The second booke of the English husbandman Contayning the ordering of the kitchin-garden, and the planting of strange flowers: the breeding of all manner of cattell. Together with the cures, the feeding of cattell, the ordering both of pastures and meddow-ground: with the vse both of high-wood and vnder-wood. Whereunto is added a treatise, called Good mens recreation: contayning a discourse of the generall art of fishing, with the angle, and otherwise; and of all the hidden secrets belonging thereunto. Together vvith the choyce, ordering, breeding, and dyeting of the fighting cocke. A worke neuer written before by any author. By G.M.

THE Second Booke of the English Husbandman .

CONTAYNING the Ordering of the Kitchin-Garden , and the Planting of strange Flowers : the breeding of all manner of CATTELL . Together with the Cures , the feeding of Cattell , the Ordering both of Pastures and Meddow-ground : with the vse both of high-wood and vnder-wood .

WHEREVNTO IS ADDED a TREATISE , called Goodmens Recreation : Contayning a Discourse of the generall Art of Fishing , with the Angle , and otherwise ; and of all the hidden secrets belonging thereunto .

TOGETHER With the Choyce , Ordering , Breeding , and Dyeting of the fighting Cocke .

A worke neuer written before by any Author .

By G. M.

LONDON : Printed by T. S. for Iohn Browne , and are to be sould at his shop in S. Dunstanes Church-yard in Fleetstreet . 1614.

A Table of all the principall matters contayned in this Booke .

CHAP. I. How the Husbandman shall iudge and fore-know all kinde of weather , and other seasons of the yeere . OF Raine . Signes from clouds . Signes from the Moone . Signes from the Sun . Signes from Lightning . Signes from Fowle . Signes from Beasts . Signes from things without Motion . Signes of much Raine . Signes of Snow or Hayle . Signes of Winde . Signes of Tempests . Signes of faire weather . Signes of Winter . Signes of the Spring . Signes of a hot summer . Signes of a long winter . Signes of a forward or backward yeere . Signes of a good or bad yeere . Signes from Christmas day . Signes from the sunne rising . Signes from the twelue dayes in Christmas . Signes from S. Paules day . Signes from Maudlin and S. Switthens day , if Corne shall be cheap or deere . Signes from Thunder . Signes of sickenesse or health . The preseruation of health .

CHAP. II. The choyse of Grounds for the Kitchin-Garden , and the ordering thereof . The Contents . THe choyce of Ground . The bettering of Grounds . The trenching of Grounds . Of breaking the Garden-mould . Ordering of Garden-beds . Of the fruitfull soyle . The necessariest ornament in a Garden .

CHAP. III. Of the Sowing and Ordering of all manner of Pot-Hearbes . The Contents . OF all sorts of Pot-hearbs . Of Endiue and Succory . Of Beets . Of Land-Cresses . Of Parcely . Of Sauory . Of Time . Of French Mallowes , and Cheruil . Of Dill. Of Issop . Of Mints . Of Violets . Of Basill . Of sweet Marioram and Marigolds . Of Strawburyes . Of Borrage and Buglosse . Of Rosemary . Of Pennyroyall . Of Leekes . Of Onyons . Of gathering Onyon-seeds , or the Onyon .

CHAP. IIII. Of sowing of certaine Hearbes which are to be eaten , but especially are medicinall , yet euer in the Husbandmans Garden . The Contents . OF Arage . Of Lumbardy Louage . Of Fennell . Of Anyse . Of Comyn . Of Colyander . Of Rue . Of Organy . Of white Poppye . Of Germander . Of Cardus Benedictus . Of Angelica . Of Valerian . Of Elecampana . Of Pepper-wort . Of Phylipendula .

CHAP. V. Of diuer sorts of Sallet-Hearbes , their manner of Sowing and Ordering . The Contents . OF Lettuce . Of Spinage . Of Sparagus . Of Colworts . Of Sage . Of Purslaine . Of Artichocks . Of Garlicke . Of Raddish . Of Nauewe . Of Parsenips and Carrets . Of Pompions or Mellons . Of Cowcumbers . Of the Beanes of Aegipt . Of Skerrets . A most necessary obseruation .

CHAP. VI. Of Flowers of all sorts , both forraine and home-bred , their sowing , planting , and preseruing . The Contents . OF Roses . Of the Damaske Rose . Of the redde Rose . Of the white Rose . Of the Cynamon Rose . To make the Cynamon Rose grow double . Of the Prouence Rose . To make Roses smell well . Generall notes touching Roses . Of Lauender . Of the white Lilly . To make Lillies of any colour . To make Lillies flourish all the yere . Of the wood Lilly . Of the Flowre de Lice . Of Pyonye . Of Petiluis . Of veluet Flowers . Of Gilly-Flowers . Of grafting of Gilly-Flowers . Of the smels of Gilly-Flowers . Of the wall Gilly-Flower . Of the Hellytropian . Of the Crowne-Emperiall . Of the Dulippo . Of the Hyacinth . Of the Narcissus . Of the Daffadill , Colombine , and Chesbole . An excellent Caution . A new manner of planting Flowers and Fruits .

CHAP. VII . How to preserue all manner of Seeds , Hearbs , Flowers , and Fruits , from all manner of noysome and pestilent things , which deuoure and hurt them . The Contents . OF Thunder and Lightning . Of Caterpillers . Of Toads and Frogs . Of the field Mice . Of Flies . Of the greene Flie. Of Gnats . Of Pissemires . Of Moales . Of Snayles . Of Moathes . Of Canckers . Of Garden wormes . An excellent experiment . The Conclusion of the Kitchin-Garden .

The Table of the second part of the second Booke . Contayning the Ordering of all sorts of Woods , and the breeding of Cattell .

CHAP. I. Of the beginning of Woods , first sowing , and necessary vse . The Contents . WOod better then Gold . The excellent vses of Wood. The plantation of Wood. The fencing of young Woods . When Cattel may graze in springs . The vse of the Clay-ground for Woods . A speciall note .

CHAP. II. The deuision of vnder-Woods , their sale and profit . The Contents . THE deuision of Woods . The value of vnderwood . Of the sale of vnderwoods . How to cut vnderwoods . The fencing of sales . The Woodwards duty .

CHAP. III. Of High-woods , and their plantation . The Contents . WHat High-woods are . The beginning of highwoods . The plantation of your high-woods . Of planting the Elme . Of planting the Ash. Obiection . Answere .

CHAP. IIII. The preseruation and sale of High-woods . The Contents . OF Trees which take wet inwardly . Of Barke-bound . Of Hornets and Dores . Of the Canker . Of Pissemires . Of ●uye , Woodbine , and Mysselto . Of Thunder and Lightning . Of the sale of tall Woods . How to chuse Timbers . Of Mill-Timber . Of Timber to beare burthen . Timber for Poales , Wainescot , &c. Timber for Piles or water workes . The vse of the Elme . The vse of the Ashe . The vse of the Walnut tree . The vse of the Peare tree . The vse of the Maple , Beech , or Poplar . Of Char-coale . How to valew Tymber . How to measure Timber by guesse . Best seasons for the sale . The time for Chapmen . When to cut downe Tymber .

CHAP. V. Of the breeding of Wood in rich Champaine Soyles . The Contents . HOW to set all sorts of Quick-sets . Planting of greater Trees . Of the setting of Willowes , &c. The vse of Willowes , Sallowes , and Oziers . The ordering of Willowes . The ordering of the Ozier .

CHAP. VI. Of plashing of Hedges , and lopping or heading of Timber . The Contents . WHat plashing is . How to plash . The time of yeere . The tooles to plash with . The profit of plashing . The lopping of Timber . What lopping is . The season for lopping . How you shall loppe Timber .

CHAP. VII . Of Pasture-grounds , their order , profit , and generall vse . The Contents . DIuersitie and vse of Pastures . Of barraine Pastures . Signes of barrainnesse . Bettering of Soyles . Sowing of good seeds . For abundance of grasse . The imperfection of meanure . To helpe a slow Spring . To helpe naughty grasse . To helpe Sunne-burning . To helpe ling or braken . To helpe marrishes . To helpe mossinesse . The generall vse of barraine grounds . What Cattell to be bred . Of fertile grounds . Deuision of rich grounds . Vse of rich grounds . Ordering of Pastures . Feeding of Cattell . How to know a fat beast . Of Meddowes , and their ordering . Preseruation of Meddowes . When to lay Meddowes . When to mowe Meddowes . Inclination of weather . The manner to mow Meddowes . How to make Hay . To make fine Hay . To make course Hay . Vse of Hay for Cattell of all sorts .

CHAP. VIII . A new method for the Husbandly curing of all manner of Cattell . The Contents . THE reason of this Chapter . All diseases to be cured with twelue medicines . Of inward sicknesses . The first medicine . The second medicine . Of outward diseases . The third medicine . The fourth medicine . The fift medicine . The sixt medicine . The seauenth medicine . The eyght medicine . The ninth medicine . The tenth medicine . The eleauenth medicine . The twelfth medicine . Diseases in the feet . Diseases in the feete , or for stifling .

The end of the Table for Husbandry .

Of Angling .

CHAP. I. Of Angling : the Vertue , Vse , and Antiquitie . The Contents . THe Vse of Angling . The Antiquitie of Angling .

CHAP. II. Of the Tooles , and Implements for Angling . The Contents . OF the Angle-rodde . Of the toppe of the Angle-rodde . The Angle-rodde of one piece . The Angle-rodde of many pieces . Of Lines . Of colouring of Lines . Of the Corke . Of Angle Hookes . Of other Implements for Anglers .

CHAP. III. Of the Anglers cloathes , and inward qualities . The Contents . OF the ANCLERS Apparell . Anglers Vertues . Certaine Cautions .

CHAP. IIII. Of the seasons to Angle in . The Contents . THE Anglers manner of standing . The best seasons to Angle in . Seasons ill to Angle in . Of Fishes haunts . Obiection . Answere .

CHAP. V. Of Baits in generall , and of euery particular kinde , their seasons and vse . The Contents . SEasons for bayts . Of Flyes . The making of Flyes . Preseruation of Bayts . Of making Pastes .

CHAP. VI. Of Angling for euery seuerall kinde of Fish , according to their natures . The Contents . OF the Goodgin , Roche , and Dace . Of the Carpe . Of the Chub , Cheuin , or Trout . Of the Eele . Of the Flounder or Sewant . Of the Grayling or Barbell . Of the Breame . Of the Tench . Of the Bleke , Ruffe , or Perch . Of the Pyke . Of Snyckling of the Pyke . Of the Salmon .

CHAP. VII .

Of taking Fish without Angles , and of laying Hookes .

CHAP. VIII .

Of preseruing Fish from all sorts of deuourers .

CHAP. IX .

Of ordering of Ponds for the preseruation of Fish .

CHAP. X.

Of the best Water-Lime .

Of the fighting Cocke .

CHAP. I. Of the Choyce , Ordering , Breeding , and Dyeting of the fighting Cocke . The Contents . THE choyce of the Cocke for battell . The breeding of the battell Cocke . The dyeting of Cockes for battell . Of taking vp Cockes . Of the Cocke-penne . Of his dyet . Of sparring of Cockes . The stouing of Cockes . Of the best dyet-bread . Of the best scowring . The matching of Cockes . The preparing Cockes to the fight . The ordering of Cockes after the battell , and the curing them .

FINIS .

THE FIRST PART of the second BOOKE of the English Husbandman : Contayning the Ordering of the Kitchin-garden , and the planting of strange FLOWERS .

CHAP. I. How the Husbandman shall iudge and fore-know all kinde of Weathers , and other seasons of the yeere .

ALthough GOD out of his infinite prouidence , is the onely directer and ruler of all things , gouerning the yéeres , dayes , minutes and seasons of the yeere according to the power of his Will : yet for as much as hee hath giuen vs his Creatures , and placed the Celestiall bodies to holde their influences in vs , and all things else which haue increasement , reuealing vnto vs from their motions , the alteration and qualities of euery season , it shall be very behouefull for euery Husbandman to know the signes and tokens of euery particular season , as when it is likely to Raine , when Snow , when Thunder , when the Winds will rise , when the Winter will rage , & when the Frosts will haue the longest continuance , that fashioning his labours , according to the temperature or distemperature of the weather , hee may with good iudgement and aduise , eschew many euils which succéede rash and vnfore-looking actions .

Of Rayne . To speake then first of the generall signes of Raine , you shall vnderstand that the olde Husbandmen did obserue rules generall , and rules speciall : the generall rules were such as concerned eyther all , most , or a great part of the whole yéere : the rules speciall , those which concerned dayes , houres , and times present : of which I will first speake in this place .

Signes from Clouds . If therefore you shall at any time perceiue a Cloud rising from the lowest part of the Horizon , and that the maine body be blacke and thicke , and his beames ( as it were ) Curtaine-wise , extending vpward , and driuen before the windes : it is a certaine and infallible signe of a present showre of Raine , yet but momentary and soone spent , or passed ouer : but if the Cloud shall arise against the Winde , and as it were spread it selfe against the violence of the same , then shall the Raine be of much longer continuance .

Signes from the Moone . If when you sée the new Moone appeare , you perceiue that some part of her Hornes are obscured , or if it be black , or discoulored in the middest : if it hang much to the West , if it be compast or girdled about , eyther with thicke , or waterish transparent vapours : if it looke more then ordinarily pale , or if it shall beginne to raine small and mist-like on the fourth or fift day of her age , all these are infallible signes of Raine , and the last an assured signe that the Raine will continue all that quarter of the Moone following .

Signes from the Sunne . If you shall sée the Sunne rise earely in the Morning , and spread forth his Beames violently , yet with a very moyst and waterish complexion , and there-withall in the West you doe sée a bedde of thicke vapours to arise , increase and ascend vpward , then shall you bee assured that at high noone , when those vapours and the Sunne shall méet , there will be raine , and that raine of no short continuance : If you shall sée the Sunne rise red , and turne sodainely blacke , if it haue many red clouds about it mixt with blackenesse , if it haue a spacious Circle about it , or if when it setteth you sée it fall behinde a banke of darke and blacke Cloudes , they be all most certaine and infallible signes of raine , which will presently follow .

If it lighten at noone , Signes from the Lightning . or any time whilest the Sunne shineth , eyther with Thunder or without thunder , or if it lighten in fayre weather , or if it lighten more then it thundereth , all are most certaine signes of raine which will follow .

If you shall perceiue water-Fowle to bathe much : Signes from Fowle . if the Crow wet her head at the water brimme , or if shée wade into the water , or if she shall cry and call much : if the Rauen shall croake with a hollow or sounding voyce : if the house-Cocke shall crow at all houres : if Pigions shall come home late to the Doue-house : if Sparrowes shall chyrpe and cry earely in the morning : if Bées flye not farre from their Hyues : if Flies and small Gnats bite sharpe and sore , all are most certaine signes of raine , which will presently follow .

If you shall perceiue your Oxen to eate more gréedily , Signes from Beasts . and with a more earnest stomacke then their vsuall custome : if your Kine gaze and looke much vpward : if Swine shall play and gambole vp and downe : if Horses being at grasse shall scope , course , and chase one another : or if the Cat shall wash behinde her eare , all are certaine signes of raine to follow .

If Salt turne moyst standing in dry places , Signes from things without motion . if Channels , Uaults , and common Sewers stincke more then vsuall : if Bels seeme to sound louder then they were wont : if the Tazell at any time close vp his pricks : if Soote fall much from the Chimney : If oyle shall sparkle much when it burneth , or if Marble , Pauing-stone , or other wals shall sweat , or be much moyst , all are most ineuitable signes of rayne which will follow .

Signes of much Raine . If Raine , when it falleth , make great bubbles , or such a noyse as is not ordinary : or if raine fall mildely , small , and mist-like : or if rayne fall in a calme when no winde stirreth : or if when it rayneth you cannot perceiue the Racke or Clouds to moue : if Pullen flye to their roust assoone as the raine begins : if the Raine-bow stretch towards the South , or if it doe reflect and shée doole : if you shall sée one or more Weather-gals which are like Rainebowes , onely they arise from the Horizon but a small way vpward , all these are most certaine signes of much raine that will follow .

Signes of Snow or Haile . If blacke Clouds shall turne sodainely white : if about eyther the Sunne or Moone be pale , and waterish Circles , or that they séeme to shine as through a miste : if the Ayre be thicke and extreame cold without frosts : if with the signes of raine be mixt signes of cold also , or if windes be nipping and extreame sharpe , all are most certaine tokens that Snow or Hayle will follow presently after .

Signes of winde . If when the Sunne setteth it looketh red and fiery , and that all that part of the Horizon looke red also , or if it looke blewish , or séeme greater then his ordinary proportion : If the Moone doe blush or looke high colloured , if the Racke ride high , and the Firmament be much vaulted : if Woods and Hils séeme to make a noyse : if the Stars séeme to shine brighter then vsuall : if it shall thunder in Winter , or if it thunder without lightning : if Bels be heard farre off with more ease then accustomed , and presently in the same instant be not heard at all : If Cobwebs flye much in the ayre : If Hernes or Heronsh●es cry much in their flying : If fire sparkle much , or if wood or Wainscot cracke much , all these are most certaine signes of much winde that will follow after .

Signes of tempests . If you shall perceiue the Morning or Euening Sunne , eyther in the Sommer or in the Autumne , to shine hotter or to scortch more then accustomed , when the ayre is prest with an extreame blacke cloude , or with many clouds , if you perceiue whirlewindes to blow oft and violently : if you sée the Raine-bow shall appeare in the West without taine : if you sée flames and meteors flashing in the ayre , or if the Porpus shall be séene in the fresh Riuer , all are most certaine signes of thunder , lightnings and tempests , which will follow .

If the Sun rise gray and cléere in the morning , Signes of faire weather . and likewise setteth without darkenesse , not loosing a minute in the declination : if the euening skye be ruddy and not fierie , more purple then skarlet : if the Moone be cléere when it is foure or fiue dayes olde : if it lighten after Sunne-set without thunder : if the dewe fall in great abundance and in the rising ascend vp to the mountaines : if the North winde blow strong : if the Owle doe whup much and not scrytch : if flyes at night play much in the Suns beames : if Crowes flocke much together , and cakell and talke : if Bats flye busily vp and downe after Sunne-set , if you sée Cranes flye high , and water-Fowle make their haunts farre off from the water , all these are most certaine signes of very faire weather which will follow after .

If water-Fowle forsake the Water : Signes of Winter . if the Nightingale sing more then other Birds , if Cranes flocke together , if Géese fight for their féeding place , or if Sparrowes call very earely in the Morning , any of these are certaine signes that winter is néere at hand .

If the West winde blowe freshly Morning and Euening : Signes of the Spring . if the colde abate and loose much of his vigor , if Swallowes begin to come in and flye busily about , if the brest-bone of the Mallard or Woodcocke looke white and cléere , any of these are certaine signes that the Spring is at hand .

If the Ramme ride in the Spring , Signes of a hot Sommer . and shew more then an vsuall lust : if the Spring haue beene very extraordinarily colde , or if Mildewes fall not in the Woodland● Countryes , any of these are certaine signes of a hot Summer to follow after .

Signes of a long Winter . If you shall sée the Oake loaden with Akornes : if the brest-bone of the Mallard when he is kild looke red : if Hornets be séene after the end of October , or if Cattell doe trample and tread the earth much , making it myrie , or like a new plowde field : any of these are most certaine signes that the Winter will be sharpe , long , and cruell .

Signes of a forward or backward yeer . If there fall much Raine before October , by meanes whereof many inundations doe follow , and that such wet lye long aboue ground : it is a most infallible token that the yéere will be very forward : but if the wet doe fall after October then it is a signe that the yéere will be indifferent , but and if the wet fall after Nouember , then it is held for most certaine that the yéere will fall out very slacke and backeward .

Signes of a good or bad yeere . If the Oke Apples , when they are opened , bréed flyes , or if Haruest be seasonable , and the Spring warme : if Snow fall in February : if Broome put forth great store of Flowers : if the Walnut-trée haue more blossoms then leaues : if the flower of the Sea-Onion wither not quickly , or if the Spring be preserued from frosts and blasting , then any of these are certaine signes that the yéere will proue passing good and fruitfull : but if the Oake Apple bréede instéed of a Flye a Spyder : if Comets or Meteors oppresse the Ayre : if the Sommer fall out vnnaturally moyst : if the dewes when they fall at the rising of the Sunne descend to the Riuers : if frosts come in vnseasonable times : if wood-Birds flye to the plaines , and refuse couert : if the Sunne haue his whole body , or at least thrée parts Ecclipsed : when Corne beginneth to bloome , and is not fully Kirneld , then any of these be most certaine signes that the yéere will proue bad , barrayne , & fruitlesse .

Signes from Christmas day . Againe , if Christmas day shall fall vpon the Sunday , the yéere shall be good , seasonable and abounding with all store and plenty : if it fall vpon Munday the yéere shall be reasonable temperate and fruitfull , onely something subiect to inundation of waters , losse by shipwracke , and some mortality of people , especially women in childbearing : if it fall vpon Tuesday , the yéere will proue very barraine and vnfruitfull , much dearth will raigne , and amongst people great plague and mortallitie : if it fall vpon Wednesday , the yéere shall be reasonably seasonable , though a little inconstant : there shall be plenty of all things , onely much sickenesse , and great likelyhood of warres : if it fall vpon the Thursday , the yéere shall be generally very temperate and wholesome , onely the Sommer subiect to moistnesse , much deuision is like to fall amongst the Clergie , and women shall be giuen to more laciuiousnesse then at other seasons : if it fall on the Friday , the yéere shall be barraine and vnwholesome , for sickenesse shall rage with great violence , much mortallitie shall fall amongst yong Children , and both Corne and Cattell shall be scarce , and of a déere reckoning : if it fall on the Saturday , the yéere shall be reasonably good and plentifull , onely the people of the world shall be excéeding peruerse , & much giuen to mutinie & dissention one against another .

Againe , if the Sunne rise without impediment , Signes from the Sunne rising . and shine bright and cléere vpon Christmas day , the yéere will be very plentifull : if it rise likewise cléere the second day in Christmas , then Corne will fall in price : if it rise cléere the third day in Christmas , there will onely be dissention in the Church : if on the fourth day , it foreshewes trouble vnto yong persons : if on the fift day , it shewes that many good things will increase : if on the sixt , doubtlesse euery Garden will bring forth great plenty : if on the seauenth , then is much dearth and scarcitie to be feared : if it shine cléere on the eyght day in Christmas , then there is likely to be great store of Fish : if on the ninch , it will doubtles proue a good yéere for all manner of Cattell : if on the tenth , the yéere is likely to yéeld much cause of mourning : if on the eleauenth , there will fall much fogges , thicke mistes , and great infection will follow after . Lastly , if the Sunne shine cléere the twelfth day after Christmas , it fore-shewes much warre and troubles , with great losse and bloudshed .

Againe , according to these former obseruations , you shall vnderstand , Signes from the twelue dayes in Christmas . that what weather shall fall or be on the sixe and twentieth day of December , the like weather shall be all the moneth of Ianuary after , what shall be on the seauen and twentieth of December , the like shall be all the moneth of February following : what weather shall be on the eight and twentieth day of December , the like weather shall be all March following : what weather shall be the nine and twentieth day of December , the same shall be all Aprill after : what on the thirtieth , the same all May : what on the one and thirtieth the like all Iune following : what weather shall fall on the first of Ianuary , the same shall be all Iuly after : what on the second of Ianuary , the same all August after : what on the third , the same all September after : what on the fourth , the same all October following : what on the fift , the same all Nouember after , and what weather shall fall on the sixt of Ianuary , which is Twelft-day , the same weather shall fall all December following .

