The Answer to the Queries from Paris.

J Have been with Doctor D. about Lucern, who tells me that it groweth best in wettish grounds, that the best time of sowing it in England, will be in February, at the same time that Oats are sown, with the which also it may be sown, but best alone; that to the sowing of an Arpent, (which is much-what the same with an English-Acre) there will go twelve or fifteen pound of the seed, the which useth to be sold here at eight or nine Sols the pound.

More Queries concerning Lucern.

J Desire further to know what kind of wet grounds are best for it? whether Moorish or Clay? whether poor or rich? whether it will continue over a year in the ground? and if more then a year, then how many years it will continue without be­ing new sown? whether it be only good for Meadows, or for Pasture? and if for Pasture, then whether the sheep or Cattel be suffered to go upon it? or whether it be carried off green as the Clover-grasse is in Flaunders.

Lastly, For what Cattel it is most proper?

Another Answer from Paris.

J Thought to have sent you nine pound of the seed of Lucern for the sowing of three Acres, Doctour D. having told me, as heretofore I told you, that three pound would sow an Ar­pent or Acre; But as I was going about it, I met with a Gen­tleman an acquaintance of mine, who some years since (but un­known to me hitherto) hath had some Acres of Meadow of Lucern upon his ground, to whom having casually spoke of my business, and told him all that Doctour D. had told me a­bout the Lucern; he answered me, that Doctour D. was most grosly mistaken in the quantity of the seed required for the sowing of an Acre; and that it would not take up three pound, but two whole Sacks, each Sack containing the full load of a strong Porter; after which rate the quantity of seed for the sowing of three Acres would fill a great dry-fat, the sending whereof by land would come to excessive great charges, and therefore necessarily to be sent by Sea in my opinion. You will be pleased to impart these things to your friend, and to let me know his final resolution upon them, the which shall be faith­fully accomplished by me; and in the mean while, I will get him a perfect and full assurance upon all his Queries, not from Doctour D. (whom I dare trust no more in this businesse, ha­ving found him guilty of such grosse mistakes about it) but from that other Gentleman, who told me he could himself re­solve most of these Questions; but that for to be the surer, he thought it best to confer first with his Farmer about it. You make Apologies for putting me upon these Inquiries; but I pray you to believe, that at any time I shall most readily and chearfully perform any service that shall lie in my power, for you or any of your friends, for your sake. And I were very un­reasonable, to think troublesome any thing that you require of me, when as continually I put you to so much trouble my self.

The last Answer concerning Lucern.

THe Information about the Lucern that I have got from my Friend, being a very particular one, and containing a very [Page 101] full answer to all the Questions propounded by your Friend; is such as followeth: It requireth a rich ground, but somewhat loose and light, so as a stiff Clay, and such other rough grounds, are no wayes fit for it; The ground must not be over-dry nor over-moist, but in a mean; yet somewhat more inclining to moisture, then to the contrary. It must be ploughed three times, the first time in October, and the second and third, towards the Spring. Naturally it doth not love Dung, and cometh much better in a ground that is sufficiently rich of it self, then that which hath been enriched by dunging; and where Dung is made use of, it must be very stale, and well rotten, and long before the sowing time. It cannot endure the cold, and there­fore must not be sown till the cold weather and all the danger of it be quite past, viz. about the beginning or midst of April. The Quantity of the seed, is the sixth part of Corn, that the same ground will require: so as only one Bushel of Lucern is to be sown on that space of ground, which would require six Bushels of Corn. It must be carefully weeded, especially in the beginning. And to the end, that it may take the more firme root, some Oats must be mixed with it, but in a very small pro­portion. It is to be cut as soon as it beginneth to flower, which in the hot Countries ( Provence, Languedock, and Spain,) it doth five or six times, and some years seven or eight times in a Sum­mer; but in this Climate it useth to be cut twice a year, about the end of June, and about the end of September. Being cut, it must be turned very oft, that it may dry the sooner, and be carried off the ground the soonest that may be; and it must be kept in close Barns, being too tender for to be kept in Reeks, open to the Air as other Hay. It is good for all kind of Cattel, as Kine, Sheep, Goats, and as well for the young ones (Calves, Lambs, Kids,) as for the others; but above all it agreeth best with Horses. It is much more feeding then any other Hay; insomuch, as any lean beasts will soon grow fat with it; and to the Milch-beasts, it procureth abundance of milk: but it must never be given alone, especially to beasts that have not been long used to it: but must ever be mixed with straw, or with some other Hay; for otherwise it over-heateth them, and filleth [Page 102] them too much with blood; and that so suddenly, as it greatly indangereth their health, and their life too; which it doth prin­cipally to Kine: to whom it is more dangerous, if too plenti­fully given, then to any other Cattel. After the last cutting, you may let your Cattel graze on your Luc [...]rn-fields, and that all Winter long, until the beginning or middle of March. Of once sowing you will have your Meadow continue good for ten or twelve years, and until fifteen, and afterwards too, it will still continue to bear; but the Herb will then notably de­cay in goodnesse. Wherefore it is best then to turn it to some other use. Kine must never eat of this Herb green; but onely dried, and that moderately too, as hath been said. But Horses eating their fill of it green in the Spring, are purged thereby, and grow fat by it in eight or ten days time: If one desire to have of the Grain, one may let such a proportion of the Mea­dow as one will, grow up to seed, after the second cutting, any year, except the first only: and when the seed is ripe, the tops of the Herb, with the Cods wherein the seed is inclosed, must be cut in a dewy morning, and put into sheets, for fear of losing the seed, and must be beat out with Flails upon the same: when that it is well dried: and afterwards the remaining part of the Herb must be mown close to the ground; after which it continueth to sprout out again after the usual manner. The Hay thereof will keep good two or three years; and on Acre is sufficient to keep three Horses all the year long.

A Postscript to the last Answer concerning the Lucern.

THe Gentleman, who had given me the Note about the Lucern, hath told me since two particulars more, which he had forgot to put into it: The one, that not only to other Cattel, but even to the Horses with whom that Hay agreeth best of all other beasts; it is not to be given but in Winter, because that in the Summer it will too much heat their blood: And the other, that this hay must be perfectly well dried, be­fore it be carried off the ground; and to that end turned very often: because that being put up with any the least moisture, [Page 103] it will quite spoil much more then any other Hay. Now these and all the other particulars, which I have had from the Gen­tleman, have been confirmed to me by many others. And yet within these two or three dayes, I met with a Physician of Ro­chel, who assuring me that the Lucern was very common in his Countrey, made me a relation of it agreeing with the former, onely in these three points, viz. That of once sowing it will continue ten or twelve years; That it is cut twice a year, ser­ving afterwards for Pasture all Winter, And that it wonder­fully fatteneth all kind of Cattel, but very much different from it in all the others, and in some of them point-blank contrary to it. For he saith, that it is to be sown in the beginning of March; that it desireth a temperate ground, but rather dry then wet, and no wayes fat nor clayish, but stony and gravel­ly; that it need not be mixed with any other Hay, but may be given alone, and all the year long; in Summer as well as Win­ter, not onely to Horses, but to Cows and other Cattel. He added, that the proportion of the seed, is the charge of a porter for four Arp [...]nts or French Acres. Which particulars I thought good to impart unto you, that your friend comparing them with the others, might make his best profit of them; and this Rochellois; (or Rosheller) who hath lived three or four years in England, thinks that Lucern will come admirably well in that Countrey.

NOTE.

THe meaning of these words— The quantity of the Seed is the sixth part of Corn that the same ground would require,—is this, That whatever quantity of Wheat or Barley an Acre of ground would require of the seed of Lucern; you must take but the sixth part of that quantity of the seed of Lucern; so as that ground which for its sowing requireth six bushels of Corn, doth require bu [...] one bushel of Lucern-seed.

And A [...]pent de [...]err [...] (which how much it is in English mea­sure Co [...]grave's Dictionary will perfectly tell you) requireth [...]en pound of that seed, as several Grain-sellers (of whom I went [Page 104] to inquire for it) have unanimously told me: the seed being exceeding small, and to be sowen wonderfully thin. As for Saint Foin or Holy Hay, I have seen it grow here about Paris in several places, in rich fat grounds, and those both high and dry, and others low and Marshy. It is cut but once a year, much what about the same time of other Hay, and a great deal of the seed of it is required for sowing the ground with it. But being once sown, it lasteth ten or twelve years, as well as Me­dica or Lucern, wherewith also it correspondeth altogether in its Vertues and Uses.

A Secret practised with very good successe in England, concern­ing sowing of Wheat, to prevent it from being Smutty.

FIrst take your Wheat, pour the same into a tub of water, and stir it about, take off all the Corn that swimmeth up­on the water, and pour the rest upon a floor, letting the water run off. Then make a strong brine of Bay-salt, and pour some of the brine on the Corn upon the floor; and take to halfe a quarter of Corn, half a peck of Salt, and strow it on the Corn, and stir and mix it continually; as you pour thereon the brine, and strow the salt thereon, until the Corn be all wet and over­strowed with Salt.

Then take to a half quarter of Corn, half a bushel of un­slack'd lime, and strow that likewise over the Corn, mingling it well together; which done you may sow the same the next day. The brine must be cold when you pour it on the Corn, and you must prepare no more Wheat then you intend to sow next day.

Another Secret practised in Germany for the en­riching of Meadowes.

A Meadow yeilds six times more Hay, when it is turned up with a plough, and sown thick with ashes burnt out of [Page 114] the substance thereof, but the rain must fall first. Afterwards sow your Meadow with the seed of Tresoil, and plough and harrow them in. The first grasse which groweth thereon, let it be very ripe, that the seed may fall off it self; then let some go over it, and with rakes stir it, that it fall out. Afterwards let it be mown off, and carried to a certain place where it may be dried, so the Grasse will grow presently again, and may be mown again in three weeks.

How to make Rushy Ground to bear Grasse.

BReak the Rushy Ground, and rake roots and the rushes to­gether, and burn them or carry them away, then spread upon that ground, Turffe-Ashes, or Pigeons-Dung, Chalk or Lime, according to your ground. Try of every one of these upon a little plot of your ground: you may use other Ashes, Marle, or Dung, for experiments: and that which you find doth kill the Rushes and other Weeds best, use it: you are to make Gutters or Drains to carry away the water from the ground: you may destroy Rushes or Fern, if you will; but cut or mow them down in the beginning of June, and so use to do it two or three years together at that time.

For planting or sowing Walnuts.

IN the season when they are full ripe on the trees, a few days before they would fall, as near as can be guessed, let them be gathered or beaten off; and in the green husk, or without it, put them into good ordinary earth in a barrel or basket: So let them continue until the beginning of March following: as soon as that month begins, get as much warm Milk from the Cows as will steep them 24 hours: after they are steeped, set them in ground well digged, and judged natural for such fruit, with their little end, or their prickled sharp end upwards, about three or four inches deep in the earth, and not one of 28. will fail, as hath appeared by experience. This may make dry Wal­nuts also prove trees, the Nuts used as above-said, as far as may [Page 115] be, set them near one foot asunder, and in a right line to weed them. The Walnut breeds good Timber, good shadow, good smell, good fruit. At four years growth transplant them.

Mr Lanyon's Description of the usual manner of planting and transplanting (according to that of Flaunders) of those Trees called Abeales, imparted for Publick Good.

THey are first planted from any, even the least part of the Root of the same Tree: you must devide the root, by slipping each part from the other, and not by cutting it in sun­der: you may take those parts from those trees whilest they grow, and without danger to them, rob them of all the small sprigs of the root, and leave onely the Master-Roots; but the most usual way is to multiply them, when they are transplant­ed; which time is at their growth of five years: their season is in March. They are first planted in the way of a Nursery, in loose earth, moist and sandy, or inclining to it: their di­stance is ten inches one from another (the earth being first pre­pared as for a Gard [...]n:) you are to make holes with a stick, the depth of the length of the part you have to set, setting him so that you may onely see a part of it above ground, the earth being closed about them; they are to be kept weeded as any other plants. The second year in February you are to prune off all from the Master or Middle-shoot, and so to the third and fourth year: the fifth you may transplant them, so as they like the ground of their Nursery. Their usual distance one from another is ten foot: you may drive a stake with them when you transplant them, to secure them stift against the wind; for that they will grow very tall in those years, and so be much ex­posed to the winds. They may without much prejudice (to Corn) be planted in the furrows where it grows; so as the ground be moist, and you keep them well pruned, and leave onely a bush at the top of the tree. No stiff Clay grounds will admit them to thrive, they will grow in moist Clay ground, but onely in height, and will not burnish for want of room to extend their roo [...]s. This tree if he likes his ground; will be at full growth in twenty years. He is valued in Flaunders after [Page 116] seven years growth, worth every year 12 d. until his time be up. He grows very straight without boughs, onely a bush on the top, and so exceedingly well becomes a Walk. This Tim­ber is also uncomparable for all sorts of wooden vessels, espe­cially Traies; Butchers-traies cannot well be made without it, it being so exceeding light and tough. Some years ago there were ten thousand at once sent over into England, and trans­planted into many Counties. Mr. Walker at Saint James can give the best account of them to all such as desire further to be instructed in this particular.

Another Direction for the planting (understand the second Plant­ing) of the Abele-Trees.

LEt your Plants be one year old, ere you remove them to the plat where they must stand in the earth, till they be transplantable.

Cut away their roots in such a manner, that the cuts may fall flat against the earth: but spare the little roots, and the small sprigs or beards that hang about the root.

Cut off the upper part so short, that they be but little more then half a foot long. Upon which remainder, you shall ordi­narily have five or six buds; sometimes more, sometimes fewer; but what ever their number be, it is best to leave your plants all of one length.

The Land in which you mean to plant them, must first be well laboured, and then opened so deep, that the Plants may stick up but three inches above the earth, if it be dry; but if your land be moist, you must not set your plants so deep.

Plant them four-square, so that every Tree may stand one foot and three quarters (that is, 21 inches) from every one of his four next neighbours, Thus,

In the first year, take away or cut off no shoots from them, [Page 117] but those that grow out half a foot from above the earth.

The time of planting is when the violence of frosts is cea­sed.

New Observations concerning Abel-Trees.

The least Spawners from the root will grow. Any twigs cut from the body will grow. They will grow (in two, or at most in three years) above the reach of the tallest man.

A Set planted by Master Walker, Gardiner of Saint James, not above twelve, or at most thirteen years since, is now as big as his middle.

Paris the first of July, 1651.

I Give you most hearty thanks for your Work of Husbandry, the which having perused in­stantly, à capite ad calcem. I find it a most excellent piece both for the improvement of Husbandry, and of the other Commodities of the Countrey, as likewise for the Natural History of England, and have learned many particulars by it, which before were unknown to me. But I re­member to have heard of a Dutch Merchant in Dublin, that the Dutch used to fetch their Black-lead out of Wales; where­as you say it is found in Cumberland, and no where else in Christendom. I pray you to let me understand, whether you have any particular knowledge of that Mine, of the nature and properties of that Material, whether it serveth for any o­ther uses, then to make pens of, and to neale earthen vessels withall, and how for this use Potters do prepare and apply it▪

Paris, the 12 of July, 1651.

J was hugely taken with the large Epistle in your Legacy up­on the first reading of it, and am more now upon the second, which maketh me sorry, that the Authour should give any ad­vantage to carping wits; as he doth here and there in some of the Parerga; upon which I shall freely give you my sense, that being communicated to him, he may mend them in the next Edition, if so he see it fitting: What he saith out of Helmont. page 13. The smuttinesse of Corn, and the soul disease to have be­gun in France, together about 1530. and the latter to have had some original from the former. To say nothing of the small cre­dit of that Authour, even in things subject to his own know­ledge and experience, I being able to convince him of most palpable lies out of his own writings, a more credible Author then he should not be alleadged, much lesse heeded; if oppo­site to so notorious a truth; as that of the foul disease, it's ori­ginal in France, as well as in Italy and Spain; full 36 years sooner then Helmont sayes, viz. in the year 1494. and no­thing could be advanced more absurd or ridiculous in the judg­ment of all sound Physicians, then to attribute the original of that disease in any wise to smutty Corn, as he doth. The im­perfection of smutty corn, consisteth altogether in a similar distemper, and that of the more spirituous part, consequently not at all subject to the eyes and so not to be found out by Microscope, to the contrary of what our Authour supposeth, page. 15. The corn sown in July, produced such an increase, page 18. I cannot imagine, how Corn sown in Summer can come to good, or what humane wit or skill can hinder it from run­ning up; and spending it self, before the coming in of Win­ter. His Philosophy of the blacknesse of the Moor-loghs, as com­municated by the blacknesse of the earth or turff, page 25. is no wayes receivable. I find him too credulous, page 27. to Glaub [...]r, and others, about those Mountebank boastings of brewing without malt, and of drawing great store of Aqua-vitae out of the imaginary Beer; and other unfit materials. The opi­nion [Page 120] of the Suns descending lower, page 30. although justly, as I hold it rejected by Moestlinus, Longomontanus, Keplerus, Mo­rinus, Bullialdus, quibus omnibus praeit Ptolomaeus, ought not to be spoke of so contemptuously, seeing that one of the great­est Astronomers that ever was (viz.) Copernicus did first advance it, & Reinholdus, another most famous Artist approve of it, and he having made the lowest descent of the Sun but of 35 mi­nutes, which is but a little more then half a degree; I know no [...] what makes our Authour speak of the Suns descending many degrees lower. It is true, that those 35 minutes amount to many thousands of miles, which expression therefore would be both more pertinent, and more sutable to the vulgar capa­city of most Readers, then that of minutes or degrees; This is what I have observed till page 30. further then which I am not yet come: And forasmuch as I have never an English Di­ctionary here, I would be glad of the Exposition of some En­glish words not so well understood by me, as howing (so oft spoke of) and the How; Wheats-lodging, page 18. Canker­berries, page 27. and the difference betwixt Haws and Hips; page eadem, I having ever taken them to signifie the same thing. I do not know neither, what are the piles on Marshes sides, page 25. and am ignorant of the History of Glassenburies Hauthorne, mentioned page 4. about which I would willingly receive some light.

Paris, the 19 of August.

AN English Gentleman, who many years hath lived, and been a House-keeper in Devonshire, as he was yesterdy reading your Legacy at my house, having lighted on that pas­sage, page. 26. about the making of Cyder, told me, that the second way there mentioned is not a making of Cyder, but a certain preparation of it already made, usuall also in wines and other liquors, especially those that are to be transferred a great way by Sea; and as for the first, that he never saw it practised in Devonshire, where Cyder is very common; and where him­self usually made forty Hogsheads every year; but that the [Page 121] way of making Cyder in that Countrey used by all men is this; Having reduced their Apples into Mash, by turning upon them a kind of a Milstone set edge-wayes in a wooden trough, they presently carry them to a wooden presse of that bignesse: as in one hour they will presse out two Hogsheads of Juice: the which having let stand a day or two, and having taken off the black scum that ariseth in that time, they tun it, and in the Barrels it continueth to work some dayes longer, just as Beer useth to do. He told me divers other particulars about Cyder, partly of his own, and partly of that Countreys common ob­servations, the which I forbear to relate, because I believe that Markham hath spoke of them.

Paris the 16 of September 1651.

SEing by your last, you desire the continuation of my An­notations upon your Legacy, I must tell you that I believe your friend hath not been well informed, page 23. about the Countreys there named by him; for the sending of Walnuts, Quinces, and Chestnuts into England, and that it will be found upon better enquiry, that these commodities do come into England, if not solely, yet abundantly: the first from Holland, the second from Zealand, and the third from France; and as for small nuts, except he speak of some exquisite kind of them, I know not why one should run so far as Spain for them, see­ing that Ireland aboundeth in them above all Countreys in the world, page 27. I know an ingenious man, who can without malt­ing, &c. If you and your friend will be ruled by me, you shall not take this upon Glaubers bare word, nor any of those other magnificent promises; which he maketh in that boasting Cata­logue▪ till he have made them good by the effect, lest the simi­litude of the Prophet Esay 29.8. be verified in us, page 28. Grafting, Inoculating, &c. a Gentleman will learn in two h [...]urs, to learn it to some purpose will require more then so many dayes, if not weeks, expertus loquor: page 30. We find Vines flourishing many hundred mil [...]s more towards the North [than Alsace] both in France, Loram, and Germany: If for many [Page 122] hundreds, he had said one hundred miles, he might perhaps have made that good, and yet not that neither in all the three Countreys here named, I am sure not near it in Lorain, and very hardly in France: page 31. Vines grow sixty miles on this side Paris at Beaumont; Beaumont is but eight leagues, or six­teen English miles North from Paris and Beauvais, (which and Beaumont is the most Northern part of France, where any Vines grow) is but twice as far, being distant sixteen leagues from Paris. Ibid. These places which are even as far North as England, nothing near none of them; page 36. linea 3. pack in so many plants, &c. I have seen most of the Vineyards a­bout Paris for many miles round, and never saw any such thing, very few having any thing in them but Vines, and where any thing else was, I saw onely a few Peach-trees here and there, too far asunder to do any great harm to the Vines or Ground; 37. To short poles, as we do hops, out of one Hop-pole you may make three Vine-poles. As for length; wherefore they should not be so yoked together: ibid. In France, so soon as they have pressed out their liquor with their feet [pressing with feet is not used in all parts of France, and utterly unknown in these Nor­thern parts of it,] they put it into Hogsheads not at all till it have wrought first in Keeves: 39. from these who would de­stroy, &c. I could wish that bitter and exasperating expression in the behalf of my Countrey-men might be spared. ‘If I would make Observations upon those passages, which have something of good and excellent in them, as well as upon them, where I conceive something is to be mended, I should never have done, the Book being full of them from one end to another; yet I cannot let passe with silence those words, page 44.’ The Sun and Dew ingender a nitrons fatnesse, they pointing at the unfolding of one of the greatest Mysteries in Nature, unknown to most of them if not to all; who profes­sedly do deal in the inquiries of that noble Science; but to speak of this to the full were not the work of a Scholion, but of a whole Treatise, concerning the Improvement of Land by Sea sand; of which page 45. you will find a confirmation of that in Irelands Natural History, and it is very much used in De­vonshire, [Page 123] with admirable successe, not onely equal to, but even beyond Lime it selfe, as I have been told by that Gentleman, whose Observations concerning Cyder I gave you formerly; page 46. All fertility proceedeth from salt, addendum. Made unctuous or oily, and spirituous, id est uno verbo nitrous, nam sale mero nihil magis inimicum faecuudirati; 47. In Holland they are carefully preserve the Cows urine, as their Dung to enrich their land, they preserve it no otherwise then is done in al o­ther Countreys; viz. mixed with the Dung, and joyntly with it carried out to the Dunghill, ibid. we must have it, [paper] from Italy, France, and Holland; I believe Italy sendeth out little paper, either to England, or to any other Countrey, and as for Holland; it hath none to send, but what it selfe getteth from abroad, there being none at all made there, (viz.) In Holland properly so called, nor in any of the other Provinces that I know of, but onely some in the Velaw, a part of Gelder­lant, and in England there is good store made, both towards Oxford, and in some other places, though not enough for to serve the Nation.

Paris, the 2 [...]. of October, 1651.

HAving continued to read on in your Legacy from page 48. where I left with my last Annotations, I find no­thing that needeth any Animadversions, but these few follow­ing things, page 60. a kind of Salix called by them Abel-tree, the Tree called an Abel in Dutch is no way a kind of Salix, but is I'opulus alba; Ibidem, If we believe their own Authours, &c. I know not who those Authours are, but I am sure that who ever hath said so, hath said most untrue; for the profit that ariseth to France by Silk, cannot in the least part come in competition with that of Corne and Wine. Ibid. In France, which differeth not much from the temper of England; Silk is a stranger to those parts of France that agree with Englands temper; 69. I could wish those words, linea 3 & 4. we know nourisheth them, to be left out, as devoid of all truth, if applyed to the [...]nsect in question: page 70. linea 2. Let him read Boneil, [Page 124] adde Andream Libavium, qui peculiari Tractatu inserto parti secundae Singularium: fusè ac diligenter admodum omnia ad Bombyces spectantia pertractavit: militer (que) Olivier de Serres libro 50 Theatri Agriculturae. Among the things which page 70. he thinketh might be transplanted profitably into England, I could wish the omission of the three first, (viz.) Sassafras, Sarsaparilla, and Snake-weed, the which I greatly doubt would hardly be made to grow there at all with any industry, but sure I am, never to any purpose: and the same I believe about their Cedars and Pines. Medica veterum is without all peradven­ture the Plant now known under the name of Lucerna; where­fore it ought not to be ranked as it is, page 80. amongst the Plants now unknown; Quid esset lupinus veterum, nemo un­quam Herbariorum quod sciam dubitavit quare omittenda ejus mentio inter herbas controversas, page 80. Page 81. What seed, grout, or grutz, is made of the same seed, and in the same man­ner, as that which in English is called Groats, (viz.) of Oats and of Barley; of those three sorts of Cheeses which he reck­ons up, page 81. onely the second and third are made of Cows milk, and therefore his expression is too general, and what he sayes there, which are far better then our ordinary Cheeses, is true indeed; but as true it is, that they are far better then their ordinary Cheeses: and as true likewise, that the best of those Cheeses are no better, nor so good by far as some English Cheeses. Verbi gratia Chedder-Cheeses. He is much mistaken, if he believeth that all those things reckoned up. page 82. will grow in England, at least to any purpose, especially Rice, Cork, Scarlet-Oak, and that Sentence of Virgil; Ʋt quid quaque ferat regio, quid quaeque recuset. Justly termed an Oracle by Pliny, doth not depend wholly (as our Authour seemeth to take for granted) on the Climate, and the latitude of Regions, for were it so, Dictamnus, Laser, Cinamonum, Balsamum, Myr­rha, Camphora, Stirax, Mastick, Beujovin, Caryophylli, Nux-Muschata; and an infinite number of other Plants would not be, and from all time have been confined to such Territories as they are; all the Industry of man, and the power and wealth of greatest Princes never having been able to make them grow; [Page 125] at least not to make them fructifie out of their native Soils: wonder also to find Linder-trees named in the Catalogue of Plants, which he would have denizon'd in England, seeing tha [...] great store of them and very good by ones have been growing in several parts of the Land, many years since even in & about London, as at Exeter-house, Wimbleton-house, &c. and there besides Sherewood-Forrest in Nottinghamshire, aboundeth in them naturally.

Paris, the 18. of November, 1651.

