The Hartlib Papers

That I know where to take 500 Acres of Grounds for 8^s the Acre, which being stockt with 20 Rabbetts per Acre, 16 of them being Breeders, will in all probability afforde after the rate either of Them 12 Rabbetts at 3 Lytters, being I have knowne those so bredd, that one Rabbit hath brought 9 att one Lytter, some Tymes 10, and most commonly 11. and hath brought them vpp very well & Fatt, And in a Lards Ground I have knowne the lyke Increase, beside those of my owne wherof I have had suffitient Experience,.

Admitt is <16> Rabbets, bring euey one but 10 att 3 litters the come to 160 (being confident that in Grounds proper for them, they have brought this last vnseasonable yeare 4:5. & 7 att 3 Lytters) The come to 160 Rabbetts for the which after 6 weeks of Age: I know a Polterer that giueth 8^d a Rabbit and so constantly till March: And some Polterers more after March: which may be then sould for above 12^d the Rabbit: Admitt them but att 8^d the Rabbit all the yeare, the 160 Rabbits come to 5^l-6^s-8^d./ per Acre.

In 500 Acres 2666^li: 13-4

To be considered the Herbage for Sheepe & other Cattell 100^li besids the keeping of Fesants, Partridgs [Pynnyoned?] & other Foule, with Pidgions Bees &c both pleasurable & profittable with Placs reserved for Hoppes & other Plantations exceeding Commodious with Fysh Ponds accordingly stored &c./

Besids ther is another Proffitt in this Designe very Considerable, and of no small Consequence, with Housing compleat for all Occasions And greate Conveniency for a decoy. And very Conveniently neere London./

                                        ^li

                      Somm Tot.      2766 - 13 - 4

     Rent for the Grounds 200 ------------ 200 }

     Salaries For servaunts ------------- 075 } Tot 375

     Foode For the Rabbetts in Hutches --- 100 } Rem. 2391

     There must some thing be allowed for Casualties &

     Contingencies

     admitt 10000 Rabbits allowing therfore 391^li Rem. de

     Claro

                                             2000^li

                                             verte:

Mem: the sould yong Rabbetts about the midle of May att Kingston this last yeare, for 2^s-4^d the Cuple, and after March when they are in Season, the Black Rabbits may be sould for [letter deleted] 1^s-4^d the Rabbit the skynes being worth 10^s the dozen or thereabouts. And the Furr of Rabbits is now growne exceeding deere

Mem. the first litter will bring fourth yong the same yeare yf they be suffered to remayne, being very Considerable./

There is a Polterer in Towne that doth offer me 20^li that he may have the Rabbetts of the 500 Acres for 8^d the Rabbit all the yeare, And I am confident he will giue 50^li vppon that Condition./

I likewise know, where there may be had 1500 Acres att the former Rats, which will retorne (all Chargs allowed) above 6000^li per Annum