The countrey-mans rudiments, or, An advice to the farmers in East-Lothian, how to labour and improve their ground

Advice to the Farmers of East-Lothian.

THere are many large and learned Treat¦tises of Husbandry, which indeed contain all that is necessary for the Management and Improvement of Grounds to the best Advantage; But these Books are either so dear and ill to be had, that they cannot be easily got by ordinar Farmers; or else they are so general and intricat, and the Mannurs or Goodings proposed so dif∣ficult to be purchased, that they lose them∣selves in a Labyrinth, not knowing well what Method to follow, amongst so many propo∣sed, and thereby are wholly discouraged.

Such Treatises also propose different ways of ordering Grounds according to the dif∣ferent nature of Soils, and that most prudent∣ly: but yet it leaves the honest Husbandman who is generally Illiterat, to guess what will prove best for his Grounds, which readily doth occasion Mistakes in the Application.

This cannot well be prevented, but by a

particular Treatise for a particular Shire or Bounds of Land, whereof the person who gives his Advice hath particular Knowledge, and hath made it his Business to understand the Husbandmens way of Labouring, and the Faults and Defects thereof.

This small Treatise is therefore principal∣ly designed for East-Lothian: but there is no Barr nor Let why other places may not follow the same method, if their Ground and Soil will allow.

Although I am not to say any thing alto∣gether new, or unheard of before: nor are you to expect extraordinary Inventions from me; yet I dare be bold to say there was ne∣ver such a good, easy Method of Husbandry as this, so succinctly extensive and methodi∣cal in all its parts published before. Neither shall I affright you with Hedging, Ditching, Marling, Chalking, Pairing and Burning, Draining, Watering, and such like, which are all very good Improvements indeed, and ve∣ry agreeable with the Soil and Situation of East-Lothian: but I know ye cannot bear as yet, such a croud of Improvements, this be∣ing only intended to initiat you in the true Method and principles of Husbandry. I shall begin with the easiest first, and as I find you t••ke and practise it, you shall hear more & ••••••e ••ooner from me. I shall then as briefly

and plainly as possible, and in your own Termes and manner of speaking give my O∣pinion (with all submission to better Judg∣ments) how to order your Grounds for the best Advantage, that so you may work more by the Head, and less by the Hands.

The Soil of East-Lothian generally taken, is accounted the best of any County or Shire in Scotland; and although it pays too dear a Rent, yet it is as capable to be Improven be∣yond what it is at present as any in Scotland.

The poor Farmers that they may pay their dear Rent who are ordinarly industrious e∣nough, work hard, but without any Me∣thod or Project, whereby both they and their Grounds suffer, and so consequently the Landlord.

In East-Lothian the Farm-Rooms as they are commonly called, are divided or di∣stinguished in Infield and Outfield Land: that is to say, in these Lands where they lay their Dung yearly, and these upon which they never lay any Dung.

The Infield Land (where Wheat is sown) is generally divided by the Tennent into four Divisions, or Breaks as they call them, viz. One of Wheat, one of Barley, one of Pease, and one of Oats; so that the Wheat is sowen after the Pease, the Barley after the Wheat, and the Oats after the Barley.

The Outfieid-Land is ordinarly made use ••••promiscously, for feeding of their Cows, Horse, Sheep and Oxen, Its also dunged by their Sheep who ly in Earthen Folds; & some∣times when they have much of it, they Fauch or Fallow a part of it yearly.

As to the Method for Labouring the Ground where Wheat is sowen, it is abso∣lutly impossible that any Soil how good so∣ever, can hold out with profit to the Farm∣er, by this rude way of ordering it; unless it be some parcel of Ground adjacent to some Burgh or Villadge, where they can have plen∣ty of Dung, or to the Sea, where they can have plenty of Sea Ware.

The English who indeed excel in the Know∣ledge of Husbandry, do not handle their Grounds (tho' very good) so rudely; the Ground must rest, as well as the Husband∣man, if you expect favour from it.

Therefore I have known and seen, that in the best and fertilest Soils in England for Corn, the fourth or third part of their In∣field-Land rest yearly; but most ordinarly a third. Yea I have seeen in several good and fertile Grounds, as in Leicester, North∣hamptoun and 'Vorcester Shires, the whole third of their Infield-Land ly Fauch, by which Me∣thod, they did sow both their Wheat and Barley after Fauch; then their Oats after their

Barley and Pease after the Wheat. And in∣deed I observed their Corns extraordinary good; for such gentile Treatment of the Ground, did not only cause a great Birth of Stalks upon the Ground, but made the Stalks and consequently the Head so strong that it did not fall down and grow sloumy as some would fancy it would do. And the Husbandmen told me, that they had tryed several ways, but by this Method they found most Profit, although they were not able to dung the third part of their Land that lay Fauch.

But I will not urge new Beginners too far at first, left they scare and prove skittish, and so throw off my Advice altogether, as unbroken Colts do their Riders.

In the first place, therefore I shall advise such as sow Wheat & whose Ground is of the best and in the best Condition; to divide or cast their Infield Land into five equal Breaks; whereof two Breaks of Pease, one of Wheat one of Barley, and another of Oats. By this Method you shall sow both your Wheat & Barley after Pease, which without all questi∣on is the far better Method than that which is at present more generally used. This al∣though it be the better way than the former, in four Breaks, yet it is no ways sufficient to bring your Ground into any tolerable state

and condition, unless you Fauch also.

Therefore, I advise you in the next place, to Fauch or Fallow some part of these two Breaks designed for Pease.

I will not positively determine how much you shall leave resting of these two Breaks, lest I discourage you too much; but I dare affirm, the more you leave, the greater Ad∣vantage; yet much of that must depend up∣on the prudence of the Farmer. If his Ground be in any tollerable condition, he may Fauch the less; I say tollerable: For I do assure you, there are none, or at least, very little, in so good a condition as the goodness of the Soil is ca∣pable of: So that I think of the best Grounds, a third at least of each of these two Breaks designed for Pease, may ly Fauch; and the half where the Grounds are not so good: which may be thus ordered. The third part of that Break of Pease, fauched and design∣ed to be sown with Wheat the ensuing year, must be plowed about the Martinmas. That is to say, after your Wheat is sowen for that year, fallow down that third part of the pease-break designed for Wheat the next year; so that the first thing you are to do after Harvest, is to Till and Sow your Wheat for the year to come: and the next to that, is to Till and Fallow for the Wheat to be sowen the year thereafter.

The reason why I would have you fallow it so early is, that it may get all the Winter Frost, but be sure to plow it with also shal∣low or thin a Furrow as ye can, that it may only rot the Stubble, and render the ground below mellow and soft for the next plowing

The first plowing, must be, that they call gathering of the Rigs to an hight, that where the Ground is moist, it may ly dry all the Winter time, and consequently be sitter for the next plowing, which is cal∣led Cleaving.

