Chapter III: Part 3

25 Hempe huswifely vsed lookes cleerely and bright, and selleth it selfe by the colour so whight: Some vseth to water it, some do it not,[27] be skilful in dooing, for feare it do rot.

[Sidenote: Setting of strawberies & roses, &c.]

26 Wife, into thy garden, and set me a plot, with strawbery rootes, of the best to be got: Such growing abroade, among thornes in the wood, wel chosen and picked prooue excellent good.

[Sidenote: Gooseberies & Respis.]

27 The Barbery, Respis, and Goosebery too, looke now to be planted as other things doo: The Goosebery, Respis, and Roses, al three, with Strawberies vnder them trimly agree.

[Sidenote: Gathering of mast.]

28 To gather some mast, it shal stand thee vpon, with seruant and children, er mast be al gon: Some left among bushes shal pleasure thy swine, for feare of a mischiefe keepe acorns fro kine.[E97]

[Sidenote: Rooting of hogs.]

29 For rooting of pasture ring hog ye had neede, which being wel ringled the better do feede: Though yong with their elders wil lightly keepe best, yet spare not to ringle both great and the rest.

[Sidenote: Yoking of swine.]

30 Yoke seldom thy swine while the shacktime[28] doth last, for diuers misfortunes that happen too fast: Or if ye do fancie whole eare of the hog, giue eie to il neighbour and eare to his dog.

[Sidenote: Hunting of hogs.]

31 Keepe hog I aduise thee from medow and corne, for out aloude crying that ere he was borne: Such lawles, so haunting, both often and long, if dog set him chaunting he doth thee no wrong.[E98]

[Sidenote: Ringling of hogs.]

32 Where loue among neighbors do beare any stroke, whiles shacktime indureth men vse not to yoke: Yet surely ringling is needeful and good, til frost do enuite them to brakes in the wood.

[Sidenote: Carriage of brakes.]

33[29] Get home with thy brakes, er an sommer be gon, for teddered cattle to sit there vpon: To couer thy houel, to brewe and to bake, to lie in the bottome, where houel ye make.

[Sidenote: Sawe out thy timber.]

34 Now sawe out thy timber, for boord and for pale, to haue it vnshaken,[E99] and ready to sale: Bestowe it and stick it,[30] and lay it aright, to find it in March, to be ready in plight.

[Sidenote: Slabs of timber.]

35 Saue slab[31] of thy timber for stable and stie, for horse and for hog the more clenly to lie: Saue sawe dust, and brick dust, and ashes so fine, for alley to walke in, with neighbour of thine.

[Sidenote: Hedge breakers.]

36 Keepe safely and warely thine vttermost fence, with ope gap and breake hedge do seldome dispence: Such runabout prowlers, by night and by day, see punished iustly for prowling away.

[Sidenote: Learne to knowe Hew prowler.]

37 At noone if it bloweth, at night if it shine, out trudgeth Hew make shift, with hooke & with line:[E100] Whiles Gillet, his blouse, is a milking thy cow, Sir Hew is a rigging thy gate or the plow.

[Sidenote: Black or red dogs.]

38 Such walke with a black or a red little cur, that open wil quickly, if anything stur; Then squatteth the master, or trudgeth away, and after dog runneth as fast as he may.

39 Some prowleth for fewel, and some away rig fat goose, and the capon, duck, hen, and the pig: Some prowleth for acornes, to fat vp their swine, for corne and for apples, and al that is thine.

Thus endeth Septembers husbandrie.[32]

* * * Many stanzas do not occur or are not in the same order in 1577.

[1] In 1577 these and similar couplets at the beginning of each month's _Husbandrie_, precede the month's _Abstract_ instead.

[2] Sts. 1 and 2 not in 1577.

[3] Mighelmas. 1577.

[4] coefers. 1577.

[5] rakged. 1577.

[6] at hyt. 1577.

[7] Or borow with sorow as long as thou wilt. 1577.

[8] liened. 1577.

[9] To pare horse's hoofs with.-T.R.

[10] "Clouting is arming the Axle-Tree with Iron plates."--T.R.

[11] "Arming the Fellowes with Iron Strakes, or a Tire as some call it."--T.R. Strakes are segments of a tire.

[12] "Of a tough piece of Whitleather."--T.R.

[13] "Lightest and coolest, but indeed not so comly as those of Wadmus."--T.R.

[14] St. 15 not in 1577, but as follows:--

Rakes also for barley, long toothed in bed,
and greater like toothed for barley so shed.

and first couplet of st. 16.

[15] St. 16 not thus in 1577; see note above, and next note.

[16] In 1577 the second couplet of st. 16 makes a stanza with the following:

Strong fetters and shakles, with horslock and pad;
Strong soles, and such other thinges, meete to be had.

[17]

Hog yokes, and a twicher, and ringes for a hog,
with tar in a pot, for the byeting of dog. 1577.

[18] St. 19 not in 1577.

[19] St. 20 not in 1577.

[20] This point of good husbandry, etc. 1577.

[21] St. 11 not in 1577.

[22] Sts. 14 and 15 not in 1577, but nine stanzas which do not occur here.

[23] Cf. _ante_, ch. 17, st. 13 and note E85.

[24] Cf. _post_, ch. 19, st. 6.

[25] Mighel, here and in st. 18. 1577.

[26] "If Fruit stand too long it will be mealy, which is worse than shrively, for now most Gentlemen chuse the shriveled Apple."--T.R.

[27] "Ther is a Water-retting and a Dew-retting, which last is done on a good Rawing, or aftermath of a Meadow Water."--T.R.

[28] "After Harvest."--T.R.

[29] This is placed before st. 9 in 1577.

[30] "Laying the Boards handsomely one upon another with sticks between."--T.R.

[31] The outermost piece.

[32] Cf. note 12, p. 33.

18.

¶ _Octobers abstract.

Chap._ 16.

1 Lay drie vp and round, for barlie thy ground.

2 Too late doth kill, too soone is as ill.

3 Maides little and great, pick cleane séede wheat. Good ground doth craue choice séede to haue. Flaies[E101] lustily thwack, least plough séede lack.

4[1] Séede first go fetch, for edish or etch, Soile perfectly knowe, er edish ye sowe.

5 White wheat, if ye please, sowe now vpon pease. Sowe first the best, and then the rest.

6[2] Who soweth in raine, hath wéed to his paine. But worse shall he spéed, that soweth ill séed.

