42 HISTORY OF AGRICULTURE. Part I. 



in some material branches, has not been improved upon ; and that in several districts 

 abuses still exist, which were as clearly pointed out by him at that early period as 

 by any writer of the present age. His remarks on sheep are so accurate that one might 

 imagine they came from a storemaster of the present day. Those on horses, cattle, &c. 

 are not less interesting ; and there is a very good account of the diseases of each species, 

 and some just observations on the advantage of mixing different kinds in the same 

 pasture. Swine and bees conclude this branch of the work. He then points out the 

 great advantages of enclosures ; recommends " quycksettynge, dychynge, and hedgyng ;" 

 and gives particular directions about the setles, and the method of training a hedge, as 

 well as concerning the planting and management of trees. We have then a short inform- 

 ation *' for a yonge gentylman that intendeth to thryve," and a "prolouge for the wives' 

 occupation," in some instances, rather too homely for the present time. Among other 

 things, she is to " make her husband and herself some clothes;" and "she may have 

 the lockes of the shepe, either to make blankettes and coverlettes, or both." This is not 

 so much amiss ; but what follows will bring our learned judge into disrepute, even with 

 our most industrious housewives. " It is a wive's occupation to wynowe all manner or 

 cornes, to make make, to washe and wrynge, to make heye, shere corne, and, in time of 

 nede, to helpe her husbande to fyll the muckewayne or dounge carte, drive the ploughe, 

 to loade heye, corne, and suche other. And to go or ride to the market, to sel butter, 

 chese, mylke, egges, chekyns, capons, hennes, pygges, gese, and all manner of cornes." 

 The rest of the book contains some useful advices about diligence and economy ; and 

 concludes, after the manner of the age, with many pious exhortations. {^Encyc. Brit. 

 art. Jgr. ) 



221. The state of agriculture in England in the early part of the sixteenth century y and 

 probably for a long time before, is thus ascertained ; for Fitzherbert no where speaks of 

 the practices which he describes or recommends as of recent introduction. The Book of 

 Surveyinge adds considerably to our knowledge of the rural economy of that age. 

 " Four maner of commens" are described ; several kinds of mills for corn, and other 

 purposes, and also " quernes that goo with hand ;" different orders of tenants, down to 

 the *' boundmen," who, " in some places contynue as yet;" " and many tymes, by 

 color thereof, there be many freemen taken as boundmen, and their lands and goods is 

 taken from them." Lime and marl are mentioned as common manures; and the 

 former was sometimes spread on the surface to destroy heath. Both draining and irri- 

 gation are noticed ; though the latter but slightly. And the work concludes with an 

 inquiry " How to make a township that is worth XX marke a yere worth XX li. a- 

 year :" this is to be done by enclosing, by wliich, he says, live stock may be better kept 

 and without herds ; and the closes or fields alternately cropped with corn, and " let lye" 

 for a time. 



222. Agriculture had attained a considerable degree of respectability during the reign of 

 Elizabeth. According to Tusser, who wrote in that age, and whose work will be after- 

 wards noticed, agriculture was best understood in Essex and Suflblk ; at least enclosures 

 were more common in these counties than in any other, which is always a proof of 

 advancement. A farmer, according to Harrison the geographer, " will thinke hisgaines 

 very small towardes the end of his terme if he have not six or seven years rent lieing 

 by him, therewith to purchase a new lease ; beside a fair garnish of pewter on his cup- 

 board, with as much more in odd vessels going about the house ; three or four feather- 

 beds ; so many coverlets, and carpets of tapestrie ; a silver salt ; a bowle for wine, if not 

 a whole neast; and a dozen of spoones to furnish owte the sute." (Harrisons De- 

 scription of England, p. 188.) 



223. The condition of a yeoman before or about Elizabeth's time, is exemplified in the 

 case of Bishop Latimer's father. " My father," says Hugh Latimer, ** was a yeoman, 

 and had no land of his own ; only he had a farm of three or four pounds by the year at 

 the utmost; and hereupon he tilled so much as kept half a dozen men. He had a walk 

 for a hundred sheep ; and my mother milked thirty kine, &c. He kept his son at 

 school till he went to the university, and maintained him there ; he married his daugh- 

 ters with five pounds, or twenty nobles a-piece ; he kept hospitality with his neighbours, 

 and some alms he gave to the poor ; and all this he did out of the said farm." {Gilpin's 

 .Life of Latimer. ) 



224. Cattle were not plentiful in England at the beginning of Elizabeth's reign. In 

 1563 it was enacted, that no one should eat flesh on Wednesdays or Fridays, on for- 

 feiture of three pounds, unless in case of sickness, or of a special licence, neither of 

 which was to extend to beef or veal. (Stat. 5 Eliz. cap. 4. ) Great pains were taken in 

 the act to prove that it was a political, not a religious measure, 



225. The vast number of parks in the kingdom axe complained of by Harrison. ** There 

 are not less," he says, ** than an hundred in Essex alone, where almost nothing is kept 

 but a sorte of wilde and savage beasts, cherished for pleasure and delight." And pur- 

 suing Uie same subject, he says, " that if the world last a while after this rate, wheate 

 and rie will be no graine for poore men to feed on." {Description of Britaine, p. 168.) 



