Maison rustique, or The countrey farme· Compyled in the French tongue by Charles Steuens, and Iohn Liebault, Doctors of Physicke. And translated into English by Richard Surflet, practitioner in physicke. Now newly reuiewed, corrected, and augmented, with diuers large additions, out of the works of Serres his Agriculture, Vinet his Maison champestre, French. Albyterio in Spanish, Grilli in Italian; and other authors. And the husbandrie of France, Italie, and Spaine, reconciled and made to agree with ours here in England: by Geruase Markham. The whole contents are in the page following

CHAP. XXIIII.

Of Garlicke.

GArlicke (as is well knowne vnto the inhabitants of Gascoine, Aqui∣taine, Limosin, and those about Burdeaux) would be planted at the same time that Onions are, and in the new of the Moone, that so they may be great: and it must not be set in whole heads, but in those little ••loues and parts which may be diuided and taken off from the head. They shall be set all along vpon beds diuided by ridges, like vnto ridged grounds of the Coun∣trey of Beaux, to the end that the water may not destroy them in Winter: For this hearbe desireth a drie ground, and but a little moist, verie white, and not much dun∣ged, or verie fat. When they shall haue put forth three leaues, you must weed them as oft as you can, for so they will become fairer, and their seed will be the greater. Who so is desirous to haue it great headed, must take away the tops of it, or else tread it downe with his feet before it put forth his stalke: for by this meanes the iuice will returne into the head. It groweth likewise of Seed, but more slowly, for it hath no better a head for the first yeare than a Leeke, the second yeare it beginneth to be better headed and more like it selfe, but is not perfect and abso∣lute vntill the third yeare. If you sow it in the wane of the Moone, and take them vp in like manner when the Moone is vnder the earth, you shall haue Gar∣licke that will not smell so strong: but contrariwise, if you sow in the new or growth of the Moone. Likewise it will haue a sweet sauour, if when you sow it you set in the middest thereof the kernels of Oliues: as likewise, if in plan∣ting it you set by the side thereof a Cloue, ioyned verie close thereunto, it will retaine the smell and taste thereof. In like manner it will be of a better taste, if you steepe it in good sweet Wine a day before that you sow it: And if you steepe it in Milke two dayes before you sowe it, it will become both greater and better.

The fit and conuenient time to gather and take it vp, is in the wane of the Moone, and in drie and faire weather, when the stalke will no longer stand vp∣right. It is kept well vpon straw lying bare, or hung vp in the smoake of the chim∣ney, or being steept a little in salt water. And to keepe it long, you must let it ripe well, and when it is gathered, to lay it in the Sunne, that it may drie throughly, and afterward to lay it vp in a place that is not moist, and whereas notwithstanding the Sunne commeth not, for so it would continue but a while. It is true, that if you meane to sow and set it afterward, that then you must not hang it vp in the smoak••, nor steepe it in salt water, for such kind of keeping doth make it barren and not fit to grow anie more.

Garlicke eaten, bringeth a verie vnpleasant smell vnto the mouth: and for the taking away of the same, you must eat a raw Beane by and by after, or the ribbe of a Beet rosted in ashes, or some Smallage or greene Parsley: or which is better, if you loue Garlicke, and hate the stinking breath that it yeeldeth, then vse vine∣ger wherein it hath beene steeped: or else cause the Dishes and Vessels whereon your meat is to be serued, to be rubbed therewith: for by this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you shall haue the taste thereof in your mouth, and yet your breath shall not smell anie thing ill.

Garlicke eaten fasting, is the Countrey mans Treacle in the time of the Plague, and other dangerous diseases, as also against all manner of Venime and Poyson. It is true that it causeth thirst and heat throughout the bodie, and head-ach when it is of•• vsed: but all these inconueniences will be easily corrected, if you eate some Smallage or Parsley presently after. Verie manie men, but especially the people

of Aquitaine, in the beginning of the Spring time, namely, the first day of May, doe eat euerie morning Garlicke with fresh butter: by this meanes they hope to con∣tinue sound and strong all the yeare.

Garlicke applyed in forme of a Cataplasme vnto the stingings of Serpen••s, or bi∣ting of a mad Dogge, is a soueraigne medicine against the same. A Linimen•• made of Garlicke, Salt, and Vineger, killeth Nits and Lice.

The decoction of Garlicke not bruised, giuen in Clysters, or applyed vnto th•• bellie in manner of a fomentation, assuageth the paine of the Colicke, and expel∣leth wind.

Against an old Cough, comming of a cold cause, it is verie good to rub the soles of the feet, the backe bone, and wrists of the hands with an Oyntment o•• Liniment made of three Garlicke heads, well powned and beaten in Swin•• Seame.

Against the paine of the Teeth, comming of a cold cause, there is nothing be••∣ter than to hold in the mouth Vineger, or the decoction of Garlicke, or to ap∣ply vnto the aking tooth three cloues of Garlicke stamped in Vineger. For the killing of Wormes in children, it is good to giue them to eat Garlicke, with fresh Butter, or else to make a Cataplasme thereof, to lay vpon the Stomacke. They which can scarce or hardly make their Water, or are subiect vnto the Stone, receiue great comfort by eating of Garlicke. To keepe Birds from h••••∣ting of young Fruit, you must hang at the boughes of those Trees some quan∣titie of Garlicke.

Notes

• Garlicke.
• Sweet Garli••••.
• How to keepe Garlick••.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Garlicke.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Garlicke.
• The Plague.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a mad Dogg••.
• Nits.
• Li••e.
• Colicke.
• Cough.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉-ach.
• Wormes.
• Difficultie of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Birds.