two things were desirable, to increase the extent of culturable soil for grain crops ; and to raise sufficient food for cattle and horses all the year round; now these desirable points involved a thorough change in the practice of husbandry. How was it possible to break up and profitably cultivate indifferent soils, much of which had hitherto been considered beyond all hope of improvement, without an abundant supply of manure, and ho\v could the manure be procured without keeping large herds of cattle, for which there was evidently no means of subsistence ? To over- come these difficulties it was found necessary in the first place to introduce what are called green crops, that is, crops of artificial grasses, including clover, turnips and other roots and plants, for by having a proper supply of these substances, two important ends were gained, the support of stock for manure, and the alternation of green with grain crops, thus at once enriching the land, and relieving it from the scourging obligation to raise corn successfully. On these main points, then, along with plans for drawing off by artificial drainage, the surplus water lodged in or upon the soil, hang the great agricultural improve- ments of modern time. As to the literature on the subject, a prejudice has hitherto existed among farmers against the agricultural knowledge contained in books, but there are signs that these stagnant cultivators are gradually disappearing. Ignorance is always bigoted and obstinate, and it is the same mental sterility which made them formerly jealous of all new practices. I heartily rejoice at this, and hope to see them more and mon- a class of reading men. Practice must always be their chief tutor, but it is invariably found most correct in its details when founded upon some scientific knowledge. Foremost, then, among the primary circumstances which caused the change was the publication of numerous and valuable contributions to agricultural liter.iture during the eighteenth century, and 4 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. there can be no doubt that the communication of information through the instrumentahty of books and journals promoted the advancement of the art more than any other means. I do not say that a practical farmer is to take as gospel all he reads in print, but there can be no reason why he should not reflect upon what he reads, make small experiments and extend them according to the value he has found in them. Further powerful influences in promoting this spirit of improvement was the formation of a number of societies for the diffusion of knowledge, the encouragement of correct observations and beneficial discoveries. In 1724 was instituted the Society of Improvers of Agriculture in Scotland. The Dublin Society was formed in 1749, and still doing good work in Ireland ; next came the Bath and West of England Society, established in 1777, and the Highland Society of Scotland, in 1784, and both of these great institutions are still going strong in the dissemination of knowledge. Then came the foundation of the Board of Agriculture in 1793, under the presidency of Sir John Sinclair, Bart. By means of this institution great numbers of intelligent practical men were brought forward, who otherwise would probably never have been heard of, and, being professedly concerned in farm management, agriculture generally was rescued from the hands of theorists, and a revolution of no small extent in ways and means was accomplished.^ The numerous surveys of the art as practised in various counties, executed under the authority of the Board, were of singular advantage, for whilst they pointed out obstacles that lay in the way of improvement, they stated the most effectual methods of removing them. In fact, the Board in a few years collected a mass of agricultural information never equalled by the accumulated stores of any other nation, and this good work was continued until 1 8 19, when it was deemed unnecessary by Parliament, and, the annual vote for its support being withdrawn, it ceased to exist, and w^s not again constructed until within the last twenty years. During the period which has elapsed since the last edition of Arthur Young's " Farm Calendar," agriculture has benefited by mechanical ingenuity, by extended resources and individual experiment vastly more than during any similar period of history. No doubt the foundation of our present Royal Agricultural Society, in 1838, had a deal to do with the change as this great institution, including many similar associations now established in every county, has stimulated cultivators, by the offer of prem.iums and other honorary awards ; consequently the whole business is no longer an act of labour, but is a science, and it is generally admitted that the present Board of Agriculture serves to sustain the reputation of its progenitor upon up-to-date methods, and earn the debt of gratitude that cultivators are ready to pay to those who have helped towards their advancement. * A list uf these writers will be found in the Bibliography at end of book. /.yyA'(>/)/'('V7().y. 5 In close association with these cnliirhtcned societies, manv noblemen, and even thr monarch of Enjjfland, became practical agri- culturists, and everyone knows the great personal interest our King takes in the industry ; indeed, it is safe to say that no model farms in history compare with Windsor, and. that for knowledge oi the national importance of stock-breeding, King Edward \'II. excels all his prede- cessors. Other teachers of agriculture or i>lant improvers of eminence during the past century may be mentioned in the names of Professor Buckman, Dr. Carruthers, James Carter, Archibald Findlav, Dr. Fream, Sir Brandreth Gibbs, Sir Henry Gilbert. Sir John Bennett Lawes. Peter Lawson, Professor MacAlpine. Professor AlcConnell, John Chalmers Morton, Miss Eleanor Ormerod. Professor Percival, (ieorge Sinclair, Dr. Somerville, Martin John Sutton, Professor Wallace, Sir Charles Whitehead, Professor \\'ilson, Professor Patrick Wright, Professor Wrightson — these are a few — together with the many colleges and institutions for learning the science in practice, now establisherl in various parts of the kingdom. In biographical notices the most proper circumstances are selection, compass, and arrangement. Much attention is due to the period when the author lived, and a fair allowance should be made, and a just pro- portion observed, of the ease and abundance with which the materials are formed as the times approach nearer our o\\ n. I have added at the end an alphabetical list of the authors, so that the publications of any one of them can be readily noted. This list comprehends every British writer of whom any notice can be found from the most careful researches. Necessity, compelled frequent references to former lists, and in this connection I would especially mention the following publications: Weston's " Authors of Husbandry," Johnson's " History of Gardening," Loudon's '' Encvclopaedia of Agriculture," Miss Amherst's " History of Gardening," Miller's " (har- deners' Dictionary," Felton's " Portraits of Authors," Donaldson's " Agricultural Writers," and the " Dictionary of National Biograi)hy." My reason for compiling this volume is mainly the fact that these old writers have never been given the justice they deser\e in the story of the progress of Agriculture in Great Britain ; and, as I possess most of their original works, I ha\ c bec-n able to gather my informa- tion largely from their own pages, and produce the result between two covers. Bevond adding that my ancestors have been wedded to the land for nian\- generations in Scotland, and that I also have been interested in both practical and theoretical agriculture and horticulture all my life, I claim no special knowledge on the subject. DONALD McDonald. Bexlcv Heath, Kent. JiDiiiarv \st. iQoS. A GRIC I V. TURA L WRITER S. 0? c|Vlehtr Vt>oftJ?c>r>a« K«Vi\ 4 ng«1i 5rnc fitr i«>i9 Vv* All 0 >• f ,j n-npn fyreViivaU" Vbenk- C'c^ Wtilac-' CiirS ouj't rotitc a-tiiC< c<^> Inin«f 5'ttr'totc WTU-clv>3«r- «f<9 onui ^ Siir n ftgC" i cs«. d) oau^ «6 V tOdUwVmj Rioticttexmt ^x-tRc Vw.u^n cruc^usnt-fittc'kclon'un- yfr*"' " ' ' ■''^■> vir^tvaucVsfteHie m^ftralic.^i?eau»fvF ^as«* V*^-'^ *tt woe ^-ifr • «'tmttr«S^ticr-V Vc n>Aj''Jro t ■• cue. f«l'.airtY u.r .«t»a^ nont-tie- V- (\"rt-l)i)nt .i^o^b^Vn.; - Ic ^vniti> tOneVolimtC u-tourv'^in .ilrtcl)*f< .vlaWc 4u ajuVile ■S^\'S sotxcf foroftuvucnr A?^??- «'»vtre-ora.t-STni4-4otulfiie.-icKjrU )* 5c^t«.u, tn^c4 5- e.^ rors Photoi^ralyli of a portion of the anonvmons'v written " II nshandrv," from the ori}(innl MS. in tlu University Lihrary. ('(liiihridi^c. {Hit. III. 11./166. 14M rottury.) Thp: FoiK Tui; \l ISI'.S which served such excelliiit purjxjses in England, from the twelfth to the fourteenth centuries, may be de- scribed as follows : — Sir Wai.ikr of HjiNLEv'sf Tkiiai isk on Hish.wdrv. A survey of the management of men and animals. ('See pages h and i i . j Anon Hishandrn . Com trued with the estate accounts, (See illustration abo\-e.) * A Roman writer aluiut a.d. 400. + The Latin word " Doininu^," translated as Sir or Syr. wri oli-Ti ii-<-.| m ,11 Iv davs prefix<-Hl to tlie r.amc f)f monks .ind friars. 8 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. Senescalcia. Deals with the division of labour. (See below.) The office of seneschal was similar to that of an agent or factor. •maimer ^r^i (fe:^^^!-^ S'lVcii-r^nnctrc fi 1 »l«^«~(^'2^^'^tT«^•'^^• L c jilMc^Ap Ivor- rf(7it>Vyn^.tiV<»HiC <*f mA^tJf;' fc^f n\cf i)'^*'^^f''=^*<*>''^"'5y'*'.K>>i1^b"tMv foig^ «V>1^ f\<;ir-Cf icUrc^W Vc Phutugraph of a poriion of the Senescalcia MS. From the original MS. in the University L ihrary, Ca in b ridge. {Mm. I 27,./. 133. Early 14th century.) •^/.i.y/scA'//>/s ,-v, 9 BiSHOi^ Grossetkstk's Kri.i:s. Deals with the production and o.nsu.nj.t.on of .roos uul m- agement ot the household. ^See pa 'a- , , ) ' "^•"'- Ab Account ' %cpf , ant)>e eot> tino times fna ?fart,' bat tbat Ijappensttj not eurq? t^a^ J oeitber can eaerc one of t^em gtue P20« £ts,bnt $}nel?acco;oinga0 t^c^Ginllbt: fi9eUbcpt,an(tDcrst|)epp;ofite, eitbtf tno}eo;lcfI^. Thij hujbandric made a Knight ^fif Walter of Henley, wrho afccr ren- dered himfclf inco the order of the Fricrs-preacherf,&did teach vnto the pcoplc,how they ought CO Ituo vifely ind honcftly of their soods, ^ •ndnot to vafte too much before-; ' handjeft they ihould want after, y^ttat^itxMt fobteolocage, ann' fasoeto bis f(mne,fairefonne, lint faifclp, aao;Dmg to C5o6, ano after tbi ; luo;lo. s:oU)arD0 CDoD tktnbe often of fbcpaffion.anooftlje JitatiHWX^tdii C\i}itt fnffereti faj b8 , anD louefeim a# fcoBcalltbtngs, antJPcarebim, «bap8 fctsrcmmanoemfnta. astotrfeingtbt too;lt>, tfctnbc pee on tbe'ujfer.lcoffo?* «Qne,l)ofri :v,i^»: tscj ro rirfif . :,a.-«) tot-^ 'fefpare on tjje rep of tfec tcfta Ic, botoe RtFHusbandrie, ^mifcftanfc tbe^ Ooc fall infopouer* tie,anD mo?e into affitdiona : tljcrefo;« Jpjappou to o;oer?oar lifcaccojoing as pour lanos are too;tij,'fjnD do cxttnit bptbepcare, ano no bigljer : 3f pou cm imp;oue pour lanDs to gatnc0,eitfjer b? Homing 0^ bp otbcr parucpance nio;e tbw the ojiDinarte rcucnuc, feaepc tit oucrplas in tto?e:fo; if co;ne faiie,aoj« bpetlj, o; burning Ijappcnctb to come, ojanpotf}ermifcban«, t^cntbcfame fijat son baue in ao;c U)ill be p;ofitabIe to pan. 3f pon Do fpenb bp f be peare tbt lDo;tb of pour lanos, fjanp lolTeinttig pearc o; mifcljance bappen to come,pou baue no rctourfe to pour ao;c , ano let tbeUojcrmabj notoatte, no; oeSrop l)ts;gQ3tjs,afl fome men Do,a« tbofe mar^ cbats twbicij oo bp fo; tUientie Ojillingfl, ano 00 fell fo: ten, tfjat man is neubcr ralleonojappjiDueotoifc, tfcatcanDc^ iwertimfclfc out of loffe ano Ootb it not.|?on map fc fome men tobieb baue JanocBnnoreuenarB, ana cannot tell totoeto Ituc : iDbercfojc 3 tutll tell it pou,befaafe tbcp line ioitbout ojDer ,oi 6npfo}ccaa,'D;pjoui(ionafo;c ^iutt, C4 Avs I'h'rrcd to Facsi.„ile reproduction of pa,,e. inBellofs "Rook, of Thrift,- . marvellous results which deceived the credulous (or manv c enturi,-. I Ub^:^: C^ -P-duce so.e portions of the originals in'th: L^n ^a Ubrar> at Cambndore. It is interestini^r to know that ih.-.,- document's Ween translated, and reproduced in t, pe in a work cc:!; merarN effort about agriculture in a thoroughly Knglish spirit/' * Royal Historical Society. London, Longmans. iS.jo. A GRIC I \L I URA L WRII KR S. llitoiinii Y5 Frontispiece to Robert Grossetesie's " Buke of Husbandry, (See opposite page.) .v/A' WAr.rr.R or iiixi.i:y. ,i SIR WAi/IKk oi- Ill^^•lJ•:^■. 1 2()()-i_>S :; [about). A.N oducalcd man, who apjx-ars to havt- st-rNcd llic ollicf ol l)ailirt, or perhaps monk in charoc, at one ol" the manors loiiiiccttHl with Cantcrhury Cathedral. His Irratist- gives a fairly comj)K-lc picture of the systi'm of estate management at this early age. For all we know, he ma\ ha\ i- had a hand in the compilation of the second and third of the treatises I ha\ f mentioned, as their authorship up to the present is by no means settled. James Bellot* in his " Booke of 'Hirift " reproduces Walter of Henley's " Husbandry " and states : " 'I'his husbandrie made a Knight, Sir Walter of Henley who after rendered himself into the order of the Friers-preachers, and did teach unto the people how they ought to live wisely and honestly of their goods and not to waste too much before hand, lest they should want after." I reproduce two pages from this interesting little brochure. (See page y.) This treatise has also been reproduced by the Royal Historical Society, as stated on page 9. -^-CDOCX:- ROBERT TxROSSETHSTE. 1175-1253- So variously has this name been spelt that it is 1)\- no means certain which is correct. He was Bishop of Lincoln, and his set of Rules upon Estate Management are believed to have been jirepared for a Dowager Countess of Lincoln for use on her estates. He studied at the fniversity in Paris, and his treatise was copied and used for tjuite a couple ol centuries after his death. He was a \oluminous writer upon a \ariety of subjects, and copies of his MS. are found in the British, Bodleian, and Sloane Museums, and his Rules ha\c been reproduced in modern English in the same work by l^lizabelh l.amond mentioned on page 9. The old catalogue of the I'etcrborough Library ascribes to the Bisho]) " Liber qui vocatur Housbondrie," or " A Treatise of Husbandry, \\lii( h Mayster Groshede, some time P)ishop of Lincoln, made and translated out of French into English." It has been supposed that the bishop only translated it from French ; and, otherwise, that he lirst wrote it in French and then rendered it into l!nglish. Copies are also extant translated into Latin. Among Bishoj) Moore's works, in the public library at Cambridgi-, is a 4to " P)oke of Husbandry.'' I'nder this title, on a scroll, is the cut ol » " 'Ihc liooke of 'Ihritt, containing a perfilc order and right mctliode to protite lands. Englished and set out by J. B. Gentleman of Caen in F-'rance." I rui.lmi. printed bv John \\'(^lfe, I5S(). 12 AGRICULTURAL WIUTERS. a person standing in a wood or park, givini^ orders to a \\oodman who is felling a tree. (See reproduction on page lo). It contains eighteen leaves. " Here begynneth a Treatise of Husbandry, which Mayster Groshede, sometyme Byshop of Lyncoln, made and translated out of Frenshe into Englyshe, which techeth all manner of men to governe theyr lands, tenements, and demenes ordinatly, as by the chapytres evidently is shewed." It concludes with, " Here endeth the buke of husbandry, and of plantynge and graffvnge trees and vvnes." No date or printer is mentioned. A very full account of the life of this important man will be found in the " Dictionary of National Biography." See also " The Life and Times of Robert Grosseteste, Bishop of Lin- coln," by George G. Perry, M.A. London : Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. 1871. 304 pages, 8vo. LITTLETONS 1 enures ^nglVh, Lately perufcd and amended. fe"^»i L () .V D o ::, lintcd toi the Company of Sranonersj66i. Here beginneth the Table of this prefenc Book. N! 2rS» J ^Rbt Disfic fof tbff, mp ^on, thist ffitioV;cg. i^bc fitQ i3 of COatqj fbst mco labs pf ILsoDiJ 0} TLznitmnta, s^st ts tofap, Of €cn6r.t to ftc 4)lmple. Etna.1t Jn r« Calit tenant tnt^i coj:)\- oi a late edition in \\\\ collection. That illustrating a portion of the text gives a good idea of its contents. (See opposite page.) JOHN FITZHERBERT. 1460- 1 53 1 [about). With the invention of the art of printing greater attention began to be paid to rural affairs, and the first English treatise on practical husbandry appeared in 1523, during the reign of King Henrv Mil. It was written by John Fitzherbert, twelfth lord of the manor of Xorbury, in Derbyshire, from 1483 to 1331, and t^lder brother of .Sir Anthony Fitzherbert, Judge of the Common Pleas. Although it is known for a certain face that Sir Anthon\ was the author of one or more books on legal matters, all the earl\ biographers have brought him down to us as the writer of a book on husbandrx- ami one on surveying. It has been proved during the past ten )ears from thorough investigations made by Sir Ernest Clarke, M.A., F.S..\., late Secretary of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, and late Lecturer on the History of Agriculture at Cambridge University, that these books were written by John Fitzherbert. On Februar\- i()th, iS(/), Sir Ernest Clarke read before a meeting of the Bibliographical .Society a paper in connection with this subject, giving the results of his own researches. In the English Historical Review for April, 1807* there is an interesting article upon the authorship of these books from the pen of the Rev. Reginald II. C. h'itzherbert, in which it is shown that th(; first edition of the " Boke of Husbondrye " was *No. 46, Vol. XII. 14 AGRICULTURAL WRFFERS. produced by Pynson, the Kinor's printer, on July 15th, 1523, as well as the " Boke on Surveying " in the same year."^ The author of this curious and interesting volume who has by manv been looked upon as the father of English husbandry, vsrote from his own experience of more than forty years, and excepting his Biblical allusions and some vestiges of the superstitions of the Roman writers about the influence of the moon, there is verv little in his work that should be omitted — and not a great deal that need be added in so far as regards the culture of corn — in a manual of husbandrv adapted to the present time. It is evident that he was cognisant of the existence of Walter of Henley's precepts, but beyond these the work combines in a condensed form all that was necessary to be practised at that age, and, with a well-stored and well-regulated mind, he gives his experiences on all rural matters, from the preparation of the land to the breeding of stock, and even to the regulations of the domestic arrangements of the farmer's family. It throws considerable light on the state of the farmers in those days, who, with their wives and children, worked hard, and were little raised above the common labourers, except that they were freemen. A yeoman who had land of his own appears to have been a very independent man, but his mode of living was quite plain. He existed on the produce of his land, and generally fed his labourers at his own board. His pastime was hunting. Fitzherbert's book, from which I am able to give facsimile folios, t attracted great attention at the time, as it ran through eight editions during the following half-century and served as copy for other writers for another century, while its appearance formed a sort of crisis in the history of British agriculture. It may be safely assumed that had the author lived at the present day he would have been considered a great agricultural authority, as many of the rules he has laid down have never been altered. The Introduction shows us the first rudiments of husbandry, that a farmer ought not only to be skilled in the improvement of his land, b\ the sowing of corn and seeds, but also ought to understand the breeding and management of cattle. His own words concerning divers kinds of ploughs in his time are interesting. Following the facsimile page pictured on page i 7, he states: — About Zelcestre, the sharbeame, that in many places is called the ploughe bedde, is foure or fyve foote longe, and it is brode and thynne. And that is because the lande is very toughe, and wolde foke the ploughe into the erthe, yf the sharbeame were not long, brode and thynne. In Kenta they have oth-r maner of plowes, somme goo with wheles, as they do in many other places, and some w)l turne the shelbrede at every lands end, and plowe all one way. In Buckinghamshire are plowes made * For full description see Dibdin's "Typographical Antiquities," published 1810, Vol. II., pp. 503-5- t From the 1525 (?) edition printed by P. Treverys. The oldest in British Museum. Others say this edition was printed in 153 1. JO NX /■■//■/./!/■;/.'/:/ .A' /■ Ci!)ttc bc^vunctli a uciDe tractc ci tccir> rKcjnooa.pOtdblc fci nil imfbalic men r*nt) Dcip i;cctca^amc!iticDbrtl):i-:uctouiv\]aiti)DiHiCiicotl)cc • • tlivnae5:i;.:)ctit:;:i\)nro. Fiicsiiiiile of title in the 152,1 and 1525 i?) edition of Fitclin-birt' s '• lioki' of Ihisboiidne " 'From Ihero/'v in the British .y'ltscum.) This viuodiut uas first introduced in the " Kulendar of She/ herds." i6 AGRICULTURAL W RULERS. of another manner and also other maner of plowe yrons, the which we seemeth generally good and likely to serve in many places, and especially if the plough beam and sharbeam were four ynches longer, between the,steth and the plowe tayle, that the shelbrede might come more aslope, for those plowes s^yve out too sodenly, and there- fore they are worse to draw, and for no cause els. In Lecestershyre, Lankeshyre, Yorkeshyre, Lincolne, Norfolke, Cambridgeshyre, and many other countries the plowes be of dyvers makinges. But how so ever they be made, if they be well tempored and go well, they may be the betier suffered. The use of these is to show us in the first place that so long ago as almost 400 years, different forms of ploughs were in use in England. He also recommends the wheels of carts and waggons to be shod with iron, which in his day would cost about 255. the pair. He prefers oxen to horses for rural labour, but admits that horses are quicker for certain light work. He recommends that young husbandmen should learn to make their yokes, ox bows, stools, and all manner of plough gears. He advises that the wives of farmers perform all manner of work in baking and brewing, winnowing corn, driving and filling the dung carts, and attending the grinding mills when the flour is made. He next discusses the difference between ploughing with oxen and with horses, and adds : — In Somersetshyre, Devonshyre, and other partes of the west, the farmers make great advantage of their worn oxen when they have done labour, by feeding them in fresh pastures they bring them to be good meat, and sell them well in the markets. The chief objection made against the flesh of these cattle is that it is of large grain and does not eat so short and tender as that of cattle which have not been used to draw. As to sowing he says : — An acre of ground by the statute, that is to say, xvi. fote and an halfe to the perche or pole, four perches to an acre in breadth, and fortye perches to an acre in lengthe, may be metelye well sowen with two London bushelles of pease, the whyche is but two stryckes in other places, and if it be all beanes it will have foure London bushelles fullye, and that is half a quarter. Is not this very similar to what the farmer does to-day ? As to barley he states : — That there be three maner of barleys, that is to say, sprot barley, lonjre eare, and here barley, that somme men call bigge. Sprot barley hath a flat eare, three-quarters of an inch brode, and three inches long. Long eare is halfe an inch brode, and foure inches and more of lengtii. Here, then, it is clearly shown that the modern type of flat-eared barley known as Goldthorpe, and the long-eared type which we call Chevalier, was in some form or other known to Fitzherbert ; indeed, his measurements would represent an average ear to-day. Of oats, he speaks of red, yellow, black, and rough, the red being best for oatmeal. It may be presumed these latter are what we call sandy oats. Hay was made of the native grasses, stacked into ricks, and cut into trusses. " In the fourteenth century," says Professor Rogers in his exhaustive work on the " History of Agriculture," Vol. I., " Eighteen acres of grass ■ on the Oxford meadows sold at ^s. To mow and stack would cost joiix 11 r/.iii:i;i!i:K I . Cini)t boouc on)ttfl)ant5!^ folio .t. C^ctcbcsvnnttl) tl)e bcuc of liulban* baut)en}cnDolvuc. ^J^emood: genctall Irtirnge tl)at c',so; t]urbontics can Ijaiic ^isbr Ploiw^ >ngefifo\»pngccft^er;tco^zncs/^ tetptigco;^ b^tetirngcoftt/cr^cca* tcll/ant) not tl}c one totljcute tlje ctljer-trijan ist!]e plougljef moft necedavpeft mftctuncnt f»an \)\\U bantte can occuprc^VDbctfo^zc U is couenpent to be bnouien Ijotj) a plots) ftoin be maDe* C^D^lwriJ maners^ of plo\»e2?* r^^l^ece be ploUKS of Dpuers mafepngc0int)p<» xJLucts contrces/anD lpfee)x)prc tbcre be plo\xic3 of incn of Dpuecjs facponjs^ 3bnn tl)at is bccaufe tl}ecc be manp manet of gcounDcs anb forle»S»omc iDbrte dap/foinec«ebclap/fomgcaucll/fomri)pltiitnc/foin fanl>e/fome meane ettbe4oine mebtileb t^ttl) matle/ anti in manp placciJ bettjc grounbeanb one plough topll not fetue in al pIaccs,U)l)ctfo,ie it 10 ncceffatp to bane bpaecs manet of plotoes^n S^ommcrfetftr^e aboute 5Clfeftce/tbe aiatbeainc tl^at in manp places \% called tlje plougbe IjeD/ is foiire 0^ ftue fote longc/ an^itiSb;toDe5tbpn.3Bnbtbatis bpcaiife tbclantic is b jcr tougl]c/at \»olbe fobe tl^ plcuglj into tijc ect^ ?f t!)c ©atbcame Doere not longe/b^obc ^ anD tl^pnne^ 3inl^tnte tl)5p Ijaue otljcc manet plotces/fomc goo ^it^t»Uelc?/astt^;ep5o in manrori;ct places /ant) Facsimile of folio I, 1525 ? edition of Fitsherheri's " Huslnntili (From the copy in the British Museum.) 1 8 AGRICULTURAL WRULERS. another shilling per acre, and taking the quarter of wheat at 5^-. io\d., the average for 140 years, the value of an acre of grass on a site of great natural fertility and in close proximity to a town would be about equal to 10^ bushels of wheat." Even in those days there were certain burdens attached to the occupation of land. How would present-day farmers have existed in such times ? The common names given by Fitzherbert to weeds are interesting, as many of them stand just the same to-day. He says : In the later ende of Maye is tyme to wede thy corne. There be divers maner o: wedes, as thistles, kedlokes (his name for charlock), dockes, code, drake, darnolde, gouldes and do"- fenell. The thystle is an yll wede, and there be other wedes, as dee nettylles, dodder [it seems remarkable he should have known this vile parasite], and suche other that doo moche hanne. Draining land is a subject he has a good deal to say about, and describes a system practised in the marshes in Essex, near Stratford, as to the treating of water meadows for making hay. Chapters on how 10 set on sheepfolds, how to mow grass and make hay, to make an ewe love her lamb, several chapters on cattle, horses, and other stock, not forgetting the properties of a woman, various diseases with remedies, lopping, cropping, and grafting fruit trees. A curious lesson made in Englishe verses to teache a gentylman's servant " to say at every time, when he taketh his horse for his remembrance, that he shall not forget his gere in his inne behynde hvm." Purse, dagger, cloke, nyghtcap, kerchef, shoying horn, boget, and shoes. Spere, mole, hode, halter, sadelclothe, spores, hatte, with thy horse combe. Bowe, arrows, sworde, bukler, home, leishe, gloves, string, and thy bracer. Penne, paper, inke, parchemente, reedwaxe, pommes, bokes, thou remember. Penknyfe, combe, thymble, nedle. threde, poynte, leste that thy gurthe breake. Bodkyn, knyfe, lyngel, give thy horse meate, se he be showed well. Make mery, synge an tliou can, take hede to thy gere, that thou lose none. His description of heathlands is interesting, and I gather that the value of dung was as greatly realised by farmers in his day as it is now. He appears to have originated the present custom of granting leases on condition that but one crop of corn shall be raised in three years upon the same piece of ground. He also has a deal to sav on the moral and religious conduct of the husbandman. His advice to a " yonge gentylman that standeth to thryve " is to get a copv of his book and read it from beginning to end, and according to the season of the year dictate that particular chapter to his servants. He is to be up early, go out in his fie'ds, and note down for future reference anvthing he observes likely to be helpful. This Fitzherbert says he did " for xii. yeres or more." After these ancient references comes the first book in the English language which treats expressly on this subject, written by John Fitzherbert, entitled " The Boke of Surveyinge." Here begynneth a^ yo//x Fi i/.ifi:Riu:Rr. 19 C^o feuet pces/brancs/anl) fptd;:?, to ^m tl^ou f)a(t tl}ief(lict) tl)t? pcfc ^ bette^^aftec tl?c?bc laapnotoeH/^ oj tljou Ojalt fo\jo tliem o? fell tljcm let tljcrn be tuell recnc toitb (puco/ci fcucicO tn tijjc partes tljc gceat fco tlje final/^ tljoii iDalt get in cuccp quactcc a t^oDon bulTijel ot tljccc about^jf oi t^e fmall co jnc Ipetl; in tl)c l^oloto a^ t^cptic plnccs o{ ^ gceat beancs/^ pet Ojall ti)c gceate bcnes be roinc agf Cetc asanfi tljcptjjcce all to gpBeco^t oetec/asa man map pitoue bp a fampUec cnftmpIcXct a man bpe,C^ ^cpnges.u.bcrpnges«apenp/(janotl}ec.ca}etpnge$ tbjcfo? a penr/g^ let ftnn felfe tlje(e«CC» Ijetpnges a# gapnct^ajecpngeis foj.iifi^notjaebatbebe lofte.iiifMi^ f o^C^ljetpngcs ttoo fojto\fi,cofM).(.ant).C.l}ecpngC il^fo^lpenpecofl:au^l♦anM(^8.tljcU)I)lcbelS.l)^^C anUaiu^d. ana is)ban l)cfe^etl^D.l)etpngcs foz.iiMj* icp.^tpnges cometb but to.btiuU.ant) tbece 10 bat.)cii% fco^e j;etpnge0/aE tljat is but^vii* gtote5;an&.nf ♦ gto* tcB^antJ tljat corHctl) but to^Dii/.f.ann fo i)c l}atl)c lofie im.a»i it is bpcaufe tlitce be nat fo manp bacgepnesA foi \\\ tt)e bpciigc of tbefeXC^I^cpnges tbetc be fpitc fco?e batgern^/anlj m tt;e fellpnge of tl)c fame tljcce bebut*)c!bu)',batgapnes^ ant) fo 10 tt}cce is lode xzn ^tpnge0/tbe )i)l^(c^ twolDc !}aue ben ttjoo bargapne^ mo/aut) tban \i baD ben cuen ant) mcte«3^.niJ tl)ccfo:c lie tbat bpctl) gcoffe fale/anb retaplctb malt nct;es k atopnncc/anbfo ftalttbou be alofctpftboufelltlip peafe/beanes/a^ fptcbeS to gptiec^fo^t tljan tljou fcllcfi: gtcfre fale.ani) pftbou feuectl^cm in \\\iz partes tljan t^ouDoft retarU/l»l;cibptljou C;aU uipnne. Facsimile of a folio in Fitsherbcrt' s " Ilushanttrv." 1525 ? cditio 20 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. ryght frutifull mater: and hath to name the boke of surueyeng and improuvemete. In the prologue the author asks: Howe and by what maner doo all these great estates and noblemen and women live, and mantayne their honour and degree ? And in my opynion, their honour and degree is upholden and mayntayned, by reason of their rentes, issues, revenewes, and profyttes, that comes to their maners lordshyps iandes and tenements to themym belonginge. Then it is necessory to be knowen, howe all these maners, lordeshyps, Iandes and tenements should be extended, surveyed, butted, bounded, and valued in every parte. He further states that "for the grounde of this treat3^se I do take an olde statute named Extenta manerii," referred to above, and this fact accounts for the many legal references contained therein. This was the document in which Fitzherbert defines the meaning of a common and its uses. He quotes in Latin many forms under which lands are held. Chapter XIX. is headed, "What a Surveyur shuld do," and it is so interesting that I quote it in cxteiiso: Nowe this statute is brefely declared it wolde be understand, how a lordshyp or a manor shuld be surveyed and viewed, butted and bounded on every parte, that it may be knowen for ever, whose every parcel thereof was, at the makyng of this boke, and it may serve as well to save the inheritance of the lordes, as of every freholder by charter, copyholder, and customary holder, and to knowe every man's land, as it lyeth to his house, one from another, so that it may be knowen an hundred years after, and forever, what maner of Iandes and how many acres every man had to his house at that time, and where they ly. The name of a surveiour is a French name, and is as moche to saye in Englysshe as an overseer. Then it wolde be knowen, how a surveyour shuld oversee or survey a town or a lordshyp. As if the City of London shulde be surveyed, the surveyour niaye nat stande at Hygate, nor at Shoter's hill, nor yet at the Blackeheth, nor suche other places, and overloke the city on every syde. P^or if he do, he shall nat see the goodly streets, the fayre buyldyngs, nor the great substance of r3'chesse conteyned in them, for then he may be called a disceyner, and not a surveyour : and in likewise yf a man shall view a close, or a pasture, he may not loke over the hedge, and go his way, but he must outher ride, or goo ouer, and see every parcel! thereof, and to know how many acres it conteyneth, and how moche thereof was medowe grounde, heythe, lynge, or such other, and what an acre of medowe grounde is worthe, and what an acre of pasture, and what an acre of the wod grounde of bushe, and such other be worthe. And what maner of cattell it is best for. And how many cattell it will grasse or finde by the yere, and what a beastes grasse is worthe by the yere in suche a pasture or els he cannat set a true value what it is worthe. And therefore a surveyour must be diligent and laborious, and nat slouthful and rechelesse, for and he be, he is nat worthy to have his fee or wages, and maye fortune to make an unperfite boke. And if he so do, it is to his shame and rebuke, and great jeopardye to his soule to make a false precydent, wherefore it is convenient to remember the saying of the wise philosopher Adhibe curam, that is to say, take heed to thy charge, and so if he shulde view a citie or a towne he must begyn at a certayne place, as yf he were at the drawe bridge of London bridge on the east syde, and there to make his tytelynge where he beginneth, and to show who is lorde of his house next into the sayd bridge, and who is tenant. And if he be a freholder, what chpfe rents he payeth to the lorde, customes, or other services. And if he be no freholder, than the rent needeth nat to be spoken of but at his pleasure, for it may ryse and fal. And how many tote in brede, and how many in length. Then to the 7(^1/. y /•'/ r/.nr.Rnr.R /; ^n a fbte longc in ? bcgimnrng/5 flantie ais mocljc abouctljc l)arotocasbcnetl)e.3inDas tljcrtucarcoi b^cl^e tlicr b^ruc tl}cm Dotone totoet/^ t^p iwolDc be mabclonge before 0^ t^rbc orcuprctitl^at tl)crmap be D,ire/fo3^ tljan t^p Qjallentiutc [i iaft mocljc better $ ai'cfec t^ faftcc* ^ilbc tjojtfejs tljat OjaJl D^aijoc tl}elc Ijatotwes muft be mil fecpte ? ftobHc 0 j cis tljcr turll fone be tF?et)/anb fo?e bctt/tbat tljcpmar not nxata* d}ermuft Ijauel)omber0o,ifollet?/ljolme5 ttiitljcti about tl)C|j,i nettcgi/ trclTcs to Djato biv anti a tuijuig* letrc to boiuc t^ trciTejs ab^otic/anr» atogetaitl) to be bettoenc ^ fujinisletccgt tl^^r*toD3antirf tbc baticp gtounte twrll nat brcbc ixjrtl) l^atotxies but be clottp itu^oltie be beaten iwttb malles/at net fttergbt Do>x)n fo,: tl)an tljcr bete tl)e co^ne into tlje crtljeann vf t^ep bete tl]c clot on tl)c irbe it tajll tbe better b;eUe.2l UD ^ dot iwrll Ire Irs^ite f' tb? jozne mar IJ'SWip come bp«- ainb tber bfe to role tljcri batley gtoub after aftouu of tapne/to maHe ttjc gcounbe euen to mo)Ji)e* • CCo OilotocM. ^|^®b3t!)e(e !jufbantie$ljauefotoent!jer? peafc JL-,/,beane5/ batlep^otes/anb Ijavotocb tl)c/it 13 tl)e bcft trme to faloiw in tbc latter cnlie of :^3arcljcaE - :ilp?rUfo: tDljetc/tjx/ci batlep.3Lnb let tl)c^u(bann 1)0 1 l}c bcft l)e can to picixic a bjote fozcU) a nU a Dcpe/ iotbatbeturneitcIcneanDlapitflat tbatitrercnat en tlje cDge f l)e teljicbc Qjali tcaiorc all tl}e tbpapis: anD uictics, Jf 0; ttc tcper ^ tlje bzoter tbst tc act!)e/ 11^ mo,:c neu;e mollic/ano tljc gtcatcc clotted ftaii Facsimile folio in FitzherberVs "Husbandry." 1525 ? edition. L-> A GRICUL TURA L WRITERS. ^;f , .tub f}>?f?c!bo6e;-c 6;- v?..; . 6anbcmenbc'iy,,c^ gpe9sja::ssynf\ %^ ^«o<*ffi' gcnciMiY fyiivn^c %^X tC|^j?{t6-' f^i one fee;;' . ■, r-. ;3i>iic(l)c flicircn;- ncfciia:? vi:,t)cifo?ciritJ comicnrrn; f i ■i;«of b>'urvs rn ;;; oyiit'i^s counrrn's, »^'^- ^f- ^'"^ ^fii-ic 6c pfoixire of >Vt'!'- '-''; '" - onff. "anb ^fiaf u< 6pfiniff '.^ h'.': l ,.)ici- of .;t«o""bci? a«b forffs.^^ioni }\ f omc rcbbc cfcv'jfonc .i •-iii.nv 'nr, fonn-fanbc, fonv roiVb i»itninatrc,tinb u. otmb'c, iinb oncpfotiat^ J^ii Facsimile of first page of John Fitsherberfs " Bake of Husbandries 1534 erf/// second howse on the same east syde in l\ke maner, and so to peruse from house to house tyll become to St. Magnus Churche. And then return agayne to the sayd diawe bridge on the west syde, and there begin at the house next to the sayd bridge, and so to peruse from house to house, tyli he come to the corner next Temme's Street, and then he may choose whether he wyil followe the south side of the sayd Temme's street, westw^jrde and eastwarde tyll he have perused the whole parishe. And if there be any maner of gardens, entrees, or aleys, or other dwelixgne places within forthe, that may not be overskipped, forgotten, nor iaft out, but taken by the way. How ///oMAs rrss /■:/>:. 23 mociie every garden is, how lonyc every alcy and cntre is, and how many dwelling placis be therein, and whose they be, and how many cellars or tavernes there be and howe many footes every of them be in length and brcde. And so to go from parishe to parishe, tyll lie have viewed the ciiie and every stretc and lane wolde be remembered what length and brede they be of. And also of every church and churche yard, and other voyd places, tlie which would aske a great leysar, but yet it is possible to be done. Fitzherbort's hooks on husbandn and sur\ i\ini;' were reprinted in 1767 by Dr. N'ansittart of All Souls College, Oxtorci, w illi (he following remarks attatlied: These treatises are reprinted partly on account of their usefulness and partly for the sake of their antiquity. The)' have become exceedingly scarce, have been much sought after, and purchased sometimes at a high price. Ipon the whole, the\' all very well deserved to be rescued from oblivion. THOMAS TUSSER. 1524 — 1580 (aboil f). Thirty-four years after the publication of the hrst English work on practical agriculture, there appeared in 1557 " A Hundreth Good Pointes of Husbandrie," by Thomas Tusser. This celebrated book must be regarded more as a series of good farming and domestic directions and axioms, than as a regular treatise upon agriculture. His whole life appears to have been full of adventure, for he had all the restlessness of genius with the unsettled habits too commonly confirmed by continued change of occupation. He was born in the year 1524 at Rivenliall, a \illage on the high road between the towns of Witham and Kelvedon, in Essex, of a family allied by marriage to the high ranks of society. The earliest records of the familv is in the Herald's College, where it states that " Richard Tusser was of Shyrborne in the county of Dorset, gentylman," and that he had a son, William Tusser, Ryvenhall, in the counte of Essex, Esquyer. He married the sister of Sir Clement Smyth, of Tofts of Little Baddow, in the same couiitx , and who also was proprietor of Hoo Hall in Rivenhall. Sir Clement himself married Dorothy, daughter of Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset. The actual house in which Thomas Tiissir resided was called Lanhams, and, I believe, is standing today. In wluitever capacity he at various times lived he acted w ilh ability, yet iie\iT so as to benefit his own fortune, 'ihat he excelled as ;i chorister, to which he was origin;ill\- eiluealed, though, strangelv, ag;iiust his inclination, is certain, for none but those with more than ordinary vocal powers are admitted into the royal choir at St. Paul's. It seems he also went to 24 AGRICULTURAL W RULERS. Eton, and from there to Trinity Hall, Cambridge, as he relates in his verses : To London hence, to Cambridg-e thence, With thanks to thee, O Trinity, That to thy hall, so passing all, I got at last. He left the University through ill health, and making his way to London, he was recommended to the Lord William Paget, who seems to have been a great friend to him. He is next heard of as a farmer at Braham Hall in Suffolk, where he was evidently a close observer of the times and practices then deemed best for successful farming. Still he must have begun almost as soon with his pen as with his plough. He could have only remained here for a few years, as he is found ten years afterwards living in Ipswich, and farming in Norfolk, probably as steward to Sir Richard Southwell, who he mentions as having died suddenly. This gentleman I find was also a relation of Tusser's great supporter Lord Paget, then he adds : " To Norwich fine for me and mine," where the Dean enabled him to earn a livelihood as a schoolmaster. In 1566 he left Norwich. He next appears as residing at the parsonage house at Fairstead, in Essex, where a son and daughter were born in 1568 and 1570, as testified by the register of the parish. His restlessness, however, stuck to him, and he tells us : Then by and bye away went I, To London straight and hope and wait. For better chance. His residence in London was at Cripplegate, and the baptism of his son Edmund is found in the register, dated March, 1572, and we next find him fleeing from the Plague. It was at Trinity College that he appears to have become a servitor on May 5th, 1573, and resided at Chesterton, owning certain land there, for in his will he bequeaths various properties to his four children. He returned, however, to London about the end of 1579, and died in the summer of the next year, being buried at St. Mildred's Church, in the Poultry, and the following epitaph, according to Stow,^ recorded his memory. It is perfectly in character with the man and his writings, and if conjecture may be allowed, was penned bv himself : Here Thomas Tusser, clad in earth doth lie, Who sometimes made the points of husbandry. By him there learn thou mays't. Here learn we must, When all is done we sleep and turn to dust. And yet through Christ to Heaven we hope to go, Who reads his book shall find his faith was so. The church of St. Mildred was destroyed by the great fire, and with it perished Tusser's monument. His will was proved in the Prerogative * "Survey of London." r NOMAS rrssr.R. conce Court of the Arrhhishop ol" Canterbury on August. Slli, 1580, l.y his son Thomas Tussrr. The precepts ,)| Tussrr aiv exrrll.Mil, and shcu xcrv niurli ,,.,)], collected sense, and at lh<- i^arly aoc in which h.li\,(l it 'was a -rand cplion ot his mind to write upon aoriiulture in jjoetry. Asa farmer CJa^ 5utt5?et5 500& pomfcs:ofI)ii(banD?rc. mtntainet!)gooDl)oufel)olD,)JDU!)^ufa)it'cp* ' mud loue oncanotl)er,as? couaauc^ in blooU^ 0? farei»el tlij^l^uftmnD^p.Doe U)t)at t^ou csii. ^ Facsimile of the title page of Tuaser's " A Htindieth Gocd Pointes of Husbands ie.' Imprinted at London in Flete Street, within Temple barre, at the svf^nte of the Hand and Stave, by Richard Toitel, the third day of February, An. 1557. 