nine weekes from the time that they sowed it; such an hastie ripening
do the bordering Seas afford. This increase of Barley tillage, hath
also amended the Cornish drinke, by conuerting that graine into
Mault, which (to the il relishing of strangers) in former times they
made onely of Oates.

I haue beene alwayes prone to maintaine a Paradox, [21] that dearth
of corne in Cornwall (for with other Shires I will not vndertake to
meddle) so it go not accompanied with a scarcitie, is no way
preiudiciall to the good of the Countrie; and I am induced thus to
thinke, for the reasons ensuing: There are no two trades, which set
so many hands on worke, at all times of the yeere, as that one of
Tillage. The Husbandman finding profit herein, is encouraged to
bestow paines and charges, for enclosing and dressing of waste
grounds, which therethrough afterwardes become also good for pasture.
With the readie money, gotten by his weekely selling of corne, he
setteth the Artificer on worke, who were better to buy deare bread,
being but a part of his meate, and which he counteruaileth againe, by
raising the price of his ware, then to sit idly, knocking his heeles
against the wall. Their obiection, who feare least the transporting
of much away, will leaue too little at home, I answere with this
observation: When the price of corne falleth, men generally giue ouer
surplus Tillage, and breake no more ground, then will seme to
supplie their owne turne: the rest, they imploy in grazing,
wherethrough it falleth out, that an ill kerned or saued Haruest,
soone emptieth their old store, & leaueth them in necessity, to seeke new
reliefe from other places. Whereas on the other side, if through
hope of vent, they hold on their larger tillage, this retaineth one
yeeres prouision vnder-hand, to fetch in another, which vpon such
occasions, may easily bee left at home: and of this, what Cornishman