Signes from Saint Pauls day . Againe , if Saint Pauls day proue fayre , dry and bright , it foresheweth plenty of all things the yéere following : but if it be misty then it shewes great dearth of Cattell . If there fall vpon that day Snow or Raine , then it shewes Famine and Want of Corne , but if it be windy , tempestuous , or if it thunder , then it sheweth that great warres will follow .

Signes from Maudlin , and Saint Swythens day . Againe , looke what quantitie of raine falleth eyther on Mary Maudlins day , or on Saint Swithens day , be it more or lesse , the same proportion will fall for the space of forty dayes after : but if these two dayes be fayre and dry all the time of Haruest will be so also .

If Corne shall be cheape or deare . Now if you will know whether Corne shall be cheape or déere , take twelue principall graynes of Wheate out of the strength of the eare , vpon the first day of Ianuary , and when the harth of your Chimney is most hot , swéepe it cleane , then make a stranger lay one of those Graynes on the hot hearth , then marke it well , and if it leape a little , Corne shall be reasonably cheape , but if it leape much then Corne shall be excéeding cheape , but if it lye still and mo●e not , then the price of Corne shall stand , and continue still for that Moneth : and thus you shall vse your twelue Graines , the first day of euery Moneth one after another , that is to say , euery Moneth one Graine , and you shall know the rising and falling of Corne in euery Moneth , all the yéere following .

If it shall thunder much the first Sunday of the New-yéere , Signes from Thunder . it shewes great death and mortallitie amongst learned men : if it thunder the first Munday , it shewes great death of women , and many Eclipses of the Sunne : if it thunder on the first Tuesday , it shewes plenty of Corne , but much Warre and dissention : if it thunder on the first Wednesday , it shewes mortallitie and death amongst the worst sort of people , both Male and Female , besides much Warre and bloudshed : if it thunder on the first Thursday in the New-yéere , it sheweth much plenty of Corne that will follow : if it thunder on the first Friday , it betokeneth the losse of great personages , and men of authoritie , many affrayes and murthers , with much perill and danger . Lastly , if it thunder vpon the first Saturday in the New-yéere , it foresheweth onely a generall plague and infection , which shall raigne with strong violence .

If you shall perceiue the Summer and Spring time to fall out very moyst and rainy , Signes of sicknes or health . without winde , yet in their owne natures very hot & scortching , or if the Southerne or Southwest-winde blow much without raine : if many fogs and mists fall in the Morning , and ouercome the Sunnes beames at noone also : if the Sunne suffer any large Eclipse : if Autumne and Winter be more foggy then moyst or cold : if the Dowe or Leauen , of which you mould your bread , doe quickely mould and cleaue together without labour : if Dogs runne madde , if Birds forsake their nests : if Shéepe r●t : if Fennes , 〈◊〉 grounds , and muddy places abound with Frogges : if Mud-wals bréede Swine lice or Sowes : if Moales forsake the earth : if the small Pocks or Meazels be ri●e and abound in the Spring time , or if women generally 〈◊〉 miscarry in childe-bedde , any of these are most certaine signes of much sickenesse and mortallitie that will follow the yéere after : and all such signes as are directly contrarie to any of these , as if the Summer and Spring doe fall out drye and windy : if the South or Southwest winde bring with it euer rayne : if no fogs or mists oppresse the ayre , and so forth of all the rest which are before shewed , are most certaine and infallible tokens of a very wholesome and healthfull yéere , which will euer follow after .

The preseruation of health . Now for the preseruation of your health , and to preuent all such sickenesses as are incident to follow in these casuall and daungerous yéeres : through euery seuerall moneth in the yéere you shall obserue these few precepts .

First , in the month of Ianuary you shall forbeare to let bloud , vnlesse vpon violent extreamitie , & that the sig●● be excéeding good for the same , you shall drinke white wine in the morning fasting , & rub your head with a course Towell very hard , but yet cleane , for it is a most wholesom friction .

In the month of February , you shall not let bloud for wantonnesse , but néede : you shall forbeare Hearbe-pottage , for at that time onely they are least wholesome : you shall kéepe the soles of your féete from wet , and vse euery morning your former friction .

In the moneth of March , the signe being good , you may let bloud according to your youth , strength , and necessitie : you may take hot and swéet meats and drinkes , especially Almonds , Figs & Reyzins , & vse also your former friction .

In the month of Aprill , you may bléed as in the month of March : in it also you may purge , by the order of a learned directer : let your dyet be hot and fresh meats , and your drinke temperate : also in this moneth your former friction is excéeding wholesome .

In the month of May be no sluggard , for the bed is vnwholesome , cléerified Way is this moneth a most soueraigne drinke , and Sage with swéet Butter is a most excellent breakefast : yong Lettuce is an approued good Sallet , and the inthrals or offall of Beasts would by all meanes be refused , it is also good to let bloud in this month onely for necessitie , and not for pleasure , and beware by all means , not to go weishooed in the dew in the morning .

In the month of Iune obserue the dyet of May , or if you be of youthfull bloud it is not amisse if it be a little cooler , and for bléeding let it be for vrgent necessitie .

In the month of Iuly eschew all wanton bed-sport : and if each morning you take a draught of clarified Butter-Milke it is very wholesome : vse coole Iulyps , and meats that are fresh , and not stirring : now forbeare Lettice , and bléede not , except it be in cause of great extreamitie .

In the month of August forbeare all manner of Worts , and Cabadges , and generally all meats and Spices which are hot and inflaming : but by any meanes bléed not at all , except by the direction of most approued learning .

In the month of September you may eate any sort of ripe Fruits : you may bathe in hot bathes , for colde causes , at your pleasure , and you may let bloud according to your necessitie : those foods are best which are of lightest disgestion , and those drinkes most wholesome which are rather strong then scouring .

In the moneth of October , spare not any bloud , except great extreamitie compell you , and for your dyet , let it be of such foods as are most strong and nourishing , and your drinke Béere or Ale , of indifferent strength , and now and then at the midst , and end of meales , a draught or two of such Wines as are pleasant , strong , and wholesome : Sallets of Flowers , preserued in Uinegar & Sugar , as either Uiolets , Broome-flowers , or Gelly-flowers of all kindes , or Sampyre , Purslan , or Beane-●ods , preserued in pickell , are of excellent vse , both in this moneth , and the other two which follow .

In the Moneth of Nouember open also no vaine , but for great néed , because the blood is then gathered together into the principall vessels : Bathing in this Moneth is vtterly to be refused , onely let your body be kept warme , and euery colde humour or obstruction , rather dissolued by moderate frictions , as is shewed in the moneth of Ianuary and February , then by the violence of any other inward medicine . Shell-Fish in this moneth is very wholesome , and so are all other sorts of Fish , which are not too rawe or slymie .

In the Moneth of December blood-letting should be also forborne , except vpon some especiall dayes , as after the fiue and twentieth day at the soonest : and for your diet let it be meate which is hot and nourishing , but by no meanes that which bréedeth melancholie bloud . Use strong Wine and sharpe Sauces : as for the warmth of your body , next vnto good cloathing , let it euer procéed from exercise that is moderate , then from toasting , or broiling your selfe against the fire , for in this Month that body can hardly be sound whose shinnes are made pyde and motley with the fiers scorthcing .

And thus much touching the experience of the English Husbandman in these fore-knowledges , and ayming after the times to come , being drawne from the obseruations and rules left vs by succession of times of those learned Fathers , and other best knowne and approued in these knowledges : yet I doe not binde-euery Husbandman to make as it were new Créeds of these Principles , but onely to giue them to his memory , as things that will neither oppresse nor hurt it , and if in any seldome-séene particularitie , any shall vary from the purpose of the relation , to remember that there is aboue vs a God of all Truth and Knowledge , who will dispose and gouerne all things , according to his good Will and Pleasure : to which let euery Creature submit , in as much as hee onely knoweth what is for mankinde most best and most conuenient .

CHAP. II. The choyce of ground for the Kitchin-garden , and the ordering thereof .

A Promise honest and profitable , being seriously made , I holde a sinne capitall to neglect , especially where the goodnesse stretcheth it selfe ouer a whole Kingdome : and hence I haue assumed to perfect both my promise and my labour in building vp that weake foundation which I formerly laid , of the English Husbandman : wherein , contrary to all other Authors , I am neither beholden to Pliny , Virgil , Columella , Varo , Rutillius , Libault , nor any other Forrainer , but onely to our owne best experienst Countreymen , whose daily knowledge hath made them most perfect in their professions : and what better instruction can be had then that which we receiue from the professors , being men of our owne neighbourhood , acquainted with our Climate and Soile , and the necessary things agréeing with the bett●ring of the same ? and not resort , as our Translators haue done , to strangers helpe , who tels you that you must meanure your ground with Asses dung , when our Kingdome hath not so many foure-footed Asses as wil meanure one Acre , and many such like things which our Kingdome affordeth not : therefore according to the plaine true English fashion , thus I pursue my purpose .

Touching the choyse of Ground , The choyce of Ground . I haue in the former part of this Booke shewed you the true nature and goodnesse of euery seuerall Soyle : and you are to vnderstand that the best Soyle is best for this purpose , because it is least laborsome , and most profitable : yet notwithstanding that some of our translated Authors doth vtterly disalow for Gardens many Soyles , as namely , all Sands , all Chawkie earths , all Grauell , all Earths like dust , and any Earth which chappeth or openeth in the heat of Summer , by that meanes depriuing almost halfe our kingdome of the benefit of Gardens , yet I assure you there is no Soyle whatsoeuer ( if it lye from the inundation of water , or be not absolutely boggy ) but with industry will beare any Fruit , Hearbe , or Flower , plentifully , and without any casualtie procéeding from the 〈◊〉 therof : witnes a most worthy Garden in the barren Peake of Darbyshire , where there is no curious Trée or Plant wanting , nor doe they flourish in any place more bra●●ly .

Now for mine owne part , I write generally to all Husbandmen , not to those onely which liue in fertile and fat Soyles , and therefore I would haue no man say , the Soyle where I liue is so barraine , that I cannot haue a Garden : for if the Soyle wherein you liue , be barraine , The bettering of Grounds . then shall you in the latter end of September breake vp your earth more then a Spade-graft déepe , and be well assured that at euery Spade-graft you breake the moul● well , and leaue not the rootes of any wéeds within it , th●● let it rest till the midst of October , at which time if ●●y wéeds appeare vpon it , by all meanes let them be pl●ckt vp by the roots ; which done , you shall trench your ground at least a yarde and a halfe déepe , and then bury in those trenches , The trenching of Grounds . if it be a Sand or grauell earth , great ●tore o● Oxe or Cow meanure , if it be a colde Chalkie Clay , or a moyst ground , then great store of Horse meanure , of both which meanures the oldest and rottenest is the best : but if you liue in such a Soyle as there is neyther of these meanures bred therein , then take straw of any kinde whatsoeuer , and spread it in the high-way where there is much trauell , & when it is rotten with the beating of Horse féet , then cause it to be shoueld vp , & with it fill your trenches , but if Straw be wanting , then if you haue any muddy ditches or ponds , scowre the mud out of them , & with it fill vp your trenches : & although these are not so long lasting as the two first sorts of meanures , yet they are sufficient to bring forth increase , & must supply where necessity inforceth , alwayes hauing discretion when you sée your ground abate in fruitfulnes , to replenish it with fresh meanure .

Now as you fill your trenches with meanure , let one mixe the earth therewithall , and as it were blend and incorporate them together : thus hauing gone ouer so much ground as you intend to plant or sowe vpon , you shall let it rest till the midst of Ianuary , at which time you shall breake it vp in trenches againe , but not aboue thrée quarters of a yarde déepe , and then fill vp those trenches with meanure as before , and lay your earth as leuell as is possible , & so let it rest till the beginning of March ( if the weather be seasonable for sowing or planting ) otherwise let it stay till mid-March , and as soone as the Moone is changed you shall then dig it vp the fourth time , and make it fit to receyue your séede , but in this fourth time of turning ouer your earth , you shall dig it but a little better then a Spade-graft depth , and euer as you dig it , mixe it with fresh meanure : if your ground be subiect to much chapping or rining , then you shall at this last digging mixe the earth with ashes and Horse meanure mixt together , which will binde and holde the earth from chapping .

After you haue digd your ground in this order , Of breaking the Garden moulde . and made it leuell , you shal with an Iron Rake breake the great clods of earth , and bring it to as fine a mould as is possible , euer obseruing that if in the breaking of the clods or otherwise , you perceiue the roots or stalks of any wéeds to arise , you shall presently with your hand pull them out , and cast them on heaps , that they may serue eyther for the fire or the dunghill : Ordering of Garden beds . which done , you shall tread out your beds in such orderly sort , that you may passe from one to the other without eyther treading vpon the beds , or striding ouer them : & thus much for the barraine & sterrill ground , which although all ancient & late writers reiect , as not worthy to be imployed to this vse , yet beléeue it , being husbanded as is said before , it will equall in fruitfulnes the best ground .

Touching your rich and perfect grounds , Of the fruitfull Soyle . which of themselues are apt to put forth with little labour , you shall onely at the latter end of September breake vp the Earth , and making greater Trenches , 〈…〉 with Oxe meanure , and then turning the Earth ●pon the meanure , leuell your ground very carefully , br●●ke the clots and rake it very painefully , and their trende ●ut 〈◊〉 beds , as is before sayd , artificially : but if the ground which you breake vp , be eyther gréene-swarth , or much ouergrowne with wéeds ( as these rich soyles must euer be the one or the other ) ( for they will not be idle , but continually bringing forth ) then at this first digging and dunging you shall haue diuers which shall follow the Spade , who shall take away all manner of roots , gréenes , grasse-●ults , stones , or whatsoeuer may bréede anoyance to the ground : which worke being perfected , you shall let the ground ●est all winter till the beginning of March , that the frost may mellow and ripen the mould , and also kill the roots of such wéeds as the Spade hath turned vp , and haue béene omitted to be pulled away .

Now so soone as March is come , vpon the first change of the Moone , you shall digge vp this Earth again● , leuell it , and order it in all points as was sayd of the barraine Earth , onely there will néede no more vse of meanure , but as soone as it is digged , raked , leuelled , and brought into a fine mould , you may then tread out your Beds , as aforesayd , euer proportioning the quantitie of them according to the quantitie of your séedes , hauing the most of that which is most in vse , and the least of the contrary .

Now as touching the fencing and inclosing of your Garden , I haue in the former Booke shewed you the same at large , and giuen seuerall instructions , according to mens seuerall abilities , with this caution , that whether your fence be wall , pale , dead-hedge , ditch , or quick●et , yet it must be so high that it may with assurance kéepe all manner of Pullen from flying ouer the same , who are the greatest enemies to a Garden that may be .

The necessariest Ornament in a Garden . There would be also in this Kitchin-Garden , if with conueniency it may be brought to passe , eyther a Pumpe , Well , or Cesterne , which might flow continually with water all the Summer time , for the watering of Hearbs , as shall be héereafter declared . And thus much touching the choyce of ground for a Kitchin-garden , and the ordering of the same .

CHAP. III. Of the sowing and ordering of all manner of Pot-hearbs .

WHen you haue prepared your ground , and cast your beds in an orderly fashion , as is before spoken , you shall then take your Séeds , which Séeds would by no meanes be aboue a yéere olde : and hauing sorted them seuerally , euery one by it selfe , and appointed the beds which shall seuerally receiue them : you shall in this manner sowe your Pot-hearbs , which craue not much roote , because their onely benefit is in the leafe : take your séeds and put them into a wooden Tray , then take of your Garden moulde , the finest that may be , being made almost as fine as ashes , and mixe your Séeds , and that mould very well together , then goe to the bedde where you meane to bestow them , and hauing newly rackt it ( to stirre vp the fresh mould ) with your hand sprinkle and sowe them all ouer the bed , so thicke as may be : which done , with a fine Rake , rake the bed gently ouer , then taking spare fine mould , put it into a ridling Siue , and sift it ouer the bed better then two fingers thickenesse , and so let it rest : thus you shall doe seuerally with euery séede one after another , bestowing euery one vpon a seuerall bed .

Now for your Pot-hearbs , Of all sorts of Pot-hearbs . which are most generally in vse , they be these : Endiue and Succorie , which delight in moyst ground , Of Endiue and Succorie . and will endure the winter . Bleete of which there be two kindes , Red and White : this Hearbe neuer néedeth wéeding , and if he be suffered to shed his séed it will hardly euer to be got out of a Garden .

Of Beets . Then Beets , which must be much wéeded , for they lo●● to liue by themselues , and if they grow too thick● you may take them vp when they are a finger long in their 〈◊〉 earth , and set them in another bed , and they will prosper much better .

Land-Cresses . Then land Cresses , which is both a good Pot-hearb● and a good Sallet-Hearbe : it loueth shadowie places , where the Sunne shineth least , and standeth in néed of little dung .

Parcely . Then Parcely , which of all Hearbs is of most vse , it is longest in appearing aboue ground , and the elder s●●d is the quicker in growth , but not the surer ; but eyther being once come vp increase naturally , and doe hardly euer decay : it cannot grow too thicke , but as you vse it you must cut off the toppes with your knife , and by no meanes pull vp the rootes : if it be put into a little pursse , and beaten against the ground , to bruise it a little before it be sowne , it will make it haue a large crisped leafe .

Of Sauory . Then Sauory , of which are two kindes , the Winter - Sauory , and Summer , both delight in leane ground , and are quicke of growth , and long lasting .

Of Time . Then Time , of which are also two kindes , the running Time , and the Garden Time : they delight in fertile ground , and from the séede are very slow of growth , therefore it is best euer to set them from the ●lip . The running Time doth delight in the shadow , but the Garden Time in the Sunne .

French Mallowes . Then French - Mallowes , which will ioy in any ground , and are quicke of growth .

Cheruill . Then Cheruill , which will not by any meanes grow with any other Hearbe .

Of Dill. Then Dill , which may be sowne almost in any moneth of the yéere as well as March : it endureth all weathers , but loueth the warmth best .

Of Isop . Then Isop ● which in like manner as Time is , slow of growth from the séed , and therefore ●itter to be set from the slips , after it hath once taken roote it encreaseth wonderfully , and will hardly be destroyed .

Then Mints , Of Mints . which flourish onely in the Summer time , but dye in the Winter , it delighteth most in the moyst ground .

Then Violets , Violets . the leaues whereof are a good Pot-hearb , and the Flowers preserued in close glasse pots , with strong Wine-vinegar and Sugar , a most excellent Sallet : it doth delight to grow high , and will grow spéedely eyther from the plant or from the séed .

Then Basill , Of Basill . which would be sowne in the warme weather , as at the beginning of May , for the séed is tender , and when you haue sowne it , you shall presse the earth downe vpon it with your féet , for the seede can endure no hollownesse : if you sowe it at the fall of the Leafe , you shall sprinkle the séede with Uinegar , and when you water it let the Sunne be at his height .

Then swéet Marioram , Sweet Marioram . which would be sowne on rich ground , and farre from Sunneshine , for it taketh no delight in his beames .

Then Marigolds , Marigolds . which renew euery moneth , and endure the Winter as well as the Summer : this Hearbe the oftner you remoue it , the bigger it groweth .

Then Strawberries , Of Strawberries . whose leaues are a good Pot-hear●e , and the fruit the wholesomme●t berry : this Hearbe of all other , would be set of the plant , and not sowne from the séed , for the oft changing and remouing of it causeth it to grow bigger and bigger : it groweth best vnder the shadowes of other Hearbes , but very sufficiently in beds , or else where .

Then Borage and Buglosse , Of Borage and Buglosse . both which are of one nature : they would be sowne in small quantity , for where they take they will runne ouer a whole Garden : the séed must be gathered when it is halfe ripe it is so apt to shed , and when you gather it you must plucke vp the stalkes , leaues & all , and so laying them one vpon another thrée or foure dayes , their own heat will bring the séed to ripenes .

Of Rosemary . Then Rosemary , which is an Hearbe tender and ●●●rious , yet of singular vertue : it is soone slaine with frost or lightening : it will grow plentifully from the séede , but much better from the slip , it delighteth to be planted against some Wall where it may haue the re●lection of the Sunne , for to stand vnpropped of himselfe , the very shaking of the winde will kill it .

Of Penyroyal . Then Penyroyall , which most properly is vsed to be mixt with Puddings , made of the bloud of Beasts , & Oatmeale : of it there be two kindes , Male and Female : the Male beareth a white flower , and the Female a purple : it must be sowne in small quantity , for it will runne and spread ouer-much ground : it delighteth most in moyst earth .

Of Leekes . Then Leekes , which would haue a fertile ground , and as soone as they be shot vp a good length you shall cut the blades to the polt , and then remoue the heads , and set them borderwise about your other beds : this remouing after the cutting off the blades , wil make them grow bigger , and prosper better , as for thrusting Oyster-shels or Tyle-shreads vnder them , to make the heads bigger , it is a toy , for if the mould be loose and good , the Léeke will come to his perfect growth : they may be sowne both in March , Aprill , May , and Iune , and they may be remoued all Iuly , August , September and October .

Of Onions . Then Onions , which differ not much from the nature of Léekes , they loue a fertile Soyle , and would be sowne with the séeds of Sauory : when they come vp if they grow too thicke , as is often séene , you shall plucke vp some and spend them in the Pot and in Sallets , to giue the rest more roome , and some you shall take vp and replant in other beds , which you may preserue for séede : those Onion● which you would not haue to séede , you shall cut off the b●ades in the midst , that the iuyce may descend downew●rd , and when you sée the heads of the Onions appearing aboue the earth , you shall with your féet tread them into the ground● there be some very well experienst Husbands , which will take the fayrest , goodliest and soundest Onions they can get , and in this moneth of March set them thrée fingers déepe in the earth , and these of all other bring forth the purest and best séede , for which purpose onely they are preserued : as soone as your séed-Onions are knotted , you shall vnderproppe them with square cradles , made of stickes , least the waight of the boules which carry the séede , should breake the blades .

The time of gathering your séede is , Of gathering Onion-seede , or the Onion . when it is all turned purely blacke , and the time of gathering the Onions is , when the heads doe forsake the earth , after they be gathered you shall lay them on a dry floore for a fortnight , or more , and then binde them vp in ropes , and hang them where they may haue the ayre of the fire , onely note that shall gather your Onions in the increase of the Moone , as they were sowne , and not otherwise .

Many other Pot-hearbs there be , which for as much as they differ nothing , eyther in sowing , planting , or ordering , from these which I haue rehearsed , I will héere omit them , and thinke this sufficient , touching the sowing and ordering of all manner of Pot-hearbs .

CHAP. IIII. Of the sowing of certaine Hearbs , which are to be eaten , but especially are medicinall , yet euer in the Husbandmans Garden .

