Systema agriculturæ, the mystery of husbandry discovered treating of the several new and most advantagious ways of tilling, planting, sowing, manuring, ordering, improving of all sorts of gardens, orchards, meadows, pastures, corn-lands, woods & coppices, as also of fruits, corn, grain, pulse, new-hays, cattle, fowl, beasts, bees, silk-worms, &c. : with an account of the several instruments and engines used in this profession : to which is added Kalendarium rusticum, or, The husbandmans monthly directions, also the prognosticks of dearth, scarcity, plenty, sickness, heat, cold, frost, snow, winds, rain, hail, thunder, &c. and Dictionarium rusticum, or, The interpretation of rustick terms, the whole work being of great use and advantage to all that delight in that most noble practice.

CHAP. III.

Of Meadow and Pasture Lands, and the several ways of their Improvements, either by watring or drowning; or by sowing or propagating seve∣ral sorts of extraordinary Grasses or Hays, &c.

MEadow and Pasture Lands are of so considerable use and ad∣vantage to the Husbandman, that they are by some prefer∣red above Arable, in respect of the advantage they bring annually into his Coffers, with so little Toil, Expence and Hazard, far ex∣ceeding in value the Corn Lands; and of principal use for the Encrease and Maintenance of his Gattle, his better food, and the chiefest strength he hath for the Tilling and Improving his other Lands: Meadow and Pasture Lands are generally of two sorts; Wet or Dry; the Wet Meadows are such, that the Water over∣flows or drowns at some times of the year; under which term we shall comprehend all such Meadows, or other Lands that are ar∣tificially watred or over-flown, or that are under that capacity of Improvement. The Dry Meadows or Pastures are such that are not over-flown or watered by any River or Stream, under which we shall comprehend all such Inclosures or Severals that lie warm and in a fertile Soil, yielding an annual burthen of Hay or Grass, or that are capable of Improvement, by sowing or propagating of new Grasses, Hays, &c. or other ways of Improvement.

SECT. I. Of the Watring of Meadows.

Of Wet Meadows or Land under that capacity of being over-flown or watred, there are several sorts.

First, Such Meadows that lie generally flat on the Banks of great Rivers, and are subject to the over-flowing of such Rivers in times of Land-floods only.

Secondly, Such Meadows that lie near to lesser River or Streams, and are capable of being drowned or watered by divert∣ing such River, or some part thereof out of its natural Current over the same.

Thirdly, Such Meadows or Lands that lie above the level of the Water, and yet are capable of Improvement by raising the Water by some artificial ways or means over them.

All which sort of Meadows or Lands under those capacities are very much improved by the Water over-flowing them, as every Country and place can sufficiently evidence and testifie,

—Humida Majores herbas alit.—

Neither is there scarcely any Kingdom or Country in the World, where this is not esteemed an excellent Improvement. How could Egypt subsist, unless Nilus did annually Fertilize its Banks by its Inundation? Several other Potent and wealthy Countries there are in those African and Asian Territories, whose richest and most Fertile Lands are maintained in their Fertility by the Sediment of the over-flowing Waters.

—Huc summis liquuntur rupibus Amnes Felicemque trahunt limum.

But these are Natural; yet are not some Countries without their Artificial ways of advancing this ponderous Element to a very considerable Improvement, as Persia, Italy, &c. abound with most ingenious ways for the raising of the water, as well for their Mea∣dows as other necessary uses.

On the Banks and Borders of our great Rivers and Currents, are the most and richest Meadows, consisting generally of a very good fat Soil, as it were composed of the very Sediment of the Water overflowing the same, after great and hasty Rains: such Mea∣dows are capable of very little Improvement, especially those that border on the greater Rivers, as Thames, Severn, Trent, Ouse, &c. uncapable of obstruction at the pleasure of the Husband∣man.

Yet where such Meadows lying on the borders of great Rivers are of a dry and hungry Soil, and not frequently overflowed by Land-floods, may Artificial Works be made use of for the raising the water over the same, to a very considerable advantage: where∣of more hereafter in this Chapter.

Other Meadows there are, and those the most general in Eng∣land, that border on the lesser Rivers, Streams, &c. and in many places are overflown or drowned by diverting the Water out of its natural and usual Current over them: This is of late become one of the most universal and advantageous Improvements in Eng∣land within these few years, and yet not comparable to what it might be advanced unto, in case these several Obstructions were removed that impede this most noble and profitable Improve∣ment.

First, The several Interests that are in Lands bordering on Ri∣vers, hinder very much this Improvement, because the Water can∣not be brought over several quantities of Land under this capa∣city, but through the Lands of ignorant and cross Neighbours, who will not consent thereunto (although for their own advan∣tage also) under unreasonable terms; and some will not at all: others are not by the Law capacitated for such consent (as we noted before concerning Enclosures.)

