The country-mans recreation, or the art of planting, graffing, and gardening in three bookes. The first declaring divers wayes of planting, and graffing ... also how to cleanse your grafts and cions, how to helpe barren and sicke trees, how to kill wormes and vermin and to preserve and keepe fruit, how to plant and proyne your vines, and to gather and presse your grape ... how to make your cider and perry ... The second treateth of the hop-garden, with necessary instructions for the making and the maintenance thereof ... Whereunto is added, the expert gardener, containing divers necessary and rare secrets belonging to that art ...

[illustration] a man grafting a tree

Heere followeth certaine wayes of Planting and Graffing, with other necessaries heerein meete to be knowne.

Translated out of Dutch, by L. M.

To graffe one Vine on another.

YOu that will Graffe one Vine upon another, ye shall (in Ianuary) cleave the head of the Vines, as ye doe other stockes, and then put in your Vine, Graffe or Cion, but first ye must pare him thin ere ye set him in the head, then Clay and Mosse him as the other.

Chosen dayes to Graffe in and to choose your Cions.

ALso whensoever that ye will Graffe, the best chosen time is on the last day before the Change, and also in the Change, and on the second day after the change 〈◊〉〈◊〉 if ye Graffe (as some say) on the third, fourth, and fifth day

after the change, it will be so many yeares ere those Trees bring forth fruit. Which thing ye may beleeve if ye will, but I will not. For some doe hold opinion, that it is good graffing from the change unto the xviii. day thereof, which J thinke to be good in all the increasing of the Moone, but the sooner the better.

To gather your Cions.

ALso such Cions or Graffes, which ye doe get on the other Trees, the young Trees of three or foure yeares, or five or sixe yeares are best to have Graffes. Take them of no under boughes, but in the top upon the East side, if ye can, and of the fairest and greatest. Ye shall cut them two inches long of the old Wood, beneath the joynt. And whensoever ye will graffe, cut or pare your Graffes taper-wise from the joynt, two inches or more of length, which ye shall set into the stocke; and before ye set it in, ye shall open your stocke with a wedge of Iron, or hard wood, faire, and softly; then if the sides of your clefts be ragged ye shall pare them with the point of a sharp knife on both sides within and above, then set in your Graffes close on the out-sides, and also above; but let your stocke be as little while open as ye can, and when your grafts be well set in, plucke forth your wedge, and if your stockes doe pinch your grafts much, then ye must put in a wedge of the same wood to helpe your Graffes: Then ye shall lay a thicke barke or pill o∣ver the cleft, from the one Graft to the other, to keepe out the clay and raine, and so clay them two fingers thicke round a∣bout the cliffes, and then lay on Mosse, but wooll is better next to your clay, or else to temper your Clay with wooll or haire, for it shall make it bide closer, and also stronger on the stock-head, some take wooll next the clay and wrappeth it all over with linnen clouts, for the wool being once moist will keep the clay so a long time. And other some take Wollen clouts, that have beene laid in the juyce of Worme-wood, or such like bitter thing, to keep creeping Worms from comming under to the Grafts. If ye graffe in Winter, put your clay up∣permost, for Summer, your Mosse. For in Winter the Mosse is

warme, and your clay will not cleave. In Summer your clay is cold, and your Mosse keepes him from cleaving or chapping. To bind them take of Willow pills, of cloven Briers, of Oziers, or such like. To gather your Graffes of the East part of the tree is counted best; if ye gather them below on the under boughes, they will grow ••••••ggie, and spreading abroad: If ye take them in the top of the tree, they will grow upright. Yet some doe gather there Cions or Graffes on the sides of the trees and so graffe them againe on the like sides of the stocks, the which is of some men not counted so good for fruit. It is not good to graft a great stocke, for they will be long ere they cover the head thereof.

Of Wormes in Trees or fruit.

IF ye have any trees eaten with Worms, or doe bring Wor∣my fruit, ye shall use to wash all his body and great bran∣ches, with two parts of Gowpisse and one part of Vineger, or else if ye can get no Vineger, with Cowpisse alone, tempered with common Ashes, then wash your trees therwith before the Spring, and in the Spring or in Summer. Anniseeds sowne a∣bout the tree rootes, drive away wormes, and the fruit shall be the sweeter.

The setting of Stones and ordering thereof

AS for Almond-trees, Peach-trees, Cherry-trees, Plum-trees, or others, ye shal thus plant or set them. Lay first the stones in water, three dayes and foure nights untill they sinke there∣in, then take them betwixt your finger and your thumbe, with the small end upward, and so set them two fingers deepe in good earth. And when ye have so done, ye shall rake them all over, and so cover them: and when they begin to grow or spring, keepe them from weeds and they shall prosper the better, specially in the first yeare. And within two or three yeares after, ye shall set or remove them where ye list, then if ye doe remove them againe after that, ye must proine of all his twigs, as ye shall see cause, nigh the stocke: this ye may doe of all kind of Trees, but specially those which have the great Sappe, as the Mulberry or Fig-trees, or such like.