I Come now to your Legacy, whereon these words, page 84. It casteth up Jet and Amber, I must tell you that as it is most certain, that of Jet, good store is found on some part of the shore of York-shire, so I dare say that upon inquiry it will ap­pear, that never any Amber or Succinum was cast up there by the Sea; that being a commodity so peculiar to Spruce or Prus­sia, as the Sea was never known to render it in any other Coun­trey of the world whatsoever, page 85. At Dover they make brick of Sea-owse, a thing very incredible to me. In Cumber­land, out of a certain kind of sand they extract salt; It were worth the while to tell in a few words at least, how they pro­ceed in the doing thereof; Not onely notice should be taken by the Husbandman, or Countrey-Gentleman of the different colour, odour and tast of waters, as our Authour wisheth them to do, [...]adem, page 85. but also and much more (as a thing of a much greater and more particular concernment to them) of the wonderful and vast difference of waters (in which none of those three qualities is notably to be discerned) for the several uses of ordinary house-keeping of Husbandry, and of several Manufactures, page 86. If we may believe Glau­ber, there is scarce any sand without gold; I am very sure that whosoever believeth him herein, as in many other things, will find himself very fouly deceived; Ibidem, save what is taken out of their Ditches. For the word Ditches no wayes proper here, should be substituted Bogs, Fens, or Moors; It is indif­ferent good fuel, yea, many sorts of them are most excellent [Page 126] fuel. An English-man speaking of turffe, should not name Hol­land only, but Scotland and Ireland, in which two Countreys turff [...] is of very great and general use, page 87. There is a stone in Durham, out of which they make salt. I would we were told the manner hereof; Ibidem, Lead is found in Durham-wall: I would fain know what Durham-wall is, whether a Town or Countrey, and in what part of England, and why Derb [...] ­shi [...]e, where those famous Lead Mines are, is not at all named here, page 94. Opium is always an ingredient, this is too gene­rally spoken, page 95. I am not well satisfied with what he sayes of transplanting Elephants into England, and making them of common use there, for many reasons; and I believe it would prove as hard a task to people in England, with any considerable store of Black Foxes, Musk-Cats, and some other of those Animals named, page 96. in these words.

Paris, the second of December, 1651.

THe conceit I find in your Legacy, page 99. Of the medici­nal virtues of the plants being sublimed into the Insects bred out of them, is altogether destitute of truth, as very easily and practically may be demonstrated, page 101. That in Ire­land rottennesse of sheep is not known; It is too well known there, and even in my time, I have seen great mortalities of sheep caused thereby. Page 103. In Holland they keep their Cattel housed winter and summer: I never knew any Cattle housed in Summer in my Countrey, but all about Paris that is very ordi­nary: Ibidem, they bury the grains in the ground; they keep them indeed in the ground; but in that manner as cannot well be called burying; for they dig holes a mans length deep and square, cemented not onely in the bottom, but on all the four sides, with a wooden shut at the top, and there they keep their Grains, not lying loosly; but rammed as close as may be; Rapefeed-Cakes, Ibidem, he should have added Linseed-Cakes: Ibidem, Turnips; I never knew them given to Cows in Hol­land, but at R [...]ven, it is an usual thing to feed Cows there­with, and they do thrive wonderfully therewith, as I am told [Page 127] by an English Lady of my acquaintance, an excellent House­wife, who hath lived a great while in that City, eadem pagina, 103. which are constantly mowed twice or thrice yearly. I never in Holland saw or heard of any Meadows mowen more then once a year: The Paradox held forth. Initio pagine, 104. of the cleanlinesse of Hogs, and their not loving Dirt: I believe not at all to be consonant to truth; especially in the second particu­lar. Ibidem, (the Jews have a peculiar way) after those words, I could wish to be inserted; (which also anciently was most common among the Romans) For the liver of the Goose aug­mented to an excessive bignesse by a peculiar kind of cram­ming, was one of the greatest dainties of the Romans, as may be seen in Pliny, lib. 10. cap. 22. and the Authours there al­leadged by the Scholiast.

Paris, the 16 of December, 1651.

JNstead of going on for to make an end of my Annotations upon your Legacy, to the end whereof I am well near come; I shall at this time step back for to tell you that one of Purcha [...] his Pilgrims having given us most amply and distinctly the whole manner of making the Caveare, as may be seen in his second T [...]me, page 1420. your friend will do well to leave that out of the Catalogue of those things, which page 81. he desi­reth to be informed of, by the travels of any Merchant of Gen­tleman: as likewise give you at large a Relation made to me within these few dayes by a brave English Lady, and an excel­lent House-wife, greatly confirming and illustrating the pra­ctise of feeding Cows with Turnips; of which page 103. she telleth me, that at Roven (where she hath lived a good while) and in all the Countrey round about it, they seed their Cattel usually in this manner. Of Turnips (not of the best, but refuse ones, such as being worm-eaten, or otherwise faulty, are not good for mans meat) they boyl a great many in a great Ket­tle, whole as they are, with their leaves on their tops; till they be tender, adding thereto good store of bran; (of Wheat on­ly, because that, that of Rye, is scowring, and so not proper [Page 128] for them) and afterwards of the Cakes of Rape-seed, or Lin­seed; which cakes having a singular faculty of fatting Cattel, they put much lesse of them into the Mesh for Mich-Cowes, (for fear of spoiling their Milk) then for other kind: of this they give them twice a day, so as it maketh the greatest part of their feeding, much more then the hay, which they give them betwixt whiles: and thus they feed them onely in Winter­time, because that all the Summer long they keep them abroad at Grasse: Whether this be used in Holland, as your friend saith, I cannot tell of my own knowledge; having never there seen it, nor heard of it: but in France it is of very old standing, as appeareth by these words of Columella, lib. 2. cap. 10. Rapa non homines solum, verum etiam boves pascunt, praecipuè in Gallia, ubi Hyberna cibaria praedictis pecudibus, id olus praebet. De-serres doth also speak of it, but very shortly, and onely mentioning it in a word or two. lib. 4. cap. 9.

Paris, the 6. of January, 1652.

IN the 104th. page of your Legacy, where I left with my last Annotations, I find these words: In Barkshire many keep tam [...] Pheasants, and have gained well thereby: The which having communicated to a brave English Lady here, a great friend of mine, who hath been a great House-keeper in England, and is a most excellent House-wife; she tells me that at a Countrey-house of hers, not far from Chelsey, she had always great store of them; insomuch as she hath hatched to the number of 200 in one Spring: whereof though many died, yet far and far the greatest part would come to perfection. That of people of quality, she never knew any but here self who kept any; but that there is abundance in the parts near London, who keep them for to make profit of them, and sell them to the Poulter­ers, that there is nothing more easie to bring up, and to keep, then Pheasants; when they are once past the first Month: for till then, they must be kept onely with Aunts eggs, and feed on nothing else; of which one would think it a hard matter to get so many, but there are fellows in England, who for a [Page 129] little money will get one as many as one can desire: the first month being past, they are kept afterwards with Oats onely, requiring nothing else: but as they love to be kept in Grassie fields: so one must change them somwhat ost to fresh grounds, because they taint the grasse and the ground in the same man­ner, as Geese do, and for to keep them in, my Lady used to have some parcels of ground, where they were kept inclosed with lats.

Paris the 13. of January 1652.

YOu shall have now the Conclusion of my Annotations up­on your Legacy according to your desire.

In the bottom of page 104. your friend speaketh, as if the excellency of Butter and Cheese depended onely on the hand­ling of it, and that Cheese like to Parmesan and Holland Cheese, might be made in England, if the same industry were used there, as in those Countreys which is nothing so: For though Art and Industry can do very much in this particular, as in most others, whereof I have seen most remarkable exam­ples both in England and Ireland, yet there is something in the particular nature of different waters and different Soils, and of the food for Cattel thereon growing: and consequently in that Cattels milk, and in the Butter and Cheese made thereof, which no Art nor humane skill can supply or imitate, no more then the same kind of Beer can be brewed in all places, or the same kind of Wine be made to grow on all grounds. And this is most manifest hereby, that in Holland it selfe there are made several sorts of Cheeses hugely different among themselves; which difference is most remarkable in those two excellent sorts, ( viz) the Edam-Cheese (being that kind which is so much transported into forraign Countrys, & every where known by the general Name of Holland-Cheese) & the Stolk-cheese. And if it should be thought, that that diversity proceedeth frō the dif­ferent makings of cheese, used in the several parts of that country; I can assure you, that if you make Edam & Stolk Boors exchange their habi [...]atlons, and keep all their own fashions, each of them shall make Cheeses, not such as they were wont to make [Page 130] at home, but as used to be made in the places to which they are come. The like may be said of the green cheeses, made in Holland Sheeps milk, especially those of Gravesand, Tessel, and Grind; all three most excellent ones; and yet extreamly differing a­mong themselves. And not to go for examples of this, fur­ther then England it self; It were against all reason and expe­rience to think that, that notable difference betwixt Suffolke and Cheshire-Cheeses, commeth onely from the different way of making it. Another thing which I find fault withall in the same Discourse, is, that the Authour nameth the French An­golots among the excellent sorts of Cheese; whereas they are nothing so, neither in their qualities, nor in their price, they being sold for two Sols a piece, whereas they use to weigh half a pound. I do likewise mislike, that he for to instance in the best kinds of Cheese; he fetcheth Parmesans and Holland-Cheeses from abroad, without taking notice; that at home in several parts of the Land, and particularly in Mountgomery­shire, Cheese is made equal to the best of these kinds; and at Chedder in Wiltshire, that which in my judgement is far to he preferred before them, and to any other Cheese in the world. Page 105. I cannot brook that he complaineth England hath but a Systema, or a compleat Book of all the parts of Agri­culture; and reckoneth Markham among them, who have writ onely divers small Treatises of it: whereas Markham hath comprehended in his works whatever belongeth to any part of Husbandry, and Housewifery too; with very few and small omissions; such as in no wise can rob him of the name of a general writers; his works also having that excellency, that they are altogether squared for England, and go on ex­perience, rather then on probabilities, and hear-says; to the contrary of what our Authour seemed to tax in him, as well as in other writers of that kind; which maketh me suspect, that either he hath not at all been conversant in Mankham's wri­tings; or that in reading of him he hath been strangely fore­judged, he being in my opinion, one of the most excellent of his kind; and in many particulars to be preferred before the most excellent of them all. It is true what is said page 106. [Page 131] There were among the Ancient Romans some appointed to see that men did tell their Land as they should; but that which follows: And if they did not, to punish them as Enemies to the Publique; is too hyperbolically spoken, there being a vast difference be­twixt punishing one as an enemy to the Publique, and a simple fining of him, which was all the punishment inflicted for that fault, as you may see in the twelfth Chapter of Aulus Gellius his fourth Book. In these words, page 107. He that turneth fruitful lands into barrennesse, as the Land of Canaan, very fruit­ful heretofore, but now a barren Desart. Our Authour says no­thing, but what is common in the mouth and pens almost of every body, and yet the truth thereof is very questionable, as an observant Reader will easily find by the exactest and latest writers of that Countrey, among whom Eng. Royer is to be placed in the very first rank. By the way of addition to what heretofore I have told you upon that passage of your Legacy, which speaks of tame Pheasants, be pleased to take notice what I was told this week by an English Gentleman, viz. that many years since he hath known tame Pheasants kept in se­veral parts of Buckinghamshire, especially in a Village a little be­yond Wickham, where the people keep abundance; for to sell them off to the Poulterers of London. And at the same time an English Merchant told me, that above 25 years ago, he knew some kept at Middleberg in Zealand, and that Mr. William Courtine, the Brother of Sir William Courtine, had above a dozen pair of them. The same person also assured me from his own experience, that the Inhabitants of the Island. Chios keep huge numbers of tame Partridges, the which flying a­broad most part of the day, do not fail to return every night each one to his own home, and likewise as oft as they are call­ed by their Keepers, if they be any where within hearing of them. And he assured me, that they do this not onely in the places they are used to, but any where, insomuch that if any man carry his Partridges twenty or thirty miles from his dwel­ling, and then letting them out of the basket, in which he hath brought them, throw stones among them, expresly for to scat­ter them, so as all of them do run or fly several wayes, they [Page 132] will all come to him, as soon as he calleth them, and let them­selves be taken up by him, the one after the other. And thus I make an end, having nothing to say to any thing contained in the following pages of your Legacy; the re-printing whereof with those alterations and amendments I have hinted to you, I do most earnestly wish for, it being indeed a most excellent piece; and from the beginning to the end fraught with most excellent observations and experiments.

An Answer to the Animadversor on the Letter to Mr. Samuel Hartlib of Husbandry.

TO begin with the first, which is about Blacklead, and so to take them in order.

First, I affirm, and truely that Blacklead is found in Cum­berland, and not in any other place of England, yea not in Europe that I can hear of, though I have diligently enquired concerning it. To prove this, you may read Master Cambden in his description of Cumberland, where he is much troubled to find what name the Ancients gave it, vtr. Pignitica, and di­vers other names hardly understood.

And 2. I know that out of England it is exported to Hol­land, Germany, France, Spain, and other parts of Europe, and and sold at a considerable rate per tun.

And 3. Little mention is there of this among the late wri­ters, as Agricola, Kent-man, Boot de Boot, or Cysalpinus, un­lesse it be what he calls Creta nigra, but because the Animad­versor desireth further knowledge of this material, I shall brief­ly relate what I know of it.

This Mine of Blacklead in Cumberland (as I am well inform­ed) is in the hand of some few men, as Master Bolton and Ma­ster Bret, who live in Cornhil nigh the Exchange, and sell Co­lours, who once in seven years dig as much as they think con­venient to serve, not to glut the Market, and then close the Mine up again: I suppose the Dutch Merchant, and conse­quently the Animadversor were mistaken, either through the [Page 133] similitude it hath to some kind of Slate, which colours the hands blackish, as the black Irish Slate, used much for bruises, and of which kinds I have observed, also divers sorts in New-England, as in Prudence-Isle, and elsewhere, but the black­nesse of the Slate hath not that glittering as the black-lead, or else from the Ambiguity of the word Black-lead, which is not onely taken for this material, (which whether it be to be re­ferred to Terra, Creta, Lapides, &c. I will not here dispute) but also for that sort of Lead, over which the Dutch call glack or glittering (as the Black-lead) much used by the Potters for nealing (as the Animadversor call it) or rather for leading their pots, which is abundantly found in some parts of Wales, and is fusible in the Potters fire, which the other black-lead is not, neither doth it naturally contain any fusible Mettal or Mine­ral, as I have proved: I think it likewise not amiss to certifie that in New-England this Material is found in divers places; as at Nashaway about forty miles from Boston, as also on Pe­quat River about eighty miles from Boston: this last was gi­ven from the Court of Boston to a friend of yours and mine, viz. Mr. John Winthrop, this Gentleman sent divers pieces thereof to me, that I might enquire of some Dutch Merchants what price it bare in Holland, and how much might be ven­dible, which accordingly I did, and also shewed it to the two Gentlemen above named, who were very inquisitive where I had it, and how much might be procured thereof, and desired that I would leave one of the greater pieces with them, that they might try it which I did; and the next morning enquiring again what they said to my black lead; they told me it was nothing worth, because it would not endure the Saw, they hoping, as I after found to have had enough for to have fur­nished Europe with black Combs, which are very rare and dear, a small one usually sold at twenty or thirty shillings: My friend Mr. W. hoped that this material had been Plumbago Cisalpini, which he also calleth Mater Argenti. But I suppose in this par­ticular he was mistaken▪ yet upon Examination we found pure silver amongst it, which by calculation might amount to 15 l. per tun, though the black lead sent me, was found onely on [Page 134] the surface of the earth: I am the longer on this discourse, because this material hath been little considered as yet by lear­ned men that I can find, and also because my friend would be glad to have some ingenious men to joyn with him in a Work, which hath very great probabilities of very great pro­fit to the undertakers.

The common uses of black-lead, are first to make black-lead pens for Mathematicians, &c. 2. For Painters and Lim­ners. 3. For those that work in Copper to make their ham­mer go glib. And lastly, if any great pieces be found, which is rare in Cumberland Mine, to make Combes of them, because they discolour gray hairs, and make black hair of a Raven­like, or glittering blacknesse, much desired in Italy, Spain, &c. But I cannot believe that the Potters use it for nealing their pots (as the Animadversor saith) because it is altogether infusible.

To the second Letter of the Animadversor.

FIrst, I see the Animadversor is offended, though I hope without just cause, that I quote Glauber and Helmont, as men of learning and credit. I know that learned Writers scorn to quote Neotericks, but I hope without offence I may, be­cause I only meddle with the plough, a rude and poor instru­ment, and Agriculture is commonly thought to require little learning or judgement, and being unlearned my self will not follow the Customes of those whom the World count pro­found and judicious.

2. The Authours above mentioned are in good repute with divers whom I suppose learned.

3. They have laboured and experimented much, as all men know, to find out the truth, and to advance the Common­wealth of learning: Some imperfections I impute to humane frailties, old age, &c. And I should be glad to see a solid an­swer to Helmont, who hath thrown down both Aristotles Philosophy, and Galen [...] Physick; and as yet I have not seen any man who hath in any measure vindicated their old Ma­sters. [Page 135] Further, I should rejoyce to see an experimental Philo­sopher confute Glaubers Experiments by experience; till this be done, I cannot but account them ingenious men, and well deserving of the Commonwealth of Learning; and I cannot but account it robbery, or at least great ingratitude, to take any thing out of a learned Authour, and not to acknowledge it, but to the particular Exceptions.

The Army disease (saith Helmont) came into France, as also smutting of Corn, 1530. And the first seemeth to have pro­ceeded from the latter; also at this time the Pox raged, which might also have some augmentation from this corruption of Corn. Although it never was my intention to defend other mens paradoxes, yet I cannot but so far defend him, as to shew that what is here spoken, hath considerable probabilities for truth.

And first, That the Smuttiness of Corn, and the Army dis­ease came both together in France; I am much mistaken, if the French History do not report the same, and the Animad­versor seemeth to grant it. As for the Pox it broke forth violently at Naples, 1594. in the French Army, as Helmont and Historians affirm; and was even then in some measure dis­persed in Franse, but after this smuttiness of Corn, it might exceedingly more abound. As the Plague in London often­times lurks in divers corners many years, but breaketh not forth violently usually, but after scarcity; by the which the humors of the body are more corrupted by ill dyet: But be it this or no, I will not further dispute; but will affirm thus much, that it is not an absurd and foolish conjecture, to say that the Ar­my my disease might proceed from smuttiness of Corn, they both invading France at the same time; but the most probable I have yet seen, especially if that other part be added, viz. The bodye corrupted with the pox; for I have oft seen in Italy an ordinary [...]eaver in such bodyes to be at length not much unlike the fore-mentioned disease, (and this is that Hel­mont especially drives at in his Book de peste, where he menti­oneth only the Pox by the by:) and who knows not that the corruptions of the aliments somtimes produce even the plague, [Page 136] and I think that the corruption of the best aliments, as bread, and which are in most use with us, causeth the worst Epidemi­cal diseases; to the which Hippocrates seemeth to allude, where he saith, Corruptio panis pessima; and it is also too well known, that we who have within these few score of years, altered ve­ry much our dyet and customes, as by bringing in of hops into our drink.

2. Using abundance of Sack, which in Queen Elizabeths dayes was sold in the Apothecaries shops.

3. By using of Sugar, Currants, and other sweet things abundantly.

4. By taking Tobacco in smoak.

5. By using Sea-coals abundantly in London, and through the Countrey.

6. By using frequently Dyet-drinks, Purgations, Vomits, Blood-letting, Issues, which were scarcely known to our fore­fathers.

7. I may adde the living altogether on flesh, which in the times of Popery, we did not: I say have caused not onely great alterations in our wills and dispositions, but also in re­spect of health and sicknesse. Some sicknesse not being known now, which formerly did much annoy, as the sweating sick­nesse in Hen. 7. and before, as also the leprosie which Mr. Camb­den thinks came from Egypt, where it abounds very much, Chri­stians getting something for their holy voyaging; but Physici­ans say it came from eating of fish; for where most fish was eaten, there it most abounded; and eating of fish being left; that noysome disease (God be thanked) is even totally un­known, and all Hospitals for them dissolved: and on the con­trary, many diseases assaulting us, some totally unknown, as the Rickets; others not so much known, as the Stone, Gout, Con­sumptions, Ptysick, Fluores Muliebres: and here I will brief­ly according to my Countrey-Philosophy tell you how these new diseases are caused: and first from the Hop, Sack, Spices, I suppose the Gravel, Stone, Gout; from Sugar and Cur­rants, and sweet things, which spoil the stomack, and make the body tender, soft, custard-like, easily melted into fluxes, [Page 137] proceed Fluores Muliebres, abortion, and a foundation for the Rickets, and other indisposition in children, ex parte matris. From Tobacco (which is a kind of poyson contrary to our na­tures, as it appears by the first taking, causing Vomits, Faint­ings, cold sweats, though use afterwards mitigates these Symp­tonies, as the Turks by use take abundance of Opium, as much I may say, in one day, as will kill twenty English men: like­wise it taketh away the appetite, not by real satiating, but by its Narcotickness deluding nature) since followes the abating of the strength, and vigour of the body, the dulling and mi­nishing of the Spirit, and consequently the dulnesse and pau­city of spirits in children, which as the learned Physicians hold, is the special cause of the Rickets, ex parte viri: Sea-coal cau­seth consumption, Ptysicks, and the indisposition of the lungs, not onely by the suffocating by abundance of smoak, but also by virulency: for all subterrany fewel hath a kind of virulent or arsenical smoak, which as it speedily destroyes those that dig in Mines, so doth it by little and little those who use them here above: therefore these diseases most afflict about London, where the iron Casements, and all iron things are soon con­sumed by the smoak thereof, and lesse in pure clear air, where this fire is not used. The great and frequent use of purgations (which are smaller poysons, for they extract the good humors as well as the bad, as most Physicians confesse) and Blood­letting do cause that infirm, weak, & feminine disposition in ma­ny natures. And to these causes above-mentioned, adde Idle­nesse, Gluttony, Drunkennesse, not much known till Queen Elizabeth: for then the first Statute was made against Drun­kennesse, the Pest of Whoring, and the consequences there­of, as general causes of all indisposition above-said, and of hundreds more, and to conclude of shortnesse of life.

In Fryer Bacon's time, which was above 400 years ago, Countreymen lived strong and lusty, even to seven score, eight score, as he reports in his Book De Pet. Artis, & Naturae: Now how rare is an old man of an hundred years, not because the World decays, as Master Hakewell learnedly shews, but we by reason of our folly, live not our half our dayes. But I [Page 138] desire pardon for this long digression, it being onely to shew that the alteration of dyet causeth many diseases, and the cor­ruption thereof many Epidemical indispositions, and that to say Smuttinesse of Corn produced the Army Disease, is not so absurd as the Animadversor would have it. As for the Pox, which Helmont doth but lightly touch, I will not long discourse, whether it proceeded from eating mans flesh at Naples, (as Lord Bacon and others seem to affirm) or from the Indyes, which is most likely; but how it first came amongst them, is very difficult to know, its most probable from their base cor­rupt dyet, eating mans flesh, not using salt, or any thing of high tast, as I have observed amōgst the Indiās of New England, where i [...] abounds, or perhaps from Bestialitys: But I may before I am aware engage my self in that hard Question concerning Contagion, which I acknowledge is too hard for me, as also the cause of the extream multiplication of poysons. He that can tell me how Ferments operate, or how water contracts a mustiness, of wounderful extension, and like fire infinitely multiplyable; Erit mihi Magnus Apollo.

Animadversor. Smutty Corn is a similar distemper, and there­fore not visible by the Microscope, &c.

IF by Similar Distemper, the Animadversor mean, as I sup­pose he doth, total corruption, then he is mistaken in the English word. For the total corruption of Wheat into Smut­tinesse, which being broken, flies into black dust, we call smut­ty bags, and these have lost their specifique and vegetative vertue, so that they will not grow, as I have tried divers times: but what we may call smutty wheat, is only a partial corrupti­on, and may partly be seen by the eye, the wheat being dark and black, especially about the eye; its also spungy, soft, hol­low, light: I say that perhaps the imperfection of this grain, whether it be external, as some erosion Canker, or some more inward indisposition may by the Microscope be perceived, for by it (as I have seen) strange inequalities, roughnesse, and as it were veins dissemmated throw the body of the seeds are [Page 139] plainly discerned, which the eye cannot: and further by expe­rience I know, that the vegetative vertue of the seed lyeth in that part which we call the eyes. For I have cut divers grains in the middest, and sown them, and that halfe which had the eye with it unhurt, grew as well as if it had been a whole Corn, the other part not; so that I had above two thousand encrease for one half of a grain, and very excellent Corn, in some ears an hundred grains, in many ninety: This causeth me to questi­on that which I have oft heard amongst Countrey men that Pease eaten by Magots will grow, but produce Magots: for if the eye be whole, the difference will be found nothing be­twixt these and others.

Animadversor. Corn sown in Summer, viz. July, will not come to good.

NOt only my friends experience, but also mine own doth manifest the contrary: and I question not, but his own experience, if he please to try, will shew the contrary. For Corn sown in July will not run to an ear till the next year, though it be warm Land, and if it should begin to spindle, (as the Husbandmen call it) it is very easie by mowing or feeding it down with Cattel to prevent it: and here I think it not a­miss to relate what Alex. Guagnini reports of Poland in this kind. They begin to sow Rye the fifth of August, (which I suppose is twenty dayes before ours) and end about the latter end of the same month, or else they have no crop to speak of, also there is a new way used in Lands newly burnt thus: With two parts of Barley they sow one part of Rye; the Barley is reaped the same year, the Rye or Wheat groweth little till the Barley is off, then it will grow thick like grasse all the win­ter, and next year it is reaped: it groweth so thick that an horse [...]an scarce get through it, out of one grain come thirty or forty ears a man on horseback can scarce look over it, and the Farmer reapeth an hundred for one: by this you may see that what I say is not onely true, but also much practised, and that with incredible profit, and to me the reasons are mani­fest: [Page 140] for the advantages of early sowing are these.

First, The lesser quantity of Seed is necessary.

Secondly, The Corn is well grown, and strong before the Winter, and therefore more able to endure the nipping frosts, which oft killeth Corn newly come up.

Thirdly, It getteth advantage in the Spring of weeds, grass, wild oats, &c. which choak much Corn, the ground be­ing stocked with Corn so that there is no room for them to grow. I know one who having his ground over-run with weeds and wild-oats, by sowing Rye early, had very good and clear corn. But some will object, that the strength of the Corn and Ground is exhausted thereby.

To these I answer, First, They do not consider the even in­finite power of living creatures, who will infinitely increase, if nourishment fail not, as fire will, if wood be laid to it, and that without wearisomnesse, by vertue (as I suppose) of the divine Benediction in them.

2. They are ignorant of the Causes of fertility; for I sup­pose that straw or blade exhausteth ground no more then the boughes and leaves of Trees do, which we see is little or no­thing in wood continually lopt: but to know the true cause of fertility, I account difficult, yet shall briefly declare some thoughts of mine concerning it in another place.

