The English improver improved, or, The svrvey of hvsbandry svrveyed discovering the improueableness of all lands some to be under a double and treble, others under a five or six fould, and many under a tenn fould, yea, some under a twenty fould improvement / by Walter Blith ... ; all clearely demonstrated from principles of reason, ingenuity, and late but most real experiences and held forth at an inconsiderable charge to the profits accrewing thereby, under six peeces of improvement ...

CHAP. XIII.

Sheweth the Excellency of Tillage, and the great Profit thereof, and the great Advance is made out of severall Enclosed Coun∣tries beyond Champain, as also the great Improvement of Heaths, Moores, and Forrests, which will dismiss those need∣less feares of over∣throwing Tillage.

NOw Tillage yeeldeth the greatest profit to Land-Lord or Occupier,* 1.1 study especially the Good Husband to convert thy Land to the best Pro∣fit, And that is held and maintained by all men to be by Tillage, else why do men give double Rents to Till and Plow above what they do to Graze, and if thou art not yet satisfied, consider but the Wood-Lands who before Enclosure were wont to be relee∣ved by the Fieldon with Corn of all sorts, And now are grown as gallant Corn Countries as be in England, as the Western parts of Warwickshire, and the Northern parts of Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Darbyshire, Yorkshire, and all the Countries thereabouts, and all the Chalk Coun∣tries both South and West-ward.

Also consider the Chiltern Countries, and you shall find, that were it al Inclosed men would Plow little or no whit less than now they do, because nothing else nor no way else would yeeld the like advance.

Consider Hartfordshirex, Esse, Kent, Surry, Sussex, Barkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Somersetshire, and all the rest, All which

not onely raise Corn for themselves, but to supply that great City that Spends as much as all those Countreyes, and far more: And yet no parts of England set at greater Rates or makes greater Advantages by Grazing, and yet the greatest part thereof upon Tillage, and Corning. And what Coun∣try not almost though Inclosed, yeelds the greatest profit by the Abundance of Corn produced; But if all that I have said be not enough, I have enough I am▪ sure before I have done.

As for your Heathes, Moores, and Forrest Lands, I shall onely speak thus much, That vast and Incredulous are their Capacities of Improvement in generall, referring the parti∣cular wayes of Improvement of every sort, and differing na∣tured Land, as they fall in the fourth or sixt Piece of Im∣provement to avoid prolixity, because the very same Ingre∣dients, Compositions, and Directions, are suitably and natu∣rally appliable to these Lands, as to those to which they are pre∣scribed.

Therefore I onely say that all Interests in these Commons,* 1.2 or Rights of Common Pasture, upon any of these Lands, may without Prejudice to any particular Interest, be advantaged, and much Improvement made to the Publique; I speak not to inright the Usurpers of right wrongfully maintained, or Op∣pressors of any other mens Rights, I desire that Right might onely run in its proper Chanell.

First in generall by the same Method of Enclosing, held forth in this third generall Piece of Improvement, touching Common Field-Lands, if thereto, before Enclosure you do but add the Method or Drought of first casting out your Lands,* 1.3 and plotting them into such Plots and Formes, so that where there is or may be a Capacity of bringing thy Land under any good Stream or Land-flood, be sure to cast it for Meadowing, having drawn one Master Level floating course throughout they whole Plot of Enclosure, which may also serve as thy first division; and to carry thy water along also to flow thy Meadowing thou shalt make all under it fit, that thou mayst not lose that Opportunity now at first, (which after divisions made cannot be had) of so great an Im∣provement,

at so small a Rate, now at thy first contrivance thou mayst cast it under, and then cast out all thy Lauds, accor∣to the most suitableness of them, all to such Improvements they lye under, and then to the Conveniencies of each mans Right and Interest, and the greatest Advancement upon these Inclo∣sures will be two.