To gather Gumme of any Tree.

IF ye list to have the Gumme of an Almond-tree, ye shall sticke a great naile into the Tree, a good way, and so let him rest, and the Gumme (of the Tree) shall issue thereat, thus do men gather Gumme of all sorts of Trees: yea, the common Gumme that men doe use and occupy.

To set a whole Apple.

ALso some say, that if ye set a whole Apple foure fingers in the earth, all the Pepins or Curnels in the same Ap∣ple, will grow up together in one whole stocke or Cion, and all those Apples shall be much fairer and greater then others: but ye must take heed, how ye doe set those Apples, which doe come in Leape-yeare, for in a Leape-yeare (as some doe so) the Curnels or Pepins, are turned contrary, for if ye should so set as commonly a man doth, ye shall set them contrary.

Of setting the Almond.

ALmonds doe come forth and grow commonly well if they be set without the shell or huske, in good earth or in rotten Hogs dung: Jf ye lay Almonds one day in Vineger, then shall they (as some say) be very good to plant or lay him in milke and water, untill he doe sinke, it shall be the better to set, or any other Nut.

Of Pepins watered.

THe Pepins and Curnels of those Trees, which have a thicke or rough barke, if ye lay them three dayes in water, or else untill they sinke therein, they shall be the better, then ••et them, or sow them, as is afore-mentioned, and then remove them, when they be wel rooted, or three or foure years growth and they shall have a thinne barke.

To Plant or set Vines.

IF ye Plant or set Vines in the first or second yeare, they will bring no fruit, but in the third yeare they will beare, if they

be well kept: ye shall cut them in Ianuary, and set them soon after they be cut from the Vine, and ye shall set two together the one with the old wood, and the other without, and so let them grow, plucking away all weeds from about them, and when ye shall remove them in the second and third yeare, be∣ing well rooted, ye shall set them well a foote deepe, (in good fat earth) with good dung, as of one foot deepe or thereabouts, and keep them cleane from weeds, for then they will prosper the better, and in Summer when the Grape is knit, then ye shall breake off his top or branch, at one or two joynts after the Grape, and so the Grape shall be the greater, and in the Win∣ter when ye cut them, ye shall not leave past two or three lea∣ders on each branch, on some branch but one leader, which must be cut betwixt two joynts, and ye shall leave the young Vine to be the leader. Also ye shall leave thereof three or foure joynts at all times, if a young Cion doe come forth of the old branch, or side thereof, if ye doe cut him ye shall cut him hard by the old branch, and if ye will have him to bring the Grape next yeare, ye shall leave two or three joynts thereof; for the young Cion alwayes bringeth the Grape: ye may at all times so that the Grape be once taken and knit, ever as the superflu∣ous Cions doe grow, ye may breake them of at a joynt, or hard by the old branch, and the Grapes will be the greater: thus ye may order your Vine all the Summer long without any hurt.

To Set or Plant the Cherry.

CHerry-trees, and all the trees of stonefruit, would be plan∣red or set of Cions, in cold grounds and places of good earth, and likewise in high or hilly places, dry and well in the shade: if ye doe remove, ye ought to remove them in Novem∣ber and Ianuary, if ye shall see your Cherry-tree waxe rotten, then shall ye make a hole in the middest of the body two foot above the ground, with a big Piercer, that the humour may passe forth thereby, then afore the Spring shut him up againe with a pinne of the same Tree: thus ye may doe unto all other sorts of trees when they begin to rot, and is also good for them

which beare scant of fruit or none.

To keepe Cheries good a yeere.

FOr to keepe Cheries good a yeare, ye shal cut off the stalks, and then lay them in a well leaded pot, & fill the said pot therewith, then put into them of good thin Honey, and fill the said pot therwith, then stop it with Clay that no ayre enter in, then set them in some faire Seller, and put of Sand under and all about it, and cover the Pot well withall, so let it stand or remaine; thus ye may keepe them a yeare, as fresh as though they came from the Tree, and after this sort ye may keepe Peares or other fruit.

Against Pismires.

IF ye have Cherry-trees laded or troubled with Pismires or Ants, ye shall rub the body of the Tree, and all about the root with the juyce of Purslane mingled halfe with Vineger. Some doe use to anoint the Tree beneath all about the body with taro and Birds lime, with wooll, oyle boyled together, and anoint the tree beneath therewith, and doe lay the Chalke stones all about the Tree roote, some say it is good therefore.

The Setting of Chesnuts.

THe Chesnut-tree, men doe use to plant like unto the Fig-tree. They may be both planted and graffed well, they waxe well in fresh and fat earth, for in sand they like not. If ye will set the Curnels, ye shall lay them in water untill they doe sinke, and those that doe sinke to the bottome of the water be best to set, which ye shall set in the Moneth of November and December, foure fingers deepe, a foot one from another, fo•• when they be in these two Moneths set or planted they shall endure long and beare also good fruit, yet some there be that plant or set them first in dung, like Beanes, which will be sweeter then the other sort, but those which be set in these two Moneths aforesaid, shall first beare their fruit, men may prove which is b••st, experience doth teach.