Your second Plowing must be about the end of June, or beginning of July between and which time you must have soyled your Ground with all the Dung, Lime▪ or any o∣ther Mannure during the whole Winter & Spring by past; For I do not look upon it as good Husbandrie to lead out your Dung in the Winter time for your Wheat-fauch, because much of its Stength is taken away by the Winter Rains, neither in the Sum∣mer time, till immediatly before the second plowing, because much of it's Spirit and Goodness is exhailed by the Summar-Sun and withering Wind.

This second plowing must be, by cleaving the Rigs, a Term so well known that it needs no Explanation; but be sure to plow it as deep as ye can, that the new Earth

may be brought up most against the ensuing Seed time: And after it is so plowed, you must harrow it well by Thortering, that is to harrow cross the Rigs, as also the ordi∣nar way; by which Method you shall bring the Crowns and Furrows of the Rigs to an equal thickness of Earth, and recover all the Couch-grass and other Weeds, ordinar∣ly called Wrack from amongst it, and thus it may ly till Michaelmass, or the time your Corns are got in.

Then let it be the first Land you plow after your ordinar way for Seed, having first led out any other Goodings ye have purchased since your last plowing; Plow it with a tollerable deep Furrow, that it may cover the Seed well, and endure the Winter wash∣ing Rains the better.

Nota, I have observed, that abroad, where their Grounds are very light & Stenory, they have sowen Wheat and Barley upon the Surface of the Earth after the second Plowing, then tilled it over with a thin Furrow, and some∣times harrowed it over thereafter, and some∣times not; which no doubt is a very good Method of Husbandrie, and may be practised with advantage where the Grounds will al∣low: This in their terms is called under-fur sowing.

By thus ordering your Fauch, with plow

when the two parts of the same Break upon which Pease grew that year, and likewise de∣signed, for wheat will not, by reason of the dry Season which ordinarly attends that time of the year, and so it will prove your earlyest Wheat, will soon take Root, the Body of the Pickle will be turned to a Root, like that of Grass or other Herbs before the Win∣ter Frosts and cold Rains, and consequent∣ly be free from being slain, blecked, and ma∣ny other Inconveniencies; the being free of which, beside many other Advantages, is more than sufficient to recompense you for all your pains.

As for the third part of your Break of Pease, fauched and designed for Barley, I think ye need not plow it till about Lamb∣mass, by which ye will gain the whole Win¦ter and Summars-Grass.

Nota, though you have a Cropt both of your fauched Wheat and Barley both in one and the same year, yet the Ground rests two Winters and one Summer for Barley, whereas it rests only one Winter and one Summer for Wheat: This being considered, as also that the Barley is not so impoverish∣ing a Grain as the Wheat, you may expect as good a Cropt of the Barley as of the Wheat though you should lay less Dung and Good∣ing upon it.

It cannot therefore be expected, that ye can lay any Summer-dung upon your Barley Fauch, unless it be Sea-ware to these Lands that ly contiguous to the Shore, or Burgh Dung to these who are adjacent to a Town, because the Wheat being to be first sowen, will require all you can make, but after your Wheat is sowen, let all you can purchase be laid on your Barley-fauch betwixt and the next plowing.

The next plowing, or Steering as they call it, must be at or about Candlemas (the ground being alwise dry,) both Plowing and Har∣rowing being after the same manner you did with your Wheat-Fauch.

The Reason why I advise you to lay on your Dung at this time, is, because Win∣ter dung not having time to come to a per∣fect Corruption and Consistence, when laid on at Seed time, if the Season prove dry by its internal Heat, does much more Prejudice than good to the Barley, whereas being laid on at this early stirring time, it not only impregnats the Earth with it's Heat, but is also fully incorporat with the Earth against the next plowing.

Though the Wheat be quite otherwise ordered, as I have showen already, yet the full Corruption of the Dung at that time of the year, and the succeeding Winter-Season,

prevents these last named Inconveniencies, and tends rather for it's advantage.

You may possibly ask me, why I advise you to stir your Barley so soon.

It's because of the early Fallowing of it, for if it should ly untouched till March or April, the ordinar time of Stirring the Bear-land with you, the Grass would begin to take root and Spring, and it would be grown too much to it self, (as they call it) and so the design of Fauching Fail in part.

Next, I advise thee of Stirring it so soon that in case ye find it not in so good a con∣dition as you desire, as sometimes it falls out, when the Winters prove Rainy, without Frosts, especially in Clay-grounds, that then you may give it another Furrow before you sow it, and this you may do in March or April, according to your accustomed man∣ner; But then you must remark, that if ye give it but three Furrows, as generally will hold, you must sow it with the first of your Barley, but if you be necessitat to give it four Furrows, it must be sowen amongst the last, for there must be a competent time be∣twixt the two last plowings, that in light & Couch-grass grounds, the Weeds and Grass may breard and spring up, and in Clay grounds that the Earth may come again to some closness and consistency, and resume its

natural Moisture before the Barley be sower stir always deep, that new Earth may be brought up, as I said of the Wheat. For the last plowing called Seed furrowing, let your Furrows be as thin and narrow a•• can be, and as small harrowed as possible, for it has no Winter Colds nor Frosts to bide, however let it be duely Water-fur∣rowed, if the Ground require it; for oft-times a sudden Spait of Rain scalds the ten∣der Grain, and thereby the superface of the Ground becomes more hardned when dry Weather comes thereafter.

In these Grounds where no Wheat is sow∣en, where the Ground is good, the Infield-Land is ordinarly divided in three Divisi∣ons or Breaks, Pease, Barley and Oats; so that the Barley is sowen after the Pease, and the Oats after the Barley. All that I shall say upon this, is only to remark, That where the Tennent pays his Rent much in Barley, he is oft-times necessitat to sow Barley after the Oats, as well as after the Pease, which I look upon to be none of the best ways of Husbandrie. Where the Tennent pays there∣fore much Barley, I do advise him to cast his Ground in four equal Breaks, viz. Pease Barley, Oats, and one in Fauch, which must ly after the Crop of Oats.

Labour and Manure the fourth Break of

Fauch as I have ordered before; and thus ye will not only be able to sow a double quantity of Barley, without sowing any after Oats, but also ye will find your Ground fall into a good Condition.

But if that Method, which indeed is the very best, be too harsh a Pill to swallow at first; then I shall propose, that according to your own Prudence, ye may make what quantity ye please; Fauch either of your Pease or Oat breaks, such as are in worst condition, but rather of your Oat-Break; then Labour and Manure it as is above-pre∣scribed, and ye shall find great benefit by the same. Thus much of the Infield-Land; but still the more Ground ye Labour as is be∣fore advised, the more profit.

Before I proceed to speak of the ordering of the Outfield-Land, I must remove an or∣dinary Objection against what I have said of Fauching of the Infield-Land.

