Nurseries, ORCHARDS, Profitable Gardens, AND VINEYARDS ENCOURAGED, The present Obstructions removed, and probable Expedients for the better Progress proposed; For the general benefit of his Majesty's Dominions, and more particularly of Cambridge, and the Champain-Countries, and Northern parts of England. IN Several Letters out of the Country, Directed to HENRY OLDENBURG, Esq Secretary to the Royal Society. The first Letter from Anthony Laurence; All the rest from John Beale, D. D. and Fellow of the Royal Society. LONDON, Printed for Henry Brome at the Gun in St. Paul's Churchyard, the West End. 1677. To the much Honoured and Worthy HENRY OLDENBURG, Esq Secretary to the ROYAL SOCIETY. SIR, I Ought to take notice (as I think all the Intelligent do) of your Generous Inclination, and free Readiness to communicate to the Royal Society, and thence to the Public, whatsoever is, upon sure account, suggested for the welfare of any of his Majesty's Dominions. And those Hortulan Affairs are not the least of our Inland Commodities; and they have been the serious engagement of the said Royal Society from the first Year of their Institution; and have prospered exceedingly in many parts of England, and in some parts of Scotland and Ireland. The great Example of his Majesty, and of our Nobility, and generally of our chief Gentry, hath prevailed from the East all over the West, so far as to encompass Oxford. And the stop is said to be about Cambridge: And here are those Expedients proposed, which may be effectual to remove all Obstacles. And, if the Gentry about Cambridge shall be pleased to accept of them, and henceforth to be stirring in the business, as is here directed, they may soon overtake all that's done about Oxford, and advance more in five years, than hath hitherto been done in twenty, though it is not little that hath been done of late. For these Arts, and our Experience, and more Expedients also, do grow daily. One said, that if we had one skilful and diligent Nursery-man, who had a complete Nursery of all sorts of good fruit, and of the best Vines that agree best with this Climate, and Mulberry Trees, and wholesome Trees for the avenues of Cities, Towns, and fair Mansions; That one such Nursery within ten or fifteen miles in all the Vales of these three united Kingdoms, would make all these Plantations spread apace, and amount to the value of Millions yearly. I answered, That it was now doing: And every reasonable man easily apprehends, how a noble Orchard may be raised together with such a complete Nursery, under the same inspection, and the same care; and the one grow on and prosper the better by the association of the other. And I shall here show, How a younger Brother of ordinary capacities, who hath but so many Acres of his own as belong to every Cottager by Statute, may thence easily and speedily raise a considerable gain, for the maintenance of his Family, and entertain himself with the sweetest and most innocent of Earthly pleasures. And it is great satisfaction, and intrinsic comfort to an ingenuous Mind, when he can truly say, that all the good Vines, and other best fruit in all the Neighbourhood, and for some miles about him, are the product of his industry; and when he can justly claim a posthume reputation for real services done to his Country. And here I show, How any Gentleman may freely furnish all his neighbourhood, even Cottages (who cannot send to Mr. Rose) with the best Vines: I say, freely, and at less charges yearly, than the usual price of a Flagon of good Wine. Yet I know not how it should disparage our Nobility, to suffer their Gardeners to sell generous Plants, as their Woodmen sell Timber, and Fuel in their Woods and Coppices, and their Tenants sell Corn and cattle in the Market. I am sure, that many in Wiltshire, Hampshire, Dorsetshire, and Sommersetshire are obliged and the richer for the famous Garden of Wilton, and for the goodly Nurseries about Salisbury. And his Majesty's Gardener, Mr. Rose, was an obliging Example for his sale of the best Vines, and the fittest for our Climate. By this progress, and by these rules, we cannot fail of good Nurseries within Ten miles in all our Vales. And this I can prophesy, that where the Tenants have not Orchards, and others have, they will shortly fail to pay their Rents. If they cannot be trusted to preserve and to cherish Orchards raised at the Landlord's charge, they should be compelled to raise Thickets, as is here taught; that Orchards may the sooner and the easier be there raised when a Tenant comes that may be trusted: Otherwise the Lands of Gentlemen will fall, whilst the Lands of small Freeholders are raised in value. There is no need, I should say▪ much to invite the Consumers of their Inheritance, and the Desertors of their Country, to put their hands to push on this affair, since the Ingenious Author of the Gentleman's Recreation hath said enough to call them out of their B— houses, and scurrilous P— houses: And the polite Author of the Planters Manual speaks good English to the Esteminate phantastics. For, if none of the Rural recreations, Hunting, Hawking, Fowling, Fishing; nor any of the Amenities, profits or pleasures of Gardens, Vineyards, Orchards; nor spicy and fragrant Groves, can reclaim the Prodigal, I have no more to say to him, but only, if he understands Latin, mind him of the old style, about 1500 years ago, twice recorded against such Romans as became degenerate: COLUMELLA in Prefat. Omnes enim (sicut M. Varro jam temporibus Avorum conquestus est,) Patres-familiae, falce & aratro relictis, intra murum correpsimus, & in Cireis potius ac Theatris, quam in segetibus & Vinetis manus movemus; attonitique miramur gestus Effoeminatorum, quòd à natura sexum viris denegatum muliebri motu mentiantur, decipiantque oculos spectantium. Mox deinde ut apti veniamus ad ganeas, quotidianam cruditatem Laconicis excoquimus, & exucto sudore sitim quaerimus, noctésque libidinibus & ebrietatibus, dies ludo vel somno consumimus. Ac nosmet ipsos ducimus fortunatos, quod nec Orientem solem videmus, nec Occidentem: Itaque istam vitam socordem persequitur valetudo. Nam sic juvenum corpora fluxa & resoluta sunt, ut nihil mors mutatura videatur. At mehercule vera illa Romuli proles assiduis venatibus, nec minùs agrestibus operibus exercitata, firmissimis praevaluit corporibus, ac militiam belli, cum res postulavit, facilè sustinuit, durata pacis laboribus; semperque Rusticam vitam praeposuit Vrbanae. Thus much of our old Date, and with twofold Authority, in defence of the Gentleman's Recreations, and of our Agrestic labour. SIR, Your humble Servant John Beale. The First LETTER. In which some plain Nursery-Books are recommended; with Encouragements and Expedients proper to promote the planting of Nurseries and Orchards in the Champain-Countries near Cambridge, Leicester, etc. And the Explication of the Cumaean Sibyl's Wheel ⊕ ⊗ From Anthony Laurence. SIR, 1. I Conceive, that it was merely by Incogitance, that that Industrious Author, Mr. Austen, hath not been hitherto mentioned in your Tracts amongst others who have handled the same Arguments; Therefore I shall here endeavour to do him right, if it may be with your favour. His Treatise of Fruit-trees was first published Anno 1651/52 4o. The Second Edition augmented, Anno 1657. 4o. The Third Edition, with Notes upon Lord Bacon's Observations and Experiments on Vegetables, published Anno 1665. 8o. And now lately he published a new Book, under this Title; A Dialogue between the Husbandman and Fruit-trees in his Nurseries, Orchards and Gardens: In which are discovered many useful and profitable Observations and Experiments in Nature, in the ordering of Fruit-trees; devoutly instructing good Husbands to adorn their own Country, and justly blaming Idle and Voluptuous Prodigals, as Enemies to their own Country: By Ralph Austen, Practiser, at least 50 years, in the Art of planting Fruit-trees, in 8ᵒ. 1676. All from Oxford. 2. This plain Writer, who pretends to no glory in Rhetoric, hath by his labours and Experiments done more good for Oxford, and thence for England, than is yet done by many gaudy Gallants, who spend more in a day, than this honest Nursery-man can spare in a year. For, good Cider (besides the pleasantness and wholesomeness) may in time save us large sums of our Money, to defend us from Invasions: Whereas Prodigals do precipitate our Ruin by their wastes upon Foreign Vanities and superfluities, as it was represented by the worthy Merchant Mr. Thomas Mun, to the late Earl of Southampton, Anno 1664. when he was Lord High Treasurer, Chap. 3. pag. 15, 16, 20, etc. And it is to be noted, that this judicious Treatise of Mr. Mun was licenced in Whitehall, by his Majesty's Principal Secretary; which confirms it to be the true English Interest. And this is the main ground on which that excellent Treatise chiefly insists. 3. Upon this authentic and sure ground, according to our best old Rules, by which real merit is to be preferred before undeserved Titles; and by which he that does most good for his Country hath a just claim to the highest merit: In these respects we are obliged to attribute more to a Laborious and Skilful Nursery-man, in his homespun Raiments of English Manufacture, than to an idle Prodigal with his sumptuous Equipage of exotic Embroideries. And in regard of Mr. Austin's merit towards Oxford and the Public, a worthy Friend hath devised a Monument for him: It is in great Roman Letters of Gold upon a Black Marble, the best Touch: The Figure round, agreeable to the roundness of this Globe, and (as we say) of the World: The Diameter three foot, both for modesty, and that the largeness of the Characters may fill up the Area: In the most ancient and the briefest manner, as here you see. D. O. M. S. RADULPHUS AUSTEN OPTIMA POMORUM VINA PRIMUS ARTE ET INDUSTRIA OXONIAE PARAVIT. Circa A. D. ⊕ 4. And it is newly modern, to raise Cider that shall compare, and excel the Wine of many Provinces nearer the Sun, where they abound with fruitful Vineyards. It is so newly Modern, I say, to raise Cider to such perfection, and it is generally thought incredible, and is hardly believed, where the full proof is not at hand. And it is certain, that Mr. Austen was busy at his Experiments in preparing Redstreaks for Oxford long before vulgar Cider was to be gotten there for money: So that Malice itself cannot deny the truth of the Inscription. And possibly the next Age may enrol him among Benefactors, as if he had sounded or endowed a College. For by experience it is throughly confirmed, That a seasonable and moderate use of good Cider is the surest remedy and preservative against the Diseases which do frequently afflict the sedentary Life of them that are seriously studious. And M. Austen hath now very lately taken-in twenty seven Acres of ground, to enlarge his former Nurseries, and for New Plantations. And this was partly the occasion of this present Address, and of this my Adventure (though from an obscure hand) to recommend it to your Register. 