This is another way to prove a••d know, which Chesnuts be best to plant or set, that is, ye shall take a quantity of nuts, then

lay them in Sand the space of thirty dayes, then take and wash them in water faire and cleane, and throw them into water a∣gaine and those which doe sinke to the bottome, are good to plant or set, and the other that swimme are naught; thus may ye doe with all other Curnels or Nuts.

To have all stone fruit tast, at ye shall thinke good.

IF ye will have all stone fruit tast as ye shall fansie or thinke good, ye shall first lay your stones to soke in such licour or moisture, as ye will have the fruit tast of, and then set them, as for the Date tree (as some say) he bringeth no fruit except he be a hundred yeare old, and the Date-stone must soke one Moneth in the water before he be set, then shall ye set him with the small end upward in good fat earth, in hote Sandy ground foure fingers deepe, and when the boughes doe begin to spring, then shall ye every night sprinckle them with raine water, (or other if ye have none) so long till they be come forth and growne.

Of Graffing the Medler and Misple.

FOr to graffe the Medler or Misple: men doe use to Graffe them on the White Hathorne Tree, they will prove well, but yet small and sower fruit, to graffe one Medlar upon another is the better, some men doe graffe first the Wilding Cion upon the Medlar stocke, and so when he is well taken and growne, then they graffe thereon the Medlar againe, the which doth make them more sweet, very great and faire.

Of the Fig-tree.

THe Fig-tree in some Country, beareth his fruit foure times a Yeare, the Blacke Figges are the best being dryed in the Sunne, and then layed in a Vessell in beddes one by another, and then sprinckled or strawed all over, every lay with fine Meale, then stop it up, and so it is sent out of that Land. If the Fig-tree will not

beare, ye shall digge him all about, and under the roots in Fe∣bruary, and take out then all his earth, and put unto him the dung of a Privie, for that he liketh best: ye may mingle with it of other fat earth, as Pigeons dung mingled with Oyle and Pepper stampt, which shall forward him much to noint his rootes therewith: ye shall not plant the Figge-tree in cold times, he loveth hote, stony, or gravelly ground, and to be planted in Autumne is best.

Of the Mulberry-tree.

IF ye will plant the Mulberry-tree, the Fig-tree, or others which bring no seed, ye shall cut a twig or branch (from the tree roote) of a yeares growth, with the old wood or barke, about a cubit long, which ye shall plant or set all in the earth. save a shaftment long to it, and so let it grow, watering it as ye shall see need. This must be done before the leaves be∣gin to Spring, but take heed that ye cut not the end or top a∣bove, for then it shall wither and dry.

Of Trees that beare bitter fruit.

OF all such trees as beare bitter fruit, to make them bring sweeter, ye shall uncover all the rootes in Ianuary, and take out all that earth, then put unto them of Hogs dung great plenty, and then after put unto them of other good earth and so cover them therewithall well againe, and their fruit shall have a sweeter tast. Thus men may doe with other trees which bring bitter fruit.

To helpe barren Trees.

HEre is another way to helpe barren Trees, that they may bring fruit, if you see your Tree not beare scantly in three or foure years good plenty, ye shall bore an hole with an Auger or Piercer, in the greatest place of the body, (with∣in a yard of the ground) but not through, but unto or past the heart, ye shall bore him a slope: then take honey and water mingled together a night before, then put the said Hony and

water into the hole and fill it therewith, then stop it close with a short pinne made of the same Tree, not stricken in too farre for piercing the licour.

An other way.

IN the beginning of Winter, ye shall dig those Trees round about the rootes, and let them so rest a day and a night, and then put unto them of good earth, mingled well with good store of watred Otes, or with watred Barley or Wheat, laid next unto the rootes, then fill it with other good earth, and he shall beare fruit; even as the boring of a hole in the maister roote, and striking in a pinne, and so fill him againe, shall helpe him to beare, as before is declared.

To keepe your Fruit.

ALL fruit may be the better kept if ye lay them in dry places, in dry straw or Hay, but Hay ripeth too sore, or in a Barley-mow, not touching one the other, or in Chaffe, or in vessels of Iuniper or Cipers wood: ye may so keepe them well in dry Salt or Hony, and upon boardes, whereas fire is nigh all the Winter, also hanging nigh fire in the Winter, in Nets of yarne.

The Mulberry-tree.

THe Mulberry-tree, is planted or set by the Fig-tree: his fruit is first sower, and then sweet, he liketh neither Dew nor Raine, for they hurt him, he is wel pleased with foule e••rth and dung: His branches will waxe dry within every sixe yeares, then must ye cut them off, as for other Trees they ought to be proined every yeare, as ye shall see cause, and they will be the better, and to plant them from the midst of Fe∣bruary, to the midst of March is best.

Of Mosse of the Tree.