7 Now, better than later, draw furrow for water. Kéepe crowes, good sonne, sée fencing[3] be donne.

8[4] Each soile no vaine for euerie graine. Though soile be but bad, some corne may be had.

9 Naught proue, naught craue, naught venter, naught haue.

10 One crop and away, some countrie may say.

11 All grauell and sand, is not the best land. A rottenly mould is land woorth gould.

12 Why wheat is smitten good lesson is written.

13 The iudgement of some how thistles doe come.

14 A iudgement right, of land in plight. Land, all forlorne, not good for corne.

15 Land barren doth beare small strawe, short eare.

16 Here maist thou réede for soile what séede.

17 Tis tride ery hower, best graine most flower.

18 Grosse corne much bran the baker doth ban.

19[5] What croppers bée here learne to sée.

20 Few after crop much, but noddies and such.

21 Som woodland may crake, thrée crops he may take.

22 First barlie, then pease, then wheat, if ye please.

23 Two crops and away, must champion say.

24[6] Where barlie did growe, Laie[7] wheat to sowe. Yet better I thinke, sowe pease after drinke. And then, if ye please, sowe wheat after pease.

25 What champion knowes that custome showes.

26 First barlie er rie, then pease by and by. Then fallow for wheat, is husbandrie great.

27 A remedie sent, where pease lack vent. Fat peasefed swine for drouer is fine.

28 Each diuers soile hath diuers toile.

29 Some countries vse that some refuse.

30 For wheat ill land, where water doth stand. Sowe pease or dredge belowe in that redge.

31 Sowe acornes to prooue that timber doe looue.

32 Sowe hastings[E102] now, if land[8] it alow.

33 Learne soone to get a good quickset.

34 For feare of the wurst make fat away furst.

35 Fat that no more ye kéepe for store.

36 Hide carren in graue, lesse noiance to haue.

37 Hog measeled kill, for flemming that will.

38[9] With peasebolt and brake some brew and bake.

39 Old corne[10] worth gold, so kept as it shold.

40 Much profit is rept, by sloes well kept.

41 Kéepe sloes vpon bow, for flixe of thy cow.

42 Of vergis be sure, poore cattel to cure.

Thus endeth Octobers abstract, agréeing with Octobers husbandrie.

¶ Other short remembrances.[11]

[43] Cisse, haue an eie to bore in the stie. By malt ill kept, small profit is rept.

[44] Friend, ringle thy hog, for feare of a dog. Rie straw up stack, least Thacker doe lack.

[45] Wheat straw drie saue, for cattell to haue. Wheat chaffe lay vp drie, in safetie to lie.

[46] Make handsome a bin, for chaffe to lie in.

[47] (Séede thresht) thou shalt thresh barlie to malt. Cut bushes to hedge, fence medow and redge.

[48] Stamp crabs that may, for rotting away. Make vergis and perie,[E103] sowe kirnell and berie.

[49] Now gather vp fruite, of euerie suite. Marsh wall too slight, strength now, or god night.

[50][12] Mend wals of mud, for now it is good. Where soile is of sand, quick set out of hand.

[51] To plots not full ad bremble and hull. For set no bar whilst month hath an R.[E104] Like note thou shalt for making of malt. Brew now to last till winter be past.

Here ends Octobers short remembrances.[13]

[1] 1577 inserts--

Plie sowing a pace, in euery place.

[2] St. 6 is not in 1577.

[3] furrowing. 1577.

[4] Sts. 8-30 do not occur here in 1577; but sts. 32-37 follow.

[5] Sts. 19 and 20 are in Septembers Abstract in 1577.

[6] In Septembers Abstract in 1577.

[7] strike. 1577.

[8] ground. 1577.

[9] In 1577, sts. 38 to the end are much transposed.

[10] graine. 1577.

[11] Cf. note 12, p. 33.

[12] First couplet of st. 50 not in 1577.

[13] Cf. note 12, p. 33.

19.

¶ _Octobers husbandrie.

Chap._ 17.

October good blast, To blowe the hog mast.

Forgotten month past, Doe now at the last.

[Sidenote: Laie vp barlie land.]

1 Now lay vp[E105] thy barley land, drie as ye can when euer ye sowe it so looke for it than: Get daily aforehand, be neuer behinde; least winter preuenting do alter thy minde.

2 Who laieth vp fallow[E106] too soone or too wet, with noiances many doth barley beset. For weede and the water so soketh and sucks, that goodnes from either it vtterly plucks.

[Sidenote: Wheat sowing.]

3 Greene rie in September when timely thou hast, October for wheat sowing calleth as fast. If weather will suffer, this counsell I giue, Leaue sowing of wheat before Hallomas eue.

[Sidenote: Sowe edish betimes.]

4 Where wheat vpon edish ye mind to bestowe, let that be the first of the wheat ye do sowe: He seemeth to hart it and comfort to bring, that giueth it comfort of Mihelmas spring.

[Sidenote: Best wheat first sowen.]

5 White wheat vpon peaseetch doth grow as he wold, but fallow is best, if we did as we shold:[1] Yet where, how, and when, ye entend to begin, let euer the finest be first sowen in.[2]

6[3] Who soweth in raine, he shall reape it with teares, who soweth in harmes,[4] he is euer in feares, Who soweth ill seede or defraudeth his land, hath eie sore abroode, with a coresie at hand.

7[5] Seede husbandly sowen, water furrow[6] thy ground, that raine when it commeth may run away round, Then stir about Nicoll, with arrow and bowe, take penie for killing of euerie crowe.

[Not in 1577.]

A digression to the usage of diuers countries, concerning Tillage.

8 Each soile hath no liking of euerie graine, nor barlie and wheat is for euerie vaine: Yet knowe I no countrie so barren of soile but some kind of corne may be gotten with toile.

9 In Brantham,[E107] where rie but no barlie did growe, good barlie I had, as a meany did knowe: Five seame of an aker I truely was paid, for thirtie lode muck of each aker so laid.

10 In Suffolke againe, where as wheat neuer grew, good husbandrie vsed good wheat land I knew: This Prouerbe experience long ago gaue, that nothing who practiseth nothing shall haue.

11 As grauell and sand is for rie and not wheat, (or yeeldeth hir burden to tone the more great,) So peason and barlie delight not in sand, but rather in claie or in rottener land.

