To the right Honble. Lords, and Honble. Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, of the High Court in PARLIAMENT Assembled. The humble Petition of THOMAS Ducket Gent: Practitioner in physic. Showeth: THat h●e by God's blessing and his study, great charge, expense of time, exercise of his natural gifts, and diligent searching into the Secrets of nature, is now perfect in knowledge, able to augment great profit to this kingdom, by new ways of Improving Lands and other Experiments, as also to discover many new profitable additions to the Art of husbandry and such like terrene designs▪ all which he is experimentally Mr. of. The effects of which being discovered, m●y increase in this kingdom many thousand pounds' profit per annum, if the Professor be not debarred by Mortatality, hindered, quashed, discouraged by incredulity, or otherwise frustrated in his endeavours by uncouth events, want of power or means to make substantial manifestation of his skill, which are malevolences that do often oppose the progress of all singular perfections and inventions though they be very hopeful, your Petitioner being capable of such contingent hazards, and knowing the consequents thereof of high ●nowing it doth only lie in your honour's powers to uphold 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that labour for the weal-public; The assurance of which doth stir the Petitioner in a faithful humble way to crave the favourable grant of both the right Honble. Houses of Parliament, to entertain and take notice of his well intended service for the good of this kingdom, yet not uncapable of your other great affairs in continual agitation for the good of the Kingdom; amongst which notwithstanding your Petitioner most humbly prays, in behalf of the whole Kingdom, which his present intentions so much concern, you would be pleased to involve and consider of his designs tendered in the ensuing Propositions. And refer your Peitioner and his resolutions, to the scamning & result of a Committee for that purpose by your Honours appointed, before there be any procrastination in this Businesses of such hopeful success and happiness to this Nation, that may accrue yearly thereunto (by God's blessing) beginning the next ensuing year, if your Petitioner shall be enabled thereunto in communicating his Arts to the kingdom, part of whose undoubted skill, for the present is manifested by Certificate under the hands of the Hon: Committee of Parliament for the County of Monmouth, sent unto Henry Herbert Esquire, one of the Members of the Honble. House of Commons, to the end, that the contents thereof might be published in both the honourable Houses of Parliament. Your Petitioner therefore most humbly prayeth your Honours that according to the Acts of Parliament in such causes, concerning the Promotion and countenancing of Persons endued with such profitable Arts and mysteries, and enabling them to practise their knowledge therein: To give unto your Petitioner such means, properties, and encouragements, as appertain to the Confirmation of the Practice of the Art, being a Benefit of that consequence, to all people, that they will perceiving the profit thereof, hasten the Effecting, your Petitioners Directions. And the whole kingdom with your Petitioner herein is concerned to pray, &c. The Certificate of the Committee of the County of Monmouth. To our much honoured friend Henry Herbert Esqu. one of the Members of the Honble. house of Commons, or to whom he shall appoint to proceed, &c. Noble Sir, WHereas colonel Hugh's governor of Chepstow, yourself and we of the Committees of the County of Monmouth, have in certifying letters formerly declared our hope and expectation of the reality of many inventions and profitable additions and discoveries of this hearer Thomas Ducket Gent. practitioner in physic, for the advantage of the commonwealth, by the improvement of Land, and other special benefits, in which be seemed to us to be so for a Mr. of knowledge, that we held it fit to assist and further his endeavours therein, that they might the better be presented to the high Court of Parliament, by which means he might receive credit and estimation, preferment and rewards, suiting to the worth and validity of such beneficial accomplishes, as he by his experience and industry, hath made fit to accommodate this kingdom therewith; and whereas the said Gentleman ever since your absence, still continuing in these parts upon his occasions, did take notice that many persons were somewhat incredulous of his former intentions which so wrought upon his judgement, that he was loath to let his reputation remain in such doubtful suspense. To prevent the which, he justly and ingeniously did rather conceive it fit to disclose and perfect some beneficial and effectual designs which accordingly he did so truly and perfectly perform, that we should not do him right, if we should not give him his due deserts, by declaring that he hath made manifest some experiments to our views, and also to our apprehensions; which without doubt or further question, will perfectly hold good, in procuring great benefit to this Nation; and therefore we do even more certainly and fully then heretofore approve of his sufficiency, and do confidently believe that other of his inventions and secrets undiscovered, which he saith is of far greater consequence and 〈◊〉 respect he hath already showed us such good patterns of