"I see in some meddowes gaully places where little or no grasse at al groweth, by reason (as I take it) of the too long standing of the water, for such places are commonly low, where the water standeth, not hauing vent to passe away, and therefore meanes must be first made for the evacuation of the water: for the continual standing of the water consumeth the grasse, and makes the place bare, and sinketh it. In such a place, therefore, sow in the Spring-time some hay-seed, especially the seed of the claver grasse [clover], or the grasse hony-suckle [trefoil], and other seeds that fall out of the finest and purest hay: and in the sowing of it, mingle with it some good earth; but sow not the hony-suckle grasse in too moist a ground, for it liketh it not."—Norden's Surveyor's Dialogue, 1607, pp. 201-2. Gauls are void spaces in Coppices which serve for nothing but to entice the Cattel into it, to its great Damage.—T.R.
[E323] If the land is overstocked in summer, you may, perhaps, be obliged to assist your cattle to rise in winter; or, in other words, "to lift at their tails."—M. Cf. [21. 14].
[E324] It appears to have been the custom formerly to allow, in warm weather, sleep for an hour or two. In Norfolk we are told the practice is not quite obsolete on churning days when the mistress and maids get up early; and likewise among the ploughmen, where two journies a day are performed with their teams, and an interval allowed for rest.—M. Compare the expression in the Paston Letters, i. 390, "Writan in my slepyng tyme at after none, on Wytsonday."
[E325] "Patch." Cf. Shakspere, Mid. Night's Dr., Act iii. sc. 2; and Merchant of Venice, Act ii. sc. 5.
[E326] "Growthed" = grout-hed = thick head, fat head. Cf. growtnoul = a blockhead. "Growte nowle come to the King."—Promos and Cassandra, p. 81.
[E327] Stilling, or distilling, may be a "pretty feat," but we doubt if it is very profitable, and if it does not furnish a temptation to dram-drinking, under the mask of simple and medicinal waters.—M.
[E329] "Swinge brembles and brakes," this is, cut down with a sweeping instrument somewhat resembling a scythe.
[E330] "Sheep-shearing takes place only once, viz. in the month of June; the heaviest wethers weigh sixty pounds, others from forty to fifty pounds: they bear at the most not more than six, others four or five pounds of wool; one of the best wethers (notwithstanding that they are very abundant) sells for about twenty shillings, that is, ten French francs or five thalers; the inferior sort about ten shillings, or five francs; and the worst about six or eight English shillings. The skin of the best wether and sheep is worth about twelve pence, that is, four and a half German batzen; the worst about eight pence or three batzen; a pound of wool about twelve pence, or four and a half batzen."—Rathgeb, 1602, Rye, p. 51 (quoted in Harrison's Description of England, ed. Furnivall, Part I. p. lxxxiii). "Running Water is best, ... but then it is oft-times very sheer and cold."—T.R. (June).