12 Wheat somtime is steelie or burnt as it growes, for pride[7] or for pouertie practise so knowes. Too lustie of courage for wheat doth not well, nor after sir peeler he looueth to dwell.[E108]

13 Much wetnes, hog rooting, and land out of hart, makes thistles a number foorthwith to vpstart. If thistles so growing prooue lustie and long, it signifieth land to be hartie and strong.

14 As land full of tilth and in hartie good plight, yeelds blade to a length and encreaseth in might, So crop vpon crop, vpon whose courage we doubt, yeelds blade for a brag, but it holdeth not out.

15 The straw and the eare to haue bignes and length, betokeneth land to be good and in strength. If eare be but short, and the strawe be but small, it signifieth barenes and barren withall.

16 White wheat or else red, red riuet or whight, far passeth all other, for land that is light. White pollard or red, that so richly is set, for land that is heauie is best ye can get.

17 Maine wheat that is mixed with white and with red is next to the best in the market mans hed: So Turkey or Purkey wheat[E109] many doe loue, because it is flourie, as others aboue.

18 Graie wheat is the grosest, yet good for the clay, though woorst for the market, as fermer may say. Much like vnto rie be his properties found, coorse flower, much bran, and a peeler of ground.

19 Otes, rie, or else barlie, and wheat that is gray, brings land out of comfort, and soone to decay: One after another, no comfort betweene, is crop vpon crop, as will quickly be seene.

[Sidenote: Crop vpon crop.]

20 Still crop vpon crop many farmers do take, and reape little profit for greedines sake. Though breadcorne & drinkcorn[E110] such croppers do stand: count peason or brank, as a comfort to land.

21 Good land that is seuerall, crops may haue three, in champion countrie it may not so bee: Ton taketh his season, as commoners may, the tother with reason may otherwise say.

22 Some vseth at first a good fallow to make, to sowe thereon barlie, the better to take. Next that to sowe pease, and of that to sowe wheat, then fallow againe, or lie lay for thy neat.

23 First rie, and then barlie, the champion saies, or wheat before barlie be champion waies: But drinke before bread corne with Middlesex men, then lay on more compas, and fallow agen.

24 Where barlie ye sowe, after rie or else wheat, if land be vnlustie,[8] the crop is not great, So lose ye your cost, to your coresie and smart, and land (ouerburdened) is cleane out of hart.

25 Exceptions take of the champion land, from lieng alonge from that at thy hand. (Just by) ye may comfort with compas at will, far off ye must comfort with fauor and skill.

26 Where rie or else wheat either barlie ye sowe, let codware be next, therevpon for to growe: Thus hauing two crops, whereof codware is ton, thou hast the lesse neede, to lay cost therevpon.

27 Some far fro the market delight not in pease, for that ery chapman they seeme not to please. If vent of the market place serue thee not well, set hogs vp a fatting, to drouer to sell.

28 Two crops of a fallow enricheth the plough, though tone be of pease, it is land good ynough: One crop and a fallow some soile will abide, where if ye go furder lay profit aside.

29 Where peason ye had and a fallow thereon, sowe wheat ye may well without doong therevpon: New broken vpland, or with water opprest, or ouer much doonged, for wheat is not best.

30 Where water all winter annoieth too much, bestowe not thy wheat vpon land that is such: But rather sowe otes, or else bullimong[E111] there, gray peason, or runciuals, fitches, or tere.

[Sidenote: Sowing of acorns.]

31 Sowe acornes ye owners, that timber doe looue, sowe hawe and rie with them the better to prooue; If cattel or cunnie may enter to crop, yong oke is in daunger of loosing his top.

[Sidenote: Sowing of Hastings or fullams.]

32 Who pescods delighteth to haue with the furst, if now he do sowe them, I thinke it not wurst. The greener thy peason and warmer the roome, more lusty the layer, more plenty they come.

33 Go plow vp or delue vp, aduised with skill, the bredth of a ridge, and in length as you will. Where speedy quickset for a fence ye wil drawe, to sowe in the seede of the bremble and hawe.[E112]

[Sidenote: A disease in fat hogs.]

34 Through plenty of acornes, the porkling to fat, not taken in season, may perish by that, If ratling or swelling get once to the throte, thou loosest thy porkling, a crowne to a grote.[E113]

[Sidenote: Not to fat for rearing.]

35 What euer thing fat is, againe if it fall, thou ventrest the thing and the fatnes withall, The fatter the better, to sell or to kil, but not to continue, make proofe if ye wil.

[Sidenote: Burieng of dead cattell.]

36 What euer thing dieth, go burie or burne, for tainting of ground, or a woorser il turne. Such pestilent smell of a carrenly thing, to cattle and people great peril may bring.

[Sidenote: Measeled hogs.]

37 Thy measeled bacon, hog, sow, or thy bore, shut vp for to heale, for infecting thy store: Or kill it for bacon, or sowce it to sell, for Flemming, that loues it so deintily well.[E114]

[Sidenote: Strawwisps and peasbolts.]

38 With strawisp and peasebolt, with ferne and the brake, for sparing of fewel, some brewe and do bake, And heateth their copper, for seething of graines: good seruant rewarded, refuseth no paines.[E115]

[Sidenote: Olde wheat better than new.]

39 Good breadcorne and drinkcorne, full xx weekes kept, is better then new, that at harvest is rept: But foisty the breadcorne and bowd eaten malt,[E116] for health or for profit, find noysome thou shalt.

40[9] By thend of October, go gather vp sloes, haue thou in a readines plentie of thoes, And keepe them in bedstraw, or still on the bow, to staie both the flixe of thyselfe and thy cow.

[Sidenote: A medicin for the cow flixe.]

41 Seeith water and plump therein plenty of sloes, mix chalke[10] that is dried in powder with thoes Which so, if ye giue, with the water and chalke, thou makest the laxe fro thy cow away walke.[E117]

42[11] Be sure of vergis (a gallond at least) so good for the kitchen, so needfull for beast, It helpeth thy cattel, so feeble and faint, if timely such cattle with it thou acquaint.

Thus endeth Octobers husbandrie.

[1]

White wheat upon pease etch is willing to grow:
though best upon fallow as many do knowe. 1577.

[2] After st. 5, 1577 has st. 31 _post_.