26 AGRICULTURAL WRUUERS. it is evident he possessed a correct knowledge, as his books testify, and as an author he was far above mediocrity. Tusser dedicated this first book, which was the germ of his future and more elaborate work, to his master, the Hon. Lord William Paget, Lord Privie Seale, and his subsequent book, entitled " Five Hundred Pointes of Good Husbandrie," to "the Right Honourable and very specially good lord and master the Lord Thomas Paget, of Beaudesert, sonne and heire to his late father." Newly corrected and amplified editions appeared during the next century, and a reprint of the first book is found in Hazel- wood's "British Biographer." It was also reproduced in 1710 in monthly parts, entitled " Tusser Redivivus." In a pamphlet published in Dublin in 1723, entitled " Some Considerations for the Promoting of Agriculture," the then Lord Molesworth suggests : As to agricullure I should humbly propose that a school of husbandry were erected in every county, wherein an expert master of the methods of agriculture should teach at a fixed yearly salary, and that Tusser's "Old Book of Husbandry" should be taught to the boys, to read, to copy, and to get it by heart, to which end it might be reprinted and distributed. In 18 12 the celebrated Dr. Mavor, an educational authority, repro- duced a copy with many notes and additions. Then in 1846 there were issued from Mr. Clarke's private printing press at Great Totham, Essex, a very limited number of copies containing the last will and testament of Thomas Tusser, to which is added his metrical autobiography. The latest reproduction I have been able to trace was that published by the English Dialect Society in 1878. Such are the works of Tusser, writings which were long the handbook of the English country gentlemen. That they were popular is evidenced by the rapid succession of copious editions, and that they were read and studied is proved by the difficulty it is to hnd a perfect copy. He was, therefore, deserving of the gratitude of the farmer of his day, for his labours tended to improve, to refine, and to elevate the profession he cele- brated in his verses. The price when first published was a groat, now booksellers ask as much as twelve guineas for sound copies of the early editions. The style in which Tusser writes his books is plain, but sometimes halting, at the same time it is a metric easily understood and remem- bered, as verse is well adapted to impress upon the memory the mass of useful truths and rural directions their pages contain. He begins his monthly husbandry with the month of September, for that was then as now in England, when farming lands in most counties are commonly entered upon by the purchaser or tenants. His instructions include the Sowing of Rye, the Mending of Marsh Walls, and the Gelding of Rams. In furtherance of his object, that of giving some very minute direc- tions to the incoming tenant, he even gives a catalogue of farming r NOMAS I i'SSFR. 27 lundredpointesof good Hufbandric^cis ivellfor the Champion^ or open coiin- trie, as alfo for the woodland, or Scue- rall, mixed in cuericMontli with Huf- '\y'iffrie,oucr Mudhejye^ the bookj of Ifuffcife- ric,corrcdc(l,bcttcr ordcrcd,and ncwjy niigmen- tcd to a fourth part more , wkli diucrs other kC- fons, as a diet for the fcrmcr, of the properties of y^ winds,plaiiets,hopsjherbcSjbces,and approoued remedies for fliccpe and cattle , with many other matters both prohtable and not ynplcaTant for the Reader. Alio a table ofhusbandric at the beginning of this booke : and anotlier of hufwiferic at the end : for tiic brtter and caficr finding of aiiy matter contcined in the lame. ijlclrlp frt fwitli bp lUfionmf; Zu^tt si^cntlcman, fcrumit to t\)c l^ond^ tabic 3lo;Dc Paget of ' li^CdiiDcfcrt. Imprinted at Lomioii,by Hcnric ft Denhiim, d^dlnij^ in Pater ncflcr RoWjat the (Tgnc of the Surrc. FacsimiU' of I he tillc pai^e of tin fourth editiun of Tiis Good Husbandries died Point es of 28 A GRIC UL TURA L WRITERS. implements in verse, in whicii he manages with much adroitness to include several apparently impracticable names such as : A hand-barrow, wheelbarrow, shoveh and spade, A curry comb, wave-comb, and whip for a jade. It was the approved practice in Tusser's time to " sow timely thy white wheat, sow rye in the dust." They were accustomed also to put rye meal into their wheat flour. Thick and thin sowing had even then their respective advocates. Though beans be in sowing but scattered in, Yet wheat, rye and peasen I love not too thin, Sow barley and dredge with a plentiful hand, Lest weed 'stead of seed over groweth thy land. It is evident that in his days the farmers were not able to grow their grain on a variety of soils such as we now find it. Thus he speaks of the difficulty they found in producing barley in the parish of Brantham, in Essex : and again he tells us what will surprise a present-day Suffolk farmer ; In Suffolk again, whereas wheat never greu, Good husbandry used — good wheat land I knew. The varieties of wheat he mentions are white and red rivet, white and red pollard, Turkey and grey, but of the last he savs : Oats, rye, or else barley and wheat that is gi C}- Brings land out of comfort, and soon to decay. He had the wisdom to perceive the advantages of shed-feeding live stock : The housing of cattle, while winter doth hold. It is good for all such as are feeble and old. It saveth much compass and many a sleep, And spareth the pasture for walk of thy sheep. For faint cattle he recommends the use of bay salt, and in his February husbandry gives some directions for the management of their dung, which betrays, however, a deplorable want of knowledge in its economy. In another place, however, he recommends the farmers to use the mud from the ditches and ponds as a dressing for their land. They harvested their corn, it seems, much after the same manner as at the present day. They reaped their wheat, carried the grain, and gleaned the stubbles as we do now. They let out the harvest work either by the acre, or by the day, and he seems to have preferred the latter. His directions to the farmer with regard to the treatment of his men, and his warm hopes for the farmer's success, exhibit the excellent benevolent spirit with which he was actuated. Tusser's book is also interesting from the information it gives us of the habits of the farmers of more than three centuries ago. It is 77/0. MAS /r.V.SAA' 29 Hoinc vcn lu! at Ri \ in k. ifc. (3ffCourftoltbCart, ^;^uft be content, "S CXI bat cafe fobcarf, ( 2: IjougijmfnD repent. ragnecTj Dot?) make. )Olaapctolrot: %&.ojn«astnbc C iJiluojtbinplof. r Bcbiilo f f)c [)o;fe, );"^nfttriiQscfcijpclfc, SnnBpftoffojre, ( Content ttfelfe. J5i The Authors L 3^ff(jiirtlpcfjn')!jcf() bjwfcctli todl, XEljnt counfrp Kfc fnua ftr'dc ftie tumc mbaf pioi'lt t!j^:' f;i i?r/yf:i{r aCl, itnnnilr t'jr p;/i>i to fcciuc to fpurnc ?' tClijrif eitiic 3 tOau-T:!; X ooe repent, £|9i,' criiic'jcsnll arc bjoUc ano ao-ic : £Pj» UionfcD fr^i;nD5nrc cirelcITe bent, SDljc^' f:arc na rliance 5 cfjancc upon. _^oU) tf 5 f<7lrc mp IvGjtb niP lot, Slljat f^fal! cf)£TiKC Qof f) fojcc utc to, 3[f i'^ be frtcjTQ.< iipb:alo nie not, i3ut ufc it fn'ciiD a:> frtcn'05 fijonlo Qce, The Audifis Life. NJ €\n (irtitle fttcriD if tl)o t be Ht'nD, BiiDamc ti?oiuntcVtljo:iai) tljC lot J©iUtio:iUrOme«or:cttcrDc, tljetiDo tjapprace: S?3^ % Irt itgirci.£ i\m cl)U3 3; i<)e, :iDUtt r^eigftTcf ;tQ-KtiicOre. 3..;SOt:/erDoe,rot)3e3Jto, crnrentm- {^crc, ?minDtoQ)iUjinOcrfeijrfUj tjnuciunnetf^ricrnfe %iD minn toltlKas :3rc in inUc, :fuUbtnttorpcno:i.p[itetomunJ), m rijic fame p ace. j^lt came ro , off: rbar bo;t!ic 3 U3as, 31ni£ff?cinjcr,mumagcfarciV tlMtabaiUniiigb:: ' ^l)iclj iiiiinqc itue b)) :i3ari!vrcc ftl^c, 'EtATctenDDiDJm.ncujfaiicr, ^u A facsimile page from Tussrr (4M cc/ition). 30 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. evident that they were able to obtain fish, for in his directions for the daily diet he mentions for Lent, herrings and salt fish ; at Easter, veal and bacon ; at Martinmas, beef ; before the feast of St. John, mackerel ; fresh herrings at Michaelmas ; sprats and spurlings at Hallowtide, while for Christmas fare they seem to have enjoyed many of the modern standing dishes. Good bread and good drink, a good fire in the hall, Brawn pudding and souse, and good mustard withal ; Beef, mutton, and pork, shred pies of the best, Pig, veal, goose, and capon, and turkey well drest. Where fish is scant and fruit of trees. Supply that want with butter and cheese. He never seems to have forgotten on any occasion to recom- mend to the landowner the payment of his just dues, even the question of tithes, so obnoxious to the farmer, was not overlooked bv him. He gives the corn harvest, equally di\ided into ten parts : 1. One part cast forth, for rent due out of hand : 2. One other part, for seed to sow thy land ; 3. Another part, leave parson for his tithe ; 4. Another part, for harvest, sickle and sc\ the ; 5. One part for plough-wright, cart-wright, knacker and smith ; 0. One part to uphold thy teams that draw therewith ; 7. One part for servant, and workman's wages lay ; 8. One part likewise for fill-belly day b\' day ; 9. One part thy wife for needful things doth crave ; 10. Thyself and child the last one pare would have. He adds : Who minds to quote Upon this note May easily find enough ; What charge and pain To little gain Doth follow toiling plough. The poem of " Housewifry united to the comforts of Husbandry" is written in rather a more lively style, and has an epistle dedicatory to the right honorable and my specially good lady and mistress the Lady Paget. This part contains an abundance of directions, in his usual style of versification, for the conduct of household duties. The mistress of the house then made her own candles and also carved for the farm servants at breakfast. Lord Molesworth thought that " The Points of Huswifry " should be reprinted and a copy kept in every farmhouse. It might have served its purpose in those davs. but would be of little use nowadays. ATA' Rn 'If, I A'/;/,; /u:x/:sf-: 31 fhetuai) tiyc tnancr of incartirpngcof allma tur of lariDe , as toell of b)Oof)la^^r,a6 of lanftr \n tt>f fflOf ,Ariocomplrngc i\)tixut noinliK of flcrefiuftOf' jJlcU)lPC iruiciucD aaO cjinpplfb tip Ib^i Rp * t\)^zbt X3fnrrf Ct)a* nun ofil^.irtpri rnii'apbffp&t I c'lD on. «^-4r-^ ^•^^^,1^ t^^h^ CP;^J)tcti m ^outDibarae in §)0>>iU ^ .^J/- Riclmrde Benese, 1537. 5^^ ^„^^ 3., 32 A GRIC UL TURAL WRITERS. SYR RICHARDE BENESE. 1500 — 1546. SURVEVLN'G as it is known to-day may be defined as the art of determining the boundaries or superficial contents of land and buildings by a form of practical mathematics. In olden times the office of a surveyor extended much beyond this, his occupation being similar to that now called in England an agent, and in Scotland a factor. He was, indeed, the medium between the landlord and tenant. From the earliest times Biblical references are made to the measurement of land, whilst surveying was adopted in Egypt by King Ptolemy. It is on record that when the river Nilus (Nile) overflowed its banks the marks and bounds of all grounds were washed away, where- upon they decided to plot out every man's land, so that when the waters receded each could find his own plot. It was absolutely necessary in the days of the great Roman Empire that surveyors should be scholars, have a thorough knowledge of the Latin tongue, and a good memory, and in this connection Pliny reporteth of Mithridates that having under his government twenty-two kingdoms or nations, he could speak all their languages, and understand any tongue without an interpreter. It is also stated that some references are found in the records of the Tower of London even before the Conquest, and since this period the book called " Doomsday " lying in the Exchequer will confirm sufficiently ihat surveying is no new invention. Besides, the same art has been in sum and substance established by an important statute drawn up in the fourth year of the reign of King Edward I., entitled Extenta Manerii, wherein is contained many and divers chapters and articles the which, at that time, was but instructions how and what they should do that were commissioners or surveyors. What appears to be the next book published on the subject of laying out and measuring land is that compiled by Richard Benese, a canon of the Augustian Priory of Merton (which he surrendered to Henry VIII. in 1538), or, to quote the old-time description, " Canon of Martin Abbey, neere Meecham, Surrey," the first edition of which appeared in the year 1537, ^'^^ entitled according to the illustration on page 31. A lengthy preface is by one Thomas Paynell, also a " Chanon of Marton," who, after quoting manv of the sayings of the Roman writers, adds : Considering then this liberal science called geometrye to be in every ihing much convenient for the use and common profit of all men, a friend and lover of mine, Syr Richarde Benese, not willing- to hide the treasure ... he hath compiled this ingenious and profitable book for the common profit and use of every man. He hath furthermore to express these intricate and hard points of geometry by figures rules and such open examples that every man " plyinge his mynde " thereunto may without any greate labour attaine unto the perfect knowledge thereof. .V } 'A' A' ; '( ■ II. I A' 1) li i:xi:sE. 33 i I?! ^ T/ v*i .{> ii^ Ci^>erefoloujftbtbc3oohe id I. 5vr Rycluird Benese. Illustration folio-wing preface in 1562 edition. 34 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. The book extends to about 120 pages, and contains chapters of tables for measuring land and timber, pavements, boards, panes of glass, and the manner of dividing off one acre or more of woodlands from many other acres " lyinge together in one peece." He tenders the following advice on a true ynche (inch) : The length of an inch after some men's opinions is made by the length of three barlye cornes, the which rule is not at all times true, for the length of the barlye cornes of some tyilage is longer after the fatness or leanness of the land where it was sowen upon. Therefore ye shall take the length of an inch most trulye upon an artificer's rule, made of two foote in length after the standard of London. The last page contains a table showing " The correction of fautes escaped." There are three subsequent editions in the British Museum, dated respectively 1540, 1562, and 1564, from which it may be presumed that it was a popular work. The 1540 edition bears the imprint, as publisher, of Robert Wyer, dwelling in the Duke of Suffolke's Rentes, beside Charing Cross. See also Le Neve's " Fasti," i. 487, ii. 150; and Foster's " Alumni Oxoniensis." Early series. REYNOLDE SCOT. 1538— 1599 (ahout). Reynolde Scot is the author of the hrst work on hops ; he was the younger son of Sir John Scot, of Scots Hall, near Smeeth, in Kent, and educated at Hart Hall, Oxford. His treatise is much more practical than the generality of books published in his time. It appeared first of all in black letter in 1574, and is dedicated to the Right Worshipfull Mayster Willyam Lovelace, Esquire, Sergeaunt at the Lawe, who resided at Beddersden (evidently Bethersden, near Ashford), Kent. He recommends him " to look down into the bowels of your grounde for a convenient plot to be applyed to a Hoppe garden," the virtues of which he extols in the highest degree. In his day the hop must have been a lucrative crop, for he says on page 5, " One acre of ground and the third part of one man's labour, with small costs besides, shall yield unto him that ordereth the same well, forty marks yearly and that for ever." A mark in those days represented 135. ^^d., labour cost but a few shillings a week, and rent a few shillings per acre. The average crop grown to-day is greatly in excess of those of these early times. This is to be attributed to improved general knowledge on the subject of the prevention and mitigation of the ravages of the fly, red spider, and mildew, and to modern appliances for /a: }'X() /./)/■: SCO/: 35 ol aHoppc Garden^ ant)nrcc(Tanc3nQrnctionsf02tljc m.i'. mi: anil n;a\'ni:cn.Tiincc tb.Lrccf^, toith notes ntiD rules fo.2 rcffizmation otall abiircs,comnioniypra:t:lcd t[)crcin,l;crp nfccDTnricar.D c\pcd:c;.r for ail n.cn toJ^auc. 'ir});c1)inanp i»i'c ha.ic toDoc Kcre nrxlj correcled ati^ Attune nteci Who folabotircih aftci gooiSicfrc/B.idcth nu J..!:;. - " Saf if ».•;'. ^ \\"ifciir,rrci$ nv-mhlcrthaii ill nyrr.SJc thine?. She ^octh dlorou^'^lJfrttattaynct]l {6^%\ffi^<^ ^ * 5*? Imprinted at London by Hcnrie T>cnhanu d)rcllmz in Tatcr ?iollcr Rovvc, at ttic bicrnc or thcSrarrc. y'/V/t- /)«A't' "7 Ktyiioidr S,,d's ■• //-'yiy^f" Garden." \ U D 2 36 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. coping with these pests. The Kent crop in 1907 reached 8 cwt. per acre, and the average price was 605-. per cwt. The cost of cultivation, including poleing, washing, stringing, picking, drying, and packing, might be put down at ^50 per acre. As to varieties, Scot knew only the wild and the tame hop, whilst the district in which he farmed now grows the Fuggle on the weald clays and the Canterbury Golding and the Brambling Golding on the chalk. The whole area under growth of this crop throughout the country amounted last year to about 45,000 acres. Of the value of hops as an addition to " mault," he adds : For if your ale may endure a fortnig-ht, your " Beere " through the aide of the " Hoppe " shall continue a month, and what grace it yieldeth to the taste all men may judge that have sense in their mouths ; and if the controversy be betwixt Beere and Ale : it sufficeth for the glorie and commendation of the Beere. A good and kindly hoppe beareth a great and green stalk, and appeareth out of the ground naked without leaves until it be half a foot long. Alder poles are best and to be preferred to Ash or Oak. He illustrates the various methods of setting the roots, making the hills, and ramming the poles, tying the bine, and the pulling up and preservation of the same, with quaint illustrations. As to the gathering, he says that " they ' blowe ' at Saint Margaret's daye, at Lammas they bell, and ' ware brown ' about Michaelmas." There is also a chapter on hop ostes, the keele, and packing. To constitute a perfect platform the author advises ground that is good for the purpose — a convenient standing and a proper quantity. Good land he calls rich, mellow^, and gentle and the situation to have the sun shining upon it the greater part of the day. He advises to have a certain term of the land, lest another man reap the fruit of labour and experience. He recommends the distance of 7ft. or 8ft. between the hills of plants, and two or three roots to be placed in one hole. Four poles — best of alder — are placed in each hole, set as nowadays, and leaning a little outward, one from another. Throughout the work cuts are given of most of the performances, and the book shows a thorough acquaintance with the subject, of which the practice is not very much altered in the present time. See pages 37 and 38. /./■:()X.IA'/) MASCA/./.. 37 LEONARD MASCALL. 1546 — 1603 {about). ACRICULTUKK had aUainecl a considerable dei^ree of respcclability towards the end of the sixteenth century, and seems to have made the greatest advancement in the Eastern Counties. According to Harrison * F A i\c'lu\-':\o!) o{ ihc L.vnr. { I. I M M M 4 roiirlnicbfiiml.irDf Ifiifll.roii mtift Orggc biiDrrnCiTtli r iir cv thza Df 02 pf iinf plarr D bppon the fnmr . nliolc lifif to a pttfnil ,onc fnitr fqnarr, anoonrttutf onrpf. ll)l)fii roil imiir iiuiDc mif iitr 01 ttitrtr I)olf0, talvftpfoinniiv rn-.trs, from tolKrrmi brfto U'fOtlinii n5riK]l)ttolif fct ilirrnn.nnDgoto hiGDitiC oil tins Uij-rr , nlumrfs u^ntrtitng nrritif (tfj'Oii iimrf ttwt tijf biirnDf br tnfoiiirp.inof ttic ile^oiith 02 IDf It , but bf not fo fcriipiilou« bcrfiii, ilintrouoiiftniptlir iVonnhot .Ipjill, irad •'■■■ -. ■ faniig he fpolifiiof roii : n.tiu; rf. ;.■>:. !r:ii t!;: ','..;■ ;; '.\:.i''. n ■: <-\:r, .-ID.I hctlut bath rcfpt-a to til : C.i..«\ic-.l!)all isn rcipc 'fOl\]t ttwtt ttrglfffrth flic jy»onrtt) Of 3p«ll , (batic 8 bao frafon to nit 01 plant V^oppr s. Caur itwDoiHmrof pour rirtrtr (trtjrdi bp ejifi tpnc toiU rtrlDc fotti) (p-ariic fof mrs 0: . h.-hrtc bt:l)Dr3, aiiD toill nifo hauc fmall roof cs o: urarOf s grotuiiig out of the m,tl)c ivlnd) inuabr, nil failing tliffmallcrfojt of U)bv:rbiiDDcs, pa- rf D aUMv hnrD bv the olor ctrtc. tonic ttirm tiofc togitlirr.fons in anviwifotlicrmavbccuctuii tl)f toppf s;l"rt tl)cin alfo togittict bolt bpjtgt)t,Du rcttivfnQfrthf fozcfaj'DcttjifirDc oz pjnitif,holi omg tlif m b.uD togitlir rlDiti) tl)f one lianD,Uj!iile j'oii fril t'lr lioir twuh tUc otl)cr,iJoitl) fvnc moiilDe pjrparfD aiiD lavDr rraDy bcfoir liatiDc, rcgar^ Diiigt!)atilirtopprsof the rates be leiicll tvitl) tlje face o: t^ppc nnoa part of tlje groiitijDe. CaHe gQ)D Ij.TDr alfo tiiat voii fct not ttjat eiiDr DoboneboarOe.tbat greluc bcfoic bpuiaroe, lu'.iicli f oil (liall luioiD br il)r biiDDrs tlint apprarc m tt)C hiiotsof er1)r rmte , aiiDlct no part of tlie DeaDe ftnihe remarnc bpon tijc bppctmolt loj'nt ttjcrc- of. the ICDi^e eatrt) riofcto rt)C co;nct lutjere tf}c tOQtcfl are fettc. 3ni)l)ctcijS tobcnotfD,t!)af tbercaDrfttaaO 3D.t), citfiittt Pdgrs front Rcynolde Scot's '' Hoppe Garden,''' See pa, if e 34. about this linif, " a farmer will thinke his gaines very small lowardcs the ende of his terme if he have not six or seven yeares rent lieing by him, therewith to purchase a new lease, beside a faire garnish of pewter on his cupboard, with as much more in odd vessels going about the house; three or four feather beds, so many coverlets and carpets of tapestrie, a silver salt, a bowl.- for wine, if not a whole neast, and a dozen of spoones to furnish owte th.- sute." " Bishop Latimer's father was a yeoman, and * Description of England. 38 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. held a farm of ;^3 or ^4 by the yeare. and hereupon he tilled so much as kept half a dozen men. He had a walk for 100 sheep, and his wife milked thirty kine. He married his daughters with £^ apiece, kept hospitality with his neighbours, and gave alms to the poore, and all this he did out of the same farm." Cattle were so scarce that it was enacted that no one should eat liesh on Wednesdays and Fridays without a special licence, and great pains were taken in the Act to show that it was a political and not a religious A pcrfite plat forme anD Ojarpc aboue , Ifbc ail iiarfttac&e, 0: rtje rrugc of «o Ijoiife , ano fuffid- futlvf Ocfcnoc tljeiiis fclncs from ttjc iwea* ttjcr. 3f rou rt)mhc ttef j>on twuc not |3oalrs rnolDC to lyWt the coiimc, pull Dotone tlic IDrtlis 01 banDf 2f lotJMT, =1 rour routttt totllbelcdf , atiDtiiia: Dorbffojc roiilarein fotir poalr0. ^ O/tjing oflJoppcs to the /^£;:^«'^n foinr Ftoppf S are grotonc abotit VVvCwt 01 ttDCD fotp Isgtj, bpnlJC bp ( luill) a jKv^auQjc 01 a C>ranc fuch as occluic from fljc ^^oalcB, UjrnDingttwmns oftrn about the Pwnr poaWas fou can, aiiD Dutnuig thrm al= tBai»cs ««ffiOtng to ti)c coucft of ttK Sbuniic ,biit (f^HafpEgdrden^ '-^ ftc Dctoc atiD t5,e Auntie , toitfitto^SSS -^ S>y putpofe oftrrrs of Trees, to Set sn-l Sow Curntl^ 5 A^ r.lib thcRcmfdics and .McJic'iU'-- concernijig rhc fdiiic i Wall civcrs o:lk' Nj'' Evpc j 'unt-nrs ; FraBifcd /^^ L L o N A u D M a s c a l l- Puh'ifhcoSy Authority. TfringcciTUC" rTff*i*r~*~~*"~T*"" "~'^ ""7^ "Tf ''^ ■'-' y~iri"YT tcmdvti^ Pr lilted 17 jf '/(/e ^f/^ nnd iiic to bo foK! :u (.';•- EoA cud or Ci-W- Chui\bj 16^:. ' 40 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. the country from Flanders, Spain, and the East during the two previous centuries, the horse does not appear to have shown any great improve- ment, and it was left to King Henry VIII., who was always fond of show and splendour, to make new laws regarding them. He affixed a certain standard below which no horse should be kept ; the lowest height for the stallion was 15 hands, and for the mare 13 hands, and even before they had arrived at their full growth no stallion above 2 years old and under 14^ high was permitted to run on any forest, moor, or common where there were mares. At Michaelmastide the neighbouring magistrates were ordered to " drive " the forests and commons and destroy all not likely to produce a valuable breed. He likewise ordered that in every deer park a certain number of horses, in proportion to its extent, and each at least 13 hands high, should be kept ; and that all his prelates and nobles and " all those whose wives wore velvet bonnets " should keep stallions for the saddle at least fifteen hands. These ordinances, however, perished v/ith the King by whom they were promulgated, but they no doubt helped to improve the breed, although it could not have contributed largely to the number, for we are told that when Queen Elizabeth was expecting the arrival of the Spanish Armada she could barely muster a regiment of cavalry to oppose her enemy, and these mounts are described as " strong and heavy beasts, but fit only for slow draught." About the time of the Restoration the value of the Arab seems to have been discovered, and a fine specimen was purchased for King James by Mr. Markham, probably the writer on husbandry whose works are referred to later on, a new impulse being given to the cultivation of the horse by the inclination of the Court to patronise gaiety. Race meetings had for some time been established, and Royal plates were given at the principal meetings. Many sportsmen were induced to send to the East for numbers of this fleet-footed breed for the sake of getting light and fine horses for speed, and from this period onwards the system of improvement has been zealously followed until we now possess horses of unequalled beauty, speed, and strength. It seems remarkable that about this time two of the most popular plants of the present day should have been brought into this country, introduced by the same man. Sir Walter Raleigh — I refer of course to tobacco, now the greatest leaf luxury of life, and the potato, "the bread root " of the British Isles. They were both looked upon at first as poisonous, and now their consumption is among the largest of vegetable products. Although the potato was known to English botanists before 1596, horticulture was too ignorantly practised in this country to admit its rapid introduction among our cultivated crops. Thus in 1619 they were an expensive luxury, for in that year of King James's reign a small dish of them provided for his Queen's table cost is. per pound ; but what is /./■:().y.iA'/) j/.i.sr.i/./.. 41 InJlruNenU for Grapng. J A G r„fi") 1 1 ^ k 111 tV , wi I ! 1 Illustrations from Leonard Mascall. 1652 edition. 42 A GRICUL TURA L WRITERS. this when we see to-day so-called improved types being sold at \os. per pound. This is somewhat digressing from our text, but it is interesting to have exhibited these acts and deeds of " our fathers as thev lived," who by their talents and industry contributed their quota of knowledge towards the advancement of all that pertains to agriculture as known to-day. The Mascalls are a Sussex family of long standing, and at the time of the special subject of this notice their home was at East Mascalls, a residence in the parish of Lindfield ; they also occupied Plumpton Place, near Lewes. The old house is still standing, but owing to super- stition and other circumstances, my friend Mr. Percy Shelley Bysshe — who also belongs to one of the oldest Sussex families — tells me that it is divided into three cottages, and the spot where it is said roses were first introduced into these parts is now flooded by the moat. Old people still cherish the fact that the pippin apple was first brought there from over the water, and they say that the moat contains many large fish. It now belongs to the Earl of Chichester. The date of Leonard Mascall's birih is uncertain, as nothing can be found about him at Somerset House or in the registry of Eastern Sussex, but he is supposed to have been born about the year 1546, as it falls in with certain statements as to his age made in his books. Fuller asserts that he introduced pippin apples and carp from over the sea, but he certainly was not the first to bring this fish to our lakes and ponds, although he may have imported some from the Danube and bred them in the moat at Plumpton Place. Some describe him as being clerk of the kitchen to Archbishop Parker. He undoubtedly travelled on the Continent, and it is certain that he was acquainted with one or more foreign languages, as he refers in his books to translations. His first work is stated to have been published in 1572, and entitled '' A Booke of the Art and Manner how to graff and plant all sortes of Trees, how to set stones and sow Pepins, to make wilde trees to graff on, as also remedies and medicines, with other new practices," by one of the Abbey of St. Vincent, in France, with the addition of certain Dutch practices, set forth and Englished by L. M. This book extends to many editions during the next century, that for 1592 being dedicated to Sir John Paulet, Knight, Lord St. John. The illustrations I have used from a later edition are very curious. This book, although largely a translation, contains a good deal that is original, the record of his own practice and observation. In his instructions for the planter and graffer he says : It shall be good to have understanding of the ground where ye doe plant ; first, it behoveth to make a sure defence, to the end that onely rude persons and children may be kept out, but all kinds of hurtfuU cattel, as oxen, kine, calves, horses, hogs, and sheep, as the rubbing of sheep doth greatly burne the sap, and often doth kill young /./■'OX.lA'/J .l/.l.sY '.;/,/,. ^» THE Gouernment of C'attell. Biuidedinto three Bookes, The firll:, entreating of Oxen, Kine, and Calucs : and how to vfe Buls, and other Cattcll^ to the yoake or fell The fecond, difcourfmg of the Gcuernemcnt of Horfes, with approued Medicines againft moil Difeafcs. The third, difco uering th e ordering oi" 6"hcepe,GoatC6\ Hogges, and Doggesj wirh"^ true Reme- dies tohdpcihc Infirmities iha? befall any of them* Alfo perfcd iuftrudions for taking of Moalcs and likcwife for the monihly husbanding of Grounds, as feath been already approued, and by long Experience cnter- tayncd arjiOngfl all forts, efpecially Husbandmsn, w lio haue made vfe f hereof^ to their great propt and contentment. Gathered by L f. o n a 5. d M a s c a l. L O ND O Nj '.ilt in SoHthrvarke^ i 6 z y. I'ei' [xii^e 46. 44 AGRICULTURAL WRUFERS trees and plants, and were they are broken or bruised with cattell, it is doubtfull to grow after. It shall be good also to set, plante, or graffe trees all of like nature and strength together that the great and high trees may not overcome the low and weak. Here is his recipe for making an oak or other tree to be as green in winter as in summer (page 45) : Ye shall not take the graff of an oake tree or other tree and graffe it upon the holly tree ; the best and most surest wa}' is to graffe one through the other. Take also your rose buds in the springtime and then graffe them upon the holly, and they shall be green all the year. On page 47, in referring to orchards, he says : Grasse is thought deedfu'.l for moysture, so you let it not touch the roots of your fruit trees; for it will breed mosse, and the boall of your tree near the earth would have the comfott of the sun and aire. The last chapter is on " hoppes," and he finishes up on the seventieth page by Wishing long life and prosperous health To all furtherers of this commonweath. The next work written by Mascall is dated 1581, and is dedicated to " Mistresse Catharine Woodforde, wife of Maister James Woodforde, Esquire, chief clerke of the kitching to the Queenes Majestic," and he goes on to state that she had " a desired mind how to use and govern poulterie to profit for maintenance of her housekeeping," and this and having known her at " Brestall " (Bristol), he dedicates the volume to her. It is entitled "The Husbandrye, Ordring, and Governmenie of Poultrie," and appears to be the first book written on that subject. It contains eighty-live chapters, comprised within 154 pages and much of the information given would seem to have been largely drawn from the ancients ; but it would be unfair not to give him the credit of being painstaking, even if a good deal of his writing is not based upon actual experience in Sussex. He treats very fully upon fowls, turkeys, geese, peacocks, swans, pigeons, doves, quails, and many other wild birds. He shows how " to make white burdes come of anye egges " and " to make hennes of the colour of your egges ye set her." To cause hens to lay eggs all the winter, he says " take the cropper of nettles when ready to seed, dry them and mix them with bran and hempseed, and give it to them in the morning." He adds that, although a good deal of instruction is taken from the old writers Columella and Stephanus, there is added many practices unknown to " all good householders." It is disappointing not to find any description of the various types of fowls cultivated in his day, for as he lived near a district now celebrated for poultry rearing, it would have been interesting had he given some information regarding the Sussex variety of the Dorking. LEONARD MASCALL. 45 ^^othe'Kcndcr ccrtnincmrDic!nr5lioH)fo;jtoficlpe'caticU;arii3ta goucrnc tijcm . J conliDcrco lurjat licncfnc , nnD picfitc itmigtjt bctoniv^ rountnf an:) fGniuicn-UJcaU^, fprnrJ.l-' tnto tl)c |iuf bnnDJnr n , ano fuf!) ac ^aue tljc itourrncnicnt fif£)j:fn, lf)D:res,&[jivpc, ano-fuct) ot!}cr cattcU/jro: eft tinifg fo; Uiant of fenolDliDcc-, mnnv cattcU brmn; firhe, W&c pcrifl) anD sic , luhcreas (icbencDc anD i;urtciJ arc at d* Uent unto men niucrc Uia^cfi,Bucn fo it r tjaunccilj tnto aX.' tcU.wcltjcrcijpcnjftljouoc^t It cicdD to tahcoccaGon fo; t|jc loue of mi? countric ano common-tocaltl) , toluntc fonic^ tofjatjpartlv cf tl)c goucrncmcntfo;our jrioftbfctj rattcU, as£Drcn,liinCj€ciliics,\^o.:fc£5,fe>!)irpe,^cn;ijc5,anoruclj. iuitt) Diners app:oucD rcmcDicc fo; ttjcm.pia-ncli: ano pcr^ ftctli' fct fo.:tlj, as lucU to be VmDerffoD of t!}c Vnlear ncD jjiif* lancman, as of tf)c iearncD Ocntleman: (IjcUmig itww tuhatnio:ccncrfD.:ttjc bones letting in a bead tE^cclarn^g lii>ctLarcttjco,:OeranDnv:tureo!l)ogB,U)Ul;tbc \jrc cf u/.j0 ano tljc caufc of tfjcir inaDrc5jiintI; certainc ljclpc3 a^a:nli 'ti)c bittenxatt^tl , ano alfo toK>P^ mar.gic Dop "»injj] ci* wrs app?oueD tuarcs t« tai;c jnouU s , \v iriv ti;n^^ of grouiioc. XX\\)\i\^ t|)ins re fijail finUccut mttbtuU. j^sf tl)c fame b^ alpljabct,ahD number , OcmoiS) ir.to tiv:i2 1 x.Ijcs. CruCinj ( gentle Ueaocr ) tt)cu tDiKtafeeaU *> .^oU jLv*rtr, 56iGmeantoft^)cautbo;tjercof. - . *.' t-,v ? L.M From Leonard MascalVs book on ^^ The Government of Cattell." \6oo edition See pa.ife 46. 46 A GRIC UL rURA L WR ITER S. For the proof of Fuller's statement we have Mascall's own word and witness in his work issued in 1590, and entitled " A Book of Fishing with Hooks and Line, and all other Instruments thereunto belonging, Sundrie Engines and Trappes to Take Polecats, Buzards, Rattes, Mice, and all other Kindes of Vermine and Beasts whatsover, made by L. M.'' He refers to the carp as follows: "The carpe is a strange and daintie fish to take. The first bringer of them into England was Maister Mascoll, of Plumstead, in Sussex, who also brought the planting of the pippin into England." This probably refers to one of his ancestors, and the word Plumstead may be a printer's error. The book with which we are most concerned is that first appearing in 1596, under the title of ''The Government of Cattell." I give a reproduction of the title and some other pages from a later edition. Its contents are fully detailed, and it is dedicated to the " Right Worshipfull Sir Edward Montegue, Knight," by the author, with an increase of worship to the honour of God, and the benefit of the Commonwealth. It comprises 307 pages, and finishes with a monthly calendar for the farm, garden, labourer, fish, and health. Like many other of these early writers, his matter is not all original, as he has drawn upon Fitzherbert in more places than one without apparently the slightest acknowledg- ment. On page 272 is the illustration of a hog's head, showing the method of ''ringing his nose like a Rammes home." (See page opposite.) Manv succeeding editions followed, some of them, notably those issued by Gervase Markham during the next half century, contained a frontis- piece covered with figures of animals and other illustrations of the horse and ox, showing their diseases by a cleverly delinated method. This book, which also comprises a large amount of the best practical knowledge of the author's period, evidently attracted the attention of the government, for in one of the late editions he describes himself as chief farrier to King James, which office at that time was filled by a man of superior education similar to a leading veterinary surgeon of to-day. BARNABE GOOGE. 1540 — 1594 {about). That agricultural literature occupied a far higher position among the ancients than it has hitherto attained in our day is certain. A mere enumeration of the names of the authors whose works remain leaves no doubt in our mind on the question of precedence, and to anyone conversant with the methods adopted to-day by some landholders it is a question if farming could not be carried on equally as successfully by LKOXARI) M.{S( M.I. 47 heg fociard. '^P.- «i tnc^ free: fc|:e gtorw .- ana iot-^n 98 Iboc':^ jjig , jbg Thc..6gurcofriDf,inglikc the Hammes iiornc Hertfdldtfeth a very good way how to fecde ahbggcforlard& fotteenrO^cifitfi Uc onpaaingilonMoa paticmtnt, « ft fi»all fft^ ^at icit^ barley aaB peafc,an» a« faeane»,aaO fiimbUnno ot^r loaC«c bat t^c tapphigs ants toaOilnp »f |pjga)tti6«.aRt rom«<fm G ^afnll of rrabj, »> W0 |>lm fo entt in !m Bales, I5gt if i-a tMnb t^attBillaaJkel)imt3beancta* ^W fat ^089e tBit^in t^e monet^s teoing. ^at after ong «oncf^ fomsDoc fMIKm is^tl) pgare,o?t!oto mQt» of bar k^mtolt, anor^ebe^t^ecsnittb ti)e fpace cf aae o; ffre Snir&fi0 ano nottiing ttfe* tnit^ont ann ojinke n otI;er nolffutf^iD^ (0 cotltftt^c^iefeaiua^of ffJEDing.sr^i ««t^r«»t^ filing oi^ /4 />a^e /« Leonard Mascall's book on " T/ie Government of CaffelL" 1620 editioi See page 46. 48 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. following the directions of these ancient exponents of the art as against the advice tendered by many modern instructors. Nor is the study of these old writers a mere matter of fancy. We could take up almost any one of them, and begin with him, the agricultural year — prepare the field, sow the crop, weed it, reap it, harvest it, thrash it, ascertain the weight per bushel, and the yield in flour or meal, market it, buy and sell, collect manure, and make out at the end of the year a more accurate balance sheet than could be furnished by half the farmers in Great Britain to-day. Barnabe Googe, of Alvingham, near Louth, is brought down to us as a celebrated poet and translator, born about 1540, and supposed to have been a relation and a retainer to William Cecil, better known as Lord Burghley, Queen Elizabeth's great minister, an ancestor of the present Marquis of Salisbury, and who by this nobleman's interest was gentle- man pensioner to the Queen. He is further believed to have been father of Barnabe Googe, Master of Magdalen College, Cambridge, in 1605. Several books emanated from his pen, and that which most concerns us just now is for the best part made up of gleanings from the ancient writers already referred to and described as shown in the photograph on page 49 and also below.^ This appears to be the hrst edition. His authorities extend from the Bible and doctors of the Church, through the Greek and Roman writers, Homer, Cato, &c., to the moderns as low as Rueliius, Fuchsius, Matthioius, Cardanus, and Tragus. He subjoins a list of his friends and •others who assisted him, which are the same as these mentioned by Googe, many of which it will be noticed are British. At the back of the title page of some of the editions, dated from Kingstone, are his armorial bearings, with the motto " Post tristia laeta." About nine years later another edition appeared, with a new publisher, and at the end is a woodcut of the printers with a motto round it — " Welcome thee Wight that bringeth such Light." Under- neath is—" Imprinted at London for John Wight, dwelhng in St. Paul's Churchyard at the great North Doore of Paules, A.D. 1586." The book is dedicated to " the Right Worshipful his very good friend Sir William Fitzwilliam, Knight, who held the Treasurership of Ireland for Her Most Excellent Majestie Queen Elizabeth." It w^as reprinted in 1596, and in 1614 another edition appeared (see page 51), supposed to have been issued by Gervase Markham, of whom I shall have something to say further on. The text is arranged in the form of a dialogue between four persons — Cono, a gentleman retired in the country; Rigo, a courtier ; Metella *Conradus HeresbachiiisyN2i9.hoxx\\r\ 1^0%, died in 1576. He wrote various theological works, beside his Rei Rusticce, libri iv., which was published in 1570, and his Legmn rusticarum, et operarum per siiigidos Menses digester, in 1595. J^'.lA'X.l/J/-: (r'OOGA'. 49 ^FOVRE BOGKE> OF j radius Heref bachius , Connfcllcr to the hygh and mighty Triuce , the 'Duke of Clem : Coufcpninn: tljc luljolc mt ann ixm of Dufi b.uijiy , with the antiquitic , and comincnd.Ki- on thereof. Ncv\i.!y EnglishcJ, .uid ui- ciealcd, byftaniabc Googc, tlqiurc . (•) >f;.T> 'Tpe C^^ N^ '^'!>v tPj y 51 111 the fvvcAcc of thy fa.v sh.ilt rhoii cate thv hrc.i J, t>'U thou be turned a-nync into dx: ground Jor out of.tvva/hhou t.ken:yca, U\ thou art.and :i i 1 V::0) : i V::-;^ I :.. .... ,1: arable-ground , Tillage , and Paflure. II. Of Gardens,Orchards,and Woods II I. Of Feeding, breeding, and Curing of all manner of Cattcll. Ot Poultrie, f ovvle.Fidi, and Bees, 'i' B A R. N A B Y G o o o n, Efqutre, Genesis, j. \}. ..vcatof t!-.y f..cc tii.-.lt then cacc thybrciJ. till tinu ht :C(Ja;:;.iIiic iruothc ;;ioiuiil,tor oiitot it w.ilt tliout.ikcn; _,.a. dufith". iaiT, nndtodulhiialtrliourcnirnc LO?iD 0 2t: ^-iiitcdby T. S. (ovU^chartliJ^iorc , and arc t(^ f »i!ld at his vSijop in S.Dundaiics Chuah- ' i li.itOrcct. 1614. Y.:y.\ .kc^^v£-Sii ^f ^ /"T.V^" 48. V. 2 52 AGRICULTURAL WRFLERS. and calamity of poor fools, or not daring to deal with the sword, to make his gain of merchandise, and, being a creature of the land, contrary to his kind, give himself to the rage of the seas and the pleasure of the windes, wandering like a bird, from shore to shore, and country to country, or to follow this goodly profession of bawling at a bar and for gain, to open his jawes at every bench. In referring to seeds these old time husbanders evidently knew the value of new as against old. On page 23 he says: And though there be sundry sorts of seeds and every country has its kind, and. sows such as best agrees with their nature : yet generally this is to be regarded that you sow none that are old and dead, but the newest, for old seed doth oftentimes, change their nature : as the seed of Colworts, that being sown turneth to Rapes : and Rape seed likewise into Colworts. The best seed also is that which is weightiest and lyeth in the bottom and hath a good colour. More than one species of wheat or hybrids thereof seem to have been known to these early writers. Googe says on page 28 that Galen states : Next to wheat and barley followeth zea,* being the wean betwixt wheat and barley. He mentions two kinds, and of the latter says : " With one grain in every husk, grow- ing in ranks and in the top resembling barley with his sharp awnes." In Italy it is used as provender for horses. Both bread and drink might be made of it very well, but it is troublesome to grind. It flowereth in June and is ripe in July. They appear to have knov^n two kinds of rape, one grown for its seed for bird feeding and the production of oil, probably what we call in the present day German rape or colza. The other grew in great roundness of root, cr else ^•ery flat, and reached an enormous size. Pliny writeth : That he had seen rootes of them that had weighed forty pounds, and others had seen them weigh one hundred pounds, and it was considered wonderful that from so little seed should come so great a root. This description must surely represent what we call to-day a Swede turnip, as it is accredited to be an evolution from the rape. Here is an extract from page 36 having reference to a plant which surely must be what we know as lucerne. Amongst all sorts of fodder, that is counted for the chief and the best which the people of old time call Treeloiie, the Frenchmen call Grandtreple, and the Spaniards call Alfalfa. [In Spain lucerne is still called alfalfa.] Pliny writeth " that it was brought by the Romans out of Media differing almost nothing from Tryfolly or three leaved grass." On page 42 is explained the difference between a pasture and a meadow, and it seems extraordinary that in those early times so much * This word is known to us as the botanical name of maize, but the species of corn here mentioned have no affinity with that plant, which was first cultivated in England in 1562. For this fact I am indebted to Dr. B. Daydon Jackson, of the Linnean Society. niRXAiu-: (U)()(;e 53 cf Carablc-croundand TilLice. i-- I nrc rcUi.Din.thf ^pi'.iii tunc. y\ A la nn:)Circ.