The Farmers with whom I speak, tells me we have a dear Rent to pay, and all our Ground is little enough to pay the same, we may not spare so much yearly unsowen.

But their Advantage is the very thing I design; and there cannot be a good Master, nor a good Countreyman, who looks not up∣on the Tennents profit as his own. I do therefore intreat you seriously to consider

this which followeth, and your Objection evanisheth.

Suppose you leave as much Fauch as would have sown you three Bolls of Barley, and that reasonably you might expect the third Increase, by which you would have gained six Bolls beside your Seed, three threes being nine, three your Seed, six is the product. Now this I confess you lose for one year only; now see how you are repayed with more than triple Interest.

You fallow three Bolls of Barley sowing, and having ordered it as is before said, you may reasonably expect the sixth Increase. For this I do assert and maintain, and Experi∣ence shal make every man know it, that what ever Ground will yield the third, fourth or fifth, by the ordinar Custom will double it by this Method for three years to come: and at the end of these years, leave it in a better condition than it found it; for a good Cropt of Corns makes a good Stubble, and a good Stubble is the equalest Mucking that is. And I must say this by the by, that if in East-Lothian they did not leave an higher Stubble than in other places of the Kingdom, their Grounds would be in a much worse condition than at present they are, though bad enough.

Now three times six being eighteen, your

Seed being three, the Product is fifteen; of which allowing six for the year it lay Fauch, and six that it would have produced the second year if it had not been fauched, which makes twelve; yet all is repayed you by the very first Crop after Fauch, and three Bolls more; for twelve and three make fifteen, which was the Product.

Then for the other two succeding years, ac∣cording to the above named Calculation, ye have thirty Bolls increase besides your Seed, & three of Gain for the first Crop, in all thirty three; from which you must defalct twelve of Increase for two years more, that the same Ground would have produced, though it had not been fauched; so twelve from thirty three, there remains twenty one; by this it is evident, that the Farmer gains twenty one Bolls in three Crops. By this new Method of three Bolls sow∣ing, more than he would have done by four Crops of the like quantity of Seed the ordinary way; and leaves his Land to the Boot, in a much better Condition than what it was for∣merly. But suppose you shall continue for ten or twelve years this way, still increasing the quantity of your Fauch, as ye see cause, what a vast Difference will arise, such a prodigious In∣crease as shal leave no room for Comparisons. I shal not therefore trouble you with any further calcul I am afraid some of you will be puzelled enough to understand what I have said already; but I hope in time, Experience will make you find it: and then a full Purse, and full Belly, warm Cloaths, and a good Stock, will perswade more then all my Rhetorick or Arithmetick can do.

And to encourage you to this Method, I think your Masters should forbear for two or three years, the Rent of any such Land as you lay Fauch proportionally; by which to your own Conviction, I am sure the strength of your Objection is taken off, and in that time you will have enough to repay the same.

As for the Outfield Land, which is ordinarly the highest, lying dryest, and worst Grounds.

In East-Lothian the ordinar way of Labouring these Lands is by Folding, Fauching & Lyming.

As for the making of Sheep-folds of the Sur∣fice of the Earth, digged up with many little Divisions, that the Sheep and other Bestial may Dung them the more equally. Though it be no where so much practised as in the Lothians, and in the Merse, where indeed they not only use it, but abuse it, by taking more Crops after their Foldings, than their Ground is able to bear; by which they reduce it to such a con∣dition, as it is neither profitable for Corn nor Grass for manie years to come; Yet if rightly used, I account it a most excellent and profi∣table part of Husbandrie, especially for these Grounds that ly betwixt Moor and Dale as they call it, which are ordinarlie the most im∣provable Grounds in the Countrey.

I do therefore advise the Tennent to Dung his Folds well and throughly, and yet never to take any more Crops than three, or in extra∣ordinary good Grounds and well Dunged, four at the most; by this Method the Ground will soon come to a Sward again, and be fit for the

same use, the strength of the Ground being that way preserved.

But if any think fit to Lime these Foldings, let them lay on their Lime with the verie first Cropt: And as they Dung their Folds in the Sum∣mer-time, with the same breath, let them spread on the Lime; I know they use to do it the second Cropt, but I assure you the first is best, because no part of the strength of the Ground is exhausted, and consequentlie it will endure the longer. Next, the Lime so mixt with Dung, will imprignat, and so have effect upon the Ground the verie first Cropt, more than it will do otherwise for two Cropts to come, for this is a true maxime, never lime Ground when it is weak, for then the lime wants Matter to work upon, and generalie does more hurt then good; but when ye have brought your Ground to the greatest Strength it is capable of, then lime and you shal find profit.

As for these Grounds which you intend to lime that hath not been Folded, I approve of laying on the Lime on the Lee Ground, that is to say before it be plowed, rather than after Fauching, and more especially if the Ground be light, because Lyme being of a subtile spiri∣tuous piercing Nature, tends alwise downward, and being laid upon Fauch-land, it falls into the Furrows, and having no Crust to support it, consequentlie stayes not above so long, as when it is laid upon the grassie superface, where fixing by the Summer showres into the Roots of the Grass, it incorporats with the Superface of the Earth, which is ordinarlie the best and

fertilest part of the Ground, and thereby ren∣ders it Mellow and fit for receiving the Seed.

I confess indeed in strong Clay Grounds, if ye fallow before and after a frostie winter, harrow well in the Summer time by thortering and other wise before you lay on your Lime, it is very good husbandry; Therefore I do ad∣vise you to lay on your Lime alwise (if by any means you can) in the Summer time, for by winter liming ye lose a great deal of it both by Snows, Rains and Frosts, which chills too soon such a delicat hot manure as lime is, and carries it to the Ground before it be incorpo∣rate therewith; Lyme therefore your Clay-land in the Sumner, Fallow it at Lambas, Har∣row it well after the first Frost, Seed fur and Sow it some time in February, and through GOD'S Blessing, you may expect a good Cropt of Oats that same year.

Or which is much better, if ye fallow upon Clay-Ground in the winter time, plow and harrow it over again betwixt and Lambas, sow it at the time appointed, which will do very well: But for the Reasons above-specified I think it will not last so long as when it is laid on upon Lee.

I advise you to take no more Crops of your lymed Ground without resting, than seven or eight in the best Grounds, five or six in Gro∣unds which are not so good, three or four in your worst, and generally according to the strength of your Ground, ye may take more or fewer as ye see Cause.

But if ye intend to reduce it into a part of

your Infield-Ground, and give it the ordi∣nary Goodings in its Towers, then ye may con∣tinue it as long as ye think fit, but by no means let it bear above three or four years before dunging, by this gentle Treatment of your Lands, you may safely plow your lymed Lands after three or four years resting, for two or three years together and find good increase. By which you will get als many Crops after your lime, as now you use to do and much better, tho' at a greater distance, and still your ground in good Condition, no ways run out, as experience teach∣eth us, but als capable to be improven as for∣merly.

