CHAP. I. The Proem of the Author . What a Husbandman is : His Vtilitie and Necessitie .

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

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

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

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

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

CHAP. II. Of the situation of the Husbandmans house ; the necessaries there to belonging , together with the modell thereof .

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

A. Signifieth the great hall . B. The dining Parlor for entertainment of strangers . C. An inward closset within the Parlor for the Mistrisses vse , for necessaries . D. A strangers lodging within the Parlor . E. A staire-case into the roomes ouer the Parlor . F. A staire-case into the Good-mans roomes ouer the Kitchin and Buttery . G. The Skréene in the hall . H. An inward cellar within the buttery , which may serue for a Larder . I. The Buttery . K. The Kitchin , in whose range may be placed a bruing lead , and conuenient Ouens , the bruing vessels adioyning . L. The Dairy house for necessary businesse . M. The Milke house . N. A faire sawne pale before the formost court . O. The great gate to ride in at to the hall dore . P. A place where a Pumpe would be placed to serue the offices of the house .

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

CHAP. III. Of the seuerall parts and members of an ordinarie Plough , and of the ioyning of them together .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHAP. IIII. How the Husbandman shall temper his Plough , and make her fit for his worke .

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

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

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

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

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

CHAP. V. The manner of Plowing the rich , stiffe , blacke Clay , his Earings , Plough , and other Instruments .

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Toastree with double chaines .

( 3 ) The Swingletrées , being pieces of Ash wood cut in proportion afore-shewed , to which the Treates , by which the horses draw , are fastned with strong loopes . ( 4 ) The Treates by which the horses draw , being strong cords made of the best Hempe . ( 5 ) The place betwéene the Treats , where the horses must stand . ( 6 ) The Hames , which girt the C●llers about , to which the other end of the Treats are fastned , being compassed pieces of wood , eyther cleane Ash , or cleane Oake . ( 7 ) The round Withes of wood , or broad thongs of leather , to put about the horses necke , to beare the maine chayne from the ground , that it trouble not the horses in their going . ( 8 ) The Single-linckes of Iron , which-ioyne the Swingle-trées vnto the Toastrées . ( 9 ) The Belly-bands , which passe vnder the belly of the horse , and are made fast to both sides of the Treates , kéeping them downe , that when the horse drawes , his coller may not choake him : being made of good small line or coard . ( 10 ) The Backe-bands , which going ouer the horses backe , and being made fast to both sides of the Treates , doe hold them , so as when the horses turne , the Treates doe not fall vnder their féete .

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

CHAP. VI. The manner of plowing the white or gray Clay , his Earings , Plough , and Instruments .

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

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

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

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

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

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

The great Rouler .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Plough with one Hale .

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

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

The Share .

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

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

The Coulture .

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

The Plough for the gray Clay .

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

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

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