-ccthc;'L\rj I Xbarbf ccnniacp: -^ •••'m f :• C'rV- itc cil\;\ui:)iT , •iiiJ) tjolu ii;iM) fiT.^c :s imt:cto:;r : , ..' ci ciciir.o, f.;rclp,tljt>' r.-.iatu ' as ."? In:ir!::;iv:jr;j;:. .....:..> cW'nrCciinrifi'iinDn.umcOi t»uir grcuni, nui: n liinrc cl" grille,'.'!;: tc Qrta uuiic aiip t!):iii_( luTiiii tcrt.ia'.c!';', tfjcic le rn u.in th.u can D3C if , lnt the ^rpL'iiO ..a J rticrp \\\:.\\T> oluac \\:.c.U lu lurcm ih: btil ^"!")iittcr. i?:umii(.- fMi gtm-i\illiu!rc;():iri;n.iQ;v there is, luhfinti Uu atr Ut .ur.cD incoi^Coindifs rufulPclatcintcmp:iaicC::i:uiL5 fcr;:ci-,ii:-.) in CMC h:rc lu\Tio::e rcD.ira of a!i.l rjroiii-.cr.cs i.iiil;,(b.U li.-i.: u . ful'icrt to nuiciri\iiiK-3iiiBtjnnnrr,nnD that ihrn ti)cvi'cU> fi.ir, . Scjinii.ti, l\(c,n;iO Mi.icr . ano \\\ CC:iKiti^^ll)i"at,13.nIi j',|;;o lo.uf.anD ofhrr t'lnirs tliatlucl).niciicf. Hcu jjjs.tljc j^iiricii.i 1'iBtimccrhur5aitt);r,U;ilslLntofcVuacco:Ciiigtot!):CiiUon!f of (Jrr-c •, ^:5 naruuali Ccnnti c;.'. \^i\\. t. Jto, \irro, Colunici, nMDPi.iMc,fippc;nt thnr niU-ci'o: icalyiubofcmuiOci; if pouluill h.iur folloUirOinall otlirr ^'Kiccc, rounj.iil but Kvhc toioncr riif> ti'por Ui:thonf coiiru. 15iittocoinc to thcniaUir>fttbtI)c faO:? offiinD;i'n.iturcr>rcninrrfiinD.vtiiniGof ro\oiiig>.inD:imii-r::i3 of o;i)cii'Uj,in:i tb.ithfrfui ciicrr C:i!::ttfrf)atl)l)i6giiiri\.^ \x\X ■ brrc obfcrumg Ui\\ cuQjuufl as arc uioa gcncrall to tlmii .i.( . faifraU\> fliclu rou ol cufrr fixDcbr himfdfr, ^\\^ fo OLiLircViira Van the c:D:r of tiinr foUnng. iliit) tna, amcngftall the trciis aiD gr.-'.iiif tint the earth Dath I'lYlCif:: cnrfullcri.iiiecjthcch'jfift pUcc ifl nghth' giucn bnto luheat, eall^D \\\ Orai-:c r.:/ciii 3[:a Inn J:ano,in ^V''i"^> Tfip<),in Dntfi) \\cvin in f rnicb i"o-jr- \ nrnn, Hi a ctrainc ntca nLYDfiillfo: a man a:iD tl)eicfo:nnoll i'ruir i fulbfMiifc'CoDhatho:D.iincDittonour:il)nMUui:h.il.3tiGlu:n Dfrfii:i luhntiuviDit huh birne ofiii fomc Countries. Aip.vj'h.s I VcsDepntiefenthinifrcmrvii .-m A'iicjofoncgra;ncoru;!ii.it j foiirc hiin5:cDb:anrhe^. .InD i'l;:-.;.- VnifnclTeth.ihit inthcfair.e place, one biill):tlhath PD-iDeD ahanD:cDa:iD nftie bnlljels. I R I .; o. r here are that hDlD opmion-that ihisiuljulj the com. moil peoplceall rciheat. the C:nnaines \V:v(s, ano K\\z I -ola-;- Derg rcriir> IS not the true mh:at, but a lunDc of Uic, a.jD ih .r fhctrtic cahe.it Uihuh tl)C jCtaUans calloraac,groluctlj oncii-iii ^jalpatiDiii s^paiiu. Pane from Ra, luile Gooi^e s ■• Whole Art of Husbandry 1614 cciition. See paire 48. 5 4 A GRIC UL TURA L WRITER S. should have been known on a subject that remains to-day on very much the same lines : The old writers do most of all prefer pastures, as the ground that requireth least to do about it, and they were called Parata because they were always in readiness and needed neither great charge nor labour, nor are in danger of storms or tempests ; even those which are overflowed with water are sufficiently recompensed with the fatness that the water leaves behind. Where the ground is rich and dry they serve for meadows because with the dunging by cattle it wears all the better, whereas with the continual bearing of hay it grows to be mossy and naught. Ashes are recommended as the best application to destroy moss. But the best method of all is to plough it ; for the ground after his long rest will bear goodly corne. It will scarcely recover his old estate again for pasture within three or four years. When you mean to let 30ur ground lie again in meadow or pasture your best plan is to sow it with oats, for they are a great breeder of grasse Some do cast hayseed gathered from the hayloft over the ground before thev harrow it. Is not this just the method of laying down land to grass that some farmers follow to-day ? It is recommended to be mowed the first \ear, fed to sheep the second, and the greater sort of catUe the third. The molehills and dunging of horse and bullocks must with a spade be cast about. The best herb for pastures or meadows is trefoile or clover, and the worst is rushes, fern, and horsetail. In the letting of ground it is generally covenanted that the tenant shall not break any grass land without the leave of the lord. An equally interesting chapter on the live stock of the farm follows, every detail of management being touched upon, chief place being given to the ox. Four degrees were made in the ages of beasts — calves, yearlings, steers, oxen. Dividing them further, they were called bull calf and cow calf, heifer and steer, bull and cow. The making of cheese and butter seems to have been as well understood as now. In referring to the names given to dogs he says, " the Greeks and the Latins selected words of two syllables ; the Germans but one syllable, as ball, slut, patch, and grim." Whoever takes the trouble of examining the works of these old writers will be surprised to find how much several of the more modern compilers of many voluminous works are indebted to them, but have not had the generosity to acknowledge the source of a great deal of their information. When we come to consider that there are no traces of what the moderns call systejii in the writings of these ancients, they merely cultivating the few popular things that were needed in the arts and conveniences of life, the more is credit due to them for the terse and simple manner in which their methods have been expounded. A crop of grain and a fallow appears to have been the extent of their agricultural course. .S7A' iin;n ri.M\ 55 This intcrtstiiiL;- Ixjok ( (HuIikIcs with sonic curious ()hlc lCii<^Hish Kulo tor purch.i^iiii; hiiul ; 117/0 so 7i'ill be ivise in purchasing, Let him co)7sider these poi)its following : First see that the land bo clear In title of the seller ; And that it stand in dant^cr Of no woman's dowric ; See whether the tenure be bond or tree, And release of every fee-of-fec ; See that the seller be of age, And that it lie in not niortj^a.ge ; Whether ataiie be thereof found, And whether it stand in statute bound ; Consider what service longeth thereto. And what quitrent thereout must goe, And if it become of a wedded woman, Think thou then on covert baron ; And if thou may in any wise Make thy charter in warrantisc. To thee, thine heyres, assignees also ; Thus should a wise purchaser doe. Baniabc Googe died in February, I5()4, and was buried in Cokcrino- Church. SIR HUGH PLAT. 1552 — 161 I [cihoiif). Sir Ht'GH Flat was h)okcd ui)on in liis (kiy as a h'arncd and keen obscr\cr and ch^ar-hcadcd writer, and a valuable pioneer in the trenches of knowledge, vet so great was his modesty that most ot" his works seem to be posthumous. He held a correspondence with all the most enlightened exponents on agriculture in his day, and such was the justice of his methods that, in direct contradiction to inai!\- otiier writers ot" his time, he alwaxs naimd the originator of e\fr\- discovery c-om- municated to him. Nothing appears to be known ot' his general status in life, beyond that he seems to haxc been of the profession of the law, as he lirst of all stvled himsel' of "Lincoln's Inne, Gent." lie h.id a seat called Copt Hall in Hss.'X, mother stvhd F.ishop's Hall .it F.ednall (now Bethnall) (ireen, in the p.irish of Stepney; h<- .also h.id .i town residence ;il Fincoln's Inn, with .a g.irdeii in .St. M.irtin's F.ine, in ifjof), where- in- grew ;i st-cond i rop of be.in^ on pl;uils lh.it had j)r(-\ iously borne, ;ind had be(-n cut down. 5^ AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. His first work was published in 1594. and described as follows: " The Jewel House of Art and Nature. Conteining divers rare and profitable inventions, together with sundry new experiments in the Art of Husbandry. Faithfully and familiarly set downe according to the authors owne experience, by Hugh Platte, of Lincolnes Inne gentleman, London, printed by Peter Short dwelling on Bradstreat Hill, at the Signe of the Star, and are to be solde in Paules Churchyard, ninety-six pages." The 1653 edition, of which I have a copy, and illustrate the title page opposite, is addressed to the Munificent Lover of all Learning, the Right Honourable Boulstrood Whitlock, one of the Lord Commissioners of the Great Seal of England, &c., and although its contents are varied, there is a good deal in it that pertains to our subject; another edition is dedicated to Richard Devorax, Earl of Essex. The author stumbled upon the use of steam, and constructed a bellows, which he illustrates, and contrived a use for it to sprinkle rose water and other scents about, by standing it over a hre, " and by this means a small quantity of sweet Avater will be a long time in breathing out." On page eighty-eight is illustrated a waggon to be drawn by men instead of horses. He savs ; The joints and other parts of this wago are so knit together with hoolcs and pins as that it may easily be disjoined and taken insunder, whereby many of them may- be couched in a narrow room, and will lie close together in a ship. It is to be drawn by six men, whereof two of them must labour at the fore-carriage thereof, and at either wheel other two, which must work by winding of the handles (which are of purpose fastened both to the nave of the wheel and axletree), either forward or backward as occasion serves. In a chapter on salt he states on page 102 : It is salt that makes all seeds to flourish and grow, and. although the number of those men is very small who can give any true reason why dung should do anv good m arable grounds, but are led thereto more by custom than anv philosophical reason, nethertheless it is apparent that no dung which is laid upon barren grounds could in any way enrich the same if it were not for the salt which the straw and hay left behind them by their putrifaction. And therefore all these simple sorts which leave their muckheaps abroad, and subject to the weather, show themselves to be but mean husbandmen, for the rain which falls upon these dunghills flowing downwards into the valleys, doth also carry with it the salt of the dung, which dissolveth itself with the moisture. The labouring hind when he carries his dung to the fields, he leaves it m certain heaps, and a while after, he cometli to spread it all over the ground, and afterwards when the field is sown with corn it is more green and rank in those places where the same heaps were first laid. From this it may be gathered that it is not the dung itself which causes fruitfulness, but the salt which the plant has sucked out of the ground. His treatise on manures displays a remarkable acquaintance with the fertilising properties of different substances, and a knowledge of the importance of covering dunghills from the action of the sun and .SVA' lire, II PLAT. 57 n ■ T H e % f JEWEI, HjOUSEg «^J^ OF, 1--Ait and Nature : f; •^ Containing J^ •*S Divers-Rare and Profitable Inven«pf •*S sions^togcthcr with fuudry new Etpcrimcnts in idt* j[y|| ' inchc Arr.on:;iisbaiulry» ^ ^j, ^if Divers Chymicil Cunclulioiis concerning the Art «^ ot D:liili2:ion, aiidchc rare pradifcs and u(ci dicrcoi. gi> ^ Faithfully ^nJ timilia/ly fct down, according ^ ■^^ to the Aiichours own Kxpciicnc^ • S?-* •^ 5; Sir Hugh Pht 0/ Limolns-lnnc^ Kmght. ^» «tJ^ Whcrcunto is added, A rare and excellent Difcourfc ^l» J^ ot Mincra'sj Scones, GuHis^and Rofins ; widuhc vcrcucs T^^ '^ ar:.4u(cthcK0t, By D.B.Ce^^t, ^ •>^ ^^ ^^ ^ LONDON : Printed Hy Eltz^fihth Alfaf, and arc cobc Sg^ ^^, L id ac her houfc m Grnbliiccc, near chc Upper Pump. i<553. Sb"" 58 AGRICULTURAL WRLTERS. rain. His list of natural manures is almost as copious as ours of the present d^y. He gives a practical discourse upon marl, extending over several pages, and concludes " that is a natural and yet a divine soyl, being an enemy to all weeds that spring up of themselves, and gives a generative vertue to all seeds that are sown upon the ground by the labour of man." He recommends muckheaps to be protected by cheap covering, " such as they use in the low country to make their barns, a pattern whereof stands to be seen near unto St. Albones, not far from Park Mill." In respect to the ear of barley illustrated in this book, he says, on page 139:— I have thought good to prehx in the front of this treatise the portraiture of an ear of summer barley, being drawn truly and sharply, according to the length and breadth thereof, which, together with sundry others of the same proportion (as by divers eyewitnesses of good credit I can prove and justifie). did grow this summer at Bishop's Hall, where I dwell, to the great admiration of the beholders; the stalk of which, together with the ear, was measured to be an ell and 3in. in length from the ground to the summity thereof. And this I did in barren ground by the help and means of waste soap ashes. I have also found the like success thereof in pasture grounds by the means aforesaid. Sir Hugh also wrote a small booklet, entitled " Sundrie New and Artificial Remedies against Famine," evidentlv before he became a knight, for he adds, " written by H. P. Esq., uppon the occasion of this present Dearth," printed by P. S., 1596. He was also the writer of a work on the " Setting of Corne," divided into eight chapters. An illus- tration of the title page is given opposite. He relates that the art of dibbling corn originated with a silly wench who was employed in setting carrots and had some seeds of wheat in the bag that were accidentally put into the holes, when the stems showed a very superior luxuriance of growth. He describes the mode and way of performing the work, and states the produce to be I5qrs. of wheat per acre, against the old way of sowing to be only 4qrs. He also says that a western gentleman steeped, two years together, his barley in the sea water, and then sowed the same in 1595 and 1596, and had very plentiful crops. In his " Floreas Paradisie,'^ " beautified and adorned with sundry sorts of delicate fruites and flowers" to be " solde in Paules Churchyard at the signe of the Holy Ghost, 1608," he refers to " the rare and most peerless plant of all the rest, I mean the grape," and the wholesomeness of the wine made from his garden at " Bednall-green neare London," and adds : If any exception shold be taken against the race and delicacie of them I am content to submit them to the censure of the best mouthes, that profess any true skill in the judgement of high country wines ; although for their better credit herein I could bring in the French Embassador who gave this sentence upon them : that he never drank any better new wine in France. And Sir Francis V'ere, that martiall mirrour of our .SVA' IirGIt PLAT. 5M The new and admi« rabic Arte of fctcing of Cornc : V/iili all the ncccflTaric Tooles and other Circumftanccs belonging to the fame .the particubr titles whiTcof. areict downe in the Page io I lowing. >/v ?ri' ^f^ % r -^ Mj^nus Dl>l>is:te fxif^'r. 6o AGRICULTURAL WRUFERS. times, assured me the same, and I make some doubt whether I shall need to bring in that renowned Lady Arabella, the Countesse of Cumberland, the Lady Anne Clifford, the Lady Hastings, the Lady Candish, and most of the Maids of Honour, with divers Lordes, Knights and Gentlemen of good worth that have generally applauded the same. In another connection he refers to Master Richard Pointer as a " most cunning and curious grafter and planter of all manner of rare fruits," and to '' Master Henry Bunbury of Touthil-street, near unto Westminster as a painful planter," and to " that most affectionate lover of plants Master Warner neere Horsley Down, by London (now known as Bermondsey)." He thus finishes the chapter : — Heere I will conclude with a pretty conceit of that delicate knight Sir Francis Carew ; who for the better accomplishment of his rovall entertainment of our late Oueeneof happy memory at his house at Beddington led her Majestic to a cherrie tree, whose fruite he had of purpose kept backe from ripening at least one month after all cherries had taken their fairwell of England. This secrete he performed by straining a tent of canvas over the whole tree and wetting the same now and then with a scoope or home, as the heate of the weather required ; and so by withholding the sunbeames from reflecting upon the berries, they grew both great and were very long before they had gotten their perfect cherrie-colour ; and when hee was assured of Her Majesiies comming, he removed the tent, and a few sunny days brought them to their full maturitie- He mentions his '' conceyted booke on gardening, wherein he has set down sundrie observations which neither Tusser, though he have written sharpelv, nor Hill, though he have written painfullv, nor Master Barnabe Googe, though he have written soundlye, applying himself in his whole discourse to our soyle and clymate, hath as yet discovered to the world." Later editions of this book were issued under the title of " The Garden of Eden : an Accurate Description of all Flowers and Fruits now Growing in England, with Particular Rules How to Advance their Nature and Growth, as well in Seeds and Herbs, as the Secret Ordering of Trees and Plants." " The Second Part of the Garden of Eden, or an Accurate Description of all Flowers and Fruits Growing in England, with Particular Rules How to advance their Nature and Growth, as well in Seeds and Herbs, as the Secret Ordering of Trees and Plants," by that learned and great observer Sir Hugh Plat, Knight. This book ran through several editions during the following century. The sixth, of which I also possess a copv, was issued in 1675, printed for William and John Leake at the Crown in Fleet Street, betwixt the two Temple gates. It is published by Charles Bellingham, a kinsman of Sir Hugh's, and addressed to the Honourable and most perfect gentleman Francis Finch, junior, of the Inner Temple, Esquire. Sir Hugh was evidently associated with all the notabilities of nis time, for the following names are mentioned in connection with references to various experi- ments with plants : Lord Zouch, Sir Francis Walsingham, Sir Thomas yo/fx X(}A'/)/:x. 6i ("hallciior, Sir ("uthbert Buck, Lord Mayor ol" Lontlon, and Sir I-'.dward Driiiiy. Ilr rcioinmcMuls horn shavings for field peas, as llie\- li.id hetn useil ni.isl siuH-esst'ulIy by Mr. I'loinel at iM'thiiall (ireen. On ])a_«;e ij;(> he complains of the L;erininali()n of seeds : Whereof the liunchedth one came not up.ailhouoli pcradxeiiUire I mit;lu be abused in the seeds, which is an ordinary practice \n tliese days with all such as follow that way, either to deliver the seeds which they sell ming-led with such as are old and withered, or else to sell such as are stark naught. I would there were some fit punisii- ment devised for these petif cosenors by whose means many poor men in Kngiand do oftentimes lose. Chcapside is full of these lyins^ and forswearing- huswives. It can on])- he inferred from such a statement that in these times the sale of seeds was left mainhto street hawkers. He was the third son of Richard Piatt Brewer, of London, and was christened at St. James's Garlick Hythe, London, Ma\- 3rd, IS5-- In the register of Lincoln's Inn it is recorded that on May 4th, in the thirteenth year of Elizabeth's reign (1571), he was admitted a student, introduced by John Pinkerynge and Thomas Lodge. He evidently married, as, in his will, executed on October iQth, 1608, he left his wife Judith all his propert\-. That he had some sons is proved b)- the fact that in Hornsey Church is a monument to William Piatt, founder of some fellowships in St. John's College, Cambridge. He died in 1637, and the inscription tells that he was one of the sons of Sir Hugh Piatt, of Berhnal Green. As several members of this household are buried at Hornse\-, it ma\- be that it was the famil\- Inirial ])lat'e. It is curious to observe how frequentlv these old writers spell their own names in different wavs. It ma\- be due to the publishers, who seenietl in that day to lune greater control o\er the books issued than the authors themselves. JOHN NORDEN. i548-if)_'5 {a boil f). Although several other authors appeared about this time upon surxeving and measuring land, John .\orden seems to have been held in thegreati'st repute. He was the writer of the " Surveior's Dialogue," which first appeared in 1607, printed by Hugh Astley, dwelling at St. Magnus Corner. A second edition f(dlo\\cd in ibio, j^rinted for J. Busby .-it his shop in .Si. Dunslane's Churthyarcl in Fleet .Siri'et. It was issuc-d a'Min in 1618, and the title page of this edition is reproduced on page 63. It is addressed from his " poore house at Ilendon," and dedicated to ''the Right Honourable Robert, Lord Cecill, Baron of Lsingdon, X'icecount 62 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. Crambourne, Earle of Salisburie, Principall Secretarie to the most high and magnificent Prince, James, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Master of his Majestie's Wards and Liveries, of his Majestie's most Honourable Privie Counsell, and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter." He is stated to have belonged to a genteel family in the county of Wilts, and was born in about the year 1548. He became a commoner of Hertford Hall in 1564, and took the degree of master of arts in 1573. John Norden was the first Englishman who designed a complete series of county histories and maps. He was then living at Fulham, and was friendly with Gerard, the herbalist, who gave him some red beete seed, "which, although altogether of one colour in his garden, brought forth^^many other beautiful colours." Gerard mentions the fact in his Herbal, vol. 2, page 319. In 1600 he was acting as Sur\eyor of Crown Woods and Forests in Berkshire, Devonshire, Surrey, and elsewhere, and in 1605 petitioned for a similar office under the Duchy of Cornwall, complaining that he had spent /, 1000 in former employment without receiving recompense. His claims were evidently recognised, for in 1607 he surveyed Windsor, issuing as the result a vellum folio MS. called "A Description of the Honor of Windsor, performed by the Perambulation and Delineation of J. Norden," containing eighteen coloured maps and bird's-eye plan. For this he recei\/ed a free gift of ^^200 from King James I. Later on he held the surveyorship of the Duchy of Cornwall jointly with his son. He was the delineator of the county maps engraved by William Kips, and his merits as a draughtsman were evidently recognised, as there are records of a Privy Council order to all lieutenants of counties " that the bearer, J. Norden, Gent, was authorised by his Majesty to travel through England and Wales to make more perfect descriptions, charts, maps, &c." I now come to his book on surviving which contains a good deal of interesting material, and was well thought of at the time. It comprises six parts, each of which may be described as follows : The first Booke Containeth a communication betweene a Farmer and a Surveyor of Land ; wherein is prooved that Surveyres of Manners and Lands are necessary, both for the Lord and Tennant, and in what manner Tennants ought to behave themselves towards their Lords, in respect of their tenures. The second Booke Is intreated betweene the Lord of a Manner and a Surveyor, concerning- the estate of a Manner, of the parts and profits thereunto belonging, and how the Lord of a Manner ought to deale with his Tennants. The third Booke Containeth the manner and method of keeping a court of survey, and the articles to be inquired of, and the charge : how to enter and mroll copies, leases, and deedes, and how to take the plot of a manner. yoifx X()Rni:x. 63 SVRVEIORS p DIALOGVE * Very profitable for all men to pervfe, but efpeaallyfor Qentlemen^ harnursyand Huf- ban Jmcn, that lliall cither liauc occafion^or be wil- ling to buyjiire.or (ell Lands : As in the ready and per Fed ( Surucying of chcm. with the m;inner and Method of ; keeping a Court of Surucy w.th nuiiy nccclfary rules, Y andfdmiiiarTiblc3 totlur purpoic. The v(c of the Manuring of f jmc Grounds, fie as well /fr L O f. D S, J4 /(fr T £ *J N A N T 5 . _]^o\v the chirdtimc rmprlnted. And by phejamc Author inlarged^ und a fixt Booke nehply adJv-d, of a familiar conference, bc:v/e-nca P v ^ c h a s e r and a S V R. V F y o 1 of Lands; oi the v uc v(c ofSot being very nccjrulifor all fucfias arc to purchafc L^r whcthcrit be to Fee liinplc,oi byLcafe. Dmdedmiofisc Bookcs l^l.N. P R o V. 17 2. ty^'f citfcretteSerUitnt (h^l haae rstlcc^.er ,".>; vnthnfucSonrtf, andhe OjaII dtHtde the heritnyf mwoh.t the brethren. Voluntas pro facultitc. LONDON: PrincedbyTHOMAS Snodh am. \C I'S^J 64 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. The fourth Booke Shevveth the manner of the casting up of the quantities of acres of all sorts of grounds by the scale and compasse, with tales of computation, for ease in accompting. The flft Booke Sheweth the different natures of grounds, and whereunto they may be best im- ployed, how thev may be bettered, reformed, and amended, fit for all farmers and husbandmen. The Sixt Booke Containeth a briefe conference between a Purchaser of Land and a Surveyor ; wherein are some points necessary to be considered of such as are able and willing to Purchase Land in Fee-simple or bv Lease. He describes the meaning of the word manor and the history of manors, cottages, and villas, yeomen and vicars, meadows, rivers, and bournes, ironworks in Sussex, and many other points referring to both the holding of lands and the crops thereon. He names as the best meadows in England those LTpon Dovebank in Tan Deane, upon Seaverne side, Allermore, the Lord's Meddow, in Crediton, and the meddows about the Welchpoole, and especially a meddow not farre from Salisburie neere a Bourne under the plaine, that bears grasse yearly aboue ten foot long ; though many thinke it incredible, yet it is apparent that the grass is commonly sixteene foot long. It is made shorter before the cattle can feede on it, and when the cattle have fed their fill hogs are made fat with the remnant, namely with the knots and sappe of the grasse. He speaks of a river near Chichester, in Sussex, called the Lauent (now known as the Lavant), which in the winter is dry, and in the dryest summer full to her banks ; so is the Leam, a river in Barkshire, near Leambourne, and he says: I take it to be because they are only fed with springs, which run only when they are at the highest, namely in the summer, when the sun is highest. And that also is the reason wh\- many bournes breake out of the earth in sundry places, as we may read it hath done sometimes neere Mergate, in Hartfordshire, corruptly called Market, and neere Croydon, in Surrey, near Angleton and Patcham, in Sussex, and in many other places in this Realme : which breake forth suddenly out of the driest hill in summer, and run for a time in such abundance as would drive many mils. Not yearely, but in six, eight, or ten yeares. On page 208 he recommends Seed of the claver grasse or the grasse honeysuckle, and other seedes that fall out of the finest and purest haj' ; and in the sowing of it, mingle with it some good earth. But sow not the honeysuckle grasse in too moist a ground, for it liketh it not, there- fore you must draine the place before you sow it. (This clover must be what is now known as cowgrass.) He recommends hops from Essex and Surrey, and describes carrots as A beneficial fruit as grown at Orford, Ipswich, and many sea townes in Suffolke, as also inland townes, Berrie, Framingham, and others in some measure in the same shire, Norwich, and many places in Norfolke, Colchester, in Essex, Fulham and other JOUX XORDEX. fJS HovD to reduce all forts of grounds into afquarefor the better meAfurmg of tt. Fron John Norden s " Surveinr s Dialogue,'" aiid also found in some copies of Gervase Markhams " Couuirv Fanner." 66 A GRIC UL TURA L WRIJERS. places neere London. And it begins to increase in all places of this Realme, where discretion and Industrie sway the minds of the inhabitants. He calls the Kentish men Most apt and industrious in planting- Orchards with Pippins and Cherries, especially neere the Thames, about Feversham and Sittingbourne. And the order of their planting is such as the form delighteth the eye, the fruit the taste, and the walkes infinite recreate the body. Besides, the grass and herbage, notwithstanding the trees, >ieldeth as much benefit, in manner, as if there were no trees planted at all, especially for hay. He again refers to a place called Tan Deane, near Taunton, as the paradise of England, the land being so fruitful bv nature as to make poor men live as well by a matter of twenty potmds per annum as he that hath an hundred pounds in some other parts, and he speaks of wheat giving from four to ten quarters per acre on the lands around Ilchester, Sutton, Somerton, Weston, Melton, and F'alconbridge. Regarding the derivation of the word manor, he says there is some difference of opinions : It is in Laline called maneyium, yet a word not used among the Romanes or ancient Latines, and therefore to finde the etimon by it cannot be ; for the word is used among our Lawyers, as many other made words are, which have beene terms raised by our Lawes, & are not elsewhere in use, and therefore the nearest way to find the signification of the word is by the quality of the thing; so that some hold it should precede of the Latine verbe manere, which signifieth to abide or remaine in a place, as the Lord and his Tenants did in this, whereof the head house or the Lord's seat was called Berrye, which signifieth in the Saxon tongue a dwelling place, which continueth yet still in Hartfordshire and in divers other places, and is also taken sometimes pro crasto, which was also the seate of the Lord of some mannors. Manner houses were also, and yet are called in some places Hals, as in Essex and northwards ; Courts and Court houses westward, as in Somerset, Devon, etc., as also mannor places ; all of which are places of the Lord's owne abode, and therefore it may not unfitly be said to take the name of abiding or dwelling. Some thinke, and not improperly, that it taketh name of the French word manemirer, which signifieth to till and manure the ground ; and of the two, I take this latter to be the most proper derivation of the word mannor ; for thereof are many chief houses of tillage called prediagrannges or fermes ; which word farme is taken of the Saxon word fearmion, which signifieth to feede or yeelde victuall ; for in ancient time their reservations were as well in victuall as in money, until at length they were turned into money ; and some farme rents doe yet continue in victuall. Furthermore, a mannor may take the name of niaiuer, to governe and guide, because the Lord of the Mannor had the managing and direction of all his Tennants within the limits of his jurisdiction. He also states the quantity of land that should be held by the nobility in their different degrees, and he describes the meaning of the word ward, and the tenure of wardships. The illustration on page 65 very curiously depicts the methods adopted for measuring land in his day. John Norden was also the author of several religious works. .S7A' RICHARD WF.SIOX. 67 SIR RICHARD WKSTOX. 1 591- 1652. It has ever been acknowledged that Sir Richard Weston laid the foundation of the improved agriculture of Britain, and it is remarked in tlir " I'hilosopliical Transactions" that I^ngland profited to the amount of man)- millions by following the recommendations given in his treatise. He was the eldest son of Sir Richard Weston, Kt., of Sutton, Surrey, and although I have not been able to trace the date of his birth, in 161 3 he succeeded to his father's, estates in the parishes of Sutton and Clandon, and was knighted at Guildford on July 27th, 1622. Some writers aver that he was ambassador from the (^)urt of James I. to Frederic I., Elector Palatine and King of Bohemia, and that he was present at the famous battle of Prague. Be this as it may, he certainly wrote a treatise entitled " A Discourse of Husbandrie used in Brabant and Flanders," showing the wonderful improvement of law there, and " serving as a pattern for our practice in this Commonwealth." He never carried this valuable work beyond manuscript form, which he left with others as a legacy to his sons, but it came out as a book later, published by Samuel Hartlib, and its contents shall have due examination in our storv of this author's life. The improvement of husbandrv was e\identl}- a hobby of his, as he made many notable advances in the methods in vogue during his time. Sir Richard was the first to introduce the system of locks, as in Holland, to make rivers and canals navigable. He obtained powers from Parlia- ment to make the river Wey navigable, the time given him being six months, but both this and the money, estimated at ;{^6ooo, were exceeded, as he died in less than twelve months after the passing of the Act, having completed only ten miles of the fourteen miles necessary. After his death the work was carried on and completed by a Major Pitson and the son of Sir Richard, material and timber being granted from the King's estates of Oatlands and Richmond. About the year 1638 he introduced into the count}' in which he resided the cultivation of " the grass called nonsuch " (really a clover now known as trefoil), and, following in the footsteps of Rowland \'aughan, he raised rich crops of hay from irrigated meadows, and in this connection Speed relates that Sir Richard told him in 1639 that he had disposed of 150 loads of his extraordinary hay at ^^3, which his meadows watered by his new river did yield. Another great improvement was his introduction of the rotation in cro])s founded on the cultivation ot clover, llax, and turnips. He married Grace, daughter of J(jhii llar])er, of Cliesluinl, and had b\- her se\-en sons and two daughters. He died in i()52, and was I" 2 68 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. buried in Trinity Chapel, Guildford. His legacy to his sons is dated 1645, and contains "precepts from a dying father instructing his children what he hath seen and known." SAMUEL HARTLIB. 1 600- 1 662 [about). Samuel Hartlib. who issued in book form the valuable manuscripts left by Sir Richard Weston, was in many ways a remarkable man, as he seems to have taken the fullest advantages of a period when English husbandry rose to a high state of perfection, and when landowners had discovered that the cultivation of their own estates were the very best posts of employment. He was born in Poland about 1600, and came to this country in 1628, starting in business nominally as a merchant, but in reality a man of various hobbies and conducting a great news agency, yet he must have had some knowledge of farming matters, as he was the supposed author of works on the subject, besides several theological tracts, and was the esteemed associate of the talented men of his time, including Milton, who dedicated to him his " Tractate on Education." He also assisted in establishing the embryo of the Royal Society. Hartlib would also seem to have been associated with many good people, for he speaks of his mother's sisters marrying the Lord Mayor's son and Sir Richard Smith, one of the King's Privy Council. Others of his relations married to Sir Edward Savage and Sir Anthony Irby, at Boston. His first work is said to have been published in England in 1637, ^"^^ i" ^645 he is stated to have first issued "A Discourse of Flanders Husbandry." In 165 1 appeared his " Legacie," or an enlargement on the discourse. (See page 69.) He also Avrote an " Essay on the Advancement of Husbandry and Learning, with Pro- positions for Erecting a College of Husbandry" (see page 75), and "The Reformed Husbandman." There (see page 77) also was issued between 1651 and 1655 " A Discovery for Division and Setting out of Waste Land in England and Ireland " and " The Complete Husbandman." John Evelyn, the learned writer, mentions a visit to him in his diary, where he says, " This gentleman was master of innumerable curiosities and very communicative." It has been noticed that the discourse on Flemish husbandry was written by Sir Richard Weston, and details the practice of those place^ through which he had travelled, and the language employed shows a learned author, and the germs are evident of an improved agriculture. The third edition of the " Legacie " forms an enlargement of the SAMCF/. lIARIl.in. 69 SAMUEL HARTLIB H 1 S L E G A C 1 E: O R An Enlargement of the Difcaurfe of HUSBANDRY USED IN Brabant and FLAuNDERb^ Wherein arc bequeathed tc the Com mo n- w ealth of England more OHtlandj/lj 2nd Domeflick, Experiments and Secret J in reference to Univerfall H U S B ANDRY. Pfjlnic 144- serk 1^, 14, 15. {baUuT Garrenmay U (kHj nfordirigaU wannfr t/'/?.;;cfr,;!/:;/r<^/t'beridcs, confidering the quantity otljnd- 1 i«^n'd'?f dare not fay this ibtrue^ but hopi; iht be (o^ th.it it Lauds, will be mended. For of late much luith bet n done for the advancement of thcle kinds 4;f land , yet there are as yet great Dejicjcncies. Iivthe timqsof ^^ifijiry^ all in this///W were either Sonlcl/crs or Scholars i, Schoitrs^hy reafon ot the great honours, priviledges, and profits, ( the third part of the Kingdome belonging to them 'and Souldiers^ bccaufc of the many and great vvarres with l)\wct\ Scotlm.l^ Ireland^ U'aUs. And in thofe times Gentlemen thought it an honour to be carelefle, and to have houCcs^fur- niture^dtct ^ cxcrcifes^dpparcll^ £ /!"• advance the Pror,eiity,Wei!ti and * ^J,* S^ Plenty of their Native Councrcv. ^-4 »g8 EfayiP. v.2 4,:(5. ^ ^T.'* Biththe PloHgh-m.in PloM^ tiH ddj to J»we ? Do:h he ope -4 afid l^ 1^ breuk^the Clods of huorokna? ^^ ^^ F*rht6 God uotk hornet him to ()ijcretion, and do: h tench him. *^ ' P ^ _. . ^ LONDON, Printed by 7. C. 1(5)1. ?^ 74 AGRICULTURAL WRFFERS. How far, may I add, have we advanced in our ki-.owledge in the subjugation of these fungoid diseases since the days of the writer, now 250 years ago? Here is evidentlv the first experiment in the method known as alternate husbandry, or the sowing out of leys. On page 40 he says : I know a gentleman who at my entreaty sowed with liis oats, the bottome of his hay-mow, and though his land were worne out of heart, and naturally poor, yet he had that yeare not onlv a crop of oats, but he might, if it had pleased him, have mowen his grasse also, but he spared it. which was well done, till the next year, that it might make a Turffe and grow stronger. He also observes that the yellow or hop trefoil grew naturally in Kent, and he speaks of three and twenty other sorts of trefoils. He refers on page 78 to " the ignorance that prevails about the grasses which naturally grow amongst us, and their uses, which likewise were made for to be food for cattel, and also for the service of man," and lays down lengthy rules for improving this want of knowledge. On page 89 he deplores the want of divers things which are necessary for the accomplishment of agriculture, " that we have not a system, or a compleat book on all the parts of agriculture,'' and he reckons all the authors before him went on probabilities and hearsays rather than experience. In his day the city of London comprised 600,000 people (it is now over 4,000,000), 5000 quarters of wheat were wanted weekly, and he advocates " storehouses for holding six months' supplies for the people, likewise the same at York, Bristol, and Norwich, in case the magazines beyond the seas are locked up from us." He gives divers experiments wherein is shown how corn may be preserved in cheap years without cor- ruption, so that it may supply the dearth when it cometh. He speaks of two sorts of saintfoine, one which endures for four vears only, and the other which stands twelve to fifteen years. Can this be what we know as common and giant saintfoin ? Although made up of a mass of correspondence from many sources, this work was evidently thought a deal of, as Cromwell* (in 1647), gave Hartlib a pension of 1C100 per annum, afterwards increasing it to ;^30o, to come out of Haberdashers' Hall.t In 1660 his pension was ^700 in arrears, and in a letter to Lord Herbert he complains he had nothing to keep him alive. On April gth, 1662, he presented a petition to the House of Commons setting forth his services, and craving relief, in which he says inter alia, that for thirty years and upwards he has exerted himself in procuring rare collections of MSS. in all parts of learning, which he had freely imported, transcribed, and printed, * Jo. H. Com. 1644 — 1646, cp. I. Vol. IV. folio, pages 587, 588. t Jo. H. Com. Vol. V. folio, pages 131-2-3. SAM (•/■:/. //.I A' ////A 75 &' AN I' I ESSAY i ^ FOR 'f IadvancementI J Husbandry-Learning; |' I PROPOSITIONS f ^ FcrtheEre^ringa W | I COLLEDGE | IhusbandryJ ^ AND V J In order thereunto, for the taking in of K f^ Pupills or Apprentices, ' ^ ^Si AND ALSO ^ '^Friends or Fellorres of tbeQime Colledoe ^ v^ or Society. ^ I LO~N~DO~N, 6 ig Printed by Henry HiUs. \6^u >' Ti^c iHiirc of one of Hart mix Es.savs. 76 AGRICULTCRAL WRITERS. and sent to sulH as were most capable of using them ; also the best experiments in husbandry. The result of this petition is not known, neither is the place or date of his death. " The Reformed Husbandman " (see page 73) was also issued in 1 65 1, and is often found bound up with the " Legacie." It is a little work of some fourteen pages, and, as Hartlib announces, its contents were imparted to him by some of his correspondents.