5. And my Friend seriously protests, That he shall most gladly embrace the same occasion, to celebrate, in the best manner he can devise, the Names and memory of those who shall have the happiness to do good in the same kind for Cambridge, as Mr. Austen hath done and still continues to do for Oxford. And the merit will be signal: For, besides the Amenities and other Advantages of health, and sweet Air, when both Universities shall be invested in a Golden Grove, it will have a good influence to allure the like improvements in all parts of England. What is well done for Ornament, Health, innocent Pleasure, and considerable Profit (all joined together) in the Eyes of both Universities, will doubtless more speedily be every where exemplified, and effectually obtain a progress all over the Kingdom. 6. And, if Cambridge should be the Example, it would, without doubt, excite very great improvements towards the North, and in many Countries about the Heart of England. For, if any Expedient can invite the Champain-Countries, that are about Cambridge, to Enclosures, I think, Orchards, Gardens, Nurseries, and Groves, are most likely to do it; these yielding Quicksets and other most profitable materials, to enable and encourage for Enclosures; and Gardens every year repaying a full reward, whilst the standards of slower growth do yet still grow on for a more lasting and a more noble satisfaction. 7. And for an old Authentical proof, that Vulgar Enclosures, in the old ordinary manner, are more than a Tenfold improvement, give me leave to send you an Extract of T. Tussers old Rhimes, made above an hundred years ago, in the Reign of King Edward VI. A Comparison between Champain and Enclosure, by him called Woodland. 1. EXample by Leicestershire, What soil can be better than that, For any thing heart can desire? And yet doth it want ye see what: Mast, Covert, Close pasture, and Wood, And other things needful, as good. 2. More plenty of Mutton and Beef, Corn, Butter and Cheese of the best, More wealth any where (to be brief) More People, more handsome, and pressed Where find ye (go▪ search any Coast▪) Than there where Enclosure is most? 3. More work for the Labouring man, As well in the Town as the Field, Or thereof (devise, if ye can) More profit what Countries do yield? More seldom where see ye the Poor Go begging from door unto door? 4. In Wood-land the poor men that have Scarce fully two Acres of land, More merrily live and do save Than t'other with twenty in hand. Yet pay they as much for the Two As tother for Twenty must do. If this same be true, as it is, Why gather they nothing by this? Sir, this is the old form; and Tussers rules are esteemed the best that are extant at this day, for the generality of Husbandry and Huswifry, to them that can bear his Canting Rhimes. All later Writers, and long experience do confirm this his Sentiment; and all his Instances do hold too true to this day. By Enclosures and Culture the worst Land in England yields Tenfold more profit (besides many other advantages hinted here and in other parts of his Comparison) than that which is here called the best and richest Land; as will yet appear, if we compare these, which were lately the furzy parts of Devonshire, with the Champain of Leicestershire and Cambridgeshire. And what he saith here, is all to very great purpose; for offices of Charity, Employment for the Poor; and for multitudes of Labourers; for Populousness, the strength, riches, and glory of the Kingdom. And if he may challenge a Tenfold improvement for the ordinary Enclosures of those times; we may with modesty promise a Twentyfold, for our extraordinary and modern skill in Hortulan affairs. And in his last clause Tusser shows, That the Lords of Manors are as much concerned for the advance of their Revenues by Enclosures, as the Vulgar for their ease, plenty, and some kind of prosperity. Again, what a joy is it known, When men may be bold with their own? Saith Tusser in a latter Edition. 8. Now I proceed to represent, with what facility this great and good work may be brought on by Nurseries, and young Thickets of Quicksets. Every Lord of a Manor, and most of the substantial Freeholders', can find a few Acres safely enclosed for such purpose, in his own possession; and a few Acres, rightly ordered for those Uses may furnish a Province for Quicksets, and all sorts of better Standards for Orchards. How it may be done at small charges, and with dispatch, our Tusser will tell us: Go, plow up, or delve up, advised with skill, The breadth of a ridge, and in length as ye will; Whose speedy Quickset for a fence ye will draw, To sow in the seed of the Bramble and Haw. October v. 8. This is the brief of the old plain way: And this is in the worst case, namely, to beget a Fence or Enclosure where there is none: And any Bramble or other wild bushes are better than no fence. But where the Enclosure is already provided, his advice is more magnificent or lofty: Sow Acorns, ye Owners that Timber do love, Sow haw and Rye with them the better to prove. October v. 6. And, if the ground be reasonably in heart, and of a sufficient depth, a strong Blow by cross ploughing, and weighty Harrows may make the ground mellow, and fine enough for the Seeds of all hedges, bushes, and trees of the Neighbourhood; for Seeds of Ashes, Maples, Elms, Sycamores, and the like; and for Kernels of Crabs, Apples, and Pears, and for Stones of all stone-fruit. There also they may prick-in, or set with the Ho, Walnuts, Chestnuts, Beech, Nuts, Filberts; and for no great charge, the Seeds of Pines, Sirs, and whatever else the Owners delight in, as is copiously digested in Mr. evelyn's SYLVA. For such Seeds as require finer work, here and there the Garden-Rake may do it. And for such as do not kindly bear Transplantation, and for such as are to remain there for standards, the Seeds may be set, three or four in a place, at fit distance, and in rows of the Quincunx Order, or in perfect Squares. 