OF the Mosse on your Trees, ye must not let it too long be unclensed, ye must rub it off with a grate of wood, or a rough Haire, or such like, in Winter when they be moist

〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

To have the Peach without stones.

FOr to make the Peach grow without stones, ye shall take a Peach-tree newly planted, then set a Willow hard by, which ye shall bore a hole through, then put the Peach-tree through the said hole, and so close him on both sides thereof, Sappe to Sappe, and let him so grow one yeare, then the next yeare ye shall cut off the Peach stocke, and let the Willow feed him, and cut off the upper part of the Willow also three fin∣gers high: and the next Winter saw him off nigh the Peach, so that the Willow shall feed but the Peach onely: and this way ye may have Peaches without stones.

Another way for the same.

YE shall take the Graffes of Peaches, and Graffe them up∣on the Willow stocke, and so shall your Peaches be like∣wise without stones.

If Trees doe not prosper.

IF ye see that your Trees doe not waxe nor prosper, take and open the rootes in the beginning of Ianuary or afore, and in the biggest roote thereof, make an hole with an Auger to the pith or more, then strike therein a pinne of Oke and so stop it againe close, and let it be well waxt all about the pinne, then cover him againe with good earth, and he shall doe well, some doe use to cleave the roote.

How to graffe Apples, to last on the Tree till Ahallontide.

HOw ye may have many sorts of Apples upon your Trees untill Alhallontide, that is, ye shall graft your Apples up∣on the Mulberry-tree, and upon the Cherry-tree.

To make Cherries and Peaches smell and tast like spice.

HOw to make that Cherries and Peares, shall be pleasant and shall smell and tast like spice, and that ye may keepe

them well, till the new doe come againe, ye shall graffe them on the Mulberry-tree, as is afore-said: But first ye shall soake them in Hony and Water, wherein ye shall put of the powder of Cloves, Ginger, and Cinamon.

To graffe an Apple which shall he halfe sweet and halfe sower.

TO graffe that your Apples shall be the one halfe sweet, and the other halfe sower, ye shall take two Cions, the one sweet and the other ••ower, some doe put the one Cion through the other, and so gr••ffes them betweene the barke and the Tree; and some againe doe p••re both the Cions finely, and so sets them joyni••g into the stocke, inclosing Sap to Sap, on both the out-side•• of the graffes, unto the out-sides of the stock, and so sets them into the head as the other, and they shall bring fruit, the one halfe sweet and the other halfe sower.

To graffe a Rose on the Holly.

FOr to graffe the Holly, that his l••aves shall keepe all the yeare greene; Some doe take and cleave the Holly, and so graffes in a white or red Rose bud, and then put clay and ••••osse to him, and lets him grow, and some doe put the Rose bud into a slitte of the barke, and so patteth Clay and Mosse and binds him featly therein, and lets him grow, and he shall cary his leafe all the yeare.

Of keeping of Plummes.

OF Plums there be many sorts, as Damsons, which be all blacke and counted the best: All manner of other Plum: a man may keepe well a yeare, if they be gathered ripe, and then dryed, and put into Vessels of Gl••••••••. If ye c••••∣not dry them well in the Sunne, ye shall dry them on hu••∣dels of Oziers made like Lattice Windowes, in a hot Oven after Bread is drawne forth, and so reserve them. If a Plum-tree like not, open his rootes, and powre in all about the dregs of Wine mixt with Water, and so cover him well againe, or

powre on them stale Urine or old pisse of old men, mixt with two parts of water, and so cover him as before.

Of altering of Peares, or stony fruit.

IF a Peare doe tast hard or gravelly about the core, like small stones, ye shall uncover his rootes (in the Winter, or afore the Spring) and take out all the earth thereof, and pricke out all the stones as cleane from the earth as ye can about his root, then sift that earth, or else take of other good fat earth without stones, and fill all his rootes againe therewith, and he shall bring a so••t and gentle Peare to eate, but ye must see well to the watering of him often.

The making of Cyder and Perrie.

OF Apples and Peares, men doe make Cyder and Perry, and because the use thereof in most places is knowne, I will heere let passe to speake any furthet thereof, but this (in the pressing your Cyder) I will counsell you to keepe cleane your vessels, and the places where as your fruit doth lye, and specially after it is bruised or broken, for then they draw filthy ayre unto them, and if it be nigh the Cyder shall be infected therewith, and also beare, the tast after the infection thereof, therefore as soone as you can, tun it into cleane and sweet ves∣sels, as into vessels of white Wine, or of Sacke, or of Cl••ret, and such like, for these shall keepe your Cyder the better and the stronger a long time after: ye may hang a small bag of linnen b•• a threed downe into the lower part of your Vessell, with Powder of Cloves, Mace, Cinamond, and Ginger, and such like, which will make your Cider to have a pleasant tast.

To helpe frozen Apples.

OF Apples that be froz••n in the cold and extreame Win∣ter. The remedy to have the Ise out of them, is this. Ye shall lay them first in cold water a while, and then lay them before the fire, or other heat, and they shall come to themselves againe.