[3] St. 6 not in 1577.

[4] "In harms or harms way, whether of Roads, ill Neighbours, Torrents of Water, Conies, or other Vermin."--T.R. Cf. _ante_, ch. 16, st. 15.

[5] In Septembers Husbandry, 1577.

[6] "Furrows drawn cross the Ridges in the lowest part of the Ground."--T.R.

[7] "or too much Dung."--T.R.

[8] "There is a sort of Barley, called Sprat Barley, or Battledore Barley, that will grow very well on lusty land. "--T.R.

[9] Stanza 40 is not in 1577.

[10] chawlk. 1577.

[11] Stanza 42 is not in 1577.

20.

¶ _Nouembers abstract.

Chap._ 18

1 Let hog once fat, loose nothing of that. When mast is gon, hog falleth anon, Still fat vp some, till Shroftide come. Now porke and souse, beares tack in house.

2 Put barlie to malting, lay flitches a salting. Through follie too beastlie[E118] much bacon is reastie.[1]

3 Some winnow, some fan, some cast that can.[2] In casting prouide, for séede lay aside.

4 Thresh barlie thou shalt, for chapman to malt. Else thresh no more but for thy store.

5[3] Till March thresh wheat, but as ye doo eat, Least baker forsake it if foystines take it.

6 No chaffe in bin, makes horse looke thin.

7[4] Sowe hastings now, that hastings alow.

8 They buie it full déere, in winter that réere.

9 Few fowles, lesse swine, rere now, friend mine.

10 What losse, what sturs, through rauening curs.

11 Make Martilmas béefe, déere meate is a théefe.

12 Set garlike and pease, saint Edmond to please.

13 When raine takes place, to threshing apace.

14 Mad braine, too rough, marres all at plough. With flaile and whips, fat hen short skips.

15 Some threshing by taske, will steale and not aske: Such thresher at night walkes seldom home light. Some corne away lag in bottle and bag. Some steales, for a iest, egges out of the nest.

16 Lay stouer[E119] vp drie in order to lie. Poore bullock[5] doth craue fresh straw to haue.

17 Make wéekly vp flower, though threshers do lower: Lay graine in loft and turne it oft.

18 For muck, regard, make cleane foule yard. Lay straw to rot, in watrie plot.

19 Hedlond vp plow, for compas ynow.

20 For herbes good store, trench garden more.

21 At midnight trie foule priuies to fie.

22 Rid chimney of soot, from top to the foot.

23 In stable, put now thy horses for plow.

24 Good horsekeeper will laie muck vpon hill.

25[6] Cut molehils that stand so thick vpon land.

Thus endeth Novembers abstract, agréeing with Nouembers husbandrie.

¶ Other short remembrances.

26 Get pole, boy mine, beate hawes to swine. Driue hog to the wood, brake rootes be good.

27 For mischiefe that falles, looke well to marsh walles. Drie laier get neate, and plentie of meate.

28 Curst cattel that nurteth, poore wennel soon hurteth. Good neighbour mine, ring well thy swine.

29 Such winter may serue, hog ringled[7] will sterue. In frost kéepe dog from hunting of hog.

Here ends Nouembers short remembrances.

[1] resty. 1577

[2] 1577 reads--

Let husbandly man make clene as he can.

[3] Not in 1577.

[4] Stanzas 7-10 are not in 1577.

[5] kow.

[6] St. 25 is not in 1577.

[7] ringd. 1577.

21.

¶ _Nouembers husbandrie.

Chap._ 19.

Nouember take flaile, Let ship no more saile.

Forgotten month past, Doe now at the last.

[Sidenote: Slaughter time.]

1 At Hallontide, slaughter time entereth in, and then doth the husbandmans feasting begin From thence vnto shroftide kill now and then some, their offal for houshold the better wil come.[E120]

[Sidenote: Dredge is otes and barlie.]

2 Thy dredge and thy barley go thresh out to malt, let malster be cunning, else lose it thou shalt: Thencrease of a seame is a bushel for store, bad else is the barley, or huswife much more.

[Sidenote: Winnowing, fanning, and casting.]

3 Some vseth to winnow,[1] some vseth to fan, some vseth to cast it as cleane as they can: For seede goe and cast it, for malting not so, but get out the cockle,[2] and then let it go.[E121]

[Sidenote: Threshing of barlie.]

4 Thresh barlie as yet but as neede shal require, fresh threshed for stoouer thy cattel desire: And therefore that threshing forbeare as ye may, till Candelmas comming, for sparing of hay.

5 Such wheat as ye keepe for the baker to buie, vnthreshed till March in the sheafe let it lie, Least foistnes take it if sooner yee thresh it, although by oft turning ye seeme to refresh it.[E122]

[Sidenote: Chaffe of corne.]

6 Saue chaffe of the barlie, of wheate, and of rie, from feathers and foistines, where it doth lie, Which mixed with corne, being sifted of dust, go giue to thy cattel, when serue them ye must.

7[3] Greene peason or hastings at Hallontide sowe, in hartie good soile he requireth to growe: Graie peason or runciuals cheerely to stand, at Candlemas sowe, with a plentifull hand.

8 Leaue latewardly rering, keepe now no more swine, but such as thou maist, with the offal of thine: Except ye haue wherewith to fat them away, the fewer thou keepest, keepe better yee may.

9 To rere vp much pultrie, and want the barne doore, is naught for the pulter and woorse for the poore. So, now to keepe hogs and to sterue them for meate, is as to keepe dogs for to bawle in the streate.

10 As cat a good mouser is needfull in house, because for hir commons she killeth the mouse, So rauening curres, as a meany doo keepe, makes master want meat, and his dog to kill sheepe.[E123]

[Sidenote: Martilmas beefe.]

11 (For Easter) at Martilmas hang vp a beefe, for stalfed and pease fed plaie pickpurse the theefe: With that and the like, er an grasse biefe come in, thy folke shal looke cheerelie when others looke thin.

[Sidenote: ¶ Set garlike and beanes.]

12 Set garlike and beanes, at S. Edmond[4] the king, the moone in the wane, thereon hangeth a thing:[E124] Thencrease of a pottle (well prooued of some) shal pleasure thy houshold er peskod time come.

[Sidenote: Threshing.]

13 When raine is a let to thy dooings abrode, set threshers a threshing to laie on good lode: Thresh cleane ye must bid them, though lesser they yarn, and looking to thriue, haue an eie to thy barne.