OF Hearbes which are medicinall , Of Arag● . I will begin with Arage ● or Orache , which being colde and moyst is very excellent against the hot Go●t : it is to be sowne in any moneth , from February till December : it loueth much moisture , and therefore must be oft watered : it must be sowne excéeding thinne , and quickly couered , for the ayre is offensiue .

Of Lumbardy Loueage . Next it is Lumbardy , Loueage , which being 〈…〉 dry , is very purgatiue , it desireth a very fruitfull 〈◊〉 but if it be sowne where it may haue much 〈…〉 some shelter accompanied with moysture , it will 〈…〉 any ground , the moneths for sowing thereof , is , 〈◊〉 the midst of February till Haruest .

Of Fennell . Fennell is also hot and dry , and it comforteth the stomacke , openeth the inward vessels , and helpeth disgestion ; it may be sowne in any moneth , and vpon any indifferent ground , especially if it be a little stony , the séede would not be very old , though of all other it be the longest la●ter .

Of Anise . Anise is hot and dry , it dissolueth humors and obstructions , and is very comfortable to weake stomacks , it delighteth in a good and loose mould , and is to be sowne in the height of the Spring onely .

Of Comin . Comin is of the nature of Anise and Fennell , and mixt with either , is very soueraine against all inward sicknesses procéeding from cold , it loueth a fruitfull rich earth & much warmth , and therfore the later it is sowne in the Spring , it is so much the better , and aboue all things it would be sowne in the hottest time of the day , & if it be mixed with other séeds , it is so much the better , and appeareth the sooner .

Of Coliander . Coliander is of the nature of the earth , cold & dry , it helps disgestion , & suppresseth vapours which offend the braine , it may be sowne vpon any indifferent ground , & in any month except December and Ianuary , the elder the séedes are the better so they be sound , and they desire much watering .

Of Rue . Rue or Hearb-grace is hot and dry , & is very soueraigne against all inward infection , putrifactions , and impostumations , it ioyeth in any reasonable ground so it grow warme and dry , the moneths fittest for the sowing thereof , is March , Aprill or May , and the mould would be firme and not subiect to ryuing , whence it procéedes that no meanure is so good for the encrease thereof as horse-dung and ashes mixt together : the beds would be made high & discending , that no moysture may stay thereon , they must be carefully wéeded , for in their first growth otherwise they are soone choaked .

Organie is hot and dry , Of Organie . and excellent against any sicknesse of the liuer , the ground in which it most ioyeth would be a little stonie , and full of rubbish , yet by no meanes vndunged , the moneth fittest for the sowing thereof is March and September , the Moone being in Libra or any other moist signe , it must be continually watred till it appear● aboue the earth , but after forborne , for being once well fixed , it is euer certaine .

White Poppy is cold and moyst , Of white Poppy . and much prouoketh sléepe : it delights to be sowne in a rich , warme , dry ground , in the moneths of March , September or Nouember .

Germander is hot and dry , Of Germander . and excellent against the Kings euill ; obstructions of the Spléene and hardnesse of Urine ; it is a hard hearbe , and will prosper in any ground , it is to be sowne , either in the spring or fall of the leafe , and is most comly for the setting forth of knots in Gardens .

Cardus Benedictus , Of Cardus Benedictus . or the blessed Thistell , is hot and dry , it is very soueraine against most inward sicknesses , stancheth blood , and is a great comforter of the braine , it delighteth in a rich ground and a loose well tempered mould , it must be sowne very shallow , and not couered aboue two inches déepe , the first quarter of the Moone is best to sowe it in , and in the moneths of March , May or September , if you sowe a little fine flaxen Wheat with it , no doubt but it will prosper the better .

Angellica is hot and dry , Of Angellica . it openeth and dissolueth obstructions , is an excellent cordiall against poyson , and all infections , it helpeth the collicke , and cureth the biting of madde dogges or venemous beasts , it loueth a fruitfull dry mould , but may not indure the trouble of wéedes , it is to be sowne in March or Aprill , & it flourisheth in Iuly & August , it hath a swéet odour , and helpeth all euill & infected ayres .

Valerian is hot & dry and preuenteth infection , O● Valerian . it helpeth stitches and other griefes procéeding from windy causes , it loueth to grow in moist and low places , the ground being well meanured , and fill it be shot at least a handfull high , it must be kept with continuall watring , the 〈…〉 of the yéere is the best to sowe it in .

Of Elecampana . Elecampana , is hot and moyst , and good for offences in the lungs , or any outward ioynt , being troubled with paine procéeding from colde : it is better much to be set th●● sowne , yet notwithstanding it may safely enough be sowne at any time after mid-March , the ground being rich● soft , and loose , and the séede strowed very thinne , and ●t least two fingers distance one from another .

Of Pepperwort . Pepperwort is hot and drye , yet of the two much more hot , it is good against all kinde of aches , and other paine in the ioynts , or sinewes : it delighteth in a rich blacke Soyle , fat and loose : it would be sowne in February , and remoued in September .

Of Philipendula . Philipendula is very hot and dry , and is good against abortiue births , Stone , Strangury , or any griefe procéeding from colde causes : it may be sowne in any barraine , stony , or grauelly Soyle , in the months of May , Aprill , or September : it neither desireth much wéeding , nor much watering , but being once committed to the ground appeareth sodainely : and thus much of those Hearbes which are fit for Medicine , of which though there be many others , yet they differ not in their ordering from these already declared .

CHAP. V. Of diuers sorts of Sallet-Hearbes , their manner of sowing and ordering .

Of Lettuce . AMongst the many numbers of Sallet-Hearbes I thinke it not amisse to beginne first with Lettuce , which of all other whose vertue is helde in the leafe , is most delicate , tender , and pleasant : the ground then in which it most delighteth , is that which is most fertile , best laboured , and of the finest mould , being soft , loose , and more enclining to moysture then drinesse : it may be sowne in any moneth of the yeare , from February to Nouember ; it is very quick of growth , and will appeare aboue the earth in foure dayes after the sowing : it would at first be sowne thicke , and carefully kept with morning and euening watrings , if the season be dry , but not otherwise : after it is growne and faire spread aboue the earth , which will be in a moneths space or there-abouts , you shall chuse out the fairest and goodliest plants , and taking them vp with the earth and all , about their rootes , replant or remoue them to a new bed of fresh mould , and there set them a foote distance one from another , and fixe their rootes fast and hard into the ground : then couer or presse them downe with Tyle or Slate stones , to make them spread and not spring vpward , by which meanes the leaues will gather together , and cabbadge , in a thicke and good order , for it is to be vnderstood , that the oftner you remoue your Lettuce , the fairer and closer they wil cabbage . There be diuers which obserue to remoue Lettuce as soone as sixe leaues are sprung aboue the ground ; but I like better to remoue them when they begin to spindle : they are most estéemed in the moneths of Aprill , May , and Iune , for in Iuly they are supposed to carrie in them a poysonous substance .

Next the Lettuce I preferre the hearbe Spynage , Of Spynage . which delighteth in a well-dunged earth , and may be sowne in Aprill , March , September , or October : it would not be mixed with other séedes , because it prospereth best alone .

Sparagus ioyeth in a fertill moist ground , Of Sparagus . the mould being made light which couers it , and the ground well dunged , the Spring is the best time to sowe it , and it must be sowne in long furrowes or trenches made with your finger , and not vniuersally spread ouer the bed as other séeds are : it loueth moysture , but may not endure the wet to lye long vpon it , and therefore the beds would a little descend it : must not be remoued till the rootes be so feltred together , that they hinder the new branches from springing vp , which commonly is two yeares .

Of Colworts . Colworts or Cabbadge séede delighteth in any well husbanded handed ground , and may be sowen in all sorts and seasons as Lettuce is , and must also in the like manner be remoued , after the principall leaues are come forth , which will make them to gather together , and cabbadge the better : and as they may be sowen in any season of the yeare , so likewise they may be remoued at all seasons likewise , except the frost or other vnseasonable weather hinder you : and although some men will not allow it to be sowen in clay grounds , grauell , chalke , or sand , yet they are deceiued ; for if the earth be well ordred , they will grow plentifully , onely you must obserue when you remoue them to let them haue earth roome enough .

Of Sage . Sage is in Gardens most common , because it is most wholesome , and though it may be better set from the slip then sowen in the séede , yet both will prosper , it loueth any well drest ground , and may be sowen either in February , March , September , or October : it loueth also to grow thick and close together , and will of it selfe ouercome most wéedes : it asketh not much dung , neither too great care 〈◊〉 watring , onely it would be oft searched , for Toa●es and other venemous things will delight to lye vnder it , the more Sunne and ayre it hath , the better it is .

Of Purslane . Purslane is a most excellent Sallet hearbe , and loueth ● fertile soile , and though it may be sowen almost in any moneth , yet the warmest is the best , as Aprill , May , Iune , or Septemb. Buck ashes are an excellent meanure for them , and for most Sallet hearbs else , but aboue all they loue dry dust and house-swéepings , they are apt to shed their séede , whence it comes that a ground once possest of them will seldome want them , they may also be remoued , and will prosper much the better .

Of Artichokes Artychokes loue a fat earth , and may be sowen in February or March , the Moone encreasing , the séedes must not be sowen together , but set one by one a good distance asunder ; they must lye somewhat déepe , and be firmely couered ; yet if you can procure them , I rather with you rather to set them from Slips or young Plants , then sowe them from the séedes , for they doe so naturally loue the earth , that you can hardly slip so wast a leafe from an Artychoke as will not take roote ; if you sowe the séede , you must be carefull to wéede and water them well , for the first leaues are very tender : also if you remoue them after their first springing , the fruit will be bigger and better .

Garlicke is best in September and Nouember , Of Garlicke . to be set from the cloue , in & about the borders of beds , or other séedes , halfe a foote one from another , and in February , March , and Aprill , to be sowen from the séede : it must be ordered as you order Onyon séede , it loues not much wet nor extreame drought , onely it desires a good mould which is rich and firme , yet not too much dunged .

Raddish loueth a fertile ground , Of Raddish . that is well dunged , chiefly with mans ordure , that is déepe trencht , and hath an easie and light mould , and the séedes would be placed either in rowes , or about the borders of beds , as you doe Garlicke : the manner of sowing it is with a dibble or round sticke , to make a hole into the ground almost a foote déepe , and then into that hole to put not aboue two séedes at the most , and then close the hole vp againe , and let the holes be foure fingers one from another , it may be sowen in most months of the yéere if the frost hinder not , and to make the roote large & tender , and to kéepe the branch from féeding ; you shall as it springs crop off the principall leaues which grow against the heart of the root : to tread them downe into the earth after they haue fast roote is good also .

Nauew , Of Nauew . if the earth haue any small goodnesse in it will grow plentifully , neither is offended with any ayre , onely the mould would be loose and rough , for otherwise it many times turneth to Rape : the séede naturally commeth vp very thicke , therefore it is expedient to remoue them and plant them thinner , for that best preserueth their natures , they may be sowne in February , March , Aprill , September , or October .

Of Parsneps and Carrets . Parsneps or Carrets are of one and the selfe nature , they delight in a good fat earth , and would be sowne reasonably thicke , in long déepe trenches like furrowes , hauing a gentle and easie mould either in the moneth of Ianuary , February , or March , or in September , October , or December , they must be carefully well wéeded , and if the earth be fat , they néede not much watring or other attendance .

Of Pompyons . Pompyons , Gourds , or Mellons , desire a very good ground , or by Nature or Art , the séedes must be sowne very thinne , as at least halfe a foote one from another , they would lye reasonably déepe , yet the mould very gentle which couers them , they are subiect to spread and runne ouer much ground , therefore as they grow you must direct their stemmes , so as they may not annoy one another , and when they flower you shall lay broad Tiles or Slat● stones vnder them , that the fruit nor flower may not touch the earth ; if you plash them vp against trées or walles where they may haue the reflection of the Sunne , the fruit will be larger , pleasanter , and sooner ripe : they néede no wéeding nor watring after you sée them appeare aboue the earth , and the best seasons to sowe them in , is February , March , or Aprill , those are the best Pompyons which haue the smallest séedes , and are of the most yellowest complexion .

Of th● Cowcumber . Cowcumber , is a delicate , pleasant , yet very tender fruit , and delighteth in an extraordinarie fat earth , especially during the opening or sprouting of the séede , therefore the best and most vndoubted safest way for sowing them , is , first in some corner of your Kitchin garden to make a bed of two or thrée yards square of olde Oxe dung , and Horse dung mixt together , and at least a yard or better high from the earth , then couer this bed of dung with the rich●st garden mould you haue , better then halfe a foote thicke : then thereon place your séedes halfe a foote likewise one from another , and be most sure that your séedes be hard and sound ( for any softnesse in them sheweth rottennesse ) then couer them foure fingers thicke with the like mould : then within seauen or eight dayes , after you shall sée them appeare aboue the earth , but in any wise let them continue still till the principall leaues be come forth , and they begin to créepe out in length , then with your hand griping the whole plant , take it vp by the rootes with the earth and all , and plant it in a bed new digged & trimmed for the purpose with a rich loose mould , and so replant and remoue each roote seuerally one after another , and they will grow and bring forth in great plenty . Now by the way you must obserue , that as soone as you haue sowne your séedes you shall prouide a Mat , Canuasse , or other couering , which being placed vpon stakes ouer the dung bed , shall euery night after Sunne-set be spread ouer the same , and not taken away till the Sunne be risen in the morning , for this will defend the séedes from frosts and other cold dewes which are very dangerous . Now if any demand why these séedes are thus sowne first on the bed of dung , they shall vnderstand that besides the warmth and fertility thereof , that the séedes are so pleasant and tender , that wormes and other créeping things in the earth will destroy them before they can sprout , which this bed of dung preuenteth . The months most fit for sowing these séedes , are Aprill , May , and Iune onely , for other are much too colde , and in this manner you may sowe any tender séede whatsoeuer .

Beanes of Egipt delight in a moyst watrish ground , Of the Beane of Egipt . rather fertile then any way giuen to barrainnesse , yet will plentifully enough prosper in any indifferent earth : they are rather to set then sowe , because they must take strong roote , and be fi●ed somewhat déepe into the earth , and the moneth which is most proper for them , is the latter end of Ianuary , all February and the beginning of March onely .

Skerrets are a delicate roote , Of Skerrets . white , tender , and pleasant , little differing in tast or excellencie from the Eringo . They delight in a rich mould , moyst and well broken , and must be set déepe in the earth : after they be a finger length aboue the ground they would be remoued , and planted in a fresh mould , which will preserue them from spéedie séeding , for when they runne to séede , they loose the vertue of their roote . The moneths fittest for the sowing of them , is March , Aprill , and May , and if you desire to haue them all Winter , you may then sowe them it September and October . And thus much for Sallet-hearbs , and rootes of all natures , of which kindes though there be diuers other , yet you shall vnderstand , all are to be ordered in the manner of these before rehearsed , that is to say , such as haue their vertues in the stalke or leaues , like Spynage , Sparagus , Purslayn , and such like , those which cabbadge or knit together in hard lumps , like Lettuce , Colworts , and such like , and those whose goodnesse liues in their rootes , like Raddish , Carrets , Skerrets , and such like .

A most necessary obseruation . Now for a most necessarie obseruation , euery Gardner ought to beare this rule in his memorie , that all Pot-hearbs must be sowne thicke , and but thinly couered , as namely not aboue thrée fingers : all hearbs which cabbadge must be sowne thicke , and déeper couered , as a full handfull at least , and in their remouing planted thinne , and well fixt into the earth : and all rootes must be sowen thinne and déepe , as almost a foote either let into the ground , or strewed in déepe furrowes , digged and laide vp for the purpose , in which the quantity of your séede must onely direct you : for if you haue occasion to sow hardly a handfull , then you may set them one by one into the ground at your leasure , but if you haue occasion to sowe many Pecks or halfe Pecks , then you shall turne vp your earth into déepe furrowes , and in the bottome thereof scatter your séede , and after rake it into a leuell , and you shall not onely saue much labour , but gaine your purpose .

CHAP. VI. Of Flowers of all sorts both forraigne and home-bred , their sowing , planting , and preseruing .

HAuing written sufficiently of Pot-hearbs and Sallet-hearbs , which are the ornaments of the Husbandmans Kitchin or Table , I will here speake of flowers , which either for their smels , beauties , or both , are the graces of his Chamber . And first , because my maine ayme and scope is English Husbandrie , I will begin with those flowers which are most proper and naturall for our climate , of which because I holde Roses both for their smell , beauties , and wholesomnesse to excéede all other , I thinke it not amisse to giue them the first place and precedencie before all other .

You shall vnderstand then that Roses are generally and aunciently but of thrée kindes , Of Roses . the Damaske , the red , and the white , and what are different from these are but deriuations from them , being by grafting , replanting , and phisicking , somewhat altered either in colour , smell , or doublenesse of leafe .

To speake then first of the Damaske Rose , Of the Damaske Rose . it is fit that all husbandmen know , that Roses may as well be sowne from the séede , as planted from the roote , Syen , or branch onely , they are the slower in comming vp , more tender to nourish , and much longer in yéelding forth their flowers , yet for satisfaction sake and where necessitie vrgeth , if of force or pleasure you must sowe it from the séede , you shall chuse a ruffish earth loose and well dunged , and you shall cast vp your beds high and narrow : the moneth which is fit for their sowing is September , and they must be couered not aboue foure fingers déepe , they must be defended well all the Winter from frosts and stormes , and then they will beare their flowers plentifully all the next Spring following ; yet this is to be noted , that all Roses which rise from the séede simply , their flowers will be single like the Eglantine , or Cyphanie , therefore after your plants are two yéeres olde , you must graft one into another , as you doe other fruit , and that will make them double and thicke : also you must remember that those yellow small séedes which are in the midst of the Rose , are not true Rose séedes , but those which lye hid in the round peare knob vnder the Rose , which as soone as the leaues are fallen away , will open and shew the séede . And thus much touching the sowing of all sorts of Roses , which is for experience and knowledge sake onely , for indéede the true vse and property of the Rose is to be planted in short slips about fourtéene inches long , and the small tassels of the roote cut away , they would be set halfe a foote into the ground , in the same manner as you set ordinary Quick-set , and of like thicknesse , rather a little slope-wise then vpright : and though some thinke March the best season , yet doubtlesse September is much better for hauing the roote confirmed all the Winter , they will beare the sooner and better all the Sommer following ; you must be carefull to plant them in faire weather , and as néere as you can vnder shelter as by the sides of walls , and such like couert where the Sunne may reflect against them , and if they be planted on open beds or borders , then you must with Poales and other necessaries support and hold them vp , least the winde shake their rootes and hinder their growing .

Of the red Rose . The red Rose is not fully so tender as the Damaske , neither is it so pleasant in smell , nor doubleth his leaues so often ; yet it is much more Phisicall , and oftner vsed in medicine , it is likewise fitter to be planted then sowen , and the earth in which it most ioyeth would be a little rough or grauelly , and the best compasse you can lay vnto it , is rubbish or the sweeping of houses , the moneths to sowe or plant it in is March or September , & the time to prune and cut away the superfluous branches is euer the midst of October .

The white Rose is of lesse smell then the red , Of the white Rose . and will grow in a harder ground , his vse is altogether in Phisicke as for sore eyes and such like : it will grow into a Trée of some bigge substance , and is seldome hurt with frosts , stormes , or blastings : it would likewise be planted from the roote against some high wall , either in the moneth of February or March , and the oftner you plant and replant it , the doubler and larger the flower will be : for the earth it much skilleth not , because it will grow almost in euery ground , onely it delights most in the shadow , and would be seldome pruned , except you finde many dead branches .

The Cinamon Rose , Of the Cinamon Rose . is for the most part sowen , and not planted , whence it comes that you shall euer sée the leaues single and little , the delicacie thereof being onely in the smell , which that you may haue most fragrant and strong , you shall take a vessell of earth , being full of small holes in the bottome and sides , and fill it with the richest earth you can get , being made fine and loose , then take Damaske Rose séedes which are hard , and sound , and steepe them foure and twenty houres in Cinamon water , I doe not meane the distilled water , but faire Conduit water , in which good store of Cinamon hath bin stéeped , or boyled , or milk , wherin good store of Cinamon hath bin dissolued , and then sow those séedes into the Pot , and couer them almost thrée fingers déepe , then morning and euening till they appeare aboue the earth , water them with that water or milke in which the séedes were stéeped , then when they are sprung vp a handfull or more aboue the ground , you shall take them vp mould and all , and hauing drest a border or bed for the purpose , plant them so as they may grow vp against some warme wall or pale , and haue the Sunne most part of the day shining vpon them , and you shall be sure to haue Roses growing on them , whose smell will be wonderfull pleasant , as if they had béene spiced with Cinamon , and the best season of sowing these is euer in March , at high noone day , the weather shining faire , and the winde most calme .

To make the Cinamon Rose grow double . Now if you would haue these Roses to grow double , which is an Act yet hid from most Gardners , you shall 〈◊〉 Michaelmasse take the vppermost parts of the Plants from the first knot , and as you graft either Plumme or Apple , so graft one into another , and couer the heads with earth or clay tempered with Cinamon-water , and they will not onely grow double , but the smell will be much swéeter , and looke how oft you will graft and 〈◊〉 graft them , so much more double and double they will proue .

Of the Prouince Rose . The Prouince Rose is a delicate flower for the eye more then the nose , for his oft grafting abateth his smell , but doubleth his leafe so oft that it is wonderfull , therefore if you will haue them large and faire , you shall take the fairest Damaske Roses you can get , and graft them into the red Rose , and when they haue shot out many branches , then you shall graft each seuerall branch againe with new grafts of another grafted Damaske Rose and thus by grafting graft vpon graft , you shall haue as faire and well coloured Prouince Roses , as you can wish or desire : and thus you may doe either in the Spring or fall at your pleasure , but the fall of the leafe is euer helde the best season .

To make Roses smell well . Now if your Roses chaunce to loose their smels , as it all happeneth through these double graftings : you shall then plant Garlicke heads at the rootes of your Roses , and that will bring the pleasantnesse of their sent vnto them againe .

Generall notes touching Roses . Now for your generall obseruations , you shall remember that it is good to water your Roses morning and euening till they be gathered ; you shall rather couet to plant your Roses in a dry ground then a wette ; you shall giue them much shelter , strong support , and fresh dung twise at the least euery yeare , when the leafe is fallen , you shall cutte and prune the branches , and when the buds appeare you , then begin your first watring .

Lauender is a flower of a hot smell , Of Lauender . and is more estéemed of the plaine Country housewife then the dainty Citizen : it is very wholesome amongst linnen cloathes , and would be sowen in a good rich mould , in the moneths of March or Aprill .

The white Lilly would be s●wen in a fat earth , Of the white Lilly . in the moneths of October and Nouember , or in March or April , and the séedes must be sowen excéeding thinne , not one by any meanes touching another , and the mould which couereth them must be sifted gently vpon them .

If you would haue your Lillyes of a purple colour , To make Lillyes of any colour . you shall stéepe your féedes in the Lées of red wine , and that will change their complexion , and also you shall water the Plants with the same Lées likewise : if you will haue them scarlet red , you shall put Vermillion or Cynaber betwéene the rinde and the small heads growing about the roote : if you would haue them blew , you shall dissolue Azure or Byse betwéene the rinde and the heads , if yellow Orpment , if gréene Verdigreace , and thus of any other colour .

