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 ...

The fourth Piece of Improvement shews how to Plow and Corn old Pasture Land so as not to Impoverish it, and double the Improvement of it for a Time, and afterward to better it for ever in a way of grazing; and will be as a medium to allay the second Ex∣treme; and will discover that Corn shall ever be the predominant profita∣ble staple Commodity in the Nation; and sheweth many particular wayes of Improvement of other sorts of Lands.

CHAP. XIV.

THere is a second Extreme also which men wed∣ded to their self profit hugg in their very bo∣some, which is so much to their hearts content, that they never look what may make most profit to the Publique, or good of the Com∣mon-wealth, themselves, or Posterity; He is seated in way of Feeding and Grazing, with a constant Stock of Breeding, and let his Land be fit for one, or fit for another use, he mat∣ters it not, he hath received a Prejudice against Plowing, partly because of the Toyl and Charge thereof, and partly because, as aforesaid, some men have Plowed their Land so

long as they have impoverished it much, and some men so long as it is possible it may be many yeares before it Soard Compleatly, and therefore let it be Dry or moyst, Sound or Rotten, Rushey or Mossey, Fenny, or run over with a Flag Grass, or Ant-hills, Mossure, or wild Time, let it keep more or less; hee'l not alter, tell him Sir it will yeeld abundance of gallant Corn to supply the whole Country, & raise great Summes of Money to your Purse, and afterward (if you yet Plow Moderately) it may keep as many Cattell, nay more, yet nothing takes with him, he will have no Enclosure Plowed by no meanes; yet seriously weigh these ensuing par∣ticulars, and then use thy own will and pleasure.

But to make good my promise herein, I must first re∣mise, that my Design is mainly upon a second sort of coar∣ser Land, betwixt twenty shillings an Acre, and ten shillings or a noble, out of all which will come a great Advancement to no prejudice at all, & is a member of one of the fix Pieces of greatest Advancement promised. Although the best sort of Land of all will yeeld the greatest profit, yet not without some seeming little Prejudice to it, and also this will best continue and hold his beauty, and strength, and Improve up∣on Grazing rather than lose, which the worser sort will not. And of this best sort of Lands with the Improvement to be made thereon very Considerable, I shall also speak under the sixt and last Piece of all: And shall now set forth how the Plowing of all such Lands, according to the Design proje∣cted, which shall be a supply or filling up, and running over of the measure of plenty of Corn in case Inclosure should decrease it (which I am confident upon the consideration of the aforesaid Reasons thou canst not Imagine) and so re∣move that Extreme also. In which Projection I shall tell thee, that if thou wilt follow the Rules prescribed, thou shalt double the prizes of thy Lands for the present time of Plow∣ing, and after lay it down better for Grazing than thou too∣kest it to plow, onely consider that of this second sort, there be three natures.

• First, sad and moyst strong Clay and cold.
• Second, Mixed with divers Earths.
• ...

• Third, Warm, Sandy, or Gravelly.

The first natured Land advanceth it self most be Tillage, yet raiseth Corn in abundance also, but the two other lat∣ter natured Lands advanceth not so much in it self, as in that wonderfull increase of Corn it yeeldeth to the Com∣mon-Wealth; I verily beleeve that Lands of these latter na∣tures are as fruitfull and kind for Corn (especially if they be resty) and for four yeares may produce as much increase to the Strike or Market as that Land that is as Rich again, or twice as Rich, for as to the Corning Land it may possi∣bly sometime be too good, as alwaies too bad, I had far ra∣ther make choice of a middle sound warm Land, than of the richest and fattest that is, for this will yeeld it self and heart more to the Corn than the other, and yet this also may be bettered with wisdom used in the Plowing for Grazing also.

First therefore consider the nature of this first sort of Land, and the way of Husbandring it, to inable it to pro∣duce the promised Improvement; And so I begin with that which is of a pure Clay, or of a little mixed nature either with Sand or Gravell, and yet is of a cold temper, and so is neither so wholsome for Cattels lodging, nor so fruitfull for their Pasturing; Which sort of Land is many times over∣run with Ant-hills, which are best destroyed this way, being opened, the Soard taken up, and the Coar taken out, and scattered before the Plough, will make all the Land Plow the better and also lye better, and the Mould wil help a little all the parts of the Land they are spread up∣on. And Rushes and Moss in abundance, may many times so over-run the Land, which are so thick and noysome, that they not onely hinder the Earths naturall fruitfulness, but the Rushes are so thick and high in many Pastures, that the Sheep many times make them for their Refuge, to preserve themselves from the heat, that oft-times they are sheltered so long by them untill they be lost by the Manes, Maggots, or Vermine; A great prejudice to the Grazier, or Breeder; All which is certainly occasioned by the Moystness, and Cold∣ness of the Lands, which will no way more certainly and

Advantagiously be removed but by Plowing these Lands, which course although by many men it be thought an Im∣poverishing of the Land, yet I absolutely deny the same, and affirm both from mine own Experience, and the Practise of those that have made tryall thereof, that it shall most wonderfully advance the same for present, and future; O∣ver-Plowing indeed weakens Land; Extremes on either hand are dangerous and destructive; Food and Bread su∣staineth Nature, but Gluttony destroyes it; Wine nourisheth the heart, but Drunkenness drownes it; And as over Tilling and forcing out the heart is worst, so I say, not then to Plow when the Land is run to moss, and to these corruptions, is no less bad: And being done with wisdom and mode∣ration is far more advantag•• than not to Plow; And this my self have offered familiarly for Lands of this nature, worth and quality, to give a Plowing or double Rent for the same according to his naturall worth for three or four yeares, but not above, as hath been conceived the Land hath been able to bear; And then after▪ Plowing the very first year to give the old Rent, and take a Lease for Ten, or Fifteen, or Twenty years at the same rate, whereby let Ingenuity Judge what Prejudice this may be possibly; For the time of Plowing the Lands may yeeld double Rent, some more, some Rent and half Rent, and some one third part more than old Rent; All which I conceive is a great Advantage, with another secret Advantage interwoven with it, as an Adddition to the State, which is the raising of a great quantity of Corn to the use of the Common-wealth, The setting of many Poor on work, The raising Straw, which wintering Cattell with, may raise such abundance of good Manure, Dung, or Soyl, as may Inrich a great part of the same, or some other Lands; and were there no other ad∣vantage but helping the Common-wealth herein, I hope no honest publique spirit would oppose it, many Lands lying under this Capacity lye in the South part of Warwickshire and Worcestershire, Leicester, Nottingham, Rutland, some part of Lincolnshire, Northampton, Buckingham, and some part of Bedfordshire, and in most part of the Vales in England, and

very many parcels in most Counties of this Nation; And this I say again, do but observe my Method, and strictly trace my Instructions, & pursue them all along, I dare make it good upon most Lands, except it be upon that which is a harsh binding churlish nature, which wil also admit of a good Im∣provement, though not so good, especially when it shall be over-grown with the aforesaid Annoyances.

CHAP. XV.

Sheweth the manner of Plowing, and working Lands to so great Advance, with two Incredible Presidents of Advance.

THere is a parcell of Land in VVarwickshire, near Stratford upon Avon, that is Oaded every four∣teen yeares, and Corned divers yeares after that; and so there may be many more Parcels also besides this I speak of, and so I know there is, and after that fourteen yeares rest and Grazing, Oa∣ded again and Corned also: So there are some in Northamp∣tonshire, Buckinghamshire, and many other parts will do the like; And so runs round, Grazing fits for Plowing and Corning, and Corning fits for Grazing; A most gallant opportunitie; Doubles the Grazing-rent, while under Cor∣ning, and more under Oading; And Grazeth again imme∣diately at a very considerable Rent, and might do the first year at old Rent, and so forward, Would they Plow but three or four yeares according to my direction, but they Plow five, six, or seven; Such a Method would please me gallantly, advance the Common-wealth exceedingly, and prejudice whom, I would fain know: Abundance of poor set on work; Abundance of Corn raised; Abundance of Straw which spent and fed upon the Land, shall make that

up again what ever the Plowing fetched out: Doubles Rent and more, four or five yeares in one and twenty: And so every age near fetcheth in the Purchase; And the Land where it was, and would be as rich as it was, if it be not (my directions observed) a great Estate raised out of nothing: Why not thus in a thousand other parts of this Nation, as good Land, and better, and as suitable to this Advance, and not improved to it?