Secondly, That great and pernicious impediment to this Im∣provement, Mills standing on so many fruitful Streams, prohibi∣ting the Laborious and Ingenious Husbandman to receive the

benefit and advantage of such Streams and Rivers, carrying in their bowels so much Wealth into the Ocean, when the Mills them∣selves yield not a tenth of the profit to the Owners that they hin∣der to their Neighbours, and their work may as well be perform∣ed by the Wind as by the Water; or at least the Water improved to a better advantage, by facilitating the Motion of the Mill; whereof more hereafter.

Thirdly, Another grand Impediment is the Ignorance of the Countrey-men, who in many places are not capable of apprehend∣ing neither the Improvement, nor the cause thereof: But because some certain Neighbours of theirs had their Land overflown a long time, and was little the better, therefore will they not under∣go that charge to so little purpose; or because they are common∣ly possessed with a foolish opinion, that the Water leaves all its fat∣ness on the Ground it flows over, and therefore will not advan∣tage the next; which is most untrue; for I have seen Meadows successively drowned with the same Water, to almost an equal Improvement for many miles together. It is true, the Water leaves its fatness it hath washed from the Hills and High-ways in the time of great Rains; but we finde by daily experience, that Meadows are fertilized by overflowing as well in frosty, clear, and dry wea∣ther, as in rainy, and that to a very considerable Improvement: And also by the most clear and transparent Streams are improved ordinary Lands, that they become most fertile Meadows.

Fourthly, From a greedy and covetous Principle, they suffer the Grass to stand so long on the watered Meadows, that it is much discoloured and grown so hawmy, and neither so toothsom nor wholesome, as that on unwatered Meadows; which brings an ill name on the Hay; which if cut in time would be much better, and in most watered Meadows as good as any other; And the Af∣tir-grass, either to mow again, or to be fed on the place, will re∣pay the former supposed Loss.

The former Impediments may with much facility be removed by a Law, which would be of very great Advantage to the King∣dom in general. The later only by the good Examples and Presi∣dents of such industrious and worthy Persons that understand bet∣ter things; the generality of the world being rather introduced to any ingenious and profitable Enterprise by Example than by Pre∣cept; although some are so sordid and self-willed, that neither apparent Demonstration, nor any convincing Argument whatso∣ever, can divert them from their Byass of Ill-husbandry and igno∣rance: whom we leave.

On the Borders or Banks of most Rivers or Streams, lie several Pieces of Land that are not capable of being overflown by the obstruction or diversion of the Water, without a greater injury than the expected advantage would recompence; which may notwithstanding be improved very considerably, by placing of some Artificial Engine in or near such River or Stream, for the o∣verflowing thereof.

[illustration] Persian wheel

The Persian Wheel.

The most considerable and universal is the Persian Wheel, much used in Persia, from whence it hath its name, where they say there are two or three hundred in a River, whereby their Grounds are improved extraordinarily: They are also much used in Spain, I∣taly, and in France, and is esteemed the most facile and advanta∣geous way of raising Water in great quantity to any Altitude within the Diameter of the Wheel, where there is any current of Water to continue its motion; which a small stream will do, con∣sidering the quantity and height of the Water you intend to raise.

This way, if ingeniously prosecuted, would prove a very consi∣derable Improvement; for there is very much Land in many places lying near to Rivers that is of small worth, which if it were watred by so constant a stream as this Wheel will yield, would bear a good burthen of Hay, where now it will hardly bear Corn.

How many Acres of Land lie on the declining sides of hills by the Rivers sides, in many places where the Water cannot be brought unto it by any ordinary way? yet by this Wheel placed in the River or Current, and a Trough of Boards set on Tressles to convey the Water from it to the next place of near an equal al∣titude to the Cistern, may the Land be continually watred so far as is under the level of the water.

Also there is very much Land lying on the borders of Rivers that is flat and level, yet neither doth the Land-floods overflow the same, or at most but seldom; nor can the water be made by any obstruction thereof, or such-like way to overflow it. But by this Persian Wheel placed in the River in the nearest place to the highest part of the Land you intend to overflow, therewith may a very great quantity of water be raised: For where the Land is but little above the level of the Water, a far greater quantity of Water, and with much more facility may be raised, than where a greater height is required; the Wheel easier made, and with less expence.