Now to make them flourish euery moneth in the yéere , To make Lillyes flourish all the yeere . you shall sowe your séedes some a foote déepe , some halfe a foote , and some not two inches , so they will spring one after another , and flourish one after another .

The wood Lilly or Lilly of the vale , Of the wood Lilly . delighteth most in a moyst ground , and may be sowen either in March or September , it is very faire to looke on , and not so suffocating in smell as the other Lillyes are .

The flower de Lice is of excellent beauty , Of the flower de Lice . but not very pleasant to smell to , it loueth a dry ground & an easie mould , and is fittest to be sowen in the moneth of March.

Pyonie or the blessed Rose , Of Pyonie . loueth a good fat earth being somewhat loose , and may be sowen either in March or September , it asketh not much watring , onely some support because the stalkes be weake .

Petillius or Indian eye , Of Petillius . may be sowen in any ground , for it desireth neither much water , nor much dung , and the best season for sowing , it is Iune or 〈…〉 it will beare flowers commonly all the Wint●r .

Of Veluet flower . Veluet flower loueth a rich fertile ground , and must be much watred : the season best for the sowing is Aug●st , 〈◊〉 commonly it will beare flowers all the Winter .

Of Gylliflowers . Gilliflowers are of diuers kindes , as Pynks , Wall-flowers , Carnations , Cloue-Gilliflowers , and a world of others , which are of all other flowers most swéet and delicate● all but the Wall-gilliflower loue good fertile earths , and may be sowen either in March , Iuly , or August . They are better to be planted of Slips then sowen , yet both will prosper . They are very tender , and therfore the best planting of them is in earthen Pots , or halfe Tubs , which at your pleasure you may remoue from the shade to the Sunne , and from the roughnesse of stormes to places of shelter , they grow vp high on long slender stalkes , which you must defend and support with square cradles made of stickes , least the winde and the waight of the flowers breake them : these Gilliflowers you may make of any colour you please , in such sort as is shewed you for the colouring of Lillyes , and if you please to haue them of mixt colours you may also , Of grafting of Gylliflowers . by grafting of contrary colours one into another : and you may with as great ease graft the Gylliflower as any fruit whatsoeuer , by the ioyning of the knots one into another , and then wrapping them about with a little soft sleau'd silke , and couering the place close with soft red Waxe well tempered . And you shall vnderstand that the grafting of Gylliflowers maketh them exceeding great , double , and most orient of colour .

Of the smels of Gylliflowers . Now if you will haue your Gylliflowers of diuers smels or odours , you may also with great ease , as thus for example : if you will take two or thrée great cloues , & stéepe them foure and twenty houres in Damaske Rose water , then take them out and bruise them , and put them into a fine Cambricke ragge , and so binde them about the heart roote of the Gylliflower , néere to the setting on of the stalke , and so plant it in a fine , soft , and fertile mould , and the flower which springeth from the same , will haue so delicate a mixt smell of the Cloue and the Rose-water , that it will bréede both delight and wonder . If in the same manner you take a sticke of Cinamon , and stéepe it in Rose water , and then ●ruise it , and binde it as afore-said , all the flowers will smell strongly of Cinamon : if you take two graines of fat Muske , and mixe it with two drops of Damaske Rose water , and binde it as afore-said , the flowers will smell strongly of Muske , yet not too hot nor offensiue , by reason of the correction of the Rose water : and in this sort you may doe either with Amber-greece , Storax , Beniamin , or any other swéet drugge whatsoeuer ; and if in any of these confections before named , you stéepe the séedes of your Gylliflowers foure and twenty houres before you sowe them , they will take the same smels in which you stéepe them , onely they will not be so large or double , as those which are replanted or grafted .

Now for your Wall-Gylliflower , Of the Wall-Gylliflower . it delighteth in hard rubbish , limy , and stonie grounds , whence it commeth that they couet most to grow vpon walles , pauements , and such like barraine places . It may be sowen in any moneth or season , for it is a séede of that hardnesse , that it makes no difference betwixt Winter and Sommer , but will flourish in both equally , and beareth his flowers all the yéere , whence it comes that the Husbandman preserues it most in his Bée-garden ; for it is wondrous swéet , and affordeth much honey . It would be sowen in very small quantity , for after it haue once taken roote , it will naturally of it selfe ouer-spread much ground , and hardly e●er after be rooted out . It is of it selfe of so excéeding a strong and swéet smell , that it cannot be forced to take any other , and therefore is euer preserued in its owne nature .

The Helytropian or flower of the Sunne , Of the Helytropian . is in nature and colour like our English Marigold , onely it is excéeding huge in compasse , for many of them will be twenty , and foure and twenty inches in compasse , according to the fertilenesse of the soyle in which they grow , and the oft replanting of their rootes , they are excéeding 〈…〉 on , and pleasant to smell , they open their flowers at the rising of the Sunne , and close them againe at the 〈◊〉 setting , it delighteth in any soyle which is fertile 〈◊〉 by Art or Nature , and may be sowen in any 〈◊〉 from February till September , the oft planting 〈◊〉 replanting of the roote after it is sprung a handfull from the earth , maketh it grow to the vttermost bignesse , it would haue the East and West open vpon it , onely 〈◊〉 small Pent-house to kéepe the sharpnesse of the 〈◊〉 from it .

Of the Crown Emperiall . The Crowne Emperiall , is of all flowers both Foraigne and home-bred , the delicatest and strangest : it hath the true shape of an Emperiall Crowne , and will be of diuers colours , according to the Art of the ●ar●ner . In the middest of the flower you shall sée a 〈◊〉 Pearle stand , in proportion , colour , and orientnesse , li●● a true naturall Pearle , onely it is of a soft liquid substance : This Pearle if you shake the flower neuer so violently will not fall off , neither if you let it continue neuer so long , will it either encrease or diminish in ●he bignesse , but remayneth all one : yet if with your finger you take and wipe it away , in lesse then an h●●re after you shall haue another arise in the same place , and of the same bignesse . This Pearle if you taste it vpon your tongue , is pleasant and swéet like honey : this flower when the Sunne ariseth , you shall sée it looke directly to the East , with the stalke bent lowe there-vnto , and as the Sunne ariseth higher and higher , so the flower will likewise ascend , and when the Sunne is come into the Meridian or noone poynt , which is directly ouer it , then will it stand vpright vpon the stalke , and looke directly vpward , and as the Sunne declineth , so will it likewise decline , and at the Sunne setting looke directly to the West onely . The séedes of this flower are very tender , and therefore would be carefully sowen in a very rich and fertile earth well broken and manured . The seasons most méete for the same , is the latter end of March , Aprill , or May , for the flowers flourish most in May , Iune , and Iuly . As soone as it is sprung a handfull aboue the earth ; you shall remoue it into a fr●sh mould , and that will make it flourish the brauer : the roote of this flower is like an Apple , or great flat Onion , and therefore in the replanting of it , you must be carefull to make a hole large and fitte for the same , and to fire the mould gently and close about the same . In the Winter it shrinketh into the earth , and is hardly or not at all discerned , by meanes whereof I haue seene diuers supposing it to be dead , to digge vp the earth , and negligently spoyle the roote , but be not you of that opinion , and in the Spring you shall sée it arise and flourish brauely .

The Dulippo is but a little short of the Crowne Emperiall in pleasantnesse and rarenesse , Of the Dulippo . for you may haue them of all colours whatsoeuer , in such sort as was shewed you for the Lillyes , Gylliflowers , and other rootes : they are tender at their first springing from the séede , and therefore must be sowen in a fine rich mould , in the warmth of the Sunne , either in March , Aprill , or May : but after they are once sprung aboue the ground , they are reasonable hard , and will defend themselues against most weathers : the roote of this flower is shaped like a Peare , with the biggest end downeward , and many small thréeds at the bottome ; therefore you must be sure when you remooue or replant it , to couer all the roote in fresh mould , and let not any part of the white thereof be vncouered : this flower by monethly replanting , you may haue to flourish in all the Summer moneths of the yeare , for in the dead of Winter it shrinketh into the ground , and is hardly or not at all perceiued , the stalkes of these flowers are weake , therefore to support them , and defend them from the shakings of the windes with little square frames of stickes , will be very good 〈◊〉 ●●cessary , it must be oft watred .

Of the Hyacinth . The Hyacinth is a flower more delicate to the eye then nose , and is of a good strong nature , for it will ●ndure any reasonable earth , and may be sowne in any ●●neth of the Spring , from the beginning of February till midde Iune : it onely hateth tempests and stormes , and therefore is commonly sowen or planted néere vnto walls or other shelter . You may haue them of any colour you please , as is shewed before of other flowers , and in this alteration or mixture of colours their greatest glorie appeareth , they will flourish all the Summer long , and if they stand warme , appeare very early in the Spring .

Of the Narcissus . The Narcissus is a very curious and dainty flower , and through his much variety and alteration in growing , they are supposed to be of diuers kindes , but it is not so ; for in as much as they are séene to be of diuers colours , that is but the Art of the Gardner , as is before exprest in other flowers , and whereas some of them grow single , some double , and some double vpon double , you shall vnderstand that such as grow single , grow simply from the seede onely , those which are double and no more , are such as haue béene planted and replanted , the small thréeds of the rootes being clipt away , and nothing left about it that is superfluous , and those which are double vpon double , are the double plants grafted one into another . This Narcissus loueth a rich warme soyle , the mould being easie and light , it may be sowne in any moneth of the Spring , and will flourish all the Summer after . Before it appeare aboue ground it would be oft watred , but after it sa●●s not how little , for it will defend it selfe sufficiently .

Of the Daffadill , Colombine , and Chesbole . Not vnlike vnto this is your Daffadill of all kindes and colours , and in the same earths and seasons delighteth either to be sowen or planted , and will in the same manner as your Narcissus double and redouble his leaues ; so will your Colombine , your Chesbole , and almost any hollow flower whatsoeuer . Many other forraigne flowers there are which grow plentifully in our Kingdome : but the order of their planting and sowing differeth nothing from these which I haue already declared , being the most tender and curious of all other , An excellent Caution . therefore I will end this Chapter with this one caution onely , that when you shall receiue any séede from any forraine Nation , you shall learne as néere as you can the nature of the soyle from whence it commeth , as hot , moyst , colde , or dry it is , and then comparing it with ours , sowe it as néere as you can in the earth , and in the seasons that are néerest to the soyle from whence it came , as thus for example : if it came from a clime much hotter then ours , then shall you sowe it in sandie mould or other mould made warme by strength of meanure , in the warmest time of the day , and in those moneths of the Spring , which are warmest , as Aprill or May , you shall let it haue the Sunne fréely all the day and at night , with Mats , Penthouse , or other defence shield it from sharpe windes , frosts , or colde dewes .

I haue séene diuers Noblemen and Gentlemen , A new manner of planting flowers and fruits . which haue béene very curious in these dainty flowers , which haue made large frames of wood with boards of twenty inches déepe , standing vpon little round whéeles of wood , which being made square or round according to the Masters fancie , they haue filled with choyse earth , such as is most proper to the flower they would haue grow , and then in them sowe their séedes , or fixe their Plants in such sort , as hath béene before described , and so placing them in such open places of the Garden , where they may haue the strength and violence of the Sunnes heate all the day , and the comfort of such moderate showers , as fall without violence or extraordinarie beating , and at night draw them by mans strength into some low vaulted gallery ioyning vpon the Garden , where they may stand warme and safe from stormes , windes , frosts , dewes , blastings , and other mischiefes which euer happen in the Sunnes absence , and in this manner you may not onely haue all manner of dainty outlandish flowers , but also all sorts of the most delicatest fruits that may be , as the Orenge , Limond , Pomgranate , Poncythron , Cynamon-tree , Oliue , Almond , or any other , from what clime so euer it be deriued , obseruing onely but to make your frames of wood , which containes your earth , but déeper and larger , according to the fruit you plant in it , and that your Alleys through which you draw your Trées when you house them be smooth and leuell , least being rough and vneuen , you iogge and shake the rootes with the waight of the Trées , which is dangerous . And least any man may imagine this but an imaginary supposition , I can assure him that within seauen miles of London , the experiment is to be séene , where all these fruits and flowers with a world of others grow in two Gardens most abundantly . Now for such flowers or fruits as shall be brought from a colder or more barraine ground then our owne , there néedeth not much curiosity in the plantation of them , because a better euer bringeth forth a better encrease , onely I would wish you to obserue , to giue all such fruits or flowers the vttermost liberty of the weather , & rather to adde coolenes by shaddow , then encrease any warmth by reflection , as also to augment showers by artificiall watrings , rather then to let the roote dry for want of continuall moysture ; many other notes and obseruations there are , which to discouer , would aske a volume larger then I intend , and yet not be more in true substance , then this which is already writ , if the Reader haue but so much mother-wit , as by comparing things together , to draw the vses from the true reasons , and to shunne contrary by contraries , which what Husbandman is so simple , but he can easily performe , and hauing the true grounds of experience , frame his descant according to his owne fancie , which is a Musicke best pleasing to all men , since it is not in any one mans power to giue a generall contentment . And thus much for flowers , and their generall and particular ordering .

CHAP. VII . How to preserue all manner of seedes , hearbs , flowers , and fruits , from all manner of noysome and pestilent things which deuoure and hurt them .

IT is not enough to bequeath and giue your séedes vnto the ground , and then immediatly to expect ( without any further industrie ) the fruit of your labours , no goodnesse seldome commeth with such ease : you must therefore know that when you lay your séedes in the ground , they are like so many good men amongst a world of wicked ones , and as it were inuironed and begirt with maine Armies of enemies , from which if your care and diligence doe not defend them the most , if not all , will doubtlesse perish , and of these enemies the worst and most violentest is Thunder and Lightning , Of Thunder and Lightning . which in a moment killeth all sorts of flowers , plants , and trées , euen in the height and pride of their flourishing , which to preuent , it hath béene the practise of all the auncient Gardners , to plant against the walles of their Gardens , or in the middest of their quarters , where their choysest flowers grow , the Lawrell or Bay Trée , which is euer helde a defence against those strikings .

Next vnto Thunder and Lightning are Caterpillers , Of Caterpillers . which are a kinde of filthy little wormes , which lye in Cobwebs about the leaues , deuouring them , and poysoning the sap , in such sort , that the Plant dieth spéedily after : the way to kill these , is to take strong Urine and Ashes mixt together , and with it to dash and sprinkle all the Plants cleane ouer , and it will both preuent their bréeding , or being bred will kill them : the smoake of Brimstone will doe the like , yet if they be excéeding much abundant , the surest way to destroy them , is to take olde , rotten , mouldy Hay , and setting it on fire , with the blaze thereof burne the Cob-webs , and then with the smoake smother and kill the wormes , and they will hardly euer bréede in that place againe .

Of Toades and Frogges . Next these are Toades and Frogges , which are very poysonous and great destroyers of young Plants , chiefly in their first appearing aboue the ground , and the auncient Gardners haue vsed to destroy them by burning the fat of a Stagge in some part of the Garden beds , from which earth all creatures that haue poyson in them , will flye with all violence : other Gardners will watch where the Kite pearcheth on nights , and gathering vp her dung , scatter it vpon the beds either simply , or mixt with the shauings of an olde Harts horne , and no venemous thing will come néere it .

Of the field Myce. Next these are field Myce , which will roote séedes out of the earth , and deuoure them aboundantly , which to kill you shall take Henbane seede , and beate it to pouder , and then mixing it with swéet Oyle , fresh Butter , or Grease , make thereof a bayte ; and when you finde where they scratch or roote , lay some part of the bayte in that place , and they will gréedily eate it , and it will kill them : there be other Gardners which will take a Wéesell , and burning it to ashes , scatter the ashes on the beds , and then no field Mouse will come néere them .

Of Flyes . Next these are Flyes , as flesh - Flyes , Scarabs , Hornets Dores , and such like , which are great destroyers of Séeds and Plants , when they appeare in their first leafe , and are soft and tender , which to destroy , you shall either take Orpment mixt with milke , or the pouder of Allome , or the ashes of any of these Flyes burnt , and with it sprinkle your beds and young plants all ouer , and it will kéepe Flyes that they will not dare to come néere them .

Of the greene Fly . If the gréene Fly , which of all other Flyes is most gréedie to hurt Séedes and Plants , doe offend your Garden , you shall take Henbane leaues , Houseleeke , and Mints , and beat them in a Morter , then straine forth the iuyce , and then adde thereto as much Uinegar as was of all the rest , and there●with sprinkle your beds all ouer , and the gréene Fly will neuer come néere them . Some hold opinion , that if you plant the hearbe Rocket in your Garden , that it is a safe preseruatiue against these gr●eacute ; ene Flyes , for it is most certaine that the very smell thereof will kill these , and most sorts of all other Flyes whatsoeuer , as hath béene found by approued experience , and the sylts of olde auncient Abby Gardens , which a man shall seldome finde without this hearbe planted in them .

Next these are Gnats , Of Gnats . which although it be the smallest of all Flyes , yet it is the greatest , quickest , and sharpest deuourer of tender Plants of all other , for it biteth déeper and more venemously sharpe , then those which are of much bigger substance : the best way to destroy them is morning and euening , to smoake and perfume your beds either with wet Rosemary , or with mouldy Hay : some vse to burne Calamint , and some Oxe dung , and sure all are very good , for the smoakes are very sharpe , and styflle as soone as it is receiued .

Next these are Pismyers , Of Pismyers . which also are very noysome vnto Gardens , for they will digge vp , and carrie away the smaller séedes to their hills , and in shrot space spoyle and deface a bed of his encrease , and the best way to destroy them , is , if you finde their hill , to poure hot scalding water vpon them : or if vpon your Garden beds you strowe Ashes or Lyme , but especially that which is made of chalk , they will by no meanes come néere them , as you shall finde by experience .

Next these are Moales , Of Moales . which digging and vndermining the earth , turneth vp Séedes and Plants in a confused fashion , to the vtter destruction and ruine of the Husband-mans labour , the cure whereof is to take them in such sort , as shall be shewed in this Booke , where I speake of Pasture grounds ; but if you finde that their encrease and continuance multiply with your labour , it shall be then good for you to plant in diuers places of your Garden the hearbe called Palma Christi , in other places Garlicke● and in other places Onyons , and it is an assured rule that no Moale will come néere where they grow for the strength and violence of their smell , is poysonous and deadly to those blinde vermines .

Of Snailes . Next these are Snailes of both kindes , blacke and white , which are as much offensiue to Gardens , as any other crawling thing , for they féed of the tender leaues of plants , and of the outmost rindes of the daintiest hearbs or flowers , the way to destroy them , is to sprinkle vpon the beds and other places of their aboad good store of chimney soote , which by no meanes they can endure , because it is mortall and poysonous .

Of Moathes . Next these are Moathes or Moaghts , which are very pernitious in a Garden , for they destroy both Séeds and Plants , and there is no better or more certaine way to kill them , then by taking olde horse hoofes , and burning them , with the smoake thereof to perfume all the places where they abide , and it will in an instant kill them ; with this smoake onely you may kéepe Arras hanging , Tapistrie , Néedle-worke , Cushions , or Carpets , or any woollen cloath or garment whatsoeuer safe from Moathes as long as you please , neither néede you to vse it aboue once or twice a yéere at the most , as shall be more at large in another place declared .

Of Cankers . Next these are Cankers , which are a kinde of filthie wormes , which deuoure both the great and small leaues of all sorts of swéet Plants , especially Lettuce , Cabbadge , Colaflours , and such like ; and the way to destroy them , is to scatter amongst your Plants , Goose-dung , or to sprinkle the iuyce thereof with a wispe of Rue , or hearbe of Grace ouer all the beds , and though some with a rustie knife vse to scrape them from the leaues , and so kill them on a Tyle-shread , ye● for my part I hold this the néerer way , and both more certaine and more easie , as experience will approue .

Lastly , are your Garden Wormes which liuing in the hollowes of the earth féede much vpon your tender Garden séedes , Of Garden Wormes . and the soft sprouts which first issue from them , especially from all sorts of kirnels , in which they delight more then in any other séede whatsoe●er , as you may finde by experience , if you please to obserue accidents as they happen , without which obseruation you shall hardly attaine to the perfection of an excellent Gardner : An excellent experiment . for if you please to make this triall , take the kirnels of a faire sound Pippin , and deuide them into two parts , then lowe the one halfe in a Garden bed well drest and trimmed for the purpose , where the worme hath liberty to come and goe at his pleasure , sowe the other halfe in some riuen boule , earthen pot , or halfe Tub , made for the purpose with the same earth or mould that the bed is , and then set the vessell so as no worme may come there-vnto , and you shall finde that all those Séedes will sprout and come forth , when hardly any one of those in the bed of earth will or can prosper , there being no other reason but the extreame gréedinesse of the deuouring worme , which to preuent , you shall take Oxe dung , and burne it to ashes , then mixe them with the earth where-with you couer your Séedes , and it will both kill the wormes , and make the Séedes sprout both sooner and safer . And thus much for the preseruation of Séeds and Plants , from all noysome and pestilent creatures , which being practised with care and diligence , will giue vnto euery honest minde the satisfaction he desireth .

Now to conclude this small tract or Treatise of the Husbandmans Kitchen Garden , The conclusion of the Kitchen Garden . I would haue euery honest Reader vnderstand , that I haue not taken vpon me to modell out any curious shape or proportion , but onely figured out a perfect nourcerie , shewing you how to bréed and bring vp all things fit for health or recreation , which being once brought to mature and ripe age , you may dispose into those proper places which may become their worthinesse , in which worke I would haue your owne fancy your owne directour , for I may giue preheminence to that you least like , and disestéeme that most which to you may séeme most worthy , therefore let your owne iudgement order your Garden , like your house , and your hearbs like your furniture , placing the best in the best places , & such as are most conspicuous , and the rest according to their dignities in more inferiour roomes , remembring that your galleries , great chambers , and lodgings of state doe deserue Artes , your Hall Wainscote , and your meanest offices some Boscadge , or cleanly painting : from this alligorie if you can draw any wit , you may finde without my further instruction how to frame Gardens of all sorts to your owne contentment .

THE SECOND PART OF THE SECOND BOOKE of the English Husbandman : Contayning the ordering of all sorts of Woods , and the breeding of Cattell .

CHAP. I. Of the beginning of Woods , first sowing , and necessarie vse .