O Sloth! stand by, & let Ingenuity try a trick or two more, and wonder at thy own Ignorance and Weakness, and now see how to work it.

Secondly, consider thy Land how it lieth, whether round with Ridge and Furrow, then use your own discretion for the manner of Plowing; for the first year however, Plow it as well as you can possibly, both clear from Balks and Slips, and of such a stitch or depth as the Land will bear; however go not under the true and naturall Soyl of the Earth, neither plow it too thick, for that will be a great prejudice to your second Plowing, because your Fur∣rowes will rise most hard and stubborn, and so moil both Teames, Work-men and Servants, as is incredible. But if it be Lands and great Balks together, then for the Lands Plow them as you please, that is, whether Ridge-Are, or Cast them, but for your Balks before you, Ridge them all. And although it will ask paines, cost and hot water, yet fail not herein: And though the Rushes be thick and strong, yet be not discouraged; Mow the Rushes in the beginning of Winter as low as you can possibly, and then you may with paines and patience, a good Teame, and good Ploughs with sharp Irons, all made true, sharp, and smooth, do it with incredible dexterity; fail none of these directions, you can not conceive the wonderfull advantage in this exactness; And were it so the Land were such as there must be requi∣red as much cost and paines with the Spade, as with the Plough, I would bestow it, and never question how it shall answer the same: For, say the cost be extraordinary, and say one Acre cost thee as much overcomming it, and laying it round, sound, and fair, as usually thou or others bestow on

two or three Acres; Yet what is that to the fruit or profit it may produce? I dare say one Acre of Corn thus throughly husbanded may be worth two Acres, nay three slubbered o∣ver and done many times as most men commonly do there∣in; And what is it to lay out a five shillings or a noble extra∣ordinary in every Acre in the Husbandry, and reap it by the Pounds in the Crop, as I dare say you shall in the two first Crops, which are the onely Crops requiring such paines and exactness. I could tell thee an Experiment if thou durst beleeve it, 'tis this; I once held a Piece of Land worth nine shillings an Acre, and no more to a Graze; I gave fifteen shillings to Plow, it was great Lands, as great Balkes betwixt them, full of your soft Rushes, and as high some of them as any ordinary Beast, and lay very wet; The Land conceived by me not able to bear Barley, nor never would, it was so weak and Barren, so cold and Queasie: And the neighbours very able Husbandmen round about so discou∣raged me (out of their love unto me) as that they de••ired me to forbear Tillage of it, because it would never answer ordi∣nary cost bestowed on it, nor be worth an old Grazing-rent to Plow, and that they cleared to me by very clear Evi∣dence as they conceived, affirming that the Land next unto it, but a hedge betwixt, which was far better Land, (and indeed so it was very near as rich again) husbanded by very able husband••, the best in that Country, and that Land good Barley-L••nd, yet never answered the pains and cost bestow∣ed; yet I resolving to make a full triall thereof, I set upon it according to the prescription aforesaid, Each Acre Plow∣ing and Harrowing, Spading and Dressing (for indeed I made Harrowes on purpose also) of divers Sizes, it cost me about fifteen or sixteen shillings an Acre the two first Crops the very Dressing of it; And for these Crops, being but of Oates, I could have had five pound an Acre, being offered it by an Oat-meal man of himself, though never asked, growing upon the ground; Nay six pound an Acre, if I would have sold it, which is a vast Rate for Oates in the middle of the Nation; And indeed I found the ground so poor, that it would not bear Barley, for I tryed some Acres

of the best Land in it, but it was not worth an Acre of my Oates, and after Plowing I gave the old naturall Rent as it was ever set at or really worth, and that for many years, and the Land is better, lyeth sounder, warmer, and both yeelds more Milk, Summers as many Cattell, and Winters far more, and feeds better than it did before, without any other cost bestowed, and the very first year I layd it down after Plowing, it kept me more Cattell and better than ever it did before; and will continue better for it for ever after.

CHAP. XVI.

Sheweth the best, and most advantagious way of Plowing and Husbandring Lands, so as most to Advantage it, in laying down Land to Graze, to make good the Im∣provement promised, and not to over-plow, as you tender the loss of your Land.

TO this end be sure to lay your Fur∣rowes open, and clean scoured up, and capable to receive and carry a∣way all your standing water, or soa∣king moysture from your Lands, and be sure▪ so to Plow your Lands as you may cast your Lands into seve∣rall Furlongs, that you may have one Furrow or Drain run into another, and that next into a∣nother, and so into the Master Trench, which if it cannot be made deep enough with the Plow, let it be done with the Spade substantially; And so from one to another, to carry away the Water, that it may neither annoy your Corn throughout your Field in any Furlong, nor your Land

when you come to lay it down, and then when you have Plowed your Lands, wherein the more truth and exactness you observe therein, the more fruit expect.

And when you come to sowing your Lands, you must get very strong weighty Harrowes (if you would do it indeed, and not slubber it over as most do) long tined and sharp, and either they must be so weighty of themselves, that they may work a gallant strong Team to draw them, or else so loaden with weight, that you tear up rough uneven places, and raise good store of Mould, which is a marveilous great Advantage to the Corn; (as for the ordinary way of Hild∣ing Land as most do, is Reproveable) and then with two or three sorts of Harrowes, each Harrow having his Teeth, or tines, thicker than other, which will so curiously and cer∣tainly cover your Corn that you will have little or none ••ye uncovered, but well moulded, which will have such strength, & heart unto it, as by Gods blessing you may expect a Crop answerable to your cost bestowed, and far greater.

The next direction is, that as I cry up plowing as a sove∣raign meanes of a great Advancement, so I also as much de∣cry Over-Plowing, or the Plowing of Lands as most do; some Plow as long as it will bear any corn, and others as long as it will bear good Corn; And others they Plow on any fashion, lay their Lands, as though they were over∣running them, both to Corn and Graze, and when they lay it down, some lay down sound warm dry Land very high, ridge and furrow, and small Land too, very prejudiciall to their Land and themselves too, and are justly reproveable; others lay down strong cold Land flat, unopen'd, some part Plowed, some unplowed, full of balkes, holes and hils; as if they would secure or ingross all the coldness and Venom of all the water and hunger that is either naturally upon it, or that falls upon it, or passeth by it; they matter not after what manner they leave it, nor after what Grain; I there∣fore prescribe onely three or four yeares to Plow unto this sort of Land, and to raise it every year, not less, because the Rush, Filth, and Earth will not be rotted, nor well com∣pounded, nor the nature of the Land changed with fewer

Tilths, nor the Lands well brought to a good height, round∣ness, and driness in lesser time; for if it be cold Laud, all that can possibly be done will not lay it high and dry e∣nough, nor the Mould wrought to her perfect tenderness and true Mixture, whereby it may yeeld more fruitfulness; but if the Land be very rich of nature, and not well wrought, nor the Rush perfectly destroyed, nor the Lands brought up to a convenient height and roundness, then one year more may do well, which year shall yeeld the best crop outof all question, but will draw a little more from the strength of the Land, than any of the other yeares did; and if the Land be in strength, it may very little prejudice it, and therefore this I leave to every mans pleasure, upon this consideration, and could wish that all men would so Plow, as mainly inten∣ding the Advance and Betterment of their Land, especially Pasture Land, and no otherwise; For you were as good lose some of your inheritance (as you do) in my opinion, Or as good lose the Land which is but the Carcas, as the strength and vertue which is the Heart and Life of it, for therein is the Common Advantage, when the Earth yeelds most increase, or fruit, and a little parcell yeelds abundance of fruit.

Fifthly and lastly, I advise to lay down all Lands of this nature upon Wheat, Mes••en, or Rye Stubble, which will ex∣ceedingly thicken and improve the Soarding, and if my Principles fail not, will raise as good a Soard in the first year, as after any Summer Corn whatsoever will in two, and must do well for these Reasons.

First, because it hath one half year more to Soard in, then after the Lenton Tylth, and so is somewhat Soarded before Oates, Barley or Pease are sown.