* In it is recommended industry as the grand prize of inventions, and the source of all rewards. The author urges the fallowing of lands for any crop, and the use of much less seed. In the " Essay on the Advancement of Husbandry Learning," Hartlib ascribes all misery to the narrowness of our spirits, and that our hearts are not enlarged beyond ourselves, and in order to rouse the upright in heart from laziness and drowsiness he states that the mother of ail other trades and scientifical industries, which is the science and trade of husbandry, would be very beneficiallv treated in the collegiate way of teaching the art thereof, for it the least part of the industry is highly improved by collegiate institutions, the chief parts must be advanced to perfection by that means. He proposes, then, ''that there be bought or rented a large and con- venient house with some good quantity of land adjoining and belonging to it," and that it be done " by those uhose great wealth is joined with as great virtue and love to their country." He next suggests the fees, and how they should be paid, the ages of the apprentices in agriculture. This suggestion for an agricultural college must surely be the first ever introduced, but the idea does not seem to have been carried into practice until some centuries later ; now we find them in full evidence all over the country. That Hartlib thought very deeplv is shown bv the projects which he formed and the recommendations he imparted, and this notice of him must not be closed without a parting expression of profound regret that the loftv minds which are excited by the prospect of future good, and rise above the general allurement of immediate advantage, should ever be subjected to the painful necessity of making petition for relief. Such occurrences have not been unfrequent in the history of the world, and afford ample evidence that there is something wanting in the moral condition of society that permits benefactors of the human race to be degraded in such a manner. In 1865, "A Biographical Memoir of Samuel Hartlib," written by Mr. Henry Dircks, of Blackheath, was published in London by John * One of his correspondents was Cressy Dymock, a member of a family of noted consequence in the pageantry of a Coronation, having by ancient right the privilege of serving as the King's Champion. He was a writer on agricultural topics, and author of the tracts, " A Discovery for Division or Setting out Land." •' An Essay for Advancement of Husbandry Learning,'' " Invention of Engines of Motion." This latter tract is reprinted in Dirck's Life of Hartlib. London, 1865. SAMi'/:/. HAR'ii.in. D I S C O VE R IE ForDivifion or Setting out of Land, as to the bed Form. Fubl idled by Samuel Hartlib Efquirc^for Dirctflion and more Advantage and Profit ot the Ad- venturers and Planters in the FENS and other Wafte and undifpofed Places in En^Und 2nd 2 R E L J N D. Wheremto are added fome other Choice Secrets or Exuriments of Husbandry. WithaPhilofophical Quere concerning the Caufe of Fruit fu Inefs. AND An Efjay to pmv How all Lands may be impro\'cd in a New Way to become the ground of theincreafc of Trading and Revenue to ihis Common-wealth. L 0 :^ D 0 .V, Printed for ^/V^ir^ Wcdoiethein Ltadtn-hdMiUai, i^5 Title poi^H' of one of Hartlib' s Essays. 78 AGRICULrURAL WRITERS. Russell Smith. It contains a full account of his life and his publications, and is written in the most eulogistic terms. He considered that " whether for the man of letters or of science, the politician or the theo- logian, the historian or the biographer, the life of a man like Samue Hartlib has manv rare claims on human intelligence, sympathy, and respect." GABRIEL PLATTES. 1600-1655 [about). After a period of devastation, when our fatal domestic wars changed the instruments of husbandry into martial weapons, the country found itself in a sad plight for the want of cheap food for an increasing popu- lation. Whenever a nation becomes populous, and the necessaries of life are scarce and dear, it is then expedient to attempt the discovery of new improvements in husbandry, so that the community may be fed upon easy terms. Plausible theories upon such occasions amount to little more than ingenious amusements, and it is a series of skilfully conducted experiments that can alone establish matters of fact. In this connection it was remarked by that intelligent writer Gabriel Plattes, who may be considered as an original genius in husbandry, that " Reason had deceived him so many times that he would trust it no more unless the point in question be confirmed and made manifest by experience — without which no knowledge in husbandry is perfect, for experience admitteth no imposture." Such a frank and honest declaration aptly illustrates the feeling that had come over the land in relation to agriculture in his day. In the meantime France had been making considerable efforts in reviving husbandry, attending more to the actual practice than the distri- bution of literature on the subject, so that whoever desired to employ their systems found it desirable to travel the country, and this several of the best men of the time did. The French system of " petite culture," which made a farm resemble a garden, did not, however, commend itself here, as the holdings were too large to manage with the spade alone, but when it was found they could get as great a return from ten acres as we could from fortv it led to an improvement in our methods. Another secret spring that gave new motion to agriculture and preserved to us that superiority which, as foreigners say, "gave rise to the greatness, riches, and power of England," was the exportation of wheat, first allowed about the year 1661 under several restrictions, one of which was that no wheat should be permitted to go out of the country except it sold CMIRII.I. PT.AirES. 79 DISCOVERY or INFINITE TREA€V^RE, HIDDEN SINCE THE WORLDS BEGINNING. VVhcreuntO all men , of what de- gree fbevcr, arc friendly invited tobc fiiircrs witluhc Di(- coverer, C. T. . ^ • Prov. 13. vcrf. n. Wcdth'mten by I'initiejh^lbe diminiilcd^ but Ijc thjt '^.tthcrcth it hy Ubow Jl>al/ J^rhjfcr, Hvmo qtunto plu^ cofncfcit cr intciagit y & ionnm prc'crt Aifu^ iunio Dec fimilior. L 0 A' 1) 0 A'. Printed bv /. L, and arc to be fol'.i by fl(6rut G narrow parallel sti-i[ could onl\- be tilled subjeit to c •usto mar\- of the lloai ■d of Agn mo\ ement. .\bout t his ]: icrioi: ment, but t h,'>,- ])ri\ those ha\ii llg CI unmi sanctioned. 'Th. •np. a general 1 )ill f. )r in< thrown out . .s idjSet 82 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. %o ADifco'^crieof Icxhiuihaz/.aidagooJ wager upon ir, which fliall be eqiiali/cd , an J the queilion {nail he determined bythci;rcatclt, viz. experience which adimucth noiinpoiliire ^ yet I could advilc inv belt hicncis that io\ c to trie cx[X'nence to ipcn J their money, tunc, and ikudic upon Improvenients in Hu^ban- dnc, being wDrkcs more ccrtamc^and more pro* tiuble. Ohjeclto^, III. \Vc muft needs confclTe that barrennefle in- cicalcth l)y the uruall pradtife u\ Husbandry at thii tlay, and by the two waves alledgcd bv V(hi in your Bookc, viz. Ill It, by the carrying of the fheene fronulie Commons with their tiill bellies intotne Folds, whereby the Qiic ground is impoverifh- cd toinnchtiieother-, and this we conceive nuy be cured by your new Inventions^ tor proy iding of imnure wiucii wa> neglected before ; fecoiuHy, the Land is much impovenflKd by great Land- flouJs, wjiiclicarrya wonderfull quaiititie of fat- iiclle yea: ely into the Sea, but how this fliould be remedied we know not ^ we mult needs" confeife that your InvcuLioiis for the providing of manure more then before, are excellent gcx)d aud profi- table for the general! good, and will withstand the barreuaeire much Jo that u will not mcreafe fo faftas It ehd before; yet we conceive tlwt barren- nelFe will Itillmcreaic, though more flowly :, for all your multiplications of manure will not equalize, much lelTe overmatch the fatneilc carried yearely by Land-doudi mto the Sea, A page from Gabriel Piaffes' " Discovery of Treasiire.'' GABRTKL PLATT.F.S. hidden TreafM'e. It is certainc that the new provifion of manure' b)'Lime, aflicf;, Mark', Mulliljgc, and rcfidenceof water, and by the reltoi the Inventions, will equa- lize and overmatch the great tjuantitie ot fatnefTe carried ye.uvly into the Sea, itihe fhrae frail be in-. duftiioiill y put in pradufeithc fubterrancall vapours yearcly elevate a great quantitie of tatnelTe, though in IbmephKCb more abundantly then in o- thers •, fori h.ivcknowne arable land borne good f cornetinieoutof niinde, with every third yeares relland tallowing, \v;ithontany manure at all, but onely by thi> fubterrancall vapour arifing I'roni fome fubterrancall fat flibltancc: but though this be but in fonie fpeciali places , yet there is noquc- ftion but that It helpeth well m all places , though of It ielfe It be not fuiiicient without addition of jnuiurc; but ifallmenwouldbcruledbynie , wc would nut onelvpuL thefe workcs in pracbfe very indufaioiilly for the generall good, thereby totc- itifieour iove to allnien both living, and yet to come • but alio we would makeufc of my firilln-- vcnnon mentioned in my full C hapter,vi/. to bow the knee of the heart, inllead oi the ulual and com- plemcrtall bowing ot'thek!iee of the body, to the Donor ofall co(xlnefIe j then might we have firmo confidence, hiving formerly teliiiied our love to God, by the generall love otall hiscreatnres,efp€- ciiilly thole ol ou;- own kind ,tlut he would. fend the fornierandthchticrramein due l^afoD, .wJtbouc ^ O 3 f^antmg, A patre from Gabriel Plattes' "Discovery of Treasure.'''' G 2 84 AGRICULTURAL W RULERS. thrown out by the Lords ; but in 1801 they were partially successful, and the first general Act for inclosure was passed, being " an Act for consolidating in one Act provisions usually inserted in Acts of inclosure." In 1845 3- General Inclosure Act was passed which appointed an Inclosure Commission, The lands that might be inclosed were : (i) those that might be inclosed without intervention of Parliament; (2) lands that could not be inclosed by the commissioners without the previous consent, including all lands over which rights of common existed, all waste land of manors over which tenants had right of com- mon, also all wastes within fifteen miles of London or other towns, distances varying according to number of inhabitants ; (3) all town and village greens were excepted by this Act. Gabriel Plattes has a good deal to say on this subject in his book entitled : " Practical Husbandry Improved ; or, A Discovery of Hidden Treasure, Hidden since the World's beginning," vvhereunto All Men of What Degree Soever, are friendl}- invited to bee Sharers with the Discoverer, written by Gabriel Plattes, and now pub- lished for the Generall Good and Benefit of the Commonwealth. I,ondon, Printed for Edward Thomas, and are to bee sold at his House in Green Arbor. By the known times of his life and death, it is pretty certain he began his observations at the end of Queen Elizabeth's reign, and continued them through the reigns of James I. and Charles I., and also during a few years of the Commonwealth. He was the author of several books, yet he was allowed to die of hunger in the streets of London. Little seems known about Svlvanus Taylor, beyond the fact that he was the author of the work described in the illustration on opposite page. GERVASE MARKHAM. 1568-1637. A GREAT manv works on agriculture appeared in the earlv part of the seventeenth century, some of them very heterogeneous performances, yet withal containing many judicious directions and a good deal of rash speculation. He who wishes to view the condition of those ent'aged in the pursuit during this period, as well as the cultivator who still obsti- nately resists every new practice, may be gratified in tracing the gradual progress of improvement, which included the introduction of clover and turnips into England, of hedges into Scotland and Ireland, and the execution of extensive embankments and drainages. As the industry advanced, one point is very noticeable in these books of instruc- tion, and that is in the directions, which are more systematically arranged siv.j-.ixr.s r.i r/.()A\ Common-Good: OR, THE IMPROVEMENT OF Commons, Forrcfts, and Chafes^ BY [NCLOSURE. W H H R L I N The Advantage of the Poor, THE Common Plenty of AH, - AND The Increafc'and Prefer vation oij TIMBER, With other things of common concernment, Arc ConfiJcrcd. By S: neyoty Ti^mei»eci , (Corrected, and Augmented wichdiucrs large Additions, out of the 37 Work j-Se KREs his Agriculture, 7 qC)^ I n e t his CMaifon Chimpcjlie, S SA L E Y T t R I o in SpaniOi ^G R I L L I French. m Italian ^ ^nd othej Authors. And the Husbndrie of France Jialie, and Spaine, reconciled and made to agreeyeuhours here w Rtiglatid: By Gervase Maekham tiie whole Conteotsare in the Pogc following. LONDON, Printed by ajdam f/ltp for fohn WL 6 I 6. See pni(e 90. 88 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. tragedies, comedies, and other heroic poems, many of which are nov\ rare, and command large sums of money when offered for sale. In 1599 he issued a book on our subject, entitled " How to Chuse, Ride, Traine, and Diet both Hunting Horses and Running Horses." It is dedicated to "his singular good father, Ma: Robert Markham, of Cotham, in the countie of Nottingham, Esquire." In it he states he has here "gathered together of my life's experience," and that " no man's aplaus can better please me," for his father was as fond of horses as himself, and it so fell out that Cotham, his chief manor, became the property of the Duke of Newxastle, and still belongs to his Grace's family. Most of his earlier books on agriculture and subjects pertaining thereto appear to have consisted of bringing up to date the works of earlier writers. "The Gentleman's Academic; or, the Booke of St. Albans on Hawking, Hunting, and Armorie," compiled by Juliana Berners in i486, now reduced to a better method by G. M., he dedicated to the gentlemen of England, and all the good fellowship of huntsmen and falconers. In 1607 was first issued Cavelarice ; or, The English Horseman, contayning all the Arte of Horsemanship, as much as is necessary for any man to understand, whether he be Horse-breeder, horse- ryder, horse-hunter, horse-runner, horse-ambler, horse-farrier, horse-keeper, Coachman, Smith, or Sadler; together with Discouery of the subtill trade or mistery of horse- coursers, and an explanation of the excellency of a horses understanding, or how to teach them to doe trickes like Bankes his Curtail ; and that horses may be made to drawe drie-foot like a Hound. Secrets before vnpublished and now carefully set down for the profit of this whole Nation, by Geruase Markham. London: Printed for Edward White, and are to be solde at his shop near the little nortli doore of Saint Paules Church at the signe of the Gun. In 160S appeared The Husbandman's Faithfall Orchard, shewmg divers rare new secretes for the true ordering of all sortes of fruite in their due seasons. The Whole Art of Husbandry, contained in Fovre Bookes, viz. : I. Of the Farme or Mansion House, Offices and Accommodations of Earable Ground, Pasture and Medowe. H. Of Gardens, Orchards and Woods. III. Of Breeding, Feeding, and Curing of all manner of Cattell. II II. Of Poultrie, Fowle, Fishe, and Bees, with tlie whole .\rt (according to these last times) of Breeding and Dyeting the Fighting Cock, and the Art of Angling, first written by Conrade Heresbatch, a learned Nobleman, then translated b}- Barnaby Googe, PLsquire, and now Renewed, Corrected, and Enlarged, and adorned with all the Experiments and practises of our English Nation, which were wanting in the Former Editions. Bv Captain Gervase Markham. 1614. London : Printed by T. C. for Richard More, and are to be sold at his shop in S. Danstanes Churcli yard in F"leet-street. " Cheape and Good Husbandry" (see page 91). First issued in 1614. This book ran through over a dozen editions during the century'. My copy is dedicated to the Right Honourable and most truely ennobled r;/;/v'r./.s7; .i/.i a'av/.i.i/. % 158 Tbefrii Booh of 1 I 1. $'2 r 1!^ Kncheucflrc. Thefiruckm eie, Thi bleared The flruckcneyc « cured by aopljring vnto ita cataplafrocmadc of bread cnoos fteept in coole warcr, or bread toHcd and flccpt in white wine: if ihij doe 00 good, yoo muft open the head veine. The bleared eye is cured by an eyc-falue made with frank inccnfe^mTirhe, ftarch, and fine home : as alfo by a Irontla made of frankincode & maftKk fineJy powdrtd aad .1 t>iii(c in Gervosv Markhai '■Co 90 A GRICUL JURAL WRITERS. with all inward and outward vertues Richard Sackville Baron of Buck- hurst and Earle of Dorset. In 1616 appeared the revised edition of the celebrated Maison Rustique, or the Countrey Farme, compiled by Charles Stevens and John Liebault, Doctors of Physicke, and translated into English by Richard Surflet, now newly reviewed, corrected, and augmented, with divers large aditions, out of the works of Serres, his Agriculture, Vinet, his Maison Champestrie, Albyterio, in Spanish, Grilli, in Italian, and other Authors. And the Husbandry of France^ Italy, and Spaine, reconciled and made to agree with ours here in England, by Gervase Markham, the whole contents are in the page following. London, by Adan> Islip for John Bill 1 see page 87). The original translation from the French by Richard Surflet was dedicated to the Right Hon. Sir Peregrine Bartie, Knight, Lord Willoughby, Baron of W'illoughbie and Eresbie, Lord Governor of Her Majesties Towne of Barwicke, and Lord Warden of the East Marches ; whilst Markham's edition is dedicated to this nobleman's son, Lord Roberts. In 161 1 appeared the lirst edition of Countrv Contentments; or. The Husbandman's Recreations, containing the wholesome experience, in which any ought to recreate himself, after the toyl of more serious business, as namely. Hunting, Hawking, Coursing with Greyhounds, and the Lawes of the Leash, Shooting in Long-bowe or Cross-bowe, Bowling, Tennis, Baloon, the Whole Art of Angling, and the Use of the Fighting Cocke, of which the eleventh edition, issued in 1675, was printed for George Sawbridge, at the sign of the Bible on Ludgate Hill. P^leven other editions appea- ed between this date and 1675. Then came Markham's Maister-Peece, containing all Knowledge belonging to the Smithy Farrier, or Horse-leech, touching the Curing of all Diseases in Horses, drawne with great paine, and most approved experience, from the publick practice of all the Forraigne Horse- Marshals in Chrislendome ; and from the private practise of all the best Farriers of this Land; being dixided into two Bookes ; the First containing all Cures Physicall, the second all belonging to Chyrurgery ; with an addition of 160 principall Chapters, and 370 most excellent Medicines, never written of nor mentioned in any Authour whatsoever ; together with the true Nature, Use, and Quality of every simple Remedy spoken of through the whole worke. Written by Gervase Markham, Gent. The Second Booke : Containing all Cures Chyrurgicall, or such infirmities as being only outward, crave the use of Chirurgery, and are called in Horse-Ieech- craft, Horse Sorrances. And The English Husbandman, drawne into Two Bookes, and each Booke into Two Parts. The First Part contayning the Knowledge of Husbandry Duties, the Nature of all Sorts of Soiles within this Kingdome, the Manner of Tillage, the diversity of Ploughes, and all other Instruments. The Second Part Contayning the Art of Plant- ing, Grafting, and Gardening, the Vse of the Vine, the Hopgarden, and the preserva- tion of all Sorts of Fruits, the Draught of all sorts of Knots, Mazes, and other Ornaments. London : Printed for Henry Taunton, and are to be sold at his Shop in Saint Dunstans Churchyard in Fleet Street. (w:/n\\s/-: .i/.iA'A7/.i,i/. 91 Qheape^andCjo'^d HVSBANDRY For the well^Ordering of all Bcalb^ and Fowlcs, and tor die '" gcnerallCiire of rhcir Difeafcs. Contayning the Natures, Breeding^ChoifejVfc Feeding* and Curinoorchedifcnfes oFail manner ofCattcll, as Hcrff^ Shewing Further, the whole Arc of Riding great-Hor/es, with thft breaking and ordering of them ; and the dieting of the Running, Hummg, and Ambling Horff, and the roanncrhow j ,^lf$,dpprsued Rtdet.fir the CrdmjnifigArjd Fattmgof nU/mTif Ftnltry Am J Fa'.vlei. both t.xme and irildc, o-c. Ani dtuers toad^d^ vell.apfTofied Mtdscr^es.fer t he Cure sf ail the difeJfes in Ha^^t^is, ef rphat kl»ds/oeMer. Together With the Vfc and Prafie of Beer: rhemifeingofFifti-ponds, a and the taking of aij forta ofFifii. Gichercd together for the gc^i^^^^fg^^T^^^fi, ^^^^-^ ^^j^^^C Realme,b7 exad and allured experience From Enolifh praftifcs M ccrui^e,e,fic, andcheipe : diffmngfrom Ml former And forraine experiments, ^h.ch cythcr agreed not ^ith our Clime, or were too hard to come by, crcuc'-foniy.onHtoJittlcpurpore : aU >vnic!ihci:in,ircauovdcd. T^f thtrd Eattion. i-O^iDOX nccteiheConduK m Flcciareet. 1 5 1 3. ^ Gervnse Markliai 92 AGRIC UL TURA L WRITER S. In 1623 was issued an edition — whether the first or not I am not sure — " The Country Housewife's Garden." Of its contents it will suffice to quote : " In the month of Aprill, the moone being new, sow Marjoram : in the full of the Moone Apples of Love." " Markham's Farewell to Husbandry." (See opposite page.) My copy is addressed to the " Right Worshipfull and his most worthy Friend, Mr. Bonham Norton, Esquire." In 1625 appeared " Inrichment of the Weald of Kent," a booklet which seems from the dedication to a Kentish Landed Proprietor to have been written especially at his instigation. This work is addressed to the Honourable Knight Sir George Rivers, of ChafTord, in the County of Kent, and issued by R. Jackson. (See page 94.) The Art of Archerie, shewing how it is most necessary in these times for this King- dom, both in Peace and War, and how it may be done without charge to the country, trouble to the People, or any hinderance to necessary occasions, also of the Disipline, the Postures, and whatsoever else is necessary for attaining to the Art, London : Printed by B. A. and T. F. for Ben Fisher, and are to be sold at his shop at the signe of the Talbot without Aldersgate, 1634. In 1635 another work of his on fishing is entitled : The Pleasures of Princes, or Good Men's Recreations, containing a Discourse of the Generall Art of Fishing with the Angle or otherwise, and of all the hidden secrets belonging thereunto. Issued by John Norton. So much were his writings in demand, and so many books relative to the same subject did he compose, that at last he arranged with his publishers to write no more, and the following agreement was drawn up : Mem. — That I, Gervase Markham, of London, gent., do promise hereafter never to write any more book or bookes to be printed of the diseases of any cattle, horse, ox or cow, sheep, swine, or goats. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the 24th daie of July, 161 7. — Gervase Makkham- This memorandum has been said to be in the archives of the Stationers' Company, but I believe it is not now forthcoming. The following entry, however, in their books shows that the publishers of those days had contentions about his published works : August, 1617. — The Court issued an order to settle the controversie between Roger Jackson and John Mariot for the printinge of the booke called " Markham's Farewell to Horsmanshippe and Husbandry." Although he drew upon earlier writers for some of his material, the prefaces and deductions of his many works afford satisfactory testimony that he was a well-meaning man, and, to use his own words, he says, " Patience I have long since made mine owne and only companion." To give some idea of his style I have culled the following extracts C'/.'A'/M.SV-; .l/.IA'A7/.l.l/. (>^ MARKHAMS Farewell to HVSBANDRY: O R, The Enriching of all forts of Barren and Stenl grounds in our Kingdome^to he as fruitittllin^UmanncrofGrame, PuKc, and GraflVj as the beft grounds whatfoever . Together with the annoyances , and prcfcrvarion of all Graine and Sccd^ from one yeare to many yeares. As alfb a Husbandly compararion ofmcnandCatccIs daily labours, their cxpencc!, chargcSjand ucraoftprobt«. The fourth time, revired^correfted,andamendcd»togetherwich many new Additions, and chcjpc expeririKntj : For the bettering of arable Paflure, and wooddy Grounds. Of making good all grounds agalnc , fpoiled with oYfrfluwIng of fait water by Sca-brcaches: as aini,ibc Eoriching oi the Hop-garden ; and many other things never publiihsd before. LONDON, Priiued byEovTARDGRiTFiw forloHN HA^lso^^^ at the figne cf the golden Viiicorne in Pater- nofter- row. 1638. 94 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. ^THEINRIGHMENT ^ oftheVVealdof K^;;^; . WtiT>ire8m torn Hushdnd'-mdn ,fir \ the true ordering, manuring, and inriching of all the Grounds within the Wealds of /Ce«/ and ^^f AT, and may generally fejrue for all the Groundj in EngUttd^ of that nature : As, ' ' '* I, Sketvhg the nature of all Wealdip) ^ronmls^ comparing it trjtit r ' ' ihefoiJe of the Shim at Urge. "".i.DeclarhgwhitthcMgrUu^ and the ftuenll fertt th-.Tfsf, ^ ; uBivpkreitisvfualljjenttd. I . ' ' 3. rheprofitibk ufeof Mark^ dud other rich wavurhgty 4s welt V inedcbfortofarMUnd^ssalfo fofihsi»€rejfedfC0rB€4Hd ; ; Fajiure tbroitghihe Kwgdome, • V Pain fully gathered for the good of this Hand, by a man of great cmiaence and worihjbutrevifed,inlargedjan4i ' ' corre^ed with the conient, and by conference with chefJrfti\utho^. By Ctn>sft Mjrkjfem, I LONVON, Printed by A^tte Grips for I o h m H a i i s 0 s, it the golden Unicorne in Pater-aofkr row. 169 ^» c;/;a'/'./.s-a' MARK' //am. 95 "1 2Book» Anexv way of Harrowing. 6i To the big end of this harrow, you (hall fixe a ftrong rope with a Swingle-tree with TreatSjCollefjand Harne(re,andonc Horfcis fully fi.fficient to draw it round about the Paftureor Me?dov.-ro with this Harrow you fhill harrow the ground ab. orcr, and it will not oncly break all the hard clots to a very hue duft, but dlfo difperfe them and drive [hem into the grci;no, and give fuch a comfort fo the tender rr/ots of the young grai!'-;, then nev.'ly fpnnsins;, that it will double and treble the if - crcaf- And for mine own paJt, this expeiicnce 1 my iclt nivc fecn upon an exTca-nc barren Pafture ground in ' 'iddhfcx, whcrejione cf thclc good mculu.5 or (oylcs could bz got s but ths Husbandman was fain to take all ihe rubbifh&co^nfc earth even to the very fw^epings of his yard, and for want of en nij^h of rubbifi! i- thereof to take any ordinary earth he could ca and with ii he fwccp n^^,.. dreft the ground in fuch fort as 1 have now laft Ih jwtd you, and this being done in Mp- ,7, he bad in J/.'v. following as good Meadow as could bee wifhc for, and was the fi ft ^.ea- dowlfdw cut downe in all that Country : from whcx.i M2 diaw A paffe in Gervasr Miirk/iaiii's • ■ fnrirhmriit of the W'cilil of Kent" 96 4 GRIC I 'Z TURA L WRITER S. in my possession. On page 136 of from copies of various book the " Countrey Farme " he says : You shall take it for the best and principallest note of a good horse if he have an Ostridge Feather on each side his crest, for they are of excellent endurance, and will seldom or never re) re (rear). Againe to have the neere foot white behind, the farre foot white before, to have both foot white behind, or both feet white on either side, are THE PERFRCT^N^ Florfe-man. OR, THE Experienced Secrets Mr. MA^KjIAMs Fifty Years Practice. Shewing how a Man may come to be a General Horfcman By the knowkdgofthefcfcvcn OHiccs, .- VI Z. Brbe dek,->^Kee per, Feed e k, f ; , AAir.LEK>V^^^'^^^' ^ ^^ x^ R I D E K, jCTakrier, %^'^. — \^%T~ \ I'l-iblilhcd by L^«cf/of T/:)e/r/W,Pra(ilitioncr in *^' ** J i' L i I uc Alt for tl;c ipacc of 1 orry Y c.u ^ iXonaon Printed/ar RuUrd OuMU'i 7bcla}i Edition, Crruicd. London, Printed by J-V'^forRichard Chiftvel^ at the Ro(c andCi^wn'inSt. Tx-z/'s ' Church- Yard, idSor^ ' Title page and Frontispiece of one of Gervase Mavkhani' s publications. all approved markes of a verie good Horse, provided ihat all such whites be under the pasterne ; for to have them higher is a signe of an arrand Jade. Also to have a white starre in the forehoad, a white rache down the face, or a white stripe on the nose are marks of a good Horse ; provided that the starre be not artificiall, the rache toa broad, enclining to baldnesse, nor the snip raw ; ail which are evil! signes. Also a little foot is a signe of swiftnesse, a thinne haire a signe of mettall, a loose throppeli a signe of much wind, and a short well knit and upright pasterne, a siyne of strength and great endurance. WM.rr.R lU.llll. 97 WAl/ri'K 151.1 111 1620-1690 {about). TllK th;ui<;(' ot" gcnt'rnmeiU inlrodiu-cd by llic ("oininonucallh brouglit forward upon tlu> stage ot" lilc many cniincnl characttTs who but for llu' altoration would probabK ncxcr ha\ c been heard ot, and whatever opinions may be formed ot that method ot rule as applied to this country, no denial can be made that it met a need at the time, and was favourable in a high degree to the development of genius and enter- prise. It acted as a social commotion which moved the stagnation of the human mind and put into motion the wheels of action that had stood still for the want of impulse towards progression. Walter Blith appears to have been a landlord in Yorkshire, and acted in a military capacity as a captain in Cromwell's army in Ireland. Canon Hart says*: Ireland, it must be confessed, had a wretched method of husbandry, and strong prejudices in behalf of that method till about 1650, when Blith alone, who then lived in Ireland, was sufficient to open men's eyes by his incomparable writings. But the truth is that he and many other Englisli officers and soldiers of Cromwell's army, being enriched b}' military grants and settlements, first laid the right foimdations of husbandry in that kingdom. His writings touch cNerx- branch of the industr\-, and he seems to have entertained the lirst systematic conceptions of the benetits that would attend the " alternate husbandry." He recommends the breaking up of all inferior grass lands, and shows the public loss from constant pasturage. I'he wearing out of lantl b\' loo ccjiistant ploughing is much condemned and the want stated of a renovating pasturage. He describes and figures the sowing and wheel ploughs and the double implement with two mould boards, and notices the turnwrest plough of Kent. I It- appears also to have known the drill plough, and says expressly that " it ploughed, sowed, and harrowed at one and the same time, and is largelv used in Norfolk." He also recommends many green fodder plants, which, along with root crops, effected a complete re\olution in the cultivation of the soil in his day. His first book is entitled " The English Improver : or, a .\ew .Sur\e\- of Husbandry," in six chapters, making 16S pages. It is adch'tssed " To those of the High and Honourable Houses of Parliamrnl whose \acancies from the great Rusinesse of th<' Kingdom will admit the reading," and printed in London for J. Wright at the King's Head in the Old Bailey, 1649. In i65_' there appeared "The English Improxir, Improved," of which the frontispiece and title-page are reproduced on pages 98 and 99. This l)ook is aridressed to the Right Honourable the Lord (ieneral! Cromwell and the Right Honourable the Lord l'r<'sid'\ R\ V'\ \ n ^ ^ 7. /. / /::< r^t # /^r(?w^ Walter BlitJi s '' English Improver Improved^'' 1652. See page gj. WA/./i:/^ /;/. /■/■//. yy All clearly clemonftrated from Prin. ciples of Reafbnjngenuity^and kte.but moftReal Experiences ; and hdd forth at an Inconfidcrablc 1 charge to the Profits accrc\ving thereby^ under Six Peeces of Improvement. I Bjt Flloating and Watering Aich Land as licth capable thereof. ^ \^ ?'"l "^'"^ ^^"' Reducing Bog, and Regaining S.-n-lands. f3 By (uch Enclofurcs as prevents Depopulation, & advanceth all Interefts 4 By I li age of fomc Land loft for want of, and Pafturing othei s deftroy. cdwith Plowing. ° ^ \ ?/ *P^f,»?^<^'-y of all Soyls and Compofts with thoir nature and ufe .6 By doubling tht growth of Wood by a new Plantation. Tihe 7bJrdlmprejfion much Augmnud. Withan AdditionallDifcovcry of the fcvcrall Tooles, and Inftrumcntj in their Forms and Figures promifcd. IVth a Second Fart 5 Containing Six Newer Peeces of Improvement. \ fi Our EnglifhHusbandringClaver, and St. Foyn, ashiehasmay be. z 1 he taciikanng the charge and burthen of the Plough, with diver; I Figures thereof. .. » ' The^Planting Wcidc, Woade, «nd Madder,three rich commodities foj EccL^io. Aaihtrcf*rethAtthyhandMhdt,do,do U mth all thj p^cr -/i thmam,phermfdam^'l^^,n>Udf,wthfr4ve yphithcr then go!/ ^ imd^, Printed for John ^riibt^tx\^Kinii4H4d in lh^OU^^~^ L.st of Couh'uts, Walter ni if h-s- En_^dish I mfrovcr Improved r ,652. SecMgc^l. loo AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. that Most Honourable Society of the Council of State ; to the Nobility and Gentry ; to the Honourable Society of the Houses of Court and Universities ; to the Souldiery ; to the flusbandman, Farmer, and Tenant ; to the Cottager, Labourer, or meanest Commoner. At page 77 he says : There are so many sorts of Clover as will fill a volume, I shall only speak of the great Clover or Trefoyle we fetch from Flaunders called by Clusius TrifoUiiini majus tertiitm which bears the great red Honysuckle, whose leaf and branches far exceed our natural meadow Clover; it bares very small seed as Mustard seed, not so round but large like a bean ; the best is of a greenish yellow colour. Your Dutch, Holland, and Low Country seed is very much of it very hazardous that comes over hither. Much that is sold in the shops is corrupted by the Dutch before it came thence by over drying in the kiln or mixing old with new. Therefore my advice is to send a knowing man who hath had experience of it and buy the choicest and best. It costs me two shillings a pound for I had rather give double price for such than run the hazard of common experience. Here is a curious advertisement at this date having special reference to another celebrated Clover, evidently what we now call Trefoil : The Description of the Hop Clover, or Trevoil, in English Three- Leaved Grass. This Three-leaved Grass will grow half a yard in length or more, and at every two inches it hath a knot with leaves and a bunch of seed, which is black, and almost like Onion Seed ; both the Grass and the Hay made thereof, is finer and sweeter than the great Clover. It will grow in any Ground, and being once planted, it will shed so much seed that it need never be planted again. It may be sown with Corn, or without, as they do the great Clover ; or being sprinkled in Meadows, it will exceedingly mend the Hay, both in burthen and goodness. Such as are desirous to buy any of this Three-leaved Cirass, or Lucerne, Spurry, Clover (irass, and Sinkfoile Seeds, what quantity they please, can have them at Thomas Brown's Shop at the Red Lyon in Soper Lane, where they may likewise see some of the Hay of this Three-leaved Grass. He writes at length upon the properties of wood and madder in the production of dyes and of their value as remunerative crops to grow, and of the latter being grown to perfection at Barn Elms and also at Deptford, near Greenwich, by Sir Nicholas Crisp. Here is a remark about coal and hops, which seems peculiar reading considering the importance of these commodities to-day. At page 234 he says : As for Hops, it was not many years since the famous City of London petitioned the Parliament of England against two Anusancies (nuisances) or offensive com- modities were likely to come into great use and esteem and that was Newcastle Coal in regard to their stench etc. and Hops in regard that they would spoyl the taste of drink and endanger the people. In case of an over large acreage of turnips furnishing too many roots for the markets, he recommends them To be fed to stock at home, and in a dear year to make bread thereof, half meal and half boiled Turnips as a good and delightful food. He adds that swine will not WAI.TKR Bf.irif. The Trenchmo;' ^§^^^_^-^ Tiie TZirvirKT iole vlecL a«S fhe^^^^^^^**'^ Spade 5'pade ^-^..^is/^^ From Walter liliU{ s " ^//.V/.vA Imfrovcr Iwhrovrdr 1652. 5^^ M,^^ 97. A GRICULTURAL WRITERS. From Walter BUWs " English Improver Improved. r 1652. See pa o pace 97. Aj)(>/.ri/rs Oh' ADAM sr /■:/■:/). 103 eat a raw turnip any more than a Scot will <^al swine's nesh, yet tlie boilinjf of them first and given to the hogs with a good wash will induce them to eat them raw and ihey will run after the cart and pull them forlli. He adds an appendix, 1uiiik)I\- reiiionstralinjj^ unto any of the Honourable Committee of Parliament designed, or that hereafter may be designed for takmg of grievances. Promoting the Common good, Advancing of Ingenuity, or for Regulating l-'orests, Wastes or Commons within this Commonwealth. Advocating Division of the land into leases and divers ways. Many forests, moors and Commons as they are now enjoyed througli the oppression of the Rich, the sloth and idleness of the Poor and the misusage of all. My ej'es have many a time seen one person employed all day in tending one or two beast, whose wages could not be less than three shillings a weeic. Of whose labour the Commonwealth is deprived hereby. Enclosure will bring far more honest ingenious employment in planting, fruit growing, Corning, sogling, Clovering and Coleing and maintain many more people. The book contains a folding illustration of an engine-worked mill, to be also used for drawing water ; a page illustration of levelling instru- ments ; of spades of many kinds and ploughs of divers descriptions. (See pages loi and 102). There is no mention in any of his works as to who or what he was, or from whence he came, or when he died. It may be noted that his name is variously spelt by contemporaries who make reference to him, and by one he is described as Sir Walter Blvthe. ADOLPHUS OR ADAM SPKED. ) 600- 1660 {about]. Little is known about Speed, whose Christian name is given by all the biographers as Adam, whereas in a copy of the 1648 edition of " General Accommodations," by Addresse, " signed and dated by himself April 26th, 1630, at Mr. Fisher's house in King Street, within the Covent Garden," proves it to have been Adolphus. He appears to have associated himself with reputable society ; though no particulars of his parentage or birth are forthcoming. He is asserted to have begun to write in 1626: but Walter Blith, whose books are already described, stated in 1652 '' that till a short time previously. Speed had not published his works." My copy of "Adam out of Kden " is dated 1659, printed for Henry Urome at the Gun in l\y Lane. It is "an abstract of divers excellent Experi- ments touching the advancement of Husbandry " ; and, again, according IC4 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. to Blith, this work was published by the good nature of Hartlib, whose record is given elsewhere. In his address to the reader Speed savs : How excellent and how innocent the art of Husbandry is. Nor can there be found in Nature a more ingenuous, necessary, delightful!, or honourable employment than Agriculture; a calling born with us and bred in us, affording matter for the most refined wits. . . . Embrace this opportunity and reduce these precepts to practice. England affords Land enough for the Inhabitants, and if men did but industriously and skilfully improve and manure it, we need not go to Jamaica for new plantations. The first chapter " sheweth how ground may be raised from the value yearly of ^2oo to the sum of ;^20oo by means of rabbits, which are to be kept in enclosures and indulged with the shelter of furze and broom." " There is plenty of land," he adds, '' within fifteen miles of London at eight shillings the acre, and more further away at one shilling that will carry five hundred breeders, the progeny of which will fetch eightpence each several times in the \ear." Chapter 2 is all about " Coles to be had at the Pits near Notingham to the Trent side and so by Boats to Newark and the Towns adjacent, to be delivered at two shillings and sixpence per load." Chapter 3 concerns turnips on Devonshire lands and those grown at Hackney. In Chapter 4 he describes the sow thistle as a useful grass, wonderfully fruitful for milch cows, and in the making of cheese. Chapter 5 is all about clover, and how he proved its value when sown under a crop of barley. He also says : " St. Foyn is exceedingly profit- able, and may be cut seven or eight times in a year." He reckoned one acre of clover to keep four cows winter and summer, one acre for seed to produce five bushels, one acre for hay to give seven loads and one half, to sell for £(^ 6^-. 8^/. the load. (There is something very different in a comparison of his acreage weights with those of to-day. In naming seven and a half loads per acre he must have referred to the fresh crop as carted to the stack, as nowadays a farmer considers his hay crop a good one if it turns out in trusses anything near two tons per acre.) Like other writers of his dav, he refers to "the strange kind of grass growing in Wiltshire with which they fat hogs, being four-and-twenty foot long." He says at Chapter 7 : " Potatoes are excellent for making bread, cakes, paste, and pyes ; as they give the crust without and the food within," and adds : " There is a knight now living in London that got a thousand pounds per annum by planting carrets in a mere sandy ground." At Chapter 14 is given directions how to have as good musk melons as are in Italy, and produced here by the Earl of Dorset and Earl of Tenett. To have a white spot on a black horse's forehead, he savs at ADOLI'I/LS OR ADAM S />/■:/:/), ADAM ouTor E D E N;^ OR, An abftradl of dircrs excellent Experiments tou- ching the adyaaccment '' o( husbandry. ~* SHEWING, Among very many other things, an Aprovcmenc of Ground by Rahbiss, from 200 /.annual Rem, to 2000/. yearly profic, all charges dedud- cd. ^yM.Sfeed.Gent. Printed for H,ur; Brgmcy at rhc Ghj!^ speed's ''Adam Out rf Eden:' See hoi^e lO'i. jo6 A GRICUL TURA L WRITERS. T U I. Com pleat Inllruuor. CO NT AT A IXG, Cho" T n'v] Approved Rules, nnd Diro^'on^ ro Cure them j as likcwiic uij Viiicts, lau So-iia.-iJc V. !i>;r-.ver. ^ ALSO, ••^ nt' ■""' ' A Trcarifcof Vc^ir, an J c>./\i ti^ Bt tv ri, 'etii and Fatien Po;v//i •/ ; and^'uie their j ^ Icver.ii ihicales. " ' ■ ! To ^^\^± i~ Added, The Exp2r::nc:' i\:..:::. .' for taking and d'^n r.vv ;,-,;: I;;. ;- • / ■:, a'{ ;,,■ ■ -Qiu-HoiiK-'s, l-:cics, Gard-r..s, Gr.i:-,LTic.s, und 0;.,i . | i ly A. S. O L NT. PrinrcJ,f:)r L 0 N DON: .'■:..■:-■. ;'r-thc I Title page, Speed's " Hiishandmaii.'' 1697. See opposite page. r,AJiRli:i. KEFA'E. e^fr. 107 Chapter _'5, " First sha\T oft llic hairs and mak<' the phici- hare with the tunu' ot hriiiistonc, ami wliilc hairs will come thcmm.'' Although Spei^d's Inxik is interesting it cannot he considcrrd so tar advanced as others ot a icw vears' earlier date, and 1 .igree with Ulith, who savs, " He had a lack ot" practicalit\- and a loxc of reckoning up theoretical schemes of prolit," and he adds that Spt'cd was maintained for divers months hv llartlih " while he was in\cnling some of these his discoveries." "The Husbandman, h'anner, and Cjra/.ii'r's Complete Instrui-for ■' is also put down to him. My cop\- states on the title page, by A. S. Gent, and as the date is ibcjy. In respect to this point the "Dictionary of National Biography" sa\s, "... '{"here is no reason to idt>ntify him with A. S. Gent, the author of " 'Vhc Husband- man, h'armer. and Grasier's Compleat Instructor," ibcjy. The identification is chronologically improbal)K\ ami the book tliffers in character and style from Speed's known works." (See illustration opposite.) GABRIEL REEVE. This author, who wrote "Directions for the Improvement of liarren Heath Land in England," m 1670, says he had practised husbantlry for thirty years, and had improved much land ; and then went into Brabant and Flanders, where he saw a new lesson to be learned. He mentions largely clover and turnips, and Devonshiring (paring and burning) of land, which was done for £\ an acre. Clay, loam, antl marl are recommended as manures, and to plough deeply, and to dung well. See illustration, page 108. SIR CORNELUS VERMUIDEN. I boo- 1 660 {about). Sir CoR.M-.l.lU.S N'l'lk.Ml'lhKX, K'nighl, held the post of a colonel in the armv of Cromwt'll. He was a Dutchman 1)\- biilh, and wrote " .V Discourse Touching the Draining of the Great h'ennes l)ing within I he several! Counties of Lincolne, Northampton, Huntingdon, Xortolk , Suffolk, Cambridge, and th.' Isle of Kly, as it was Presented to His Majestic." London: I'rinl.-d by Thomas Fawict, dwvx acre became worth \os., and that grounds were Ix'lter worth 13^-. 4^/. an acre after than they were is. before. These drainage works were afterwards in great part destroyed by people who, being envious of the prosperity of those interested, took advantage of the disputes between King and Parliament. Although Vermuiden carried the work through, and was appointed on the commission to look into the drainage of the various marshes and levels throughout the eounlr\-, he had ultimately to appeal to Parliament to obtain a hnal satisfactory settlement for his work. J. SHA. 162O-1680. J. Sha was the author of a work entitled " ' Certaine Plaine and Easie Demonstrations; of Divers Easie Waves and Meanes for the im|)roving of any Manner of Barren Land, although the same bee not worth. Twelve Pence the Acre ; and Showing How to Make the same Become Worth XXs., XXXs., or XLs. the Acre Yearely.' Published for the increasing of the wealth and the Prosperitie of the nation, and the benefit of the poore and all those that are owners of any barren lantl. London : Printed by T. F., and are to be sold by William Ley, at his shop at St. Paul's-chaine, near Paul's churchyard. 