IT is a Maxime held in Plantations , that no land is habitable , which hath not Wood & Water , they two being as it were the only nerues & strength of a mans safe and wholesome liuing , and I haue heard many wise Gentlemen , exercised , and ingaged , in the most noble and euer laudable workes of our new Plantations , Wood better then Gold . both of Virginia and the Summer - Ilands affirme , that they had rather , for a generall profit , haue a fertile wholesome land , with much wood , then ( wanting wood ) with a Mine of gold : so infinite great is the vse of Timber ( whose particulars I néede not rehearse ) and so insufferable is the want , when we are any way pinched with the same . And hence it springeth that our olde auncestors ( whose vertues would God we would in some small measure imitate ) when they found any hard and barraine earth , such as was vnapt for grasse , or at least such as bar● but grasse that would kéepe life , not comfort life , they presently plowed it vp , and sowed thereon Acornes , Ash-keyes , Maple knots , Béech apples , Hawes , Slowes , Nuts , Bullis , and all other séeds of trees in innumerable quantity , as may appeare by the Forrests of Del la mere , Sherwood , Kings wood , and many other within this kingdome of huge great spaciousnes and compasse , from whom when the wood is spoiled , the soyle serueth to little or no purpose , except it be the kéeping aliue of a few poore shéepe , which yéeld but little profit more then their carkasse . Thus euen from the first age of the world hath our forefathers béene euer most carefull to preserue and encrease wood , and for mine owne part I haue euer obserued in all those places where I haue séene Woods decayed and destroyed , that the charge of stubbing and other necessaries allowed ; those lands haue neuer againe yéelded the former profit , for the greatest exhaustment that euer I saw of wood ground was to bring it to tenne shillings an Arte when it was conuerted to pasture , and being kept to wood , it was worth euery seauentéenth yéere one and twenty pound . A simple Auditor may cast the account of this profit , but such is our gréedinesse , that for our instant vse we little respect the good of ours , or our neighbours : But it is no part of my Bookes method to call offences to question , but onely to right the Husbandman in his 〈◊〉 to ordinarie profit . Know then that there is nothing more profitable to the Husbandman , The excellent vses of Wood. then the encreasing and nourishing of wood ; from whence ( as our common lawes termes it ) springs these thrée bootes or necessary commodities , to wit House-boote , Plowe-boote , and Fire-boote , without the first we haue neither health , couert , ease , nor safety from sauage beasts : without the second we cannot haue the fruits of the earth , nor sustenance for our bodies , nor without the last can we defend off the sharp Winters , or maintaine life against the numbing colds which would confound vs . The consideration of these thrée things only , might enduce vs to the preseruation of this most excellent commodity : but the other infinite necessities & vses which we make of wood , as shipping , by which we make our selues Lords of the Seas : fencing which is the bond of concord amongst neighbours : solution & trial of Mines , from whence springs both our glory in peace , and our strength in warre , with a world of others sutable vnto them , should be motiues vnresistable to make vs with all diligence hast to the most praise-worthy labour of planting wood , in euery place and corner , where it may any way conueniently be receiued .

If then the Husbandman shall liue in a high barraine Countrey ( for low-valleyes , The plantation of Wood. marshes , or such grounds as are subiect to inundations , seldome nourish wood well ) or in a soyle though not vtterly barraine , yet of so hard and sower encrease , that the hearbage doth in the profit but in small quantity , I would wish him after a generall triall of his earth , to deuide it into thrée equall parts , the first and the fruitfullest I would haue him preserue for pasture for his Cattell of all kindes : the second and next in fertility for corne , being no more then those cattell may till , and the last & most barraine to imploy for wood : which though he stay long for the profit , yet will pay the interest double . And this ground thus chosen for wood , I would haue him plowe vp from the swarth about the latter end of Februarie , and if it be light earth , as either sand , grauell , or a mixt hazel earth , then immediatly to sow it with Acornes , Ash-keyes , Elme & Maple knots , Béech-apples , Chesnuts , Ceruisses , Crabs , Peares , Nuts of all kindes , Hawes , Hips , Bullice , Slowes , and all manner of other wood séeds whatsoeuer , and as soone as they are sowne with strong Oxe harrowes of iron , to harrow and breake the earth , in such fort , that they may be close and safely couered . And in the plowing of this earth , you must diligently obserue to turne vp your furrowes as déepe as is possible , that the séede taking strong and déepe roote , may the better and with more safety encrease , and defend it selfe against stormes and tempests , whereas if the roote be but weakely fixed , the smallest blasts will shake the Trées , and make them crooked , wrythen , and for small vse but fire onely .

The fencing of young woods . After you haue harrowed your earth , and laide your séede safe , you shall fence your ground about with a strong and large fence , as hedge , ditch , pale , or such like , which may kéepe out all manner of foure-footed b●asts , for comming within the same , for the space of tenne yéeres after : for you shall vnderstand , that if any cattell shall come where young wood is péeping aboue the earth , or whilst it is young , tender , and soft , they will naturally crop and brouse vpon the same , and then be sure that the wood which is so bitten , will neuer prosper or spring vp to any height , but turne to bushie shrubs and ill-fauoured tufts , pestring the ground without any hope of profit , whereas if it be defended and kept safe the space of tenne yéeres at the least , it will after defend it selfe , When cattell may graze in Springs . and prosper in despight of any iniurie : and then after that date you may safely turne your cattell into the same , and let them graze at pleasure , and surely you shall finde it a great reliefe for your young beast , as your yearling Haiffers , Bullocks , Colts , F●●lies , and such like : for I would not wish you to let any elder cattell come within the same , because the grasse though it be long , yet it is sower and scowring , and by that meanes will make your cattell for labour weake and vnhealthie , whether it be Oxe or Horse , and for much-Kine , it will instantly dry vp their milke , but for idle heilding beasts , whose profit is comming after , it will serue sufficiently .

The vse of the clay ground for Wood. Now if the earth whereon you sowe your wood , be a stiffe clay ground , and onely barraine through the extreamitie of colde , wet , or such like , as is séene in daily experience : you shall then plowe vp the ground at the end of Ianuarie in déepe furrowes , as is before rehearsed ; and then let it rest till it haue receiued two or thrée good Frosts , then after those Frosts some wet , as either snow or raine , and then the next faire season after sowe it , as afore-said , and harrow it , and you shall sée the mould breake and couer most kindely , which without this baite , and order , it would not doe , then fence it as afore-said , and preserue it from cattell for tenne yéeres after .

And here is to be noted that one Oake growing vpon a clay ground , A speciall note . is worth any fiue which growes vpon the sand , for it is more hard , more tough , and of much longer indurance , not so apt to teare , ryue , or consume , either with Lyme , Rubbish , or any casuall moysture , whence it comes that euer your Ship-wrights or Mill-wrights desire the clay Oake for their vse , and the Ioyner the sand Oake for smoothnesse and waynscote . And thus much for the sowing of Wood , and his generall vses .

CHAP. II. The deuision of vnder-Woods , their sale , and profit .

WHosoeuer be a Lord or Master of much vnder-wood , which is indéede young spring-wood of all kindes , growing thicke and close together , either from the séede , as is declared in the former Chapter , or from the rootes of former salles , the first being a profit begotten by him selfe , the other a right left by purchase or inheritance , and desire , as it is the dutie of euery vertuous husband , to make his best and most lawfullest profit thereof , hauing not left vnto him any president of former commodity . The deuision of Woods . In this case you shall suruay the whole circuit of your wood , with euery corner and angle there vnto belonging , and then as your abilitie and the quantity of your ground shall afford , you shall deuide your whole wood either into twelue , seauentéene , or one and twenty parts of equall Acres , Roodes , or Rods , and euery yeare you shall sell or take to your owne vse one of those parts , so that one following yearely after another , our sales may continue time out of minde , and you shall imploy as you please so much wood euery yeare of either twelue , seauentéene , or one and twenty yeares growth . And in this you shal note that the sale of one and twenty , doth farre excéede that of seauentéene , and that of seauentéene as farre that of twelue : but in this it is quantity , and your necessity that must direct you , and not my demonstration : for there be fewe Husbands but know that an Acre of one and twenty yéeres growth , The valew of vnder-wood . may be worth twenty , nay thirty pounds , that of seauentéene worth eight or ten pounds , and that of twelue , fiue and sixe pounds , according to the goodnesse of the wood , insomuch that the longer a man is able to stay , the greater sure is his profit : but fewell and fence must of necessity be had , and if a man haue but twelue acres of wood , I sée not but he must be forced to take euery yéere one acre for his owne reliefe , and if hée take more , hée must either necessarily spoyle all , or driue himselfe into extreame want in fewe yeares following : and therefore it is méete that euery good husband shape his garment according to his cloath , and onely take plenty where plenty is ; yet with this husbandly caution that euer the elder your sale is , the richer it is , as you may perceiue by the well husbanded Woods of many Bishoprickes in this land , which are not cut but at thirtie yeares growth .

Of the sale of vnder-woods . When you haue made your deuisions according to your quantity , you shall begin your sale at an out-side where cariages may enter without impeachment to the springs you intend not to cut , and a pole or halfe pole according to the quantity of ground , you shall preserue ( being next of all to the outmost fence ) to repaire the ring fences of your Wood , and to seperate the new sale from the standing Wood : and this amongst Woodwards is called Plash-pole . Then at the latterend of Ianuarie you may begin to cut downe your vnder-wood , and sell it either by acres , roodes , perches , poles , roddes , or dozens , according to the quantitie of your earth , or the abilitie of your buyers . And in this sale I cannot set you downe any certaine price , because true iudgement , and the goodnesse of your wood must onely giue you direction , things being euer valewed according to their worth and substance , and this sale or the cutting downe of vnder-wood , you may continue from the latter end of Ianuarie , till midde Aprill , at which time the leafe begins to bud forth , or somewhat longer if necessitie vrge you : the like you may also doe from the beginning of September , at which time the leafe beginnes to shed till the middest of Nouember .

Now for the manner of cutting downe your vnderwoods , How to cut vnder woods . although the lawes of the Kingdome shew you what dutie you shall performe therein , what Timber you shall preserue , and how néere each Weauer shall stand one to another , yet I would wish you both for your owne and the Common-wealths sake , to performe somewhat more then that to which you are by law compelled , & therefore you shall giue direction to your wood fallers , that when they shall méete with any faire and straight well growne sapling , Oake , Elme , Ash , or such like , to preserue them , and let them stand still , being of such fit distance one from another , that they may not hinder , or trouble each other in their growing , and when you shall finde vpon a cluster many faire Plants or Saplings ; you shall view which is the fairest of them all , and it preserue onely , and the rest cut away , that it may prosper the better : also if you finde any faire and well growne fruit Trées , as Peares , Chesnuts , Seruisses , and such like , you shall let them stand and cleare them from the droppings of the taller trées , and you shall finde the profit make you recompence . Now for the generall cutting vp of the wood , you shall cut it about sixe inches aboue the ground , and drawing your strokes vpward , cut the wood slope-wise , for that is best to hasten on the new Spring ; and those Weauers or young which you preserue and suffer to growe still , you shall prune and trimme as you passe by them , cutting away all ●●perfluous branches , twigges , and young spyers , which shall grow either néere vnto the roote , or vpon any part of the boale , which is fit to be preserued for Timber , and if you shall finde that the earth haue by any casualty forsaken the root , and left it bare , which is hurtfull to the growth of the Trée , you shall lay fresh earth vnto it , and ram the same hard and fast about it .

The fencing of salles . Thus when you haue made an end of cutting downe your sale , and that the wood is cleansed and carried away , and all the loose and scattered stickes raked vp into seuerall heapes , and caried away also ; for it is the part of euerie good husband and Woodward , not to sée any wood lye and rot vpon the ground : you shall then with the vnder-wood preserued in the Plash-pole , deuide by a strong hedge this new cut downe sale from the other elder growne wood , and for tenne yéeres , as before is spoken , not suffer any foure-footed beast to come within the same ; The Woodwards duty . from which rule you shall learne this lesson , that it is the Woodwards duty euery day to looke ouer all his young Springs , and if by any mischance or negligence cattell shall happen to breake into them ( as many times they doe ) then shall he not onely driue forth or impound such Cattell , but also suruay how farre and which Plants they haue cropt , and hauing spied them , with his wood Bill , presently cut the Plants so brouzed close by the bottomes of the last shuts , and then they will newly put forth againe , as well as if they had neuer béene hindred : which done , he shall finde out where the cattell brake in , and then mend the same , so well and sufficiently , that it may preuent the like mischiefe . Also if these young springs shall stand néere vnto Forrests or elder Woods , which are full of wilde Deare , and be no purfewes belonging vnto the same , the Woodward then shall neuer walke without a little dogge following him , with which he shall chase such Deare out of his young springs , because it is to be vnderstood , that the brouzing of Deare is as hurtfull to young wood , as that of any other cattell whatsoeuer . And thus much touching the ordering and gouernment of vnder-woods , with their sales , and the nourishing vp of greater Timber .

CHAP. III. Of High-Woods , and their Plantation .

HIgh Woods are those which containe onely Trées for Timber , What high Woods are . and are not pestred or imbraced with the vnder growth of small brush wood , such as Hazels , White-thorne , Sallowes and Poplar are ; these for the most part consist of Oakes , Ash , Elme , Béech , Maple , and such like , growing so remote and seperate one from another , that although their tops and branches méete , and as it were infolde one within another , yet at the rootes a man may walke or ride about them without trouble . These high Woods had their first beginnings from the séede , The beginning of high Woods . as was before declared , and nourisht from age to age amongst the vnder-woods , which , when men began to want foode for their bréede-Cattell , and that from the super-abundance of young Woods , they found some might conueniently be spared , they forth-with in stead of cutting downe their young wood aboue the earth , began to digge it vp by the rootes , and with stubbe Axes to teare the meane sinewes from the ground , so that it might not renew or encrease againe , and then leuelling the earth , and laying it smooth and plaine , to leaue nothing standing but the tall Timber trées , betwéene which the grasse had more libertie to growe , and Cattell more abundance to féede on , and all be not so long and well able to fill the mouth , as that which growes in the thicke springs , yet much more swéet and better able to nourish any thing that shall graze vpon the same , by reason that the Sunne and Frosts hauing more frée power to enter into the ground , the earth is so much the better seasoned , and bringeth forth her encrease with more swéetnesse .

The Plantation of high Woods . Some are of opinion , that these high Woods may as well be planted as sowne , and that many of them from the first beginning haue béene so , to which opinion I consent in part : for doubtlesse I am perswaded , that many small Groues of Ash , Elme , Béech and Poplar haue béene planted , for we sée in our daily experience , and the new walkes in More-fields by London , are a perfect testimonie , that such Plantations may be without trouble or danger : but for the Oake to be taken vp and replanted , is very hard , and very seldome in vse , neither shall a man in an whole Age sée any Oake remoued come to perfec●●on or goodnesse , but growe crooked , knottie , and at the best , but for the vse of fewell onely : but for the other before rehearsed , you may remoue them when they are a dozen yeares of age , and plant them where you please : and if the earth haue in it any goodnesse at all , they will take rest and grow both spéedily , and plentifully . And since I am thus farre entred into the plantation of Woods , I will shew you how you shall plant and remoue euery Trée in his due manner and season .

Of Planting the Elme . And first for the planting of the Elme , which is an excellent Trée for shadow , and the adorning of walkes or dwelling houses , you shall make choise of those Plants which are straightest , soundest , the barke euen and v●twound , and at least eightéene or twenty inches in compasse : these you shall digge out of the ground , roote and all , then at the top of the head , about thrée fingers vnder the knot , where the maine armes seuerally issue forth , you shall a little slope-wise cut the head cleane off them , and mixing clay and a little horse-dung , or fine ashes together , couer the head round about there-with , then ouer the same wrap Mo●se , or fine Hay , and binde it about with fa●t clouen Oziers , or some such like bands , then with a sharpe pruning Bill cut euery seuerall branch of the roote with●● a finger or two of the stocke : which done , and the roote pickt cleane , you shall make a hole to be digged in the place , where you meane to plant the Elme iust of that depth , the hole was from whence you digged out the Elme , that so much and no more of the Elme may be hidden in the earth , then was formerly at his remouing ; and this hole you shall make spacious and easie , and that the mould be soft and loose both vnderneath and round about the roote of the Elme , which done , you shall place your Elme in the same , straight and vpright , without either swaruing one way or other , which for your better certaintie , you may proue either with plumbe , leuell , or other instrument , which being perfected , you shall with rich fresh mould well mixt with olde meanure , couer and ram the same fast in the earth , in such sort , that no reasonable strength may moue or shake it : and all this worke must be done in the encrease of the Moone , either in the moneth of October , or at the latter end of Ianuary : but the latter end of Ianuarie is euer helde the best and safest , for there is no question but you shall sée flourishing Trées the next Summer after : and in this sort you may likewise remoue either Béech , Witcher , or Popler , bestowing them either in Groues , Walkes , Hedge-rowes , or other places of shadow , as shall séeme best to your contentment : for their natures being alike , their growthes and flourishings haue little difference .

Now for the replanting or remouing the Ash , Of Planting the Ash. though not much , yet there is some difference , for it is not at the first so spéedie a putter forth , and flourisher , as the others be : but for the first yeare laboureth more to bestow and fixe his roote in the earth , then to spread forth his vpper branches , and although some Woodwards are of opinion , that so much as the Ash is aboue the ground , so much hée will be vnder before he begin to flourish outwardly , yet experience doth find it erronious , for though it be for the first yéere a little flower then other Trées , yet when it beginneth to flourish , it will ouer-take the spéediest grower . Therefore when you do intend to plant Ashes for a spéedy profit , you shall not according to the olde custome chuse the smooth , small , long Plants , which are hardly thrée inches in compasse , and haue put out hardly any branches , and are such as grow from the rootes of elder Ashes cut downe before , which our auncient Woodwards haue vsed to slip or cleaue from those rootes , no , these are the worst sorts of Plants : but you shall take the true ground-Ash , which springeth from his owne proper roote , being smooth , euen , sound , and straight without bruise , canker , or other impediment . This you shall digge vp by the root , being as is before said almost twenty inches in compasse , and hauing cleansed the roote , you shall leaue each spray not aboue halfe a foote , or eight inches in length : but for the small thréeds or tassels of the roote , those you shall cut cleane away close by the wood , and so plant it in euery point , as was shewed you for the planting of the Elme , onely the top thereof you shall by no meanes cut off , because it is a trée of pith , which to deuide or lay bare , wer● very dangerous ; and the best season for the planting of this Trée , is euer in the encrease of the Moone , at the fall of the leafe , which is from the beginning of October till midde Nouember , and at no other time , for it would euer haue a whole Winter to fasten his roote , and to gather strength , that it may bud forth his leafe the Summer following . Thus you sée how you may plant Groues or Copses at your pleasure , and make vnto your selfe high Woods according to your owne pleasure . Obiection . But you will obiect vnto me , that you liue in such a champaine Countrey , that albe these Plantations might bréede vnto you infinite pleasure , yet the pouerty thereof in wood is such , that these Plants are not there to be found for any money . To which I thus answere , Answere . That in this Kingdom● there is not any Country so barraine , or farre off remote from wood , being a soyle fit to receiue wood : But his next neighbour-Country is able to furnish him , especially with these Plants at an easie reckoning : as for example , I hold Northampton shire one of the barrennest for Wood , yet best able to beare wood , and hath not he his neighbour Huntington shire and Leicester shire about him , where nurceries of these Plants are bred and preserued for the sale onely ? Nay , euen in Holland , in Lincolne shire , which is the lowest of all Countries , and most vnlikely , to holde such a commodity , I haue séene as goodly Timber as in any Forrest or Chase of this Kingdome : and thus much for the planting of high Woods .

CHAP. IIII. Of the preseruation , and sale of high Woods .

IT is not sufficient for the Husbandman to sowe , plant , and encrease wood about his grounds , conuerting his earth to the vttermost and extreamest profit that may spring from the same : but he must also be diligent to preserue and nourish his timber trées from all inconueniences that may any way annoy or afflict them : and to this end hée shall daily walke into his Woods , and with a searching eye suruay euery Trée which is of any account , and sée if he can finde any fault or annoyance about the same , Of Trees which take we● inwardly . and if casting his eye vp to the top , where the maine armes shoote forth themselues , he perceiue that by the breaking off of some arme or other riuen boughes , the wet and droppings of the leaues is sunke and fretted into the Timber , which in time will corrupt the heart , and make the Trée hollow . In this case he shall presently mount the Trée , and with his Bill , either cut the place so smooth that the wet may not rest thereon , or else hauing smoothed it so much as he may with conuenience , mixe stiffe clay and fine hay together , and with the same couer the place , in such manner , that it may put off the wet till it haue recouered new barke .

If hée shall perceiue any of his younger Trées to be Barke-bound , Of Barke-bound . that is , so stiffe and straitly tied within their owne ryndes , that they cannot encrease or prosper : in this case he shall with a sharpe drawing knife , made in the proportion of a narrow C draw and open the barke euen from the top of the bole of the Trée downe to the roote , and then clap Oxe-dung into those slits , let the Trée rest , and in short space you shall sée it mightily encrease .

Of Hornets and Dores . If he shall perceiue that Hornets , Dores , or such like , haue found some little hollownesse in one of his Trées , and séeketh there to shelter and hide themselues , which in little space they will soone make larger , he shall forth-with besmeare all the place with Tarre and Goose-dung , and it will driue them thence .

Of the Canker . If he shall finde that by the droppings of other Trées , some of his Trées shall grow cankerous , and loose their barke , which is an accident very vsuall , and the Trées whose barkes are so lost , will with great difficulty after prosper . In this case he shall annoynt the place with Tarre and Oyle mixt together , and then couer the place with clay , where the barke is wanting .

Of Pismyers . If he shall perceiue any Pismyer hilles or beds to be made against any of his Trées , which is very noysome , for they are great destroyers of the barks of Trées : he shall then with hot scalding water kill them , and throw the hill downe leuell and plaine with the earth .

Of Iuy , Woodbine , and Misseltoe . If he shall finde any Iuy , Woodbine , or Mystletoe to grow in or about any of his principall Trées , which doe strangle , suffocate , and kéepe them from encreasing , he shall forth-with digge vp the roots thereof , and then cut it away or loosen it from about the barks of the Trées .

Of Thunder and Lightning . Lastly , if he shall perceiue that by Thunder , Lightning , or other plantarie stroakes , any of the armes of his well growne Trées be blasted or slaine , he shall forth-with cut them away , euen close to the quicke Wood , and make the place smooth and euen where they were ioyned : thus shall the carefull Husbandman with a vigilant eye , regard euery enormous and hurtfull thing that may offend his Timber , and by that meanes possesse more benefit from a fewe Roodes , then others doe from many Acres .

Now when either necessity or the vrgent occasions of any néedfull vse , Of the sale of tall Woods . enforceth the Husbandman to make sale of any part of his tall Wood , in which Marchandise there is many prety and obscure secrets , such as are hard to be shewed by any Uerball demonstration , for truly there is not any trucking or marting whatsoeuer , in which a man may sooner deceiue , or be deceiued , men buying and selling in a manner hood-winkt : for it is most certaine that no man can certainely tell either what peny-woorth hée selleth , or the other buyeth , so long as the Trée is standing , there be in Trées so many secret faults , and likewise when they are downe , and come to the breaking or burkning ( as the Wood-man tearmes it ) so many vnexpected vertues , as for mine owne part I haue often séene a Trée whose out-side hath promised all good hope , the barke being smooth and euen , the body large and great , and the armes high set on , and spaciously extended ; yet when this Trée hath béene felled , and came to burkning , there hath béene found a hole in the top , which hath runne cleane through the heart , and vtterly spoyled the whole Timber : so likewise on the contrary part I haue séene a Trée very foule at the top , which is suspitious for rottennesse , whose armes haue growne so close and narrow together , that they haue promised little burthen , yet being cut downe , I haue séene that Trée passing sound , the armes double the loades in valuation , and the price being lesse then any , the proofe and goodnesse to excéede all , so that I must conclude it all together impossible to set downe any fixed or certaine rules either for the buyer or seller : but for as much as there are diuers worthie obseruances for both parts , and that it is as necessary to buy well as sell well , I will runne through euery particular obseruation , which doth belong both to the one and the other partie , with which when a mans minde is perfectly acquainted , he may with much bolder confidence aduenture to buy or sell in the open Market .