his knowledge, we do the more credibly believe that his other designs will appear as rightly perfect, and as materially certain for the future, as these appearances that are made known unto us: which may justly challenge a requital of this Nation for his directions therein. And therefore our motion and request unto you is, that you will recommend him and his designs to the friendship and consideration of the powerful Members of both the Honble houses of Parliament, that thereby they may the better take notice of his deserts, entertain his good service for the commonwealth with love, and speedy settling a certain course, that he may have fitting preferment and recompense correspondent to the worth of every particular discovery, when they or any of them are made apparent to the Honble. Houses, by demonstration or by any of the models thereof, or by rational judgement and understanding, that any of his Works or Arts seem infallibly beneficial, and that then there may be no delays in advancing and dignifying the said Gent. with such suitable assistance and valuable requitals, as he shall justly merit by publishing and directing others, in these laudable parts and qualities, the which by his studious endeavours and observations, he hath attained unto. And therefore according to the former excellent estimations, of this and other civil Nations, of and concerning the Inventions of industrious persons, we make no question but the present state of this Kingdom will ever be ready to requite, cherish and encourage all that labour for the weal-public, to which good actions we are assured of your willingness and readiness in your particular aid and opportunity, to assist in the effects of these our loving motions, and to persevere in the same until a fitting course be established, and for your endeavours herein you shall oblige. Chepstow this first of May. 1646. Your servants, Tho. Hughes, Edm. Morgan, Jo: Walter, Will. Jones, Rice Williams, Will. Blething, Chr. Catchmay. To the right Honourable, the Lords and Commons in PARLIAMENT Assembled. The humble motions and Propositions of Thomas Ducket Gent: Practitioner in physic, in the Petition beforementioned. Wherein is declared the heads of such designs and Secrets as the Propositor is Mr. of, and is ready to manifest and perfectly make appear, how to effect the Contents of these ensuing Propositions. viz. Expert experiments, how to Improve all sorts of English fruit. 1 IMprimis, He professes to show singular skill by giving perfect Directions for the Improvement of all sorts of English fruit, viz. In choosing out the fittest land and place for speedy growth and bearing, and showing ways by unusual directions, for defending young Trees or settlings from the spoil of Cattle, by bruising or rubbing, notwithstanding the residence of many Cattle in the ground, and that by a cheap and easy way, the value being considered; And also to improve the growth of all young Trees in the places where they are planted, far exceeding all former Art in that particular; insomuch that they shall thrive and prosper so exceedingly, where his skill is used, that they shall in far less time than heretofore, both bear and be grown out of hazard of Cattle, and likewise divers other beneficial Observations and additions to the benefit of Fruit; so much that Fruit and all the profits thereof shall in some few years after the general use of the new Husbandry, become double or treble as plentiful in this Nation, if such success be by this honourable House held considerable; and the Author made use of to spread and dispierce his directions therein throughout this kingdom. Improvement of all sorts of Wood. 2. He also professes to direct a course how to Plant young trees of all sorts of Timber wood, or any other beneficial trees in such manner, that though much Cattle usually continue in herbage of the said Land, they shall not nevertheless rub or bruise or make spoil of such young trees, and that by an easy and cheap way, with many other additions for improving of the pasture or herbage, that is much lost in and under all sort of Woods or woody Lands, showing reasons withal for advantaging and increasing of all sorts of Woods, in such convenient places, that little or no pasture shall be wasted, diminished or taken up, by sowing or planting the same, if the author's rules be rightly followed A profitable Art of save Wood and Coles, and avoid smoke of chimneys. 3. Whereas Wood and Coles of all kind, and other materials for fire grows very scarce and very chargeable, the Author therefore will direct some necessary neat course to be used in the forepart of every Chimney, that by a small matter of Smiths and Masons work, Which design he hath brought to such an exact perfection, that he will direct them a way, that shall save a third or one quarter of the expense of fuel aforesaid, both in this City and the rest of the kingdom, and of such validity are such designs, that notwithstanding the expense of less fuel, yet shall that lesser quantity make much warmer all rooms then formerly they were with large expense. And by the use of this Art the offence of smoking chimneys shall be for ever avoided, and all sorts of provision of diet shall be prepared and dressed with more neatness and speed than did before. The charge to effect which, is of such small consequence, that the money saved in fuel in half a year, shall make satisfaction for the whole