The gentlemans recreation in two parts : the first being an encyclopedy of the arts and sciences ... the second part treats of horsmanship, hawking, hunting, fowling, fishing, and agriculture : with a short treatise of cock-fighting ... : all which are collected from the most authentick authors, and the many gross errors therein corrected, with great enlargements ... : and for the better explanation thereof, great variety of useful sculptures, as nets, traps, engines, &c. are added for the taking of beasts, fowl and fish : not hitherto published by any : the whole illustrated with about an hundred ornamental and useful sculptures engraven in copper, relating to the several subjects.

CHAP. II. [ 30]

Of Meadow and Pasture-Grounds and how to Improve them by En∣closures, Draining, and over∣flowing by Engines. As also by Manuring and feeding them; with [ 40] the great benefit arising by the Trefoyl, Sainfoyn, and Clover-Grass, shewing their nature and for what Ground most fit.

Of ENCLOSVRES. [ 50]

ENclosing of Land brings a very great bene∣fit to the Husbandman, and that in several respects.

First, It ascertains every Mans just Proportion of Land. Secondly, It prevents abundance of Trespasses and Injuries between Neighbour and Neighbour. Thirdly, It gives great advantage for several sorts of Improvement, as planting the Hedgrowes with Timber and Fruit-Trees, by enriching it with Crops of Corn, if converted to [ 60] Arable, or by sowing it with some of the new French-Grasses as Sain-foyn, Clover or Lucern; by feeding it with Cattle, or Mowing it for Hay, which Improvements cannot be made in Champain Countreys that are destitute of Enclosures. Fouth∣ly, It is observed that the Crops of Corn are bet∣ter than in open Fields; for if the Hedgrowes are tall, they keep the Land warm, and shelter it from those pinching Winds that destroy much Corn; And the Hedgrows: being well planted with Trees, give good shelter and shadow for Cattle, both in Winter and Summer. Fifthly, The Hedgrows are very profitable, affording Firing and Wood for the making Plough, Carts and the like necessaries; and Sixthly, the Hedgrows are profitable for Mast for Swine, and for Fruit for Sider and Perry. All which reason being so demonstrative, there needs no further Arguments to be laid down or perswasons used for Enclosures. One thing more give me leave to add, that is, En∣closed Grounds are far more pleasant and delight∣ful than the open Champain, and afford more diversion.

In the making of Hedgrows these Cautions are to be observed; Not to plant Trees not natural∣ly agreeing with the Soyl they were removed from; that is to say, not from a rich moist and worm Soyl, into a cold, barren and dry; not to plant them too deep, in the barrenest Earth; To defend them from the external injuries of Cold, Drought, or prejudice of Cattle, which must be by fencing or enclosing them in by an artificial dry Hedge on both sides.

For Hedges the best are Quickset of Whitethorn; and to set them on the flat is far better than on the side, if a dry Bank; as hath experimentally been found: Three Rows are sufficient for a good thick Hedge; the richer the Soyl is, the better will the Quick grow, and the sooner come to perfect∣ion. You must keep them free from Weeds which may be easily done with a Hoe; if the Quick be set exactly in Ranges, and about Nine Inches asunder will be thick enough. The Nursery Quick doth far surpass that which is drawn up out of Woods or Hedgrows, therefore in the Sea∣son when the Haws are ripe, let a sufficient quan∣tity be gathered, and sown in a Bed well prepa∣red in some convenient place in your Nursery, or Garden; after a Years growth they must be set, and if you keep them longer they should be transplanted into Beds, as being sown too thick.

For Marsh or Watery Meadows Quick-set Hedges are not so customary, yet they will grow well on the Banks, and are very serviceable and commodi∣ous to Cattle; the most usual Fences are Willows, Popler and Osiers, being Aquaticks, and are very quick growers, and by consequence greatly pro∣fitable; for tis observed that a Willow and an Oak being set at one time, the Willow will buy a Horse, before the Oak will buy a Saddle.