Cold Clay requires a greater quantity of lime then light dry Ground, and moist Clay more then dry Clay, because it requires the more heat to overcome and qualifie its moisture.

But I am of opinion that take your moister Clay Grounds, and these who ly upon a La∣vel, so that the moisture has no descent from off them, and plow it twice or thrice, I mean gather the Rigs up to as great a hight as you can before limeing, then lime according as has been before directed, and I doubt not but ye shal find als great an increase as upon any other Ground whatsomever.

This also I must say for all hanging Grounds in general whither Infield or outfield, that they lose a great deal of their strength & Goodings by their winter Rains; And therefore I pre∣fer the lavel Grounds as best, not only for Grass but Corn, providing alwise they have no Springs nor unnatural Summer Moisture within

them, those who are such, must be ditched and drained and kept from Pasturage; But all the prejudice the Husbandman sustains by the o∣ther, which is onlie by the Supervenient Rains, and runnings from of other Grounds in time of Winter may be easily remeided by a little pati∣ence in waiting until such time as they are dry∣est, and this both for Plowing and Sowing, & so this will rather tend for their benefit than prejudice, for I can assure you there is scarce a∣nie better point of Husbandrie, then to contrive some lavel piece of Ground, so as it may receive or gain what the higher lying Lands lose.

In all moist clay Ground you should make your Ridges Narrow, Straight and high, gathe∣red without turnings and windings, as ordinar∣lie they are, that so the Rain and Moisture may have free passage to the Furrows.

Everie distinct break of Land should have Head-rigs and Foot-rigs well & exactlie gathe∣red up, and alwise kept in good order, by this you preserve not onlie your Ground from the impetuous fall of Rains that come from the hills above, but you do also preserve the good∣ings from running off the saids Lands by the use of the Foot-rig, and thereby does observe the Act of Parliament made for preserving of high-waies. Thus much of liming onlie, I do not advise the limeing of the Infield-Land, ra∣ther let it rest. And for these who have much Outfield Land in their Rooms, to endeavour by limeing to bring in als much Ground as will answer for a fifth Division or Break; And this by ordering it as I have alreadie advised, will

become as good Infield Land as anie they have, and continue as long.

As for the Fauching of Out-field Land with∣out anie design of Liming it, I cannot much advise you to it, unless you have great quanti∣ties of it, especially of Moorish-Ground, upon which ye design to bring a stool of Grass, and this also is most effectually done by Liming, but where that cannot well be had, you must follow the next best.

But if ye will fauch, Winter-fauching is cer∣tainlie the best for such an Improvement, and two Crops in bad Ground, and three in the best, is sufficient for a time.

But in regard the Roots of the heath and hea∣ther are not so easily got out, & destroyed after two years rest, you may plow it again for one year, and so furth, till it take the desired effect.

For Grass, I know it is a verie great rarity in East-Lothian amongst the Husbandmen, neither can they well have it (as at present their Farms are ordered) unless they turn some part of there infield Land to Grass, & lime as much of their out-field Land as corresponds thereto, and reallie I know not whether that Method might not prove in time the best Husbandrie for all the infield Land, notwithstanding the Charges and Expenses thereof, it could not be done indeed suddenlie, and quicklie, but the way is easie and obvious enough, and would quicklie defray its own Expenses; For ye may remember I said before, that the outfield Lands are the lightest and highest Grounds, and be∣ing generallie of a verie good Soil here in East-Lothian,

which is evident by their bearing very good Wheat and Pease after limeing, and yet bearing no considerable Quantity of Grass, 'as by sad experience is found, and the infield on the other side being capable to prove very good Pasturage, and generally able to produce very good Hay when right ordered, as some Gentle∣men who hath done so hath found by Experi∣ence; For these Reasons, I say there might be such a change, and that with very great profite both to Landlord and Tennent.

But this being designed only as an A, B, C. or Introduction to (I hope) better things, I shal not insist upon it, least it choak you too much.

Therefore I do only advise you, that ye may have at least some Grass to keep your beasts in good Condition, who must assist you to im∣prove your grounds, to endeavour to choose out some of the most convenient and moist places you can, where-ever it is to be found in your Ground: and set it apart for horse grass, the Horses must work all your Work, lead all the Materials for Improvement, which is indeed the greatest Charge they deserve, therefore to be well seen too, their work being rather more in Summer than in winter.

Having found out such a piece of Ground as is above described, I must in treat you (for now single advice I fear will not do) to get it in∣closed.

I have observed so many usless Stones lying upon most of the laboured Grounds in East-Lo∣thian, that as it would be a good piece of Hus∣bandrie to free the Land of them, and there∣by

save both Oak and Iron, and ease Smith, Plowman and beasts to the boot, so it would be no difficult task to rickle up a dry Stone dike round any piece of Ground so designed.

If you have not the Conveniency of Stone near you, a good strong earth Dyke and Ditch will do very well, both which your Servants at their spare hours may very well do without a∣ny Charge to their Master, and I am very con∣fident your Masters will furnish you with Trees and hedge Timber to plant round the same.

This will prove great advantage to you, more than if it were bearing you red Wheat, as they say:

For first, it will save you the Expense of a horse hire, sometimes two; for if all your horse be not at the work, two or three must have a herd to keep them.

Secondly, you will get your horses kept out all night, which indeed is very refreshing to a hard wrought beast to eat and rest himself at pleasure during a sweet pleasant Summers night, and more especially for mares who have their Foals sucking upon them.

Thirdly, Thereby you wil gain much more labour from your Servants▪ a great part of whose time was taken up in gathering Thistles and o∣ther Garbadge for their horses to feed upon in their Stables, and thereby the great tramp∣ling and pulling up and other destruction of the Corns while they are yet tender will be pre∣vented. And this I must say is a greater pre∣judice than most of the Farmers have been a∣ware of.

Fourthlie, The Planting grown up will ren∣der it both more fertile and warm, and prove beneficial for upholding the Farmers houses, and Neat Graith, which I am of the opinion they should have for their incouragement, pro∣viding they so hain the Timber, that it may grow again.

And lastlie, where six or eight horses feed, the same Ground will maintain two good Cows for the House-wise, without doing prejudice to the horse-grass, for they will Feed most upon the Grass that arise from the horse dung, which is called Tath, as the horses will also do upon that of the Cows; and so the Ground will be kept verie clean, but by all means keep it free from Sheep, Summer and Winter.

For the remainder part of your Out-field Ground, I appropriat it all intirely for Sheep, for all the Out-field Lands being generallie high as said is, are fittest for them, and they are really most profitable when rightly ordered, both for your Family by their Milk and Wool, or by furnishing you either with a fat Sheep or Lamb, either for your Family, or the Butcher.