There are also many large and flat pieces of Land bordering near unto several Rivers or Streams, that will not admit of any of the aforementioned ways of overflowing or watering, either because the Current cannot easily or conveniently be obstructed, or because such a Persian Wheel may not be placed in the water without trespassing on the opposite Neighbour, or hinderance to others, or the Water not of force sufficient, &c. which places may very well admit of a Wind-engine or Wind-mill erected in such part thereof, where the Winds may most commodiously command it, and where the Land swells above the ordinary level you intend to Water or overflow, though it be remote from the Current or Stream, the water being easily conducted thereto by an open or subterraneal passage from the Stream. Such Wind-mils raising a sufficient quantity of water for a reasonable height for many Acres of Land, must needs prove a very considerable ad∣vantage to the owner, as well for the overflowing thereof, as it hath done to many for the draining large Fens of great quantities of water to a considerable height: Neither is it altogether ne∣cessary that such Land be wholly plain, and open to all Winds; for in Vallies that are on each side defended with Hills, or in such Lands that are on some sides planted with Woods, may such Wind-mills well be placed, where the wind may at some certain seasons perform its work sufficiently, though not so continually as where the place is free to all winds.

Several have been the Inventions of Ingenious men to accom∣plish this designe, and much have they promised to perform;

some by the Horizontal Windmil, and by a Wheel with Buckets or Scoops fixed unto chains; Also by a Wheel carrying the Wa∣ter up in Buckets fixed thereto, and casting the same forceably from it by the swiftness of its motion: Others by the perpetual Screw, which you may finde mentioned or delineated in Mr. Bliths English Improver Improved. But there is none seems to me more feasable, less expensive, of longer continuance without re∣pair or danger of Winds, nor more effectual to raise much Water with little Wind, than Vertical Sails like the ordinary Wind-mills,

[illustration] horizontal windmill

only more in number, and not so long, placed on an Axis of a length proportionable to the length of the Vanes; the one end resting on an Iron fork upon the top of a single post, the other end moveable to several points on a Quadrant of a Circle, that be the Wind which way it will, by only moving the one end of the Axis on the Quadrant, it will be direct to the one or the other side of the Vanes or Sayls. Under the end of the Axis that rests on the single Post, let there be a Pump placed in the Water you in∣tend to raise, the head of the Pump not rising much above the place or passage to convey it away; which Pump may be made of what Diameter you please, according to the strength of your Wind-mil, and height you raise the Water: you may make the

trunk of the Pump round; or if you would have it large, then square may serve as well as round: let the Bucket always dip into the level of the Water, which prevents much trouble and injury to the work: let the handle of the Pump extend in length to the Axis of the Wind-mil, which must be made crooked to receive and move the same, like unto the Axis of a Cutlers Grinding-stone or Dutch Spinning-wheel turned with the foot, which Wind-mill or Engine by any reasonable Gale of Wind will raise a very great quantity of Water (proportionable to its strength and height) with ease; being made for a very small charge, con∣sidering other costly Engines; is composed of very many parts, and therefore requires the less repair, and is the less subject to damage by violent Winds; and is easily managed, and therefore the more sutable to our Country-men, who usually reject any thing, though never so excellent, if it be difficult.

SECT. II. The Principal Rules necessary to be observed in Over∣flowing or drowning of Lands.

When you have raised or brought the Water by any of the aforesaid means to the height you expected, then cut your main Carriage, allowing it a convenient descent to give the Water a fair and plausible Current all along; let the mouth of the main Carriage be of breadth (rather than depth) sufficient to receive the whole Stream you desire, or intend; and when you come to use a part of your Water, let the main Carriage narrow by degrees, and so let it narrow till the end, that the Water may press into the lesser carriages, that issue all along from the main.

At every rising ground or other convenient distances you ought to cut small tapering Carriages, proportionable to the distance and quantity of Land or Water you have, which are to be as shal∣low as may be, and as many in number as you can: for although it seems to waste much Land by cutting so much turf, yet it proves not so in the end; for the more nimbly the Water runs over the Grass, by much the better the Improvement is, which is attained by making many and shallow Carriages.

Another principal observation in Drowning, or Watering of Lands, is to make Drains to carry off the Water the Carriage brings on, and therefore must bear some proportion to it, though not so large; and as the lesser Carriages conduct the Water to every part of your Land, so must the lesser Drains be made a∣mongst the Carriages, in the lowest places, to lead the Water off, and must widen as they run, as the Carriages lessened; for if the Water be not well drained, it proves injurious to the Grass, by standing in pools thereon; in the Winter it kills the Grass, and in the Spring or Summer hinders its growth, and breeds Rushes, and bad Weeds; which if well drained off, works a contrary ef∣fect.

Some graze their Lands till Christmass, some longer; but as soon as you have fed it bare, then is it best to overflow: from Alhal∣lontide throughout the Winter may you use this Husbandry, until the Spring that the Grass begin to be large: during April and the beginning of May, in some places may you give the Grass a little water once a week, and it will prove wonderfully, especially in a dry Spring. In Drowning, observe that you let not the water rest too long on a place, but let it dry in the intervals of times, and it will prove the better; nor let Cattle tread it whil'st it is wet.