The first giving all Ingenuous men a Capacity to Plow,* 1.4 and Till what they please thereof, which will raise a dou∣ble, or treble Advantage, as to Grazing, and a Tenfold grea∣ter Advance as to Common of Pasture (which to some is worth nothing at all, because of their remoteness, to o∣thers but little, because of some great Oppressor, nearely and neatly seated upon the Commons, that drives others from it) and to none what it may be, as by right, when he may use all his Parts, Purse, and Experiences of Husban∣dry at his own pleasure by improving it; And it is and never was otherwise seen, that men would ever joyn together in one body, to use their utmost to improve any of these Lands to the best Advantage; for though Common of Pasture is mens own Inheritance, and every man not knowing his Lot,* 1.5 or Portion, how rarely will they ever joyn or agree therein? although they are all perswaded of a probable great Advancement, yet one sayes, I shall not have so great an Ad∣vantage by it as my neighbour; and another he believes it will be good for present, but it will not last; and an another sayes, he hath no reason to bear so great a proportion of Charge, though he have as much Land, yet he's not capable of so great an Improvement; and another saith, I could be well content to help on any publique work, if others would, but for me to bestow cost and improve my Land, or com∣mons, for others that will bestow none to eat and bite up my cost, much discourageth him, and indeed there is some Rea∣son for his backwardness; and a thousand Excuses and Cavils there must be, which though a wise man may easily answer, yet never convince their Judgements, for it hath ever been so since their dayes, and their Fore-fathers were as wise as they, and they cannot be satisfied, let it alone and wee••l take the pre∣sent profit it yeelds, and there is an end of their Improvement.

And here I'll give you a President, which though it might as to the nature of it, have come in more seasonably in the discourse about common Field Land, yet here it is very na∣turall also, both as to the end I bring it for, and for the disco∣vering a Capacity of a vast Improvement, both upon it self, and upon all other Lands of that nature.

There are many hundred if not thousands of Acres of Lands near Dunstable,* 1.6 in a Valley under Puddle, or Chalk-Hills, just under the bottome of the Hills (an eminent place known well to most) which I believe runs both wayes far, but on both sides the Rode-way to Coventry and VVest∣chester the Land lyeth, with a little Brook, or stream run∣ning through it; All which Lands if you observe them above half the year ly full of water, if not under water, and I believe it is worth about five shillings an Acre, I am sure a∣bundance of it is not worth three shillings, and some not worth two shillings an Acre, which if my Judgement fail not, may easily be drained, and laid so sound and whol∣some, which were but that done as it should be, or but accor∣ding to the second Piece of Improvement, and the directions given in the seventh Chapter, treating of draining, I dare uphold one Acre would be as good as divers now are in ma∣ny parts of it, but then should you also by the benefit of that Brook, and all these gallant rich Land floods that issue from the Hills on one hand, and from the Vale especially on the other hand, take the advantage and bene∣fit of them also, and according to the first Piece Improve it by Floating, which may very Feazibly be done according to the direction of the fourth, fifth, and sixth Chapter, where∣by it may be Improved to its utmost. I verily believe it would not onely make good the utmost extent of my Improvement promised, but will afford Hay sufficient to supply all those Barr••n parts, and that as good again for the nature of it, if not thrice so good as now it is; I Instance this place the rather, because it is so obvious to every one,* 1.7 and so well known to most, and this offer of Improvement was once tendred to them, who could not agree therein, but made many of the Objections aforesaid, although it was offered them to be

done at ano••hers cost and charge, and they have run no Hazzard, but to have come unto so great an Improvement paying the cost and charges, if the design had taken after they had seen it wrought unto their hands: but there are a thousand, and ten thousand Acres up and down the Na∣tion, some yeelds more, and others less hopes of vast Ad∣vancement, and all great enough if men would put them upon tryall, and great and vast quantities of Land in many Forrests, Common Fields, and other Heaths, Wasts, Moores, and other Commons, subject to the greatest Improvements at little charge, which will never be done till men know their own.