1657." The first eight pages seem written to exploit a certain imcniion called a dung roller, and he also treats on digging, trenching, dunging, draining, and watering according to the custom of the day. i'xxDnd this reference to the book there; is nothing special to record from its pages. no AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. M. STEVENSON. I630-I684. M. Stevenson wrote " The Twelve Moneths, or a Pleasant and Profitable Discourse of every Action, whether of Labour or Recreation, Proper to each Particular Moneths, branched into Directions Relating to Husbandry, as Ploughing, Sowing, Gardening, Planting, Transplanting, Plashing of Fences, Felling of Timber, Ordering of Cattle and Bees, and of Malt, &c., as also of Recreations on Hunting, Hawking, Fishing, Fowling, Coursing, Cockfighting, to which likewise is added a necessary advice touching Physick, when it may and may not be taken. With the Faires of every Muneth." London : Printed by M.S. for Thomas jennor, and are to be sold at his shop at the South entrance to the Royal Exchange. 1661. It is certainly a curious work, but as a book of reference or instruction it could never have held an important place. Take as a sample from his directions for March : " If any trees grow barren, bore holes in the root and drive pins or hard wedges of oake wood therein and that will make them fruitful." SIR JOHN PETTUS. 1613-1690. The illustration opposite portrays the title-page of a most interesting little book, of which the authorship is put down to Sir John Pettus. It will be noticed that it states that the book is written by a " person of honour lately deceased," and as Sir John is known to be the author of a book issued twelve years later, and was living several years after that date, it cannot very well be said that the statement has been verified. Whoever wrote it knew what he was talking about, and had evidently made himself thoroughly acquainted with the peculiarities and value of the plant as a farmer's crop. He speaks of discussions raised between sanfoin and the planting of tobacco in England, the likelihood of the latter being of greater value, and the question was raised of prohibiting the culture of either of them in this country. And feels that there was cause to restrain the planting of English tobacco in justice to those who have adventured their lives and fortunes in those colonies so far from their native countries for the enlargement of the King's territories and dominions, and have engaged themselves to vend their tobacco only in His Majesty's dominions, .s-//v' joiix ri:i rrs ^ roine Improved' A ^ DISCOURSE Shewing the tatilltl'' and iSfncfit which ENGLAND Hach and may receive by the G R A S S E 'C A I LED S' FOINE: • ^nd anlw.' nn;? to 0.^/c-ctions urged auaiDft xu Being ureful for a]] Inecnfous Men. ^ WiiiKzn by a Pcrion of Honour lucly '-kQ^ik,\ L O N D O A\ * ^ Prmrcd by S, c. and B. c.- for iv,r^. Z7,,,.V, ac rhc i>ir John Pettus. See opposite pat^e. 112 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. upon promise and assurance that their trade should not be prejudiced by the planting of tobacco here in England. St. Foine is the most wholesome grass that cattle can eat, from whence some have thought it to be Sanuni fcFmunt, but it is indeed called in French St. Foine, that is Sa7ictv))2 fcetnit??!, \t seems to spring out of the earth as if it were a more especiall favour from God, not only for nourishing and fatting herdes of caitell, but also to serve for Phisick for beasts that are sick, and is called of the Latines Medica. It begetteth so much milk and so good that the dairymaid in one week finds a great alte'-ation for the better in colour, quantity, and quality. It must raise very much, and very good honey and wax, bees delighting in it so much, and unless that which God promised the Israelites be a curse to England, viz., A Land flowing with milk and honey, I hope no man will endeavour to hinder the increase of St. Foine. Sainfoin is grown to-day very largely upon light dry soils in the south of England, chiefly on the limestone formation. It is a very hardy plant, and withstands both cold and drought. There are now^ two varieties ; the old English long-standing type, which is cut once a year, and will last for many years, and the giant, which is a strong growing sort of Conti- nental origin that usually gives two crops a year, but dies away after a few years. The seed is sown early in spring, often under a corn crop, either broadcast across the rows of corn, or in gin. drills. If sown in the husk, at the rate of five bushels per acre, or if shelled seed is used about 561b. per acre. It may be depastured, soiled, or made into hay. I have also seen it scratched into corn stubbles on the chalk in Surrey, and with seemingly very little cultivation yield a heavy fodder crop early the following season, and eagerly purchased by owners of horses. Sir John Pettus, Kt. appears to have resided in Suffolk, and was M.P. for Dunwich. He was appointed by Cromwell Deputy-Governor of the Mines Royal, and translated a Avork from the German into English " On the Laws of Art and Nature in Knowing, Judging, Essaying, etc., the Bodies of Confined Metals," published in 1686, with a fine portrait and forty-four enCTravinsrs. ANDREW YARRANTON. 1 620- 1 685 {about). It ha? already been observed that the seventeenth century was dis- tinguished in the annals of husbandry by the introduction and cultivation of certain forage and herbage plants, many of w^hich retain their place on the farm to-day. They mostly consist of leguminous crops, and chief among them is clover, lucerne, and sainfoin. The first record of any of the true grasses for hay or pasture is noted in Dr. Plot's " Oxford- shire." published in 1677, where he states : They have lately sown ray grass, or th ; Gramen loliaceum (now known as LoUum perenne, or perennial rye grass), by which they improve any cold, sour clay weeping WDRFW VARRAyroX. ^3 EN GLANDS 3(mp^o\)cmeut B Y SEA a^^ L A N D- TO Out^do the T>utch without Fighting, \ •.■:^- - TO ^ /-.'V ^' '•- - . Vlfay Debts without Moneys^o<^ To let at Work all tlie POOR of EngUni with the Gr.v.\ th of our o%vn Linds. • To prevent unnccciTan.- S U I T S in Law ; i VVitii the Bcneht of a Voluntary REGISTER. ' Directions where vail quantities of Timber are to be had for the Building of S H I 1-* b 5 With the Advantage of making the Great RIVERS" of ErMand N'ivigablc. RULES .0 pm-cnt FIRES ia XW.-, and chcr Grc.t CITIES* WADirecuo>«I,ow rhcf.veral Cor.pani« of Handicr.Jtr,nen \r. UnUn miy always havcchsa,! Brcai and Dniik^ ^^_ BVv^AD/JE/^ XARRANTON, G^nt. LONDON^ Prints! by R. Iv^ungUmior the A.thor and "V° .^^^^'f^Sh^-^?'* » the Cblc art three Cro.-T. in C».M,>ir, =^"^,^^'7!^"/.^/''" ^ " '''' A:xs in S. P«I\ Church-vard, M DC L^^V"- i 5t?«? opposite page. 114 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. ground, for which it is best, but good also for drier upland grounds, specially dry, stony, or sandy land, which is unfit for sainfoin. It was first sown (he must mean artificially, as this grass is a native of the country, and forms quite three-fourths of the herbage in all old grass-land) in the Chiltern parts of Oxfordshire, and since brought nearer Oxford by one Eustace, an ingenious husbandman of Islip, who, though at first laughed at, has since been followed even by those very persons that scorned his experiments. From the preceding it will be gathered with what eagerness the earlier cultivators sought out the forage "grasses," as they termed them, yet they seemed to have done little towards separating the hner-leaved natural grasses, the reason for which, according to a later writer, was that " Taese produced many small hair-like roots which filled the soil, and therefore could not but be very impoverishing and hurtful thereto." Without considering that the then very common practice of cropping a field as long as it would recompense their labours, and afterwards, letting it alone for some years to recover under a crop of unsown grass, was of itself a perfect contradiction to their false theory. As an approximation, however, to a more improved system, some recommended sowing, along with the clovers for permanent pasture, the seeds shaken out of natural meadow hay, and mostly swept up on the hayloft floor without consider- ing that, as the different species composing such hay did not ripen their seeds simultaneously, only a partial reproduction of these species could be expected ; besides which, the mixture would also consist of a very large percentage of the seeds of obnoxious weeds. We also find about this time that the turnip was being sown everywhere in fields and gardens for the sake of their roots, and that— Sheep fatten very well on turnips, which prove an excellent nourishment for them in hard winters when fodder is scarce ; for they will not only eat the greens, but feed on the roots in the ground, and scoop them hollow, even to the very skin. The next book to notice is entitled, " The Great Improvement ol Lands by Clover, or the Wonderful Advantage by right management ol Clover," by Andrew Yarranton, of Ashley, in the County of Worcester London, printed by J. C. for Francis Rea, bookseller in Worcester, 1663 It is a work of some forty-six pages octavo, and dedicated to the indus trious husbandman, freeholder, or farmer. This little book contains the most truly practical matter that had appeared in the agricultural world to the time when it was written, as it is divested of all extraneous and adventitious notices with which the writers of those times swelled their works. In writing of obstructions to good husbandry he says : It is in consequence of a too stiff adhering to old customs, especially wiih the Irish and Welsh, as King Henry the Eighth said, " they will not leave the old mumpsimus for a new sumpsimus." A xn A' /•; [ i ■ }'.\R A'. I X rox. 1 1 5 He then breaks out into poc-try in praise of clover : When poets call for aid, do the)' invoke The oyl of barley, hops, or Indian smoke 7 Must Bacchus fill their veins'.' these drown and smother And dull their wits ; give ine the oyl of clover, One drop of which contains such virtue in it It makes a perfect poet in a minute. 1 crave no aid ; give me the goose's quill That's fed with clover, and I'll try my skill. But three-leaved grass soon )ield a three-fold profit ; Three volumes may be writ in pra'ses of it. The author ascribes the taiiure in gro\vln_i^ clo\ers to the very just cause of ignorance in the management ; the unprepared state of the ground, and too little seed being sown. He avers that clover improves land by the corruption of superfluous parts of the plant, 1)\- the root cleaning the soil, and by the shade of the leaves, beneath which the moisture is retained, and an incipient decomposition is encouraged, which mellows the surface of the ground, and provides food for future crops. These opinions have not yet been superseded. It being a w ell known fact that leguminous crops are often ploughed in to add nitrogen to the soil. The author thinks dry, gravelly grounds are not agreeable to the clover plant, especially if it has not been well limed before. He reckons six acres of clover equal to thirty acres of natural grass in the main- tenance of cattle. He urges the use of lime to encourage clover, and reckons £2, per acre to be the w^orth of clover to grass or mow. 1"he month of March is recommended for the sowing of clover, that the j)lants may be rooted before the drought catch it, and the quantity is r2lb. per acre. The author had sown clover without grain in April and August, and preferred the latter month. It is sown by hand, like corn. The hay is made as nowadays, by turning the swathes gentlv, and not shakincr out, and it is recommended to mix the ricks of damp clovers with barley and oaten straw, which will makt- good fodder. Clover lands, after beino- mown, are much benefited by being watered for the second crop, if the application be possible. Clover is good food for all grazing animals ; cattle are cautiously put to eat it, in short spaces of time, for thn-e following days. Horses are introduced to it without danger, and also swine at any time of the year. Geese and turkeys are also fed upon clover. Drilling and hoeing of the plant is mentioned, but not stren- uously advocated. He adds that the land is richer from the decayed leaves, and the additional grazing so manures the land that after three or tour vears It doth so frame the land that being ploughed it will yield three or four years together a crop of wheat, and after that a crop of oats. ^^-lrranton issued in 1677 a work entitled "England's Improvement I 2 ii6 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. by Sea and Land, to outdo the Dutch without fighting, to pay debts without money, to set at work all the Poor of England with the growth of our own lands." London, Printed by R. Everingham for the Author, and are to be sold by T. Parkhurst at The Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside, and N. Simmons at the Prince's Arms in St. Paul's Church- yard. It is addressed to The Right Honourable Arthur Earl of Anglesey, Lord Privy Seal, and to the Right Worshipful Sir Thomas Plater, Knight, Chamberlain of the City of London. A second address to the Right Honourable Thomas Lord Windsor. A third address to my noble patriots Sir Walter Kirtham Blount, Bart. ; Sir Samuel Baldwin, Sir Timothy Baldwin, Knights ; Thomas Foley, Philip Foley, Esquires ; Thomas Smith, Esquire ; Joseph Newbrook, Samuel Whyle, Nicholas Baker, John Finch, Nicholas Harrison, Gents. The general purport of this work is the making of canals and rivers navigable, so that home- grown corn stored in various parts of the kingdom can be readily carried from one part to another, and by such means wars between the Dutch and ourselves Avould cease. Beyond the fact that he was a business man, little is known of his lineage or social existence, but he was certainly possessed of very extensive views and an enlarged comprehension. A very interesting book is "The Account of Andrew Yarranton, the founder of English Political Economy," by P. E. Dove. Edinburgh : Printed by Johnstone and Hunter. 1854. JOHN WORLIDGE. 1640-1700 {about). Literature was fast becoming the occupation of such leisure as could be snatched from the practical affairs of the world, and in agricultural matters the advance was no less pronounced than in the other sciences ; and in this direction our present author gave to the community a book which contains much more useful and enlightened observations than any which had previously appeared. It was first produced in 1669, and again in a third and greatly improved edition, from which my illustra- tions on pages 117, 120 and 121 are taken. The work is addressed to the gentry and yeomanry of England ; then comes a lengthy preface showing the excellency, utility, and necessity of husbandry in all ages, from which the following extract is taken : In several places in Germany whenever they fell a tree they always plant a young one near the place, and no young farmer is permitted to marry a wife till he brings proof that he hath planted and is a father of a stated number of trees. Syftema Agricukurce; The MYSTERY of HUSBANDRY D I S C O V E R E D. /,,,.. Treating of the feveral New and moft Advantagious Ways OF Of all forts of '^ GARDENS, 7^MEADOWS, 'MCORN-LANDS ORCHAKDS,i^PASTURES,ilWOODS & COPPICES. As alfo of F R U I T S, C O R N,G R A I N, P U L S E, N E W-H A Y S, C A T T L E Fowl, B e a s t s, B e e s, S i l k- VV o r m s, F i s h, ev/ ' With ati Account of the feveral INST^1{V MEKTS and E NG !NES ufed in this PROFESSION. To which is added KJLe:\:va%ivm %v^ticvm: O R, The Husband MANS A4onthly Directions. ALSO The P R O G N O S T I C K S of Dearth, Scarcity, Pknty^ Skhnefs Heat Cold, Froji, Snovp, Winds, Rain, Huil, Thunder, Sic. AND VICTIOHJXJV M %VSTICVM: O R, The Interpretation oFRustick Terms. The whole WOR.K being of great Life and Advantage to all that delight in that moft NOBLE PRACTICE." ihc Third Edition carefully Corre&ed and Amended^ nith oncrvholeScilion added, and many larj^e and uft*fHl Additions through ut the trhalc ll'orl^. ~ By J. JVCKiidrri^ Virgil. 0 fortiinatot mmiHm,fMa ft bona nor nit ^ Ag r I col as ■ .. ,-. LONDON, Printed for Tho. Dring, at the Harrow at the corner of ChMxery-lane in Fleetjireet, i $ 3 i. 1 1 8 A GRIC UL TURA L WRITER S. He writes an exceedingly interesting chapter upon the history and value of the leading clovers and other leguminous crops, and he recom- mends three bushels per acre of ray grass mixed with nonsuch (trefoil), because of itself it's a thin, spiry grass, and will not be of any bulk the first year unless thickened by the other, which, failing by degrees, this grass thickens upon it, and lasts for ever. He also speaks of French tares, or vetches, very quick of growth, and excellent food for both cattle and horses. He recommends spurrey as making excellent butter, and for making hens lay more eggs. He repeats the old storv of the 24ft grass at Orcheston, in Wilts, but is careful to add that it is in length, and not in height. He refers to the value of saxifrage in pastures in the districts where cheese is made, and praises the heavy cropping powers of the everlasting pea. He quotes from Pliny that Triptolemus was the inventor of the plough, and that oaten malt makes good beer. On page 41 he says : There is a new sort of oats or groats growing like unto whole oatmeal, without any hulls ; they grow near ihe city of Durham, where they have been yearly sown above these thirty years. After they are sown they come up like common oats, but with a smaller blade ; when they are ripe upon the ground they are like ripe oats, and not easily distinguishable from them, the greatest difTerence being that, in the thrashing, these come out of the husk clean, like unto Dantzick rve, and need not be carried to the mill, as other oats, to be made into oatmeal or groats. The taste of these naked oats is more sweet and fleshy than others, and they are most natural boyled, as rice in milk. Buckwheat is a grain written of as good on barren sandy loam and excellent food for swine and poultry. It was much sown in Surrey. It makes cows yield an abundance of milk when the grass is burnt up in summer. The pulse crops are also mentioned as of greater value than farmers generally considered them in that day. In the chapter on the setting of corn he describes Mr. Gabriel Platte's discovery of infinite treasure in the form of an engine for the purpose, and considers it full of errors, and gives full particulars of his own machine for the purpose, with an illustration. It is stated to sow the seed fast or slow, and bv an added contrivance, no harrowing was afterwards necessary. This surely must have been the original of the corn drill as we know it to-day. He knew of the advantage and improvement by changing the seed from land which has been frequently tilled, and called hook land, into land newly broken, and he describes the burning of land as Denshiring, corrupted, he thinks, from Devonshiring, because it seems there to be most adopted. Lengthy chapters are given on forest trees, ornamental trees and fruits for walls. He also urges the extended culture of the vine, divers places still retaining the name of vineyards, as "at Bramwell Abbey, in Norfolk, and at Ely, in Cambridgeshire, many places in Kent, including one at Great Chart, in the Wilde of Kent, and between joiix woRr.in(}E. 119 Gloucester ami Ross." I IxHcn c the onlv xincvard now cxistlni^ in the country which \iclcls a quantity of wine annually is at Cardiff Castle, th(! Marquis of iUite's residence in South Wales. Chapters on grafting, transplanting, pruning, hops, and many garden crops are exceedingly interesting. He speaks of thi- red strawberry growing in new fallen copses, and of an excellent scarlet variety from New England, grown by a merchant at Clapham in his garden, to which he adds that to ha\e strawberries in autumn "you may only cut away the first blossoms of summer and they will afterwards blow anew, as he proved, for he gathered many on Michaelmas Day." Chapter g is on beasts, fowls, and insects. Of sheep, he says the Herefordshire about Lemster bear the fairest fleeces of any in England. The incubator we hear so much talk of nowadays is certainly no novelty in the production of chickens, for at page 175 Worlidge says: "In Egypt they hatch their eggs in great quantities in ovens made for that purpose." In several places in this countrv also vou may hatch three or four dozen eggs in a lamp furnace made of a few boards, only by the heat of a candle or lamp. Geese, he says, will only hatch their own eggs, and pigeons are fond of salt and lime. There are chapters upon the implements of agriculture, on fowling, on hshing, and a kalciufaninii rusticuni, or monthly directions for the husbandman and gardener, and a chapter of the prognostics 01 dearth or scarcity, plenty, sickness, heat and cold, and other variations in the weather, and a dictionary of rustic terms used in agriculture. Worlidge took quite a scientific view of the subject, and whilst he held peculiar ideas in many matters, which must be charged to the times in which he lived, the work was undoubtedly a very wide step in the advancement of the art, and clearly shows the rapid progress of reforma- tions of every kind that was taking place ; indeed, he is described by the biographers as compiler of the first systematic treatise on husbandry, having in his experience gathered into a focus the scattered information published during the period of the Commonwealth. He also wrote " Vinetum Britannicum, or the Treatise of Cyder," in 1670, with further editions in 1678 and 169 1, dedicated to Elias Ashmole, F.R.S. ; " Apiarum, or a Discourse on Bees," in 1676 and i6gi, the latter edition being published bv Thomas Dring, at the sign of the Harrow at Chancery Lane : and a work on the art of gardening styled " Systema Horti- culturae" in 1667, printed for Thos. Burrel at the Golden Ball, under St. Dunstan's Church in Fleet Street. He resided at Peterslleld. in Hamp- shire, but beyond this little appears to bt; known of the date ot his birth or death. I?iai icuUuvtv 1 I s B \N Din /^^ U I A\ I ^i i \ ^ ^- . -^4 :::i" / ^ J ^f sj I l,M; P,(vhui far Tho Vnn^ at ij Ct ,1 tL-.titii.ct 10 Sx Frontispiece of John Worlidge s " Husbandry T See page ii6. EXPLANATION O F I H E FrontKpiccc. y /;•// c aft your Ej c upon a Ruftick Scat , ^J. JT^ Bn:ltJiroKg and pLiin^yet tvell cotitri 7jd and >iCJt j ^^^^ j. Jnd fitiiatcd on d healthy Soy I, ■ ■:?:<> VeUing mich Health veifh little coft or toyl. ^v Near by it jhwd the Baws^fru/fi'd to contain ^r Enriching Stores of Hay, Pulfe, Coi n, and Grain j |<> With Bartons large, and placet where to feed M^ Tour Oxtn, Cows, Swine, Poultry, with their Breed. |g^ On th' other fide, hard by the Uoufe, yon fee ji;,^ The Apiary for th indnJirioi{s Bee. " '^}^ ]Valk.on a little farther^ and behold «:\ A plcafant Gsxdtr), from high Winds and Cold ^^^u Defended (byaJpreadmgfrnitft/lWaU, ,;{\> IVith Rovps of Lime and Fir-trees jlrcight and tall, ) ;f 'r Full fraught Tvith neceffary Flow'rs and Fruits, ■!;> And Natures choiceji forts of Plants and Roots. 'X^* Biyond the fiwe are Crops of 2>e:in^ and Pc:i(c, '^p' Saffron <^/W Liquorice, orfitch as thefe--^ ;j;;^ Then Orchards y^^ cnricht rvith fruitfuljiore, '^Y, Nature coidd give (^nor they receive^ no more : '^^X^ Each Trte Jlands Icndrng with the weight it bears '^x. Of Cherries fome, ^f Apples, Plums, and Pears. t^j. Not firfoK-i thence fe other Walks and Hows ^p^v Of Cydci-Fruits, near unto vphii h there fans fjy A Gliding Stream, The next place yon difcover^ ^ir Is where St. Foyn, La Lucern, Hops and Clovur luC> Arc Propagated: Ne.ir unto I hofe F\c\(is ^'^ Stands a large Wood, \h\\,Vue], Tmbcr jicUlr. '^ In yonder J 'ale, hard by the River ^ ft and s '^ A Watcr-En^me, whit h the Wind cowniandf To fert/lize the Mcad^:, on th'other ftde J Perfian Wheel if jLic't, both large andtvide^ To th'fjn/e intent : Then do the V\c\ds appear .^ C loathed with Corn and Grain for th'cntuwq Tear. iCCV The Pafturesjlockt with Beafts, the Downs with Sheep ''^''> The Cart, the Plough, and all good order l^eep : Plenty ««/(?//..e Husbandman, /t»f/ Gj/Vf/ \- Are his Rewards pr's Jnduftry and Pains. \ •.*" rerufe the Book., for here you only fee 1 . ^/'' The following Sid'jeU in Epiton/e. '^^ Juhn Wore id If e. Sec pa iff iif^. 122 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. JOHN HOUGHTON. 1 640- 1 705. A COLLECTION of letters on husbandry that deservedly enjoyed a very considerable reputation were those published in 1681 by John Houghton, Fellow of the Royal Society, as they embrace a great number of subjects duly discussed by some of the most prominent men of the time, and make a volume of igo pages, and were printed by John Lawrence, at the Angel, in Cornhill, near the Royal Exchange. The author's preface is addressed from St. Bartholomew Lane, behind the Royal Exchange, and he gives as his reasons for issuing them periodically " that they may do the greatest good in the least time." The tracts were evidently distributed loose, and bound into book form by the purchaser. In No. i is given a catalogue of the books in the library of the Royal Society relatmg to agriculture, amounting to thirty- five volumes. The list comprises mostly Continental works, and not a single one of the old writers that have been mentioned in my previous notices in these pages are represented, and while the compiler says he may have overlooked some, he thinks none that are material. In a communication upon inclosures : " It was supposeth that England and Wa'es contains twenty-hve to twenty-nine millions of acres of land, of these 'tis thought that twelve millions lie waste." (Quite recently the Government returns give the total area of land and water in England and Wales as 37,327,700 acres, and out of the area under crops and grass as 27,490,800 acres, so that the waste is just under 10,000,000 acres.) At the end of tract No. 2 is the following advertisement : " The author hereof sells by the pound chocolate of several sons so good that he thinks none sells better. And designs to carry on these collections in one, two, or three sheets at a time about once a month." In a letter by the celebrated Dr. Plot on the unskilfulness of the husbandman, reference is made to a wheat plentifully sown in the vale between Thame and \A'atlington, in the county of Oxford, called mixt Lammas, it being a white-eared red-berried wheat. " It yields well, but was altogether unknown about Banbury and Burford. He also refers to a red-stalked wheat much grown around Oxford, and a long cone wheat that does not lodge or get eaten by birds." These fine wheats, he adds, were unknown even in neighbouring counties. The history of malting as practised at Derby is an article ol much interest. In a chapter on books, Dr. Plot's fair volume of Oxfordshire was considered the best example of the natural history of our country that had appeared in any language ; Evelyn's " Sylva and Pomona " the most pleasant entertainment to all the ingenious nobility and gentry; Hartlib's "Legacy" a never-to-be- forgotten work; Dr. Grew's "Anatomy of Vegetables" and his 7 o^^ II o i y; // rox. i z 3 ^' Museum," two sucli hooks as the world never saw before ; aiul Sir Huo-h Piatt's " Jewelhouse of Art and Nature." In trait Xo. 12 the learned Jolm l-]\eKn discoursrs on \arious methods of hakino", and the inoiMiious Jolm Worlid^-e on the i^re'at improvement of land 1)\- the eultivation of parslex- — the variety we know as sheep's or plain-leaved parsley- In his notes he observes : That some sort of grasses do alter the taste of mutton, and that the sweetest is that wliich has been fed on the finest grasses, as is experienced on the Peak in Derbyshire and on the plains in W'ilt'^hire, Hampshire, \-c. ; and on the contrary, the crarsest mutton is produced from the grossest meadows, marshes, cVc, and sheep fatted on clover do not make such delicate meat as the heath croppers. An interesting ehapter on a method of fatting calves at Tring, in Hartfordshire, and lambs for the London market at Hadley, near Barnet, concludes the series. Although in those days they had a knowledge of the fattening of stock for market, it was in the general management of animals that they seemed lacking. Points of quality or symmetry had not any existence among them, and when any mention happens to be made the com- mendations are precisely what are now avoided. Large bones and lowness of paunch were points of merit in those times, when the putting on of beef or mutton had obtained little notice, and random observations directed the practice of breeding stock. But at that time the advantages did not exist which favour breeders now; green cropping was only just beginning to be kno\\n, and the demands of consumption had scarcely begun to operate. Here are some returns of the prices current for corn, &c., that prevailed in various parts of the country in January, 1692 : Appk-bv. Bc.ry. Hemp>tcd. l.ewfs. I.i.iulun. .Xorwicli. Rc-; ... 5 ^> •• . () 0 . .. 6 9 . ..7 6 . .. 6 4 Rye by bushel 3 3 .40 ... 40.. . — . • •3 5 • ..40. — Barley by quarter . — . . . 20 0 ... — . 20 0 . .22 6 . .23 0 , • 25 y Oats by quarter .. 9 4 • ..14 0 • '7 4 •■ .15 6 . .15 6 . ..13 0 . 17 0 Wool by the tod ... 10 0 ..10 f) ... — .21 0 — 15 < 1 The held cultivation of the potato began about this timt', and he makes the first notice of it as an agricultural vegetable. " The potato," says Houghton, " is a bacciferous herb with esculent roots, bearing winged leaxcs, and a bell flower." This, I have been informed, was brought first out of \'irginia by Sir Walter Raleigh; and he stopp'ng in Ireland, some was planted there, where it thrived very well, and to good purpose; for in iheir succeeding wars, when all tne corn abo\e ground was destroyed, this supported ihem ; for the soldiers, unless they had dug up all the ground where tliey grew, and almost sifted it, could not extirpate them. They are a pleasant food, boiled or roasted and eaten with butter and sugar. Although John Houghton was a man of education, having studied at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, he ultimately owned a business in 12 4 A GRIC UL TURAL WRITERS. the City of London, \\ here he occupied a prominent position, as he was on the committee of the Royal Society that was specially concerned in agriculture. He died in the parish of St. Leonard's, Eastcheap, in 1705. JOSEPH BLAGRAVE. i6]o-i682. Bearing the title of '' The Epitome of the Art of Husbandry," there was issued first of all in 1669 a bulky little volume under the initials of J. B. ; then again came further editions see Bibliography. The author's modesty in not giving his full name was, no doubt, due to the fact that more than half the whole book is made up of the material of earlier writers, over one hundred pages being copied from Fitzherbert, whose work was printed nearly 150 years earlier. Indeed, he seems to have drawn largely from all who came before him, but, from a want of practical knowledge, he had not suflficient intelligence to delete the irrelevant matter from that which was good. There are chapters on ploughing, sowing, grafting, ordering of flowers, herbs, directions for the use of the angle, ordering of bees, together with the gentleman's heroic exercise in the perfection of horsemanship, all kinds of farm stock, their diseases and remedies ; the best way to plant clover, grass, saffron, liquorice, hemp, madder, and woad ; to plash or plethe a hedge ; to make forks and rakes, and a true and brief way of planting orchards. In the last edition he adds 136 pages of " new additions," including birds, fruit and vegetable gardening, that portion devoted to singing birds occupying eighty-five pages. The illustrations show the title page and frontispiece of this little volume in two editions. Blagrave was born in the parish of St. Giles, Reading:. JOHN SMITH. 1607-1673 [about). In 1670 Capt.'John Smith hrst issued '' England's Improvement Revived, digested into Six Books (in a Treatise of all manner of Husbandry and Trade by Land and Sea, plainly discovering the several ways of Improv- ing all sorts of Waste and Barren Grounds, Enriching all Earths with the Natural Quality of all Lands, and the several Seeds and Plants which most naturally thrive therein, together with the manner of Planting all sorts of Timber Trees, to make Walks Groves. Gardens, the way of JOSEP// nr. AG RAVE. 125 T H F EPITOMIE O F 'T H E ART of HUSBANDRY. Comprizing all NecefTiry Di- rections for the Improvement of it, vi%. Plowing, Sowing, Grafting, Gardening, Ordering of Flowers, Herbs \ Diredions for the Ufe of the A N G L E j Ordering of Bees : Together with the Gentlemans Heroick Exer- cife y Difconrfing of Horfes, their Nature, and Ule, with their Difeafes and Remedies .• Of Oxen, Cows, Calves, Sheep, Hogs, with the Manner of Ordering them, their Difeafes and Remedies. Of the Nature of Marie, the bcft Way of Plant- ingXIover-Grafs, Hap£j5att"ron, Liquorice, HempjCb-c. To which is Annexed by way of Appendix,a New Method of Plancing Fruit-Trees, and Improving of an Orchard : With DireSions for Taking, Ordering, Teach- ing, and Curing of Singing Birds, and other ulcful Ad- ditiQDS. By 7. B. Gent. LONDON^ Printed for Be>!Jafmn Billhg/Ieyy at the Sign of the Printing Frrfs. in r!v Pij77ao{ rlic , Royal Exchange, over .igainH Fop^s-Had-Aliey, I \xxCornhill, liSj. See opposite page. 126 A GRIC UL TURA L WRITERS. y. 4 ^ THE ^,,i,/2.^ EPITOME ■■■fi i^ondon'-.'nnl.-ii /-'- f-T^r^i :^J- y-ii Joseph Blagrave. See page 124. ■JOS/:/'// iii.ACRA ]■/■:. 12/ NEW to me^ H^^ 8pitvineofm Q^t 0. Hiishdndr ._ Con yusfph Bla^rave See page 124. t28 A GRIC UL TURA L WRITERS. NEW ADDITIONS Art of HUSBANDRY, Comprizing A new way of Enriching MeadowSjDeflroy- ing of Moles, making Tulips of any Colour, With an apprpvcd way for ordering of Fiili and fiCh- Ponds, and deftroying the Hern ^ and to take Carp or Tench in any muddy Pond. How to take all manner of Birds, Small and Great with Birdlime. To makeCabbidgcs and Garden-Beans grow large in any barren Ground- A new way to deftroy all manner of Field Mice. • How to make Arbors become as fhady in one Year as in feven. To water an Orchard after a new | fafhion. To make old decayed Fruit- Trees be- come great Bearers,and watrifh Fruit to become | firm and fweet. Alfo how to Order Melons, j Cucumbers, and Pompions. | With a brief way to Set and Sow all manner of Phy- : fical Herbs, that they may thrive and profper. | And the true way for dryifig of Herbs, in plain and eafic Dirediions ; and aM to be performed with very little Charge. VVkhdireflions for Breeding and Ordering all forr: of Sing- ing-Birds j VVi:h Remedies for their fevera! Mala- dies , not before publicHy made knoun LONDONy Printed (or Benjamin BiHri^U^y, at of the Printing- Frefs in Corr.:n:\ i:i3=;- Joseph Bla grave. See page 1 24. J(^IIX SMI in. 129 ENGLANDS Improvement R E V I V D: In a Treatife of all manner of HUSBANDRY & TRADE By Land and Sea, Plainly difcovering the fevcral ways oFrmprovcinaall forts of Wafte and Barren Gronnd.. and F.nri.hiU all V-.'rZ^ Tnd'p^ ^■'Tl'^'^i^'^ °^^" Lands.a"ndthe1^;af Seeds' and Plants which mofl: naturally thrive therein ^^u^::;::^tr::^S:;-;:^f"^-^T'rber-trees, ingof Hops and good lances rutlMf,rv;.m,^f v^'''t"^ ^''"^■ Herbs, and chnrPl'-nc:,! life ; With V.1,1 o? ,11 H T' ''''"^^' *"^ cheKuchin.a.dPhjVKk.ga:d;ns; andVl^So-r^alLt '"""^ ^''^ ALSO Ihe way of Ordering Tattel, with ftvcnl Obfervuiois ibour ^h..n ^ cno.ce of Cows f^r th: Dairy, a!l lorts ofDcar T.m- r ,- •^""^' '''"'^ Avhry. And wnh accounts of Dicgln. S /np V 5 XuT""" '" l"'^' " anfing mail fore mcnnoncd : and a pa^M-. la v,^': f ^'^'^^'1 '^•'' ^''"'"••• land: Wuhmanycth.r K^mu\^,:,,yc:U:l,!r:cl^^^^^ 'hcpU-jfant E^P"ie"cei in thirty years ftacl.f., ,nd digcitcd into fix Book; _^jj_0 II N S Mir 11, Gent. 't:;:::-!:':!^i:t::zr^^^^^ See page 124. I30 AGRICULTURAL WRUFERS. Ordering Cattel, Sheep, Choice of Sows, Dear, Tame Conies, Fowies, Bees, Pigeons, Fish Ponds, &c." The work is addressed to Lord Viscount Brounker, president of the Royal Society, and received commendation from John Evelyn, who writes him from Sayes Court, Deptford, at that time a mansion with grounds surrounding it. It seems to have been the custom in those days before publishing a book to submit its contents for approval to some eminent man, and include his report in the first issue. The author was evidently a sea captain, as he has so much to say about the growth and manage- ment of timber that was considered of use for masts and yards of ships. The first book sets down "the great benefit that does arise from trading, which is the strength and riches of the people, as also that the Kings of F^ngland are the Sovereign Lords of the British Seas, and that the said seas have by force of arms been kept and protected from the power of all other Nations and Kings in memory, by undoubted records." The second book treats on planting forest lands and other waste lands with plants for timber trees, likewise draining such lands, cleaning and improving soils, and sowing seeds of corn and grass. The third and fourth books contain more about tree planting. The fifth book shows how 200 acres of land may be cultivated and stocked with creatures of many kinds, the profit thereon amounting to ;{^450o per annum. The sixth book treats on the extensive fishing and shipping trade of the Hollanders, due somewhat to the agreement made with King Charles L, to pay unto His Majesty /,"ioo,ooo yearly and £100,000 ready down. On page 9 he complains bitterly that the many forges and furnaces for the making of iron in Sussex have devoured all the famous woods. On page 35 he savs : " Chalk is onlv a kind of white marie, for it was marie before it was chalk, and both hath its original from clay." He fully believed timber trees would grow quite as large in this country as in the West, as he knew of an American oak growing near Horsham that, when felled, contained thirteen loads of wood and timber, and he had seen fir trees in Lancashire some of them 3 yards within the ground. At page go he goes into the most elaborate figures regarding the felling of timber and the uses of the various parts on the market. He knew of land in England that had yielded 80 bushels of wheat per acre, which, at 8.S-. the bushel, should double the profit of woodlands. Straw in his day was worth 55. a load. He knew wealthy men in Hertfordshire " that ploughed the greater part of their land with ore man and two horses, who both holds the plow and drives the cattel, and in other places one man and three horses would plow an acre and a half in a day." Smith adds in his last book that in the year 1633, being then an apprentice to Mr. Matthew Cradock, of London, merchant, one of the Society for the Fishing Trade of Great Britain, he was sent to sea by the Right Hon. the Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, for the discovery in the island of Shetland of the manner and way of trading, the profits and yA^fES r.AMBKRT. customs of the Hollanders who drive at sea tor herrings on that part of the Scotch coast. Here he bouij^hl fat oxen at ;^5 apiece, sheep at IS. (>(L each, and he found there was no ni^ht in tlie north of the island during June and July. lie was of opinion thai we ought to fish these seas ourselves, and not allow thousands of pounds a year to go to the Hamburgers, Breamers, and Lubeckers. Capt. Smith was evidently a patriot, and his book ran through se\ cral editions. JAMES LAMBERT. 1650-1700 {about). The ills and diseases to which the live stock of the farm are heir had their early writers in connection with the other departments, Alascall, Markham, and Hartlilo all having discoursed freely in this direction. The latter admitted " that we are ignorant of divers diseases of cattel and their cure, some of which sweep away cattel as the plague doth men, namely the Murrein amongst great cattel, the Rot amongst sheep, and the Surfiet in horses." James Lambert was a very prolific writer on this subject between 1676 and 1700, and the quaint woodcut frontis- piece (see page 133) is taken from one of his books, together with the title on page 132. Bound up in this work is a treatise on oxen, sheep, hogs, and dogs, with instructions how to choose, govern, and preserve them in health. London : Printed for Obadiah Blagrave at the Bear in St. Paul's-churchyard. 1683. Other works of Lambert's are the following : The Country-man's Jewel, or the Jockey's Masterpiece, plain and approved Rules to choose, feed, and breed the best Stallions, Horses, Marcs, or Geldings, How to Order and Feed a Race- Horse, as also how to know a Sound Horse or Mare from one that is distempered, with approved Receipts to Cure all Distempers and Diseases in Horses and Mares ; also prescribes Cures for Oxen, Bulls, Cows, Dogs, Sheep, Hogs, Deer, Hares, Conies, cScc, and how to Destroy Vermin, &c. The Country-man's Treasure, shewing the Nature, Causes, and Cure of all Diseases incident to Cattle, viz., Bulls, Oxen, Cows, Calves, Horses, Mares, Colts, Asses, Sheep, Swine, and Goats, with Proper Means to Prevent their Common Diseases and Distempers, &c., together with Plain Rules and Methods for Improving Arable and Pasture Lands, the Management, Improvement, and Preservation of Fruit Trees, Plants, and Flowers, the Manner of Ordering Fl ix. Hemp, Saffron, and Licorish ; witii Directions for i^ncreasing and Preserving of Bees to which is added the Art of Hawking, ilunting. Angling, and the Noble Recreation of Ringing. Printed for Edward .Midwinter, n.d. This latter appears to be a greatl}' enlarged edition of his two earlier volumes. 13^ AGRICULTURAL WRULLRS. [HI CO UNI Pv Y-Nt an- TREASURH; SHEWING Tho NATURE. CAUb! , ' ^ RE ^fallDifcifcs ir.aJ.u: :■' GATTEf.! W I T li p: "^.^ins ti) prevent ; ,... v -:: - ^ '•• ..rjul T.c. .' Title page of James Laniherfs ^'■Countryman's Treasure." Seepage 131. 'J.\M/:'.S I AMnr.RT. "^y:^^—^^ ^f% ^P^ \ m 'S"X .5 Frontispiece of James Lambert's " Count rvman's Ti sure." See paiT'.' i^i 134 A GRIC UL rURAL WRITERS. Lambert states in his address to the reader that he had practised with very good success for above five-and-thirty years, and now freely communicates his knowledge to all his countrymen. Here are samples of his cures : A special remedy for sore eyes in Bull, Ox, Cow, or Calf , Take six eggshells and put the meat clean forth and lay the shells betwixt two tile stones, and lay the stones and shells in the hot, glowing fire, and burn them well, and cover the edge of the titles with clay for to keep the ashes from the shells ; and, when they are burnt, pound them to powder, and with a quill blow the powder into beast's eye, and it will mend presently ; and blow it in three times a daj-. An excellent cure for the Murrain in Cattel : Take for every beast a quart of old wash and a good quantity of hens' dung, and lay the latter to steep eight or ten hours, and then strain the dung forth, and break to every beast two rotten eggs into the fore-named juice ; and give to everyone two- pennyworth of Spikward, and blend all these together and give it the beast ; but first let blood, both sick and sound, and separate the sick from the sound. Drench both horses and swine, for they are both apt to take the disease. Bury the dead deep in the ground, so that dogs cannot get at the carcase. In his reference to sheep he savs, " Our backs and bellies are the daily instances which demonstrate the great abilitv of them." In the choice of sheep he remarks : If you would have sheep of so curious fine staple of wooll, whence jou may draw a thread as fine as silk, Herefordshire and Worcestershire afford such, whilst those with the deepest staple come from Warwickshire, Leicestershire, and Northampton- shire. The largest sheep are reared in the salt marshes in Lincolnshire, and their staple is coarse. Yorkshire and so northward the staple is rough and hairy. Dried flowers of wormwood mixed with salt is an improved remedy against all diseases, and assuages all pains. In referring to dogs, the beagle, as it is called now, is described by Lambert as the gaze hound, which excels in seeing as the others in smelling. He will separate his game among a numerous herd, the full fat and youngest, and never ceaseih till he hath wearied it to death. No reference is made to the distemper, but plenty is written about the seven sorts of madnesses afflicting dogs. In a contemporary handwriting on the last page deer are described as follows : Bucks. — First year, a fawn ; second, a prickett, straight horn ; third, a gowell, with antlers ; fourth, a gore; fifth, a buck of the first head; sixth, a grown or made buck. A Doe. — First year, a fawn ; second, a teg, or prickett's sister; third, a doe. R I (HARD r^l.i^Mi:. 