9 I have heard some good Husbandmen say, They can well remember, when this slight way was the only way that was in use to raise these Orchards which are now esteemed the best, and the most fruitful in England. And it is yet pleaded, by some of good experience, that the Wildings, taken out of such Thickets, do commonly thrive better upon removals into Nurseries or Orchards, than those Plants that have been tended more curiously and nicely. And in reason we may probably expect, That Seedlings or Stocks, drawn out of Thickets thus rudely ordered, should be kinder than those which are taken from Roots, or from Under-trees, or from Hedge-rows, or out of the wildest Coppices, whether the Seeds were brought by Birds, or other casualties, where they were left to shift for their own propagation, without other culture. And yet by common experience we find, that these Shifters do thrive well enough for Transplantations into Nurseries or Orchards. If the root and the lower part of the stem be sound, the graft which is placed there seldom complains of the injuries done to the top, before the graffing, by droppings of Trees, or by brutting of Cattle, or by oppression or encroachments of neighbouring Plants. I have oftentimes seen these, when at full freedom, advance their grafts more speedily, than those that have been most tended by curious culture. 10. Some nice Wall-fruit, and such as are to be planted in Gardens, may deserve a more curious diligence at first: And in this our thicket, if the soil and shelter will allow it, the Rake may prepare fit places for these, or for any kind of curiosities. For which there may be found accurate directions in the French Gardener, and in the Sieur le Gendre his manner of Ordering Fruit-trees by an experience of almost fifty years, as he saith in his Inspiring Preface. 11. Now we come to the main point. Some of these Quicksets will be ready and fit to be drawn for the Neighbourhood every year. And, if they be taken up with discretion, those which remain, especially such as are fit to be left for standards, will thrive much the better for the frequent, gentle, and wary stirring or turning of the earth about their roots. And at this cheap rate, (and indeed for the better advance of our own Quicksets,) here is work enough, and stuff enough, to engage all the Ringleaders of the tumultuous Rabble, to call in all their Parties, and to stickle as stoutly for Enclosures as ever they did formerly to hinder them. Meanwhile, Gentlemen and Freeholders may thus accommodate themselves, and set easy bargains to all their own Relations, and adherents, younger Brothers, Servants, and Tenants; which, in the end, will prove a great increase of their own Patrimonies and Revenues, and a blessing to all the Neighbourhood. And thus, many Commons, which have been hitherto little better than waste-grounds, may in a short time become populous Villages, and well provided of all necessaries. 12. And because our experience grows yearly, by new discoveries of excellent Cider-fruit, for all Seasons, and for all diversities of palates; for the first Summer, and for durance, two, three, four, or more years; some by their peculiar kind, and some by right sorting them in mixtures, in the grinding time (by both which ways we in the West have already found many sorts of Cider, that do manifestly far excel all the ordinary sorts of French Wine, nemine contradicente;) Therefore some worthy Gentlemen are endeavouring to establish a correspondence of Free Contributers, Gardeners and Nursery-men from all the West and South, towards Oxford, thence towards Cambridge, and so all over England. This to be at lest once, but better twice in the year, viz. in Autumn (when the fruit and the ordering of the fruit and Cider may be seen, and when the Kernels and Seeds of all fruits may be had;) and especially in the early Spring, when all sorts of Grafts may be had; many thousands of Graffs easy to be carried in a Portmantle, if they know, how the Cions may be used for a Graff (which point few Gardeners or Graffers themselves did know, till I taught them.) 13. And thus a Gentleman, or an ingenious Gardener may learn more in a few days travelling, than can be written in large Volumes, or than would ever come in his mind to inquire at home. At present I offer two special and extraordinary Remarks for Nursery-men: The first is from Dr. Munting in the Philosophical Transactions, N. III. p. 248. To graft upon such Apple-stocks as are raised from the same kind of Seeds, and have been deprived of the heart-root, which is the same that descends directly. Thus, he saith, we may obtain extraordinary good, big, and beautiful Apple-fruit. I conceive it probable, and that in time by changes of the like kind in Pears, and many other fruits, a closer friendship between the Stock and the Graff may be established. And this is an Item for our Travelling Nursery-man to furnish his Portmantle with the Seeds of special fruit apart, or in the marc, where they can be had fullest, thickest, and least bruised. These they may sow in beds apart; as, for example, the kernels of Red-strakes in beds designed for the Graffs of Red-strakes: So of Pears, and other fruit. Some