Animadversor. His Philosophy concerning Moor-logs no wayes receivable.

JN Moorish places two sorts of wood are found, One very black like Ebony, and it is a kind of Oak: Another sort lesse black or dusky, and is a kind of Pine or Fir. In the North of England I have seen it sold publickly, being slit in small pie­ces to light Tobacco: it's not unlike the wood which in New-England is called Candle-wood or Pitch-pine. Concerning the blacknesse of these woods I say, that it proceedeth from the turfy earth, wherein these Trees lye; which earths, and all o­ther earths (as I suppose) and subterrany things in their pro­per places hath an innate power to transmute other extrane­ous [Page 141] things into their own nature: many examples of this hind we see in nature: to instance onely in putrifying spirits or juces which transmute not onely wood, but also shels, bones, mettals, into their strong nature without destroying the external form: so ( I say) this earth endeavoureth to al­ter or change these Trees into it's turfy nature; and I suppose it hath already changed, as I suppose, the smaller boughs into it's nature, and introduced some indispositions into the great­er wood: for this earth hath a peculiar and more manifest fa­culty of multiplying, then other earths have: for when it is exhausted it groweth again, as I have heard of divers worthy of credit, if so be the water be kept on it all winter, and per­mitted to run forth in the Spring, which good Husbandry I have seen practised in divers places; and further every one obser­veth, that it presently stops the Channels and Ditches which are cut through this kind of earth: and therefore from the Vapours, Fumes, or Effluvia, call them what you will; for I think all multiplicative Acts to proceed from such spiritual things, and not from bodies; and of this earth, doth this al­teration or blacknesse of the wood proceed, as in putrificati­on is seen, and not as in putrifaction: for the wood is strong, firm, and oft used for boards and building: as to explain my self, Smoak will discolour any thing that is long hung up in it, but in this there is a vital, active, multiplicative Energy, which worketh not by putrifaction, which in smoak is wanting: that the Pine is not so soon changed as the Oak, it is because it is of a more resinous or oyl nature, Pitch, Rosin, and Turpen­tine, being made out of such Trees, and therefore it is not so easily penetrated: This is in briefe my Philosophy concern­ing Moonlog, if I am in an errour, I will thank him that shall shew me the truth.

Animadversor. Too credulous to Glauber, who will make Beer without malting, &c. Aqua-vitae, &c. out of Haws, Canker­berries, &c.

TO which I answer, That Beer may be made of Wheat, Barley, Pease, &c. unmalted, I question not; for it is [Page 142] ordinay to adde Wheat ground, or Beans with Malt to make the Beer stronger, and with good successe. Also Cromer in his Description of Poland saith, that they oft make Beer of Wheat ground, &c. yea I know that Potatoes maketh excellent drink in Barbadoes; also in New-England the stalks of Virgi­nian wheat, as it is usually called. Squashes or Gourds, Pum­pions boyled make considerable drink; Parsnips make that which is accounted rare; therefore much more the Grains a­bove mentioned: But the great question is, Whether Wheat, Barley, &c. malted or unmalted will make most and best Beer, or Aqua-vitae. Glauber affirms he knows how to make more of Corn unmalted then malted, which though I will not posi­tively maintain; yet I suppose that I can make it appear, that it is not onely possible, but probable it is so by divers Argu­ments, besides Glaubers testimony: for,

First, An ingenious Chymist of my acquaintance, altogether unacquainted with Glauber and his writings, hath affirmed to me, that he hath oft experimented it, and hath proffered wa­gers even to Brewers concerning this. De La. Nature de Plants. 593. Also De La Brosse Phy­sician to the King of France, and Keeper of the Royal Garden at Paris, affirmeth, that out of twenty of Wheat ferment­ed his way, he can draw forth no lesse then three pints, and a Chopin of excellent Aqua-vitae, which is above three English pottles; more by far then any will undertake to draw out of the like quantity of Wheat maulted: and further it is without question, that some of the vertue of the Barley is drawn a­way by steeping in water, for oft the water at the bottom is very red: and also by the sprouting, for that usually is dryed up, and goes away into dust, onely used for the enriching of Corn Lands, and further the difference between the weight of Barley and Mault is very considerable, Mault being lighter then Barley, as I have tryed by a fourth part, or thereabout, which is certainly a diminution of the flower or strength, for the husk is the same in both. Further, what good this ferment­ing or maulting doth further then to soften the Grain, and make it spungy, so that the liquor may more easily penetrate, and liquefie the flower or nutritive part thereof into a sweet [Page 143] juice, which juice after by fermentation or working doth more seperate it selfe from the grosser parts, and so at length plea­sant drinks, and Aqua-vitae is made thereof, which things I suppose may as well, if not better be accomplished by other wayes of fermentation, and all the vertue of the Grain pre­served: But enough of this Paradox.

2. I suppose that all who have the least skill in distillations now, that if any liquour will ferment, it will produce an A­qua-vitae, yea and that Spirits or Aqua-vites may be drawn in some measure even out of Roses, Violets, Cold Plants; why then is it so observed to say that Aqua-vitae may be drawn from Hawks and Hips, &c. For though they are fruits of un­pleasant tasts, yet we know that even the roughest and harsh­est Pears will make Perry not inferiour to the best, and in Nor­mandy such a kind of Pear is in greatest use: and further (though I will not affirm, that the Aqua-vitae of any thing may be made as good as that of Wine, &c. as a late French Writer doth) yet I say that ingenuity will advance much in this kind, and cannot but once again exhort men to try what may be had out of such common and trivial things as Haws, Hips, Black-berries, &c.

Animadversor. Fond opinion of Astrologers.

FIrst, I name none in particular. 2. The worst word I use is fond, which is not alwayes taken in the worst sence, and then at worst it is but a diminution of folly, and may onely be applyed to that particular wherein they erre, but because it offendeth, I desire that hereafter it may be expunged, as also [ degrees] to be changed into a thousand miles.

Howe, is an instrument well known about London, and in all Plantations, with which they cut off weeds. I suppose it comes from the French word Hoyan, which instrument is used about their Vines.

Wheat is said to lodge when through ranknesse it falleth, and lyeth on the ground. Hips are not Haws, but rather what grows or Eglantine, Rosa Canina, Piles are pieces of Timber [Page 144] driven into the ground to break the violence of the Seas and Rivers.

Glassenbury thorne is called of Parkinson, Spina acuta bi­stora Britanica, because it usually blassometh at Christmas, (as also Walnut-tree in New-Forrest in Wiltshire) and after in May, as other thorns. Simple people call it Joseph of Ari­mathea's staffe, and repute it among the wonders of England, but it's found growing elsewhere.

To the third Letter of Animadversions concerning Cyder.

I say in my former discourse, and truly, that there are two wayes of making Cyder.

First, After the juice of the fruit is expressed, presently to put it into Barrels, and there to let it work as Beer usually doth, and that there is not any necessity to put it first into Caves or great Tubs to work in, and thus I have oft seen it made in Kent, and very good.

The second way, which I especially commend, is to boyle the juice sometime over the fire gently either by it self alone, or with some good spices, and then to make it work with some barm or yest, as Beer doth, and afterwards to barrel it, and bottle it up; and this truly I conceive to be the best way for many reasons; and I suppose the West-Countrey Gentleman, whom the Animadversor quoteth, consenteth to this way; for he acknowledgeth that by boyling it may be kept longer, and that is fitter for long Sea-voyages, and consequently better; for boyling purifieth, disgesteth, and taketh away windinesse, and crudities, as we daily see in boyling of Beer, and Ale espe­cially if it be with spices: Now this boyling ought to be be­fore the working or fermenting; for then the watry part fly­eth away first, and there is not any considerable decay of the Spirits: but if Cyder be boyled after it hath wrought (as we call it) then the Spirit. Aqua-vitae, or life of the liquour first flyes away, as it is well known even to all Aquavitae Distillers and nothing remaineth but a dead, flat, unpleasant liquour, [Page 145] nauseous to the stomack, and also narcotick and very in-ebria­ting, as I have found by experience: for on a time distilling a strong red wine, called Tont, that I might have a fine spirit for a peculiar use; I received what remained in glass bottles well stopt for some other occasions. But a servant-maid of my brothers, supposing it had been that good wine she saw me bring into my Chamber, was so bold as to drink two or three spoonfuls, which caused her to be extreamly sottishly drunk: her Mistress seeing her in that case, examined her what she ailed, she truely told her, that she had onely tasted a little (and truely it was but a little) of that wine I had in my Cham­ber; her Mistress presently came to me with open mouth, fear­ing her maid had been poysoned; but when I had told them the whole truth, the fear was turned into laughter and amaze­ment; and then I remembred what formerly I had read in De la Brosse, his History naturall, concerning the in-ebriating vertue of the slegm of wime, which Doctor French likewise hath published in English in his Book of Chymistry.

To the fourth Letter of the Animadversor.

FIrst, I answer, that I am not mistaken; for I certainly know, that we have Quinces from Flaunders, Chestnuts from Portugal, Walnuts from France in considerable quantities. I deny not but that they may also come from other parts; but if Walnuts come from Holland, as the Animadversor saith, I am sure that they grow not there, &c. Further I affirm, and truely, that small nuts are oft brought of Spain in abun­dance, and it is well known to all, which nut is very small, but it hath a very thin shel, and a fine taste a filbert: I grant also that some years Ireland in the woody parts thereof hath plenty of small nuts, but these nuts have thicker shels, and have not that sweet taste that the Spanish have, yet in Ʋl­ster, where woods do abound, I never knew them cheaper then in Kent. Neither can Ireland supply the World, nay, not England with these nuts; for the greater part thereof is extreamly destitute of woods.

Concerning brewing without multing Corn, I have already spoken, and I hope shown probabilities, that it is not onely feasible, but also to be done with profit.

Animadversor. Grafting, Inoculating, &c. cannot be learned in two hours.

I answer, That the Rules for grafting and inoculating are so easie, the instruments so few and common, that I sup­pose a less time may suffice; and I know divers who can both graft, and inoculate excellently, and yet have obtained this Art, only by beholding a Gardiner grafting and inoculating, & that but a little while: but I confess that to be excellent in this Art, as in all other handy-crafts, there is required a convenient time, continual use, and a promp and ready hand, which every man hath not.

Animadversor. Vines flourish not many hundred miles North of Alsatia, in France, Lorayn, Germany.

Answer, That it is so in Germany, (when Vines flourish not onely in Silesia and the Palatinate, but also in Bran­denb [...]g, and also in Prussia, as Cromer reports) will plainly appear, as also in France, where Vines grow very far North in Picardy, and Champeigne: so likewise in Lorayn, and in those places betwixt France and Germany, (not to speak of the excellent wine in Arbois in the free County) Vines flourish even in Liegh, also about Lovayn, which are very far North many hundred miles from Alsatia.

Animadversor. Vines grow not sixty miles North of Paris.

Answer, That by the way of Beaumont and Beauvois, I I have seen them flourish nigh twenty leagues from Pa­ris, and that they may flourish more North, divers think, and blame either the negligence or ignorance of the Inhabitants. Moreover by the way of Pontois, through Normandy, Vines do flourish even so far North as Arles, 35 leagues from Pa­ris, and within five leagues of Diepe; and I think if the Soil of Normandy were warm land, they might flourish further North, but Normandy is a stiff, chalky land, very improper. Rhemes also is above twenty leagues, N. E. of Paris hath a­bundance [Page 147] of vines and is accounted the staple of wines in those parts: Therefore it will plainly appear vines to flourish sixty miles North of Paris, and consequently little from the latitude of some parts of England, viz the South-West part of England; and therefore I cannot but again desire ingenious Gentlemen to endeavour the planting of vines with us, especially those four sorts I have formerly men­tioned, (according to that way that Captain Tuck an ingeni­ous Gentleman of great Chart in Kent doth) and that Vines will prosper, is not only probable for the reasons aforesaid, but also because the vines flourish also naturally in Canada a very cold place, and also Mr. page 71. Cambden reporteth that many hun­dred years since, that vines did very much flourish in Brit [...]ain, and of latter years at Ely in Cambridgshire, at Ley in Ess [...]x, as it appears in Dooms Book were six. Arpens of Vines, and it yeilded twenty Modes of wine; also he accuseth us of negligence and sloth, that there are not Vineyards in England at present; Also William of Malmsbury, who lived before William the Conquerour, speaketh of the Wine of England, Cā. 35·7 and saith it is little inferiour to the French, not having such an unpleasant tartness, but not long after William, and his Sons reign, Gas­cony fell to the English, and so remained three hundred years, which might be the true cause of the ruine of vineyard [...]. Yet at this day I know divers Gentlemen in Kent, who make some Hogsheads of good wine most years, and every year plant more. I hope this business will be prosecuted more generally through this Land, seeing it will conduce very much to the profit, pleasure, and honour of this fortunate Isle.

Animadversor. Pack in so many Plants about Paris, &c.

I mean not of different Species, but of the Plants of vines, as many well appear by the following words; viz. That they may have greater encrease, &c. And I question not, but that the Animadversor hath observed the same fault; for the vineyards about Paris have usually twice the number of vine-plants on their ground as are necessary; and far­ther it is certain, that if the Vines were thinner, the Wine [Page 148] would be better, because the Vines do shade one another.

Animadversor. To short Poles as we do Hops, &c.

It is well known that we tye not Hops to short poles, but to long ones; and therefore I compare the Vine and Hop to­gether in this respect only, that both want poles to uphold them; but because that the sense is not clear to all, in the next Impression a word or two should be added: viz. Hops to long ones.

Animadversor. Pressing with the feet not frown in the Northern parts of France, &c.

I lived in Charanton two leagus from Paris, a whole Vintage, purposely to see how wine was made in France, and never saw any other way used there; only the husks at the conclusion use to be brought to the great Presse, out of which they expresse some small quantity of wine, and therewith usually fill their Hogsheads, which usually waste in the working: and further in Italy, I never saw any other way used. Moreover, to tread out wine with the feet, is, as I suppose, an old custome, and no disparagement to the wine; for we know that most of the Ba­kers bread in England is kneaded with the feet, and yet none are offended at it: Neither did I ever see it work in Caves or great Vessels (unlesse for 24 hours) as is ordinarily in Lombar­dy, in Italy, by eight, ten, or twelve dayes, but presently in France they put it into Hogsheads, and there let it work, keep­ing them alwayes full, that the scum of froath may go forth. Neither do I see any considerable inconvenience by doing thus, onely a greater quantity of grosse lees will be at the bot­tom of the wine; but if wine shall any time work in great tubs with the husks of the Grapes, it will lose its colour, grow Garbo, or rough, flattish, &c.

Animadversor. That would destroy.] A bitter word against my Countrey-men, &c.

I particularize no Nation, and we have the aforesaid Com­modities from divers Countreys. viz. Poland, France, Ger­many, [Page 149] Holland, Flanders. I am sorry that the Animadversor did so unhappily apply it to his own Country, and that against my will I am a true Prophet. But whatsoever is bitter I dis­allow, and wish it expunged; for I protest against it, and re­ally did wonder to see it in my discourse, hating tartnesse in writings. I hope my pen shall slip so no more, yet I should be glad if the State would seriously consider what extream in­conveniencies may fall on this Nation through want of Hemp and Flax, and how easie it is to have sufficient for our selves; as I have shewed in my former discourse.

Animadversor. Nothing more hurtful to fruitfulness, then com­mon salt, &c. Niter the only fructifying salt, &c.

Though I consent with the Animadversor, that to speak plainly, so as the Countrey-man may understand me; I say that Niter is the specal cause of fruitfulness, yet I cannot deny Salt to be the greatest enemy to it. For first about Nantwich, where much salt is made by boyling salt-water, the refuse salt doth very much improve their Meadows; and Palissy a French Author doth likewise affirm, that salt doth cause divers pla­ces about Rochel to be very fruitful; also Sea-sand, as I sup­pose, hath its fruitfulnesse from the salt in it: Likewise the salt of ashes, &c. seemeth to me to have as much, if not more affinity to common salt as to Niter, as appears by its Cubick form; yet they do much fertilize both Corn and Pasture: Further, the Lord Bacon, whose authority is of good credit with us, attributeth fertility to salt. As also Markham, whom the Animadversor approveth of as an experienced Husband­man, who prescribeth common salt alwayes to be mixed with his Grain for the obtaining of incredible Crops. Indeed, I grant, that if too great a quantity be used through the corro­sivenesse thereof, it causeth barrenness; but the like we may say of Lime, Soot, Ashes, &c. yea of Niter it self; for I know by experience, that under great Pigeon-houses, Walnut-trees, as Vines, Peaches, &c. will not prosper; and I know no o­ther cause then this, That too great a quantity of Pigeons [Page 150] dung doth fall down from the Roofe of the house, and so the Trees are destroyed.

Animadversor. They in Holland preserve their Dung and Ʋrine, no otherwise then else-where, &c.

They are far more careful then we are in England: so that the Sun may not exhaust the vertue, nor the rain wash away the strength thereof, which I note as a good kind of Husban­dry, both to be commended and imitated.

Animadversor. Italy sendeth forth little paper, as also Holland, &c.

The finest paper we have in England, comes from Genoa and Venice, yet not so much from the latter place as formerly, since the plague there 1630. Much of this paper is gilded with Gold on the edges. Holland ships not onely furnish us with a thick strong white paper, which is commonly called Dutch paper, but also abundantly with a strong brown paper much desired by the Grocers. (Although at present, lesse is import­ed because we have many Paper-mils lately erected) but whi­ther this be made in Holland, Friezland, in Germany, or else­where, I dispute not.

The fifth Letter of the Animadversor.
The Abel Tree is a Popular, not a Salix.

I Thank the Animadversor for reforming my errour; for I was informed that it was a kind of Sallow, but it seemeth it is a kind of Popular or Aspe; and so at length by enquiry I have found it named by Parkinson in his Herbal.

Animadversor. The profit of Silk is not so great as of Corn and Wine to France.

I do not positively affirm it, but onely report it upon the credit of a late French Writer, whose name I at present re­member [Page 151] not, and I am also far from my Library, that I cannot turn to him: It indeed seemeth to me likewise very probable, for I know that Corn and Wine are heavy, bulky commodi­ties, of low rate, Wine sometimes being not much more worth then the Barrel, and Corn scarce a Merchandable commodity in any place, yea France it selfe sometimes wants it: so that a little Silk will ballance these two, and France as it is well known hath not onely sufficient for it selfe, but many Plushes, Vel­vets, and other Manufactures of Silk, were in a considerable quantity exported for England till the late prohibition; and why may not Silk do that in France, it doth in Italy. Yea that which all will grant Flax doth for Linnen, Canvases, &c. and are of greater value.

Animadversor. Silk is a stranger to the parts that are nigh Englands Temper.

King James, and his learned Councel in their Letter to the Deputy Lieutenants affirm the contrary, and bring this as an Argument to encourage the people to set upon this work.

Secondly, Much Silk is made at Tours, (yea I am informed that that populous Town doth even totally subsist by it) which place is not very much different from Englands temper, being not much above two degrees from the South of England: and I say again, if Silk-worms are come even out of Persia, China, and those very hot Countreys, as far as the heart of France, which is very temperate▪ and yet these Worms thrive very well there; why may they not come a little farther, and why do we not strive to advance them here as well as France? yea we find by experience, that some few Gentlewomen have bred divers up for their pleasure, even as far North as Ducken­field in Cheshire, where some quantity of Silk hath been made, yet this place is nigh as far North of some places of England. As they of Tours. Moreover, a Lady (Virginia F.) as I have late­ly seen in print, hath hatched worms in England, and then turned them forth to the Mulberry-trees, exposed to the cold and moysture of the Air, and yet they have done well, yea [Page 152] better then those within doors. These and other reasons do so far convince me, that I cannot but again and again desire in­genious men to proceed in this rich and pleasant work.

Animadversor. Moysture is no way nourishing to these Worms,

First, I say in general, that heat and moisture are the two great Causes of Insects; where these abound, Insects abound, where one of these are wanting there are but few engendered, And why should we exempt these from the common genera­tion of Insects? and consequently if ingendered by these, nou­rished by these according to the old Axiome, Ex iis nutrimur, ex quibus constamus.

And 2. We know that the damp, moist Woods of Virginia do breed Silk-worms of an incredible bignesse, surpassing the Spanish and Italian. And likewise that a Lady in England (as I have it from a friend whom I dare believe) turning the Silk-worms not long after they were hatched into the Mulberry-trees, by experience found, that they prospered better then those that were kept dry within dore: Sir Ja. Craig. yea in Ireland in the County of Cavan in Ʋlster [the moistest of all places] a Gen­tleman kept divers Silk-worms, which prospered very well, and therefore I cannot think moisture, as moisture, any considera­ble enemy to them; for of it self it hath little activity, and if these worms shall not thrive in any place, I will rather attribute it to cold which is known to be an active quality, and the great destroyer of all Insects; for we see in England that moist Summers do increase Flies, Gnats, Butter-flies, &c. and it is the cold winds and frosts that destroy them; yet I will grant that moisture accidentally hurts, viz. as it introduceth too much frigidity, or if it be too much in their meat, it may cause flux­es, rottings, &c. as it doth to Conies, Guiny-pigs, &c. As for Bonveil who hath writ of Silk-worms, I have both read him, and commend him; Libavius also I have, and even all his ma­ny Volums: but in my opinion he hath written Multa, sed non Multum.

Animadversor. Sassafras, Sarsaparilla, and Snake-weed, I am sure will not grow to purpose.

First, why not? I am sure that Sassafras groweth in the Northern Plantations of New-England, even as far North as Sacho ▪ where the Snow usually lyeth five moneths, and the Winter extream bitter in respect of England: and further this Sassafras is not a small plant or shrub easily nipt with the frost, but a great Tree, so that boards of ten inches Diame­ter have been made thereof; and further, where it once grow­eth, hardly to be destroyed: so that it much annoyeth the Corn by its young shoots, and the Mower in Harvest more then any other Tree that I heard of in that Countrey. I was informed that the Native Indians of the place, when they lose themselves in the Woods, presently run to these small shoots, and thereby know which is North and South. Indeed I have observed that one side is more speckled then another, and per­haps other small shoots of plants are so, but not as yet obser­ved (for ought I know) of any. This Plant is not sufficiently described by Gerrard, Johnson, Parkinson, or any that yet I have seen.

For first, They speak not of any flowers, and yet it hath fair, white, large flowers, almost as big as Rosa Canina, but I perceived little smell in them, though all other parts of this Plant, as leaves, bark, wood, and root especially, are very odo­rifero [...]s.

Secondly, They mention not the seeds which are about the bigness of Bay-berries, many of which I sent out of New-En­gland, some of which grew in York-Garden at London, but through mishap perished.

Thirdly, This tree is not alwayes green, as Parkinson, John­son. saith, but in New-England casteth its leaves. Perhaps in Florida it may perpetually be green; for I know that in New-England the wild-Bays (which is like our common bays in smell and leaves) casteth its leaf in Winter, as also a kind of [...]ir about Casho-bay, (out of which is extracted a very odorife­rous gum) and others in like manner, &c. In New-England [Page 154] divers in the beginning of their plantations, used this Plant in their Beer, hoping that it would have served both for mault and spice, but it deceived their expectations. For in my ap­prehension it giveth a taste not pleasant, and also they that accustomed themselves to this drink, especially in the Summer found themselves faint and weak, not able to endure labour.

Animadversor 2. Sarsaperilla will not thrive in England, &c.

First, Smilax (to which this is referred) is two-fold.

1. Aspera, which is not found as yet with us.

2. Levis, or Convolvulus, this groweth naturally wild with us, whose leaves though they differ much from the former, yet the root is very like, as I have seen them compared toge­ther; and further the vertues also; as I have been credibly informed by divers ingenious Apothecaries.

2. This Smilax aspera is found not only in Peru, &c. But also in Virginia (as I am informed by divers) which is a Coun­trey whose Winters are far more piercing then in England.

3. In New-England I have seen a Plant with good success used for Sarsaperilla, which is a plant about one foot and an half high with an upright stalk, with some few leaves at the top; I at first sight, thought it the plant called Herba Gerardi, but the root is very like the Sarsaparil, commonly used with the pithyness, which maketh me to think that there are divers species of these Smilaxes; some of which may well thrive and prosper in England, especially those that grow in New-Eng­land and Virginia, but concerning this plant and divers o­thers, which grow in New-England, I cannot give you that ac­count I desire, because my seeds and papers unhappily mis­carried.

Animadversor 3. Rattle-snake Grasse will not thrive, &c.

Parkinson, an able Botanick, saith it flourisheth with us in June and July, and therefore what should hinder it from thri­ving to the purpose?

[Page 155]2. Virginia (as I said before) hath sharper Winters then England, and yet there it groweth abundantly in the Woods without cultivation, why not with us therefore by good ma­naging and art? When I was in New-England I was acquaint­ed with an ancient Gentleman, who also was a Scholer, and had lived ten years in Virginia, who certified me that there were two sorts of Rattle-snake-weeds, the greater, and the less. That which he called the greater I casually had in my hand, it was a bulbous plant, about the bignesse of a Pigeons egge, and [...]ilky in the root, it grew in the water, and the leaves like Pistolochia: he told me that this was accounted the best; the second is called the lesse; and according to Parkinsons descripti­on the leaves are like the former, but the root is fibrous, and this is that which is commonly brought for England; and for my part I suppose, and upon good grounds, that not only the former, but also the latter will thrive with us. I have oft desi­red many of my friends and acquaintance to send me this plant, and divers others which grow even at their doors, but could never prevail so far with them, and have far greater hope of the flourishing of this wild plant, that of Tobacco, (either of that which in New-England is called Poak, much dif­fering from the Virginian, or of that other commonly used and sown in Virginia) for they grow not naturally in these places, and yet Tobacco so flourisheth in England, that it pleaseth the State to take notice of it, and by an Act to pro­hibit it. And though I cannot deny but God hath given his peculiar blessings to every Countrey: yet it doth not hence follow, that nothing which groweth in an hot Countrey will thrive in these more Northern Climates; for most of our curi­ous plants, as Apricocks, Peaches, &c. Flac. Pernvianus, Juca, &c. came at first from hot Countreys, yet thrive well with us: yea true, Rhenbarb: (if we will believe Parkinson) which formerly hath only grown in the East-Indyes, groweth abun­dantly with us. This I am sure, if it be not the same, it is very like in vertue: and daily we find that things brought out of a hot Countrey do flourish with us, as lately the great Spanish Cane (much used by Weavers and Vintners.) Master John [Page 156] Tradeskin brought from the Western-Isle, and it flourisheth well in his Garden, and groweth great and tall.

Animadversor. So of Pines and Cedars, &c.

