CHAP. V.
¶ The pra•…•…se and commendation of Husbandmen: what things are to be required in the [unspec B] purchasing or taking to ferme of ho•…•…se and land.
THe children (saith Cato) that are begotten by husbandmen, proue most valiant, the hardiest souldiers, and such as thinke least harme of all others. In buying of land, take heed you be not too hot and eager vpon the purchase. In the husbanding of ground, spare for no paine and trauell; but in the purchasing therof be you nothing forward: a thing ouer-bought, hath e∣uermore repentance, and had I wist, attending vpon it. They that are about a purchase, ought a∣boue all, to see how the ground is watered, what waies and auenues be about it, and what neigh∣bors be neare vnto it.Out of euery one of these points, matters of great importance and deepe conclusions may be picked, and those most certaine and infallible. Cato addeth moreouer and saith, That there would be good regard had of the people confining, and other grounds boun∣ding [unspec C] thereupon, whether they be well liking, faire, and trim to see vnto? For these be his words, It is a good signe (quoth he) that the ferm is well seated and in a commodious quarter, if all a∣bout looke well. Attilius Regulus (hee who during the first Punicke warre was twise Consull of Rome) was wont to say, That a man should not purchase an vnwholesome piece of land, were it neuer so rich and fruitfull; nor make choice of a barren soile, were it neuer so healthie. Now as touching the healthfulnesse of a place, a man may not alwaies conclude therof by the color and fresh hue of the inhabitants: for many times it falleth out, that those who be vsed to pestilent places, hold out well and haue their health; yea and by their lookes bewray no harme that they take. Moreouer, some quarters and coasts there be, which at some times of the yeare stand sound [unspec D] and healthy enough: but I will count none holesome, but such as be healthfull all the yere long. An ill piece of land is that, which putteth the lord thereof to pain, and with which he is forced to wrestle for to haue his health Cato would haue this point especially to be considered, that the soile of a ferme (scituat as hath bin said) be good of it selfe, and fertile: also, that neere vnto it there be store of laborers: and that it bee not farre from a good and strong towne: moreouer, that it hath sufficient meanes for transporting of the commodities which it yeeldeth, either by vessels vpon water, or otherwise by waines vpon the land. Furthermore, that the manour house be well built, and the land about it as well husbanded. Howbeit, herein I see many men to erre much, and greatly to be deceiued: for they hold opinion, that the negligence and il husbandry of the former lord, is good for him that shall purchase land and come after him. But I say, there is nothing more dangerous and disaduantageous to the buyer, than land so left wast and out of [unspec E] heart: and therefore Cato giueth good counsell, to purchase land of a good husband, and not rashly and hand ouer head to despise and set light by the skil and knowledge of another. Who saith moreouer, That as well land as men (which are of great charge and expence) how gaineful soeuer they may seeme to be, yeeld not much profit in the end to the master declaro, when all counts be cast and reckonings made. He therf•…•…re judgeth, that the Vine yeeldeth the best reue∣nue, of all commodities belonging to a ferme: and good reason he hath so to say, because aboue all things he taketh order to cut off expence as much as may be. Next to it, he reckoneth Hort∣yards, such especially as haue water at command: and good cause why, prouided alwaies that they lie vnder a good towne side. [In the third place he rangeth the O•…•…r plots, and after them Oliue rewes▪] then he counteth of medows, which our ancestors called Parata, as a man would [unspec F] say▪ Ready and prouided. The same Cato being asked. What was the most assured profit rising out of land? made this answer, To feed Cattell well: beeing asked againe, VVhat was the next? Marie (qu•…•…th hee) to feed in a meane. By which answers he would seeme to conclude, That the