[Sidenote: Cattle beaters.]

14 Take heede to thy man in his furie and heate, with ploughstaff and whipstock, for maiming thy neate: To thresher for hurting of cow with his flaile, or making thy hen to plaie tapple vp taile.[E125]

[Sidenote: Corne stealers.]

15 Some pilfering thresher will walke with a staffe, will carrie home corne as it is in the chaffe, And some in his bottle of leather so great[E126] will carry home daily both barlie and wheat.

[Sidenote: Kéepe dry thy straw.]

16 If houseroome will serue thee, lay stouer vp drie, and euerie sort by it selfe for to lie. Or stack it for litter, if roome be too poore, and thatch out the residue noieng thy doore.[5]

[Sidenote: Euery wéeke rid thy barne flower.]

17 Cause weekly thy thresher to make vp his flower, though slothfull and pilferer thereat doo lower: Take tub for a season, take sack for a shift, yet garner for graine is the better for thrift.

18 All maner of strawe that is scattered in yard, good husbandlie husbands haue daily regard, In pit full of water the same to bestowe, where lieng to rot, thereof profit may growe.

[Sidenote: Digging of hedlonds.]

19 Now plough vp thy hedlond,[6] or delue it with spade, where otherwise profit but little is made: And cast it vp high, vpon hillocks to stand, that winter may rot it, to compas thy land.

[Sidenote: Trenching of garden.]

20 If garden requier it, now trench it ye may, one trench not a yard from another go lay: Which being well filled with muck by and by, go couer with mould for a season to ly.

[Sidenote: Clensing of priuies.]

21 Foule priuies are now to be clensed and fide, let night be appointed such baggage to hide: Which buried in garden, in trenches alowe, shall make very many things better to growe.

[Sidenote: Sootie chimneyes.]

22 The chimney all sootie would now be made cleene, for feare of mischances, too oftentimes seene: Old chimney and sootie, if fier once take, by burning and breaking, soone mischeefe may make.[E127]

[Sidenote: Put horse into stable.]

23 When ploughing is ended, and pasture not great, then stable thy horses, and tend them with meat: Let season be drie when ye take them to house, for danger of nittes, or for feare of a louse.[E128]

[Sidenote: Sauing of doong.]

24 Lay compas vp handsomly, round on a hill, to walke in thy yard at thy pleasure and will, More compas it maketh and handsom the plot, if horsekeeper daily forgetteth it not.

25[7] Make hillocks of molehils, in field thorough out, and so to remaine, till the yeere go about. Make also the like whereas plots be too hie, all winter a rotting for compas to lie.

Thus endeth Nouembers husbandrie.

[1] winnew. 1557.

[2] "If the Cockle be left in, it will work, and some say make the Drink the stronger."--T.R.

[3] Stanzas 7-10 are not in 1577.

[4] 20th November.

[5] "The rest may lie in the open Yard, for the Cattle to tread into Dung, which is the practice now a days, so that our Farmers are not so afraid of noying their Doors it seems as formerly, and that not without good reason."--T.R.

[6] T.R. thinks that here is meant "such Ground in Common Field-land, which the whole Shot (or parcel of Land belonging to many Men against which it lies) turn upon."

[7] St. 25 is not in 1577.

22.

¶ _Decembers abstract.

Chap._ 20.

1 No season to hedge, get béetle and wedge. Cleaue logs now all, for kitchen and hall.

2 Dull working tooles soone courage cooles.

3 Leaue off tittle tattle, and looke to thy cattle. Serue yoong poore elues alone by themselues.

4 Warme barth for neate, woorth halfe their meate. The elder that nurteth the yonger soone hurteth.

5 Howse cow that is old, while winter doth hold.

6 Out once in a day, to drinke and to play.

7 Get trustie to serue, least cattle doo sterue. And such as in déede may helpe at a néede.

8 Obserue this law, in seruing out straw.

9 In walking about, good forke spie out.

10 At full and at change, spring tides are strange. If doubt ye fray, driue cattle away.

11 Dank ling forgot will quickly rot.

12 Here learne and trie to turne it and drie.

13 Now stocks remooue, that Orchards looue.

14 Set stock to growe too thick nor too lowe. Set now, as they com, both cherie[1] and plom.

15 Shéepe, hog, and ill beast, bids stock to ill feast.[2]

16 At Christmas is good to let thy horse blood.

17 Mark here what rable of euils in stable.

18 Mixe well (old gaffe) horse corne with chaffe. Let Jack nor Gill fetch corne at will.

19[3] Some countries gift to make hard shift. Some cattle well fare with fitches and tare. Fitches and tares be Norfolke wares.

20 Tares threshed with skill bestowe as yée will.

21 Hide strawberies, wife, to saue their life.

22 Knot, border, and all, now couer ye shall.

23 Helpe bées, sweet conie, with licour and honie.

24 Get campers a ball, to campe therewithall.

Thus endeth Decembers abstract, agréeing with Decembers husbandrie.

¶ Other short remembrances.

[25] Let Christmas spie yard cleane to lie. No labour, no sweate, go labour for heate. Féede dooues, but kill not, if stroy them ye will not. Fat hog or ye kill it, or else ye doo spill it.

[26] Put oxe in stall, er oxe doo fall. Who séetheth hir graines, hath profit for paines. Rid garden of mallow, plant willow and sallow.

[27] Let bore life render, sée brawne sod tender, For wife, fruit bie, for Christmas pie. Ill bread and ill drinke, makes many ill thinke. Both meate and cost ill dressed halfe lost.

[28] Who hath wherewithall, may chéere when he shall: But charged man, must chéere as he can.

Here ends Decembers short remembrances.

[1] chearrey. 1577.

[2] St. 15.

Wind north, north east bids stock to il feast. 1577.

[3] Sts. 19 and 20 are not in 1573 (M.); sts. 19, 20, and 24 are not in 1577.

23.

¶ _Decembers husbandrie.

Chap._ 21.

O dirtie December For Christmas remember.

Forgotten month past, Doe now at the last.

[Sidenote: Béetle and wedges.]

1 When frost will not suffer to dike and to hedge, then get thee a heat with thy beetle and wedge Once Hallomas come, and a fire in the hall, such sliuers doo well for to lie by the wall.

