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

OF GARDENS.

CHAP. I.

Of the Situation, Inclosure, Ground, and fashions of Hedges re∣quisite for Gardens, whether they be for profit or for pleasure.

IT is requisite that we should now occupie our selues in descri∣bing the manner of husbanding and tilling of the Earth, ha∣uing runne through all that belongeth to the building and inclosing of a Farme, the office of the chiefe Lord, and of the Farmer and his people, and generally whatsoeuer concerneth the raising of profit by keeping of Cattell. Wee will begin therefore (following the order before propounded) to de∣scribe Gardens: And first with the Kitchin Garden; which ••ath beene deuised and appointed to ioine to the one side of the Garden of pleasure, ••nd yet separated from it by the intercourse of a great Alley of the breadth of three ••athomes, hauing either a Well or Conduit from some Fountaine in the middest ••hereof (if you cannot conueniently haue a particular Well in the middest of euerie Garden) and besides, with an Hedge of Quickset verie thicke, in which there may ••e made three doores, one to the House, another to the place of the Well or Foun∣••aine, and the third opening vpon the Orchards inclosure. This Hedge shall be ••lanted likewise with Hasell trees, Goose-berrie bushes white and red, Pepper trees, Curran trees, Eglantines, Brambles, Wood-bind, the wild Vines, both the Hollies, ••lder trees, and Apples of Paradise, Ceruise trees, Medlar trees, and Oliue trees: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it must be more thicke, and a greater defence than anie other, to preuent danger ••f Cattell getting loose, which might a great deale more endammage the good and profit of their Master, than they could anie way pleasure him. Yet in the planting ••f your Quick-sets, according to the opinion of Serres, you shall haue great confide∣••ation to the nature of the ground on which you plant them: as, which are apt for Quick-sets, which not apt; and which Quick-set is apt for which ground, as thus: ••our clayne and stiffe clayes which are without anie mixture of sand, are slow in ••ringing forth Quick-set, yet hauing once taken root, they preserue and maintaine ••••eir Quick-sets longest, and therefore the blacke and white Thorne, mingled with ••ild Apple trees. Ceruise trees, Medlar trees, Oliue trees, or anie other which carri∣••••h bodie and substance. Your mixt Hasell soyles, which are Clay and Sand of an

equall temper, or your fast and close Sands, which doe not diuide or runne to a gene∣rall dust, are the kindl••est of all other to bring forth Quick-sets, and do preserue and maintaine them for a conuenient time (though not so long as the Clayes) and are ve∣rie speedie in bringing forth, therefore anie Quick-set is meet to be planted on such Soyles, whether they be Tr••es, Shrubs, or Bushes, as those before spoken of, together with anie thing else that will take root: But your grauellie, flintie, or loose Sands, which fall away, and neuer fasten vnto the root, are the most barren of all other, and seldome, or with great difficultie, bring forth anie good Quick-set at all: yet Indu∣strie (which is the Mother of all profits) hath found out by experience, that the best Quick-set which can grow vpon these Soyles, is the common Bramble or wild Bri••r, out to the length of two foot, or thereabouts, and so planted in the earth, and amongst them mingled, three or foure foot asunder, here and there diuers blacke thornes: then when the Brambles begin to shoot forth, to interlace them and twynd th•••• bought-wise about the blacke Thornes, making one bought runne into another, and plashing them both vpward and downe-ward so close one within another, that they may seeme like a Lattice-window; and euer and anon to vphold and maintaine the earth to their roots, till they be well fastened within the ground, and then they wil•• hold vp the earth afterwards themselues. By this experiment onely hath beene se••••e, in di••ers of these most barren Soyles, as strong, as thicke, and as defensible Quick-sets, as in anie other Soyle whatsoeuer: as is daily apparent to mens eyes both 〈◊〉〈◊〉 France, England, and the Low Countries.

The situation of the said Gardens must be (as we haue said before) neere vnto the House, placed vpon the North rather than vpon the South quarter, to the end tha•• the chiefe Lord and owner of the Farme may out of the windowes of his lodging enioy the pleasure and beautie of his Gardens: in some plaine plot of ground, which is as it were a little hanging, and thereby at the foot thereof receiuing the streame 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some pleasant running water, either from some Spring, and Fountaine, or from som•• Well, or else from the falling of the Raine: but farre remoued from the Threshing••floore and Barne, to the end that the hearbes may not be hurt by the dust, dyrt, sma••••straw, or chaffe, which might be conueyed along from the Threshing-floore vnto the Garden by the wind when the Corne is in threshing: for such chaffe hauing take•• hold vpon the leaues, doth pierce them and fret them through, and being thus pie••∣ced, they burne and parch away presently. Likewise, for the benefit of their 〈◊〉〈◊〉, it must be iustly liued out and cast into a Square verie equally and vniformally, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yet somewhat sloping, for the conueyance of the fall of Raine water, and of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the dunghill, which continually will be thereby running downeward 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the allies by meanes of the Raine, and so will mend the idle and vntoiled 〈◊〉〈◊〉 And by the side of either of those two Gardens, within the wall and inclosure of the House, there shall be kept two other Gardens (if possibly it may be) seuered and s••∣parated by other Hedges, and a great path betwixt them, containing in breadth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lesse than three fathomes or eighteene foot, euerie one finely paued with good ••••••••stones, or burned Tyles, or made with Steeres, or filled with Sand; that is to say, by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 side of the Kitchen Garden a particular Garden for Hempe, Line, Saffron, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and other things of profit and good Husbandrie; and this requireth a proper & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kind of ordering: and by the side of the Garden of pleasure, another Gard•••• with Pulse, as Peason, Beanes▪ Fetches, Rice, Panicke, Millet, and such other thing•• for they serue greatly for the keeping of your familie. Yet you shall vnderstand, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 albeit I thus particularly appoint you these two seuerall Gardens, the one for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Flax, the other for hast••e Pease, Beanes; and such like, being right necessarie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 your household vse; yet notwithstanding you may sow anie of those seeds abroad, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 your Fields, or manie other remote Croft or Close well tilled for the purpose, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fully as much profit & conueniencie, especially your Hempe and Flax: for you 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnderstand, that there be some Soyles so rich and fat, that after you haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Wheat, Barly, and Pease, successiuely yeare after yeare, that then in stead of fallowing and giuing your land rest, you may that yeare sow a full crop of Hempe, whic••

••estroying the weeds and superfluous growths which spring from the fertilenesse of ••••e Soyles, makes your land apt and readie to receiue either Wheat or Barly againe; ••nd so you neuer loose anie Crop at all, bue haue euerie yeare something to reape ••••om your ground: whereas, should you let it rest, and bestow mea••ure vpon it as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 case of more barren earth, you would so much ouer-rich it, that it would either ••••ildewe and spoyle your Graine, or else choake and slay it with the aboundance of Weeds which the earth would vtter forth of it owne accord. Againe, if your land ••e with your neighbours in common amongst the generall Fields▪ here a land, and ••ere a land, or here two and three, and there two and three, as it is a generall custome 〈◊〉〈◊〉 diuers places, and that such lands doe butt vpon greene Swarthe, or Grasse-••rounds, which are likewise common, and on which both your selfe and your neigh∣••ours must necessarily teather your Cattell; which Cattell if at anie time they breake ••ose, or by the negligence of their Keepers be stalld too neere the Corne, may doe ••ou much hurt on your Graine: in this case, and to pre••ient this euill, you shall sow ••••e ends of all such lands as butt on the grasse, tenne or twelue foot in length, as your and may conueniently spare, with Hempe, for vpon it no Cattell will bite: so that ••n either of these cases aforesaid you shall not need much to respect the preseruation ••f your Hempe or Flax Garden.

The Inclosures of the Gardens must be such as the commoditie and necessitie of the place doth require, that is to say, of Walls, if the reuenues of the House will beare it, or of a strong and thicke Quick-set Hedge, if there want either Pit-••tone or reuenues to build the wall withall. Notwithstanding, it is least cost (to speake the truth) and more profit to inclose and compasse them in with a Quick-set Hedge than with a Wall: for the Quick-set Hedge doth endure a longer time, and asketh not so great charges neither to trimme it, nor to repaire it, as the Wall doth. Such a one is that which is made of Brambles and Thornes, as white Thorne, or with the plants of Elder tree, or other plants, with tufted flowers mingled and set amongst the Brambles, the same being cut by the taile and made plaine and euen when the time of the yeare serueth, as wee see here in manie places of France. Some there be that compasse and inclose their Gardens with Ditches and Banks, but small to their profit, seeing the moisture of their Gardens, which should serue them, is thereby conueyed away and taken from them: and this holdeth in all other cases, but where the ground is of the nature of Marishes. The com∣mon inclosing vsed by Countrey men, is of Thornes, Osiers, and Reedes: but such Hedges doe require almost euerie yeare new repaire, reliefe, and making, in putting new stakes therein; whereas if it had an abiding and liuing root, it would free the Gardeners of a great deale of trouble, cost, and trauell.

The ground of the Gardens must bee good, of his owne nature free from Stones, Durt, and hurtfull Hearbes, well broken and dunged a yeare before it be digged to be sowne: and after it hath beene digged and dunged againe, or mar∣••ed, you must let it rest, and drinke in his dung and marle. And as concerning the nature and goodnesse of it, the Clayie, Stiffe, or Sandie ground is nothing worth, but it must be fat in handling, blacke in colour, and which crumbleth ea∣sily in the breaking, or stirring of it with your fingers, or which hath his greene Turfes or Clods breaking easily vnder the Pick-axe, and becommeth small with labouring, as the small Sand; and generally, all grounds that are good for Wheat, are good for Gardens. It is requisite also, to the end it may bring forth greene Hearbes in aboundance, that it be a reasonable moist ground: for neyther the ground that is much drie, nor that which is much subiect to water, is good for Gardens. Notwithstanding, if the Grounds belonging vnto the Farme happen not to haue this commoditie of idle and vnimployed ground to make Gardens, you must remedie that soare as well as possibly you may. The Clayie, Stiffe, and Sandie places must bee amended by Dung and Marle, and would bee cast three foot deepe. The Watrie place shall be made better, if there bee mixt with it some Sandie or Grauellie Ground, and therewith cast it round

about with ditches, thereby to draine and draw out the water annoying the Gard••••▪. And thus the good Husband shall doe his endeuour to amend and make in so•••• sort his ground more fruitfull. Lee the dung which he layeth vpon it, be either 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sheepe, or of Swine, or of Horse, or Pigeons, or Asses, according as the nature of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ground shall require; or of Oxe or Cow: for albeit some Gardners thinke it of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 coole a nature, and not so nourishing vnto tender hearbs as the other which are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hot, yet they are greatly mistaken therein: for it melloweth the earth, and enriche•••• it more than anie of the other, and maketh it more apt to sprout and put forth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 encrease: besides, it doth naturally affect no weeds, if it haue better seed to work•• vpon: Whence it commeth, that the Garden so manured keepeth his hearbes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the cleanest, fullest, and largest. Also Ashes are a verie good meanure for Garden••▪ especially if the ground be apt to chap or breake into great rifts, as diuers Cla•• grounds are: neither, if the soyle be answerable thereunto, shall you omit Mar••••, Sand, Chalke, Lyme, or such like. And the elder it is, the better also, in as much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in time it looseth his filthie stinke, and whatsoeuer other euill qualitie, and getteth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 new kind of rottennesse, which is more soft and more easie to be conuerted into the substance of the earth, whereby good earth is made better, and the naughtie amen∣ded. This is the cause why such as haue written of Husbandrie in Latine, haue cal∣led dung L••tamen, and Frenchmen Litiere, because it maketh the ground me••••••e, supposed when it is once mingled and incorporated with the same: For dung that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pure, and of it selfe, must not be laid vnto the roots of trees, but first (where there•••• need) of the shortest earth, and afterward of dung.

The Hedge of Quick-set, parting the Kitchin Garden and that other for delight, would be planted and furnished with the Plants before spoken of, in the moneth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Nouember, and in the beginning of October, planting there also, at the end of eue∣rie eight feet, some Elmes, wild Plumme trees, and Cherrie trees, by the suppo•••• whereof, as of faithfull props and staies, it will wind and bind it selfe more firmely. This Hedge shall be verie well digged and helped with dung for a foot depth, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 neere vnto the root some two yeares after, and pruned euerie yeare, to keepe it roun•• and euen, as also to make it grow thicke: and you must suffer to grow in height and thicknesse such Trees as shall be planted therein, to serue for Stakes and as Poles for your Arbors; and the moe Elmes you can put in this your Hedge, and the rest which shall part your Garden of Huswiferie and Pulse, the better it will be, either for the making of Faggots euerie yeare, and that so they may themselues spread more i•• thicknesse, as also for Timber-wood for your Ploughes, and other Implements▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also that they may ouer-grow such Arbors as you shal plant at their feet, and whe••••with they doe in that place mutually and naturally beare and suffer.

If furthermore you would know the ordering of such great and small Trees 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whereof the Hedge is to consist, you shall find it in the third and fixt Booke.

CHAP. II.

Of the Arbors of the Kitchin Garden.

EVen as the Garden of Pleasure is to be set about with Arbors, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with Iesamin, Maries seale, Muske Roses, Mirtle trees, Bay trees, Wood••bind, Vines, Gourds, Cucumbers, Muske Melons, Prympe, sweet ••rye•• and other rare things: euen so shall the Kitchin Garden be set with Turrets of Lattice fashion, couered ouer with Burdeaux Vines, or with the best 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Vines that are to be got in the Countrey, for to make Veriuice on, for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and commoditie of the Household.

The fashion of the Arbor shall be in manner of a shadowie place (for Arbors 〈◊〉〈◊〉 costly to maintaine) to the end you may draw certaine Beds vnderneath, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉

••oore of hearbes, which craue no great cherishing and refreshing, leauing notwith∣••••anding an alley of three foot breadth both on the one side and on the other, for the ••spatching of such worke as is to be bestowed vpon the Arbor. And you must ••ant the best and greatest sets of Vines vpon the South side, not cutting them so ••••ng as the wood may grow thicker: for it is nothing but a good foot and a thicke ••at maketh a faire and a beautifull fruit. The Lattice-worke may not be too thicke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or wrought: and it must rise and grow higher for the space of fiue whole yeares, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be renewed and new tied euerie yeare about the end of the moneth of Ianuarie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the twigges of your Willowes and Osiers, or of the Broome of your Warren: ••hough if you make your poles of Iuniper wood, you shall not need to trouble ••ur hand with them for tenne or twelue yeares, especially if you strengthen your 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with piles of Oake halfe burnt. Also if your poles be of dead wood, and of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 stocks growing or encreasing, if then you bind them with strong wyre, it shall be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of all, for that shall last the longest; and keepe your poles, by their fastnesse of ••••itting, longer found than anie other binding whatsoeuer. Tie not the poles of your ••attic••-worke strait, nor the stocks against the trees of your hedge which shall serue ••r stakes, for so in time the band would eat it selfe into the rinde as they should ••ow thicker, and doe them great harme. And I would not haue you to forget to ••ung and vncouer the roots of your stocks in Winter, and to marke the young wood ••r to make sets to sell, or to store your selfe withall euerie day more and more: Ga∣••••er not their Grapes verie ripe, or verie greene, nor yet when it rameth. Finally, ••e ordering of the Arbor is like the ordering of the Vine, and would be but a su∣••erfluous thing to stand anie longer vpon in this place. Wherefore you must haue ••ecourse to the place, setting downe the manner of the ordering of the Vine, as it ••hall be hereafter declared.

CHAP. III.

Of the digging and casting of the Kitchin Garden.

AS concerning the dressing of the Kitchin or Household Garden, in as much as there are two seasons in the yeare for to sow hearbes, so there are two times for to bring into order and dresse Gardens, that is to say, Autumne, and the Sp••ing: there must such consideration be had, as that ••he first workmanship and tilth be bestowed about the beginning of Nouember vpon that ground which we intend to sow in the Spring, and to digge in the moneth of May such other grounds as we intend to sow in Autumne, to the intent that by the cold of Winter, or by the heat of Summer, the clods may be apt to turne to dust, becomming short and brittle, and all vnprofitable weeds may be killed. But in the meane time, before this first tilth and workmanship, it will be good that the ground for one whole or halfe yeare be manured with old manure, and made good and fat; for the best liking earth that is, in time becommeth leane and wasted by long and continuall occupation. Wherefore it behoueth, that the vnimployed, or fallow ground, which you shall appoint for your Gardens, be first well cleansed from stones, and afterward cast vp and digged into new and fresh earth, and the bad weedes rooted out, euen by the end of the rootes; whereof the good huswife shall make good ashes: and afterward amended with some small quantitie of Cow•••• dung and Horse dung well mixt together, and well rotted, and hauing laid a long time; or else of Asses dung, which is the best of all for Gardens, because the Asse doth chew his meat with leisure, and breaketh his meat throughly, and so by that meanes doth make his dung better digested, and better ground than other beasts doe, and which also for that cause doth beget almost no weeds. In stead of dung, the chaffe and troden straw of Corne, hauing rotted in the high waies for the space of a yeare,

may serue, which being by nature verie hot, doth so greatly fat the earth, as that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hearbes, Trees, Citrons, Limons, Oranges, Cucumbers, Citruls, and all other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 planted in that ground, or sowne, doe come vp verie faire, and beare fruit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quickly and in great aboundance. For the second tilth, it shall be wrought and la∣boured as a man would worke Morrar, from the one end to the other: and in thus la∣bouring it, you shall mix the dung or marle verie well with the earth. For the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tilth it shall be clotted, layd close, and raked into a flat forme, and with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Rake, in going ouer it, you shall marke out your Beds and Floores, and the Pathes running along betwixt them, and those so long and so broad as you can 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them, according to the contents and largenesse of the place. And you must 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that you make your Floores of such widenesse, as that you may stride and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 your armes from one side to another, according to that their said breadth, to th•• end, that such as are to weed them, or to rake them, may from out of the said 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pathes be able to reach into the middest of the Bed, and not to tread with their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vpon that which is or shall be sowne. Wherefore, if your said little Pathes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 two foot wide, it will be ynough: for to make them anie broader, is but 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ and losse of ground.