In the Summer if you desire to water your Land, let it be in mild or Cloudy weather, or in the night-time, that the water may be off in the heat of the day, lest in scorch the Grass, and you be frustrate of your expectation.

In many places you may have the opportunity to command a small Spring or Stream where you cannot a larger, or may ob∣tain water by the Engines before-mentioned, which may not be sufficient to overflow your Land in that manner, nor so much to your content as the greater Currents may; therefore you must make your Carriages small according to your water, and let there be several stops in them, that you may water the one part at one time, and another part at another: also in such dry and shelving Lands where usually such small Springs are, and water by such ar∣tificial ways advanced, a small drilling water, so that it be con∣stant, worketh a wonderful Improvement.

In some places issue Springs whose waters are sterile, and inju∣rious to the Husbandman, as are usually such that flow from Coal∣mines, or any Sulphureous or Vitrioline Minerals, being of so harsh and brackish a substance, that they become destructive to Vegeta∣bles: Not but that those Minerals, and also those waters con∣tain much of that matter which is the cause, and of the princi∣ples of Vegetation, though not duly applied, nor equally pro∣portionated, as much Urine, Salt, &c. kills Vegetables; yet duly fermented, and artificially applied, nothing more fertile. Such Springs that you suspect, prove them first before you go too far: those that are bad are usually reddish in colour, and leave a red sediment, and shine as it runs, and is not fertile until it hath run far, and encreased it self from other Springs, and gained more fertility in its passage; as we usually observe greater Rivers, though reddish in colour, yet make good Meadow.

SECT. III. Of dry Meadow or Pasture.

Every place is almost furnished with dry Meadows, which are convetible sometimes into Meadows, and sometimes into Pa∣stures; and such places much more where Waters, Springs and Ri∣volets are scarce, or the Rivers very great, or the Country hilly, that water cannot so well be commanded over such Lands as in o∣ther places they may: which dry Meadows and Pastures are capa∣ble of Improvement by several ways.

And principally by Enclosure; for where shall we finde better dry Meadows, and richer Pastures, than in several hilly places of Somersetshire, among the small Enclosures? which not only pre∣serveth the young Grass from the exsiccating Spring-winds, but shadoweth it also in some measure from the Summer-scorching Sun-beams, as before we noted in the Chapter of Enclosure. Such Meadows or Pastures well planted with either Timber or Fruit-trees in the Hedge-rows, or other convenient places, and enclo∣sed in small parcels, will furnish you with good Hay and good Pasture, when your Neighbour whose Lands are naked, goes with∣out it; for dry Springs or Summers more usually happen than wet; besides the shadow for your Cattle, and many other advantages, as before we observed.

In several places where the ground is moist, cold, clay, spewy, rushy or mossie, or subject to such inconveniencies, that the Pasture or Hay is short, sower, and not proveable, it is very good Hus∣bandry to pare off the turf about July or August, and burn the same (after the manner as is hereafter described when we come to treat of burning of Land) and then plough it up immediately, or in the Spring following, and sowe the same with Hay-dust, or with Corn and Hay-dust together; for by this means will that acid Juice that lay on the surface of the Earth, which was of a sterile nature, and hindred the growth of the Vegetables, be eva∣porated away, and also the Grass which had a long time degene∣rated by standing in so poor a Soil, be totally destroyed, and the Land made fertile, and capable to receive a better species brought in the Seed from other fertile Meadows.

It is too commonly observed that many excellent Meadows, or Pasture-land, are so plentifully stored with Shrubs, small Hillocks, Ant-hills, or such like, that a good part thereof is wholly lost, and so much thereof as is mown is but in patches here and there, and that that remains not so beneficial as if it were either mown or sed together. Now the best way or Method of stubbing up such thorny Shrubs, or Broom, or Goss, or any such annoying Shrubs, which proves both laborious and costly any other way than this, is ingeniously delivered by Gabriel Platt: the Instrument by him discovered is like a three-grained dung-fork only, but much greater and stronger, according to the bigness of the Shrubs, &c. the stale thereof like a large and strong Leaver; which Instrument being set half a foot or such reasonable distance from the Root of the Shrub, &c. then with a Hedging-beetle drive it in a good depth; then elevate the Stale, and lay some weight or fulciment under it, and with a Rope fastened to the upper end thereof, pull it down, which will wrench up the whole bush by the Roots. Also Ant-hills prove a very great annoyance to Pa∣sture, and Meadow-lands, which may be destroyed by dividing the Turf on the top, and laying of it open several ways; then take out the core, and spread over the other Land, and lay the Turf down neatly in its place again, a little hollowing in, and lower than the surface of the Earth; and at the beginning of

the Winter the Water standing therein will destroy the remain∣der of the Ants, and prevent their return, and settle the Turf by the Spring, that by this means may a very great Improvement be made of much Meadow or Pasture-land, now a great part thereof Bushes and Ant-hills.