I wonder that the Animadversor should question the growth of Pines in England, seeing they grow commonly in the Plain of Poland, as Cromer saith, and the Pitch-tree is a kind of Pine growing even in the coldest places. In New-England I have seen Pines above four foot Diameter, and the length ac­cordingly, even in the most Northern places. Further, these commonly grow in the Gardens about London: so concerning Cedars, they grow of a very great heighth and bignesse in the Northern parts of New-England, where show lyeth five or six months, and therefore I do not any wayes question their growing with us: and do again note that the neglect of these as also of the Fir-tree, is a great deficiency in England; and to what a straight our State might now be driven for Masts, did not New-England furnish us? as also for Pitch and Tar, is well known. And yet these Trees will grow in very barren land, and are sweet growers. Yea, as it appears by our Mosses they have formerly grown in, England. Further, many will stand in a little ground, so that I dare boldly aver, that one thousand Acres planted with these Trees would in forty years serve this Isle with Masts for ever, and help us to great quan­tities of Pitch and Tar; for where these Trees once take, they are very hardly destroyed, as I have observed in New-En­gland, where on an Isle every year in Summer, the Planters spent a day or two to cut them down, that the place might pasture the better for their young Cattle, but these Trees did presently grow again, so that they gave over their intentions, seeing their labour fruitless: but whether or no these Cedars (which are both white and red) of New-England and Barmu­daes ▪ be the same with those of Libanus, which are Coniferae, I will not dispute, or whether they be a kind of Juniper, as Parkinson saith; so far as I have observed the leaves of the smaller shrubs are rough and prickly, and the berries not only the Junipers.

Animadversor. Lucerna is without doubt Medica veterum, and well known.

I much question it, for first Johnson, and Gerrard, and Par­kinson, our best Herbalists do rather think Medica veterum to be Saint Foin.

2. Though I have had above twelve sorts of Medicaies, yet they are all Annual, and our Herbalists do not mention any other Medicaies; But be it so, as the Animadversor saith, yet neither the Plant Lucerna, not so much as the name was known to us, til I mentioned it in my Letters to M. Hartlib, neither did ever any sow it in their fields, as the Ancient have done.

Animadversor. Lupines known to all, &c.

I grant that amongst our Gardiners are divers sorts of Lu­pines, great and small with blew and yellow flowers; which as I suppose may differ as our Pease and Tares, and therefore require divers sorts of land; but I say that these Lupines are totally unknown to the Husbandman, and never used for that end, the ancient Romans used them, viz. to fertilize their land, as in Kent some use tares. In New-England I found the small blew Lupine growing naturally on a dry white sandy Plain, and therefore think that that sort is more natural for the end above mentioned, then the great Lupine, I hope in little time to experiment something in this kind.

Animadversor. Grout is made of Barley or Oats, &c.

I know that we have a great kind of Oatmeal, which we call Grots, but this Grout which I mean, is a small round thing, it cometh over to us in Holland ships, and I suppose it a kind of Millet or Panick, but wonder how it comes to Hol­land, because those Grains grow not there; but if it be made of Oats or Barly, the way to make it so round & smal is unknown to us: I read in Parkinson of a kind of Rice sown in Germa­ny, [Page 158] perhaps it may be of that kind; for I have found, as I sup­pose, some of the grains unhusked, which to me seemed to be like very small rice, I would willingly know the truth of this, whether I be mistaken or not.

Animadversor. The two last sorts made only of Cows milk.

I suppose he meaneth Angelots and Holland Cheeses, and that Parmisans are made of other milk then Cowes milk. If so, that Animadversor, I dare say, is mistaken; for I have en­quired concerning Parmisans, even to Lodi in Millan, where the best are supposed to be made, and yet never heard any af­firm that any milk besides Cows milk was an Ingredient to them: and further all the Lands in those parts are very im­proper for sheep, the Countrey being a low flat Countrey, which they float three or four times every year, and by that means do mow as often; neither did I see any considerable flocks of sheep. As for Mares milk that is improper for cheese, though many good House-wives in England think, that the strength and strong savour of Holland Cheese proceeds from hence, but as I have formerly touched, falsely: perhaps there are some in other places, who to excuse either their negligence or ignorance, report the same of Parmisans, but they are de­ceived: As concerning Angelots and Parmisans, I must say (though I am unwilling to disparage our English Houswifery, further then is right) that to my apprehension the Angelots of France, which are made in great abundance, are better far then our Chester Cheeses, and also our Banbury; as for our Chedder Cheeses which are made onely in two or three parishes in their number so small that they are seldom seen, but at some Noble-mans table, or rich Vintners Sellars, that they are even nothing considering the great quantity of Cheese which is made in this Isle. Neither do I think they transcend the Par­misan or some Angelots, but I leave this Controversie to eve­ry ones palate; that being very excellent to one, which is ve­ry little worth to another: and I can truly affirm, that it is a great deficiency even through the whole Isle, if these Cheddar [Page 159] Cheeses be so good that there are so few made, the Pastures in that Country not exceeding other Counties in England; nor breed of Cattel better. Neither is the price of Angelots at two Sous for half a pound, a vile price (as the Animadversor saith) considering the Cheeses are usually sold green; further I have seen some few Angelots made in England after the French manner by some curious Ladies of transcendent good­nesse, according to mine and divers other palats; and I sup­pose, that other ordinary Housewives might make the same, if they knew the Art.

Animad. The Animadversor seemeth to taxe me, that I ac­count the difference of Climates and of Soils the onely causes, why some places produce such and such plants abundantly, o­ther places not, (if I mistake him not) concerning which I shal briefly and plainly declare my mind: and do affirm that,I think, where the Climate is the same, and the temper of the Soil equal, in such places all plants will equally thrive, but if the Climates vary either in heat or cold moisture or drinesse; or the Soil in fruitfulness, barrenness, or in moysture, driness, or in stifness, lightness, sandyness, clayishness, or in such cir­cumstantials, then is there also a variation in the well or ill thriving of plants: and further I suppose that whatsoever plants thrive in one hot Countrey, they will also thrive in a­nother, if there concur the like moysture and soil (the same cultivation being supposed) this plainly appears in Oranges, Lemmons, (which the Spaniards have planted through all the West-In [...]lyes) Olives, Vines, &c. And on the other side, what thriveth in one cold Countrey, ( caeteris paribus) thrives in all others, as it appeareth in Norway, Poland, New-England, Russia, New-found-l [...]nd, where Firres, Pines, Pitch trees, &c. grow abundantly, and so what thrives in our temperate clime, thrives in all, as is manifestly seen in Apples, Peares, Cherries, Wheat, Barley, and almost in all Grains and Seeds in Botanick Gardens. And I can see no other cause worth the speaking of, but the afore-mentioned. Yet I grant that hot Countries have their peculiar plants, which will very hard­ly thrive in cold Countries, because of the nipping frost, yet [Page 160] the frost being rebated they will thrive well; and by this means I have seen six miles from London in Surrey Orange trees flou­rishing and growing even to the greatnesse of Trees in that kind in Italy, with ripe fruit continually on them, also with blossoms, &c. Likewise cold Countries have their peculiar fruits and plants, which cannot endure the scorching heat of the Sun, and therefore the Herb called Lanchitis, and others which grow abundantly in cold Countries, and in the Royal Garden at Paris, as difficulty preserved in Mompelier Gar­den, as Oranges, Olives, &c. are preserved in the cold Coun­tries. De la Brosse. As for occult proprieties of the earth, for Sympathyes and Antipathies, secret influences of Planets benigne aspect, &c. I understand them not, but dare boldly affirm, if I have a convenient Clime, and a Soil correspondent to the nature of the Plant, to cause any plant to thrive and prosper; and this we see by experience, that if Rye, &c. be sown in a dry sandy ground, whether in Poland, England, New-England, which are many thousand miles distant, yet it will thrive and prosper, & sic de ceteris.— As for Astrology, to the which all in these dayes are too prone, even Gardiners and Husband­men, will be talking of the dark of the Moon, and of the increase and decrease of the Solar and Lunar Ecclipses; and accordingly dispose of their seasons, of times to their great damage; for I my self even by experience have found folly in these things, for things sown in the great Ecclipses both of the Sun and Moon, have thriven as well as other things: in the decrease as well as in the increase, and therefore wish all men to sow their seeds when the season appointed is come, with­out such vain observations: For this Art for what I can per­ceive, is no way demonstrable à priori; for who can prove 12 Signes, Fiery, Watery, Domus Planetarum, Dignitates, &c. which are the main pillars of this Art: and à posteriori, by calculations it is made more uncertain, for though much is undertaken by divers, yet little is effected, many untruths for one truth, and little prognosticated, but what a prudent man without advising with the Stars may foresee. In brief, I will declare my rude thoughts, which perhaps will at length be [Page 161] found truths, for light breaketh forth a pace: In the begin­ning the wise Creator made two great Lights for the use of this Sphere of the World, the Sun, and Moon; the Sun to enlighten and to warm, and refresh all things, and to rule the day; the Moon to rule the night, and to be for the di­stinguishing of times and seasons; the Sun being the Center imparts his light to the Earth and Moon, also to Venus and Mercury, (for they are found by the Selnescope to increase and decrease as the Moon doth) and also it is probable to Mars, and Jupiter, and Saturn, and scarce further; for the power of all created things are finite, as the Moon being nigh­est reflects its light on us, so its probable that the Earth illu­minates the Moon. Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, have their Lunars or small Stars moving about them, which have lately been discovered (the Ancient knew not thereof) which its probable are for the distinguishing of times and seasons for the Inhabi­tants of those parts. Those which we call the fixt Stars are very great, many of which because of their great distance can­not be discovered but by the Glass called the Telescope, and therefore surely have little operation upon us who are in ano­ther Sphere, so far distant from them, and amongst these its probable some are Solar bodies, because of their twinckling, others terrestrial, which are replenished with creatures endued with life, by the fountain of life, which creatures do, as the creatures in this earth continually set forth the infinite Great­nesse, Glory, Mercy, and Goodnesse of the Creator; Cusan Hill. Brum. and these words are even infinite, for the infinite Creator hath made an infinite Work worthy of so great a Workman, transcending the narrow capacity of frail mans intellect, and if things be thus, Astrology is vain, &c. but I wonder some will say, toto Coelo, but its no matter: ad propositum.

Animadversor. He is much mistaken if he think that those things reckoned up page 82. will prosper in England, especially Ryce, Cork, Scarlet, Oak.

I answer, Perhaps not much mistaken; things far impro­bable [Page 162] have succeeded; and again I aver that I believe they will, and shall believe so, till experience prove the contrary. And first for Rice, which first came from Babylon, and the East-Indyes, and is in those places their usual bread, where they have usually two or three Crops every year, yet we see it can condiscend now to grow in the North parts of Italy in Lombardy; yea it hath stept over the Mountains, and is come even as far as Tours, which is in the midst of France, where it growth and especially delighteth in moist morish grounds; also if may believe Parkinson a good and painfull Botanick, either Rice, or some thing so like Rice, that he puts it in the same Chapter with it, grows in Germany, and therefore I question not but we in England might have one good Crop of this Grain in our Morish Land yearly; for the reasons that this will thrive with us, to me are more strong then that Corian­der, Sweet-fennel, Caraway, Canary-grass, the Great-Cane,&c. will thrive, and yet these of late begin to flourish with us very well.

Cork-tree. I very little question the growth of this. For first these trees grow abundantly in Biscay, a Countrey far colder then England, where the Summers also scarcely ma­ture the grapes: Likewise they grow in the North of New-England at Parcato-way. Further that Tree is a great hardy bearing Acorns, and leaves like to an Oak, that one may easily be deceived by it, and mistake it for the common Oak.

Scarlet Oak, I hope, I shall make it very probable, that even this also may flourish in our Isle: In Latine it is called Ilex, of which there are divers sorts. Some greater, some less, some more, some less beautiful: the greater sort which indeed beareth little of the Chermes groweth very well in England to a great Tree, and beareth Acorns, one of which I have seen at Whitehall-Gate.

2. Master Parkinson reporteth that in New-England and Virginia, &c. The smaller Ilex (which is fruitful of Chermes, if it be cultivated) groweth naturally.

3. This Scarlet Oak groweth not onely in Languedock, and [Page 163] the hotter parts of France, but I have seen it also in Paris royal Garden grow without much art or industry.

4. Divers Plants though at first they difficultly thrive, yet when they are habituated to the Countrey, and to cast their seed there, thrive well: Thus I have observed that Virginia Wheat at first difficultly thrived in New-England, but the seed that matured there the next year, flourished very well: the same I observed of Wheat brought from England, of wa­ter Melon seed brought from the Western Islands: the like I observe in Ireland of Oats and Barley sown before December, the Winter kills much, but what endureth and ripeneth, is hardened for the next Winter, and flourisheth, &c.

5. There may perhaps other Species be found of this Scar­let Oak, more proper for our Climate, and I remember that on the barren plains in New-England I have seen growing e­ven every where a small Oak, seldom above two foot high, yet laden with small Acorns, which are indifferent good to be eaten, and are the special food for the wild Turkeys in Win­ter, the leaves differ little from the common Oak but are smal­ler: some of these small Oaks being cut up nigh to a Damme made to turn a small river for the iron works, I perceived that out of the young twigs (which I never before perceived in the old branches) many excrescences did break forth, sticking close to the bark, flattish, reddish, set in order like buttons on a Dublet, the lower-most biggest, and so by little and little less and less, the bigger sort bigger then Vetches. These excres­cences likewise grew on every twig double, one range opposite to another: I, in September when the leaves where fallen, for sooner I did not perceive them, gathered about a pint, ho­ping that this Oak might be of the same nature with the Scar­let Oak, though much differing in leaves: but my mishap. I lost my berries, and never since could obtain more: For these reason; therefore I believe, and I hope others will so far, as to endeavour by experience to find out whether the Scarlet Oak which is a considerable Plant, will thrive amongst us.

Animadversor. I wonder Linden-trees, &c.

[Page 164] Linden-trees are not mentioned as not growing in England, for I know that they grow in many places, and in Cobham Park in Kent they make the statelyest Walk I ever beheld, but Gentlemen only plant them for pleasure. Whereas in other places they make Basse Roap of the Bark, &c. which is no where done in England that I can hear of.

6 Letter. Amber onely found in Prussia.

THis will upon strict enquiry be found otherwise, for ma­ny report Amber to be found also in considerable quan­tity in Pomerland. Cromer also in his discription of Poland saith it is found in divers Lakes with them, especially at Piscia; also that in other places they usually dig it up; also Master Cambden an approved Author for England saith in his de­scription of Norfolk; and also Jet and Amber, which (saith he) I willingly omit, seeing that there is great store of these things elsewhere along the Coast. Also that Jet or black Am­ber is cast up at Whitbey in Yorkshire: Further I have seen long pices of a yellow transparent Stone, or Amber found in a Fountain nigh Lake Neagh, about six miles from Antrims which the Irish say (though vainly) that it is found only there on May-day, and doe use it superstitiously about divers things.

Animadversor. Sea-Owse will not make Brick, &c.

I have seen Sea-Owse or Mud do it at Dover; also in New-England, and it it a common practise, and if I am not misin­formed that sort of Brick, which in London is called Flanders­brick much used, for scowring brasse, &c. is made of the same Material.

Animadversor. Salt out of a Sand, &c.

Master Cambden reports it to be at Wyre-water in Lanca­shire, page 753. where you may read it more at large, and also [Page 165] the same Author reports that at Butterley in Durham, there are saltish stones which serve the people for their use, pag. 734.

Animadversor. Not only the Odour, Tast, and Colour of Wa­ters to be regarded, but other things of greater importance.

I for my part know not how Countrey-men should discern such transcendent virtues in waters, otherwise then by, these wayes. I know ingeninus men may make separations by pu­trifactions, distillations, &c. And further I suppose that water is of it selfe most Homogeneus, (Let Faber speak what he please in his Flydrographo) and that all the differences betwixt waters is accidental: viz. by the mixture of some vapours, Fumes or Saline nature, which it receiveth by its long course throw di­vers Earths, Clays, Sands, Salts, Minerals, Metals, Stones, &c. and further that this mixture is most commonly perceived by our senses, viz. by Colour, Taste, Odour, and would be much more perceived by us, if we did drink water continually. For the use of things of high taste, causeth us that we cannot distin­guish things of lower gusts. For I have known some who could strangely distinguish waters by their tast; and further in England I know no water of any considerable vertue, but an ordinary palate may distinguish it from the common waters, and usually they are discoloured, and have some peculiar odour: As for the Mechanical uses of waters, why some are fit for Brewing, Washing, others not. I suppose the reason is plain enough, but that Flatters cannot make good Hats, because the water is not good enough for them: or the Dary-maid make good Butter or Cheese, &c. I think these are but excuses by the which they usually cloak their ignorance or knavery.

Animadversor. I am sure that whosoever shall believe Glanbe­rus, viz that in all sand almost Gold is found, &c.

The Animadversor may think what he please, but I for my part (as I have formerly said) think Glanberus very ingenious, and a man of excellent experimental knowledge, and a man [Page 166] of excellent experimental knowledge, and therefore am easily induced to believe it, considering that Gold is not only found in the parched sands of Africa, India, &c. but it hath been also found in many Rivers of Europe, as Tagus, Po, &c. yea in Scotland, Gold is found amongst their sands in divers places, some of which I have seen, and know two ingenious men who intended to have set up a Mercury Mill (as they called it) for the separation thereof, had not the troubles of these times prevented: Golden sands are also found in Ireland in Ʋlster, if the Author of the Natural History of Ireland speak truth.

Animadversor. Little fewel, save out of Ditches. Ditches an improper word.

I suppose it not much improper, for I never saw either in England, Ireland, or elsewhere; fire as it were fisht out of the water, I mean that any place is so saving of their Land, and so industrious in sowing their Graffs and Ditches to get fewel as in that Countrey, which I note rather as a point of good husbandry to be mistated then to be discommended, yet I cannot call Turf more then indifferent good fewel, and really must say, it is inferiour both to Coal and Wood.

Animadversor. Durham-Wall, &c.

It is misprinted for Durham-Walls, &c. These places being sufficient for my purpose, I know twenty places more may be added. The expression concerning Opium and Opiates; I sup­pose very little too large.

Animadversor. Elephants cannot be of use.

Master Cambden saith in his Description of Essex that the Romans brought over Elephants to England, whose bones be­ing found, have astonished many (perhaps the bone at Alder­manbury is one of them) also in our dayes an Elephant lived many years in England, therefore to me its probable they may be as serviceable to us, as to other places.

Animadversor. An hard task to people with black Fox, &c.

I suppose the Animadversor means to cause them to en­crease with us, but I think the contrary: for black Foxes are found in Ireland, New-England, Russia, and indeed in all cold Countries, therefore I see not why they should not multiply. Musk-Cats likewise divers have kept in London, and with good profit, &c.

7 Letter. All Plants sublimed into Insects are not medicinable, &c.

J Do not positively affirm it, yet I know it is the opinion of sonie not to be despised; further that some have very con­siderable medicinable vertues, it is well known, and I have instanced in divers, and I suppose that as yet it is altogether unknown whether others have or not.

Animadversor. Rottenness of Sheep known in Ireland, &c.

Rottennesse of Sheep is some times in Spain, but not so much known as in England, though the Countrey be moister; the reasons now I well know, for they have not so many base wet Commons as in England, and the great Sheep-Masters usually chuse their Sheeps-Walks, or Pastures, on high dry Lands, &c.

Animadv. In Holland Cattle not housed in Summer, &c.

Holland with us is usually taken for the 17 Provinces, or at least for the united ones, and that Cattel are housed there as well as at Paris, you may read at large in Flanders husbandry, as also how they give their Cattel Turnips, and that they mow their Medows twice or thrice yearly, which the Animadver­sor denyeth. How the Hollanders do hoard up or bury grains, for that word is proper enough for any thing that is covered in the ground, the Animadversor largely describeth, and I hope it will be practised about London, where in the Summer time they are little worth.

Animadversor. Hogs are not cleanly but love dort, &c.

If Hogs love dirt, then why do they not wallow it in Win­ter as well as in Summer, but it is well known that in Win­ter hogs must lye warm and dry in clean straw, or they will not thrive, and why is it a greater disparagement to hogs in the Summer to lye in mire, that thereby they may cool them­selves, take away their sweat, and destroy their lice by rub­bing when the dirt is dry, then for other cattel to stand and wallow in muddy waters, or for Poultry to dust themselves? And further an Hog much abominateth his own dung, and therefore will never dung nor pisse in his Sty, if the door be open, in which particular he excels even all creatures, and therefore the Paradox of the Hogs cleanlinesse may be found true.

As concerning the extraordinary bignesse of Goose livers, it is in Italy amongst the Jews, where I have eaten of them, highly esteemed, but at present not much in credit amongst the Italians, and to my Palate it is not so excellent a dainty.

8. Letter. Animad. Purchase in his second Tome, sets down the making of Caveare, &c.

I Am certain that Purchase himselfe, never saw the making of Caveare, nor the Merchant perhaps that wrote it, and therefore I must question the Process, and know that in New-England where there are abundance of Sturgeon, whose rows are ordinarily accounted the Material of it, yet never any ever so much as attempted to make it, though divers Fishmongers were there, and attempted to pickle Sturgeon, though with ill success; for in the ship in which I returned from New-En­gland, many Scores of Cags of Sturgeon were sent to London, which were all naught, and cried about the Strees, under the notion of Holy Sturgeon: perhaps if Purchases way were known, it might encourage some to attempt the making of it. If I had Purchase by me, I would write it forth and publish it: at present his Works are rare and dear.

[Page 169]The Animadversor doth very well describe the manner of feeding Cows with Turnips, p. 113. I hope our Gardiners will take notice of it, and practise it, for it may be much for their profit, and for the advantage of many poor people.

9. Letter.

J Wish also that the breeding of Pheasants, as the Animad­versor sets down were better known, for many poor might get good living thereby, as divers do in Bark-shire, and about London: I know also other Noble men, who keep many of these fowls; as also a poor man in Ireland, who hath a Phea­sant, Cock, and Hen, which run amongst his Poultry, his Cocks tail of a very great length, which live very well, and lay eggs as other fowls without further trouble, and I question not, but others might be made tame also in England.

10. Letter.

COncerning Cheese I have already declared my mind: viz. that Parmisans and Angelots which are commonly made in France and Italy, are far beyond our Chester, or what we commonly make in England.

2. Our Cheddar Cheeses are seldom seen, unlesse at some No­bles mans table, &c. and yet I doe not think they excel Parmisans; but whither my Palate be a true judge or not; I am sure it may be noted as a great deficiency that so little ex­cellent Cheese is made with us, seeing so much is made elwhere. The cause of this deficiency the Animadversor referreth to the Water as appeareth by his examples. But I, and I suppose more truely to the good skill and clean handling of the Dairy Maid, and also to the difference of pastures; for that good or bad Houswifery maketh or marreth Cheese is very well known, as also that difference of pastures in respect of sweet­nesse and sowrnesse, much or little, fresh or stale, &c. cau­seth also great difference, not onely in the quantity, but also in the quality of Butter and Cheese. But that the difference [Page 170] of water doth cause those alterations. I very much question, for I know that in Kent, whether the Cows drink puddle or pond-water, or clean spring, or fresh or brackish, (which in some place they oft do) yet the butter and Cheese are the same, if the Pastures be alike. But if Pastures vary, these vary, and so likewise I may say of the Housewife▪ I know a Farm within a mile of Gravesend, where the Cattel alwayes drink at one common pond in the Yard, if they graze on one side of the house, the Butter is yellow, sweet, and good, and Cheese also; but if on the other, the Butter is white, sowrish, and Cheese naught, and yet there is little difference in the pastures to a vulgar eye, which hath caused the good. Wife to report it as a wounderful strange thing, whereas the cause is manifest, for the one side hath much Trefoil, and lyes on the Chalk; the other side is a gravel, and produceth usually Gramen, Ca­ninum, or Couch-grass: so we find in sheep which drink not, yet both their wool and flesh vary very much in respect of pastures. And I suppose that if the pastures mentioned in Hol­land by the Animadversor, were wel viewd by a judicious man, the like difference might be found, for as I suppose the Waters in Holland differ little, the Countrey lying for the most part in one even flatness without Minerals or Metals, the Country in Winter over-flown with rain-water, in the Summer time most of their waters brackish: But if it be otherwise, I should be very glad to have some further light, and desire ingenious men not to build upon vulgar report, for I know they are apt to make Molchils Mountames, &c. in the Interim I shall ac­quiesce in my own opinion.

Animadversor. England hath a perfect Systeme of Husban­dry, viz. Markham.

He speaketh more of Markham than ever I heard before, or as yet have seen. In general he is accounted little more than a Translator, unless about Cattle; and yet I cannot but in that question his skill: Considering how grosly he mistaketh the names of Plants: The works which I have seen of his are, first, the great book translated out of French, which whether well or ill done, I will not declare; but I am sure our Hus­bandmen [Page 171] in England profit little by it. Secondly, I have seen five several bookes bound up together, two or three of which he acknowledgeth to be anothers, as The Improvement of the Wild of Kent, also his Houswifery he acknowledgeth to have had from a Countess, also part of his Farewell is borrowed, and what he owneth, if I have seen all, are very short in many particulars, as it will easily appear by my former discourse, and Blithes book of Husbandry lately augmented and printed: Yea, if I understand any thing, he setteth down many gross untruths, which every Countryman will contradict, viz. That Flax is ripe after Hemp; That Corn sleept in Brine encreaseth fivefold more than ordinarily; That Lupin must be steeped, when they were never sown in England: Farewel to Husb. He wisheth Hus­bandmen to let long Grass grow amongst their Corn; for (saith he) it keepeth it warm: Fullers earth as profitable as Marle: A sack, or a sack and a half of Rags for an Acre: Corn reapt in the wane nought: Hops not to be planted in too rich a ground: One Teame in one day to plough in stiffe land two Acres and a half, in light, four: Also one to man to mow two Acres of Grass in a day; to reap and bind five rood of Wheat; of Fetches and Pease two Acres: Also one man to dig rake and level one rood the day, &c. And such like which cannot be done: But I have said, and doe confirme it again, that he hath done well in divers things, and is to be commanded for his industry.

Animadversor. The Romane Law was onely for si­ning, &c.

My expression doth not necessarily conclude that ill husban­dry is Crimen Les [...] Majestatis, or Treason, but that the pu­nishment was inflicted on them because the publick received damage by their ill husbandry, being averse or contrary to the common good.

Animadversor. Holy Land not barren, Royer.

Our Sands reporteth it such, and so it is commonly voted; but whether through a peculiar curse of God, or for want of Cultivation, for we know that many hils would be very excellent for Vines and Olives, which notwithstanding are [Page 172] little worth for Corn or Pasture, &c. I will not here di­spute.

Concerning Fish-ponds, Angling, &c. I could wish we had a good Treatise in English: Vaughan was commended to me for them, but I have not read him, and therefore will not speak much for him, &c.

