GOD SPEED THE PLOUGH.  Genes. 26.12. 
Serens jitzchak in terra illa, adeptus est in eodem anno centuplas mensuras.  
LONDON Printed by john Harison, dwelling in Pater noster row, at the sign of the grayhound, and are there to be sold. 1601.   

GOD SPEED THE PLOUGH.  
I Had preceded certain affirmed errors, that of late came to my hands, by a private confutation of a general causeless applause, had not the vain show of maintaining the poor, been the noted colour for their maintenance: I therefore then spared my conceit thereof, till now provoked by this spirit that I ever feared would give the first provocation. I tax him not, but wish that his Books were not so universally branded, that so his affectation of odd novelties, might be in part obscured.  
It much contenteth me, that this novelty hath his passage, though I endeavour to show the vanity of it being thus far passed: my hopes are, that it will set an edge to good Husbandry, which with us for many years hath been generally neglected.  
The original of the Spade, I attribute to Cain Adam's eldest Son, with inference upon holy writ, and josephus more particularly. Excellent spirits succeeding him, laboured after some easier and more profitable course, from whom in course of time proceeded the Plough. The first inventors whereof in every several kingdom, being thought worthy to be deified, read Virgil and Pliny for Ceres: Diodorus for Isis: and Dionysius the second, who is reported first to have yoked Oxen to the Plough. But now the revivers of the Spade, a thing in use only in the infancy of the world, must be glorified. If our purpose be to reduce the old world, before by degrees things came to perfection, then in my judgement it were best beginning at the wooden dagger. But if we desire to know how of late it came in use, at home let us confer with the Dutchmen about Sandwich, and some Gardeners about London: if abroad, travel Germany, where you shall find many precedents thereof; survey the Provinces, peruse the Eastern Countries, and they will manifest, that it hath been long in use. The truth is, these last two years have drawn it amongst us into some more general use. For they being dry and extraordinary temperate, the weeds increased not as in former years: the stalk was short, the care not so long nor so heavy: it stood therefore in these years with all advantage, and so profitable only in their like. In wet years it will ledge, with all the disadvantages subsequent, and therefore unprofitable in them. I might prophecy, that as the two precedent years revived it; so the two succedent years will leave no memory of it: and yet this present year promiseth good success to it, which justly might dishearten my opposition to this novelty, were not my ends in seeming to oppose, desires to perfect to the general good.  
The Plough, which now is generally in use, can compass with the aid of two or one, as the Country requires, an Aere or two in a day. Threescore ordinary Country labourers, can hardly dig an Acre at two Spades, whereof I have made trial. If a Husbandman appoint thirty Acres for Wheat, which is no great proportion, it will require threescore men to dig it, and twenty women or children to set it. If one employ fourscore for seven weeks space, which will be the least time, accounting change of weathers, what shall his neighbour Farmers do? depend upon the favour of the labourers for having Corn or no Corn? But if it be well considered, it will appear, that if a Parish have three thousand Acres of arable, the labourer's inhabitants cannot compass 100 I dare affirm not fifty Acres: what then can be the profit to dig and set some fifty Acres in a Parish? is it possible to equal the sowing of three thousand, or three hundred Acres? If then it cannot be used with any general good to the Commonwealth, it is not to be preferred before the Plough, nor to be bruited as a matter of that consequent.  
The ground must be digged at a Spade, a Spade & a half or two Spades. If most profitable, then two Spades. If two Spades, then will the ground, being made lose so deep as it can afford nutriment to the roots of the Wheat at any time, yield at one time his full vigour, so as I cannot understand, but that the second crop will be poor, and the third none at all. For soil to supply, it cannot be but to small parcels, and that to no purpose, except there be threescore load upon an Acre, and that well turned in with the old earth. For a Spade and a half, which is the fittest depth, because Spades are made to make it but one work, it admitteth small or no difference. For a spade depth, I confidently set down a subsequent use of the Plough, of better profit than that. When the second crop is taken after the Spade, at two, or one and a half depth, it being double weeded every crop, so as neither grass groweth upon the supersicies, nor life remaineth within the earth, what then shall be done with it? It will remain like a Gardiner's ground, out of the which the Gardener by often digging hath taken the heart: which I desire to be examined of them, to know what gifts they have, to extract the virtue out of the earth, and after a third crop of that ground, that at the first was covered with dung, what profit they have left to the owner? On the contrary, the Plough affordeth three crops, and then yieldeth upon the rest some profit for Catle, & so every year continueth his labour and increase, whereas the other cannot to any purpose yield above two crops in four years, except extraordinarily helped. So it leaveth the Commonwealth destitute of the continual profit. And it is not the glut of plenty, but the ordinary increase that maintaineth the Commonwealth.  