kinds of Plants will not well endure, that the heart-root be cut off. In such cases some put a Tile-stone under the heart-root, and bow the root aside, that it may run on, and grow in better manner than is at distance under the surface. My second remark I can better assure, namely, To choose for some beds the seeds of the largest Trees, which constantly bear the greatest burden of good and profitable fruit; as I can name, where an Appletree, where many Pear-trees (some for delicate fruit, and some for their liquor,) and where Crabtrees are of such huge bulk, and of such spreading growth, that constantly each of them do yearly bear three, four, or five hogsheads of liquor. The seed of these for stocks to graft of the same, would doubtless be stately Trees for a noble Orchard, at fifty foot distance at least. But more of this hereafter. One skilful and diligent Gardener, or Nursery-man, within ten or fifteen miles' distance, in all the Vales of England, would drive on these Plantations apace all over England, to the great gain of the Gardener. And the like we may hope of Scotland and Ireland. 14. To have good Red-strake, or any other excellent Cider, or the best Perry, the fruit must be perfectly ripe and odorous, and such only shaken off the Trees at first; the rest to abide there till perfectly ripe: And it is the better, if they lie in heaps a week or fortnight. If some be rotten, the liquor is not the worse (as Mr. Newburgh rightly observes,) it is the better; if the rottenness be not fetid, musty, hoary, or black rottenness: Such must be carefully cast away. And some say for the best Cherry-wine, the Cherries must hang on the Trees two days fully ripe, and abide two or three days after gathering before they be pressed; though they seem bruised, and almost rotten. In France I have seen Grapes lie a good while in a huge Vat, pressed and bruised with their own weight, before they began to tread them: And no Grapes are at the best, or safely wholesome to be eaten, till three or four days after gathering. I have ofttimes tried, and used whole hogsheads of Red-strakes and Gennet-moyle, mixed by equal portions, in grinding time, and either apart was generally preferred before the mixture. I never had better Cider, than when (after the care abovesaid for ripeness and lying in heaps) I caused it to be grinded and pressed with dispatch, and speedily put into the Hogsheads, and the Hogsheads immediately closed up perfectly, sufficient room being left for the liquor to ferment. All the following Summer it continued brisk, sprightful, strong; and smother or less windy than when bottled. It is certain, that the gross matter (which some body calls the crust) preserves the liquor in spirit, as kindly as if bottled: This I observed, when the liquor was put into the Vessels very negligently, and foul of the Mare. And they say, some Ladies do spoil their Meaths and Metheglins by scumming them so nicely as to hinder seasonable fermentation. The liquor which comes first and easiest from the Press is best. It is an endless trouble, to pair and pick apples; which would be laughed at in the Cider-Countries: But I should well accept of a Cider-mill, which would sever the rind, kernels, and stems; as I read in Vinetum Britannicum, and in your Philosophical Transactions, Numb. 124. p. 584. 15. Lastly, the Cumean Sibyls Wheel ⊕ ⊗ (used above in Mr. Austin's monument) is in the latter Impressions of Angliae Notitia. I find it first in the Sixth Edition, Chap. 2. p. 68 Here I will do it a little more largely; The most ancient Characters of Numbers among the Romans, which they say were used in the old Tuscan Rites, were all drawn from the Cross in a Circle, resembling the Church in the World, ⊕. The Circle or World is always Rolling, as Time is; so it wheels thus ⊗, to produce St. Andrews Cross, and V the Semidecussis. ⊕. M. D. C. L. X. V. I. 1000 500 100 50. 10. 5. 1. 1000 Thus ⊕ completes all the figures, just 1666. 500 100 50 10 5 1 1666 As X before C, subducts X from C, and makes XC stand for 90; so X before ⊕ subducts X from ⊕, and maketh X ⊕ stand for 1656; XX ⊕, 1646; XXX ⊕, 1636; XL ⊕, 1626.; so by adding X after ⊕, thus, ⊕ X, it signifies 1676. And thus it relates to a twofold Aera. Both numbers joined together relate to the Birth of Christ: The added number relates to the Conflagration of London, Anno 1666. Which they that are concerned for London, may take notice of in their Monuments, or other Records of Time. I pray God to raise London, and to preserve it, to be the great Empory of the world; and that in the prosperity of London all his Majesty's Kingdoms and Dominions may ever prosper. And it is hoped, that the speedy and splendid Restauration had a good Omen for the perpetual growth of that famous City. And it is believed and expected, that before ⊕ XX XX 1686 20 years after the Conflagration be completed, good Ale, good Beer d' Angleterre, good Cider, and Brandies drawn from English Wines, which are all of English growth, and English Manufactures, shall raise a greater profit, both at home and by exportation, than hath sometimes been gained by our Staple-trade; and greater Revenues to the Crown by Excise and Customs, than some of our victorious Plantagenets obtained by our Staple-trade: And that London (by assisting the Fishery of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Newfoundland, New-England, Bermudas, and his Majesties other Islands) shall raise our Naval affairs, and all our seafaring concernments, and our Foreign Trade, far above any former Examples And