Besides their Pasture being kept clean from all other Beasts, they will prosper exceedingly, and be kept free from the Rot, which oftimes is occasioned by the Dung of other Beasts, which many poor Farmers in East-Lothian finds by wo∣ful Experience, and then you will make the more Foldings, the more ye have of them, which is very profitable, as is above said: The old Proverb says, a Summer fed Ox, and a Win∣ter fed Cow.

As for your Labouring Oxen, and other yeild Beasts, they require indeed to be well fed in some moist Pasture, tho' the Grass be course it matters not much, providing it be long, and enough of it, to fill their Bellies, which will al∣wise make them strong & fleshy, though not Fat, which is unnecessar, but for the Shambles.

Now since these dry Out-field Grounds can∣not be a fit Pasture for your Oxen, neither will ye be willing to spare any more of your In∣field Ground, as you do for your Horses, nor will I advise you: Therefore I think some place in the Muires should be provided for them.

If the Commons of Innerweek and Dumbar were divided according to each Paroch pro∣portion, who have Right and Interest therein, it would very well serve that turn, and might, by a Diligent and exact Care, keep some yield Sheep upon the dryest parts thereof, but in this I am not resolved. But since it is not so, I could wish, that these who have Interest therein might meet together, and fall upon some ways, how to feed Oxen and yield Beasts thereupon, rather than Sheep, for the Ground is generally so moist, that a man loses his Stock of Sheep oftner by Rot, than get any good by feeding thereupon.

It should also be Stinted and Proportioned, that in be not over burdened, & I am confident, by this way of ordering, it might not only feed & maintain all the labouring Oxen, of those who have Right of Pasturage on the same, but also of these who have no Right to it, who might be taken in for payment, as these who have the Property. Farmers in Lamermuir do the same to us now.

But till that be adjusted, the next best is for three or four Farthers in the low Country of Lothian to take a Farm in common amongst them in their Mure Grounds, where they may order things as their necessities require; and I am confident that this method, if rightlie gone about, would be found most profitable, and that several ways, with which I shall not trouble you at present.

Nota, It is most profitable for Gentlemen who have inclosed, or are incolsing large Parks about their dwelling houses.

Thus having gone through briefly and ac∣cording to my design, the particular ways of ordering your Ground, I shall subjoyn thereto some some few generals, which if rightly gone about, and prudently applyed, will tend cer∣tainly for your Advantage.

Endeavour to plow all your Grounds as dry as you can. And all your Clay Ground as early as you can.

Sow all sorts of Grain as dry as you can, I mean the Ground being dry according to the old maxime, set wet and sow dry; yet if the Land be hard, being wet plowed, and having gotten no Frost to sofen it, in that case you must either wait upon a shower, or sow it in the sounding, as they call it, that is to say, be∣fore it be fullie dry, and then be sure to har∣row it well, intermitting a day, two or three betwixt the several harrowings; And by this Method ye may bring it to a tollerable good condition.

As to that common Countrie Ryme, sow Wheat Sinking, Pease Winking, Oats Clink∣ing, and Bear Drinking; I make no such dif∣ference, onlie I doubt not but that all the honest Labouring-men will be content to sow all their Grains Drinking, as their hard labour, doth but equitablie require.

Wheat and Pease require to be Thicker sown than Barleie and Oats, and Wheat thick∣er then Pease, because it has the Winter storms to endure.

I approve the Method of stipeing and moist∣ning the Wheat in Bryme or Salt-water, and drying it with Lime before it be sowen; It both makes it sow thick, warmeth the Pickle, and preserveth it from Fowls and Vermine: but whether it preserves it against being black∣ed, I have not yet found out, neither I fear shal, till it be certainlie known, whether that misfortune fall upon the Root or the Ear.

I think it also a verie good thing to moisten your Barley before it be sowen, especiallie in dry Seasons, but not with Salt-water, Bryme or Lime, for that the Season of the Year will not admit, yet I do advise it where they sow Winter Barley.

Change your Seed often of all Grains, but especiallie of Oats; but remark, that it does best from a worse Ground to a better, and from a Colder to a Hotter.

Let your Seed Corn be likewise well dight, and the weakest of the Pickles taken from it, for the foulness and dirtiness of Grounds proceeds

from the one, and the soon degenerating of the Seed from the other.

As for your houses, such as have them alrea∣dy built, must keep them as they are; but for building of new ones, let all sit-houses as they call them, stand East and West, their Doors and Windows to the South, because they are warm∣est.

Their Barns must stand North and South from the West end of their Sit-house, their Doors East and West, because the Wind blow most that way, and they are best for winnow∣ing of Corns. If your Farm be large, I ad∣vise three Barns, one for Wheat and Barly, one for Oats, and the third for Pease, thereby you will be able to feed your Beasts equally with any sort of Straw that is most proper for them in its Season.

Their Barn-Yard to the West of their Barns, the best place for drying and winning of Corns in Stacks, and if it be a Colline rising Ground, so much the better.

Their Stable and Byres from the South-end of their Barns, East and West, their Doors to the North opposite to their sit-house, for the Con∣veniency both of Hearing and attending their Beasts, and furnishing them with Straw from their Barns.

Their Entry from the East, because that sel∣dom or never there blows a high Wind from that Airth; And therefore your dunghill is least prejudged, but be sure to have no Entry, but one to your Closs, for two Entries blows away

all your Straw, and the other manure and dryes the Dunghill too much: if you build a house for Chaff, Strae, nait graith and such like things: build it on the East-side of your Closs North and South, so your Closs will be the warmer, and your entry to your sit-house being betwixt the North Gavil of your Chaff-house and the East Gavil of your sit-house, may be cleansed and kept clean, which the rest of the Closs ought not to be.

Build all the Walls of your houses with stone and lyme, for Stone and Clay is the Destructi∣on of all, the Rain moistens the Clay, the Stone and Timber slydes, the Wall falls, the Roof, Timber and all breaks, and so both men and beasts are in danger of their lives.

Cover your houses with a few Divots and plenty of Straw, which they call Thatch and Divot, take notice and mind them yearly by stinging them with Straw alwise where they begin to fail, but never add any more Divots, and you shall find great profite thereby, for the fre∣quent falling of Houses consumes much time to the Tennent, besides the Charge and loss of it; Therefore I advise you never to put co∣ver upon cover, otherwise ye may be certain with the first great Rain and Frost in the Win∣ter Season, you will bring down the whole house about your Ears, although it be new and reasonably strong built.

Plant round all your yards with Ash & Elm trees, with which your Masters will furnish you, and in time they will serve to keep up the whole

in-stead of Houses; & I am of opinion the Ten∣nent should have the cutting of them, as I have said before in the like case, providing that he hain and preserve the old Stocks, that they may grow again.

