Gardening hand tools
                                Date
                            
                            
                                9 July 1664
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                Object type
                            
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                Archive reference number
                            
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                Manuscript page number
                            
                            
                                p429
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                Material
                            
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                Dimensions
                            
                            
                                height (page): 322mm
width (page): 199mm
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            width (page): 199mm
                                Subject
                            
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                Content object
                            
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                Description
                            
                            
                                A sketch within the text illustrating a gardening tool to dig up roots with a six-foot-long handle and called a 'Fox Bill'. John Beale described this tool to be used by gentlemen 'to recreate themselves in some profitable imployment upon their own pastures'. 
The original letter (EL/B1/45/004) has two more figures which were not transferred, though spaces were left for them in the text. This image is copied in LBC/27/419.
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            The original letter (EL/B1/45/004) has two more figures which were not transferred, though spaces were left for them in the text. This image is copied in LBC/27/419.
                                Transcription
                            
                            
                                There be Fox bills (as they call them) which Gentlemen (to recreate themselves in some profitable imployment upon their own Pastures) do handle to dig up at the roots, if need requireth, Thorns, Briars, Woodwexe, and such stubborn Weeds, Broom, Gorst, Fern, to cut a way Thustles vca.{image here} a handle about six foot long.
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            Transcribed by the Making Visible project
                                Related fellows
                            
                            
                                John Beale (1608 - 1687, British) , Clergyman
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                Associated place