CHAP. IIII.

Of the disposing or appointing of the Floores of the Kitchin Garden.

YOu shall dispose of your Beds in such sort, as that they may be in the middest of your Garden, giuing and allowing vnto your Turneps the largest roome, and next to them the Coleworts: and vnto them you•• shall ioyne the space for great Turneps of both sorts, and that of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 much ground as would make two of the former: After these floore••, you shall make a path of three foot breadth, after which, you shall prepare othe•• floores by themselues, for Spinach, Beeres, Arrach, Rocket, Parsley, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Againe, you shall make another path of other three feet: and on the further side you shall quarter out a Bed for Leekes and Cyues, and ioyne thereunto two other for Onions and Chiboles, and for Garlicke, Scallions, and Carrets. By the side of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 floores you shall make out a path of three feet and a halfe, and after it, you shall mak•• manie floores for slips to be let vpon, as well for the maintaining of a Plat for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 flowers, as also for your Borders: and yet further, for your Winter pot-hearbs. And it will be good to this end to prepare a Bed for Sage, and another for Hysope; and for Thyme, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 another for Mari••rome, and another for Lauander, and another for Rosemarie, and another for Sothernwood, and another for small Cypresse: againe, one for Sauorie, for Hysope, Costmarie, Basill, Spike, Balme, Pennyryall, and one of Camomill, for to make Seats and a Labyrinth.

It shall be good also for necessitie sake (for it concerneth the good Huswife 〈◊〉〈◊〉 know manie remedies for diseases, and you must not doubt but that I my selfe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 learned manie remedies from the experiments and obseruation of those sorts of wo∣men) to shape out below, or in the further end of the Kitchin Garden, neere to the inclosed ground for Fruits, certaine B••ds for Physick hearbes, as for Valerian, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Asparagus, Mugwort, Asarum Bacchar, Housel••••ke, Patience, Mercurie, P••••∣litorie, Nico••∣ana, and other such like, whereof we will make some short 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hereafter.

CHAP. V.

Of the situation of the Beds of the Kitchin Garden.

IN such place as the Sunne shineth vpon at noone, you shall prouide your Beds somewhat raised, and well mingled with Earth and Horse dung, and you shall let them rest sometime before they be sowne. In one of which floores you shall sow, in the encrease of the Moone of March, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seed of Lettuce and Purcelane (for they will be growne as soone being sowed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 March as in Aprill) for to set them againe in their floores, when they be sprung 〈◊〉〈◊〉 halfe a finger. In this same Bed you may put the seed of Pimpernell, Harts horne, ••rick-madame, and Sorrell of England, and other sorts for Salades, all thicke, and ••nd ouer head, one among another, to separate and set at large by themselues when ••••ey be growne. Looke verie well to your seeds, that they be not too old, that they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 winnowed and cleane, that they be moist and oylie, but not mouldie; and by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of this Bed, the breadth of two hands, you shall sow Artichokes. You shall so make a Bed for fine hearbes, which in Winter serue for the Pot, being kept drie, ••nd for slips for the Garden of flowers, as are Garden Balme, Basil, Costmarie, ••hyme, Hyssope, Sauorie, Mariero••••e, and Sage. Againe it will be good to make 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to sow the seeds and kernels of Citrons, Oranges, Limons, Pomegranats, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 trees, Bay trees, and Date trees in: and seeing they are hard to grow in this Coun∣••rey, because it yeeldeth no aire either from the Sea, or fit for them, it must be well and ••duisedly considered, that in planting or sowing of them you set the smaller end vp∣••ard, and that they be not tumbled on the side: and when the Citrons and such like ••eeds shall be growne vp and sprung, you must transplant and remoue them into ••ome Caske, or such like thing, that may be remoued hither and thither, to the end to ••••eepe them from verie much heat and excessiue cold, and to couer & vse them dain∣••ly according to the times, and as shall be said hereafter. In another Bed, which shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a verie long one, and toward the Quick-set Hedge and the Arbors, you shall sow Cucumbers, Citruls, long and round Gourds. In a plot long and narrow like the for∣••••er (because they must be oft watred, and water powred at their roots) you may sow Melons of diuers sorts.

And for feare of flying Fowle and Birds, cast Thornes verie thicke vpon your ••eds; and, if they be sowne in the encrease of the Moone in Februarie, for to haue ••hem the sooner to grow, yea though it be in March, yet spread vpon the Thornes ••traw, and that such as is bright, and let it be thicke, that so it may the better defend ••hem from the danger of the Frosts: which if you perceiue to be great, as it falleth ••ut some yeares, spread ouer them, in stead of straw, old or whole Ma••s, and yet in ••uch manner, as that they may not lye pressing of the earth, thereby to oppresse and ••eepe downe that which would spring and grow vp. Or for a more perfect suretie, ••oth to preserue your seeds in growing, and to maintaine such as are growne, how ••ender soeuer their natures be, from all manner of Frosts, Stormes, or Colds, which ••ither the Winter of Spring can anie way produce, you shall take halfe-rotten Horse∣••••tter, and with it lightly couer all your Hearbes, Seeds, or whatsoeuer else you feare ••he sharpenesse of the Winter may annoy: for besides that it is a defence and coue∣••ing against the bitternesse of all weathers, it hath also in it a certaine warme quali∣••ie, which nourisheth and strengtheneth the Plants, and makes them more forward ••han otherwise they would be by diuers weekes: besides, it keepeth your hearbes from running into the ground, and hiding their heads in the Winter season, and ••s if they were comforted with a continuall spring, keepes them fresh and greene, and fit for your vse at all times. And what you would haue to continue still vp∣on their first Beds, as the Cucumber, Melon, and other Fruites, make some small separation betwixt them and the other, and water them oft with water

warmed in the Sunne, and drawne a long time before, hauing stood in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Caske placed neere vnto the Well. Notwithstanding, all hearbes and fruits 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from out of this Garden are much better by remouing: in doing whereof, they are also not onely more freely bestowed, but become of a better tast and verdure.

CHAP. VI.

Of the time of sowing the Kitchin Garden.

ALl seede which are for the store of the Kitchin Garden, must be Sowne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 remoued in the encrease of the Moone, as namely, from the first day 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the sixt: for those that are sowne in the decrease, they either come 〈◊〉〈◊〉 slowly, or else they be nothing worth. Besides that, although you sow 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the encrease of the Moone, it sometime falleth out, that notwithstanding your 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be fat, full, make a white flower, and be nothing corrupted or hurt, yet some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 constellation (which the Gardiners doe call the course of the Heauens) doe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them that they profit not, nor yet thriue anie thing at all. Although that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Husbandman say, That the Earth, which hath the fauour and benefit of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and mild ayre, and is watered with some running streame, is in all points and r••∣spects free, and not tyed or bound to anie lawes of sowing: but hee cannot 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that whatsoeuer groweth, whether it be Plant or Seed, hath two ends, that is to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the Root, which hath altogether to doe with the Earth, and the Branches, or vppermost part thereof, which hath altogether to doe with the Ayre and the Heauen•• and that the obseruations drawne from superior bodies, as from the proceeding and disposition of the Moone, doe shew and proue the ouerthwarts and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 incumbrances wrought against the creatures of the earth, both in their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 forth of the earth, and drawing to stalke, as also in the gouernment of them a••∣terward.

In moist places, and such as are serued with some small currant of water, it is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to sow in the Spring: for then the mildnesse and gentlenesse of the yeare followin•• doth entertaine in verie good sort the growing seeds; and the drinesse of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cannot hurt them, because of the water prest and at hand. But when as the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the place hath no naturall supply of running water, or else such as is verie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 come by in respect of the bringing thither, there is no other refuge but the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Winter raine: wherefore in such places it is more sure to sow in A••∣tumne; and yet one may well sow there in the Spring, so that you cast your 〈◊〉〈◊〉 three foot deepe.

If a man be disposed to sow Seeds in Summer, it must be in the encrease of the Moone of Iuly and August; and in Autumne, in the encrease of the Moone of Sep∣tember and October; as also for the Spring, in Februarie and in March. In 〈◊〉〈◊〉 naturally cold, or which receiue no great heat from the Sunne beames, the sowing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Spring time must be toward the later end thereof; and that in Autumne, must 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hastened and early performed. On the contrarie, the sowing of Seeds in the Sprin•• time in a hot place must be early performed: and the Sowing or Seed-time of A••tumne must be somewhat deferred. Seeds doe grow the better when they be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vpon warme daies, or daies that are neither hot nor cold, than and if they be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vpon hot, cold, or drie daies. The Seed that is to be sowne, must not be aboue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeare old: otherwise, if they be verie old, drie, wrinkled, leane, soft, false or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gathered, they will neuer grow nor thriue. Wherefore, by how much the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the seeds of Cucumers, Melons, Leekes, and Gourds be, so much the sooner they grow: On the contrarie, by how much the elder the seeds of Parsely, Beets, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Cres••es, and Coriander be, so much the more hastily doe they put out of the earth▪ supposed alwaies that age hath not corrupted them. Coleworts and 〈◊〉〈◊〉

of all sorts, white Succorie, Garlicke, Leekes, and Onions, are sowne in Autumne, and liue all Winter. Coleworts, Rocket, Cresses, Coriander, Cheruill, Nauets, Turneps, Radishes, Parsneps, Carrets, Parsely, Fennell, and other hearbes, whose roots are good in pottage, are sowne in Autumne and in the Spring, notwithstanding they grow better being sowne in Iuly in hot Countries, and in August in Countries in∣different hot, and in September in cold Countries. Lettuce, Sorrell, Purcelane▪ Cu∣cumbers, Gourds, Sauorie, Harts-horne, Trick-madame, Beets, and other tender hearbes, as also Artichokes, are sowne in the Spring: and for the most part also those of March and Aprill grow more early than those of Februarie, according to the di∣uersitie of the time.

Aboue all, the Seeds which are to be sowne must be well-conditioned, full, heauie, corpulent, grosse, hauing a good colour, yeelding a white flower when they be bro∣ken, not dustie: for dust falling from them when they be broken, sheweth, that they are corrupted and nothing worth.

CHAP. VII.

Within what space Seeds are w••nt to grow, after they be sowne.

NOtwithstanding that the nature of the Ground, the mildnesse of the Aire, fauourable furtherance of the Heauens, and the age of the Seed, doe cause Seeds to hasten the more, or to be the flower in springing out of the bosome of their mother and nurse the earth, (for as much as that which is sowne in faire weather, and an open aire, in a hot place, and open vpon the Sunne, and of new Seed, doth shew it selfe sooner than that which is sowne in a contrarie time and place) yet euerie Seed hath a certaine time to manifest in selfe in: whereto we must haue due regard, to the end that there may be prefixed times to sow, and looke for the growth of euerie Seed: Spinach, Basill, Nauets, and Roc∣ket, grow within three daies after they be sowne; Lettuce, the fourth day; Cucum∣bers and Citruls, the fifth; Purcelane a little later; Annise, the fourth; Cresses and Mustard-seed, the fifth; Beets in Summer, on the sixt; and in Winter, on the tenth; Arach, the eight; Coleworts, the tenth; Leekes, the nineteenth, or ofter the twentieth; Coriander about the fiue and twentieth, or else more late, if the Seed be new; Orga∣nie and Sauorie, after the thirtieth; Parsely in the fortieth, for the most part, and of∣tentimes in the fiftieth. It is true, that in this place the age of the Seed, and state of the Aire, when the Gardiner doth sow them, is of great moment: for (as I haue said) the Leeke, Cucumber, and Citrull, grow sooner if the Seed be new: And on the con∣trarie, Parsely, Spinach, Organie, Sauorie, Coriander, and Cresses, when their Seed is sold: likewise the Seed of Cucumbers, steept in milke, or in warme water, putteth the sooner out of the earth: after the same sort you may make reckoning of Artichokes, and manie other hearbes, as you shall know hereafter in their particular Treatises.

CHAP. VIII.

Of watering, weeding, sweeping, and cutting of Pothearbes.

SO soone as the ground is full of Seeds in all places, you must be carefull to water it, if by hap the place be drie of his owne nature, that so the Seed may not be hindered of his sprouting by the too much drinesse, or that the hearbe alreadie sprung may not die. The best water to water the pot-hearbs withall, is raine water, if it fall in the night, or in such a time as that it may

not heat the hearbes, for it washeth and cleanseth them from the dust and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that eateth them, especially if the Raine come driuing with a Northerne wind: for want of this, the Riuer or Brooke water is best next, being a little warme: in place of this, Well water drawne in the morning, and put in a barrell, or in some other thing of receit, that so it may take the heat of the Sunne beames, may serue: for cold and salt water is enemie to all sorts of hearbes, although that Theophrastus say, that salt water is more conuenient than anie other to water certaine plants. Beside••, you shall vnderstand, that for the speedie growing of hearbes, or for comforting them after they are once sprouted and risen aboue the earth, there is nothing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the world better, or more comfortable, than Sope ••uds, after they haue beene 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in, and are verie well cooled. The dregges of Ale, or lees of Wine, are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 good to water Rosemarie with, or anie other tender Hearbe, Flower, or Pla•••• whatsoeuer. The time to water them, is the euening and morning, not the mid∣day for feare that the water, heated by the heat of the Sunne, might burne th•••• at the root.

After that the hearbes haue begun to put forth, you must weed the bad from the good, whose nourishment they would consume and ouer-shadow them withall: this must be done with a forked trowell whiles they be verie small, and with the hand (which Gardiners call by the name of making cleane) when the pot-hearbes are growne strong and great. Some doe also weed them thus, as well for the weight of the earth, and heauie falling of the water vpon them, as also because of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of folkes feet, whereby the earth becommeth hard: Wherefore if the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be soft, you need not to ••ake it but verie slightly. And you must know, that weeding is necessarie for Gardens at all times, except in the height of Winter, that is to say, from Nouember till March: in all which time it is not good to weed, because those weeds which doe then grow doe not offend or choake the hearbe••, but rather keepe them warme and comfort them: whereas, should they be taken away, you would leaue the stemme and roots of your hearbes so naked to all the bitternesse of Winter, that euerie small Rinde or Frost would endanger the vtter killing and destroying of them, as you may find by proofe, if you please not to giue credit to our relation.

Cutting of hearbes is also profitable for them at what time as they be somewha•• growne, thereby to make them to keepe their greenenesse the longer, and to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them the more beautifull and tufted, to keepe them from seeding, as also to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them somewhat a more pleasant smell than they had in their first stalke. By this meanes Lettuces and Coleworts are made better, and of a more pleasant taste, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their first leaues bee pluckt from them. In like manner, Turneps and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 grow more beautifull, and tufted, if their leaues be cut. But all hearbes must not be cut at all times: for such as haue a hollow stalke, as Onions, and others, if they be cut when it rayneth, the blade or stalke of the Onion is filled full of water, and rotteth. And this is the cause why hearbes of such nature are not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be cut but in a faire and drie time: Or if not cut at all, it is better, except it be to keepe them from seeding, or to make the head a little the fairer; which, fresh moulding will better doe, and with lesse labour. As for your Scallions, Chyues, or Leekes, to cut them it is not amisse, because they are hearbes conti∣nually to be vsed for the Pot; and in that respect, the oftener cut, so much the better.

CHAP. IX.

Of setting and remouing of Pothearbes.

TO giue the greater scope and libertie to hearbes, and to make them grea∣ter, men vse to remoue them: and this is done either by remouing of them from one bed to another, or from one floore to another, vvhen they haue foure or fiue leaues out of the ground: and this may be done at ••y time, but specially see that the season be inclining to moistnesse and raine: and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 must be set in ground that is vvell furnished vvith fat, vvithout any amending of with dung. If the time fall not out rainie, you must vvater them after they be new 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in good and due time, not staying too long, and from some of them you must cut 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the ends of their roots, and set them thinne, that so they may be vvet, and haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 earth lightened vvhen need requireth, and that thereby they may grow better 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fairer. And of these hearbes vvhich are thus to be remoued, none is more neces∣••••rie than the Lettuce, because being very swift of growth, and naturally apt to mount 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it be not corrected and stayed by remouing, it will presently runne to seed, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that vertue for which it is principally preserued: Therefore the sooner you re∣••oue your Lettuce (prouided that you haue a shower to doe it in) the better it is, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sooner it will Cabbage and gather in his leaues, growing hard, firme, and thick: Also, if after their remouing you lay some heauie Tyle or Slate stones vpon them, which may a little presse downe their leaues, it will be so much the better, and they will Cabbage so much the sooner: Generally, what hearbes soeuer you would keepe from seed, that you may thereby take the profit of the leafe, and keepe the full strength of the hearbe in the same, you shall, as soone as you perceiue some leaues to ••e sprung aboue the ground, forthwith remoue them into some other new-digged Beds of good and perfect Mould well broken and manured for the purpose: and in ••his remouing of your hearbes, you shall obserue to set them rather deeper than ••hallower than they were before, and to fixe the earth close and fast about them, ••nd not to forget to water them, as aforesaid, till you see they haue taken fast root, ••nd begin to shoot vp.