135 RICHARD BLOME. 1647-1705 [about). In 1686 was issiu-d "The ( lentliMiian's Kfcrcalion," in two parts. The first being' an Encyclopcdy of the Arts and Sciences to Wit, an abridgement thereof, which (in a clear method) treats of the Doctrine and General Parts of each Art, with Eliptical Tables, comprehending a summary and general division thereof, being a translation from the most authentick authors, by Persons well experienced therein, to which divers Sculptures and Schemes are added for the better Illustration and Demonstration thereof. The second part treats of Horsemanship, hawking, hunting, fowling, fishing, and agriculture, with a short Treatise of Cock-fighting, for the breeding, dyetting, ordering, matching, and fighting them. All which are collected from the most authentick authors, and many gross errors therein corrected, with great enlargements, made by those well experienced in the said Recreations and for the better explanation thereof, great variety of useful sculptures as nets, traps, engines, &c , are added for the taking of Beasts. Fowl, and Fish, not hitherto published by any. Printed by S. Roycroft for Ricliard Blome. My concern just now is with the section on agriculture, the curious frontispiece to which is clearly shown in the illustration on page 138. In addition there are page engravings dedicated to tin- Worshipful! Thomas Fawkes, of Farnley, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, I^scj.. the Right Honourable Richard Lord Maitland, eldest son of tlie Earl of Lauderdale, the Right Worshipfull Sir Robert Clayton, of Mardcn, Lord Mayor of London in 1680. The early chapters deal with the improvement of grounds by good manuring, tillage, feeding, &c., with the benefits arising from trefoyi, sainfoyn, and clover grass. He strongly recommends inclosing land, as it ascertains cxerv man's just proportion, and prevents abundanct- ol trespasses and injuries between neighbour and neighbour. It enables the forming of hedges not only to keep the land warm, but to give shade and shelter to cattle. He adds: "Some are of opinion that enclosures do occasion mildews and blastings, but that is a vulgar trror." He extols the value of a windmill engine invented by Sir Samuel Moreland, and sold in Southampton Buildings, London, and enters fully into the cultivation of the aforesaid grasses and clovers, with the addition of grain crops, peas, beans, lentils, and other commodities including hemp, flax, and rape or coleseed, which in his day was worth 4.?. jjer bushel, whereas now It realises more than double. Chapter 1\'. details ijartietilars of manuring, dunging, and soyling of land, and he speaks of hops being grown as a national commodity, 136 A GRICUL TURA L WRITERS. ^ ^'^^"':^^'.^^^-^'-"^ ^- Illustration from Richard Blome s " Gentleman s Recreation'' See page 135. rhiiari) ni.oMi:. 137 "although formerly petitioned in I'arliaiiiciit \^\ the I.oiuloiiers lo he l)rohihited the importation or orowili in ilic country : for that it would spoil their drink and endani;-er lh<' people's healths, it l)<'in<;- an uidiealth- lul herb oecasionin:-; the stone; hetore hops were used in drink thai disease was not known in tliis kinj^doni." Saltron he considered as the richest eommodit\- that the country |)roduceth, and much used. The land round Saffron W'alden was noted lor it. Tobacco, he says, if allowed would grow verv well in this island. (This has been demon- strated manv times during the past few years.) lie mentions the sugar peas, " which may be eaten in their cods like unto French beans," and recommends a parcel of ducks to be turned into the cabbages to de\our the snails. Parsnips, he savs, will make the sweetest and most deliiate of bacon, whilst that \vA with carrots is loose and wastes in the bonding. Idiey knew in his time the value of rain water as against spring water for plants. Chapters follow upon flowers, fruits, timber trees, poultry, game, bees, diseases of li\e stock, and a kalendar or monthly directions to the husbandman. Here is his description of the different types of sheep know n in his day, and it may interest flock masters to make comparisons : To stock yourself with good sheep, you must h.ive regard to the nature of the soil where you dwell ; for according to the earth and air, sheep do alter their natures and properties ; the barren sheep becoming good in rich soils, and the good siieep barren in ill soils ; so that if you would have sheep of a fine staple of wool, buy those of Herefordshire, about Lempster parts ; also in that part of Worcestershire bordering on Shropshire ; yet these sheep are very little of bone, are black faced, and bear small fleeces. The sheep about Cotsal Hills are better boned, shape and burthen ; but their staple is courser and deeper. The sheep in that part of Worcestershire joyning to Warwickshire, and many parts of Warwickshire, also all Leicestershire, Buckingham- shire, with part of Northamptonshire, and that part of Nottinghamshire which is exempt from Sherwood Forest, are large boned, are of a good shape and deepest staple, especially if they be pasture sheep ; but their wool is courser than that of Cotsal. Lincolnshire (especially in the salt maishes) have also large sheep, but not the best wool. All these large sii:ed sheep (especially weathers) find good vent amongst the London Butchers, to the no small profit of the Grazier. The sheep in Yorkshire, and so Nortliwnrds, are of reasonable big bone, but of a staple rough and haiiy ; and the Welsh sheep are generally esteemed the worst of ail, for they are both little and of a worse staple ; but their flesh is excellent for its sweet taste. The sheep of Dorsetshire are esteemed for brinuing two lambs at a lime, and are a good sized sheep. Richard Blome was responsible for se\eral books, but it is a (juestion been more of a compiler er. .\ idinplele C.ipV of )ms ri'centlx . 1 le died in if he wrote man\- himself. 1 t ake him to f than an author, or, perha])S, mir(d\ a pu these Recreations realised £\( ) at .Sotheby' 1705- •, / (■. n / r I I \(;/■:/,' /.A'.V/A'.I.V^'A', 139 SIR ROGKR I/ESTRAXGE. 1 616- 1 704 The rearinor oi calllc on [he produce of arable laud, wliich lollowrd the introduction of clover, (grasses, and roots, beoan about this period to make a great change in the methods adopted by farmers, and many were the advisers whose ideas were rushed into print to meet the demand for agricultural knowledge among the cultivators of the soil, and although some of these publications occasioned losses by tempting the unpractised to become farmers by inducing them to try unprofitable experiments, they undoubtedly contributed to the public benelit, if only by the wisdom gained from such failures. The Act for levving tolls at turnpikes had been in operation for some years, yet the rt^ads in every direction were in anytliing but good condition tor the conveyance of produce anv distance away, and this circumstance greatlv hindered the interchange of commodities. The prosperity of agriculture has always been much influenced bv the proximity of a busy market, the prices at which dejicnded in the main upon good roads in ensuring a tacilitv of intercourse and conse([uent equal supplv at all seasons. It was this diflicultv of easv communication between one place and another that caused the prices to vary so considerably in one market from another. In 1677 appeared the curious tract of which the title- page is illustrated ; the author I have put down to be Sir Roger I'Estrange, a voluminous writer of that time. He was born in 1616, died in 1704, and was buried at the church of St. Giles in the Fields. He belonged, I believe, to an old Norfolk family, and his descend- ants still own many broad acres in that county. He complains that wool was '' only worth 7c/. per pound whereas previously it had reached is. bt/., a condition largely brought about through the decay of the merchant adventurers who did formerly send away so many of our English cloathes into Germany," and to the great importation of Spanish wool, upon which he advocated a duty should be imposed. He feared such times were coming as would stop ihc kililun from being the best room in the house. It may be stated that at one time the manufacture of our wool became a national employment, and according to the statutes of King Edward III. it was made felony to carry any wool out of the realm, and the Heroic King, as he is called, also made the following statute: "That no Merchant, Foreign or Denizen, nor any other, after the feast of St. Michael shall cause to bt; brought privily or apertly, by himself, nor by any other into the said land of England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland within the King's power, any other Cloathes made in any other jjlacc than in the same, upon Forfeiture I40 A GRIC UL TURA L WRITERS. TREATISE O F Wool and Cattel. In a Letter written to a Friend, . j OcLMlion'd upon a | DISCOURSE' CONCERNING j The great Abatements of R e n t s, AND Low Value of L a n d s. Wherein is fliewed how their Worth and Value may be advanced by the Improvement of the Maniifafkure ot our Englifh Wool, and the fpending of our Cattel. And is farther proved, that Cloarhing and Hofpitality tend to the fupport of the Honour, Wealth, and Strength of our EngUjh Nation. Licenlld, iliitrc/j 28. 1677. Ro. L'EJlrange. L 0 N D 0 N: Printed by J. C. for ml/. Crook,, at the Green • Dragon without tem^le-bitr. 1677. See page 1 39. A/A' R()(u:r /./■'sva\iX(;/-:. 141 of the said Cloath and further to be punished at the King's Will as is aforesaid." (Surelv all this savours somewhat of protection e\en at that early date !) Other statutes followed in later reigns as to the length, breadth, weight, and goodness oi the cloath to prevent frauds and abuses in the making and selling thereof : Here is a curious extract from pages 28 and 2() : Now as a Corollary to illustrale pari of our former Discourse bv l*"xample, it will not be amiss to take a view, betore we leave this subject, how our Nobilit\- formerly Lived and were Attended : that we may sec how we are det^enerated, and how far short we now come to the Honour and Glory of those Ages. In the Record of Pontfracl an Account by Henry Leycester, Cofferer to Thomas Karl of Lancaster, for one years h.xpence in the Earl's House, from the day next after Michaelmas, in the Seventh year of Kdward the Second, until Michaelmas in the Eighth year of the same King, viz. in the Pantry, Buttery, and Kitchin, £3405. For 184 Tuns of Wine, !kc, For Grocers Ware 180 Pounds. For 6 barrels of Sturgeon. For 6800 Stockfish so called, and for dried fish of all sorts, as Ling, Habberdine, &c. F^or 2319I. of Tallow Candles for the Houshold. For 1870 of lights for pacis Candles call'd Pearchers. For expences on the Flarls great Horses ;£^486 45. 3^. For 159 Cloaths for Liveries against Christmas : viz. For one Scarlet Cloath for the Earl himself. F"or one Cloath of Russet for the Bishop of Anjou. For 70 Cloaths of Blew for the Knights, as the}' were then term'd. For 15 Cloaths of Medlies for the Lord Clerks. For 28 Cloaths for Esquires. P^or 15 Cloaths for Officers. For 19 Cloaths for Grooms. For 5 Cloaths for Archers. For 4 Cloaths for Minstrels. Now follows the Provision for the Summer-Liveries : For 65 Cloaths of Saffron- colour for the Barons and Knights in Summer. For 12 Red Cloaths for Clerks. For 26 Cloaths Ray for Esquires. For i Cloath Rav for Officers Coats. For 4 Cloaths Ray for Carpets and in the Hall. For Saddles for the Lords Liveries in Summer, ;^5i 6s. S(f. For 168 yards of Russet Cloath, and 24 Coats for poor men, with Money given to the Poor on Maundy-Thursday. Here is almost 301) Cloaths a year for one Family ; a sufficient Customer for one Clothier, In the I4lh Year of the same King, Hugh Spencer the Folder was condemn'd by the Commonalty and banished the Realm, at which time it was found by inquisition, that the said Spencer had in sundry Shires 57 Mannours ; he had 28,000 Sheep, 1000 Oxen and Steers, 1200 Kine with their Calves, 40 Mares with their Colts, 160 drawing Horses, 2000 Hogs, 300 Bullocks, 40 Tun of Wine, 600 Bacons, So carcases (not Briskets or Ribs only) of Martlemas Beef, 600 Muttons in Larder, 10 Tun of Cyder. Which Pro\ision for the Household shews a great family there to be kept. To come neerer to our time; in the 36th of Henry the 6th, the great Estates of the Realm being called up to London, (for it seems they lived in the Country in those days) the Earl of Salisbury came up to London with ^oo men on Horse-back, not in Hackny-Coaches. Richard Duke of ^■ork with 4(10 men. Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick often had six oxen eaten at a break- fast at his house in Warwick-lane. For he that had any acquaintance in that House might have there so much of Roast and IHovl'd as he could ])rick up and carry upon a long dagger. These are onl\- a fi-w instances of the Houskeeping, Charity, and .Attendance of our ancient Xobilitv, all needing to be pro\ided out of the land, either in tin- form of rents or kind. In the time of our author they were persuaded that good beef, mutton, veal, and lamb were much before combs, gills, pallets, frogs, mushrooms, and such like French kickshawes. 142 A GRIC UL rURA L WRITERS. J. DONALDSON. 1670-1720 {about). Husbandry Anatomised : or an enquiry into the presentmanner of Tilling and Manuring the Ground in Scotland, is a rare little book written bv James Donaldson, and published in Edinburgh in 1697. A hio-h estimation has always been placed upon this work, as a valuable production of that early time, and it is considered fully equal to anything of the kind that had appeared to date. Copies are exceedingly scarce ; a very good one realised £\ at Sotheby's sale rooms recently. It is addressed to "the Right Honourable Patrick Earl Marchmount, Viscount of Polwart, Lord High Chancellor of Scotland and the whole Remnant Lords of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council." In case any questions should be raised concerning his experience in husbandrv, Donaldson gives the following brief account of his life : I was bred in the country till I was upwards of twenty years of age ; and my fatiier keeping servants and cattle for labouring a part of lands which heritably belonged to him, I had occasion to acquire as much knowledge in husband affairs as was practised in that place of the country. Some few years before the Revolution I applied my.self to the study of traflfick and merchandising. But as soon as it pleased God to call his Majestie (then Prince of Orange) to relieve these kingdoms from the imminent danger they then stood in, I judged it my honour and duty to concur with such a laudible and glorious undertaking, accordin<,r to my ability testified my affection to the cause, several ways needless here to repeat, and especially in leavying a company of men for his Majesties service, and served in the Earl ot Angus his regimen: until 1690, wlien it was reduced from twenty to thirteen companies. He complains of having received nothing in return for his disburse- ments, consequently his credit became broken and his estate exhausted. He began to reason, and this book was the result of his deliberations. His precepts may have been of value in his day, but they are adorned too frequently with Biblical sayings and references to the proverbs of Roman writers on agriculture to be considered as representing the actions of a practical husbandman ; still, it has been well said that no book was ever published from which some useful information could not be o-ained, and it is at least equally true that no man ever lived from whose biography no serviceable lesson could be deduced. In one form or other every writer we have discussed has tendered some examples of excellence worthy of imitation, or of methods in culture to be avoided, and Donaldson must be given his place in this category. •J. DOXA/.DSOiY. 14: HUSBANDRY Anatomized, o r; An En(]uiry into the Prefent Marnier 9f7e'iU tag and Manuring the Ground in • SCOTLAND For mofi fart 5 AND Several RULES and MEASURES laid down for the better Improve- ment thereof, in fo much ^ that one third part more INCREASE may be had , and yer more than a third part of the EXPENCB of the prefent Way of LaBOURWQ . tlietcof Saved. By JA: DONALDSON. EDINBURGH, Primed by JOHN RETD, in th« ^car, M. DC.XC.VI/. See uppvsite pane. 144 A GRIC UL TURA L WRITER S. TIMOTHY NOURSE. 1635-1699 [about). Timothy NourSE comes next on our list, and the title-page reproduced on page 145 explains his book, the contents of which were considered at the time of more than commonplace order. Curiously enough, my copy contains the book-plate of Thomas Boycott, a name that had great significance in connection with the holding of land in Ireland some few years ago. Nourse was born at Newent, Gloucestershire, entered as a student at Oxford in 1655, became M.A. in 1660, entered holy orders, and became a famous preacher. Later, because of his High Church ideas, he was deprived of his Fellowship, and retired to his estate at Newent, where he died in 1699, and was buried there. No doubt he was one of those intelligent yeomen anxious to do something for his country, so he committed himself to print on matters he had gained experience about on his own estate. His first chapter describes, from his point of view, the why and wherefore of " the bravest men in the first age of the world betaking themselves generally to husbandry," " the advantages of our country and climate above any other whatsoever," and to the " ancient gentry, of which there is not a more frank, a more generous, and a more open- hearted sort of men anywhere to be found, especially those who have not been infected with the principles of Calvin, but that follow the true Eno-lish genius, which is plain, hospitable, and debonair, without cere- mony or dissimulation. But as for our common people," he adds " many of them must be confessed to be very rough and savage in their dispositions, being of levelling principles and refractory to government, insolent and tumultuous. What gentleman soever, then, shall have the misfortune to fall into the neighbourhood of such boors let him never think to win them by civilities. The best way will be to bridle them and make them feel the spur, too, when they begin to play their tricks and kick." The saying of an English gentleman was much to the purpose, " that three things ought always to be kept under, our mastiff dogs, a stone horse, and a clown. Such men. then, are to be looked upon as trashy weeds or nettles growing usually upon dunghills, which if touched gently, will sting, but being squeezed hard will never hurt us." He recommends the planting of hemp and flax because the thread and cloth made of it is clean and fit for ladies, whose nice fingers would refuse to handle greasie wool. It was on this account that all virgins through all the early ages, even of royal aegree and birth wt-re, and are still, stvled spinsters. He extols the planting of mulberries for the pro- duction of silk, and ladies to weave it who are much taken with the TIMOTTTV XOURSE. 145 1 Campania Fcclix. O R DISCOURSE O F T H B Benefits and Improvements CONTAINING DIRECTIONS for all manner of TilLigc, Paftnrage^ and Plant dt'/on-j As alfo for the making of Cyder and Perry. With feme Considerations upon I. Jufilces of the Peace, and Inferior Officers. II. On Inns and Ahhoufes. I III. On Servants and Labourers. \ W.On the Poor. To which are Added, Two ESSAYS: I. Of a Cotwtry-Honje. II. Of the Fnel of London. By Tzw. NOVKSE, Gent. LONDON: Printed for Tho. Dcnnet, at the Half-Moon \nSt. Paul's Chnrch-fard. ijoo. See opposite page. 146 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. gawderies of butterflies ; and the growth of the walnut tree for its fruit to eat, its oil, and the great value of its wood for furniture. He reduces husbandry to three general heads — tillage, pasturage, and plantation ; and recommends that land be fallowed every third or fourth year. Dung requires digestion or maturation by reason of the seeds which lie in the litter. Fresh dung he considered better for stercoration than an old putrid mass, as the saline or sulphurous parts of the dung are wasted in which its. vegetative power chiefly consist. Lime kills weeds, corrects coldness of the soil, and cherishes the grain. Burning of land is an excellent good practice. Wheat steeped in salt brine and powdered with lime is recommended as a preventive against many evils. He was an advocate for tiled roofs instead of thatched ones. Broom is an enemy to pasturage, and the way to destroy fern is to whip off the young heads of it with a switch as soon as it peeps out of the ground, for then it is very tender, and w^ill weep or bleed extensively. After a few cuttings in this manner it will die away. Malt dust is recommended as a fine top-dressing to grass, and the planting of tobacco in England, a production which certainly would be beneficial to a world of people, and yet it is destroyed by public order as fast as ever it grows up. He considered meadow and feeding grounds had fallen at least fifteen per cent, since the importation of the foreign grasses, clover, and sainfoin, although he admits that more corn and cattle can be raised by their aid, " as they lie fattening in clover." A long chapter is devoted to inns and alehouses, in which he advises the magistrates to exercise a vigilant care over the licensing of these resorts. A chapter on the poor does not suggest any scheme for their relief, but is merely observations on the means of avoiding poverty. On the subject of fuel, the author recommends wood and charcoal, in order to prevent the smoke from coals in^London, and adds, " what more is to be lamented than the glorious fabrick of St. Paul's now in building, so stately and beautiful as it is, will after an age or two look old and dis- coloured before 'tis finished, and^may perhaps suffer as much damage by the smoak as the former temple did by the fire. It might have been more convenient that the outside of the sumptuous pile had been of a plainer mould." He reckoned that "the summ total of the chimnies in London was nearly three hundred and sixty thousand." (What would he say of to-day, when there must be millions.) " What I have written," says Nourse, "is not grounded on the reports and methods of others, but upon my own observation, to\Aards which 1 have had some small advantage by my long continuance in a private and country life." TiMornv xtn'Rsi:. 147 Of Grafs raisd by Foreign Seeds. 8 5 ^ Now to apply tlicfe Notions to the Point i ■in qucftioii^ and fiill, It is, qucftionicfs ilio I Inclination of every Man to improve his L- f ^ ftate as much as he cm by the Ait> of Juk- bandry, as we may fiippofe in our preit nt Caie, by fowing his Ground with Forei'jn Seeds, fuch ^sSt.Fom^ Clozrr, &c. But whether it be for the Intereft of the Commonwealth to countenance and permit fuch hnpr.xem.nts may be a Queftion: For if it Ihall appear ■ that fuch Plantations are Injurious to the Pub- -^ lick, according to what's already prem-s'd, the Government has Power to reftrain Men ironi purfuing their Domehick and Private Ad' an- tage, when it Qiall be to the Detriment ol the (ame Perfons, as they ftand engaged in a 1 u^- 1 lick Body or Society. | The Conlideratious tempting us tobtlie\c that fuch Innovations in Husbandry ought to ' be permitted, are thefe, vi'z. Behdes the Be- ! nefit which a vaft Number of Per.OT^s re p j from Improvements of this nature, eer-am it is, that great Numbers of Cattle are rais'd.t^'is way, and confequently more Corn, tec nfe more Dung : Nor can Clover, for the purp< 'fe, j be continu'd but for a little time without Fil- , lage, Now the more Corn and Cattle are ' rais'd, the chejper mufl: all Provifion^ be,which is generally Icok'd upon to be a Benefit to the , Pubh:k. This Realbn, how fpecious ar.d popular I foever it niiy ieem upon the firf; Appe r-nce, 1 v/ill^ upon a r/earer View, be found to bw ^ c v I F ^ ihiii I J specimen la\;e from Timothy Xour.se. See opposite pci,'' 148 A GRIC UL TURA L WRITERS. LEONARD MEAGER. 1670-1720 {about). " The Mystery of Husbandry,'' of which a photographic reproduction of the title page is given opposite, was first published in 1697 by Henry Nelme at the Leg and Star in Cornhill, and was considered at the time a work of first-class merit. He was for some time a gardener in employ at VVarkworth, in Northamptonshire. In the preface to the reader the author states : Having well weighed and considered with mature Deliberation that a work of this nature cannot but be grateful to my Country, I have the more laboured to bring it to the highest pitch of improvement, supplying what has been omitted by others, who liave with some diligence and industry attempted lo compile a compieat Body of Agriculture . . . well meant, because most of them had not practised what they writ, but were obliged to borrow them from others and take them on trust, and many of them from Foreign Authors, not well considering that different climates produce different effects. This was sound logic, and Meager seems to have carried these advanced ideas right through his book in a manner which commands respect for the man and his methods. In the Introduction he calls the merchant A gallant servant to the Commonwealth, who fetches his riches from afar, and is a worthy contributor to the wealth and prosperitv of the Kingdom ; but he produccth it from others who could themselves make great profit of it, and though he gaineth a great Estate, yet he raiseth it not out of nothing, but parts with silver and gold and with Commodities for it. But the Merchant of Husbandry raiseth it out of the earth, which otherwise would yield but little, unless his ingenuity digged and fetched it out. What rates purchased be it at'.' Even only by his own industrv and with the wages of the labouring men, whom he is bound by the laws to allow a competent maintenance. In the chapter on the fertility of the land, he says " It is a sign of goodness when the crows and pies in great numbers follow^ the plough, or if the land yields a pleasant odour after a shower of rain following a drought." For enriching ground he recommends the lupin " before he bears his cods, being turned up with the plow and laid in bundles about the roots of trees." Nowadays the farmer ploughs in lupins and other leguminous plants to feed the soil with nitrogen, so that this old writer evidently had some idea of its value as a stimulator to a crop-worn soil. Chapter III. is devoted to the value of marl, " upon which the Germans set so great a value for enriching land." He mentions German, Frenchj and Syrian ploughs, and gives names to the parts very similar to those of to-day. The tail, the shelf, the beam, the foot, the coulter, the share, y.Eox.iA'/) j//-\i(;/:a\ 149 m ^rfttr^ of #iis!)itnBj^: Arable^ P^ftare^and W^od-land ^ I M PROVED. ConraiDtng the whole Art md Myflery orAgrlcuIcure or Hutbaudry, jn Bettcnng and Improving jlU T>^ grecs of I d^i ^fertilizing the barrcntfl Soil , tp- ':' coir6i:xng jq? from Weeds, Bufhes, Briars, RuflnS, Flags./ pi^er Pi cft|JDgs of fak or unwholfom VVatcn, ^ beaf^ood Corn, or become Meadow or Pafture. JDit^^lions tCK" Marling, Danging, Mudding; Sjoding, Flo\vii?gv Trenching, and 5thcr Methods of im- provisgiand tathc bcH: Advantage. "■- - Preiser l&mes /or Sowing, chufing good Seed, ^hd FIoughin§„; with die Defcrrption of ufcful Piougfis TuicabTe«>4^cdiif€rcntfort5 of Ground, ^r. - How to ^«^ Corn, and dther i^fe, from beittg de* l:rp):ed by Birds., Y«rniiD, Lightning, Mildew, Blafis, Smutiinefs 5. cold Winds , {^c, Harvcft'*'; • worfc,/Ini^icg or Stacking, fe. ' ' ' The bed Grainerics for prefermfCorn and^ulfe^ ^/ . tfow to knowfmjjtty orwafliedCorn tpom others ." ^foper Toojs for iFTu'fbait^y and Day-iabour computed;' Improvement of land by Turnep, Carrots, Saffron, Madder, Hdpi, Would of Wpad, Coal, Seed, Bcmp, , . Flax, Clover, St. Fom,(Zyf»- ^ . ^ j - • AVood-]and to improve, in fetting, lopping, and m»- RnagiB^ to a vaftlncreafe-, jbe great Advamagc of ' To-Avhich » added. The Countryman's A lm^njaxk^ B^ LEONARD MEJGEB. to NJ>0 N: Printed hfW, Onkj, for mnr) Nelmc^ -■ •' j^t the Leg an(lj^^tnCQy»b^lf if>»7; ^ See opposite page. I50 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. the wheels, and the staff. Oxen were evidently the favourite for yoking to the plough. Where horses are used, he adds, " the fewer of them the better ; for many horses draw too hastily and make too large furrows, which is no good." Let me ask a question here in this connection. Why is it one often sees four horses attached to a plough in England on what appears to be well-worked land when in Scotland rarely more than two horses are put in front of this implement? He seemed to have known all about the turn-wrest or Kentish plough as it is now called, and considered it a good kind for undulating land. He also reckoned that a man should turn up three acres of light land with one team a day, and one acre of clay ground. Very light soils he considered should also be sown and harrowed the same day. If, says Meager, " you are to plough upon a hill, you must plough overthwart, and not up and down, to ease the labour of both men and cattel." He recommends grain to be steeped in sea water, but says nothing about the bluestone so freely used for dressing nowadays. Manv chapters are devoted to manuring, watering, and preparing land for corn and pasture. The uses of the turning spade, paring spade, and the trenching spade in draining land are fully described, and the drawings of these implements are exactly similar to those given by Blythe in his book " The English Improver Improved," already described in these pages, and published about hfty years earlier. He mentions an ingenious idea for frightening birds from newly-sown seed by " making a sort of cone with a piece of stiff paper, this is half filled with seeds, and the inner side of the open end smeared with bird- lime. The rook or other bird, in putting his beak in to reach the contents, fixed the bag to his head, and being blindfolded, as it were, he creates such an uproar that all the other birds are off, fearing the same fate." There is a chapter on hops, in which he reckons an acre will yield I2cwt. of hops once in three years. Flax, hemp, clover, grass, and sainfoin are all freely discussed. Two sorts of turnips are mentioned, the round and the long parsnip turnip. The leaves are recommended to be rotted on the ground for manure, and the roots to be given to cattle and swine. He also calls the turnip a moist, cooling, and nourishing root, good against fevers and other hot diseases. Of carrots he preferred the deep yellow for horses, just the same as some of our great railway companies do to-day. He thought it a good thing to turn cattle into the parsnip field to eat off the top growth, for it made the roots prosper the better. He was an advocate for planting all waste land with trees for the benefit of posterity, and shows how they are profitably raised from seeds. Then follow several chapters upon the best trees to plant in various situations, including fruits in the hedgerows. He calls the stag hunt the most princely of all games, "and when you go about this, to know whether he 71/OMAS r/n'OX. I; hv (iM or youiii;-, ()l)sri-\c tlir prints of his feet, ami if it Ix- lar^c wit tliii-k heel, open elcft, loiio- spare, ami a deep }>rint, he is crrtaiiily o " The Countryman's Almanack " is given at the end of the book, ; mostly relates to the weatiier from observed signs. md THOMAS TRYON. 1 670-1 720 {about). A MOST interesting book is "The Countryman's Companion," or a new method of Ordering Horses and Sheep so as to preserve them both from Diseases and Casualties, or to preserve them if fallen ill, and also to render them much more serviceable and useful to their owners than has yet been discovered, known, or practised, and particularly to preserve sheep from that Monsterous, Mortifying Distemper, the Rot. By Philotheos Physiologus (whose correct name was believed to be Thomas Tryon), 1700. Printed and sold by Andrew Sowle, at the Crooked Billet, in Holloway-court, Holloway-lane, near Shoreditch. The usual lengthy preface discourses upon the position of man and his mercy towards his beast. Man being the viceroy of creation should show great wisdom in the management of the most useful of the inferior creatures committed to his charge. Then follow^ chapters on the horse, his stable, food, and drink, and in respect to the latter he considers ri\er water far to be preferred to any other, and he recommends rain water for the housewife. He is down on high living, and regrets " there should be spent dailv in London ^^50,000 sterling in wines and spirilous liquors, which is /," 18,250,000 everv year. A prodigious sum of monev to be swallowed up in one vear bv a parcel of spoiled ^oods on a spot of ground not above six miles long and three broad." lie devotes a chapter to this class of tyrants, who are the curse of the country. He adds Jacob had twelve sons. " How many of them did he make lawyers, University men, or Inns of Court gentlemen ? Xo, no ; the\- were everyone of them shepherds, and were not ashamed of their occupation nor thought it any dishonour to their birth." Then follow some seventy pages coni])rising an oration, entitli'd, "The Planter's speech to his neighbours and counlrymiMi in Pennsylvania, East and West Jersey, &c., and to all such as have transported them- selves into New Colonies for the sake of a quiet life." This lengihv epistle seems composed entirely of ravings against the- w ieked \\a\s of living here. The writer was evidc'ntlv a vegetarian and a teetotaler, and looked upon everyone who ditfered troni him as encourage-rs of wrath 152 A GRIC UL TURAL WRITERS. c^e €mx\Xx^^^m:$ (Companion i . A T New Medio of Ordering "v So as to prefervc them both from ©ifeafes^ anti CauCaltie?, I Or, To Recover them if fallen III, And alfb to rendsr them much itiore Serviceable and Ufeful to their Owners, ihEn lies yet been dif(ovcred> known orpradifed. And particularly to prefcrve Sheep from that Monfterous, Mortifying Diftemper, 'at<>eEon . By /Phlktheos fhyfiQlogHs;;\ : The Author of The Wa; to Hedth, long Lif%$niHaff'mt[s, &c. London, Printed an^ Sold hy AnivT^v Sowif, at the Cr^fifer^- J/7/rr il^bwiiy-CoHf « w Hoiloway-Lan«^HKP*itw. Thomas Tryon. See page 151 .V/A' jTOXA.S MOORi:. 153 and l)l(Hnlslic(l, lie (inislu-s up with a |)ra\cr, lu)|)iiiL; that tlicir sword.^ may he luriu'd into i)runiiio- liooks, and thi-ir l'ris;hll'iil _u"iiiis into iiistru- iiu'iits of iiudody. In'rijaniin Franklin is statt-d to have h -i-n a (Hsciph- of this author. SIR JONAS MOORE. 1617-1679. Ox page 154 I rcprodui-c the title page of a most curious litth- l)ook which appears to have been thought a good (h-al of at the time of its pubHcation. Sir Jonas Moore, F.R.S., was Surveyor-Cieneral of His Majesty's Ordnance. He was born at Whittle, in Lancashire, in 1617, and died suddenly while travelling to London from Portsmouth, at Godalming, in 1679, and was buried in the Tower Chapel with a salute of as many guns as he had counted years of life. He wrote several mathematical works, and " History or Narrative of the great level of the fens called Bedford Level," with a large map describing the operation fully. In his " Farmer's P>iend " (see illustration on page 154) this worthy old Government official deplored the enormous area of waste land in the country, which he recommended should be planted with fruit trees for the production of cyder and perry, and thus produce as great a revenue as that arising to the French King from the planting of vineyards. He then discourses on the great profits accruing from the industry, and holds that these home-made drinks are as strong and wholesome as any that come from France and Spain. He next details its manufacture, and reckoned that llic indu'^trv " ma\- save ;{i8oo,ooo, which goes every year to the enrichment of other nations." Chapter HL deals with the raising of the trees from kernels and their general culture previous to becoming serviceable in the orchard. In Chapter IV. he gives directions for brewing the finest malt liquors. As to the water to use, he says: "Thames water taken up about Greenwich at low water, where it is free from all Brackishness of the Sea, and has in it all the fat and Sullage from this great City of London, makes a \vx\ strong drink, which impro\es on being carried out to Sea." I Jul uj)on the whole he thinks the finest ale was made from water taken from a clear rivulet or brook undisturbed by navigation or fording. He was of opinion that the water question was an ini])()rtant one, and a. Ids, "possibly the best water in England is that at Casth^ton, in Derbyshire, which owzes from a great rock." He had seen ale made of this water as clear in three days as the spring water itself, and impossibU- to be known by the eye in a glass from the finest Canary wine. As for your malt, he adds, the north-country malts from Nottinghamshire, Derby- shire, Leicestershire, Cheshire, and Lancashire are the best for ale. He ■54 A GRIC UL rURAL WRITERS. Englands Interefl: O R T p E ^eittleman ana if armcti^ Sxm\% -SHEWING, I. How Land may be ImprovUfm' . to CO loo/. ptr Acre, /'cr ^At^inv- and for an inConiidcii'bIc CIi • Gyde?, Perry, Oi, Mulb-^rry Wmr-,, , Fr.nrh or Sf>amfh'M\u. ,,,,., u,-. , , lb in-ide to he Sold i,,r i^d. f-;»"0'ja, t. V. as Wine n *»/' Sold ^or i'^ /, ■ 1* Qiiick^-ft v/iy , r' KeiUn^; r r \, for Brewing u-.c Vw-il Ni and'Cheapor than hiiht. ("are is to be nik' n in t!;, and Hops; and h'.w tlicv and Fermented, for urak,.., .... ^. , 0(-/c/'.'j- De-er, itroni? Ak, e^c. ■;, in. • Breeding Morles nmJi (.hcmer. and ■ ter Advanta:;e tiiaa ct' ^ ■ '' ■ Hiisk^ndry ui ikes, and i' 7- Inftriion£ foi t!it:l',-t,', . Ponds, and for Xircedlnv, ot Idh. The Tbtrd EMtm, mth Imge Addhmu By Sir J. More, L 0 N ,at the .^even-^tars \n Tal^'Hourty in GrAce-chmcb-jhyet, 1705* Sf-f? ii-rt^^ 153. yo/lX SMllH. 155 |&?ofit atiD ^leafure anttcD: . O R, • T H E 3^§fcmtDman'0 ^aga?mc, BEING A mod Fxsjd Tre^tile of Bulk ^ Oxen, Coxes^ C^hcj, Horfef, Mares ^ Colts, Sheep, Stvirr, Goats, and all other DomefVick Cattle, Ser- viceable, Profit.^ble, Or Uf.ful to Man : With Direfticns. for their Breeding and Orderhig : Rules to be Obferved in Bk;-/w^ Cattle, and Preverarlng fuch Diftemrers as are Incident to them, and Approved Cures for a!! fuch Diftempers, both Inter- nal and Ex^ternd, as ^frequently r.fflias ^ them, Wich fpced and inconllderablc; Charge: Together with Eafic and P'ain Rules and Merhods for Improving y^rr.ih/j znd Pr.jrwt-Laiids, and the like; Improving . moft Sorts cf Grapi to the bed Advantage ; and what is neceffary to be Obferved in 5^9»;?;^^ and Harvefiing: The Managen^ent, Improvement and Prefervation of Pruh. Trecs^ Plants and Flomrs. The Mnr.ntr of Ordering F/ax, Hemp, Safron and Uconf) : With Direftions for the Encieafnig arid Preferving of Bees-^ and many other ThingV of the like Nature. . ^' To which is Added, The Art of Harpking^ Huniing. JiJgling, ami the Noble Recreation o? Rifig/rft:. ^< by y. Smith, Gcnfv London . Prini^ J-'for 7. Bhn, at thp l^k. G.'afs, on London- Bridge, 1704. - :.il Price__bc-UDd ORS.^h'^^- See puge 156. 156 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. preferred their methods of culture and handUng to those adopted in the south. He next discusses the brewing of beer in March and October. He was no believer of the ten-year-old beer that many country gentlemen talked of and magnified. In the chapter devoted to the breeding of horses he strongly recommends the best and most healthy to be used as parents, as a poor horse imparts all its vice to its progeny. The remainder of the book is devoted to bees and the virtues of honey, and to the great profit to be made by breeding of carp in fishponds near the City of London or other eminent cities inhabited by the nobilitv and sentrv. JOHN SMITH. It is a question whether the John Smith who wrote the " Husbandman's Magazine " is not the same individual 1 have discussed on page 124. Be that as it may, the present is quite a distinct book, and dated thirty- five years later. In the epistle to the reader he commences, " Since there is nothing more useful than Husbandry, and that in the well management of Rural Affairs the welfare of Kingdoms and States mostly depend, I consider it a necessary duty to give my Countrymen full directions to improve their honest labour and industry." His ideas on the management of beasts contain much that is according to modern opinions, as he does not go in for the wild extravagances of some of those before him ; yet his medicines consisted of most of the old herbal remedies. To cure the staggers he says : " Take a quarter of an ounce of beaten pepper and half a pint of vinegar w-ell w^armed, pour it into the nostrils of the beast, holding his head back, and afterwards let him blood in the Nose Vein." How to know^ the age of a horse by his tail he says : " Feel with your thumb and finger close to the setting on or growing to the rump, and if the joint on each side stick out in a knob bigger than any other by the bigness of a small bird's f^%^, then he passes not two years old; but if that joint be ulain and even wath the rest, then he is between ten and thirteen years old." Many are the remedies given for curing the ailments of this noble beast. When discussing sheep he breaks out into poetrv, presumablv to fill up the page : When summer fair with Western Winds doth call Your Lusty flocks to Woods and Pastures all ; Send them betimes, when day at first does rise, And Hoary Dew on verded grass thick lyes ; From thence, when at the fourth hour of the day, (The Sun high mounted) make them dry, convey Them to fresh springs, where pleasant waters be, And make them drink in Troughs of Oaken Tree. JOHN .MORTIMEli. 157 The Whole ART HUSBANDRY Or, The Wiry of , Managing and Improving LAND. BEING ^ w l^-°v,^ L E c T I o N of what hath been Writ, either by ancient or modern Anchors : With many Additions ofnew Experiments and Improve- ments not treated of by any others. A s A L s 0, An Account of the particular Sorts of Embaitip ufed in feveral Comnie, ; with Propofals for Its farther Improvement. To which is added, TheCountry-man'sKalendar, what he is to do every Month in the Year. By J. Mortimer, Efq; F. T^. 5. €()e %l)ivxi CDittan Co2reitctT L 0 N D 0 A and KRobivfort at the GoUen Lion in St Si Church- Yard MDCCXII. ^ioi.iauis See page 158. 158 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. JOHN MORTIMER. 