These Meadows and Pasture-lands where the water overflow∣eth not at any time, are the only places where you may lay your dung, or other Manure to the best advantage, it being not capable of being improved by water, nor the Soil laid thereon subject to be carried away, or at least the better part thereof extracted by the water, either casually by Floods, or any other way overflow∣ing the same.

The best time for the Soiling of Meadows and Pasture-lands is in the Winter-season about January or February, that the rains may wash to the Roots of the Grass the fatness of the Soil, before the Sun drieth it away: and dissolve the clots, that may be spread with a Bush drawn over it like a Harrow, before the Grass be too high.

Ashes of Wood, Peat, Turf, Sea-coal, or any other Fewel, is very proper to be laid on Cold, Spewey, Rushey, and Mossie Land (not sandy or hot) and suits best therewith, and agrees with the Husbandry of burning the Turf, as is before advised: the dung of Pigeons, or any other Fowl, works a better effect on that than other Lands; also all hot and sandy Soils are fittest for that sort of Lands.

Lime, Chalk, Marle, or any cold fossile Soils, are an extraor∣dinary Improvement to dry, sandy, hot Lands of a contrary na∣ture or temperature, as well for Meadow and Pasture, as for Corn-Land: I have seen much of the blew Clay, which they call Ʋrry, that's digged out of the Coal-mines, and lies near the Coal, laid on Meadow and Pasture-lands, to a very considerable advan∣tage. Many instances of wonderful Improvements made by mix∣ing of Soils of contrary natures, you may finde in several of our modern Rural Authors.

Between these two extremes, your ordinary dung or Soil is best bestowed on your Meadows and Pastures, not so much inclining either way; for it is a very principal part of good Husbandry to apply the Soil or Compost properly, as the nature of the ground requireth; whereof you may finde more hereafter, in the Chap∣ter of Soils, Dungs, &c.

SECT. IV. Of several new Species of Hay or Grass.

It is found by daily experience, not only in forein parts, but in our own Country, that a very great Improvement may be made on the greater part of our Lands, by altering the species of such Vegetables that are naturally produced, totally suppressing the one, and propagating another in its place, which may rejoyce

and thrive better there than that before, as we evidently see by Corn sowen on Land where hardly Grass would have grown, what a Crop you reap; but these are but Annuals: that which raises the greatest advantage to the Husbandman, is what annu∣ally yields its increase without a renovation of expence in Ploughing and sowing; as we finde in the Clover-grass or great Trefoyl, St. Foyn or Holy-Hay, La Lucern, Spurrey-seed, Trefoyl, None-such, &c. whereof apart.

This Grass hath born the name, and is esteemed the most prin∣cipal of Grass, both for the great Improvement it brings by its prodigious Burthen, and by the excellencie of the Grass or Hay for Food for Cattle, and is much sowen and used in Flan∣ders and in Holland, Presidents to the whole world for good Husbandry.

In Brabant they speak of keeping four Cows Winter and Sum∣mer on an Acre, some cut and laid up for Fodder, others cut and eaten green: here in England they say an Acre hath kept four Coach-horses and more all Summer long; but if it kept but two Cows, it is advantage enough upon such Lands as never kept one. You may mow the first Crop in the midst or end of May, and lay that up for Hay; if it grow not too strong, it will be exceeding good and rich, and feed any thing: then reserve the next for Seed, which may yield four Bushels upon an Acre, each Bushel being worth three or four pound a Bushel, which will amount to the reputed value of ten or twelve pounds per Acre; and after that Crop also it may be fed. It hath also this Property, that after the growing of the Clover-grass three or four years, it will so frame the Earth, that it will be very fit for Corn again, which will prove a very great Advantage, and then again for Clover. Thus far Mr. Blith. Others say it will last five years, and then also yield three or four years together rich Crops of Wheat, and after that a Crop of Oats.

In the Annotations upon Mr. Hartlibs Legacie, we finde several Computations of the great Advantage hath been made by sowing Clover-grass, as that a parcel of Ground, a little above two Acres, the second year, did yield in May two Load of Hay worth five pounds: the next Crop for Seed was ripe in August, and yielded three very great Loads worth nine pounds that year; the Seed was 300 l. which with the Hay was valued at thirty pounds, be∣sides the after-Pasture. Another President is, that on four Acres there grew twelve Loads of Hay at twice mowing, and twenty Bushels of Seed; one Load of the Hay mown in May being worth two Load of the best of other Hay, and the After-pasture three times better than any other; the four Acres yielded in one year fourscore pound. Another, that six Acres of Clover did maintain for half a year thirteen Cows, ten Oxen, three Horses, and twen∣ty six Hogs; which was valued at forty pound, besides the Win∣ter-Herbage.