Secondly because winter Corn groweth thin, long, and a stronger Straw, and gives more liberty to the grass to grow, and spread the thicker, and the Soard will also be very rich and fruitfull; I likewise advise to sow this Land, as early ••as possibly you can, even as soon as your other Crop is ended, the sooner the better, unless the Condition of the Country very much oppose it, how ever the Earlier it is

sowed, the better is the Crop like to prove in my opinion; because these Graines of Wheat or Rie, &c. require the land to be in better Tillage than this can be: Therefore help it what you can possibly, by seasonable and early sowing, that it may have as much Summer as may be, and by all means Harrow in your Corn after it is Plowed; For this is more certain to produce a good Crop, And secondly leaves the Ground even smooth to Graze; yet forget not that your Land be left High, and Round, the Colder in nature the Highe•• and Rounder as aforesaid, & each Furrow be Scou∣red up as cleanly as you can possibly; These simple particu∣lars really Observed, and Practised, will bring the Land to that condition that I shall make good what I formerly promised, and to this particular I shall say no more for pre∣sent, onely this may be applied to any of this second sort of Land, be it of what Mixture, or Composition soever, that is Banky, Mossy, Cold and Rushy, and will have a proporti∣onable effect promised; But if possibly you could run over a good part of this Land with Dung after you have plowed it, before you sow your last Crop, or so much as you could, it would produce a double advantage of the cost bestowed towards the Soarding of it. And if after you have Reaped your last Crop, you could then run it over again, with any quantity of Muck, or Compast, it might so nourish your Land, and that for many years after, possibly it might be near as good again upon the old Soarding, as it was be∣fore; for you would wonder how much good one Load of Manure doth upon the Land so Tender, wrought, and Mix∣ed, beyond what two or three Load will do on old Soard, or old Pasture so Rough and Filthy; nothing will make you to beleeve this, but your own experience. Let me prevail herein (good Reader) to make a tryall, it will be to thy be∣nefit, be not an Enemy to Tillage, nor raising Corn to Poor, and Common-wealth, and If thou expect better Sa∣tisfaction, take it from divine evidence and from the Con∣clusion of him that spake by Inspiration, as well as from na∣tural Experience.

He that tilleth his Land, shall be satisfied with Bread, and shall have plenty.

Much food in Tillage for the Poor. And if this satisfie not, carry this one Text (if thou canst remember no more) a∣long with thee into thy Pastures, when thon art in thy greatest Glory;

He that withdraweth Corn, the people shall curse him, and a blessing upon his bead that selleth it. But he must get it first, and so we ought upon that Land as will most freely yeeld it, which I conceive is a main end wherefore Thou and Thy Land was first created. Be not envious to thine own good, nor wilfull to thine own profit. I am much abashed to use so many words, to press so plain Simple Principles, thought•• to be well known to all (and possibly they may be, better than to my self) but truly the little Practise of them, and the Scorn men carry in their Breasts to learn, and that Thirstiness in me after the Common good, occasi∣ons all this Rudeness, to see thousands of Opportunities so neglected makes me amaze.

CHAP. XVI.

ANd first for your richest sorts of Land conceived as good as Art and Nature can make them, yet consider the insuing Discourse, may hold out some Improvement to be made out of the same. As for your best Land of all, That by Husbandry, Drayning, Separating, cleering, Plow∣ing, Soyling or some sort of husbandry or other was brought to this perfection, it was not in this condition na∣turally nor originally from the beginning, much whereof may be now clear from Rushes, Mossiness, Sow Thistle, Nettles, Weeds, and Hemlocks and all other pelf, and onely bring forth pure Grass, both thick and rich; this possibly may admit of little Improvement upon it self, but unto the Owner and Common-wealth this may yeeld above double profit for some yeares by moderate Plowing, and afterward return so soon to his naturall fruitfulness, as that it shall yeeld his old Grazing Rent the first year, and so continue; But this Land being of all other the most subject to Abuse,

and greater prejudice than any other Land whatsoever; And I am confident unless the Presidented directions contained in the fourteenth and fifteenth Chapter, be most punctually observed, it may suffer loss, therefore I must provoke no man to take the pursuance of them here, unless any who is of such a publique spirit, as rather desires the Publique than his own private Advancement; And for some other men when they find so great profit come in upon them by this or any other means, they out of a thirsty desire of gain will Over-do, Over-plow, and so destroy their Land for it is not Plowing simply as aforesaid; that impoverisheth Land, but too oft Plowing, and look you where you will generally throughout this Nation, and you will find where any good Pasture is destroyed hereby, they have Plowed Six, Seven, and some Nine, Ten, and some Twelve Crops together, which I approve so well, as I say it is a Losing Ex∣treme; And I wish it were Felony so to abuse a mans Self; Lands, Posterity, and Common-Wealth; Also which Lands may be so many yeares before they come to a perfect Soard again, as may lose as much in abatement of Rent before it come up to the old Rent, as they got in the advance Rent by Plowing. And yet if I affirm, that Mowing Land with∣out Limitaion, is as impoverishing unto it, as Plowing Land with Moderation, especially Upland Pasture, I should not much mistake; I am a greater E••emy to the one with∣out Limit than to the other with Moderaion, and yet tthe one is cryed down by all, and the other by few or none; Therefore my advise shall be, to Plow thy Land three, four, or five Crops, if thy affections stand that way, and lookest at greatest profit, Sowing it first with Hemp, Oad, Coal, or Rape-seed, Madder; Licorish, or Sow such rich Commodity that will so well pay for it, or something else that better agrees with the rankness of so gallant Land, which for divers of the first years will be so rank, that Corn will fall Flat, and Dwindle, or Rot, and neither be kindly in quality, nor rise to the strike in quantity, as it will upon those Lands after divers Crops taken, or upon leaner Land, and then after with Corn the last yeares; And if thou

wilt but lay it down round, & even, upon the Wheat, Rye, or Meslin Stubble Sowed in his proper Season, observing some other few Directions, handled more at large in the aforesayd Chapters, thou shalt not need to fear thy Lands Impoverishing or abating Rent; It will produce so gallant and sweet a Turf, as will feed as well, and faster than it did before, if not better: For my own part, I do affirm, That had I the managing it whilst under Tillage, I would make good the same upon good Security; But as I said be∣fore, use your own liberty, he that Plows not such Land at all that yeelds its utmost strength and fruit in Grazing, which admits of no Corruption or Degeneration, doth wel: Because the Nation will afford other Land enough, that stands in more need of this Husbandry to supply the Coun∣try Corn; And also because many men hold it a great Disparagement to Plow up such gallant Pasture; from whom I do very little or nothing dissent in Judgement, yet he that (if by Plowing) can Advance the Publique and himself also, I dare not say but he doth better, yet neither much amiss; Every man herein may please his own affection, where the Common-wealth is not eminently pre∣judiced.

But for other wayes of Improvement of the Richest sort of Land, I know little more worth Divulging, for either the Cost and Charge expended will not produce an answerable present Advantage, or else the continuance and certainty of future hopes may prove doubtfull; Which uncertainties I affect not, onely take this remembrance with thee, that if thy Pasture be very Vast and Large, Lesser Divisions will set the dearer and better, and every mans money for Con∣veniency, when greater are bargains for few men, and those for great ones also that will make their own Advantage, yet use moderation herein also, A large Pasture is comely, and a little Pingle Inconvenient, Extremes are neither for Cre∣dit nor Profit, but for Destruction; A Pasture about one hundred or sixscore Acres, or a hundred and fifty Acres is very commendable where they lye remote and at good di∣stance from great Market-Towns, or where Pasturing is ve∣ry

plentifull, but if either Pasture-Land be scarce, or border upon Common Fields, or Heaths, or Forrests, or if they lye near or adjoynining to any good Market, or great City, lesser divisions wil farre out-vy with greater in their price & advantage, the people lying under such necessities of Pastu∣rage, some to help to relieve their Common, and others to relieve the necessities of their own neighbouring Families; But in thy Divisions be sure to make them alwaies in the lowest parts of thy Lands, that so thy Ditches may serve in stead of Draines or Conveyances of Water, or taking away the Coldness that offends thy Land; every mans own Expe∣rience will patronize this Position.

But secondly, when any of these Rich Lands shall Dege∣nerate into Mossiness, Rushes, Coldness, or Over-grow with Weeds, Nettles, Hemlocks, Sow-Thistles, &c, then thy Land wil need good Husbandry, and wil admit of Improve∣ment, for Hemlocks, Nettles, Docks, Chick-weeds, and o∣ther common Weeds, these are as much occasioned with Fatness and too much Richness, as from any other cause; And when from this cause, no cure like Plowing, for that brings profit with the Cure, and advance in the very Re∣ducement; there is much Land of this Fatness; Some there is in divess parts of this Nation, as about Hay-Stacks, or Sheep-Pens, or places of Shade, or in the Warmest parts of many Pastures, which Sheep and Cattell chuse alway for their Lieare, and very much about the heads of Conney-Ber∣ries; All which according to former Direction (in Plow∣ing old Resty Land) will Reduce this to Moderation in o∣ver much Rankness; And especially if it be Plowed some∣what oftner than the other sorts of Lands, it will bear near as many more Crops without prejudice, and no other means whatsover will so Surely, Feacibly, and Profitably, work this Effect in my Experience, viz. To destroy the Weeds, and reduce it to perfect Grazing.