this (in the sentiment of a Country-Clown) is the surest expedient to hold all these Kingdoms and Dominions together, and united under one Monarchy; without which London cannot be London. And this is England's true Interest. POSTSCRIPT. TO smooth what hath been here rudely advised, if any are willing to have more indulgence for Nurseries, they may be more punctually directed by Mr. Austen, Dr. Sharroc, Mr. Drop, the French Gardener, and Le Gendre, whose Preface I called Inspiring, because it is able to inspire a Prince or an Emperor, a Cyrus or a Dioclesian, to fall to the Hortulan work with his own hands. Claudite jam rivos pueri, fat prata biberunt. The Second LETTER. Concerning ORCHARDS & VINEYARDS, By John Beale, D. D. and Fellow of the Royal Society. I Am glad they have Cherry-Orchards in the Neighbourhood of Cambridge. These, if ordered for their best advantage, will be no obstruction, but a proper expedient to bring on Plantations of Nurseries, and of Orchards for the best Cider, and for other good fruit. And a very fine and brisk Wine may be made of some sorts of Cherries: But few have yet hit the right Art of making the best Cherry-Wine. Sir Kenelm Digby shows us his way of making Cherry-Wine, in his Closet; a Book, which will shortly be in great esteem for manifold uses, but especially when our good hospitable Ladies have throughly learned the due manner of using Sugar and seasonable Fermentations for as many or more kinds of Artificial Wines, as heretofore, and at present, they use Honey to make Meaths, Metheglins, Braggets, Hydromels', Medea's, and such like Compositions: Of which sorts I think he reckons above 90 several ways, practised by honourable Persons in England; and where these Honey-drinks are made best, and are in greatest esteem in other parts of Europe. 2. When the use of Sugar shall be brought into common practice, and as well known as the use of Honey is and hath been many Ages; then we shall know the true worth of Dr. Jonathan Goddards proposal for making Wine of the Sugar-cane, mentioned in the History of the Royal Society, p. 193. For, when we have done our best for Cider, it is only the Sugar-cane that can challenge all the Vines in the world. And if these be sometimes offensive by too much lusciousness, they may be helped by wholesome mixtures of a pleasing austereness, or gentle poignancy, more acceptable to the stomach. This may be had from some sorts of Plums, and other Vinous Berries; of which Vinetum Britannicum gives the fullest account of any that is yet extant. This Vinetum and Sir Kenelm Digbies Closet are at present seasonable furniture for a Lady's Closet, to instruct in that practical devotion and charity, which obligeth our Country, and keeps the Poor from idleness and famine. 3. And such mixtures of the Wine of the Grape as these, which I here propose for mixtures with Sugar, and much more than I can propose (without Transcripts) are so ancient, both in old Greece and in old Italy, that I think no Antiquary can name their Origin. For two thousand years we are sure, and can show abundance of particular Receipts, the Ingredients, and the Dose, punctually in Cato, Columella, Constantine the Emperor, and Palladius, who derives one of his Compositions from the Oracle of Apollo, (Quod Cretensibus Oraculum Pithii Apollinis monstrasse memoratur, saith he, Octob. Tit. 14.) And we know, that Crete or Candy hath been long famous for excellent Wines. I cannot say, how far the ancient Conditures of Wine, and their mixtures and boilings of Wine, do agree with our modern sophistications, and jumblings, and recoveries; but for wholsomness I dare lay a good wager on the side of the Ancients; myself to drink it in the old way; our Merchants and Vintners to drink it in their own new dress. And for varieties, I dare from the Ancients challenge the skilfullest of our New men. Peter de Crescentii● is none of the Ancients; but I may take him on my side against our last Innovators, dwelling at the sign of the Bush. And this boldness I take (though with some compass) to hedge in a defence of the design of Vinetum Britannicum, and of our honourable Ladies artificial Wines, made by the mixture of Sugar, with all the fanative and restorative Simples, Vegetables, Spices, and Drugs, which Nature hath hitherto brought forth. 4. But yet I have much to say for the Wine of the Grape, though with some disparagement to our own Countrymen, who have done so little for it, after they have had such bright Instructions, and such lively encouragements from Mr. Evelyn and Mr. Rose in their English Vineyards, published Anno 1666. Mr. Rose then offering all that desire it with Sets and Plants of the best Vines (sufficiently tried in our own Soil and Climate) at reasonable rates: And Mr. Hugh's enlarging (in his Complete Vineyard,) as the manner is in Germany. And now newly the twice-named Vinetum adds more spurs, and his particular directions. Our Mansions, and our Outhouses, and almost every Wall, and Bank, and Cottage, hath one side aspecting the South; and both England, and Wales, have Mountains and Hills, Precipices and Rocks, as good as Walls to ripen Grapes, for the Table, for Wine, and for Brandy, and (when that fails) for sauce and for Vinegar. And the labour and art is less than every Country-boy learns in a Hop-yard; and one skilful vine-dresser may teach hundreds, and whole Provinces; as of late years one skilful Hop-man taught a whole Country. And multitudes raise clamours, that Trade decays, and make loud out-cries, that they want work and honest employment; and we see, and too well know, that England swarms with idle Vagrants, Beggars, and Indigents; a great burden and a great shame to the Kingdom. Now here is one special remedy; and gentile employment for generous Families: And this Paper may yet offer much more of sure and speedy remedies. 