How to chuse Timbers . The first thing therefore that either buyer or seller should be skilfull in , is the choyse of all sorts of Timbers , and to know which is fit for euery seuerall purpose , the crooked and vneyely being for some vses of much higher price and reckoning then that which is plaine , straight , and euen growne , Of Mill Timber . as thus for example . If you would buy Timber for Mill-whéeles , the heads of round Turrets , or any kinde of any worke whatsoeuer , you shall chuse that which is crooked and some-what bent , bring sound , firme , and vnshaken . Timber to beare burthen . If you will chuse Timber for Summer Trées , Baulks , Iawnies , or Tracens , you shall chuse that which is most hartie , sound , and much twound , or as it were wrythen about , which you shall with great ease perceiue by the twinding or crooked going about of the barke , the graine whereof will as it were circle and la● round about the Trée . This Timber which is thus twound or wrythen , will by no meanes ryue or cleaue asunder , and therefore is estéemed the best to support and beare burthen , and the heart thereof will endure and la●● the longest .

Timber for Pales , Wainscote , &c. If you will chuse Timber for Pales , Singles , Copers-ware , Wainscote , or such like , then you shall euer chuse that which is smooth , euen , and straight growne , without any manner of twynding or shaking , which you shall perceiue by the straight and euen growing vp of the barke , whose crests will ascend straight and vpright , euen from the roote to the bottome , which is an assured token that all such Timber will shiuer and ryue into as thinne parts as a man would desire .

Timber for Pyles or Water-workes . Lastly , if you would chuse Timber to make Pyles of , to driue into the earth , for the framing of Weares with●● the water , the heads of Ponds , or any other worke within the water then you shall chuse that which is most knottie ( so it be sound ) for that will driue without splitting , and continue in the earth the longest : and of all Timbers the Elme is accounted the best for this purpose , for it will continue almost euerlastingly in the earth without rotting ; yet notwithstanding , the Oake is excellent good also : and thus much for the generall choise of Oakes .

Now if you would chuse Timber for weather-boards , Vse of th● Elme . or to be vsed in water-workes , or to make Planks for low moyst Uaults , then you shall chuse the biggest , soundest and smoothest growne Elme , it is also excellent good to make Kitchen tables of , or for boards , for the vse of Butchers . If you will chuse the most principallest Timber , for Cart or Waine Axel trées , for the naues of whéeles , or for any other vse of toughnesse , you shall chuse the Elme onely , for it excéedeth all other Timbers , and though some Husbandmen are of opinion , that the Elme Axel-trée when it is throughly heated , is then most apt to breake , they are much deceiued , for it will endure farre beyond Ash or any other Timber , except Yewgh , which for the scarsity is now of little vse in such a purpose . And herein you must obserue , that the Elme which you chuse for Axel-trées must be straite , smooth , and without knots , but that which you chuse for naues , must be most knotty , twound , and the hardest to be broken or hewed asunder .

If you will chuse Timber for Ploughes , Vse of the Ash. ordinary Axel-trées ( for those of Elme are speciall ) the rings of whéeles harrow bulls , and such like , then you shall chuse the fairest , straightest , biggest , and smoothest growne Ash that you can finde , and from the roote end vpward , you shall cut out a length of Axel-trées , aboue it a length of shelbordes , and aboue it ( if the Trée be so large ) a length for heads and Skeathes , the largest armes which are somewhat bending , you shall elect for rings for whéeles , and so according to the bignesse of the Ash , and as your eye can proportion out what will be made of the same , you shall make valuation thereof .

If you would chuse Timber for ioyned Tables , Vse of the Wall-nut tree . Cupbords , or Bedsteds , you shall then make choise of the fairest Walnut-trée you can finde , being olde , straight , vnknotted , and of a high boale : and although either Oake , or Ash will reasonably well serue for this purpose , yet the Walnut-trée is by many degrées the best of all other , for it is of smoothest graine , and to the eye most beautifull , prouided that by no meanes you put it into any worke , before it be excéedingly well seasoned .

Vse of the Peare-tree . If you would chuse Timber for Ioynt stooles , Chaires , or Chests , you shall then chuse the oldest Peare-trée so it be sound , for it is both smooth , swéet , and delicate , and though it be a very soft Wood , yet in any of these frames it is an excéeding long laster , and the heart thereof will neuer bréede worme , nor will it in any time loose the colour .

Vse of the Maple , Beech , and Poplar . If you would chuse Timber for Trenchers , Dishes , or any Tourners ware , or for any in-laying worke , you shall then make choise of the fairest and soundest Maple , being smooth and vnknotted , for it is the plainest graine , and the whitest Wood of all other : and although either the Béech or Poplar will reasonably well serue for these purposes , yet is neither the colours so good , nor the Timber so long lasting . Many other Trées there are which may serue for many other purposes : but these are of most vse for our English Husbandman , and will sufficiently serue to passe through all his businesses .

Of Char-coale . Touching Char-coale , you shall vnderstand , that Oake , Elme , and Ash , make your longest and best en●uring Coale : the Birtch the finest and brightest Coale , and the Béech or Sallow the swiftest Coale . Now for your small Coale , the twigges of the Birtch makes that which kindles the soonest , and the White-thorne that which endures the longest .

How to value Timber . Thus when you know how to chuse euery seuerall Trée , and the true vse and profit which can any way be made of the same , and by a practised experience can cast by the suruay and view of a standing Wood , the almost entire profit that may arise from the same , deuiding in your memory how many are for euery seuerall purpose , and to what reckoning they may amount one with the other , and blemishing ( if you buy ) the good with the bad , or making good ( if you sell ) the bad with those good-ones which grow néere them , you may then boldly venture into any sale either as buyer or seller at you pleasure , and sure if you know ( as it is fit you should doe ) the Market-able prices of all sorts of Timbers in those places , where you are either to buy or sell , as what a Mill-post is worth , what so many inches of well squared Timber , contayning so many foote in length , what a dozen of boards of such a size , what so many naues , spoakes , rings , sparres , or tracens , or what so much sound and good Plough-timber is worth , and then looking vpon a Trée , and computing what may euery way be made of the same , allowing the wast which will hardly sometimes defray the charge of breaking vp the Trée , you cannot but with great ease draw into your minde the true value of euery Trée , and the vttermost profit or losse may any way rise from the same .

And in this worke I would haue you to obserue this rule very carefully , How to measure Timber by gesse . that is , when you come to any great Timber-trée , to fathome or embrace it about with both your armes , and then knowing what quantity your fathome is , and how many fathome girdleth the Trée round about , you may from former experience giue a certaine gesse what inches of squared Timber that Trée wil beare , for if you haue found in former trials that twice your fathome in the rough barke hath borne twenty , or two and twenty inches squared , and now finde that the present Trée on which you looke , is no lesse , but rather with the bigger , you may boldly presume , that being sound , this trée can carrie no lesse square of good Timber : and thus much for the knowledge and choise of tall Woods .

Now to come to the seasons & fittest times for sale of these high Woods : Best seasons for the s●le . you shall vnderstand that it is méete for euery good husband which intendeth to sell any of his high Woods● to walke into the same immediately after Christmas , & whether they be in woods , Groues , hedge-rowes , or other places , to marke with a speciall marke all 〈◊〉 Trées which he intendeth to sell , as well for the 〈◊〉 and cleansing out of all such as are decayed and wast●● , 〈◊〉 also to know the true number of both the good and bad , and thereby in some measure to compute the profit which will arise from the same , for to make sale of them otherw●se confusedly , might bring much losse to a man happily , selling away those that would encrease their valewes , and kéep●ing them which daily would decrease their goodnesse , or so vnorderly vnmixing his Wood , that where one faire and good Trée would draw a mans eye from beholding diuers which are doated , now that onely taken away , the rest will remaine , and neuer be sale-able , and therefore euer as néere as you can so suite and match your Trées together , that in your sales you may neuer passe away an absolute worthie Trée : but you may euer couple some which haue defects to goe with it , as in these dayes we sée Warri●e●s and Poulters sell Rabbets , a fat and a leane euer coupled together . When you haue thus marked out what you meane to sell , and disposed your sale according to your best profit , The time for Chap-men . after notice giuen vnto the Country in the Market Townes néere adioyning , you shall begin your 〈◊〉 the Candlemasse following , which sale you may continu● all the Spring , according to the greatnesse thereof , or the quicknesse of buyers . Now for any rules or orders to be obserued in these sales , I can prescribe you none certaine , because it is méete that euery one binde himselfe to the customes of the Country in which he liueth , whose va●●●tions are diuers , for almost euery one is seuerall , onely in the maine they holde together , which is that they seldom● make publike sales for money downe vpon the head , but for a certaine payment some fewe moneths after , which makes the Marchandise more lookt to , and the sales goe away the faster ; and in this the Sales-man must be circumspect in the choise of his Chap-men , and where h●● findeth any doubt there to make one neighbour 〈◊〉 bound for another , as for the earnest penny it is ●uer 〈◊〉 and aboue the price , and must be laide downe at the binding vp of the bargaine , which earnest is in some Countries foure pence in the pound , in some eight pence , and in some twelue pence , according to the goodnesse of the Timber , and hath euer béene taken for a fée due to the Sales-man for his paines and attendance : and sure if he be carefully honest , it is a merrit well bestowed : if otherwise , it is much too much for falshood , for in him consists the owners losse or profit , and therefore it may become any man , of what place so euer , to take a strickt account from such an officer : or if he haue any doubt euer to ioyne with him in commission , another of contrary faction .

When you haue made sale of your Timber , When to cut downe Timber . you shall by no meanes let it be cut downe till the end of Aprill , at which time the sap ascending vpward , will loosen the bark , and make it come from the body of the Trée easily . You shall cut your Timber downe close by the earth , not digge it vp by the rootes , vnlesse you meane vtterly to destroy it , for from the spurnes of the roote will arise new Spiers , which in processe of time , will come to another Trée . As soone as you haue felled your Oakes , you shall with your Axe immediatly whilst the sap is wet , take all the bark● from the body and the armes , and setting it end-wayes vp one by another , so place it , that the winde may passe through it , and dry it , and then fell it to the Tanners , which will giue you a good price therefore , according to the worth and scarsity thereof . When your Trées are barkt , you shall then sawe the body into such lengthes of Timber , as shall be méete for the purpose for which it is bought , or in such sort as it may be best portable : the armes also you shall hewe from the body , and so burken or breake them vp , as they may be fit to be loaded : all which done , and the Timber caried away , you shall , if you intend to haue the Wood renew , fence in the sale , and kéepe it safe from Cattell : and thus much for the preseruation and sale of ●igh Woods .

CHAP. V. Of the breeding of Wood in rich champaine soyles .

NAture which is the most perfect worke-mistresse of all things ( as all the Philosophers say ) but I say our good God out of his most diuine wisedome , hath allotted to euery soyle , if we will note it , through the whole course of this Kingdome , particular profit to sustaine and maintaine it , as to some Mines , to some Timber , and to some fertility of grasse and corne , and where any one of these are , there commonly some of the other is euer wanting , as we 〈◊〉 daily in our experience ; and for as much as in the fruitfull and fertill soyles of this land , of which wée estéeme the wealthie vales , as that of Essam , White horse , Beluoire ● and many others the best , there is euer great scarsitie of Wood , the very wealthinesse of the soyle it selfe almost denying to beare such burden , because for the most part the stifnesse of those clayes is contrary to their growth , yet for as much as the necessitie and vse of Wood is so great and valuable , I would perswade euery good and worthy Husbandman to endeauour himselfe with all his vtmost power and strength , to plant wood in euery conuenient place round about him , and not to take the rules of the ignorant for his lesson , that sith neuer any did grow there , therefore neuer any will grow there : for it is absurd and foolish : nor to say because my auncestors haue neuer done it why should I attempt it ? These arguments are made from a false ●●gure , and the Husbandman must remember that his dutie is industrie , and encrease not altogether imitation and president , and he must as seriously finde out new and néerer profits , as hold those he hath learned : and therefore ●e shall endeauour by all commendable labour to haue euer about him whatsoeuer is necessarie for his vse : but you will peraduenture aunswere me , that to plant Woods in these rich soyles , were very much losse , because the fertilitie thereof will yéeld a much better profit . To this I reply , that I would not haue you plant any spacious piece of ground with wood , but onely your ditches , hedges , and such wast earthes , as almost denie any other profit , and that the want of wood in those places may not discourage you , to imagine that wood will not grow there . Doe but view the cytes of euery Towne in those rich Countries , the seates of Noblemen & Gentlemens houses , and the Parks which commonly are adioyning there-vnto , and you shall hardly sée any of them without the fellowship & acquaintance of some wood , which in times past hath béene planted either for defence or pleasure , and from thence collect that if wood will grow with my next neighbour , then why not with me , so long as the soyle doth not alter ? But Labor vincit omnia improbus , True industrie was neuer fruitlesse . Then for the generall good both of your selfe & your neighbours , looke that you replenish all your ditches & ring fences , with good store of Quick-set , that is to say , all that lye high , & out of the danger of water , with White-thorne , Black-thorne , and Bryer , and those which are low & subiect to washing , with Willowes , Sallowes , and Ozyers .

Now for as much as it is not enough to say vnto the Husbandman do this , How to ●et all sorts of Quick-set . but that I must also shew the manner of doing thereof : I will shew you briefly how to set all manner of Quick-sets , and first for the white-thorne , black-thorne , brye● or such like , which must stand frée from inundation , you shal when you enclose any piece of ground , after you haue markt out the true breadth of your dyke vpon the in-side thereof , and close by the verdge of the dyke , cut with your spade a little trough , halfe a foote or there-abouts in breadth & depth , in which trough or small gutter , you shall lay the rootes of the first rowe of your Quick-sets , so as the top ends may looke vpward , & a little bend in towards the ditch , & these quick-sets you shall place within lesse then a foot one of another : then with your spade beginning to make your ditch , you shall with the 〈◊〉 cleane mould , couer all the rootes close and fast , so as they will not shake nor stirre with your hand , then hauing r●●sed the banke of your Dyke , and couered the lowest 〈◊〉 of Quick-set more then halfe a foote , and broken the earth so , as it may lye close and handsome together : you shall then after the same manner lay another rowe of Quick-set ouer the first , I meane not one Quick-set directly ouer another , but the second rowe placed as it were in the mid●● betwéene two of the first , though at least halfe a f●●te higher : then you shall couer that rowe like the former , and ouer it place a third , which shall stand directly opposite , and ouer the first , so that in their growth the middle rowe shall as it were grow betwéene two of the lowest , and two of the highest : and then vpon this vppermost rowe lay the remainder of your earth , and make your barke perfect , and in this sort finishing one yard of the Ditch after another , you shall at length bring your labour to the end of your desire . Now in this labour you are to obserue som● speciall things , as first to looke well vpon your Sets before you put them into the ground , and be sure that they be gréene , young , and vntainted , then that the rootes 〈◊〉 cleane , and no small thréeds or iagges hanging about them . And lastly , that they stand vpright , and not aboue foure or fiue inches without the earth at the most , then shall you looke well to the making of your banke , and lay the earth so as it may not flip or fall backe into the Dyke , so as the raine may wash away the mould , and leaue the rootes bare : but let all things be done strongly and artificially . The best seasons for this worke is the moneths of February , March , and Aprill , or September , October , and some part of Nouember : if the weather be dry aboue head , when you haue set your Quick-set , you shall make a dead hedge vpon the top of the new banke , to kéepe th●se Cattell which are within your ground , from breaking forth or hurting the Quick-set : and another small fence on the lowe verdge of the Dyke which is outward , to kéepe those cattell which graze without from running into the dyke , and hurting the quick-set . Now after a spring and fall is past , you shall suruay all your quick-set and wéede it cleane from all manner of filthinesse that doth choake or stifle it , and scratching the fresh mould about it giue comfort to the roote : then if yo● perceiue that any of your Sets be dead , you shall plucke them vp , and place new in the roome , and if any be blasted in part , and not cleane killed , you shall cut away so much as is blasted , and let the rest remaine , you shall looke well to the Caterpiller and other wormes , which mightily deuoure Quick-sets , especially in these fat Countries , and if you finde any taint of them , destroy them as is shewed you in a former Chapter .

After your Quick-set is come to the age of thrée yéeres , Planting of greater Trees . and that the banke is setled and swarth growne thereon , you shall then within the body of your hedges plant all manner of great Trées , as Ash , Béech , Maple , and such like , and also all manner of fruit Trées , as Aples , Peares , Plums , Wardens , and such like , and in the first thrée yéeres be very carefull to preserue each in his true proper nature , and doe to them all the rights which is due to their growth , and in that time obserue which kinde of Trées in the generality prospereth best , and agréeth most naturally with the soyle . And of those Trées s●e that you flourish your grounds most plentifully , the particular manner of planting whereof is already formerly declared . And hence doth Kent and Worcester shire boast of their fruit , Windsor , Sherwood , and Hollam shire their Oakes , and other particular Countries their particular commodities .

Now for the setting of Willow , Of the setting of Willowes , &c. Sallow , and Oziers , it is a thing so vsuall and common , that it néedeth no great Art in the relation , yet because I would be loath that any omission should be taken for negligence , you shall vnderstand that in setting them you must first respect the place , which would euer be lowe and moyst , the water sometimes washing them , sometimes cooling them , and euer giuing them comfort . Now to speake fir●● 〈…〉 low , it would be euer planted vpon bankes , wher● 〈…〉 stand more dry then wet , for such prosper be●t , and ●●dure longest , as for proofe some will continue , twelue , ●●●●teene , nay one and twentie yéeres , where as those which are set close by the water , will hardly endure 〈…〉 not aboue nine yéeres at the most . Touching their pla●●ing , they be set two manner of wayes , but which is the best , is not yet agréed on amongst Husbandmen . The first is to take an A●gure full as large in compasse ( 〈◊〉 much shorter ) as that where-with you boare Pump● and with it boare a hole in the earth two-foote , and a 〈◊〉 déepe , then hauing headed some of the choysest W●●●lowes you haue , take the fairest and straightest of th●se lops , and then cutting them sloape-wise at both ends , and leauing no superfluous twigs cleauing there-vnto , put the bigger end downe very hard into the earth , and then with the mould which came forth , with the Augure 〈◊〉 the earth close and hard about the Set , so as no reason●●ble strength may shake it . Now there be other Husband●men which in stéed of the Augure take onely an Oaken 〈◊〉 Ash stake , of the bignesse of an vsuall set , and with a B●●●tell driue it into the ground two foote and a halfe , and the● by shaking and opening the earth , pull it out againe & then put in the Set as is before shewed , and beate 〈◊〉 tread the earth close there-vnto , and there is no 〈…〉 the well prospering thereof . Now for the defects which Husbandmen finde in these two seuerall plantings . Some say , that the Augure taketh out so much earth , that the Set cannot but stand loose at the roote , and so wanting full hold of the earth , either takes not at all , or continues but a little space . Others say that the driuing in of the 〈◊〉 beates the earth so hard together , that it withstandeth the passage of the tender sprouts , & so killeth the set , but 〈◊〉 are deceiued : for these are but suppositions , and expe●●●ence daily shewes vs , that these are the best and 〈◊〉 wayes of setting of all sorts of Willowes that euer 〈◊〉 time brought forth , and I haue knowne one man set this way two hundreth Sets in a day , of which not one hath failed , but all prospered . Now for your Sallowes , you shall set them , and chuse the Sets in all poynts as you doe the Willow , onely they would be placed a little néerer the water , for they delight some-what more in moysture , as for the Ozier it would be set like other Quick-set in the side of bankes , so as it may almost touch the water , and as your Willowes or Sallowes would be set a little remote one from another , as namely tenne foote asunder : so these must be set close together , and in thicke rowes one against another : and these Ozier Plants you must cut from their head , being the principall spiers which grow thereon , and then cut off their tops , leauing them not aboue two foote long at the most , and of all other they are the quickest in growing .

And although Willow , The vse of Willowes , Sallowes , and Oziers . Sallow , and Ozyer , are in our lawes estéemed but as wéedes and no Woods , yet they be so profitable , that the Husbandman can hardly misse them , the Willow and Sallow seruing for fence and fewell , to make Harrowes , Cart-saddles , & horse Hames , and the Ozyers , for fish Leapes , or Wéeles , for Baskets , Scuttels , Fans to winnow with , and many other things full as necessary : therefore if you haue any marish grounds that are vselesse , bogge-myers , or Ilands in great riuers , let them be imployed to the nourishing of these profitable wéedes , and by making draynes through them to giue the water passage , you shall in small time bring them to earthes of great profit , which consideration were it rightly wayed , there would not be halfe so much wast ground as is in this Kingdome .

But to my purpose , Ordering of the Willow . when you haue planted these Willowes , you shall after euery floud , sée if the water haue driuen any of them awry , or displease them , and immediately mend them , and set them vp straight againe . It any Cattell shall pyll or barke them , you shall pull vp such Settes , and place new in their roome . Your Willow set would by no meanes be to long 〈…〉 first setting , for then it will neuer beare a good 〈…〉 too short is likewise as vnprofitable , therefore it is hold to be fiue foote aboue the earth , is a length sufficient● you may head your Willowes once in thrée yéeres , or 〈◊〉 at the furthest , and when you sée the bodies waxe hollow● you may cut them downe for the fire , and fixe new Sets in their places .

Ordering of Ozier . The Ozier to come to his true profit and season , asketh much pruning and trimming , as namely you must kéepe the stocke lowe , and neuer aboue halfe a foote aboue the earth , you must picke them cleane from Mosse , and from the slime and filth , which the euer-flow of the water will leaue vpon them : you shall prune the small spiers , and make them grow single one by another , and if any shoote out a double stalke , you shall cut it away , you may head them euery second yéere at the fall onely , and though some head them once a yéere , yet it is not so good husbandry , nor will the Ozier be so tough or long lasting . The best seasons for the setting of the Willow , Sallow , or Ozier is , either any part of the Spring or Fall , and the best time to loppe the Willow or Sallow , is in the Spring for fence , and in the Fall for timber or fewell : but the Ozier would be cut at the fall of the leafe onely . And thus much for the bréeding of Wood in the rich champaine Countries .

CHAP. VI. Of Plashing of Hedges , and Lopping of Timber .

HAuing alreadie sufficiently in the former Chapter spoken of the planting of all sorts of quick-sets , it is méete now that I shew you how to order the hedges being growne and come to perfection . Know then that if after your hedge is come to sixe or seauen yéeres of age , you shall let it grew on without cutting or pruning , that then although it grow thicke at the top , yet it will decay and grow so thinne at the bottome , that not onely beasts but men may runne through it , and in the end it will dye and come to nothing , which to preuent , it shall be good once in seauen or eight yéeres to plash and lay all your Quick-set hedges , in which there is much fine Art and cunning to be vsed . What plashing is . For this plashing is a halfe cutting or deuiding of the quicke growth , almost to the outward barke , and then laying it orderly in a sloape manner , as you sée a cunning hedger lay a dead hedge , and then with the smaller and more plyant branches , to wreathe and binde in the tops , making a fence as strong as a wall , for the roofe which is more then halfe cut in sunder , putting forth new branches , which runne and entangle themselues amongst the olde stockes , doe so thicken and fortifie the hedge , that it is against the force of beasts impregnable .