Slips for the Garden, of sweet and fragrant hearbes, are gathered at all times, and ••hey would be of young sprigges of a yeare old, taking part of the old wood; and ••vrything that, to put it into the earth: or else cleauing it below, and putting in the ••left an Oat, and round about it some other graines of Oates rather than dung; for ••earbes that are remoued, doe not require dung at their roots, but rather they haue ••eed that the lowest parts of their roots should be a little steeped in water, as I will shew herea••••er.

CHAP. X.

Of gathering and keeping the seeds, roots, and flowers of Pothearb••s.

ROotes for the most part are gathered when the leaues are fallen off: and in like sort are the flowers gathered, as Borage, Buglosse, All-good, and Marigolds, when they are throughly open: notwithstanding, the flow∣ers of Roses and Capers must be gathered, to be kept, while they be 〈◊〉〈◊〉: likewise the leaues and whole hearbes are gathered when they are growne to the full: fruits▪ as Melons, Cucumbers, Citruls, and Gourds, when they turne yellow, and are growne to their perfection. If they be purposed to be made serue for seed,

then they must be let alone longer, and afterward kept in conuenient place 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be time to sow them, and they must be gathered in a bright weather, and in the ••••∣crease of the Moone. Seeds are gathered when the hearbe is all layd and drie. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it must generally be obserued in all manner of gathering, as well of hearbes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 roots, as of fruits and seeds, that it be done in a faire and cleare weather, and in the ••••∣crase of the Moone.

Such hearbes as are to be kept, must first be made verie cleane, and dried 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shadow, which is the best meanes to keepe them the strongest in their vertues 〈◊〉〈◊〉 qualities: or else in the Sunne, and after to put them vp in bagges of Leather, vvollen stuffe, nor in vvoodden boxes, that so they may not loose their 〈…〉〈…〉 see it put in practise by sine hearbes which are kept to be vsed in Winter. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me thinkes that the Apothecaries faile much in their doings, which hang their ph••sicke hearbes in the roofe of their house, for by this meanes they doe not onely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their force, but become laden with dust, cobwebs, the dung of flies, and a thousand ••••ther filthie things.

Flowers must not be dried in the Sunne, not in the shadow that is made by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 South-Sunne, nor yet in any high roome, because of their tendernesse and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which would cause their force to vanish away, either in the burning heat of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sunne, or in the more moderne heat of the verie ayre. If it be not the Prouen••e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which (that it may be kept long) requireth to be dried in an high place, open to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 South-Sunne, where the beames of the Sunne doe enter, but touch not the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 The best way to drie flowers will be in a temperate place, and to turne them 〈…〉〈…〉 the end that they may not corrupt, hauing also this continuall care, that they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 neither loose their colour nor their smell. And when they are dried, they must 〈◊〉〈◊〉 put into an earthen vessell.

Seeds must be kept in bagges or vessells of earth which haue narrow mouthe•• or in boxes, or else in bottles of the rindes of gou••ds well stopt and set in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 drie places, and where there is no water shed; for seeds doe mightily spoyle 〈◊〉〈◊〉 moisture. The seeds of Chibols, Onions, and Leekes, as also of Poppie, are kept 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their rindes or heads.

For to keepe Roots, you must obserue two waies: for either they are to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 new, and as they are yet greene, as Nauets, Turneps, Carets, and such like; or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they are to be kept drie: For to keepe them new, you must lay them vpon sand 〈◊〉〈◊〉 grauell verie thin, in some place vnder the earth, and a little couered, or else to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them vnder the earth in the garden, as we see it done in Turneps and Nauets, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them the greatest part of Winter. To keepe roots drie after they be gathered, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 must wash them diligently with cleare water, and after take from them all the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ibres or hairie threeds that hang about them, and then to drie them either in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shadow of the Sunne-rising, if they be but small and thin, as are the roots of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Succorie, Parsley, Sperage, and such like: or in the South-Sunne, if they be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and thicke, at those of Daffodils, Gentian, Sowbread, Water-lilly, Brionie, and such like. After that they are dried and thus prepared, you must hang them in some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and vpper roome, open vpon the Sun when it is in the South, or else vpon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quarter; and in which notwithstanding neither the smoake, nor dust, nor 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beames may any thing hurt them, notwithstanding that the counsell of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the prince of Physitians, is, that hearbes, flowers, and roots, as well greene as 〈◊〉〈◊〉, should not be put to keepe in any place where the wind should come, but rather 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vp in vessells or some other such like meanes of keeping of them, to the end that they should not loose their force, which indeed they might most easily loose, being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 open and subiect to the wind.

CHAP. XI.

P••t-hearbes, and particularly of Coleworts.

FIrst of all we are to speake of Coleworts, both because they are most com∣mon, and also most aboundant of all other sorts of hearbs: all kinds of Coleworts doe loue a cleane ground, fat, and well tilled, not consisting of clay or sand. And although they grow indifferently in any ayre, but ••pecially in a temperate, yet they become greater and more massie, sound and safe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vermine in cold places, as are those in Germanie, than in hot places, and for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cause they delight a great deale more in the tops of hills than in plaine grounds; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yet in those plaine grounds more in the raised parts of borders than in the flat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 middle parts thereof, and they be more pleasant, more wholesome for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and better in Autumne, Spring-time, and during great frosts, than they be in ••ommer. They craue much dung, and that especially which is of Asses, as being the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of all for other men: and to be raked in & couered ouer with good earth: not to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 watered in any case; notwithstanding that water doth make them looke faire and ••••ourishing, but then not so sweet to the tast, nor so wholesome for the stomach. When they haue got sixe leaues vpon their stalkes, you must remoue them, but let it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in a mild and calme time whether Winter or Sommer. And to speake particu∣••arly the common Coleworts, called long or greene Coleworts, must be sowen in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 August or September, if you desire to haue the leaues in Lent and in Winter. Some plant them in October, and remoue them in December, to haue the leaues in Winter, and the seed in Iune and Iulie, and that to make them the more tuffed, ••hough there may be as much accomplished that way at other times of the yeare; ••ut not so commodiously.

And looke well to it, that your seed be not too old, for if it be three yeares old, it will bring forth Radishes. And that is the cause why some say, Sow Coleworts, and ••here will grow vp Radishes or Nauets: notwithstanding it continueth sixe yeares 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his nature, if it be well kept.

Cabage-colewort, which are called white or apple Coleworts, are sowen vpon 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and remoued to stand a foot one from another, well couered at the root with a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and enriched earth, when they begin to rise vp into a great stemme; and loue ••••e cold ayre, for in a hot aire they cannot liue: and you must couer them with straw 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make them cabage the better, and become the whiter. The curled and Romane Coleworts being more tender by nature, are sowen in March, and are planted farre ••ithin the yeare, and couet to be oft watered.

When you see the leaues of Coleworts waxe bleake and pale, or yellow, it is a ••igne that it needeth water: and you must oftentimes take from them their yellow ••••aues, as also those which are eaten thorough, or rotten, or dried; for this would make them die.

If you would haue Coleworts of a good tast and pleasant, take away their first ••eaues; for those which come after will haue a better tast, and more pleasant sauour than the first.

Red Coleworts grow naturally of the aboundance of dung, or for that they are watered with the Lees of Wine: or by being planted in a place where they are hea∣••ed continually with the heat and burning of the Sunne.

Doe not at any time gather, or at the least vse the tops and edges of the curled Romane Colewort, neither yet of any other, but the rest of the leafe downe toward the stalke.

All sorts of Coleworts may be planted at any times; prouided it be not too hot or too cold: and when you plant them, breake their root, for feare it be not doubled a∣gaine

or turned vpside-downe in the earth, and that you put it not so farre in, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there be nothing of the top left aboue.

Some men vse to water Coleworts with Salt-water to make them the more 〈◊〉〈◊〉: and some doe cast and sow Salt-peter amongst them vpon the vpper face of the earth: or else small ashes sifted to keepe them from Locusts, Palmar-vvo••mes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and other vermine. Aboue all things the Colewort may not be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 neere vnto the V••ne, nor the Vine neere vnto the Colewort: for there is such 〈…〉〈…〉 betwixt these two plants, that being both of them planted in one ground, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they become to some growth, they turne and grow one from another, 〈…〉〈…〉 will they prosper and beare fruit so well. And admit it to be true which is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 namely, that if a man doe mingle vvine, be it neuer so little, in the pot where Cole∣worts are boyling▪ that then the Coleworts will leaue boyling by and by, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 boyle any more, but loose their colour. Likewise such as are disposed to drink 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wine and not to be drunke with it, must eat some raw Coleworts aforehand, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Alma••gnes are wont to doe, when they meane to quaffe you off a whole pot 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and to ouercome ••uch as with whom they striue in drinking. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also may not be planted neere vnto Organy, Rue, and Sow-bread: for being 〈…〉〈…〉 sowen neere vnto these hearbes, it thriueth not at all, and againe it infecteth his neigh∣bours with some of his ill qualities.

The carefull Gardener must neuer abide to haue in his Garden so much as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rotten cole, not yet water his hearbes with the water wherein Coleworts haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 steept or boyled: for both the one and the other doth cause his neighbour hearbs 〈◊〉〈◊〉 haue an ill tast and sauour.

A good huswife will haue Coleworts in her garden at all times, for the reliefe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her familie: for besides food, she may comfort her people with them in the time 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sicknesse: As thus, the first decoction especially of red Coleworts, with Butter of Oyle, without Salt, doth loosen the bellie, ripen the cough, and maketh the voice be••••ter: and if vnto this broath you put some Sugar, it will be singular for such as ar•• short winded: the juice also of Coleworts is good for these diseases, if you put Suga•• to it: the seed of Coleworts in broath or in powder, is good against the Wo••men 〈◊〉〈◊〉 li••••le children: Coleworts boyled in two or three waters doe stay the laske: Cole∣worts boyled and sprinkled with Long-pepper and eaten with the broth, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great store of milke in nurses: the juice of Coleworts drunke, doth expell and kill 〈◊〉〈◊〉 poyson of Toad-stooles: the pith of the Colewort boyled with fat and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 honie, is singular for such as are short breathed to vse in manner of a lotion. To 〈…〉〈…〉 the Colewort is good for all things, whereof the Romans when time was, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such account, as that hauing expelled all other physicke out of Rom•• for the space 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an hundred and fiftie yeares, they vsed no other physicke but Coleworts in all man∣ner of diseases. The Lee made with the ashes of Coleworts is good to wash the head. The breasts fomented with the decoction of Coleworts increaseth the milke of n••••∣ses. The ashes of Coleworts mixt with the white of an egge doth heale burning•• Cataplasines made of boyled Coleworts and mingled with the lees of vinegar, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yolkes of raw egges and a little cleere vinegar of Roses, all well beaten and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 together, is a singular medicine presently to take away the paines comming 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rheume.

There is nothing better to make cleane a pot all ouergrowne with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (wherein ••lesh hath been accustomed to be boyled and water to be heated, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pot, brasse pot, or such like, and which cannot by any other meanes be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 scoured) than to boyle Coleworts in it.

CHAP. XII.

Of Lettuce.

SOw your Lettuce as thicke as the Colewort, in a moist ground, well dunged, ••at, light, and easie to turne ouer: it must be specially in March, for it cannot well endure much heat, or much cold. Notwithstanding if you will sow it in September, yea at all times make choyce of sun••e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 warme places, and such as are well stored of dung well rotted, notwithstanding 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it will wax hard with Winter, and may continue some time being planted again▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 must be watered once in euerie two or three daies, if the weather be not dropping 〈◊〉〈◊〉 moist. And in the sowing of it, you must water it, for feare that the heat of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 should cast out the seed: it putteth forth of the earth the fiftieth day after it is 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Being growne aboue the bed, the height of foure or fiue leaues, you must 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it with your hand (but neuer with any rake) and set it againe in a fat ground, and ••••ood distance one from another, and couer the roots and shankes with cows, goats, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sheepes dung, for so they will be of a better tast, and water them at the foot, but it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not be when it is either verie hot or verie cold.

Some doe nourish foure sorts of Lettuces here vvith vs in France, not differing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from another in vertue, but in tast somewhat more or lesse pleasant, that is to say, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 curled; the headed; cabbaged or vvhite; the common; and the little and small 〈◊〉〈◊〉: Men vse not to plant the small or common lettuce, but the great one, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be curled, and that which will cabbage, otherwise called the Romane Lettuce, ••hich hath a vvhite seed, and a greater than the other, and is of a sweeter relish, espe∣••••ally if his first stalke be cut away, which it putteth forth after it hath beene planted 〈◊〉〈◊〉 second time, for the first stalke hauing in it verie much milke, doth easily become 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the heat of the Sunne. If you desire that it should haue great leaues, when as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beginneth to put forth a stalke, cut off the same in the halfe, then put vpon it a clod 〈◊〉〈◊〉 earth, or some small tyle. If you couet to haue it faire and vvhite, bind together the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of it two daies before you take it from the first bed, and set it in another place, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sprinkle it ouer with sand.

The cabbaged Lettuce being leaued and curled, and not growing higher than a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for the most part, is made by being troden downe. After that it is planted 〈◊〉〈◊〉 second time, put vnto the root some cowes dung that is verie new, afterward tread 〈◊〉〈◊〉 downe againe▪ and vvater it, and vvhen it beginneth to gather strength and grow, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the branch vvhich it putteth forth, and couer it with a new earthen pot in such 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as that the top thereof by it may be beaten and kept downe; and by this meanes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vvill become tufted, cabbaged and vvhite: or else if you vvould haue beautifull 〈◊〉〈◊〉 faire lettuces, two daies before you take them vp by the roots, you must tie toge∣••••er the tops of them, and then couer them with ea••th vp to the very ••aid tops so tied: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so they will become white and faire. In like manner, sand cast vpon them ma∣••••th them to become white. If you feare that it will not grow hard ynough, by rea∣•••••• of some fault in the place, or in the time, or seed, take it vp and set it in some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 place.

To cause Lettuces to haue a sweet smell more than ordinarie, sow them with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Citrons, or else steepe the seeds in Damaske, or other sweet water, three 〈◊〉〈◊〉 daies together.

To mingle Lettuce with other Salad hearbes, as Rocket, Sorrell, and such like, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in such sort, as that they may all grow vp together from one and the same root, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all your sorts of Seeds into a Sheepes trottle, made good and hollow for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉; afterward set it verie deepe, as namely about the depth of eighteene ynches in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ground, and water it oft, and by little and little, and haue great care and regard 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it when it putteth forth of the earth. Others do crumble & breake three or foure

••••ottles of a Goat or Sheepe, and put their seeds in the middest thereof, and then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them with a linnen cloth fast bound in manner of a knot, and doe plant them 〈…〉〈…〉 were in the vppermost part of the earth, verie diligently regarding and looking 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them when they come vp. Some plucke away the leaues of the Lettuse, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 next vnto the roots, and in stead of the leaues so pluckt away, they put one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seed of rocket, cresses, or sorrell, and other such like, by which meanes there grow 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and diuers sorts of branches.

The Lettuce is not without good physicke helpes, for it cooleth the 〈…〉〈…〉 the bellie, causeth aboundance of good bloud. The juice thereof mixt 〈…〉〈…〉 Roses, as••wageth the paine of the head, and causeth the sick•• of agues 〈…〉〈…〉 rubbed vpon the brows and temples: it serueth for a Gargarisme with 〈…〉〈…〉 of Pomegranats, for the Inflammation of the throat: being rubbed vpon 〈…〉〈…〉 it staieth the night pollutions or Gonorrhaea, especially if thereunto be added 〈…〉〈…〉 Camphire: the seed thereof beaten with the seed of white Poppie in forme of 〈…〉〈…〉 or extract doth effect the same, and also cureth the scalding and burning of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the seed thereof steept in water, wherein hath beene quenched steele, with 〈…〉〈…〉 quantitie of Iourie powdred is verie soueraigne against the white flowres of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 The leaues of Lettuce boyled and moystned in broth, or salades of them in like 〈◊〉〈◊〉 after supper, doth prouoke sleepe: the seed thereof powdred, and mixt 〈…〉〈…〉 milke of a woman that hath brought forth a daughter, and the white of an 〈…〉〈…〉 to make frontale for the verie same purpose. The decoction of the 〈…〉〈…〉 boyled in Barley water and drunke, causeth great quantitie of milke in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 if afterwards the dugges be well rubbed with the hand: such as haue a short 〈◊〉〈◊〉 spit bloud, or haue weake lungs, as also such as desire to haue children, must 〈…〉〈…〉 Lettuces.

CHAP. XIII.

Of Endiue, Sowthistle, and Succorie.

ENdiue hauing narrow leaues (otherwise called Scariole, or 〈…〉〈…〉 wild Lettuce, and of the Latines Intybus or Seris) is more 〈…〉〈…〉 Physicke than any other wayes, and is not planted in Garden••, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it is alwaies bitter, notwithstanding that it be of the sorts of 〈…〉〈…〉 rather of Succorie. It is true, that in often planting and transplanting of it, and 〈…〉〈…〉 mouing it from one place to another, and by binding and couering it with 〈…〉〈…〉 ring the Winter time, the nature thereof may be changed and become tender 〈◊〉〈◊〉 white, and without any great paines to the Gardiner may be kept all 〈…〉〈…〉 thing our Gardiners haue practised, seeing by experience that wild 〈…〉〈…〉 commeth faire and flourishing after it hath beene ouerflowen with water, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with sand or earth.