The aforesaid Presidents and Valuations seem prodigious, un∣less a rich, light Land, warm and dry, be sown therewith, in which

it principally delighteth; and then it may probably answer the said Valuations, and must needs be a very high Improvement, al∣though the Ground were good and profitable before. It will also prosper and thrive on any Corn-land, well manured or soiled, and brought into perfect Tillage. Old Land, be it course or rich, long untilled is best for Corn, and best and most certain for Clo∣ver-Grass; and when you have Corned your Land as much as you intend, then to sowe it with Clover is the properest season: Land too rich for Corn, cannot be too rich for Clover. Poor Lands are not fit for Clover, unless burnt or denshired, as we shall hereafter direct; or limed, marled, or otherwise manured, and then will it bring forth good Clover.

An Acre of Ground will take about ten pounds of your Clover-Grass Seed, which is in measure somewhat above half a peck, ac∣cording to Sir Richard Weston. The quantity of Seed for an Acre Mr. Blith conceives will be a Gallon, or nine or ten pounds; which agrees with the other: But if it be husky (which saves labour in cleansing of it, and also sowes better by filling the hand, than mix∣ed with any other thing) you must endeavor to finde out a true proportion according to the cleanness or foulness you make it: but be sure to sowe enough, rather too much than too little; for the more there is, the better it shadows the Ground: Some have sowen fifteen pound on an Acre with good success; ten pound some judge to be of the least, however let the Seed be new and of the best, which the English is esteemed to be.

The usual way is thus advised: when you have fitted your Land by Tillage and good Husbandry, then sowe your Barley and Oats, and harrow them; then sowe your Clover-grass upon the same Land, and cover it over with a small Harrow or Bush, but sowe not the Corn so thick as at other times the Land usually requires. The principal seasons for the sowing thereof are the end of March, and throughout April. Sir Richard Weston adviseth to sowe the Clover-seed when the Oats begin to come up; also that you may sowe it alone without any other Seed or Grain, and that it will be ready to cut by the first of June the first year. It is also observed that Polish Oats are the best Corn to be sowen with Clover about the middle of April: two Bushels and a half, or three Bushels to an Acre, which will yield a middle Crop of Oats at Harvest, and shadow the Clover from the heat of the Sun; which will be a no∣table Pasture in September or October following.

About the midst or end of May, may you cut the first Crop for Hay; which takes up more time and labour to dry it than ordi∣nary Hay, and will go very near together: yet if it grow not too strong, it will be exceeding rich and good, and feed any thing. The exact time of cutting is when it begins to knot, and then will it yield good Hay, and ere the year be about it may yield you three such Crops; and afterwards feed it with Cattle all the Winter, or until January, as you do other Ground: But if you intend to pre∣serve the Seed, then you must expect but two Crops that year; the first Crop as before, but the second must stand till the Seed be

come to a full and dead ripeness, for it will not be very apt to shed. When first you can observe the Seed in the Husk, about a moneth after it may be ripe, and then the Seed begins to change its colour, and the Stalk begins to die and turn brown; and being turned to a yellowish colour, in a dry time mow it, and preserve it till it be perfectly dry. In some years it ripens sooner than in o∣ther, therefore you need not be precise as to the time, but to the ripeness of it. The Stalks or Hawm after you have thrashed out your Seed, Cattle will eat; but if they be too old and hard they will not. Some direct to boyl them, and make a Mash of them, and it will be very nourishing, either for Hogs, or any thing that will eat thereof. Others reject the Stalks as useless, and esteem the Seed only to be a sufficient Advance of that Crop. If after two years standing of Clover-grass you suffer the later Crop to shed its Seed, you will have your Land new stored with Clover, that you need not convert it to other uses.

One Acre of this Grass will feed you as many Cows as six Acres of other common Grass, and you will finde your Milk much rich∣er, and exceeding in quantity, and fatterns very well: The best way of feeding of it, and as is reported is the usual way in Hol∣land and Flanders, is to cut it daily as your Cattle spend it, and give it them in Racks under some Trees, or in some Shed or Out∣house, for the Cattle will injure it much with their feet, it being a gross sort of Vegetable. Unless you mow it for the Seed, the best husbandry is to graze it, or feed it in Racks; because it is so ex∣cellent a Food green, and shrinks so much in the drying. Swine will grow fat with what falls from the Racks. It is not good to let Cattle that are not used to this Food, eat too liberally of it at the first; for I knew a Yoke of Oxen put hungry into a field of Clo∣ver-grass, where they fed so heartily on this sweet Food, that one immediately died through a meer Surfeit, the other with difficul∣ty preserved; therefore some prescribe to give them a little Straw mixed therewith at the first, or to diet them as to the quantity, may do as well. Swine will pasture on it in the fields.