And as your Land degenerates to Mossiness, Rushes, and Coldness, none will deny the wonderfull certain change and alteration thereof by Plowing, if they should, I con∣ceive I have sufficiently cleared it where I have discoursed of

the second sort of Land at large in the thirteenth, four∣teenth, and fifteenth Chapters, and answered severall Ob∣jections made against the same; yet one or two more re∣mains to be Objected; Bear with me, I say the more herein, as Coveting to beguile men of such Prejudice as possesseth most, and so deeply rooted, as will ask hot water to Mat∣tock up.

Some say they have fou••d the contrary, their Land not Soarding of many years after, and when it hath come to Soard, it hath been neither so Rich, Thick, nor Fruitfull, & therefore Prejudiced by Plowing.

All which I Eccho with thee that possibly it may be so, and yet this may not reach too, nor in the least weaken my Propositions, which give direction onely to three or four Crops at most, unless in case of Weeds and Nettles, and too much Fatness, I never advise to Plow thy Land so long to bring it to this, I abominate such Husbandry, neither do I absolutely perswade to the Plowing of all Lands without Exception, well knowing that in some parts of this Nati∣on, there are some Lands, so Binding, so Tough a Sodering Clay, & Cold, that it will neither Soard so thick nor quick as others will, which sort of Land if Rich, and Sweet, will less Advance by Plowing, than any other, but to this sort of Land as it doth degenerate and decay, use it as a Medicine, and use it as according to former Rules, and lay down thy Land according to former Limitations, & que∣stion not though it Soard not so soon as other Lands, Mix∣ed Light, & more Loosened, yet it shal both Soard so Time∣ly, & so Richly, as it shall counter-profit all thy prejudice. And for other Lands either Gravelly, Light, Warm, and Sandy, or else Mixed, and Compounded, I dare affirm some Land the first year may be full as good as it was before Plowing; I have known a Winter Stubble after the Crop was Inned of some Pastures, worth as much that Winter half year as it usually was worth any Winter upon the old Soard, & yet hath not bin Pastured the whole half year nei∣ther, nay some have been worth as much as the said Lands have bin worth almost the whole year. The Eadish hath bin

so fruitfull, and my self have had the like Profits and Advantages, and have had a Wheat Stubble of my own being the third Crop, that will make good what I have Affirmed, and the very first year of Grazing full as good, if not better, than it was upon the old Turf before Plow∣ing.

They that cannot manage this Objection further, yet confess and say, 'tis true for two or three of the first years it may possibly hold fruitfull, but it shall fall after seven, eight, or ten, or more years, after that it shall be worse than ever.

To this I can say little more than what I have said before, unless you can produce me some Experiment, wherein my directions have been observed, and your Prejudice succeed∣ed, otherwise you say nothing; which Experiment when you have found, I shall not question but to discover your mistake, either you are mistaken in the nature of the Land, or else in the manner or way of Husbandry and Plowing, or else in the Method I propose in the laying of it down to Graze, or else the Stubble you lay it down upon, in all w^ch if you pursue me not, expect it not, all being faciable, and any man may more certainly, and as I conceive more de∣lightfully, work by Rule than Random. I say then in the ordinary course of nature, Gods blessing accompanying it, it shall increase and improve for many yeares, and conti∣nue untill some of the former and aforesaid Corruptions predominate again; Of which my self have had large Expe∣riences, and can produce many Presidents, and do but you look into and upon much of your new laid-down-Land to Graze, which being continually Grazed doth put more proof into all sorts of Goods, breed better, feed faster, milketh fruitfuller, than old Pasture that is Richer, for ten, fifteen, or twenty yeares together. I have bought the pu∣rest Mutton out of Land the third, the fourth, or fifth year after Plowing, being about eighteen or twenty shillings per Acre, than any Land in those parts of near thirty shil∣lings an Acre hath afforded, and in reason it must needs be so, because what Grass comes fresh, is pure without Mixture,

and sweet, being Young and tender, and having no currupt Weeds of Filth to annoy it, and fruitfull, having heat and strength left in the Land to feed it, and for continuance fear it not, if Grazed, for the very Grazing will Inrich it every year, and Improve it untill it grow so old again, and over-run with Moss, Ant-hills, Rushes, or other corrup∣tions, that it requires Plowing; and then let it have it, for the Lands and thy Advantage sake; I know other Pa∣stures which indeed were Plowed nine or ten Crops, and did much prejudice the Lands thereby, which I exceedingly condemn; yet this President answers this Objection, it ly∣ing now upon the fourteenth or fifteenth year after Plow∣ing, is better than ever was since Plowing, and mends every year, and is rich and healthfull if not more than it ever was, and would far more have abounded in fruit, if Moderation had been used.

Another Objection may be raised, which is this, your new Plowed Lands are more subject to Rotting Sheep than your old Pasture.

I answer, usually it is so, and Experience hath proved the same; yet if you ever found any parcell of Land Husban∣dred according to these directions, nicely observed as afore∣sayd, that it was layd so high and round, his over-Furlongs Drained by the lower, and a good Master Ditch or Trench the lowest, and Plowed but three or four Crops, and laid down upon the Winter Corn Stubble, &c. you either found little danger in it for Rotting, or else no more than other Grazed Lands thereabouts was subject to, for in great Rot years indeed, many of your Cold, Sowr, Rushy Pa∣stures, Rot themselves though never plowed, especially such as have either great Road-wayes; Drifts, or Passages through them; yet observe these two directio••s following, put case it should Rot first or second yeares, then Stock it with Beasts, and that prevents it, or else secondly with part Sheep, those barren Sheep to feed, and not with a breeding Stock, and part Beasts, and very easie that you may have Grass at pleasure, to satisfie them to the full, which will pro∣bably prevent them from eating Dirt or Gravell, and this

wil turn thee out as much profit and secure that danger in great measure out of question.

As for Rushes, Moss, and Coldness, which doth not much offend the best sort of Land, I refer thee backward to its more proper place, and have little more to say in the Advance of this richer sort of Land, but onely that in your Separations and divisions of your greatest Pastures, you be very curious in erecting Quick-set Hedges after the man∣ner prescribed in the ••ixt Piece, and the three & twentieth Chapt••••, and be most carefull of preserving them from bi∣ting and treading, and well fenced from any Annoyance, & maintained with constant Weeding for two or three years together, all which exactly observed, you shall raise upon each Lordship or Pasture, Fuell and Fire-wood sufficient to maintain many Families, besides the Timber which may be raised in the Hedg-rows, if here and there in every Pearch be but planted an Ash, Oak, Elm, or Witchazell, all which will not onely be most profitable, but most delight∣full and honourable unto men of Ingenuous spirits.

And if to this thou wouldest but add the sowing of Ker∣nels, or planting Crab-tree Stocks here & there in all your Hedg-rowes, and grasting of them, and preserving them precisely til they come to Trees, how gallantly would this good Land nourish them? what a benefit might the fruit of these Trees yeeld either in Perry or Sider, to be transpor∣ed into other parts, or else to relieve our poor at home? of which were there plenty this dear year, one third part of the Mault of this Nation might be saved, and so that Bar∣ley be for Bread; But more of this in his proper place, which I shall present thee with, as an admirable Piece of Improvement of it self upon any Lands it is capable to be made, as a new Addition in Orcharding Improvements.

Here two or three words more to shew the great Pre∣judice men suffer for want of these Plantations when they make divisions or separations in their Lands by new Quick-setting it.