And were every mans part proportioned out to himself, and layd severall,* 1.8 it would so quicken and incline his spi∣rits, that he would be greedy in searching out all opportu∣nities of Improvement whatsoever the Land is capable of; As by Lime and Marl, Muck, Soyl, Marl, Lime, Earth, Chalk, and Mud, &c. With many other wayes, (all which men will infinitely more pursue when they know their own, than while it lyes at random; And a Monarch of one Acre will advance more profit of it, than he that hath his share in an hundred Acres in common) which will more naturally fall into the next Piece and there shall be particu∣larly handled, whereby great store of Corn of all sorts (where now not one Grain is Tilled) may be gained, which raiseth Straw, Stover, and Fodder, abundantly for raising Soyl, Dung, or Manure: As old, and the onely infallible, and undeniable meanes to advance any Land whatsoever. I shall digress a little because all men talk of Husbandry, and good Husbandry too, and especially of much excellent Hus∣bandry near and about Londo••, where Soyl is so plentyfull, that half of it is scarce used,* 1.9 though so much needed, and so unspeakably advantagious, and yet so few practise Hus∣bandry to purpose, though under such great opportunities, but few practise to purpose, else what meanes all those Bar∣ren Lands (though not Common Lands) lying within some two miles, other three, four, five or six of the great City (where all men are said to be the most gallant Husbands of

the Nation to lye unimproved, all Heath, or Ling, or Broom, not worth three, four, or five shillings an Acre; surely were there either Soyl to be had at London for Mony, as indeed there is enough to be had without; nay in many parts men may have Mony to carry it away, else were there a River to Barge it up and down, men would Improve it to great worth; Many hundred, if not thousand Acres in Fssex, Kent, and Surry are neglected; certainly Land is worth Money, and Money enough, too (if I be not mista∣ken about London; And then by these meanes when the same shall be laid down to Graze, observing but the parti∣cular Directions aforesaid, it shall feed, and fat, where be∣fore it kept but store Cattell alive; much more might here∣in be said, but I'll say no more, for if the Presidenting these experiences will not satisfie and abash the Oppressor, I am sure I shall shame my self by my Prolixity, and there∣fore I'll sope the Black-more no more, untill he manifest his offence at what I have said, by way of return in the same kind, but if he delight more in Rime than Reason or Experiences, Take Mr. Tusser speaking in his Husbandry of the great Advantages betwixt Enclosure and the Cham∣pion Countries, and betwixt Slothfulness and Ingenuity, and I will give it in his own Phrase, which I conceive may please thee better, and he speakes very good Reason also by his Rimas.

By Master TVSSER 106. Pag. Chap. 52.

A comparison between Champion-Coun∣trey and Inclosure.

THe Country Inclosed Ipraise, The other delighteth not me, For nothing the Wealth it doth raise

To such as inferiour be. How both of them partly I know, Here somewhat I mind to show Their Swineheard that keepeth the Hog, Their Neatherd with Curr and with Horn, Their Sheepheard with Whistle and Dog, Be fence to the Meadowes and Corn. Their Horse being ty'd on a Balk, Is ready with Thief for to walk Where all things in common doe rest. Corn-field with the Pasture and Mead, Though common ye do as the rest, Yet what doth it stand you in stead? Their Commons as Commoners use, For otherwise shalt thou not chuse, What Lair much beteter then there? Or cheaper thereon to do well? What Drudgery more any where? Lesse good therefore, where can ye tell? What gotten by Summer is see In Winter is eaten up clean, Example by Liecestershire, What Soyl can be better than that, For any thing heart can desire? And yet they want ye see what, Mast, Covert, Close, Pasture, and Wood, And other things needfall is good, All those do Inclosure bring, Experience teacheth no less, I speak not to boast of the thing, But onely a truth to expresse, Example (if doubt you do make) Of Suffolk and Essex go take, More plenty of Mutton and Beef, Corn Butter and Cheese of the best, More Wealth any where to be briefe, More people more handsome and prest Where find yee? Goe search any Cost,