Thus at length I have run over all, if any thing be imperti­nent, as I fear divers things are, I desire you to expunge it.

An Observation concerning a Fish-Calender imparted from Zurich 11. Nov. 1654.

There is an exact Fish-Calender printed in the Low-Country, but whether it be reprinted every year I cannot tell. I was enquiring here whether they had no such curiosity: One told me that there is a Catalogue extant of all the sorts of Fish ever taken in their Lake, or Sea, as they call it. When I asked whether their seasons were not added, he could not tell: But said, that in their Stat-house they have the twelve Months painted, and that under every Month are expressed in picture, without any names set by them, the several sorts of Fish fit to be then eaten. I have not since had leisure to go see those pictures. If any think this a needless, or an Epi­curean Curiosity, let them read Doctor B [...]ates Natural Hi­story of Ireland; where he imputes the Irish Leprosie to their brutish eating of Salmons, when the very eye would have made them know they were unwholsom. But, saith he, the English having discovered it, did under a penalty forbid the selling or taking of Salmons at that time of the yeare: whereupon in a few years after, it was as rare to finde a Leper in Ireland as in any other Country.

Mercurius Laetisicans.

WHen I perused the several Mercuries which goe abroad, to wit, Mercurius Civicus, Merc. Aulicus, Merc. Britanicus, Merc. Coelicus, Merc. Veridicus, Merc. Vapulans, &c. I was sorry that so much Wit, Labour, and Study should be so slighted, and produce no better effect; for I have seen them before they were a week old to be carelesly hurled up and down, and sometimes torn in peeces to light Tobacco, and other uses not sit to be named. Whereupon I resolved to try a Conclusion, to write a Mercurie that no man should so abuse, but he that is an e­nemy to himself and to the Common-wealth. And therefore I have ordered the matter so, that no man in the Kingdome, which hath so much learning as to read it, or so much under­standing as to hear it read with attention, but he may learn to gain a thousand times the price of it to himself, besides the general good to the Publick. But before I tell my Readers what lasting and particular Benefit they are to expect, if they will follow those Directions which shall be given them by the following Discourse: Let all men that love themselves, or [...]he Common-wealth, and Posterity, take special notice of a cer­tain Book of Husbandry, intituled, The Treasure Ho [...]se of Nature unlocked, and s [...]t wide open to the world, &c. where they may plainly see, that as God is infinite, and men are infi­nite by propagation, so the fruits of the Earth for their food, and cloathing are infinite, if men will consent to put to their helping hands to this commendable Design.

The summe of the Book consisteth in shewing how this Kingdom may maintain double the number of people which it doth now, and in farre greater plenty: Containing many rare Secrets for the Wealth of Men, and such as will seem so strange, and incredible to most men, that they will be likely to slight it, to the great prejudice of the Common-wealth.

Whereupon I am resolved to wait the Lord of Heaven and [Page 176] Earths leasure, till such time as he shall be graciously pleased to afford so much leasure to the high and honourable Court of Parliament to hear such Witnesses as I shall produce, to the end that the Depositions being printed in the same Book, every Subject in the Kingdome, as well in great Cities and Towns Corporate, as in the Country may be satisfied concer­ning the truth thereof, and so be more apt to yeeld unanimous consent, which is all that is wanting for the full accomplish­ment of this laudable work.

And I wish no man to think that this is a device to exhaust his purse; for the truth is, I wrote the same for no other cause, but because I saw that all those Books which were formerly written upon this subject, were written by men which had not attained to any considerable Perfection in the Knowledge of Nature, and such as had but a glimmering light of such great Secrets, as Nature hath heretofore locked up in her Store­house, and so were ignorant in the fundamental points and causes of Vegetation and Multiplication. Whereupon I con­cluded that the Teachers and the Teached were nothing else but the blind leading of the blind, by which we all fell into the ditch: I mean, we lived in want and misery, when we might might more easily have lived in plenty and prosperity.

As for the particular way whereby this wonderful Improve­ment may be brought to passe, here is no room in these few leaves: therefore I will only shew how every one in the King­dom, as well in great Cities as in the Country Towns may be an helper in this happy work, and raise some considerable gain to himself, and that great Cities which in former times devoured the fatness of the whole Kingdom, may yeeld a con­siderable retribution yearly without any mans prejudice, so that tht fertility of the Countrey needs not be so much dimi­nished as in former times.

And therefore every one is desired to take this one thing into consideration, that as any parcel of good land, being kept in Pasture, and having the dung which it breedeth spent upon it, doth continue fertile for ever, without any other ad­dition, so the excrements and materials which any family pro­duceth [Page 177] being wel contrived, will produce yearly as much bread and drink as that family spendeth for ever.

But the better to stir up all poor maid-servants to put their helping hand, let them be pleased to understand, that I taught a poor woman to get three pounds a year, which she hath continued many years without any considerable labour, or neglecting her other occasions, and thus she practised.

When she washed, and swept rooms at her neighbours houses, instead of casting many materials to the common dunghil, she took them home with her at night, and laid them in a corner, and once a year she sold them for above three pound. Besides she laid aside every year as many linnen rags as yeelded her forty shillings, and her labour, in receiving her five pounds from the Bargeman, or thereabout every year, was a most as much as all her other labour, I mean extraordi­nary labour.

If young poor Maid-servants will imitate her industry, I will tell them the whole Secret, to the intent that besides the benefit to the publick, every one may get her self a conside­rable portion; and to the end that many may be industrious in this laudable way, and that many thousands may remember me in their good wishes, I will first speak a good word for them to all generations to come, to wit, that such an one, which by her wit, industry, and providence getteth her self a portion of twenty or forty pounds (which she may easily doe in a certain number of years, not very many) deserveth as good a marriage as one that hath an hundred pounds given her by her parents and friends.

And to the end that this may not seem to be a ridiculous re­lation, I will shew the reasons of it, and also the experience, and lastly declare the several materials which I taught her to reserve.

As for the reasons, they are thus discovered, viz. the vege­table spirit of the world, by which all things do encrease and multiply, is sometimes cloathed with a gross and earthly foecu­lencie, as in dung, and more in some dung than in other: som­times it is more purified from its earthly foeculency, and then [Page 178] it is far more effectual, as we see by experience in London, that a load of shavings of horn is sold for shillings, or three pound a load, wollen rags is sold for thirty or forty shillings, when as a load of common dung is sold for a penny, and many times for nothing but carriage away.

Now I proceed to declare the several materials which I taught her to reserve: As for the linnen rags, she reserved those before I knew her, and sold them yearly to the Paper-Mils; and I seeing her industry, thought it a good deed to ad­vise her to reserve all the shreads and rags of woollen cloath as well old as new, all the shreads and pieces of leather of all kinds as well old as new; all the horns and hoofs of beasts of beasts of all kinds, whether shaven or not, that came in her way; all the hair either in Barbers shops or Tanners yards, or at the houses of Butchers and Cooks, where they scalde many hogs and pigs, and fondly cast away the hair; and to take up all the old shooes and peeces of leather which hap­pened in her way, as she went about her ordinary occasions, and to work as often as she could, at the houses of Taylors, Shoomakers, Sadlers, &c.

For I have found by experience, that a load of the best common dung will not produce corn worth above twenty shil­lings at three crops, unlesse corn be very dear, and if it be far carried, then the labour, rent, and seed, will consume the gains, whereas a load of any of these materials formerly men­tioned, will produce Wheat and other corn worth above ten pound, though the price be reasonable.

These things being well considered, there is a great reason why these materials should not be fondly cast away to the common dunghill in great Cities, or other places, whereas the greatest part thereof is utterly lost; and though some of them goe to the dunghill, yet they serve onely to enrich land which lieth near to great Cities, where there is no need of them, whereas being reserved by themselves, they will quit the cost to be carried twenty or thirty miles, and so make land fertile, which beareth not halfe the quantitie for want of dung.

[Page 179]And whereas I have found by experience, that a load of any manner of seeds whatsoever, doth contain as much of the vegetable spirit of the world, as ten loads of common dung, I could wish, that all such young men-servants, as have no Stocks nor Trades, should get them services in great Innes, or to be Bayliffs of Husbandry to great men, and to reserve all the hay seeds that come within their reach, and all the soot that is swept down out of the chimneys, that they can get, and once in a year to get so much blood at any Butchers, or Poulterers houses as will make them into a paste, and then to adde so much Cow-dung dryed to them, as being temper­ed with urine, will be sufficient to make the whole masse apt to be formed into the form of bricks, loaves, or cheeses, and then they are to be layd up in a dry place till they be through­ly rotten, and that a small quantity thereof being made into powder will not produce any thing suddenly, being spread in a garden or other open place where the rain may fall upon it, without the help of new seed, and then though their common dung will yeeld no price at all in that place, but rather they are forced to pay money to have it carryed away, yet this will give them a large price, after that the virtue there­of is known.

And if any such men-servants have meanes to farm certain Acres of barren land, which lieth so remote from dung, that the annual rent thereof is little, then by setting of Wheat, or other Grain, by my directions in my book formerly men­tioned, they may make one quarter, or one pounds worth of corn, to yeeld forty quarters, or forty pounds worth of corn in lesse time than one year, and as much over and above as shall pay all charges and workmen nobly, and also as much rent as any ordinary Farmer can afford to give yearly for it, by which means he may in a few yeares get a considerable Stock, and be as likely to thrive as he that hath twice so much given him by his parents or friends. And I could wish all such men to marry with such women as by their wit, industry, and providence have gotten themselves portions by my directions in this l [...]ttle Book; and let others which have portions given [Page 180] do the like, and try conclusions whether of them thriveth better.

If [...]ny one should be seen to cast away good bread, when so many poor people want it, then all the world would cry shame upon him; but why should not the casting away of any of these materials fondly be reputed a more heynous sin, when as they will produce divers times their weight of as good bread as any Prince eateth.

I have seen by experience that Salt-peter is the most rich compost in the world to multiply Corn, and I have seen fifty pounds worth of Salt-peter extracted out of a vault at Dow­gate, not very spacious, which was formerly an house of office, and not emptied till the matter was throughly rotten, why may not the same thing be done by Art which was formerly done by Nature and Accident? I have been credibly inform­ed, that such a work is ordinarily done in the Kingdome of China, and also at the City of Paris in France, and I see no reason why English men should not have as much wit they.

If any man hath convenient room to build two houses of office, and to close up the one whilst he useth the other, then there can be no question, but that instead of the charge of emptying, and noysomness of the smell, he may have it em­ptied for nothing, and feel the sweet smell of money very gratefull to most men, and that in as great quantity, or grea­ter than he receiveth for his ordinary Edifices: besides that he will shew himself to be a good member of the body poli­tick or Common-wealth wherein he liveth; but he must be­ware, that the matter doe lye dry, and that no adventitious moysture come to it either from beneath or above, which will be somewhat more chargeable in moyst grounds, then where the earth is very dry by its own nature.

And whereas it is as clear as the Sun, that the flesh and blood of a beast is five times as good as the dung of a beast, and that the skin, hair, wooll, horns, and hoofs are ten times as good as the dung; and that these things are at the least the third part of the fertility and wealth of the Kingdome, and [Page 181] that these things are for the most part lost and cast away for want of general knowledge: I could wish that every Hous­holder in the Kingdom would make use of this Book, and let it be common for all his family to read, or hear it read, to the end that some considerable quantity thereof might be pre­served, the soot in every ones chimney will pay him again; for a Bushel of soot will produce two Bushels of wheat, if it be well ordered, because it aboundeth much with the vegeta­ble spirit of the world, by which all sublunary things doe en­crease and multiply.

And whereas there is much food of all kind spoyled for want of looking as musty Corn, mouldy Cheese, stinking Flesh and Fish; also if any man have any Horses or beasts that dye by accident, let all men be pleased to receive instructions in the said book formerly mentioned, how to recover some con­siderable share of their losses; and if any one cannot finde out some way or other to benefit himself more or lesse by the reading of the said book, besides the good to the publick, let him lay the blame no where else but upon the weakness of his own understanding; for it will be proved against him that some have advanced their revenues above a thousand pounds per annum, by some small part of the skill contained in the said book. And if every poor servant cannot get themselves portions of considerable value, by reason that their Masters houses afford not store of such materials, nor spare room to lay them in, then let them get five shillings a year, that they may doe in the poorest house in the kingdom, yea the poorest beggars that goe from door to door, may get more than that, so shall they get themselves every year a suit of cloathes, if they buy them at the second hand, and shew their love to the Common-wealth; and perhaps some good minded man, see­ing their industry, may disburse money for the accomplish­ing of one crop, and take it again with interest, or without interest, out of the first part that is sold, and so will the re­mainder afford them a considerable portion. And though that waste paper of all sorts, either white or brown, written or printed be not very good to make barren land fertile, yet it [Page 182] will make good Passeboard, the white is worth three farthings a pound, and the other an half penny a pound to make brown Passeboard, good to cover Bookes, and all other things where the colour is hidden in the work, and therefore worthy to be reserved, for in some houses it is of very consi­derable value.

And let all men be pleased to take into serious considerati­on, that as in every century of yeares there doe more people dye than are in the World at any one time, so in every cen­tury of yeares there is more Wealth lost fondly for want of knowledge in England, in the compleat Art of Agriculture, then is in the Kingdome at any one time, yea though an In­ventory were taken and valued at Michaelmass, when the whole yeares fruits are engrossed together, which summe will double throughout the whole Kingdom (especially in the Country) to the like Inventory taken at May day, when the yeares fruit are almost wasted, and little remaining but hopes, which are not usually put into Inventories.

Whereas it will plainly appear to all rational men, that I wish well to all in general, let them be pleased to accept of one friendly advertisement more: Christ saith, He that is not with me, is against me, admitting of no neutrality, and I say, that whosoever doth not according to his abilitie, and opportunity, further this blessed worke, more or lesse, liveth in a destructive way to the Common-wealth, or body politick, whereof he is a member, though an unworthy one.

Certain Notes, and Observations concerning Setting of Corn, and the great benefit thereof.
Together with several Experiments and Improvements, imparted by Gabriel Plats to Mr. Hartlib.

FOur hundred graines of chosen Wheat, doe weigh three quarters of an ounce, which is three ounces for a perch; and so a hundred and sixty perches must have four hun­dred and eighty ounces, which is in weight thirty pound, and in measure half a bushel and two pints.

If this half bushel being set upon an Acre shall enrease but an hundred for one, which is the least encrease of set Corn that ever was known, then there will be about 11 quarters upon that Acre.

And that several sorts of Wheat doe differ at least 11. pound in a bushel in weight, and also in the number of grains, so that it is impossible to make this accompt absolutely, and exactly perfect.

But yet it appeareth clear, that there is above forescore pounds in the two hundred pounds saved in the seed Corn in setting, more than by sowing the common way; and also that there is above forescore pounds in the hundred pound saved in workmens wages, by this new device of setting: and also it shall appear, that there is above forescore pounds in the hun­dred pound saved in the Compost, by dispersing it by my new Invention, in such manner that it shall all lye within the attra­ctive virtue of the seed Corn.

[Page 185]Also it shall appear, that the Corn upon every Acre, being set by my direction, shall yeeld a full third part increase more than if it were sown the common way; which said third part shall bear all the charges whatsoever, both rent and other ex­pences; so that by this new way of Husbandry, there will be as much Corn gained clear upon every Acre of ground in England, as formerly the said land did yeeld one year with a­nother.

The seed wheat for the setting of an acre is worth half a crown, at five shillings a bushel; the workmens wages for set­ing is six shillings; the compost costeth little more than the ordinary charges of spreading the dung by the ordinary way of ploughing, &c.

Also it appeareth clear, that the gains of one Acre will do a great deal more than to pay for the several Engins; which notwithstanding being well trimmed will endure, and be ser­viceable for the space of an hundred years.

And if any man doubt of it, let him cast up the charges of my work more punctually; and also the charges of the com­mon way, and he shall finde that there is more cleare gains by my way by ten Acres, then by thirty done the common way, in which accompt I will not be my own carver, but will refer my self to the accompt in a little book which I met withall lately though it was printed Anno Dom. 1601. when setting of Wheat was in great practise; but afterwards when the price of Wheat grew cheap, and Labourers wages grew dear, the practise ceased, for want of an expeditious way.

A comparison between Ploughing and Sowing of three Acrees of Land after the old fashion, and Ploughing and Setting of one Acre after the manner declared in the book printed Anno Dom. 1601. by Mr. Maxey, Gentleman, a great practizer in those daies in the art of setting of Corn.
And first for the charge.

The Rent of three Acrees in most places is worth some five shillings an acre; the land according to the use of the Com­mon [Page 186] fields, doth lye fumer fallow the first year, and beareth Corn the other, so the Farmer payeth the yeares rent be­fore he hath his crop, which rent cometh to thirty shillings.

The ploughing of these, if it be well done, and as most grounds require, every Acre four times, which is twelve plow­ings; at two shillings every time cometh to four and twenty shillings; the dunging of these three acres with some twelve or fourteen loads upon every Acre, and is for three acres some forty loads at six pence a load spread upon the land, amount­eth to twenty shillings.

The seed that will sow it is usually two bushels and an half of Wheat or Rye for every acre, which is a eleven bushels and an half, at four shillings the bushel, cometh to thirty shillings.

The Weeding and Reaping, and other charges in two years, though uncertain, yet for example, ten shillings; thus two yeares rent and charges cometh to five pound fourteen shil­lings.

The usual encrease in the common fields, barren lands, have so little help with dung, is but two quarters upon an acre, but allow twenty bushels to stop a wranglers mouth, which is for three acres seven quarters and a half, rated at four shillings a bushel, thirty two shillings the quarter cometh to twelve pound, out of which if you take the charge aforesaid, there remaineth to the Farmer for his stock six pound six shillings; and so for every one of those acres allowing so good encrease, and so good a price, the profit two and forty shillings.

And you shall understand, that notwithstanding their ac­compts and mine own, of seven or eight quarters upon an Acre, and also of Sir Hugh Plats accompt of fifteen, twenty, five and twenty, or thirty quarters upon an acre, yet all these accompts may be true; for you may learn by my book so to fertilize your land, that it may bring thirty quarters upon an acre, in such years when the Months of May, June, and July prove exceeding hot and dry, which I would advise no man to trust to, in regard that these three Moneths scarce prove so once in a eleven years, in these Insulary Countries which are [Page 187] subject greatly to the change of weather; and if these Months prove moyst and rainy, then all ground that is so mightily en­riched, will be spoyled with rankness, and therefore the safest way is to order your Compost so that an Acre may bear 11. quarters one year with another.

And though I have known that an Acre of Barley hath [...]orr by accident thirty quarters, and that the same thirty quarters were worth the same year threescore pounds, yet the adventure was so dangerous, that I would advise no man to at­tempt the like.

And thus a friend of mine proceeded, viz. he ploughed up at Michaelmass twenty Acres of very fertile and rank green sword ground, and afterward cross ploughed it, and harrow­ed it three or four times to kill the grass, and also to mingle the fat earth with the lean, then he sowed it about the begin­ing of March with Barley before the vehement drought came had cover'd the ground so full, that it was as if it were even turfed with the Corn, so that afterwards the violent heat and drought which spoyled the thin and barren Corn in the Common fields did cause this Corn to have but a short straw, yet the rich earth put forth a large ear, and very exceeding thick, and also the corn was plump and round, which had the weather happened to be moyst and rainy, then there would have been almost nothing but straw, but so it came to pass that he had thirty quarters upon every Acre, which was upon the twenty Acres six hundred quarters, and by reason of the failing of Corn in the Common fields he sold it for forty shillings a quarter, which came to twelve hundred pounds with the rent and all, so that he gained above a thousand pound clear by his twenty Acres of Barley: Yet I would wish no man to take in hand so hazardous a work again, but rather to 2aim at a meane in fertilizing of his land, which is the surest way one year with another; for if he make his land too ex­tream fertile, then it is ten to one he shall have nothing but straw, and some light corn, which is good for little use, but onely for Poultry; and if on the other side he take so much are able land, that he is not able to enrich it so that every Acre [Page 188] may bear in a reasonable year five quarters by sowing the common way, or thereabouts, and a eleven quarters and a half, or thereabouts, by setting, then let him cast up his ac­compts justly, and he shall find himself to be no good friend to himself, nor yet to the Common-wealth, for he might have gained more by laying his Compost upon half so much land, and by setting it orderly, than by the whole, so that he himself and the Common-wealth is deprived of that benefit of the herbage of that land which he did unadvisedly and above his ability to enrich, keep in tillage to his own loss and great damage.

Certain Experiments and Improvements for the inriching of Land, by my new Invention or Engine, which disperseth the Compost in such manner, that it falleth all within the reach of the attractive virtue of the Corn.

How the Controversie about Helmont's Assertions, mentioned in the fourth Deficiencie of the Le­gacy of Husbandry may be reconciled.

IN your Legacy (Deficiencie 4.) I finde these words, ‘A learned Author (Helmot) saith that smuttiness of Corn, which maketh it smell like a red herring, was not known in France till about 1530. At which time the great foul dis­ease [Page 222] began to break forth, which he conceiveth from hence to have some original, as also the Camp-disease.’

To this your friend at Paris, in his letter dated July ▪ 22. 1651. replies thus.

The foul disease had its original full 36 years sooner than Helmot saies (viz.) in the year 1494. and nothing could be advanced more absurd or ridiculous in the judgement of all sound Physicians than to attribute the original of that disease in any wise to smutty Corn, as he doth.

This difference had been prevented, if both your friends had not written without book. The place in Helmonts wri­tings, is not quoted by the former man, nor doth the latter seem to have looked for it. You shall finde the passage in Helmonts book called Tumulus pestis, in the fourth chapter, whose title is, Peregrina lues nova, there you may finde these words, Notatur autem annus 1424 & Parth noplicobsidio, aetas luis, ejusque prima nativitas. Here the Printer was neg­ligent, as appears by that which follows a great way after in the same chapter. Lues (saith he) ista primùm visa legitur in obsidione Neapolis, Anno 1494. Then follows a long discourse wherein he seems to approve the opinion of one that suspect­ed that it was bred by some villain that at the siege of Naples buggered a Mare (for that Helmont means by jume [...]tum, imitating the French word jument) infested with the farcin, or, as our Farriers call it, the fashions. And, saith he, Non credam facilè unquam [antea] ejusmodi peccatum in talibus terminis ab origine mundi commissum; est (que) morbus [ille, Far­cin] lui venereae similis & equinae naturae affinis ac familiaris.— After this He mout proceeds in the order of time.

Anno 1540. sub Paulo III. circa Autumnum in Apulia pro [...]e Tarentum, prima apparuit Tarantula— Araneae si­mile, &c.

Anno 1550. in Augusto, Galli primum viderunt Triticum, quod vocant roratum, sive mellitum: in aristae adhuc viridi ha­lecem fumatam odore referens: in matura verò, nihil nisi faesi­dum pulverem atrum: popularium utinam non morborum pluri­um causam.

[Page 223] Anno 1556. nostris oris maritimis (he means Flanders, Zealand, Holland) primum apparuit scorbutum, veteribus ignotum.—

By all which, it is manifest, that Helmont hath written no­thing contrary to your latter friends assertions; and that your former friend in writing that passage, trusted more to his memory, than it deserved.

More Observations concerning Fruit-trees, and the great benefit of Furzes, for keeping Mice and Rats out of Barn-floors (or other rooms) as likewise Reeks of Corn, and Cheese-racks.

J Had not untill now, conveniency to give you a further ac­compt of the Sussex Gentleman improving of his fruit-trees, my friend will repair unto him, and take as he promi­seth the particulars from himself, and I may then impart it more satisfyingly: yet at the present he relateth that he ga­thereth all the Sult that remaineth in the Channel that con­veigheth water to his Meadows, and layeth it on heaps in or near his Orchard, and then taking all earth he may conve­niently from his fruit trees root, he putteth this Sult unto them, and this every two years, and that he hath thus reco­vered old decaying Trees, and such as had scarce bark or any life left in them, and that his other Trees have shot forth and fructified double and treble to what they did before. For the Devonshire Gent. I am hopelesse of seeing him again, but his relation concerning Furzes, was to this effect. That they valued them much in Devon, and sowed their seed for hedges to shelter their Cattel, and for Fuel and that they found them very profitable for fruit-trees being young, to hang about their bodies neer the ground to defend them from Hares (which usually bawk young Trees) sheep and winds; and that the (dressis) as he called the dust of them, doth marvellously hearten the earth in which they grow if laid upon the ground onely round about them, and that they value that dust for that use above any horse dung. They are of excellent use to keep Mice out of Barn-floors, for being laied under the Corn, Mice and Rats avoid touching the floors. So Reeks of Corn, that stand from the ground up­on [Page 225] piles of Wood and Cheese-racks that have Furzes bound in the way where the vermin might creep, are sufficiently secured. The Lady D. told me that at Islington being annoi­ed with Rats, she was advised to take Furzes, and place them in the passages and holes where Rats entred her rooms, and that she was fully cleared of them by that means. Thus con­temp [...]ible things are of precious use, by the order of him, that made nothing in vain.

Another Estimate by way of confirmation of de­structive Pidgeon-houses.

PIdgeons can fly farre for the filling of their crops and re­turn the same night, so long as Pidgeons can get Corn they will eat little lesse

They begin to eat Corn about the end of J [...]ly, at which time the Corn (which is before hand sprung up in the ear, and that ear pretty well filled) begins to ripen or turn colour, and they hardly want Corn till the end of Barly seeding, which is about May day, which in all amounts to two hundred and eighty daies or thereabouts, the rest of the time they live on benting, &c.

There are in England and Wales at least 24000 Dove-houses, [Page 228] and there cannot be lesse than 500 pair of old Pidge­ons in each house one with the other, which amounts to 2000000 of pairs.

(To speak very modestly) each pair of old Pidgeons (with what they carry home to their young in their seasons) do eat one pint a day, which is in a year for every pair above four bushels, and for all above 6000000 of Quarters of all sorts, worth one with the other twenty shillings a Quarter. Thus much they devour certain, out of what we have and know; but if we should goe about to reckon what might have come of those corns they eat at seed time (being doubtlesse the best and largest grains of all, and more like to come to good than those they leave) which cannot be accompted lesse than 4000000, since seed time is twice as long as harvest, and should we suppose but one ear to have come of one grain, and that ear one grain with another to have yeelded but sixteen single corns, it would seem strange to hear talk of 64000000 of Quarters (and consequently of pounds as aforesaid) to be prevented thus yearly, that it may seem we might have, but have not, by our own wilfull preserving and multiplying so great an enemy in our very bosoms; besides the incredible hurt they doe yearly in unthatching, and so spoyling of whole ricks, and beating out and down many thousand acres at harvest.

A kind of Universal Medicine, or the virtues of Chewed Bread.