charge belonging to the finishing of the design in every Kitchen Chimney, or any other Chimney where fire is daily used. An Art for the destruction of moss more effectually than hath been. 4. Whereas moss doth corode and devour the greatest part of the grass of many thousand Acres of land, the Author Professes to give infallible direction, how to destroy the same without ploughing the ground, in case the same lie flat and even, and not rugged, by Mole hills, Pits, or old Ridges, if so then after the said Land is laid even and smooth by Plough or other instruments, whether hills or Dales, or sides of hills or in what place soever the ground is overcome with moss, all people by the same may know how to destroy and defend the same from moss for ever, and also to double or treble the quantity and goodness of the grass, the first year where this Art is used, will defray the charge. A speedy way to Cure Land surcharged with Ferne, heath, Sedges, Rushes, Thistles, Docks, nettles &c. 5. Whereas Ferne, Heath, Sedge, Rushes, Thistles, Nettles, Docks or other impedimentall trash, which not only hinders the growth of grass killing the roots thereof, but also shadows and takes away the benefit of the light of the sun from purifying, sweetening and maturizing the same, and so causeth the pasture of that land to be of a sour, cold and earthy constitution, and by all likelihood an similitude is as distasteful for Cattle, as unripe fruit to men, all which trash he will direct a certain course (if the Land so offended lie flat and even) how to destroy for ever without any Ploughing at all. But if it be very rugged, uneven, or in great ridges, then after the same is once laid even, than never more shall any sort of trash be the loss of grass or breed other impediment in Commons, or severals where the Art hath once been used, except so mountainous, Rocky, or lakey, that it cannot be wrought upon with Plough or other levelling Instruments; in the like manner may broom, Gorst, Fursne, Brieres, Thornes, or any trashy under Woods, or Shrubs, which overrun Lands, destroying much of the herbage in Commons or enclosures, be destroyed either all, or part thereof (if not reserved for fuel whereby for more profit) the same may be converted into Pasture or meadow Greater benefit may be made of Mud Marish ground, bogs and Lakes then formerly hath been used. 6. He professes to direct a course whereby greater benefit may be made then yet hath been, of all Mud-marish grounds, and standing bogs or mires, by employing the same upon corn land or Pasture, with many other additions of that nature, viz. Whereas Black Barren turf land yields little or no profit (save only for the cutting turf for fuel, and the vastness of that land so great, that abundance thereof may be spared for other uses. He undertakes to prescribe a way that a greater benefit may be raised thereof, then ever formerly hath been; and in many places where deep marish grounds are, to direct a course to draw them dry, that it may be converted to some good use. Turning the watery Lakes thereof into such a profitable way that much Fish may be there stored and bred. All which may be effected at a very cheap and easy rate, respecting the great profits will accrue thereby. A certain way of improvement of Cold-marish ground. 7. He professes to direct a course how to improve all barren or moist morish, or marish ground, which bears but a short picked hoary course sour grass, unkindly for feeding or breeding of Cattle, by converting the same into a better, deeper and larger growing layer of grass, and of a sweeter and better nature, consisting of honeysuckles, daisies, and yellow flowered grass; The profit whereof will be so great, that the very first year will quit the cost in those places where the materials may conveniently be had for the performance of the design, whereby many thousands of Acres of course ground in commons or enclosures may be cured. Obstructionall Arts to Augment much more meadow ground than hath been. 8. He will give certain intelligence in a most expert manner, to improve and augment many thousand Acres of meadow ground, which shall yield a great, sweet, and beautiful crop of Mowing grass, the improvement whereof that shall be discovered, will so effectually accomplish the experiment, in every place that few men's thoughts or ingenuity hath formerly found it out, or at least not made so full and perfect a use of the means or method to effect the design as shall be described, directed and presented, to the rational apprehension of all men by the Author. Preventions against rotten Diseases in sheep. 9 The Author being desirous to serve his country with the best of his abilities, hath therefore practised rules and medicines to prevent the rotten diseases in sheep, which in some Counties he hath so rightly experienced, where he hath resided, that he doubts not (with God's blessing) to be very expertly able to make that rich accommodation hold currant in all parts of the kingdom. viz. That by a cheap and easy way, method and observation of little cost or trouble, he will resist the impediment of water in the body, and worms in the liver of sheep, whereby the putrifycations in them, which procures dearth and destruction shall be avoided, when his secrets in this particular shall be discovered, the impediments before said in those profitable Cattle shall be for ever prevented. Directions and Observations to advance the race of English Horses. 