[Sidenote: Grinding stone and whetston.]

2 Get grindstone and whetstone, for toole that is dull, or often be letted and freat bellie full. A wheele barrow also be readie to haue at hand of thy seruant, thy compas to saue.

[Sidenote: Seruing of cattle.]

3 Giue cattle their fodder in plot drie and warme, and count them for miring or other like harme. Yoong colts with thy wennels together go serue, least lurched by others they happen to sterue.[1]

[Sidenote: Woodland countrie.]

4 The rack is commended for sauing of doong, so set as the old cannot mischiefe the yoong:[E129] In tempest (the wind being northly or east) warme barth[E130] vnder hedge is a sucker[2] to beast.

[Sidenote: Housing of cattel.]

[Sidenote: Champion.]

5 The housing of cattel while winter doth hold, is good for all such as are feeble and old: It saueth much compas, and many a sleepe, and spareth the pasture for walke of thy sheepe.[3]

[Sidenote: Champion.]

6 For charges so little much quiet is won, if strongly and handsomly al thing be don: But vse to vntackle them once in a day, to rub and to lick them, to drink and to play.

[Sidenote: Ordering of cattel.]

7 Get trustie to tend them, not lubberlie squire, that all the day long hath his nose at the fire.[E131] Nor trust vnto children poore cattel to feede, but such as be able to helpe at a neede.

8 Serue riestraw out first, then wheatstraw and pease, then otestraw and barlie, then hay if ye please: But serue them with hay while the straw stouer last, then loue they no straw, they had rather to fast.

[Sidenote: Forkes and yokes.]

9 Yokes, forks, and such other, let bailie spie out, and gather the same as he walketh about. And after at leasure let this be his hier, to beath[E132] them and trim them at home by the fier.

[Sidenote: Going of cattel in marshes.]

10 As well at the full of the moone as the change, sea rages in winter be sodainly strange. Then looke to thy marshes, if doubt be to fray, for feare of (_ne forte_) haue cattel away.

[Sidenote: Looke to thy ling and saltfish.]

11 Both saltfish and lingfish (if any ye haue) through shifting and drieng from rotting go saue: Least winter with moistnes doo make it relent, and put it in hazard before[4] it be spent.

[Sidenote: How to vse ling and haberden.]

12 Broome fagot is best to drie haberden on, lay boord vpon ladder if fagots be gon. For breaking (in turning) haue verie good eie, and blame not the wind, so the weather be drie.

[Sidenote: Remoouing of trées.]

13 Good fruit and good plentie doth well in the loft, then make thee an orchard and cherish it oft: For plant or for stock laie aforehand to cast, but set or remooue it er Christmas be past.

[Sidenote: An orchard point.]

14 Set one fro other full fortie foote wide, to stand as he stood is a part of his pride. More faier, more woorthie, of cost to remooue, more steadie ye set it, more likely to prooue.

[Sidenote: Orchard and hopyard.]

15 To teach and vnteach in a schoole is vnmeete, to doe and vndoe to the purse is vnsweete. Then orchard or hopyard, so trimmed with cost, should not through follie be spoiled and lost.

[Sidenote: Letting horse blood.]

16 Er Christmas be passed let horse be let blood, for many a purpose it doth them much good. The daie of S. Stephen old fathers did vse: if that doe mislike thee some other daie chuse.

[Sidenote: Bréeding of the bots.]

17 Looke wel to thy horses in stable thou must, that haie be not foistie, nor chaffe ful of dust: Nor stone in their prouender, feather, nor clots, nor fed with greene peason, for breeding of bots.

[Sidenote: Hog and hennes meate.]

18 Some horsekeeper lasheth out prouender so, some Gillian spendal so often doth go. For hogs meat and hens meat, for that and for this, that corne loft is empted er chapman hath his.

19[5] Some countries are pinched of medow for hay, yet ease it with fitchis as well as they may. Which inned and threshed and husbandlie dight, keepes laboring cattle in verie good plight.

20 In threshing out fitchis one point I will shew, first thresh out for seede of the fitchis a few: Thresh few fro thy plowhorse, thresh cleane for the cow, this order in Norfolke good husbands alow.

[Sidenote: ¶ Strawberies.]

21 If frost doe continue, take this for a lawe, the strawberies looke to be couered with strawe. Laid ouerly trim vpon crotchis and bows, and after vncouered as weather allows.

[Sidenote: ¶ Gilleflowers.]

22 The gilleflower also, the skilful doe knowe, doe looke to be couered, in frost and in snowe. The knot, and the border, and rosemarie gaie, do craue the like succour for dieng awaie.

[Sidenote: ¶ How to preserue bees.]

23 Go looke to thy bees, if the hiue be too light, set water and honie, with rosemarie dight. Which set in a dish ful of sticks in the hiue, from danger of famine[6] yee saue them aliue.

24[7] In medow or pasture (to growe the more fine) let campers be camping[8][E133] in any of thine: Which if ye doe suffer when lowe is the spring, you gaine to your selfe a commodious thing.

Thus endeth Decembers husbandrie.

[1] "The old will be apt to hunge or gore the younger."--T.R.

[2] succor. 1620.

[3] and trimly refresheth the walk of the sheepe. 1577.

[4] er ere. 1577.

[5] Sts. 19 and 20 are not in 1577.

[6] from famen and daunger. 1577.

[7] St. 24 is not in 1577.

[8] "Football playing, at which they are very dextrous in Norfolk."--T.R.

24.

¶ _A digression to hospitalitie.

Chap._ 22.[1]

Leaue husbandrie sleeping a while ye must doo,
to learne of housekeeping a lesson or twoo.
What euer is sent thee by trauell and paine,
a time there is lent thee to rendrit againe.
Although ye defend it, vnspent for to bee,
another shall spend it, no thanke vnto thee.
How euer we clime, to accomplish the mind,
we haue but a time thereof profit to find.

[1] Chap. 22 is wanting in 1573 (M). In 1577 it is printed in twice the number of lines.

25.

¶ _A description of time, and the yeare.

Chap._ 23.

1 Of God to thy dooings a time there is sent, which endeth with time that in dooing is spent. For time is it selfe but a time for a time, forgotten ful soone, as the tune of a chime.

[Sidenote: Spring.]

[Sidenote: Sommer.]

[Sidenote: Haruest.]

[Sidenote: Winter.]