GOD is very often pleased to manifest his great power by such means as are in themselves, or at least we esteem them for such, the most common, weak, unlikely, or contemptible. And of this sort is that kind of Medecine I told you of, which I have very often experimented for cu­ring my self and others of divers and several wounds, aches, bruised ulcers, and other hurt and sorances, for confirmation [Page 229] of this truth give me leave to report unto you some par­ticular experiments which I my self have made from my own self.

I was once (passing the Irish Seas in a vessel that was bal­last with coale, and by a violent storm, and a great leak al­most suffering shipwrack, my body being made much more lyable to receive the malignant quality of a damp, or infecti­ous vapour arising from the wet coal by being first much sea-sick, and immediately fasting about four daies and five nights) taken with a great swelling, and that fallen, and no­thing to be seen, there followed the greatest torment by way of ach, that (I thank God) I ever felt to this day; which pain (notwithstanding many salves and medicines, prescribed by some that pretended much skill, lasted, nay encreased for at least three weeks space. At last I resolved, and did lay to this easie Poultesse (viz.) White Bread Chewed in my own mouth to a kinde of pap or soft paste: I chewed so much as bound both my feet about of all sides; I went to bed, and fell fast asleep for two or three houres (which I had not done in all the time before.) The next morning when I waked, my pain was gone: And (I thank God) I was never troubled with it since.

Another time being struck with a (new shod) ston'd horse, just on the shin-bone, my legge swel'd so that my boot was fain to be cut off: I layd this to it when I went to bed, and next day the pain was gone, yet to this day there is the mark.

Divers green wounds I have cured with it.

My hand was bitten through by a mad dog, I sayd this only to it, and healed it in three or four daies.

I have by applying this six times so mollified a Corn upon my toe, that I after took it out core and root and all, and never any more grew in the place.

I took once a very great cold, which swel'd all my throat on both sides under the chin, and broke into a foul sorance like the Kings Evill. I applyed this, and took it away in two or three dayes.

[Page 230]For many years together I was troubled with an old pain in my shoulder, caused by some strein the pain was not al­waies but onely when I did suddenly and violently lift up my arm as to strike or through a stone or the like, by applying this I took it away.

And lastly since you commanded me to give you this ac­compt, as I was with a great hook pruning a tree in my Or­chard, I struck the point of it by mischance into the nail of my Thumb, above a quarter of an inch almost through, and in two or three renuings of this salve (God be praised) 'tis very well.

And least it should be said or conceived that this Medicine would cure none but my self, I have also experimented it up­on divers others; for example, Once I applied it to a mans leg that was so swelled and putrified, that he had divers great and deep holes therein, and all over nothing but most filthy rottennesse, it was conceived to be a Gangrean how­soever under God this cured it.

Once I applied it to my servant, that was run into the very joynt of the knee with a rusty Rapier, and for want of look­ing to it, did fester exceedingly; insomuch that the Chy­rurgians spoke of cutting it off, howsoever under God it did cure him, although he did come at his wife in the time of the cure.

Once a Maid of my Sisters received a very violent blow with the handle of a double draw well, it was black and blew (as they call it) from the Elbow to the Shoulder, for it hit her upon the Brawn of the Arm, yet under God, I cured her in a day or two with this onely.

My wife had the end of her Thumb sorely bruised or bro­ken, between the Wheel and the Nut of my Engine, as it was in swift and strong motion, and applying nothing but this, she was well in a small time (God be praised.)

The quality of it is (slowly but certainly) to stench blood, to ease pain, to draw out any poison or a thorn, and to heal up and make sound the place grieved.

[Page 231]But some men by intemperance, or evil constitution of bo­dy, are harder to heal then others.

If you lay it to any sound place it works nothing. This I testifie for truth upon my own knowledge.

The Scotch way of Brewing their strongest and best ALE.

1. THey first boil the water, and scum it till it be very clear, and then

2. They put that water to the Malt, allowing eight gallons of water to every bushel of Malt, which done:

3. They stir it very wel for the space of one whole hour to­gether, at the end of which:

4. They cover it very close with cloaths, and let it stand so for two hours; and then:

5. They let the Wort run out from the Malt.

6. When the Wort is all run out, they boil it for two whole hours together, and take of the scum very clean; which being done:

7. They put it into Coolers, and when it is well cooled it will rope like oyl, and then:

8. They put it into a Tub, and put their yest to it, but if they want yest they take a green Birchen rod, and wreath it, and so put it into the Wort, and it will make it work as well as yest will; having done so:

9. They let it work very well before they Tun it, and af­terwards when it hath done working in the vessel, they stop it very close with salt and clay, and so ordered it will last se­ven yeers; but because with long standing it doth wast, they in the heat of Summer, do fill it up with new ale, which will both make it work, and quicken it.

How to make Wine out of Corn.

TAke your Alewort as it is fit to barrel up, put it into a vessel that will contain about twice as much, and into it put of good Honey despumed to every Gallon of Ale a pound and a half and of good Yest as much as will serve to set it on work. Cover then the bung (not close) and the vessel lay over with clothes, and once a day for about a quarter of an hour stir it well, and be sure you stir all the Honey and Yest well, when you put it in, so it will work well for several daies together; and when it hath done working almost, renew the working with new Yest, quickned with a small quantity of fine ( i. e.) the fine flour that is in grinding Malt) Malt dust, this doe three times, and at last before the working be quite over stop the bung, leaving one­ly a quill hole for about two dayes, then stop it close, and let it stand coole in a cellar; in two Months, it takes the natural taste and smel of Wine, and will keep accor­dingly.

Another Processe to make Wine of Corn.

TAke good Malt ground, as it is to be brewed, put to it as much water as the vessel will hold, when it is full of Malt; adde Yest to it equally in every part, and let it work what it will in a barrel the bung open. Then take to each Gallon of the matter half a pound of good Honey, dissolve it in warm water, and put it in warm, and more Yest: Let it the second time work with not a fourth of the vent it had at first; and when the working is almost abated, take half as much Honey more, and dissolve it and warm it, and [Page 233] let it work by putting in Yest the third time, onely a peg-hole open; and when this third Fermentation ceaseth, let it stand open about six houres, to let out the wild spirit, then stop it up close, and in four Months it will be clear and fine, which then may be racked from the Lees, for all but the husk of the grain will be liquor, and this Wine is not inferiour in taste and goodnesse to the richest Canaries.

Because it is hard to hit right upon the knack at first, and few processes of this nature perfectly understood without a few tryals, it's advised, that these Experiments be made in many and little vessels (for that's much the safer way) till we are Masters of the Mechanick of them.

Some Animadversions upon the foregoing Process of making Wine of Corn.

J See no defect in this Processe, if by thrice fermenting the tast of the hony will be taken away. It is no matter what quantities of Water and Yest you use, provided there be Yest enough to make it work, which every Brewer knowes, and experience will easily shew it: And for your Water, you may take as much as will make it either strong or small, as you desire it; for the quantity of water will no way spoyle the businesse. But I am not of their mind who think it may best be brewed in small vessels, for they are not fit for the purpose. For my part I would never try it in a lesse vessel than a barrel, for experience shews that drink will work best in great vessels. Glanber knows how to precipitate Rai­sins and Honey so as to take away the tast of them, and to make the liquor tast like Wine, but I could never get it from him; yet I guesse he doth it with Tartar, or Lees of Wine.

Glauberus's Promise or Undertaking for making Wine out of Corn.

OUr friend Glauber is desirous once again to draw unto us, he is at present with his family at Franckfort, being mind­ed to come down again into Holland, desiring my advice here­in, and to hold some discourse with me, being also to come with the first opportunity in his own person to the Elector of Colen. He doth fully apprehend, that it can no longer faile him, but that he shall obtain in a short space of time a good summe of money for the support of his family, in regard he hath a great and weighty peece of businesse in hand, which proceedeth out of Corn, and is affirmed to have such a pro­perty, that it will be acceptable to the whole world, so as thereby a quarter of Corn shall be advanced to a great value. He is intended shortly to put forth a small Treatise, being an Explication upon his Miraculum mundi, wherein he will en­deavour to reveal some of the chiefest matters therein contai­ned to those that desire it, and to demonstrate it to their sight. And he doubts not but that many great Lords and Princes will strive accordingly to bring profit and advantage to their co [...]ntries as being a work of great importance. Now the reason why he will communicate is this, because that it is endeavoured after already by false pretenders, and that much mischief may easily be effected by it, neither can it much longer be kept secret, together with the Communication of the Corn and Wine Traffique.

He will make Wine out of Corn, which in all respects shall be answerable unto the natural wine. He hath likewise such a compendious way of melting the Sun and Moon, Earth or Mines, which will be necessary and acceptable unto the whole world, whereby he is in hope not only to raise a good summe of money, but also to procure an immortal fame to his po­sterity, for they are unheard of things, profitable and ne­cessary [Page 235] for the whole world to know. These are all his own formalia dated the 6 th. of October at Franck-fort. The afore­said Treatise shall speedily be translated into Latine, whereby it may be transported into forraign parts.

An Advertisement concerning the Mystery of making Wine according to Glaubers undertaking.

ALL ingenious and industrious experiments that desire further satisfaction in this matter, till Glauber shal have performed his promises, relating to his Corn-wine underta­kings, are faithfully advised to study and practise the several hints and directions, which are given in a Treatise, called The Reformed Commonwealth of Bees. Printed in the yeer 1655. and is to be sold by Giles Calvert at the Black Spread-Eagle at the West end of Pauls.

How a Meadow about the end of May or beginning of June, before the Seeds of Grasse are ripe, may be used.

Ll [...]t Weeders (hired by the day) cut of the heads of all sorts of Grasse, but such as of which the seed is desired. This being done, the Meadow will be ready to cut be­fore the grasse that hath lost its head can put forth new, and by this means the hay of this Meadow, being threshed at time of the year, before it be foddered out, will both be sweeter to the Cattel, and yeeld onely the seed that is desired.

How much Ground in England may be cured, that through the predomination of some quality in ex­cesse, will not sward again, or gather a good head of grass, for the first, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 years, when laid down after Ploughing.

THe exact cure is too tedious here to set down since it may be occasioned by the sterility, and that must first be helped by soyl or the like; but for one general cure you shall onely procure hay-seeds, which did grow on ground of the like kind but riclier, as upland to upland, lowland to lowland, &c. and therewith sow your ground, hot furrough and in a wet season in the full moon in January or February, the same Winter you lay it down, and suffer nothing to bite there till about the end of August after, and in the mean time rowl it often and seasonably, and then mow it, and your cost shall be neer repayd, and the ground restored.

An Answer to more Queres concerning the Husbandry of Clover-grasse.

Q. THe quality of the ground Clover-grasse delights in?

A. Any light sandy or hazel-mould-land, is best to bear Clover, and though barren land wil bear it, yet fresh and rich ground doth by experience return best profit.

Q. The manner of preparing the ground?

A. There cannot be too much cost in preparing the ground, and making it free from all manner of other grass.

Q. The season and manner of sowing the seed?

A. Clover is usually sown with Barly, Polish Oats, some­times with Flax, or with any seeds that are sown in April. The best manner of sowing that I have been able to learn, is to mix it by quarters of pounds or lesse quantities, with such proportions of sand, as when all the parcels are put toge­ther, they may make two bushels and a half or tbree bushels, or any such proportion as fits an ordinary sowers hand, and thus it may be sown (like any other Corn) with a full hand, some (at the first) did use to sow 4 or 5 pounds upon an Acre, others have used to sow 10 pounds, and I shall (next Spring) sow more. It is usually about the spring-time, sold in London, for 12 or 14 d. the pound, but by the help of some Belgick Merchant, it may be had, thence for 6 d. the pound, or perhaps for lesse.

Q. The best use of it for Cattel?

A. The best way (that I can learn) of feeding Cattel with it, is to cut it and to give it them in the Racks, within some little grown or shady places, and a proportion of swine will grow very fat with what falls from the Racks. In this manner (as I am credibly informed) 6 acres did feed all this summer time, more Oxen, Milch-cows, Horses, and Hogs [Page 247] then (not being my own experience) I am willing to name.

Q. The way of saving or getting it out?

A. To this my experience reaches not, but in this I am fully satisfied; that our own seed is best and freest from cou­senage. It lasts three or four, or more years in the ground, ac­cording as the ground is good, and (at first) well peopled with it: This is all that my experiences reacheth unto concerning Clover.

Concerning the Threshing of Clover-seed.

THe Clover-Seed, is a Seed very difficult to thrash; They Must bee good Thrashers that can Thrash six Gallons in a day. The way used by a great Husband­man of Clover in Kent, is, first to Thrash off the heads which easily part, which being seperated from the Straw, he used to Thrash over again until it seem all as chass or dust, which after he winnowed with a Fan as long as the dust fly­eth out. Amongst the dust there wil remain some small heads unbroken, which he separated or Thrasht over again as be­fore. I hope it will be no offence to give this publike notice that one Mr. Stoughton, a Gentleman that lives in Norfolk, hath for many years since used the Husbandry of Clover-Grass, and hath an easie way by the help of a kind of Mil, to Shell the Husk from the Seed, whereby his Seed will not stand him in 2d. per Pound.

An Extract of a Letter written from Dublin, May 16. 1654. concerning the Husbandry of Clover in Ireland.

I Was at the charge for sending for a hundred weight of Clover-grasse seed, on purpose to incourage the chief of our friends here, to undertake the Husbandry of it, and when it came I sowed some in my own ground, some I sent to Col. J. some to Col. H. some to Capt. V. and to other Collonels and Officers of the Army. Lately I furnished some of it to two Gentlemen in the Country, that were excellent Husbandmen. And thus I dispersed it, giving away some par­cels, and selling some other, and sowing the most part of it with others in Partnership. But though I vsed that care, I did it to procure good seed, and though I am as confident of Mr. M. my friends care, who had it where you directed him, and staid for it, while the Merchant told him he had new come over. Yet none of all these parcels I speak of, so much as came up, save one handfull of it which sowed in my garden. And my friends here have sufficiently abused me for it. Pray Sir present my humble service to honest Sir C. Cul­pepper, when you write to him, and my thanks for his so free communications of his Clover-grasses husbandry.

An Answer to the foregoing extract concerning the mis­carriage of the Husbandry of Clover in Ireland.

I Am sorry the Hushandry of Clover, hath received such a blast in Ireland, in its first essay, having observed how much more men are (ordinarily) ready, to judge of things, by the successe of some one trial ill made, then to take the pains to weigh, and consider in which of the parti­culars which belong (more or fewer) to every action, there may have been some failing.

[Page 249]One of the most ordinary wayes of failing, which I have observed in this Husbandry is in the Seed, which comes to us sometimes two yeares old, old, and very seldome o­ther then what is mixed, and this I know by dear experience of my own heretofore, and of a very neer friends this last Spring.

A second consideration, is the ground, which (for a ge­neral Rule) ought to be light and tending rather to the sand then clay.

A third but very considerable Observation is, that the season be very clear and free of all other grasse, or roots, and as fi [...]e worked, as if it were for a garden, which is a circum­stance not more necessary, then it is little observed.

A fourth Consideration (though not so general) if the drought of the Fumer, which hath (as I hear) spoiled much Clover this spring, and not lesse (I fear) then 20. acres of mine, if the ground have not helped me by its being proper and good. But if these particulars be well observed, I can (from my own and others experience) assure you, that it will (upon an easie account) double and treble the profit or rent of the Land; and that an acre (if managed by the Ow­ner) will yeeld as much (to all intents) as 5 l. worth of o­ther pasture. The greatest fault which I find in this Hus­bandry is, that if the ground be stil cut or mowed, it will like Corn, impoverish the ground; for no man can eat his cake, and yet still have it; to prevent this great inconvenience, and to turn it to an advantage, my self intends to try how it will thrive, and what return it will make, being pastured. I have known already the experience of some who have this spring, (before there was any pasture elsewhere) kept 8 Sheep of an acre, which is double the proportion, which the best land in Rumney Marsh will bear; if this, upon trial, prove well, I cannot but think, that this way of pasturing of Clover, will be a kind of foddering of the land, and [...]ather improve then impair it.

An Extract of another Letter in reference to the fore-going Answer.

PRay thank Sir C. C. heartily, for his accurate Animad­versions upon Clovergrasse; upon consideration of which I am pretty well satisfied. We failed in the point of Husbandry and ordering the Land, sowing it somewhat rude­ly as is done with other grain. But though this was the fai­ler, the discredit falls upon the Climate, so quickly are mens patiences tired, and so easily are their judgements abused, as Sir Ch. very well observes, being ready to suspect and accuse any thing, rather then our own error.

More Extracts of Letters concerning French Seeds, of St. Foine, and Lucerne, Paris 23. Novemb. 1652.

THe name of St. Foine is in some parts of France com­municated to Lucern, although the generality thereof have appropriated the same to another kind of fodder, ex­treamly differing from it all manner of ways, viz. the Ono­brychis Antiquorum, wherewith Medica, (that is the true Latine name of Lucern) hath nothing common. When I find an opportunity, I shall send you some of the seed of each, according to their usual denominations here, the sight whereof and much more its planting, will soon convince all contradictors.

Paris, Decemb. 21. 165 [...].

I have delaied the sending of the seeds of St-Foin and Lu­cern, because I thought they were desired for sowing, to see [Page 251] what herbs they would produce, for which end they would have come time enough two or three moneths hence. But seeing that the sight of themselves is desired, you shall have them out of hand.

More of Lucern, Paris, March 22. 1653.

DR. H. told me, that a Merchant who dealeth much in Oranges, Lemmons, and other Provence Wares, had told him, that within a few days he expected 10 or 12. mules loa­den with those commodities, among which there would be good store of Lucern seed, and that of 3 several sorts, for so many there is, which I never knew before, and Dr. H. shewed me Paterns of every one of them, having got them of the said Merchant. Therefore I wished him to send unto Sir C. not 25 l. of any one of them, we not knowing, nor able to learn here, which is the best sort, but 5 or 6 lib. of every sort, the which Sir C. having sown all, and seen them grow, he may consider which he liketh best, and have of that as much as he pleaseth the next year.

The Answer.

Of the 3 sorts of Lucern, mentioned in Dr. B. Letter of March 22. 1653. my desire is, to have of each sort, as much as will plentifully sow an English Acre, and rather more than lesse. I shall under correction of better experience, write my own apprehensions, concerning the quantity that serves for an Acre, viz. That of that Lucern seed, of which I received formerly a sample, 15 lib. if good, will sow an acre of the o­ther 2. sorts of seeds, if bigger there must be so much more, if they be lesser seeds, there must be so much lesse or fewer pounds of each Kind. This still supposed, that the seeds be na­ked, and not, like St-Foin, closed in a cod; for in that case, there ought another consideration to be had of it.

More Queries about Lucerne, and the Seed called Esparcet.

I Am well acquainted with the Saint-Foyne Seed, which you received from Paris; but as for the Lucerne seed, I doe upon sight of it conceive it to be no other than the Clover seed, that is commonly procured here from Flanders, being meliorated in France only by growing nearer the Sun. And therefore I heartily wish, that you friend could certifie you of his certain knowledge of the Flanders Clover-seed, and of the different natures (if any) of those two seeds. But howsoever it prove, I should be very glad if by your friends kindnesse I might by the first of April, or before, receive twenty pound weight of the Lucerne seed, such as is good, and of the last years growth.

There is another French seed called Esparcet, and mentio­ned (by the Author of Theatre d' Agriculture) to grow u­sually about Die in Da [...]lphine. I cannot conceive but that a seed of that excellency cannot, but (since that Authors wri­ting) have spread it self the nearer to Paris.

If by your Friends favour I could have his knowledge of that seed, a pattern of it, and (if it be to be had) ten or fifteen pound weight of it by, or before April, you would much oblige me.

The Answer.

AS to the Qu. of Sir Ch. C. I know not the Flanders Clover, nor the seed of it, and so can tell nothing of its agreement or disagreement with Lucerne, whereof I will send the desired quantity, if it may be had, whereof I make some doubt; for some weeks since, to my knowledge, there was but one shop in Town that had any, which was the cause [Page 253] that the price was doubled, and from eight sols come to six­teen; and I doubt not but it hath been enhaunced since, if any one be left.

As for the Esparced, I could never yet meet with any here who could tell me what it was, it being long since that I have enquired after it for mine own curiosity, finding it spoke of in the Theatre d' Agriculture. But if I be not hugely mista­ken, it is the self-same with that which in these parts is known under the name of Saint-Foin, and whereof I sent you the seed lately with that of Luc [...]rne.

P. S.

What I told you out of my conjecture, that Esparced is the same with Saint-Foin, that I can now give you for a cer­tain truth, Dr. H. having found it so by his Enquiries.

The differences between Esparcet, and the o­ther French Seeds.

SErres in his Theatre d' Agriculture, hath a Chapter by it self concerning Saint-Foine, which (by the tenor of that Chapter) he seems to me to intimate to be the same with Lucerne. In the very next Chapter to that of Saint-Foine, he treats of this Esparcet in question, and by comparing of both Chapters there will be found these differences: Saint-Foine requires the best sort of ground, and is tender; but Es­parcet is a very hearty hearb, and grows very well in barren ground. Saint-Foine, by Serres, is mowable five or six times a year; but for Esparcet it will be mowed but thrice a year. Saint-Foine endures in the ground (upon once sowing) twelve or fifteen years; but Esparcet (by the next Chap.) endures but four years. Saint-Foin grows ordinarily in Languedoc, Pro­vence, Dauphine, the Principality of Aurange, and in the re­gion about those Provinces; but Esparcet is reported to grow only about Die in Dauphine.

[Page 254]These several differences mentioned by Serres make me con­ceive that the seeds are not the same, and that if Esparcet, upon enquiry cannot be found at Die, it is lost either in deed, or at least in name since the time that Serres lived, which yet, of a thing so profitable, and once in practice, is hard to apprehend.

The last Advertisements concerning Esparcet, and the other French Seeds.

I Have sent to Calis by the Chassemarais a sack of Saint-Foine, containing two English bushels; and in the sack I have put three small canvas bags of three sorts of Lu­corne, of Holland, of Flanders, and of Paris, but two pounds onely of each sort, because I fear they are too old, and will not grow, and therefore I send them rather out of curiosity than otherwise, the price being not great. The new Lucerne seeds of Provence and Dauphine are not yet arrived, but daily expected, and so have been these three weeks. If they come time enough to be sent so as that they may be in England by the time your friend appoints, I will not faile to send what he demandeth. As for Esparcet, whereof Serres makes mention, and which Dalechamp saith is called Sparsse at Die in Dauphine, who puts both the description and the figure of it in the words Polygala and Onobrychis, I have enquired particularly of it, and they write to us from Die, that they have such a grasse, but that 'tis mixed with divers other sorts of grasse in their Saint-Foine, and that there be no particular seeds to be had of it alone. And I perceive by Renard the famous Gardener of the Kings Garden of Sim­ples, that of those sorts of grasse specified in Dalechamp, un­der several names and figures, as Lucerne, Hedisaron, Poly­gala, Onobrychis, are all but several parts of Medica or Saint-Foine, and that their seeds are not to be found distinct­ly [Page 255] separate one from another. If any man would be so cu­rious, he might sow them all together, as they are to be had under the titles of Lucerne or Tresle, and gather the seeds of them distinctly according as he shall find their divers shapes correspondent to their several figures in Dalechamps or Clusius.

An Observation upon the Husbandry of the French Tares or Fetches.

THe Forther herb, about which you have communicated unto me, Dr. S. notable observation, is certainly the Vicia or Fetches, the which I have seen cultivated in di­vers parts of France and of Holland. But it was never my luck yet, to learn any particulars about the properties and use thereof. If I do at any time hereafter, you shall be sure to hear of it. Having written thus far, I am told by divers, that the Vicia or fetches are sown for to give the dried grain of it to horses, in the same manner as Beans, but that they never knew the green herbs to be used for them, or any other cat­tel in the nature of fodder.

Of the long English grass in Wiltshire.

THe long grasse in Wiltshire mentioned in the Legacy, is occasioned by reason of a spacious Sheep-Common ad­joyning. For that every hasty shower washeth off the Soil of the Common, and bringeth it into a little Mea­dow beneath, which maketh it incredibly fruitfull.

Some Physical uses of Milk, and of curing the Black Jaundies, &c.

I Thought to have imparted unto you the Secret how to preserve Milk from sowring, but I must refer it to a per­son of singular Honour, Piety, and Experimental learning, who had made some trial of it, but hath not yet fully satis­fied his minde about it. When that is done, I know you will have it before any other, the Gentleman being wholly devoted not onely by this, but many other very Noble and useful Experiments, to promote the good of Mankind.

As for Doctor Ziegler's Germane Book, written purpose­ly on the subject of Milk, when I visited him at Zurich he shewed it me, not fair written for the Press. It will not be great, unless he resolve to an much of his own experience. For he tells mee, that being miserably infected with the Black-Jaundies in Prussia, and having been purged by the Physicians of that Country, with above 30 several sorts of purgations, even the most viblent that they could think of, he found himself never the better. Whereupon he resolved to take no more of their counsel, but to try some conclusions of his own. And with the sole use of Milk he was perfectly cured. Besides he tells me that he hath several times, find­ing himself in some indisposition, prevented the returning of some hereditary diseases in himself, by abstaining from all manner of meat and drink, and living upon meer Milk, some­time; for fourteen days together. And I remember hereto­fore I have heard him say, that Milk is hurtfull with other meats, but alone it is of unknown vertue. How much of this and the like, he will say in his Book, I know not. Some other things he said at the same time, which I meant to have added here, but I must defer them at present.

Observations concerning Oyles.

I Gave Dr. Zeigler occasion to shew me Balsamum Sama­ritanum, as he called it. He seemed to say, that Paeracel­sus first gave it that name, in memory of the Samaritan in the Parable, Luke 10.33. For this Balsam, he said, was made of meer Oyl and Wine boyled together, without any other ingredient. But, said he, whosoever shall goe about to boyl them together shall find it troublesom, if he never saw any practice of that kind before. I told him, that some Atheisti­cal heads say, that Luke might be a good Physician, but he was but a bad Chirurgion, if he knew not that Oyl must not be put into wounds. The Doctor answered, that the Ob­jectors were no great Chirurgions, if they did not know, that Oyl was hurtful onely in those wounds that reached to some bone; for then the Oyl would make the bones cariosa. But said he, if such a thing happen, caries ossium may be cured by Chymical salts.

From this I gave him occasion to speak further concern­ing Oyl. He told me, that when he was in Italy, he under­stood that some families there were wont to preserve Oyl from Generation to Geneaation, and to divide it equally a­mongst the children, or neerest kinsmen of the deceased. He had spoken with one Italian Gentleman, that said hee had about two ounces of Oyl that was three hundred yeares old.

