The florists vade-mecum being a choice compendium of whatever worthy notice hath been extant for the propagation, raising, planting, encreasing and preserving the rarest flowers and plants ... together with The gardiners almanack ... / by Samuel Gilbert.

JƲLY.

CAryophyllus hortensis, called July-flowers from the month they blow in, and are indeed the Summers glory, as Tulips the pride of Spring, deserving a Flowerists care in their propagation and

preservation, especially the nobler sorts, which are called Dutch July-flowers, or more vulgarly Carnations, raised from seeds in the Netherlands, and other parts adjoyning to the Sea, and thence con∣veyed to us. Our inland endeavours to raise them seldom countervail our trou∣ble, none or very few raising good ones, that have not the neighbourhood of the Sea, which annually produce new mix∣tures, though seldom new colours; and though their dyes not many, as red, pur∣ple, scarlet, tawny, and white, and of those deeper or paler, yet so recompen∣sing that defect in their delicate variega∣tions, various mixtures, and pleasing scents, as to vie with any species whatso∣ever, considering the usefulness of some of them as the best Cordials, extreamly comforting the noblest part of man, the heart, either in the Conserve of the Cloves made with Sugar, or in Syrups: the single colours as flowers little esteem∣ed, in comparison of those striped, flaked, or powder'd upon white or blush, with darker or lighter red, crimson or carna∣tion, sadder or brighter, purple, deeper or paler scarlet; so that the chief July-flowers may be brought under these

four sorts: Red and White, Crimson and White, Purple and White, and Scar∣let and White; some whereof shall be named, that those unacquainted may the better know how to collect them, being such sorts as a Flowerist ought not to want, viz.

Red and White.

• Crown of Bohemia.
• Emperour, the largest flower in being, and well marked with broad flakes,
• King Charles the second.
• Queen Katherine.

Red and Blush.

• William the Conquerour, a sullen flower.

Crimson and White.

• Empress, the largest but
• Countess, the rounder and neater flower.
• Teages delight.
• Phisbe.

Purple and White.

• King Solomon, a neat flower finely mar∣ked on Snow-white.
• Purple Imperial.
• Musidorus.
• ...

• Prince William.
• Oilinans.
• Glory of Worcester, little purple and white.
• Fair. Hellena, onely edged with purple.

Scarlet and White.

• Mayor of London, the best.
• The Giant.
• ...Romulus.
• ...Florida.
• ...Flambosa.
• Fair Rosanna.
• ...Paramour.

Deep Clove-colour and Black.

• Pluto, striped with black through each leaf.

Scarlets.

• The Golden Fleece.
• Golden Grove.
• Prince of Orange.
• Princess of Orange.

Blush and White.

• Mayor of York.

Blush.

• Aurora, a very brisk colour.
• Morning-star.

Purple.

• The Wiggon, a Self-colour.

Cloves.

• Giant-clove.
• Astragon.
• Birtha.

Another intermixt with Purplish Leaves and Stripes.

I have heard but of two kinds that are of three colours; the one is, Bedford-Tawny, Tawny, Scarlet, and white.

These are the best of each sort now in request, and to be had as my Gardens furniture may declare; there flowering from the middle (sometimes beginning) of July, till the same time in August.

A chief thing to be considered, for their producing fair and gallant flowers, and many Layers, is the Soil wherein

they ought to be planted, which must be neither too stiff, nor over-light; the best course is to provide a quantity of good fresh earth, that which the Mole casts out of good ground, that is not stiff nor over-sandy, that hath lain long untill'd, or taken four or five inches deep from under the Sward; but I prefer the Mole-hills best, that have not been long cast up, and mix the same with a third part of Ox, Cow, or sheep-dung, that hath been long made, intermingling a little lime; leave your heap high and round, that it take not too much wet; let it lie by so long till well digested, which will be the sooner effected, if often tur∣ned over and well stir'd together; and be sure this Earth be well mellowed ere you put it in pots or beds for planting your Layers in, and your success in flow∣ers will be the more prosperous, taking off your Layers either in September, or in March, which I account always best; from your Layers cut off all dead leaves, and the tops of all that are too long, and then take them up, with earth about the roots, and set them in your pots, filled with the before-mentioned prepared earth, which set in the shade, and gently

watered, will grow well, and then they may be removed into the morning-sun, which is the onely Sun these flowers willingly admit of; never over-glut any with water, and moisten them not with any out of Well or Pump, till it hath stood two days at least in some vessel sun∣ning, for raw water too much chills, and rather backs tender Plants, than advan∣tages their growth and flourishing, nay, often destroys many. In winter till A∣pril, water in the morning, otherways your moistned earth about tender roots, may so freeze, as to kill them; and after that time, the Sun growing more vigo∣rous in heat, water in the evening, and your pots as soon as the Sun off them; otherwise the Suns heat exhales the moi∣sture before it can have time to give due refreshment to the Plants.