For your Yard, I do not mean your Barn∣yards, but a piece of Ground set apart for Cab∣bage, and other Roots, let it alwise be at the North-side of your Sit-house, where you may have a little door to go in at, by which it will be preserved from the Summer scorching Sun, and Southern Wind, the two greatest enemies to Kitching Grounds, designed only for ordi∣nar things. I think half an Aiker of Land is sufficient for the Quantity, unless where the Farm is little, the Yard may be the less, a good large Grass Yard is also verie usefull upon ma∣ny occasions.

For the ordering of your Yard, I shall pro∣pose nothing but what is both profitable and easie; In the first place, then plant Cabbage and Summer Kaill, which is all that is necessar for Herbage, Leeks, Sybous and other curious Herbs not being for your handling.

For Roots, I advise you onlie to sow Pota∣toes and Turnips, a larger or less quantitie as you affect most, but rather Potatusses, because being once planted, they will never fail, they require little more labour than to keep the Ground where they grow free from Grass; The Flandrian Bowers make so much of this Root, and had such pletnie thereof, that both the Confederate and French Army found great support

thereby, by feeding the common Sol∣diers most plentiously, it is both delicious and wholesome.

For Turnipes, you must sow them about the middle of June, and by Hallowmass, you will find them excellent Provision for your Family, take them up before the Frost come on, and hang them up on the Roof of your Victual house, and they will keep well the Winter, your Potatis succeed when the Turnips are ending, and your Cabbage may be preserved in the same manner, till your spring Kail come in.

The advantage of the Potatis is so excellent and useful, that in England and several other places Abroad, the poor People boyle them, dry them, mix them with a little Meal, kned them, and make them up in Bread, which is a most useful and wholesome Food, especially in times of Scarcity; Of the Joice of them also stilled, they make most excellent Aquavitae; This is all that is necessar for you to have in your Yards, except it be some Turkie Beans, and for want of these, some good ordinar Beans and Pease, which will not only tend for the gooding and improvement of your Yard, but are verie good also to boyl with your Pork, and keep your Servans also from treading down your Fields of Pease, they are also verie useful for your Bees.

Each Farmer may therefore have one Hive or two of Bees, the ordering of them is so well known, that I shal not say anie thing, but that

they will be found very profitable, & no charge.

Be careful to gather as much Summer Dung as possible, Dung being the Mother of Corn, for that end buy Straw wherever you can get it, for bedding your Closses, Byres and Stables in the Summer time, it is ordinarly cheap then, and ye cannot bestow half a Merk better, than upon a Threave of good Wheat or Bear Straw, which being rightly used, will make more Dung then ten Threaves eaten by Beasts in the Winter time; but be sure not to neglect the shoveling and cleansing of your Close after eve∣rie shower of Rain, then carry all to your Dung∣hils, which you must carrie up equal and tight, all which are necessar for the equal way of Roting, and though they seem trival in themselves, yet they ought not be neglected.

Green Fairn or Brachens, if they be within a mile of you, are well worth your pains of bringing home; bed your Close with them, in the same manner as with Straw, it makes a most excellent Mannure, far above that of Rushes.

The Turse of Mossie, or any four, moist, Rusbie Earth, may be well brought home a mile off, and may be either thrown into your Close, to be trode to Dung with your Beasts, or laid by Lares, as they call it, upon your Dunghill, which being covered afterwards with Dung, then with the Turfe, and so furth, which makes a most excellent compost, and it is alwise good to lay the Foundation of your Dunghill this manner of way.

Lyme and Earth mixt and made up in Heaps in the Fields, after a years standing, proves a verie good Manure for the In-field Land, espe∣ciallie for these who are thin of Earth, as the preceeding compost is also.

Sea-Sand is good for Clay Grounds, for be∣sides the Saltness by its Sharpness, it cuts the Clay, and saves much Labour; there is no loss to lead it a Mile.

In short, there is not an easier and more pro∣fitable way, then to mix Mettal with Mettal, that is to say, dig Pits in the Ground, and co∣ver over your Lands two or three Inches thick, the light Sandy Ground with clay Grounds, and the Clay-Grounds with Sand grounds, try this but once, and ye will be perswaded of the truth of it.

Nota, It holds also upon Grass the same way used, only it must be harrowed verie small.

If your Grounds ly within three Miles of a Burgh or Village, it is worth your pains to lead Dung all the Summer time, and lay it upon your Wheat Fauch, especially having a Cart way thereto. Sea Ware may be led two Miles with profite, and is most excellent for your Bear Fauch.

If a Tennent have a large Farme, he ought to abstain from all manner of Work himself, except in cases of necessity; It is an ordi∣nary

saying, a good Grieve is worth▪ two Workers, he needs not be idle though he work not with his hands, let him work with his Nod∣dle, Project and Contrive, Grieve and Over∣see the Execution of his Project; let him sow his own Corns, much depends upon a good and equal Sower: look to his Shearers that they shear clean, and reap that which GOD hath given them, the contrary of which I have ob∣served, to be among the greatest faults of many in East-Lothian, where generally speaking, I am sure they leave more behind them, than grows upon several Out-field Grounds in many places of Scotland, and at least the Seed of what they sow themselves.

This bad custome hath not onlie its rise but is supported by a certain Lasie Idle Imployment, called gathering, which a Greedy sort of people have perverted from its proper usefulness, for whereas none should have the Liberty of gather∣ing, save the Poor & Indigent People, who are not able to do any manner of Work, or the Children of those poor People, when they can∣not come abroad themselves, and their Chil∣dren fit for no Labour, or Service; Now it is become a Trade, and a verie cheating one too, for strong healthie people, and many of them no ways Indigent, hire Shearers in their place, that they may follow that unlawful Imploy∣ment, and so eat the Bread out of the Poors Mouth: It is observable also, that they go al∣wise, where they have most Friends amongst the Shearers, and as amongst Soldiers every

one follows his Leader, & then they are sure not to want; And now since the Farmers think it not worth their while to take notice of it, (though I think thir bad Crops by gone should teach them some Wisdom) I think the Justice of Peace should nottice it.

The Farmer himself should also cast all his Stacks to the proof and see it well dighted; and for that end he should learn to Write, and know the common Rules of Arithmetick, that he may keep an exact Book of all his Sowings and Increase, he should also be every Night at the Redding of his Barns, and Lock in the Doors thereof himself.

In fine, he should frequent Mercats and Fairs, and know how all things are Sold and Bought; that so he may put off his old Oxen, and Horses, and other things: As also to Buy such things as are nceessary for him, at the best Advantage: By this Method, I am sure he shal never be idle.

I am against great Farms, it is almost impos∣sible to improve a great Room to that advan∣tage as a lesser; I think two Plows sufficient for the greatest, the Rent being about six Chalders of Victual, when the Ground is very good, and four in that which is not so good, but I am most fully convinced, they should take long Leases or Tacks, that they may not be straitned with time, in the Improvement of their Rooms, and this is profitable both for Master and Ten∣nent.