I asked him, what serious use there was of such old Oyl, besides the vanity of boasting of such Antiquities? He said, that new Oyl hath a saltnesse in it, which makes it unsit for many uses; but time destroyes that saltnesse, and makes it able to perform such offects as some of the Antients have re­ported of it. They say, that divers who were esteemed dead, have been annointed with old Oyl in the five principal pulse-places, and revived. And, said he, I am apt to think that the Extreme Unction, now adaies applyed to men at the last gasp, had its first rise from that Experiment; for I would thank any man that could tell me what kinde of Oyl it was [Page 263] that is mentioned James 5.14. An Apothechary of Padua proffered to sell me Oyl, which he said was fifty years old: but I bought none of him, partly for the greatnesse of the price that he demanded, and partly for the uncertainty whe­ther it were indeed so old as he pretended.

How to make better Butter than ordinary without setting the Milk for Cream.

THe Milk so soon as it is come from the Cow must be strained, then churned as usually Cream is done. Also the Cheese made of the Buttor-milk wil be better than the best two meal Cheeses that you ever did eat. And one pound of this Butter shal be worth a pound and a half of your best But­ter which is made of Cream. Probatum by a Gentlewoman, a great Huswise, dwelling in the Isle of Ely.

Of Chedder Cheeses where they are made?

THe Legacy of Husbandry mentioneth the best Cheese to be made at Chedder ▪ in Wiltshire; I suppose it may be a mistake, except there be two Chedders. For Chedder is a place in Sommertshire, between Mendip hils and Axbridge. I suppose it is bet one Parish, or not much more, and that a great part of it is a Moor called Chedder Moor. I have been at Mendip Hils and seen this Chedder lying much lower, & was told that the best Cheese in Engl. was made there, and that it was sold there at six pence a pound, that usually they made great Cheeses, from twenty pound to a hunnred and twenty pound in weight, and that it was usual when one made a Cheese to borrow all the Milk of his neighbours about him, and that some did borrow as much milk in one day as they were a month in paying back again.

Objections answered against Propositions of Im­provement by Agriculture, and other the Branches of good Husbandry.

THat if this Art, Trade, or Profession of Husbandry were indeed so beneficial, so profitable as many pretend, why then are there not more Rich men of that sort? And why doe so many Farmers or Tenants in this Nation live so poorly and beggarly that they seem rather the Landlords slaves or servants then tenants, since all they get, saving their own very mean subsistence, goes to the paying of their rent?

To this it's answered: First, that that the position is in its self a mistake, there being more that mannage these rural affairs Rich, than of any sort of people or profession in the Nation besides by far.

Secondly: It's affirmed, that the most noble Families in the Nation have been either raised or upheld by the Plough, &c. For it is observable, that nothing more enables a Per­son or Nation than Hospitality; this, for all that, becomes the bain, the destruction of many great Families, when the bountifull hand is alone, but when the one is as industrious by these very wayes of good Husbandry, to provide or bring in as the other is to give or let out, that man onely is the good Houskeeper, that man onely is the constant Friend to the poor and his neighbours, that man only is the wise. Bee, that knows how to gather, and give the honey without defa­cing the fair flower of his estate, which he alwaies leaves to his posterity well encreased, whereas the other seldome dies undestroyed.

Thirdly: It's affirmed, that there are at this time very many Grasiers, Sheep-masters, and Corn-masters in this Na [...]ion of very vast estates, and those accrued in their own times by their own endeavours in these waies of good husbandry.

Fourthly: Suppose it were not so, as it's granted in the [Page 265] more common and general account it is not, yet the fault is not in the Profession but in the Practice and Persons? for the more common, mean, and vulgar sort of Tenants or Hus­bandmen improperly so called, have onely some general, rude, imperfect, and (in many cases) much irrational Rules, or Customes rather, which their as ignorant Fore-fathers left them, from which they can no more be weaned than a dull sturdy Asse can be gotten to mend his pace. And they are generally so averse to all new practises, that it is found meerly impossible to infuse any such thing into their heads or hands by any other means more than one manifest example, and that under their noses too.

Amongst their irrational Customes, I reckon that of ban­dying with the Lord, though never so just and ingenuous, a­bout inclosing their Commons (the Freeholder and Coppy­holder I mean) chusing rather to keep three starved Sheep than one good Milch-cow, which the same land inclosed would in all probability doe.

Also their opening their fields at Lammas, or some other certain time, which as some years proceed, causes the losse of much Corn; not to them onely but to the Common-wealth, since if any man have (by an un-foreseen, or not to be reme­died cause) his Corn out later a little, he is forced to fetch it in ripe or unripe, wet, or dry, lest the known greedinesse of the neighborhood put in their Cattle, and eat it up before his face.

Also their old P [...]overb (in in it self wise and good, but as they understand and use it, most prejudicial) A little land wel tilled. For though it be an undoubted truth that one Acre worth twenty pound, all charges defrayed, is better than three or four worth five pound all charges defrayed; yet it is as true, that if my necessary expences require threescore pounds per annum, and I hold threescore Acres, worth twenty pound each clear, I have gained no more but my bare subsistence, and have nothing to lay up for posterity, no nor to stop a gap with (which yet often happens) and being not stopt, makes others stoop to beggary, whereas had I ventu­red (as they will needs call it) upon an hundred and twenty [Page 266] Acres, I had had threescore pounds to stop gaps, and lay up for posterity; and farther if this should be rightly cast up by a rule of Progression, it would easily appear, that threescore pound driven on again, and each year augmented, would in a mans life rise to a plentifull fortune for his posterity, and after a while afford him some better way, or rate of subsi­stence also. What should a man say but conclude with the Proverb, He that is born under a three penny Planet shall never be worth a groat.

If it be answered, that much Land is barren, or uncertain; and the more one deals with, if the year proceeds evil, the greater his losse, the more certain and desperate his undoing. 'Tis answered, That to a good Husband this so rarely hap­pens, and he by the meanes aforesaid, and other good waies, is so prepared, that it perhaps may hinder his go­ing forward for that year, but shall not pluck him back at all.

And here also is the stubbornnesse of these mens natures discovered, that when most rational approved good Inven­tions or Wayes to make their barren or uncertain land bear good crops to prevent or cure the Rot amongst their Sheep, or Murrain amongst their cattle, they utterly refuse the mo­tion, deride the Movers and Inventers, and (as much as in them lies) endeavour to retard or poyson the practise, lest their fordid ignorance and wicked envy should be theteby discovered or prevented.

Certainly he that (having any considerable stock to begin with) doth first carefully inform himself, and consider what, where and how to proceed; and shall do so cheerfully, and throw himself upon Gods abundant power, wisdom, mercy, and providence for the successe, cannot fail to be as rich as a good man will desire to be; and he that withstands or refu­ses so to doe, I can liken him to nothing more properly than to the dog in the manger, that eats not hay himself, nor lets the horse that would.

I am sure that the most rich men the Scripture tels us of, were of this sort (that were instrumental to their own great­nesse, [Page 267] and not born so) witnesse the histories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Lot, Job good men, or of Nabal, or the Rich man in the Gospel, that hath his barns full, and goods laid up for many years.

And prophane story tell the same, that Jupiter for his invention and practice in husbandry, was honoured as a God; that Cyrus and Tamberlane were Sheepherds, &c.

An approved Experiment for the cure of the Fashions in Horses, and the Rot in Sheep.

A Gentleman of note an Englishman had a strange felici­tie in curing of Horses of the most desperate diseases, as also Sheep strangely, suddenly and perfectly, by which he was much enriched and admired.

And it was with no other thing, but the use of the Anti­mony-cup steeped in Ale with a little spice they call Grains, and a little Sugar, of which he would give them onely such a quantity as would not much weaken them, and so give it two or three times, with perhaps a day or two dayes inter­mission. To horses he would administer half a pint at a time; to Sheep not above two or three, or at most foure Ounces; by which he hath in a short time cured the Fashions in horses and the rot in sheep. Indeed Antimony is so great a restorer of the Liver, or so great a purifier or refiner of the masse of blood, that I my self have known many reco­vered of the Dropsie, and other desperate diseases by the use of it. The same Gentleman used also the same infusion to wash all sores that were broken out upon them, which also conduced much to the healing them. He used it also to Swine.

Note. The Antimony-cup is no other than a pure ordina­ry Regulus Antimonii, cast into the form of a Cup hath no other virtues nor effects, then the foresaid Regulus: For this Regulus lying in any liquor doth the same which the Cup­holding liquor in all respects. So much of this Regulus [Page 268] as may serve your turn may be bought for two shillings, or half a crown.

Another approved Experiment for fatting of Hogs, and preserving or curing of them from Mea­zeals or other Diseases.

IF a Hog that is to be fatted, have half a dram of crude Antimony given him in his meat three dayes before he be put up to fat, it will make him have a good stomack to his meat, and therefore he will soon be fat, and it will like­wise cure him of all foulnesse of his Liver, and of the Mea­zels, which are very frequent in Hogs. The same is as sove­raign for any other beasts.

Another excellent Remedy against the Rot, and other diseases in Sheep and Horses.

TAke Serpents, or (which is better) Vipers, cut their heads and tayls off, and dry the rest to powder. Mingle this powder with salt, and give a few grains of it so mingled now and then to your Horses and Sheep; it is good a­gainst most diseases in them, and chiefly against the fat Rot.

Whether a good Lime may be made of Pibble and other Stones, whereby Land may be dunged and enriched.

YOu say your great friend the Doctor in Chymical Phy­sick hath a way not onely to turn the ordinary Lime­stones into Lime whereby Land may be dunged and enriched, but also Peble and all other stones into Lime at an easie charge, and so every Country that hath not the natural [Page 269] Lime-stone may have it now out of other stone, and so save carriage.

To this I answer.

A. 1. What Glauber hath written in his first Part Operis Mineralis of Peble or Flint-stones is to shew how to extract out of them not quick or unslackt Lime but Gold, and that by the mediation of spirit of Salt, which must be made first good cheap, and in abundance. What your Doctor undertakes must be left to tryal whether it will succeed or not.

A. 2. I believe the Doctor, who pretends to make Lime of Peble may make his undertaking good, seeing that in Holland, in Italy, and in many parts of the East-Indies, they make it of the shels of Oysters, and of all kinds of Shel-fish, and that ex silice ipso (out of Peble it self) Lime hath been made many Ages since, as Pliny and Agricola tell us. But I know not whether the Doctor be aware of the incon­venients which the Flint-Lime is subject unto, viz. that it is nothing so good as other Lime, and that in the burn­ing of it, great part of the Flint, instead of being converted into Lime, turneth into a kind of glassie slack.

The manner of Planting Timber-trees in Cornwel.

I Have observed a sort of Husbandry in Cornwall, which I like exceedingly. Namely, that upon their Mounds or Fences (which are high and thick banks almost like Fortifi­cations) they doe set or sow Oak, or some other wood, which thriveth so well, that I have seen the Wood growing upon one fence, that parted two Closes to be worth four or five pound. This kinde of Fence doth much preserve the Land from Malignant Aires, and is withall more than three times profitable beyond what that same Land the bank stands on would yeeld, if the banks were taken away. The best reason to be given for the well growing of this wood, is the mixture of earth and great stones, whereof the bank is [Page 270] made, amongst which the Roots take so firm hold, that no violence of weather can hurt them, and by the same reason the roots are safe from the prejudice which other Trees re­ceive by the suddain and unnatural suffering by heat, cold, moysture, or drought.

How to hasten the growth of Timber-trees.

WHen any young Trees, as Oak, Birch, Elm, Ash, &c. (but Ash especially) are in their bodies about two inches diameter, which they (oftimes) be at three or four years growth, then if you take a peece of an old coat of Male, or some like Net of small wyre, and holding it in your palm, rub it pretty hard (so as you tear not the bark) up and down the body of the Tree, twice every year, you shall find that Tree far to outstrip his fellows of the same age and kind. If you ask the reason, let the example of friction or season­able rubbing or dressing in a horse or other cattle be consi­dered, which sooner be fat and fair, and that with lesse pro­vender than the like horse ill kept.

Note. That one man may well look to three thousand, and do much other businesse, which is not above an half penny a year a peece, but the Tree shall be better'd in its growth at least rwo pence a year.

As for those kind of Trees called Flanders Ashes, whereof some young ones were sent for, and planted in the drained Fens of Lincolnshire by Dutchmen, I have it onely by rela­tion, but from able men, that the charge was three shillings a Tree, and that they grew so fast, that at three years growth they were worth twenty shillings a peece for Timber. Doctor H. spake of an Apple called the Gennet-moyle, that makes the best Cyder, that every slip of the Tree will grow; that the Trees are great bearers, and the slips will grow to bear fruit in three years.

Of Turky-Beans to be more frequently planted.

THere is a sort of Beans (which grows in many parts of England, namely in the Isle of Exholm in Lincolnshire) that are called Turky-beans, very large and yeelding a great increase, to be eaten with a little butter and vineager (after they are boyled) shels and all, they are ripe about July, or later if you please, and will come seasonably to succeed our Hasting-pease, and if more frequently planted might be af­forded cheap.

A Friendly Advice how a hundred and and fifty pound may be improved by Husbandry to yeeld a farre greater increase than if the said summe were imployed in a way of Usury upon Usury.

IN answer to your Question ( viz.) how a Friend of yours might dispose of a hundred and fifty pound (or any other summe) to the best advantage, I humbly tender you my opi­nion (thus) that summe may be turned and returned conti­nually to no small advantage very many wayes, I will onely instance four ( viz.) by Sowing or Ploughing of Corn, Flax, Rape, or by breeding or feeding of cattle, any of these will (almost) double the summe every year. For example, a hundred and fifty pound will plant (I mean in the most ex­cellent way, and consider also the dearnesse of the present time) about forty Acres with Wheat, which (by the ordina­ry blessing of God) cannot be lesse worth than eight pound one Acre with another, which in all amounts to three hun­dred and twenty pound; which again the next year according to the like account will advance it self to six hundred and forty pounds, that is to say, it will plant eighty Acres worth eight pound a peice at Harvest. And from thence forward, [Page 272] if you deduct one hundred pounds yearly, for an increase of present maintainance. Yet your stock will increase far more than by Interest upon Interest, which is also nothing so just or ingenious a way of getting. And if you say your friend is not a man addicted to, or experienced in these wayes of Husbandry, or of such employments otherwise, as will not allow him to act in this way himself, give me leave to say he may doe it, by the assistance of some faithfull friend (which is not impossible for you to find, or make by those abundant obligations you use to lay upon all men) such a friend as is skilful and active in these most pleasant and ho­nest wayes. To turn the same stock in Cattle will amount to near the same profit, but either of the other ( viz.) to sow Flax or Rape, will be yet much more profitable, and increase your present Revenue and Stock also faster.

Sir, I humbly advise your Friend to take some one of these wayes by the help of such a Friend, which shall never want the best furtherance I can give it, which is my earnest prayers for an extraordinary blessing upon such honest en­deavours, which will in a few years (and that in a way most pleasing to God, and approved of good men) make a very competent provision for himself, and his living, and leave a considerable estate to those that succeed.

Another friendly and more particular Advice how by a good husbandry of Rape-seed to raise an Estate, or provide Portions for Children.

A Last of Rape-seed is ten Quarters or eighty Bushels, and three shillings is the ordinary price of a bushel.

One Acre is sowed with half a peck sufficiently, and will yeeld replanted, according to the goodnesse of the ground and seasonablenesse of the year The sea­son when to begin this work is present­ly after Midsum­mer., 40 l. 30 l. 20 l. and at the least 10 l. per acre.

The whole charge to sow an Acre, and all things thereto [Page 273] belonging first and last will stand in three pound Rent and all (for the Rot amongst the Sheep, and Murrain amongst Cat­tle, must needs make Land cheaper.)

If therefore there were found a hundred men of indifferent quality, that would disburse each man tea pound sterling, Note: If 100 men be not found that will under­take or engage, fewer wil serve, so they either engage 20 l. or 30 l. for 2 or 3 children, or at least for the first or second year allow the Steward more than is here accompted. and commit all their stocks in­to one hand to be managed by that person (as one that is known to be skilful, and so able to undertake and pass through the work) for the raising of a portion for their child, or chil­dren respectively, they would finde this ad­vantage thereby (viz.) They should onely spare the said ten pound for the two first years and no more, at the end whereof it should be returned, and so they have given that child no other portion point-blank more than the use of ten pound for two yeares, which is but two and thirty shillings.

2. They should be at no charge to keep or maintain the same child save onely the first two years, for at the end of the third year they should receive competent maintenance for the same year, and so continue, or increase the same so long as the grand stock is suffered to lye in the Stewards hands, which is to be understood that during the first seaven yeares the Steward cannot give it up but by consent of the owner, but after that he may ease himself of the burthen when it grows too heavy, as he shall see cause.

3. He will have a most plentifull provision for his childe, without any trouble to himself, or at all diverting his intenti­ons, by only allowing the Steward one tenth part from time to time, as the reward of his care, skil, paines, and expence of his time, which must be chiefly dedicated to this ser­vice.

And here I present it more lively to your view in the fol­lowing Table.

[Page 274]

By this time you may perceive that the Steward did the last year manage 29100 Acres, which is full enough, and there­fore he cannot well goe further this way.

By this time you may perceive, that every Engager hath benefited the poor 471 l. and by all together, the poor are relieved with 47100 l. A blessed deed it is, and your reward follows it close at the heels, for all your children are made richer by 256000 l. and every particular child hath a portion raised of 2560 l. and all parties are well contented, since your Steward also must acknowledge himself well payd: Insomuch that if any his good Masters shall desire to have all, o [...] part of the said stocks longer to remain in his hands for a farther improvement; he will surely be willing to advance them in other waies to the best advantage: And by this means also some thousands of working poor are provided for.

A Scale of the Charges of the Table formerly pre­sented, with the Scale of some other Tables to demonstrate that advantageous Proposition.

WHereas in the paper I presented to you yesterday, I have in a Table been bold to set down what I know to be very true, and as certain as most or­dinary humane affairs, yet in regard I know also that the spirits of too many men (in this Age especially) are not only backward to attempt or incourage good actions, but are even ready to catch hold of any critical argument whereby they suppose they can blast an honest, rational, and advantageous Proposition, I thought it necessary to prevent all disputes of that nature by adding the following Table, and the Scales of Charge, by which either that or this is to be measured: And first the Scale of the Table formerly presented.

Rent for one Acre

00.13.04

Seed half a peck

00.00.06

First ploughing

00.02.06

Burning

00.05.00

Seed ploughing

00.03.04

Replanting and taking up

00.16.00

Re-ploughing

00.03.04

Cutting and thrashing

00.13.00

Fencing

00.07.00

 

03.00.00

Rent

00.13.04

Seed half a peck

00.00.06

First ploughing

00.02.06

Burning

00.05.00

Seed ploughing

00.03.04

Cutting and Thrashing

00.12.04

Fencing

00.03.00

 

02.00.00

[Page 277]By this it appears that (valuing the Crop but at 5 l. per Acre, which no man can except against) each man will have his 10 l. repayed at the end of the second year, and will out of onely 16 s. stock raise for his child a portion of 1000 l. and upwards, and for the relief of the Poor about 260 l and for the present maintainance of his child (after the two first, and until the end of the seventh, 100 l.

And if men would but be sensible how certain (or at least probable) it is that the first scale of charge will produce the return of 10 l. per acre, per annum, then men need venture their 10 l. but till the end of the first year onely, when it should be returned, and yet their stock run up to the propor­tion discovered in the next Table, and also both the poor and their children receive good maintenance the second Year.

[Page 278]By this it appears, that by onely sparing 10 l. and that but for one year, you have purchased or provided for your Child as his Portion or Estate 2620 l. and for his present maintenance (after the first year, that is to say, for the other six by unequal proportions) 107 l. and the Poor are better­ed by all this in the seven yeares by 493 l. from every parti­cular Interest, and by the whole Stewardship, or hundred persons or stocks by 49300 l. And all this is done in seven years, which any man may reasonably hope (by the blessing of God) that he may live to see it effected.

If any man ask why this great advance here held forth is not followed hardly by any one man living? The answer is not far off ( viz.) Few men do understand these wayes, fewer will give themselves leave to cast up their accompts for the future, or take care to put their endeavours for gain into so honest a method: For indeed (in a manner) all men are from their youth brought up either in idlenesse and vanity, and by that meanes are utterly carelesse of all wayes to thrive, and of the honestest most; or if they be brought up to businesse, they are so sixt before they come to a ripe understanding (such as is able to distinguish and choose) that they neither will, nor well can winde themselves out of their present Imployment or former Engagements. And in­deed men are too generally possest with a too sturdy dislike of any thing how excellent soever, that is out of their com­mon path, and by so much their dislike thereto also increa­sed by how much those courses propounded incline more to virtue.

But if all such dispersed spoaks and vallies were fixed in one Center ( viz.) a faithfull, carefull, skilfull Steward) it might make such a wheele as would be ever turning round in the right atchievement of an (even almost) infinite and end­lesse prosperity.

A Proposition concerning Rape-seed, wherein the charge is set down with the most, the return with the least, but both in the common way.

ONe Acre of Marsh land fit for Rape

l. s. d.

may be taken for

00.13.04.

May be ploughed the first time for

00.03.04.

May be burned for

00.06.08

Will be sowed with half a peck of seed worth

00.00.09

May be ploughed the second time for feeding for

00.04.08

May be fenced for

00.04.03

May be reaped for

00.10.00

May be thrashed for

00.07.00

The whole charge of an Acre is

02.10.00

If God please to send but the ordinary blessing upon this, there cannot be lesse than five Quarters; but it is not unusual to have six, seven, eight, nine, or sometimes ten Quarters upon one Acre.

One Quarter of good Rape seed is worth alwaies, and at least four and twenty shillings, and so the least return of one Acre, five Quarters is worth

l. s. d. 06.00.00

The Straw may be worth, though it be but to burn,

00.03.04

The whole profit is

06.03.04

From this deduct the charge

02.10.00

There remains as clearly gained

03.13.04

Whosoever engages twelve pound, gains

14.13.04

Whosoever engages four and twenty, gains

29.06.08

Whosoever engages thirty, gains

36.13.04

Whosoever engages threescore, gains

73.06.08

Whosoever engages a hundred, gains

124.13.04

It appears that he that engageth deepest hath the advan­tage, and that all mens moneys is more than doubled, and [Page 280] all this in the common way, which I shall endeavour to make much better by the blessing of God.

If any ask why an Engagement of twelve pound in stead of ten is desired, it is for the reward or subsistance of the Steward of the work, who after the first year, and when en­gagements are become deeper will accept one tenth part in the beginning of each year, of the stock for his charges and pains, and at the end of the year one tenth part of the In­crease for the reward of his care and skill, or come to a cer­tainty of profit to the Engager, and himself have no other reward but the over plus when they are satisfied, be it more or lesse, as God shall blesse his endeavours. If any man doubt of the truth of this, let him resolve himself by a free and ingenious enquiry of such as have dealt in this com­modity.

A Proposition for sowing of Hemp, whereby also a way is shown to set most of the present Poor to work without prejudice or oppression, or al­tering any Law already established.

FOr the more general sorts of Poor, I humbly conceive that what followeth may be a good way, and open to them a door of subsistence, without wrong or losse either of wealth or freedom to any subject of England, since in it all things are to be done in love and order; the Rich invited by the Profit, and the poor comming in as to a safe harbour, where he may rest secure under the Lee of this opportunity from the dangerous working of those many and strong ten­tations their poverty is accompanied with, and from the danger of the severe prosecution of the known Laws against Idlenesse, which will become altogether good, if all pre­tence or excuse be thus taken away, and the person once taken notice of, be uncapable of any second for­bearance.

[Page 281]I say then that sowing Hemp is the most certain way, how with gaines to all parts many hands may be set to work, but if any man think Flax better, he may use it; yet I must tell you that Flax (as sometimes it turnes to greater profit than Hemp, so it) is not so certain; and after Flax the ground is not so right for Corn as after Hemp, which indeed pre­pares land excellently for Corn; but the chief reason is, that the persons to be employed are more likely to do good (at first especially) on Hemp than Flax, the other being the more choice and difficult work, in all points requiring more care and skil, and the vent for Flax also is nothing so ready as that of Hemp, the uses being not so many, nor so great, and we may equal the works of other Nations in Hemp, not presently in Flax.

If there will appear a hundred honest, able, worthy En­glishmen, that will engage each man six thousand pound to set forward this good work (or if not just so, yet more men and lesse stocks amounting to that proportion ( viz.) of stock engaged in all six hundred thousand pound; I shall onely hold forth the private and publique Advantages, and may boldly promise them, besides Gods blessing, and their Countries love, together with the conveniency of taking the most safe course (one of them at least) that can be imagined in these times.

The six hundred thousand pound, will sow about threescore thousand Acres, and defray all charges first and last till the Hemp he converted into Cordage, Cloth, &c. and fit for sale. That is, ten pound for an Acre, and each Acre will set above two hundred persons to work for one day; the whole will set above forty thousand to work all the year. Every Acre well managed will yeeld at least twenty bushels of seed, which at two shillings the bushel, is forty shillings the Acre, or a hundred and twenty thousand pound for the whole, and each Acre so managed may yeeld at least five hundred and sixty pound of Cloth or Cordage, worth one with another five pence the pound, in all for one Acre sixteen pound ster­ling, and in all for the grand stock nine hundred and sixty [Page 282] thousand pound sterling; by which, three hundred and sixty thousand pound is gained, that is, about fourteen shillings in the pound gained yearly. And for two years after, the same ground will bear most excellent Wheat, Rye, or Barley, all charges payed to the value of four Quarters of Barley on an Acre, worth one time with another twenty shillings a Quar­ter, al a hundred and twenty thousand Quarters, and so also a hundred and twenty thousand pound yearly.

Thus shall forty thousand Poor be kept constantly at work all the year, and the Commonwealth eased of that burthen, and advantaged besides a hundred and fifty thousand Quar­ters of Hemp-seed, a hundred and fity thousand tun of Cloth and Cordage, and above a hundred and twenty thousand Quarters of good Corn; and the Undertakers amongst them shall gain clearly three hundred and sixty thousand pound sterling yearly. This is set down purposely, the Charge with the most, and the Return with the least. And if the num­ber of so many Rich men cannot be found to engage for any of these sums, more persons, and lesse engagements may be­gin the work.

An Answer to five Queres or Objections against the Proposition for setting the Poor to work upon Hemp growing, or to be growing in England.

Qu. 1. WHether those in France, &c. practising this way, do make the Gaines here supposed, all Casualties con­sidered?

Answ. Whether they in France, &c. doe make so great, or greater profit, I cannot tell, as having never been there to see, but 'tis probable they doe equal this, if their ground be equal, (as some will have it) superiour to ours in fertility, and fitnesse for this weed.