10. Whereas the decay of gallant Horses within these 40 years past in this kingdom, and the cause thereof not sufficiently known unto many, but fully & specially apprehended by the Author: He intends by his own observations to give infallible rules for the advancing, maintaining and improving reasons of the decay and declining of the English Race. But give certain directions how Colts in breeding shall be advanced and improved to a more perfect growth in strength, perfection in shape and courage, He will also set forth rules and means by which men of ability may in breeding and feeding their young horses in the stable, and by managing them according to his directions, advance their carriage, and proportion them with high crest and comelier areyne then ordinary. Directions to find out fit soil for Cold Land where Lime is not to be had. 11. Further, he will give directions how to prepare in many Countries where the errable land is either of a cold constitution, or that such tillage land doth lie wet, cold and gauly, whereby it may be conceived that lime is the fittest soil or Compost, if it were not too far to be fetched and so scarce to be had, that it will not quit cost in many of those Countries, instead thereof there is other materials, as congruent as Lime to be had in many places as shall be directed, which at cheap and easy rates may be had, when known, which will richly avail land-holders' for soiling and quickening of their corn land, and improving the same so effectually, that the people shall spare much misking, dung and soil made by cattle from their Corn-land to be employed for improvement of Pasture for which it is most fit and proper, and by this new Art shall cold Corn-land and cold Pasture be much enriched when discovered. Observations concerning Cattle. 12. He further will disclose and publish some more profitabler rules and observations for improvement of all sorts of rother Cattle, as Kine, Oxen, sheep, Goats, Swine and the like; then hath hitherto been observed. Now means to draw water over much Land. 13. He will prescribe courses by the help and power of this Parliament, whereby more profit may be raised by water-works in many Countries than hath been accustomed, and with more ease and facility. As also he will direct the making of many Engines, tools, and instruments of husbandry that are of new invention, and also direct new beneficial additions to advantage and make more useful many utensils of those kinds. Rules for Smoothing and Levelling of Land. 14. And whereas some land is much disadvantaged by wanhillocks and Anthillocks, and rugged tompes of ground that lieth dry, and thereby unkindly for grass that much is lost thereby. The Author will direct the making of Engines whereby much more ground may be leveled and made even with the charge of twenty shillings, then could with the Spade and Shovel be perfected for five pound. And more available, as will be confessed, when the author's reasons be given and understood. Rules to lay wet Land dry, and dry Land wet. 15. And whereas amongst other of the author's studies and observations, he hath been effectually careful to find out all the cheapest and speediest Rules and Methods, to lay wet land as dry as may be, and to keep dry land as wet as is possible, touching which design, he hath many expert perfections and directions, that shall in his works be tendered amongst those designs as are formerly treated of, all which designs will much increase the Revenues of this kingdom; and therefore requires expeditious settling, whilst the property and constitution of such contents be in Esse. To the right honourable, the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled. The Manner and form of the author's intentions to proceed in the discovery of his designs. May it please your Honours, WHereas such profitable designs, inventions and additions to former Arts of husbandry as is before treated of, should be made known by Manuscript, Printed book, or by Model, Platform or demonstration, by divulging or manifestation, before confirmation of such considerable conditional gratuities, as your Honours shall in your wisdoms conceive the benefit of his Art will merit of the kingdom, as thankfulness to the Author, and encouragement of others in the like causes: The benefit and credit of such discoveries may be derived to others as things of their knowledge, or else undervalued and slighted by some natures, or ambitious spirits; as things formerly known in some parts of this Nation or foreign Countries in respect there may be some resemblance or coherence with some of this author's inventions, or else some detraction from the perfection thereof, by some imaginary opposition; but all the objections of that nature, the Professor by this following & undeniable syllogism denies, his inventions consisting of so rich & great profit, as are contracted and abstracted into such cheap and easy ways of perfection; he therefore saith, if the intelligence thereof had been formerly known, so fully as the Author intends to express himself, or that formerly used in some parts, than would the benefit thereof occasion daily use; and the designs & additions would have been acted in general, and in all places as common as other Artifices of husbandry, whose benefits are discovered. Many times such objections against such things of rich and hopeful concernment, although the