To make Apples fall from the Tree.

IF ye put of fiery coles under an Apple-tree, and then cast of the powder of Brimstone therein and the fume thereof as∣cend up, and to••ch any Apple that is wet, that Apple shall fall incontinent.

To water Trees in Summer if they waxe dry a∣bout the Roote.

WHereas Apple-trees be set in dry Ground and not dead in the Ground, in Summer if they want moy∣sture ye shall take of Wheat straw, or other, and every evening (or as ye shall see cause) cast thereon water all about, and it will keepe the Trees moist from time to time.

To cherish Apple-trees.

IF ye use to throw (in Winter) all about your Apple-trees or the rootes thereof, the Urine of old men, or stale pisse long kept, they shall bring fruit much better, which is good for the Vine also, or if ye doe sprinckle or annoint your Apple-tree rootes with the Gall of a Bull, they shall beare the better.

To make an Apple grow in a Glasse.

TO make an Apple grow within a Glasse, take a Glasse what fashion ye list, and put your Apple therein when he is but small, and bind him fast to the Glasse, and the Glasse also to the Tree, and let him grow, thus ye may have Apples of divers proportions, according to the fashion of your Glasse. Thus may ye make of Cucumbers, Gourdes, or Pomeci∣trons the like fashion.

[illustration] tree

THese three branches and figure of graffing in the shield in Summer is, the first branch sheweth how the barke is taken of, the middle place sheweth, how it is set too, and the last branch sheweth how to bind him on, in saving the oylet or eye from bruising.

To graffe many sorts of Apples on one Tree.

YE may graffe on one Apple-tree at once, many kind of Apples, as on ever, branch a contrary fruit, as is afore decl••red, and of Peares the like; but see as nigh as you 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that all your Cions be of like springing, for else the one will not grow and shadow the other.

To colour Apples.

TO have c••••oured Apples, with what colour ye shall thinke good, ye shall bore slope a hole with an Auger, in the big-Tree part o•• the body of the Tree, unto the middest thereof,

or there-abouts, and then look what colour ye will have them of. First ye shall take water, and mingle your colour therewith, then stop it up gaine with a short pinne made of the same wood or tree, then waxe it round about; ye may mingle with the said colour what space ye list, to make them tast there∣after: thus may ye change the colour and t••st of any Apple. Your colours may be of S••ffron 〈◊〉〈◊〉 soule, Bra••ell ••••••un∣ders, or other what ye shall see goo••. This must be done be∣fore the Spring doe come: So••e doe ••••ay, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 graffe on the Olive stocke, or on the Alder stocke, they 〈…〉〈…〉. Ap∣ples. Also they say, to graffe to have 〈…〉〈…〉 shall graffe in both the ends of your Cion into the 〈…〉〈…〉 when they be fast grow••e to the stock•• ••e shall 〈…〉〈…〉 middest, and let the smaller e d grow upward, or else 〈…〉〈…〉 Cion and graffe the small end of the stocke downeward, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so shall ye have your Apple-tree on St. L••••berts day (wh•••••• is the xvii of September) they shall never wast, consume, ••or waxe d••y, which I doubt.

The setting of Vine Plants.

[illustration] diagram of setting vine plants

THese figures doe shew how ye ought to plant and set your Vines, in two and two together, the one to have a p••r•• of the old Tree, and the other may be all of the last Cion, but when ye plant him with a part of the old tree, he shall com∣monly take root sooner then the new Cion; ye must weed them every moneth, and let not the earth be too 〈◊〉〈◊〉 above their rootes at the first, but now and then lose it with 〈…〉〈…〉 as ye shall see a raine past, for then they shall enlarg•• 〈…〉〈…〉 forth better. Further herein ye shall 〈…〉〈…〉.

How to proyne or cut a Vine in Winter.

[illustration] diagram of pruning a vine

THis Figure sheweth, how all Vines should be proined and cut, in a convenient time after Christmas, that when ye cut them, ye shall leave his branches very thinne, as ye see by this figure, ye shall never leave above two or three leaders at the head of any principal branch, ye must also cut them off in the middest betweene the knots of the young Cions, for those be the leaders which will bring the Grape, the rest and order ye shall understand as followeth.

Of the Vine and Grape.