Qu. 2. Whether we can spare the land here in England? or whether it is not already imployed to more benefit?

Answ. To this I can better answer, as the thing I pretty [Page 283] well know, that the Land may not onely be spared, but will otherwise very much enrich us, and advance our plenty of Corn, and this is declared in the Proposition, and the Que­stion therefore not so pertinent: Yet for a farther Answer, I affi [...]m, that there is demonstratively in England and Wales above 4000000 of Acres for Tillage, and you finde but forty thousand Acres to be used yearly for the sowing of Hemp, which is but the hundereth part, and it is there pro­mised, that in the two or three succeeding years wherein the same land shall be sowed with Corn, amends shall be fully made for the missing of that yeares crop, and more by the goodnesse of those that follow.

The last part of this Quere is soon answered; for it is ge­nerally known, that an Acre of Corn (taking one time, place, grain with another throughout) is hardly worth forty shil­lings, whereas a reasonable Acre of Hemp is worth (stand­ing four pound, some five pound, some six pound, and very many more. And then the Acre of Corn is worth no more than it shews for, whereas the Hemp (to the Commonwealth as well as the particular owner) is of far greater value, if we consider that one Acre of Hemp well wrought up may be worth above a hundred pound, but then the charge may a­mount to the better half indeed.

Qu. 3. Whether by the inexperience of the people of this Land, other Nations will not very much under-sell us?

Answ. I could as well have propounded Flax as Hemp, since in many cases and places it is more usefull and profita­ble, but [...] onely name it in the Proposition, and if you ob­serve the reason there given for so doing, you will find much of this Question answered or prevented. But how far other Nations may under-sell us, or we them, I leave to the judg­ment of those that are more Merchant-like, to which I lay no claim, but (at most) to be one that would fain be a good Inland Husband, a Lover of my Country, and a faithful seeker of her Peace & Prosperity by all just and lawful means. Yet thus much I can say to the point, that to my knowledge many hundreds (I think I may say thousands) of Acres are [Page 284] with great advantage to the possessors imployed in this way, namely in the Isle of Axholm, and other the parts of Lincolush. &c. which place is more populous than any part of England that I know, and yet few or no Beggars. And I have a little lookt into the prizes, yet I find not English hemp differ much in price from that which is imported; it seems to me that necessity rather (as not having enough at home) causes such importing. I have seen a Hull Merchant stand upon three pence a pound for raw Hemp, when the same day English Hemp, that was adjudged every whit as good, was sold for two pence half penny. I have also known Hemp fetched by Waggon from Bourn in Lincolnshire, to Glocester upon the River of Severn. And our Experience, certainly we may blush to say we have not sufficient skill to make Cordage, or such kinds of coarse cloath as the Proposition intends; name­ly, such as is commonly used to make Sheets, Table-cloathes, Towels, Napkins, and the coarser sorts of Shirting, or the like: As for the finer sorts, we may work our selves into the kill and practice of making such by degrees, and at more leasure.

Qu. 4. Whether when we make so much Linnen Cordage as here, we shall have so good vent for our Native commodities for which Cordage, Hemp, &c. is returned?

Answ. As I said, I pretend not to judge of Merchants affairs, yet I have not heard of any of our native commo­dities which are vented for Hemp, or Cordage or the like, which will not be acceptable to the same or other Countries for the return of as good commodities. Once I am sure that those commodities are onely (or at least most) fit to import which we cannot so well make native to us, as Spices, Wines, Drugs Medicinal, Silkes, &c. And I suppose it can­not be unhappy, or unfit for us to make as many our own as by good meanes we can, especially, Hemp, Cordare, &c. since we cannot be without them, and are not sure alwaies to hold fair correspondence with those Nations from whom we have them, the chief strength of England principally con­sisting in Shipping, 'tis but a coarse policy to have our Cor­dage, &c. to keep.

[Page 285]Qu. 5. Who will advance so great a summe in unsetled times upon a New Trade, having in it the afore-mentioned (and per­haps more) difficulties?

Answ. If you please to observe my Proposition, you will find, I say onely if such men may be found, I promise not to find them, but if they will finde themselves I hold forth to them the sweet invitation of a greater advantage than, I be­leeve they can otherwise obtain by direct and good means: And then adde to that the double and treble service or good they shall (all under one) do tax for their Christian Brethren and native Country. And if this will not this will not invite, cannot perswade them, yet me-thinks we should rather take occasion to bewaile our own, theirs, and the Commonwealths misery and aversnesse from all goodnesse. As for the troublesom­nesse of the times, I can but put you in mind of that part of the Proposition that assures this to be one of the most safe and likely waies to save a mans estate, where if it be not fully enough explained, I refer you to your own better judgement to find and propound what you think best.

And now whosoever raised these Objections, did well, if he did it for the right end ( viz.) to illustrate the Proposition, that so it might be made more clear and acceptable. But its too common to object as an enemy, not to demonstrate, but destroy designes in themselves not evill, at least well in­tended.

A new Husbandry, or Improvement of Rape-seed.

IN the way of a Merchant I doe not certainly know, but can guesse how to dispose of great quantities of Rape-seed, but for Hemp seed I confesse I am ignorant how to vent any such great quantities; but if I may be shewed a way to vent either, particularly the last, I may possibly propound a way to produce a much greater encerease than is usually had of ei­ther, as namely, whereas it is now the usual custome to sow Rape-seed in low lands, and Fenny, Moorish Countries, where it is lyable to the breakings in of the Sea, or overflow of [Page 286] Land-floods, I can as well, and with as much hope of a plen­tifull return and encrease, sow it in any good upland not ly­able to such casualties, and for the profit more certain, which at present is in the aforesaid Lowlands when it scapes those floods, valued at five pound per Acre. I say I can propound a way how each Acre of such rich Upland shall yeeld at least a Last or ten Quarters, or eighty Bushels, which at but three shillings a Bushel, the cheapest rate, is twelve pound sterling, and for extraordinary charge I will deduct forty shillings more than the common way requires per Acre, so that one Acre shall be as good as two now and fixt, that is, the pro­fit much more certain.

And for Hemp, I say, that whereas an Acre of good Hemp may now be sold standing for about six pound, and the very best under ten, seed and all. I can propound a way, by taking of which, each Acre shall be worth, all charges defray'd, at least six pound, thirteen shillings, four pence for the tew onely, and at least six p [...]nd, thirteen shillings and four pence more for the seed; and both these productions are made by the careful and skilfull replanting of the hearbs, and choice and manage of the grounds.

A Passage taken out of a tract against the high rate of Usury; presented to the high Court of Parlia­ment, Anno Domini 1623. In which the Use for Money was brought down from ten to eight in the Hundred. And now humbly recommended to a further Publique Consideration, as a special Means for Advancement of the National Husban­dry of this Commonwealth.

IT hath been the wisdom and care of former Parliament to provide for the preservation of Wood and Timber; for which there is nothing more available than the calling down [Page 287] of the high rate of Usury; for as the rate of Money now goeth, no man can let his Timber stand, nor his Wood grow to such years growth as is best for the Commonwealth, but it will be very losse-full to him. The stock of the Woods after they are worth forty or fifty the shillings the Acre, growing faster at ten in the hundred than the Woods themselves doe. And for Shipping which is the strength and safety of this land, I have heard divers Merchants of good credit say, that if they would build a Ship, and let it to any other to employ, they cannot make of their Mony that way, counting all charges, tear and wear, above ten or twelve in the hundred, which can be no gainful Trade without hazard, Money it self going at ten in the hundred. But in the Low-Countries where Mony goeth at six, the building of Ships, and hiring them to o­thers, is a gainfull Trade, and so the stock of Rich men, and the industry of beginners are well joyned for the pub­like.

And yet that which is above all the rest, the greatest sin against the Land is, that it makes the Land it self of small value, nearer the rate of new found Lands than of any other Countrey, where Laws, Government, and Peace have so long flourished: For the high rate of Usury makes Land sell so cheap, and the cheap sale of Land is the cause why men seek no more by industry and cost to improve them; and this is plain both by example and demonstration; for we see in o­ther Countries, where the use of Money is of a low rate, Lands are generally sold for 30, 40, in some for 50 years pur­chase. And we know by the rule of bargaining, that if the rate of use were not greater here than in other Countries, Lands were then as good a pennyworth, at twenty years pur­chase as they are now at sixteen: For Lands being the best assurance, and securest inheritance, will bear a rate above Money. Now if Lands were at thirty yeares purchase, or near it, there were no so cheap purchase, as the amendment of ou [...] own Lands; for it would be much cheaper to make one Acre of Land, now worth five shillings by the year, to be worth ten shillings, or being worth ten, to be worth [Page 288] twenty shillings; and so in proportion, then to purchase ano­ther acre worth five or ten shillings. And in every acre thus purchased to the owner by the amendment of his own, there were another purchased to the Commonwealth. And it is the blessing of God to this Land, that there are few places of it to which he hath not given means by reasonable cost and industry, greatly to amend it, in many to double the va­lue, so as in time, if for their own good, mens industry were compelled that way, the riches and commodities of this Land would neer be doubled: Then would all the wet-lands in this Kingdome soon be drained, the barren lands mended by Matle, Sleech, Lime, Chalk, Sea-sand, and other means, which for their profit mens industry would find out. We see with how great industry and charge our neighbours the Dutch do drain and maintain their Lands against the Sea which floweth higher above them than it doth above the lowest parts of our drowned lands. I will admit a great deal to their industry, but I should very unwillingly grant that they are so much more ingenious and industrious than we, as that all the odds were therein. Certainly the main cause of it is, that with us money is dear and land cheap; with them lands dear and money cheap; and consequently the improvement of their lands at so great a charge with them, is gainfull to the ow­ners, which with us would be losse-full; for Usuring going at ten in the hundred, if a man borrow five pounds, and be­stow it on an Acre of ground, the amendment stands him in ten shillings a year, and being amended the Land is not worth above fifteen years purchase: But if the use of money went at no more than at other places, then five pound bestowed upon an Acre of ground, would stand a man in but five or six shillings a year, and the acre of land so amended would be worth, as hath been shewed, six and twenty or thirty yeares purchase. Whereby it appeareth, that as the rate of Use now goeth no man (but where the land lyeth extraordinari­ly happy for it) can amend his Land but to his own losse; whereas if money were let as it is in other Countries, he might bestow more than double as much as now he may, and [Page 289] yet be a great gainer thereby; and consequently, as was be­fore remembred, should to his own benefit purchase land to the Common-wealth.

Neither would such purchase of Land to the Common-wealth be the benefit to the landed men onely, the benefit would be as much to the poor Labourers of the Land: For now when Corn and other fruits of the land which grow by labour are cheap, the Plough and Mattock are cast into the hedge, there is little work for poor men, and that at a low rate, whereas if the mendment of their own lands were the cheapest purchase to the owner; if there were many more people than there are, they should be readily set a work at better rates than now they are, and none that had their health and limbs could be poor, but by their extreamest lazinesse.

A Bank of Lands; or, an Improvement of Lands, ne­ver thought on in former Ages: Begun to be pre­sented upon most rationable and demonstrable grounds by Mr. William Potter (a Gentleman of great de­serts, and of a most Publique Spirit) which being more fully cleared in all its Particulars, and establi­shed by publique Authority, may become a standing and setled Meanes to enrich the whole Nation, and also to remove Taxes, and other publique Burdens.

THrough the long continuance of the Wars, Trade hath been interrupted, great losses sustained at sea, the peo­ple constrained to live upon the main stock, mens credits ruined, many debts (otherwise good) lost, both friends and enemies plundered or sequestred, and Taxes, &c. unavoyd­ably continued, whereby the Nation is now in a very low condition.

There is a great necessity that this Epidemical disease of [Page 290] ruin in mens estates should be cured; for hereby,

1. The Rich, that should support others, are diminished in number, and weakned in means, and the Poor that should be upheld, are increased both in number and necessities.

2. If the removing of Burdens be necessary, the removing of Poverty (without which the rest are, in effect, no burdens) is more necessary.

3. The Trade, Manufacture, Shipping, Strength, Repute and flourishing estate of the Nation, depends as the meanes upon the Riches thereof.

4. The servility of a low condition, deprives men of much leisure and freedom in attending higher things.

This burden may be removed by encouraging such employ­ments and undertakings as tend to increase the estates of some without impoverishing others; for whatsoever takes from one mans estate as much as it adds to another, doth not inrich the Nation.

The capacity of inriching this Nation, is in a sort in­finite.

1. By making it the Scale of Trade to other people, which consists in buying the commodities of other Countries, work­ing them here, and selling them again in forraign parts: Whereby if England were a City upon a Rock (and held no land of their own) they might be maintained comfortably. Witnesse Holland.

2. By Plantations throughout the world, which tends to lessen our charge, and increase our means, by the returnes of commodities out of the industry of those that otherwise must be maintained for nothing.

3. By the Fishing-trade, wherein the Sea affords a vast Treasure, without demanding any rent for it, all which three last particulars would yeeld a kind of infinite of increase, if there were no want of stock to employ therein.

4. By improving our present Possessions: For,

1. Almost all the Land in England might be made to yeeld much more encrease, if men had money to imploy in manu­ring the same.

[Page 291]2. Divers Husbandmen want wherewith to stock their ground, whereby (perhaps) the Nation suffers more than many times by much unseasonable weather.

3. A great part of Ireland lyes at present waste, which (without great stock to plant) is like so to continue.

4. There are great quantities of oazie grounds about the Sea-coast and other Fens and waste grounds; besides Forrests and Commons, which drained and improved might equalize in value some two or three Counties in England.

5. There are many Mines in England, Ireland, and Scot­land, which being wrought would much increase our Expor­tation and imployment for poor men.

To set all these Wheels a going, two things are necessary, viz. that the people may know where to be furnished with stock at low interest, and that a sufficient quantity of currant money be disperced amongst them.

And indeed the great Remora is, that the people are gene­rally voyd of stock, whereby it is impossible they should deal either in the Forraign Trade, Fishing, Plantations, or Im­proving their own possessions, by reason whereof both poor and rich are deprived of imployment, and forced to live chiefly upon the Principal, to the greater increase of their poverty and ruin.

Whereas if they knew where to obtain such stock at low Interest, it would both enable them to prosecute the afore­said ends, and also make way for the more speedy vent of commodities in other Nations; for greatnesse of stock at low Interest, would enable the English Merchants to deal for much, and thereby to buy cheap, work cheap, and sel for lesse profit in the pound (and also to procure their commo­dities at the best hand, viz. at the places of their growth in their proper season) whereby out-trading and underselling o­ther Nations, they obtain the pre-emption of sale, and so can­not fail of vent abroad.

Also great stock at low Interest would enable Merchants to raise the price of our own native commodities in Forraign parts, by keeping them for a good Market, which helps [Page 292] much towards the enriching of a Nation.

Again if there were great quantity of money disperced a­mongst the people of this land, there would not wantvent of commodities amongst themselves.

For in this case every man to improve his stock would be laying out that mony in commodities, & those that receive it would be laying it out again upon others, and those upon o­thers, and so on, which would beget a constant return, or quick vent for commodities proportionable to the quantity of money so perpetually revolving amongst them.

Now if (through plenty of mony amongst the people) there were as much vent for commodity as the earth could by industry be made to afford, men would not spare either the Sea or the Land, but the one by the Fishing Trade, the other by Husbandry and all ingenious wayes of Improvement here in England; by planting in Ireland, and other new Planta­tions throughout the whole Globe, would bestow all their skill and diligence to multiply commodity and livelyhood to the imployment of innumerable poor, and all other men whatsoever, and the abundant increase of our Shipping and Dominion on the Sea, and thereby the strength, renown, and flourishing estate of the Nation.

And not onely so, but if there were such vent here in Eng­land, even Forraign Nations would dispatch their commodi­ties hither as to the quickest Market, and by meeting here (as in a center) might furnish each other with returns, so as England would become as it were a general Market or Faire to other Nations, to the great enriching thereof; whereby the Frontier Towns upon the Sea-coast, by reason of Trade would grow populous and strong for the defence of the Nation.

Also quicknesse of returns here in England would expedite returns abroad; for quick returns makes a small stock equi­valent to a great stock with slow returns, and therefore if the Merchants of England could vent all sorts of commodities here as fast as they could possibly procure them, it would inable them to deal for much, and consequently to buy much [Page 293] cheap, work cheap, and sell for lesse profit in the pound as before. So as in this case there would not want vent for commodities, either at home, by reason of the plenty of mony here, or abroad by reason of our own out-trading other Nations, through the greatnesse of our stock, and quicknesse of returns.

Also if men (through plenty of Coyn revolving amongst them) could meet with ready money for all commodities as fast as they could be made fit for sale, no man for the future would deal for time, the rather for that the forbearance of Debts in a time of quick trade would be great losse.

This would remove all those Inconveniencies which are in­cident to the ordinary way of Trading upon credit, viz.

• 1. The imprisonment of mens persons for debt.
• 2. Innumerable suits of Law about such debts.
• 3. Much trouble in keeping Accompts.
• 4. Great losses by mens trusting those that fail.
• 5. Cousenage in those who (concealing their estates) com­pound with their Creditors.
• 6. Underselling the Market for procuring money to pay debts.
• 7. Hard bargains by taking up ware upon trust.
• 8. Disabling men from managing their Trade, and taking the advantage of the Market, their stock being in other mens hands.

This necessity of plenty of Coyn amongst a people, is the reason why States makes Laws against the Exportation there­of, and many times pitch upon some Staple commodities which they will not exchange with other Nations but for re­turns in Bullion.

So much money in specie as were necessary to furnish the people with the aforesaid stock at low Interest, and such plenty of Coyn as is already mentioned, is impossible to be had, and if it could be obtained by returnes from other Na­tions, yet we must part with our own commodities for it, which we cannot spare in such great quantities. Whereas up­on serious consideration it will be found, that Credit ground­ed [Page 294] upon the best security is the same thing with Money, and may be had in very great abundance, without parting with any commodity for it.

That such Credit is as good as Money will appear if it be observed that Money it self is nothing else but a kind of se­curitie which men receive upon parting with their commo­dities, as a ground of hope or assurance that they shall be repayed in some other commoditie: since no man would sell any commoditie for the best money, but in hopes thereby to procure some other commodity or ne­cessary.

True it is that Coyn which hath no intrinsical value, as they call it ( viz. Money of Brasse, Copper, &c.) though whilst it runs currant the owner may obtain commodity for it, yet when the use of it is prohibited (no man being enga­ged to make it good) he suffers losse. Which if he had secu­rity in Lands of sufficient value would be prevented, whereby it appeares, that security answers to the intrinsick value of Coyn.

That such Credit is as good as Money, is also evident upon this ground, That Money if it were a better security than it is, yet it serveth onely to supply the interval of time between the selling of one commodity, and the buying of another: Now the best assurances in Land are a security sufficient for the supplying of that intervall: Especially considering that mens estates are generally either in land or commodities. And in land (though more certain than commodity) yet if absolutely purchased there may be losse by its decrease in value, but if accepted onely as in Morgage, that hazard is prevented, and so becomes the most certain security on earth, and therefore must needs be sufficient to supply the short in­terval betwixt the selling of land or commodity and the buy­ing thereof.

Upon this ground that Security is in effect the same thing with Money, it is, that in divers places of the world it runs currant in stead of Money.

Thus Bills in Flanders obliging the Debtor to pay money [Page 295] at a certain time, are acccepted by those who esteem of the man as able and sufficient, whereby such Bills doe usually passe from one hand to another, untill they become payable.

Thus in Venice, Leighorn, and Amsterdam, the security (commonly called Credit, grounded upon the depositions of money in bank, runs currant, and though the owners may have mony if they please, yet they chuse rather to deale by credit; whereby it appeares that it is neither unpossible, strange, nor unpracticeable, for security to be made to sup­ply the place of mony.

This is best effected by the way of Banks.

Banks, as they are now practiced, are nothing else in effect but places where men pawn or deposite their moneys for ob­taining currant credit, as that which they may keep with lesse danger, and assign to another with lesse trouble.

If any man who hath credit in Bank demands the money, it is payd him; but as some men demand money out of the Bank, so others when they are to receive money, doe cause it to be payd into the Bank, whereby to ease themselves of the trouble of receiving, keeping, and paying it.

Hence it is that the Bankers are alwaies receiving mony of some, as well as paying it to others; so as those who from time to time demand any money, are usually payd by those who bring it in, and the rest of the money lyes dead in bank, or else that Bank hath no credit; for look how much credit runs currant, so much mon [...]y doth or should lye dead in bank, as a pawn for mak [...]ng good theeof.

Now seeing such money lyes dead in bank, and serveth for no other purpose, but as a pawn or ground of security; for making good the credit that runs currant in stead thereof, there is no doubt to be made but that lands being morgaged to a Bank, would serve as well and better for such a pawn, which cannot be removed or made away by force or fraud, as great summes of money lying long in one place may; nei­ther is any temptation to an enemy, as Banks of money are; witnesse the late attempt of the Prince of Orange.

[Page 296]If any should here expect a more full opening of the nature of such Banks of security, and other circumstances relating to the practice thereof, it is not my scope to insist thereon at present, least the discourse might become too large for men of businesse: It may suffice in the mean time that the thing it self plainly appeares to be practiceable, there being nothing in it but what is dayly acted amongst men: For,

1. The raising of Credit upon the security of Lands, is no new thing.

2. The making use of Credit in Bank, instead of mony, and transferring of such credit from one man to another in books kept for that purpose, is also practised in the aforesaid Banks. Now put those two together, and you have the whole of what is here propounded.

I shall therefore in the generall put a case.

Suppose any company of men should proffer to lend this State two or three hundred millions of mony gra [...]is, let us consider what they would do therewith.

They could not imploy it with safety any otherwise, th [...] by sending it forth to the people upon sufficient security at a reasonable Interest, because it is but lent to them, and there­fore must be restored.

2. It may be they would resolve also to raise Banks there­with, whereby the credit grounded upon such mony, might run currant amongst the people, rather than the mony it self, which is not so fit for daily use, in great summes, in respect of the trouble of telling and re-telling, the losse in clipped and counterfeit mony, the hazard which men sustain in keeping much mony by them, the trouble of carrying great sums from house to house, and the danger from conveighing it in specie from one Town to another, whereas dealing in such credit (as to all great summes) would prevent Highway-theeves, who if they have nothing but goods to seize upon in the road, cannot goe long undiscovered, nor can advance any thing thereupon worth their attendance, which would totally dis­courage them from following that lewd kinde of life, and thereby free the Highwayes of such Vermine.

[Page 297]Credit also is better amongst the people than money, in these two respects: First it cannot be transported to other Nations. Secondly, it will not be hoarded up, as mony many times is to the great hinderance of Trade: for that money which is of least esteem amongst the people, if it be of real value in it self, is most for their good, because every man stri­ving to post it off from himself, doth thereby quicken returns of Trade.

Now suppose that (upon these manifold considerations) such Banks should be erected, and it should thereupon come to passe, that this mony thus lent to the Commonwealth, should lye dead in Bank, and the people should make use of their Credit in stead thereof (as they do I say in other places) I demand then to what purpose this mony serveth?

If it be said it lyes for a pawn to secure the Credit that runs currant in stead thereof:

I answer, the Land which was taken for security, when the money was lent to the people, is a sufficient pawn to make good such credit: If not, then the money which was lent up­on that security, which fails, is lost; but if the security hold good it is the same with money: And therefore if the State might venture to lend the money it self upon the best security, the people may even as well venture to take such security it self for money.

Hereupon there is no doubt but the State (in order to their own security) would restore this money to the owners, and proceed without it, as being, first, altogether superfluous; secondly, a great temptation to an Enemy; thirdly, subject in processe of time to the fraud of Officers, and sudden com­motions of several parties and factio [...]s if it lye dead in Bank: And if it goe abroad, then not so sit for daily use of Credit in the manifold respects already mentioned: And if they thus proceed without the said mony they doe the same thing which is here proposed.

The premises considered, to dispute against the aforesaid Banks grounded upon security, is the same thing, as to oppose the accepting of the aforesaid mony in specie, if it were to be lent this Nation gratis.

[Page 298]This being so, if any should ask whether the State would refuse the free loan of so much ready mony? I answer (con­fidently) No.

1. Because by the lending thereof to the people upon Inte­rest, a Revenue may be raised to free them from publique taxes and burdens.

2. Interest might be brought to a low rate for the incou­ragement of Trade, and without any compulsive Law.

3. The filling of the land with so exceeding great a quan­tity of money, would by the revolution thereof quicken Trade in the highest degree.

4. It would be a means to furnish the people with abun­dance of stock to employ in the Forraign Trade, Fishing, Plan­tations, improving their own Lands, drowned and wasted grounds, Mines, &c. in all the three Nations.

5. By such fall of Interest, Land would rise much in price, which (besides the help of sufficient stock and quick vent) would much incourage the improvement thereof.

6. Many publique Grievances and Burdens would be pre­vented thereby (as is already for the most part observed) viz. oppression amongst Broakers and Extortioners; the trouble, charge, and hazard in returns of moneys, Highway-theeves, imprisonment for debt, innumerable law-suits, losses by failers, underselling the Market, enhancing forraign commodities, and debasing the value of our own: And in brief, that great Bur­den of all Burdens, namely, extream Poverty, with divers o­ther particulars, which I shall not further repeat.

Now considering our present great extremities for want of stock and mony, who that loves his Country, would be against the accepting of such an immense Treasure of good and cur­rant Coyn, if it were proffered this Nation gratis; and yet it plainly appeares by the premises, that all this Treasure lyes within our own reach, in that kind of Bullion, which is better than mony in specie, and wants nothing but the meer stamp of Authority to make it currant; and hath this further advan­tage in it, that it may be made use of to the worlds end, with­out fearing it should ever be demanded, which so much mony [...]ent; gratis, cannot.

[Page 299]To conclude therefore, it plainly appears that the way to remove Poverty, Taxes, and most publique Grievances, and to make this Nation abound in Wealth, Trade, Cities, Shipping, People, and Renown, is (according to means) neither unpra­cticeable, nor difficult, except we renounce all humane pru­dence; and with the Sluggard in the Proverbs, create diffi­culties to our selves, where God hath made none.

If therefore the Proposition in general be thought worthy of regard, it is humbly desired that Commissioners might be appointed to hear and debate such considerations as relate thereunto, with that seriousnesse as a thing of this moment will require; for upon the meer reading of things, men start many scruples (through misapprehension) which have no ground but their own mistakes; whereby many good Propo­sals suffer great prejudice, which upon solemn debates would easily detected and prevented.

By this means these Propositions have been already clog­ged by divers that have heard thereof, at the second and third hand, with several false Imputations and groundlesse Jealou­sies; all which if those that are concerned, will please to make it their businesse to be satisfied, will, I hope, be fully be cleared.

Thus far of the Bank of Lands at the present.