Than there where Inclosure is most, More work for the labouring-man, As well in the Town as the Field, Or therefore devise (if you can) More profit what Country doth yeeld. More seldom where see yee the Poor Go begging from door to door? In Norfolk behold the despair Of Tillage, too much to be born By Drovers from Fair unto Fair, And other destroying the Corn, By Custome, and Covetous Pates, By Gaps, and opening Gates. What speak I of Commoners by With drawing all after a Line, So noying the Corn as it lye, With Cattell, with Coneys and Swine? When thou hast bestowed the cost, Look half of the same to be lost, The flocks of the Lord of the Soyl Doe yearly the Winter Corn wrong, The same in a manner do spoyl, With feeding so low and so long. And therefore that Champain Field Doth seldom good Winter Corn yeeld. By Cambridge a Town I do know, Where many good husbands do dwel, Whose losses by Lossels doth shew, More here than is needfull to tell. Determine at Court which they shall, Performed is nothing at all, The Champain robbeth at night, And proleth and filcheth by day, Himself and his Beasts out of sight, Both spoyleth and maketh away, Not onely thy Grass, but thy Corn, Both after, and ye'er it be shorn, Pease bolt with thy Pease he will have,

His houshold to feed and his Hog, Now stealeth he, now will he crave, And now will he cozen and cog. In Bridewell a number be stript, Less worthy than Thief to be whipt. Lord if you do take them what stirrs? How hold they together like Burs?* 1.10 For Commons these Commoners cry, Inclosing they may not abide; Yet some be not able to buy A Cow with a Calf by her side; Nor lay not to live by their work. But Theevishly loyter and lurk. The Lord of the town is too Blame For these and for many faults moe, For that he doth know of the same, Yet lets them unpunished goe. Such Lords ill Example do give. Where Varlets and Drabs so may live, What foot-paths are made and how broad? Annoyance too much to be born, VVith Horse and with Cattell what road Is made through every mans Corn? VVhere Champains ruleth the rost There daily disorder is most, There Sheep when they drive to wash, How careless their Sheep they do guide? The Farmer they leave in the lash With losses on every side; Though any mans Corn they doe bite, They will not allow him a mite. VVhat Hunting and Hawking is there Corn looking for Sickle at hand? Acts lawless to do without fear, How yearly together they band? More harm to another will do, Than they would be done so unto. More profit is quieter found,

Where Pastures in severall be, Of one silly Acre of ground, Than Champion maketh of there. Again, what a joy is it known, When men may be bold with their own? The tone is commended for grain, Yet bread made of Beanes they do eat, The tother for one loaf hath twain, Of Meslin, of Rye, and of Wheat. The Champion liveth full bare, When Wood-land full merry do fare. Tone giveth his Corn in a Dearth, To Horse, Sheep and Hogs e'ry day, The other give Cattell warm barth, And feeds them with straw and with Hay. Corn spent of the tone so in vain, The tother doth sell to his gain. Tone barefoot and ragged doth go, And ready in Winter to starve, When tother yee see doth not so, But have what is needfull to serve. Tone paine in a Cottage doth take, When tother trim Bowers doth make. Tone layeth for Turf and for Sedge, And hath his wonderfull suit, When other in every hedge Hath plenty of Fuell and Fruit. Evill twenty times worser than these, Inclosure quickly would ease. In Wood-land the Poor men that have Scarce fully two Acres of Land, More merrily live and do save▪ Than tother with twenty in hand. Yet pay they as much for the two, As tother for twenty must do. The Labourer comming from thence, In Wood-land to work any where, I warrant you goeth not hence

To work any more again there. If this same be true (as it is) Why gather they nothing of this? The Poor at Inclosure do grudge, Because of abuses that fall, Lest some man should have too much, And some again nothing at all; If order might therein be found, What were to the severall ground?