In some grounds digging is of small or no use: as in stiff Clay a very general earth: Light Sand: Gravelly grounds: or such grounds, as at half a Spade depth affordeth a barren earth. The Clay will not be broken: if it could, it would yield no such increase. The light Sand, will afford his full profit, as well after the Plough, as any labour whatsoever. The stony ground will require infinite labour, and yield no better profit. The ground that hath a barren earth at half a Spade, can only be used by the Plough. So these containing the greatest quantities of our arable grounds in England, and these not in that kind to be used with profit answerable to the charge: I affirm, that the Plough is to be preferred.  
The ground, wherein the Spade is employed, must be digged, set, weeded twice, upheld, being set divided in beds if so profitable, and it must be kept a month before Harvest. The charge of the digging of an Acre will amount to three pound, more if it come to a general use: The setting, thirteen shillings and four pence: The weeding twice, the first time, thirteen shillings and four pence: The second, six shillings and eight pence. The upholding it with rails on the out sides, as good housewives do their Onions, or as gardiner's do their Pease, will be a charge in some Countries at the least of one pound six shillings and eight pence the Acre. It must be kept a month, which for a youth at four shillings the week meat & drink, cometh to sixteen shillings, I say it must be kept, because no grounds are so rich to afford it so plentifully as those that adjoin to dwelling houses, nor none so convenient to be helped as them, than is it of necessity that the Birds will lie upon it with great prejudice, therefore it must be kept. The total charge, is at the least six pound thirteen shillings and four pence upon an Acre, besides the rent of the grounds, Understanding this, I demand where the Husbandmen be, that now living upon so excessive racked rents, can disburse the charge of many Acres. Besides, there is a necessity in this work, where so many must be employed, of a Bailey of sufficiency, whose charge is to be thought upon by the way.  
The charge of the Spade you have heard, and every man knoweth the charge of the Plough. For the inconveniences of the Spade, it is more subject to weeds. For we see the richer the ground, the more weedy; and the more pliable and gentle the mould is, the weeds more abound, as it is manifest in Gardens, so as it cannot be otherwise, but that in a wet season the weeds will overgrow the Corn, and in many years not possible to be helped. For it being in ear, the weeders will do more hurt then good: and it is the wet after it cometh in ear, that also causeth the weed that choketh the Corn: this every experienced man knoweth. Yet to those that have set and must weed, I persuade the end of March, and the beginning of April for their first time, and at that first time, I persuade the doing of it thoroughly. It is more subject to be blasted and smutten, for that by the freeness of the ground, it will be sooner in ear: yea, so soon as at the beginning of May it will show itself, being then subject to the frosts & dews of that season, the loss whereof witness the Corn in the Marshes. By birds I know it will receive great prejudice, which will be so sensible, as with the time, we will in our rich grounds by our houses, return to sowing roots. As for the ledging, I cannot but profess that only that will discourage all affecters of this novoltie, for many stalks will come out of one root, every stalk will be slender and long, every ear will be heavier and longer than ordinary, or else, no possibility of such increase as is talked for, and it must be exoeeding rank. If a smaller stalk, longer, heavier ●●red, and thicker set then ordinary, how is it possible to be upheld? Experience will teach, that the least wet in Summer, will cause a dislike of the Spade and revocation of the Plough, who cometh not so soon into ear, who is stronger stalked, not so long, heavy, nor so thick set. Also, I know the place within twentienliles of London, where this last year for all the temper of it, that set Wheat, did ledge and come to small or no profit. The Corn that is set, is more subject to the mould, Mouse and worm: for the ground being lighter, they have the freer passage in the earth, and it must maintain a Mould-catcher, if used in any quantity. The difference in my understanding, between setting and sowing is: That in sowing, the Birds will pick up some of the Corns at seed time, and the grass will prejudice the Corn in coming up. The Birds (they say) taketh away much of the Corn sown, but none of that set; I admit that, but what part of the Corn is it? is it any but the lose Corn? if sown timely in the year, if late, I confess the Crows will scrape some small quantity out of the ground: but if it be sown under Furrow; then is it every way as safe as that which is set, and where it is not, the proportion of sowing is three bushels upon an Acre in good ground, and for setting half a bushel or a peck, as some would have it. That being so, it cannot be but upon every Acre, where three bushels are sown, that there will a bushel remain to come to perfection, so as the Birds cannot be of that prejudice, as to make it seem nothing in comparison of the Spade. But if sown before Michaelmas under furrow, then is it as safe from Birds as that which is set. For the grass a fallow killeth it, & leaveth it upon as