Sowthistle, called in Latine Sonchus, or Ci••erbita, was of old time in 〈…〉〈…〉 salades, but now there is no such account made thereof, saue onely that it is vsed 〈…〉〈…〉 to teed Conies and Hares: in like sort it is not planted in gardens, because it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 plentifully amongst the vines: notwithstanding the Italians doe vse the 〈…〉〈…〉 it in Salades in Winter, finding them sweet and of a pleasant tast: his stalke is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 milke, sometimes drawing neere vnto a yellow: this milke taken in drinke, is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for them which haue a short breath, and are stopt in their lungs: 〈…〉〈…〉 paines of the eares, if you drop certaine drops thereof into them, especially if 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cause it to boyle with some Oyle in the ri••d of a Pomegranat: it healeth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the strangurie and paines in making water, if it be drunke to the quantitie of 〈…〉〈…〉 The leaues of Sowthistle chewed, doe take away the stinking of the mouth.

Succorie is of the nature of Endiue, hauing large leaues, and without 〈◊〉〈◊〉

and good handling doth alwaies continue bitter. It loueth a moist place, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 laboured ground. When it hath put forth foure leaues, you must translate it to ••ell dunged soyle. And to the end it may haue faire, large, and well-spread leaues, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it beginneth once to come to any growth, in the middest of his leaues you must 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some prettie little tyle; for by this meanes it will spread forth his leaues, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 haue them a great deale thicker standing and tufted. By this good husbanding 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his bitternesse, and then there is vse to be had of it in sallades in Winter, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it is called white Succorie; and to this end it is wont to be planted againe in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of August: after that in the beginning of September, to the end that the leaues 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may be the greater, it must be taken vp without the breaking of any thing, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with a smal blade of a straw haue the leaues tied together very easily and gently, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wringing or brusing of them: afterward it must be layed in a well 〈◊〉〈◊〉 soyle, the leaues downeward into the ground, and the root vpward toward the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the earth, and aboue it there must be made something to couer it in manner of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, vnder vvhich there must straw be cast to keepe it from frost and bad winds: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 like is done with Endiue, and it is found white when it is pulled vp againe; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 verie delicate in eating. Some for the same end, vvhen Succorie hath put forth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 leaues, tye them all together with a verie small threed, and after couer them with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of earth, to the end that it may continually draw by his root nourishment out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the earth, and by this meanes it becommeth white and tender, and looseth a great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his bitternesse.

Euerie man knoweth that the decoction of Succorie drunke in manner of an 〈◊〉〈◊〉, is good for them which haue the jaundise or heat of the liuer. The juice of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 drunke euerie second day fasting, stayeth the spitting of bloud. Succorie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and put vnder the lest dugge doth heale the heart-ache. Some say that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of vvild Succorie often drunke, maketh the visages and countenances of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more cleare and pleasant.

CHAP. XIIII.

Of Artichokes.

THe Artichoke plant is a diuers thing from End••ue and Succorie: for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for Artichokes to plant them in Autumn••, which is about the moneth of October, they are so fruitfull and forward to thriue, as that you need not to take any more but the great leaues with their branches, of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as bring forth the fairest and greatest fruit, and in like manner of the thicke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the middest, seruing for no manner of vse after that the heads of them be 〈◊〉〈◊〉: and to plant them againe. Also some haue otherwise vsed to cast downe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 said stalkes, and burie them a foot deepe in good manured ground, the leaues at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 top bound at the end with a little straw, and the stalke layed downe and well 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and they keepe them thus, watering them now and then, if the time be not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ynough of it selfe, for to make shootes and young sets of in Winter, or at other 〈◊〉〈◊〉: and some there be that pricke the heads in a well manured earth, and being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 planted, doe couer them in Winter with the chaffe or dust of Line or Hempe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 keepe them from the frost, and that in the yeare following they may bring forth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fruit.

Moreouer, the Artichoke is sowen in the increase of the Moone of March, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beds well dunged and fatted, but you must not looke to haue any whole and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fruit of them, vntill the next yeare after. And, if you would haue the seed to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, make little small pits vpon your bed a good foot one from another, and halfe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 foot deepe, and as much broad, and these fill with old dung that is verie small, and ••lacke earth that is verie fine, mixt together, and aboue the same plac•• prick or thrust

in the seed of your Artichoke two inches within the earth, the small end 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and putting fiue or sixe seeds in one pit together, and making many pits neere 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in a round compasse, that so they may make a faire knot and plant, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you may couer it againe easily without much stamping or treading for it. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 soone as the Artichoke hath leaues bigge ynough, it must be watered; and 〈…〉〈…〉 continued in such places as are verie drie, that so it may bring forth a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and great fruit. Aboue all things care must be had that the small end be not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 contrarie put downeward, for then it would bring forth writhen, weake, small, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hard Artichokes. You must also make choice of the fairest and greatest ••eed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may be found, and that the small pits be made a good fathome the one from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that so one plant may not hinder another. It is true, that it is better to 〈…〉〈…〉 slips and branches than the seed, because there commeth fruit the sooner of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 than of the other, and because that in so planting of them, you may be occupied 〈◊〉〈◊〉 well imployed euerie moneth, and so reape your fruit in diuers seasons of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 according as the earth is fat or leane, hot or cold, moist or drie, or as the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hardly agreeing with and vnfit for this plant. And in anie case plant of those 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beare the fairest fruit, according as there are diuers sorts, in respect of their 〈◊〉〈◊〉, length, roundnesse, diuers colours, and tast, some also being prickly, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 without pricks. For of Artichokes there be diuers kinds; as the round and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the red and the greene: the round, which is greene, is a good Artichoke, so 〈…〉〈…〉 red, although it be long, yet the soale is but thinne, neither is the leafe verie 〈◊〉〈◊〉, onely it is exceeding pleasant in tast: the greene, which is long, is of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sorts the worst, for it neither beareth good soale nor good leafe, but is a loose 〈◊〉〈◊〉 leaued Artichoke, euer wallowish and vnpleasant: but the round large 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whose tops of leaues are red, being hard, firme, and as it were all of one piece, is of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other the best Artichoke, hath the deepest soale, the thickest leafe, and is the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to grow in anie soyle whatsoeuer: And therefore I would with euerie man, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as he can, to make choice of these before anie other kind.

If you would that the Artichoke should grow without prickes, you must 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against a stone, and breake the end of the seed which is sharpe: or else put the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 after the manner of a graft in the ••oot of a Lettuce which hath no rinde, and 〈…〉〈…〉 small pieces, in such sort as that euerie piece may be grafted with a seed, and so 〈◊〉〈◊〉. You shall haue Artichokes of good tast, if you let the seed steepe three 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before you plant it, in the iuice of Roses or Lillies, or oyle of Bay, or of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or some other sweet and fragrant iuice, and then afterward drie it, ••nd so plant 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it: Although, that as concerning the former oyles, there be some which are of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 opinion, and doe thinke that the oyle doth spoyle the seed. You shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Artichoke of the smell of the Bay tree, if you clea••e or make a hole in a Bay 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and putting therein the seed of an Artichoke, doe set it so. Artichokes will be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in tast, if before you set the seed, you steepe them in milke; which must be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and changed twice or thrice before that it sowre; or in honey: and then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 drie and set them.

Two sorts of beasts doe annoy the roots of Artichokes, Mice and Mo••les. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dung of Swine, or the ashes of the Fig-tree spread about the roots of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 doe chase away Mice: and the like will fall out, if you wrap their roots abo•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wooll. Some, to driue away Rats that destroy the roots of Artichokes vnder the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pricke downe, halfe a foot deepe in the earth, certaine stickes of Elder tree, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some foure ynches from the other; the smell of which Elder is so odious 〈…〉〈…〉 beasts, that they haue no desire to come neere it, either vnder or aboue the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so long as it is greene: and therefore when these first stickes shall be drie, you 〈◊〉〈◊〉 renew them. Othersome put Thornes that are verie sharpe and pricking, or 〈…〉〈…〉 of Chesnuts vnder the earth, round about the plants of the Artichokes, 〈…〉〈…〉 one neere vnto another, to the end, that the Rats, comming neere vnto the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may presently be driuen backe againe. Others cause Beanes to be boyled 〈…〉〈…〉 poysoned water, and doe put them in the holes of this wicked cattell: for they 〈◊〉〈◊〉

〈◊〉〈◊〉 sent thereof, they run thither presently. As concerning Moules, we will speake of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 manner of killing them hereafter.

The root of Artichoke sodden in Wine and drunke, is soueraigne against the dif∣••••cultie of making water, for the stinking and strong smell of the arme-pits, and of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vrine also, for the hot and scalding fretting of ones vrine, whether it come of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or of some other cause, and so also for the dropsie: the pulpe boyled in flesh 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and eaten with Salt, Pepper, and Galanga made in powder, helpeth the weak∣••sse of the generatiue parts. The Italians eat them in the morning raw with bread 〈◊〉〈◊〉 salt, whiles they be yet young and tender.

CHAP. XV.

Of Sorrell and Burnet.

SOrrel and Burnet notwithstanding that they grow vntild in great aboun∣dance, yet they may be sowen in fine ground, and well manured in the Spring time, especially the Sorrell: for as for Burnet, it groweth like∣wise, and as well in drie grounds, nothing tilled or stirred: both of them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 planted in gardens, must from the beginning be well watered: and he that de∣••reth to gather the seed, must take them vp and plant them againe, suffering them to ••row to their perfection, and then to drie and wither. They feare not cold or frost, ••either yet aboundance of water: but they looke (especially the Sorrell) that they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 become the fairer, to be cut three or foure times a yeare.

All the sorts of Sorrell, as well those of the field as those of the garden, haue this ••ertue, that being boyled with flesh how old and hard soeuer it be, yet they make it ••nder and loose the bodie.

The leaues of Sorrell rosted in hot ashes, haue a singular force to resolue or to cause 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Apostumate the swellings of the eyes: or as some Surgeons vse, if you take the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Sorrell, and lap them vp close in a Burre-docke leafe, then lay it in the hot 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and rost it as you would rost a Warde, then open it and applie it as hot 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the patient is able to endure it to any impostumation or byle whatsoeuer about 〈◊〉〈◊〉 part of a mans bodie, it will not onely in short space ripen and breake it, but also ••raw and heale it verie sufficiently: it is also, being boyled in Posset-ale, a verie ••••od cooler of the bloud, and a great comferter against inflamations which come by ••••urning Feauers. A Cataplasme made of the leaues of Sorrell, with twice as much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Swines-grease, all beaten and mingled together▪ and afterward put in the leafe of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Colewort vnder the hot ashes, is soueraigne against cold Apostumes. The seed of ••orrel powdred and drunke with water or wine, doth asswage the paine of the blou∣••ie flux. Sorrell steept in vinegar and eaten in the morning fasting, is a preseruatiue ••gainst the plague, as also the Syrope or Iuleb made with the juice thereof. The ••aues of Sorrell well stamped, and applied vnto the wrest, doth tame the fiercenesse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the ague.

Burnet of the garden being an herbe that some vse to put in their salades, whereof 〈◊〉〈◊〉 haue here spoken, and which is also the same which the Latinists call Sanguisor∣••••, taken in drinke is good to restraine the monethly termes of women, and all other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the belly, but especially such as are of bloud: it is good also to dry vp wounds ••nd vl••ers if it be applied vnto them in forme of a Cataplasme. Some doe much ••teeme it in the Plague time: and some say, that the often vse of Burnet, especially 〈◊〉〈◊〉 juice thereof, is a verie soueraigne preseruatiue against dangerous diseases, be∣••••use it hath a propertie verie much strengthening the Liuer, the Heart, and the Spi∣••••••ts. The leaues of Burnet put into the wine, make it more pleasant, more strong, and ••omewhat Aromaticall, and of the taste of Millions: they are verie good to be put

in sallades made with Oyle, Salt, and Vinegar, according as we see them vsed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 day.

CHAP. XVI.

Of Harts-horne, Trickmadame, and Pearcestone.

AS for Harts-horne and Trickmadame they haue no need of any 〈…〉〈…〉 or planting: for both of them will come in any ground that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 would haue them, whether it be husbanded or not. True it is, that if 〈◊〉〈◊〉 would haue Harts-horne flourish and faire liking, you must cut it oft, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it along vpon some roller, or cause it to go vpon foot by it selfe: for it delighteth to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so intreated, and vtterly refusing to grow otherwise than against the ground. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 madame doth nothing feare the cold, and doth grow principally vpon the old 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of vines, in a stonie and grauelly earth. These are put in Summer-sallades, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 neither of the•••• haue either tast or smell fit for the same. The Harts-horne is good•• stay the flux of the bellie.

Trickmadame stamped with Lettuce, and applied vnto the pulses, doth delay 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heat of an ague. The distilled water thereof being often times drunken, doth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 roughly heale burning and tertian agues.

Pearcestone is sowen in a drie and sandie soile, and craueth to be much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 euen from the beginning: he that desireth the seed, must let the hearbe grow to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 perfection, and afterward to drie the seed as corne is dried.

It may be preserued in salt and vinegar after the manner of purcelane, and then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 soueraigne for the difficultie of vrine, for the jaundise, and to breake the stone, to pro••••uoke vvomens termes, and to stirre vp ones appetite, if it be vsed in the beginning 〈◊〉〈◊〉 meat. For want of such as is pickled in vinegar, you may make the decoction of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 leaues, roots, and seeds in Wine, for to vse in the same disease.

CHAP. XVII.

Of Marigolds.

MArigolds haue not need of any great ordering, for they grow in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fields, and in any ground that a man will, neither doe they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sowen euerie yeare: for being once sowen, they afterward grow of the•• selues, and beare flowers in the Calends of euery moneth of the yere, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Sommer as in Winter, for which cause the Italians call them the flower of all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 moneths: To be short, the place where they haue once beene sowen can hardly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of them. If they be neuer to little husbanded, and cut many times, they will beare 〈◊〉〈◊〉 faire ••lowers and verie great but yet euer more in Autumne than in the Spring.

The juice of the flowers of Marigolds drunke fasting, haue great force to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the termes of vvomen: the fume or smoake of them taken through a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into the secret parts doth the like, and causeth the after-birth to come forth, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 young maides out of the Greene-sicknesse. The conserue of the same 〈◊〉〈◊〉 haue the same vertue. The women of Italie as well to prouoke the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them, doe frie the juice and tender crops of this hearbe with the yolkes of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and doe eat them. The verie same juice mingled with a little Wine or warme 〈◊〉〈◊〉, is a soueraigne remedie to asswage the extreame paines of the head and teeth, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one vse ••t in manner of a lotion. This juice drunke to the quantitie of an ounce, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the weight of a French-crowne of the powder of Earth-wormes rightly prepared

〈◊〉〈◊〉 helpe greatly against the jaundise. Some say that to eat oft of Marigold leaues 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make a good countenance: the distilled vvater of Marigold leaues being dropt 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his eyes, or linnen clothes wet therein and applied vnto them, doth heale the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the eyes. The powder of the leaues thereof dried, and put in the hollow 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the tooth doth cure the aking of the same. The juice of the flowers of Marigolds 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the quantitie of two ounces in the beginning of a pestilentiall ague, doth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the plague, so that the sicke after he hath drunke this juice, doe presently lye 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and be made sweat, being throughly couered in his bed: it doth cure also the ••ndise, and beating of the heart. The conserue of the flowers of Marigolds doth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 like. To drinke halfe an houre before the comming of the fit of a quartaine agu•• ••••out three ounces of vvhite vvine, vvherein haue beene sleept seuen seeds of Mari∣••••ds, and to go ouer this drinke for diuers mornings together, is a soueraigne medi∣•••••• against a quartaine ague.

CHAP. XVIII.

Of Beets and Blites, white and red.

BEets, as well the vvhite as the blacke and red, vvhich is called B••tte and lotte of the inhabitants of Tourraine, or Romane of the Picardes, are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not onely in Le••t, but at all times, especially after December vn∣till March, and in August, to the end that there may alwaies be in a rea∣••nesse both old and young, and for to gather feed which may endure good thr•••• ••••ares. And for this cause you must take them vp and plant them againe, when they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 put forth fiue leaues, and put vnto the roots a little new dung, and afterward 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and raise their earth, and free them quite from vveeds: they are apt and easie ••••ough to grow, and though they be cut, yet they will spring againe if they be plan∣••••d in a fat and well manured ground. They haue this speciall and as it were admi∣••••ble qualitie in them, namely, that they neuer come to their full perfection, vntil the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeare after they be sowen: in respect whereof, I could aduise the gardiner not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gather any seeds of the beets to sow, but such as the beet shall bring forth the third 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for of such seed there grow verie faire and goodly beets.

If you would make choyce of faire beets, chuse rather the white than either the ••lacke or red, as being the fairest and tenderest: but to haue such as shall be verie ••reat and vvhite, you must couer the root with the new dung of Oxen, and cleaue in ••nder their sprout, as is done with Leekes, and to lay vpon them a large and broad ••one or a bricke. If you would haue your beets red, water them with the Lees of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Wine: or else plant them in such a place, as wherein they may haue great heat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Sunne.

Beets ••aten in pottage doe loose the bellie: the juice of beets drawne vp into the ••••ose, doth purge the braine: the same juice ••ubbed vpon the head, causeth Lice and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to die. The roots of beets roasted in the ashes and eaten, do take away the ill 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that commeth of eating Garleeke. The root of beets stamped and cast in wine, ••oth turne the same within three houres after into vinegar.

Blites are sowne in March, and are not long in comming out of the earth. If they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sowen in a well tilled ground, they will also grow the next yeare following with∣••ut any new sowing, in such manner as that the ground will hardly be rid of them 〈…〉〈…〉 craue no weeding or sweeping.

Blites doe loose the bellie: their decoction wherein hath boyled the roots and ••••aues, killeth lic•• and nits: their leaues roasted amongst ashes or boyled, doe heal•• ••••rnings: the first boyling of Blites with the gall of an Oxe, and the Oyle of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. ••oth take away all spots out of garments without doing any harme: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 presently 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you must wash the place with warme water.

