Markhams maister-peece, or, What doth a horse-man lacke containing all possible knowledge whatsoeuer which doth belong to any smith, farrier or horse-leech, touching the curing of all maner of diseases or sorrances in horses : drawne with great paine and most approued experience from the publique practise of all the forraine horse-marshals of Christendome and from the priuate practise of all the best farriers of this kingdome : being deuided into two bookes, the first containing all cures physicall, the second whatsoeuer belongeth to chirurgerie, with an addition of 130 most principall chapters and 340 most excellent medicines, receits and secrets worthy euery mans knowledge, neuer written of nor mentioned in any author before whatsoeuer : together with the true nature, vse, and qualitie of euerie simple spoken of through the whole worke : reade me, practise me, and admire me / written by Geruase Markham gentleman.

CHAP. 104. Generall Notes concerning some simples al∣ready spoken of.

ALL manner of marrowes or pitches, of what kinde soeuer they be, must be kept by them∣selues in a dry coole place, and preserued from all filth or vncleannesse, and from the annoyance ei∣ther of winde or fire, and so they will last fully out a whole yeare.

You shall keepe no Sirrops, nor sweete Electu∣aries, nor pilles, nor Powders, nor conserues of flowres, nor any oyntments, Sewets, or emplaster, aboue one whole yeare; onely bitter electuaries, or conserues of fruites or rootes will last fully out two yeares.

Of oyle some will last long, some must bee new made: oyles extract out of wood or mettals will last long.

Gather rootes in Autumne, but take the small sprigs from them and make them cleane and dry.

Dry small rootes in the shade and winde, and great rootes either in the winde and Sunne, or by the fire, lay them in a dry place towards the South, and they will keepe long, prouided that neither Sun nor mo••sture hurt them.

Gather all manner of hearbes when they do most

flourish, and dry them in the shade, except they be very moist and apt to putrifie; they last for the most part a whole yeare.

Gather seedes and fruites when they be fully ripe; they also last but one whole yeare.

Gather the rinde or barke of any simple when the hearbe is ripe; dry them and they will last many yeares.