When men have planted the Quick, they conceive then they have don, nor observing perhaps neither to plan•• it in

the Over-most and Fattest Earth, nor for to Root all their Sets in the best Mould, nor when they have done, to preserve it from Sheep and Cattell, nor Mould it, Weed it, Hedg it, and secure it as it shall stand in need, for three, four, or five of the first yeares, All which were it done upon all Oppor∣tunities, No man almost in the Nation would be either at want of Firing, or Timber, especially were all such Fields, Marshes, Heaths, and Commons thus separated and divided; all which are fecible and might be done with great profit to all, and prejudice to none. I am ashamed to speak so much in these so easie and wel-known wayes of Husbandry, but that there is so much neglect thereof, as if men minded more their own and Publique Confusion, and Ruin, than Profit and Advancement; Some will cast Banks and Ditches for separation, and plant no Quick at all in them, and so destroy as much ground as if they Quick-set it, and spoyl the ground to no advantage; and others will Quick-set and never Fence it, Weed, nor Mould it, and so it either perisheth at first, or else groweth dwindled, lean, and barren, not worth any thing; or else suffer it to be bitten, or eaten with Cattell, or else stifled with cutting or plashing before it is ripe or ready, that it comes to no thickness, growth, or fruitfulness; In all which were there but a little Patience, and Addition of a little more cost and paines, there would not be one foot of ground more lost, but a double or treble Advantage raised upon it in few yeares, and ever after, with no other Husbandry continued, but ever bring in double profit for the charge bestowed, As in the cutting, plashing, scouring of the Hedges, which payes his cost bestowed, and sometimes double and treble, and if it be a Hedge curiously preserved, and cut just in his ripest season, before it begin to die i'th' bottom, and have in it either good store of great Wood, or Fruit-Trees planted among, the profits may aris•• to much more than is here spoken of.

CHAP. XVII.

Wherein I proceed to a second sort of Land, somewhat Inferiour to the former, wherein is discoursed the destruction of the Rush, Flag, and Mare-blab, altering the Coldness of Nature, and the preventing the standing Winters Water, and destroying Ant and Mole-hills, &c. All which are most incident to this se∣cond sort of Land.

THis which I call a second sort is our mid∣ling Land (I delight in plainess, and avoyd all Language darkning the plainest sense, or whatsoever may occasion myste∣riousness, or confusion in the reading or practice) so that this middle sort of Lands, as aforesaid, is all such Lands that are betwixt the value of twenty shil∣lings per Acre, and six shiliings eight pence per Acre, which sort of Lands as they lye under a capacity of the greatest Improvement, I have handled them at large in the fore∣going Discourse, especially under the four first Pieces of Improvement.

But as they lye under a Capacity of a moderate and less Improvement, fall here to be discoursed; and although I call it a moderate Improvement, yet being well Husbandred, ac∣cording to the subsequent directions, may produce a dou∣ble increase, and some far more, and some less, but in all a considerable advantage, enough to encourage to the prose∣cution.

And possibly some of these Lands may be of the richest,

and first sort naturally, but by some Improvidence or ill Husbandry being degenerate are faln under this second, and that where the Rush either hard or soft prevaileth, or else where the Land lyeth so flat, cold and moyst, that the Flag or Mar••-blab thriveth, I shall here onely apply one remedy for the removall of them all, to avoid Tediousness, which is most naturall thereto, and cannot fail being punctually ob∣served, and that is a way all men use already, though to little purpose, which is to indeavour Drayning of the same; as you shall see in most mens Lands, both Pasture and Common, ••ull of Tren∣ches as they can hold, to their great cost, and loss of abundance of good Land devoured in the Trenches, Heaps, and banks, they make, and yet all is of little use, the Rush as fruitfull, and the Land as cold as formerly in comparison. Therefore I shall advise far less Trenching, and yet produce more soundness; I say then, as I have often said, seek out the lowest part of thy Land, and there make either a large Trench or good Ditch, or be it but the old one well scoured up (if there be one) to such a Depth as may carry away that water or Corruption that feeds the Rush, or Flag, from every other upper Trench thou shalt see cause to make, and so ascend to any part of thy Land where these offences are, carrying with thee one Master Trench to re∣ceive all thy less Draines, along with thee, and there make a Drain (yea all thy Draines and Trenches) so deep (for I prescribe no certain depth) as to that Cold spewing wa∣ter that lyeth at the bottom of the Rush, or Flag, which al∣way either lyeth in a Vein of Sand and Gravell mixed, or Gravell or Clay and stones mixed, as aforesaid, and thence will issue a little water, especially making thy Trench half a foot, or one Foot deeper, into which will soak the Rushes food, which being laid Dry and Drayned away cannot grow, but needs dye and wither.

It is impossible without going to the bottome to do any good; Our own experience shews it, and so the depth may be two Spades gra••t or more, however to the bottom thou must go, and then one Trench shall do as much good as twenty, alwaies curiously observing that thy Trenches

run in the lowest part of thy Ground, and through the Coldest and most quealiest parts of thy Lands, and for the manner of making the same, and further Direction therin, I shall refer thee back unto the second Piece, the seventh Chapter, where I have spoken something to most of the a∣foresaid Passages.

But if thy Land lyes upon a Flat or upon a Levell, and have many great wide Balks, of which there wil be no end of Trenching or Drayning, I must then assure thee it is to little purpose, yet art not left remediless, for this insuing direction will not fail, and will bring profit with it to pay for curing also, which is a moderate Plowing, Ridging all thy Balks, raising and Landing all thy Flats, gaining them as high as possibly thou canst, Plow all, and leave none, and do this three yeares together, and observe such former Di∣rections as are contained in the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth Chapters in the third Piece of Improvement; And by the blessing of God expect the issue promised, It will lay Land sound and dry, more warm and healthfull than for∣merly, destroy the Rush, and many other Annoyances be∣yond Expectation.

I have been forced to be more large, & to speak twice to one thing, because of the suitableness thereof unto these Lands, but especially because I cannot speak enough to make some to understand it, nor others to set upon the Pra∣ctise, and more especially because the Reader may miss the reading of it in the former part, unless he take the paines as few do deliberately to read the whole; Therefore if thou wilt forgive this fault, Ile mend the next.

As for the Mole-hils, so great an Enemy to the Husband∣man, and Grazier, there is so much Experience made for their Destruction, that almost every Ingenuous man is grown a Moal-catcher in many parts, and that is a certain way, & yet in many parts men are Slothful, that because all their Neighbours wil not kil them, therfore they wil not, so they suffer their Land one third part to be turned up; There is a Law to compell men to Ring their Swine, to prevent their Rooting, it were more advantage to the Cō∣mon-Weal,

a severe Law were made to Compell all men to keep the Moal from Rooting; for he destroyes abundance of Grass he covers with the Mould, and Corn he throws up by the Roots, which utterly perisheth, Spoyls the M••w∣ers work and Tools, and raiseth Balks in Meads, and Pastures, besides the work he makes the Husbandman to spread some of them, the Cost whereof, were it but bestowed in Moal-killing, would prevent the aforesaid losses. And although I can make no new Addition to the Moales De∣struction, there being so many Artists with the Moal••staff, Tines, and Traps of severall Sorts, of all which I commend the Pot-trap set in a Bank, or Hedg-sow, which wisely Set and Planted at all times, but especially in the naturall Sea∣son of Bucking time about March, will destroy them insen∣sibly; Onely one thing more punctually observed in the time of breeding, will make such a Rout among them, which thy self or any ingenuous man may do, as is not credible; one Spring at or about March, one Moal-catcher and his boy, in about ten dayes time in a ground of ninety Acres being just laid down from Tillage, took me as was verily conceived three bushell of old and young, they were not to be num∣bred most of them being young and naked, and this he onely did by casting up their nests, which are alwaies built in a great heap of a double bigness to the rest, most easily dis∣cerned, and then immediatly the old ones would come to look their young which he would snap up presently also. Yet I desire to speak a word by way of Incouragement to the Ingenuous Husbandman not to suffer so great Disho∣nour to Husbandry, nor so great Prejudice to his Profit, as to suffer (were it possible) one to remain either in Til∣lage, Mead, or Pasture, and if thou have any Opportunity of Water to be brought over any part of thy Land, it will drive them out and destroy them so far as thou canst lead it after them, that thou needest not be in any measure troubled with them in thy Meadows.

CHAP. XVIII.

And for the Ant-hills, more pestilent and Offensive than the former, in some Sorts of Lands.