2 In Spring time we reare, we doo sowe, and we plant, in Sommer get vittels, least after we want. In Haruest we carie in corne and the fruit, in Winter to spend as we neede of ech suit.

[Sidenote: Childhood.]

[Sidenote: Youth.]

[Sidenote: Manhood.]

[Sidenote: Age.]

3 The yeere I compare, as I find for a truth, the Spring vnto childhood, the Sommer to youth, The Haruest to manhood, the Winter to age: all quickly forgot as a play on a stage.[E134]

4 Time past is forgotten, er men be aware, time present is thought on with woonderfull care, Time comming is feared, and therefore we saue, yet oft er it come, we be gone to the graue.

26.

¶ _A description of life and riches.

Chap._ 24.

1 Who liuing but daily discerne it he may, how life as a shadow doth vanish away; And nothing to count on so suer to trust as suer of death and to turne into dust.[E135]

2 The lands and the riches that here we possesse be none of our owne, if a God we professe, But lent vs of him, as his talent of gold, which being demanded, who can it withhold?

[Sidenote: Atrop, or death.]

3 God maketh no writing that iustly doth say how long we shall haue it, a yeere or a day; But leaue it we must (how soeuer we leeue) when Atrop[E136] shall pluck vs from hence by the sleeue.

4 To death we must stoupe, be we high, be we lowe, but how and how sodenly, few be that knowe: What carie we then, but a sheete to the graue, to couer this carkas, of all that we haue?

27.

¶ _A description of housekeeping.

Chap._ 25.

1 What then of this talent, while here we remaine, to studie to yeeld it to God with a gaine? And that shall we doo, if we doo it not hid, but vse and bestow it, as Christ doth vs bid.

2 What good to get riches by breaking of sleepe, but (hauing the same) a good house for to keepe? Not onely to bring a good fame to thy doore, but also the praier to win of the poore.

3 Of all other dooings house keeping is cheefe, for daily it helpeth the poore with releefe; The neighbour, the stranger, and all that haue neede, which causeth thy dooings the better to speede.

4 Though harken[1] to this we should euer among,[E137] yet cheefly at Christmas, of all the yeare long. Good cause of that vse may appeare by the name, though niggerly niggards doo kick at the same.

[1] hardnes. 1577

28.

¶ _A description of the feast of the birth of Christ, commonly called Christmas.[1]

Chap._ 26.

1 Of Christ cometh Christmas, the name with the feast, a time full of ioie to the greatest and least: At Christmas was Christ (our Sauiour) borne, the world through sinne altogether forlorne.

2 At Christmas the daies doo[2] begin to take length, of Christ doth religion cheefly[3] take strength. As Christmas is onely a figure or trope, so onely in Christ is the strength of our hope.

3 At Christmas we banket, the rich with the poore, who then (but the miser) but openeth [h]is doore? At Christmas of Christ many Carols we sing, and giue many gifts in the ioy of that King.

4. At Christmas in Christ we reioice and be glad, as onely of whom our comfort is had;[E138] At Christmas we ioy altogether with mirth, for his sake that ioyed vs all with his birth.

[1] A description of Christmas. 1577.

[2] the day doth. 1577.

[3] Of Christ our faith doth begin, etc. 1577.

29.

¶ _A description of apt time to spend.

Chap._ 27.

1 Let such (so fantasticall) liking not this, nor any thing honest that ancient is, Giue place to the time that so meete we doo see appointed of God as it seemeth to bee.

2 At Christmas good husbands[E139] haue corne on the ground, in barne, and in soller, woorth many a pound, With plentie of other things,[1] cattle and sheepe, all sent them (no doubt on) good houses to keepe.

3 At Christmas the hardnes of Winter doth rage, a griper of all things and specially age: Then lightly[E140] poore people, the yoong with the old, be sorest oppressed with hunger and cold.

4 At Christmas by labour is little to get, that wanting, the poorest in danger are set. What season then better, of all the whole yeere, thy needie poore neighbour to comfort and cheere?

[1] Things plentie in house. 1577.

30.

¶ _Against fantasticall scruplenes.

Chap._ 28.

1 At this time and that time[1] some make a great matter, som help not but hinder the poore with their clatter. Take custome from feasting, what commeth then last, where one hath a dinner, a hundred shall fast.

2 To dog in the manger some liken I could, that hay will eate none, nor let other that would; Some scarce in a yeere giue a dinner or twoo, nor well can abide any other to doo.

3 Play thou the good fellow, seeke none to misdeeme, disdaine not the honest, though merie they seeme: For oftentimes seene, no more verie a knaue than he that doth counterfait most to be graue.

[1] this thing and that thing. 1577.

31.

¶ _Christmas husbandlie fare.

Chap._ 29.

1 Good husband and huswife now cheefly be glad, things handsom to haue, as they ought to be had; They both doo prouide against Christmas doo come, to welcome good neighbour, good cheere to haue some.

[Sidenote: Christmas cuntrie fare.]

2 Good bread and good drinke, a good fier in the hall, brawne, pudding and souse, and good mustard withall.

3 Beefe, mutton, and porke, shred pies of the best, pig, veale, goose and capon,[E141] and turkey well drest; Cheese, apples and nuts, ioly Carols to heare, as then in the countrie is counted good cheare.

4. What cost to good husband is any of this? good houshold prouision onely it is. Of other the like, I doo leaue out a menie, that costeth the husbandman neuer a penie.

32.

¶ _A Christmas Caroll of the birth of Christ vpon the tune of King Salomon.[E142]

Chap._ 30.

1 Was not Christ our Sauiour sent to vs fro God aboue? not for our good behauiour, but onely of his mercie and loue. If this be true, as true it is, truely in deede, great thanks to God to yeeld for this, then had we neede.

2 This did our God for very troth, to traine to him the soule of man, and iustly to performe his oth to Sara and to Abram than, That through his seed all nations should most blessed bee: As in due time performe he would, as now wee see.[1]

3 Which woonderously is brought to pas, and in our sight alredie donne, by sending as his promise was (to comfort vs) his onely sonne, Euen Christ (I meane) that virgins child, in Bethlem[2] borne, that Lambe of God, that Prophet mild, with crowned thorne.

4 Such was his loue to saue vs all, from dangers of the curse of God, that we stood in by Adams fall, and by our owne deserued rod, That through his blood and holie name who so beleeues,[3] and flie from sinne and abhors the same,[E143] free mercie he geeues.