CHAP. XIX.

Of Arrach and Spinage.

THe hearbe Arrach (in Latine called Atriplex) aswell the white and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as the greene, doe naturally grow in grounds manured with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and in such place as where there hath beets growne at other time. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 become red in the same sort that beets doe in a fat and well 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ground. But they are sowne in Februarie, March, and Aprill: and they would 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sowne thin and not thicke, and oftentimes watered. Some sow them in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to gather them in Winter. They will not be remoued, but rather wed, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dunged with good dung, often cut and pruned, and that with an yron toole, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they may not spend themselues in turning all their substance into leaues. But 〈◊〉〈◊〉 after the time that the seed is scattered vpon the earth, it must presently be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with earth, and they must be sowne as cleare as may be, that so they may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and come faire and goodly ones. In lesse than fi••teene daies they be readie to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 The Italians vse to make a kind of Tart of Arraches: They chop small the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and stampe them with cheese, fresh butter, and the yolkes of Egges: afterward 〈◊〉〈◊〉 put them in paste, and bake them in the ouen.

Spinage (so called because his seed is prickly) is of two sorts, the male and 〈…〉〈…〉: the female beareth no seed. Both of them are ••owen in August, Septem•••• and October, for to be vsed in Lent time, and in December, Ianuarie, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, for Sommer: they beare out the roughnesse of all seasons verie well and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whether it be frost, cold, or snow: they grow also in any ground, so that 〈…〉〈…〉 well dressed and somewhat moist; they require (to the end they may prosper 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and spring quickly) to be watered euery euening, and to be couered either 〈…〉〈…〉 or stubble: they stand not in need to be wed, but if they be cut oft they grow the 〈◊〉〈◊〉. And he that would haue them to continue long and flourish, must at 〈…〉〈…〉 cut off the one halfe of the stalke, and at another time, the other halfe. Likewise 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that would haue them to continue sometime without being sowne euerie year, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at the first when he soweth them, see that the seed be a good, full, and well fed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for then for some yeares following, they will grow without being sowne againe, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 though the seed of the second yeare will be somewhat weake: for to keepe 〈…〉〈…〉 the f••ost, you must couer them with Walnut-tree-leaues, and that before 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or ••ogges doe fall in any manner of sort.

The inhabitants of Paris know well ynough how profitable Spinage is 〈…〉〈…〉 make meat o•• it Lent, which vse to make diuers sorts of dishes thereof for their 〈◊〉〈◊〉; as sometimes they ••rie them with butter in pots of earth: sometimes they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them at a small fire with butter in pot of earth: sometimes they make 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of them, as also diuers other fashions: especially they make a most excellent 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sallade thereof, by taking the greene leaues thereof, and boyling it in ••aire 〈…〉〈…〉 i•• be soft as pap, then take it from the fire and straine it, and vvith the backes of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 chopping-kniues, chop it so small as possibly you can, then put it into a verie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sweet pipkin or skelle••, with a good quantitie of sweet butter▪ and currants verie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vv••sht, and so bo••le it ouer againe a good space, then with vinegar and sugar, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 i•• according to the tast vvhich pleaseth you best, and so serue it vp vpon 〈…〉〈…〉 hard egges, or otherwise as you please, for it is of all sallads the best. The vse of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is good for them vvhich haue some impediment in breathing or speaking, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vvhich are much troubled vvith the cough, especially if such a one in the morning 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the broth of Spinage boyled vvith fresh butter, or oyle of sweet Almonds, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 loosen the bellie: their juice is good against the stinging of Scorpions and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whether you drinke it, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it to outwardly.

CHAP. XX.

Of Borage and Buglosse.

BOrage and Buglosse being hearbes much differing in leaues and flowers, are alike notwithstanding in their roots, seeds, and vertues, seruing to put in the pottage whiles their leaues are tender, and the flowers are vsed in Salades. They are sowne in August or September for Winter vse, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ap••••ll for Summer: they may be remoued at anie time: And as for the seed, it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be gathered halfe ripe, that so it may not leape out of his coat. And of this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Buglosse you shall sow but a verie small quantitie: for it is ••o apt and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of growth, the seed so soone ripe, and so apt to shed, that albeit your vigilance 〈◊〉〈◊〉 verie great, yet you shall find it will in short space soone spread and ouer-runne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ground: neither, where it is once sowne, can it, but with great difficultie, euer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be rooted out.

Buglosse, but especially the flower, doth minister pleasantnesse vnto men that vse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 times, because it cheareth vp the heart, purgeth the bloud, and comforteth the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 spirits. The broth wherein Buglosse shall haue beene boyled, doth loose the 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The root that beareth three stalkes, stamped with the seed and boyled in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, doth serue to be taken against tertian Agues. The wine wherein the leaues of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall haue beene steept, taketh away all sadnesse. The iuice of Buglosse, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Parsley, mixt with Wine, or oyle of sweet Almonds, is a soueraigne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to cause the after-birth of women to fall away. The iuice of Borage and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 drunken, is a preseruatiue against poyson, if a man haue drunke it; as also 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the biting of venimous beasts. Buglosse hauing three leaues, being stamped 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his seed and root, and drunke, doth helpe to put away the shakings of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ague: and that which hath foure, against the shi••ering colds of quartaines. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 water distilled is singular against the do••ages happening in Feauers, as also 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the inflamation of the eyes.

CHAP. XXI.

Of Leekes both great and small.

LEekes, as well those that are long headed, as those that are round, doe not require so rich and fat a ground as the hearbes going before, and they may be sowne at all times, if it were not for the gathering of the seed: for which cause they must be sowne in December, Ianuarie, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and there it will be ripe after March and mid August, and that if from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that they are sowne, you goe and tread vpon the Beds, and water them not but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 daies after.

They are wont to be remoued when they grow of seed, and that either into 〈◊〉〈◊〉, euerie one being set foure ynches from another, and then there is nothing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from them but the ends and tops of the leaues, or into a hole made with a sticke, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then the roots must be made cleane and cropped off, as also manie of the leaues, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sand with the earth: or you shall plant them to make them great, if you 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a bricke vpon the head of them after you haue planted them. This must be in ••prill, May, or all Iune, to haue for Summer vse; and in August, September, and ••ctober, for the Winter vse: in anie case you must weed, water, and dung them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 times, especially the round headed ones. Furthermore, to make them verie ••••icke, put the seed of a Cucumber and of Nauets in a Reed, or in Boxe boared

through, and graft this reed into the head of the Leeke, when you plant it the se∣cond time: or else if you will haue great and grosse Leekes, you must put so much of their seed as you can hold in three fingers in an old Linnen Cloth that is foule, and put it into the earth, couering it with dung, and watering it by and by: for all this little heape of Seed, thus put together, will make one great and thicke Leeke.

Ner•• vsed euerie morning the leaues of Leekes with oyle, to haue a good voice•• although that Leekes be noysome to the stomacke, as being verie windie, except they be boyled in a second water. If you eat Cummin before you eat Leekes, your breath will not smell afterward of Leekes. The leaues of Leekes boiled and apply∣ed vnto the swol••e Hemorrhoids, doth verie much good both against the swelling and paine of them. The leaues of Leekes stamped with Honey, and applyed informe of a Cataplasme vnto the stingings of Spiders, or vpon the biting of venimou•• Beasts, are soueraigne remedies for the same. The iuice of Leekes mixt with vineger and rubbed vpon the browes, stayeth bleeding at the nose. The seed of Leekes stam∣ped and drunke with white or sweet Wine, doth heale the difficultie of making Wa∣ter. The iuice of Leekes drunke with white Wine, helpeth to bring Women a bed which trauell in child-birth. The seed of Leekes stampt with Myrrhe and the iuice of Plantaine, it good to stay the spitting of bloud, and bleeding at the nose. The seed of Leekes cast in a vessell of Wine, doth keepe the Wine from sowring: and if it should be sowre alreadie, it reneweth it, and returneth it to his former goodnesse. The iuice of Leekes, or Leekes themselues boyled in oyle, take away the paine and wormes in the eares. Leekes roasted vnder embers, and eaten, is singular good a∣gainst the poyson of To••d-stooles, and to preserue from drunkennesse, or else to dri••e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 away, being alreadie possessed. If you boyle Leekes with Earth-wormes in Oyle vnto the consumption of the third part, and afterward straine out this Oyle, it will be singular good for the vlcers and noise in the eares.

Small Leekes must be sowne in the Spring, at such time as other hearbs are sowne•• they make a faire shew because of their thinne and little leaues, and because also they keepe greene all the yeare long: they may seeme to be the same with Chibols and Cyues, which are wont to be vsed in Salads to helpe to temper the coolenesse of other hearbes vsed in Salads, because the Chibols and Cyues haue no head, but onely a long stalke like vnto Leekes.

CHAP. XXII.

Of Purcelane.

PVrcelane loueth to be sowne in Februarie, March, Aprill, May, and Iune, but not at anie other time, for it cannot abide the cold. It commeth in great aboundance vpon Beds mixt well with old dung, or in a ground that is verie fat of it selfe, especially if it be sowne amongst Colewo••••, Onions, and Leekes: and after it hath once taken with the ground, it will not faile anie yeare afterward, though you take no paines with the sowing of it: notwithstan∣ding it craueth to be oft watered, that it rise not vpright like the stocke of a tree. It must be placed in the shadowes of trees, and amongst clods full of hearbes, but not thicke, for then it could not well spread it selfe abroad.

Purcelane eaten doth cure the roughnesse and astonishment of the teeth, stayeth spitting of bloud, and quencheth the heat of the reines, notwithstanding that this hearbe is hard to digest, and nourisheth but a little: being applyed vnto the browes, is appeaseth the head-ach, and being layd vpon the nauell, it killeth the wormes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 children. The decoction of the leaues thereof, or the seed, or the water distilled, is •• soueraigne remedie against the Bloudie flux and the Wormes in children. A lea••e

of Purcelane put vpon the tongue, assuageth thirst. A Cataplasme made of Purce∣lane and Barly m••ale, applyed vnto the liuer and ••lanke, worketh a maruellous effect against burning Agues. A Liniment made with Honey, and the powder of the root of Purcelane dried, healeth the chaps of the lips and hands.

This Purcelane is an excellent Salad, and by a cooling operation which it hath keepeth the bloud in a most excellent temper. You preserue it all the yeare, by boy∣ling it first in faire water, then drayning the water from it, spread it vpon a faire table, and cast good store of salt amongst it: then when it is throughly cold, pot it vp in cleane sweet pots of Earth, and poure vpon it either a good strong Brine, or Vineger and Salt mixt together, till the Purcelane be cleane couered: or if you feare the ouer-saltnesse of it, then you need but onely make a well-tasted pickle, such as you put to Oliues, and with it couer the Purcelane, then close the pot vp close till you haue cause to vse it: And if at anie time you find the pickle or brine to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 away from the hearbes, and leaue them drie, you must immediately renew it, and couer it all ouer againe, for it is apt to putrifie, and nothing bringeth it more sooner thereunto than the want of moisture: Therefore you must haue care euer once in three of foure dayes to open your pots, and to mend what you shall find amisse in them: and if you find anie ho••rinesse cleauing vnto the pots sides, you must cleanse that away also.

CHAP. XXIII.

Of Onions, Chibols, and Chy••es.

FOr the most part, Onions (so called of the French, because they haue but onely one white root, like to a pearle; which the Latines call Vnio whether they be white, red, or round, would be sowne in Ianuarie, Febru∣arie, and March, in a fat ground, well dunged, blacke, well turned, as also well cleansed from stones, and enriched: or else in a red earth, which is short and murlie; for in it they grow excellently. They would be remoued in Aprill all along, well weeded, and often laboured, to cause them to grow great and thicke: and they must be kept from cold and freezing winds. In them we must obserue a nature contrarie vnto that of other Hearbes and Plants, being of great•••• force and vertue in the encrease of the Moone than in the decrease, quite conrarie to that of Onions, which in the wane of the Moone is more effectuall, and in the growth of the Moone more drie and weake. Such as are intended to be kept for seed, when they begin to put forth their stalke, and to rise aloft, must haue small s••ickes or poles to set by them and keepe them vpright, that the wind doe not bow or breake them downe. They must be gathered in the old of the Moone, in faire and drie weather, when the leaues begin to drie, and the seed to grow blacke, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then you must pull vp the whole stalkes, and drie them in the Sunne: And it is said, that if they be sowne and planted when the Moone is vnder the earth, they tast the stron∣ger, but are smaller and lesse: Furthermore, they must be ordered as Leekes. But i•• must be obserued, that they loue and delight in a red earth, and to be sowne in faire weather, in the decrease of the Moone, to be taken vp againe, and by and by watered: and for to make them grow great, they must haue their top taken away when they are planted, and their heads vncouered, and their earth must be digged twentie daies before they be remoued againe, that so it may drie, and not haue anie moisture in it. And to keepe Onions from rotting, you must cast them into warme water, and drie them in the Sunne, and after that they are drie, to lay them vpon Barly straw, so as they may not touch one another. Who so would make choice of Onions, must know, that the round and white ones are a great deale better than

those of a rus••etish or reddish colour, and not to be so hot and sharpe as the other. The best in France are those which grow at Fertlonion, a small village neere vn•••• Estamps, for it hath his name vpon that occasion.

The Onion, though it be the Countrey mans meat, is better to vse than to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for he that eateth euerie day tender Onions, with Honey, to his breakfast, shall liue the more healthfull, so that they be not too new: for the drie are more healthfull 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the greene; the boyled, than the raws; the preserued, than the drie: wherefore the drie must be chosen to vse in Salads, fried Meats, Gallymawfries, baked Meats, Saw∣ces, Beane pottage, and other vses.

The iuice of Onions causeth haire to grow againe, cleanseth filthie ••ares, and such as runne with mattar; taketh away white spots, as well out of the face, as from the rest of the bodie: It cureth the Dropsie with the iuice of Fennell, if it be but beginning: it purgeth the braine through the nosthrils: mingled with Hennes grease it dryeth vp the Kibes: applyed with a linnen cloth vnto burnings, it easeth and take•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the paine: being mixt with strong vineger, it stayeth bleeding at the nose, if it be dropt and put into the nose with a feather.

An Onion rosted vpon hot coales, and eaten with Sugar, Oyle, and a little Vi∣neger, doth cure the Cough, and is good for them that are stopped or stuffed in their Lungs, and such as are short breathed. Take away the heart of an Onions, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it with Cummin seed powdred, stop the hole, and rost the Onion thus prepared ••••∣der hot ashes, when it is rosted, strayne it out, this iuice is singular good for the noyses and deafenesse of the eares, being dropped into them. The thicke ri••de of the Onion burned or rosted vnder hot ashes, assuageth old Head-ach and Me∣grams, if you put in little morsell, moistened or besprinkled with Oyle of Roses and Bayes, within the eare of that side of the head that aketh.

An Onion stamped with fresh Butter, easeth the paines of the Hemorrhoids: stamped with Honey and Salt, it is a soueraigne remedie for the biting of a mad dogge, and other such like beasts: mingled with Hennes grease, it taketh away the red and blew spots of the face: boyled in Wine, or in Water, and afterward stamped and fried in common Oyle, and applyed in forme of a Cataplasme vnto the Nauell, it assuageth the throwes of Women newly brought in bed: rosted vp∣on hot coales, and mixed with Leauen and Oyle of Lillies, it ripeneth Impo∣s••umes. Take away the heart of the Onion, fill the hollow place with Tracle or Mithridate, dissolued and beat with the iuice of Citrons, stoppe vp the hole againe with the Cap or vpper Crust which you cut of••, rost all together vnder the hot ashes, and that so long, as vntill all be well incorporated and drencht in, afterward strayne the Onion so rosted, and giue that which shall be strayned to drinke to him that is infected with the Plague, and cause him by and by to lye downe, and to be well couered, to the end that he may sweat. This Medicine hath not his match against the Plague, prouided that the sweat breake forth by and by.

As for Chibols and Chyues, they come more neere vnto the nature of Onions (as by the smell one may well perceiue) than vnto the nature of Leekes, which they nothing resemble, saue onely in the blade or stalke, and in that they haue no head. They must be sowne in the Spring, as other hearbes, in the same ground with the Onion: They are verie pleasant in Salads, to temper the coldnesse of other cold hearbes.

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.

CHAP. XXV.

Of Scalio••s.

SCalions are like vnto Garlicke in tast and smell, but in stalke and fashi∣on the leaues resemble Onions, saue onely that out of their head there grow manie hulles or huskes, which bring forth manie round little leaues. They thriue and grow better when they be set than when they be sowne: for when they be sowne, there is no great hope of their comming to any fairenesse before the second yeare. They may be planted from the first day of No∣uember vnto the moneth of Februarie, to haue the fruit thereof the next Spring: and they are planted as Garlicke: But in the meane time you must gather 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before the March Violets doe flower: for if one vse them not before that they be flowred, they will fall away, and become but sillie ones. They are knowne to be ripe, if their leaues begin to drie away below. For to cause them to haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and thicke heads, you must put brickes round about their rootes, as hath beene said of Leekes.

As concerning the vse of Scalions, there is no great helpe or profit to be hoped for, or expected, except of such as are giuen more to their pleasure than to their health: for the Scalion serueth for no other thing but to prouoke and stirre folke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the act of carnall copulation, and to haue a good appetite. They haue the same ve••∣••wes that Garlicke, saue onely that they be somewhat troublesome to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, because of their more sharpe and subtle tast.

CHAP. XXVI.

Of Parsley.