Now having given you my Opinion in as few words as is possible, how to order all things to the best Advantage, I think it verie necessa∣rie before I conclude, to teach you how to take Land, that is to say, how to make a good bar∣gain with your Land-Lord, for the Lands you are to pay Rent for, and if ye succeed in this, it will prove a great Incouragement for you to bestow all the Pains and Charges I have re∣quired of you.

The Lands of East-Lothian, generallie speak∣ing, pay all their Rent in Victual, which at the first view appears to be a verie easie way for the Tennents, he threshes out so much of the Product of his Ground, and delivers it to his Master for his Rent, gets his discharge▪ and is neither troubled with Mercats nor ill Debi∣tors, it doth also resemble also the Primitive simplicitie, when the use of Monie was not so much as known, and things went by Ex∣cambion, or changing things of which we had more than sufficient, for those things we wan∣ted, and stood in need of, as Corn for Cattle, Milk for Oyl, Wool for Flax, &c. But since the state of things are verie much altered now, from what they were of Old, I have observed this Victual-Duty to prove oft-times very pre∣judicial to the honest Farmer.

Therefore I do advise all Tennents to en∣deavour to take their Farms so, as they may have half Victual and half Money for their Rent, and that for these Reasons.

First I have observed ordinarlie, the thing that breaks the Tennent is bad years, that is to say, bad Crops, when the Ground brings not furth according to its usual Fertilitie.

When the Crop proves bad the price of Vi∣ctual ariseth often to the Double, and Pease to the triple of what they are sold at in the years of Plentie.

In these Years, the poor Tennent not hav∣ing wherewith to pay his whole Rent, what∣ever he falls short in a Year of Scarcitie, he is not able to make it up in two or three Years of Plentie, because then the Corns sell at a verie low rate, and so being once intangled with Debt, he is discouraged to prosecute his Labour with Diligence, Expense and Hearti∣ness, and so dwingels away to nothing.

Now suppose a Tennent, who pays six Chal∣ders of Victual of Yearlie Rent, should in place thereof, pay onlie three Chalders, and 300 Pounds Scots in Monie, which is the ordinar Account made of Victual in East-Loathian, for the Lands sell generallie at 2500 Merks the Chalders, the interest of which is 100 pound Scots Yearlie, and thus the Chalder of Victual is worth a hundred pounds Scots commuuibus Annis.

Suppose then he pays 300 pounds, and three Chalders of Victual, and a Dear Year comes in the worst of Years; generallie Tennents are able to pay four Chalders for six, at least the half; So that by this Method, in a bad Cropt, he is alwise able to pay his Victual Rent, & if a good Cropt or two follow, he will be alwise able one

way or other by sale of Beasts or otherwise, to recover his Money Rent.

But suppose he hath one Chalder to sell, that Chalder in a dear year will render him double Money, and sometimes more; So that he will be but 100 pound in his Masters Debt by this Method, which a plentifull Year will easily discharge; Whereas by the other Method he would have been in about four.

As to an Objection that may be made, that in cheap years, it will be difficult for the Ten∣nent to raise 300. lib. out of his three Chalders of Victual, considering the low prices Mercat Charges, breaking of Merchants and such like, considering all things, I think there is no great weight in it.

For first, It is to be considered, that the Years of plenty may well bowe a Tennent, but can never break him,

Secondly, Your Land is either very ill taken, or else in plentiful Years ye will have a grea∣ter Quantity of Corns to spare then the ex∣act three Chalders for which ye pay the Money.

And thirdly, The difference consists mainlie in the price of Oats, and Pease, for Wheat and Barly are seldom or never at less value then 100 lib. the Chalder, and Oats (for few Tennents pay any quantity of Pease) made in Meal, will in the cheapest Years arise to near 80 lib. the Chalder; So that there will be but twentie pound of loss upon the Chalder in the very cheapest Years, which is no great thing, considering that experience teacheth us, that the ruine of Tennents proceeds mostlie from bad

Crops, which by the Method proposed might be prevented.

And by the by, I must add this, that in plen∣tifull Years, the making the Oats in Meal, is a very good part of Husbandrie, for there is evi∣dent advantage by the selling of it out in the beginning of Harvest, when all the unprovi∣dent and unfrugal must buy; As also for two years provision for your Familie, that in case of a succeeding bad Crop, you may sell and spare your Corns with advantage. For your Pease keep them by you in a cheap Year, for once in three Years ordinarly they will double the Stock.

And lastly, the provident Husband man wlll endeavour to reir up a Cow or Colt, and many otherways he may imploie his Corn when it is cheap, as by feeding of Swine, Poultry &c. All which will soon make up that small difference I have brought it too, and much more. There may some object, that the Master will not con∣sent to make such an alteration, because he finds the value of Money is continually arising and it is but just & reasonable, that the price of Corns and Cartel should rise proportionallie, for if the Government should make the 40 shil. pieces to pass for three pound Scots, which is a third more value then what it is. Is it not als reasonable, that I should raise the price of the Victual a third also, since the Money is no bet∣ter and the Victual no worse then formerly, what ever value be put upon it. They say also that the Conversion of the ipsa corpora to Money, is

a kind of Dilapidation; And the uncertain value of our Corn, is evident by the Con∣version of Bolls of Victual payable to Aba••cies or the like unto half a Merk for each Boll, which is payed this day according to the value of the present case, whereas those who are in the same Circumstance with them, and who had not made the Conversion pay the full Boll this very day, It is also evident by the half-crown piece coined in Regent Mortons time, which now passes for a Crown.

In answer thereto, first, There is no good Master who will scruple such a thing, which evidently tends so much to the advantage of his Tennent and nothing of loss to himself, for when he gets 100 lib. for the Chalder of his Victual, he gets as much as the Interests of his money comes to, & his Money well secured besides, which is e∣nough in all conscience, if he be not an Usurer.

Secondly, it tends to the general advantage of the Nation, for in a good Yeamandrie, both the Riches and Strength of a Nation consisteth, as Witnes our Neighbours in England.

3 As to the objection about the Coin, the altering and overvaluing of the Coin of a Na∣tion, is certainly noways advantagious, but pre∣judicial to a National Interest, and ought not to be done, this is so evidently demonstrated by several hands already that I shal say nothing of it: Only if the Lands were set for Money, as is proposed, I hope these who are in the Government, who are generally all Land-Lords would see that they and the Nation receive no prejudice that way.

Fourthly, Though this should happen, ye need not doubt, as all other things rises in price, the Rents of Lands wlll rise also.

And Lastlie besides all, it will in time give Incouragement for fewing, both to Master and Tennent, of which I shal speak next.

I observe the ordinary Methods with the Tennents in East-Lothian, is, when it pleases GOD to bless their Labours, so that their Stocks increase, then they take another Room, and after that a third, and so furth, and after all, comes a bad Year, and Dishes up all.