5 For these glad newes this feast doth bring: to God the Sonne and holy Ghost let man giue thanks, reioice, and sing, from world to world, from cost to cost: for all good gifts so many waies that God doth send, let vs in Christ giue God the praies, till life shall end.

_T. Tusser._

[6] At Christmas be merie and thankfull withall, And feast thy poore neighbors, the great with the small, Yea, all the yeere long, to the poore let vs giue, Gods blessing to folow vs while wee doo liue.

[1] all flesh should see. 1577.

[2] Bethelem. 1577.

[3] to such as beleues. 1577.

33.

¶ _Januaries abstract.

Chap._ 31.

1 Bid Christmas adew, thy stock now renew.

2 Who killeth a neat, hath cheaper his meat. Fat home fed souse, is good in a house.

3 Who dainties loue, a begger shall proue. Who alway selles, in hunger dwelles.

4 Who nothing saue, shall nothing haue.

5 Lay durt vpon heapes, some profit it reapes. When weather is hard, get muck out of yard. A fallow bestowe, where pease shall growe. Good peason and white, a fallow will quite.

6 Go gather quickset, the yongest go get. Dig garden, stroy mallow, set willow and sallow. Gréene willow for stake in bank will take.[1]

7 Let Doe go to buck, with Conie[2] good luck. Spare labour nor monie, store borough with conie. Get warrener bound to vermin thy ground. Féed Doues, but kill not, if loose them ye will not. Doue house repaire, make Douehole faire. For hop ground cold, Doue doong woorth gold.

8 Good gardiner mine, make garden fine. Set garden pease, and beanes if ye please. Set Respis and Rose, yoong rootes of those.

9 The timelie buier hath cheaper his fier.

10 Some burns without wit, some fierles sit.

11 Now season is good to lop or fell wood. Prune trées some allows for cattle to brows.

12 Giue shéepe to their fées the mistle of trées.

13 Let lop be shorne that hindreth corne. Saue edder and stake, strong hedge to make.

14 For sap as ye knowe, let one bough growe. Next yéere ye may that bough cut away.

15 A lesson good to encrease more wood.

16[3] Saue crotchis of wud, saue spars and stud. Saue hop for his dole, the strong long pole.

17 How euer ye scotch, saue pole and crotch.

18 From Christmas to May, weake cattle decay.

19 With vergis acquaint poore bullock so faint; This medcin approoued is for to be looued.

20 Let plaister lie thrée daies to trie: too long if ye stay, taile rots away.

21 Eawes readie to yeane craues ground rid cleane. Kéepe shéepe out of briers, Kéepe beast out of miers.

22 Kéepe bushes from bill, till hedge ye will: Best had for thy turne, their rootes go and burne.

23 No bushes of mine, if fence be thine.

24 In stubbed plot, fill hole with clot.[4]

25 Rid grasse of bones, of sticks and stones.

26 Warme barth giue lams, good food to their dams, Look daily well to them, least dogs vndoo them.

27 Yoong lamb well sold, fat lamb woorth goold.

28 Kéepe twinnes for bréed, as eawes haue néed.[5]

29 One calfe if it please ye, now reared shall ease ye. Calues likely reare, at rising of yeare. Calfe large and leane is best to weane.

30 Calfe lickt take away, and howse it[6] ye may. This point I allow for seruant and cow.

31 Calues yonger than other learne one of another.

32 No danger at all to geld as they fall. Yet Michel cries[E144] please butchers eies.

33 Sow ready to fare, craues huswiues[7] care.

34 Leaue sow but fiue, the better to thriue.

35 Weane such for store as sucks before. Weane onely but thrée large bréeders to bée.

36 Lamb, bulchin,[E145] and pig, geld vnder the big.

37 Learne wit, sir dolt, in gelding of colt.

38 Geld yoong thy filly, else perish will ginny. Let gelding alone, so large of bone. By breathely tits few profit hits.

39 Bréede euer the best, and doo of the rest, Of long and large, take huswife a charge.

40 Good cow & good ground[8] yéelds yéerely a pound. Good faring sow holds profit with cow.

41 Who kéepes but[9] twaine, the more may gaine.

42[10] Tith iustly, good garson, else driue will the parson.

43 Thy garden twifallow, stroy hemlock and mallow.

44 Like practise they prooue, that hops doe looue.

45 Now make and wand in trim bower to stand in. Leaue wadling about, till arbor be out.

46 Who now sowes otes, gets gold and grotes. Who sowes in May gets little that way.

47 Go breake vp land, get mattock in hand, Stub roote so tough, for breaking of plough.

48 What greater crime then losse of time?

49[11] Lay land or[12] lease breake vp if ye please. But fallow not yet, that hast any wit.

50 Where drink ye sowe, good tilth bestowe.

51 Small profit is found, by péeling of ground.

52 Land past the best cast vp to[13] rest.

Thus endeth Januaries abstract, agréeing with Januaries husbandrie.

¶ Other short remembrances.

53 Get pulling hooke (sirs), for broome and firs. Pluck broome, broome still, cut broome, broome kill.

54 Broome pluckt by and by, breake vp for rie. Friend ringle thy hog, or looke for a dog.

55 In casting prouide, for séede lay aside. Get doong, friend mine, for stock and vine.

56 If earth be not soft, go dig it aloft. For quamier get bootes, stub alders and rootes.

57 Hop poles waxe scant, for poles mo plant. Set chestnut and walnut, set filbeard and smalnut.

58 Peach, plumtrée, & cherie, yoong bay and his berie. Or set their stone, vnset leaue out none.

59 Sowe kirnels to beare, of apple and peare. All trées that beare goom set now as they coom.

60 Now set or remooue such stocks as ye looue.[14]

Here ends Januaries short remembrances.

[1]

Green set as a stake in banke they wil take. 1577.

[2] conney. 1577.

[3] St. 16 and the second couplets in sts. 21 and 22 are not here in 1577.

[4] Here follows in 1577,

Take for thy turne, their roots go burne.

[5] feede. 1577.

[6] if. 1577.

[7] huswifes. 1577.

[8] Good milch kow and sound. 1577.

[9] both. 1577.

[10] St. 42 is not in 1577.

[11] Sts. 49 and 50 are not in 1577.