Credit: ©The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.14695

    Gardening hand tools

    Date
    9 July 1664
    Object type
    Archive reference number
    Manuscript page number
    p429
    Material
    Dimensions
    height (page): 322mm
    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.
    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
    Related fellows
    John Beale (1608 - 1687, British) , Clergyman
    Associated place
    <The World>
       > Europe
          > United Kingdom
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