A Popler is also a quick grower, and affordeth a better Wood than a Willow. The Osiers are cut every Year, and are of great use for divers things about a Country-House, as for Baskets, Hurdles, &c. These, as also the Popler and the Willow, are cut from the Trees sharpned at the points, and so thrust deep into the Ground near the sides of Ditches, to the end they may have the benefit of the moistness of the Water to nourish them. Let the Sets be busht about to keep them from the injury of Cattle for Three or Four Years, and keep them clear from Suckers that will spring out in the Bodies, which hinder their heading.

The best way to set them is in Rows, and at about Five Foot asunder; but the Osiers are to be hrust in the Bancks close to the Water side, and at about 9 Inches distance.

Some are of Opinion, that Enclosures do oc∣casion Mildews and Blastings; but that is a vulgar Error. 'Tis true, Wheat is subject to it, both in Champain and other Countreys, as well as in Enclosures, in Moist Years, and on Rich Grounds. [ 10]

Of Meadow and Pasture Grounds.

MEadow, and Pasture Grounds, are of two kinds, viz. Wet, and Dry: The Wet are properly called Marsh Grounds, being those that are subject to Overflowings, as well Naturally, as Artificially, by the help of Engines. The Dry Meadows are such as are Vplands, and by [ 20] reason of their Enclosures are subject to Improve∣ments by propagating of new Grasses, or Hays; as the Clover, Trefoyl, Sainfoyn, &c. of which in order.

Of Marsh, or Wet Meadow Grounds.

WET Meadows may be considered under three distinct Heads; First, Such as lye near the Banks of Rivers on a Flat, and have the benefit of overflowing by Land-floods: Se∣condly, [ 30] Such that lye near Rivulets, and may be oversflown by stopping the Current, and turning it upon them: And Thirdly, Such Grounds that lye above the Surface of the Wa∣ter, and are overflown by the help of Engines to raise up the Water, and cast it upon them. All which sorts of Ground are very improveable by Overflowing, especially by the first, as leaving a more Fatning Substance behind, so that the charge and trouble of Dunging such Grounds [ 40] may be spared; but for those that cannot be Overflown without the help of Engines, the Manuring is very profitable: for upon such the Water is made use of chiefly in a Dry Season, yet were they Overflown about a Month or five Weeks before Mowing time, the Advan∣tage would be sufficiently found by the great Burthen of Grass, especially if it prove a Dry Season: Also to Overflow them after Hay-Harvest, will produce a Second Crop, or make [ 50] excellent good After-Pasture, recompencing the labour in a Tenfold manner. But by the way of Caution, let not the Water lye on the Grounds, if possible, above Forty eight Hours; for if it lieth too long it Chills the Ground, and doth far more hurt than good. Therefore your Grounds must so be ordered by Rillings, to carry off the Water into Ditches, and those Ditches to convey it into Rivers; and for the better perform∣ing the same, the Bills and Ditches must always [ 60] be kept open, scoured, and in good order.

There are several sorts of Engines to be used for the Overflowing of Grounds, as the Persian-Wheel, so called, as being there first used, and is now very common in Italy, Spain, and France, and draws up great quantities of Water. This Engine is to be placed near the Banks of Rivers.

But although this Invention, as indeed the Wind-Mill Engine, and some others, are of good use; yet of late Years there are other of far more worth and excellency for this purpose, Invented by that Ingenious Gentleman, Sir Sa∣muel Moreland; and which are exposed to Sale by his Substitutes, especially by one now dwel∣ling in Southampton Buildings, London, where you may make choice of such as are most fit for your purpose.

Rules to be observed in the Overflowing of Grounds.

THe Water being raised to the designed height, let the main Carriage be cut, al∣lowing it a convenient Descent, to give the Water a fair Current all along: Also let the Mouth of the Main Carriage be of breadth rather than depth, sufficient to receive the whole Stream desired, and when you use but a part of the Water, let the Main Carriage grow Narrow by degrees, unto the end the Water may press into the lesser Carriages that comes from the Main.