object or doth mistake and recount knowledge of part of some designs, that in some particular kind are used, though not perfectly practised in general throughout the kingdom, may interrupt many times the proceedings in good designs, as hereafter will be manifested when the Author hath declared the capacity of his skill. The Author humbly craves that your Honours will take notice of his good intentious service, and allow him in his proceedings your honours protection, that he may not receive any such prejudices or otherwise by explaining or divulging the methodical & practic part of the said Arts; & that upon trial made of the sufficiency of any part of them, by rational judgement, discovery or intelligence they hold currant, as some of the primest effects will really do. And that other of his designs, that consist of a Cult mystery, do appear by patterns or platforms thereof to be apparently valuable. That then before the Author be requested to unobscure, any other of his designs, that he may be enabled by legal satisfaction by Ordinance of Parliament, as to your honour's wisdoms shall seem answerable to the merit of his first discoveries. That the Author when his first designs are manifested according to the season of the year, and the faculties and qualities thereof drawn into a Manuscript, may have the same unprinted, in which book shall be involved the Print of many artificial Cuts of the right figure, shape, proportion and Emblem of every perfect model, Engine, or Instument that is by the Author invented, discovered or observed to be fit to accomplish and make perfect the Models, or the designs to perform the works, according to the fancy or device of the director, with instructions to make use of every of them, that then by virtue of an Ordinance of Parliament every Parish with in this kingdom may receive a book thereof, published by Authority and with approbation of your Honours to be made use of for the good of the weal-public in general, and their own particular profit, which Command will hasten profitable effects, and expedite a requital of the Author. After which establishment your Ora tour will proceed to discover other valuable secrets in the form and manner aforesaid. And when the masterpieces of his inventions are distributed in several books, and himself considered. Then he intendeth to compose all his works into a natural History of one entire volume with all convenient observations, material and profitable experiments of all the former particular tracts, and present the same to your Honours. Garnished and furnished with many other beneficial and delightful directions of much consequence. And for a more speedy, secure and certain accomplishment and perfecting these new Arts, inventions and additions unto husbandry, the Author further craves your Honours to give power to the Author to take a general Survey of the kingdom, thereby the better to discover the improvements and profit that may be made and raised in all Countries, either upon Land Common, or several barren or fertile, or of what kind soever, where either himself or such deputies as may be authorized by the said Surveyer, and by him made skilful and capable of, and in his designs both in finding out the defects in all sorts of land, which the owners through want of knowledge in curing thereof, neglect to their damage, not only to advise what is fittest husbandry for all sorts of land according to the author's inventions. But also the said Surveyor or his deputies, may oversee and cause to be made, certain Models and patterns of the author's design, with the Engines or instruments that are any whit useful in perfecting the same. And when directions are thus given, and the benefits made apparent in the most eminent and fit places of this kingdom in every Shire, which will occasion attractiveness and willingness in people of all places, speedily to make practice of the author's directions. By which means, in few years more profit will be raised, then will be in many years without it. Lastly, the Author humbly craves, that to the end his intended designs may be expedited, your Honours would be pleased to appoint unto him a convenient house with necessaries, and some small outlets walled in, being in the Suburbs of London or Westminster, in the disposal of your Honours, for his better preparation of his designs, Models and Patterns, Demonstrations and expressions for your honour's satisfaction; whereby you may personally see manifested and substantially be assured in many particular realities of the consequences and validities, of some of his proposed designs, touching the great benefit and service of this kingdom. And whereas some may peradventure object. That this fertile kingdom is already by former industry and invention of ancient 〈◊〉 brought so near to the very highest improvement of Land, and other conveniences, that little more can be done, shall (by your honour's favour find themselves convinced in their opinion) when (by your honour's assistance and permittance) the Author hath unclouded the splendour of new and true perfections, fit to deserve your honour's approbation, and the kingdom's applause and prayers, for him that stands at a helm of knowledge, fraughted with skill, conducing to pleasure and plenty, ready for presentation to the kingdom, after Your Honours shall have had trial of the abilities of your most humble servant whilst he is, yet THOMAS Ducat.