1656-1736 {about). The contents of the book illustrated on the preceding page are generally considered to show a great advance in the progress of agriculture from the earlier authors on the subject, and the photograph of the title- page details exactly of what it chiefly consists. John Mortimer was a merchant on Tower Hill, London, and an F.R.S. He appears to have been fond of agricultural pursuits, and in 1693 became possessed of an estate in Essex called Toppings Hall. Like a good many more experi- mental agriculturists, he spent his whole fortune carrying out his up-to-date projects, many of which he states, " are imparted for the benefit of posterity." He had three wives, one of whom was a descendant of Oliver Cromwell, while he himself came from the ancient Somerset family of Mortimer, and whose estate in that county was mostly swallowed up by the sea. The work is addressed to the Royal Society, and he thanks Dr. Sloan and Dr. Sprat, Bishop of Rochester, for their assistance. Chapter I. deals with the inclosing of land, "which lays a foundation for industry and good husbandry, because of the security it gives a man in the quiet possessing the benefit of his labour and care." He then explains how best to divide the fields with quicks, ditches, and banks, or with stones, as in some southern countries. He preferred the Mhitethorn as a fence plant to the blackthorn, and he considered the holly best for very clayey soils, and the alder for fences against streams and rivers, because it preserved the banks from being undermined by the water. Furze he found good for edges where nothing else would grow. He considered the thorn hedges of Hertfordshire were the best to be seen in England because of (he system of splashing forward in that county, and he describes how it differs from other methods. Chapter II. is or. pasture and meadow land, describing their value on certain soils and in certain situations. He illustrates the Persian wheel for use in raising water to overflow the land. He also pictures another wheel " much used in Lincolnshire to drain the fens." He details the operation of haymaking in quite a modern manner. As soon as your grass is mown, if there is plenty of it that it lie thick in the swath, cause your haymakers to follow the mowers and to cast it abroad ; this they call tedding of it. At night make it into cocks, and next day, as soon as the dew is off the ground, spread it again, and if you find it dry make it up into cocks. Next day draw it in long rows, which they call win-rows ; make it again into cocks if wet comes on, but if fine collect it up and carry it to the stack. Put on all the hands you can, that you may observe the old saying of making hay while the sun sliines. He seems to have known all we know to-day, with the exception of the mowing machine, and he recommends meadows to be utilised every yoifX MOR riMKR. 159 altcrnale year as pasluns, ami tCd oft instead of heini;- mown, " for feeding is as necessary for lia\- ground as fallowing is for corn lands." He considered English c-lover sirds ihr bost, and he knew all ahout alternate husbandry. i\)r-grass is rcconinicndcd for sowing with the clover to prevent the bursting of cattle. He knew little al)out harvesting clover seed as he adds, " If one could get an account from Flanders how they thrash their clover there it would be of gnat advantage." He speaks of the seed being sown in tin- husk, ami I know of a farmer to-day who sows his land with clover heads, in spite of the enlightened times in which we li\ e. He speaks of rye-grass seed being worth is. bd. per bushel in London (nowadays it fetches 45-. to 65-.). Sheep's parsley and mustard are sovereign remedies when grown as a crop against rot in sheep. He preferred the Hertfordshire plough lo any olli.r, being the strongest and easiest of draught on all sorts of land, and he gives diagrams of the various makes used in different parts of the count rv. He purchased seeds of the various corns brought from the north to the south. He always steeped his seed corn in brine, and bv putting worm- wood into the brine it prevented the birds from eating it. He next goes into the structure of soils, the weed plants found in each, what crops various soils are best likely to carry, and the cultural customs in different countries in altogether an intelligent manner, and much in accordance with the practices of to-day. There are chapters upon chalk, lime, and marl, and also on various manures — all exceedingly interesting. He recommends sowing '' rye in the dust and wheat in the dirt," and he may have been the originator of this old farmers' saving. Of the different wheats he speaks of the eggshell as a good white on light lands. In Essex they largely sow the red-bearded wheat, in Oxford- shire the long cone wheat, in Staffordshire the red lammas, in Berkshire a variety of what they call pendulum wheat, from the hanging of its ear. Of barleys, the rathripe or patney in Oxfordshire, the Scotch barley in Lincolnshire, and the wheat barley in Staffordshire, shaped like l«arley, but a grain like wheat : " tis much sown at Rowley, Homstal, and Redmore. It makes good bread and malt." Of oats, he refers to a sort of red or naked variety grown in Staffordshire that is fine for oatmeal, '■ because the kernel thrashes out of the hull without carrving it to the mill." Hops are thoroughly discussed. He says in Hampshire they sell water trefoil as dear as hops, as an eighth part of it goes as far as the hops, and it does as well. Several chapters are devoted to live animals of all kinds for stocking the land. The best sort of cow for the pail, he says, is " the long-legged, short-horned cow of the Dutch breed, many givmg two gallons of milk at a meal." Of sh(>ep, he says around London they buy Way-hill sheep, a sort bred in Hampshire, Wills, (S;c., which lamb very early. (There is a celebrated sheep fair at Wi-vhill, Salisbury ; this is probably tlie place he refers to.) He says pigeons are i6o AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. very fond of salt, and the swan sits for six weeks. The cost of work done on the farm was very low in Mortimer's day. Ploughing land, 5^-. per acre ; harrowing, is. ; reaping and binding wheat, 5.5-. per acre, rye, 4.5-. ; mowing oats, is. per acre ; digging garden ground, .\d. per pole; to make a hedge and clean a ditch, 5^. per pole ; to cut grass and make hay of it, 2^- ^^- to 5-S"- per acre. There is an interesting chapter on coppices and what the statutes say regarding the cutting down of the undergrowth and the number of trees to be left standing per acre. Over 100 pages are devoted to gardening, and another lengthy chapter on brewmg, in which he recommends the little book by Sir Jonas Moore, discussed on page 153. Nottingham ale seems to have been a speciality in those days. He gives the recipe for making mum, as recorded in the Townhouse in Brunswick. The " Farmer's Calendar" in directions of monthly work would do credit to any modern publication, and convincing evidence of the importance of Mortimer's book is the fact that it was translated into the Swedish language. BISHOP WILLIAM FLEETWOOD. 1656-1723. Among the arts cherished and improved in the monasteries of early davs I have read of many monks who were skilled in the cultivation of the land, and Sir Richard Benese, of Merton Abbey fame, was one of the earliest exponents in the measuring of land, see page 31. Bishop Fleetwood, the subject of our present review, was the translator of the book of which a facsimile of the title page is given opposite. He was born in the Tower of London in 1656, and educated at Eton and Cambridge. He became chaplain to King William and Mary, and in 1708 was created Bishop of St. Asaph, being translated to Ely six years afterwards. He died at Tottenham in 1723, and was buried in Ely Cathedral. He was considered one of the best preachers of his clay, and his writings were generally read and admired, their influence being confirmed by the benevolent heart and mind which produced them. In a learned discourse, called the author's preface, he states that in the most happy ages of the world men fed only upon the products of the earth, and he regrets that in his day the love of ease and luxury hindered any proper application being given to perfect agriculture and gardening. He maintains that all the illustrious families of the Roman Common- wealth were descended from herdmen, ploughmen, and gardeners, the rich and vicious dying away because of their want of stamina, such as is lusj/or WILLIAM FLEL'/rwoon. Curiollties j^attttc and ^rt I N HUSBANDRY AND • GARDENING. CONTAINING Several new Experiments in the Improve- incm of Land, Trees, Friiirs, ^c. And alfo nice • and ufeful Obfcrvations relating to the Vegetation and Propagation of Plants ; with choice Secrets to make Plants, Flowers and Fruits larger, more beautiful, and to ripen earlier than ufuai. . cnttli frtjcral Copper Cutief. LONDON. Printed for D. Br#>m, at the B/jfi Sw*« without '/.';7,;.'.-' B«r ; A. Ilfifr, at the B!»ik B$j over agiinft St- Ps^- , psni Churcli in Fifftfirtet ; and FrAn. C*i£SM, lO rte | iautr-Timfle La**, 1707. I —J Flcvtvoini. Sec opposite page. i62 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. only given to those who till the soil. Quintus Cincinnatus, he adds, was working at his plough when news was brought to him that he was created Dictator. There is a chapter on the multiplication of corn. The illustration opposite is also taken from his book, and it is clear, if authentic, that they had more prolific types of barley than are available to-day with all our knowledge. He refers also to a wheat which grows as many as thirty-two stalks, and ten ears on each of them. Each ear had thirty grains, which made in all 320 ears, and 9600 grains produced from one single seed corn. A chapter on nitre as the salt of fruitfulness, and its virtues as being wonderful for the multiplication of vegetables and of animals, is quite a learned discourse upon its value and uses from the days of antiquity. Although his book does not contain any lengthy advice pertaining to agriculture, the original writer, the Abbot de \'allemont, deserves a notice in this volume as being one of the first to apply his kno\vledge of chemistry practically to the cultivation of the soil. There was a time when the farmer scoffed at such an application, and many were the wild theories published by dabblers in science which practical cultivators quoted in justification of their scoffs. In no department is the union of practice with science more beneficial than in that of dealing with the fertilitv of the soil. It exhibits in a light to the most obvious the intimate connection of the sciences; the mechanism of our implements, the physiology of our animals and plants, the chemistry of their food, and the geology of our soils are all subjects upon which volumes have been written since Dr. I^leetwood translated from the French the book I am now discussing. In 1707 he published anonvmouslv his " Chronicon Pretiosum," a book verv valuable for its research and general accuracv on the value of money and the price of corn and other commodities for the previous six centuries. The question had occurred whether the statutes of a college making the possession of an estate of ;^5 per annum a bar to the retention of a fellowship were to be interpreted literally or with regard to the altered value of money. Fleetwood clearly makes good the more liberal interpretation. nisno]' wii.i.iAM Fi.i:i:r\vo()i). Fleef'.vood. See Dp/us-tr pai M 2 i64 AGRICULTURAL WRULERS. GILES JACOB. 1686-1744. The photograph opposite is from a scarce little book written by a country gentleman fond of the pursuit of agriculture and gardening, and no work of the same bulk previously noticed has contained such useful matter. Agriculture has ever needed the assistance of educated men in its practice, and it seems extraordinary that it should have derived most of its valuable advancements from many who were not professional cultivators. Even when no originality comes ^ from the labour of education on that point, the existing practice is adorned and rendered attractive. Jacob was born at Romsey in 1686. After serving an apprenticeship to the law, he became secretary to the Hon. W. Blathwayt, a celebrated courtier in the reign of William and Mary. His book relating to country matters forms a volume of 132 pages, and shows the writer to have been a man of considerable learning, and although he professes to have no thoroughly practical knowledge of farming, his constant association with those who worked on his own estate enabled lum to seize the prominent parts which related to the improvements of the day, and place them in the brighter view which arose from his education. Lands, he says, are improved by soiling, draining, watering, and grubbing. Clover and rye grass appear to have taken his fancy as being extraordinary crops for enriching lands, especially when fed off with sheep; indeed, he fed it for three years and then sowed again. Nowadays such a mixture as this is rarely left down more than one year. The wages of his time are given in cxtenso and also the produce of crops. He reckoned an acre of good wheat to produce 30 bushels, which is more than the average to-day. Oats and barley he put down at from 20 to 40 bushels, and he considered a load of hay to the acre as a good return from meadows. The wideness of a hedge between tenant and tenant as fixed and allowed by statute he puts at 3ft., while between lord and lord the bounds extend to 4ft. Freeholders who object to paying tithes for other people may be interested to know that by Stat. 7 & 8 Wm. III. and 3 & 4 Anne two disinterested justices of the peace have, or had in his day, the power to determine complaints relating to tithes under the value of 40.S-. On the breeding of horses Jacob advised a strong similarity in the parents, and that they are well shaped, especially the mare, which the foal most resembles. Young horses should not be handled or broken to use until the age of four years. It is feared in these times of rapidity they are turned into useful stuff long before that age. The marks of a good cow are full chest, thick on the ribs, hair lying smooth and shining, (;//./:.s y.i('n/>>. 165 T H t , Countiy Gentli K4DE ME CUM. .^ ONTAIMJNCf : An Accountof the be/1 Methodsto imnrovo Lands, pjovvjng .and fencing of Cort Re.-\pir.gi Mowing, G^f. Hedging, Difci;- ing, and all. Sorts of Huebandrv. of ITorfe.s CauJe, RfCfip?5 tient to then), Sn.! Iriihn:: 0 cur? D'f.'nf-': ii- .•;. ling of Ciitt!' Of Deer antra J :- i^.f Building an<1 cf mcafurijic: tli« ^ rxs; Cajnc. fi!.'. ponds, ^J>c. Prices of T:m'-.:r a::! .-.".l 5, ; WorI, Nvjth tl.c Art fime, Q?c. RulesfovManagcnwfTtora Fnmily, livpcnceinllating flndDrinkiPf^ ; Duty and Places of Servants, fc^r. Account of Gardening in general, :i> Soil, i-nnt.- Trees, Greens, Flowers, and' I'orrcft-trces, do psce- Woods, ^c, and their Culture. And ot Nx^n- ralb'iilcfophy, P^-c. in fevcral diftina Chapters. . To v.hich is added, A general Dcfcriprion of Ennlard, and particularly oi Lcncbti, \\ith an Account if.f the Taxes, Reve- nues, Goveri:mcnt, Great Offices, and Conrt.s of 'Judicature o(E>?,^Lz»c}, fjpc. And legal Obfcrvati- ons on the fcvc'rai C!)apters throughmit the whole By C. Jacob, Gent. \ LONDON: Printed for Wn.LiA>i.T/vr-o«. at rhc ! Ship in Pater-Tto/fer-roiif, 1717. Price £ /. <» ^. Jacvb. See opposite pagi 1 66 A GRIC UL rURA L WRITERS. V t f^ Ki***"- • -, W^r- V^ ^ 1 '* '^M^.^:'-' .. -^/i-vv : ^^%.^^V-&,. ^^4 ^^- Frontispiece from Jacob's "Country Gentleman.'''' See page 164. A'/;/'. J()//.\ /..trA'AWCE., i()j haiulsoinr ami rouiul shai)c R. B R A D L E V/ 'Profijjlr of Botany in ti.e Umverfity of Cambridge. arJ r. R. S. L 0 N D 0 N: Printed for James Woodman, ^^^^ David Lyon, \n RiiffA-p.mt, Co-.-r.it-Gardai. M.ncc.xvv; (Price 1 s.) Title l>agL- of one of Brtnlley's hooks. See opposite pai;,. 173 A GRIC UL TURA L WRITERS. House, Kensington. He was a Fellow of the Roval Society, and in 1720 was elected Professor of Botany at Cambridge. It is not improbable that he may have been educated for the medical profession, inasmuch that he attempted to lecture on the Materia Medica, and that the Royal Society ever had a favourable inclination to the cullers of simples. That he should have been admitted to the Professorship at Cambridge, how- ever, is surprising, as his unfitness for such an ol^ce was soon apparent, and his ignorance of the learned languages rendered him out of place in one of the principal seats of classical learning. When we look upon the array of his works, and find in them that acuteness of observation and superiority of attainment which are especially their characteristics, and then reflect that his end was ignominious, and that even the place of his grave is unknown, we feel the justice of this conclusion : The fruits of his excellency remain, whilst all traces of their author and his short- comings have perished. The historical parts of his \\orks may still be read with pleasure. They abound with information collected from books and men of practical intelligence, with whom he maintained an extensive correspondence : otherwise, if we except some experiments which he instituted to prove the circulation of the sap and the sexuality of plants, they contain little but Avhat our more perfect knowledge has superseded. Little as the original information is of which he was the author, vet he must be regarded as one of the best friends of both agriculture and horticulture, for his industry and talents were not mean, and, although unadorned by deep learning, they ensured him a certain amount of respect from posterity. The offence of Bradley was neither immoral nor criminal, and a just charity may decide that the good he effected much over- lialanced his delinquencies, as he must have laboured indefatigably, and, however much his methods are deplored, was certainly a benefactor in his day. The theoretical and scientific views which he had of vegetation and the practical cultivation of the land — views which he endeavoured to illustrate with experiments and knowledge obtained from the experienced — contributed greatly to direct the attention, both of amateurs and professionals, into the true path — " science with practice " — for acquiring a correct knowledge of the art. His works ran through many editions, and had a very wide circulation ; and, although the contents of many of them were largely culled from earlier writers, they coincided most opportunely with the increasing love of matters pertaining to farming and gardening, and it is certain that they helped to improve both. Richard Bradley died at Cambridge in November, 1732. RiriiARi) /:k\t/)j. /■:>'. X ./ • Frontispiece «f Bradley s "Country G( ntleman.'" See pnt^e 171 74 A GRIC UL TURA L WRITERS. THE EXPERIMEN TAL HUSBANDMAN, and GARDENER: C O K r A I N I N G A N E W METHOD Of I M P R O V I N G • ESTATES and GARDENS,' By Cultivating and Iricreafing of Forreft-Trees, Coppice- Woods, Fiuit-Trees, Shrubs. Flowers and Greenhoafes, ;uid Exotick Pknts, after feveral Manners ; viZ^ by Layers, Cuttings, Roots, Leaves, ^c WITH Great Variety of New D ;Scovbries relating to Cuffing Tetcbmion ot Borcing, Inlrchinn. Emplaflrition, and Inoculation ; of Rcvcrfms ot 1 R e e s- and pfgefting th«ir J u j c e s to bring .them to bear F h ir i r. With feveral N em: Experiment s for the Fertilizing of Stubborn Soils. By G. A. AG Rl COL A, M. D. 'Irar.pud from'the Original xnh Reviarks : and -adurnd ^ith Cuts. The Second EditiOxK. To wiiich ii now added. An APPENDIX, containing a Variety of Experi- ment s. lately praftifed upon the above Syilem, By /?. B RA D L E r, ProfelTor of Botany at Cambridge, and f. B- S. . L 0 K T) OX, ,i fa: \V. Mearj, :.t the Lam!> ; aud F. C i- ^'.thout TartlBar. J.I.DCC.XXV1 , .t ;:.. Biih, Bradley. See page 1 7c KICIIARI) UKA /)/./:} THE RICHES O F A HOP-GARDEN E X P L A I N ' D, Trora the. fcvcrrtl Improvements aiiiing by rhat Beneficial PLANT: As well to the private Cultivators of it, as tothePublick. With the Obfcrvations and Remarks of the rrioft celebrated Hop-Planrers in Britain. Wherein fuch Rules are Uid down for the Mjnacement of the Hop, as may imprdve the moft barren Ground, from one Shilling to thirty or ftfrty Pounds an Acre fcr Annum. Jn which is pirticul.irly fet forth, the whole Gulture from the firft breaking up of the Ground, the Plant - ir.r, I3c. to the Kilning, or Drying of the Hop. Kendred f.imiliar to e\'ery Cxpaciry. By R. BRJDLE7\ ProfclTor of Botany in the UnivcrCcy of C^OT^r/i^.-, and F. R. S. /. O N D O N: Primed for Charles p a v i i in Pstcr-'njicr Ra- and Thomas G r b e s at Charir:^-Croff, ^JDCCXX'!V Bradley. Sa- fiiijrc 176 A GRIC UL TL ^RA L WRITER S. U Ma Fruntispiece from Bradley's "Riches of a Hop Garden." Seepage 170. S'n:PHEX SWITZF.R. Ichmgraphia RujUca : OR, THE Nobleman>Gentleman,and Gardener's RECREATION. CONTAINING Directions for the general Di- ftribution of a Country Seat, into Rural and Extenfive Gardens, Parks, Paddocks, &c.. And a General Syftem of Agriculture, ILLUSTRATED WitR--' great Variety of COPPER -PLATES, done by the beft Hands, from the AUTHOR'S Drawings. VOL. I. By StEPHEK SwiTZrr, ,G^rdener, Several Years Servant to Mr. London and Mr. Wife. • ::iStumq-^ una dentrrc la{>')Tfm .■ Odeati! Ofama! merits fars maxima, aoftrx, M^cc::as l^'-lagotj; yoUm dt ■"J" fttenti. Virg. Georg. 2. LONDON, Printed for 1): riow:e wnhmt ■ TcwjlcBar i?- Ba.lcr^nd CAjr^m JfeJImm fiei-HaUy ^ ^^^^^ri w'itliout Temple-Bar, and R. Qoprg in Fleet ftrcet, 1718.^ . ___ S-witzer. See page 1 78. A GRICUL TURAL WRITERS. STEPHEN SWITZER. 1682-1745. Although this enlightened man was more of a gardener than of an agriculturist, he deserves mention in our list, because in most of his writings he has much to say that is interesting to the farmer; indeed, the book of which I reproduce the title page comes quite within our text. He also wrote "The Country Gentleman's Companion, or Ancient Husbandry Restored and Modern Husbandry Improved," and " An Account of the Lucerne, Sanfoin, Clover, and Other Grass Seeds, with a Method of Burning Clay for the Dressing of Land," but the book I illustrate on page 177 was evidently his mao^iiiim opus. This work is in three octavo volumes of a thin size, in about 260 pages each. A long preface fills fifteen pages, and the contents follow of each volume separately. A historical sketch is given from the earliest notice down to the time of the author, and is succeeded bv an essay concerning earth, water, sun, and air, and the process of nature in vegetation. The raising of forest trees is treated, and of the timbers in parks and policies. Figures and delineations are given, with the application of instruments for special purposes. Orchards are largely treated, and woods and groves described and figured. The purely agricultural part of the work occupies the second part of the third volume, and is contained in six chapters. The sections mention the subject matter, as the management and improvement of arable land by the plough, spade, &c. ; of winter fallowing ; of earths and their improvements ; of the nature of dungs, sheep and hogs, poultry ; of marble, chalk, and lime used before sowing ; the superficial dressings are coal ashes, wood ashes, kiln ashes, sawdust, turf ashes, lime, malt dust, sea sand, loam, loamy sand, burnt vegetables, soap and pot ashes, soot, rags, pigeons' dung, sea shells, burn bating, burning of meadows and pasture ground by heath and fern, claying, and by inclosures ; of ploughs and ploughing; of sowing ; of draining of lands ; on hop yards and the management. At this period he was evidently not a master man, for he traces the absence of improvement to the ignorance of the practitioners, and that ignorance to the want of encouragement under which they were labouring. Instead of being treated as a superior member of the establishment he says, " too many masters have no more s/7:r///:.y s\vii/.i:r. 179 rci^ard for a gootl man rhan tlu-v liaxc tor a do-;- l)o\- ; at b*. st ho must hr suhicit lo the ill-t real niciit ot any rfii^iiini^ parasite, or those that get their lixiiig by tale bearing, and often by something worse." A situation whitli rencU-red its holder Hable to sneh (h-gradation would onlv be held by those worthy of no bettiT treatment. " We see some of them in good places, too." says Switzer, " who never open a book, nor ean the\- either read, s])ell, or ])ronounee rightly the names of the ver\- plants and herbs the\- e\i-r\ moment haxc in \ie\\ ." Andd this state of rural affairs, Switzer eanu- forw^ard as a reformer, and he met. as w e shall see presently, with the usual fate of reformers — contumely, misrepresentation, and persecution. Stephen Switzer \vas a general gardener and seedsm.in of the reigns of Anne and (leorge I. lie was a native of llam])shire, and his famiK descendants still linger in the county, some in humble life, and the memorials of others may be seen in the churciiyard of Ilvde i)arish, in Winchester. He acquired his knowledge of the art under the great masters of the day, London and Wise, ^vho had a great nursery garden where Brompton Cemetery now stands, having been, as he states in the title page of his " Icnographia Rustica," for several years their servant. He completed his apprenticeship at the close of the seventeenth century. In 1706 he was employed under London in laying out the grounds of Blenheim. When Mr. London was superintendent of the Royal gardens at St. James's, Switzer was employed in the capacity of kitchen gardener. In 1724 he was in the service of the Earl of Orrery. He appears at one time to have been in some capacity servant to Lord Brooke, to Lord liathurst, and also to Lord W\ Russel, who suffered in 16S3. ( )f this true nobleman he thus speaks : 1 must not pass over the character of one of the best of masters. I mean the Right Honourable the Lord William Russel, son of the then Karl of Bedford. I shall not pretend to touch upon the matter of his unhappy fall, that being set in a true liglit by other hands; it shall suffice me to say as I had it from a near and dear relation, that by the loss of that zealous as.scrter of the liberties of his country, besides those and the more natural properties of a tender husband and father, the world was deprived of one of the best of masters and encouragers of arts and sciences which that age produced, for, being possessed of a plentiful fortune b\' the marriage of his virtuou*^ lady, he made Stratlon, about se\en miles from Winchester, his seat. The grounds at Southampton House were also of his making. (jardeners and foresters in his time were accustomed to ply about Westminster Hall and tlu; Koyal Exchange, offering tret^s, seeds, tS:c., for sale. In the lirst-named place, having commenced business as a nurseryman and seedsman, he kept a stand for the sale of his productions, bearing the sign of the i-"lower i^ot, close by the entrance to \ 2 i8o AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. the Court of Common Pleas, and here is a copy of one of his bills for seeds sold to Lord Fairfax : To the Rt. Honcr'ble the Lord Fairfax, Feby. 27th, 173! Per Stephen Switzer. £s. . Publifh'd for the Benefit ofthe Farmers in that Kingdom, ^_>' f^^ Honourable Society j^r Imp'ov'^ ing in the Kjtoiv ledge of oAgrieulture, Enter'd in St at ion er's-Ha i. l. * EDINBURGH: ^tinted by Robert Fleming and Compant, 17^'^" Society 0/ Improvers. See page 184. ]84 AGRICULTURAL WRUFERS. Gayer, by whom he had two daughters and one son. He died in i 73_i at the age of eighty-one, and a monumental inscription on the south wall of Rougham Church records his many virtues.^ The book opens with an address to the reader bearing upon the tex<- that a man must know his Creator before he betake himself to any worldly affairs, for without this knowledge "he ploweth and soweth in vain." The soils of Flanders and England are compared, and the value of flax extolled. The cost of preparing the land for this crop is put at ;^I56 for 25 acres, and the return at ^^918. Turnips are thought to be a valuable crop, but to make cattle eat them it w^as considered necessary " to breed them up from their dams bv hand," and horses had been seen that declined grass directly sliced carrots were put before them, which they ate like hogs. (I believe some of the railway companies feed their horses largely on carrots to-day.) In Flanders, it is stated, they have a kind of sheep that ordinarily bring five or six lambs apiece by feeding the ewes with roots, and he recommends the same breed to be brought over here. The Bruges capon is stated to be as large as two English capons. " The veal, too, is very white, because the calves are given as much new milk as they can drink twice a day." The pigeons were fed with buckwheat and flax, which made them breed apace. It is suggested that all this information is very useful for a younger brother to know, that he may keep himself properly until he attained to his eldest brother's estate. The culture of flax is next detailed. A way to make infinite proht by skarots — carrots are probably intended — and all about Roman beans, which are made out to be very remunerative. This portion of the book finishes with a statement referring the reader to the elaborate treatise which follows on the management of fish, written by a person of honour and great worth in the county of Norfolk. SOCIETY FOR IMPROVING KNOWLEDGE IN AGRICULTURE IN SCOTLAND. The photograph on page 183 refers to an intelligently written book of 173 printed pages, containing chapters upon the various subjects mentioned, with others on weaving, bleaching, and spinning, and references to many Acts applying specially to planting and manufacturing linen cloth, w'ith diagrams of French and Dutch looms, and tools for flax dressing, and the upkeep of highways, bridges and ferries. * " The Autobiography of the Hon. Roger North." Edited by Augustus Jessopp, D.D. London. 1887. 8s. Another edition in "The Lives of the Norths." Edited by A. Jessopp. V'oL 3. Bohn's Standard Library. 1890. yr.riiRo /cl/.. 185 Horfe-Hoing Husbandry : O R, A N E S S A Y On the P R I s. > TILLAGE and FEGETATION. Wherein is diewii A M r T i{ or) of introducing a Sort oi Vineyard- Culture into the Corn-Fields, In order to Increafc their Product, and dimini/h the common E.v[x;ncc; By the Ule of r.xsTRUMENTs defoflSHPtnC U T S. By IT. Cum P/ivilegio Regia: Majeftalis. L 0 N D 0 N : -». and Sold by C. Sirahan in CenbUi; T. WM,la>at,i ^■^ 7fj«.7i J. ■ ■I: and J. BriWty in W u /' ' MUCCXXXIU. Jet/iro full. Set' pn^ife i86. i86 AGRICULTURAL WRFTERS. JETHRO TULL. 1674-1740. I.\ any list of distinguished English farmers this writer must always hold an important position, for, utterly regardless of all selfish considerations, he not only made great and successful efforts for the promotion of agriculture, but he conducted those valuable researches particularly known in the book of which I reproduce the title-page of two editions, a work that will hand him down to all ages as a patriot, who, undaunted by the natural difficulties of the attempt, attained great and important advances in cultivating and increasing the fertility of the land, and in enlarging the resources of the follower of a profession to which he was not originally bred ; yet, knowing as he did the correctness of the principles for Avhich he so nobly contended, he never relaxed his endeavours to induce their general adoption, and, as with many before him, it was only after the lapse of many vears, when Tull had long been in his grave, that those principles and the mechanical inventions which he created were commonly adopted. He was the unwearied advocate of drill sowing and frequent hoeing — - the greatest improvements which have been introduced into the modern practice of tillage. The saving of seed effected by this practice is no small consideration, for let it be remembered that millions of acres are annually sown to grow food for man and his assistant animals, and that by drilling more than one-third of the requisite seed is saved. But this is of trivial importance when compared with the facility that drilling affords for the destruction of weeds and loosening the soil by the hoe. Every weed is really a robber depriving cultivated plants of a portion of their nourishment, and hindering them from light and air. The benefit derivable from the practice of loosening the soil is too well known to need repetition. Before Tull's time thick sowing broadcast and the scanty employment of the hoe Avere the custom of the day, and when Tull adopted and published a work recommending a practice totally the reverse, though many came to see his " new system of husbandry," yet they for the most part derided it, and his very labourers thwarted him in " his new-fangled ways." Yet he wrestled firmly and undauntedly against all difficulties. Tull was educated at Oxford, and admitted a student of Gray's Inn, being ultimatelv called to the Bar, but acute disease drove him from a sedentarv life, vet not into idleness. During his travels in search of health he directed his attention to the agriculture of the countries through which he passed, and, finding that in France they never manured their vineyards, he rashly concluded that all plants might be similarly treated. Like many other inventors, he yr.ruRo rrii.. 187 I lorfc-Iioeing Husbandry : O R, An ESSAY on the PRINCIPLES O F Vegetation and Tillage. Dcfigned to intioducc A N F. w Method of C u l t u r e - W n F. R E B Y The Produce of Land will be Increafed, and tlie ufiial Expence leflened. Together with Accurate Descriptions and Cuts of the Inftriimcncs employed in it. By J E T' H R C) T U L L, £/^; Of Shalbornc in- Bcrklhire. The Third Edition, very carefully Corrcfted, To which i'. prcl.xcd. A New P R E F A C E by the Editors, addrcfToJ to all concerned in Agriculture. nmmg LONDON: Printed for A, Millar, oppofirc to C(Hberif.'rJfr'ei: in tlie Slrand. Jcthro Tiill. See opposite page. 1 88 A GRIC UL TURA L WRITERS. arrived at some conclusions not justified by his experiments, and among these errors was the opinion that hoeing and pulverising the soil might supersede the use of manure altogether ; but he lived to see his mistake, and, what is still more worthy, to acknowledge it. He first of all settled down on a paternal farm at Crowmarsh, near Wallingford, but gave this up after a few years and went abroad. Upon returning to England, he occupied his own farm of Prosperous at Shalborne, in Wiltshire, and commenced that warfare to win success against adverse circumstances which only ceased with his death. The tradition of his neighbourhood is that when confined to his couch by incurable maladies he carried on his experiments in boxes placed before his windows, sowing his seed and trying his surface-stirring processes with all the enthusiasm of an inventer. He shared the fate of all those who, as discoverers, have the temerity to disturb old systems. He was ridiculed, thwarted, and opposed in every way even by those who ought to have known better, and although his neighbours pronounced him a lunatic, everything one can find connected with the history of this great benefactor to agriculture is to-day of the greatest interest to the farmers of this and all other countries. His horse-hoe system taught the farmer that deep ploughing and pulverisation of the soil render a much smaller application of fertilisers necessary, and his drill has saved in seed alone the food of millions. Certam chapters of his only book that I am aquainted with, " The Horse-hoe Husbandry," were published in quarto in 1731, the chief volume in 1733, in folio, and in the same year some additions were prmted which are not found in many of the copies of that year, or even in that of later ones. Cobbett, however, was careful to add it to an octavo edition, which he printed in 1829. In this he omitted only the plates of the ploughs and other agricultural implements, but he added an introduction, in which he eulogises Tull and vituperates those who had adopted Tull's plans without acknowledging the source of their obligation, not remembering that many a TuUian improvement has often been made, since our author's time, by plain, practical farmers who never even heard the name of Tull mentioned. As before stated, Tull published an addenda to his husbandry in the same year that the first large edition appeared — 1733. In this he takes more notice than was perhaps necessary of certain attacks which had been made upon his book by the members of a certain " equivocal society," amongst whom was the celebrated Stephen Switzer, the most talented seedsman, gardener, and horti- cultural author of the days. It appears, too, that a society of gentlemen in Dublin had, without his leave, reprinted for distribution his "specimen chapters," all of which annoying circumstances evidently irritated him. Besides these controversial notices, the long addenda does not contain anything very valuable. Time has settled pretty well the respective •yr.ruKo ni.i. GEORGE R. GEORGE the Second by the Grace of OJ, King of Grc.it Britain 1 ranee, r.nd Ireland, Dejauicr of the lumb, &c. Wo all to nchon- the/e i >;£i'''J^^s Jhall eomc. Greeting: Whereas one Truflv and IVclbehvcj Jethro Till! of Shalborne ui the Countv of Berks, L/h. has humbh yj prcfnted unto m, 7 hat he has, ivifh-great Labour and Expence, made'Plates for dejcrtbtng nr^ Infmunents of Husbandry, indented by himfelf, and alfo compofd a Book being the Refult of divers Objervations and' Experi- ments ?nade by htm during the Courfe of many ^ars, the Publication of ivhich I:>e concercesiiillbe of fublukVfe and Benefit, Entitled [« TheHorle^- « Hoing Husbandry ; or an E% on the Principles of Tillage and Ve'^eta- -« tion: Wherein is fhewn, a Method of Introducino; a Sort of Vineyard- ^' Culture into theCorn-Fields, in order to increafe dieir Product and di- ' muufli the common Expence, by the Ufeof Inftruments, defcribed in Cuts. ] And has humbly befoughfUs to grant him Our Royal Privilcrc and amfe,for:thefok Printing and Publifmig thereof, for the Term of fhurteen ^ ^ ears ; We being loilling togi^je all due Encouragement to fo ifcful a Work, arc i.gracioufly pleajed to condefcend to his Requcfl ; And do therefore by the fe Pre- ; 'Jf^^ PJ"^"" "^ "'^y he agreeable to Law, grant unto him thefaid jethro Tull '|^f^^"^'^^^'^^^^'¥'-^^<'''^^'?'^4^'^^,0//rZ,/r^«/? forthefole Printing a?id ^^ublfhing the Jaid Book, for the Term of fourteen Tears, to be computed from ^be Bate hereof, friBly forbidding all our SubjeSls within our KinUoms .^d Dominions to Reprint or Abridge the fame, either in the like or any other .^olume or Volumes lihatfoe^oer ■ or to import, buy, vend, utter, or di/iribute ;f -yzy Copies thereof reprinted beyond the Seas, during the a/ore/aid Term of \ fourteen 7 ears, 'without the Confent or Approbation of the faid jethro Tull his Heirs, Executors, andAffigns, under their Hands and Seals fir}} had and obtained as they -will anfhver the contrary at their Perils ; tdrre-f the .Oonmijioners and other Officers of our Cufloms, and the Mafter, Warder and Umpany of Stationers are to take Notice, That Obedience be rendered to our Fieafure herein declared. Given at Our Court at St. James'c th" .ticentyruntb Day of January, 173;, in the Sixth Tear of our Rei'rp ' By Uis Majeflys Command, no L L E S N E W CASTLE. From Jethru Tull's " llusba-ndry'' See page iS6. I go AGRICULTURAL WRTTERS. merits of the contending parties. The fame of Tull has steadily increased, while the name and works of the classical Switzer are too little known amongst modern cultivators. Jethro Tull died in 1740, and was buried at Basildon, in Berkshire. Like many more exponents of fresh ideas who came before their time, the value of his work remained unacknowledged until many years after his death, this is the more surprising because his son, John Tull, was a writer and a man of enterprise, to whom England was indebted for the first introduction of post-chaises and the establishment of fish markets in London. The best account of his life, times, and teachings is that by Earl Cathcart."^ It was only about thirty years after the death of Jethro Tull that Arthur Young arose as the great apostle of mixed agriculture. What he taught was that in English farming grazing w^as of primary, and arable management of only secondary, importance. Still, he was fully impressed that the proportioned farm, of all others, was the most profitable, and that in the origin of the four-field system, not acreage, but relative produce, was to form the basis of apportionment in order to maintain that cardinal requisite — the equilibrium of summer and winter provender. Even in his enlightened days he was not above the prejudices that prevailed generally against the new husbandry, as Tull's system came to be called, and he prophesied many things ; but he lived long enough to see cause for retracting most of his objections, and I consider he would be a clever man who could contradict the fact that Jethro Tull was the originator of the first English drill-sowing machine for use with corn or fallow crops, and that kind of interculture peculiar to the fallow crops, and that his principles have not been introduced into the practice of every enlightened farmer in Great Britain, and as Arthur Young himself says in his " Annals of Agriculture, "t " He has left a name in the world which probably will last as long as the globe we inhabit.'" ARTHUR YOUNG. 1741-1820. On September iith, 1741, was born Arthur Young, of whose writings it has been justly said, that " they produced more private losses and more public benefit than those of any other author." Thev occasioned those losses by tempting the unpractised to become farmers, and the farmers to try unprofitable experiments ; and they occasioned * See Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society, March, 1891. t Vol. XXIIL, p. 172. ARTiirR vorxd. T II E Farmer s> Instructor; O R, T H K Husbandman and Garden ir\s Useful and Necessary COMPANION. BEING A New Treatise ot Husbandry-, (J \r- DEN'iNC, and other curious Matters r.!..ti!ig to Country Af pairs. CON 'J- A I N [ N G A Plain and Practical Method nf ini]irovin^ all Sorts ' of //(?J./5:y, Paflure, and Arabic Lr.i;,l, iic. and making them produce greater Crops of .ill Kinds, and at much lefs than the prefcnt Expencc. WITH Many New, Ufeful, and Curious Improvements, never before Publifhcd. Fir ft begun by Samuel T r o w e l l, Gc/if. and Now compleated with a Svpplemln r to every Cii mtfr on HusnvNDRY ; giving an Acccu..t liow poor J.im), rot worth above Five Shjllingi an Acre, may be midi* to b"ar as good Crops of Grain, (irafs, iifr. a^ the richi;i, afttr a very theap Mani.cr of Pcrformanre, by the Uic of a New- invented F.xcellcnt Four- Wheel Drill-l'lcugii, which carries on it a Sccd-Hcppcr and a M.mareUo; per, wi^h a little Harrow; all which are fo ight, t!i:it a Man may c-afily draw it. By Willi a m E l i. i .^, Farnu-r, At Little -GadAtjJen, in li.nj.. <.!.»!. LONDON: Fritted or J. Hodges, at t!ie h.iko-T-Ciljft, over-2gainJl A very interestintf book. See also page 193. 