R I (HARD r^l.i^Mi:. 135 



RICHARD BLOME. 



1647-1705 [about). 



In 1686 was issiu-d "The ( lentliMiian's Kfcrcalion," in two parts. 

 The first being' an 



Encyclopcdy of the Arts and Sciences to Wit, an abridgement thereof, which (in a 

 clear method) treats of the Doctrine and General Parts of each Art, with Eliptical 

 Tables, comprehending a summary and general division thereof, being a translation 

 from the most authentick authors, by Persons well experienced therein, to which divers 

 Sculptures and Schemes are added for the better Illustration and Demonstration 

 thereof. 



The second part treats of 



Horsemanship, hawking, hunting, fowling, fishing, and agriculture, with a short 

 Treatise of Cock-fighting, for the breeding, dyetting, ordering, matching, and fighting 

 them. All which are collected from the most authentick authors, and many gross 

 errors therein corrected, with great enlargements, made by those well experienced in 

 the said Recreations and for the better explanation thereof, great variety of useful 

 sculptures as nets, traps, engines, &c , are added for the taking of Beasts. Fowl, and 

 Fish, not hitherto published by any. Printed by S. Roycroft for Ricliard Blome. 



My concern just now is with the section on agriculture, the curious 

 frontispiece to which is clearly shown in the illustration on page 138. 

 In addition there are page engravings dedicated to tin- Worshipful! 

 Thomas Fawkes, of Farnley, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, I^scj.. the 

 Right Honourable Richard Lord Maitland, eldest son of tlie Earl of 

 Lauderdale, the Right Worshipfull Sir Robert Clayton, of Mardcn, Lord 

 Mayor of London in 1680. 



The early chapters deal with the improvement of grounds by good 

 manuring, tillage, feeding, &c., with the benefits arising from trefoyi, 

 sainfoyn, and clover grass. He strongly recommends inclosing land, as 

 it ascertains cxerv man's just proportion, and prevents abundanct- ol 

 trespasses and injuries between neighbour and neighbour. It enables 

 the forming of hedges not only to keep the land warm, but to give shade 

 and shelter to cattle. He adds: "Some are of opinion that enclosures 

 do occasion mildews and blastings, but that is a vulgar trror." He 

 extols the value of a windmill engine invented by Sir Samuel Moreland, 

 and sold in Southampton Buildings, London, and enters fully into the 

 cultivation of the aforesaid grasses and clovers, with the addition of 

 grain crops, peas, beans, lentils, and other commodities including hemp, 

 flax, and rape or coleseed, which in his day was worth 4.?. jjer bushel, 

 whereas now It realises more than double. 



Chapter 1\'. details ijartietilars of manuring, dunging, and soyling of 

 land, and he speaks of hops being grown as a national commodity, 



