Credit: ©The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.14942

    Gardening hand tool

    Date
    9 July 1664
    Creator
    Unknown, Artist
    Object type
    Archive reference number
    LBC
    Manuscript page number
    vol27 p419
    Material
    Dimensions
    height (page): 317mm
    width (page): 196mm
    Subject
    Content object
    Description
    Copy of 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 is at EL/B1/45/004. There is another copy at LBO/27/429.
    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, briers, woodwexe, and such stubborn weeds, broom, gorst, ferne, to cut away thistles &. {IMAGE} 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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