I would therefore advise a Tennent, when GOD blesses his endeavours, and he finds that he has some foregear, as they call it, that he would go to his Master, and tell him, he is con∣tent to give him some Monie, providing he will give him some ease of his Yearlie Rent. The Method I propose, is this.

If a Tennent pay six Chalders of Victual, or three Chalders of Victual, and 300 lib. Scots Yearlie, which I think the best way, or the half, third, fourth or fifth part of such a Rent; for as I said before, the six Chalers of Victual is the greatest Rent that ought to be in anie one Farm. This Tennent comes to his Master, and says, I will give you 2500 Merks, if ye will give me down a Chalder of Victual, or 100 pound Scots of my Yearlie Rent, and give me an Heretable Right to it, for my self, Heirs and Successors, for the remander part of the Rent, this can be made applicable for any Room of whatsoever Rent, or any Sum whatsoever offe∣red proportionally.

This I do advise the Master to accept because if he be a frugal man, he knows how to make als good use of his Money, and it evidently in∣sures the rest of his Rent; and if he be a Spend∣thrift, it is als good to take of his own as to bor∣row from his Neighbours, and possibly turn Bankrupt altogether.

If the same Tennent purchase more, I do ad∣vise both Master and Tennent to do the same till the half Rent, or at most two parts of the Rent be thereby exhausted, and thereafter the Tennent & his Successors are to pay the Super∣plus to the Master for ever, & are to be oblidged to keep good Horse & Arms to attend him, and maintain their Houses in good and sufficient condition, and this I call feuing of Land.

I know this is not the ordinar and strickest way of Feuing, according to the Feudal Law, or conform to the practice in some places, espe∣cially in the West of Scotland, where, upon the death of the Master or Tennent the Feu-duty is doubled, and for that of a singular Success∣or, the whole intrinsick value of the Lands so holden for a year, is payable to the Landlord, where also several Clauses anent Alienations without consent of Superiors, and other unrea∣sonable irritant Clauses place against the poor Vassals, whereby when an unjust and hard Ma∣ster succeeds, or very frequently a Lawyer, there are many evident Advantages to be taken by reason of the Ignorance of the poor Vassals.

But as I dislike such Courses, so what is said is all which I understand and mean by Feuing: And it seems most reasonable, that as I will not advise Masters to diminish their Rents above the one half, by this new way of Feuing, So that I should not subject the poor laborious Husband-man to any irritant Clauses, neither to vast Entries, which in time probably may destroy both him and his Succession.

Thus in as few and plain words as I could, I have finished my Advice, that what is said may be easily understood by the meanest Ca∣pacity. I have used your own dialect and form of speaking, I wish from my heart you would follow and practise what is folly Writ and in∣tended for your Instruction, which will incou∣rage me to a second Treatise, for Husbandrie is an inexhaustable Treasure; there are many Excellent things to be said upon it, both new and old, but Paul may Plant and Apollos water, yet it is GOD who giveth the increase, which that he may do, be diligent in prayer for the blessing of the everliving GOD upon your en∣deavours, that you may be blessed in your Bas∣ket, blessed in your store, blessed in your Heards, that your Pastures may abound with Flocks, and your Valleys with Corns & that he may set a Hedge about you & all that you have, & may be your God and the God of your Seed, & to let you see by this excellent Mixture of Spiri∣tual with Bodily Exercises, that you are as happy as a World can make you, and thereby preserved

from Envy, and consequently render you ab∣solutely contented with your own manner of Life. I shall conclude with a Poem, in com∣mendation of a Country Life, and the Pleasures attending the same, as followes.

A POEM in Praise of a Countrey Life, and the Pleasures thereof, in Imitation of Virgil in the Epilogue of his second Book of Georgicks.

AGricula in curvo terram dimovit aratro. Quos ramifructus quos ipsa volentia, rura Sponse tulere sua carpsit.

I Sing the Pleasures of a rural Life, Void of all carping care, & wrangling strife, Blest with bright Phaebus Beams, Birds bear their part. With charming Notes, without acquired Airt They warble furth their Makers Praise so High As frightens Night and rouseth slumbering Day. None beats their Time, and yet they all agree Without a Book in perfect Harmonie. Bass, Counter, Tenor, Trible there you'l hear, There's no discord to choack a tender Ear. All play their parts with a melodious Sound, From topping Rocks while Echoes answer round The drousie Trees awakened with their call Burst furth in leaves where instantly they fall With all the cunning that can be exprest. In various forms to build their circ'led Nest, Where they may Nestle and bring forth a quire Of well set voices for the coming Year.

The chearful Lambs attending on their Dames, In sprightful skips perform their harmless games Whiles in a croud they run and one doth gain Who's straight applauded by 'his following train Another runs alone while all look on, And chears his Mettal with a pleasant Tone. Yet all obey when call'd and each doth know, By his Dames voice to which place he should go, They running call and calling run with hast To quench their drought by sucking of the breast The other Beasts in herds both wild and tame With gentile pace feed through the flourie plain Forget their Winters toil and stormie Showers And seem delighted with the vernant Flowers Under the shades of Arched Groves they rest. Then up again and feed where they think best Not dyeted by Plowmans straitned hand, Both ease & Food they have at their command So free from care they drink the pearled streams Breath a pure Air and shuns Appollos Beams. Mountains they mount and vernant meads with haist Are all cut down to please their wanton taste. Ceres makes haste to hoord up plenteous Store For man and beast when Spring can do no more, Fish, Fowl and Beasts brings forth all what they can, And mother Earth produces all for man. The tender Grain by hopeful Peasants Sown, No sooner Roots then up again its Grown. The Blade the Stalk, and then the tender Ear, In its green Cover softly doth appear. Fearing the blustering wind it pipes about,

Finding all fair it Gentlie ventures out. Then franklie nourish'd by Earths fatning Clot, It forms its Kirnal in its chaffie Coat. Which warmed by Appolo's warming Rays, Blade, Stalk and Husk apparantly decays. The Ear does bow his head, the Stalk doth bend, And doth the Sickle with consent attend. Thus Flowers do blow, and fruit Trees throu the Field. As Bees their Honie, Cows their Milk do yield. The painful Swain collects what Nature gives, Clothed with content, most happilie he lives. Can Court or Camp, can Bench or Bar afford, Such innate pleasures to its fretful Lord. Galen may kill, not cure, and Merchants cheat, Sea-men may drink and swear, and rivals hate, Strumpets may pox the Sparks, and they in pain Prompt with revenge, may pay them back again The Priest may baul at all, yet long to trie These amorous moods, themselves to mortifie. But happie he who Aglaus like doth dwell, Within the confines of his Countrey Cell. And whose content doth free him of the sense, Of deadly vice and its Experience.

FINIS.