Now to giue you some light how you shall plash a hedge , How to plash : though diuers Countries differ diuersly in those workes , yet as néere as I can I will shew you that which of the best Husbandmen is the best estéemed . The time of yeare . First , for the time of yéere either February or October , is passing good , and the encrease of the Moone would likewise be obserued .

For the tooles which you shall imploy , The Tooles . they would be a very sharpe nimble Hatchet , a good Bill , and a fine pruning knife . Now for the worke you shall enter into it , first with your Bill you shall cut away all the superfluous boughes and branches which are of no vse , or hinder your worke , and then finding the principall stemmes which issue from the maine roote , you shall within a foote or lesse of the ground with your Hatchet , cut the same more then thrée quarters through , so as they may hang together by nothing but the outward barke , and some part of the outward sap , and this stroke must euer be sloape-wise and downeward : then take those mayne bodies of the 〈◊〉 set , so cut , and lay them sloape-wise from you , as you would lay a dead hedge , and all the branches which extend from those bodies , and would spread outwardly , you shall likewise cut as before said , and fould them 〈…〉 into your head , and euer within a yard or two distance , where a pretie Plant growes straight vp , you shall onely cut off the top equall with the height of your hedge , and so let it stand as a stake , about which you shall folde and twind all your other branches . Now when you come to the top of the hedge , which would commonly not be aboue fiue foote high , you shall take the longest , youngest , and most plyant boughes , and cutting them as afore-said gently binde in the tops of all the rest , and so make your hedge strong and perfect : and herein is to be noted , that the ●●eser and thicker you lay your hedge ( so there be nothing in it superfluous ) the stronger and better lasting it will be . Many vse not to binde in the tops of their plasht hedge● , but onely to lay the Quick-set and no more : but it is not so husbandly , neither is the hedge of any indurance : many other curiosities there be in the plashing of hedges , but this which I haue alreadie shewed , is sufficient both for the Husbandmans benefit and vnderstanding .

The profit of Plashing . The profit which ariseth from this labour , is the maintenance and defence of fencing , the preseruing and encrease of Quick-set , and a continuance of amitie amongst neighbours , when one liues frée from offending another . It yéeldeth a good Mast for Swine , and with the ouer-plus thereof at these times of plashings , repaireth all a mans dead hedges , and brings good store of fewell both to the Brewhouse , Kitchin , and Backhouse .

The lopping of Timber . Next to the plashing , is the lopping of Timber-Trées , which in those Countries which are bare and naked of wood , is of much vse , and though I cannot much commend it , because it oft marreth the bodies of Trées , yet I must allow it for necessary , because it is a néedfull rate , which the Trées pay to their Planters .

This lopping or heading of Trées , What Lopping is . is the cutting off of the armes and vppermost branches of Trées , and suffering the body to grow still , and it may very well be done once in eight or tenne yéeres , The season for Lopping . either at the beginning of the Spring , or at the end of the Fall , as you shall haue occasion to vse the wood , and immediately after the Moone hath new changed .

Now for the manner of the worke , How you shall lop Timber . there is small curiositie to be vsed therein , if your Axe be good and sharpe , for you shall but cut off the armes and boughes , smooth and cleane without nickes , rifts , or gutters , or any thing which may receiue wet , whereby the Trée maybe cankred and spoyled . Also in cutting away of the armes , you shall haue a great care rather to cut them away ( if it be possible ) vpward then downeward , least when you cut them downeward , the waight of the arme sodainly falling downe , riue and teare the barke of the body of the Trée , which is dangerous , and hath béene the spoyle of much Timber : which to preuent , you shall euer before you strike any blowe aboue , make a good large nicke vnderneath , and then after cut it downe from aboue , and so the Trée shall receiue no hurt . Also you shall obserue to cut the armes close by the body of the Trée , and neuer to desist till you haue made the place as playne and smooth as may be , for to doe the contrarie , is neyther workmanly , nor the part of any good husband . And thus much touching the plashing of Hedges , and lopping of Trées .

CHAP. VII . Of Pasture grounds , their order , profit , and generall vse .

HAuing alreadie sufficiently entreated of errable Grounds , Gardens , Orchards , and Woods of all kindes , I thinke it most méete ( as falling in his due place ) here to write of Pasture grounds , Diuersities and vse of Pastures which are of two kindes : the first , such Pastures as lye in wood land , mountainous , or colde climes , and are enclined to hardnesse and barrennesse , and therefore onely imployed to the bréeding and bringing forth of Cattell : the other such as lye in lowe , warme , and fruitfull soyles , and are most fertile and aboundant in encrease , onely imployed to the fatting and féeding of Cattell .

Of barraine Pastures . And now to speake of the first sort of Pasture , which being some-what barraine , is preserued for bréeding , you shall vnderstand that it is generally dispierced ouer all this Kingdome , and particularly into euery Countrey , for according to the veanes and mixture of the earth , such is either the richnesse or pouerty of the same , and of those seuerall mixtures I haue spoken sufficiently before in that part of this Booke , which entreateth of errable ground . Then to procéede to my purpose , it is the first office of the Husbandman when he séeth and knoweth the true nature of his earth , and perceiueth from perfect iudgement that it is of very hard encrease , Signes of barrainnesse . which as the temper and mixture of the soyle assures him , so also he shall better confirme by these fewe signes and Charracters , which I will deliuer : as first , if he sée grasse flow of growth , and that no Spring will appeare before May. If in stead of Clouer grasse , Dandylion , and Honisuckle , you sée your ground furnished with Penigrasse , Bents , and Burnet . If you sée much Knot-grasse or Speare-grasse , or if you perceiue the scorching of the Sunne burne away the grasse as fast as the raine had brought it forth : or if you finde quarries of stone néere vnto the vpper swarth of grasse ; or if your ground bring forth Lyng , Bracken , Gorse , Whynnes , Broome , Bilburie , or Strawburie : or if your ground be morish , full of quick-myers , mossie or full of blacke Flint , any of these signes make it to be most apparant that the soyle is barraine and of hard encrease .

And then as before I said it is the Husbandmans first Battering of soyles . office to prouide for the bettering and perfecting of his earth , which he shall doe in this sort . First , if he perceiue that the barrainnesse of his ground procéedes from want of good Plants , Sowing of good seedes . as from want of Clouer-grasse , Dandylion , Honisuckle , Cowslop , and other swéet flowers , then he shall repaire into the fruitfull Countries , and there buy the hay séedes and swéepings of hay-barne-flowers , which he shall euery Spring and fall of the leafe sowe , as thin as may be , vpon such Pastures , as he shall either lay for meddow , or preserue for the latter Spring after Michaelmas . But if he respect not the goodnesse of grasse , For abundance of grasse . but the abundance of grasse , as those husbands doe which liue in or about great Cities , then he shall dung those grounds which he will lay for meddow at Candlemasse ; or those which he will graze or eate in the first beginning of the Spring , at Michaelmasse before , with the oldest and rottennest meanure he can get , of which the best is the rotten staddell or bottomes of Hay-stackes , or for want of it the meanure of horse-stables , swéepings , and scowrings of yards and barnes , the mudde of olde ditches , or else good Oxe or Cow meanure , any of which will bring forth abundance of grasse .

Yet thus much I must aduertise the Husbandman ; The imperfection of meanure . that this meanuring of Pasture grounds carries with it diuers imperfections , for though it occasion abundance of grasse to growe , yet the meddow or hay which comes thereof , is so ranke , loggie , and fulsome in tast , that a beast taketh no ioy to eate thereof , more then to holde very life and soule together . Also the grasse thus meanure which you intend to graze or eate with your Cattell , is by meanes of the meanure so loose at the roote , that Cattell as they bite plucke vp both the grasse , roote , and all , which being of strong & ranke sent in the mouth of a beast , maketh him loathe and cast it out againe , and so not striue to eate to be fat , but onely to maintaine life .

To helpe a slow Spring . Now if your Spring be slow , and late in the yéere before your grasse will appeare aboue ground , it is méete then that you enclose your ground , and not only maintaine the fences with high and thicke Quick-sets , but also with tall Timber-trées , whose shade and strength may defend many colde blasts from the earth , and adde vnto it a more naturall warmenesse then it had before , for it is onely the coldnesse of the soyle which makes the grasse long before it grow . Also in this case it is méete that you lay ( as the husbandman tearmes it ) all such Pasture as you intend to graze at the spring following , in Nouember before , & so not being bitten from that time till Aprill following , no doubt but your spring will be both good and forward . There be others which helpe their slow springing grounds by stocking them in the latter end of the yéere with great abundance of shéepe , who although they bite néere to the ground , and leaue little grasse behinde them , yet they so tread and meanure it with their hot meanure , that it will spring after it commeth to rest , much more early and faster then it was wont . So that to conclude in a word , to make a barren ground spring earely , is to kéepe it warme , let it 〈◊〉 long rest , and meanure it well with Shéepe .

To help Knot-grasse and Speare-grasse . If your ground be troubled with Knot-grasse or Speare-grasse , it is a signe of too much colde moysture in the earth , and in this case you shall with a great common Plough , made for such a purpose , turne vp great furrowes through your ground , and make them so descend and fall one into another , that not onely the moysture bred in the earth , but that which falls vpon the earth , may haue a swift passage from the same , and so your soyle being drayned and kept dry , all those wéedy kindes of grasse will soone perish .

If your ground be subiect to the scorching or burning of the Sunne , To helpe Sun-burning . then you shall vnderstand that it is directly contrary to the last soyle we spake of : for as that by too much moysture is made barraine by colde , so this by too much want of moysture is made barraine with heate : wherefore the Husbandman shall in this case draw all his draynes , to bring moysture into his ground , which sometimes watring and sometimes ouer-flowing the same , will in the end bring it to a reasonable fertility , for it is a rule , that where there may be ouerflowes , there can seldome be any hurt by Sunne-burning , To helpe quarries of stone . vnlesse that such soyles be vpon Limestone ground , or néere vnto other quarries of hard stone , which lying néere vnto the vpper swarth of the grasse , doth so burne the roote , that the vpper branches cannot prosper . In this case the bringing in of water doth rather hurt then good , wherefore your best course is partly by your owne industry , and partly by the labours of others , who are traded in such commodities , to let forth your ground to Stone-diggers or Lime-makers , who digging the quarries out of the earth , and then filling vp the emptie places with rubbish and other earth , the soyle will in short space become as fruitfull as any other , for it is onely the want of taking roote ; or the burning vp of the roote , which makes this kinde of earth barraine .

Now if your ground bring forth Ling , Braken , To help Ling , Braken , &c. Gorse , Whinnes , or such like : you shall pare off the vpper swarth of the earth , and lay it in the Sunne to dry , in the height or heate of Sommer , and being throughly dried , you shall lay them in round hollow heapes one sod ouer another , then putting fire vnto them , burne them into ashes , which done , spread the ashes , like a meanure , ouer all the ground , and you shall sée those wéedes will no more spring or grow in that ground .

If your ground be morish or full of quicke myers , you shall then by small draynes or trenches draw 〈◊〉 the water , To helpe morishnesse or quick-nyers . and turne it into some lower ditch or 〈◊〉 and so bringing the ground to a stability or firmenesse , there is no doubt but fruitfulnesse , will presently follow after .

To helpe mossinesse . Lastly , if your ground be mossie , and bring forth in stead of grasse onely a soft fussie and vnwholsome mosse , your onely best way to cure the fault , is in the Winter time to tread it much with the féete of Cattell , as by making of Hay-stacks in diuers parts of such ground , and so fodring your Cattell about the same , and so yéerely altering the places of your Stackes or Réekes to goe ouerall your ground , & without doubt the treading of the ground will kill the mosse , and the meanuring of the Cattell , and the expence of Hay-séeds vpon the ground , will soone bring the earth to much fruitfulnesse and goodnesse .

The generall vse of barraine grounds . Now for the generall vse of these barraine grounds , it is to be vnderstood , that albe by the meanes before shewed , they may be helpt or bettered , yet they are but onely for bréede or encrease of Cattell . Whether the grounds be seuerall and enclosed , or vniuersall and common : whether they be Woods , Parkes , or Pastures , or Heathes , Mores , Downes , or other wilde and vnlimitted places , and these grounds shall be deuided into thrée parts , the first and most fruitfullest lying lowest , lying néerest to the riuer or some running streame , you shall preserue for meddow , and not suffer any beast to bite vpon the same from Candlemasse , vntill the hay be taken from the ground . The second part , you shall graze or eate from Candlemasse till Lammas , which would be that which lieth most plaine and bleake , and most subiect to all weathers . And the third part , which is the warmest and safest , you shall graze from all-Hollantide till Candlemasse , and betwixt Lammas and all-Hollantide you shall eate vp your eddish or after crop of your meddowes .

What Cattell are to be bred . Now whereas I speake generally , that these barraine grounds are for the bréede of Cattell , yet you shall vnderstand me particularly , as namely , what Cattell for what soyle , for euery barraine earth will not bring forth Cattell alike , as some will beare a faire Cowe or Oxe , yet but a little Horse : and some will bring forth a very goodly Horse , yet but a very little horned beast , therefore you shall obserue that if your ground lye any thing lowe , or be subiect to much moysture , and so not extreamely barraine , but although the Spring be late , yet after it springeth , it yéeldeth a reasonable bit , this ground is fittest to bréede Cattell vpon , as Cowe , Oxe , and such like : but if it lye high and dry , if it be stonie or mountainous , haue much reflection of the Sunne : or though it be some-what more barraine then the former earth , and in the best part of the Spring yéeld but a short , yet swéet bit , this ground is fittest to bréede a faire and large horse vpon : but if it be extreamely barraine colde and moyst , stonie or mossie , so it be replenished with any good store of Underwood● then it is fit to bréede small hard Nags vpon , or Geldings of a meaner size , Goates , wilde-Swine , or such like . And lastly , if it be extreame barraine , colde , and dry , and altogether without any kinde of shelter , but subiect to euery blast whatsoeuer , this ground is fit onely to bréede Shéepe vpon , as we sée by daily experience in the seuerall parts of this Kingdome : so that to conclude , you shall beare in your memorie , that where you bréede your beast , would be reasonable bit : where you bréede your Horse good ayre and warmth , and where you bréede your Shéepe , there much spatiousnesse of ground . And thus much briefly for the nature and vse of your barraine grounds .

Now to procéede to your fruitfull and rich grounds , Of fertill grounds . whose very encrease and abundance of grasse , without any other curious relation shewes their fertility , there is little obseruation to be held in the ordering & disposing of them , for being naturally good of themselues , there néedeth little Art to the maintainance of the same , onely to haue an especiall care to the fencing and safe kéeping of them , to the due time of eating them with your Cattell , and to obserue a fit proportion of rest for them , in which they may 〈◊〉 and gather head for the maintainance of such 〈…〉 shall féede vpon them . And to these , as an especiall 〈◊〉 aboue the rest , must be added a carefull diligence not to ouer stocke or leade your ground with more Cattell then it may conueniently beare , for if your ground be neuer so fruitfull , if it be ouer-prest with multitudes of Cattell , it cannot by any meanes yéeld you the profit of your expectation , but returne you losse and dammage .

The deuision of rich grounds . These fruitfull and rich grounds would be deuided into two parts , the one pastures , or grounds for continuall féeding or nourishing of Cattell all the yéere , the other meddowes , from whence you shall gather your Winters prouision of Hay , for the preseruation of your Cattell , which are either for labour or sale in the Market , and of these two parts I will speake seuerally .

The generall vse of rich grounds . Yet before I begin to speake largely of them , it is méete you know the generall vse of these rich and fruitfull grounds , which is indéede the féeding or fa●ting vp of Cattell , either for foode in your owne house , or for sale in the Market , to the Butcher , Droner , or men of such like place or profession . For indéede to bréede much vpon these rich grounds , is neither profitable to the Husbandman , nor is the beasts so bred , either so comely or Market-able , as those bred in the harder soyles , as wée may note in our experience , if we will suruay the bréedes of Cattell in Gloster-shire , Sommerset-shire , and Lincoln-shire , which for the most part are bred vpon excéeding rich and fertile ground : yet if we take view of them , we shall finde that albe they are tall and large , yet they are of slender shape , leane-thighed , crumple-horned , and oft tender and dry skinned , which is a fault very note-worthie amongst Graziers , and indéede are nothing so eyely and Market-able , as those beasts are which are bred in Yorke-shire , Darby-shire , Lancashire , and such like , all which are bred vpon hard and barraine grounds , yet haue goodly , large , and round bodies , close trust , thicke , and well coupled together , faire heads● veluet skinnes , and as the Prouerbe is , are so beautifull in horne and haire , that they are euery mans money , in ●uery Market . So that I conclude , that albe vpon the rich ground you may bréede good . Cattell , and it is necessary also so to doe for the maintaynance of stocke , yet the generall vse , and that which is the greatest profit to the English husbandman , is to graze féede the same .

Now to procéede to my former purpose , Of Pastures and ordering them . touching that part of rich ground which I call Pasture , because it is onely for féeding , you shall first prouide that they be very well fenced , according to the nature of the Country , either with ditch , pale , rayle , dead hedge , or quicke-growth ●pon shall also sée that they be well stored with water , that is swéet and wholesome , for putrified water bréedeth many mortall and infectious diseases amongst Cattell . These Pastures must euer be your highest ground , and such as lye safest from inundations . Those Pastures which you lay or giue rest to from the beginning of Nouember , you may féede at Candlemasse following with heilding beasts , or such as are but beginning to féede , but with your fat beasts not till our Ladies day after : those Pastures which you lay or giue rest to at Candlemasse , you may very well féede at May following : those which you giue rest to at May-day , you may féede at Midsommer , for then the spring is swift and plentifull : those you lay at Midsommer , you may féede at Lammas , and those you lay at Lammas , you may féede in October , and generally all the Winter following : onely you shall obserue , that those Pastures which lye most in danger of water , or any other casualtie , be first eaten , least by too long delaying ●n vnseasonable time come , a●d so you be both preuented of your hope and profit .

In the ●ating of your Pasture grounds , Manner of feeding of cattell . are many things to be obserued , as first for the feeding of your fat Cattell , you must by all meanes be sure that they haue full bite , which is to say , length of grasse : for cattell , whose tongues are the principall gatherers vp of their foode , neither can nor will bite néere vnto the ground , except it be extreame hunger which compels them , and then they take little ioy in their foode . Next you shall oft ( as any fit ●ccasion will giue you lea●e ) remoue and shift them into fre●h grounds , and not expect that they should eate your grasse downe to the bottome , but onely as it were sc●mme and take the vppermost and choisest part thereof , and so they will féede both swiftly and throughly : and for that grasse which they shall leaue behinde them , you shall eate if vp after them with your labouring or worke-cattell , and lastly with your shéepe . It is very good also amongst your fat beasts euer to haue a leane horse or two : for your fat beasts taketh delight to féede with them , and sometimes to bite after them , there being as it were a kinde of sympathie or liking of each others tastes . After your grasse is fully knit , and hath receiued his whole strength , which wil be at Midsommer , then you may suffer your fat beast to eate a little néerer vnto the ground till after Lammas , because there is an extraordinarie swéetnesse therein , springing from the heate of the Sunnes beames onely . These few obseruations well kept , there is no doubt but your Cattell will féede well to your contentment , then when you sée that they are sufficiently fed , according to the ayme of your purpose , whether it be for the vse of your houshold , or the vse of the Market , you shall forth-with imploy them accordingly , for it is both the losse of time and money , not to put them off by sale or otherwise , so soone as they are come to the end of your desire . For those rich grounds will sometimes make two returnes in the yéere , sometimes thrée , which is a great profit . And I haue heard sometimes of ●ours , but it is very rare , and the Cattell so returned must be very well stricken with flesh before they be put vnto féeding , but if your ground will returne leane beasts fat twice through the yéere , it is commodity sufficient .

Now because it is not sufficient to say sell or kill your Cattell when they are fat , How to know a fat Beast . except you haue the Art and skill to know the same , you shall obserue these few rules following , and they will sufficiently instruct you in the same . First , when you sée your beast in the generall shape and composure of his body shew most faire and beautitifull , each member being comely , and each bone couered , in such sort as a perfect shape requireth , as no eye is so stupid as cannot tell when a beast looketh well or ill-fauouredly , you shall then guesse the beast to be well fed , especially when you sée his huckle-bones round and not sharpe , his ribs smooth , not rough , his flankes full , his natch thick , and his cod round . This when you shall perceiue , you shall handle him , and griping him vpon the neathermost ribs , if you féele the skinne loose , and the substance soft vnder your hand , you may be well assured that the beast is very well fed outwardly , that is vpon the bones . You shall then lay your hand vpon his round huckle-bones , and if that féele , vnder your hand , soft , round and plumpe , you shall be assured that the beast is well fed both outwardly and inwardly , that is , both in flesh and tallow : then you shall handle him at the setting on of his taile , and if that handle bigge , thicke , full , and soft , it is a true signe that the beast is very well fed outwardly : then handle his natch-bones which are on both sides the setting on of his taile , and if they féele left and loose , it is a signe that he is well fed , both outwardly and inwardly . Lastly , you shall handle his cod and nauell , if it be of an Oxe , and the nauell onely if it be a Cowe , and if they handle thicke , round , soft , great , and plumpe , it is a most assured signe that the beast is very well tallowed within . And thus when any of these parts or members shall handle in contrary manner , you shall iudge of the contrary effects . And thus much touching the knowledge of a fat beast .

Now for the second part of these rich grounds , Of Meddowes and their ordering . which are meddowes , they ought to be the most fruitfullest and richest of all other , lying low and leuell , and being now and then in the Winter season washt with inundations , yet not too too much drencht or washt with the same : for as the moderate ouerflowing of waters enricheth and fertiles the soyle , so the too much soking or long resting of the water rotteth the earth , & bringeth it to barrainnesse , neither is it altogether necessary that euery meddowe should lye so low that it might be ouerflowed , for there be some high grounds which are frée from those floods which will beare meddow in very sufficient manner , & although the lower meddowes doe abound in the plenty of grasse , yet the higher grounds euer beareth the swéeter grasse , and it is a rule amongst Husbandmen , that the low meddowes do fill , but the high meddowes do féede , the low are for the Stable , but the high are for the Cratch , and that which is long will maintaine life , but that which is short will bréede milke .

Preseruation of Meddowes . The chiefest respect you shall haue to your meddowes , is to defend and preserue them from Moales , and such like vermine , which roote vp the earth , and destroy the swéet and tender roots of the grasse . Next , that you note in what places of the meddow the water standeth longest , & from thence , by small furrowes or draynes , to giue it a frée passage , so that the meddow may as it were cleanse & be dry in one instant . Lastly , you shall maintaine the banks of all such ditches & other fences bordring about your meddowes in good and sufficient manner , both for kéeping out of water after your meddowes begin to grow , as also for kéeping Cattell from eating them in the night or other times , which is a great depriuation and losse of the profit you expect to come from them : for you shall vnderstand , that if any ouerflow shall come vnto your meddowes after May , it will leaue such a sandy filthinesse in the grasse , that except very moderate showers fall swiftly , and sodainly , to wash it out againe , the Hay which shall be got of that crop , will both be vnsauorie and vnwholsome , and bréed in your Cattell many dangerous and mortall sicknesses .