1,92 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. public benefit even by the wisdom gained from those failures, but still more by diffusing agricultural knowledge among the cultivators of the soil. "We will not assert," says one critic, "that in all cases his conclusions were correct, or his judgment unimpeachable, but even his blunders, if he committed any, have tended to the benefit of agriculture, by exciting discussion and criticism." Let us add, that every gardener, every farmer, and every amateur confers a benefit upon his fellow cultivators by recording his failures as well as his successful experiments, — just the same as a lighthouse is equally valuable whether it shows the rock to be avoided or the harbour for which we are to steer. He was descended from a very respectable family, who resided upon their estate at Bradfield, Crowhurst, Bury St. Edmund's. His father was the Rector there. He was educated at Lavenham and entered a merchant's office at Lynn. From childhood Mr. Young had a great fondness for farming, and exhibited at least an equal power for literary composition ; yet the great mistake was made of spending some hundreds of pounds, and as effectually wasting a still greater number of his days, in endeavouring to break down his mind to the craft of a wine merchant. Nature was invincible ; so that instead of devoting his thoughts to Ihe topography of the European vineyards, and the art of rendering their produce agreeable to British palates, he ^^■rote novels and a political pamphlet, the reward for which — ten pounds' worth of books from the publisher — was always remembered as causing a most memorable pleasure. Now occurred the death of his father ; and he found himself, his apprenticeship being expired, his own master, with a freehold of 20 acres, producing as many pounds annually, and his mother in possession of 80 more acres, at Bradfield. She urged one willing to assent when she asked him to reside with her, and undertake the cultivation of her farm. He accepted her proposal, and the result may be told in his own words : " Young, eager, and totally ignorant of every necessary detail, it is not surprising that I squandered large sums under golden dreams of improvement." It is the less surprising, because he had a thirst for experiment without a knowledge of what is required to secure success. Undaunted by failure, and uiisobered by experience, he married unsuitably, and undertook the cultivation of Sampford Hall, in Essex. It embraced 300 acres of good arable land, yet want of capital, want of practical knowledge, and that still more bitter want — the want of 'a help mete for him," drove him from the farm ; yet the tenant, to whom he gave £100 to take the lease off his hands, realised upon it a fortune. Still unshaken from his love of the soil, he sought for another farm and the search furnished materials for his " Six Weeks' Tour through the Southern Counties " — a work popular, and passing through several editions, yet resulting to himself in no greater good at the t'me than ARTHUR i()rx(;. ■03 194 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. beguiling him into taking a Hertfordshire farm of lOO acres, by seeing it in a favourable season, and by its having a good residence attached. This farm he has thus described — " 1 know not what epithet to give this soil, — sterility falls short of the idea of such a hungry, vitriolic gravel. I occupied for nine years the jaws of a wolf. A nabob's fortune would sink in the attempt to raise good arable crops in such a country." Finding that it would not return him a subsistence, he accepted an engagement as Parliamentary reporter for the Morning Post, a most incongruous employment for a farmer, because it compelled his absence from his home during six days of the week. Yet he retained it for several years — walking seventeen miles down to his farm every Saturday evening, and returning to London every Monday morning. " I worked," are his own words, " more like a coalheaver, though without his reward, than like a man acting from a predominent impulse." Passing over the publication of several of his agricultural tours, we come to the year 1784 when he commenced his " Annals of Agriculture," in which he appeared both as editor and author throughout its forty-five volumes, until blind- ness closed his literary labours. It had this guarantee of trustworthy- ness — no essay was admitted without the name and address of the writer. Its correspondents, consequently, are singularly eminent ; and even George III. contributed to its seventh volume a report, under the name of " Ralph Robinson," of Mr. Ducket's farm at Petersham. His "Farmer's Kalender" was another remarkable book in its day, which ran through many editions, revised by many various authors, during last centurv. Undaunted by failure, Mr. Young was about to embark in the cukuation of a vast tract of waste land in Yorkshire, when in 1793 he was appomted to the Secretaryship of the newly established Board of Agriculture. " What a change," he writes, " in the destination of a man's life ! Instead of entering, as I proposed, the solitary lord of 4,000 acres, in the keen atmosphere of lofty rocks and mountain torrents, with a little creation rising gradually around me, making the desert smile with cul- tivation, and grouse give way to industrious population, behold me at a desk, in the smoke, the fog, and the din of Whitehall. Society has charms — true, and so has solitude to a mind employed. The die, how- ever, is cast ; and my steps may still be, metaphorically, said to be in the furrow." But to "the furrow" the society did not exclusively attend. Its transactions were disfigured by political dissertations, and it conse- quently so lost the support and respect of a largf" portion of the agri- culturists who differed from its political tenets, that it ceased to be useful. Government then withdrew from it the annual grant of ^^3,000 ; and in 18 16 the Society ceased to exist. Mr. Young had not been able to perform the duties of Secretary for some years previously; and he did not long survive its failure, for he died in 1820. in the 8oth year of his age, at Sackville Street, London, and was buried at Bradford. ARTHUR VOUXG. 195 Arlhur Young was a person of ardent temperament and much vivacity ot thought. His zeal, enterprise, and energy were quite characteristic of himself, and his labour was untiring and assiduity indefatigable. His services to agriculture were important, and the value would have been greater if he had conlined himself to the sole object of agriculture, and avoided the political and partv themes of which he was ever readv to be the champion and asserter. The writings of Arlhur Young contain a huge mass of miscellaneous information, which had no small effect on the progress of agriculture. It cannot be denied but that he reflected lustre on the age and country in which he lived, and that he filled a large spaci- in the public eye for a long series of years. He was much esteemed abroad, and had many presents sent him from the occupants of thrones, and pupils came to him from various nations to be instructed by his precept and example. In the private relations of life he has never been impeached — his individual worth has met no accusation, and his moral integrity has never been assailed. His characteristics have appeared as our brief narrative has proceeded ; and it is quite clearthat his agricultural attainments were estimated more highly by foreigners than in his own land, for when the Duke of Bedford once breakfasted with Mr. Young, at Bradfield, there were also at the table pupils from Russia, France, America, Naples, Poland, Sicily, and Portugal. I cannot conclude without holding forward prominently that feature of his character, never found among the attributes of the vicious — his pure, unwavering affection for his mother. Full particulars of his life and career will be found in " The Autobiography of Arthur Young, with selections from his correspondence." t^dited by Miss M Belhani-P^dwards. London, i8g8. 8vo. 480 pages. O 2 THE LITERATURb: BIBLIOGRAPHY OF BRITISH AGRICULTI'RE. 1 200 TO 1800. THE LITERATURE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY BRITISH AGRICULTURE These old agricultural writings and books are chiefly to be considered as historical documents of the progress of ojiinions and practices, and this is the reason I have arranged them as nearly in the order of their appearance as possible, instead of classing them according to the subjects treated of, which has been done in Watt's " Bibliotheca Britannica." For Index of Names of Authors, see pages 225 to 22S. 1200-1400.— Manuscripts found in various muscuins and college libraries: Henley, Sik Walter of. Treatise on Husbandry. Reproduced in English in The Boke of Thrift, 1589 ; and also by the Royal Historical Society in 1890. See page 11. Anon Husbandry. \ ^^^ .writers of these are doubtful. See pages 7 and 8. Senescalcia. ) Grossetesfe, Robert. Treatise on Husbandry. Made and translated from the French. See page I I. 1480. — Littleton, Thoma.s. Tenures : a work on the law of real property. The edition I possess is printed in book form and dated 1664. Svo. 1523 — FiTZHERi!ERT, John. Althoutjh all the biographers have brought down the author of this book as Sir Anthony Kitzherbert, there is now no doubt but that Sir Ernest Clarke. M.A., F.S.A., has proved conclusively that it was written by his brother. Thequestion is hilly discussed elsewhere. Seepage 13. A Newe Tracte or Treatyse moo.st Profytable for all Husbandmen. Imprinted by Rycharde Pynson, London. Sm.iU 410. The Booke of Husbandry, Printed bv Thomas Berthelet, Londi)n. 121110. The earliest edition in the British Museum ' I525*'; '^ printed by P. Treverys. And again in 1534. 1548, 1555- 1560, 1562, and 1598. Other editions, including a special issue with notes and glo^sanal inde.v by \\ . U. Skeat. 168 pages. 1882. 200 A GRIC UL TURA L WRITERS. 1537. — Benese, Syr Richarde. Canon of Merton Abbey in Surrey. The maner of measurynge all maner of lande. Printed by James Nicolson, London, 1540. 8vo. Printed by Thomas Colwell, London, 1562. 8vo. Again in 1564. 1556. — DiGGEs, Leonard. A Booke named Tectonicon. briefly shewing the exact measuring and speedie reckoning a manner of Lande, Timber, &c. Small 4to. Other editions to 1692. 1557. — Tl'sser, Tho.mas. A hundreth good pointes of Husbandrie. Printed by R. Tottel. London. Small 4to. Five hundred pointes of Good Husbandry. Printed by R. Tottel, London, 1573 Small 4to. Reprinted in 1576, 1577. Revised and printed bv Henrie Denham, London, 1580. Small 4to. Various other editions, including 1593, 1614, 1620, 1630, 1710, a:d 1812. The whole series reproduced, with notes and glossary, by the English Dialect Society, London, 1878. 8vo. 1572. — M.\scall, Leonard. A Book of the Arte and manner, howe to plant and graffe all sortes of Trees. By one of the Abbey of St. \'incent in France, with an addition of certain Dutch practices, set forth and Englished by L. Mascall. Printed by Henrie Denham for John Wight, London, 1572. 4to. 1575. \'arious other editions to 1656. The Husbandrie, ordering and Government of Poultrie. London, 1581. 8vo. The Government of Cattel, 1.596. London. 410. Other editions to 1680. 1574. — Scot, Rev.nolde. A profite platforme of a Hoppe Garden. Printed by Henrie Denham. London. 4to. \'arious later editions. 1577. — Leigh, \'.\lentine. Most profitable and commendable science of Surveying of Landes, Tenements, &c. London, for Miles Jennings. Other editions, 1578, 1588, 1592. Googe, Barnabe. Four Bookes of Husbandrie by M. Conradus Heresbachius. Newly Englished by B. Googe. Printed by Richard Watkins, London. Small 4to. Other editions, 1586, 1596, 1601, up to 1658. See also Markham, 1607. The Whole Art and Trade of Husbandry. Enlarged by B. Googe. Printed by T. S. for Richard More, London, i5i4. Small 4to. 1589. — Bellot, James. The Booke of Thrift, containing a profite order and right method to profite lands and other thing -f- belonging to Husbandry. Includes a reprint in English of Sir Walter of Henley's Husbandry. Printed for John Wolfe. Small 8vo. 1594.— Pl.\t, Sir Hugh. The Jewel House of Art and Nature, containing sundry experiments in the Art of Husbandry. Peter Short, London. 4to. Another edition, 1653. The Newe and Admirable Arte of Setting of Corne. Peter Short, 1600 and 1601 . 4to. Sundrie New and Artificiall Remedies against Famine. Printed by P. S., dwelling on Bread-street Hill, at the signe of the Starre, 1596. Small 4to. B I BI JOG RAPID'. 20I 1598.— M ANwooi), John. A Taatisf of the Lruves of tin- Forest. Tlionvis WiLjht and Bonh.im Norton. I.omion. 4to. Second edition, 1591). 4to. 1599.— Chi-iuiikv, G. A new Ho>.ke of Good I lushandrv translated from tin- Latin of Duijravius, l^ishop of Olnmtz. Also treats upon lish. W. White, London. Sni.ill 4to. 1600.— SURKI.KKT, RlCH.\KI). Maison Rustique, or the Countrie Farme. Translated from the French of C. Estienne. K. Rollivant for B. Norton. Small 4to. Another edition 1606. 1601. — God Speede the Plongh. Author apparently unknown. Printed for John Harison. 12 pages. London. 4to. 1607.— NORDK.V, JOH.V. Surveyor's Dialogue. Again printed b)- T. Snodham. 1618. 4to. ^L\RRHA.M, GeR\ASK. Cavelarice ; or, the English Horseman. 4to. See page 88. The Husbandman's Faithfull Orchard. 4to. 1608, and again in 1609. Country Contentments; or, the Husbandman's Recreations. London, 161 1. 4to. This work is inscribed to Sir Theodore Newton, Knight. The first book treats of Horses, with two new Treatises, the Arts of Hunting, Hawking, &c., &c. The second is entitled the English Huswife. 1615. 410. 1623,1631, 4to. Fifth edition, 1633,410. Sixth edition, London, 1639, 4to. 1640,410. 1649, 4^0. 1656, 4to. Newly corrected, enlarged, and adorned with many excellent additions, 1675, 4to., 96 pages. The English Husb.mdman. Two parts in one. T. S. for John Browne, London. 4to. 1613. Other editions 1614, 1615, and 1635. The Country Farme. Identical with Surfleet, 1600, but augmented by G. .M. J. B. for Roger Jackson, London. Again, Adam Bliss for John Bill, London, 1616. Farewell to Husbandry. J. B. for Roger Jackson, London, 1620. 4to. Again in 1625, 1632, 1638, and 1649. Cheap .ind Good Husbandry. London, 1614, 1621, 1623, 1633, 1648, 1668, 1683 and other editions. 4to. Enrichment of the Weald of Kent. G. F. for R. Jackson, 1625, 163 1, and 1636. 4to. 1675 and others. The Whole Art of Husbandry. This appears to he a reprint of Barnabe Googe. 163 1. A Way to Get Wealth. Several of his works in 1 vol. 1628. 4to. Fifteen editions up to 1684. Markham's Maistc;rpiece. Mosllv about horses. I only possess the 4th edition . Imprinted by Nicholas Okes, 163 1. 592 p.iges. 4to. Other editions, 165 1 and 1683. The Perfect Horseman ; or, the Experienced Secrets of Mr. Markham's 50 ye.irs' practice. Published by Lancelot Thetford, London, 1680. i2mo. 1610. — FULK1NGII.\M, W. Feudigraphia. The Synopsis or Epitome of Surveying Methodised. iVinted for R. Moore, London. 4to. Vaughan, Rowlanij. Most approved and long experienced waterworks, cont.iining the manner ot winter and summer drowning of Meadow and Pasture. Dedicated to Earl of Pembroke. Printed by George Eld, London. 4to. 202 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. 1611. — Standish, Arthur. The Commons Complaint. On the planting of Timber and Firewood to suit the soil, and raise better cattle. Printed by \\'. Stansby, and again in 1613. 4to. 1612.— Churtox, R. An Olde Thrift Newly Rovived, wherein is Declared the Manner of Planting, Preserving, and Husbanding Yong Trees of Divers Kindes for Timber and Fuell, and of Sowing Acornes, Chesnuts, Beech-Mast, the Seedes of Elmes, Ashen- Keyes, &c., with the Commodities and Discommodities of Inclosing Decayed Forests, Commons, and Waste Grounds, and also to the use of a small Portable Instrument for Measuring of Board, and the solid Content and Height of any Tree Standing, Discoursed in a Dialogue betweene a Surveyour, Woodward, Gentleman, and a Farmer, divided into Foure Parts. Small 4to. 1626. — Speed, A. or Adolphus. Adam out of Eden ; or. An Abstract of divers e.xcellent Experiments, touching the advancement of Agriculture. London. i2mo. For Henry Brome, 1659. Husbandman, Farmer, and Grazier's Complete Instructor. London, 1697. i2mo For Henrv Nelme. (See text.) 1634. — A Direction to the Hvsbandman in a new, cheape, and Eafie way of Fertiling, and Inriching Areable Grounds, by a mixture of certaine Native Materialls, in fmall quantities with the Seed to fow, and ftrowing the fame vpon the Ground fowed. Wherein is declared the Ordering and Preparation of the Materialls, the manner and proportion of mingling them with the Seed, and ftrowing them upon the Ground: With fundrie other particulars tending to a full and plaine Inltruction of fuch as shall defire to make ufe thereof London, Printed by Auguftine Mathewes. Sm. 4to. 1635. — C.\LTHORPK, Ch.\rles. The Relation between a Lord of the Manor and the Copyholder, his Tenant. London, ^to. 1636. — Crawshev, Joh.\. The Country-man's Instructor. London. 4to. See also 1661. Grvmes, Thomas. The Honest and Plaine dealing Farrier; or, a present remedy for curing diseases and hurts in Horses. London. i2mo. 1637.— Remnant, Richard. A Discourse on Bees, whereunto is added the causes and cure of blasted wheat, hops, rye, and fruit. Together with the causes of smutty wheat. Small 4to. 1638. — Plattes, Gabriel. Harte says he had a bold adventurous cast of mind, and pre- ferred the faulty sublime to faulty mediocrity. As great a genius as he was, he was allowed to drop down dead in London streets with hunger. Treatise of Husbandry. London. 4to. Discourse of infinite Treasure, hidden since the World's beginning, in the Way of Husbandry. London, 1639. Printed for J. E. 4to. Recreatis Agriculture. 1640. 4to. Again in 1656. The Profitable Intelligencer. Containing many e.xperiments in Agriculture. 1644. 4to. Observations and Improvements in Husbandry, Twenty experiments, London, 1653. 4to. The Countryman's Recreation. T. Mabb. 1654. nir,i.i()(iR.\rin'. 203 1642.— \'HKMrinKN, Sik Coknki.ius, a native of Ho ll.iiul, and a coluiitl in CronnvcH's army. Discourses touching the Drayning the great Fenns lying within the several Counties of Lincolnc, Northampton, Huntingdon. Norfolke, Suffolke, Cambridge, and the Isle of Ely. London. 8vo. 1645. — H.VKTi.ii!, S.\MrKi., an ingenious author. Hi- was a great promoter of hirsh.mdry during the times of the Commonwealth, and was much esteemed. Milton addressed i.o him his treatise on education, and Sir William Petty inscribed two letters to him on the same subject. Sir R. Weston and others also helped him. Discourse of Husbandry used in Brabant and Flanders, shewing wonderful Improve- ments of Land there. London. 4to. And again in 1650. Legacy; or, an Enlargement on the Discourse of Husbandry used in Brabant and Flanders. With an appendix. 165 1. 4to. London. Again in 1655. Appendix to the Legacy, relating more particularly to the Husbandry and Natural History of Ireland. London, 1651. 4to. Essay on the Advancement of Husbandry and Learning, with propositions for erecting a College of Husbandry. London, 1651. Printed by Henry Hills. 4to. The Reformed Husbandman; or, a brief Treatise of the Errors, Defects, and Inconvenience of our English Husbandry, in ploughing and .sowing for Corn ; with the Reasons and general Remedies, and a large, yet faithful Offer or Undertaking for the Benefit of them that will joyn in this good and public Work. London, 165 1. 4to. An Invention of Engines of motion lately brought to perfection, whereby may be dispatched any work now done in England or elsewhere (especially works that require strength and swiftnes.s), either by Wind, Water, Cattel, or Men, and that with better accommodation and more profit than by anything hitherto known and used. London : Printed by T. C. for Richard Woodnoth next door to the Golden-heart, in Leader.-Hall-Street, 165 1. Small 4to. The real author of this book was Crersy Dymock. See Reprint in Dirck's Life of Hartlib. London, 1865. Design tor Plenty, by a Universal Planting of Trees; tendered by some well- wishers to the Public. London, 1652. 4to. Discovery for Division or Setting out of Waste Land in England and Ireland. London, R. Woderothe, 1653. 4to. The Complete Husbandman; or, a Discourse of Husbandry, both Foreign and Domestic. And a particular Discourse of the Natural History of Husbandry in Ireland. London, 1659. 4'^'^- 1649.— Blith, W.m.tek. The English Improver, discovering that some land, both Arable and Pasturi', may be advanced Double and Treble, and some Five and Ten-fold. London. 4to. The English Improver improved ; or, the Survey of Husbandry surveyed. London, 1652, 4to. Again in 1653. 1660. LliVBOlRN, WlI.LI.\M. In 1650 appeared Planometria ; or, the Whole Art of Surveying of Land, by '" Oliver Wallinby," the pseudonym being a mere transposition of the letters of Leybourn's name. This was republished with additions and acknowledged by its author in 1653, under the title The Compleat Surveyor. It pa.ssed through four editions in his lifetime; a fifth edition appeared in 1722, edited by Samuel Cunn. Second edition, 1657. Third edition, 1674. 1653.— Alsten, R.alph. A Treatise on Fruit Trees, and directions for planting Woods. Oxford. 4to. Further editions, 1657, 1662, 1667. Bre.vd kok thi-: Poor. R. and H. Leybourn. 204 A GRIC UL TURA L WRITERS. 1656.— Lee, Rev. Joseph. A vindication of a regulated enclosure of Commons. London. 4to. 1657.-SHA, J. Certain plaine and easie demonstrations for the improvement of lande. London. 4to. 1658. — Evelyn, John, F.R.S. An eminent philosopher and patriot, particularly skilled in natural history and the fine arts, was born at Wotton, his father's seat, in 1620 ; and died, and was interred there, in 1705-6. Sylva; or, a Discourse of Forest Trees. London, 1664. Folio. Dr. Hunter, of York, published an edition with copious notes and numerous engravings in 1776. Terra: a Philosophical Discourse of Earth, relating to the Culture and Improve- ment of it for Vegetation, and the Propagation of Plants, as it was p resented to the Royal Society, April 29, 1675. London, 1675. Folio. Pomona : a Discpurse concerning Cider. London, 1679. P'olio. A Spanish Drill piough. (Phil. Trans. Abr. i. 457.) 1670. 1659.— DucKETT, Thom.\s. Proceedings concerning the improvement of all manner of land. 1661.— Stevenson, M. The Twtlve Moneths. A curious book of 59 pages. Small 4to. Crawshi-.v, John. The Good Husband's Jewel; or. Plain and easy directions how to know the means whereby Horses, Beasts, Sheep, &c., come to have many diseases, and the way to cure them perfectly, &c. Yorke. 8vo. Fifth edition. 1662.— MiLE.'i, Abraham. The Countryman's Friend. Cure of diseases to men and animals. London. 8vo. Atwell, G. The Faithful Surveyor, or discovering divers errors in land measuring Cambridge. Folio. DuGDALE, Sir William. The History of Embanking and Draining of divers fens and marshes, &c., adorned with simdry maps. London, printed by Alice Warren. 424 pages. Folio. 1663. — Y.arr ANTON, Andrew. The Great Improvement of Land by Clover. London. 8vo. 46 pages. England's Improvement by Sea and Land. London, 1677. 4to. Strangehopes, Samuel. Book of Knowledge, in Three Parts; concerning Astrology, Physic, and Husbandry. London. 8vo. Another edition, 1675. 8v'o. 1664. — Forster, John. England's Happiness increased, &c., by a plantation of roots called Potatoes. London. 4to. 1665, — DoDsoN, Colonel William. The Design for the Perfect Draining of the great Level of the Fen, called Bedford Level, with Maps, &c. London. 4to. Rea, John. Flora, Ceres el Pomona. Folio. Another edition in 1676. BIBLIO(',RAPHy. 205 1667. — Cavkndish, William, Marquis and Duke of Newcastle. A New Method and extraordinary invention to dress Horses, and work tlieni accord- ini;- to Nat\ire ; as also to perfect nature by the subtiity of Art. i.ondon. Folio. 1669.— WoKi.inr.K, John. Systema Agricultura, &c. Published for the Connnon Ciood. l...iulon. Foliu. Other editions, 1675, 1681, and in 1687, 1697, 1698, and 1716 in 8vu. Treatise of Husbandry. London, 1675. Folio. Blagkavk, Joseth. The Epitome of Husbandry. (Mostly copied from Fitzherbert and other early writers.) London. i2mo. Other editions, 1675, 1678, and 1685. Small 8vo. P'lavkll, John. Husbandry Spiritualized ; or, the Heavenly Use of Earthly Things, consisting of many Pleasant Observations, Pertinent Applications, and Serious Reflections, and each chapter concluded with a Divine and suitable Poem, directing Husbandmen to the most excellent improvements of their common Imploy- menis, whereunto are added, by way of Appendix, several choice Occasional Meditations upon Birds, Beasts, Trees, Flowers, Rivers, and several other objects, fitted for the help of such as desire to walk with God in all their solitudes and recesses from the World. Small 4to. Another edition, 1674. Small 4to. 1670. — Smith, John, Governor of the English Plantations, was born at Willoughbv, in the county of Lincoln. England s Improvement revived, plainly discovering the several ways of improving the several Sorts of waste and barren Grounds, and of enriching all Earths with the natural quality of all Lands, and the several Seeds and Plants which naturally thrive therein observ^ed, together with the Manner of Planting all sorts of Timber Trees and Underwoods, experienced in 30 Years Practice ; in 6 Books. London. 4to. Another edition in 1673. See ali-o 1704. Improvement of Barren and Heathy Land. R. Royston. Reeve, Gabriel. Directions to his Son for the Improvement of Barren and Heathy Land in Ivngland and Wales. London. 4to. Another edition, 1674. 1673. — KiKHv, Christopher. Strange Effect of Thunder and Lightning on Wheat and Rye in the Granaries of Dantzic. (Phil. Trans. Abr. ii. 89.) Harward, Michael. The Herds-man's Mate ; Or, a guide for Herds-men, Teaching how to Cure all Diseases in Bulls, Oxen, Cows, and Calves, &c. Dublin. Svo. 1674.— Petti-.s, Sir J. St. Foine Improv(-d. London, 1674. Small 4to. (See text.j Coxe, Daniel, M.D. Improvement of Cornwall by Sea Sand. (Phil. Tnins. .Abr. ii. page 206). 1676.— Sherlev,T. Cochlearia Curiosa, or the Curiosities of Scurvy Grass. Folding plate. Cook, Moses. The Manner of raising P'orest Trees. London. 4to. 2o6 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. 1676. — -Lambert, James. The Countryman's Treasure: Showing the Nature, Cause, and Cure of All Diseases of Cattle. London. 8vo. Another edition in 1683. 1677.— Bury, Rev. E. The Husbandman's Companion ; A book of meditation. Small Svo. L'EsTRANGE, Sir Roger. A Treatise on Wool and Cattel. London. Svo. Beal, Dr. John, an ingenious English divine and philosopher, was born in Herefordshire, 1603; died 1683. Agrestic Observations and Advertisements. (Phil. Trans. Abr. ii. 374 and 384.) 1678. — Howard, Hon. Charles, of Norfolk. On the Culture of Planting and Ordering of Saffron. (Phil. Trans. Abr. ii. 423.) 1681. — Langkord, T. Systems Agricultura; ; being the Mystery of Husbandry discovered. London. 4to. Houghton, John, F.R.S. A Collection of Letters for the Improvement of Husbandry and Trade. London. 4to. Collections for the Improvement of Husbandry, relating to Corn. A Catalogue of all Sorts of Earths ; the Art of Draining, of Brewing, the Instru- ments of Husbandry: revised by R. Bradley. London, 1727-8. 4 vols. 8vo. 1683. — Lister, Martin, M.D., an eminent physician and natural philosopher, was born in Buckinghamshire about 1638, practised in London; died 1711-12. Of Plants which may be usefully cultivated for grass or hay, 1696. (N. Abr. iv. 136.) 1684. — Beaumont, John. On a new way of Cleaving Rocks. (Phil. Trans. Abr. iii. page 113.) 1685. — Moore, Sir Jonas, Knight, F.R.S. , Mathematician and surveyor general of his Majesty's ordnance. History or Narrative of the great Level of the Fens called Bedford Level ; with a large Map of the said Level, as drained, surveyed, and described. Svo. England's Interest ; or, the Gentleman and Farmer's Friend. London. 1703. Svo. 1686. — Blome, Richard. The Gentleman's Recreations. Agriculture or Husbandry. With plates. London. Folio. 1694. — Floyd, Edv^-ard. Account of Locusts in Wales. (Phil. Trans. Abr. iii. page 617.) On the spontaneous Combustion of several Hay Stacks, &c. 1696.— Mather, W. On Repairing and Mending Highways: An Essay of 32 pages. Bellers, John. Proposals for Raising a College of Industry of all usefull Trades and Husbandry with profit for the rich and a plentiful living for the poor. 28 pages. 4to. 1697. ^Donaldson, James. Enquiry into the present manner of Tilling and Manuring the Ground in Scotland. Edinburgh. i2mo. nini.ioiUiM'irv. 207 1697. Mkagek, [.konaro. The Mystery of Husbindiv. Loiulon. 121110. 1700. XoiKSK, TiMOTiiv: or, C.inipania P'elix, a Discourst- on the Rcnetits of Hushamlrs-. l.nndoii, Svo. Another edition in 1706. Tkvon, Thomas. The Countrvm.in'.s Companion; a New Method of ordering Horses and Sheep so as to preserve them from Diseases and Causaltiei, and particularly to preserve Sheep from that Monsterous Mortifying Distemper the Rot, by Philotheos Physioloou-^. i2mo. 1704.— Smith, J. Profit and Pleasure United: or, the Husbandman's Magazine. London Bridge, 1704. Svo. (See te.\t.) 1705.— Plot, Robert. A Natural History of O.xfordshire. 2nd edition. O.xford. P^olio. 1707. — Fleetwood, Bishop William. Curiosities of Nature and Art in Husbandry. Translated from the French- London. Svo. Furtiier editions were printed in Paris, Brussels, and in Germany from 1703 to 1749. MoKTiMER, John. The whole Art of Husbandry in the way of INLanaging and Improving Land. London. Svo. Other editions, 1708, 1712, 1716, 1721 , 1761 . 1716.— Bradlkv, Richard, F.R.S., a voluminous writer. Philosophical Treatise of Husbandry and Gardening. London, 1717. 4to. The Country Gentleman and Farmer's Monthly Director. I ondon, 171S and 1726. Svo. And 1732 Treatise concerning the Manner of P'allowing Ground, raising of Grass, Seeds, and Training of Lint and Hemp. London, 1724. 4to. A Survey of Ancient Husbandry and Gardening, collected from the Greeks and Romans. 4 Plates. London, 1725. Svo. General Treatise of Husbandry and Gardening. London, 1726. 2 vols. Svo. And 173S. Experimental Husbandman and Gardener. London, 1726. Folio. A Complete Body of Husbandry. London, 1727. 8vo. This date is the second edition. The Weekly Miscellany for the Improve-nent of Husbaiulry, Arts, and Sciences. 21 Nos. 1727. Svo. Th- Science of Good Husbandry ; or, the Economy of Xenophon. Translated from the Greek. London. 1727. Svo. The Gentleman's and Farmer's Guide for the improvement of Cattle. 1729. The Riches of a Hop Garden explained, with the Observations of the most celebrated Hop Planters in Britain. London, 1729. Svo. 1717.— Lai-kenck, Edward, brother lo John Laurence, a clergyman. (See 1726.) The Diity of a Steward to his Lord; with an Appendix on Farming. Addressed to Her Grace the Duchess of Buckinghamshire. London, 2nd edition, 1727. 4to. 3rG edition in 1743. 4'^^- Jacob, Giles. The C(;KlNSOX, Jo.SKl'll. Instruction to Farmers on an Improved Method of Manasjcment of Arable Ground London. Svo. • Johnston, B., D.D. General X'iewof the Agriculture of the County of Dumfries. London. 4to. Johnston, Tn(m.\s. General \'ie\v of the Agriculture of the County of Selkirk. London, ^to. K.\Y, George. General \'ie\v of the Agriculture of North Wales. Le.\th.\.m, Ls.\.JiC. General View of the Agriculture of the East Riding of Yorkshire. London. 4to. Llovd, Thom.vs. General View of the Countv of Cardigan. London, 1794. 4to. Lowe, Ai.e\.\nder, Esq., of Woodend, Berwickshire. General View of the Agriculture of the County of Berwick. London. 410. Lowe, Robert, Esq., of O.xton. General \'iew of the .Agriculture of the County of Nottingham. London. 410. M.\LCOLM, \V. J. and J , land surveyors of Stockwell. General View of the Agriculture of Buckinghamshire. London. 4to. General View of the Agriculture of the County of Surrey. London, 1794. 4to. M.\rtin, .Ale.\.\nder, farmer of Salton, Mid-Lothian. General View of the Agriculture of the County of Renfrew. London. 4to. M.\UNSELL, \Vl[.I.I.\M, LL.D. Letter on the Culture of Potatoes from the Shoots. London. Svo. M.wwKi.r., G, of Hetton, near Stilton. General \'iew of the Agriculture of the County of Huntingdon. London, ^to. Monk, John, of Bear's Combe, near Kingsbridge, Devon. An Agricultural Dictionary; consisting of Extracts from the most celebrated Authors and Papers. London. 3 vols. Svo. General Mew of the .Agriculture of the Coimty of Leicester. London, 1794. 4to. Pe.\rce, Wii.i.i.km, a land valuer and agent in London. (leneral \'iew of the Agriculture of Berkshire. London. Svo. Pitt, VV^, Wolverhampton. General View of the Agriculture of the County of Stafford. London. Svo. -A General \'iew of the Agriculture of Northamptonshire. Svo. PO.MKKOV, WlI.I.I.A.M Tll().M.\S. General \'iew of the Agriodture of the Cotmty of Worcester. London. 410. Prin(;i.k, a. General View of the Agriculture of the County of Westmorland. Edinburgh. 4to. Or.WLE, B.vsiL. A General View of the Agriculture of the Isle of Man. London. 4to. 2 2 2 A GRIC UL TURA L WRITERS. 1794. — Rennie, George Banks, an eminent East Lothian farmer, and also a proprietor. General View of the Agriculture of the West Riding of Yorkshire, by Messrs. Rennie, Brown, and Shirreff. London. 4to. Robertson, George, farmer at Granton, near Edinburgh. General View of the Agriculture of Mid-Lothian. London. 4to. RoBSON, James. General View of the Agriculture of the County of Argyle, and of the Western Part of the County of Inverness. London. 4to. Roger, Rev. Mr. General V^iew of the Agriculture in the Counties of Angus and Fife. Shirreff, J., of Captain Head, near Haddington. General View of the Agriculture in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Trotter, J.\mes, farmer at Newton, West Lothian. General View of the Agriculture in the County of West Lothian. Edinburgh. 4to. — Tuke, Mr., Lincroft, York. General View of the Agriculture of the North Riding of Yorkshire. London. 4to. Turner, George, of Dowdeswell. General View of the Agriculture of the County of Gloucester. London. 4to. Ure, Rev. D-wid, of Glasgow. General View of the Agriculture of the County of Roxburgh. London. 4to. V.AN'COUVER, Ch.\RLES. General View of the Agriculture in the County of Essex. 1795. W.XLKER, D., 14, L'pper Marylebone Street, London. General View of the Agriculture of the County of Hertford. London. 4to. • W.\rner, Rev. General View of the Agriculture of the Isle of Wight. Webster, J.\mes, farmer at Fowlis Easter, County of Perth. General View of the Agriculture of Galloway in the County of Wigton and Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. London. 4to. Wedge, Thom.\s. General View of the Agriculture of the County Palatine of Chester. London. 4to. General View of the Agriculture of the County of Warwick. London. 4to. 1795. — Mariott, William, barrister-at-law. The Country Gentleman's Lawyer, and the Farmer's Complete Library. 8vo. C^ochrane, Archibald, Earl of Dundonald. Chemist and agriculturist. A Treatise showing the intimate Connection that subsists between Agriculture and Chemistry. London. 4to. The Principles of Chemistry applied to the Improvement of the Practice of Agriculture. 1799. 4to. ■ Holt, John, of Walton, near Liverpool. General View of the Agriculture of the County of Lancaster; with the Observa- tions on the Means of its Improvement ; drawn up for the Board of Agriculture. London. 8vo. An Essay on the Curl of Potatoes. /U/U./OC/^ A />//)'. 223 1795.— RoHKKTso.v, The Rkw (Jkokci-, minister >it D.iimcny, lu-ar Edinburgh. General \"ie\v of the Agriiulture ot the County i.f Mid l.othian. Edinburgh. 8vo. Mac I'HAir., James, gardener to the Earl of Liverpool, in Surrey. Hints and Observations on the Improvement of Agriculture. London. 8vo. 1796. — KiKKl-ATKKK, H. An AiTount of the Manner in which Potatoes are cultivated and preserved, and the I'ses to which they are apolied in the Counties of Lancaster and Chester ; together with a Description of a new Variety of Potatoes, peculiarly con- venient for forcin<; in Hot-houses and Frames. London. 8vo. Anstri-thkr, Sir John, Bart. Remarks on Drill Husbandry. London. 8vo. Fox, William, attomey-at-law. Remarks on various Agricultural Reports; transmitted to the Honorable the Board of Agriculture, in the year 1794. London. 4to. Wright, Sir James, Bart. Observations upon the important Object of preserving Wheat and other Grain from Vermin. London. 4to. KiRWAN, RicH.\RD, LL.D., an eminent philosopher. On the Manures most advantageously applicable to various Sorts of Soil, and the Causes of their Beneficial Influence in each particular Instance. London. Svo. — —Lawrence, John, a veterinary surgeon. Philosophical and Practical Treatise on Horses. London, 1796-98. 2 vols., Svo. The Sportsman, Farrier, and Shoeing Smith's Xew Guide, being the Substance of the Works of the late C. de St. Bel, 1796. 8vo. New Farmer's Calendar. 1800. 1797.-ASTLKV, F. D. .A. Few Minutes' Advice to Gentlemen of Landed property, &c. Chester. i2mo. MoRLEv, Christopher. Practical Observations on Agriculture, Draining, &c., in two Letters, addressed to Sir John Sinclair. London. 4to. Johnston, John, land surveyor at Edinburgh. An Account of the most approved mode of Draininir L.and, according to the System practised by the late Mr. Joseph Elkington. Edinburgh. 4to. Other editions, 1800, 1801, 1S08, 1814. Law-son, J. Essay on the Use of mixed and compressed Cattle Fodder, particularly adapted for Horses and Cattle on Shipboard, in Camps, or in Garrisons, with useful Tables, &c. London. 8.0. Dix, WiLi.iA.M Spicer. Remarks on a newly invented Patent Machine for clearing Grain from the Str.iw, instead of threshing it with the Flail. London. 410 1798. — Smith, Rev. Iohn, D.D., minister of Kilbrandon, in Argyleshire. A General View of the Agriculture of the County of Argyle. Edinburgh. 8vo. Douglas, Robert, D.D., minister of Galashiels. A General View of the Agriculture of the Counties of Ro.\burgh and Selkirk, Edinburgh. 8vo. 224 A GRIC UL TURA L WRITER S. Y]QQ, — MiDDLETON, John, land surveyor, Lambeth. A View of the Agriculture of Middlesex. London. 8vo. Observations on the various Kinds of Manure. [Nicholson s Joiirna', iii. 340.) 1799. 3^1799^ — P.VRKiNSON, RiCH.\RD, of Doncaster, steward to Sir Joseph Banks. The E.xperienced Farmer. London. 2 vols. 8vo. General View of the Agriculture of Huntingdonshire. London, 181 1. 8vo B.\NiSTER, John, of Horton Kirby, in Kent. A Synopsis of Husbandry. London. 8vo. P.^LLETT, T., land and timber surveyor. Hints on Enclosing, Agriculture, Stewardship, and Tithes. 8vo. SoMERViLLE, Right Hon.JoHN, Lord. He died at Vevey in Switzerland, 1815; was buried in the churchyard there, and afterwards disinterred and brought to England. Address to the Board of Agriculture on the Subject of Sheep and Wool. London. 8vo. The System followed during the Two Last Years by the Board of Agriculture, &c. 1800. 4to. Robertson, James, D.D., minister at Callander, Perthshire. General View of the Agriculture of the County of Perth. Perth. 8vo. General View of the Agriculture of Inverness-shire. 1808. 8vo. 1800. — Owen, Rev. T., M.A., rector of Upton Scudamen, Wilts. The Three Books of M. Terentius Varro, concerning Agriculture. Translated into English. London. 8vo. W.^SHiNGTON, Gen. George, first President of the United States of America. Letters from him to Sir John Sinclair on Agricultural and other interesting Topics ; engraved from the original Letters, so as to be an exact Fac-simile of the Handwriting of that celebrated Character. London. 4to. T.\TH.A.M, WlLLI.\M. Communication concerning the Agriculture and Commerce of America ; containing Observations on the Commerce of Spain with her American Colonies in the Time of War. Written by a Spanish Gentleman, and now edited with sundry other Papers relating to the Spanish Interest. London, 1800. 8vo. An Historical and Practical Essay on the Culture and Commerce of Tobacco. London, 1800. 8vo. Thomson, Rev. John, D.D. General View of the Agriculture of the County of Fife. Edinburgh. 8vo. St.\cf.v, Rev. Henry Peter, LL.B., F.L.S. Observations on the Failure of Turnip Crops. London. 8vo. Parry, Caleb Hillier, M.D., F.R.S., physician, Bath. Facts and Observations, tending to shew the Practicability and Advantage to the Individual and the Nation, of producing in the British Isles, Clothing-wool equal to that of Spain ; together with some Hints towards the Management of fine-woolled Sheep. London. 8vo. ■ Dalrymple, William . Treatise oh the Culture of Wheat. London. 8vo. Darwin, Erasmus, M.D., F.R.S., an eminent physician, philosopher, and poet, was born near Newark, in Nottinghamshire, 1731 ; died 1802. Phytologia : or, the Philosophy of Agriculture and Gardening. London. 4to. I iN D H X NAMKS OK AUTHORS. Adam Agricola ... Amos Anderson... Anon Husbandry Anstriither A.stley AtwcU Austen Bailey Baird Baker Ball Banister .. Barron Beal Beatson ... Beaumont Sellers Bellot Belscher ... Benese Benson Billing ... Billingsley Bishton ... Black Blackweil Blagrave ... Blith Blome Boswell .. Boys Bracken Bradley Brocklesby Brown, R. Bruce Bury p.\<;k. I".\(;k. ... 217 Caltlu.rpr .. 202 ... 208 C.ivrndish 205 ... 2iq Churchey... . 201 ^14. -'15 Churton ... . 202 7, 199 Claridge, John 219 ... 223 Claridge, J. 2U> ... 223 Clarke, C. ■ 215 ... 204 Clarke, C. ■ 219 ... 203 Clarke, J.... .. 220 Cochrane ... 222 ... 219 Columella 210 ... 219 Comber ... 213, 214 ... 214 Cook 205 ... 211 Cooke, J... 216 ... 224 Co.xe 205 ... 214 Crawshey 202, 204 ... 206 Crutchley ... 220 ... 219 Culley ... 217 ... 206 Curtis 218 ... 206 ,11, 200 Dairympie 224 ... 219 Darwin 224 31, 200 Davis, R. ... 220 ... 208 Davis, T... 220 ... 212 Dickson ... 211 219 Digges ... ... 200 ... 219 Dix 223 ... 215 Dodson ... 204 210 Donaldson 142, 206 124, 205 Donaldson, J. 220 97, 203 Do.ssif ... 213 135, 206 Douglas ... 223 .. 216 Dove 213 219 Driver 220 J09 Duckctt ... 204 170, 207 Dugdalc ... ■■ 204 210 Dymock (see Ha rtlib.. ... 219 219 Ellis, \V 191,209 ... 206 , Elstobh ... 219 y 226 A GRIC UL Ti ^RA L VVRITERS. PAGE. PAGE. Erskine ... 220 Johnston, B. 221 Evelyn 204 Johnston, J. 223 F"alconer ... 217 Johnston, T. 221 Fitzherbert Flavell Fleetwood Flemyng ... Flora Rustica Floyd Folkingham 13 205 160, 207 210 211 206 201 Kaimes (see H. L Kay Kent Kirby Kirkpatrick Kirwan ... ome). 221 214 205 223 223 Foot 220 Ladnar 212 Forbes 215 Lambert ... 131. 206 Fordyce ... 212 Langford 206 Forster ... 204 Langley 208 Fo.v, J 220 Laurence, E. 207 Fox, W 223 Laurence, Rev. J., 167, 208 Eraser 220 Lawrence, John .. 223 Eullarton 219 Lawson ... 223 Layard 210 God Speed the Plough . 201 Leatham ... 221 Googe Granger ... 46, 200 220 LeBrocq Lee 2>7 204 Griggs 220 Leigh 200 Grosthead 9, 10, II, 199 L'Estrange 139. 206 Grosseteste 9- 10, II, 199 Lettaom ... 217 Grymes ... 202 Ley Leybourne 217 203 Hale Harrison .. Harte Hartlib Harward Hassall Hayes 210 214 212 68, 203 . 205 220 =20 Lightoler Lisle Lister Littleton Lloyd Lowe, A. ... Lowe, R 211 210 206 ... 12, 13, 199 221 Henley, W. of ... 6, 7, II, 199 Mackintosh 208 Hepburn ... 221 Macphail 223 Hitt 211 Malcolm ... 221 Hodgkinson 221 Manwood 201 Holt 222 Mariott 222 Home 210 Markham 84, 201 Home, H 215 Marshall 215, 216 Homer 212 Martin 221 Home 217 Mascall 37, 200 Houghton 122, 206 Mather 206 Howard ... 206 Maunsell ... 221 Hunter ... 213 Maxwell, G. 221 Jacob, G 164, 207 Maxwell, R. 210 ixn/ x M.iy MtMgi-r . Middk-ton Miles Miller, F. Miller, J. Miller, P. Mills Molesworth Monk Moore, Sir Jon, Mordant ... Morgan . . . Morley Morris Mortimer.. Murray Naismith... Xorden ... North. Hon. R North, R. Xourse, T. Owen Pallett . Parkinson Parry Pearce Peters Pettus . . Phillips Pitt Plat, Sir Hugh Plattes ... Plot Plunkett ... I'omeroy ... Pringle Qnayle Raley Randall Rca Reeve . . Remnant _'ig R.Minir ,4S . 207 Richards 224 Rin.!..-sted ... J04 Robertson, ('■. 21J Robertson, R.'v : Ji(> Robertson, Rev. 208 Robson ... 211 Roc-(]ue . 20S Roger 221 Rve '5.1 , 206 1 211 Salmon ... 212 Scot 223 Senesralcia 21 1 Sha 158, 207 Shenstone 209 Sherley ShirrefF 218 Sinclair, Sir |. 61, 201 Small 181, 20S Smith J 211 Smith, Rev. J. .. 144. 207 Smith, John Somerville, I.ord 224 Speed Stacey 224 Standish . 224 Stevenson 224 Stiliingfleet 221 Stone 2.4 Strangehoi)es 1 10, 205 Surfleet 209 Swayne . . 221 Switxer 55. 200 78, 202 . Tatham 207 Taylor 209 Thomson, G. 221 Thutnson, Rev. J 221 Trotter ... Trowell, T. 221 Tr.nvell, S. Triisler ... 216 Try on 212 Tn'ke 204 Tull ■07. 20 s Turner, G. 202 Turner, N. -2.^, 224 ... 208 .U. 200 8, 199 109, 204 .^i8 216 56. 207 ^^3 124 205 224 103, 202 224 2o2 I lO, 204 210 216, 217 204 201 218 178. 2 0S 224 84 . 208 191, 209 .. 2I(> '51, 207 186, 208, 209 .. 2ir> 128 A GRICUL TURAL WRITERS. Tusser Twamley... Ure Vancouver Varlo Vaughan . . . Vermuiden Walker ... Wall Wark Warner ... 23. \GE. PAGE. 200 Washington ... 224 217 Webster ... Wedge, T. ... 222 222 222 Weston, Sir R. Weston ... (and see Harllib 67 ■ 213 222 Wight ... .. 215 214 Winter ... ... 217 201 Worlidgc- I 16, 205 203 Wright, Sir J. Wright, Rev. T ... 223 ... 218 =33 ... Yarranton H2, 204 211 Young, A. I 90 212, 213 UC BERKELEY LIBRARIES lllllllllll III! CD^sfl3^^7t.