At convenient Distances, and where the Ground riseth, small Tapering Carriages should be cut proportionable to the distance and quan∣tity of Water, or Land; for although it seemeth to waste Land by cutting so much Turf, yet it proves otherwise, for the more nimble the Water runs over the Grass it is the better, which is occasioned by making many Carriages, and those very shallow.

The Drains must be so made as to carry off the Water the Carriage brings on; for as the lesser Carriages convey the Water to every part of the Land, so must the lesser Drains be made amongst the Carriages in the lowest places, to convey away the Water, which must widen as they run, and the Carriages be lessened, for if the Water be not well drained off, it proves very prejudicial to the Grass; for in the Winter it killeth it, and in the Spring, or Summer, it obstructs its growth, and breeds Rushes and Weeds.

Of Dry Meadows, or Pastures, and the Improvements to be made thereon.

MAny good Meadows are spoiled by being pestered with Ant-Hills, Shrubs, Fern, Broom, or Goss, insomuch that good part thereby is lost, and cannot be Mowed, and that which remains is not so beneficial as if Mown, or Fed together. For the clearing the Ground of such Anoyances, Mr. Platt hath invented an Ingeni∣ous Instrument, which something resembleth a three Tined Dung-Fork, but much larger and stronger, the Stale thereof being like a large and strong Leaver; which Instrument set about half a foot distance from the Root of the Shrub, then with an Hedging Beetle drive it in a good depth, and so force it up by the Roots.

For destroying Ant-Hills, being provided with a sharp Paring-Shovel, divide the Turf on the Top into four parts or quarters, laying them open several ways; then take out the Core, which spread on the Land, and lay the Turf again neatly in its place, but a little hollowing or sinking in, that is, lower than the Surface of the Earth, so that at the beginning of the Winter the Water standing therein will destroy the Re∣mainder of the Ants, and by the Spring settle the [ 10] Turf.

In Cold, Moist, Claiy, Spewy, Mossy, or Rushy Ground, where the Pasture, or Hay is sowr and short, about July, or August, cause the Turf to be pared off and burnt, as hereafter shall be directed, and Plow it up; and in the Spring let it be Sown with Hay-Dust, or with Corn and Hay-Seed mixt together, which will cause a great fertility, and alter the Nature of the Ground. [ 20]

The best Season for Dunging of Meadows is in December, January, and February; for in these Pluvial Months the Fatness of the Soyl will be washed to the Roots of the Grass, before the Sun drieth it away; and for the breaking the Clods use a large Wad of Bushes, to draw over the Ground with a Horse in the nature of an Har∣row; and what Stones are in the Dung cause to be gathered off the Ground, for they do not only hinder the growing of the Grass, but en∣danger [ 30] the spoiling the Scyth in the Mowing it.

For such Grounds that are Sandy, Hot, and Dry, the best Manuring is Marl, Chalk, Lime, or the like Cold Soyls: and for Cold, Rushy, Spewy, and Mosly Lands, use Ashes of Wood, Turf, or Sea-Coal; also Pigeons Dung, and all Hot and Sandy Soyls; and betwixt these two Extreams, viz. Hot and Cold, the common Dung made by Horses and Cattle may be bestowed upon the [ 40] Grounds betwixt both.

Of the several kinds of Grass, and Hay. CLOVER GRASS.

THere are several sorts of Clover, but the best is that which is brought from Flan∣ders, and bears the great Red Hony-Suckle, having a small Seed about the bigness of [ 50] Mustard Seed, and the best is of the greenest yellow Colour.