THere is but a little Addition that I can make to what I spake before of Ant hils destruction; But to quicken thee thereto, I shall be more large, being this is the most proper place: I de∣mand what is the reason that infinite great Pastures all over the Nation are so over-run with them? Unless men Accompt them Vertuous. Indeed some have said, they Increase the Land in quantity, & so they may say with shame; for so they do, but apparently Decrease it in quality, Worth, & Fruitfulness, half some mens Land cove∣red over with them, and what is the fruit of them? They bear plenty of wild Time, Mous-ear, Phins, Moss, and Shar-grase, you shall seldom see a Sheep or Beast bite them, unless for hunger, and then if a Sheep or Beast be cast among them, many times destroyed by them. I would have these men as are so far in love with them, but he intreated to spend a little time to see how his cattell. Pasture upon them in the winter, and how they burn and scorch in Sum∣mer, & but make experience of three or four Acres bank∣ing & the fruit thereof, & never conclude a demonstration by Opinion when experience may so easily resolve the question. For Curing of them, I shall onely direct the old Piece of banking them, but in a more unusuall way, and somwhat more speedily than formerly; yet make a banking Iron or Spade, made very thin or smooth on purpose, a lit∣tle more compass or comming than your ordinary Spades are, & deeper bitted also. A Spade that worketh smooth & clean will further this doubly, and then begin with the crown or top of thy Hills, and so divide thy over Turf in∣to five or six parts, and take down the coat or over turf to

the very bottom of it, the Turf being cut as thinne as possibly thou canst, so thou be sure to go under the Roots of the Grass, else it will not Soard so thick nor speedily, and so turn it down round about the Coar, which taken out, and cast about thy Land so deep, that when thy Turf is turned down, even just as thou tookest it up, even so lay it down every Turf in its place, that the whole compass of the Hill may be rather lower than the Surface of the Ground, and but a very little neither, yet lower it must be, because else the Ant will return more readily again: And secondly, because then it will receive more naturally the Water, or Moysture, which will occasion a more speedy Soarding, and prevent the Pismires return, for the Moy∣sture will not be endured by the old Inhabitants; And this done in the proper season, which is in the end of November, December, Ianuary, and beginning of February, which seasons if thou fail as good neglect them wholly; for thy Earth will neither have benefit of the Frost to mould it, whereby it will be spread with ease, and have some of the Winters rain to settle it into the Ground, nor the Turf have fitting time to sodder and work together before the dry weather comes to parch it; and loosen it again, and so maist lose a great part of that Summers profit which o∣therwise thou maist receive; And if thy Land be clean and and free from Moss, Rush, and other pelf, this will be a sufficient cure as to reducing the Hilliness to Plainess, and thy Land to an exceeding good Improvement; and so here∣in I have no more to say, unless thy Land be over-run with the aforesaid filth; but what is the Burden of my Song, and is the onely and sure Cure of most of the Mala∣dies that occasioneth Barrenness, which is prescribed as a soveraign Remedy (viz.) Plowing according to former directions destroyes them all, & brings meat in the mouth with it, takes away the Fins, and the Mous-ear, the wild Time; and Shar-grass, if used with Moderation, and so I have done with this.

As for the Sow-Thistle, the chief and onely Annoyance of all Thistles (as for other Thistles I scarce know how to

rank them amongst those grand Corrupters, because the o∣pinion of most men are, that they are most certain symp∣tomes of good Land, as usually they are; so are Nettles, Hemlocks, Mallowe, &c.) and yet I had rather they were all destroyed than remain upon my Lands (but because they are of less offence, aud we have greater Prejudices than these, I'll let them pass) but for the Sow-thistle, it is of so great offence that it destroyes all the Grass it covers, which is many times a foot round, and also so easie to be destroyed, that I shall put the Grazier or Farmer upon no o∣ther charge or trouble, but onely take a little Paddle-staff, as a walking-staff, and give each one a chop at the Root as he passeth by them, which will be rather a Recreation to an active man than a burthen, and thus every day a few as they grow in bigness, will in few dayes destroy them all; Or else a Shepherd, or Keeper of the ground, as he walks among his Cattell may easily keep them under, as he goes about his daily business; But since I have found out a more certain way which will destroy them at once spudding up, which being done as soon as the Thistle begins to spread, but they must be done as it were up, by, or under the Root, which lyeth very overly, and if it be not cut at first chop, it may at next by the Root: I had the last year a Field of an hun∣dred Acres so thick over-runne, that some Acres were as thick that one man could not do above half an Acre in a day, I caused them to be spudded up by the Root, which was done at two chops with my Spade, I was not only freed of them the last Summer wholly, but my whole ground is cleansed of them for this year, and so I hope for ever. I be∣lieve the charge thereof was near twenty shillings, or there∣about. A more certain way I know not.

For Goose Tansey or Hoar Tansey like Weed, I must needs make Proclamation, That he that can tell the destru∣ction of it, shall do a very acceptable service; and for my self, I should be very thankfull for the Communication thereof, for I can say no more but this, Never Plow your Land too long, nor out of heart or strength by no means, for this occasioneth it to grow more thick and fruitfully;

and also load your Land hard with Cattell in the Spring, and when it doth grow high and strong, Mow it down a∣bout the end of Midsummer Moon, or in the dryest and hot∣test time of the Summer, but the earlier the better, and other means I can prescribe none other, but in all your Plowings soyl it well with good Dung, and lay it down rich, and full of spirit. I hope some man of Experience herein will help me.

For the destruction of Fearn, I shall prescribe such poor means that thou wilt take offence thereat, yet however, Experience having proved the truth hereof, I will pr••scribe it, viz.

In the Spring, so soon as it begins to grow up a little a∣bove the Grass, while it is young and tender, take a crooked Pole, or piece of Wood about six foot long, and let it c••ook at one end like a Bow, or come like a Sithe, with which thon mayst strike off all the heads of the Fearn, as low as thou canst to the very ground, if thou please to make it with a little Edge thou mayst, but it will do without; And this course thou must take the second time also, as soon as it be∣gins to sprout and grow up again, which may be within three Weeks after the first; And thus having bruised, and broken, and cut off the head the second time, thou shalt see such a destruction wrought, as thou wilt admire, the Reason I cannot possibly conceive other than this; This breaking, cutting, or bruising of the Stalk doth give a kind of Check or Comptroul unto the Sap which is ascending, that it causeth it again to recoyl into the Root, and so suffocates and choaketh the life and spirit of it, that it descends dowu∣ward and dyeth in the Earth; This I am from a very Inge∣nuous knowing Husband informed, which not onely de∣stroyes it the present year, but for the time to come also, who hath made a more large and full experience of the same than my self hath done; But I believe if it prove a very wet Summer, thou must not wholly expect the destruction of it. But in some parts of the Nation where Fuell is very scarce, it wil be thought to be Prejudice by many to destroy it, especially upon Commons where they reserve it for Fuell

on purpose, and is a very great help to poor for Firing; yet whether in those very places it be so good as an Acre of Grass I question, but there are other parts where it is little worth, & some places not worth getting, yet it is the ruin and destruction of all the Grass it groweth over, for whose sakes I have spoke thus much, and an••sure in most parts it a most pestilent weed.

CHAP. XIX.

Treates of the destruction of Goss, Broom, Brakes, &c. and how to Improve ordinary Lands by Planting Fruit; and shews how to preserve Corn from Blasting, and from Crows and Vermine, and gives a Description of the Water Persian Wheel.

AS for your Goss, Broom, Braking, &c, which in some places wehre Fuell is very scarce, and the ground very bad, to prescribe a Cure is lit∣tle Advantage: but where either Land is good natured Land, or Broom and Goss of little value; or else where men desire to Improve their Land to the utmost worth it can be raised to, it would be worth en∣tertainment: But to give a perfect Cure thereof without considerable Cost bestowed upon it I know none; The best means for that, is to cut it in the hottest and dryest time of Summer, when the Sap is drawn clean forth of the Root, and many times this will destroy it.

But if thou wilt be a good Improver thou mayst destroy it utterly, and treble the value of thy land in the doing of the same; which is this.