5. I must add a word for Vines, to show, How easily and speedily they may be propagated all over England at very small charges. Before Mr. Rose obliged us, I found in several parts of England the Black Cluster-Grape, which Mr. Rose commends in the first place, and also a very excellent White or light Watchet Grape; both which were so easily ripe, and constantly in such abundance, far more Northerly than Cambridge lies, that I am persuaded, they will prosper well in some parts of Scotland, where they have a longer Summer-day than we have; and in those parts of Ireland, where they have the same Sun that we have, and the Air less pluvious since they have drained many of their great Loughs or Bogs. They are best planted from Layers well rooted: But in a bed of ten foot square I tried Cutlings, which had at the foot somewhat of the old wood, and there did none of them fail of sufficient root the first year, being set at a foot distance in the bed: Yea, the small sprays prospered, having somewhat of the old wood, (as I may call it,) cut from the branches, on both sides of the foot of the small sprays. And thus we may have a hundred rooted Plants from the prune of one Vine. I offered them to Cottagers; but they generally answered me churlishly, that they would not be troubled with Grapes: But being told, how little the trouble would be, and that within five years they might have a bushel of Grapes at a time, which might be sold for good money in the next Market, a few bunches for a penny, they were soon of a more thankful mind. And if Grapes were sent to Market, as other Fruit is, they would soon mind the Plebeians to be as wise and happy, as other their Neighbours are. And thus Plants would be ready at hand, for any to try a trench under some Sunny banks. And doubtless some of the hottest places near the foot of the Hills and Mountains in Wales, would bear as good Wines, as they did in the days of Gildas. 6. This is the Conduct which will be more effectual to spread Vineyards all over England, when the meanest of the People, even Cottagers, shall be concerned to learn somewhat of the dressing of Vines. And this will do something towards making good my prefacing Address for the advance within five years: Cherries and Plums will not be long behind. And the best Pears, when graffed on the Pear-Quince, with some help of Walls or Banks, will come on apace. And when in the Country we have learned to dry all sorts of fruit, the first fruit of Pears will bear a good value. I know several sorts of Pears in England now, which, being dried, approach the dried Warden in colour and taste; and are preferred by most men before Marmalades of Quinces, which are too luscious for men's palates. But Quinces also make some grateful return within five years. 7. The Vinous shrubs outrun all the former, and are at full within two or three years. And hence I say again, that, when our Country-Ladies have taught one another the best way of drawing bush-wines or shrub-wines by the help of Sugar; it will be a sudden improvement of England, Wales, and Ireland, and a great kindness also to Jamaica. 8. But that which brings the present Hortulan pay the first years, to fill the Gardeners long Pouch, as Tusser calls it, is the due execution of all points, according to the French Gardener; first in the approaches of both Universities, and other chief Cities and Towns, and under one wherever New Orchards (and especially Noble Orchards) are designed. This is all the skill I have in Rhetoric, and Eloquence, to repeat and inculcate my proofs; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 9 But I must not forsake the Vine, upon such easy terms, we should get all sorts of Vines, as it is easy for the Londoners to do, though they were ten thousand sorts; but first from our next Neighbours, from all the Coast of France, and the nearest on the Rhine: Perhaps these may do best for our ordinary works or first Essays. From Paris, Orleans, Graves, Poitiers (where I always met with excellent stomach-wine.) From the Mosel, the Main, the Necker, and the Danube in Germany. From Italy, the Aminean, and the Falernian, the best in Augustus his Age, and so esteemed four or five hundred years after (in my own reading;) I mean so esteemed in Italy. Sunt Thasiae vites, sunt & Mareotides albae; Pinguibus hae terris habiles, levioribus illae: Et passo Psythia utilior, tenuisque lageos, Tentatura pedes olim, vinctur aque linguam; Purpureae, preeiaeque: & quo te carmine dicam, Rhaetica? Nec cellis ideo contende Falernis. Sunt & Ammineae vites, firmissima vina. Virg. Georg. l. 2. ver. 91. 10. This for the Vines of Italy. But then the Wines of Greece and of some Islands did challenge the Wines of Italy; and the like from other remote places; from the next adjacent Isles, from Messina in Sicily; from Candy and Corsica. Columella sweats and frets at it: Et vindemias condimus ex insulis Cycladibus, & ex regionibus, Baeticis Gallicisque— Itaque in hoc Latio & Saturnia terra, ubi Dii cultus agrorum progeniem suam docuerant, ibi nunc ad hastam locamus, ut nobis ex transmarinis provinciis advehatur frumentum, ne fame laboremus. 