e and Oxen mixt together, according to the custome of the
soile wherein the Plow-man liues, or his abilitie in prouision,
obseruing euer to keepe his number of beasts for his Plough certaine,
that is to say, for fallowing, and Pease-earth, neuer vnder sixe, and
for all other Ardors foure at the least. And thus much for the plowing
of this gray or white clay.

CHAP. VII.

_The manner of plowing the red-Sand, his Earings, Plough, and Implements._

Next vnto these Clayes, which are soiles simple and vncompound, as being
perfect in their owne natures, without the helpe of other mixtures, I
place the Sand soiles, as being of like qualitie, not borrowing any
thing but from their owne natures, nor breeding any defects more then
their owne naturall imperfections: and of Sands, sith the red Sand is
the best and most fruitfull, therefore it is fit that it take prioritie
of place, and be here first spoken of.

You shall then vnderstand that this red Sand, albeit it is the best of
Sands, yet it is the worst of many soiles, as being of it selfe of such
a hot and drie nature, that it scorcheth the seede, and dryeth vp that
nutriment and fatnesse which should occasion increase: whereby it comes
to passe, that the Barley which growes vpon this red Sand is euer more
yealow, leane and withered, then that which growes vpon the clayes or
other mixt earths. This Sand especially taketh delight in Rye, because
it is a Graine which loues warmth aboue all other, and yet
notwithstanding, if it be well ordered, manured and plowed, it will
bring forth good store of Barley, albeit the Barley be not so good as
Clay-Barley, either for the colour, or for the yeeld, whether it be in
meale or in Malt.

{SN: Of Fallowing.}
Now for the manner of Earing or plowing this redde Sand, it differeth
much from both the former soyles, insomuch that for your better
vnderstanding, I must in many places alter my former methode, yet so
little as may be, because I am loath to alter or clogge the memory of
the Reader: wherefore to pursue my purpose. As soone as Christmas is
ended, that is to say, about the middest of Ianuary, you shall goe with
your Plough into that field where the Haruest before did grow your Rye,
and there you shall in your plowing cast your lands downe-ward, and open
the ridges well, for this yeere it must be your fallow field: for as in
the former soiles, wee did diuide the fields either into three parts,
that is, one for Barley and Wh