SOmewhat I intend to speake of the ordering of the Vine and Grape, to plant or set the Vine: the Plants or Sets which be gathered from the Vine (and so planted) are best, they must not be old gathered nor lye long unplanted after they be cut, for then they will soon gather corruption, and when ye do gather your Plants ye must take heed to cut & chose them, where as ye may with the yong Cion, a joynt of the old wood

with the new, for the old wood will soonet take root then the new, and better to grow then if it were all young Cion, ye shall leave the old wood to the young Cion, a foote or halfe a foote, or a shaftment long, the young Cion ye shall cut the length of three quarters of a yard or thereabouts, and yee shall choose of those young Cions that be thickest joynter, or nigh joynts together, and when ye shall Plant or set them, looke that your ground be well digged in the winter before, then in Ianuary ye may both cut and plant, but cut not in the Frost, for that is danger of all kind of trees, or yee m••y plant in the beginning of February, and when ye doe plant, ye shall take two of those plants, and set or lay them toge∣ther, a foote deepe in the earth, for two plants set together will not ••o soone fall, as one alone, and lay them a foote long∣wise in the earth, so that there may be aboue the earth three or foure joynts: ye may plant a young Cion with the old, so that it be thicke or nigh joynted, for then he is the better to roote, and also to bring fruit: then when ye haue set or layed them in the earth, then cover them well therewith, in trea∣ding it fast downe unto the plants, but let the ends of your Cions or Plants be turned upright, aboue the earth, three or foure joynts, if there shall be more when they be set, ye shall cut them off, and ye shall cut them alwaies in the middest betweene the two joynts, and then let them so grow, and see that ye weed them alwayes cleane, and once a moneth loose the earth round about them and they shall proue the bet∣ter, If it be very dry and hot in the Summer after, ye may water them, in making a hole with a crow of Iron to the roote and there ye shall powre in water in the evening. As for the proyning of them is, when the Grape is t••ken and clu∣stered, then ye may brake the next joynt or two frer the Grape, of all such sup rfluous Cions as ye shall see cause, which will cause the Grape to waxe bigger: Ye may also breake away all supe••fluous buddes or slender branches, which commeth about the roote, or on the under branches, which ye thinke will haue no Grape, and when ye proi••t or

〈◊〉〈◊〉 them in Winter following, ye shall not cut the yong Cion ••ight the old, by three or foure joynts, ye shall not cut them like 〈◊〉〈◊〉, to leave a sort of heads together on the branch, which doth kill your Vine, ye shall leave but one head, or two at the most of the young Cions upon the old branch, and to cut those yong Cions three or foure knots or joynts of, for the yo••g Cion doth carry the Grape alwayes, and when ye leave upon a great branch many Cions, they cannot be well nouri∣shed, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ye 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••o cut them in Winter, ye shall bind 〈…〉〈…〉 Oziers, in placing those young branches as ye shall 〈…〉〈…〉 vine, when the branches are ten∣der, ye shall bind them so, that the stormy tempest or wind do not hurt the•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to bind them withall, the best is, great ••oft Rushes and when the Grape is clustered, then ye may breake of all such branches as is afore declared, upon one old branch three or foure heads be enough, for the more heads your branch ••••th, the worse your Grape shall be nourished, and when ye cut off a••y branch, cut him of hard by or nigh the old branch; if your Vine waxe old, the best remedy is, if there grow any young ••ion about the root, ye shall in the Winter cut off the old Vine h••rd by the ground, or as nigh as ye can and let the young Vine lead, and he will continue a long time, if ye cover 〈…〉〈…〉 about the roote with good Earth againe. There is also upon or by every cluster of Grapes, a small ••i∣on like a Pigs T••ile, turning about, which doth take away the Sap from the Grape, if ye pinch it of hard by the st••lke of your Grape, your fruit shall be the greater. If your Vine w••xe too ra••ke and thicke of branches, ye shall digge the root in Winter and open the earth, and fill it up againe with Sand a••d Ashes mingle together, and whereas a Vine is unfruitfull a••d doth not beare ye shall bore a hole (with an Auger) unto the h••art or pith, in the body or thickest part thereof, then p•••• in the said hole a small stone, but fill not the hole close therewit••, but so that the sicknesse of the Vine may passe ther∣by. Then lay all about the roote of good earth mingled w th

good Dung, and so shall he not be unfruitfull, but beare well ever after: or also, to tast of old mens urine or pisse, all about the roote of the barren Vine, and if he were halfe lost or mard he should grow againe and waxe fruitfull as before: This is to be done in Winter.

To have Grapes without stones.

FOr to have Grapes without stones, ye shall take young Plants or Branches, and shall set or plant the top or small end downeward in the earth, and so ye may set two of them together for failing, as I have afore declared of the others, and those branches shall bring Grapes without stones.

To make your Vine to bring a Grape to tast like Claret.

TO make your Vine to have a Grape, to tast like Claret Wine, and pleasant withall: ye shall bore a hole in the stock unto the hart, or pith thereof, then shall ye make a Lectu∣ary with the Powder of Cloves, of Cinamond mingled with a little Fountaine or running water, and fill the said hole there∣with and stop it fast and close with waxe, and so bind it fast thereon with a Linnen cloth, and those Grapes shall tast like Claret-wine.

Of gathering your Grapes.

ALL Grapes that men doe cut, before they are through ripe, the Wine shall not be naturall, nor yet shall long endure good: But if ye will cut or gather Grapes, to have them good, and to have good Wine thereof, ye shall cut them in the Full, or soone after the full of the Moone, when she is in Can∣cer; in Leo, in Scorpio, and in Aquarius the Moone being in the waine and under the earth.