Another sort of earth for July-flowers I was acquainted with by one Mr. Fid∣kin, Gardiner to the worthy Sir John Packington of Westwood in Worcestershire, in which I saw his flowers flourish and mark beyond expectation; it was thus compounded.

Rotten Tan, i. e. the relicks or rub∣bish of a Tanners pit, that by long lying, is

converted to earth, this layn on a heap for a quarter of a year to sweeten, for in its own nature 'tis too sour for such uses; to one barrow-full of which, four of good rotten wood-pile earth, and the rubbish of old-walls, for want of which a little old decayed lime, a quarter of a peck at most, mixed well together, and let lie a fortnight ere you put it in your pots for your July-flower-layers to be transplanted in, is a secret few know.

When your flowers begin to spindle, nip off all but one or two at the most of the biggest at each root, leaving them only to bear flowers; and when they come to bud for flowering, nip off all those too, but three or four that are best placed, by this means will your flowers be the fairer, and more layers gained; by which your kinds are continued and in∣creased. Remember to be often tying up their spindles, as they grow in height, to small rods, set by them on purpose for their support, lest by their bending down they break off, and you loose the pleasure of their flowers.

From the middle of June, till the same time in July, is the prime time of laying July-flowers: which is thus performed.

Make choice of such slips as are stron∣gest, having joynts sufficient for laying; prune off the side and end of the top-leaves, cut the undermost part of the middlemost joynt half through, from thence slit the stalk through the middle upwards to the next joynt; open the earth underneath to receive it, then gently bend it down therein, with a small hook-stick stuck in the earth to keep it down, keeping up the head of the slip, that the slit may be open, and so pressed down and earthed up, which as soon as performed, must be sure to be water'd, which must be often reiterated, especially if the season dry, it will make them root the sooner, and shoot forth fi∣bres sufficient to be removed with earth about them the beginning of September following, into pots or beds of the afore∣mentioned prepared Earth, which must be shaded and gently watered; but take heed of too much moisture, lest it rot their young and tender fibres; therefore for preventing great rains, shelter them under boards supported by forks and sticks laid on them, but not too near them, lest on the other hand they perish for want of Air, in a freedom of which

they chiefly delight, many having been suffocated for want thereof, as too close housing in winter hath shewed the ex∣perience, and in transplanting your lay∣ers, set them not too deep, for that hath rotted and spoiled many.

Some July-flowers in Summer shoot up but with one stem or stalk, without any layer; if you suffer it to blow, the root dies, therefore if you have no more of that kind, suffer it not to flower, but timely cut off the spindle that it may sprout anew, which preserves the root.

When any July-flowers in your pots die, empty it of its old earth, and put in new before you plant another July-flow∣er in it, otherwise the proper nourish∣ment being drawn out, and spent by the first flower, will visibly appear in the ill thriving of this second.

When your roots produce too many layers, if in good flowers, covet not a∣bove three or four to be laid, for they draw so much nourishment from the root, as not enough to ascend to the flower, so hindring both fairness and bigness; but in May or June (not too far in the last Month neither) seek out from the stems such shoots onely, as are reaso∣nable

strong, that run not up to spindle: cut these off close to the stem, and throw them in a pail of water for twenty four hours, then in a bed of rich and fine mould, that hath been sifted through a wire riddle, cutting off your slip close at a joynt, trimming away the lower leaves close to the stalk, and cut off the upper∣most even at the top, make a hole in the earth with a little stick, and put your slip therein so deep, that the upper leaf may be wholly above ground; then close the ground to the stem of the Plants; and lastly water them, remembring to do it often, unless rain saves you that labour, and that this bed be as much as may be in the shade.

Ferrarius, lib. 2. cap. 15. avers, from the month of February to the middle of March (in the time of their germina∣tion) is the best time to slip this flower; nor will he have the slip, nor twisted in the bottom, nor Barley put under them to raise adulterous fibres, but onely ad∣vises that they be cut off at a joynt: In∣deed both Spring and Autumn are good Seasons for making out Roots; the latter requires that the slip be so early set, as that it may have time enough to

take root before the coldness of Winter; the former, that the Plant set in the Spring may have taken root before the Sun rises to that strength to emit violent and parching heats. General Rules for Vernal and Autumnal Settings.