It being preserved throughly dry, about the middest of March thrash it, and cleanse it from the Straw as much as you can; then beat the Husk again, being exceeding well dried in the Sun after the first Thrashing, and then get out what Seed you can; or after you have thrashed it, and chaved it with a fine Rake, and sunned it in a hot and dry season, if you will then rub it, you may get very much out of it; some have this way got above two Bushels out of an Acre: Sir Richard Weston saith you may have five Bush∣els from an Acre.

He is a good Thrasher that can thrash six Gallons in a day, and after the second Thrashing, drying, and winnowing or chaving, it is confidently averred that it may be purely separated from its Husk by a Mill, after the manner as Oatmeal is separated from the Chaff, and that at a very easie rate: But it is also experimented that our own Seed sown in the Husk hath proved the best, thick∣er, and certainer than that sowed of the pure Seed it self, other∣wise

you must be forced to mix therewith ashes of Wood or Coals coursly sifted, or with Saw-dust, or good Sand, or fine Mould, or any thing else that will help to fill the hand, that you may sowe it evenly and with a full hand. Some have invented new ways of separating the Seed from the Husk.

Of St. Foyn.

This St. Foyn, or Holy-hay, hath in several places of England obtained the preferrence above Clover-Grass, for that it thrives so well, and is so great an Improvement on our barren Lands, where the other will not; it being also natural to our timorous Rusticks not to hazard Land that will yield them any considerable advan∣tage any other way, on any new method of Husbandry; but if they have a Corner of Land that is of little use to them, they will perhaps bestow a little Seed on it, and but few of that minde nei∣ther. Then it continues longer in proof than Clover-Grass, which wears out in a few years; this continues many, which is a daily provocation to the sloathful to go so near and plain a way, when so long time trodden before his face. In Wiltshire in several pla∣ces there are Presidents of St. Foyn, that hath been these twenty years growing on poor Land, and hath so far improved the same, that from a Noble per Acre, twenty acres together have been constantly worth thirty shillings per Acre, and yet continues in good proof.

If it be sowen on the poorest and barrennest Land we have, it will thrive, and raise a very considerable Improvement, for on rich Land the Weeds destroy it; besides, it meliorateth and fer∣tilizeth the Land whereon it hath stood for many years, and not barrennizeth it, as it usual with Annual Seeds. You may break it up, and sowe it with Corn till it be out of heart, and then sowe it with St. Foyn as formerly: it will thrive on dry and bar∣ren Grounds where hardly any thing else will; the roots being great and deep, are not so soon dried by the parching heat of the Sun, as of other Grasses they are.

It must be sowen in far greater quantity than the Clover-seed, because the Seed is much larger and lighter. It may be sowen with Oats or Barley, as the Clover: about equal parts with the Grain you sowe it will serve; always remembring you sowe your Grain but thin. Be sure you make your Ground fine for this and other French Seeds, as you usually do for Barley. Fear not the sowing of the Seeds too thick; for being thick they sooner stock the Ground, and destroy all other Grasses and Weeds. Some advise to howe these Seeds in, like Pease in Ranges, though not so far distant, the better to destroy the Weeds between it: this will bear this way of husbandry better than the Clover, because that hath but a small Root, and requires to shadow the Ground more than this. Feed it not the first year, because the sweetness thereof will provoke the Cattle to bite too near the Ground, very much to the injury of your St. Foyn; but you may mow it with your Barley or Oats, or if sown by it self, the first year.

Of La Lucerne.

In the next place this Plant La Lucerne is commended for an excellent Fodder, and by some preferred before St. Foyn, as be∣ing very advantageous to dry and barren Grounds. It is mana∣ged like the former Seeds: Some write that it requires a moist Ground and rich, others a dry, so that we may conclude it hath proved well on all. The Land must be well dressed, and three times fallowed.

The time for sowing it, is after the cold weather be over, a∣bout the middle of April; some Oats may be sowen therewith, but in a small proportion: the Seed is very small; therefore the sixth part of it is allotted to an Acre, as is required of any other Grain, one Bushel thereof going as far as six of Corn: It may be mowen twice a year, and fed all the Winter; the Hay must be well dried and housed, for it is otherwise bad to keep. It is good for all kinde of Cattle; but above all, it agreeth best with Horses: it feedeth much more than ordinary Hay, that lean Beasts are sud∣denly fat with it; it causeth abundance of Milk in Milch-beasts. It must be given at the first with caution, as before we directed concerning the Clover, that is mixed with Straw or Hay. You may also feed all sorts of Cattel with it green all the Summer. It is best to mow it but once a year: it will last ten or twelve years. If you desire the Seed when it is ripe, cut off the tops in a dewy morning, and put into sheets for fear of losing the Seed; and when they are dry, thrash them thereon, the remaining Stalks may be mowen for Hay. By eating this Grass in the Spring, Hor∣ses are purged and made fat in eight or ten days time. One Acre will keep three Horses all the year long. Hartlibs Legacie.