The best way to Sow this Seed, is to mix it with Ashes, Sand, fine Dust, or the like, that will help to fill the Hand, the Seed being so small, and therefore not so well to be Sowed of an exact thickness in all places of it self; yet good Seedsmen will do it well alone, and then it is best: Also observe in Sowing it, to chuse good Calm Weather. [ 60]

The Season to Sow it is in the beginning of April, or latter end of March, if it be likely to prove a Dry Season; and you must allow to an Acre about a Gallon, or Nine or Ten Pound; some say less, but you had better over than under Seed it. The Land must be brought to a good Tillage, then Sow first your Corn, causing the Ground to be well Harrowed, and then the Clover-Seed, Harrowing it with a Bush to cover it over with Earth; for if you should do it with Harrows, the Corn would be raised up, and so spoil the Crop. Be sure to be provided with good New Seed, otherwise your Crop will be but indifferent, and there is great Deceit used in it by many Seedsmen.

This Grass is said to be so profitable, that it will produce three or four Crops in a Year, that is, three to Mow, and one to Feed; the first Crop may be cut in Mid May, which should be Cut green, and before the Stalk begins to grow too big, as also too Dry and Wither, unless it be kept for Seed, and then it must be quite Ripe, otherwise the Seed will be hard to Thresh out. Now for your Directions to know when it is Ripe, the Stalks will Dye, and turn of an yel∣lowish Colour; but if you intend any for Seed, the best is the second Crop, about July: when the Seed is Threshed out, the Straw is good for little except the Fire.

Some are of Opinion, that the Clover will grow on any Barren Ground; but by Experi∣mental Knowledge it is found otherwise, and that the Richer and Better the Ground is, the better will be the Clover; therefore Sow it not upon Heathy Barren Ground.

As to the Profit made of Clover Grass, an Acre of Ground (after the First Year, if it be well Husbanded, and good kindly thick Clover) may be worth Fifteen, or Twenty Pounds per Annum; for the two next Years, and as it degene∣rates and becomes weaker, is less Worth, nor vvill it last above five Years. An Acre (if Fed) vvill keep four Cows all the Year at Pasturage, vvhich is a great Advantage. After the Strength of the Clover is gone, vvhich vvill be after four or five Years, the Ground vvill be very fit and good for Corn for two or three Years, and then it may be applyed for Clover again. It is not to let Cattle that are not used to this Food, to eat too liberal of it at first, for it being so sweet and luscious vvill Surfeit them; so that the best vvay is to Cut it, and give it them in Racks, as they do in Flanders. It is also good Food for Hogs, and will make them Fat.

An Acre of Clover may produce three or four Bushels of Seed, and about three Pecks is a good Days Work to Thresh.

SAIN-FOIN.

THe Soyls proper for this Grass are Barren, Dry, Stony Ground, hardly fit for Corn, or Grass; but all Clays, and other Cold, Wet Grounds, bear it not. There is such great Im∣provement made by this Seed, that Grounds not vvorth 2 s. an Acre, may be made worth 30 or 40 s.

The Seasons for Sowing it are in Autumn, from the beginning of August until the end of Sep∣tember; and in Spring, from the beginning of February until the end of March: And the Ear∣liear it is Sown in either Season, the better it is.

'Tis a large and light Seed, and there must be Sowed four Bushels to an Acre.

In Autumn the Tillage must be as if for Wheat fine Plowed, and also as vvell Harrowed; and then Sow it, and Harrow it again to cover the Seed. In Autumn it must be always Sowed alone vvithout Grain; but in Spring vvith Oats, or Barley, Sowing the Corn but thin. In Spring the Husbandry must be the same in all respects as for Summer Corn, and Sown as before directed. [ 10]

Nevv Broken Ground can't be Sown vvith it; but if the Ground be presently turned up after the Crop is off, and vvell Harrowed, it may be fit to Sow the Spring following.

The Ground sowen with this Seed, must be well fenced in, and secured from Cattle the first Year; the second Year it may be Mowen, and fed about Alhallontide, but when the Weather is wet, the Cattle should be taken out for fear of Spoiling the Roots until they be strong, which [ 20] will be the third Year; and if it be not of a sufficient growth to Mow the second Year, (as sometimes it will not,) then feed it, observing the former caution not to let the Cattle too much trample it, until the third Year. But always after (as long as it lasts which may be thirty Years) it may be either Mown or Fed at pleasure, without any Emendation of Dung. But it is best to be sometimes Mown, and sometimes Fed; when it is designed to be Mown, it must be laid in about Our Lady Day; and [ 30] it will be fit to Mow in the middle of May, when it begins to Flower: It is made in all respects as other Hay, and is very good for all Cattle (ex∣cept Sheep) as being too gross for them, breed∣ing store of Milk; and in the Winter Season 'tis good for Sheep.