11. And Virgil confesseth the fact, and sends us far off for excellent Wine: Tmolus & assurgit quibus, & rex ipse Phanaeus: Argitisque minor, cui non certaverit ulla, Aut tantum fluere, aut totidem durare per annos. Non ego te, mensis & diis accepta secundis, Transierim, Rhodia, & tumidis Bumaste racemis. 12. Doubtless from Smyrna our Merchants may be furnished with many kinds of most noble Vines. And I am confirmed in this expectation of excellent Vines from Greece, and particularly from Smyrna (from whence we have, to this day, excellent Wines;) because Constantine the Emperor, who made diligent search for all the best Vines that could be heard of, prefers and highly extols above all other Vines the Myrsitis, (so he calls it) which makes the famous Dendrogalonum of Bythinia, and the Tianum of Paphlagonia, and the best Wine in Heraclea Ponti; and wherever it is planted, excels all other Vines, for the generosity of the Wine, for the Nectarine delicacy (saith he) of the Grape to eat, and for the incredible fertility, Lib. 5. c. 2. In the same Chapter he extols the Theriacal or Treacle Vine (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) for the most pleasant, wholsomest, and best Wine without controversy: for this, he recites the Testimony of Democritus. This Emperor resided, for the most part, in Constantinople; yet could not be a stranger to the best Vines in Italy. And Lib. 5. c. 17. he mentions the Aminean and Surrentine, and other Italian Vines, prescribing what soil is fittest for what Vine. There he praises the Aminean for a general capacity of abounding fertility in every kind of soil, on the Hills, in the Vales, and in moorish, moist, or squalid places. But for rich Wine, he prefers the Drosyllan, and the Leucothracian of Bythinia; and for early maturity, the Boline of Bythinia. Of twenty Books of Georgical Precepts or Collections, this Emperor employs five (namely, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII,) to remark the choicest Vines, the fittest Soil, the best Culture, the ordering the Vintage, and the improvement of Wines by Art, Mixtures, or Compositions. 13. Neither should we neglect the Vines of Spain, about St. Martin, and Ribotany, and Gibraltar; of the Sherry, Malago,, and the Canaries: which last Vines are said to prove no other with us, than the Vines of the Rhine. But withal it is noted, that of late some Vines are found in the Canaries, which do much excel all that were formerly there known. And the Madera Wines are of a stout Masculine strength, which bears the heat of the Tropics, and holds out in Barbados and Jamaica, where the best Canary is too fulsome and luscious. 14. And since Trade and Navigation hath enlarged our Correspondence so far, we should send to the other side of the World for some variety of the best Grapes in America. The Canada-grape is in some esteem here. But what is that alone to the infinite variety of better Vines, even in New England, which cultivate themselves without man's aid; of better yet in Virginia and Carolina. I must also name Barbados, Jamaica, etc. 15. Here is much for Nurseries and Nursery-men. But where are the Seeds, and Seeds-men? This, indeed, if rightly ordered, would secure us of performing more Vegetable Miracles, than the Sun, or the Son of Man ever yet saw, and at less charges, and perhaps for greater profit, than by some of our Nurseries have hitherto obtained, and (to hold to my former Terms) within five years. True, we have long since had the stately Flower of the Sun, the Marvel of the World, the Crown Imperial, and many bulbous beauties, Fritillaries, Anemones, and Crocusses. But what trifles are these, in comparison of those Trees, Fruits, Vines, and Herbs, I must say, noble, enlivening, restorative and invigorating Potherbs, which may be even in our American Plantations, and easily obtained for us, or, at least, their Seeds, for trial. Besides what Mr. Josseline hath written, I have seen such a wonderful Catalogue of all these kinds, from New England alone, by a very intelligent person, that it forced me to cry out, O, how lazy have we been for a whole Age! One said, It was but a step or two, and a gentle swing from Whitehall-stains to Barbadoes, or to Jamaica. Barbados the fairest Garden that ever was yet in the world; not excepting the Sky-reaching Towers of Semiramis, nor the Gardens of any of the Ancient or Modern Monarches of the East, of Mogul's, Sophies, or Chineses; nor of the Pharaohs or Ptolemy's of Egypt, nor of Solomon in all his glory in the Holy Land. Those had more of the works and designs of men and women; these have more of the workmanship of God. Their walls and defences, the Coral-rocks (as Mr. Hugh's calls and describes them) of Jamaica and the Seas, are merely the work of God alone. And in a short time, Jamaica may be more than ten times fairer (as it is more than so much larger) than Barbados. One ingenious Nursery-man in each of the English Colonies, corresponding with ingenious Seedmen in Lombardstreet, and in Bristol, and in all our chief Port-Towns, (to try all the Seeds we could send them, and to return back to their native soil the Seeds of all our Vegetables which prospered in any of their soils, and we doing the like to them,) by many returns upon trials, again and again, here and there, would make the work short, and wonderful, and (doubtless) exceeding profitable, and show us more than any of our Botanic Writers ever dreamt of. And in this, Ireland hath the advantage. It is but a swing of three Weeks patience from their long reach to any of those Gardens: And the soil of Ireland is as pregnant as ours, and their Climates as favourable. FINIS.