SECT. V. Of some other Grasses or Hays.

This is a kinde of St. Foyn, and by some judged to be the same.

This is a Grain annually sowen in France and other Countries, very quick of growth, and excellent food for Cattle, especially for Horses; and after the feeding of it the former part of the Sum∣mer, it may be let grow for Hay. It is not so good as La Lucerne, because this is annual, the other of long continuance; only this will grow on drier and poorer Land than Lucerne, wherein it ex∣ceeds it.

In the Low-Countries they usually sowe it twice in a Summer; the first in May: in June and July it wil be in Flower, and in August the Seed is usually ripe.

The second time of sowing is after Rye-harvest, which Grounds they usually plough up, and sowe it with Spurrey-seed, that it may grow up and serve their Kine (after all late Grasses be eaten up) till New-years-day. This Pasture makes excellent Butter, prefer∣red

by many before May-butter. Hens will greedily eat the Herb, and it makes them lay the more Eggs. Hartlibs Legacie.

Hop Clover, Trefoyl, or Three-leaved Grass is both finer and sweet∣er than the great Clover-grass; it will grow in any Ground: it may be sown with Corn (as before) or without, or being sprinkled in Meadows will exceedingly mend the Hay, both in burthen and goodness.

At Maddington in Wiltshire about nine miles from Salisbury, grows a Grass in a small Plat of Meadow-ground, which Grass in some years grows to a prodigious length, sometimes twenty four foot long; but not in height as is usually reported, but creeping on the ground, or at least touching the ground at several of the knots of the Grass. It is extraordinary sweet, and not so easily propagated as hath been imagined; the length thereof being oc∣casioned by the washing of a declining Sheep-down, that the Rain in a hasty shower brings with it much of the fatness of the Sheep-dung over the Meadow; so that in such Springs that are not subject to such showers, or at least from some certain Coasts, this Grass thriveth not so well, the Ground being then no better than another.

This Herb so little esteemed (because not far fetched) is an excellent and proper Herb to be nourished or sown in Meadows, for amongst all House-wives it is held for an infallible Rule, That where Saxifrage grows, there you shall never have ill Cheese or Butter, especially Cheese; whence it cometh that the Netherlands abound much in that Commodity, and only, as is supposed, through the plenty of that Herb.

These and many other most rare and excellent Plants there are, which if they were advanced or propagated that they might o∣penly manifest their worth, might be of much more advantage to the Laborious Husbandmen, than the short, sowre, and naturally wilde and barren Grass, mixed with a super-aboundant propor∣tion of pernicious Weeds: Therefore it would be very accep∣table service to the whole Nation, if those that have Land enough would yearly prove some small proportion of these and other Ve∣getables, not yet brought into common use: By which means they would not only advance their own Estates, but the whole Nation in general, and gain unto themselves an everlasting Fame and Honor, as did the Families of Piso, Fabius, Lentulus, and Cicero, by bringing into use the several Pulses, now called by their Names.

Notes

• Virgil.
• Virgil.
• Of Meadows watred by Floods.
• Of Meadows watered by di∣version of Ri∣vers, &c.
• Hinderances to drowning.
• Of Meadows watered by ar∣tificial En∣gines.
• Of the Persian Wheel.
• Of Wind-En∣gines for the raising of wa∣ter.
• What Wind-mills are best for this work.
• 1 In cutting the main Car∣riage.
• 2 In cutting the lesser Car∣riages.
• 3 In making the Drains.
• 4 Times for watring or drowning of Land.
• 5 Manner of watring of Land by small streams or En∣gines.
• 6 Barren Springs not useful.
• Improved by Enclosure.
• Burning of Rushy and Mossie ground.
• Stubbing up of shrubs, &c.
• Discovery of hidden Trea∣sures.
• Dunging or Soyling of Meadows and Pastures.
• Time for Soyl∣ing.
• Soyl for Rushy and cold Land.
• For sandy or hot Land.
• For other Mea∣dows.
• Of the Clover-grass.
• English Im∣prover.
• The best Land for Clover-grass.
• Quantity of Seed for an Acre.
• The time and manner of sowing Clover-grass.
• Of cutting it for Hay and for seed.
• Sir Richard Weston.
• Of pasturing or feeding of Clo∣ver-grass.
• Of threshing or ordering the Seed.
• English Impro∣ver.
• The profit there∣of.
• On what Land to sowe it.
• Quantity of Seed on an A∣cre, and man∣ner of sowing of it.
• What Ground it requires.
• Time and man∣ner of sowing of it.
• Its use.
• Esparcet.
• La Rome yn, or French Tares or Vetches.
• Spurrey-seed.
• Trefoyl.
• Long Grass in Wiltshire.
• Saxifrage.