92 AGRIC UL TURA L WRITER S. 



In 1623 was issued an edition — whether the first or not I am not sure 

 — " The Country Housewife's Garden." Of its contents it will suffice to 

 quote : " In the month of Aprill, the moone being new, sow Marjoram : 

 in the full of the Moone Apples of Love." 



" Markham's Farewell to Husbandry." (See opposite page.) My copy 

 is addressed to the " Right Worshipfull and his most worthy Friend, 

 Mr. Bonham Norton, Esquire." 



In 1625 appeared " Inrichment of the Weald of Kent," a booklet 

 which seems from the dedication to a Kentish Landed Proprietor to have 

 been written especially at his instigation. This work is addressed to 

 the Honourable Knight Sir George Rivers, of ChafTord, in the County of 

 Kent, and issued by R. Jackson. (See page 94.) 



The Art of Archerie, shewing how it is most necessary in these times for this King- 

 dom, both in Peace and War, and how it may be done without charge to the country, 

 trouble to the People, or any hinderance to necessary occasions, also of the Disipline, 

 the Postures, and whatsoever else is necessary for attaining to the Art, London : 

 Printed by B. A. and T. F. for Ben Fisher, and are to be sold at his shop at the signe 

 of the Talbot without Aldersgate, 1634. 



In 1635 another work of his on fishing is entitled : 



The Pleasures of Princes, or Good Men's Recreations, containing a Discourse 

 of the Generall Art of Fishing with the Angle or otherwise, and of all the hidden 

 secrets belonging thereunto. Issued by John Norton. 



So much were his writings in demand, and so many books relative 

 to the same subject did he compose, that at last he arranged with his 

 publishers to write no more, and the following agreement was 

 drawn up : 



Mem. — That I, Gervase Markham, of London, gent., do promise hereafter never 

 to write any more book or bookes to be printed of the diseases of any cattle, horse, ox 

 or cow, sheep, swine, or goats. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the 

 24th daie of July, 161 7. — Gervase Makkham- 



This memorandum has been said to be in the archives of the 

 Stationers' Company, but I believe it is not now forthcoming. The 

 following entry, however, in their books shows that the publishers of 

 those days had contentions about his published works : 



August, 1617. — The Court issued an order to settle the controversie between Roger 

 Jackson and John Mariot for the printinge of the booke called " Markham's Farewell 

 to Horsmanshippe and Husbandry." 



Although he drew upon earlier writers for some of his material, the 

 prefaces and deductions of his many works afford satisfactory testimony 

 that he was a well-meaning man, and, to use his own words, 

 he says, " Patience I have long since made mine owne and only 

 companion." 



To give some idea of his style I have culled the following extracts 



