no AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. 



M. STEVENSON. 



I630-I684. 



M. Stevenson wrote " The Twelve Moneths, or a Pleasant and 

 Profitable Discourse of every Action, whether of Labour or Recreation, 

 Proper to each Particular Moneths, branched into Directions Relating to 

 Husbandry, as Ploughing, Sowing, Gardening, Planting, Transplanting, 

 Plashing of Fences, Felling of Timber, Ordering of Cattle and Bees, 

 and of Malt, &c., as also of Recreations on Hunting, Hawking, Fishing, 

 Fowling, Coursing, Cockfighting, to which likewise is added a necessary 

 advice touching Physick, when it may and may not be taken. With the 

 Faires of every Muneth." London : Printed by M.S. for Thomas jennor, 

 and are to be sold at his shop at the South entrance to the Royal 

 Exchange. 1661. 



It is certainly a curious work, but as a book of reference or 

 instruction it could never have held an important place. Take as a 

 sample from his directions for March : " If any trees grow barren, bore 

 holes in the root and drive pins or hard wedges of oake wood therein 

 and that will make them fruitful." 



SIR JOHN PETTUS. 



1613-1690. 



The illustration opposite portrays the title-page of a most interesting 

 little book, of which the authorship is put down to Sir John Pettus. It 

 will be noticed that it states that the book is written by a " person of 

 honour lately deceased," and as Sir John is known to be the author of a 

 book issued twelve years later, and was living several years after that 

 date, it cannot very well be said that the statement has been verified. 

 Whoever wrote it knew what he was talking about, and had evidently 

 made himself thoroughly acquainted with the peculiarities and value of 

 the plant as a farmer's crop. He speaks of discussions raised between 

 sanfoin and the planting of tobacco in England, the likelihood of the 

 latter being of greater value, and the question was raised of prohibiting 

 the culture of either of them in this country. 



And feels that there was cause to restrain the planting of English tobacco in 

 justice to those who have adventured their lives and fortunes in those colonies so far 

 from their native countries for the enlargement of the King's territories and dominions, 

 and have engaged themselves to vend their tobacco only in His Majesty's dominions, 