As your July-flowers blow, if you ob∣serve any to break the pod, with a Pen∣knife or Lancet open it as much at each division thereof, then bind it about with a small slang, or narrow list of the thin Film of a Gold-beaters old Mould, which moistened with your tongue, will stick together; keep pour flower round, and scarcely be perceived: If any come all of one colour, the Layers from that stem will continue so, and be a new kind.

Keep your first flowers for seeds, let∣ting their pods stand as long as you may for danger of frosts, kept as much as may be from wet; then cut the stems off with the pods on them, and dry them so as not to lose the seeds. The driness of the cods, and blackness of the seeds, ar∣gues their ripeness.

Ferrarius, lib. 3. chap. 15. says, the bottom of every cod or pod brings the best seeds, and the largest flowers. The

seeds producing most varieties, are the striped tawnies. The most variety of double flowers are raised from the seeds of double flowers, though many times the seeds of single ones will produce double. The best time to sow them, is the beginning of April, or full Moon, near that time before or after, on indif∣ferent good ground, mixed with the ashes of too old rotted and superfluous slips and stems of July-flowers burnt, in a place so shaded, as to have only the morning and evening Sun; sow them not too thick, and sift the same com∣pound over them a quarter of an inch thick: when the Plant is grown to a considerable strength, which will be in August or September following, remove them into beds of a very good soil, a∣bout the full Moon, where they must stand till they flower; these seedling come up sometimes with three, some∣times with four leaves, though they most have but two, and by some obser∣ved that those with but two leaves prove single, those with more prove double flowers; if you mark such, you will the year after their sowing find its verity by their flowers, the best of which set in

pots, that they may be so placed each season, as to have the morning Sun on∣ly; not up against a south wall, for they love not intemperate heat.

The several sorts of Primroses appear, The blustring Virgin Beauties of the year, Till the Bears Ears with more numerous dies, Do take the field, but much more take our Eyes, Or the Ranunculus, Anemonies So richly dy'd in grain, challenge the prize; Till Tulips in their glorious dress come forth, Scorning all Rivals dare compare in worth, Which Roses offer at, yet sweetly yield, To July-flowers that next do crown the field, And will the honour wear, or loose each head, With looks like fair-skin'd Thisbe when she bled, Or when a sadder purple-stream had been Trickling all over her sweet Lilly skin. Others did seem, and some of kin did show, Like to the blushes on her face did flow; Whilst one to steal her breath, to mouth did skip, So wears the Scent and Scarlet of her lip. Nay, the deep Clove its darker hue doth hold From her once-brighter blood, congeal'd and cold

But dead change looks, and similize her thus, Hanging their heads as she on Pyramus. Their Pens may write, or Pencils draw their story, Living the Eyes best witness of their glory.

Clematis peregrina flore rubro, Red Vir∣gins-bower, hath many limber weak woody branches, covered with a thin brown outer bark, and green underneath, winding about any thing it can take hold of; the leaves stand at the joynts, con∣sisting of three parts, some notched on one side, some on both: the flowers the latter end of this Month begin to ap∣pear from the joints on long foot-stalks, made of four leaves, standing like a Cross of sullen dark red, the roots a bundle of brown strong strings, fastned to a head, running deep in the ground.

Clem. &c. purpureo, Purple Virgins bower, of a sad heavy blewish purple.

Clematis, &c. pleno purpureo, The dou∣ble purple Virgins bower, like the for∣mer, but bigger and stronger, colour'd alike in the flower, which is very thick and double; the outward leaves broad as the others are, but the inward nar∣row folded close together, like a big but∣ton

in the middle of the flower, which open so slowly, that the outward leaves fall off before the others spread them∣selves, and continue flowering the next month; these must be supported against a wall: the young and small branches that are apt to die in winter, pruned off in March; the nearer cut, the fairer the flowers.

Geranium nocte olens, This is the onely Cranes-bill worth our notice, and so called, because it smelleth sweet onely in the night; it hath a great root like a Paeony, with large jagged leaves; the flowers come forth in this Month, with small and round-pointed leaves, of a pur∣ple colour, listed about with yellow; these stand on smooth stalks eight or ten on a head, which by night are as sweet in the night, as beautiful in the day; the Plant is tender, and therefore set in a pot; and govern'd in winter as the Cardinals flow∣er, or housed and kept dry in winter, for any moisture rots the root.

