y. SHA. 1 09 



gives a \ ery interesting document relating to the contract made between 

 the Governnunl and Vermuidim. Given under the Great Seal of Eng- 

 land, and bearing the date of the 24th day of May, 1626, ic states that he 

 should "'at his own charge drain and lay dry certain lands therein men- 

 tioned and the conditions thereof and the considerations iht rcforc." 



This agreement being madi' the work was begun, and had so suc- 

 cessful a progri'ssthat with tlie charge of nt-arly /,"50,(joo it bi'came full\- 

 hnished, with the result that l.iiul previousl)- not worth (m/. y>vx acre 

 became worth \os., and that grounds were Ix'lter worth 13^-. 4^/. 

 an acre after than they were is. before. These drainage works 

 were afterwards in great part destroyed by people who, being envious 

 of the prosperity of those interested, took advantage of the disputes 

 between King and Parliament. Although Vermuiden carried the work 

 through, and was appointed on the commission to look into the drainage 

 of the various marshes and levels throughout the eounlr\-, he had 

 ultimately to appeal to Parliament to obtain a hnal satisfactory settlement 

 for his work. 



J. SHA. 



162O-1680. 



J. Sha was the author of a work entitled " ' Certaine Plaine and Easie 

 Demonstrations; of Divers Easie Waves and Meanes for the im|)roving 

 of any Manner of Barren Land, although the same bee not worth. 

 Twelve Pence the Acre ; and Showing How to Make the same Become 

 Worth XXs., XXXs., or XLs. the Acre Yearely.' Published for the 

 increasing of the wealth and the Prosperitie of the nation, and the 

 benefit of the poore and all those that are owners of any barren lantl. 

 London : Printed by T. F., and are to be sold by William Ley, at his 

 shop at St. Paul's-chaine, near Paul's churchyard. 1657." 



The first eight pages seem written to exploit a certain imcniion 

 called a dung roller, and he also treats on digging, trenching, dunging, 

 draining, and watering according to the custom of the day. i'xxDnd 

 this reference to the book there; is nothing special to record from its 

 pages. 