When to lay Meddowes . The best times for laying of meddowes to rest , is , if the meddow lye high , as in vp-land Countries , or if the soyle be cold , or the springing thereof slow , at Candlemasse : but if the ground be more warme , temperate , & of some more fertility , then you may lay it at our Ladies day in March : but if the ground be most fruitfull , then if you lay it at May day , it will be early enough . Also in the laying of your meddowes to rest , you shall consider the state of the ground , as whether it be eaten néere and bare , and with what Cattell , as Horse , Oxen , or Shéepe : if it haue béene eaten bare with Oxen or Horse , then you shall lay it earlier in the yéere , for it will aske a longer time to grow againe : but if it haue béene eaten with Shéepe ( although they bite néerest to the ground ) yet you may lay it so much later , because the meanure which they bestow vpon such good ground , will quickly hasten on the Spring : but if your meddowes haue not béene eaten bare , but haue a good déepe fogge vpon them still , then you may lay them the latest . Also in the laying of meddowes , you shall consider whether they be common or priuate , if they be common meddowes , and that no olde custome binde you to the contrary , you shall lay them to rest earely in the yéere , that recouering a forward Spring , you may cut them so much the sooner , and so haue the better after-crop , and the longer time to eate it : but if your meddow be priuate , and at your owne particular disposing , then you shall lay it according to your owne necessitie , and the goodnes of the soyle , obseruing euer to giue it full time of growth , and not to cut it till the grasse be full ripe , for it is better to let it grow a wéeke too long ( so the weather be seasonable for the withering of it ) then to cut it two dayes too soone , because when it is too earely cut , it not onely looseth the strength and goodnesse , but also the substance and waight , and in the drying shrinketh and wasteth to nothing .

Touching the fittest time to cut or mowe your meddowes : When to mow Meddowes . If they be laid in a due season , it is held of all the best English husbandmen generally to be a wéeke or a fortnight after Midsommer day , as namely about the translation of Thomas , which is euer the seauentéenth day of Iuly , and without question it is a very good time for all men to begin that labour , if their grounds be fruitfull and of earely growth : but in as much as diuers grounds are diuers in their growth , some being much more hastie then other some : and for as much as some meddow may as well grow too long as too little a time , as in high land Countries , where the heate and reflection of the Sunne will burne and consume away the grasse , if it be not gathered in a due season , I would therefore wish euery good Husbandman about a wéeke before Midsommer , and a wéeke after , to view his meddowes well , and if he sée them turne browne , if the Cock heads turne downeward and stand not vpright , if the Bels and other vessels of séede open and shed their séedes , if your Honisuckles haue lost their flowers , and the Penigrasse be hard , dry , and withered , then you shall truly vnderstand that your meddow is ripe and ready to be mowne , and the longer it standeth , the more it will loose of the substance , and when any of the contrary signes appeare , as when the meddow lookes gréene and fresh , the Cock-heads looke vpright , the Bels are close and hard , the Honisuckles flowring and purple , and the Penigrasse soft and moyst , then is your meddow not readie to cut , nor will the Hay that is so gotten be other then soft , fuzzie , and most vnwholsome , no beast taking delight to eate of the same .

The inclination of the weather . Now to these considerations , you shall adde a carefull obseruation of the state and inclination of the weather , and if you finde that the weather is disposed to much wet or incertaintie , then you shall forbeare to mowe , because that moysture will still maintaine and hold the graffe in his perfect strength so long as it groweth : but if it be once cut downe , then the wet will soone rot and spoile it : but if you finde the weather enclined to drought and fairenesse , then you shall with all spéede cut downe your Hay , for one loade got and brought into the barne without raine , is worth two that hath béene washt , though but with the smallest shower . There be some Husbandmen that in the mowing of their meddowes , will obserue the state of the Moone , and other planetarie coniectures , but they are fitter for those which séeke curiositie more then profit , for mine owne part I would wish euery good husband but to know truly when his crop is ripe , and then to gather it in the most constant and fairest seasons , which the rules already set downe will most amply shew him .

Now for the manner of mowing your meddowes , The manner how to mowe Meddowes . although the generall act resteth in the hands of the mower , and that it is hard and impossible , in words , to expresse the Art of the a●tion , nor is it néedfull that euery Husbandman be a mower , yet for those rules which the English Husbandman should know and obserue , I will in no sort omit them . You shall then know that in the mowing of your meddowes you shall mowe them smooth , plaine , and leuell , and as the Husbandman tearmes it , with such an euen board , that a man may no more but discerne the going in and comming forth of the Sythe : and this shall be done so close and neere vnto the ground , as is possible for the worke-man to get , especially if it be in publique and common meddowes , because the swap and first crop is all the maine profit you can challenge your owne : nay , you shall doe it also in your owne priuate and seuerall meddowes : for although an ignorant custome haue drawne some of our Husbandmen , to say and beléeue that there is no loose in the sleight and insufficient mowing of priuate meddowes , because say they , what I loose in the Barne , my Cattell findes on the ground , yet they are much deceiued in that opinion , for what they so leaue on the ground halfe cut halfe vncut , is no good foode , neither pleasant nor sauourie , but dry , hard , and bitter , and indéede no better then sower fogge , which may fill , but cannot nourish , and who then will be so simple , as not to preferre swéet Hay before such vnsauourie grasse ? therefore be carefull to mowe your grasse euen , and close by the ground , for it will make the fresh grasse spring vp with more ease , and be much pleasanter in taste .

How to make Hay . Next after the mowing of your meddowes , followeth the making of your Hay , which is a labour that must be followed with great care and diligence , for it is an old saying , that dearth beginneth at the Hay-barne dore , and ●e that is negligent in that , can hardly be good husband 〈◊〉 any thing else , then to shew you how you shall make your hay , you shall first vnderstand that no one particular forme can stand for a generall rule , because Hay must be made according to the nature of the grasse , and the soyle where it groweth , some being apt to wither and make soone , as that grasse which is finest , and hath in it least weédes , others will be long in making , as that which is full of thicke , strong , and sower grasse , many wéedes , bunnes , and such like hard stalkes , which are not easily dried , therefore it is the part of euery good Husbandman , either by his eye and knowledge to iudge of the nature of his grasse , or else to follow the customes of the Country and soyle wherein he liueth , but the first , Knowledge , is the better Science . But to procéede to my purpose , I will in the natures of two sorts of grasse , the one fine , the other course , shew you the generall making of all sorts of Hay .

To make fine Hay . First , then for the making of your fine rich grasse into Hay , if it grow in great abundance , thicke and close , and so lieth in the swathe , you shall haue one with a Pitch forke to follow the Mowers , and to spread and throw the grasse thinne abroad , that the ayre and sunne-beames may passe through it : and this is called in most Countries ●edding of Hay . The next day , after the Sunne hath taken the dewe from the ground , you shall turne that which the day before you tedded , and then if you haue any more new mowen , you shall ted it also . The next day following , as before , when the dewe is from the earth , you shall turne your Hay againe , and so letting it lye till the Sunne be at his height , begin to stir it againe , at which time if you finde it is reasonably well withered , you shal then draw it into windrowes , that is , you shall marke which way the winde standeth , and the same way that it bloweth , the same way with Forks & Rakes one after another , gather in the Hay into long , great , thicke rowes : then you shall make those windrowes into large Cockes , of which the biggest is euer the best , for they will defend themselues from raine , if happily any shall fall , whereas the little small Cocke lying light together , taketh in the raine like a spunge , and so makes the Hay a great deale much worse then otherwise it would be ; when your Hay is thus set in safe Cocke , you shall let it rest a day or two , that it may take a little sweat therein , which will make the Hay wondrous pleasant and swéet , then when the Sunne is got vp to a pretie height , you shall open those Cockes , and after the sunne and winde hath passed through them , you may if the grasse be cleane & fine of it selfe , without ranke grasse , load it , and carrie it either into the Barne , or such other place , as you haue appointed for the receit thereof : but if it haue any ranke grasse , which you sée vnwithered amongst it , then you shall make it vp againe into safe cockes , and so let it rest a day or two more before you leade it away . And thus much for the making vp of fine Hay .

Now for the making of course grasse into Hay , To make course Hay . which you must suppose to be grasse growing , in colde , moyst , woodie , and barraine grounds , full of wéedie , rough , and stumpie hearbage , long in growing , late ere it can be gathered , and therefore depriued of much of the Sunnes strength , to swéeten and wither it . This grasse as soone as it hath béene mowne and tedded , as it before said : the next day you shall make it into little grasse Cockes , as bigge as little Moale-hilles , and so hauing layne a day or better , then breake them open , and let them receiue the sunne and winde , for they will heat and si●eat a little in the grasse , which makes it Hay the sooner & better : then after the Sunne hath spent all his power vpon it , you shall make it vp into little Cockes againe , putting two of the first Cockes into one , then hauing so layne another day , breake them open againe , and giue them the Sunne : then make them vp againe , and put thrée or foure of those Cockes into one , and so let them lye another day , th●● breake them open as before , if the Sunne shine faire , and at euening make them vp againe , putting thrée or foure of those Cockes into one , and so euery morning after the Sunne is vp breake them open , a●d at euening ●ake them vp againe , till you finde that the Hay is sufficiently well dried , and sweateth no more in the Cocke : but in the morning when you breake it open it is dry , without stemme , smoake , or vapour arising from it , which both your hand and eye may perceiue in the first stirring or mouing , and then you may at your pleasure leade it home , and house or stacke it as you shall haue occasion .

Vse of Hay for cattell to breed or labour with . Now for the vse of Hay , it is two-folde , that is , either for the maintainance of bréeding Cattell , or Cattell for labour , or else for the féeding of Cattell for the Market , or for slaughter : for the maintainance of bréeding Cattell ; or the Cattell which are imployed in your Plough or other labours , whether it be draught or trauell , you shall make choise of the swéet , and well-dried Hay , which is of fresh and gréene colour , well withered , sound , and perfect Hay , though it be long , loggie , and not excéeding much swéet , it matters not ; for being well Inned and dried , it will serue sufficiently for those purposes : and with this Hay to mingle sometimes Wheat-straw , Rye-straw , Barly , or Oate-straw will not be amisse for heilding , or bréede Cattell : but for worke-beasts , except necessitie constraine , let them haue Hay simple of it selfe , during the busie time of their worke , but when they rest , you may vse your discretion . For the times of giuing Hay or fodd●ring to such Cattell as are in the house , the best is in the morning before they goe to labour , in the euening when they come from labour , presently after their drinke , and at night when you goe to bed . But for those Cattell which goe abroad , as Shéepe , heilding Beasts , and such like , to fodder them morning and euening , is out and out fully sufficient .

Now for the vse of Hay for fat cattell , you shall make choyse of the fruitfullest , swéetest , finest , and shortest Hay you haue , being full of flowers , pleasant and odoriferous to smell on : and although this Hay be mixt with some roughnesse , yet it is not the worse , for though your fat beast make thereof great orts , yet is the losse not great , for those orts may be giuen to other heilding and hungrie cattell , which will eate them with great eagernesse . This Hay would in the first gathering not be withered too sore but so stackt-vp with a little hartie gréen●esse that it may a little mo●●-burne , and alter the colour to a Redish brounnesse , but by no meanes so moyst that it may mould , rot , or putrifie , for that is f●●some and v●de , but onely alter the colour , and thereby make the smell swéetee and stronger . This Hay will entice a beast to eate , and will strengthen and inable his stomacke , and withall will bréed in him such a drought or thirst , that hardly any water will quench him , and the Grazier takes it euer for an infall●ble signe , that when his beast drinkes much he féeds fast and his tallo● wonderfully increaseth . For the ordinarie times of foddring your fat cattell , if they be in the stall , and as we say , tyed vp by the head , the best is in the morning before and after water , at noone ; in the euening before & after water , and late in the night , when you goe to bed , but if they féede abroad , and take the benefit of Foggs and after-grasse , then to fodder them Morning , Euening , and high-noone is fully sufficient .

Here I could speake of Pease-f●●ding of Shéep , Swine , and other cattel , eyther at the Trough , Kée●●e , Stacke , or such like , the seuerall manner of cratches , fashions of st●ls , and many other necessary rules appertaining to this mysterie ; but I am against my will confine● , and therefore must referre i● to some other occasion , being loath to spoyle an excellent discourse , with a tale halfe fould , and imperfectly spoken : And thus much therefore of Me●owes , and their seuerall vses .

CHAP. VIII . A new method for the husbandly curing of all manner of Cattels diseases .

The reason for this Chap●er . OF this Theame I haue written a whole ( or as some will suppose many ) Histories , yet doubtlesse nothing too much , the cause is so necessary and co●●edious : yet this I must let euery Reader vnderstand , that what I 〈◊〉 herein formerl● done , I did for a general and vncontrou●lable satisfaction to the whole Kingdome , both the learn●● and vnlearned , and as well to satisfie the nicest 〈◊〉 most curious opinion , as the simple and playne 〈◊〉 creature : whence it came that I waded Artfully and profoundly into the vttermost secrets of this knowledge , ●●●uing nothing vnsearcht , or vnset downe , that might 〈◊〉 way tend to the satisfaction of any iudiciall Reader , 〈◊〉 therefore tooke liberty to make a large progresse , without sparing any paynes , to make my worke absolutely 〈◊〉 perfect . But now , hauing onely to doe with our 〈◊〉 playne English Husbandman , who eyther cannot 〈◊〉 read , or else hath little leasure to read , at most but ● little memorie to bestow vpon his readings ; I haue 〈◊〉 for his ease both of memory , readings , and other ve●ao●s , drawne him such a method for the curing of all the diseases in cattell , as was neuer yet found out by 〈◊〉 man or Authour whatsoeuer : and is worthy to be ●●●serued to all posterities for euer and euer .

Horses diseases to be cured with twelue Medicines . To beginne then first with the Horse , which is the ●●●bandmans principallest creature , you shal vnderstand that he hath , of my knowledge , one hundred and odde disea●●● or infirmities , besides other hurts and blemishes for 〈◊〉 which , I haue seuerally shewed seuerall cures , as may ●●peare by the volumes which are much too great for 〈◊〉 Husbandman to carry in his braynes , and therefore for his ease I haue drawne all those hundred and odde sicknesses or sorrances , into twelue , and will assure euery Husbandman that with these twelue medicines following , hée shall perfectly cure all the diseases in a Horse , whatsoeuer .

To procéede then-in an orderly manner to the curer : Of inward sicknesse . Euery husbandman must know that all diseases in a horse are inward or outward : inward as offending the vitall parts , or outward as troubling the members : to speake then first of inward sicknesse , I will diuide it into two branches , that is , eyther it offends the heart , or the brayne : If it offend the heart , we call them , Feauers , Yellowes , Anticor , consumption of lungs , Liuer , Splene , Gall or other intra●● , Wormes , Fluxes , Belly-bound , and diuers other of like nature : The first Medicine . For any or all which , you shall first let your Horse bloud in the neck-veine , and then giue him , during his sicknesse , to drinke , eyther in swéete Wine or strong Ale or Béere , if Wine a pinte , if Ale or Béere a quart , two spoonefull of the powder called Diapente , made of Aristolochia root , Gen●iana , Myrthe , Eboni and Bachi lauri , of each equall quantitie , and let it be well brewed together , and doe thus euery Morning fasting , and let the Horse fast two houres after it .

If it offend the brayne we call them Appopleries Palsies , The second Medicine . Staggers , Colds , Gl●●nder , To●gh●s , mourning of the chyne , Migrims , dizzinesse , and a world of such like : and the cure is to take Assafeteda , and dissoluing it in Uinegar dip hurds therein , and stop it hard into his eares for two Mornings together after you haue taken from him great store al bloud at his meeke-veine , and then giue him to drinke , during his sicknesse , euery Morning a quart of Milke , wherein the white and rough cankerrous Mosse of an old Oake pale hath béene sodden till the Milke grow thicke , then strayned & so giuen luke warme , and if you finde that no heauinesse or dizzinesse appeare in his head , then you may forbeare the bloud-letting , and the Assafeteda , but not otherwise , in any case ; and thus assuredly these two medicines alreadie declared will cure all the inward diseases in a Horse , whatsoeuer .

Of outward diseases . Now for outward diseases , they are eyther naturall or accidentall : If they be naturall , they eyther grow from the generation , or bréede , from whence a Horse is descended , or else from corruption of foode , or other vnwholesome kéeping ; If they grow from the bréede and generation of the Horse , we call them the Uiues , Wens , Knots , or swellings about the throat : and for the cure thereof , take a peny-worth of Pepper , beaten into powder ; a spoonefull of swines-grease , The third medicine . the iuyce of one handfull of Kew , two spoonefuls of Uineger , and mixe them together , and put this equally into both the Horses eares , and so tye them vp and shake the eares , that the medicine may sinke downe , and take good store of bloud from the Horses necke veine , and temple veines , and vse this medicine two or thrée mornings together .

If they proéede from corruption of foode , or any other vnwholsome kéeping which corrupteth the bloud , then we call them Impostumations , Byles , Botches , Fistulaes , Polemill , and such like : and the cure is , to take the l●ame of an old mudde wall , The fourth Medicine . strawes and all , but let there be no Lime amongst it , and boyle this loame with strong Uineger , till it belike a Pultus , and as hot as the Horse can abide it , apply it to the sore place , and it will not onely draw it to a head , and breake it , but also draw it , search it , and heale it .

There be also other diseases which procéed from naughtie foode , and the corruption of blood , and we call them Farcies , Scabs , Mangie , Scratches , Paynes , Ma●landers , Sellanders , The fift Medicine . and all of such like nature , and the cure is first to slit the hard knots , or rubbe off the scarfe , and make the fore places raw : then take yellow Arsnicke beaten to powder , and mixe it well with fresh grease , and then therewith annoynt the sore places all ouer , which done , tye vp the Horses head , so as he may not knappe or bite himselfe , and so let him stand an houre or two : then take strong old Pisse warmde , and therewith bathe and wash the Horse all ouer , and so put him to his meat : and in this manner dresse the Horse or beast thrée or foure mornings , and it will be sufficient ; onely you must not fayle to take from him good store of bloud at his necke vaine .

Now if his diseases procéed from accidentall causes , as from wounds , Bruises , Straynes , Galles , hurts in the Eyes , excretions , or broken bones , then you shall to euery one of these take these seueral medicines which follow : as first , The sixt Medicine . if they be wounds , in what sort soeuer taken or receiued , you shall take Turpentine , Waxe , and hogs-grease , of each a like quantity , and melting them together into a salue , dresse the wound therewith , and it will heale it , how great or little soeuer .

If they be bruises , whether gotten by stroake , naughtie Saddles , or other rushes , from whence procéedeth many times old , putrefied & most ranckorous vlcers , you shall first if the tumor be onely swelled and not broken , The seuenth Medicine . apply vnto it the fourth medicine of Loame and Uingar , but if it be an open old ranckorous vlcer , you shall take Hogs-grease , Turpentine , Waxe , and Uerdigrease , of each a like quantitie , and being well mixt , and incorporated together , dresse the sore therewith , till it be whole , for this medicine will abate and kéepe downe any spungie or naughtie dead flesh which arises and kéepes the sore from healing , and may therefore alwayes be vsed in such like cases , The eight Medicines . whether the sore be new or old .

If they be stray●es eyther of ioynts or sinewes , in what part or member soeuer it be , old or new , take strong Uinegar , Patch-grease , and Wheat-branne , and boyle them together till they be thick like a Pultus , and then apply it very hot to the strayne , Morning and Euening , and it is a most certayne cure , and will kéepe the member from growing foule , knotted , or gourded , and will also take away all swellings or paynes of the limbes whatsoeuer .

The ninth Medicine . If they be Galles , of what kinde or nature soeuer , whether on the backe , limbes , or any other outward part of the bodie , you shal take first fresh Butter scalding hot , and with it first bathe and wash the sore , then take thicke Creame , & mixing it with the Soote of a Chimney till it be thicke , like a salue , with the same annoynt the sore place Morning and Euening , and it will cure it without any feare of dead flesh : if you doe strow vpon the sore the powder of Rossen it will be good also .

The tenth Medicine . If they be any hurts in the eyes , as strokes , inflamations , Pinne-webbe , Canker , or any other mischiefe whatsoeuer , you shall then take true ground-Iuie , which otherwise is called of some Ale-hoofe , and beating a good handfull thereof in a morter , with a spoonefull or two of white Rosewater , or the water of Eye-bright , then strain it through a cleane wet cloath , and with that water dresse the sore eye Morning and Euening : or if you can conueniently thrée or foure times a day , for the oftner is the better , and it will without all fayle cure any sore eye in the world whatsoeuer , eyther of man or beast , or any other creature .

The eleuenth Medicine . If they be excretions of bones , as Splents , Spauens , Curbs , Ringbones , or such like , in what part or member soeuer they be , you shall then take white Arsnicke , beaten or ground to fine powder , and making a little slit vpon the head of the excretion , the length of a Barly corne , or very little more , yet in any waies downe déepe to the excretion , & then with the poynt of your knife put the Arsnicke vpon the excretion , and so let the Horse stand with his head tied vp for two houres at least , for in that time the greatest anguish will be gone , and then put him vnto his meate , and in thrée or foure dayes after the excretion will fall away of it selfe ; and then with a little swéet Butter you may cure the sore , which will not be great .

The twel●th Medicine . If they be broken bones , or bones out of ioynt , you shall after you haue placed them in their due place , first annoynt them with the Oyle of Mallowes , or for want of it with warme Patch-grease , and then clap about them a plaster made of Pitch , Rossen , and Masticke , and so with soft and flat splents , so splent the member , as it may not moue , and so let it rest nine dayes ere you dresse it againe , and in any case so sling the Horse or Beast that he may not during that time , put his member to the ground , which a little diligence and payne will easily doe .

If your Horse haue any infirmitie in his hooues as quitter-bone , ouer-reach , Diseases in the feete . pricke , crowne scabbe , rotten frush , or any such vlcerous disease , you shall first lay it open , and then heale it with the seuenth Medicine . But if it be foundring , fretteshing , or such like , then you shall first pare all his hooues cleane ouer , so thinne that you may discerne the quicke all ouer , then let him bloud at the toes , and take great store of bloud from him , but in any case cut not the veine in sunder : then take the sixt medicine , and being boyling hot ( after hollow shoes haue béene tackt on his féete ) with Flaxe hurds dipt therein , stoppe all the soales of his féete vp hard , and thus doe twice in sixe dayes , and it will bring his féete to their full perfection againe , without any great losse or trouble .

As for the common infirmities in a Horses priuy parts ; Diseases in the priuie parts , or for stifling . which are swellings , inflammations , incording , & such like , you shall but only swimme your horse in cold water Morning and Euening , and it is a present helpe , both for them , or the stifling of a horse in his hinder ioynt : Thus you sée these twelue medicines will sufficiently cure all the diseases in Horse or Beast whatsoeuer , which who so will not carry in his memory , he is worthy now and then to be punisht for his sloath , and sometimes to suffer losse , which may make him more industrious to studie for his owne good and profit . And thus much for the cure of diseases .

FINIS .

Notes, typically marginal, from the original text

Notes for div A06927-e4200

Notes for div A06927-e10770