Jucca Indica, The Indian Jucca, hath a large Tuberous root and fibres, thence springs a great round tuft of hard long hollow green leaves, with points as sharp as thorns, always remaining, but

some of the outward ones which are supplyed by those that spring in the middle: from an old Plant well kept sometimes springs a strong round stalk, divided into several branches, which bear divers flowers, something like the Fri∣tilaria's, but narrower at the bottom, containing six leaves, the three out∣ward veined on the backs, from the bot∣tom to the middle, with a reddish blush upon white, coming forth in this Month, and soon fall away without seeding with us. This Plant must be set in a large square box, wide and deep, fill'd with good rich earth, housed in winter, and defended from Frosts; it never here in∣creases, that I yet know of, but are brought from the West-Indies.

Periptoca Virginiana, Virginian silk, rises with one or more round stalks, near four foot high, at several joynts set with two long, broad vein'd, round pointed green leaves; on the top of the stalk, out of a skinny-hose, a great tuft of flowers come forth, thirty or forty hanging down on long foot-stalks, each consisting of five small hollow leaves, of a purplish colour; which past, come long crooked Cods standing upwards, containing flat

brown seeds, wrapped within a great deal of fine soft whitish brown silk, the root big and white, running far un∣der-ground, and springing up in many places; it flowers in July, bringeth Seeds and silks in August; it hath been raised from seeds brought from Virginia; the stalks die to the ground every win∣ter, but springs again at Spring, if the place where it stands be covered with horse-dung in winter to defend it from frosts.

Jasminum album, White Jasmine: from the bigger boughs that come from the root, proceed divers green flexible branches, set with winged leaves of a dark green colour, standing two together at the joynts, made of many small poin∣ted leaves, set on each side of a middle rib, commonly three on a side, one big∣ger and more pointed at the end; at the tops of the young branches, divers flow∣ers come forth together in a tuft, each on a long foot-stalk, which are small, long, and hollow, opening into five white pointed leaves, of a strong sweet scent, falling away here with us without seed∣ing.

Jasminum Catilonicum, the Catilonian or Spanish Jasmine, like the last in grow∣ing, differs only in the flowers, which be∣fore open in a blush, after white with blewish edges, the branch and green leaves larger but shorter, the whole not rising half so high, the flowers sweeter than the other.

Jasminum Hispanicum mutiplex, the double Spanish Jasmine grows like the last, the flowers white but bigger and double, containing two rowes of leaves, with some smaller coming forth of the middle of the flowers which are as sweet as the former.

Jasminum Luteum, the yellow Jasmine, hath many long slender branches, set at distances with three small dark green leaves together, the middle or end leaf being the biggest; at the joints where the leaves come forth, stand long stalks, bear∣ing small long hollow flowers, ending in five, sometimes six yellow leaves: the flowers past, round, black shining berries succeed them, the roots are tough and white, creeping in the ground, coming up in divers places, much increas∣ing.

Jasminum Indicum flore Phaenico, the

Indian scarlet Jasmine, cometh up from a large spread root, with one, two or more flexible branches, which must have some∣what to support them, putting forth at every joint small and short tendrils, by which it fastens to any woody substance; at the same place comes forth two wing∣ed leaves, large almost as Rose leaves, full of veins and finely nicked on the edges, standing usually three on a side, and one at the end, which are reddish at first, after of a fair yellowish green colour; at the end of the branches comes forth the flowers, many together, long like a Fox glove, at the ends opening into five fair broad leaves, with a stile and small threds, in the middle of a Saffron colour, some Plants have on the inside the flowers small, red leaves, others of a deep scarlet, vein'd with small yellow lines.

These Jasmines flower from July to the middle of August, the first white and common yellow are hardy and endure our Winter colds, encreasing fast enough by suckers; but the Indian yellow and the Spanish, must be planted in pots or boxes, that they may be housed in Winter, encreased usually, by grafting them late in the Spring on the common white Jas∣mine,

the approach way, they may also be encreased by layers.

Laurus Rosea, sive Oleander, the Rose Bay-tree is of two sorts, one breaking red the other white flowers, in nothing else differing, its stem growing to the bigness of a mans thumb, divided into three branches, at each joint bearing long, hard, thick, dark green leaves; at the end of the branches come forth the flowers, of a deep blush in the one and white in the other, consisting of four narrower long yet round pointed leaves, which here fall away without seed.

Laurus Indica, the Indian Bay thrives with us but slowly, rising not above four foot high, the branches cover'd with a yellowish green bark, thick set with leaves, which are betwixt those of the Cherry-Bay and the common kind, the flowers grow in a long spike, of a greenish white colour, succeeded by Berries like small O∣lives; this plant must be defended from frosts in Winter and is encreased by layers.