PArsley craueth no great labour, but loueth a stonie and sandie ground, for which cause it is called Parsley: againe, it craueth not anie store of manure; wherefore it will be good to sow it vnder Arbors. It desireth aboue all things to be well watred: and if it so fall out, as that it be sowne or planted neere vnto anie Fountaine or Riuer, it groweth verie faire, and in great quantitie. And if anie be desirous that it should haue large leaues, hee must put into a faire Linnen Cloth so much seed as he can hold in his three fingers, and so cast it amongst the stones in the ground: or else he must put in a Goats trottle a quan∣titie of Parsley seed, and so set or sow it. And he that will haue it curled, must bruise the seed with a pestle of Willow, to the end that the huske may breake and fall off, and afterward wrap it in a Linnen Cloth, and so put it in the ground. Otherwise, without thus much to doe, it may be made to curle howsoeuer it be sowne, if you draw a Rowler vpon it so soone as it beginneth to grow. It is a good time to sow it from mid May vntill the Sunne be risen to his highest point in the Heauens, for it somewhat craueth the heat. The seed thereof that is but a yeare old, is nothing worth: for looke how much elder the seed is, by so much it is the better, and endu∣reth a long time vnsowne: in such sort, as that it will not be needfull to sow or plant it of fiue yeares; although, when it is sowne, it groweth not vnder the space of threescore daies. Notwithstanding, to cause it to grow, and put more speedily out of the earth, it behoueth that the seed be steeped in vineger some certaine time, and after sowne in a well toyled ground, and filled or mixed with one halfe of the ashes of Beane stalkes: and after it is sowne, it must be oft watered, and sleightly, with a little Aqua vitae: and by and by after the watering, to lay aloft it a piece of Cloth, that the heat thereof may not be spent, and breath away, and by this meanes it will grow vp within a few houres: and then you must take off the Cloth coue∣ring it, and water it oft, and by this meanes it will haue both a high stalke and great leaues.

A Cataplasme made of the leaues of Parsley, with the crummes of White bread, doth heale a Tettar or Ringworme, doth resolue the swellings of the Breasts, and maketh Women that are brought in bed to loose their Milke. The iuice of Parsley, drawne ••ut with vineger, and mixt with a little salt, helpeth Women that are in tra∣uell to be deliuered. The often vse of Parsley taketh away the stinking of the breath, especially from such as haue drunke much Wine, or eaten Garlicke: And therefore such as vse to keepe companie much, and haue an ill breath, must not goe vnproui∣ded of good store of fresh Parsley to chew or hold in their mouthes. The decoction of the roots or leaues of Parsley, helpeth downe Womens termes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Vrine, casteth out Grauell contained in the Vrinarie vessels, taketh away the paine of the Colicke and of the Reines, applyed in manner of a fomentation vpon the pained parts: It serueth also for the obstructions of the Liuer; but better for such as are flegmaticke, than for the cholericke, or those that are of sanguine complexion. The leaues of Parsley cast vpon the water of Fish-ponds, doe recreate and reioyce the sicke and diseased Fish.

CHAP. XXVII.

Of Rocket and Tarragon.

ROcket being an hearbe verie vsuall in Salads, and good to temper the coldnesse of Lettuces, may be sowne as well in Winter as in Summe•• for it feareth not cold, nor other iniurie of the ayre; neither doth it ••••∣quire anie great labour: it loueth notwithstanding to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in a grauellie ground. Rocket must not be eaten by it selfe, by reason of the great heat that it maketh in them that eat it; and for that cause it hath commonly for his companion in Salads the leaues of Lettuce, seeing that the one of these doth no∣tably temper the other. It is good notwithstanding to prouoke vrine, applyed in forme of a Cataplasme vpon the share bone: And some say, that three leaues of Rocket gathered with the left hand, and bruised in honied water, and taken in drinke, are soueraigne against the Iaundise, and hardnesse of the Spleene: Also Rocket being boyled and mixed with Sugar, doth take away the Cough in little children.

Tarragon is made of Linseed prickt in manie places of the head of a red Oni∣on, the strongest and sharpest that may be found, and put into well manured earth: And after it hath shot vp the height of a foot, or somewhat more, you must take the slippes or branches and set them againe in the same earth, and wa∣ter them often.

Tarragon hath the same force and vertue that Rocket hath, and is not to be eaten alone, but with Lettuces and such like hearbes.

CHAP. XXVIII.

Of Smallage, Cheruile, Costmarie, and Auens.

SMallage must be sowne in a well toiled ground, and neere some wall: for i•• loueth the shadow, and groweth well in all manner of ground. And after that it is once sowne, if it be not all pulled vp by the roots, but that there be but one stalke left from yeare to yeare to seed, it will continue for euer: and it hath not anie great need of being weeded. The good time to sow it, is from the end of Februarie vnto the first day of September. It hath the like vertue that Parsley hath, not to eat, but for Physicke. It is good also for all blew stroake••, and bloud that is setled by reason of anie kind of blow. The oyle thereof is likewise good for manie diseases, and especially for the rawnesse that commeth in the throat, if the place that is sore be oft annointed therewith. It is true, that Smallage stirreth vp the Falling sicknessee, if we may beleeue Pl••nie; although that Galen, in the curing of the Falling sickness, doe prescribe the roots of Smallage and Parsley. I haue tri∣ed by experience oftentimes, that the leaues of Smallage, chewed raw, doe prouoke the termes of women.

Cheruile, called in Latine Cerefolium, loueth to be sowne in a ground that is well manured, and in the time of Februarie, March, and Aprill, and sometimes in Au∣gust and September, for to haue it in Winter: and it would be often watered. Cheruile doth shirre vp the stomacke, and is verie good to prouoke vrine, and purge the bloud.

Costmarie and Auens are verie pleasant hearbes to giue a sauour like Spice in Pottage and Salads: They would be sowne in May and Aprill, and remoued in Nouember. Both of them haue the taste of Pepper and Cloues, and therefore

cannot but be good to comfort the stomacke. Some, to prouoke appetite, make a greene sawce of Sorrell for to eat with meat. Physicions doe greatly esteeme of the decoction of Costmarie against the Swimming disease, Astonishments, falling Sick∣nesse, obstructions of the Lungs, Dropsies, and Iaundise; as also for the Colicke, Stone, difficultie to make Water, staying of the Termes, for quicke deliuerie in Child-birth, and to bring downe the after-birth.

CHAP. XXIX.

Of Asparagus.

THe hearbe Asparagus doth grow bigge in a fat and spongie ground that is free from stones, well dressed, plaine, and smooth, demanding no helpe of watering, except a little in 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Some sow them in the Spring at the new of the Moone: but it is better to set the rootes, which spread and encrease better and sooner than the seeds: whether they be sowne of seedes, or set of rootes, it must be done in furrowes three ynches deepe, and a fa∣thome ouer on euerie side, standing one from another a good long foot: put into eue∣rie furrow two or three seeds, euerie one off from another some nine ynches, about fortie daies after the seeds doe gather together, and ioyne one with another, becom∣ming one: after you haue set them thus low, you must cast vpon them the third part of the earth that you haue taken out of the furrowes, which must be ••ifted, before you put it there, with an yron Sieue, that so the Sunne may pierce the deeper, and draw the Asparagus vnto it: after this, you must weed them oft, and helpe them in October with some well rotted manure of Horse, Sheepe, or Birds, or, which is better, with the filth and ordure of Sinkes and Priuies, and the dust which falleth out of Wooll when it is beaten: and againe, vpon this the ••eeds and drosse of the Vine-presse and Grapes. You must renew their ground oftentimes in Februarie, and cast new dung vpon it: you must doe the like also the second yeare in Februa∣r•••• or March, and likewise euerie yeare in October. It is true that they must be remoued the second or third yeare, and neuer to cut them vntill the third yeare, and then in the moneth of May. In stead of remouing them, it were better to vncouer their roots, and to take away those that are supers••uons, for to set in some other place, and then to purge them of withered and rotten or corrupted branches, (in as much as Asparagus would neuer be remoued out of their place, except it be when they grow too thicke together:) For doing so two or three yeares one af∣ter another, it will fall out, that all the intangled and folded one within another will be taken away; and then you may prune and trimme those which you leaue standing, which you must couer from foot to foot, or from root to root, with well seasoned manure, being rotted and mixed with as much sifted mould, sifting more∣ouer the same which was aboue before, and putting it into his old place from whence it was taken, and in such manner as it was found there. Howsoeuer it be, the yeare after they be planted there may well be taken from them some one of their stalkes, and the other let stand to seed. The stalke so taken away, must be cut away, not pluckt away, for feare of doing hurt to the root. For to haue Asparagus to grow faire and aboundantly, you must couer the earth of the trenches with beasts hornes; or else sow in the furrowes where you shall set them, the powder of the hornes of Weathers, or wild Rammes, or some others, and afterward you shall water them. And this is the cause that maketh them grow naturally in the Medowes. Others there are which say (though it be a wonderfull thing) that there must nothing be done to the hornes, but onely bored through, and to hide them in good ground, and that of them will breed and grow Asparagus. And to cause Asparagus to sprout and bring foorth often, you must rake and weed and digge about them often,

opening their roots, after that you haue gathered the fruit, and straw vpon th•••• the powder of beasts hornes: for the plant being thus handled, will beare his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 otherwise.

Asparagus is a delicate fruit, and wholesome for euerie bodie, and especially when it is thicke, tender, sweet, and not verie much boyled: it giueth a good stomac••e vn∣to the sicke, if it be vsed before meat: it prouoketh vrine: it openeth the obstructi∣ons of the reines and the liuer. The root thereof applyed to the tooth-ach, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the paine: being drie, and thrust into the teeth, it rooteth them out: put 〈◊〉〈◊〉 decoction, and drunke oftentimes, it breaketh the stone, it maketh a good colour 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the face, and a sweet smell in all the bodie, excepted onely that it maketh the vrine strong and stinking.

CHAP. XXX.

Of Garden and Water-Cresses.

GArden-Cresses, so called because they grow at all times, and are of great nourishment, as also Water-Cresses, doe loue moist places, and the little Brookes rising from Springs and other little Riuers: wherefor•• they aske no other labour in Gardens, but to be planted neere to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that they may grow well, and to be watered euerie day, hauing water 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at their foot.

Both of them are verie good in Salads of Lettuce, and haue great force against the Stone and difficultie of Vrine: And furthermore, Cresses of the Garden, made in a Cataplasme, doth resolue Carbuncles, the Sciatica, Cat-haires, and all other sorts of Impostumes; especially if it be mixed with Leauen, it killeth the Wormes. The iuice thereof, drunke with the iuice of Mints and Wine, doth the like. The iuice of Water-Cresses dropped into the eare, doth heale the pai•••• of the teeth, comming of a cold cause. The seed of Cresses chewed and held 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the mouth, is good against the palsie of the Tongue. In the palsies of oth•• parts, there must be applyed vnto the said parts bagges full of the seed of the said Cresses, hauing boyled 〈◊〉〈◊〉 first in Wine. The same remedie is good also for the Colicke.

Water-Cresses in a fomentation comfort a cold stomacke, prouoke the termes, mundifie and cleanse the mother, and prepare it to conceiue. They dissolue the colicke of the mother, if you frie them with Mugwort vpon a hot fire-〈◊〉〈◊〉 sprinkling them with red wine, and applying them vnto the bellie. They are verie singular against the paines of the mother after Child-birth, if with the flowers of Camomill, and the leaues of Mugwort, all chopped small and incorporated with foure yolkes of egges, you frie them all in a frying-panne with the oyle of Lil∣lies, and applie it hot vnto the bellie and nauell. The iuice thereof rubbed abo•••• the cods, stayeth the flux of the seed in the night time. A Cataplasme made of the leaues of Water-Cresses, of the leaues and rootes of Turneps, and of the rootes of Parsley, all chopped small, and fried with pure wine and butter, and applyed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the stomacke and the groine, causeth the vrine that hath beene long kept, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 away and auoid.

CHAP. XXXI.

Of Saffron.

AS concerning Saffron (as shall be said hereafter) it loueth an indiffere•••• soyle, not strong, not dunged, but yet well eared, lying vpon the Sunne, and well digged: and it commeth verie well in the place where Onions haue growne. It loueth not water, and standeth in awe of the Moule and Mice: It groweth better, the head being set, than the seed being sowne: for indeed it is not vsed to be sowne, but the heads of it onely to be set, as the heads of Lillies, Leekes, or Sea Onions are. They are planted and set by ridges in Aprill and May. The heads are let ripen on heapes in the shadow of the Sunne, some eight daies be∣fore they be set: and this must be in such a place as is not moist. They are set in a well-digged earth with their roots, and a good distance one from another, as name∣ly, about halfe a spanne, and three ynches deepe. It groweth the better, if it be a lit∣tle footed vpon. It flowreth euerie yeare in Autumne, for one whole moneth toge∣ther, and then letteth the flower fall: but it keepeth his leaues greene all Winter long vnto the Spring, and then it beginneth to wither, and maketh no shew at all in Summer. It may continue good, being set and plant••d, for nine yeares: and then if it be remoued into some other place, it will be able to doe further good. It is true that it springeth forth manie cloues and kernels, which must be taken away euerie three yeare, or else the root would be choaked and smothered. Some doe set it (as being the best time) from after mid August vnto mid September, and cast at the roots of it the drosse of Grapes as it commeth from the Presse, and leaue it in the earth two or three yeares: and euerie yeare, in Aprill and May, the dried part of the hearbe is tyed vp and troden into the earth some two ynches deepe, without hur∣ting of the root: and after you haue cleansed the grassie part and leaues thereof, and that the flower shall be ripe, as in August, and toward Autumne, it shall be gathered in the morning at Sunne-rise, and reserued in a close and drie place. Furthermore, the Saffron is knowne to be good, if it be fat: if being holden in your hand, it make a noyse: and if being put into anie liquor, it dissolue: if being handled and held vp to the face, it procure a certaine kind of biting or pricking vn∣to the eyes: if it be of a golden colour: if it dye the hand with his colour, and haue somewhat a ••harpe smell and pricking: and if it be not brittle and verie readi•• to breake.

Saffron taken in a verie small quantitie, is good for the weakenesse of the sto∣macke, and fainting of the heart: it keepeth from being drunke, and healeth the bi∣tings of Serpents and Spiders: if it be taken inwardly, or applyed outwardly, in great quantitie, it procureth swimming and paine in the head, and bringeth a ••oggie mist ouer the eyes.

CHAP. XXXII.

Of Nauets great and small.

NApes and Nauets (called of the Latines Napi) are two diuers sorts of one kind, but notwithstanding, differing in taste, colour, and greatnesse: for the Napes are greater and drawing toward a yellow colour, less•• pleasing the taste: Nauets are lesse, white, and a great deale more sauo∣rie: both of them are sowne after one fashion in a well-digged ground, and withall well enriched, and made verie good, that so they may goe downe a good way, and

worke themselues deepe into the ground, or else in a ground which is intended to be made fert••e, or vpon Stubbles which haue beene newly plowed, or betwixt Mill••, and Pannicke: The seed is vsed to be mingled with earth broken into small powder, that so it may sow the more clearely, not falling manie together it must not be abo•••• three yeares old; for if it be elder, it bringeth forth Coleworts. And if the seed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beene steeped and moistened in milke or sweet wine, or honied water, two or three daies before it be sowne, it will be verie much the better. And if they come 〈…〉〈…〉 thicke, there is some part of them to be taken vp and set in other places. They 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be well wed and digged, and the fairest and greatest kept to haue the s••••d of 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ They are sowne in August: When you goe about to sow them, you must looke th•••• the earth haue beene newly watered with raine, for so they will grow bette••▪ And aboue all things it must be looked vnto, that they be not sowne in a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ground, for the shade is altogether contrarie vnto them, though the earth be good and fertile. They are gathered in Nouember, & kept in Winter vpon sand 〈…〉〈…〉 vnder the earth, for to eat in Winter and Lent time. I report my selfe vnto them of Meason and Vau-Girard neere vnto Paris, which gather great store of th••m 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ye••re to sell at Paris.

This fruit is windie, and begetteth wormes in young children by their 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ but they must be eaten with Mustard. It is true that their seed doth resist 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and there it is put into Treacle: it likewise killeth the Wormes, being mingled 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the iuice of Oranges or Limons: and it driueth forth the small Pocks and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the decoction of Maid••n-haire or of Lentils. It prouoketh vrine mixt in eq••••ll quantitie with Linseed, and giuen to drinke in wine: it bringeth vp the crudities of the stomacke by vomit, being taken with honied vineger and warme water. The Aegyptians make a verie good Oyle of it.

CHAP. XXXIII.

Of Turneps.

TVrneps (called in Latine Raepa) are of two sorts, the round and the long, and they differ not much from Napes and Nauets, saue onely in gre••••∣nesse and tast: For Turneps are a great deale bigger, and of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pleasant taste, than the Napes: for the truth whereof, I report my selfe to the inhabitants of Limosin in Aquitaine, and the people of Sauoy, who h••∣uing no store of Corne, haue no more excellent a meat than Turneps: and for the same cause they are so industrious in sowing and dressing of them, as being that com∣moditie and encrease of the earth vnto them, which is as well, yea better beloued, and more necessarie, than anie Corne or Graine: for they feed themselues and their Cattell with the leaues, great and small stalkes, tops and roots of Turneps; inso∣much, as that they complaine of a Famine, when in their Countrey their Turneps are frozen in the ground, or haue receiued some ouerthrow by the iniurie of the heauens.