When thou hast cut thy Broom, thy Goss, Ling, or

Braking, it matters not at what season; Then Plow thy Land, and make a Fallow of it if thou please; or other∣wise, take as many Crops as thou pleasest, more or fewer, all is one to this purpose, so as thou be sure to Plow thy Roots up clean, and then Manure thy Land with what Com∣post thou canst get, for I believe if thy Land be made Rich and fruitfull with any sort of Soyl whatsoever, it will in a great measure mend it; But without doubt if thou either Marl it well, or chalk it very well, and afterward Muck it very well, to mollifie, and loosen, and open the Earth; or Lime it well, or Mud it well, and afterward Muck it over with good Cow or Horse Dung, or any other good Soyl, as House or street Muck, it will not onely Improve it, but destroy any of these offences, or any other whatsoever that naturally ariseth from Barrenness or Coldness; possibly once Manuring may not do it, nor indeed canst thou ex∣pect so great an Improvement with so little cost; because I reckon not that any charge or cost thou expendest whilst thou hast it under Tillage, for that brings in thy charge a∣gain in thy Crop, & so not to be put upon this Accompt; but that which thou bestowest upon thy last Crop, for the last Crop I would advise thee to Manure to purpose, and so soon as thy Crop is got Manure it again, for it will also bring in thy charge in the Crop of Grass also; and again, whilst thy Land is young and tender, for at this season will one load of Soyl do as much as two when thy Soard begins to grow Tough; yea as much as three, when it grows Mossy, Rushy, Filthy.

This is a most certain Conclusion which I have ever main∣tained, and proved by Practice, Ever to lay on Soyl that first Winte after Corning, and at one good Soyling have raised an excellent sweet Soard the very first year, full as good again as it was before upon the old Soard: And this gallant Advancing-way shall certainly destroy both Bryars, ••raking, Fearn, (Goo••-Tansie also if an thing will do it) Goss-Ling-Heath, or any thing else whatsoever occasioneth Unfruitfulness, and work an Improvement above what is Expected. This way of destroying Broom, Goss, Brak∣ing,

or any such filth, would be of great esteem, had it been held out of it self under specious pretences of rare discove∣ry as some can do, but I am confident it is an unfailing re∣medy, and will certainly destroy the pelf as it inriches the Lands, and though many devices may be found out, or strong conceits raised to do the same, yet at present I know none so certain nor so profitable.

There is another opportunity of Improving almost any sort of Sound Land, of which I gave a touch in the last Chapter, Treating of the way of Improving the best sort of Lands, of which it is most capable,

That is, by Planting all sorts of Fruit-Trees in all your Divisions, and Hedg-rowes, where they shall not Preju∣dice one foot of Land, and where they may grow as pro∣sperously as in an Orchard, if you will but wisely manage them.

The Cost or Charge of this Improvement is as easie as any that can be made, if you will cast it into a Method:

That is, when you make any Partition in your Lands, which I know you will not without a Quick-set Hedge, in which in every twenty yards you may Plant a Crab-Tree stock as well as a Thorn, onely in setting of it be carefull of Moulding it plentifully with the best Mould you can get, For that is the main Piece in Planting as I conceiee: To lay a good Foundation in every thing, prepares for a good Superstruction; So that if the Root be Nourished from the Earth, the Root will feed both Bough and Branch more plentifully: Therefore though thy Land be naturally Barren, yet make that place all round about thy Stock a good compass, as good as thou canst, with good mellow Mould, and that which smelleth well in Digging is Fruitfull, containing the juyce of Vegetables already pre∣pared.

The Tender Mellow Earth is between the two Extremes of Clay and Sand, and must needs be best: And thus having Planted thy Stock in good Earth, thy work is half done, if thou do but now and then renew the same, that is, almost at it were, take up thy Tree again, or else get well under

the Roots, and so apply fresh Mould to them while they are Young and Tender: And this will cause it to Thrive with∣out measure, and put forth a gallant Smooth Bark, which it ever a Sign of a Thriving Tree: So that be but a little carefull in the choosing thy Graft; both for it self and the Fruit of it, and then after Grafting have but patience in preserving of it a few years, and here is all the Cost Requi∣red.

The Improvement may be wonderfull, if men would but Plant their Grounds as in many Countries they do; as in Worcestershire, Hereford, and Glostershire, and great part of the Country of Kent, they use▪ Every Hedge-row is full of Fruit, and some men plant, whole Fields over, every thirty yards asunder, whereby they reap a Couple of Harvests, One of Grass or Hay, and another of Fruits.

O that I might but be a Remembrancer to this poor Nati∣on, of the many opportunities of Honour, Wealth, and Glo∣ry, it is Capable of, and that I could but perswade its Natives to take hold thereof, and deliver the Earth of those advan∣tages it is so big withall: Judge the rest by this One Poor Piece; Were all men but industrious herein, how might the very fruit that might be raised in this Nation almost relieve it in such a year of Scarcity as this is like to be? If it would not be bread to the Poor, as it might be in some measure, I am sure it would be Drink, and how much Barley would that preserve to Bread-Corn that is now turned to Mault? Yea, had this very year been but kindly, and a Plentifull Fruit-year, what a great help would it have been to Eng∣gland? And might not England, had it been but generally as Ingenuous as some Members of it are, we might have had twice as much Fruit as now we have.

But certainly we are afraid lest Plenty should be our Ruin, or else all men that Study so much to get Estates at second hand, Each from other, would rather strive to gain it at first hand Out of the Earth, the True mother, in whose Bowells is more Wealth than ever will be drawn forth, and enough to satisfie (whether theirs is or no I know not) I am sure all Ingenuous men desire it, that so they may be as

the Midwife to deliver the Earth of it Throws, it will send forth enough, if thou wilt but lay an Egge in the Sand of the Earth, 'twill bring it forth: Help the Birth, be the Man-Mid∣wife (who is never in use but in greatest need) Need and Mi∣sery is likely to be greater than is expected; Yea, I fear than hath been of many yeares; If God work not above man, And man work not now with God, by all Prudentiall means whatsoever. And so much, and no more be said of Planting Fruit-trees at present, untill I have gained more Time therefore, and Experience therein.

And now I resolve to speak no more of any more wayes of Improvement here; but onely One word of Preserving that We have already, and 'tis but onely to Direct a word or two how to keep Corn from Blasting, and Seed from Vermine.

For Blasting is one of a Kingdomes Curses, And therfore to Prescribe naturall, absolute, unfailing Remedies in all Places and at all Times, is beyond my skill, yet one Unfai∣ling Remedy there is, also the Removall of this, so it is the Removall of all Causes or Occasions of Barrenness what∣ever, And that is sinne, the Root that brings forth all: First brought forth the Curse, and ever since the fruit thereof: The onely Cure thereof is our Lord Jesus set upon the Pole, he must damn the Curse for us, and in us, and we by look∣ing up to him, and our Application of himself to us, Mour∣ning over him, and humbling our Soules before him; Hereby must we be made Sensible of the Removall hereof, by which, and by no other meanes it is Removable.

But the naturall Helps as usually are Applied, are the Soaking or Steeping Corn in thick fat water, or Lime-Wa∣ter, or Urine or Brine, and the Mixing-Lime or Ashes with the Corn while Wet and Moyst, that so it may receive part of Smithon-Meal, finest of the Ashes or Lime upon it self, and Cloath it self with it, so as it may fall cloathed all over to the Earth, and so be covered therewith: This hath been Highly Commended of late as a great Preservation of the Purity of the Corn, and in some-parts of the Chiltern Country, now put into great use, so that instead of their U∣suall

way of changing their seed, which hath been an Old received Principle of great advantage,(and I verily believe is very good Husbandry) now they betake themselves here∣to: Yet however, I would not Dehort but perswade m••n to the other also; Especially those that use to fetch their Seed out of Chiltern into other Parts or Countries of the Fiel∣don, who have found great Advantage by their Constant Change of Seed.

And this is a very good meanes for the preserving of the Corn from Fowl, or Vermine also, which Usually devour one part thereof before it can be covered, the Lime or Ashes sticking to the Corn, offends them so, that they will avoyd it, and though I say it inricheth not the Corn, or Land, no more than what that Substance of Lime or Ashes is, that cleaves unto it; Yet so much it doth, and is help, and a ve∣ry good Help to the bettering of it; Yet not such a Help as some men cry it up to be, as if it were as good as a Manuring, or Soyling, which usually men bestow upon their Land for Wheat; So as I would have no man Under-value the least Opportunity of Advantage any way; So I would not have any man deceive his Land, or himself, for herein conse∣quently the Poor and Common-Weale are beguiled also.

