Vorrede.

there is abundance and overflow of all necessities, such as wine, grain, and other things, not let such abundance spoil uselessly. Rather, following a good Josephian household management a reference to the biblical Joseph, who stored grain in Egypt during years of plenty to prepare for years of famine, we should and could preserve and keep such things in storage for future expensive times.

Who does not believe that, within living memory, there has never been a greater supply and a cheaper time for wine and grain throughout the whole of High Germany than now? Can one not obtain three Malter a dry measure, roughly equivalent to a bushel or half-bushel depending on the region of the best grain for one Reichsthaler a standard silver coin? Is the wine not so worthless in many places that it lies in the cellars, and the grain in the attics, and spoils? Should one not then take note of this time and consider that when a thing is at its most worthless, one should preserve it best? Yes, says many a man, "Where should I put it? My cellars and Solder attics/lofts are full; I cannot put anything more away, and even if I could put more away, to what end should I do it? When would I be able to sell this