TREFOIL, or NONSVCH.

THis Grass is of that Nature to grow upon [ 40] the poorest Land that is; and although quite worn out by frequent Tillage, yet will pro∣duce good and profitable Crops of Grass, and all Land naturally kind for Corn, and unkind for Grass, is kind for Trefoil.

The Pasture is very good for Cattle, especial∣ly for Cows, causing great Increase of Milk; and the Hay is as Nourishing and Fatning, provided it be Mowed and made in good Season, whilst it is full of Yellow Blossoms, and not over-dryed, [ 50] being soon made; and then it will not lose its colour, nor shrink in making as the Clover-grass doth, being much siner and greener. It is also exceeding good for Ews and Lambs, it being a sound feeding, and free from Rotteness; nor is it subject to Surfeit the Cattle as the Clover; and therefore it is very good for preventing this mis∣chief, to mix in the Sowing one Moity of this Seed with another of Clover, which doth thrive very well together, and affords both good Hay, [ 60] as well as Pasturage.

The Trefoil will endure much longer if it stand not for Seed, for that is Destructive to the Root, and the Sap is gone that should nourish it; be∣cause it must be cut late, and in the Heat of Sum∣mer, always provided the Ground be Sown with clean Seed, separated from the Husk wherein it grows, otherwise your Expectation will fail in e∣very point; for if it be not, it is impossible to cleanse it from the course and four Grass which mixes with it; and is so destructive to the Tre∣foil, that it will not last half so long; for as the course Grass encreaseth every Year, so the other decreaseth. The next Year after the Corn, it may be either Fed or Mown.

The best Season for Sowing this Seed, either with Oats or Barly, is from Mid-March to the end of April; and it must be Sown after the Corn, as before directed for the other Seeds; and afterwards finely Harrowed, and Rowled. About a dozen pound of Seed is sufficient for an Acre.

Whereas Land that is brought out of Heart by frequent Tillage, produceth Couch-Grass, Twitch and the like Weeds, that are great Enemies to the Corn, and impoverisheth the Land; this Trefoil doth enrich the Ground, and prepares it for Corn, destroying the Couch-Grass, and the like Weeds if it be kept Mowed, and Plowed again before the Trefoil be decayed, and other Grass grow up in the Room; and will likewise bear far better Corn than before: And when it is again worn out, will bear good Trefoil as before.

La LVCERNE.

FOr Sowing this Seed, observe the same Me∣thod in ordering the Ground as for the other Seeds. It must be sown about the Middle of A∣pril, and some Oats may be sown with it, but not so great a proportion as with other Seeds. The Land must be well dressed, and at least three times fallowed. It may be Mown twice every Year, and Fed all the Winter; The Hay if well made and ordered, is very good for all kind of Cattle; especially for Horses; and is good to fat store Cattle. It must be give with Caution at the first, as directed for the Clover, for fear of Surfeiting, so that it is best to be mixed with Straw, or Hay. An Acre will serve three Hor∣ses all the Year at Pasturage; and will soon raise them to Flesh, and make them Fat.

If it be Mown but once a Year, it will hold ten or twelve Years, but if twice a Year not so long.

There are several sorts of other Grasses, but these being the chief I shall omit the rest, only to say that Hop Clover, Trefoil, or Three Leaved Grass are both finer and sweeter than the great Clo∣ver-Grass, and will grow in any Ground. They may be Sown with Corn as before directed, or with∣out, or being Sprinkled in Meadows will much mend the Hay, both in Burthen and Good∣ness.