To know if your Grape be ripe enough.

FOr to know if your Grape be ripe enough, or not, which ye shall not onely know in the tast, but in sight and tast together, as in tast if they be sweete, and full

in eating, and in sight, if the stone will soone fall out being chafed or bruised which is t••e b••st knowledge, and also whe∣ther they be white or blew, it is all one matter: The good Grape is he, which commeth out all watry, or those which be all clammie as Bird-lime: by these signes ye shall know when to cut, being through ripe or not, and whereas you doe presse your Wine, ye must make your place sweet and cleane and your Vessels within to be cleane also, and see that they have strong heads, and those persons which doe presse the Grape, must looke their hands, feet and body be clean washed, when as they goe to presse the Grape, and that no woman be there having her termes: And also ye shall eat of no Chebols, Scalions, On••ons, or G••rlike, Annisceds, or such like: For all strong savours your Wine will draw the infection thereof, and as soone as your Grape is cut and gathered, you shall presse your Wine after, as soone as ye may, which will make your Wine to be more pleasant and stronger, for the Grapes which tarrieth long unprest, maketh the Wine to be small and ill; ye must see that your vessels be new, and sweet within, and to be washed with sweet water, and then well dryed againe, and to perfume them with M••sticke, and such sweet vapour, and if your Vessell chance not to be sweet, then shall ye pitch him on the sides, which pitch will take away all evill, and such stinking savour therein.

To prove or tast Wine.

ANd whensoever ye will prove or tast any Wine, the best time is, early in the Morning, and take with you three or foure sops of bread, then dippe one after another into the Wine, for therein ye shall find (if there be any) sharpe tast of the Wine. Thus I leave (at this present) to speake any fur∣ther hereof the Wine and Grape.

If this my simple labour be taken in good part (Gentle Reader) it shall the more hereafter encourage me, to set forth a∣nother Booke more at large, touching the Art of Planting and Graffing, with other things necessary to be knowne.

Heere followeth the best times how to order or choose, and to Set or Plant Hoppes.

[illustration] diagram of setting hop plants

IN this figure ye shall understand, the placing and making of Hoppe hills, by every Sipher over his head, the first place is shewed, but one Pole set in the middest, and the Hop beneath: The second sheweth, how some doth chop downe a Spade in the middest of the Hills, and therein layes his Hop rootes. The third place sheweth, how other some doe set out one Pole in the middest, and the Hop rootes at holes put in round about. The fourth place sheweth, how some chops in a Spade crosse in the top, and there layes in his rootes. The fifth place sheweth, how some doe set foure Poles therein, and puts the Hop round about the Hill. The sixth place sheweth, that some use to make crosse-holes in the sides, and there layes in the Hop rootes. Thus many practises have beene proved good: Proved alwayes, that your Hills be of good fat earth, specially in the middest downe unto the bottome. This I thought sufficient to shew by this figure, the diversity in set∣ting, whereof the laying of the Hop is counted the surest way.

THe best and common setting time of Hoppes, is from the middest of November, to the midst of February, then

must ye dig and cleanse the ground of weeds, and mixe it well with good mould and fat earth. Then devide your Hills a yard one form another orderly, in making them a yard a sun∣der, and two foot and a halfe broad in the bottome, and when that ye plant them, ye shall lay in every Hill three or foure rootes: Some doe in setting of them lay them crosse-wise in the midst of the Hill, and so covers them againe: some sets the rootes in foure parts of the Hill, other some doe make holes round about the hills, and puts of the rootes therein, and so covers them againe light with earth; of one short roote in a yeare ye may have many plants, to set and lay as ye shall see it good, and it shall be sufficient for every plant, to have two knots within the ground, and one without: then some doe chop a Spade crosse into the Hill, and layes in crosse Hop, and so covers it.

To choose your Hoppe.

YE shall choose your rootes best for your Hop, in the Sum∣mer before ye shall plant them, for then ye shall see which beares the Hop, for some there is that brings none, but that which beares, choose for your plants, and set of those in your Hills, for so shall ye not be deceived and they shall prosper well.

To sow the Seeds.

SOme doe hold, that ye may sow among other Seeds, the Seeds of Hops, and they will encrease and be good to set, or else to make beds, and sow them alone, whereby they may encrease to be set, and when they be strong, ye may remove and set them in your Hills, and plant them as the other be∣fore mentioned.

The Setting your Poles.

THe best time is in Aprill, or when your rootes be sprung h••l•••• a yard long or more, then by every Plant or Hop in your hills, ye shall set up a Pole of xiii. or xiiii. foot long, or thereabouts, as cause shall require. Some doe use to set but

foure Poles in every Hill, which is thought sufficient, and when ye shall set them, see that ye set them so fast that great Winds doe not cast them downe.

How to proyne the Hop-tree.