good terms. Also, it may be raked off at much less charge then buried by digging. I must confess, that there is a great fault committed in England, for sparing a little charge in weeding; especially in good grounds. Yet there are that take up the defence; that so they want the after Pasture, the leaving of the Fog on the ground there to rot and be as new compost. Also, the grass after his season of cutting, sendeth down into the earth again that nutriment which it received, which may be observed in the omitting to cut Meadows in their due time. But these are answered: for in being not weeded, if the year prove wet, the Corn is at loss: if dry, the increase will be double, especially in rich grounds, as by experience you shall find: use it, and persuade the use of it, how slender so ever the crop seem to be, and of what nature so ever the ground be. I affirm therefore, that an Acre of ground turned up before Christmas, so as it may lie in a Winter fallow, then in May compost to the equal goodness of the ground, set and Ploughed cross, & laid in a Summer fallow, after stirred, and then Ploughed and sown under sorrow three weeks before Michaelmas, will yield an equal crop with the Spade, and exceed it, in that it will afford three crops one after another, and the other but one to any purpose. I will not disgrace a proof I mean to make trial of for Barley. And that is to give to a piece of ground four earths, every one deeper than other, having a Plough for the purpose. After two of which, to break and level the ground with a great Ox harrow, which I persuade to all good husbands for Summer grain. After the other two, to rake away the grass that the light Harrow leaveth till it be as level as a Garden, and then set it, which being discreetly used, will not exceed above ten shillings more charge upon an Acre, by the overplus of the grain that is sown: and so I doubt not; but to have as great a quantity (always provided, that I take care to weed it) as he that diggeth and setteth it. I conceit well, that when a piece of ground is clean out of heart by Ploughing, and the earth under the Plough, conrinueth as good as that above, that then this hoveltie be used as being there of best use. Yet a Plough may so be made and handled, as it may go deeper by half a foot then ordinary, yea a foot, proportioning the strength of the Team and Plough together. I have persuaded some very eager to set Wheat, that they should do it in the beginning of March next if the ground be rich as it ought to be; thereby to prevent the smut, the weed, the length of the straw, and so ledging and I hope of their having a good increase: for the best crop that ever I saw, was a Summer crop of wheat in a rich ground. Besides, I except not against beds of Corn upheld by those that love novelties, for I know that without some strengthening it will ledge & come to nothing. And I advise all those that this year hath been at great charges in digging and setting, that in the latter end of March in a dry time, they get wood, and either rail their grounds thorough at six foot distance, as Onions are for seed, or set sticks clean through the ground for the Corn to rest upon, as Pease have: Or else at every four foot in breadth, set rows of sticks which will be sufficient. But all things considered, I resolve that the old good Husbandry of the Plough is most profitable for the fields, and the later Huswifrie of roots and necessary provision for the house, most profitable for the Gardens.  
It may be, that some will object that hitherto I have erred from the state of the question, proving only the Plough of better use than the Spade, for the general or particular good; whereas I ought to have proved also setting of Corn to be inferior to sowing. For that it is setting, which is specially to be regarded in this new art & not digging. I answer, that if digging were not as the soul of this question, and setting but as the body, I would never have set pen to paper. But in all reasonable understanding, it is the loosening of the ground, whereby the earth may yield nutriment to the roots, and the roots increase and take strength so easily in the earth that yieldeth so great increase. As for setting, it is nothing but form at such a distance, and such a depth: The distance they say of four or five inches: the depth three or four inches. The Gardener, a certain time after his Parpsnips & Carrats are come up, if they appear to thick, taketh out the smallest and setteth again: so may also the Corn be used, where it is too thick, by those that have nothing to do. But if the thinness of the Corn cause the profit, it may be sown as thin as set, only not so just at a distance, yet as profitable. For the depth, I know no difference, between that and sowing under furrow: it resteth only in the distance. And that a Bushel orderly sown under furrow upon an Acre that is digged, will yield as great profit as half a bushel set, I challenge any man to the practice. Besides, I vouch him authority for the increase of sowing, such as neither his reading nor practice shall ever show me the like for setting. I have no Hebrew for the Text; but I have all translations agreeing. Genes. 26.12. Isaac sowed in Gerar of the Philistines, and found in the same year an hundred fold. And till this place be answered, I justify the true state of the question to be between digging and Ploughing, concluding ever, that at much less charge to as great profit, the Plough may be used by good husbands.  