Consider well many Solid demonstrations of truth in these particulars, he speakes very much Reason and as much Truth, his observations are very good; nor is it the single opinion of Mr Tusser and my self, but of all that ever I yet saw or read of these sudjects of either good husbandry or the best way of Improvements of Lands, but ever advised & per∣swaded to this, as ever you would study your own, the Common-wealth, but especially the good of your Posterity, indeavour & prosecute such an Enclosure that is not nor can appear to be any particular soules hindrance. Tis true I have met with one or two small Pieces, as M. Spriggs, and another whose name I remember not, that write against depopulating Inclosure, with whom I freely joyn and approve, such as for∣mer oppressive times by the will and power of some cruell Lord either through his greatness or purchased favour a Court, or in the Common Courts of England, by his purse & power could do any thing, inclose, depopulate, destroy, ruine all Tillage, and convert all to pasture withont any other Improvement at all, lay Levell many honest families to the ground, dispeople a whole parish, and send many soules a gooding, a cursed horrible oppression, which for my part I would it were Fellony by the Law, which I think really is no better, which hath brought men to con∣ceive, that because men did depopulate by Enclosure, there∣fore it is now impossible to enclose without Depopulation, but against Enclosure it self, meerly to convert it from a generall promiscuous Common age, to a division or di∣stribution of every ones share and Interest therin to his own particular possession, use, and occupation, to manage hus∣bandry,

and Improve as he shall like best, both for manner, time and charge, I never yet did see or read any to avouch the same, but should be very willing to meet with such an Antagonist, for whom I am prepared, and will if God please to give opportunity in mild and loving way endeavour to convince him of his rash mistake: but should any man take offence at Enclosure as of it self, as I verily believe none doth, yet at such a way or Method of Enclosure as is here held forth and discovered, that provides as much for the raising and increase of Corn and all Grain, as for supply of Pasture and Meadow, and provides for all Interests their pro∣portionable Advantages, I hope very Doggs themselves will not move a Tongue.

And as for old writers, so for new and late ones they all with one consent encourage to Enclosure & Improvements, some affirming that the great benefit of the Sheep their Wool that Staple Commodity of England doth Imploy more people by far on every Acre than by Corning,* 1.11 which may possibly be so too, but I am sure that in a way of Im∣provement, which I hold forth, it must needs more advantage the Common-Wealth than lying wast in common and un∣improved. And if thou peruse Mr. Hartlips book printed two year since, wherein he handles it very demonstratively well worth thy reading, will confirm the same. And if thou wilt peruse learned Fuller in his holy state, you shall see the Excellent advantages and Improvements may be made to all by an Enclosure without Depopulation, in the s••••••nd book 13. Chapt. page 91. •• most Excellently handled and cleared.

Studie therfore the management of all thy estate to the best publique Advantage, Husbandry all thy Lands to the best & greatest benefit of the Common-Wealth, for in this way of Improvement thou ca••st not possibly intending the publique good, but necessarily the greatest good must follow to Poor, thy self and family.

Order therfore thy common Arable Lands, as they also may raise and produce their most plenty to all Concernments, and all Wasts, Forrests, and Heathes, that they may produce

their great advantage, which being so old and restie, will yeeld forth Corn in great abundance, and after Pasture to double profit. Bee not peevish, nor let not passion nor old customed corrupted Will prevail against these Advantages, for he that Improves not all his Land to this end, the raysing plentie, and relieving the miserable, answereth not the ends wherefore thy self and all thy Lands were given, as before I hinted, I have no more to say to thee, but to intreat thee to remember that passage of the Wise Man (viz) The thoughts of the diligent bring abundance; And if thou wilt be yet unsatisfi∣ed, be so stil.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tillage great profit.
• * 1.2

  Onely Right in Commons, not Vsurpers I speak to.
• * 1.3

  At the first Enclosing of any Common, how to cast out Land to the greatest Advance.
• * 1.4

  Tow Advan∣tages of this Enclosure.
• * 1.5

  Cavils against Improvement in Common.
• * 1.6

  A President of great store of lost Land un∣der puddle hill capable of Improvement.
• * 1.7

  An offer made once to have made good the same.
• * 1.8

  2 Advantage of this Enclosure.
• * 1.9

  III husbandry discovered a∣long the River Thames both wayes much barren Land near London.
• * 1.10

  109. p. 160.
• * 1.11

  See Mr. Hartlip his legacy page 56.