There is one Poor Simple Piece of my own Experience I dare not but Communicate, for the Preserving Early, or Late Sowed Corn, or for preserving it when it begins to Corn in the Ear, from Crowes, Rookes, or Jack Dawes, and this was yet never failable to me since I found it: 'Tis no more, but Kill a Crow or two with thy Gun if thou canst possibly upon the place, where this Vermine haunteth, is not, Kill one any where else, or if thou canst not get a Crow do but take any black Feathers of Crow, Raven, Turkey, Pid∣geon, or any other Fowl, but let them be as black as possibly they can: And them take into thy Field where they Annoy thee, and in the most Obvious, Plain, and Perspicuous pla∣ces, make a great hole of two foot over, and about twenty Inches deep, which Hole must be stuck round about the Edg∣es with the longest feathers, and some of the shortest laid in

the Bottom of the Hole, with some part of the Carkas if thou have a Crow, and that Turf that you dig out of the Hole, or else that Earth being laid round upon a heap, you may stick round with Feathers also; The Feathers of one Crow will dress two or three of these Holes, and about half a dozen or eight of these Holes, will serve for a Field of ten or twelve Acres; Which being done, and made on the high∣est Ground, observe the Creatures, whether they will fall in that Field or no, all the while those Feathers remain fresh, which may be will be a month, unless great store of Rain, or Weather beat them much, and then they must be Rennewed once again, if thou seest need: And if they Annoy that place, or once fall thereabouts, I am much Deceived; I know they will not, you shall see as soon as ever you have made but one Hole, and they take notice of it, how great offence they take, if One Crow but discover it, there is work enough for him to call his Fellows to behold the Wonder, he'll ga∣ther all the Crows thereabouts to behold the same, which they will View with such admiration, as will make you ad∣mire the Creatures astonishment. The Reason is, as I con∣ceive, no more but an Affrightment, or Astonishment, by a New and unexpected Object, or else from that Antipathie they bear, or some misgiving, or fear of being Intrapped themselves, that possesseth them, that they dare not come near the same; Neither Gun-powder which many use to dress a Crow withall, nor constant Shooting of them, or Killing of them, shall not have the like effect; It cleares all the Field of every one to thy hearts desire.

I promised to give a more Full Description of the Persi∣an-Wheel, or Water-Wheel to raise Water out the Stream that Drives it.

And for the more Clear understanding of the Descripti∣on of it, Imagine thou stoodest just before the Face of the Wheel, as it is Plan••d in the River, to View the same as the Water Drives it; but this is of a very Plain Wheel, and as I conceive a better and more Exact one may be Discove∣red.

1. The height of the Wheel may be betwixt fifteen foot

to thirty foot, or more if thou pleasest, according to the strength of thy Water, & the height thou desirest to raise it, made just like an ordinary Under-shoot Mill-Wheel.

2. The breadth of the Sole or Ring of the Wheel may be also according to thy pleasure, from fifteen Inches to thirty Inches broad, Ladleled as other Water-Wheeles are.

3. The Buckets or Kans to take up thy Water, if thy Wheel be about fifteen foot high, may be Six in number, or Eight if thou please.

4. The Buckets to such a Wheel, just so long as the Wheel is broad: The Bucket is made with four boards nayled to a bottom-board: Two sides run upon a strait Line, which are those planted to the Ring of the wheel, and to the Ladle-board, and the other two run towards an Angle-taper, decli∣ning from twelve Inches in the But or bottom, to six Inches at the mouth one way; and from eight at the bottome to four Inches at the mouth the other way; the mouth is open alway.

5. The Buckets fill themselves in the bottom as the Wheel goes, and so lose some of the Water in comming up, & when they come almost to the Top, a Trough about three or four foot long it Planted, as it were in the Ring of the Wheel near the Spoakes of it, and takes the rest of the Water as it delivers it out at the Top, which may be about half the Buckets first take up, out of which Cistern thou mayst ei∣ther in Pumps or Trenches lead thy Water, for Watering a House or Land as thou pleasest, up to that Levell; It matters not how slow thy Wheel goes, nor for any greater fall or height of Dam than will drive thy Wheel, which may be about two foot; It is of very speciall use; So hast thou as Plain a Description as I can give thee, untill thou have the Figure or Form Delineated, which will give more light to the Discovery of it, which shall among other Tooles be Deciphered, with a further Addition of more ease and Ex∣actness in it, than is here Described, if God give an Oppor∣tunity.

Notes

• A second sort of Coarser Land the only Land for Plowing.
• The middle sort of Clay strong Land advanceth it self by Tillage.
• The warm lighter Land advanceth most in Corn to the Com∣monnwealth.
• How to bank Ant-hills most speedily.
• The best way to destroy Rush or cold∣ness in any Pasture
• Moderate Til∣lage must needs advance ••and
• Advance for Plowing, and the old Rent the first year after
• An offer made of making good a Lease after Plowing of old Rent and a great advance in Plowing.
• Stratford upon Avon Presi∣dent.
• Th•• manner how to Plow such L••nds.
• Mow the Ru∣shes.
• Especiall di∣rections for plowing.
• Experiment of Plowing the second sort of Land and the fruits of it.
• A President of the fruit that came of poor Lands worth but nine shil∣lings an Acre.
• To lay open Furrows clear is very good.
• What Hard∣ness and Har∣rowing is most advantagious.
• Over••plow cryed down and reproved.
• Reasons why but three or four yeares are prescribed for Plowing old Pasture▪ Land neither more nor less.
• Last Crop may yeeld most Corn, but worst for the Land.
• To lay down Land upon the Wheat, or Rie Stubble is best, and the rea∣sons of it.
• The way of Sowing Land to be left after to Grass
• Dung laid up∣on the new fresh Turf, works won∣ders.
• When one Load of Manu∣re will go as far as two or three.
• Prov. 12. 11.
• Prov. 28. 10.
• Prov. 13. 23.
• Prov. 11. 16.
• Prov. 13. 23.
• Richst ••or •• of Land.
• Destruction of the best Land is by over-plowing.
• Mowing Land a great Impo∣verishing.
• Moderate Plowing better than unlimit∣ed Mowing.
• Plowing left indifferent up∣on the Richest Lands.
• Divisions of Land advan∣ceth.
• Small Divisi∣ons reproved.
• Plowing the onely Cure of VVeeds.
• Plowing the only Cure a∣gainst Mossi∣ness, Rush & Coldness.
• Object▪
• Against timely Soarding.
• Ans. 2.
• Plowing some Land must be used as a Medicine ••o•• as a Calling.
• VVhat Land it is that may Soard as well the first year to as much profit as before.
• A President of Wheat stub∣ble its speed▪ so Soarding.
• Object.
• Ans.
• A president of fattest Mutton on the newest 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Object.
• Ans.
• Rotting Sheep in new Pastures well ordered may be rate.
• To prevent Rotting in new Tilled Pastures.
• Separations and raising of Quick-set Hedges a gre••t advancement.
• Hedg rowes a thing of de∣light and cre∣dit.
• Reasons why Quick-setting thrives no 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Hedg rows a great help for Firing and Timber.
• Not preserving Quick-sets when planted is ruin to good Husbandry.
• Usuall wayes to kill the Rush Flag, or Mare'-blab.
• Drayning the most naturall way.
• Much Tren∣ching repro∣ved.
• How to find the matter that ••eed the Rush & Flag.
• How to drain Land well where there is no end of Trenching.
• The causes of Moals increa∣sing.
• VVant of a Law for killi••g of Moales a great mischief
• Pot-T••••p chief Engine in Moal De∣struction.
• Destroying the nests destroyes multitudes of them.
• VVater best to destroy Moals.
• Ant-hills De∣struction.
• Object.
• Ans.
• Ant-Hills good to destroy Sheep or Beasts.
• How to bank Ant Hills most speedily.
• Why to lay them lower than the Sur∣face of the Earth.
• Sow-thistle a great annoy∣ance.
• Easiest way to destroy the Sow-thistle
• Goose Tansey
• Fe••rn how••o destroy.
• The reason of Fearns dying.
• Easiest way to destroy Broom.
• Excellentest way to destroy Broom, Goss, Ling, and Braking.
• When one load of Soyl doth as much good as two or three.
• An unsailing way of de∣stroying any filth.
• Planting Fruit-trees in hedges is good hus∣bandry.
• Chief piece in Planting all fruits.
• Best Earth discovered.
• How to reap two Harvests.
• An unfailing way to pre∣serve Corn from Blasting.
• The most usu∣all naturall help.
• A good help to preserve Corn pure.
• To preserve Corn from Fowls and Vermine.
• An unfailing Prevention of Crows Rooks, or Daws from Corn.
• The Reason of the Crows offence taken.
• The fuller Description of the Persian VVheel.