The affirmed errors.  

That it will yield thirty, or twenty quarters upon an Acre.  
I See no probability; for if true, it would far exceed any increase of any root, or whatsoever swoon or set by the Gardeners, and have yielded the profit with a great deal less charge and trouble, but they have found the contrary. Besides, an Acre timely sown after four earths under furrow, in a very fertile ground hath not exceeded six quarters, though the stalk hath been as thick on the ground as any can be that is set, only presuppose the ear not so long. But I cannot be persuaded, that the ear set will be twice as long, as the ear sown: if it would, it cannot then exceed twelve quarters. But is it not probable, that much of the Corn sown under furrow lieth as deep, as well rooted, the earth as lose, and cometh up in as many sprouts, and so becometh as many stalks and heads, as the other? It doth certainly, & I can show it by my own practice; and therefore pardon my belief. The only difference is, that no pains nor care will be omitted for digging, setting, soiling, weeding, and preserving a piece of ground adjoining to a dwelling house, whereas the like cannot be of many Acres in the fields.   

That Corn that is sown after or about Alhollowtide, cannot send forth so many stalks by reason of the clods.  
BY reason of the weather I confess in general, not in every particular. But in comparing their worths, let us sort them for times: for otherwise the dispute is betwixt ill husbandry with the Plough in sowing, and good husbandry with the Spade in setting. The later winter Corn is sown, generally the worse it prospereth, this every Husbandman knoweth. Yet I know grounds in Berkshire and other places, that will prosper much better, being sown in dirt after Alhollowtide then before. But that fallow grounds with reasonable store of clods, should be prejudiced by the clods, I deny, for they yield a double benefit to the Corne. They keep it warm, defending it from the blasts and frosts of Winter: they break generally in the best season to comfort it; which is towards the Spring, and so yield a new earth to the Corne. But if the clods offend any man, I beseech him take me for his precedent. I drew an Ox Harrow over my last Wheat fallow, before the last earth, and thereby I broke the clods all to dust, but I repent me, and so may be do that follows me.   

Black and rich mould out of Vaults and Cellars, laid upon Gardens for want of the Sun, will make them barren.  
Do we not see and know that the Sun is prejudicial to the superficies of the earth in extracting the virtue out of it; and therefore we lay not in the heat of Summer our soil upon our grounds, lest the radical moisture should be extracted? Doth not a new earth turned up, if of equal goodness with the first crust, yield a better increase than the first? Why are grubbed grounds better for Corn then other, where the Sun hath not come for many years. Is not the bottoms of dung heaps most profitable, because the Sun hath extracted the virtue from the upper parts? What benefit of the Sun hath the earth of pits, ditches and ponds, which lie covered with water? What hath the Marl and Chalk, digged out of deep pits to manure grounds, Cummultis alijs, etc. This I had thought to have passed over as being impertinent to our Species, but that it crosseth a true received observation, very profitable in my understanding. And that is, that there is no Manor in England, either subsisting wholly of barren grounds, or in part: but hath a Marl, as they term it: that is a fat earth, as I term it. (Be it of what kind or colour so ever) Chalk or other stone, turf, or such like, either to be burned or unburned, that will help the grounds as much or rather more than dung, and this to be digged out of his proper ground upon trial at a fadam, two, three, or four. Also, there is much good to be done by observing the difference of earths, in making the earth of one field supply the defect of another, and so interchangeably they may be tempered to an excellent benefit.  
If any except against my idle hours, and make opposition in general or particular, I profess to press the arguments no further, as being no part of my profession. But therein upon equal terms, I will not be wanting to answer whilst I live.    
FINIS.