The manner of ordering and dressing of them to make them grow, is (as it were) like vnto that of the Napes. It is true, that they would be sowne verie thicke, and not thinne, for else they will proue but verie small and little, and it would be r••••her in September than at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other time, in a moist ground, well manured, and dili∣gently corrected of such faults as it may haue, because they reioyce and 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ great deale the fairer, and of a better tast, in cold, snowie, and foggie weather, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they doe in faire: which is the onely cause that in the Countrey of Sauoy and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they doe grow more sweet, tender, faire, and great, because of the Fogs, Snowe••, and cold Seasons that they suffer much in those places. If they be sowne in the Spring time, there must care be had, that their leaues be not ••aten with wormes

and such other vermine: and the better to free them from this pl••gue, it will be good to mingle of the dust that is to be found vpon floores with the seed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they before it be sowen, or else of the foot of the furnace or 〈◊〉〈◊〉: or else to steepe it in the juice of housl••••ke, and afterward to sprinkle it o••er well with water 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it may receiue some moisture: and then to ••ow it the day after it hath beene so steeped.

It is one of the wonders of nature, that of so small a ••eed there should grow so grea•• a fruit, as should sometime weigh thirtie or fortie poun••. There must sp••ciall car•• be had that the seed be not aboue three yeares old: for if it be it will bring forth col••∣worts in steed of turneps. To haue them faire and great, after they become 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great as a finger, they must be remoued a good distance one from another: afterward they must be couered with earth, and troden downe veri•• hard: for by this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the juice which should haue beene spent in putting forth of leaues and stalke, will turne to the making of the root great. They must be gathered in Nouember, and for to keepe them all the Winter, they must be buried in holes, or couered with leaues, or seed of Mustard.

The vse of turneps is not verie good for health, notwithstanding their decoctio•• is verie excellent good for to wash the feet of such as haue the gout withall. The Cut∣lers and Armorers doe constantly affirme, that kniues, daggers, and swords, quen∣ched three or foure times, when they are in forging, in the juice of turneps, mixt with equall quantitie of the water or juice pressed out of earth wormes bruised, doth make their edge so hard, as that therewith you may cut yron as easily as any Lead.

CHAP. XXXIIII.

Of Radishes.

RAdishes are properly the same which is called in Latine Raphanus, in Italie Ra••anels, and at Paris Raues, they are vsed in manner of a salad•• with meat for to stirre vp the appetite. They grow better when they are planted, than when they are sowen, and there are two seasons to set or sow them in, ••hat is to say, in Februarie in the waine of the Moone, if we intend to haue the benefit of them in the Spring: and in August or September, if we would vse them sooner: and this season without doubt i•• the better, because the Radish in a cold and moist time groweth in the root, and is more tender, but in a hot and drie time it groweth in stalkes and leaues. So soone as they are sowne they take root, the leaues whereof you must tread and trample downe, that so the root may grow the greater, which otherwise would runne vp all into leaues: likewise they must be ga∣ther••d within two or three moneths (otherwise they will quickly go to seed) and put them in the ground vnder sand or grauell after you haue cut off their leaues. The manner of ordring of them is to set them good and deepe in earth which is well hus∣banded, stirred vp even from the bottome and dunged, and after they be pretty great ones, to co••er them againe with earth, and to take off their leaues from them, for so they will become more sweet and pleasant. You must not plant or sow them abo•••• vines or arbours: for they are great enemies vnto vines, as making them to run out their juice, when they are neighbours to it, by reason of their acrimonie and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Some likewise say, that radishes doe keepe away drunkennesse, because they greatly weaken the force of Wine. To haue sweet radishes, their seed must be wate∣red oftentimes with salt water, to haue them the more tender, and not so sharpe: for the salt water doth greatly diminish their bitternesse: likewise we ordinarily 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that they are eaten with salt and vinegar. Their goodnesse is knowne by their leaues, which by how much they are the gentler in handling, by so much is the root the ten∣derer and more pleasant to eat. The rinde doth likewise shew the sa••e: for the thin∣ner it is, so much the more delightsome are the radishes.

Physitians doe hold, that among other discommodities, the radish is an enemie vn∣to the teeth▪ and they make hard and stonie places in the mouthes of such as vse them: but this inconuenience may be amended, if presently after you eat some cer∣taine slips of Hyssope or Thyme, or Organie: or if they be eaten with oyle: and a∣gaine, in stead of this one discommoditie, they bring a thousand profits for the health of mankind. The roots of radishes being new, chopt small, and sprinkled with white wine that is neat and warmed in a frying-panne, and applied vnto the stomach, can∣seth a man to pisse aboundantly the water which he could not auoid of a long time: the juice of the same root drunke to the quantity of two ounces with Malmesey, wor∣keth the like effect: take an ounce of the rindes of radishes, as much of the lea••es of Mercurie, foure graines of saffron, one dram of sweet Cassia, and two drams of the juice of sauin, poune them all together in a mortar, and put them in a linnen cloth, which being put vp into the matrix is a singular remedie to helpe them that tra••ell of child-birth. The juice of the root of radishes, mixt with oyle of sweet or bitter al∣monds, a little white wine, and a little coloquintida, all heated at the fire and strained, and afterward dropt into the eares, doth take away the windinesse and noise of the ••ares: being drunke with honied water, it cureth the jaundise. The leaues boyled in pottage in stead of coleworts, do take away the obstructions of the liuer & spleene. Their seed bruised and strayned with white Wine, is soueraigne against all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of poysons and other dangerous diseases. The roots eaten fasting do preserue and keep•• a man from venime and poyson. Some hold it for a certaine truth, that turneps 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in stinking and ill-sauouring wine, doth take away altogether the ill tast thereof. They wipe away the spots of the face, heale the places of the bodie raced with the twigs of rods, and couer the places with haire which are bare and should not. But a∣boue all the rest, the••e is no more certaine a remedie for the griefe of the reines, the stone, grauell, or difficultie to make water, than to drinke euening and morning go∣ing into bed, or comming out of it, a small draught of white Wine warme, wherein haue beene sleeped the space of eight houres, the rindes of radishes, with the fourth part of the kernels of medlars made in powder. For the same matter there may be prouided a Wine to vse a long time, wherein hath beene infused a certaine time th•• powder of the roots of radish dried. I cannot forget to set downe, that the often v∣sing of radishes bringeth vnto nurses great store of milke. And that water how stin∣king soeuer it be, wherein radishes haue beene boyled, will become better, and th•• they may not be eaten in the later end but at the beginning of meat, whatsoeuer 〈◊〉〈◊〉, pleaseth Dioscortdes to say, that so they may goe presently out of the stomach, and no∣thing hinder the digestion of the rest of the meat.

CHAP. XXXV.

Of Parsneps, Mypes, Carrets, and Skirworts.

PArsneps, Mypes, Carrets, and Skirworts, are sowen all after one fashions, in a ground well digged, freed from stones, clensed and scoured from all weeds, and vnprofitable roots, being also manured and rilled well be∣fore: they may not be sowen thicke, that so they may grow the longer and thicker▪ They must be watered as soone as they be sowen, and if the time proue drie, once a weeke, so long as till they be well sprung vp. They are set also after one and the same fashion: The time to sow or plant th••m, is in Aut••mne, and in the Spring: but Autumne is the better, that so you may haue them in Lent time. He that desireth to haue their roots great, faire, and thicke, must often plucke away the•• leaues: they must be gathered halfe a yeare after they be sowen, and then their leaues taken from them, and they kept vnder sandie grauell, especially in Winter: for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 causeth them to corrupt.

P••rs••eps may be kept a whole yeare or two in the earth, so as that one may know by the falling of the flowers, both the old and the new and which are good in Win∣ter and Lent, whether they be fried or otherwise.

All of them haue vertue to expell vrine, to asswage the paine of the colicke, and to prouoke womens termes: their leaues stamped and layed vpon wounds which hap∣pen in the legges, are verie profitable for them.

CHAP. XXXVI.

Of Mustard and Poppie.

SEnuie Mustard delighteth in a fat ground, and is ••owen with mould••, before and after Winter, and it, must be often weeded and watered, bu•• it would not be sowen too thicke: for it spreadeth very easily, insomuch as it is hard to destroy it where it hath beene once sowen: the seed will keepe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeare, but the newer that it is, so much the better it is, either to sow or ••at. It is discerned to be good, when being broken or crackt with the teeth, it appeareth greene within, but not white: for and if it be white, it is old and not worth any thing, either to sow or eat. That which is intended to be kept to eat, shall be good to be re∣moued when it is growing: for so it will yeeld a greater and fairer top: but that which is intended to vse for seed, must not be remoued or haue his place and habita∣tion changed.

The seed of Mustard chawed, and holden vnder the tongue, is of great force a∣gainst the pal••ey of the tongue, as also against all other manner of palsey, if vpon the grieued part there be applied a bagge full of the said seed, hauing beene first boyled in Wine. The powder thereof cast into the nosthrils causeth ne••sing, and purgeth the braine from superfluities. The decoction of Senuie or Mustard doth asswage the tooth-ach comming of a cold cause, and being drunke breaketh the stone, and pro∣uoketh the termes of women. It keepeth the haire cleane, and from falling. The oyl•• of Mustard is soueraigne against the ach of the hips, and weaknesse of the sinews. Mustard seed brayed and put into sweet wine, preserueth the same in his sweetnesse, so that it shal not loose it, the reason is, because it keepeth it from taking of a heat▪ th•• same made in powder and mixt with vinegar, doth heale the stingings of serpents and scorpions: being drunke, it ouercommeth the venime of Mushromes that haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 eaten: mingled with the vrine of a young child, and rubbed vpon the bellies of such as haue the dropsie, it causeth them to auoid water: of you temper it with water, and rubbe your hand or any other part that hath need to be made cleane therewith: you shall perceiue the benefit thereof. The white poppie, which is sometimes vsed in pottage and clensed barly, cartes, and other confections for to quench the thirst, pro∣uoke sleepe, and coole the great heat of agues, neuer groweth of his old root, but will be sowen euerie yeare in September, in hot and drie countries: and in other plac•••• from Ianuarie vntill March, and it is sowen commonly with colewor••s. It prosp••et•• best when it is sowen in places where the crops of vines haue beene burned. I ha•••• seene at Vandeuer, a small village in Burgundie, young children and other folke to eat the seed of white poppie, for lickorishnes, without being any thing moued to hea∣uinesse of sleepe, but made more stirring and liuely, which hath made me to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that the seed of Poppie is not so much to be feared, as some would beare in hand.

CHAP. XXXVII.

Of Cucumbers.

CVcumbers are sowen vpon a bed, in the moneth of March: and for feare of srost they are couered with straw vntill mid-May, which is the time when they would be remoued vnto such ground as is well manured and thicke layed with dung, fat, and soft, to the end they may be suffered to creepe and ripen vpon the ground: or else vpon beds, filled with fat and well 〈◊〉〈◊〉 earth, being a foot high. For to sow them there must be planted foure or five seeds, the one from the other some two foot, they must not be weeded at all, because they thriue the better when they be ouer-growne with weeds. Notwithstanding 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Spaine they vse to weed them as carefully as they can, as also lighten and raise the•••• earth, and there grow verie faire Cucumbers thereupon. It is good to water the•••• oft, vntill they put forth their buds, and bring forth fruit, yea and after also, if the time fall out somewhat drie: for the Cucumber of his owne nature doth loue moi∣sture, insomuch as if there be set a vessell full of water vnder a Cucumber, it will be found the next day to be shrunke three fingers, and it must be prouided that the water goe directly downe vnto the root of the Cucumber, without touching the fruit, because otherwise it would make it worse. It is true, that when it beginneth to ripen, the raine, and ••uerie other manner of watering is enemie vnto it, for there∣by it becommeth but more withered, without any tast, and altogether disconten∣ting. It feareth the thunder and lightning, and for that cause you must not pla•••• them in any such time, neither yet hope for any great increase thereof, in such yeares, as wherein such stormes and tempests fall out: for thereupon they wither and fall quite away to nothing. If a man desire to haue them faire ones, he must gather them in the full of the Moone, for at this time they grow bigge, and at other times they fade and grow lesse. Furthermore, there may not come neere vnto their bed, any vessell full of oyle, because the cucumber of all other things hateth oile, and cannot thriue if he which doth till them, haue handled oyle.

The vse of Cucumbers is altogether hurtfull, because the nourishment and juice comming of them is easily corrupted in the veines, whereupon there grow in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bodies Burning-Agues, and such as are verie hard to c••re: wherefore it is better to appoint them for meat for Mules and Asses, to which kind of beasts this fruit is verie pleasant and profitable, than to ordaine them for mens food and sustenance. It is verie true that their seed boyled with Barley-water doth prouoke vrine, as∣swage the heat of the reines, and also diminish the heat and thirst that is in Agues. A decoction made with the seed of Cucumbers, Winter-Cherries, Mallowes, and the seeds of vvhite Poppie, adding thereto the juice of Licorice, a little Mummia, Gum-arabecke, and Tragacanth, is a singular remedie for them which are in con∣sumptions, which cough continually, and haue their vrine burning them. So•••• likewise say, that a Cucumber placed long-wise, neere vnto a child which hath an Ague, being of the same greatnesse that the child is, doth deliuer it altogether from the Ague.

CHAP. XXXVIII.

Of Gourdes.

GOurdes doe craue the like earth, and ordering, or tillage that Cucum∣bers doe, foreseene that they haue the Sunne at commaund: it is true, that they must be sowne with greater distances, and in such sort as they may climbe stakes, heapes of stone, and arbours, thereby to giue some plea∣sure in the beholding of the fruit hanging, rather than the lying vpon beds: for they delight not so much in creeping vpon the earth as the Cucumber doth, but rather to climbe on high.

Before you set them, you must steepe their seeds one night in water, that so you may learne to make the better choice of them, and to know which are good. And in that respect it will be good to take those which sinke downe to the bottome, and let alone those which shall swim vpon the top of the water, as being vnprofitable and worth nothing to sow. The seeds shall be put into the earth two together, the sharpe end vpward, in holes wide and deepe, to the quantitie of two foot, and three or foure foot euerie one from another, filled with old dung, that is verie small: or else to make them spring out of the earth the sooner, with horse dung as it commeth all hot from the stable: for other matters they craue no great attendance, prouided that they be serued with water to their contentment: and yet those which are least wa••e∣red, will haue the most pleasant sauour and tast: wherefore if they be sowne in a drie ground, you must set hard by them, pots of water with lists of cloth or straw hang∣ing at them, which will be continually dropping of water vpon them, which thing will be great aduantage to them during the great heat. It is certaine that the good∣nesse and fairenesse of Gourds doth consist altogether in the good choice and well setting of the seed: for the seeds which are next to the necke of the gourd, doe bring forth long ones, those which are in the middest, round ones: and those which are by the sides, short and thicke ones: in which consideration if you would haue grosse and thicke gourds, which may serue to make vessells and bottles of, when they shall be drie, you must take the seed that is in the middest of the gourd, and set it with the head downward: but when you desire to haue them to sell and to eat, you must take of the seed next vnto the necke, and set them after the right and common manner: for so the fruit will grow long, and more tender, and of a greater price. The gourds intended to gather seed of for to sow, must not be gathered before Winter, and when they are gathered, they must be put in the Sun to drie, or else hung vp in the smoake, or else hung (as the manner is in France) vnder some chamber-floore, or else set them in rows voon boards, for otherwise the seeds would rot: or else to put them in heaps of corne, which will not onely keepe them from rotting, but will also ripen them if they be gathered being yet vnripe: but those which are intended to be eaten, must be gathered at their due time when as they be ripe.

The vse of Gourds is not so dangerous as those of Cucumbers: so that their wate∣rishnes••e be tempered with things meet and sit for the same, as with saffron, pepper, and other such aromaticall powders: and for the dish, those which are long and white are better, and to be preferred before either of the other two sorts. Physitians are of opinion, that there is nothing better to asswage the heat of hot burning agues, to take away the thirst, and to loosen the bellie, then to vse oftentimes the strayned juice of Gourds stewed without liquor, in a new earthen pot, set in an ouen. There is nothing better for the drinesse of the tongue, for sharpe and burning humours, and for lea••e agueish persons, than the vse of the pulpe of Gourds, or the Syrope made of their juice.

CHAP. XXXIX.

Of Melons and Pompions.

