CHAPTER ONE.

On the Knowledge of Lands.

A large decorative woodcut initial 'L' featuring floral and foliate motifs, flanked by two figures.

THE FOUNDATION of Agriculture is the knowledge of the nature of the terrains we wish to cultivate, whether they be the possessions of our ancestors or those we have acquired; so that through this skill, we may handle the Earth with the required craftsmanship; and by applying both money and labor appropriately, we may reap the fruit of good husbandry mesnage: the art of managing a household and farm efficiently, which we so greatly desire: that is to say, contentment with moderate profit and honest pleasure.

The nature of the lands.

By this, then, we shall begin our Husbandry, and we shall say that one notices several and diverse kinds of lands, differing among themselves by various qualities; which can only with difficulty be all well represented. But to avoid the confusion of this great number, we shall distinguish them into two principal types: namely, Clayey and Sandy, since these two qualities are the most apparent in all terrains, and of necessity they must
Clayey & Sandy.

participate in them. From this proceeds the fertility and sterility of terrains, to the profit or detriment of the laborer, according as the composition of clays and sands is found to be well or poorly balanced. For as salt seasons meat, so clay and sand, being distributed in terrains by just proportion—either by Nature or by Artifice—make them easy to plow, and able to retain and reject moisture suitably; and by this means, tamed, domesticated, and enriched, they cheerfully yield all kinds of fruits. As on the contrary, if importunely overcome by one or the other of these two different qualities, they can be of no value: converting them into lands too heavy or too light; too hard or too soft; too strong or too weak; too
Their color.

moist or too dry; mucky, crusty, slimy, difficult to handle at all times, fearing the moisture in Winter and the dryness in Summer; and consequently almost infertile.

Color does not suffice for such instruction, although black soil is the most prized of all, provided it be not marshy nor too damp; for if it is saturated, it will be of that foul kind rather than the good. Ashy, tan, and russet follow after; then white, yellow, and red, which are worth almost nothing: no more than those which produce no edible herbs, but only those that are foul-smelling and ugly to look at: or indeed, those of good scent, such as in some parts of Languedoc and Provence, which produce wild thyme, thyme, spike lavender aspic: a species of lavender (Lavandula latifolia) common in the Mediterranean, and lavender: as also says the good Husbandman,
Their scent.