YE shall marke when the Hop doth blossome, and knit in the top, which shall be perceived to be the Hop, then take and cut up all the rest growing thereabouts (not having Hop thereon) hatd by the earth, that all those which carry the Hop might be the better nourished: thus shall ye doe in Summer as ye shall see them encrease and grow, untill the time of ga∣thering.

To gather the Hoppe.

AT such time afore Michaelmasse, as ye shall see your hop waxe browne, or somewhat yellow, then he is best to be gathered in a dry day, in cutting your hop by the ground, then pluck up your Pole therewith for shaking of your hop, so cary them into some dry house and when ye have so pluckt them, ye shall lay them on boarded lofts, or on hurdels of cloathes, that the wind may dry them, and the ayre, but not in the Sun, for the same will take away the strength thereof, nor with fire, for that will doe likewise, and ye shall daily tosse and turn them till they be dry: to try them when they are dry, hold them in your hand a space, and if they cleave together when ye open your hand, they are not then dry; but if they shatter a sunder in opening your hand, then ye may be sure they are dry enough. It not let them remaine, and use ye them as is be∣fore said. Ye shall understand the drynesse of them is to pre∣serve them and long to last, but if need be, ye may occupy them well und••yed with lesse portion to sow.

What Poles are best.

YE shall prepare your Poles of such Wood as is light and stiffe, and which will not bow with every Wind, the best and meetest time to get them is in Winter, when the Sap is

gone downe, and as soone as ye have taken of your Hop, lay your Poles in sundry places untill the next Spring, whereby they may endure the longer.

How to order and dresse your Hills.

AFter the first yeare is past, your Hop being increased to more plenty of rootes in your Hills, ye shall after Mi∣chaelmasse every yeare open your Hills, and cast downe the tops unto the roots, uncovering them, and cut away all the su∣perfluous rootes, some doth plucke away all the rootes that spreades abroad without the Hills, then opens the Hills and puts of good new earth unto them, and so covers them again, which shall keepe them from the Frost, and also make the ground fat, so shall ye let them remaine unto the Spring of the yeare in February or March, then againe if ye shall see a∣ny superfluous rootes, ye may take them away, and cut them up and your Hop shall be the better, then againe cast up the earth about your Hills, and cleansing them from all weeds and other rootes, which will take away their strength, if the hearbes remaine, so let them rest till your Poles may be set therein.

Of ground best for your Hoppe.

THe Hop delighteth and loveth a good and reasonable fat ground, not very cold, nor yet too moist, for J have seene them prove well in Flanders, in dry Sandy fields, the Hop-hills being of good fat earth, ye may (as some say) for great need make your Hop grow and beare on any kind of Rockie ground, so that your Hills be great and fat earth, but the lower ground commonly proveth best, so that it stand well and hot in the Sunne.

A Note of the rest above-said.

YE shall marke and understand, all this order above said, is to have many Hops and good, with a few rootes and Plants placed in a small plot of ground. Ye shall understand, that wild Hoppe that groweth in the hedges is as good to oc∣cupie as the other to set or plant, in any other places but look

that ye take not the barren Hoppe to plant, some Hoppe will be barren for want of good earth, and lacke of good dressing which ye shall perceive (as I have told you) in the Summer before, that when they should beare they will be barren, which is for want of good fat earth, or an v••kind yeare, or lacke of weeding and good ordering. Therefore such as are minded to bestow labour on the ground, may have as good Hoppe growing in this country, as is in other countries: but if ye will not goe to that cost to make Hoppe yards, ye may with a light charge have hops grow in your hedge-rowes, to serve as well as the other, and shall be as good for the quan∣tity as the other in all respects: ye may (for lacke of ground) plant Hoppe rootes in Hedge-rowes, when ye doe quicke set, set up Poles by them when time shall require in the Spring and to bestow every winter after the gathering your Hoppe, on every hill head, a shovell full of dung to comfort the earth for then will they beare the more plenty of Hoppes the next yeare following. To conclude, you that have Grounds may well practise in all things afore-men••io••ed, and specially to have Hops in this ordering, for your selves, and others: also ye shall give encouragement for others to follow hereafter, J have heard by credible persons, which have knowne a hun∣dred Hills, (which is a small plot of Ground) to beare three hundred pound of Hoppes, so that the commodity is much and the gaines great: and one pound of our Hops dryed and ordere••, will goe as farre as two pound of the best Hops that commeth from beyond the Seas. Thus much I thought meet, and necessary to write, of the ordering and planting of the Hoppe.

How to packe your Hoppes.

VVHen your Hops be well tossed and turned on borded flowres, and well dryed (as I afore have shewed) ye shall put them into great Sackes, according to the quantity of your Hoppes, and let them be troden downe hard together, which will keepe their strength longer, and so ye may re∣serve

them, and take at your pleasure. Some doe use (which have but small store) to tread them into dry Fattes, and so serve them for their use, which is counted the better way, and the lesse portion doth serve, and will longer kee••pe their vertue and strength.

Wishing long life and prosperous Health, To all furtherers of this Common-wealth.

FJNJS.