MElons and Pompions doe not so easily grow in this Countrey, because they delight in a Countrey and Ayre that is hot: but by force of labour, and cunning skill, they are drawne vnto it, by ordering their beds, and remo∣uing of them, where they may be shielded from the Cold, and rece••••e the benefit of the South Sunne, and reflexe of the heat of the same from some wall. And againe, it is a speciall furtherance and helping of them forward, to fore-cast, that they may grow in such seasons as are verie hot: for now and then Summer falleth out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 variable, and mixt with cold or drought, or moisture, as that thereupon they be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ripe till Autumne, and towards the time of Vintage. Wherefore it standeth you vp∣on to hasten them and helpe them forward with dung, and with the heat of their beds; though this course, in the meane time, stand not so well with the health of the parties that shall eat them, or with the goodnesse and pleasant smell of the Pempi∣ons: and thereupon it commeth, that there are moe grounds planted with Cresses than with Melons amongst vs. Wherefore it were better to reserue for such vse▪ quarter of ground, or thereabouts, in some place of your Garden where the South Sunne lyeth, and is beaten backe by some wall, the same also keeping away the North wind, hauing no shadow either of Trees, or of anie other thing, to keep•• backe the Sunne from it, but being withall a good, fat, and substantiall ground, well weeded, well tilled, and the greene swarth well broken, and withall made verie le••ell and euen. And this your quarter would be againe diuided into foure small quarters: and to set your Melon seeds which you intend to plant that yeare but in one of th•• said little quarters, letting the other three r••st, and so succ••ssiuely, in succeeding yeares, to low the said little quarters one after another: for then the Melons wi•• grow in their naturall goodnesse and perfection; it being their nature to craue a new, rested, and well manured ground. And if it be requisite to helpe such ground wi•••• some sweetnesse, you must burne vpon it in Winter some Straw, or drie Dung, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some Elder tree amongst other wood, and mixe the ashes with the earth, to the end, that during the time of Winter it may grow in season. And if the said ground 〈◊〉〈◊〉 need of more helpe, it must be dunged with Sheepes dung, or else with Goats dung well rotted; and this to be done a long time before you intend to sow your Melo•• seed: for as for Horse or Cow dung, it must not be vsed, except it be when no other thing can be gotten; and when it is vsed, it must be spread and mixt with the earth long before Seed-time, as hath beene said: whereby wee may iudge, how vnf•••• the beds, now ada••es vsed, are for to yeeld good Melons: and they that would ha••e them grow vpon beds, as lesle damnifying, must make their beds in the said place of the Garden, compassed about and hemmed in with a Mat: and vpon the bed must be cast a layer of the best and fattest earth that you can find, or of earth the thicknesse of three fingers, and in this earth to set your seeds; for the Melon will not be so much spotted with the dung, when there is a mixture of the one and the other▪ You must take the seed of the Melon, which hath a thicke and hard huske, and loo∣king verie greene within, which is of the first growne, and of those which grow neerest vnto the root, which you shall haue reserued in your Melon plot, vntill the full ••ipenesse thereof, that so you might haue others grow of it; for the seed is better when it is now taken out of the Melon, hauing beene all that while, from the gathe∣ring time, kept in the bodie and substance thereof. And if you would haue it to grow verie quickly, sleepe it in warme water sixe or seuen houres: afterward, abo•••• the tenth day of March, make your pits vpon your beds, some three or foure foot one from another, and two foot in depth and widenesse: and if you may make yo•••• choice of dung, then fill them vp with Sheepe or Goats dung that is old, well rotted,

and crumbly, and with verie fine blacke earth together, and herewith to fill them vp within two ••ingers. Some put therein the dung of horses comming hot from the stable, to make th••m put forth the sooner, but the sauour and goodnesse of the Me∣lon is greatly hindered thereby: and thereupon pricke six or ten seeds of your pom∣pions, the sharpe end downeward (although some put not in aboue foure or fiue) and couer them againe gently without much beating or treading of the earth downe vpon them. Afterward, for to auoid daunger of frosts, couer them with straw or mats borne vp with stickes prickt vp one way: or if you haue the benefit of great boards, or tables of boards, borne vp with stones or rubbish by the way, that so they may not presle vpon them, and that so you may take them vp when the Sunne shi∣neth hot, and lay them downe againe when the cold wind bloweth and when frosts come. And as soone as the Melons shall haue put forth leaues bigge ynough, you must water them with a shred of cloth hanging continually in a pot of water, without wetting of the Melon any whit at all, and this watering must be continued in a ve∣rie drie ground, though you haue remoued your Melons, till the fruit become of the bignesse of Oranges: and if you vse beds, you shall remoue them after mid-May in this countrie, out of the danger of frosts, about fiue or sixe foot one from another, vp∣on a border well tilled and manured. And from that time forward, you shall weed out diligenetly all the weeds from about them, and shall lighten their earth at the trunk of the root, without doing any hurt to it: and when the flower shall peepe out, you must cut off the ends of the armes of the hea•• be, to the end that the flower and the fruit may come forth in greater store & aboundance. And for your better choice of the said seed, take that which is of the Melons first put fo••th (as I haue alreadie said) i•• so be that your melon plot doe bring forth the fruit somewhat late, for other∣wise it will be good to take them that come forth last: as also that which groweth be∣twixt the middle and head, or crowne of the melon, and out of it, not that which is on that side whereupon the Melon lieth, the best seeded, and most rising from the earth, being heauie and full; and you may make triall of it in water, because that such seed will sinke downe to the bottome: and it must not be aboue one yeare old, for if it be, it soone groweth sicke, and casteth his fruit in vntimely sort.

Pompions and Melons must be gathered in the morning before Sunne rise, and they must be gathered when as they begin to cast their taile, and yeeld a pleasant smel at their ends, and then you must beware of and looke to Cats that goe a catterwau∣ling: and if you would carrie or send them farre, you must gather them a little before they be ripe, and with the hand onely without any edge-toole, for they will come so their just and perfect ripenesse by this course, which the cutting with an yron would keepe them from: there must notwitstanding care be had that those which are called Winter Pompions, be neuer suffered to ripen vpon their beds, but for to ripen them they must be gathered and hung vp vnder the floore of some higher roome, and when they are once turned yellow to eat them.

Furthermore, that I may say something of their goodnesse, you must vnderstand that there are diuers sorts of Pompions, for there are some female, and are called pompionets and they are more long than the other, and haue not their wrinkles stan∣ding vp so high: the other be more thick & greater bellied, and haue their wrinkle•• more high and stretched out from the taile vnto the eye. Some of them are called Turquins, as those which ha••e a verie greene colour, and drawing somewhat toward a blacke: some other of them haue the shape of a Quince, and they are properly cal∣led Melons, and haue a more fast and solide flesh than the pompions haue, which likewise haue not so many wrinkles in their sides, nor so much moisture in their nol∣low parts, neither yee are they so thicke, but haue a whitish flesh, and a great deale more seed than the pompions. The other sort may be called citruls, as hauing the fa∣shion and colour of a citron, and their leaues diue••sly drawne with many small lines, like vnto the feathers or wings of birds▪ The other are Winter pompions, and these are not so thick or great as the common pompions: and yet furthermore the one hath a white meat, and the other a yellow, whereupon the first doe craue more water than

the later, and the later are better in a strange Countrie. But the Melons are best of all, as also the blacke coated Pompion, and the Muske Melon, which become so by h••∣uing their seed steeped in water that is well sweetned with sugar or honie. The signe of a good Melon is the bitternesse of the taile, the hardnesse of the crowne, the hea••••∣nesse and good smell of the whole.

As concerning their vse, they are somewhat more delicate and pleasant than C••∣cu••bers, so that they haue a fast meat, and their hollownesse drie: for otherwise they are fitter to make meat for Cats that goe a catterwauling, or for Mules and Asse•• to make them fat, tha•• for to feed men withall: notwithstanding this is a thing wel and sufficiently proued, that a slice of a melon or pompion put in a pot with flesh, causeth it to boyle the sooner. Physitians likewise giue it out for a truth, that the seed as well of melons as of Pompions, cousred with sugar, or without sugar, is a soueraigne reme∣die to prouoke vrine, to asewage the heat of the reines, and to breake the stone.

CHAP. XL.

Of certaine speciall obseruations for and about Cucumbers, Citrons, Gourds, Melons, and such like fruits.

IF the border whereon you set your Melons be not so fat nor well dunged as that of the Cucumber and Gourd, and if it be not watered so soone as it is put forth and sprung, it becommeth the faster meat, and more 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and sooner ripe.

To cause Pompions, Cucumbers, and Gourds to grow without seed, you must steepe your seeds in the oile of Sesamum, otherwise called Turkie millet, three dayes before you sow them.

To haue Cucumbers of such forme and fashion as one would wish, they must be put whiles they be yet young and small, together with their stalke, into vessells or bottles that haue some figure or shape drawne within them, and tie them about them, for in time they will fil vp the draughts and prints within the same: likewise to make them long▪ you must put their flowers into reeds, throughly emptied of their pi••h▪ for then the Cucumber will grow all along: or else to set neere vnto them some v••••∣sell full of water, as namely about halfe a foot off: for (as I haue said) cucumbers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 moisture so well, as that vpon the onely standing by of water, they will grow the more, and become longer: in like sort standeth the case with the Gourd.

For their better and greater growth, you must sow them in cases or pots, or other great vessel•• full of sifted and well manured earth, which may be carried and rolled or drawne from one place to another into the Sun, that so it may haue both the pre∣sence of the Sun-shine and absence of the cold winds and frosts, and when they be∣gin to grow, breake off their ends.

To free them of vermine and lice, sow Organie round about them, or else pric•••• some boughs amongst their plants.

To make that a Cucumber or Melon shall haue no water, fill the pit that yo•• haue digged to plant your seeds, halfe full of straw, or the shutes of vines cut 〈◊〉〈◊〉 small and put vpon the earth, and afterward your seed: and doe not water them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all, or else verie little.

To make melons or cucumbers laxatiue, sprinkle them fiue dayes together, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fiue times ••uerie day with water, wherein hath beene steeped and infused the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wild Cucumber for the space of three dayes. Otherwise, vncouer them so soone 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they haue put forth any budd, and dung them at the foot with about two ounces of blacke Hellebor steept in water, and afterward couer them againe. Otherwi••••, steepe the seed before you sow it three daies in the infusion off cammonie, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉

or Agaricke, or some other purging medicine.

To make Pompions sweet and smell well, so soone as you haue taken out the core and wiped and dried the seed, put it amongst drie Roses, or some graines of Muske, and there ke••pe it vntill you must sow it, and if it so like you, sow them together: or else steepe the seed foure daies before you sow it in damaske or sweet water: by such meanes you may giue them such tast and smell as you please, if you steepe their seed before you sow it in any such liquor, as in Honied-vvater, in Rose-vvater, or in some other kind of water sweetned with Sugar or Muske: notwithstanding wate∣ring of them doth take from them a great deale of that smell, as also of their sauour and taste.

To make Cucumbers or Pompions sugred, you must steepe the seed in water that is well sweetned with Sugar or Honie, and to make them sweet in Sheepes milke, or Honied water, and so sow them: and when they be growne, you must sprinkle them ouer with the dust of some drie earth, and water them a little.

To make Pompions to keepe long, and not to be spoyled or rotted, you must sprinkle them with the juice of Housleeke.

A woman hauing her termes, and walking by the borders of Pompions, Gourds, and Cucumbers, causeth them to drie and die: but and if any of the fruit e••cape it wil be bitter.

Cucumbers indure fresh a long time, if they be put in the sweet lees of wine, or else in brine, or if they hang in a vessell wherein there is a little vinegar.

Pompions will haue the smell of Roses, if their seed be mingled with drie Roses, and afterward sowne together: and then also they are excellent good to quench the thirst in burning agues.

CHAP. XLI.

Of Strawberries.

STrawberries haue no need of great toyle or tilling, so that they be plan∣ted in some good ground not manured, notwithstanding, but well sha∣ded howsoeuer: because they delight greatly in the shadow of other hearbes, so also they are found growing amongst great tall trees, without any manner of husbanding or tillage. It is true that they grow well in the open Sun, so that they be watered once or twice a weeke, especially when they begin to looke red: they must be remoued euerie three yeares, to make them beare faire berries, and their earth raised about them once euerie yeare, and that about Christ-tide, and to weed them by hand when as weeds doe ouergrow them: in the ground whither you remoue them, you must first put horse-dung well rotted, or cowes dung, a scuttle full to euerie border that is three foot broad: dresse this ground in a drie time, and let it lye afterward, and in a moist time, but not rainie, you shall set the Strawberries halfe a foot euerie way, thrusting the earth close to the root with a dibble. In these you may obserue a certaine kind of wonderfull harmelesnesse and innocencie: which although they creepe vpon the earth, and be continually troden vpon by Ad∣ders, Lizards, Snakes, and other venimous beasts, are notwithstanding neuer infected with them, neither get they any venimous sauour, which sheweth that they haue no ••ffinitie with ven••me or poyson.

Amongst other pleasures or commodities that they afford, the juice or wine that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 strained from strawberries, is good to take away the red pimples▪ & itching knobs, which grow in the face by the heat of the liuer, as also to take away the rednes••e of the eyes, and to wipe out the spots and knobs of the Leprosie. Likewise the deco∣ction of the roots and leaues of Strawberries made with wine, is singular good for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, if it be drunke for some time in the morning, as also to prouoke the termes

in women; and this neuerthelesse doth stay the white termes and bloudie 〈…〉〈…〉 vsed in forme of a Gargari••••e, it comforteth the gums and teeth, and 〈…〉〈…〉 rheumes.

Notes

• A Quick-set Hedge.
• The Garden doore.
• The paths in the Garden.
• The Inclosure.
• Grounds.
• Hedges.
• The fashion of an Arbor.
• The binding of the Arbor.
• The worke of the Arbor and of the Vine is alike.
• All man••••r of ground, by being long 〈◊〉〈◊〉, doth grow lea••t.
• Little Turneps or Nauest.
• Coleworts.
• Great Turneps of both sorts.
• Spinach.
• Leekes and Cyues.
• Onions.
• Chiboles.
• Carrets.
• Sage and Hy∣sope.
• A Labyrinth.
• Lettuce seed.
• To chuse seeds▪
• Fine hearbs.
• Seeds that will hardly grow.
• Cucumbers and Citruls.
• The power of the encrease of the Moone.
• To ••••w seeds in the Spring.
• To sow seeds in Summer.
• At what time seed must be sowne is cold and hot places.
• The age of seeds.
• Watring.
• What water is good for Seeds.
• What time is good to water.
• Weeding and raking.
• Clipping or cut∣ting of hearbes.
• Slips.
• Gathering••
• The time to ga∣ther Seeds.
• The way to keepe hearbes.
• The way to keepe flowers.
• To keepe Pro∣uence Roses.
• To keepe seeds.
• To keepe roots.
• Common Cole∣worts.
• The seed too old.
• Prouerbe.
• Cabage-cole.
• The curled cole.
• Coleworts of a good tast.
• Red Coleworts.
• The planting of Coleworts.
• The watering of Cole••••••ts.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 betwixt 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the vine, and the Colewort.
• Coleworts doe keepe one from be••ng 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Coleworts ene∣m••e vnto Orga∣nic and Rue.
• Rotten Cole∣worts.
• The vertues of Coleworts.
• 〈…〉〈…〉
• The curled and cabbaged Let∣tuce.
• The Romane Lettuce.
• White Lettuce.
• Cabbaged let∣tuce.
• White and fair•• Lettuc••••.
• To cause Let∣tuce to small well.
• Salad hearb•• mixt together.
• The vertues of the Lettuce.
• ••ndiue.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Succori••.
• The vertues of Succorie.
• Spitting of bl••ud.
• To sow Arti∣ch••kes vpon beds.
• Choice of Ar••i∣chokes.
• Artichokes of a good smell.
• Artichokes smelling like Baye••.
• Sweet Arti∣chokes.
• The vertues of the Artichoke.
• The vertues of Sorrell.
• The bloudie flux.
• The plague▪
• The vertues of Burnet.
• Harts-horne.
• To cause harts-horne to thriue.
• The vertues of harts-horne.
• The vertues of Trickmadame.
• Pearce••••one or Sampier.
• The preseruing of Sampier.
• Iaundise.
• Stone.
• Marigolds.
• Tu••ied and wel thriuing Mari∣golds.
• The vertues of Marigolds.
• Beets.
• A spe••iall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Red beets.
• The vertues of the beets.
• For ••o make 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quickly.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Spinage.
• The virtues of Spinage.
• The vertue of Buglosse.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• The vertues of L••••kes.
• Poyson.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Difficultie•• of making water.
• For 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉〈◊〉-birth.
• Spitting of bloud.
• Small Leeks.
• 〈…〉〈…〉.
• 〈…〉〈…〉.
• D••ought.
• Burning agues.
• Chaps in the lips.
• To preser•••• Purcelane.
• To keepe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from r••tting.
• To make cho••ce of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• The vertues of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Dropsie.
• Kibed heeles.
• The biting of a ••ad dogge.
• Red spots.
• 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.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• The vertues of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Parsley.
• The vertues of Parsley.
• Deliuerie of women in their trauell.
• A stinking breath.
• To make water.
• The Colicke.
• Paine of the reines.
• Rocket.
• The force of Rocket.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and hardnesse of the spleene.
• Tarragon.
• Smallage.
• Cheruile.
• The vertues of Cher••ile.
• Costmarie and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• The way to haue good ••••ore of Asparag••••.
• Asparag•••• may grow of a Sheepes horne.
• 〈…〉〈…〉.
• Garden Water-Cresse••.
• The vertues of Wate•• and Gar∣den-Cresses.
• T••••th-ach.
• Palsie.
• Co••••cke.
• Good Saffron.
• The g••thering and keeping of Napes.
• The vertues of Napes.
• T••••neps.
• Turneps are the ••rdinarie ••eat of them of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Sa∣uoy.
• Turnep seed is veri•• small. Faire turneps.
• The keeping of turneps.
• The vertues of turneps.
• Radishes.
• Radishes 〈…〉〈…〉▪ Sweet radishes.
• Good radishes.
• Tr••••ell of child b••••th.
• N••ise of the ••ares.
• The ill 〈…〉〈…〉 wine.
• Spots.
• Grauell and 〈…〉〈…〉.
• 〈…〉〈…〉.
• Parsneps.
• Mypes.
• Carrets.
• Skirworts.
• The vert••••s.
• The goodnesse of Mustard.
• The ••ertues of Mustard.
• 〈…〉〈…〉
• The vertues of the cucumber.
• Gourdes.
• The goodnesse of the seed.
• The vertues of Gourd••s.
• Melons and P••••pions.
• The gathering of Melons.
• The goodnesse of Melons.
• 〈…〉〈…〉.
• The ••ertues of Melons.
• Melons cause 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Pompions, Gourd••, and Cucumber▪ without seed.
• For the helping forward of their growth.
• A Cucumber without water.
• 〈…〉〈…〉.
• Sweet Pom∣pions.
• Suger-Mel••••s.
• Lasting Po••∣pions.
• A woman in her t••rmes maketh Pompi∣ons drie and di•• To keepe Cu∣cumbers fresh a long time.
• Pompions smel∣ing like Roses▪
• Strawberries▪
• The ••ertues of Strawberries.